cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mood change during weight restoration in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Objective: Although depression is known to co-occur with anorexia nervosa (AN), there are few clear studies of mood in the context of weight gain treatment without the use of medication. Method: Twenty-one patients admitted consecutively to an inpatient clinical research unit normalized weight to at least 90% of ideal body weight (IBW). Depression was assessed at admission and weight normalization (pre-discharge) with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Multivariate F tests showed BDI scores to be significantly improved across these two time points (BMI: F(2,20) = 166.58, p = 0.000; BDI: F(2,19) = 22.64, p = 0.000). Moreover, improvement in mood was also evident at partial weight restoration (80% IBW). Conclusion: Patients with AN undergoing nutritional rehabilitation and psychotherapy on an inpatient unit present with significant depressive symptoms as measured by the BDI, and, with weight restoration, demonstrate statistically significant improvement in mood symptoms without the use of adjunctive medication. Data at partial weight restoration suggest that these results cannot be explained by improved mood related to anticipation of discharge. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Implications of peritoneal cytology for pancreatic cancer management

Objective To assess the implications of positive cytology for malignant cells (positive results) from peritoneal washings in the management of patients with pancreatic cancer. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Referral practice in a university hospital. Patients A total of 32 consecutive pancreatic cancer patients with positive results from peritoneal washings during a 4-year period, 17 with visible biopsy-proven intra-abdominal metastases at the time of laparoscopy or laparotomy and 15 without visible metastases. A treatment-matched control group of 30 patients was randomly selected from a group of 105 patients with negative cytology for malignant cells (negative results) from peritoneal-fluid cytology. Interventions Eight of 17 patients with visible metastases underwent treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, or both; 13 of the 15 patients with no visible metastases underwent further treatment, including pancreatic resection in 2 patients and external beam radiation in 13 patients (3 with intraoperative radiation therapy). Main Outcome Measures Time to metastases and mortality. Results Median survival among patients with and without visible metastasis was 7.8 months and 8.6 months, respectively ( P =.95), despite the fact that patients without visible metastases received more treatment. Patients without visible metastases at presentation were found to have metastatic disease as documented by computed tomographic scan or subsequent laparotomy at a median time of 2.9 months. The survival of treatment-matched patients with negative cytology was significantly longer (median, 13.5 months; P= .04). Conclusions Pancreatic cancer patients with peritoneal micrometastases have a dismal outcome even without macroscopic metastases. Since these patients do not benefit from local therapy, the finding of a positive result from peritoneal-fluid cytologic testing contraindicates further irradiation or surgery, except for specific complications.
Corrosion kinetics of a directionally solidified Ni-base superalloy

A variety of experiments were carried out to characterize the corrosion kinetics of a longitudinally oriented directionally solidified Ni-base superalloy, DS GTD-111, commonly applied as a first- and second-stage blading material in electric power generation gas-powered turbines. Under operating environments, the airfoil sections of turbine blades sustain surface-initiated damage due to the superimposed centrifugal stresses, elevated temperature and presence of corrosive reactants in the environment. As a consequence, surface cracking curtails the service lives of such components. To thoroughly characterize the stress-free and stress-assisted kinetics of diffusion and cyclic oxide rupture, several types of experiments are conducted: low cycle fatigue, thermomechanical fatigue, and thermogravimetric analysis, among others. A key goal of this study is to provide data necessary for the development of diffusion kinetics models. Accordingly, the study is divided into two parts: stress-free diffusion and stress-assisted rupture. Models are developed for each of these conditions.
The Internet as an educational tool

Abstract Searching for information in books or other printed forms could well be a thing of the past, as most information is readily available in electronic format in the Internet. Using a computer console, an Internet connection and the proper software a vast sea of information may be accessed with ease. The main requirements are but a computer and an Internet link. Teaching Internet access allows educators and students to remain on the cutting edge of technology. Using the Internet as a reference resource in teaching classes has the immediate advantage of allowing quick access to vast resources, also the Internet may be used as a communication tool. In both cases, as a resource or a communications tool, the Internet is superior to the conventional educational tools. However, using the Internet has some disadvantages, such as the limited control over plagiarism and the difficulty in verifying the reliability of information resources. When comparing the advantages and drawbacks of the Internet as an educational tool it is clear that its advantages by far outweigh its drawbacks.
Effects of Chronic Hypobaric Hypoxia on Blood Oxygen Binding in Pigeons

