cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational Modeling Framework for the Study of Infectious Disease Spread through Commercial Air-Travel

This paper presents an integrated computational modelling framework combining pedestrian dynamics and infection spread models, to analyse the infectious disease spread during the different stages of air-travel. While, commercial air travel is central to the global mobility of goods and people, it has also been identified as a leading factor in the spread of several epidemic diseases including influenza, SARS and Ebola. The mixing of susceptible and infectious individuals in these high people density locations like airports involves pedestrian movement which needs to be taken into account in the modelling studies of disease dynamics. We develop a Molecular Dynamics based social force modeling approach for pedestrian dynamics and combine it with a stochastic infection dynamics model to evaluate the spread of viral infectious diseases in airplanes and airports. We apply the multiscale model for various key components of air travel and suggest strategies to reduce the number of contacts and the spread of infectious diseases. We simulate pedestrian movement during boarding and deplaning of some typical commercial airplane models and movement of people through security check areas. We found specific boarding strategies that reduce the number of contacts. Further, we find that smaller airplanes are more effective in reducing the number of contacts compared to larger airplanes. We propose certain queue configuration that reduces contacts between people and mitigate disease spread.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL RADIATIVE TRANSFER CALCULATIONS OF RADIATION FEEDBACK FROM MASSIVE BLACK HOLES: OUTFLOW OF MASS FROM THE DUSTY 'TORUS'

Observational and theoretical arguments suggest that the momentum carried in mass outows from AGN can reach several times L=c, corresponding to outow rates of hundreds of solar masses per year. Radiation pressure on resonant absorption lines alone may not be sucient to provide this momentum deposition, and the transfer of reprocessed IR radiation in dusty nuclear gas has been postulated to provide the extra enhancement. The ecacy of this mechanism, however, will be sensitive to multidimensional eects such as the tendency for the reprocessed radiation to preferentially escape along sightlines of lower column density. We use Monte Carlo radiative transfer calculations to determine the radiation force on dusty gas residing within approximately 30 parsecs from an accreting supermassive black hole. We calculate the net rate of momentum deposition in the surrounding gas and estimate the mass-loss rate in the resulting outow as a function of solid angle for dierent black hole luminosities, sightline-averaged column densities, clumping parameters, and opening angles of the dusty gas. We nd that these dust-driven winds carry momentum uxes of 1-5 times L=c and correspond to mass-loss rates of 10-100 M per year for a 10 8 M black hole radiating at or near its Eddington limit. These results help to explain the origin of high velocity molecular and atomic outows in local ULIRGs, and can inform numerical simulations of galaxy evolution including AGN feedback. Subject headings: black hole physics { galaxies: active { galaxies: kinematics and dynamics { galaxies: nuclei { radiative transfer { quasars: general
Update on Management of Acute Migraine

Review recent literature related to the acute management of migraine headache. For initial treatment of acute migraine, research supports established treatments, particularly antidopaminergic medications and ketorolac and avoidance of opioids, which appears consistent with evaluation of current practice trends. New data supports the safety of triptans in pregnant patients and those with cardiovascular disease. Study of propofol and ketamine has not defined a role for use in the acute setting, and regional anesthesia has emerged as a potentially useful treatment option, though study has been limited. CGRP antagonists are promising new medications undergoing current study. There is opportunity to improve acute migraine care through recognition of unmet medical needs and improved communication. Antidopaminergic antiemetics, triptans, and NSAIDs remain the mainstay of acute treatment. Other reviewed medications lack strong evidence and may be considered case-to-case.
Design and Analysis of the SSC Dipole Magnet Suspension System

The design of the suspension system for Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) dipole magnets has been driven by rigorous thermal and structural requirements. The current system, designed to meet those requirements, represents a significant departure from previous superconducting magnet suspension system designs. This paper will present a summary of the design and analysis of the vertical and lateral suspension as well as the axial anchor system employed in SSC dipole magnets.
Effect of repeated administration of combination trenbolone acetate and estradiol implants on growth, carcass traits, and beef quality of long-fed Holstein steers

Our objective was to determine the effect of repeated use of implants on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of Holstein cattle. Holstein steers (n = 128) weighing an average of 211 kg were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to 16 pens. At the start of the trial (d 0), pens were assigned to one of four treatments: 1) nonimplanted control (C); 2) implant on d 0, 112, and 224 (T3); 3) implant on d 112 and 224 (T2); and 4) implant on d 224 (T1). Component TE-S implants (120 mg of trenbolone acetate and 24 mg of estradiol per implant) were used for all treatments during the 291-d feeding period. Over the course of the study, T2 and T3 cattle had greater ADG and final weights than C and T1 cattle (P or = 0.26). Longissimus muscle areas (LMA) of T2 and T3 carcasses were larger than LMA of C (P < 0.01). No USDA Select carcasses were produced from C cattle, whereas the percentage of Select carcasses from implanted cattle ranged from 10 to 18%. Skeletal maturity advanced (P < 0.05) progressively with each additional implant. Steaks from T3 carcasses had a higher percentage of protein than controls (P < 0.05) and were less tender than all other treatments (P < 0.05). Repeated administration of combination trenbolone acetate and estradiol implants increased ADG and resulted in heavier carcasses with larger LMA. Administration of three successive implants decreased tenderness of Holstein beef, and resulted in more advanced skeletal maturity scores.
Review of klystron modulator technology for particle accelerators

