cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence-Based Medicine in Pediatric Endocrinology

Evidence-based pediatric endocrinology? How does one start to define it? Where are the boundaries and what does this term encompass? These are some of the challenges with this new chapter in the Yearbook. What about the typical evidence base hierarchy; does it really hold the truth about the quality and applicability of clinical research? Are all other forms of evidence really inferior to the classical double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial? Well, this chapter reflects a selection of what has been published in the past year in pediatric endocrinology, based on searches far and wide. Includes are classic randomized controlled trials in addition to well-conducted longitudinal studies where these provide the best evidence to solve a clinical conundrum. It has been more difficult deciding what to leave out rather than what to include. Overviews from drug company’s databases and consensus statements (including those of ESPE) are widely consulted sources of evidence. Therefore, this chapter has concentrated on seeking out sources which we do not always come across. As the intention has been to aid decision-making in daily clinical practice, in deciding what topics to include and what not to include, the following parameter has been used: Is the subject likely to fall within the remit of a clinical pediatrician or pediatric endocrinologist? Is this something worthwhile knowing about? Is it a subject your colleagues from other disciplines might consult you about? There are two points which come to the fore in this review: firstly the important marriage between basic science and therapeutic clinical practice which is only just beginning to flourish, for example GH responsiveness and genotyping, and the concepts revisited section where new and important clinical findings are emerging based on revisiting well-conducted studies of the previous generation, for example the apparently protective effect of childhood GH treatment on the development of cardiovascular problems in adult women with Turner syndrome. This all bodes very well for the future.
Diet and benign ovarian tumors (United States).

Objectives: The relation between benign ovarian tumors (BOTs) and nutrients, primarily dietary fat, was examined using case–control data.
Neo-Riemannian Cycle Detection with Weighted Finite-State Transducers

This paper proposes a finite-state model for detecting harmonic cycles as described by neo-Riemannian theorists. Given a string of triads representing a harmonic analysis of a piece, the task is to identify and label all substrings corresponding to these cycles with high accuracy. The solution method uses a noisy channel model implemented with weighted finitestate transducers. On a dataset of four works by Franz Schubert, our model predicted cycles in the same regions as cycles in the ground truth with a precision of 0.18 and a recall of 1.0. The recalled cycles had an average edit distance of 3.2 insertions or deletions from the ground truth cycles, which average 6.4 labeled triads in length. We suggest ways in which our model could be used to contribute to current work in music theory, and be generalized to other music pattern-finding applications.
To Risk of Human Skin Cancer

The high energy, short wavelength portion of the solar electromagnetic spectrum (wavelengths shorter than 320 nm) is potentially very detrimental to living cells and tissues. A low concentration of ozone formed in the stratosphere absorbs photons of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and thus prevents most of them from reaching earth. However, even in the presence of this ozone layer, which varies in thickness in various latitudes and at various seasons, a biologically significant amount of UVR reaches the surface of the earth.
Education Diplomacy in Action: Touching Lives: Education Diplomacy in Service to Others

During the Summer 2013 semester, the Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry within the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offered a special topics course ...
Approximate performance/cost analysis of m -level hierarchical multiprocessor systems

Abstract In previous work, we introduced and analyzed a generalized class of m -level hierarchical multiprocessor systems [1]. The m levels of hierarchy employed by these systems allowed the use of relatively smaller crossbar switches to support processor-memory communication at the local, nonlocal, and global levels. The analysis showed that, for high rate of local requests the m -level system offers a BandWidth (BW) close to that of a crossbar system and better than that of a typical multiple-bus system (with the number of buses equal to half the number of processors). In this paper, the cost effectiveness of the m -level hierarchical multiprocessor system is evaluated in terms of a cost-related performance measure (BW/Cost). Based on an approximate cost analysis, the bandwidth-to-cost ratio of both the m -level and the crossbar multiprocessor systems has been determined, for hierarchically nonuniform reference model. It has been observed that the m -level system is more effective than the crossbar system for medium and large scale multiprocessor systems.
Prediction of progressive disease in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome—Comparison of available preoperative tests

Abstract Availability of alternative methods of treatment of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) has necessitated a reevaluation of that disease. To evaluate ability of preoperative tests to predict postoperative clinical course, serum samples (frozen since collection) obtained fasting and after calcium stimulation in 18 patients with documented ZES with at least 5 years of postoperative follow-up were reassayed, fractionated into molecular components by gel filtration through a 200 × 1-cm Sephadex G-50 superfine column, and quantitated by assay with an antibody with equimolar recognition of the major C-terminal peptides. Total gastrin immunoreactivity (IRG), response of serum gastrin to calcium stimulation (SIRG), or the combination of these two factors are the most frequent criteria for estimating postoperative course and magnitude of disease. These measurements were compared to the percentage of G-17 (G-17/IRG) by the methods of R. S. Galen and S. R. Gambino (Beyond Normality: The Predictive Value and Efficiency of Medical Diagnoses, New York: Wiley, 1975, pp. 10–14, 50–51) (Sensitivity, Specificity, Predictive value of positive and negative tests, Efficiency). Percentage G-17 > 20% of IRG is the most sensitive (100%) and specific (91%) method of evaluating extent of disease preoperatively in patients with ZES.
Instability, Turbulence, and Conductivity in Current-Carrying Plasma

