cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Original ContributionsA cost analysis of outpatient care for patients with Barrett’s esophagus in a managed care setting

OBJECTIVES: Although Barrett’s esophagus (BE) may be associated with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), there are currently no studies that evaluate resource utilization in Barrett’s patients. The aims of this study were 1) to determine the cost and number of endoscopies and clinic visits to the GI clinic for GERD or its complications in patients with BE; 2) to determine the pattern and cost of medication use in patients with BE; and 3) to compare medication use by patients with BE to that of patients with insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Using the cost distribution report data and the pharmacy acquisition costs from the Durham VAMC, we calculated the monthly cost of endoscopies, clinic visits related to GERD, and medication use in 53 patients with BE between 1/1/94 and 1/1/97. We also calculated the average cost of medication use for 55 patients with insulin-requiring DM. RESULTS: All patients with BE were male. Their median age was 64.0 yr (IQR 57–68). Of them, 92% were white; 23% had low-grade dysplasia (LGD). Patients with LGD were more likely to have more than three endoscopies in 3 yr than were those with no LGD (OR 6.3, 95% CI 1.11–35.67). There was no difference in clinic visits in the patients with and without dysplasia (OR 0.335, 95% CI 0.093–1.206). A total of 139 endoscopies and 172 clinic visits were observed. Outpatient care for patients with BE costs approximately $103/month or $1241/yr. Endoscopies and clinic visits accounted for 31.1% and 5.9% of the monthly medical cost, respectively. Medications accounted for 63% of the total cost of care. Prokinetic agents accounted for 0.8% of the total cost of medications, whereas histamine receptor antagonists (H2 blockers) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) accounted for 34.6% and 64.6%, respectively. Medication cost per month in patients with BE was approximately $65, similar to that of patients with insulin-requiring DM ($63). CONCLUSIONS: Our conclusions were as follows: 1) Outpatient care for patients with BE costs approximately $1241/yr or ($103/month). 2) Medication use per month accounted for more than half of the total cost; PPIs accounted for 64.6% of total medication cost, suggesting that reflux was severe. 3) Consistent with current surveillance strategies, patients with LGD had more frequent endoscopy than patients with no dysplasia. 4) Medication cost per month in patients with BE is similar to that in patients with DM, another group with a chronic disorder. 5) Those who make health policy can use these results to compare the cost of care of patients with BE to the cost for those with other chronic medical disorders.
Improved natural convection heat transfer correlations for reactor cavity cooling systems of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors: From computational fluid dynamics to Pronghorn

Abstract The reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS) is a common reactor safety system in high-temperature gas-cooled Reactors (HTGR) that removes heat from the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) by radiation ( ∼ 80 % ) and natural convection ( ∼ 20 % ). For the simulation of accident scenarios of HTGRs, intermediate fidelity and system codes models must be employed to limit the models’ execution time. While an accurate quantification of the radiative heat transfer is available in these models, the quantification of natural convection must rely on correlations of questionable accuracy for the Nusselt number. Commonly used correlations are based in experiments performed at low Rayleigh numbers and/or using isothermal walls in simplified geometries. This work improves on the accuracy of natural convection heat transfer correlations to support HTGR designs.These correlations include both local and average Nusselt numbers as a function of the global Rayleigh number, the local Rayleigh number, and the temperature profile at the hot wall of the RCCS. In the absence of dedicated experiments and the difficulty of performing high-fidelity simulations at realistic Rayleigh numbers, the data to fit the correlations are generated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models. First, a careful selection of the RANS turbulence model is performed by comparing the results obtained with different RANS turbulence models against high-fidelity simulations of natural convection at Ra 1 × 10 11 in a rectangular cavity. Next, the selected model is used to perform simulations of an HTGR cavity at different high Rayleigh numbers ∈ [ 6.1 × 10 11 , 2.9 × 10 13 ] to encompass several HTGR designs, assuming an isothermal RPV wall. The results obtained are used to fit a correlation for the average and space-varying Nusselt number as a function of the global and local Rayleigh numbers via a sparsity-promoting, least-squares method. The selected RANS model is then used to perform simulations of a PBMR-400 (Pebble Bed Modular Reactor) HTGR cavity with the temperature profiles at the RPV wall obtained during a PLOFC (Pressurized loss of forced cooling) transient. We use the results obtained to fit a temperature-dependent correction to the space-varying Nusselt number with the sparsity-promoting, least-squares method. The results obtained in this work enable system-level codes, such as Pronghorn, to perform higher-fidelity simulations of the heat exchange process in the RCCS while still maintaining a low computational cost.
SU-C-201-01: Investigation of the Effects of Scintillator Surface Treatment On Light Output Measurements with SiPM Detectors

