cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An examination of the performance of damaged energy-absorbing end terminals

Abstract Objectives Guardrail end terminals are designed to gradually decelerate vehicles during impact and protect vehicle occupants from severe injuries. It has been observed that some in-service end terminals are damaged, and it is unclear if their safety performance is still acceptable. The objectives of this study were to examine the conditions of in-service end terminals, and to evaluate the performance of damaged relative to undamaged end terminals in simulated impacts. Methods Common damage patterns of guardrail end terminals were investigated by using post-crash pictures collected from the National Automotive Sampling System-Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS). Conditions of in-service end terminals mounted along roads in portions of six U.S. states were examined by using a sample from the second Strategic Highway Research Program-Roadway Information Database (SHRP2-RID). Finite Element (FE) models of two minorly and three severely damaged ET-Plus systems, a commonly used energy-absorbing guardrail end terminal along U.S. roads, were developed. To evaluate the performance of the damaged ET-Plus systems, we performed impact simulations with vehicle-to-damaged ET-Plus models according to the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 350, test conditions 3–30. Results Of the 1000 in-service end terminal cases we investigated, 73% were undamaged, 18% had minor damage, and 8% had major damage. Increases in the average vehicle deceleration rates, maximum vehicle yaw angles, and vehicle local deformations were observed in simulated impacts with damaged ET-Plus end terminals relative to impacts with undamaged ET-Plus end terminals. For one damaged ET-Plus, a secondary collision was observed. Overall, we found that the damaged end terminals usually increased collision severity when compared with undamaged end terminals. Conclusions The findings of this study point out the need for in-service performance evaluations and proper maintenance and repair practices of end terminals. The simulation models developed in this study could be further employed to investigate device performance in crash situations that are physically impractical to test and investigate the effects of site characteristics on device performance. The simulation models could also supplement crash tests to certify new hardware designs.
Improving stamina and mobility with preop walking in surgical patients with frailty traits –OASIS IV: randomized clinical trial study protocol

Frail older surgical patients face more than a two-fold increase in postoperative complications, including myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, ileus, and others. Many of these complications occur because of postoperative loss of stamina and poor mobility. Preoperative exercise may better prepare these vulnerable patients for surgery. We present the protocol for our ongoing randomized trial to assess the impact of a preoperative walking intervention with remote coaching and pedometer on outcomes of stamina (six-minute walk distance- 6MWD) and mobility (postoperative steps) in older adults with frailty traits. We will be conducting a randomized clinical trial with a total of 120 patients permitting up to a 33% rate of attrition, to reach a final sample size of 80 (with 40 patients for each study arm). We will include patients who are age 60 or higher, score 4 or greater on the Edmonton Frailty Scale assessment, and will be undergoing a surgical operation that requires a 2 or more night hospital stay to be eligible for our trial. Using block randomization stratified on baseline 6MWD, we will assign patients to wear a pedometer. At the end of three baseline days, an athletic trainer (AT) will provide a daily step count goal reflecting a 10–20% increase from baseline. Subsequently, the AT will call weekly to further titrate the goal or calls more frequently if the patient is not meeting the prescribed goal. Controls will receive general walking advice. Our main outcome is change in 6MWD on postoperative day (POD) 2/3 vs. baseline. We will also collect 6MWD approximately 4 weeks after surgery and daily in-hospital steps. If changes in a 6MWD and step counts are significantly higher for the intervention group, we believe this will confirm our hypothesis that the intervention leads to decreased loss of stamina and mobility. Once confirmed, we anticipate expanding to multiple centers to assess the interventional impact on clinical endpoints. The randomized clinical trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT03892187 on March 27, 2019.
Formation of Complex Non-Equilibrium Morphologies of Calcite via Biomimetic Processing

Our biomimetic approach for fabricating organic-inorganic composites with structures similar to biominerals is based on a novel mineralization process, called the Polymer-Induced-Liquid-Precursor (PILP) process. This process enables the deposition of non-equilibrium mineral morphologies of calcite under low-temperature and aqueous-based conditions [1], including patterned thin films of calcite. We have recently found that when a surplus of acidic polymer is added, the patterned mineral films act as a secondary template for directing new crystal outgrowths, which form into complex morphologies of calcite with time, such as fibrous mats and “horsetails”. Two interdependent factors, the polymer and Ca-ion concentration, which change the local solution environment over time, appear to modulate the creation of these different structures. Such observations may provide clues for unraveling the long-standing mystery of how biological systems fabricate their sophisticated and complex morphologies.
Phytoplankton Losses and Gains During Coastal Upwelling

