cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear-mixing model for shock-compressed liquid deuterium

A model has been developed for the equation of state of deuterium that builds in the correct limiting behavior for the molecular fluid at low pressure and extends smoothly through dissociation to the very high-density monatomic-metallic fluid. The key assumption is that the Helmholtz free energy of the dissociating mixture is a function that can be approximated by the composition average of the free energy of the pure molecular and metallic hydrogen equations of state. The composition is determined by minimizing the free energy. In comparison to earlier studies this model leads to an enhancement of molecular dissociation and a lowering of shock temperatures and pressures. Calculations for shock-compressed liquid deuterium are in agreement with experiments to a pressure of 2.1 Mbar. At about 1 Mbar and 20 000 K liquid deuterium is 90% dissociated and is a nearly degenerate metal. The model predicts that molecular dissociation will lead to negative values of $(\ensuremath{\partial}P/\ensuremath{\partial}{T)}_{V}$ in the range 4000 to 10 000 K and volumes below 7 cc/mol. This feature suggests the formation of covalently bonded species in the partially dissociated mixture.
Moving beyond in silico tools to in silico science in support of drug development research

Exploitation of concretized mechanistic models and simulation methods enables acquiring a competitive advantage through deeper, easily shared, mechanistic insight into the disease and/or health phenomena that are the focus of the R&D organization. The models are analogues of the biological wet-lab models used to support that R&D. An analogue is an explanatory and evolving hypotheses about the mechanistic consequences of xenobiotic or biologic interventions. As such they are fundamentally different from the familiar inductive, equation based, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and related models. Analogues are designed for experimentation and to be useful in the face of incomplete data and multiple uncertainties. They use interchangeable components and require iterative refinement. They enable linking coarse-grained systemic phenomena to fine-grained molecular details, including molecular targets. To simplify and focus discussion we describe one example of the new class of models, In Silico Livers. We present a vision of how the biological wet-lab side of the R&D process might function when these models and methods are fully implemented within a common computational framework. Accumulated mechanistic knowledge is easily measured and visualized in action, and therefore it can be easily challenged. Components within analogues that have been validated for many compounds can use programmed “intelligence” to automatically parameterize for, and respond to, a new, not previously seen compound based on its physicochemical properties. Each analogue can be tuned to reflect differences in experimental conditions and individuals, making translational research more concrete while moving us closer to personalized medicine.
Glomus tympanicum tumors: comtemporary concepts in conservation surgery

The management of glomus tympanicum tumors is not a new subject. A review of the contemporary management concept is, however, needed for two reasons: 1. the recent literature has suggested radiation therapy as a treatment option in this surgical disease, and 2. patients who are referred to us for management of these tumors continue to exhibit errors in diagnosis and surgical approaches that are unnecessarily radical. The purpose of this paper is to review the diagnosis of these lesions and to prospectively differentiate them from the more extensive jugulare tumors. When type and extent of the tumor are properly determined, a surgical procedure can be planned that conserves as much normal ear anatomy and function as possible. Between May 1970 and July 1988, 60 patients with glomus tympanicum tumors were treated at the Otology Group, P.C., in Nashville, Tennessee. In 47 patients (78%), the tumors were removed using an extended facial recess approach. The external auditory canal wall was removed in seven patients (12%), and six patients underwent a transcanal approach. Total tumor removal was obtained in 90% of patients. Surgical management remains the mainstay of treatment for glomus tympanicum tumors.
Nekton and Macro-Crustacean Habitat Use of Mississippi Micro-Tidal Salt Marsh Landscapes

Salt marshes have long been recognized as productive habitats that form an important trophic link between the aquatic and terrestrial biomes through the dynamic intertidal zone. This project focused on the distribution of nekton (free-swimming organisms) and common macro-crustaceans within the intertidal to assess the breadth of habitat use by these assemblages based on geo-spatial and hydrological variables. Sampling was conducted on the flooded marsh intertidal in August and September 2011 at three sites in the micro-tidal Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, MS, using bottomless lift nets and pit traps in a landscape design. The sampled assemblage data were compared with concurrent site hydrological analyses in order to determine how distribution on the salt marsh intertidal may be influenced by defined inundation components (e.g., inundation time and frequency of inundation) and by the distance to the nearest water source. A total of 3238 organisms were collected comprising 12 fish and 13 macro-crustacean species. A two-way nested analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) indicated that the density of the assemblage varied by site (p = 0.1 %) and across the salt marsh intertidal (marsh level (MLV); p = 1.4 %). Overall, assemblages were found to be strongly influenced by the inundation characteristics along the marsh elevation gradient as well as by the unique micro-topography of each site.
Structure−Activity Relationships of Bifunctional Peptides Based on Overlapping Pharmacophores at Opioid and Cholecystokinin Receptors

