cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congestive heart failure with normal systolic function

Although there have been isolated reports of congestive heart failure (CHF) with normal systolic function, the prevalence and characteristics of this condition have not previously been described. Accordingly, 188 patients with CHF undergoing radionuclide ventriculography were prospectively evaluated. Sixty-seven (36%) had a normal ejection fraction (EF) of 0.45 or greater, and 121, an abnormal EF of less than 0.45. Of these, 72 (55 with an abnormal EF [group I] and 17 with a normal EF [group II]) were also reviewed for clinical characteristics. There was no demographic difference between groups, except that systemic hypertension appeared to be a contributing factor in 65% of the patients in group II, compared with 23% of the patients in group I (p
The persistent effects of concussion on neuroelectric indices of attention

Abstract Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) that result from participation in sports are a major public health issue affecting 1.6–3.8 million individuals annually. The injury has been postulated as transient and void of long-term consequences when rapidly diagnosed and properly managed. Emerging evidence, however, has suggested an increased risk for late life cognitive dysfunction in those with previous injuries. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate young adults with and without a history of concussion using a standard clinical assessment and highly sensitive electrophysiological measures for persistent changes in cognitive functioning. Ninety participants (19.7 ±1.3 years; 44 without mTBI and 46 with previous mTBI) were evaluated using the ImPACT and event-related brain potentials (ERPs) that were recorded during a three-stimulus oddball task. Those with a history of concussion reported an average of 3.4 years post-injury. No significant differences were found between groups on the ImPAC...
Coal resources, reserves and peak coal production in the United States

Abstract In spite of its large endowment of coal resources, recent studies have indicated that United States coal production is destined to reach a maximum and begin an irreversible decline sometime during the middle of the current century. However, studies and assessments illustrating coal reserve data essential for making accurate forecasts of United States coal production have not been compiled on a national basis. As a result, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the accuracy of the production forecasts. A very large percentage of the coal mined in the United States comes from a few large-scale mines (mega-mines) in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana. Reported reserves at these mines do not account for future potential reserves or for future development of technology that may make coal classified currently as resources into reserves in the future. In order to maintain United States coal production at or near current levels for an extended period of time, existing mines will eventually have to increase their recoverable reserves and/or new large-scale mines will have to be opened elsewhere. Accordingly, in order to facilitate energy planning for the United States, this paper suggests that probabilistic assessments of the remaining coal reserves in the country would improve long range forecasts of coal production. As it is in United States coal assessment projects currently being conducted, a major priority of probabilistic assessments would be to identify the numbers and sizes of remaining large blocks of coal capable of supporting large-scale mining operations for extended periods of time and to conduct economic evaluations of those resources.
Static properties of recycled EPS

Abstract Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used extensively in the United States and Europe for packaging fragile electronic equipment. Global concerns about solid waste have increased the pressure on packaging designers to use recycled materials in these applications. This study reports the effect of posteonsumer recycled content in EPS on two properties of concern to designers, compressive strength, and creep performance. Blends of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% recycled content materials were tested and found to have strength properties nearly identical to new material, and in one case better. Creep properties varied with specific blends but for the most part tracked the performance of new EPS. The density and internal structure of these blends, however, was markedly different from that of their parent material, particularly in the blended state.
XML programming with SQL/XML and XQuery

Most business data are stored in relational database systems, and SQL (Structured Query Language) is used for data retrieval and manipulation. With XML (Extensible Markup Language) rapidly becoming the de facto standard for retrieving and exchanging data, new functionality is expected from traditional databases. Existing SQL applications will evolve to retrieve relational data as XML data using database or SQL extensions for XML. New XML data will be stored, searched, and manipulated in the database as a "first class" citizen along with existing relational data. Furthermore, new applications will emerge that solely operate in terms of XML. These new XML applications operate on the same database using an XML query language, XQuery. In this paper, we describe an integrated database architecture that enables SQL applications with XML extensions as well as XQuery applications to operate on the same data. The architecture allows for a seamless flow from relational data to XML and back.
Statistical Analysis of the Pulse-Coupled Synchronization Strategy for Wireless Sensor Networks

Pulse-coupled synchronization is attracting increased attention in the sensor network community. Yet its properties have not been fully investigated. Using statistical analysis, we prove analytically that by controlling the number of connections at each node, synchronization can be guaranteed for generally pulse-coupled oscillators even in the presence of a refractory period. The approach does not require the initial phases to reside in half an oscillation cycle, which improves existing results. We also find that a refractory period can be strategically included to reduce idle listening at nearly no sacrifice to the synchronization probability. Given that reduced idle listening leads to higher energy efficiency in the synchronization process, the strategically added refractory period makes the synchronization scheme appealing to cheap sensor nodes, for which energy is a precious system resource. We also analyzed the pulse-coupled synchronization in the presence of unreliable communication links and obtained similar results. QualNet experimental results are given to confirm the effectiveness of the theoretical predictions.
"Everything had ended and everything was beginning again": The Public Politics of Rebuilding Private Homes in Postwar Paris

