cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the sensitivity of treatment effect estimates to differential follow-up rates: implications for translational research

We develop a new tool for assessing the sensitivity of findings on treatment effectiveness to differential follow-up rates in the two treatment conditions being compared. The method censors the group with the higher response rate to create a synthetic respondent group that is then compared with the observed cases in the other condition to estimate a treatment effect. Censoring is done under various assumptions about the strength of the relationship between follow-up and outcomes to determine how informative differential dropout can alter inferences relative to estimates from models that assume the data are Missing at Random. The method provides an intuitive measure for understanding the strength of the association between outcomes and dropout that would be required to alter inferences about treatment effects. Our approach is motivated by translational research in which treatments found to be effective under experimental conditions are tested in standard treatment settings. In such applications, follow-up rates in the experimental setting are likely to be substantially higher than in the standard setting, especially when observational data are used in the evaluation. We test the method on a case study evaluation of the effectiveness of an evidence-supported adolescent substance abuse treatment program (Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-5) delivered by community-based treatment providers relative to its performance in a controlled research trial. In this case study, follow-up rates in the community-based settings were extremely low (54 %) compared to the experimental setting (95 %) giving raise to concerns about non-ignorable drop-out.
The Impact of Reapportionment On Public Policy The Case of Florida, 1960-1980

Typical examinations of the impact of reapportionment have taken a narrow time frame, focused on level of funding, and tried to survey all states. This article departs from the norm in that we look at a twenty-year history of a single state, Florida, and include, in addition to fiscal policies, regulatory policies and a discussion of party competition. Our intention is not to refute the importance of economic variables in state policymaking, but to redirect attention to the area where political vanables, like reapportionment, can have their greatest impact: on the geographic distribution of resources. We find that for party competition and for four policy areas-two fiscal and two regulatory-reapportionment had a significant impact.
β-endorphin: Replacement of glutamic acid in position 8 by glutamine increases analgesic potency and opiate receptor-binding activity

Summary A β-endorphin analog with replacement of glutamic acid in position 8 by glutamine has been synthesized by modified procedures of the solid-phase method. The analgesic potency of the synthetic analog was increased to nearly three-fold with a concomitant increase of opiate receptor-binding activity in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells. This is the first instance in which a replacement of a single amino acid causes an increase of analgesic potency of β-endorphin.
Integration of duration and frequency cues in discrimination between pure tones

The acoustic cues that underlie discrimination of complex sounds (e.g., speech) are often multidimensional and sequential (i.e., not all the dimensions vary at the same time). In this work we explored whether the information provided by the various dimensions can be integrated to improve discrimination, for the case of cues consisting of a change in duration followed by a change in frequency. The procedure was a same‐different discrimination between pairs of tones. Each pair consisted of two 80‐ms, 1500‐Hz tone bursts separated by a 60‐ms interval. For the “different” trials, the comparison pair contained increments in the duration (Δt) of the first tone and/or in the frequency (Δf) of the second tone. For various values of Δt, the value of Δf required to maintain a constant performance level was measured, and vice versa. A tradeoff between the values of Δt and Δf required for d′ = 2.0 was observed, suggesting that the effects of the two dimensions were integrated. The tradeoff was most prominent when the...
Engraftment of freshly isolated or cultured human umbilical cord blood cells and the effect of cyclosporin A on the outcome

Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) is a potentially valuable resource for cell therapy. The present study investigated the short-term survival of intrastriatal grafts of either freshly isolated or cultured HUCB cells and the effect of the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A (CSA) in host rat brains. The group injected with either freshly isolated or cultured HUCB cells was subdivided into CSA or saline controls. Freshly isolated and cultured HUCB cells displayed surface markers CD33, CD44, CD45, CD51/61 and CD90/Thy-1. The hematopoietic progenitor marker CD34 was expressed only in freshly isolated cells. The majority of injected HUCB cells were localized within a 500-μm radius from the injection site in the striatum; however, a subpopulation migrated along the corpus callosum. There was no significant statistical difference in the cell count between freshly isolated and cultured HUCB cells with or without CSA. Some grafted HUCB cells expressed either a neural or microglial marker. There was weak up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen in rats either with or without CSA. However, there were considerably fewer positive cells labeled with an MHC class II antigen in CSA groups. These results suggest that neither freshly isolated nor cultured HUCB cells induce acute rejection after intrastriatal transplantation up to 14 days. CSA suppressed up-regulation of MHC class II antigen in the host brain.
Development of a Large-Scale Field System for Screening Peanut for Resistance to Preharvest Aflatoxin Contamination

Abstract Preharvest aflatoxin contamination (PAC) of peanut occurs under prolonged periods of drought and heat stress. Evaluation of peanut germplasm may identify valuable sources of resistance to ...
Packet scheduling with delay and loss differentiation