We investigated phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing in coastal water off Oregon during the upwelling period. Phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing rates were determined by applying the dilution method for water collected from the mixed layer. Distinct patterns in relative nutrient and phytoplankton biomass levels (measured as chlorophyll) allow characterization of prebloom, bloom, and postbloom conditions. Both prebloom and bloom periods yielded high phytoplankton growth rates (0.6-1.5 d−1, respectively) and grazing rates (around 0.7 d−1), but prebloom periods were characterized by a smaller phytoplankton biomass than bloom periods. The nitrate-to-chlorophyll ratio of prebloom and bloom periods were much greater than 1 μmol/μg Chl. Postbloom situations also were characterized by high phytoplankton biomass, but had a nitrate-to-chlorophyll ratio smaller than 1 μmol/μg Chl. Phytoplankton growth rates were low (around 0.1–0.2 d−1) or negative, and grazing rates were low or not measurable.
A New Class of Random Fields and Their Extreme Values

Let X be a random vector in R n , and let f(t), t ∈ R N , be a continuous function into R n for 1 ≤ N ≤ n. Let (x, y) be the usual inner product in R n , and let || x | | be the corresponding norm, for x,y ∈ R n . We define the real random field X(t) as X(t) = (X, f(t)), t ∈ R N . The basic hypothesis on the random vector is that it has a joint distribution which is invariant under all orthogonal transformations of R n , that is, X and U X have the same distribution for any real n × n orthogonal matrix U. The function f can be of a very general form, requiring continuous partial derivatives up to order 2. The marginal distributions of X(t) are assumed to be identical. A necessary and sufficient condition for this is that ||f(t)|| = constant in t.
Spinal cord stimulation for testicular pain.

Objective. We report a case of malignancy-related testicular pain successfully treated by placement of spinal cord stimulator electrodes. Effective analgesia was provided by epidural lead placement over the dorsal columns. The rationale for our technique was based on contemporary understanding of spinal cord stimulation mechanism in conjunction with analysis of our patient's anatomical lesion location. Case Report. A 57-year-old man with a history of prostate carcinoma status post a radical retropubic prostatectomy presented to our clinic with a 2-year history of progressive burning and stabbing left scrotal and inguinal pain. Given his inability to tolerate opioid analgesics, he underwent ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and ganglion impar nerve blocks, which relieved his inguinal pain. His testicular pain nevertheless persisted, and he therefore underwent a successful dual-lead trial of spinal cord stimulation prompting a permanent implant. Outcome Measures. Patient's responses to the visual analog scale (VAS) were collected at 10 time points over the course of 2 years under two conditions: no stimulation and dual-lead stimulation. Results. Our patient's VAS questionnaire responses indicate a sustained 80% decrease of pain at 6 weeks status post-permanent spinal cord stimulator implant with self-reported increase of function at work and complete weaning off oral analgesics. Conclusions. Testicular pain may be difficult to treat particularly in patients unable to tolerate opioid analgesics. In cases that have failed conservative therapy, a trial of spinal cord stimulation should be explored.
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Patterns and Alcohol‐Related Birth Defects and Growth Deficiencies: A Prospective Study

Background: The physical features of fetal alcohol syndrome include smooth philtrum, thin vermillion border, short palpebral fissures, microcephaly, and growth deficiencies on weight and height. However, little is known about the specific quantities of alcohol exposure, pattern of drinking, timing of exposure, and magnitude of risk for each of these features. Methods: Using data on 992 subjects collected prospectively in California between 1978 and 2005, we examined the patterns and timing of alcohol exposure in relation to these features. Structural features were assessed by a dysmorphologist who performed a blinded physical examination of all infants. Patterns of drinking were evaluated by drinks per day, number of binge episodes, and maximum number of drinks. Timing of exposure was evaluated 0 to 6 weeks postconception, 6 to 12 weeks postconception, first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester. Results: Higher prenatal alcohol exposure in every pattern was significantly associated with the incidence of smooth philtrum but not with short palpebral fissures. The strongest associations were with timing of exposure in the second half of the first trimester (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.36 for average number of drinks per day; RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.26 for maximum number of drinks in 1 episode). Similarly, thin vermillion border was most strongly associated with exposure in the second half of the first trimester. Findings with respect to timing of exposure were similar for microcephaly and reduced birth weight. However, reduced birth length was increased with exposure in any trimester. These associations were linear, and there was no evidence of a threshold. Conclusions: Reduced birth length and weight, microcephaly, smooth philtrum, and thin vermillion border are associated with specific gestational timing of prenatal alcohol exposure and are dose-related without evidence of a threshold. Women should continue to be advised to abstain from alcohol consumption from conception throughout pregnancy.
Research as a learning activity in the health education classroom.

