cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The green's function method for the monoenergetic transport equation with forward/backward/isotropic scattering

Abstract The monoenergetic transport equation for slab geometry with isotropic/forward/backward scattering is solved using the Green's function method. The general formulation is found in terms of the infinite medium Green's function for isotropic scattering only. Results are presented for single and multiple slab configurations and include results from a model of the photon transport in a heterogeneous leaf.
Noncommutative operations on Wiener functionals and Feynman's operational calculus

The authors recently introduced a family {Att⩾0} of Banach algebras of functionals on Wiener space and showed that, for every F in At the functional integrals Kλt(F) exist and are given by a perturbation expansion which serves to “disentangle,” in the sense of Feynman's operational calculus, the operator Kλt(F). When λ is purely imaginary, Kλt(F) is the analytic operator-valued Feynman integral of F. In this paper, noncommutative operations ∗ and + on Wiener functionals are defined which enable the authors to provide a precise and rigorous interpretation of certain aspects of Feynman's operational calculus for noncommuting operators. In particular, the authors show that if FϵAt1and G ϵ At2then F ∗G ϵAt1+t2 and Kλt1 + t2(F ∗ G) = Kλt1(F)Kλt2(G). Hence, the product of operators which can be disentangled using their recent results can itself be disentangled. The noncommutative operations, the disentangling algebras {At}, and the functional integrals possess a rich interlocking structure.
Right ventricular outflow reconstruction with cryopreserved homografts in pediatric patients: Intermediate-term follow-up with serial echocardiographic assessment

Objectives. This study was performed to assess by echocardiography the intermediate-term outcome of cryopreserved homografts employed in pulmonary outflow reconstruction in children and to validate the reliability of Doppler echocardiography in their evaluation. Background. Cryopreserved homografts have become the most widely used pulmonary conduits. Previous reports have shown the occurrence of homograft regurgitation in the immediate postoperative period and the propensity of regurgitation to progress. Although Doppler echocardiography has been useful in assessing extracardiac valved conduit stenosis, its reliability in assessing a large series of cryopreserved homografts has not been documented. Methods. Echocardiograms of 41 patients (43 homografts) who underwent operations between December 1986 and October 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. The median age of patients at operation was 37.5 months (range 3 to 333), and the median duration of follow-up was 28.5 months (range 1 to 68). Homograft regurgitation was classified on a scale of 0 to 4+. Pressure gradients across the homografts measured in 23 catheterizations were correlated with corresponding echocardiographic gradients. Results. Regurgitation: Homograft regurgitation occurred in 100% of patients at follow-up. Progression of severity >2 grades occurred during follow-up in 35% and was associated with operation before age 18 months (p < 0.002) and stenosis progression (p < 0.05) but not with homograft type (aortic or pulmonary). These data predict that 50% of patients operated on before 18 months of age will have severe regurgitation by 15 months postoperatively compared with only 15% operated on after 18 months. Stenosis: At follow-up, 51% of homografts had a stenotic gradient ≥25 mm Hg predominantly at the distal anastomosis, and stenosis progression was related to young age at operation (<18 months, p < 0.005) and small conduit size (p < 0.01). Fifty percent of conduits implanted before age 18 months could be predicted to stenose by 21.8 months compared with only 5% of those implanted after age 18 months. The gradient measured from Doppler echocardiography correlated well with the catheterization gradient (r = 0.86). Conclusions. Cryopreserved homograft dysfunction is frequent and progressive. Young age at operation (<18 months) predicts more rapid deterioration. Doppler echocardiography is reliable in assessing the systolic gradients across homografts. Serial echocardiographic assessment in the follow-up of these patients accurately characterizes these problems.
Vascular compression of the esophagus : a manometric and radiologic study

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of vascular compression in manometric tracings and to determine whether these findings had any clinical significance. Vascular compression, defined as a localized area of elevated intraesophageal resting pressure >4 mm Hg with superimposed cyclic pressure spikes with a frequency of 60–100/min, was noted in 55 of 241 consecutive tracings. The groups with and without vascular compression were similar with regard to mean age, sex, and prevalence of dysphagia. Radiographs were available for 29 of the 55 and showed compression in 18, but there was no relationship with the manometric findings, except for a trend towards finding a positive esophagogram with amplitudes >16 mm Hg. Eleven tracings showed absent “relaxation” of this elevation of pressure in response to swallows, and five of six available esophagograms showed a corresponding area of compression. We conclude that manometric evidence of vascular compression is common and generally has no clear relationship with esophagographic findings or dysphagia. However, the combined findings of marked increases in pressure and absence of relaxation in response to swallows may indicate evidence for a vascular cause of dysphagia.
Improvement of a series expansion approach to interferometric tomography via natural pixel decomposition