Cholecystokinin (CCK) has been identified as a pronociceptive endogenous peptide which also possesses antiopioid actions. CCK may be upregulated in conditions of chronic pain or during sustained morphine administration resulting in attenuation of opioid-mediated pain relief. These complex interactions between opioids and endogenous CCK receptor systems have suggested the need for a new paradigm in drug design for some states of chronic pain. In these circumstances the rational design of potential drugs for the treatment of these conditions must be based on one ligand for multiple targets. We have designed a single peptide which can interact with δ and μ opioid receptors as agonists and with CCK receptors as antagonists. The ligands were designed based on a model of overlapping pharmacophores of opioid and CCK peptide ligands, which incorporates opioid pharmacophores at the N-terminal and CCK tetrapeptide pharmacophores at the C-terminal of the designed ligands. We measured binding and activities of our bi...
Behavior rating scales: need for refining normative data.

The purpose of this study was to generate normative data by grade and sex to accompany behavior rating scales. Teachers rated 483 boys and girls in Grades 1 through 4. The findings suggest raring scales be re-examined since norms by grade level and sex may be desirable attributes.
Object-oriented query language access to relational databases: A semantic framework for query translation

This research investigates and approach to query processing in a multidatabase system that uses an objectoriented model to capture the semantics of other data models. The object-oriented model is used to construct a global schema, defining an integrated view of the different schemas in the environment. The model is also used as a self-describing model to build a meta-database for storing information about the global schema. A unique aspect of this work is that the object-oriented model is used to describe the different data models of the multidatabase environment, thereby extending the meta database with semantic information about the local schemas. With the global and local schemas all represented in an object-oriented form, structural mappings between the global schema and each local schema are then easily supported. An object algebra then provides a query language for expressing global queries, using the structural mappings to translate object algebra queries into SQL queries over local relational schema. The advantage of using an object algebra is that the object-oriented database can be viewed as a blackboard for temporary storage of local data and for establishing relationships between different databases. The object algebra can be used to directly retrieve temporarily-stored data from the object-oriented database or to transparently retrieve data from local sources using the translation process described in this paper.
Diagnostics: The prostate-cancer metabolome.

Non-invasive detection and prognostic evaluation of cancer represents a formidable challenge. Studies of the entire metabolite composition of cells promise advances towards this objective for prostate cancer. A systematic analysis of metabolites in prostate cancer samples has led to the discovery that sarcosine, an amino acid common in many biological tissues including muscle, is highly elevated in aggressive prostate cancers and detectable in the urine of men with prostate cancer. This makes sarcosine a candidate biomarker for prostate cancer diagnosis. Targeted knockdown of the enzyme that generates sarcosine from glycine attenuated prostate cell invasion in mice, pointing to a possible role in metastasis, and adding the sarcosine pathway to the list of possible therapeutic targets.
High resolution inelastic neutron scattering study of phonon self-energy effects in YBCO

Abstract We report preliminary results of the high resolution inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the 42.5 meV optical phonon branch in YBCO, whose behavior at momentum transfer q=0 has been extensively studied by Raman scattering. The experiment was done on a large (75g) single crystal of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−x (T c ∼90K) with the resolution of 2 meV (full width at half maximum). In cooling from 100K to 50K we observe a small softening of the phonon energy at q= 0.25, 0.25, 0, but no significant linewidth change.
A proposal for antiproton physics at brookhaven

A report is presented of the plans developed by the Working Group for Antiproton Physics at the AGS 2000 Workshop held at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. A multi-stage development of a vigorous program of antiproton physics, using both the existing beam lines and the Booster accelerator, was developed and presented. International cooperation is invited in order to design the facility, propose the best physics, and help transform the proposal into reality.
Site-specific interplay between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation in cellular regulation

Abstract Ser(Thr)-O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a ubiquitous modification of nucleocytoplasmic proteins. Extensive crosstalk exists between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation, which regulates signaling in response to nutrients/stress. The development of novel O-GlcNAc detection and enrichment methods has improved our understanding of O-GlcNAc functions. Mass spectrometry has revealed O-GlcNAc’s many interactions with phosphorylation-mediated signaling. However, mechanisms regulating O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation are quite different. Phosphorylation is catalyzed by hundreds of distinct kinases. In contrast, in mammals, uridine diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine:polypeptide β-N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (OGT) and β-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase (OGA) are encoded by single highly conserved genes. Both OGT’s and OGA’s specificities are determined by their transient associations with many other proteins to create a multitude of specific holoenzymes. The extensive crosstalk between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation represents a new paradigm for cellular signaling.
Equivalent flaw time-of-flight diffraction sizing with ultrasonic phased arrays

