cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite Mixture Modeling with Mixture Outcomes Using the EM Algorithm

Summary. This paper discusses the analysis of an extended finite mixture model where the latent classes corresponding to the mixture components for one set of observed variables influence a second set of observed variables. The research is motivated by a repeated measurement study using a random coefficient model to assess the influence of latent growth trajectory class membership on the probability of a binary disease outcome. More generally, this model can be seen as a combination of latent class modeling and conventional mixture modeling. The EM algorithm is used for estimation. As an illustration, a random-coefficient growth model for the prediction of alcohol dependence from three latent classes of heavy alcohol use trajectories among young adults is analyzed.
Efficient dispersal of information for security, load balancing, and fault tolerance

An Information Dispersal Algorithm (IDA) is developed that breaks a file F of length L = u Fu into n pieces Fi, l ≤ i ≤ n, each of length uFiu = L/m, so that every m pieces suffice for reconstructing F. Dispersal and reconstruction are computationally efficient. The sum of the lengths uFiu is (n/m) · L. Since n/m can be chosen to be close to l, the IDA is space efficient. IDA has numerous applications to secure and reliable storage of information in computer networks and even on single disks, to fault-tolerant and efficient transmission of information in networks, and to communications between processors in parallel computers. For the latter problem provably time-efficient and highly fault-tolerant routing on the n-cube is achieved, using just constant size buffers.
Narcissism and Callous-Unemotional Traits Prospectively Predict Child Conduct Problems.

Although narcissism and callous-unemotional (CU) traits are separable facets of psychopathy, their independent prediction of conduct problems (CP) among young children is not well known. In addition, above-average IQ was central to the original conceptualization of psychopathy, yet IQ is typically inversely associated with youth CP. We examined narcissism and CU traits as independent and prospective predictors of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and youth self-reported antisocial behavior, as well as their moderation by IQ. At baseline, parents and teachers separately rated narcissism and CU traits in 188 6-to-10-year-old children (47.9% non-White; 69.1% male; M = 7.34 years, SD = 1.09) with (n = 99) and without (n = 89) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Approximately 2 years later, parents and teachers separately rated youth ODD and CD symptoms, and youth self-reported antisocial behavior. With control of baseline ADHD and ODD/CD symptoms, narcissism and CU trait...
An examination of the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, and 1,3,5-triazine

The vaporization enthalpies and liquid vapor pressures from T = 298.15 K to T = 400 K of 1,3,5-triazine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, and pyridazine using pyridines and pyrazines as standards have been measured by correlation-gas chromatography. The vaporization enthalpies of 1,3,5-triazine (38.8 ± 1.9 kJ mol−1) and pyrazine (40.5 ± 1.7 kJ mol−1) obtained by these correlations are in good agreement with current literature values. The value obtained for pyrimidine (41.0 ± 1.9 kJ mol−1) can be compared with a literature value of 50.0 kJ mol−1. Combined with the condensed phase enthalpy of formation in the literature, this results in a gas-phase enthalpy of formation, Δf H m (g, 298.15 K), of 187.6 ± 2.2 kJ mol−1 for pyrimidine, compared to a value of 195.1 ± 2.1 calculated for pyrazine. Vapor pressures also obtained by correlation are used to predict boiling temperatures (BT). Good agreement with experimental BT (±4.2 K) including results for pyrimidine is observed for most compounds with the exception of the pyridazines. The results suggest that compounds containing one or two nitrogen atoms in the ring are suitable standards for correlating various heterocyclic compounds provided the nitrogen atoms are isolated from each other by carbon. Pyridazines do not appear to be evaluated correctly using pyridines and pyrazines as standards.
Structural Models for the KCNQ1 Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel

Mutations in the human voltage-gated potassium channel KCNQ1 are associated with predisposition to deafness and various cardiac arrhythmia syndromes including congenital long QT syndrome, familial atrial fibrillation, and sudden infant death syndrome. In this work 3-D structural models were developed for both the open and closed states of human KCNQ1 to facilitate structurally based hypotheses regarding mutation-phenotype relationships. The KCNQ1 open state was modeled using Rosetta in conjunction with Molecular Operating Environment software, and is based primarily on the recently determined open state structure of rat Kv1.2 (Long, S. B., et al. (2005) Science 309, 897-903). The closed state model for KCNQ1 was developed based on the crystal structures of bacterial potassium channels and the closed state model for Kv1.2 of Yarov-Yarovoy et al. ((2006) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 103, 7292-7207). Using the new models for KCNQ1, we generated a database for the location and predicted residue-residue interactions for more than 85 disease-linked sites in both open and closed states. These data can be used to generate structure-based hypotheses for disease phenotypes associated with each mutation. The potential utility of these models and the database is exemplified by the surprising observation that four of the five known mutations in KCNQ1 that are associated with gain-of-function KCNQ1 defects are predicted to share a common interface in the open state structure between the S1 segment of the voltage sensor in one subunit and both the S5 segment and top of the pore helix from another subunit. This interface evidently plays an important role in channel gating.
Comprehensive model for scale effects in friction due to adhesion and two- and three-body deformation (plowing)

