cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expectations for renewable energy under market restructuring: the U.S. experience

The 1992 Energy Policy Act encouraged states to open up electricity provision to market competition. Many analysts predicted that renewable energy would take off in the deregulated market where consumers could choose their power provider and utilities would no longer be enticed to build large central power plants under guaranteed rates of return. This article outlines the flaws with that expectation. Absent a strong federal commitment, the states continue to lead with support for renewable energy. However the base from which to expand is so low, and the level of support so tenuous, that renewable energy will continue to play only a minor role in meeting U.S. energy demands with current policy in place. Furthermore, the evidence does not support the expectation that market restructuring, in and of itself, leads to a stronger state commitment to renewable energy. The failure of renewable energy to become a major component of the U.S. energy mix is not due to any intrinsic problem with the technology employed, nor with the cost of generation. Rather weak penetration may be attributed to broader forces exacerbated by market restructuring and overcome only through strong and reliable federal intervention in support of renewable energy.
Multimedia Computer‐Assisted Reading in Business Chinese

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of multimedia computer-assisted reading in Business Chinese. In this study, the software “A Multimedia Chinese Reader for Advanced Students” was utilized in the elementary Business Chinese class at Purdue University. Experimental in-class and multimedia computer-assisted readings were conducted to examine the effectiveness of multimedia computer-assisted reading in comparison with the conventional paper-pen-dictionary reading method. The study results showed that computer-assisted reading is much more effective in improving students' reading efficiency and in enhancing students' comprehension of Business Chinese articles than the conventional reading method. Such factors of the multimedia technology as speed, electronic dictionary, and sound effects contributed considerably to the students' reading efficiency. This study concluded that reading proficiency of second-year Business Chinese learners can be much more efficiently achieved with the assistance of multimedia technology.
Comparison of information technology adoption rates across laggards, innovators and others

It is important to predict and analyze user acceptance of information technology in order to address success and failures of technological products. The theory of reasoned action (TRA) has been used for two decades in empirical studies to predict user acceptance of information technology. Agent-based modeling (ABM) is well suited for studying user acceptance of information technology, which is an instance of contingent behavior. In this paper the research was extended on ABM of the TRA by comparing technology adoption rates across varied sections of a population. The authors discussed intention variations among laggards, innovators and the undecided sections of employees in an organization. The implementation is cost effective and easy to use in contrast to the empirical method. The results we produced corroborate the results obtained from the last few decades of empirical research in this field.
New Block-Based Statistical Timing Analysis Approaches Without Moment Matching

With aggressive scaling down of feature sizes in VLSI fabrication, process variation has become a critical issue in designs. We show that two necessary conditions for the "Max" operation are actually not satisfied in the moment matching based statistical timing analysis approaches. We propose two correlation-aware block-based statistical timing analysis approaches that keep these necessary conditions, and prove that our approaches always achieve tight lower bound and upper bound of the yield. Especially, our approach always gets the tight upper bound of the yield irrespective of the distributions that random variables have.
Compartmental analysis of 45Ca2+ efflux in perfused rat liver: effects of hormonal stimulation.

Abstract The kinetics of calcium movements in the isolated perfused rat liver were examined using compartmental analysis of the efflux profiles of 45 Ca 2+ from 45 Ca 2+ -equilibrated livers under a variety of calcium concentrations and hormonal treatments. From the 45 Ca 2+ efflux profiles, we determined that a three compartment model was appropriate to describe the movements of calcium in the liver on the time scale of the experiments. Hormonal treatment with the α-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine, or the vasoactive peptide vasopressin, during the efflux period lowered significantly the rate of transfer of Ca 2+ between the internal compartments at all of the calcium concentrations employed. Also, phenylephrine treatment leads to increased transfer of Ca 2+ into the liver from the perfusate. The temporal characteristics of the phenylephrine and vasopressin sensitive Ca 2+ pools were examined by pulsing livers, loaded for variable periods of time with 45 Ca 2+ , with the two hormones during the efflux of 45 Ca 2+ to measure the kinetics of Ca 2+ exchange in the hormone-sensitive pools. Results from these experiments indicate that the rate of unstimulated Ca 2+ efflux, k 2 , for the phenylephrine and vasopressin sensitive Ca 2+ pools, modeled as a one compartment system, are the same, 0.074 and 0.078 min −1 for phenylephrine and vasopressin respectively, corresponding to half times for turnover of the pool(s) of 9.3 and 8.9 min, respectively.
Cleavage of the C–O–C bond on size-selected subnanometer cobalt catalysts and on ALD-cobalt coated nanoporous membranes

