cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lateral Rotordynamic Analysis of a Large Alternator/Flywheel/Motor Train

A large alternator/flywheel/motor train is employed as part of the power system for the ALCATOR C-MOD experiment at the MIT Plasma Fusion Center. The alternator is used to provide peak pulse power of 100 MW to the magnets employed in the fusion experiment. The flywheel diameter is 3.3m and the alternator is 1.8 m in diameter. After being driven up to full speed over a long period of time by a 1491 kW motor, the alternator is rapidly decelerated from approximately 1800 rpm to 1500 rpm during a 2 second interval. This sequence is repeated about six times per working day on average. A full lateral rotordynamic analysis of the including the rotors, fluid film bearings and unbalanced motor magnetic force was carried to assess the effects of rotor modifications in the alternator shaft bore. This paper provides a more detailed analysis of a complicated rotor train than is often performed for most rotors. Critical speeds, stability and unbalance response were evaluated to determine if lateral critical speeds might exist in the operating speed range in the existing or modified rotor train and if unbalance levels were within acceptable ranges. Critical speeds and rotor damping values determined for the rotor system with the existing and modified rotor. The first critical speed at 1069 rpm is an alternator mode below the operating speed range. The second critical speed is also an alternator mode but, at 1528 rpm, is in the rundown operating speed range. The third critical speed is a flywheel mode at 1538 rpm, also in the rundown operating speed range but well damped. The predicted highest rotor amplitude unbalance response level is at 1633 rpm, again in the operating speed range. Direct comparisons were made with measured bearing temperature values, with good agreement between calculations and measurements. Stress levels in the rotor were evaluated and found to be well below yield stress levels for the material for both original and modified rotors. Comparisons we carried out between standard vibration specifications and measured vibration levels which indicated that the third critical speed amplification factors were much higher than API standards indicate they should have been. Corrective actions to reduce unbalance were taken for the modified rotor.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Contextualist Swords, Skeptical Plowshares*

In this paper I consider two responses which are usefully thought of as variants of a single view called "contextualism", and argue that neither is successful. To a first approximation, and running roughshod over some important differences, both sorts of theorists hold that the truth conditions for knowledge claims vary with context, and that in contexts in which skeptical hypotheses are being taken seriously those conditions are so stringent that SA's premises, and hence its conclusion, will count as true. But this fact, they argue, carries no implications for the truth of knowledge claims made in ordinary contexts, where the conditions are much more relaxed; in such contexts, they hold, many knowledge claims are true. The central difference between the two responses lies in their accounts of what exactly it is whose variability accounts for the fact that a knowledge
Initial Stages of ZrB2–30 vol% SiC Oxidation at 1500°C

The initial oxidation behavior of ZrB2–30 vol% SiC was analyzed with the goal of understanding any relationship to the variable oxidation performance observed at longer times. A box furnace was used to oxidize samples for times as short as 10 s and up to 100 min at 1500°C in air. The samples were characterized using mass change, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to explore the oxidation behavior. The presence of borosilicate glass and ZrO2 was observed on the surface at times as early as 10 s. Bubble formation in the borosilicate glass was observed after 30 s of oxidation and is attributed to uneven distribution of the glass. The impact of surface roughness on oxidation was also explored and found to be negligible for times greater than 30 s.
Seasonal predictability of benthic macroinvertebrate metrics and community structure with maturity-weighted abundances in a Missouri Ozark stream, USA

Abstract Benthic macroinvertebrates in lotic habitats are influenced by a wide range of physical and chemical environmental factors that change over a temporal continuum. Within a year, different species can occupy the same space at different points in time. Thus, the community structure itself is in flux from season to season. This study analyzed the structure of a riffle macroinvertebrate community in a single stream from a series of monthly samples over a year cycle. The goals of this study were to: (1) identify community measures that were least variable over the continuum and predict them in test samples from the next year; (2) explore the usefulness of maturity data in analyzing community structure; (3) construct a temporal River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System like (RIVPACS-like) model that classifies seasons based on biota and predicts an expected community for any season. From a set of 120 metrics, nine metrics representing 5 measurement categories displaying low variability over the annual continuum were selected for multiple regression analysis. The Biotic Index was fairly predictable between years, regardless of season, whereas other measures were less so. Metrics with standard abundances compared to their maturity-weighted analogues revealed that measures based on finer taxonomic resolution or functional groups were more likely to differ. Three biologically determined seasons were identified from cluster analysis during the process of creating a multivariate predictive model. Temporal environmental variables were used to determine test date group membership and comparisons of expected to observed communities revealed that 1 of 3 test dates was predicted well by the model. Our results demonstrate that macroinvertebrate community structures can express high variability over a short period of time and this phenomenon deserves more understanding with regard to interpreting biological assessment results.
Therapeutic Safety Monitoring: What to Look for and When to Look for It

