cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Profiling sensor classification algorithm implementation on an embedded controller

This paper provides a feasibility analysis and details of implementing a classification algorithm on an embedded controller for use with a profiling sensor. Such a profiling sensor has been shown to be a feasible approach to a low-cost persistent surveillance sensor for classifying moving objects such as humans, animals, or vehicles. The sensor produces data that can be used to generate object profiles as crude images or silhouettes, and/or the data can be subsequently automatically classified. This paper provides a feasibility analysis of a classification algorithm implemented on an embedded controller, which is packaged with a prototype version of a profiling sensor. Implementation of the embedded controller is a necessary extension of previous work for fielded profiling sensors and their appropriate applications. Field data is used to confirm accurate automated classification.
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis in Newly Sliced Discs of Potato Tuber

A burst of ribosomal RNA synthesis is induced in potato tissue by slicing, and continues at a decreasing rate for about 12 hours. Ribosomal RNA synthesis in potato discs is sensitive to puromycin, in contrast to non-ribosomal RNA synthesis. Thus, the influence of puromycin on total RNA synthesis is significant only during the first 12 hours following slicing. The function of RNA made after 12 hours in a puromycin-insensitive manner is unknown. However, it is apparently unrelated to protein synthesis, since it has been shown that total inhibition of RNA synthesis by addition of actinomycin D to potato tissue after 12 hours of aging has no effect upon protein synthesis during the ensuing 12 hours.
Esophageal Gastric Tube Airway vs Endotracheal Tube in Prehospital Cardiopulmonary Arrest

We evaluated the efficacy of the esophageal airway (EA) by prospectively randomizing 175 prehospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients to receive either an esophageal gastric tube airway (EGTA) or an endotracheal tube (ET). If attempts with the initial airway failed, the alternate airway was attempted. The cost of training paramedics in EA use was considerably less than the ET ($80 vs $1,000). Survival to the emergency room, to hospitalization and to discharge in ET and EGTA groups were 64.4 percent, 25.6 percent, 11.1 percent, and 54.1 percent, 27.1 percent, 12.9 percent, respectively—differences not statistically significant. The incidence of neurologic residual (ET 50 percent, EGTA 36.4 percent) and congestive heart failure (ET 40 percent, EGTA 45.5 percent) in surviving ET and EGTA patients did not differ (NS). An additional 125 consecutive patients with only the opportunity to receive an EA were also evaluated and did not differ in mortality, neurologic residual, or congestive heart failure from ET patients. We conclude that the EA is a satisfactory alternative to the ET for short-term prehospital use in cardiopulmonary arrest patients.
Jurors' Use of Instructions on Negligence1

At the end of a trial, the judge gives jurors a set of instructions that explain the laws that are applicable to the case and that direct jurors to reach a verdict in accordance with those laws. Little is known about how well jurors understand instructions in civil cases. We assess the extent to which jurors understand judicial instructions in negligence cases. We address 3 issues: (a) To what extent do they understand these instructions? (b) To what extent is their comprehension enhanced by access to a written copy of the instructions? and (c) What effect does deliberation have on jurors' comprehension levels? Overall comprehension was approximately 64% and access to written instructions did not enhance comprehension, but the opportunity to deliberate did.
A New Source of Data About Singular Thought

Philosophers have justified extant theories of singular thought in at least three ways: they have invoked wide-ranging theories motivated by data from other philosophical areas, they have elicited direct intuitions about which thoughts are singular, and they have subjected propositional attitude reports to tests such as Russellian substitution and Quinean exportation. In these ways, however, we haven’t yet been able to tell what it takes to have singular thoughts, nor have we been able to tell which of our thoughts they are. I propose, therefore, a methodological contribution, a new source of data about singular thought. We can tell whether a thought is singular if we ask what we can coherently deny at the same time at which we agree with the thought. When we agree with a thought that is general, we cannot coherently deny about the thought’s subject a certain description, the one that occurs in the thought’s subject position. To show how to use this new data source, I develop a linguistic method for testing whether a speaker expresses a singular or a general thought.
Non-arborescent vegetation trajectories following repeated hurricane disturbance: ephemeral versus enduring responses

Hurricanes strongly influence short-term patterns of plant community structure, composition, and abundance and are a major contributor to the maintenance of plant diversity in many forests. Although much research has focused on the immediate and long-term effects of hurricane disturbance on tree diversity, far less attention has been devoted to the non-arborescent understory community that often account for the vast majority of the vascular species. Using a unique 20 year dataset, we tracked changes in richness, cover, biomass, and diversity (H') of non-arborescent species following Hurricane Hugo (1989) and Hurricane Georges (1998) in a mature secondary subtropical wet forest of Puerto Rico. Hurricanes caused an immediate, albeit transient, increase in overall species richness, cover, and diversity. Over a twenty year period, the non-arborescent community exhibited pronounced and persistent changes in composition, including a dramatic increase in abundance and richness of ferns and vines and a concomitant decrease in forbs and shrubs. By 2010, understory composition and relative abundance hierarchies were significantly altered; ferns and vines combined comprised 75 and 90% of total understory cover and biomass, respectively. Our results for this community contrast sharply with prior studies on similar temporal and spatial scales that demonstrate hurricanes rarely alter dominant tree species composition over the long-term. These results suggest that the role of hurricane disturbance in structuring plant diversity may be even more important than previously thought.
Ether lipid studies in mouse C3H/10T1/2 cells and a 3-methylcholanthrene-transformed clone.

