cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stopping power of matter for deuterons at extreme relativistic energies.

The stopping power of matter for deuterons is calculated without the explicit use of the condition \ensuremath{\gamma}m\ensuremath{\ll}${M}_{d}$, where m and ${M}_{d}$ are the rest masses of the electron and the deuteron, \ensuremath{\gamma}=(1-${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{2}$${)}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1/2}$, and v=\ensuremath{\beta}c is the speed of the incident deuteron. The effects of admixing isobar configurations into the deuteron wave function as well as contributions to the respective deuteron form factors are included. The contributions of the various effects to the stopping powers of aluminum, copper, and lead are evaluated numerically up to \ensuremath{\gamma}${=10}^{4}$, where they decrease the stopping power by about 26% in comparison with Bethe's relativistic theory. The results are found to be insensitive to the various nucleon-nucleon potentials.
Electrostatic spraying of nonconductive fluids into conductive fluids

Electrostatic spraying is important in many applications where very fine droplets are desirable. Most electrostatic spraying systems developed to date, however, require that the electrical conductivity of the dispersed fluid is higher than that of the surrounding fluid. This work reports on an experimental investigation of the mechanism for successful electrostatic spraying of a nonconductive fluid into a conductive one. The key role played by the electric stress on the interface between the nonconductive and conductive fluids is evidenced by examining the variations of the emitted drop size, electrical current, and pressure inside the nozzle as functions of the applied voltage, nozzle geometry and distance between the high-voltage nozzle-electrode and the grounded electrode immersed in the surrounding fluid. A comparison of nonconductive-in-conductive and conductive-in-nonconductive spraying systems reveals a difference in behavior that is consistent with the theory of electrohydrodynamics.
Determination of Benzene Content in Food Using a Novel Blender Purge and Trap GC/MS Method

Purge and trap methods for the determination of benzene and other volatile organic compounds in food have been developed and evaluated. Although generally applicable to the analysis of beverages, it was found that EPA-based methods had limited applicability to the analysis of solid food samples, falling short in the sample preparation and sampling areas. A novel off-line blender purge and trap sampling method was therefore investigated to overcome some of the problems encountered in the analysis of solid foods. Overall, the new blender purge and trap method has several distinct advantages over conventional purge and trap systems including minimal loss of analyte from sample handling or transfers, improved reproducibility and detection sensitivity, and the ability to analyze solid foods more directly.
Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): Life History and Potential for Biological Control in Central and South America

Abstract The predacious insect Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) has a number of traits that make it amenable to mass-rearing and use as a biological control agent. Developmental and reproductive rates were relatively high and directly related to temperature between 15.6 and 26.7°C. Survival also was high throughout this temperature range. Lower thermal thresholds for development (t) of all immature stages fell between 11 and 12.5 -degrees- C, and the K value for total development was 320 heat degree-days above 11.8°C. At 21.1°C, oviposition averaged 284 eggs during the first 30 days. Variability in diapause induction occurred within and among populations: a proportion of the Chilean and the Brazilian populations went into diapause under a short daylength, whereas no diapause occurred in the Honduran population. Chrysoperla externa appears well suited as a biological control agent for use in pest management programs in tropical and temperate regions of Central and South America.
Does quantity reflect quality? Financial disclosure size and future performance

Purpose – This study seeks to investigate whether a firm's financial disclosure size can help investors predict performance.Design/methodology/approach – Controlling for size and industry, the relationship between financial disclosure size and subsequent stock performance for all Standard and Poor's (S and P) 500 firms over a seven‐year period is examined.Findings – It is found that firms with smaller 10‐Ks tend to have better subsequent performance relative to their industries. However, the findings suggest that the performance explanation may not lie in the size of the 10‐K itself. Firms with smaller 10‐Ks tend to perform better because they are smaller in terms of total assets and more focused, with fewer business segments.Research limitations/implications – While the study is limited to examination of S and P 500 firms, no consistent evidence is found of a relation between changes in a firm's disclosure size and future performance changes.Practical implications – The results suggest that more disclosu...
Cell Cycle-coupled Variation in Topoisomerase IIα mRNA Is Regulated by the 3′-Untranslated Region POSSIBLE ROLE OF REDOX-SENSITIVE PROTEIN BINDING IN mRNA ACCUMULATION

