cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, leukocytes secrete immunoreactive adrenal corticotropin hormone (ACTH).

The interrelationships between the neuroendocrine and immune systems are becoming more understood, at least in mammalian systems. The most characterized of these relationships is that of hormonal signaling within the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. CNS-perceived signals stimulate the release of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) which in turn stimulates the release of pituitary corticotropin (ACTH) and ultimately the release of adrenal-cortex-derived corticosteroids. We demonstrate that channel catfish peripheral blood mononuclear cells, a channel catfish B-cell line (1G8) and a T-cell line (28S.1), constitutively and in response to CRF, secrete a molecule that is reactive with a mammalian RIA for ACTH (irACTH). The T-cell line was the most responsive to CRH and may provide a valuable model for understanding the interrelationships between the neuroendocrine and immune systems in lower vertebrates. Lymphoid derived ACTH, or ACTH-like products, in fish, as well as higher vertebrates, may represent a paracrine or autocrine control on lymphocyte function and immune regulation.
Luminescence in Environmental Analysis

An overview of the applications of photoluminescence techniques for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in environmental samples is presented. The basic experimental procedures of several techniques, such as room-temperature fluorimetry, low-temperature phosphorimetry (LTP), micelle-stabilized room-temperature phosphorimetry (MSRTP), sensitized room-temperature phosphorimetry (RTP), solid-surface room-temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP), and Shpol'skii spectrometry at 77 K are provided. Analytical figures of merit, such as linear dynamic ranges (LDRs) of calibration curves, limits of detection, and relative standard deviations (RSDs), are compared. Basic spectrofluorimeters for direct laboratory analysis of organic pollutants and instrumental systems utilized for chromatographic detection are discussed. Emphasis to portable devices using laser excitation is given to illustrate the usefulness of photoluminescence techniques for field and remote analysis of contaminated sites. Specific examples of emerging technology developed in the author's laboratory are presented to illustrate recent advances in photoluminescence analysis of environmental samples.
LA TECNOLOGÍA COMO INSTITUCIÓN: ¿QUÉ NOS PUEDEN ENSEÑAR LOS ESTUDIOS SOCIALES DE LA TECNOLOGÍA?

Resumen es: La tecnologia, ?es una institucion? En el articulo se plantea de manera provocativa si la sociologia puede estudiar simultaneamente los aspectos sociales...
Intertemporal asset pricing: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract The conditional efficiency of an unspecified portfolio of a value-weighted stock index and a long-term government bond index is rejected in a framework that permits the factor risk-premia, asset betas, and residual variances to vary with the levels of observable state variables. Both the level and volatility of one-month T-bill rates are found to be associated with economically important shifts in the investment characteristics of size and industry portfolios and stock and bond indexes. January seasonals in equity variance and small-firm interest rate risk are also observed.
Learning without local minima

A computationally efficient methodology for overcoming local minima in nonlinear neural network learning is presented. This methodology is based on the newly discovered TRUST global optimization paradigm. Enhancements to the backpropagation schema in feedforward multilayer architectures, and to adjoint-operator learning in recurrent networks are discussed. Extensions to TRUST now formally guarantee reaching a global minimum in the multidimensional case. Results for a standard benchmark are included, to illustrate the theoretical developments. >
Comparison of Archaeal and Bacterial Diversity in Methane Seep Carbonate Nodules and Host Sediments, Eel River Basin and Hydrate Ridge, USA

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) impacts carbon cycling by acting as a methane sink and by sequestering inorganic carbon via AOM-induced carbonate precipitation. These precipitates commonly take the form of carbonate nodules that form within methane seep sediments. The timing and sequence of nodule formation within methane seep sediments are not well understood. Further, the microbial diversity associated with sediment-hosted nodules has not been well characterized and the degree to which nodules reflect the microbial assemblage in surrounding sediments is unknown. Here, we conducted a comparative study of microbial assemblages in methane-derived authigenic carbonate nodules and their host sediments using molecular, mineralogical, and geochemical methods. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene diversity from paired carbonate nodules and sediments revealed that both sample types contained methanotrophic archaea (ANME-1 and ANME-2) and syntrophic sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfobacteraceae and Desulfobulbaceae), as well as other microbial community members. The combination of geochemical and molecular data from Eel River Basin and Hydrate Ridge suggested that some nodules formed in situ and captured the local sediment-hosted microbial community, while other nodules may have been translocated or may represent a record of conditions prior to the contemporary environment. Taken together, this comparative analysis offers clues to the formation regimes and mechanisms of sediment-hosted carbonate nodules.
Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Flow in Continuous Casting

