cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing and evaluating an automated appendicitis risk stratification algorithm for pediatric patients in the emergency department

Objective To evaluate a proposed natural language processing (NLP) and machine-learning based automated method to risk stratify abdominal pain patients by analyzing the content of the electronic health record (EHR). Methods We analyzed the EHRs of a random sample of 2100 pediatric emergency department (ED) patients with abdominal pain, including all with a final diagnosis of appendicitis. We developed an automated system to extract relevant elements from ED physician notes and lab values and to automatically assign a risk category for acute appendicitis (high, equivocal, or low), based on the Pediatric Appendicitis Score. We evaluated the performance of the system against a manually created gold standard (chart reviews by ED physicians) for recall, specificity, and precision. Results The system achieved an average F-measure of 0.867 (0.869 recall and 0.863 precision) for risk classification, which was comparable to physician experts. Recall/precision were 0.897/0.952 in the low-risk category, 0.855/0.886 in the high-risk category, and 0.854/0.766 in the equivocal-risk category. The information that the system required as input to achieve high F-measure was available within the first 4 h of the ED visit. Conclusions Automated appendicitis risk categorization based on EHR content, including information from clinical notes, shows comparable performance to physician chart reviewers as measured by their inter-annotator agreement and represents a promising new approach for computerized decision support to promote application of evidence-based medicine at the point of care.
An Implementation of a Framework for Open Distributed Computing

In the sequential model of programming, instructions in a program are executed sequentially. Existing programming languages are mainly designed for the sequential model. As the programming paradigm shifts from the sequential to distributed computing, existing sequential programming languages have their limitations. Nevertheless, the sequential languages are the languages which most of programmers are most familiar with. One of the motivations of this research is to implement a framework to support the implementations of distributed applications using sequential programming languages such as C/C++, COBOL, and Java. In this paper, we present an implementation of a framework for open distributed programming. Allowing programmers to write distributed programs in their favorite sequential programming languages makes the programming paradigm very unique to the existing programming paradigms.
From random variability to ordered structures: a search for general synthesis in ecohydrology

We present our personal view of some of the exciting research avenues in ecohydrology, which are related to quantifying the effects of hydrologic variability and anthropogenic disturbance on ecohydrological processes. Using several examples, we discuss how concepts and tools inspired from information theory, statistical mechanics and nonequilibrium thermodynamics may help us advance in some of the challenges posed by the need to sustainably manage our soil and water resources, while preserving ecosystem services. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The behavioral ecology and breeding biology of the andean sparrow, Zonotrichia Capensis

La ecologia de comportamiento y la biologia de la reproduccion de los Gorriones Andinos "copetones" (Zonotrichia capensis) fueron estudiadas a lo largo de un ano en una poblacion ubicada a 2.000 metros de altura en la Cordillera Occidental de Colombia. Se capturaron cerca de 170 individuos, y para hacer posible su identificacion en el campo se marcaron convenientemente. En varias ocasiones se Iogro la recaptura de muchos de estos con el objeto de estudiar los cambios de plumaje y ciclos reproductivos a lo largo del ano. La condicion reproductiva de muchos individuos fue evaluada gracias a repetidas laparotomias. Se describen nueve tipos diferentes de vocalizaciones y se discute sus funciones. Se establece la existencia de comunicacion entre estas aves por medio de variacion del plumaje, posturas y movimientos. Solo las hembras construyen nidos, los cuales se colocan ya sea en el suelo o sobre arbustos, pero en ningun caso a mas de un metro de altura sobre el suelo. La puesta usual es de dos huevos en dos dias consecutivos y en las primeras horas de la manana. La hembra efectua la incubacion que dura de once a doce dias. Los polluelos estan listos a abandonar el nido en 10 0 12 dias mas. Los machos y hembras jovenes alcanzan madurez reproductiva entre los 12 y 11 meses de edad. Muchas hembras vuelven a anidar si han perdido el nido con huevos o los polluelos tiernos. Algunas hembras anidan por segunda vez inmediatamente despues de haber criado polluelos. Los machos se establecen en territorios claramente definidos y los mantienen a traves de nidadas sucesivas. Los lazos de union entre los miembros de una pareja duran de una nidada a la siguiente, aun a traves de periodos sin reproduccion. Los territorios observados tenian tipicamente cerca de 30 x 20 metros. La mayor parte de la alimentacion parecia provenir del area definida, aunque ocasionalmente pueden abandonarla. Alguna vez una pareja fue vista a 150 metros de su territorio. Del total de "copetones" adultos establecidos en territorios delimitados a comienzos del estudio, solo un 71% Iogro sobrevivir todo el ano. Un 13% de los jovenes sin territorio pudo ser contado al fin del ano. Los vacios que aparecieron en el grupo local de adultos se llenaron con jovenes, y cerca de la mitad de estos provenia de areas cercanas. Rara vez consiguen los padres criar mas de un polluelo por nido. Dos y probablemente hasta tres jovenes pueden ser alimentados facilmente en el nido mientras permanecen en el, pero depredaciones o alguna otra limitacion en el cuidado paternal (y no deficiencia en la alimentacion proporcionada en la etapa post-nidal) parecen ser los principales factores negativos respecto a una mayor produccion de individuos. El regimen climatico y la falta de estaciones favorecen la nidificacion en cualquier epoca del ano; por lo tanto, la ventaja selectiva para la especie consiste en la capacidad de efectuar muchas nidadas y no en la puesta de mas huevos por nido.
Stepping in and stepping out: Strategic alliance partner reconfiguration and the unplanned termination of complex projects

