cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal redox electrode potential for 24-hour rabbit kidney perfusion

Abstract This study was conducted to determine whether an optimum redox electrode potential existed for 24-hr hypothermic perfusion of rabbit kidneys. The perfusate consisted of a Ringer's-albumin solution to which was added varying amounts of the reducing agents, glutathione and ascorbate, either individually or in equimolar amounts. Electrode potential was monitored with a vitreous carbon electrode in relation to a silver-silver chloride reference cell, and kidney function was measured after preservation by connection to the circulation of a perfusor animal via a shunt. The best results were obtained using equimolar amounts of the reducing agents. Under these circumstances a definite optimum range for perfusate electrode potential was identified ( E s = 40–70 mV) within which renal function was indistinguishable from unpreserved controls. Higher and lower perfusate electrode potentials were associated with significantly lower creatinine clearances. However, the explanation for these results appeared to be more complex than redox control alone, since kidney function was dependent not only on the redox potential of the perfusate but also on the reducing agents with which the adjustment had been made. Ascorbate proved to be significantly better than glutathione within the optimum potential range.
ETS-4 Is a Transcriptional Regulator of Life Span in Caenorhabditis elegans

Aging is a complex phenotype responsive to a plethora of environmental inputs; yet only a limited number of transcriptional regulators are known to influence life span. How the downstream expression programs mediated by these factors (or others) are coordinated into common or distinct set of aging effectors is an addressable question in model organisms, such as C. elegans. Here, we establish the transcription factor ETS-4, an ortholog of vertebrate SPDEF, as a longevity determinant. Adult worms with ets-4 mutations had a significant extension of mean life span. Restoring ETS-4 activity in the intestine, but not neurons, of ets-4 mutant worms rescued life span to wild-type levels. Using RNAi, we demonstrated that ets-4 is required post-developmentally to regulate adult life span; thus uncoupling the role of ETS-4 in aging from potential functions in worm intestinal development. Seventy ETS-4-regulated genes, identified by gene expression profiling of two distinct ets-4 alleles and analyzed by bioinformatics, were enriched for known longevity effectors that function in lipid transport, lipid metabolism, and innate immunity. Putative target genes were enriched for ones that change expression during normal aging, the majority of which are controlled by the GATA factors. Also, some ETS-4-regulated genes function downstream of the FOXO factor, DAF-16 and the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway. However, epistasis and phenotypic analyses indicate that ets-4 functioned in parallel to the insulin/IGF-1 receptor, daf-2 and akt-1/2 kinases. Furthermore, ets-4 required daf-16 to modulate aging, suggesting overlap in function at the level of common targets that affect life span. In conclusion, ETS-4 is a new transcriptional regulator of aging, which shares transcriptional targets with GATA and FOXO factors, suggesting that overlapping pathways direct common sets of lifespan-related genes.
The nature and the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays

We discuss the origin and nature of the highest energy cosmic rays that have been observed. Special attention is paid to the two showers of energy well above 1020 eV reported by the Fly's Eye and the AGASA collaborations. We outline the major types of models for generation of such high energy particles, discuss the propagation of ultra high energy particles in the extragalactic space and some of the problems related to the analysis and interpretation of the current and future statistics of such events.
Mechanical failure modes of chronically implanted planar silicon-based neural probes for laminar recording

Penetrating intracortical electrode arrays that record brain activity longitudinally are powerful tools for basic neuroscience research and emerging clinical applications. However, regardless of the technology used, signals recorded by these electrodes degrade over time. The failure mechanisms of these electrodes are understood to be a complex combination of the biological reactive tissue response and material failure of the device over time. While mechanical mismatch between the brain tissue and implanted neural electrodes have been studied as a source of chronic inflammation and performance degradation, the electrode failure caused by mechanical mismatch between different material properties and different structural components within a device have remained poorly characterized. Using Finite Element Model (FEM) we simulate the mechanical strain on a planar silicon electrode. The results presented here demonstrate that mechanical mismatch between iridium and silicon leads to concentrated strain along the border of the two materials. This strain is further focused on small protrusions such as the electrical traces in planar silicon electrodes. These findings are confirmed with chronic in vivo data (133–189 days) in mice by correlating a combination of single-unit electrophysiology, evoked multi-unit recordings, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy from traces and electrode sites with our modeling data. Several modes of mechanical failure of chronically implanted planar silicon electrodes are found that result in degradation and/or loss of recording. These findings highlight the importance of strains and material properties of various subcomponents within an electrode array.
The structure of chloritoid

A summary is given of a structure analysis of chloritoid. The structure contains continuously linked octahedral sheets cross-linked by discrete SiO4 units. Comparisons are made with mica structures and with corundum.
The Effect of 5,6-Trans Vitamin D3 on Calcium Absorption in Chronic Renal Disease