The coefficient of friction is a sum of the adhesional component and two- and three-body deformation (plowing) components. Scale effects in dry friction at macro- to nanoscale are considered. All components depend on the real area of contact (dependent upon surface roughness and mechanical properties) and shear strength during sliding. In the adhesional component, elastic and plastic deformation and single- and multiple-asperity contacts are considered. For multiple-asperity predominantly plastic contacts, the real area of contact is scale dependent, due to the effect of strain-gradient plasticity, and decreases with decreasing scale, whereas the shear strength is scale-dependent due to the effect of the dislocation-assisted sliding, and increases with decreasing scale. The two-body deformation component increases with decreasing scale due to increasing average asperity slope, an important parameter of interest. The three-body deformation component decreases with decreasing scale, due to decreasing probability for a particle to be trapped at the interface, although the shear strength increases. Transition from elastic deformation to plastic deformation (plowing) is considered. Comparisons of the model with experimental data are presented.
Environmental purchasing practices and environmental beliefs of stand-alone coffee shop owners and managers.

With volatile petroleum costs, decreasing space in local landfills, and an increased focus on protecting the environment, some within the hospitality industry are switching to biodegradable disposable packaging. Free-standing coffee shops were surveyed to determine their environmental purchasing habits as they pertain to biodegradable versus traditional single-use disposable beverage cups. Results showed that while most owners and managers believe they have a general environmental ethic, that ethic is not evidenced by their cup purchasing habits. They predominantly use traditional petroleum-based disposable cups because of the high cost, lack of availability of product, and poor performance of biodegradable options.
An Unusual Presentation of Tumor Lysis Syndrome in a Patient with Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is characterized by hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and secondary hypocalcemia in patients with a malignancy. When these laboratory abnormalities develop rapidly, clinical complications such as cardiac arrhythmias, acute renal failure, seizures, or death may occur. TLS is caused by rapid release of intracellular contents by dying tumor cells, a condition that is expected to be common in hematologic malignancies. However, TLS rarely occurs with solid tumors, and here we present the second chemotherapy-induced TLS in a patient with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma to be reported in the literature. We also provide information regarding the total cases of TLS in solid tumors reported from 1977 to present day. Our methodology involved identifying key articles from existing reviews of the literature and then using search terms from these citations in MEDLINE to find additional publications. We relied on a literature review published in 2003 by Baeksgaard et al., where they gathered all total 45 cases reported from 1977 to 2003. Then, we looked for new reported cases from 2004 to present day. All reports (case reports, brief reports, letters to editor, correspondence, reviews, journals, and short communications) identified through these searches were reviewed and included.
Psychoticism in the effect of prolonged exposure to gratuitous media violence on the acceptance of violence as a preferred means of conflict resolution

Abstract Within a prolonged-exposure, delayed-measurement paradigm, respondents consumed films that featured no violence, old-style violence, gratuitous violence, or horror. Both male and female respondents had been classified as low vs high in psychoticism weeks prior to consumption. Delayed measures were: (1) the acceptance of violence as a means of conflict resolution; (2) crime apprehension; (3) evaluation of police brutality; and (4) the endorsement of the death penalty for perpetrators of violent crime. Female respondents, whether low or high in psychoticism, were not appreciably affected by the consumption of any of the violent genres. Similarly, male respondents in the lower half of psychoticism were not appreciably affected. In contrast, male respondents in the upper half of psychoticism, estimated to represent half the population, were significantly affected: Consumption of gratuitous violence consistently fostered greater acceptance of violence as a means of conflict resolution. Consumption of old-style violence and horror did not. Crime apprehension was not appreciably affected by genres differing in amount and type of violence featured. Neither were evaluations of police brutality. However, respondents, especially male respondents and respondents in the upper half of psychoticism, endorsed the death penalty more strongly after gratuitous violence than after consumption of alternative genres.
Molecular phylogeny and evolution of symbiosis in a clade of Indopacific nudibranchs.