Mammalian topoisomerase IIα (Topo II) is a highly regulated enzyme essential for many cellular processes including the G2 cell cycle checkpoint. Because Topo II gene expression is regulated posttranscriptionally during the cell cycle, we investigated the possible role of the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) in controlling Topo II mRNA accumulation. Reporter assays in stably transfected cells demonstrated that, similar to endogenous Topo II mRNA levels, the mRNA levels of reporter genes containing the Topo II 3′-UTR varied during the cell cycle and were maximal in S and G2/M relative to G1. Topo II 3′-UTR sequence analysis and RNA-protein binding assays identified a 177-nucleotide (base pairs 4772–4949) region containing an AUUUUUA motif sufficient for protein binding. Multiple proteins (84, 70, 44, and 37 kDa) bound this region, and the binding of 84- and 37-kDa (tentatively identified as the adenosine- or uridine-rich element-binding factor AUF1) proteins was enhanced in G1, correlating with decreased Topo II mRNA levels. The binding activity was enhanced in cellular extracts or cells treated with thiol-reducing agents, and increased binding correlated with decreased Topo II mRNA levels. These results support the hypothesis that cell cycle-coupled Topo II gene expression is regulated by interaction of the 3′-UTR with redox-sensitive protein complexes.
Interview with an Expert Witness of Desegregation Reflections from Eugene E. Eubanks

As we revisit the victory of Brown, we know that the work of countless unsung warriors has taken us to a new level in the battle to acquire educational equality for African American children. In an effort to honor those people whose work have brought us this far, we visited with one expert witness and intellectual architect on desegregation to learn from his experiences. Dr. Eugene E. Eubanks was instrumental in bringing about significant changes for African American children in cities nationwide and most notably in Kansas City, Missouri. He comments on the successes and failures of the past and on the value of schooling children in diverse learning communities.
Mild hypertension: A therapeutic dilemma

A 40-year-old white male, an insurance company executive, was found to have a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg during a hypertension screening program at his workplace. He was told to see his family physician for follow-up care. One week later his blood pressure was 165/94 mm Hg in both arms, and no postural changes were noted. Physical examination revealed a mildly obese but otherwise healthy appearing white male weighing 79.5 kg; the eyegrounds showed grade-I hypertensive changes. Cardiovascular examination was normal, and no abdominal or carotid bruits were noted. The medical history revealed that the patient's blood pressure had been "normal" on most previous examinations, but that he occasionally had been told of mild elevations. The physician had said that the stress of the examination probably caused the elevation in blood pressure but that his blood pressure ought to be measured periodically. The patient denied any history suggestive of catecholamine excess, hypokalemia, or renal disease. He denied ingesting any medications other than an occasional aspirin. He had smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 20 years, and he assiduously avoids any formal physical exercise. His father was known to be hypertensive and took medications for many years before dying at age 58 of an acute myocardial infarction. His mother is alive and well in her 80s; he has no siblings. Laboratory studies revealed normal values for serum electrolytes, creatinine, BUN, and blood glucose. Complete blood count and urinalysis were entirely within normal limits. Serum cholesterol was 320 mg/ dl, and a 24-hour urine collection contained 210 mEq of sodium; creatinine clearance was normal. Electrocardiogram and chest x-ray were normal. His blood pressure was measured biweekly over the ensuing 2 months by a nurse at the company dispensary. Values ranged from 150— 165/93—100 mm Hg. A graduated exercise program, weight reduction, and modest salt restriction (75 mmol NaC1 daily) were proposed. Three months later the patient admitted a continuing interest in spectator sports but not participatory exercise, he gained 2 pounds, and he guiltily admitted an inability to reduce his salt intake. His blood pressure at the time was 160/94 mm Hg. At that time, therapy with 25 mg daily of hydrochlorothiazide was begun. Over the next 2 months his blood pressure ranged from 120—130/85—90 mm Hg.
Widom line and noise-power spectral analysis of a supercritical fluid.

We have performed extensive molecular dynamics simulations to study noise-power spectra of density and potential energy fluctuations of a Lennard-Jones model of a fluid in the supercritical region. Emanating from the liquid-vapor critical point, there is a locus of isobaric specific heat maxima, called the Widom line, which is often regarded as an extension of the liquid-vapor coexistence line. Our simulation results show that the noise-power spectrum of the density fluctuations on the Widom line of the liquid-vapor transition exhibits three distinct $1/{f}^{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ behaviors with exponents $\ensuremath{\gamma}=0$, 1.2, and 2, depending on the frequency $f$. We find that the intermediate frequency region with an exponent $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\sim}$ 1 appears as the temperature approaches the Widom temperature from above or below. On the other hand, we do not find three distinct regions of $1/{f}^{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ in the power spectrum of the potential energy fluctuations on the Widom line. Furthermore, we find that the power spectra of both the density and potential energy fluctuations at low frequency have a maximum on the Widom line, suggesting that the noise power can provide an alternative signature of the Widom line.
Evidence of publication bias in reporting acute stroke clinical trials

