cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The utility of geriatric nutritional risk index to predict outcomes in chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

OBJECTIVES To assess geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). BACKGROUND The prevalence of CLTI continues to rise, with major amputation and mortality remaining prominent. Frailty is a vital risk factor for adverse outcomes in cardiovascular care. The GNRI is a nutrition-based surrogate for frailty that has been utilized in Southeast Asia to predict adverse events in CLTI. It has not yet been evaluated in a primarily Western population, nor in the context of wound healing. METHODS Between 8August 2017 and April 2019, we identified patients undergoing endovascular interventions for CLTI at our institution, categorized into low GNRI (≤ 94, frail) versus normal GNRI (> 94, reference). We analyzed the risks of major adverse limb events (MALE), its individual components [mortality, major amputation, and target vessel revascularization (TVR)], amputation free survival (AFS), and wound healing using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate cox-proportional hazard regression analyses. RESULTS A total of 255 patients were included in the analysis, with follow up of 14 ± 9.1 months. Lower GNRI was associated with higher cumulative event rates for MALE (71.0% vs. 43.3%, p < 0.001), mortality (34.3% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.001), major amputation (31.2% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.002), and freedom from AFS (56.0% vs. 28.2%, p < 0.001). There was a trend toward lower TVR and higher wound healing with higher GNRI score. CONCLUSIONS Our single-center, retrospective evaluation of GNRI (as a surrogate for frailty) correlated with increased risks of MALE, mortality, and major amputation. Future directions should focus not only on the recognition of these patients, but risk-factor modification to optimize long-term outcomes.
Policy-Based Architectural Adaptation Management: Robotics Domain Case Studies

Robotics is a challenging domain that exhibits a clear need for self-adaptive capabilities, as self-adaptation offers the potential for robots to account for their unstable and unpredictable deployment environments. This paper focuses on two case studies in applying a policy- and architecture-based approach to the development of self-adaptive robotic systems. We first describe our domain-independent approach for building self-adaptive systems, discuss two case studies in which we construct self-adaptive Robocode and Mindstorms robots, report on our development experiences, and discuss the challenges we encountered. The paper establishes that it is feasible to apply our approach to the robotics domain, contributes specific examples of supporting novel self-adaptive behavior, offers a discussion of the architectural issues we encountered, and further evaluates our general approach.
Adaptive recovery of a Doppler shifted mobile communications signal using the RLS algorithm

This paper studies the ability of the exponentially weighted RLS algorithm to track a Doppler shifted BPSK communications signal. This is modeled as a chirped AR1 process in Gaussian white noise. Expressions for the optimum Wiener filter, noise misadjustment, and lag misadjustment are shown. It is shown that as in the chirped sinusoid case the error can be written in terms of the forgetting rate /spl beta/=1-/spl lambda/ of the RLS algorithm; the noise misadjustment is of the order /spl beta/ and lag misadjustment of order 1//spl beta//sup 2/. However, as the bandwidth of the signal increases the relative lag misadjustment is shown to decrease. >
Endotoxin inhibition of dexamethasone induction of tryptophan oxygenase in suspension culture of isolated rat parenchymal cells. Involvement of the hepatic nonparenchymal cell fraction.

Abstract The effect of endotoxin on the induction of tryptophan oxygenase activity by dexamethasone has been studied in suspension cultures of isolated rat hepatic parenchymal cells incubated alone or mixed with hepatic nonparenchymal cells. Hepatic cellular fractions were isolated from untreated rats and from animals injected 2 hr prior to killing with 2 mg/kg of endotoxin. Endotoxin (400 μg/ml) added to suspensions of parenchymal cells from untreated animals did not decrease the induction of tryptophan oxygenase by dexamethasone. Endotoxin addition to cell suspension containing parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells from untreated rats caused a significant diminution in the induction of enzyme activity elicited by 0.1 μM, but not by 20 μM, dexamethasone. The nonparenchymal cell fraction from untreated animals had no effect on enzyme induction in the absence of added endotoxin. However, nonparenchymal cells isolated from rats pretreated in vivo with endotoxin diminished the induction of tryptophan oxygenase activity elicited by 0.1 and 20 μM dexamethasone even in the absence of added endotoxin. The inhibitory effect of nonparenchymal cells from endotoxin-pretreated rats was related to cell concentration and was accentuated by the in vitro addition of endotoxin. Parenchymal cells from the endotoxin-pretreated animals had an altered sensitivity to dexamethasone. The ec50 concentration for dexamethasone induction of tryptophan oxygenase was 40 and 500 μm for parenchymal cells from untreated and endotoxin-pretreated animals respectively. Parenchymal cells from the pretreated animals were more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of the nonparenchymal cells from the pretreated animals. These results are interpreted as indicating that endotoxin does not directly antagonize the induction of tryptophan oxygenase. The results suggest that this inhibition of tryptophan oxygenase induction is a mediated event involving an interaction of endotoxin with cellular constituents of the hepatic nonparenchymal cell fraction.
Tests of the motor neuron model of the local pattern-generating circuits in the swimmeret system