This review focuses on the safety problems associated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) as revealed by laboratory testing and clinical examination. There are two classes of side effects: (a) common and mild and (b) rare and severe. Allergic reactions to AEDs are common and usually mild. However, on rare occasions, they can progress to more severe cutaneous disorders, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Severe allergic reactions to AEDs range from immune responses with fever to multiorgan dysfunction. Allergic rashes may be genetically or immunologically determined. Laboratory abnormalities produced by AEDs are common and mild, and include hepatic enzyme elevation associated with phenytoin and mild elevation in ammonia associated with valproate. Serious, although rare, idiosyncratic side effects, such as aplastic anemia, hepatotoxicity, and thrombocytopenia, have also occurred with AEDs. These reactions are largely confined to the "classic" AEDs. With the exception of felbamate, AEDs approved in the past decade have not been plagued by severe idiosyncratic reactions. Subtle endocrine abnormalities, including variations in thyroid function tests and bone metabolism, and the often subclinical effects on peripheral nerve conduction produced by phenytoin and carbamazepine, are also examined.
Liver transplantation is not curative for methylmalonic acidopathy caused by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase deficiency

Methylmalonic acidopathy resulting from severe methylmalonyl-CoA mutase deficiency causes acute, potentially lethal ketoacidotic episodes, renal failure, and acute and chronic neurologic disease. As dietary and alkali therapy is suboptimal, liver transplantation during infancy has been touted as a potential cure. However, reports in liver transplant recipients about new onset neurologic disease, in the absence of ketoacidosis, and progressive renal insufficiency have cast doubt about its effectiveness. We report the long-term (9 years) outcome for the first patient with severe methylmalonic acidopathy transplanted in the USA and provide new biochemical data that indicate why transplanted patients are still susceptible to "metabolic strokes". In our 10-year-old male patient, there is clear evidence that the de novo synthesis of propionyl-CoA within the CNS leads to brain methylmalonate (MMA) accumulation that is largely unaffected by transplantation. Liver replacement is not a cure for methylmalonic acidopathy.
Hypertension and propranolol therapy: effect on blood pressure, plasma catecholamines and platelet aggregation.

Abstract The effects of propranolol on blood pressure, plasma catecholamine concentration and platelet aggregation were examined in 16 patients with uncomplicated primary hypertension. The patients were studied at rest, during isometric handgrip stress and 48 hours after sudden discontinuation of propranolol therapy. Plasma catecholamine concentration and platelet aggregation studies were also carried out in 11 age-matched normotensive and healthy subjects at rest. Plasma catecholamine concentration and platelet aggregation were greater in the hypertensive than in the normotensive subjects, but the difference reached statistical significance for aggregation only. Exercise significantly increased catecholamines and platelet aggregability. The administration of propranolol (240 mg/day) produced a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in aggregation (the percent of light transmission at 1 μM adenosine diphosphate, at rest) and a significant increase in catecholamine concentration. However, propranolol did not prevent the changes in all these variables with exercise. The abrupt discontinuation of propranolol was not associated with any subjective or objective untoward cardiovascular effect or abnormal changes in plasma catecholamines. However, in some patients the platelet aggregation studies demonstrated a hyperaggregable state, which may be due to a state of supersensitivity of platelets to circulating catecholamines.
Event Controllability Moderates the Relation Between Perceived Control and Adjustment to Stressors

This study assessed whether the relations between perceived past, present, and future control and adjustment to stressors was moderated by the objective controllability of the stressor among 637 undergraduate students. Both past and future control were associated with more distress and less self-reported growth when events were less objectively controllable, and were generally unrelated to adjustment when events were more objectively controllable. Event controllability did not moderate the relations between present control and distress; present control was the only type of control consistently associated with better adjustment. Control perceptions may be more adaptive if they better match objective stressor controllability.
Supersensitive Ras activation in dendrites and spines revealed by two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging

To understand the biochemical signals regulated by neural activity, it is necessary to measure protein-protein interactions and enzymatic activity in neuronal microcompartments such as axons, dendrites and their spines. We combined two-photon excitation laser scanning with fluorescence lifetime imaging to measure fluorescence resonance energy transfer at high resolutions in brain slices. We also developed sensitive fluorescent protein-based sensors for the activation of the small GTPase protein Ras with slow (FRas) and fast (FRas-F) kinetics. Using FRas-F, we found in CA1 hippocampal neurons that trains of back-propagating action potentials rapidly and reversibly activated Ras in dendrites and spines. The relationship between firing rate and Ras activation was highly nonlinear (Hill coefficient approximately 5). This steep dependence was caused by a highly cooperative interaction between calcium ions (Ca(2+)) and Ras activators. The Ras pathway therefore functions as a supersensitive threshold detector for neural activity and Ca(2+) concentration.
Azide-modified graphitic surfaces for covalent attachment of alkyne-terminated molecules by "click" chemistry.

