cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Study of the Social Responsiveness Scale in Phelan–McDermid Syndrome

The Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) is a quantitative measure used to characterize symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, research suggests that SRS-2 scores are significantly influenced by language ability and intellectual disability (ID). Efforts to refine the SRS-2 by Sturm, Kuhfeld, Kasari, and Mccracken [Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(9), 1053-1061] yielded a shortened form, yet its psychometric properties in populations with severe ID remain unknown. This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the SRS-2 in Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), a genetic condition associated with ASD and ID, thereby guiding score interpretation in this population and future development of targeted scales. Analyses, including Item Response Theory (IRT), were conducted on a sample of individuals with PMS (n = 91) recruited at six sites nationally. Psychometric properties evaluated include measures of reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability) and validity (structural, construct, content). While both SRS-2 forms are reliable, the shortened SRS-2 shows superior validity to the full SRS-2 for measuring ASD symptoms in PMS. On IRT analysis, the shortened SRS-2 shows excellent discrimination and precisely evaluates respondents across a wide range of ASD symptomatology but interpretation is limited by uncertain content validity and small sample size. The shortened SRS-2 shows some promise for use in PMS, but future refinements and additions are needed to develop items that are tailored to identify ASD in children with severe ID and specifically PMS. LAY SUMMARY: This study determined that a shortened form of the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2) shows both promise and limitations for the characterization of autism symptomatology in individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), a population characterized by intellectual disability (ID). Caution should be used when interpreting SRS-2 scores in individuals with ID and future research should modify existing items and develop new items to improve the SRS-2's ability to accurately characterize autism symptomatology in PMS. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1383-1396. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aerobic oxidation of arsenite to arsenate by Cu(II)–chitosan/O2 in Fenton-like reaction, a XANES investigation

Oxidation of inorganic molecules (e.g., arsenite (As(III)) to arsenate (As(V))) by Cu(II)–chitosan in the presence of dissolved oxygen is examined to elucidate the ability and mechanism of Cu(II)–chitosan and Cu(II)–n-TiO2–chitosan participation in Fenton-like reactions. To form the Cu(II)–chitosan complex, Cu(II) binds with the amine groups of the chitosan backbone resulting in a Cu(II)-complex with cationic behavior. Arsenic is then adsorbed to the copper binding site through a combination of Lewis acid–base coordinate bonding and electrostatics. As K-edge XANES indicate that arsenite is fully oxidized to arsenate when adsorbed to a Cu(II)–chitosan complex in the dark without introduction of a photo- or chemical-oxidant. The oxidation of arsenite by this complex is strongly controlled by the presence of dissolved oxygen as suggested by linear combination fitting where the % As(V) bound decreases from 100% ± 0.0% to 60.2 ± 0.1% upon removal of dissolved oxygen via the freeze pump thaw method. Cu K-edge XANES indicate that Cu(II) acts as a catalyst rather than a reactant, as it remains present as Cu(II) after As oxidation in each system condition examined. For Cu(II)–n-TiO2–chitosan, the amount of As(III) oxidized to As(V) is strongly controlled by the loading of Cu(II), with a higher loading of Cu(II) leading to more As(III) oxidized and bound on the surface of the adsorbent as As(V). As(III) removal by both Cu(II)–chitosan and Cu(II)–nTiO2–chitosan is significantly improved due to the Fenton-like oxidation of As(III) to As(V). For Cu(II)–n-TiO2–chitosan, higher loadings of Cu(II) relative to n-TiO2 lead to greater improvement of As(III) removal performance under oxic vs. anoxic conditions.
Thrombolysis and use of argatroban for the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism following anticoagulation failure in a patient with COVID-19.

Purpose Successful use of alteplase and argatroban to treat a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated massive pulmonary embolism with cardiac arrest is reported. Summary This case report describes a 42-year-old male with COVID-19 who developed a massive pulmonary embolism resulting in cardiac arrest after suspected failure of low-molecular-weight heparin therapy for a deep venous thrombosis. Administration of two 50-mg doses of intravenous alteplase resulted in return of spontaneous circulation, and low-dose argatroban was used as follow-up anticoagulation therapy without complications. This is the first case report of use of argatroban in a patient with COVID-19 with cardiac arrest-associated massive pulmonary embolism after failure of previous anticoagulation efforts. Conclusion Argatroban may be used as an alternate anticoagulation strategy in COVID-19 patients who fail low-molecular weight therapy. A risk versus benefit discussion should be had regarding appropriateness of therapy as well as dosing. More data is needed to understand the unique hypercoagulable condition in COVID-19 patients as well as research that further highlights the role of argatroban and bivalirudin therapy in this patient population.
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Prognosis Based on Frequency-Domain Kalman Filter

The degradation seriously affects the durability and cost of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). This article presents a novel model-driven method based on the frequency-domain Kalman filter (FDKF) and voltage degradation model to predict the degradation of PEMFC in the frequency domain. The advantage of the proposed FDKF method is that it can process the data in groups; thus, the computation time can be greatly reduced with high accuracy. Two degradation experiments under constant and quasi-dynamic currents have been used to demonstrate its prognosis performances under different conditions and different training times. Compared with the traditional time-domain extended Kalman filter method and literature, it has been demonstrated that the proposed one has higher accuracy and requires much less calculation time.
Integrating the Financing and Delivery of Medical and Supportive Services for People Living With Dementia.