Between January 1942 and August 1944, the Nazis stripped more than 38,000 “abandoned” Jewish apartments in Paris of furniture and other goods and shipped most of the stolen items to Germany. Following the liberation of the capital in August 1944, Jewish survivors returned to empty homes or found their apartments inhabited by other families. The French provisional government addressed housing and restitution issues for all war victims immediately; however, the process proved to be especially long and difficult for Jewish victims, many of whom found themselves utterly destitute. An examination of the process demonstrates that Jews used gendered strategies in demanding to be included in French public life through the reclamation of private homes.
The melanocyte and the epidermal melanin unit: an expanded concept.

There are many mechanisms by which melanocytes, keratinocytes, and Langerhans cells interact within the epidermis. Inflammatory mediators affect melanocyte function and melanogenic agents such as α-MSH alter the functions of keratinocytes and Langerhans cells. The epidermal melanin unit is better labeled the KLM unit.
Deflecting spherical lens

An electrostatic spherical lens that permits both x- and y-deflection has been developed. The spherical field is formed within a conical surface by dc voltages applied to a series of resistive rings painted on the interior of the envelope. Deflection is accomplished by ac voltage drops around the rings which superimpose a deflection field upon the spherical field. To study the lens, an image intensifier was built. The deflection sensitivity is approximately 500 volts per inch. Over 2 inches of the 5-inch photocathode is usable; beyond this diameter a slight pincushion distortion is noticeable. The diameter of the circle of confusion at the crossover point is approximately ¼ inch. The natural focal length of the lens-aperture combination is 18 inches and can be adjusted to 14 inches by varying the post-acceleration voltage. The techniques for forming the lens, the electron optics, and the performance of the tube are described. The role of this lens in a fast camera application for the display of sequential images is also discussed.
Measuring Conflict-Related Behaviors: Reliability and Validity Evidence Regarding the Conflict Dynamics Profile

For a number of years, the dominant approach to measuring individual differences in how people respond to interpersonal conflict has been the dual-concerns model, which assesses five broad conflict styles said to result from one’s standing on two underlying dimensions: concern for self and concern for other. This article describes the development of a new instrument, the Conflict Dynamics Profile, that takes a different, explicitly behavioral approach to measuring responses to conflict. The Conflict Dynamics Profile assesses 15 specific behavioral responses to provocation in one’s life. Some of these responses are constructive, and some are destructive; some are active, and some are relatively passive. Four studies are reported that establish the psychometric adequacy of the instrument, including evidence for internal reliability, test-retest reliability, freedom from social desirability contamination, correlation with related constructs, and agreement between self-ratings and ratings by observers. Implic...
A PETROGRAPHIC AND MINERAL CHEMISTRY STUDY OF THE WESTON, CONNECTICUT, CHONDRITE

The Weston meteorite is a breccia containing mostly light-colored equilibrated chondritic xenoliths and less abundant highly un-equilibrated chondritic inclusions fixed in a dark grey host of chondrules, mineral and rock fragments. Many of the inclusions show evidence of shock. Unlike most xenolithic chondrites, the Weston host contains a large fraction of considerably more equilibrated silicates than is found in the unequilibrated inclusions, suggesting either that most host silicates retain the mineral chemistry of an equilibrated source indigenous to Weston, or represent a unique fraction which equilibrated separately, prior to final agglomeration. The host silicates are similar in composition to minerals in the common xenoliths, supporting the former possibility that host chondrules and mineral fragments are derived from the xenolithic material, probably by impact fragmentation and melting. Also mixed with Weston is a small but distinct carbonaceous component including the minerals fassaite, Fespinel, forsterite, magnetite and Ca-Al-rich inclusion which are normally associated with carbonaceous chondrites.
The treatment of streptococcal skin infections.