Interferometric reconstruction of three-dimensional flow fields, that is, interferometric tomography, can be a very useful diagnostic tool. It is noninvasive and can capture gross fields; however, it frequently confronts a challenging problem of reconstructing fields from insufficient data. In most cases, flow-field interferometric data are sparse, nonuniform, noisy, and incomplete in projection and scanning because of opaque objects present either inside or outside the field. Recently, a new method has been developed in an effort to improve reconstruction under these ill-posed conditions. The method is appropriate for reconstructing flow fields with the distinct data characteristics, being based on natural pixel decomposition of the field. It employs rectangular grid elements of different sizes and aspect ratios. It thus reflects intrinsic spatial resolution information contained in the data and allows better resolution and accuracy in the region with more probing rays. Computer simulation of experiments has demonstrated superiority of the method to the conventional one. In simulation, the temperature field of a gravity-driven flow of two interacting heat sources, produced by a numerical code, are tested. Both the maximum and average reconstruction errors are reduced appreciably. Especially, the reconstruction demonstrates substantial improvement in the region with dense scanning by probing rays.
Preoperative cardiac evaluation does not improve or predict perioperative or late survival in asymptomatic diabetic patients undergoing elective infrainguinal arterial reconstruction

Objective Patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial reconstruction frequently have increased cardiac risk factors. Diabetic patients are often asymptomatic despite advanced cardiac disease. This study investigates whether preoperative cardiac testing improves the outcome in diabetic patients at risk for cardiac disease. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing lower-extremity arterial reconstructions in a 32-month period from July 1999 to February 2002. Of the 433 patients identified undergoing 539 procedures, 295 had diabetes mellitus and considered in this study. The patients were stratified into two groups according to the present American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) algorithm. We identified 140 patients with two or more of ACC (Eagle) criteria who met the inclusion criteria for a preoperative cardiac evaluation. These patients were separated into two groups: those undergoing a cardiac work-up (WU) according to the ACC/AHA algorithm and those not undergoing the recommended work-up (NWU). Outcomes included perioperative mortality, postoperative myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and length of hospitalization. Significance of association was assessed by the Fisher exact test. Length of hospitalization was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Survival data was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results One hundred forty patients met the criteria for moderate risk. There were 61 patients in the NWU group and 79 in the WU group. Ten patients in the WU group underwent preoperative coronary revascularization (6 had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 4 underwent coronary artery bypass grafting). There was no difference between perioperative mortality (WU, 1%; NWU, 2%; P = 1.00) or in postoperative cardiac morbidity, including myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmia requiring treatment (WU, 5%; NWU, 6%; P = .71). There were no perioperative deaths and one episode of congestive heart failure in the group that had preoperative coronary revascularization. Median length of hospitalization was 10 days in the WU group and 8 days in the NWU group ( P = .11). Patient survival at 12 months for the NWU, WU, and revascularized groups was 85.3%, 78.5%, and 80.0%, respectively; 36-month survival was 73.6%, 62.9%, and 80.0%, respectively. The three survival curves did not differ significantly ( P = .209). Conclusions Preoperative cardiac evaluation, as defined by the ACC/AHA algorithm, does not predict or improve postoperative morbidity, mortality, or 36-month survival in asymptomatic, diabetic patients undergoing elective lower-extremity arterial reconstruction. These data do not support the current ACC/AHA recommendations as a standard of care for diabetic patients with an intermediate clinical predictor who undergo peripheral arterial reconstruction, a high-risk surgical procedure.
Two Dogmas'?All Bark and No Bite? Carnap and Quine on Analyticity

Recently O'Grady aigued that Quine's “Two Dogmas” misses its mark when Carnap's use of the analyticity distinction is understood in the light of his deflationism. While in substantial agreement with the stress on Camap's deflationism, I argue that O'Grady is not sufficiently sensitive to the difference between using the analyticity distinction to support deflationism, and taking a deflationary attitude towards the distinction itself; the latter being much more controversial. Being sensitive to this difference, and viewing Quine as having reason to insist on a non-arbitrary analyticity distinction, we see that “Two Dogmas” makes direct contact with Carnap's deflationism. We must look beyond “Two Dogmas” to Quine's other critiques of analyticity to understand why the arbitrariness of the distinction threatens to undermine or overextend Carnap's deflationism, collapsing it into a view much like Quine's. Quine is then seen to achieve many of Carnap's ends, with the important exception of deflationism.
P-22 Incidence and management of strictures after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the first part of duodenal switch. Two stage procedures were designed for high-risk cases. Initial good results moved some surgeons to use this operation as a stand-alone procedure. Here we evaluate the mid-term results of our experience. Methods: Retrospective review of the prospective database of morbid obesity from our institution was done. We studied all patients who underwent SG from December 2004 to September 2010. Variables were morbidity, mortality, weight loss and resolution of comorbidities. Results: 127 out of the 169 patients operated were analyzed. Mean BMI at the time of surgery was 52.05 kg/m (range 35-75). 89 patients were included as a 2-stage procedure, mean BMI at the time of surgery was 57.88 kg/m (range 45-75). Patients who had a stand-alone procedure had an initial mean BMI of 38.4 kg/m (35-43). After 3 years of follow-up mean BMI was 33kg/m and 31.9kg/m respectively. We performed 15 second stages (14 duodenal switch and 1 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). Global morbidity was 4.7% (6 cases), the most frequent was gastric stenosis, all of them were treated by endoscopy. We also had 1 leak (0.6%). We had no mortality in our series. 89% of the patients improved their diabetes mellitus after 1 year of follow-up, and 91% after 2 years. Conclusion: The SG showed good results in terms of weight loss and resolution of comorbidities, with a low morbidity in our series. Proper patient selection is probably, along with proper surgical technique, the most important factor in achieving good results.
Strategy Textbooks: A Case of Consistently Inconsistent Evaluations