In fully ionized plasma, close (large-angle) collisions between particles in appreciable relative motion are rare. However, collective Coulomb interactions (i.e., small-angle collisions) cause instabilities which grow so rapidly that relative motion of ions and electrons, i-.e., currents, are continually damped down by conversion of directed energy into random fluctuation energy. The mechanism of this phenomenon is explored mathematically. (L.T.W.)
Preclinical and clinical studies on the cardiovascular and renal effects of fenoldopam: A DA‐1 receptor agonist

Recent research in the area of peripheral dopamine (DA) receptors has led to the identification of two distinct subtypes of DA receptors, activation of which results in marked changes in the cardiovascular and renal function consisting of hypotension, bradycardia, diuresis, and natriluresis. Peripheral DA receptors mediating these effects are subdivided into DA-1 and DA-2 subtypes. The development of selective DA-1 and DA-2 receptor agonists and antagonists has made it possible to furhter characterize DA receptors located at various sites within the cardiovascular system. It is now established that activation of DA-1 receptors located on blood vessel produces vasodilation, whereas stimulation of DA-2 receptors on postganglionic sympathetic nerves results in the inhibition of norepinephrine release. The renal effects of DA receptor agonists either involve activation of specific DA receptors at various sites in the kidney and/or result from renal hemodynamic changes produced by these compounds. The concept of developing selective DA receptor agonists as therapeutic agents in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders has been proposed by several investigators. Fenoldopam (SK&F 82526) represents one of these new orally active DA receptor agonists developed for potential use in the treatment of hypertension and ischemic renal disease. In animal experiments fenoldopam was shown to produce hypotension and increase renal blood flow. It produced natriuresis and diuresis, and these effects were due to the activation of DA-1 receptors. Recent clinical studies show that fenoldopam decreases blood pressure and renal vascular resistance and causes diuresis and natriuresis in hypertensive patients. The antihypertensive action of fenoldopam is mediated by a decrease in total peripheral resistance. There are increases in heart rate and plasma renin activity in hypertensive patients. Fenoldopam also improves left ventricular performance in patients suffering from congestive heart failure. These initial studies with fenoldopam show that peripheral DA-1 receptor stimulation may represent an effective approach in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Future research in this area should be aimed toward developing DA-1 receptor agonists that have longer duration of action and do not evoke renin release, while maintaining the beneficial effects on the kidney.
Optical properties of metallic nanoshells

The electronic structure and optical properties of metallic nanoshells are calculated using a jellium model and the local density approximation. An efficient implementation of the local density method enables applications to nanoshells with a very large number of conduction electrons. The frequency dependent polarizabilities of nanoshells are calculated using the time-dependent local density formalism. The optical response of these systems is characterized by both single particle and collective plasmon excitations. The energies of the plasmon resonances are calculated for different sizes of the metallic nanoshells and for different dielectric embedding media and nanoshell cores. The results are compared with results obtained using classical Mie scattering and the results from a semiclassical model.
Scalable architectural support for trusted software

We present Bastion, a new hardware-software architecture for protecting security-critical software modules in an untrusted software stack. Our architecture is composed of enhanced microprocessor hardware and enhanced hypervisor software. Each trusted software module is provided with a secure, fine-grained memory compartment and its own secure persistent storage area. Bastion is the first architecture to provide direct hardware protection of the hypervisor from both software and physical attacks, before employing the hypervisor to provide the same protection to security-critical OS and application modules. Our implementation demonstrates the feasibility of bypassing an untrusted commodity OS to provide application security and shows better security with higher performance when compared to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), the current industry state-of-the-art security chip. We provide a proof-of-concept implementation on the OpenSPARC platform.
Hard‐to‐Cook Phenomenon in Beans: Effects of Accelerated Storage on Water Absorption and Cooking Time

Black beans stored for 7–14 days at 41°C, 100% RH, required more cooking time than fresh beans and thus paralleled cooking time for beans stored forr more than 1 yr at room temperature. With corrections for solids lost during soaking, water absorption did not differ between fresh and stored beans. The rate of electrolyte leakage was greater from stored beans than from fresh samples, indicating that the cotyledon deteriorated during aging. Bean moisture content was found to be related to cooking time. In general, the higher the moisture content after soaking, the shorter the cooking time. However differences in cooking times between fresh and aged samples persisted regardless of bean moisture content.
Detection of the toxin domoic acid from clam extracts using a portable surface plasmon resonance biosensor

