cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accounting for connectivity and spatial correlation in the optimal placement of wildlife habitat

This paper investigates optimization approaches to simultaneously modelling habitat fragmentation and spatial correlation between patch populations. The problem is formulated with habitat connectivity affecting population means and variances, with spatial correlations accounted for in covariance calculations. Population with a pre-specifled confidence level is then maximized in nonlinear programs that define habitat patches as circles (fixed shape) or rectangles (variable shape). The ideas and model formulations are demonstrated in a case example with a maximum of four habitat patches. Spatial layout of habitat is strongly sensitive to species dispersal characteristics and the spatial correlation structure resulting from different environmental disturbance agents.
The blood pressure response during isometric exercise in fast and slow twitch skeletal muscle in the cat

The blood pressure response during fatiguing isometric contractions was examined in a slow twitch muscle (the soleus) and a mixed muscle (the medial gastrocnemius) of the cat. The results of these experiments showed that electrical stimulation of the ventral roots of the spinal cord which carried the efferent innervation to the soleus muscle failed to result in a blood pressure response during isometric exercise. Further, although stimulation of the fast twitch motor units in the medial gastrocnemius muscle was associated with a potent pressor response to isometric exercise, stimulation of the slow twitch motor units was associated with a markedly reduced response throughout the duration of the exercise. These findings infer that the pressor response to isometric exercise may be a function of the fast twitch motor units in the muscle.
Genetic Analysis of a Novel Xylella fastidiosa Subspecies Found in the Southwestern United States

Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of several scorch diseases, is associated with leaf scorch symptoms in Chitalpa tashkentensis, a common ornamental landscape plant used throughout the southwestern United States. For a number of years, many chitalpa trees in southern New Mexico and Arizona exhibited leaf scorch symptoms, and the results from a regional survey show that chitalpa trees from New Mexico, Arizona, and California are frequently infected with X. fastidiosa. Phylogenetic analysis of multiple loci was used to compare the X. fastidiosa infecting chitalpa strains from New Mexico, Arizona, and trees imported into New Mexico nurseries with previously reported X. fastidiosa strains. Loci analyzed included the 16S ribosome, 16S-23S ribosomal intergenic spacer region, gyrase-B, simple sequence repeat sequences, X. fastidiosa-specific sequences, and the virulence-associated protein (VapD). This analysis indicates that the X. fastidiosa isolates associated with infected chitalpa trees in the Southwest are a highly related group that is distinct from the four previously defined taxons X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa (piercei), X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex, X. fastidiosa subsp. sandyi, and X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca. Therefore, the classification proposed for this new subspecies is X. fastidiosa subsp. tashke.
Fuel-optimal slewing of an experimental hinged-free beam

With the recent development of numerical methods for exactly solving larger order fuel-optlmal control problems, the implementation of exact real-time fuel-optimal control becomes possible. This paper describes a physical experiment in which a hinged-free beam is slewed in a fuel-optimal manner. A comparison between experimental results and the analytical predictions highlights the sources of errors typical of this class of problems.
Solar EUV emission line profiles of Si ii and Si iii and their center to limb variations

Spectral line profiles of Si ii and Si iii are presented which were observed both at solar center and near the quiet solar limb with the Naval Research Laboratory EUV spectrograph of ATM/SKYLAB. Absolute intensities and line profiles are derived from the photographic data. A brief discussion is given of their center-to-limb variations and of the optical thickness of the chromosphere in these lines. Nonthermal broadening velocities are found for the optically thin lines from their full width at half maximum intensity (FWHM).
Cobalt-protoporphyrin treatment enhances murine isoislets engraftment.

To study the effect of treatment with cobalt-protoporphyrin (CoPP) for the induction of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) enzyme on islet engraftment donor mice received either a single intraperitoneal injection of CoPP (20 mg/kg body weight) 1 day prior to islet isolation or this injection plus a 9 day posttransplantation course of Copp. After a single injection of CoPP, the CoPP-induced islets contained higher HO-1 proteins than did the normal islets both at 12 (5.3 ± 1.5 vs 0.1 ± 0.1 ng/mg protein, P .05). In contrast, diabetic mice that received 75 CoPP-induced islets and a 9-day CoPP injection course posttransplantation showed better improvement in blood glucose levels and body weights than did the mice that only received CoPP-induced islets. Mice of both CoPP-treated groups displayed better improvement in glycemic control than mice that received control islets. At 8 weeks after transplantation, the insulin content of grafts from both CoPP groups was significantly higher than that in the control group. In conclusion, CoPP treatment for the induction of HO-1 enhances engraftment of islets in a syngeneic murine transplantation model.
Androgen effects on responsiveness to aggression and stress-related odors of male mice.