The cleavage of the C-O-C bond was studied under oxidizing conditions on nanostructured membrane supported cobalt-based catalysts using a cellulose model surrogate, 1-methoxy-2-methyl-2-propanol. The cobalt catalysts were found to break the C-O-C bond, producing alcohols and/or ketones by further oxidation. The size-selected sub-nanometer size cobalt clusters exhibited a per metal activity of up to 5 orders of magnitude higher than the with atomic layer deposition uniformly coated membranes. The large difference in activity is attributed to the high fraction of the surface atoms of the subnanometer clusters. The positioning of the clusters at the entrance vs. exit of the catalytic membrane allows for a control of the contact time and consequently of the selectivity of the catalyst.
Purification of a lymphokine: Osteoclast activating factor from human tonsil lymphocytes

Abstract Osteoclast activating factor is a lymphokine produced by mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes. The current studies describe purification to essential homogeneity of the major form of osteoclast activating factor present in supernatants of phytohemagglutinin stimulated lymphocyte cultures. Preliminary chemical and biological characterization of the purified material was carried out. The active factor is a peptide which migrates in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as an α-2 fraction in native gels and as a 9,000-dalton species in sodium dodecyl sulfate-urea gels. The purified fraction stimulates bone resorption in vitro at doses between 0.1 and 500 ng/ml, with half-maximal stimulation at approximately 1 ng/ml.
Quantification of the thorax-to-abdomen breathing ratio for breathing motion modeling

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology to quantitatively measure the thorax-to-abdomen breathing ratio from a 4DCT dataset for breathing motion modeling and breathing motion studies. Methods: The thorax-to-abdomen breathing ratio was quantified by measuring the rate of cross-sectional volume increase throughout the thorax and abdomen as a function of tidal volume. Twenty-six 16-slice 4DCT patient datasets were acquired during quiet respiration using a protocol that acquired 25 cine scans at each couch position. Fifteen datasets included data from the neck through the pelvis. Tidal volume, measured using a spirometer and abdominal pneumatic bellows, was used as breathing-cycle surrogates. The cross-sectional volume encompassed by the skin contour when compared for each CT slice against the tidal volume exhibited a nearly linear relationship. A robust iteratively reweighted least squares regression analysis was used to determine η(i), defined as the amount of cross-sectional volume expansion at each slice i per unit tidal volume. The sum Ση(i) throughout all slices was predicted to be the ratio of the geometric expansion of the lung and the tidal volume; 1.11. The Xiphoid process was selected as the boundary between the thorax and abdomen. The Xiphoid process slice was identified in a scan acquired at mid-inhalation. The imaging protocol had not originally been designed for purposes of measuring the thorax-to-abdomen breathing ratio so the scans did not extend to the anatomy with η(i) = 0. Extrapolation of η(i)–η(i) = 0 was used to include the entire breathing volume. The thorax and abdomen regions were individually analyzed to determine the thorax-to-abdomen breathing ratios. There were 11 image datasets that had been scanned only through the thorax. For these cases, the abdomen breathing component was equal to 1.11 − Ση(i) where the sum was taken throughout the thorax. Results: The average Ση(i) for thorax and abdomen image datasets was found to be 1.20 ± 0.17, close to the expected value of 1.11. The thorax-to-abdomen breathing ratio was 0.32 ± 0.24. The average Ση(i) was 0.26 ± 0.14 in the thorax and 0.93 ± 0.22 in the abdomen. In the scan datasets that encompassed only the thorax, the average Ση(i) was 0.21 ± 0.11. Conclusions: A method to quantify the relationship between abdomen and thoracic breathing was developed and characterized.
Association of fetal choroid plexus cysts with trisomy 18 in a population previously screened by nuchal translucency thickness measurement.

