cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ross operation: 16-year experience

Objective We performed a review of a consecutive series of 487 patients undergoing the Ross operation to identify surgical techniques and clinical parameters that affect outcome. Methods We performed a prospective review of consecutive patients from August 1986 through June 2002 and follow-up through August 2004. Patient age was 2 days to 62 years (median, 24 years), and 197 patients were less than 18 years of age. The Ross operation was performed as a scalloped subcoronary implant in 26 patients, an inclusion cylinder in 54 patients, root replacement in 392 patients, and root–Konno procedure in 15 patients. Clinical follow-up in 96% and echocardiographic evaluation in 77% were performed within 2 years of closure. Results Actuarial survival was 82% ± 6% at 16 years, and hospital mortality was 3.9%. Freedom from autograft failure (autograft reoperation and valve-related death) was 74% ± 5%. Male sex and primary diagnosis of aortic insufficiency (no prior aortic stenosis) were significantly associated with autograft failure by means of multivariate analysis. Freedom from autograft valve replacement was 80% ± 5%. Freedom from endocarditis was 95% ± 2%. One late thromboembolic episode occurred. Freedom from allograft reoperation or reintervention was 82% ± 4%. Freedom from all valve-related events was 63% ± 6%. In children survival was 84% ± 8%, and freedom from autograft valve failure was 83% ± 6%. Conclusions The Ross operation provides excellent survival in adults and children willing to accept a risk of reoperation. Male sex and a primary diagnosis of aortic insufficiency had a negative effect on late results.
Evolution of eyes

Seeing is important for most species and it has been a key selective advantage throughout evolution. Consequently, there is a remarkable diversity among types of eyes. Animals have converged on eight optical solutions for collecting and focusing light; in contrast, all eyes share the same molecular strategy for absorbing photons. Recent studies have identified similarities in the genetic information that is used in the development of eyes, leading to the hypothesis that distinctly different eye types might have had a monophyletic origin. Across many species, there is a remarkable continuity of the developmental genes that participate in the construction of similar--but not necessarily homologous--eyes.
Arterial embolization for massive hemoptysis in patients with chronic lung consolidations

Learning Objectives 1). Review the pathophysiology of chronic lung consolidations that result in massive hemoptysis. 2). Discuss the clinical and imaging work-up of patients with massive hemoptysis emphasizing a thorough multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment plan. 3). Review of bronchial artery and non-bronchial systemic arterial anatomy. 4). Highlight embolization techniques and strategies that interventional radiology can offer patients for non-surgical management of massive hemoptysis. Background Chronic lung consolidation results in local hypoxia and vasoconstriction of pulmonary arterioles. This alteration of physiologic blood flow stimulates bronchial artery hypertrophy, vascular tortuosity, and the proliferation of regional systemic arteries most commonly intercostal, internal mammary, and inferior phrenic arteries. Over time these vascular changes may result in life threatening massive hemoptysis and compromise of the airway. Clinical Findings/Procedure Details This exhibit reviews the angiographic evaluation and techniques for embolizing bronchial and non-bronchial systemic arteries in patients with massive hemoptysis secondary to chronic lung consolidation. A variety of embolization materials maybe used and benefits and limitations of each will be discussed. Our exhibit includes quality images to: 1) Demonstrate changes in arterial supply to regions of chronic consolidation, 2) Show variant bronchial artery anatomy, and 3) Review embolization techniques for effective non-surgical treatment. Imaging modalities include radiography, CT, and digital subtraction angiography. Conclusion and/or Teaching Points Life-threatening hemoptysis in patients with chronic lung consolidation is rare, however this can be safely and effectively treated by interventional radiologists. Being aware of changes in arterial vasculature, embolization strategies, and the importance of multidisciplinary evaluation is essential for good patient outcomes.
Neurotrophic activity of brain extracts in forelimb regeneration of the urodele, Triturus†

The loss in protein synthesis which the regenerating forelimb of the newt suffers after denervation can be recovered by infusing into it an extract of newt soluble brain protein. Moreover, the synthesis of basic protein shows a greater response to the active brain principle than does that of acidic protein. The active agent of the nervous tissue is destroyed by heat and trypsin digestion. Extracts of liver and spleen, similarly prepared, do not evoke recovery of lost protein synthesis. Synaptosomal extracts of the frog brain also cause recovery of protein synthesis in the denervated regenerate, demonstrating the likelihood that the active agent is not species-specific within these amphibians, that it is a constituent of the neuronal fraction of nervous tissue, and that it is present in axonal terminals. Additional experiments showed that the nervous agent is likely a basic protein, and that the amount of protein infused is of the order of only 1.0% of the total regenerate protein. The significance of the findings is discussed in relation to the nature of the effect on protein synthesis and the nature of the active principle.
Microcracking in Silicon Carbide-Titanium Diboride Particulate Composites

