cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inter-laboratory comparison using integrating sphere spectrophotometers to measure reflectance and transmittance ofspecular, diffuse, and light-redirecting glazing products

ABSTRACT Aninter-laboratorycomparison(ILC)betweenglazingmanufacturersthatsubmitdatatotheInternationalGlazingDatabase(IGDB) is carried out every four years. This time a large number of independent laboratories were included in addition tothe IGBD submitters, in total over 50 boxes of samples were sent out in parallel.Each box contained 5 specular samples, consisting of clear oat glass, low-e coated glass, laminates, and an appliedlm on clear glass. New for the IGDB submitters were 5 diffuse samples, 2 fritted glass samples, a diffuse laminate, alight-redirecting daylighting lm, and a shade fabric with an inhomogeneous pattern.Thesampleswerecharacterizedbyeachparticipantinthesolaropticalrange, 300nm-2500nm, aswellasthethermalinfrared from 5m25m. Spectral data was inspected for anomalies such as systematic absorption and non-continuoussteps due to instrument design and operation.Spectralaverageddatawascalculatedandusedtocomparetheresultsfromthedifferentlaboratories. Suchcomparisonsindicated that use of a diffuse reference for specular measurements marginally increased the measured result. For diffuseproducts the effects of sphere geometry and design inuenced the results to a signicant degree.Keywords: Light-scattering, integrating spheres, inter-laboratory comparison
Regional blood flow and oxygenation of the rabbit heart subjected to acute coronary occlusion - effect of phenoxybenzamine.

The effect of phenoxybenzamine (2 mg/kg) on subepicardial (EPI) and subendocardial (ENDO) blood flow and oxygenation was determined in ischemic and non-ischemic areas of hearts subjected to acute coronary occlusion in 24 pentobarbital-anesthetized open-chest New Zealand white rabbits. Ten minutes after occlusion, blood flow measured with radioactive microspheres was 57% lower in the occluded region compared to the non-occluded area. There were no EPI vs. ENDO differences at this time. Phenoxybenzamine was then administered and one hour after occlusion, flow in all areas was significantly reduced. Flow in the occluded area fell to a lesser extent than in the non-occluded area. ENDO flows were lower than EPI in both areas. After occlusion, relative tissue PO2 fell significantly in the affected area. No other changes were significant. Phenoxybenzamine lowered relative tissue PO2 in the occluded ENDO but had no other effect. This indicates that the relationship of O2 supply to consumption is preserved in the heart after phenoxybenzamine except in the occluded ENDO. In this region, the fall in relative tissue PO2 indicates that the reduction in flow is large compared to any change in metabolism. The reduction in this relationship may be due to reduced perfusion pressure for collateral flow and/or “coronary steal”.
Armchair missions to Mars: using case-based reasoning and fuzzy logic to simulate a time series model of astronaut crews

Computer simulation of long missions in space can provide experience and predictions without the expense and risk of actual flights. Simulations are most helpful if they can model the behavior of key psychological factors of the crew over time, rather than simply predicting overall mission success. Because of the lack of experience with interplanetary trips and the problems of generalizing and adapting data on analog missions, it is not possible to formulate a set of formal rules adequate for building an expert system. Rather, a case-based reasoning approach to constructing a time series model is pursued. Even for this approach, however, the case base must be supplemented by adaptation rules. These rules of thumb are gleaned from the social science literature on small group interactions under extreme conditions of isolation and confinement. The non-quantitative nature of these rules lends itself to formulation and computation using fuzzy logic. The application domain presents several technical issues for traditional case-based reasoning: there is no natural hierarchy of parameters to use in optimizing installation and retrieval of cases, and there are large variations in behavior among similar missions. These problems are addressed by custom algorithms to keep the computations tractable and plausible. Thus, the harnessing of case-based reasoning for this practical application requires the crafting of a custom, hybrid system.
The Scattering of Protons by Protons from 200 to 300 kev

Proton-proton scattering between 200 and 300 kev has been studied as a function of energy and of angle. The results are in good agreement with Breit's calculations based on a square well proton-proton interaction potential of $\frac{{e}^{2}}{m{c}^{2}}$ radius and 10.500 Mev depth. The scattering chamber was isolated from the accelerating tube by a differential pumping system. Scattered protons were detected by Geiger-Klemperer proportional counters filled with purified hydrogen. Two separate counters connected to similar amplifier-recorder circuits detected simultaneously protons scattered at different angles from the beam, and the ratio of scattering at these angles was calculated directly. Tests of the performance of the counters are given. Two different scattering chambers yielded similar results.
Intrahepatic pyogenic abscesses: Treatment by percutaneous drainage

