cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A fluorometric routine method for urinary unconjugated 11-hydroxycorticosteroids in adrenocortical hypofunction.

Abstract A high diagnostic value of a fluorometric routine method was observed in patients with adrenocortical hypofunction by comparison with estimations of the 17, 21-dihydroxy-20-ketosteroids (17-OHCS). In contrast to the Porter-Silber chromogens, the ‘corrected fluorogens’ (unconjugated 11-OHCS) of 17 patients with adrenocortical insufficiency did not overlap with the values of a normal group in the 10 hour-overnight urine. Following ACTH-stimulation, the per cent increase of the urinary unconjugated 11-OHCS was significantly higher than that of the 17-OHCS in normal persons and in patients with secondary adrenocortical hypofunction. On the other hand, in patients with primary adrenocortical insufficiency no significant augmentation of the ‘corrected fluorogens’ was observed.
Doxastic planning and epistemic internalism

In the following I discuss the debate between epistemological internalists and externalists from an unfamiliar meta-epistemological perspective. In doing so, I focus on the question of whether rationality is best captured in externalist or internalist terms. Using a conception of epistemic judgments as “doxastic plans,” I characterize one important subspecies of judgments about epistemic rationality—focusing on the distinctive rational/functional role these judgments play in regulating how we form beliefs. Then I show why any judgment that plays this role should be expected to behave the manner internalists predict. In this way, I argue, we can explain why our basic toolbox for epistemic evaluation includes an internalist conception of rationality.
Novel localization of a Na+/H+ exchanger in a late endosomal compartment of yeast: Implications for vacuole biogenesis

Na+/H+ exchangers catalyze the electrically silent countertransport of Na+ and H+, controlling the transmembrane movement of salt, water, and acid-base equivalents, and are therefore critical for Na+ tolerance, cell volume control, and pH regulation. In contrast to numerous well studied plasma membrane isoforms (NHE1-4), much less is known about intracellular Na+/H+ exchangers, and thus far no vertebrate isoform has been shown to have an exclusively endosomal distribution. In this context, we show that the yeast NHE homologue, Nhx1 (Nass, R., Cunningham, K. W., and Rao, R. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 26145-26152), localizes uniquely to prevacuolar compartments, equivalent to late endosomes of animal cells. In living yeast, we show that these compartments closely abut the vacuolar membrane in a striking bipolar distribution, suggesting that vacuole biogenesis occurs at distinct sites. Nhx1 is the founding member of a newly emergent cluster of exchanger homologues, from yeasts, worms, and humans that may share a common intracellular localization. By compartmentalizing Na+, intracellular exchangers play an important role in halotolerance; furthermore, we hypothesize that salt and water movement into vesicles may regulate vesicle volume and pH and thus contribute to vacuole biogenesis.
Herbig-Haro Flows from the L1641-N Embedded Infrared Cluster

We have discovered a large number of Herbig-Haro (HH) flows associated with the embedded infrared cluster surrounding the IRAS source 05338-0624, the driving source of the L1641-N molecular outflow. The best collimated HH flow in the region, HH 303, stretches in two groups of knots along a well-defined axis from the VLA source that coincides with the IRAS source. This HH flow is coaxial with the blue northern lobe of the molecular flow. To the north-northwest of the cluster we find a long series of very large and finely shaped bow shocks, which stretch on a well-defined axis away from the cluster. The most distant HH object, HH 310, is 6.3 pc in projection from the center of the cluster, making it the largest HH lobe known from a low-mass star. We identify the counterlobe with an already known chain of infrared H2 emission knots. Additionally, we find two very large fragmented bow shocks, HH 403 and 404, to the northeast of and facing away from the cluster. They lie on an axis that passes through the cluster at projected distances of 4.2 and 5.4 pc. In the opposite direction, to the southwest we identify the previously known object HH 127 at a projected distance of 5.2 pc from the cluster and within an angle of 10° of the HH 403/404 axis. HH 127 consists of three faint knots also on a line through the cluster. Precisely south of the VLA source and on the axis of the HH 303 jet, we find a large bow shock, HH 61, which is 5.9 pc in projection from the cluster, and which we believe is part of the counterflow to the HH 303 jet. Our CCD images and 13CO maps clearly show that HH 61 and HH 127 are located just beyond the well-defined edge of the L1641 cloud, which explains why they are optically visible. Our extensive C18O map of the region shows that the cluster is associated with a prominent cloud core. Our 12CO map reveals, in addition to the known L1641-N outflow, a large pair of compact low-velocity outflow lobes, a southeastern blueshifted lobe, and a northwestern redshifted lobe, separated by 2.7 pc and centered on the infrared cluster. The numerous outflows in the region provide evidence that a large number of the young stars in the loose cluster are presently in active mass-losing phases. The L1641-N cluster is clearly the presently most active site of low-mass star formation in the L1641 molecular cloud.
Action of tricyclic antidepressants on cyclic amp in mucosal cells from guinea pig stomach