Elastic constant measurements were made from room temperature to 1200°C for silicon carbide/15 vol% titanium diboride paniculate composites. Anomalously low values were obtained and this behavior was ascribed to microcracking. The discrepancy was established from a comparison of the elastic constants with the constitutive equations. Before this comparison could be performed, it was first critical to determine the accuracy of existing elastic constant data for the single phase constituents.
Impaired cardiac and peripheral hemodynamic responses to inhaled β 2-agonist in cystic fibrosis

Pulmonary system dysfunction is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. In addition to impaired cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein, dysfunctional β2-adrenergic receptors (β2AR) contribute to low airway function in CF. Recent observations suggest CF may also be associated with impaired cardiac function that is demonstrated by attenuated cardiac output (Q), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac power (CP) at both rest and during exercise. However, β2AR regulation of cardiac and peripheral vascular tissue, in-vivo, is unknown in CF. We have previously demonstrated that the administration of an inhaled β-agonist increases SV and Q while also decreasing SVR in healthy individuals. Therefore, we aimed to assess cardiac and peripheral hemodynamic responses to the selective β2AR agonist albuterol in individuals with CF. 18 CF and 30 control (CTL) subjects participated (ages 22 ± 2 versus 27 ± 2 and BSA = 1.7 ± 0.1 versus 1.8 ± 0.0 m2, both p < 0.05). We assessed the following at baseline and at 30- and 60-minutes following nebulized albuterol (2.5mg diluted in 3.0mL of normal saline) inhalation: 12-lead ECG for HR, manual sphygmomanometry for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively), acetylene rebreathe for Q and SV. We calculated MAP = DBP + 1/3(SBP–DBP); systemic vascular resistance (SVR) = (MAP/Q)•80; CP = Q•MAP; stroke work (SW) = SV•MAP; reserve (%change baseline to 30- or 60-minutes). Hemodynamics were indexed to BSA (QI, SVI, SWI, CPI, SVRI). At baseline, CF demonstrated lower SV, SVI, SW, and SWI but higher HR than CTL (p < 0.05); other measures did not differ. At 30-minutes, CF demonstrated higher HR and SVRI, but lower Q, SV, SVI, CP, CPI, SW, and SWI versus CTL (p < 0.05). At 60-minutes, CF demonstrated higher HR, SVR, and SVRI, whereas all cardiac hemodynamics were lower than CTL (p < 0.05). Reserves of CP, SW, and SVR were lower in CF versus CTL at both 30 and 60-minutes (p < 0.05). Cardiac and peripheral hemodynamic responsiveness to acute β2AR stimulation via albuterol is attenuated in individuals with CF, suggesting β2AR located in cardiac and peripheral vascular tissue may be dysfunctional in this population.
Fathers who abuse drugs and their adolescent children: longitudinal predictors of adolescent aggression.

This longitudinal study examines the relationship between earlier paternal drug abuse, environmental factors, paternal child-rearing practices, and adolescent vulnerable personality attributes and later adolescent aggressive behavior. Data were collected at two points in time, one year apart, via individual, structured interviews. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess the interrelationship of the earlier factors with respect to later adolescent aggression. Interviews took place in an inner-city community, within the schools and the participants' homes. Participants included low-income, predominantly African American and Hispanic adolescents (N = 296) whose fathers abused drugs. The fathers were recruited from drug-abuse treatment programs in several U.S. cities. The outcome measure was adolescent aggressive behavior at Time 2 (T2). The findings showed that paternal drug abuse, environmental factors, and paternal child-rearing practices were mediated by the adolescent's vulnerable personality attributes. The adolescent's vulnerable personality attributes were the most proximal constructs to later adolescent aggressive behavior. Both paternal drug abuse and environmental factors were mediated by paternal child-rearing practices. The findings suggest that earlier environmental stresses, paternal drug abuse, paternal child-rearing practices, and adolescent vulnerable personality attributes are associated with later adolescent aggression. Language: en
Measurement of seat pressure distribution

Knowledge of seating pressures is important for proper chair design. This study demonstrates the usefulness of a new methodology for measuring pressure distributions. It refines and advances an optical-reflection technique introduced several years ago. In this way precise quantitative measures of the pressure distribution can be obtained. Video image digitization, which converts analog video signals to digital ones, provided data in a form that could be easily submitted for computer analysis. Additionally, a novel method of analysis is presented that allows for the measurement and evaluation of the distribution of seated pressures, rather than peak pressures alone. A preliminary experiment with eight subjects was conducted to demonstrate the validity of the experimental apparatus and the data treatment.
Effects of Victim's Pain Cues, Victim's Race, and Level of Prior Instigation upon Physical Aggression