The article reviews several textbooks on business policy and strategy, including “Business Policy: The Art of Strategic Management” by W. R. Boulton, “Strategic Management: Planning and Implementation: Concepts and Cases” by L. Byars, and “Business Policy and Strategic Management,” by W. F. Glueck and L. R. Jauch.
Terpene Reduction in Cold‐Pressed Orange Oil by Frontal Analysis‐Displacement Adsorption Chromatography

Five adsorbents were studied for their ability to remove terpenes from cold-pressed Valencia orange oil by frontal-analysis displacement adsorption chromatography. Only the potable solvent 95% aqueous ethanol was used in the process; columns were dry-packed to eliminate the use of hexane. The most successful studies were carried out using silica gel and Florisil. Adsorptive capacities of 4.4 and 2.0g oil/g adsorbent were achieved for silica gel and Florisil, respectively. Compositions of the oil fractions were determined by gas chromatography and peaks identified by mass spectrometry. Silica gel provided products with the lowest terpene level and the highest oxygenated compound content. The terpene content of the product considered best was reduced to one fifth and one seventh of the original level for Florisil and silica gel, respectively, and had higher oxygenated compound levels than either 10-fold or 25-fold orange oil concentrates.
The smart thermostat: using occupancy sensors to save energy in homes

Heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) is the largest source of residential energy consumption. In this paper, we demonstrate how to use cheap and simple sensing technology to automatically sense occupancy and sleep patterns in a home, and how to use these patterns to save energy by automatically turning off the home's HVAC system. We call this approach the smart thermostat. We evaluate this approach by deploying sensors in 8 homes and comparing the expected energy usage of our algorithm against existing approaches. We demonstrate that our approach will achieve a 28% energy saving on average, at a cost of approximately $25 in sensors. In comparison, a commercially-available baseline approach that uses similar sensors saves only 6.8% energy on average, and actually increases energy consumption in 4 of the 8 households.
Auger transition rates for the muonic molecular ion td micro.

The rates of the Auger transitions between all bound states of the muonic molecular ion td..mu.. for the four initial configurations ((td..mu..)e), ((td..mu..)de)/sup +/, ((td..mu..)d2e), and ((td..mu..)2d2e)/sup +/ were calculated using new highly accurate variational three-body wave functions. Qualitative agreement with previous calculations was found. As a byproduct of the calculations we obtained an upper bound for the energy of the td..mu..(20) state epsilon-c/sub 20/ = -102.6489 eV, which is significantly lower than the best literature value.
C-Reactive Protein and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein: An Update for Clinicians

The measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) using both standard and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) assays is becoming common in clinical practice. This article addresses the causes of CRP elevation and the use of different CRP assays in internal medicine, including cardiology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, infectious diseases, and oncology. We focus on the recent medical literature on the use of hs-CRP in cardiovascular disease risk stratification and management, including updated screening guidelines on the use of hs-CRP, such as those issued in 2009 by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. We also discuss the Reynolds Risk Score, which incorporates hs-CRP and family history with more standard cardiovascular risk factors (eg, tobacco use, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) and frequently leads to improved recategorization of cardiovascular disease risk levels. As the recently completed Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER) trial indicated that statin therapy decreases the vascular events among persons with elevated hs-CRP by half, even when cholesterol levels are low, the inclusion of information on hs-CRP values with other cardiovascular risk factors may assist physicians in medical decision making for patients.
Upper extremity lymphangiography as an aid to treatment planning for stage 1A epitrochlear hodgkin's disease.

