cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Solute‐Transport Simulation of Brackish‐Water Intrusion Near Baltimore, Maryland

Brackish-water contamination of the Patuxent aquifer has been a serious water-quality problem in Baltimore, Maryland, since the early 1900's. The Patuxent aquifer presently contains a circular plume of brackish-water contamination that is about 5 miles in diameter. This plume is centered on the Patapsco River estuary and is characterized by chloride concentrations that range up to 5,000 milligrams per liter. Borehole data demonstrate that the Arundel Clay Formation, which overlies the Patuxent and functions as a confining bed, has been breached by Pleistocene river channels in the Baltimore area. These erosional channels, which have been subsequently filled with relatively permeable sediments, provide conduits for brackish water to seep from the Patapsco River into the Patuxent aquifer when aquifer water levels arc lower than river water levels. A two-dimensional areal solute-transport model of the Patuxent aquifer was used to estimate the future movement of the brackish-water plume based on alternative strategies of aquifer use. Model simulations suggest that the plume will not spread rapidly if present pumping patterns are continued. Furthermore, sharply curtailing pumpage in the Baltimore area will probably not reduce the size of the plume, although this strategy may slightly decrease the spreading rate. While the plume is presently remaining nearly stationary, new pumping centers southeast of Baltimore could cause brackish water to migrate in that direction, significantly increasing the size of the plume.
Community Health Centers and Quality of Care: A Goal to Provide Effective Health Care to the Community

The uniqueness of community health centers provides for a sound environment for total quality management (TQM). Structure, process, and outcome are valued equally under TQM. With strong management leadership and a framework for quality of care, community health care specialists (e.g., advanced practice nurses) can easily incorporate the TQM measurement criteria in their daily practice routines. By applying the principles of TQM, the community health center will advance toward its goal of enhancing the effectiveness of health care delivery to a community and its members in partnership with the community.
Pyramidal lattice truss structures with hollow trusses

A method for fabricating pyramidal lattice structures with hollow metallic trusses has been explored. A periodic diamond hole pattern sheet consisting of 304L stainless steel hollow tubes was made by an alternating collinear lay-up process followed by vacuum brazing. The array was then folded at the nodes to create a periodic pyramidal cellular metal lattice and was then bonded to face sheets by a second vacuum brazing process. The out-of-plane compression properties of this hollow truss lattice structure have been investigated and compared to a similar lattice made with the solid trusses. In both cases, the peak strength is found to be governed by inelastic truss buckling. The compressive strength of a hollow lattice with a relative density of 2.8% was approximately twice that of a solid pyramidal lattice of similar relative density. The increased strength resulted from an increase in the buckling resistance of hollow trusses because of their higher radius of gyration.
In vivo electrochemical demonstration of potassium-evoked monoamine release from rat cerebellum.

Abstract In vivo electrochemical methods were employed to study the potassium (K+-evoked release of monoamines from the cerebellum of the chloral hydrate anesthetized rat. K+-evoked releases were elicited using micropipette-Nafion-coated graphite epoxy electrode arrays in the granule/Purkenje cell layer, molecular layer, and white matter. These recorded releases were generally found to be reversible, moderately dose-dependent, and reproducible. However, the temporal dynamics of the releases were different for the cell layer versus molecular layer records. Releases were infrequently observed in cerebellar white matter, an area which is relatively devoid of monoamine containing terminals. The signals recorded from the cell and molecular layers were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with nomifensine, a potent catecholamine reuptake blocker, significantly prolonged the K+-evoked signals observed in both the granule/Purkenje cell and molecular layers. These data, taken together with earlier reports on the electrophysiological responses to activation of cerebellar noradrenergic inputs, support the conjecture that in vivo electrochemical recording methods have the sensitivity and spatial resolution for studies of functional monoamine release from brain regions that have a diffuse or laminated monoamine innervation.
A simple auctioneerless mechanism with Walrasian properties

Abstract A simple mechanism for reallocating holdings is described, in which no auctioneer is required: outcomes are determined solely from traders' actions and without any requirement that the mechanism be in equilibrium. The mechanism is shown to exactly duplicate the performance of the Walrasian auctioneer (both in its equilibria and in its disequilibrium path) if individuals are price takers, and, if the number of individuals is large, to approximately duplicate the auctioneer's performance even when individuals behave strategically, each taking account of his own influence on prices.
Noninvasive detection of sympathetic neurocirculatory failure

