cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of pivotal trials and FDA review of innovative devices.

When patients lack sufficient treatment options for serious medical conditions, they rely on the prompt approval and development of new therapeutic alternatives, such as medical devices. Understanding the development of innovative medical devices, including the characteristics of premarket clinical trials and length of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review, can help identify ways to expedite patient access to novel technologies and inform recent efforts by FDA to more quickly get these products to patients and physicians. We analyzed publicly available information on clinical trials and premarket FDA review for innovative medical devices that fill an unmet medical need. In this first-of-its-kind study focusing on these products, we extracted data on the length of the pivotal trials, primary study endpoint and FDA review; number of patients enrolled in trials; and in what country the device was available first. We identified 27 approved priority review devices from January 2006 through August 2013. The median duration of pivotal clinical trials was 3 years, ranging from 3 months to approximately 7 years. Trials had a median primary outcome measure evaluation time of one year and a median enrollment of 297 patients. The median FDA review time was 1 year and 3 months. Most priority review devices were available abroad before they were approved in the United States. Our study indicates that addressing the length of clinical studies—and contributing factors, such as primary outcome measures and enrollment—could expedite patient access to innovative medical devices. FDA, manufacturers, Congress and other stakeholders should identify the contributing factors to the length of clinical development, and implement appropriate reforms to address those issues.
Effect of fluoxetine on contractile activity of pregnant rat uterine rings

Abstract Objective: We sought to compare the effects of fluoxetine, imipramine, and nortriptyline on spontaneous and serotonin-activated contractile activity of the uterine rings from midterm and term pregnant rats. Study Design: Uterine rings from timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats on day 14 (midgestation) and day 22 (term gestation) were used for isometric tension recording. Responses to cumulative concentrations of fluoxetine, imipramine, nortriptyline, and serotonin in the absence and presence of the monoamine reuptake inhibitors were studied. Results: Neither of the monoamine reuptake inhibitors significantly influenced spontaneous contractile activity, whereas the concentration-dependent increase in activity induced by serotonin was inhibited in rings from both midterm and term pregnant rats. Conclusions: The reported increase in preterm delivery in women receiving fluoxetine during the third trimester cannot be explained by a direct effect on uterine contractility. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:296-9.)
Electrode Feeding Speed Control and Experiment Research of ESR Furnace Based on S Style Control Curve

The electrode feeding mechanism and the feeding speed control system of the electroslag remelting furnace are studied. The electrode feeding mechanism is designed based on the electro-hydraulic proportional control technique, and the mechanism’s three-dimensional model is established. The electrode feeding mechanism’s electro-hydraulic proportional control system is simulated. The basic feeding speed model and the error-correction feeding speed model are established; and the S style speed control curve of the electrode feeding system is designed. Experiments were carried out; the system control curves and the experimental production dissection results were obtained. It was found that, the electrode feeding system and the feeding speed control system studied in this paper met the craft procedure and technique requirements of large electroslag remelting furnace, and the method’s validity was verified.
Spirituality and the Management Teacher: Reflections of Three Buddhists on Compassion, Mindfulness, and Selflessness in the Classroom

Despite the growing importance of spirituality in management, the management education literature says little concerning the teacher's self and even less concerning a teacher's spiritual self. This article addresses the issue of integrating spiritual values and teaching by reflecting on the experiences of three management teachers. To explore individual aspects of their Buddhist practices, one author examines how the spiritual value of compassion has changed the experience of teaching, a second discusses mindfulness, and a third the no-self. They then reflect collectively on those experiences, indicate opportunities for research, and call for further discussion with management professors from diverse spiritual traditions. Their experience suggests that integrating spiritual values into the teaching workplace is highly rewarding and also less problematic than might be expected.
Current management of metacarpal fractures

Metacarpal fractures are common, and many can be managed nonoperatively with appropriate reduction and immobilization. As with any hand fracture, the primary goals are to achieve anatomic and stable reduction, bony union, and early mobilization to minimize disability. Appropriate treatment requires a keen understanding of the types of fractures, their inherent stability, and the available treatment options. Functional outcomes depend on appropriate treatment and early range of motion whenever possible.
ROLE OF ANIONIC PROTEINS IN KIDNEY STONE FORMATION: INTERACTION BETWEEN MODEL ANIONIC POLYPEPTIDES AND CALCIUM OXALATE CRYSTALS

