cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Phase I Trial of Lenalidomide in Combination with Intermediate Dose Cytarabine (IDC) in Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients

S380 Context: Lintuzumab, a humanized anti-CD33 antibody, has modest activity against AML. To increase the antibody's potency yet avoid nonspecific cytotoxicity seen with b-emitting isotopes, Ac (t1/2 1⁄410 days), which yields 4 a-emitting isotopes, was conjugated to lintuzumab. Objectives: We sought to determine the MTD, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and antileukemic activity of Ac-lintuzumab. Design: We conducted a first-in-man, phase I, 3+3, dose-escalation trial from 2006-2012. Setting: This was a single-institution study performed at a tertiary cancer center. Patients: Eighteen patients (median age, 64 yrs; range, 45-80 yrs) with relapsed (n1⁄411) or refractory (n1⁄47) AML were treated. Intervention: Patients received a single infusion of Ac-lintuzumabat doses of 0.5 (n1⁄43), 1 (n1⁄44), 2 (n1⁄43), 3 (n1⁄46) or 4 (n1⁄42) mCi/kg. Main Outcome Measure: MTD was defined as the highest dose for which the incidence of DLT was 35 days in 1 patient receiving 4 mCi/kg and death from sepsis in 2 patients receiving 3 and 4 mCi/kg. The MTD was 3 mCi/kg. Myelosuppression was the most common toxicity. Median time to resolution of grade 4 leukopenia was 27 days (range, 0-71 days). Significant extramedullary toxicities were limited to transient grade 3 liver function abnormalities in 3 patients. We analyzed plasma pharmacokinetics by gamma counting at energy windows for 2 daughters of Ac, francium-221 and bismuth-213. Two-phase elimination kinetics were seen with mean plasma t1/2 -a and t1/2 -b of 1.9 and 38 hours, respectively, similar to other lintuzumab constructs containing long-lived radionuclides. Peripheral blasts were eliminated in 10 of 16 evaluable patients (63%), but only at doses of 1 mCi/kg. Marrow blast reductions were seen in 10 of 15 evaluable patients (67%) at 4 weeks, including 8 patients (53%) who had blast reductions of 50%. Three patients receiving 1, 3, and 4 mCi/kg achieved marrow blasts of 5%. Conclusions: This is the first study to show that therapy with a targeted a-particle generator is feasible in humans. Ac-lintuzumab had antileukemic activity across all dose levels and is now being investigated in a multicenter phase I/II trial in combination with low-dose cytarabine for older AML patients.
The chip layout problem: an automatic wiring procedure

This paper describes an automatic system for routing the metal connections on integrated circuit chips. The system contains three major sections: global wiring, vertical channel assignment, and horizontal bilateral channel allocation. Since its initial development in 1972, this system has been used successfully at IBM in the physical design of bipolar logic chips.
Incidence of venous thromboembolism after elective knee arthroscopic surgery: a historical cohort study

Summary Background The incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) after knee arthroscopy is uncertain. Objectives To estimate the incidence of symptomatic VTE after arthroscopic knee surgery. Methods In a population-based historical cohort study, all Olmsted County, MN, USA, residents undergoing a first arthroscopic knee surgery during the 18-year period of 1988–2005 were followed for incident deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The cumulative incidence of VTE after knee arthroscopy was determined using the Kaplan–Meier product limit estimator. Patient age at surgery, sex, calendar year of surgery, body mass index, anesthesia characteristics, and hospitalization were tested as potential predictors of VTE using Cox proportional hazards modeling, both univariately and adjusted for age and sex. Results Among 4833 Olmsted County residents with knee arthroscopy, 18 developed postoperative VTE, all within the first 6 weeks after surgery. The cumulative incidence rates of symptomatic VTE at 7, 14, and 35 days were 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%, respectively. The hazard for postoperative VTE was significantly increased for older patient age (hazard ratio = 1.34 for each 10-year increase in patient age; P = 0.03) and hospitalization either before or after knee arthroscopy (hazard ratio = 14.1; P < 0.001). Conclusions The incidence of symptomatic VTE after arthroscopic knee surgery is very low. Older age and hospitalization are associated with increased risk. Routine prophylaxis to prevent symptomatic VTE is likely not needed in this patient population.
K2B 1Πu → X 1Σ+g band optically pumped laser

Abstract The pulsed optically pumped laser (OPL) on the K 2 B 1 Π u → X 1 Σ + g electronic state transitions has been systematically studied in a heat-pipe oven with a tunable dye laser. Previous reports have been limited to continuous pump configurations at fixed wavelengths. The pulsed OPL emission was observed on numerous rovibrational bands when potassium vapor was pumped with a pulsed dye laser tuned between 605 and 655 nm. The OPL emission occurred between 675 and 710 nm. The identified upper laser levels included the vibrational levels ν′ = 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 22. The lower laser levels included most vibrational levels between ν″ = 11 and 34. The emission was observed between 370 and 450 °C. The forward to backward emission intensity ratio was measured to be 10 to 1.
Resource utilization in coronary artery bypass operation: does surgical risk predict cost?