Sixty-four white undergraduate males participated in an experiment designed to examine the effects of victin's pain cues, victim's racial identity, and level of prior instigation upon physical aggression. On the basis of previous research, it was tentatively predicted that pain cues from a different-race victim would exert less influence upon subjects' later behavior than similar feedback from a same-race victim. Results offered support for this prediction. Specifically, pain cues from a black victim were less effective in inhibiting subsequent aggression by nonangry white subjects, and less effective in facilitating subsequent aggression by angry white subjects, than identical feedback from a white victim. An interpretation of these findings in terms of aggressors' emotional reactions to pain cues from their victim was suggested.
Analyticity, causality, energy conservation and the sign of the imaginary part of the permittivity and permeability

In this paper, we have applied the concepts of Poynting Theorem and causality to investigate the sign of the imaginary part of permittivity or permeability. For a passive, symmetric and reciprocal medium, it is shown that the conservation of energy is automatically satisfied. For a nonsymmetric and/or nonreciprocal medium, we can also show that the conservation of energy still applies provided correct constitutive relations are employed for describing characteristics of EM waves propagation. The resonance model we proposed to fit the dispersion curve in the plasmon resonance region shows that the complex permittivity and permeability are analytic in the upper half plane as required by causality. Based upon the analysis we made in this paper, it can be concluded that neither Poynting Theorem nor causality requires the imaginary parts of permittivity and permeability to be positive simultaneously.
Functional Groups Based on Leaf Physiology: Are They Spatially and Temporally Robust

The functional grouping hypothesis, which suggests that complexity in ecosystem function can be simplified by grouping species with similar responses, was tested in the Florida scrub habitat. Functional groups were identified based on how species in fire maintained Florida scrub regulate exchange of carbon and water with the atmosphere as indicated by both instantaneous gas exchange measurements and integrated measures of function (%N, delta C-13, delta N-15, C-N ratio). Using cluster analysis, five distinct physiologically-based functional groups were identified in the fire maintained scrub. These functional groups were tested to determine if they were robust spatially, temporally, and with management regime. Analysis of Similarities (ANOSIM), a non-parametric multivariate analysis, indicated that these five physiologically-based groupings were not altered by plot differences (R = -0.115, p = 0.893) or by the three different management regimes; prescribed burn, mechanically treated and burn, and fire-suppressed (R = 0.018, p = 0.349). The physiological groupings also remained robust between the two climatically different years 1999 and 2000 (R = -0.027, p = 0.725). Easy-to-measure morphological characteristics indicating functional groups would be more practical for scaling and modeling ecosystem processes than detailed gas-exchange measurements, therefore we tested a variety of morphological characteristics as functional indicators. A combination of non-parametric multivariate techniques (Hierarchical cluster analysis, non-metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling, and ANOSIM) were used to compare the ability of life form, leaf thickness, and specific leaf area classifications to identify the physiologically-based functional groups. Life form classifications (ANOSIM; R = 0.629, p 0.001) were able to depict the physiological groupings more adequately than either specific leaf area (ANOSIM; R = 0.426, p = 0.001) or leaf thickness (ANOSIM; R 0.344, p 0.001). The ability of life forms to depict the physiological groupings was improved by separating the parasitic Ximenia americana from the shrub category (ANOSIM; R = 0.794, p = 0.001). Therefore, a life form classification including parasites was determined to be a good indicator of the physiological processes of scrub species, and would be a useful method of grouping for scaling physiological processes to the ecosystem level.
Parametrization of 2-Bromo-2-Chloro-1,1,1-Trifluoroethane (Halothane) and Hexafluoroethane for Nonbonded Interactions

Ab initio and empirical methods were combined to optimize the partial atomic charges and Lennard-Jones parameters for two halogenated compounds, halothane (CF3CHClBr, a potent volatile anesthetic) and hexafluoroethane (CF3CF3, a nonanesthetic). Charge optimization was achieved using empirical calculations by systematically adjusting the charge assignments to fit minimum interaction energies and geometries between a TIP3 water molecule and the halogenated compounds to the corresponding values from the ab initio calculations, which were carried out at the HF/6-311+G(2d,p) and HF/6-31G(d) levels for halothane and hexafluoroethane, respectively. To optimize the Lennard-Jones parameters, the initial estimates were obtained from scaling the values from the ab initio minimum interaction energies and geometries between neon and the halogenated compounds calculated at the MP3/6-311++G(3d,3p) level. The Lennard-Jones parameters were further refined by fitting the empirical interaction energies to the corresponding ...
The Motion Grammar for physical human-robot games

We introduce the Motion Grammar, a powerful new representation for robot decision making, and validate its properties through the successful implementation of a physical human-robot game. The Motion Grammar is a formal tool for task decomposition and hybrid control in the presence of significant online uncertainty. In this paper, we describe the Motion Grammar, introduce some of the formal guarantees it can provide, and represent the entire game of human-robot chess through a single formal language. This language includes game-play, safe handling of human motion, uncertainty in piece positions, misplaced and collapsed pieces. We demonstrate the simple and effective language formulation through experiments on a 14-DOF manipulator interacting with 32 objects (chess pieces) and an unpredictable human adversary.
Adolescent Onset of Cortical Disinhibition in Schizophrenia: Insights From Animal Models

