cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decentralized Control of Linear Switched Nested Systems With $\ell_{2}$ -Induced Norm Performance

This paper considers a decentralized switched control problem where exact conditions for controller synthesis are obtained in the form of semidefinite programming (SDP). The formulation involves a discrete-time switched linear plant that has a nested structure, and whose system matrices switch between a finite number of values according to finite-state automation. The goal of this paper is to synthesize a commensurately nested switched controller to achieve a desired level of $\ell_{2}$ -induced norm performance. The nested structures of both plant and controller are characterized by block lower-triangular system matrices. For this setup, exact conditions are provided for the existence of a finite path-dependent synthesis. These include conditions for the completion of scaling matrices obtained through an extended matrix completion lemma. When individual controller dimensions are chosen at least as large as the plant, these conditions reduce to a set of linear matrix inequalities. The completion lemma also provides an algorithm to complete closed-loop scaling matrices, leading to inequalities for controller synthesis that are solvable either algebraically or numerically through SDP.
Software engineering education: Needs and objectives

A report will be made on the results of a one day invitational workshop held at the University of California at Irvine on 9 February 1976. The workshop will have brought together 50 leading educators and practitioners to discuss software engineering education and training: goals, constraints, and methods as seen from different perspectives.Workshop GoalsIncreased awareness by all of the specific needs for software engineering education and training; a better understanding of the present and future role of software engineers; feedback on current trends in software engineering education; a published record of the workshop including contributed position papers and an abbreviated report of the discussions in order to make the proceedings available to a wider audience.
Anti-tumor activity of TRA-8 anti-death receptor 5 (DR5) monoclonal antibody in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy in a cervical cancer model

Abstract Objectives. There is substantial evidence that tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) causes apoptosis via activation of death receptors 4 and 5 (DR4 and DR5). We sought to determine the therapeutic potential of TRA-8 (anti-DR5 monoclonal antibody) in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy in a cervical cancer model. Methods. DR5 expression in 7 human cervical cancer cell lines was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence using murine TRA-8 in combination with flow cytometry. Cell lines were treated with TRA-8 alone or in combination with cisplatin, topotecan, or radiation, and cytotoxicity assays were performed. Mice were inoculated with ME-180 cancer cells and treated with different combinations of therapy. Animals receiving antibody were injected intraperitoneally with 200 μg of TRA-8. Animals received 9 Gy 60 Co radiation divided into 3 fractions and 3 intraperitoneal doses of cisplatin (6 mg/kg) 1 h before radiation. A similar experiment was performed using topotecan (2 mg/kg) as the chemotherapeutic agent. Results. DR5 was expressed to a varying degree on the cervical cancer cell lines. Combination treatment with TRA-8 and chemotherapy or radiation resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity in vitro. In vivo, combination therapy with TRA-8, cisplatin, and radiation produced tumor growth inhibition that was significantly greater than the other groups. Similar results were seen in combination studies with topotecan. Conclusions. These data suggest that DR5 is a good target for activation of the apoptotic pathway. Monoclonal antibodies such as TRA-8 may play an important role in the development of an effective treatment strategy for patients with advanced cervical cancer.
The relationship between pathogenic fungal metabolities (fusaric and picolinic acid), endogenous ethylene evolution and the development of ethylene-like symptoms

The effects of fusaric acid (5-n-butylpicolinic acid), picolinic acid (2-pyridine carboxylic acid), and picloram (4-amino-3, 5, 6-trichloropicolinic acid) on endogenous ethylene production by tomato cuttings and elongation growth of oat coleoptile sections were measured. Ethylene production by tomato cuttings was substantially stimulated by treatment with 1×10−3 and 1×10−5M picoloram and to a lesser extent by 1×10−3M fusaric acid; picolinic acid had little effect. The ethylene levels produced in response to fusaric acid are not high enough to account for the ethylene injury observed in Fusarium wilt. Fusaric acid inhibited oat coleoptile extension, picolinic acid had little effect, and picloram promoted growth.
The United States in East Asia: Holding the ring

(1993). The United States in East Asia: Holding the ring. The Adelphi Papers: Vol. 33, Asia's International Role in the Post‐Cold War Era: Part I Papers from the IISS 34th Annual Conference, pp. 69-82.
Cointegration tests of a long-run relation between money demand and the effective exchange rate

Abstract For the period starting with the floating of the US dollar we find evidence that long-run stationarity of the demand function for M2 (but not M1) requires inclusion of the effective exchange rate. These results lend some support to McKinnon's hypothesis that nonstationarity in the demand for money can be resolved by inclusion of the exchange rate. (JEL F41, E41).
SU‐GG‐T‐254: A Quantitative Assessment of Safety Measures in a Radiation Oncology Clinic