The study’s aim was to determine any association between choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) and trisomy 18 in a population of fetuses previously screened by nuchal translucency (NT) thickness measurement. During the study period (May 1999 to December 2004), 7,795 fetuses had an NT scan and second-trimester fetal anatomical scan at our institution. The prevalence of trisomy 18 was determined among four types of pregnancies: 1) those with isolated CPCs, 2) those with CPCs and enlarged NT, 3) those with CPCs and other ultrasound markers, and 4) those with CPCs, enlarged NT, and other ultrasound markers. The fetal outcome according to NT and presence of CPCs was calculated. Incidence rates of enlarged NT and CPCs in fetuses with trisomy 18 and fetuses with normal chromosomes were also evaluated. For the entire population, ten trisomy 18 cases were diagnosed prenatally (prevalence, 0.13%). Among fetuses with enlarged NT, the likelihood ratio of trisomy 18 was significantly increased in fetuses with CPCs compared with fetuses without such cysts (333.6 versus 15.2, P =.002). However, among fetuses with normal NT, no significant difference was demonstrated for likelihood ratio of trisomy 18 between fetuses with and without CPCs. In pregnancies complicated by isolated CPCs, fetal karyotyping is not indicated when no additional anomaly is detected on ultrasonographic examination and first-trimester NT results are normal.
Utility of Fetal Muscle Biopsy for Diagnosis of Nemaline Myopathy

Objectives: To report and discuss prenatal diagnosis of nemaline myopathy (NM) using fetal muscle biopsy. Methods: A consanguineous couple, with a history of a ch
Observations and statistical analysis of combined active–passive microwave space-borne data and snow depth at large spatial scales

Abstract Remote sensing based on active and passive microwave data represents a useful tool for studying the state of the cryosphere at high temporal resolution and large spatial scale. In particular, retrieving snow parameters from space-borne data can benefit hydrological, meteorological, and climatological applications. In this paper, we analyze the trend of Ku band backscatter coefficients measured by the NASA's Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) and K and Ka band brightness temperatures measured by the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) with respect to snow depth values at different locations in the Northern hemisphere during the period 1999–2004. We also quantify, for the first time, the dynamic range of space-borne Ku band scatterometer data over snow covered areas at very large spatial scale in comparison to the range in passive microwave brightness temperatures. Also for the first time, we quantify the improvement on the snow depth retrieval related to the combined use of active and passive data and compare the results with those obtained using either only active or passive data. Finally, we report first results regarding an analysis involving X-band brightness temperatures, collected by the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS (AMSR-E), aiming at understanding whether the improvements derived from using a combination of active and passive data are related to the use of a low frequency or to the different techniques used (e.g., active or passive).
Optical properties of single-wall carbon nanotube films deposited on Si/SiO2 wafers

Abstract The paper describes a set of simple experiments performed to develop an optical model to describe Si/SiO 2 substrates coated with two transparent films of carbon nanotubes. The final goal is to use such optical model to investigate the interaction of proteins with carbon nanotubes. Experiments were performed to assess light reflection as a function of the wavelength or angle of incidence using two substrates (same material, different amounts) composed of oxidized carbon nanotubes. The experimental results indicate that the selected carbon nanotubes layers are anisotropic and significantly different from each other. Experiments performed by spectroscopic ellipsometry (as a function of the wavelength and incident angle) enabled the development of an effective medium approximation model consisting in a two-fraction phase (arc-evaporated carbon and void space). Furthermore, the model enabled calculating the amount of protein adsorbed on the surface of the carbon nanotube film.
EDTA relaxation of glycerol-treated muscle fibers, and the effects of magnesium, calcium and manganese ions.

Abstract The relaxing effects of EDTA on glycerol-treated muscle fibers were studied quantitatively in the presence of Mg++, Ca++, and Mn++ in various combinations. These conclusions were drawn: 1. 1. All of the three substances EDTA, Mg++, and ATP must be present to produce relaxation of well-washed fibers. 2. 2. The effective concentration of EDTA depends upon the concentration of Mg++ present. 3. 3. Enough Mg++ and EDTA remain on an EDTA-relaxed fiber after it has been washed up to 15 min. in 160 mM KCl to exert a measurable effect. 4. 4. In the initial contraction, Mn++ can take the place of Mg++, but Ca++ cannot. 5. 5. EDTA relaxation can be reversed by both Ca++ and Mn++, but more Mn++ is required. 6. 6. Neither Mn++ nor Ca++ can take the place of Mg++ in the EDTA relaxation process. 7. 7. ITP cannot replace ATP in the relaxation process though it can in contraction. 8. 8. PDTA is as effective as EDTA in relaxing fibers. 9. 9. The relaxing effect of EDTA decreases as pH increases, and has nearly vanished at pH 8. 10. 10. An explanation of some of the above results in terms of a “four species” complex of ATP, Mg++, EDTA, and the contractile protein is discussed.
Gold nanoparticle self-assembly promoted by a non-covalent, charge-complemented coiled-coil peptide

