cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Friendship without Borders: Women’s Stories of Power, Politics, and Everyday Life across East and West Germany: By Phil Leask. New York: Berghahn Books, 2020. 418 pp. ISBN 978-1-7892-06555 (Hardbound), $147.33; ISBN 978-1-7892-06562 (Ebook), $43.02.

In 1950, thirty young women from Schonebeck, a mining town in Saxony-Anhalt, a state in what was then the German Democratic Republic (GDR), began a Rundbrief (newsletter) that would eventually comp...
Heterogeneous Deep Learning-Based Modified Artificial Neural Network Used to Diagnose Chronic Kidney Disease

The present scenario of evaluation, the inevitability of ongoing kidney disease (CKD) rises annually. The CKD forecast is one of the focal points for various therapies, where, because of their high precision portrayal cap, the machine learning strategies become more enormous in clinical assurance. The accuracy of the game plan calculations in the new past depends on the actual use of calculations to decrease the data size. In this paper, Heterogeneous Modified Artificial Neural Network (HMANN) has been proposed for the early distinguishing evidence, division, and analysis of ongoing renal disillusionment on the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) level. A Support Vector Machine and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) with a Backpropagation (BP) calculation is called the suggested HMANN. The proposed calculation works on the basis of an ultrasound image, which is seen as a pre-treatment stage, and the kidney premium region in the ultrasound image is segregated.
Depth-Resolved Visualization of Perifoveal Retinal Vasculature in Preterm Infants Using Handheld Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose To establish methods to visualize depth-resolved perifoveal retinal vasculature in preterm infants using handheld optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Methods In this exploratory study, eyes of preterm infants were imaged using an investigational noncontact, handheld swept-source OCT-A device as part of the prospective BabySTEPS infant retinal imaging study. We selected high-quality OCT-A volumes at two developmental stages for analysis. Customized MATLAB scripts were used to segment retinal layers, test offset parameters, and generate depth-resolved OCT-A slabs. The superficial (SCP), intermediate (ICP), and deep (DCP) capillary plexuses were visualized and qualitatively assessed by three image graders. Results Six eyes from six preterm infants were included in this analysis. A three-layered perifoveal retinal vasculature was successfully visualized in all three eyes (three infants) in the 40 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) group (one of three eyes with treated type 1 retinopathy of prematurity [ROP]). No obvious ICP or DCP was found in good-quality scans of the three eyes (three infants) in the 35 weeks PMA group (three of three eyes developed type 1 ROP). Conclusions Custom segmentation parameters are useful to visualize perifoveal retinal vasculature in preterm infants. At term age, a three-layered capillary structure is visible in most eyes, while prior to detectable flow within the ICP and DCP, the perifoveal vasculature may be better visualized in two layers. Translational relevance Development of segmentation parameters for depth-resolved OCT-A of perifoveal retinal vasculature in preterm infants facilitates the study of human retinal vascular development and vascular pathologies of ROP.
Kre28-Spc105 interaction is essential for their recruitment at the kinetochore

Kinetochores are macromolecular protein assemblies that attach sister chromatids to spindle microtubules and mediate accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis. The outer kinetochore consists of the KMN network, a protein super complex made of Knl1 (yeast Spc105), Mis12 (yeast Mtw1) and Ndc80 (yeast Ndc80), which harbors sites for microtubule binding. Within the KMN network, Spc105 acts as interaction hub of components involved in spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) signaling. It is known that Spc105 forms a complex with kinetochore component Kre28. However, where Kre28 physically localizes in the budding yeast kinetochore is not clear. The exact function of Kre28 at the kinetochore is also unknown. Here, we reveal how Spc105 and Kre28 interact and how they are organized within bioriented yeast kinetochores using genetics and cell biological experiments. We also identify the interaction interface between the two proteins and show that this interaction is important for Spc105 protein turn-over and essential for their mutual recruitment at the kinetochores. We created several truncation mutants of kre28 that do not localize at the kinetochores and so cannot mediate Spc105 loading at the kinetochores. When we over-expressed these mutants, they could sustain the cell viability even though failed to facilitate proper SAC activation and/or error correction. Thus, we inferred that Kre28 indirectly contributes to chromosome biorientation and high-fidelity segregation by regulating Spc105 localization at the kinetochores.
Flow Trees: A Lower Bound Computation Tool with Applications to Rearrangeable Multihop Lightwave Network Optimization

This paper presents a new method for computing the lower bounds for multihop network design problems which is particularly well suited to optical networks.More specifically, given N stations each with d transceivers and pairwise average traffic values of the stations, the method provides a lower bound for the combined problem of finding optimum (i) allocation of wavelengths to the stations to determine a configuration, and (ii) routing of the traffic on this configuration while minimizing congestion  defined as the maximum flow assigned on any link.The lower bounds can be computed in time polynomial in the network size. Consequently, the results in this work yield a tool which can be used in (i) evaluating the quality of heuristic design algorithms, and (ii) determining a termination criteria during minimization.The lower bound computation is based on first building flow trees to find a lower bound on the total flow, and then distributing the total flow over the links to minimize the congestion.
A data parallel implementation of the TRFD program from the Perfect benchmarks