Research summary: I add to work that emphasizes the stability of strategic alliances by considering the consequences of alliance partner reconfiguration. I offer two contrasting perspectives: (1) alliance partner reconfiguration leads to disruption, hence increases the risk of subsequent project termination; (2) partner reconfiguration leads to adaptation, hence decreases this risk. Data on 1,025 interfirm Australian mining alliances (2002–2011) shows that on average alliance partner reconfiguration increases the risk of project termination. For firm exit from an alliance, the effect is contingent on a firm's resource base, but not for firm entry. Surprisingly, I do not find that alliance partner reconfiguration is beneficial in a dynamic environment. I discuss the implications of these findings for the literature on strategic alliance dynamics and that on strategic alliance outcomes. Managerial summary: This paper studies what happens when over time strategic alliances change their original membership. The research shows that both entry in and exit from an alliance increase the risk of project termination. Hence, weathering difficult times and managing conflict by keeping teams stable should be a prime directive if project survival is the alliance partners' overriding concern. In addition, I find that the exit of a firm with a comparatively large resource base increases the hazard of termination more than if the departing firm has a relatively small resource base. Therefore, one cannot underestimate the importance of trying to keep on board those alliance partners who bring a critical resource to the table. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacy technicians obtaining medication histories within the emergency department

While studies have demonstrated the positive effect pharmacists have had on the medication reconciliation process, the costs can be prohibitive.[1][1]–[3][2] Given their familiarity with medications, pharmacy technicians offer a reasonable solution. There have been published reports describing the
Pitch Perception, Working Memory, and Second-Language Phonological Production.

Previous research has suggested that training on a musical instrument is associated with improvements in working memory and musical pitch perception ability. Good working memory and musical pitch perception ability, in turn, have been linked to certain aspects of language production. The current study examines whether working memory and/or pitch perception ability are possible mediators of the effect of musical training on second language phonological production. Native English-speaking undergraduate participants were asked questions about their previous music and Spanish training, and were asked to complete tests of pitch perception, working memory, and Spanish pronunciation. Results indicated that although musical training was linked to both better working memory and better pitch perception, only pitch perception ability was a significant predictor of Spanish pronunciation. These results suggest that incorporating musical training into language classes may be one way to improve second language pronuncia...
A Case of Botulism in Ducks and Swans

Abstract The first record of Clostridium botulinum causing food poisoning in man was made by van Ermengen 1 in 1896. He isolated the organism from a ham, parts of which had been eaten by the victims of this outbreak of food poisoning. Pearson, 2 in 1901, suggested that forage poisoning in animals and botulism in man were clinically similar. Graham, Brueckner, and Pontius 3 fed botulinum toxin to experimental horses, mules, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, guinea pigs, rabbits, and chickens. These experimenters were able to produce typical symptoms and manifestations of botulism in horses, mules, guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep, goats, and swine. They failed, however, with cattle and chickens. Dickson 4 was the first to prove that Clostridium botulinum could cause limberneck in poultry. Dickson’s work has been substantiated by Burke, 5 who cites an instance of a jar of home canned string beans, fed to chickens, producing limberneck. Hart, 6 also, describes an outbreak in which . . .
Are world fisheries a global panarchy

Problems of overfishing and other stresses to fish populations have continued to grow in scale, from smaller to more global pressures. These pressures are found in changes in the water column, such as through warming, as well as pollution and fishing effort and practices. Single stock collapses have been common, and pressures are building across marine regions. This paper questions whether or not it makes sense from a policy perspective to think of fisheries as a hierarchical global integrated adaptive system, or panarchy. From a policy perspective rules and institutional procedure, actors, and ecosystem dynamics all provide a foundation for many fishery stresses, and casting policy at the wrong scale can provide problems of institutional fitness, as well as set fishing and fishery based social–economic systems up for unexpected crisis. If it makes sense to think of global fisheries as a panarchy, it is plausible that fisheries can collapse at this scale, and policy makers around the world should use measures to build resilience at this level, primarily through reducing slow persistent disturbances while preparing for surprises. This review concludes that certainly fisheries can be viewed at the global scale and a planetary mindset should be included in international fishery policy making that should assert the value of an interconnected ocean and planet beyond simple fish commodities. & 2014 The Author. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-SA license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).
Social Categorization and the Influence of Drug Involvement on Drug Attitude Structures: Implications for Assessing Drug Use and Tolerance in the Workplace1

