cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Of mice, men, and King Tut: autosomal recessive Klippel-Feil syndrome is caused by mutations in MEOX1.

Mutations in MEOX1, encoding mesenchyme homeobox 1, cause Klippel-Feil anomaly. Jawahir et al. (2013) The American Journal of Human Genetics 92: 157–161
Effect of Catecholamines on the Individual Free Fatty Acids of Plasma.

SummaryThe effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine on the individual free fatty acids of plasma was investigated in anesthetized dogs. The increased arterial FFA after administration of catecholamines was due to a rise in concentration of most major fatty acids. The percentage contribution of oleic and linoleic acids to total arterial FFA was also increased. A direct relationship was found, both in normal and in diabetic dogs, between the resting arterial FFA level and percentage of oleic acid in FFA. An attempt was made to relate these findings to the selective release of FFA from adipose tissue that occurs in the normal animal.
Shape and Morse theory of attractors

We study the shape (in the sense of Borsuk) of attractors of continuous semi-dynamical systems on general metric spaces. We show, in particular, that the natural inclusion of the global attractor into the state space is a shape equivalence. This and other results of the paper are used to develop an elementary Morse theory of an attractor. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Maintenance and regulation of 17 alpha-hydroxylase expression by bovine thecal cells in primary culture.

We have developed and characterized a primary cell culture system to study the regulation of 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (P45017 alpha) gene expression in bovine thecal cells. Conditions have been established for the dispersal and growth of thecal cells isolated from bovine follicles, which maintain the expression of P45017 alpha for up to 8 days. Bovine theca interna cells were grown to subconfluence and transferred into medium containing forskolin, a stimulator of adenylate cyclase. Levels of P45017 alpha transcripts reached a maximum value after 48 h of stimulation with forskolin. Added progesterone was converted to 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone at a rate of 214 pmol/mg protein.h in cells treated with forskolin for 72 h, whereas in control cells, the rate was 9.2 pmol/mg protein.h after 72 h. This was reflected in a 10-fold increase in endogenous androstenedione production by forskolin-stimulated cells. Studies employing various growth factors suggest that transforming growth factor-beta, but n...
Comparison of Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Appendectomy in Children: Data from The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2006–2008

The benefits of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) remain undefined as compared to open appendectomy (OA) in children, particularly in cases of perforated appendicitis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of LA versus OA in perforated and nonperforated appendicitis in children. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, we evaluated the clinical data of children (<18 years old) who underwent LA and OA from 2006 to 2008. Incidental and elective appendectomies were excluded. A total of 212,958 children underwent urgent appendectomy in the United States during these years. The overall rate of perforated appendicitis was 27.7, and 56.9% of all cases were performed laparoscopically. In nonperforated cases, LA was associated with comparable overall complication rate (LA: 2.56 vs. OA: 2.66%; p = 0.26), shorter length of hospital stay (LOS, LA: 1.6 vs. OA: 2.0 days; p < 0.01), comparable mortality (LA: 0.01 vs. OA: 0.02%; p = 0.25); and higher hospital charges (LA: $20,328 vs. OA: $16,830; p < 0.01) compared to OA. In perforated cases, LA had a lower overall complication rate (LA: 16.03 vs. OA: 18.07%; p < 0.01), shorter LOS (LA: 5.1 vs. OA: 5.8 days; p < 0.01), lower mortality (LA: 0.0% versus OA: 0.06%; p < 0.01), and similar hospital charges (LA: $33,361 versus OA: $33, 662; p = 0.71) compared to OA. LA is safe in children with acute perforated and nonperforated appendicitis, and is associated with shorter hospital stay than OA. The laparoscopic approach is associated with lower morbidity and mortality in perforated cases. However, in nonperforated cases, these benefits are modest and are associated with higher hospital charges.
Species Distribution and Characterization Studies of Sex-Limited Esterases Within the virgifera Group of Diabrotica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Isozyme studies revealed the existence of an autosomal, male-limited esterase locus ( Est-m ) in species of the virgifera group of Diabrotica found in the United States. The locus is characterized by the presence of active and null alleles, and particular taxa are monomorphic or polymorphic for the presumptive Est-m variants. Investigations of the properties of an Est-m form present in the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, produced data to indicate that the enzyme is a carboxylesterase and a glycoprotein with a relative molecular weight of 78,000 ± 8,680 SD. Additional work has shown that Est-m activity is localized in the accessory glands of virgin, adult males 12–14 d old. Moreover, the enzyme is passed to females during mating. The molecular properties of Est-m , its sex-limited expression in the accessory glands of males, and its subsequent occurrence in mated females suggest strongly that it functions in some way in reproduction.
Association between energy intake and viewing television, distractibility, and memory for advertisements