In studies involving 531 children with streptococcal skin lesions, with or without penicillin-resistant staphylococci also present, intramuscular benzathine penicillin G provided the most effective treatment. Streptococci, when present in the respiratory tract, were also eradicated. Neither topical bacitracin nor a single injection of penicillin in oil gave satisfactory results. Six of 54 siblings of children with nephritis, all of whom were infected with nephritogenic streptococci, developed acute glomerulonephritis within one week after initiation of therapy, suggesting that treatment came too late to prevent this complication. It is uncertain how often benzathine penicillin G therapy prevented nephritis in other patients. Such therapy does provide a means for prompt eradication of streptococci, effective clearing of clinical infection, and limiting the spread of organisms to others. Significant untoward reactions to penicillin were not observed.
Clinical Results and Functional Outcomes of Primary and Revision Spinal Deformity Surgery in Adults

Background Few studies have examined the postsurgical functional outcomes of adults with spinal deformities, and even fewer have focused on the functional results and complications among older adults who have undergone primary or revision surgery for spinal deformity. Our goal was to compare patient characteristics, surgical characteristics, duration of hospitalization, radiographic results, complications, and functional outcomes between adults forty years of age or older who had undergone primary surgery for spinal deformity and those who had undergone revision surgery for spinal deformity. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 167 consecutive patients forty years of age or older who had undergone surgery for spinal deformity performed by the senior author (K.M.K.) from January 2005 through June 2009 and who were followed for a minimum of two years. We divided the patients into two groups: primary surgery (fifty-nine patients) and revision surgery (108 patients). We compared the patient characteristics (number of levels arthrodesed, type of procedure, estimated blood loss, and total operative time), duration of hospitalization, radiographic results (preoperative, six-week postoperative, and most recent follow-up Cobb angle measurements for thoracic and lumbar curves, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis), major and minor complications, and functional outcome scores (Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index). Results The groups were comparable with regard to most parameters. However, the revision group had more patients with sagittal plane imbalance and more frequently required pedicle subtraction osteotomies (p l 0.01). Patients in the primary group required more correction in the coronal plane than did patients in the revision group, whereas patients in the revision group required more correction in the sagittal plane. We found no significant difference between the two groups in the rate of major complications or in the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire functional outcome scores. There were significant improvements in many functional outcome scores in both groups between the preoperative and early (six-week) postoperative periods and between the early postoperative period and the time of final follow-up. Conclusions Revision surgery for spinal deformity in adults, although technically challenging and considered to present a higher risk than primary surgery, was shown to have a complication rate and outcomes that were comparable with those of primary spinal deformity surgery in adults. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
In utero transplantation of human fetal haemopoietic cells in NOD/SCID mice

We have previously demonstrated that high levels of allogeneic, donor-derived mouse haemopoietic progenitor cells engraft following in utero transplantation in NOD/SCID mice. To evaluate whether the fetal NOD/SCID haemopoietic microenvironment supports the growth and development of human fetal haemopoietic progenitor cells, we injected fetal liver mononuclear cells (FL) or fetal bone marrow (FBM) derived CD34+ cells into NOD/SCID mice on day 13/14 of gestation. At 8 weeks of age 12% of FBM recipients and 10% of FL recipients were found to have been successfully engrafted with CD45+ human cells. CD45+ cells were present in the BM of all chimaeric animals; 5/6 recipients showed engraftment of the spleen, and 4/6 recipients had circulating human cells in the peripheral blood (PB). The highest levels of donor cells were found in the BM, with up to 15% of the nucleated cells expressing human specific antigens. Multilineage human haemopoietic engraftment, including B cells (CD19), myelomonocytic cells (CD13/33) and haemopoietic progenitor cells (CD34), was detected in the BM of chimaeric mice. In contrast, no human CD3+ cells were detected in any of the tissues evaluated. When the absolute number of engrafted human cells in the PB, BM and spleens of chimaeric mice was determined, a mean 16-fold expansion of human donor cells was observed. Although multilineage engraftment occurs in these fetal recipients, both the frequency and the levels of engraftment are lower than those previously reported when human cells are transplanted into adult NOD/SCID recipients.
Is prolonged use of corticosteroids safe in patients with Crohn's disease?

Although not widely recognized, patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have a low bone mass and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis or “thinning of the bones” leads to skeletal fragility and the resultant increase in fractures. However, some patients with IBD may develop osteomalacia or defective mineralization of bone from malabsorption of vitamins and nutrients. Among the factors that are associated with bone disease in patients with IBD are: low weight and body mass index, corticosteroid therapy, vitamin D deficiency, smoking in women, and reduced serum albumin levels (1-8). Patients with IBD are further at risk of compromised skeletal health because of inflammation with elevation of bone-resorptive cytokines [e.g., interleukin (1L)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor], malnutrition, ileal resection, calcium and phosphate malabsorption, gonadal deficiencies, and reduced physical activity (2,911). The development of bone densitometry techniques including the newer technique of dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) makes it possible to rapidly quantify bone density at the relevant fracture sites of the spine, proximal femur, and forearm in minutes with good reproducibility and little radiation exposure. To assess bone density, physicians compare the patient’s bone density measurements to that of young adults and age-matched control subjects. Prospective studies show that a 1 SD age-adjusted reduction in bone mass in the spine and hip is associated with
ATG and RIC: not such a good match?

