cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histopathologic studies of ischemic optic neuropathy.

Abstract PURPOSE: To define the histopathologic features of eyes in which a pathologic diagnosis of ischemic optic neuropathy had been made in the years 1951 through 1998. METHODS: The following data were documented: age of patient, race, sex, source of tissue, cause of death, clinical history, interval from loss of vision to death, enucleation, exenteration, and biopsy. The histopathologic criteria for diagnosis of ischemic optic neuropathy were the presence of localized ischemic edema, cavernous degeneration, or an area of atrophy located superior or inferior in the optic nerve. Cases with history of abrupt loss of vision were combined with reports from the literature to construct a time table of histopathologic features and associated conditions. RESULTS: Ischemic optic neuropathy was present in 193 eyes. There were 88 females and 65 males. The average age was 71.6 years. Ischemic edema without (early) and with (later) gitter macrophages was present in 26 (13.5%). Cavernous degeneration was present in 69 nerves (36%). Mucopolysaccharide (MPS) was present in 37 cavernous lesions 1 month or longer after loss of vision. Cavernous lesions were seen in 3 eyes in which peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer hemorrhage had been observed prior to death. Atrophic lesions, the most common pattern, were observed in 133 optic nerves (66.8%). More than 1 ischemic lesion was seen in 38 optic nerves (19.7%). Bilateral ischemic lesions were seen in 50 (35.2%) of 142 paired eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic optic nerve lesions are initially acellular and later show macrophage infiltration. Cavernous lesions with MPS are present 4 weeks or longer after vision loss. The location of MPS posteriorly and along the internal margin suggests that MPS is produced at the edges of lesions. Progressive vision loss in ischemic optic neuropathy may be secondary to compression of intact nerve from ischemic edema and cavernous swelling, or a second ischemic lesion.
Thin film silicon solar cell and module

We have been developed a new light trapping scheme for thin film Si stacked module (Si HYBRID PLUS module), where a-Si:H/transparent inter-layer/microcrystalline Si thin film integrated large area solar cell module. An initial aperture efficiency of 13.1% has been achieved for 910/spl times/455 mm/sup 2/ Si HYBRID PLUS module, which was independently confirmed by AIST. This is the first time report for independently confirmed efficiency of large area thin film Si module with interlayer. The 19% increase of short circuit current (I/sub sc/) of this module was obtained by the introduction of transparent interlayer, namely internal light trapping. Stabilized efficiency of mini module exhibited the 12%. Outdoor performances of Si HYBRID (a-Si:H/micro-crystalline Si stacked) solar cell module have been investigated over 4 years for two different kind of modules (top and bottom cell limited, respectively). The Hybrid modules limited by the top cell have exhibited the more efficient performance rather than the bottom limited in natural sunlight at noon.
Adrenocorticotropins: XXIX. The action of sodium hydroxide on adrenocorticotropin

Heating of a dilute adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) solution in 0.1 M NaOH has been found to cause a loss of both adrenal-stimulating and lipolytic activities. However, the same treatment not only potentiated but also prolonged the intrinsic melanocyte-stimulating potency of ACTH. Extensive physical and chemical studies of the NaOH-treated ACTH have been carried out. It was found that a limited cleavage of the second bond in the hormone occurred and that a number of amino acid residues within the molecule have been racemized. Possible explanations for the potentiation of melanocyte-stimulating activity in ACTH have been discussed.
Design of a laboratory for information security education

It has been recognized for some time now that education in information security is better served by a laboratory component that reinforces principle and theoretical analysis learnt in the class room with a follow-up hands-on component performed in an appropriate laboratory. In this paper we present the design of a highly reconfigurable laboratory for information security education. The design has been implemented successfully in ISIS - The Information Systems and Internet Security Laboratory at Polytechnic University. We also describe the rationale for our design and give examples of a few typical assignments that the laboratory facilitates.
Early Efficacy of the Ketogenic Diet Is Not Affected by Initial Body Mass Index Percentile

Abstract Background Predictors of the ketogenic diet's success in treating pediatric intractable epilepsy are not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether initial body mass index and weight percentile impact early efficacy of the traditional ketogenic diet in children initiating therapy for intractable epilepsy. Methods This retrospective study included all children initiating the ketogenic diet at Mayo Clinic, Rochester from January 2001 to December 2010 who had body mass index (children ≥2 years of age) or weight percentile (those 50% seizure reduction from baseline. Results Our cohort consisted of 48 patients (20 male) with a median age of 3.1 years. There was no significant correlation between initial body mass index or weight percentile and seizure frequency reduction at one month ( P = 0.72, r = 0.26 and P = 0.91, r = 0.03). There was no significant association between body mass index or weight percentile quartile and responder rates ( P = 0.21 and P = 0.57). Children considered overweight or obese at diet initiation (body mass index or weight percentile ≥85) did not have lower responder rates than those with body mass index or weight percentiles P = 0.41). Conclusions Greater initial body mass index and weight-for-age percentiles do not adversely affect the efficacy of the ketogenic diet.
Hormones, vitamins, and growth factors in cancer treatment and prevention. A critical appraisal.