Purpose:: We tested the effect of molecular weight and amino acid composition (aspartate versus glutamate) in model peptides on calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) formation to understand how known urinary inhibitor proteins might control spontaneous crystallization.Materials and Methods:: Supersaturated solutions of CaCl2 and Na2C2O4 in HEPES buffered saline solution were prepared at various calcium (Ca) to oxalate (Ox) ratios, but constant supersaturation, in the presence of protein inhibitors (polyaspartic acid molecular weight series or polyglutamic acid). The resulting crystals were collected and evaluated with optical microscopy.Results:: With no added inhibitors, the crystal size increased with Ca to Ox ratio, while the number of crystals decreased. With protein inhibitors at equivalent mass concentrations, intermediate molecular weight proteins produced a greater proportion of COD in Ca rich conditions than did either extreme. In Ox rich conditions, the proportion of COD was directly related to protei...
Predictive Value of Polymerase Chain Reaction of Cerebrospinal Fluid for Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus to Establish the Diagnosis of HIV-Related Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA has been proposed as a minimally invasive method for establishing the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus-related primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). In a review of the operational characteristics of this test in our clinical practice, the positive predictive value of CSF PCR for EBV for establishing the diagnosis of PCNSL was only 29%. Of 7 patients with CSF PCR positive for EBV, 2 had PCNSL, and 5 received alternative diagnoses (specificity, 79.1%).
Consistency in representation and transformation of genomic sequences

Many previous results in genomic sequence analysis have been derived based on the representation of genomic structures as numerical sequences. Various mapping strategies have been proposed for the representation of genomic and proteomic sequences. However, little is understood about the effect of specific choices of numerical mappings on the final analysis results. In fact, inconsistent numerical mappings could have led to contradictory results in genomic sequence analysis. In this paper, we propose a mathematical framework for analysis of the consistency in representation and transformation of numerical mappings of genomic sequences. We introduce strong and weak correlation metrics to characterize consistency measures among distinct numerical mappings. We derive sufficient conditions to ensure consistency among different numerical mappings. We present an important class of equivalent transforms under the proposed consistency conditions. We also derive a class of operators which is shown to be equivalent under rotation of numerical mappings. Finally, we conduct computer simulation experiments on DNA sequences which demonstrate the theoretical results.
Abundance of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) and Cadra cautella (Walker) infesting maize stored on South Carolina farms: seasonal and non-seasonal variation

Abstract Seasonal trends and short-term fluctuations in abundance of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) and Cadra cautella (Walker) infesting maize stored on two South Carolina farms were studied during three storage seasons (September 1990–June 1993). Coils of corrugated paper placed on the grain surface were used to trap mature larvae seeking pupation sites. Temperatures in the grain (18-cm-deep) and in the bin headspace were recorded hourly, and grain moisture content was measured weekly. Weekly mean numbers of moth larvae, and adults of two natural enemies, trapped in the coils were used for tracking changes in their abundance over time. The most significant findings were: (1) a seasonal pattern of abundance in both moth species that persisted from farm to farm and year to year, and (2) the coincidence of the highest population levels with the lowest temperatures. With few exceptions, the moth populations increased in the fall, reached their highest levels in winter, and then declined to low levels by early spring. The persistence of this pattern suggests a seasonal regulatory mechanism, with onset of low temperature as the primary initiator of population decline and adversely high temperature as a contributor to its protraction through spring into early summer. This view is supported by our observations of temperature and moth abundance, in conjunction with published information on the biological limitations of the two species. However, other factors, such as predators, parasitoids, and viral infection, may have contributed to the final population collapse. Superimposed upon the seasonal trends were short-term, non-seasonal cycles of abundance with variable periods. Population theory suggests that predation, parasitism, disease, and competition may have produced these cycles.
Unified and efficient HEC storage system with a working-set based reorganization scheme

High-end computing (HEC) applications and simulations have become increasingly data intensive. The pressure on the storage system capability has substantially increased in recent years. Traditional hard disk drives (HDD) are dominant storage devices in HEC, but suffer seek time delays and rotational latencies. The emerged storage class memory such as Solid State Drive (SSD) provides a new promising high bandwidth and low latency storage solution, but with inherent limitations of small capacity, limited writing cycles, and high cost. SSDs and HDDs have complement characteristics in nature and there is a desire to combine and unify them to best serve HEC workloads. In this paper, we introduce our initial study of a novel Working-Set based Reorganization Scheme (WS-ROS), to manage and leverage the merits of both SSDs and HDDs and to provide a highly efficient storage system. The goal of the proposed scheme is to leverage SSDs service more read requests through keeping active data and to leverage HDDs to keep large non-active data and extend SSDs writing cycles. The preliminary evaluations have shown that the proposed scheme has significant advantages and holds a promise as a unified storage management scheme for HEC workloads.
Neighborhood intersections and Hamiltonicity in almost claw-free graphs

Abstract Let G be a graph. The partially square graph G ∗ of G is a graph obtained from G by adding edges uv satisfying the conditions uv∉E(G), and there is some w∈N(u)∩N(v), such that N(w)⊆N(u)∪N(v)∪{u,v}. Let t>1 be an integer and Y⊆V(G), denote n(Y)=|{v∈V(G) | min y∈Y { dist G (v,y)}⩽2}|, I t (G)={Z | Z is an independent set of G,|Z|=t}. In this paper, we show that a k-connected almost claw-free graph with k⩾2 is hamiltonian if ∑z∈Zd(z)⩾n(Z)−k in G for each Z∈I k+1 (G ∗ ) , thereby solving a conjecture proposed by Broersma, Ryjacek and Schiermeyer. Zhang's result is also generalized by the new result.
Familial medulloblastoma: case report of one family and review of the literature.