Purpose: A key approach to improving safety performance in radiationoncology is the use of prospective safety measures. Here we quantify the statistical patterns of one such tool, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and compare it to reported process deviation events from an in‐house reporting system. Materials and Methods: FMEA provides a methodology for prospectively identifying potential failure modes and ranking them by importance. Our analysis consisted of individual blinded scoring of each failure mode by approximately 10 staff members. The results were compared to a group consensus on a subset of failure modes, and also to data from our department deviation reporting system acquired over a three‐month time period just after the completion of the FMEA. Results: 159 different failure modes were identified. There was a high level of variability of FMEA scoring between people, with standard deviations of 76% and 34% for risk priority number and severity, respectively. Severity scores were well‐correlated with RPN scores (Pearson r=0.50). Severity and RPN scores from therapists were significantly lower than the scores from physicists and treatment planners (p<0.001). The mean severity scores for individuals were significantly different than the group consensus scores. Despite the large number of failure modes identified in the prospective analysis, only 10 of 24 (42%) of actual reported deviation events were identified in the FMEA. Conclusions: FMEA is a widely‐used tool for prospective safety improvement but is subject to significant variability in scoring and may not uncover some errors actual occurring in the clinic. Severity‐only scoring may provide a simplified alternative to FMEA, and the addition of an error reporting system may prove valuable.
Scanning and transmission EM of rat kidney following low dose mercuric chloride administration.

Summary The development of necrosis and the subsequent regeneration of the proximal tubular epithelium located in the cortex and the outer medulla of the rat kidney following subcutaneous injection of 2 mg of mercuric chloride per kilogram of body weight was observed utilizing light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cortical proximal tubules were largely free of injury. In the medullary proximal tubules, the residual, undamaged cells underwent a change in phenotype appearance involving loss of the microvillus border, a decrease in cell height, and an increase in cytoplasmic ribosomes. These cells phagocytosed luminal debris. With time the cell height gradually increased, specialized organelles returned, and the luminal microvilli progressed from short, sparse profiles, to tufts of longer microvilli and finally the brush border was completely reformed. Some kidneys contained calcified tubules which regenerated more slowly than damaged but uncalcified tubules. Similarly, the medullary segments of the proximal tubules regenerated more slowly than the juxtamedullary region. Clusters of epithelial cells were occasionally seen growing into the tubular lumina during regeneration. Marked interstitial leukocyte infiltrations were observed.
Cardiac Activity Preparatory to Overt and Covert Behavior

The heart rates of 17 women subjects were recorded as they prepared to make both overt (key press) and covert (silently thinking the word "stop") responses. A very reliable preparatory cardiac response was obtained regardless of whether the overt or covert response mode was employed. The temporal development of this cardiac response faithfully reflected the speed with which the subjects were asked to respond, suggesting that in the covert condition heart rate could be used to detect the time at which a mental event was being generated.
Decreasing the pain of dermatologic procedures in children

Abstract Dermatologic procedures in children can range from simple paring of warts to laser surgery and complex excisions with repair. These procedures may be more challenging to perform in children because of increased fear, anxiety, and pain perception. The approach to dermatologic procedures should be tailored to the age and individual needs of each child. Honest but unthreatening explanations of the procedure, distraction techniques, and postoperative praise and rewards can be very helpful. Topical anesthetic such as EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics) cream and benzocaine gel can help to decrease the pain of procedures. Buffering and warming lidocaine before infiltration is recommended. Physicians should be aware of the benefits and risks of preoperative analgesics and sedatives and of applicable guidelines for their appropriate use. For more painful procedures, larger procedures, or surgical procedures in young children, general anesthetics may be appropriate. Risks and benefits of the use of general anesthetics in the pediatric population are reviewed with specific emphasis on issues specific to pulsed-dye laser in children. Knowledge of techniques used to decrease the pain and anxiety of procedures can assist in making them a better experience for children, families, and physicians.
Fresnel coefficients for a layer of NIM

Abstract Reflection and transmission of traveling and evanescent waves by a layer of material with a negative index of refraction (NIM) is studied by means of the Fresnel coefficients. We derive their values in the “NIM limit”, and we show that this limit is consistent with the exact solution. It is also indicated that simply substituting the negative values of the relative permittivity and permeability of the NIM material into the exact solution leads to incorrect results for evanescent waves.
Effect of sodium ascorbate on the chemiluminescent response of murine peritoneal exudate cells

Abstract Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that neutralizes reactive oxygen radicals. The purpose of this study was to determine if sodium ascorbate would neutralize the reactive oxygen products generated during the respiratory burst of thioglycollate-elicited murine peritoneal exudate cells (PEC). In vitro and in vivo studies were done. Cells treated in vitro showed a significant, dose-dependent reduction in chemiluminescence (CL) after activation with opsonized zymosan. Higher concentrations of sodium ascorbate (24.2 mM) produced a significantly greater reduction in CL than did lower concentrations (0.242 mM). This range of sodium ascorbate concentrations overlaps those found in normal leukocytes (1 – 4 mM). Sodium ascorbate at physiological plasma concentrations (0.09 mM) did not reduce CL. Cells incubated with 500 mM sodium ascorbate in vitro and then washed once prior to zymosan activation also showed a significant reduction in CL. In contrast, PEC harvested from mice treated in vivo with sodium ascorbate (one or five daily doses of 1.0 M sodium ascorbate, 0.01 ml/g body weight) did not show a reduction in CL. This concentration of sodium ascorbate represents a dose that is 2310 times greater than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). These studies show that physiological doses of sodium ascorbate can quench CL in vitro , but even large doses of sodium ascorbate administered in vivo do not affect the CL of harvested murine PEC.
Resoundings of the flesh: Caring for others by way of "second person" perspectivity.

