cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
127 REGIONAL BLOOD FLOW RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN ARTERIAL CARBON DIOXIDE TENSION (PaCO2) IN NEWBORN LAMBS

Previous studies in adults have shown that CO2 is a major factor in cerebral blood flow regulation. The present study investigates the effect of hyperventilation on cerebral and other organs blood flow in 8 newborn lambs 15 days old. Following chronic catheterization,blood gases, Hct, Hb, pH, lactates, pyruvates, and regional blood flows using the microsphere technique were obtained prior to and following hyperventilation. Mean values for blood flow ± SD in ml/min/100g tissue at a baseline PaCO2 of 36 mmHg and after hyperventilation to 20 and 12 mmHg respectively were: brain - from 118 ± 14 to 83 ± 10 to 59 ± 17 (p < 0.05); adrenal - from 418 ± 60 to 365 ± 45 to 303 ± 40 (p < 0.05); kidney - from 458 ± 49 to 408 ± 31 (p < 0.05) to 201 ± 42 (p < 0.01); heart - from 111 ± 32 to 88 ± 21 to 59 ± 15 (NS). Cardiac output did not significantly change from a mean value ± SD in ml/min/kg of 197 ± 39 to 161 ± 33 to 108 ± 24 at 20 and 12 mmHg respectively. There was no change in whole blood buffer base with acute changes in PaCO2. This data demonstrates that hyperventilation reduced organ blood flow independent of cardiac output. Cerebral blood flow in the newborn lambs as in the adults seems sensitive to changes in PaCO2 with the reduction being most marked (50% from baseline value) at a PaCO2 of 12 mmHg. These data also suggest that a similar mechanism may be responsible for the reduction in renal and adrenal blood flows.
Virtual-pressure concept in gas: solid reactions

We discuss the iron nitride formation during ammonia synthesis and decomposition. The virtual pressure is described in parallel with the more recent understanding of the reaction mechanis. Then the nitride formation is treated based on the measured nitrogen solubility data. The two approaches are compared to determine the significance of the concept
Russian genderlects and referential expressions

The first goal of this article is to present a description of the linguistic features that distinguish the genderlects of Russian. Although there exist some data on interruptions and other kinds of gender-specific discourse behavior in Russian, they are not discussed here, because the variables that govern gender differences in linguistic behavior are too numerous and inconclusive, and Russian data that bear on such behavior remain at this point too meager. Rather, what is discussed here are the structural features of Russian genderlects. This focus leads to a second goal, a theoretical one: to explore how genderlect phenomena can be explained in the Transactional Discourse Model (TDM), a broadly generative, pragmatically based discourse model that is sensitive to the factors that control the occurrence of gender-specific features in speech. (Russian, gender, referential expressions, suprasegmentals, diminutives, imperative, Transactional Discourse Model, lexicon, metaphors, interlocutor distance, markedness, culture-based hierarchies.)* This article has two main sections. First, based on descriptive work on Russian genderlects published in the past decade, I present the main distinctive features of Russian genderlects in some detail. The abundance of examples in this section seems necessary in order to do justice to the Russian data, which have been inaccessible to Western scholars interested in gender linguistics. The descriptions show that Russian genderlects consist of two gender-specific sets of structural features that span all the components of language, from the phonological to the lexical. The rules are, to varying degrees, non-exclusive (in the sense of Ochs 1992). I assume that pragmalinguistics must account not only for the form of these rules, but also for the pragmatic conditions of their application and for the position of these rules in the overall pragmatic mechanism that leads to their application by speakers - while also taking into account the complexities of their non-exclusive and, in some cases, constitutive nature. I suggest a natural way of describing this system in the framework of the Transactional Discourse Model (TDM).
Modeling DNA Translocation Kinetics in Nanopores With Selectivity

The development in nanotechnology has made fabrication of solid-state nanopores with 20nm diameter possible. These nanopores have found a variety of applications, with the foremost one being sensing of the biological molecules. To achieve molecular sensing, a major requirement of these solid state nanopores is molecular selectivity. This paper focuses on modeling the DNA translocation in functionalized nanopore with application on gene sequencing.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Modeling intercontinental air pollution transport over the trans‐Pacific region in 2001 using the Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system

[1] The Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system is used to study the intercontinental transport of air pollution across the Pacific region. Baseline simulations are conducted for January, April, July, and October 2001 at a 108 km horizontal grid resolution. A sensitivity simulation is conducted for April 2001 to study the impact of Asian anthropogenic emissions on the United States’s air quality. Process analysis is conducted to study pollutant formation and transport and to quantify the relative contributions of atmospheric processes to ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Model simulations are evaluated with available surface, aircraft, and satellite observations. Simulated meteorology basically captures the synoptic pattern, but precipitation amounts are significantly underpredicted. Most of the PM2.5 components are overestimated over the United States and most gases are underestimated over east Asia. Simulated NO2 and CO columns agree well with satellite observations. Aerosol optical depths and tropospheric O3 residuals are underpredicted, especially in July. The simulated horizontal fluxes and process analyses show that the transport in the lower free troposphere followed by a large-scale subsidence over the United States provides a major Asian pollution export pathway for most pollutants, while the transport in the planetary boundary layer also plays an important role, especially for CO, O3 ,P M2.5, and SO4� . The background concentrations of O3 and SO4� in the western United States can increase by � 1 ppb (� 2.5%) and 0.4 m gm � 3 (� 20%) in monthly average, up to 2.5 ppb and 1.0 m gm � 3 in daily average, respectively, due to the Asian emissions in April.
Multipolar Ewald methods, 2: applications using a quantum mechanical force field.