During a 6 year period, 18 liver abscesses in 12 patients were identified by computerized tomography. Five patients had presumed hematogenous seeding. Five patients previously had bilioenteric anastomoses, stents, or both to relieve obstructive jaundice. Four patients with abscesses had recent abdominal operations. Diagnosis was established by guided needle aspiration and treatment was provided by percutaneous catheter drainage. Organism-specific antibiotics were administered to all patients. Patients were evaluated for recurrence by serial computerized tomographic studies and were clinically followed up for a minimum of 15 months. Ten of 12 patients (83 percent) and 16 of 18 abscesses (89 percent) were successfully treated by percutaneous catheter drainage. Two failures required operative intervention. In summary, the low morbidity and high success rate in treating hepatic abscesses by percutaneous drainage suggests that this therapy be tried before operative intervention is considered.
Application of Inverter Drives

This paper outlines experience gained over the past six years in the use of adjustable-frequency power inverters for industrial applications. Expected performance factors such as frequency and voltage accuracy, reliability, and flexibility are discussed. The characteristics important for proper performance are noted and comparisons with rotating type drives are made in the areas of installation, performance, and maintenance. In conclusion, future trends for the adjustable-frequency inverter are discussed.
Comparison of QIAsymphony Automated and QIAamp Manual DNA Extraction Systems for Measuring Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Load in Whole Blood Using Real-Time PCR

Automated and manual extraction systems have been used with real-time PCR for quantification of Epstein-Barr virus [human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4)] DNA in whole blood, but few studies have evaluated relative performances. In the present study, the automated QIAsymphony and manual QIAamp extraction systems (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) were assessed using paired aliquots derived from clinical whole-blood specimens and an in-house, real-time PCR assay. The detection limits using the QIAsymphony and QIAamp systems were similar (270 and 560 copies/mL, respectively). For samples estimated as having ≥10,000 copies/mL, the intrarun and interrun variations were significantly lower using QIAsymphony (10.0% and 6.8%, respectively), compared with QIAamp (18.6% and 15.2%, respectively); for samples having ≤1000 copies/mL, the two variations ranged from 27.9% to 43.9% and were not significantly different between the two systems. Among 68 paired clinical samples, 48 pairs yielded viral loads ≥1000 copies/mL under both extraction systems. Although the logarithmic linear correlation from these positive samples was high (r2 = 0.957), the values obtained using QIAsymphony were on average 0.2 log copies/mL higher than those obtained using QIAamp. Thus, the QIAsymphony and QIAamp systems provide similar EBV DNA load values in whole blood.
The 2DG-neutral red test for completeness of vagotomy.

Ever since vagotomy became an important part of modern peptic ulcer surgery, investigators have searched for a test that would reliably indicate the completeness of vagus nerve section. The insulin hypoglycemia test, originally advocated by Hollander [8], has remained the most widely utilized test for the completeness of vagotomy, but despite several modifications it’s reliability has been questioned in a number of reports [6, 13, 141. In addition, the Hollander test has only postoperative application and cannot be used intraoperatively . Two-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is a potent vagal stimulant, causing an increase in gastric acid secretion greater than that produced by insulin-induced hypoglycemia [4]. The remarkable safety and low incidence of side effects associated with 2DG have been fully investigated in other studies involving humans [4,9, 121. Neutral red is an azine dye that is secreted by the gastric parietal cells into the stomach lumen [l], but only in the presence of intact vagal innervation to the stomach [lo]. Neutral red has likewise been shown to be safe for human use [7]. The present study is an attempt to use 2DG and neutral red in combination as a test for completeness of vagotomy both intraoperatively and postoperatively.
Pump-turbine addition at TVA hiwassee hydro plant

Studies in preparation for the installation of a second unit at Hiwassee Dam showed that the 26-per-cent additional installed cost of a pumpturbine-type unit was justified by economic and operating advantages. Design and operation characteristics of this 80,000-hp unit, as well as the field test to begiven after initial operation, are discussed.
Self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators

Let ℋ denote the Hilbert space of analytic functions on the unit disk which are square summable with respect to the usual area measure. In this paper we consider the formal differential exepressons of order two or greater having the form {fx321-1} and {fx321-2} which give rise to symmetric operators in ℋ. We show that these operators in ℋ admit self-adjoint extensions in ℋ.
Contraceptive management for female adolescents with mental retardation and handicapping disabilities.