Non-covalent interactions between cationic gold nanoparticles and an anionic coiled-coil peptide were harnessed for coiled-coil mediated self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (GNPs).
Forming ordered structures in ternary, photosensitive blends through the use of masks

Using computational modeling, we present a facile method for creating defect-free, spatially periodic structures in immiscible, ternary ABC blends. The approach harnesses a photosensitive, reversible inter-conversion reaction between the A and B components; we specifically focus on cases where the rate of the forward reaction is higher than the reverse reaction. We also utilize a photomask that contains a regular arrangement of holes. When a film of the ternary blend is irradiated through the mask, the C component diffuses to the holes and becomes pinned in these regions. For certain blend compositions, the film forms a defect-free structure that replicates the pattern of the overlying mask. With the removal of the mask, the whole sample becomes uniformly irradiated and the photo-activity of the AB blend drives the mixture to self-assemble into a complex periodic pattern. Thus, the use of one mask permits the creation of multiple ordered morphologies, which can be locked into the film by quenching the system at the appropriate time. The findings reveal that the ordering is controlled by the reaction rate coefficients, the overall composition of the mixture and initial conditions.
Optimal price design for variable capacity outsourcing contracts

Outsourcing of information technology (IT) infrastructure and business processes (BP) is a significant aspect of the business landscape. Recently, attention has moved to variable capacity contracts linked to business or IT metrics for medium to long term (two to ten year) deals. This new emphasis on variability is accompanied by a growth in interest in the accompanying pricing schemes. A basic tension in the design of these pricing schemes occurs between the objectives of the outsourcing provider (hereafter Provider) and the company whose IT or BP is being outsourced (hereafter Client). In other words, their utility functions on contract attributes differ. For example, the Client may desire utility-style pricing, while the Provider may be interested in the certainty with which it achieves a given margin. This paper characterises and solves the price design problem (PDP) for variable capacity IT/BP outsourcing contracts within a descriptive multi-attribute utility theory framework from the point of view of the bid team, ie they know costs and must negotiate prices. In these situations, costs are usually granular, non-linear and history dependent. It is shown that the PDP, ie the general problem of choosing a price structure to optimise the joint utility function of the Provider and of the Client for arbitrary cost functions, can be formulated exactly as a stochastic program. The formulation imposes no restrictions on the form of the price functions a priori. A solution method is introduced based on decomposition of the event space (where events are, for example, Client requirement histories) using a basis of linear functionals. The resulting linear (and quadratic) mixed integer optimisations can be solved numerically using standard software. The solution yields Pareto-efficient outcomes with respect to the Provider and the Client. The frontier of Pareto-optimal designs serves as an appropriate space for practical contract negotiation.
Finite Element Analysis of Strain Energy Release Rate at Delamination Front

This study examined the delamination initiation of two-lamina composite laminates under central loading. A three-dimensional finite element program was developed to calculate the interlaminar stresses. In order to simplify the numerical analysis, an interfacial layer was embedded in between the composite laminae
Aspects of 'relevance' in the alignment of curriculum with educational standards