Effects of chronic hypobaric hypoxia on blood O2 transport were studied using two groups of domestic pigeons (Columba livia). High-altitude (HA) birds were acclimated for 6 wk at 7 km simulated altitude (308 Torr, 25°C); sea-level (SL) pigeons were maintained for 5-6 wk at 758 Torr (25°C). Whole blood O2 equilibrium curves (O2ECs) were generated for HA and SL pi- geons at 37°C and 41°C using thin film techniques. At pH 7.50 and 41°C, half-saturation PO2s (P50) for HA and SL birds were 32.9 ± 1.4 (6); (mean ± S.E.M. (N)) and 35.6 ± 0.6 (6) Torr, respectively. At pH 7.56 and 37°C, the corresponding P50s were 26.5 ± 1.8 (4) and 29.0 ± 0.6 (5) Torr, respectively. HA and SL pigeons exhibited similar Hb-O2 temperature coefficients (ΔH = -9.8 to -10.6 kcal/mole O2) and CO2 (Bohr slopes (Δlog P50/ΔpH = -.43 to -.44 at 37°C; -.41 at 41°C). Hill's n increased with increasing saturation for both animal groups at 37°C and 41°C. Hypoxic acclimation elicited a significant increase in O2 capacity; %Hct and (Hb) increased by 38% and 43%, respectively. Chronic hypoxia had no effect on isohemoglobin composition; both groups exhibited two isoHb fractions in a 9:1 molar ratio. At PaO2 = 30 Torr, calculated in vivo CaO2 for HA (39.2°C, pH 7.53) and SL (41°C, pH 7.50) birds were 14.2 vol % and 7.6 vol %, respectively. Results suggest that altitude tolerance of pigeons is enhanced by the increased blood O2 capacity and the effect of hypoxia- induced hypothermia on Hb-O2 affinity. J. Exp. Zool. 277:293-300, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dynamic Spreading of Platelets on Collagen in Microchannels

Platelets come contact collagen exposed on the subendothelial matrix at sites of vascular injury that triggers their activation and the formation of a hemostatic plug. Glycoprotein VI and integrin α2 β1 are major collagen receptors on the platelet surface. Although the spreading of platelets on the collagen is important to function, it has been difficult to study the dynamics of spreading over a relevant time scale. Here we focus on the early stages of murine platelet spreading on collagen and/or fibrinogen under both static conditions and flow and then probe their dynamics by quantitative visualization using real-time reflection interference contrast microscopy. In this study, we found under static conditions the spreading area of platelets on collagen initially increased quickly by following the power law A ∼ t0.7 before slowing. Interestingly, we observed in microchannels under flow that single platelets as well as aggregates that were spread on the collagen contracted over time under shear. This contraction was not observed under static conditions in our system. This effect might help to maintain the hemostatic plug under the shear force. Future studies will be aimed at investigating the spatial-temporal cytoskeletal dynamics of platelets and the functions of collagen receptors on the platelets surface using platelets derived from genetically engineered mice.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
New All-Aromatic Liquid Crystal Architectures

We have explored oxadiazole and thiophene modifications of the classic calamitic mesogens, p-quinquephenyl, p-sexiphenyl, and p-septiphenyl (Pn, n = 5, 6, and 7). Replacing a phenyl ring with 2,5-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 2,5-substituted thiophene introduces a bend, or kink, into the parent mesogens of 134 and 148°, respectively. When oxadiazole was placed at penultimate positions on both ends of the mesogen (POPnOP, n = 1, 2, and 3), a significant reduction in melt transitions for all model compounds could be observed. p-Septiphenyl (P7) is an intractable and infusible molecule but its oxadiazole analogue POP3OP melts at 312 °C, exhibiting a broad nematic range 170° wide. Replacing the central para-substituted phenylene ring in POP3OP with an ortho- or a meta-substituted phenylene, however, destroys the LC behavior completely; the ortho-derivative forms an amorphous glass (Tg = 83 °C). Comparisons of the P6 derivatives with the oxadiazoles in POPPOP replaced with 2,4- and 2,5-substituted thiophene...
Synthesis of discrete and dispersible MoS2 nanocrystals.

MoS2 nanoparticles of size <5 nm have been synthesized via the reaction of Mo(CO)6 with elemental sulfur in trioctylphosphine oxide and 1-octadecene at temperatures from 270 to 330 °C. The MoS2 nanoparticles are discrete and dispersible in a variety of nonpolar organic solvents, including toluene, chloroform, and pyridine. The size of the particles can be effectively tuned by varying the temperature, yielding nearly monodisperse samples (<10% standard deviation) as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, larger (20–50 nm) onion- and tube-shaped MoS2 nanoparticles can be obtained by decreasing the amount of the coordinating solvent (trioctylphosphine oxide) relative to 1-octadecene. As-prepared samples are poorly crystalline, showing only weak contrast in the TEM and an absence of the first-order (00l) reflection in powder X-ray diffraction that is indicative of regular MoS2 stacking. Samples heated in situ in the TEM are observed to develop contrast and lattice fringes as the te...
Importance of location in the salt marsh and clump size on growth of ribbed mussels