Ultrasonic phased array transducers can be used to extend traditional time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) crack sizing, resulting in more quantitative information about the crack being obtained. Traditional TOFD yields a single length parameter, while the equivalent flaw time-of-flight diffraction crack sizing method (EFTOFD) described here uses data from multiple look-angles to fit an equivalent degenerate ellipsoid to the crack. The size and orientation of the equivalent flaw can be used to estimate the actual crack size.
Detection of antibodies to transplantation antigens by platelet aggregometry

Abstract Platelet aggregometry was used to study the effects of antibodies against tissue antigens located on the surfaces of platelets. Using 1.0 ml. of a pig platelet suspension in plasma (250,000/mm. 3 ), aggregation produced by dog serum was compared to that produced by 1 μg. of ADP and 0.1 ml. of 1% purified collagen suspension. Maximal aggregation by the latter two agents was 72 and 79%, respectively. Maximum aggregation by 0.1 ml. dog serum was 72% and increased to 80% with 0.25 ml. of dog serum. The time of maximal aggregation was 130 seconds with ADP and 151 seconds with collagen. Dog serum produced maximal aggregation within 284–326 seconds. The lag phase before onset of aggregation of pig platelets by dog serum was 40–80 seconds. ADP produced immediate aggregation whereas collagen required a lag phase of 13 seconds. The rate of aggregation was extremely rapid with ADP or collagen. Dog serum generally produced much slower aggregation of pig platelets. It was concluded that platelet aggregometry was a simple objective method of detecting preformed antibody to transplantation antigens.
The role of glutathione and ascorbate in hydroperoxide removal in cyanobacteria.

The antioxidative potential of cyanobacteria to scavenge hydroperoxides formed as by-products of photosynthetic activity was investigated in Nostoc muscorum 7119 and Synechococcus 6311. These cells contained a high concentration of glutathione, 2-5 mM, and a low concentration of ascorbate, 20-100 uM. No glutathione peroxidase was detected while the activity of ascorbate peroxidase was high, reacting with hydrogen peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, and cumene hydroperoxide. Dehydroascorbate reductase was active in recycling ascorbate and glutathione reductase regenerated glutathione from glutathione disulphide. The activity of these antioxidative enzymes in the cyanobacteria was sufficient to remove between 60-230 nmoles H2O2 .mg protein-1 min-1. It is suggested that in cyanobacteria an effective reaction sequence for removal of hydroperoxides involves ascorbate peroxidase and recycling of glutathione and ascorbate.
Augmented phrase structure grammars

Augmented phrase structure grammars consist of phrase structure rules with embedded conditions and structure-building actions written in a specially developed language. An attribute-value, record-oriented information structure is an integral part of the theory.
β(1→3)Glucan synthase activity ofNeurospora crassa: Stabilization and partial characterization

Abstract Neurospora crassa β(1→3)glucan synthase activity was localized to low-speed particulate fractions consisting primarily of membranes. The particulate enzyme activity was stabilized by inhibitors of proteinases (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and EDTA) and of phosphatases (sodium fluoride); glycerol and bovine serum albumin were also found to result in increases in enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was specific for UDP-glucose as substrate, did not require a metal ion, and was inhibited by UDP. The reaction product appeared to be a linear,β(1→3)-linked glucan.
Wavefront reconstruction of acoustic waves in a variable ocean

The wavefront of an acoustic, low-frequency source propagation a long distance in the ocean can be recovered by a holographic technique which removes the effects of ocean variability within measurements of that source at an acoustic receiving array. The method assumes that the ocean varies adiabatically in range, and that any variability along the path between a reference and the unknown source can be modeled. The phase distortion along a particular path can be corrected by combining reference and unknown signals so that their relative phases nearly cancel. Since sound propagates to long distances in the ocean over many paths and since each of these paths are distorted in a different way, a different phase correction must be provided for each path. The method that we will present has its origins in an optical technique for wavefront reconstruction in which a distorted image is corrected by placing a reference source sufficiently near the object that their fields propagate through the same media. Recording the reference and object fields together with a hologram provides the phase correction. A simple theory based on the propagation of normal modes in the ocean will be presented. Ocean variability is introduced through a range dependent sound speed profile which is incorporated into the normal modes by means of the adiabatic approximation valid for weakly, range dependent oceans. The wavefront reconstruction technique will be applied to the problem of locating an unknown source.
Persistent CT nephrograms following cardiac catheterisation and intervention: initial observations

Objectives To describe persistent nephrographic patterns detected by unenhanced renal CT at 24 h after cardiac catheterisation and intervention.
Economic considerations in estimating the utility of human resource productivity improvement programs.