Abstract The amnesic shellfish poison domoic acid is produced by marine algae of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia . We have developed a portable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor system for the detection of domoic acid. Because of concerns with domoic acid contamination of shellfish, there is a need for rapid field quantification of toxin levels in both shellfish and seawater. Antibodies were raised against domoic acid and affinity purified. These antibodies were used to develop competition- and displacement-based assays using a portable six-channel SPR system developed in our laboratories. Standard curves for detection of domoic acid in phosphate buffered saline and in diluted clam extracts analyzed by the competition-based SPR assay demonstrated a limit of detection of 3 ppb (10 nM) and a quantifiable range from 4 to 60 ppb (13–200 nM). Comparison of analyses for domoic acid levels in Pacific razor clams, Siliqua patula , containing moderate to high levels of domoic acid by the standard HPLC analysis protocol and the SPR-based assay gave an excellent correlation. This same technology should also function for detection of domoic acid in concentrated algal extracts or high dissolved levels in seawater.
Angular momentum and light-front scattering theory.

The role of the Leutwyler and Stern spin operator in the angular momentum analysis of light-front scattering theory is analyzed. The equations of formal scattering theory are transformed to the {xi} picture using the unitary operator {ital C}({xi}) recently developed by the author. This operator depends on the two angles which determine the direction of the three-vector part of a lightlike four-vector {xi}. It is shown that an invariant version of light-front perturbation theory developed earlier by the author is related to the standard theory by the unitary operator {ital C}({xi}). It is also shown how to carry out a partial-wave analysis of the Lippmann-Schwinger-like equations obtained by summing a subset of the diagrams of this invariant form of light-front perturbation theory. The analysis presented here makes clear that the {xi} picture overcomes many of the difficulties due to the interaction dependence of light-front angular momentum operators, in particular the difficulties arising from the fact that the individual diagrams of light-front pertubation theory are not rotationally invariant.
Evidence for the persistent effects of an intervention to mitigate gender-stereotypical task allocation within student engineering teams

Left to their own devices, student project teams often divide work along gender-stereotypical lines, leading to differentiated learning experiences and, the literature suggests, differences in self-confidence and persistence. Colleagues teaching a first-semester design course previously introduced an intervention that largely mitigates gender-stereotypical task allocation in that course. In the present study, we demonstrate modest evidence that the impact of this intervention persists into subsequent coursework, suggesting that it may be possible to persistently shift student behaviors away from gender-stereotypical defaults, in turn improving self-confidence, persistence, and outcomes.
Control of Interface Properties in Oxide Composites Via Fugitive Coatings

Long-term durability of ceramic composites requires the retention of weak interfaces to promote crack deflection and subsequent sliding at the fiber–matrix boundary. The present article addresses the efficacy of fugitive carbon coatings in achieving this goal in all-oxide systems. A solution precursor route with a low-temperature pyrolysis treatment has been devised and implemented for coating oxide fibers within a woven cloth. The coating is oxidized following completion of matrix processing to produce an interfacial gap. Upon comparing the mechanical properties of two continuous fiber ceramic composites—with and without a fugitive coating—the gap is shown to reduce the interfacial sliding resistance and significantly enhance the fracture resistance of the composite. It also enables an extension in the useful life of the composite when subjected to long-term (1000 h) exposure at high temperature (1200°C). The results also suggest that modifications in the coating thickness may provide additional enhancement in composite durability.
The Psychology of Stress and Coping

(1985). The Psychology of Stress and Coping. Issues in Mental Health Nursing: Vol. 7, No. 1-4, pp. 399-418.
Airborne in‐situ OH and HO2 observations in the cloud‐free troposphere and lower stratosphere during SUCCESS

The hydroxyl (OH) and hydroperoxyl (HO2) radicals were measured for the first time throughout the troposphere and in the lower stratosphere with a new instrument aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft during the 1996 SUCCESS mission. Typically midday OH was 0.1-0.5 pptv and HO2 was 3-15 pptv. Comparisons with a steady-state model yield the following conclusions. First, even in the lower stratosphere OH was sensitive to the albedo of low clouds and distant high clouds. Second, although sometimes in agreement with models, observed OH and HO2 were more than 4 times larger at other times. Evidence suggests that for the California upper troposphere on 10 May this discrepancy was due to unmeasured HOx sources from Asia. Third, observed HO2/OH had the expected inverse dependence with NO, but was inexplicably higher than modeled HO2/OH by an average of 30%. Finally, small-scale, midday OH and HO2 features were strongly linked to NO variations.
Hilbert space and structure constants of descendant fields in two-dimensional conformal theories

We have developed an algorithm to compute the Hilbert-space basis and the operator algebra of descendant fields for (1+1)-dimensional conformal field theories. Implemented as a Mathematica computer program, this algorithm is used to obtain nonperturbatively the spectrum of the transfer matrix theories, seen as deformations of a massless conformal theory.
An unsteady-state method to determine kinetic parameters for heat inactivation of quality factors: Conduction-heated foods