Background: The effect of television viewing (TVV) with and without advertisements (ads) on energy intake is unclear. Objective: The objectives were to test 1) the effect of TVV, with and without ads, on energy intake compared with a control and reading condition and 2) the association of distractibility and memory for ads with energy intake and body weight. Design: Forty-eight (26 female) adults (age: 19–54 y) with a body mass index (in kg/m2) of 20–35 completed this laboratory-based study. All participants completed 4 buffet-style meals in random order in the following conditions: 1) control, 2) while reading, 3) while watching TV with food and nonfood ads (TV-ads), and 4) while watching TV with no ads (TV-no ads). Energy intake was quantified by weighing foods. Distractibility and memory for ads in the TV-ads condition were quantified with a norm-referenced test and recognition task, respectively. Results: Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that energy and macronutrient intake did not differ significantly among the 4 conditions (P > 0.65). Controlling for sex, memory for ads was associated with body weight (r = 0.36, P < 0.05) and energy intake but only when viewing TV (r = 0.39, P < 0.05 during the TV-no ads condition, and r = 0.29, P = 0.06 during the TV-ads condition). Controlling for sex, distractibility was associated with body weight (r = 0.36, P < 0.05) but not energy intake. Distractibility, however, accounted for 13% of the variance in men's energy intake (P = 0.11). Conclusions: TVV did not affect energy intake, but individual characteristics (memory for ads) were associated with body weight and energy intake in certain conditions. These characteristics should be considered in food intake and intervention studies.
Actinomycosis of the mandible.

Abstract 1. Actinomycosis of the mandible can be easily misdiagnosed in its acute or early stage. 2. Improperly sterilized dental instruments may be the source of cross-contamination in actinomycosis. 3. Actinomycosis is not restricted to rural folk or to those who have a history of chewing grass or straw. 4. The diagnostician should avail himself of the full use of all the culture and sensitivity tests in order to confirm an early diagnosis and thereby improve the prognosis of the case. 5. Actinomycosis should always be considered in a differential diagnosis of all infections of the cervicofacial area. 6. Adequate therapy for cervicofacial actinomycosis involves prompt and adequate incision and drainage and penicillin in sufficient doses.
Temperature dependence of OH diffusion in air and He

[1] Although accurate knowledge of OH diffusion under atmospheric conditions is important, only one experimental study has been carried out at room temperature. Here, we report laboratory measurements of the OH diffusion coefficient in He and in a mixture of He and air over the range 218–318 K, using a temperature-controlled flow tube coupled to a low-pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer. The results, which show a strong, almost square dependence of the diffusion coefficient on temperature in He and air, are consistent with predictions obtained from our theoretical calculations for diffusion of its polar diffusive analogue, H2O, using the 6–12 Lennard-Jones potential model with the collision parameters of water. This supports our hypothesis that the diffusion of OH can be accurately represented in the atmosphere by water, its polar diffusive analogue.
ELECTRICAL SUBCARRIER-MULTIPLE-ACCESS FOR LIGHTWAVE NETWORKS

Multiplexing of information on microwave carriers, whose frequencies are within the direct modulation and detection bandwidths of semiconductor lasers and photoreceivers, can be used to provide multiple concurrent channels for lightwave networks in multiaccess applications. This is in effect an electrical multiplexing scheme applied to optical systems which is referred to as “Subcarrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access” (SFDMA). This paper provides an introduction to this subject, which includes discussions on factors that determine the performance of such a network as well as network architecture issues.
Attenuated muscle metaboreflex-induced pressor response during postexercise muscle ischemia in renovascular hypertension

During dynamic exercise, muscle metaboreflex activation (MMA; induced via partial hindlimb ischemia) markedly increases mean arterial pressure (MAP), and MAP is sustained when the ischemia is maintained following the cessation of exercise (postexercise muscle ischemia, PEMI). We previously reported that the sustained pressor response during PEMI in normal individuals is driven by a sustained increase in cardiac output (CO) with no peripheral vasoconstriction. However, we have recently shown that the rise in CO with MMA is significantly blunted in hypertension (HTN). The mechanisms sustaining the pressor response during PEMI in HTN are unknown. In six chronically instrumented canines, hemodynamic responses were observed during rest, mild exercise (3.2 km/h), MMA, and PEMI in the same animals before and after the induction of HTN [Goldblatt two kidney, one clip (2K1C)]. In controls, MAP, CO and HR increased with MMA (+52 ± 6 mmHg, +2.1 ± 0.3 l/min, and +37 ± 7 beats per minute). After induction of HTN, MAP at rest increased from 97 ± 3 to 130 ± 4 mmHg, and the metaboreflex responses were markedly attenuated (+32 ± 5 mmHg, +0.6 ± 0.2 l/min, and +11 ± 3 bpm). During PEMI in HTN, HR and CO were not sustained, and MAP fell to normal recovery levels. We conclude that the attenuated metaboreflex-induced HR, CO, and MAP responses are not sustained during PEMI in HTN.
Fantasy Proneness: Developmental Antecedents