Abstract Background . Current healthcare trends may render financial risk of cardiac operation a key component of clinical decision making. It has been suggested, based on large cohorts of patients stratified by clinical risk, that the cost of operation can be predicted from models of clinical risk since length of stay (LOS) is highly correlated to clinical risk, and LOS is correlated to hospital costs and charges. Direct correlation of actual surgical costs with surgical risk are lacking. Methods . Variable direct costs, LOS, and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted mortality risk [STS risk (%)] were collected and analyzed in 628 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at our institution in 1997. Results . Cost of CABG had a near-normal distribution, and cost in 21 outlier patients (cost > two standard deviations above the mean) was an average 5.3 times normal (median cost). For individual patients, cost was well correlated to LOS (R 2 = 0.48) but not with STS risk (R 2 = 0.12). LOS was also poorly predicted by STS risk (R 2 = 0.09). However, despite its poor prediction of cost, STS risk was an unbiased estimator over the entire population. A result manifested, when patients were grouped into similar risk ( + –3%, 3 + –5%, 5 + –10%, and >10%) cohorts, by high correlation between cost and STS risk (R 2 = 0.99), cost and LOS risk (R 2 = 0.99), and LOS and STS risk (R 2 = 0.97). Conclusions . Our data demonstrated that, in large CABG cohorts, surgical risk models can accurately predict cost of CABG. However, despite a trend for increasing cost with increasing STS risk, surgical risk models based on preoperative data are poor predictors of cost in individual patients. Use of these models should be limited to analysis of cost trends in cardiac operation, but not for predicting financial risk in individual patients during clinical decision making.
On the non-existence of a marginal cost pricing equilibrium and the Ioffe normal cone

In his recent paper, Khan (1987) proved a version of the second fundamental theorem of welfare economics with the Ioffe normal cone as a formalization of marginal rates of substitution. His introduction of the Ioffe normal cone was motivated by the fact that, in the absence of free disposal, the Clarke normal cone may be too "big" and the result based on it, by Khan and Vohra (1987) and Cornet (1986), is not sharp enough to be satisfactory. An interesting property of the Ioffe normal cone is that it is not necessarily convex. Khan showed that the lack of convexity is of no consequence for the second welfare theorem, but left open the question as to whether the convexity property is essential for the existence of a marginal cost pricing equilibrium as originally formulated by Guesnerie (1975); see also Beato and Mas-Colell (1985) and Brown et al. (1986). In this note we answer this question in the negative.
RL10 Engine Ability to Transition from Atlas to Shuttle/Centaur Program

A key launch vehicle design feature is the ability to take advantage of new technologies while minimizing expensive and time consuming development and test programs. With successful space launch experiences and the unique features of both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Transportation System (Space Shuttle) and Atlas/Centaur programs, it became attractive to leverage these capabilities. The Shuttle/Centaur Program was created to transition the existing Centaur vehicle to be launched from the Space Shuttle cargo bay. This provided the ability to launch heaver and larger payloads, and take advantage of new unique launch operational capabilities. A successful Shuttle/Centaur Program required the Centaur main propulsion system to quickly accommodate the new operating conditions for two new Shuttle/Centaur configurations and evolve to function in the human Space Shuttle environment. This paper describes the transition of the Atlas/Centaur RL10 engine to the Shuttle/Centaur configurations; shows the unique versatility and capability of the engine; and highlights the importance of ground testing. Propulsion testing outcomes emphasize the value added benefits of testing heritage hardware and the significant impact to existing and future programs.
The significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cutaneous biology

The skin epidermis displays a highly active metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Dietary deficiency of linoleic acid (LA) and 18-carbon (n-6) PUFA results in characteristic scaly skin disorder and excessive epidermal water loss. Arachidonic acid, a 20-carbon (n-6) PUFA is metabolized via the cyclooxygenase pathway into predominantly prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) PGF2α′ and PGD2 and via the lipoxygenase pathway into predominantly 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE). The prostaglandins modulate normal skin physiological processes at low concentrations and inflammatory reactions at high concentrations. Similarly, the very active epidermal 15-lipoxygenase transforms dihomogammalinolenic acid (DGLA) into 15-hydroxy eicosatrienoic acid (15-HETrE), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) into 15-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (15-HEPE) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (17-HDoHE), respectively. These monohydroxy acids exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. In contrast, the 18-carbon (n-6) PUFA is transformed into 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HODE), which exerts antiproliferative properties in the tissue. Thus the supplementation of diets with appropriate purified vegetable oils and/or fish oil may generate local cutaneous anti-inflammatory metabolites which could serve as a less toxicin vivo monotherapy or as adjuncts to standard therapeutic regimens for the management of skin inflammaory disorders.
Academic Learning Time in Elementary School Physical Education (ALT-PE) for Student Subgroups and Instructional Activity Units

(1984). Academic Learning Time in Elementary School Physical Education (ALT-PE) for Student Subgroups and Instructional Activity Units. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 55, No. 4, pp. 365-370.
Cell Division: Bud-site selection is only skin deep