Azide-modified graphitic surfaces were prepared by reaction with iodine azide. The surface-attached azides undergo the “click” reaction with alkyne-terminated molecules ethynylferrocene and 1-ethynyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene. Voltammetric and XPS analyses show the surface coverage of both the azide and the subsequent triazole of 2 × 1013 molecules/cm2. The 1,2,3-triazole linker is stable in an aqueous 1 M HCl solution for at least 60 min at 55 °C.
Plagiarism erodes scientific integrity.

In his Editorial “Research fraud and public policy” (18 April, p. 393), Donald Kennedy makes an impassioned plea for reliable scientific data particularly as it relates to public policy. Other recent high-profile falsification cases ([1][1]–[3][2]) attest to the prevalence of misconduct.
Vocation, Christendom, and Public Life: A Reformed Assessment of Yoder's Anabaptist Critique of Christendom

In this article I reflect upon the implications of Christendom for Christian vocation. It begins by describing the condition of Christendom in the United States. Then it traces John Howard Yoder's critique of Christendom. Finally, it assesses Yoder's critique with a view to a revised understanding of the public vocation of the Christian in a post-Christendom USA. Part of that assessment involves distinguishing three forms of Christendom: state-enforced Christendom, voluntary cultural Christendom, and Christian culture within the church as minority community of obedient witness. I propose that Reformed vocation should join embrace Yoder's rejection of state-enforced Christendom and affirm his call to develop Christian culture as a minority community. But unlike Yoder Reformed vocation requires Christians, where possible, to work toward voluntary Christendom in the broader society.
Lipid biosynthesis in adult Acyrthosiphon pisum: effect of age and symbiont population.

The incorporation of [1-14C]acetate into total lipids in 1-day-old adult pea aphids is 3.3-fold higher than in 20-, 22-, and 24-day old adults. The polar lipid fraction was the main lipid class synthesized at any age and contained primarily eighteen carbon fatty acids. While the relative mass of 18:0, 18:1 and 18:2 decreased in older aphids, the relative amount of label incorporated into these fatty acids remained constant. Myristic acid was the main fatty acid of the triacylglycerol fraction, and the relative amount of radioactivity incorporated into this fatty acid decreased in older aphids. Twenty-day-old aphids had 60% fewer mycetocytes than did 1-day-old insects. We conclude that symbionts within the mycetocytes do not appear to be involved in the synthesis of linoleic acid, while their role in the synthesis of myristic acid is less clear.
AIS/GMSK receiver on FPGA platform for satellite application

The automatic identification system (AIS) signal is of particular interest to the defense and security community because of its capability to identify and classify ships in U.S. waters. Placing an AIS receiver on a satellite provides a low cost solution to enhance security over a wide region. This paper describes the development of an AIS burst-acquisition receiver on a software radio consisting of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and general purpose processor (GPP). A simple hybrid 1-bit/2-bit differential receiver can be easily implemented on such a software radio platform, and is sufficient to reliably demodulate collision free bursts in a space-borne signal environment.
VIOLENCE AMONG ADOLESCENTS LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING: A TWO‐SITE ANALYSIS*

Research Summary: Current knowledge about violence among public housing residents is extremely limited. Much of what we know about violence in and around public housing is derived from analysis of Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data or victimization surveys of public housing residents. The results of these studies suggest that fear of crime among public housing residents is high and that violent offense rates may be higher in areas that contain public housing compared with similar areas without public housing. Yet, “[r]ecorded crime rates (and victimization rates) are an index not of the rate of participation in crime by residents of an area, but of the rate of crime (or victimization) that occurs in an area whether committed by residents or non-residents” (Weatherburn et al., 1999:259). Therefore, neither UCR nor victimization data measurement strategies address whether crime in and around public housing emanates from those who reside in public housing. Additionally, much of this research focuses on atypical public housing—large developments with high-rise buildings located in major metropolitan areas. To complement the existing literature, we compare rates of self-reported crime and violence among adolescents who reside in public housing in Rochester, N.Y., and Pittsburgh, Pa., with adolescents from the same cities who do not live in public housing. In Rochester, property crime and violence participation rates during adolescence and early adulthood among those in public housing are statistically equivalent to participation rates among those not in public housing. In Pittsburgh, living in public housing during late adolescence and early adulthood— particularly in large housing developments—increases the risk for violent offending, but not for property offending. The current study relies on a relatively small number of subjects in public housing at any single point in time and is based on cross-sectional analyses. Even so, there are several important policy implications that can be derived from this study, given that it moves down a path heretofore largely unexplored. Policy Implications: If replicated, our findings indicate that not all public housing is inhabited disproportionately by those involved in crime; that to develop appropriate responses, it is essential to discover if the perpetrators of violence are residents or trespassers; that policy should target reducing violence specifically and not crime in general; that a modification to housing allocation policies that limits, to the extent possible, placing families with children in late adolescence into large developments might reduce violence perpetrated by residents; that limited resources directed at reducing violence among residents should be targeted at those developments or buildings that actually have high rates of participation in violence among the residents; and that best practices may be derived from developments where violence is not a problem.
Early adopters an internet 2 middleware project