ABSTRACT Wilson and Barber (1981) identified a “personality type” characterized by an extensive and deep involvement in fantasy that they termed “fantasy prone personalities” This study investigated the developmental antecedents of fantasy proneness as part of a larger research project designed to examine the construct validity of the fantasy prone personality Fantasy prone (n= 21, upper 4% of college population), medium range (n= 20) and nonfantasy prone persons (n= 18, lower 4% of college population) were selected with the Inventory of Childhood Memories and Imaginings (Wilson and Barber, 1981) Subjects completed quantitative pencil and paper measures of early life experiences and participated in individual semi structured interviews Strong support for the construct validity of fantasy proneness and confirmation of previous findings regarding the developmental antecedents of extensive adult fantasy involvement were secured While six fantasy prones reported being severely physically abused during childhood, abuse was not reported in other groups Fantasy prones also reported greater frequency and severity of physical punishment, greater use of fantasy to block the pain of punishment, more thoughts of revenge toward the person who punished them, greater loneliness, and a preference for punishing their own children less severely than did the comparison groups, suggesting compensatory and adaptive functions of fantasy involvements
Prolonged lung-allograft preservation using inbred beagles.

Abstract Eighteen pairs of inbred tissue-matched beagles were used to test six methods of lung preservation. The most satisfactory method was that in which lungs were ventilated with alveolar gas at room temperature for up to 11 1 2 hours with prevention of collapse of the graft below the level of functional residual capacity. This type of preservation allowed the eventual removal of the contralateral normal lung with prolonged survival of the recipient. Rejection was eliminated as a cause of graft failure in all but one recipient, but technical factors involving the venous outflow of the grafts, including acute atrial thrombosis and chronic donor atrial cuff stenosis, were the prevailing causes of failure. The applicability of the tissue-matched dog as a useful preparation for evaluating lung preservation techniques is discussed.
Group Learning and Technology.

Technology in group learning is discussed; examples of Internet-based instruction illustrate how distributed computing can situate and engage groups of learners.
Ab Initio Calculation of Aqueous Aluminum and Aluminum−Carboxylate Complex Energetics and 27Al NMR Chemical Shifts

Al3+ hydrolysis in aqueous solution was modeled with ab initio calculations. Structural changes surrounding the cation as protons are removed from the initial Al3+(H2O)6 molecular cluster were predicted. A correlation of the model energy changes and experimental equilibrium constants for these reactions was also found. Calculations of the 27Al NMR chemical shift between the species Al3+(H2O)6 and [Al(OH)4]- were performed to test the feasibility of predicting 27Al NMR chemical shifts in aqueous solution with gas-phase molecular orbital calculations on small clusters. Energetics of Al3+−carboxylic acid complex formation in solution were also calculated using the self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model (SCIPCM) to account for long-range solvation effects. Comparisons of calculated 27Al NMR chemical shifts in model Al3+−carboxylate complexes to experimentally assigned values were made to test this methodology and previous peak assignments in 27Al NMR spectra of Al3+−carboxylic acid solutions. Re...
Isolation of microsatellite loci in spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum)

To assess the level and spatial pattern of genetic diversity in the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, we characterized hypervariable molecular markers by screening genomic libraries enriched for microsatellite motifs. We designed primers that reliably amplify twelve polymorphic loci and checked for variability in individuals from populations in the vicinity of Ithaca, New York. Loci show high variability in the number of alleles and heterozygosities, suggesting they will be useful for determining local population differentiation and mating systems in this pond-breeding amphibian.
Every simple 3-polytope with 34 vertices is Hamiltonian

Abstract The smallest known example of a simple 3-polytype with no Hamiltonian circuit has 38 vertices. By extending the methods of Okamura we prove that if a simple 3-polytype has 38 most 34 vertices then it is Hamiltonian.
Immune monitoring of pediatric heart transplant recipients through serial donor specific antibody testing — An initial experience and review of the literature

Abstract Heart transplantation is the best therapy for patient with end stage heart failure from cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease that is not amenable to further surgical palliation. However, the development of rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and graft failure limit long term survival. Standard tools to assess for these complications include Echo, ECG, endomyocardial biopsy, and coronary angiography. However, the measurement of anti-HLA antibodies before and after transplantation is emerging in the clinical management of pediatric heart transplant recipients. It has been demonstrated that the presence of anti-HLA antibodies prior to transplantation and the development of de novo donor specific antibodies are both associated with poor outcomes. Detection of donor specific antibodies may be useful to monitor highly sensitized patients post transplant and to diagnose and guide clinical decision making in the treatment of antibody mediated rejection. Immunologic monitoring for the presence of these antibodies can be integral to ongoing surveillance. This paper will review the role of the immune system in heart transplantation, discuss concepts of pretransplant allosensitization and post transplant donor specific antibodies, and, finally will review clinical scenarios in which immunologic monitoring through donor specific antibody testing can be helpful.
Third Prader‐Willi syndrome phenotype due to maternal uniparental disomy 15 with mosaic trisomy 15