A 6-year-old girl with Stage 1A Hodgkin's disease confined to the right epitrochlear area is described. An upper extremity lymphangiogram, for planning primary radiation therapy, demonstrated a lymph node adjacent to the medial midhumeral shaft. The implication of this finding and the role of the lymphangiogram in treatment planning are discussed.
Factors affecting the formation of dark, thick epipedons beneath forest vegetation, Michigan, USA

SUMMARY Extremely gravelly, coarse-textured soils (frigid Udorthents and Rendolls) with different thicknesses of Oa+A horizon sequences were studied to identify factors that have influenced their genesis. These well-drained, forested soils occur on geomorphic surfaces that range in age from 3200 to 6000 years BP. The soils all have more than 500 g kg−1 coarse fragments by mass; most contain less than 300 g kg−1 fine earth. In the lower solum of most pedons, content of cobbles increases and amount of fine earth decreases. Most coarse fragments are dolomite and chert. Thick, gravelly Oa and A horizons are weakly correlated with parent material characteristics such as high pH and carbonate contents. Organic matter concentrations in, and thicknesses of, upper horizons are enhanced by an abundance of coarse clasts, as soils with the most gravel exhibited the thickest and darkest epipedons. Relatively high amounts of crystalline clasts in the fine gravel fraction, as well as feldspathic minerals in the fine sands, also appear to promote the development of mollic epipedons.
A geometric framework for black hole perturbations

Black hole perturbation theory is typically studied on time surfaces that extend between the bifurcation sphere and spatial infinity. From a physical point of view, however, it may be favorable to employ time surfaces that extend between the future event horizon and future null infinity. This framework resolves problems regarding the representation of quasinormal mode eigenfunctions and the construction of short-ranged potentials for the perturbation equations in frequency domain.
Alternative Models of the Past: History/Theory/Criticism Courses

ISSUE: Recent literature on effective history teaching encourages reconsidering linear cause-and-effect presentations of course content. The importance of linking historical information with theoretical and critical perspectives can take several forms beyond chronology. GOAL: Present alternative options for organizing history of interiors courses around theoretical issues. APPLICATION: History content should be presented in an accessible, applicable, and analytical manner. Focusing the history of interiors on theoretical approaches to defining interior space helps connect history with design activity. Emphasizing the relationship between stylistic development and cultural influences encourages students to appreciate the expressiveness of details and materials and their relationship to the creative process. DESCRIPTION: In this article, an exploration is presented of how two sequential history courses can be developed to meet the requirements of an accredited interior design program using alternative theoretical frameworks. CONCLUSION: Acceptance of the concept that history can be configured in many different ways opens the door for alternative models that merge with the interior design program's specific goals and objectives. Focusing on themes rather than chronology can make the theoretical concepts illustrated by history less isolated from the present and more applicable to students' current studio work. Emphasizing a critical view of past designs encourages students to become more literate visual judges of the works of others, and by implication, their own work.
Lunar Dust Characterization for Exploration Life Support Systems

Lunar dust effects can have a significant impact on the performance and maintenance of future exploration life support systems. Filtration systems will be challenged by the additional loading from lunar dust, and mitigation technology and strategies have to be adapted to protect sensitive equipment. An initial characterization of lunar dust and simulants was undertaken. The data emphasize the irregular morphology of the dust particles and the frequency dependence of lunar dust layer detachment from shaken surfaces.
Electrochemistry of berkelium in acidic aqueous solution

Abstract The Bk(IV/III) couple was studied electrochemically at the conducting glass electrode in 0·10N sulfuric acid solution. Results enable the calculation of the formal potential (+1·43 V) for the couple, and of the rate of reduction of Bk4+ by water in this solution: d [Bk 4+ ] d t = (2·4 ± 0·7)×10 −4 [ Bk 4+ ] sec −1 . The rate of Bk4+ reduction by autoradiolysis was also m couple is reversible, indicating that controlled potential coulometry is potentially useful for the determination of this element. However, the autoradiolysis process is highly sensitive to trace amounts of organic impurities.
Balloon Angioplasty and Stent Implantation Performed Through Systemic-to-Pulmonary Artery Shunts in Infants and Neonates

Branch pulmonary artery stenosis (BPAS) in the setting of systemic-pulmonary artery shunts (SPS) may result in significant sequelae. Limited information exists regarding the safety and efficacy of pulmonary artery balloon angioplasty and stent implantation via SPS in neonates and infants. This study aimed to examine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of balloon angioplasty/stent implantation for BPAS performed via SPS in neonates and infants. A single-center retrospective analysis of all patients weighing 10 kg or less who underwent angioplasty for BPAS via SPS was performed. Systemic oxygen saturations and vessel diameter before, during, and after the procedure were compared. Between July 1996 and February 2008, 15 patients underwent 20 catheterizations for the treatment of 27 BPAS via SPS. The patients had a mean weight of 5.6 kg (range, 2.6–10 kg) and a mean age of 7.6 months (range, 7 days to 33 months). The SPS diameter ranged between 2 and 5 mm (median, 3.5 mm). Angioplasty was performed for all 27 lesions, and an additional stent was placed in 5 of these. The average lesion diameter increased from 2.3 ± 1.5 to 4.7 ± 1.7 mm (p < 0.05), and 25 (93 %) of the 27 lesions met the predetermined criteria for success. Systemic oxygen saturation increased from 73 ± 9.5 % to 82 ± 6.8 % immediately after intervention and was 83 ± 7.9 % at discharge (p < 0.05). There were no instances of shunt thrombosis. Two patients experienced transient hypotension during the procedure. No procedural deaths occurred. The study findings suggest that balloon angioplasty or stent implantation performed via SPS appears to be safe and effective treatment for BPAS in neonates and infants.
Determination of Trace Elements in Human Tissues. II. Chromium in the Pancreas and in Raw and Commercial Sugar.