Early Adopters, the campus testbed phase of Early Harvest, is a group of eleven institutions of higher education working to provide a testbed for the deployment of middleware technologies. This will result in early implementation for campus networks, and in a roadmap for other universities and colleges to follow. Early Adopters is sponsored by Internet2 with funding from the National Science Foundation.
Quantum antidot as an electrometer: Observation of fractional charge

Abstract In experiments on resonant tunneling through a quantum antidot in the quantum Hall (QH) regime, we observe periodic conductance peaks both versus magnetic field and a global gate voltage, i.e., electric field. Each conductance peak can be attributed to tunneling through a quantized antidot-bound state. The fact that the variation of the uniform electric field produces conductance peaks implies that the deficiency of the electrical charge on the antidot is quantized in units of charge of quasiparticles of surrounding QH condensate. The period in magnetic field gives the effective area of the antidot state through which tunneling occurs, the period in electric field (obtained from the global gate voltage) then constitutes a direct measurement of the charge of the tunneling particles. We obtain electron charge 1.57×10 −19 C=(0.98±0.03) e in the integer QH regime, and quasiparticle charge 5.20×10 −20 C=(0.325±0.01) e for the ν= 1 3 QH state.
Proliferative and antiproliferative effects of interferon-'Y and tumor necrosis factor-α. on cell lines derived from cervical and ovarian malignancies

Four human cell lines derived from cervical carcinomas (ME-180, SiHa, HT-3, and MS751) and three human cell lines derived from ovarian carcinomas (SK-OV-3, Caov-3, and NIH:OVCAR-3) were analyzed in vitro to determine the effect of recombinant interferon-gamma and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha on cell growth and survival. The effects of interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and both interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on cell growth were measured after 24 and 72 hours of incubation by the incorporation of chromium 51. The results of this analysis showed that all seven cell lines were resistant to the antiproliferative action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, that the growth of most cell lines was inhibited by interferon-gamma by 72 hours of incubation, and that after 72 hours of incubation all cell lines demonstrated a synergistic antiproliferative response to the combination of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. However, the effects of these cytokines on cell growth were found to differ among cell lines and varied with the concentration and the duration of incubation. The growth of one cell line (Caov-3) was stimulated by both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma. These results suggest that the clinical effects of these cytokines on the growth of gynecologic cancers may be more complex than previously supposed.
Forces on stationary particles in near-bed turbulent flows

[1] In natural flows, bed sediment particles are entrained and moved by the fluctuating forces, such as lift and drag, exerted by the overlying flow on the particles. To develop a better understanding of these forces and the relation of the forces to the local flow, the downstream and vertical components of force on near-bed fixed particles and of fluid velocity above or in front of them were measured synchronously at turbulence-resolving frequencies (200 or 500 Hz) in a laboratory flume. Measurements were made for a spherical test particle fixed at various heights above a smooth bed, above a smooth bed downstream of a downstream-facing step, and in a gravel bed of similarly sized particles as well as for a cubical test particle and 7 natural particles above a smooth bed. Horizontal force was well correlated with downstream velocity and not correlated with vertical velocity or vertical momentum flux. The standard drag formula worked well to predict the horizontal force, but the required value of the drag coefficient was significantly higher than generally used to model bed load motion. For the spheres, cubes, and natural particles, average drag coefficients were found to be 0.76, 1.36, and 0.91, respectively. For comparison, the drag coefficient for a sphere settling in still water at similar particle Reynolds numbers is only about 0.4. The variability of the horizontal force relative to its mean was strongly increased by the presence of the step and the gravel bed. Peak deviations were about 30% of the mean force for the sphere over the smooth bed, about twice the mean with the step, and 4 times it for the sphere protruding roughly half its diameter above the gravel bed. Vertical force correlated poorly with downstream velocity, vertical velocity, and vertical momentum flux whether measured over or ahead of the test particle. Typical formulas for shear-induced lift based on Bernoulli's principle poorly predict the vertical forces on near-bed particles. The measurements suggest that particle-scale pressure variations associated with turbulence are significant in the particle momentum balance.
Vertebral deformity in men.