Purpose: To examine the effect of different scintillator surface treatments (BGO crystals) on the fraction of scintillation photons that exit the crystal and reach the photodetector (SiPM). Methods: Positron Emission Tomography is based on the detection of light that exits scintillator crystals, after annihilation photons deposit energy inside these crystals. A considerable fraction of the scintillation light gets trapped or absorbed after going through multiple internal reflections on the interfaces surrounding the crystals. BGO scintillator crystals generate considerably less scintillation light than crystals made of LSO and its variants. Therefore, it is crucial that the small amount of light produced by BGO exits towards the light detector. The surface treatment of scintillator crystals is among the factors affecting the ability of scintillation light to reach the detectors. In this study, we analyze the effect of different crystal surface treatments on the fraction of scintillation light that is detected by the solid state photodetector (SiPM), once energy is deposited inside a BGO crystal. Simulations were performed by a Monte Carlo based software named GATE, and validated by measurements from individual BGO crystals coupled to Philips digital-SiPM sensor (DPC-3200). Results: The results showed an increment in light collection of about 4 percent when only the exit face of the BGO crystal, is unpolished; compared to when all the faces are polished. However, leaving several faces unpolished caused a reduction of at least 10 percent of light output when the interaction occurs as far from the exit face of the crystal as possible compared to when it occurs very close to the exit face. Conclusion: This work demonstrates the advantages on light collection from leaving unpolished the exit face of BGO crystals. The configuration with best light output will be used to obtain flood images from BGO crystal arrays coupled to SiPM sensors.
Assessment of performance and reproducibility of applying a content-based image retrieval scheme for classification of breast lesions

Purpose: To develop a new computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme using a content-based image retrieval (CBIR) approach for classification between the malignant and benign breast lesions depicted on the digital mammograms and assess CAD performance and reproducibility. Methods: An image dataset including 820 regions of interest (ROIs) was used. Among them, 431 ROIs depict malignant lesions and 389 depict benign lesions. After applying an image preprocessing process to define the lesion center, two image features were computed from each ROI. The first feature is an average pixel value of a mapped region generated using a watershed algorithm. The second feature is an average pixel value difference between a ROI’s center region and the rest of the image. A two-step CBIR approach uses these two features sequentially to search for ten most similar reference ROIs for each queried ROI. A similarity based classification score was then computed to predict the likelihood of the queried ROI depicting a malignant lesion. To assess the reproducibility of the CAD scheme, we selected another independent testing dataset of 100 ROIs. For each ROI in the testing dataset, we added four randomly queried lesion center pixels and examined the variation of the classification scores. Results: The area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.962 ± 0.006 was obtained when applying a leave-one-out validation method to 820 ROIs. Using the independent testing dataset, the initial AUC value was 0.832 ± 0.040, and using the median classification score of each ROI with five queried seeds, AUC value increased to 0.878 ± 0.035. Conclusions: The authors demonstrated that (1) a simple and efficient CBIR scheme using two lesion density distribution related features achieved high performance in classifying breast lesions without actual lesion segmentation and (2) similar to the conventional CAD schemes using global optimization approaches, improving reproducibility is also one of the challenges in developing CAD schemes using a CBIR based regional optimization approach.
Fibrous dysplasia of the maxilla, leontiasis ossea type; report of a case with surgical treatment.

Abstract A case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of the maxilla is presented. The diagnosis can be made by means of a biopsy in the dental office. Dentists should familiarize themselves with this disease, as it can be adequately treated by conservative surgical and prosthetic techniques.
Neutral-Higgs-boson CP violation at micro+ micro- colliders.

CP-violating asymmetries in both the production and the decays of s-channel neutral Higgs bosons at ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{+}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ colliders can be large. If the CP violation occurs in the muon--Higgs-boson coupling, one observes a production asymmetry with transversely polarized ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{+}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ beams. Likewise if the CP violation occurs in the top-quark--Higgs-boson or \ensuremath{\tau}--Higgs-boson coupling, one observes an azimuthal decay asymmetry in ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{+}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}tt\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} (or ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}^{+}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$). CP studies at such colliders allow a uniquely clean way of deducing the underlying CP phases; in turn these parameters would significantly improve our understanding of baryogenesis.
Latino/as, Asian Americans, and the black-white binary

This paper aims to contribute toward coalitionbuilding by showing that, even if we try tobuild coalition around what might look like ourmost obvious common concern – reducing racism –the dominant discourse of racial politics inthe United States inhibits an understanding ofhow racism operates vis-a-vis Latino/as andAsian Americans, and thus proves more of anobstacle to coalition building than an aid. Theblack/white paradigm, which operates to governracial classifications and racial politics inthe U.S., takes race in the U.S. to consist ofonly two racial groups, Black and White,with others understood in relation to one ofthese categories.I summarize and discuss the strongestcriticisms of the paradigm and then develop twofurther arguments. Together these argumentsshow that continuing to theorize race in theU.S. as operating exclusively through theblack/white paradigm is actuallydisadvantageous for all people of color in theU.S., and in many respects for whites as well(or at least for white union households and thewhite poor).
Venlafaxine Abuse in a Patient with Schizophrenia and Prior History of Substance Dependence: A Case Report