Abstract Previous efforts at understanding the evolution of the genus Phyllodesmium, based on morphological analyses, have been plagued by poorly supported phylogenies ( Ortiz and Gosliner, 2008 , Moore and Gosliner, 2009 , Moore and Gosliner, in press ). It has been suggested ( Moore and Gosliner, 2009 ) that a molecular phylogeny might provide more insight into this history than can be easily discovered using morphological data. In this study, 658 bp of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (CO1), 441 bp of the mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit (16S) gene, and 328 bp of a protein-coding nuclear gene (histone 3) were sequenced for 18 species of Phyllodesmium and six outgroup species. A total of 464 parsimony informative sites were used for parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference of phylogeny analyses. All three analyses produced similar topologies, with the exception of a single difference within the parsimony analysis. Bootstrap values and posterior probabilities provided strong support at many shallow nodes, and the monophyly of Phyllodesmium was supported in every case. Three distinct clades of Phyllodesmium are evident in this analysis. One of these represents the majority of asymbiotic taxa. Phyllodesmium poindimiei, an asymbiotic species, is clearly a member of a symbiotic clade and appears to have secondarily lost its symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae. There was moderate support confirming similar topological trends seen in earlier morphological phylogenies, including the hypothesis that symbiotic species associating with zooxanthellae have evolved more recently than non-symbiotic species. Despite the inclusion of a presumably conservative nuclear locus, some deep nodes are still unresolved or are not well supported. Future inclusion of additional taxa and more slowly evolving loci will likely improve resolution of these deeper nodes. The subsequent phylogeny supports previous hypotheses by Rudman, 1991 , Kempf, 1991 and Burghardt et al. (2008b) that evolution of more complex digestive gland structures is related to increased complexity of symbiosis with zooxanthellae and greater efficiency of photosynthetic activity. Our phylogeny also demonstrates that this symbiosis has evolved only once in Phyllodesmium and that azooxanthellate species are sister, rather than basal, to zooxanthellate species.
Brain Norepinephrine: Enhanced Turnover after Rubidium Treatment

After biosynthesis of norepinephrine was inhibited, treatment of rats for 10 days with rubidium chloride (0.6 milliequivalent per kilogram of body weight) caused an increase in the rate of disappearance of norepinephrine in the brainstem but not in the telencephalon. Also the utilization of intracisternally injected tritiated norepinephrine was increased and was accompanied by a shift in the pattern of norepinephrine metabolism to normetanephrine. These data suggest that greater amounts of neuronally stored norepinephrine were released to central adrenergic receptors.
MOLECULAR BEHAVIOR IN THE QUASI‐PERIODIC AND STOCHASTIC REGIMES

Nonlinear dynamics has been applied to chemistry in a variety of ways, for example, in the analysis of spatial and temporal oscillations in chemical reactions. The equations for the reaction rate at various regions of space are nonlinear in such cases. Several other papers in this volume touch upon this subject. Nonlinear dynamics has also been used to treat collisions between molecules by solving Hamilton’s equations for their motion. Many recent experimental data that have become available on collisions and reaction dynamics have been treated in this way.
Modeling Physical Health and Functional Health Status: The Role of Combat Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Personal Resource Attributes

This study examined associations of combat exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with physical health conditions and also incorporated hardiness and social support as mediators and functional health status as an outcome. Data were derived from 1,632 male and female Vietnam veterans who participated in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. Path analysis revealed that hardiness and social support operated primarily as intermediary variables between combat exposure and PTSD, and PTSD emerged as the pivotal variable explaining physical health conditions and functional health status. Gender-based differences in means and patterns of associations among variables were found. The results stress the importance of assessing trauma in clinical settings as a meaningful determinant of health outcomes.
Effects of A23187 and Ca2+ on volume- and thiol-stimulated, ouabain-resistant K+Cl− fluxes in low K+ sheep erythrocytes☆

Abstract Ouabain-resistant (OR), Cl − -dependent K + (K + Cl − ) transport measured by Rb + influx in isosmotic and anisosmotic media was stimulated by the Ca 2+ ionophore A23187 and EGTA (ethylene-glycol-tetracetic acid) in low K + (LK) but not in high K + (HK) sheep red cells. Increasing external Ca 2+ concentrations, [Ca 2+ ] o' from about 10 −7 to 10 −3 M in presence of A23187 and in absence of EGTA inhibited OR Rb + influx, in LK red cells osmotically shrunken or swollen as well as treated with the thiol reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Hence the volume- and the NEM-stimulated K + Cl − transport system in LK cells can be experimentally modulated by cellular Ca 2+ or other Me 2+ , which may interact with sites on the K + Cl − transporter under the control of membrane sulfhydryl (SH) groups.
Characterization of subgrid-scale terms in a numerical geodynamo simulation

Abstract Subgrid scale (SGS) models are required to account for effects of the unresolved flow and magnetic field in geodynamo simulations. Four nonlinear terms in the dynamo problem give rise to four SGS terms (SGS momentum and heat flux, SGS Lorentz force, and induction term). We make direct estimates of the SGS terms using snapshots of a fully resolved solution. After separating the resolved solution into large and small scales, the influence of the small scales on the large scales is directly calculated. Next, we filter the resolved solutions on to a coarser grid to eliminate the small scales and model the SGS terms using a dynamic scale similarity model. Finally, we apply an eddy diffusion model as an alternative representation of the SGS terms. The results show that the SGS terms obtained by the dynamic scale similarity method are in good agreement with the SGS terms from the direct estimation, while the turbulence diffusion model does not accurately represent the SGS terms. We also evaluate energy fluxes due to the SGS terms to investigate energy transfer between large and unresolved scales. The results suggests that the SGS Lorentz force transfers energy from large scale to unresolved scale across most of the fluid shell. However, Reynolds stress transfers the kinetic energy from unresolved scale to the resolved scale in the region of convection columns, where the magnetic field is primarily generated.
Physical modeling of the batocrinid anal tube: functional analysis and multiple hypothesis testing