Objective: To ascertain the extent of publication bias in the reporting of acute stroke clinical trials. Methods: We identified controlled acute ischemic stroke clinical trials reported in English over a 45-year period from 1955 to 1999 through systematic search of MEDLINE, the Cochrane Controlled Stroke Trials Register, and additional databases. We analyzed trial methodology, quality, outcome, study sponsorship, and timing of publication to identify various forms of publication bias, including nonpublication bias, abbreviated publication bias, and time-lag bias. Results: One hundred seventy-eight acute ischemic stroke trials, enrolling 73,949 subjects, evaluated 75 agents or nonpharmacologic interventions. A greater proportion of harmful outcomes in unpublished studies (n = 4) compared with published trials (0.75 vs 0.06, p p = 0.207), with an even longer delay for nonbeneficial corporate pharmaceutical sponsored trials (2.8 vs 2.1 years, p = 0.086), despite superior trial report quality scores for corporate-sponsored studies when compared with nonprofit/governmental studies (mean 69.2 ± 95% CI 3.9 vs 53.4 ± 95% CI 9.2, p Conclusion: Publication bias is evident in the acute stroke research literature, supporting the need for prospective trial registration.
Accelerating evolutionary computation with graphics processing units

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have become a major source of computational power for numerical applications. Originally designed for application of time-consuming graphics operations, GPUs are stream processors that implement the SIMD paradigm. Modern programming tools allow developers to access the parallelism of the GPU in a flexible and convenient way, hiding many low level details from the user.In this tutorial we shall provide a gentle introduction of how to put GPUs to good use with Evolutionary Computation.
Mail-delivered arthritis self-management tool kit: a randomized trial and longitudinal followup.

Objective To determine the effectiveness of an intervention Tool Kit of arthritis self-management materials to be sent once through the mail, and to describe the populations reached. Methods Spanish speakers (n = 335), non-Hispanic English-speaking African Americans (n = 156), and other non-Hispanic English speakers (n = 404) were recruited separately and randomized within each of the 3 ethnic/racial categories to immediately receive the intervention Tool Kit (n = 458) or to a 4-month wait-list control status (n = 463). At the end of 4 months, controls were sent the Tool Kit. All subjects were followed in a longitudinal study for 9 months. Self-administered measures included health status, health behavior, arthritis self-efficacy, medical care utilization, and demographic variables. Using analyses of covariance and t-tests, analyses were conducted for all participants and for Spanish- and English-language groups. Results At 4 months, comparing all intervention subjects with randomized wait-list controls, there were significant (P < 0.01) benefits in all outcomes except medical care utilization and self-rated health. The results were maintained at 9 months compared with baseline. On average, the Tool Kit reached persons ages 50–56 years with 12–15 years of schooling. There were few differences between English- and Spanish-language participants in either the effectiveness or reach variables. Conclusion A mailed Arthritis Self-Management Tool Kit proved effective in improving health status, health behavior, and self-efficacy variables for up to 9 months. It also reached younger persons in both English- and Spanish-language groups and Spanish speakers with higher education levels than previous studies of the small-group Arthritis Self-Management Program.
Disruption of species-specific behavior in neonatal quail following chronic prenatal ethanol exposure

Bobwhite quail embryos were exposed to ethanol (5 mg every other day) from E5 to E21. Control embryos received comparable saline injections or were untreated. At 24 h posthatch, the neonates were tested in a single call approach test, using a Bobwhite maternal exodus call which had previously been shown to be a potent attractant to these animals. Almost all animals in all three groups approached the call, and latency of approach did not differ among the groups. The ethanol-treated animals, however, spent significantly less time within the approach area and exited the area significantly more often than did either the saline or untreated controls. Overall hyperactivity or loss of auditory acuity did not appear to account for the response deficits. These results suggest that species-specific behaviors might be a useful paradigm for the study of fetal alcohol effects.
Social Roles in a Rhesus Monkey Group

A society is comprised of a variety of interdependent roles (PARSONS & SHILS, 1951), and specific cues indicate the actual and potential roles of individuals (COTTRELL, I942; SARBIN, I954). The complexity of interaction patterns associated with a role and the number of distinct roles in a group may be considered to be related to the complexity of a social organization. Societies may therefore be compared by detailed analysis of the role patterns contained. The determinants of a role in human societies include biological and psychological factors operating in combination to produce consistent response patterns. These same factors operate in nonhuman primate groups, and field studies suggest that a degree of role differentiation may be found in all primate groups. The present paper presents an analysis of differentiated response patterns in a rhesus monkey group. The group was selected to approximate the composition of a natural group (SOUTHWICK, BEG & SIDDIQI, i96ia, b), and the extensive literature available for the rhesus monkey suggested several factors which might operate as determinants of roles. S. BERNSTEIN & MASON (I962), CARPENTER (I942b), MASON (I963), and ROSENBLUM (I96I) have indicated some ways in which age influences the behavior of rhesus monkeys. CARPENTER (I942a) and MASON, GREEN & POSEPANKO (I960) have demonstrated sex to be another powerful determinant. CHANCE (1956) has discussed some behavioral attributes of dominant rhesus monkeys, MASLOW (I940) has theorized at some length on the significance of status, CARPENTER (I954) has operationally defined status in terms of priority to
PKM2: A gatekeeper between growth and survival

Pyruvate kinase catalyzes the transfer of a high-energy phosphate group from phosphoenol pyruvate (PEP) to generate pyruvate and ATP, a reaction that is the rate-limiting step of the glycolytic pathway. The PKM1 alternatively-spliced isoform is ubiquitously expressed whereas the PKM2 isoform is normally highly expressed only in embryos and undifferentiated tissues, correlating with high rates of cellular proliferation. Notably, tumors express the PKM2 form to the exclusion of the M1 isoform.
The localization and characterization of substance P and substance K in striatonigral neurons.

