cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of O2− in neutrophil recruitment into sites of dermal and pulmonary vasculitis

Abstract Using analogous models of acute dermal vasculities and alveolitis in rats, we have examined the role of oxygen-derived metabolities in the tissue damage associated with neutrophil influx into sites of immune complex deposition. In the lung, as previously reported, catalase and deferoxamine are highly protective, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) has a transient protective effect. The xanthine oxidase inhibitors, allopurinol, and lodoxamide, are also protective. In the skin, neither catalase (which has been covalently linked to the antibody) nor deferoxamine is protective, suggesting that H 2 O 2 and iron are not absolutely required for the development of dermal vasculitis. In the skin, SOD, as well as the inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, have protective effects. These data suggest that the neutrophil-mediated pahtwayws of immune complex injury in the dermal and pulmonary microvascular compartments are fundamentally different. As a measurement of neutrophil accumulation, measurements of myeloperoxidase in tissue extracts have been employed. In both the lung and skin, the protective effects of SOD and the xanthine oxidase inhibitors are paralleled by reductions in neutrophil influx into sites of injury. In contrast, catalase and deferoxamine have no effect on neutrophil accumulation. These data suggest that vascular beds in rat skin and lung are fundamentally different with respect to mechanisms of acute immune complex mediated injury. The data also provide evidence that O 2 − contributes significantly to the accumulation of neutrophils.
CONTINUOUS FLOW LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES: SHARED CARE GOALS OF MONITORING AND TREATING PATIENTS

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) have been clinically adopted as a long-term standard of care therapy option for patients with end-stage heart failure. For many patients, shared care between the care providers at the implanting center and care providers in the community in which the patient resides is a clinical necessity. The aims of this review are to (1) provide a rationale for the outpatient follow-up exam and surveillance testing used at our center to monitor patients supported by the HeartMate II(®) CF-LVAD (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA) and (2) provide the protocol/algorithms we use for blood pressure, driveline exit site, LVAD alarm history, surveillance blood work, and echocardiography monitoring in this patient population. In addition, we define our partnership outpatient follow-up protocol and the "shared care" specific responsibilities we use with referring health care providers to best manage many of our patients.
Structure and expression of two isoforms of the murine calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase regulatory subunit (calcineurin B).

Summary Murine cDNAs representing distinct genes for the regulatory subunits of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (CaM-PrP) were cloned from a testis library, using probes prepared by PCR amplification of brain and testis mRNA. The cDNA sequence of the brain-specific isoform (β1) encodes a 170 amino acid protein (M r :19.3 kDa), whereas that for the testis isoform (β2) contains 179 residues (M r 20.7 kDa); these two sequences show 80% amino acid identity. An oligonucleotide probe for the brain isoform hybridized to a single mRNA of 3.6 kilobases (kb) in many tissues, whereas using the β2 probe, two mRNAs of 1.8 and 0.8 kb were detected only in testis. The mRNA for the testis-specific isoform increases markedly during development, its pattern being virtually identical to that of mRNA for a testicular form of the catalytic subunit (α3). These data are consistent with the biological co-regulation of catalytic and regulatory subunits of a testis-specific isoenzyme during germ cell maturation.
Sustained tolerance to lipopolysaccharide after liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR) would be expected to alter the capacity of previously ischemic as well as continuously perfused segments that are exposed to circulating inflammatory mediators to respond to a subsequent infectious insult. IR is reported to induce tolerance to subsequent endotoxin stimulation if the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge is delayed until the late, neutrophil-mediated phase of reperfusion. Whether ischemic or perfused liver is differentially affected and whether LPS-tolerance may be overcome by increasing exposure is unknown. We hypothesized that late tolerance after IR reflects a refractory state in which the liver's expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in response to secondary LPS is limited. Precision-cut tissue culture methodology was used to investigate the capacity of rabbit liver to respond to a spectrum of LPS stimulation 24 h after partial IR. Slices from normal liver showed a dose-dependent response to LPS for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) expression. Slices from both previously ischemic and continuously perfused lobes retained dose responsiveness for TNF-alpha, although TNF-alpha was significantly decreased at high LPS concentrations compared with normal liver. Ischemic liver sustained this blunted response despite extended exposure to LPS, whereas perfused slices recovered responsiveness to high dose LPS with prolonged stimulation. IR induced interleukin-8 in both ischemic and perfused liver, but secondary LPS stimulation did not augment interleukin-8 expression. Hepatic IR induces a late tolerance to secondary LPS challenge in locally ischemic tissue that cannot be overcome by increasing LPS exposure. Nonischemic liver exposed to the systemic effects of IR injury, however, retains a capacity to respond to LPS with sufficient stimulation.
Insulin activates phospholipase C-gamma1 via a PI-3 kinase dependent mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Previously we have shown that the insulin receptor and phospholipase C-gamma1 physically interact in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line. In this study, we investigated the ability of insulin and PDGF to stimulate PLC-gamma1 enzyme activity as measured by PI-(4,5)P(2) hydrolysis. Both insulin and PDGF caused a rapid (<1 min) increase in PLC activity associated with the respective receptor. PDGF treatment resulted in a higher and more sustained stimulation of PLC-gamma1 activity compared to insulin (0.95 pmol/min/mg vs 0.68 pmol/min/mg). Furthermore, insulin and PDGF promoted increases in total cellular DAG, one of the products of PI-(4,5)P(2) hydrolysis. Insulin-stimulated PLC activity appears to be downstream of PI-3Kinase as the DAG increase was partially blocked by Wortmannin and addition of PI-(3,4,5)P(3) activated PLC-gamma1 in vitro. Inhibition of PLC using U73122 or an inhibitory peptide caused a decrease in insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose transport and GLUT4 translocation that was rescued by the addition of OAG, a cell-permeable synthetic DAG.
Partial glass formation: A novel mechanism of insect cryoprotection