With over 60,000 US K-12 science and mathematics education standards and a rapid proliferation of Web-enabled curriculum, retrieving curriculum that aligns with the standards to which teachers must teach is a key objective for educational digital libraries. However, previous studies of such alignment use single-dimensional and binary measures of the alignment concept. As a consequence, they suffer from low inter-rater reliability (IRR), with experts agreeing about alignments only some 20-40% of the time. We present the results of an experiment in which the alignment variable was operationalized using the Saracevic model of relevance 'clues' taken from the everyday practice of K-12 teaching. Results show high IRR across all clues with IRR on several specific alignment dimensions significantly higher than on overall alignment. In addition, a model of overall alignment is derived and estimated. The structure and explanatory power of the model as well as the relationships between alignment clues differ significantly between alignments of curriculum found by users themselves and curriculum found by others. These results illustrate the usefulness of clue-based relevance measures for information retrieval and have important consequences for both the formulation of automated retrieval mechanisms and the construction of a gold standard or benchmark set of standard-curriculum alignments.
The synthesis of No-carrier-added [11C]Urea from [11C]carbon dioxide and application to [11C]uracil synthesis

Abstract No-carrier-added [11C]urea has been synthesized by bubbling cyclotron-produced [11C]carbon dioxide directly into a tetrahydrofuran solution of lithium (bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, followed by hydrolysis of the C-11 labeled adduct with aqueous ammonium chloride. Using this simple, one-pot method, [11C]urea was produced in 55–70% radiochemical yield (decay-corrected) in 16 min following end-of-bombardment (or in 10 min following the introduction of the [11C]carbon dioxide). The [11C]urea thus produced was converted to [11C]uracil (carrier-added) in 40–75% decay-corrected radiochemical yield by condensation with diethyl malate in presence of fuming sulfuric acid.
On the photodimerization of anthracene and its mesosubstituted derivatives

Abstract It has been established experimentally that substitution in a meso position slows down the photodimerization of anthracene derivatives, and that mesodisubstitution in general suppresses the reaction. This work investigates the possible role played in these experimental facts by the amount of energy required to distort the molecules so as to enable the formation of the dimer. The distortion energies have been computed by the extended Huckel method, and the interactions between neighboring molecules have been ignored. A satisfactory correlation is obtained between the distortion energy and the sluggishness or absence of the photodimerization, but other factors (linked with the quantum-mechanical structure indices, or with the steric hindrance between the two molecules engaged in the dimer) also play a significant role in the reactivity of anthracene derivatives. The wave functions obtained provide satisfactory values for the spectral shift of the first absorption band of the compounds with respect to anthracene.
Functional data analysis in longitudinal settings using smoothing splines

Data in many experiments arise as curves and therefore it is natural to use a curve as a basic unit in the analysis, which is termed functional data analysis (FDA). In longitudinal studies, recent developments in FDA have extended classical linear models and linear mixed effects models to functional linear models (also termed varying-coefficient models) and functional mixed effects models. In this paper we focus our review on the functional mixed effects models using smoothing splines, because functional linear models are special cases of this more general framework. Due to the connection between smoothing splines and linear mixed effects models, functional mixed effects models can be fitted using existing software such as SAS Proc Mixed. A case study is presented as an illustration.
Ephemeral region flares and the diffusion of the network

Flarelike events which are frequently observed in H-alpha in apparently quiet regions of the solar disk can be in all cases identified with bipolar ephemeral regions (ER) on magnetograms. These events represent the H-alpha counterpart of X-ray bright point flares. Statistically, this phenomenon is associated with the proximity of the bipolar features to the supergranulation network in the sense that an ER is likely to flare during its lifetime if the distance to the nearest network element is less than or equal to its own pole separation.
Differences between fact and theory in the stability of carbon suspensions in heptane

Abstract In order to test the adequacy of the present theories of the stability of nonaqueous suspensions, rates of flocculation of Graphon suspensions were determined in heptane from the change of optical density with time in the presence and absence of Triton X-35 and dodecylbenzene (DDB). Viscosities of the solutions and the adsorption isotherm for each of the additives on Graphon were also determined. In the DDB system, the reduced stability ratio calculated from the balance of the van der Waals attraction and the entropic repulsion between particles increases rapidly as a function of the DDB concentration. However, the experimental value increases gradually to an apparent limiting value reached at a mole fraction of DDB corresponding to about 3/4 surface coverage as inferred from the adsorption isotherm. Since the viscosity measurements show a positive value for the second virial coefficient, it is possible that the observed enhancement of stability in this system is due to osmotic rather than entropic effects. Triton X-35 neither increased nor decreased the stability of carbon suspensions in heptane. At lower concentrations, assuming the adsorbed molecules to be flat on the surface so there would be no entropic repulsion, calculation showed that the adsorbed film did not make sufficient change in the van der Waals attraction to change the value of the reduced stability ratio, either because the thickness of the film is too small or because its Hamaker constant is too close to that of the solvent itself. Judging from the viscosity data, the second virial coefficient of the solutions is so close to zero at the concentrations used that no osmotic repulsion would be expected.
Tumor necrosis factor-α overproduction in Fanconi's anemia