(1977). Research as a Learning Activity in the Health Education Classroom. Health Education: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 21-22.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Illness and Hospital Course in Patients Hospitalized for Nutritional Insufficiency

Abstract Purpose Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), a recently defined Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 eating disorder diagnosis, has not been extensively studied in the inpatient population. This study compares hospitalized ARFID and anorexia nervosa (AN) patients, including differences in presentation, treatment response, and 1-year outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of ARFID and AN patients hospitalized between 2008 and 2014 for acute medical stabilization at an academic medical center. Data, including characteristics on admission, during hospitalization, and 1 year after discharge, were recorded for each patient and compared between ARFID and AN patients. Results On presentation, ARFID patients (n = 41) were younger with fewer traditional eating disorder behaviors and less weight loss, comorbidity, and bradycardia than AN patients (n = 203). During hospitalization, although ARFID and AN patients had similar caloric intake, ARFID patients relied on more enteral nutrition and required longer hospitalizations than AN patients (8 vs. 5 days; p = .0006). One year after discharge, around half of ARFID and AN patients met criteria for remission (62% vs. 46%; p = .18), and less than one-quarter required readmission (21% vs. 24%; p = .65). Conclusions The findings from this study reveal several differences in hospitalized eating disorder patients and emphasize the need for further research on ARFID patients, including research on markers of illness severity and optimal approaches to refeeding. Similar remission and readmission rates among ARFID and AN patients highlight both the success and the continued need for improvement in eating disorder treatment regardless of diagnosis.
Computational approaches for understanding energy metabolism.

There has been a surge of interest in understanding the regulation of metabolic networks involved in disease in recent years. Quantitative models are increasingly being used to i nterrogate the metabolic pathways that are contained within this complex disease biology. At the core of this effort is the mathematical modeling of central carbon metabolism involving glycolysis and the citric acid cycle (referred to as energy metabolism). Here we discuss several approaches used to quantitatively model metabolic pathways relating to energy metabolism and discuss their formalisms, successes, and limitations.
Learning to understand web site update requests

Although Natural Language Processing (NLP) for requests for information has been well-studied, there has been little prior work on understanding requests to update information. In this paper, we propose an intelligent system that can process natural language website update requests semi-automatically. In particular, this system can analyze requests, posted via email, to update the factual content of individual tuples in a database-backed website. Users' messages are processed using a scheme decomposing their requests into a sequence of entity recognition and text classification tasks. Using a corpus generated by human-subject experiments, we experimentally evaluate the performance of this system, as well as its robustness in handling request types not seen in training, or user-specific language styles not seen in training.
Simultaneous measurement of DOPA and its primary metabolites in physiological fluids.

Abstract An automatic method is described for the simultaneous determination of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), Tyrosine (Tyr), and 3-methoxytyrosine (MeOTyr). The compounds were separated on the ion-exchange columns of an amino acid analyzer and their common native fluorescence was measured with a flow-thru fluorometer. Quantities of 5 nmole DOPAC and Tyr, 2 nmole HVA and DOPA, and 1 nmole MeOTyr were detectable. The procedure is simple and sufficiently rapid (90 min) for clinical application for measuring DOPA and its major metabolic products in physiological fluids.
Mass transport parameters of aspen wood chip beds via stimulus‐response tracer techniques

A stimulus-response tracer technique has been used to characterize packed beds of untreated, as well as acid prehydrolyzed, and enzymatically hydrolyzed aspen wood chips. Glucose was used as the trace. Bulk liquid phase dispersion, interphase mass transfer, and intraparticle diffusion coefficients were determined for these materials as well as effective porosities and tortuosities. The untreated and prehydrolyzed aspen wood chips were found to have effective void fractions of ca. 0.8, while the enzymatically hydrolyzed wood chips exhibited a void fraction of 0.37. Intraparticle diffusion was approximately twice as rapid in the prehydrolyzed and enzymatically hydrolyzed wood chips as in the untreated wood chips. Also, under the current experimental conditions, intraparticle diffusional transport resistance accounted for roughly half of the total tracer pulse dispersion. It is demonstrated that stimulus-response tracer techniques can be useful and convenient probes for beds of lignocellulosic, or other porous materials, which vary in character with extent of conversion and/or treatment.
The Alabama Preterm Birth Study: Umbilical cord blood Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis cultures in very preterm newborn infants

Objective This study was undertaken to evaluate the frequency of umbilical cord blood infections with Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in preterm 23- to 32-week births and to determine their association with various obstetric conditions, markers of placental inflammation, and newborn outcomes. Study Design 351 mother/infant dyads with deliveries between 23 and 32 weeks' gestational age who had cord blood cultures for U urealyticum and M hominis had their medical records abstracted, other placental cultures performed, cord interleukin-6 levels determined, placentas evaluated histologically, and infant outcomes determined. Results U urealyticum and/or M hominis were present in 23% of cord blood cultures. Positive cultures were more common in infants of nonwhite women (27.9% vs 16.8%; P = .016), in women less than 20 years of age, in those undergoing a spontaneous compared to an indicated preterm delivery (34.7% vs 3.2%; P = .0001), and in those delivering at earlier gestational ages. Intrauterine infection and inflammation were more common among infants with a positive U urealyticum and M hominis culture as evidenced by placental cultures for these and other bacteria, elevated cord blood interleukin-6 levels, and placental histology. Infants with positive cord blood U urealyticum and M hominis cultures were more likely to have neonatal systemic inflammatory response syndrome (41.3% vs 25.7%; P = .007; adjusted odds ratio, 1.86; 1.08-3.21) and probably bronchopulmonary dysplasia (26.8% vs 10.1%; P = .0001; adjusted odds ratio 1.99; 0.91-4.37), but were not significantly different for other neonatal outcomes, including respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, or death. Conclusion U urealyticum and M hominis cord blood infections are far more common in spontaneous vs indicated preterm deliveries and are strongly associated with markers of acute placental inflammation. Positive cultures are associated with neonatal systemic inflammatory response syndrome and probably bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Transferable nonorthogonal tight-binding parameters for silicon.