Abstract The gall fly larva Eurosta solidaginis utilizes a freeze tolerant strategy in overwintering. As seasons progress from autumn to winter, the third instar stage of the fly increases its production of polyols, thereby decreasing the equilibrium freezing point of the aqueous compartments. Proton NMR studies of the intact larvae and of hemolymph-like solutions indicate an increase in proton mobility in the −25 to −45 °C range. This increase in apparent mobility is due to a glass transition as confirmed by DSC studies. This study identifies for the first time that a freeze-tolerant insect enters a partial amorphous (glassy) state following freezing encounters. A novel strategy of cryoprotection is described that is of relevance in understanding the overall mechanism of animal cell/tissue tolerance to freezing.
Dosing of Unfractionated Heparin in Obese Patients with Venous Thromboembolism

BACKGROUND Aggressive weight-based dosing guidelines help achieve prompt therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). While obese patients with VTE face an increased risk of recurrence, physicians typically resist prescribing doses two to three times the usual dose because of concern about bleeding complications.
Holographic low-coherence confocal microscopy

Holographic optical sectioning using off-axis-image plane holography has been combined with microscopy. Various optical configurations have been used, including grating interferometers and Mach Zehnder forms of interferometers. Experimental results are presented, using various mounted specimens.
Automatic enhancement of single evoked potentials.

Abstract Using EEG data acquired during a simple (sRT) or choice (cRT) reaction time task we tested a signal enhancement technique. Our findings indicate that the signal enhancement technique under study substantially reduced background activity while retaining physiologically significant information. For each RT trial, a pre-stimulus epoch was modeled using a canonical variate analysis (CVA) system identification technique to produce a filter. This filter was then applied to the post-stimulus epoch to remove ongoing background activity. Signal/noise enhancement was apparent from comparison of the ensemble averages of seven raw responses and the 7 corresponding CVA-enhanced responses. The extracted single evoked potentials (sEPs) were searched by machine algorithm for an expected negative peak with approximately 200 msec latency, the latency of each identified peak estimated, and correlations between RT and peak latency computed. For the choice task significant correlations were found at the right central placement (C4) for left-handed responses and at the left parietal placement (P3) for right-handed responses. For the simple task with right-handed responses, the most significant results were found at left placements (C3 and T5) with additional significant findings bilaterally (T3, T4, P4 and O1).
A massively parallel implementation of a discrete-time algorithm for the computation of dynamic elastic demand traffic problems modeled as projected dynamical systems

Abstract In this paper we consider the solution of a dynamic traffic network model with elastic demands formulated as a projected dynamical system. We propose a discrete-time algorithm, the Euler method, which resolves the problem at each iteration into subproblems in path flow variables, all of which can be solved simultaneously and in closed form. Convergence results are also presented. We then discuss the implementation of the algorithm in CM Fortran on the massively parallel architecture, the Thinking Machine’s CM-5. Finally, we present numerical results for the parallel implementation on the CM-5 and for a serial implementation of the algorithm in Fortran on the IBM SP2 for several traffic network examples.
Retrieval of Precipitation Profiles from Multiresolution, Multifrequency, Active and Passive Microwave Observations