Abstract The effect of male gonadal hormones on responsiveness to the aggression and stress-related odors of male mice was examined. The initial experiment indicated that intact male mice would avoid an area of an open field that had been spotted with the urine of aggressive male donors, while castration of the subjects eliminated the response. Hormone replacement was effective in reinstating the aversion, clearly demonstrating the androgen-dependent nature of the response. A second experiment determined that the effects of castration do not generalize to another type of aversive odor, namely the alarm odors of castrate donors. That is, both intact and castrate males exhibited a pronounced aversion to the urine odors of castrates that had been subjected to a prolonged period of stress. These results suggest that gonadal hormone effects on olfactory responsivity are somewhat specific, and more interestingly, that the mechanism behind the effects of gonadal hormones on rodent aggression may lie in their influence on the nature of the response to the relevant olfactory stimuli.
Ohio University/FAA flight test demonstration of local Area Augmentation System (LAAS)

Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) flight tests were conducted at the William J. Hughes Technical Center using a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-operated Boeing 727 aircraft in August 1997. This demonstration represents the first full-scale testing of the proposed LAAS architecture and showed the feasibility of key components of the FAA/RTCA LAAS design, including the multipath-limiting antenna system, the integrity monitoring function, and the use of the Very High Frequency Data Broadcast (VDB). The LAAS ground facility, as implemented for the tests, consists of three multipath-mitigating antenna systems, six narrow-correlator GPS C/A-code receivers, a VDB transmitter, and supporting processors. In the aircraft, the VDB-transmitted differential corrections are combined with GPS data from two narrow-correlator C/A-code receivers to produce a redundant aircraft position. The aircraft position is derived from carrier-smoothed code measurements.
Near infrared photometry of late-type stars

The results of photometry obtained for 61 stars are presented. The observations at A I 1 63 [km are shown to exhibit an excess flux due to a minimum in the H1 opacity in accordance with the predictions of model atmosphere studies. Bolometric corrections are derived for stars of late spectral type from integration of the observed absolute spectral irradiance curve. A simple photometric method for the measurement of stellar diameters is proposed based upon the absolute irradiance observed at 2-21 jum and the 2-21 [km flux at the surface of the star calculated from model atmospheres. Angular diameters derived by this technique are consistent with interferometric results; and, when combined with the bolometric corrections, effective temperatures are found. THE PHOTOMETER During the last few years techniques for observation at infrared wavelengths have greatly improved. In particular the development of multi-layered interference filters for the infrared region now permits one to isolate narrow well-defined spectral bands centred on almost any desired wavelength. Of equal importance has been the rapid growth in solidstate electronics technology and components. These developments result in a great simplification of the photometer electronics and recording system and contribute substantially to the stability and over-all accuracy of the observations. The photometer employed here is a dual-channel instrument using a 1 P21 photomultiplier tube for observations in the ultraviolet, blue and visible and a lead sulphide detector for the near infrared. Both detectors are cooled by a slurry of dry ice in freon. Filters of Corning and Schott glasses are used for ultraviolet, blue and visible, while multilayed interference filters are used in the infrared. An important feature of the photometer is the conical blackbody cavity mounted in the Cassegrain adaptor section. This cavity may be operated at any closely regulated temperature in the range from ambient to 500 'K. All the infrared observations were referenced to this blackbody source, thus making possible a direct determination of the absolute value of the radiation flux incident at the focal plane of the telescope. Table 1 summarizes the pertinent features of the photometer and defines the infrared magnitudes W, X, Y and Z. The column headings are the 'effective wavelength', A,, of the normalized filter-detector response; its equivalenlt width, zlA; and the absolute response in terms of the spectral irradiance H(A) for a star of zero magnitude. Details of the photometer design and performance, reduction of the observations, and absolute calibration of the spectral bands have been given by Walker (1966).
Glyphosate-resistant crops: history, status and future

The commercial launch of glyphosate-resistant soybeans in 1996 signaled the beginning of a new era in weed management in row crops. Today, over 80% of the soybeans grown in the USA are glyphosate resistant. Since that time, many crops have been transformed that have allowed crop applications of many classes of herbicide chemistries. Crops currently under production include maize, soybean, cotton and canola. Transformation technology and selection methods have improved and the rate of development as well as the breadth of crops being considered as commercial targets has increased. On the basis of recent adoption rates by growers around the world, it appears that glyphosate-resistant crops will continue to grow in number and in hectares planted. However, global public acceptance of biotechnology-derived products will continue to impact the rate of adoption of this and other new innovations derived from transformation technology.
The relationship between parents' first concerns and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.

