cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal conductivity of composite materials made from plain weaves and 3-D weaves

Abstract In this research activity, thermal conductivity of textile composites made from plain weaves and 3-D XYZ weaves is quantified. Plain weave composites are made from E-glass, Kevlar® and AS4 graphite fibers and epoxy resin. 3-D woven composites are manufactured from Toho graphite fibers and epoxy resin. The effect of fiber type and fiber volume fraction on the thermal conductivity of textile composites is investigated. The fabric Geometry Model is adapted to calculate the thermal conductivity of textile composites. Results using this tool are compared with experimental data and predictions using the Graphical Integrated Numerical Analysis. The analytical approach proved to be a good engineering tool to predict the thermal conductivity of textile composites.
Alcohol and blacks: survey of the periodical literature.

The purpose of this study was to assess the state of the periodical literature on alcohol and Blacks. Three major professional indexes were used in the literature search. Although 16,000 alcohol-related studies were reported in scientific journals over the last 30 years, only 77 dealt with Blacks. Non-scientific articles were also scarce. Articles were categorized by topic and sample description. Drinking patterns and behavior appeared most frequently, while no articles involved alcohol education and prevention. Few studies dealt with Blacks, exclusively, and no studies were found on Black youth. A criticism of the literature was that many of the studies on alcohol and Blacks were limited in terms of theoretical background and research methodology. Some recommendations are offered.
Quantitative characterization of preneoplastic progression using single-cell computed tomography and three-dimensional karyometry

The development of morphological biosignatures to precisely characterize pre-neoplastic progression necessitates high resolution 3D cell imagery and robust image processing algorithms. We report on the quantitative characterization of nuclear structure alterations associated with pre-neoplastic progression in human esophageal epithelial cells using single cell optical tomography and fully automated 3D karyometry. We stained cultured cells with hematoxylin and generated 3D images of individual cells by mathematically reconstructing 500 projection images acquired using optical absorption tomographic imaging. For 3D karyometry, we developed novel, fully-automated algorithms to robustly segment the cellular, nuclear and sub-nuclear components in the acquired cell images, and computed forty one quantitative morphological descriptors from these segmented volumes. In addition, we developed algorithms to quantify the spatial distribution and texture of the nuclear DNA. We applied our methods to normal, metaplastic, and dysplastic human esophageal epithelial cell lines, analyzing one hundred cells per line. The 3D karyometric descriptors elucidated quantitative differences in morphology and enabled robust discrimination between cell lines on the basis of extracted morphological features. The morphometric hallmarks of cancer progression such as increased nuclear size, elevated nuclear content and anomalous chromatin texture and distribution correlated with this pre-neoplastic progression model, pointing to the clinical utility of our method for early cancer detection.
Children's Ideas about Animal Young and their Care: A Reassessment of Gender Differences in the Development of Nurturance

AbstractThis study examines the effects of gender in conjunction with age, pet ownership, and sibling status on children's ideas about domestic animal young (puppies and kittens) and how they are nurtured. A theoretical model accounting for gender differences in the development of nurturance in children is presented. The model argues that children may develop knowledge about nurture from many sources, including animals, and that gender differences are most likely when behavior (versus knowledge) and baby care (versus animal care) are assessed. Ideas about animal young and animal caregiving of their young were individually assessed in structured interviews with 43 preschoolers and 42 second graders. Boys' ideas increased with age, while that of girls did not. Having a younger sibling was associated with more knowledge in boys but not in girls. Children with pets had more ideas about how adult animals cared for their young than did non-pet owners.
System for Maintaining Sediment Suspensions during Larval Fish Studies

Abstract A new system was developed for maintaining suspensions of inorganic solids during laboratory studies on early life stages of fish. Microfine bentonite was successfully held in suspension in specially constructed units during a 21-d fishless test, a 28-d experiment with juvenile green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), and four shorter experiments (5–9 d) with four species of larval fishes, white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), northern pike (Esox lucius), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum). Each experiment on larval fish was conducted until the yolk-sac had been absorbed. Concentrations of bentonite ranged from 0 to 728 mg/L. Each unit consisted of a holding chamber set in a stainless steel bowl and two submersible pumps that recirculated the suspension. Turbidity readings remained nearly constant throughout each experiment. Because the turbidity of suspensions was well correlated with bentonite concentration (r 2–0.989) and easy to measure, turbidity was used as ...
Glucose stimulated release of gastric inhibitory polypeptide from hamster small intestine: An in vitro model☆

Abstract A superfusion model was used to study in vitro gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) release from hamster small intestinal mucosa. A 10% glucose solution, in both fed and fasted hamsters, produced a prompt, sustained, three-fold rise in mean GIP release. In contrast, superfusion of a solution of 10% mannitol did not alter release of the peptide. This model provides potential for elucidation of the mechanisms through which glucose and other agents release GIP and other gastrointestinal peptides.
Spectrochemical investigations in molecularly organized solvent media: evaluation of pyridinium chloride as a selective fluorescence quenching agent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous carboxylate-terminated poly(amido) amine dendrimers and anionic micelles.