Abstract C3H/10T1/2 mouse embryo cells and a transformed clone were used in these initial experiments to investigate the future application of this model culture system to studies of ether-linked lipids in cancer cells. Clone 8 cells are nontumorigenic, nontransformed, and maintain normal morphology to passages 15–20. Clone 16 cells were derived from morphologically transformed foci of clone 8 cells exposed to the chemical carcinogen, 3-methylcholanthrene, and are highly tumorigenic. The data presented here demonstrate that the high amounts of ether-linked lipids, characteristic of tumors, are likewise elevated in cells that have been oncogenically transformed in vitro . When incubated with labeled fatty alcohols, the transformed cells show a stimulated incorporation of radioactivity into alkyldiacylglycerols (>100% over clone 8), whereas radioactivity in the alkyl moiety of the phospholipids is not altered. Analysis of the lipids formed from [1- 14 C]hexadecanol indicates that the nontransformed cells have a greater capacity to oxidize hexadecanol and incorporate the resulting carboxylic acid into acyl groups. Quantitative analysis of cellular lipids shows that in the oncogenically transformed cells alkyldiacylglycerols are increased (123% over clone 8).
Silica-encapsulated platinum catalysts for the low-temperature water-gas shift reaction

Abstract Encapsulated platinum in the form of core–shell Pt@SiO 2 prepared by reverse microemulsion, can be rendered catalytically active for the low-temperature water-gas shift (WGS) reaction by the addition of alkali ions during the synthesis steps or by impregnation of the dried (uncalcined) core–shell materials. We report that positively charged platinum species, embedded throughout the silica shell and stabilized by the alkali ions are the active sites for the WGS reaction. Water dissociation and hydroxyl regeneration take place on the Na-promoted Pt–O x sites. It is shown by cyclic CO-TPR experiments with intermittent ambient rehydration that the activity remains constant, and the onset temperature of the reaction is the same, ∼150 °C, with cycling. The apparent activation energies for the WGS reaction in realistic fuel gas mixtures over the various encapsulated Pt-based catalysts evaluated here and those on other supports are all in the same range, 70 ± 5 kJ/mol. Hence any difference in the reaction rates between the open- and encapsulated-Pt catalysts is attributed to their different number of active sites accessible to the reactants. The Pt-Na@SiO 2 catalyst structures show remarkable stability with time-on-stream at 350 °C.
Quantitative analysis of [3H]spiroperidol binding to rat forebrain sections: plasticity of neostriatal dopamine receptors after nigrostriatal injury.

The binding of [3H]spiroperidol to rat coronal sections in vitro was investigated using two procedures: swabbing studies, in which the tissue sections are wiped from the microscope slides after incubation in the presence of [3H]spiroperidol, and autoradiographic studies, in which the autoradiographic negatives are analyzed using computer-assisted densitometry. In the swabbing studies, the pharmacological and kinetic properties of butaclamol-displaceable binding were investigated, and the following results suggest that [3H]spiroperidol binds specifically to only a single site within the basal forebrain of tissue sections and that the site is the dopamine D-2 receptor. (1) The pseudo-first order and first order plots for the rate of association to and dissociation from tissue sections appeared to be linear. (2) Dopamine antagonists, such asd haloperidol and butaclamol, were much more effective than dopamine agonists or the serotonin S-2 ligand, ketanserin, in inhibiting [3H]spiroperidol binding. (3) The ability of dopamine agonists to inhibit [3H]speroperidol binding was markedly reduced by the guanine nucleotide, Gpp(NH)p. (4) Saturation analysis of specific [3H]speroperidol binding revealed aKd and Bmax of 0.93 nM and 447 fmol/mg protein, and a Hill coefficient of 1.05. The findings are also compatible with the possibility that [3H]spiroperidol binds to several sites that have identical affinities for this ligand. Densitometric studies were used to assess the effect of lesions on [3H]spiroperidol binding in the neostriatum. Intrastriatal injection of kainic acid substantially reduced 1 μM (+)—butaclamol-displaceable binding, indicating that the receptors are in large part on intrinsic striatal neurons. Neostriatal [3H]spiroperidol binding was investigated 7 days after destruction of the mesotelencephalic dopamine system by the ventral tegmental injection of 6-hydroxydopamine. As determined by saturation analysis, the average values forKd and Bmax were 0.66 nM and 1212 fmol/mg protein in the intact striatum, and 0.82 nM and 1504 fmol/mg in the denervated striatum. The finding of a significant 23.8% increase in receptor density by the end of the first postoperative week, a period during which behavioral supersensitivity to apomorphine increases rapidly, supports the hypothesis that a proliferation of D-2 receptors underlies the behavioral manifestations of denervation supersensitivity.
Nonlocality effects of a bulk semiconductor plasma in interaction with quantum well superlattice plasmons

