cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Postoperative Day 1 Hemoglobin Level after Cesarean Delivery.

OBJECTIVE To create a prediction model for postoperative hemoglobin levels after cesarean delivery, which could reduce routine use of postoperative laboratory test. STUDY DESIGN This was a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study of all women who underwent cesarean delivery (primary or repeat) at or more than 23 weeks' gestation at a single academic center. The cohort was randomly divided into a training cohort to develop a prediction model and a validation cohort to test the model in a 2:1 ratio. Variables with p-value <0.10 were considered for the mixed multivariable linear regression model in a backward stepwise fashion. We obtained the best cutoff point of the predicted hemoglobin level to detect severe anemia (postoperative hemoglobin level less than 7.0 g/dL) in the training cohort. A receiver operating characteristic curve with the area under a curve was created. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the model in the validation cohort using the best cutoff point obtained in the training cohort as well as postoperative hemoglobin of 10.0 g/dL. RESULTS Of 2,930 women, 1,954 (66.6%) and 976 (33.3%) were randomly allocated to training and validation cohorts. The final model included preoperative hemoglobin level, preoperative platelet level, quantitative blood loss, height, weight, magnesium administration, labor, and general anesthesia. The best cutoff to predict severe anemia was predicted hemoglobin level of 8.57 g/dL in the training cohort. Using this cutoff, the sensitivity and specificity in the validation cohort were 77% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 56-91%) and 87% (95% CI: 85-89%), respectively. The use of postpartum hemorrhage yielded the sensitivity of 58% (95% CI: 37-77%) and specificity 79% (95% CI: 76-81%), respectively. CONCLUSION We developed a validated model to predict the postoperative day 1 hemoglobin levels after cesarean delivery that could assist with identifying women who may not need postoperative laboratory tests. KEY POINTS · Postoperative laboratory tests are routine.. · A prediction model may allow reduce routine tests.. · We developed an accurate mathematical model..
The integrated multiomic diagnosis of sporadic meningiomas: a review of its clinical implications.

Introduction Meningiomas are generally considered "benign," however, these tumors can demonstrate variability in behavior and a surprising aggressiveness with elevated rates of recurrence. The advancement of next-generation molecular technologies have led to the understanding of the genomic and epigenomic landscape of meningiomas and more recent correlations with clinical characteristics and behavior. Methods Based on a thorough review of recent peer-reviewed publications (PubMed) and edited texts, we provide a molecular overview of meningiomas with a focus on relevant clinical implications. Results The identification of specific somatic driver mutations has led to the classification of several major genomic subgroups, which account for more than 80% of sporadic meningiomas, and can be distinguished using noninvasive clinical variables to help guide management decisions. Other somatic genomic modifications, including non-coding alterations and copy number variations, have also been correlated with tumor characteristics. Furthermore, epigenomic modifications in meningiomas have recently been described, with DNA methylation being the most widely studied and potentially most clinically relevant. Based on these molecular insights, several clinical trials are currently underway in an effort to establish effective medical therapeutic options for meningioma. Conclusion As we enhance our multiomic understanding of meningiomas, our ability to care for patients with these tumors will continue to improve. Further biological insights will lead to additional progress in precision medicine for meningiomas.
Detection of incipient and low current faults in electric distribution systems (of spacecraft)

Research at Texas A&M in incipient fault detection is reviewed, and the digital and analytical techniques used to discriminate faults from normal system activity are described. The results of staged fault tests are reviewed and detection approaches are presented. The application of these techniques to spaceborne power systems is discussed. It is concluded that the application of these approaches to spaceborne power system fault detection is both possible and valuable. >
A 4-channel, 18 b /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator IC with chopped-offset stabilization

Switched-capacitor /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulation presents special problems for high DC precision applications where offsets and offset drifts must be minimized. Traditional chopper stabilization techniques can have the adverse effect of aliasing the large amount of high-frequency quantization noise into baseband. One solution is to chop at integer multiples of the sampling frequency where the quantization noise spectrum is quiet. However, chopping at multiples of the sampling rate can increase the speed and power requirements on the amplifiers since it may be required to settle full output swings several times in each sampling interval. Alternatively, offset compensation has been used in /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulators with the same offset and 1/f noise reduction effects as chopping, and with the additional benefit of opamp gain enhancement. Offset compensation effectiveness is limited by switch charge injection. Fully-differential circuit topologies help suppress errors caused by charge injection by rejecting common-mode charge injection but are still limited by switch mismatches. The author presents a /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator which uses offset compensation to suppress the amplifier offset and 1/f noise, and chopping of switches to average out mismatched charge injection effects. Chopping on the switches alone, unlike chopping the amplifier, does not substantially increase the demands on the amplifier, which is particularly important in high-speed, low-power applications.
From the Editor—The DSM-5 and Its Role in Social Work Assessment and Research

With the recent publication of the long-awaited and much contested Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), I have been giving a great deal of thought to the ro...
Physical Characteristics: Lake Models