The ability of pyridinium chloride (PC) to selectively quench alternant as opposed to nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in organized media is examined. PC was previously shown to be a selective quenching agent of alternant PAHs in neat polar solvents. Carboxylate-terminated poly(amido) amine (PAMAM-CT) dendrimers and anionic surfactants – sodium dodecanoate (SD), sodium octanoate (SO), and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) – were chosen as the solubilizing media for this study. Selective quenching of alternant PAHs is observed in the presence of the SDS and SO micelles. However, the extent of PAH quenching in SO is significantly reduced compared to PAHs dissolved in either water or SDS micelles. In the case of the smaller generation 4.5 (G4.5) PAMAM-CT dendrimers, PC was prevented from quenching both alternant and nonalternant PAHs to any appreciable extent. The dendrimer is able to “protect” the PAHs from the PC quencher that resides at the dendrimer surface. Both, SD and G5.5 PAMAM-CT precipitated out of solution with the addition of PC. Differences between traditional micelles and “unimolecular micelle” dendrimers were also examined. These studies further confirm that the PAHs did not reside in the “analogous” palisade region of the dendrimers as they do in micelles. The PAHs must reside in the outermost branches of the dendrimer, but sufficiently far enough away from the charged surface groups, where PC associated, to prevent fluorescence quenching. This work further illustrates the differences between “unimolecular micelle” dendrimers and traditional micelles.
Bolometric absorption spectra of doped TaS3

Abstract We have taken bolometric infrared spectra of the charge-density-wave conductor orthorhombic TaS3, doped with niobium and titanium. For transverse polarization, the bolometric signal is roughly proportional to the absorptivity. Niobium doping (∼200 ppm) greatly increases the charge-density-wave depinning field and broadens the Peierls transition, while Ti doping (∼ 10 ppm) has negligible effect. Nevertheless, both types of samples have similar spectra: a large decrease of absorption above the Peierls gap (i.e. smearing of the absorption threshold) and no significant increase in absorption below the gap. The “midgap” absorption line at 500 cm−1 is not affected by doping. Results are discussed in terms of the model of Tutto and Zawadowski.
Femtosecond-scale photodissociation of benzene

Semiclassical electron-radiation-ion dynamics (SERID) has been used to calculate the bond lengths, HOMO–LUMO energy gap and vibrational modes of benzene, and to examine the photodissociation of benzene molecules subjected to fast intense laser pulses. The calculated ground-state properties are in good agreement with experiment, confirming that density-functional-based SERID simulations provide a reliable treatment of bonding. We show results for representative simulations of the response of benzene to femtosecond-scale laser pulses, at various fluences corresponding to no dissociation, partial dissociation and complete dissociation into atomic constituents.
High Frequency Conductivity and Dielectric Effect of Fresh Fertile and Infertile Hens'Eggs

SummaryThe apparatus and methods for the precise measurements of small differences in the high frequency conductivity and dielectric effect of the intact egg and samples of the contents of the egg have been described.The relative conductivity and dielectric effect of the intact egg at frequencies of 27.3 and 54.6 megacycles gave results indicating that fresh infertile eggs have a higher conductivity and a tendency towards lower dielectric constant than fertile eggs.In dissected eggs the difference between the fertile and infertile egg in relation to conductivity and dielectric effect was observed to occur principally in the albumen. The conductivity of the albumen of fertile eggs was 7.4% lower than that of infertile eggs.The conductivity values for various parts of the egg were maximum at about 15 megacycles. There was no frequency dependence for the percentage separation between yolk and albumen over the range from 2 to 60 megacycles.
A shortest path network security model

This paper presents a new model, based on the resource- constrained shortest path, for evaluating the security of computer networks. The power of the model is twofold. First, the use of the resource-constrained shortest path as an integral part of the model ties security evaluation metrics to graph theory, thus providing a rigorous mathematical base for the evaluation of network security. Second, the model allows both local (nodal) and overall (network) security considerations to be incorporated into the security evaluation process. The usefulness of the model is demonstrated by applying the model to examples from current literature. Applying the model to a generalization of the cascade problem not only yields an efficient algorithm (O(N^3)) for the problem, but also points out the underlying security issues in interconnecting independently evaluated systems. As a consequence, the resource-constrained shortest path model leads to a broader understanding of network security risks.
A THEORY FOR MEASURING WEIGHT AVERAGE DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS FROM ULTRACENTRIFUGE EXPERIMENTS.