In dispersed mucosal cells from guinea pig stomach, tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline and imipramine) inhibited the increases in cyclic AMP caused by histamine or dimaprit. The inhibition by low concentrations of amitriptyline was competitive, with a pA2 value of 5.8 ± 0.15 (Ki, 1.5 ± 0.8 μM). At high concentrations, amitriptyline reduced the maximal response to histamine as well as inhibited the increase in cyclic AMP caused by theophylline and prostaglandin E1, and also reduced the basal respiratory rate of gastric cells. This inhibition was non-competitive (IC50, 100–250 μM). These results suggest that at low concentrations tricyclic antidepressants interact with the H2-receptors on gastric cells in a fashion similar to their interaction with the brain histamine H2-receptors.
Surgical Removal of an Intracardiac Sewing Needle in a 13-Month-Old Chinese Girl: Report of a Case

Sewing needles, albeit rare in the case of penetrating cardiac injury, are highly lethal; especially in children, because the injury is difficult to diagnose and treat. We herein present the case of a 13-month-old girl who was injured by a sewing needle inserted in the myocardium; it is the first report of its kind from mainland China. The 13-month-old girl was referred to our hospital with a range of symptoms, including convulsions, diarrhea, and cough. Chest X-ray and echocardiogram revealed a needle located below the aortic valve, passing through the ventricular septum and aortic root. Surgical removal of the needle was performed under extracorporeal circulation. No hemorrhage or arrhythmia was seen, so the operation was ended, and the patient was discharged 8 days after the surgery. An early diagnosis and intervention proved to be lifesaving for this patient with a penetrating cardiac injury. We hope this case can provide a reference for the treatment of similar situations.
The influence of velocity on the impact strength of glass reinforced polypropylene

The influence of impact velocity, between 1 and 8.7 meters per second (m/s) (2.2 to 19.5 mph), on the impact behavior of polypropylene, reinforced with 20 volume percent continuous glass fibers, was investigated in a 3-point bend test at 21 °C. The ratio of specimen span to thickness, which has a profound effect on the observed results, was varied between 5.3 and 26. An attempt to apply simple beam theory for the analysis of the initial specimen response to the high loading rate was successful, except for the lower than expected values of shear modulus. The stress to break and the tensile and shear moduli were found to increase along with velocity. The dependence of impact energy on velocity was observed to be affected by the span to thickness ratio: a positive dependency was observed at low ratios and none at high ratios. This is different from the negative dependency reported for polypropylene reinforced with short fibers, and is attributed to the influence of the continuous glass fibers on the impact behavior of the composite.
Ho-Kashyap CAAP 1:1 associative processors

ABSTRACT We advance new associative processor (AP) synthesis algorithms and performance measures.We compare 1 0 different 1 :1 APs (where each input key vector is associated with a different output recollection vector). We find that unless new output recollection vector encoding techniques are used, APs are not competitive. We find the robust Ho Kashyap-2 CAAP (content addressable AP) tobe preferable and that the parameter used in it should not be chosen larger than necessary. 1 . INTRODUCTION APs represent a major class of neural net (NN) for noisy and partial inputs (autoassociative AAPs), for pattern recognition (heteroassociative HAPs), and to guide knowledge base queries [1-3]. Weconsider 1 :1 APs in this paper. Many:1 APs have many different keys (distorted versions of one object class) associated with the same output recollection vector and are used in distortion-invariantpattern recognition (PR). The 1 :1 APs we consider are suitable for general memory APs, AAPs, and for large class PR cases. Our results are appropriate for few:1 cases. Section 2 briefly reviews the
Length of Acute-Care Hospitalization in Alzheimer's Disease

The authors conducted a retrospective study of acute-care hospitalization over a 2-year period for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). These patients were compared to an age- and gender-matched group of non-AD patients. AD patients had fewer admissions and fewer comorbid medical diagnoses, but had a significantly longer total length of hospital stay. Possible explanations for the increased length of stay and suggestions for further research are discussed.
The Labor Force Participation and Earnings Gap among African Immigrant Women in the U.S.A.

Research on the socioeconomic attainment of immigrants has increased in recent decades. But there is a lot to be discovered in this area, especially the labor force participation and earnings of African immigrant women in the U.S.A. In this article, we use the 5% Integrated Public Use Microdata Samples (IPUMS) to examine changes in size and composition of the female African immigrant population in the U.S.A. and differences in the labor force participation and earnings between black and white African immigrant women during the period of 1980–2008. The results show that the female African immigrant population increased by an annual average growth rate of 23% between 1980 and 2008, with a much higher growth among black female Africans (81%) than whites (5%). The racial composition shifted from a white majority (68%) in 1980 to a black majority (72%) in 2008. Multivariate analysis of the labor force participation and personal earnings showed that the white advantage echoed in previous research had disappeared in 2008 when black African women became more likely to be in the labor force participation and to earn higher income than their white counterparts, net of the effects of socio-demographic variables. Such results challenge the labor queue theory, which assumes that white people have an absolute advantage in American job market.
Rehabilitation of the post-cardiac surgery stroke patient: analysis of cognitive and functional assessment

