cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a 23-mm Torch for Use in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

A 23-mm-i.d. torch is described and evaluated for use in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The plasma operates optimally at 1.50 kW forward power and 19.2 L/min total argon flow. The effect of the customary operating parameters (nebulizer flow rate, rf power, sampling deptn, and ion-iens voltages) on analyte signals is discussed. Detection limits, oxide-ion ratios, and doubly charged ion ratios have been measured and are compared with those produced by an 18-mm-i.d. low-flow MAK torch. When compared to the conventional torch, the 23-mm system exhibits comparable detection limits for low-mass ions but better detection limits for high-mass ions (Pb and U). Oxide-ion ratios are lower in the larger torch, but doubly charged ion ratios are higher. Because optimal sampling depths in the larger torch are higher, entrained air in the tail flame causes instability and results in increased ArO+ and ArN+ background signals.
The effects of depression and treatment on the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire.

Given the success of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) in delineating personality characteristics of eating disorder patients, the present investigation was designed to evaluate the stability of TPQ scores. This was done by examining the effects of depression on TPQ scores before and after treatment in eating disorder patients and normal controls
Hydrocarbon gas absorption by a HeNe laser beam at a 3.39-mu wavelength.

Absorption coefficient measurement for hydrocarbon gases for He-Ne laser beam at 3.39 microns, tabulating coefficients, noting variations from spectroscopic data
Real-Time Chest Ultrasonography: A Comprehensive Review for the Pulmonologist

This review discusses real-time pulmonary ultrasonography (US) for the practicing pulmonologist. US supplements chest radiography and chest CT scanning. Major advantages include bedside availability, absence of radiation, and guided aspiration of fluid-filled areas and solid tumors. Pulmonary vessels and vascular supply of consolidations may be visualized without contrast. US may help to diagnose conditions such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, pleural or pericardial effusion, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism in the critically ill patient who is in need of bedside diagnostic testing. The technique of US, which is cost-effective compared to CT scanning and MRI, may be learned relatively easily by the pulmonologist.
Effects of antisecretory agents on parietal cell structure and H/K-ATPase levels in rabbit gastric mucosa in vivo.

The effect of inhibition of acid secretion on parietal cell morphology and the concentration of H,K-ATPase α-subunit protein was determined by electron microscopy and western blotting. Omeprazole or famotidine alone or in combination were used. Control animals showed a morphological stimulation index (0=resting, 1.0=fully stimulated) of 0.60; omeprazole treatment (1 mg/kg, twice a day) resulted a stimulation index of 0.63, famotidine injection (20 mg/kg twice a day) an index of 0.11, famotidine infusion (0.2 mg/hr) for five days an index of 0.38, and the combination of omeprazole and famotidine injection twice a day gave an index of 0.02. No change in the frequency of degenerating or damaged parietal cells was observed in any of the groups. In control animals, the number of lysosomes was 0.9/cell, with famotidine 1.8 and with omeprazole 5.6/cell. H/K-ATPase levels fell by about 25% with omeprazole and rose by about 23% with famotidine.
From Communications to Interpersonal Theory: A Personal Odyssey

This contribution to the special issue reviews my theoretical and research, journey into contemporary interpersonal theory and research. A seminal period involved conceptualization of a communications approach to psychotherapy and culminated in development of the Impact Message Inventory (IMI) Generation of the IMI necessitated immersion within the interpersonal circumplex. measurement tradition and resulted in an "interpersonal communication" theory combining concepts from both traditions, which appeared initially in the Handbook of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (Anchin & Kiesler, 1982). Subsequent research has concentrated on circumplex refinement of both the IMI and a second inventory, the Check List of Interpersonal Transactions, which was derived directly from the Interpersonal Circle. A continuing theme is the notion that precise and replicable tests of contemporary interpersonal theory, especially of interpersonal complementarity, require circle inventories that possess ideal psychometric and circump...
Update on optical systems for military head-mounted displays

Early military applications of head mounted displays (HMDs) used the miniature CRT as the image source. The optical configurations in these systems took on a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Over the past few years, newer miniature image source technologies have emerged as serious contenders to replace the miniature CRT. These include a number of different technologies that result in new and unique optical designs. With the availability of more optical design techniques & tools such as diamond turning, diffractive elements, graded index materials, etc., the optics now being developed take on forms with clear advantages over CRT based HMDs. This paper presents an overview of the HMD optical systems that have evolved for miliary applications, the functionality of the systems, and their relative performance capabilities.
Pain Management in Older Adults