Abstract Specific substance P and substance K radioimmunoassays coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography were used to characterize striatal and nigral tachykinin immunoreactivity. Using these assays, authentic substance P and substance K acounted for nearly all substance P and substance K immunoreactivity, respectively. A series of coronal knife cuts of the striatum caused parallel depletions in nigral substance P and substance K, consistent with the possible colocalization of these tachykinins in striatonigral neurons.
Morphemic relationships in the lexicon: Are they distinct from semantic and formal relationships?

The influence of morphemic relationships on the repetition priming effect, which is presumed to provide an index of lexical organization, was examined in several experiments. An attempt was made in all experiments to minimize nonlexical contributions to these lexical effects by placing related items in a context of unrelated items. Priming among regularly and irregularly suffixed morphemic relatives, associates, and synonyms was examined. Morphemic relatives and associates yielded significant priming, although priming was largest for regularly suffixed morphemic relatives. Priming was not obtained for synonyms. In previous research (Napps & Fowler, 1987), priming was not found among orthographically and phonologically related words. The results are interpreted to mean that morphemic priming is not the result of the convergence of semantic, orthographic, and phonological relationships, but rather that morphemic relationships are represented explicitly in the lexicon.
Charm production in the valon model

The valon model for hadron structure is extended to include charm quarks in the sea. The resultant charm distribution is then used in the recombination model to determine the inclusive distributions of charm particles produced in hadronic collisions at low ${p}_{T}$. Predictions agree well with experiment.
Fracture strength of human gallstones

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is currently being evaluated as a treatment for symptomatic gallstones in the USA. It was first used to treat kidney stones in humans approximately 10 years ago, and now 85% of all kidney stones can be treated with this method [1]. Although ESWL can efficiently fragment gallstones, rendering them more amenable to dissolution therapy with oral bile acid therapy [2], methyl-ten-butyl ether (MTBE) [3] or Monooctanoin [4], at present it is successfully used only in a select group of patients. Nevertheless, shock-wave therapy remains a viable treatment for gallstones, particularly for those patients who prefer non-surgical treatment or for those who are physically unfit for surgery. Cholesterol is the major component of most gallstones found in the USA and Europe, the remaining components being calcium bilirubinate, calcium carbonate and mixed bile pigments. Only patients who are suspected to have cholesterol gallstones (defined as 70% cholesterol by weight) [5] are being treated with ESWL in order that the remaining fragments be dissolved. It is estimated that 10-25% of all people suffering from cholelithiasis (gallstone disease) can be successfully treated by ESWL [6]. With this in mind, some lithotripter manufacturers are attempting to develop machines that may treat both kidney stones and gallstones. The mechanical properties of these stones, however, are very different. This work was aimed at determining the fracture strength of human gallstones and investigating the effect of cholesterol content on this fracture strength. There are very few published data on the mechanical properties of gallstones. In one study two gallstones were tested by diametral compression [7]. These stones had fracture strengths of 0.23 MPa (33 lb in.-2) and 0.31 MPa (44 lb in.-2). In comparison, similar tests performed on kidney stones yielded fracture strengths ranging from 0.45 to 1.54MPa (65 to 2241bin. -2) [8]. In testing both kidney stones and gallstones, completely brittle behaviour of the stones was observed. These stones had been dried and rehydrated before testing. The present work serves to extend the determination of fracture strength of gallstones by diametral compression testing and to determine any correlation of cholesterol content with this fracture strength. Gallstones cannot readily be formed into standard tensile test samples for use with normal tensile testing machines. However, one test, the diametral compression test (sometimes called the Brazilian
The Conundrum of Sustainable Energy: Clean Coal as One Possible Answer