In bringing ourselves to the encounter with the experience of others, we bring our bodies with us*and, in doing so, we are able to resonate not only intellectually but also empathically with the other’s experiences and expressions (which are given to us both verbally and nonverbally). In remaining faithful to our foundations in phenomenology (Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and Levinas), we shall talk about taking notice of others from within the relational ‘‘exchange’’ and reflect upon what, precisely, are the experientially given ‘‘affairs’’ to which Husserl invited us to return. Our interest begins with the other’s ‘‘first person’’ experience, but since we cannot access this directly, we must rely on the resonance we find within ourselves, within our own lived bodies, when we are addressed by the other, whether in word or in gesture. I am wondering what the other is experiencing and all my powers of perception are driven toward this other, whose first person experience remains just out of reach and accessible only insofar as I have this capacity for a deeper ‘‘bodily felt’’ awareness in which the other’s experience takes possession of me. Merleau-Ponty’s notion of bearing ‘‘witness’’ to behavior is useful in illuminating this ‘‘second person’’ perspective, which takes its point of departure from Husserl’s (19101911) intersubjective reduction, by means of which we ‘‘participate in the other’s positing’’ (1952/1989, emphasis added) and thereby grasp the meaning of the other’s expression. Ultimately, the intuitive talent of the caring professional will be shown to reside in his or her being able to move beyond what the other is able to say to a more deeply felt attunement to what is being revealed to us in the other’s presence. Applications to patient care are discussed. Key words: Attunement, caregiving, co-experiencing, empathy, ethics, flesh, intercorporeality, phenomenology, reciprocity, second-person perspectivity, tears (Published: 4 May 2012) Citation: Int J Qualitative Stud Health Well-being 2012, 7 : 8187 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v7i0.8187
Speaking freely: my experiences in individual psychotherapies, group therapies, and growth groups

This article traces the author's experiences in sensitivity, Tavistock, and psychotherapy groups, an experience in individual psychotherapy, and two experiences in psychoanalysis. Group work was very helpful in learning how the author came across to others in general and in improving the author's ways of being helpful to others. Although the experience was valuable, difficulties emerged in the first psychoanalysis, largely because of the psychoanalyst's belief that psychoanalysis was the best form of treatment for everyone. Desiring a variety of approaches, the author undertook a second analysis with more of an integrative and intuitive therapist, which worked better for her. Lasting lessons are shared from this series of personal therapy experiences. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:1–12, 2011.
Acid-catalyzed isomerization of pivalaldehyde to methyl isopropyl ketone via a reactive protosolvated carboxonium ion intermediate.

Quantitative rearrangement of pivalaldehyde to methyl isopropyl ketone is observed in acids such as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, anhydrous HF, and trifluoroethyl alcohol−BF3 but not in trifluoroacetic acid. Studies in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid show that acids with Ho ≤ −11 are able to carry out complete isomerization. These results and density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level suggest that protonated pivalaldehyde undergoes further protosolvation at higher acidities to a reactive superelectrophilic species resulting in rearrangement. A mechanism for the pivalaldehyde rearrangement to methyl isopropyl ketone in strong protic acids involving a reactive protosolvated superelectrophilic intermediate is suggested. Aspects of the related mechanism of the reaction with isobutane with CO in HF/BF3 medium leading to methyl isopropyl ketone are also discussed.
SEARCHES FOR SUSY AT HERA

In supersymmetric models with R-parity violation, the coupling term allows for single production of a squark in eq fusion. Searches at HERA are presented for the production of such squarks decaying to a lepton and one or more jets.
Presence and engagement in an interactive drama

In this paper we present the results of a qualitative, empirical study exploring the impact of immersive technologies on presence and engagement, using the interactive drama Facade as the object of study. In this drama, players are situated in a married couple's apartment, and interact primarily through conversation with the characters and manipulation of objects in the space. We present participants' experiences across three different versions of Facade -- augmented reality (AR) and two desktop computing based implementations, one where players communicate using speech and the other using typed keyboard input. Through interviews and observations of players, we find that immersive AR can create an increased sense of presence, confirming generally held expectations. However, we demonstrate that increased presence does not necessarily lead to more engagement. Rather, mediation may be necessary for some players to fully engage with certain interactive media experiences.
Reduction of coal-water mixture consistency with soda ash and lime