In sympathetic neurocirculatory failure (SNF), reflexive sympathetically mediated cardiovascular stimulation does not compensate for decreased cardiac filling. This explains orthostatic hypotension in chronic primary autonomic failure (CPAF). During phase 2 of the Valsalva maneuver (phase 2_L), blood pressure increases from its peak. During phase 4, blood pressure normally “overshoots” the baseline. Because these changes depend on sympathetically mediated cardiovascular stimulation, a progressive decrease in pressure during phase 2 and absence of the overshoot in phase 4 may indicate SNF. Moreover, because beat-to-beat blood pressure can be measured noninvasively using a photoplethysmographic or tonometric device, evaluating reflexive pressure responses might enable noninvasive diagnosis of SNF. This study assessed the relative frequencies of abnormal phase 2_L and phase 4 blood pressure in patients with CPAF and orthostatic hypotension and whether noninvasive measurement of beat-to-beat blood pressure can be used to diagnose SNF in patients. Twenty patients with chronic primary autonomic failure and orthostatic hypotension and 50 comparison patients, including several with CPAF but lacking orthostatic hypotension, underwent arterial pressure monitoring during performance of the Valsalva maneuver. Of the 20 patients with CPAF and orthostatic hypotension, all had an abnormal phase 2_L or phase 4 pressure response (sensitivity 100%), whereas only 3 of the 50 comparison patients had an abnormal response in either phase (specificity 94%). Seventeen patients with CPAF and orthostatic hypotension had abnormal responses in both phases (sensitivity 85%), but none of the comparison patients had such findings in both phases (specificity 100%). Of 13 patients in whom beat-to-beat blood pressure was recorded simultaneously invasively and noninvasively, all had abnormal blood pressure responses during phase 2_L and phase 4, whereas none of 29 comparison patients had such symptoms. Detection of abnormal blood pressure responses during phase 2_L or phase 4 of the Valsalva maneuver is a highly sensitive test for SNF. Abnormal pressure during these phases appears to identify SNF specifically. Noninvasive measurements can detect both of these abnormalities.
EIFS-based crack growth fatigue life prediction of pitting-corroded test specimens

Abstract Corrosive environment causes corrosion pits at material surface and reduces the fatigue strength significantly. Fatigue crack usually initiates at and propagates from these locations. In this paper, a general methodology for fatigue life prediction for corroded specimens is proposed. The proposed methodology combines an asymptotic stress intensity factor solution and a power law corrosion pit growth function for fatigue life prediction of corroded specimens. First, a previously developed asymptotic interpolation method is proposed to calculate the stress intensity factor (SIF) for the crack at notch roots. Next, a growing semi-circular notch is assumed to exist on the specimen’s surface under corrosive environments. The notch growth rate is different under different corrosion conditions and is assumed to be a power function. Fatigue life can be predicted using the crack growth analysis assuming a crack propagating from the notch root. Plasticity correction is included into the proposed methodology for medium-to-low cycle fatigue analysis. The proposed methodology is validated using experimental fatigue life testing data of aluminum alloys and steels. Very good agreement is observed between experimental observations and model predictions.
Whole blood volume determined by radiochromium-tagged red cells; comparative studies on normal and congestive heart failure patients.

Whole blood volume can be measured quite accurately by the use of radiochromium. The amount of radiation is very low; the radiochromium stays fixed in red blood cells for many hours and does not leave the circulation as may happen when plasma tags are employed. Hypervolemia was found in the majority of patients with right ventricular failure but not in those with left ventricular failure or mitral stenosis alone.
Making good cops in the twenty-first century: Emerging issues for the effective recruitment, selection and training of police in the United States and abroad

Recruitment, selection and training have become critically important issues for police departments around the world in large part because of significant changes in the philosophy and nature of policing, higher expectations by their constituencies, and because of continuing efforts at professionalization. This paper highlights seven pressing issues, as at 2008, that will likely define recruitment, selection and training of police over the next several years. Two areas in recruitment and selection are discussed: proactive recruitment to promote diversity and college-education requirements. The paper then turns to five critical issues in police training: changing the pedagogy (andragogy is described), community and problem-oriented policing philosophies, multicultural/diversity training, technology, and counter-terrorism. The paper first examines the issues from an American perspective, but then each issue is considered through an international lens. This international focus offers a broader perspective that both highlights important differences between the USA and other countries and provides critical insights about lessons learned elsewhere.
TCM-QPSK performance in subsea trials

Trellis Coded Modulated (TCM)-QPSK has been demonstrated as a coherent optical modulation format. For the first time its performance is compared to BPSK on four subsea segments of different lengths, showing performance benefits of up to 1.8 dB.
Neurologic complications of the Novacor left ventricular assist device

Abstract Background . The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a bridging mechanism for patients with severe heart failure to remain viable until heart transplantation. The rate of cerebral embolism has been reported as high as 47% in some studies but the rate of other neurologic complications in patients with LVADs is not known. Methods . Retrospective chart review of all patients who had LVADs implanted at our hospital from September 1993 until September 1997. Complications from the time of implantation until heart transplantation or death and functional outcome were assessed. Results . Twenty-three patients had LVADs placed in the four-year period. Of 23 patients, 9 had neurologic complications after placement of the LVAD. These included four strokes, three seizures, and two cases of delirium. The 3 patients with seizures all died from multiorgan failure. All of the patients with strokes received a transplant. One patient with delirium died from multiorgan failure and another received a transplant. The most devastating medical complication was renal failure, which occurred in 7 patients and was associated with 100% mortality. All surviving patients with neurologic complications went on to transplant and good functional outcome. Conclusions . Neurologic complications are common in patients with LVADs, occurring in 9 out of 23 patients in our series. Seizures are a poor prognostic indicator and were associated with 100% mortality. Strokes did not have a negative impact on outcome. Patients with delirium had a mixed outcome, which reflects the multifactorial nature of delirium. Further study needs to be done to limit the neurologic complications associated with LVADs and further improve outcomes.
Unsaturated Fatty Acids Inhibit Cholesterol Efflux from Macrophages by Increasing Degradation of ATP-binding Cassette Transporter A1