The motor pattern that drives each crayfish swimmeret consists of alternating bursts of impulses in power-stroke (PS) and return-stroke (RS) motor neurons. A model of the neural circuit that generates this pattern focused on connections between motor neurons themselves (Heitler, 1978, 1981). The model predicts that synergist motor neurons are electrically coupled, whereas antagonists make mostly inhibitory synapses. We tested this model by observing the responses of motor neurons to pressure ejection of GABA and glutamate, transmitters that crayfish motor neurons release at neuromuscular junctions, and by measuring the strengths and delays of synapses between pairs of motor neurons. Both GABA and glutamate inhibited motor neurons. This inhibition persisted when synaptic transmitter release was blocked by high Mg2+. The effects of GABA were mimicked by muscimol, but not by baclofen or the GABAc receptor agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid, and they were not blocked by bicuculline. The effects of glutamate were mimicked by ibotenic acid. Picrotoxin partially blocked glutamate's inhibition of the motor pattern, but did not affect GABA responses. Most (87%) pairs of synergist motor neurons tested made weak, noninverting connections. Approximately half of these had synaptic delays of 4 msec), and therefore were probably polysynaptic. We conclude that direct synapses between swimmeret motor neurons cannot account for alternation of PS and RS bursts.
A Case Report of Decreased Fetal Movement During Fetomaternal Hemorrhage

Fetomaternal hemorrhage is a rare, potentially catastrophic event for a fetus. Leakage of the fetus's blood into the mother's circulation can cause fetal anemia, hydrops, and even death. The prevailing symptom is decreased fetal movement, and signs can include a sinusoidal electronic fetal monitor pattern, a positive Kleihauer-Betke test, or changes in fetal Doppler blood flow. A mother's report or perception of decreased fetal movement coupled with a nonreactive nonstress test or abnormal ultrasound findings should prompt an investigation into underlying causes.
Enzymatic engineering of the porcine genome with transposons and recombinases

Swine is an important agricultural commodity and biomedical model. Manipulation of the pig genome provides opportunity to improve production efficiency, enhance disease resistance, and add value to swine products. Genetic engineering can also expand the utility of pigs for modeling human disease, developing clinical treatment methodologies, or donating tissues for xenotransplantation. Realizing the full potential of pig genetic engineering requires translation of the complete repertoire of genetic tools currently employed in smaller model organisms to practical use in pigs. Application of transposon and recombinase technologies for manipulation of the swine genome requires characterization of their activity in pig cells. We tested four transposon systems- Sleeping Beauty, Tol2, piggyBac, and Passport in cultured porcine cells. Transposons increased the efficiency of DNA integration up to 28-fold above background and provided for precise delivery of 1 to 15 transgenes per cell. Both Cre and Flp recombinase were functional in pig cells as measured by their ability to remove a positive-negative selection cassette from 16 independent clones and over 20 independent genomic locations. We also demonstrated a Cre-dependent genetic switch capable of eliminating an intervening positive-negative selection cassette and activating GFP expression from episomal and genome-resident transposons. We have demonstrated for the first time that transposons and recombinases are capable of mobilizing DNA into and out of the porcine genome in a precise and efficient manner. This study provides the basis for developing transposon and recombinase based tools for genetic engineering of the swine genome.
Personal, social, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity in African-American women in South Carolina.

Background: Little is known about the correlates of physical activity among African-American women living in the southeastern United States. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of personal, social, cultural, environmental, and policy variables with physical activity among women in ethnic minority groups. Methods: The Women and Physical Activity Survey was used in a telephone interview of 917 African-American women living in two counties in South Carolina. The sample of women was selected by random-digit dialing. Results: Approximately one third (34.1%) of the women met current recommendations for moderate or vigorous physical activity, 49.4% were insufficiently active, and 16.5% were inactive. Meeting the recommendations or engaging in insufficient activity (versus inactive) was related to attaining higher educational levels, being married or with a partner; being in excellent or very good health, having greater self-efficacy, seeing people exercise in the neighborhood, having more favorable ratings of women who exercise (social issues score), having lower social role strain, and reporting the presence of sidewalks or lighter traffic in the neighborhood. Conclusion: Multiple factors influence physical activity. Interventions to increase physical activity should use multilevel approaches that incorporate the personal, social environmental, and physical environmental factors related to participation in physical activity.
Space-Time Processing for OFDM using Complementary Golay Sequences