Abstract The kinetic parameters (D121·1°C and z values) for the heat inactivation of a quality factor in conduction-heated canned food were evaluated by using the Complex optimization procedure and a numerical technique for heat-transfer calculations and quality-retention prediction. The jackknife method was used to evaluate experimental variability. This methodology was used to determine the D121·1°C and z values for thiamine destruction in pea puree (pH = 6·8, moisture content=80·8%, and thermal diffusivity, α = 1·8 × 10−7 m2/s). Retort-processing experiments involving the use of 303 × 406 cans filled with thiamine-enriched pea puree yielded a wide range of thiamine-retention values (29–70%). The D121·1°C and z values obtained were 304 ± 32 min and 30 ± 3°C, respectively.
MO-C-18A-01: Advances in Model-Based 3D Image Reconstruction

Recent years have seen the emergence of CT image reconstruction techniques that exploit physical models of the imaging system, photon statistics, and even the patient to achieve improved 3D image quality and/or reduction of radiation dose. With numerous advantages in comparison to conventional 3D filtered backprojection, such techniques bring a variety of challenges as well, including: a demanding computational load associated with sophisticated forward models and iterative optimization methods; nonlinearity and nonstationarity in image quality characteristics; a complex dependency on multiple free parameters; and the need to understand how best to incorporate prior information (including patient-specific prior images) within the reconstruction process. The advantages, however, are even greater – for example: improved image quality; reduced dose; robustness to noise and artifacts; task-specific reconstruction protocols; suitability to novel CT imaging platforms and noncircular orbits; and incorporation of known characteristics of the imager and patient that are conventionally discarded. This symposium features experts in 3D image reconstruction, image quality assessment, and the translation of such methods to emerging clinical applications. Dr. Chen will address novel methods for the incorporation of prior information in 3D and 4D CT reconstruction techniques. Dr. Pan will show recent advances in optimization-based reconstruction that enable potential reduction of dose and sampling requirements. Dr. Stayman will describe a “task-based imaging” approach that leverages models of the imaging system and patient in combination with a specification of the imaging task to optimize both the acquisition and reconstruction process. Dr. Samei will describe the development of methods for image quality assessment in such nonlinear reconstruction techniques and the use of these methods to characterize and optimize image quality and dose in a spectrum of clinical applications. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn the general methodologies associated with model-based 3D image reconstruction. 2. Learn the potential advantages in image quality and dose associated with model-based image reconstruction. 3. Learn the challenges associated with computational load and image quality assessment for such reconstruction methods. 4. Learn how imaging task can be incorporated as a means to drive optimal image acquisition and reconstruction techniques. 5. Learn how model-based reconstruction methods can incorporate prior information to improve image quality, ease sampling requirements, and reduce dose.
Mitochondrial ribosomal proteins in Xenopus laevis/X. mulleri interspecific hybrids.

Abstract The large subunits of mitochondrial ribosomes were isolated from two related frog species, Xenopus laevis and X. mulleri, and their proteins were compared by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Three of the proteins observed in X. laevis are absent from X. mulleri, and four of the proteins observed in X. mulleri are absent from X. laevis. More than these seven such species-specific proteins may occur. Reciprocal crosses between frogs of the two species gave two groups of F1 hybrids. Nuclear genes in these hybrids derive equally from both species, while mitochondrial DNA (and therefore mitochondrial rRNA) derived exclusively from the maternal species. Electrophoretic analyses of the large subunit proteins of these F1 animals revealed that four of the species-specific proteins are present only when their corresponding species was the mother. While this result is consistent with the coding of these four proteins by mitochondrial DNA, it does not provide evidence against nuclear coding of these proteins. A fifth protein is absent from both F1 hybrids. A sixth is present in both F1 hybrids, and a seventh is present only when its corresponding species was the father. We conclude that at least these latter two mitochondrial ribosomal proteins are encoded by nuclear genes.
Genotype-First Analysis of the 16p11.2 Deletion Defines a New Type of “Autism”

Hanson and colleagues report one of the most comprehensive neurodevelopmental and psychiatric evaluations of the BP4-BP5 16p11.2 deletion to date (1). The scope of this study was impressive: 85 carriers compared to 153 noncarriers. Studying the phenotype within the context of the family provided a means for genetically matched comparisons as well as some control for differences in socioeconomic status. Phenotypic evaluations were performed primarily at three centers with careful attention to standardization and center bias in addition to recognition of the potential issues associated with ascertainment.
Ab Initio and Experimental Studies on the Protonation of Glucose in the Gas Phase

Protonations of α- and β-d-glucopyranose in the gas phase were investigated using the ab initio molecular orbital approach at the HF/6-31G* level with full geometry optimization. Minimum-energy structures of three neutral and six protonated species for each anomer were calculated. Geometries, energies, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding in these structures are discussed. For the neutral species at 298 K the order of stability for the hydroxymethyl conformers is calculated to be GT > GG > TG for the α anomer and GG > GT > TG for the β anomer. Protonated species that least disrupt the internal hydrogen bonding network in the neutral species are considered; these include protonations on the oxygen sites labeled as the hydroxymethyl O6, the ring O5, and the exocylic hydroxyl O4. The O6 protonation in the TG conformation is electronically most favored. Energy corrections for basis-set deficiency and electron-correlation omission in the adopted theoretical procedure were estimated from high-level calculations ...
Comparative Tryptic Peptide Analysis Of Rabbit Heavy Chain Allotypes By Hplc