Abnormal high density lipoprotein metabolism may contribute to the increased atherosclerosis associated with diabetes and insulin resistance. The ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA1 mediates cholesterol transport from tissue macrophages to apoA-I, the major high density lipoprotein protein component. Because fatty acids are elevated in diabetes, we examined the effects of fatty acids on ABCA1 activity in cultured macrophages. Results showed that unsaturated fatty acids markedly inhibited ABCA1-mediated cholesterol and phospholipid efflux from macrophages when ABCA1 was induced by a cAMP analog. This was accompanied by a reduction in the membrane content of ABCA1 and a decrease in apoA-I binding to whole cells and to ABCA1. In contrast, saturated fatty acids had no effect on these processes. Fatty acids did not alter ABCA1 mRNA abundance or incorporation of methionine into ABCA1, indicating that decreased ABCA1transcription, enhanced mRNA decay, or impaired translation efficiency did not account for these inhibitory effects. Unsaturated fatty acids, however, increased ABCA1 turnover when protein synthesis was blocked by cycloheximide. We conclude that unsaturated fatty acids reduce the macrophage ABCA1 content by enhancing its degradation rate. These findings raise the possibility that an increased supply of unsaturated fatty acids in the artery wall promotes atherogenesis by impairing the ABCA1 cholesterol secretory pathway in macrophages.
Portfolio Assessment: Opportunities and Challenges:

Describes portfolio assessment use in special education, provides recommendations, and discusses future directions
Pulse additions of soil carbon and nitrogen affect soil nitrogen dynamics in an arid Colorado Plateau shrubland.

Biogeochemical cycles in arid and semi-arid ecosystems depend upon the ability of soil microbes to use pulses of resources. Brief periods of high activity generally occur after precipitation events that provide access to energy and nutrients (carbon and nitrogen) for soil organisms. To better understand pulse-driven dynamics of microbial soil nitrogen (N) cycling in an arid Colorado Plateau ecosystem, we simulated a pulsed addition of labile carbon (C) and N in the field under the canopies of the major plant species in plant interspaces. Soil microbial activity and N cycling responded positively to added C while NH 4 + –N additions resulted in an accumulation of soil NO 3 − . Increases in microbial activity were reflected in higher rates of respiration and N immobilization with C addition. When both C and N were added to soils, N losses via NH3 volatilization decreased. There was no effect of soil C or N availability on microbial biomass N suggesting that the level of microbial activity (respiration) may be more important than population size (biomass) in controlling short-term dynamics of inorganic and labile organic N. The effects of C and N pulses on soil microbial function and pools of NH 4 + –N and labile organic N were observed to last only for the duration of the moisture pulse created by treatment addition, while the effect on the NO 3 − –N pool persisted after soils dried to pre-pulse moisture levels. We observed that increases in available C lead to greater ecosystem immobilization and retention of N in soil microbial biomass and also lowered rates of gaseous N loss. With the exception of trace gas N losses, the lack of interaction between available C and N on controlling N dynamics, and the subsequent reduction in plant available N with C addition has implications for the competitive relationships between plants species, plants and microbes, or both.
Stability test for multidimensional digital filters

An implementation procedure for a new stability test for n-dimensional digital filters is developed. The procedure is based on the computation of a sequence of polynomials (resultants) in a decreasing number of complex variables and use of the resultant method.
Simulation of the After-Reach Hazard on Dual Palm Button Workstations

This paper describes a study of the after-reach hazard using a power press simulator. The after-reach hazard occurs when a worker reaches into the point of operation on a power press after initiating the downstroke of the press ram. The hand reaching capabilities of industrial power press operators were measured to quantify hand reach speed and to determine variables which may affect after-reach movement times. The results of this study identified three variables which may be important in characterizing a worker's ability to make rapid hand reach movements: age, gender, and the location of the dual palm button workstation. Another key finding was that male workers, 30 years of age and younger, had the fastest hand reach speed of all groups tested and appear to be at the greatest risk of sustaining a traumatic injury due to the after-reach hazard.
Rectal enzymes of attine ants. α-Amylase and chitinase

The faecal material of seven species of attine ants from the genera Cyphomyrmex, Apterostigma, Myrmicocrypta, Sericomyrmex, and Atta has been shown to contain c+amylase and chitinase, but only a trace of uricase. Chitinase probably serves a beneficial rBle in the fungus-culturing activities of the primitive form.3 by contributing to the degradation of chitinous substrates, such as insect cuticle, and by lysing potentially competitive chitinous fungi. Biochemical factors significant in the evolution of the fungus-growing ants are discussed.
Defense of a lowered weight maintenance level by lateral hypothamically lesioned rats: evidence from a restriction-refeeding regimen.