Schizophrenia and related mental disorders are common and devastating conditions for which we have a limited understanding of their origin and mechanisms. Although this apparent lack of progress despite vast research efforts could be due to difficulties in reproducing the disease in animals, animal work is now providing important insight onto possible pathophysiological changes in the brain. Postmortem studies of human brains have provided data indicating altered local inhibitory circuits in the cerebral cortex in schizophrenia and different developmental, pharmacological, and genetic animal models converge in revealing deficits in cortical interneuron function that can be associated with neurophysiological and behavioral alterations resembling aspects of the disease. Schizophrenia pathophysiology has a complex developmental trajectory because overt symptoms become evident during late adolescence despite earlier events contributing to the disease. The late incidence of schizophrenia can be explained by the protracted maturation of brain circuits implicated in the disease, particularly during adolescence. Excitatory and inhibitory processes in cortical circuits are tightly modulated by dopamine (DA), and many aspects of DA function in cortical regions acquire their adult profile during adolescence. This maturation fails to occur or is abnormal in several different rodent models of schizophrenia, yielding a number of functional and behavioral deficits relevant to the disease. Thus, periadolescent changes in cortical inhibitory circuits are a critical developmental stage likely implicated in the transition to schizophrenia. These observations provide the foundation for novel research-based therapeutic approaches and perhaps will even lead to ways to prevent the progression of the disease in predisposed subjects.
Applying an ecosystem services approach to supplemental environmental projects

This paper defines an ecosystem services approach to guide stakeholders through the major steps of the Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) programme of the US Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental offices. The SEP programme is focused on implementing ‘environmentally beneficial’ projects that compensate the environment and the community for adverse effects of violations of environmental regulations. A literature review reveals that the federal programme is greatly under-used by violators despite its enormous opportunities to enhance the human-environment relationship. The SEP programme shares major commonalities with ecosystem service concepts and these can be leveraged to define a structured framework, wherein ecosystem services can play a key role for formulating, evaluating, selecting, implementing and assessing SEPs. Concepts set forth in this paper represent a first step towards mainstreaming an ecosystem services approach in the SEP programme. Further research is needed to ass...
Contributions of primary and secondary biogenic VOC tototal OH reactivity during the CABINEX (Community Atmosphere-Biosphere INteractions Experiments)-09 field campaign

We present OH reactivity measurements using the comparative reactivity method with a branch enclosure technique for four different tree species (red oak, white pine, beech and red maple) in the UMBS PROPHET tower foot- print during the Community Atmosphere Biosphere INter- action EXperiment (CABINEX) field campaign in July of 2009. Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometry (PTR- MS) was sequentially used as a detector for OH reactivity and BVOC concentrations including isoprene and monoter- penes (MT) for enclosure air. Therefore, the measurement dataset contains both measured and calculated OH reactivity from well-known BVOC. The results indicate that isoprene and MT, and in one case a sesquiterpene, can account for the measured OH reactivity. Significant discrepancy between measured OH reactivity and calculated OH reactivity from isoprene and MT is found for the red maple enclosure dataset but it can be reconciled by adding reactivity from emission of a sesquiterpene, -farnesene, detected by GC-MS. This leads us to conclude that no significant unknown BVOC emission contributed to ambient OH reactivity from these trees at least during the study period. However, this conclusion should be followed up by more comprehensive side-by-side inter- comparison between measured and calculated OH reactivity and laboratory experiments with controlled temperature and light environments to verify effects of those essential param- eters towards unknown/unmeasured reactive BVOC emis- sions. This conclusion leads us to explore the contribution towards ambient OH reactivity (the dominant OH sink in this ecosystem) oxidation products such as hydroxyacetone, gly- oxal, methylglyoxal and C4 and C5-hydroxycarbonyl using
Alcohol consumption primes automatic alcohol-approach associations

Objective: There is increasing evidence that automatic mental processes play a role in problematic alcohol use. Although previous research has shown that alcohol consumption can prime alcohol-seeking behavior in animals and humans, little research has examined whether alcohol consumption activates automatic alcohol-related cognitions. The current study was designed to examine the effects of alcohol consumption on the activation of automatic alcohol motivation as measured by a reaction time task. Method: Eighty-five at-risk drinkers participated in the study, which began with a baseline measure of automatic alcohol motivation, after which participants completed a taste-test in which they could consume as much beer as they liked for 10 minutes. Following an absorption period, participants completed the measure of automatic alcohol motivation for a second time. Results: A partial correlation analysis indicated that amount of alcohol consumed predicted stronger automatic alcohol motivation when controlling fo...
Multiattribute interaction design: An integrated conceptual design process for modeling interactions and maximizing value

