cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal coinfection control of competitive epidemics in multi-layer networks

We consider the problem of simultaneously controlling the propagation of several diseases in a weighted, directed, multilayer contact network by distributing protection resources throughout the different network layers. We analyze a multi-disease extension of the standard Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible (SIS) epidemic model when individuals in the network present different levels of susceptibility to the diseases. In this paper, we assume that a controlling agency has a finite budget to invest on different antidotes, each one of them targeting a disease, and need to find the optimal allocation of these antidotes throughout the nodes and layers in the network. We first show that controlling several diseases using shared (and finite) resources can be written as a collection of spectral conditions involving the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrices representing each one of the layers in the network. We then propose a convex framework to find the optimal budget allocation to fabricate and distribute different types of antidotes to simultaneously control several diseases. We illustrate our approaches with numerical simulations in synthetic networks.
Potassium transport in dispersed mucosal cells from guinea pig stomach

Abstract Dispersed mucosal cells (approx. 70% parietal cells) prepared from guinea pig stomach maintained their cellular concentration of potassium (65–80 nmol potassium/10 6 cells) for at least 5 h in vitro. Uptake of 42 K by dispersed gastric mucosal cells depended on temperature, H + concentration and oxidative metabolism. Carbachol and, in some instances, gastrin caused a 40–50% increase in cellular uptake of 42 K as a consequence of the ability of these agents to increase 42 K influx. Ouabain reduced uptake of 42 K by 70% but did not alter the effect of carbachol. Cellular uptake of 42 K was not altered by histamine, prostaglandin E 1 , glucagon, secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide or C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin. Uptake of 42 K was also increased by dibutyryl cyclic AMP or dibutyryl cyclic GMP but not by cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP or their 8-bromo derivatives. Theophylline caused a small (10–15%) increase in 42 K uptake and potentiated the increase caused by submaximal concentrations of carbachol. The increase in 42 K uptake caused by either dibutyryl cyclic nucleotide and carbachol was additive.
Lymphocyte trapping in tolerant mice.

THE precise nature of the cellular defects involved in a state of immunological unresponsiveness remains to be elucidated1. As one of the earliest events in the initiation of humoral immune responses is the recruitment of peripheral lymphocytes6–11, we have investigated the kinetics of recruitment in tolerant animals.
Building the Academic Community of E-Government Research on Cross-Boundary Information Integration and Sharing

This paper presents the result of a network analysis on cumulative studies addressing issues of data integration, information sharing, knowledge network, and technical interoperability, which we consider as key themes of cross-boundary information integration and sharing for e-government. The network analysis explores the academic community of e-government research pertinent to those four topics. We profiled conference papers and journal articles included in the e-government research database that the Digital Government Society of North America released in March, 2011. This study found the lack of connections among scholars in the research community in terms of publication outlets and research themes. The paper also discusses potential reasons of the disconnected pattern in collaborative research.
User preferences discovery using fuzzy models

User preferences discovery aims to learn the patterns of user preferences for various services or items such as movies. Preferences discovery is essential to the development of intelligent personalization applications. Based on decision and utility theories, traditional approaches to preferences discovery explicitly query users about the behavior of value function, or utility of every outcome with respect to each decision criterion. Consequently, these approaches are generally error-prone and labor intensive. Although implicit elicitation approaches have been proposed to address the above limitations, extent approaches largely ignore multi-valued nature of item features and uncertainty associated with item features and user preferences. To address uncertainty due to vagueness and imprecision, this research proposed a general framework for preferences discovery based on fuzzy set theories. In addition, new fuzzy models were created for preferences discovery and representation. Further, an algorithm was developed to predict user preferences with uncertainty, and visualization of item features, user feedback, and the discovered preferences helped improve the interpretation of the discovered knowledge. The results of the simulation evaluation using a benchmark movie dataset revealed that the proposed preference discovery method: (1) doubled the accuracy of preference discovery as compared to random prediction; and (2) outperformed conventional techniques in making movie recommendation. These findings suggest that fuzzy models are effective for preferences patterns discovery, and personalized recommendation application.
A tandem mass spectrometric investigation of hydroxy-aromatic constituents in coal liquids

Abstract Preasphaltene fractions of exinite and vitrinite macerals, liquefied in tetralin, were examined by chemical ionization mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry for phenolic constituents. Recognition was based on dehydration of the protonated molecule with confirmation from daughter spectra, which in some cases could be compared with the spectra of authentic compounds. Rapid screening for homologous compounds was achieved by employing parent scans. Twelve homologous series of hydroxyaromatic compounds were identified, including phenols, naphthols, indenols, indanols, and some dihydroxy compounds. Many of the alkylated species have not been previously reported in coal liquids. While tanden mass spectrometry is an effective means of encountering new compounds, it does not provide the isomer selectivity of chromatographic methods to which it is complementary.
Plane-Wave Born Approximation Calculations of Cross Sections for Direct Coulomb Ionization of M-Subshells by Bare Charged Particles and the Subsequent Emission of M-Shell X Rays