Theories of social categorization were used to generate hypotheses concerning the impact of drug involvement on the attitudes and knowledge structures that people use in making drug-related judgments. Data indicated that greater drug exposure tended to foster more complex knowledge structures for drugs and drug users as revealed by subjects’ perceptions of drug users, tolerance for drug use, and perceptions of drug seriousness. Basically, high drug involvement in terms of personal alcohol use and associating with illicit drug users was related to greater individuation of drug user types. Therefore, high-involved subjects, relative to low-involved individuals, were better able to discriminate between different drug user subtypes and drug user subtypes were more important to high-involved subjects when responding to drug-related survey items.
Gbps-class optical communications systems for free-space applications

For very high data rates, optical communications holds a potential performance edge over other technologies, especially for space applications where size, weight, and power are of prime importance. We report demonstrations of several Gigabit-per-second (Gbps) class all- semiconductor optical communications systems which have been developed for free-space satellite crosslink applications. These systems are based on the master-oscillator-power- amplifier (MOPA) transmitter architecture which resolves the conflicting requirements of high speed and high power on a single-laser coherent transmitter. A 1 Gbps, 1 Watt system operating at 973 nm with a frequency-shift-keyed (FSK) modulation format is the highest power coherent optical communications system using all semiconductor lasers reported to date. A 3 Gbps differential-phase-shift-keyed (DPSK) system uses a 2-stage injection-locked diode array as a power amplifier at 830 nm. At a wavelength of 1.5 micrometers , an optically- preamplified direct-detection on-off-keyed (OOK) receiver was demonstrated at both 3 and 10 Gbps. A 3 Gbps optically-preamplified direct-detection DPSK receiver was also demonstrated and represents, to our knowledge, the highest sensitivity DPSK receiver reported to date for data rates above 2 Gbps.
Novel frameshift mutation in the p16/INK4A tumor suppressor gene in canine breast cancer alters expression from the p16/INK4A/p14ARF locus

The INK4 family of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKI) encode important cell cycle regulators that tightly control cell cycle during G1 to S phase. These related genes are considered tumor suppressors as loss of function contributes to the malignant phenotype. Expression of CKIs p16, p14ARF, or p15 were defective in six different canine mammary tumor (CMT) cell lines compared to normal thoracic canine fibroblasts. This suggests CKI defects are frequently responsible for neoplastic transformation in canine mammary carcinomas. p16 and p14ARF are two alternatively spliced products derived from the canine p16/INK4A/p14ARF gene locus. Despite omissions in the published p16 transcript and canine genome and the presence of GC-rich repeats, we determined the complete coding sequence of canine p16 revealing a deletion and frameshift mutation in p16 exon 1α in CMT28 cells. In addition, we determined canine p14ARF mRNA and protein sequences. Mapping of these mutations uncovered important aspects of p16 and p14ARF expression and defects in CMT28 cells shifting the p16 reading frame into p14ARF making a fusion protein that was predicted to be truncated, unstable and devoid of structural and functional integrity. This data describes an important neoplastic mechanism in the p16/INK4A/p14ARF locus in a spontaneous canine model of breast cancer.
Forces Shaping the Fastest Evolving Regions in the Human Genome

Comparative genomics allow us to search the human genome for segments that were extensively changed in the last approximately 5 million years since divergence from our common ancestor with chimpanzee, but are highly conserved in other species and thus are likely to be functional. We found 202 genomic elements that are highly conserved in vertebrates but show evidence of significantly accelerated substitution rates in human. These are mostly in non-coding DNA, often near genes associated with transcription and DNA binding. Resequencing confirmed that the five most accelerated elements are dramatically changed in human but not in other primates, with seven times more substitutions in human than in chimp. The accelerated elements, and in particular the top five, show a strong bias for adenine and thymine to guanine and cytosine nucleotide changes and are disproportionately located in high recombination and high guanine and cytosine content environments near telomeres, suggesting either biased gene conversion or isochore selection. In addition, there is some evidence of directional selection in the regions containing the two most accelerated regions. A combination of evolutionary forces has contributed to accelerated evolution of the fastest evolving elements in the human genome.
Results of dose control and measurement plans applied for SPEAR3 commissioning year (FY04)

