cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variations in oviductal morphology of the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta

Histology of each of the five segments of the oviduct of the female turtle Chrysemys picta was described for successive intervals throughout their annual cycle. Uterine and glandular segments showed marked seasonal variations in the extent and content of the submucosal and epithelial glands. Submucosal glands were most prominent in preovulatory and postovulatory animals (May to June), regressing in late summer (oviposited animals) and recrudescing the following spring. These changes correlated with variations in the muscularis layer, the number of uterine epithelial blebs, oviductal vascularity, and the presence of eosinophils in cervical segment cross-sections. These cyclic seasonal changes are discussed in relationship to reported seasonal changes in gonadal steroids in this species. Hormonal control was corroborated by oviductal response to estradiol-17β injected (1 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks) into mature, reproductively inactive (winter) animals. This treatment induced increases in glandular activity, vascularity, and distribution of eosinophils comparable to those of reproductively active (summer) animals.
Examining the relationship between changes in personality and changes in depression

The present study explored the potential importance of using personality trait change as a unique predictor of change in depressive symptoms in a large, longitudinal sample. Cross-sectional, prospective, and correlated-change analyses, as well as several potential mediators (i.e., life satisfaction, chronic stressors, physical health) that may account for the link between personality traits and depression were tested. As predicted, the relationship between static levels of personality traits and depression found in previous research was replicated, and strong evidence was found for personality trait change in predicting change in depression. Variables associated with satisfaction and health were found to partially mediate the link between personality traits and depression.
Waveguide Submillimeter Mixers

A waveguide Schottky barrier diode mixer, which in preliminary tests has yielded a single sideband receiver noise temperature of 4300 K at 692 GHz, when cooled to 77 K is presented. Further refinements and operation at 20 K should produce a significant improvement in performance. From a system point of view, the very high efficiency of the radiation pattern produced by the conical feedhorn with cylindrical corrector mirror enhances the effective sensitivity by a factor of 1.5 to 2 compared to open-structure corner-reflector systems. A second-harmonic mixer for 557 GHz, also in the fundamental mode rectangular waveguide was developed. When combined with a frequency-tripled Gunn oscillator, this makes an extremely compact and lightweight submillimeter radiometer.
The Impact of Volute Versus Collector on Centrifugal Compressor Performance

As part of a revamp or rerate study, an investigation was undertaken to assess the impact of a collector design versus a volute on compressor performance. The subject compressor was a single stage, axial inlet configuration with a discharge collector rather than the more commonly used scroll volute. The primary distinction between the collector and volute is that the collector cross sectional area is constant at all circumferential locations. A complex 3D model containing the inlet, impeller, low solidity diffuser (LSD), and collector was built. A similar model was also created where the volute was substituted for the collector. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses were performed using these models with results generated at different flow rates. Computational results are presented and compared to test data for collector configuration. The test included standard performance measurements as well as more detailed internal flow data, allowing a credible comparison with the CFD results. Conclusions are drawn with respect to potential compromises in choosing a collector versus a volute.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Computations of film boiling. Part I: numerical method

Abstract A numerical method for direct simulations of boiling flows is presented. The method is similar to the front tracking/finite difference technique of Juric and Tryggvason [Int. J. Multiphase Flow 24 (1998) 387], where one set of conservation equations is used to represent the mass transfer, heat transfer, and fluid flow in the liquid and the vapor, but improves on their numerical technique by elimination of their iterative algorithm. The justification of the mathematical formulation is presented and the numerical method and the code is validated by comparison of the results with the exact solutions of a few analytical problems. A grid refinement test for film boiling on a horizontal surface shows the convergence of results.
Coupled vibration isolation/suppression system for space applications: aspects of structural design

Coupled vibration isolatiorilsuppression system for space applications:aspects of structural designEric K. Hall II, Jason T. Mueller'The Aerospace CorporationP.O. Box 92957, Los Angeles, California 90009ABSTRACTVibrations have long been a source of problems for space systems, with acoustic and aerodynamic excitations causingfailures during launch and periodic disturbances degrading performance on-orbit. In exploring nesv solutions to suchproblems, research at The Aerospace Corporation has recently considered the applicability of piezoceramic based adaptivesti-uctures to space systems. A small-scale testbed has been developed comprised of active mounting brackets that can isolatepayloads from disturbances and an active payload platform that can suppress vibrations generated by payload instruments.Various issues related to practical applications have been explored through this representative system, and in this paper theaspects of structural design and structural modeling are explored. Payload capabilities are bounded for realistic launchenvironments, and the accuracy of structural modeling techniques for the integrated system is considered. Through thiseffort, the feasibility and potential utility of space structures with integrated piezoceramic transducers is investigated. Thepaper concludes with a discussion of potential applications for such a system, and examines considerations for the transitionto practical space systems.Keywords: adaptive structures, isolation systems, piezoelectric transducers, finite element models1. BACKGROUND
Do Government Subsidies To Nonprofits Crowd Out Donations or Donors