To support quality of service over the Internet, the Differentiated Services model has been proposed recently by the IETF. In the Differentiated Services model, flows with similar qualities of service (QoS) requirements are aggregated into classes in order to counter the scalability problem faced by the Integrated Services model. There have been several models proposed for service differentiation. The relative differentiated service model is one among them in which an assurance is given that 'higher classes will be better, or at least no worse, than lower classes'. Packet delay and packet loss are two general quality metrics under which the differentiation can take place. In this paper, we propose three schedulers based on the relative differentiated service model, namely, delay only, loss only, and both delay and loss schedulers. To evaluate the performance of the proposed schedulers, we have conducted extensive simulation studies (both per-hop and end-to-end) under uniform and non-uniform traffic loads. Our simulation studies show that the delay only and loss only schedulers differentiate effectively only in delay and loss, respectively, and the combined delay and loss scheduler differentiates effectively in both delay and loss.
Syphilitic coronary stenosis, with myocardial infarction

Abstract The protocols of 6,225 consecutive autopsies at the Charity Hospital of New Orleans during the past five years were reviewed in order to ascertain the incidence of myocardial infarction secondary to syphilitic coronary stenosis. Three such patients were found. These comprised 1.6 per cent of all cases of myocardial infarction. A review of the literature revealed nine other patients with myocardial infarction caused by syphilis. The average age of the patients with syphilitic coronary stenosis was forty-five years. Both arteries were involved in the majority of cases. Among the patients with coronary stenosis, the white to colored ratio was about one to six, and the female to male ratio was about one to three and a half. The blood Wassermann reaction was positive in 96.3 per cent of the patients with coronary stenosis. The average weight of the hearts with coronary stenosis alone was 413 grams, whereas patients who had had coronary stenosis and aortic regurgitation, hypertension, or both, had an average heart weight of 680 grams. A case of myocardial infarction secondary to syphilitic coronary stenosis was described to illustrate the clinical picture.
Forces and Torques on Rotating Spirochete Flagella

Spirochetes are a unique group of motile bacteria that are distinguished by their helical or flat-wave shapes and the location of their flagella, which reside within the tiny space between the bacterial cell wall and the outer membrane (the periplasm). In Borrelia burgdorferi, rotation of the flagella produces cellular undulations that drive swimming. How these shape changes arise due to the forces and torques that act between the flagella and the cell body is unknown. It is possible that resistive forces come from friction or from fluid drag, depending on whether or not the flagella are in contact with the cell wall. Here, we consider both of these cases. By analyzing the motion of an elastic flagellum rotating in the periplasmic space, we show that the flagella are most likely separated from the bacterial cell wall by a lubricating layer of fluid. This analysis then provides drag coefficients for rotation and sliding of a flagellum within the periplasm.
Stability of Morphine in Aqueous Solution III. Kinetics of Morphine Degradation in Aqueous Solution

Abstract The degradation of morphine in aqueous solution is dependent on the pH of the solution and on the presence of atmospheric oxygen in the system. The overall reaction rate, in systems containing excess oxygen, was found to be equal to [ k ′ 1 ( Ka Ka + H + ) + k ′ 2 ( H + Ka + H + ) ] ( Morphine ) Degradation mechanisms for morphine, based on kinetic data and previously reported data on naphthol oxidation, are presented.
Ultra-low V ? slot Waveguide Based Interferometers with ? 2 Nonlinear Polymers

Slot waveguides allow joint confinement of the RF electrical and optical-fields in a narrow slot and enable ultra-low driving-voltage polymer-based modulators. We show recent progress with transmission line driven devices and application to analog-optical links.
Nasal and paranasal presentations of chordomas.

Eight patients with chordomas whose initial manifestations were caused by nasal and paranasal extension of the tumor are presented. Their ages ranged from 24 to 51 years. Disturbances of vision developed subsequently in all eight patients, and headache was present in each patient. Roentgenograms showed bony erosion of the sphenoid sinus or a naso-pharyngeal mass. Because chordomas can be confused with chondrosarcomas histopatho-logically, differentiation is important. Treatment consists of surgical debulking or radiotherapy (or both). Despite such treatment, six patients died from their disease. The average survival was five years. This emphasizes the well-known poor prognosis for patients with clival chordomas.
UDDER INFECTION WITH STREPTOCOCCI OF THE SCARLET FEVER TYPE : III. THE INFLUENCE OF MILK ON THE GROWTH OF SCARLET FEVER STREPTOCOCCI.

