cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of late Cenozoic mountain building on ocean geochemical cycles

In a steady-state ocean, input fluxes of dissolved salts to the sea must be balanced in mass and isotopic value by output fluxes. For the elements strontium, calcium, and carbon, rivers provide the primary input, whereas marine biogenic sedimentation dominates removal. Dissolved fluxes in rivers are related to rates of continental weathering, which in turn are strongly dependent on rates of uplift. The largest dissolved fluxes today arise in the Himalayan and Andean mountain ranges and the Tibetan Plateau. During the past 5 m.y., uplift rates in these areas have increased significantly; this suggests that weathering rates and river fluxes may have increased also. The oceanic records of carbonate sedimentation, level of the calcite compensation depth, and delta/sup 13/C and delta/sup 87/Sr in biogenic sediments are consistent with a global increase in river fluxes since the late Miocene. The cooling of global climate over the past few million years may be linked to a decrease in atmospheric CO/sub 2/ driven by enhanced continental weathering in these tectonically active regions.
Singlet ground state in the spin- 1 2 dimer compound Sr 3 Cr 2 O 8

Magnetic susceptibility $\ensuremath{\chi}$ and specific heat $C$ versus temperature $T$ measurements on polycrystalline samples of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{3}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ and the isostructural, nonmagnetic compound ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{3}{\mathrm{V}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ are reported. A Curie-Wiess fit to the high-$T$ $\ensuremath{\chi}(T)$ data for ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{3}{\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ indicates that the Cr atoms are in the rare ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{5+}$ (spin $S=\frac{1}{2}$) valence state as expected from the composition. The ground state was found to be a spin singlet with an excitation gap $\ensuremath{\Delta}∕{k}_{\mathrm{B}}=61.9(1)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ to the magnetic triplet states, and a weak interdimer coupling of $6(2)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ was inferred. The $C$ and $\ensuremath{\chi}$ measurements on ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{3}{\mathrm{V}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ reveal a phase transition at $110\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, which is evidently a structural transition.
Exploratory High-Resolution Climate Simulations using the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM)

AbstractExtended, high-resolution (0.23° latitude × 0.31° longitude) simulations with Community Atmosphere Model versions 4 and 5 (CAM4 and CAM5) are examined and compared with results from climate simulations conducted at a more typical resolution of 0.9° latitude × 1.25° longitude. Overall, the simulated climate of the high-resolution experiments is not dramatically better than that of their low-resolution counterparts. Improvements appear primarily where topographic effects may be playing a role, including a substantially improved summertime Indian monsoon simulation in CAM4 at high resolution. Significant sensitivity to resolution is found in simulated precipitation over the southeast United States during winter. Some aspects of the simulated seasonal mean precipitation deteriorate notably at high resolution. Prominent among these is an exacerbated Pacific “double ITCZ” bias in both models. Nevertheless, while large-scale seasonal means are not dramatically better at high resolution, realistic tropica...
Dynamic pressure distribution inside a spherical ventricle.

Abstract This paper is a theoretical calculation of the possible pressure distributions inside a ventricle. Assuming a spherical shape and a circular orifice, the potential flow equations are solved using Legendre polynomials. The effects of velocity, acceleration, and gravity are discussed. Using published experimental data, it is found that dynamic pressure effects may amount to 15 mm Hg. Such errors may significantly alter the accuracy of pressure catheterization records.
Impaired humoral immunity in treated Hodgkin's disease.

Abstract To define the contribution of aggressive lymphoma treatment to the risk of post-splenectomy septicemia, we investigated the humoral immunity of 44 patients with Hodgkin's disease. Specific antibody against Haemophilus influenzae Type b was significantly reduced (mean, 147 ng per milliliter, P<0.01) in patients receiving combined treatment (radiotherapy and chemotherapy), whereas single treatment reduced titers marginally (chemotherapy) or not at all (radiotherapy). Untreated patients had normal values (396 ng per milliliter), and splenectomy was without effect. In some patients who received combined treatment, titers were reduced to levels seen in infants. IgM levels were likewise normal in untreated patients. Chemotherapy, however, significantly reduced IgM levels (P<0.025), an effect potentiated by prior splenectomy. IgG, IgA, alternate-pathway activity, C3, C4 and CH50 were all normal or elevated. Aggressive treatment with chemotherapy and radiation impairs humoral defense against encapsulated...
Adaptation to the conditioning chamber in multi-session avoidance learning

To assess the effect of adaptation upon avoidance learning, hooded rats were given 10 avoidance conditioning trials daily either following 20 min. adaptation to the apparatus, or prior to being retained 20 min. in the apparatus, or without any adaptation. A significant days and treatment interaction suggests that adaptation occurring prior to avoidance conditioning facilitates performance. Subsequent pre-trials exposure suppresses responding due to the fear-inducing properties of apparatus cues.
Boric acid nanotubes, nanotips, nanorods, microtubes, and microtips