Venlafaxine is a serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is believed to have no abuse potential. Currently, 2 published case reports argue against this notion. This article describes a third case of venlafaxine abuse and the first in the literature on a patient with schizophrenia. This article will also review the literature on venlafaxine abuse and propose a pharmacological explanation for its abuse potential. Healthcare practitioners need to be cautious when prescribing venlafaxine and other neuromodulatory medications.
Computational Prediction of Genes Translationally Regulated by Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Elements

Cytoplasmic post-transcriptional modification of mRNA transcripts in the form of polyadenylated (poly(A)) tails plays a key role in their translational control. The timing and degree of polyadenylation has been shown to be due in part to a consensus nucleotide sequence --- cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) which can be detected by a polyadenylation element binding protein (CPEB). An individual mRNA transcript controlled by CPEB may contain one or more CPE sites occurring upstream of a consensus hexamer poly-(A) signal. A probabilistic model, CPEDetector, is presented for predicting whether or not a gene's translation is mediated by CPEB. CPEDetector takes into account detected CPE sites, poly-A sites, and distance metrics between the detected locations. This approach is tested against the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of known genes using the UTRdb database.
What Do Robots Dream Of

Robots that create and update internal models of their own structure may be able to navigate the world in a more robust way and provide a test bed for models of self-awareness.
Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in roasted coffee

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are suspected to be carcinogenic and mutagenic. This study describes the presence of PAHs in light, medium and dark roasted coffee including instant and decaffeinated brands. Total PAHs concentration was related to the degree of roasting with light roasted coffee showing the least and dark roasted coffee showing the highest level. Both instant and decaffeinated coffee brand showed lower levels of PAHs. Naphthalene, acenaphthylene, pyrene and chrysene were the most abundant individual isomers. The concentrations ranged from 0 to 561 ng g−1 for naphthalene, 0 to 512 ng g−1 for acenaphthylene, 60 to 459 ng g−1 for pyrene and 56 to 371 ng g−1 for chrysene. Thus, roasting conditions should be controlled to avoid the formation of PAHs due to their suspected carcinogenic and mutagenic properties.
Sources of Xanthophyll for Pigmentation in Broilers

Abstract AN INCREASED interest in pigmentation has occurred as evidenced by numerous recent papers concerning this subject (Anjaneylu et al., 1961; Farr et al., 1961; Mitchell et al, 1961; Morehouse, 1961; Wheeler and Turk, 1961; Tarver, 1961; Couch, 1961; Ratcliff et al., 1961; Hastings, 1961; and Williams, 1962). Research work has centered around (1) finding new sources of xanthophyll, (2) enhancement of utilization of xanthophyll, (3) determining relative pigmenting values of feedstuffs and (4) egg yolk pigmentation. Pigmentation problem with broilers appears to be less acute than formerly, except in certain areas. The greatest problem today is with eggs being produced for breakout operations where uniform deep colored egg yolks are desired, but have been difficult to obtain through the use of natural ingredients which furnish xanthophyll. Dietary levels of 15 to 25% of high quality alfalfa leaf meal were found to be necessary to produce intense yolk pigmentation, NEPA 5 …
Intrinsic motivation, vitality, and high altitude mountaineering: An analysis of seven case studies

For outdoor leaders, understanding psycho-physiological factors can provide insight into college students' performance while on a mountaineering expedition involving exposure to high altitude (5640 m). This paper focuses on each participant's level of intrinsic motivation (IM), subjective vitality (SV), select physiological markers, and the presences of acute mountain sickness (AMS) based on the specified mountaineering context and altitude, through Cognitive Evaluation Theory, a sub-theory of Self-determination Theory. A multiple case study design (N=7) was employed; data were collected at select times during the expedition. Case's results reflect a sharp decline in SV level before descending, and similarly for IM with noted exceptions. IM and SV scores may have been a function of the physiological changes that occurred during high altitude exposure. Employing a deliberate participant data observation system in the field can improve leaders' understanding of participant's psycho-physiological status.
Reliability issue of 20 nm MLC NAND Flash

We report reliability issues of MLC NAND Flash memories due to the cell size scaling down to 20nm. For word line (WL) air-gap process to overcome the Floating gate (FG) - FG coupling [1], we have investigated the hydrogen effect of Inter-Layer-Dielectric (ILD) materials on reliability characteristics. We also demonstrate different charge loss phenomenon through Inter-Poly-Dielectric (IPD) on 20nm cells by the IPD scaling due to narrow FG to FG isolation space from measured lower activation energy(Ea) value (0.33 eV) than previously reported.
Reactivity of FeO(111)/Pt(111) with Alcohols