A fully quantum mechanical force field (QMFF) based on a modified “divide-and-conquer” (mDC) framework is applied to a series of molecular simulation applications, using a generalized Particle Mesh Ewald method extended to multipolar charge densities. Simulation results are presented for three example applications: liquid water, p-nitrophenylphosphate reactivity in solution, and crystalline N,N-dimethylglycine. Simulations of liquid water using a parametrized mDC model are compared to TIP3P and TIP4P/Ew water models and experiment. The mDC model is shown to be superior for cluster binding energies and generally comparable for bulk properties. Examination of the dissociative pathway for dephosphorylation of p-nitrophenylphosphate shows that the mDC method evaluated with the DFTB3/3OB and DFTB3/OPhyd semiempirical models bracket the experimental barrier, whereas DFTB2 and AM1/d-PhoT QM/MM simulations exhibit deficiencies in the barriers, the latter for which is related, in part, to the anomalous underestima...
Normal Development of Anaphes flavipes in Cereal Leaf Beetle Eggs Killed with X-Radiation, and Potential Field Use

The egg parasite Anaphes flavipes (Foerster) completed normal development of the F1 generation in cereal leaf beetle, Oilema melanopus (L.), eggs sterilized with 3000 to 5000 R of X-radiation. The F2 generation completed normal development in nonirradiatecl eggs. Inundative releases of A. flavipes for control of the cereal leaf beetle arc deemed impractical. The addition of sterile eggs in the field to provide additional resources for early-season buildup of A. flavipes is of unknown value.
Model cell membranes: Techniques to form complex biomimetic supported lipid bilayers via vesicle fusion.

Abstract Vesicle fusion has long provided an easy and reliable method to form supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) from simple, zwitterionic vesicles on siliceous substrates. However, for complex compositions, such as vesicles with high cholesterol content and multiple lipid types, the energy barrier for the vesicle-to-bilayer transition is increased or the required vesicle–vesicle and vesicle–substrate interactions are insufficient for vesicle fusion. Thus, for vesicle compositions that more accurately mimic native membranes, vesicle fusion often fails to form SLBs. In this paper, we review three approaches to overcome these barriers to form complex, biomimetic SLBs via vesicle fusion: (i) optimization of experimental conditions (e.g., temperature, buffer ionic strength, osmotic stress, cation valency, and buffer pH), (ii) α-helical (AH) peptide-induced vesicle fusion, and (iii) bilayer edge-induced vesicle fusion. AH peptide-induced vesicle fusion can form complex SLBs on multiple substrate types without the use of additional equipment. Bilayer edge-induced vesicle fusion uses microfluidics to form SLBs from vesicles with complex composition, including vesicles derived from native cell membranes. Collectively, this review introduces vesicle fusion techniques that can be generalized for many biomimetic vesicle compositions and many substrate types, and thus will aid efforts to reliably create complex SLB platforms on a range of substrates.
In vivo incorporation of ribosomal proteins into HeLa cell ribosomal particles

Using high salt-washed ribosomal subunits from HeLa cells we detect three ribosomal proteins from the small subunit and five ribosomal proteins from the large subunit that enter ribosomal particles in the absence of ribosome formation (actinomycin D-treated cells); in untreated cells, they enter the ribosomal particles quickly, while the rest of the ribosomal proteins are incorporated gradually. At least two of the large subunit actinomycin D-resistant ribosomal proteins seem to be absent in the 55 S nucleolar ribosomal precursor.
Application of Soil Quality to Monitoring and Management

Recent interest in soil quality and rangeland health, and the large areas set aside under the USDA Conservation Reserve Program, have contributed to a gradual convergence of assessment, monitoring, and management approaches in croplands and rangelands. The objective of this paper is to describe a basis for integrating soils and soil quality into rangeland monitoring, and through monitoring, into management. Previous attempts to integrate soil indicators into rangeland monitoring programs have often failed due to a lack of understanding of how to apply those indicators to ecosystem function and management. We discuss four guidelines that we have used to select and interpret soil and soil quality indicators in rangelands and illustrate them using a recently developed rangeland monitoring system. The guidelines include (i) identifying a suite of indicators that are consistently correlated with the functional status of one or more critical ecosystem processes, including those related to soil stability, soil water infiltration, and the capacity of the ecosystem to recover following disturbance; (ii) basing indicator selection on inherent soil and site characteristics and on site- or project-specific resource concerns, such as erosion or species invasion; (iii) using spatial variability in developing and interpreting indicators to make them more representative of ecological processes; and (iv) interpreting indicators in the context of an understanding of dynamic, nonlinear ecological processes defined by thresholds. The approach defined by these guidelines may serve as a paradigm for applying the soil quality concept in other ecosystems, including forests and ecosystems managed for annual and perennial crop production.
Unsupervised clustering of over-the-counter healthcare products into product categories