Thin films containing boron, carbon, and oxygen were synthesized by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD). When the thin films were exposed to humid atmosphere, nano- or micro-scale boric acid structures were observed to grow spontaneously. Depending on the relative humidity, temperature, and exposure time to the humid atmosphere, these boric acid structures were either nanotubes, nanotips, nanorods, microtubes, or microtips. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies on the thin film surface suggested that the thin films contained B2O3, BCO2, and C−C clusters. The relative amounts of boron, carbon, and oxygen in the thin films were about 41.3, 14, and 43.9% respectively. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) results indicated that the elemental distribution of boron, carbon, and oxygen in the thin films was rather homogeneous. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to study the time evolution of these boric acid structures at 23 °C and 45 ± 3% relative humidity. Scanning electron microscopy (...
A Randomized Trial of Empyema Therapy

Study objectives To determine the optimal treatment of empyema thoracis (within the fibrinopurulent phase of illness) comparing pleural drainage and fibrinolytic therapy vs video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), with regard to efficacy and duration of hospitalization. Design Twenty patients with confirmed parapneumonic empyema thoracis were randomized to chest tube pleural drainage plus streptokinase (CT-SK) vs VATS. Setting University-based teaching hospital providing for Dallas County. Patients and methods Equivalent groups of patients with parapneumonic empyema thoracis were randomized to receive either of two therapies: CT-SK (n=9) or VATS (n=11). Outcomes analysis with respect to treatment efficacy, hospital duration, chest tube duration, hospital costs, and need for subsequent procedures was performed. Results Each group suffered one mortality (p=not significant). When compared with the CT-SK group, the VATS group had a significantly higher primary treatment success [10/11, 91% vs 4/9, 44%; p Conclusions In patients with loculated, complex fibrinopurulent parapneumonic empyema thoracis, a primary treatment strategy of VATS is associated with a higher efficacy, shorter hospital duration, and less cost than a treatment strategy that utilizes catheter-directed fibrinolytic therapy.
Propulsion by Ions and Ionized Plasmas

The feasibility of using ions and ionized plasmas for the propulsion of rockets and space vehicles is discussed. Different techniques in obtaining thrust from these suggested fuels are reviewed. (J.H.M.)
Some families of links with divergent Mahler measure

In the following note we develop a method to prove that the Mahler Measure of the Jones polynomial of a family of links diverges. We apply this to several examples from the literature. We then use the W-polynomial to find the Kauffman Bracket of some families of Montesinos links and show that their Jones polynomials too have divergent Mahler measure.
Computer based medication error reporting: insights and implications

Background: Despite the growing use of error reporting tools, the healthcare industry is inexperienced in receiving, understanding, and analyzing these reports. Objective: To assess the accuracy and define the epidemiology of medication error reports. Design, setting, and patients: A retrospective cohort study of 581 error reports containing 1010 medication errors reported between July 2001 and January 2003 at a large academic children’s institution. Main outcome measures: Correct classification and types of medication errors. Results: Of the 1010 medication errors reviewed, 298 (30%) were prescribing errors, 245 (24%) were dispensing errors, 410 (41%) were administration errors, and 57 (6%) involved medication administration records (MAR). Following expert review, 208 errors (21%) were deleted because they had been inappropriately coded as errors and 97 (10%) were added as they were not initially coded despite having occurred. In addition, 352 medication error reports needed to have the subtype of error reclassified; 207 (59%) of these involved the reporter choosing the non-descript “other” category on the reporting tool (such as “Prescribing other”) which was able to be reclassified by expert review. The overall distribution of error type categories did not change significantly with expert review, although only MAR errors were underreported by the reporters. The most common medications were anti-infectives (17%), pain/sedative agents (15%), nutritional agents (11%), gastrointestinal agents (8%), and cardiovascular agents (7%). Conclusions: Despite clear imperfections in the data captured, medication error reporting tools are effective as a means of collecting reliable information on errors rapidly and in real time. Our data suggest that administration errors are at least as common as prescribing errors in children. Further research is needed, not only in the area of computerized physician order entry (CPOE) for children, but also on ways to make the dispensing and administration of medications safer.
Imaging exocytosis in retinal bipolar cells with TIRF microscopy.

Total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is a technique that allows the study of events happening at the cell membrane, by selective imaging of fluorescent molecules that are closest to a high refractive index substance such as glass1. In this article, we apply this technique to image exocytosis of synaptic vesicles in retinal bipolar cells isolated from the goldfish retina. These neurons are very suitable for this kind of study due to their large axon terminals. By simultaneously patch clamping the bipolar cells, it is possible to investigate the relationship between pre-synaptic voltage and synaptic release2,3. Synaptic vesicles inside the bipolar cell terminals are loaded with a fluorescent dye (FM 1-43®) by co-puffing the dye and a ringer solution containing a high K+ concentration onto the synaptic terminals. This depolarizes the cells and stimulates endocytosis and consequent dye uptake into the glutamatergic vesicles. After washing the excess dye away for around 30 minutes, cells are ready for being patch clamped and imaged simultaneously with a 488 nm laser. The patch pipette solution contains a rhodamine-based peptide that binds selectively to the synaptic ribbon protein RIBEYE4, thereby labeling ribbons specifically when terminals are imaged with a 561 nm laser. This allows the precise localization of active zones and the separation of synaptic from extra-synaptic events.
Inhibition of aminopeptidase and acetylcholinesterase by puromycin and puromycin analogs.