We report on the reactivity of a FeO(111) monolayer grown on Pt(111) toward aliphatic alcohols. Using a combination of temperature-programmed desorption, infrared reflection−absorption spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy techniques, we show that the alcohols dissociate primarily at FeO(111) step edges and their oxidation leads to the removal of the FeO(111) film. Upon annealing, FeO(111) lattice oxygen is incorporated into the reaction products, and reduced iron left behind dissolves into the underlying Pt(111) substrate. Ethanol is employed in a more detailed spectroscopic study to follow the reaction products and surface intermediates as the removal of FeO(111) proceeds. The ethoxy species formed upon dissociative adsorption of ethanol at the FeO(111) step edges undergo partial oxidation to acetaldehyde and a complete oxidation to CO and H2O. Other products, CH4 and H2, associated with the reactions occurring on Pt(111) are also observed as the bare Pt(111) surface appears. A similar etching...
Effects of a Developmentally Based Intervention With Teachers on Native American and White Early Adolescents’ Schooling Adjustment in Rural Settings

This study reports the effectiveness of a developmentally based, teacher professional development intervention aimed at improving early adolescent school adjustment. Teachers in rural schools in a Northern Plains state took part in professional development activities across a year. Following a randomized control trial design, Native American and White students’ (N = 165) social, behavioral, and academic adjustment was assessed in intervention compared with control schools. Regression analyses, controlling for baseline and demographic variables, indicated that students in intervention schools improved in achievement, and improved or sustained beginning-of-year schooling dispositions, and perceptions of the school social/affective context, in comparison with evident declines for students in control schools. Native American students more so than White students evidenced particular gains in achievement and perceptions of the school social/affective context.
Effect of Mental Disorders on Hospital Readmission for Medical/Surgical Patients:

Summmry.-To estimate the relationship between mental health problems and use of medical resources, this study compared readmission rates of medical/ surgical patients who had a comorbid psychiatric disorder with those who did not. Patients with mental disorders were no more likely to be readmitted for medical problems after their index hospitalization than pacients without psychiatric comorbidity. Results may assist in determining whether to include psychiatric variables as risk factors that might predict poor outcome dter medical care. Change in reimbursement rates based on diagnostically related grouping ( DRG) has increased interest in identifying conditions which complicate hospital stay. That psychiatric disorders can confound medical treatment and lengthen time for inpatient medical care is known (5), and cost effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for medically ill has been demonstrated (10, 11). Incidence of psychiatric disorder has been noted as a risk factor in some studies that have developed risk-screening protocols for medical care (2). Success in shortening hospital stays for medical or surgical patients, however, may result in unexpected negative outcomes, such as readmission. Determining direct or indirect effects of mental disorders on use of medical care facilities could result in substantial changes in provision of service. Incidence of mental disorder in acute care medical settings has been estimated from 15% (8) to over 30% (9). To determine the relationship between mental health problems and use of medical resources, this study compared readmission rates of medical or surgical patients who had a comorbid mental disorder with those who did not. Results may assist in determining whether to include psychiatric comorbidity as a risk factor that might predict poor outcome after hospitalization for medical care. METHOD
Rats’ barpressing in the presence of free food as a function of fixed ratio schedules

Nine rats were tested in a choice situation in which they could obtain food pellets by barpressing at various FR schedules or take it freely from a dish. All animals were given barpress training at FR 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and again at FR 1, and tested in the choice situation at FR 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, and again at FR 1. The mean percentage of food pellets obtained by barpressing in the presence of free food decreased in a significant linear fashion from 65% at FR 1 to 11% at FR 21, and then increased to 69% for the last choice session at FR 1. A direct relationship was demonstrated between the amount of work involved in barpressing for food and the percentage of food taken by barpressing.
Understanding the concept of supply chain resilience

Purpose – In the emerging disciplines of risk management and supply chain management, resilience is a relatively undefined concept. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated perspective on resilience through an extensive review of the literature in a number of disciplines including developmental psychology and ecosystems. In addition, the paper identifies and addresses some of the current theoretical gaps in the existing research.Design/methodology/approach – Supply chain resilience has been defined by a number of disciplines. An integrative literature review is conducted in an attempt to integrate existing perspectives. This review also serves as the basis for the development of a conceptual model.Findings – The key elements of supply chain resilience and the relationships among them, the links between risks and implications for supply chain management, and the methodologies for managing these key issues are poorly understood. Implications for future research advocate testing the proposed mod...
Interaction of Charged Particles with a Degenerate Fermi-Dirac Electron Gas

Expressions for the self-energy and interaction probability of charged particles fn a degenerate Fermi-Dirac electron gas are givens generalizing from the dielectric theory of Lindhard and Hubbard and treating interactions between electrons in the gas by first order perturbatfon theory. Numerical results for the interactfon probability in a particular case are presented. A more general Feynman diagrammatic analysis of interaction in the gas is carried out, yielding results in agreement with the more elementary approach. (auth)
Racemization and amination of the keto-analog of isoleucine in the intact dog.