Abstract Objective: Determine whether, as expected, patients sustaining post-cardiac surgery stroke (PCS) ( n = 19) differ from other stroke (OS) patients ( n = 216). Design: A total of 235 stroke patients were surveyed. Therapist ratings of Functional Independence Measure (FIM) on admission to and discharge from a rehabilitation unit were compared. Cooperation with formal neuropsychologic evaluation was assessed. Setting: The rehabilitation unit of a tertiary care hospital. Participants: Medical records for consecutive stroke patients were reviewed (January 1994 to December 1995). Groups did not differ in age, gender, or admission FIM. Interventions: Standardized neuropsychologic evaluation of seven cognitive domains was attempted for each patient referred to the neuropsychology service. All of the patients received FIM ratings on admission to and discharge from the rehabilitation unit. Outcome Measures: Gain in FIM per week of rehabilitation unit stay (FIM efficiency) and discharge destination. Results: Contrary to expectations, PCS patients did not differ significantly from OS patients in FIM efficiency or discharge destination. However, PCS patients were significantly less able to cooperate with formal neuropsychologic testing, possibly secondary to their physical condition, higher-level cognitive deficits, or both. Conclusion: Although PCS patients may sustain medical and cognitive deficits that interfere with exhaustive neuropsychologic evaluation, these deficits do not significantly interfere with functional progress in rehabilitation and should not make PCS patients ineligible for rehabilitation services.
A competitive analysis of algorithms for searching unknown scenes

Abstract We consider problems involving robot motion planning in an initially unknown scene of obstacles. The two specific problems that we examine are mapping the scene and searching the scene for a recognizable target whose location is unknown. We use competitive analysis as a tool for comparing algorithms. In the case of convex polygonal obstacles, we show a tight Θ(min(k, √k α )) bound on the competitive factor for these problems, where α and k are the average aspect ratio and the number of objects, respectively. We also consider the competitive factor for the Nearest Neighbor heuristic.
Charge transfer in hyperthermal energy collisions of Li + with alkali-metal-covered Cu(001). II. Dynamics of excited-state formation

We have measured the relative probability of excited state [${\mathrm{Li}}^{0}$(2p)] formation versus the work-function change induced by alkali-metal adsorbates when hyperthermal energy ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ ions are incident on alkali-metal-covered Cu(001). This probability is broadly peaked as the work function \ensuremath{\varphi} decreases, and decreases by approximately an order of magnitude when the velocity of the ions in the incident beam is decreased from 1.05\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ to 0.52\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ m ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, and the incident angle is ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\theta}}}_{\mathit{i}}$=65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} as measured from the surface normal. Theoretical calculations based on a many-body solution to the time-dependent Anderson-Newns model of charge transfer (discussed in the preceding paper) qualitatively reproduce the observed trends. These calculations suggest that the peak in the excited-state probability results mainly from two effects: first, the decreasing difference between the energy of the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{0}$(2p) state and the Fermi level as the work function decreases, which tends to increase the excited-state probability; and second, the competition of the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{0}$(2p) state with the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$(2${\mathit{s}}^{2}$) negative ion state at low work functions, which tends to decrease the excited-state probability. Differences between the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{0}$(2s) and ${\mathrm{Li}}^{0}$(2p) lifetimes also play a role in the formation of the peak, as does electron-hole pair production. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Design, Development, and Qualification of New Guardrail Post

The basic design concepts for strong-post w-beam guardrail systems were developed more than 30 years ago. Although the vehicle fleet today differs significantly from vehicles for which the systems were designed, those systems are still in widespread use. One of the changes in the vehicle fleet with the most influence on the performance of guardrails and other safety barriers is the emergence of pickup trucks and SUVs. These vehicles are heavy and have relatively high centers of gravity, so in addition to overloading the guardrail, such vehicles are highly unstable during redirection and are likely to roll over. One of the most serious problems with these systems is the front impact-side wheel snagging on the guardrail posts. Conventional post types used in strong-post guardrail systems consist of either large wooden posts or steel I-beam section posts, both of which are unforgiving when impacted by a wheel. Recently, HALCO, LLC, developed the HALCO X-44 post, a guardrail post that is lightweight, strong, and designed to be used in strong-post w-beam guardrail applications as an alternative to conventional post types. The X-44 post was designed to be more forgiving when crashed into by the wheel of a vehicle, yet strong enough to limit guardrail deflection under NCHRP Report 350 Test Level 3 impact conditions. In this study the HALCO X-44 post was evaluated in a length-of-need section of w-beam guardrail. A finite element model of the guardrail system was developed, and the finite element program LS-DYNA was used to assess its performance under NCHRP Report 350 Test 3-11 impact conditions. A full-scale crash test was subsequently conducted after favorable results from the finite element analysis. The system successfully passed the safety requirements of NCHRP Report 350 for Test Level 3. This paper discusses the evaluation procedure and presents results of the HALCO X-44 post and guardrail system analysis.
Automated system for the on-line monitoring of powder blending processes using near-infrared spectroscopy part I. System development and control