Dose control and measurement plans for the SPEAR3 Booster and storage ring have taken place during the SPEAR3 commissioning. The initial commissioning period (SPEAR3 start-up) covered the time period from the beginning of November 2003 to the early part of March 2004. The period from the beginning of March to the beginning of August 2004 has been mostly dedicated to the scientific program. The initial commissioning period was characterized with frequent injection and significantly higher losses. In comparison, the scientific program period was characterized with more stable beam operation with limited number of injections per day and lower beam losses. Three types of dose measurements, passive, active and special measurements, were implemented around the SPEAR3 Booster and storage ring. Based on the expected radiation hazards, several dose control measures were adopted at several stages of the commissioning. In the early stages of commissioning, areas within 4.5 m from the walls of the Booster and storage ring were designated as radiation areas (RA). Areas outside RA were classified as radiologically controlled area (RCA). Access to these areas required less training than the RA. A monthly review of the accelerator operation conditions and radiation measurement results were used to determine the changes needed for the RA classification status and associated dose control measures.
The influence of alcohols on microemulsion composition

Abstract The composition of a microemulsion in equilibrium with one or more excess phases depends on the relative amounts of the hydrocarbon and the aqueous phases as well as on many other compositional variables such as surfactant, alcohol, or electrolyte concentrations. It is shown here that the microemulsion composition changes in a predictable direction as the water-to-oil ratio is changed. This shift in concentration is primarily due to alcohol partitioning between the coexisting phases. The change in microemulsion composition resulting from a change in the water-to-oil ratio can sometimes be compensated by altering the electrolyte concentration. The change in electrolyte concentration has been termed a shift in optimum salinity and this shift is related to the alcohol partitioning and to the alcohol structure. A number of observations not yet fully understood are also reported.
TiCl4 reaction order in living Isobutylene polymerization at low [TiCl4] :[Chain end] ratios

Isobutylene (IB) polymerization kinetics at −80 °C were monitored in real time using mid-infrared ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, with diamond-composite insertion probe and light conduit technology. Monomer concentration as a function of time was obtained by monitoring the absorbance at 887 cm-1 associated with the CH2 wag of IB. Polymerizations were initiated using 5-tert-butyl-1,3-bis(2-chloro-2-propyl)benzene (t-Bu-m-DCC) or 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCl) in conjunction with TiCl4 co-initiator, in hexane/methyl chloride or methylcyclohexane/methyl chloride (60:40 v/v) cosolvents. Either 2,4-dimethylpyridine (DMP) or 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DTBP) was used as an electron donor (ED). Reaction conditions were [ED] = 2.00 × 10-3 M, [IB]0 = 1.0 M, and [TMPCl] (or 2[t-Bu-m-DCC]) = 2.08 × 10-2 M. Co-initiator concentrations were designed to be less than or equal to the growing chain end concentration and ranged from [TiCl4] = 7.20 × 10-3 to 2.28 × 10-2 M. Steady-state polymerization kinetics were found to b...
Treatment dropouts from a community mental health center.

Among 928 discharges from the Fort Logan Mental Health Center, 34% had left treatment without staff approval. These treatment dropouts differed significantly from a comparison group on 39 demographic, mental status, and social history variables. A cluster analysis of those variables yielded eight oblique clusters, characterizing dropouts as more impaired psychologically, more angry, and with a greater tendency to act out. Analyses by sex indicated that male anger was associated with acting out against others, female anger with anxiety and other neurotic symptoms. Dropouts were also younger and less likely to need custodial care. Findings suggest that dropouts are in need of treatment and constitute a problem for community mental health.
The endocrine module: An integrated course for first‐year medical students combining lecture‐based and modified problem‐based curricula

At the University of Miami School of Medicine, a 2‐week endocrine course, designed to combine the desirable aspects of conventional lecture‐based and modified problem‐based curricula, has been offered to first‐year medical students for 7 years. It is team taught and integrates several basic science and clinical disciplines. Independent learning, problem‐solving activities, and small‐group conferences are emphasized. Each conference period is moderated by two or three faculty members, one or two representing the basic sciences and one representing clinical endocrinology. The course has been well received by the students, and the faculty have enjoyed teaching in this fully integrated format.
Utility of embolization or chemoembolization as second-line treatment in patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal carcinoma