Modern, continuously operating particle accelerators require large power, highly stable, radio frequency power generators to provide the sinusoidal electric field for acceleration. The most common and efficient method of generating RF power is the klystron, which is further powered by a microsecond scale, high voltage, moderate current pulse power source at moderate pulse rates. The most commonly used klystron modulator consists of a thyratron switched pulse forming line and a voltage step up transformer, which is termed a "line modulator". This paper describes the common line type modulator, the individual components, the specifications, and the cost breakdown for a typical system. The objective of this paper is to investigate the methods of designing modulators for the next generation of particle accelerators, and to evaluate circuit and component options for improving the performance to cost ratio. A large number of klystrons and thus klystron modulators will be required for any next generation particle physics accelerator and thus, the reliability and the cost of the individual components are critical parameters that will determine the feasibility of building any pulse power klystron modulator system. This paper also discusses reliability and cost issues associated with klystron modulator system and component design and implementation.
Improved Bacteriophage-Bacteriocin Applicator

Teflon spaghetti tubing was placed over the metal needles of the dispensing head of the Accu-Drop multidropper, thus preventing the delivery of multiple drops. A metal plate was drilled so that 25 cartridges could be positioned to inoculate simultaneously 25 compartments in a divided petri dish.
SARA: combining stack allocation and register allocation

Commonly-used memory units enable a processor to load and store multiple registers in one instruction. We showed in 2003 how to extend gcc with a stack-location-allocation (SLA) phase that reduces memory traffic by rearranging the stack and replacing some load/store instructions with load/store-multiple instructions. While speeding up the target code, our technique leaves room for improvement because of the phase ordering of register allocation before SLA. In this paper we present SARA which combines SLA and register allocation into a single phase. SARA creates a synergy among register assignment, spill-code generation, and SLA that makes the combined phase generate faster code than a sequence of the individual phases. We specify SARA by an integer linear program generated from the program text. We have implemented SARA in gcc, replacing gcc's own implementation of register allocation. For our benchmarks, our results show that the target code is up to 16% faster than gcc with a separate SLA phase.
Development Theory in Geography

Development geography since the end of World War II has been transformed from a subdiscipline that largely borrowed from major themes in development theory to one that helps develop major themes, this change reflecting the increasing salience of sociospatial issues in an era of globalization.
Regulation of H2a-specific proteolysis by the histone H3:H4 tetramer.

Abstract We have studied the limited cleavage of H2a in the H2a:H2b histone dimer by the H2a-specific protease under physiological conditions (neutral pH, 0.1 M NaCl) using a variety of histone-DNA reconstitutes as substrates and/or regulators of the partially purified enzyme. Under these conditions the protease cleaves H2a in "native" dimer-DNA reconstitutes but not in "native" octamer-DNA reconstitutes. Treatment of the enzyme with saturating amounts of H3:H4 tetramer-DNA prior to addition of dimer-DNA substrate results in complete inhibition of H2a-specific proteolysis. Sucrose gradient sedimentation experiments indicate that the protease binds reversibly to tetramer-DNA and that this leads to the reversible inhibition of enzymatic activity. Using three different tetramer-DNA complexes, we found native tetramer-DNA to be a more effective inhibitor than either trypsin-treated tetramer-DNA or acetylated tetramer-DNA. We conclude that under physiological conditions, the H2a-specific protease binds primarily to the highly basic amino-terminal domain of the H3:H4 tetramer, and this binding lowers the effective concentration of enzyme available to cleave H2a. Although no cleaved H2a is produced when protease is mixed with native octamer-DNA, incubation of the enzyme with acetylated octamer-DNA results in H2a-specific proteolysis. This is the first demonstration that the H2a-specific protease activity can be modulated by a physiologically relevant process (e.g. histone acetylation). We propose that the sequestered protease may be functionally regulated in vivo through reversible post-translational modifications to the NH2-terminal domains of the histone H3:H4 tetramer.
Electronic structure of superconductors without apical oxygen: Sr2CuO2F2, Sr2CuO2Cl2, and Ca2CuO2Cl2.