Calcium absorption was determined in 6 patients with chronic renal disease (GFR values 4.8 to 37 ml/min) on a constant diet before and after administration of 5,6-trans vitamin D3. Administration of 0.5 to 1.0 mg of 5,6-trans D3 for 8 days did not improve calcium absorption. In two of these same patients (the most uremic) administration of 5 mg of 5,6-trans D3 for 8 day sincreased calcium absorption markedly. Two other uremic patients who were studied under the same conditions and received 5 mg of native vitamin D3 for 8 days had no significant in crease incalcium absorption. Since 5,6-trans D3 normalized calcium absorption in patients with far-advanced renal disease, it is suggested that this analogue of vitamin D may be a useful agent in the treatment of hypocalcemia in patients with renal failure.
The monomethyl and dimethyl derivatives of benzo[e]pyrene

Abstract Convenient syntheses of the previously unknown complete set of six isomeric monomethyl derivatives of benzo[e]pyrene, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 9- and 10-methylbenzo[e]pyrene, are described. Syntheses of 1-, 2- and 3-methylbenzo[e]pyrene were accomplished through reaction of 7H-benzanthrene (or its 1-Me derivative as appropriate) with 1, 3-bis(dimethylamino)trimethinium perchlorate (or its 1-Me derivative) followed by thermal electrocyclic ring closure accompanied by elimination and aromatization. The earlier claim16 that the analogous isomeric benzo[a]pyrene derivatives are principal products of reactions of this type is disproven. Synthesis of 3,6- and 4,5-dimethylbenzo[e]pyrene are also described. The structural assignments of all mono- and dimethyl benzo[e] pyrene products are supported by high resolution 270 MHz proton NMR spectra; the chemical shifts and coupling constants of all aromatic protons are fully assigned.
Increasing liquidity and the declining informational content of the paper-bill spread

Abstract The paper constructs a theoretical model to show that the reduced-form relationship between the paper-bill spread and its determinants is sensitive to the substitutability between paper and bills in investors’ portfolios. Using the trend ratio of bill to paper volume outstanding as a proxy for relative liquidity of commercial paper, we provide evidence that the ability of the spread to embody important information fell as liquidity of the paper market increased during the 1980s.
Enhanced Survival of Plasmodium-Infected Mosquitoes during Starvation

Plasmodium spp. are pathogenic to their vertebrate hosts and also apparently, impose a fitness cost on their insect vectors. We show here, however, that Plasmodium-infected mosquitoes survive starvation significantly better than uninfected mosquitoes. This survival advantage during starvation is associated with higher energy resource storage that infected mosquitoes accumulate during period of Plasmodium oocyst development. Microarray analysis revealed that the metabolism of sated mosquitoes is altered in the presence of rapidly growing oocysts, including the down-regulation of several enzymes involved in carbohydrate catabolism. In addition, enhanced expression of several insulin-like peptides was observed in Plasmodium-infected mosquitoes. Blocking insulin-like signaling pathway resulted in impaired Plasmodium development. We conclude that Plasmodium infection alters metabolic pathways in mosquitoes, epitomized by enhanced insulin-like signaling – thereby conferring a survival advantage to the insects during periods of starvation. Manipulation of this pathway might provide new strategies to influence the ability of mosquitoes to survive and transmit the protozoa that cause malaria.
Detection of Ionizing Radiation by Charge Storage in Shallow Levels in Semiconductors at Cryogenic Temperatures

At cryogenic temperatures, ionized impurities act as traps with large capture cross sections. Phosphorus ions in the i-region of a p-i-n diode at 4.2K have been used to trap carriers produced by the passage of Compton electrons and 40 GeV pions. he p-i-n diode acts as a detector and a memory element which can be read out by applying a fast reverse bias pulse of 2-3 volts per micron to quantum mechanically field ionize the shallow impurity traps. The released charge is detected by a charge sensitive amplifier. VLSI arrays of p-i-n detectors utilizing in situ charge storage have significant implications for high resolution particle detection of high multiplicity events encountered in high energy physics experiments.
Correction of the Peripheral Spatiotemporal Response Pattern: A Potential New Signal-Processing Strategy

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new signal-processing strategy, spatiotemporal pattern correction (SPC), that is based on our knowledge of the level-dependent temporal response properties of auditory nerve fibers in normal and impaired ears. In normal-hearing listeners, tuning is sharp for low-level inputs and broadens as input level increases. When peripheral filters change their shape with input level, the phase properties of the filters and the latency of the filter’s response also change. However, in listeners with hearing loss, tuning is broad for both low- and high-level inputs. Thus, there is little change in the phase properties of the filters for different input levels. The SPC strategy manipulates the temporal aspects of different frequency channels of sounds in an attempt to “correct” for this abnormal spatiotemporal response pattern of the impaired ear. Quality judgments and intelligibility measures of speech processed at various SPC strengths were obtained from a small group of no...
Pleural biopsy and thoracentesis by a new instrument.