In this paper, a new method of space-time processing is proposed for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) using complementary pairs of Golay sequences. Space-time processing with complementary Golay sequences provides diversity at the transmitter which in turn helps improve performance in multipath fading channels without the need for channel knowledge at the transmitter. The autocorrelative properties of complementary Golay pairs allows multiple data signals at the transmitter to be perfectly separated at the receiver. Further, these properties significantly boost the signal energy at the receiver, leading to a higher SNR and thus better bit error performance. Building on work done in the field of orthogonal space-time block codes, the new Golay method is proposed and derived for both a 2×1 and 2×2 MIMO-OFDM system with a channel exhibiting Rayleigh fading; at the receiver, symbol estimation is effected via minimum mean-square estimation (MMSE).
Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence microscopy reveals a spatial association of copper on elastic laminae in rat aortic media

Copper, an essential trace metal in humans, plays an important role in elastic formation. However, little is known about the spatial association between copper, elastin, and elastin producing cells. The aorta is the largest artery; the aortic media is primarily composed of the elastic lamellae and vascular smooth muscle cells, which makes it a good model to address this issue. Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence microscopy (SRXRF) is a new generation technique to investigate the spatial topography of trace metals in biological samples. Recently, we utilized this technique to determine the topography of copper as well as other trace elements in aortic media of Sprague Dawley rats. A standard rat diet was used to feed Sprague Dawley rats, which contains the normal dietary requirements of copper and zinc. Paraffin embedded segments (4 μm of thickness) of thoracic aorta were analyzed using a 10 keV incident monochromatic X-ray beam focusing on a spot size of 0.3 μm × 0.2 μm (horizontal × vertical). The X-ray spectrum was measured using an energy-dispersive silicon drift detector for elemental topography. Our results showed that phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc are predominately distributed in the vascular smooth muscle cells, whereas copper is dramatically accumulated in elastic laminae, indicating a preferential spatial association of copper on elastic laminae in aortic media. This finding sheds new light on the role of copper in elastic formation. Our studies also demonstrate that SRXRF allows for the visualization of trace elements in tissues and cells of rodent aorta with high spatial resolution and provides an opportunity to study the role of trace elements in vasculature.
Development and Validation of an Instrument for Early Assessment of Management Potential in a Mid‐size Chemical Company

This study reports on development and concurrent validation of a competency instrument to identify potential leaders in a mid-size chemical company. Four competencies were identified: courageous problem solving, perceived energy, networking, and perceived motivation. Four different comparison groups were examined in logistic regression analyses. The instrument demonstrated promising validity.
Glycated albumin stimulates fibronectin gene expression in glomerular mesangial cells: Involvement of the transforming growth factor-β system

Glycated albumin stimulates fibronectin gene expression in glomerular mesangial cells: Involvement of the transforming growth factor-γ system. Albumin modified by Amadori glucose adducts, formed in increased amounts in diabetes, stimulates collagen IV production and gene expression in renal glomerular mesangial cells, and induces mesangial matrix accumulation accompanied by increased mRNA encoding α1 (IV) collagen and fibronectin in diabetic animals. These effects contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, and resemble biologic activities of the cytokine TGF-γ1, which also has been causally implicated in diabetic renal disease. We postulated that Amadori-modified glycated albumin modulates TGF-γ1 expression in mesangial cells, and that TGF-γ1 participates in mediating the glycated albumin-induced increases in mesangial cell matrix production. To test this hypothesis, we measured mRNA encoding TGF-γ1, the TGF-γ Type II receptor and fibronectin, a key matrix component of the TGF-γ1 tissue response, after incubation of mesangial cells with glycated albumin. Steady state levels of the mRNAs encoding for these proteins were stimulated when mesangial cells were cultured in the presence of albumin containing Amadori glucose adducts compared with levels in cells cultured with the nonglycated, glucose-free counterpart. The glycated protein-induced changes in mRNA expression were observed with concentrations of glycated albumin encompassing those found in clinical specimens and in media containing physiologic (5.5 mM) glucose concentrations, indicating that they were due to the glucose-modified protein and not to a hyperglycemic milieu. Further, they were accompanied by increased translated fibronectin protein, which was prevented with TGF-γ neutralizing antibody, as was the glycated albumin-induced increase in fibronectin mRNA. The findings indicate that Amadori-modified glycated albumin stimulates mesangial cell TGF-γ1 gene expression by mechanisms that are operative under normoglycemic conditions. These data provide the first link between elevated glycated serum albumin concentrations and increased TGF-γ1 bioactivity in the pathogenesis of mesangial matrix accumulation in diabetes.
Harman inhibits the removal of pyrimidine dimers from the DNA of human cells

Abstract Normal human fibroblasts were UV-irradiated and incubated for 6 hr with harman. The losses of sites, in the extracted DNA, sensitive to a UV specific endonuclease were determined as precision measures of the excision of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers. Harman inhibited excision, rising from ∼ 30% inhibition at 200 μM to 75% inhibition at 600 μM.
A distinct component of proline transport in chicken small intestine.