The electronic structures of Sr[sub 2]CuO[sub 2]F[sub 2], Sr[sub 2]CuO[sub 2]Cl[sub 2], and Ca[sub 2]CuO[sub 2]Cl[sub 2] are investigated by means of the full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital method. As in other high-[ital T][sub [ital c]] cuprates, the electronic structures of these compounds display strong two-dimensional features including a low density of states at [ital E][sub [ital F]] and a simple Fermi surface of the form of a rounded square. A major van Hove saddle-point singularity exists near the Fermi level. We predict the optimum superconductivity properties in these materials to occur when doped by 0.35--0.38 holes per unit cell.
Extremely Close-In Giant Planets from Tidal Capture

Planets that form around stars born in dense stellar environments are subject to dynamical perturbations from other stars in the system. These perturbations will strip outer planets, forming a population of free-floating planets, some of which will be tidally captured before they evaporate from the system. For systems with velocity dispersion of 1 km/s, Jupiter-mass planets can be captured into orbits with periods of 0.1-0.4 days, which are generally stable over a Gyr, assuming quadratic suppression of eddy viscosity in the convective zones of the host stars. Under this assumption, and that most stars form several massive planets at separations 5-50 AU, about 0.03% of stars in rich, mature open clusters should have extremely close-in tidally captured planets. Approximately 0.005% of field stars should also have such planets, which may be found in field searches for transiting planets. Detection of a population of tidally-captured planets would indicate that most stars formed in stellar clusters. In globular clusters, the fraction of stars with tidally-captured planets rises to 0.1% -- in conflict with the null result of the transit search in 47 Tuc. This implies that, if the quadratic prescription for viscosity suppression is correct, planetary formation was inhibited in 47 Tuc: less than one planet of Jupiter-mass or greater (bound or free-floating) formed per cluster star. Less than half of the stars formed solar-system analogs. Brown dwarfs can also be captured in tight orbits; the lack of such companions in 47 Tuc in turn implies an upper limit on the initial frequency of brown dwarfs in this cluster. However, this upper limit is extremely sensitive to the highly uncertain timescale for orbital decay, and thus it is difficult to draw robust conclusions about the low-mass end of the mass function in 47 Tuc.
Decline in breast-feeding?

To the Editor.— The study "Recent Declines in Breast-Feeding in the United States, 1984-1989" by Ryan et al1 recently was brought to our attention because it reports a negative statistical association between participation in the United States Department of Agriculture9s Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the initiation and duration of breast-feeding. WIC staff at all levels have been working actively to promote breast-feeding in the Program2-4 for many years, and they certainly would be concerned about a negative impact of the Program on breast-feeding.
Differences in the rate of oestrogen-induced apoptosis in breast cancer by oestradiol and the triphenylethylene bisphenol.

Background and Purpose Triphenylethylene (TPE)-like compounds were the first agents to be used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Although structurally related to the anti-oestrogen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, TPEs possess oestrogenic properties in fully oestrogenized breast cancer cells but do not induce apoptosis with short-term treatment in long-term oestrogen-deprived breast cancer cells. This study determined the differential effects of bisphenol, a TPE, on growth and apoptosis based on the modulation of the shape of the ligand–oestrogen receptor complex. Experimental Approach Apoptotic flow cytometric studies were used to evaluate apoptosis over time. Proliferation of the breast cancer cells was assessed using DNA quantification and cell cycle analysis. Real-time PCR was performed to quantify mRNA levels of apoptotic genes. Regulation of cell cycle and apoptotic genes was determined using PCR-based arrays. Key Results Bisphenol induced an up-regulation of cell cycle genes similar to those induced by 17β oestradiol (E2). Unlike the changes induced by E2 that occur after 24 h, the apoptosis evoked by bisphenol occurred after 4 days, with quantifiable apoptotic changes noted at 6 days. A prolonged up-regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammatory stress response genes was observed with subsequent activation of apoptosis-related genes in the second week of treatment with bisphenol. Conclusions and Implications The bisphenol: ERα complex induces delayed biological effects on the growth and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Both the shape of the complex and the duration of treatment control the initiation of apoptosis.
Spectral-editing measurements of GABA in the human brain with and without macromolecule suppression

Purpose: The conventional spectral-editing experiment used to measure GABA in the human brain also contains a contribution from macromolecules (MM), and the combined GABA plus MM signal is often referred to as “GABAþ”. More recently, methods have been developed to estimate GABA free from MM contamination. In this study, the relationship between GABA acquired with MM suppression and conventional GABAþ measurements was examined. Methods: GABA-edited MEGA-PRESS experiments with and without MM suppression were performed in the sensorimotor and occipital cortex of 12 healthy subjects at 3 Tesla. The correlation between GABAþ and MM-suppressed GABA measures was then determined. Results: Across all data, a significant correlation between GABAþ and MM-suppressed GABA was found (r ¼0.48; P ¼0.02). Regionally, the sensorimotor voxel showed a trend toward a correlation of r ¼0.53, P ¼0.07 and the occipital voxel did not show a correlation, r ¼0.058, P ¼0.9. Conclusion: GABAþ and MM-suppressed GABA are moderately correlated, but statistical power to reveal this relationship may vary regionally. The MM signal, while often assumed to be functionally irrelevant, appears to show inter-individual and inter-regional variance that impacts the correlation of GABAþ and MM-suppressed GABA. Magn Reson Med 000:000–000, 2014. V C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular Genetics of the Drosophila Melanogaster Ovo Locus, a Gene Required for Sex Determination of Germline Cells