In this study, a technique for estimating vertical profiles of precipitation from multifrequency, multiresolution active and passive microwave observations is investigated using both simulated and airborne data. The technique is applicable to the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite multi-frequency active and passive observations. These observations are characterized by various spatial and sampling resolutions. This makes the retrieval problem mathematically more difficult and ill-determined because the quality of information decreases with decreasing resolution. A model that, given reflectivity profiles and a small set of parameters (including the cloud water content, the intercept drop size distribution, and a variable describing the frozen hydrometeor properties), simulates high-resolution brightness temperatures is used. The high-resolution simulated brightness temperatures are convolved at the real sensor resolution. An optimal estimation procedure is used to minimize the differences between simulated and observed brightness temperatures. The retrieval technique is investigated using cloud model synthetic and airborne data from the Fourth Convection And Moisture Experiment. Simulated high-resolution brightness temperatures and reflectivities and airborne observation strong are convolved at the resolution of the TRMM instruments and retrievals are performed and analyzed relative to the reference data used in observations synthesis. An illustration of the possible use of the technique in satellite rainfall estimation is presented through an application to TRMM data. The study suggests improvements in combined active and passive retrievals even when the instruments resolutions are significantly different. Future work needs to better quantify the retrievals performance, especially in connection with satellite applications, and the uncertainty of the models used in retrieval.
Nitric Oxide Reactivity of Fluorophore Coordinated Carboxylate-Bridged Diiron(II) and Dicobalt(II) Complexes

The synthesis, structural characterization, and NO reactivity of carboxylate-bridged dimetallic complexes were investigated. The diiron(II) complex [Fe2(μ-O2CArTol)4(Ds-pip)2] (1), where O2CArTol = 2,6-di(p-tolyl)benzoate and Ds-pip = dansyl-piperazine, was prepared and determined by X-ray crystallography to have a paddlewheel geometry. This complex reacts with NO within 1 min with a concomitant 4-fold increase in fluorescence emission intensity ascribed to displacement of Ds-pip. Although the diiron complex reacts with NO, as revealed by infrared spectroscopic studies, its sensitivity to dioxygen renders it unsuitable as an atmospheric NO sensor. The air-stable dicobalt(II) analogue was also synthesized and its reactivity investigated. In solution, the dicobalt(II) complex exists as an equilibrium between paddlewheel [Co2(μ-O2CArTol)4(Ds-pip)2] (2) and windmill [Co2(μ-O2CArTol)2(O2CArTol)2(Ds-pip)2] (3) geometric isomers. Conditions for crystallizing pure samples of each of these isomers are described. R...
A Metastable Intermediate Phase in the System Indium—Indium Antimony

USING a technique for the ultra-fast quenching of thin metal foils from the melt by solid conduction (splat cooling)1,2, we have recently shown3 that in many tin alloy systems a metastable phase of the ‘HgSn6–10’ type4 (γ-phase, simple hexagonal, 1 atom/cell, a = 3.212 A; c/a = 0.9312) can be obtained. This phase exists in equilibrium in the systems Sn-In, Sn-Cd and Sn-Hg, and could be retained in non-equilibrium at −190° C in the systems Sn + Pb, Ga, Zn, Cu, Ag, Au, Pd, Ca and Mg, at solute additions of 5–20 atom per cent, depending on the system. All these elements, in leading to the formation of γ, acted to reduce the valence electron concentration of tin to less than 4.0.
A note on minimizing the weighted sum of tardy and early completion penalties in a single machine: A case of small common due date

This paper studies the problem of scheduling a set of n jobs on a single machine to minimize weighted absolute deviation of completion times from a common due date. It is assumed that weights of jobs are proportional to their processing times. It has been shown by other researchers that the problem can be solved efficiently for a sufficiently large due date. In the present paper we solve the problem for any given due date.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE QT AND WAIS IN A RESTRICTED CLINICAL SAMPLE

52 Negro patients at Milledgeville State Hospital were administered all forms of the QT and an abbreviated Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale WAIS. QT IQs averaged 7 to 8 points higher than WAIS IQs, but the scores for the two instruments were highly correlated. The QT was found to be equally efficacious above and below the demarcation (IQ 70) between normality and mental deficiency. Es suggest the use of the QT as an initial screening device.
Retrograde amnesia for extinction: Similarities with amnesia for original acquisition memories

Two experiments were conducted using rats to determine whether extinction is susceptible to a traditional amnestic agent (i.e., hypothermia) and to examine whether amnesia for extinction follows the same characteristics as those that occur with original memories. In Experiment 1, rats received hypothermia immediately, 60 min, or 120 min after extinction. When tested, the subjects cooled shortly after extinction showed little memory of the extinction training. This amnesia for extinction disappeared with longer postextinction delays, demonstrating a temporal gradient. Experiment 2 replicated the basic finding and demonstrated that an amnestic-extinguished memory could be recovered by reexposing the subjects to the amnestic agent and that the recovered extinction memory did not persist. These findings provide more evidence that extinction is a form of new learning and are consistent with retrograde amnesia research for original memories showing a temporal gradient and alleviation of retrograde amnesia by reexposure to the amnestic agent.
Optical detection of blade flutter