Since DeFrancis et al.1 first described needle biopsy of the parietal pleura in 1955, this aid to diagnosis of causes of pleural effusion has received much interest. According to previous reports, needle biopsy has been diagnostic in about one-half of the cases in which it has been used. However, it should be realized that some of these cases were selected and that needle biopsy of the parietal pleura may not be this efficacious if used in all cases. If the diagnosis appears obvious on the basis of other clinical evidence, then pleural biopsy is not recommended. If there is some question as to the cause of the pleural effusion, then Donohoe's2 approach is advisable: â€œAt the time of the initial thoracentesis, aspira tion biopsy should be performed. If a specific cause is determined, no further diagnostic studies would be needed and appropriate treatment may be instituted. If such a specimen is either inadequate or inconclu sive, either a repeat aspiration biopsy is in order or surgical biopsy through a small intercostal approach should be undertaken. A frozen section should be obtained and if a specific cause is demonstrable, the incision may be closed. If the result is not diagnostic, then the surgeon should extend the incision and full exploration with appropriate biopsy and/or resection can be carried out, followed subsequently with appropri ate treatment.â€ The Vim-Silverman needle has generally been used as originally de scribed by DeFrancis.1 Following this procedure, thoracentesis must be done next. Either procedure, particularly the latter, may be complicated by pneumothorax due to puncturing or lacerating the lung. In order to combine pleural biopsy and thoracentesis and also to lessen the risk of pneumothorax, we have devised a new instrument. It has features some what similar to those previously described by Cope,3 but it is more similar to that reported by Abrams.4 The purpose of this article is to describe this instrument and its use, report our results in using it and compare the apparent efficacy of this instrument to others. We are not attempting to prove the merits of pleural needle biopsy, for we feel this has been done. Description of Instrument The instrument consists of two partsâ€”the â€œsheathâ€ and the â€œneedleâ€ and is shown in Fig. 1. The outer â€œsheath,â€ A, has a hook-like cutting notch on one end and a collar with three grooves on the other end. The needle, B, has a boss protruding from its hub which fits in the grooves of the collar of the sheath. The sheath has a diameter of a size 13 needle and the needle, B, fits within this snugly enough to be airtight.
Trimodality Therapy for Bladder Conservation in Treatment of Invasive Bladder Cancer

During the past 25 years, prospective clinical trials have established that bladder preservation therapy for select patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer is a safe and effective alternative to an immediate cystectomy. Cisplatin-based chemoradiation is the most well-studied and accepted component of trimodality therapy; however, other systemic agents have recently been shown effective in combination with radiation therapy, increasing the range of options to allow for better personalization of care. In this review, the most recent advances in the field of bladder-preserving trimodality therapy are presented, and future directions for improving the outcomes are outlined.
OSp(1,1|4) BRST-symmetry for string field with the world-sheet metric

Abstract The Sp(2) symmetry of the ghost coordinates in the harmonic gauge for the world-sheet metric is extended to the OSp(1,1|4) group. A new set of BRST charges which form a multiplet under this OSp(1,1|4) group is found. Gauge transformations are constructed by using the Sp(4) subgroup and a gauge invariant action is proposed for the OSp(1,1|4) singlet string field.
Detailed comparison of the urinary excretion of purines in a patient with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and a control subject

Abstract A detailed analysis has been carried out of the urinary purines in a patient with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and a control individual. Separation, quantitation, and identification of the purines employed three different column chromatographic methods and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The patient differed from the control particularly in the excretion of the oxypurines and of AIC and its riboside. The excretion of oxypurines, hypoxanthine and xanthine was about six times higher in the patient. The excretion of AIC and AIC-riboside was more than 20 times higher in the patient with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. The excretion of adenine and adenosine was considerably lower in the patient.
Gametic incompatibility and genetic divergence of Pacific and Kumamoto oysters, Crassostrea gigas and C. sikamea

