cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finding the optimal parameters for a software reliability model

Failure rate parameters exert a great deal of influence on the accuracy of software reliability predictions. Thus, it behooves us to examine the methods that are used to estimate the parameters. The value of parameters is determined by the pattern of historical failure data and the amount of data used in the estimates. Conventional wisdom suggests that all the data be used. However, this could be counterproductive if all the data are not representative of the current and future failure process. Therefore, we can analyze these factors to obtain the optimal parameter estimates, where “optimal” means parameter values that will result in minimum prediction error. We examine one software reliability model that does not use all the failure data if a priori analysis indicates that optimal parameter values could not be obtained. Historically, this model has used a mean square error criterion (MSE) of the difference between actual and predicted reliability in the parameter estimation range. However, it has been observed that this policy does not always result in minimum error predictions in the prediction range. Therefore, we investigated the linear interpolation estimation method as an alternative to MSE for three NASA shuttle flight software releases comprising forty-two reliability predictions. Interestingly, linear interpolation provided better prediction accuracy, overall. We believe our analysis can be applied to other software and failure data. In order to systematize our thinking on developing new models using linear interpolation, we employed object-oriented design concepts as guides to implementing C++ programs for evaluating linear interpolation with respect to MSE.
Controlling for Burnout in Estimating Mortgage Prepayment Models

Abstract Burnout is a consequence of unobservable predictive variables. This paper describes a methodology for estimating mortgage prepayment models which corrects for burnout. The paper generalizes the approach of Deng, Quigley, and Van Order ( Econometrica , 68, 275–307, 1998) and Stanton ( Rev. Finan. Stud. 8, 677–708, 1995) in modeling the impact of unobservable variables as a probability distribution. The estimator is applied to a sample of loan histories and the results compared to a conventional logit analysis of the data. Predictions and simulations from both models are compared to illustrate the properties of the new estimator.
Ethanol-Induced Changes in Peripheral Blood and Splenic Natural Killer Cells

Previous work demonstrated that splenic natural killer (NK) cell cytolytic activity was suppressed in ethanol-consuming mice within 1 week and for as long as 10 weeks concurrent with ethanol intake. However, it is unknown if suppression of NK cell activity with ethanol consumption results from regional losses in NK cells. The present experiments were designed to examine the effect of ethanol on the percentage and total number of NK cells in the spleen and blood. Data indicate that, after 4 weeks of ethanol intake, NK cell activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes was also suppressed (50% of controls). With short-term (2-week) exposure, the percentage of NK cells in the blood and the spleen remained relatively constant. In the spleen, changes in the number of NK cells reflected generalized fluctuations in lymphocyte numbers rather than variation in the percentage of NK cells. NK cells were most sensitive to the effects of ethanol during long-term (8-week) ethanol intake, as demonstrated by significant reductions in the total percentage of NK 1.1+ cells in the blood, and the LGL-1+ subset in the blood and spleen. These results provide insight into the mechanism of NK modulation by ethanol. Because NK cells were not selectively depleted after 2–4 weeks of ethanol intake, loss of cytolytically active NK cells cannot explain the suppression of in vitro cytolytic activity of cells from ethanol-consuming mice. However, with prolonged ethanol intake (8 weeks), the depletion of NK cells, specifically the LGL-1+ subset, may contribute to the overall suppression of NK cell cytolytic function.
Factors influencing distribution of cerebral gas embolism.

Abstract The results of a series of experiments in baboons centrally cooled to a brain temperature of 18 °C have been described. These studies were characterized by 50% reduction in blood flow to cerebellum after cooling, relative increase in distribution to cerebellar cortex as opposed to white matter, and reduced cerebral oxygen extraction. The physical factors of importance are the viscosity of the blood, chiefly the effect to hematocrit, surface tension, the surface tension coefficient between gas and blood, the radius of the vessel, aud the velocity of the bubble.
First Thornburgh Family Lecture on Disability Law and Policy Americans: Americans with Disabilities and Their Civil Rights: Past, Present, and Future

It is a special honor for me to address distinguished faculty, colleagues and friends of the University of Pittsburgh. I thank particularly Chancellor Mark Nordenberg, and Deans Brubaker, Herring, and Seelman. These individuals and others, in partnership with the Thornburgh Family, have shown tremendous generosity and vision to create this marvelous lecture on disability law and policy.
Pulmonary dysfunction as a major cause of inoperability among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Abstract Purpose We wanted to assess the prevalence of pulmonary dysfunction as the underlying reason for inoperability among patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were considered for surgical treatment at the time of diagnosis. Patients and Methods This is a retrospective analysis of all patients with NSCLC referred to our pulmonary function laboratory for preoperative evaluation between January 2001 and November 2001. Pulmonary function testing consisted of measurement of spirometric indices (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]), lung volumes and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, Xenon-133 quantitative ventilation and perfusion studies, and exercise testing when indicated. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics at the time of the evaluation were reviewed. Results The group comprised 206 consecutive potential surgical candidates (mean age, 64.7 years ± 10.1 years) with NSCLC. Nearly half (45.6%) of the patients had early-stage (I/II) disease, and the remainder had late-stage disease at the time of pulmonary evaluation. The average predicted FEV1 among all patients was 70.3% ± 19.6% (range, 25%-123%). One hundred eight patients (52.4%) were deemed surgically inoperable after the preoperative assessment. Severe pulmonary function impairment was identified as the reason for surgical inoperability in more than one third of these patients (40 of 108). Conclusion A substantial number of patients with anatomically resectable NSCLC are deemed surgically ineligible based on poor lung function. Recognition of the magnitude of this problem is fundamental to the development of effective treatment options, which might include preoperative management strategies that could better prepare patients for surgery or, alternatively, aggressive nonsurgical approaches.
Model calculations of local electron and phonon densities of states in bimetallic superlattices

