cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A model to predict multivessel coronary artery disease from the exercise thallium-201 stress test

Abstract purpose: The aim of this study was to (1) determine whether nonimaging variables add to the diagnostic information available from exercise thallium-201 images for the detection of multivessel coronary artery disease; and (2) to develop a model based on the exercise thallium201 stress test to predict the presence of multivessel disease. patients and methods: The study populations included 383 patients referred to the University of Virginia and 325 patients referred to the Massachusetts General Hospital for evaluation of chest pain. All patients underwent both cardiac catheterization and exercise thallium-201 stress testing between 1978 and 1981. results: In the University of Virginia cohort, at each level of thallium-201 abnormality (no defects, one defect, more than one defect), ST depression and patient age added significantly in the detection of multivessel disease. Logistic regression analysis using data from these patients identified three independent predictors of multivessel disease: initial thallium-201 defects, ST depression, and age. A model was developed to predict multivessel disease based on these variables. As might be expected, the risk of multivessel disease predicted by the model was similar to that actually observed in the University of Virginia population. More importantly, however, the model was accurate in predicting the occurrence of multivessel disease in the unrelated population studied at the Massachusetts General Hospital. conclusion: It is, therefore, concluded that (1) nonimaging variables (age and exercise-induced ST depression) add independent information to thallium-201 imaging data in the detection of multivessel disease; and (2) a model has been developed based on the exercise thallium-201 stress test that can accurately predict the probability of multivessel disease in other populations.
Species and soot concentration measurements in a methane/air nonpremixed flame doped with C4 hydrocarbons

Abstract The fuel in a co-flowing methane/air nonpremixed flame was doped with 7400 ppm of 1,3-butadiene, 1-butene, isobutene, and n -butane. Temperature, mole fractions of 24 stable C1 to C12 hydrocarbons, and soot volume fraction were measured along the centerline of the five resulting flames. The additives significantly increased the concentrations of aromatic species and of soot. The specific changes could be reasonably explained by conversion of the additives to aromatic ring precursors, but not by effects of the additives on temperature and H atom concentrations. Isobutene and 1-butene generated the highest concentrations of C3 products, while 1,3-butadiene produced the highest concentrations of C4 products. However, several pathways readily interconvert C3 and C4 species, such that increases in both C3 and C4 species were observed for almost every additive. Recombination of propargyl radicals (C 3 H 3 ) appears to be responsible for most aromatic ring formation on the centerline of these flames. Reactions of acetylene with n -C 4 H 5 and/or n -C 4 H 3 may also contribute in the 1,3-butadiene-doped flame. Benzene appears to be in partial equilibrium with acetylene in the upper half of the flames. The kinetic processes that establish this equilibrium are most likely ring fragmentation reactions in one direction and acetylene addition to n -C 4 H 3 in the other. The probable source of the n -C 4 H 3 is acetylene addition to C 2 H, with the strong temperature-dependence of C 2 H concentrations responsible for limiting this process to the upper half of the flames. Production of one-ring aromatic species is an important rate-limiting step to soot formation in these flames.
What the Achievement Gap Conversation is Missing

There is a persistent achievement gap that persists between students of color and their white counterparts. This is a national crisis and is one of the biggest problems facing American society. However, this research should consider two phenomena regarding the gap: adolescent perceptions of racial discrimination and racial identity. Among African American youth, perceptions of discrimination have been negatively linked to diminished achievement motivation, grade point average and school engagement. Yet, racial identity has been shown to be an effective protective factor for perceived discrimination in relation to academic achievement. Thus, addressing the achievement gap requires consideration of these two complex constructs for African American youth.
Lever controls on specialised farm equipment: some control/response stereotypes.

Abstract Linearly arranged banks of hydraulic control levers constitute common control layouts on many specialized pieces of equipment used in agriculture, especially in California. Such controls are used to control multi-function equipment with various types of articulating mechanisms performing both linear and rotary translations in order to effect pitch, roll and yaw movements; also other movements such as clamping and encircling. Sterotypes regarding the control of the motion of a cube with six degrees of freedom by a single control lever were assessed. Results generally were consistent with previous work except for the case of the up/down motion of the cube for which a strongly anomalous phenomenon was found. Stereotypes for the assignment of cube motions to sets of multiple control levers were found to be weak or non-existent.
Hibernation in warm hibernacula by free-ranging Formosan leaf-nosed bats, Hipposideros terasensis , in subtropical Taiwan