A general problem in biosurveillance is finding appropriate aggregates of elemental data to monitor for the detection of disease outbreaks. We developed an unsupervised clustering algorithm for aggregating over-the-counter healthcare (OTC) products into categories. This algorithm employs MCMC over hundreds of parameters in a Bayesian model to place products into clusters. Despite the high dimensionality, it still performs fast on hundreds of time series. The procedure was able to uncover a clinically significant distinction between OTC products intended for the treatment of allergy and OTC products intended for the treatment of cough, cold, and influenza symptoms.
Maltreatment during Childhood in a Community-Dwelling Sample of Men

This article describes the occurrence, cooccurrence, and severity of childhood maltreatment (CM) among adult males. The average participant was age 44, recruited from public gatherings, read and spoke English, and attended work or school. Data from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and demographic form were analyzed using descriptive, parametric, and nonparametric statistics. Most participants reported at least one type of CM (71.4%): emotional abuse (46.9%), physical abuse (42.9%), sexual abuse (16.3%), emotional neglect (49.0%), and physical neglect (32.7%). Maltreatment severity increased with the number of maltreatment types, F(5, 43) = 29.0, p = .000. CM was frequent and severe in this sample of men. A graded relationship might exist between the number of maltreatment types and maltreatment severity.
Inhibition of the alternative pathway of complement activation by a serum factor generated during transplant rejection.

Abstract During rejection of an allograft, a T-cell dependent factor is generated which appears in the serum and is deposited on the graft. This factor is capable of inhibiting the alternative pathway of complement activation; thus, in the presence of this material, the rate and extent of C3–C9 hemolytic consumption is markedly diminished when zymosan, C3NeF, C3b or CoF are added to normal human serum. The inhibitor appears to function by blocking the activation of C3 thereby preventing the conversion of factor B by factor D as well as the more terminal C3 utilization by activated factor B. With zymosan, both sites are involved; with CoF, factor B activation is unimpaired, but its effect on C3 is blocked.
News From Somewhere, News From Nowhere: On the Study of Interaction in Ethnographic Inquiry

This is a comment suggesting that Jerolmack and Khan’s article in this issue embodies news from “somewhere,” in arguing that ethnography can emphasize interaction in concrete situations and what pe...
Managing and improvising: lessons from jazz

Offers a model of leadership development based on the metaphor of jazz improvisation. Examines the meaning of improvisation as applied to jazz and shows how managers’ lives are similar to that faced by jazz improvisers in that they often face problems which are unstructured and ambiguous. Shows how the metaphor can be applied to other areas of organizational innovation.
Multiple and unsteady solutions for buoyancy driven flows in spherical annuli

Abstract Results from the analysis of buoyancy driven flows and heat transfer in concentric spherical annuli heated by the inner surface are presented. Crescent eddy flows obtained at low Grashof numbers, Gr, are consistent with published results. Multicellular flows, ranging from steady bicellular to oscillating five-cell flows, are calculated for Grc Grr, the solution reverts to steady unicellular flows for the radial aspect ratios γ = 0.2 and 0.25, but with hysteresis for γ = 0.25. Heat transfer results, given in terms of the local and global Nusselt numbers, illustrate the effect of the flow structures on the heat transfer.
A decision model for selecting protected habitat areas within migratory flyways