Human pancreases obtained at autopsy have been analyzed for chromium using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Both the original sample and the lipid-free sample of 21 pancreases have been digested by means of low temperature plasma ashing. Chromium levels are reported for the following categories of subjects: arteriosclerotic heart disease (5); carcinoma (5); diabetes mellitus (4); cirrhosis of the liver (3); other diseases (4).
Atromentic acid from Clitocybe illudens

Abstract Atromentic acid was isolated from culture liquids of Clitocybe illudens . Identification, based on analyses and spectra of the compound and a number of new derivatives, was confirmed by direct comparison of its tetramethylated derivative with a synthetic sample. Products, giving a blueing reaction have been detected in the same culture liquids, and an as yet unidentified compound has been isolated in crystalline form as its methylation product, C 42 H 36 O 12 . The presence of pulvinic acid derivatives in Basidiomycetes other than the Boletaceae has been reported in only one other instance.
Mental health needs assessment of children and adolescents

Needs assessment is essential input for program planning. Little data are, however, available about the various approaches and whether strategies for needs assessment are viable. It was found by an inexpensive methodology that opinions about the importance of various services, opinions about the potential acceptance of services, services provided, and the total need for services are interrelated. A hybrid approach that utilized data from teachers and the people that provide mental health services was also a practical means to obtain information about the unmet needs of children and adolescents in the country. Data supported the value of this technique for the assessment of the unmet needs of children and adolescents. Thus, an inexpensive methodology can provide useful information from multiple perspectives.
Multiple imputation in mixture models for nonignorable nonresponse with follow-ups

Abstract One approach to inference for means or linear regression parameters when the outcome is subject to nonignorable nonresponse is mixture modeling. Mixture models assume separate parameters for respondents and nonrespondents; implementation by multiple imputation consists of repeatedly filling in missing values for nonrespondents, estimating parameters using the filled-in data, and then adjusting for variability between imputations. We evaluated the performance of this scheme using simulated data with a 25% sample of nonrespondents followed up. We conclude that it provides a generally satisfactory and robust approach to inference for means and regression parameters in this case, although a greater number of imputations may be required for good performance compared to the number required for estimation when nonresponse is ignorable.
Exposure to alcohol during adolescence alters the aversive and locomotor-activating effects of cocaine in adult rats.

Abstract Objectives The present study assessed the effect of adolescent alcohol exposure on the later aversive and locomotor-activating effects of cocaine. Methods Male rats were exposed to alcohol or vehicle for 10 days [postnatal day (PND) 30–39; 2 g/kg IP]. Taste aversion conditioning began on PND 65. During aversion conditioning, subjects were presented with saccharin followed by cocaine (32 mg/kg; 15, 180 or 300 min post saccharin) or saline. Following each injection, animals were placed in locomotor chambers for 1 h. To determine if any effects seen were specific to the adolescent developmental period, the procedure was replicated in adult animals. Results Animals exposed to vehicle during adolescence showed significant aversions at all time delays. Animals exposed to ethanol during adolescence showed a decrease in consumption only at the 15 and 180 min delays. Groups exposed to alcohol during adolescence showed a decrease in gross, and an increase in fine, motor activity in response to cocaine. Animals exposed to alcohol during adulthood also showed attenuated taste aversions. Conclusions Exposure to ethanol during adolescence attenuated the aversive effects of cocaine and altered its locomotor-activating effects. Although this effect is not specific to adolescence, this is the time when alcohol use is typically initiated so that such exposure may enhance later abuse liability of cocaine.
Vaporization and melting of materials in fusion devices

Abstract High energy fluxes on first wall materials and other components are encountered in magnetic fusion devices, particularly during hard plasma disruptions. A model to predict evaporation and melting is described which contains a formulation of the evaporation kinetics based on transport theory results. The effect of vapor shielding is evaluated under the assumption that plasma ions slowed down in the vapor dissipate their energy in an isotropic manner. Specific results on melting and evaporation are given for 316 SS, Mo, and graphite.
Echocardiographic Features of Pulsus Alternans during Right Ventricular Pacing in Man