We have analytically obtained the exact Green's functions for electrons and phonons in a bimetallic superlattice. The electrons are treated in the tight-binding approximation, and the phonons are of one acoustic branch in a lattice with nearest-neighbor coupling. The most interesting effects arise near the interfaces when the acoustical or electronic coupling between layers is large compared to the intralayer coupling. In this large coupling case, the local phonon density of states at low frequency is enhanced by a linear contribution due to interface modes. The appearance of electronic interface states in the local density of states is discussed. The impact of our results on superconducting properties is considered. The influence of zone-folding effects is found to be small.
Simultaneous determination of cytosine arabinoside, its nucleotides and metabolites by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract Currently available high-performance liquid chromatographic assays for cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) and its metabolites suffer from two major shortcomings: inability to resolve both ara-C and its nucleotides in a single chromatographic step and/or inadequate sensitivity to allow quantitation of intracellular cytosine arabinofuranoside-5′-triphosphate (ara-CTP) without the use of radiolabelled drug. In this paper, we describe a new ion-pairing high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for ara-C in biological samples that can separate ara-C from its nucleotides, metabolites, and naturally occurring ribonucleotides in a single chromatographic step with a lower limit of quantitation of 5 pmol for ara-C and 10 pmol for ara-CTP. Examples of the utility of this assay are shown in studies of intracellular pharmacokinetics of ara-C in cultured human breast cancer cells and in analysis of plasma nucleoside levels in patients receiving high-dose thymidine chemotherapy. We conclude that this assay provides a rapid and versatile system that can be applied to the study of both cellular and plasma nucleoside pharmacokinetics.
POLITICAL DEMOCRACY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DISARTICULATION, AND SOCIAL WELL‐BEING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The level of political democracy is hypothesized to have an independent positive effect on social well-being irrespective of either level of economic development or level of disarticulation of economies of developing countries, which is considered to be the most socially harmful structural feature created by dependency. In addition, political democracy is hypothesized to buffer the negative effects of disarticulation on social well-being. Findings from the analysis of data from eighty-two developing countries confirm these hypotheses. Political democracy showed a consistent positive effect on social well-being measures, and the least democratic countries were more vulnerable to the negative effects of disarticulation. These findings underscore the independent positive role that political democracy may play in improving social well-being in developing countries.
Multiple sclerosis: Immunochemical studies on the demyelinating serum factor

Summary Sera from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently produce demyelination of central nervous system tissue cultures. The nature of the factors responsible for demyelination is not as yet clearly established. However, several authors previously reported, in in vivo and in vitro models, demyelinating activity in IgG fractions isolated from sera and cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients14,42,48. We found the demyelinating activity of MS sera to be extremely labile to conventional biochemical treatments. Therefore, we isolated IgG from MS sera by absorption with staphylococcal protein A. Protein A binds specifically IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4. With this method we were able to remove most of the IgG, leaving only a small percentage, most probably IgG3, in the sera. Isolated IgG fractions from several sera of MS patients in the presence of human complement actively demyelinated central nervous system tissue cultures. Although a small, but significant, decrease in demyelinating activity could be observed in most of the sera absorbed with protein A, the majority of the demyelinating activity could not be removed by this treatment. From these studies, it appears that at least the majority of demyelinating activity in MS sera is not associated with IgG1, IgG2 or IgG4. If IgG is responsible for demyelination, IgG3 will most likely be the active factor.
Do For-profit health plans restrict access to high-cost procedures?