The biological and taxonomic separation of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) from the Kumamoto oyster C. sikamea (Amemiya, 1928) is affirmed by three concordant lines of evidence: (1) fixed differences in 2% of a mtDNA sequence coding for large subunit rRNA; (2) a genetic distance of 0.440 based on 19 allozyme loci, including 5 diagnostic loci (Aat-1, Idh-1, Idh-2, Mpi-1, Mdh-2); (3) one-way gametic incompatibility resulting in partial reproductive isolation in interspecific crosses. C. gigas sperm x C. sikamea egg fertilizations form viable hybrid offspring, but C. sikamea sperm do not fertilize C. gigas eggs. Divergence between these two species is mediated by differing peaks in the periods for gamete release and by one-way sperm/egg incompatibility. Two attempts to recover C. sikamea from its place of origin in southern Japan have yielded only individuals with the mitochondrial haplotype that characterizes C. gigas. We thus identify a crucial need for careful screening, management, and conservation of the cultivated populations of C. sikamea on the US west coast.
Death Penalty Exemptions for Juveniles: An Event History Analysis of State Policy Adoption

We develop a model to explain state adoption of death penalty exemptions for juveniles under age 18. Employing event history analysis, we find that internal factors are the primary determinants of juvenile exemptions. More specifically, we find that citizen ideology and death penalty support, as measured by the number on death row, provide explanatory power. Regional and temporal variables, on the other hand, appear to have little impact on state adoption of death penalty exemptions for those under age 18.
NF-κB Is Activated in Cholestasis and Functions to Reduce Liver Injury

Selected bile acids activate a nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-dependent survival signaling cascade in cultured hepatocytes. These data suggest that in cholestasis where liver tissue bile acid concentrations are increased, NF-κB should be activated and inhibition of NF-κB should potentiate liver injury. Our aims were to test these two predictions. Cholestasis was obtained by common bile duct ligation in mice. NF-κB activation was demonstrated in nuclear extracts by the electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay from 3-day bile duct-ligated (BDL) mice but not in controls. Immunohistochemistry for NF-κB demonstrated nuclear localization in hepatocytes of BDL mice consistent with its activation in this liver cell type. Electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay and immunohistochemistry for NF-κB in BDL tumor necrosis factor-receptor 1 knockout mice demonstrated hepatocyte NF-κB activation, suggesting that tumor necrosis factor-α was not responsible for the activation of this transcription factor. Liver injury was assessed in BDL mice after administration of the adenovirus 5 inhibitor of kappa B superrepressor (Ad5IκBsr) to inhibit NF-κB. TUNEL-positive cells and serum alanine aminotransferase values were increased at least threefold in mice treated with the Ad5IκBsr versus the empty virus. Liver histology also demonstrated increased liver injury in the BDL mice treated with the Ad5IκBsr. In conclusion, NF-κB is activated in hepatocytes during obstructive cholestasis and functions to reduce liver injury.
Quadrilateral Peripheral Vascular Disease in the Young Adult

Seven cases of quadrilateral chronic occlusive arterial disease different from other known chronic occlusive arterial diseases as evidenced by arteriography, pathology, and clinical manifestations are reported. They resemble some of the cases originally described by Buerger.
Evaluation of bone-grafting materials in a new canine segmental spinal fusion model

This paper describes a new canine segmental spinal fusion model for the comparison of bone-grafting materials. The test sites in the model are three separate posterior interfacet-interlaminar fusion sites in the lumbar spine (L1-2, L3-4, and L5-6). The outcome was assessed by scoring of the fusion sites for union and by mechanical testing of fused segments. The results from two experiments are presented. Autogenous cancellous bone was the most effective material tested and had a statistically superior score for union compared with all other materials (p = 0.01). The results with an osteoconductive matrix of collagen and ceramic alone were no better than those with the controls (no graft). However, addition of an extract of matrix-derived proteins (15-30 kDa) to the collagen-ceramic carrier appeared to improve the score for union. The inclusion of nonresorbed ceramic granules had no evident effect on the mechanical properties of fusions, with a comparable score for union. This model appears to be a sensitive and efficient method for the comparison of graft materials. Advantages over previously described models are discussed.
Role of fluorescence in situ hybridization in bladder cancer surveillance of patients with negative cytology.

Abstract Objectives The clinical utility of urine markers in urothelial cancer (UC) surveillance is not established. We previously evaluated the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in managing patients with atypical cytology at risk for UC. This study evaluates its role in patients with negative cytology with a history of UC. Materials and methods Between June 2007 and January 2009, every patient with a history of UC who underwent cystoscopy and cytology with UroVysion test were identified. A comprehensive chart review was performed on each patient with negative cytology. Results The population comprised 142 patients undergoing cancer surveillance; 111 patients with negative cystoscopy, 19 with equivocal cystoscopy, and 12 with positive cystoscopy. In patients with negative cystoscopy, there was cancer in only 1 of 111 patients. UroVysion could detect the only patient with UC with sensitivity of 100% and had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. In patients with equivocal cystoscopy, it detected 2 tumors that would be missed by cytology. There were 4 false negative results (sensitivity 33.3% and NPV 66.7%). In patients with obvious lesion on cystoscopy, there were 9 false negative results (sensitivity 10% and NPV 18.2%). Conclusions Few patients with negative cystoscopy and negative cytology have cancer. Patients with equivocal and positive cystoscopy and negative cytology frequently have cancer and the UroVysion FISH assay was not helpful in these cases. The cost-effectiveness of the FISH assay needs to be assessed prior to widespread use in patients with negative cytology.
A stable 1:1 lithium acylcyanocuprate. Dependence of the stability of acylcyanocuprates on the nature of the alkyl substituent.