The Perfect benchmarks are a collection of scientific and engineering application-level programs that have been widely used to compare the performance of many different computer systems. We describe our experiences porting the trfd program from this collection to the Connection Machine CM-200 and CM-5. We find that this program maps well to an SIMD architecture when the underlying structure of the algorithm is understood.
Preserving state government web publications: first-year experiences

Government information publishing on the web encounters differing expectations concerning the permanence of documents. Presumptions of informality in web authoring and publishing widely persist. But, terms like "government documents" convey, at least to the layman, an expectation of formality, official content, and permanence. If permanent, searchable archives of electronic documents are to be constructed, issues in economical automated assembly and cataloging of multiple simultaneous versions of retained materials must be dealt with. High-quality metadata might contribute to these needs, as well as to enhanced search effectiveness now. This paper reports on the first year's operation of an automated web archival facility designed for interoperability with the Find-It! Illinois metadata-aware search engine for the state government documents of Illinois. Comparison statistics for the state government of Arizona are also provided. The Preserving Electronic Publications system was developed from open-source materials, under a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Unusual pattern detection in high dimensions

In this paper, we present an alternative approach to discover interesting unusual observations that can not be discovered by outlier detection techniques. The unusual pattern is determined according to the deviation of a group of observations from other observations and the number of observations in the group. To measure the degree of deviation, we introduce the concept of adaptive nearest neighbors that captures the natural similarity between two observations. The boundary points determined by the adaptive nearest neighbor algorithm are used to adjust the level of granularity. The adaptive nearest neighbors are then used to cluster the data set. Finally, we ran experiments on a real life data set to evaluate the result. According to the experiments, we discovered interesting unusual patterns that are overlooked by using outlier detection and clustering algorithms.
The Relationship Between R.M.S. Doppler Velocities and Temperature in the Solar Transition Region

An attempt is made in this paper to determine the coefficient a in a power-law relationship of the form V σ~T α between the r.m.s. velocity fluctuation, V σ for raster images with 3″ resolution and the temperature, T of line formation using SMM solar data. For T between 8000 and 105 K, the data suggest a best fit with 3/4 ≲ α < 1. It is argued, however, that unresolved fine structure tends to reduce the observed value of V σ and that higher resolution data may yield different values for α. Skylab data have shown that the non-thermal line broadening velocity, ξ, is proportional to T 1/2. Also, for all temperatures less than 105 K, ξ ≫ V σ. This latter result, however, is again dependent on spatial resolution and may not be true in observations made with sufficient spatial resolution. The magnitudes of both V σ and ξ indicate that bulk motions play important roles in the structure of the solar atmosphere as well as in its energy and momentum balance. It is important, therefore, to identify the true nature of such motions with better accuracy than is possible with currently available data.
Underwater observations of fish behavior in traps

1. Saturation diving from the undersea laboratories Tektite II, Hydro-Lab and Edalhab permitted scientists to conduct extended in situ observations of fish within the influence of traps. The 14, 5 and 4 day studies were conducted in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Bahama Islands and Florida during April, 1970, December, 1971, and January, 1972. 2. Virgin Island style traps captured the greatest number of fish, although they were smaller than those captured in experimental traps. Trap entrance design was a major factor in its effectiveness. An ungated web tunnel worked poorly when the orifice slit was drawn tight because fish would not readily push through it. However, when loosened, very large fish entered, including several groupers and 1.8 m long nurse sharks. Few fish escaped through the Virgin Island trap tunnels, whereas numerous fish were seen swimming from the gated experimental trap tunnels. 3. Cut bait seemed to play a minor role in attracting fish to traps. However, large fish were attracted by escape efforts of smaller trapped fish. Trap location in relation to natural fish aggregating areas or movement routes affected the catch. 4. Numerous behavioral characteristics relating to fishes within the influence of the traps were noted, including territorial defense, social behavior and predator-prey relationships.
The Impact of Interfacial Adhesion on PTH and Via Stress State

In this paper the impact of the state of barrel-laminate adhesion on the PTH and via stresses is investigated. A representative PTH and a representative blind via in a printed wiring board are used as demonstration vehicles. Transient heat conduction and nonlinear elastic-plastic-contact finite element analyses are carried out on PTHs and vias under the extreme conditions of perfect and zero barrel-laminate adhesion. In general, the maximum equivalent plastic strains in PTHs and vias with strong barrel-laminate adhesion are not large enough to fracture the plating. Fracture is possible at or near the innerplane junction when barrel-laminate adhesion is lost. The possibility of plating fracture in a blind via is strongly dependent on the tolerances in manufacturing process parameters such as drill depth and laminate thickness.
Dementia and other competing risks for mortality in the institutionalized aged.