: Puromycin analogs in which the O-methyl-L-tyrosine moiety was substituted by a number of amino acids were examined as inhibitors of the puromycin-sensitive rat brain aminopeptidase and bovine erythrocyte acetyl-cholinesterase. In the case of the aminopeptidase, the structure and stereochemistry of the amino acid substituent were important factors in determining inhibitor effectiveness. In the case of the acetylcholinesterase reaction, the aminonucleoside of puromycin was nearly as effective an inhibitor as puromycin itself, with little effect dependent on the nature or stereochemistry of the amino acid.
Design optimization for robustness in multiple performance functions

In this paper, we propose a new approach to include robustness considerations in problems with multiple performance functions under uncertainty. Robustness of performance under uncertainty is typically ensured by minimizing the variation of the performance function, usually modeled by its variance or standard deviation. Such moment-based methods generally become cumbersome to solve as the number of performance functions increases, because of a large number of objective functions. The current paper proposes a new approach that tackles both robustness and optimality using the joint probability density function of all the performance functions. For a set of designer-specified thresholds, which can be viewed as upper bounds on the performance functions (for minimization), joint optimality is ensured by maximizing a single quantity irrespective of the number of performance functions: the joint probability that the design's performance is bounded by the thresholds. To ensure joint robustness, we minimize a single scalar quantity irrespective of the number of performance functions: the determinant of the covariance matrix of the performance functions. Two examples are presented: an automobile side impact problem with two performance functions and a two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle conceptual design problem with three performance functions.
Overcoming cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) resistance of human ovarian tumor cells by combination treatment with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) and tumor necrosis factor–alpha

BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated that tumor cells have different degrees of sensitivity and resistance to various cytotoxic agents. The acquisition of drug resistance is a major concern in cancer treatment. The current study investigates the cytotoxic effect of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) used in combination on CDDP-resistant human ovarian tumor cell lines. METHODS Cytotoxicity was determined by the microculture tetrazolium dye assay. Synergy was assessed by isobolographic analysis. TNF-mRNA was examined by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS Treatment of the CDDP-resistant C30 cells with CDDP and TNF-alpha overcame the resistance of C30 cells to CDDP or TNF-alpha. In addition, the combination of CDDP and TNF-alpha resulted in a synergistic effect on the C30-resistant line, the CDDP-sensitive parental cell line A2780, and two freshly derived ovarian carcinoma cell cultures. Treatment of C30 cells with CDDP followed by TNF-alpha showed a synergistic effect, whereas treatment with TNF-alpha followed by CDDP demonstrated a less cytotoxic effect. A possible mechanism of resistance to TNF-alpha in tumor cells is the induction of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein. C30 cells do not produce mRNA constitutively for TNF-alpha; however, treatment of C30 cells with TNF-alpha induces the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA. When CDDP was used in combination with TNF-alpha, the level of TNF-alpha mRNA induced by TNF-alpha was reduced significantly. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the combination of CDDP and TNF-alpha can overcome the CDDP resistance of tumor cells and that downregulation of TNF-alpha mRNA by CDDP may play a role in the enhanced cytotoxicity seen with the combination of CDDP and TNF-alpha. The synergistic effect obtained with established ovarian tumor cell lines and in short-term cultures of freshly isolated ovarian tumors suggests that combination treatment with TNF-alpha and CDDP may have clinical applications in the treatment of drug-resistant tumors.
XO/XY Chromosome Mosaicism

A phenotypic female with clitoral enlargement was shown by chromosomal analysis of peripheral blood leukocytes to be an XO/XY mosaic. Histologically, the intra-abdominal gonads were dysgenetic testes. Tissue cultures from 2 areas of skin, uterus and both gonads revealed mosaicism in only 2 of the sites (one area of skin and one gonad). The remaining tissues were XO.
MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM INFECTION IN MICE IS ASSOCIATED WITH TIME-RELATED EXPRESSION OF TH1 AND TH2 CD4+ T-LYMPHOCYTE RESPONSE

Disseminated infection caused by organisms of Mycobacterium avium complex is common in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. M. avium is an intracellular bacterium that multiplies within macrophages. We examined the effect of M. avium infection on the T-helper cell response in C57/BL/6 black mice. At weekly intervals, CD4+ T-cells were isolated from spleens and lines were created. T-cell lines were exposed to sonicated M. avium in the presence of feeder cells and macrophages and the supernatant were collected to measure the concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Production of IFN-gamma in CD4+ T-cells obtained from uninfected mice did not vary significantly during the 5 weeks. Levels of IFN-gamma produced by T-cell lines of infected mice were similar to the control mice during the first 2 weeks but significantly reduced (approximately 30 ng/ml) thereafter. In contrast, production of IL-10 by T-cell lines of infected mice was in a range of 190 to 342 pg/ml in weeks 1, 2 and 3, but increased to an average of 1300 pg/ml at weeks 4 and 5. Pre-immunized mice, when infected with M. avium strain 101, showed a different profile of T-cell cytokines, with high IFN-gamma and low IL-10 production. Proteins purified from a number of disease-associated (D-A) and non-D-A strains of M. avium were tested for the ability to induce IL-10. 65,000 MW and 60,000 MW proteins of M. avium induced significantly more IL-10 than 45,000 MW, 33,000 MW and 27,000 MW proteins. These results showed that M. avium predominantly stimulates either Th1 or Th2 T-helper cells according to the phase of the infection.
Porting the parallel array programming language ZPL to an embedded multicomputing system