The experiments indicate that milk filtered through a Berkefeld candle V or heated at 58°C. for 20 minutes when added to blood agar plate cultures interferes with the development of colonies of the scarlet fever streptococcus. The observed inhibition is proportional to the amount of milk. When the approximate milk dilution in the Petri dish is 1:20 or 1:25 growth of the organisms is completely suppressed or only a small proportion of non-hemolytic colonies develop. As the amount of milk is decreased the colonies become larger and their hemolytic zones more pronounced, although even when the final dilution of milk reaches 1:100 or 1:125 only colonies easily mistaken for the narrow zoned bovine streptococci appear. The effects upon the surviving organisms would appear to be transient since both the non-hemolytic colonies and those with small zones manifest the original hemolytic properties when transferred to other media. When scarlet fever streptococci are added in small quantities to milk heated at 58°C. for 20 minutes and incubated growth is inhibited. If the period is prolonged the streptococci are killed. On refrigeration of such mixtures some of the streptoccci are killed but others survive the test period.
Near Infrared Absorption Sensor Based on Large-scale Array of Miniaturized Microdonut Resonators

An optical integrated absorption sensor based on a multichannel, high resolution (<0.6 nm) near-infrared spectrometer is proposed. Miniaturized microresonators (radius < 2μm) with high intrinsic Q enable the on-chip spectroscopy with low insertion loss.
The nature of the general relativistic solution of the charged line mass

Abstract The nature of the solution of a line charge is discussed using the Already Unified Field Theory. It is shown that it is impossible to have charge without mass with this symmetry. Approximate solutions valid for either small or large mass per unit length are presented and compared with previous work. We show that, if charge is present, beyond some critical distance from the axis a neutral test body is repelled instead of attracted.
Boundary issues in academia: Student perceptions of faculty - student boundary crossings

Boundary crossings in academia are rarely addressed by university policy despite the risk of problematic or unethical faculty—student interactions. This study contributes to an understanding of undergraduate college student perceptions of appropriateness of faculty—student nonsexual interactions by investigating the influence of gender and ethnicity on student judgments of the appropriateness of numerous hypothetical interactions. Overall, students deemed the majority of interactions as inappropriate. Female students judged a number of interactions as more inappropriate than did male students, and with a few exceptions, Mexican American and Anglo American students were similar in their ratings of the appropriateness of faculty—student interactions. These findings suggest that universities need to be proactive in establishing guidelines concerning faculty-student boundary crossings.
Visualization of Air Traffic Flow for Modeling and Control Applications

A safe and efficient aviation industry is vital to the global economy. The growing traffic demand, rise in oil prices, delays in building new runways and security issues are imposing pressures on the system to evolve from the current procedure-based human-centered system to a more flexible system with higher levels of automation. Air Traffic Management (ATM) involves several layers of decision-makers scattered between the service providers (Airports and the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States) and users of airspace (Airlines, General Aviation, Cargo Carriers). Several types of uncertainties are pervasive in the system. ATM needs major overhauling in the United States of America and Europe and traffic demand is growing at a rapid rate in Asia. The transformation of ATM requires both policy and technological changes.
An extensive study for the impacts of structure-wise TSVs on position-oriented MOSFETs with TSV signal disturbance

A comprehensive investigation for the structural and electrical influences of via-last through silicon via (TSV) process on the 0.18-μm MOSFETs has been proposed in this work. The well-isolated TSVs don't affect the threshold voltages and drain currents in terms of the MOSFET distances to the TSVs, the size of the TSVs, the configuration of TSVs, and the positions of MOSFETs by the TSVs. Over-wafer characteristics profile wouldn't spread out more by TSV process. Moreover, the well configurations in the Si substrate for the MOSFETs surely relate to the interference of high-frequency signals in the TSV on the relative MOSFETs.
Anisotropic Mechanical Properties of Soft Tissues by Magnetic Resonance Elastography

Structure-function relationships incorporate anisotropy of soft tissues, to account for their direction-dependent loading response [1]. Empirical measures: fiber alignment and distribution have been used to describe soft tissue response due to cell-matrix interactions and applied loads [2, 3]. To complement these measures, noninvasive estimation of anisotropic mechanical properties is essential. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive technique to obtain elastic properties form propagating shear waves [4]. Wave propagation patterns in MRE were found to vary with direction of tissue excitation and fiber orientation [5]. Accurate estimates of anisotropic elastic properties of soft tissues have yet to be obtained by MRE.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Determination of Nanocluster Sizes from Dark-Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Images

A novel method of determining nanocluster sizes and size distributions using high-angle annular dark-field imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy is described. This method is demonstrated for MgO-supported [Os10C(CO)24]2- clusters formed by treating Os3(CO)12 precursors in CO. The image analysis identified the presence of both Os3(CO)12 precursors and [Os10C(CO)24]2- clusters in the expected ratio (with the sizes matching those calculated on the basis of their crystallographically determined structures within 6%) and also larger clusters that can be readily identified as combinations of the former clusters.
Investigation of an Activity-Based Text-Processing Strategy in Mixed-Age Child Dyads

