cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FDRestimation: Flexible False Discovery Rate Computation in R

False discovery rates (FDR) are an essential component of statistical inference, representing the propensity for an observed result to be mistaken. FDR estimates should accompany observed results to help the user contextualize the relevance and potential impact of findings. This paper introduces a new user-friendly R pack-age for estimating FDRs and computing adjusted p-values for FDR control. The roles of these two quantities are often confused in practice and some software packages even report the adjusted p-values as the estimated FDRs. A key contribution of this package is that it distinguishes between these two quantities while also offering a broad array of refined algorithms for estimating them. For example, included are newly augmented methods for estimating the null proportion of findings - an important part of the FDR estimation procedure. The package is broad, encompassing a variety of adjustment methods for FDR estimation and FDR control, and includes plotting functions for easy display of results. Through extensive illustrations, we strongly encourage wider reporting of false discovery rates for observed findings.
Conclusion: Continuing the Legacy After 1890

This brief conclusion offers a look at the legacy of these women after 1890 when the increasing strength of the Italian state and emergence of mass politics brought to a close the period of revolution and instability that had provided such opportunity for individual agency. No longer could women like Julia Salis Schwabe or Jessie White Mario utilize their wealth, British status, or power of personality as effectively. Despite these limitations, Schwabe, White Mario and Giorgina Saffi kept working and publishing until their respective deaths in 1896, 1906, and 1911. The chapter discusses their final projects before restating the book’s major arguments.
The Use of Microcrystal Tests in Conjunction with Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy for the Rapid Identification of Street Drugs

Microcrystal tests have long been used for the rapid identification of particulate matter, although this technique has now been largely abandoned in favor of sophisticated instrumentation. The sensitivity and specificity of a microcrystal test make it an attractive method for the initial screening of powders for drugs of abuse. By combining the techniques of crystal microscopy and micro-FTIR, both preliminary and confirmatory tests for the presence of drugs in solid dosage forms are able to be carried out. This techniques has been used to unequivocally identify cocaine, heroin, morphine, codeine, and phencyclidine.
Dual-topology insertion of a dual-topology membrane protein

Some membrane transporters are dual-topology dimers in which the subunits have inverted transmembrane topology. How a cell manages to generate equal populations of two opposite topologies from the same polypeptide chain remains unclear. For the dual-topology transporter EmrE, the evidence to date remains consistent with two extreme models. A post-translational model posits that topology remains malleable after synthesis and becomes fixed once the dimer forms. A second, co-translational model, posits that the protein inserts in both topologies in equal proportions. Here we show that while there is at least some limited topological malleability, the co-translational model likely dominates under normal circumstances.
Modeling spectrally varying resolution in broadband imaging systems

The remote sensing system engineering process often makes use of modeling and simulation tools to flow down specifications to subsystems and components, and/or to predict performance given a particular set of defined capabilities. A persistent question in the development and use of such tools is that of appropriate level of fidelity. In this paper we look at one problem area encountered in the simulation of panchromatic and other broadband imaging systems, that of accounting for spectrally varying resolution over the band. An established method for treating this variation is that of the polychromatic optical transfer function (OTF), but this technique imposes a measure of complexity on the simulation tool software architecture, as well as on users who must subsequently interact with it. We present a methodology for assessing the required level of fidelity for this problem and show that under some conditions it appears possible to forgo the polychromatic OTF formalism, or else to treat it with less than full rigor, with minimal loss in accuracy.
Test functions for three-dimensionalcontrol-volume mixed finite element methods on irregular grids

Numerical methods based on unstructured grids, with irregular cells, usually require discrete shape functions to approximate the distribution of quantities across cells. For control-volume mixed finite element methods, vector shape functions are used to approximate the distribution of velocities across cells and vector test functions are used to minimize the error associated with the numerical approximation scheme. For a logically cubic mesh, the lowest-order shape functions are chosen in a natural way to conserve intercell fluxes that vary linearly in logical space. Vector test functions, while somewhat restricted by the mapping into the logical reference cube, appear to accept a wider class of possibilities. Ideally, an error minimization procedure to select the test function from an acceptable class of candidates would be the best procedure. Lacking such a procedure, we first investigate the effect of possible test functions on the pressure distribution over the control volume; we look for test functions which allow for the elimination of intermediate pressures on cell faces. From these results, we select three forms for the test function for use in a control-volume mixed method code and subject them to an error analysis for different forms of grid irregularity; errors are reported in terms of the discrete L2 norm of the velocity error. Of these three forms, one appears to produce optimal results for most forms of grid irregularity.
Nitrogen Redox Metabolism of a Heterotrophic, Nitrifying-Denitrifying Alcaligenes sp. from Soil.

