cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in Hospital Income, Use, and Quality Associated With Private Equity Acquisition.

Importance Rigorous evidence describing the relationship between private equity acquisition and changes in hospital spending and quality is currently lacking. Objective To examine changes in hospital income, use, and quality measures that may be associated with private equity acquisition. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study identified 204 hospitals acquired by private equity firms from 2005 to 2017 and 532 matched hospitals not acquired by private equity. Using a difference-in-differences design, this study evaluated changes in net income, charges, charge to cost ratios, case mix index (a measure of reported illness burden), share of discharges for patients with Medicare or Medicaid coverage, discharges per year, and aggregate hospital quality measures associated with private equity acquisition through 3 years after acquisition, adjusted for case mix, hospital beds, calendar year, and adjustment for multiple hypothesis testing. In subgroup analyses, changes in outcomes for private equity–owned Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) hospitals and non-HCA hospitals relative to matched controls were assessed. Primary Outcomes and Measures Eight hospital income and use measures and 3 aggregate hospital quality measures were examined. Results Relative to 532 control hospitals, the 204 private equity–acquired hospitals showed a mean increase of $2 302 391 (95% CI, $956 660-$3 648 123;P = .009) in annual net income, an increase of $407 (95% CI, $296-$518;P .99) and total hospital discharges (98; 95% CI, −54 to 250;P > .99) did not change differentially in a statistically significant manner. The aggregate quality score for acute myocardial infarction increased by 3.3% (95% CI, 1.6%-5.0%;P = .002), and the aggregate score for pneumonia increased by 2.9% (95% CI, 1.8%-3.9%;P .99) or pneumonia (0.2%; 95% CI, −1.4% to 1.7%;P > .99). Conclusions and Relevance Hospitals acquired by private equity were associated with larger increases in net income, charges, charge to cost ratios, and case mix index as well as with improvement in some quality measures after acquisition relative to nonacquired controls. Heterogeneity in some findings was observed between HCA and non-HCA hospitals.
Phyllis Ntantala Revisited: The Politics of Mothering Black Resistance Movements through Writing

Phyllis Ntantala was born in South Africa in the 1920s and moved to the USA in the 1960s. She used her writings as a weapon to confront injustices meted out to African people the world over. Her st...
Medicolegal and Ethical Issues in Telemedicine: Dizziness Case

As the demand for telemedicine increases, so does the need for policy changes to provide a stronger and more clearly outlined legal and ethical affair infrastructure. Addressing these issues allows for a more effective and efficient patient-physician interaction. This chapter will focus on the medicolegal and ethical issues in telemedicine.
IoT Marketplace: Willingness-To-Pay vs. Willingness-To-Accept

Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) is the most a person is willing to pay for a good or service. Conversely, Willingness-To-Accept (WTA) is the minimum amount a person is willing to accept for giving up a good or service. People often attribute a higher value for privacy in the WTA condition when compared to the WTP condition. In behavioral economics of privacy and security, this discrepancy between WTP and WTA has been explained by the endowment effect and the status-quo bias. In this study, we aim to emulate the effects of WTP and WTA through interface design. Specifically, we employed the principles of status-quo bias to build two versions of the IoT Marketplace. While one design of the marketplace emulated the WTA condition, the other emulated the WTP condition. In both versions of the marketplace, we communicated the aggregate privacy rating associated with the IoT device using the same indicator. We evaluated the effect the two interfaces had on product selection by conducting a study where participants were asked to purchase an IoT device using either a WTA interface or a WTP interface. Our results show that participants using the interface that emulated the WTA condition were more likely to pay a premium to purchase devices with a higher privacy rating when compared to the participants using the interface that emulated the WTP condition. We also append results showing that when asked to select items without making the purchases the same effect was more pronounced.
Vacuum Field Emission Transistor in Nanometer Era

Long-term operation in harsh environment becomes increasingly less sustainable due to several device aging mechanisms. Total ionizing dose (TID) and displacement damage (DD) degradation limit new class of missions including long term (> 20 years) deep-space exploration, nano-spacecraft, Europa mission, and so on. In order to tackle such challenges, in this talk, we propose a nanometer scale vacuum channel transistor that combines the advantages of both vacuum as transport media and wafer process as fabrication method, providing compactness as well as high performance. Our fabricated vacuum channel transistor is introduced and the radiation immunity is experimentally assessed.
Techniques of Time Series Modeling in Complex Systems.

The autoregressive moving average (ARMA) and the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) are important techniques for time point analysis. An ARMA is a stationary model and by taking a series of differences, it is necessary to apply it to stationarity. Data can be classified as serially correlated using three basic criteria: mean, variance and covariance. Detrending is a strategy of removing the trending components from the time series. Detrending data may be used to see subtrends when the data shows an overall increase. Differencing, SARIMA, Croston’s intermittent demand forecasting approach and bagging are other statistical methods developed by unstable decision rules to improve the accuracy of forecasts. Time point forecasting is abbreviated as ETS models or exponential smoothing state-space models considering error, trend and seasonality. Here we try to address time point analysis techniques and parameters in complex systems.
Carotid Artery Stenting: Applications and Technical Considerations.