The paper examines the capabilities of photoelectric scanning (PES) and stroboscopic imagery (SI) as optical monitoring tools for detection of the onset of flutter in the fan blades of an aircraft gas turbine engine. Both optical techniques give visual data in real time as well as video-tape records. PES is shown to be an ideal flutter monitor, since a single cathode ray tube displays the behavior of all the blades in a stage simultaneously. Operation of the SI system continuously while searching for a flutter condition imposes severe demands on the flash tube and affects its reliability, thus limiting its use as a flutter monitor. A better method of operation is to search for flutter with the PES and limit the use of SI to those times when the PES indicates interesting blade activity.
A vapor collection and thermal desorption method to measure semiochemical release rates from controlled release formulations

Chemicals (bp 270–490 °C/1 atm) evaporated from a controlled-release formulation dispenser were carried by an airflow to a collector packed with a polymeric adsorbent. After a set time, the chemicals were recovered by thermally desorbing them onto a gas-liquid chromatograpic column. They were then separated and quantified. The apparatus is described, and the requirements for its successful use are discussed. The soundness of the thermal desorption technique was confirmed by comparison with another technique: solvent elution from the collector. The advantages of the former technique are discussed.
Response surface approximation of a fire risk analysis computer code

Abstract Five risk analysis as currently used in nuclear plants is outlined, and the relevant uncertainties are considered. The use of the computer code COMPBRN in the fire growth analysis is discussed along with response surface methodology to quantify uncertainties in the code's application. Generalized response surfaces are developed for temperature versus time for a cable tray, as well as surfaces for the temperature and depth of a hot gas layer for a room of arbitrary geometry within a typical nuclear power power plant compartment. These surfaces are then used to simulate the cable tray damage time in a compartment fire experiment. Insights and problems in the application of response surface techniques in this context are presented.
Environmental affordances: A practical approach for design of nearby outdoor settings in urban residential areas

Abstract While daily contact with nature is essential in large cities, such opportunities are often limited, thus reducing chances for psychological restoration. Even if available, however, such places will not be used if they fail to meet residents’ needs and preferences. This study focuses on the preferred qualities of nearby nature in terms of both environmental affordances and design characteristics in urban neighborhoods. The study was conducted in the Logan Square Neighborhood in Chicago, IL, and involved 53 individuals. The research instrument was a set of 93 photos arranged in columns, depicting a variety of commonly used landscape design elements and urban outdoor scenes. Participants selected their preferred scenes and grouped them based on what they considered meaningful. The findings offer evidence of participants’ preference for small green spaces that provide opportunities for both socializing and growing plants. This study illuminates interconnections between environmental affordances and green space design attributes that address participants’ concerns and expectations. It uncovers the importance of environmental affordances in green space preference studies, a topic that is largely missing from existing work on landscape preference. Further, it showcases a novel method—the use of participant-generated photo grouping to better understand the basis of preferences. The method emerged from pragmatic application of the Environmental Affordances Theory from Environmental Psychology to the landscape planning and design process. Finally, the results were used to create a set of useful recommendations to help urban planners and designers create more livable spaces in dense urban areas.
Seismic characterization of fractured reservoirs using 3D double beams

Summary We propose an efficient target -oriented method to characterize seismic properties of fractured reservoirs: the spacing between fractures and the fracture orientation. We use both singly scattered and multiply scattered seismic waves from the fractures. Based on diffraction theory, the scattered wave vector is related to the incident wave vector computed from the source to the target using a background velocity model. Two Gaussian beams, a source beam constructed along the incident direction and a receiver beam along the scattered direction, interfere with each other. For given source and receiver beam frequency and directions, the reflected beam amplitude is a function of the fracture spacing and orientation. We scan a range of possible fracture spacings and orientations and output an interference pattern as a function of the spacing and orientation. If multiple targets are evaluated, the interference pattern is spatially varying and the most likely fracture spacing and orientation can be inferred. Our method is adaptive for a variety of seismic acquisition geometries. If seismic sources (or receivers) are spatially sparse, we can shrink the source (or receiver) beam-width to zero and in this case, we achieve point-source-to-beam interference. We validated our algorithm using a synthetic dataset created by a finite difference scheme with the linear-slip boundary condition, which describes the wavefracture interaction.
Models for long-range current flow in bulk oxide superconductors

Mitigating the weak-link behavior at grain boundaries, which limits critical current density (Jc) in polycrystalline high-transition-temperature (high-Tc) superconducting materials, is required for all applications in magnetic fields. Although in general oxide superconductors in polycrystalline form have very poor in-field Jc, conductors containing the bismuth-based compounds Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi-2212)andBi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 (Bi-2223) are very important exceptions. Long-range, strongly linked conduction has been demonstrated in just two additional polycrystalline materials: TlBa2Ca2Cu3O10 (Tl-1223) deposits prepared by spray pyrolysis, and YBa2Cu4O8 (Y-124) conductor made by the oxidation of metallic precursor method. Determining the characteristics of these materials that permit strongly linked conduction is of critical importance to the development of better conductors. Models of strongly linked polycrystalline conductors are reviewed. Recent studies reveal that small-angle boundaries are present in much higher numbers than expected from calculations based on macroscopic texture, indicating a strong influence of grain boundary energy.It is proposed that strongly linked current flows through a connected network of low energy grain boundaries. Evidence has been obtained to support this model in Bi-2223, Y-124 and Tl-1223.
Finite-basis-set approach to the Dirac-Hartree-Fock equations.