Various in vitro studies and clinical observations suggest that Fanconi's anemia (FA) patients are unable to detoxify adequately superoxide anions (O2-) released by activated phagocytes. Recent studies have shown that certain lymphokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) can significantly enhance O2- production by phagocytic cells. To ascertain lymphokine production in FA patients, we measured TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production in vivo and in vitro. TNF-alpha was detected in the plasma of 16 of 18 FA patients with concentrations ranging from 6 to 131 pg/ml (mean 31 pg/ml). TNF-alpha was detected in only one of 25 control (healthy donor) plasma, and the level was very low (7 pg/ml). IFN-gamma levels in normal and patient plasma were negligible. Spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not differ significantly between FA patients and normal controls. The significance of overproduction of TNF-alpha in vivo in the pathophysiology of FA is discussed.
Reaction specificity in pyridoxal phosphate enzymes.

Abstract Pyridoxal phosphate enzymes catalyze a wide variety of reaction types on amines and amino acids, generally by stabilizing carbanionic intermediates. This makes them very useful in cellular metabolism, but it also creates problems in controlling the reaction pathway that a given enzyme follows, i.e., in controlling reaction specificity. Stereoelectronic effects have been proposed to play a major role in determining the bond to Cα that gets broken in the external aldimine intermediate that is common to all PLP enzymes. Here, we discuss our work on dialkylglycine decarboxylase aimed at providing direct evidence for stereoelectronic control of external aldimine reactivity. Once a bond to Cα has been broken to form the carbanionic intermediate, enzymes must also carefully control the fate of this reactive species. Our studies with alanine racemase suggest that the enzyme selectively destabilizes the carbanionic quinonoid intermediate to promote higher racemization specificity by avoiding transamination side reactions.
Automatic microscope focusing system for solid state nuclear track detectors

Abstract We describe and evaluate the performance of our automatic focusing system developed for use with an image analysis system for SSNTD readout and analysis. The automatic focusing system is based upon standard nuclear pulse counting instrumentation, and maximization of the high spatial frequency content of the image signal.
A Comparison of Imipenem to Ceftazidime With or Without Amikacin as Empiric Therapy in Febrile Neutropenic Patients

Background.— Neutropenic patients with cancer are traditionally treated with empiric antibiotic combinations when they become febrile. The availability of broadspectrum antibiotics such as ceftazidime and imipenem has made it possible to initiate therapy with a single agent (monotherapy). The objectives of this trial were to compare ceftazidime and imipenem as single agents for the therapy of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients and to ascertain whether the addition of an aminoglycoside (amikacin) to either of these agents would provide an advantage. Methods.— A prospective clinical trial was conducted in which eligible neutropenic patients with cancer were randomized to one of four treatment arms: ceftazidime alone; imipenem alone; ceftazidime plus amikacin; and imipenem plus amikacin. Efficacy analysis was done for 750 assessable episodes. A multivariate logistic-regression analysis was also performed to examine the unique contribution of various prognostic factors. Results.— The overall response rates were 76% with imipenem plus amikacin, 72% with imipenem, 71% with ceftazidime plus amikacin, and 59% with ceftazidime alone. Single-organism gram-positive infections occurred in 101 of 750 episodes. Without a change in antibiotics, the response rates were 50% with imipenem, 40% with imipenem plus amikacin, 39% with ceftazidime plus amikacin, and 38% with ceftazidime. Most responded to vancomycin or other antibiotics, and the mortality associated with gram-positive infections was only 5%. Regardless of the antibiotic regimen, the majority of uncomplicated gramnegative infections responded to therapy and the majority of complicated gram-negative infections failed to respond. Multivariate logistic-regression analysis showed that recovery of the neutrophil count was the most favorable prognostic factor in a patient's response to infection, whereas the presence of gram-positive infection, acute leukemia, pulmonary or enteric infection, and therapy with ceftazidime were unfavorable factors. Conclusions.— Single-agent therapy with imipenem is as effective as more conventional combination antibiotic therapy for the empirical treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients with cancer. ( Arch Intern Med . 1992;152:283-291)
Ambulance arrival to patient contact: The hidden component of prehospital response time intervals