Purpose of The Review To examine current understanding of diverse etiologies of extracranial carotid disease, including clinical and imaging manifestations as well as treatment approaches. Recent Findings Increasing availability of advanced cerebrovascular imaging modalities continues to elucidate atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic carotid steno-occlusive disease as a common culprit of cerebral ischemia. Individualized treatment strategies targeting each etiologic subset would optimize preventive measures and minimize recurrence of cerebral ischemia. Summary Ischemic stroke is a prominent cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. The magnified effect of carotid disease warrants constant and close inspection.
Okinawan War Memory: Transgenerational Trauma and the War Fiction of Medoruma Shun

Introduction: Transgenerational War Memory in Okinawa Part I: Simmering Awareness 1. Unarticulated Memory and Traumatic Recall in The Crying Wind and Walking the Street Named Peace Boulevard Part II: Vicarious Imagination and the 'Magical Real' 2. Unrecognized Signs and Unexplained Phenomena in Droplets 3. Subjective and Objective Fiction: Medoruma's Spirit Stuffing and Oshiro's Island of the Gods Part III: Portraying Second-Generation Conscious Engagement 4. Critical "Sentimentalism" and Conscious Engagement in Tree of Butterflies 5. Multi-Sensory Memory and Sites of Trauma in Forest at the Back of My Eye 6. Epilogue
Data Review of Transportation Infrastructure Public–Private Partnership: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract The limited understanding of public–private partnerships (P3s) for transportation infrastructure finance has been generally attributed to a lack of data. The more fundamental question of how P3 data are utilized in the literature is more relevant and critical, but remains unclear. This study investigates this question by examining the linkages between research objectives and data characteristics through a meta-analysis of infrastructure P3 studies using multinomial regressions. It analyzes 95 empirical studies that adopt actual data, selected from a P3 research database that includes over 345 studies and are classified into five categories including performance, contract, risk, value for money, and institutional factors. Results show that the case studies are less frequently utilized to understand P3s' institutional issues compared to those that focus on P3s' performance or VFM. Survey data are more frequently used to study P3 contracts rather than issues related to P3 project risk. We highlight ...
Primary structure of the multifunctional alpha subunit protein of yeast fatty acid synthase derived from FAS2 gene sequence.

The yeast fatty acid synthase consists of two multifunctional proteins, alpha and beta, arranged in an alpha 6 beta 6 complex with a molecular weight of 2.4 x 10(6). Five of the seven enzymatic activities reside in the beta subunit, while the remaining two activities, beta-ketoacyl synthase and beta-ketoacyl reductase, and the domain of the acyl carrier protein, with its prosthetic group, 4′-phosphopantetheine, are in the alpha subunit. The genes FAS1 and FAS2 coding for beta and alpha subunits, respectively, have been cloned and the sequence of FAS1 has been reported (Chirala, S. S., Kuziora, M. A., Spector, D. M., and Wakil, S. J. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 4231-4240). In this study, we present the nucleotide sequence of the FAS2 gene. The sequence has an open reading frame, coding for a protein of 1894 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 207,863. The location of the serine site of attachment of the prosthetic group of the acyl carrier protein domain and the active cysteine-SH site of beta-ketoacyl synthase have been identified at residues 180 and 1312, respectively, in the deduced amino acid sequence. A putative NADPH binding site of beta-ketoacyl reductase has been suggested at residue 1038 based on the similarities to the consensus amino acid sequences -Gly-Ser-Ala- of the pyridine nucleotide enzymes. We could not find any sequence homology in the 5′ flanking sequence of the FAS1 and FAS2 genes that would suggest common regulatory function. However, in the sequence of these two genes there is an identical eight-base pair sequence TCATTATG at the translational initiation site suggesting that the subunit stoichiometry probably results from equal translational efficiency of the mRNAs of both FAS1 and FAS2 genes. The S1 endonuclease mapping suggests that there is a transcriptional initiation site at about 40 nucleotides upstream of the first ATG codon and a transcriptional termination site about 300 nucleotides downstream of the TAG stop codon. The gene does not contain introns as no intron consensus TACTAAC have been found in the sequence.
A visually-induced eyelid droop illusion as a classroom demonstration of cross-modality.