Abstract The number of people living with dementia (PLWD) is expected to grow considerably in the coming years. PLWD often have substantial medical and supportive service needs and face fragmentation of services across payers and across health and social service systems; recently, efforts have been made to achieve greater integration of care and financing. This article considers issues related to integrating long-term services and supports (LTSS), medical care, and financing for PLWD; reviews the policy context and key clinical and delivery system challenges to these efforts; and describes key lessons regarding integration learned from examples in the field. Recommendations are provided and include the following: (1) assess carefully whether integration of medical and LTSS is required to achieve the intended outcomes of an intervention or program targeted at PLWD; if integration is needed, select carefully the types of medical and LTSS to integrate and the mode of integration; (2) use measures that evaluate quality across LTSS settings in which PLWD receive care; (3) assess whether and how eligibility and payment policies pose barriers to PLWD from receiving services they need, and evaluate ways in which policies might be reformed to meet beneficiaries’ needs; and (4) conduct research examining the potential of value-based payment efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of care received by PLWD, including their potential impact on out-of-pocket expenses and caregiving burden for PLWD and their families.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) elevations in a clinical sample of children and adolescents who do not have autism: Phenotypic profiles of false positives.

OBJECTIVE While the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) shows high sensitivity for detecting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when present (i.e. true positives), scores on the ADOS-2 may be falsely elevated for individuals with cognitive impairments or psychological concerns other than ASD (i.e. false positives). This study examined whether demographic, psychological, cognitive, and/or adaptive factors predict ADOS-2 false positives and which psychiatric diagnoses most often result in false positives. METHOD Sensitivity, specificity, false positive, and false negative rates were calculated among 214 5- to 16-year-old patients who completed an ADOS-2 (module 3) as part of an ASD diagnostic evaluation. Additional analyses were conducted with the 101 patients who received clinically elevated ADOS-2 scores (i.e. 56 true positives and 45 false positives). RESULTS Results revealed a 34% false positive rate and a 1% false negative rate. False positives were slightly more likely to be male, have lower restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) severity scores on the ADOS-2, and demonstrate elevated anxiety during the ADOS-2. Neither IQ, adaptive functioning, nor caregiver-reported emotional functioning was predictive of false positive status. Trauma-related psychiatric diagnoses were more common among false positives. CONCLUSIONS The ADOS-2 should not be used in isolation to assess for ASD, and, in psychiatrically-complex cases, RRB symptom severity may be particularly helpful in differentiating ASD from other psychiatric conditions. Additionally, heightened levels of anxiety, more so than overactivity or disruptive behavior, may lead to non-ASD specific elevations in ADOS-2 scores.
Patient-derived organoids as a platform for modeling a patient's response to chemoradiotherapy in esophageal cancer.

3D patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have been utilized to evaluate potential therapies for patients with different cancers. However, the use of PDOs created from treatment-naive patient biopsies for prediction of clinical outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer has not yet been reported. Herein we describe a pilot prospective observational study with the goal of determining whether esophageal cancer PDOs created from treatment naive patients can model or predict clinical outcomes. Endoscopic biopsies of treatment-naive patients at a single tertiary care center were used to generate esophageal cancer PDOs, which were treated with standard-of-care chemotherapy, gamma-irradiation, and newer non-standard approaches, such as proton beam therapy or two small molecule inhibitors. Clinical outcomes of patients following neoadjuvant treatment were compared to their in vitro PDO responses, demonstrating the PDO’s ability to mirror clinical response, suggesting the value of PDOs in prediction of clinical response to new therapeutic approaches. Future prospective clinical trials should test the use of pre-treatment PDOs to identify specific, targeted therapies for individual patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Cell-activation responses to cytomegalovirus infection relationship to the phasing of CMV replication and to the induction of cellular damage.