The authors examined an activity-based listening strategy with first- and third-grade children in mixed-grade dyads. On the basis of theories of cognitive development and previous research, the authors predicted the following: (a) children in an activity-based strategy would recall more story events compared with those in a repetition strategy and (b) children who performed activity would recall more events compared with those who observed activity. In addition, previous visual imagery research suggested that (c) recall in favor of the activity-based strategy would be observed when the toys were removed and imagery instructions were provided. The results confirmed the first prediction that the activity-based strategy would improve children's memory for story content. The second prediction was not supported: Physical manipulation did not improve memory beyond observing the actions performed by a peer. Last, third-grade students benefited from imagery instructions after training, whereas first-grade student...
The stoichiometry of J chain in human secretory dimeric IgA

Dimeric human secretory IgA was completely reduced with mercaptoethanol and alkylated with [14C]iodoacetamide. The component polypeptide chains were separated by high performance gel filtration in 5 M guanidine HCl into two fractions: one containing secretory component (SC) + heavy (H) chains; and the second containing light (L) + J chains. L and J chains were subsequently separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or in alkaline urea. Calculations of the J chain stoichiometry in the dimeric secretory IgA (S-IgA) molecule were based on: the measurement of the ratio of radioactivities of SC + H chain and L + J chain-fractions or L chain- and J chain-fractions; the known stoichiometry of SC, H and L chains; and the known number of half-cystine residues in the component polypeptide chains of S-IgA molecule. The data demonstrated that one molecule of dimeric S-IgA contains approx. one J chain.
Retention models and interaction mechanisms of acetone and other carbonyl-containing molecules with amylose tris[(S)-α-methylbenzylcarbamate] sorbent.

Abstract The stoichiometric displacement models developed in the literature have been widely used for understanding the adsorption mechanisms of solutes in various chromatography systems. The models were used to explain the linear plots of the logarithms of the solute retention factor versus the molar concentration of a competitive modifier in an inert solvent. The slope of the linear plot was inferred to be the total number of modifier molecules displaced from the sorbent and from the solute–modifier complex upon adsorption of a solute molecule. The slopes reported in the literature were generally greater than 1. In this study, we determined the retention factors of five monovalent solutes, acetone, cyclo hexanone, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, and hydrocinnamaldehyde, on a derivatized polysaccharide sorbent, amylose tris[( S )-α-methylbenzylcarbamate], or AS, as a function of the concentration of a polar modifier isopropanol (IPA) in n -hexane (an inert solvent). Each solute has one C O functional group, which can form an H-bond with a sorbent NH group and the OH group of IPA. The slopes, from 0.25 to 0.45, of the log–log plots are less than 1, which cannot be explained by the literature displacement models. The results of Infrared Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory simulations show clear evidence of acetone–IPA complexation and IPA aggregation with average aggregation number n = 3. A new thermodynamic retention model is developed to take into account IPA aggregation, IPA–solute complexation, and competitive adsorption. Dimensionless group analysis indicates that aggregation of IPA can lead to slopes B below 1, even at high IPA concentrations. The model parameters (IPA aggregation number and equilibrium constants) are estimated from the retention factors at different IPA concentrations. The retention model and the parameters are further validated with dynamic chromatography simulations. The results show that the aggregation leads to a significant reduction in the IPA monomer concentration, which affects the IPA–sorbent binding and the IPA–solute complexation. As a result, the slope of the log-log plot at a high IPA concentration approaches 1/ n without complexation, or 2/ n with complexation. The variations of B between the five achiral solutes can be due to different strengths of solute–IPA complexation. Hence, the complexation and aggregation of the polar modifier in the mobile phase must be accounted for in the retention models used in the interpretation of the retention factors and the adsorption mechanisms.
Paracrine and intracellular signaling mechanisms of calcium waves in cultured human uterine myocytes

Abstract Objective: To establish mechanisms of intercellular communication in human myometrium other than action potential propagation. Methods: Monolayer cultured human myometrium was used as a model system. The calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye, calcium green-1, was used as a probe for the concentration of intracellular free calcium. Intercellular calcium waves were initiated by mechanical stimulation and observed with video spectrofluorimetry. This technique allowed initiation of calcium waves from a known location at a known time while simultaneously controlling the flow rate of the bathing solution across the surface of the cells. Intercellular calcium waves were observed at bath flow rates between 0 and 5.1 mL/minute through a 0.4 mL chamber. Experiments were performed using low calcium, high potassium bathing solutions to eliminate the possibility of action potential signaling. Results: In still bathing solution, calcium waves radiated symmetrically from the site of initiation. With the bathing solution flowing, two mechanisms of intercellular calcium wave propagation were observed—one dependent on and one independent of the direction of bath flow. The calcium waves that were independent of bath flow used an intracellular mechanism for intercellular communication, were only observed within 100 μm of the site of wave initiation, and demonstrated mean (± standard deviation [SD]) wave speeds of 14.1 ± 2.6 μm/second. The waves dependent on bath flow used an extracellular signaling mechanism, were observed at distances much greater than 100 μm, and exhibited downstream biasing. Mean (±SD) wave speeds of flow-dependent calcium waves were faster under flow conditions than still bath conditions (36.0 ± 4.7 versus 6.2 ± 1.3 μm/second; P Conclusion: Human myocytes demonstrate paracrine and intracellular signaling mechanisms for intercellular communication that are distinctly different from action potential propagation.
Abstract 257: Targeted inhibition of mutant k-ras by siRNA in pancreatic cancer cells results in increased sensitivity to anti-EGFR therapy