Three economic concepts (variable costs, taxes, and discounting) are applied and incorporated into the previous utility formulas proposed by Brogden (1946, 1949), Cronbach and Gleser (1965), and Schmidt, et al. (1979, 1982). The resulting utility model indicates that the previous formulas are deficient and can produce upwardly biased utility estimates. Empirical examples based on published research (e.g., Schmidt, et al., 1982) are presented indicating the substantial magnitude of the bias given realistic levels of variable costs, taxes, and discount rates. The present utility model is used to adjust for such bias and is shown to provide a more complete and precise utility definition. Implications for future research are discussed.
THE DIFFUSION EQUATION WITH A QUADRATIC LOSS TERM APPLIED TO ELECTRON-ION VOLUME RECOMBINATION IN A PLASMA

The diffusion equation for charged particles in a plasma, with an additional recombination loss term (quadratic in the particle concentration n) was solved numerically for plasmas in containers having the shape of an infinite cylinder and a sphere. This equation applies to a decaying plasma in therma1 equi1ibrium, with no sources of ionization, no loss mechanisms other than diffusion and volume recombination, and containing no negative and only one species of positive ion. The boundary condition n/sub wall/ = 0 and the initial conditions of uniform coneentration and of the lowest diffusion mode were used. For a given choice of these conditions, each solution is uniquely specified by a single parameter beta , the ratio of the initial central particle loss rate which would prevail in the absence of diffusion, to the corresponding loss rate resulting from only diffusion in the fundamental mode. It is a quantitative measure of the degree of recombination control. These solutions were used to assess the limits of applicability and the accuracy of the microwave cavity method for determining the recombination coefficient alpha as the slope of a plot of the reciprocal of the measured electron concentration vs. time. It is found that a linearmore » region in this plot can exist for beta = 0, and that the slope is unrelated to alpha for sufficiently small beta . Only if beta is very large, and if the linear region is sufficiently extended, does the slope constitute a reasonable approximation to alpha . A criterion is established for the validity of this method of determining alpha , and is applied to previous experiments. It is found that although some experiments satisfy this criterion and presumably yield good values of alpha , others do not and yield values that are too large. (auth)« less
Early jejunal feeding initiation and clinical outcomes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

Background: Compared with parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition reduces infectious complications and mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). This study used clinical outcomes to investigate the association between time to initiation of distal jejunal feeding (DJF) and time to achievement of goal enteral feeding with clinical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients with SAP admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) during a 1-year period. Collected data included demographic information, body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores at admission, time of onset of DJF, time to goal feeding, ICU length of stay, and mortality. Results: Time to starting DJF was longer in nonsurvivors (n = 4) than in survivors (n = 12) (17 vs 7 days, P 30 kg/m2 (50% had BMI > 50 kg/m2). ICU length of stay was significantly associated with achievement of goal feeding. Three patien...
Late Onset of Anterior Prefrontal Activity during True and False Recognition: An Event-Related fMRI Study

Previous studies using PET and fMRI to examine memory retrieval have been limited by the requirement to test different types of items in separate blocks and to average data across items and response types within blocks. We used recently developed procedures for analyzing event-related mixed trial data from fMRI experiments to compare brain activity during true recognition of previously studied words and false recognition of semantic associates. A previous PET study using blocked testing procedures reported similarities and differences in rCBF patterns associated with true and false recognition (Schacter et al., 1996a). We examined brain activity during blocked testing of studied words and nonstudied semantic associates (similar to PET), and also during event-related mixed trials, where studied words and nonstudied semantic associates are intermixed. Six subjects initially heard lists of semantically related words and were later tested for old/new recognition with studied words and nonstudied semantic associates, either in separate blocks or intermixed randomly for the event-related analysis. Compared to a fixation control condition, a variety of regions previously reported in the PET study showed significant activation for both true and false recognition, including anterior prefrontal, frontal opercular, medial parietal, and visual cortex extending into hippocampal/parahippocampal regions. Differences across trial types were not clearly present. Event-related analyses of time course data show a relatively late onset and sustained duration for anterior prefrontal signal changes compared to signal changes in other activated regions. Further study is needed to resolve whether this late onset originates from variance in hemodynamic response properties or is attributable to delayed neural activity. The delayed onset is consistent with the idea that anterior prefrontal regions participate in postretrieval monitoring processes.
Restoration of the wild turkey in east Texas: simulation of alternative restocking strategies