echocardiogram from a 34-year-old man with coro- nary arterial disease. Rapid right ventricular pacing instituted at a rate of 160 impulses per minute re- sults in markedly diminished anterior motion of the mitral valve for the first three beats. The sixth beat of the tachycardia initiates an eight-cycle period of mechanical alternans. Alternation of motion of the septum, anterior mitral valve, and posterior left ventricular wall can be identified. Concordant peak aortic blood velocity and right ventricular pressure alternans is observed with greater blood flow and pressure preceded by enhanced posterior motion of both the left septum and posterior left ventricular wall. In addition, stronger beats were succeeded by larger anterior excursion of the anterior mitral valve and augmented opening of the mitral valve. Weaker beats were associated with opposite changes in an
Organizational strategies mediate nonverbal memory impairment in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Abstract Background: Previous neuropsychological studies of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) have indicated impaired executive functioning and nonverbal memory. The extent to which impaired executive functioning impacts nonverbal memory has not been established. The current study investigated the mediating effects of organizational strategies used when copying a figure on subsequent nonverbal memory for that figure. Methods: We examined neuropsychological performance in 20 unmedicated subjects with OCD and 20 matched normal control subjects. Subjects were administered the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) and neuropsychological tests assessing various aspects of executive function. Results: OCD subjects differed significantly from healthy control subjects in the organizational strategies used to copy the RCFT figure, and they recalled significantly less information on both immediate and delayed testing. Multiple regression analyses indicated that group differences in immediate percent recall were significantly mediated by copy organizational strategies. Further exploratory analyses indicated that organizational problems in OCD may be related to difficulties shifting mental and/or spatial set. Conclusions: Immediate nonverbal memory problems in OCD subjects were mediated by impaired organizational strategies used during the initial copy of the RCFT figure. Thus, the primary deficit was one affecting executive function, which then had a secondary effect on immediate memory. These findings are consistent with current theories proposing frontal–striatal system dysfunction in OCD.
Analytics and Motion Planning of a Novel Four-Wheel Vehicle With Expanding Wheels

This paper describes analytics and experiments on a novel 4-wheel vehicle. The vehicle has back wheel drive and steering in addition to wheels that can expand and change radius. The motivation for this design is to attain added navigation capability by expanding the wheels according to the requirements of the terrain. In this paper, we discuss the motion of the vehicle on a flat floor. The steering angle is kept at zero so that the vehicle has a planar motion. The contact point of the wheel with the ground is assumed to be directly underneath the center of the wheel and has no slip. The rolling constraints are nonholonomic, i.e., are non-integrable. The rate constraints are written in an input-affine drift-less control system. The structure of this drift-less control system allows to determine the differentially flat outputs of the system. Motion planning of the vehicle between two configurations is achieved through planning of these differentially flat outputs. These trajectories are then used to determine a feedback controller. A dynamic simulation is performed using MATLAB. The motions are currently being implemented on the physical hardware using a dSPACE control system.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Huck Finn the Inverse Akratic: Empathy and Justice

An inverse akratic act is one who believes X, all things considered, is the correct act, and yet performs ~X, where ~X is the correct act. A famous example of such a person is Huck Finn. He believes that he is wrong in helping Jim, and yet continues to do so. In this paper I investigate Huck’s nature to see why he performs such acts contrary to his beliefs. In doing so, I explore the nature of empathy and show how powerful Huck’s empathic feelings are. Drawing from Martin L. Hoffman, I show the relationship between empathy and a principle of justice. This relationship leads to Huck acting virtuously, as Rosalind Hursthouse maintains.
Varieties of testimony: children's selective learning in semantic versus episodic domains.

Abstract Although preschoolers appear sensitive to the risk of misinformation and demonstrate selective learning in certain experimental contexts (e.g., Koenig, Clement, & Harris, 2004), other paradigms emphasize their striking credulity (e.g., Jaswal, Croft, Setia, & Cole, 2010). The current study sought to explain these divergent patterns by examining the possibility that errors for semantic information, a type of information that is typically generalizable and difficult to verify independently, promote greater vigilance than errors for episodic information, which is often event-specific and independently verifiable. Three- and 4-year-olds first viewed 2 speakers testify correctly or incorrectly about object labels (Semantic condition) or locations (Episodic condition). At test, speakers presented conflicting novel object labels and locations. Preschoolers initially exposed to semantic inaccuracy more vigilantly preferred a previously accurate informant than did children initially exposed to episodic inaccuracy. Findings speak against a homogeneous treatment of testimony and suggest that preschoolers’ testimonial vigilance varies according to the content of speakers’ errors.
c-Fos dimerization with c-Jun represses c-Jun enhancement of androgen receptor transactivation

The transcriptional activity of the human androgen receptor (hAR), like other nuclear receptors, is dependent on accessory factors. One such factor is c-Jun, which has been shown to have a selective function of mediating androgen receptor-dependent transactivation. This c-Jun activity is inhibited by c-Fos, another protooncoprotein that can dimerize with c-Jun to form the transcription factor AP-1. Here we show that c-Jun mediates hAR-induced transactivation from the promoter of the androgen-regulated gene, human kallikrein-2 (hKLK2), and c-Fos blocks this activity. Using c-Fos truncation mutants and measuring hKLK2-dependent transcription, we have determined that the bZIP region of c-Fos is required and sufficient for inhibiting c-Jun enhancement of hAR transactivation. Further truncation analysis of the bZIP shows that the c-Fos dimerization function, mediated through the leucine zipper, is essential for the negative activity, whereas DNA binding, mediated through the basic region, is dispensable. These results suggest that heterodimerization by c-Fos with c-Jun blocks c-Jun’s ability to enhance hAR-induced transactivation.
Combined Collis-Nissen Reconstruction of the Esophagogastric Junction