Abstract Background Chronic pain is prevalent among older adults but is underrecognized and undertreated. The approach to pain assessment and management in older adults requires an understanding of the physiology of aging, validated assessment tools, and common pain presentations among older adults. Objective To identify the overall principles of pain management in older adults with a specific focus on common painful conditions and approaches to pharmacologic treatment. Methods We searched PubMed for common pain presentations in older adults with heart failure, end-stage renal disease, dementia, frailty, and cancer. We also reviewed guidelines for pain management. Our review encompassed 2 guidelines, 10 original studies, and 22 review articles published from 2000 to the present. This review does not discuss nonpharmacologic treatments of pain. Results Clinical guidelines support the use of opioids in persistent nonmalignant pain. Opioids should be used in patients with moderate or severe pain or pain not otherwise controlled but with careful attention to potential toxic effects and half-life. In addition, clinical practice guidelines recommend use of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with extreme caution and for defined, limited periods. Conclusion An understanding of the basics of pain pathophysiology, assessment, pharmacologic management, and a familiarity with common pain presentations will allow clinicians to effectively manage pain for older adults.
Modeling of profile effects for inductive helicon plasma sources

A computer code for modeling existing and new helicon sources for materials processing has been developed. The Nagoya type-III, helical, and Stix coil antennas have been modeled to study and examine plasma density and temperature profile effects on power absorption of a small fraction (n/sub fe//n/sub e//spl ap/5%) of fast electrons (T/sub e-fast//spl ap/40 eV) which provide ionization of the neutral gas in the experiment, and bulk (T/sub e-slow//spl ap/3 eV) electron distributions in an argon gas. The "ANTENA" computer code, originally written by McVey (1984) to study ion cyclotron waves, was modified and used to study and model helicon sources. A collisional model that includes radial density and temperature profiles was added to the code to study the effect of collisions on the heating mechanisms. The competing effects of collisional and Landau damping heating mechanisms have been investigated in detail, and results indicate that collisions play an important role in the plasma absorption profile at high densities (n/sub c//spl ges/10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/). The radio frequency wave absorption profiles are sensitive to the plasma density and temperature profiles. The partial-turn helix antenna, that solely excites the m=+1 azimuthal mode, is found to be more efficient in coupling the power to an assumed plasma profile than the Nagoya type-III. The Stix coil is also found to be promising due to its on-axis peaking of the wave heating fields.
A novel quantitative trait locus for Fusarium head blight resistance in chromosome 7A of wheat

A Chinese Spring-Sumai 3 chromosome 7A disomic substitution line (CS-Sumai 3-7ADSL) was reported to have a high level of Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance for symptom spread within a spike (Type II) and low deoxynivalenol accumulation in infected kernels (Type III), but a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 7A has never been identified from this source. To characterize QTL on chromosome 7A, we developed 191 7A chromosome recombinant inbred lines (7ACRIL) from a cross between Chinese Spring and CS-Sumai 3-7ADSL and evaluated both types of resistance in three greenhouse experiments. Two major QTL with Sumai 3 origin, conditioning both Type II and III resistance, were mapped in the short arm of chromosomes 3B (3BS) and near the centromere of chromosome 7A (7AC). The 3BS QTL corresponds to previously reported Fhb1 from Sumai 3, whereas 7AC QTL, designated as Fhb7AC, is a novel QTL identified from CS-Sumai 3-7ADSL in this study. Fhb7AC explains 22% phenotypic variation for Type II and 24% for Type III resistance. Marker Xwmc17 is the closest marker to Fhb7AC for both types of resistance. Fhb1 and Fhb7AC were additive, and together explained 56% variation for Type II and 41% for Type III resistance and resulted in 66% reduction in FHB severity and 84% reduction in deoxynivalenol (DON) content. Haplotype analysis of Sumai 3 parents revealed that Fhb7AC originated from Funo, an Italian cultivar. Fhb7AC has the potential to be used in improving wheat cultivars for both types of resistance.
Bound on the Key Establishment Rate for Multi-Antenna Reciprocal Electromagnetic Channels

Recent research on key establishment using estimates of the reciprocal electromagnetic channel provides an optimal training approach that maximizes the key rate achievable when each node uses a beamformed antenna array. The work detailed here generalizes this concept by allowing the antennas at the two nodes to be represented by arbitrary transmit current or receive weight distributions modeled using complete basis sets and constrained to reside within fixed apertures. The representation requires that we modify the key rate optimization formulation to incorporate mutual coupling and spatially correlated estimation errors. Application of this modified optimization technique produces both the coefficients of the basis functions representing the current distributions and the optimal training approach that together maximize the achievable key rate. Simulations are used to demonstrate the convergence of the technique as the number of basis functions grows large as well as the behavior of the key rate upper bound for different scenarios.
Modifiable characteristics of a healthy lifestyle in U.S. older adults with or without frequent mental distress: 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Objective To examine the associations between frequent mental distress (FMD; 14 or more mentally unhealthy days during the previous 30 days), health behaviors, body weight, and use of preventive services among adults ≥65 years using the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Methods Participants (N = 52,600) were asked how many days during the past 30 days that their mental health was not good. Having a healthy weight (body mass index 18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ), not smoking, consuming ≤1 alcoholic beverage per day, consuming of at least five fruits or vegetables daily, participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the average week, receiving an annual influenza immunization, and ever receiving a pneumococcal immunization were examined in addition to combinations of these behaviors. Results People with FMD were less likely than those without FMD to be nonsmokers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.67, confidence interval [CI] = 0.53–0.85), to consume at least five fruits or vegetables daily (AOR = 0.80, CI=0.70–0.91), and to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the average week (AOR = 0.82, CI=0.68–0.99). However, there was no difference between those with and without FMD in the consumption of ≤1 alcoholic beverage per day, having a healthy weight, receiving an annual influenza immunization, and ever receiving a pneumococcal immunization. Conclusions Older adults with FMD are less likely to engage in many health behaviors and to use preventive services than those without FMD.
Randomized controlled trial of vaginal misoprostol and intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for induction of labor at term.