Objective and importance Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor and the most common malignant solid tumor in children. Most medulloblastomas are sporadic, but rare familial forms have been described. To the best of our knowledge, only 10 case reports of familial medulloblastoma have been published. A variety of candidate genes have been suggested to be involved in familial medulloblastomas. However, the exact pathogenesis and genetics involved in familial medulloblastoma remain unknown. Clinical presentation We describe the presentation of medulloblastoma in two siblings (one of each sex) and their great-uncle. The three cases differ with regard to age at onset and pathological subtype of medulloblastoma. INTERVENTION OR TECHNIQUE: Immunostaining of tissue blocks for gene products involved in medulloblastoma differed in the two siblings for beta-catenin and was similar with staining for gli. Conclusion This article is only the second report in the literature to address the genetics of familial medulloblastoma in the absence of characterized conditions such as Li-Fraumeni's cancer syndrome and basal cell nevus, Rubinstein-Taybi's, and Turcot's syndromes. The discrepancy in beta-catenin staining in the two siblings suggests that the two tumors differentiated through divergent pathways. We briefly summarize all published cases of familial medulloblastoma and review the literature on the genes involved in medulloblastoma formation.
Recent advances in the management of the child who has hemophilia.

Hemophilia, which is derived from the Greek roots haima (blood) and philein (to love), is a term that encompasses two congenital bleeding disorders. Hemophilia results from congenital deficiency of factor VIII (classic hemophilia A) or factor IX (Christmas disease, hemophilia B). Factor XI deficiency (hemophilia C) is rare and is not discussed here. Hemophilia A and B are X-linked recessive disorders that lead to decreased factor VIII or factor IX activity, respectively. Hemophilia A has a prevalence of approximately 1 in 10,000 people and hemophilia B has a prevalence of 1 in 60,000 people [1,2]. Approximately 17,000 persons have hemophilia in the United States [3]. This group of disorders has been recognized clinically for nearly 2000 years and has been the focus of leading medical research as well as much public interest. Despite growth in our knowledge of the pathophysiology of hemophilia and advancement of treatment options, work still remains in the understanding and treatment of joint disease, mechanism and treatment of inhibitors, therapy of hepatitis C virus (HCV), advancement of new products with greater efficacy, and the potential cure for hemophilia by gene therapy. This article explores these areas after briefly reviewing the history of hemophilia, pertinent diagnostic and laboratory findings, and general treatment strategies. Focus will be placed upon new treatment strategies.
Children's recognition of inconsistencies in science texts: Multiple measures of comprehension monitoring

The goal of this research was to compare various indices of problem detection in children's comprehension monitoring of science passages. Three experiments were conducted with third and fifth grade students who were asked to review paragraph descriptions of unusual plants and report difficulties in understanding the material. Half of the paragraphs contained contradictory information concerning familiar and unusual plants, whereas the apparent inconsistencies were explained in the remaining paragraphs. Children were asked to report their comprehension problems (Experiments 1-3), and to suggest additional information to include or remove to improve the comprehensibility of the paragraphs (Experiments 1 and 2). Measures of children's reading behaviour were also collected (Experiment 3). The results showed that although there was some evidence that children discriminated between the clear and inconsistent paragraphs, in general, children significantly overestimated how well they understood the new information about the unusual plants.
Estimation of Metal Hardening Models at Large Strains

Simulation accuracy of large strain deformation of sheet metals, such as that which occurs during hemming and vehicle crash situations, is limited because existing hardening laws (true stress vs. true strain relationships) are extrapolated from uniform elongation data and applied for post-uniform deformation. In this paper, a reverse-engineering method was developed to predict metal hardening laws at large strains beyond uniform elongation for sheet metals. The method required a standard uniaxial tensile test and finite element analyses (FEA), and was implemented as a custom computer code called GMSS (General Motors Stress-Strain). The true stress vs. true strain data pairs are determined when the load and displacement history of a tensile test specimen matches the FEA results using GMSS. Test cases showed that the true stress vs. true strain relationships at very large strains (75% for AA6111 aluminum, and 85% for DP600 steel) could be automatically generated using GMSS. This reverse-engineering method will provide General Motors with an easy-to-use tool for generating very accurate metal hardening laws for post-uniform deformation that can greatly improve the accuracy of FEA for formability (including hemming), and crashworthiness simulations.Copyright © 2007 by General Motors Corporation
STIGMA AND DEVIANT CAREERS IN SCHOOL