Fluid flow is very important to quality in the continuous casting of steel. With the high cost of empirical investigation and the increasing power of computer hardware and software, mathematical modeling is becoming an important tool to understand fluid flow phenomena. This paper reviews recent developments in modeling phenomena related to fluid flow in the continuous casting mold region, and the resulting implications for improving the process. These phenomena include turbulent flow in the nozzle and mold, the transport of bubbles and inclusion particles, multi-phase flow phenomena, the effect of electromagnetic forces, heat transfer, interfacial phenomena and interactions between the steel surface and the slag layers, the transport of solute elements and segregation. The work summarized in this paper can help to provide direction for further modeling investigation of the continuous casting mold, and to improve understanding of this important process.
Effect of brake power distribution on dynamic programming technique in plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle control strategy

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) control strategies have received much attention in recent years for their significant impact in reducing the overall fuel cost. Dynamic programming (DP) is a control method which calculates every possible outcome at each step to find out the optimal supervisory control trajectory. In this work, DP is applied to a PHEV control strategy using a backward looking powertrain model while demonstrating the effect of considering the regenerative braking power distribution. A case study with a Series PHEV model is considered using DP based powertrain control strategy with different drive cycles to demonstrate the importance of considering brake power distribution on the cost-to-go function of these vehicles. The simulation results show that there is significant deviation from the optimal trajectory especially in heavy stop and go traffic situations while brake power distribution is considered.
Sensitive quantification of atomoxetine in human plasma by HPLC with fluorescence detection using 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl) benzoyl chloride derivatization

The first HPLC-fluorescence method for the determination of atomoxetine in human plasma was developed and validated. Atomoxetine was derivatized with 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl) benzoyl chloride (DIB-Cl) under mild conditions, and separated isocratically on a C18 column using a HPLC system with fluorescence detection (lambdaex: 318 nm, lambdaem: 448 nm). A linear calibration curve was obtained over the concentration range 1-1000 ng/mL (r=0.999). The limit of detection (S/N=3) was 0.3 ng/mL. The relative standard deviations of intra-day and inter-day variations were < or =8.30% and 7.47%, respectively. This method is rapid, sensitive, and suitable for both basic and clinical studies of atomoxetine.
Design and optimization of an open stripline resonator for rubber thickness gauging

A stripline resonator was designed, analyzed and optimized for production line gauging and monitoring of rubber thickness. The sensor is intended to gauge the thickness of rubber during production as it passes on a steel calendar or drum. The need for high accuracy, real time measurements and continuous coverage of the material necessitated a unique approach to the design including simulation and system development. The current work describes modeling, simulation and optimization of system parameters for an in-plant system designed for gauging purposes. The final production system will consist of a single open stripline resonator moving back and forth across the width of the dielectric sampling the material continuously. A network analyzer is used for monitoring of the system's resonant frequency because of its accuracy, ruggedness and because its interface allows continuous modifications, analysis and monitoring across the internet so that engineers can remotely monitor the production, the quality of the product and intervene as needed. A computer monitors the motion of the sensor across the fabric, marks the location of the sensor and records the output together with time signatures and material data for later reference. Optimization of various parameters - size, sensitivity, interference and others was carried out using FDTD simulation.
Fuzzy spaces and new random matrix ensembles

We analyze the expectation value of observables in a scalar theory on the fuzzy two-sphere, represented as a generalized Hermitian matrix model. We calculate explicitly the form of the expectation values in the large-$N$ limit and demonstrate that, for any single kind of field (matrix), the distribution of its eigenvalues is still a Wigner semicircle but with a renormalized radius. For observables involving more than one type of matrix, we obtain a new distribution corresponding to correlated Wigner semicircles.
Does Laboratory Testing Have Predictive and Practical Value for Cycling Performance

Athletes spend very little of their training time in the laboratory, yet, laboratory measures of performance can significantly affect a coaches' decision as to how the athlete will be trained. When athletes train in preparation for competition, and when competing, are measures of physiological function in the field the same as what is observed in the laboratory, and do the measures of laboratory performance on an athlete have predictive value for training or competition outside of the laboratory? Markers that have historically been used to determine successful cycling performance are maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), the ability to exercise at a high percentage of VO2max (% VO2max), cycling economy / efficiency, and a variety of "threshold" measures. "Threshold" measures are unlikely to be useful for predicting successful, high-intensity endurance cycling performance, but tracking of changes in VO2max, %VO2max, peak power output (PPO) and cycling economy/efficiency are useful laboratory measures that suc...
Pulmonary-Esophageal Variceal Bleeding: A Unique Presentation of Partial Cor Triatriatum Sinistrum

Cor triatriatum sinistrum is a rare congenital disorder defined as a division of the left atrium by a diaphragmatic membrane resulting in two left atrial chambers. The membranous division of the atrium can be partial or complete and can affect either atrium, with involvement of the right atrium referred to as cor triatriatum dexter. The presence of fenestrations within the membrane allows for communication and forward passage of blood into the true atrium. Absence of fenestrations leads to early symptomatic engorgement of the lungs. We report the case of a young adult male presenting with recurrent hematemesis due to variceal bleeding. On CT imaging the patient was found to have cor triatriatum sinistrum, with a vertical membrane resulting in total obstruction of the pulmonary venous drainage on the right, with normal pulmonary venous drainage on the left. There was extensive pulmonary-systemic arterial collateralization to the right lung suggesting retrograde filling of the right pulmonary artery with effective flow reversal in the right lung.
Malignant Brenner Tumor Mimicking a Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix

An 86-year-old female presented with a necrotic cervical mass that was biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma. She had an elevated CA-125 and a pelvic mass. At surgery, this mass was found to be of adnexal origin and contiguous with the cervix. Histology showed a malignant Brenner tumor with abundant squamous differentiation eroding the cervix and simulating a primary cervical malignancy. We describe this case and review the literature on metastatic tumors to the cervix.
Multibreath tracer species dynamics in the lung.

By studying the behavior of various tracer species in the lungs, one can assess many important characteristics which distinguish normal and abnormal function. Quantitative evaluation of function depends on the use of an appropriate model in conjunction with experimental data. A multi-compartment model is derived from mass balances to describe dynamic as well as (breath-averaged) steady-state transport processes between the environment and pulmonary capillary blood. The breathing cycle is divided into three time periods (inspiration, expiration, and pause) so that the model equations are discrete in time. No other model of tracer species transport in the lungs deals simultaneously with species dynamics, variable breathing pattern, distribution inhomogeneities, and non-equilibrium between alveolar gas and capillary blood. Models currently in the literature are shown to be special cases of the model presented here.
The effect of age and exercise training on insulin sensitivity, fat and muscle tissue cytokine profiles and body composition of old and young Standardbred mares

This study tested the hypothesis that old and young mares exhibit different endocrine responses to a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) and different cytokine profiles in blood, adipose and muscle tissues. It was also hypothesised that exercise training alters endocrine and tissue cytokine profiles. Pilot data from 15 mixed background horses indicated tissue differences in cytokine profiles. For the main study, six old (22.0±0.7 years) and six young (7.3±0.6 years; mean±SE) unfit Standardbred mares were tested pre- and post-training. Exercise training occurred three days/week for 15 weeks at ~60% maximum heart rate. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were measured via radioimmunoassay and enzyme-electrode interface, respectively. Samples of blood, middle gluteal muscle (RM), and subcutaneous adipose tissue from the neck (NF) were collected pre- and post-training for mRNA quantification. Minimal model analysis of FSIGT, repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson Product Moment we...
Reliability and availability equations for multi-state components

Fundamental relations are derived for the reliability, availability and other failure and repair characteristics of components with multiple failed states. These equations allow general-failure and repair-time distributions, initial conditions, and replacement components to be either old or new, and also allow the repair crew to be old or renewed for each failure. These new equations for multi-state components also provide new results for binary components and a systematic classification structure based on the repair policies. Solutions and solution techniques are introduced for the time-dependent and asymptotic state probabilities and failure and repair intensities. Applications to probabilistic risk assessments and reliability analyses of complex components are discussed.
In situ growth of CoPt nanoparticles in porous germania nanospheres

Abstract Mesoporous nanospheres of germania were used as matrix to grow CoPt nanoparticles. The host germania nanospheres were prepared by biomineralization via the recognition of the peptide sequence T-G-H-Q-S-P-G-A-Y-A-A-H. The size of the cobalt/platinum nanoparticles embedded in germania is in the 8–9 nm range, as determined by TEM analysis. The porosity of the nanocomposites was confirmed by nitrogen isotherm analysis. MFM analysis confirmed the magnetic properties of the germania nanocomposites. This simple method of preparation of germania nanospheres via biomineralization, followed by growth of CoPt nanoparticles has an attractive potential for preparing new optomagnetic materials. Such nanocomposites for various device fabrications can be produced and potentially be used to target specific applications.
Symbiodinium gen. nov. and Symbiodinium microadriaticum sp. nov., a Zooxanthella: Taxonomy, Life Cycle, and Morphology.*

SYNOPSIS. The life cycle of the zooxanthella of Cassiopeia sp., as determined by in vitro studies, includes a dominant vegetative autotrophic stage, a reproductive cyst producing autospores, aplanospores, or motile gymnodinioid zoospores, or possible gametes. The predominance of these stages is partially determined by environmental factors, e.g., photoperiodicity. As none of the existing genera of free-living or parasitic algae are wholly applicable to this organism, a new genus, Symbiodinium, is proposed. The type species, S. microadriaticum, is described.
Top Ethical Challenges for Military Clinical Psychologists

Military clinical psychologists must frequently confront and resolve ethical dilemmas arising from their dual identities as psychologist and commissioned officer and from the unique context and mis...
Group Dependence of Some Reliability Indices for Mastery Tests