It has been more than 50 years since Professor George Mathe explored the use of nonspecific immunotherapy to treat secondary disease after allogeneic transplantation.[1][1] Weiden et al then began exploring the use of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) as prophylaxis of acute GVHD.[2][2] Bacigalupo et al
Life Support with Failures and Variable Supply

The life support system for long duration missions will recycle oxygen and water to reduce the material resupply mass from Earth. The impact of life support failures was investigated by dynamic simulation of a lunar outpost habitat life support model. The model was modified to simulate resupply delays, power failures, recycling system failures, and storage failures. Many failures impact the lunar outpost water supply directly or indirectly, depending on the water balance and water storage. Failure effects on the water supply are reduced if Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) water use is low and the water supply is ample. Additional oxygen can be supplied by scavenging unused propellant or by production from regolith, but the amounts obtained can vary significantly. The requirements for oxygen and water can also vary significantly, especially for EVA. Providing storage buffers can improve efficiency and reliability, and minimize the chance of supply failing to meet demand. Life support failures and supply variations can be survivable if effective solutions are provided by the system design
Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of the second generation histamine antagonist cetirizine hydrochloride

Abstract The first enantioselective synthesis of cetirizine hydrochloride ( 1 ) has been developed using the highly stereospecific chiral oxazaborolidine (CBS) reduction of 4[ η 6 -chromium tricarbonylbenzoyl]chlorobenzene to establish the benzhydryl stereocenter. The chromium tricarbonyl unit also served as stereocontroller to allow the stereospecific displacement of hydroxyl by amino at the benzylic stereocenter, as outlined in Scheme 1.
Interplay between angiopoietin-2, vascular endothelial growth factor and peroxynitrite is an important determinant of vascular hyperpermeability during methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis

We have reported that nitric oxide (NO) production and microvascular hyperpermeability were significantly higher in septic sheep with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) than with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We hypothesize that peroxynitrite, a byproduct of NO, causes vascular hyperpermeability in MRSA sepsis via promoting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). The hypothesis was tested, using both a well-established ovine sepsis model and cultured human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs).
Location and Political Choice in Post-Unification Berlin: Explaining the PDS (Party of Democratic Socialism) Vote, 1999 and 2001

A paper examining the factors contributing to the growing electoral support for the PDS (Party of Democratic Socialism) in post-unification elections in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany) uses detailed data for Berlin's electoral districts to elucidate the micro-geography of the East-West divide in the PDS vote. Using two methods of ecological inference, King's and entropy maximization, the authors show that the explanation of the PDS support in Berlin elections in 1999 and 2001 can be attributed to the "Mauer in den Kopfen" (wall in people's heads) that is coincident with the division of the city along the former Berlin Wall. This geographic division far exceeds any socio-demographic explanation of the PDS vote. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: H10, O10, R10. 9 figures, 4 tables, 98 references.
Treatment of a severe speech disorder by behavior modification: A case study

Abstract The treatment of an 18-year-old male with a severe speech disorder is described. In admission he was experiencing spasms of the jaw muscles, and his EEG reflected a significant degree of electrical cortical dysrhythmia. He was instructed to read slowly and his performance was monitored by a voice-operated relay and television from an adjacent room. Positive and negative feedback were given by lights flashing to indicate meeting or exceeding the word-per-minute criterion for a particular session. Twenty-seven sessions of feedback reduced his speaking rate from 200 to 139 words per minute. Six sessions of role-playing and 14 sessions of graded practice were given to generalize the therapeutic effects. The patient returned to college, and follow-ups at 9 and 18 months revealed that he was receiving excellent grades in all subjects.
On the density of Halley's comet

The density of Comet Halley is presently determined as a function of (1) its ejected material's time of visibility; (2) the angular deviation alpha of the averaged reaction force due to jets of ejected material from the sun-comet direction, and (3) the thermal inertia for a variable alpha. The averaged gas ejection rate variation from the nucleus as a function of orbital true anomaly is estimated on the basis of the Green and Morris (1987) lightcurve. While some of the densities obtained are in reasonable agreement with the expected 1 g/cu cm, uncertainties associated with both parameters and assumptions weaken the significance of these density constraints.
Pyridazines. VI. Some 6-substituted 3(2H)pyridazinones†

A series of 6-substituted 3(2H)pyridazinones was prepared. The 6-substituent was either aromatic of heter-aromatic in structure. A few basically-substituted representatives were also made.
Computational considerations in the implementation of force control strategies