We report on a boy with mosaicism for trisomy 15 and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) due to maternal isodisomy for chromosome 15. His phenotype is consistent with PWS and trisomy 15 mosaicism. Although our patient is unusual in having maternal isodisomy rather than the more common maternal heterodisomy, we think that his more severe PWS phenotype is due to his trisomy 15 mosaicism rather than to homozygosity for deleterious chromosome 15 genes. We propose that individuals with PWS have one of three similar but distinctive phenotypes depending on the cause of their condition. Patients with paternal deletions have the typical PWS phenotype, patients with maternal UPD have a slightly milder phenotype with better cognitive function, and those with maternal UPD and mosaic trisomy 15 have the most severe phenotype with a high incidence of congenital heart disease. These phenotype-genotype differences are useful to guide the work-up of patients with suspected PWS and to provide prognostic counseling for families.
Wrap-and-pack: a new paradigm for beta structural motif recognition with application to recognizing beta trefoils

A method is presented that uses β-strand interactions at both the sequence and the atomic level, to predict the beta-structural motifs in protein sequences. A program called Wrap-and-Pack implements this method, and is shown to recognize β-trefoils, an important class of globular β-structures, in the Protein Data Bank with 92% specificity and 92.3% sensitivity in cross-validation. It is demonstrated that Wrap-and-Pack learns each of the ten known SCOP β-trefoil families, when trained primarily on β-structures that are not β-trefoils, together with 3D structures of known β-trefoils from outside the family. Wrap-and-Pack also predicts many proteins of unknown structure to be β-trefoils. The computational method used here may generalize to other β-structures for which strand topology and profiles of residue accessibility are well conserved.
Monoclonal antibodies in infectious diseases: clinical pipeline in 2011.

Of the more than 20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated to combat infectious diseases (ID) that are in clinical development in 2011, most are in phase 1 or 2 and are directed against either viruses or bacterial toxins. Several high-profile anti-ID mAbs have recently failed in clinical trials. Despite the advancement in recombinant engineering technologies, anti-ID mAbs have yet to deliver on their promise as "magic bullets," especially against nosocomial infections. A paradigm shift in favor of developing mAb combinations, which act synergistically with each other or with small molecule drugs, may be required to move the field forward.
The effects of unbalanced networks on synchronous and asynchronous machine transient stability

Abstract Untransposed lines and feeders, together with single-phase loads, impose permanent unbalanced conditions on the rest of the power system. Unbalanced phase voltages at the terminals of a machine can be represented as balanced sets of positive-, negative- and zero-sequence voltages. The negative-sequence voltage gives rise to negative-sequence current which creates excessive heating, particularly in the rotor circuits. Much attention has been paid to the heating aspect, and protection provided against this, by limiting the levels of negative-sequence current; however, power system stability studies, in particular for multimachine systems, have until now ignored the imbalance and its effects upon the dynamic response of the rotor speed of each machine. This paper reconsiders the transient stability of a single synchronous generator connected to an infinite bus and evaluates the significance of the error incurred by representing the unbalanced line and shunt load by an equivalent balanced system. The paper also reconsiders the transient stability of a multimachine system containing a synchronous generator and an induction motor when subjected to different types and degrees of imbalance and finds that significant errors are incurred under certain conditions.
Effects of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Duty Hour Limits on Sleep, Work Hours, and Safety

OBJECTIVE: To mitigate the risks of fatigue-related medical errors, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education introduced work hour limits for resident physicians in 2003. Our goal was to determine whether work hours, sleep, and safety changed after implementation of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education standards. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in which residents from 3 large pediatric training programs provided daily reports of work hours and sleep. In addition, they completed reports of near-miss and actual motor vehicle crashes, occupational exposures, self-reported medical errors, and ratings of educational experience. They were screened for depression and burnout. Concurrently, at 2 of the centers, data on medication errors were collected prospectively by using an established active surveillance method. RESULTS: A total of 220 residents provided 6007 daily reports of their work hours and sleep, and 16 158 medication orders were reviewed. Although scheduling changes were made in each program to accommodate the standards, 24- to 30-hour shifts remained common, and the frequency of residents' call remained largely unchanged. There was no change in residents' measured total work hours or sleep hours. There was no change in the overall rate of medication errors, and there was a borderline increase in the rate of resident physician ordering errors, from 1.06 to 1.38 errors per 100 patient-days. Rates of motor vehicle crashes, occupational exposures, depression, and self-reported medical errors and overall ratings of work and educational experiences did not change. The mean length of extended-duration (on-call) shifts decreased 2.7% to 28.5 hours, and rates of resident burnout decreased significantly (from 75.4% to 57.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Total hours of work and sleep did not change after implementation of the duty hour standards. Although fewer residents were burned out, rates of medication errors, resident depression, and resident injuries and educational ratings did not improve. Language: en
DNA detection on lateral flow test strips: enhanced signal sensitivity using LNA-conjugated gold nanoparticles