Reliability indices for mastery tests depend not only on true-score variance but also on mean and cutoff scores. This dependence was examined in the case of three decision-theoretic indices: (1) the co efficient of agreement; (2) kappa; and (3) the pro portion of correct decisions. The binomial error model was assumed, with a two-parameter beta dis tribution for true scores. The reliability indices were computed at five values of the mean, four values of KR-21, and four cutoff scores. Results show that the dependence of kappa on mean and cutoff scores is opposite to that of the proportion of correct de cisions, which is linearly related to average thresh old loss. Moreover, kappa can be very small when most examinees are classified correctly. Thus, ob jections against the classical reliability coefficient apply even more strongly to kappa.
Computer Correction of Projective Distortions in Dental Radiographs

Distortions in radiographic images caused by changes in shape and position of the film relative to the x-ray beam can result in registration artifacts which interfere with interpretation of subtracted images.A warping transformation is described which maps known points of reference in one image into homologous points in another. The corrected image pair can then be superimposed and subtracted with significantly-reduced differences in registration to facilitate the detection of localized changes of diagnostic interest.
Beta blockade in the post-myocardial infarction setting: pharmacologic rationale and clinical evidence.

The use of β blockers reduces the risk of arrhythmias, reinfarction, and heart failure in both the immediate and long-term periods after a myocardial infarction. Every patient should be prescribed a β blocker after a myocardial infarction unless there is a strong contraindication to therapy. Despite compelling evidence and recommendations, β blockers remain an underutilized therapy in the post-myocardial infarction period. Evidence-based recommendations for the choice of agent and the practical implementation of β blockers are reviewed.
The Development and Use of a Universal Model to Predict Tree Crop Harvester Pesticide Exposure

A simple regression model is presented for predicting the transfer of residual foliar applied pesticide to the body of a Florida citrus harvester. This model is dependent on work rate and residue concentration and agrees with an earlier model derived from similar data taken from a California study. This suggests that observed regional differences in the morbidity of harvesters in treated fields may be due to regional differences in foliar pesticide residue levels rather than regional differences in transport mechanisms of pesticide from foliage to worker. Eventual metabolite output in worker urine is also predicted.
Methods: Face up to false positives.

Scientists and journals must work together to ensure that eye-catching artefacts are not trumpeted as genomic insights, says Daniel MacArthur.
SYMPLICITY—Not as Simple as One, Two, Three

Nearly 40% of adults in developed countries have hypertension, and the incidence is growing globally. Even when patients take a combination of antihypertensive drugs, nearly 10% do not respond adequately and are considered “resistant.” In this resistant group, transection of the sympathetic innervation that courses through the renal artery adventitia has emerged as a promising treatment. First suggested as early as the 1930s, the use of surgical sympathectomy has been limited because of high morbidity and mortality and the availability of effective drugs. Within the past 5 years, however, renal denervation (RDN) performed via catheter has been shown to dramatically reduce hypertension in both preclinical animal studies as well as in early clinical trials such as SYMPLICITY HTN-1 (which had no control) and SYMPLICITY HTN-2 (which was not blinded, with an inactive control). Already approved for clinical use in Europe, RDN has been widely considered the next blockbuster cardiovascular therapy for resistant hypertension. As a result, indications ranging from a cost-effective cure for mild hypertension to a new approach in heart failure management have been on the horizon. Yet in a disappointing turn, the pivotal SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial by Bhatt et al . demonstrated a lack of effect of RDN on hypertension over the medical control, raising questions about the fundamental value of RDN. Avoiding many of the shortcomings of prior, smaller, nonblinded clinical studies, SYMPLICITY HTN-3 was an 88-center trial that randomized 535 patients with resistant hypertension to RDN or sham-control. The patients’ medical therapy was tightly regimented and maintained. Although the procedure did not cause any increase in adverse events, there was also no difference between groups in reduction of hypertension. At 6 months, blood pressure measured in the doctor’s office decreased in both groups to a similar extent (–14.13 ± 23.93 mmHg in RDN versus –11.74 ± 25.94 mmHg in control), as did the values after 24-hour ambulatory monitoring (–6.75 ± 15.11 mmHg in RDN versus –4.79 ± 17.25 mmHg in control). Not only were these decreases in blood pressure less pronounced than the 20- to 30-mmHg drops seen in earlier trials, but the benefit was observed even in the sham-control group. Amidst ongoing musings about the placebo effect, variability of responses, trial design, meaningful outcomes, and potential effectiveness of newer devices and techniques, we are left to contemplate an uncertain future for RDN. How do we weigh the extensive and growing body of translational evidence in support of this approach against a well-conducted and rigorously controlled randomized clinical trial that markedly tempers enthusiasm? Before turning the page on RDN, we should determine whether this trial’s outcome was a result of technology failure, an inadequacy of the trial, or our own lack of knowledge about the intervention. D. L. Bhatt et al ., A controlled trial of renal denervation for resistant hypertension. N. Engl. J. Med . 370 , 1393–1401 (2014). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1402670
Effects of PCBs on mourning dove courtship behavior