Abstract In order to establish that racemization of the keto-analog of l (+)-isoleucine occurs in vivo, 3–5 mmol/kg of nearly pure optically active S(+)- α-keto-β-methylvalerate was injected intravenously in intact dogs and sequential measurements of its concentration and optical activity in plasma were made by isolating the compound as its 2,4-dinitrophenyl-hydrazone. Disappearance from plasma was exponential at a rate of 0.0824 ± 0.0035 min−1; its volume of distribution was 31 ± 1% of body weight. The average concentration of the R(−)-enantiomer, expressed as percentage of total ketoacid, increased from an initial value of 3.4 to 21.5% at 35 min. Plasma levels of isoleucine and alloisoleucine rose rapidly (to approximately 1.6 and 0.25 m m , respectively), but alloisoleucine reached a peak later and decayed much more slowly. The results demonstrate the existence of a biological mechanism of racemization of S(+)-α-keto-β-methylvaleric acid in the dog. This compound is rapidly cleared from plasma and a substantial proportion is rapidly transaminated to yield both isoleucine and alloisoleucine.
Antimicrobial resistance issues of the future

Increasing antimicrobial resistance among respiratory pathogens has the potential to reduce the efficacy of standard dosage regimens for many oral drugs. The goal of antimicrobial therapy is to maximize bactericidal activity. The duration of time that serum concentrations exceed the MIC is the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameter that determines efficacy for beta-lactams, macrolides, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Studies in animal models suggest that serum levels of beta-lactams need to exceed the MIC for about half of the dosing interval to obtain maximum antimicrobial efficacy. Studies in children with acute otitis media also demonstrate that serum concentrations need to exceed the MIC for 40% or more of the dosing interval to obtain bacteriologic cure in over 85% of patients. With the oral beta-lactams used against penicillin-resistant Streptotoccus pneumoniae, this goal is obtained only with amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanate. For Haemophilus influenzae, several beta-lactams including cefixime, cefpodoxime, and amoxicillin/clavulanate provide serum levels with the longest durations above the MIC. Antimicrobial resistance has also stimulated the search for new potent antimicrobials, altered but effective dosing regimens, and resistance control measures, such as the prudent use, optimal infection control practices, and vaccines to reduce colonization and subsequent infection.
REPRESENTATION OF SIMILARITY MATRICES BY TREES

Abstract Suppose given a set of similarities (or dissimilarities) between pairs of of objects from some set of objects, such as animal species, books, colours. We wish to construct from this similarity matrix a tree, or nested set of clusterings of the objects; graphs of trees provide a striking visual display of similarity groupings of the objects. The construction requires (1) a definition specifying when a similarity matrix has exact tree structure, (2) a measure of distance between any two similarity matrices, which yields (when combined with (1)) a measure of distance between any similarity matrix and any tree, (3) a family of local operations on a tree, which can be used to search out trees which best fit a given similarity matrix. The construction technique is applied to voting behaviour of the 50 United States in the last 13 presidential elections, giving a tree clustering of the states.
Further Reflections on ASR's Greatest Hits

In the “Editor’s Comment” published in the February 2005 issue of the American Sociological Review (ASR), I note that ASR has published high-impact papers since its very first issue in 1936. In this brief essay a number of related themes are developed in greater depth. The “greatest hits” approach is contrasted with other citation analyses. I discuss the citation “life course,” that is, the period of time over which citations rise and eventually fall. I compare citations to ASR articles with those garnered by articles in other journals. The Editor Comment ends with a discussion of the social and intellectual diversity of ASR.
Rapid microplate assay for monitoring botulinum neurotoxin B catalytic activity.

The binding activity of a rabbit polyclonal antiserum raised against a 51-residue peptide (P51) homologous to human VAMP2 (residues 44–94) was examined. Human VAMP2 is an 18-kDa protein located on the external membrane of small synaptic vesicles and is targeted by four of the seven botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes (B, D, F and G). The antiserum, designated anti-P51, recognized P51 but exhibited little cross-reactivity with the two cleavage products that result from BoNT/B-mediated proteolysis of P51. The larger of these fragments, designated as P33 (residues 44–76), exhibited a weak but measurable interaction with the antiserum. The smaller cleavage product, designated as P18 (residues 77–94), was not recognized by the antiserum. Anti-P51 was used to monitor BoNT/B light chain (LC)-mediated cleavage of P51 using an indirect ELISA. The serine protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride did not inhibit BoNT/B activity, but the zinc chelator N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) and the elastase inhibitor 7- N -phenylcarbamoylamino-4-chloro-3-propyloxyisocoumarin (ICD 1578) produced complete blockade of BoNT/B LC action. Under ideal conditions, it will be possible to evaluate up to seven candidate anti-BoNT/B drugs in triplicate at four concentrations using a single 96-well microtiter plate. These findings indicate that the ELISA will be suitable for rapid screening of BoNT/B inhibitors.
Structural damage detection using strain data via linear matrix inequality based methods

Linear matrix inequality (LMI) methods are proposed for computationally efficient solution of damage detection problems in structures utilizing displacement or strain modal measurement data. The structural damage detection problem that is considered consists of estimating the existence, location, and extent of damage using simulated data. This problem is formulated as a convex optimization problem involving LMI constraints on the unknown structural stiffness parameters. LMI optimization problems have low computational complexity and can be solved very efficiently using interior-point methods. The proposed techniques are applied to detect damage in a simulation example of a cantilevered beam test-bed using displacement and strain mode shapes.
A cubic estimte of the term structure of interest rates for a money demand function