The hydrodynamics of water movement is an integral component of a functional lake system. The importance of water movements and associated turbulence either has been underestimated or neglected in a large majority of limnological investigations. Consideration must be given to the effects of water movements on stratification and on the distribution of temperature, dissolved gases and nutrients, and biota.
Pediatric Migraine Prescription Patterns

Investigators at Boston Children's Hospital determined the migraine prescription patterns in 4839 patients, ages 2 to 17 years, treated over a 4-year period.
The role of glutamine as an energy source in the developing rat lung

Because multiple substrates have been shown to play a role in the metabolic homeostasis of different tissues, a series of studies were initiated to examine the role of alternate substrates in the lung. In these studies, we measured rates of oxidation of glutamine, glucose, lactate and 3-hydroxybutyrate in fibroblasts isolated from d 19 fetal rat lungs by measuring the production of 14CO2 from labeled substrates and compared them with earlier studies of isolated Type II cells. The rate of glutamine oxidation was 16.04 nmol 14CO2 x mg protein(-1) x hr(-1) in the fibroblasts compared with 24.36 in Type II cells. Three-hydroxybutyrate had a rate of 10.75 in the fibroblasts and 14.9 in the Type II cells. Lactate oxidation in fibroblasts was similar to that of glutamine, with a rate of 18.49; however, in Type II cells the rate of lactate oxidation was significantly higher at 40.29. Glucose was oxidized at a rate significantly lower than the other three substrates. In the fibroblasts, that rate was 1.22 and in Type II cells it was 2.13. To examine the interactions of substrates normally found in the intracellular milieu, we measured the effect of unlabeled substrates as competitors on labeled substrate in the fibroblasts, similar to our studies with Type II cells that identified multiple metabolic compartments of energy metabolism in these cell populations. Glucose, but not lactate, inhibited the oxidation of glutamine, suggesting a compartmentation of tricarboxylic acid cycle activity rather than simple dilution by glucose. Glucose and lactate had reciprocal inhibition in the Type II cells. Our data suggest at least two separate compartments in developing lung cells for substrate oxidation: one for glutamine metabolism and a second for glucose metabolism. In summary, we have documented that glutamine and other alternate substrates are oxidized preferentially over glucose for energy metabolism in the d 19 fetal rat lung.
Fluoroscopy-guided Umbilical Venous Catheter Placement in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease.

Objective The objective of this study was to (1) describe the technical aspects of fluoroscopy-guided umbilical venous catheter placement (FGUVCP); and (2) determine the procedural success rate, factors contributing to procedural failure, and risks of the procedure. Background Umbilical venous catheters are advantageous compared with femoral venous access, but can be difficult to place at the bedside. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective chart review from a single tertiary care referral institution. Results FGUVCP was successful in 138 of 180 patients (76.7%) over a seven-year period. Patients in whom FGUVCP was successful were younger at the time of procedure compared with patients in whom FGUVCP was unsuccessful (median 18.2 vs. 22.2 hours, P = .03). The optimal age cutoff to predict FGUVCP success was 20 hours with a high positive predictive value (82.4%) but low negative predictive value (32.5%). No other variables were associated with procedural failure, though functional univentricular heart and older gestational age trended toward statistical significance. Median radiation time, contrast exposure, and blood loss were 3.2 minutes, 1 mL, and 1 mL, respectively. A total of 10 complications in 10 patients were associated with FGUVCP. Conclusions FGUVCP is a safe and highly successful way to obtain central venous access in neonates with congenital heart disease. Older age at the time of procedure is associated with procedural failure, but utilization of an age cutoff may not be clinically useful.
Robust tessellation of trimmed rational B-spline surface patches

We present an unstructured triangular mesh generation algorithm that approximates a set of mutually non-intersecting simple trimmed rational B-spline surface patches within a user specified geometric tolerance. The proposed method uses numerically robust interval geometric representations/computations and also addresses the problem of topological consistency (homeomorphism) between the exact geometry and its approximation. Those are among the most important outstanding issues in geometry approximation problems. Our surface tessellation algorithm is based on the unstructured Delaunay mesh approach which leads to an efficient adaptive triangulation. A robust decision criterion is utilized to prevent possible failures in the conventional Delaunay triangulation. To satisfy the prescribed geometric tolerance, an adaptive node insertion algorithm is employed. Unstructured triangular meshes for free-form surfaces frequently involve triangles with high aspect ratio and accordingly, result in ill-conditioned meshing. Our proposed algorithm constructs 2D triangulation domains which sufficiently preserve the shape of triangles when mapped into 2D space and furthermore, the algorithm provides an efficient method that explicitly controls the aspect ratio of the triangular elements.
Ultrastructure of myeloma cells in a case with crystalcryoglobulinemia

The bone marrow of a patient with multiple myeloma of the IgG2 Kappa type with spontaneously crystallizing cryoglobulin was studied by electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of the myeloma cells disclosed the presence of a crystalline material in the cytoplasm within the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) as well as in extracisternal sites. The crystalline material was also seen extracellulary with a distinctly unique subunit structure. The tubular units measured 200 +/- A (SEM) externally with an internal diameter of 100 +/- A (SEM). The intracellular distribution did not indicate a characteristic organelle association usually observed in protein synthesizing cells. It is suggested, based on the present observations and the findings of others, that the crystalline material may represent polymerized protein synthesized by free ribosomes mostly in extracisternal locations, a pattern often seen in neoplastic plasma cells. Diffusion to extracisternal sites of precrystalline material through the membranes of the RER is a possible alternative mechanism.
Channels in the mitochondrial outer membrane: evidence from patch clamp studies.