BACKGROUND Hormones, hormone agonists, hormone antagonists, vitamins and their synthetic analogues, and growth factors are currently the most widely used anticancer drugs. Although in many cases they provide dramatic results, in other cases their effects are conflicting. A critical appraisal of the effects of these drugs is needed. METHODS To evaluate the potential therapeutic and preventive roles of these drugs as well as their areas of controversy, data published in the literature in the last two decades are reviewed in this article, and the author's personal findings are also reviewed. RESULTS Hormones, hormone agonists, hormone antagonists, vitamins and their synthetic analogues, growth factors, and cytokines are replacing conventional cancer therapies (chemotherapy, surgical therapy, and radiation therapy) for many purposes, and recently became the “fourth arm” of cancer treatment. However, their mechanisms of action have not yet been elucidated. This article critically reviews the mechanisms of their action on cancer cells (specifically, DNA, RNA, oncogenes, and antioncogenes); their role in cancer cell division, cell cycle, apoptosis, and angiogenesis; and their relation to human cancers. Since hormones, vitamins, growth factors (GFs), and GF receptors play a cardinal role in multistage carcinogenesis, using monoclonal antibodies to develop novel hormone antagonists, vitamin synthetic analogues, and GF inhibitors will be of paramount significance for neoadjuvant systemic therapy and cancer prevention. CONCLUSIONS It is hoped that the data presented in this review regarding the role of hormones, hormone agonists, hormone antagonists, vitamins, growth factors, and growth factor inhibitors will provide a rationale for designing effective new cancer chemoprevention strategies and clinical trials. Cancer 1997;78:2264-80.
SYSTEM RELIABILITY WITH COMPETING COMPONENTS AND LOAD SHARING — A HDD HEAD-DISK INTERFACE PERSPECTIVE

The authors of this paper present a quantitative insight of a long argued question in hard disk drive (HDD) industry about the reliability effects of the number of head-disk interfaces (HDI). The competition between complexity and data transfer load is modeled from system reliability perspective: competing components with load sharing. Product failure probability ratio and steady-state MTTF ratio between different data storage capacities are derived in terms of their head-disk interface number ratio and data transfer ratio. It is found that the reliability dominance of these two factors is conditional to the mathematical characteristics of their governing failure physics. The detailed discussion is conducted on the system reliability with head-disk interface failures governed by Weibull life distribution and Inverse Power Law stress-life relationship.
Almost All Things Dinosaurian

Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs. PHILIP J. CURRIE and KEVIN PADIAN, Eds. Academic Press, San Diego, 1997. xxx, 869 pp., illus., + plates. $99.95. ISBN 0-12-226810-5.
Are the Carbon Monoxide Complexes of Cp2M (M = Ca, Eu, or Yb) Carbon or Oxygen Bonded? An Answer from DFT Calculations

DFT calculations have been performed on the CO adducts of the bivalent lanthanides, Cp2M(CO)x , where M is Eu or Yb and x is 1 or 2, the alkaline earth metallocene Cp2Ca(CO), and the methylisocyanide adducts of Yb. The calculated νCO values are in agreement with experiment for Cp*2M(CO) when M is Ca or Eu, but in striking disagreement when the CO is bound to the metal by way of the carbon atom in CO in the case of Yb. The calculated νCO values for M = Yb are brought into agreement with experiment when the CO is allowed to bond to Cp2Yb by way of the oxygen atom.
Involvement of cyclic AMP-mediated pathway in neural release of noradrenaline in canine isolated mesenteric artery and vein.