Heller and Khan (1979) estimate the term structure of interest rates by a quadratic equation in order to employ the estimated parameters of the term structure in a demand-for-money function. An important improvement of their estimates can be made by specifying a cubic rather than a quadratic equation in order to estimate "humped" term structures. Furthermore, the ordinal numbering of the maturities must be changed to the actual length of the maturity of each security to avoid estimation error.
Comparative urban politics and the question of scale

Critics of US theories of urban politics have drawn attention to the ‘localist’ nature of growth coalition and urban regime frameworks, arguing that they focus parochially on the urban scale and th...
Uterine involution, ovarian activity, and fertility after melengestrol acetate and estradiol in early postpartum cows.

Abstract Twenty-seven Holstein cows were assigned to control, melengestrol acetate, 2 2Melengestrol acetate was generously supplied by Dr. J. W. Lauderdale, The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan. or melengestrol acetate plus estradiol groups. Melengestrol acetate was fed 1 mg/cow per day for 14 days beginning 21 ±1 days after calving. Estradiol benzoate 3 3Sigma Chemical Co. (500 μ g) was injected intramuscularly 48h after the last melengestrol acetate feeding. Cows were inseminated at first and any subsequent estrus after 50 days postpartum. Weekly palpation per rectum revealed diameter of the largest uterine horn decreased until 7 wk postpartum, but there was no significant difference among treatment groups. A temporary plateau in diameter of the largest uterine horn in cows treated with melengestrol acetate occurred the week after treatment. Cows receiving melengestrol acetate had more follicles>1.0cm diameter but only during treatment. There was no significant difference in interval to first ovulation or corpus luteum formation among the three groups. Control, melengestrol acetate, and melengestrol acetate plus estradiol group means for interval from calving to first estrus, days open for cows conceiving, and services per conception were 63±11, 37±9, and 41±7; 153±15, 83±6, and 101± 15; and 3.3±.8, 1.7±.3, and 2.1 ±.4. Values for the control group were higher than values for the other two groups. There was no difference in milk yield among the groups during the lactation in which melengestrol acetate was administered.
Synthesis of 1-[(2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy)methyl]-1,2,4-triazole-3- and 5-carboxamides

Abstract Coupling of trimethylsilyl derivative of methyl 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylate with 2- O -(chloromethyl)-1,3-di- O -benzyl glycerol, followed by amination and removal of the protecting groups afforded 1-[(2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy)methyl]-1,2,4-triazole 3- and 5-carboxamides, 1a and 1b, respectively.
Improvement of the process overlay control for sub-40-nm DRAM

In recent years, DRAM technology node has shrunk below to 40nm HP (Half Pitch) patterning with significant progresses of hyper NA (Numerical Aperture) immersion lithography system and process development. Especially, the development of DPT (Double Patterning Technology) and SPT (Spacer Patterning Technology) can extend the resolution limit of lithography to sub 30nm HP patterning. However it is also necessary to improve the tighter overlay control for developing the sub 40nm DRAM because of small device overlap margin. Since new process technologies such as complex structure of DPT and SPT, new hard mask material and extreme CMP (Chemical Mechanical Planarization) process have also applied as design rule is decreased, the improvement of process overlay control is very important. In this paper, we have studied that the characterization of overlay performance for sub 40nm DRAM with actual experimental data. First, we have investigated the influence on the intra field overlay and inter field overlay with comparison of HOWA and HOPC and the improvement of inter field overlay residual errors. Then we have studied the process effects such as hard mask material, thermal process and CMP process that affect to overlay control.
SEMI-BLIND ROBUST IDENTIFICATION/MODEL (IN)VALIDATION WITH APPLICATIONS TO MACRO-ECONOMIC MODELLING

Abstract This paper addresses the problems of worst-case identification and model invalidation of systems subject to unknown initial conditions. While in principle these problems lead to non-convex Bilinear Matrix Inequalities (BMIs), we show that tractable convex relaxations are readily available. The potential of these techniques is illustrated by identifying and validating a subsystem of the macro-economy relating inflation and interest-rates.
Developing acceptance limits for measured bearing wear of the Space Shuttle Main Engine high pressure oxidizer turbopump

The probabilistic design approach currently receiving attention for structural failure modes has been adapted for obtaining measured bearing wear limits in the Space Shuttle Main Engine high-pressure oxidizer turbopump. With the development of the shaft microtravel measurements to determine bearing health, an acceptance limit was neeed that protects against all known faiure modes yet is not overly conservative. This acceptance criteria limit has been successfully determined using probabilistic descriptions of preflight hardware geometry, empirical bearing wear data, mission requirements, and measurement tool precision as an input for a Monte Carlo simulation. The result of the simulation is a frequency distribution of failures as a function of preflight acceptance limits. When the distribution is converted into a reliability curve, a conscious risk management decision is made concerning the acceptance limit.
Grappling with metastatic risk: Bringing molecular imaging of Met expression toward clinical use

The availability of a test to assess the likelihood that a given tumor will invade or metastasize would be a useful development in clinical oncology. We propose that multimodality imaging of tumor expression of Met could serve as a prototype for metastatic risk stratification (MRS). Met, a receptor protein tyrosine kinase, is expressed by most solid tumors, and aberrant expression of Met is associated with poor clinical prognosis. We summarize the current status and predict the future direction of research in four areas of molecular imaging and cancer therapy that exploit Met.
Erythropoietic activity of proteolytic enzymes.