Society has become more accepting of sexual relations by and among the mentally and physically disabled. Accordingly these individuals are increasingly able to enjoy more normal and satisfying sexual experiences and have grown to need counseling on sexual activity sexual abuse temporary contraception and sterilization. Contraceptive selection varies with regard to the mental and physical capabilities of individual patients. While the literature has studied the applicability of barrier methods IUDs oral contraceptives intramuscular medroxyprogesterone acetate and sterilization as contraceptive methods formal studies have yet to be conducted on the use of subdermal levonorgestrel implants in these individuals. This paper discusses reproductive health concerns care facilities and contraceptive management with regard to sex education and contraceptive selection.
Precise compile-time performance prediction for superscalar-based computers

Optimizing compilers (particularly parallel compilers) are constrained by their ability to predict performance consequences of the transformations they apply. Many factors, such as unknowns in control structures, dynamic behavior of programs, and complexity of the underlying hardware, make it very difficult for compilers to estimate the performance of the transformations accurately and efficiently. In this paper, we present a performance prediction framework that combines several innovative approaches to solve this problem. First, the framework employs a detailed, architecture-specific, but portable, cost model that can be used to estimate the cost of straight line code efficiently. Second, aggregated costs of loops and conditional statements are computed and represented symbolically. This avoids unnecessary, premature guesses and preserves the precision of the prediction. Third, symbolic comparison allows compilers to choose the best transformation dynamically and systematically. Some methodologies for applying the framework to optimizing parallel compilers to support automatic, performance-guided program restructuring are discussed.
Effect of quinones on the photoelectric properties of chlorophylla-containing lipid bilayers

A Mueller-Rudin lipid bilayer formed from egg lecithin, cholesteroln-decane, and chlorophylla when separating asymmetric solutions of oxidant and reductant is capable of developing both a photoconductance and a photovoltage when exposed to continuous light focused on the bilayer region. The incorporation of plastoquinones (PQ-5 or PQ-9) increases the dark and photoconductances up to twenty times. Other quinones and hydroquinones also increased the conductance. The role of pH gradients on the electrical conductivity is discussed in terms of proton and electron transfer across the membrane solution interfaces.
Local extinction and reignition in nonpremixed turbulent CO/H 2 /N 2 jet flames

In practical combustors, high-intensity mixing is often desirable in order to minimize combustor volume and also minimize the production of certain pollutants. However, high-intensity mixing may al...
Disorders of Communication in Acquired Cerebral Trauma

Communication disorders following cerebral trauma vary as a function of type and extent of lesion. Focal damage to the dominant hemisphere results in specific speech and language deficits similar to those seen from vascular aphasia syndromes. Following closed head injury, primary features of diffuse damage are early recovery of language form but residual impainnent in the ability to use language for effective social interaction. Specific characteristics of speech and language following focal and diffuse cerebral damage are presented. Also discussed are assessment and treatment strategies using both cognitive and language frameworks.
Summary of the Symposium Establishing the Safety of Fat and Macronutrient Substitutes Presented at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, San Diego, California, March 13–17, 1994

Macronutrient substitutes (MNS) are food ingredients designed to replace the organoleptic and/or functional properties of macronutrients such as fats or sugars in processed foods. Because they may be consumed in large quantities daily, traditional methods of safety evaluation are inappropriate. Conventional safety factors cannot be used in extrapolating animal data to humans due to the limitations of administering very large doses of MNS to animals. The proper evaluation of the safety of MNS involves appropriate studies in animals and humans including comparative biodispositional studies, genotoxicity and cytotoxicity studies, reproductive and developmental studies, mechanistic studies, digestive and fermentation studies, nutritional studies, and studies involving humans with special focus on gastrointestinal function. Guidelines for the proper conduct of human studies were presented and these include the use of competent investigators and IRB-approved protocols and the use of adequate numbers of healthy male and female volunteers. Postmarketing surveillance is the final step in the safety evaluation process for macronutrient substitutes. It was concluded that MNS should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Method for fabrication of saturated RGB quantum dot light-emitting devices

Creation of patterned, efficient, and saturated color hybrid organic/inorganic quantum dot light emitting devices (QD-LEDs) is dependent on development of integrated fabrication and patterning methods for the QD layer. We show that micro-contact printing can be applied to QD deposition, generating micron-scale pattern definition, needed in pixilated-display applications. We demonstrate saturated color QD-LEDs with external quantum efficiencies in excess of 1%. Combining this technique with the use of wide optical band gap host materials, and a new synthetic route for the creation of blue emitting (CdS)ZnS nanocrystals, it is now possible to fabricate QD-LEDs with saturated color emission in the red, green and blue regions of the spectrum.
Bipedalism, flight, and the evolution of theropod locomotor diversity

ABSTRACT The evolution of theropod flight has been characterized as a shift from one to three locomotor modules. Basal theropods, which were terrestrial bipeds, had a single locomotor module composed of the hind limb and tail. In birds, aerial locomotion was acquired with the origination of the wing module and a decoupling of the hind limb and tail into separate pelvic and caudal modules. This increase in modularity is thought to have granted birds more locomotor “options” than non-avian theropods. More specifically, an aerial locomotor system could have eased constraints on the hind limb and allowed specialization for habitats and lifestyles unavailable to non-birds. If so, bird hind limbs should be more disparate than those of non-avian theropods. We addressed this hypothesis by visualizing one aspect of limb design, the proportions of the three main segments, using ternary diagrams. Our results show that avian hind limb proportions are much more disparate than those of non-avian theropods. This broad r...
Crossover from non-Fermi liquid to Fermi liquid behavior in a spinless fermion model with quantum criticality