The traditional test of the public-goods crowding-out effect may mask important impacts of government subsidies on private giving because it confounds the effects of subsidies on average donation size versus their effects on the number of donors. Using panel data on the U.S. nonprofit sector, the author shows that, although increased public funding has a neutral effect on total donations, it is associated with decreased average donations but a larger pool of donors.
A role for protein kinase C and its substrates in the action of valproic acid in the brain: implications for neural plasticity

Valproic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant with well-documented teratogenic effects, but whose mechanism of action is largely unknown. In the present study we have examined the effects of VPA on the expression of two prominent substrates for protein kinase C (PKC) in the brain, MARCKS and GAP-43, which have been implicated in actin-membrane plasticity and neurite outgrowth during neuronal differentiation, respectively, and are essential to normal brain development. Immortalized hippocampal HN33 cells exposed to VPA exhibited reduced MARCKS protein expression and demonstrated increased GAP-43 protein expression, with concomitant alterations in cellular morphology, including an increase in the number and length of neurites and accompanied by a reduction in cell growth rate. The effects of VPA were observed at clinically relevant concentrations following chronic (>1 day) VPA exposure. We also present evidence for a VPA-induced alteration in PKC activity, as well as temporal changes in individual PKC isozyme expression. Inhibition of PKC with the PKC-selective inhibitor, LY333531, prevented the VPA-induced down-regulation of membrane-associated MARCKS, but had no effect on the cytosolic MARCKS reduction or the GAP-43 up-regulation. Inhibition of PKC by LY333531 enhanced the differentiating effects of VPA; additionally, LY333531 alone induced greater neurite outgrowth in this cell line. Collectively, these data indicate that VPA induces neuronal differentiation, associated with a reduction in MARCKS expression and an increase in GAP-43 expression, consistent with the hypothesis that a reduction in MARCKS at the membrane may be permissive for cytoskeletal plasticity during neurite outgrowth.
Treatment with sirolimus ameliorates tacrolimus-induced autoimmune cytopenias after solid organ transplant

The development of autoimmune blood cell cytopenias is a potentially life-threatening complication of solid organ transplantation, resulting from T-cell dysregulation from immunosuppressive medications. Conventional treatment with corticosteroids and IVIgG is often unsuccessful as these therapies are unlikely to overcome the T-cell dysregulation. We describe two patients who developed severe autoimmune cytopenias after solid organ transplantation. They had limited response to conventional medications, but had complete resolution of autoimmunity upon transition of immunosuppression from tacrolimus to sirolimus. Altering the immunosuppressive regimen to modify T-cell dysregulation may be beneficial for patients who develop post-transplant autoimmune disease and allow continued preservation of allograft.
Experimental studies of the development of migratory orientation mechanisms

Recent experimental studies (since ca 1985) on the ontogeny of orientation mechanisms in migratory birds are reviewed. The processes and interactions are synthesized into a framework that may help identify critical research questions. Birds that grow up in the earth's magnetic field develop the ability to perform appropriate migratory orientation even in the absence of any experience with relevant visual cues. In two species, large changes in direction during the course of migration seem to be controlled by an endogenous time program. In one of these, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), the correct magnetic orientation seems to occur only when the magnetic fields appropriate to the latitudes encountered en route were experienced at the proper seasonal time. The magnetic compass may be modified by visual experience with either the daytime or night sky. Celestial rotation may be the calibrating reference in this case, as it is in the development of the star compass. Young Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) learn to perform compass orientation at sunset based on polarized skylight. This compass capability seems to be calibrated by magnetic directions. Some problems of experimental design and the interpretation of results from experiments on development are discussed.
Adhesion at Polymer-Solid Interfaces: Influence of Sticker Groups on Structure, Chain Connectivity and Strength

Abstract The influence of sticker groups (COOH) on the adhesion energy (G 1C) of a model carboxylated polybutadiene-amine terminated silane modified aluminum (cPBD-AIS) interface was examined using a T-peel test. An optimal COOH concentration of around 0.5 mol% was observed. At this concentration the interface possessed a maximum peel energy of 600 J/m2, which is approximately equal to the cohesive peel energy of PBD. The adhesion strength of the interface increased as the interaction parameter (°CHP-S) between COOH and the solid substrate increased. Additionally, G IC was strongly dependent on the annealing time, resulting from slow surface reorganization processes. The interface structure was explored using the self-consistent field lattice model (SCFLM) developed by Theodorou. An interphase region adjacent to the solid substrate was found as a consequence of a gradient in chain connectivity and a strong sticker group segregation near the solid surface. The modeling study provided information about how ...
Comparison of methods for separating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