: The relative importance of dementia, gender, age and functional status (FS) was examined for relationships to mortality within five years after admission of the subjects to a New York City nursing home for the aged. Using a random sample of 212 of the nursing home's patients, a statistical model was developed to estimate the relative risk of mortality. When this model was cross-validated on an independent sample of 118 residents, it failed to show significant lack of fit. Given these results, an international model was developed by combining the New York City samples (N = 330) and comparing them to a sample (N = 363) from a nursing home in Tokyo, Japan. In the New York model, gender was the most important predictor, with age and dementia next in importance; FS was not a significant predictor. Despite the apparent differences in the types of dementia in the New York and Tokyo nursing homes, the mortality patterns were similar.
Putative Mammalian Taste Receptors: A Class of Taste-Specific GPCRs with Distinct Topographic Selectivity

Taste represents a major form of sensory input in the animal kingdom. In mammals, taste perception begins with the recognition of tastant molecules by unknown membrane receptors localized on the apical surface of receptor cells of the tongue and palate epithelium. We report the cloning and characterization of two novel seven-transmembrane domain proteins expressed in topographically distinct subpopulations of taste receptor cells and taste buds. These proteins are specifically localized to the taste pore and are members of a new group of G protein-coupled receptors distantly related to putative mammalian pheromone receptors. We propose that these genes encode taste receptors.
Cross-spectral density matrix of the far field generated by a blackbody source

An expression is derived for the cross-spectral density matrix, valid in the paraxial region of the far field, generated by a planar blackbody source. With the help of it we determine the spectral degrees of polarization and of cross-polarization of the far field.
Poverty and agrarian social structure : a case study in rural India

Analyse de la pauvrete chronique dans trois villages de la campagne indienne d'Orissa. S'interessant au marche du travail agraire, l'A. explique comment l'interaction entre la structure sociale agraire, l'ecologie et la geographie engendre la pauvrete. Les theories economiques liberales, conservatrices et marxistes se sont essentiellement interessees au niveau de la province et de la nation, negligeant les villages. Les relations sociales de production (exploitation des travailleurs salaries, pratique usuraires, extraction de rente) sont responsables de la pauvrete et ont un effet contraignant sur l'organisation des classes dominees et dans la lutte des classes. La pauvrete est exacerbee par la dependance du pauvre envers le patron, par la desunion entre l'agriculteur metayer et le travailleur salarie, par les programmes gouvernementaux
Changes in Alveolar Surface Area, Surfactant Protein A, and Saturated Phosphatidylcholine with Postnatal Rat Lung Growth

ABSTRACT: Most previous studies of the relationship between surfactant and growth have correlated surfactant pool size with lung weight or body weight. We asked how the quantities of the surfactant components surfactant protein A (SP-A) and saturated phosphatidylcholine (Sat PC) recovered by alveolar wash changed with age in relationship to morphologic measurements of alveolar surface area in rats. We also calculated SP-A and Sat PC in total lung per surface area. In groups of three to 14 rats studied on d 1, 7, 14, 21, 50, and 100 of age, the ratio of alveolar surface area to body weight was highest at d 14 and lowest at d 100. Alveolar and total lung SP-A and Sat PC were higher relative to body weight and surface area on d 1 than at all other ages. Alveolar and total lung SP-A peaked relative to surface area at d 21 and subsequently decreased significantly at d 100. The alveolar Sat PC to surface area ratio also was highest at d 21 and decreased significantly at d 50 and 100. The SP-A to Sat PC ratio in alveolar washes was not constant across this age range, being highest at d 21 and 50. These measurements demonstrate age-dependent changes in alveolar and total lung SP-A and Sat PC in the rat that continue beyond the newborn period.
Zur pathologischen Anatomie der Torula-Meningoencephalitis

Es werden 4 Falle von Torula-Meningoencephalitis beschrieben. Die histologische Untersuchung ergab, das, entgegen der bisher herrschenden Lehrmeinung, gliose Reaktionen am Hirngewebe beobachtet werden konnen. Wird die Pia-Glia-Membran des Virchow-Robinschen Raumes von den Erregern durchdrungen, so kommt es zur Bildung von Monstregliazellen, unter Umstanden auch zur Wucherung mikroglioser Elemente. Bezuglich der Prozesausbreitung im Nervensystem ist festzustellen, das diese vorwiegend nach dem Prinzip der Fortleitung von den Meningen her erfolgt. Indessen mus zur Erklarung isolierter Herdchen in den tieferen Hirnbezirken auch eine hamatogene Metastasierung angenommen werden.
A Parallel Implementation of 4-Dimensional Haralick Texture Analysis for Disk-Resident Image Datasets

Texture analysis is one possible method to detect features in biomedical images. During texture analysis, texture related information is found by examining local variations in image brightness. 4-dimensional (4D) Haralick texture analysis is a method that extracts local variations along space and time dimensions and represents them as a collection of fourteen statistical parameters. However, the application of the 4D Haralick method on large time-dependent 2D and 3D image datasets is hindered by computation and memory requirements. This paper presents a parallel implementation of 4D Haralick texture analysis on PC clusters. We present a performance evaluation of our implementation on a cluster of PCs. Our results show that good performance can be achieved for this application via combined use of task- and data-parallelism.
Computer-assisted diagnosis of mammographic masses using an information-theoretic image retrieval scheme with BIRADs-based relevance feedback