Cross-modality, or the interaction between the different senses, has emerged as a fundamental concept in perceptual neuroscience and psychology. The traditional idea of five separate senses with independent neural substrates has been invalidated by both psychophysical findings of sensory integration and neurophysiological discoveries of multi-modal neurons in many areas of the brain. Even areas previously thought to be unimodal have been shown to be influenced by other senses, thus establishing multisensory integration as a key principle of perceptual neuroscience. There are several obstacles to students’ understanding of the concept. First, everyday subjective experience is modal: one sees, hears, smells the world and is rarely aware that these seemingly separate impressions are in reality fully integrated with each other. Second, standard content in undergraduate classes and textbooks still emphasizes the modal model of the senses and their corresponding brain areas and rarely mentions cross-modal phenomena. Third, feasible classroom demonstrations of cross-modality are few, making it difficult to provide students with first-hand experience that would aid their understanding of the principle. This article describes an accessible and effective classroom demonstration of cross-modality between low-level vision, touch and proprioception. It consists in the illusion of eyelid droop in one eye when the other eye has been dark-adapted and when both eyes are exposed to the dark. The perceptual effect is dramatic and reliable. It illustrates cross-modality at a fundamental level of perception and might provide a means to help integrate the teaching of the concept into the standard content of undergraduate classes.
Computer Simulation of Shear Flows of Granular Material

The purpose of this paper is to present results from computer simulations of Couette flows of granular materials and to examine the detailed rheological behavior inherent in these simulations. Comparison is made with the experimental results of Bagnold (1954) and Savage and Sayed (1980, 1982) as well as with the various theoretical constitutive models.
Direct and indirect effects of additions of chromophoric dissolved organic matter on zooplankton during large‐scale mesocosm experiments in an oligotrophic lake

Summary The effects of changes in chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) on zooplankton grazers in pelagic food webs can be difficult to predict due to the potential for conflicting direct and indirect effects of CDOM on water column optics and food-web dynamics. We compared the responses of two dominant zooplankton groups, Daphnia spp. and calanoid copepods, to elevated CDOM in two mesocosm experiments conducted in a transparent, oligotrophic lake. In the first experiment, low, medium and high additions of CDOM [dissolved organic carbon (DOC) = 2.7, 3.0 and 4.3 mg L−1, respectively] and non-manipulated controls (DOC = 1.6 mg L−1) were used to test the hypothesis that food-web stimulation will increase with CDOM concentration. In the second experiment, we manipulated both CDOM (control and addition) and ultraviolet radiation (UV; ambient and shielded) to determine the importance of CDOM as a UV screen, as well as to examine the role of UV in food-web stimulation by CDOM. We also conducted short-term bioassays alongside this second experiment to assess the food resources for Daphnia and calanoids in treatments with UV-exposed and non-UV-exposed CDOM. Daphnia abundance increased in the low and medium CDOM additions in the first experiment, and when food resources were simultaneously stimulated by CDOM and protected from the direct negative effects of UV in the second experiment. In contrast, calanoid copepod abundance declined or remained unchanged when CDOM was added, and this response was not mediated by food resources. Overall, our findings suggest that increased CDOM in clear lakes could alter the relative abundance of zooplankton groups through a combination of direct and indirect effects.
Distributed virtual hosts and networks: Measurement and control

Diverse network application requirements bring about local networks of various size, degree of complexity and architecture. The purpose of this paper is to present a network protocol layer which is used to provide a homogeneous operating environment and to ensure the availability of network resources. The network layer process probes the underlying local network to discover its properties and then adapts to changing network conditions. The principle contribution of this paper is to generalize properties of diverse local networks which can be measured. This is important when considering maintenance and service of various communication links. Three type of links are point-to-point links, multi-drop, loop or switched links and multi-access contention data buses. A prototype network is used to show a complexity improvement in the number of measurement probes required using a multi-access contention bus. Examples of measurement techniques and network adaption are presented.
Comment on ''Quantum photoyield of diamond (111): A stable negative-affinity emitter''

This comment suggests that the conclusions based on measurements on the (111) surface of diamond may be erroneous.
Determination of parameters related to the interior of Mercury.

Bounds on (C-A)/C for Mercury as a function of the uncertainty in the value of the obliquity are determined. The high precision of 1 min of arc which is required for reasonable bounds on (C-A)/C cannot be obtained by either earth based observations or the television imagery of the Mariner 73 flyby. Among other methods discussed, one involving both landers and orbiters could determine unambiguously not only (C-A)/C but also (B-A)/C and C/sq MR.
The influence of diet and time on feed on carcass traits and quality.