This paper describes the port of the ZPL parallel array language to the Mercury-RACE, a multicomputing system designed for embedded real-time applications. We discuss the design of the language runtime system and our strategy on mapping ZPL operators to hardware communication. We also show performance results of the ZPL parallel matrix inverse algorithm on the target architecture.
Is immune function better preserved after laparoscopic versus open colon resection

The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate immunologic responses to laparoscopic vs standard open colon resection and to evaluate possible mediators of any differences found. Specifically, we compared cortisol levels and delayed-type hypersensitivity response after each method of colon resection in a group of 20 pigs. Two groups of 10 animals each were treated in identical fashion including bowel preparation, anesthesia, and postoperative management. The only difference between groups was that one underwent laparoscopic and the other an open colon resection. Blood specimens for cortisol were drawn before, during, and immediately postoperatively as well as at 11 A.M. on postoperative days 1 and 2. All animals had been previously immunized as piglets with Sow Bac-E (Oxford Veterinary, Worthington, MN), an antigen preparation of common pig pathogens. At the conclusion of the operative procedure 0.5 cc of the antigen was injected intradermally on the right forelimb of the animals. At 48 and 72 h postoperatively the largest diameters of induration surrounding the injection site were measured and averaged. Cortisol levels were measured in serum samples by radioimmunoassay (Met-Path, Rockville, MD). Statistical significance was determined by t-test. Results of skin antigen testing showed that the group of pigs that underwent laparoscopic resection had a 20% greater response, 1.54 cm +/- 0.28 cm at 48 h and 1.53 cm +/- 0.18 cm at 72 h. For the open-surgery group results were 1.24 cm +/- 0.26 cm at 48 h and 1.32 cm +/- 0.21 cm at 72 h, P < 0.05 for the difference between groups at both 48 and 72 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Bayesian phylogeny of sucrose transporters: Ancient origins, differential expansion and convergent evolution in monocots and dicots

Sucrose transporters (SUTs) are essential for the export and efficient movement of sucrose from source leaves to sink organs in plants. The angiosperm SUT family was previously classified into three or four distinct groups, Types I, II (subgroup IIB) and III, with dicot-specific Type I and monocot-specific Type IIB functioning in phloem loading. To shed light on the underlying drivers of SUT evolution, Bayesian phylogenetic inference was undertaken using 41 sequenced plant genomes, including seven basal lineages at key evolutionary junctures. Our analysis supports four phylogenetically and structurally distinct SUT subfamilies, originating from two ancient groups (AG1 and AG2) that diverged early during terrestrial colonization. In both AG1 and AG2, multiple intron acquisition events in the progenitor vascular plant established the gene structures of modern SUTs. Tonoplastic Type III and plasmalemmal Type II represent evolutionarily conserved descendants of AG1 and AG2, respectively. Type I and Type IIB were previously thought to evolve after the dicot-monocot split. We show, however, that divergence of Type I from Type III SUT predated basal angiosperms, likely associated with evolution of vascular cambium and phloem transport. Type I SUT was subsequently lost in monocots along with vascular cambium, and independent evolution of Type IIB coincided with modified monocot vasculature. Both Type I and Type IIB underwent lineage-specific expansion. In multiple unrelated taxa, the newly-derived SUTs exhibit biased expression in reproductive tissues, suggesting a functional link between phloem loading and reproductive fitness. Convergent evolution of Type I and Type IIB for SUT function in phloem loading and reproductive organs supports the idea that differential vascular development in dicots and monocots is a strong driver for SUT family evolution in angiosperms.
Failure of cervical arthroplasty in a patient with adjacent segment disease associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome

Cervical arthroplasty may be justified in patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) in order to preserve cervical motion. The aim of this paper is to report an arthroplasty failure in a patient with KFS. A 36-year-old woman with KFS underwent two-level arthroplasty for adjacent segment disc degeneration. Anterior migration of the cranial prosthesis was encountered 5 months postoperatively and was successfully revised with anterior cervical fusion. Cervical arthroplasty in an extensively stiff and fused neck is challenging and may lead to catastrophic failure. Although motion preservation is desirable in KFS, the special biomechanical features may hinder arthroplasty. Fusion or hybrid constructs may represent more reasonable options, especially when multiple fused segments are present.
Transcatheter Coil Embolization of Large Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysms in a Child