Models that simulate population dynamics of relocated populations should prove useful during the restoration of extirpated species. One fundamental question facing restoration ecologists attempting to restore wild turkey (Meleagris gallopa6o) populations is the number of birds to release per restoration site. We describe the development of a simulation model capable of evaluating a variety of stocking strategies for eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopa6o sil6estris). Simulation results suggest that in the coniferous and deciduous forests of east Texas, supplemental (multiple) stockings do not use difficult-to-procure broodstock as effectively as initially stocking new sites. We also found that using juvenile females or a combination of 50% adult and 50% juvenile females significantly (PB 0.032) increased turkey survival. Based upon these data, it appears that biologists attempting to restore wild turkeys in east Texas should use the higher stocking rates we evaluated and ] 50% juvenile females during releases. Models that simulate the dynamics of relocated populations benefit restoration efforts by allowing restoration ecologists to evaluate various stocking strategies quickly and inexpensively prior to initiating costly restoration programs. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Multitask Learning for Spoken Language Understanding

In this paper, we present a multitask learning (MTL) method for intent classification in goal oriented human-machine spoken dialog systems. MTL aims at training tasks in parallel while using a shared representation. What is learned for each task can help other tasks be learned better. Our goal is to automatically re-use the existing labeled data from various applications, which are similar but may have different intents or intent distributions, in order to improve the performance. For this purpose, we propose an automated intent mapping algorithm across applications. We also propose employing active learning to selectively sample the data to be re-used. Our results indicate that we can achieve significant improvements in intent classification performance especially when the labeled data size is limited.
Numerical modeling of the development of U-shaped valleys by glacial erosion

The steep-sided valleys and overdeepened basins of alpine landscapes are well-known products of glaciation, yet relatively little is known about how the dynamics of ice flow and glacial erosion interact to give rise to such landforms. By linking a finite-element model for ice flow through a glacier cross section with an erosion model, it is possible to investigate the development of one of the most striking glacial landforms, the U-shaped valley. In addition to providing a detailed understanding of landform development, such modeling provides a way to test current understanding of the controls on glacial sliding and erosion. To simulate valley development, I first model flow through an initial glacier cross section and calculate the glaciological parameters that govern erosion. I then numerically simulate erosion to produce a modified transverse profile, for which a new flow field and erosion pattern are computed. A number of iterations permits examination of the progressive transformation of cross-section form, which can be compared with field data. Model predictions of the cross-section flow field are in close accord with data from the Athabasca Glacier and include marked lateral variations in sliding velocity. With an erosion law dependent on basal velocity, the model predicts the rapid transformation of a V-shaped cross section into a recognizably glacial form over a time period on the order of 10 4 yr and the eventual development of a steady-state, quasi-parabolic glacier cross section. Better agreement with empirical data from glaciated valleys is obtained by including temporal variations in ice discharge, in order to mimic the characteristics of 100,000-yr glacial cycles. The high-discharge phase dominates form development, and, at low discharges, cross-section form is essentially inherited from the central part of the form that developed during the preceding high-discharge phase.
Examining the Efficacy of No-Suicide Contracts in Inpatient Psychiatric Settings: Implications for Psychiatric Nursing

Verbal and written no-suicide contracts are commonly practiced by psychiatric nurses in inpatient psychiatric facilities. However, evidence is sparse regarding whether no-suicide contracts are effective tools for maintaining patient safety. The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of the verbal and written no-suicide contracts, discuss the resulting implications for psychiatric nurses on inpatient units, and suggest alternative clinical practices for inpatient psychiatric nurses to utilize to increase patient safety.
Acid Production from Glucose and Sucrose by Growing Cultures of Caries-Conducive Streptococci

Acid production was determined for several strains of caries-conducive streptococci growing on glucose and sucrose. The yield of acid per mol of sucrose was the same as that from two hexose units. It was determined by macroscopic and microscopic observations of the culture that extracellular polymer was formed from sucrose during growth, but the amount of sucrose diverted to polymer formation was less than that anticipated from visual observations.
Rules for Understanding and Designing Novel Molecule-Based Rare-Earth Magnetic Compounds

Results of SDFT calculations were used to construct and check features of a generally applicable qualitative approach to understanding magnetic coupling in rare-earth-rich compounds. Using fragments based on structures of metal-rich lanthanide compounds, we have investigated molecular and low-dimensional extended structures, including Gd3I6(OPH3)12, Gd6I12Co(OPH3)6, and Gd2Cl3. Open-d-shell clusters facilitate strong ferromagnetic coupling whereas in the closed-d-shell systems prefer antiferromagnetic coupling. The f-d exchange interaction, mediated by spin polarization of both filled and partially-filled metal-metal bonding orbitals, was described for the model system Gd3I6(OPH3)12n+ using basic perturbation methods. This method has been successful for predicting the magnetic ground state for models of Gd[Gd6I12Fe] and Gd2Cl3.
Shaping Patients' Decisions