Abstract Question Do for-profit health plans restrict access to high-cost procedures compared with not-for-profit health plans? Study design Cohort study. Main results In unadjusted analyses, for-profit health plan beneficiaries had higher rates of all high-cost procedures than not-for-profit health plan beneficiaries; the difference was significant for 4 out of 12 procedures (see Table 1). Rates of usage remained higher in for-profit plans after adjustment for participants’ sociodemographic factors, county of residence, and health plan characteristics (see Table 1). Table 1 Difference in rates of high-cost procedures between for-profit plans and not-for-profit plans. Procedure Difference per 10,000 beneficiaries (95% CI) Unadjusted Adjusted for sociodemographic factors ∗ Adjusted for health plan characteristics † , sociodemographic Adjusted for county of residence ‡ , sociodemographic factors, health plan characteristics Hysterectomy 2.6 (−0.3 to 5.5) 2.7 (−0.2 to 5.6) 2.2 (−1.0 to 5.4) 2.5 (0.6 to 4.3) § Prostatectomy 4.3 (−1.4 to 10.1) 3.8 (−1.9 to 9.6) 3.3 (−3.1 to 9.8) 6.3 (0.2 to 12.3) § Closed cholecystectomy 5.8 (−0.2 to 11.9) 6.1 (0.1 to 12.1) § 7.0 (0.4 to 13.6) § 7.7 (3.4 to 11.9) § Open cholecystectomy 0.8 (−1.6 to 3.1) 0.8 (−1.5 to 3.2) 0.6 (−2.1 to 3.3) 1.9 (−0.1 to 3.8) Partial colectomy 4.0 (−1.0 to 9.0) 4.4 (−0.6 to 9.4) 6.0 (0.3 to 11.6) § 8.4 (4.8 to 12.0) § Reduction of femur fracture 2.6 (−2.9 to 8.2) 6.0 (0.5 to 11.4) § 5.3 (−0.9 to 11.4) 6.4 (1.1 to 11.6) § Total knee replacement 5.1 (−1.0 to 11.2) 5.1 (−0.9 to 11.2) 5.7 (−0.9 to 12.4) 8.3 (3.1 to 13.6) § Total hip replacement 2.4 (−5.1 to 10.0) 3.0 (−4.5 to 10.5) 2.3 (−6.2 to 10.9) 5.4 (0.8 to 9.9) § Cardiac catheterisation 31.6 (9.0 to 54.2) § 31.0 (8.7 to 53.3) § 15.2 (−9.2 to 39.5) 26.5 (14.1 to 38.9) § Coronary artery bypass grafting 10.3 (2.5 to 15.1) § 10.7 (3.1 to 18.3) § 7.6 (−1.0 to 16.2) 6.3 (0 to 12.7) § Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty 8.5 (1.0 to 16.1) § 9.0 (1.6 to 16.4) § 6.0 (−2.3 to 14.3) 2.6 (−2.8 to 8.0) Carotid endarterectomy 5.4 (1.0 to 9.9) § 6.0 (1.6 to 10.4) § 2.3 (−2.5 to 7.1) 4.2 (1.1 to 7.3) § ∗ Sociodemographic factors: sex, age, race or ethnic group, income, education, rural or urban residence, Medicaid eligibility. † Health plan characteristics: years in operation, number of beneficiaries, health plan model type (independent practice association, network, mixed, group or staff). ‡ Differences weighted according to county of residence of beneficiaries. § P . Authors’ conclusions There is no evidence that for-profit heath plan beneficiaries are less likely to receive high-cost procedures than not-for-profit health plan beneficiaries.
Preclinical development of a bifunctional cancer cell homing, PKCε inhibitory peptide for the treatment of head and neck cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most frequent cancer worldwide, comprising approximately 50% of all malignancies in some developing nations. Our recent work identified protein kinase Cepsilon (PKCepsilon) as a critical and causative player in establishing an aggressive phenotype in HNSCC. In this study, we investigated the specificity and efficacy of HN1-PKCepsilon, a novel bifunctional cancer cell homing, PKCepsilon inhibitory peptide, as a treatment for HNSCC. HN1-PKCepsilon peptide was designed by merging two separate technologies and synthesized as a capped peptide with two functional modules, HN1 (cancer cell homing) and PKCepsilon (specific PKCepsilon inhibitory), connected by a novel linker module. HN1-PKCepsilon preferentially internalized into UMSCC1 and UMSCC36 cells, two HNSCC cell lines, in comparison with oral epithelial cells: 82.1% positive for UMSCC1 and 86.5% positive for UMSCC36 compared with 1.2% positive for oral epithelial cells. In addition, HN1-PKCepsilon penetrated HNSCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Consistent with these in vitro observations, systemic injection of HN1-PKCepsilon resulted in selective delivery of HN1-PKCepsilon into UMSCC1 xenografts in nude mice. HN1-PKCepsilon blocked the translocation of active PKCepsilon in UMSCC1 cells, confirming HN1-PKCepsilon as a PKCepsilon inhibitor. HN1-PKCepsilon inhibited cell invasion by 72 +/- 2% (P < 0.001, n = 12) and cell motility by 56 +/- 2% (P < 0.001, n = 5) in UMSCC1 cells. Moreover, in vivo bioluminescence imaging showed that HN1-PKCepsilon significantly (83 +/- 1% inhibition; P < 0.02) retards the growth of UMSCC1 xenografts in nude mice. Our work indicates that the bifunctional HN1-PKCepsilon inhibitory peptide represents a promising novel therapeutic strategy for HNSCC.
Use of Fluorescent Probes to Determine Molecular Architecture in Phase Separating Epoxy Systems