Abstract A decision model is developed for identifying alternative configurations of new protected habitat areas to augment and enhance major global flyways of migratory birds. New habitat areas are selected to fill in the spatial gaps between existing protected stopovers such as wildlife refuges. The methodology is applied to the US portion of the Atlantic flyway in order to develop alternative networks of habitat stepping stones extending from Maine to Florida. The model is formulated as a zero-one program and solutions are derived using a greedy adding heuristic procedure. Two ecological-economic objectives drive the model: maximizing the geographic coverage of the protected stopovers, and maximizing average stopover quality, as represented by an index based on wetland prevalence and land cost. Thirty-five alternative solutions were generated, indicating the tradeoffs between the objectives. These results are expected to be useful to natural resource agencies and conservation organizations in the development of habitat conservation, preservation, and restoration policies and programs.
ACTH-stimulated rabbit adrenal 17α-hydroxylase. Kinetic properties and a comparison with those of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Abstract Initial rate values were determined for the 17α-hydroxylation of [4- 14 C]-pregnenolone by adrenal microsomes prepared from control and ACTH-stimulated rabbits. Apparent k m values were calculated to be 2.7 and 5.6 × 10 −7 M in two separate experiments, while the corresponding apparent V max values were 0.27 and 2.0 nmol/min per mg protein. The maximum measured rate in other experiments was 4.6 nmol/min per mg. Under the assay conditions employed no significant amount of 14 C-labeled product other than 17α-hydroxypregnenolone was formed. Control tissue microsomes had very low 17α-hydroxylase activity of questionable significance and equivalent to less than 5 percent of the activity in the ACTH-stimulated tissue. Apparent k m and V max values for 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in microsomes from ACTH-stimulated tissue were 6.48 × 10 −6 M and 121 nmol/min per mg. These results suggest a correlation between the lower value of the apparent k m of the 17α-hydroxylase for pregnenolone substrate compared with that of the 3β-ol-dehydrogenase for the same substrate and the preferential formation of 17α-hydroxycorticosteroids in ACTH-stimulated rabbit adrenal tissue. Although ACTH stimulation increased 17α-hydroxylase activity, in a typical experiment the amount of microsome cytochrome P-450 decreased from 1.08 to 0.91 nmol/mg protein and from 4.40 to 2.96 nmol/g tissue, while the amount per adrenal remained constant. The Δ max values (A 390 -A 420 ) from type I substrate binding difference spectra were equal with either progesterone or 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and the values were not additive. This result was the same with microsomes from either control or ACTH-stimulated tissue. We were unable, therefore, to demonstrate by this technique the presence of a separate cytochrome for 17α-hydroxylation.
Phosphorus Partitioning and Phosphatase Activity Along Topographic Gradients of an Agricultural Watershed Cropped with Corn and Soybean

ABSTRACT While chemical partitioning of soil P is a key factor in determining its potential bioavailability and susceptibility to runoff, phosphatase activity provides another approach for characterizing soil P. This study evaluated the changes in sequentially determined P fractions and phosphatase (acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase [PME], phosphodiesterase [PDE]) activity along topographic gradients of an agricultural watershed cropped with corn and soybean. Analysis of variance showed a significant (p < 0.05) crop effect on H2O, NaOH, NaHCO3, and H2SO4 extracted P while all P pools were not affected by slope position or crop and topographic positions interaction. Alkaline and phospho-diesterase activities as indicated by p-nitrophenol concentration were affected very strongly by topographic positions. Overall P accumulation and phosphatase activity was higher at the depression where water accumulates. Further studies in phosphorus partitioning and phosphatase activity along topographic gradients of ...
Does bribery help or hurt firm growth around the world

Does bribery help or hurt firm growth? Some suggest that bribery greases the wheel of commerce, while others believe that bribery sands the wheel of growth. We argue that firms endogenously choose their level of bribery according to their environments and that the benefits and costs may differ for different types of bribery. Specifically, small firms are more likely to be forced to engage in bribery, while big firms may strategically engage in bribery. Utilizing a large, cross-country survey sample involving 2,686 firms in 48 countries, we find that firms choose a higher level of bribery when embedded in under-developed market-supporting institutions. After controlling for endogenous bribery choices, bribery hurts firm growth for small and medium-sized firms, but not for large firms.
Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopic Studies of Polymer Surfaces for Liquid Crystal Alignment: Photo-Irradiated Polyimide and Rubbed Polystyrene Surfaces

Surface specific sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy (SFVS) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) were used to study the structures of polymer surfaces modified by linearly polarized UV irradiation or mechanical rubbing. The spectroscopic results show that the surface anisotropy of a polyimide surface resulting from bond breaking by linearly polarized UV irradiation is extremely small compared to a rubbed surface. On a rubbed polystyrene surface, the phenyl sidegroups are well aligned by rubbing in the direction perpendicular to rubbing but tilt from the surface normal with a broad distribution.
MDR for law enforcement [motion detector radar]

The motion detection radar (MDR) adds a new dimension to surveillance. The MDR can be effective even through wooden doors and concrete walls. It requires very little setup and does not have any external wires connected to it. Unlike TV cameras and IR sensors that must be concealed, the MDR can be placed in a "safe location" on the other side of a wall or hidden in a container with non-metallic walls. The MDR provides an effective and timely alert even if the person doing the surveillance is preoccupied, distracted or inadvertently nods off due to fatigue. The highly sensitive continuous wave (CW) phase detection radar has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for operation in the 902 to 928 MHz frequency band. There are restrictions imposed by the FCC which limit the power radiated from the antenna and signal harmonic content of any commercially sold product using this frequency band. While this is not necessarily the best frequency for material penetration, it is a reasonable compromise. This is because it can be sold and used commercially, and has proven to be effective.
The coagulopathy of acute promyelocytic leukaemia revisited