The subtropical Formosan leaf-nosed bats, Hipposideros terasensis (Hipposideridae), show little activity during winter. It has never been determined whether in winter they exhibit hibernation and multi-day periods of low body temperature. The objectives of this study were to understand the winter activity pattern of H. terasensis and to examine whether it enters hibernation during winter. We monitored the skin temperature (Tsk) of nine free-ranging H. terasensis by attaching temperature-sensitive transmitters during the winters of 2007–2008 and 2008–2009. The results showed that H. terasensis entered hibernation from late December to early March. H. terasensis, however, differs from temperate hibernating bats in several ways: (1) it is capable of hibernation at roost temperature (Tr) and Tsk > 20°C; (2) hibernation at high Tr and Tsk does not lead to a relatively high arousal frequency; and (3) adults do not increase body mass in autumn prior to hibernation. To test the hypothesis that H. terasensis feeds frequently during the hibernation period to compensate for the high energetic demands of hibernating in warm hibernacula, we recorded the number and timing of bats that emerged from and entered into a hibernaculum, which contained more than 1,000 bats. From 30 December 2007 to 29 February 2008, an average of only 8.4 bats (<1%) per night (29 nights) emerged from the hibernaculum. Adult bats lost an average of 13–14% of body mass during an approximately 70-day hibernation period. We suggest that H. terasensis might have remarkably low torpid metabolic rates during hibernation.
Epistemic Community or Tower of Babel? Theoretical Diffusion in Public Administration

This article takes a comparative look at the development of the public administration discipline in three countries: Australia, Brazil and Canada. The nature of the international public administration academic community is assessed through content analysis of articles in the Australian Journal of Public Administration (AJPA), Revista de Administrac ¸ ˜ ao P´ ublica (RAP), and Canadian Public Administration (CPA). The method is based on that used by existing United States (US) research, allowing for comparison with that national context. The focus is on the diffusion of theoretical approaches between these national contexts, assessing whether the international public administration discipline better approximates an epistemic community, in which theoretical approaches move seamlessly between the national contexts; or a ‘Tower of Babel’, in which the different national contexts remain largely isolated.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 1 (EGFR1) and Its Variant EGFRvIII Regulate TATA-Binding Protein Expression through Distinct Pathways

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family regulates essential biological processes. Various epithelial tumors are linked to EGFR overexpression or expression of variant forms, such as the EGFR1 variant, EGFRvIII. Perturbations in expression of the transcription initiation factor, TATA-binding protein (TBP), alter cellular growth properties. Here we demonstrate that EGFR1 and EGFRvIII, but not HER2, induce TBP expression at a transcriptional level through distinct mechanisms. EGFR1 enhances the phosphorylation and function of Elk-1, recruiting it to the TBP promoter. In contrast, EGFRvIII robustly induces c-jun expression, stimulating recruitment of c-fos/c-jun to an overlapping AP-1 site. Enhancing c-jun expression alone induces TBP promoter activity through the AP-1 site. To determine the underlying mechanism for differences in Elk-1 function and c-jun expression by these receptors, we inhibited the internalization of EGFR1. Persistent EGFR1 cell surface occupancy mimics EGFRvIII-mediated effects on Elk-1 and c-jun and switches the requirement of Elk-1 to AP-1 for TBP promoter induction. Together, these studies define a new molecular mechanism for the regulation of TBP expression. In addition, we identify distinct molecular targets of EGFR1 and EGFRvIII and demonstrate the importance of receptor internalization in distinguishing their specific functions.
Co-Design of Energy-Efficient Housing With the Pinoleville-Pomo Nation

The Pinoleville-Pomo Nation of northern California is seeking to implement sustainable technologies and best practices that will increase their self sufficiency and meet their housing, energy, and water conservation needs. Since 2008, the Tribe has worked with UC Berkeley on sustainable community projects, including the design of a prototype “roundhouse” design, to be constructed in 2010 in Ukiah, California. Using an energy-efficient architecture and an analysis tool for selection of the engineered systems (the Native American Energy Analysis Tool, or NAEPA), the new homes are predicted to emit less than 50% of the carbon emissions over their lifetime, and have lower lifetime energy expenditures. The design methodology, energy analyses and life cycle assessment used by NAEPA will be discussed. Extensions to community-based housing energy plans and an optimization will also be discussed.
Motivational interviewing versus prescriptive advice for smokers who are not ready to quit

Abstract Objective Smokers who are not ready to quit are a very difficult group to treat. Physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners are in a unique position to encourage patients to quit smoking. However, the best approach to do so is not clear. Methods A two-group randomized controlled trial with 218 pack-a-day precontemplative and contemplative smokers recruited from the community. The laboratory-based study was designed to simulate outpatient visits to general practitioners. Participants were randomized to a 15-min intervention to compare the effectiveness of brief motivational or prescriptive counseling by a health professional. Thirteen outcome variables included intentions to quit and verbal reports at 1 and 6 months with biological verification. A composite outcome measure was constructed to provide greater power to detect study differences. Results Approximately 33% of the sample reported at least one 24-h quit period during the 6 months they were followed after the trial. Results suggest that while neither treatment was superior, there were subgroup differences. Participants in the motivational condition were also more likely to respond to follow-up calls. Conclusions and practice implications Motivational interviewing and prescriptive advice were equally effective for precontemplative and contemplative smokers. Practitioners should use the method that appeals to them.
CNT Thin Film Network Failure due to Concentrated Current Loadings