Evidence for the presence of cytomegaloviruses (CMV) as pathogenic agents in man was first obtained by examination of tissues derived from still-born infants that demonstrated severe developmental abnormalities (Jesionek and Kiolemenoglou, 1904; Ribbert, 1904; Lowenstein, 1907). The salivary glands and other tissues of these infants contained enlarged cells with prominent nuclear inclusions (NI) that were eventually recognized as pathognomonic for this disease, i.e., cytomegalic inclusion disease (CID). It was not until about half a century after the initial descriptions of the cytomegalic cells that the virus responsible for these manifestations was isolated and partially characterized (Smith, 1956; Rowe et al., 1956, Weller et al., 1957). Cell cultures infected with freshly isolated or laboratory-adapted CMV demonstrated the characteristic enlarged cells with eosinophilic NI (Weller et al., 1957). Noting the unique and characteristic features of the cytopathology induced by these viruses, Weller et al. (1960) suggested that this group of viruses be renamed cytomegaloviruses (CMV).
Meiotic Inheritance of Functional GAL80s Gene Product in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Transcription factors inherited during meiosis play a crucial role directing subsequent gene activity. Factors of maternal origin have been shown to influence the pattern of early zygotic transcription during Drosophila and Xenopus embryogenesis. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the meiotic inheritance of the vast majority of transcription factors. In the case of yeast meiosis, for example, it is not yet known whether any of the multitude of transcription factors expressed in the diploid are transmitted to haploid spores in functional form. Here we use a GAL1-STE4 reporter whose activity is detectable in single living cells to identify a transcription factor inherited during sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that functional Gal80S repressor is meiotically inherited at levels reflecting its expression in the diploid parent.
An Interactive Parallel Multigrid FEM Simulator

Interactively simulating nonlinear deformable human organs for surgical training and planning purposes demands high computational power which lacks in single processor machine. We build an interactive deformable objects simulator on a highly scalable computer cluster using nonlinear FEM and the novel multigrid explicit ODE solver which is stabler than single level schemes. The system consists of a graphical front end client on a workstation connected to a parallel simulation server that runs on a Linux cluster. After discussing the methodology in detail, the analysis of the speedup and preliminary results are presented.
Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling under a precise energy model considering variable and fixed components of the system power dissipation

This work presents a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) technique that minimizes the total system energy consumption for performing a task while satisfying a given execution time constraint. We first show that in order to guarantee minimum energy for task execution by using DVFS it is essential to divide the system power into active and standby power components. Next, we present a new DVFS technique, which considers not only the active power, but also the standby component of the system power. This is in sharp contrast with previous DVFS techniques, which only consider the active power component. We have implemented the proposed DVFS technique on the BitsyX platform - an Intel PXA255-based platform manufactured by ADS Inc., and report detailed power measurements on this platform. These measurements show that, compared to conventional DVFS techniques, an additional system energy saving of up to 18% can be achieved while satisfying the user-specified timing constraints.
A study of the nature and characteristics of light radiation in reverse-biased silicon junctions

Luminescence on the order of 0.01 W/cm/sup 2/ is emitted in high electric field regions of the junction in reverse-biased silicon. The results of a study that sought to investigate the optical emission and to yield a probable emission mechanism are presented. The device characteristics, such as current-voltage, intensity-voltage, radiation spectra, and crystal defects, associated with the light emission from junctions of various geometry and orientation were studied. Special effort was taken to find an association between light-emitting regions and crystal defect sites. >
Singing-Related Neural Activity in a Dorsal Forebrain–Basal Ganglia Circuit of Adult Zebra Finches

The anterior forebrain pathway (AFP) of songbirds, a specialized dorsal forebrain–basal ganglia circuit, is crucial for song learning but has a less clear function in adults. We report here that neurons in two nuclei of the AFP, the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (LMAN) and Area X, show marked changes in neurophysiological activity before and during singing in adult zebra finches. The presence of modulation before song output suggests that singing-related AFP activity originates, at least in part, in motor control nuclei. Some neurons in LMAN of awake birds also responded selectively to playback of the bird9s own song, but neural activity during singing did not completely depend on auditory feedback in the short term, because neither the level nor the pattern of this activity was strongly affected by deafening. The singing-related activity of neurons in AFP nuclei of songbirds is consistent with a role of the AFP in adult singing or song maintenance, possibly related to the function of this circuit during initial song learning.
Invited article: development of high-field superconducting Ioffe magnetic traps.

We describe the design, construction, and performance of three generations of superconducting Ioffe magnetic traps. The first two are low current traps, built from four racetrack shaped quadrupole coils and two solenoid assemblies. Coils are wet wound with multifilament NbTi superconducting wires embedded in epoxy matrices. The magnet bore diameters are 51 and 105mm with identical trap depths of 1.0T at their operating currents and at 4.2K. A third trap uses a high current accelerator-type quadrupole magnet and two low current solenoids. This trap has a bore diameter of 140mm and tested trap depth of 2.8T. Both low current traps show signs of excessive training. The high current hybrid trap, on the other hand, exhibits good training behavior and is amenable to quench protection.
Independence of angiotensin II-induced MAP kinase activation from angiotensin type 1 receptor internalization in clone 9 hepatocytes.