Since the initial description of the disease, the life-threatening coagulopathy associated with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) has been the defining clinical characteristic. Historically, this uncommon subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia has been associated with a high mortality rate during induction therapy, most frequently attributable to haemorrhage. Since the introduction of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) into the therapy of all patients with APL, disease-free survival and overall survival have improved dramatically, such that the disease is now highly curable. However, induction mortality remains a major problem and haemorrhage still accounts for the majority of such early deaths. Pathogenesis of the coagulopathy is complex and includes disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), fibrinolysis and proteolysis. As a result, while the predominant clinical manifestation of the coagulopathy is haemorrhage, thromboembolic events may occur both at presentation and during therapy. A major recent finding is the high expression of annexin II in the leukaemic cells from patients with APL. Annexin II is a protein with high affinity for plasminogen and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and also acts as a cofactor for plasminogen activation by tPA. As a result, both plasminogen and tPA are increased on the cell surface of the leukaemic cell, increasing plasmin activity. Annexin II is expressed in high amounts in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells, perhaps accounting for the relatively high incidence of intracranial haemorrhage in APL compared with other sites. Microparticles are cell-derived membrane fragments originating from normal cells or released from malignant cells involved in activating coagulation. Recent studies have found that microparticles containing tissue factor, tPA, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and annexin II have been found in the plasma of APL patients, suggesting a role in pathogenesis of the coagulopathy. Treatment of the coagulopathy remains primarily supportive. Aggressive transfusions of platelets and cryoprecipitate appear to be important. There is no clear role for the routine use of heparin or antifibrinolytic therapy. The most important factor may be the early introduction of ATRA at the first suspicion of a diagnosis of APL, before it is confirmed genetically.
PITCHING EQUILIBRIUM, WING SPAN AND TAIL SPAN IN A GLIDING HARRIS' HAWK, PARABUTEO UNICINCTUS

1. 1. The centre of area of the wings of a Harris' hawk gliding freely in a wind tunnel moved forward 0.09 wing chord lengths when the hawk increased its wing span from 0.68 to 1.07 m. The movement of the centre of area probably produces a positive pitching moment that, if unopposed, would cause the bird's head to rise. The tail remained folded until wing span reached 87% of maximum and then began to spread. This behaviour is also typical of gliding birds in nature, which spread their tails when the wings are near maximum span. Tail spreading probably produces a negative pitching moment that compensates for the forward movement of the wings at maximum span. 2. 2. As the tail spread, its centre of area moved backwards. This movement, together with the increase in tail area, can keep the centre of area of the combined wings and tail from moving forward, even at maximum wing span. 3. 3. The tail can generate an estimated 10% of the hawk's total lift at maximum wing span and 5 % or less at shorter wing spans. 4. 4. I moved the centre of area of the hawk's wings forward experimentally by clipping 76 mm from primary feathers 6–10 and 38 mm from primary feather 5. The effect of this operation on the hawk's behaviour indicated that the forward movement of the centre of area of the wings caused a positive pitching moment. The hawk pitched up more in flight. It held its wings at shorter than normal spans, which partially compensated for the effects of clipping by moving the centre of area of the wings backwards. It also spread its tail at shorter than normal spans, which would compensate for an increase in the pitching moment of the wings.
The Supermarket Supply Chain in Shanghai

The authors conducted a series of structured interviews with managers of ten supermarket chains in Shanghai to compare supermarket business practices in Shanghai with those in the United States, emphasizing logistics management issues. Shanghai supermar- kets tend to be smaller than U.S. stores, but the store layout and product selection are similar in both countries. While the Shanghai supermar- kets have modern scanning equipment, they do little quantitative sales or inventory analysis.
X-ray nonlinear optical processes using a self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser

In contrast to the long-wavelength regime, x-ray nonlinear optical processes are characterized in general by sequential single-photon single-electron interactions. Despite this fact, the sequential absorption of multiple x-ray photons depends on the statistical properties of the radiation field. Treating the x rays generated by a self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser as fully chaotic, a quantum-mechanical analysis of inner-shell two-photon absorption is performed. It is demonstrated that double-core-hole formation via x-ray two-photon absorption is enhanced by chaotic photon statistics. Numerical calculations using rate equations illustrate the impact of field chaoticity on x-ray nonlinear ionization of helium and neon for photon energies near $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV}$. In the case of neon, processes are discussed that involve up to seven photons. Assuming an x-ray coherence time of $2.6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}$, double-core-hole formation in neon is found to be statistically enhanced by about 30% at an intensity of ${10}^{16}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.
Clinical trial: a dose-response study of fospropofol disodium for moderate sedation during colonoscopy.