Objective: To compare misoprostol 25 μg administered at 2-hour intervals with intracervical prostaglandin (PG) E2 in women with Bishop scores of 5 or less. Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either misoprostol 25 μg every 2 hours or a commercially available intracervical preparation containing 0.5 mg of PGE2 gel administered at 6-hour intervals for a maximum of two doses. Results: Women who received misoprostol experienced a significantly reduced mean time (± standard deviation) from drug administration to onset of three contractions in 10 minutes, 6.7 ± 5.8 versus 12.4 ± 9.6 hours (P = .007). Mean time to rupture of membranes was also shorter in the misoprostol group, 9.7 ± 5.5 versus 13.6 ± 6.8 hours (P = .01), as was the mean time to delivery, 16.0 ± 7.7 versus 22.4 ± 10.9 hours (P = .006). Three patients in the misoprostol group experienced uterine hypertonus but no related fetal morbidity. Conclusion: Misoprostol is more effective than intracervical PGE2 in bringing about labor and delivery, but further work is needed to determine the ideal dosing regimen.
Glutathione Levels Determine Apoptosis in Macrophages

Abstract Spermine NONOate (SpNO, a nitric oxide donor) induced apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in the macrophage cell line RAW 267.4. RES cells that have been derived from RAW 267.4 cells by repeated exposure to lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ (LPS/INF-γ), followed by outgrowth of viable cells, are resistant to apoptosis and caspase-3 activation upon exposure to SpNO. In this study we have determined that RES cells have lower levels of glutathione (GSH) and a higher oxidative state than RAW cells. Subsequently, RAW and RES cells were depleted of GSH by using l-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of GSH synthesis. GSH depleted cells did not undergo apoptosis nor demonstrate caspase-3 activity when they were exposed to SpNO. These results suggest that the redox status of the cell is one of the key factors mediating the apoptotic pathway in which glutathione plays a critical role in mediating apoptosis via NO•and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Crystal structure of the low temperature phase (II) of polytetrafluoroethylene

Abstract An electron diffraction pattern from polytetrafluoroethylene in Phase II was analysed to determine a chain conformation of 2.1598 CF2 units per turn of the helix. A structure was established from a combination of electron and X-ray diffraction data. The structure contains an ordered repeating pattern of a left- right-handed pair of chain stems. Although the structure is ordered in three dimensions, it cannot be described meaningfully in terms of classical space group nomenclature because very small changes in the structure result in very large changes in the cell parameters. The structure has a volume of 0.03542 nm3 per CF2 group, corresponding to a density of 2344 kg m−3.
Comparison of statistical approaches to rare variant analysis for quantitative traits

With recent advances in technology, deep sequencing data will be widely used to further the understanding of genetic influence on traits of interest. Therefore not only common variants but also rare variants need to be better used to exploit the new information provided by deep sequencing data. Recently, statistical approaches for analyzing rare variants in genetic association studies have been proposed, but many of them were designed only for dichotomous outcomes. We compare the type I error and power of several statistical approaches applicable to quantitative traits for collapsing and analyzing rare variant data within a defined gene region. In addition to comparing methods that consider only rare variants, such as indicator, count, and data-adaptive collapsing methods, we also compare methods that incorporate the analysis of common variants along with rare variants, such as CMC and LASSO regression. We find that the three methods used to collapse rare variants perform similarly in this simulation setting where all risk variants were simulated to have effects in the same direction. Further, we find that incorporating common variants is beneficial and using a LASSO regression to choose which common variants to include is most useful when there is are few common risk variants compared to the total number of risk variants.
Basis for isoparametric stress elements