Patch clamp techniques were applied to outer mitochondrial membranes of giant mitochondria from mice kept on a cuprizone diet or to vesicles produced by fusing membranes derived from the outer membrane ofNeurospora mitochondria. In the negative range of potentials the conductances decreased with increases in the magnitude of voltage, suggesting the closing of channels. Experiments in which mitochondria were treated with the polyanion polymethacrylate maleate styrene (1:2:3) or succinic anhydride suggest that the channels correspond to VDAC. Although sometimes conductance also decreased with increasing potential over a narrow range of positive potentials, more commonly the conductances increased. Although this phenomenon may represent a detachment of the patch, the changes in conductance are reversible, suggesting that they correspond to the formation or the opening of channels.
Road Detection and Tracking from Aerial Desert Imagery

We present a fast, robust road detection and tracking algorithm for aerial images taken from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. A histogram-based adaptive threshold algorithm is used to detect possible road regions in an image. A probabilistic hough transform based line segment detection combined with a clustering method is implemented to further extract the road. The proposed algorithm has been extensively tested on desert images obtained using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Our results indicate that we are able to successfully and accurately detect roads in 96% of the images. We experimentally validated our algorithm on over a thousand aerial images obtained using our UAV. These images consist of straight and curved roads in various conditions with significant changes in lighting and intensity. We have also developed a road-tracking algorithm that searches a local rectangular area in successive images. Initial results are presented that shows the efficacy and the robustness of this algorithm. Using this road tracking algorithm we are able to further improve the road detection and achieve a 98% accuracy.
Ballute Entry Systems for Lunar Return and Low-Earth-Orbit Return Missions

This study investigates the feasibility of using ballutes for Earth entry at both lunarand low-Earth-orbit return velocities. Multiple entry strategies were investigated using analysis methods suitable for conceptual design and assuming anApollo-derived entry vehicle. Primary ballute size drivers are the thermal limitations andareal densities of the ballutematerial. Lunar-return entries that jettison the ballute after achieving low-Earth-orbit conditions were shown to reduce heating rates to within reusable thermal protection system limits. Deceleration was mitigated to approximately 4 g along a lunar-return trajectory when amoderate amount of lift was applied subsequent to ballute jettison. Investigation of a lower mass lunar-return cargo variant of the Crew Exploration Vehicle was shown to reduce ballute system mass and size. Ballute system mass as a percentage of the total entry mass was shown to be relatively independent of the entry mass for the range of lunar-return missions evaluated. However, material requirements indicate that continued technology development may be required for lunar-return system viability. Missions aimed at augmenting existing systems to provide downmass capability from the International Space Station showed promising results in terms of entry loads, requiredmaterial areal densities, and ballute systemmass and size.
Use of photolithography to encode cell adhesive domains into protein microarrays

Protein microarrays are rapidly emerging as valuable tools in creating combinatorial cell culture systems where inducers of cellular differentiation can be identified in a rapid and multiplexed fashion. In the present study, protein microarraying was combined with photoresist lithography to enable printing of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein arrays while precisely controlling "on-the-spot" cell-cell interactions. In this surface engineering approach, the micropatterned photoresist layer formed on a glass substrate served as a temporary stencil during the microarray printing, defining the micrometer-scale dimensions and the geometry of the cell-adhesion domains within the printed protein spots. After removal of the photoresist, the glass substrates contained micrometer-scale cell-adhesive regions that were encoded within 300 or 500 microm diameter protein domains. Fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to characterize protein micropatterns. When incubated with micropatterned surfaces, hepatic (HepG2) cells attached on 300 or 500 mum diameter protein spots; however, the extent of cell-cell contacts within each spot varied in accordance with dimensions of the photoresist stencil, from single cells attaching on 30 microm diameter features to multicell clusters residing on 100 or 200 microm diameter regions. Importantly, the photoresist removal process was shown to have no detrimental effects on the ability of several ECM proteins (collagens I, II, and IV and laminin) to support functional hepatic cultures. The micropatterning approach described here allows for a small cell population seeded onto a single cell culture substrate to be exposed to multiple scenarios of cell-cell and cell-surface interactions in parallel. This technology will be particularly useful for high-throughput screening of biological stimuli required for tissue specification of stem cells or for maintenance of differentiated phenotype in scarce primary cells.
Lakewide dominance does not predict the potential for spread of dreissenids