The authors report a case of a 5-year-old boy who initially presented with mastoiditis, underwent successful surgical treatment, and during the immediate postoperative period developed multiple, bilateral pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms. The large size and multiplicity of the pseudoaneurysms precluded the patient from undergoing thoracic surgery. Successful endovascular coil and wire embolization was performed in a staged set of procedures with use of more than 30 m of wire and coils.
Climate change impacts on streamflow extremes and summertime stream temperature and their possible consequences for freshwater salmon habitat in Washington State

This study evaluates the sensitivity of Washington State’s freshwater habitat of Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) to climate change. Our analysis focuses on summertime stream temperatures, seasonal low flows, and changes in peak and base flows because these physical factors are likely to be key pressure points for many of Washington’s salmon populations. Weekly summertime water temperatures and extreme daily high and low streamflows are evaluated under multimodel composites for A1B and B1 greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. Simulations predict rising water temperatures will thermally stress salmon throughout Washington’s watersheds, becoming increasingly severe later in the twenty-first century. Streamflow simulations predict that basins strongly influenced by transient runoff (a mix of direct runoff from cool-season rainfall and springtime snowmelt) are most sensitive to climate change. By the 2080s, hydrologic simulations predict a complete loss of Washington’s snowmelt dominant basins, and only about ten transient basins remaining in the north Cascades. Historically transient runoff watersheds will shift towards rainfall dominant behavior, undergoing more severe summer low flow periods and more frequent days with intense winter flooding. While cool-season stream temperature changes and impacts on salmon are not assessed in this study, it is possible that climate-induced warming in winter and spring will benefit parts of the freshwater life-cycle of some salmon populations enough to increase their reproductive success (or overall fitness). However, the combined effects of warming summertime stream temperatures and altered streamflows will likely reduce the reproductive success for many Washington salmon populations, with impacts varying for different life history-types and watershed-types. Diminishing streamflows and higher stream temperatures in summer will be stressful for stream-type salmon populations that have freshwater rearing periods in summer. Increased winter flooding in transient runoff watersheds will likely reduce the egg-to-fry survival rates for ocean-type and stream-type salmon.
Muscle Actin Gene from Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

A recombinant phagemid containing a 1,240-bp insert encoding an actin was isolated from a yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.), complementary DNA library. This insert (pBS-Act35) contained an open reading frame of 822 bp whose deduced amino acid sequence exhibited >95% homology with the carboxyl terminal 274 amino acids of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen and silkworm, Bombyx mori (L.), actin genes. Reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction was used to clone and determine the sequence of the additional 306 nucleotides that comprise the 5’end of the gene. The coding nucleotide sequence of the whole gene (designated Aeact-1) exhibited between 81 and 89% homology with coding sequences of D. melanogaster and B. mori actin genes, and its deduced amino acid sequence exhibited >95% homology with those genes. The highest similarity of Aeact-1 gene at the amino acid sequence level was with B. mori and D. melanogaster muscle actins. Southern blot analysis indicated that the Aedes genome contains at least 5 actin-related sequences.
Significant Differences in Charge Times Among Currently Available Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Capacitor charging accounts for most of the delay between arrhythmia detection and therapy delivery in ICDs. Long capacitor charge times may increase the risk of syncope in patients with poorly tolerated arrhythmias. To determine if there are clinically important differences in charge time among currently available devices, we analyzed charge times at various delivered energy levels in three manufacturers' devices: Medtronic, CPI, and Ventritex. Charge times were measured for shocks delivered for spontaneous or induced arrhythmias occurring from time of implant to 4 months after implant. A total of 343 shocks were assessed in 63 patients with ICDs: 16 Medtronic (MicroJewel II, model 7223Cx), 14 CPI (Mini II, model 1762), and 33 Ventritex (Cadet and Contour, models V-115 and V-145). The curves of the relationship between charge time and delivered energy for the three types of devices were significantly different, with Medtronic charge times shorter than CPI or Ventritex (P < 0.0001), and CPI charge times shorter than Ventritex (P = 0.002). The difference in mean charge times between the Ventritex and Medtronic devices ranged from 1.7 seconds at a delivered energy of 10 +/- 2.5 J to 8.0 seconds at a delivered energy of 30 +/- 2.5 J. Thus, clinically important differences in charge time exist among the three types of defibrillators studied. These results should be considered in selecting an ICD for patients with poorly tolerated arrhythmias.
Depression of drinking by tertiary and quaternary cholinolytic drugs

Abstract Cholinolytic drugs in both their tertiary (atropine, scopolamine) and quaternary (atropine methyl bromide, scopolamine methyl bromide) forms, when administered intraperitoneally, were found to depress drinking behavior. Dose-response curves show that total intake during a standard test period is reduced at a decreasing rate as dose increases, eventually approaching an asymptotic level. Significant decrements in drinking occurred at dose levels which have been shown not to produce significant changes in brain acetylcholine levels. Behavioral effects were similar despite the differences between the tertiary and quaternary forms in their capabilities to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and despite the fact that atropine and scopolamine are reported by some workers to be antagonistic in their central actions. The results are interpreted as indicating that some peripheral mechanism is involved in the depressive action of cholinolytic drugs on drinking behavior.
Phase behavior of temperature-responsive polymers with tunable LCST: An equation-of-state approach