The agonist-induced internalization of several G protein-coupled receptors is an obligatory requirement for their activation of MAPKs. Studies on the relationship between endocytosis of the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1-R) and Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation were performed in clone 9 (C9) rat hepatic cells treated with inhibitors of endocytosis [sucrose, phenylarsine oxide (PAO), and concanavalin A]. Although Ang II-induced endocytosis of the AT1-R was prevented by sucrose and PAO, and was partially inhibited by concanavalin A, there was no impairment of Ang II-induced ERK activation. However, the specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) kinase inhibitor, AG1478, abolished Ang II-induced activation of ERK1/2. Sucrose and PAO also inhibited EGFinduced internalization of the EGF-R in C9 cells, and the inability of these agents to impair EGF-induced ERK activation suggested that the latter is also independent of receptor endocytosis. In COS-7 cells transiently expressing the rat AT1A...
Are methamphetamine precursor control laws effective tools to fight the methamphetamine epidemic

One of the most notable trends in illegal substance use among Americans over the past decade is the dramatic growth and spread of methamphetamine use. In response to the dramatic rise in methamphetamine use and its associated burden, a broad range of legislations has been passed to combat the problem. In this paper, we assess the impact of retail-level laws intended to restrict chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine (methamphetamine precursor laws) in reducing indicators of domestic production, methamphetamine availability, and the consequences of methamphetamine use. Specifically, we examine trends in these indicators of methamphetamine supply and use over a period spanning the implementation of the federal Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act (MAPA) (October 2000) and a more stringent state-level restriction enacted in California (January 2000). The results are mixed in terms of the effectiveness of legislative efforts to control methamphetamine production and use, depending on the strength of the legislation (California Uniform Controlled Substances Act versus federal MAPA), the specification of the comparison group, and the particular outcome of interest. Some evidence suggests that domestic production was impacted by these legislative efforts, but there is also evidence that prices fell, purities rose, and treatment episodes increased.
Nonlinear thermoelectric transport: A class of nanodevices for high efficiency and large power output

Molecular junctions and similar devices described by an energy dependent transmission coefficient can have a high linear response thermoelectric figure of merit. Since such devices are inherently nonlinear, the full thermodynamic efficiency valid for any temperature and chemical potential difference across the leads is calculated. The general features in the energy dependence of the transmission function that lead to high efficiency and also high power output are determined. It is shown that the device with the highest efficiency does not necessarily lead to large power output. To illustrate this, we use a model called the $t$-stub model representing tunneling through an energy level connected to another energy level. Within this model both high efficiency and high power output are achievable. Futhermore, by connecting many nanodevices it is shown to be possible to scale up the power output without compromising efficiency in an (exactly solvable) $n$-channel model even with tunneling between the devices.
Neuroanatomy of the female continence complex: clinical implications.

Abstract Objectives. Improved understanding of pelvic neuroanatomy in women has led to modified surgical approaches and additional considerations in pelvic surgery. The innervation of the external urinary sphincter and urethra is not well defined in women, and, as such, the continence complex is not well understood. Methods. Fourteen pelvic sections from seven fresh female cadavers were dissected to investigate the neuroanatomy of the female continence complex. Results. Neuroanatomic dissections of the continence mechanism revealed that branches of the pelvic nerve travel beneath the fascia of the levator ani muscle and approach the urinary sphincter in near midline position, posterolateral to the rectum. This pelvic nerve branch passes laterally around the vagina and rectum to enter the sphincter musculature at the 5-o’clock and 7-o’clock positions. The pudendal nerve, traveling in the pudendal canal, gives an intrapelvic branch that courses to the urinary sphincter. At the level of the proximal urinary sphincter, it joins the pelvic nerve branch to the urinary sphincter. Conclusions. These neuroanatomic dissections provide a basis for surgical modifications that may address a variety of concerns regarding urinary continence in female surgical patients. With improved understanding of the female continence complex, we may now have a more precise anatomic explanation for the high failure rates associated with transvaginal urethral suspension procedures. Additionally, awareness and preservation of the continence nerves during cystectomy may allow for greater use of orthotopic bladder replacement in women.
SAFETY OF DENTAL AMALGAM

This Critical Appraisal is a departure from our usual format. Usually, contributors review several articles about a specific topic. Instead, we have asked Dr. Osborne to review several topics related to a specific issue, the safety of dental amalgam. Despite the increasing use of tooth-colored restorative materials, amalgam remains a widely used and important part of the dentist's armamentarium. This article provides the practicing dentist with essential information regarding the safety of amalgam. We hope that you will find this helpful as you discuss safety issues with concerned patients.
Role of 'Intercellular' matrix in aggregation of mammalian cells.

Summary1. Partial and slow dissociation of mouse liver in vitro that occurs on treatment with phosphate indicates a K+ independent factor involved in aggregation of cells. 2. The presence of low concentrations of hy-drocortisone during dissociation in phosphate causes the aggregation into long fibers of an intercellular material. 3. Dissociation effected with phosphate has been attributed to a'de-stabilization'of the intercellular matrix.
Electron detachment and charge transfer for collisions of O- and S- with H.