Abstract A comparison is made of different stationary phases (silica gel, cellulose, acetylated cellulose, and 3-aminopropyl-, ethyl-, octyl-, octadecyl-, and diphenylsilanized silica gel), mobile phases, and development techniques (conventional, continuous, and multiple) for the separation of environmentally important polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Reversed-phase separations using octadecylsilanized silica gel and methanol—water or methanol—water-based ternary solvent systems were found to give the best separations. A new development technique, multiple development with application of the mobile phase further up the plate at each successive development, provided superior resolution of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons compared with conventional multiple development.
Direct measurement of the relation between interlayer force and interlayer distance in the swelling of montmorillonite

Abstract Oriented gels of eight Na-montmorillonites having values of the surface charge density, σ, ranging from ≈ 28,000 to 56,000 esu/cm2 were confined in a close chamber between a N2-gas piston and a porous ceramic plate in contact with a solution of 10−4 N NaCl. Successively higher pressures up to 6.9 bars were applied by the N2-gas piston while the NaCl solution was maintained at atmospheric pressure. After equilibration at each applied pressure, the c axis spacing of the silicate layers was measured by X-ray diffraction. Subsequently, the thickness of a silicate layer was subtracted from this spacing to obtain the corresponding interlayer separation, λ. Since, at equilibrium, the swelling pressure, II, is equal to the applied pressure, it was thus possible to determine II as a function of λ for each montmorillonite. We found that II is an exponential function of 1 λ . Also, at any value of II, the value of λ is independent of the value of σ. Neither of these findings is consistent with the double-layer (i.e., osmotic) theory of swelling. Therefore, an additional force, which is the dominant force at the observed values of λ, must be responsible for swelling. In view of an empirical relation that exists between II and any property of the water in the swollen system, we postulate that this additional force results from the in-depth perturbation of the water by the surfaces of the montmorillonite layers.
Performance and Power Simulation for Versatile GPGPU Global Memory

Many core architectural computing devices such as Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) are becoming increasingly popular in scientific computing because of their performance advantages. The scaling trends of processor and memory technologies demand more innovations in memory and processor architectures, e.g., the need for new architectural techniques to leverage Non-Volatile Random Access Memories (NVRAM). However, there is a lack of versatile simulation tools for application programmers and system architects to explore the design space of GPU global memory organization and management. In order to fill this void, we build a new GPGPU simulator called vGPGPUSim that can construct GPU global memory with different compositions of memory devices and simulate its performance and power consumption. Our initial results have shown that vGPGPU-Sim can faithfully reveal the internal execution details of versatile GPU global memory.
Three new Homo erectus mandibles from Java

There are now eleven manidublar pieces from the Lower and Middle Pleistocene of Java, all but one being from the Sangiran site. All of these have been assigned toHomo erectus by most workers, while others have suggested as many as four different hominoid taxa. Sangiran 21 (Mandible E), Sangiran 22 (Mandible F), and Sangiran 37 (Mandible G) are described here fully for the first time. Sangiran 21, 22, and 27 all come from the Upper Pucangan Formation and date approximately 1.2 Myr. The new mandibles are morphologically compatible with theH. erectus, crania from Java.
Mobile relay in LTE-advanced systems

Voice and data communications on high speed vehicles encounter bad channel condition, high call drop rate, serious signaling congestion and excessive power consumption of UE. Mobile relay technology which features on-board relay node is expected to improve the quality of service for passengers. However, the design for fixed relay in LTE-Advanced system cannot meet the requirements of mobile relay. In this article, the architecture for mobile relay is presented. The key techniques of supporting mobile relay are investigated, such as the group mobility, the local service support, the multi-RAT and RAN sharing, with the corresponding solutions. The potential system optimization, for example, the self-optimization network, power saving, measurement and system information acquisition are also presented where the efficiency of mobile relay can further be improved. Simulation and numerical results demonstrate the feasibility of the mobile relay.
A discussion of general prostate cancer screening versus targeted diagnosis in younger men

Although widely practiced, population-based screening for prostate cancer has not been proven or disproven to alter the disease-specific mortality in randomized, controlled trials. However, the prostate-specific antigen era (1988-present) has brought marked stage migration and improvements in 5-year survival rates that are encouraging. Targeted screening or case findings may be appropriate for high-risk men, including those with a positive family history of prostate cancer, and the use of prostate-specific antigen testing may be appropriate for younger men who are more commonly requesting to be screened.
Burst-Mode Transmission and Data Recovery for Multi-GHz Optical Packet Switching Network Testing

This paper describes the challenges associated with recovery of multi-GHz short burst communications in multi-channel systems, especially DWDM optical packet switching networks. Burst-mode data transmission complicates the standard methods typically used to recover embedded clock information and recover the serial data. Previously implemented solutions to this problem either constrain the test capability or are not extensible to higher signaling rates. A new approach, capable of locking in a single cycle at rates up to 10 Gbps is described in this paper. This solution applies to both the testing strategies and a receiver circuit used for an end-application optical switching network interface.
Unassisted transport of N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide through membrane: experiment and simulation of kinetics.