The effects of PCBs on the Mourning sove courtship behavior and subsequent reproductive effects were studied. The behavior has been divided into the courtship phase (pair bond formation and courting) and the nesting phase (nestbuilding, egglaying, and incubation). Twenty four pairs of doves were fed 0, 10, or 40 ppm Aroclor 1254 for 42 days. The courtship phases were significantly prolonged at the higher dose. Both doses had effects on the nesting phase; at 10 ppm the initial nest building was about 7 days longer than that of controls. Clutch size and eggshell thickness did not significantly differ from controls. (JMT)
Effects of Elevated Cytosolic Calcium on ACh-Induced Swine Tracheal Smooth Muscle Contraction.

Increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) is required for smooth muscle contraction. In tracheal and other tonic smooth muscles, contraction and elevated [Ca2+]i are maintained as long as an agonist is present. To evaluate the physiological role of steady-state increases in Ca2+ on tension maintenance, [Ca2+]i was elevated using ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore or charybdotoxin, a large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa) blocker prior to or during exposure of tracheal smooth muscle strips to Ach (10−9 to 10−4 M). Ionomycin (5 µM) in resting muscles induced increases in [Ca2+]i to 500±230 nM and small increases in force of 2.6±2.3 N/cm2. This tension is only 10% of the maximal tension induced by ACh. Charybdotoxin had no effect on [Ca2+]i or tension in resting muscle. After pretreatment of muscle with ionomycin, the concentration-response relationship for ACh-induced changes in tension shifted to the left (EC50=0.07±0.05 µM ionomycin; 0.17±0.07 µM, control, p<0.05). When applied to the muscles during steady-state responses to submaximal concentrations of ACh, both ionomycin and charybdotoxin induced further increases in tension. The same magnitude increase in tension occurs after ionomycin and charybdotoxin treatment, even though the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by charybdotoxin is much smaller than that induced by ionomycin. We conclude that the resting muscle is much less sensitive to elevation of [Ca2+]i when compared to muscles stimulated with ACh. Steady-state [Ca2+]i limits tension development induced by submaximal concentrations of ACh. The activity of KCa moderates the response of the muscle to ACh at concentrations less than 1 µM.
CoWebViz: interactive collaborative sharing of 3D stereoscopic visualization among browsers with no added software

Vast amounts of multimodal imaging data are continuously generated in medicine. 3D and 3D stereoscopic visualization have become indispensable methods for health care professionals to effectively analyze and communicate this data in the clinical, research, and educational domains. The current visualization paradigm in health care confines 3D rendering to proprietary medical imaging workstations commonly housed in radiology departments or to tethered specialized clients (e.g. thick clients, Java, or plugins). We introduce a distributed visualization system whose client consists only of a current generation Internet web browser without downloaded software such as plugins or Java. Utilizing "Motion JPEG", our shared client application (CoWebViz) streams 3D and 3D stereoscopic images to one or more browsers while simultaneously enabling each browser to directly control the visualization, i.e., sharing all events with all participants. MedVolViz, our base visualization server, is an open-source, high-performance, parallel-processing medical volume rendering application designed to enable real-time interactive 3D stereoscopic visualizations. CoWebViz allows multiple participants to collaboratively view and remotely interact with MedVolViz via mouse and keyboard events in their browser. We comprehensively tested CoWebViz's stability and collaborative interactivity by deploying it as the core teaching technology for University of Chicago's Immersive Virtual Anatomy, an undergraduate biological sciences class which was audited in real-time by students and faculty at Cardiff School of Computer Science and Informatics. The client proved to be both intuitive and robust for all users across the unmodified open intercontinental Internet. We shall continue to refine CoWebViz to further improve performance and ease of use.
Review: VTE prophylaxis in nonsurgical inpatients reduces PE but not death, and increases major bleeding

Source Citation Lederle FA, Zylla D, MacDonald R, Wilt TJ. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized medical patients and those with stroke: a background review for an American College of ...
Energy balance analysis of nonlinear combustion instability

To be of practical value, analytical models for nonlinear rocket motor combustion instability must adequately represent: 1) steep fronted waves, 2) limit cycle operation, and 3) triggering phenomena. Inclusion of all these effects in an approximate analysis based on perturbation expansion procedures requires retention of terms to at least the third order in the perturbation parameter representing the system amplitude. In this paper, the acoustic energy balance method is extended into the nonlinear regime and combined with a simplified geometrical representation of the wave structure to greatly simplify this procedure. A practical approximate model for axial pressure fluctuations in a tubular rocket motor results. Effects of nonlinear combustion and nonisentropic energy losses in the steep wave fronts are represented. Since the relative amplitudes of the Fourier components that comprise the traveling shock waves may be assumed to remain effectively fixed near amplitude limiting conditions, great mathematical simplifications accrue. The behavior of the system is governed by a simple polynomial expression which gives the rate of change of the composite system amplitude. The coefficients are integral expressions taken over the chamber volume and its bounding surfaces. The familiar exponential growth rate model appears as the first-order (linear) limiting case. The model demonstrates all of the nonlinear characteristics observed in motor data and shows promise as an easily used diagnostic tool. It has been successfully employed to simulate actual experimental results from pulser tests in inert chambers and from sonic end-vent burner tests.
Modelling and simulation of the nonlinear dose-plasma concentration response of phenylbutazone on periodic multiple oral dosing: A mechanistic approach