Abstract Growth rates of suspension-feeding ribbed mussels were studied by putting out two sizes of identically constituted mussel clumps as well as single mussels at different locations in the salt marsh. Growth rates of mussels among singletons and two clump sizes were similar, suggesting that food concentration was not a limiting factor. At one of the two marshes studied, the magnitude of differences in growth rates of mussels from low to high tidal elevations is larger than would be predicted by the differences in time of submergence. At similar tidal elevations, mussels from the interior of the marsh grew at similar rates to those from the marsh edge. At the other marsh, however, individuals from the interior grew substantially faster than their counterparts from the edge at similar tidal elevations. I hypothesize that mussels from the interior of the marsh had an additional food source because Spartina detritus can contribute to food supplies in the interior.
Ethological Studies of the Budgerigar (Melopsittacus Undulatus): Non-Reproductive Behavior

Melopsittacus undulatus, a member of the parrot family Psittacidae, sub-family Psittacinae, is a colonial nomadic species inhabiting the dry grasslands of Australia. Only domesticated strains were studied and information concerning general biology is included. Non-reproductive behavior (maintenance and agonistic activities) are described and analysed with respect to function, causation and biological significance. Budgerigars perform a maintenance activity (scratching the lateral crissum) never reported for any other species of bird. Most maintenance activities closely parallel those of another parrot genus Agapornis. Budgerigars perform few stereotyped agonistic behaviors. This may be correlated with the relatively little physical injury involved in settling disputes by overt fights involving bills and occasionally feet. Females seem generally more aggressive than males, however sex differences in agonistic behavior seem of a quantitative nature only. Feather postures of the crown and throat are described and attempts made to correlate these with underlying agonistic motivations. Data from objective "ranking" of agonistic behaviors indicate that functions appear to parallel causation.
A note on the sampling theory for infinite alleles and infinite sites models

Abstract This note considers sampling theory for a selectively neutral locus where it is supposed that the data provide nucleotide sequences for the genes sampled. It thus anticipates that technical advances will soon provide data of this form in volume approaching that currently obtained from electrophoresis. The assumption made on the nature of the data will require us to use, in the terminology of Kimura ( Theor. Pop. Biol. 2 , 174–208 (1971) ), the “infinite sites” model of Karlin and McGregor ( Proc. Fifth Berkeley Symp. Math. Statist. Prob. 4 , 415–438 (1967) ) rather that the “infinite alleles” model of Kimura and Crow ( Genetics 49 , 174–738 (1964) ). We emphasize that these two models refer not to two different real-world circumstances, but rather to two different assumptions concerning our capacity to investigate the real world. We compare our results where appropriate with corresponding sampling theory of Ewens ( Theor. Pop. Biol. 3 , 87–112 (1972) ) for the “infinite alleles” model. Note finally that some of our results depend on an assumption of independence of behavior at individual sites; a parallel paper by Watterson (submitted for publication (1974) ) assumes no recombination between sites. Real-world behavior will lie between these two assumptions, closer to the situation assumed by Watterson than in this note. Our analysis provides upper bounds for increased efficiency in using complete nucleotide sequences.
The expected complexity of Prim's minimum spanning tree algorithm

We study the expected performance of Prim's minimum spanning tree (MST) algorithm implemented using ordinary heaps. We show that this implementation runs in linear or almost linear expected time on a wide range of graphs. This helps to explain why Prim's algorithm often beats MST algorithms which have better worst-case run times.Specifically, we show that if we start with any n node m edge graph and randomly permute its edge weights, then Prim's algorithm runs in expected O(m + nlogn log(2m/n)) time. Note that O(m + nlogn log(2m/n)) = O(m) when m = Ω(n log n log log n).We extend this result to show that the same expected run times apply even when an adversary can select the weights of m/logn edges and the possible weights of the remaining edges (which are then randomly assigned).
Symptomatic venous hypertension because of occult iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis: a report of two cases.

Abstract Two 25-year-old males with symptomatic venous hypertension (venous claudication, n =1; swollen leg, n =1) were evaluated for iliofemoral venous occlusive disease. One patient had a common femoral vein/external iliac vein occlusion with no history of deep vein thrombosis or trauma. The second patient had an acute deep vein thrombosis superimposed on a chronic external iliac vein stenosis. No source of extrinsic venous compression was identified in either patient. Venous reconstruction with vein bypass (patient no. 1) and vein patch angioplasty (patient no. 2) led to resolution of their hypertensive symptoms. Intraoperative examination of the involved vein segments revealed chronic changes consistent with a prior occult deep vein thrombosis in both patients. Occult iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis in young healthy males is rarely seen. The acute deep vein thrombosis may manifest minimal or no symptoms but it can lead to chronic venous occlusive disease and serious post-phlebitic morbidity. In this context, these two cases are discussed with a review of the pertinent literature.
Analysis and Verification of Dual Porosity and CBM Shape Factors