The addition of soda ash and lime to improve the Theological properties of a 60 wt % bituminous coal-water mixture (CWM) was investigated. Soda ash and lime were used to precipitate calcium and magnesium cations naturally present in the aqueous phase of the CWM. Addition of the required amounts of soda ash and lime alone, based on analyses of the total Ca2+ and Mg2+ burdens in the CWM, using standard water softening technology as well as addition of soda ash and lime along with an ionic dispersant were studied. Significant reduction in consistency was measured following soda ash and lime addition alone, and marked reduction in consistency resulted when both soda ash and lime and dispersant were used. Additive costs to obtain a given degree of consistency reduction were lowered by factors ranging from 3 to 15 with soda ash and lime, either alone or in concert with an anionic dispersant, relative to the use of anionic dispersant alone. On a etudie l'ajout de carbonate de sodium anhydre et de chaux pour ameliorer les proprietes rhelogiques d'un melange de 60% en poids de charbon bitumineux et d'eau (CWM). On a utilise du carbonate de sodim anhydre et de la chaux pour precipiter les cations de calcium et de magnesium naturellement presents dans la phase aqueuse du melange CWM. On a etudie l'ajout des quantites requises de carbonate de sodium anhydre et de chaux seuls, a partir de l'analyse des charges totales de Ca2+ et de Mg2+ dans le melange CWM, au moyen d'une technologie d'adoucissement de l'eau standard et par l'ajout de carbonate de sodium anhydre et de chaux avec un dispersant ionique. Une reduction significative de la consistance a ete mesuree apres addition du carbonate de sodium anhydre et de la chaux seuls, et une reduction marquee de la consistance fut observee avec le carbonate de sodium anhydre et de la chaux plus le dispersant. Les couts additionnels pour obtenir une reduction donnee de la consistance ont ete reduits par des facteurs allant de 3 a 15 pour le carbonate de sodium anhydre et la chaux, seuls ou en combinaison avec le dispersant anionique, par rapport au dispersant anionique utilise seul.
Quiet Tunnel Experiments of Shockwave/Turbulent Boundary Layer Interaction

The effect of freestream noise on the characteristics of a shockwave/turbule nt boundary layer interaction on a compression ramp is experimentally examined. The experiment is conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center’s Supersonic Low Disturbance Tunnel under both low ("quiet") and high ("conventional") levels of freestream nois e. The freestream disturbance environment for both conditions is documented using hot -wire anemometry and the mean and fluctuating mass flux of the incoming boundary layer of the interaction are measured. The characteristics of the shockwave/turbulent boun dary layer interaction are qualitatively visualized using the focusing schlieren technique and are quantified from hot -film probe measurements. A large -scale, low frequency oscillation of the separation shock, which is comparable to that observed in previo us conventional tunnel experiments is measured. The intermittent length of the interaction is Li/�=0.5 -1.0, which is comparable to that observed in previous conventional tunnel experiments, but larger than that predicted in numerical simulations. Thus the freestream noise levels do not appear to be the source of the previously reported discrepancies between conventional tunnel experiments and computational simulations.
Tradable credit schemes on networks with mixed equilibrium behaviors

Abstract This paper analyzes and designs tradable credit schemes on networks with two types of players, namely, a finite number of Cournot–Nash (CN) players and an infinite number of (infinitesimal) Wardrop-equilibrium (WE) players. We first show that there are nonnegative anonymous credit schemes that yield system optimum, when transaction costs are not considered. We then analyze how transaction costs would affect the trading and route-choice behaviors of both CN and WE players, and discuss the equilibrium conditions on the coupled credit market and transportation network in the presence of transaction costs. A variational inequality is formulated to describe the equilibrium and is subsequently applied to a numerical example to assess the impacts of transaction costs on a tradable credit system. As expected, transaction costs reduce the trading volume of credits and change their market price. They also change the way how players respond to credit charges in their route choices and cause efficiency losses to the credit schemes that are previously designed without considering transaction costs. With transaction costs, travel costs of WE players will likely increase while those of CN players may decrease due to their higher adaptability in routing strategies.
Development of a New Wrought Magnesium-Aluminum-Manganese Alloy AM30

A new wrought magnesium alloy, AM30 (Mg-3 pct Al-0.4 pct Mn), has been developed. Compared to the current workhorse commercial wrought magnesium alloy AZ31 (Mg-3 pct Al-1 pct Zn), the new AM30 alloy has 20 to 50 pct higher maximum extrusion speed, up to 50 pct ductility improvement at temperatures up to 200 °C, with similar yield and tensile strengths. The tensile behavior of AM30 and AZ31 magnesium alloy tubes suggests a moderate temperature forming range of 100 °C to 175 °C in which strain hardening offsets plastic instability until fracture by cavity coalescence occurs. The AM30 alloy has slightly better formability than AZ31 at room and moderate temperatures, due to higher strain-hardening rates (dσ/de) and exponents (n). Microstructural evaluation indicates that twinning is the major deformation mechanism for these alloys at room and moderate temperatures in addition to slip mechanisms. Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is observed at temperatures greater than ∼150 °C, which causes local instabilities to occur, leading to failure.
Cross‐institutional assessment: Development and implementation of the On‐line Student Survey System