Baumiller, T. K. 1990 10 15: Physical modeling of the batocrinid anal tube: functional analysis and multiple hypothesis testing. Lethaia, VOL 23, pp. 399–408. Oslo. ISSN 0024–1164. Three hypotheses related to the function of the batocrinid anal tube were tested using physical models: (1) the anal tube served as a ‘rudder’, allowing the crinoid to passively maintain an effective feeding posture in moving water, (2) the tube served as a splitter ‘plate’, reducing the drag on the organism while it was in its feeding posture, and (3) the anal tube functioned as a ‘chimney’ by moving the anus downstream of the arms and thus reducing the risk of the organism ingesting its own wastes and/or gametes. Results of experiments performed in a recirculating flow tank suggested that the tube was well suited for the ‘chimney’ function: it reduced the concentrations of excreted matter in the proximity of the feeding appendages. Differences in rotational torques between models with a tube versus those without a tube implied that a large tube may have increased the rotational stability of the feeding posture in environments with variable current directions. No differences were detected between drag measurements on models with and without the anal tube; thus the ‘splitter-plate’ function of the tube was rejected. ▭Batocrinid anal tube, functional morphology, physical modeling.
Topical toremifene: a new approach for cutaneous melanoma?

The distribution of topically applied toremifene (0.5–1 mg/day for 5 days) in the ultraviolet B (UVB)-inducedMonodelphis domestica opossum melanoma model was examined. The mean concentration of toremifene measured in the skin was 1200 nmol/g, or >500 times that detected in any other tissues (blood, brain, liver, testicles, heart, uterus, eyes). In plasma, toremifene could be detected in only one animal of six (0.04 nmol/ml). Intraperitoneal administration of 0.5 mg toremifene daily for 5 days in three female animals resulted in a mean uterus concentration of 22.9 nmol/g, or 400-fold that achieved by topical administration of 0.5 mg/day in three other femaleMonodelphis (0.05 nmol/g). The cytostatic effect of toremifene was studied in three human melanoma cell lines and three experimental cell lines derived from UVB-induced melanocytic nevi inM. domestica. Toremifene had a cytostatic effect on all cell lines (50% growth-inhibitory concentrations, 5.8–9.6 μM). Topical toremifene administration yields high local concentration with minimal systemic distribution. In addition, toremifene has a cytostatic effect at achievable concentrations in a variety of melanomatous cell lines.
Does a rat's exposure to cocaine during adolescence affect its response to cocaine in adulthood?

Many contradictory responses to cocaine have been observed in adolescent rats as compared to adult rats including increased and decreased activity levels. Previous studies reported that adolescent exposure to cocaine affects adulthood response to cocaine. However, most studies compare age differences in cocaine response in separate groups of adolescents and adults. The present study assessed the acute and chronic dose effects of cocaine on the same rats during their adolescent period and again when they matured into young adults. Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Group 1 served as our control and received saline for 6 consecutive days, 3 days washout, and a day of rechallenge. Groups 2–4 received either 3.0, 7.5, or 15 mg/kg cocaine respectively for 6 consecutive days, 3 days washout, and a day of rechallenge. Adolescent rats did not show an acute or chronic response to 3.0 mg/kg cocaine whereas as adults they responded to the acute treatment and more...
An abundance model for lead isotopes based upon the continuous creation of the Earth's sialic crust

A mathematical model for common lead isotope ratios is derived and evaluated. This model is based on a hypothesis by J. Tuzo Wilson concerning the origin of the continents. It can be shown that Holmes' equation of the isochron becomes a special case of a more general equation. The age of the Earth's sialic crust for Holmes' hypothesis corresponds to the age of the ancient nuclei of the continents for the continuous creation hypothesis. It may be necessary to assume that a lead deposit can be derived from either sial or sima, or both sial and sima to account completely for known variations in common lead isotope ratios. An attempt should be made to correlate common lead isotope ratios on a regional basis. These ratios are apparently not, in themselves, quantitative criteria for age of deposition.
Silicon cross doping and its effect on the Si or Be implantation doping of gallium arsenide grown on (100) silicon by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

A study of the cross doping of GaAs layers grown by a two-step metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on Si substrates is reported. All as-grown, unintentionally doped layers of GaAs were n-type, and the carrier profiles tracked the Si atomic profiles. Furnace annealing at 850 °C for 30 min in an arsine overpressure, which is used to improve the crystalline quality of the GaAs near the heterointerface, caused additional Si to diffuse into the GaAs layer. Comparison of the Si concentration at the interface with the carrier concentration suggested the presence of compensating acceptors. Resonance Raman scattering by the SiAs local vibrational mode near the interface shows that a fraction of the Si atoms are localized at the As sites. The furnace annealing increased the Si concentration in the 1.7–1.8 μm thick initially grown GaAs layer. This, in turn, influenced the electrical profiles created with Si or Be implantation on a 2.3 μm thick GaAs layer.
Morphine Enhances Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Replicon Expression