A naturally fractured reservoir is characterized as a system of matrix blocks with each matrix block surrounded by fractures. The fluid drains from the matrix block into the fracture system which is interconnected and leads to the well. Warren and Root (1) introduced a mathematical model for this dual porosity matrix-fracture behaviour. Their model has been widely used for many types of reservoirs, including tight gas and coalbed methane reservoirs. A key part of their model is a geometrical parameter (shape factor) which controls the drainage rate from the matrix to the fractures. Although Warren and Root gave formulas for calculating shape factors, many other authors have presented alternate formulas, leading to considerable confusion. In addition to the size and shape of a matrix element, two cases are considered by the authors: constant drainage rate from a matrix block and constant pressure in the adjacent fractures. The current work confirmed the correct formulas for shape factors by using numerical simulation for the various cases. It was found that some of the most popular formulas do not seem to be correct. A summary of the correct shape factor formulas is presented.
DNA-based vaccines against malaria and other diseases - from the laboratory to the clinic

The technology of DNA vaccination has facilitated a revolutionary approach to developing an effective vaccine against complex pathogens, such as the Plasmodium spp. parasites that cause malaria, for which vaccines are not yet available. Their capacity to induce the CD8C T cell dependent CTL and IFN-γ responses which have heretoforth been difficult to induce by the more conventional vaccine technologies has now been established in mice, monkeys and humans, in malaria as well as in other disease systems. Despite the fact that the first and second generation DNA vaccines on their own have not been optimal, the potential of promising immune enhancement strategies for DNA vaccination suggests that the current efforts in this field are warranted.
Critical role for the EB1 and APC interaction in the regulation of microtubule polymerization.

Abstract Human EB1 was originally cloned as a protein that interacts with the COOH terminus of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) [1]. Interestingly, this interaction is often disrupted in colon cancer, due to mutations in APC . EB1 also interacts with the plus-ends of microtubules and targets APC to microtubule tips [2–6]. Since APC is detected on the kinetochores of chromosomes, it has been hypothesized that the EB1-APC interaction connects microtubule spindles to the kinetochores and regulates microtubule stability [7–9]. In yeast, EB1 regulates microtubule dynamics [6, 10, 11], and its binding domain in APC may be conserved in Kar9, an EB1 binding protein involved in the microtubule-capturing mechanism [12–14]. These results suggest that the interaction of EB1 and APC is important and may be conserved. However, it is largely unknown whether the EB1-APC interaction affects microtubule dynamics. Here, we show that EB1 potently promotes microtubule polymerization in vitro and in permeabilized cells, but, surprisingly, only in the presence of the COOH-terminal EB1 binding domain of APC (C-APC). Significantly, this C-APC activity is abolished by phosphorylation, which also disrupts its ability to bind to EB1. Furthermore, yeast EB1 protein effectively substitutes for the human protein but also requires C-APC in promoting microtubule polymerization. Finally, C-APC is able to promote microtubule polymerization when stably expressed in APC mutant cells, demonstrating the ability of C-APC to promote microtubule assembly in vivo. Thus, the interaction between EB1 and APC plays an essential role in the regulation of microtubule polymerization, and a similar mechanism may be conserved in yeast.
The Future History of Geriatrics: Geriatrics at the Crossroads

C ONTEXT Geriatrics has had a hard time deciding just what it wants to be when it grows up. An early concept of geriatrics equated it primarily with caring for persons in long-term care (1). A major effort to predict the need for geriatrically trained personnel envisioned geriatrics as primarily consisting of specialists who would handle complex cases on referral and provide oversight and advice otherwise (2). A decade later, as managed care was gaining strength and the demand for primary care seemed insatiable, geriatrics redefined itself as a primary care specialty (3). Today one hears geriatricians describe themselves as those who deal with end-of-life care. During the era of managed care, geriatrics did not enhance its credibility when it often appeared to be making contradictory promises. To managed care organizations, it promised to decrease the need for other specialists by employing improved primary care methods, while it also promised its parent medical centers, which were anxious to build their patient base for technologically intensive (and expensive) services, increased referrals of older patients who needed just such care. In many ways, geriatrics might be defined as the synthesis of gerontology and chronic care. The core of geriatric practice consists of addressing geriatric syndromes such as falls, dementia, and incontinence; emphasizing the resultant functional changes that accompany chronic illness; recognizing atypical presentations of common diseases; and managing multiple, simultaneous interaction problems, which require medical attention and coordination of the work of various other disciplines. The basic principles of chronic illness care (i.e., using interdisciplinary team care, recognizing the need for care investments that will bear fruit later, promoting active involvement of patients in their own care, distinguishing care episodes from events, and being sensitive to the context of care as well as the immediate problems presenting) are the hallmarks of geriatric care. Essentially, geriatrics is the epitome of good chronic care. S UPPLY
Effect of stoichiometry on liquid crystalline supramolecular polymers formed with complementary nucleobase pair interactions

We report herein studies on the liquid crystalline behavior of a series of supramolecular materials that contain different ratios of two complementary symmet- rically-substituted alkoxy-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene AA- and BB-type monomers. One monomer has thymine units placed at either end of the rigid mesogenic core, while the other has N 6 -(4-methoxybenzoyl)-adenine units placed on the ends. Differ- ential scanning calorimetric and polarized optical microscopy studies have been car- ried out on these systems. These studies show that the material's behavior is strongly dependent on its thermal history. As a result, the materials can exhibit, on heating, either a liquid crystalline phase, a crystalline phase, or the coexistence of crystalline and liquid crystalline regions. V
Biomonitoring environmental contamination with pipping black-crowned night heron embryos: Induction of cytochrome P450