Academic and non-academic grades of two groups of 7th, 8th, and 9th grade pupils were compared. One was a publically “deviant,” or delinquent, group; the other had no known history of delinquency. These comparisons were designed to test certain claims of the “labelling theory” approach to deviance. Findings were not entirely consistent with the theoretical claims. Further areas of research to assess these claims more rigorously are suggested.
Implementing and analyzing a data mart for the Arlington County initiative to manage Domestic Violence offenders

The Arlington Domestic Violence Information Collective (ADVIC) is a domestic violence (DV) data mart for the government of Arlington County, VA, combining law enforcement, court and human services databases into a single data repository. The goal of ADVIC in connecting these disparate data sources is to provide the ability to view and analyze DV victim and offender data across agencies, in addition to providing reports on any findings. Utilizing open source Business Intelligence (BI) tools such as the Pentaho BI Suite provides a robust yet cost-effective means for accomplishing this goal. ADVIC uses tools within Pentaho for the Extraction, Transformation, and Loading (ETL) of each data source to remove data inconsistencies, in addition to a reporting tool that presents summary and detailed reports. The design and implementation of ADVIC meets Arlington County's strict confidentiality and security requirements. By providing these reports to Arlington County, ADVIC hopes to provide insights that facilitate informed DV policy decisions and answer questions unsolved by the currently disconnected system. Members of Arlington County's Project PEACE - Partnering to End Abuse in the Community for Everyone - can use ADVIC to create a demographic profile of DV, track victims and offenders throughout the criminal justice system, and critically examine the system to identify any shortcomings in policy or practice.
Evaluation of dalbavancin as chiral selector for HPLC and comparison with teicoplanin-based chiral stationary phases.

Dalbavancin is a new compound of the macrocyclic glycopeptide family. It was covalently linked to 5μm silica particles by using two different binding chemsitries. Approximately two hundred and fifty racemates including (A) heterocyclic compounds; (B) chiral acids; (C) chiral amines; (D) chiral alcohols; (E) chiral sulfoxides and sulfilimines; (F) amino acids and amino acid derivatives; and (G) other chiral compounds were tested on the two new chiral stationary phases (CSP) using three different mobile phases. As dalbavancin is structurally related to teicoplanin, the same set of chiral compounds was screened on two commercially available teicoplanin CSPs for comparison. The dalbavancin CSPs were able to separate some enantiomers that were not separated by the teicoplanin CSPs and also showed improved separations for many racemates. However, there were other compounds only separated or better separated on teicoplanin CSPS. Therefore, the dalbavancin CSPs are complementary to the teicoplanin CSPs.
The conduction velocities and spinal projections of single renal afferent fibers in the rat.

Abstract This study was designed to examine the conduction velocities and spinal projections of renal afferent fibers in the rat using electrophysiological techniques. In chloralose-anesthetized rats, we electrically stimulated the peripheral ends of cut, lower thoracic and upper lumbar dorsal roots and recorded and averaged antidromically conducted action potentials in the renal nerves. Of 284 single axons responding to stimulation of ipsilateral dorsal roots T9-L1, the majority were activated by stimulating roots T11–T13. No antidromic responses could be elicited by stimulating the contralateral dorsal roots. Afferent fibers were divisible into two groups, distinguished by their conduction velocities: a population of slowly conducting axons, presumably composed of both unmyelinated (0.3–2 m/s, 76%) and thinly myelinated (2–9 m/s, 19%) fibers, and a population of more rapidly conducting, small myelinated axons (12–32 m/s, 5%). Slowly and more rapidly conducting fibers were not differentially distributed among dorsal roots. Postexperimental histological examination of nerves revealed small myelinated axons with diameters appropriate for some, but not for all, of the axons with conduction velocities in the myelinated range. These results indicate that single myelinated and unmyelinated primary afferent axons can be identified by antidromic stimulation in autonomic nerves of rat. They provide the first electrophysiological description of afferent renal nerve fibers in the rat, and they verify the predominantly unmyelinated nature of these fibers.
Intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia. An occasionally overlooked cause of surgical failure in primary hyperparathyroidism.

In six surgically proved intrathyroidal parathyroid tumors, neither thyroid scan nor gross appearance of the thyroid at surgery allowed reliable detection of parathyroid glands wholly within the thyroid. Preoperative selective catheterization of thyroid veins with radioimmunoassay for parathyroid hormone facilitated successful removal of hyperfunctioning intrathyroidal parathyroid tissue in all five cases in which it was performed. (JAMA234:1029-1033, 1975)
Sexangularetin 3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside from gossypium hirsutum

Abstract A new diglycosylated flavonol was isolated from immature flower buds of the cotton plant Gossypium hirsutum . The structure was determined to be the 3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside of 3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-8-methoxyflavone.
Mechanism of acid-induced mesenteric hyperemia in rats.