Access to clean, cheap, and copious energy would allow the entire world to enjoy a standard of living taken for granted in developed countries. This paper identifies technologies for sustainable energy infrastructures, emphasizing that fossil fuels are amply sufficient for the next 100–200 years. However, today's fossil fuel technology will be inadequate to sustain a future world population of 10 billion. Pollution and greenhouse gases from unfettered fossil fuel use far exceed the environment's capacity to cope. Alternative forms of energy are presently either expensive or unsuitable for largescale energy production. Reliance on coal, in combination with carbon capture, carbon storage, and zero-emission technology, could break the world's dependence on petroleum and natural gas while providing environmentally acceptable energy for centuries. By also developing nuclear energy and renewable energy sources, it is possible to pursue a path characterized by plentiful and sustainable energy.
Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomographic imaging for the diagnosis of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Objective Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of intractable epilepsy. The metabolic defect has proven utility in the lateralization of temporal lobe epilepsy. However, the role of FDG-PET imaging in the localization of a seizure focus within the temporal lobe is uncertain. We evaluated FDG-PET imaging for the capability to localize a temporal seizure focus within the mesial structures. Methods Twenty-eight patients who underwent selective amygdalohippocampectomy for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy were studied. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who were free of seizures (FS) and those with persisting seizures postoperatively. FS patients were defined by having mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Preoperative FDG-PET activity was evaluated in temporal lobe structures and contrasted with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for usefulness in identifying MTLE in an individual. Results Pathology of the hippocampus revealed mesial temporal sclerosis in all but 1 patient. Qualitative visual inspection of the MRI scan was not reliable in the identification of MTLE (P = 0.15). MRI volumetry found smaller mesial temporal structures (P = 0.04) in FS patients. Mesial temporal metabolic activity was reduced in the FS group (hippocampus, P = 0.001). However, a combination of imaging modalities was found to be the best predictor of MTLE. PET imaging plus MRI qualitative inspection identified all patients with and without MTLE correctly and was superior to MRI alone (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion MRI volumetry and PET imaging were comparable (P = 0.73) and able to identify MTLE in most patients, but a combination of PET imaging and MRI visual inspection was superior in the recognition of MTLE.
Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Infectious Diseases

Among the critically ill, infectious diseases can play a significant role in the etiology of neuropsychiatric disturbances. All critical care physicians are familiar with delirium as a secondary complication of systemic infection. This article focuses on key infectious diseases that commonly and directly produce neuropsychiatric symptoms, including direct infection of the central nervous system.
Sensitivity of Arctic Climate Variability to Mean State: Insights from the Cretaceous

This study investigates Arctic climate variability during a period of extreme warmth using the Community Climate System Model, version 3 (CCSM3) coupled ocean‐atmosphere general circulation model. Four midCretaceous simulations were completed with different CO2 levels (1, 10, and 16 times preindustrial levels with dynamic vegetation) and vegetation treatments (10 times with specified uniform bare ground). The magnitude and frequency of Arctic temperature variability is highly sensitive to the mean state and high-latitude upperocean static stability. As stability increases with a rise in CO2 levels from 1 to 10 times preindustrial levels, the frequencyoftemperaturevariabilityincreases fromdecades (1x)tocenturies(10xwithbareground) andlonger (10x)and the peak-to-peak magnitudeincreases from;18 (for 1x) to;28C (for 10x). Inthe 16x simulationwith a highly stratified ocean, Arctic temperature variability is low with peak-to-peak magnitudes ,0.58C. Under low CO2, Arctic climate variability is tied to sensible heat release from the ocean during movement of the sea ice margin. In absence of substantial sea ice, variability is driven by mass transport and upper-ocean salinity advection into the Arctic. In both cases, destruction of low-level clouds acts as an important feedback on lowlevel warming. The authors also report a link between unforced Arctic climate variability and North Pacific meridional overturning with warming events leading intensification. These results suggest that the nature of Arctic climate variability was likely much different in past climates and is likely to be so in the future.
Community psychiatry—A new profession, a developing subspecialty, or effective clinical psychiatry?

Developments in community psychiatry are creating great controversy within the profession. This paper examines community psychiatry, assesses its place in the history of our science and practice, explores possible additions and modifications in residency training, and suggests possible patterns of practice. Community psychiatry is based on more than 20 years of developments within the profession. As such, there is a solid but limited base for its operation. Extensive program and basic research are essential. More psychiatrists will spend more time in the future in community psychiatry activities. Some will become specialists in community psychiatry, a subspecialty within the field of psychiatry.
Experimental investigation of flow through multi‐layered preforms

This research investigates resin flow phenomena through preforms composed of multiple layers of reinforcement material. Two complete studies were performed: the first investigates the effect of varying the order of lay-up of a fixed number of plies, and the second studies the impact of varying the thickness of the individual layers of a thick preform. In each case, a set of compression experiments were first performed to characterize the preforms so that in-situ layer thicknesses can be calculated. Next, flow experiments were performed upon the preforms to determine the permeability and flow front behavior. In the first study, it was found that the weighted average scheme provides a reasonable estimate for the effective permeabilities of the preforms, with errors ranging from 14.2% to 23.8%. In the second study, however, the weighted average scheme was found to provide only a rudimentary estimate of the permeability, with an error that was seen to increase in magnitude during the course of each experiment. In addition, computer simulations were performed for the second study, which show the possibility of deriving transverse permeability values without direct measurement, although significant errors in inlet pressures were once again evident.
Asset Allocation: What Percentage in Bonds?