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Cancer patients are frequently resistant to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy due to secondary mutations in k-ras. This is particularly true for pancreatic cancer patients where the frequency of k-ras mutations is exceptionally high. A variety of therapeutic strategies to target RAS effector pathways have been pursued with limited success. We report here on the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence oncogenic k-ras in a pancreatic cancer cell line with the goal of sensitizing the cells to anti-EGFR chemotherapies. The AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cell line expresses EGFR and is homozygous for the mutant k-ras GAT (GGT to GAT in codon 12) allele resulting in the constitutive activation of downstream pathways and reduced apoptotic function. We independently transfected (lipofectamine 2000) AsPC-1 with two siRNAs, one targeted to the mutant (si-k-ras GAT) and one to the wild type (si-k-ras GGT) alleles. We found that levels of k-ras expression (RT-PCR) were significantly reduced after si-k-ras GAT transfection but not after si-k-ras GGT transfection indicating target specificity against the mutant allele. As a preliminary test of the potential clinical utility of si-k-ras GAT mediated inhibition, we measured the relative viability (Tox-8 assay) of AsPC-1 cells transfected with si-k-ras GAT and the EGFR inhibitors Gemcitabine and Erbitux. The results demonstrate a significant increase in sensitivity to both drugs in cells transfected with si-k-ras GAT. We conclude that siRNA mediated inhibition of mutant k-ras may be a promising method by which to sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to anti-EGFR therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 257. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-257
A recursive algorithm to reduce the number of wavelength converters in support of multiple light-trees

Summary form only given. Media content delivery and more in general Cloud related data traffic can highly benefit from the availability of multicast connections in the optical transport network. One specific case is represented by optical multicast trees (light-trees), which are established in the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) layer. With a light-tree, the optical signal from the root of the multicast session is propagated and split optically till the multicast leaves are all reached. To avoid blocking due to already reserved (unavailable) wavelengths, the creation of a light-tree may require a change of the signal wavelength which is assigned to some of the tree links, in which case wavelength converters (WCs) are required for the light-tree to be created. WCs are pricy and consume energy, thus a wisely designed network must minimize the required number of WCs.
Exercise endurance-training alters vitamin E tissue levels and red-blood-cell hemolysis in rodents.

Muscle tissue levels of dl-α-tocopherol (vitamin E) were significantly lower in endurance-trained rats than in sedentary animals, whether the animals were fed on vitamin-E-deficient or control (vitamin-E-sufficient) diets. In vitamin-E-deficient rats, liver tissue levels of vitamin E were significantly lower in those that were endurance-trained than in those that were sedentary; this was not the case in control animals. In addition, for vitamin-E-deficient rats, the onset of red-blood-cell hemolysis in the sedentary animals occurred one week earlier than in the endurance-trained animals. Thus, it appears that training induces a protective effect against hemolysis despite vitamin E deficiency.
Existence theorems for a class of problems in nonlinear elasticity

In this article, we develop some general theorems governing the existence of solutions of a class of nonlinear problems of elastostatics of continuous media. We arrive at these theorems in a deductive way; i.e., we develop some general existence theorems applicable to abstract equations defined on reflexive Banach spaces, and we then describe sufficient conditions under which certain problems in nonlinear elasticity fall within the framework of the general theorems. To simplify the analysis, we restrict ourselves to the problem of place in nonlinear elastostatics; i.e., we consider the class of nonlinear boundary-value problems in which the displacements are prescribed on the boundary. Our theory does not require the existence of a stored energy function, or is it limited to bodies subjected to conservative external forces. Moreover, it is applicable to one-, two-, and three-dimensional (indeed, to n-dimensional) problems. As such, it generalizes theories that have been put forth recently. However, in the present study we do not consider complications due to the constraint of local invcrtibility which is commonly assumed to hold in problems of finite elasticity. We hope to address this problem in later work. A number of strong existence theorems for linear elliptic boundary value theorems of elasticity are known, and a comprehensive article on this subject was written by Fichera [13]. By comparison, however, the nonlinear theory is virtually untouched. An excellent summary account of the state of existence theory in nonlinear elasticity as it stood in 1973 can be found in the book of Wang and Truesdell [27]. For one-dimensional problems, the theory is more fully developed primarily because of the fact that, if strong ellipticity is assumed, the operators of one-dimensional elasticity are semi-monotone; i.e., they are monotone in the highest derivatives. As such, they fall into the class of operators studied extensively by B&is [9], Lions [I 81, B rowder [ll], and others. Antman has exploited this fact repeatedly in his studies of elastic rods, plates, and shells (see, for example, [2-61 and the references therein). An exhaustive bibliography on monotone and pseudo-monotone operator theory, with an emphasis on
Linkage Isomerization via Geminate Cage or Bimolecular Mechanisms: Time-Resolved Investigations of an Organometallic Photochrome