Abstract In recent years, quagga mussels ( Dreissena rostriformis bugensis ) have almost completely replaced zebra mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha ) in the Lower Great Lakes. As recreational boats are the main vector of spread for dreissenids in North America, this study examined whether lakes Erie and Ontario could still be sources for the spread of zebra mussels. In the summer–fall of 2010, the abundance of each species of Dreissena on 196 boats from 5 marinas in lakes Erie and Ontario was examined. Additional samples of Dreissena in 2010–2012 were collected in tributaries, bays, and in the upper littoral zones of these lakes. A total of 77 boats were fouled by Dreissena , and of those 61 were fouled by both species, 13 were fouled just by zebra mussels, and only 3 were fouled solely by quagga mussels. Although quagga mussels compose ~ 99% of dreissenids in eastern Lake Erie and in Lake Ontario, on boats at most marinas sampled, zebra mussels were usually more abundant and significantly larger than quagga mussels. Refugia for zebra mussels were found in bays, tributaries, and upper littoral zones with high wave activity. Thus, although quagga mussels are now more abundant than zebra mussels within the Lower Great Lakes, these waterbodies still have the potential to be a source for the spread of zebra mussels, and for some vectors, the propagule pressure from zebra mussels is likely greater than that from quagga mussels.
Alcohol Intake and Mortality: Findings from the National Health Interview Surveys (1988 and 1990)

The authors used prospective data from two supplemental studies of the National Health Interview Survey, the 1988 Alcohol Supplement and the 1990 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement, to examine the relation between alcohol intake and mortality. Their study included 17,821 men and 25,874 women aged 40 years or older at baseline; during an average of 6 years of follow-up, 5,540 deaths occurred. The alcohol-mortality relation was U-shaped for men and J-shaped for women. On the basis of categorical analyses adjusted for age, race, smoking, and baseline diseases, men who drank 2 drinks per day had a significantly lower risk of death compared with abstainers (relative risk = 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45, 0.82). The relative risk was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.55, 1.03) after further adjustment for marital status, education, and self-perceived health status. For women, the corresponding relative risks were 0.69 (95% CI: 0.61, 0.78) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.90) for those who drank less than 1 drink per day. When drinking category was considered as an ordinal variable and fitted with a quadratic function in the Cox model, the estimated optimal alcohol intake was approximately less than 1 to 1 drink per day for men and lifetime infrequent to less than 1 drink per day for women. Data from these representative US cohorts demonstrated that less than 2 drinks per day for men and less than 1 drink per day for women are associated with the lowest all-cause mortality.
Cervical metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary alveolus and hard palate.

Objectives: Squamous cell carcinoma has a predilection for regional lymphatic metastasis. The occurrence of occult cervical metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate and maxillary alveolar ridge has not been studied systematically. We have observed many patients who have returned after resection of a primary cancer in these sites with a delayed cervical metastasis. Some of these patients have died of regional or distant metastasis despite control of their primary cancer. Methods: We have studied 26 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary alveolar ridge and hard palate to define incidence of cervical metastasis. Results: Overall incidence of cervical metastasis was: clinical 2 of 26 (7.6%) and occult 7 of 26 (27%) for a total of 9 of 26 (34.6%). The 5-year disease-specific survival was 13 of 22 (59%). Surgery for regional failure was successful in 66% (6 of 9). Radiation was administered after surgery in eight of nine patients. Conclusion: Cervical metastasis from cancer of the palate and alveolar ridge is significant. Regional surgery for recurrent disease usually requires radical or modified radical neck dissection. Selective elective neck dissection should be offered to patients with cancer of the hard palate and alveolar ridge. It affords the patient and the treatment team valuable histologic information, which may help to guide therapy and reduce the potential need for future hospitalization, chemoradiation, and more radical surgery.
Stable isotope compositions of biological apatite

The stable isotope compositions of biogenic materials record a combination of environmental parameters and biological processes. In general, the environment provides a range of isotopic compositional inputs, and an animal processes those signals through dietary preference, physiology, behavior, etc. Geochemists then use isotope signals preserved in biogenic materials to infer either what the biologic filter was (i.e., a species-specific biologic process), or the environment in which the animal lived (e.g., see review of Koch 1998). Although stable isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and strontium in modern-day animals have provided fruitful information on environment or biology, preservation of hydrogen and nitrogen is poor for most fossil materials, especially those older than a few million years. Consequently, nearly all stable isotope studies focus on the best preserved tissues, which are biological apatites (or bioapatites)— bone, dentin, enamel, scales, etc.—and on the most diagenetically resistant isotopes–oxygen, carbon, and occasionally strontium, which occur as principal or substitutional components in bioapatite. Because of the inherent synergy between biology and environment, the scientific scope of stable isotope research on bioapatites is quite broad. In addition to studies of terrestrial paleoclimate and dietary preference, stable isotopes in bioapatite have helped elucidate such diverse issues as dinosaur thermoregulation (Barrick and Showers 1994, 1995; Barrick et al. 1996, 1998; Fricke and Rogers 2000), the global rise of C4 plants (Cerling et al. 1993, 1997), pinniped migration (Burton and Koch 1999), cetacean osmoregulation (Thewissen et al. 1996, Roe et al. 1998), herding practices (Bocherens et al. 2001), topographic uplift (Dettman et al. 2001, Kohn et al. 2003), the demise of Norse colonies in Greenland (Fricke et al. 1995, Arneborg et al. 1999), Miocene “rhinoceros” ecology (MacFadden 1998), and mastodon migration (Hoppe et al., 1999)! In this chapter, we first describe …
Detection of Passive Integrated Transponder Tags from Juvenile Salmonids on Piscivorous Bird Colonies in the Columbia River Basin