Abstract Male rats maintained their body weight at approximately 85% that of sham-lesioned controls following lesions of the lateral hypothalamus (LH). One month following surgery, the food intake of half the LH-lesioned animals was restricted until their body weight had declined to 80% that of nonrestricted LH animals. Half the sham-lesioned animals were similarly restricted until their body weight fell to 80% that of nonrestricted control animals. When returned to an ad lib feeding schedule, both restricted groups were initially hyperphagic and quickly restored their body weights to the level of the nonrestricted group from which they were originally selected. In doing so, the LH animals increased their food intake by the same amount and took the same number of days to restore their weight to control levels as the sham-lesioned animals. These observations provide further evidence of the vigor and effectiveness with which LH animals defend their reduced level of maintained body weight.
Bayesian Minimum Mean-Square Error Estimation for Classification Error—Part II: Linear Classification of Gaussian Models

In this paper, Part II of a two-part study, we derive a closed-form analytic representation of the Bayesian minimum mean-square error (MMSE) error estimator for linear classification assuming Gaussian models. This is presented in a general framework permitting a structure on the covariance matrices and a very flexible class of prior parameter distributions with four free parameters. Closed-form solutions are provided for known, scaled identity, and arbitrary covariance matrices. We examine performance in small sample settings via simulations on both synthetic and real genomic data, and demonstrate the robustness of these error estimators to false Gaussian modeling assumptions by applying them to Johnson distributions.
Common School, Common Religion? A Case Study in Church-State Relations, Cincinnati, 1869–70*

The history of the public school affords one significant means of discerning the pattern of evolving church-state relations in the United States. This is true because there have been frequent overlappings of the institutions of the church and the state in the public schools. However, the story deals with more than institutional encounter. The first amendment to the Constitution of the United States does not refer to church and state; it speaks of “an establishment of religion“ and of “the free exercise thereof.” In recent years it has become quite clear that under this language the public schools are on shaky grounds constitutionally whenever they engage in any activity of a religious nature. But the public school has always been looked to as the primary institution for instilling what is common and public in national life and thought—the shared memories and aspirations, loyalties and beliefs. Hence the public school has been confronted with the difficult responsibility of passing on the common traditions and even instilling “a common faith” (Dewey), while not engaging in “an establishment of religion.”
Helium-Neon Laser: Thermal High-Resolution Recording

Scan-line recording by means of a moving laser spot has been achieved on metallic and organic thin films Recording rates of the order of one million spots per second were obtained with a laser beam power of 38 milliwatts at the recording surface. Typical recorded line widths were of the order of 2 microns.
Analysis of H-2-linked immune responses involved in resistance to AKR tumor growth.

H-2-associated immune response gene(s) govern resistance to growth of a spontaneous AKR lymphoma, BW5147. The antigenic specificities recognized by the anti-BW5147 humoral response have been characterized and include: Thy-1, a T -cell differentiation antigen; gp70, a retroviral envelope protein; and several previously uncharacterized proteins, including a 78 000 molecular mass protein, p78, which is restricted to expression on BW5147 cells and five phosphoproteins with molecular masses of 33 000, 29 000, 23 000, 17 000, and 16 000. Only mice which are able to respond to Thy-1, p78, and the phosphoproteins can survive an inoculation of BW5147. Thus, resistance to BW5147 is complex and involves multiple antigens with possible roles in tumor rejection.
Qualitative assessment of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health with respect to the desiderata for controlled medical vocabularies

Summary Background The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), a classification system published in 2001 by the World Health Organization (WHO), provides a common language and framework for describing functional status information (FSI) in health records. Methods Informed by ongoing research in coding FSI in patient records, this paper qualitatively assesses the ICF framework with respect to the desiderata for controlled medical vocabularies, an enumerated a list of desirable qualities for controlled medical vocabularies proposed by Cimino [J.J. Cimino, Desiderata for controlled medical vocabularies in the twenty-first century, Meth. Inform. Med. 37 (1998) 394–403]. Results The ICF satisfies 5 of the 12 desiderata. Five points were not satisfied and two points could not be evaluated. Conclusion The ICF is a rich source of relevant terms, concepts, and relationships, but it was not developed in consideration of requirements for formal terminologies. Therefore, it could serve as a base from which to develop a formal terminology of functioning and disability. This assessment is a key next step in the development of the ICF as a sensitive, universal measure of functional status.
Effect of hypercapnic hypoxia and bacterial infection (Vibrio campbellii) on protein synthesis rates in the Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Estuarine species frequently encounter areas of simultaneously low dissolved O2 (hypoxia) and high CO2 (hypercapnia). Organisms exposed to hypoxia experience a metabolic depression that serves to decrease ATP utilization and O2 demand during stress. This downregulation is typically facilitated by a reduction in protein synthesis, a process that can be responsible for up to 60% of basal metabolism. The added effects of hypercapnia, however, are unclear. Certain decapods also exhibit a metabolic depression in response to bacterial challenges, leading us to hypothesize that protein synthesis may also be reduced during infection. In the present study, we examined the effects of hypoxia (H), hypercapnic hypoxia (HH), and bacterial infection (Vibrio campbellii) on tissue-specific (muscle and hepatopancreas) fractional protein synthesis rates (ks) in Litopenaeus vannamei. We observed a significant decrease in ks in muscle after 24 h exposure to both H and HH, and in hepatopancreas after 24 h exposure to HH. Thus ks is responsive to changes in O2, and the combined effect of hypercapnic hypoxia on ks is more severe than hypoxia alone. These reductions in ks appear to be driven by changes in RNA translational efficiency (kRNA), and not RNA capacity (Cs). Bacterial infection, however, had no significant effect on ks in either tissue. These results suggest that crustaceans reduce metabolic demand during environmental hypoxia by reducing global protein synthesis, and that this effect is magnified when hypercapnia is concomitantly present. Conversely, an immune-mediated metabolic depression is not associated with a decrease in overall protein production.
Prospective comparison of exercise digital subtraction and exercise first pass radionuclide ventriculography