Abstract Reversed-phase, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a modified TFA/H2O-TFA/acetonitrile gradient has been successfully applied to the structural analysis of serologlcally defined rabbit immunoglobulln heavy chains. This mobile phase modification yields a relatively flat baseline at high UV sensitivity. Approximately 40 distinct tryptic pep-tides were resolved from each heavy chain, representing the VHa+ (a), a2, and a3) and VHa− (y33,30 and y33,−) immunoglobulin allotypes. About 30 peptides were shown to be derived from the Fc region (CH2 and CH3), and 8–10 peptides from the Fd region (VH1 and CH1). Seven Fd peptides were shared by all VHa+ and VHa− heavy chains. The al and a2 digests each displayed one allotype-specific peptide, whereas no allotype-specific peptides were observed for the a3 heavy chain. No differences were detected between the y33,30 and y33,− peptides; however, both expressed a common y-specific pep-tide. Amino acid analysis of purified al-specific and y-specific pept...
The flow of non-Newtonian solutions through packed beds

The rheological behavior of aqueous solutions of Separan AP-30®, polymethylcellulose, and polyvinylpyrrolidone was studied experimentally. These solutions exhibit non-Newtonian flow behavior in simple shear, and are characterized by one of several 2, 3, or 4 parameter rheological equations. The equations used included the power law, the Ellis model, Spriggs equation, the Herschel-Bulkley equation, and Meter's model. The power law model fits the data for each of the solutions over a limited range of shear rates, whereas the other models, which include either a lower shear rate limiting Newtonian viscosity, and/or an upper shear rate limiting Newtonian viscosity, or a yield stress, fit the data well over a wide range of shear rates from 0.00675 to 1076 sec−1. The pressure drop-flow rate data for the same aqueous solutions flowing through packed beds were correlated well by the Ergun equation using the various rheological models applied in this work to evaluate a modified fluid viscosity. In each case it was found that the rheological model which best fit the viscometric data also gave the best packed bed friction factor correlation, and that no one model, such as the powerlaw, or the Ellis model, is the best one to use in all cases for all solutions. For polyvinylpyrrolidone solutions large deviations between experimental values of friction factor and those from the Ergun equation occurred for modified Reynolds numbers greater than one. A pseudo viscoelastic parameter was used to improve the friction factor correlation empirically at high Reynolds numbers.
Large scale production of human lymphokine activated killer cells for use in adoptive immunotherapy.

Abstract Immunotherapy utilizing the adoptive transfer of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells in conjunction with recombinant interleukin 2 (RIL-2) is capable of reducing established metastatic cancer in a variety of animal tumor models. A major difficulty in the application of these efforts to the treatment of human cancer has been the activation in vitro of up to 2 × 10 11 human peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained by repeated leukaphereses. We have thus developed optimal and simplified techniques for the generation of human LAK cells for use in clinical trials. We have found that 1.5 × 10 9 lymphocytes separated on Ficoll-Hypaque gradients and incubated in 1000 ml of culture medium in a 2.3 liter roller bottle with 1000–1500 U of RIL-2 per ml, generated LAK cells capable of killing fresh human tumor cells in a 4 h chromium release assay. The culture medium used was RPMI 1640 with 2 mM glutamine, 2% heat-inactivated human AB serum, 50 μg/ml streptomycin and gentamicin and 50 U/ml penicillin. This technique allows activation of sufficient numbers of cells in a research laboratory setting to conduct human clinical trials. The administration of LAK cells generated in this fashion can mediate the regression of human tumors when administered in conjunction with IL-2.
Concurrent intradural and extradural meningiomas of the cervical spine.

A case of an extradural spinal meningioma presenting with a separate intradural meningioma at the same cord level is reported. Review of the English literature on spinal epidural meningiomas reveals a high incidence of concurrent intradural tumors in patients with epidural meningiomas. This leads to
Überwachung des toten Winkels per Seitenradar

Der tote Winkel seitlich von Lkw kann beim Abbiegen schwere Unfaelle verursachen. Gesetzliche Vorgaben zur Einfuehrung eines zusaetzlichen Weitwinkelspiegels reduzieren diese Gefahr. Dennoch kann es vorkommen, dass der Fahrer die Person neben seinem Fahrzeug uebersieht, wenn er mit der Informationsverarbeitung ueberfordert ist. Der Fahrer muss die Situation auf der Beifahrerseite wiederholt analysieren, um nicht einen Fussgaenger oder Radfahrer zu uebersehen. Der SBMP-Radar (Single-Beam-Monopulse-Radar) von Delphi uebernimmt diese Routinearbeiten, indem er den gesamten Bereich des toten Winkels ueberwacht und analysiert. Beim Ueberschreiten definierter Schwellenwerte werden akustische und/oder haptische Warnungen erzeugt. Diese warnen den Lkw-Fahrer und ermoeglichen es ihm, einen Unfall abzumildern oder zu vermeiden.
Nevanlinna inequality for intersection of divisors

A Nevanlinna-type inequality is proved for holomorphic mapf:C m →M and for intersection of sections of a line bundle overM, in which the intersection may not be pure dimensional and the map may be degenerate.
The effects of procaine HCl on population cellular and evoked response activity within the limbic system of the cat. Evidence for differential excitatory action of procaine in a variety of limbic circuits.