Abstract We modified 400-kHz passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detection equipment, previously used in water, to detect PIT tags in piscivorous bird-nesting areas in the Columbia River basin. Two land-based recovery mechanisms were developed: a flat-plate antenna that was drawn over the surface of bird-nesting areas with a four-wheel-drive vehicle and a pole-mounted antenna that was passed by hand over smaller nesting areas. In 1998 and 1999, we detected more than 100,000 unique PIT tag codes by the use of the flat-plate antenna, and in 1999, we detected more than 10,000 unique PIT tag codes by the use of the pole-mounted antenna. Codes were detected for every release year since 1987, the first year that salmonids were marked with PIT tags in the Columbia River basin; however, the majority of tag codes came from juveniles marked for the 1999 migration year (>50,000 tag codes recovered). In 2000, researchers in the Columbia River basin changed to a 134.2-kHz PIT tag, in accordance with guidelines fr...
Higher order iminodiacetic acid libraries for probing protein–protein interactions

Full details of the preparation of iminodiacetic acid diamide dimer (2040 compounds), trimer (560 compounds), and tetramer (1596 compounds) libraries by multistep convergent solution-phase synthesis for studying protein-protein interactions are provided. The libraries were assembled in a format providing small 8-10 compound mixtures and the deconvolution of many of the small mixtures to identify screening leads by resynthesis of the individual components have been conducted for 320 of the individual compounds to date. A representative example of the subsequent exploration of the structure-activity relationships for an identified receptor binding antagonist (200 additional individual compounds) and steps taken for potential elaboration to a receptor dimerization agonist are defined with preparation of representative linked dimers (70 compounds).
Effect of impurity type on boundary sliding behavior in the superplastic Zn-22 pct Al alloy

The effect of impurity type on boundary sliding behavior in the superplastic Zn-22 pct Al alloy was investigated using two grades of the alloy: Zn-22 pct Al-0.13 pct Cu (grade Cu) and Zn-22 pct Al-0.14 pct Fe (grade Fe). In the investigation, boundary sliding offset measurements in both grades were made at strain rates ranging from 5×10−7/s to 10−1/s. This range of strain rate covered region I (the low strain rate region), region II (the intermediate strain rate region), and region III (the high strain rate region) of the sigmoidal plot between stress and strain rate that was previously reported for grade Fe. The experimental results show that the contributions of boundary sliding to the total strain, ξ, in the two grades of Zn-22 pct Al are about 20 and 52 pct at high (region III) and intermediate (region II) strain rates, respectively. By contrast, the experimental data reveal that ξ in grade Cu at low strain rates (52 pct) is essentially equal to that at intermediate strain rates (region II), while ξ in grade Fe at low strain rates (24 pct) is considerably lower than that at intermediate strain rates (56 pct). It is demonstrated that the difference in sliding behavior between grade Fe and grade Cu at low strain rates corresponds well with the difference in superplastic behavior between the two grades. In addition, consideration of the present and earlier data on sliding behavior in Zn-22 pct Al provides a correlation between two roles played by boundaries during superplastic deformation: the ability of boundaries to contribute to deformation through the process of boundary sliding and their ability to serve as favorable sites for the accumulation of impurities, i.e., boundary segregation.
Oxygen stoichiometry, phase stability, and thermodynamic behavior of the lead-doped Bi-2223 and Ag/Bi-2223 systems

Abstract Electromotive-force (EMF) measurements of oxygen fugacities as a function of stoichiometry have been made in the lead-doped Bi-2223 superconducting system in the temperature range 700–815°C by means of an oxygen titration technique that employs an yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte. The results of our studies indicate that processing or annealing lead-doped Bi-2223 at temperatures ranging from 750 to 815°C and at oxygen partial pressures ranging from ∼ 0.02 to 0.2 atm should preserve Bi-2223 as essentially single-phase material. Thermodynamic assessments of the partial molar quantities Δ S ( O 2 ) and Δ H ( O 2 ) indicate that the plateau regions in the plot of oxygen partial pressure versus oxygen stoichiometry (x) can be represented by the diphasic CuOCu2O system. In accord with the EMF measurements, it was found that lead-doped Bi-2223 in a silver sheath is stable at 815°C for oxygen partial pressures between 0.02 and 0.13 atm.
A statistical test of unidimensionality of a parameter underlying Bernoulli trails with applications