Polymer composite carbon nanotube (CNT) thin films have been hypothesized as a possible material for lightning strike protection for next generation aircraft structures. This study employs the author’s previously presented three-dimensional physics-based coupled thermal and electrical multi-scale model which constructs the non-deterministic nanostructure variations for a CNT thin film, and returns the bulk thermal and electrical response due to high electrical loadings. The key results of the present study are the presentation of a possible failure mechanism for CNT thin films under increasing electrical loadings. This paper discusses the nanoscale breakdown of the network conductivity using a quasi-static loading, and uses the nanoscale results in a macroscopic finite element model which couples resistive heating with thermal breakdown. The results are in reasonable agreement with those found in the literature for a similar system.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Effects of different protein supplements on omasal nutrient flow and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows.

Abstract Eight ruminally cannulated Holstein cows that were part of a larger lactation trial were used in 2 replicated 4×4 Latin squares to quantify effects of supplementing protein as urea, solvent soybean meal (SSBM), cottonseed meal (CSM), or canola meal (CM) on omasal nutrient flows and microbial protein synthesis. All diets contained (% of dry matter) 21% alfalfa silage and 35% corn silage plus 1) 2% urea plus 41% high-moisture shelled corn (HMSC), 2) 12% SSBM plus 31% HMSC, 3) 14% CSM plus 29% HMSC, or 4) 16% CM plus 27% HMSC. Crude protein was equal across diets, averaging 16.6%. The CSM diet supplied the least rumen-degraded protein and the most rumen-undegraded protein. Microbial nonammonia N flow was similar among the true protein supplements but was 14% lower in cows fed urea. In vivo ruminal passage rate, degradation rate, and estimated escape for the 3 true proteins were, respectively, 0.044/h, 0.105/h, and 29% for SSBM; 0.051/h, 0.050/h, and 51% for CSM; and 0.039/h, 0.081/h, and 34% for CM. This indicated that CSM protein was less degraded because of both a faster passage rate and slower degradation rate. Omasal flow of individual AA, branched-chain AA, essential AA, nonessential AA, and total AA all were lower in cows fed urea compared with one of the true protein supplements. Among the 3 diets supplemented with true protein, omasal flow of Arg was greatest on CSM, and omasal flow of His was greatest on CSM, intermediate on CM, and lowest on SSBM. Lower flows of AA and microbial nonammonia N explained lower yields of milk yield and milk components observed on the urea diet in the companion lactation trial. These results clearly showed that supplementation with true protein was necessary to obtain sufficient microbial protein and rumen-undegraded protein to meet the metabolizable AA requirements of high-producing dairy cows.
On the invariance of the configuration interaction energy with respect to orbital rotations

The invariance of the configuration interaction (CI) energy with respect to orbital rotation is considered. The inclusion of all spin couplings versus only those from the first-order interacting space is considered. A definition for the analog of a second-order CI calculation when inactive electrons are present is proposed.
Mumps thyroiditis andhypothyroidism

Summary An 8-year-old boy developed hypothyroidism 2 years after having mumps thyroiditis. It is not possible to prove that there was a causal relationship between his mumps thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. However, it is important for the pediatrician to evaluate all children with mumps thyroiditis for subsequent development of hypothyroidism.
Free-floating density.

A53-YEAR-OLD man was referred to the hospital for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Cardiac catheterization was significant for severe left ventricular dysfunction and three-vessel coronary artery disease. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a dilated left ventricle with severe left ventricular dysfunction, mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, and a small posterior pericardial effusion. No intracavitary masses were identified. After the induction of anesthesia, a multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe (Hewlett Packard, Andover, MA) was placed. The pre–cardiopulmonary bypass TEE study was significant for a dilated left ventricle with severe global left ventricular dysfunction, trivial mitral regurgitation, and mild atheroma in the descending thoracic aorta. After aortic cross-clamp removal but before separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, a free-floating left ventricular intracardiac density was noted on TEE (Figs 1 and 2). What is the diagnosis? What should be done?
Returns to Society from Offshore Hard Mineral Resource Development: special Interests Are Seeking to Monopolize Public Land Under the Sea by Doing Away with the 1953 Act

. A combination of the recently proclaimed extension of the offshore U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone to 200 miles and the growing demand for critical metals has led to increased attention to offshore hard mineral resource development. The U.S. Minerals Management Service began to establish the rules to govern offshore mining under its Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 and its 1978 amendments. However, others—including environmental groups, some mining groups and many coastal states— joined together to generate an alternative law to govern offshore mining. Both approaches seek to promote the public's interest in offshore hard minerals. This article examines the returns to society as a concept and as applied under each of these competing alternatives. It concludes by noting that socially derived criteria point to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act as the socially preferable approach to offshore mining.
Teratogenic effects of aminopterin in sheep.