Total electron-detachment and charge-transfer cross sections for collisions of ${\mathrm{O}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ and ${\mathrm{S}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ with atomic hydrogen have been measured for relative collision energies E ranging from 0.1 to 15 eV. At low collision energies these results are fairly well described by a simple Langevin orbiting model and, in the case of ${\mathrm{O}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ (where intermolecular potentials are available), a simple curve-crossing model is also in reasonable accord with the measurements. Neither ${\mathrm{O}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+H nor ${\mathrm{S}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+H displays an energetic barrier to associative detachment. Charge-transfer cross sections are small for both systems for the range of collision energies sampled in the experiment. Associative detachment cross sections are also reported for ${\mathrm{S}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ for E2 eV; the results appear to resolve an apparent discrepancy between previous measurements.
Factors of fruit and vegetable intake by race, gender, and age among young adolescents.

Abstract Objective To explore demographic differences in individual, social, and environmental factors potentially related to fruit and vegetable intake. Design Self-report questionnaires administered to a convenience sample of middle school students during regular classes. Participants Black and white adolescents, 11 to 15 years of age (N = 736). Variables Measured Measures included self-efficacy, family dinner frequency, normative beliefs, outcome expectations, modeling, availability, preferences, snack choice, and demographics. Analysis Chi-square, general linear models, and Poisson and linear regressions as appropriate. Results Black participants reported greater social influences than did white participants, whereas white adolescents reported greater family environmental influences on fruit and vegetable intake. The oldest adolescents reported lower self-efficacy, peer modeling, family dinner frequency, and fruit and vegetable preferences compared with younger adolescents. White participants and females reported a higher preference for vegetables than did black participants and males. Regression models for self-efficacy and snack choice explained 41% and 34% of the variance, respectively. Preferences for vegetables and parental modeling were the strongest correlates of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was the strongest correlate of snack choice. Conclusions and Implications Decreases in several factors with age highlight the importance of intervention for this age group. Future research is needed for a better understanding of the formation and modification of self-efficacy and snack choice.
Suture techniques with high breaking strength and low gliding resistance: Experiments in the dog flexor digitorum profundus tendon

We studied the breaking strength and gliding resistance between the pulley and flexor tendon for various suture techniques. Canine flexor digitorum profundus tendons were transected and sutured using one of eight repair techniques: modified Kessler (MK); Tsuge (Tsuge); two variations of a double modified Kessler (DK1, DK2); combined modified Kessler-modified Tsuge (MKT); augmented Becker (Becker); Cruciate (Cruciate); and modified double Tsuge (DT). The force to produce a 1.5 mm gap, ultimate failure load, resistance to gap formation, and gliding resistance were measured. The force to produce a 1.5 mm gap and the ultimate breaking force were higher with the DK1, DK2, MKT, Becker, Cruciate, and DT repairs than they were with the MK and Tsuge repair, while the gliding resistance of the Becker was higher than that of the MK, DK1, DK2, MKT, Cruciate, and DT repairs. In addition to confirming that repair strength increases as the number of strands crossing the repair increases, we also found that these stronge...
Expression signatures of high- and low-metastatic-risk lymph-node-negative premenopausal breast cancers

Expression signatures of high- and low-metastatic-risk lymph-node-negative premenopausal breast cancers
Computing durations for bond portfolios

A lthough most applications of duration we for bond portfolios, duration measures generally we derived for individual securities, not for portfo'ios. Portfolio durations usually are computed by av?raging the durations of the composite individual jecurities obtained by one of two ways: 1) from fornulas based on projected future cash flows and an assumed stochastic process, or 2) empirically as a ,rice elasticity from past data. The literature with one ?xception has considered only portfolios in which all ,ends of equal maturity trade at the same interest .ate, that is, all bonds trade on the same term strucure. This article expands the analysis to portfolios if bonds that trade at different interest rates even hough they have the same maturity, that is, trade )n different term structures, because of, say, differmces in credit quality. For such portfolios, two conlusions emerge: 1) portfolio duration is dependent an the future value of portfolio cash flows at the duation date, and 2) the weights used to obtain the tortfolio duration from the individual durations of .le composite securities are also dependent on the Jture values of the securities at the duration date. l e s e results suggest that portfolio durations ob2ined by applying present value weights to average idividual bond durations, the usual practice, are inorrect and introduce additional stochastic process :sk. For the sake of simplicity, the analysis in this aper is restricted to Macaulay durations and sto.iastic processes that are consistent with Macaulay durations. At the same time, the results can be generalized to include stochastic processes that are consistent with other measures of duration.'
Neurolysis of the sympathetic axis for cancer pain management