Cytochrome P450-associated monooxygenase activities and cytochrome P450 proteins were measured in pipping black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) embryos collected from a reference site (next to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA) and three polluted sites (Cat Island, Green Bay, Lake Michigan, WI; Bair Island, San Francisco Bay, CA; West Marin Island, San Francisco Bay, CA). In a laboratory study, artificially incubated night heron embryos from the reference site were treated with 3-methylcholanthrene (200 μg administered into the air cell 2 d before pipping) or phenobarbital (2 mg daily for 2 d before pipping). Compared to controls (untreated + vehicle-treated embryos), 3-methylcholanthrene induced a greater than fivefold increase in activities of several monooxygenases (arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase, AHH; benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase, BROD; ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase, EROD; pentoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase, PROD) and a greater than 100-fold increase in the concentration of immunodetected cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A). Phenobarbital treatment resulted in only a slight increase in BROD activity but induced proteins recognized by antibodies to cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B) by 2,000-fold. In a field study, activities of AHH, BROD, EROD, and ethoxycoumarin-O-dealkylase (ECOD) were up to 85-fold higher in pipping black-crowned night herons collected from Cat Island compared to other sites. Hepatic CYP1A and CYP2B cross-reactive proteins were detected in significantly more individuals from Cat Island than from the reference site. Greatest burdens of total PCBs and p,p′-DDE were detected in embryos from Cat Island. Cytochrome P450-associated monooxygenase activities and cytochrome P450 proteins (AHH, BROD, EROD, ECOD, CYP1A, CYP2B) were significantly associated with total PCB burdens (r = 0.50-0.72). These data indicate that cytochrome P450 may be a useful biomarker of exposure to some PCB mixtures in black-crowned night heron embryos.
Hand dominance and side of stroke affect rehabilitation in chronic stroke

Objective: To examine the difference between upper extremity deficits in subjects with left versus right hemispheric lesions at baseline and after bilateral arm training.Design: A one-way ANOVA was used to detect group differences and a least square means analysis used to determine significance in pre-to-post scores for each group.Setting: Testing was in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science Department Research Laboratory, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Training was at the Senior Exercise Rehabilitation Center in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Baltimore.Subjects: Twenty-two (11 left hemispheric lesion, 11 right hemispheric lesion) right-handed subjects with chronic stroke.Interventions: A six-week nonprogressive repetitive bilateral arm training with rhythmic auditory cueing (BATRAC).Main measuresy: Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Test, Wolf Motor Arm Test, University of Maryland Arm Questionnaire for Stroke (UMAQS), isometric strength and active and passive range of motion for both sides....
TOWARD A THEORY OF ASTROPHYSICAL PLASMA TURBULENCE AT SUBPROTON SCALES

We present an analytical study of subproton electromagnetic fluctuations in a collisionless plasma with a plasma beta of the order of unity. In the linear limit, a rigorous derivation from the kinetic equation is conducted focusing on the role and physical properties of kinetic-Alfvand whistler waves. Then, nonlinear fluid-like equations for kinetic-Alfvwaves and whistler modes are derived, with special emphasis on the similarities and differences in the corresponding plasma dynamics. The kinetic-Alfvmodes exist in the lower-frequency region of phase space, ω � k⊥v Ti , where they are described by the kinetic-Alfvsystem. These modes exist both below and above the ion-cyclotron frequency. The whistler modes, which are qualitatively different from the kinetic-Alfv´ modes, occupy a different region of phase space, k⊥v Ti � ω � kzv Te , and they are described by the electron magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) system or the reduced electron MHD system if the propagation is oblique. Here, kz and k⊥ are the wavenumbers along and transverse to the background magnetic field, respectively, and v Ti and v Te are the ion and electron thermal velocities, respectively. The models of subproton plasma turbulence are discussed and the results of numerical simulations are presented. We also point out possible implications for solar-wind observations.
Incorporating error recovery into the imprecise computation model

We describe optimal algorithms for incorporating error recovery in the imprecise computation model. In this model each task comprises a mandatory and an optional part. The mandatory part must be completed within the task's deadline even in the presence of faults and a reward function is associated with the execution of each optional part. We address the problem of optimal scheduling in an imprecise computation environment so as to maximize total reward while simultaneously guaranteeing timely completion of recovery operations when faults occur. Furthermore, in order to prevent run-time overhead we enforce that no changes in the optimal schedule should be necessary as long as no error is detected in mandatory parts. Independent imprecise computation tasks as well as tasks with an end-to-end deadline and linear precedence constraints are considered. We present polynomial-time optimal algorithms for models with upper and lower bounds on execution times of the optional parts and for reward functions represented by general nondecreasing linear and concave functions.
VizScript: on the creation of efficient visualizations for understanding complex multi-agent systems