Nonorthogonal Slater-Koster (''tight-binding'') parameters have been fitted to linear muffin-tin orbital band structures of silicon in the hypothetical sc, fcc, and bcc structures at the density of ordinary diamond-cubic silicon. First- and second-neighbor parameters are used for all three structures. When the eight parameters (H-italic/sub s-italic//sub s-italic//sub sigma/,...,S-italic/sub p-italic//sub p-italic//sub ..pi../) are plotted as a function of neighbor distance, they describe approximate smooth curves which align well with the values found by Mattheiss and Patel for diamond-cubic Si, even though local coordination is entirely different. This suggests an approximate transferability of tight-binding parameters, at least if the volume is constant and coordination number is four or higher.
Novel use of glycopyrrolate (Robinul) in the treatment of anastomotic leak after repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula

Anastomotic leak after tracheoesophageal fistula repair is a well-known complication and can represent a challenging clinical scenario. We present the case of an infant girl with VACTERL syndrome who underwent repair of a type C esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula repair, which was complicated by an anastomotic leak. Glycopyrrolate (Robinul), an anticholinergic agent, was successfully used to decrease copious salivary secretion and promote spontaneous closure of the leak. This report represents the first description in the medical literature of the use of glycopyrrolate in the treatment of an esophageal anastomotic leak. Glycopyrrolate may be a useful adjunct in the management of anastomotic leak after tracheoesophageal repair.
Thyroxine-binding globulin: characterization of the binding site with a fluorescent dye as a probe.

The fluorescent dye 1,8-anilinonaphthalenesulfonate competed with thyroxine for binding to thyroxine-binding globulin. Fluorescence analysis indicated that the dye bound to the globulin in a molar ratio of 1:1 and with an association constant (at 23°C) of 4.19 x106M-1, and that thyroxine bound to the globulin in a molar ratio of 1:1 and with an association constant (at 23°C) of 2.35x1010M-1. Displacement of globulin-bound dye by thyroxine was shown by fluorescence quenching, and displacement of globulin-bound thyroxine by dye was demonstrated by ultrafiltration.
Logon in distributed systems

The problem of logon in distributed systems is discussed. The use of central authentication to solve this problem is described and justified. A layering technique that allows the addition of central authentication to vendor-supplied operating systems is presented, and experience with this technique is described. >
Adaptive overhead reduction via MEWMA control charts

In an effort to reduce overhead in proactive protocols, rather than use a global period for transmission of control information, we propose to transmit based on changes in a node's local conditions. For OLSR, a proactive link-state routing protocol, we use a significant change in the number of edges in a node's two-hop neighbourhood and topological graph as indicators of topology change warranting an update. When the associated exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) charts and multivariate EWMA chart signal out-of-control, a node transmits a HELLO, a topology control (TC), or both HELLO and TC messages. We use ns-2 simulations to compare OLSR to our TS-OLSR, and other variants of OLSR. We find that TS-OLSR obtains a statistically significant reduction in overhead compared to the other protocols while maintaining the packet delivery ratio. The approach is general and may find use in other applications requiring response to changes in local conditions.
Thermal Analysis Studies of Glass Dispersion Systems

AbstractGlass dispersion systems were examined using differential scanning calorimetry. The addition of a crystalline additive to a glassy vehicle resulted in a reduction of the vehicle's glass transition temperature. Mixtures of glassy materials were immiscible, partially miscible, or completely miscible. The results can be explained using the concept of miscibility among liquids. By combining two miscible glasses in the proper ratio, it was possible to obtain greater physical stability than with either of its glassy components. This was demonstrated with a 1:1 mixture of citric acid and acetaminophen which showed no changes in its thermogram after seven weeks of storage at 23°C. The glass transition of this mixture is about 18° C.
The effect of heteroatom conformation on optoelectronic properties of cyclopentadithiophene derivatives.

Cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT) derivatives with different heteroatom conformations have been synthesized. The optical, electrochemical and charge transport properties of these molecules are reported. The CPDT-anti-ketone not only exhibits the lowest optical and electronic bandgaps, but also exhibits reasonable hole mobility, 3 × 10−3 cm2 (V s)−1. Changing the carbonyl conformation to the syn position or incorporating the imine functionality results in a blue-shift in the lower energy band of the absorption spectrum indicative of the increased bandgaps.
Volatility-invariant hedging

Abstract We seek to configure an option so that its hedge ratio is unaffected by measurement error in volatility. This is shown to be possible only in a special case, but one which is fortuitously satisfied by recent market conditions.
Contextual determinants of auditory learning in bobwhite quail embryos and hatchlings.