The Drosophila melanogaster ovo gene is required for survival and differentiation of female germline cells, apparently playing a role in germline sex determination. We recovered 60 kb of genomic DNA from its genetic location at 4E1,2 on the X chromosome. A transcription unit coding for an apparently female-specific germline-dependent 5-kb poly(A)+ RNA size class is located substantially in a 7-kb region, within which three DNA-detectable lesions for mutations that inactivate the ovo function are located at two sites approximately 4 kb apart. The breakpoint of a deficiency that removes the neighboring lethal complementation group shavenbaby (svb) but leaves the ovo function intact maps approximately 5 kb to the molecular left of the leftmost ovo mutant site. A class of mutations that inactivates both the svb function and the ovo function affects genomic DNA between the two ovo sites. Sequences required for the two genetic functions are partly overlapping. In spite of this overlap, P element-mediated gene transfer of a 10-kb genomic DNA segment containing the 5-kb poly(A)+ RNA transcription unit rescues the female sterility phenotypes of ovo mutations, but not the svb lethality.
Improving adherence and persistence: a review and assessment of interventions and description of steps toward a national adherence initiative.

Objectives To identify the effectiveness of adherence interventions reported in the literature, to identify interventions being conducted and/or sponsored by large chain pharmacies and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and to seek input from a panel of pharmacists who address adherence issues on a daily basis as to the steps that should be taken to advance a national initiative to increase awareness of the importance of and opportunities associated with medication adherence and persistence. Main Outcome Measure Effectiveness of the adherence interventions reported in the literature. Methods First, a literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, CINAHL, and PsyclNFO. Keywords were medication or drug and compliance or adherence or persistence and control group . Second, pharmaceutical manufacturers and chain pharmacies were surveyed. Third, an advisory panel reacted to the research findings and formulated a series of action steps that could support or be part of a national initiative to increase adherence. Results Reported adherence-related interventions were grouped into five categories—adherence aids, refill or follow-up reminders, regimen simplification, written and oral education, and comprehensive management. Median adherence increases ranged from 6% to 25% for these categories. Interviews with 10 chain pharmacies revealed that adherence is an important issue. Most chains have some form of adherence program in place, but current initiatives are product-focused rather than patient-focused. Interviews with 15 manufacturers revealed that they currently use a variety of adherence interventions and want to partner with pharmacies to implement and assess the initiatives. The advisory panel developed a series of action items for implementing a national adherence initiative. Conclusion Comprehensive interventions can improve adherence and are mutually beneficial for patients, pharmacies, and manufacturers. Pharmacists must be able to assess patients' adherence, identify the reasons for nonadherence, and develop patient-specific interventions. Studies have shown that the most successful interventions have some follow-up component and address the underlying reason(s) for nonadherence. Pharmacies and pharmaceutical manufacturers have tried various adherence interventions, such as patient education and refill reminders. There is a growing sense that a national adherence initiative is needed to coordinate pharmacists' efforts to address this public health problem, and the American Pharmacists Association is well positioned to take a leadership role in such efforts.
A Sequence of Declining Outbursts from GX 339–4

The flux and spectrum of the black hole candidate GX 339-4 has been monitored by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory since the observatory became operational in 1991 May. Between the summer of 1991 and the fall of 1996, eight outbursts from GX 339-4 were observed. The history of these outbursts is one of declining fluence or total energy release, as well as a shortening of the time between outbursts. A rough linear correlation exists between the fluence emitted during an outburst and the time elapsed between the end of the previous outburst and the beginning of the current one. The peak flux is also roughly linearly correlated with outburst fluence. The light curves of the earlier, more intense, outbursts (except for the second one) can be modeled by a fast exponential (time constant ~10 days) followed by a slower exponential (~100 days) on the rise and a fast exponential decay (~5 days) on the fall. The later, weaker, outbursts are modeled with a single, rising time constant (~20 days) and a longer decay on the fall (~50 days). An exponential model gives a marginally better fit than a power law to the rise/decay profiles. GX 339-4 is a unique source in having more frequent outbursts than other low-mass X-ray binary black hole candidates. These observations can be used to constrain models of the behavior of the accretion disk surrounding the compact object.
Cable Television and the Public Interest

Since passage of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, the cable industry has thoroughly demonstrated its failure to serve the public interest, as measured minimally in diversity of sources. Regulating cable's monopolistic tendencies could improve rates and service, and increase the range of sources within the constraints of the commercial marketplace. However, to fulfill the promise of the First Amendment, subsidized noncommercial public spaces also need to be universal on cable services, as sites not merely of individual expression but for the practice of civic life.
Fast re-learning of a controller from sparse data