Recent reports have indicated that combined Collis-Belsey reconstruction of the esophagogastric junction fails to control reflux in 30 to 46% of patients undergoing the procedure. The major factor thought to be responsible for this result is the limited Belsey fundoplication possible after construction of the gastroplasty tube. This report describes our technique of combining the Collis gastroplasty with a 360-degree Nissen type fundoplication. The radiographic and manometric characteristics of the distal esophageal high-pressure zone produced by the Collis-Nissen operation are discussed.
A heuristically 'optimal' knowledge base organization technique

SOT (self-organizing tree) is a general-purpose knowledge base organizing program which automatically computes an efficient discrimination scheme for accessing large numbers of facts, rules, etc., expressed in a slot-filler representational format. The discrimination scheme supports a variety of accessing modes, including exact, instance and template matching; and 'best first' and resumable search. This paper describes the organizing algorithm and the nature of the search process; and gives performance statistics for the system in several tasks.
Radiation engineering analysis of shielding materials to assess their ability to protect astronauts in deep space from energetic particle radiation

An analysis is performed on four typical materials (aluminum, liquid hydrogen, polyethylene, and water) to assess their impact on the length of time an astronaut can stay in deep space and not exceed a design basis radiation exposure of 150 mSv. A large number of heavy lift launches of pure shielding mass are needed to enable long duration, deep space missions to keep astronauts at or below the exposure value with shielding provided by the vehicle. Therefore, vehicle mass using the assumptions in the paper cannot be the sole shielding mechanism for long duration, deep space missions. As an example, to enable the Mars Design Reference Mission 5.0 with a 400 day transit to and from Mars, not including the 500 day stay on the surface, a minimum of 24 heavy lift launches of polyethylene at 89,375 lbm (40.54 tonnes) each are needed for the 1977 galactic cosmic ray environment. With the assumptions used in this paper, a single heavy lift launch of water or polyethylene can protect astronauts for a 130 day mission before exceeding the exposure value. Liquid hydrogen can only protect the astronauts for 160 days. Even a single launch of pure shielding material cannot protect an astronaut in deep space for more than 180 days using the assumptions adopted in the analysis. It is shown that liquid hydrogen is not the best shielding material for the same mass as polyethylene for missions that last longer than 225 days.
Alkaloids of Jordanian Thalictrum isopyroides

Abstract The isolation and identification of 12 alkaloids from an extract of the roots of Thalictrum isopyroides is described. The alkaloids isolated are the aporphines ocoteine (thalicmine), thaliporphine, preocoteine, N -methyllaurotetanine, delporphine, isoboldine, N -methylcassythine and magnoflorine, the dehydroaporphine, dehydroocoteine, the oxoaporphine, thalicminine, and the bisbenzylisoquinolines, thaligosinine and thalisopidine.
AN ATTITUDE SURVEY IN INDIA

This survey of the opinions and attitudes of residents of a small marketing town in West Bengal provides a wealth of descriptive information on political involvement, media use, and perception of social, political, and economic problems and their possible solutions. Gerard Braunthal is Professor of Government at the University of Massachusetts. T OOO OFTEN the image of a developing country as perceived by others is shaped by the articulate views of its governing elites. Little is known of the attitudes on significant economic, social, and political questions held by people not engulfed in the maelstrom of modernization or national politics. Do their attitudes differ significantly from those of the elites? How aware are they of local, national, and international problems and issues? Given the pluralism of contemporary India, with its wide range of sectional interests, castes, classes, religions, languages, and education, would the responses reveal a similar diffuse pattern? To answer these questions, a questionnaire containing thirty-four attitudinal items on key problems facing India was administered to a representative sample of the population of Bolpur, a small town located approximately ioo miles northwest of Calcutta in the state of West Bengal. Although the five graduate students who assisted the author in administering the questionnaire had no previous experience in interviewing, their familiarity with the Bengali language and with the town provided some compensation. Often they were able to break through the barrier of suspicion and to elicit information from respondents who would have been mistrustful of any outsider. The random sample represented 2 per cent, or i20 respondents, of the approximately six thousand working population of Bolpur, stratified by occupation, sex, and religion.' The author interviewed in * The author wishes to thank the FuIbright Foundation for awarding him a teaching grant to India; his colleagues at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, who helped frame the questionnaire; the five graduate students who assisted in administering it; his assistant, Sang-Seek Park, and the University of Massachusetts Research Computer Center for preparing the statistical data; and Professor Edwin
The extension of the NIST BRDF scale from 1100 nm to 2500 nm