Results of calculations performed in the plane-wave Born approximation for the atomic states of the M-shell are presented in the form of the excitation function I31(?,W), the universal function F31(?/?2,?), and the direct Coulomb ionization cross sections. A description of vacancy filling leading to x-ray production cross sections from incident carbon ions on 79Au, 82Pb, and 83Bi are compared with the present calculations.
Reducing children's immunization distress in a primary care setting

The purpose of this study was to compare two brief, inexpensive distraction techniques for children receiving immunizations during a county-sponsored immunization clinic. Preschool children (n=80) were assigned to a party blower intervention, a pinwheel intervention, or a control group. Nurses were instructed to use "standard instructions" for the control group, and to simply provide the distracter and encourage use, but not to spend time trying to train the child or force them to use it, for the other groups. Results of planned comparisons indicated significant party blower results in the children's ratings of reduced distress ( P P =.04), and showed it to be more distracting than the pinwheel ( P
Childhood injuries in the European union: can epidemiology contribute to their control?

An average of 6000 children (0-14-y-old) died every year from injuries in the European Union during the last decade. Although the trends are overall favorable, injuries continue to represent the leading cause of death in this age group. The aim of this paper is to present childhood-injury-related public health issues and consider possible remedies of contemporary epidemiologic methods as applied to injury epidemiology and prevention. It has been estimated that half of the lives lost to childhood injuries could have been saved if all European Union countries matched the accomplishments of the country with the lowest mortality rate in each injury category. There is no specific pattern of association between Gross Domestic Product and incidence of motor-vehicle accidents by category of road user, whereas fatality from motor-vehicle accidents seems to be inversely, strongly and significantly related to Gross Domestic Product. CONCLUSION: The ongoing development of large injury databases in the European Union is a prerequisite for understanding the complex interactions that lead to a childhood injury. Moreover, possible remedies for overcoming the genuine problems associated with the application of traditional epidemiologic methods to the investigation of the frequently transient in nature causes of injuries should be considered. Language: en
Projected response of an endangered marine turtle population to climate change

Using models and ecological data, this study shows that the eastern Pacific Ocean population of leatherback sea turtles could well face extirpation owing to climate change. However, the findings indicate that it may be possible to sustain a viable nesting population in Costa Rica throughout this century by cooling nests.
Gonadotropin secretion and testis function in artificially cryptorchid bulls

Abstract A procedure is described to induce artificial cryptorchidism in bulls. When this procedure was performed on bulls at 9 months of age, their testes remained in an abdominal position and semen samples collected 4 months later were void of sperm. Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were higher (P
Model simplification for AUV pitch-axis control design

Abstract Although the use of low-order equivalent models is common and extensively studied for control of aircraft systems, similar analysis has not been performed for submersible systems. Toward an improved understanding of the utility of low-order equivalent models for submersible systems, we examine control design for pitch-axis motion of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Derived from first principles, the pitch-axis motion of a streamlined AUV is described by third-order dynamics. However, second-order approximate models are common for system identification and control design. In this work, we provide theoretical justification for both the use of and limitations of a second-order model, and we verify our results in practice via a series of case studies. We conclude that a second-order pitch-axis model should often be sufficient for system identification and control design.
Democratizing States and the Use of History

A pervasive anti-statism often blinds us to the democratic victories in the past and thus to possibilities in our future. This article argues that big government can democratize society and uses historical investigation to make the point. The study of history emancipates us from the tyranny of the present. Progressive social change has come about in the United States and elsewhere as combined bottom-up, top-down initiatives. I present two such cases of democratization during the New Deal era. The first is about rural sociologists' participatory-action research with local citizens for policy planning. This program, while short-lived, fed into the creation of the field of community development. The other is a land-reform experiment among poor African Americans. In the 1960s these ''resettlement communities'' became local strongholds of the civil-rights movement, and their descen- dants carry on the struggle today. I use these two historical instances to show that big states as well as social scientists have been effective agents of democracy, and suggest that they can be again. History then enable us to re- imagine, re-new, and re-form our democratic tradition of rural sociology.
Analytic theory of orbit contraction due to atmospheric drag