Metabolic characteristics of a heterotrophic, nitrifier-denitrifier Alcaligenes sp. isolated from soil were further characterized. Pyruvic oxime and hydroxylamine were oxidized to nitrite aerobically by nitrification-adapted cells with specific activities (Vmax) of 0.066 and 0.003 μmol of N × min−1 × mg of protein−1, respectively, at 22°C. Km values were 15 and 42 μM for pyruvic oxime and hydroxylamine, respectively. The greater pyruvic oxime oxidation activity relative to hydroxylamine oxidation activity indicates that pyruvic oxime was a specific substrate and was not oxidized appreciably via its hydrolysis product, hydroxylamine. When grown as a denitrifier on nitrate, the bacterium could not aerobically oxidize pyruvic oxime or hydroxylamine to nitrite. However, hydroxylamine was converted to nearly equimolar amounts of ammonium ion and nitrous oxide, and the nature of this reaction is discussed. Cells grown as heterotrophic nitrifiers on pyruvic oxime contained two enzymes of denitrification, nitrate reductase and nitric oxide reductase. The nitrate reductase was the dissimilatory type, as evidenced by its extreme sensitivity to inhibition by azide and by its ability to be reversibly inhibited by oxygen. Cells grown aerobically on organic carbon sources other than pyruvic oxime contained none of the denitrifying enzymes surveyed but were able to oxidize pyruvic oxime to nitrite and reduce hydroxylamine to ammonium ion.
How John Bolton Can Reshape the UN to Promote Freedom

This essay suggests concrete ways in which the UN Ambassador-designate John Bolton can help reshape the UN to promote President Bush's worthy goal of greater freedom and democracy around the world. Although freedom appears to be on the march in the middle East and elsewhere, the UN Security Council is too conflicted to help, as it suffers from a ban on discussing internal affairs of any country. A reform of the UN proposed here consists of creating a new body of free secular democracies called Secular Democratic Council (SDC), with a mandate to discuss and act on the domestic internal affairs of any country. Since Mr. Bolton has long expressed a desire to help solve the Taiwan problem, I explain how the SDC, not the Security Council can help there.
Using Information State to Improve Dialogue Move Identification in a Spoken Dialogue System

In this paper we investigate how to improve the performance of a dialogue move and parameter tagger for a taskoriented dialogue system using the information-state approach. We use a corpus of utterances and information states from an implemented system to train and evaluate a tagger, and then evaluate the tagger in an on-line system. Use of information state context is shown to improve performance of the system. Index Terms: spoken dialogue systems, dialogue management, tagging
A game theoretic approach to multi-radio multi-channel assignment in wireless networks

It has been long recognized that the interference among concurrent wireless transmissions plays a crucial role in limiting the performance of wireless networks. Recently, studies indicate that equipping nodes with multiple radios and operating these radios on multiple frequency channels can greatly enhance the capacity of wireless networks. On the other hand, to fully realize the benefits of multi-radio multichannel communication, one may need to design an efficient channel assignment algorithm. In this paper, we study the channel assignment problem by proposing an algorithm that achieves load balancing Nash Equilibrium solution even in a selfish as well as topology-blind environment. Our simulation results also depict the effectiveness of the proposed channel assignment solution.
High-Precision Timing of Millisecond Pulsars and Precision Astrometry

We present the technique of long-term, high-precision timing of millisecond pulsars as applied to precision astrometry. We provide a tutorial on pulsars and pulsar timing, as well as up-to-date results of long-term timing observations of two millisecond pulsars, PSRs B1855+09 and B1937+21. We consider the feasibility of tying the extragalactic and optical reference frames to that defined by solar system objects, and we conclude that precision astrometry from millisecond pulsar timing has a bright future.
The inflammatory gene pathway is not a major contributor to polycystic ovary snydrome.

Context: Although inflammation is clearly associated with obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance, the role of chronic inflammation in the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is unclear. Objective: To determine whether chronic inflammation plays a causal role in the etiology of PCOS, we tested for an association between PCOS and genetic markers mapping to 80 members of the inflammatory pathway. Design: This was a case-control association study. Setting: The setting was an academic medical center. Patients or Participants: A total of 905 index case patients with PCOS and 955 control women (108 intensively phenotyped subjects with normal androgen levels and regular menses and 847 minimally phenotyped subjects with regular menses and no history of PCOS). Interventions: Subjects were genotyped at single nucleotide polymorphisms mapping to 80 inflammatory genes. Logistic regression was used to test for an association between 822 single nucleotide polymorphisms and PCOS after adjustment for populatio...
Commentary on refractory ischemic priapism