This paper discusses computational and experimental details necessary for successfully implementing and evaluating a wide variety of force control strategies. First, a review of both explicit force and impedance control strategies is provided. Second, the basic computational requirements of these schemes are discussed, and the hardware and timing information for our implementation is provided. Third, computational problems such as noise filtering and sampling rates are explained and discussed in detail. Finally, a review of the experimental results obtained is provided. These results support the previous discussions by demonstrating the importance of fully considering the implementational details required for successful force control of robotic manipulators.
The 88Sr(t, p)90Sr reaction at 20 MeV and the systematics of pairing excitations near N = 50

Abstract The 88 Sr(t, p) 90 Sr reaction has been studied at 20 MeV incident energy. Forty-seven levels were observed up to 5.6 MeV excitation with angular distributions measured between 12° and 55° lab angle. A DWBA analysis is used to extract L -values, and a number of new spin-parity assignments are made. The low-lying levels are discussed in terms of pairing multipole excitations. The data are compared with previous (t, p) work on other targets involving N = 50 → 52 neutron transfer. Similarities with 89 Y(t, p) and differences from 90 Zr(t, p) are noted. A discussion of the systematics of pairing vibrations in the region of N = 50 is presented.
Duality and the phases of massive gauge-invariant QCD

Abstract I discuss the phase structure of massive gauge invariant QCD (the gauged non-linear sigma model) using an operator formalism proposed by 't Hooft. The dual variables for this system are determined and the 't Hooft loop operator is constructed from these dual field variables. Its equal time commutation relations with the Wilson loop operator is explicitly verified. The system possesses two possible phases. In the semi-classical approximation (weak coupling), magnetic confinement as indicated by an area law for the expectation value of 't Hooft loops is observed. If above a certain critical coupling a condensate of vortices is formed, then the expectation value of the 't Hooft loop in the dilute vortex approximation shows a perimeter law indicating electric confinement.
An automated runway: Responding without postreinforcement goal tracking

The behaviors of rodents in manual runways are subject to experimenter variability and error and to the stimulus properties of handling. Automated shuttle runways are limited by the shuttle response itself. The response is difficult to learn and maintain because it requires that subjects leave an area associated with reinforcement. This report describes an automated analogue of the traditional straight alley that features unidirectional responding and a goal area physically removed from the runway after each trial. A series of studies demonstrate that rats and gerbils quickly acquire and maintain a stable appetitive running response. This response also provides a sensitive measure for the effects of conditioned fear.
The emission of light by flames containing sodium and the absorption of light by mercury vapour

The light from Bunsen flames containing sodium and other metals was investigated by Gouy in 1879. He found that the intensity of the light is a function of the amount of sodium per square centimetre in the flame and that this function is approximately proportional to the square root of the amount of sodium per square centimetre when this is not extremely small. If d denotes the thickness of the flame, ρ the amount of sodium per unit volume in it and I the light intensity emitted in a direction perpendicular to the flame surface then Gouy’s results show that I = Aρ d /√ ρ d + B where A and B are constants. When ρ d is not very small the constant B can be neglected and І = A√ρ d . The following values of I and ρ d for a sodium flame, both in arbitrary units, were given by Gouy.
Using Java and JavaScript in the Virtual Programming Laboratory: a Web‐based parallel programming environment

The Virtual Programming Laboratory (VPL) is a Web-based virtual programming environment built based on a client–server architecture. The system can be accessed on any platform (Unix, PC or Mac) using a standard Java-enabled browser. Software delivery over the Web imposes a novel set of constraints on design. We outline the tradeoffs in this design space, motivate the choices necessary to deliver an application, and detail the lessons learned in the process. We discuss the role of Java and other Web technologies in the realization of the design. VPL facilitates the development and execution of parallel programs. The initial prototype supports high-level parallel programming based on Fortran 90 and High Performance Fortran (HPF), as well as explicit low-level programming with the MPI message-passing interface. Supplementary Java-based platform-independent tools for data and performance visualization are an integral part of the VPL. Pablo SDDF trace files generated by the Pablo performance instrumentation system are used for post-mortem performance visualization. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A practical and scalable manufacturing process for an anti-fungal agent, Nikkomycin Z

A scalable and reliable manufacturing process for Nikkomycin Z HCl on a 170 g scale has been developed and optimized. The process is characterized by a 2.3 g/L fermentation yield, 79% purification yield, and >98% relative purity of the final product. This method is suitable for further scale up and cGMP production. The Streptomyces tendae ΔNikQ strain developed during the course of this study is superior to any previously reported strain in terms of higher yield and purity of Nikkomycin Z.
Modular solid optic time delay system

We introduce a novel, modular solid optic time delay system for wide bandwidth phases arrays and other applications. The architecture is based on polarization switches and polarizing beam splitters. We demonstrate that the system has fast switching (ns-ms), arbitrary time delay (ps-ns), and ruggedness.
Characterization of β-Amino Ester Enolates as Hexamers via 6Li NMR Spectroscopy