SummaryCrystalline papain and crude bromelin preparations stimulate erythropoiesis, whereas other proteolytic enzymes are ineffective. Sialic acid, measured by direct Ehrlich reaction, has been detected in crystalline papain preparations.
On the size effect in abrasive and erosive wear

Abstract It is a familiar observation that the wear process in erosion and both two- and three-body abrasion of ductile metals becomes less efficient as the eroding or abrading particle size decreases below about 100 μm. At least a dozen explanations have been presented for this phenomenon, with most studies having been restricted to one type of wear. In the present work we present results for erosion and two-and three-body abrasion using a range of particle sizes, and we draw on the grinding and metal-cutting literature. It is concluded that the only explanation for the size effect which cannot be discounted is that shallow surface layers exhibit a higher flow stress than that of the bulk material when they are abraded or eroded.
Biology and ecology of Anagrus takeyanus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), an egg parasitoid of the azalea lace bug (Heteroptera: Tingidae).

Mean duration of development of the parasitoid Anagrus takeyanus Gorclh in the eggs of the tingid Stephanitis pyrwides (Scott) was 36.7, 26.1, and 16.4 d at 21, 24, and 27°C, respectively. The average lifespan of A. takeyanus adults provided with honey-water solution was 1.35, 1.07, and 0.88 d at 21, 24, and 27"C, respectively, and <1 d at all 3 temperatures when given water only. Male A. takeyanus occurred rarely and emerged from host eggs <2 d later than females. The male wasp, previously unreported, has 13 antenna! segments; antennae of female wasps have 9 segments. There were 5 emergence peaks in 1992 and 1993 in the Georgia Piedmont. A. takeyanus emerged from overwintering S. pyrioides eggs synchronously with or slightly later than its host in 1992 and synchronously vvith or earlier than its host in 1993. Parasitism of S. pyrioides eggs averaged 19, 18, and 17% at 3 sites in the Georgia Piedmont in 1992, and 14, 9, and 7% in 1993. Parasitism of S. pyrioides eggs by A. takeyanus was widespread in Georgia and also was detected in Alabama, North Carolina, and Florida.
The interdependence of endothelin-1 and calcium: a review

The 21-amino-acid peptide ET-1 (endothelin-1) regulates a diverse array of physiological processes, including vasoconstriction, angiogenesis, nociception and cell proliferation. Most of the effects of ET-1 are associated with an increase in intracellular calcium concentration. The calcium influx and mobilization pathways activated by ET-1, however, vary immensely. The present review begins with the basics of calcium signalling and investigates the different ways intracellular calcium concentration can increase in response to a stimulus. The focus then shifts to ET-1, and discusses how ET receptors mobilize calcium. We also examine how disease alters calcium-dependent responses to ET-1 by discussing changes to ET-1-mediated calcium signalling in hypertension, as there is significant interest in the role of ET-1 in this important disease. A list of unanswered questions regarding ET-mediated calcium signals are also presented, as well as perspectives for future research of calcium mobilization by ET-1.
Cost study of solar cell space power systems.

Historical costs for solar cell space power systems were evaluated. The study covered thirteen missions that represented a broad cross section of flight projects over the past decade. Fully burdened costs in terms of 1971 dollars are presented for the system and the solar array. The costs correlate reasonably well with array area and do not increase in proportion to array area. The trends for array costs support the contention that solar cell and module standardization reduce costs.
Rotors and the Dynamics of Cardiac Fibrillation

The objective of this article is to present a broad review of the role of cardiac electric rotors and their accompanying spiral waves in the mechanism of cardiac fibrillation. At the outset, we present a brief historical overview regarding reentry and then discuss the basic concepts and terminologies pertaining to rotors and their initiation. Thereafter, the intrinsic properties of rotors and spiral waves, including phase singularities, wavefront curvature, and dominant frequency maps, are discussed. The implications of rotor dynamics for the spatiotemporal organization of fibrillation, independent of the species being studied, are described next. The knowledge gained regarding the role of cardiac structure in the initiation or maintenance of rotors and the ionic bases of spiral waves in the past 2 decades, as well as the significance for drug therapy, is reviewed subsequently. We conclude by examining recent evidence suggesting that rotors are critical in sustaining both atrial and ventricular fibrillation in the human heart and its implications for treatment with radiofrequency ablation.
Role of vascular factors, including angiogenesis, in the mechanisms of action of sucralfate

This brief overview of our recent results implicates vascular factors in the mechanisms of acute and chronic actions of sucralfate. Pretreatment of rats with sucralfate and its components, such as SOS and sodium sulfate, prevented the ethanol-induced microvascular injury and maintained blood flow in the gastric mucosa. Thus, preservation of microvascular integrity seems to be one of the mechanisms of acute gastroprotection by sucralfate. Chronic experiments with subcutaneously implanted sponges containing sucralfate or SOS revealed that both compounds stimulated angiogenesis, whereas only sucralfate enhanced the area of granulation tissue. These processes may have a role in the ulcer-healing action of sucralfate.
Isoproterenol-stimulated DNA synthesis: requirement for OH groups on the phenyl ring for activity.