As ABET has increased the need for routine student assessments, engineering faculty are faced with the problem of doing this in an efficient manner that minimizes the time required to conduct, tabulate, and analyze the requisite surveys. To meet this need, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed the On-line Student Survey System (OS3) to facilitate EC 2000 assessment and cross-institutional benchmarking. OS3 allows multiple engineering schools to conduct customized, routine program evaluations using Web-based surveys specifically designed to meet EC 2000 objectives. Since its inception, seven engineering schools have adopted OS3. This article provides an overview of the system, a des-cription of its survey instruments, and an evaluation of the system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 10: 88–97, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com.); DOI 10.1002/cae.10013
INDUCTION THERAPY IN PEDIATRIC RENAL ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTS; IMPROVED SURVIVAL IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN (AA) PATIENTS. 2156

AA renal transplant (RT) recipients tend to have a much lower graft survival than white recipients. At the University of Tennessee, Memphis, for 20 AA pediatric first RT recipients before use of induction therapy, one and 3 year predicted graft survival (PGS) was 60% and 35%, respectively. Of these 20, eight were cadaveric (CAD) and 12 living related donor (LRD). The 1995 annual report of the North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study (NAPRTCS) found that AA CAD and LRD recipients had 60% and 72% three year PGS, respectively. In a large population of predominantly adult CAD RT recipients Gaston et al (Transplantation 53: 103, 1992) showed that early treatment with Minnesota anti-lymphocyte globulin resulted in similar PGS for AA and whites. The 1995 NAPRTCS report indicated that 65% of all CAD pediatric recipients received induction therapy. Since 1990 induction therapy with either OKT3 or antithymocyte globulin (ATGAM) has been used for all pediatric RT recipients in our program. Thirteen AA first RT recipients received induction therapy: 10 CAD (9 with OKT3, one with ATGAM) and 3 LRD (all ATGAM). One CAD recipient also received a liver transplant with the RT. Age at RT ranged from 2.1 to 17.5 years (mean = 12.0 years). Subsequent immunosuppression was with prednisone, azathioprine and cyclosporine A. PGS was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. PGS for 13 AA patients was 92% at one and 3 years. Ten CAD recipients had PGS of 90% at one and 3 years. Based upon our limited experience, induction therapy appears to provide excellent renal allograft survival for AA pediatric recipients. In conclusion, we suggest that AA pediatric patients should not be transplanted without benefit of such therapy. A larger study is needed to determine whether OKT3 or ATG/ALG preparation is the better therapy.
Regional Pericarditis: A Review of the Pericardial Manifestations of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Regional pericarditis has been described in several settings, but occurs most frequently after transmural myocardial infarction. While the diagnosis remains elusive, it must be considered in all patients with recurrent chest pain following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Pericarditis classically presents with positional chest pain, a pericardial friction rub, diffuse ST-segment elevation, and PR depression, but regional ECG changes associated with infarction-associated pericarditis sometimes exist. Given the magnitude and frequency of AMI, it is imperative to be aware of the myriad of pericardial manifestations of myocardial injury. An illustrative case and a comprehensive review of the literature will be provided.
Professional Development of Teachers of Language Minority Students Through University-School Partnership

The puapose of this study was to implement, in partnership with a neighboring university, a professional development model in five inner city elementary schools featuring language minority populations. The model involved (a) providing a core group of volunteer primary grade teachers at each school with intensive training in an integrated reading/language arts approach, (b) maintaining regular contact with participating teachers throughout the school year as they worked toward implementing elements of the program in their classrooms, and (c) establishing collegial teams to serve as peer supports at each school site which allowed for sharing collective expertise and resources. Year-end interviews with teachers revealed positive changes in collegiality, teaching practices, and professional growth. Additionally, changes in student behavior and learning were reported as accelerated learning, gains in social skills, increased motivation for learning, and the lack of need for retention or referral to special edu...
Effect of daily ethanol ingestion on intestinal permeability to macromolecules.

The effects of regular ethyl alcohol ingestion on morphological and permeability characteristics of the small intestine were assessed in mature rats using the tracer protein, horseradish peroxidase. Thirty adult rats were divided into two groups and provided a standard commercial diet in pellet form. Each morning, after an overnight fast, every animal in the experimental group was administered by gavage an aliquot of 20% ethanol; animals in the control group were provided aliquots of 20% sucrose in water by the same method. After 4 and 8 weeks on the gavage routine (and 10 days and 4 weeks after gavage cessation), jejunal permeability to horseradish peroxidase was examined in animals from each group. Using a routine ligated-loop procedure and light and electron microscopy, ethanol-exposed rats demonstrated increased intestinal permeability to horseradish peroxidase by 4 weeks; sucrose-exposed animals revealed little alteration in mucosal integrity. It is proposed that regular ingestion of sizable amounts of alcohol alters morphological characteristics of the gut and increase the permeability of the mucosa to “undigested” macromolecules.
Pulmonary and Circulatory Adjustments Determining the Limits of Depths in Breathhold Diving