Little information is available regarding whether substance abuse enhances hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and promotes HCV disease progression. We investigated whether morphine alters HCV mRNA expression in HCV replicon-containing liver cells. Morphine significantly increased HCV mRNA expression, an effect which could be abolished by either of the opioid receptor antagonists, naltrexone or beta-funaltrexamine. Investigation of the mechanism responsible for this enhancement of HCV replicon expression demonstrated that morphine activated NF-kappaB promoter and that caffeic acid phenethyl ester, a specific inhibitor of the activation of NF-kappaB, blocked morphine-activated HCV RNA expression. In addition, morphine compromised the anti-HCV effect of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha). Our in vitro data indicate that morphine may play an important role as a positive regulator of HCV replication in human hepatic cells and may compromise IFN-alpha therapy.
Sulfur isotope evidence for low and fluctuating sulfate levels in the Late Devonian ocean and the potential link with the mass extinction event

High amplitude positive carbon isotope excursions in the Late Devonian, the punctata and Kellwasser events, reflect major perturbations in the global carbon cycle that have been attributed to increased continental weathering and subsequent ocean eutrophication. Despite the comparable carbon isotope anomalies, however, a major extinction has been reported only for the Kellwasser Events, while the punctata Event is marked by low extinction intensity. This study presents multiple sulfur isotope records of carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS) and pyrite from Late Devonian sections in the Great Basin, USA, in order to document changes in the coupled (or decoupled) geochemical cycles of carbon and sulfur during the punctata and Upper Kellwasser events. A positive sulfur isotope shift in both CAS and pyrite accompanies the onset of the punctata Event, but to a larger extent in the latter. As a result, the sulfur isotope offset between CAS and pyrite (Δ^(34)S_(CAS-py)) dropped to less than 10‰. In the middle of the punctata Event, a sharp negative δ^(34)S_(CAS) excursion and negative Δ^(34)S_(CAS-py) values coincide with the Alamo impact. Unlike the rapid δ^(34)S_(py) and δ^(34)S_(CAS) oscillations associated with the punctata Event, the Upper Kellwasser was a period of relative stability, except for a brief δ^(34)S_(CAS) drop before the event. Paired sulfur isotope data, aided by a simple box model, suggest that the geochemical cycle of sulfur may have been partly responsible for the contrasting biological responses that define these events. High stratigraphic δ^(34)S_(py) and δ^(34)S_(CAS) variability, coupled with strong reservoir effect, demonstrates a relatively small oceanic sulfate pool existed during the punctata Event. Further, the Alamo impact likely triggered the rapid oxidation of microbially-produced sulfide within this event. The expansion of sulfidic bottom water thus may have been impeded during the punctata Event. In contrast, the lack of a positive shift in δ^(34)S_(CAS) and sizable Δ^(34)S_(CAS-py) values (>15‰) throughout the Upper Kellwasser Event imply higher relative sulfate levels. A larger seawater sulfate reservoir may have promoted the development of sulfidic bottom waters in the eutrophic epicontinental seas, increasing biological stress and potentially contributing to the mass extinction.
Vertebrate cranial placodes I. Embryonic induction.

Cranial placodes are focal regions of thickened ectoderm in the head of vertebrate embryos that give rise to a wide variety of cell types, including elements of the paired sense organs and neurons in cranial sensory ganglia. They are essential for the formation of much of the cranial sensory nervous system. Although relatively neglected today, interest in placodes has recently been reawakened with the isolation of molecular markers for different stages in their development. This has enabled a more finely tuned approach to the understanding of placode induction and development and in some cases has resulted in the isolation of inducing molecules for particular placodes. Both morphological and molecular data support the existence of a preplacodal domain within the cranial neural plate border region. Nonetheless, multiple tissues and molecules (where known) are involved in placode induction, and each individual placode is induced at different times by a different combination of these tissues, consistent with their diverse fates. Spatiotemporal changes in competence are also important in placode induction. Here, we have tried to provide a comprehensive review that synthesises the highlights of a century of classical experimental research, together with more modern evidence for the tissues and molecules involved in the induction of each placode.
Antiarrhythmic efficacy and electrophysiologic actions of amiodarone in patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias: Potent suppression of spontaneously occurring tachyarrhythmias versus inconsistent abolition of induced ventricular tachycardia☆