A variational Dirac-Hartree-Fock procedure is introduced which does not exhibit problems of spurious roots, variational collapse, or continuum dissolution. The optimized eigenvalues converge uniformly from above to the numerical Dirac-Hartree-Fock results as the dimension of the basis set is increased. Results for the 1s-italic/sup 2/, 2s-italic/sup 2/, and 2p-italic/sub 1/2//sup 2/ shells are presented as examples.
The Laser Gyro-Tutorial Review

Presentation Summary: How the Laser Gyro works; Distinction between the Pasive Fiber Optic Gyro and the Active Laser Gyro; Error Sources; Lock-in Compensation and Gyro Data.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Non-Hertzian contact stress analysis for an elastic half space-normal and sliding contact

Abstract A general method of numerical solution in the non-Hertzian elastic contact problem is developed using rectangular subdivisions. The major application of the method given is in the sliding contact of a short rough cylinder with an elastic half space; the contact region is the side of the cylinder, whose axis may not be exactly aligned to the surface of the half space. The stress singularity at the ends of the cylinder is taken as either square root (to determine stress intensification factor) or is approximated by compact elements to reduce computing time. An iterative scheme is used and the convergence to the unknown shape of the contact region is rapid.
Self-orientation of directional antennas, assisted by mobile robots, for receiving the best wireless signal strength

In our previous work, we presented autonomous, self-organizing wireless networks using multiple mobile robots, which enabled the desired wireless coverage in the form of a mesh network and a point-to-point network. Capacities to cover the desired area using multiple robots, all carrying omnidirectional antennas, were demonstrated. However, the use of omnidirectional antennas did not prove effective in covering a sufficiently large distance. Hence, in this paper, we introduce the use of directional antennas to increase the range of the wireless network, and later apply this concept to extending a wireless network over complex terrain. As the first step to using directional antennas, we will present a pattern-based search algorithm to address the problem of self-orientation of a Directional Wireless Network (DWN). The algorithm will find the orientation of antennas that enables them to receive the best possible Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). Preliminary experimental results will be shown that demonstrate the ability of the algorithm, assisted by mobile robots with pan-tilt devices for the antennas, to automatically find the maximum RSSI available. Finally, we will conclude with a discussion of findings from this paper and applications of the use of directional antennas.
Indian tribal territories in the pacific northwest: A cross-cultural test of the size-density hypothesis

Such an explanation should hold for any territorial units, regardless of the actual process which established them (e.g., competition between groups or legislative enactment by superordinate systems) and regardless of the culture which maintained them (e.g., aboriginal Indian or Anglo-American). All that is required to explain the observed relation between the size of social systems and the settlement intensity of the region in which they are located is the assumption that social systems depend upon information and energy exchanges in their human populations, populations which are themselves distributed in space.
Dear Doc: advice for collaborators.

Years ago, when Doc was a junior faculty member she became aware of a situation that changed her life. An extremely well-known senior scientist in her department took the data of a graduate student and published it in a very significant, oft-cited paper without crediting the student in any way. That this action had the tacit approval of the department chair was confusing. Dismayed by this violation of trust and feeling powerless to intervene, she decided to become the Dear Abby of Science. Working in the lab during the day she was becoming a world-renowned researcher as well as a highly revered mentor to younger scientists. At night, disguised as Dr. Doc she began advising other researchers who were looking for help with their sticky situations. As word of mouth spread about Doc more and more researchers sought out her advice about a wide range of problems in their labs and in their collaborations. She is currently entertaining a proposal from a collaborative group of editors from high-impact journals to develop a web presence that would offer insightful advice to struggling scientific collaborators around the world. The following is a selection of letters from Doc’s files focused on collaboration. The names and details in the letters have been changed to protect confidentiality.
“Triply cursed”: Racism, homophobia, and HIV-related stigma are barriers to regular HIV testing, treatment adherence, and disclosure among young Black gay men

In the USA, young Black gay men are disproportionately impacted upon by HIV. In this qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews with 31 young Black gay men and nine service providers, where we used thematic analysis to guide our interpretations, we found that HIV-related stigma and homophobia, within the larger societal context of racism, were related to sexual risk behaviour, reluctance to obtain HIV testing or care, lower adherence to treatment medication, and non-disclosure of a positive HIV status to sexual partners. Participants experienced homophobia and HIV-related stigma from churches and families within the Black community and from friends within the Black gay community, which otherwise provide support in the face of racism. Vulnerability to HIV was related to strategies that young Black gay men enacted to avoid being stigmatised or as a way of coping with alienation and rejection.
Reflections on Two Views of Managing Learning and Knowledge in Organizations