SUMMARY Background An effective agent is needed that provides rapid onset of sedation and quick recovery for patients undergoing colonoscopy. Aim To assess the efficacy and safety of fospropofol disodium in providing sedation in patients undergoing colonoscopy. Methods A randomized, double-blind, multicentre trial evaluated 127 adult patients who received fospropofol (2, 5, 6.5 or 8 mg ⁄kg) or midazolam 0.02 mg ⁄kg following pre-treatment with fentanyl. Supplemental doses of study medication were allowed to reach a Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness ⁄Sedation scale score £4. Efficacy end points included sedation success, measures of clinical benefit, sedation, and recovery as well as patient- and doctor-rated satisfaction. Results Fospropofol produced a significant dose-dependent increase in sedation success from 24% (2 mg ⁄kg), 35% (5 mg ⁄kg) and 69% (6.5 mg ⁄kg) to 96% (8 mg ⁄kg; P < 0.001). There were also dose-dependent trends for time to sedation, requirements for alternative sedative medication, supplemental doses of sedative and fentanyl, time to ready for discharge and doctor-rated satisfaction scores. Fospropofol was well tolerated, with most adverse events mild-to-moderate in severity. Conclusion The 6.5 mg ⁄kg dose of fospropofol provides the ideal balance of efficacy and safety for patients undergoing colonoscopy and has been selected for phase 3 clinical development.
Establishment of fossil entomofaunas and their evolutionary succession in North China

According to a systematic study of large numbers of fossil insects collected from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Tertiary strata in North China, three evolutionary mega-stages of fossil insects including 14 fossil entomofaunas and 29 entomassemblages have been established. These insect faunas reflect their order or law of evolution—the history of their rise and fall, and form their evolutionary succession in North China. Such a history provides an important reference not only for understanding fossil insects through time, but also showing for stratigraphical correlation.
Analyzing Test Content Using Cluster Analysis and Multidimensional Scaling

A new method for evaluating the content representation of a test is illustrated. Item similari ty ratings were obtained from content domain ex perts in order to assess whether their ratings cor responded to item groupings specified in the test blueprint. Three expert judges rated the similarity of items on a 30-item multiple-choice test of study skills. The similarity data were analyzed using a multidimensional scaling (MDS) procedure followed by a hierarchical cluster analysis of the MDS stimulus coordinates. The results indicated a strong correspondence between the similarity data and the arrangement of items as prescribed in the test blueprint. The findings suggest that analyzing item similarity data with MDS and cluster analysis can provide substantive information pertaining to the content representation of a test. The advantages and disadvantages of using MDS and cluster analysis with item similarity data are discussed.
Standard strategies for diagnosis and treatment of patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson disease UNITED STATES

Special clues to diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) are asymmetric onset, resting tremor, and an objective, robust response to treatment with l-dopa. Brain MRI is used to exclude rare structural causes of parkinsonism. Ceruloplasmin levels to exclude Wilson disease and thyroid function tests are appropriate in some patients. Dopamine uptake scans, or DaTscans, are now available in the US for diagnosis of PD. Currently DaTscan technology in the US is not able to estimate duration or severity of PD. These tests also do not differentiate idiopathic PD from atypical parkinsonism and are used mainly when there is uncertainty concerning diagnosis, for example, in patients in whom drug-induced or arteriosclerotic parkinsonism may simulate PD.
Growing Conservatism in the United States?: An Examination of Trends in Political Opinion between 1972 and 1980

In order to determine the extent to which the widespread perception of growing American conservativism is accurate, 36 NORC opinion items were examined in each survey year they appear from 1972 to 1980. Twenty-nine of these items factored on three dimensions: The Civil Liberties, Abortion, and Economic scales. A conservative trend was found only in the case of the Economic scale, and it peaked in 1977, subsequently remaining unchanged. Multiple regression analyses controlling for sex, religion, age, education, occupational prestige, and three residence measures were used to determine whether patterns of attitude change or stasis over time were general in the population or specific to certain categories of people. While ambiguous, findings generally fail to identify population segments uniquely characterized by growing conservatism, with the likely exception of Jews and possibly youth. However, conservative trends were noted in items that concerned problems that were most serious in the later years of the ...
Health as Balance for the Sto:lo Coast Salish

The purpose of this study was to examine the concept of health for the Sto:lo Coast Salish of the Pacific Northwest and describe their ways of being healthy within their specific context, considering the climate, the resources of their natural environment, and their spiritual heritage. This study, using a grounded theory approach, focused on the meaning of health for the Sto:lo. A sample of 18 participants and two cultural experts, using the constant comparison method and dimensional analysis, yielded three themes. Health as “balance,” spirituality as “it's an ongoing thing,” and transitions as “those times of change” were the resulting themes. Nurses, who take the themes into account when providing care, will be more culturally competent.
An explicit formula for a robust controller for SISO systems with unknown delays

An explicit formula is presented for a robust controller for a SISO plant with unknown time delay and a nonminimum-phase transmission zero. For a known transmission zero, the controller has a remarkable property of robust stability and zero steady-state error for any perturbation of the time delay in the plant transfer function. Such property never occurs for PID and other traditional controllers due to infinite or large zero frequency gain. In case of unknown zero, the robust stability is maintained for arbitrary delay perturbations and the steady-state error can be estimated from bounds on the location of that zero.
Comparative genomic analysis of fungal genomes reveals intron-rich ancestors