The antiarrhythmic efficacy and the electrophysiologic effects of amiodarone were determined in 13 consecutive patients with symptomatic life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias resistant to conventional agents. Amiodarone was initially given in high doses (1000 to 1800 mg/daily); electrophysiologic effects including induction of ventricular tachycardia (VT) by programmed electrical stimulation (PES) was undertaken before and after a mean period of 28 (range 14 to 56) days of amiodarone therapy. Plasma drug levels determined by high pressure liquid chromatography were within the “therapeutic” range (0.92 to 11.99 mg/L). Antiarrhythmic efficacy was determined on the basis of the quantitative analysis of 24-hour Holter recordings. Amiodarone reduced heart rate (HR) (−17.6%, p < 0.001), lengthened PR interval (+15%, p < 0.05), AH interval (+19.8%, P < 0.01), and the QTo by 13.3% (p < 0.01), without effect on the QRS or HV intervals. The atrial effective refractory period (ERP) increased by 31.3% (p < 0.001) and the ventricular ERP by 22.5% (p < 0.001); ERP of the AV node also increased but could not be determined in all patients because of the longer refractory period of the atrium. Before amiodarone, AV Wenckebach during atrial pacing developed at HR of 150 ± 13 bpm and at 117 ± 7.6 bpm during amiodarone therapy (p < 0.01). In all 13 patients, amiodarone reduced the total counts of premature ventricular beats (PVCs) by 95% to 98% and eliminated complex ventricular ectopic activity (VEA) and runs of VT. The effect has been sustained during a mean follow-up period of 12 months and there have been no symptoms. Before amiodarone was given, VT could be induced by PES in 12 of 13 patients (seven sustained, five nonsustained). On amiodarone, VT was provoked in four (three sustained, one nonsustained). Side effects have included photosensitivity, proximal muscle weakness, elevation of hepatic enzymes, halo vision, and corneal deposits but without impaired vision; these could be reduced in severity or avoided by reduction in drug dosage. These data indicate that amiodarone is highly potent in suppressing symptomatic life-threatening ventricular tachycardias (PVCs, VEA, VTVF) without always being able to prevent the induction of VT by PES of the heart. The drug can be used in this context without the need for invasive electrophysiologic studies.
Reversible Inhibition of the Fusion Activity of Measles Virus F Protein by an Engineered Intersubunit Disulfide Bridge

In search of target sites for the development of paramyxovirus inhibitors, we have engineered disulfide bridges to introduce covalent links into the prefusion F protein trimer of measles virus. F-Edm-452C/460C, predicted to bridge head and stalk domains of different F monomers, shows a high degree of proteolytic maturation and surface expression, predominantly as stable, dithiothreitol-sensitive trimers, but no fusion activity. Reduction of disulfide bridges partially restores activity. These findings underscore the importance of reversible intersubunit interactions between the stalk and head domains for F activity. Noncovalent small molecules mimicking this behavior may constitute a potent strategy for preventing paramyxovirus entry.
Generalized Self-Efficacy Expectancies and Optimism as Predictors of Growth Group Outcomes.

Abstract In this study, optimism, generalized self-efficacy, and interactions between these variables and member expectancies for group were examined as predictors of growth group outcomes. The ability of initial expectancies to predict outcome depended on the level of generalized self-efficacy.
A comparison of type i error rates and power levels for seven solutions to the multivariate behrens-fisher problem

Several alternatives to Hotelling's T2 have been recommended for the case where variance-covariance matrices are unknown and unequal. Type I error rates and power were estimated for Hotelling's T2 and for seven such solutions, including Bennett's (1951), James' (1954), Yao's (1965), Johansen's (1980), Nel and Van der Merwe's (1986), Hwang and Paulson's RB: and Kim's .Additionally, the power for each solution was calculated after adjusting for Type I error rates. The number of variables, the level of intercorrelation present among the variates, the degree of heteroscedasticity, and the sample sizes associated with each of the two mean vectors were varied in each of 36 factor combinations. For each factor combination, 10,000 repetitions were run. James' procedure almost always had the highest power, but its Type I error rate was almost always greater than the nominal. Kim's and Nel and Van der Merwe's procedures had the highest power among procedures whose Type I error rates were not inflated. Type I error ...
Inequality and The Legal Order: An Ecological Test of The Conflict Model

Some conflict theorists suspect that differences in economic resources give rise to legal outcomes reflecting the interests of powerful, affluent groups. Because property is one guarantee of the supremacy of an economic elite, I hypothesized that imprisonment for violation of the property codes would be more likely in political systems where unequally distributed resources favor influence by the affluent. States with a more unequal distribution were likely to have high imprisonment ratios for burglary and larceny. When analysis was restricted to areas where patterns of victimization were consistent across income groups, I also obtained results supporting the conflict view. Inequality was related to imprisonment for crimes against property only when higher income groups were most likely to be victimized.
Building regimes in groundwater policy: Contaminating the message