Abstract The motion of a satellite in orbit, subject to atmospheric force and the motion of a reentry vehicle are governed by the same forces, namely, gravitational and aerodynamic. This suggests the derivation of a uniform set of equations applicable to both cases. For the case of satellite motion, by a proper transformation and by the method of averaging, a technique appropriate for long duration flight, the classical nonlinear differential equation describing the contraction of the major axis is derived. While previous authors, and in particular King-Hele, integrated this equation using various heuristic methods, the present authors present a rigorous analytic solution, with a high degree of accuracy, using Poincare's method of small parameters. Next, using Lagrange's expansion, the major axis is expressed explicitly as a function of the eccentricity. The solution is uniformly valid for moderate and small eccentricities. This is a major achievement due to the discovery of a certain recurrence formula which facilitates the long and tedious analytic process. For highly eccentric orbits, the asymptotic equation is derived directly from the general equation. To obtain the same equation King-Hele must use an entirely different method. Again, while King-Hele only succeeded in obtaining an approximate solution to this case using a heuristic method of integration, the exact solution to the asymptotic equation has been obtained by the present authors. Numerical solutions have been generated to display the accuracy of the analytic theory. The explicit solution has been derived using a spherically symmetrical atmosphere with exponential variation of density with height but the basic equations developed and the technique for their integration apply to the case of an oblate atmosphere which is locally exponential.
Cyclic penicillamine containing enkephalin analogs display profound delta receptor selectivities.

Abstract The cyclic, penicillamine (β, β dimethylcysteine)-containing enkephalin analogs, [ D -Cys2, L -Pen5]- and [ D -Cys2, D -Pen5]enkephalin and the corresponding bis-penicillamine analogs, [ D -Pen2, L -Pen5]- and [ D -Pen2, D -Pen5]enkephalin were synthesized and evaluated for opioid activity in the guinea pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) bioassays and in rat brain and neuroblastoma-glioma cell membrane binding assays. These analogs all displayed δ receptor selectivity as assessed by IC50(GPI)/IC50(MVD) ratios and by their relative potencies for displacing [3H]naloxone (NAL) vs. [3H] [ D -Ala2, D -Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) from rat brain membrane preparations. For [ D -Pen2, L -Pen5]- and [ D -Pen2, D -Pen5]enkephalinthe observed IC50(GPI)/IC50 (MVD) ratios (1088 and 3164) and IC50NAL/IC50DADLE ratios (371 and 175) represent a vast improvement over previously reported δ receptor selective ligands.
A modal analysis of the violin

Abstract The msc/nastran finite element computer program was used to study the modal characteristics of a violin with the Stradivari shape. The violin geometry was modeled using an arcs of circles scheme with patran , a finite element graphics pre/postprocessor program. Belly, back, sound post, bassbar, neck, bridge, tail-piece, strings, rib linings, end and corner blocks are the components of the model. Mode shapes and frequencies were calculated for free top and back plates, the violin box, and the complete violin system, including the strings. The results obtained from the finite element technique were compared to experimental data collected from real violins by other investigators.
Analysis of tongue and groove joints for thick laminates

Abstract A finite element evaluation of local stresses in the adhesive and adherends is presented for a tongue-and-groove joint of a homogenized thick composite laminate to steel plate. The quasi-isotropic laminate is made of glass fabric/vinyl ester plies. Most results are obtained for elastic response of the Dexter-Hysol 9338 adhesive that was used in recent experiments (Compos Sci Technol 61 (2001) 1123–1142). A non-linearly viscoelastic adhesive is also considered, with illustrative properties taken from experiments on the FM-73 system. Both in-plane force resultants and out-of-plane moments are included in the applied loads. Scaling of the elastic results with regard to plate thickness shows that for given levels of overall stresses applied to the adherend plates, the stresses supported by the adhesive do not depend on plate thickness. Adhesive stress relaxation is shown to be relatively small, and occurring in a short time period.
The impact of ideology on regulation: The case of board and care homes

Abstract Debates about regulatory efforts to monitor the delivery of health and long-term care have become commonplace in health policy. Efforts to examine the key assumptions underlying the current regulatory strategies have been limited, however. Using the board and care industry as an example, this article examines how ideology influences the regulatory strategy developed. Three ideological perspectives-a free-market approach, a market correction strategy, and a critical policy framework-are reviewed in the context of efforts to regulate board and care homes in the United States. Differences in approaches to regulating board and care are presented for each of the major perspectives.
Energy consumption during cooking in the residential sector of developed nations: A review

Abstract Residential cooking is essential for the enhancement of safety and quality of a substantial number of food products, but the energy requirements for cooking can be prodigious and individual household energy use varies considerably. This review evaluates the current state of energy efficiency during household cooking in developed countries and identifies potential policy changes that may have an impact on reducing energy consumption. The primary factors affecting energy consumption include: (1) the production and transport efficiency of fuel sources (electricity, natural gas, wood, etc.); (2) the appliance (or end-use) efficiency; and (3) the behavior of the consumer during cooking. Regarding appliance efficiencies, some improvements are plausible and policies should be directed towards reducing or alleviating stand-by energy consumption in new products. However, the most promising energy conservation tactic is consumer behavior modifications since individual cooking practices can reduce expenditures by as much as 95%; thus, policies should be directed towards consumer education to have the most marked effect on household energy consumption. Although cooking is only one aspect of food production, it is a universal requisite for food safety in the residential sector and implementing policies that reduce energy consumption during cooking may have an impact on global energy demands.
Mental Illness and the Family in America and India