Measurements of bi-directional reflectance factor for diffuse reflectance from 1100 nm to 2500 nm using extended-range indium gallium arsenide (exInGaAs) detectors in the NIST Spectral Tri-function Automated Reference Reflectometer (STARR) facility are described. The determination of bi-directional reflectance factor with low uncertainties requires the exInGaAs radiometer to be characterized for low-noise performance, linearity and spatial uniformity. The instrument characterizations will be used to establish a total uncertainty budget for the reflectance factor. To independently check the bi-directional reflectance factors, measurements also were made in a separate facility in which the reflectance factor is determined using calibrated spectral irradiance and radiance standards. The total combined uncertainties for the diffuse reflectances range from < 1 % at 1100 nm to 2.5 % at 2500 nm. At NIST, these measurement capabilities will evolve into a calibration service for diffuse spectral reflectance in this wavelength region.
Further characterization of L-β-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase from Drosophila

L-beta-Hydroxyacid dehydrogenase (L-beta-hydroxyacid-NAD-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.45) of Drosophila is composed of two, identical subunits with a molecular weight of approx. 33 300. The enzyme was purified 938-fold from Drosophila melanogaster. An isoelectric point of 8.6 was determined for L-beta-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase. An amino acid analysis was conducted of the purified enzyme. A single subunit was obtained by SDS-gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme. Translation of larval and adult mRNA in a mRNA-dependent reticulocyte lysate, followed by immune precipitation using anti-L-beta-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase IgG revealed a single L-beta-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase subunit of 33 300. Larval and adult proteins were the same size. The enzyme does not appear to be subjected to substantial post-translational modifications.
Abnormalities of the corpus callosum in first episode, treatment naive schizophrenia

Background: Structural alterations in the association cortices as well as in the corpus callosum (CC) have been described in schizophrenia, and have been considered to reflect developmental abnormalities. Areas of primary and association cortices have been topographically mapped in the CC. Objective: To investigate whether, in schizophrenia, there are alterations in CC subdivisions that connect association, but not primary, cortices, and also to see if the normative, developmentally mediated increase in CC size with age is absent in this disorder. Methods: The midsagittal magnetic resonance imaging scans of 31 first episode, neuroleptic naive, schizophrenic patients, 12 non-schizophrenic, psychotic patients, and 31 healthy controls were compared. The total area of CC as well as that of anterior, middle and posterior genu, body, isthmus, and anterior, middle, and posterior splenii were measured. Results: Patients with schizophrenia as a group had a smaller CC, anterior genu, anterior body, isthmus, and anterior splenium than normal controls. Furthermore, the age related increase in CC size seen in normal subjects was absent in the patients. Conclusions: The observed reductions in size in selected regions of CC suggest a reduction in axonal connections between the heteromodal association cortices, which typically involve small diameter fibres. Furthermore, the absence of an age related increase in CC size in patients with schizophrenia suggests a neurodevelopmental abnormality that may extend into adolescence and early adulthood.
Emerging therapeutic approaches in the management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Although treatment options for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have improved with the recent and anticipated approvals of novel immunotherapeutic, hormonal, chemotherapeutic and bone-targeted agents, clinical benefit with these systemic therapies is transient and survival times remain unacceptably short. Thus, we devote the second section of this two-part review to discussing emerging therapeutic paradigms and research strategies that are entering phase II and III clinical testing for men with metastatic CRPC. We will discuss a range of emerging hormonal, immunomodulatory, antiangiogenic, epigenetic and cell survival pathway inhibitors in current clinical trials, with an emphasis on how these therapies may complement our existing treatment options.
Effect of Mg(II) Binding on the Structure and Activity ofEscherichia coli DNA Topoisomerase I

Abstract Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I requires Mg(II) as a cofactor for the relaxation of negatively supercoiled DNA. Mg(II) binding to the enzyme was shown by fluorescence spectroscopy to affect the tertiary structure of the enzyme. Addition of 2 mm MgCl2 resulted in a 30% decrease in the maximum emission of tryptophan fluorescence of the enzyme. These Mg(II)-induced changes in fluorescence properties were reversible by the addition of EDTA and not obtained with other divalent cations. After incubation with Mg(II) and dialysis, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis showed that each enzyme molecule could form a complex with 1–2 Mg(II) bound to each enzyme molecule. Such Mg(II)·enzyme complexes were found to be active in the relaxation of negatively supercoiled DNA in the absence of additional Mg(II). Results from ICP analysis after equilibrium dialysis and relaxation assays with limiting Mg(II) concentrations indicated that both Mg(II) binding sites had to be occupied for the enzyme to catalyze relaxation of negatively supercoiled DNA.
Coding of movements in the motor cortex

The issue of coding of movement in the motor cortex has recently acquired special significance due to its fundamental importance in neuroprosthetic applications. The challenge of controlling a prosthetic arm by processed motor cortical activity has opened a new era of research in applied medicine but has also provided an 'acid test' for hypotheses regarding coding of movement in the motor cortex. The successful decoding of movement information from the activity of motor cortical cells using their directional tuning and population coding has propelled successful neuroprosthetic applications and, at the same time, asserted the utility of those early discoveries, dating back to the early 1980s.