Abstract The mesenteric hyperemia induced by intraduodenal application of hydrochloric acid (HCl) is mediated in part by capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves. Antagonist of capsaicin-sensitive receptors (capsazepine) and blocker of capsaicin-sensitive cation channels (ruthenium red) have been described. We employed these tools to dissect the mechanism of regulation of mesenteric hyperemia induced by intraduodenal administration of HCl. Subcutaneous 100 μmol kg capsazepine or intraduodenal 0.1% ruthenium red was administered to pentobarbital anesthetized rats. Then, 2.5 ml kg of 640 μM capsaicin or 0.1 N HCl was administered intraduodenally. The mesenteric hyperemic responses were recorded. The results demonstrated that in a dose that decreased the mesenteric hyperemia induced by intraduodenal capsaicin, capsazepine failed to attenuate the mesenteric vasodilatory effect of intraduodenal HCl. Ruthenium red significantly attenuated the mesenteric hyperemia after intraduodenal capsaicin and HCl. These in vivo data provide the first functional evidence for the existence of capsazepine-sensitive capsaicin receptors and cation channel complexes in the rat duodenal and intestinal mucosa. The capsaicin- and HCl-sensitive receptors are unlikely to be functionally identical in these locations. The ruthenium redsensitive cation channels appear to mediate the capsaicin- and HCl-induced mesenteric hyperemia.
Michel Foucault and the genealogy of the holocaust

(1997). Michel Foucault and the genealogy of the holocaust. The European Legacy: Vol. 2, Fourth International Conference of the International Society for the Study of European Ideas, pp. 697-699.
Effect of formulation and process variables on the formation of chitosan-gelatin coacervates

Abstract The formation of complex coacervates between the oppositely charged polyions, chitosan and type B gelatin, was investigated. The complex formation was rapid and only observed at very diluted chitosan concentrations over a narrow pH range. The optimum chitosan-gelatin ratio was found to be 1:10 to 1:20, above or below which the coacervate yield decreased significantly. The coacervate yield decreased at higher temperatures and increased ionic strength. Complex coacervation was found to be dependent upon the molecular weight and bloom strength of the polymers. Several model compounds (clofibrate, piroxicam, sulfamethoxazole) were successfully encapsulated within the chitosan-gelatin coacervates.
The bureaucracy and the bourgeoisie : decentralization and class structure in Tanzania

A decade ago, most African states had proclaimed their commitment to centralized planning and administration. At the end of European rule, African leaders saw their countries as poor and malintegrated, but with great potential. That potential could be realized, they thought, only through firm central direction. Scarce resources, including capital and technology, had to be coordinated effectively and managed carefully. The few skilled personnel had to be located at key points. And the divisive tendencies of regional, religious, and ethnic differences had to be constrained by a centralized, national authority.
Magnetic properties of metal-metalloid thin film glasses

Abstract The magnetic properties of transition metal-boron thin films and corresponding alloys with chromium or silicon, have been investigated. Corrosion resistant alloys can be obtained with magnetizations of about 6000 G but with relatively high magnetostriction.
Contrast-discrimination and contrast-appearance require different visual mechanisms

Image fidelity refers to the ability of discriminating the differences between two images, while image quality refers to the preference of one image over another image. Many image fidelity predictors adapted the results from contrast discrimination experiments. It is questionable whether these models can be used for image quality assessment. Image quality judgment mostly occurs to suprathreshold images and the judgment generally cares about the image appearance rather than the subtle differences between two images. In this report, we presented psychophysical evidence that image perception and discrimination have different mechanism in terms of spatial interactions. We built an image processing model of the primary visual system to simulate contrast perception and contrast discrimination at the suprathreshold level. By introducing different neuronal integration mechanisms (i.e., decision rules) to the same model structure, the model was able to predict the perceived contrast and contrast discrimination thresholds of a target embedded in a complex image. Our simulations showed that the contextual effect was significant in contrast perception and thus should not be ignored by the models of image quality measurement. With further calibrations, the 2-D output of the model can be used to as an image quality metric to predict perceptual differences in images.
A Graph Grammar Based Approach to Automated Manufacturing Planning

In this paper, a new graph grammar representation is proposed to reason about the manufacturability of solid models. The knowledge captured in the graph grammar rules serves as a virtual machinist in its ability to recognize arbitrary geometries and match them to various machine operations. Firstly, a given part is decomposed into multiple sub-volumes, where each sub-volume is assumed to be machined in one operation or to be non-machinable. The decomposed part is converted into a graph so that graph grammar rules can determine the machining details. For each operation, rules determine the face on the part that the tool enters, the type of tools used, the type of machine used, and how the part is fixed within the machine. A candidate plan is a feasible sequence of all of the necessary machining operations needed to manufacture this part. If a given geometry is not machinable, the rules will fail to find operations for all of the partitions.As a result of this representation, designers can quickly get insights into how a part can be made and how it can be improved (e.g. change features to reduce time and cost). A variety of tests of this algorithm on both simple and complex engineering parts show its effectiveness and efficiency.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The oxidation of a steroidal bromohydrin revisited