The relationship of family support systems to emotional problems is presented from a transcultural perspective in the light of differences in the types of patients seen at one American and two Indian clinics. The American cultural emphasis on individuation and role adequacy is reflected in a much higher incidence of adjustment reactions and personality disorders among American patients. The positive view of mutuality and interdependence among Indians helps decrease the need for psychiatric help for these problems so long as the individual is an integral part of the family. Separation from the supportive role of the family, however, brings about a sharp increase in the incidence of these problems.
Enhanced cardiopulmonary reflex inhibition of heart rate during exercise

CHEN, C.-Y., S. E. DICARLO, and H. L. COLLINS. Enhanced cardiopulmonary reflex inhibition of heart rate during exercise. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 27, No. 10, pp. 1399-1405, 1995. We tested the hypothesis that the reflex inhibition of heart rate (HR) during mechanical (acute bolus injection of 0.5% and 2% of estimated blood volume) and chemical (phenylbiguanide, PBG, 2.5 and 5 μg.kg -1 ) stimulation of cardiopulmonary receptors would be enhanced during exercise. Rats were instrumented with arterial and venous catheters. The reflex response to mechanical (N = 7) and chemical (N = 8) stimulation of cardiopulmonary receptors was examined at rest and during exercise (6 m.min -1 , 10% grade). A two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with repeated measures was used to test for differences in the reflex regulation of HR at rest vs exercise. HR was used as the covariate because exercise significantly increased baseline HR. There was no significant treatment effect (rest vs exercise) for the reflex inhibition of HR during mechanical stimulation. However, the two-way ANCOVA revealed a significant treatment effect (rest vs exercise) for the reflex inhibition of HR during chemical stimulation. The reflex decreases in HR were enhanced (-Δ 23 ± 8 vs -Δ 133 ± 47 and -Δ 208 ± 40 vs -Δ 374 ± 10 bpm at 2.5 and 5 μg.kg -1 , respectively). These data suggest that factors associated with exercise enhanced the cardiopulmonary reflex inhibition of heart rate during chemical stimulation.
Analytically Continued Hypergeometric Expression of the Incomplete Beta Function

The Incomplete Beta Function is rewritten as a Hypergeometric Function that is the analytic continuation of the conventional form, a generalization of the finite series, which simpifies the Stieltjes transform of powers of a monomial divided by powers of a binomial.
The mechanism of receptor-mediated endocytosis: More questions than answers

Receptor-mediated endocytosis occurs via clathrin-coated pits and is therefore coupled to the dynamic cycle of assembly and disassembly of the coat constituents. These coat proteins comprise part, but certainly not all, of the machinery involved in the recognition of membrane receptors and their selective packaging into transport vesicles for internalization. Despite considerable knowledge about the biochemistry of coated vesicles and purified coat proteins, little is known about the mechanisms of coated pit assembly, receptor-sorting and coated vesicle formation. Cell-free assays which faithfully reconstitute these events provide powerful new tools with which to elucidate the overall mechanism of receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Mechanisms for the Evolution of a Derived Function in the Ancestral Glucocorticoid Receptor

Understanding the genetic, structural, and biophysical mechanisms that caused protein functions to evolve is a central goal of molecular evolutionary studies. Ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) offers an experimental approach to these questions. Here we use ASR to shed light on the earliest functions and evolution of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a steroid-activated transcription factor that plays a key role in the regulation of vertebrate physiology. Prior work showed that GR and its paralog, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), duplicated from a common ancestor roughly 450 million years ago; the ancestral functions were largely conserved in the MR lineage, but the functions of GRs—reduced sensitivity to all hormones and increased selectivity for glucocorticoids—are derived. Although the mechanisms for the evolution of glucocorticoid specificity have been identified, how reduced sensitivity evolved has not yet been studied. Here we report on the reconstruction of the deepest ancestor in the GR lineage (AncGR1) and demonstrate that GR's reduced sensitivity evolved before the acquisition of restricted hormone specificity, shortly after the GR–MR split. Using site-directed mutagenesis, X-ray crystallography, and computational analyses of protein stability to recapitulate and determine the effects of historical mutations, we show that AncGR1's reduced ligand sensitivity evolved primarily due to three key substitutions. Two large-effect mutations weakened hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions within the ancestral protein, reducing its stability. The degenerative effect of these two mutations is extremely strong, but a third permissive substitution, which has no apparent effect on function in the ancestral background and is likely to have occurred first, buffered the effects of the destabilizing mutations. Taken together, our results highlight the potentially creative role of substitutions that partially degrade protein structure and function and reinforce the importance of permissive mutations in protein evolution.
Clinical bond failure of pre-coated and operator-coated orthodontic brackets.