Abstract Acylcuprates obtained by carbonylation of R(CN)CuLi cuprates (R = t-Bu, sec-Bu) at low temperature are effective in the direct nucleophilic 1,4-acylation of α,β-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes. The R = t-Bu reagent is sufficiently stable so that it can be used even at room temparature. The R = sec-Bu reagent is best used at −110°C.
First-principles calculations of ground-state and high-pressure phase of magnesium telluride

Abstract We study the ground-state properties of MgTe and the behavior under pressure using the new full potential augmented plane wave plus local orbital method (FP-LAPW + lo) within the local spin density approximation (LSDA) to density functional theory. The calculations were performed in the rocksalt (B1), cesium chloride (B2), zincblende (B3), wurtzite (B4) and nickel arsenide (B81) type structures. Our calculations clearly indicate that there is a structural transition from the B8 to B2, confirming recent experimental suggestions and also show that the ground-state phase of MgTe is the nickel arsenide (B81) structure.
A Methodology to Evaluate the Competitiveness of Electric Delivery Trucks

Abstract This paper examines the competitiveness of the latest generation of electric delivery trucks. A new model that integrates routing constraints, speed profiles, energy consumption, and vehicle ownership costs is developed. The model is applied to the study the competitiveness of three commercial vehicles: a widely available conventional diesel truck and two brands of electric trucks. Scenarios and breakeven points are calculated and analyzed for a large number parameter combination. The results show that route feasibility, minimum fleet size, distance traveled, battery life, purchase costs, and planning horizon are among the most significant factors affecting commercial electric vehicle competitiveness.
Visual search by children: The effect of background variation and the use of visual cues ☆

Abstract A visual search task was used to assess developmental changes in children's selective attention to specified portions of a visual display. Seven-, nine-, and twelve-year-olds searched for a target letter in matrices of letters, each of which was centered in a form. On each matrix the forms were uniform or they varied in color, shape or both color and shape. The children searched with either no cues or with color or shape cues that could be used to restrict and speed their search. In all conditions search speed increased with age. Comparisons among conditions revealed three different age trends. With no cues children of all ages were slowed comparably by variation in background forms. With color cues all children increased their search speeds relative to no-cue speeds, suggesting selective fixation, but the 12-year-olds benefited most from the cues. With shape cues the search speed of 9- and 12-year-olds was slowed while that of 7-year-olds was either unchanged or was slowed only slightly. These different trends caution against overly general statements of changes with age in selective attention, and highlight the need to consider both particular task requirements and the processes used by subjects of different ages in tasks requiring selective attention.
Diffusion of Cu2+ catalysts from Cu‐metal polymer or Cu‐oxide/polymer interfaces into isotactic polypropylene

Diffusion coefficients of Cu2+ in the form of its carboxylate have been measured in isotactic polypropylene as a function of temperature (90–128°C) and extent of preoxidation. Diffusion take place from the metal catalyst/polymer interface into the bulk polymer. The diffusion is dependent on the extent of preoxidation and temperature but not on the type of catalyst (Cu, CuO, CuO0.67). Analysis of polymer sections for Cu2+ ions was carried out with a selective Cu2+ electrode. Diffusion in isotactic polypropylene is about 1000 times faster than in lowdensity polyethylene. The carboxylate anion appears to have about 7 C-atoms for diffusion in isotactic polypropylene compared with 29 C-atoms for low-density polyethylene.
A comparative study of environmental factors that affect nesting in Australian and North American freshwater turtles

The timing of reproductive events is critical for fitness, and these events are often linked to weather and climate. Weather components are thought to influence the nesting behaviour of freshwater turtles, but to date there have been few quantitative studies and no comparative studies. We compared the environmental cues used by nesting Australian (Emydura macquarii and Chelodina expansa) and North American (Chrysemys picta) freshwater turtles, and quantified the differences in weather between days with and without nesting activity within the nesting season. We also characterized the diel time of nesting for each species. The results suggest that nesting behaviour is related to warm air and water temperatures in C. picta and to rainfall in E. macquarii and C. expansa. Chrysemys picta primarily nests in the afternoon and evening, E. macquarii is a crepuscular nester, and C. expansa nests diurnally. While changes in life history resulting from climate change are difficult to predict, we suggest that an increase in the number of El Nino events may have adverse effects on the two Australian species, whereas increases in environmental temperature may expand the number of nesting opportunities for C. picta.
In vitro inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by oleic acid albumin formulations from derivatized cotton wound dressings