Abstract A model of spinless fermions with nested Fermi surface and a quantum critical point due to a charge density wave instability is considered. A ln ( T ) -dependence of C / T and a linear T-dependence of the quasi-particle linewidth is obtained for the tuned quantum critical point. A crossover from Fermi liquid to non-Fermi liquid behavior is obtained with increasing T and nesting mismatch. The above has consequences for the dynamical conductivity and the neutron diffraction quasi-elastic peak of heavy fermions.
Conservative Management of Popliteal Aneurysm: Is There a Role for Selective Observation? A Case Report

Popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) is the most common peripheral aneurysm, comprising 70% of these lesions. More than two thirds of these patients have bilateral aneurysms and the most common etiology is atherosclerosis. Elderly men in their sixth and seventh decade of life constitute over 90% of these patients, and up to 55% will have an aneurysm in other portions of the vascular tree. Only 3% to 5% of these aneurysms are found in women. The abdominal aorta will be involved in 30% to 75% of cases and, therefore, dictate a full work-up when a PAA is found. The authors report a case of an 80-year-old man with a chief complaint of intermittent calf pain that occurred without any pattern of distance. This atypical pattern of claudication had been recurring for more than three months. The patient underwent a duplex ultrasound that showed a dilation of his arteries measuring 1.7 cm and 2.3 cm on the right and left sides, respectively. Further work-up with a magnetic resonance image demonstrated a 4 cm x 3 cm left PAA with thrombus and a smaller aneurysm on the right side. An angiogram demonstrated single peritoneal artery runoff on the left side and posterior tibial artery runoff on the right side. The patient was cleared for surgery with an ejection fraction of 40%; however, he refused to undergo reconstruction. The patient has been followed up for the past four years without change in his symptomatology and repeated ultrasounds have not shown any significant size change.
The cyclic stress-strain response of precipitation hardened Al-15 wt.% Ag alloy

Abstract Al-15 wt.% Ag alloy, heat-treated so as to contain GP zones, and thermomechanically treated in two different modes, has been strain-cycled in order to explore its cyclic stress-strain response. Observations of the deformation and fracture behavior have been made by transmission- and scanning electron microscopy. The alloy containing GP zones does not soften under constant cyclic plastic strains and this observation supports the “disordering” mechanism of cyclic softening in those alloys which do soften. Instead, cyclic strain-induced γ precipitates are nucleated and grown, even at comparatively short lives, and give rise to large degrees of hardening; over a small range of strain, the cyclic stress-strain curve shows a negative slope on account of this precipitation. The growth kinetics of the precipitates have been analysed in detail and shown to be consistent with vacancy-enhanced diffusion. The thermomechanically treated alloys are extraordinary resistant to cyclic softening. In addition, cyclic response under random and incremental loading has been studied and differences and similarities with respect to behavior under constant strain cycling have been documented.
Effect of Statins, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, and Beta Blockers on Survival in Patients ≥65 Years of Age With Heart Failure and Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function

About half of all patients with heart failure (HF) have preserved left ventricular systolic function. Statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and β blockers have been shown to improve survival in patients with HF and low ejection fraction. However, no large national study has investigated these agents in patients with HF and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. We evaluated a nationwide sample of 13,533 eligible Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years who were hospitalized with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF and had chart documentation of preserved left ventricular ejection fraction between April 1998 and March 1999 or between July 2000 and June 2001. In Cox proportional hazard model accounting for demographic profile, clinical characteristics, treatments, physician specialty, and hospital characteristics, discharge statin therapy was associated with significant improvements in 1- and 3-year mortality (RR 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 0.78; RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.79, respectively). Irrespective of total cholesterol level or coronary artery disease status, diabetes, hypertension, and age, statin therapy was associated with significant differences in mortality rates. Similarly, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were associated with better survival at 1 year (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.95) and 3 years (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.98). Beta-blocker therapy was associated with a nonsignificant trend at 1 year (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.10) and significant survival benefits at 3 years (RR 0.92%, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.97). In conclusion, our data demonstrate that statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and β blockers are associated with better short- and long-term survival in patients ≥65 years with HF and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.
Theory of reversible crystallization and electric effects in PVF2

Abstract The calculated piezoelectric and pyroelectric coefficients of single-crystal phase-I PVF2 are too small to explain observed effects in semicrystalline films, and so a model has been constructed in which the crystalline regions may grow reversibly at the expense of amorphous material. Coefficients considerably larger than those observed experimentally are predicted on the basis of this model.
First Report of Leaf Smut on Fescue (Festuca rubra) Caused by Urocystis agropyri in Interior Alaska.