The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate a content-based image retrieval (CBIR) approach for computer-assisted diagnosis of masses detected in screening mammograms. The system follows an information theoretic retrieval scheme with a BIRADS-based relevance feedback (RF) algorithm. Initially, a knowledge databank of 365 mammographic regions of interest (ROIs) was created. They were all 512x512 pixel ROIs extracted from DDSM mammograms digitized using the Lumisys digitizer. The ROIs were extracted around the known locations of the annotated masses. Specifically, there were 177 ROIs depicting a biopsy-proven malignant mass and 188 ROIs with a benign mass. Subsequently, the CBIR algorithm was implemented using mutual information (MI) as the similarity metric for image retrieval. The CBIR algorithm formed the basis of a knowledge-based CAD system. Given a databank of mammographic masses with known pathology, a query mass was evaluated. Based on their information content, all similar masses in the databank were retrieved. A relevance feedback algorithm based on BIRADS findings was implemented to determine the relevance factor of the retrieved masses. Finally, a decision index was calculated using the query's k best matches. The decision index effectively combined the similarity metric of the retrieved cases and their relevance factor into a prediction regarding the malignancy status of the mass depicted in the query ROI. ROC analysis was to evaluate diagnostic performance. Performance improved dramatically with the incorporation of the relevance feedback algorithm. Overall, the CAD system achieved ROC area index AZ= 0.86±0.02 for the diagnosis of masses in screening mammograms.
Peak temperature during turnover and the volumetric degradation of switching transistors and IC-s

Abstract Temperature increase as a consequence of switch-over power transients can be blamed as the cause of some typically volumetric failures, e.g. C-E punch-through and C-B breakdown, in high-level switching operation. Calculating the depth of thermal penetration on both collector junction sides and considering the thermal capacity of this heated-up volume section as well as the thermal resistance for the same, both as a function of time, one gets a fair model for junction temperature rise estimations, i.e. in the knowledge of switchover power vs time function and constructional data of a transistor one can calculate the junction temperature vs time function. Considering several typical transistors of various technologies ranging from the minute transistor on a monolithic IC chip to bulky alloyed Ge or mesa Si power types and assuming a fair structure and even current distribution, it is proved that the arising peak turnover temperature jumps are completely harmless since they are ranging from some hundredth °C (IC transistor) to some °C (power type) at full rated switching power levels. A badly uneven structure, however, leads to thermal runaway and the occurrence of hot spots in the bulk and so to total deterioration (short) since temperature rise is inversely proportional to the junction area involved in actual current conduction, i.e. to the ratio of effective to nominal junction area, especially at power transistors where specific turnover energy density is high. Thus, brief operational screen tests where collector current limiting ratings are transgressed and switching times artificially elongated, seems to be a good method for sorting out specimens of inherently poor structure which are prone to volumetric degradation. On the contrary, switching power levels of bipolar IC transistors are so low that the whole bulk-degradation effect can be neglected and so a costly switching-operation life test seems as unreasonable as superfluous at IC-s, at least as compared to effective but cheap d.c. operational methods.
On an Identity Derived from Unbiasedness in Linear Models

Abstract Difficulties associated with deriving AX = X as a necessary condition from Ay + c being an unbiased estimator of Xβ are discussed in terms of the linear model y ∼ (Xβ, V). We demonstrate two instances in which AX = X and c = 0 are not necessary conditions but then argue that these can be ignored in practice. Excluding these possibilities leads to AX = X and c = 0 being necessary.
Low-voltage gas tube inverter

TO OBTAIN d-c plate-supply voltages for electronic equipment operated from storage batteries, it is customary to use either dynamotors or vibrators. Both devices have been used successfully for automobile radio receivers, for example, but engineers have been fascinated for a long time by the possibility of transforming low d-c voltages to higher voltages without mechanical motion.
Alignment of fluorescent molecules vapour-deposited on to highly oriented PTFE substrates

The alignment of six fluorescent materials (p-terphenyl, p-quaterphenyl, p-quinquephenyl, diphenylstilbene, 1,4-bis(2-methylstyryl)benzene, and 1,4-bis-2-(5-phenyloxazolyl)benzene) grown from the vapour phase on to friction-deposited, highly oriented poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films was studied. The dichroic ratio of the fluorescent films produced was determined by polarized spectroscopic fluorescence measurements, and the crystallographic orientation of these materials was determined by transmission electron microscopy. The measured dichroic ratios ranged from 1.7 for diphenylstilbene to 5.0 for the p-quaterphenyl film. Electron diffraction patterns revealed that five of the fluorescent materials grew epitaxially on the single crystal-like PTFE films, the fluorescent crystals adopting particular orientations with respect to the crystallographic planes of PTFE. On the other hand, crystals of 1,4-bis-2-(5-phenyloxazolyl) benzene aligned in a fibre pattern, apparently by a grapho-epitaxial mechanism.
Parity-violating neutron spin rotation in hydrogen and deuterium