Yeast cells that divide by budding place new buds in predetermined locations. Recent studies of the subcellular localization of the Bud3 protein help to explain how this occurs.
Psychiatric aspects of abnormal movement disorders

Abstract It has been postulated that some involuntary movement disorders are secondary to unresolved, unconscious mental conflict; however, psychotherapeutic intervention has been unsuccessful and psychoanalytic formulations have not been shown to be valid. In addition, there is the interesting observation that some medications, stereotactic surgery and biofeedback have been successful in treating movement disorders. Moreover, as in the cases of amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior, Parkinsonism, the acute dyskinesias, and Tardive Dyskinesia, there is evidence that some involuntary disorders of movement are biochemically mediated. Organicity, in varying degrees and involving different anatomical and physiological areas, has been observed in Tourette's Syndrome, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. These diseases are usually associated with adjustment problems because of the effect that they have on the patient and the patient's family. Some of these psychosocial problems are discussed.
Freezing of microparticles in an electro-optofluidic platform

We show ability to simultaneously trap micron-size particles in an optical field and freeze their position by rapidly changing the direction of Poynting vector in an optofluidic waveguide using an electrically controlled Mach-Zehnder switch.
Electron bound states in the vicinity of two orthogonal surfaces

In a number of physical systems, it has been shown that there are electron bound states on a surface due to a potential well created by the interaction of the electron with its image and a potential barrier or a band gap keeping the electron out of the interior of the solid or liquid. We consider a configuration of two orthogonal solid surfaces and determine the binding energies and the wave functions of an electron that is in the vicinity of the corner. Our calculations indicate that the presence of the second surface gives a corner state, extended along the intersection of two surfaces, whose energy is below that of the plane-surface case, for both dielectric and metal surfaces.
Why Men Commit Crimes (and Why They Desist)

Hirschi and Gottfredson (1983) claim that the relationship between age and crime is similar in all social and cultural conditions and that no current sociological or criminological theory can account for this similarity. We introduce the new field of evolutionary psychology and extend Daly and Wilson's (1988) work on homicide to construct a general theory of male criminality, which explains why men commit violent and property crimes. The theory can also explain the age-crime curve. It might also account for some empirical anomalies such as why physically smaller boys are more delinquent, and why violent criminals desist more slowly.
Megasport in a Mega-City to a Mega-Audience: The Impact of 2012 London Olympic Media

This special issue of Mass Communication and Society is the second to focus on the Olympics; the first was published in late 2012 (Vol. 15, No. 4). The bulk of research in that issue focused on the...
PREDICTION OF AN AUTOREGRESSIVE VARIABLE SUBJECT BOTH TO DISTURBANCES AND TO ERRORS OF OBSERVATION

Abstract Past work on prediction formulas for time series, e.g., that of Wiener and Yaglom, has used powerful and general spectral techniques that result in integral formulas difficult to evaluate in practical cases. In this paper the more direct, less powerful approach developed by Muth produces useful and specific results for a broad class of cases that includes virtually every case of a higher order Markov process observed with error. The results provide plausible theoretical support for the expectations model widely and successfully applied by economists, although the distributions of the estimators of the prediction parameters (when the latter are unknown) are still unknown. The two-hundred-year series of sunspot data provides an illustrative application of the theoretical results, which bears comparison with the previous analyses of these data by Yule and others.
Multiplexed molecular interactions of nuclear receptors using fluorescent microspheres.

Background We describe a novel microsphere-based system to identify and characterize multiplexed interactions of nuclear receptors with peptides that represent the LXXLL binding region of coactivator proteins. Methods In this system, individual microsphere populations with unique red and orange fluorescent profiles are coupled to specific coactivator peptides. The coactivator peptide-coupled microsphere populations are combined and incubated with a nuclear receptor that has been coupled to a green fluorochrome. Flow cytometric analysis of the microspheres simultaneously decodes each population and detects the binding of receptor to respective coactivator peptides by the acquisition of green fluorescence. Results We have used this system to determine the binding affinities of human estrogen receptor β ligand binding domain (ERβ LBD) and human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ ligand binding domain (PPARγ LBD) to a set of 34 coactivator peptides. Binding of ERβ LBD to a coactivator peptide sequence containing the second LXXLL motif of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1(2) (676–700) is shown to be specific and saturable. Analysis of receptor binding to a multiplexed set of coactivator peptides shows PPARγ LBD binds with high affinity to cAMP response element binding protein (CBP) peptides and to the related P300 peptide while ERβ LBD exibits little binding to these peptides. Using the microsphere-based assay we demonstrate that ERβ LBD and PPARγ LBD binding affinities for the coactivator peptides are increased in the presence of agonist (estradiol or GW1929, respectively) and that ERβ LBD binding is decreased in the presence of antagonist (raloxifene or tamoxifen). Conclusions This unique microsphere-based system is a sensitive and efficient method to simultaneously evaluate many receptor-coactivator interactions in a single assay volume. In addition, the system offers a powerful approach to study small molecule modulation of nuclear receptor binding. Cytometry 44:326–337, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF NERVE PROCESSES AND SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS IN THREE DIMENSIONS