Abstract A comparative study was made of the reactions of 5-bromo-3β,6β-dihydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one 3-acetate ( 1 ) with lead tetraacetate alone and in the presence of iodine in both high intensity visible light and in total darkenss using a variety of solvents. Markedly different product profiles were obtained under the different reaction conditions, making our results of both practical importance and theoretical interest.
Effects of frame choice on nonlinear dynamics in relativistic heat-conducting fluid theories

Abstract Nonlinear hyperbolicity, causality, and stability are analyzed for the Israel-Stewart theory of relativistic heat-conducting fluids formulated in the Landau-Lifshitz frame. We find that this theory is hyperbolic for large deviations from equilibrium, unlike the Eckart frame Israel-Stewart theory, and that acausality implies instability in this theory.
Radioactive debris as a tracer for investigating stratospheric motions

Two meteorologically interesting radioactive tracers, Cd-109 injected in 1962 at 400 km by a rocket-borne nuclear device and Pu-238 resulting from the reentry burnup in 1964 of a nuclear powered satellite in the 40–60 km altitude range, are examined and compared with the results of the Rh-102 experiment conducted in 1958. Although detonated at 17° N, the maximum concentration of Cd-109 was detected by the highaltitude balloon samples collected at 34° S. It first appeared at the highest altitude sampled, 32 km, and subsequently seemed to propagate downward at about 1.5 km per month. A second similar surge of Cd-109 was observed at 34° S about a year later. Maximum concentration of Pu-238 also occurred at 32 km at 34° S. Slightly lower concentrations were observed at this altitude in northern temperate and polar regions while concentrations near the equator were an order of magnitude lower. Although the Pu-238 distribution could result from either diffusive mixing along sloping surfaces or from meridional transport, the two surges of Cd-109 suggest poleward transport and subsequent reinforcement from a polar reservoir. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1966.tb00246.x
Differential urbanisation model: the case of a developing country, India 1961–91

The differential urbanisation model postulates that the urbanisation process occurs over a series of stages of concentration and deconcentration of population over space and time. For the first cycle of urban development, the model postulates six stages of population change within the broad spectrum of urbanisation, polarisation reversal, and counter–urbanisation. This paper, utilising population census data in urban size categories for the period of 1961–91, tests the differential urbanisation model in the context of a developing country, India. The analysis reveals that at the national level, India has moved from the large city stage of the concentration phase of urbanisation as observed during the earlier decades (1961–81) to the Early Intermediate stage of the deconcentration phase during the 1981–91 period. The analyses at the subnational levels show mixed patterns that include a gradual emergence of the smaller urban centres in relative importance. The paper notes that some growth patterns observed in India vary from the postulated phases in the model and suggests that intra–stage and inter–stage transitional phases should be examined in future cross–cultural studies for possible theoretical implications.
Water-blown flexible polyurethane foam extended with biomass materials

Soy protein isolate, soy fiber, and cornstarch (0–40% polyether polyol) were incorporated into a flexible polyurethane foam formulation. Stress–strain curves of the control foam and foams containing 10–20% biomass material exhibit a considerable plateau stress region but not for foams extended with 30–40% biomass materials. An increase in biomass material percentage increases foam density. An increase in initial water content decreases foam density. Foams extended with 30% soy protein isolate, as well as foams extended with 30% soy fiber, have notably greater resilience values than all other extended foams. The comfort factor increases with increasing percentage of biomass material in foam formulation. Foams containing 10–40% biomass materials display significantly lower values in compression-set than the control foam. &copy 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65: 695–703, 1997
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF TOTAL BODY CLEARANCE IN PHARMACOKINETIC STUDIES

The significance of the total body clearance (CL) is studied based on a physiological pharmacokinetic model. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, and for the sake of uniformity, it is proposed that the elimination rate of a drug at any time after various routes of dosing be assumed to be proportional to its systemic arterial plasma (blood) concentration with a proportionality constant equal to CL. The CL, calculated by the intravenous dose divided by the AUC, is defined as the hypothetical volume of the systemic arterial plasma (blood) completely cleared of drug per unit time even though the drug is eliminated by the lungs and venous plasma is assayed. A marked difference in the calculated elimination rate of lidocaine in patients based on arterial or venous plasma data is demonstrated. The calculated CLs which are sometimes greater than the cardiac output can be rationalized. The limitation of conventional multicompartmental mammillary modelling theory in the defining of CL is discussed.
Mac-2 Binding Protein Is a Novel E-Selectin Ligand Expressed by Breast Cancer Cells