Cellular transport machinery, such as channels and pumps, is working against the background of unassisted material transport through membranes. The permeation of a blocked tryptophan through a 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) membrane is investigated to probe unassisted or physical transport. The transport rate is measured experimentally and modeled computationally. The time scale measured by Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeation Assay (PAMPA) experiments is ~8 h. Simulations with the Milestoning algorithm suggest Mean First Passage Time (MFPT) of ~4 h and the presence of a large barrier at the center of the bilayer. A similar calculation with the solubility-diffusion model yields MFPT of ~15 min. This permeation rate is nine orders of magnitude slower than the permeation rate of only a tryptophan side chain (computed by us and others). This difference suggests critical dependence of transport time on permeant size and hydrophilicity. Analysis of the simulation results suggests that the permeant partially preserves hydrogen bonding of the peptide backbone to water and lipid molecules even when it is moving closer to the bilayer center. As a consequence, defects of the membrane structure are developed to assist permeation.
Ecological assessment to detect imminent change in coral reefs of Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park, Turks and Caicos Islands

Coral reefs of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIs) (Caribbean Sea) constitute some of the few pristine coral reef systems in the world and play a crucial role in the islands’ economy because they support rich fisheries catches and tourism development. Ambitious development plans involving increase in fishing and tourism pressures are about to bring changes in coastal zone resources of the TCIs associated with increased sediments and nutrients and reduced predation by herbivorous fish on coral reefs. Understanding change is critical when attempting to protect the resources that these coral reefs support and to adopt proper management strategies. Yet, an environmental assessment program to detect imminent human-induced changes on the surrounding reefs of the TCIs is lacking. Thus, (i) we obtained baseline data on benthic composition and coral community structure at seven reef sites of representative reefs of the TCIs within the Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park (ACLSNP) of South Caicos Island and (ii) performed a priori statistical power analysis to calculate replication requirements for safely and confidently detecting small (δ = 0.1), medium (δ = 0.3), and large (δ = 0.5) effect sizes for a number of relevant to anticipated changes, univariate, benthic indices and for power β = 0.95. The platforms of the margin reefs studied (9–12 m depth) appeared rather variable regarding benthic composition but quite homogeneous regarding hard coral community structure. Mean percent cover of algal functional groups was 0.1 ± 0.3 (mean ± sd) percent for coralline algae and Halimeda, 0.1 ± 0.6 (mean ± sd) percent for macroalgae, 21.7 ± 33 (mean ± sd) percent for turf algae and 4.8 ± 4.0 (mean ± sd) percent for hard coral cover. The dominant benthic component, however, was carbonate substrate (mean ± sd = 30.4 ± 34.3), thus indicating an accreting reef framework. Mean hard coral density, colony size and recruit density were 5.5 ± 1.8 (mean ± sd) corals per 20-m line transect, 13.0 ± 2.3 (mean ± sd) cm maximum colony diameter, and 1.3 ± 1.4 (mean ± sd) recruits per square foot, respectively. Due to high natural variance, hard coral colony size and density were practically the most sensitive indices in detecting even small size changes on benthos. Also, the geometric mean of log-transformed colony size-frequency distributions of the most abundant hard coral taxa, i.e. Montastrea annularis, Agaricia spp., Siderastrea spp. and Porites asteroides were practically sensitive for the same purpose. We hope that the study will optimize the spatial component of a necessary environmental impact assessment program on coral reefs of the TCIs once the natural spatial variability of the system has been assessed and sensitive, benthic, univariate indices have been identified for representative reference coral reef sites of the TCIs.
Incidence of types of heart disease among 30,265 autopsies, with special reference to age and sex

Abstract A total of 4,678 cardiac deaths in a series of 30,265 autopsies (15.45 per cent) was analyzed. The incidence of the types, with the age and sex distribution, is given. A classification of heart disease based upon etiology and autopsy observations is presented.
A Review of 340 Orbital Tumors in Children During a 60-Year Period

We reviewed cases of histopathologically verified orbital tumors in children at our institution over 60 years to determine the distribution of various pathologic processes and trends over time. We studied the medical records and pathology specimens from 340 patients aged 18 years or younger who underwent biopsy for orbital mass from 1932 through 1991. The most common tumors were cysts (79 of 340, 23.2%), vascular lesions (60 of 340, 17.6%), optic nerve and meningeal neoplasms (56 of 340, 16.5%), inflammatory masses (29 of 340, 8.5%), osseous and fibrocystic lesions (27 of 340, 7.9%), and rhabdomyosarcomas (24 of 340, 7.1%). The overall frequency of malignancies was 18.2% (62 of 340): 11.5% (39) were primary tumors and 6.8% (23) were secondary and metastatic. The frequency of orbital malignancies was 25.4% (36 of 142) in the first 30 years (1932 through 1961) and 13.1% (26 of 198) in the second 30 years (1962 through 1991). The percentage of primary orbital malignancies was almost identical during the first and second periods (11.9% [17 of 142] and 11.1% [22 of 198], respectively). However, secondary and metastatic orbital neoplasms occurred in 13.4% (19 of 142) of the patients during the first 30 years and in only 2.0% (four of 198) during the second 30 years. The frequency of primary orbital malignancies in biopsy material remained the same over 60 years. However, the overall incidence of orbital biopsy specimens containing a malignancy decreased as a result of a reduction in the number of secondary and metastatic neoplasms that underwent biopsy.
"Antecedents of Advice Sources: Venture Stage, Innovativeness and Internationalization."