The muscularis externa of the intestinal wall of frogs was fixed in osmium tetroxide, embedded in Vestopal-W, serially sectioned for electron microscopy, and stained with uranyl acetate. A method to obtain individually mounted and properly positioned serial sections is described. The three-dimensional techniques used during the course of this investigation demonstrate that it is possible to examine carefully relatively large areas of tissue on individual serial sections with the electron microscope and subsequently to construct montages of electron micrographs of pertinent areas from each section. Several carefully rendered interrelationships of nerve processes and smooth muscle cells in three dimensions are exhibited and described. Recent studies of other neuro-effector relationships are discussed in relation to the present status of the nature and organization of the autonomic nervous system in visceral organs.
Sirolimus as primary immunosuppressant reduces left ventricular mass and improves diastolic function of the cardiac allograft.

Background. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction occur after cardiac transplantation. We investigated sirolimus (SRL) as primary immunosuppression for the attenuation of LVH and diastolic dysfunction of the cardiac allograft. Methods. Seventy cardiac transplant recipients were converted to SRL, 5.79 ± 3.90 years after transplant, with complete calcineurin-inhibitor (CNI) withdrawal. Three consecutive echocardiographic studies, 1 year apart, were analyzed for changes in left ventricular (LV) mass and diastolic function during CNI and SRL treatment. Results. Changes in systolic (P=0.69) and diastolic blood pressures (BP) (P=0.32) did not differ between SRL and CNI treatment. LV mass and LV mass index increased (185.03 ± 41.59 -197.21±47.39 g, P=0.033 and 94.20 ± 18.64 -98.93 ± 20.08g/m 2 ; P=0.030) during CNI and decreased (197.21 ± 47.39 -187.59 ± 48.88 g, P= 0.025 and 98.93 ±20.08 -94.06 ± 20.31 g/m 2 P= 0.050) during SRL. The difference in ALV mass and ALV mass index was significant (P=0.011 and P= 0.017, respectively) and was not associated with changes in BP. Left atrium volume index increased during CNI (46.73 ± 16.3 5-54.20 ± 18.47 cm 3 /m 2 , P=0.006) and decreased during SRL (54.20±18.47- 49.75 ± 18.40 cm 3 /m 2 , P=0.0036). The difference in left atrium (ALA) volume index was significant (P=0.002) and was not associated with changes in BP. Conclusions. Withdrawal of CNI and replacement with SRL in cardiac transplant recipients results in a decrease in LV mass and improvement in diastolic function. SRL may be useful to attenuate LVH and improve cardiac allograft diastolic function.
Effect of temporal overlap on brightness matching of adjacent flashes.

Flashes having durations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 msec were matched in brightness to an adjacent 200-msec standard. When the standard and test stimuli terminated together, the results confirmed earlier demonstrations of the Broca–Sulzer phenomenon. Different functions relating the growth of brightness to duration were generated, however, when the flashes matched to each other had coincident onsets or coincident mid-durations. The matches made with stimuli terminating together were shown to exhibit transitivity: Targets which are as bright as a standard are approximately as bright as each other. Finally, an effect of relative luminance on apparent temporal position is described.
Permo-Pennsylvanian palaeotemperatures from Fe-Oxide and phyllosilicate δ18O values

Abstract The oxygen isotope composition of fossil roots that have been permineralized by hematite are presented from eight different stratigraphic levels spanning the Upper Pennsylvanian and Lower Permian strata of north-central Texas. Hematite δ18O values range from − 0.4% to 3.7%. The most negative δ18O values occur in the upper Pennsylvanian strata, and there is a progressive trend toward more positive δ18O values upward through the lower Permian strata. This stratigraphic pattern is similar in magnitude and style to δ18O values reported for penecontemporaneous authigenic palaeosol phyllosilicates and calcites, suggesting that all three minerals record similar paragenetic histories that are probably attributed to temporal palaeoenvironmental changes across the Late Pennsylvanian and Early Permian landscapes. Palaeotemperature estimates based on paired δ18O values between penecontemporaneous hematite and phyllosilicate samples suggest these minerals co-precipitated at relatively low temperatures that are consistent with a supergene origin in a low-latitude soil-forming environment. Hematite–phyllosilicate δ18O pairs indicate (1) relatively low soil temperatures (∼ 24 ± 3 °C) during deposition of the upper Pennsylvanian strata followed by (2) a considerable rise in soil temperatures (∼ 35–37 ± 3 °C) during deposition of the lowermost Permian strata. Significantly, δD and δ18O values of contemporaneous phyllosilicates provide single mineral palaeotemperature estimates that are analytically indistinguishable from temperature estimates based on hematite–phyllosilicate oxygen isotope pairs. The results between the two temperature-proxy methods suggest that the inferred large temperature change across the Upper Pennsylvanian–Lower Permian boundary might be taken seriously. If real, such a significant climate change would have undoubtedly had far-reaching ecological effects within this region of Pangaea. Notably, there are important lithological and palaeobotanical changes, such as disappearance of coal and coal swamp floras, across the Upper Pennsylvanian–Early Permian boundary of north-central Texas that may be consistent with major climatic change toward warmer conditions.
Estimating the chronic health risk from coal-fired power plant toxic emissions