A single intraperitoneal administration of 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-isopropylaminoethanol (isoproterenol) causes a marked stimulation of DNA synthesis and cell division in parotids of mice. An analog of isoproterenol, 1-phenyl-2-isopropylaminoethanol, can be hydroxylated by mouse liver in positions 3 and 4 of the phenyl ring, confirming the presence in mouse liver of hydroxylating enzymes, presumably an arylhydroxylase. When hydroxylated, 1-phenyl-2-isopropylaminoethanol is as active as isoproterenol in stimulating DNA synthesis in mouse parotids. However, the hydroxylation of 1-phenyl-2-isopropylaminoethanol is markedly inhibited both in vivo and in vitro by ethanol. When the compound is injected, dissolved in ethanol, it has no effect on the stimulation of DNA synthesis in mouse parotid. The results clearly indicate that hydroxyl groups are a necessary requirement for the ability of isoproterenol and/or its analogs to induce DNA synthesis and cell division in mouse salivary glands.
Ω− and production in Au+Au collisions at and 200 GeV

Abstract Mid-rapidity Omega and anti-Omega production in Au+Au collisions at RHIC is studied with the STAR experiment. We report preliminary results on yields and spectra at S N N = 130 and 200 GeV. Production relative to negatively charged hadrons (h−) as well as thermal freeze-out and collective expansion are discussed.
The importance of animal models in tumor immunity and immunotherapy

The clinical success and US FDA approval of two immunotherapies (sipuleucel-T and ipilimumab) have brought tumor immunology to the forefront of cancer research. It has been long recognized that the immune system can infiltrate and survey the tumor microenvironment. The field of tumor immunology has been actively examining this phenomenon since the 1890s when William Coley first treated patients with live pathogenic bacteria and observed occasional regressions leading to long term survival. Recent progress in understanding mechanisms of immune activation and tolerance has led to the development of novel therapies that aim to either overcome inhibitory pathways (i.e. checkpoint blockade such as anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1) or stimulate immune cell activation (i.e. co-stimulation such as anti-GITR and anti-OX40). A major part of the success of immunotherapy has been the development of appropriate mouse models. This review will outline the history and the major findings leading to the accomplishments of modern day immunology with specific attention to the usefulness of animal models.
One-stage structural models to explain city size

Abstract Several papers have estimated the parameters of Pareto distributions for city sizes in different countries, but only one has attempted to explain the differing magnitudes of these parameters with a set of country-specific explanatory variables. While it is reassuring that there has been some research which advances beyond simple “curve-fitting” to explore the determinants of city size distributions, the existing research uses a two-stage OLS method which yields invalid second-stage standard errors (and, consequently, questionable hypothesis tests). In this paper, we develop candidate one-stage structural models with normal and non-normal errors which accommodate truncated size distributions, potentially Pareto-like shapes, and city-level variables. In general, these new models are nonlinear in parameters. We illustrate with data on U.S. urban areas.
The MFMU Cesarean Registry: Uterine atony after primary cesarean delivery

Objective The purpose of this study was to define independent risk factors for uterine atony after primary cesarean delivery, and to assess their overall association with atony in the study cohort. Study design This was a 13–university center prospective observational study. All women who underwent primary cesarean from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2000 were eligible. Trained and certified research nurses performed systematic data abstraction. The definition of atony required both the clinical diagnosis and the use of methergine or a prostaglandin preparation. Risk factors for uterine atony were assessed in univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, and these analyses then used to inform an assessment of the association of the various risk factors with the occurrence of uterine atony in the overall cohort. Results Twenty-three thousand, three hundred and ninety pregnancies were analyzed. Uterine atony occurred in 1416 women (6%). Several variables were independently associated with atony in a multivariable model, including multiple gestation (odds ratio [OR] 2.40, 95% CI 1.95-2.93), maternal Hispanic race (2.21, 1.90-2.57), induced or augmented labor for >18 hours (2.23, 1.92-2.60), infant birth weight >4500 g (2.05, 1.53-2.69), and clinically diagnosed chorioamnionitis (1.80, 1.55-2.09). However, because the various risk factors were not very powerful, approximately half of the cases of atony were associated with the 2/3 of women lacking a given risk factor or combination of risk factors. Conclusion Although certain risk factors and uterine atony were clearly associated, the associations are of limited practical clinical use.