Vertebral fracture is the most prevalent manifestation of osteoporosis in women, but there is very little information concerning vertebral fracture in men. These studies begin to determine the prevalence, radiographic character, and relationship to bone mineral density of vertebral deformity in men. A group of 144 white men aged 34–94 years (83% between 50 and 80 years) were studied. Thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs were obtained using standardized techniques, and morphometric measures of vertebrae (T6–L5) were obtained using a computerized digitization pad. Vertebral deformities (wedge, midbody, and crush) were identified using several criteria. In addition, a skeletal radiologist independently identified vertebral deformities, as well as vertebrae affected by epiphysitis (Scheuermann's disease), using classic radiographic criteria. Bone mineral density was measured at lumbar spine and proximal femoral sites using dual-photon absorptiometry. The prevalence of vertebral deformity was related to the criteria used for their identification. Utilizing vertebral-specific criteria (anterior/posterior or midbody/posterior vertebral height more than 3 SD below vertebral specific mean), 10% of subjects had vertebral deformity. Wedge deformity occurred primarily in thoracic vertebrae and were more common than midbody deformity, which occurred more commonly in lumbar vertebrae. Crush deformities were not observed. Evidence of vertebral epiphysitis was present in 9% of subjects but was not responsible for vertebral deformity sufficient to be falsely identified using the more than −3 SD criterion. Bone mineral density in subjects with vertebral deformity was clearly reduced at both vertebral (p = 0.003) and proximal femoral (p = 0.002) measurements sites. The number of vertebral deformities was negatively correlated with vertebral bone mineral density. In summary, vertebral deformity in men is associated with generalized osteopenia.
Diffusion of fine particles in the neighborhood of obstacles

Abstract The major mode of transport of fine particles is the so-called Brownian motion, which manifests itself as “diffusion” in the macroscopic sense. When such diffusion occurs in the neighborhood of other objects, the increase in the drag on the diffusing particle affects the transport significantly. We present here a fundamental analysis of this phenomenon starting from the dynamics of the motion of the Brownian particle. The resulting stochastic equation of motion is transformed into a deterministic partial differential equation for the concentration of the suspended particles. This analysis offers for the first time a generalization of Fick's laws of diffusion for the colloidal particle and in that process provides an interesting application of a modern area of mathematical research.
Effect of ground cover on splash dispersal of Phytophthora cactorum from strawberry fruits

A rain simulator was used to investigate the influence of various ground covers (soil, straw, sand, and plastic) on splash dispersal of Phytophthora cactorum, the cause of leather rot of strawberry. Potted strawberry plants were held in a concentric circle by a wood frame, 30 cm from an inoculum source of 10 infected fruits with sporulating lesions. The canopy was exposed to 15 and 30 min of generated rain at intensities of 15 and 30 mm/h. Plastic mulch had the highest resulting fruit disease, incidence (e.g., ca. 80% of fruit infected at 30 min duration and 15 mm/h rain), followed by soil and sand (36–47%), then straw (ca. 15%). Except for straw, there was lower incidence at 30 than at 15 mm/h. There was a general increase in disease incidence over time. ZusammenfassungEinflus einer Bodenabdeckung auf die Tropfenverbrehung von Phytophthora cactorum bei Erdbeerfruchten Mit Hilfe eiries Regensimulators wurde der Einflus verschiedener Bodenabdeckungen (Erde, Stroh, Sand und Kunststoff) auf die Tropfenverbreitung von Phytophthora cactorum, dem Erreger der Phytophthora-Fmchti'inle bei der Erdbeere, untersucht. Topfpflanzen von Erdbeeren wurden durch ein Holzgeriist in 30 cm Entfernung um eine Inokulumquelle, die aus 10 mfizierteti Fruchten mit sporuiierenden Lasionen bestand, festgchaiten. Anschliesend wurden die Pflanzen 15 oder 30 min kunstlich beregnet, bei einer Regenintensitiit von 15 bzw. 30 mm/h. Die hochste Befallshaufigkeit (z. B. ca. 80% der Fruchte waren nach 30minutiger Beregnung bei einer Intcnsitat von 15 mm/h befallen) wurde mit Kunststoffabdeckung erzielt, gefolgt von der Erd- und Sandabdeckung (36—47%) und schlieslich der Strohabdeckung (ca. 15%). Mit Ausnahme von Stroh wurde eine niedrigere Befallhaufigkeit mit 30 mm Regen/h als mit nur 15 erzielt. Mit runebmender Zeit wurde eine generelle Erhohung der Befallhaufigkeit beobachtet.
A SEARCH FOR CHANDRA-DETECTED X-RAY COUNTERPARTS TO OPTICALLY IDENTIFIED AND CANDIDATE RADIO SUPERNOVA REMNANTS IN FIVE NEARBY FACE-ON SPIRAL GALAXIES