Objective: Our major hypothesis is that cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated modulation of neurotransmitter release plays different roles at low and high activity of the sympathetic nervous system. We further hypothesize that cAMP-mediated neuromodulation might underlie disparate neurovascular control in mesenteric arteries and veins. Methods: Electrical field stimulation (EFS)-evoked overflow of noradrenaline (NA) was evaluated in the absence or presence of activators and inhibitors of cAMP-dependent pathway at low (4 Hz) and high (16 Hz) frequencies of stimulation of endothelium-denuded secondary and tertiary branches of the canine isolated inferior mesenteric arteries and veins. The content of NA in samples of the superfusates collected before and during nerve stimulation was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique in conjunction with electrochemical detection. Student's t -test and ANOVA analyses were applied for statistical analysis. Results: Activation of cAMP-dependent pathway with either isoproterenol (ISO, 10 μM), forskolin (1 μM), dibutyryl cAMP (100 μM) or combined site-specific activators of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) [i.e. N6-phenyl-adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate, 8-(6-aminohexyl) aminoadenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate, and the Sp-isomer of 5,6-dichloro-1-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate, each 100 μM] caused an enhancement of the EFS-evoked overflow of endogenous NA at 16 Hz of stimulation but was without an effect at 4 Hz of stimulation both in artery and vein. The EFS (16 Hz)-evoked overflow of NA in vein was also increased in the presence of inhibitors of phosphodiesterase (PDE) III and PDE IV (i.e. milrinone, 0.4 μM, and roilpram, 30 μM), whereas these inhibitors did not affect the overflow of NA in the artery. The facilitating effect of activators of cAMP-dependent pathway on the EFS-evoked release of NA at 16 Hz appears to be more pronounced in the vein than in artery. The increasing effect of ISO (10 μM) was inhibited with either propranolol (1 μM) or the adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibitor \[9-(tetrahydro-2′-furyl)adenine\] (SQ 22,536, 100 μM) in both blood vessels. The ISO effect was inhibited by the PKA inhibitor 14–22 amide (PKI14–22), 1 μM, in the artery but not in vein. The enhancing effect of FSK was inhibited by pretreatment of the tissue with SQ 22,536, 100 μM, or the PKA inhibitors PKI14–22, 1 μM, and 4-cyano-3-methylisoquinoline, 50 nM. However, the inhibitors alone did not significantly change the EFS-evoked overflow of NA in both blood vessels. Conclusions: Activation of AC–cAMP–PKA pathway appears to play a role in modulating NA release at higher stimulation frequencies as might be expected during stress, strenuous exercise, or hemorrhage. The AC–cAMP pathway plays a more pronounced role in the autonomic neural control of mesenteric veins than of the corresponding arteries, whereas the PKA contribution is more distinct in the arteries.
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 activates radixin, regulating membrane protrusion and motility in epithelial cells.

Abstract Ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins are membrane-cytoskeleton linkers that also have roles in signal transduction. Here we show that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) regulates membrane protrusion and cell migration during wound closure in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cell monolayers at least partly through activating phosphorylation of radixin on a conserved, regulatory C-terminal Thr residue. GRK2 phosphorylated radixin exclusively on Thr 564 in vitro. Expression of a phosphomimetic (Thr-564-to-Asp) mutant of radixin resulted in increased Rac1 activity, membrane protrusion and cell motility in MDCK cells, suggesting that radixin functions “upstream” of Rac1, presumably as a scaffolding protein. Phosphorylation of ERM proteins was highest during the most active phase of epithelial cell sheet migration over the course of wound closure. In view of these results, we explored the mode of action of quinocarmycin/quinocarcin analog DX-52-1, an inhibitor of cell migration and radixin function with considerable selectivity for radixin over the other ERM proteins, finding that its mechanism of inhibition of radixin does not appear to involve binding and antagonism at the site of regulatory phosphorylation.
Further Studies of the Crystallization of a Lithium Silicate Glass

Rates of crystallization of Li2O · 2SiO2, from an Li2O · 4SiO2 glass as a function of platinum concentration at 600° and 650° C were determined. At both temperatures a maximum rate was obtained in the region of 0.005% Pt. Calculations of the activation energies for the crystallization process showed that 0.005%, Pt lowered it to less than half its original value of 120 kcal per mole. Electron microscopy of this glass quenched from 1450OC revealed a granular structure 250 A in size which was believed to be due to lithium-rich clusters in the glass, svpporting the concepts of other investigators. In glasses containing 0.025%, an additional phase identified as silica O was found. Explanations for the effectiveness of platinum as a nucleating agent in this glass are offered.
Effects of surface conduction on Hall-effect measurements in ZnO

Abstract Conduction processes in as-grown and annealed n-type ZnO crystals have been studied by means of Hall-effect measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For temperatures above approximately 50 K, the conductance is dominated by electrons in the bulk of the crystal, whereas below that temperature, surface conductance becomes more important. As the crystals are annealed in flowing N2 gas, the surface sheet carrier concentration increases, and concomitantly, the OH-bond peak in the XPS spectrum becomes a larger fraction of the total O peak. Conversely, either O2-plasma annealing or electron-beam irradiation produces a decrease in the surface conductance and the OH fraction. Thus, H-related donors are likely the cause of the surface conductance.
Spinal cord compression by catheter granulomas in high-dose intrathecal morphine therapy: case report

Objective and importance The use of chronic intrathecal morphine for the treatment of intractable, nonmalignant pain is becoming more prevalent. A rare but devastating complication of this therapy is the development of spinal cord compression secondary to the formation of intrathecal granulomas. Clinical presentation We report three cases of intrathecal granuloma formation in the thoracic subarachnoid space, associated with intrathecal morphine pumps. These three patients were receiving high doses of morphine to control their pain (25 mg/d, 28 mg/d, and 45 mg/d, respectively) when they presented with signs and symptoms of thoracic spinal cord compression. Myelography and postmyelographic computed tomography of the spine revealed masses causing spinal cord compression. Intervention Two patients underwent thoracic laminectomies for resection of these masses, and the other patient had the intrathecal catheter removed. A pathological examination revealed sterile granulomas in the resected masses. Conclusion Intrathecal granulomas are likely to occur with increasing frequency as the use of chronic intrathecal morphine delivery increases in patients with nonmalignant pain. The cause of intrathecal granulomas is unknown, although it is likely that morphine plays a major role in their formation. We think that those patients receiving high doses of morphine are at greater risk for developing this complication.
Spinodally decomposed Cu-Ni-Fe alloys of asymmetrical compositions