In our experience treating more than 100 cases of ischemic priapism, we noted that most with less than 24-hour duration responded well to aspiration/evacuation and injection of a diluted alpha-adrenergic agent (phenylephrine). In those of less than 48-hour duration, the majority could be reversed by a standard T-shunt with #10 blade. In those who failed T-shunt or had more than 48-hour duration, T-shunt with tunneling was effective for the vast majority of patients. However, there are always exceptions to any general rule. The following two educational cases represent an example where a repeat T-shunt with tunneling procedure was needed to reverse the priapism. The various comments below illustrate sub-optimal management by less experienced urologists and our recommendations for the same situations. This report will also introduce a new "Duration-directed Algorithm" ( Figure 1 ), which we believe represents a more physiologic approach. In addition, we also propose a method to estimate ischemia time for standardize reporting of treatment outcome in clinical series.
Convection in Porous Media with Thermal and Chemical Buoyancy: A Comparison of Two Models for Solute Dispersion

Results of a study of the role of solute dispersion model on convection in porous media heated and salted from below are given. In the first model, use is made of an effective dispersion coefficient that is taken as a constant scalar. In the second, a velocity-dependent dispersivity term that explicitly considers both molecular and mechanical dispersion is used. The results show that for the particular cases studied (Ra = 600φ/σ = 1, aspect ratio = 1, Rρ = 0 and Rρ = 0.5), although the choice of dispersion model does not affect the basic character of the fluid dynamics of the system, the details of the solute fields are somewhat different. In the case of the passive tracer (Rρ = 0), the solute fields for both models evolve to a steady-state which is very similar. The main difference between the evolution of the solute fields for Rρ = 0 is that in the case of the simple model, the solute field mixes more quickly. For Rρ = 0.5, chaotic flow characterizes convection for both dispersion models and regions of sharp solute gradients are highly mobile in time and space. The main difference between the two solute dispersion models for Rρ = 0.5 is that the interior of the solute field is less homogeneous and more saline in the case of the simple dispersion model.
Mutation-targeted therapy with sunitinib or everolimus in patients with advanced low-grade or intermediate- grade neuroendocrine tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas with or without cytoreductive surgery: protocol for a phase II clinical trial

Introduction: Finding the optimal management strategy for patients with advanced, metastatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas is a work in progress. Sunitinib and everolimus are currently approved for the treatment of progressive, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic low-grade or intermediate-grade pancreatic NETs. However, mutation-targeted therapy with sunitinib or everolimus has not been studied in this patient population. Methods and analysis: This prospective, open-label phase II clinical trial was designed to determine if mutation-targeting therapy with sunitinib or everolimus for patients with advanced low-grade or intermediategrade NETs is more effective than historically expected results with progression-free survival (PFS) as the primary end point. Patients ≥18 years of age with progressive, low-grade or intermediate-grade locally advanced or metastatic NETs are eligible for this study. Patients will undergo tumour biopsy (if they are not a surgical candidate) for tumour genotyping. Patients will be assigned to sunitininb or everolimus based on somatic/germline mutations profile. Patients who have disease progression on either sunitinib or everolimus will crossover to the other drug. Treatment will continue until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or consent to withdrawal. Using the proposed criteria, 44 patients will be accrued within each treatment group during a 48-month period (a total of 88 patients for the 2 treatments), and followed for up to an additional 12 months (a total of 60 months from entry of the first patient) to achieve 80% power in order to test whether there is an improvement in PFS compared to historically expected results, with a 0.10 α level one-sided significance test.
The context of engineering: a SUCCEED course at Georgia Tech

In the early part of January 1993, engineers and historians at Georgia Tech joined together to draft a proposal to SUCCEED, a national engineering education coalition funded by the National Science Foundation. This novel collaboration of academics who do not usually work together imagined an experimental course that would integrate humanities and engineering education in order to provide a broad context for understanding the role of engineering and the engineering profession in modern society. Primarily aimed at beginning students in electrical engineering, this pilot project would develop a set of modular units, each one of which incorporate materials on engineering design or on issues related to engineering professionalism, and which would link that information to economic, political or social considerations. In this fashion, the creative work of engineers, past and present, could be analyzed both in terms of technical detail and in terms of the human context in which engineering always takes place. The course was presented at Georgia Tech for the first time in the Spring Quarter of 1995, and it will be repeated in the Winter Quarter of 1996. We present a progress report that describes the planning, organization and objectives of the course, and that concludes with some observations on the work yet to be done in order to make the course materials we have developed usable by others.
Creating isotropic dipolar spectra for a pair of dipole coupled spins in high-field

In the absence of a strong magnetic field, the dipolar interaction between two nuclear spins is independent of orientation leading to sharp lines. However, in high magnetic fields the Zeeman interaction breaks the symmetry of space and spin producing an anisotropic dipolar spectra. In the following Letter, a method that yields isotropic dipolar spectra for a pair of dipole-coupled spins is presented. This is accomplished through a suitable choice of coherence pathways and average Hamiltonians. We present a theoretical explanation as well as an experimental verification for this novel methodology.
Reduction of finite and infinite derivations