An explicit closed form determination of the inverse dielectric function for an N-sheet two-dimensional (2D) electron superlattice embedded in a nonlocal bulk host semiconductor plasma is presented here, as well as for an infinite superlattice. The coupled plasmon dispersion relation is analyzed for the model in which the 2D quantum wells constituting the superlattice have just one occupied subband and the bulk plasma of the host has hydrodynamic nonlocality. Nonlocal corrections are obtained for a hybrid superlattice plasmon in interaction with the host bulk plasmon. In addition, we find that this model predicts a new nonlocal low-frequency mode.
Block-copolymer ordering with a spatiotemporally heterogeneous mobility

Motivated by recent zone annealing measurements on stripe-forming block-copolymer films [], we study block-copolymer ordering with a spatiotemporally heterogeneous mobility. Specifically, we implement a time- and space-dependent mobility field in the relaxation of a diblock copolymer self-consistent field theory. The model includes a gradient in the local mobility intrinsic nanoscale mobility variations characteristic of glass phenomenology. The simulations demonstrate that a spatiotemporally heterogeneous mobility can have a significant influence on microdomain ordering in block-copolymer systems, and that nanoscale dynamic heterogeneities associated with glass formation can impact the structure of the ordered block-copolymer microphase.
Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFα) inhibition of parietal cell secretion : structural requirements for activity

Parietal cells of the gastric fundus produce transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) which functions as a potent inhibitor of acid secretion. We have previously demonstrated that TGF alpha can inhibit aminopyrine uptake in isolated rabbit parietal cells. In this study, we have evaluated the components of TGF alpha structure which determine its ability to inhibit parietal cell function. Both human and rat TGF alpha inhibited histamine stimulation by increasing the EC50 for agonist stimulation. Three fragments containing the third loop domain of TGF alpha (rat TGF alpha 34-43, human TGF alpha 34-43 and human TGF alpha 34-50) all inhibited histamine stimulation with IC50 values 20, 33 and 4-fold higher, respectively, than that of the native molecule. Rat TGF alpha inhibited carbachol stimulation throughout an agonist dose response. Human TGF alpha was only effective in inhibiting carbachol if incubations were performed in the presence of air rather than 100% O2. In air incubation, all three of the TGF alpha fragments inhibited carbachol stimulation but, in contrast to the effects on histamine, the peptides all were virtually equipotent with the native molecule. The human sequence fragments, like the native human TGF alpha, elicited no inhibition when incubations were performed in the presence of 100% O2. The results suggest that there are pharmacological differences in the response of isolated parietal cells to TGF alpha-mediated inhibition of histamine and carbachol. In addition, in contrast with previous investigations on the mitogenic action of TGF alpha, third loop fragments of TGF alpha retain the capacity to inhibit aminopyrine accumulation.
Combined analysis of (15)N relaxation data from solid- and solution-state NMR spectroscopy.

It is well-known that structures of globular proteins in liquid and in crystalline solid are essentially identical. Many lines of evidence suggest that internal dynamics are also similar (assuming ...
Manipulation of the Ruminal Fermentation. I. Effect of Sodium Sulfite on Bovine Ruminal Fatty Acid Concentration and Milk Composition

Abstract An attempt was made to manipulate the ruminal fermentation by using sodium sulfite to partially inhibit the production of ruminal acetate. Six lactating cows were divided into experimental and control groups, with the experimental group receiving 160g of sodium sulfite in their daily ration. Sodium sulfite significantly (P
PET Imaging for Treatment Response in Cancer

Imaging treatment response with FDG PET and other imaging agents have been evaluated in numerous prospective and retrospective clinical studies. As a result, PET is becoming established as a biomarker for treatment response and as a marker for patient outcome prediction.
Desert, fairness, and resentment