Study objective: To determine the time between ambulance arrival at the scene to paramedic arrival at the patient (arrival to patient contact) and the effect of barriers to paramedic movement on this time interval. Design: A prospective, observational study. Time intervals were collected by independent third-party riders on emergency (Code 1 and Code 2) calls. Potential barriers to paramedic movement were recorded. Setting: Public utility model urban emergency medical services system. Type of participants: Two hundred thirty-two emergency ambulance calls were observed, and data were analyzed from 216. Interventions: None. Results: The median arrival-to-patient contact interval for all calls was 1.33 minutes (interquartile range, 0.67 to 4.13 minutes). Barriers prolonged the arrival-to-patient contact interval ( P Conclusion: The arrival-to-patient contact interval adds a variable and potentially lengthy amount of time to the total prehospital response time interval, and barriers impeding paramedic movement to the patient prolong this time interval. In 25% of all observed paramedic calls, the arrival-to-patient contact interval was more than four minutes. Measurement of the time from ambulance arrival on the scene to paramedic arrival at the patient is necessary to appropriately determine the relationship among total prehospital response time, paramedic interventions, and patient outcome.
A test of alternative explanations for the stage-like progression of adolescent substance use in four national samples.

Abstract Previous research has established that there is a stage-like phenomenon of adolescent substance use such that alcohol use usually precedes marijuana use, and marijuana use usually precedes hard drug use. The current study tests three potentialexplanations for this stage-like phenomenon using nonstandard log-linear models. In four national surveys dating from 1974 to 1988, the results were consistent for both sexes, ages ranging from 12 through 18, and for Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. The results suggest that adolescents are more likely to use alcohol before marijuana, and marijuana before hard drugs because these substances are more widely used and are used at early ages. An additional reason for the stage-like phenomenon is that there is also a group of adolescents who are willing to try all types of substances and a second group who are unwilling to use any substances. Implications for future longitudinal studies are discussed.
Optimal choice of rater teams II: Applications

In a previous paper [Elashoff 1969], we derived optimal rater teams for a particular formulation of the dichotomous rater problem. Here, we describe a computer-based procedure for selecting good rater teams in practice; we apply the procedure to the selection of items for a psychological inventory.
A phase I/II study of weekly high-dose erlotinib in previously treated patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND. Preclinical studies have suggested that erlotinib at high doses may inhibit additional sites downstream of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), resulting in greater antitumor efficacy. The objective of this study was to determine the tolerability and efficacy of high-dose erlotinib administered on a weekly schedule to patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS. The authors conducted a Phase I/II trial of weekly erlotinib in patients with progressive NSCLC who had received previous chemotherapy. In the Phase I portion, patients were enrolled in 3-patient cohorts at erlotinib dose levels of 1200 mg, 1600 mg, and 2000 mg once weekly. The Phase II portion was designed to determine the major objective response rate of the dose identified in the Phase I portion of the trial. RESULTS. Twenty-seven patients were enrolled. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed. Grade 1 and 2 rash and diarrhea were the principle toxicities, and each occurred in 92% of patients. Among 21 patients who were treated at the Phase II dose of 2000 mg weekly, a single objective response was identified, yielding a response rate of 5% (95% confidence interval, 0.2–22%). For this cohort, the median survival was 9.5 months. The sole radiographic response occurred in a patient whose pretreatment tumor specimen harbored an EGFR exon 19 deletion. CONCLUSIONS. Erlotinib at a dose of 2000 mg administered weekly was tolerated well by these patients with advanced NSCLC. The 5% objective response rate did not reach the stated objective at the interim efficacy analysis, prompting the closure of the study. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Preparation of some 4‐hydroxyl‐1‐methyl‐1H‐2,1‐benzothiazine‐3‐carboxanilide 2,2‐dioxides