Abstract The dose-ranging pharmacokinetics of phenylbutazone on periodic multiple oral dosing have previously been shown to be nonlinear, inasmuch as there is a plateauing of steady-state plasma concentrations with increasing dose. The mechanistic hypothesis of saturable protein binding, postulated to explain this behaviour was tested, in the context of whole-body pharmacokinetic modelling of the observed dose dependancy, using the circuit simulation program SPICE2. The alternate hypothesis, operating singly or in tandem, of loss of unabsorbed drug due to gastrointestinal emptying, saturable absorption, change in the volume of distribution of the drug, were also examined. Within the constraints of the proposed whole-body pharmacokinetic model, the absorption kinetics of increasing oral daily doses of phenylbutazone were shown to be saturable in their mechanism.
Palonosetron for the prevention of chemotherapy- induced nausea and vomiting: approval and efficacy

Correspondence: Rudolph M Navari Department of Medicine, indiana University School of Medicine South Bend, 1234 Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend, iN 46617 USA Tel +1 574-631-3793 Fax +1 574-631-6857 email navari.1@nd.edu Abstract: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is associated with a significant deterioration in quality of life. The emetogenicity of the chemotherapeutic agents, repeated chemotherapy cycles, and patient characteristics (female gender, younger age, low alcohol consumption, history of motion sickness) are the major risk factors for CINV. This review provides a detailed description of palonosetron, a second-generation 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonist. The chemistry and pharmacology of palonosetron are described, as well as the initial and recent clinical trials. Palonosetron has a longer half-life and a higher binding affinity than the first-generation 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists. Palonosetron has been approved for the prevention of acute CINV in patients receiving either moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy and for the prevention of delayed CINV in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. In recent studies, compared to the first-generation 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists, palonosetron in combination with dexamethasone demonstrated better control of delayed CINV in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. There were no clinically relevant adverse reactions reported in the palonosetron clinical trials which were different from the common reactions reported for the 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist class. Due to its efficacy in controlling both acute and delayed CINV, palonosetron may be very effective in the clinical setting of multiple-day chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation.
On some alternative procedures using ranks for the analysis of experimental designs

The analysis of data from eseperisental designs is often hampered by the lack of more than one procedure available for the analysis, especially when that procedure is based on assumptions which do not apply in the situation at hand. In this paper tvo classes of alternative procedures are discussed and compared, One is the aligned ranks procedure which first standardises the data by subtracting an appropriate estimate of location, then replaces the data with ranks t and finally uses an appropriate test statistic which has asymptotically a chi-square distribution The second procedure is the rank transform which first replaces all of the data with the ranks, and then employs the usual parametric methods, but computed on the ranks instead of the data Some Monte Carlo simulations for a test of interaction in a two way layout with replication enable the robustness and pover of these tvo methods to be compared with the usual analysis of variancs.
An analysis of freeze-up phenomena during gas atomization of metals

Abstract A numerical model is developed to describe the flow and heat transfer behavior of molten metals during flow in the delivery tube in gas atomization and spray deposition. Numerical simulations for Al, Cu, Mg, Ni, Ti and W melt are conducted to investigate the influence of processing parameters and material properties on the minimum melt superheat that is necessary to prevent the tube from premature solidification during delivery of the molten metal prior to atomization. Processing maps are developed to provide direct insight into the complex relationship among the minimum melt superheat, processing parameters and material properties. A quantitative correlation is obtained by means of a regression analysis of the numerical results, which facilitates application of the numerical model. The calculated results demonstrate that for the materials studied, the minimum melt superheat ranges from 0.005Tm to 0.19Tm, depending on processing parameters and material properties. The dependence can be expressed using a correlation derived from the regression analysis such as ΔT T m =0.15 μU 2 kc p ρΔP T m T g 0.1 L D 0.3 Increasing the overpressure can effectively decrease the minimum melt superheat, especially for a large tube-length: diameter ratio and for materials possessing low densities. This effect diminishes with increasing overpressure. The minimum melt superheat can also be decreased by reducing the tube length: diameter ratio, by selecting a smooth delivery tube with low thermal conductivity and thick tube wall, and/or by enhancing the ambient gas temperature. Materials with high thermal conductivity, high thermal capacity and/or large density allow a small melt superheat to prevent the delivery, tube from freeze-up, while materials with high melting temperature and/or high viscosity require a large melt superheat.
The importance of a reef-forming polychaete, Mercierella enigmatica fauvel, in the oxygen and nutrient dynamics of a hypereutrophic subtropical lagoon