We present a search for X-ray counterparts to optically identified and candidate radio supernova remnants (SNRs) in five nearby galaxies, M81, M101, NGC 2403, NGC 4736 (M94), and NGC 6946, using observations made with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. A total of 138 optically identified SNRs and 50 candidate radio SNRs in these galaxies were sampled by these observations. Nine optically identified SNRs and 12 candidate radio SNRs are positionally coincident with Chandra-detected X-ray sources that were not already known to be time-variable or associated with X-ray binaries. We used survival statistics to determine if the properties of the optically identified SNRs with and without Chandra-detected counterparts (referred to as group A and group NotA, respectively), as well as the candidate radio SNRs with and without Chandra-detected counterparts (referred to as group B and group NotB, respectively) differ in a statistically significant manner. We find that for the SNRs in groups A and NotA, only the mean value of the diameter d differs significantly between the two groups (26 ? 4 pc compared to 62 ? 6 pc). In addition, for the SNRs in groups B and NotB, we find that only the spectral index ? differs significantly between the two groups (0.6 ? 0.1 compared to 0.9 ? 0.1). We find no correlation between unabsorbed X-ray and optical luminosities for the group A SNRs and no correlation between unabsorbed X-ray and radio luminosities for the group B SNRs: this result indicates that the interstellar medium surrounding these SNRs is inhomogeneous rather than uniform. We claim that the higher incidence of Chandra-detected counterparts for candidate radio SNRs compared to the optically identified SNRs (as noticed in previous works) illustrates the role played by ambient density in affecting searches for SNRs in nearby galaxies at multiple wavelengths. We argue that deep systematic X-ray, optical, and radio observations of other galaxies are necessary to examine the multiwavelength properties of SNRs, to explore wavelength-dependent selection effects in more detail, and to search for time variability in the emission from X-ray counterparts to optically identified SNRs and candidate radio SNRs.
Shared decision-making – transferring research into practice: the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Abstract Objective To illustrate how the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) can be used to promote shared decision-making and enhance clinician–patient communication. Methods Tutorial review. Results The AHP promotes shared decision-making by creating a framework that is used to define the decision, summarize the information available, prioritize information needs, elicit preferences and values, and foster meaningful communication among decision stakeholders. Conclusions The AHP and related multi-criteria methods have the potential for improving the quality of clinical decisions and overcoming current barriers to implementing shared decision-making in busy clinical settings. Further research is needed to determine the best way to implement these tools and to determine their effectiveness. Practice implications Many clinical decisions involve preference-based trade-offs between competing risks and benefits. The AHP is a well-developed method that provides a practical approach for improving patient–provider communication, clinical decision-making, and the quality of patient care in these situations.
Lewis Acid – Complexed Tetramethylene Biradicals Can Initiate the Thermal Copolymerization of Indene with Acrylonitrile

To clarify the mechanism of the spontaneous copolymerization of styrene with acrylonitrile, the corresponding reaction of its analog, indene, was investigated. The spontaneous free radical copolymerization of indene with acrylonitrile was promoted by Lewis acids. Spontaneous copolymerization rates comparable to those of styrene with acrylonitrile were found. For indene, the Mayo [π4+π2] initiation mechanism, initially postulated for the spontaneous polymerization of styrene, cannot occur. Therefore the Flory mechanism, postulating a tetramethylene biradical initiating species, is proposed.
Analysis Of Variance: A Statistical Approach To Pattern Recognition And Motion Detection

The potential of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) as a pattern recognition tool is evaluated and two specific examples are presented. First, we present the 2-way ANOVA as employed in NASA's Project Oasis - the design of a signal detector for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). In the Oasis design, ANOVA is capable of detecting non-random signals in an 8 million x 1000 matrix band of noisy signal data in quasi real-time. The presence of a signal with low signal-to-noise ratio is detected by the ANOVA by a rejection of the null hypothesis for certain row and/or column effects of compacted submatrices. In a somewhat analogous fashion, a 3-way ANOVA is used to detect camouflaged moving targets. Targets not differentiable from their background by the eye can be detected by the ANOVA.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
General Formulation of Characteristic Travel Distance for Semivolatile Organic Chemicals in a Multimedia Environment

A relatively simple but informative methodology is introduced to determine the characteristic travel distance (CTD) for airborne semivolatile organic pollutants. The CTD is derived from a moving Lagrangian cell (representing the air) and a nonmoving compartment (representing soil or vegetation). The methodology is expanded to a fugacity based steady-state multimedia environmental framework including air, vegetation, and soil. Chemical transformations in air as well as partitioning to, and transformation in, vegetation and soil are considered. Concentrations are determined by interactions among the compartments and transformation rates. This method is most appropriate for continuous, large nonpoint emissions (such as emissions from an urban airshed). A case study for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) reveals that the CTD is on the same order of magnitude as the typical distance between urban centers. Vegetation is important for defining the regional transport processes for TCDD.
Inappropriate genetic testing of children