Abstract Equations are derived for evaluating weight average diffusion coefficients from data obtained from the analytical ultracentrifuge. Both single and multiple component systems are considered, and the equations are valid even if the sedimentation coefficient depends upon the concentration. The function, x2 In ( x x ), is integrated across the sedimenting boundary and divided by the total concentration, C, to give the quantity σr2, which is simply related to the weight average diffusion coefficient, D, for a radially shaped cell in a centrifugal field. If σr2 is multiplied by the concentration, and the resulting quantity plotted against time, the initial slope of the curve is equal to 2 D C . The conditions governing the extrapolation of the curve to zero time have been investigated in detail. At high rotor speeds, the curves may bend upwards if several macromolecular components are present. From the shape of such curves, corrected for concentration dependence, the standard deviation of the sedimentation coefficient distribution may be calculated. The equations resulting from these theoretical investigations are compared with similar but not identical equations derived by R. Baldwin, Biochem. J., 65, 490 (1957).
An Iterative Projection Technique for Blind Image Restoration

A new iterative algorithm is presented for restoring noisy blurred images where the point spread function (PSF) is unknown. The method initially estimates the PSF and the original image using the Expectation Maximization (EM) method. The resulting image estimate is then refined by using the adaptive Row Action Projection (RAP) algorithm, which is based on the theory of Projection Onto Convex Sets (POCS). The new implementation of the RAP algorithm can be performed efficiently in parallel and facilitates locally adaptive constraints and cycling strategies. Computer simulations illustrate the new method to be very competitive in restoring noisy degraded images with unknown PSF.
A new and simple technique for chromosomal preparations from peripheral blood lymphocytes, amniotic cell cultures, skin fibroblasts, bone marrow and single cell clones when the yields from harvests are low.

A technique for chromosomal preparations from low yields harvests is presented using Poly-l-Lysine (300,000–400,000 MW). The procedure can be successfully used for peripheral blood lymphocytes, amniotic cell cultures, skin fibroblasts, direct preparations from bone marrow, cloned clusters and colonies from bone marrow grown on agar or methyl cellulose and eggs and blastocysts, with applications to other tissues. The technique is simple with minimal cell loss, and chromosomal preparations of good quality can be obtained which are amenable to all banding techniques.
The Memorial Implant Dosimetry Automated System

Abstract The current status of computer programs and procedures for implant dosimetry at Memorial Hospital is reported. The implant dosimetry programs and associated procedures have been given the name MIDAS: Memorial Implant Dosimetry Application System. A short history of MIDAS, as well as program objectives, conventions, assumptions and organization are discussed and a complete sample case is shown with explanatory annotations.
Development of The Integration Box: An Individual and Organizational Faith at Work Assessment Scale

This paper discusses the development of The Integration Box (TIB) scale which is designed to measure the multidimensional nature of faith expression within the workplace setting. TIB measures the m...
The advantages of credit-noncredit gerontology courses: Widowhood as an illustration

Abstract The evaluation of a credit-noncredit course on widowhood is described, outlining its joint administrative sponsorship by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and by the Division of Continuing Education, an academic department and two university programs. An unusual degree of diversity in the students' ages, academic preparation, and reason for enrolling is documented. Key course components include a lecture-discussion format in which current research is evaluated from the perspective of the student's experience in diverse roles, and small group projects in which the widowed continuing education students serve as resource people for the younger credit students. An anonymous, formal course evaluation confirmed the dramatic success of the course relative to college-wide norms. Differential needs of credit and noncredit students were met, and both groups projected lasting impact of the course. Five principles for gerontological education were derived: (a) heterogeneity in student backgrounds may ...
Cardiac allograft tolerance induction with limited immunosuppression.

Abstract We evaluated the efficacy and systemic toxicity of cyclosporine G, rapamycin, and cyclosporine A with multiple donor-specific blood transfusions in the stringent ACI to Lewis heterotopic cardiac transplant model. In addition, all animals received a 28-day postoperative course of cyclosporine A. Systemic toxicity was assessed by measuring recipient body weight at 30 and 60 days posttransplantation and at the time of graft rejection. Preengraftment cyclosporine G (10 mg/kg) resulted in a mean graft survival of 7.31 ± 1.09 days (n= 13; N.S. vs Control). A 10-day course of the novel immunosuppressant rapamycin (d4-14) combined with our standard 28-day cyclosporine A protocol resulted in a mean graft survival of 206.0 ± 143.6 days (n= 5;P
Long-term risk of clinical events from stenting side branches of coronary bifurcation lesions with drug-eluting and bare-metal stents: an observational meta-analysis.