This study examined the ability of bobwhite quail embryos and hatchlings to learn an individual bobwhite maternal call. Results revealed that embryos could learn an individual maternal call and remember that call for at least 24 hr following exposure. In contrast, hatchlings reared socially in groups of same-age chicks during postnatal exposure to a maternal call did not demonstrate a preference for that familiar call at 24 hr following exposure. However, individual auditory recognition was exhibited by hatchlings reared in social isolation, suggesting that the perceptual and social complexity of the postnatal situation can disrupt or interfere with early auditory learning. Additional support for this view was the finding that embryos exposed to unusually early visual stimulation during prenatal exposure to a maternal call also failed to prefer that familiar maternal call in subsequent choice tests. The idea that early auditory learning capacity is determined more by context and experience rather than the organism's specific age or stage of development is discussed. © 1992 Wiley & sons. Inc.
The impact of loading frequency and copper as a biocide on biosand filter performance

Biological sand filters (BSFs) can appropriately serve as point-of-use water treatment in developing nations. This study examined the benefit of adding copper to a BSF, and evaluated the impact of its addition in relation to extended pause times. Four 70-L BSFs were created – copper was incorporated in the packing of the two BSFs labeled Filter 1 and Filter 3. Filters 1 and 2 were loaded daily while Filters 3 and 4 were watered every third day. Source water was taken from the Ocmulgee River in Macon, Georgia. To investigate variation due to watering frequency and biocidal addition, BSF performance was quantified using coliforms, turbidity, solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, and copper analyses. E. coli removal efficiencies for Filters 1, 2, 3, and 4 averaged 90, 77, 87, and 80%, respectively. Paired t -tests at α = 0.05 indicate that effluent coliform concentrations from filters watered daily were significantly impacted by the presence of copper. Filters loaded every third day showed no significant performance effect from copper addition on coliform removal efficiency. Similar paired t -tests at α = 0.05 for turbidity, solids, and COD showed no significant difference between filter performance.
Generation of earth's first-order biodiversity pattern

Abstract The first-order biodiversity pattern on Earth today and at least as far back as the Paleozoic is the latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), a decrease in richness of species and higher taxa from the equator to the poles. LDGs are produced by geographic trends in origination, extinction, and dispersal over evolutionary timescales, so that analyses of static patterns will be insufficient to reveal underlying processes. The fossil record of marine bivalve genera, a model system for the analysis of biodiversity dynamics over large temporal and spatial scales, shows that an origination and range-expansion gradient plays a major role in generating the LDG. Peak origination rates and peak diversities fall within the tropics, with range expansion out of the tropics the predominant spatial dynamic thereafter. The origination-diversity link occurs even in a “contrarian” group whose diversity peaks at midlatitudes, an exception proving the rule that spatial variations in origination are key to latitudinal di...
Predilections of Cardiogenic Embolic Transport to the Cerebral Versus Peripheral Arteries

One of the most compelling scenarios of embolic transport is for cardiogenic particles. These emboli are a major cause of death and disability, resulting in an estimated 20%–30% of ischemic brain strokes. Whether cardiogenic emboli continue distally in the descending aorta, or travel into the aortic branch arteries has critical consequences for stroke. Previous studies found that embolic particles tend to favor larger diameter arteries at bifurcations, which suggests that cardiogenic emboli should be preferentially transported to the descending aorta, even beyond expectations due to flow rate. However, extrapolating previous findings to this scenario is questionable because previous models do not represent the unique fluid dynamics and morphology of the ascending aorta. We utilized medical imaging and computational modeling to better understand the transport of cardiac emboli to the cerebral arteries. Results indicate that particle transport to aortic branch arteries, and subsequently the arteries to the head, has a strong size-destination predilection that varies markedly from volumetric blood flow distribution.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Weak LSZ limits and reduction formula for the non-relativistic coulombic interaction

Abstract The asymptotic condition is stated in the case of a non-relativistic Coulombic potential (long-range interaction), and the corresponding LSZ reduction formula is established for the S-matrix elements of the theory. Since the Coulombic Green function is known in closed (non-perturbative) form, we are able to rigorously prove that the resulting S-matrix is free of infinite Coulombic phases and coincides with Dollard's S-matrix. A brief discussion of the forward-scattering amplitude is also given.
Should People with Unhealthy Lifestyles Pay Higher Health Insurance Premiums