A novel route for morphological characterization of phase separating toughener and cross-linker for epoxy matrices has been investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. Phase behavior of the individual components is determined by attaching different fluorescent probes to the toughener and cross-linker. In contrast to other techniques such as transmission eletron microscopy (TEM), this method allows resolution between similar components in which selective staining cannot be achieved.
The Semianalytic Mode Matching Algorithm for GPR Wave Scattering From Multiple Complex Objects Buried in a Rough Lossy Dielectric Half-Space

The semianalytic mode matching (SAMM) algorithm is a quick and efficient computational method that models wave scattering from multiple objects in half-spaces. This algorithm re lies heavily on appropriate choices of coordinate scattering centers (CSCs) for various modal expansions. Here, SAMM is used to simulate scattering from irregularly shaped 2-D lossy objects embedded in realistic half-space media with rough ground surfaces. Because the CSC locations for complex scatterers are much more dependent on object or interface geometry than frequency and are independent of the dielectric contrast between scatterer and back ground, it is worthwhile to carefully analyze particular scattering object shapes and store the optimal CSC locations for future use. In addition, scattering from multiple targets buried beneath rough ground surfaces can be constructed from simpler simulations of the individual targets taken separately, where combining these simpler simulations correctly can increase robustness in large SAMM simulations. Excellent results are found by comparing 2-D SAMM with 2-D finite-difference frequency domain for multiple scattering objects on the order of a fraction to several wavelengths in size located within rough half-space dielectric backgrounds.
Improving the approach to organ donation: a review.

Organ transplantation continues to be hindered by a limited supply of organs. A significant percentage of potential organ donors are lost to either medical failure or inability to obtain consent for donation. In a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) we have refocused our efforts toward aggressive resuscitation, directed by control of coagulopathy, invasive monitoring, and dedicated ICU management while implementing a rapid brain death determination protocol. Over a 6-year period the length of stay until the legal determination of brain death is made has been significantly shortened (12.0 vs. 3.4 hours; p < 0.05), as have associated charges despite this more aggressive approach. As a result, we have eliminated medical failures prior to donation (13% vs. 0%) and increased consent rates (44% vs. 71%; p < 0.05). These efforts have significantly improved the number of organs harvested per eligible donor (1.8 vs. 3.4; p < 0.05). In addition, the number of organs per actual donor has increased and is now markedly greater than the U.S. national average (4.7 vs. 3.7). We believe the approach presented, if widely applied, could potentially improve the current organ supply shortage.
Conductance anomalies for normal-metal--insulator--superconductor contacts

This paper considers the conductance through a dirty junction between a normal conductor and a superconductor with an insulating barrier. It is shown that for large-barrier resistances there is a relative enhancement of the conductance near zero voltage, whereas for low-barrier resistance this anomaly appears at finite voltage.
Advancing Molecular Diagnostics for Trypanosomatid Parasites

This commentary highlights the article by Gonzalez-Andrade et al who investigated a conserved spliced leader RNA as an attractive new molecular target for next-generation diagnostics in diseases caused by trypanosomatids.
The red pill: social studies, media texts, and literacies

This article explores the use of media texts in contemporary high school social studies classrooms. Much of the current research regarding media education in social studies classes has focused on history classes and has centered on small idealized samples of both teachers and students. This study, based on the observations conducted in eight secondary social studies classrooms located in urban, suburban, and rural high schools in the Midwestern region of the USA, provides insight into type and frequency of media text interaction in a broad range of social studies courses and contexts. Results indicate that students had few opportunities to interact with media texts in the classrooms. In addition, there was only a small amount of class time devoted specifically to media literacies skill development. Implications of these findings are discussed and may provide a reality check for the status of media use in high school social studies classrooms.
From Tank Town to High Tech: The Clash of Community and Industrial Cycles

From Tank Town to High Tech: The Clash of Community and Industrial Cycles. by June C. Nash. 1989. State University of New York Press, Albany, N.Y.
Use of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides as immune adjuvants

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG motifs directly stimulate human B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), thereby promoting the production of T helper 1 (Th1) and pro-inflammatory cytokines and the maturation/activation of professional antigen-presenting cells. These activities enable CpG ODNs to act as immune adjuvants, accelerating and boosting antigen-specific immune responses by 5-500-fold. These effects are optimized by maintaining close physical contact between the CpG DNA and the immunogen. Animal challenge models establish that protective immunity can be accelerated and magnified by coadministering CpG DNA with vaccines. Ongoing clinical studies indicate that CpG ODNs are safe and well tolerated when administered as adjuvants to humans, and in some cases, they increase vaccine-induced immune responses.
When Clients' Morbid Avoidance and Chronic Anger Impede Their Response to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression.