Neurolytic blocks of sympathetic axis was a procedure that was widely used in the past for the control of upper abdominal pain or pelvic pain in patients with cancer. However, new studies suggest that these blocks are not effective in treating pain that is not visceral in origin. Consequently, when there is evidence of disease outside of the viscera, such as patients with lymphadenopathy, the success rate decreases significantly. Moreover, a controlled randomized study has shown that, even in the best-case scenario, the length of full pain control is no more than 2 months. Thus, we should re-consider our indications for these procedures, and when indicated, they should be performed early in the course of the disease.
Reaction mechanism and dynamics of methanol electrooxidation on platinum(111)

Surface reactions in methanol electrooxidation to carbon dioxide are influenced by the accumulation of adsorbed partial decomposition products. We developed a Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model for the surface chemistry based on current understanding of methanol electrooxidation. The model, which contains four kinetic and four mechanistic parameters, accounts for CO2 production by both CO oxidation (serial pathway) and oxidation of a non-CO reactive intermediate (parallel pathway). Model parameters were estimated by fitting time-dependent kinetic measurements of the charge passed following a potentiostatic step to 0.6 V on Pt(111) in 0.1 M methanol bearing electrolyte and the charge passed during voltammetric stripping of accumulated residue in blank electrolyte. The model gave an excellent fit to the experimental data, which spanned four orders of magnitude in time (0.03–300 s). Results from this exercise show that the non-CO reactive intermediate has the stoichiometry H:C:O prior to reacting to either CO or CO2; oxidation of H:C:O accounts for most of the CO2 produced. The most abundant adsorbate varies from H:C:O at short times, when the total adsorbate coverage is low, to CO at long times, when the total adsorbate coverage is high. Accumulation of H:C:O and CO not only poisons the surface, but also transfers kinetic control between different surface reactions. The predictive capability of the model was tested by comparing model predictions with experimental data obtained in 0.5 M methanol bearing electrolyte. We discuss the influence of residue accumulation on the rates of individual surface reactions, the significance of adsorbate interactions, and limitations of the model.
Automatic Temporal Analysis Of Smoke/Dust Clouds

The problem of dynamically identifying and tracking clouds in noisy digital data has been successfully solved for certain classes of 1.06μm infrared images. Techniques have been developed to separate "object" from "background" and to extract quantitative measurements of the geometry of the object in each scene as well as parameters describing the trajectory and dispersion rates of the object in time. Separation of object from background is achieved through combinations of classical and novel digital smoothing operators and edge detectors with contouring techniques. A computationally efficient least-squares algorithm is then applied to the edge of the object to obtain a quadratic form from which the quantitative results are derived.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influence of Microstructure on the Environmentally Assisted Cracking of Inconel 718

Abstract The effect of grain boundary precipitation on the environmental behavior of Inconel 718 was determined. The performance of conventionally heat treated (CHT) material was compared with that of direct-aged (DA) material. Straining electrode tests with cathodic polarization at room temperature and fatigue tests in aqueous environments ranging from 30 to 288 C were performed. Microstructurally, direct aging was found to reduce the size and amount of grain boundary precipitates significantly. A decrease in the amount of grain boundary precipitation results in a reduction of grain boundary cavitation and an increase in ductility during straining electrode tensile tests. Grain boundary cavitation does not affect tensile properties in air. However, cathodic polarization during tensile testing significantly embrittles the CHT condition relative to the DA condition. Direct aging does not affect fatigue crack growth rates in aqueous environments at temperatures ranging from 30 to 288 C.
Ultrafine dispersion-strengthening of tungsten by chemical covapor deposition

A method of dispersion-strengthening tungsten, a refractory metal, with submicron (< 10 A) dispersoids of hafnium nitride, a stable ceramic, is described. Simultaneous deposition of the metal and the dispersoid is achieved by a chemical vapor deposition process called covapor deposition. The tungsten and hafnium are covapor deposited by hydrogen reduction of their halides (WCl6 and HfCl4); the dispersoid is formed during deposition by the reaction of hafnium with NH3 in the hydrogen gas. The microstructure of the tungsten matrix, either the large columnar grains typical of chemical vapor deposited tungsten or fine noncolumnar grains (< 1 μm), can be controlled by varying the deposition parameters. It is also possible by varying these parameters to change the number, size, and spacing of the dispersoids. The deposits were heat treated at 1700 °C for at least 1 h before hot microhardness values to 1400 °C were determined. These values were then compared with hot microhardness values determined after heat treatment for 96 and 500 h at 1700 °C. The microstructures of the deposits in these conditions were evaluated by thin film and scanning electron microscope techniques. The hot microhardness of the LRL dispersion-strengthened tungsten was superior to that of dispersion-strengthened tungstens prepared by other techniques. The possibilities of using this technique to improve the strength and creep resistance of other metals (e.g., nickel-chromium alloys for turbine blades) is also suggested. Parameters are given for the deposition of pure tungsten and hafnium nitride from their halides.
Cognitive and behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders: A review of meta-analytic findings