Abstract Two Cu-Ni-Fe alloys of asymmetrical compositions (i.e. with unequal volume fractions of the two low temperature phases) were heat treated to produce spinodal structures with various wavelengths or characteristic particle spacings. Transmission electron microscopy and diffraction were used to study the spinodally decomposed microstructures and to measure the wavelengths in the specimens. The change in composition of the Ni-Fe rich phase with aging time was determined by measuring the Curie temperature; and the results show that the decomposition kinetics for the asymmetrical alloys are an order of magnitude slower than for the Cu-Ni-Fe alloy of symmetrical composition. Results of mechanical testing, Curie temperature and wavelength measurements indicate that, while coherency is maintained, the yield stress is directly proportional to the difference in compositions of the two precipitating phases and is independent of the wavelength and the volume fractions.
A Spontaneous Deletion within the Desmoglein 3 Extracellular Domain of Mice Results in Hypomorphic Protein Expression, Immunodeficiency, and a Wasting Disease Phenotype

Desmoglein 3 is a transmembrane component of desmosome complexes that mediate epidermal cell-to-cell adhesion and tissue integrity. Antibody blockade of desmoglein 3 function in pemphigus vulgaris patients leads to skin blistering (acantholysis) and oral mucosa lesions. Desmoglein 3 deficiency in mice leads to a phenotype characterized by cyclic alopecia in addition to the dramatic skin and mucocutaneous acantholysis observed in pemphigus patients. In this study, mice that developed an overt squeaky (sqk) phenotype were identified with obstructed airways, cyclic hair loss, and severe immunodeficiency subsequent to the development of oral lesions and malnutrition. Single-nucleotide polymorphism–based quantitative trait loci mapping revealed a genetic deletion that resulted in expression of a hypomorphic desmoglein 3 protein with a truncation of an extracellular cadherin domain. Because hypomorphic expression of a truncated desmoglein 3 protein led to a spectrum of severe pathology not observed in mice deficient in desmoglein 3, similar human genetic alterations may also disrupt desmosome function and induce a disease course distinct from pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris.
Activity-dependent regulation of axonal growth: posttranscriptional control of the GAP-43 gene by the NMDA receptor in developing hippocampus.

The intricate circuitry of the nervous system has been shown to be refined by activity-dependent processes often involving the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. NMDA receptor activity has been directly associated with axonal growth during development and in adult models of synaptic plasticity. The axonal growth-associated protein GAP-43 has been involved in the same processes as the NMDA receptor, but a direct link between the two has never been demonstrated in vivo. It is attractive to think that the NMDA receptor may regulate axonal growth through GAP-43. We tested this idea in outgrowing axons of hippocampal granule cells, the mossy fibers. Granule cells normally only express GAP-43 in an organized outside-in manner during a restricted period in postnatal development paralleling the pattern of axonal extension. Here, we show that during postnatal development in a transgenic mouse bearing a GAP-43 promoter/lacZ reporter construct, granule cells also display an outside-in pattern of promoter activation as indexed by transgene expression (PATE). In fact, PATE precedes axonal outgrowth with temporospatial fidelity. Since PATE deactivates on growth termination, the promoter may function as a switch for an intrinsic program of regulated axonal growth. The NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 administered within a restricted time frame (4-8 days) results in a decrease in the extent and intensity of mossy fiber staining. While levels of GAP-43 mRNA are significantly reduced in granule cells, GAP-43 PATE is not. The level of GAP-43 expression and axonal growth during development appears to be dually controlled by a transcriptional program that is activity-independent and by a posttranscriptional mechanism that is activity-dependent and NMDA mediated.
Carpentier-Edwards aortic pericardial bioprosthetic valve as a valid control in preclinical in vivo ovine studies

To progress into clinical practice, a bioprosthetic heart valve must first pass through the preclinical evaluation phase. The International Standards Organization (ISO) recommends implantation of concurrent controls in any evaluation of a new or modified heart valve. A total of 8 adult sheep underwent aortic valve replacement, receiving either the CE Perimount Magna 3000 aortic pericardial bioprosthetic valve or the CE Perimount RSR aortic pericardial bioprosthetic valve, Model 2800. We performed serial blood sampling, echocardiography, angiography and necropsy after euthanasia. All 8 sheep survived until the end of their study term. Our 2-dimensional echocardiographic analysis showed a mean pressure gradient of 37.4±6.0mmHg at 14 days and 37.0±5.9mmHg at 90 days; mean cardiac output was 10.0±2.8l/min at 14 days and 9.6±1.6l/min at 90 days. Angiography before euthanasia showed a mean aortic transvalvular gradient of 32.3±15.3mmHg. At euthanasia, we saw no evidence of calcification in any of the valves. In our study, we found that both models of the CE bioprosthetic heart valve we tested proved to be valid controls, in the aortic position, in sheep-with no evidence of calcification. Most important, the valves we tested had a few model-related problems, allowing a clear determination of their suitability for introduction into a clinical trial. Investigators now have additional insight into the safety of these 2 models of valves and perhaps will be able to reduce the number of controls implanted.
Do Groups Matter? An Agent-based Modeling Approach to Pedestrian Egress