Hematogenous metastasis involves the adhesion of circulating tumor cells to vascular endothelium of the secondary site. We hypothesized that breast cancer cell adhesion is mediated by interaction of endothelial E-selectin with its glycoprotein counter-receptor(s) expressed on breast cancer cells. At a hematogenous wall shear rate, ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells specifically adhered to E-selectin expressing human umbilical vein endothelial cells when tested in parallel plate flow chamber adhesion assays. Consistent with their E-selectin ligand activity, ZR-75-1 cells expressed flow cytometrically detectable epitopes of HECA-452 mAb, which recognizes high efficiency E-selectin ligands typified by sialofucosylated moieties. Multiple E-selectin reactive proteins expressed by ZR-75-1 cells were revealed by immunoprecipitation with E-selectin chimera (E-Ig chimera) followed by Western blotting. Mass spectrometry analysis of the 72 kDa protein, which exhibited the most prominent E-selectin ligand activity, corresponded to Mac-2 binding protein (Mac-2BP), a heretofore unidentified E-selectin ligand. Immunoprecipitated Mac-2BP expressed sialofucosylated epitopes and possessed E-selectin ligand activity when tested by Western blot analysis using HECA-452 mAb and E-Ig chimera, respectively, demonstrating that Mac-2BP is a novel high efficiency E-selectin ligand. Furthermore, silencing the expression of Mac-2BP from ZR-75-1 cells by shRNA markedly reduced their adhesion to E-selectin expressing cells under physiological flow conditions, confirming the functional E-selectin ligand activity of Mac-2BP on intact cells. In addition to ZR-75-1 cells, several other E-selectin ligand positive breast cancer cell lines expressed Mac-2BP as detected by Western blot and flow cytometry, suggesting that Mac-2BP may be an E-selectin ligand in a variety of breast cancer types. Further, invasive breast carcinoma tissue showed co-localized expression of Mac-2BP and HECA-452 antigens by fluorescence microscopy, underscoring the possible role of Mac-2BP as an E-selectin ligand. In summary, breast cancer cells express Mac-2BP as a novel E-selectin ligand, potentially revealing a new prognostic and therapeutic target for breast cancer.
An automated data exploitation system for airborne sensors

Advanced wide area persistent surveillance (WAPS) sensor systems on manned or unmanned airborne vehicles are essential for wide-area urban security monitoring in order to protect our people and our warfighter from terrorist attacks. Currently, human (imagery) analysts process huge data collections from full motion video (FMV) for data exploitation and analysis (real-time and forensic), providing slow and inaccurate results. An Automated Data Exploitation System (ADES) is urgently needed. In this paper, we present a recently developed ADES for airborne vehicles under heavy urban background clutter conditions. This system includes four processes: (1) fast image registration, stabilization, and mosaicking; (2) advanced non-linear morphological moving target detection; (3) robust multiple target (vehicles, dismounts, and human) tracking (up to 100 target tracks); and (4) moving or static target/object recognition (super-resolution). Test results with real FMV data indicate that our ADES can reliably detect, track, and recognize multiple vehicles under heavy urban background clutters. Furthermore, our example shows that ADES as a baseline platform can provide capability for vehicle abnormal behavior detection to help imagery analysts quickly trace down potential threats and crimes.
A hybrid methodology for synthesis of Petri net models for manufacturing systems

Beginning with a bounded (safe), live, or reversible Petri net as a first-level net model for a system, Petri nets are synthesized by first refining operation places through basic design modules in top-down modular ways, then adding nonshared resource places stepwise, and finally adding shared resource places step by step in a bottom-up manner. Refinement theory is extended to include reversibility of Petri nets. Parallel and sequential mutual exclusions are used to model shared resources. Design of the first-level Petri nets is discussed, and two basic kinds of Petri nets, choice-free and choice-synchronization, are given to cope with different types of manufacturing systems. The major advantages of the method are that the modeling details can be introduced in incremental ways such that complexity can be handled, and the important properties of the resulting Petri net are guaranteed so that costly mathematical analysis for boundedness, liveness, and reversibility can be avoided. A manufacturing system consisting of four machines, one assembly cell, two shared robots, and two buffers is used to illustrate the design methodology. >
Sparse Array Optimization with Directive Elements for Millimeter-wave Application

For many millimeter-wave phased array applications, system complexity and high implementation cost remains as its key limiting factors. These issues arise because of the intricacy of feeding networks and large amounts of RF circuitry that is required. This paper presents a method of sparse array optimization for millimeter-wave applications through the use of a genetic algorithm. By applying directive radiating elements for high resolution applications, the initial number of elements can be greatly reduced, helping to simplify the architecture in terms of feeding networks. This method demonstrates a 98.5% reduction in the total number of radiating elements while maintaining a peak sidelobe level below -15 dB, offering a drastic cost reduction on the overall system.
A multimethod quality improvement intervention to improve preventive cardiovascular care: a cluster randomized trial.