Abstract The family of the so-called ‘isoparametric strain (displacement) elements’ is restricted to membranes and solids. The reason for this restriction has led to the development of a new family based on stress assumptions; these elements will be referred to as ‘isoparametric stress elements’. This family contains plates and solids but no membranes. The omission of a particular element in each family is consistent with the plate-membrane analogies. The basic flexibility matrix of an isoparametric stress element is singular since the zero stress state is directly included. The rank technique is adopted to automatically extract the zero stress modes such that the element can be completely interchangeable between any finite element system. The theory for stress assumed isoparametric “quadrilateral” plate bending elements with curved boundaries is given. A brief presentation of the theory for isoparametric stress solid elements is also included.
Analysis of the specific heat of high-Tc superconductors in magnetic fields☆

Abstract We have performed high-resolution specific-heat measurements on an untwinned, high-quality single crystal of LuBa2Cu3O7−x, near the normal-superconducting transition temperature, in applied magnetic fields up to 5 T, along the c-axis. The data has been analyzed in terms of the finite-size scaling approach, Inderhees, et al., (PRL 66, 232, (1991)). We have found that this idea does not adequately describe our results. The problems associated with this model will be detailed. Recently, a model proposed by Tesanovic et al. (PRL 69, 3563 (1992)) has been utilized with some success.
Regulatory mutants of the maize Adh1 gene caused by DNA insertions

Transposable elements in maize can induce changes in the timing of gene expression and the quantity of gene product1,2. The timing of expression of the bronze locus has been shown genetically to be affected by insertion of the transposable element Ds (dissociation)3. Molecular evidence has demonstrated that insertion of Ds at another locus, shrunken-1, disrupts the DNA sequence as expected of an insertion4,5. Here we report quantitative changes in gene expression resulting from the insertion of a 1.5-kilobase (kb) DNA element at an affected gene. The alcohol dehydrogenase-1 (Adh1) mutants described here, selected via allyl alcohol-resistant pollen grains6, were recovered from a genetic background containing Robertson's mutator (Mu)7. We suggest that the Mu genetic background caused the DNA insertion at Adh1, and that the insertion assumed some regulatory function in the control of Adh1 expression.
Mercury porosimetry of ordered sphere compacts: investigation of intrusion and extrusion pore size distributions

Abstract Intrusion—extrusion hysteresis in mercury porosimetry is thought to be caused either by mercury contact angle hysteresis or by the domination of extrusion by pore bodies and intrusion by throats to the pore network. Mostly, only the information obtained during the intrusion of mercury has been used in the pore structure characterization of materials via mercury porosimetry. The use of the data obtained during extrusion has been the subject of several recent studies in an attempt to reach a more complete picture of pore structure. In this work, the possible use of both intrusion and extrusion for pore structure characterization have been investigated. Submicron monosize spherical particles of silica and yttrium hydroxycarbonate were synthesized and ordered compacts of these powders have been prepared. Mercury porosimetry tests on these high-density compacts (typically 68 – 70% of sphere density) have shown the presence of two pore peaks for intrusion and extrusion with the exception of one compact. Comparisons of intrusion pore sizes with the theoretical sizes of the constrictions for ordered sphere packings have shown reasonable agreements. Similar comparisons between the sizes of cavities in sphere packings and the extrusion pore sizes did not show the same agreement. Results for one sample did not show a distinct extrusion pore size even at very large pore sizes, most probably due to the domination of mercury extrusion by very few large pores present in the sample. For all other samples, the extrusion pore sizes were close to the actual sphere size and the extrusion was most probably dominated by a few vacant sphere sites in the ] ordered structures. The results of this work have shown that the possibility of using extrusion data for pore body size distribution determination is in serious doubt. The presence of very few larger pores in the porous body may dominate the whole extrusion process and can cause the extraction of inaccurate pore size information from the extrusion data.
Miniature High Temperature Laminar Diffusion Flames for Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

Miniature high temperature laminar diffusion flames are described for analytical atomic spectrometry. Fuel flow rates below 0.2 liters/min are used and temperatures in excess of 2500 K are maintained in a stable, fuel-rich combustion environment of low background emission. The internal atomizer chamber volume is 1.5 ml (below the burner top). A graphite cup atomizer is used for sample introduction and is
Mapping the pericentric heterochromatin by comparative genomic hybridization analysis and chromosome deletions in Drosophila melanogaster

Heterochromatin represents a significant portion of eukaryotic genomes and has essential structural and regulatory functions. Its molecular organization is largely unknown due to difficulties in sequencing through and assembling repetitive sequences enriched in the heterochromatin. Here we developed a novel strategy using chromosomal rearrangements and embryonic phenotypes to position unmapped Drosophila melanogaster heterochromatic sequence to specific chromosomal regions. By excluding sequences that can be mapped to the assembled euchromatic arms, we identified sequences that are specific to heterochromatin and used them to design heterochromatin specific probes (“H-probes”) for microarray. By comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analyses of embryos deficient for each chromosome or chromosome arm, we were able to map most of our H-probes to specific chromosome arms. We also positioned sequences mapped to the second and X chromosomes to finer intervals by analyzing smaller deletions with breakpoints in heterochromatin. Using this approach, we were able to map >40% (13.9 Mb) of the previously unmapped heterochromatin sequences assembled by the whole-genome sequencing effort on arm U and arm Uextra to specific locations. We also identified and mapped 110 kb of novel heterochromatic sequences. Subsequent analyses revealed that sequences located within different heterochromatic regions have distinct properties, such as sequence composition, degree of repetitiveness, and level of underreplication in polytenized tissues. Surprisingly, although heterochromatin is generally considered to be transcriptionally silent, we detected region-specific temporal patterns of transcription in heterochromatin during oogenesis and early embryonic development. Our study provides a useful approach to elucidate the molecular organization and function of heterochromatin and reveals region-specific variation of heterochromatin.
Situation Awareness Applications to Executive Dashboard Design