An automated system for the on-line monitoring of powder blending processes is described. The system employs near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy using fibre-optics and a graphical user interface (GUI) developed in the LabVIEW environment. The complete supervisory control and data analysis (SCADA) software controls blender and spectrophotometer operation and performs statistical spectral data analysis in real time. A data analysis routine using standard deviation is described to demonstrate an approach to the real-time determination of blend homogeneity.
1059 URINARY LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE (LDH) ISOENZYME IV AND V IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PYELONEPHRITIS AND CYSTITIS

1059 URINARY LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE (LDH) ISOENZYME IV AND V IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PYELONEPHRITIS AND CYSTITIS
Interleukin-6 and epidermal growth factor promote anchorage-independent growth of immortalized human prostatic epithelial cells treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin (IL)-6 are implicated in the growth of benign and malignant prostatic epithelial cells. We investigated the role of EGF and IL-6 during the process of prostate carcinogenesis. METHODS Using growth in soft agar as an index of transformation, we examined the effect of EGF and IL-6 on the enhancement of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-initiated transformation of immortalized, nontumorigenic prostatic epithelial cell lines (PWR-1E and RWPE-1) developed in our laboratory. The effect of EGF and IL-6 on the growth of MNU-induced transformants isolated from soft agar was assessed both in monolayer culture and in a soft agar. RESULTS After a 1 hr exposure to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (50 μg/ml), cells (5 × 104) were grown in soft agar in the presence of EGF (5 ng/ml) or IL-6 (10 or 100 ng/ml). Addition of EGF or IL-6 significantly increased colony formation in soft agar of both immortalized prostatic epithelial cell lines initiated with MNU (P < 0.001–0.05). Only a very small number of colonies was observed with the parental cell lines PWR-1E and RWPE-1 not exposed to MNU, and their numbers increased by the addition of EGF or IL-6. All of the transformants, derived by exposure to MNU and isolated from soft agar, exhibited a higher cell growth potential in monolayer cultures than did their parental cell lines. Furthermore, as compared to the parental cell lines, growth response of MNU-transformants to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT), EGF, or IL-6 in monolayer culture was better in 5 of 8, 6 of 8, and 7 of 8 cell lines, respectively. All of the MNU-transformants exhibited a far higher colony-forming efficiency in soft agar than did the parental cell lines. However, the degree of responsiveness to EGF or IL-6 in soft agar varied among the MNU-transformants. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study suggest that IL-6 and EGF may enhance prostate carcinogenesis in vitro by preferentially stimulating the growth of transformed cells. Prostate 35:255–262, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Heat Transfer in an Annular Fin With Coordinate Dependent Thermal Conductivity

Some new exact analytical solutions are reported for heat transfer in an annular fin of rectangular profile with coordinate dependent thermal conductivity. A power law type of dependence on radial coordinate is assumed. The analysis assumes a constant base temperature and an insulated tip. Solutions are developed for the temperature distribution, the heat transfer rate, the fin efficiency, and the fin effectiveness. These solutions appear in terms of Airy wave functions or modified Bessel functions or hyperbolic functions or power functions depending on the exponent of the power law variation. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the effect of coordinate dependent thermal conductivity on the thermal performance of the fin. Comparison of exact and results based on the average thermal conductivity model reveals that the latter is in error by as much as 56 percent in a specific situation. The fin model used here is applicable to some contemporary engineering applications where fins made of heterogeneous materials are used. The analysis can be extended to other profile shapes and different thermal boundary conditions.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Demonstration of an in situ on-chip tensile tester

Polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) strength data reported in the literature usually present results from only a limited number of trials because of the difficulties in applying high forces to the high-strength specimens. These forces are most often applied by off-chip actuators, which can pose cumbersome alignment issues. Here we demonstrate a compact on-chip tester using a thermal actuator to apply stress to a self-aligning tensile specimen via a prehensile grip mechanism. Preliminary characteristic strength and Weibull modulus values of 3.05 GPa and 12.8, respectively, are reported, in good agreement with other literature data. By querying the fracture strain of the material, this distinct measurement approach complements other methods of testing the strength of brittle polysilicon. Instrinsic test time is 5 min or less, and the area occupied is relatively small compared to other on-chip tensile test devices. This will enable many trials for high confidence in polysilicon strength distribution in future work.
Experimental and Computational Studies of the Phenyl Radical Reaction with Propyne

The kinetics for the gas-phase reaction of phenyl radical with propyne has been measured by cavity ring-down spectrometry (CRDS), and the mechanism and initial product branching have been elucidated with the help of quantum chemical calculations. Absolute rate constants measured by the CRDS technique can be expressed by the following Arrhenius equation: (k/cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)): k(propyne)(T=301-428 K)=(3.68+/-0.92) x 10(11)exp[-(1685+/-80)/T]. The experiment is unable to distinguish between the possible reactive channels, but theory indicates that phenyl radicals preferably add to the unsaturated terminal carbon atom in propyne under our experimental conditions. Theoretical kinetic calculations, employing high-level G2M(RCC, RMP2) and G3 energetic and IRCMax(RCCSD(T)//B3LYP-DFT) molecular parameters, reproduce the total experimental rate constants within a factor of three. Calculated total and branching rate constants are provided for high-T kinetic modeling. Addition reactions of phenyl to C3H4 are estimated to be less important molecular-growth pathways in high-T conditions (T>1000 K) in comparison to the C6H5 + C2H2 reaction.
Response function and plasmon dispersion for strongly coupled Coulomb liquids.