Much effort of entrepreneurs is dedicated to the search for ideas and solutions that can lead to new products and services or their commercialization. Relevant knowledge often lies outside an entrepreneur’s or a firm’s immediate competencies and expertise. Thus entrepreneurs use social networks and contacts to gain access to this knowledge. This paper addresses entrepreneurial choices regarding social contacts as important sources of advice. We use cross sectional survey data from entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa and find that social advice sources vary significantly by the venture phase, the innovativeness of the products, and international exposure of the firm. Entrepreneurs seek less external advice during established venture phases that are characterized by value capture rather than value creation. Entrepreneurs with very innovative products focus on social contacts in the competitive environment that are helpful for commercialization and diffusion of innovation. Internationally expos...
SELF-ASSEMBLY OF BOLA AMPHIPHILES

A bola amphiphile is composed of two polar head groups attached to the ends of a hydrophobic tail. In this paper, the principles of molecular self-assembly of bola amphiphiles are quantitatively established by applying thermodynamic and geometric considerations developed earlier for the more common one-headed amphiphiles. Bola amphiphiles are found to aggregate into spheres, small spherocylinders, large cylinders, small and large discs and vesicles. Inside these aggregates, the hydrophobic tail is expected to assume both a folded and a fully stretched conformation. In general, the presence of the second polar group in a bola amphiphile causes an increase in the aqueous solubility of the amphiphile, an increase in the cmc and a decrease in the aggregation number when compared to the corresponding one-headed amphiphile. The quantitative principles of self-assembly established here can aid in deciding which bola amphiphiles should be synthesized in order to generate desired organized assemblies.
Magnetic Shielding (Shielding of Magnetic Instruments From Steady Stray Fields)

This paper is a brief survey of the vast amount of work on magnetic shielding of instruments against steady stray fields, and allied problems, by several authors during the last fifty years. It contains, first, a simplified presentation of the method of zonal harmonic analysis, by way of introduction to the mathematical theory of shielding as presented by those authors, and second, a brief summary of their theoretical inferences and experimental findings. In a paper of this kind no ``conclusion'' is necessary; the following table of contents explains the plan of presentation followed herein. 1. Introduction 2. Designed and incidental shielding 3. Problem of shield design 4. Theory of shielding, methods of analysis 5. Method of magnetic images (geometric) 6. Harmonic analysis; conception of harmonic magnets and harmonic images 7. Zonal harmonics 8. DuBois' formula for shield factor 9. Material for shield 10. Importance of differential permeability for shielding 11. Failure of magnetic shield 12. Incidental shielding 13. Dynamic shielding 14. Differential shielding Appendix Mathematical theory of Zonal Harmonics 15. Zonal Harmonic coefficients 16. Geometric and harmonic images 17. Analysis of any magnetic field in general into component spherical or zonal harmonics.
Evaluation of Prognostic Criteria for Determining Hospice Eligibility in Patients With Advanced Lung, Heart, or Liver Disease

ContextMany individuals involved with care of the dying advocate expanding access to hospice care for persons with advanced lung, heart, or liver disease. However, to be eligible, these patients generally must have a prognosis for survival of less than 6 months.ObjectiveTo test the ability of currently available criteria to identify a population with a survival prognosis of 6 months or less among seriously ill hospitalized patients with 1 of 3 commonly fatal chronic diseases.DesignValidation study using data from the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments (SUPPORT) phase 1 (June 1989-June 1991) and phase 2 (January 1992-January 1994), with a 6-month follow-up.Setting and PatientsConsecutive sample of 2607 seriously ill patients from 5 US medical centers who were hospitalized with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, or end-stage liver disease, and who survived to hospital discharge.Main Outcome MeasuresDescriptive and operating characteristics of 5 general and 2 disease-specific clinical criteria for identifying patients with a survival prognosis of 6 months or less, and 3 sets of combination criteria (broad, intermediate, and narrow inclusion) aimed at providing low, medium, and high thresholds for hospice eligibility based on National Hospice Organization guidelines.ResultsSeventy-five percent of the sample survived more than 6 months after hospital discharge; 44% expressed a preference for palliative care. Broad inclusion criteria identified 923 patients eligible for hospice care, of whom 70% survived longer than 6 months. Intermediate inclusion criteria identified 300 patients, of whom 65% survived longer than 6 months. Narrow inclusion criteria identified 19 patients, of whom 53% survived longer than 6 months. Sensitivities and specificities of the combination criteria were 41.7% and 66.7% (broad inclusion), 16.2% and 90.1% (intermediate inclusion), and 1.4% and 99.5% (narrow inclusion), respectively.ConclusionsThese data indicate that for seriously ill hospitalized patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, or end-stage liver disease, recommended clinical prediction criteria are not effective in identifying a population with a survival prognosis of 6 months or less.
Phorbol ester‐stimulated murine myelopoiesis: Role of colony‐stimulating factors