The commentary reflects on two essays on managing learning and knowledge in organizations. The essay on organizational learning was written by Friedman, Lipshitz, and Popper; the essay on knowledge...
From Sparse Signals to Sparse Residuals for Robust Sensing

One of the key challenges in sensor networks is the extraction of information by fusing data from a multitude of distinct, but possibly unreliable sensors. Recovering information from the maximum number of dependable sensors while specifying the unreliable ones is critical for robust sensing. This sensing task is formulated here as that of finding the maximum number of feasible subsystems of linear equations and proved to be NP-hard. Useful links are established with compressive sampling, which aims at recovering vectors that are sparse. In contrast, the signals here are not sparse, but give rise to sparse residuals. Capitalizing on this form of sparsity, four sensing schemes with complementary strengths are developed. The first scheme is a convex relaxation of the original problem expressed as a second-order cone program (SOCP). It is shown that when the involved sensing matrices are Gaussian and the reliable measurements are sufficiently many, the SOCP can recover the optimal solution with overwhelming probability. The second scheme is obtained by replacing the initial objective function with a concave one. The third and fourth schemes are tailored for noisy sensor data. The noisy case is cast as a combinatorial problem that is subsequently surrogated by a (weighted) SOCP. Interestingly, the derived cost functions fall into the framework of robust multivariate linear regression, while an efficient block-coordinate descent algorithm is developed for their minimization. The robust sensing capabilities of all schemes are verified by simulated tests.
Optical constants of solid ammonia in the infrared

No direct measurements of the refractive index for solid ammonia could be obtained because of failures in attempts to map the reflection spectrum. Kramers-Kronig techniques were, therefore, used in the investigation. The subtractive Kramers-Kronig techniques employed are similar to those discussed by Ahrenkiel (1971). The subtractive method provides a more-rapid convergence than the conventional techniques when data are available over a limited spectral range.
Radiation‐induced solution polymerization of styrene in an engineering flow system

Radiation induced solution polymerization of styrene in methylene chloride in a small scale pilot plant utilizing a flow reactor is reported. Both conventional free radical and ionic polymerization have been achieved. With rigorous drying accomplished over molecular sieves the ionic mechanism predominates. Conclusive kinetic evidence as well as polymer properties substantiate radiation induced ionic polymerization for the first time in an engineering pilot plant. The validity of Williams' model is reinforced by this study and a survey of over 100 literature observations.
Electric Breakdown in Ionic Crystals

The electric breakdown strength of ionic crystals at low and moderate temperatures is calculated on the basis of von Hippel's low energy criterion. Fr\"ohlich's method of calculation, modified to take account of the electronic polarizability of the ions, is employed. The breakdown strength at $T=0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ is ${F}_{0}(\frac{\mathrm{volts}}{\mathrm{cm}})=134\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}{(\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{t})}_{\mathrm{ev}}[\frac{({\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{s}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{0})}{{({\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{s}\ensuremath{\epsilon}_{0}^{}{}_{}{}^{3})}^{\frac{1}{2}}}](\frac{{m}^{*}}{m})$ where ${(\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{t})}_{\mathrm{ev}}$ is the reststrahl energy in electron volts, ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{s}$ and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{0}$ are the static and optical values of the dielectric constant, and $\frac{{m}^{*}}{m}$ is the ratio of the effective mass to the free electron mass. The breakdown strength increases slowly with increasing temperature. The lack of dependence of the breakdown on crystallographic orientation and the strong directional dependence of the breakdown paths are qualitatively accounted for.
Access to Oral Osteoporosis Drugs Among Female Medicare Part D Beneficiaries

Abstract Background For women living with osteoporosis, high out-of-pocket (OOP) drug costs may prevent drug therapy initiation. We investigate the association between oral osteoporosis OOP medication costs and female Medicare beneficiaries' initiation of osteoporosis drug therapy. Methods We used 2007 and 2008 administrative claims and enrollment data for a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Our study sample included age-qualified, female beneficiaries who had no prior history of osteoporosis but were diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2007 or 2008. Additionally, we only included beneficiaries continuously enrolled in stand-alone prescription drug plans. We excluded beneficiaries who had a chronic condition that was contraindicated with osteoporosis drug utilization. Our final sample included 25,069 beneficiaries. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between the OOP costs and initiation of oral osteoporosis drug therapy during the year of diagnosis. Findings Twenty-six percent of female Medicare beneficiaries newly diagnosed with osteoporosis initiated oral osteoporosis drug therapy. Beneficiaries' OOP costs were not associated with the initiation of drug therapy for osteoporosis. However, there were significant racial disparities in beneficiaries' initiation of drug therapy. African Americans were 3 percentage points less likely to initiate drug therapy than Whites. In contrast, Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic beneficiaries were 8 and 18 percentage points, respectively, more likely to initiate drug therapy than Whites. Additionally, institutionalized beneficiaries were 11 percentage points less likely to initiate drug therapy than other beneficiaries. Conclusions Access barriers for drug therapy initiation may be driven by factors other than patients' OOP costs. These results suggest that improved osteoporosis treatment requires a more comprehensive approach that goes beyond payment policies.
New animal model to evaluate testicular blood flow during testicular torsion.