Many physicians struggle to strike an acceptable balance between respecting patient autonomy and guiding patients' decisions toward what is in their best interests based on their expressed values and long-term goals. Over the past 40 years, the ethical principle of respect for autonomy has gained primacy in Western medicine, but judgments about the appropriate dose of influence on patient decisions have been clouded by misconceptions about patient autonomy. In this article, we consider three such misconceptions with the goal of helping physicians to optimally promote their patients' interests.
Compiling optimized code from decision tables

This paper reviews the structure of decision tables and methods for converting them into procedural code. It describes new optimization methods, which are applied before, during, and after code generation. Some results from an experimental decision table processor arep rovided.
The Mind and Brain of Short-Term Memory

The past 10 years have brought near-revolutionary changes in psychological theories about short-term memory, with similarly great advances in the neurosciences. Here, we critically examine the major psychological theories (the “mind”) of short-term memory and how they relate to evidence about underlying brain mechanisms. We focus on three features that must be addressed by any satisfactory theory of short-term memory. First, we examine the evidence for the architecture of short-term memory, with special attention to questions of capacity and how—or whether—short-term memory can be separated from long-term memory. Second, we ask how the components of that architecture enact processes of encoding, maintenance, and retrieval. Third, we describe the debate over the reason about forgetting from short-term memory, whether interference or decay is the cause. We close with a conceptual model tracing the representation of a single item through a short-term memory task, describing the biological mechanisms that might support psychological processes on a moment-by-moment basis as an item is encoded, maintained over a delay with some forgetting, and ultimately retrieved.
A note on the reverse Michaelis–Menten kinetics

We theoretically derive a general equation describing the enzyme kinetics that can be further simplified to the typical Michaelis-Menten (M-M) kinetics and the reverse M-M equation (RM-M) proposed by Schimel and Weintraub (2003). We discuss the conditions under which the RM-M is valid with this theoretical derivation. These conditions are contrary to the assumptions of Schimel and Weintraub (2003) and limit the applicability of the model in field soil environments. Nonetheless, Schimel and Weintraub s RM-M model is useful and has the ability to produce a non-linear response of SOM decomposition to enzyme concentration consistent with observations. Regardless of the theoretical basis, if we assume that the M-M and the RM-M could be equivalent, our sensitivity analysis indicates that enzyme plays a more sensitive role in the M-M kinetics compared with in the RM-M kinetics.
Phytotechnologies--preventing exposures, improving public health.

Phytotechnologies have potential to reduce the amount or toxicity of deleterious chemicals and agents, and thereby, can reduce human exposures to hazardous substances. As such, phytotechnologies are tools for primary prevention in public health. Recent research demonstrates phytotechnologies can be uniquely tailored for effective exposure prevention in a variety of applications. In addition to exposure prevention, plants can be used as sensors to identify environmental contamination and potential exposures. In this paper, we have presented applications and research developments in a framework to illustrate how phytotechnologies can meet basic public health needs for access to clean water, air, and food. Because communities can often integrate plant-based technologies at minimal cost and with low infrastructure needs, the use of these technologies can be applied broadly to minimize potential contaminant exposure and improve environmental quality. These natural treatment systems also provide valuable ecosys...
Review of ecological effects of roads on terrestrial and aquatic communities.

Roads are a widespread and increasing feature of most landscapes. We reviewed the scientific liter- ature on the ecological effects of roads and found support for the general conclusion that they are associated with negative effects on biotic integrity in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Roads of all kinds have seven general effects: mortality from road construction, mortality from collision with vehicles, modification of animal behavior, alteration of the physical environment, alteration of the chemical environment, spread of exotics, and increased use of areas by humans. Road construction kills sessile and slow-moving organisms, injures organisms adjacent to a road, and alters physical conditions beneath a road. Vehicle collisions affect the demography of many species, both vertebrates and invertebrates; mitigation measures to reduce roadkill have been only partly successful. Roads alter animal behavior by causing changes in home ranges, move- ment, reproductive success, escape response, and physiological state. Roads change soil density, temperature, soil water content, light levels, dust, surface waters, patterns of runoff, and sedimentation, as well as adding heavy metals (especially lead), salts, organic molecules, ozone, and nutrients to roadside environments. Roads promote the dispersal of exotic species by altering habitats, stressing native species, and providing movement corridors. Roads also promote increased hunting, fishing, passive harassment of animals, and landscape modifications. Not all species and ecosystems are equally affected by roads, but overall the pres- ence of roads is highly correlated with changes in species composition, population sizes, and hydrologic and geomorphic processes that shape aquatic and riparian systems. More experimental research is needed to com- plement post-hoc correlative studies. Our review underscores the importance to conservation of avoiding con- struction of new roads in roadless or sparsely roaded areas and of removal or restoration of existing roads to benefit both terrestrial and aquatic biota.
Determinants of Clostridium difficile Infection Incidence Across Diverse United States Geographic Locations