Background Second-line therapy of patients with colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver is unsatisfactory. One alternative to systemic treatment is therapy directed locoregionally. Methods Twenty-four patients with unresectable colorectal cancer with bulky liver metastases who had failed prior systemic therapy were randomized to treatment with either embolization or chemoembolization. For the embolization group, particulate transcatheter polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (150-250-microns particles) mixed with full-strength iodinated radiographic contrast was administered under direct fluoroscopic control. In patients randomized to chemoembolization, 5-fluorouracil (750 mg/m2) and recombinant alpha-2a-interferon (Roche Laboratories, Nutley, NJ) (9-MU) were thoroughly mixed into the PVA contrast suspension. Study end points were response to therapy and survival. Results Of 24 patients, 13 were randomized to chemoembolization and 11 to embolization therapy. All were assessable for toxicity, response, and complications. Among the first 13 patients treated initially, a suppurative abscess developed in one patient, who died. Eleven subsequent patients were pretreated with oral and intravenous antibiotics without further infectious complications. Five patients had hemorrhagic complications, two of which were serious. The treatment was otherwise well tolerated, with most patients experiencing transient pain, fevers, and elevations in leukocyte counts and liver enzymes, which resolved spontaneously. Computed tomography scans of the liver were used to assess patient response to therapy. There were 6 responders (25%) among the 24 patients treated. No differences in response to treatment or survival between the embolization and chemoembolization groups were noted. With a median follow-up of more than 12 months, the median survival was 9.3 months from the time of embolization therapy. Conclusions Embolization and chemoembolization therapy appear to have antitumor activity as second-line therapy in patients with colorectal carcinoma with bulky liver metastases. Although generally well tolerated, complications of this therapy may be severe. The addition of further patients to this trial will allow a rigorous comparison of embolization alone versus embolization with chemotherapy.
The Discount for Lack of Marketability in Privately Owned Companies: A Multiples Approach

This study investigates a valuation adjustment, known as the discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) for private firms. By matching private company transactions with publicly traded counterparts, we find discounts that average 65-70% and exceed 80% in some sectors of the economy. Our discounts are significantly larger than the DLOM findings estimated from restricted stock, IPO, and acquisition studies. Larger companies, those with positive net income, and firms with lower risk of financial distress exhibit lower DLOMs. Our findings put into question the sizes of discounts typically applied in valuation engagements for privately-held companies.
An expert system approach to cystic fibrosis patient management

The use of health diaries to monitor patients with chronic diseases has often been complicated by difficulties encountered in data quality assurance and interpretation. Conventional data-handling schemes and statistical approaches often cannot handle all the complexities involved. A prototype expert system, MONITOR, has been developed to evaluate the home measurement data obtained from cystic fibrosis (CF) outpatients by approximating the reasoning process of a CF expert clinician. The system was developed initially for patients within the 6-12-year age range. It has been extended successfully to accommodate younger patients with an 87% correct classification record. >
Early and late recipient graft function and donor outcome after laparoscopic vs open adult live donor nephrectomy for pediatric renal transplantation

Background Laparoscopically procured live donor kidney grafts are increasingly transplanted into pediatric recipients. The safety and efficacy of this changed surgical practice are unknown. Hypothesis Outcomes of laparoscopic vs open donor grafts in recipients 18 years and younger are equivalent. Design and Setting Retrospective review at an academic tertiary care referral center. Patients Eleven consecutive pediatric recipients of laparoscopically procured kidneys between April 1, 1997, and December 31, 2001, were pair matched for age with 11 recipients of openly procured kidneys between December 1, 1991, and March 31, 1997; the 22 adult donors were also studied. Main Outcome Measures Recipients: surgical complications, graft function and survival. Donors: perioperative morbidity and length of hospital stay. Results Twenty (91%) of 22 kidneys were donated by a parent of the recipient. In recipients of laparoscopically procured grafts, we observed significantly lower creatinine clearances and higher creatinine levels on days 1, 4, and 6, but by 1 month, graft function was similar in both groups. No significant differences in surgical complications, delayed function, acute and chronic rejection, and graft survival rates were found. No laparoscopic or open donor required blood transfusion, reoperation, or hospital readmission. One laparoscopic donor (9%) was converted to open nephrectomy. For laparoscopic vs open donors, median operative time was longer (difference, 67 min; P = .08), but median postoperative length of stay was significantly shorter (3 vs 5 days; P = .02). Conclusions Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy has no adverse impact on pediatric recipient outcomes. For donors, the laparoscopic operation is safe and the hospital stay is shortened. These results support the continued use of laparoscopically procured live donor kidneys in pediatric renal transplantation.
The impact of self-aligned amorphous Si thin film transistors on imager array applications

Abstract Laser processing allows the fabrication of self-aligned amorphous Si thin film transistors (a-Si:H TFTs). These devices have much smaller parasitic capacitance between gates and source/drain contacts and can have much shorter channel lengths compared to the conventional a-Si:H TFTs. We have fabricated matrix-addressed, optical imager arrays using these new a-Si:H TFTs as pixel switches. We also have demonstrated that four-phase dynamic shift registers using short channel a-Si:H TFTs can be operated at a clock speed of 400 kHz (less than 0.625 μs for each clock phase), indicating the possibility of integrating some of the peripheral circuits based on a-Si:H TFT technology. The advantages of using self-aligned a-Si TFTs as pixel switches in large-area, flat-panel imagers are discussed. Improved noise performance is expected for large area imager arrays.
Effect of measurement setting in judging traveled distance: additional evidence for underestimation of distance in virtual environments