Integrated design synthesizes combinations of options into alternatives that take advantage of interactions to maximize multidisciplinary value. As resources become further constrained, options become more numerous, and goals become increasingly complex, it is more critical and more challenging for design teams to find these integrated solutions. Theory proposes the integration of transformation, flow, and value views as necessary to support such integrated design. This paper develops requirements for these views that encourage flexible yet systematic integrated conceptual design processes. It then illustrates how these requirements are only partially satisfied by current design management systems, provides motivating case studies, and introduces a new framework, multiattribute interaction design (MAID), to fill this void by systematically guiding design teams to explicitly consider the potential interactions of options and the resulting value of design solutions. The paper defines the terms relevant to design space exploration and interactions. It then defines the MAID method and specifies metrics and a process for its validation. Initial laboratory charettes carry out first validations, illustrating evidence for how MAID can help integrate transformation, flow, and value views and lead teams of students to discover and record more interactions in a relatively short amount of time. The paper then lists future work required to further develop and validate MAID.
Women Disrupting a Marginalized Identity: Subverting the Parolee Identity through Narrative:

This article uses in-depth interviews to examine the identity work of forty-three women newly released from prison who live in their communities under the supervision of parole. Drawing on hegemoni...
MTD-PLS: A PLS-Based Variant of the MTD Method. 2. Mapping Ligand−Receptor Interactions. Enzymatic Acetic Acid Esters Hydrolysis

The PLS variant of the MTD method (T. I. Oprea et al., SAR QSAR Environ. Res. 2001, 12, 75−92) was applied to a series of 25 acetylcholinesterase hydrolysis substrates. Statistically significant MTD-PLS models (q2 between 0.7 and 0.8) are in agreement with previous MTD models, with the advantage that local contributions are understood beyond the occupancy/nonoccupancy interpretation in MTD. A “chemically intuitive” approach further forces MTD-PLS coefficients to assume only negative (or zero) values for fragmental volume descriptors and positive (or zero) values for fragmental hydrophobicity descriptors. This further separates the various kinds of local interactions at each vertex of the MTD hypermolecule, making this method suitable for medicinal chemistry synthesis planning.
Effects of a potent synthetic melanotropin, Nle4-D-Phe7-α-MSH (Melanotan-I) on tanning: a dose-ranging study

An open-label, dose-finding study of a superpotent melanotropic peptide [Nle4-D-Phe7]α-MSH1-13, called Melanotan-I (MT-I), was performed in eight male volunteers with “tannable” skin types III-IV. This synthetic analog of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), was administered subcutaneously for 10 days at three dose levels of 0.16 mg/kg per dose, 0.26 mg/kg per dose and 0.4 mg/kg per dose. Skin pigmentation at eight anatomic sites was measured serially using light reflectance values quantitated as luminance (L-values) and blue-yellow hue (b-values). All subjects tanned during the course of the trial, but there was no evidence of improved tanning beyond that obtained at the 0.16 mg/kg dose (P = 0.04). The most responsive site of skin darkening was the forehead, followed by the cheek, chin, neck and forearm. The anterior leg and buttock did not darken. There were no toxicities of grade 2 or more by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria at the 0.16 mg/kg dose, whereas the two higher doses produced mod...
Demonstrations of color perception and the importance of contours

A series of easily und inexpensively produced demonstrations provides examples of color perception after receptor cells hue adapted to o stimulus. Visual performance under these conditions reveals phenomena that theories of color vision must explain. Students report their impressions of visual stimuli, and a discussion of trichromatic and opponent-process theories follows. These phenomena generate a second series of demonstrations showing the importance of contour information for perception.
Effect of polysaccharide charge on formation and properties of biopolymer nanoparticles created by heat treatment of β-lactoglobulin–pectin complexes

Abstract Biopolymer nanoparticles can be formed by heating globular protein/polysaccharide mixtures above the thermal denaturation temperature of the protein under pH conditions where the two biopolymers are weakly electrically attracted to each other. In this study, the influence of polysaccharide linear charge density on the formation and properties of these biopolymer nanoparticles was examined. Mixed solutions of globular proteins (β-lactoglobulin) and anionic polysaccharides (high and low methoxyl pectin) were prepared. Micro-electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, turbidity and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements were used to determine the influence of protein-to-polysaccharide mass ratio ( r ), solution pH, and heat treatment on biopolymer particle formation. Biopolymer nanoparticles ( d r = 2:1 in the absence of added salt. The biopolymer particles formed were then subjected to pH and salt adjustment to determine their stability. The pH stability was greater for β-lactoglobulin-HMP complexes than for β-lactoglobulin-LMP complexes. The addition of 200 mM sodium chloride to heated complexes greatly improved the pH stability of HMP complexes, but decreased the pH stability of LMP complexes. The biopolymer particles formed consisted primarily of β-lactoglobulin, which was probably surrounded by a pectin coating at low pH values. AFM measurements indicated that the biopolymer nanoparticles formed were spheroid in shape. These biopolymer particles may be useful as delivery systems or fat mimetics.
Testing of Streptococcus pneumoniae for resistance to penicillin