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is no longer restricted to hospital settings, and population-based incidence measures are needed. Understanding the determinants of CDI incidence will allow for more meaningful comparisons of rates and accu
SURFACE SANITATION AND MICROBIOLOGICAL FOOD QUALITY OF A UNIVERSITY FOODSERVICE OPERATION

A microbiological testing and support surveillance program monitors the sanitary state of food contact surfaces and performs food audits of the Rutgers Dining Services facilities. Analysis of the data over a recent two year period revealed that unacceptable surface sanitation was correlated with the physical presence of food debris (23.4 %), water (45.9%), or both (57.8 %). Follow up testing revealed that the program was able to consistently reduce the probability of surface failure reoccurrence. Poor equipment design was often contributory to especially problematic surfaces. Lunch meat (36.4% unacceptable) and raw meat (34.1 % unacceptable) were found to be the most problematic types of food according to university guidelines. Foods failures were most frequently due to unacceptable levels of indicator bacteria including total coliforms (59.4% of failures, 15.4% of total samples), total aerobic counts (43.4% offailures, 11.2% of total samples) and Escherichia coli (24.5% offailures, 6.3% of total samples). The most common type of failure due to an unacceptable level of a foodborne pathogen was due to unacceptable levels of Staphylococcus aureus (12.6% of failures, 3.3% of total food samples.
Warm Reactive Autoantibodies Clinical and Serologic Correlations

Warm reactive autoantibodies are encountered relatively frequently in tertiary care hospitals. We studied 100 consecutive patients with warm autoantibodies to correlate their clinical and serologic features. Study patients (56 male, 44 female) had various diagnoses and a mean age of 53.5 years (range, 3-90 years). Autoimmune hemolysis was documented in 29 patients; 20 patients (69%) in this subset had diseases classically associated with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (hematologic and autoimmune disorders). All study patients demonstrated IgG on their RBCs (direct antiglobulin test [DAT] reactivity range, microscopic to 4+); 49 also demonstrated C3 (reactivity range, microscopic to 3+). The DAT for IgG was 2+ or more in 25 (86%) of 29 patients with hemolysis; the DAT for IgG was 1+ or less in 45 (63%) of 71 patients without hemolysis. In patients with hemolysis, 21 (72%) of 29 had a DAT reactive for C3. These findings may be useful in determining the clinical significance of warm autoantibodies and the extent to which patients should be followed up for hemolysis. Warm reactive autoantibodies are RBC-directed immune responses that are maximally reactive at 37°C. These antibodies react with the patients own RBCs and typically bind to all reagent or donor RBCs against which they are tested. However, they sometimes have specificity (absolute or relative) for a blood group antigen, most commonly a member of the Rh blood group system. Warm reactive autoantibodies are usually polyclonal IgG antibodies, although IgA or monomeric IgM antibodies are seen occasionally. Complement (C3) also may accompany these antibodies, as detected by the direct antiglobulin test (DAT). The clinical significance of warm reactive autoantibodies relates to their hemolytic potential and the interference that they can cause with routine pretransfusion compatibility testing (eg, the detection of blood group antibodies and the provision of crossmatch-compatible units of blood). 1 Warm reactive autoantibodies are encountered relatively frequently at our institution. During the years 2001 and 2002, warm autoantibodies constituted approximately 7% of all antibody identification evaluations. However, it was our impression that hemolytic anemia occurred in only a minority of patients with warm autoantibodies. This study was undertaken to correlate the clinical and serologic features of patients with warm autoantibodies and to determine whether clinical assessment practices could or should be improved.
Targeted Prostate Biopsy Using Statistical Image Analysis

In this paper, a method for maximizing the probability of prostate cancer detection via biopsy is presented, by combining image analysis and optimization techniques. This method consists of three major steps. First, a statistical atlas of the spatial distribution of prostate cancer is constructed from histological images obtained from radical prostatectomy specimen. Second, a probabilistic optimization framework is employed to optimize the biopsy strategy, so that the probability of cancer detection is maximized under needle placement uncertainties. Finally, the optimized biopsy strategy generated in the atlas space is mapped to a specific patient space using an automated segmentation and elastic registration method. Cross-validation experiments showed that the predictive power of the optimized biopsy strategy for cancer detection reached the 94%-96% levels for 6-7 biopsy cores, which is significantly better than standard random-systematic biopsy protocols, thereby encouraging further investigation of optimized biopsy strategies in prospective clinical studies.
Clinical features and outcomes of paramyxoviral infection in lung transplant recipients treated with ribavirin.