Structured Abstract Objectives – To test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference in clinical bracket failure between the 3M APC Mini Twin™ bracket system and the Transbond XT™ adhesive during orthodontic treatment. Design – A randomized, split mouth, prospective clinical trial. Setting and Sample Population – The Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at University of Missouri, Kansas City. Twenty-nine subjects who were treatment planned to receive comprehensive orthodontics using 0.018 slot appliances. Experimental Variable – The adhesive pre-coated brackets (APC ) system was randomly assigned to one side of the mouth and the Transbond XTTMwas assigned to the opposite side. Outcome Measure – The absence of any of the brackets at the time of a regular or emergency orthodontic appointment. Results – There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in bracket failure between the 3M APC Mini TwinTM bracket system and the Transbond XTTM adhesive at any time period (90, 180, or 365 days). The failure rate of brackets on premolars was higher than on incisors or canines. Conclusion – APC Mini TwinTM bracket system and Transbond XTTMadhesive are equally effective in maintaining brackets clinically. Inexperienced operators had an overall 7.5% bond failure 12 months following bracket placement.
Models for inferring relationships between group size and potential group productivity.

What a group actually accomplishes depends on the nature of its task, the relevant resources of the members, the motivations of members, and the coordination patterns developed as the group proceeds with its work. Research workers have often failed to distinguish between what groups actually accomplish and what they have the ability to accomplish. The following study reflects an attempt to organize some of the literature on group productivity into a coherent pattern, and to treat the ability of groups as a problem separate from actual productivity.
Diffusion-based placement migration

Placement migration is the movement of cells within an existing placement to address a variety of post-placement design closure issues, such as timing, routing congestion, signal integrity, and heat distribution. To fix a design problem, one would like to perturb the design as little as possible while preserving the integrity of the original placement. This work presents a new diffusion-based placement method based on a discrete approximation to a closed-form solution of the continuous diffusion equation. It has the advantage of smooth spreading, which helps preserve neighborhood characteristics of the original placement. Applying this technique to placement legalization demonstrates significant improvements in wire length and timing compared to other commonly used techniques.
Home and person focused event framework

While networked devices have been proliferating in the home, the systems utilizing them typically operate in isolation from each other. This is partly due to the lack of a common framework that facilitates the exchange of information across these systems. Hence, we envision a home and person focused extensible event framework that provides a platform for dissemination, storage, and retrieval of events generated by such networked devices, and facilitates the extraction of high level semantics information through the application of event fusion algorithms. This will enable the delivery of personalized and relevant information to the users, and provide opportunities for new services activated by intelligent events.
Muscle activation levels during early postoperative rehabilitation exercises in SLAP repaired patients, a pilot study

BackgroundFew studies have examined muscular activation levels during commonly prescribed range of motion (ROM) exercises in a post-surgical superior labral tear anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair...
Stability Study of Comminuted Poultry Meats in Frozen Storage

Abstract Mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM), centrifuged mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCMc), hand deboned broiler meat (HDCM), mechanically deboned turkey meat (MDTM), centrifuged mechanically deboned turkey meat (MDTMc), and ground beef were stored frozen for a 6-month period at −25°C. Meats were taken out from frozen storage immediately after freezing and after 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, and measured for color change, water holding capacity (WHC), emulsifying capacity (EC), and 2-thiobarbituric acid value (TBA). Proximate analyses were conducted at the beginning and end of the experiment. Relatively few changes in the meats were seen as a result of storage time. The intensity of redness was found highest in ground beef, but some color was lost as a result of prolonged storage. Non-centrifuged meats had higher redness scores than centrifuged meats. Centrifugation of MDCM and MDTM improved both the WHC and EC of the respective samples. The EC of HDCM was quite high, but the WHC was low. Ground beef possessed an excellent WHC and EC initially, but EC declined during storage. Most of the significant changes in meat quality due to storage time were decreases in redness and EC declines. Results generally indicate that the meats studied in this research can be stored frozen at −25°C. for up to 6 months and still be acceptable for use in emulsion products.
The intensive care unit as a research laboratory: developing strategies to prevent antimicrobial resistance.