We calculate the (parity-violating) spin-rotation angle of a polarized neutron beam through hydrogen and deuterium targets, using pionless effective field theory up to next-to-leading order. Our result is part of a program to obtain the five leading independent low-energy parameters that characterize hadronic parity violation from few-body observables in one systematic and consistent framework. The two spin-rotation angles provide independent constraints on these parameters. Our result for np spin rotation is \(\frac{1} {\rho }\frac{{d\varphi _{PV}^{np} }} {{dl}} = \left[ {4.5 \pm 0.5} \right] rad MeV^{ - \frac{1} {2}} \left( {2g^{\left( {^3 S_1 - ^3 P_1 } \right)} + g^{\left( {^3 S_1 - ^3 P_1 } \right)} } \right) - \left[ {18.5 \pm 1.9} \right] rad MeV^{ - \frac{1} {2}} \left( {g_{\left( {\Delta {\rm I} = 0} \right)}^{\left( {^1 S_0 - ^3 P_0 } \right)} - 2g_{\left( {\Delta {\rm I} = 2} \right)}^{\left( {^1 S_0 - ^3 P_0 } \right)} } \right)\), while for nd spin rotation we obtain \(\frac{1} {\rho }\frac{{d\varphi _{PV}^{nd} }} {{dl}} = \left[ {8.0 \pm 0.8} \right] rad MeV^{ - \frac{1} {2}} g^{\left( {^3 S_1 - ^1 P_1 } \right)} + \left[ {17.0 \pm 1.7} \right] rad MeV^{ - \frac{1} {2}} g^{\left( {^3 S_1 - ^3 P_1 } \right)} + \left[ {2.3 \pm 0.5} \right] rad MeV^{ - \frac{1} {2}} \left( {3g_{\left( {\Delta {\rm I} = 0} \right)}^{\left( {^1 S_0 - ^3 P_0 } \right)} - 2g_{\left( {\Delta {\rm I} = 1} \right)}^{\left( {^1 S_0 - ^3 P_0 } \right)} } \right)\), where the g (X-Y), in units of \(MeV^{ - \frac{3} {2}}\), are the presently unknown parameters in the leading-order parity-violating Lagrangian. Using naive dimensional analysis to estimate the typical size of the couplings, we expect the signal for standard target densities to be \(\left| {\frac{{d\varphi _{PV} }} {{dl}}} \right| \approx \left[ {10^{ - 7} \ldots 10^{ - 6} } \right]\frac{{rad}} {m}\) for both hydrogen and deuterium targets. We find no indication that the nd observable is enhanced compared to the np one. All results are properly renormalized. An estimate of the numerical and systematic uncertainties of our calculations indicates excellent convergence. An appendix contains the relevant partial-wave projectors of the three-nucleon system.
A fundamental investigation of the phenomena that characterize liquid-film cooling

Mass transfer net rate /evaporation plus entrainment/ from thin liquid film, using methanol, water, butanol and RP-1 as coolants
Radiographic Measurement of Rotational Deformity in Pelvic Fractures: A Novel Method With Validity and Reliability Testing.

Objective:Measuring pelvic ring displacement on plain radiographs has focused on gap and translational displacements with little discussion of rotational displacement, likely because of measurement difficulties. Our hypothesis is that rotational displacement can be accurately measured on computer-re
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MICROBIAL GROWTH IN GROUND BEEF EXTENDED WITH VARYING LEVELS OF TEXTURED SOY PROTEIN

Three separate batches of ground beef containing 25% fat were extended to 0, 10, 20 and 30% by weight with rehydrated defatted textured soy protein (TSP). Five samples of each soy level were wrapped in a polyethylene oxygen-permeable film and stored at 5°C for 4 days. Samples were analyzed daily for changes in bacterial numbers (total plate counts and coliforms), pH, titratable acidity, proximate analysis, ninhydrin reactive material, carbohydrate content, and gas liquid chromatographic (GLC) analysis of individual amino acids to assess spoilage in TSP extended ground beef. Total bacterial numbers increased significantly as days of storage progressed and in proportion to added TSP. Coliforms increased during storage, but not proportional to increased levels of soy protein. Spoilage in soy extended samples, as determined by off-odors and bacterial numbers, was evident by day 4 as total bacterial counts approached 108 bacteria/g. The differences of pH were significant among soy levels, but did not change appreciably during storage. Titratable acidities were not significantly changed with increases in soy protein. As soy level increased, percentages of moisture and ash increased, but percent fat decreased. No differences were noted for percent protein. Total carbohydrate as determined by proximate analysis increased with TSP levels. Concentration values for carbohydrates were proportionately larger with added amounts of TSP, but varied little during 4 days of storage. Ninhydrin reactive material differed significantly among samples, but not proportionate to added TSP, and decreased in the 30% soy level between days 3 and 4. Decreases in individual amino acids could not be shown from the qualitative results obtained by GLC analysis. Further investigation is suggested using more definitive measuring techniques to determine the factor(s) causing accelerated spoilage in soy extended ground beef.
Dysthymic disorder and double depression: prediction of 10-year course trajectories and outcomes