Responsibility, blameworthiness in particular, has been characterized in a number of ways in a literature in which participants appear to be talking about the same thing much of the time. More specifically, blameworthiness has been characterized in terms of what sorts of responses are fair, appropriate, and deserved in a basic way, where the responses in question range over blame, sanctions, alterations to interpersonal relationships, and the reactive attitudes, such as resentment and indignation. In this paper, I explore the relationships between three particular theses: (i) the claim that one is blameworthy to the extent that it is fair to impose sanctions, (ii) the claim that one is blameworthy to the extent that one deserves sanctions, and (iii) the claim that one is blameworthy to the extent that it is appropriate to respond with reactive attitudes. Appealing to the way in which luck in the outcome of an action can justifiably affect the degree of sanctions received, I argue that (i) is false and tha...
Is it safe to perform dental and cardiac valve surgeries concomitantly

Purpose Conventionally, dental surgery and cardiac valve replacement surgery (VRS) have been performed separately. Disadvantages of this approach include increased anesthetic and infection risks and increased costs. The authors hypothesized dental surgeries performed immediately before VRS would have similar mortality and morbidity outcomes and significantly decreased costs compared with those performed independently of VRS. Materials and Methods An institutional review board–approved retrospective study was completed comparing outcomes for 17 patients undergoing concomitant cardiac VRS and invasive dental procedures with outcomes for 16 patients undergoing similar procedures by a conventional approach. Results The conventional group had a significant increase in ejection fraction (11% vs 6.7%; P Conclusion There was no significant difference in cardiac outcomes between the concomitant and conventional groups. In addition, each patient in the concomitant approach saved an average of $6,669. Thus, concomitant dental surgery and cardiac VRS may be considered a safe and cost-effective approach that may lead to decreases in overall health care costs.
A crossed-beam study of the reactive and unreactive scattering of Ar+(2P32) and Ar+(2P12) by N2 at low energies

Abstract The reactive and non-reactive scattering of state-selected Ar + ( 2 P 3 2 and Ar + ( 2 P 1 2 ) by N 2 have been investigated at center-of-mass collision energies of 0.78 and 1.54 eV using a crossed-beam apparatus. The percentage of Ar + ( 2 P 1 2 ) in the ion beam could be varied between about 1% and 33% by varying the operating conditions of a high-presure ion source. These ions were then mass selected, decelerated after mass analysis, and crossed at 90° by a He-seeded supersonic N 2 beam. Data obtained for the reactive channel confirm and expand previous data published by this laboratory and demonstrate that a transition from a direct mechanism generating primarily N + 2 (X 2 Σ + g , υ = 1) at both lower and higher energies and to a mechanism which populates all energetically accessible vibrational states of N + 2 (X 2 Σ + g ) takes place in the collision energy range 0.8–1.5 eV. The non-reactive scattering of Ar + ( 2 P 3 2 ) was forward peaked at both collision energies and showed vibrationally elastic and inelastic channels. In the backwards direction the quenching of Ar + ( 2 P 1 2 ) to Ar + ( 2 P 3 2 ) with simultaneous vibrational excitation of N 2 ( 1 Σ + g ) was clearly distinguishable from the non-reactively scattered Ar + ( 2 P 3 2 ). Quite different scattering patterns are observed for Ar + ( 2 P 3 2 ) and Ar + ( 2 P 1 2 ).
A simple quasi-analytical method for the deconvolution of Voigtian profiles

In electron spin resonance spectroscopy, spectral lineshapes are often assumed to be Voigtian. A number of researchers have suggested ways to approximate the Voigtian profile. Herein, we have devised a new quasi-analytical method to deconvolve it. In particular, we have derived an equation that relates the Lorentzian-to-Gaussian linewidth ratio directly to the product of the linewidth and the maximum value of a normalized Voigtian profile. Our calculations show that the Lorentzian and Gaussian linewidths obtained by the quasi-analytical deconvolution of computer-generated Voigtian absorption spectra are accurate within an error range of 1% in the absence of noise. Also, simulations with noise-added spectra reveal that, in the presence of white noise, our method is valid to a certain extent that depends on several factors such as the number of data points and the spectral sweep width. The new deconvolution method is valuable in that it estimates the Lorentzian and Gaussian linewidth in a rapid manner. The method may be also useful in other fields of science, such as optical spectroscopy, especially if some a priori knowledge about the lineshape is given.
A Hybrid Model of a Small Autofurling Wind Turbine

Most small wind turbines are designed to autofurl in high winds under aerodynamic and gravity forces to provide overspeed protection. Although autofurling is a proven technology with a long history, this totally passive mechanism is unfortunately not well understood and can perhaps be improved through careful analysis and redesign. Moreover, including an active yaw actuator such as a linear motor to supplement the passive autofurling mechanism by supplying a yaw moment can improve the turbine performance in high winds and strengthen the protection function. This paper proposes a mathematical model of small wind turbines and their autofurling mechanism and discusses a fuzzy model of the aerodynamics based on learning from extensive simulations using YawDyn.
Effect of methoxychlor on implantation and embryo development in the mouse