The authors start by noting that record amounts of funds have flowed into bonds in the last two years as stock prices plunged and interest rates continued to decline. However, investors need to carefully consider not only the likely future performance of bonds but also the asset allocation decision. Many investors do not realize how the long-term record of bond performance is skewed by a relatively short period, and how bond risk has changed over time. In addition to putting the bond yield-price relationship into long-term perspective, the authors examine how the relevant variables concerning stocks and bonds have changed over the years. They consider in particular the strategic asset allocation decision, based on the most recent 40 years of data. Their analysis indicates that on the basis of modern financial history, a step back from a portfolio heavily invested in bonds is currently warranted from a strategic asset allocation perspective.
Structure and function of telomerase RNA

Maintenance of telomeres by the enzyme telomerase is essential for genomic stability and cell viability in ciliates, vertebrates and yeast. The minimal components of telomerase required for catalytic activity are the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein and the template-containing telomerase RNA (TER). Recent studies have afforded significant advances in the biophysical characterization of telomerase RNAs from various species. The first TER structures have been reported, for regions of the catalytically essential pseudoknot and CR4/CR5 domains of human TER, and provide a structural basis for interpretation of mutational and biochemical data. The domains and interactions of the Tetrahymena thermophila telomerase holoenzyme RNA and protein components have been further characterized biochemically, and structures of the TER template boundary element and the N-terminal domain of T. thermophila TERT have been determined. Phylogenetic and biochemical analyses of yeast TERs have revealed core structural elements in common with ciliates and vertebrates, and the minimal domains required for function in vivo.
Cholinergic receptor labelling specific irreversible binding of bromoacetylcholine to cholinergic receptors at neuromuscular junctions.

This study shows that (a) the slopes of dose-response curves of bromoacetylcholine (BrACh) and acetylcoline (ACh) were the same; (b) the dose-response curves of BrACh to contract superfused chick biventer cervicis and frog rectus abdominis muscles were shifted to the right by d-tubocurarine in a parallel fashio; and (c) the responses of BrACh were not affected by triethylcholine, which paralyzes cholinergic neurons through inhibition of ACh synthesis. These results indicate that BrACh interacts with cholinergic receptors specifically and directly. When the incubation time was prolonged to 15 min or longer in the organ bath, BrACh (2×10−3 M) produced irreversible blockade of the neuromuscular transmission in chick biventer cervicis and rat diaphragm preparations. The latter blockade was prevented partially by ACh (2×10−2 M) and d-tubocurarine (3.4×10−6 M) (25–38%) and markedly by carbachol (1×10−4 M) and decamethonium (6.2×10−4 M)_(76–79%), indicating agani that BrACh binds specifically and irreversibly to the cholinergic receptor. Therefore, 14C-BrACh is recommended for use in mapping, estimation, and isolation of cholinergic receptors. In order to do such experiments, the biological preparations would have to be pretreated with cold organophosphorus compounds in order to prevent irreversible binding of BrACh to cholinesterases.
Hemoglobin aggregation in oxygenated sickle cells studied by carbon‐13 rotating frame spin–lattice relaxation in the presence of an off‐resonance radiofrequency field

Evidence is presented which shows that hemoglobin S in sickle cells has a tendency to aggregate even in the oxygenated state. The basis for that conclusion is derived from 13C-nmr rotating-frame spin–lattice relaxation studies in the presence of an off-resonance radiofrequency field in which the carbonyl resonances of hemoglobins in erythrocytes are examined. The experiments indicate that the rotational correlation time of hemoglobin S in oxygenated sickle cells at 38°C is 130 nsec compared to a value of 95 nsec for hemoglobin A in normal erythrocytes at the same temperature and the same mean cell hemoglobin content.
Kindness Kills: The Negative Impact of Pain as the Fifth Vital Sign

Background The current emphasis on pain assessment as the fifth vital sign and the use of unscientific pain scales is causing serious injury and death from overmedication. Study Design This premise was tested by reviewing the case reports of all trauma center site surveys performed by the authors for the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma verification program during 2 separate time periods: 1994 through 1998 and 2000 through 2004. A total of 2,907 and 2,282 reports summarized by one of the authors, plus a total of 53 and 50 other reviewers, respectively, were analyzed from the records of 120 and 94 trauma centers. Most patients were men (71% and 66%) and had sustained blunt injury (83% and 79%). Average age was 35 years for both periods, with a range of 3 weeks to 97 years and 3 days to 98 years, respectively. The most common injuries involved head (33% and 34%), chest (13% and 13%), abdominal (22% and 21%), orthopaedic (18% and 18%), or multiple (9% and 14%). There were 1,459 and 867 deaths, respectively; all had a multidisciplinary peer review. Results Overmedication with sedatives/narcotics, during the two periods, clearly contributed to deaths in 13 and 32 patients and probably contributed to deaths in 5 and 14 patients, respectively. This occurred in 17 and 43 patients, respectively, after blunt injury and in 1 and 3 patients, respectively, after penetrating injury. Two clinical scenarios predominated, ie, overmedication in preparation for an imaging study and overmedication after discharge from ICU to the floor. The sequel of hypotension and compromised airway requiring intubation initiated a cascade of negative events that led to death. One patient in each period died as a result of prehospital overmedication. Conclusions The current assessment of pain by computer-stored pain scales is in a state of imbalance, with excessive emphasis on undermedication at the same time ignoring overmedication. This imbalance reflects pain-service attempts to comply with external accrediting agencies. This preventable cause of death and disability in trauma patients is also occurring in noninjured patients. Surgeons must correct this problem by insisting on a balanced assessment of overmedication versus undermedication.
Large-bore Tunneled Central Venous Catheter Insertion in Patients with Coagulopathy