Tumor promoting phorbol esters, such as 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), stimulate colony formation in vitro by murine granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GM-CFC) without added colony stimulating factors (CSF). To determine whether TPA induces CSF production in vitro, marrow cells were cultured for 1 to 7 days in liquid medium with or without TPA. No CSF was detected in any sample by a double antibody radioimmunoassay (sensitivity = 2 units/0.1 ml), however, colony-stimulating activity was detected in supernatant fluid from all TPA containing cultures by bioassay. This activity appeared to result from a direct effect of TPA rather than from production of CSF, as equivalent activity was found in TPA-containing medium incubated in the absence of marrow cells. Rabbit antiserum to purified L-cell CSF inhibited colony formation stimulated by L-cell CSF and WEHI-3 CSF, but had no effect on colony formation induced by TPA. Cells from long-term marrow cultures responded to TPA with colony formation, despite culture conditions and cell fractionation procedures that reduced the frequency of CSF-producing macrophages to less than 1.0%. TPA inhibited binding of radioiodinated L-cell CSF to marrow cells, especially if the cells were first exposed to TPA. These results do not support induction of CSF production as the major mechanism of phorbol ester stimulation of myelopoiesis. Phorbol esters may directly stimulate GM-CFC and/or enhance their response to CSF by a mechanism involving CSF binding sites.
Preventing staple-line leak in sleeve gastrectomy: reinforcement with bovine pericardium vs. oversewing.

One of the most serious, potentially life-threatening complications of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is staple-line leakage. Oversewing the LSG staple line vs buttressing it with bovine pericardial strips (BPS) to reduce perioperative bleeding and postoperative gastric leak was evaluated. From 2006 through 2011, 160 patients underwent LSG with suturing as the only staple-line reinforcement (Group A). From March 2010 through August 2012, 84 LSG patients had BPS incorporated into their last two stapler firings (Group B). Staple lines were evaluated perioperatively for bleeding, and patients were monitored for indications of staple-line leaks (peritonitis, abnormal output from the drain). In preoperative Group A and B, there were 117 (73.1 %) vs 56 (66.7 %) females; mean age, 35.2 years (18.0–68.0) vs 33.8 years (15.0–64.0); mean body mass index (BMI, kilograms per square meter), 42.5 (27.0–76.0) vs 42.0 (30.0–58.0). Three months after surgery, mean BMI for Group A was 37.3 (−5.9); Group B, 35.2 (−7.3); at 6 months, 32.7 (−10.8) and 31.5 (−11.3; p < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in perioperative blood loss, oversewn staple lines in Group A often required electrocautery to stanch bleeding; this was not required for Group B. In Group A, 15 patients (9.4 %) developed complications; in Group B, five (6.0 %; p = 0.46). Gastric fistula, verified by barium swallow, occurred in eight Group A patients (5.0 %); in Group B, one (1.2 %; p = 0.17). Relative to oversewing, staple-line buttressing with bovine pericardium was readily accomplished, safe, and associated with a lower staple-line leak rate.
Theory of interlayer spacing in ternary graphite intercalation compounds.

The composition dependence of interlayer spacing in stage-1 ternary graphite intercalation compounds is studied within two theoretical models and by computer simulation. Both the theoretical models neglect the energy associated with the transverse distortion of the graphite layers but include the difference in the ionic size and compressibility of the intercalant species. The first is a bilayer model which assumes that intercalants are randomly distributed in each layer but takes into account the correlation between intercalant ions in neighboring layers. The second is a monolayer model which assumes that the intercalants are randomly distributed in a rigid layer. Different conditions under which one sees a Vegard's-law behavior are discussed. The intercalant-composition (x) dependence of the average interlayer spacing and its deviation from the Vegard's-law behavior for different compressibility ratios are presented. Finally, we explore layer distortions in systems with finite transverse rigidity and compare our theoretical results with experimental data in ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{K}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{C}}_{8}$ systems.
Method for calculating the effects of a dynamic entity interacting with poly(dT-dA).poly(dT-dA): A dynamic enhancer-repressor action