In June and early July of 2003 and July of 2007, a smut disease was found on fescue (Festuca rubra L.) at the Fairbanks Golf and Country Club and vicinities, Interior Alaska. Diseased plants were pale green-to-slightly yellow and stunted. The lesions were long, narrow, yellowish green streaks parallel to the veins of leaves and sheaths. At a later stage, sori developed under the epidermis and the leaves and sheaths turned silvery gray. Rupture of the epidermis resulted in the release of masses of black spores that covered the leaves, especially along and within infected sheaths. Microscopic observation showed spore balls consisting of one-to-four, dark reddish brown teliospores surrounded by small, hyaline-to-light brown sterile cells. The spore balls were globose to elongate and 16 to 32 × 18 to 38 μm. The teliospores were globose, dark reddish brown, and 7.5 to 20 μm in diameter. Urocystis agropyri is recognized by R. W. Smiley et al. (2) and J. D. Smith et al. (3) as occurring on turf grasses; K. Vanky...
New insights into the pathogenesis of appendicitis based on immunocytochemical analysis of early immune response

Abstract Although appendicitis is the most common condition requiring emergency surgery, the pathogenesis of this disease is poorly understood. In this study, local immune responses in acute appendicitis were investigated, using an experimental rabbit model, as well as in different grades of appendicitis in humans. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) and plasma cell isotypes infiltration was measured in 24 New Zealand-bred white rabbits following experimental obstruction of the appendiceal lumen for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Significant infiltration of PMNs, IgM, and IgG plasma cells was noted at 30 minutes following obstruction, and IgA plasma cells were noted at 2 hours after obstruction. The immunopathological features observed in the study of human appendicitis clearly demonstrated the role of plasma cell infiltration in the immunopathogenesis of appendicitis. IgA and IgG plasma cells were significantly increased in the lamina propria of both focal and acute suppurative appendicitis, compared with controls ( P
Value-added models of teacher and school effectiveness in Ireland: wise or otherwise?

The government of Ireland, like many European countries, is currently under severe pressure from external forces to grow the economy. One possible way to maintain and grow its economy is through the production of a highly educated and globally competitive workforce. In an effort to develop such a workforce, the government, through the Department of Education, is considering ways to increase accountability in its schools. This paper examines value-added accountability systems used in the USA and raises critical questions about their perceived value for Irish schools.
Searching for open windows and unlocked doors: port scanning in large-scale commodity clusters

Current methods for monitoring the security of large-scale commodity clusters tend to treat these clusters as nothing more than collections of independent nodes. As such, the techniques used to secure these clusters have, for the most part, been adaptations of techniques developed for securing and monitoring enterprise computing environments. We have previously proposed the idea of monitoring the security-state of large-scale commodity clusters by examining their emergent properties, that is, properties that are only visible when one ceases to look at a cluster as a collection of disparate nodes and begins to look at the properties of the cluster as a whole. We show that by correlating the open network ports observed on cluster nodes with other emergent properties - such as active processes and the contents of important system files - security analysts can make insightful observations that can greatly restrict the actions that an attacker can carry out undetected.
Anatomical and biomechanical mechanisms of subacromial impingement syndrome

Subacromial impingement syndrome is the most common disorder of the shoulder, resulting in functional loss and disability in the patients that it affects. This musculoskeletal disorder affects the structures of the subacromial space, which are the tendons of the rotator cuff and the subacromial bursa. Subacromial impingement syndrome appears to result from a variety of factors. Evidence exists to support the presence of the anatomical factors of inflammation of the tendons and bursa, degeneration of the tendons, weak or dysfunctional rotator cuff musculature, weak or dysfunctional scapular musculature, posterior glenohumeral capsule tightness, postural dysfunctions of the spinal column and scapula and bony or soft tissue abnormalities of the borders of the subacromial outlet. These entities may lead to or cause dysfunctional glenohumeral and scapulothoracic movement patterns. These various mechanisms, singularly or in combination may cause subacromial impingement syndrome.
A case study of extended east coast frontogenesis

Abstract A case study of extended coastal frontogenesis was done to examine the contributions of geostrophic versus observed wind deformation to frontogenesis and to determine the significance of a preexisting baroclinic zone along the Atlantic coast as a condition for frontogenesis. Both geostrophic and observed with deformation play a role in the coastal frontogenesis. The frontogenetical process involves a weak cyclone which strengthens the preexisting temperature gradient as it moves northward. A moist baroclinic zone remains in place along the coast in the absence of strong cold advection in the wake of the weak cyclone. The residual moisture, enhanced baroclinicity and surface vorticity are important factors contributing to a second disturbance which intensifies as it moves northeastward to the coast along the frontal zone.
The cost effectiveness of duplicate genotyping for testing genetic association