One of the most difficult tasks in software development is understanding the behavior of the final product. Making sure that a system behaves as users expect is a challenging endeavor. Understanding the behavior of a multi-agent system is even more challenging given the additional complexities of multi-agent problems. In this paper, we address the problem of users creating visualizations to debug and understand complex multi-agent systems. We introduce VizScript, a generic framework that expedites the process of creating such visualizations. VizScript combines a generic application instrumentation, a knowledge-base, and simple scene definitions primitives with a reasoning system, to produce an easy to use visualization platform. Using VizScript, we were able to recreate the visualizations for a complex multiagent system with an order-of-magnitude less effort than was required in a Java implementation
Convergence rates of Quasi-Newton algorithms for some non-smooth optimization problems

In this paper we consider a class of nonsmooth optimization problems and investigate an algorithm which makes use of approximations of the derivative. We study a growth condition on the objective and various conditions on the step-sizes and the Quasi-Newton operators to obtain linear, superlinear and quadratic rates of convergence. These results are applied to a class of Broyden updates and two inexact step-size rules.
A STUDY OF PARATYPHOID BACILLI ISOLATED FROM CASES OF HOG-CHOLERA.

During the course of some experimental work on hog-cholera, paratyphoid bacilli were isolated from 16 per cent of the pigs. Culturally these organisms are the same as paratyphoid 18 isolated from man, while they show several differences from hog-cholera bacilli. In their slight pathogenic effect on rabbits they also differ from the hog-cholera bacillus. In their agglutination in sera produced by the injection of living cultures, one of the cultures, isolated from a chronic case, corresponds to Bacillus enteritidis , while the other five are apparently in a class by themselves. They resemble paratyphoid s more closely than hog-cholera bacilli, but the type of clumps formed and absorption experiments show that they are different from either. Whether these differences are enough to make it necessary to put them into a class by themselves is questionable, but the fact that when injected into rabbits they produce an immunity to the hog-cholera bacillus, while paratyphoid s does not, is additional evidence in favor of such a classification. Complement fixation experiments have been of little value in differentiating the members of this group, but on the contrary show their close relationship. It seems probable that some of the cultures that are described in the literature as hog-cholera bacilli really belong to this group, which would account for much of the confusion that exists in the classification of the interesting, truly pathogenic bacillus that at one time was thought to be the cause of hog-cholera and in the series of animals with which we have worked has not appeared once. Whether the ingestion of pork containing these bacilli would cause disease in man is a question that can only be decided by a more careful bacteriological study of the organisms causing food poisonings and paratyphoid fever.
The psychological impact of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recalls and the durable positive effects of counseling.

Background: It is known that patients with lifesaving devices such as implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be alarmed and worried by recalls or alerts related to their ICDs. Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether counseling has any short- or long-term benefits, and to look for characteristics that identify those most worried and those most in need of counseling. Methods: Among 100 patients with recall or alert ICDs, 14 were pacer dependent; 50 had ICDs for 1° prevention and 22 were women. Patients completed a survey indicating how worried they were on learning of the recall or alert (0–10 scale). After counseling and advice in accordance with manufacturer guidelines, patients were asked to indicate their level of worry, and were again asked after 6 months. Results: For all patients, the “worry level” at the initial interview was 5.0±3.7, falling to 2.2±3.0 after counseling (P < 0.001) and 1.4±2.3 after 6 months (P < 0.001 vs both earlier levels). There were no significant differences between those implanted for 1° versus 2° prevention or for pacer dependency. Women were initially more worried than men, but not for the long term. The 49 patients whose ICDs could be managed by reprogramming or software fix had significant reduction in worry after counseling and at 6 months compared to others. The 18 patients recommended for operative intervention remained more concerned after counseling (3.5±3.3 vs 1.9±2.9, P = 0.043). Conclusions: Patients’ concerns resulting from ICD recalls or alerts can be reduced by appropriate counseling. Those patients whose ICDs could be reprogrammed to safer parameters had the most reduction in worry levels.
Schedulers as model-based design elements in programmable heterogeneous multiprocessors

As System On a Chip (SoC) designs become more like Programmable Heterogeneous Multiprocessors (PHMs), the highest levels of design will place emphasis on the custom design of elements that were traditionally associated with systems in the large. We motivate how schedulers that make dynamic, data-dependent decisions at run-time will be key design elements in PHM SoCs. Starting from a fundamental model, the role schedulers play in PHMs is developed. Model-based scheduling is introduced as an approach to designing schedulers that optimize a PHM's performance. Due to the complexity of the PHM design space, convergence on optimal design requires high-level modeling and simulation. In model-based scheduling, high-level models of scheduling decisions result in actual design elements that appear in real systems. Experiments for a simple two-processor PHM that does a mix of image and text compression are included. Results show the effectiveness of model-based scheduling.
Relativistic molecular structure calculations including CI for several low lying states of SnO