Abstract We present a general schema of easy normalization proofs for finite systems S like first-order arithmetic or subsystems of analysis, which have good infinitary counterparts S ∞ . We consider a new system S ∞ + with essentially the same rules as S ∞ but different derivable objects: a derivation d∈S ∞ + of a sequent Γ contains a (finite) derivation Φ(d)∈S of Γ . Three simple conditions on Φ(d) including a normal form theorem for S ∞ + easily imply a weak normalization theorem for S . We give three examples of application of this schema. First, we take S≡PA but restrict the attention to derivations of Σ 1 0 -sentences. In this case it is possible to take S ∞ + to be essentially standard formulation of PA ∞ . Next, we illustrate extension to subsystems of analysis and consider the system BI 1 ∗ of W. Buchholz having the strength of ID 1 , again for derivations of Σ 1 0 -sentences. Finally, we return to the first-order arithmetic to illustrate changes needed to treat derivations of arbitrary formulas.
Tetrametallomethanes containing one, two, or three group IV metal atoms and boron

Abstract The propanediol methanetetraboronic ester, C(BO 2 C 3 H 6 ) 4 , provides much better properties than the previously used methyl ester, C[B(OMe) 2 ] 4 , for the synthesis of new tetrametallomethanes. Treatment with butyllithium yields the lithium salt LiC(BO 2 C 3 H 6 ) 3 , which reacts with Ph 3 MCl to form Ph 3 MC(BO 2 C 3 H 6 ) 3 , where M is Ge, Sn, or Pb. Repetition of these processes leads to (Ph 3 M) 2 C(BO 2 C 3 H 6 ) 2 , where the Group IV metals M may be the same of different. The series was extended to (Ph 3 Sn) 3 CBO 2 C 3 H 6 , but the last boron atom resisted removal. Iodination of the appropriate lithium salt intermediates yielded Ph 3 SnCl(BO 2 C 3 H 6 ) 2 and (Ph 3 Sn) 2 CIBO 2 C 3 H 6 .
nNOS-Containing Perivascular Nerves: Stranger by the Minute

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to play a major role in regulation of cerebral vascular tone.1 Under normal conditions, both endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) influence the vasculature. Within neurons, nNOS in present in a variety of parenchymal neurons as well as in a dense network of perivascular fibers that innervate the adventitia of blood vessels from sources such as the sphenopalatine ganglion.2–4⇓⇓ Many studies in multiple species have shown that electrical stimulation of nNOS-containing perivascular nerves produces NO-mediated relaxation of large cerebral arteries in vitro.2,5,6⇓⇓ In addition to electrical stimulation, nicotine has been used in a similar manner and has been thought to directly activate nNOS-containing perivascular nerves in blood vessels.2 The present study by Si et al7 in this issue of Circulation Research provides new insight into this neurogenic vasodilator response and suggests that nicotine does not directly activate nNOS-containing perivascular nerves. Instead, several lines of evidence, including functional responses of isolated cerebral arteries …
Electron and proton aurora observed spectroscopically in the far ultraviolet

[1] The only way to get a global, instantaneous picture of the energetic particle input over the auroral oval is through spectral imaging. The major driver of auroral emissions in the high-latitude ionosphere is overall electron precipitation. However, for certain locations and times, such as the equatorial edge of the evening auroral oval, proton precipitation can be the major energy source and thus the primary contributor to auroral emissions. Using kinetic transport models to describe the transport of energetic particles in the atmosphere, we analyze UV spectra from the STP78-1 satellite mission during magnetically disturbed conditions (Kp = 6) in the evening sector of the auroral oval. We discuss the contribution of protons and electrons to the auroral emissions. The energy flux of the incident protons is inferred from the H Lyman α emissions, after removing the H geocoronal background induced by solar radiation. Both the mean energy and energy flux of electron precipitation are inferred from non-H emissions (N II 108.5 nm, N2 135.4 nm, and O I 135.6 nm), after removing the contribution of proton precipitation. From the latitudinal distribution of the incident energy flux the location of the electron and proton aurorae is discussed. The estimation of the particle characteristics allows one to infer the Pedersen and Hall electrical conductances induced by particle precipitation. For the studied substorm period, energetic protons contribute significantly to the Pedersen conductance, ∼25–30% overall of the total particle-induced conductances and much more at the equatorward edge of the midnight aurora. Because protons and electrons do not interact in the same way with the atmosphere, our study shows that while analyzing auroral spectra and studying the state of the ionosphere, it is crucial to separate electron and proton components of the precipitation. The method described to disentangle the relative contribution of precipitating electrons and protons may be applicable to the UV data of the upcoming TIMED and DMSP missions.
Bradley vs. Gore: How Media Covered Proposals for Health Insurance Reform in the Context of the 2000 Presidential Campaign

This study examines how often national media reported key aspects of Senator Bill Bradley's and Vice President Al Gore's proposals for health insurance reform during the 2000 Democratic primary campaign. The results show that news media reported on Bradley's plan and major features of his plan significantly more often than Gore's. Additionally, few reports contained explicit comparisons that explained which plan would have covered more people or cost more. Public health and media professionals need to work together to improve the quality of information the public depends on to develop views about and support for the uninsured.
Silicon process technology for monolithic memory

The successful design and production of high density, high speed monolithic memory circuits that can operate efficiently over wide current ranges can be directly attributed to the development of a new silicon process technology based on the 〈100〉 crystal orientation. To provide optimum capability to fabricate these circuits with high yields, process modifications to accommodate larger starting substrates (wafers) have also been adopted. Detailed electrical characterization of the resulting devices has confirmed improved circuit operation, demonstrating that improved gain at low current and good junction quality are consequences of the process modifications.
Neuroscience and ethics: intersections.