Festivals in city parks attended by individuals and families are a universal feature of urban life. These venues often have the common attributes of vendors and other obstacles that restrict pedestrian movement through certain areas, as well as fixed number of exits. In this study, the authors build an agent-based model (ABM) that incorporates group cohesion forces into this type of pedestrian egress scenario. The scenario considered was an evacuation of 500 people through a single exit. This allowed an investigation into the use of two different simulated pedestrian's heading updating rules.
Benzophenone as a probe of local cosolvent effects in supercritical ethane

The n → π* shift of benzophenone has been used to quantify solute−cosolvent interactions in supercritical ethane. Dilute solutions of benzophenone in cosolvent/supercritical ethane mixtures were st...
On the Equilibrium between Radiation and Matter.

The theories of stellar evolution of Eddington, Jeans and Russell apparently necessitate the transformation of matter into radiation in order to account for the great life span of the sun and other stars. Such a process, however, immediately implies the existence of the reverse change of radiation into matter, and thus leads to the possibility of an equilibrium between these two forms of energy under suitable conditions of concentration and temperature.
Large‐scale elongated gas blowouts along the U.S. Atlantic margin

[1] In May 2000 we surveyed a series of en echelon, asymmetric depressions along the outer shelf off Virginia and North Carolina using high-resolution chirp and side-scan sonar. The features, which are elongated parallel to the shelf edge and have steep landward walls, are ∼4 km long, 1 km wide, and up to 50 m deep. On the basis of internal stratal geometry interpreted from chirp profiles, the depressions do not appear to result from simple, down-to-the-east, normal displacement along deep-seated faults or structure. Rather, the depressions seem to have been excavated primarily by gas expulsion, creating large-scale asymmetric gas escape structures that have been termed “gas blowouts.” Gas appears to have been trapped beneath a shelf edge delta that is a few tens of meters thick and exhibits internal soft sediment deformation suggestive of progressive downslope (seaward) creep. These new data suggest the blowouts occurred when thin-skinned deformation and creep of the surficial deltaic sediment layers combined with updip/upslope gas migration, ultimately leading to gas pressure in excess of the overburden. The location of the expulsion craters along the shelf edge and their elongated, asymmetric shapes strongly suggests a causal relation between the downslope creep of the delta and the expulsion event. We suggest a positive feedback between upward migration of gas-rich fluids through the low-stand delta and the downslope creep processes. While the complex interplay between differential permeability, overpressure, and upslope fluid migration remains poorly understood, we suggest such interactions may play an important role in controlling slope stability.
Vaginal microbiome changes with levonorgestrel intrauterine system placement

Abstract Objective To investigate changes in female genital tract bacterial ecology associated with levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) use. Study Design Study participants were regularly cycling Caucasian women without recent history of pregnancy or exogenous hormone use. Vaginal, cervical and uterine samples were obtained at nine time intervals, from 1 week before to 12 weeks after LNG IUS placement. Replicate paired vaginal and cervical specimens were collected to determine the consistency of specimen collection and processing. Results A total of 406 samples from 11 women were available for analysis after DNA extraction, amplification and species identification. Of the 355 bacterial species or genera detected, Lactobacillus crispatus was most prevalent representing 48.9% of over 6 million total reads. L. crispatus reads of replicate vaginal samples were not significantly different [odds ratio (OR) 0.79, 0.36–1.73]. In addition, L. crispatus reads of vaginal and cervical samples from the same visit were not significantly different (OR 0.69, 0.31–1.51). Compared to sampling visits prior to LNG IUS placement, sampling visits after LNG IUS insertion were more likely to have L. crispatus reads greater than 50% of total reads (OR 2.13, 1.01–4.48). Of the 63 uterine samples demonstrating bacteria, Burkholderia genus proteobacteria, a common environmental contaminant, were most prevalent both before and after LNG IUS insertion accounting for 48.0% of all uterine sample reads. Conclusion The vaginal microbiome changes very little in response to LNG IUS placement. Further study is needed to place this finding in context with clinical outcomes. Implications There do not appear to be any clinically important differences in the vaginal microbiome in response to insertion of the LNG IUS.
First and Second Order Asymptotic Bias Correction of Nonlinear Estimators in a Non-Parametric Setting and an Application to the Smoothed Maximum Score Estimator

This paper derives, extending the work of Rilstone, Srivastava and Ullah (1996), an analytical expression that takes account of first and second order asymptotic bias of nonlinear estimators in a non-parametric setting. By using moment expansions, we obtain a first and a second order bias removal mechanism. We specialize our results on the smoothed maximum score estimator of the coefficient vector of a binary response model in the dynamic setting of De Jong and Woutersen (2009). First order asymptotic theory has already been provided, although very large samples are needed to reach the asymptotic outcome of normality in this model. We provide a second order asymptotic expansion and, with the appropriate estimated quantities, we design a new bias-corrected estimator. Finally, a simulation study shows the advantages of our proposed bias-correction procedure.
Oxidative activity of crab gill mitochondria as a function of osmotic concentration