Abstract Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is elevated in chronic wounds. Oleic acid albumin formulations that inhibit HNE may be applicable to treatment modalities for chronic wounds. Oleic acid/albumin formulations with mole ratios of 100:1, 50:1, and 25:1 (oleic acid to albumin) were prepared and found to have dose response inhibition properties against HNE. The IC50 values for inhibition of HNE with oleic acid/albumin formulations were 0.029–0.049 μM. Oleic acid/albumin (BSA) formulations were bound to positively and negatively charged cotton wound dressings and assessed for elastase inhibition using a fiber bound formulation in an assay designed to mimic HNE inhibition in the wound. Cotton derivatized with both carboxylate and amine functional groups were combined with oleic acid/albumin formulations at a maximum loading of 0.030 mg oleic acid + 0.14 mg BSA/mg fiber. The IC50 values for inhibition of HNE with oleic acid/albumin formulations bound to derivatized cotton were 0.26–0.42 μM. Release of the oleic acid/albumin formulation from the fiber was measured by measuring oleic acid levels with quantitative GC analysis. Approximately, 35–50% of the fiber bound formulation was released into solution within the first 15 min of incubation. Albumin was found to enhance the rate of elastase hydrolysis of the substrate within a concentration range of 0.3–50 g/L. The acceleration of HNE substrate hydrolysis by albumin required increased concentration of inhibitor in the formulation to obtain complete inhibition of HNE. Oleic acid formulations prepared with albumin enable transport, solubility and promote dose response inhibition of HNE from derivatized cotton fibers under aqueous conditions mimicking the chronic wound.
SOQ: A Service-Oriented Quorum-Based Protocol for Resilient Real-Time Communication in Partitionable Networks

We consider efficient real-time communication mechanisms for applications in unreliable and partitionable networks. Utilizing quorum systems, we present a quorum based protocol called SOQ to let nodes update and query service information to a selected set of servers (a quorum). Due to the intersection property of quorums, nodes can obtain latest updated information by simply accessing a quorum. To make the protocol adaptive to network partitions, we propose update/query triggering mechanisms to determine when nodes trigger updates/queries. A quorum access strategy for nodes to judiciously select a quorum to access is designed so that the probability that a query returns the latest service information is maximized. We give in-depth analysis of the protocol, including the communication overhead, load and availability relationship of quorum systems and timeliness analysis of distributed applications. Our experimental studies show that SOQ is resilient to network partitions without incurring large overheads.
The blessing of giving: the importance of reciprocity to self-health care.

Abstract This qualitative study of reciprocity and self-health care demonstrated the importance of reciprocity in the lives of 20 elderly participants. Self-health care included actions centering around nutrition, exercise, health care monitoring, and psychospiritual activities. The importance of giving to others and the difficulty in accepting help should their functional capacity diminish create concern among our participants. Nursing interventions based on understanding reciprocity and helping caregivers create opportunities for the older person to reciprocate, despite limited physical resources, are discussed. (Geriatr Nurs 2000;21:138-43)
Risks of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy and Recommendations for Monitoring

Although some reports suggest that testosterone-replacement therapy may provide benefits for aging men, considerable controversy remains regarding indications for its use. Neither large-scale nor long-term studies have been initiated, in part because of theoretical concern regarding the risks associated with testosterone therapy, especially the possible stimulation of prostate cancer. This article discusses what is known (and not known) about the risks of testosterone-replacement therapy and provides recommendations for monitoring men who are receiving testosterone.
Tuning Binary Ionic Liquid Mixtures: Linking Alkyl Chain Length to Phase Behavior and Ionic Conductivity

The use of mixed salts to generate new composite ionic liquids (ILs) provides a facile means of readily tuning or tailoring the desired properties of ionic media. Despite this, very little information is available about how the structure of the selected ions and composition impacts the properties of salt mixtures. To explore this, six binary IL1–IL2 mixtures based on N-alkyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salts have been characterized. The physicochemical properties (density, viscosity, and ionic conductivity) and phase behavior of these mixtures are reported. The variation of the alkyl chains lengths on the cations plays a significant role in determining both the phase behavior and the physicochemical properties of the mixtures. Notably, the “tunability” of the properties of the IL mixtures is much easier to control than is found by simply making small structural changes to the ions in a given salt.
Threshold non-linearity effects on weight-decay tolerance in analog neural networks