Abstract Seventy-two Simmental-sired steer calves (approximately 8 months old) were randomly assigned to one of two pre-finishing dietary treatments (low energy or high energy). Energy intake was monitored to produce average daily gains of approximately 0·41 (low energy) or 0·68 (high energy) kg during a 6-month growth interval. At 14 months of age the steers were assigned to four finishing (time on feed) groups—0, 56, 112 or 168 days. Steers assigned to the 0-day group received their respective pre-finishing diets from 14 to 20 months of age. The other groups received a finishing diet for the final 56, 112 or 168 days of the experiment. All steers were slaughtered at 20 months. Steers backgrounded on high energy diets produced heavier (P
Chapter 2 Using Self Psychology in Brief Psychotherapy

Abstract This article seeks to help clinicians make the translation from theory to practice when using self psychology to do brief psychotherapy. After a theoretical overview and review of the literature, a series of organizing questions and frameworks is provided to facilitate the clinician's capacity to apply a self psychological point of view to the understanding and conduct of brief treatment.
Temporal and light-based changes in carbon uptake and storage in the spring ephemeral Podophyllum peltatum (Berberidaceae)

Abstract The single leaf of the spring ephemeral Podophyllum peltatum (Berberidaceae), emerges in the spring, when forest over-story leaf area index (LAI) is low (∼0.8) and senesces approximately 12 weeks later when LAI is high (∼4.0). This study characterized (i) seasonal changes in gas exchange characteristics (maximum light-saturated photosynthetic rate, foliar dark respiration rate, apparent quantum efficiency, light saturation point and light compensation point) and carbohydrate storage in field populations and (ii) examined the hypothesis that observed seasonal changes in photosynthetic characteristics represent photosynthetic acclimation to maximize photosynthetic carbon gain as light availability declined. In field populations, as LAI increased, total chlorophyll concentration increased while declines occurred in all gas exchange characteristics except apparent quantum efficiency. Over the same period, soluble sugar content of the rhizome declined and starch content increased rapidly during the first 4 weeks after which it stabilized. Foliar tissue exhibited little change in carbohydrate pool over the season. Laboratory populations grown at high and low light levels differed in all gas exchange parameters except light saturation point, but illustrated similar seasonal changes in gas exchange characteristics to both each other and the field population. The similarity of temporal changes in gas exchange characteristics of field (seasonal decline in light availability) and laboratory (no seasonal decline in light availability) suggests that P. peltatum possesses limited ability to photosynthetically acclimate to declining light availability. It appears that seasonal carbon gain in P. peltatum may be primarily controlled by leaf lifespan and the fraction of lifespan occurring under high illumination conditions early in the season.
Design of Genetic Algorithms for Topology Control of Unmanned Vehicles

We present genetic algorithms (GAs) as a decentralised topology control mechanism distributed among active running software agents to achieve a uniform spread of terrestrial unmanned vehicles (UVs) over an unknown geographical area. This problem becomes more challenging under the harsh and bandwidth limited conditions of military applications. Using only local neighbour information, a GA guides each UV to select a 'fitter' speed and direction among exponentially large number of choices, converging towards a uniform node distribution. In an observed occurrence of a threat situation during a mission where UVs are to spread uniformly over an unknown terrain, if the number of UVs change with time (e.g., losing assets due to hostile forces), the remaining units should reposition themselves to compensate the loss in area coverage. Our simulation software results show that GAs can be an effective tool for providing a robust solution for topology control of UVs in military applications.
The structure and properties of vacancies in Si nano-crystals calculated by real space pseudopotential methods

Abstract The structure and properties of vacancies in a 2 nm Si nano-crystal are studied using a real space density functional theory/pseudopotential method. It is observed that a vacancy's electronic properties and energy of formation are directly related to the local symmetry of the vacancy site. The formation energy for vacancies and Frenkel pair are calculated. It is found that both defects have lower energy in smaller crystals. In a 2 nm nano-crystal the energy to form a Frenkel pair is 1.7 eV and the energy to form a vacancy is no larger than 2.3 eV. The energy barrier for vacancy diffusion is examined via a nudged elastic band algorithm.
Condemned to repeat ourselves? Historians and the perils of deflection

The maxim that ‘those who forget the past condemn themselves to repeat it,’ long a favorite of history students eager to demonstrate their understanding of the value of the discipline, might profitably be turned upon those of us who make our living as historians. This article questions a repetitive tendency among academic historians to deflect from opportunities to connect with the life that lies at the core of their work. I call for a historical practice rooted in an openness toward our historical subjects, our students, and our colleagues; I identify some theoretical precedents for such an approach; and I relate a few of my own efforts to discard the discipline's truisms and professional standards in the interest of recovering a sense of the immediacy and pathos of historical change.
Changes in gene expression in hippocampus in response to glucocorticoids and stress.