There has been a substantial amount of research on two different but related problems: estimating distances of perceived objects ("how far away is that thing?") and estimating traveled distance ("how far did I just walk?"). For instance, Lappe et al [2007] recently examined a "leaky path integration" model to account for travel distance judgments in a virtual environment.
Symbolic dynamics and nonlinear semiflows

For a transverse homoclinic orbit γ of a mapping (not necessarily invertible) on a Banach space, it is shown that the mapping restricted to orbits near γ is equivalent to the shift automorphism on doubly infinite sequences on finitely many symbols. Implications of this result for the Poincare map of semiflows are given.
Freeze-Drying of tert-Butyl Alcohol/Water Cosolvent Systems: Effects of Formulation and Process Variables on Residual Solvents

The objective of this study was to identify significant formulation and processing variables affecting levels of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in freeze-dried solids prepared from TBA/water cosolvent systems. The variables examined were the physical state of the solute (crystalline vs amorphous), initial TBA concentration, freezing rate, cake thickness, and the temperature and duration of secondary drying. Sucrose and glycine were used as models for noncrystallizing and crystallizing solutes, respectively. The TBA concentration above which eutectic crystallization takes place was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Model formulations were subjected to extremes of freezing rate by either dipping in liquid nitrogen or by slowly freezing on the shelf of a freeze-dryer. Dynamics of solvent loss during secondary drying was determined by withdrawing samples as a function of time at different shelf temperatures using a thief system. On the basis of these studies, the most important determinant of residual TBA level is the physical state of the solute. Freeze-dried glycine contained very low levels of residual TBA (0.01-0.03%) regardless of freezing rate or initial TBA concentration. For freeze-dried sucrose, residual TBA levels were approximately 2 orders of magnitude higher and were significantly affected by initial TBA concentration and freezing rate. For the sucrose/TBA/water system, relatively low residual TBA levels were obtained when the initial TBA level was above the threshold concentration for eutectic crystallization of TBA, whereas samples freeze-dried from solutions containing TBA concentrations below this threshold contained significantly higher levels of TBA. Residual IPA levels increased continuously with initial concentration of TBA in the sucrose/TBA/water system. Formulations of sucrose/TBA/water which were frozen rapidly contained residual TBA levels which were approximately twice those measured in the same formulation after slow freezing and drying under the same conditions. For the sucrose/TBA/water system, the temperature and time of secondary drying had only minimal influence on residual TBA in the freeze-dried solid. At low initial TBA concentrations (2%), residual TBA increases with increased cake thickness, perhaps because of the influence of depth of fill on effective freezing rate.
Picture Description Language For Recognition of Seismic Patterns

ture processing system to generate pattern representation. Supervised clustering technique is used in seismic pattern recognition. Nearestneighbor classification rule IS used in the classification of input seismic pattern. Levenshtein string distance is used to compute the distance between in ut string and the training strin The analyzed 2synthetic seismic patterns are 5 ei; right spot, pinch-out flat spot, gradual sealevel fall, and gradual sealevei rise pattern. A formal
Some Effects of Maternal Drug Addiction on the Neonate

The effect of in utero exposure to drugs of abuse on certain neurological and behavioral characteristics of the newborn was studied in 10 infants of drug-dependent mothers. Fourteen newborns of mothers not receiving drugs served as matched controls. Infants exposed to drugs of abuse during fetal life exhibited a high level of arousal and irritability, and extreme muscle tone fluctuations--i.e., a predominant hypertonicity (rigidity) alternating with short periods of a very low tone (flaccidity). These newborns were also highly active, tremulous, and motorically immature, and displayed near-constant crying and disturbed sleep patterns. However, their orientation to external stimuli and the findings on neurological examination were similar to those of control neonates.
The Holocaust Object in Polish and Polish-Jewish Culture

Although this is not widely realized outside Poland, the prose and poetry dealing with the Holocaust written in Polish, by both Jews and non-Jews, is among the richest and most complex dealing with...
Mitochondrial dynamics in heart disease

Mitochondrial fission and fusion have been observed, and their importance revealed, in almost every tissue and cell type except adult cardiac myocytes. As each human heart is uniquely dependent upon mitochondria to generate massive amounts of ATP that fuel its approximately 38 million contractions per year, it seems odd that cardiac myocytes are the sole exception to the general rule that mitochondrial dynamism is important to function. Here, I briefly review the mechanisms for mitochondrial fusion and fission and examine current data that dispel the previous notion that mitochondrial fusion is dispensable in the heart. Rare and generally overlooked examples of cardiomyopathies linked either to naturally-occurring mutations or to experimentally-induced mutagenesis of mitochondrial fusion/fission genes are described. New findings from genetically targeted Drosophila and mouse models wherein mitochondrial fusion deficiency has specifically been induced in cardiac myocytes are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mitochondrial dynamics and physiology.
Rationality in Medicine: An Explication