Purpose To evaluate the safety of tunneled central venous catheter (TCVC) insertion in patients with an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of greater than or equal to 1.5 or a platelet count lower than 50,000/dL. Materials and Methods Our division's criteria for acceptable coagulation parameters in patients undergoing TCVC insertion is INR no greater than 2 and platelet count of at least 25,000/dL. Three-thousand one-hundred and eighty-eight TCVCs (8–14.5 F) placed between July 2001 and July 2008 were identified. After excluding incomplete records, 2,514 patients undergoing 3,170 TCVC placements were identified. The most current platelet count and INR at the time of TCVC insertion were identified. Bleeding complications were compared between patients with platelet counts lower than 50,000/dL and/or INR of at least 1.5 and published standards for complication rates for TCVC insertion. Results Of the total of 3,170 TCVCs placed, 428 were in patients whose most current platelet count was lower than 50,000/dL and 361 were in patients with an INR of 1.5 or greater. After exclusion of intercurrent blood product transfusion, 626 TCVCs placed in 567 patients with a platelet count lower than 50,000/dL and/or an INR of at least 1.5 were identified. There were 27 complications in the entire study population (0.85%); three were in patients with platelet counts lower than 50,000/dL and/or INR of at least 1.5. There were three bleeding complications in the study population (0.095%), none in patients with platelet count lower than 50,000/dL and/or INR of at least 1.5. Conclusions Placement of TCVCs in patients with a platelet count between 25,000/dL and 50,000/dL and/or an INR between 1.5 and 2 is safe even without coagulation product transfusions.
A task-based methodology for specifying expert systems

A task-based specification methodology for expert system specification that is independent of the problem solving architecture, that can be applied to many expert system applications, that focuses on what the knowledge is, not how it is implemented, that introduces the major concepts involved gradually, and that supports verification and validation is discussed. To evaluate the methodology, a specification of R1/SOAR, an expert system that reimplements a major portion of the R1 expert system, was reverse engineered. >
On the time course of the reversible Michaelis-Menten reaction

The methods of Pade approximants and Euler transformation are used to construct approximate solutions for the time course of the reversible Michaelis-Menten reaction. The solutions are found to describe the concentrations of the various species quite accurately throughout and beyond the transient phase. To illustrate the results, the ratio of the reverse bi-molecular rate constant to the forward bi-molecular rate constant, k 2 / k 1 , is varied from 0·1 to 5, and the initial enzyme-to-substrate concentration ratio is changed from 0·01 to 5. Only when k −2 / k 1 is less than one, the concentration of the intermediate complex, y ( t ), undergoes a maximum (steady state); for all other values of this ratio, y ( t ) increases monotonically with time t , to the equilibrium value, i.e. no maximum is attained. The present methods are particularly useful when the total enzyme concentration is comparable to, or greater than the initial substrate concentration, a situation commonly found under in vivo conditions.
Wheat seedling emergence from deep planting depths and its relationship with coleoptile length.

Successful stand establishment is prerequisite for optimum crop yields. In some low-precipitation zones, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is planted as deep as 200 mm below the soil surface to reach adequate soil moisture for germination. To better understand the relationship of coleoptile length and other seed characteristics with emergence from deep planting (EDP), we evaluated 662 wheat cultivars grown around the world since the beginning of the 20th century. Coleoptile length of collection entries ranged from 34 to 114 mm. A specialized field EDP test showed dramatic emergence differences among cultivars ranging from 0–66% by 21 days after planting (DAP). Less than 1% of entries had any seedlings emerged by 7 DAP and 43% on day 8. A wide range of EDP within each coleoptile length class suggests the involvement of genes other than those controlling coleoptile length. Emergence was correlated with coleoptile length, but some lines with short coleoptiles ranked among the top emergers. Coleoptiles longer than 90 mm showed no advantage for EDP and may even have a negative effect. Overall, coleoptile length accounted for only 28% of the variability in emergence among entries; much lower than the 60% or greater reported in previous studies. Seed weight had little correlation with EDP. Results show that EDP is largely controlled by yet poorly understood mechanisms other than coleoptile length.
General spin wave instability theory for anisotropic ferromagnetic insulators at high microwave power levels