Diverse situational factors (such as hydrogeological formations and agricultural cropping practices) and the lack of a clear federal mandate present a new challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency and state governments in implementing groundwater protection policy. An implementation regime framework is presented that calls on state and federal administrators to negotiate an informal working relationship that is appropriate for each state. This might include either the traditional implementation of a uniform federal mandate or a program tailored to specific state needs. The success of an implementation regime in achieving its policy objectives is based on the ability of the federal government to frame a clear and consistent message that will reduce state implementors ‘ concerns over federal government intrusion. A regime typology is presented depicting ideal regime types that may be used by the federal government in selecting an appropriate federal message.
Timing closure based on physical hierarchy

In this paper, we shall present the progress and results of the ongoing project at UCLA on synthesis and optimization under physical hierarchy. First, we shall motivate our approach by pointing out the limitations of the existing approach to interconnect planning based on early RTL floorplanning following logic hierarchy. Then, we shall discuss the technical challenges for synthesis under the physical hierarchy, including handling high computational complexity from the flattened logic hierarchy, needs of retiming and pipelining over global interconnects, and extension of existing synthesis operations. Finally, we shall outline our approaches to overcome these technical challenges.
Adaptive nonlinear feedforward control of an electrohydraulic camless valvetrain

Camless engine operation offers potential benefits for making a high-performance engine. Control of the peak value of engine valve lift is a critical step in achieving these benefits. Nonlinearities and parameter variations in the valvetrain dynamics restrict the performance that can be achieved by the traditional PID feedback control approach. An adaptive control algorithm is presented with judicious selection of the model structure, adaptation parameters, and controller configuration. The experimental results demonstrate superior transient and steady state performance.
Physician Survey of a Laboratory Medicine Interpretive Service and Evaluation of the Influence of Interpretations on Laboratory Test Ordering

Abstract Context.—Complex coagulation test panels ordered by clinicians are typically reported to clinicians without a patient-specific interpretive paragraph. Objectives.—To survey clinicians regarding pathologist-generated interpretations of complex laboratory testing panels and to assess the ability of the interpretations to educate test orderers. Design.—Surveys were conducted of physicians ordering complex coagulation laboratory testing that included narrative interpretation. Evaluation of order requisitions was performed to assess the interpretation's influence on ordering practices. Setting.—Physicians ordering coagulation testing at a large academic medical center hospital in Boston, Mass, and physicians from outside hospitals using the academic medical center as a reference laboratory for coagulation testing. Outcome Measures.—Physician surveys and evaluation of laboratory requisition slips. Results.—In nearly 80% of responses, the ordering clinicians perceived that the interpretive comments save...
What Liaisons Say about Themselves and What Faculty Say about Their Liaisons, a U.S. Survey

Liaison librarians and faculty in chemistry, English, and psychology departments at colleges and universities in the United States were surveyed. They answered questions about services provided by the liaison and satisfaction. Liaisons' satisfaction with their performance was associated with active liaison service, such as recent contact with the department and more time spent on liaison work. Faculty satisfaction with liaisons was associated with contact with their liaisons. We did not find associations between liaisons' descriptions of their work and faculty satisfaction with their liaisons for the pairs of faculty and their liaisons we were able to match.
What's at Stake in the American Empire Debate

Scholars of world politics enjoy well-developed theories of the consequences of unipolarity or hegemony, but have little to say about what happens when a state's foreign relations take on imperial properties. Empires, we argue, are characterized by rule through intermediaries and the existence of distinctive contractual relations between cores and their peripheries. These features endow them with a distinctive network-structure from those associated with unipolar and hegemonic orders. The existence of imperial relations alters the dynamics of international politics: processes of divide and rule supplant the balance-of-power mechanism; the major axis of relations shift from interstate to those among imperial authorities, local intermediaries, and other peripheral actors; and preeminent powers face special problems of legitimating their bargains across heterogeneous audiences. We conclude with some observations about the American empire debate, including that the United States is, overall, less of an imperial power than it was during the Cold War.
Distributed Discrete Event and Pseudo Real-Time Combined Simulation for Multi-Agent Controlled Power Plants

Development, testing, simulation, and validation of complex real-time distributed systems is a challenge on many levels. Designing multi-agent systems for power plant control can be approached numerous ways, but it is important to enhance the flow of development to implementation. Using new Distributed Real-time Agent Framework with Time-warp (DRAFT) agents can enhance the development of multi-agent systems. Discrete event simulation allows a fast as possible simulation and forces synchronization while guaranteeing all tasks are accomplished on time to assist with initial stages of development when it is more important to focus on larger design concepts. The DRAFT agents can switch over to standard operation and operate on psuedo real-time or real-time environments to further develop all aspects of a multi-agent system with real-time requirements. It also gives the agents self simulation capabilities that could be used to enhance overall functionality of the multi-agent system.
Divergence Properties of the Non-Standard Finite Difference for Rectangular Meshes