Objective: To examine the relationship between parents’ first concerns and early Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms.Methods: Symptoms of ASD were compared in 1393 toddlers with and without a diagnosis of an ASD, based on the area of parents’ first concerns. Communication and behaviour problems were examined in the current study, as they are the most frequently reported first concerns in the literature. A series of one-way, between-subjects ANOVAs were conducted on each sub-scale of the BISCUIT Part-1.Results: Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) significant differences were found between most groups on all sub-scales. On the Socialization/Non-verbal Communication and Repetitive Behaviour/Restricted Interest sub-scales, those with ASD and behaviour concerns had the highest scores. On the Communication sub-scale, those with ASD and communication concerns had the highest scores.Conclusions: A significant relationship exists between early ASD symptoms and area of first concern. The implications of...
Rapid erosion of a small southern California beach fill

Abstract A winter storm eroded a small (160,000 m3) beach fill at Torrey Pines State Beach in southern California. The fill, constructed in April 2001, was a 600-m long flat-topped berm, extending from a highway revetment seaward about 80 m, terminating in a 2-m tall, near-vertical scarp. The size distributions of the preexisting and fill beach sand were similar (median ∼0.2 mm). A total of 56 cross-shore transects were surveyed between the revetment and 8 m water depth biweekly along 2.7 km of the beach centered on the fill area. During summer and fall, the incident significant wave heights measured 1 km offshore of the fill usually were below 1 m, the scarp was not overtopped, and the fill did not change greatly. The beach face alongshore of the fill accreted, consistent with the usual seasonal cycle in southern California. During a storm (3 m significant wave height) in late November, erosion began when wave uprushes overtopped the scarp and reached the relatively flat elevated fill, where the overwash flowed alongshore to initially small depressions that channeled the flow seawards. The offshore flow rapidly deepened and widened the channels, which maintained steep vertical faces and eroded by slumping. Thirty hours after the storm began, the shoreward end of the eroded channels had retreated to the highway revetment, leaving uneroded sand peninsulas protruding seawards ∼50 m from the revetment and elevated ∼1.75 m above the surrounding beach. Erosion of the beach adjacent to the fill was much less variable alongshore than within the fill region. During the next few days, the peninsulas eroded almost completely.
A biologist's view of the relevance of thermodynamics and physical chemistry to cryobiology

Abstract Thermodynamics and physical chemistry have played powerful roles the past 45 years in interpreting cryobiological problems and in predicting cryobiological outcomes. The author has been guided by a few core principles in using these concepts and tools and this paper discusses these core principles. They are (1) the importance of chemical potentials and of the difference between the chemical potentials of water and solutes inside the cell and outside in determining the direction and rate of fluxes of water and solutes. (2) The influence of the curvature of an ice crystal on its chemical potential and on the ability of ice to pass through pores in cell membranes, on the nucleation temperature of supercooled water, and on the recrystallization of ice. (3) The use of Le Chatalier’s Principle in qualitatively predicting the direction of a reaction in response to variables like pressure. (4) The fact that the energy differences between State A and State B are independent of the path taken to go from A to B. (5) The importance of being aware of the assumptions underlying thermodynamic models of cryobiological events. And (6), the difficulties in obtaining experimental verification of thermodynamic and physical–chemical models.
Adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by carbon nanomaterials.

Carbon nanomaterials are novel manufactured materials, having widespread potential applications. Adsorption of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) by carbon nanomaterials may enhance their toxicity and affect the fate, transformation, and transport of HOCs in the environment. In this research, adsorption of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene onto six carbon nanomaterials, including fullerenes, single-walled carbon nanotubes , and multiwalled carbon nanotubes was investigated, which is the first systematic study on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) sorption by various carbon nanomaterials. All adsorption isotherms were nonlinear and were fitted well by the Polanyi−Manes model (PMM). Through both isotherm modeling and constructing “characteristic curve”, Polanyi theory was useful to describe the adsorption process of PAHs by the carbon nanomaterials. The three fitted parameters (Q0, a, and b) of PMM depended on both PAH properties and the nature of carbon nanomaterials. For different PAHs, adsorpt...
Whittle-indexability of the Cow Path Problem

In this paper we consider the well-studied Cow Path Problem (CPP), an on-line search problem that is typically treated with competitive analysis. This paper uses an alternative approach, posing the problem as a Markov Decision Problem (MDP). Our technical contribution is to prove that when posed as an MDP, a slightly relaxed version of the problem is Whittle-indexable, and we present the corresponding index heuristic. This result also provides an insight: theoretical properties that have been empirically vetted (such as the Whittle index) are a means to bridge the gap between theory and practice in on-line decision-making problems.
Relationships between knowledge and experience in the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic agents. A study of primary care practitioners.