Abstract Glucocorticoid hormones, acting through two types of intracellular receptors to modulate gene activity, have diverse behavioral, neurochemical and neurodegenerative effects in hippocampus. We have previously cloned hippocampal mRNAs that respond to the endogenous glucocorticoid, corticosterone (CORT): glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.8; GPDH), an oligodendrocyte marker; CR16, whose sequence is not yet identified; and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astroglial reactivity. In these studies, we have subjected rats to 2 hr vibratory stress as a treatment that raises circulating CORT levels, and analyzed changes in GPDH, CR16 and GFAP mRNAs in rat hippocampus. Only GPDH mRNA responded to stress in intact rats; GPDH mRNA did not respond to the same treatment in rats where the adrenal source of CORT had been removed surgically. The lack of stress responsiveness of CR16 and GFAP mRNAs, despite elevated corticosterone levels, is consistent with their slower (> 2 hr but
Effect of ultraviolet radiation on the Bacillus subtilis phages SPO2, SPP1 and φ29 and their DNAs

A comparative study of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on three Bacillus subtilis phages is presented. Phages phi 29, SPP1 and SPO2c12 or their DNAs were irradiated by UVC (254 nm) and quantum yields for inactivation were calculated. For each phage, the purified DNA was found to be more sensitive than the intact virus when assayed in a uvr+ host. The data imply that this is because transfecting DNA is repaired less efficiently than DNA of the intact phage; rather than because of differences in sensitivity to lesion production. Even though phi 29 has the smallest target size of the three phages, phi 29 and its DNA are the most sensitive. Phages SPO2 and SPP1 code for gene products which complement the repair system of the host. The transfecting DNA of phage SPP1 is extremely sensitive to UV damage when assayed in a uvr-host. This is attributed to the fact that in transfection SPP1 DNA must undergo recombination for productive infection to occur. The recombination process strongly interferes with the repair of damaged DNA.
Effect of Color of Tank on the Temperature of Self-Cooled Transformers under Service Conditions

The effect of color on the temperature of oil-immersed self-cooled transformers under service conditions has been a mooted question for a great many years. Based upon the relative absorption powers of the various colors often used in painting transformer tanks the lighter colors should give appreciably lower temperatures in hot climate sections. The results of three series of field tests conducted on actual transformers are given in the paper. The results, however, do not show the advantages for the light colors that would be expected, based solely upon the absorption powers of the colors. A method of calculation is used to check the test results, taking into consideration the various factors which apply to a transformer and do not apply to, say, a piece of metal painted and exposed to the sun's rays, such as the ratio of the area of the surface exposed to the sun to the total surface dissipating heat, the difference in thermal capacities, and the condition where in one case the test piece is dissipating heat, as well as receiving heat from the sun, whereas in the other case it only receives heat from the sun. It is shown that when all the factors are taken into consideration the calculated results check very closely the observations.
Analysis of functions of talk and reports of imagined interactions (IIs) during engagement and marriage

Research has revealed that individuals vary in their philosophy about marriage in terms of the amount of sharing and communication that is expected in the relationship. This study examined individual differences as a function of gender, marital status (engaged, married) and marital orientation (traditional, independent) on beliefs about talk based on a functional approach and reports of various characteristics of imagined interactions (self-talk). A factor analysis was conducted on beliefs about the functions of talk with the relational partner and in social situations. There were 4 dimensions for talk functions: equality of power, talk about daily events, use of small talk to avoid discussion of conflict, and the enjoyment of serious discussion. Regression models were tested to predict relational satisfaction on the basis of talk functions and characteristics of internal dialogues that included the frequency of internal dialogues, discrepancy, pleasantness, specificity, variety, compensation, and rehearsal. Results revealed differences as a consequence of gender, marital status, and orientation.
Museums and the market: Exploring Santa Fe

Private and public antiquities collections present disturbing parallels. What differentiates the art market and the museum? Modes of acquisition, at least in part; and the curatorial mandate to preserve, study, and display collections, however imperfectly applied. But there remain areas of troublesome confusion, illustrated by the historical relationship of museums and collectors in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Normative data for the revised Missouri Children's Behavior Checklist — Parent form (MCBC-P)

Normative data are presented for the parent form of the revised Missouri Children's Behavior Checklist (MCBC-P) for a predominantly white sample of 9- to 14-year-old boys and girls. Boys and girls who have been referred to clinics because of behavior problems are found to have significantly deviant scores on six of the seven scales of the MCBC-P.
An Improved RBF Neural Network for Short Term Load Forecasting

Neural network is widely used in the load forecasting area,but the traditional methods of load forecasting usually base on static model,which cannot change as time goes on. And the accuracy is worse and worse. To solve the problem, a dynamic neural network model for load forecasting is proposed .By way of introduce Error discriminant function, to control the error of load forecasting and dynamically modify the predicting model. Through the contrast of the short-term load forecasting result based on static neural network model and dynamic neural network model proposed, the error of load forecasting is decrease effectively.
Unsupervised Hebbian learning by recurrent multilayer neural networks for temporal hierarchical pattern recognition