The extent of the photoinitiated linkage isomerization of dicarbonyl(3-cyanomethylpyridine-κN)(η5-methylcyclopentadienyl)manganese (4) to dicarbonyl(3-cyano-κN-methylpyridine)(η5-methylcyclopentadienyl)manganese (5) was examined by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy on picosecond to microsecond time scales in room temperature isooctane to determine the extent the isomerization occurs as a geminate cage rearrangement. We previously reported that a substantial part of the conversion between 4 and 5 must be a bimolecular reaction between a solvent coordinated dicarbonyl(η5-methylcyclopentadienyl)manganese (3) and uncoordinated 3-cyanomethylpyridine. For the purpose of designing a molecular device, it would be desirable for the photoisomerization to occur in a geminate cage reaction, because the faster the isomerization, the less opportunity for side reactions to occur. In this study, assignments of transients are identified by comparison with transients observed for model reactions. Within 100 μs after phot...
A Survey of Statistical-Dynamical Models of the Terrestrial Climate

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses statistical dynamic models and explains how these models stem from the most general statements of the hydro thermodynamic laws and fit into a hierarchy of increasing complexity and simulation capability. The chapter discusses the physical foundation and reviews the development of an important group of models known as statistical-dynamical models. It also presents a review of the fundamental equations (namely, continuity equations, the equations of motion, the thermodynamical energy equation, and constitutive equations) that are the basis of both the explicit- and statistical-dynamical climate models. Climatic averaging is also discussed. The chapter then discusses the vertically integrated, thermodynamic models and describes its foundations and applications. It illustrates equations for the axially symmetric and asymmetric mean states, symmetric (zonal) models, asymmetric (nonzonal) models, and the complete time average state. Finally, the chapter explains modeling the evolution of climate, its general concepts and studies of forced climatic change, studies of free climatic change, and climatic prediction.
Generalizing Caratheodory's uniqueness of harmonic parameterization to N dimensions

Consider a sum of F exponentials in N dimensions, and let I/sub n/ be the number of equispaced samples taken along the nth dimension. It is shown that if the frequencies or decays along every dimension are distinct and /spl Sigma//sub n=1//sup N/ I/sub n//spl ges/2F+(N-1), then the parameterization in terms of frequencies, decays, amplitudes, and phases is unique. The result can be viewed as generalizing a classic result of Caratheodory to N dimensions. The proof relies on a recent result regarding the uniqueness of low-rank decomposition of N-way arrays.
Application-Specific Memory Interleaving Enables High Performance in FPGA-based Grid Computations

Current generations of FPGAs create possibilities for innovative, application-specific computation pipelines. In many cases, the pipeline can fully exploit the FPGA's parallelism only when multiple operands are available concurrently, requiring clusters of values to be fetched from memory. These clusters of values often have fixed organization, as in the eight grid points around an off-grid position that are needed for 3D interpolation of a value at that position. This paper presents a technique for creating custom interleaving of the FPGA's on-chip memories, giving access to the entire cluster of values in one memory cycle. This technique works on grids of 2, 3, or more dimensions, on many non-rectangular grids, and on cluster organization specific to each application. The authors report the initial version of a design tool that inputs the relative positions of grid points in the access cluster, and produces synthesizable HDL code for the custom-interleaved memory
Tomographic reconstruction of the pulse-echo spatiotemporal impulse response

Virtually every area of ultrasonic imaging research requires accurate estimation of the spatiotemporal impulse response of the instrument, and yet accurate measurements are difficult to achieve. The impulse response can also be difficult to predict numerically for a specific device because small unknown perturbations in array properties can generate significant changes in predicted pulse-echo field patterns. A typical measurement for a 1-D array transducer employs a line scatterer oriented perpendicular to the scan plane. Echoes from line scatterers located throughout the field of view constitute estimates of shift-varying line response functions. We propose an inverse-problem approach to the reconstruction of point-spread functions from line-spread functions. A collection of echoes recorded for a range of line-scatterer rotation angles are treated as projections of sound pressure onto the transducer array surface. Although the reconstruction is mathematically equivalent to filtered backprojection, it provides significant advantages with respect to interpolation that confound straightforward implementations. Field II predictions used to model measurements made on commercial systems suggest the reconstruction accuracy is with 0.32% for noiseless echo data. Application of the method to data acquired from a commercial system are evaluated from the perspective of deconvolution.
Variable compression using JPEG