We consider a modification to the traditional genome wide association (GWA) study design: duplicate genotyping. Duplicate genotyping (re-genotyping some of the samples) has long been suggested for quality control reasons, however has not been evaluated for its statistical cost-effectiveness. We demonstrate that when genotyping error rates are at least m%, duplicate genotyping provides a cost-effective (more statistical power for the same price) design alternative when relative genotype to phenotype/sample acquisition costs are no more than m%. In addition to cost and error rate, duplicate genotyping is most cost-effective for SNPs with low minor allele frequency. In general, relative genotype to phenotype/sample acquisition costs will be low when following up a limited number of SNPs in the second stage of a two-stage GWA study design, and, thus, duplicate genotyping may be useful in these situations. In cases where many SNPs are being followed up at the second stage, duplicate genotyping only low-quality SNPs with low minor allele frequency may be cost-effective. We also find that in almost all cases where duplicate genotyping is cost-effective, the most cost-effective design strategy involves duplicate genotyping all samples. Free software is provided which evaluates the cost-effectiveness of duplicate genotyping based on user inputs.
Solubility advantage of amorphous pharmaceuticals: I. A thermodynamic analysis

In recent years there has been growing interest in advancing amorphous pharmaceuticals as an approach for achieving adequate solubility. Due to difficulties in the experimental measurement of solubility, a reliable estimate of the solubility enhancement ratio of an amorphous form of a drug relative to its crystalline counterpart would be highly useful. We have developed a rigorous thermodynamic approach to estimate enhancement in solubility that can be achieved by conversion of a crystalline form to the amorphous form. We rigorously treat the three factors that contribute to differences in solubility between amorphous and crystalline forms. First, we calculate the free energy difference between amorphous and crystalline forms from thermal properties measured by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). Secondly, since an amorphous solute can absorb significant amounts of water, which reduces its activity and solubility, a correction is made using water sorption isotherm data and the Gibbs-Duhem equation. Next, a correction is made for differences in the degree of ionization due to differences in solubilities of the two forms. Utilizing this approach the theoretically estimated solubility enhancement ratio of 7.0 for indomethacin (amorphous/gamma-crystal) was found to be in close agreement with the experimentally determined ratio of 4.9.
Automated ancillary cancer history classification for mesothelioma patients from free-text clinical reports

Background: Clinical records are often unstructured, free-text documents that create information extraction challenges and costs. Healthcare delivery and research organizations, such as the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank, require the aggregation of both structured and unstructured data types. Natural language processing offers techniques for automatically extracting information from unstructured, free-text documents. Methods: Five hundred and eight history and physical reports from mesothelioma patients were split into development (208) and test sets (300). A reference standard was developed and each report was annotated by experts with regard to the patient's personal history of ancillary cancer and family history of any cancer. The Hx application was developed to process reports, extract relevant features, perform reference resolution and classify them with regard to cancer history. Two methods, Dynamic-Window and ConText, for extracting information were evaluated. Hx's classification responses using each of the two methods were measured against the reference standard. The average Cohen's weighted kappa served as the human benchmark in evaluating the system. Results: Hx had a high overall accuracy, with each method, scoring 96.2%. F-measures using the Dynamic-Window and ConText methods were 91.8% and 91.6%, which were comparable to the human benchmark of 92.8%. For the personal history classification, Dynamic-Window scored highest with 89.2% and for the family history classification, ConText scored highest with 97.6%, in which both methods were comparable to the human benchmark of 88.3% and 97.2%, respectively. Conclusion: We evaluated an automated application's performance in classifying a mesothelioma patient's personal and family history of cancer from clinical reports. To do so, the Hx application must process reports, identify cancer concepts, distinguish the known mesothelioma from ancillary cancers, recognize negation, perform reference resolution and determine the experiencer. Results indicated that both information extraction methods tested were dependant on the domain-specific lexicon and negation extraction. We showed that the more general method, ConText, performed as well as our task-specific method. Although Dynamic-Window could be modified to retrieve other concepts, ConText is more robust and performs better on inconclusive concepts. Hx could greatly improve and expedite the process of extracting data from free-text, clinical records for a variety of research or healthcare delivery organizations.
The Earth's Magnetosphere

A qualitative description of the general magnetospheric configuration is given, with emphasis on some of the physical processes governing the magnetosphere that are the main targets of current research. The magnetosphere behaves like a huge 'bag' of plasma and radiation that swells and contracts under the influence of the solar wind. The electric field, the magnetospheric plasma, the magnetospheric substorm, and the radiation belt and wave particle interactions are discussed. During the past 15 years, the study of the earth's magnetosphere man's immediate plasma and radiation environment - has undergone a successful stage of discovery and exploration. Investigators have obtained a morphological description of the magnetospheric field, the particle population embedded in it, and its interface with the solar wind, and have identified and are beginning to understand many of the physical processes involved. Quite generally, the magnetosphere reveals itself as a region where it is possible to observe some of the fundamental plasma processes at work that are known to occur elsewhere in the universe.
Unsupervised color image segmentation using a dynamic color gradient thresholding algorithm