In spite of the fact that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for major depressive disorder is an empirically supported treatment, some clients do not respond optimally or readily. The literature has provided a number of hypotheses regarding the factors that may play a role in these clients' difficulties in responding to CBT, with the current paper focusing on two of these: (a) morbid avoidance, and (b) chronic anger. Clients who engage in extreme avoidance patterns (including experiential avoidance) often leave therapy prematurely, and even when they attend sessions they typically struggle to face homework assignments and other central aspects of treatment. This problem is compounded when the clients also maintain longstanding feelings of anger and bitterness secondary to beliefs about having been wronged in life. They reason that they have the right to refuse any situation or experience that would add to their subjective sense of burden, including the challenging work of CBT. The case of “Trixie” highlights how the CBT therapist has to strike a balance between nurturing and validating the client so as to encourage her to remain in the depression treatment study in which she is enrolled, and focusing on issues and promoting homework assignments that are most germane to her depression and its maintaining factors of avoidance and anger. Implications for conducting CBT and research with depressed clients such as Trixie are discussed, including methods to retain the clients in treatment, facilitating their learning of and memory for the therapy, and repairing strains in the therapeutic relationship.
Dimensions of private self-consciousness and attributional style

Abstract The present study demonstrated that Private Self-Consciousness (PrSC) apparently predicts less internal attributional bias because of an embedded internal State of Awareness (ISA) dimension built into the PrSC scale. Previous findings of attributional bias being more strongly associated with this trait may have been caused by using samples that were low in ISA but high in a distinctly different Self Reflectiveness dimension.
CDROM: hypes and hopes for the rest of the century

The CDROM industry is surrounded by hype. Many believe that it will be the panacea for information storage and delivery. Others predict that it will disappear as online systems and services become increasingly prevalent. The most‐likely scenario — at least for the rest of the century — is peaceful co‐existence and some convergence of the two technologies. CDROM technology and applications will strive for years to come. This keynote address reviews the most current and the likely future developments in the areas of CDROM database contents, software, hardware and marketing.
Region specific increases in oxidative stress and superoxide dismutase in the hippocampus of diabetic rats subjected to stress.

Oxidative stress and modulation of anti-oxidant enzymes may contribute to the deleterious consequences of diabetes mellitus and to the effects of chronic (i.e. 21 day) stress in the CNS. We therefore compared the effects of short- and long-term exposure to diabetes-induced hyperglycemia, restraint stress and the combined effects of restraint stress and diabetes upon parameters of oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus. Whereas 7 days of restraint stress or hyperglycemia, or the combination, produced similar increases in oxidative stress markers 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) throughout the hippocampus, 21 days of stress or hyperglycemia did not increase these markers in the dentate gyrus. In contrast, Ammon's horn still showed elevated levels of these lipid peroxidation products, especially in diabetic rats subjected to 21 days of restraint stress. The expression of two anti-oxidant enzymes, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and manganese SOD, was also differentially regulated by stress and hyperglycemia in a time- and region-specific manner in the rat hippocampus. Although long-term stress decreased both SOD isoforms, diabetes increased Cu/Zn-SOD expression in DG with or without 21 days of repeated stress. These increases may account for the finding that protein-conjugated HNE and MDA levels returned to control levels between 7 days and 21 days of hyperglycemia or the combination of diabetes and stress. These results suggest that while other anti-oxidant pathways may account for decreases in oxidative stress in the long-term stress paradigm, increases in Cu/Zn-SOD expression may contribute to the region-specific attenuation of oxidative stress in the diabetic rat hippocampus.
Isotope separator on-line at the Princeton-Pennsylvania accelerator☆

Abstract An isotope separator placed on-line at the 3-GeV Princeton-Pennsylvania synchroton for the study of short-lived nuclides produced by spallation is described. Initial experiences with a target of molten lead are presented.
Bi-ionic potentials across liquid anion exchanger membranes.

The bi-ionic potentials, B. I. P.'s, arising in cells of the type: A+L−c1| liquid anion exchanger membrane of extreme anionic selectivity| A+M−c1, are surveyed briefly but systematically. The membranes consisted of trioctyl-propyl ammonium salts dissolved ino-dichlorobenzene. As anticipated on the basis of previous theoretical and experimental work on porous membranes, the following regularities were observed. The B.I.P. arising with any pair of critical ions is essentially independent of the activity of the aqueous electrolytic solutions used, and is essentially independent of the degree of loading of the membrane with ion-exchanger compound. The B.I.P.'s are higher the farther apart the two critical anions under consideration, L− and M−, are in the Hofmeister The B.I.P.'s, as shown in a series of 21 cells with seven different univalent critical ions are algebraically additive, in the sense that within the limits of the experimental error $$B.I.P._{L^ - /M^ - } + B.I.P._{M^ - /N^ - } = B.I.P._{L^ - /N^ - } ,$$ where L−, M−, and N− represent any arbitrary combination of the anions used.
Ventricular fibrillation time constant for swine