Various meanings of "rational" implicitly and explicitly suggested in this issue's articles are abstracted and stated. Two accounts of rationality are shown to be able to explain most uses of "rational": the "cool moment" account and a more objective account. The former is examined and modified, but still found inadequate. The objective account of rational is developed, taking "irrational" as the basic concept. "Irrational" is given content in terms of a list, and "rational" is subsequently defined as "not irrational". Reasons and motives are defined and distinguished. The advantages of the objective account are explored and some challenges to it are answered.
A global model of OECD aggregate supply and demand using vector autoregressive techniques

This paper presents a vector autoregressive model of the aggregate OECD economy using a theoretical model of global aggregate supply and demand. Relationships between industrial production, CPI, money supply and energy prices are examined using F-tests, variance decompositions, and impulse response functions. The empirical results are consistent with theory; energy prices influence output and the price level in the short run while money influences the price level in the long run. Despite data problems, this approach appears to be a reasonable compromise between simple ARIMA models and the very detailed LINK-type models.
Induction of tissue transglutaminase in response to ischemic brain injury

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is a member of the transglutaminase family that catalyzes the post-translational modification of proteins by inserting isopeptide bond within or between polypeptide chains in a Ca++ dependent manner. Although tTG is known to be involved in cell growth, apoptosis and neurodegeneration, the role of tTG in traumatic and ischemic brain injury (TBI and IBI) is largely unknown. Previously, we showed that tTG was up-regulated at mRNA and protein levels after TBI in rats. Although TBI and IBI can result in some common pathological sequelae, there are many important differences. Thus, we hypothesized that tTG message and protein is up-regulated after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and that the magnitude and temporal expression differ from TBI. tTG protein and mRNA of ipsi-cortex and hippocampus from rats of 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after MCAO were quantified by Western blot and real time PCR with tissues from similar contra-lateral areas as controls. Results showed that tTG mRNA in ipsi-cortex increased steadily from 1 to 5 days (1.5–10 fold of control level) after MCAO and dropped to control level by 7 days. In ipsi-hippocampus, tTG mRNA increased ∼2 fold of control at 1 day after MCAO and gradually returned to control level by 7 days. tTG protein levels for both ipsi-cortex and ipsi-hippocampus increased steadily during the experiment with a more significant increase in cortex (∼5.5 fold in ipsi-cortex vs. 2 fold in ipsi-hippocampus). Levels of tTG mRNA and protein of control tissues were unchanged. These results indicate that tTG after MCAO in cortex and hippocampus is up-regulated in a similar pattern to those in TBI brains. Studies of functional significance of tTG after ischemia and TBI are underway.
ANALYSIS OF PERIODICALLY VARYING GEAR MESH SYSTEMS WITH COULOMB FRICTION USING FLOQUET THEORY

This article presents a new analytical model of a gear pair with time varying mesh stiffness, viscous damping and sliding friction parameters. Unlike previous models, the excitation consists of three separate terms, namely the unloaded transmission error, time-invariant external torque and the periodically varying sliding friction force. A Coulomb friction model is considered using first a quasi-static mean transmitted load that is represented by the Meissner equation. Then, a truly dynamic force between gear teeth is described that leads to a triangular function, and after appropriate substitutions, this assumes the form of the Bessel equation of the one-third order. For the damped Meissner equation, the forced vibration response is found with the application of Floquet theory. Exact integrals are calculated for the state transition matrix in a piecewise manner, instead of using the Fourier series expansion, thus eliminating the mode truncation errors. From the state transition matrix, unstable zones are identified and the actual forced response of the system is found in terms of dynamic transmission error for these zones. With the aid of an example, the significance of sliding friction on system response and stability is examined. Finally, key advantages and the need for analytical methods are demonstrated for such systems.
Archaebacterial ether lipids and chemotaxonomy