To meet various transmission and storage constraints, it is desirable that a compression algorithm allows a range of compression ratios. In this paper we analyze the JPEG compression algorithm, the international standard for compressing continuous tone images, and show how higher compression ratios can be achieved with minimal loss in image quality. We compare three methods to achieve variable compression with JPEG. Through a comprehensive analysis using 8 standard monochrome images from the USC database, we propose a method that offers substantial visual quality advantages for high compression ratios. The comparisons have been made by using an objective distortion measure which corresponds well to subjective assessments of visual quality. The paper provides detailed motivation for the algorithms, and suggests the choice of parameters to obtain variable compression with minimal loss in visual quality. >
Resident Learning in Ambulatory Care: Skill Adaptation and Faculty Supervision

Resident learning in ambulatory care settings requires the adaptation of clinical skills acquired from work on inpatient services. In this observational study, several ways in which a group of internal medicine residents adapted to the stress of clinical work were documented. The quantity and quality of faculty supervision of the residents' ambulatory experiences were examined, noting that close supervision rarely occurs. Suggestions are made about several possible approaches toward enhancing the educational quality of residents'experiences in ambulatory care settings.
Magnesium supplementation in the prevention of arrhythmias in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects.

Abstract Background The efficacy of magnesium in the prevention of arrhythmias in pediatric patients after heart surgery remains unknown. Therefore we prospectively examined the effect of magnesium treatment on the incidence of postoperative arrhythmias in pediatric patients undergoing surgical repair of congenital heart defects. Methods and Results Twenty-eight pediatric patients undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively, randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive intravenous magnesium (magnesium group, n=13; 30 mg/kg) or saline (placebo group, n=15) immediately after cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Magnesium, potassium, and calcium levels were measured at defined intervals during surgery and 24 hours after surgery. Continuous electrocardiographic documentation by Halter monitor was performed for 24 hours after surgery. Magnesium levels were significantly decreased below the normal reference range for patients in the placebo group compared with the magnesium group on arrival in the intensive care unit and for 20 hours after surgery. Magnesium levels remained in the normal range for patients in the magnesium group after magnesium supplementation. In 4 patients in the placebo group (27%), junctional ectopic tachycardia developed within the initial 20 hours in the intensive care unit. No junctional ectopic tachycardia was observed in the magnesium group ( P = .026). Conclusions Although this study was originally targeted to include 100 patients, the protocol was terminated because of the unacceptable incidence of hemodynamically significant junctional ectopic tachycardia that was present in the placebo group. Thus low magnesium levels in pediatric patients undergoing heart surgery are associated with an increased incidence of junctional ectopic tachycardia in the immediate postoperative period.
Beam interaction in self-defocusing nonlinear media with nonlocal response

We study, theoretically and experimentally, beam dynamics and interaction in a self-defocusing medium with spatial nonlocality. By varying the beam separation and distance to boundaries, we demonstrate an effective method of controlling beam trajectories.
Understanding the Role of Entrepreneurial Quality and National Culture on the Economic Development

Today’s global social-political environment leads many to elevate entrepreneurship as a vehicle facilitating economic development. Even though different regions have similar new firm formation rates, there is much variation in terms of the contribution to economic development. Building on the resource based-view and Hofestede’s research on cultural dimensions, this paper proposes three factor view of the quality of entrepreneurship. We posit that the quality of entrepreneurship, rather than quantity, is the main determinant of economic development.
The failure rate of single tooth implants replacing failed implants may be greater than the failure rate of implants placed in sites previously not treated with implants.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Success and survival of single dental implants placed in sites of previously failed implants. Grossmann Y, Levin L. J Periodontol 2007;78(9):1670-4. Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality patient-oriented evidence. Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable. Purpose/Question What is the survival rate for single tooth implants placed in sites of previously failed implants? Source of Funding None. Type of Study/Design Cohort study.
Modification of ion homeostasis by lipid peroxidation: roles in neuronal degeneration and adaptive plasticity.