We sought to identify baseline predictors of 10-year course trajectories and outcomes in patients with dysthymic disorder and double depression. Eighty-seven outpatients with early-onset (<21 years) dysthymic disorder, with or without superimposed major depression, were assessed five times at 30-month intervals for 10 years. Baseline evaluations included semi-structured diagnostic interviews for Axis I and II psychopathology and childhood adversity. Direct interview and family history data were collected on first-degree relatives. Follow-up assessments included the Longitudinal Follow-up Evaluation and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Using mixed effects growth curve models, univariate predictors of depression severity and functional impairment at 10-year outcome included older age, less education, concurrent anxiety disorder, greater familial loading for chronic depression, a history of a poorer maternal relationship in childhood, and a history of childhood sexual abuse. In addition, longer duration of dysthymic disorder also predicted greater impairment 10 years later. Predictors of a poorer trajectory of depressive symptoms over time included ethnicity and personality disorders; predictors of a poorer trajectory of social functioning included familial loading of chronic depression and quality of the childhood maternal relationship. Thus, demographic, clinical, family history, and early adversity variables all contribute to predicting the long-term trajectory and outcome of DD. These variables should be routinely assessed in clinical evaluations and can provide clinicians with valuable prognostic information.
Using Tests to Select Engineers

Experience in selecting students for admission to undergraduate engineering colleges provides a clear outline for a program of tests and related procedures that should prove helpful in identifying potential engineering talent early in high school. Qualified students may then be guided toward adequate preparation for engineering training. Such a program would include the following as a basic minimum: the students' average grades, tests of mathematical aptitude, reading comprehension, spatial visualization, and interest inventories. A recently revised program of examinations are now available for selecting students for graduate study in engineering. Research is being undertaken which gives promise of the development, in the measurable future, of a means of detecting creative talent for scientific research.
21st Century's Energy: Hydrogen Energy System

Abstract Fossil fuels (i.e., petroleum, natural gas and coal), which meet most of the world’s energy demand today, are being depleted fast. Also, their combustion products are causing the global problems, such as the greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion, acid rains and pollution, which are posing great danger for our environment and eventually for the life in our planet. Many engineers and scientists agree that the solution to these global problems would be to replace the existing fossil fuel system by the hydrogen energy system. Hydrogen is a very efficient and clean fuel. Its combustion will produce no greenhouse gases, no ozone layer depleting chemicals, little or no acid rain ingredients and pollution. Hydrogen, produced from renewable energy (e.g., solar) sources, would result in a permanent energy system, which we would never have to change. However, there are other energy systems proposed for the post-petroleum era, such as a synthetic fossil fuel system. In this system, synthetic gasoline and synthetic natural gas will be produced using abundant deposits of coal. In a way, this will ensure the continuation of the present fossil fuel system. The two possible energy systems for the post-fossil fuel era (i.e., the solar-hydrogen energy system and the synthetic fossil fuel system) are compared with the present fossil fuel system by taking into consideration production costs, environmental damages and utilization efficiencies. The results indicate that the solar-hydrogen energy system is the best energy system to ascertain a sustainable future, and it should replace the fossil fuel system before the end of the 21st century.
Monoclonal antibodies to human alphafetoprotein

Abstract Antibodies to human alphafetoprotein were produced by hybridization of NS1/1 mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice immunized with AFP. Four cell lines producing anti-AFP were established by cloning of cultures positive for anti-AFP from 3 separate hybridizations. These antibodies were all of IgG 1 (k) type. Highly sensitive radioimmunoassays were established using these monoclonal anti-AFPs. These assays gave the same quantitative values for AFP in samples of serum and amniotic fluid as assays using conventional antisera. Our results demonstrate that monoclonal antibodies with promising performance in radioimmuno-assay can be obtained. Such antibodies may provide useful reagents in clinical assays and should also become useful tools in delineating the antigenic structure of the AFP molecule.
A vertical garden: origins of the Vegetation-Bearing Architectonic Structure and System (1938)

I guess everyone has crazy brothers and sisters. I know I have. Stan, by the way, has taken out a patent on an invention of his called ‘Botanical Bricks’, which are simply plant units capable of be...
The effect of a stagnant surfactant cap on the transport mechanisms of a condensing droplet in a high Reynolds number flow

Abstract Numerical solutions were obtained for the internal fluid motion of a condensing droplet contaminated with solid surfactant cap in high Reynolds number flow. The results show that the larger the surfactant cap, the slower the internal motion. The center of the internal circulation vortex migrates toward the forward stagnation point and the migration distance is proportional to the surfactant cap size. In general, the three-region pattern still remains valid for the internal motion. The effects of decrease in condensation velocity with time and increase in droplet size on the strength of internal circulation vortex are insignificant.
Functional Ability in the Oldest Old Cumulative Impact of Risk Factors from the Preceding Two Decades