With the advent of mass customization, global financial markets, and Internet-based business models, executive decision making has an increased need for speed, scope, and accuracy. To meet these needs, IT vendors have created executive dashboards, systems that display visualizations of critical data via interfaces that pull from corporate data warehouses. While the visualization techniques they use take advantage of the latest technology and may support complex data analysis, these systems often fall short because they do not match the schema of the decision maker nor do they support situation assessment or awareness. A design process that considers a more naturalistic decision making perspective and uses cognitive engineering techniques such as ecological interface design would provide a significant improvement to the design of executive dashboard interfaces. However there are several challenges to applying current cognitive engineering methods to the executive decision making domain. This paper will pre...
Experiments on compression moulding and pultrusion of thermoplastic powder impregnated towpregs

Abstract Powder impregnation techniques have been developed to increase design and manufacturing flexibility with thermoplastic composites. The effect of pressure, temperature, mould closing rate and time on the consolidation of poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) powder impregnated glass fibre towpregs in compression moulding were studied. A design of experiments approach was used. Isothermal pultrusion experiments using nylon 11 and PEKK powder impregnated glass fibre tows were conducted. These experiments were repeated at different temperatures and pulling speeds. The microstructural changes during coating and consolidation of the powder impregnated tows were studied. Temperature and mould closing rate were observed to be the significant parameters affecting consolidation in compression moulding. Superposition of the pulling force-pulling speed data at different processing temperatures was demonstrated in pultrusion.
Pressure Distribution Underneath the Human Foot

Force platforms which measure the net ground reaction force under the foot have become a standard item of equipment in locomotion laboratories over the last decade. These devices have the major limitation that the instantaneous distribution of force or pressure can only be described by a single point — the center of pressure — which identifies the geometric centroid of the applied force distribution. This measure sometimes has very little relevance to the anatomy or pathology of the foot. This point is dramatized by the results of a simple experiment shown in figure 1. The subject walked over a force platform and a pressure distribution platform with and without a 1 cm diameter marble placed in the shoe underneath the first metatarsal head. This painful situation for the subject resulted in center of pressure patterns (fig 1a) which were virtually identical. The pressure patterns, however, revealed a small peak in the location of the marble coincident with the subject’s pain.
The performance of granular sulfur fertilizers

Three ganular S fertilizers, S-bentonite, S-bentonite-Na2SO4 and prilled S were tested in laboratory, greenhouse and field, and their performance was compared to common elemental S. The results of four different experiments are shown.
Topical aqueous 2% lignocaine eardrops reduced ear pain in children with acute otitis media.

F E Babl Dr F E Babl, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; franz.babl@rch.org.au Are topical aqueous 2% lignocaine (lidocaine) eardrops effective for relieving ear pain in children with acute otitis media (AOM)? ### Design: randomised placebo controlled trial. ### Allocation: {concealed}.* ### Blinding: blinded (children, parents, clinicians administering treatment, and outcome assessors). ### Follow-up period: primary outcome was assessed at 10, 20, and 30 minutes. ### Setting: emergency department (ED) of a children’s hospital in Australia. ### Patients: 63 children 3–17 years of age (mean age 6 y, 51% girls) who had ear pain lasting <3 days and signs of AOM (tympanic membrane with erythema, dullness, and bulging appearance). Children with evidence of tympanic membrane perforation, ventilation tubes in situ, allergy to local anaesthetic or …
The Impact of Perforator Number on Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction

Background Perforator flaps minimize abdominal site morbidity during autologous breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the number of perforators harvested influences the overall deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap survival and flap-related complications.
The critical ingredient: Caring youth‐staff relationships in after‐school settings

After-school settings are interpersonal in nature, and the quality of the relationships that are forged can directly influence youths' attendance decisions and the developmental benefits they derive. Programs should more effectively capitalize on this potential for caring adult-staff relationships.
Alex’s Year

The weekend came and went. Monday, the final day before students arrived, looked like it would bring thunderstorms. I arrived to Fairfield early—before all the meetings began.
Human Orthologs of Yeast Vacuolar Protein Sorting Proteins Vps26, 29, and 35: Assembly into Multimeric Complexes