This commentary sets the article by Dubois on the ethical justification for charging higher insurance premiums for people with unhealthy lifestyles in the context of US health care reform. It reviews the relevance and strength of normative concerns identified by Dubois about the acceptability of such differentiated “means-tested” plans. It identifies key issues involving whether certain health behaviors matter ethically, and if so, the grounds that would justify an obligation for people to take action. The article frames the answer in terms of the need to achieve an ethically acceptable balance between the principle of equality and principle of merit and concludes with four ethical standards to focus the terms of the debate.
The functions of key residues in the inhibitor, substrate and cofactor sites of human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 are validated by mutagenesis

In postmenopausal women, human 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (3beta-HSD1) is a critical enzyme in the conversion of DHEA to estradiol in breast tumors, while 3beta-HSD2 participates in the production of cortisol and aldosterone in the human adrenal gland. The goals of this project are to determine if Arg195 in 3beta-HSD1 vs. Pro195 in 3beta-HSD2 in the substrate/inhibitor binding site is a critical structural difference responsible for the higher affinity of 3beta-HSD1 for inhibitor and substrate steroids compared to 3beta-HSD2 and whether Asp61, Glu192 and Thr8 are fingerprint residues for cofactor and substrate binding using site-directed mutagenesis. The R195P-1 mutant of 3beta-HSD1 and the P195R-2 mutant of 3beta-HSD2 have been created, expressed, purified and characterized kinetically. Dixon analyses of the inhibition of the R195P-1 mutant, P195R-2 mutant, wild-type 3beta-HSD1 and wild-type 3beta-HSD2 by trilostane has produced kinetic profiles that show inhibition of 3beta-HSD1 by trilostane (K(i)=0.10microM, competitive) with a 16-fold lower K(i) and different mode than measured for 3beta-HSD2 (K(i)=1.60microM, noncompetitive). The R195P-1 mutation shifts the high-affinity, competitive inhibition profile of 3beta-HSD1 to a low-affinity (trilostane K(i)=2.56microM), noncompetitive inhibition profile similar to that of 3beta-HSD2 containing Pro195. The P195R-2 mutation shifts the low-affinity, noncompetitive inhibition profile of 3beta-HSD2 to a high-affinity (trilostane K(i)=0.19microM), competitive inhibition profile similar to that of 3beta-HSD1 containing Arg195. Michaelis-Menten kinetics for DHEA, 16beta-hydroxy-DHEA and 16alpha-hydroxy-DHEA substrate utilization by the R195P-1 and P195R-2 enzymes provide further validation for higher affinity binding due to Arg195 in 3beta-HSD1. Comparisons of the Michaelis-Menten values of cofactor and substrate for the targeted mutants of 3beta-HSD1 (D61N, D61V, E192A, T8A) clarify the functions of these residues as well.
Time and the Political Economy of Financial Television

This article calls attention to the importance of time as a vantage point from which the intersection between finance, media, and information can be critiqued. The neoliberal temporality is constituted by both abstract time and historical time of the media. The sense of abstract time constructed by financial television is critiqued: the paradox of low production cost of television programs and high commercial value of advertisement spots illustrates the inherent contradictions of capitalism. The existence of financial television relies on the creation of new financial markets and the centralization of information to financial transaction—both phenomenon ought to be understood in the context of the historical time marked by neoliberalism since 1970s.
Specific antibody levels in free-ranging rhesus monkeys: Relationships to plasma hormones, cardiac parameters, and early behavior

Levels of tetanus-specific antibodies were assessed in free-ranging, yearling rhesus monkeys following prophylactic immunization with tetanus toxoid. Each subject's behavior had been observed between 11 and 25 weeks of age and approximately 2 months later during its mother's first concentrated mating period as a part of another study. Prior to immunization, at approximately 1 year of age, cardiovascular parameters, and several plasma parameters [cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and total plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG)] were measured during a brief period of captivity. Antibody titers noted approximately 2 weeks after immunization were related to cardiovascular parameters. Thus, yearlings with high heart rates and low heart rate variability during captivity had the highest tetanus-specific serum IgG. Levels of plasma cortisol, ACTH, total IgG, and IL-2 noted at the time of capture were unrelated to subsequent antibody levels. Antibody titers were, however, positively correlated with GH noted immediately following capture on the day prior to immunization. Antibody titers were also related to the infants' behavior observed during their mother's first concentrated mating period, Infants who were most distressed (high levels of distress vocalization) when their mother resumed mating (a time particularly stressful for free-ranging rhesus infants) showed lower antibody titers to tetanus immunization as a yearling. The present observations add support to the existence of a relationship between behavior during exposure to an early stressor and later immune regulation and that certain cardiovascular parameters may be related to certain indicators of immunoregulation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rapid Identification of Positive Blood Cultures by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Using Prewarmed Agar Plates

This study describes an inexpensive and straightforward method for identifying bacteria by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) directly from positive blood cultures using prewarmed agar plates. Different inoculation methods and incubation times were evaluated to determine the optimal conditions. The two methods using pelleted material from positive culture bottles performed best. In particular, the pellet streak method correctly identified 94% of the Gram negatives following 4 h of incubation and 98% of the Gram positives following 6 h of incubation.
Structural analysis of a holoenzyme complex of mouse dihydrofolate reductase with NADPH and a ternary complex with the potent and selective inhibitor 2,4-diamino-6-(2'-hydroxydibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)methylpteridine.