Behavioral and cognitive psychotherapies are the most widely studied psychological interventions for anxiety disorders. In the present article, the results of ten years of meta-analytic studies on psychotherapies for the various anxiety disorders are reviewed and the relative effectiveness of cognitive and behavioral therapeutic methods is examined. Meta-analytic results support the effectiveness of combined cognitive and behavioral approaches for anxiety disorders. Pure behavioral therapies also are effective and appear to work as well as combined treatment for some disorders. Due to the small number of outcome studies involving pure cognitive treatments, reliable conclusions about the effectiveness of this approach cannot be offered. Additional theoretical and practical considerations are discussed.
COX Inhibitors and Overactive Bladder: The Potential for Future Therapy

Studies spanning four decades suggest that prostaglandins (PGs) are synthesized at high levels within the bladder by cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 and that PG biosynthesis during bladder filling provides a non-neuronal vesicular volume signal. Evidence is presented that interstitial cells of Cajal within the bladder seem to play a key role in PG biosynthesis, that bladder PG concentration is a function of the degree of bladder wall stretch, and that PGs serve to 1) assist in detrusor smooth muscle length adaptation of tension during bladder storage by permitting synchronized spontaneous rhythmic contraction, 2) positively modulate sensory recognition of the bladder fill state, and 3) enhance voiding contraction. Provocative clinical and experimental data support a role for PGs in overactive bladder, but the data are of limited scope. Additional studies are needed to clarify the roles played by mechanical stretch, COX isotypes, PG species and receptor subtypes, and cell-to-cell communication in bladder biology.
Pulsed Ultrafiltration Characterization of Binding: I. A New Method

Abstract We describe a new method for measuring binding constants, pulsed ultrafiltration. In this technique, a single injection or “pulse” of ligand is passed through a cell containing macromolecules confined by a conventional ultrafiltration membrane. Any binding of the ligand to the macromolecule alters the elution profile of the ligand. We describe this interaction by a set of coupled differential equations whose solution allows us to extract the binding density as a function of free ligand concentration eluting from the cell. A method of comparing elution profile areas which leads to values for both binding affinity and stoichiometry is also presented. We show that the pulsed ultrafiltration method can generate an extensive binding isotherm with a dense set of data points over a wide range of binding densities. We apply the method to several model ligand–macromolecule binding systems to demonstrate the measurement of equilibrium association constants and binding stoichiometry, the accuracy and precision of the method, and temperature dependence of binding. In general, our results agree with those from the literature, and they show that the approach is a fast and flexible method for characterizing ligand–macromolecule binding.
Two‐dimensional echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular stroke volume: Experimental correlation with thermodilution and cineangiography in normal and ischemic states

Left ventricular stroke volumes derived by two-dimensional echocardiography (2D echo) were compared with thermodilution and cineangiography measurements in closed-chest dogs before andone hour after proximal LAD occlusion. Stroke volume was calculated from end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes reconstructed by two models: 1) Simpson's rule employing left ventricular length and five short-axis cross-sectional areas; 2) a simplified volume formula (V = 5/6 area . length), utilizing a single short-axis area at either the mitral valve or midpapillary muscle level. The comprehensive Simpson reconstruction yielded a good correlation of 2D echo stroke volume against thermodilution (r = 0.89) over a range of normal (N = 14) and ischemic (N = 8) states. The simplified formula provided a satisfactory correlation (r = .90, N = 22) when using the midpapillary cross-section, which encompassed the induced ischemic dys-synergy. In contrast, when using the mitral valve level cross-section above the site of ventricular asymmetry, there was no significant statistical correlation. Comparison of cineangiography with 2D echo volume reconstruction based on the simplified formula with the midpapillary muscle level section yielded good correlations for stroke volume (r = 0.87) and ejection fraction (r = 0.97). Intraobserver and interobserver variability of duplicate echo stroke volume measurements was 8% and 10%, respectively. We conclude that 2D echocardiography in dogs permits quantitation of left ventricular stroke volume in normal and ischemic states.
Adolescent Temperament Moderates the Relation of Parenting to Antisocial Behavior and Substance Use

Although some studies have found that parental support and control are related negatively to adolescent problem behaviors, little research has examined factors that may qualify the magnitude of those relations. The present study tests whether adolescent temperament moderates the relations of parenting to antisocial behavior and substance use within a community sample (N = 631). The joint and unique contributions of parenting and temperament in the prediction of those problem behaviors were also examined in this study. Results indicate that parenting and temperament evidenced significant joint and unique relations with adolescent antisocial behavior and substance use. Furthermore, temperament moderated the relations between parenting and adolescent problem behaviors, wherein parenting showed stronger relations with antisocial behavior and substance use at higher levels of temperamental risk. The findings supported the contention that individual differences moderate the relations between parenting and probl...
Corrigendum to “Hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions: isopropanol dehydrogenation over copper catalysts” [J. Catal. 216 (2) (2003) 362–376]