We present a new approach for the calculation of the dielectric response functions for various strongly coupled Coulomb systems, whose main common feature is that the charges are quasilocalized. Such a model is expected to be a valid description of a strongly coupled plasma in the \ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\gg}1 limit. The dielectric function \ensuremath{\epsilon}(k\ensuremath{\omega}) and the longitudinal plasmon dispersion \ensuremath{\omega}(k) appear as functionals of the equilibrium pair-correlation functions. We derive the longitudinal-plasmon dispersions for arbitrary k values for the three- and two-dimensional one-component plasmas; both of them saturate after an oscillatory behavior substantially below their random-phase approximation value for large k values. In two-component systems correlational effects bring about marked upward and downward shifts in the plasma frequency \ensuremath{\omega}(k=0). We find good agreement with molecular-dynamics data for ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$-${\mathrm{H}}^{2+}$ mixtures and predict a more significant shift for ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$--high-Z mixtures.
Graphbug - a microprocessor software debugging tool

Abstract Principles of traditional debugging tools have been analysed to identify ways of improving the user interface. In this paper a software tool for assembly-language programming which provides an improved user interface by making use of the facilities of modern visual display units is described. The tool, Graphbug, is designed for the Z80 microprocessor and runs under the CDOS operating system. Internal operation of Graphbug is illustrated.
Dependence of prejunctional β-adrenoceptor facilitation of sympathetic neurotransmission on stimulus train length and agonist exposure time

Abstract Prejunctional β-adrenoceptors facilitate stimulus-induced neuronal norepinephrine release in the rat kidney. The mechanism(s) responsible for the bell-shaped concentration-facilitatory response curve to isproterenol generated in the presence of α-adrenoceptor blockade and uptake blockade was explored. The concetration-response curve to isoproterenol generated using 30 pulses/stimulation and 20 min exposure to each agonist concentration was bell-shaped in nature, exhibiting a maximum response at 10 nM isoproterenol. Shortening the isoproterenol exposure time to 5 min for each concentration still resulted in a bell-shaped curve. Reducing the stimulus train length from 30 pulses to 10 pulses/stimulation failed to change the shape of the curve but produced a greater maximum response. However, shortening the isoproterenol exposure time to 2 min (10 pulses/stimulation) resulted in a curve which was not bell-shaped. These results suggest that prejunctional β-adrenoceptors are susceptible to rapid desensitization upon prolonged agonist exposure and that an inverse relationship exists between stimulus train length and prejunctional β-adrenoceptor-mediated facilitation.
The Key to Unraveling the Mystery of Mortality in Heart Failure: An Integrated Approach

Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health problem in the United States. Nearly 5 million Americans suffer from HF, and an estimated 550 000 new cases of HF are diagnosed each year.1 HF is the No. 1 discharge diagnosis in patients ≥65 years of age and results in a substantial burden on healthcare expenditures. It is estimated that in 2001, more than $24 billion was spent as direct cost for the care of patients with HF.1 Furthermore, HF is associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. See p 1764 Although considerable progress has been made in our approach to the pharmacological management of patients with HF, most patients remain at increased risk of cardiac death. To further improve outcomes in patients with HF, newer therapeutic modalities, including devices such as biventricular pacemaker, automatic internal cardioverter-defibrillators (AICDs), and left ventricular assist devices, have been increasingly utilized. Several recent randomized controlled trials have shown that such devices can indeed further improve the outcome in patients with HF.2–4 However, these devices are expensive, and their widespread or injudicious application in unselected patients with HF is likely to have a substantial impact on healthcare expenditures. On the other hand, appropriate use of device therapy in properly selected patients (who are at high risk of mortality) is essential to improve clinical outcome. Thus, there is a need to develop a strategy to accurately identify those patients with HF who are at increased risk of mortality. The paper by Vrtovec and associates5 in the present issue of Circulation provides such a strategy by showing that routinely available diagnostic tests, such as measurement of QT interval on 12-lead ECG and measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), can indeed identify the HF patients who are at increased risk of overall mortality, …
Estimating Freight Flows for Metropolitan Area Highway Networks Using Secondary Data Sources