Abstract Background: Paramyxoviral infections are reported in 6% to 21% of lung transplant recipients. Aerosolized ribavirin is used to treat paramyoxviral infections, but data on outcomes of this treatment in lung transplant patients are limited. Methods: Lung recipients treated with aerosolized ribavirin from 1992 through 2000 for pulmonary respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or parainfluenza virus (PIV) infection were assessed for the following variables: age; gender; underlying diagnosis; time from transplantation; duration of illness; clinical symptoms; and change from baseline FEV 1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second). Outcomes included FEV 1 values at 30 and 90 days, need for intubation, development of acute rejection or obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) in the year after treatment; and 90-day and overall mortality. Results: Fifteen patients received ribavirin for a median of 5 days (range 3 to 7) for 17 episodes of RSV ( n = 12) or PIV ( n = 5) infection. The clinical presentations of RSV and PIV infection were similar. Infection occurred a median of 520 days (range 7 to 1,700) after transplantation. Three episodes required intubation; 2 episodes were fatal accounting for a 90-day mortality per episode of 12%. The FEV 1 at presentation declined by 25% (range 4% to 44%) from baseline. In 3 patients the FEV 1 did not return to baseline by 90 days or thereafter. All 3 patients had underlying pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) vs no IPF in 0 of 9 evaluable patients who recovered ( p = 0.009). There was no correlation between response to ribavirin and subsequent development of OB. Conclusions: About 33% of lung transplant patients with lower respiratory tract paramyxoviral infections who were treated with inhaled ribavirin died or did not return to baseline FEV 1 . This effect was acute and not associated with later complications, including OB. Underlying IPF may be a risk factor for failure to return to baseline. Larger, prospective, multicenter studies are required to confirm these findings.
Pulmonary vein isolation for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Background— Catheter ablation is an established yet evolving nonpharmacologic intervention for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The efficacy and safety of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) compared with medical therapy remain in question. Methods and Results— We conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized, controlled trials comparing PVI and medical therapy for the maintenance of sinus rhythm. The primary end point in this analysis was freedom from recurrent AF at 12 months. The relative efficacy of PVI was estimated using random-effects modeling according to intention to treat. We identified 6 trials that randomized a total of 693 patients with AF to PVI or control. PVI was associated with markedly increased odds of freedom from AF at 12 months of follow-up (n=266/344 [77%] versus n=102/346 [29%]; odds ratio, 9.74; 95% CI, 3.98 to 23.87). When we excluded the trial that only enrolled patients with persistent AF (Q-statistic, 2.485; P =0.647 after exclusion), PVI was associated with even greater odds of AF-free survival (15.78; 95% CI, 10.07 to 24.73). PVI was associated with a decreased hospitalization for cardiovascular causes (14 versus 93 per 100 person-years; rate ratio, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.23). Among those randomly assigned to PVI, 17% required a repeat PVI ablation before 12 months. The rate of major complications was 2.6% (n=9/344) in the catheter ablation group. Conclusions— Compared with a nonablation treatment strategy, PVI results in dramatically increased freedom from AF at 1 year. Although the procedure can be associated with major complications, the risk of these complications is comparable to other interventional procedures. Received February 5, 2009; accepted July 6, 2009.
Probabilistic models for biological sequences: selection and Maximum Likelihood estimation

Probabilistic models for biological sequences (DNA and proteins) are frequently used in bioinformatics. We describe statistical tests designed to detect the order of dependency among elements of the sequence and to select the most appropriate probabilistic model for an experimental biological sequence. For a model of given type, the independence model, the first-order Markov chain and the hidden Markov model (HMM), we derive the uniform lower bound for the rate of decay for the errors of the maximum likelihood (ML) estimates of the model parameters and, subsequently, the uniform confidence intervals for the parameters.
A Model of Dynamic Keynesian Equilibrium

In the recent literature, most attempts to make rational sense out of the Phillips curve have concentrated on relationships between the rate of inflation and ‘fractional’ unemployment of the ‘search’ and ‘wait’ type. Search unemployment occurs when a man stays unemployed to search for better opportunities even when he could have a job at some wage rate. Wait unemployment occurs when a man takes some leisure rather than work at the going rate, hoping (and expecting) to return to the labor force at a more opportune time period. Early studies of these types of models are collected in a volume edited by Phelps [12].