A lateral flow test strip assay, enabling sensitive detection of DNA specific to the foodborne pathogen E. coli O157:H7, is described. The use of LNA-conjugated gold nanoparticle probes, along with signal amplification protocols, results in minimum detectable concentrations of ∼0.4 nM.
Translocation and incorporation of 14C into the petiole from different regions within developing cottonwood leaves

The ability of a developing cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) leaf to export 14C-labeled assimilates begins at the lamina tip and progresses basipetally with increasing LPI. This progression indicates that portions of leaves function quasi-independently in their ability to export 14C-photosynthate. Although most of the exported radioactivity was recovered in the petiole as water-80% alcohol-soluble compounds, there was also substantial incorporation into the chloroform and insoluble fractions. This observation indicates that assimilates translocated from the lamina are used in structural development of the petiole. Freeze substitution and epoxy embedding were used to prepare microautoradiographs for localization of water-soluble compounds. Radioactivity was found in all cell types within specific subsidiary bundles of the petiole. However, radioactive assimilates appeared to move from the translocation pathway in the phloem toward active sinks in the walls of the expanding metaxylem cells. Translocation in the mature xylem vessels was not observed.
Fatigue in Textile Fibers Part X: Fatiguing by Cyclic Tension: Influence of Temperature on Lifetime and Growth

Samples of polyester and nylon 66 fibers have been fatigued by cyclic longitudinal tension, each sample at two strokes, at various temperatures from 21° to 90°C. In the polyester, it was found that...
Resonance Raman spectroscopic evidence for the formation of covalent complexes between N-acylamino acid dithioesters and mercury papain

Ethyl dithioesters of N-acylglycine and N-acylalanine are shown to bind tightly to the active site of papain in which the side chain of cysteine-25 is in the mercurated form. Although both classes of dithioester bind to the active site mercury via their thiono (C=S) sulfur atoms, the resulting adducts are quite different. Absorption and resonance Raman data, supported by comparison with model compounds and by 15N and 13C=S isotopic substitutions, show that the glycine and alanine dithioesters are converted to enethiolates and 4-methyloxazolin-5-thiones, respectively. The difference in product formation is explained by a mechanism in which stereospecific proton removal is brought about by the -COO− side chain of Asp-158, which is situated in the vicinity of the active site. For glycine dithioesters the Asp-158 catalyses the removal of a Cα proton whereas for alanine dithioesters the alanine's NH proton is removed.
Clyde Wahrhaftig and Allan Cox (1959) Rock glaciers in the Alaska Range. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America 70(4): 383–436

Rock glaciers are one of the most prominent geomorphic features in high-elevation areas and affect numerous hydrologic, ecologic, and geomorphic processes. However, little scientific attention was ...
Isolation, structure elucidation, and synthesis of eudistomides A and B, lipopeptides from a Fijian ascidian Eudistoma sp.

Eudistomides A (1) and B (2), two new cyclic peptides, were isolated from a Fijian ascidian Eudistoma sp. These five-residue cystine-linked cyclic peptides are flanked by a C-terminal methyl ester and a 12-oxo- or 12-hydroxy-tetradecanoyl moiety. The complete structures of the eudistomides were determined using a combination of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Chiral HPLC analysis revealed that all five amino acid residues in 1 and 2 had the l-configuration. Total synthesis of eudistomides A (1) and B (2) confirmed the proposed structures. Enantioselective lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of a mixture of C-35 acetoxy epimers indicated a 35R absolute configuration for 2.
Humans to Robots: How Technomorphic Features Shape our Perceptions of Each Other

It is becoming commonplace for humans to use technology to enhance and augment their understanding of the world. In this study, we investigated whether attention to these forms of technology can be predicted by scores on the Technomorphic Tendencies Scale (TTS) (Lum et al., 2011). Participants completed the TTS and were eye tracked while viewing pictures of models wearing various types of technological devices (e.g., an eye tracker; a Bluetooth headset). Higher TTS scorers tended to have more fixations and for a shorter duration of time when compared with the lower TTS Scorers. The Technomorphic Tendencies Scale is predictive of attention directed to technology when making first impressions.
From Propaganda to Product: The Arthurian Legend in Modern Tarot Decks

In Britain and the United States, the legend of King Arthur has long served as a tool of political propaganda; however, in contemporary tarot decks focusing on Arthuriana, the initially Christian Arthurian legend is reappropriated for a predominantly pagan consumer base. This essay explores the employment of the legend in tarot cards marketed to a New Age and Neopagan audience steeped in the Celto-Arthuriana tradition. A survey of online reviews and discussions by pagan users suggests that using a pagan version of the Arthurian legend to appeal to a broad Neopagan consumer base has met with some success.
Technical Communique: On the binomial confidence interval and probabilistic robust control

The Clopper-Pearson confidence interval has ever been documented as an exact approach in some statistics literature. More recently, such approach of interval estimation has been introduced to probabilistic control theory and has been referred as non-conservative in control community. In this note, we clarify the fact that the so-called exact approach is actually conservative. In particular, we derive analytic results demonstrating the extent of conservatism in the context of probabilistic robustness analysis. This investigation encourages seeking better methods of confidence interval construction for robust control purpose.
Intrinsic localized modes in photonic crystal circuits.