Low-temperature 6Li NMR spectroscopic studies on a chiral β-amino ester enolate reveal a complex mixture of homo- and heterochiral aggregates. Subsequent warming of the samples led to rapid intra-aggregate exchange, resulting in four distinct resonances consistent with an ensemble of hexamers. An implicit fit of the aggregate populations to the Boltzmann distribution provided the free energy differences and equilibrium constants. An X-ray crystal structure obtained from the racemic enolate is consistent with the predominant aggregate in solution.
Carl S. Apstein, MD 1941–2005

Carl S. Apstein, Professor of Medicine and Physiology and founder of the Cardiac Muscle Research Laboratory at Boston University School of Medicine died November 8, 2005, after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 64. Carl was born in Brooklyn, NY, and did his undergraduate work at Cornell University, where he was a Telluride Scholar. He graduated from New York University School of Medicine in 1967. After his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center, he received additional research fellowships at Tufts New England Medical Center and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined the faculty of Boston University School of Medicine in 1973, where he founded the Cardiac Muscle Research Laboratory, a continuously productive laboratory and highly regarded training site for investigators from all over the world. He also served as Chief of Cardiology at Boston City Hospital from 1982 to 1996. Dr Apstein was an outstanding investigator, a great clinician, and a revered teacher and mentor. As a clinician, he was known for his superb physical examination skills, for his astute diagnostic acumen, and particularly for his wonderful ability to teach pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease. His weekly clinical case rounds at Boston …
Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 is the Predominant Isoform in the Neural Retina, Retinal Pigment Epithelium-Choroid and Vitreous of the Monkey Eye

Abstract Several techniques were utilized to assess the levels, disposition and cellular sources of isoforms 1 and 2 of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in the posterior pole of the monkey eye. Freshly dissected tissues, as well as the saline vehicles in which dissections were performed, were analysed by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In all tissues TGF-β2 was the predominant isoform, with β2:β1 ratios of 6:1 for neural retina (as ng g-1) and 425:1 for vitreous (as pmol l-1). Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-Bruch's membrane-choroid complex contained approximately 10 times the amount of both TGF-β isoforms as neural retina. For first passage cultures of monkey RPE, TGF-β2, but not TGF-β1, accumulated over time in conditioned media samples. Immunoreactivity for TGF-β2 was detected both in tissue sections of posterior pole, specifically in rod outer segments and RPE, and also in the first passage cultures of RPE. Antibodies to specific peptide sequences of both isoforms localized TGF-β to the outer segments of rod photoreceptors. The apparent sequestration of TGF-β2 in photoreceptor outer segments, as well as the in vitro evidence for possible synthesis and release by RPE, suggest that TGF-β2 is an important modulator of visual function acting at the retina-RPE interface.
Microwave signal generation using an optical self-heterodyne technique

A new technique for mixing optical waves to generate microwave-frequency signals using an injection laser diode and a fibre-optic interferometer is reported. A beat signal is produced by interfering light from the laser with light from the same laser emitted earlier at a different frequency. The interferometer consists of an evanescent-field fibre coupler joined to a length of single-mode optical fibre. The laser is tuned by pulsed or bipolar current waveforms superimposed on a DC bias current. Feedback from an external cavity stabilises the laser frequency and reduces its linewidth. Efficient mixing at difference frequencies from 250 MHz to 2 GHz is obtained, with spectral widths of less than 1% of the centre frequency.
Convex combinations of recycling incentives

A general equilibrium model is developed in which consumers turn in a used product when they purchase a new one. A portion of the spent output is recycled, with the remainder going to landfills and causing environmental damage. In this tightly constructed model, either a disposal tax on the landfilled waste, or a subsidy for recycling and an excise tax on the disposable good, or any convex combination of these incentives fosters the same efficient allocation of inputs into the production of disposable versus nondisposable goods, the manufacture of virgin raw material, and the reprocessing of used raw material.
Evaluation of preoperative administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor rofecoxib for the treatment of postoperative pain after lumbar disc surgery