Sheep were given subcutaneous injections of aminopterin at different times and for different intervals during gestation. Congenital malformations occurred after treatment at all periods. The principal malformations observed were rotational and flexing deformities of the appendicular skeleton, kyphosis, scoliosis, torticollis, aplasia of the mandible, overflexion of the carpal joint, hypermobility and dorsiflexion of the hock and stifle joints, and relaxation of the fetlock joints. Aplastic ears were also noted.
Long-term performance of a hazardous waste landfill

Abstract This paper presents a case history of the evaluation of liner and cover designs, and the long-term performance of various liner systems for a hazardous waste landfill. As the landfill expanded, the design of individual cells evolved to the existing design which includes a double liner system with a composite secondary liner. Leachate collection and leak detection flows are presented as the basis for comparison of the overall performance of the different cell designs.
Assessment of quality of life after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

It is unclear if simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation adds to the general quality of life (QOL) achieved with kidney transplantation alone (KTA). This case-controlled study matched 27 successful SPK transplant recipients with 27 successful KTA recipients. Cases were matched for gender, age (+/- 7 years), and year of transplant (+/- 2 years). Both groups had type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease. Diabetes-related QOL was assessed using the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) questionnaire. General QOL was assessed using Medical Outcome Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Quality of Well Being (QWB) questionnaires. Morbidity data were obtained through chart review. There was a trend for a lower prevalence of coronary artery disease (5 of 27 versus 13 of 27) and peripheral vascular disease (5 of 27 versus 9 of 27) in SPK recipients (P = not significant). Satisfaction with diabetes-related QOL was significantly better in SPK recipients (1.8 +/- 0.5 versus 2.3 +/- 0.5; P < 0.05). SPK and KTA recipients' SF-36 physical (66 +/- 21 and 64 +/- 19) and mental (76 +/- 17 and 71 +/- 22) composite scores were similar. QWB scores also were similar for SPK (0.67 +/- 0.12) and KTA (0.63 +/- 0.10) recipients. In the first 3 months after transplantation, SPK recipients had a significantly higher number of hospital admissions per patient (1.9 +/- 0.9 versus 1.4 +/- 0.6; P < 0.05), more hospital days per patient (25.1 +/- 13.8 days versus 10.1 +/- 4.4 days; P < 0.005), and more intensive care unit days per patient (7.9 +/- 7.1 days versus 0.8 +/- 1.5 days; P < 0.005). Although SPK transplantation enhanced diabetes-related QOL, there was no improvement in overall QOL.
The generation of high magnetic fields

The generation of high magnetic fields by means of water-cooled magnets, iron magnets, pulsed magnets, cryogenic magnets and superconducting magnets is discussed. Relationships between currents, fields, power, magnetic stresses, cooling requirements and field homogeneity are presented in detail. Fabrication techniques, power supplies and specific magnet constructions are discussed. Reference is made to nearly 100 papers giving more detail on specific subjects.
Reactions of the protonated dinuclear ruthenium complex [{(η5-C5H3)2(SiMe2)2}Ru2(CO)4(μ-H)]+ with nucleophiles

Complex [[(eta(5)-C(5)H(3))(2)(SiMe(2))(2)]Ru(2)(CO)(4)(mu-H)](+)BF(4)(-) (1H(+)BF(4)(-)), which features a protonated Ru-Ru bond, reacts with F(-) to give (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2)Ru(2)(CO)(4) (2), resulting from the cleavage of both SiMe(2) groups, with I(-) to give the Ru-Ru cleaved product [(eta(5)-C(5)H(3))(2)(SiMe(2))(2)]Ru(2)(CO)(4)(H)(I)(3), and with phosphines (PEt(3), PMe(2)Ph) to give [[(eta(5)-C(5)H(3))(2)(SiMe(2))(2)]Ru(2)(CO)(4)(H)(PR(3))](+) (4a-b). Reaction of 1H(+)BF(4)(-) and NaOMe in THF generates [(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))(2)SiMe(2)]Ru(2)(CO)(4) (5), resulting from the cleavage of a single SiMe(2) group, while the reaction of 1H(+)BF(4)(-) and NaOMe in MeOH generates [mu-eta(5):eta(5)-(C(5)H(3)SiMe(2)OMe)(C(5)H(4))SiMe(2)]Ru(2)(CO)(4) (6), resulting from the partial cleavage of a SiMe(2) group. Reaction of 1H(+)BF(4)(-) and NaSR (R = Me, Et) in THF generates [(eta(5)-C(5)H(3))(2)(SiMe(2))(2)]Ru(2)(CO)(4)(H)(SR) (R = Me, Et; 7a-b), which undergoes rearrangement upon contact with neutral and basic alumina or silica to give complexes [mu-eta(5):eta(1):eta(5)-(C(5)H(3)C=O)(C(5)H(4))(SiMe(2))(2)O]Ru(2)(mu-SR)(CO)(3) (R = Me, Et; 8a-b). Molecular structures of 4a, 6, and 8a as determined by X-ray diffraction studies are also presented.
Insight: implantable medical devices