Recurrent multilayer network structures and Hebbian learning are two essential features of biological neural networks. An artificial recurrent multilayer neural network that performs supervised Hebbian learning, called probabilistic associative memory (PAM), was recently proposed. PAM is a recurrent multilayer network of processing units (PUs), each processing unit comprising a group of novel artificial neurons, which generate spike trains. PUs are detectors and recognizers of the feature subvectors appearing in their receptive fields. In supervised learning by a PU, the label of the feature subvector is provided from outside PAM. Since the feature subvector may be shared by many causes and may contain parts from many causes, the label of the feature subvector is sometimes difficult to obtain, not to mention the cost, especially if there are many hidden layers and feedbacks. This paper presents an unsupervised learning scheme, which is Hebbian in the following sense: The strength of a synapse increases if the outputs of the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons are identical and decreases otherwise. This unsupervised Hebbian learning capability makes PAM a good functional model of neuronal networks as well as a good learning machine for temporal hierarchical pattern recognition.
Influence of internal mammary artery grafting and completeness of revascularization on long-term outcome in octogenarians

Abstract Background . It has been well established that complete revascularization with internal mammary artery (IMA) grafting is important in young patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Applying these principles to octogenarians remains controversial. Methods . From 1986 to 1999, 358 consecutive patients aged 80 to 94 years underwent CABG. Revascularization was complete in 291 (81%) and incomplete in 67 (19%). The IMA was used in 231 (65%) cases. Results . Operative mortality was 7% ± 1%, but was not statistically different with or without IMA grafting (IMA 5% ± 2% versus no IMA 10% ± 3%, p = 0.11) or complete revascularization ( p > 0.41). Midterm survival improved with IMA grafting (70% ± 3% versus 56% ± 5% at 4 years, p p p p p > 0.21). Conclusions . IMA grafting improved survival, angina, and functional class of octogenarians, but complete revascularization did not have a similar impact.
Development of potent non-estrogenic estrone sulfatase inhibitors.

Abstract Estrogen levels in breast tumors of post-menopausal women are as much as 10 times higher than estrogen levels in plasma, presumably due to in situ formation of estrogen. The major source of estrogen in breast cancer cells may be conversion of estrone sulfate to estrone by the enzyme estrone sulfatase. Thus, inhibitors of estrone sulfatase have potential for the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancers. Several steroidal agents have been developed that are potent estrone sulfatase inhibitors, most notably estrone-3-O-sulfamate. These compounds may have undesired actions, especially estrogenicity. Recently, non-steroidal estrone sulfatase inhibitors have been designed that avoid the problems associated with an active steroid nucleus; however, these have not achieved the potency of estrone-3-O sulfamate. We have designed and synthesized a series of compounds, 17β-(N-alkylcarbamoyl)-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-O-sulfamates (6a–d) and 17β-(N-alkanoyl)-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-O-sulfamates (11a–d) that combine the structural features of the steroidal estrone sulfatase inhibitors with a membrane insertion region that should increase the affinity for the sulfatase enzyme and decrease the estrogenicity of the steroid. We tested the compounds for estrone sulfatase inhibition by measuring estrone sulfatase activity in intact cultures of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). We tested for estrogenicity by measuring growth of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. All of the test compounds (10 nM) substantially inhibited estrone sulfatase activity of intact MDA-MB-231 cells. Dose-response analysis indicated an IC50 of approximately 0.5 nM for two of the compounds (6a and 11a). In the test for estrogencity, estrone and estrone-3-O-sulfamate significantly stimulated MCF-7 cell growth. In contrast, neither the 17β-(N-alkylcarbamoyl)-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-O-sulfamates nor the 17β-(N)-alkanoyl)-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-O-sulfamates stimulated growth of MCF-7 cells at a concentration of 1 μM, indicating that they are not estrogenic at levels 2000 times greater than their IC50 for estrone sulfatase. Our data indicate the utility of the new compounds for inhibition of breast cancer cell estrone sulfatase activity. Further, our data support the concept that estrone sulfatase inhibitors may be useful as therapeutic agents for estrogen-dependent breast cancers.
A steady-state superradiant laser with less than one intracavity photon

The spectral purity of an oscillator is central to many applications, such as detecting gravity waves, defining the second, ground-state cooling and quantum manipulation of nanomechanical objects, and quantum computation. Recent proposals suggest that laser oscillators which use very narrow optical transitions in atoms can be orders of magnitude more spectrally pure than present lasers. Lasers of this high spectral purity are predicted to operate deep in the 'bad-cavity', or superradiant, regime, where the bare atomic linewidth is much less than the cavity linewidth. Here we demonstrate a Raman superradiant laser source in which spontaneous synchronization of more than one million rubidium-87 atomic dipoles is continuously sustained by less than 0.2 photons on average inside the optical cavity. By operating at low intracavity photon number, we demonstrate isolation of the collective atomic dipole from the environment by a factor of more than ten thousand, as characterized by cavity frequency pulling measurements. The emitted light has a frequency linewidth, measured relative to the Raman dressing laser, that is less than that of single-particle decoherence linewidths and more than ten thousand times less than the quantum linewidth limit typically applied to 'good-cavity' optical lasers, for which the cavity linewidth is much less than the atomic linewidth. These results demonstrate several key predictions for future superradiant lasers, which could be used to improve the stability of passive atomic clocks and which may lead to new searches for physics beyond the standard model.
Individual characteristics associated with World Wide Web use: an empirical study of playfulness and motivation