Abstract Relativistic quantum calculations including configuration interaction and spin—orbit interaction are described for seven low-lying A—S states of SnO and the corresponding ω—ω states with spin—orbit interaction. Spectroscopic properties of these states are computed and compared with experimental results. Properties are predicted for several low-lying electronic states that have not yet been observed experimentally.
Meningitis caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri in a goat

A 2-year-old, female goat from Connecticut was submitted for necropsy with a 5-day history of pyrexia and intermittent neurologic signs, including nystagmus, seizures, and circling. Postmortem examination revealed suppurative meningitis. Histologic examination of the brain revealed that the meninges were diffusely infiltrated by moderate numbers of lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibrin, with scattered foci of dense neutrophilic infiltrate. Culture of pus and brainstem yielded typical mycoplasma colonies. DNA sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene revealed 99% sequence homology with Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri and Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides Large Colony biotype, which are genetically indistinguishable and likely to be combined as a single subspecies labeled M. mycoides subsp. capri. The present case is unusual in that not only are mycoplasma an uncommon cause of meningitis in animals, but additionally, in that all other reported cases of mycoplasma meningitis in goats, systemic lesions were also present. In the present case, meningitis was the only lesion, thus illustrating the need to consider mycoplasma as a differential diagnosis for meningitis in goats.
The future of nanodielectrics in the electrical power industry

While specialty applications of nanotechnology in the photonics and electronics areas have seen a tremendous growth in the past several years, the use of nanodielectrics in the electrical industry (high power density and high voltage) has not shown the same level of activity. In addition to a review of nanodielectrics, we discuss in this paper, our perspective on the current status, development needs and future potential to build or engineer nanostructured materials for dielectric applications in the electrical power industry. Short and long-term future research and development needs are considered from the point of view of industrial applications.
Promoting Democracy and Promoting Authoritarianism: Comparing the Cases of Belarus and Slovakia

Although scholars have made great progress over the last few years studying the international dimension of democratisation, questions remain about this complex relationship, especially about the understudied area of external promotion of authoritarianism. This article seeks to develop more refined understanding of specific mechanisms linking one type of external involvement, financial assistance, to regime change. Financial assistance can increase the capabilities of either pro-democratic or pro-authoritarian elites and therefore contribute to regime change. These mechanisms are examined by looking at democracy assistance in Slovakia and Belarus and Russia's support for authoritarianism in Belarus.
Financial Risk and Heavy Tails

It is of great importance for those in charge of managing risk to understand how flnancial asset returns are distributed. Practitioners often assume for convenience that the distribution is normal. Since the 1960s, however, empirical evidence has led many to reject this assumption in favor of various heavy-tailed alternatives. In a heavy-tailed distribution the likelihood that one encounters signiflcant deviations from the mean is much greater than in the case of the normal distribution. It is now commonly accepted that flnancial asset returns are, in fact, heavy-tailed. The goal of this survey is to examine how these heavy tails afiect several aspects of flnancial portfolio theory and risk management. We describe some of the methods that one can use to deal with heavy tails and we illustrate them using the NASDAQ composite index.
Immune-mediated inhibition of metastases after treatment with local radiation and CTLA-4 blockade in a mouse model of breast cancer.

Purpose: Ionizing radiation therapy (RT) is an important component in the management of breast cancer. Although the primary tumor can be successfully treated by surgery and RT, metastatic breast cancer remains a therapeutic challenge. Here we tested the hypothesis that the combination of RT to the primary tumor with CTLA-4 blockade can elicit antitumor immunity inhibiting the metastases. Experimental Design: The poorly immunogenic metastatic mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 was used as a model. Mice were injected s.c. with 4T1 cells, and treatment was started 13 days later when the primary tumors measured 5 mm in average diameter. Mice were randomly assigned to four treatment groups receiving: (1) control IgG (IgG), (2) RT + IgG, (3) 9H10 monoclonal antibody against CTLA-4, (4) RT + 9H10. RT was delivered to the primary tumor by one or two fractions of 12 Gy. 9H10 and IgG were given i.p. thrice after RT. Results: Consistent with the fact that 4T1 is poorly immunogenic, 9H10 alone did not have any effect on primary tumor growth or survival. RT was able to delay the growth of the primary irradiated tumor, but in the absence of 9H10 survival was similar to that of control mice. In contrast, mice treated with RT + 9H10 had a statistically significant survival advantage. The increased survival correlated with inhibition of lung metastases formation and required CD8+ but not CD4+ T cells. Conclusions: The combination of local RT with CTLA-4 blockade is a promising new immunotherapeutic strategy against poorly immunogenic metastatic cancers.
Does cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl dimer have a metal–metal bond? Who’s asking?