To cope with few data, the solution has to preserve any a priori learned structure in the dynamics, while adapting just to the change in the dynamics. On-line learning methods may do that but assume bounds on the magnitude of the change. We suggest instead that the key is to assume bounds on the functional description of the change. For example, the damage may keep intact most details in the functional description of the dynamics and alter only the offsets in a certain parameter region. The change in offsets could be large, but could be described with a simple function. In this article, as a specific solution to our challenge, we propose to augment a given model of the forward dynamics with a simple feed-forward neural network. Specifically, we use a multi-layer perceptron with one hidden layer and only a few neurons, essentially, a linear combination of a few basis functions [10]. The perceptron trains on new data and adapts to a sudden change in dynamics without changing the potentially complex structure of the a priori learned or designed forward model.
Palomar testbed interferometer status report

We discuss recent work from the Palomar Testbed Interferometer (PTI), including science results and system improvements. In the past two years PTI has been used to observe a wide range of scientifically interesting sources, including binaries, Cepheids and Miras. In addition PTI has been used to observe departures from spherical symmetry in several stars. Recent system improvements incude a new low read-noise camera based on a HAWAII infrared array, routine opteration in two baselines, and operation in the J band. Future developments include an upgrade to three-aperture combination and closure phase measurements, and double-Fourier interferometry.
ADHD and Sustance Abuse Update

Pediatricians, child psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals who treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).During the past decade, there has been an increased recognition that...
Self-Reported Distractions of Middle School Students in Listening to Music and Prose:

One hundred eighteen middle school students from three different settings listened individually to a music excerpt and a prose excerpt that were each 3.5 minutes long. As they listened, they clicked a computer touchpad whenever they were distracted either by thoughts or external events, then refocused on the holistic listening task. After listening to each selection, they rated it on enjoyment and familiarity. Students self-reported significantly more distractions during the music (1.60 per minute) than the prose excerpt (1.11 per minute), but they rated the music significantly higher on enjoyment. Fewer distractions were reported at the beginning and ending of the excerpts, and there was a significant relationship between number of distractions across the two different types of listening. It was thought that the computerized tracking of distractions functioned to maintain attentiveness in this sustained listening task.
β-Adrenoceptor modulation of transiently overexpressed α2-adrenoceptors in brain and peripheral tissues: cellular mechanisms underlying the developmental toxicity of terbutaline

Abstract Terbutaline, a selective β 2 -adrenoceptor (β 2 AR) agonist, is widely used as a tocolytic to arrest preterm labor but recent studies indicate that excessive βAR stimulation can alter the expression and function of other neurotransmitter receptors that are essential to fetal/neonatal development. In many immature tissues, α 2 -adrenergic receptors (α 2 ARs) are overexpressed and the receptors are thought to play a role in cell proliferation and architectural assembly. We evaluated whether βAR agonists perturb the expression of α 2 ARs in central and peripheral tissues during various developmental stages in the fetal and neonatal rat. In peripheral tissues (heart, liver, kidney) administration of terbutaline (10 mg/kg s.c. for 4 days) elicited decrements in α 2 AR expression only during a critical developmental window that differed for each tissue; terbutaline was more effective than isoproterenol, a mixed β 1 /β 2 agonist. Neonatal destruction of sympathetic nerves with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) had a biphasic effect, initially reducing α 2 ARs but subsequently elevating receptor expression. In contrast to the effects in the periphery, terbutaline administration promoted α 2 AR expression in neonatal brain regions with effects preferential to males. As the rat is an altricial species, these results during late gestation and the early neonatal period indicate that βAR input modulates α 2 AR expression during developmental stages in which βAR tocolytics are likely to be used. Disruption of α 2 AR expression and function may therefore contribute to adverse effects that have been noted in the offspring of pregnant women treated with terbutaline.
Cellular response to the deposition of diesel exhaust particle aerosols onto human lung cells grown at the air-liquid interface by inertial impaction.

Abstract The pathogenesis of disease resulting from exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) is often studied using cultured lung cells. Frequently, researchers expose cells to DEP by spiking a suspension of particles in liquid onto the apical surface. This is not representative of in vivo exposure, where aerosols are deposited onto cell surfaces at the air–liquid interface (ALI). Inertial impaction provides an opportunity to deliver high doses of particles with aerodynamic diameters >∼1 μm to the surface of cells in seconds in a reproducible and predictable manner. A custom device was constructed to deposit DEP aerosols onto the surface of Calu-3 and A549 cells grown at the ALI. The pro-inflammatory and toxic cellular response to exposure to the deposited DEP aerosols was measured and compared to the response of cells exposed to DEP as suspensions. Calu-3 cells showed evidence of an oxidative stress response for both exposure types, while there was strong evidence to suggest that the method of aerosol delivery was harmful to the A549 cells.
An efficient quadratic fit—Sectioning algorithm for minimization without derivatives