Objectives: To compare the long-term risks of coronary bifurcation lesions treated with side-branch stenting using drug-eluting versus bare-metal stents. Background: Side-branch stenting is an off-label practice, but when needed, the incidence of late adverse events may differ between drug-eluting and bare-metal stents. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, and the National Institutes of Health and Cochrane Registries for studies of coronary bifurcation stenting reporting clinical outcomes over at least 5 months. Data were extracted and cross checked independently by two investigators for inclusion in an observational meta-analysis. Clinical outcomes included major adverse clinical events (MACE), death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization (TVR), and definite stent thrombosis. We used random-effects models and meta-regression in 6,825 subjects from 42 studies. Results: Most (79%) of the heterogeneity in MACE between treatment groups was explained by differences in stent type, side-branch stenting, and length of follow-up. Compared with drug-eluting stents without side-branch stenting, drug-eluting stents with side-branch stenting had a 3% higher incidence of myocardial infarction [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.3%, 5%, P < 0.05], but no significant increase in MACE, death, TVR, or stent thrombosis. Bare-metal stenting without side-branch stenting had 10% (95% CI = 3%, 16%, P < 0.01) higher MACE, and 10% (95% CI = 4%, 17%, P < 0.01) higher TVR, whereas bare-metal side-branch stenting had 31% (95% CI = 23%, 39%, P < 0.001) higher MACE, and 19% (95% CI = 10%, 28%, P < 0.001) higher TVR. Conclusions: Side-branch stenting has a much smaller impact on long-term MACE with drug-eluting stents compared with bare-metal stents. Although this study does not support routine side-branch stenting, when side-branch stenting is required, drug-eluting stents are associated with less adverse outcomes.© 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
One-way neonatal transports: a new approach to increase effective utilization of air medical resources.

Abstract Introduction: High-risk neonates often require significant stabilization and preparation time for transport. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the institution of a formal neonatal transport policy would increase the effective utilization of air medical resources and to determine whether such a policy would be useful to other air medical transport programs. Methods: A descriptive review of flight data from time periods before and after the institution of the policy, combined with a telephone survey of 20 other rotor-wing transport programs. Results: After implementation of the policy, the total number of neonatal transports decreased (85 in 13 months vs 60 in 17 months) as did the number of two-way transports per month (4.6 vs 1.3). In addition, average mission time for all neonatal transports decreased. Fifteen of 20 transport programs in this Association of Air Medical Resources region perform neonatal transports. Only one of the 15 has a formal policy to determine the use of one-way versus two-way neonatal transports. Conclusion: The neonatal team transport policy has increased the effective utilization of air medical resources in this program. This policy could have wider application for other programs as well.
Spliceosomal cleavage generates the 3' end of telomerase RNA.

Telomeres cap the ends of chromosomes and provide a means to complete replication. The DNA portion of telomeres is synthesized by the enzyme telomerase using part of an RNA subunit as a template for reverse transcription. How the mature 3′ end of telomerase RNA is generated has so far remained elusive. Here we show that in Schizosaccharomyces pombe telomerase RNA transcripts must be processed to generate functional telomerase. Characterization of the maturation pathway uncovered an unexpected role for the spliceosome, which normally catalyses splicing of pre-messenger RNA. The first spliceosomal cleavage reaction generates the mature 3′ end of telomerase RNA (TER1, the functional RNA encoded by the ter1+ gene), releasing the active form of the RNA without exon ligation. Blocking the first step or permitting completion of splicing generates inactive forms of TER1 and causes progressive telomere shortening. We establish that 3′ end processing of TER1 is critical for telomerase function and describe a previously unknown mechanism for RNA maturation that uses the ability of the spliceosome to mediate site-specific cleavage. Telomeres are short, repetitive sequences that cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. When a cell divides, its telomeres become slightly shorter. As the loss of telomeres leads to genomic instability, the cell uses a specialized enzyme, telomerase, to restore telomeric sequences. As well as protein, telomerase contains an RNA component, TER1, which is synthesized as a precursor that undergoes processing to make the functional species. Box et al. have now determined the mechanism responsible for generating the 3' end of TER: it is a previously unknown type of RNA maturation involving a site-specific cleavage reaction catalysed by the spliceosome, which normally excises introns from mRNAs. This work identifies the spliceosome, which normally excises introns from mRNAs, as being responsible for generating the 3′ end of TER. It does so by performing a site-specific cleavage reaction that previously had not been observed for the spliceosome.
Generalization in Operational Contexts: What Does It Mean? Can It be Done?

Important needs and concerns that relate to generalization in operational settings are discussed. Some background relating to this issue is discussed in order to indicate its centrality for the decision and management sciences. The discussion concludes with the requirements for and the benefits that can result from successful generalization within operational settings.
Production of the phytotoxins radicinin and radicinol by Alternaria chrysanthemi

Abstract A biologically active compound isolated from liquid cultures of Altemaria chrysanthemi in large yield has been identified as radicinin by X-ray cry
Mission analysis for design of a SEP multi-mission spacecraft.