The increasing prevalence of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae requires antibiotic susceptibility tests that can be done with greater ease and reliability. We measured the MIC of penicillin for pneumococci by the tube macrodilution method with Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB), Haemophilus Test Medium (HTM), Todd-Hewitt broth with 0.5% yeast extract (THY), and MHB with 3% lysed horse blood (LHB). Eight (19%) and 6 (14%) of 42 pneumococcal isolates failed to generate turbid growth in MHB and HTM, respectively, whereas all pneumococcal isolates did so in THY and LHB. For those strains that replicated to turbidity, the mean MICs of penicillin were lower in MHB and HTM than in THY and LHB, with differences being significant (P < 0.05) for comparisons with LHB. Four isolates appeared to be penicillin susceptible in HTM but were actually moderately resistant in THY and LHB, and two isolates appeared to be moderately resistant but were resistant. A similar failure to detect resistance was seen with MHB. S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619, a moderately penicillin-resistant strain that has been proposed for quality control testing, gave variable results in MHB or THM and appeared to be susceptible to penicillin in some assays, whereas the MICs for S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 in THY or LHB fell within a twofold dilution range, with geometric means of 0.16 and 0.18 micrograms/ml, respectively. Pneumococcal isolates thus may appear falsely susceptible to penicillin when tested in MHB or HTM. LHB remains the standard medium; however, because THY is an easily prepared clear medium that can be used in automated systems and appears to yield results similar to those obtained with LHB, THY deserves consideration for routine use.
Olfactory Comfort and Attachment Within Relationships

We replicated a previous study that found that men and women often smell their sexual partners' clothing when they are apart (McBurney, Shoup, & Streeter, 2006). We found that women tend to perform this behavior across a broader range of relationships than do men. We asked 128 participants if they had ever intentionally smelled another person's clothing, slept with another person's clothing because of its smell, or given another person an article of their own clothing. The most common response was a romantic partner's clothing. However, women more often than men reported smelling the clothing of family members.
The 1997-1998 oceanic El Nino signal along the southeast and northeast Pacific boundaries—an altimetric view

Abstract Changes in the sea surface heights (SSH) and geostrophic currents along the eastern boundaries of the Pacific (North, Central and South America) are examined during the 1997–1998 El Nino using altimeter data and proxy winds. These show that ‘symmetric’ SSH signals left the equator and propagated into both Hemispheres in two episodes, with primary periods of high equatorial SSH during May–July and October–December 1997. These are the ‘distant signals’ from the mid-latitude perspective. As the signals spread poleward in each Hemisphere, their loss of symmetry demonstrates the degree to which they were altered by topographic features, local winds, and/or local currents. The first four EOFs are calculated for 2-D SSH fields in 10° wide strips along the eastern margins (60°N–60°S) and extending out along the equator from the coast to 110°W. These account for approximately 40% of the overall variability and represent the main features of the seasonal cycles and El Nino interannual variability. Snapshots of the 2-D SSH fields depict the structure of the El Nino signal at different phases of its evolution.
Control of Large Vehicular Platoons: Improving Closed Loop Stability by Mistuning

We consider decentralized control of a platoon of N identical vehicles moving in a straight line following a single lead vehicle moving at constant velocity. The control objective is for each vehicle to maintain the velocity of the leader and inter-vehicular separation using only the local information from itself and its two nearest neighbors. Each vehicle is modeled as a double integrator. To aid the analysis, we derive a continuous partial differential equation (PDE) approximation of the discrete platoon dynamics. The PDE model is used to explain the progressive loss of closed-loop stability with increasing number of vehicles, and to devise ways to combat this loss of stability. If every vehicle uses the same controller, we show that the least stable closed-loop eigenvalue approaches zero as O(1/N2) m the limit of a large number (N) of vehicles. We then show how to ameliorate this loss of stability by small amounts of "mistuning", i.e., changing the controller gains from their nominal values. We prove that with arbitrary small amounts of mistuning, the asymptotic behavior of the least stable closed loop eigenvalue can be improved to O(1/N). These conclusions are validated for the discrete platoon via numerical calculations.
High‐Temperature Bodies Derived from Mixtures of Mgo‐TiN‐NiO

Mixtures formulated from MgO-TiN-NiO were investigated in a search for a high-temperature refractory material. Components were selected on the basis of their physical and chemical properties. Sintering was performed in a protective argon atmosphere. NiO was reduced or dissociated to nickel metal during the sintering operation. Titanium nitride was introduced to promote a bond between the metallic phase, nickel metal, and the ceramic oxide, MgO. Data is presented for three compositions evaluated for transverse strength, resistance to oxidation expressed as per cent weight gain, and thermal shock in terms of transverse strength. Several compositions exhibited increased transverse strength after being exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere.
Generic Irreducible Representations of Finite-Dimensional Lie Superalgebras