This study examines the influence of the individual characteristic of playfulness on the use of the World Wide Web (WWW). Previous research suggests that microcomputer playfulness has an effect on computer usage in general, and we found support for a similar relationship in WWW use. Two samples of students were surveyed in this study; one consisting of undergraduate students and the other comprised of graduate students. Our findings also suggest that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect WWW use differentially for entertainment purposes and for course work purposes. Our study confirms previous research in that we found that ability to use the computer has a positive effect on WWW usage.
Acetazolamide and cerebrospinal fluid ions in drugs with normal acid-base balance

Abstract The purpose of these experiments was to study the effects of acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, on cisternal cerebrosphinal fluid (CSF) ions during normal acid-base balance. We measured blood and CSF acid-base variables in two groups (n = 6 in each) of anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated dogs with bilateral ligation of renal pedicles. After baseline samples were obtained, acetazolamide was administered intravenously within 10 min (group II); group I received equal volume (20 ml) of half-normal saline. During the next 6 h, in both groups arterial blood acid-base variables and plasma strong ions remained relatively normal. In group I, mean values for cisternal CSF P CO 2 were 45.3 and 49.3 mm Hg at 0 and 6 h; respective values for CSF [HCO3−] were 24.1 and 22.7 mEq/L. In group II, corresponding values for P CO 2 and [HCO3−] were 46.4 and 51.9 mm Hg, adn 23.8 and 23.7 mEq/L. respectively. Comparing the two groups, related mean values were not significantly different from each other. Futhermore, acetazolamide had no significant effect of CSF Na+, K+ and Cl− concentrations. Based on the results of this study and those reported previously, we conclude that under normal acid-base balance, acetazolamide does not change ionic composition of cisternal CSF, choroidal CSF or brain extracellular fluid.
Concepts for scalable CDMA-networked M/LWIR semiconductor laser standoff chemical detection system

Mid-wave/Long-wave IR (3-14 μm) semiconductor lasers such as QC and Sb can be used for standoff chemical agent sensing in a network architecture that is different from conventional absorption lidars. Compact, potentially inexpensive semiconductor lasers may allow using them in a large number that form a cooperative network in which, the integrated sensing information is much more than the sum of its parts. This paper presents a study of system architecture based on CDMA, similarly to a CDMA optical wireless network, which allows a system of many distributed units to plug-and-play and cooperate with each other for N2 information scaling, rather than interfering with each other in non-networked architecture. This paper describes experimental studies with this system architecture, conducted with M/LWIR lasers, near-IR lasers, using wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) technique for high spectral fidelity, optical scanner for multi-spectral imaging, and simulated spatially distributed transmitters and receivers for sensor network. Specifically, the use of advanced lasers capable of broad and continuous wavelength tuning and modulation for WMS imaging is described. The experimental results suggest that M/LWIR spectral imaging with WDM multi-spectral transmitters is highly promising for chemical agent detection and visualization.
Subcellular patterns of calcium release determined by G protein-specific residues of muscarinic receptors

Calcium release from intracellular stores is a point of convergence for a variety of receptors involved in cell signaling. Consequently, the mechanism(s) by which cells differentiate between individual receptor signals is central to transmembrane communication. There are significant differences in timing and magnitude of Ca2+ release stimulated by the m2 and m3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. The m2 receptors couple to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein to activate phosphatidyl inositol hydrolysis weakly and to stimulate small, delayed and oscillatory chloride currents. In contrast, m3 receptors potently activate phosphatidyl inositol hydrolysis and stimulate large, rapid and transient chloride currents by a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein pathway. Using confocal microscopy, we now show that the m2- and m3-coupled Ca2+ release pathways can also be spatially distinguished. At submaximal acetylcholine concentrations, both receptors stimulated pulses of Ca2+ release from discrete foci in random, periodic and frequently bursting patterns of activity. But maximal stimulation of m2 receptors increased the number of focal release sites, whereas m3 receptors invariably evoked a Ca2+ wave propagating rapidly just beneath the plasma membrane surface. Analysis of pertussis toxin sensitivity and hybrid m2-m3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors confirmed that these Ca2+ release patterns represent distinct cell signalling pathways.
Two-photon Jaynes-Cummings model interacting with the squeezed vacuum.

We consider squeezed light described as an SU(1,1) coherent state interacting with a two-photon Jaynes-Cummings model of a two-level atom. We study the time variation of the mean photon number and also the variance of the field quadratures with particular regard to the squeezing.
Modified bovine serum albumin. I. Preparation and physicochemical studies of some derivatives.