Methoxychlor (MXC) has been shown to have adverse effects on reproductive functions. However, it has not been fully determined whether the effects of MXC on reproduction are due to its estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects. Therefore, to further elucidate the estrogenic action of this pesticide in the mouse, we studied the effect of MXC on implantation and embryo development. MXC was found to initiate implantation in most delayed implanting mice at 400 μg/g body weight. However, at the higher dose of 800 μg/g body weight, MXC initiated implantation in only 50% of animals and the number of embryos implanting was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). It was determined that MXC inhibited implantation in intact pregnant mice only when given on Day 1 or Day 2 at 800 μg/g but not at lower doses or later in the preimplantation period. Embryonic development and transport were delayed on Days 3 and 4 in these animals. Finally, reciprocal embryo transfers with donor embryos recovered from MXC-treated animals (800 μg/g body weight on Day 1) transferred to untreated recipients resulted in no implantation compared to 79% implantation when donor embryos were treated with vehicle. These data indicate that MXC acts as an estrogen agonist at the level of the uterus and oviduct but as an antiestrogen in the ovary. In addition, MXC appears to alter normal preimplantation embryonic development. These results suggest the need for further studies to assess the mechanism of action of MXC in preimplantation embryos.
The dentist looks at the field of dermatology.

Abstract Since the dermatologist is a physician whose specialty embodies many diverse fields, not only must his training be broad, but in instances where it is possible he should have a background of general medicine before going into his profession. In the centers of dermatology today where real advances are being made in the knowledge of the specialty, there is included in their curriculum physiology, bacteriology, biochemistry, mycology, and pathology. Since dermatology is fundamentally a branch of internal medicine, with perhaps the addition of minor surgery and roentgenology, progress must be dependent upon a continuing combination of fundamental science with excellent clinical teaching.
Comparison of hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and costs in a historical cohort of Texas Medicaid patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, by initial medication regimen.

Abstract Background: Limited information is available on the relative outcomes and treatment costs of various pharmacotherapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a Medicaid population. Objective: This study compared the effects of initial medication regimens for COPD on COPD-related and all-cause events (hospitalizations and/or emergency department [ED] visits) and COPD-related and all-cause costs. Methods: The study population was a historical cohort of Texas Medicaid beneficiaries aged 40 to 64 years with COPD-related medical costs ( International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 491.xx, 492.xx, 496.xx), 24 months of continuous Medicaid enrollment (12 months before and after the index prescription), and at least 1 prescription claim (index) for a combination product containing fluticasone propionate + salmeterol, an inhaled corticosteroid, salmeterol, or ipratropium between April 1, 2001, and March 31, 2003. The analyses of events employed Cox proportional hazards regression, controlling for baseline factors and preindex events. The analyses of costs used a 2-part model with logistic regression and generalized linear model to adjust for baseline characteristics and preindex utilization and costs. Results: The study population included 6793 patients (1211 combination therapy, 968 inhaled corticosteroid, 401 salmeterol, and 4213 ipratropium). Only combination therapy was associated with a significantly lower risk for any COPD-related event (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.733; 95% CI, 0.650–0.826) and any all-cause event (HR = 0.906; 95% CI, 0.844–0.972) compared with ipratropium. COPD-related prescription costs were higher in all cohorts compared with the ipratropium cohort, but COPD-related medical costs were lower, offsetting the increase in prescription costs. For all-cause costs, prescription costs were higher in the combination-therapy cohort (+$415; P P P P Conclusions: In this historical population of Texas Medicaid beneficiaries, the combination-therapy cohort was 27% less likely to have a COPD-related event than the ipratropium cohort, 10% less likely to have any all-cause event, had similar COPD-related costs, and had reduced all-cause costs. Thus, compared with the ipratropium cohort, the combination-therapy cohort had an improvement in outcomes (based on the decreased time to a hospitalization or ED visit), with similar or decreased direct medical costs. Future research is needed in other patient groups.
New algorithms for processing images in the transform-compressed domain

Future multimedia applications involving images and video will require technologies enabling users to manipulate image and video data as flexibly as traditional text and numerical data. However, vast amounts of image and video data mandate the use of image compression, which makes direct manipulation and editing of image data difficult. To explore the maximum synergistic relationships between image manipulation and compression, we extend our prior study of transform-domain image manipulation techniques to more complicated image operations such as rotation, shearing, and line-wise special effects. We propose to extract the individual image rows (columns) first and then apply the previously proposed transform-domain filtering and scaling techniques. The transform-domain rotation and line-wise operations can be accomplished by calculating the summation of products of nonzero transform coefficients and some precalculated special matrices. The overall computational complexity depends on the compression rate of the input images. For highly-compressed images, the transform-domain technique provides great potential for improving the computation speed.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The genetics of a new mutable allele at the white locus in Drosophila melanogaster.