The timely dissemination of new medical information is a complex and often faulty process. We surveyed primary care physicians to determine their knowledge and use of disease-modifying antirheumatic agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Only 26.2% of patients hospitalized for rheumatoid arthritis had been treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic agents in the past, and 13.9% were presently receiving them. When responding to a clinical vignette on rheumatoid arthritis, only 12% (10/84) of practitioners would implement therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic agents, while the majority would refer the patient to a rheumatologist. Experience with similar patients was clearly the factor that led to initiation of therapy. While 73% of practitioners were aware of the value of disease-modifying antirheumatic agents, only 14% prescribed them in the last year. These findings suggest that dissemination of information concerning disease-modifying antirheumatic agents has been successful, but the problems inherent in their use result in referral rather than initiation of therapy. ( JAMA . 1989;262:2721-2723)
Transabdominal amnioinfusion in pregnancies complicated by midtrimester pPROM and oligohydramnios: A systematic review

MIDTRIMESTER PPROM AND OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WILLIAM GOODNIGHT, THOMAS HULSEY, ROGER NEWMAN, Medical University of South Carolina, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charleston, South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina, Pediatrics, Charleston, South Carolina OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of transabdominal amnioinfusion (TAI) for the prevention of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios after midtrimester pPROM. STUDY DESIGN: MEDLINE and PUBMED searches of the English language literature 1966 to 2006 were performed to identify prospective trials of TAI following pPROM. Searches were also cross-referenced with identified bibliographies. Inclusion criteria for this review included pPROM ! 27 weeks gestational age, well defined oligohydramnios, singleton pregnancy, similar TAI protocols, and perinatal outcome data including latency, mortality, pulmonary hypoplasia, and chorioamnionitis/neonatal sepsis. Analysis was performed with Review Manager 4.2.8 software (Cochrane Collaboration, 2003) and outcomes were expressed in weighted mean differences or RR. RESULTS: Nine prospective studies were identified; four satisfied inclusion criteria. 112 patients were treated with serial TAI compared to 106 controls. The weighted mean difference in latency (pPROM to delivery) was increased in TAI treated patients (24.1 days, 95% CI 19.6, 28.7 p ! 0.00001). TAI resulted in a 24% reduction in the risk of perinatal death (RR 0.76 95% CI 0.64, 0.90 p = 0.001) and a 50% reduction in the risk of chorioamnionitis (RR 0.50 95% CI 0.25, 1.00 p = 0.05). A 65% non-significant reduction in pulmonary hypoplasia (RR 0.35 95% CI 0.12, 1.02 p = 0.06) was also identified. There was no difference in rates of neonatal sepsis (RR 0.75 95% CI 0.30, 1.84 p=0.52). CONCLUSION: Transabdominal amnioinfusion prolongs the latency period with associated reductions in perinatal mortality and pulmonary hypoplasia in pregnancies with oligohydramnios after midtrimester pPROM. No increase in infectious morbidity was identified. These favorable findings invite confirmation by a prospective, randomized trial.
Enhancing the Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Effects of Nonionic Surfactant Addition on Biofilm Function and Structure

The application of surfactants for the bioremediation of sites contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been widely reported, because they are known to increase PAH solubility and desorption, thereby enhancing their bioavailability to biofilm microorganisms. The effects of a nonionic surfactant on the biodegradation of PAHs in porous media, as well as the fate of the surfactant, were investigated in this study. Column experiments in the presence of the surfactant showed that the degradation of the two-ring PAH alone was not significantly affected, but that there was a small enhancement of three- and four-ring PAH degradation when they were present as sole substrates and when using Triton X-100. This was due to the higher solubility of the PAHs in the presence of the surfactant. Biofilm seemed to respond well to binary mixtures of phenanthrene–naphthalene and pyrene–naphthalene, with removals of 45.5 and 24.1%, respectively, in the presence of the surfactant; however, higher biodegradations w...
Comparison of radial and femoral arterial blood pressures in children after cardiopulmonary bypass

We compared radial and femoral arterial blood pressures in 29 patients, ranging in age from 1.25 to 17 years, during and after cardiopulmonary bypass for repair of congenital heart disease. Radial mean arterial pressure (MAP) was more than 10% lower than femoral MAP in 17 patients (58%), and in 7 of these patients (24%) radial MAP was more than 20% lower than femoral MAP. In 27 of 29 patients (93%) systolic radial pressure was 10% lower than systolic femoral pressure, and in 20 of these (69%) it was more than 20% lower. The ratio of radial to femoral pressure correlated with MAP (i.e., lower MAP produced greater differences), and the ratio of systolic radial to systolic femoral pressure inversely correlated with systemic vascular resistance index. We found no correlation between femoral-minus-radial pressure difference and postoperative course. These data demonstrate that radial arterial pressure may be misleadingly low in children undergoing operation for correction of congenital cardiac defects.
In-situ dynamic processes on cleaved α-alumina bulk crystal surfaces imaged by reflection electron microscopy