The authors studied the relationships between physical functioning and cumulative measures of behavioral and psychosocial risk factors collected over two decades for 91 persons 80 years old and old...
NEOADJUVANT ANDROGEN ABLATION BEFORE RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY IN cT2bNxMo PROSTATE CANCER: 5-YEAR RESULTS

Purpose: In the initial report of the Lupron Depot Neoadjuvant Prostate Cancer Study Group patients who received 3 months of androgen deprivation had a significant decrease in the positive margin rate. We monitored these patients for 5 years and to our knowledge present the longest followup of any neoadjuvant trial.Materials and Methods: A multi-institutional prospective randomized trial was performed between February 1992 and April 1994 involving patients with stage cT2b prostate cancer, including 138 who received 3 months of leuprolide plus flutamide before radical prostatectomy and 144 who underwent radical prostatectomy only. Patients were followed every 6 months with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for 5 years. Biochemical recurrence was defined as PSA greater than 0.4 ng./ml.Results: At 5 years there was no difference in the biochemical recurrence rate. PSA was less than 0.4 ng./ml. in 64.8% of the patients in the neoadjuvant androgen ablation plus prostatectomy and 67.6% in the prosta...
The ANSI C12 protocol suite - updated and now with network capabilities

For ten years, the utility industry has been using optical port communications, defined by ANSI C12.18, and telephone modem communications, defined by ANSI C12.21, to get metering data, defined by ANSI C12.19, from the field to the back office. While the two communication protocol standards have been employed to great success, missing was a standard method for using true ldquonetworkrdquo communications for exchanging this data. Recent work has completed ANSI C12.22, a standard for interfacing to data communication networks, as well as updating the optical port and modem communications standards. This set of standards offers the industry an open and comprehensive ldquoprotocol suiterdquo to transport the newly revised data standard, ANSI C12.19. This paper focuses on how utilities can best benefit from deploying technologies that meet those standards, in particular the newly developed ANSI C12.22 networking standard, as they begin to build advanced metering infrastructures. In particular, utility requirements being refined by OpenAMI Task Force are matched against the offerings from the ANSI protocol suite.
Chorusing and Call Convergence in Chimpanzees: Tests of Three Hypotheses

Male chimpanzees produce a species-typical long distance call known as the pant hoot. Males give acoustically similar pant hoots when calling together during choruses, but the process by which this vocal convergence takes place is unclear. Three potential mechanisms might account for call matching. First, vocal convergence could represent the passive effect of male chimpanzees sharing a common affective state during choruses. Second, matching could result through the active modification of calls. Such modification might occur if males modeled their calls after those produced by their current chorusing partner. Alternatively, actively mediated convergence would result if males mimicked the calls given by high-ranking males. We examined acoustic variation in calls given during choruses and while alone to test these three hypotheses. Results showed that a similar call type is not given repeatedly during successive choruses. In addition, low-ranking individuals did not produce calls that matched those of the alpha male. Chorused calls produced by two dyadic pairs were more similar to each other than they were to calls delivered during other choruses. The higher ranking, yet dependent, member of one of these dyads appeared to give calls that converged on those produced by the other individual. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that male chimpanzees accomodate each other vocally through the active alteration of their calls during choruses. We suggest that a similar form of accomodation takes place in animals from a wide range of other taxa and that the process serves to maintain and strengthen social bonds between individuals.
Adaptive prediction in speech differential encoding systems

The design of speech coders that produce high-quality highly intelligible speech at 6 to 16 kb/s while retaining robustness to background and transmission impairments is an area of current research interest. Differential encoding structures employing adaptive quantization and adaptive prediction constitute one of the most promising approaches to achieving these design objectives. This paper focuses on the design and analysis of adaptive predictors for differential encoders. Several differential encoding systems, including adaptive predictive coding, differential pulse-code modulation, noise feedback coding, direct feedback coding, and prediction error coding, are described and related. Adaptive quantizers are briefly discussed and quantitative and qualitative indicators of speech coder performance are defined. The channel model, the speech model, and the research problem statements used in the design of differential encoders and adaptive predictors are presented. The nomenclature and theory of forward and backward adaptive prediction are developed, and several new backward adaptive algorithms based on various assumptions are presented. A detailed survey of theoretical and simulation results on adaptive prediction for speech differential encoders is given, and the effects of background and transmission impairments on these systems are discussed, Finally, the impact of adaptive predictors on rate distortion theory motivated coders is indicated. Numerous areas for future research are highlighted.
Mono-THF ring annonaceous acetogenins from Annona squamosa