The aqueous solution phase behavior of (ethylene oxide)/ethylene copolymers with varying degree of hydrophobicity is explored using an equation of state approach. The general formalism of the lattice-fluid with hydrogen-bonding theory is employed after a minor adjustment to account for multiple types of hydrogen bonds. The theoretical model is shown to be effective in describing the phase behavior of these systems, and the model parameters seem to be transferable between different homologous copolymer series. Despite limitations of the model, the calculated phase diagrams and the dependence of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic content of the polymer show good correspondence with the available experimental data.
Revenue-maximizing Dutch auctions with discrete bid levels

Abstract This paper is concerned with setting a predetermined number of bid levels in a Dutch auction to maximize the auctioneer’s expected revenue. As a departure from the traditional methods used by applied economists and game-theorists, a novel approach is taken in this study to tackle the problem by formulating the auctioning process as a constrained nonlinear program and applying standard optimization techniques to solve it. Aside from proposing respective closed-form formulae for computing the optimal bid levels and the auctioneer’s maximum expected revenue, we also show that the bid decrements should be increasing if there are two or more bidders in the Dutch auction. Additionally, the auctioneer’s maximum expected revenue increases with the number of bidders as well as the number of bid levels. Finally, managerial implications of the key findings as well as limitations of this research work are discussed.
Crack Detection and Monitoring Using Passive Wireless Sensor

This paper presents an antenna sensor that can detect and monitor crack remotely and passively. Since this antenna sensor does not need electric wires for power supply and data transmission, it has great potential to be implemented as large area sensor skin with high spatial resolution, simple configuration and remote-interrogation capability. The sensor fabrication, the sensor characterization procedure and the non-contact interrogation technique are presented. The experimental results demonstrated that the antenna sensor is sensitive to crack growth and can be interrogated remotely.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Structure determination for saturated (1×1) oxygen on W(110) from full solid angle photoelectron diffraction with chemical-state resolution

Abstract The local atomic geometry of oxygen adsorbed in a stable one monolayer (1×1) structure on W(110) has been determined for the first time from full solid angle site-resolved photoelectron diffraction (PD). This structure also exhibits an additional (1×12) periodicity, but PD allows determination of the local structure within this periodicity. The data were obtained with a new beamline and experimental system at the Advanced Light Source. W 4f 7/2 spectra excited at kinetic energies of approximately 140 eV were resolved into bulk and ‘oxide’ components, with the latter corresponding to the first layer of tungsten atoms bound directly to three oxygen atoms each. Analyzing these data with multiple scattering theory and R-factor analysis shows that the oxygen atoms sit in pseudo-threefold hollow sites at a vertical distance of 0.91±0.05 A above the first tungsten layer, and with a lateral position shifted by 0.1 A along [110] or [110] directions and away from that yielding three equal bond distances. Future applications of this method to systems with large unit cells which make beam-in/beam-out diffraction analyses difficult and/or with a lack of long range order are thus suggested.
Cost-effectiveness analysis in heart disease, part II: Preventive therapies

Cost-effectiveness analysis of preventive therapies are reviewed in the following categories: lipid lowering, hypertension, smoking cessation, exercise, and anticoagulation. From review of 8 analyses, cost-effectiveness of primary prevention via cholesterol lowering drugs is generally expensive, whereas that of secondary prevention generally is favorable. However, targeting by age, coexisting risk factors, and gender strongly influence results that are also sensitive to drug costs. Treatment of hypertension (5 analyses) is cost-effective in virtually all patient populations and circumstances and for a wide variety of drugs. It is more so with coexisting risk. Issues relating to compliance and drug costs are important. Smoking cessation (4 analyses) is highly cost-effective and worthwhile. However, data on recidivism are incomplete, and cessation may be more difficult to achieve in the general population versus study patients. In one analysis, an exercise program was found to be cost-effective in prevention of coronary heart disease. Anticoagulants have been analyzed in various circumstances. Their cost-effectiveness is favorable for prosthetic valves, although sensitive to imprecision in monitoring. It is also favorable for mitral stenosis in the presence of atrial fibrillation but not normal sinus rhythm. Cost-effectiveness of heparinization for prosthetic valve patients undergoing surgery is rather variable and depends on type of surgery (major versus minor) and type of valve. Many topics in anticoagulant therapy remain to be explored from a cost-effectiveness point of view.
The use of the tetrachoric series for evaluating multivariate normal probabilities

The tetrachoric series is a technique for evaluating multivariate normal probabilities frequently cited in the statistical literature. In this paper we have examined the convergence properties of the tetrachoric series and have established the following. For orthant probabilities, the tetrachoric series converges if |;ϱij|; 1(k − 1) or k is odd and ϱij > 1(k − 2), 1 ≤ i < j ≤ k. Other specific results concerning the convergence or divergence of this series are also given. The principal point is that the assertion that the tetrachoric series converges for all k ≥ 2 and all ϱij such that the correlation matrix is positive definite is false.
A new boundary element method for the solution of plane steady-state thermoelastic fracture mechanics problems