Data on pulmonary gas exchange were collected in breathhold dives to 90 feet in a tank and in open-sea breathhold dives to depths of 217.5 and 225 feet. Thoracic blood volume displacements were measured at depths of 25, 50, 90, and 130 feet, by use of the impedance plethysmograph. The open-sea dives were carried out with an average speed of descent of 3.95 feet per second and an average rate of ascent of 3.50 feet per second. End-dive alveolar oxygen tensions did not fall below 36 millimeters of mercury, while alveolar carbon dioxide tension did not rise above 40 millimeters of mercury except in one case. These findings indicate that for diver Croft, who has unusual lung capacity, neither hypoxia nor hypercapnia determined the depth limits under those conditions. At depths of 90 and 130 feet blood was forced into the thorax, amounting to 1047 and 850 milliliters respectively.
Separation from a Parent during Childhood and Adult Socioeconomic Attainment

This study estimates the impact of a separation from a biological parent during childhood on adult socioeconomic attainment. Data were drawn from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH). For white males, white females, black females, and, to a lesser extent, Hispanicfemales, respondents who experienced a separation had lower levels of attainment than those who lived continuously with both parents. However, no significant associations were observed for black males or Hispanic males. The estimated effects of parental absence on socioeconomic well-being were largely mediated by education and marital status. Overall, the data provide no support for the notion that growing up in a single parent family contributes to the low attainment of minority males. Increasing numbers of children in the U.S. are spending part or all of their childhoods in households without both biological parents. Currently, about one child in four lives in a single-parent household, and if the present situation persists, the proportion of children living with a single parent for some period of time before the age of 18 is estimated to be around 60% (Norton & Glick 1986). This experience is considerably more common in some ethnic groups than in others; 19% of non-Hispanic white children live with a single parent, compared to 30% of Hispanic children and 53% of black children (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1989). A number of studies have demonstrated that persons separated from one or both parents during childhood have lower socioeconomic statuses, on the average, than their counterparts raised in households with both biological
Cross-cultural developmental comparisons: The case of Japanese-American infant and mother activities and interactions. What we know, what we need to know, and why we need to know☆

Abstract The main aim of this article is to review the status of one important field of psychological comparison between Japanese and American cultures, viz., activities and interactions of infants and mothers. The article is organized around three issues. The first concerns some of what we know already about Japanese and American infants and mothers. This part of the review focuses on comparative studies of infant activity and the epistemological controversy surrounding investigations of infant activity in relation to the origins of culture. Infant activity is a central feature and a common denominator of most cross-cultural developmental comparisons of Japanese and American family life. An equally important goal of the substantive part of this review is heuristic. The second issue in this article concerns why we need to know about similarities and differences between Japanese and American infants and mothers. The third concerns what we need to know from future comparative research on Japanese and American family life.
A clinical pilot study of a modular video-CT augmentation system for image-guided skull base surgery

Augmentation of endoscopic video with preoperative or intraoperative image data [e.g., planning data and/or anatomical segmentations defined in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR)], can improve navigation, spatial orientation, confidence, and tissue resection in skull base surgery, especially with respect to critical neurovascular structures that may be difficult to visualize in the video scene. This paper presents the engineering and evaluation of a video augmentation system for endoscopic skull base surgery translated to use in a clinical study. Extension of previous research yielded a practical system with a modular design that can be applied to other endoscopic surgeries, including orthopedic, abdominal, and thoracic procedures. A clinical pilot study is underway to assess feasibility and benefit to surgical performance by overlaying CT or MR planning data in realtime, high-definition endoscopic video. Preoperative planning included segmentation of the carotid arteries, optic nerves, and surgical target volume (e.g., tumor). An automated camera calibration process was developed that demonstrates mean re-projection accuracy (0.7±0.3) pixels and mean target registration error of (2.3±1.5) mm. An IRB-approved clinical study involving fifteen patients undergoing skull base tumor surgery is underway in which each surgery includes the experimental video-CT system deployed in parallel to the standard-of-care (unaugmented) video display. Questionnaires distributed to one neurosurgeon and two otolaryngologists are used to assess primary outcome measures regarding the benefit to surgical confidence in localizing critical structures and targets by means of video overlay during surgical approach, resection, and reconstruction.
Finite element analysis of thermoelastic damping in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)

A finite element formulation is developed for solving the problem related to thermoelastic damping in MEMS beam resonators. The perturbation analysis on the governing equations of heat conduction, thermoleasticity and dynamic motion yields a linear eigenvalue equation for the exponential growth rate of nodal temperature, displacement and velocity. The numerical solutions for a simply supported beam have been obtained and compared to the analytical solutions found in literature, showing excellent agreements. The finite element formulation in this work has advantages over the existing analytical approaches in that the method can be easily extended to general three-dimensional geometries.
Gene-environment interactions in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: potentiation of colon cancer risk by tobacco use and HMLH-1 mutations