Implantable electronic medical devices have achieved remarkable medical advances in the treatment of the most challenging conditions, starting with the introduction of the first implantable pacemaker in 1958. Increasing demand for innovation in existing and novel implantable devices is fuelled by the growing aging population and the increased prevalence of chronic diseases. This perspective article provides an overview of the implantable medical device ecosystem, highlights recent developments, and discusses challenges and opportunities for translation of new innovative implants enabled by microtechnologies and microfabrication.
Lukas Foss’s American Works as Expressions of the Immigrant Experience

Three overtly American works by German American immigrant composer Lukas Foss (The Prairie, American Cantata, and American Landscapes) offer insight into the musical expression of Foss’s immigrant experience, a motive for his compositional eclecticism that has not been previously considered. This immigrant experience can be understood as both a negotiation of multiple identities and an ambiguous relationship with the United States, and is expressed in music through text, preexistent melody, musical style, instrumentation, and other factors. The later works show Foss’s increasing acculturation through a greater facility with American vernacular music and an increasing willingness to directly criticize his adopted country.
Primary productivity in the Gulf of California

Primary productivity data from 6 cruises in the Gulf of California are summarized. A total of 31 stations with 133 samples was available. The Gulf of California represents a subtropical area with exceptionally high rates of primary productivity. This fact may be accounted for by temporary seasonal upwelling, a wind-mixed water column down to the shallow thermocline, especially in the northern part of the Gulf, and by tidal mixing, especially in the Ballenas Channel between Baja California and the island Angel de la Guardia. Rates of primary productivity in the Gulf of California are comparable to those in areas such as the Bay of Bengal, the upwelling areas off the west coast of Baja California, or North Africa. They are about 2 to 3 times greater than that in the open Atlantic or the open Pacific at similar latitudes.
Intercorrelations of Simplicity-Complexity of Social Ordering, Accuracy of Perception, Acceptance of Change, Self-Reliance and Sex Attitude

From 82 college Ss were obtained three measures developed from a theory of discrimination systems: number of discriminable categories along scales of discrimination applied to persons, number of different bi-polar scales used to discriminate between persons, and a rating of the level of abstraction of descriptions of a single Other person. Three attitude measures, acceptance vs rejection of change as a general, over-riding attitude, reliance upon self vs reliance upon others, and extreme sexual restraint vs affirmation of sexuality, were obtained, and all Ss predicted the choices of a female Other in 40 concrete situations before receiving her actual choice. The hypothesis that all seven of these measures would intercorrelate was not confirmed since the measures formed two clusters.
Addressing misconceptions about phobia, anxiety, and self-efficacy: a reply to marks

Abstract In an earlier paper in this Journal, I argued that the anxiety/exposure approach to phobia is not viable and should be abandoned in favor of a social cognitive perspective. An accompanying comment by Marks lauded anxiety and exposure theories and criticized social cognitive theory. This reply discusses the major issues raised by Marks. I conclude that (a) phobia theories cannot be excused from the requirement that they accurately predict phobic behavior; (b) the ethology and phylogenetic history of anxiety have little relevance to helping phobic people in the here-and-now; (c) people are multidimensional, but it makes little sense to say that anxiety is multidimensional; (d) the exposure principle lacks substance and encourages weak treatments for phobia; and (e) phobia is best understood and treated not as an “anxiety disorder” or a “panic disorder,” but as fundamentally a cognitive problem rooted in low perceptions of self-efficacy.
Chemical climatology of the middle atmosphere simulated by the NASA Langley Research Center Interactive Modeling Project for Atmospheric Chemistry and Transport (IMPACT) model

[1] The stratospheric chemical characteristics of the NASA Langley Research Center Interactive Modeling Project for Atmospheric Chemistry and Transport model are evaluated. We focus on species relevant to stratospheric ozone including the main constituents of the odd nitrogen and inorganic chlorine families. Model-derived chemical climatologies resulting from 20 years of integrations are compared with observations made primarily by the experiments aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. The role of model transport characteristics in determining long-lived tracer distributions is assessed. The model is shown to reproduce observed distributions and seasonal variations of constituents throughout the middle stratosphere. Causes of biases in the upper and lower stratosphere are identified and discussed. In accord with recent observationally based studies, the fundamental coupling between tropospheric wave forcing and stratospheric ozone anomalies is shown to be reproduced by the model.
Therapy for severe interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis. a retrospective study