Background: Eukaryotic protein-coding genes are interrupted by spliceosomal introns, which are removed from transcripts before protein translation. Many facets of spliceosomal intron evolution, including age, mechanisms of origins, the role of natural selection, and the causes of the vast differences in intron number between eukaryotic species, remain debated. Genome sequencing and comparative analysis has made possible whole genome analysis of intron evolution to address these questions. Results: We analyzed intron positions in 1,161 sets of orthologous genes across 25 eukaryotic species. We find strong support for an intron-rich fungus-animal ancestor, with more than four introns per kilobase, comparable to the highest known modern intron densities. Indeed, the fungusanimal ancestor is estimated to have had more introns than any of the extant fungi in this study. Thus, subsequent fungal evolution has been characterized by widespread and recurrent intron loss occurring in all fungal clades. These results reconcile three previously proposed methods for estimation of ancestral intron number, which previously gave very different estimates of ancestral intron number for eight eukaryotic species, as well as a fourth more recent method. We do not find a clear inverse correspondence between rates of intron loss and gain, contrary to the predictions of selection-based proposals for interspecific differences in intron number. Conclusion: Our results underscore the high intron density of eukaryotic ancestors and the widespread importance of intron loss through eukaryotic evolution.
Identification of Developmental-Behavioral Problems in Primary Care: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT: Recent mandates and recommendations for formal screening programs are based on the claim that pediatric care providers underidentify children with developmental-behavioral disorders, yet the research to support this claim has not been systematically reviewed. OBJECTIVE: To review research literature for studies regarding pediatric primary care providers9 identification of developmental-behavioral problems in children. METHODS: On the basis of a Medline search conducted on September 22, 2010, using relevant key words, we identified 539 articles for review. We included studies that (1) were conducted in the United States, (2) were published in peer-reviewed journals, (3) included data that addressed pediatric care providers9 identification of developmental-behavioral problems in individual patients, (4) included an independent assessment of patients9 developmental-behavioral problems, such as diagnostic interviews or validated screening instruments, and (5) reported data sufficient to calculate sensitivity and specificity. Studies were not limited by sample size. Eleven articles met these criteria. We used Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) criteria to evaluate study quality. Although the studies were similar in many ways, heterogeneous methodology precluded a meta-analysis. RESULTS: Sensitivities for pediatric care providers ranged from 14% to 54%, and specificities ranged from 69% to 100%. The authors of 1 outlier study reported a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 61%. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians are often the first point of entry into developmental and mental health systems. Knowing their accuracy in identifying children with developmental-behavioral disabilities is essential for implementing optimal evaluation programs and achieving timely identification. Moreover, these statistics are important to consider when planning large-scale screening programs.
Interphalangeal joint destruction: A complication of cryotherapy

Chondrocytes of the digital epiphyses, physes, and articular cartilage are particularly susceptible to the direct lethal effects of extremely low temperatures. We have treated a 13-year-old patient with chondral necrosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint following cryotherapy. Focal contact with the probe tip caused isolated, asymmetric physeal destruction.
On the topology of multicast trees

The benefit derived from using multicast is seemingly dependent upon the shape of the distribution tree. In this paper, we attempt to accurately model interdomain multicast trees. We measure a number of key parameters, such as depth, degree frequency, and average degree, for a number of real and synthetic data sets. We find that interdomain multicast trees actually do share a common shape at both the router and autonomous system levels. Furthermore, we develop a characterization of multicast efficiency which reveals that group sizes as small as 20 to 40 receivers offer a 55%--70% reduction in the total number of links traversed when compared to separately delivered unicast streams. A final contribution of our work consists of a number of data sets, compiled from multicast group membership and path data, that can be used to generate large sample trees, representative of the current multicast infrastructure.
Direct sums of local torsion-free abelian groups

The category of local torsion-free abelian groups of finite rank is known to have the cancellation and n-th root properties but not the Krull-Schmidt property. It is shown that 10 is the least rank of a local torsion-free abelian group with two non-equivalent direct sum decompositions into indecomposable summands. This answers a question posed by M.C.R. Butler in the 1960's.
SenseShapes: Using Statistical Geometry for Object Selection in a Multimodal Augmented Reality System

We introduce a set of statistical geometric tools designed to identify the objects being manipulated through speech and gesture in a multimodal augmented reality system. SenseShapes are volumetric regions of interest that can be attached to parts of the user's body to provide valuable information about the user's interaction with objects. To assist in object selection, we generate a rich set of statistical data and dynamically choose which data to consider based on the current situation.
Climatic backdrop to the terminal Pleistocene extinction of North American mammals