The strength–duration curve for cardiac excitation can be modeled by a parallel resistor–capacitor circuit that has a time constant. Experiments on six pigs were performed by delivering current from the X26 Taser dart at a distance from the heart to cause ventricular fibrillation (VF). The X26 Taser is an electromuscular incapacitation device (EMD), which generates about 50 kV and delivers a pulse train of about 15–19 pulses s−1 with a pulse duration of about 150 µs and peak current about 2 A. Similarly a continuous 60 Hz alternating current of the amplitude required to cause VF was delivered from the same distance. The average current and duration of the current pulse were estimated in both sets of experiments. The strength–duration equation was solved to yield an average time constant of 2.87 ms ± 1.90 (SD). Results obtained may help in the development of safety standards for future electromuscular incapacitation devices (EMDs) without requiring additional animal tests.
Sensemaking and robust decision engineering: Synchrophasors and their application for a secure smart grid

The growing complexity of electrical power grids is demanding increasingly innovative solutions to build more stable and secure grids, a trending that is particularly evident across the spectrum of industrialized countries. Such a need is also clear for emerging countries, wherein China has rapidly become a key development player whose technological solutions could have a pivotal impact on other infrastructure-hungry regions of the world (e.g. Sub-Saharan Africa). This paper provides an overview of the smart grid transmogrification, via the state-of-the-practice application of proactive and responsive nodes - synchrophasors - within the U.S. power grid and presents a comparison with the efforts of other actors, such as China and Sub-Saharan African. Specifically, the potential advantages of the application of synchrophasors, as well as the issues challenging their application, are taken into account. As happens in ecological systems, value is created “by making connections,” and synchrophasors do indeed enable “collective intelligence,” “promote collaboration,” and well contribute towards scalability and sustainability - the realm of Digital Ecosystems.
Some observations on iatrogenic oro-conjunctival fistulae.

Abstract Some of the problems associated with an iatrogenic oro-conjunctival fistula are presented and discussed.
Mental Accounting and Disaggregation Based on the Sign and Relative Magnitude of Income Statement Items

ABSTRACT: Current financial reporting guidance allows managers flexibility as to whether to disaggregate income statement items. Such flexibility is problematic if managers prefer to aggregate in some situations and disaggregate in others because we conjecture that investors' evaluations of firms will predictably differ depending on whether performance information is shown in an aggregated or disaggregated fashion. We conduct a series of related experiments within the context of compound financial instruments to investigate whether managers' preferences follow the predictions of mental accounting theory; specifically, that presentation preferences vary as a function of the sign and relative magnitude of the income statement items. Results reveal that managers' disaggregation preferences reflect mental accounting. Further, the effects of mental accounting are moderated only when managers feel high pressure to report transparently. Finally, and most importantly, the preferred presentations of managers resu...
N,N′-Thiophene-substituted polyamine analogs inhibit mammalian host cell invasion and intracellular multiplication of Trypahosoma cruzi

We studied the effects of two N,N'-thiophene-substituted polyamine analogs (MDL 28302 and MDL 29431) on the capacities of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease, to invade and multiply within a mammalian host cell. Both compounds inhibited infectivity significantly in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition resulted from a selective effect on the parasite, because pretreatment of T. cruzi but not host cell cultures with either MDL 28302 or MDL 29431 reduced infectivity. The parasite gradually recovered its infective capacity after removal of unincorporated polyamine analog, denoting the reversible nature of the inhibitory effect. Some biochemical modification of MDL 28302 and MDL 29431 appeared to be required for their inhibitory activities to be exerted, since the effects of these drugs on T. cruzi infectivity were abrogated by MDL 72527, a drug known to inhibit polyamine oxidase (PAO) activity specifically. Supporting the notion of that products of MDL 28302 and MDL 29431 oxidation by PAO were involved in the activity of these compounds was the finding that PAO competitive substrates (N1-acetylspermine and N1-acetylspermidine) also abolished the inhibition of T. cruzi infectivity mediated by MDL 28302 or MDL 29431. However, we can not rule out that MDL 72527 and the PAO competitive substrates might have altered an alternative mechanism because no significant polyamine oxidase activity could be demonstrated in preparations of lysed or intact T. cruzi in assays monitoring conversion of [14C]spermine to [14C]spermidine. When either MDL 28302 or MDL 29431 was added to infected cell cultures, a marked reduction in the rate of intracellular parasite growth ensued.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
L-selectin shear thresholding modulates leukocyte secondary capture.

Transient homotypic adhesions between flowing leukocytes and those previously adherent on the vessel wall has been proposed to amplify the accumulation of leukocytes at sites of inflammation. While adhesion of leukocytes to the vessel wall (primary capture) is mediated primarily by P-selectin on the endothelium and P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 (PSGL-1) on the leukocyte, the homotypic interactions leading to downstream leukocyte adhesion (secondary capture) are mediated primarily by reciprocal interactions between PSGL-1 and L-selectin on apposing leukocytes. One consequence of leukocyte secondary capture events are the formation of strings of adherent leukocytes as each recently captured leukocyte in turn captures another one flowing over its surface. Interestingly, PSGL-1-L-selectin interactions also mediate leukocyte hydrodynamic shear thresholding, whereby leukocyte rolling on purified L-selectin ligands such as PSGL-1 is maximized at a wall shear stress of ∼1 dyne/cm2 and minimized at both higher and lower flow rates. Using a novel quantitative method, we analyzed leukocyte string formation in vitro and found that hydrodynamic shear thresholding precluded secondary capture at low shear stresses yet amplified it at high shear stresses. Addition of the L-selectin mAb DREG-56 strongly inhibited leukocyte string formation, suggesting adhesion contributed significantly to hydrodynamic interactions in secondary capture processes. Taken together, the data suggest that secondary capture is modulated by the shear thresholding property of L-selectin. L-selectin mediated shear thresholding may therefore play a significant role in the regulation of leukocyte secondary capture in addition to recently described hydrodynamic recruitment mechanisms.
Limited feedback in massive MIMO systems: Exploiting channel correlations via noncoherent trellis-coded quantization