Abstract Adamec R.E. and Cannie Stark-Adamec: The effects of procaine HCl on population cellular and evoked response activity within the limbic system of the cat. Evidence for differential excitatory action of procaine in a variety of limbic circuits. Prog. Neuro-Psychopharmacol. & Biol. Psychiat. 1987, 11 : 345–364 1. 1. The effects of intravenous injections of procaine HCl on population cellular activity in limbic tissue and overlying cortex, and on transmission of evoked activity between limbic structures was investigated in awake cats. Clear dose-related increases in cellular activity were seen in amygdala and ventral hippocampus. Changes in cellular activity in the nucleus accumbens and temporal neocortex were also dose-related, but in a complex time-dependent manner. Changes in ventromedial hypothalamus only appeared at the second highest dose of procaine. 2. 2. Procaine facilitated transmission of evoked excitatory activity from the amygdala to the ventromedial hypothalamus, but only after a considerable delay from the time of injection. On the other hand, procaine had no effect on activity evoked in the ventral hippocampus, nucleus accumbens or temporal cortex by amygdala stimulation. 3. 3. It was concluded that intravenous procaine functions as an excitant of limbic system cells, and that procaine alters synaptic transmission in some, but not all, output pathways from the amygdala. The neuroexcitant effects of procaine appear to be idiosyncratic, however, varying over dose with limbic and cortical area examined.
Particle mixing and the breaking of charge symmetry in the $$u_1 (r, \alpha ) \simeq r^2 e^{ - \alpha r} $$ interaction

Electromagnetic mixing of isotopic-spin eigenstates leads to important charge-symmetry-breaking (CSB) elements in the\(u_1 (r, \alpha ) \simeq r^2 e^{ - \alpha r} \) interaction. The most important mixing is that for Σ0-Λ, which allows coupling of the (dominant)T=1 component of physical π0 and ρ0 to the physical Λ. π0-η and ρ0-ω-ϕ mixing give additional contributions. A single-meson-exchange CSB potential model is constructed from these mixings, with the help of the octet model ofSU3 to relate meson-baryon couplings. The difference between Λ bindings in the mirror hypernuclei4HeΔ and4HΔ may be explained with this model, in which vector-meson exchange is more important than pseudoscalar-meson exchange. Predictions of the model for\(u_1 (r, \alpha ) \simeq r^2 e^{ - \alpha r} \) scattering and for binding energies of possible excited states of the four-body hypernuclei are given.
Neues vom interplanetaren Staub: Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik in Heidelberg wertet Skylab-Experiment aus

Ergebnisse des Skylab-Experimentes, an dessen Auswertung auch das MPI fur Kernphysik in Heidelberg beteiligt ist.
A note on state-constrained optimal control

The optimal control problem with higher-order state-variable inequality constraints is treated by extending geometric arguments that were employed earlier for the first order-case.
The de-ubiquitinylating enzyme, USP2, is associated with the circadian clockwork and regulates its sensitivity to light.

We have identified a novel component of the circadian clock that regulates its sensitivity to light at the evening light to dark transition. USP2 (Ubiquitin Specific Protease 2), which de-ubiquitinylates and stabilizes target proteins, is rhythmically expressed in multiple tissues including the SCN. We have developed a knockout model of USP2 and found that exposure to low irradiance light at ZT12 increases phase delays of USP2−/− mice compared to wildtype. We additionally show that USP2b is in a complex with several clock components and regulates the stability and turnover of BMAL1, which in turn alters the expression of several CLOCK/BMAL1 controlled genes. Rhythmic expression of USP2 in the SCN and other tissues offers a new level of control of the clock machinery through de-ubiqutinylation and suggests a role for USP2 during circadian adaptation to environmental day length changes.
Anticoagulant complications in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

ImportanceThe decision whether to discontinue antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant medications before a facial plastic surgical procedure is a complicated and multifactorial process that involves weig...
Changing Structure of the Farm Input Industry: Organization, Scale, Ownership

T HE FARM input industry has evolved to a position of prominence and considerable influence in American agriculture. Economists have documented this evolutionary process in their reflections on technological innovation and adaptation. But it is interesting to note that only in the last few years has the farm input industry attracted major attention from agricultural economists as researchers. Dale Dahl [3] has suggested two major reasons for the current increased interest in the farm input industry: (1) the pronounced structural adjustments in these markets during the late 1960's and (2) the decision to include farm input markets in the "20 percent rule" relating to Hatch funds. Realization of the importance of timeliness of delivery and application, product quality, and price has also perpetuated an interest in farm input markets among those concerned with farm management and production economics.
A Technique for Long Term Decompression of Large Mandibular Cysts