Objective: To assemble the available clinical data on the prevention of antimicrobial resistance in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Data Source: A MEDLINE database search and references from identified articles were employed to obtain the literature relating to the prevention of antimicrobial resistance in the ICU. Conclusions: The ICU presents a unique environment for the conduct of clinical research. The closed physical space with centralized patient management and efficient data recovery allows important clinical questions to be evaluated in a timely manner. Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as an important determinant of mortality for patients in the ICU. Additionally, there is currently a limited pipeline of new agents for the treatment of emerging bacteria with new resistance genes that pose an increasing threat to the ICU patient. Effective strategies for the prevention of antimicrobial resistance within ICUs are available and should be implemented aggressively. These strategies can be di...
Ambulatory Activity Monitoring in Youth: State of the Science

PURPOSE More than 75% of youth in grades 4 through 12 in the United States do not engage in vigorous physical activity daily. Clinicians and researchers need valid and reliable measures of physical activity to address this public health concern. The purpose of this paper is to review the history of activity monitoring in pediatrics and synthesize the current literature on ambulatory physical activity monitoring in youth. SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS For this review, ambulatory physical activity monitoring is defined as direct measurement of the amount of walking and/or steps taken over time. An overview of commercially available pedometers and accelerometers is presented with implications and recommendations for practice and research. RECOMMENDATIONS Ambulatory activity monitoring has the potential to affect current pediatric health concerns related to inactivity and clear indications for a broad spectrum of research methodology.
20th-century advances in drug therapy in oncology--Part I.

Ongoing research in cancer therapy has led to the development of antineoplastic agents which target specific components of the cell cycle. In Part II of this series, we discuss agents which target the mitotic mechanism by inhibiting microtubules. Although many of these agents are being shown to have multiple effects, the Vinca alkaloids and the taxanes are known as antimitotic drugs. They are among the most important anticancer agents currently available, and because of their unique mechanisms, can be combined with a wide variety of other antineoplastic agents in a spectrum of diseases. In addition, in part II, we are discussing agents that target DNA and prevent replication and thus cell growth by inhibiting the enzymes which protect DNA during replication, the topoisomerases. These drugs, too, have unique mechanisms of action and have become major components of combination regimens. The topoisomerase I inhibitors are new drugs derived from an older parent drug, and their full possibilities are still being explored.
Aging of natural and acquired immunity of mice. I. Decreased natural killer cell function and hybrid resistance.

Two “natural resistance” functions, natural killer (NK) cell activity against YAC-1 lymphoma cells and rejection by irradiated mice of parental-strain or H-2 allogeneic bone marrow cell grafts (hybrid or allogeneic resistance) were compared in mice at ages between 10 weeks and 26 months. NK cell numbers, as assessed by target-binding cells, decreased to one-half that of young mouse spleen cells, whereas NK lytic function was much more depressed. Hybrid, but not allogeneic, resistance to marrow grafts was weakened by 17 months of age. The immunogenicity of marrow stem cells of old Fl hybrid mice had not changed. The interferon inducer polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (pI:pC) restored hybrid resistance to marrow grafts but only weakly boosted NK cell function in old mice. Incubation of spleen cells of old mice with β interferon resulted in a weak boosting ofNK cell activity. No cells capable of inhibiting NK cell function were detected in the spleens of old mice. These findings in old mice were similar to fi...
Microtubule‐associated protein autophosphorylation alters in vitro microtubule dynamic instability

While phosphorylation of high-molecular-weight microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) alters the assembly properties of microtubules in vitro, virtually nothing is known about the influence of MAP phosphorylation on the time-scale of microtubule polymer length redistribution, The latter has been used as an index of microtubule assembly/disassembly turnover as predicted by the dynamic instability model (Mitchison, T.M. and Kirschner, M.W. (1984) Nature 312, 237–242). We have now determined that under conditions leading to the incorporation of 8–10 mol phosphoryl groups per mol MAP-2 (and about 0.2 mol phosphoryl groups per mol MAP-1 and tau), we can reproducibly observe significant acceleration in the polymer length redistribution process in a manner consistent will greater microtubule dynamic instability. We have also found that MAP phosphorylation resulted in more extensive release of MAPs from microtubules as a function of increasing salt concentration. These results are consistent with a weakening of MAP-microtubule interactions upon phosphorylation.
Serial correlation in water quality variables: Estimation and implications for trend analysis

[1] Serial correlation in water quality time series invalidates tests of significance, such as seasonal Kendall analysis, that assume independence. One approach to analyzing such data is to estimate the magnitude of the serial correlation and then use the degree of serial correlation to adjust the variance and make valid inferences. Four methods for estimating serial correlation lag parameters are evaluated. R-estimation outperformed the alternative methods considered. In case studies of water quality time series, the nonparametric rank von Neumann's ratio test of randomness is used to test for the presence of serial correlation, and R-estimation is used to estimate the severity of the serial correlation. Case study results demonstrate that serial correlation is common in monthly water quality data and does not disappear when bimonthly intervals are used. Adjustment for flow and seasonal effects generally reduced estimates of serial correlation. However, even after flow adjustment and deseasonalization, the assumption of independence was often unreasonable.
Stresses induced in alloys by selective oxidation