Abstract A statistical test of the unidimensionality of the parameter underlying independent non-identically distributed Bernoulli trials is proposed and large sample results are derived. The procedure has applications in psychometry and hopefully other applied disciplines.
Equivalent Time Constants for Nonoscillatory Second-Order Processes

Equivalent time constants are obtained for nonoscillatory second-order processes. In analogy with first-order processes, the equivalent time constant is defined to be the time at which the monotonic step-response of the second-order process reaches approximately 63.3 percent of its steady-state value. These time constants can be applied to the analysis and design of feedback control systems in which oscillations cannot be tolerated.
Negative hydrogenic ion or D − center in a quantum wire

The negative hydrogenic ion is not only of physical but also historic importance for it is the first quantum mechanical three-body problem that involves the intrinsic electron-electron correlation. Recent advances in nanotechnology have brought the study of this system in a quantum wire into the forefront. The nonanalytic behaviors of the binding energy ${ϵ}_{b}^{2\mathrm{nd}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{elec}}$ of the second electron in a negative hydrogenic ion in one dimension and in a quantum wire (QWR) as a function of the Coulombic repulsive strength $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and the wire radius $b$ are first identified. They are then exploited, together with the recognition of the well-known near-infinite (\`a la Loudon) binding energy of the neutral hydrogenic atom, to set up a model that calculates ${ϵ}_{b}^{2\mathrm{nd}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{elec}}$ in a QWR directly, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of a variational approach to this problem. This ${ϵ}_{b}^{2\mathrm{nd}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{elec}}$, found to be $0.4\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Ryd}$, is an exact solution for a wire whose radius is nearly zero. For a finite $b$, it is shown that still ${ϵ}_{b}^{2\mathrm{nd}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{elec}}\ensuremath{\approx}0.4\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Ryd}$, which is independent of $b$ as long as $0lb⪡{a}_{\text{Bohr}}$ due to the inverse square nature of the Coulomb force. Its comparisons with the corresponding cases in three dimensions and two dimensions is discussed.
Quantitative and qualitative changes in the endoplasmic reticulum of barley aleurone layers

Changes in the level of the endoplasmicreticulum (ER) marker enzyme cytochrome-c reductase (EC 1.6.2.1) were followed with time of imbibition of de-embryonated half-seeds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and the subsequent incubation of their aleurone layers in gibberellic acid (GA3) and H2O. During imbibition there is an increase in the level of cytochrome-c-reductase activity and in the amount of 280-nm absorbance associated with this enzyme. When aleurone layers are incubated for a further 42 h in water, there is a doubling of the cytochrome-c-reductase activity. In GA3, the activity of cytochrome-c reductase reaches a maximum at 24 h of incubation and thereafter falls to below 70% of its level at the beginning of the incubation period. Changes in the cytochrome-c-reductase activity correlate with changes in the fine structure of the aleurone cell. The ER isolated in low Mg2+ from aleurone layers incubated in buffer for up to 18 h has buoyant density of 1.13–1.14 g cc-1 while that from layers incubated in GA3 for 7.5–18 h has a density of 1.11–1.12 g cc-1. The α-amylase (EC3.2.1.1) isolated with the organelle fraction by Sepharose gel filtration is associated with the ER on isopycnic and rate-zonal density gradients, and its activity can be enhanced by Triton X-100. The soluble α-amylase fraction from Separose-4B columns, on the other hand, is not Triton-activated but is acid-labile. Acid phosphatase (EC3.1.3.2) is distributed in at least three peaks on isopycnic gradients. In low Mg2+ the second peak of activity has a density of 1.12 g cc-1 in GA3-treated tissue and 1.13–1.14 g cc-1 in H2O-treated tissue. With high-Mg2+ buffers, this peak of phosphatase activity disappears. Acid-phosphatase activity is not enhanced by Triton X-100 nor is it acid-labile.
Diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke

Most patients who have a stroke are evaluated initially by a primary care physician. For patients to benefit from new stroke therapies that must be initiated within a few hours of stroke onset, primary care physicians must be prepared to diagnose stroke and initiate acute treatment. This article provides information on the rapid and accurate diagnosis and management of patients with acute ischemic stroke. This information is particularly relevant due to the relatively high risk:benefit ratio associated with some acute stroke therapies, such as tissue plasminogen activator. Information is also provided about medical and surgical therapies to prevent subsequent strokes.
Chronic Ethanol Feeding Alters Hepatocyte Memory Which is not Altered by Acute Feeding

Background Gene expression changes in the liver after acute binge drinking may differ from the changes seen in chronic ethanol feeding in the rat. The changes in gene expression after chronic ethanol feeding may sensitize the liver to alcohol-induced liver damage, which is not seen after acute binge drinking.
The Frequency-Dependent Nature of Blood Pressure Regulation by the Carotid Sinus Studied with an Electric Analog