Study of the multimission capability of a solar electric propulsion spacecraft. The study includes such factors as spacecraft constraints, payload variations with launch opportunity, propellant on-loading and off-loading requirements, and limitations in thrusting time, throttling range and steering. The study determined that a single spacecraft design, with P sub zero = 12 kW and I sub s = 3000 sec launched by a Titan IIIC or Titan IIID/Centaur can be used to conduct at least five diverse missions: Eros rendezvous, 1 AU out-of-ecliptic, Mercury orbiter, Jupiter flyby/probe, and Jupiter orbiter. Flight time and injection velocity vary as needed to achieve the desired payload capability. The mission analysis approach and results are presented.
The Influence of Chaotropic Reagents on Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase and Its Flavoprotein Module. Urea and Guanidine Hydrochloride Stimulate NADPH–Cytochrome c Reductase Activity of Both Proteins

Abstract Changes in flavin and protein fluorescence of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and its flavoprotein module were studied in the presence of urea and compared with those previously reported for cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) [R. Narayanasami, P. M. Horowitz, and B. S. S. Masters (1995)Arch. Biochem. Biophys.316, 267–274]. As in the case of CPR, FMN was relatively loosely bound to nNOS and the flavoprotein module, but FAD remained bound at concentrations of up to 2 m urea. Protein fluorescence increased progressively with increasing urea concentration, but could not be correlated with changes in flavin binding. NADPH–cytochrome c reductase activity of both nNOS and the flavoprotein module, but not that of CPR, was stimulated at early time points by both urea and guanidine hydrochloride (GnHCl), with levels of initial activity returning to baseline values within 60 min after addition of the chaotropic agent. Thus, at 3–4 m urea, enhancements of reductase activities of 20- and 5-fold with nNOS and the flavoprotein module, respectively, were obtained. Comparable enhancements of 12- and 6- to 7-fold, respectively, were obtained with calmodulin (CaM)/CaCl2and 0.5 m GnHCl. Thus, the effects of urea and GnHCl mimicked the stimulating effects of CaM. Separate preincubations of nNOS and cytochrome c with urea or GnHCl prior to initiation of the reductase assay showed that sensitivity to chaotropic agent under these conditions was a property of nNOS and not of cytochrome c. Moreover, when the nonprotein electron acceptor 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol was employed in place of cytochrome c, comparable stimulation of reductase activity was observed in the presence of either urea or GnHCl. Fluorescence of 4,4′-dianilino-1,1′-binaphthyl-5,5′-disulfate in the presence of either nNOS or the flavoprotein module was increased optimally between 3 and 4 m urea, consistent with simultaneous exposure of hydrophobic regions of both proteins to solvent and optimization of reductase activity. FMN release from nNOS, but not from the flavoprotein module, was enhanced by CaM. Addition of FMN or FMN + FAD to nNOS, in the presence or absence of urea, brought about a doubling of initial cytochrome c reductase activity, but did not prevent the eventual decline in activity to basal levels. These data are consistent with conformational changes which favor increased electron transfer similar to that achieved with nNOS in the presence of CaM.
Development of monoclonal gammopathy precedes the development of Epstein-Barr virus-induced posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) develops in 3% to 10% of solid organ transplant recipients with a resultant mortality of up to 70%. Unfortunately, there is no current marker which identifies patients who will develop this disease. We therefore conducted a risk factor analysis of variables that might predict the development of PTLD. Specifically, since EBV may cause both PTLD and the development of monoclonal proteins (M protein), we sought to determine if the development of an M protein preceded and therefore might serve as a predictive marker of subsequent PTLD. Before and after liver transplantation, 201 patients were evaluated for the presence of urine and serum M proteins. Patients were followed to monitor the development of PTLD for a mean of 1,733 days. PTLD developed in seven patients (3.5%), three (43%) of whom died from disseminated PTLD. PTLD was classified as polymorphous in six patients and monomorphous in one patient. Fifty-seven patients (28%) developed an M protein after transplantation: five of seven patients (71%) with PTLD and 52/194 (27%) of patients without PTLD. Multivariate risk factor analysis for the development of an M protein after transplantation identified cytomegalovirus (CMV) donor seropositivity (P = 0.0002) and postoperative symptomatic CMV infection (P = 0.019) as risk factors. Whereas EBV serostatus of either the donor or recipient was not found to be a risk factor for the occurrence of either an M protein or PTLD, the development of a serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) M protein (P = 0.04) and of any urine M protein (P = 0.01) was identified by univariate analysis as being associated with the development of PTLD. Further studies are needed to determine the predictive value of M proteins as a marker for PTLD. Until such time, the development of serum or urine M protein should heighten the suspicion of developing PTLD.
A SIMPLIFIED METHOD OF HEART RATE MEASUREMENT

Theoretical and practical considerations require a heart rate measurement method which produces substantial correspondence between heart rate and other autonomic and psychological measures of arousal, and which also is fast and inexpensive. A new heart rate measurement method, the peak rate method. meets these criteria. The peak rate method corresponds as closely to a skin conductance measure of reaction to a stressful movie as does the method of mean cyclic maxima (Malmstrom. Opton, & Lazarus, in press). The peak rate method also yields heart rate curves which are markedly elevated at the most psychologically stressful points during the movie. The peak rate method does not involve the laborious, expensive computations required by the method of mean cyclic maxima. Smoothing heart rate curves by a method of moving averages is also shown to be desirable.
Baby CareLink: using the internet and telemedicine to improve care for high-risk infants.