A discussion of intrinsic localized modes (ILMs) in photonic crystals is given. Emphasis is placed on ILMs in photonic crystal waveguides formed from Kerr nonlinear materials and photonic crystal circuits formed by joining nonlinear photonic crystal waveguides into networks. Work on stationary and propagating ILMs in nonlinear waveguides and waveguide junctions is reviewed. In addition, some discussion is given on the optical bistability of the barrier and junction geometries and on recent results on two-dimensional ILMs in Kerr nonlinear photonic crystals.
Numerical Modeling of Hailstorms and Hailstone Growth. Part II: The Role of Low-Density Riming Growth in Hag Production

Abstract The past several years have seen a renewed interest in the importance of low-density riming growth to the development of hailstones. This paper reports on the results of a study that incorporates the physical factors controlling the density of the rime deposit in a two-dimensional, time-dependent numerical cloud model with discretized treatment of the graupel/hail size distribution. Comparisons are made between cases in which the mass-diameter relationship is fixed based on a priori assumed particle densities and cases in which the mass-diameter relationship is allowed to change in accordance with the variable particle density diagnosed from the riming density relationship and past growth history. Compared to the fixed particle density treatment common to earlier work, ice particles of lower density have enhanced surface and cross-sectional area for particles of equal mass, which in turn, increases the effective ventilation experienced by the particles and their capture volumes, thus allowing enh...
Prognostic Implications of Stress Echocardiography and Impact on Patient Outcomes: An Effective Gatekeeper for Coronary Angiography and Revascularization

Background Stress echocardiography is an established technique for diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognosis in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. The ability of stress echocardiography to predict clinical outcomes, such as coronary angiography and revascularization, has not been reported previously. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of coronary angiography, revascularization, and cardiac events in patients undergoing stress echocardiography. Methods A total of 3121 patients (mean age, 60 ± 13 years; 48% men) undergoing stress echocardiography (41% treadmill, 59% dobutamine) were assessed. Follow-up (mean, 2.8 ± 1.1 years) for subsequent coronary angiography, revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] or coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]), and confirmed hard events (nonfatal myocardial infarction or cardiac death) was obtained. Results Stress echocardiographic results were normal (peak wall motion score index [pWMSI], 1.0) in 66% and abnormal (pWMSI > 1.0) in 34% of patients. The pWMSI effectively risk-stratified patients into low-risk (pWMSI, 1.0; 0.8% per year), intermediate-risk (pWMSI, 1.1-1.7; 2.6% per year), and high-risk (pWMSI >1.7; 5.5% per year) groups for future cardiac events ( P P 1.7. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified pWMSI as a predictor of coronary angiography (relative risk, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-2.5), revascularization (relative risk, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.68-2.17), and cardiac events (relative risk, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 2.09-2.88) (all P values 1.7) had a significantly higher cardiac event rate in those who did not undergo coronary revascularization (9.6% per year vs 2.9% per year, P Conclusions Stress echocardiography is an effective gatekeeper for coronary angiography and revascularization. Stress echocardiographic results influence clinical decision making in higher risk patients with significantly increased referral to coronary angiography and revascularization. Patients with markedly abnormal stress echocardiographic results (pWMSI > 1.7) were most likely to benefit from coronary revascularization.
Liquid-Solid Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamic Modeling for Binary Organic Carbonates

Temperature−composition values of liquid−solid equilibrium were measured calorimetrically and tabulated for 10 binary solutions of these 5 organic carbonates: ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, and diethyl carbonate. Further, heat capacity (Cp) and temperature (Tm) and enthalpy (ΔfusH) of fusion were measured for the five carbonates, with the Cp values fitted with polynomial functions. Based on these Tm and ΔfusH values and polynomial functions of Cp, the binary phase diagrams were fitted with thermodynamic nonideal solution models for an evaluation of the model parameters. The results of the evaluation were tabulated and discussed as an indication of the nature and strength of the molecular interactions between different carbonates. These interactions were shown to determine many of the important features of the binary phase diagrams.
Electrodeposition of Ni Catalyst on Tungsten Substrates and Its Effect on the Formation of Carbon Nano- and Micro-coils