In order to test the comparative sensitivities of first-pass radionuclide and digital subtraction ventriculography in detecting wall motion abnormalities during exercise, 29 patients referred for coronary angiography were submitted to both types of stress ventriculograms. Resting and exercise ventriculograms by both techniques were reviewed by independent observers and the five equal ventricular wall segments were graded as normal, mildly, moderately, severely hypokinetic, akinetic, or dyskinetic. Of the 29 patients, 24 had arteriographically defined ischemic potential (at least greater than 50% obstruction of a major coronary artery supplying viable myocardium). Exercise digital subtraction ventriculography correctly identified 17 (71%) of these by a worsening of wall motion during exercise, while radionuclide ventriculography identified only eight (33%) by the wall motion response. When either a worsening of wall motion or the failure to increase ejection fraction by at least 5 points were used as criteria for an abnormal test, the sensitivities of digital and radionuclide ventriculographies were 96% and 79%, respectively. Though the number of patients without ischemic potential (5 patients) was too small to judge the relative specificities, digital subtraction ventriculography appears to be more sensitive than radionuclide ventriculography in identifying exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities and in predicting coronary occlusions.
Ultrastructural Changes and Olfactory Deficits During 3-Methylindole-Induced Olfactory Mucosal Necrosis and Repair in Mice

Olfactory mucosa from C57BL/6N mice was examined by transmission electron microscopy at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after 400 mg 3-methylindole (3MI)/kg ip, and at 7, 14, and 21 days after 300 mg 3MI/kg or vehicle. Degeneration was evident in epithelial cells of Bowman's glands and olfactory sustentacular cells by 0.5 h, but not in neurons until 24 h, by which time necrosis was fully developed in sustentacular cells and epithelium of Bowman's glands. Sustentacular cells and neurons detached from the basal lamina by 48 h. Lamina proprial fibroblasts were hypertrophied by 72 h and, with collagen fibrils, formed the bulk of the mucosa at 7 days. By 21 days, fibroblasts were less conspicuous, but Bowman's glands were rarely observed and were lined by epithelial cells without secretory granules. Mucosal epithelium was reconstituted, but disorderly and lacked olfactory differentiation. Mice treated with 3MI were more likely than control mice to taste water treated with isoamyl acetate (odorant) and quinine monohydrochloride (aversive tastant). Though olfactory neurons were initially spared, their absence in the regenerated epithelium explains lingering olfactory deficits in murine 3MI toxicosis.
Failure mode analysis for a hazardous waste clean-up manipulator

This paper describes the application of Fault Tree Analysis to the design phase of a robot manipulator for hazardous waste retrieval. The robot is to be deployed in single-shell under-ground storage tanks at the US Department of Energy (DOE) site in Hanford, Washington. These tanks contain a variety of highly radioactive waste types, necessitating extremely safe and reliable manipulator operation. Based on preliminary design drawings of this long-reach manipulator, fault trees were constructed for several critical failure scenarios. Analysis of the trees revealed a number of ways to improve the safety and reliability of the manipulator design. This paper presents a summary of the fault tree analysis, with a discussion of the applicability of qualitative and quantitative fault tree methods to hazardous waste robotics.
Delayed pulmonary edema and bronchospasm after accidental lacrimator exposure

Clinical manifestations of lacrimator exposure can be immediate or significantly delayed. In both phases, the sequelae can be severe and life-threatening. As personal protection devices, these agents have become readily available to the public in many areas of the country. Emergency physicians should gain a firm understanding of the presentation, management, and disposition of the lacrimator-exposed patient. A case of accidental prolonged lacrimator exposure inducing pulmonary edema and bronchospasm is presented.
The new or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants: what have we learned since their debut.