Abstract A general methodology for performing risk assessment is briefly discussed. This approach provides a framework within which the analyst can use specific environmental transport, exposure, and dose—response models that are appropriate to a particular problem. The framework has been implemented in a computer program that incorporates simplified environmental transport models with the models for calculating exposure rates and chronic health effects. The general framework and computer program are applied to illustrative case studies of coal-fired power plant emissions of arsenic and selenium. The problem of uncertainty in the results is discussed and several potential analysis approaches evaluated. A selected approach to uncertainty analysis is applied to the case studies. General conclusions about the risk assessment process and specific conclusions about the case studies are presented.
The emotional impact of orthognathic surgery and conventional orthodontics.

Abstract Previous research by the authors has pointed to depressive reactions among orthognathic surgery patients during the fixation-removal stage and up to 9 months later. However, less is known about emotional shifts among persons who choose to undergo conventional orthodontic treatment after considering surgical orthodontics. In the current study, a standard measure of mood states was applied to 90 surgical patients and 66 who had considered surgery but decided against it. Of these, 33 were undergoing orthodontic treatment and 33 were having no treatment. The mood scale and measures of personally were first applied before surgery and then during orthodontic treatment, just after surgery, at fixation removal, and 6 months after surgery. Possurgical respondents completed questionnaires at the same time as their matched surgical respondents. Scores on tension and fatigue increased significantly among surgical patients from before surgery to immediately after surgery and dropped to presurgical levels when fixation was removed. Anger-hostility increased at fixation removal but declined within 5 months. Postsurgical discomfort, pain, and paresthesia, and interpersonal and oral function problems were correlated with postsurgery emotional state. On the later questionnaires, which corresponded to the later periods of orthodontic treatment, patients who had opted for conventional orthodontic treatment reported that they experienced greater depression, anger, and tension. These patients may be particularly vulnerable to emotional problems because their orthodontic treatment may be more complex and of longer duration than that of the typical orthodontic patient. These results point to the importance of continued psychological support for both orthodontic and surgical patients throughout their course of treatment.
Immunochemical analysis of anti-HLA-A2, HLA-A3, and HLA-B27 xenoantisera elicited with hybrids between human and murine cells

Rabbits were immunized with hybrids constructed with human and murine cells. Serological and immunochemical studies showed that xenoantiserum 1595 is operationally specific for HLA-A2, xenoantisera 0806 and 0746 for HLA-A3 and xenoantiserum 0745 for HLA-1327. The Fab2 blocking assay suggests a spatial relationship between allotypic determinants recognized by the xenoantisera and those reacting with the HLA-A, B-specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) Q1/28,6/3 1, Q6/64, and CR-1 and the anti-β2-microglobulin (β2-μ) MoAb NAMB-1.
Kinetics and distribution volumes for tracers of different sizes in the brain plasma space.

Regional brain and plasma concentrations were determined for a series of radiotracers that differ in molecular weight and size in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats at 1, 5 and 30 min after i.v. injection. The tracers, [3H]inulin (mol. wt. 5000 Da, radius 1.5 nm), 5 [3H]dextrans (10,000–200,000 Da, 2.3–9.5 nm) and [51Cr]transferrin (79,000 Da, 3.8 nm), are not taken up into erythrocytes and do not measurably cross the blood-brain barrier in 30 min. Results were expressed as a brain distribution volume, defined as (dpm/g brain)/(dpm/ml plasma). Within 1 min after injection, all tracers attained initial distribution volume which varied regionally from0.4 to 1.6 × 10-2ml/g. The volumes remained constant between 1 and 30 min for tracers with radii⩾3.8nm, whereas the volumes increased up to 90% for tracers with radii⩽3.1nm. Rates of equilibration for tracers with radii⩽3.1nm were size dependent with smaller tracers equilibrating before larger tracers. These results indicate that the brain distribution volume for plasma tracers consists of two compartments: one which is quickly filled (⩽1min) by all tracers and comprises ∼60% of the total volume, and one which allows only tracers with radii⩽3.1nm and comprises 40% of the total volume. The inverse relation between the rate of equilibration in the second compartment and molecular size may indicate a diffusion limitation. The results suggest that either the smaller tracers diffuse out of plasma into a separate, rapidly equilibrating compartment or that large tracers are prevented from equilibrating within the entire brain plasma space.
Medicaid Managed Care Prescription Use and Cost Savings