Abstract : Carbon micro-coils and nano-coils were produced in high yield from nickel catalyst particles electrochemically deposited onto tungsten substrates. Various electrochemical deposition techniques were used to produce the nickel catalyst particles. These particles catalyzed the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of acetylene at 800 deg. C, resulting in growth of carbon micro- and nano-coils. Linear-sweep (cyclic) voltammetry produced catalyst particles which resulted in single-filament coils intermixed with thin nanotubes over most of the substrate surface. Passing the same amount of charge by constant current electrolysis produced nickel particles that decomposed carbon but did not grow coils. Catalyst particles deposited by constant current electrolysis grew nanocoils similar to linear-sweep voltammetry but in small, localized, high-yield patches. The coils produced were either spring-like micro-coils of low pitch and large diameter or rope-like nano-coils of higher pitch and smaller diameter. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed typical graphite fringes in the filaments, but did not reveal an internal tubular structure. Catalyst particles were often detected at the ends of the coils.
The Next Priority for Health Care: Federalize Medicaid

President Barack Obama's health-care reforms require the states to enroll more of the poor in Medicaid. They have rebelled. But the current friction, exacerbated by the recession, has focused attention on the need for sweeping reforms of the U.S. government. Greg Anrig believes the best way to make Medicaid work efficiently is to federalize it. His well-formulated case is very persuasive.
Combining macro and micro features for writer identification

In our previous work of writer identification, a database of handwriting samples (written in English) of over one thousand individuals was created, and two types of computer-generated features of sample handwriting were extracted: macro and micro features. Using these features, writer identification experiments were performed: given that a document is written by one of n writers, the task is to determine the writer. With n = 2, we correctly determined the writer with a 99% accuracy using only 10-character micro features in the writing; with n = 1000, the accuracy is dropped to 80%. To obtain higher performance, we propose a combination of macro and micro level features. First, macro level features are used in a filtering model: the computer program is presented with multiple handwriting samples from a large number (1000) of writers, and the question posed is: Which of the samples are consistent with a test sample? As a result of using the filtering model, a reduced set of documents (100) is obtained and presented to the final identification model which uses the micro level features. We improved our writer identification system from 80% to 87.5% by the proposed filtering-combination technique when n = 1000.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Association of naturally occurring compounds, the chlorogenic acid-caffeine complex

Abstract By means of a solvent partition method and a spectrophotometric procedure, the solution behavior of a molecular complex between chlorogenic acid (I) and caffeine (II) has been studied. Data were obtained on the ratio of the components of the complex, the relative complexing ability of various test compounds and the effect of pH on complexing ability. Potassium chlorogenate and caffeine were found to form a 1:1 complex in aqueous solution in which the benzene ring, the conjugated double bond, and the phenolic groups contribute to complex stability. Weak complexes were formed with 1,3-dimethyluracil, but not with the imidazole portion of caffeine. Since methylated phenols complex as readily as the unmethylated compounds it is suggested that H-bonding of the hydroxyl groups with caffeine does not contribute to complex stability. Arguments against the interpretation that complexing is due to charge transfer interactions are also presented. Preliminary work on the scope of this interaction showed that caffeine complexes also with isoeugenol, coumarin, indoleacetic acid, and an anthocyanidin. Complexes with riboflavin which are comparable to those obtained with caffeine also have been observed.
The Popularity of Friendship and the Neglect of Social Networks: Toward a New Balance.

The study of peer relations has traditionally focused on children's dyadic experiences. The authors argue that an analysis of experiences at the network or group level provides an equally compelling perspective of children's relations within the peer system.
Laminar combustion of polymethylmethacrylate in O2/N2 mixtures

The results of experiments on the combustion of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, Plexiglas) slabs in laminar flows of O 2 /N 2 mixtures are reported. The Reynolds Number, based on streamwise distance from the leading edge of the slab, ranged from 1.5×10 3 to 6×10 4 , the pressure from atmospheric to 1/15 atm, and the mole fraction of oxygen from 0.2 to unity. Measurements were made of surface regression rates, of flame standoff distances, of temperatures of the regressing surface, and of conditions for flame extinction. Regression rates agree reasonably well with theoretical results obtained from the flame-surface approximation for the boundary layer on a semi-infinite flat plate. Standoff distances agree with the same type of model, if account is taken of the axial pressure gradient in the test section under hot-flow conditions, and of the reduction in flame temperature produced by dissociation and by radiative heat loss from the flame. The observed relationship between regression rate and surface temperature differs from that obtained earlier in hot-plate linear-pyrolysis experiments, and agrees with theoretical results that employ measured bulk degradation kinetics to calculate surface pyrolysis rates. Since these earlier calculations, based on the assumption of end initiation and unzipping, were believed to be accurate only for a degree of polymerization (DP) less than 2×10 3 , and since the DP of our PMMA samples was 1 to 6×10 4 , it appears that the earlier model may remain a useful approximation for a higher DP than expected. Observed extinction conditions are discussed in the light of some recent developments in extinction theory. Under the assumption that the gas-phase combustion process which occurs in the vicinity of extinction has an over-all order of 2, an extinction criterion is defined in terms of a critical value for the ratio of the square of the test-section pressure to the free-stream oxidizer mass flux. This critical value is influenced by the mole fraction of oxygen primarily through its dependence on flame temperature. The experimental results are consistent with an activation energy of roughly 20 kcal/mole, and a preexponential factor of the order of 10 14 cm 3 /mole sec for the over-all combustion of gaseous PMMA degradation products with O 2 in a diffusion flame near the extinction limir.
Molecular dynamics of a model dimerizing fluid