The words neuroscience and ethics, placed together in the same sentence, conjure up two different ideas. One idea has to do with the fact that modern neuroscience has not only opened the way for ne...
Regulation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Angiogenesis by an Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptor Autocrine Loop in Human Pancreatic Cancer

Activation of the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) was recently shown to modulate angiogenesis by up-regulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We hypothesized that inhibiting IGF-IR function would inhibit angiogenesis and growth of pancreatic cancer in vivo and sought to identify major signaling pathways regulated by IGF-IR in pancreatic cancer cells. Human pancreatic cancer cells (L3.6pl) were stably transfected with a dominant-negative form of IGF-IR (IGF-IR DN) or an empty vector (pcDNA). In vitro, IGF-IR DN cells exhibited a decrease in both constitutive and inducible phosphorylation of IGF-IR and Erk1/2. Constitutive expression of nuclear hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and secreted VEGF (P < 0.01) protein levels also were significantly lower in IGF-IR DN cells than in pcDNA cells. In vivo, IGF-IR inhibition led to decreases in pancreatic tumor volume and weight, vessel density, and tumor cell proliferation (P < 0.01 for all) and increases in tumor cell apoptosis (P < 0.02). Our results suggest that autocrine activation of the IGF-IR system significantly affects VEGF expression and angiogenesis in human pancreatic cancer. Thus, IGF-IR may be a valid target in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Preliminary crystal structure analysis of an Fab specific for a Salmonella O-polysaccharide antigen.

The Fab from an IgG 1 , λ murine monoclonal antibody with specificity for the O-polysaccharide antigen of Salmonella typhimurium has been crystallized in the absence and presence of hapten. The conditions for crystal growth were vapor diffusion equilibration with 16 to 23% polyethylene glycol 8000 solutions. Data have been collected from crystals of the complex in space group P 2 1 2 1 2 1 , a = 60·6 A, b = 111·3 A, c = 61·1 A, and refinement of a molecular replacement solution is underway.
Acquiring library materials from the People's Republic of China

Abstract In the course of the Four Modernizations Movement, the People's Republic of China has doubled its efforts to increase the book production level and also has relaxed export restrictions considerably, though materials available on the international market are still insufficient to meet overseas demand. Focusing on collection development in academic libraries in the United States, this paper describes the current Chinese publishing industry, outlining its distinctive features, with a brief discussion of the problems and implications for the acquisition of Chinese materials.
The informational yield of paired samples from a large sample: hair analysis and urinalysis for cocaine and cannabinoids.

In a variety of decision settings when categorical information is the data in hand, the correspondence between an indicator test and a true condition (i.e., an accepted “gold standard”) is often assessed by the use of comparison or “truth” tables. The results from such a table can be considered an informational yield and allow a practitioner to assess the utility of the indicator test in various ways, such as specificity and sensitivity, false positive and negative rates, and the positive and negative predictive values. There are many reasons for the use of an indicator test. This article proposes a novel application of an informational measure in determining the utility of hair and urine specimens for clinical decision making. It does this for two commonly abused substances, cocaine and cannabinoids. It suggests that in clinical applications the ability to assess informational yield is an important factor in developing clinical strategies for treatment of addictive disorders.
Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI): the correlation between disease severity and psychological burden in patients treated with biological therapies

Background Multiple metrics evaluate the efficacy of psoriasis treatment, but interestingly, the correlation between the mostly widely used clinical trial efficacy end point, the physician-rendered Psoriasis Area Severity Index PASI score and, the most widely used quality of life metric, the Dermatology Life Quality Index DLQI, is not always high. Objective To perform a systematic review to determine PASI to DLQI correlation. Methods RCTs of biological agents for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis were reviewed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The mean percentage PASI improvement and change in mean DLQI values were recorded and compared for treatment groups from baseline to 10–16 weeks of therapy. Results A search of the literature yielded 155 sources, of which 13 RCTs met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Percentage of PASI improvement from baseline correlates with DLQI changes with an r2 value of 0.80 from baseline through weeks 10–16. When grouped by mean percentage reduction in PASI, agents demonstrating >75% mean reduction in PASI demonstrated a mean DLQI improvement over agents that achieved <75%–50% mean reduction in PASI or <50% mean reduction in PASI [minimal clinically important difference (MCID) 3.2]. In addition, a reduction in mean PASI of at least 75%, predicted a mean movement from DLQI band 3 to DLQI band 1, in all nine treatment arms demonstrating such efficacy. Conclusions Mean PASI and DLQI correlate predictably in patients with chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis undergoing treatment with biological agents. A reduction in PASI of at least 75% can translate to significant quality-of-life improvement in patients treated with these therapies.
Three-dimensional crack front fields in a thin ductile plate