Abstract An efficient numerical technique is developed for plane, homogeneous, isotropic, steady-state thermoelasticity problems involving arbitrary internal smooth and/or kinkedcracks. The thermal stress intensity factors and relative crack surface displacements due to steady-state temperature distributions are determined and compared to available solutions obtained by other methods. In these analyses the thermal boundary conditions across the crack surface are assumed to be insulated. The present approach involves coupling the direct boundary integral equations to newly developed crack integral equations.
Activation of phospholipase D by the small GTPase Sar1p is required to support COPII assembly and ER export

The small GTPase Sar1p controls the assembly of the cytosolic COPII coat that mediates export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here we demonstrate that phospholipase D (PLD) activation is required to support COPII-mediated ER export. PLD activity by itself does not lead to the recruitment of COPII to the membranes or ER export. However, PLD activity is required to support Sar1p-dependent membrane tubulation, the subsequent Sar1p-dependent recruitment of Sec23/24 and Sec13/31 COPII complexes to ER export sites and ER export. Sar1p recruitment to the membrane is PLD independent, yet activation of Sar1p is required to stimulate PLD activity on ER membranes, thus PLD is temporally regulated to support ER export. Regulated modification of membrane lipid composition is required to support the cooperative interactions that enable selective transport, as we demonstrate here for the mammalian COPII coat.
Comparing the effects of the exotic cactus-feeding moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the native cactus-feeding moth, Melitara prodenialis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on two species of Florida Opuntia

This study examined the effects of the native cactus moth borer, Melitara prodenialis, and the invasive cactus moth borer, Cactoblastis cactorum, on two common cactus species, Opuntia stricta and O. humifusa at coastal and inland locations in central Florida. Opuntia stricta were present only at coastal sites and O. humifusa were present at coastal and inland sites. Throughout the duration of the study, coastal plants were subject to damage solely by C. cactorum and inland plants solely by M. prodenialis. Results showed marginally significantly higher numbers of eggsticks on O. stricta than O. humifusa and significantly higher numbers at coastal sites than at inland sites. There was also significantly higher moth damage on O. stricta than O. humifusa and at coastal sites than inland sites, but not significantly so. However, there was a higher level of plant mortality for O. humifusa than for O. stricta and a significantly higher level of cactus mortality at inland sites when compared to coastal sites. This increased mortality may be due to increased attack by true bugs, Chelinidea vittiger, and by Dactylopius sp., combined with attack by M. prodenialis. Inland plants also tended to be smaller than coastal plants and could be more susceptible to the combined effects of all insects. Further long-term research on coastal cactus survival when attacked and unattacked by Cactoblastis is necessary to fully determine the effects of this moth on Opuntia survival.
An integrative approach for combustor design using CFD methods

A CFD-based integrative approach for combustor design is presented and applied to a pilot-scale 147 kW down-fired combustor (DFC) unit for maximum NOx reduction. The approach is based on synergisti...
Nucleate boiling with high gravity and large subcooling

Measurements of the heater surface temperature are presented for pool boiling of distilled water in an accelerating system with various subcoolings and levels of heat flux. The ranges of the experimental variables are: heat flux between 0.19 MW/m{sup 2} and 1.5 MW/m{sup 2}, accelerations normal to the flat heating surface from 1 to 100 times earth gravity, and liquid subcoolings between 0 and K and 89 K. Increasing subcooling first produces an increase and then a decrease in wall superheat, with the eventual cessation of nucleate boiling for certain combinations of conditions. The increase in wall superheat is particularly enhanced at 10g, reaching a maximum value of 9 K at 1.05 MW/m{sup 2} with 60 K subcooling. This type of behavior is attributed to the interactions between the fluid temperature distribution in the immediate vicinity of the heater surface as it is influenced by natural convection, the activation of nucleation sites, and the influence of increased buoyancy on the heat transfer associated with each departing bubble.
The search for graves with ground-penetrating radar in Connecticut

The search for unmarked and clandestine graves is a labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often frustrating task. Several geo-physical methods are available, which can be expediently used with little or no disturbances to sites, among which ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is often considered the most useful tool to delineate possible graves. This paper is the result of many years of GPR testing for unmarked graves in Connecticut. Natural and cultural conditions are considered in the failure and/or success of detection, and the use of GPR in archaeological studies.
Incorporation of Cl4-Carboxyl-Labeled Leucine by Antibody Protein.