Abstract 1. 1. Mitochondria from gills of four species of crabs have been found to contain cytochrome oxidase, succinoxidase, fumurase and malic dehydrogenase. The stability and relative amounts of these enzymes were established as well as conditions for maximal oxygen uptake utilizing succinate. 2. 2. The specific activity of the gill mitochondrial enzymes increased 200–300 per cent on diluting the suspending medium from 1·6 to 0·16 Osm. 3. 3. Oxygen consumption of Callinectes sapidus gill mitochondria increased 75 per cent (brackish-water crabs) or 35 per cent (marine crabs) with a similar decrease in osmolarity. 4. 4. A subsequent increase in the osmolarity of the medium reversed the enhanced enzyme activity and oxygen consumption. 5. 5. At dilutions calculated to occur intracellularly, enzyme activity accounted for the magnitude of oxygen consumed by the mitochondria.
Multi-Objective Optimization of a Wrought Magnesium Alloy for High Strength and Ductility

An optimization technique is coupled with crystal plasticity based finite element (CPFE) computations to aid the microstructural design of a wrought magnesium alloy for improved strength and ductility. The initial microstructure consists of a collection of sub-micron sized grains containing deformation twins. The variables used in the simulations are crystallographic texture, and twin spacing within the grains. It is assumed that plastic deformation occurs mainly by dislocation slip on two sets of slip systems classified as hard and soft modes. The hard modes are those slip systems that are inclined to the twin planes and the soft mode consists of dislocation glide along the twin plane. The CPFE code calculates the stress-strain response of the microstructure as a function of the microstructural parameters and the length-scale of the features. A failure criterion based on a critical shear strain and a critical hydrostatic stress is used to define ductility. The optimization is based on the sequential generation of an initial population defined by the texture and twin spacing variables. The CPFE code and the optimizer are coupled in parallel so that new generations are created and analyzed dynamically. In each successive generation, microstructures that satisfy at least 90% of the meanmore » strength and mean ductility in the current generation are retained. Multiple generation runs based on the above procedure are carried out in order to obtain maximum strength-ductility combinations. The implications of the computations for the design of a wrought magnesium alloy are discussed. Research sponsored by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U. S. Department of Energy.« less
An alternate approach to the mathematical biophysics of perception of combinations of musical tones

In connection with a previous paper on the same subject this different approach to the problem is outlined, which also leads to an expression for pleasantness values of different binary combinations of musical sounds.
Scalable Large Near-Clique Detection in Large-Scale Networks via Sampling

Extracting dense subgraphs from large graphs is a key primitive in a variety of graph mining applications, ranging from mining social networks and the Web graph to bioinformatics [41]. In this paper we focus on a family of poly-time solvable formulations, known as the k-clique densest subgraph problem (k-Clique-DSP) [57]. When k=2, the problem becomes the well-known densest subgraph problem (DSP) [22, 31, 33, 39]. Our main contribution is a sampling scheme that gives densest subgraph sparsifier, yielding a randomized algorithm that produces high-quality approximations while providing significant speedups and improved space complexity. We also extend this family of formulations to bipartite graphs by introducing the (p,q)-biclique densest subgraph problem ((p,q)-Biclique-DSP), and devise an exact algorithm that can treat both clique and biclique densities in a unified way.As an example of performance, our sparsifying algorithm extracts the 5-clique densest subgraph --which is a large-near clique on 62 vertices-- from a large collaboration network. Our algorithm achieves 100% accuracy over five runs, while achieving an average speedup factor of over 10,000. Specifically, we reduce the running time from ∼2 107 seconds to an average running time of 0.15 seconds. We also use our methods to study how the k-clique densest subgraphs change as a function of time in time-evolving networks for various small values of k. We observe significant deviations between the experimental findings on real-world networks and stochastic Kronecker graphs, a random graph model that mimics real-world networks in certain aspects.We believe that our work is a significant advance in routines with rigorous theoretical guarantees for scalable extraction of large near-cliques from networks.
The Design and Operation of a High-Resolution Infrared Spectrometer

A high-resolution grating spectrometer has been designed and built for use in the infrared region between 0.8 and 6 μ. A Littrow optical system is employed and a 3-m focal length spherical mirror is utilized as the collimator. By the use of a four-pass optical system and a 17.5-cm grating with 400 lines/mm, a spectral slitwidth of 0.013 cm−1 is obtained in the region of 3.4 μ. Details of the design and operation of the instrument are given and the precision which can be obtained with the mechanical drive system is discussed.
Absence of precursor effects above the martensitic transformation in a virgin crystal of Li metal.