Abstract This paper presents a new quadratic fit golden section algorithm for finding the minimum of a one variable function without using derivatives. The algorithm starts with the establishment of an initial bracket defining a three point pattern, with the function value at the middle point being the least value of the three. A quadratic fit is applied to the three point pattern and is considered for acceptance when it is close to the quadratic minimum at the previous iteration. Some properties of the location of the quadratic minimum point are established and the criteria for acceptance are developed. Golden sectioning of the larger interval is done when quadratic minimum is not accepted. The results of the new algorithm compare well with the established hybrid procedures.
Immunosuppressive drug therapy

Interstitial lung disease frequently complicates rheumatic disorders, especially polymyositis-dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue disease. In this article, we review the current data supporting the use of azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, cyclosporine, and methotrexate in the management of chronic interstitial pneumonitis-fibrosis. The literature addressing the utility of these immunosuppressive-cytotoxic agents, however, consists almost entirely of anecdotal successes and small, uncontrolled series. Although no convincing data have proven that the use of any of these agents with or without corticosteroids is superior to therapy with corticosteroids alone, the literature may suggest a slight long-term survival advantage when either azathioprine or cyclophosphamide is added to prednisone therapy. Studies in which cyclosporine was used, however, have been less encouraging. Data regarding the use of chlorambucil and methotrexate are too sparse to permit any conclusions. Further controlled studies are required to clarify the role of these immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of interstitial lung disease.
Maximum density of random placing of membrane particles

THE apparently simple problems of (1) how many short lines (‘cars’) of the same length can be randomly placed (‘parked’) in non-overlapping fashion on a line (‘street’); (2) how many squares (Fig. 1) or disks (Fig. 2) of the same size can be randomly placed in an area without overlapping; (3) how many solid spheres (atoms) can be randomly packed in a given volume, are of interest from both physical and mathematical points of view, and occur in various situations1. Our interest in the two-dimensional problem arises from a computer simulation2,3 of particles in cell membranes. When the membrane bilayer is split into two leaflets by freeze-fracture method4 and an area of the split membrane is visualised by electron microscopy, then the embedded membrane particles (believed to be predominantly proteinaceous) are seen as circular shapes. In natural membranes the unaggregated particles seem to be random in position, and the areal density of the particles may be high. It seems that nature has provided us with a two-dimensional example of (nearly) maximum random parking. Hence we have estimated the maximum fractional area covered by circular disks on a two-dimensional membrane, using a computer simulation with periodic boundary conditions. The correspondence with particles in a biological membrane has implications for membrane biogenesis.
Challenge tests and panic disorder : Implications for clinical assessment

The growing body of research on procedures designed to induce symptoms of panic (challenge tests) has prompted practicing psychologists to consider using challenge tests for assessment of panic disorder. This article overviews the empirical literature on the neurobiological and psychological factors involved in the panicogenic effects of challenge tests and. in doing so, outlines strengths and weaknesses of using challenge tests as assessment tools in clinical settings. It is suggested that challenge tests are useful for understanding a client's phenomenological experience of panic and as a tool for planning and evaluating treatment, though they are not ideal for differential diagnosis. Practicing psychologists can draw on the included recommendations when considering adopting challenge tests in applied settings.
Hypercholesterolemia and the regulation of adrenal steroidogenesis in 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-treated rats☆

Abstract Plasma and adrenal cholesterol disposition have been examined to gain further insight into the mechanisms by which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) treatment decreases the diurnal peak in plasma corticosterone concentrations. TCDD induces an increase in plasma cholesterol concentration that is nearly complete on Day 2, at least 2 days before the most pronounced increase in adrenal cholesterol concentration (Days 4–6). This adrenal increase involves both free cholesterol and cholesterol esters, in contrast to the response to dietary hypercholesterolemia where only cholesterol esters increase. Although adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) does not increase adrenal mitochondrial cholesterol in normal rats (cholesterol turnover is faster than cholesterol uptake), this response changes between Days 6 and 9 after TCDD treatment such that ACTH then stimulates accumulation of mitochondrial cholesterol. This additional cholesterol is fully available to cytochrome P -450 SCC , as judged both by active cholesterol metabolism in isolated mitochondria and by increased cholesterol- P -450 SCC complex formation. The accompanying in vivo suppression of the peak plasma corticosterone concentration suggests a TCDD-induced inhibition of cholesterol side-chain cleavage (SCC). Consistent with this hypothesis, similar effects on adrenal mitochondrial cholesterol were produced by in vivo administration of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage inhibitor, aminoglutethimide, to ACTH-stimulated rats. Although the putative TCDD-induced inhibitory factor is apparently readily lost from mitochondria during preparation, inhibition may be retained in isolated cells. TCDD, therefore, affects adrenal cholesterol regulation by at least two mechanisms. Adrenal cholesterol content increases in part as a consequence of elevated plasma cholesterol, and cholesterol side-chain cleavage becomes partially inhibited in vivo .
Reporting an experiment: A case study in leveling, sharpening, and assimilation

Abstract A survey of a number of social psychology books reveals glaring errors in the reporting of the findings in the now classic experiment by Schachter on deviation and rejection. Authors all too frequently have assimilated and sharpened their summaries of this study to a general theme, omitting important details inconsistent with their theme, and also misrepresenting the results in important ways. The tendency to reject opinion deviates may not be as strong as is commonly supposed in social psychology texts and clearly is a far more complicated phenomenon than social psychologist typically indicate to their readers and students.
F - 2 centers in LiF

Abstract Two experiments have been carried out involving the nature of the 0.98 μm absorption in LiF. The results of this investigation lend strong support to the initial assignment of this laser-active transition to the F - 2 center.
Demographic risk factors, mediators, and moderators in youths' diabetes metabolic control.