It is shown that one of the VLSI design issues that must be considered is the temperature of the activation function used in the neurons. Though low temperature activation functions (such as simple comparators) are efficient to implement in hardware and use minimal power, the overall accuracy of the network may suffer. Nonstandard training schemes that move the synaptic sums away from the transition region or higher-temperature activation functions must be used. The influence of activation temperature on artificial neural network (ANN) robustness when experiencing weight decay is presented. A simulator design which is specifically tailored to studying analog VLSI ANN implementations is presented. Data resulting from training a typical backpropagation network using various temperature activation functions and tracking the network's sensitivity to weight decay are presented. >
A new method for finding low-voltage power flow solutions

Some techniques for analyzing power system voltage stability use alternative power flow solutions to compute their measure. These alternative solutions usually exhibit low bus voltage magnitudes at a subset of the system's nodes. For this reason, they are sometimes referred to as "low-voltage" power flow solutions. The fractal convergence regions exhibited by the Newton-Raphson power flow makes finding low-voltage solutions difficult, because it complicates the task of identifying an initial voltage guess that leads to the desired solutions. This paper derives a new approach for finding low-voltage power flow solutions directly from the structure of the Newton-Raphson power flow equations in rectangular coordinates. It compares the speed and frequency of convergence of the new technique with a previously proposed method to demonstrate its effectiveness in finding low-voltage solutions.
Calibration and Path Dynamics Issues in Microscopic Simulation for Advanced Traffic Management and Information Systems

Two critical aspects related to microscopic simulation are discussed: a methodology for calibration and validation, and the integration of path dynamics modeling on large networks. These are among the most significant challenges in microscopic simulation for decision support and analysis in advanced traffic management and information systems. For calibration and validation, a distinction is made between conceptual and operational phases; the conceptual phase concerns the basic models such as car following and lane changing, and the operational phase is associated with the context of the study (origin-destination, parameters adjustments with respect to the network under study, etc.). Then a methodology is described that brings to microscopic simulation the type of capabilities for path processing and storage normally found only with macroscopic models, often because the network representation is less detailed for those. This is based on a hybrid simulation approach. An example of integrating the parallel microscopic simulation with the routing and behavior response simulation schemes, as in the dynamic network assignment simulation model for the advanced road telematics macroscopic model, is used to explain a candidate methodology to enhance microscopic models for evaluating information-routing schemes in advanced traffic management and information systems. Relevant problems faced by advanced traffic management and information systems modelers are raised that are worth further discussion; the intention is not to provide extensive results or even to answer all of the questions raised.
A first look at the interplay of code reordering and configurable caches

The instruction cache is a popular target for optimizations of microprocessor-based systems because of the cache's high impact on system performance and power, and because of the cache's predictable temporal and spatial locality. Optimization techniques can be designed based on this predictability. We explore for the first time the interplay of two popular instruction cache optimization techniques: the long-known technique of code reordering and the relatively-new technique of cache configuration. We address the question of whether those two optimizations complement each other or if one optimization dominates the other. Through experiments using embedded system benchmarks, we show that cache configuration dominates a particular category of code reordering techniques with respect to optimizing performance and energy, obviating the need for reordering. We also examine the modern scenario of synthesized custom caches, and show that combining cache configuration with code reordering results in cache size reductions of 13% on average, and up to 89% in some benchmarks, beyond just cache configuration alone.
Development of a pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model to predict onset of hemolytic anemia in (PEG)interferon/ribavirin treated hepatitis–C virus (HCV)‐infected patients

Purpose A significant side-effect of HCV treatment with interferon (IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) therapy is hemolytic anemia, which can result in RBV dose reduction and may compromise efficacy. Darbepoetin alfa (DA) is an erythropoiesis stimulating protein approved for the treatment of anemia associated with renal insufficiency and cancer. The goal of the current work was to use PKPD modeling to predict onset of anemia in HCV patients on antiviral treatment. Methods The PKPD model used was a physiologically based indirect response model wherein the erythropoietic agent's concentration stimulates production of erythrocyte progenitors. The model structure was modified to account for hemolytic anemia using a first-order rate equation, and subsequent up-regulation of endogenous erythropoietin using a Michaelis-Menten type equation. PD model parameters were obtained using hemoglobin (Hb) data from patients on antiviral therapy treated with rHuEPO, and then modified to allow predictions for DA. Results PKPD model simulations predicted that about 60% of patients on antiviral therapy were likely to become anemic (Hb< 12 g/dL) median time to onset of anemia was 4 weeks 25% were likely to require RBV dose reduction (Hb<10 g/dL) if anemia was untreated. Conclusions PKPD modeling was useful in predicting onset of anemia in HCV patients undergoing antiviral treatment. The model aided in the design of a clinical trial to explore the use of DA to treat anemia due to antiviral therapy. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P78–P78; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.296
Left Ventricle Segmentation Using Model Fitting and Active Surfaces