Abstract Background/Purpose : Unilateral testicular torsion is known to cause infertility because of damage to the contralateral testis. Testicular damage has been attributed to many different mechanisms, one of which is altered contralateral blood flow. In our experiment, in an effort to identify the reason for contralateral testicular injury, the authors developed an accurate method of measuring blood flow in both testes before,, during, and after unilateral torsion. Methods : Four-to 6-week-old piglets weighing 4 to 6 kg were studied. The animals were anesthetized, intubated, ventilated, and catheterized for vascular access. Piglets were assigned randomly to a sham group or a group undergoing 360° or 720° torsion of the left testis (n = 5 per group) for 8 hours, after which it was untwisted. Data were collected at baseline (T = 0), 8 hours of torsion (T = 8), and 1 hour after detorsion (T = 9). Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were monitored continuously. Testicular blood flow was determined using radiolabeled microspheres. Blood flow data were evaluated by analysis of variance. Results : In the 360° torsion group, blood flow changes were insignificant during torsion and after detorsion. In the 720° torsion group, blood flow to the twisted testis was reduced significantly, whereas the contralateral testis was unaffected. One hour after detorsion, blood flow to both testes was increased significantly. Conclusions : The authors describe a new animal model to evaluate testicular blood flow during and after testicular torsion. Increased blood flow after detorsion may be the cause of testicular damage in patients with unilateral testicular torsion.
AN EVIDENCED-BASED APPROACH TO RADIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF CERVICAL SPINE INJURIES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

The modern approach to suspected cervical spine injuries is highly dependent on appropriate utilization of radiographic studies. Clinical decision rules have been developed for determination of those most likely to benefit from plain film studies, but there is confusion regarding those who should undergo computed tomography (CT) scanning. This case-based review highlights current available evidence and provides a framework to guide emergency medicine providers in the treatment of patients with trauma to the cervical spine.
Between order and chaos

A completely ordered universe is as unexciting as an entirely disordered one. Interesting ‘complex’ phenomena arise in a middle ground. This article reviews the tools that have been developed to quantify structural complexity and to automatically discover patterns hidden between order and chaos.
Experience of a year of adult hospital dermatology consultations.

Background Dermatology consultations are frequently requested by inpatient hospital services. As inpatient dermatology services in the USA decline, dermatology hospital consultations are becoming increasingly important. Objectives We aim to describe the spectrum of skin diseases encountered and the health care subspecialties requesting dermatology hospital consultations. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of adult patient (age: ≥18 years) dermatology hospital consultations from January 1 to December 31, 2010. We examined patient demographic characteristics, consultation requesting services, and consultation diagnoses. Results Among dermatology services, 614 patients had 674 separate inpatient dermatology consultations during 2010. Of these patients, 55.9% were male (mean age: 59 years). In total, 205 consultations (30.4%) were requested by the internal medicine subspecialty, 137 (20.3%) by the hematology and oncology subspecialty, and 93 (13.8%) by the surgical subspecialty. The most common conditions seen by the hospital dermatology consulting service were skin infections (n = 125, 18.5%), dermatitis (n = 120, 17.8%), drug eruptions (n = 87, 12.9%), chronic wounds and ulcers (n = 55, 8.1%), cutaneous neoplasms (n = 39, 5.8%), graft-versus-host disease (n = 37, 5.5%), ecchymosis, purpura simplex or petechia (n = 26, 3.8%), intertrigo (n = 21, 3.1%), and urticaria (n = 20, 3.0%). Conclusions The majority of consultations conducted by the dermatology hospital consulting service were for the management of common skin diseases, such as cutaneous infections, dermatitis, and drug eruptions. Most consultations were requested by the departments of internal medicine, hematology and oncology, and surgical services.
Carrier multiplication in a PbSe nanocrystal and P3HT/PCBM tandem cell

Photoactivation of multiple carrier charge extraction in a tandem cell configuration is demonstrated. An all-solution-processed tandem photovoltaic structure, consisting of a hydrazine treated PbSe nanocrystal film and a P3HT/PCBM bulk-heterojunction solar cell, was fabricated. The PbSe nanocrystal film was used as the top cell to predominantly absorb short wavelength light (UV/blue). The lower P3HT/PCBM cell absorbed the remaining solar energy and supplied photocurrent as well as an electric field that extracts the photogenerated charge from the PbSe layer. Carrier multiplication from excitation of the PbSe film with high energy photons was quantified by selective light bias activation measurements.
Timing and scheduling of endoscopic procedures.