The theory of spin wave instability for ferromagnetic insulators is extended to include generalized anisotropy based on a tensor formulation of the static and dynamic effective fields. The formalism is set up for saturated magnetic ellipsoids and a general microwave field configuration. Both first- and second-order processes are considered. The analysis yields working formulae for the threshold microwave field amplitude evaluations and critical mode determinations. An example is given for first-order processs in a thin disk with easy plane anisotropy.
Error and Bias in Dental Clinical Trials

A mathematical model was developed to investigate the source and effect of bias in data from dental clinical trials when the status of some teeth is misclassified. Methods of obtaining unbiased estimates of the true attack rate and other parameters are suggested.
EDA and ML -- A Perfect Pair for Large-Scale Data Analysis

In this position paper, we discuss how Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) and Machine Learning (ML) can work together in large-scale data analysis environments. In particular, we describe how applying EDA techniques and ML methods in a complementary fashion can be used to address some of the challenges faced when applying ML techniques to large, real world data sets, and discuss tools that help do the job. This iterative approach is demonstrated with a simple example of how extracting events from a historical sensor data set was enabled by iteratively identifying and filtering various types of erroneous data.
Cardiomyocyte-specific deficiency of ketone body metabolism promotes accelerated pathological remodeling.

Abstract Objective Exploitation of protective metabolic pathways within injured myocardium still remains an unclarified therapeutic target in heart disease. Moreover, while the roles of altered fatty acid and glucose metabolism in the failing heart have been explored, the influence of highly dynamic and nutritionally modifiable ketone body metabolism in the regulation of myocardial substrate utilization, mitochondrial bioenergetics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and hemodynamic response to injury remains undefined. Methods Here we use mice that lack the enzyme required for terminal oxidation of ketone bodies, succinyl-CoA:3-oxoacid CoA transferase (SCOT) to determine the role of ketone body oxidation in the myocardial injury response. Tracer delivery in ex vivo perfused hearts coupled to NMR spectroscopy, in vivo high-resolution echocardiographic quantification of cardiac hemodynamics in nutritionally and surgically modified mice, and cellular and molecular measurements of energetic and oxidative stress responses are performed. Results While germline SCOT-knockout (KO) mice die in the early postnatal period, adult mice with cardiomyocyte-specific loss of SCOT (SCOT-Heart-KO) remarkably exhibit no overt metabolic abnormalities, and no differences in left ventricular mass or impairments of systolic function during periods of ketosis, including fasting and adherence to a ketogenic diet. Myocardial fatty acid oxidation is increased when ketones are delivered but cannot be oxidized. To determine the role of ketone body oxidation in the remodeling ventricle, we induced pressure overload injury by performing transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery in SCOT-Heart-KO and αMHC-Cre control mice. While TAC increased left ventricular mass equally in both groups, at four weeks post-TAC, myocardial ROS abundance was increased in myocardium of SCOT-Heart-KO mice, and mitochondria and myofilaments were ultrastructurally disordered. Eight weeks post-TAC, left ventricular volume was markedly increased and ejection fraction was decreased in SCOT-Heart-KO mice, while these parameters remained normal in hearts of control animals. Conclusions These studies demonstrate the ability of myocardial ketone metabolism to coordinate the myocardial response to pressure overload, and suggest that the oxidation of ketone bodies may be an important contributor to free radical homeostasis and hemodynamic preservation in the injured heart.
An Evaluation Of The Prospects For The Euro Currency In 2012-2013

The 2008 global Financial Crisis and the subsequent relative collapse of the financial and economic markets, including the government bond markets, in Greece, Ireland, and Portugal as well as economic weakness in other Western European economies have called into question the viability, going forward, of the Euro Currency. The so called PIIGS countries of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Spain are thought to be financially vulnerable because of high levels of government spending and resulting deficit levels and inefficient labor markets and tax collection policies among other factors. Those five countries, along with the stronger economies of France and Germany, comprise 7 of the 17 countries in the Eurocurrency Union. Any weakness in the 5 country group can have a contagion effect on the rest and if the recent financial bailouts by the IMF and the European Central Bank in Greece, Portugal and Ireland are not effective then there is a real danger that one of more of the GIP (Greece, Ireland and Spain) countries may have to abandon or be forced to abandon the Euro. Because there is no provision for a country leaving the Eurocurrency Union this is uncharted territory and could lead to the weakening or even demise of the Euro depending upon circumstances. The fact that there are also significant financial linkages and related default risk connecting the five countries to the sounder economies of Germany and France increases the risks. This paper will evaluate the likelihood that the Eurocurrency will be substantially weakened or abandoned over the next 18 months. The evaluation will be highly dependent upon the forecasts for the 5 countries economic prospects, especially the very large economies of Italy and Spain as well as the likely responses of Germany and France to future default like events in the five countries. Metrics utilized will include the trend in economic indicators like long term government bond yields, deficit spending, tax collections, economic growth, and financial linkages and dependence among the seven countries. European Central Bank data and information from related sources like the IMF will be utilized.