Abstract The effect of nitrous acid treatment (deamination), acetylation, guanidination, and heat denaturation upon bovine serum albumin was measured by several physicochemical methods (solubility, paper electrophoresis, sedimentation, agar diffusion, viscosity, dye binding, and optical rotation). Each modification brought about significant changes in the physical properties of BSA, but the nature and extent of the effects are different in each case.
First detection of microcystin in Puget Sound, Washington, mussels (Mytilus trossulus)

AbstractPresence of the cyanobacterial hepatotoxin microcystin was detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in mussels (Mytilus trossulus) from Puget Sound, Washington. Microcystin was found in all but one mussel exposed to inflows from a lake, with maximum concentrations of 52.4 ppb. This is the first known report of marine bivalves in Puget Sound, Washington, accumulating microcystin from freshwater sources.
Heat tracing of heterogeneous hyporheic exchange adjacent to in‐stream geomorphic features

There are many field techniques used to quantify rates of hyporheic exchange, which can vary in magnitude and direction spatially over distances of only a few metres, both within and between morphological features. We used in-stream mini-piezometers and heat transport modelling of stream and streambed temperatures to quantify the rates and directions of water flux across the streambed interface upstream and downstream of three types of in-stream geomorphic features: a permanent dam, a beaver dam remnant and a stream meander. We derived hyporheic flux estimates at three different depths at six different sites for a month and then paired those flux rates with measurements of gradient to derive hydraulic conductivity (K) of the streambed sediments. Heat transport modelling provided consistent daily flux estimates that were in agreement directionally with hydraulic gradient measurements and also identified vertical heterogeneities in hydraulic conductivity that led to variable hyporheic exchange. Streambed K varied over an order of magnitude (1·9 × 10−6 to 5·7 × 10−5 m/s). Average rates of hyporheic flux ranged from static (q < ±0·02 m/day) to 0·42 m/day. Heat transport modelling results suggest three kinds of flow around the dams and the meander. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH COMPUTER MANAGEMENT OF A FULLY AUTOMATED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Abstract The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit System is a fully automated, collection and distribution, origin to destination, non-stop transportation system. The system consists of a feet of 73 electrically powered, rubber tired, passenger carrying vehicles, operating on a dedicated guideway network at 15 second headways. The system provides a safe, comfortable non-polluting, reliable means of public transportation between the Central Business District of Morgantown, West Virginia, and the three separated campuses of West Virginia University. This paper will address the unique application of computers in operating a public transit system which is considered the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
Kappa opioid receptor activation decreases inhibitory transmission and antagonizes alcohol effects in rat central amygdala

Abstract Activation of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system mediates negative emotional states and considerable evidence suggests that KOR and their natural ligand, dynorphin, are involved in ethanol dependence and reward. The central amygdala (CeA) plays a major role in alcohol dependence and reinforcement. Dynorphin peptide and gene expression are activated in the amygdala during acute and chronic administration of alcohol, but the effects of activation or blockade of KOR on inhibitory transmission and ethanol effects have not been studied. We used the slice preparation to investigate the physiological role of KOR and interaction with ethanol on GABAA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission. Superfusion of dynorphin or U69593 onto CeA neurons decreased evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in a concentration-dependent manner, an effect prevented by the KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine (norBNI). Applied alone, norBNI increased GABAergic transmission, revealing a tonic endogenous activity at KOR. Paired-pulse analysis suggested a presynaptic KOR mechanism. Superfusion of ethanol increased IPSPs and pretreatment with KOR agonists diminished the ethanol effect. Surprisingly, the ethanol-induced augmentation of IPSPs was completely obliterated by KOR blockade. Our results reveal an important role of the dynorphin/KOR system in the regulation of inhibitory transmission and mediation of ethanol effects in the CeA.
Welfare Analysis of Long-Term Forest Products Price Stabilization: Note

In a recent paper in this Journal, Adams, Haynes, and Darr (A-H-D) examine alternatives to the U.S. Forest Service's current timber policy of nondeclining even-flow harvest levels from national forests. A-H-D's alternatives are those wherein harvests from national forests are regulated to stabilize either stumpage prices or end-product prices in U.S. markets over the period 1978 to 2000. Given the assumption of rising U.S. demand for timber products over this period, A-H-D not surprisingly demonstrate the necessity for increasing levels of timber harvests from national forests for either program of price stabilization. The major thrust of the A-H-D argument is that a policy designed to stabilize prices (either stumpage or end product) would increase social welfare relative to the output stabilization policy currently used by the U.S. Forest Service; "social welfare" is the sum of producer and consumer surplus plus changes in the value of timber inventories. Comparative measures for producer-consumer surplus under output stabilization, and end-product or stumpage price stabilization, policies are generated via a simulation model wherein nondiscounted val-