Background Research is needed to validate effective and practical strategies for improving the provision of evidence-based medicine in primary care. Objective To determine whether a multimethod quality improvement intervention was more effective than a less intensive intervention for improving adherence to 21 quality indicators for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Design 2-year randomized, controlled clinical trial with the practice as the unit of randomization. Setting 20 community-based family or general internal medicine practices in 14 states. All used the same electronic medical record. Participants 44 physicians, 17 midlevel providers, and approximately 200 staff members; data from the electronic medical records of 87,291 patients. Interventions All practices received copies of practice guidelines and quarterly performance reports. Intervention practices also hosted quarterly site visits to help them adopt quality improvement approaches and participated in 2 network meetings to share "best practice" approaches. Measurements The percentage of indicators at or above predefined targets and the percentage of patients who had achieved each clinical indicator. Results Intervention practices improved 22.4 percentage points (from 11.3% to 33.7%) in the percentage of indicators at or above the target; control practices improved 16.4 percentage points (from 6.3% to 22.7%). The 6.0-percentage point absolute difference between the intervention and control group was not statistically significant (P > 0.2). Patients in intervention practices had greater improvements than those in control practices for diagnoses of hypertension (improvement difference, 15.7 percentage points [95% CI, 5.2 to 26.3 percentage points]) and blood pressure control in patients with hypertension (improvement difference, 8.0 percentage points [CI, 0.0 to 16.0 percentage points]). Limitations The study involved a small number of practices and lacked a pure control group. Conclusions Primary care practices that use electronic medical records and receive regular performance reports can improve their adherence to clinical practice guidelines for cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention.
Vulnerability assessment of climate-induced water shortage in Phoenix

Global warming has profound consequences for the climate of the American Southwest and its overallocated water supplies. This paper uses simulation modeling and the principles of decision making under uncertainty to translate climate information into tools for vulnerability assessment and urban climate adaptation. A dynamic simulation model, WaterSim, is used to explore future water-shortage conditions in Phoenix. Results indicate that policy action will be needed to attain water sustainability in 2030, even without reductions in river flows caused by climate change. Challenging but feasible changes in lifestyle and slower rates of population growth would allow the region to avoid shortage conditions and achieve groundwater sustainability under all but the most dire climate scenarios. Changes in lifestyle involve more native desert landscaping and fewer pools in addition to slower growth and higher urban densities. There is not a single most likely or optimal future for Phoenix. Urban climate adaptation involves using science-based models to anticipate water shortage and manage climate risk.
Homocitrate Synthase Is Located in the Nucleus in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have generated monoclonal antibodies against nuclear proteins from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The monoclonal antibodies react with proteins of 47 and 49 kDa on immunoblots and with partially overlapping sets of proteins on two-dimensional nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis-SDS blots. Immunofluorescence localization shows a nuclear staining pattern. Immunoscreening a yeast expression library yielded five independent full-length clones of two open reading frames from chromosome IV, corresponding to YDL182w (LYS20) and YDL131w in the Saccharomyces genome data base. These two open reading frames are predicted to encode homocitrate synthase isozymes of 47 and 49 kDa, respectively. A clone carrying YDL182w was sequenced in its entirety and directs the expression of a 47-kDa protein in Escherichia coli. A clone carrying YDL131w expresses a 49-kDa protein in E. coli. Yeast grown in minimal medium plus lysine show significant reductions in nuclear immunofluorescence staining. Cell fractionation studies localize the 47- and 49-kDa proteins to the nucleus. Nuclear fractionation studies reveal that a portion of the 47- and 49-kDa proteins can only be extracted with DNase digestion and high salt. The localization of homocitrate synthase to the nucleus is unexpected given previous reports that homocitrate synthase is present in mitochondria and the cytoplasm in S. cerevisiae.
Use of point-of-care ultrasound in Connecticut emergency departments.

Abstract Background Point-of-care ultrasound (PoC US) is now taught and used in nearly all academic emergency departments (EDs), but prior surveys have shown that adoption in the community ED setting is much lower. Objective Our aim was to characterize the current practice of emergency physician (EP)–performed PoC US in Connecticut. Methods We conducted a 20-question online survey of all ED directors in Connecticut to determine how PoC US is utilized. The questions addressed ED demographics, ownership of ultrasound (US) equipment, frequency of PoC US performance in general and by examination type, credentialing patterns, quality assurance methods, and billing patterns. Results The response rate was 83% (25 of 30). Almost all (96%) respondent EDs owned at least one US machine, and 24% used US regularly for diverse applications according to 2008 American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) guidelines. PoC US was most commonly used for Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma examinations, procedural guidance, and assessing the aorta for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Although 64% reported hospital ultrasonography privileges, 40% did not keep any record of PoC US performed in the ED. More than half (56%) required an over-read by radiology, and 36% required an over-read by another EP (e.g., ED Ultrasound Director). Only 8% of EDs billed for PoC US. Conclusions Most Connecticut EDs own an US machine and have hospital privileges for PoC US. However, a minority use or bill for PoC US regularly for diffuse applications, and most do not have a quality assurance program as described by ACEP guidelines.