North American terminal Pleistocene mammal extinctions are the subject of a long-running scientifi c debate. Although the role of climate has fi gured centrally, we lack clear knowledge of the timing and nature of terminal Pleistocene climate variability. Herein we document lengthy terminal Pleistocene drought in the southwestern United States (USA) using δ 13 C and δ 234 U effective moisture proxy data in speleothem calcite (stalagmite FS2) from Fort Stanton Cave, New Mexico, supplemented with age data from pool basin shelfstone speleothems from the Big Room in Carlsbad Cavern. This terminal Pleistocene drought, defi ned by a sharp rise in both δ 13 C and δ 234 U values, began just before 14.5 k.y. ago and lasted at least until 12.9 k.y. ago, when it was briefl y and only mildly interrupted by the Younger Dryas. The timing and length of this drought (~1500 yr) match the Northern Hemisphere Bolling-Allerod oscillation preserved in Greenland ice cores and exhibited in the δ 18 O record of stalagmite FS2. Rapid transition from cool moist Late Glacial to warm dry Holocenelike climatic conditions was likely unfavorable to many species of Pleistocene mammals in the southwestern USA. A climate-induced extinction implies that this last glacial cycle and its termination were more extreme than previous glacial cycles and/or glacial terminations.
There's a measure for that!

Abstract The OpenStudio software development kit has played a significant role in the adoption of the EnergyPlus whole building energy modeling engine and in the development and launch of new applications that use EnergyPlus for a variety of purposes, from design to auditing to code compliance and management of large portfolios. One of the most powerful features of the OpenStudio platform is Measure, a scripting facility similar to Excel's Visual Basic macros. Measures can be used to apply energy conservation measures to models—hence the name—to create reports and visualizations, and even to sew together custom workflows. Measures automate tedious tasks increasing modeler productivity and reducing error. Measures have also become a currency in the OpenStudio tools ecosystem, a way to codify knowledge and protocol and transfer it from one modeler to another, either within an organization or within the global modeling community. This paper describes some of the many applications of Measures.
A fast algorithm for finding k-nearest neighbors with non-metric dissimilarity

Fast nearest neighbor (NN) finding has been extensively studied. While some fast NN algorithms using metrics rely on the essential properties of metric spaces, the others using non-metric measures fail for large-size templates. However in some applications with very large size templates, the best performance is achieved by NN methods based on the dissimilarity measures resulting in a special space where computations cannot be pruned by the algorithms based-on the triangular inequality. For such NN methods, the existing fast algorithms except condensing algorithms are not applicable. In this paper, a fast hierarchical search algorithm is proposed to find k-NNs using a non-metric measure in a binary feature space. Experiments with handwritten digit recognition show that the new algorithm reduces on average dissimilarity computations by more than 90% while losing the accuracy by less than 0.1%, with a 10% increase in memory.
A Conditional Assessment of the RelationshipsBetween Commodity and Equity Indexes

This study models the conditional relationships between the Goldman Sachs Total Return Commodity Index and Sub-Indexes and the S&P 500 index from January 1991 through June 2011 within a bivariate GARCH framework that uses instruments to model time-varying conditional correlations. The results indicate the presence of important spillovers between the conditional means and volatilities of commodity and equity index returns. The findings also indicate that conditional correlations increase from roughly zero to about 0.4 during the sample period, consistent with an increased integration of commodity and equity markets. The results also indicate that conditional correlations rise when the conditional volatility of equity returns increases and when business cycle conditions deteriorate. The greater integration of these markets is also reflected in the increase of conditional betas from around zero to roughly 0.6 over the sample period. Overall, the results indicate that while the diversification benefits of commodities diminished over the sample period, the estimated conditional correlations remain low enough for commodities to provide meaningful diversification benefits to equity investors.
Experimental Variables in Recycle Gas Chromatography

Abstract Variations in experimental parameters in recycling chromatography have been investigated. The effects of column length, column outlet pressure, support mesh size, carrier gas flow rate, and capacity ratio on the maximum number of cycles have been determined for a single component. The maximum number of cycles was obtained under conditions which minimized effects of gas compressibility. These conditions also caused the number of theoretical plates to increase linearly with cycle number for a larger fraction of the time before the sample overflowed the volume of one column.
Development of a saline water immersion technique with RF energy as a postharvest treatment against codling moth in cherries

‘Sweetheart’ sweet cherries (Prunus aium L.) immersed in 0.15% saline water were treated with radio frequency (RF) energy. The dielectric and ionic conductivity properties of the immersion water and that of fruit were matched to obtain a relatively uniform temperature distribution within and among fruits during RF heating. With immersion in saline water of 0.15% NaCl, the mean temperature of the water and that of the cherries differed by 0.6 °C, while the maximum temperature variation within and among fruits determined within 1 min after RF treatment completion was 1.0 °C of the set temperatures of 48 and 50 °C. The saline water immersion technique helped overcome the markedly high temperature differential problem within and among fruits, normally associated with treatments in air (without immersion) during RF heating. More than 99% mortality of the 200–400 codling moth larvae or 589–624 eggs was obtained at 50 °C when treated for between 7 and 10 min (heating 2–5 min and holding 5 min). Most quality parameters analyzed were better, or are comparable with methyl bromide fumigated fruit. Saline–water-immersion treatment in RF may be used to overcome the problem of slow conventional hot air or water heating, as well as the non-uniformity of temperature associated with electromagnetic heating in air, for developing alternative quarantine treatment for fruits. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.