Sorting nexin (SNX) 1 and SNX2 are mammalian orthologs of Vps5p, a yeast protein that is a subunit of a large multimeric complex, termed the retromer complex, involved in retrograde transport of pr...
TRANSPLANTATION OF THE HEART AND LUNGS IN CHILDREN

Heart transplantation in children with complex congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathies has become an effective form of therapy for patients with no other surgical options. Because pediatric pulmonary transplantation is a relatively new procedure, long-term follow-up data are not yet available. However, the intermediate-term results of pediatric lung transplantation appear similar to those for heart and lung transplantation. Children represent a particularly difficult patient group for transplant of thoracic organs, and recipients must be selected carefully. Additionally, physicians must pay close attention to multiple medical conditions relating to the underlying disease process in order to achieve optimal results.
A Probabilistic Approach to Language Change

We present a probabilistic approach to language change in which word forms are represented by phoneme sequences that undergo stochastic edits along the branches of a phylogenetic tree. This framework combines the advantages of the classical comparative method with the robustness of corpus-based probabilistic models. We use this framework to explore the consequences of two different schemes for defining probabilistic models of phonological change, evaluating these schemes by reconstructing ancient word forms of Romance languages. The result is an efficient inference procedure for automatically inferring ancient word forms from modern languages, which can be generalized to support inferences about linguistic phylogenies.
Analysis of the Range and Range Rate Tracking System

The ``range and range rate'' (r i + ? i ) system in its very simplest form is described. In particular, the errors in position and velocity are treated using pessimistic values of the measured quantities r i and ? i . Thus, a realistic evaluation of tracking qualities can be made for different orbits over certain tracking stations. The range and range rate system briefly described in this paper is a high-precision tracking system. Knowledge of the uncertainty in position ? xi is. important, but knowledge of the uncertainty of the velocity vector ? x?i is of the utmost importance. Thus the use of coherent Doppler measurements to determine the velocity has a great advantage over any pulsed system and, in addition, permits extremely narrow frequency bandwidths (in the order of 10 to 100 cps) to be employed, reducing the power requirements considerably. The basis for using range r i and range rate ? i only is the fact that r i and ? i can be measured to very high precision, thus furnishing r and ? with low errors. The nature of these errors is discussed.
Phased arrays of probe-fed stacked microstrip patches

This paper presents calculated and measured results for infinite phased arrays of probe-fed stacked rectangular and circular microstrip patches. A numerical model is described that is based on a rigorous Green's function/Galerkin solution. In this solution, the connection of one or more vertical probe feeds to each patch is accurately modeled using a special attachment mode basis function, which is derived from the corresponding cavity model solution. Numerical results for both linearly and circularly polarized arrays are obtained. Measured results from a waveguide simulator are also presented and used to validate the numerical model. >
Multi-object auctions: sequential vs. simultaneous sales

Would a seller prefer to sell multiple objects through sequential or simultaneous auctions? Sequential auctions with bids announced between sales seem preferable because the bids may convey information about the value of objects to be sold later. The auction literature shows that this information effect increases the seller's expected revenue. However, there is also a deception effect which develops in the sequential sales. If a bidder knows that his current bid will reveal information about later objects then he has an incentive to underbid. These two opposing effects are studied in a two-signal model. The results show that either effect may dominate the other, leading the seller to sometimes prefer simultaneous sales and to sometimes prefer sequential sales. The winner's curse can explain this ordering.
Cryogenic Performance and Reliability of GaAs CHFETs

GaAs CHFETs (Complementary Heterostructure Field Effect Transistors) were characterized before and after stress testing at both room temperature and in cryogenic conditions. Various values of drain and gate voltages were used for stress conditions, and the effects of temperature on both performance and reliability were examined. A decrease in drain saturation current is observed below 150 K as well as an exponential decrease of gate leakage with decreasing temperature. Parametric degradation that follows a log-log relationship was observed under all stress conditions. For high electrical stress, the degradation was found to be worse at cryogenic temperatures.
Large DNA Fragment Sizing by Flow Cytometry: Application to the Characterization of P1 Artificial Chromosome (PAC) Clones

A flow cytometry-based, ultrasensitive fluorescence detection technique is used to size individual DNA fragments up to 167 kb in length. Application of this technology to the sizing of P1 artificial chromosomes (PACs) in both linear and supercoiled forms is described. It is demonstrated that this method is well suited to characterizing PAC/BAC clones and will be very useful for the analysis of large insert libraries. Fluorescence bursts are recorded as individual, dye stained DNA fragments pass through a low power, focused, continuous laser beam. The magnitudes of the fluorescence bursts are linearly proportional to the lengths of the DNA fragments. The histograms of the burst sizes are generated in <3 min with <1 pg of DNA. Results on linear fragments are consistent with those obtained by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In comparison with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, sizing of large DNA fragments by this approach is more accurate, much faster, requires much less DNA, and is independent of the DNA conformation.
Assessing the reliability of standardized performance indicators