We present a method for estimating intra-metropolitan freight flows on a highway network. The work is part of a larger project aimed at developing an automated, integrated system for freight flow analysis and planning. To overcome the limitations of current estimation methods for commodity flows, we use reliable secondary sources, including small-area employment data, and derive estimates in a plausible way by means of a computational workflow. When available, we extract the data automatically from online sources, so that estimations can be continuously updated. Using widely available data sources allows for transferability. In this paper we provide an overview of our modeling approach and the major data sources used. We apply the model using data from the Los Angeles region, and compare our traffic assignment results with available screenline counts. Results are encouraging. Our approach should be easily applied to other metropolitan areas, allowing planners and policymakers to make more informed decisions by utilizing the most recent data from many sources and enhancing the ability to explore different scenarios.
Growth of YBCO film on SrRuO3-buffered MgO substrate

The superconducting, crystalline, and morphological properties of YBCO films deposited on SrRuO3-buffered MgO substrates were studied at various deposition temperatures. The film deposited at T = 770 °C had the best superconducting properties (critical current density of 2.5 × 106 A cm−2 and critical transition temperature of 91 K). Scanning electron micrographs of this film revealed uniform and well-connected grains. X-ray analyses revealed that the Y BCO/SrRuO3/MgO film fabricated at 770 °C had good in-plane and out-of-plane textures. Raman spectroscopy showed that this film had the best out-of-plane texture and orthorhombic I domains.
Effects of SQ 27,427, a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, in the human platelet and isolated smooth muscle.

Abstract The TxA 2 receptor antagonist properties of SQ 27,427 [a cyclohexylcarbinol-7-oxabicyclo(2.2.2)heptenoic acid analog] were studied in vitro both in the human platelet and various isolated smooth muscle preparations. SQ 27,427 was found to be a potent inhibitor of human platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, ADP, epinephrine, collagen and the stable TxA 2 agonists 9,11-azoPGH 2 and SQ 26,655. Inhibition of platelet aggregation was achieved at concentrations of SQ 27,427 which did not alter TxB 2 levels. SQ 27,427 was found to weakly inhibit the formation of TxB 2 from arachidonic acid and had no effect on the synthesis of PGE 2 or PGI 2 from arachidonic acid. SQ 27,427 was also found to be a weak stimulator of platelet adenylate cyclase, being 1000 times less potent than PGI 2 . In isolated smooth muscle experiments, SQ 27,427 was shown to be a potent and specific TxA 2 receptor antagonist. It caused competitive antagonism of 9,11-azoPGH 2 -induced contractions of vascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal smooth muscles. This antagonism was specific, as responses to norepinephrine, serotonin, PGE 2 , PGI 2 , PGF 2 α , histamine, carbachol and KCl were not altered by SQ 27,427.
First, Ask No Harmful Questions

How many of you, following an injury to a star player, are asked a question like this from a teammate, parent, coach, or administrator: "Will she be able to play in Saturday's game?" Nothing wrong with the query, right? We get it all the time. The intriguing aspect is that often it's the first question out of that person's mouth. Not "How is she?" or "How will this affect her life down the road?" In fact, the question has little to do with the athlete's health, which should be our foremost concern.
THE BASIS OF THERAPY IN PANCREATIC DISEASE.

T HE OBJECT in the treatment of disease is to prevent its occurrence, to treat actively the disease and its complications once it has occurred, to correct those factors that are responsible for recurrence and perpetuation, and to inhibit the progression. T o treat pancreatitis intelligently it is necessary that consideration be given to the possible pathogenic mechanisms. The re is definite deficiency of knowledge concerning the etiologic and pathogenic mechanisms of pancreatic disease. Since Dragstedt and coworkers 1 reviewed the possible mechanisms in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatic disease in 1934, little new knowledge has been reported. Th e disease is not the result of a single external or internal cause, but is the common result of diverse mechanisms changing the dynamic relationship of the environment of the gland. T h e pathogenesis will not be fully understood until there is greater knowledge of the cellular metabolism of the gland, This will necessitate correlation of function and morphologic change in both the normal and the diseased gland and the cellular reactions to internal and external stimuli, both excitatory and inhibitory. T h e normal physiology of the exocrine gland depends upon normal cellular metabolism, a balance between the product ion of fluid and organic and inorganic substances by the acinar and ductal cells, and the transport of this enzyme-rich fluid to the intestine. A disturbance in the dynamic relationship could be of such severity that there would be complete destruction of cells. The re are numerous reasons for the initiation or the excitation of the inflammatory reaction in pancreatitis, l-~ The following are the mechanisms commonly accepted: 1. Mechanical (obstruction-hypersecretion), due to calculi, spasm, edema, metaplasia of the ducts, anomalies, tumors, parasites, and surgery
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass improves liver histology in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease in the United States and is prevalent in morbidly obese patients. While weight loss and treatment of risk factors are recommended, the reported effects of bariatric surgery on NAFLD are mixed. Research Methods and Procedures: We examined liver histology at the time of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and at elective incisional hernia repair after weight loss for 16 patients at one center. Slides were read by one pathologist, blinded to clinical data, using the Brunt criteria. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted from chart review. Alcohol use was ascertained by two interviews. Results: At baseline, the mean age was 44 years, 50% were women, 88% were white, and the mean BMI was 51 kg/m2. None had significant alcohol use. On initial biopsy, all patients showed steatosis, 94% had inflammation, 88% had ballooning degeneration, 88% had perisinusoidal fibrosis, and 81% had portal fibrosis. The mean time between the two biopsies was 305 ± 131 (SD) days. The mean weight loss was 118 ± 29 lb. Steatosis improved in 15 of 16 patients, with resolution in 13. Twelve of 15 patients with inflammation at baseline showed improvement, and 12 of 14 showed less ballooning. Six of 14 patients with perisinusoidal fibrosis and 6 of 13 with portal fibrosis showed improvement. No patient had worsening of steatosis, inflammation, ballooning, or fibrosis. Discussion: Our study shows improvement in all of the histological features of NAFLD after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery—induced weight loss, despite significant histopathology at baseline and substantial weight loss.
Diffusion and equilibrium distribution coefficients of salt within vegetable tissue: Effects of salt concentration and temperature