Oxyradicals attack double bonds of unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes in a process called membrane lipid peroxidation (MLP).This process occurs in many different acute and chronic neurodegenerative conditions, and to a lesser extent during normal physiological activity in neuronal circuits. It can modify neurotransmitter release and uptake, ion-channel activity, the function of ion-motive ATPases and glucose transporters,and the coupling of cell-surface receptors to GTP-binding proteins. MLP can also impair mitochondrial function and promote a cascade of events that culminates in apoptotic cell death. The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal might play a central role in MLP-induced alterations in plasma membrane and mitochondrial protein functions. The modification of processes such as outgrowth of neurites and long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission by agents that suppress or promote MLP suggests roles for subtoxic levels of MLP in neuronal plasticity.
Systematic Process Development for Optimization of Manufacturable Organic Solar Cells

The commercial viability of solar power will depend on a careful balance of reliability, efficiency, and overall cost. A systematic approach to the optimization of the latter two for the case of organic solar cells is outlined. This relies among other on the development of a detailed understanding of the charge generation process and the systematic application of analytical tools such as UV-vis, photoluminescence, lifetime measurements, and current-voltage (I-V) curves.
Clinical characteristics of patellar disorders in young athletes

The clinical histories of 50 young athletes who com plained of patellar instability or pain were analyzed, and their physical findings were compared to those of 50 controls. The patients were divided into three groups, based on their symptoms. Analysis of their physical findings confirmed the validity of these divi sions. Those who complained of frank dislocation of the patella exhibited the most pronounced stigmata of quadriceps dysplasia, including vastus medialis defi ciency and infrapatellar fat pad enlargement, and had increased general ligamentous laxity, increased mean patellar mobility, and out-facing patellae with concom itantly decreased Q angles in chronic, recurrent cases.Patients who complained of the classic patellar pain pattern, often called "chondromalacia patella," but who denied swelling were designated CMP. They had normal mean ligamentous laxity and mean patellar mobility, an increased incidence of in-facing patellae with concomitantly increased mean Q angle, and fre quently palpable ...
The rde-1 Gene, RNA Interference, and Transposon Silencing in C. elegans

Double-stranded (ds) RNA can induce sequence-specific inhibition of gene function in several organisms. However, both the mechanism and the physiological role of the interference process remain mysterious. In order to study the interference process, we have selected C. elegans mutants resistant to dsRNA-mediated interference (RNAi). Two loci, rde-1 and rde-4, are defined by mutants strongly resistant to RNAi but with no obvious defects in growth or development. We show that rde-1 is a member of the piwi/sting/argonaute/zwille/eIF2C gene family conserved from plants to vertebrates. Interestingly, several, but not all, RNAi-deficient strains exhibit mobilization of the endogenous transposons. We discuss implications for the mechanism of RNAi and the possibility that one natural function of RNAi is transposon silencing.
Do we need new autoantibodies in lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically and serologically complex disease that demonstrates clinical, epidemiological and genetic differences among racial and ethnic groups. Some autoantibodies are useful for diagnosis of the illness. Others are clinically important because of associations with a particular manifestation of SLE. Antibodies to RNA helicase A (anti-RHA) comprise a newly described class of SLE autoantibodies. These antibodies have so far been found only in SLE patients and differ substantially in prevalence and nature between Mexican and white American SLE patients. Study of anti-RHA may provide insights into the origin of population differences in SLE.
Understanding Uncertain Environmental Systems

Developments over the past two decades in the identification of models of environmental systems are reviewed, with special reference to the quality and pollution of surface freshwaters. As in so many fields, the early 1970s were a time of great expectations: it would not be long, we believed, before the admittedly less well defined problems of environmental systems analysis would nevertheless yield to the already vast array of methods available from applied mathematics and control theory (which had been so successful in their application, for example, to the analysis of aerospace systems). Such a yielding has still to come to pass, at least for multivariable models of more than, say, five or six state variables. In the past decade, because of the seemingly insuperable difficulties of model identifiability, we have promoted the pragmatic view that what really matters is the ability to generate “robust” predictions that are maximally insensitive to a lack of identifiability. Such pragmatism, coupled with a continuing dearth of successful techniques of system identification, does not bode well. The digital computing technology on which we are able to realise our “set of concepts” (our models) continues to expand rapidly. A similar expansion, although less dramatically so, is apparent in the technology of instrumentation and remote sensing, through which our “given data” are acquired in ever greater volumes. No such expansion is evident in the capacity of the brain to juggle with disparate facts and figures until the ever more comprehensive, given data can be reconciled with the increasingly massive sets of concepts. Whither, then, is environmental system identification bound in the next decade? A modest attempt to answer this question will be made, by way of conclusion.
Welfare Programs, Economics of

Public-assistance programs often have multiple goals and different program designs do a better or worse job of meeting these goals. Traditional welfare programs supplement income but may discourage work. In-kind programs constrain expenditures and often create distortions in budget constraints, but may have greater popular support because they subsidize valued goods. Work-incentive programs include welfare-to-work training, wage subsidies (such as the Earned Income Tax Credit), and other programs that support work, such as child-care subsidies. These programs encourage and subsidize work and are increasingly popular in the USA as an alternative to traditional cash support. Because of heterogeneity among low-income populations, different approaches may be appropriate for different groups among the poor.