The Green-function technique is used to study the interbase H-bond stretch poly(dT-dA)\ensuremath{\cdot}poly(dT-dA) (where dT is deoxythymine and dA is deoxyadenine) when an effective enzyme is attached to the helix. Four different one-hydrogen-bond attachment points are studied, and two different two-atom attachment points are studied. The enzyme attachments are allowed to oscillate at an unassumed resonant frequency associated with a thermally activated enzyme. This is equivalent in the Green-function formalism to a physical simulation of a simple enzyme attachment to a large DNA helix. The frequency dependence of hydrogen-bond thermal mean motion seems to be a key to the distinction between a dynamic repressor and enhancer action. The response is enhanced interbase hydrogen-bond-stretch amplitude when the effective enzyme attachment to the helix in poly(dT-dA)\ensuremath{\cdot}poly(dT-dA) is oscillating at frequencies that are near the interbase breathing mode of the helix. When the effective enzyme attachment is oscillating at frequencies far removed from the breathing mode of the helix, the response is usually repressed interbase hydrogen-bond stretch. Spectral density therefore may be a signature of protein enhancer or repressor action. A two-attachment effective enzyme is simulated, and it is shown that it can be approximated by the two individual one-point attachments if the force constant attaching them is small.
Block-design performance as a function of hue and race☆

Abstract The block-design subtest of the WISC was presented in two forms, the standard red/white and an alternative blue/yellow, to two groups of fourth- and fifth-grade children. Twenty black children and 20 white children performed the red/white task with no significant differences between their scores. Another 20 black and 20 white children performed the blue/yellow task showing a significant interracial difference. Within the group of black children there was also a significant difference between the red/white design scores and the blue/yellow design scores. It is proposed that genetically determined differences in the pigmentation of the fundus oculi account for these results.
User-Specific Feature-Based Similarity Models for Top-n Recommendation of New Items

Recommending new items for suitable users is an important yet challenging problem due to the lack of preference history for the new items. Noncollaborative user modeling techniques that rely on the item features can be used to recommend new items. However, they only use the past preferences of each user to provide recommendations for that user. They do not utilize information from the past preferences of other users, which can potentially be ignoring useful information. More recent factor models transfer knowledge across users using their preference information in order to provide more accurate recommendations. These methods learn a low-rank approximation for the preference matrix, which can lead to loss of information. Moreover, they might not be able to learn useful patterns given very sparse datasets. In this work, we present UFSM, a method for top-n recommendation of new items given binary user preferences. UFSM learns User-specific Feature-based item-Similarity Models, and its strength lies in combining two points: (1) exploiting preference information across all users to learn multiple global item similarity functions and (2) learning user-specific weights that determine the contribution of each global similarity function in generating recommendations for each user. UFSM can be considered as a sparse high-dimensional factor model where the previous preferences of each user are incorporated within his or her latent representation. This way, UFSM combines the merits of item similarity models that capture local relations among items and factor models that learn global preference patterns. A comprehensive set of experiments was conduced to compare UFSM against state-of-the-art collaborative factor models and noncollaborative user modeling techniques. Results show that UFSM outperforms other techniques in terms of recommendation quality. UFSM manages to yield better recommendations even with very sparse datasets. Results also show that UFSM can efficiently handle high-dimensional as well as low-dimensional item feature spaces.
Notes on improving Lisp

I understand that there is considerable tension between the goal of standardizing Common Lisp and the idea, prominent in Europe, that major improvements should be made in the course of creating an international standard. I agree with the idea that Common Lisp should be standardized as a consolidation of existing practice, and that innovations should be avoided in this process. My experience with the Algol 60 meetings led me to the opinion that innovation and standardization do not mix well. The trading involved in compromising interests in existing ways of doing things is only too compatible with what might be called implicit academic log rolling. "I'll agree that your new idea is great if you'll agree with mine." The result is an unimplementable monstrosity.
New directions in the development of antiarrhythmic drugs

: To identify new antiarrhythmic drugs and their mechanisms of actions, it has been necessary to use appropriate models to describe arrhythmias. Recently introduced concepts in cellular electrophysiology of arrhythmias provide the newest models in which drug development have been attempted. Arrhythmias have been attributed to abnormalities of conduction, abnormalities of impulse formation, or a combination of both. Recent descriptions of abnormally triggered rhythms have been ascribed to a phenomenon called afterdepolarizations. An ionic basis for the formation of these arrhythmias has been recently described. Further, specificity of the drug effects at a cellular level to modify these arrhythmias are being observed by a variety of new techniques. Microelectrode methods have provided direct access to the intracellular milieu to determine the biophysical changes brought about by antiarrhythmic agents. These observations have led to a greater understanding of the underlying abnormalities at the cellular level. Testing of antiarrhythmic drugs in the intact heart has led to the development of clinical use of invasive electrophysiologic techniques. Intracardiac catheters are being used to describe abnormalities of impulse initiation as well as conduction. Efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs in the intact heart may be determined with greater accuracy using these techniques. Abnormal rhythms can be initiated and terminated using intracardiac catheter methods with antiarrhythmic agents as therapeutic adjuncts.
The prevalence of youth with Autism spectrum disorders in the criminal justice system