Abstract Based on detailed finite element solutions, various aspects of the 3-D fields near a crack front in a thin ductile plate are analysed. In particular, the stress field in the immediate crack front vicinity is carefully investigated. The existence and size of local J-dominated fields are determined from a comparison of the complete near tip stress field with the plane strain HRR solutions using a dominance parameter. In conjunction with an estimated size of the finite deformation zone, the loss of HRR-dominance along the crack front is also studied. Physically, the loss of HRR-dominance at higher load occurs when the finite deformation region outgrows the (local) plane strain region, the size of which is essentially limited by the geometry of a thin plate. Alternatively, the existence (at the mid-plane) of plane strain HRR-dominance in a low hardening material under (in-plane) small scale yielding requires the thickness of a thin plate to exceed 0.5(K1/σ0)2, thus limiting the maximum in-plane extent of the plastic zone to a fractio of plate thickness. Furthermore, such a restriction on the plastic zone size precludes the coexistence of local plane strain and surrounding plane stress HRR-fields within a thin plate.
Modeling the Brownian relaxation of nanoparticle ferrofluids: Comparison with experiment

Purpose: The authors investigate the ability of current models for magnetic nanoparticles immersed in dilute ferrofluids and external sinusoidal magnetic fields to explain recent experiments in which the relaxation effects are dominated by viscous damping. Methods: The Fokker–Planck (FP) equation appropriate for the nanoparticle magnetic moment distribution corresponding to the underlying stochastic Langevin model is numerically studied and solutions compared to experimental results. The FP equation is solved using an expansion in Legendre polynomials. The polydisperse properties of the ferrofluids are incorporated into the analysis. Results: By using a FP approach that includes polydispersion, the authors obtain good agreement with recent experimental results using ferrofluids containing nanoparticles with average hydrodynamic diameters in the 40–120 nm range. Conclusions: For nanoparticles used in recent magnetic spectroscopy experiments, the FP approach can be used to accurately model experimental data in the situation where Brownian relaxation effects are dominant and the ferrofluids are dilute.
Exenatide therapy in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of exenatide on clinical parameters in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus whose hyperglycemia is not adequately controlled despite treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin.Methods: In this retrospective analysis, clinical progress of 52 obese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide, 5 mcg twice daily, in an outpatient setting was reviewed. Treatment initiation was between September and December 2005. Mean follow-up period was 26 weeks. Thirty-eight patients took exenatide regularly (Group A); 14 patients discontinued exenatide because of insurance, personal, or economic reasons (Group B). Measurements at baseline and at follow-up included body weight; blood pressure; and levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma lipids. Insulin dosage requirements were assessed.Results: Mean body weight (± standard error of the mean) decreased by 6.46 ± 0.8 kg (P<.001) in Group A and increased by 2.4 ± 0.6 kg ...
Effect of pentoxifylline on developmental changes in neutrophil cell surface mobility and membrane fluidity

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from human neonates respond less efficiently to chemotactic factor stimulation than do PMNs from adults. The biologic mechanisms underlying this developmental process are poorly understood. In previous studies, we have found that pentoxifylline, an agent reported to enhance membrane deformability, increased the chemotactic response of neonatal PMNs. In the present studies, we have examined the effect of pentoxifylline on cell surface mobility and membrane fluidity by assessing fluorescent concanavalin A (Con A) capping and fluorescent polarization (FP). Baseline Con A capping was lower in the PMNs of neonates when compared to PMNs from adult controls. Colchicine, which increases capping by disrupting microtubules, exaggerated the differences between the adult and neonatal PMNs. Following exposure of neonatal PMNs to pentoxifylline, colchicine enhanced Con A capping to levels equivalent to those of colchicine-treated PMNs from adults. Employing a fluorescence polarization (FP) assay, we found the fluid state of the membrane of PMNs from neonates was significantly less than that of adult controls. Pentoxifylline alone significantly increased the fluidity of the cell membranes of neonatal PMNs while decreasing elevated basal levels of F-actin in the cell. These data suggest an intrinsic cytoskeletal difference in the PMNs of neonates that may be responsive to pharmacologic manipulation.
Advanced Techniques for Removal of Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have proven valuable for the prevention of primary or recurrent pulmonary embolism in selected patients with or at high risk for venous thromboembolic disease. Their use has become commonplace, and the numbers implanted increase annually. During the last 3 years, in the United States, the percentage of annually placed optional filters, i.e., filters than can remain as permanent filters or potentially be retrieved, has consistently exceeded that of permanent filters. In parallel, the complications of long- or short-term filtration have become increasingly evident to physicians, regulatory agencies, and the public. Most filter removals are uneventful, with a high degree of success. When routine filter-retrieval techniques prove unsuccessful, progressively more advanced tools and skill sets must be used to enhance filter-retrieval success. These techniques should be used with caution to avoid damage to the filter or cava during IVC retrieval. This review describes the complex techniques for filter retrieval, including use of additional snares, guidewires, angioplasty balloons, and mechanical and thermal approaches as well as illustrates their specific application.
Changes in Body Size of Elite High School Football Players: 1963 - 1989.