Objective. This retrospective observational study attempted to determine whether any of the therapies used in the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients held potential benefit for patients with interstitial lung disease. Methods. All patients with SSc who had a pulmonary function test (PFT) showing a forced vital capacity (FVC) of <70% predicted and an additional PFT at least 4 months later were grouped according to the treatment they received. Changes in pulmonary function were analyzed by the mean percent predicted FVC from the initial and the final test, and by the rate of percent change in FVC (ml/year) in the first 2 years after therapy. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in a subset of these patients. Results. Of 363 SSc patients who had an FVC < 70% predicted, 122 had a second PFT and fulfilled the criteria for one of the following drug groups: high–dose prednisone (n = 21), immunosuppressive other than cyclophosphamide (CYC) (n = 16), CYC (n = 14), D–penicillamine (n = 37), or no drug (n = 34). In both analyses, the CYC–treated group showed significantly more improvement in FVC than did the other groups. Patients with early disease had the greatest likelihood of responding to any drug. Conclusion. This retrospective study shows that patients treated with CYC had a significant improvement in FVC over time. Prospective controlled studies of CYC treatment in early disease are necessary to determine if it can significantly alter the natural history of interstitial lung disease.
First Report of Tobacco rattle virus in Peony in Alaska

Peonies (Paeonia sp.) are highly valued for their large showy flowers in home gardens and commercially in the cut flower industry. In 2007, scattered peony (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Sarah Bernhardt’) plants cultivated on small plots at the University of Alaska Experimental Station in Fairbanks displayed distinct leaf ringspot patterns. Symptoms were more severe during the cooler months of the growing season (June and September), with symptom remission in the intervening warmer months. Leaf samples from six symptomatic plants were collected in July and from 20 symptomatic plants in September and assayed for viruses. Leaf samples (1 g) were assayed with a general protocol for plant virus extraction and partial purification with differential centrifugation followed by protein detection on stained sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1). No distinct proteins indicative of viral coat protein(s) were detected. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Tobacco rattle virus (TRV), known pathogens of p...
CRITICAL CARE COMPUTING: Past, Present, and Future

With rapidly increasing processing power, networks, and bandwidth, we have ever more powerful tools for ICU computing. The challenge is to use these tools to build on the work of the Innovators and Early Adopters, who pioneered the first three generations of systems, and extend computing to the Majority, who still rely on paper. What is needed is compelling evidence that these systems reduce cost and improve quality. The experience of other industries suggests that we need to address fundamental issues, such as clinical organization, roles, behavior, and incentives, before we will be able to prove the benefits of computing technology. When these preconditions are met, the promise of computing will be realized, perhaps with the upcoming fourth-generation systems. ICU computing can then finally cross the chasm and become the standard of care.
Octanol antagonism of ethanol teratogenesis.

SPECIFIC AIMSAlcohol may cause birth defects in part by disrupting the developmentally critical L1 cell adhesion molecule. Because 1-octanol antagonizes ethanol inhibition of L1-mediated cell adhesion, we used mouse whole embryo culture to test whether 1-octanol also prevents ethanol teratogenicity.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. Low concentrations of 1-octanol are not toxic in whole embryo cultureTo determine the toxicity of 1-octanol, gestational day 8 (GD8) whole mouse embryos were cultured for 6 h in the absence and presence of 1-octanol and transferred to control medium for an additional 20 h. Somite pairs were counted after a total of 26 h in culture. Based on somite counts, treatment with 3 μM 1-octanol did not produce a delay in embryonic development, whereas 10 μM and higher concentrations of 1-octanol caused increasing dysmorphogenesis (Fig. 1a⤻ ). Figure 1.Effect of 1-octanol and ethanol on the morphology of cultured C57Bl/6J GD8 mouse embryos. a) Mean ± se number of somite pairs after treatment for 6 h w...
Genomic scale profiling of nutrient and trace elements in Arabidopsis thaliana

Understanding the functional connections between genes, proteins, metabolites and mineral ions is one of biology's greatest challenges in the postgenomic era. We describe here the use of mineral nutrient and trace element profiling as a tool to determine the biological significance of connections between a plant's genome and its elemental profile. Using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, we quantified 18 elements, including essential macro- and micronutrients and various nonessential elements, in shoots of 6,000 mutagenized M2 Arabidopsis thaliana plants. We isolated 51 mutants with altered elemental profiles. One mutant contains a deletion in FRD3, a gene known to control iron-deficiency responses in A. thaliana. Based on the frequency of elemental profile mutations, we estimate 2-4% of the A. thaliana genome is involved in regulating the plant's nutrient and trace element content. These results demonstrate the utility of elemental profiling as a useful functional genomics tool.
Studies of Body Water and Water Turnover Determined with Deuterium Oxide Added to Food

In 5 dogs which ingested 25 or 50 ml. of D2O with one daily meal, maximal plasma concentrations of tracer were reached in 12-24 hr. The disappearance rate during 14 days was exponential, confirming studies of others in humans. Water turnover, calculated from values obtained for body water and the disappearance rates, agreed well with total water intake, which included water taken as such and that derived by oxidation. Water intake per square meter of surface area varied widely; there was also no constant relationship between either total turnover or extrarenal loss and caloric intake. Since animals were maintained at nearly constant weights for long periods, caloric intake and total heat production were presumably equivalent. Thus the possibility of estimating total heat production from water turnover or extrarenal loss was not promising, but the validity of body water and turnover estimations was well supported. Average value for body water was 60.6% of body weight, with a range of 56.1% to 66.6%.
Recreational Sports Participation as a Mediating Factor for College Student Alcohol Use