Abstract 1. 1. The specificity of proline for intestinal absorption in tne chicken is complex in that approximately 40 per cent of the uptake of 0·8 mM proline takes place in a leucine-shared transport system(s), while a smaller component of its uptake occurs in a separate system(s) shared with other secondary amino acids. 2. 2. This latter component, presumably an imino acid carrier system, is devoid of reactivity with glycine and, hence, constitutes a separate agency from the previously described glycine transport system in chicken small intestine.
Cluster Size: A Critical Determinant of Network Strategy and Innovation Performance

This paper examines two research questions: (1) how the size of regional cluster in which focal firms are located affects the member firms’ decision on network configuration in terms of tie strengt...
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7: Clinical Course, Phenotype–Genotype Correlations, and Neuropathology

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 is a neurodegenerative polyglutamine disease characterized by ataxia and retinal degeneration. The longitudinal course is unknown, and relationships between repeat expansion, clinical manifestations, and neuropathology remain uncertain. We followed 16 affected individuals of a 61-member kindred over 27 years with electroretinograms, neurological examinations including the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale, neuroimaging in five, and autopsy in four cases. We identified four stages of the illness: Stage 0, gene-positive but phenotypically silent; Stage 1, no symptoms, but hyperreflexia and/or abnormal electroretinograms; Stage 2, symptoms and signs progress modestly; and Stage 3, rapid clinical progression. CAG repeat length correlated inversely with age of onset of visual or motor signs (r = −0.74, p = 0.002). Stage 3 rate of progression did not differ between cases (p = 0.18). Electroretinograms correlated with Brief Ataxia Rating Scale score and were a biomarker of disease onset and progression. All symptomatic patients developed gait ataxia, extremity dysmetria, dysarthria, dysrhythmia, and oculomotor abnormalities. Funduscopy revealed pale optic discs and pigmentary disturbances. Visual acuity declined to blindness in those with longer CAG expansions. Hyperreflexia was present from Stage 1 onwards. Restless legs syndrome and sensory impairment were common. Neuropathological hallmarks were neuronal loss in cerebellar cortex, deep cerebellar nuclei, inferior olive, and anterior horns of the spinal cord, and axonal loss in spinocerebellar tracts, dorsal nerve roots, and posterior columns. Retinal pathology included photoreceptor degeneration and disruption of retinal pigment epithelium. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 evolves through four clinical stages; neuropathological findings underlie the clinical presentation; electroretinograms are a potential biomarker of disease progression.
Testing for Constant Nonparametric Effects in General Semiparametric Regression Models with Interactions

Abstract We consider the problem of testing for a constant nonparametric effect in a general semiparametric regression model when there is a potential for interaction between the parametrically and nonparametrically modeled variables. The work was originally motivated by a unique testing problem in genetic epidemiology ( Chatterjee et al., 2006 ) that involved a typical generalized linear model but with an additional term reminiscent of the Tukey 1-degree-of-freedom formulation, and their interest was in testing for main effects of the genetic variables, while gaining statistical power by allowing for a possible interaction between genes and the environment. Later work ( Maity et al., 2009 ) involved the possibility of modeling the environmental variable nonparametrically, but they focused on whether there was a parametric main effect for the genetic variables. In this paper, we consider the complementary problem, where the interest is in testing for the main effect of the nonparametrically modeled environmental variable. We derive a generalized likelihood ratio test for this hypothesis, show how to implement it, and provide evidence that our method can improve statistical power when compared to standard partially linear models with main effects only. We use the method for the primary purpose of analyzing data from a case-control study of colorectal adenoma.
Pattern recognition and statistical mechanics

A mathematical connection is established between classes of problems in pattern recognition and in statistical mechanics. More explicitly, the former class embraces problems arising from the decision-theoretic approach to the automatic recognition of certain properties of patterns containing many targets. The latter class contains almost all problems involving the statistical mechanics of classical systems of interacting particles. The usefulness of the mathematical connection lies in the fact that it provides a bridge for the transfer of approximation methodologies from one area to the other. As examples of such a transfer this paper presents applications of a least mean square approximation method, which is well known in pattern recognition, to two problems in classical statistical mechanics, namely, the one-dimensional Ising problem and the one-component plasma problem. These problems were chosen because their solutions are well understood (the exact solution of the one-dimensional Ising model and the solution of the one-component plasma that is exact in the low concentration limit are both very well known) and consequently they are appropriate as “test beds” for the new approximation method. The simplest nontrivial approximate trial functions were used for the calculation of the average values of certain observables and the results were in agreement with the corresponding exact results for the Ising model in the limit of high temperature and for the one-component plasma in the limit of low concentration.
CXCR2 Is Required for Neutrophil Recruitment to the Lung during Influenza Virus Infection, But Is Not Essential for Viral Clearance