In 1994, a working party of the UK Clinical Genetics Society produced a report on the genetic testing of children following a survey of practice and attitudes, largely among professionals in the UK,1 and the findings were summarised in an annotation in this journal.2 In response to this report, the British Paediatric Association issued a statement to members in March 1996 which referred specifically to testing children for adult onset disease. This statement recommended that it was appropriate to perform predictive testing if the onset of the condition regularly occurs in childhood or if there was a useful medical intervention that can be offered (for example, testing a 9 year old for familial adenomatous polyposis). It declared that it was inappropriate to test for untreatable adult onset diseases (for example, Huntington's disease) when formal genetic testing should wait until the “children” were old enough to request testing for themselves. A subsequent survey of professionals in 37 countries by Wertz3 revealed that the majority of geneticists in northern/western Europe, the USA, and other English speaking countries would refuse testing for adult onset diseases but in Asia, Latin America, and southern/eastern Europe, the majority of geneticists would accede to parental requests. A new survey of current attitudes and practice in the UK has been commissioned by the Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing and the Department of Health, and some early results have been presented.4 A questionnaire was sent to 2040 consultants in paediatrics, genetics, and paediatric surgery and 144 genetic nurses and counsellors. A total of 692 completed responses were received. The response rate by specialty was 32% for paediatricians, 66% for geneticists, 28% for surgeons, and 18% for nurses/counsellors. Respondents were asked about tests performed on children under 14 years of age in 1997–98. These tests included …
Regressive one-to-one relationships.

A common clinical picture of regressive attachment in twosomes is described. Relationships involving such attachments are characterized by regressive needs, inhibition of other object relationships, and ambivalence—all of which produce frustrations within the relationship itself. Such lack of gratifications tends to produce an intense need for separation, which is intermingled with separation anxiety. Various types of one-to-one relationships are described, and four case histories are presented. The differentiation between neurotic and non-neurotic one-to-ones is discussed.
Emerging Market Bonds as an Asset Class: Mean-Variance Spanning

Emerging market bonds improve the efficient frontier of a mixed-asset portfolio. The improvement is based on the application of mean-variance spanning tests on returns that are free from survivorship bias. The results indicate that emerging market bonds span a portfolio comprised of U.S. stocks, U.S. bonds, international equity, and international bonds from developed markets. Mean-variance optimizations suggest that a typical fund sponsor might consider overweighting its allocation towards emerging market bonds.
Mutation of retS, encoding a putative hybrid two-component regulatory protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, attenuates multiple virulence mechanisms.

Abstract Two-component regulatory systems play an important role in bacterial virulence. We report that mutation of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa gene designated retS (previously designated fimK; accession number PA4856) encoding a putative hybrid two-component regulator, attenuates multiple virulence mechanisms. The retS mutant was selected from a Tn5 transposon library of the cytotoxic P. aeruginosa strain PA103 based upon expression of a small-colony phenotype suggestive of reduced surface-associated “twitching” motility, a property dependent upon type IV pili. Subsequent analysis revealed that the mutant expressed pilin, albeit at lower levels than wild-type PA103. In a murine model of corneal infection, retS mutation was associated with delayed disease development and altered pathology. In vitro, retS mutants demonstrated loss of acute cytotoxic activity towards corneal epithelia as determined by trypan blue exclusion and by LDH release assays (P
IMPROVED PLANNING TIME AND PLAN QUALITY THROUGH MULTICRITERIA OPTIMIZATION FOR INTENSITY-MODULATED RADIOTHERAPY