Objectives. To investigate the reliability of self-reported standardized performance indicators introduced by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations in July 2002 and implemented in approximately 3400 accredited US hospitals. The study sought to identify the most common data quality problems and determine causes and possible strategies for resolution. Design. Data were independently reabstracted from a random sample of 30 hospitals. Reabstracted data were compared with data originally abstracted, and discrepancies were adjudicated with hospital staff. Structured interviews were used to probe possible reasons for abstraction discrepancies. Results. The mean data element agreement rate for the 61 data elements evaluated was 91.9%, and the mean kappa statistic for binary data elements was 0.68. The rate of agreement for individual data elements ranged from 100 to 62.4%. The mean difference between calculated indicator rates was 4.88% (absolute value) and the range of differences was 0.0–13.3%. Symmetry of disagreement among original abstractors and reabstractors identified eight indicators whose differences in calculated rates were statistically unlikely to have occurred through random chance (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Although improvement in the accuracy and completeness of the self-reported data is possible and desirable, the baseline level of data reliability appears to be acceptable for indicators used to assess and improve hospital performance on selected clinical topics.
Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Promotes Cell Survival through Akt/Protein Kinase B

The signaling pathways activated by the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) to promote survival of monocyte and macrophage lineage cells are not well established. In an effort to elucidate these pathways, we have used two cell types responsive to M-CSF: NIH 3T3 fibroblasts genetically engineered to express human M-CSF receptors (3T3-FMS cells) and human monocytes. M-CSF treatment induced M-CSF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and recruitment of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) to these receptors. These M-CSF receptor events correlated with activation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt. To clarify that PI3K products activate Akt in response to M-CSF, NIH 3T3 fibroblasts expressing mutant human M-CSF receptors (3T3-FMS(Y809F)) that fail to activate Ras in response to M-CSF also exhibit increased Akt kinase activity in response to M-CSF challenge. Furthermore, Akt appears to be the primary regulator of survival in 3T3-FMS cells, as transfection of genes encoding dominant-negative Akt isoforms into these fibroblasts blocked M-CSF-induced survival. In normal human monocytes, M-CSF increased the levels of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins and induced Akt activation in a PI3K-dependent manner. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 blocked M-CSF-mediated monocyte survival, an effect that was partially restored by caspase-9 inhibitors. These data suggest that M-CSF may induce cell survival through Akt-induced suppression of caspase-9 activation.
GABAC receptors on ferret retinal bipolar cells: a diversity of subtypes in mammals?

The GABA C receptor subtypes on bipolar cells of rats and cold-blooded vertebrates differ in their pharmacological properties and probably have different molecular compositions. With the exception of the rat, native GABA C receptors in mammals had not been studied. In ferret, whole-cell, voltage-clamp recordings were made from bipolar cells in the retinal slice preparation to determine which subtype of GABA C receptor predominated. Puff-evoked GABA currents in bipolar cells were partially reduced by the GABA A receptor antagonist bicuculline, indicating that both GABA A and GABA C receptors mediated the responses. By contrast, GABA currents of ganglion cells were always completely blocked by bicuculline, indicating that GABA A receptors predominated on these cells. Small-amplitude GABA currents of bipolar cells evoked by short-duration puffs were less sensitive to bicuculline than large-amplitude currents evoked by long-duration puffs. This indicates that GABA C receptors mediated proportionately more of the small-amplitude, puff-evoked responses and GABA A receptors mediated more of the large-amplitude, puff-evoked responses. In bipolar cells, the bicuculline-resistant component of the GABA current was entirely blocked by 3-APMPA (3-aminopropyl-(methyl)phosphonic acid), a GABA C receptor antagonist. Picrotoxin, which is relatively ineffective at rat GABA C receptors, completely blocked GABA currents in ferret bipolar cells, indicating that GABA C receptors on ferret bipolar cells resemble those in lower vertebrates rather than those in the rat retina. These results suggest that there may be a diversity of GABA C receptor subtypes on mammalian bipolar cells.
Enterprise-wide semiconductor manufacturing resource planning

We develop a model for global logistics and resource optimization in a typical semiconductor manufacturing operation. The model is designed to aid in resource allocation and strategic decisions for long term planning in the semiconductor industry. Decisions include where to make products, whether or not to open new facilities, whether or not to add new tools, and whether or not to subcontract.
Comparative analysis of top-down and bottom-up methodologies for multi-agent system design