Summary The uniqueness of archaebacterial lipids is an important factor in placing these organisms on a separate evolutionary path. Isopranyl glycerol ethers make up the hydrophobic core of the archaebacterial membrane rather than the fatty acid ester-linked glycerol lipids which predominate in the membranes of eubacterial and eukaryotic cells. Furthermore, the optical activity characteristic of the central carbon of glycerol, and the major pathway for lipid biosynthesis in archaebacteria are the opposite to the case in the other two primary kingdoms. These considerations imply important differences in the construction of the archaebacterial membrane. The hydrocarbon chains of the glycerol ethers are isopranoid branched and almost invariably fixed at a chain length of either 20- or 40-carbon atoms. Phytanyl diethers containing two C20 phytanyl chains appear to be universal components in those archaebacteria thus far examined. Dibiphytanyl diglycerol tetraethers that contain two C40 biphytanyl chains ether-linked to two glycerol molecules are also major components although they are not common to all archaebacteria. They occur in many methanogenic, thermophilic and thermoacidophilic archaebacteria but have not yet been found in the extreme halophiles. Thus far, few exceptions to the two basic glycerol ether structures are known to occur in archaebacteria. Haloalkalophilic archaebacteria have been shown to possess diethers that contain a C20 phytanyl and a C25 sesterterpanyl chain and diethers that possess two C25 sesterterpanyl chains, in addition to the usual diethers. One thermophilic methanogen, Methanococcus jannaschi, has been shown to contain a diether possessing a C40 biphytanyl macrocyclic loop as a major component. Two exceptions to the basic diglycerol tetraether structure occur in Sulfolobus species. In addition to the usual tetraethers, these organisms have large amounts of nonitolglycerol tetraethers in which a nine carbon nonitol substitutes for one of the two glycerol molecules. Small amounts of a tetraether containing one C40 bibphytanyl chain and two C20 phytanyl chains are also present. The general invariability of the isopranyl glycerol ethers can serve as a convenient molecular marker for supporting the identification of an organism as an archaebacterium. Utilization of such a marker in attempting to identify new organisms as archaebacteria has also uncovered a variety of unusual new lipids in other organisms which should prove useful in assessing evolutionary relationships among eubacteria.
Single injection ion chromatographic analysis of both anions and cations

Mesure simultanee avec utilisation d'une colonne separatrice de cations, un detecteur conductimetrique, une colonne separatrice d'anions, une colonne de suppression d'anions et un detecteur electrochimique
Binding of 4-Monochlorophenol to Soil

Halogenated phenolic compounds such as chlorophenols are capable of binding to organic matter during the humification processes in soil. The incorporation of phenols into organic macromolecules, i.e., covalent bond formation, results from biologically or chemically catalyzed reactions. Standard batch sorption experiments performed in our laboratory showed a significant enhancement in soil associated 4-monochlorophenol (4-MCP) in the presence of oxygen possibly as a result of covalent binding. Sorbed 4-MCP was subjected to desorption by consecutive water and solvent extractions. Nearly 15% of the soil-associated 4-MCP remained unextracted. The unextracted [U-ring-14C]-4-MCP consisted of a fraction incorporated into humic and fulvic acids and a second fraction associated with humin or soil mineral surface and recovered as 14CO2 during soil combustion. Autoclaving the soil before 4-MCP addition resulted in a reduction in the amount of the nonextractable 14C. The addition of H2O2 caused a 4.4-fold increase in...
Kinetics of Crystallization of Stoichiometric SiO2 Glass in H2O Atmospheres

Crystallization rates were measured in vacuum, dry nitrogen, and water-saturated nitrogen atmospheres from 1300° to 1540°C. In all cases the observed rates were linear. Three reactions appeared to contribute to crystallization: the intrinsic crystallization, the impurity effect of H2O vapor, and furnace contamination. Enhancement of crystallization by both water vapor and furnace contamination is attributed to the breaking of silicon—oxygen bonds of the glass structure. Competitive adsorption mechanisms were proposed to characterize the adsorption of water and impurity species. The activation energy for apparent intrinsic crystallization was 134 kcal/mole; the activation energy for crystallization in H2O vapor was 77 kcal/mole.
A spectrophotometric assay for aureomycin hydrochloride.

A spectrophotometric method of assay involving the treatment of aureomycin hydrochloride with phosphomolybdic acid under controlled conditions has been developed. By use of this procedure, the aureomycin hydrochloride content of pharmaceutical products may be determined by comparison with a suitable reference standard.
Coupling between chemical and physical interactions in natural organic matter (NOM) fouling of nanofiltration membranes: Implications for fouling control.

Abstract A systematic investigation on the role of hydrodynamics (initial permeate flux and crossflow rate) and divalent cations (calcium) in natural organic matter (NOM) fouling of nanofiltration (NF) membranes is reported. Fouling experiments with a thin-film composite NF membrane were conducted in a bench-scale, crossflow unit at various combinations of calcium ion concentration, initial permeate flux, and crossflow velocity. Results showed that membrane fouling and performance are governed by the coupled influence of chemical and hydrodynamic interactions. Permeation drag and calcium binding to NOM are the major cause for the development of a densely compacted fouling layer on the membrane surface, which leads to severe flux decline. An increase in the shear rate (crossflow velocity) mitigates these effects to some extent by reducing the accumulation of NOM on the membrane and arresting the growth of the fouling layer. The hydrodynamic and chemical interactions involved in NOM fouling are also coupled via the influence of initial permeate flux and crossflow rate on the accumulation of the rejected Ca2+ ions near the membrane surface. At higher initial flux or low crossflow rate, the concentration of rejected Ca2+ at the membrane surface increases due to concentration polarization, thus enhancing fouling by Ca–NOM complex and aggregate formation. The pronounced coupled influence of the initial permeate flux and crossflow velocity on the membrane fouling behavior suggests the possibility of fouling control via optimization of these parameters, thus enabling high product water flux at reduced cost.