Measurements of the short-wavelength ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}_{4}$ phonons in a virgin crystal of Li metal at 293, 200, 100, and 80 K show a slight softening of the phonons with a decrease in temperature, as observed in some other alkali metals, contrary to all the other phonon branches measured in high-symmetry directions. Theoretical anharmonicity calculations predict this anomalous behavior even for Rb, which does not undergo a transformation. Diffuse scattering measurements in the vicinity of the (110) and (200) reflections at 200, 100, and 80 K did not reveal any unusual changes. There is an overall increase in the background as the temperature was decreased, which is attributed to the Debye-Waller factor associated with the large spin-incoherent scattering. The widths of the phonon groups also decreased as the temperature was lowered. These and other neutron-scattering measurements, along with ultrasonic attenuation studies fail to give evidence for precursor effects of the 9R transformation in virgin crystals of lithium metal.
Impact of Total Productivity Measurement on Automation in Bus Transit

This paper is a result of a research project conducted in a Floridian county transit for one year. The primary objective of the paper is to present the study of the impact of automation on “total productivity” in bus transit. This was accomplished by first developing and applying a methodology for measuring the total productivity of the transit facility and then using the Total Productivity Model (TPM) and statistical techniques to measure the impact of automation on total productivity over a period of time. This paper bears a significant value to a transit manager, in that the methodology presented here can be applied to prospective technologies before they are acquired.
Cardiac Troponin-I: A Predictor of Prognosis in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Release of cardiac biomarkers is reported in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Data addressing the impact of cardiac injury on outcome in these patients is sparse. This study was conducted to ascertain the association of elevation of serum cardiac Troponin-I (cTnI) with mortality and neurological outcome in patients with SAH. Medical records of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of SAH and at least one measured cTnI were reviewed. Demographic and clinical variables including admission neurological status were collected. Conservative and non-parametric statistics were used to assess association between cTnI and death or neurological outcome at discharge. The study group comprised of 83 patients with a mean age of 59 years. There was a female (60%) and African-American (60%) preponderance. At admission, the median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 9, and 47% had a severe Hunt–Hess grade (HHG) of ≥4. Elevation of cTnI was found in 31 (37%) patients and was associated with worse baseline Fisher grade (p=0.01) and neurological status: GCS score (p=0.006) and HHG (p=0.007). Patients with abnormal cTnI were more likely to die (55% vs.27%; odds ratio 1.3–8.4, p = 0.01) and had a worse GCS score (p = 0.008) and HHG (p = 0.004) on discharge. On multivariate analysis, peak cTnI (p = 0.04) and admission GCS score of <12 (p = 0.02) were independent predictors of death at discharge. Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and elevated cTnI are found to have worse neurological status at admission. These patients have a worse neurological outcome and in-hospital mortality.
“The Matrix”: An Allegory of the Psychoanalytic Journey

Objective: “The Matrix” has been a huge commercial and critical success and has spawned a series of books and essays exploring the philosophical and religious themes in the story. Methods: The authors propose is that “The Matrix” can be interpreted as an allegory for an individual’s journey into spiritual and mental health, achieved by overcoming one’s intrapsychic conflicts with the help of psychodynamic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. Results: Neo’s story parallels the journey undertaken by the individual who chooses to enter psychotherapy and illustrates several themes of analytic psychotherapy, its benefits, and liabilities. Conclusion: The movie may therefore serve as a teaching tool for psychiatric residents about the goals, functions, and intricacies of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Electrocardiographic patterns simulating coronary occlusion in patients with chronic rheumatic cardiovalvular disease.

Abstract 1. 1. Two hundred and twenty consecutive cases of chronic rheumatic cardiovalvular disease and 220 “normal” records are reviewed and compared. 2. 2. None of the normals showed abnormal Q-wave patterns in V 1 and V 2 . 3. 3. Of the group with known chronic rheumatic cardiovalvular disease, 15 showed tracings compatible with interpretation of myocardial infarction due to coronary occlusion. 4. 4. Only 4 of the 15 had other definite evidence of infarction. The remaining 11 cases with infarction-like QS patterns in V 1 and V 2 are not believed ever to have sustained coronary occlusions. Thus, a QS pattern in V 1 and V 2 , not as far as V 3 , may be observed in chronic rheumatic heart disease in the absence of coronary occlusion. 5. 5. Representative tracings from patients with right ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular hypertrophy, without clinical suggestion of infarction, are compared with the electrocardiogram of a case of anteroseptal infarction. 6. 6. Techniques are mentioned by means of which a QS or QR pattern in V 1 and V 2 , seen in instances of right ventricular hypertrophy or right bundle branch block, may be clarified.
Generalized P-Values and Confidence Intervals: A Novel Approach for Analyzing Lognormally Distributed Exposure Data

The problem of assessing occupational exposure using the mean of a lognormal distribution is addressed. The novel concepts of generalized p-values and generalized confidence intervals are applied for testing hypotheses and computing confidence intervals for a lognormal mean. The proposed methods perform well, they are applicable to small sample sizes, and they are easy to implement. Power studies and sample size calculation are also discussed. Computational details and a source for the computer program are given. The procedures are also extended to compare two lognormal means and to make inference about a lognormal variance. In fact, our approach based on generalized p-values and generalized confidence intervals is easily adapted to deal with any parametric function involving one or two lognormal distributions. Several examples involving industrial exposure data are used to illustrate the methods. An added advantage of the generalized variables approach is the ease of computation and implementation. In fa...
Preterm birth risk assessment