SummaryC14-labeled leucine has been administered to immune rabbits. It has been found that while the normal serum components incorporate the C14 activity passively transferred antibody does not.
Expectations and Long-Term Interest Rates: Comment on Bovenberg

T IS WIDELY believed that increases in budget deficits cause higher interest rates. With the exception of the now-familiar Ricardian equivalence view, standard macroeconomic models suggest that interest rates (nominal or real) are an increasing function of budget deficits. Despite the predictions of these models, the empirical results have not provided consistent support for this hypothesis. For example, Hoelscher (1983), Evans (1985, 1987a, 1987b), and Kolluri and Giannaros (1987) do not find a positive and significant effect of deficits on interest rates. A number of recent studies have focused on the effects of expected deficits on interest rates. This approach is motivated by the belief, as Kim and Lombra (1989, p. 242) argue, "that current changes in interest rates are essentially a function of changes in future expected deficits rather than of changes in current and past deficits." This point is also clearly made by Bovenberg (1988, pp. 383-84). In each of these studies, the results indicate a significant and positive effect of expected deficits on long-term interest rates. In particular, Bovenberg shows that the interest rate on ten-year and three-year U.S. Treasury bonds is an increasing function of the expected deficit variables. The purpose of this comment is to present and to test a number of extensions of Bovenberg (1988). Two alternative specifications of the model are estimated in order to determine the robustness of his results.
An Empirical Analysis on the Relationship between Tropical Cyclone Size and Storm Surge Heights along the U.S. Gulf Coast

AbstractIn the past decade, several large tropical cyclones have generated catastrophic storm surges along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic Coasts. These storms include Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Isaac, and Sandy. This study uses empirical analysis of tropical cyclone data and maximum storm surge observations to investigate the role of tropical cyclone size in storm surge generation. Storm surge data are provided by the Storm Surge Database (SURGEDAT), a global storm surge database, while a unique tropical cyclone size dataset built from nine different data sources provides the size of the radius of maximum winds (Rmax) and the radii of 63 (34 kt), 93 (50 kt), and 119 km h−1 (64 kt) winds. Statistical analysis reveals an inverse correlation between storm surge magnitudes and Rmax sizes, while positive correlations exist between storm surge heights and the radius of 63 (34 kt), 93 (50 kt), and 119 km h−1 (64 kt) winds. Storm surge heights correlate best with the prelandfall radius of 93 km h−1 (50 kt) winds, with ...
EOSINOPHILIA IN CHILDHOOD

As in adults, the eosinophil is normally found in the blood and tissues of children in small numbers. It is an enigmatic cell whose function is still incompletely understood. There is a variety of abnormal conditions and disease states in which eosinophil concentrations in the blood and certain tissues increases to usually high levels, termed eos~~op~il~. Although many of the conditions associated with eosinophilia in children are the same as those seen in adults, there are some eosinophilic conditions that are seen much more commonly in children than adults, including a few that are rarely, if ever, seen in adults. In this article a coherent approach to the diffe~tial diagnosis of eosinophilia in the child is provided.
Sibling behavior with a newborn: parents' expectations and observations.

Objective: To investigate parents' expectations and perceptions of their firstborn child's behavior before and after the birth of a second child. Design: Couples expecting their second child completed questionnaires before and after the second child's birth. Setting: Two large private hospitals offering primary care in urban settings. Participants: Seventy married couples who were expecting their second child and had one child age 6 or younger at home. Main Outcome Measures: The Older Child Expectations, Older Child Observations, and Sibling Behavior inventories. Statistical Analysis: Independent t-tests were used to measure mean changes over time. Results: For the items related to the newborn on the Older Child Expectations and Observations inventories, 16 of 23 items differed significantly over time for one or both parents. Parents expected their firstborn child's behavior to be more negative than they actually observed it to be. For the items dealing with developmental appropriate behaviors, only 7 of 45 items differed significantly over time. Conclusions: Parents expected more negative behaviors in their firstborn child than they actually observed after the birth of their second child. Parents observed similar levels of developmentally appropriate behaviors in their firstborn child both before and after the birth of the second child.
Seasonal cycles of zooplankton from San Francisco bay

The two estuarine systems composing San Francisco Bay have distinct zooplankton communities and seasonal population dynamics. In the South Bay, a shallow lagoon-type estuary, the copepods Acartia spp. and Oithona davisae dominate. As in estuaries along the northeast coast of the U.S., there is a seasonal succession involving the replacement of a cold-season Acartia species (A. clausi s.l.) by a warm-season species (A. californiensis), presumably resulting from the differential production and hatching of dormant eggs. Oithona davisae is most abundant during the fall. Copepods of northern San Francisco Bay, a partially-mixed estuary of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers, organize into discrete populations according to salinity distribution: Sinocalanus doerrii (a recently introduced species) at the riverine boundary, Eurytemora affinis in the oligohaline mixing zone, Acartia spp. in polyhaline waters (18–30‰), and neritic species (e.g., Paracalanus parvus) at the seaward boundary. Sinocalanus doerrii and E. affinis are present year-round. Acartia clausi s.l. is present almost year-round in the northern reach, and A. californiensis occurs only briefly there in summer-fall. The difference in succession of Acartia species between the two regions of San Francisco Bay may reflect differences in the seasonal temperature cycle (the South Bay warms earlier), and the perennial transport of A. clausi s.l. into the northern reach from the seaward boundary by nontidal advection.