Research indicates that college students involved in extracurricular activities are less likely to abuse alcohol or other drugs. This study investigated whether or not involvement in recreational sports acts as a protective factor in preventing abuse and explored whether substance use differs by type of recreational sports program: team sports, individual or dual sports, fitness programs, and nonparticipation in any recreational sports activity. Trained resident assistants surveyed college freshmen (N = 316) living in residence halls. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses of variance were calculated. Overall, no significant differences in alcohol use based on participation and type of activity were found regarding recreational sports participants; however, findings are useful in providing future direction for recreational sports programs. Implications for campus recreation professionals related to program planning, student employee and sports officials training, team captain training or orienta...
A Generalized Hidden Markov Model Approach for Web Information Extraction

A Generalized Hidden Markov Model (GHMM) which extends traditional HMMs by making use of Web-specific information for Web information extraction is presented in this paper. Web content blocks are used instead of content terms as basic extraction unit in our approach. Besides, instead of using the traditional sequential state transition order, the state transition orders of GHMMs are detected based on layout structures of the corresponding web pages. Furthermore, multiple emission features are applied instead of single emission feature. In this way GHMMs can better accommodate Web information extraction. Experiments show promising results of GHMMs.
Advance Planning by Same-Sex Couples

The lack of legal recognition of same-sex couples can leave partners vulnerable in a crisis or emergency. Advance planning is one strategy couples can use to establish legal rights. Analyses of data collected from both partners in 131 same-sex couples suggested that executing advance-planning documents (wills, powers of attorney for finance and health care, and living wills) was associated with age and couple-level relational variables. Older couples and couples that reported higher commitment levels were more likely to have executed the four documents. Couples who had disclosed their relationship to a higher percentage of their relatives were more likely to have executed wills and living wills. Implications of these findings for public policy and social services affecting same-sex couples are discussed.
Heterodyne Mixing of Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers Using a Planar Schottky Diode

Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have been used together with a monolithic planar Schottky diode receiver to study the heterodyne mixing between dual internal modes of a QCL and between a single mode of a QCL and a known molecular line from a molecular gas laser. Dual-mode mixing shows that the intrinsic linewidth of a free-running QCL is les30 kHz . Mixing against a molecular laser line gives a high precision measurement of a QCL's absolute frequency and can show transient turn-on behavior in a pulsed QCL.
Berezin versus Mellin

We study zero products of two Bergman space Toeplitz operators, where one symbol is harmonic. Our results point in the direction of the zero product problem having only a trivial solution. The techniques we use are based on a formula that connects the Berezin and Mellin transform.
A social anthropology of ghosts in twenty-first-century America

Although belief in ghosts or analogous concepts is prevalent cross-culturally, including in contemporary Western cultures, social scientific treatments of spirit belief and experience often dismiss...
Using coverage effectiveness to evaluate test suite prioritizations

Regression test suite prioritization techniques reorder a test suite with the goal of ensuring that the reorganized test suite finds faults faster than the initial ordering. It is challenging to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of a new test case arrangement because existing metrics (i) require fault seeding or (ii) ignore test case costs. This paper presents a coverage effectiveness (CE) metric that (i) obviates the need to seed faults into the program under test and (ii) incorporates available data about test case execution times. A test suite is awarded a high CE value when it quickly covers the test requirements. It is possible to calculate coverage effectiveness regardless of the coverage criterion that is chosen to evaluate test case quality. The availability of an open source CE calculator enables future case studies and controlled experiments to use coverage effectiveness when evaluating different approaches to test suite prioritization.
A new scale for assessing patients' psychosocial adjustment to medical illness

The Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS) was administered to 37 Hodgkin's disease patients and 38 parents of children with Hodgkin's disease or solid tumour, and the scores were analysed for inter-rater reliability as well as construct and criterion validity. A significant inter-rater reliability coefficient was obtained for the total scale score, and also for 6 of the 7 subscale scores. The 7 subscale scores were shown to be relatively independent of each other, with 5 contributing strongly to the total score. Subscales analysed for criterion validity were shown to correlate significantly with independent assessments of their domains of adjustment. Results indicate that the PAIS can be administered by a diverse group of interviewers with an acceptable degree of reliability and with initial confidence in its validity.
The classification of ringing sounds

The problem of ringing sound (e.g. telephone, alarm clock, etc.) classification is addressed. A time-domain model, exhibiting the phenomenon of interference is found to have behavior similar to that exhibited by a telephone ringing sound. This motivates a frequency-domain production model which asserts that ringing sounds can be modeled as bandpass-filtered white noise, where the filter has a power spectral density in the form of isosceles triangles. A parameter estimation technique based on this model is found to provide enough information to classify ringing sounds. >
Relationship between identification metrics: expected confusion and area under a ROC curve

The mathematical relationship between the expected-confusion metric and the area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is derived. Given a limited database of subjects and an identification technique that generates a feature vector per subject, expected confusion is used to predict how well the feature vector will filter identity in a larger population. Related is the area under a ROC curve that can be used to determine the probability of correctly discriminating between subjects given the feature vector. These two measures have different connotations, but we show mathematically and verify experimentally that a simple transformation can be applied to the expected confusion to find the probability of incorrectly discriminating between subjects, which is the complement of the area under a ROC curve. Furthermore, we show that as a function of the number of subjects, this transformed expected-confusion measure converges more quickly than direct calculation of the area under a ROC curve.
Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma: 25 years later.