Preterm birth is a leading cause of peripheral morbidity and mortality. The national rate of prematurity approaches 11%. In spite of widespread tocolytic use, the preterm birth rate has actually increased over the past 30 years in the United States. Preterm birth appears to have a multifactorial etiology. Leading theories include infectious, inflammatory or ischemic insult to the uteroplacental barrier, activation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary pathway, decreased cervical competence, and pathologic uterine distention. Multiple biochemical and biophysical markers have been studied for their potential to correctly identify women at risk of preterm delivery. Of these, fetal fibronectin and endovaginal ultrasound examination of the cervix have proven effective in predicting which symptomatic women are actually at low risk of preterm birth. Salivary estriol is being studied as a marker for preterm labor and delivery and it too will likely be found to be a reliable risk identifier in a high risk population. However, home uterine activity monitoring has not been shown to decrease the frequency of preterm birth or its neonatal complications.
Further limitations to the Elson-Morgan reaction for hexosamine.

Abstract Condensation products of amino acids previously overlooked as interfering substances in the colorimetric determination of hexosamine determination. Comparison of hexosamine values obtained with both short and long column separation procedures has demonstrated the necessity of using the long column procedures to eliminate this error.
Numerical Brownian-motion model reaction rates

This paper presents detailed numerical calculations of surface-catalyzed chemical reaction rates in the Brownian-motion rate theory of Kramers. Accurate values of the rate for a wide range of values of the friction coefficient, the principal parameter of the theory, are obtained for the first time. A one-parameter empirical formula is obtained which gives the rate in quite general circumstances. Application of the results to calculation of catalytic rates at metal surfaces is discussed.
Increased ferritin synthesis and iron uptake in inflammatory mouse macrophages

Iron metabolism during inflammation was studied in normal and stimulated peritoneal mouse macrophages. A model was developed for detection of ferritin synthesis in these cells, and inflammatory stimulation was produced by i.p. injection of thioglycollate broth or i.m. injection of turpentine. The cells were adhered to culture discs and incubated at 37 degrees C with 59Fe-transferrin and 3H-leucine, and after washing the cell lysate was chromatographed. In the lysate from stimulated macrophages iron and tritium activity was found in a joint peak, and both were precipitated by a specific anti-mouse ferritin antibody. No significant peaks of radioactivity were found in lysates from normal cells. This showed that inflammatory RES cells have an increased ferritin synthesis. The uptake of 59Fe was investigated in a separate study and the stimulated macrophages were found to have a much higher iron uptake than normal macrophages.
Metallopeptide-promoted inactivation of angiotensin-converting enzyme and endothelin-converting enzyme 1: toward dual-action therapeutics

A series of metallopeptides based on the amino terminal copper/nickel (ATCUN) binding motif have been evaluated as classical inhibitors and catalytic inactivators of both rabbit and human angiotensin-converting enzyme (hACE), and human endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (hECE-1). The cobalt complex [KGHK–Co(NH3)2]2+, where KGHK is lysylglycylhistidyllysine, displayed similar KI and IC50 values to those found for [KGHK–Cu]+, in spite of the enhanced charge, and so either the influence of charge is offset by the steric influence of the axially coordinated ammine ligands, or binding is dominated by contributions from the amino acid side chains, especially the C-terminal lysine that mimics the binding pattern observed for lisinopril. Moreover, the inhibition observed for [KGHK–Co(NH3)2]2+ contrasts with the activation of hACE by Co2+(aq), reflecting the stimulation of enzyme activity following replacement of the catalytic zinc cofactor by cobalt ion at each of the two active sites. Quantitative analysis of the dose-dependent stimulation of activity by Co2+(aq) yielded apparent affinities of 1.3 ± 0.2 and 56 ± 8 μM for the two sites in the presence of saturating Zn2+ (10 μM). Catalytic inactivation of hACE by [KGHK–Cu] + at subsaturating concentrations had previously been characterized, with kobs = 2.9 ± 0.5 × 10−2 min−1. Under similar conditions, the same complex is found to catalytically inactivate hECE-1, with kobs = 2.12 ± 0.16 × 10−2 min−1, demonstrating the potential for dual-action activity against two key drug targets in cardiovascular disease. Irreversible inactivation of a drug target represents a novel mechanism of drug action that complements existing classical inhibitor strategies that underlie current drug discovery efforts.
An Epistemology of Practical Research

function in guiding practical activity. We have some powerful models of rationality concerning theoretical inquiry. Little attention, however, has been given to what it means to be rational in applied fields. Even the label "applied sciences" is misleading. It suggests that what problemoriented people do is to apply the theory of basic disciplines to problems. This view is not self-evident. I