Decompression is a conservative treatment that has frequently been used in the treatment of large odontogenic cysts. Techniques described in the recent literature have involved only fixation of a stent to soft tissue. In the present investigators' experiences, this technique has a high failure rate because of the dislodgement of the stent, due to tearing of the sutures over the course of a long-span treatment period. This report describes the use of a molded plastic stent that is fixated to bone and soft tissue, allowing access for daily irrigation during the long-span treatment period.
The Energy Equation for Freezing of Biological Tissue

In the past, the process of freezing in biological tissue was modeled using the regular energy equation for a homogeneous compound. New experimental evidence shows that in tissue the water freezes separately in the vascular system and in the cells. The freezing process is affected by the water transport between the cells and the blood vessels. A new equation was developed to model the experimental results. In this work the general equation for freezing of biological tissue will be presented together with a linearized version of the new equation. A perturbation solution is obtained for the linearized equation to illustrate the effect of the water transport on the freezing process in tissue.
Cavity Emissivities Greater Than One

Four references and two arrangements are described for cavity emissivities greater than one. There are different types of emissivities, but all depend on a radiometric output divided by what that output would have been if it had come from an ideal blackbody. Cavity emissivities can be greater than one for a nonisothermal cavity when the temperature of the reference blackbody is selected to have a lower value than the temperature of most of the cavity wall surface.
Dosimetric considerations for environmental radiation and NORM

Abstract The physical theory of dosimetry for environmental radiation, including radiation emitted from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), is no different than that required in any other setting where doses are estimated. However, the application of such theory to environmental radiation and NORM may require considerations that differ from dose estimation elsewhere. This is especially true if the intent is to provide estimated doses for epidemiologic analyses. It should be realized that metrics of radiation dose for radiation protection purposes are generally not the same as for analytic epidemiologic studies which require estimates of absorbed dose to specific organs of identified persons. In addition, exposures to environmental radiation and NORM typically involve radiation fields that vary considerably over space, and the patterns of an individual's movements, as well as the types of buildings in which they reside and work, can significantly affect the dose received from external radiation. Realistically describing the spatial variation of environmental exposure rates is a difficult challenge for environmental dosimetry, rather than the physical principles that are relatively well understood. This publication will review these ideas in the context of improving estimated doses from high background radiation studies.
Theories of carcinogenesis: an emerging perspective.

Four decades ago Leslie Foulds remarked that “Experimental analysis has produced an alarming mass of empirical facts without providing an adequate language for their communication or effective concepts for their synthesis”. Examining the relevance of the data avalanche we all generate and are subjected to in the context of the premises and predictions of the current cancer theories may help resolve this paradox. This goal is becoming increasingly relevant given the looming attempts to rigorously model and parameterize crucial events in carcinogenesis (microenvironmental conditions, cellular proliferation and motility), which will require the adoption of reliable premises on which to base those efforts. This choice must be made a priori, as premises are not testable, and data are not free of the theoretical frame used to gather them. In this review we provide a critical analysis of the two main currents in cancer research, one centered at the cellular level of biological organization, the somatic mutation theory, which conceptualizes carcinogenesis as a problem of cell proliferation control, and the other centered at the tissue level, the tissue organization filed theory, which considers carcinogenesis a process akin to organogenesis gone awry.
Status asthmaticus treated by high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.

We present a 2.5-year-old girl in severe asthma crisis who clinically deteriorated on conventional mechanical ventilation, but was successfully ventilated with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). Although HFOV is accepted as a technique for managing pediatric respiratory failure, its use in obstructive airway disease is generally thought to be contraindicated because of the risk of dynamic air-trapping. However, we suggest that obstructive airway disease can safely be managed with HFOV, provided certain conditions are met. These include the application of sufficiently high mean airway pressures to open and stent the airways (“an open airway strategy”), lower frequencies to overcome the greater attenuation of the oscillatory waves in the narrowed airways, permissive hypercapnia to enable reducing pressure swings as much as possible, longer expiratory times, and muscle paralysis to avoid spontaneous breathing. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2000; 30:350–353. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Single- and double-pion emission in proton decay via three-quark fusion

Single- and double-pion production in proton decay are considered by assuming some MIT bag model results for the three-quark fusion process. Combined pseudoscalar and pseudovector BBM vertices are considered together. It is predicted that the lifetimes for double- and single-pion emission are related by τ(p → 27π0+e+) ≈ ≈ 1.72 τ (p→π0 + e+).
AI in Computer Games: Smarter games are making for a better user experience. What does the future hold?