Continuing work on the bark of Annona squamosa Rich. (Annonaceae), directed by the brine shrimp lethality test (BST), has resulted in the isolation of three new Annonaceous acetogenins, 4-deoxyannoreticuin, cis-4-deoxyannoreticuin, and (2,4-cis and trans)-squamoxinone. The first two are additional examples of acetogenins isolated from this plant species which contain the unusual feature of an oxygen functionality at the C-9 position. They have a hydroxylated mono-THF ring with respective threo/trans/threo and threo/cis/threo relative stereochemistries. The latter compound is a ketolactone mixture which has the same relative stereochemistry around the THF ring and the same spatial relationship between the THF ring and the hydroxyl group along the aliphatic chain as 4-deoxyannoreticuin, but is two methylene units longer. Additionally, the isolated hydroxyl group is at C-11, while the THF ring starts at C-17, instead of at C-9 and C-15, respectively, as for the first two compounds. All three compounds showed moderate, but significant, cytotoxicities against a panel of six human tumor cell lines with (2,4 cis and trans)-squamoxinone showing promising selectivity against the pancreatic cell line (PACA-2).
Racial differences among reasons for participating in research of pregnancy outcomes: The right from the start experience

Abstract Background Historically, racial minorities and women are less likely to participate in medical research than are whites and men. Although much is known about barriers to enrollment for those who decline to participate, much less is known about factors that motivate those who choose to enroll. Objective This study examines the reasons for participation in pregnancy outcomes research and determines whether these reasons varied by race. Methods Right From The Start is an ongoing prospective cohort study. Pregnant women aged ≥18 years, who enrolled in and completed the study between December 2000 and June 2003, were interviewed by telephone at the conclusion of their participation and asked about motivators for enrolling. Univariate and bivariate statistics were used to determine the relationship between self-identified race and main reason for participating in the study. Logistic regression was used to adjust for the influence of age, gravidity, education, marital status, and income. Results A total of 1106 women were interviewed: 735 (66.5%) whites; 285 (25.8%) blacks; 30 (2.7%) Hispanics; and 56 (5.1%) others (Asians, Pacific Islanders). Black women listed a free ultrasound (73/247, 29.6%), contribution to medical knowledge (60/247, 24.3%), wanting to learn about pregnancy health (46/247, 18.6%), and concern about pregnancy health (30.247, 12.1%) as their main reason for participation. Black women were significantly less likely than white women to cite contribution to medical knowledge as the main reason for participation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.36–0.63). Blacks were more likely than whites to list wanting to learn about pregnancy health (OR = 3.12; 95% CI, 1.88–5.55) or concern about pregnancy health (OR = 3.0; 95% CI, 1.56–5.94), even after adjusting for age, gravidity, pregnancy loss, education, marital status, and income. Conclusions Access to free pregnancy ultrasounds and contribution to medical knowledge were important motivators for both white and black women. However, whereas black women were more likely to report concerns about pregnancy health or pregnancy health education as the main reason for participation, white women were more likely to report a desire to contribute to medical knowledge.
Management of supraesophageal complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants and children

Abstract Therapy of supraesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants and children nearly always includes "lifestyle modifications" (conservative or nonpharmacologic therapy). Depending on the severity of the GERD manifestation, pharmacotherapy is often added. Although data to support the practice are not abundant, it is rational to begin with prokinetic pharmacotherapy and to add acid suppression if pathologic effects of acid contact with the esophagus or airway are suspected. Pathologic effects of acid produce most forms of supraesophageal GERD; the exception is infantile regurgitation, the most common example of supraesophageal GERD, which is often unaccompanied by either esophagitis or evidence of acid entry into the airway. Currently, fundoplication is rarely required for pediatric GERD, but the supraesophageal complications of GERD are more common indications for this surgery than the esophageal complications in children. Other management options for supraesophageal symptoms in children include delivery of nutrients by tube feeding slowly and continuously into the stomach or, better, small intestine. Short-term or trial tube feeding uses a transnasal tube, for example, for nasojejunal feeding; longer-term tube feeding is simplified by a gastrostomy, which can be placed relatively noninvasively using endoscopy or fluoroscopy.
On the Breaking of Carbon Nanotubes under Tension

Molecular dynamics simulations and high resolution TEM experiments are performed to assess the fracture of nanotubes under high stretching conditions. Brittle or plastic response is controlled by the rate of applied strain to the tube as well as by the number of defects (in particular vacancies). Simulations predict that under high temperatures and presence of defects (as induced under the high-energy electron beam of the TEM) the tubes exhibit mainly plastic deformation, with the appearance of medium size carbon chains as the latest stage before fracture. These results are in agreement with in-situ TEM observation. Carbon exhibits a very rich dynamics of bond-breaking and bond-reconstruction that allows transformations from fullerenes to tubes to chains.
Massive Systemic Air Embolism Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Following CT-guided Transthoracic Needle Biopsy of a Pulmonary Nodule

A rare complication of computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsies of pulmonary lesions is systemic air embolism, with hyperbaric oxygen therapy being considered the mainstay of therapy. The authors describe the case of a 47-year-old man with a left upper lobe mass invading the chest wall who underwent CT-guided needle biopsy of a right lung base nodule to evaluate for metastatic disease. This procedure was complicated by massive systemic air embolism confirmed by CT scan. After initial resuscitative measures, the patient received on-site hyperbaric oxygen therapy and demonstrated no residual clinical sequelae from this complication.