Accurate channel state information at the transmitter can significantly enhance the performance of multiple antenna systems, but efficient channel quantization techniques must be developed in order to scale such informed transmitter strategies to frequency division duplexed (FDD) massive MIMO systems. Recent results show that noncoherent trellis-coded quantization (NTCQ) is an effective approach for limited feedback transmit beamforming with a large number of transmit antennas. In this paper, we investigate extensions of NTCQ that exploit channel correlations in time and space to significantly reduce the required feedback rate. Our numerical results show that near-optimal beamforming with moderate feedback overhead can be obtained in massive MIMO systems.
Response to Dancer’s Comments on Our Article “Substrate Modification Approach to Achieve Efficient Resolution: Didesmethylcitalopram: A Key Intermediate for Escitalopram” [Org. Process Res. Dev. 2007, 11, 289−292]

Recently, we published a synthesis of escitalopram (S-1) consisting of the resolution of didesmethylcitalopram (3) and subsequent methylation of S-didesmethylcitalopram (S-3) (Org. Process Res. Dev. 2007, 11, 289−292). Some of our observations regarding citalopram resolution and C-alkylation of a benzofuran analogue (2) to produce didesmethylcitalopram (3) were disputed by Dr. Dancer of H. Lundbeck (preceding article). A detailed response to his comments regarding stabilization of the 3-chloroproylamine free base by dilution with certain solvents, its storage and handling, optimized experimental conditions for C-alkylation to prepare didesmethylcitalopram, and a corrected process for citalopram resolution are included.
Learning from positive and unlabeled documents for automated detection of alternative splicing sentences in medline abstracts

Alternative splicing is considered to be a key factor underlying increased cellular and functional complexity in higher eukaryotes. With the advance of high-throughput genomics technologies, it becomes critical to mine alternative splicing knowledge from biological research literature. Meanwhile, there have been many papers published on DNA splicing and translation and it is time-consuming to find papers specifically relevant to alternative splicing. Observing that documents reporting alternative splicing can be obtained from existing knowledge bases recording literature evidences and also that a large number of unlabeled documents are freely available, we investigated learning from positive and unlabeled data (LPU) for retrieving papers relevant to alternative splicing. The positive documents are from Literature Support for Alternative Transcripts (LSAT) and unlabeled documents are obtained from Gene Reference Into Function (GeneRIF). We generated nine unlabeled datasets different in size or the way documents were sampled, and compared the performance of document classifiers built using different unlabeled datasets and machine learning algorithms. The study shows that LPU is a viable strategy to build document filtering system, while the performance of trained classifiers is affected by the choice of the unlabeled data set. Selection of machine learning algorithms and that of unlabeled documents would be critical in constructing an effective LPU-based system.
Managing electronic interchange of business documents

Establishing a framework for controlled growth of electronic document interchange, based on a diverse set of technological, organizational, and interorganizational factors.
Bicarbonate enhances the peroxidase activity of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase. Role of carbonate anion radical.

We examined the effect of bicarbonate on the peroxidase activity of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), using the nitrite anion as a peroxidase probe. Oxidation of nitrite by the enzyme-bound oxidant results in the formation of the nitrogen dioxide radical, which was measured by monitoring 5-nitro-γ-tocopherol formation. Results indicate that the presence of bicarbonate is not required for the peroxidase activity of SOD1, as monitored by the SOD1/H2O2-mediated nitration of γ-tocopherol in the presence of nitrite. However, bicarbonate enhanced SOD1/H2O2-dependent oxidation of tocopherols in the presence and absence of nitrite and dramatically enhanced SOD1/H2O2-mediated oxidation of unsaturated lipid in the presence of nitrite. These results, coupled with the finding that bicarbonate protects against inactivation of SOD1 by H2O2, suggest that SOD1/H2O2 oxidizes the bicarbonate anion to the carbonate radical anion. Thus, the amplification of peroxidase activity of SOD1/H2O2 by bicarbonate is attributed to the intermediary role of the diffusible oxidant, the carbonate radical anion. We conclude that, contrary to a previous report (Sankarapandi, S., and Zweier, J. L. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 1226–1232), bicarbonate is not required for peroxidase activity mediated by SOD1 and H2O2. However, bicarbonate enhanced the peroxidase activity of SOD1 via formation of a putative carbonate radical anion. Biological implications of the carbonate radical anion in free radical biology are discussed.
Tumor‐specific CD4+ T cells from a patient with renal cell carcinoma recognize diverse shared antigens