Since its first synthesis in the early 1950s, the carbonyl-bridged dimer [CpFe(CO)_2]_2 has almost always been depicted with an explicit Fe-Fe bond (Figure 1a). In a recent article (Chem. Commun. (2012) 11481-11503), Green, Green and Parkin characterize that as a misrepresentation, and recommend that the mol. be shown as in Figure 2b. I will offer arguments for the traditional representation, with the Fe-Fe bond, as more appropriate in most situations. I will further suggest that the choice of how best to represent a mol. will generally be context-dependent, and support that claim by comparison to the process of translation between languages.
Combining Phylogenomics and Fossils in Higher-Level Squamate Reptile Phylogeny: Molecular Data Change the Placement of Fossil Taxa

Molecular data offer great potential to resolve the phylogeny of living taxa but can molecular data improve our understanding of relationships of fossil taxa? Simulations suggest that this is possible, but few empirical examples have demonstrated the ability of molecular data to change the placement of fossil taxa. We offer such an example here. We analyze the placement of snakes among squamate reptiles, combining published morphological data (363 characters) and new DNA sequence data (15,794 characters, 22 nuclear loci) for 45 living and 19 fossil taxa. We find several intriguing results. First, some fossil taxa undergo major changes in their phylogenetic position when molecular data are added. Second, most fossil taxa are placed with strong support in the expected clades by the combined data Bayesian analyses, despite each having >98% missing cells and despite recent suggestions that extensive missing data are problematic for Bayesian phylogenetics. Third, morphological data can change the placement of living taxa in combined analyses, even when there is an overwhelming majority of molecular characters. Finally, we find strong but apparently misleading signal in the morphological data, seemingly associated with a burrowing lifestyle in snakes, amphisbaenians, and dibamids. Overall, our results suggest promise for an integrated and comprehensive Tree of Life by combining molecular and morphological data for living and fossil taxa.
Early Results (at 6 Months) with Intermittent Clarithromycin-Including Regimens for Lung Disease Due to Mycobacterium avium Complex

We initiated a prospective noncomparative trial of treatment for lung disease due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients, with a regimen of clarithromycin (1000 mg), rifabutin (300-600 mg), and ethambutol (25 mg/kg) administered 3 times per week. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. Twelve (20%) were lost to follow-up, and 6 (10%) developed clarithromycin intolerance. The remaining 41 patients (69%) completed the initial 6 months of therapy. The sputum of 32 of these patients (78%) converted to negative. When results were compared with the sputum response rates at 6 months in previous studies with a regimen including daily clarithromycin and regimens including intermittent (3 times per week) azithromycin with the same companion drugs, no differences in treatment responses were evident. Adverse reactions related to rifabutin were a major problem, and for 24 (41%) of 59 patients the dosage was decreased or the drug was withdrawn. Intermittent (3 times per week) administration of clarithromycin appears to be as effective as daily administration in effecting sputum conversion in pulmonary MAC disease.
Hyperthermic enhancement of tumor radiosensitization strategies.

Local hyperthermia of living tissue can cause significant increases in blood flow and oxygenation depending on time-temperature history. Increases in perfusion of the abnormal and insufficient vasculature found in solid tumors may increase tumor oxygenation, thereby increasing the radiation sensitivity of the tumor. We hypothesized that local heating of tumor would increase the oxygenation of the tumor tissue and allow other oxygenating agents to further modify tumor oxygenation and radiation response. In the present study the effect of moderate temperature hyperthermia (MTH) at 41.5–42.5°C for 30–60 min, 250 mg/kg nicotinamide, or carbogen breathing (95% O2/5% CO2) on the radiation sensitivity of FSaII murine fibrosarcomas or R3230 AC rat adenocarcinomas was studied. Individually, these treatments increased the tumor cell sensitivity to single dose 10–15 Gy X-irradiation by 1–5 fold on average, as measured by the in vivo/in vitro tumor excision assay. The combination of tumor MTH with nicotinamide or car...
Across-frequency combination of interaural time difference in bilateral cochlear implant listeners

The current study examined how cochlear implant (CI) listeners combine temporally interleaved envelope-ITD information across two sites of stimulation. When two cochlear sites jointly transmit ITD information, one possibility is that CI listeners can extract the most reliable ITD cues available. As a result, ITD sensitivity would be sustained or enhanced compared to single-site stimulation. Alternatively, mutual interference across multiple sites of ITD stimulation could worsen dual-site performance compared to listening to the better of two electrode pairs. Two experiments used direct stimulation to examine how CI users can integrate ITDs across two pairs of electrodes. Experiment 1 tested ITD discrimination for two stimulation sites using 100-Hz sinusoidally modulated 1000-pps-carrier pulse trains. Experiment 2 used the same stimuli ramped with 100 ms windows, as a control condition with minimized onset cues. For all stimuli, performance improved monotonically with increasing modulation depth. Results show that when CI listeners are stimulated with electrode pairs at two cochlear sites, sensitivity to ITDs was similar to that seen when only the electrode pair with better sensitivity was activated. None of the listeners showed a decrement in performance from the worse electrode pair. This could be achieved either by listening to the better electrode pair or by truly integrating the information across cochlear sites.