OBJECTIVE: A combination of analgesics with different mechanisms of action may improve postoperative pain control and reduce the incidence of side effects. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of preoperative administration of rofecoxib (Vioxx; Merck & Co., Inc., Somerset, NJ) in reducing pain and opioid requirements after single-level lumbar microdiscectomy. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 61 consenting patients who were considered American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I or II and who were scheduled for elective single-level lumbar microdiscectomy. Patients received either two doses of rofecoxib 50 mg or a placebo preoperatively. The outcome measures included morphine use in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), discharge times, and side effect profile. Data were analyzed by use of independent sample t tests for continuous variables or x 2 tests for categorical variables. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable with respect to patient characteristics, intraoperative opioid and hypnotic consumption, and duration of surgery. Patients in the rofecoxib group required significantly less morphine postoperatively. Significantly more patients in the placebo group reported pain scores greater than 7 at admission to the PACU. Time to first request for analgesia was shorter in the placebo group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences between groups in the incidence of nausea, time to discharge from the PACU, or hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Preoperative rofecoxib is effective in reducing postoperative narcotic consumption in patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy. The use of rofecoxib does not shorten PACU length of stay or hospital discharge time. These outcome measures depend on multiple administrative factors.
Seismic assessment of bridge structures isolated by a shape memory alloy/rubber-based isolation system

This paper explores the effectiveness of shape memory alloy (SMA)/rubber-based isolation systems for seismic protection of bridges against near-field earthquakes by performing a sensitivity analysis. The isolation system considered in this study consists of a laminated rubber bearing, which provides lateral flexibility while supplying high vertical load-carrying capacity, and an auxiliary device made of multiple loops of SMA wires. The SMA device offers additional energy dissipating and re-centering capability. A three-span continuous bridge is modeled with the SMA/rubber-based (SRB) isolation system. Numerical simulations of the bridge are conducted for various near-field ground motions that are spectrally matched to a target design spectrum. The normalized forward transformation strength, forward transformation displacement and pre-strain level of the SMA device, ambient temperature and the lateral stiffness of the rubber bearings are selected as parameters of the sensitivity study. The variation of the seismic response of the bridge with the considered parameters is assessed. Also, the performance of the SRB isolation system with optimal design parameters is compared with an SMA-based sliding isolation system. The results indicate that the SRB isolation system can successfully reduce the seismic response of highway bridges; however, a smart isolation system that combines sliding bearings together with an SMA device is more efficient than the SRB isolation system.
Structural components of single word recognition: Activation of orthographic, meaning, and phonological processors

Abstract This study examined the roles of orthographic, meaning, and phonological processors in children's word recognition. Children at each of three age levels, 6–7, 8–9, and 10–12 were tested using a word recognition test, the Reading Decoding Subtest of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. Each word was decomposed into eight structural components based upon Adams’ (1990) model of word recognition. The structural components were: number of graphemes, syllables, morphemes, consonant digraphs, vowel digraphs, r‐controlled vowels, consonant blends, and silent markers. For all three age levels, within‐subject regression coefficients of the eight variables on right/wrong score exhibited the same direction of regression but relative importance varied. Graphemic complexity accounted for the highest amount of variance at each level, with other variables shifting across age in a pattern consistent with a stage development model of word recognition.
Five-year results of a merger between vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists in a university medical center

Abstract Objectives We examined economic and practice trends after 5 years of a merger between vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Methods In 1998 a merger between the Division of Vascular Surgery and the Section of Interventional Radiology at the University of Rochester established the Center for Vascular Disease (CVD). Business activity was administered from the offices of the vascular surgeons. Results In 1998 the CVD included five vascular surgeons and three interventional radiologists, who generated a total income of $5,789,311 (34% from vascular surgeons, 24% from interventional radiologists, 42% from vascular laboratories). Vascular surgeon participation in endoluminal therapy was limited to repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Income was derived from 1011 major vascular procedures, 10,510 catheter-based procedures in 3286 patients, and 1 inpatient and 3 outpatient vascular laboratory tests. In 2002 there were six vascular surgeons (five, full-time equivalent) and four interventional radiologists, and total income was $6,550,463 despite significant reductions in unit value reimbursement over the 5 years, a 4% reduction in the number of major vascular procedures, and a 13% reduction in income from vascular laboratories. In 2002 the number of endoluminal procedures increased to 16,026 in 7131 patients, and contributions to CVD income increased from 24% in 1998 to 31% in 2002. Three of the six vascular surgeons performed endoluminal procedures in 634 patients in 2002, compared with none in 1998. Conclusions Gross revenues increased in a declining reimbursement and conventional practice environment, because of the increased number of endoluminal procedures, in part provided by vascular surgeons. The implications of these data should be considered by those responsible for training vascular surgeons.
Step by step: a situational analysis of drug business disputes

Drug selling and violence are intimately connected. However, despite the importance of systemic violence as a source of drug-related violence, there is surprisingly little research that examines these conflicts specifically as forms of dispute resolution. To partially address this concern, drug business disputes are explored from a situational perspective, specifically by viewing them as series of influence tactics. In addition, a comparative analysis assesses how two specific influence tactics--compliance and resolution efforts--operate differently in violent versus nonviolent disputes. By looking at the dynamics of drug business disputes that end in varied outcomes, the result is an enhanced understanding of the nature and process of conflict in drug market settings. The findings from this and similar research studies can help improve attempts by law enforcement and other entities to reduce violence linked to drug selling, chiefly by pinpointing areas of flexibility available to guide control and prevention efforts. Language: en
Tolerance within a surgical guide.