It has been shown that 2,4-diamino-6-arylmethylpteridines and 2,4-diamino-5-arylmethylpyrimidines containing an O-carboxylalkyloxy group in the aryl moiety are potent and selective inhibitors of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from opportunistic pathogens such as Pneumocystis carinii, the causative agent of Pneumocystis pneumonia in HIV/AIDS patients. In order to understand the structure–activity profile observed for a series of substituted dibenz[b,f]azepine antifolates, the crystal structures of mouse DHFR (mDHFR; a mammalian homologue) holo and ternary complexes with NADPH and the inhibitor 2,4-diamino-6-(2′-hydroxy­dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)methylpteridine were determined to 1.9 and 1.4 A resolution, respectively. Structural data for the ternary complex with the potent O-(3-carboxypropyl) inhibitor PT684 revealed no electron density for the O-carboxylalkyloxy side chain. The side chain was either cleaved or completely disordered. The electron density fitted the less potent hydroxyl compound PT684a. Additionally, cocrystallization of mDHFR with NADPH and the less potent 2′-(4-carboxybenzyl) inhibitor PT682 showed no electron density for the inhibitor and resulted in the first report of a holoenzyme complex despite several attempts at crystallization of a ternary complex. Modeling data of PT682 in the active site of mDHFR and P. carinii DHFR (pcDHFR) indicate that binding would require ligand-induced conformational changes to the enzyme for the inhibitor to fit into the active site or that the inhibitor side chain would have to adopt an alternative binding mode to that observed for other carboxyalkyloxy inhibitors. These data also show that the mDHFR complexes have a decreased active-site volume as reflected in the relative shift of helix C (residues 59–64) by 0.6 A compared with pcDHFR ternary complexes. These data are consistent with the greater inhibitory potency against pcDHFR.
Time-resolved spectroscopy and the determination of photon scattering, pathlength, and brain vascular hemoglobin saturation in a population of normal volunteers

Determining the relationship between light absorption and chromophore concentration in brain is complicated by photon scattering, which makes it difficult to determine pathlength. In the current study we apply newly developed phase modulation (PMS) and time-resolved (TRS) spectrometers to determine tissue scattering, pathlength and brain vascular hemoglobin saturation (BVH). PMS measurements were made from both frontal cortices of 36 adults using light guides separated by 4 cm and tightly placed against the forehead. TRS measurements were done with a 5 cm probe separation. For the PMS measurements, changes in phase shift were detected at 754 and 816 nm wavelengths. For TRS, the wavelength was 670 nm in all subjects, and some subjects had additional measurements made at a wavelength of 820 nm. Scattering and the extrapolated pathlength in the absence of hemoglobin were determined from the TRS data. This information was combined with the PMS data to determine BVH. The coefficient variation for the calculated saturation was only 0.04. This suggests both scattering and pathlength have significant intersubject variability and need to be explicitly determined for appropriate calculation of hemoglobin saturation.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Input Power Measurement Techniques for Single-Phase Digitally Controlled PFC Rectifiers

Accurate input power measurements for off-line power supplies are required for both time-of-use billing and system power management purposes. When a digitally controlled PFC is utilized at the front end of the power supply much if not all the information necessary to calculate the input power has already been sensed as digital control data. This paper investigates input power measurement techniques that use data already available from the digital PFC controller or downstream DC-DC controllers. Speci cally, three techniques are considered and short calibration routines resulting in accurate input power measurements are outlined.
How increased sodium influx enhances digoxin-induced arrhythmias in guinea-pig atrial muscle

Abstract The hypothesis that digitalis-induced arrhythmias occur when Na,K-ATPase inhibition exhausts the sodium pump reverse capacity, producing an accumulation of intracellular Na + , was tested by reducing the reserve capacity in isolated left atrial muscle of guinea pig heart and estimating specific digoxin binding and Na,K-ATPase activity in atrial muscle homogenized at the onset of digoxin-induced arrhythmias. Reductions in reserve capacity were produced by either increasing the stimulation frequency of the atrial muscle or adding a sodium ionophore, monensin, to the media bathing the tissue. As stimulation frequency was increased, both the time required to produce arrhythmias with a given concentration of digoxin and the amount of digoxin bound to sarcolemmal Na,K-ATPase at the onset of arrhythmias were reduced. Similarly, monensin treatment produced reductions in the time to arrhythmia and in digoxin binding and Na,K-ATPase inhibition observed at the onset of arrhythmias. These results support the above proposal suggesting that a decrease in reserve capacity of the sodium pump enhances cardiac sensitivity to digitalis-induced arrhythmias.
A theoretical investigation of the solid‐state synthesis of (SN)x