A theory of highest weight modules over an arbitrary finite-dimensional Lie superalgebra is constructed. A necessary and sufficient condition for the finite-dimensionality of such modules is proved. Generic finite-dimensional irreducible representations are defined and an explicit character formula for such representations is written down. It is conjectured that this formula applies to any generic finite-dimensional irreducible module over any finite-dimensional Lie superalgebra. The conjecture is proved for several classes of Lie superalgebras, in particular for all solvable ones, for all simple ones, and for certain semi-simple ones.
Characteristics of internet background radiation

Monitoring any portion of the Internet address space reveals incessant activity. This holds even when monitoring traffic sent to unused addresses, which we term "background radiation. " Background radiation reflects fundamentally nonproductive traffic, either malicious (flooding backscatter, scans for vulnerabilities, worms) or benign (misconfigurations). While the general presence of background radiation is well known to the network operator community, its nature has yet to be broadly characterized. We develop such a characterization based on data collected from four unused networks in the Internet. Two key elements of our methodology are (i) the use of filtering to reduce load on the measurement system, and (ii) the use of active responders to elicit further activity from scanners in order to differentiate different types of background radiation. We break down the components of background radiation by protocol, application, and often specific exploit; analyze temporal patterns and correlated activity; and assess variations across different networks and over time. While we find a menagerie of activity, probes from worms and autorooters heavily dominate. We conclude with considerations of how to incorporate our characterizations into monitoring and detection activities.
Effectively Using Syntax for Recognizing False Entailment

Recognizing textual entailment is a challenging problem and a fundamental component of many applications in natural language processing. We present a novel framework for recognizing textual entailment that focuses on the use of syntactic heuristics to recognize false entailment. We give a thorough analysis of our system, which demonstrates state-of-the-art performance on a widely-used test set.
Evidence of deep convection as a source of synoptic-scale kinetic energy

In a previous paper, Kornegay and Vincent (1976) calculated the kinetic energy budget during 12 hours in the life of a tropical depression over the United States. The dissipation term, calculated as a residual in the kinetic energy budget equation, was positive in areas of convective precipitation, prompting the authors to speculate that a subgrid-scale process, namely, deep cumulus convection, could supply kinetic energy to the synoptic-scale flow. That possibility is further examined here. The earlier case study is extended from 12 to 36 hours and additional evidence is presented, including a comparison with some theoretical results. The case study involved a tropical depression, the remains of tropical storm Candy, and its interaction with a developing extratropical cyclone between 1200 GMT, June 24 and 0000 GMT, June 26, 1968. The kinetic energy budget is based upon multivariate statistical analyses of radiosonde observations. Areas of kinetic energy increase and positive dissipation (dissipation acting as an energy source) are roughly the same; they are marked by deep convection as evidenced by radar reports and precipitation amounts. The kinetic energy increase and positive dissipation are initially greatest in the 700–500 mb layer as the tropical depression and mid-latitude cyclone begin to interact. Twelve hours later, however, the largest increase in kinetic energy and greatest positive dissipation occur higher in the troposphere, from 500 to 300 mb. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1979.tb00931.x
Prophylactic pacemaker use to allow β-blocker therapy in patients with chronic heart failure with bradycardia

Background Although the benefits of β-blocker therapy for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) are independent of pretreatment heart rate, patients with chronic systolic heart failure and low resting heart rates are often excluded from β-blocker therapy. We investigated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of prophylactic pacemaker insertion to facilitate β-blocker use in these patients. Methods A Markov model simulated the natural history of a cohort of clinically stable patients with CHF (ejection fraction ≤35%, mean age 60 years) with resting heart rates of Results In the base case, the pacemaker-carvedilol strategy increased mean survival by 1.3 years at an incremental cost of $7800, for an incremental cost-effectiveness of $6100 per year of life saved. Results were most sensitive to theoretical pacing-induced harm, changes in hospitalization cost, and reductions in β-blocker benefits. Conclusion Prophylactic pacemaker insertion to facilitate β-blocker treatment in patients with CHF with low resting heart rates has the potential to produce clinical benefits in a highly cost-effective manner.
Performance characteristics of thick silicon double sided strip detectors

This work presents characterization studies of thick silicon double-sided strip detectors for a high-resolution small-animal SPECT. The dimension of these detectors is 60 mm times 60 mm times 1 mm. There are 1024 strips on each side that give the coordinates of the photon interaction, with each strip processed by a separate ASIC channel. Our measurement shows that intrinsic spatial resolution equivalent to the 59 mum strip pitch is attainable. Good flood uniformity can be achieved by proper setting of a 4-bit DAC in each ASIC channel to remove trigger threshold variations. This is particularly important for triggering at low energies. The thick silicon DSSD shows high potential for small-animal SPECT imaging.
Die Planung Künftiger Büroautomation — Vorschläge für Eine Unternehmensstrategie

Das DV-Management und das Unternehmens-Management stehen heute vor einer neuen Herausforderung bei Gestaltung und Einsatz der Informationssysteme.
Petroleum hydrocarbon toxicity studies *1, *2XV. Animal response to vapors of ?High Naphthenic Solvent?