If you’ve been following the game development scene, you’ve probably heard many remarks such as: "The main role of graphics in computer games will soon be over; artificial intelligence is the next big thing!" Although you should hardly buy into such statements, there is some truth in them. The quality of AI (artificial intelligence) is a high-ranking feature for game fans in making their purchase decisions and an area with incredible potential to increase players’ immersion and fun.
An Experiment in Education

Professor Epstein discusses new approaches to the problems of established teaching methods. He describes a technique of teaching in which research papers are studied in class with a view to finding out what a scientist does and how he works.
A time-resolved resonance Raman study of chlorine dioxide photochemistry in water and acetonitrile

The photochemistry of chlorine dioxide (OClO) has attracted much interest due to its participation in the atmospheric chlorine reservoir as well as its potential role in stratospheric ozone depletion. Since the environmental impact of OClO arises from its ability to produce atomic chlorine, understanding this phase-dependent reactivity is essential if models capable of predicting the environmental impact of OClO in both homogeneous and heterogeneous settings are to be obtained. The photochemistry of chlorine dioxide (OClO) in water and acetonitrile is investigated using time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy. Stokes and anti-Stokes spectra are measured as a function of time following photoexcitation using degenerate pump and probe wavelengths of 390 nm. For aqueous OClO, the time-dependent Stokes intensities are found to be consistent with the re-formation of ground-state OClO by subpicosecond geminate recombination of the primary ClO and O photofragments. This represents the first unequivocal demonstration of primary-photoproduct geminate recombination in the condensed-phase photochemistry of OClO. Anti-Stokes intensity corresponding to the OClO symmetric stretch is observed demonstrating that, following geminate recombination, excess vibrational energy is deposited along this coordinate. Analysis of the anti-Stokes decay kinetics demonstrates that, in water, intermolecular vibrational relaxation occurs with a time constant of {approximately}9 ps. For OClO dissolvedmore » in acetonitrile, the Stokes scattering intensities are consistent with a significant reduction in the geminate-recombination quantum yield relative to water. Comparison of the OClO anti-Stokes decay kinetics in acetonitrile and water demonstrates that the rate of intermolecular vibrational relaxation is {approximately}4 times smaller in acetonitrile. Finally, in both solvents the appearance of symmetric-stretch anti-Stokes intensity is significantly delayed relative to geminate recombination. This delay is consistent with the initial deposition of excess vibrational energy along the asymmetric-stretch coordinate followed by intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution. The time scale for this redistribution is {approximately}5 ps in water and {approximately}20 ps in acetonitrile suggesting that intramolecular vibrational energy reorganization is solvent dependent.« less
An X-ray diffraction study of anion and ratio dependence in the formation of discrete molecules versus polymeric arrays involving silver salts and bipyridine ligands

Abstract Described are the reaction of the silver(I) salts of trifluoroacetate (tfa−) and trifluoromethanesulfonate (Otf−) with the bidentate ligands 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (L1), 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (L2) and 2,2′-bipyridine (L3), to afford the formation of five structures. A systematic study was conducted to obtain the different coordination moieties possible by changing the ligand to metal ratio and the solvent of crystallization. In total, six discrete molecules (Agtfa)(L1), 1, (Agtfa)(L2), 2A and 2B, (AgOtf)2(L2)3, 3A and 3B, (AgOtf)2(L3)3, 5, and one polymeric structure (AgOtf)(L3)n, 4 were obtained. Compounds 2 and 3 form two crystal structures each, where differences in connectivity of the corresponding anion to the metal center are observed, as directed by solvent of crystallization. The varying degree of interaction of the two anions, combined with the functionality of the ligand used in the reaction, gave rise to coordination numbers from 4 to 6, representing capped-trigonal, distorted tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal and distorted octahedral environments, which illustrate the range of coordination moieties that can be adopted in silver(I) complexes, and the possibility of systematic control of the coordination framework topology of a compound. This study complements the already reported silver coordinated structures associated with the bipyridine ligands mentioned herein.
Effects of β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate Free Acid Ingestion and Resistance Exercise on the Acute Endocrine Response

Objective. To examine the endocrine response to a bout of heavy resistance exercise following acute β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB-FA) ingestion. Design. Twenty resistance trained men were randomized and consumed either 1 g of HMB-FA (BetaTor) or placebo (PL) 30 min prior to performing an acute heavy resistance exercise protocol. Blood was obtained before (PRE), immediately after (IP), and 30 min after exercise (30P). Circulating concentrations of testosterone, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and insulin were assayed. Data were analyzed with a repeated measures ANOVA and area under the curve (AUC) was analyzed by the trapezoidal rule. Results. The resistance exercise protocol resulted in significant elevations from PRE in testosterone , GH , and insulin at IP, with GH and insulin remaining elevated at 30P. A significant interaction was noted between groups in the plasma GH response at IP, which was significantly higher following HMB-FA compared to PL . AUC analysis revealed an elevated GH and IGF-1 response in the HMB-FA group compared to PL. Conclusion. HMB-FA prior to resistance exercise augments the GH response to high volume resistance exercise compared to PL. These findings provide further support for the potential anabolic benefits associated with HMB supplementation.