The genetics of a third case of high mutation frequency at the white locus in Drosophila melanogaster has been analyzed. The new mutable allele, w +u, mutates from a wild-type to a white-eyed phenotype in both males and females. The mutational event is 1) premeiotic, 2) not associated with crossingover, 3) sensitive to genetic modification, and 4) restricted to germinal tissue. The only mutants produced by w +u are deletions of the white locus. These deficiencies include subsites 4 and 5 of the white locus, but are cytologically unobservable. The mutable allele itself maps to subsite 4. The mutational properties of w +u are unlike those of the other highly mutable white alleles which have been interpreted in terms of phage-like controlling elements. Rather, the properties of w +u favor a model based on the premature termination of chromosome replication near the terminus of a replicon which leads to a chromosome deficient for the material between the point of premature termination and the end of the replicon.
Treating obesity: a new target for prevention of coronary heart disease.

Recognition by the American Heart Association that obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease has prompted health providers to take a more active role in obesity management. Obesity has long been known to accompany a host of chronic diseases, e.g., type II diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. We now recognize that obesity is itself a chronic disease with a complex etiology; like diabetes and hypertension, it is treatable with a similar chronic disease treatment model. Relatively modest weight loss confers disproportionate health benefits, improving a roster of risk factors. Diet, exercise, and behavior modification still compose the gold standard of treatment. If these measures fail, medication and surgery should be considered for appropriate patients. With current techniques, many patients can achieve realistic weight goals that can be maintained over the long term. Published management guidelines can now assist in integrating the practical applications of obesity-related research findings into everyday clinical practice.
Associations between Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Risk of Peripheral Artery Disease in Men

Context Previous studies have examined the associations of individual clinical risk factors with risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), but the combined effects of these risk factors are largely unknown. Objective To estimate the degree to which the 4 conventional cardiovascular risk factors of smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes are associated with the risk of PAD among men. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective study of 44 985 men in the United States without a history of cardiovascular disease at baseline in 1986; participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study were followed up for 25 years until January 2011. The presence of risk factors was updated biennially during follow-up. Main Outcome Measure Clinically significant PAD defined as limb amputation or revascularization, angiogram reporting vascular obstruction of 50% or greater, ankle-brachial index of less than 0.90, or physician-diagnosed PAD. Results During a median follow-up of 24.2 years (interquartile range, 20.8-24.7 years), there were 537 cases of incident PAD. Each risk factor was significantly and independently associated with a higher risk of PAD after adjustment for the other 3 risk factors and confounders. The age-adjusted incidence rates were 9 (95% CI, 6-14) cases/100 000 person-years (n = 19 incident cases) for 0 risk factors, 23 (95% CI, 18-28) cases/100 000 person-years (n = 99 incident cases) for 1 risk factor, 47 (95% CI, 39-56) cases/100 000 person-years (n = 176 incident cases) for 2 risk factors, 92 (95% CI, 76-111) cases/100 000 person-years (n = 180 incident cases) for 3 risk factors, and 186 (95% CI, 141-246) cases/100 000 person-years (n = 63 incident cases) for 4 risk factors. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for each additional risk factor was 2.06 (95% CI, 1.88-2.26). Men without any of the 4 risk factors had a hazard ratio of PAD of 0.23 (95% CI, 0.14-0.36) compared with all other men in the cohort. In 96% of PAD cases (95% CI, 94%-98%), at least 1 of the 4 risk factors was present at the time of PAD diagnosis. The population-attributable risk associated with these 4 risk factors was 75% (95% CI, 64%-87%). The absolute incidence of PAD among men with all 4 risk factors was 3.5/1000 person-years. Conclusion Among men in this cohort, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes account for the majority of risk associated with development of clinically significant PAD.
Symbolic representation of probabilistic worlds

Symbolic representation of environmental variables is a ubiquitous and often debated component of cognitive science. Yet notwithstanding centuries of philosophical discussion, the efficacy, scope, and validity of such representation has rarely been given direct consideration from a mathematical point of view. This paper introduces a quantitative measure of the effectiveness of symbolic representation, and develops formal constraints under which such representation is in fact warranted. The effectiveness of symbolic representation hinges on the probabilistic structure of the environment that is to be represented. For arbitrary probability distributions (i.e., environments), symbolic representation is generally not warranted. But in modal environments, defined here as those that consist of mixtures of component distributions that are narrow ("spiky") relative to their spreads, symbolic representation can be shown to represent the environment with a relatively negligible loss of information. Modal environments support propositional forms, logical relations, and other familiar features of symbolic representation. Hence the assumption that our environment is, in fact, modal is a key tacit assumption underlying the use of symbols in cognitive science.
Optimization of Detector-Preamplifier for Cryogenic Spectrometry

The design optimization of the detector-preamplifier subsystem is critical to the achievement of sensitive infrared spectrometers. The application illustrated is for cryogenically-cooled detectors, but the optimal approach based upon an operational preamplifier is general for detector operation under background limited conditions.
Comprehensive scheduling controls for Ada tasking