Neutrophils traffic to the lungs in large numbers during influenza virus infection. Although the ability of these cells to respond to numerous chemotactic stimuli has been described in other systems, the chemokine receptors mediating recruitment of neutrophils to the lungs during influenza virus infection and the role of this cell type in viral clearance are currently undefined. In the present study, we used CXCR2(/) mice to investigate the role of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 in neutrophil recruitment to the lungs during influenza virus infection and to determine the role of neutrophils in viral clearance. We infected CXCR2(/) or wild-type mice with influenza and assessed the level of inflammation, the cellular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate, and viral titers in the lungs. Absence of CXCR2 ablated neutrophil recruitment to the lungs, but had no effect on peak viral titers or on the kinetics of viral clearance. Thus, it appears that CXCR2 is the major receptor mediating neutrophil trafficking to the lung during influenza virus infection, but that neutrophils do not play an essential role in viral clearance.
Very low-dose adult whole-body tumor imaging with F-18 FDG PET/CT

The aim of this study was to evaluate if effective radiation dose due to PET component in adult whole-body tumor imaging with time-of-flight F-18 FDG PET/CT could be significantly reduced. We retrospectively analyzed data for 10 patients with the body mass index ranging from 25 to 50. We simulated F-18 FDG dose reduction to 25% of the ACR recommended dose via reconstruction of simulated shorter acquisition time per bed position scans from the acquired list data. F-18 FDG whole-body scans were reconstructed using time-of-flight OSEM algorithm and advanced system modeling. Two groups of images were obtained: group A with a standard dose of F-18 FDG and standard reconstruction parameters and group B with simulated 25% dose and modified reconstruction parameters, respectively. Three nuclear medicine physicians blinded to the simulated activity independently reviewed the images and compared diagnostic quality of images. Based on the input from the physicians, we selected optimal modified reconstruction parameters for group B. In so obtained images, all the lesions observed in the group A were visible in the group B. The tumor SUV values were different in the group A, as compared to group B, respectively. However, no significant differences were reported in the final interpretation of the images from A and B groups. In conclusion, for a small number of patients, we have demonstrated that F-18 FDG dose reduction to 25% of the ACR recommended dose, accompanied by appropriate modification of the reconstruction parameters provided adequate diagnostic quality of PET images acquired on time-of-flight PET/CT.
Bioadhesives for Optimization of Drug Delivery

(1995). Bioadhesives for Optimization of Drug Delivery. Journal of Drug Targeting: Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 183-184.
Brownian dynamics simulations of probe and self-diffusion in concentrated protein and DNA solutions

We have developed a Brownian dynamics algorithm for simulating probe and self-diffusion in concentrated solutions of DNA and protein. In these simulations, proteins are represented as spheres with radii given by their hydrodynamic radii, while DNA is modeled as a wormlike chain of hydrodynamically equivalent spherical frictional elements. The molecular interaction potentials employed by the program allow for intramolecular stretching and bending motions of the DNA chains, short-range Lennard-Jones interactions, and long-range electrostatic interactions. To test the program, we have carried out simulations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) probe diffusion and DNA self-diffusion in solutions of short-chain DNA as a function of both DNA concentration and solution ionic strength. In addition, we report on simulations of BSA self-diffusion as a function of BSA concentration and ionic strength. Based on a comparison to available experimental data, we find that our simulations accurately predict these transport properties under conditions of physiological salt concentration and predict the stronger concentration dependence observed at lower salt concentrations. These results are discussed in light of the nature of the intermolecular interactions in such systems and the approximations and limitations of the simulation algorithm.
Hispanic and native American adolescents: An exploratory study of their approach to shopping

Abstract This study investigates the role of ethnicity as a determinant of adolescent consumers' approach to the retail marketplace and the factors ultimately related to consumer socialisation. A total of 1,846 respondents were classified into three groups based on their ethnicity: Hispanic, Native American and White. Multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance were utilized to determine whether the three ethnic adolescent groups differed with respect to shopping orientation and the socialisation process. The covariance procedures allowed for an examination of ethnic differences apart from social class differences. The study's most notable findings revealed a distinctive shopping orientation on the part of each group. Hispanics exhibited a Social/Hedonistic orientation. Native Americans an Overpowered orientation, and Whites a Utilitarian orientation. The findings have specific implications for retailing and public policy, particularly with regard to Native American and Hispanic adolescents who heretofore have received scant attention in the retailing and marketing literature.
Radiotherapy for Men With Isolated Increase in Serum Prostate Specific Antigen After Radical Prostatectomy

ABSTRACTPurpose: In this retrospective study we determined the results of salvage external beam radiation therapy (RT) to the prostate bed for isolated increase of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients underwent RT for PSA failure after radical prostatectomy from 1993 to 1999. Median followup was 51 months. Biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) with a serum PSA of 0.3 ng/ml or less was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Potential prognostic factors were evaluated for significant associations with bDFS.Results: Median PSA before RT was 0.69 ng/ml. Median radiation dose was 64.8 Gy. The 5-year actuarial bDFS was 45%. There were 32 patients with a minimum followup of 4 years (median 73 months) who experienced a 5-year bDFS rate of 43%. PSA before RT (p = 0.016), RT dose (p = 0.026), surgical margin involvement (p = 0.017) and Gleason score (p = 0.018) were identified as prognostic factors for bDFS. A significant association wi...
Thermal expansion accommodation in a jet engine frame