Objective To evaluate the impact of Medicaid managed care (MC) enrollment on prescription use and costs. Design Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of claims submitted over a 6-month period. Setting Ohio Medicaid. Patients and Other Participants Stratified, random selection of 2,932 MC and 1,335 fee-for-service (FFS) recipients. Main Outcome Measures Dependent variables were the probability of any prescription use and 6-month prescription counts and costs. Independent variables included age, plan enrollment (MC or FFS), county enrollment status (mandatory or voluntary), presence of a chronic comorbidity, and any outpatient medical visit. Results After adjusting for comorbidities and outpatient medical visits, plan enrollment effects depended on age. FFS enrollees 8 to 12 and 12 to 18 years old were less likely (adjusted odds ratios 0.56 and 0.58, respectively) to receive a prescription, while enrollees over 30 years of age were 2.98 times more likely to receive a prescription. Among prescription users, level of use and costs were consistent across all ages for MC enrollees. FFS enrollees had 25% to 218% higher levels of prescription use than MC enrollees, depending on age. Prescription costs were 8% lower for FFS enrollees ages 4 to 8 but higher for all enrollees in other age groups (range, 22% to 311% higher). Conclusion Prescription use and costs were lower for Medicaid MC enrollees than they were for patients in traditional FFS plans. Further research is neededto examinethe quality of care for both FFS and MC enrollees. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2002;42:587-93.
Outsourcing and productivity: Evidence from Korean data

Abstract This paper aims to provide the first investigation of the productivity effect of outsourcing by using the Korean industry data at the three-digit ISIC level. We find that there are positive productivity gains from material outsourcing. The impact of material outsourcing increases when we account for the share of imports from China. This is due to the growth of Chinese exports to Korea over the recent years. Moreover, the results also suggest that during our sample period Korea's experiment with service outsourcing did not lead to an increase in its productivity.
Interpersonal dominance and coronary-prone behavior: Reply to Ray

Abstract Ray's (1988 , Journal of Research in Personality, 22, 252–253) criticism of our research examining the nature of dominance exhibited by Type As as yielding low-level findings is challenged. We offer the argument that the Type A behavior pattern is a multidimensional concept that is theoretically embedded in a network of constructs. This network of relations is established empirically and derives meaning from an underlying theory. Moreover, the richness of predictions that follow from “a theory of Type A” far exceeds that which would be possible if self-report measures of Type A are viewed simply as measures of dominance. In addition, in contrast to Ray's position, we recommend further research into the behavioral expression of dominance, exhibited by Type As. However, whether or not Type A behavior is isomorphic with dominance, greater understanding of the modes of instrumental behavior of As and Bs, and of the conditions that elicit and maintain such behavior, should be rigorously pursued.
Modeling spatial and dynamic variation in growth, yield, and yield stability of the bioenergy crops Miscanthus × giganteus and Panicum virgatum across the conterminous United States

C4 perennial grasses are being considered as environmentally and economically sustainable high yielding bioenergy feedstocks. Temporal and spatial variation in yield across the conterminious United States is uncertain due to the limited number of field trials. Here, we use a semi-mechanistic dynamic crop growth and production model to explore the potential of Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et. Deu.) and Panicum virgatum L. across the conterminous United States. By running the model for 32 years (1979–2010), we were able to estimate dry biomass production and stability. The maximum rainfed simulated end-of-growth-season harvestable biomass for M. × giganteus was ca. 40 Mg ha−1 and ca. 20 Mg ha−1 for P. virgatum. In addition, regions of the southeastern United States were identified as promising due to their high potential production and stability and their relative advantage when compared with county-level maize biomass production. Regional and temporal variation was most strongly influenced by precipitation and soil water holding capacity. Miscanthus × giganteus was on average 2.2 times more productive than P. virgatum for locations where yields were ≥10 Mg ha−1. The predictive ability of the model for P. virgatum was tested with 30 previously published studies covering the eastern half of the United States and resulted in an index of agreement of 0.71 and a mean bias of only −0.62 Mg ha−1 showing that, on average, the model tended to only slightly overestimate productivity. This study provides with potential production and variability which can be used for regional assessment of the suitability of dedicated bioenergy crops.
Two arctic tundra graminoids differ in tolerance to herbivory when grown with added soil nutrients

Greater soil nutrients are thought to increase graminoid tolerance to herbivory (within-season regrowth following herbivore damage) by enabling new growth in response to defoliation, but these responses vary among graminoid species. We studied how two arctic graminoids, Eriophorum vaginatum (L.) in moist acidic tussock (MAT) tundra and Hierochloe alpina (Roem. & Schult.) in dry heath (DH) tundra, tolerate both experimental and natural herbivory when fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus. Fertilization reduced the tolerance and recovery (regrowth in subsequent years) of defoliated Eriophorum relative to plants growing without fertilization. In contrast, fertilized Hierochloe plants regrew well following defoliation. These opposing results may be due to differential abilities of these two species to access other resources in MAT and DH when fertilized. Herbivory may be affecting access to light of Eriophorum in the more productive, closed canopy MAT, in spite of its ability to grow bigger when fertilized....
Direct integration of metal oxide nanowire in vertical field-effect transistor