Murine models for immune-mediated tumor regression have defined an essential role for CD4+ T helper (Th) cells, but the contribution of these cells to antitumoral immune responses in humans remains poorly defined. Here, we investigated the Th cell response against the autologous tumor in a patient with metastasized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exhibiting objective clinical response to immunotherapy. Peripheral blood T cells of the patient were repeatedly stimulated in vitro using either autologous IFNgamma-treated whole tumor cells or Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B cells (EBV-B) pulsed with tumor cell lysate. CD4+ T-cell clones recognizing autologous tumor cells but not EBV-B cells were efficiently reactivated and expanded with both types of stimulator cells, establishing the latter as potentially useful for isolating CD4+ T cells reactive against MHC class II-negative tumors. Two T-cell clones from both stimulation protocol were further characterized. The restricting MHC class II molecules were defined by using allogeneic EBV-B cells pulsed with tumor lysate, and the expression pattern of the antigens was examined by analyzing lysates from normal kidney cells, allogeneic RCCs as well as tumors of different histologic origin. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of the antigens recognized by the T-cell clones was examined by fractionating the tumor lysate, and the Th phenotype was determined by assessing the cytokines released after T cell activation. These experiments show that a dual Th1/Th2, MHC class II-restricted T-helper-cell response against diverse shared tumor antigens has been elicited in this patient.
People Awakening: Collaborative Research to Develop Cultural Strategies for Prevention in Community Intervention

The consequences of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicide create immense health disparities among Alaska Native people. The People Awakening project is a long-term collaboration between Alaska Native (AN) communities and university researchers seeking to foster health equity through development of positive solutions to these disparities. These efforts initiated a research relationship that identified individual, family, and community protective factors from AUD and suicide. AN co-researchers next expressed interest in translating these findings into intervention. This led to development of a strengths-based community intervention that is the focus of the special issue. The intervention builds these protective factors to prevent AUD and suicide risk within AN youth, and their families and communities. This review provides a critical examination of existing literature and a brief history of work leading to the intervention research. These work efforts portray a shared commitment of university researchers and community members to function as co-researchers, and to conduct research in accord with local Yup'ik cultural values. This imperative allowed the team to navigate several tensions we locate in a convergence of historical and contemporary ecological contextual factors inherent in AN tribal communities with countervailing constraints imposed by Western science.
Further Validation of the Learning Alliance Inventory: The Roles of Working Alliance, Rapport, and Immediacy in Student Learning

This study further examined the reliability and validity of the Learning Alliance Inventory (LAI), a self-report measure designed to assess the working alliance between a student and a teacher. The LAI was found to have good internal consistency and test–retest reliability, and it demonstrated the predicted convergence with measures of immediacy and rapport. The LAI enhanced the prediction of student learning beyond that which was possible only using measures of immediacy and rapport. Path analysis provided support for immediacy and rapport indirectly impacting student learning via their effects on the working alliance. Potential uses of the LAI in both research and applied contexts are discussed.
The Present Status of Pentateuchal Criticism

when the general climate of critical scholarship was very different from what it is today. This is especially true when we turn to the Pentateuch. It seemed then that most of the important issues relating to the literary history of the first five books of the Bible had been rather definitively settled before we came onto the scene. Only certain details remained to be decided; e.g., the more precise dating of the documents in relation to the general historical settings to which they seemed obviously to belong or the more precise delineation of the sources, especially some chapters or sections that were confusing with respect to the identifying criteria. What we called the assured results of scholarship in this area were indeed imposing and were accepted almost universally in circles of critical study. It was agreed that there were four documents. The extent of each, its date, and the milieu in which it was produced were considered quite fixed. Each document had an integrity of its own so that it seemed natural to speak of its "author," whether he was the Jahwist or the Elohist. J and E belonged to the era of the monarchies and P was only post-exilic. Today all this assurance is profoundly shaken and in the words of Johs. Pedersen, "the work of the last generations has [only] yielded as the certain result that the Pentateuch is composed of heterogeneous elements, and that its final compilation was not carried out before the exile."" One might add that there is a growing suspicion that every strand or "document" contains both pre-exilic and post-exilic materials. All we are certain of now, really, is that the assured results of scholarship are rather scantier than we thought. Twenty-five years ago our study and presentation of the history of Pentateuchal criticism led up to and culminated in our account of the Graf-Wellhausen hypothesis. Each stage of its development seemed logical and warranted by the evidence on which it rested. Whether tested as a whole or in any of its parts, the documentary hypothesis seemed a sound and massive achievement. Some aspects of the history of criticism did seem puzzling. Why, for example, had so many false starts been made in the direction of a fragmentary or developmental hypothesis? Why, moreover, should it have taken a whole century-from Astruc in 1753 to Hupfeld in 1853-before it was discovered that the Elohim sections in Genesis consisted of two doc-