Purpose To test whether multicriteria optimization (MCO) can reduce treatment planning time and improve plan quality in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods and Materials Ten IMRT patients (5 with glioblastoma and 5 with locally advanced pancreatic cancers) were logged during the standard treatment planning procedure currently in use at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Planning durations and other relevant planning information were recorded. In parallel, the patients were planned using an MCO planning system, and similar planning time data were collected. The patients were treated with the standard plan, but each MCO plan was also approved by the physicians. Plans were then blindly reviewed 3 weeks after planning by the treating physician. Results In all cases, the treatment planning time was vastly shorter for the MCO planning (average MCO treatment planning time was 12 min; average standard planning time was 135 min). The physician involvement time in the planning process increased from an average of 4.8 min for the standard process to 8.6 min for the MCO process. In all cases, the MCO plan was blindly identified as the superior plan. Conclusions This provides the first concrete evidence that MCO-based planning is superior in terms of both planning efficiency and dose distribution quality compared with the current trial and error–based IMRT planning approach.
Chronic N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension : novel molecular adaptation to systolic load in absence of hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), which inhibits nitric oxide synthesis, causes hypertension and would therefore be expected to induce robust cardiac hypertrophy. However, L-NAME has negative metabolic effects on protein synthesis that suppress the increase in left ventricular (LV) mass in response to sustained pressure overload. In the present study, we used L-NAME-induced hypertension to test the hypothesis that adaptation to pressure overload occurs even when hypertrophy is suppressed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male rats received L-NAME (50 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)) or no drug for 6 weeks. Rats with L-NAME-induced hypertension had levels of systolic wall stress similar to those of rats with aortic stenosis (85+/-19 versus 92+/-16 kdyne/cm). Rats with aortic stenosis developed a nearly 2-fold increase in LV mass compared with controls. In contrast, in the L-NAME rats, no increase in LV mass (1. 00+/-0.03 versus 1.04+/-0.04 g) or hypertrophy of isolated myocytes occurred (3586+/-129 versus 3756+/-135 microm(2)) compared with controls. Nevertheless, chronic pressure overload was not accompanied by the development of heart failure. LV systolic performance was maintained by mechanisms of concentric remodeling (decrease of in vivo LV chamber dimension relative to wall thickness) and augmented myocardial calcium-dependent contractile reserve associated with preserved expression of alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chain isoforms and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA-2). CONCLUSIONS: When the expected compensatory hypertrophic response is suppressed during L-NAME-induced hypertension, severe chronic pressure overload is associated with a successful adaptation to maintain systolic performance; this adaptation depends on both LV remodeling and enhanced contractility in response to calcium.
Effects of complement activation products on the synthesis of decay accelerating factor and membrane cofactor protein by human mesangial cells

Effects of complement activation products on the synthesis of decay accelerating factor and membrane cofactor protein by human mesangial cells. We previously demonstrated that activation of terminal complement components (C8 and/or C9) increases the synthesis and expression of decay accelerating factor (DAF) on human glomerular cells. DAF is a cell membrane-associated complement regulatory protein that inhibits complement activation on cell surfaces. In the present studies we evaluated, first, the mechanisms by which complement activation stimulates DAF synthesis, and second, the effect of complement activation on the synthesis, and expression of membrane cofactor protein (MCP), another complement regulatory protein, by human mesangial cells (HMC) in culture. Complement activation by immune complexes resulted in increased DAF mRNA levels by at least two mechanisms: deposition of activated C3 on HMC and generation of soluble complement activation products, specifically C5a. The increase in DAF mRNA levels induced by activated C3 or C5a was short lived (less than 4 hr). In contrast, the up-regulation of DAF mRNA levels induced by activation of the complete complement cascade persisted for at least eight hours. The effect of complement activation on DAF mRNA levels was not affected by cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor. However, cycloheximide alone resulted in a significant upregulation of DAF mRNA levels on HMC. In contrast to those findings, complement activation did not cause an up-regulation of MCP mRNA, nor an increase in the synthesis of this protein. However, by FACS, complement produced a small but significant increase of MCP protein levels on HMC. In conclusion, both MCP and DAF are present on HMC. Several activated complement components are capable of increasing DAF mRNA levels, but DAF protein levels increase only after activation of the whole complement cascade. Complement activation has no effects on the synthesis of MCP.
Endoscopic ultrasonography and gallstone disease

by EUS before surgery; histologic confirmation of the EUS findings was obtained in all cases. Of these 50 lesions, 10 were studied with miniprobes, and the findings were described according to the TNM classification. The diagnostic accuracy for T stage was 70% with the probe and 92% by EUS. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes (N) were 40% and 100%, respectively, with the probe and 53% and 90%, respectively, by EUS. The staging of pancreatic cancer by means of miniprobes was therefore less accurate than by EUS.
Interaction between atomic hydrogen and YBa2Cu3O7

Atomic hydrogen obtained from dissociative chemisorption of molecular H 2 on Pt particles deposited on the surface of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 reacts with the oxide in producing O vacancies and intercalating H at 82 °C under a H 2 pressure of about 400 Torr. An induction period which extends over 1 h is observed as long as the concentration in O vacancies is below 0.1. Above this approximate limit the reaction proceeds quickly until about 1 mol H 2 has been consumed. It then slows down progressively, but it is not completed even after 27 h of reaction and ∼1.4 H 2 consumed, under these experimental conditions. The enthalpy for the creation of the O vacancy is 143 kcal/g mol O, while the H intercalation enthalpy is −57.5 kcal/g mol H. It appears that the reaction of molecular H 2 over YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 not coated with Pt proceeds similarly, but the rate is nearly one order of magnitude slower, under identical conditions. The stoichiometry of the reaction agrees with the earlier suggestion that O 1 is a labile oxygen which can be replaced by intercalated H. This site and the interstitial vacant sites in the copper chains square plane would be the first ones to be occupied by intercalated H.