We propose a novel algorithm for unsupervised segmentation of color images. The proposed approach utilizes a dynamic color gradient thresholding scheme that guides the region growing process. Given a color image, a weighted vectorbased color gradient map is generated. Seeds are identified and a dynamic threshold is then used to perform reliable growing of regions on the weighted gradient map. Over-segmentation, if any, is addressed by a Similarity Measurebased region merging stage to produce the final segmented image. Comparative results demonstrate the effectiveness of this algorithm for color image segmentation.
Bacterial Community Structure of Biofilms on Artificial Surfaces in an Estuary

This study examined bacterial community structure of biofilms on stainless steel and polycarbonate in seawater from the Delaware Bay. Free-living bacteria in the surrounding seawater were compared to the attached bacteria during the first few weeks of biofilm growth. Surfaces exposed to seawater were analyzed by using 16S rDNA libraries, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Community structure of the free-living bacterial community was different from that of the attached bacteria according to FISH and DGGE. In particular, alpha-proteobacteria dominated the attached communities. Libraries of 16S rRNA genes revealed that representatives of the Rhodobacterales clade were the most abundant members of biofilm communities. Changes in community structure during biofilm growth were also examined by DGGE analysis. We hypothesized that bacterial communities on dissimilar surfaces would initially differ and become more similar over time. In contrast, the compositions of stainless steel and polycarbonate biofilms were initially the same, but differed after about 1 week of biofilm growth. These data suggest that the relationship between surface properties and biofilm community structure changes as biofilms grow on surfaces such as stainless steel and polycarbonate in estuarine water.
Simvastatin in subarachnoid haemorrhage: beyond the short-term.

We are grateful to the STASH trial investigators for their eff orts to advance the use of simvastatin in subarachnoid haemorrhage from bench to bedside. The results of the STASH trial do not support the use of 40 mg simvastatin daily to decrease delayed cerebral infarction and to improve long-term clinical outcome. The investigators, therefore, concluded that patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage should not be treated routinely with simvastatin. Unfortunately, the STASH trial and a similar study by Wong and colleagues underway to evaluate a dose of simvastatin higher than that used in STASH were not designed to evaluate neurocognitive outcomes. Cognitive dysfunction, such as memory defi cits and executive dysfunction, is increasingly recognised as an important, and perhaps even the most prevalent, long-term complication of subarachnoid haemorrhage. We are also concerned that the length of the treatment period—up to 3 weeks—was not suffi cient to investigate potential benefi ts of simvastatin on outcomes after subarachnoid haemorrhage. The pathophysiology of subarachnoid haem or rhage is poorly understood, as is our understanding of the duration of action of underlying mechanisms. Ischaemic stroke (eg, delayed cerebral infarction after subarachnoid haemorrhage) results in microglial activation that might persist for several months, potentially increasing brain injury; and endothelial injury can be observed throughout the arterial tree for months after subarachnoid haemorrhage. In our opinion, it would be reasonable to continue treatment with simvastatin until the damaged thrombogenic and dysfunctional cerebrovascular endothelium has recovered fully and the neuroinfl ammatory responses have subsided. In fact, experimental studies that replicate cognitive decline in subarachnoid haemorrhage show that the benefi cial eff ects of simvastatin on regional cerebral blood fl ow, motor function, cognitive function, and neuroprotection are forfeited when simvastatin is stopped after 2 weeks of treatment. A sustained improvement in cognitive function and neuronal survival was shown only when simvastatin administration was extended for the duration of the study (6 weeks). Although the STASH trial investigators report that simvastatin at a dose of 40 mg for up to 3 weeks did not prevent delayed cerebral infarction, it is unclear whether longer use could improve long-term outcomes. Statins are well tolerated with long-term use. Perhaps it is time to depart from the 2–3 week cerebral vasospasm treatment paradigm, and extend the treatment period in clinical trials of interventions for subarachnoid haemorrhage. Otherwise, we risk false negatives and might prematurely discard potentially useful treatments.
Progress in Device Technology

Advances in implantable device technology over the past few years can be seen in these illustrations. The photograph on the left shows a 1997-model implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in front of an older version. Beside it is a modern …
Antagonism of dopamine-induced chemosensory inhibition by ergot alkaloids

Abstract Intracarotid and i.v. injections of ergometrine, methylergometrine, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, dihydroergotoxine and 2-Br-α-ergocryptine depressed the frequency of chemosensory impulses, recorded from the carotid nerve of anesthetized cats. After administration of ergot alkaloids, dopamine-induced inhibition of chemosensory activity was blocked; this effect was not associated with blocking of α-adrenoceptors for ergometrine, methylergometrine, ergotamine and 2-Br-α-ergocryptine, but it coincided with α-adrenergic antagonism for dihydroergotamine and dihydroergotoxine. It is concluded that ergot alkaloids can act on carotid body chemoreceptors as dopamine analogues and antagonists.
Amygdalocortical circuitry in schizophrenia: From circuits to molecules