The introduction and growth of the calcareous reef-forming polychaete, Mercierella enigmatica Fauvel, during the past 50 years has greatly aggravated the eutrophication processes in Lac de Tunis, a broad, shallow lagoon on the North African coast. To quantify the polychaete's importance in the lagoon's oxygen and nutrient dynamics, portions of a reef were isolated by large in situ plexiglas enclosures (open to the atmosphere) during six experiments between December 1976 and April 1977. The concentrations of oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate were measured every 2 h for 24 h in a reef enclosure, in a control enclosure, and in the open water to allow calculation of exchange rates. Fourier series are used as explicit functions describing net productivity and net nutrient exchange rates in each enclosure. Reef respiration represented a large oxygen sink averaging 5·8 g O 2 m −2 day −1 . The polychaetes fed on organic particulates and excreted large amounts of inorganic nutrients during specific periods of activity. This rapid nutrient recycling mechanism contributes to a state of active producer metabolism in the lagoon.
Formation of nanosized organic molecular crystals on engineered surfaces.

The pharmaceutical industry has great interest in organic molecular nanosized crystals because their enhanced solubility and dissolution rate can potentially enhance drug bioavailability. In this work, patterned engineered surfaces were used to crystallize glycine with a lateral dimension below 200 nm in a confined volume while controlling supersaturation. Bifunctional patterned surfaces with hydrophilic islands, as small as 500 nm, surrounded by hydrophobic regions were prepared using lithography and self assembled monolayers. Individual glycine crystals under 200 nm were formed from the confined solutions wetting each hydrophilic island, while supersaturation was controlled by slow antisolvent diffusion. Individual crystals were characterized with AFM and Raman spectroscopy and determined to be the metastable β form. The solubility enhancement as a function of crystal size was measured, and the solubility of crystals with a radius of 100 nm or less was estimated.
Non-Mendelian and skewed segregation of DNA markers in wide crosses of the bean rust fungus, Uromyces appendiculatus

The inheritance of DNA markers was investigated in 27 F2 progeny from a single F1 hybrid derived from a wide cross inUromyces appendiculatus. This cross was unusual because asexual spores were used to fertilize sexual fruiting structures. Sixty percent of the DNA markers failed to segregate according to simple Mendelian ratios. Segregation bias was evident, in that F2 progeny inherited on average 91 % of maternal bands and 52% of paternal bands, which deviates significantly from the expected value for each of 75% for dominant markers. Because of these distortions, linkage mapping was not possible with this population. Evaluation of two F1s from a second wide cross, reciprocals obtained by normal fertilization, also showed non-Mendelian inheritance of one of three co-dominant RFLPs and five of six isozyme markers, indicating that the method of crossing was probably not responsible for the abnormal segregation patterns in the first cross. Either genetic incompatibility, similar to that of an interspecific cross, or selection of particular genotypes could explain the genetic anomalies reported here.
Selenite suppression of cadmium-induced testicular apoptosis

The characteristic apoptotic ladder-like patterns of rat testicular DNA on agarose gel electrophoresis which results from treatment with CdCl2 are suppressed by the administration of Na2SeO3. The examination of testicular tissue using an ELISA programmed cell death detection procedure confirmed this selenite suppression of cadmium-induced apoptosis. The administration of the Na2SeO3 at either 0.5, 1, 2 h prior to or 0.5, 1, 2 h after the administration of the CdCl2 appear to be almost equally effective at suppressing the apoptotic response. These results are in accord with previous studies on the Na2SeO3 suppression of cadmium induced necrotic changes in tissues and suggest that Na2SeO3 interferes with both necrosis and apoptosis.
Methods of isolation and identification of volatile compounds in lipids

Techniques are described for the collection, separation and identification of the volatile compounds produced in lipids by oxidation or irradiation. Methods employed are high vacuum distillation followed by wide range programmed temperature gas chromatography and rapid scanning mass spectrometry. Efficacy of the methods is discussed.
Melting Mechanism of Thermoplastic Elastomers and Comparison to Polyolefin Thermoplastic Melting Studies in a Single Screw Extruder

Abstract An experimental investigation of the mechanisms of melting of various thermoplastics elastomers (TPEs) in single screw extruder was carried out under different operating conditions. The TPEs included three polypropylene vulcanized EPDM (TPV) thermoplastic elastomers and two styrene-hydrogenated butadiene block copolymer. The results were compared to new and earlier experimental investigations of the melting of polyethylene and polypropylene. We also characterized the shear viscosity of all polymer melts studied. The TPEs all exhibited yield values in shear flows. To characterize the melting process in a single screw extruder, we used a flow marker procedure which consists of introducing pigments with the neat pellets. This is a technique originally developed by Maddock (1959). At the steady state, we abruptly stopped the extruder operation, cooled the barrel and pushed the screw from the barrel. The polymer carcasses were stripped from the screws and slices cross-sectioned every turn from the hop...
The Listening Styles Profile (LSP-16): Development and Validation of an Instrument to Assess Four Listening Styles