Traditionally, top-down and bottom-up design approaches have competed with each other in Algorithmics and Software Engineering. In the top-down approach, design process starts with specifying the global system state and assuming that each component has global knowledge of the system, as in a centralized approach. The solution is then decentralized by replacing global knowledge with communication. In the bottom-up approach, on the other hand, the design starts with specifying requirements and capabilities of individual components, and the global behavior is said to emerge out of interactions among constituent components and between components and the environment. In this paper we present a comparative study of both approaches with particular emphasis on applications to multi-agent system engineering.
Pharmacist Approach to Geriatrics

Pharmacists have traditionally focused on the appropriate use of medications to enhance the functional status of the elderly patient. However, in the proper provision of pharmaceutical care, the influence of lifestyle factors on the use and misuse of medications cannot be ignored. The pharmacist collaborates with other members of the health care team to ensure that drugs are dosed according to known changes occurring with age such as pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations. Also, medications that may decrease cognitive function, impair gait/balance, or reduce sensory stimulation must be avoided. The appropriate use of medications can improve the functional status and reduce morbidity in the elderly patient, and drug adherence issues should be addressed to ensure that the elderly patient can receive the optimal benefit from his or her medication regimen. Pharmacists, in collaboration with physicians and other health care providers, can help to ensure that a comprehensive approach to patient care occurs, one that involves medications, diet, and exercise as it embraces the mind, body, and spirit.
Infection and premature rupture of the membranes

Preterm birth remains a paramount problem in health care worldwide. In the USA, approximately 6–10% of births occur preterm. 1–3 Gestational age at birth is the most important determinant of an infant's morbidity and mortality. Preterm infants account for approximately 75% of neonatal deaths, 3–5 as well as incalculable direct and indirect financial costs and morbidity. 6–9
RSBI and NIV: who is failing: patient or machine?

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for treatment of both acute hypoxemic and hypercapnic respiratory failure is now widely utilized; however, it is also widely acknowledged that this therapy is not always a success, and the many studies that have evaluated this technology have found conflicting results.[
The Accuracy and Completeness of Data Collected by Prospective and Retrospective Methods

Objectives: To describe and test a model that compares the accuracy of data gathered prospectively versus retrospectively among adult emergency department patients admitted with chest pain. Methods: The authors developed a model of information flow from subject to medical record to the clinical study case report form, based on a literature review. To test this model, a bidirectional (prospective and retrospective) study was conducted, enrolling all eligible adult patients who were admitted with a chief complaint of chest pain. The authors interviewed patients in the emergency department to determine their chest pain history and established a prospective database; this was considered the criterion standard. Then, patient medical records were reviewed to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information available through a retrospective medical record review. Results: The model described applies the concepts of reliability and validity to information passed on by the study subject, the clinician, and the medical record
“We Will Become Jijabai”: Historical Tales of Hindu Nationalist Women in India

Vv HO LIT THE fire?" asked THE prime minister of India Atal Behari Vajpayee at a speech delivered in Goa while entire families of Muslims in Gujarat were being killed by angry Hindus avenging an attack on a train allegedly carrying workers of the Hindu nationalist movement ("Who Are These People Accusing Us, India Was Secular Even before Muslims and Christians," Indian Express, April 24, 2002).1 In his speech, Vajpayee asserts that although the carnage in Gujarat was regrettable, "[w]e should not forget how the tragedy of Gujarat started. The subsequent developments were no doubt condemnable, but who lit the fire?"2 As one reads the full text of his speech, it becomes clear that the attack on the train was not the only incident that
Frequent arousals from winter torpor in Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii).

Extensive use of torpor is a common winter survival strategy among bats; however, data comparing various torpor behaviors among species are scarce. Winter torpor behaviors are likely to vary among species with different physiologies and species inhabiting different regional climates. Understanding these differences may be important in identifying differing susceptibilities of species to white-nose syndrome (WNS) in North America. We fitted 24 Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) with temperature-sensitive radio-transmitters, and monitored 128 PIT-tagged big-eared bats, during the winter months of 2010 to 2012. We tested the hypothesis that Rafinesque’s big-eared bats use torpor less often than values reported for other North American cave-hibernators. Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that Rafinesque’s big-eared bats arouse on winter nights more suitable for nocturnal foraging. Radio-tagged bats used short (2.4 d 6 0.3 (SE)), shallow (13.9uC 6 0.6) torpor bouts and switched roosts every 4.1 d 6 0.6. Probability of arousal from torpor increased linearly with ambient temperature at sunset (P,0.0001), and 83% (n=86) of arousals occurred within 1 hr of sunset. Activity of PIT-tagged bats at an artificial maternity/hibernaculum roost between November and March was positively correlated with ambient temperature at sunset (P,0.0001), with males more active at the roost than females. These data show Rafinesque’s big-eared bat is a shallow hibernator and is relatively active during winter. We hypothesize that winter activity patterns provide Corynorhinus species with an ecological and physiological defense against the fungus causing WNS, and that these bats may be better suited to withstand fungal infection than other cave-hibernating bat species in eastern North America.