One of the major advances in the management of thrombosis is arguably the introduction of the new non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). These are small molecules, designed to directly inhibit specific steps in the coagulation pathway, with dabigatran (Pradaxa), inhibiting thrombin and rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixiban (Eliquis), edoxaban (Lixiana), and betrixaban being factor Xa inhibitors. They have several advantages over vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin, with more predictable bioavailability, fewer drug interactions, and improved safety, especially intracranial hemorrhage. Yet, since their debut, several issues have arisen with their increasing usage, with concerns over monitoring and reversal, being predominant. Issues addressed in this article include their efficacy, bleeding risk, and the recognition of a vulnerable population where monitoring is needed. The current approach to reversing the drug action is updated. The change in the approach to future drug design is also discussed.
Free radical damage to cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells and lung fibroblasts: modulation by culture conditions.

Culture conditions modulating cell damage from xanthine plus xanthine oxidase-derived partially reduced oxygen species were studied. Porcine thoracic aorta endothelial cells and porcine lung fibroblasts were maintained in monolayer culture. Cells were prelabeled with51Cr before xanthine plus xanthine oxidase exposure. Endothelial cells showed 30 to 100% more lysis than fibroblasts and thus seemed more sensitive to this oxidant stress. The effect of cell culture age, as indicated by population doubling level (PDL), was examined. Response of low PDL endothelial cells and fibroblasts subjected to oxidant stress was compared with the response of PDL 15 cells. Both low PDL endothelial cells and fibroblasts responded differently to the lytic effect of xanthine oxidase-derived free radicals than did higher PDL cells. Specific activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, managanese superoxide dismutase, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were measured in both low and high PDL fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Antioxidant enzyme specific activities could only partially explain the differences in response to oxidant stress between fibroblasts and endothelial cells and between low and high PDL cells. Cell culture medium composition modulated the rate of production, and relative proportions of xanthine plus xanthine oxidase-derived partially reduced species of oxygen, i.e. superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. Serum content of medium was important in modulating free radical generation; superoxide production rates decreased 32%, H2O2 became undetectable, and hydroxyl radical generation decreased 54% in the presence of 10% serum. The medium protein and iron content also modulated free radical generation. The data suggest that cell culture media constituents, cell type, and cell culture age greatly affect in vitro response of cells subjected to oxidant stress.
Mutual inhibition increases adaptation rate in an electrosensory system

Abstract In the electrosensory system of mormyrid electric fish, responses of central neurons to sensory stimuli adapt to eliminate predictable sensory patterns. This adaptation has been shown to rely on synaptic plasticity. However, the rules of synaptic plasticity alone underestimate the experimentally observed rate of adaptation. In this simulation study, mutual inhibition between pairs of central neurons is shown to increase the adaptation rate into the realistic range. The simulations are based on in vitro experimental studies to provide the relevant anatomy, physiology, and rules of synaptic plasticity. The results are compared with rates of adaptation derived from in vivo experiments.
811-3 Beneficial Effect of β-Blockade on Myocardial Blood Flow and Vasodilator Capacity in Humans

β 1 -receptor blockade reduces cardiac work and might thereby lower myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest. However, the effect of β 1 -blockade on hyperemic MBF is unknown. To evaluate the net effect of β 1 -receptor blockade (Metoprolol, 50 mg p.o. 12 hours and 1 hour prior to the study) on MBF at rest and during dipyridamole (DIP) induced hyperemia 10 healthy volunteers (mean age: 24 ± 5 years; 8 males, 2 females) were studied with serial N-13 ammonia PET (2 compartment model) at control and again after β 1 -receptor blockade. The resting rate pressure product (RPP) declined from 6621 ± 555 at control to 5168 ± 975 (p l 0.05) during Metoprolol. Resting heart rate (HR) decreased from 63 ± 6 to 54 ± 5 beats/min (p l 0.05). Similarly, the RPP declined from 10193 ± 1330 during baseline DIP to 8575 ± 1770 (p l 0.05) during DIP + Metoprolol. Resting MBF declined in proportion to cardiac work by 20% from 0.61 ± 0.10 to 0.51 ± 0.11 ml/g/min (p l 0.05). Overall, resting MBF was linearly related to the RPP (y = 0.00003x + 0.134; r = 0.67; P l 0.005). Thus, resting MBF normalized to the RPP *(10 5 ) did not change from baseline to β 1 -blockade (0.91 ± 0.1 vs 0.99 ± 0.19; p = NS). Hyperemic MBF increased from 1.86 ± 0.28 to 2.40 ± 0.70 ml/g/min during (p l 0.05). The decrease in resting MBF together with the increase in hyperemic MBF during β -blockade resulted in a significant increase in the myocardial flow reserve (MFR) from 3.16 ± 0.80 to 4.74 ± 0.73; p l 0.01) Coronary vascular resistance (mean arterial blood pressure/MBF) did not differ at rest (140 ± 27 vs 127 ± 22 mmHg/ml/g/min) but declined during DIP from 42 ± 7 to 32 ± 7 mmHg/ml/g/min during DIP + Metoprolol (p l 0.05). Thus, resting MBF decreases with β 1 -blockade in proportion to the decrease in cardiac work which contributes to the improvement in flow reserve. At the same time, β 1 -blockade modulates hyperemic MBF most likely because of a) β 1 -blocker induced negative inotropy which reduces extravascular compressive forces, and/or b) decreases in heart rate which increases the duration of the diastolic flow phase
New estimates of union wage effects in the U.S.