Timothy M. Zagar, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH Timothy J. Triche, Department of Pathology, Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA Timothy J. Kinsella, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Preserved vascular integrity and enhanced survival following neuropilin-1 inhibition in a mouse model of CD8 T cell-initiated CNS vascular permeability

Altered permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a feature of numerous neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, cerebral malaria, viral hemorrhagic fevers and acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis. Our laboratory has developed a murine model of CD8 T cell-initiated central nervous system (CNS) vascular permeability in which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling plays a prominent role in BBB disruption. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that in vivo blockade of VEGF signal transduction through administration of peptide (ATWLPPR) to inhibit neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) would have a therapeutic effect following induction of CD8 T cell-initiated BBB disruption. We report that inhibition of NRP-1, a co-receptor that enhances VEGFR2 (flk-1) receptor activation, decreases vascular permeability, brain hemorrhage, and mortality in this model of CD8 T cell-initiated BBB disruption. We also examine the expression pattern of VEGFR2 (flk-1) and VEGFR1 (flt-1) mRNA expression during a time course of this condition. We find that viral infection of the brain leads to increased expression of flk-1 mRNA. In addition, flk-1 and flt-1 expression levels decrease in the striatum and hippocampus in later time points following induction of CD8 T cell-mediated BBB disruption. This study demonstrates that NRP-1 is a potential therapeutic target in neuro-inflammatory diseases involving BBB disruption and brain hemorrhage. Additionally, the reduction in VEGF receptors subsequent to BBB disruption could be involved in compensatory negative feedback as an attempt to reduce vascular permeability.
The effective method of reducing slurry for interlayer dielectric CMP

Recently chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) became a routine process in semiconductor manufacturing process. However one problem is that the slurry consumption in CMP process is very large. Some experiments are aimed at reducing slurry consumption. Our research showed that the slurry was needed only at the start of polishing in ILD CMP and that we could planarize without slurry after the midpoint of polishing. This paper describes a method of reducing slurry for interlayer dielectric CMP and we predict that the application of this method to our ILD CMP process could reduce waste slurry by about 50%.
Imaging the thoracic lymphatics: Experimental studies of swine

The lungs and hearts of 15 swine were surgically harvested intact and studied in the fresh state. The lymphatics of the lung and mediastinum were cannulated and contrast medium was introduced by retrograde injection to identify the visceral pleural lymphatics and deep lymphatics of the lung. Radiographic x-ray, CT, MR, and color photographic images were obtained. Collateralization, extravasation (bronchorrhea), perivascular stasis, and circumvention were demonstrated. Lymphatic communication with the contralateral lung, thoracic duct, heart, and the diaphragm was demonstrated. The findings correlate with the lymphangiographic display of lymphedema of the extremities, obstruction to lymph flow secondary to congenital abnormalities, trauma, tumor, and infections. Our results support the view that stents and/or large bore needles may be introduced into the superficial lymphatics of the lung. The lymphatics of the lung may be anastomosed post lung transplantation and thus possibly reduce passive congestion that occurs in the early postoperative period. The authors postulate that tumor cells and infectious agents may be spread from one lung to the other by the anatomical pathways demonstrated.
High-power magnetron Cu seed deposition on 3-D dual inlaid features

Cu seed deposition is an important step before electroplating when filling trenches and vias for interconnect manufacture. An integrated reactor to feature scale model has been applied to a high-power magnetron (HPM) source for Cu seed deposition. Images of the resulting Cu seed coverage on a canonical dual inlaid feature using the HPM source are presented. The dominant deposition species is the Cu athermal, which has a broad angular distribution. The deposition results predict rounded profiles and via bottom and cusp formation at trench and via tops due to geometric shadowing of the Cu athermals.
Studying and Supporting Collaborative Care Processes

In patient care today, teams of practitioners from various disciplines must coordinate their efforts in order to deliver care successfully. Frontline nurses and physicians must interact with social workers, therapists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and others to develop and carry out coordinated plans of care. Also, clinical team members must communicate with patients and their families in language that can be understood and acted upon. In support of these goals, JCAHO standards require patient care to be planned and provided in an interdisciplinary, collaborative manner. As hospital units develop processes for collaborative care in complex environments such as post-surgery and critical care units, it is important to understand what constitutes success for these processes and how they can be enabled and supported. This report documents a series of field visits and simulations designed to observe, videotape, and interview collaborative care team members, patients, and family members engaged in...