Abstract Reflection electron microscopy (REM) has been applied to image the dynamic changes of atomic-height steps on the surfaces of α-alumina bulk crystals heated in situ to high temperatures. Surface diffusion and sublimation on cleaved α-alumina (012) surfaces were observed. The temperature range above which the surface started to show visible structural changes was found to be 1470–1520 K. It is suggested that a vacancy-type terrace is most easily nucleated at a defect site. The primary surface processes are sublimation and diffusion at step ledges, resulting in layer-by-layer desorption of surface atoms. The possible mechanism for exciting surface desorption is the decomposition of Al 2 O 3 into O and AlO gas phases at high temperature. It has been found that similar surface structures are formed by annealing alumina (012) in vacuum or in air. Therefore, the alumina surface processes observed in situ in a conventional transmission electron microscope do reveal the actual surface reconstraction processes during annealing in air.
Dynamics of collapse of a smectic bubble

The dynamics of collapse of a smectic bubble is analysed theoritically and experimentally. From this study the first direct measurement of the permeation coefficient is deduced Proposition d'une methode de mesure directe du coefficient de permeation par degonflement d'une bulle smectique dans un capillaire fin et mesure du temps d'effondrement. Etude theorique de la formation d'une couche mince smectique et de son comportement dynamique par traction. Etude experimentale sur 8CB
Considerations Regarding the Present and Future Roles of Colonoscopy in Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Effective and safe colonoscopy is essential to colorectal cancer prevention, regardless of the method used for colorectal cancer screening. The level of colorectal cancer incidence reduction provided by colonoscopy and polypectomy varies widely in available studies. There are several mechanisms by which colonoscopy might fail to prevent colorectal cancer, and some of the mechanisms might be overcome by simple currently available measures. Further, advances in colonoscope technology could enhance the effectiveness of colonoscopy or render it less operator-dependent. The large market for colorectal cancer screening in the United States has spawned innovative noncolonoscopic technologies for colorectal cancer and polyp detection. Because these technologies are diagnosis only, their overall impact on outcomes ultimately may be determined by whether they successfully increase adherence to screening (which should reduce colorectal cancer incidence) versus displace patients from colonoscopy screening (which potentially could increase colorectal cancer incidence), as well as their cost effectiveness and the extent to which they reduce colonoscopy complications. As these strategies emerge, monitoring their effects on adherence, cancer prevention, and procedural complications will be needed to optimize their roles relative to primary colonoscopy screening.
Pathogenesis of Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus in L. dispar and mechanisms of developmental resistance.

Lymantria dispar has a long historical association with the baculovirus Lymantria dispar multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV), which is one of the primary population regulators of L. dispar in the field. However, host larvae exhibit strong developmental resistance to fatal infection by LdMNPV; the LD50 in newly moulted fourth instars is 18-fold lower than in the middle of the instar (48–72 h post-moult). Using a recombinant of LdMNPV expressing lacZ, we examined the key steps of pathogenesis in the host to explore mechanisms of developmental resistance. At the midgut level, we observed reduced primary midgut infections in mid-fourth instars, indicating increased sloughing of infected cells. Additional barriers were observed as the virus escaped the midgut. Mid-fourth instars had higher numbers of melanized foci of infection associated with the midgut, apoptotic tracheal epidermal cells and haemocytes, and reduced numbers of infected haemocytes later in infection. Our results show that the co-evolutionary relationship between L. dispar and LdMNPV has resulted in both midgut-based and systemic antiviral defences and that these defences are age-dependent within the instar. This age-related susceptibility may contribute to how the virus is maintained in nature and could influence management of L. dispar by using the virus.
Hydrolytically Degradable Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels with Controlled Temporal Structures

Polysaccharides are being processed into biomaterials for numerous biological applications due to their native source in numerous tissues and biological functions. For instance, hyaluronic acid (HA) is found abundantly in the body, interacts with cells through surface receptors, and can regulate cellular behavior (e.g., proliferation, migration). HA was previously modified with reactive groups to form hydrogels that are degraded by hyaluronidases, either added exogenously or produced by cells. However, these hydrogels may be inhibitory and their applications are limited if the appropriate enzymes are not present. Here, for the first time, we synthesized HA macromers and hydrogels that are both hydrolytically (via ester group hydrolysis) and enzymatically degradable. The hydrogel degradation and growth factor release was tailored through the hydrogel cross-linking density (i.e., macromer concentration) and copolymerization with purely enzymatically degradable macromers. When mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were encapsulated in the hydrogels, cellular organization and tissue distribution was influenced by the copolymer concentration. Importantly, the distribution of released extracellular matrix molecules (e.g., chondroitin sulfate) was improved with increasing amounts of the hydrolytically degradable component. Overall, this new macromer allows for enhanced control over the structural evolution of the HA hydrogels toward applications as biomaterials.
The Translational Research Working Group Developmental Pathway for Interventive Devices