Abstract We present new estimates for union wage effects, using a unique dataset with information on job skill requirements. We find the union wage premium to be smaller at higher skill levels, consistent with the view that unions work to decrease skill differentials.
Primary cultures of estrogen-responsive cells from rat uteri: induction of progesterone receptors and a secreted protein

Uterine cells from immature rats can be grown in culture, are estrogen responsive, and contain estrogen receptors. Progesterone receptor is induced within 1 day of 17β-estradiol treatment, with maximal response occurring after 2 days of treatment (300–500% of the control value). Induction of progesterone receptor occurred at physiological 17β-estradiol concentrations, with half-maximal response at about 5 × 10−11 m. 17β-Estradiol induced the synthesis of a secreted protein (mol wt, 130,000) in a dose-dependent fashion. This 130-K protein was also induced by 16a-estradiol (1–10 nm), but not by progesterone (10 nm), testosterone (1 nm), or dexamethasone (1 nm). Examination of the estrogen-binding properties of the cultured cells shows a saturable binding site (Kd, ∼10−10 m) which can be translocated to the nucleus. Estrogen receptors were maintained at in vivo levels as uterine cells proliferated throughout 10 days of culture. This was in contrast to estrogen receptor levels in Fischer 344 rat pituitary cel...
Laser Processing Research For IC Manufacture

Recent advances in the use of lasers for integrated circuit processing have developed effective techniques for cleaning, deposition, and etching of materials for both steered and large area projection to the degree that lasers are serious contenders to play an important role for in situ integrated circuit manufacturing.
Galaxy Interactions and Hi Clouds in Groups

We present GBT neutral hydrogen observations of two nearby galaxy groups. The M 81/M 82 and NGC 2403 groups represent opposite ends of the range in intensity of galaxy interactions, and have remarkably different properties in Hi. We have discovered 5 new Hi clouds in the highly interacting M 81/M 82 group of galaxies. Based on the velocity and angular distributions of these clouds, we conclude that they are relics of ongoing interactions between galaxies in the group. In contrast, the non-interacting NGC 2403 galaxy group shows no signs of Hi clouds or faint, extended Hi. We also detect a compact Hi cloud at v = −205 km s −1 , which we believe to be part of HVC Complex A. Our observations suggest that the number density of Hi clouds in galaxy groups is strongly correlated with the level and age of ongoing galaxy interactions in the group.
Optimization of a cognitron type neural network

Optimization studies on a recognition neural network based on K. Fukushima's cognitron (1975) are presented. The goal was to increase the selectivity and robustness of the network, which was used as the final stage identifier in an integrated vision network invariant to translation, rotation, and scaling. Unlike the original cognitron, different inhibitory parameters were introduced for differential layers so that selectivity of excitatory cells of different layers could be adjusted in a flexible manner. A supervised learning scheme was adopted in the last layer so that different learning samples could be related to the output elements in a desired order. Choosing relatively large values of the inhibitory parameter for the input layer and supervised learning parameter for the output layer improved the performance of the recognition system. The network used 64*64 binary M-transformed images as its input patterns. Computer simulation indicated that by adjusting the structure parameters of the network a tradeoff between selectivity and robustness could be made. >
Hepatic secretion of small lipoprotein particles in apobec-1−/− mice is regulated by the LDL receptor

Recent studies have examined the role of the LDL receptor (LDLR) in regulating murine hepatic lipopro- tein production and apolipoprotein B (apoB) secretion, with divergent conclusions from in vivo versus in vitro ap- proaches. We have re-examined this question, both in vivo and in vitro, using apobec-1 � / � mice to model the pattern of human hepatic apoB-100 secretion. Hepatic triglyceride production in vivo (using Triton WR-1339) was unchanged in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6, apobec-1 � / � , ldlr � / � , and (apobec-1 � / � , ldlr � / � ) mice, while apoB-100 production (us- ing ( 35 S)methionine incorporation) was increased � 2-fold in (apobec-1 � / � , ldlr � / � ) mice. Although � 90% of newly syn- thesized apoB floated within the d � 1.006 fraction of se- rum from all genotypes, fast-performance liquid chroma- tography separation revealed that nascent triglyceride-rich particles from (apobec-1 � / � , ldlr � / � ) mice, but not WT, apobec-1 � / � , or ldlr � / � mice, distributed into smaller (inter- mediate and LDL-sized) particles. Studies in isolated hepa- tocytes from these different genotypes confirmed secretion of smaller particles exclusively from (apobec-1 � / � , ldlr � / � ) mice, and pulse-chase analysis demonstrated increased se- cretion of apoB-100 with virtual elimination of posttransla- tional degradation. These results directly support the suggestion that the LDLR regulates hepatic apoB-100 pro- duction and modulates secretion of small, triglyceride-rich particles, both in vivo and in vitro. —Nassir, F., Y. Xie, B. W. Patterson, J. Luo, and N. O. Davidson. Hepatic secretion of small lipoprotein particles in apobec-1 � / � mice is regulated by the LDL receptor. J. Lipid Res. 45: 1649-1659.
Transmitter optimization and optimality of beamforming for multiple antenna systems