Amplification of carotid sinus activity of a dog is brought about through the use of an electric analog of the carotid sinus applied in parallel with this element of the dog's own pressure regulating system. Sinusoidal excursions in arterial pressure in response to corresponding variations, between fixed limits, in rate of stimulus of one vagus nerve were larger with carotid sinus amplification than without it. Evidence presented supports the concept that because of the delay in the response of arteriolar smooth muscle, effective buffering of sudden variations in arterial pressure cannot be accomplished by variations in resistance, but can be through variations in flow.
Faster is not necessarily better in visual search

Dick, M., Ullman, S., & Sagi, D. (1987). Parallel and serial processes in motion detection. Science, 237, 400–402. Ivry, R. B., & Cohen, A. (1992). Asymmetry in visual search for targets defined by differences in movement speed. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 18(4), 1045–1057. Rosenholtz, R. (1999). A simple saliency model predicts a number of motion popout phenomena. Vision Research, 39, 3157–3163. Rosenholtz, R. (2001). Search asymmetries? What search asymmetries? Perception & Psychophysics, 63(3), 476–489.
Interrupting neural pathways that transduce stressful information into physiological responses.

Stressor-stimuli evoke a noradrenergic process in the frontal lobes, the amplitude of which depends on both the individual's experience with the stimulus and his or her genetic background. Novel and noxious stimuli evoke large frontocortical responses and benign ones evoke relatively larger reactions in persons with a family history of cardiovascular disease. Blockade of neural projections from the frontal cortex and amygdala to the brainstem cardiovascular centers will normalize blood-pressure elevations in experimental hypertension and prevent lethal arrhythmias in animals with a myocardial infarction. The anti-mortality effect of the cardiac drugs known as beta-blockers is exerted by inhibition of cerebral beta-receptors, not peripheral ones. A new putative neuropeptide, NLX, may have the same desirable cardiovascular effects, but without the side-effects that limit clinical usefulness. The neural regulation of the heart during stress can be detected by a new deterministic measure of low-dimensional chaos in heartbeat intervals. In both animals and humans undergoing myocardial infarction, this deterministic measure correctly predicts lethal arrhythmogenesis, minutes to hours prior to the event. Thus an approach combining both brain and heart studies (i.e., "neurocardiology") has led to an understanding of how stressor-stimuli evoke autonomic reactions. This, in turn, has led to new methods in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
Caffeine Content Labeling: A Missed Opportunity for Promoting Personal and Public Health

Current regulation of caffeine-containing products is incoherent, fails to protect consumers' interests, and should be modified in multiple ways. We make the case for one of the regulatory reforms that are needed: all consumable products containing added caffeine should be required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include caffeine quantity on their labels. Currently, no foods or beverages that contain caffeine are required to include caffeine content on their labels. Strengthening these lax labeling requirements could prevent direct caffeine-induced harm, protect those most vulnerable to caffeine-related side effects, and enhance consumer autonomy and effective caffeine use. Consumers have an interest in regulating their intake of caffeine and thus, ought to know how much caffeine their foods and beverages contain.
The bandstructures of graphite and graphite intercalation compounds as determined by angle resolved photoemission using synchrotron radiation

Abstract Angle resolved photoelectron spectra and yield spectra of graphite and “stage one” intercalated graphite (LiC6 and RbC8) show that the graphite bands are shifted to higher binding energies. This shift is a direct result of the charge transfer from the alkali atoms to graphite. The measured energy bands of graphite and LiC6 are in good agreement with theoretical calculations except that the measured carbon bands do not shift rigidly upon intercalation.
Cooperative visualization: a design case

Purpose – In this design case, a participatory approach to visualizing a complex computational pipeline was adopted, with the goal of exploring what benefits might be derived when groups of people visualize complex information for themselves.Design/methodology/approach – Several visualization artifacts were developed to support collaborative process at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). Researchers adopted a participatory approach, engaging directly in LIGO activities and drawing together explicitly codified data from the LIGO computational pipeline as well as structural knowledge tacitly held by project scientists. Both sources of information were critical to producing meaningful visualizations and progressing design and research efforts.Findings – This design case revealed several benefits realized when individuals or groups visualize information for themselves, especially improved communication and enhanced understanding of complex systems of information.Originality/value –...
Automated assay of ceruloplasmin by kinetic analysis of o-dianisidine oxidation

Automated procedures for the kinetic assay of serum ceruloplasmin activity using a bichromatic and a centrifugal analyzer are described. The method is based on the oxidase activity of ceruloplasmin at pH 5.0 with o-dianisidine as substrate. Enzyme activity is reported in I.U./l, based on the molar absorption coefficient of o-dianisidine consumed. The substrate is stable and is not subject to non-enzymatic oxidation. Comparison with a manual reference end-point assay using the same substrate indicates good correlation of the bichromatic and centrifugal methods. The analytical precision is comparable to the manual assay for both methods.
Editorial - Welcome to IEEE Power Electronics Letters