One of the functions for which Ada needs more expressive power is scheduling control. Scheduling controls provide a mechanism for comprehensive scheduling.In order to evaluate any concurrent language for its ability to control a multi-events environment, we need to have a general set for classifying all possible controls. Such a classification can exploit the expressive power of any concurrent language, and thus be used to provide us with a priori knowledge regarding the capacity of the language to be used for a specific application. It will also enable us to suggest the best environment for the application at hand. Evaluating Ada against these control capacities will provide us with a scientific approach to the issue of forming an integrated design of comprehensive scheduling controls for Ada.
Analysis, design and application of a capacitance measurement circuit with wide operating frequency range

A novel high frequency, low cost circuit for measuring capacitance is proposed in this paper. This new capacitance measuring circuit is able to measure small coupling capacitance variations with high stray-immunity. Hence, it could be used in many potential applications such as measuring a metal fill time in the lost foam casting (LFC) process and electrical capacitive tomography (ECT) system. The proposed circuit is based on differential charging/discharging method using current feedback amplifier and a synchronous demodulation stage. The circuit has a wide high frequency operating range with zero phase shift; hence multiple circuits can work at different frequencies simultaneously to measure the capacitance. The non-ideal characteristics of the circuit has been analyzed and verified through LTSpice simulation. Results from the tests on a prototype and a simulation elucidate the practicality of the proposed circuit.
Two-body Decays of the Nucleon

We compute branching ratios for proton and neutron decay for SU(5), SO(10), and $\mathrm{SU}{(2)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}{(2)}_{R}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{U}(1)$ unification schemes. Quark wave functions from the MIT bag model are used to describe hadron structure. The results differ from those of nonrelativistic SU(6). The proton and neutron total lifetimes are also estimated.
Adaptive Metrology Sampling techniques enabling higher precision in variability detection and control

In the era of nanotechnology, variability detection and control in the manufacturing process is vital in delivering products at high yields and at optimal cost. At Intel, DFM techniques are utilized to combat variability at all stages of product delivery-design, tape-out, mask generation, fab processing and assembly. Statistical process control (SPC), advanced process control (APC) and fault detection and classification (FDC) are examples of key capabilities used in the fab for variability detection, containment and correction on processing equipment and manufacturing process. This paper will focus on adaptive metrology sampling (AMS) and its role in variability detection and control during fab processing. AMS includes lot, wafer and field level metrology sampling strategies that varies the amount of sampling based on previous observations which include fab events and/or process control feedback. Adaptive sampling if implemented appropriately will improve precision in excursion detection, reduce detection time, minimize the quantity of silicon at risk and yield losses from such excursions. This paper will illustrate key strategies and techniques that should be considered for a successful AMS implementation. This includes details on system architecture, data inputs, sample material selection rules, and metrology capacity management strategy.
Assessing Physical Function and Physical Activity in Patients with CKD

Patients with CKD are characterized by low levels of physical functioning, which, along with low physical activity, predict poor outcomes in those treated with dialysis. The hallmark of clinical care in geriatric practice and geriatric research is the orientation to and assessment of physical function and functional limitations. Although there is increasing interest in physical function and physical activity in patients with CKD, the nephrology field has not focused on this aspect of care. This paper provides an in-depth review of the measurement of physical function and physical activity. It focuses on physiologic impairments and physical performance limitations (impaired mobility and functional limitations). The review is based on established frameworks of physical impairment and functional limitations that have guided research in physical function in the aging population. Definitions and measures for physiologic impairments, physical performance limitations, self-reported function, and physical activity are presented. On the basis of the information presented, recommendations for incorporating routine assessment of physical function and encouragement for physical activity in clinical care are provided.
Improved outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with reinforced early treatment and rotational combination chemotherapy

To improve outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a stratified, randomised study of extended intensified chemotherapy was done. 358 evaluable patients received remission reinforcement therapy (teniposide, cytarabine, high-dose methotrexate) added to a four-drug induction regimen. Those achieving complete remission were randomised on the basis of risk group assignment to conventional continuation treatment or to four pairs of drugs rotated weekly or every 6 weeks. All patients received intrathecal chemotherapy; higher-risk patients also received 1800 cGy cranial irradiation after 1 year of remission. Complete remission was induced in 96% of the patients. At median follow-up of 40 (range 19-73) months, 4-year event-free survival (SE) was 73 (4)% overall, 81 (6)% in the lower-risk group (n = 110), and 69 (5)% in the higher-risk group (n = 248). Outcome within risk groups was not significantly affected by the speed of rotation of drug pairs during continuation treatment. Various high-risk subgroups had apparently improved responses to this treatment. This intensified chemotherapy may cure 69-77% of children with ALL.
Severe surfing-related ocular injuries: the Stanford Northern Californian experience