The apparent diffusion coefficient and equilibrium distribution coefficient of sodium chloride in Chinese water chestnut were determined for salt solution concentrations between 5% and 10% and at temperatures in the range 25-80 °C. Equilibrium distribution coefficient values were close to 1.0 and did not depend on salt concentration or temperature. The apparent diffusion coefficient of salt in water chestnut is not dependent on the concentration of the salt solution and significantly increased with temperature (p = 0.001) following the Arrhenius equation.
Topical Retinoids and Cosmeceuticals: Where Is the Scientific Evidence to Recommend Products to Patients?

Vitamin A and its derivatives have long been purported to support healthy skin. This has naturally led to their appearance in over-the-counter (OTC) products that fall under the umbrella term “cosmeceuticals,” a term used to describe OTC cosmetic products with biologically active ingredients. The lure of these products includes their accessibility and the claims made by marketing campaigns that tap into the psyche of the consumer. Compared to prescription retinoids, however, the scientific evidence behind the efficacy of retinol-containing cosmeceuticals is less abundant. Here, we review the relevant scientific data to date regarding the use of retinols and retinoids for photoaging, dyspigmentation, and acne.
Upgrading constructed wetlands phosphorus reduction from a dairy effluent using electric arc furnace steel slag filters.

In 2003, a subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SSF-CW) system was built at the University of Vermont (UVM) Paul Miller Dairy Farm as an alternative nutrient management approach for treating barnyard runoff and milk parlour waste. Given the increasing problem of phosphorus (P) pollution in the Lake Champlain region, a slag based P-removal filter technology (PFT) was established (2004) at the CW with two objectives: (i) to test the filters9 efficiency as an upgrade unit for improving P removal performance via SSF-CW (ii) to investigate the capacity of filters technology to remove P as a “stand alone” unit. Six individual filters (F1–F6) were filled with electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag, each containing 112.5 kg of material with a pore volume of 21 L. F1–F4, fed with CW treated water, received approximately 2.17 g DRP kg −1 EAF steel slag (0.25 kg DRP total) during the 259 day feeding period. F1–F4 retained 1.7 g DRP kg −1 EAF steel slag, resulting in an average P removal efficiency of 75%. The addition of filters improved CW DRP removal efficiency by 74%. F5 and F6, fed non-treated water, received 1.9 g DRP kg −1 EAF steel slag (0.22 kg DRP in total) and retained 1.5 g DRP kg −1 resulting in a P removal efficiency of 72%. The establishment of the EAF slag based PFT is the first in-field evaluation of this technology to reduce P from dairy farm effluent in Vermont.
Event-related Potential Study of Novelty Processing Abnormalities in Autism

To better understand visual processing abnormalities in autism we studied the attention orienting related frontal event potentials (ERP) and the sustained attention related centro-parietal ERPs in a three stimulus oddball experiment. The three stimulus oddball paradigm was aimed to test the hypothesis that individuals with autism abnormally orient their attention to novel distracters as compared to controls. A dense-array 128 channel EGI electroencephalographic (EEG) system was used on 11 high-functioning children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 11 age-matched, typically developing control subjects. Patients with ASD showed slower reaction times but did not differ in response accuracy. At the anterior (frontal) topography the ASD group showed significantly higher amplitudes and longer latencies of early ERP components (e.g., P100, N100) to novel distracter stimuli in both hemispheres. The ASD group also showed prolonged latencies of late ERP components (e.g., P2a, N200, P3a) to novel distracter stimuli in both hemispheres. However, differences were more profound in the right hemisphere for both early and late ERP components. Our results indicate augmented and prolonged early frontal potentials and a delayed P3a component to novel stimuli, which suggest low selectivity in pre-processing and later-stage under-activation of integrative regions in the prefrontal cortices. Also, at the posterior (centro-parietal) topography the ASD group showed significantly prolonged N100 latencies and reduced amplitudes of the N2b component to target stimuli. In addition, the latency of the P3b component was prolonged to novel distracters in the ASD group. In general, the autistic group showed prolonged latencies to novel stimuli especially in the right hemisphere. These results suggest that individuals with autism over-process information needed for the successful differentiation of target and novel stimuli. We propose the potential application of ERP evaluations in a novelty task as outcome measurements in the biobehavioral treatment (e.g., EEG biofeedback, TMS) of autism.
Calculation of single phase AC and monopolar DC hybrid corona effects