A method to perform 4D (3D over time) seg mentation of the left ventricle of a mouse heart using a set of B mode cine slices acquired in vivo from a series of short axis scans is described. We incorporate previ ously suggested methods such as temporal propagation, the gradient vector flow active surface, superquadric models, etc. into our proposed 4D segmentation of the left ventricle. The contributions of this paper are incor poration of a novel despeckling method and the use of locally fitted superellipsoid models to provide a better initialization for the active surface segmentation algorithm. Average distances of the improved surface segmentation to a manually segmented surface through out the entire cardiac cycle and cross-sectional contours are provided to demonstrate the improvements pro duced by the proposed 4D segmentation.
Animal signals and emotion in music: coordinating affect across groups

Researchers studying the emotional impact of music have not traditionally been concerned with the principled relationship between form and function in evolved animal signals. The acoustic structure of musical forms is related in important ways to emotion perception, and thus research on non-human animal vocalizations is relevant for understanding emotion in music. Musical behavior occurs in cultural contexts that include many other coordinated activities which mark group identity, and can allow people to communicate within and between social alliances. The emotional impact of music might be best understood as a proximate mechanism serving an ultimately social function. Recent work reveals intimate connections between properties of certain animal signals and evocative aspects of human music, including (1) examinations of the role of nonlinearities (e.g., broadband noise) in non-human animal vocalizations, and the analogous production and perception of these features in human music, and (2) an analysis of group musical performances and possible relationships to non-human animal chorusing and emotional contagion effects. Communicative features in music are likely due primarily to evolutionary by-products of phylogenetically older, but still intact communication systems. But in some cases, such as the coordinated rhythmic sounds produced by groups of musicians, our appreciation and emotional engagement might be driven by an adaptive social signaling system. Future empirical work should examine human musical behavior through the comparative lens of behavioral ecology and an adaptationist cognitive science. By this view, particular coordinated sound combinations generated by musicians exploit evolved perceptual response biases - many shared across species - and proliferate through cultural evolutionary processes.
A two-dimensional dam-break flood plain model

Abstract A simple two-dimensional dam-break model is developed for flood plain study purposes. Both a finite difference grid and an irregular triangle element integrated finite difference formulation are presented. The governing flow equations are approximately solved as a diffusion model coupled to the equation of continuity. Application of the model to a hypothetical dam-break study indicates that the approach can be used to predict a two-dimensional dam-break flood plain over a broad, flat plain more accurately than a one-dimensional model, especially when the flow can break-out of the main channel and then return to the channel at other downstream reaches.
Evaluation of Toll Options with Quick-Response Analysis Tools: Case Study of the Capital Beltway:

Analysis tools in current use in transportation decision-making processes are not well suited for evaluating toll highway alternatives against more traditional free highway alternatives. How existing analysis tools might be used in evaluating toll options was examined. A case study demonstrates that relatively simple analytical procedures may be used to estimate the impact of pricing alternatives and to generate information for use by local decision makers. The case study also demonstrates that pricing alternatives often can accomplish the purpose of a major highway project more efficiently and more effectively than conventional alternatives that exclude pricing, while generating revenue to support bonds for project construction or to fund improved transit and paratransit services. With toll revenue to back bonds, project delays due to constrained funding can be avoided, and the public can be provided with superior mobility earlier and at lower public cost.
MARS science laboratory (MSL) cruise solar array

The solar array is required to supply sufficient power to the space craft as well as charging the lithium ion batteries at all stages of the mission. During the mission the solar array will be shadowed as well as Sun off pointing in all operating conditions. The two most demanding operations for the power system occur just into the final disc at spacecraft integration. Each section has two independently controlled solar array segments for a total of twelve segments. Each segment is comprised of twenty one parallel strings of fifteen cells in series, provided by Emcore Corporation. The array is designed to provide maximum power to fully charge the lithium ion batteries at the final insertion into Mars orbit. This safe mode condition requires that the solar array operate beyond the peak power point while in Earth orbit at the start of the mission. The batteries are located on the MSL rover and handle all power requirements between separation from the cruise array to augmenting the Rover RTG power system on the Mars surface. The solar array falls about 7% short of this goal due to the limited substrate area available. Through out the cruise to Mars the solar array is predicted to meet or exceed the program requirements. As part of the paper the theoretical power calculation compared to performance based measurements of array power will be presented as well as the array design.