Consider a substitutional solution of two metallic elements A and B. When the alloy is exposed to air at an elevated temperature, A oxidizes, but B does not. In the alloy, the two elements diffuse in opposite directions, but usually at different rates; the nonreciprocal diffusion is known as the Kirkendall effect. At the oxide-alloy interface, metallic atoms may either emit from or inject into the interior of the alloy. Both the nonreciprocal diffusion and the interfacial process generate stress in the alloy, while creep relaxes the stress. If tensile, this stress could generate voids. This paper formulates governing equations both in the alloy and at the interface. Numerical examples are given for nickel-aluminum alloys. The stress in the alloy near the interface can be either tensile or compressive, depending on the oxidation mechanism, as well as on the relative diffusion rates of Ni and Al.
Two Authors Reply

We thank Drs. Knowles and Reaven for their insightful letter (1), which meaningfully adds to the debate regarding uric acid as a biomarker of risk of or causal factor for cardiovascular disease. Here are a few additional observations to add to this discussion.
Toward a Reconstitution of Ethnicity: Capitalist Expansion and Cultural Dynamics in Sudan

In this article I argue that, despite recent advances in anthropology, prevailing images of ethnicity in academic discourse overemphasize units at the expense of interconnections and tend toward ahistorical formalism. Through an examination of the dynamics of ethnic segmentation of the agricultural labor force in Sudan in this century, I seek to show that both the modem character of ethnicity as an organizing principle and the content of particular ethnic identities in Sudan emerged in the process of peripheral capitalist development. Ethnicity in these circumstances is thus fundamentally different from the ethnicity of the Sudanese past and from ethnic principles articulated elsewhere under different social conditions.
Phase-shift treatment for predominant tone tinnitus

Objectives To independently evaluate phase-shift treatment for predominant tone tinnitus. Study Design Prospective, single-blinded crossover study. Methods 61 subjects with predominant tone tinnitus participated in 2 weeks of control and 2 weeks of phase-shift treatment. Frequency and intensity matching, pre- and post-treatment tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores, and patient diaries were outcome measures. Results Initial volume comparisons show a strong relationship between treatment and decrease in tinnitus intensity, with 57% of patients achieving successful treatment. Thirty-seven percent decreased by one THI grade, 5% by two. Utilizing patient diaries, 42% of patients reported periods of complete residual inhibition (CRI) ranging from 1 hour to 7 days (average 2 days). No periods of CRI were reported in control weeks. Conclusion Phase-shift treatment significantly benefited the majority of our patients. These outcomes suggest that this device may be a valuable tool. Further long-term studies with home therapy are warranted.
Software Development Cost Estimation for Infrastructure Systems

Modern infrastructure systems, ranging from transportation to water and sewer systems, are becoming increasingly dependent on software. The role it plays in these systems is primarily to integrate and manage elements that support system operations. In other words, software has transformed what were previously considered to be largely static systems to active, dynamic systems. In general, infrastructure system software is characterized by an emphasis on the following core functions: (1) sensor management; (2) data analysis; (3) data management; and (4) equipment control interfaces. As the nature of infrastructure systems changes, the tools available to support their design and management must change as well. The construction engineering community has developed sound techniques and resources to support the estimation of costs for physical construction of infrastructure systems. However, such tools are not readily available to support the cost estimation of the software component of infrastructure system dev...
Do Clinical Markers of Barotrauma and Oxygen Toxicity Explain Interhospital Variation in Rates of Chronic Lung Disease

Objective. To explore the hypothesis that variation in respiratory management among newborn intensive care units (NICUs) explains differences in chronic lung disease (CLD) rates. Design. Case–cohort study. Setting. NICUs at 1 medical center in New York (Babies9 and Children9s Hospital [Babies9]) and 2 in Boston (Beth Israel Hospital and Brigham and Women9s Hospital [Boston]). Study Population. Four hundred fifty-two infants born at 500 to 1500 g birth weight between January 1991 and December 1993, who were enrolled in an epidemiologic study of neonatal intracranial white matter disorders. Case Definition. Supplemental oxygen required at 36 weeks9 postmenstrual age. Results. The prevalence rates of CLD differed substantially between the centers: 4% at Babies9 and 22% at the 2 Boston hospitals, despite similar mortality rates. Initial respiratory management at Boston was more likely than at Babies9 to include mechanical ventilation (75% vs 29%) and surfactant treatment (45% vs 10%). Case and control infants at Babies9 were more likely than were those at Boston to have higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide and lower pH values on arterial blood gases. However, measures of oxygenation and ventilator settings among case and control infants were similar at the 2 medical centers in time-oriented logistic regression analyses. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the initiation of mechanical ventilation was associated with increased risk of CLD: after adjusting for other potential confounding factors, the odds ratios for mechanical ventilation were 13.4 on day of birth, 9.6 on days 1 to 3, and 6.3 on days 4 to 7. Among ventilated infants, CLD risk was elevated for maximum peak inspiratory pressure >25 and maximum fraction of inspired oxygen = 1.0 on the day of birth, lowest peak inspiratory pressure >20 and maximum partial pressure of carbon dioxide >50 on days 1 to 3, and lowest white blood count Conclusion. In multivariate analyses, a number of specific measures of respiratory care practice during the first postnatal week were associated with the risk of a very low birth weight infant developing CLD. However, after adjusting for baseline risk, most of the increased risk of CLD among very low birth weight infants hospitalized at 2 Boston NICUs, compared with those at Babies9 Hospital, was explained simply by the initiation of mechanical ventilation.
2.2.1 Decision Management (DM) as the engine for scalable cross domain Systems Engineering (SE)