Background: The aim of the present analysis is to compare the costs associated with different schemes of scheduling tests and to develop recommendations concerning the most cost-effective means for timing individual endoscopic procedures. Methods: The diagnostic costs of three competing strategies to schedule various radiologic and endoscopic procedures in patients with jaundice or gastrointestinal hemorrhage are compared by computer models using a Monte Carlo simulation. In strategy 1, the evaluation is started with the most promising procedure and proceeds with the next most promising procedure in case of a normal finding. In strategy 2, physicians adhere to a rigid sequence of diagnostic tests that starts with the least expensive procedure and advances through progressively more expensive procedures. In strategy 3, all promising tests are scheduled at the onset without waiting for test results to decide in favor or against individual procedures. In the Monte Carlo simulation, two hypothetical populations of 5000 inpatients or outpatients are subjected to each strategy. Results: Unless one particular diagnosis is suspected with a high a priori probability, a rigid sequence of advancing from less to more expensive and invasive procedures provides the cheapest diagnostic strategy. In case of limited access to endoscopy and long waiting times, the cheapest work-up may include simultaneous scheduling of complementary procedures without waiting for intermediate test results. Strategy 1 of starting with the most promising test procedure becomes the least expensive option, if the prior probability assigned to the most likely diagnosis exceeds a threshold between 40% and 70%, depending on the type of test needed to make the diagnosis. Conclusions: An expeditious diagnostic evaluation or an evaluation that is guided primarily by medical considerations is more likely to result in low healthcare costs. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;52:204-11.)
Determination of biogenic amines using heterocyclic cation and aromatic anion elution.

Abstract Heterocyclic cation and aromatic anion are used in the chromatographic buffers for the analysis of monoamines and diamines on a sulfonated cation-exchange column using an amino acid analyzer. All elution buffers employed for these analyses had a pH of 5.0 to maximize the ninhydrin color reaction. These methods have been successfully used for biological samples. Using a two-column (0.8 × 12 cm) system, with a buffer flow rate of 50 ml/h, analysis can be carried out in 330 min for monoamine and diamine mixtures on 0.5 to 10 nmol of each amine.
The OI 989 and 1173 Å multiplets in the dayglow

Sounding rocket measurements of the O-I 989-A dayglow obtained in 1978, 1980, and 1985 are discussed. The 989-A intensity and multiplet ratios are consistent with total branching losses (to atomic states other than the ground state) of 1.5-4 x 10 to the -4th. It is found that the 1173/989 intensity ratio is dependent only on the 1173/989 branching ratio and the atomic oxygen concentration when viewing upward from rocket altitudes.
Estimating Behavioral Transition Rates: Problems and Solutions

Continuous time Markov chain (CTMC) models offer ethologists a powerful tool. The methods are based on well-established procedures for estimating the rates at which one state (e.g. resting) changes to some other set of states (e.g. feeding, fighting, etc.). Unfortunately, ethological data typically differ in a very critical manner from the type of data to which these methods are usually applied: ethological data are usually heavily censored in the sense that each behavioral state shows frequent transitions to several other possible states. This occurs when several competing processes can each end a bout. We used computer simulation of various behavioral models with known transition rates to investigate the unknown performance of four of the most popular statistical tests for screening data prior to application of CTMC models; this included a modification of one of these tests derived under the assumption of random censoring. Two of the four tests failed completely and would result in rejection of nearly all data even if the model did fit the assumptions of the CTMC methods. Only Barlow's total-time-on test performed with an acceptable α error rate under all conditions. None of the tests were particularly effective at detecting certain types of departures from the CTMC assumptions. Guidelines are given as to how much confidence should be attached to apparent changes in transition rates.
Incidence of autopsy findings in unexpected deaths of children and adolescents.

Studies in various settings reveal that a significant percentage of autopsies demonstrate findings that were not previously clinically diagnosed. In the pediatric and adolescent age group, forensic examinations comprise a large percentage of total autopsies performed. We hypothesized that a similar number of previously undiagnosed findings would be present in this population and thus reviewed a series of autopsy reports from the Medical Examiners Office in the Arkansas Crime Laboratory. During 1997 through 1999, we performed 439 complete forensic autopsies on children and adolescents (age range 1 day to 19 years; median 18 months). Previously undiagnosed lesions were found in 173 (39%). Of these subjects, 68 (39%) had clinically significant pathology, 60 (35%) had insignificant pathology, and 45 (26%) had pathology of undetermined significance. Thirty-six subjects had lesions expected from a previously diagnosed condition. Of the total number of lesions found, 168 were inflammatory, 58 were congenital anomalies (48 unexpected), and 88 comprised miscellaneous other conditions. Infants 6 months (P <0.0001). Previously undiagnosed findings, mostly inflammatory, occur relatively frequently in pediatric and adolescent forensic autopsies and are more likely to occur in infants.