Schizophrenia is a disorder in which disturbances in the integration of emotion with cognition plays a central role and probably involves several different regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, the hippocampal formation, and basolateral amygdala (BLA). Recent brain imaging studies have reported changes in volume, whereas postmortem studies point to dysfunction of the GABA and glutamate systems in these regions. Microarray-based profiles indicate that complex changes in the expression of genes associated with synaptic transmission and ion channels are involved in GABA cell dysfunction in schizophrenics. Molecular abnormalities vary considerably on the basis of sector and layer, suggesting that the unique connectivity of intrinsic and extrinsic afferents may critical in regulating the activity of genes in specific subpopulations of GABA cells. Projections of the BLA may be of particular importance to the induction of abnormal circuitry in schizophrenia, as their ingrowth during late adolescence and early adulthood may help to 'trigger' the onset of illness in susceptible individuals. A preponderance of cellular and molecular abnormalities has been found in the stratum oriens (SO) of sectors CA3/2 in which BLA afferents provide a robust innervation. These observations have lead to the development of a rodent model for the study of abnormal circuitry in this disorder. For example, single-cell recordings in hippocampal slices exposed to increased activation from the BLA have shown decreases in GABA currents in pyramidal neurons in SO of CA3/2, but not CA1, and support the validity of this model. Overall, the postmortem studies of neural circuitry abnormalities in schizophrenia are beginning to implicate specific cellular, molecular, and electrophysiological mechanism in specific subtypes of cortical neurons defined by their afferent and efferent connectivity within key corticolimbic regions.
Metabolic memory in diabetes - from in vitro oddity to in vivo problem: role of apoptosis.

Retinal capillary cells undergo apoptosis before pathology characteristic of retinopathy can be observed, and the appearance of apoptotic capillary cell can predict the development of pathology. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of reversal of hyperglycemia on retinal capillary cell apoptosis, and identify the apoptosis encoding genes. Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were maintained either in poor glycemic control (PC, glycated hemoglobin, GHb >11%) or in good glycemic control (GC, GHb <6%) for 12 months, or allowed to be in PC for 6 months followed by GC for 6 additional months (PC–GC). Capillary cell apoptosis was determined in the trypsin-digested retinal microvasculature by TUNEL staining, and the genes encoding apoptosis were identified by Oligo GEArray rat apoptosis microarray that profiles 113 genes. Six months of good glycemic control that followed 6 months of poor control failed to attenuate the number of TUNEL-positive capillary cells in the retinal microvasculature. Twenty-three retinal genes, mainly from TNF ligand and receptor, caspase, Bcl-2 and death domain subfamilies that were upregulated by least a two-fold in PC rats remain upregulated after reversal of hyperglycemia. Thus, the continued activation of apoptosis plays a major role in the resistance of retinopathy to halt after re-institution of good glycemic control, and the regulation apoptosis machinery could help retard the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Formation of sv40 specific and h-2 restricted target cell antigen by somatic cell fusion.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to syngeneic Simian virus-40 (SV40)-transformed target cells lyse only SV40-transformed cells which are identical to the killer cells at the K and/or D loci of the H–2 complex in mice1,2. In fact, CTLs have been shown to require autologous H–2 antigen expression for target cell lysis in a variety of syngeneic systems3. The dual specificity of these lymphocytes could indicate that both virus-coded and H–2 gene products are recognised and that interaction between viral and H–2 antigens on the tumour cell surface may be required to form the target antigen. However, serologically detectable SV40-specific antigens have not been found on the transformed cell surface. In addition, antisera to viral proteins do not block T-cell mediated lysis (CML) of syngeneic transformants4. If an SV40-specific moiety does not actually exist at the cell membrane, T-cell recognition might occur via an ‘altered self’ antigen where the virus codes for some activity which alters the H–2 antigens at the level of transcription or translation. To test this hypothesis the following experiments were designed: target cells were ‘manufactured’ by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced fusion of two cell lines; one being syngeneic to the CTL but not SV40 transformed and the other possessing the SV40 genome but differing from the effectors at the H–2 locus. The resulting multinucleated cells (heterokaryons) were then used as targets in the CML assay. Membrane components of heterokaryon cells have been shown to intermix5. In the present experiments we reasoned that if the target antigen is an H–2K or H–2D molecule which has been altered in transcription or translation, then simple mixing of membrane components would not lead to target antigen formation and cell lysis. If, on the other hand, separate SV40 induced and H–2 molecules are required for recognition then heterokaryon formation should lead to target antigen expression. Results described below support the latter hypothesis. Furthermore, these results show the simple mixing of cellular components is sufficient for a recognisable target antigen to form, and that protein synthesis is not required.