Gene-environment interactions in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: potentiation of colon cancer risk by tobacco use and HMLH-1 mutations
Decay accelerating factor (DAF) peptide sequences share homology with a consensus sequence found in the superfamily of structurally related complement proteins and other proteins including haptoglobin, factor XIII, β2-glycoprotein I, and the IL-2 receptor

Abstract Amino acid sequence data derived from tryptic peptides of the decay accelerating factor indicate that this complement regulatory protein contains a sequence with homology to the superfamily of structurally related complement proteins, including the C4 binding protein, factor H, complement receptor type 1, complement receptor type 2, Ba, C1r, and to their non-complement relatives, including β 2 -glycoprotein I, factor XIIIb, the α 1 chain of haptoglobin, and the interleukin 2 receptor. Identifying DAF as a member of the superfamily of structurally related complement proteins provides evidence that DAF may contain a functionally important C4b and C3b binding domain.
IL-7 + IL-15 are superior to IL-2 for the ex vivo expansion of 4T1 mammary carcinoma-specific T cells with greater efficacy against tumors in vivo

Regression of established tumors can be induced by adoptive immunotherapy (AIT) with tumor draining lymph node (DLN) lymphocytes activated with bryostatin and ionomycin (B/I). Tumor antigen-sensitized DLN lymphocytes from BALB/c mice with 10-day 4T1 mammary carcinomas were harvested, activated with B/I, and expanded in culture with either interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-7 + IL-15. Cell yields, proliferation, phenotypes, and in vitro responses to tumor antigen were compared for cells grown in different cytokines. These T cells were also tested for antitumor activity against established 4T1 mammary carcinomas after inoculation of tumor cells subcutaneously (s.c.). IL-7/15 resulted in much faster and more prolonged proliferation of B/I-activated T cells than culturing the same cells in IL-2. This resulted in approximately 5–10-fold greater yields of viable cells. Culture in IL-7/15 yielded higher proportions of CD8+ T cells and a higher proportion of cells with a central memory phenotype. T cells grown in IL-2 had higher interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release responses to tumor antigen than cells grown in IL-7/15. Adoptive transfer of B/I-activated T cells grown in IL-7/15 demonstrated much greater efficacy against 4T1 tumors in vivo. Activation of tumor antigen-sensitized T cells with B/I and culture in IL-7 + IL-15 is a promising modification of standard regimens for production of T cells for use in AIT of cancer.
Leisure-time physical activity patterns in the U.S. diabetic population. Findings from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey--Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement.

OBJECTIVE Despite the scientific community9s recognition of the importance of exercise, little is known about the epidemiology of exercise among persons with diabetes in the U.S. Our goals were to examine whether people with diabetes were more sedentary than people without diabetes, to examine the effect of activity limitations on the prevalence of exercise, and to examine whether the choice of activities differs among people with and without diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We examined the 1990 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey to describe leisure-time physical activity patterns in a representative sample of the U.S. population with diabetes. RESULTS People with diabetes were less likely to report exercising regularly than people without this disease (34.3 ± 2.2% vs. 40.9 ± 0.5%, P P CONCLUSIONS After adjusting for activity limitations and age, people with and without diabetes are equally likely to exercise. The majority of people with diabetes, like their nondiabetic counterparts, are not meeting national physical activity goals. Individuals with diabetes should be encouraged to exercise regularly in accordance with their capabilities, physical limitations, and personal interests.
Chemosensitization of CCNU in KHT murine tumor cells in vivo and in vitro by the agent RB 6145 and its isomer PD 144872

Abstract The cytotoxicity and chemosensitizing potential of the nitrohetercyclic agent RB 6145 and its R enantiomer PD 144872 were determined in rodent tumor cells grown in tissue culture or as solid tumors. Using a clonogenic cell survival assay the degree of selective cytotoxicity of these bioreductive drugs was first determined in KHT/iv cells. Cells treated under hypoxic conditions were observed to be ~50–80-fold more susceptible to the action of RB 6145 or PD 144872 than were cells exposed under air. To assess the in vitro chemosensitizing potential of RB 6145 and PD 144872, doses of these agents which led to survival values between 0.5 and 1.0 under hypoxic conditions were administered, and were then combined concomitantly with variable doses of the nitrosourea CCNU. Exposure to the nitrosourea was for 1 h. The results showed that inclusion of either sensitizer enhanced the cell killing of the chemotherapeutic agent 2.4-2.6-fold. Subsequent experiments evaluated the therapeutic benefit of combining these bioreductive agents with CCNU in KHT sarcoma-bearing C3H/HeJ mice. When given at times ranging from 90 min before to 60 min after CCNU exposure, these bioreductive drugs increased the tumoricidal activity of the chemotherapeutic agent. Complete dose response curves combining RB 6145 and PD 144872 and a range of CCNU doses also were evaluated. The sensitizers (0.75 mmol/kg) were administered 30 min prior to the chemotherapeutic agent and survival of clonogenic tumor cells 22–24 h after treatment was used to assay tumor response. Normal tissue toxicity under similar treatment conditions was assessed using a bone marrow stem cell (CFU-GM) assay. When combined with CCNU, the bioreductive agents increased tumor cell kill by a factor of ~1.7. Bone marrow toxicity was not, however, enhanced by the addition of either agent to the CCNU treatment. These data suggest that further consideration should be given to the clinical application of these bioreductive agents.
Meningitis and Cephalothin Therapy