The interventive device pathway refers to one of six pathways developed by the Translational Research Working Group (TRWG) that, together, describe the core domains of early translational cancer research. This pathway focuses on the development of devices (as classified by the Food and Drug Administration), designed for local ablation of cancer or precancerous lesions (e.g., radiation therapy, microwave, radiofrequency ablation, and high-intensity focused ultrasound systems). This article describes the distinctive features of the pathway and issues that are encountered in the real-world development of interventive devices for the treatment of cancer. The interventive device pathway is envisioned to be a general guideline of the steps required for effective development, optimization, testing, and validation of developing devices, to be dynamic and adaptable, and to form a framework for discussions focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of new device development.
Low Velocity Impact and Compression-After-Impact Response of Z-Pin Reinforced Core Sandwich Composites

In the current work, sandwich composite structures with innovative constructions referred to as Z-pins, or truss core pins, are investigated. The Z-pin core sandwich construction offers enhanced transverse stiffness, high damage resistance, and multi-functional benefits. The present study deals with analysis of low-velocity impact (LVI) of Z-pin sandwich plate, and experimental studies of compression-after-impact characterization. Experimental studies on LVI of Z-pin sandwich plate considered in the analysis have been reported in Vaidya, et al., 1999, Low Velocity Impact Response of Laminated Sandwich Composites with Hollow and Foam-Filled Z-Pin Reinforced Core, Journal of Composites Technology and Research, JCTRER, 21, No. 2, Apr., pp. 84-97, where the samples were subjected to 11, 20, 28, 33, and 40 J of impact energy. The LVI analysis is developed with regards to Z-pin buckling as a primary failure mode (and based on experimental observations). A finite element model accounting for buckling of the pins has been developed and analyzed using ABAQUS. This paper also presents experimental results on compression-after-impact (CAI) studies which were performed on the sandwich composites with Z-pin reinforced core with and without foam. The experimental LVI tests were performed in Vaidya, et al., 1999, Low Velocity Impact Response of Laminated Sandwich Composites with Hollow and Foam-Filled Z-Pin Reinforced Core, Journal of Composites Technology and Research, JCTRER, 21, No. 2, Apr., pp. 84-97. The results indicate that selective use of Z-pin core is a viable idea in utilizing space within the core for sandwich composites in structural applications.
Radiation toxicity and proteinase‐activated receptors

Despite recent technological advances, the cure rates that can be achieved with radiation therapy are limited by the risk of injury to the normal tissues that surround the tumor. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) and their possible role in the pathogenesis of normal tissue radiation injury. In particular, data are presented indicating that activation of PAR1 by thrombin, and PAR2 by trypsin and mast cell proteinases, may be involved both in acute radiation responses, as well as in the chronic fibroproliferative processes that lead to the development of radiation-induced tissue fibrosis and clinical complications. If effective pharmacologic modulators of PAR1 or PAR2 were available, these compounds would be potentially useful as preventive or therapeutic agents in patients receiving radiation therapy, especially if blockade could be targeted to specific tissues or cellular compartments. Drug Dev. Res. 60:1–8, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Scale-Independent Measures and Pathologic Cardiac Dynamics

We study several scale-independent measures of cardiac interbeat interval dynamics defined through the application of the wavelet transform. We test their performance in detecting heart disease using a database consisting of records of interbeat intervals for a group of healthy individuals and subjects with congestive heart failure. We find that scale-independent measures effectively distinguish healthy from pathologic behavior and propose a new two-variable scale-independent measure that could be clinically useful. We compare the performance of a recently proposed scale-dependent measure and find that the results depend on the database analyzed and on the analyzing wavelet.
μπ: a scalable and transparent system for simulating MPI programs

μπ is a scalable, transparent system for experimenting with the execution of parallel programs on simulated computing platforms. The level of simulated detail can be varied for application behavior as well as for machine characteristics. Unique features of μπ are repeatability of execution, scalability to millions of simulated (virtual) MPI ranks, scalability to hundreds of thousands of host (real) MPI ranks, portability of the system to a variety of host supercomputing platforms, and the ability to experiment with scientific applications whose source-code is available. The set of source-code interfaces supported by μπ is being expanded to support a wider set of applications, and MPI-based scientific computing benchmarks are being ported. In proof-of-concept experiments, μπ has been successfully exercised to spawn and sustain very large-scale executions of an MPI test program given in source code form. Low slowdowns are observed, due to its use of purely discrete event style of execution, and due to the scalability and efficiency of the underlying parallel discrete event simulation engine, μsik. In the 1AZargest runs, μπ has been executed on up to 216,000 cores of a Cray XT5 supercomputer, successfully simulating over 27 million virtual MPI ranks, each virtual rank containing its own thread context, and all ranks fully synchronized by virtual time.
Conversion to Resectability Using Hepatic Artery Infusion Plus Systemic Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Unresectable Liver Metastases From Colorectal Carcinoma