In this paper, the regular NSFD scheme minimized the dispersion error at a designed frequency. However, it does not satisfy the divergence-free nature for the rectangular meshes. On the contrary, the corrected NSFD scheme satisfies the divergence-free nature for the non-square mesh case. However, it sacrifices the dispersion performance. There is always a compromise depending on what kind of problem that needs to be solved
The Enemy Is Us: Eponymy in the Historiography of the Maasai*

A major theme in the historiography of the Rift Valley region of east Africa has been the series of raids and wars during the nineteenth century between groups of Maa-speaking peoples who dominated the plains from northern Kenya to central Tanzania. Since the 1840s European and African observers have tended to divide the combatants into two factions, usually called the Maasai on one hand and the Iloikop (or Kwavi) on the other. Since the 1880s European administrators and western scholars have tended to designate the groups they have called Maasai as “pastoralists” or sometimes “pure pastoralists” and the groups they have called Iloikop/Kwavi as “agriculturalists” or “semi-pastoralists.” According to this interpretation, the “Iloikop Wars” or the “Wars between the Maasai and the Iloikop” of the nineteenth century pitted agricultural Maa-speakers against pastoral Maa-speakers. In surveying the relevant literature and in analyzing the European descriptions in light of explanations of my Maasai informants, it became clear that this orthodox dichotomy rests on a mistakenly static perception of socio-economic groups and denies the precariousness of pastoral life in the Rift Valley. Scholarly acceptance of the Maasai-Iloikop (Kwavi) dichotomy as the basis of interpretation of nineteenth-century Maasai history has resulted in a serious distortion of that history and an avoidance of more complex and important issues. In this paper I will review the literature on the “identities” of the Maa-speaking peoples -- identities attributed to them by outside observers -- and subject those interpretations to the perceptions and explanations of the Maa-speaking peoples themselves.
Langmuir Turbulence in Swell

AbstractThe problem is posed and solved for the oceanic surface boundary layer in the presence of wind stress, stable density stratification, equilibrium wind-waves, and remotely generated swell-waves. The addition of swell causes an amplification of the Lagrangian-mean current and rotation toward the swell-wave direction, a fattening of the Ekman velocity spiral and associated vertical Reynolds stress profile, an amplification of the inertial current response, an enhancement of turbulent variance and buoyancy entrainment rate from the pycnocline, and—for very large swell—an upscaling of the coherent Langmuir circulation patterns. Implications are discussed for the parameterization of Langmuir turbulence influences on the mean current profile and the material entrainment rate in oceanic circulation models. In particular, even though the turbulent kinetic energy monotonically increases with wave amplitude inversely expressed by the turbulent Langmuir number La, the Lagrangian shear eddy viscosity profile κ...
Osseous Autografts: I. Clinical Responses to Bone Blend or Hip Marrow Grafts

A clinical evaluation was undertaken to compare regeneration of osseous defects following implantation of either osseous coagulum-bone blend from intraoral sources or autogenous iliac marrow-cancellous bone. Thirty-two transplants were performed in 15 male patients. The intraosseous defects in which marrow was placed (initial average depth = 7.18 mm) filled 60.7% (average fill = 4.36 mm). Defects in which osseous coagulum-bone blend was placed (initial average depth 4.0 mm) filled 73% (average fill = 2.93 mm). The difference in results between the two materials was not statistically significant. Therefore, similar levels of osseous regeneration apparently took place regardless of graft material used.
How Well Does The Partin Nomogram Predict Pathological Stage After Radical Prostatectomy In A Community Based Population? Results Of The Cancer Of The Prostate Strategic Urological Research Endeavor

Purpose: The Partin nomogram uses preoperative Gleason grade, serum prostate specific antigen and clinical stage to predict pathological outcome after radical prostatectomy. It was developed and validated in a select population of patients at 3 academic institutions. Although the nomogram is widely used, it has yet to be validated in a community based population. We assessed the performance of the nomogram in the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urological Research Endeavor, a nationwide, community based observational disease registry of men with prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Included in the cohort were 1,162 men in Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urological Research Endeavor who underwent radical prostatectomy. Using various probability thresholds the nomogram was used to predict outcomes in each patient. Using different probability thresholds receiver operating characteristics curves were then used to assess test performance.Results: Of the men 860 (74%) had organ confined disease, 179 (15%) h...
Performance of Turbulence Models in the Computation of Transonic Flow over a Circular Arc Bump

Transonic turbulent boundary layer flow over a circular arc bump is computed with the commercial CFD code FLUENT to determine the effect of surface roughness on turbulent shock/boundary layer interaction. The Inger and Gendt 23 experiment at a supercritical M � ω - k model with enhanced wall treatment, as implemented in the FLUENT code, on the whole showed a reasonably better performance when compared with the other turbulence models. Hence the ω - k model is subsequently employed for the surface roughness study whereby four different configurations of uniform sand grain roughness are modeled. Results are presented for these flow configurations. The influence of the increase in surface roughness height transcends over onto the shock boundary layer zone and the observations are discussed.