We demonstrate seamless direct integration of a semiconductor nanowire grown using a bottom-up approach to obtain a vertical field-effect transistor (VFET). We first synthesize single crystalline semiconductor indium oxide (In2O3) nanowires projecting vertically and uniformly on a nonconducting optical sapphire substrate. Direct electrical contact to the nanowires is uniquely provided by a self-assembled underlying In2O3 buffer layer formed in-situ during the nanowire growth. A controlled time-resolved growth study reveals dynamic simultaneous nucleation and epitaxial growth events, driven by two competitive growth mechanisms. Based on the nanowire-integrated platform, a depletion mode n-channel VFET with an In2O3 nanowire constituting the active channel is fabricated. Our unique vertical device architecture could potentially lead to tera-level ultrahigh-density nanoscale electronic, and optoelectronic devices.
A Technology Foundation for Policy Based Networking with an Emphasis on Enterprise Cyber Security

This paper presents a technology foundation for policy-based networking with an emphasis on enterprise cyber-security in support of a managed enterprise networkenvironment.
Preventing bacterial adhesion and cellular encroachment on intraocular lenses with lubricin

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery in the world. However, biofouling threatens the success of these surgeries. This in vitro study investigated lubricin's ability to modify polymer surfaces to resist biofouling, specifically bacterial colonization. This study investigated surface energy changes caused by lubricin coatings as well as lubricin's ability to reduce bacterial proliferation. The results of this study indicated that lubricin coatings were able to increase the hydrophilicity of poly (methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses. This study also indicated that lubricin was able to reduce Staphylococcus aureus proliferation. In summary, this study indicates that lubricin surface treatments may be a viable means to prevent biofouling.
Computational steering in simulation of manufacturing systems

Traditional steps in a discrete event manufacturing simulation are to prepare input variables, select simulation parameters, run the simulation and review the results after the execution is completed. The main drawback in such systems is that complex "what if scenario" analysis would require several simulation cycles before they divulge interesting or valuable information. In an approach proposed here, we have utilized computational steering concepts along with an interactive virtual environment to obtain results of a manufacturing simulation on the fly thus allowing quick changes and instant feedback from the system. A simple conceptual system was implemented to study this approach. Initial results have provided several interesting observations.
A prior feature SVM-MRF based method for mouse brain segmentation

Abstract We introduce an automated method, called prior feature Support Vector Machine-Markov Random Field (pSVMRF), to segment three-dimensional mouse brain Magnetic Resonance Microscopy (MRM) images. Our earlier work, extended MRF (eMRF) integrated Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Markov Random Field (MRF) approaches, leading to improved segmentation accuracy; however, the computation of eMRF is very expensive, which may limit its performance on segmentation and robustness. In this study pSVMRF reduces training and testing time for SVM, while boosting segmentation performance. Unlike the eMRF approach, where MR intensity information and location priors are linearly combined, pSVMRF combines this information in a nonlinear fashion, and enhances the discriminative ability of the algorithm. We validate the proposed method using MR imaging of unstained and actively stained mouse brain specimens, and compare segmentation accuracy with two existing methods: eMRF and MRF. C57BL/6 mice are used for training and testing, using cross validation. For formalin fixed C57BL/6 specimens, pSVMRF outperforms both eMRF and MRF. The segmentation accuracy for C57BL/6 brains, stained or not, was similar for larger structures like hippocampus and caudate putamen, (~ 87%), but increased substantially for smaller regions like susbtantia nigra (from 78.36% to 91.55%), and anterior commissure (from ~ 50% to ~ 80%). To test segmentation robustness against increased anatomical variability we add two strains, BXD29 and a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Segmentation accuracy for new strains is 80% for hippocampus, and caudate putamen, indicating that pSVMRF is a promising approach for phenotyping mouse models of human brain disorders.
Exaggerated Texture and Grain Growth in a Supperplastic SiAlON

This paper reports on a fine-grained superplastic [beta]-silicon nitride solid solution (SiAlON) which was found to develop elongated grains and a pronounced texture during tensile deformation at 1550[degrees] C. The texture development is well-described by a geometrical model of grain rotation in accordance with the strain field. Once aligned, grains can then grow with little constraint due to impingement and often coalesce into each other. With the above microstructural development, the stress-strain curve displayed unusually strong strain hardening characteristics due to a fiber-reinforcement effect of the aligned silicon nitride grains on the glass-containing matrix. By extending the rheological model of Chen and Yoon and considering these microstructural evolutions, the authors are able to simulate the deformation behavior.
Design and Analysis of a High-Gain Observer for the Operation of SPM Machines Under Saturation

This paper presents a high-gain observer of the rotor position for the control of surface permanent magnet synchronous machines under loaded conditions, e.g., saturation. Determining the rotor flux position of permanent magnet AC machines under no load is simpler, since its flux and rotor position coincide. However under load and in the presence of saturation in particular, the flux is comprised of two components: one due to the rotor magnets and the other due to the stator current. This causes the magnetic axis to shift from the rotor position, which in turn causes an error in a control algorithm that uses conventional rotor position estimation. This paper characterizes this error through a nonlinear model of the machine and finite element analysis. Design and analysis of a general position observer algorithm for PMAC machines accounting for saturation is presented, along with its implementation for a control methods using back EMF measurement and high-frequency Injection. Experimental results validating the nonlinear model of the machine, existence of the saturation-induced error, and performance of the proposed observer are also given.
Fabrication of a needle-type pH sensor by selective electrodeposition