An examination of the heights and weights of members of the Parade Magazine's High School All-American Football Teams from 1963-1971 indicates no significant changes in the Body Mass Index of these elite athletes whereas an increased pattern in Body Mass Index was noted within this group from 1972-1989. The large increases in Body Mass Index after 1971 among the All-American high school football players raise interesting research questions; in particular, what portion of these gains can be attributed to improved nutrition and training techniques and what portion is the result of use of performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids?
More information, broader dissent on informed consent.

Drs. Akabayashi and Slingsby (2006) bring into our own bioethics literature an issue that has been extensively discussed and debated in Japan. Discussions there have honed in on precisely the issue...
379: Donor class I peptide immunization affects the induction but not maintenance phase of tolerance

patient sera, 14.9% vs 2.1% control for the Mab), a reduction in platelet counts, and macroscopic blood cell agglutination. This effect was not produced by the control IgM Mab.Depletion of AVA’s from patient sera with vimentin-coated agarose beads or addition of recombinant vimentin to the blood mixture, abrogated these effects. Flow cytometry demonstrated that AVA do not bind to resting platelets in whole blood but they bind to approximately 10% of neutrophils. Binding of AVA to neutrophils resulted in complement dependent cytolysis (50%) and nuclear condensation. Supernatant derived from AVA activated neutrophils, transferred to fresh purified plalelets, caused platelet activation as measured by generation of platelet microparticles. Experiments performed in the presence of CV-6209, a PAF receptor inhibitor, prevented blood cell agglutination and platelet depletion, suggesting that PAF is one of the mediators released from AVA activated neutrophils. Conclusions: We propose a novel pathogenic mechanism whereby AVA may contribute to atherogenesis and thrombosis.
Sinkhorn Solves Sudoku

The Sudoku puzzle is a discrete constraint satisfaction problem, as is the error correction decoding problem. We propose here an algorithm for solution to the Sinkhorn puzzle based on Sinkhorn balancing. Sinkhorn balancing is an algorithm for projecting a matrix onto the space of doubly stochastic matrices. The Sinkhorn balancing solver is capable of solving all but the most difficult puzzles. A proof of convergence is presented, with some information theoretic connections. A random generalization of the Sudoku puzzle is presented, for which the Sinkhorn-based solver is also very effective.
Applications of high-T c superconductors in optoelectronics

The discovery of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) has opened new opportunities for applications of superconductors in optoelectronics. The HTS perovskites represent a new class of solid-state materials, exhibiting many very interesting and potentially useful electronic, optical, and electro- optical properties. They also operate in the 30-80 K temperature range, where refrigeration is cheap and the parameters of semiconducting devices are optimal. A review of the substrate materials and deposition techniques suitable for fabrication of high-quality epitaxial HTS films for electronic and optoelectronic applications is given. Laser processing techniques of HTS films are presented, with a special emphasis put on the laser writing method, which enables the definition of superconducting and nonsuperconducting regions in the same, epitaxial HTS film. Two possible approaches for the development of a complete optoelectronic system with the elements based on the HTS films and operational at liquid-nitrogen temperatures are presented. The first approach consists of manufacturing the devices made of conventional electro- optic materials and containing HTS transmission lines and electrodes. Design and properties of ultrafast HTS interconnects are discussed, and a new concept of the Mach-Zehnder-type YBa2Cu3/$O(subscript 7-y-on-LiNbO3 optical modulator is introduced. The second, more futuristic approach, is to exploit contrasting properties of the oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich HTS phases to fabricate novel, monolithic devices. Recent experiments, which reveal intriguing optical properties of HTS films, and are most relevant for the development of all-HTS optoelectronic devices are discussed. Several practical devices, such as high-frequency modulators, ultrafast-pulse generators, and sensitive photodetectors will be presented.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An analysis of the rotator interval in patients with anterior, posterior, and multidirectional shoulder instability.