Objective. To evaluate an Internet-based telemedicine program designed to reduce the costs of care, to provide enhanced medical, informational, and emotional support to families of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during and after their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. Background. Baby CareLink is a multifaceted telemedicine program that incorporates videoconferencing and World Wide Web (WWW) technologies to enhance interactions between families, staff, and community providers. The videoconferencing module allows virtual visits and distance learning from a family9s home during an infant9s hospitalization as well as virtual house calls and remote monitoring after discharge. Baby CareLink9s WWW site contains information on issues that confront these families. In addition, its security architecture allows efficient and confidential sharing of patient-based data and communications among authorized hospital and community users. Design/Methods. A randomized trial of Baby CareLink was conducted in a cohort of VLBW infants born between November 1997 and April 1999. Eligible infants were randomized within 10 days of birth. Families of intervention group infants were given access to the Baby CareLink telemedicine application. A multimedia computer with WWW browser and videoconferencing equipment was installed in their home within 3 weeks of birth. The control group received care as usually practiced in this NICU. Quality of care was assessed using a standardized family satisfaction survey administered after discharge. In addition, the effect of Baby CareLink on hospital length of stay as well as family visitation and interactions with infant and staff were measured. Results. Of the 176 VLBW infants admitted during the study period, 30 control and 26 study patients were enrolled. The groups were similar in patient and family characteristics as well as rates of inpatient morbidity. The CareLink group reported higher overall quality of care. Families in the CareLink group reported significantly fewer problems with the overall quality of care received by their family (mean problem score: 3% vs 13%). In addition, CareLink families also reported greater satisfaction with the unit9s physical environment and visitation policies (mean problem score: 13% vs 50%). The frequency of family visits, telephone calls to the NICU, and holding of the infant did not differ between groups. The duration of hospitalization until ultimate discharge home was similar in the 2 groups (68.5 ± 28.3 vs 70.6 ± 35.6 days). Among infants born weighing Conclusions. CareLink significantly improves family satisfaction with inpatient VLBW care and definitively lowers costs associated with hospital to hospital transfer. Our data suggest the use of telemedicine and the Internet support the educational and emotional needs of families facilitating earlier discharge to home of VLBW infants. We believe that further extension of the Baby CareLink model to the postdischarge period will significantly improve the coordination and efficiency of care.
Distribution of α-adrenergic, β-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors in discrete hypothalamic areas of rat

Summary Catecholamine receptor binding sites were measured in discrete hypothalamic nuclei or regions as well as in certain extrahypothalamic areas of the adult male rat. For each assay, discrete areas were microdissected from frozen tissue sections and pooled from several animals. Specific high affinity binding sites were assessed at fixed ligand concentrations for [ 3 H] p -aminoclonidine (PAC) and [ 3 H](2-C 2′,6′-(CH 3 O) 2 phenoxyethylamino)-methylbenzodioxan (WB-4101) for α-adrenergic receptor sites, for [ 3 H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) for β-adrenergic receptor sites, and for [ 3 H]2-amino-6, 7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene (ADTN) and [ 3 H]spiroperidol in the presence of cinanserin for dopaminergic receptor sites. Regional variations in [ 3 H]WB-4101 binding were relatively small in magnitude, with most hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic areas possessing between 60 and 90% of the binding in frontal cortex. [ 3 H]PAC binding showed a wider range of binding density across brain areas than did [ 3 H]WB-4101, but, in general, variations in [ 3 H]PAC binding paralleled those in [ 3 H]WB-4101 binding. In hypothalamus, binding was characterized as being predominantly to α 1 -receptors in the of [ 3 H]WB-4101 and to α 2 -receptors in the case of [ 3 H]PAC. The medial hypothalamic areas exhibited a somewhat higher density of these α-adrenergic sites than did the lateral hypothalamus (perifornical hypothalamus and medial forebrain bundle). Also, the ratio of [ 3 H]PAC to [ 3 H]WB-4101 binding differed in different hypothalamic areas, ranging from 1.5:1 to 4:1. The median eminence was exceptional in that it contained appreciable [ 3 H]PAC but no significant [ 3 H]WB-4101 binding sites at the radioligand concentrations tested. Binding of [ 3 H]DHA to β-adrenergic receptors varied over approximately a 3-fold range in the different hypothalamic areas, with binding highest in the medial forebrain bundle and the medial preoptic area, and lowest in the periventricular, dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei, the median eminence and the zona incerta. The ratio of β-adrenergic to α-adrenergic binding sites was generally lower in the medial than in the lateral hypothalamic areas and higher in the extrahypothalamic areas examined than in the hypothalamus. With regard to [ 3 H]spiroperidol and [ 3 H]ADTN binding to dopaminergic sites, the striatum, nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle showed a greater density of [ 3 H]spiroperidol than of [ 3 H]ADTN sites, in contrast to the hypothalamus where [ 3 H]ADTN binding was more predominant. Within the hypothalamus, [ 3 H]ADTN binding was relatively uniform, while [ 3 H]spiroperidol binding was quite high in four hypothalamic areas (lateral perifornical area, medial forebrain bundle, paraventricular and dorsomedial nuclei), intermediate in the median eminence and arcuate nucleus, and low or not detectable in all other hypothalamic areas.
Dental Caries in Gnotobiotic Rats Inoculated with Lactobacillus casei