Abstract The Listening Styles Profile (LSP-16) is a sixteen-item inventory designed to assess four distinct approaches—labeled people-, action-, content-, and time-oriented styles—to receiving information. Responses from a large sample of young adults were employed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the LSP-16. Specifically, an extensive scrutiny of the factor structure underlying the LSP-16 was conducted and the internal consistency, stability, and reliability of the four style subscales was assessed. The data at hand suggest that the Listening Styles Profile (LSP-16) may have considerable utility in clinical, training, and research environments for measurement and study of the ways that people prefer to listen.
Solzhenitsyn and Sakharov as futurologists

while the dissident activities of Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Andrei Sakharov have received considerable attention in the West, far less note has been taken of the futures aspects of their writings. Both authors present a reasonably clear image of a desirable future for the USSR: these images are intellectually rooted in the literary or scientific milieu from which each author has emerged and also in their common criticism of the present regime. Not surprisingly, given the current political environment and the exceptionally wide spectrum of opinion within the dissident community, these two images of the future can be seen both as Utopias and as programmes: they are intended not only to be important statements in the (frequently contentious) discussion among dissidents about the future of Soviet society, but also to act as guidelines for would-be reformers.
Gauge invariance, lorentz covariance and the observer

We discuss a number of questions related to the role of the observer in classical and quantum theories of fields, in particular electrodynamics. We find the gauge-independent parts of the electromagnetic potential, which are classical observables, both in a non-covariant manner and in a Lorentz covariant, observer-dependent way. We present an analysis of the probabilistic interpretation of relativistic quantum mechanics, similar to that of the nonrelativistic theory, and discuss the gauge invariance of the corresponding probability amplitudes.
Model checking system software with CMC

Complex systems have errors that involve mishandled corner cases in intricate sequences of events. Conventional testing techniques usually miss these errors. In recent years, formal verification techniques such as [5] have gained popularity in checking a property in all possible behaviors of a system. However, such techniques involve generating an abstract model of the system. Such an abstraction process is unreliable, difficult and miss a lot of implementation errors.CMC is a framework for model checking a broad class of software written in the C programming language. CMC runs the software implementation directly without deriving an abstract model of the code. We used CMC to model check an existing implementation of AODV (Ad Hoc On Demand Distance Vector) routing protocol and found a total of 29 bugs in two implementations [7],[6] of the protocol. One of them is a bug in the actual specification of the AODV protocol [3]. We also used CMC on the IP Fragmentation module in the Linux TCP/IPv4 stack and verified its correctness for up to 4 fragments per packet.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Therapy in Patients with Cardiac Sarcoidosis

ICD Shocks in Cardiac Sarcoidosis. Background: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is indicated for some patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) for prevention of sudden death. However, there are little data regarding the event rates of ICD therapies in these patients. We sought to identify the incidence and characteristics of ICD therapies in this patient population. Methods: We performed a cohort study of patients with ICDs at 3 institutions. Cases were those patients with CS and an ICD implanted for primary or secondary prevention of sudden death. Additionally, we included a comparison with historical controls of ICD therapy rates reported in clinical trials evaluating the ICD for primary and secondary prevention of sudden death. Results: Of the 112 CS subjects identified, 36 (32.1%) received appropriate therapies for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) over a mean follow-up period of 29.2 months. VT storm (>3 episodes in 24 hours) occurredin16(14.2%)CSsubjects.Inappropriatetherapiesoccurredin13CSsubjects(11.6%).Covariates associated with appropriate ICD therapies included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <55% (OR 6.52 [95% CI 2.43‐17.5]), right ventricular dysfunction (OR 6.73 [95% CI 2.69‐16.8]), and symptomatic heart failure (OR 4.33 [95% CI 1.86‐10.1]). Conclusions: In our cohort of patients with CS and ICDs, almost one-third receive appropriate therapies. This may be due to a myocardial inflammatory process leading to increased triggered activity and subsequent scarring leading to reentrant tachyarrhythmias. Adjusted predictors of ICD therapies in this population include left or right ventricular dysfunction. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 925-929,
Are fairness constraints on profit-seeking important?

Abstract We report the results of two experiments designed to probe the extent to which consumers will retaliate against firms that engage in “unfair” business practices. The first experiment presents hypothetical scenarios similar to those used by Kahneman et al. (1986b), but where retaliation against an unfair firm is costly. The second experiment simulated one of these scenarios and gave subjects the opportunity to retaliate “for real”. Results indicate a moderately large loss in customer base due to unfairness.