This new Letters publication was initiated in 2003 by the IEEE Power Electronics Society to fill what the society leaders felt to be a critical need: a focused, rapid-publication archival journal for emerging developments in power electronics. The objective is to publish short papers that discuss specific useful ideas, methods, circuits, or fundamental information for the power electronics community. Rapid publication is achieved through electronic handling, a single-pass manuscript review process, and rapid posting of preprints in IEEEXplore. The rapid process still is intended to lead to fully peer-reviewed archival work that is available through major abstracting services, and with other IEEE products for libraries.
Inclusions and Identities for the Moore‐Penrose Inverse of a Closed Linear Operator

A number of operator inclusions, and identities, involving the Moore-Penrose inverse of a closed densely defined linear operator, are presented. Some of these inclusions generalize known identities in the case when the operator is bounded and has closed range. An application to a known compactness criterion for the Moore-Penrose inverse is also given.
Teaching mathematics for search using a tutorial style of delivery

Understanding of mathematics is needed to underpin the process of search, either explicitly with Exact Match (Boolean logic, adjacency) or implicitly with Best match natural language search. In this paper we outline some pedagogical challenges in teaching mathematics for information retrieval (IR) to postgraduate information science students. The aim is to take these challenges either found by experience or in the literature, to identify both theoretical and practical ideas in order to improve the delivery of the material and positively affect the learning of the target audience by using a tutorial style of teaching. Results show that there is evidence to support the notion that a more pro-active style of teaching using tutorials yield benefits both in terms of assessment results and student satisfaction.
System for measurement and data reduction of meal-related parameters.

Abstract A system allowing accurate, simultaneous measurement of meal-related parameters such as meal size, meal duration and intermeal intervals for several animals is described. These measurements are made automatically, thereby reducing experimenter-animal interactions. In addition, a method for the automated definition and analysis of meal-related parameters is presented. Such a method provides a solution to the data reduction problem occurring in meal patterning research.
The Prediction of Dangerous Behavior

Error is inevitable whenever psychologists attempt to predict future behavior. This paper examines the steps involved and the factors to be considered in the prediction of behavior in general and d...
The integrative power of dance/movement therapy: Implications for the treatment of dissociation and developmental trauma

Abstract Chronic and compounding exposure to traumatic events, especially within the context of early attachment relationships, can result in symptoms of dissociation commonly seen in dissociative disorders, personality disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders. This theoretical article proposes an application of dance/movement therapy as facilitative of right brain integration in adult clients who present with trauma-related dissociative symptoms. Findings from trauma psychology, neuroscience, and dance/movement therapy literature are used to create an attachment-oriented theoretical foundation for how dance/movement therapy might support the integration of dissociated somatic, emotional, and psychological experiences. A model for case-conceptualization and treatment planning is proposed according to a trauma treatment framework consisting of three phases: safety and stabilization, integration of traumatic memory, and development of the relational self. Within this phase-oriented theoretical framework, dance/movement therapy interventions such as body-to-body attunement, kinesthetic mirroring, interactive regulation, self-awareness, symbolism and expression, and interactional movement are examined as applications that may support bottom-up integration and resolution of psychological trauma. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Averaging of harmonic physical fields over an annular region enclosing field sources

Fields such as temperature, current density, and static electromagnetic fields in regions with no field sources are harmonic functions that satisfy the Laplace equation. Such functions on a sphere have a well-known mean value property. A new mean value property is derived for fields that are harmonic on an annular region, with the field sources enclosed by the inner boundary. Some examples are discussed.
Balancing the benefits and risks of inhaled long-acting beta-agonists--the influence of values.

In December 2008, the FDA reviewed the risks and benefits of inhaled long-acting beta-agonists for the treatment of asthma in adults and children. Dr. Judith Kramer writes that the challenge of protecting the public's health is heightened by variability in the values placed on benefits and risks.
Pd-impregnated SYT/LDC composite as sulfur-tolerant anode for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract An Sr 0.88 Y 0.08 TiO 3− δ (SYT)/La 0.4 Ce 0.6 O 1.8 (LDC) composite impregnated with Pd was evaluated as a sulfur-tolerant anode for the La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Ga 0.83 Mg 0.17 O 3− δ (LSGM)-supported cells. The impregnation of Pd into the porous SYT/LDC anode was found to significantly enhance the anode performance. With the addition of 1.5 wt.% Pd into the anode, the anodic overpotential was reduced to about half of the original value. The single cell with the Pd-impregnated SYT/LDC anode showed a maximum power density of 1006 and 577 mW cm −2 at 850 and 800 °C in dry H 2 , respectively, which was more than twice of that prior to impregnation. The Pd-impregnated composite anode exhibited good tolerance to sulfur, with essentially no decay in performance in H 2 containing up to 50 ppm H 2 S.