Dental caries was produced in three strains of gnotobiotic rats inoculated with Lactobacillus casei. A high-sucrose (L-2000) diet induced greater caries activity than a coarse-particle (modified Hoppert-Webber-Canniff) diet.
An empirical model for plasma armature voltage (in EM launchers)

Scaling of armature voltage with bore diameter is an important issue, since it affects the predicted efficiency and the predicted velocity performance of proposed large-bore electromagnetic launchers. The experimental data for railguns with plastic/composite insulation is shown to fit a scaling relation of the form V/sub m/=V/sub e/+E(j)d, where V/sub m/ is the muzzle voltage, V/sub e/ is the total electrode drop, and the electric field dependence on current density is given by E(j)=E/sub 0/+j/ sigma . This scaling relation predicts a linear increase in armature voltage with bore diameter for d>0.1 m. The model is in better agreement with the limited data on large-bore railguns than earlier models. >
Recovering Drug-Induced Apoptosis Subnetwork from Connectivity Map Data

The Connectivity Map (CMAP) project profiled human cancer cell lines exposed to a library of anticancer compounds with the goal of connecting cancer with underlying genes and potential treatments. Since the therapeutic goal of most anticancer drugs is to induce tumor-selective apoptosis, it is critical to understand the specific cell death pathways triggered by drugs. This can help to better understand the mechanism of how cancer cells respond to chemical stimulations and improve the treatment of human tumors. In this study, using CMAP microarray data from breast cancer cell line MCF7, we applied a Gaussian Bayesian network modeling approach and identified apoptosis as a major drug-induced cellular-pathway. We then focused on 13 apoptotic genes that showed significant differential expression across all drug-perturbed samples to reconstruct the apoptosis network. In our predicted subnetwork, 9 out of 15 high-confidence interactions were validated in the literature, and our inferred network captured two major cell death pathways by identifying BCL2L11 and PMAIP1 as key interacting players for the intrinsic apoptosis pathway and TAXBP1 and TNFAIP3 for the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. Our inferred apoptosis network also suggested the role of BCL2L11 and TNFAIP3 as “gateway” genes in the drug-induced intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways.
Calculation of Modulation Transfer Functions of X-Ray Fluorescent Screens

Formulas have been derived for calculating the modulation transfer function of x-ray intensifying screens. Emphasis has been placed on simplified models where results can be obtained in closed form and a physical understanding more easily realized. For selected cases, the MTF’s of transparent screens are calculated by direct integration. The MTF’s of diffusing screens are determined from suitable approximate solutions of the Boltzmann equation. The intermediate case and the transition from scattering to nonscattering are discussed. As a byproduct, formulas for light output and signal-to-noise ratio are obtained.
Higher-order single-step fully discrete approximations for nonlinear second-order hyperbolic equations

Abstract Error estimates are proved for finite-element approximations to the solution of an initial boundary value problem for nonlinear second-order hyperbolic partial differential equations. Optimal order rates of convergence in L 2 are shown for single-step fully discrete schemes which are linearized by extrapolations. The order of accuracy ν in time is 2, 3 or 4. A class of iterative methods for approximately solving the fully discrete equations is analyzed and optimal order rates of convergence are also obtained.
Chile's dilemma: how to reinsert scientists trained abroad.

Chile is recognized worldwide as an emergent economy, with a great power in natural resource exploitation. Nonetheless, despite being one of the most developed countries in Latin America, Chile imports most of the knowledge and technology necessary to drive innovation in the country. The tight budget that the Chilean government assigned to research and development and the absence of a long-term scientific agenda contributed to a limited supply of scientists over the years. In an effort to reverse this scenario, Chile has created several fellowships, such as the Becas Chile Program (BCP) to encourage new generations to pursue graduate studies to ultimately advance research and development in situ . More than 6000 fellows are now being trained abroad, accumulating an incredible potential to transform the Chilean scientific environment as we know it. Chile now faces a greater challenge: it has to offer infrastructure and job openings to the highly skilled professionals in whom it invested. Unfortunately no clear public policies to address this situation have been developed, partially due to the lack of a dedicated institution, such as a Ministry for Science and Technology which could focalize the necessary efforts to promote such policies. Therefore, in the meantime, Chilean scientist have been motivated to create different organizations, such as, Mas Ciencia para Chile and Nexos Chile-USA , to promote constructive discussion of the policies that could be implemented to improve the Chilean scientific situation. We hope that these and other organizations have a real impact on the generation of scientific guidelines that will finally contribute to the development of the country.
Efficient regioselective synthesis of 6-amino-5-benzoyl-1-substituted 2(1H)-pyridinones.