Abstract The 4-hr LC50 for rats that inhaled “High Naphthenic Solvent” vapor was 5.3 (4.4 to 6.7) mg/liter or 960 (800 to 1200) ppm. Rats tolerated a measured concentration of over 4.6 mg/liter (830 ppm) and dogs 3.8 mg/liter (690 ppm) for 6 hr without visible discomfort. Micropathological evaluation of tissues taken from rats that had been subjected to inhalation of 5.5 mg/liter (1000 ppm) for 6 hr daily, 5 days/week for 13 weeks revealed a 75% incidence of kidney tubules dilated with pink homogeneous debris. No remarkable statistically significant deviations from the controls were found either at 2.1 or 0.61 mg/liter (380 and 110 ppm, respectively). Until otherwise shown to be safe, concentrations greater than 2.1 mg/liter (380 ppm) should be avoided in the workroom atmosphere. Caution would dictate periodic physical examinations on workers subjected to either the 2.1- or the 0.61-mg/liter concentration for 8 hr per day continuously.
Semisynthetic Catalytic Antibodies

Our ability to carry out selective chemical transformations on biologically important molecules—including proteins, nucleic acids, and sugars—has been limited until recently to the specific reactions catalyzed by existing enzymes and the relatively indiscriminate reactions carried out by chemical reagents. The rational design of catalysts for the selective modification of structurally complex molecules would greatly impact on biochemistry, molecular biology, and medicine. Moreover, the synthesis and characterization of such catalysts should provide additional insight into the molecular basis for ligand-receptor recognition and catalysis. Crucial to the design of selective catalysts is the generation of highly selective binding sites. By taking advantage of the natural immune system, monoclonal antibody technology (Kohler and Milstein, 1975; Seiler et al., 1985) has made it possible to generate homogeneous ligand binding sites with enzymelike affinities and specificities. Antibodies have been selectively generated against biopolymers, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and polysaccharides, and smaller multifunctional molecules, such as steroids and prostaglandins. Antibodies bind ligands ranging in size from about 6 to 34 A with association constants in the range of 104−1014 M−1 (Pressman and Grossberg, 1968; Goodman, 1975; Nisonoff et al., 1975). Antibody—ligand specificity is well illustrated by the following examples: antibodies generated against cis N-phenylmaleic acid monoamide bound the trans isomer with 103 lower affinity (Landsteiner and van der Scheer, 1934); antibodies against 3,17-androstenedione bound 3a, 17-dihydroxyandrostene with 103 lower affinity (Milewich et al.,1975).
Comparison of U.S. and Indian Strains of the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Parasitoid Apanteles melanoscelus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

An Indian strain of Apanteles melanoscelus Ratzeburg is morphologically similar to the North American strain which attacks the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.). However, the Indian strain's cocoon has an extended “halo” of coarse silk which is more pronounced than that of the U.S. strain. These strains interbreed successfully to produce fertile female progeny as tested in backcrosses, and halo size is correlated roughly with the relative genetic contribution of each strain to the insect being measured. The Indian strain also differs from the U.S. strain in not having a photoperiodically induced diapause. Both strains were attacked equally by hyperparasitoids both in the laboratory and field.
Second Year Egg Production in Relation to First Year Egg Production in the Domestic Fowl

Abstract Studies on the inheritance of egg production have been in relation to the first year production almost entirely, in which respect first year production has been considered to be composed of four definite cycles, the winter cycle from November to February inclusive, the spring cycle from March to May inclusive, the summer cycle from June to August inclusive, and the fall cycle including September and October. That the first year production should be divided into four such arbitrary periods seems very questionable in the light of recent studies. Brody (1921), from an analysis of the first year records of production of 4,210 Barred Plymouth Rocks at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and 1,000 White Leghorns in the Storrs egg laying contests, determined that egg production is of the same general order as the growth of organisms. The curve constructed by Brody, shown in Fig. 1, shows no tendency of indicating . . .
A novel storage covert channel on wearable devices using status bar notifications

Covert channels have been used as a means to circumvent security measures and send sensitive data undetectable to an onlooker. Many covert channels in Android systems have been documented utilizing various system resources or settings available to the entire system. Nonetheless, this paper introduces a new storage covert channel on the emerging field of wearables that sends data to other applications, or even to other nearby devices, through the use of notifications that are normally displayed on the status bar of an Android device. In this paper, we present the design of our ongoing work for this covert channel using Android-based wearable devices. Furthermore, we evaluate the performance of this covert channel using real equipment. Our evaluation demonstrates the functionality and feasibility of the proposed covert channel.