Operating a hybrid HVAC and HVDC power transmission line is an option for increasing the efficiency of power transmission and overcoming the difficulties in obtaining a new right-of-way. This paper proposes a new calculation method for the study of hybrid power line corona. The proposed method can be used to calculate DC corona losses and corona currents in DC or AC conductors for single phase AC and monopolar DC hybrid lines. Profiles of electric field strength and ion current density at ground level can be estimated. The effects of the presence of an energized AC conductor on DC conductor corona and DC voltage on AC conductor corona are included in the method. Full-scale and reduced-scale experiments were utilized to investigate the hybrid line corona effects. Verification of the proposed calculation method is given.
Protocol changes can improve the reliability of net oxygen cost data

Abstract There are concerns that experimental imprecision of measured oxygen cost reduces its clinical utility. These concerns are exacerbated when net energy (walking − resting) is assessed. Therefore, the variability of net oxygen cost should be carefully evaluated, including an exploration of the potential for protocol changes to improve the measure's reliability. In this study a retrospective analysis was used to compare the variability in net oxygen cost between two protocols at a single center. Two groups of subjects (protocols) were analyzed. The subjects in each group met the following criteria: (i) diagnosis of cerebral palsy, (ii) no prior surgery, and (iii) oxygen cost data collected while walking barefoot. The protocols differed in terms of subject preparation, duration of the resting period, and the method used for determining both resting and walking steady state. The net non-dimensional oxygen cost versus dimensionless speed showed essentially identical quadratic regression fits for the two groups, suggesting that the samples were well matched, and the protocols were unbiased. The variability, as measured by mean square error, showed an approximately five-fold reduction with respect to the regression (MSEold = .262, MSEnew = .050), indicating a significant decrease in experimental errors. Further analysis is warranted to determine the primary sources of error reduction, and to further optimize the testing protocol.
Theory of fluorescence depolarization of dimers from the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

Abstract Strong interactions with vibrations give rise to nonlinearities in the transfer of energy or excitation in quantum systems, with resulting polaronic and solitonic phenomena. With the help of exact solutions of a discrete nonlinear Schrodinger equation obtained recently for a two-site system, we study the effects of such nonlinearities in fluorescence depolarization experiments. The system investigated is a collection of noninteracting molecular dimers subjected to a linearly polarized light beam of variable orientation (of the polarization direction), and the observable studied is the degree of polarization of fluorescence emitted by the dimers. Results differing substantially from their linear counterparts are shown to emerge, and clear manifestations of nonlinearity are predicted.
Nonstatic vacuum strings: Exterior and interior solutions

New nonstatic cylindrically symmetric solutions of Einstein's equations are presented. Some of these solutions represent stringlike objects. An exterior vacuum solution is matched to a nonvacuum interior solution for different forms of the energy-momentum tensor. They generalize the standard static string.
Electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in the presence of left bundle branch block

Abstract The presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on 12-lead ECG may obscure the diagnosis of other ECG abnormalities including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We retrospectively reviewed ECGs of patients with LBBB and LVH as determined by echocardiography to evaluate several ECG parameters as predictors of LVH. ECG evaluation included precordial voltage as measured by the sum of the S wave in leads V1 or V2 plus R wave in lead V6, QRS duration, mean frontal plane QRS axis, R wave amplitude in lead aVL, intrinsicoid deflection, and the presence or absence of criteria for left atrial enlargement. In the presence of LBBB and LVH, precordial voltage was significantly greater (p 4.5 mV demonstrated a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 100%. We conclude that a voltage criterion of SV2 + RV6 > 4.5 mV is diagnostic of LVH in the presence of LBBB; furthermore, QRS duration of > 160 msec plus left atrial enlargement strongly supports the diagnosis of LVH.
INTERCEPTION OF ATMOSPHERIC FIXED NITROGEN AS AN ADAPTIVE ADVANTAGE OF SCUM FORMATION IN BLUE‐GREEN ALGAE1

Scum formation by blue-green algae has been interpreted as a nonadaptive failure of the buoyancy control mechanism and, alternatively, as an adaptive mechanism to reduce inorganic carbon limitation. Data from Lake Valencia, Venezuela, are used to illustrate the principle that scum formers intercept significant amounts of fixed N deposited from the atmosphere at the water surface. Interception of fixed N at the surface can confer a significant selective advantage for populations that are strongly N limited, as in Lake Valencia. This additional adaptive advantage to scum formation may be alternative lo or complementary to the possible relief of carbon limitation.