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the most frequently identified and potent predictors of disease morbidity and mortality. It also predicts diabetes care and metabolic control, yet it is often confounded with parental marital status and ethnicity in pediatric samples.Purpose: Key demographic risk factors for poorer metabolic control in adolescents with type I diabetes are examined to distinguish their relative effects, along with disease care mediators and family environment moderators.Methods and Results: When SES, ethnicity, and marital status are considered simultaneously with path analysis, living with married biological parents is the sole predictor of better metabolic control in a predominantly middle-class sample. Specifically, adolescents who lived with their biologic parents had glycosylated hemoglobin levels that were approximately .5% lower on average than those who lived in alternative family arrangements (i.e., blended and single-parent families). More frequent meals and snacks and more blood glucose monitoring mediates this effect. Under favorable conditions of greater familial harmony, children from married biologic families experience a stronger beneficial health effect, with average glycohemoglobin levels that are approximately .81% lower in less conflicted families and .62% lower in more cohesive families.Conclusions: In toto, marital status eclipsed the well known effects of SES in the prediction of metabolic control in a primarily middle-class sample of children with diabetes. The 8.0% average glycohemoglobin level of youths from married biologic families is similar to that of intensively treated adolescents in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and, if maintained, should be associated with clinically significant reductions in disease complications.
PHARMACODYNAMICS OF VORAPAXAR, A PLATELET PAR-1 ANTAGONIST, AND ITS INTERACTION WITH P2Y12 RECEPTOR PATHWAY IN THE TRACER TRIAL

The TRACER trial compared vorapaxar, a novel oral PAR-1 antagonist, with placebo, as add-on therapy to standard of care, among 12944 NSTE ACS patients who were predominantly treated with aspirin and clopidogrel. While vorapaxar was associated with a significant increase in major bleeding in the
Concordance of combination and single agent chemosensitivity prediction in ovarian carcinoma using the subrenal capsule xenograft assay (SRCA)

Abstract The tumors from 62 patients with advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma were assayed by the subrenal capsule xenograft assay (SRCA) for sensitivity to doxorubicin (A), cis -platinum (P), and cyclophosphamide (C), individually and in combination. In some instances only one or two of the individual drugs were assayed; however, the combination, CAP, was always tested. All patients received an optimal surgical debulking (absence of any residual tumor masses 3≥ 2 cm) followed by chemotherapy with CAP. Forty-two tumors were predicted to be sensitive to CAP by the SRCA; 51 of 71 (72%) individually tested drugs agreed with this determination. Twenty-one tumors were predicted to be resistant to CAP and 32 of 36 (89%) individually tested drugs agreed with this determination. In this preliminary study, 11 patients had surgically documented partial responses to CAP chemotherapy. All of these patients had tumors which prospectively tested as sensitive to CAP in the SRCA: 13 of 18 (72%) of separately tested drugs were in concordance with this sensitivity. Fourteen patients failed CAP therapy and three of these failures were predicted prospectively by the SRCA: 9 of 9 (100%) of separately tested drugs were in concordance. Thus, there is an overall concordance of 82% (2227) between the individual components of a combination chemotherapy and the combination therapy itself. It would seem that extrapolations of sensitivity or resistance can be made from the individual components.
Fabrication and Characterization of a Liquid-Metal Micro-Droplet Array for Use as a Thermal Switch

This paper presents the development of a liquid metal micro-droplet array for use as a thermal switch. A method of producing arrays of mercury micro-droplets on a silicon substrate, which is compatible with batch manufacturing, is detailed. A technique for examining the deformation of the micro-droplets under an applied load is offered. For 30μm diameter droplets under deformation, contact diameters ranging from 0–30μm, and forces of 0–0.10mN are examined. Predicted values of thermal contact resistance as a function of applied load to the switch are given, indicating that a thermal switch whose thermal resistance changes by a factor of ten could be fabricated.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
THE EFFECT OF CATHODE MATERIALS ON REACTIVE ION ETCHING OF SILICON AND SILICON DIOXIDE IN A CF 4 PLASMA