Design advancements to enhance stress accommodation in gas turbine engine frames are described. Consideration is given to mechanical stiffness to maintain an adequate spring rate, and to thermal stresses in both ambient and transient modes. Noting that thermal stresses occur due to differing temperatures at different parts of the frame, the matching of the thermal expansion rates of different structural materials is emphasized. Adequate stiffness is necessary to avoid dynamic reactions leading to case cracking as a result of normal imbalances of moving parts. Stress and deflection analysis of a total frame concept using a three-dimensional finite element stress analysis computer program, with modelling of all frame components, is presented, and illustrations are provided.
Comparison of Isoelectronic Heterometallic and Homometallic Binuclear Cyclopentadienylmetal Carbonyls: The Iron–Nickel vs. the Dicobalt Systems

The heterometallic binuclear cyclopentadienylironnickel carbonyl compounds Cp2FeNi(CO)n (n =3 , 2, 1; Cp =η 5 -C5H5) have been studied by density functional theory (BP86) for comparison with the isoelectronic homometallic dicobalt derivatives Cp2Co2(CO)n. The FeNi tricarbonyl is shown to be the doubly bridged isomer Cp2Fe(CO)Ni(µ-CO)2 with an Fe– Ni distance of 2.455 A (BP86), in accord with experiment and in contrast to Cp2Co2(CO)3 where singly and triply bridged but not doubly bridged isomers are found. The dicarbonyl compounds Cp2FeNi(µ-CO)2 and Cp2Co2(µ-CO)2 both have analogous doubly bridged structures with M=M distances around 2.35 A, suggesting formal M=M double bonds. The monocarbonyl compounds have analogous singly bridged axial structures Cp2FeNi(µ-CO) and Cp2Co2(µ-CO) with
Structural Differentiation, Production Imperatives and Communal Norms: The Kibbutz in Crisis

This paper is a multi-level explanation of the “kibbutz crisis.” Due to widespread structural differentiation in Israel since 1948 the kibbutzim, as a group of concrete collectivities, have been “specialized” relative to the adaptive problem and are now primarily units of the economy. Pressures are placed on the kibbutzim to subordinate communal moral-integrative norms to rational criteria and production effectiveness. The diverse repercussions of this dilemma are described and analyzed in kibbutz Mayeem Kareem.
CAN THE FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY MEASURED BY DUKE ACTIVITY STATUS INDEX INCREASE THE VALUE OF IMAGING DURING STRESS TESTING

Determination of pretest probability of coronary artery disease (CAD) is recommended prior to noninvasive stress testing. The incidence of abnormal myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is reportedly very low in patients exercising >10 METs without ST depression. We sought to determine if prospectively
Drug-drug noninteractions.

Understanding and documentation of drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are an important component of drug development, and of clinical therapeutics. Because clinical DDI studies are costly, time-consuming, and involve some risk, not all clinical DDI questions can be realistically addressed through human DDI trials. In vitro models have been used to identify and predict drug combinations that might interact, and combinations that are unlikely to interact. This screening or “filtration” information allows clinical resources to be targeted in a more informed way. Still, many DDI studies will end up with a negative result. Negative DDI results constitute important and clinically relevant information, and scientific reports of such studies are candidates for publication.
Adaptive significance of synchronized breeding in a colonial bird: a new hypothesis

Bank swallows nest gregariously in colonies usually ranging from 10 to 300 nests. Different pairs within the same colony are highly synchronized with each other, and 67 percent of the nests fledged their young over a period of only 6 days. This high degree of synchronization is demonstrated to be of adaptive significance. Reproductive fitness increases as a function of the precision of synchrony of the colony. It is proposed that social foraging plays an important role in maximizing the feeding efficiency in this species and that asynchronous breeding decreases the effectiveness of this social foraging, particularly in late nesters and among young, newly fledged birds. An individual that fledges either early or at the peak of synchrony will emerge to find a steady stream of other bird traveling to local, ephemeral, concentrations of food. The late emerger finds itself practically alone and thus is deprived of the potential benefits of the pooled information about locations of food resources available to the full colony.
On the Natural and Economic Difficulties to Fulfilling the Human Right to Water Within a Neoclassical Economics Framework

We present a neoclassical economic model of the human right to water using a nonrenewable resource model inclusive of a backstop technology. The right is interpreted as a minimum consumption requirement the government is obligated to fulfill in the event that any one household cannot do so independently. Differing by income levels, households maximize utility by purchasing a composite consumption good and water from two distinct, government-owned sources. Facing physical and financial constraints, the government uses fiscal policy to address potential human rights violations. Reducing the analysis to two periods, we develop a novel approach to compare total welfare levels from a joint human rights and neoclassical economics perspective. We define a human rights welfare standard and discuss cases in which traditional social welfare measures would exceed, violate, or meet this standard. We thus offer a unique way to merge economic analysis with human rights research.
Safety and efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation for patients with malignant astrocytomas.