Purpose: To describe anatomic measurements of the rotator interval (RI) on magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) images and to assess the relationship between increased dimensions of the RI and instability conditions of the shoulder. Methods: Three groups of patients with clinical instability were treated arthroscopically (anterior [A = 19 patients], posterior [P = 14 patients], and multidirectional [M = 13 patients]), and a group of 10 control patients without clinical instability were also identified. The MRAs of all groups were randomized, and 5 blinded reviewers recorded RI anatomic measurements of: (1) sagittal measures of the distance between the subscapularis (SSc) and supraspinatus (SS) tendons at 3 anatomic landmarks across the RI, and (2) the sagittal position of the long head of the biceps (LHB) relative to the most anterior aspect of the SS. Results: The rotator interval distance between the SS and SSc tendons was nearly identical for all groups of instability, and was also not different from control groups. On the sagittal oblique sequences, the distance from the LHB tendon to the anterior edge of the SS tendon was significantly increased in posterior (7.4 mm) instability versus both the control group (2.4 mm; P = .025) and those with anterior instability (4.5 mm; P = .041), with the LHB in a consistent anterior position. The remainder of the measures was not statistically different between the groups. Conclusions: The distance between the SS and SSc and the overall size of the RI was well preserved in all instability patterns and control conditions. The LHB tendon assumes a more anterior position relative to the supraspinatus tendon in patients with posterior instability versus those patients with anterior instability or those without clinical instability. Additional work is necessary to further define objective radiographic evidence of RI insufficiency in patients with shoulder instability. Level of Evidence: Level III, prognostic case-control study.
Thermal analysis of new ITER FW and divertor design during VDE energy deposition

Abstract Further developments and investigations in the area of fusion energy devices require extensive and comprehensive computer simulations with great precision to evaluate reactor components behavior during normal and transient events. In this work we performed detailed study of the first wall (FW) subjected to high heat flux during a vertical displacement event (VDE) with various initial steady-state conditions and heat flux histories for the transient plasma energy deposition. We calculated the spatial temperature profile through out the entire module and the maximum surface temperature, as well as melting and vaporization thickness of Be surface during VDE and just before thermal quench (TQ). We further studied possible potential damage to plasma facing components (PFC) and structural materials for VDEs with higher energy loads than currently estimated.
LpxI structures reveal how a lipid A precursor is synthesized

Enzymes in lipid metabolism acquire and deliver hydrophobic substrates and products from within lipid bilayers. The structure at 2.55 A of one isozyme of a constitutive enzyme in lipid A biosynthesis, LpxI from Caulobacter crescentus, has a novel fold. Two domains close around a completely sequestered substrate, UDP-2,3-diacylglucosamine, and open to release products either to the neighboring enzyme in a putative multienzyme complex or to the bilayer. Mutation analysis identifies Asp225 as key to Mg(2+)-catalyzed diphosphate hydrolysis. These structures provide snapshots of the enzymatic synthesis of a critical lipid A precursor.
L- and M-shell electron shake-off accompanying alpha decay

The ${L}_{\mathrm{I}}$-, ${L}_{\mathrm{II}}$-, ${L}_{\mathrm{III}}$-, and $M$-shell vacancy distributions accompanying electron shake-off in the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay of $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$ have been measured by $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-x-ray two parameter coincidence techniques. The ionization probabilities and the errors due to our measurements were (5.11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.40, 0.62\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06, and 1.50\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.19) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ for the ${L}_{\mathrm{I}}$, ${L}_{\mathrm{II}}$, and ${L}_{\mathrm{III}}$ subshells, respectively, and (1.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ for the $M$ shell. Possible errors in tabulated fluorescence and Coster-Kronig yields could increase the uncertainties to (1.7, 0.5, 0.8) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ and 0.6 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, respectively. The energies and peak shapes of the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ groups in coincidence with $L\ensuremath{\alpha}$, $L\ensuremath{\beta}$, $L\ensuremath{\gamma}$, and $M$ x rays were also measured. The coincident groups were, respectively, 12.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.4, 13.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.4, 17.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.1, and 3.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0 keV lower in energy than the $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$ ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{0}$ peak. Theoretical calculations by Hansen are in closer agreement with the experimental values for the $L$ subshells than Migdal's theory, but discrepancies of about a factor of 2 still exist.
Is Aerosol Geoengineering Ethically Preferable to Other Climate Change Strategies

As a strategy for responding to climate change, aerosol geoengineering (AG) carries various risks, thus raising ethical concerns regarding its potential deployment. I examine three ethical arguments that AG ought not to be deployed, given that it (1) risks harming persons, (2) would harm persons, and (3) would be more harmful to persons than some other available strategy. I show that these arguments are not successful. Instead, I defend a fourth argument: in scenarios in which all available climate change strategies would result in net harm, we ought to adopt the strategy that would result in the least net harm. Barring substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, we can reasonably expect future scenarios in which all available strategies would result in net harm. In such cases, there is good reason to suspect that AG would result in less net harm than emissions mitigation, adaptation, or other geoengineering strategies.