Past surveys have reported high rates of youth with disabilities in the juvenile justice system, however, little research has examined the frequency with which youth with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are in contact with law enforcement. Using records linkage with the Department of Juvenile Justice and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the South Carolina Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Program (SC ADDM), this study compares the frequency, type, and outcome of criminal charges for youth with ASD and non-ASD youth. Youth with ASD had higher rates of crimes against persons and lower rates of crimes against property. Youth with ASD were more likely to be diverted into pre-trial interventions and less likely to be prosecuted than comparison youth. When compared to the overall SC ADDM sample, charged youth were less likely to have comorbid intellectual disability.
Record of redox status in laminated sediments from Lake Titicaca: A sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) study

Abstract Laminated sediments are commonly used to examine limnological and ecological processes on short time scales. Here, we examine changes in sulfur speciation of lamination couplets from Lake Titicaca, South America using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The dark-colored layer of each lamination couplet contains a significant fraction of reduced organic sulfides, with smaller fractions of iron sulfides and sulfate. In contrast, the light-colored layer of each couplet is primarily composed of sulfate. In all laminae, the sulfate is present as inorganic sulfate substituted in calcite. The differences in speciation likely reflect changes in productivity during sediment deposition. During the warm, productive summer months, micritic calcite precipitation was induced in oxidized surface waters due to pH changes induced by consumption of dissolved CO 2 —this calcite incorporates dissolved sulfate and forms the light-colored layers. This pulse of productivity creates organic matter that partially decomposes during the austral winter months, consuming oxygen and delivering organic-rich sediment to the lake bottom. This decomposition, and the possible presence of a halocline, kept bottom waters low in oxygen, and lead to the production of organic matter rich in reduced sulfur. These data suggest that these laminations are deposited annually and illustrate the utility of S K-edge XANES for the analysis of laminated sediments.
Structures of two ketals derived from a pentacyclic cage diketone

The structure of a compound derived from a symmetrical cage diketone in which one of the ketone C=O groups has been converted into a ketal is reported. An investigation into reasons for the selective functionalization resulted in the isolation of acis, cisoid, cis linear triquinane derivative in which both ketones are converted to ketals that share a transannular oxygen atom. Crystal data:2, monoclinic,P21/c,a=7.6298(9),b=7.673(3),c=22.125(3)A,β=97.59(1)°,V=1283.9(5)A3, andR=0.048 (1001 reflections);4, triclinic,P¯1,a=7.3864(9),b=9.6362(9),c=10.3889(9)A,α=75.749(6),β=76.300(8), γ=83.100(8)°,V=694.8(4)A3, andR=0.088 (1284 reflections).
The effects of liposome size and surface charge on liposome-mediated delivery of methotrexate-γ-aspartate to cells in vitro

Abstract We have studied the liposome-mediated delivery of methotrexate-γ-aspartate to five cell lines. The sensitivity of the cells to encapsulated drug varies widely in accordance with their ability to take up the liposomes. CV1-P cells can be 150-times more sensitive to encapsulated methotrexate-γ-aspartate than to free drug, while AKR/J SL2 cells are only twice as sensitive to the encapsulated drug. Negatively-charged liposomes are much more efficient for delivery than are neutral liposomes, and cholesterol is an essential component of the liposome membrane for optimal drug delivery. The optimal liposome size for drug delivery is 0.1 μm, although the amount of cell-associated lipid is the same for all liposome sizes. The effect of the encapsulated drug is inhibited by NH4Cl, suggesting an endocytic mechanism for delivery. The potency of the encapsulated drug is not affected by wide variations in the drug:lipid ratio.
Do green information systems impact performance

A structural model depicting the impact of green information systems on environmental, economic, and operational performance is theorised and assessed. Data were collected from 159 manufacturing managers and analysed using a structural equation modelling methodology. Green information systems positively and directly impact environmental, economic, operational performance. Green information systems also indirectly impact operational performance through environmental performance and indirectly impact economic performance through environmental performance. Organisations striving to improve environmental sustainability and operational performance are encouraged to modify existing enterprise resource planning systems to capture data and information related to environmental sustainability efforts. Evidence supports the need for manufacturers to develop green information system capabilities to improve environmental and operational performance. The results of this investigation support the proposition that green information systems are necessary to achieve environmental and economic sustainability.
The stability of the Gauss-Chebyshev method for Cauchy singular integral equations

Abstract We show that the infinity condition number of the Gauss-Chebyshev method, for the complete Cauchy singular integral equation (CSIE) of the first kind, is bounded above and below by the condition number of the dominant equation times a constant. The condition number of the dominant equation is asymptotically equal to {(0.718 + 0.344 ln n ) n − 0.344}. This implies that the Gauss-Chebyshev method is stable for very large n 's provided that the multiplying constants are not too large. The magnitude of the constants depends on the eigenvalues of the CSIE.