Background Recently, guided surgery has been introduced and several papers verified its accuracy. Aim While those studies reported on the accuracy of the entire procedure, this experiment wanted to make clinicians aware of the amount of the deviation that can already occur during the drilling procedure alone, due to the tolerance of the drill in the drill key. Material and methods Drilling was executed in plexi-glass with a maximal inclination of the drills within the drill keys. Results A mean deviation in angulation of 4.7 degrees occurred with a mean horizontal deviation at the implant shoulder of 0.8 mm and 1.8 mm at the apex of 13 mm implant. The deviation was further dependent of the implant length, the distance of the sleeve above the bone and the respective guiding system. Discussion Increasing the height of the drill key will minimize the inaccuracy. Conclusions The results from this experiment showed the importance of keeping the drill parallel to the guide in a centric position.
Tokay gecko photoreceptors achieve rod-like physiology with cone-like proteins.

Abstract The retinal photoreceptors of the nocturnal Tokay gecko (Gekko gekko) consist exclusively of rods by the criteria of morphology and key features of their light responses. Unlike cones, they display robust photoresponses and have relatively slow recovery times. Nonetheless, the major and minor visual pigments identified in gecko rods are of the cone type by sequence and spectroscopic behavior. In the ongoing search for the molecular bases for the physiological differences between cones and rods, we have characterized the molecular biology and biochemistry of the gecko rod phototransduction cascade. We have cloned cDNAs encoding all or part of major protein components of the phototransduction cascade by RT-PCR with degenerate oligonucleotides designed to amplify cone- or rod-like sequences. For all proteins examined we obtained only cone-like and never rod-like sequences. The proteins identified include transducin α (Gαt), phosphodiesterase (PDE6) catalytic and inhibitory subunits, cyclic nucleotid...
Frequency dependence of left-handed and right-handed periodic transmission structures

Techniques from image-parameter filter theory are used to derive frequency dependent representations of the characteristic impedance, phase, and attenuation of some left-handed and right-handed periodic transmission structures, with implications for the design of artificial transmission lines composed of a finite number of cascaded unit-cell circuits.
Escherichia coli Pathogenicity Island-Like Domains

In their molecular epidemiological analysis of Escherichia coli urosepsis isolates, Bingen-Bidois et al. interpret the finding of a pathogenicity island (PAI) IIJ96-like domain in multiple ribotypes as conflicting with previous reports, which ostensibly describe this element as being confined to a single clone (1). This is potentially misleading, since the two references cited actually pertain to papG allele I, which is a hallmark of a different PAI from that of strain J96, i.e., PAI I. Indeed, papG allele I, which was absent from the population analyzed by Bingen-Bidois et al. (rather than being found in multiple ribotypes), is quite rare, having been found almost exclusively in strains closely related to strain J96 (4). In contrast, many previous reports have documented the co-occurrence of papG allele III, hly, and cnf1 (which implies the presence of a PAI IIJ96-like domain, as discussed by Bingen-Bidois et al.) in multiple group B2-derived lineages (3). These include clonal groups 1 and 2 of Cherifi et al. (2) (which equate, respectively, electrophoretic types [ETs] 1 and 21 of Whittam et al. [7] and ETs 47 and 42 of Maslow et al. [6], the latter clonal group including archetypal strain 536), the O2:K5/K7:H1 clonal group (ET 39 of Maslow et al.), and the O18:K1:H7 clonal group that includes archetypal strains RS218 (meningitis) and NU14 (cystitis) (3, 5).
Information Bounds and Optimal Analysis of Dynamic Single Molecule Measurements

Time-resolved single molecule fluorescence measurements may be used to probe the conformational dynamics of biological macromolecules. The best time resolution in such techniques will only be achieved by measuring the arrival times of individual photons at the detector. A general approach to the estimation of molecular parameters based on individual photon arrival times is presented. The amount of information present in a data set is quantified by the Fisher information, thereby providing a guide to deriving the basic equations relating measurement uncertainties and time resolution. Based on these information-theoretical considerations, a data analysis algorithm is presented that details the optimal analysis of single-molecule data. This method natively accounts and corrects for background photons and cross talk, and can scale to an arbitrary number of channels. By construction, and with corroboration from computer simulations, we show that this algorithm reaches the theoretical limit, extracting the maximal information out of the data. The bias inherent in the algorithm is considered and its implications for experimental design are discussed. The ideas underlying this approach are general and are expected to be applicable to any information-limited measurement.