This manuscript reports on the development of a needle-type sensor for in situ on-site measurement of pH. Conventional pH microelectrode sensors are fabricated by pulling glass pipettes and applying ion-selective films at the tip. However, these sensors suffer from low fabrication yields and short sensor lifetime due to disruption or loss of the ion-selective membrane after repeated use. The developed needle-type sensor is fabricated by meniscus etching and takes advantage of the MEMS batch fabrication techniques. The sensor is based on the ion-selective properties of iridium oxide film, which was deposited at the sensor tip by electrodeposition. The sensor exhibited a Nernstian response with sensitivity of ∼62 mV/pH in the pH 2 to 12 range. The sensor also exhibited a fast 5 s response and a lifetime of ∼2 months when stored in a pH7 buffer solution, which is substantially longer than that of the conventional pulled-pipette sensors.
Neighborhood Urban Form, Social Environment, and Depression

We examined whether neighborhood urban form, along with the social environment, was associated with depressive symptoms in a sample of Miami residents. Using a validated measure of depressive symptoms, we found that living in neighborhoods with higher housing density was associated with fewer symptoms. A larger acreage of green spaces was also linked to fewer depressive symptoms but did not reach significance in the full model. Our results suggest that how residents use the environment matters. Living in neighborhoods with a higher density of auto commuters relative to land area, an indicator of chronic noise exposure, was associated with more symptoms.
Neurorehabilitation and neurolaw

Neurological injuries result from a variety of traumatic events which may become the subject of civil litigation. The emerging field of medical jurisprudence known as neurolaw deals specifically with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury in the legal setting. This article reviews the myriad ramifications of neurolaw and provides practical suggestions to neurorehabilitation professionals who serve as expert witnesses in civil actions.
Boundaries of Violence: Water, Gender and Globalization at the US Borders

Abstract This essay examines cultural and literary representations of women and water along the US borders. I analyze Linda Hogan's Solar Storms (1995) and Kem Nunn's Tijuana Straits (2004) to examine how conflicts over water and pollution are gendered in the context of globalization. Through a close textual reading of these novels in their social, political and historical contexts, I argue that water functions as a metaphor for border environmental and justice issues and their gendered dimensions in North America. Water landscapes and the struggles over water provide the backdrop for these texts because of the unique properties of water and environmental pollution to cross boundaries. In crossing political boundaries, water symbolizes the contested politics and the geographic and cultural spaces between nations and communities that hold unequal power. Water also represents complex forms of violence as a result of large-scale economic development, the cultural changes this development ushers in and their ...
Relevance Relations in Discourse: A Study with Special Reference to Sissala

Relevance Relations in Discourse:. Study with Special Reference to Sissala. Regina Blass. Cambridge Studies in Linguistics, 55. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. 284 pp. $49.50 (cloth)
Fractionation and Quantification of β-Carotene and Vitamin A Derivatives in Human Serum

Concentrations of β-carotene, retinyl esters, retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid were determined quantitatively in human serum. Extraction of the compounds was accomplished with a petroleum ether-ethanol system and fractionation by thin-layer chromatography. Each fraction's absorbance was measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and expressed as micrograms per 100 ml. By this method, 85% or more of individual premeasured standards and more than 69% of premeasured combined standards could be recovered. The levels of β-carotene and Vitamin A derivatives recovered from the serums of 10 males and 10 females compared favorably with those obtained with other methods. The procedure outlined is rapid, simple, and reproducible.
Biologically active substances from higher plants: Status and future potential†

Plant breeding and selection, husbandry techniques and crop protection technology, including agrochemicals, have all made substantial contributions to the present-day level of crop productivity. However, yield losses due to disease, pests and weeds must continue to be minimized in order to meet the food supply demands from an ever growing population. Appropriate synthetic chemicals are becoming increasingly difficult to discover and develop due to stricter requirements on efficacy, selectivity, toxicology and general environmental impact. Consequently, there is a growing interest in understanding and utilising natural mechanisms as the basis for crop protection products. Plants themselves are a rich source of biologically active substances which could potentially be harnessed to modify crop growth or to protect crops against disease and pests. This review describes briefly the current status of understanding relative to plant–plant (herbicide and plant growth substances), plant–fungal (fungicide) and plant–insect (insecticide) interactions. Future prospects are considered in relation to directed synthesis, cell culture, microbial pesticides and plant genetic engineering. The opinion expressed is optimistic and suggests that science today can be utilised to secure the food supply of tomorrow. However, utilising either natural products or molecular biology may require an improved understanding of crop physiology and new developments in agronomy. Therefore, the time-frame for major impact of the ‘new’ technologies on crop productivity may be longer than is commonly predicted.
Recently Published Stroke Trials: What the Radiologist Needs to Know.

It is essential that measures are put in place to ensure that advanced imaging does not delay intervention.