Excerpt To the editor: The development of meningitis during cephalothin therapy was recently reported in your pages (Ann Intern Med78:347-351, 1973). The authors described five patients of their ow...
Perpendicular-current studies of electron transport across metal/metal interfaces

Abstract We review what we have learned about the scattering of electrons by the interfaces between two different metals (M1/M2) in the current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) geometry. In this geometry, the intrinsic quantity is the specific resistance, AR, the product of the area through which the CPP current flows times the CPP resistance. We describe results for both non-magnetic/non-magnetic (N1/N2) and ferromagnetic/non-magnetic (F/N) pairs. We focus especially upon cases where M1/M2 are lattice matched (i.e., have the same crystal structure and the same lattice parameters to within ∼1%), because in these cases no-free-parameter calculations of 2AR agree surprisingly well with measured values. But we also list and briefly discuss cases where M1/M2 are not lattice matched, either having different crystal structures, or lattice parameters that differ by several percent. The published calculations of 2AR in these latter cases do not agree so well with measured values.
Ventricular assist devices and increased blood product utilization for cardiac transplantation.

Background and Aim of Study The purpose of this study was to examine whether blood product utilization, one-year cell-mediated rejection rates, and mid-term survival significantly differ for ventricular assist device (VAD patients compared to non-VAD (NVAD) patients following cardiac transplantation. Methods From July 2004 to August 2011, 79 patients underwent cardiac transplantation at a single institution. Following exclusion of patients bridged to transplantation with VADs other than the HeartMate II® LVAD (n = 10), patients were stratified by VAD presence at transplantation: VAD patients (n = 35, age: 54.0 [48.0–59.0] years) vs. NVAD patients (n = 34, age: 52.5 [42.8–59.3] years). The primary outcomes of interest were blood product transfusion requirements, one-year cell-mediated rejection rates, and mid-term survival post-transplantation. Results Preoperative patient characteristics were similar for VAD and NVAD patients. NVAD patients presented with higher median preoperative creatinine levels compared to VAD patients (1.3 [1.1–1.6] vs. 1.1 [0.9–1.4], p = 0.004). VAD patients accrued higher intraoperative transfusion of all blood products (all p ≤ 0.001) compared to NVAD patients. The incidence of clinically significant cell-mediated rejection within the first posttransplant year was higher in VAD compared to NVAD patients (66.7% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.02). During a median follow-up period of 3.2 (2.0, 6.3) years, VAD patients demonstrated an increased postoperative mortality that did not reach statistical significance (20.0% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.20). Conclusions During the initial era as a bridge to transplantation, the HeartMate II® LVAD significantly increased blood product utilization and one-year cell-mediated rejection rates for cardiac transplantation. Further study is warranted to optimize anticoagulation strategies and to define causal relationships between these factors for the current era of cardiac transplantation. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12474 (J Card Surg 2015;30:194–200)
Enigmatic Fossil Footprints from the Sundance Formation (Upper Jurassic) of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Wyoming

The Sundance Formation (Middle-Upper Jurassic) of Wyoming is well known for pterosaur footprints. Two new partial trackways from the upper Sundance Formation of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (BICA) of north-central Wyoming are enigmatic. The trackways are preserved in rippled, flaser bedded, glauconitic sand and mud. The deposits were laid down in tidal flats, behind barrier islands, along the mesotidal Sundance Sea. The best-preserved print of the primary trackway possesses four impressions: three shorter digits with negative rotation and an elongate, caudally-oriented mark. The primary trackway has low pace angulation. The combination of morphology and pace angulation matches neither tracks nor body fossils of horseshoe crabs, theropod dinosaurs, pterosaurs, crocodylomorphs, “lacertoids,” or mammaliforms. The secondary trackway, possibly consisting of undertracks, similarly possesses elongate caudal impressions but differs from the former by possessing four subparallel, cranially-oriented ...
Interval type-2 fuzzy logic systems

We propose an efficient and simplified method to compute the input and antecedent operations for interval type-2 FLSs using the concept of upper and lower membership functions (MFs). We also propose a method for designing an interval type-2 FLS in which we tune its parameters. Finally, we design type-2 FLSs to perform time-series forecasting, when a non-stationary time-series is corrupted by additive noise where SNR is uncertain, and demonstrate improved performance over type-1 FLSs.