A model dimer forming fluid has been investigated by continuous molecular dynamics simulations. This study emphasizes the volume fraction and temperature dependence of the dynamic properties of the system, including the self and collective diffusion coefficients and the forward and reverse rate constants. The self and collective diffusion coefficients are found to be well described by a monomer fraction controlled interpolation formula. The forward rate constant (dimer formation) is found to be weakly temperature dependent and strongly volume fraction dependent. The opposite holds for the reverse rate constant. The dimer and monomer decay rates are not found to affect the intermediate scattering functions at the conditions studied.
Psychological climate, empowerment, leadership style, and customer-oriented selling: An analysis of the sales manager-salesperson dyad

This study examined antecedents and performancerelated consequences of customer-oriented selling. The antecedents include sales managers’ leadership styles, psychological empowerment, and the psychological climates of organizations. Data were gathered on two separate performance outcome measures. Responses from 106 sales managers and 313 sales representatives were analyzed. The results indicate that transformational leadership, empowerment, and specific components of the psychological climate are important predictors of customer-oriented selling.
Assessment of regional myocardial perfusion with thallium imaging during transient left anterior descending coronary arterial occlusion during angioplasty

Abstract To define the jeopardized territory perfused through a single coronary arterial stenosis, thallium-201, 2 mCi, was injected into the pulmonary artery at the onset of the last of a series of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloon inflations in 10 patients with single-vessel left anterior descending coronary artery disease. Imaging was begun immediately after PTCA. Arterial thallium activity peaked 30 seconds after injection and decreased to 34 ± 6% (mean ± standard error of the mean) of peak activity at the time of balloon deflation. Regional thallium activity during exercise vs PTCA was scored qualitatively and quantitatively. A computer quantification program was used that permitted automatic realignment and normalization of the 2 initial thallium images. Only mean quantitative posterior activity was lower (93 ± 1% vs 86 ± 2%, p
A generalized Gaussian autoregressive model for chest X-ray images

A generalized Gaussian autoregressive (GGAr) model is proposed, and its properties and limitations are discussed. Some mathematical difficulties were encountered with the model, caused by the fact that the probability density distribution of the prediction error can not be expressed in closed form. Nevertheless, the GGAr model better describes the stochastic characteristics of medical X-ray images and is expected to be useful in image data compression and other applications. >
Fish Swimming and Bird/Insect Flight

This expository review is devoted to fish swimming and bird/insect flight. (a) The simple waving motion of an elongated flexible ribbon plate of constant width propagating a wave distally down the plate to swim forward in a fluid, initially at rest, is first considered to provide a fundamental concept on energy conservation. It is generalized to include variations in body width and thickness, with appended dorsal, ventral and caudal fins shedding vortices to closely simulate fish swimming, for which a nonlinear theory is presented for large-amplitude propulsion. (b) For bird flight, the pioneering studies on oscillatory rigid wings are discussed with delineating a fully nonlinear unsteady theory for a two-dimensional flexible wing with arbitrary variations in shape and trajectory to provide a comparative study with experiments. (c) For insect flight, recent advances are reviewed by items on aerodynamic theory and modeling, computational methods, and experiments, for forward and hovering flights with producing leading-edge vortex to yield unsteady high lift. (d) Prospects are explored on extracting prevailing intrinsic flow energy by fish and bird to enhance thrust for propulsion. (e) The mechanical and biological principles are drawn together for unified studies on the energetics in deriving metabolic power for animal locomotion, leading to the surprising discovery that the hydrodynamic viscous drag on swimming fish is largely associated with laminar boundary layers, thus drawing valid and sound evidences for a resounding resolution to the long-standing fish-swim paradox proclaimed by Gray (1936, 1968).
Teaching data mining by coalescing theory and applications

We report on our experience for the first time departmental offering of the data mining course in Spring 2005. The course was cross-listed such that both the upper level undergraduates and graduate students could attend. However, the majority of the registered students were undergraduates. Data mining, being a confluence of multiple fields, offers an interesting addition to the computer science curriculum. The main objective of the course was to provide grounding on both the theoretical and practical aspects of data mining and machine learning. In addition, the course used concepts learned in various courses throughout the undergraduate degree. The course utilized a machine learning toolkit, Weka, by the University of Waikato, New Zealand. In this paper, we present the various components of the course, structure, innovative assignments and discussions, and the project life cycle