A regioselective and efficient approach toward 6-amino-5-benzoyl-1-substituted 2(1H)-pyridinones by reaction of acyclic ketene aminals with propiolic acid ester was developed. The effect of the solvent and temperature on the regioselectivity of the reaction and the compatibility of the target compounds to functional group manipulations was examined. Substrates with an ortho substituent build atropisomers due to the restricted rotation around the C−N bond. The enantiomers were separated, and the barrier of rotation was determined experimentally. Quantum chemical calculations allowed a ranking of the barrier heights, and a new mechanism of rotation by deformation of the central pyridinone moiety is proposed.
Channel-Change Games for Highly Interfering Spectrum-Agile Wireless Networks

The proliferation of wireless networks on unlicensed communication bands leads to coexisting networks, creating interference problems. In this paper, interference problems for spectrum-agile networks are addressed by allowing the networks to dynamically change channel. For insight into dynamic channel-change strategies, we model the networks as autonomous players in a multistage non-cooperative game-theoretic model. Here the networks are assumed to be highly interfering, i.e., when two or more networks exist on a single channel they cannot successfully carry traffic. Each network seeks to minimize its time to find a clear channel. The game-theoretic analysis reflects the motivations and choices of independent, rational, selfish decision makers that do not trust one another. We analyze the game-theoretic solutions appropriate for an untrusted environment, and compare the results with socially optimal decisions that would maximize the expected benefit of all coexisting networks in a trusted environment.
Hemorrhage-induced acute lung injury is TLR-4 dependent

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), initially identified as an LPS receptor, is critical to the signaling of a variety of danger signals, including heat shock protein 60, fibrinogen, and fibronectin. Rec...
Forecasting Default with the Kmv-Merton Model

We examine the accuracy and contribution of the default forecasting model based on Merton's (1974) bond pricing model and developed by the KMV corporation. Comparing the KMV-Merton model to a similar but much simpler alternative, we find that it performs slightly worse as a predictor in hazard models and in out of sample forecasts. Moreover, several other forecasting variables are also important predictors, and fitted hazard model values outperform KMV-Merton default probabilities out of sample. Implied default probabilities from credit default swaps and corporate bond yield spreads are only weakly correlated with KMV-Merton default probabilities after adjusting for agency ratings, bond characteristics, and our alternative predictor. We conclude that the KMV-Merton model does not produce a sufficient statistic for the probability of default, and it appears to be possible to construct such a sufficient statistic without solving the simultaneous nonlinear equations required by the KMV-Merton model. We include the SAS code we use to calculate KMV-Merton default probabilities in an appendix.
Accuracy and Precision of White Sturgeon Age Estimates from Pectoral Fin Rays

Abstract Multiple readings and recaptures of marked fish were used to estimate precision and accuracy of age estimates from cross sections of pectoral fin rays of white sturgeons Acipenser transmontanus collected in impoundments of the Columbia River. Ages ranged from 2 to 104 years but only 37% of samples were assigned the same age by two readers. Percent error in multiple readings averaged 5.9% and the coefficient of variation averaged 7.8%, indicating low precision relative to reported values for other species. An injected dosage of 25 mg oxytetracycline (OTC) per kilogram of body weight marked 216 of 220 fin ray samples for validation and did not reduce white sturgeon growth. Accuracy was improved by identifying the period of annulus formation (May–June) from the position of an OTC mark relative to translucent zones in fin ray cross sections. However, age was underestimated from counts of translucent zones formed after injection with OTC, especially for slow-growing and large fish. We conclude that ag...
A heterogeneous CMOS-CNT architecture utilizing novel coding of boolean functions

We address the challenge of implementing reliable computation of Boolean functions in future nanocircuit fabrics. Such fabrics are projected to have very high defect rates. We overcome this limitation by using a combination of cheap but unreliable nanodevices and reliable but expensive CMOS devices. The contribution of this work is twofold - (1) A heterogeneous architecture suitable for low level defect tolerance (2) A novel coding strategy that for the first time exploited the structure of Boolean function for better coder. In our approach, defect tolerance is achieved through a novel coding of Boolean functions; specifically, we exploit the don't cares of Boolean functions encountered in multi-level Boolean logic networks for constructing better codes. The optimal coding problem is NP-hard. We solved it with a SAT based heuristic. We show that compared to direct application of existing coding techniques, the coding overhead in terms of extra bits can be reduced, on average by 23%, and savings can go up to 34%. We demonstrate that by incorporating efficient coding techniques more than a 20% average yield improvement is possible in case of 10% defect rates. We incur a negligible delay penalty of less than 1% for decoder and the area is 13X smaller compared 22 nm CMOS technology and 32% smaller than TMR (triple modular redundancy) coding scheme.