BACKGROUND Malignant astrocytomas are among the most resistant tumors to curative treatments. Mean survival without treatment is measured in weeks, and even with maximal surgery and radiation, the mean reported survival is < 1 year. The advent of supportive treatments and newer agents has resulted in benefits for many patients with cancer. The authors investigated the safety and effect on survival of a high-dose thiotepa and carboplatin regimen with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with malignant astrocytomas who were enrolled in a prospective trial approved by an institutional review board (IRB). METHODS Twenty-one patients were enrolled in an IRB-approved, prospective trial. After baseline testing was completed, patients underwent peripheral stem cell mobilization with cyclophosphamide (4 g/m2) and etoposide (450 mg/m2) followed by granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor (10 μg/kg). Peripheral stem cells were harvested when leukocyte counts recovered. Patients received 2 cycles of thiotepa (750 mg/m2) and carboplatin (1600 mg/m2) followed by infusion of the preserved stem cells. The cycles were administered 6–10 weeks apart. Primary outcome measures were patient survival (Kaplan–Meier analysis) and treatment toxicity (using National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria). RESULTS Autologous stem cells were harvested effectively and transfused in all patients. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated a survival time of 34.3 ± 5.5 months (range, 9–94 months). Despite significant myelosuppression, only three patients experienced Grade 4 complications and eight experienced Grade 3 complications. CONCLUSIONS High-dose chemotherapy with thiotepa and carboplatin with concomitant ASCT was used safely to treat patients with malignant astrocytomas and may provide a survival advantage. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Fracture of mica-reinforced polypropylene: mica concentration effect

Concepts of post-yield fracture mechanics were used to characterize the crack initiation and propagation resistances of mica-reinforced polypropylene containing different mica concentrations. Although mica addition leads to an apparently brittle composite, the crack initiation resistance is slightly increased with mica concentration up to 10 percent by weight; and significant improvement in crack propagation performance was found for polypropylene reinforced by up to 20 percent of mica in comparison to that of virgin polypropylene. The debonding of the interface between mica flakes and the matrix leads to a micro-ductility ahead of the crack tip in which the matrix is able to pull-out from mica particles and to stretch. This micro-ductility also prevents the brittle, unstable crack propagation, which is due to the coalescence of voids in pure polypropylene. Above 20 percent of mica, the reduction of the effective amount of the matrix material results in a substantial drop in the resistance to crack growth of mica-reinforced polypropylene.
High-temperature desulphurization of low-CV fuel gas

Abstract Experimental results on desulphurization of synthesized low-CV fuel gas using Western Kentucky No.9 gasifier coal ash as the sorbent are presented; oxides of iron in the ash react with the hydrogen sulphide, and ferrous and ferric sulphides are formed. Fixed beds of ash, held at 1000 K, removed 99% of the hydrogen sulphide at a concentration of 1.25% and a throughput of 2000 h −1 . Increasing temperature, pressure, sulphide concentration and space velocity increased the sorption capacity of the ash markedly. In the conditions tested, results were consistent with diffusion control from laminar flow. Spent ash was regenerated by passing air through the beds, when sulphur dioxide was evolved and ferric oxide reformed. Potentials for other chemical reactions were examined by chemical equilibrium; the gases hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water react during desulphurization and their concentrations reach equilibrium. It is suggested that gasifier coal ashes having significant iron content are suitable sorbents for high-temperature desulphurization from synthetic low-CV fuel gases derived from coal.
Postmortem findings in sudden and non-sudden deaths among Japanese-American men in Hawaii

Analyses were made of the cause of death and major pathologic findings among 1,085 autopsied Japanese-American men in Hawaii to determine the differences between the 167 men who experienced sudden death within 24 hours of being well and the 918 men with non-sudden death. Sudden deaths were further divided into three subgroups according to the interval from the onset of symptoms to death: (less than one hour; one to six hours; more than six hours). Nearly 90 percent of sudden deaths and 25 percent of non-sudden deaths were attributed to cardiovascular disease. The proportion of deaths due to coronary heart disease was highest in sudden deaths less than one hour (72 percent) and lowest in sudden deaths more than six hours (49 percent), whereas the proportion of stroke deaths was highest in sudden deaths more than six hours (37 percent) and lowest in sudden deaths less than one hour (9 percent). The prevalence of myocardial infarction and the grade of coronary atherosclerosis were also significantly greater for sudden deaths (especially sudden deaths less than one hour) than for non-sudden deaths.
Dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrators

Dielectric totally internally reflecting concentrators (DTIRCs) which can achieve concentrations close to the thermodynamically allowed limits are introduced. General design methodologies are given explicitly. Geometrical and optical properties of DTIRCs are discussed.
Optical crystallographic identification of some derivatives of amino acids with dilituric acid

1) Derivatives of 18 amino acids with dilituric acid have been prepared and analyzed. 2) The optical-crystallographic data have been determined for these 18 new compounds. Photomicrographs of these diliturates have been made. 3) A method of identification of various amino acids based on the optical-crystallographic properties has been proposed. This identification can be carried out on a microscopic slide with very small amounts of material.
Collection of Gas Chromatographic Fractions on Activated Charcoal and Identification by Infrared Spectroscopy

A novel method for collecting gas chromatographic fractions in commercially available tubes of activated charcoal has been developed and tested on a number of organic mixtures. The trapped fractions were desorbed with CS2 and infrared spectra of the CS2 solutions measured to provide positive identification of the eluents. The collection efficiency was found to be >68% in all but one case, and the resolution of the separation and collection method was adequate for making positive identifications. The advantages of using computerized subtraction of infrared spectra in identifying the eluents is also demonstrated.
Innovation politics: how serial innovators gain organisational acceptance for breakthrough new products

More than improving today's business, breakthrough products can transform business, creating positive transitions into the future. However, these projects can have trouble gaining acceptance into the firm's development pipeline. Fortunately, some individuals in some organisations have come to appreciate how embracing a firm's politics can facilitate first a breakthrough idea's acceptance into development, and then the development of that concept into a commercial product. If innovators became more aware of the political actions that contribute to successful project acceptance and became more capable of motivating and taking such actions, perhaps more breakthrough products would be developed. The role of politics in product development practices has been identified but rarely explored deeply. This study addresses this gap by generating an understanding of the political actions that benefit New Product Development (NPD) practices. We identified and interviewed 19 serial innovators about their innovation processes across diverse, mature corporations.
Nevertheless, still and yet: Concessive cancellative discourse markers

Abstract Using an 8 million-word corpus together with introspected examples, this paper examines the concessive cancellative discourse markers nevertheless, 1 still and yet. In a sequence P – DMcancellative – Q, a cancellative marker provides an instruction as to what aspect of information in the form of a derivable assumption from the prior discourse, P, either globally or locally, is to be canceled by the current message Q. In a concessive relationship, this assumption is a potential consequence derivable from the prior discourse. A concessive cancellative marker both concedes the truth of the prior discourse and signals the cancellation of the potential consequence derivable from the prior discourse segment. The corpus yielded 254 tokens of nevertheless/nonetheless, 802 tokens of discourse marker yet and 262 tokens of discourse marker still. 2 These markers are distinguished according to three interconnected criteria: variability of scope, speaker perspective, and degree of concession. Variability of scope refers to the range to which a marker signals the hearer/analyst to search the previous discourse for a consequence of P that is canceled in Q. Nevertheless, still and yet constitute a cline of scope with nevertheless having the most limited scope and yet having the largest scope. Speaker perspective refers to whether the speaker perceives P from the perspective of Q, or Q from the perspective of P. The point of view of a speaker who uses still is located in Q, that of a speaker who uses yet is located in P, and the point of view of a user of nevertheless is neutral, neither located in P nor in Q. With regard to the degree of concession, nevertheless, still and yet are again considered in terms of a cline with nevertheless signaling the strongest degree of concession and yet the weakest. It is no coincidence that the clines of scope and concession are inversely related: the more vague the instruction carried by a concessive marker, the greater its ability to operate globally and conversely, the more detailed the instruction, the less its ability to operate globally.
The Jesuit Specter in Imperial Germany

In the 1970s and'80s, scholars of religion in Central Europe would habitually claim that this topic was overlooked in histories of the modern era. On the one hand, prevailing paradigms of secularization and modernization seemed to squeeze out religion as a serious topic for analysis. On the other, old-fashioned institutional church histories, often apologetic in character, did not make religion seem like a very promising or exciting area for social and cultural historians. How things have changed. Now, confessional identity and religious culture are at the very heart of our understanding of modern Germany (and Austria). The work of Thomas Nipperdey, Margaret Lavinia Anderson, David Blackbourn, Helmut Walser Smith, Wolfgang Altgeld, and Jonathan Sperber, among many others, has revolutionized scholarship on Germany in particular and Central Europe in general. At present, it is hard to imagine serious discussions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries without some treatment of confessional issues. Many scholars would go much further and place religion and religious issues at the heart of political and intellectual developments in the modern era. Roisin Healy clearly falls into this latter camp. Her recent study, The Jesuit Specter in Imperial Germany, builds upon some of the perspectives and conclusions offered by recent scholarship and mines new ground in its portrayal of “Anti-Jesuitism” as a political and intellectual movement in Imperial Germany.