PURPOSE To determine the conversion to resectability in patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer treated with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) plus systemic oxaliplatin and irinotecan (CPT-11). PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-nine patients with unresectable liver metastases (53% previously treated with chemotherapy) were enrolled onto a phase I protocol with HAI floxuridine and dexamethasone plus systemic chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and irinotecan. Results Ninety-two percent of the 49 patients had complete (8%) or partial (84%) response, and 23 (47%) of the 49 patients were able to undergo resection in a group of patients with extensive disease (73% with > five liver lesions, 98% with bilobar disease, 86% with > or = six segments involved). For chemotherapy-naive and previously treated patients, the median survival from the start of HAI therapy was 50.8 and 35 months, respectively. The only baseline variable significantly associated with a higher resection rate was female sex. Variables reflecting extensive anatomic disease, such as number of lesions or number of vessels involved, were not significantly associated with the probability of resection. CONCLUSION The combination of regional HAI floxuridine/dexamethasone and systemic oxaliplatin and irinotecan is an effective regimen for the treatment of patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer, demonstrating a 47% conversion to resection (57% in chemotherapy-naive patients). Future randomized trials should compare HAI plus systemic chemotherapy with systemic therapy alone to assess the additional value of HAI therapy in converting patients with hepatic metastases to resectability.
Human body mass estimation: a comparison of "morphometric" and "mechanical" methods

In the past, body mass was reconstructed from hominin skeletal remains using both "mechanical" methods which rely on the support of body mass by weight-bearing skeletal elements, and "morphometric" methods which reconstruct body mass through direct as- sessment of body size and shape. A previous comparison of two such techniques, using femoral head breadth (me- chanical) and stature and bi-iliac breadth (morphometric), indicated a good general correspondence between them (Ruff et al. (1997) Nature 387:173-176). However, the two techniques were never systematically compared across a large group of modern humans of diverse body form. This study incorporates skeletal measures taken from 1,173 Holocene adult individuals, representing diverse geo- graphic origins, body sizes, and body shapes. Femoral head breadth, bi-iliac breadth (after pelvic rearticulation), and long bone lengths were measured on each individual. Statures were estimated from long bone lengths using appropriate reference samples. Body masses were calcu- lated using three available femoral head breadth (FH) formulae and the stature/bi-iliac breadth (STBIB) for- mula, and compared. All methods yielded similar results. Correlations between FH estimates and STBIB estimates are 0.74 - 0.81. Slight differences in results between the three FH estimates can be attributed to sampling differ- ences in the original reference samples, and in particular, the body-size ranges included in those samples. There is no evidence for systematic differences in results due to differences in body proportions. Since the STBIB method was validated on other samples, and the FH methods produced similar estimates, this argues that either may be applied to skeletal remains with some confidence. Am J Phys Anthropol 125:331-342, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The use of drip flow and rotating disk reactors for Staphylococcus aureus biofilm analysis.

Most microbes in nature are thought to exist as surface-associated communities in biofilms.1 Bacterial biofilms are encased within a matrix and attached to a surface.2 Biofilm formation and development are commonly studied in the laboratory using batch systems such as microtiter plates or flow systems, such as flow-cells. These methodologies are useful for screening mutant and chemical libraries (microtiter plates)3 or growing biofilms for visualization (flow cells)4. Here we present detailed protocols for growing Staphylococcus aureus in two additional types of flow system biofilms: the drip flow biofilm reactor and the rotating disk biofilm reactor. Drip flow biofilm reactors are designed for the study of biofilms grown under low shear conditions.5 The drip flow reactor consists of four parallel test channels, each capable of holding one standard glass microscope slide sized coupon, or a length of catheter or stint. The drip flow reactor is ideal for microsensor monitoring, general biofilm studies, biofilm cryosectioning samples, high biomass production, medical material evaluations, and indwelling medical device testing.6,7,8,9 The rotating disk reactor consists of a teflon disk containing recesses for removable coupons.10 The removable coupons can by made from any machinable material. The bottom of the rotating disk contains a bar magnet to allow disk rotation to create liquid surface shear across surface-flush coupons. The entire disk containing 18 coupons is placed in a 1000 mL glass side-arm reactor vessel. A liquid growth media is circulated through the vessel while the disk is rotated by a magnetic stirrer. The coupons are removed from the reactor vessel and then scraped to collect the biofilm sample for further study or microscopy imaging. Rotating disc reactors are designed for laboratory evaluations of biocide efficacy, biofilm removal, and performance of anti-fouling materials.9,11,12,13
The Effect of Low Dose-Rate Irradiation on the Microstructure of 304 Stainless Steel