There is a growing body of literature describing severe surfing-related ocular injuries that result in permanent vision loss. We describe three severe surfing-related ocular injuries that occurred on beaches in northern California. One particular case stresses the need to tailor treatment to the patient and injury because of the possibility of good outcomes despite severe injury. Attention should also be directed towards commercially available safety gear and providing additional safety measures to prevent other orbital and ocular injuries.
The regulation of 17,20 lyase activity

P450c17 is a single microsomal enzyme that catalyzes two distinct steroid biosynthetic activities: 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20 lyase. Human beings have only one gene that encodes only one form of P450c17. Three clinical observations indicated that these were independently regulated activities. First, several cases of isolated 17,20 lyase deficiency were reported, in which 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity was spared. Second, most adrenal steroidogenesis in children stops after 17 alpha-hydroxylation, thus permitting the synthesis of cortisol, whereas most gonadal steroidogenesis proceeds to C19 sex steroids as a result of both activities. Third, the 17,20 lyase activity of the human adrenal is developmentally activated during adrenarche. To catalyze these two activities, P450c17 must receive reducing equivalents from electron donors (redox partners). Previous observations showed that the molar ratio of P450 oxidoreductase to P450c17 was 3-fold higher in the testis than in the adrenal, and that increasing the molar ratio of the redox partner to P450c17 would increase the ratio of 17,20 lyase activity to 17 alpha-hydroxylase. We have recently shown that P450c17 must be phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase to acquire 17,20 lyase activity. We have also recently found two cases of isolated 17,20 lyase deficiency that have mutations of residues in the proposed redox partner binding site. Together, these studies suggest a unified view of the regulation of 17,20 lyase activity. The ratio of 17,20 lyase to 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity of P450c17 is regulated by the availability of reducing equivalents flowing to the enzyme. This can be increased by increasing the molar concentration of electron-donating redox partners, such as P450 oxidoreductase or possibly cytochrome b5, as appears to be the case in the gonads. Alternatively, the affinity of P450c17 for redox partners may be selectively increased by Ser/Thr phosphorylation, or selectively decreased by certain mutations in the redox partner binding site, in either case altering an electrostatic interaction between P450c17 and the redox partner. This model is consistent with all present observations about the biochemistry, genetics, enzymology, and clinical phenomenology of P450c17.
Maturing Supporting Software for C2-Simulation Interoperation

The Battle Management Language (BML) has been developed as an unambiguous representation of orders, reports and requests between military command and control (C2) systems and simulations. This paper describes development of two critical elements for BML experimentation. The first is a Web service that is used as a repository for the orders, reports, and requests, packaged as XML documents and stored in a relational database in a standard format. The second is a graphic user interface that supports inspection and modification of BML documents using forms that are created from the BML schemas at runtime, combined with a geospatial interface. This paper describes the role of these elements in C2-simulation interoperation and describes their architecture and features, as motivated by application in NATO Coalition BML experimentation. The software described is available as open source.
Interdecadal changes in the zonal wind and the intensity of intraseasonal oscillations during boreal summer Asian monsoon

Decadal–interdecadal changes in the intensity of intraseasonal oscillations (ISO) and in thesummer mean wind fields in the Asian monsoon system are investigated using 51 yr of 850 hPazonal wind data obtained from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction – NationalCenter for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) Reanalysis. Decadal–interdecadal variationscontribute significantly to the total variability of the summer mean 850 hPa zonal wind(30–45%) and the ISOs intensity (20–35%). These variations in the summer mean 850 hPazonal wind and in the intensity of the 30–60 d ISO have a distinct zonal structure and areassociated with the strength of low level westerlies and with meridional dynamics of the TropicalConvergence Zone (TCZ). Interdecadal changes in the intensity of the 10–20 d ISO are mostpronounced over the eastern Indian Ocean, the South China Sea and the western tropicalPacific.Singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis revealed a strong correlation on an interdecadaltimescale between the sea surface temperatures (SST) in the Indian Ocean and the summermean 850 hPa zonal wind and the intensity of the ISOs in the Asian summer monsoon, whereassuch correlations on a decadal timescale are weak. The temporal expansion coefficients of thefirst SVD mode show a climate regime shift in the mid-late 1970s. During the last few decades,SST in the Indian Ocean increased, resulting in a decreased land–sea heat contrast and weakerlow-level westerlies over northern Indian Ocean, the Indian subcontinent, and Indochina. Inresponse to sea surface warming and associated enhanced convection, the 30–60 d ISO becamestronger over the equatorial central and western Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, andweaker over the Indian subcontinent, the northern Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.Meanwhile a 10–20 d ISO intensified over the eastern Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, andthe western tropical Pacific. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.2002.00235.x