The solid‐state polymerization of S2N2 to (SN)x is investigated as it relates to the molecular, crystallographic, and defect structures of this superconducting polymer. The least motion principle predicts that polymerization should occur by a nonunique reaction to form cis–trans polymer chains normal to the 21 axis of the precursor phase. The origin of the disordered structure observed in partially polymerized S2N2 is explained by the occurrence of two symmetry equivalent reaction modes, which produce chains related by a center of symmetry. Both monomer and polymer phases have 2/m point symmetry, but the twofold axes are orthogonal. Consequently, the statistical symmetry of (SN)x is mmm, which is manifest (as a function of thermal history) either by twinning, molecular scale disorder, the statistical nature of the relationship between S2N2 and (SN)x crystal orientations, or a combination of these possibilities. In agreement with prediction, this symmetry is produced by equal population of the twin crystal...
Rotational spectrum and dipole moment of 1-chloro-4-fluorobenzene

Abstract The rotational spectra of the normal and 37Cl isotopomers of 1-chloro-4-fluorobenzene have been measured by pulsed supersonic nozzle, Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. The rotational constants were determined to be A=5646.073(87) MHz , B=956.7374(2) MHz and C=818.1184(3) MHz for the normal isotopomer and A=5646.218(131) MHz , B=931.9794(3) MHz and C=799.9468(3) MHz for the 37Cl isotopomer. The dipole moment has been determined to be 0.12(1) D from Stark effect measurements. The experimental rotational constants and dipole moments were compared with results obtained from ab initio calculations and structural parameters obtained from these calculations were compared with experimental values for chlorobenzene and fluorobenzene.
1395 THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON URANYL NITRATE (UN) NEPHROTOXICITY

The newborn is more resistant to the nephrotoxic effects of aminoglycosides. To determine if this resistance extends to other nephrotoxins, we studied the effects of UN (10 mg/kg IV) on renal function in dogs 1-2 wks (I) and 3-5 wks (II) of age during initiation (2 hrs) and in the maintenance phase (24 hrs after UN). Age matched controls received saline(S). The results are: 2 hrs post UN, there was extensive vacuolation only of the pars convoluta and greater in II than in I. 24 hrs post UN there were no distinct morphological changes (light & electron microscopy). Conclusion: very young puppies are more resistant to some nephrotoxins than older puppies and adult dogs.
Documenting software systems with views V: towards visual documentation of design patterns as an aid to program understanding

Cognitive science research indicates that a system is more readily understood when it is presented at progressive levels of decomposition, exposing increasing amounts of detail. One logical level of detail would present a system in terms of its implemented design patterns. However, to date, no entirely satisfactory method of documentation has been devised for explicating a software system as a set of design patterns. This paper discusses the challenges inherent in visualizing a software system as a set of design patterns, reviews the progress of another current effort, and describes a UML-compliant enhanced class-participation diagram as one possible solution.
Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine3 antagonist, ondansetron, on cigarette smoking, smoke exposure, and mood in humans.

Abstract Recent studies in the animal laboratory indicate that 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) antagonists reduce the reinforcing effects of several psychoactive drugs, including nicotine. The purpose of our study was to determine if ondansetron, a selective 5-HT3 antagonist, affected tobacco cigarette consumption in smokers. In the first experiment, a prospective, crossover, placebo-controlled trial was used in which subjects (N=7) were exposed in an inpatient research unit to 0, 0.15, 0.3, or 0.45 mg/kg ondansetron in three equally divided given doses given 4 h apart. In the second experiment, seven different subjects were exposed to the same trial except the dose range was reduced to about 10%: 0, 0.01, 0.02, or 0.04 mg/kg. In each experiment, order of dosing conditions was determined by a Latin square design. Dependent measures included number of cigarettes smoked during the 24-h session, biologic exposure levels (carbon monoxide and plasma nicotine levels), and mood. Number of cigarettes smoked and biologic exposure levels did not differ across drug conditions in either experiment. There were also no effects of ondansetron on mood. From our study results, we conclude that acute administration of ondansetron, at doses appropriate for antiemesis or at markedly lower doses, does not alter tobacco consumption or smoke exposure in humans.
Effect of Dispositional Traits on Pharmacy Students’ Attitude Toward Cheating

Objective. To explore the relation between dispositional traits and pharmacy students’ attitudes toward cheating in a university setting.Methods. A questionnaire was administered primarily to pharmacy students at a comprehensive university in the southeastern United States to assess self-esteem, self-efficacy, idealism, relativism, student attitudes toward cheating, tolerance for peer cheating, detachment from the university, Machiavellian behavior, and demographic information.Results. Gender, degree of idealism, relativism, and Machiavellian traits were found to influence student attitudes toward cheating, while age, grade-point average (GPA), race, income, and marital status did not.Conclusions. Considered collectively, these data support the study model prediction that the major determinants of student attitudes toward cheating are based on the degree of idealism and relativism evident in the students’ dispositional trait. Idealism was found to be inversely related to the likelihood of a student engagi...