Changes in mechanical and corrosion properties caused by the development of radiation-induced microstructure have relevance to the aging and lifetime extension of light water reactors (LWR's). However, much of the current data related to microstructural development in irradiated metals are generated from studies carried out at much higher dose-rates than encountered in LWR's. An opportunity exists to study the influence of low dose-rate irradiation on microstructural development for a variety of structural and surveillance materials extracted from the experimental breeder reactor EBR-II. In this study, irradiated 304 stainless steel hexagonal ''hex'' duct material is examined in order to compare microstructure in the dose-rate range of 10{sup {minus}7}-10{sup {minus}9} dpakec. The samples, taken from the reflector locations in EBR-II, experienced a total dose between 10 and 12 dpa at a temperature of {approximately}375 C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results reveal that there is a moderate dose-rate effect on microstructural development for samples irradiated in the range of 2 x 10{sup {minus}8} to 4 x 10{sup {minus}8} dpa/sec, however a substantial dose rate-effect exists between dose-rates of 2 x 10{sup {minus}8} and 1 x 10{sup {minus}9} dpa/sec Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results will detail the development of the microstructure in terms of radiation-induced cavities, dislocations, and precipitates.
Family Environment and the Interrelation of Family Structure, Child Behavior, and Metabolic Control for Children with Diabetes

Examined perceptions of the family environment in a cross-regional sample of 90 families who had children with diabetes and 89 controls. Families were classified as either traditional (intact) or nontraditional (single-parent or blended families). Parents of children with diabetes reported less family expressiveness, which was a predictor of clinically higher levels of child behavior problems than controls. Parents in nontraditional families reported lower levels of organization, less emphasis on active-recreational pursuits, and more child behavior problems than traditional families. An additive effect of diabetes and nontraditional family structure was found for children with diabetes from nontraditional families, who reported substantially less cohesion than all other groups. Nontraditional family structure was more disruptive for children with diabetes than for controls; it was the best predictor of behavior problems and was related to poorer metabolic control.
A PRICING ANOMALY IN TREASURY BILL FUTURES

This research applies an entirely new approach to examining the efficiency of futures markets for Treasury bills and avoids many shortcomings of previous studies that rely on comparing yields on spot versus futures market positions. Efficiency is examined by comparing the consistency of yields within the futures market itself since, at one time, the International Monetary Market (IMM) traded futures contracts for both three-month and one-year bills. The results indicate a remarkably large average annual yield differential of 32 basis points when the yields on the one-year contract are compared to the appropriate corresponding strip of three-month contracts. Possible explanations such as low volume, market thinness, transaction costs, strategy interdependence, serial correlation among differences, and daily resettlement (the Cox, Ingersoll, and Ross effect) are unsuccessful in explaining this pricing anomaly.
Partitioned Image Filtering for Reduction of the Gibbs Phenomenon

The aim of this paper is to propose a partitioned-image filtering technique that is a new way of reducing the Gibbs phenomenon in filtered images. Methods: This technique relies on exploiting the properties of the Gibbs phenomenon and on assumptions about the structure of the image. The amplitude of the Gibbs ringing is directly proportional to the height of the image discontinuity. If the height of the discontinuity can be reduced, then the subsequent ringing will also be reduced. Separating the image into stratified layers or partitions reduces the height of the discontinuity significantly. Each partition is filtered separately and recombined nonlinearly to yield the final filtered image. This method weakens filtering of image edges that have large discontinuities, thus reducing the Gibbs phenomenon while simultaneously reducing the image noise. Results: The proposed filtering method has been applied to a simple image with only 2 intensity values to illustrate the implementation steps. The method has also been applied to 2 SPECT patient studies to show the effectiveness of the proposed filtering method, which can significantly reduce the Gibbs artifacts. Conclusion: The Gibbs phenomenon in a filtered image can be reduced by partitioning the image so that the amplitude of the discontinuity is controlled. The proposed method is efficient and simple in implementation, with fast Fourier transform.
Six principles for biologically based computational models of cortical cognition

This review describes and motivates six principles for computational cognitive neuroscience models: biological realism, distributed representations, inhibitory competition, bidirectional activation propagation, error-driven task learning, and Hebbian model learning. Although these principles are supported by a number of cognitive, computational and biological motivations, the prototypical neural-network model (a feedforward back-propagation network) incorporates only two of them, and no widely used model incorporates all of them. It is argued here that these principles should be integrated into a coherent overall framework, and some potential synergies and conflicts in doing so are discussed.
Medicare’s Payment Strategy For End-Stage Renal Disease Now Embraces Bundled Payment And Pay-For-Performance To Cut Costs

Since 1973 Medicare has provided health insurance coverage to all people who have been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure. In this article we trace the history of payment policies in Medicare’s dialysis program from 1973 to 2011, while also providing some insight into the rationale for changes made over time. Initially, Medicare adopted a fee-for-service payment policy for dialysis care, using the same reimbursement standards employed in the broader Medicare program. However, driven by rapid spending growth in this population, the dialysis program has implemented innovative payment reforms, such as prospective bundled payments and pay-for-performance incentives. It is uncertain whether these strategies can stem the increase in the total cost of dialysis to Medicare, or whether they can do so without adversely affecting the quality of care. Future research on the intended and unintended consequences of payment reform will be critical.