We solve the transmitter optimization problem and determine a necessary and sufficient condition under which beamforming achieves Shannon capacity in a linear narrowband point-to-point communication system employing multiple transmit and receive antennas with additive Gaussian noise. We assume that the receiver has perfect channel knowledge while the transmitter has only knowledge of either the mean or the covariance of the channel coefficients. The channel is modeled at the transmitter as a matrix of complex jointly Gaussian random variables with either a zero mean and a known covariance matrix (covariance information), or a nonzero mean and a white covariance matrix (mean information). For both cases, we develop a necessary and sufficient condition for when the Shannon capacity is achieved through beamforming; i.e., the channel can be treated like a scalar channel and one-dimensional codes can be used to achieve capacity. We also provide a waterpouring interpretation of our results and find that less channel uncertainty not only increases the system capacity but may also allow this higher capacity to be achieved with scalar codes which involves significantly less complexity in practice than vector coding.
A Tale of Two Assets: The Effects of Firm Reputation and Celebrity on Earnings Surprises and Investors' Reactions

The effects of intangible assets on organizational outcomes remain poorly understood. We compare the effects of two intangible assets—firm reputation and celebrity—on (1) the likelihood that a firm announces a positive or negative earnings surprise, and (2) investors’ reactions to these surprises. We find that firms that have accumulated high levels of reputation (“high-reputation” firms) are less likely, and firms that have achieved celebrity (celebrity firms) more likely to announce positive surprises than firms without these assets. Both high-reputation and celebrity firms experience greater market rewards for positive surprises and smaller market penalties for negative surprises than other firms.
INH, a negative regulator of MPF, is a form of protein phosphatase 2A

MPF, a protein kinase complex consisting of cyclin and p34cdc2 subunits, promotes the G2 to M phase transition in eukaryotic cells. The pathway of activation and inactivation of MPF is not well understood, although there is strong evidence that removal of phosphate from a tyrosine residue on p34cdc2 is part of the activation process. INH was originally identified as an activity that could inhibit the posttranslational activation of a latent form of MPF, called pre-MPF, in immature (G2 phase-arrested) Xenopus oocytes. We have purified INH and demonstrated that it is a form of protein phosphatase 2A. Both INH and the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A can directly inactivate an isolated p34cdc2-cyclin complex. Both cyclin and p34cdc2 become dephosphorylated; the rate of inactivation closely parallels the removal of phosphate from a specific site on p34cdc2. We propose that INH opposes MPF activation by reversing this critical phosphorylation.
General-purpose multiparadigm programming languages: an enabling technology for constructing complex systems

Multiparadigm programming languages have been envisioned as a vehicle for constructing large and complex heterogeneous systems, such as a stock market exchange or a telecommunications network. General-purpose multiparadigm languages, as opposed to hybrid multiparadigm languages, embody several prevalent programming paradigms without being motivated by a single problem. One such language is Leda, which embodies the foundational paradigms of imperative, functional, logic, and object-oriented programming. We explore aspects of solving complex problems using Leda, in order to illustrate the benefits of using a multiparadigm language in expressing solutions to complex systems. We claim that general-purpose multiparadigm programming languages like Leda greatly expedite solutions to a variety of complex problems.
Manufacturing self-assembled coatings of micro- and nano-particles by controlled evaporation of drops and thin films

ABSTRACT The engineered deposition of self-assembled coatings of micro- and nano-particles on solid surfaces has applications in photonic crystals, optoelectronic devices, sensors, waveguides and antireflective coatings. Besides lithographic, etching or vapor deposition methods, these coatings can be self-assembled on small (<O(1mm 2 ) circular surfaces by the deposition and drying of drops on surfaces, or on larger (O(cm 2 )) rectangular surfaces by pulling an evaporating meniscus, in a process called convective deposition. Both processes involve multiscale phenomena such as transient fluid dynamics with wetted regions, DLVO forces, heat and mass transfer in the deforming geometry of a complex fluid. These competing phenomena control the self-assembly of micro- and nano-particle deposits. A simple phase diagram is presented, that describes the mechanis ms governing the transition between differ ent patterns during the evaporation of a drop. A multiphysics modeling of the convective deposition process is also presented, which provides insight on ways to improve the reliability of the deposition process. Finally, an ou tlook is given on technical applications related to the use of convective deposition techniques in manufacturing. Keywords: thermofluids, convective deposition, self-assembly, colloidal crystals, optical coatings