Silicon and silicon dioxide have been Reactive Ion Etched in a CF4 plasma using a diode sputtering configuration to achieve etching. Pressures ranged from 20 to 100 millitorr and power densities to the RF cathode were between 0.1 and 1.0 W/cm2. The effect of cathode material on the quality of etched surfaces and on etch rates has been investigated. It has been observed that the etch rate of silicon decreases as the area of silicon exposed to the plasma is increased and that this silicon loading effect is strongly influenced by the material covering the balance of the cathode. For instance, the silicon loading effect is much more pronounced when silicon dioxide rather than aluminum is used to cover the balance of the cathode. This silicon loading effect was investigated further by varying RF power. It was found that loading a silicon dioxide covered cathode with silicon wafers decreases the dependence of silicon etch rate on power. The silicon dioxide etch rate and its dependence on RF power are the same whether silicon, silicon dioxide or aluminum is used to cover the balance of the cathode. Possible explanations for these experimental results will be discussed.
Distearoyl Anchor‐Painted Erythrocytes with Prolonged Ligand Retention and Circulation Properties In Vivo

Red blood cells (RBCs) attract significant interest as carriers of biomolecules, drugs, and nanoparticles. In this regard, versatile technologies to attach molecules and ligands to the RBC surface are of great importance. Reported here is a fast and efficient surface painting strategy to attach ligands to the surface of RBCs, and the factors that control the stability and circulation properties of the modified RBCs in vivo. Distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine anchor-conjugated immunoglobulin (IgG) efficiently incorporates in the RBC membrane following 15-30 min incubation. The optimized RBCs show prolonged circulation in vivo (70% of the injected dose after 48 h) and efficient retention of IgG in the membrane with terminal half-life of 73 h. The IgG construct is gradually lost from the RBCs mainly due to the transfer to plasma components, liver endothelial cells, and Kupffer cells. The ligand retention efficiency is partially dictated by ligand type, anchor type, and ligand concentration in the membrane, while RBC half-life is determined by initial concentration of the ligand in the membrane and presence of PEG linker between the ligand and the anchor. This work provides important guidance for non-covalent surface painting of RBCs as well as other types of blood borne cells for in vivo therapeutic and targeting applications.
BETWEEN CLASSICISM AND POSITIVISM: CRIME AND PENALITY IN THE WRITINGS OF GABRIEL TARDE*

This study is a foray into a neglected but nevertheless important area in the intellectual history of the sociology of crime. Its focus is the writings of Gabriel Tarde (1843–1904), an elusive figure who was tremendously influential in his own time yet whose criminology was quickly lost in the even wider acclaim then accorded his contributions to political philosophy and social psychology. Three consistent lines of enquiry in Tarde's considerable discourse on crime are explained here, as follows: (1) his virulent opposition to biological positivism; (2) his attempt to transcend the crude scientism of the Franco-Belgian moral statisticians; and (3) his debate with Durkheim about the putative normality of crime. It is suggested that Tarde's engagement in these debates contributed to a protracted, neoclassical compromise in the domain of penality whereby the legal subject of classical jurisprudence was rescued from the positivist revolution in criminology.
Divergent and stereocontrolled synthesis of the enamide side chains of oximidines I/II/III, salicylihalamides A/B, lobatamides A/D, and CJ-12,950.

A unified strategy for the divergent and stereocontrolled introduction of the (E)- and (Z)-enamide side-chains of oximidines I, II, and III, salicylihalamides A and B, lobatamides A and D, and CJ-12,950 is detailed. The synthesis relied on the copper-promoted C−N coupling of (E)- and (Z)-vinyl iodides with a protected maleimide hemiaminal followed by deprotection and reaction of the resulting (E)- or (Z)-enelactam hemiaminals with O-methylhydroxylamine or propylidenetriphenylphosphorane.
Shallow water analogy for a ballistic field effect transistor: New mechanism of plasma wave generation by dc current.

We demonstrate that electrons in a ballistic field effect transistor behave as a fluid similar to shallow water. Phenomena similar to wave and soliton propagation, hydraulic jump, and others should take place in this electron fluid. We show that a relatively slow electron flow should be unstable because of plasma wave amplification due to the reflection from the device boundaries. This provides a new mechanism for the generation of tunable far infrared electromagnetic radiation.
Physical recovery after severe closed head trauma in children and adolescents

Three hundred forty-four patients under 18 years of age with severe closed head injuries, comatose over 24 hours, were followed prospectively for a minimum of one year. Motor vehicles were involved in 82% of the injuries. Seventy-three percent of the patients regained independence in ambulation and self-care, 10% remained partially dependent in self-care and achieved only limited ambulation, 9% regained consciousness but were totally dependent, and 8% remained comatose. A favorable prognosis for recovery of motor function can be made if the duration of coma is less than three months. Complications of prolonged hypertension, ventricular enlargement, and seizures significantly decrease the probability of achieving physical independence. Although mortality following severe head injury is decreasing, neurologic sequelae in the survivors are statistically unchanged since 1970. Improved neurosurgical management in recent years has not increased the percentage of severely disabled survivors.