Catalyst T RED (K) CO uptakea (μmol g−1) COT/CuT COirr/CuT ‘O’ uptakeb (μmol g−1) Cu0 disp. dc (nm) Total Irreversible 4.96% Cu/AC–HNO3 423 170.0 62.0 0.218 0.079 12.1 0.031 35.5 473 35.4 6.1 0.045 0.008 18.3 0.047 23.5 573 19.6 0.0 0.025 0.0 16.5 0.042 26.0 4.89% Cu/AC–ASIS 423 54.0 0.0 0.070 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 473 54.6 0.0 0.071 0.0 8.8 0.023 48.1 573 51.6 0.0 0.067 0.0 16.6 0.043 25.5 5.01% Cu/AC–HTT–H2 423 79.4 5.7 0.101 0.007 54.0 0.137 8.0 473 83.5 5.6 0.106 0.007 58.9 0.149 7.4 573 59.1 0.0 0.075 0.0 67.3 0.171 6.4 0.98% Cu/AC–HTT–H2 473 52.5 1.1 0.340 0.007 11.1 0.144 7.6 573 53.2 0.0 0.345 0.0 8.9 0.115 9.5 0.63% Cu/GF-IE 573 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9d 0.018 60.6 Cu powder 573 – – – – 1.8d 2.3 × 10−4 ∼4800 Cu chromite 573 55.0 18.3 0.009 0.003 181.5 0.056 19.6 a Volumetric uptakes at 75 Torr corrected for irreversible uptake on support. b Uptakes at 363 K and 75 Torr N2O determined gravimetrically. c Cu crystallite size based on d = 1.1/(2Oad/CuT). d Determined volumetrically.
Stability of rotating stratified fluids.

T aspects of the stability of rotating stratified fluids have been discussed by several authors. If viscous effects are neglected, von Karman derived a stability criterion for a rotating liquid by considering the role played by pressure gradient and centrifugal force. For a steady flow, the centrifugal force, pv/r, must be balanced by the pressure gradient. However, if a ring of fluid at radius rx is displaced to a radius r2 (where r2 > rj, the centrifugal force experienced by the ring will be-p^rf/rDv?. For stability, the pressure gradient, p2vt/r2, at the new position must be greater than this centrifugal force. Thus, von Karman's stability criterion becomes d(pvr)/dr ^ 0. Yih has shown that if the effects of viscosity and thermal diffusivity are taken into account, the von Karman stability criterion is neither necessary nor sufficient for stability. Rather, the more restrictive stability criteria dp/dr ^ 0 and d(vr)/dr ^ 0 must be satisfied. This Note presents some experimental results of the stability of the rotating flow that results from the tangential injection of a gas stored at high pressure into a closed cylindrical test vessel containing a gas of different density.
Laplace Correction of Confusion Matrices to Produce Statistically Representative Confidence Intervals

During diagnostic algorithm development engine testing with implanted faults may be performed. The number of implanted faults is never large enough to truly capture the distribution in the confusion matrix. Misdiagnoses in particular are unlikely to be correctly represented. Misdiagnosis that could result in costly outcomes are frequently not captured in an implantation study, resulting in a deceptively reassuring zero value for the probability of it occurring. The Laplace correction can be applied to each element of the confusion matrix to improve the generated confidence interval. This also allows a confidence interval to be produced for zero value elements. Unfortunately, the choice of Laplace correction factor influences the size of the confidence interval, and without knowing the true distribution the best correction factor cannot be determined. The choice of correction factor depends on element probability, total sample size, number of faults and confidence level. The effect of the Laplace correction on the element probability is analytically examined to provide insight into the relative influence of the correction. This is followed by an examination of the influence of the element probability, total sample size, number of faults and confidence level on the required Laplace correction. This is achieved by sampling from known populations. A method of generating good confidence intervals on each element is proposed. This includes the production of a Laplace correction based on the sample size, number of faults and confidence level. This will allow consistent comparisons of Laplace corrected matrices rather than leaving the correction factor to each individual’s best engineering judgment.Copyright © 2010 by Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
Structured singular value approach for systems with parametric uncertainty

This paper provides a tutorial introduction and overview of analysis and design techniques for systems with both parametric uncertainty and unmodelled dynamics, using the structured singular value, or μ, family of techniques. This includes the analysis/design framework, stability and performance problems, frequency sweeps and state-space tests, continuous-time and discrete-time systems, and computational issues and methods for both analysis and design. The paper also includes connections between the structured singular value and polynomial approaches to handling parametric uncertainty, as well as several examples which illustrate how to cast typical (including polynomial) problems into the μ framework. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.