Decisions create the future in any industry or human endeavor. A robust Decision Management (DM) capability is the key enabler for accelerating the benefits of Systems Engineering (SE) discipline to new domains. Effective Decision Management is comprised of three elements: 1) decision patterns; 2) DM methods engine; 3) decision-centric information model. INCOSE can leverage DM as an engine for SE outreach to new industries and domains. DM is highly scalable and integrates knowledge from many processes and stakeholders. A “decisions-first” outreach strategy offers a clear value proposition to the primary stakeholders who must be convinced of the benefits of SE discipline. Existing decision-makers gain a new set of techniques that improve decision quality, speed and execution. Subject matter experts gain a method for influencing designs with their unique knowledge and preserving their knowledge in the form of decision patterns. Project managers gain the ability to proactively identify and prioritize decisions and manage their impact on project cost/schedule baselines. Solution developers gain a better understanding of the upstream decisions that drive their requirements. Most of the cross-domain benefits of DM can be demonstrated through rapid-payback pilots without commitment to wholesale adoption of more comprehensive, complex and costly SE frameworks. The authors propose to engage INCOSE's Decision Analysis working group as the forum for investigating the cross-domain applicability of DM.
Determination of the source of androgen excess in functionally atypical polycystic ovary syndrome by a short dexamethasone androgen-suppression test and a low-dose ACTH test

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients typically have 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) hyperresponsiveness to GnRH agonist (GnRHa) (PCOS-T). The objective of this study was to determine the source of androgen excess in the one-third of PCOS patients who atypically lack this type of ovarian dysfunction (PCOS-A). METHODS Aged-matched PCOS-T (n= 40), PCOS-A (n= 20) and controls (n= 39) were studied prospectively in a General Clinical Research Center. Short (4 h) and long (4-7 day) dexamethasone androgen-suppression tests (SDAST and LDAST, respectively) were compared in subsets of subjects. Responses to SDAST and low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were then evaluated in all. RESULTS Testosterone post-SDAST correlated significantly with testosterone post-LDAST and 17OHP post-GnRHa (r = 0.671-0.672), indicating that all detect related aspects of ovarian dysfunction. An elevated dehydroepiandrosterone peak in response to ACTH, which defined functional adrenal hyperandrogenism, was similarly prevalent in PCOS-T (27.5%) and PCOS-A (30%) and correlated significantly with baseline dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (r = 0.708). Functional ovarian hyperandrogenism was detected by subnormal testosterone suppression by SDAST in most (92.5%) PCOS-T, but significantly fewer PCOS-A (60%, P< 0.01). Glucose intolerance was absent in PCOS-A, but present in 30% of PCOS-T (P < 0.001). Most of the PCOS-A cases with normal testosterone suppression in response to SDAST (5/8) lacked evidence of adrenal hyperandrogenism and were obese. CONCLUSIONS Functional ovarian hyperandrogenism was not demonstrable by SDAST in 40% of PCOS-A. Most of these cases had no evidence of adrenal hyperandrogenism. Obesity may account for most hyperandrogenemic anovulation that lacks a glandular source of excess androgen, and the SDAST seems useful in making this distinction.
A fully-vectorized code for nonequilibrium RF glow discharge modeling and its parallel processing on a Cray X-MP

Nonequilibrium self-consistent RF discharge simulations which use a Cray X-MP/24 supercomputer to increase the computation rate are described. The fluid transport equations are solved by a more accurate flux corrected transport (MAFCT) algorithm. A staggered-mesh method is used for the arrangement of distribution functions. Vectorization and multitasking methods are used to optimize the computation time required by the simulation. Consequently, the simulation code is fully vectorized and the speedup ratio between the original code and the fully vectorized code approaches 11.7. Moreover, the multitasking has a speedup ratio of 1.988 on the two-processor Cray X-MP/24. The simulation results are compared with other model results to demonstrate the advantage of MAFCT. These results are also compared with experimental results. A better understanding of RF discharge mechanisms is accomplished through the use of a Cray X-MP supercomputer, which provides a solution within a reasonable amount of turnaround time. >