An improved, 3-step synthesis of 3,4-dihydro-1-methyl-1H-2,1-benzothiazin-4-one 2,2-dioxide has been developed. This general method offers a more facile entrance into the 2,1-benzothiazine 2,2-dioxide heterocyclic system than was heretofore available. Preparation of several 3-carbox-anilides was accomplished by interaction of this ring system with various isocyanates. The resulting carboxanilides are moderately strong, enolic acids.
Dual-task performance consequences of imperfect alerting associated with a cockpit display of traffic information

Objective: Performance consequences related to integrating an imperfect alert within a complex task domain were examined in two experiments. Background: Cockpit displays of traffic information (CDTIs) are being designed for use in airplane cockpits as responsibility for safe separation becomes shared between pilots and controllers. Of interest in this work is how characteristics of the alarm system such as threshold, modality, and number of alert levels impact concurrent task (flight control) performance and response to potential conflicts. Methods: Student pilots performed a tracking task analogous to flight control while simultaneously monitoring for air traffic conflicts with the aid of a CDTI alert as the threshold, modality, and level of alert was varied. Results: As the alerting system became more prone to false alerts, pilot compliance decreased and concurrent performance improved. There was some evidence of auditory preemption with auditory alerts as the false alarm rate increased. Finally, there was no benefit to a three-level system over a two-level system. Conclusion: There is justification for increased false alarm rates, as miss-prone systems appear to be costly. The 4:1 false alarm to miss ratio employed here improved accuracy and concurrent task performance. More research needs to address the potential benefits of likelihood alerting. Application: The issues addressed in this research can be applied to any imperfect alerting system such as in aviation, driving, or air traffic control. It is crucial to understand the performance consequences of new technology and the efficacy of potential mitigating design features within the specific context desired.
Regulation of enzymes of serine and one-carbon metabolism by testosterone in rat prostate, liver, and kidney.

A significant decrease in the specificactivity of 3 enzymes of serine and one-carbon metabolism (3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase, phosphoserine phosphatase, and serine hydroxymethyltransferase) was found in the rat prostate gland with castration. A single injection of testosterone propionate to rats 3 days after castration resulted in a significant increase in the 3 enzyme activities within 24 h. This increase in specific activity was maximal 72 h after injection of testosterone in the case of 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and serine hydroxymethyltransferase. When cycloheximide was administered in conjunction with testosterone, the increase in 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity was significantly reduced compared to injection of testosterone alone. N6O2′-dibutyryl adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate [(Bu)2 cAMP] and theophylline injected at 8 h intervals to rats 3 days after castration failed to mimic the action of testosterone on these 3 enzymes 24 and 72 h ...
Social buffering of the cortisol response of adult female guinea pigs

When housed in spacious, mixed age/sex colonies, male guinea pigs form small harems of females with which attachment-like social bonds are established. A previous study indicated that the bonded male, but not an unfamiliar male from the same colony, could reduce the plasma cortisol response of a female when exposed to a novel environment. We examined the effect of several classes of social partners on the cortisol response of females maintained under standard laboratory housing conditions. Eight "artificial harems" comprised of one adult male and two adult females were formed in standard group-housing cages 2 weeks prior to the study. Behavior observed in these home cages indicated that interactions between males and females of the triads were overwhelmingly positive in nature. When exposed to a novel environment for 2 h, the presence of either the male or female cage mate reduced the subject female's plasma cortisol response, whereas the presence of an unfamiliar adult male did not. Changes in plasma cortisol levels were not predicted by the frequency of various social behaviors observed in the novel environment. These findings: (1) demonstrate that the buffering effect of male partners on the cortisol response of adult females can be observed in guinea pigs maintained in conventional laboratory housing; (2) indicate that unfamiliar adult males are ineffective at reducing cortisol responses of females under these conditions; and, (3) appear to be the first to show buffering effects by adult female guinea pigs on the cortisol responses of other adult females.
Analysis of myelin proteolipid protein and F0 ATPase subunit 9 in normal and jimpy CNS.

Membrane fractions and chloroform-methanol (C-M) extracts ofjimpy (jp) and normal CNS at 17–20 days were examined by immunoblot and sequence analysis to determine whether myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) or DM-20 could be detected in jp CNS. No reactivity was detected in jp samples with several PLP antibodies (Abs) except with one Ab to amino acids 109–128 of normal PLP. Proteins in the immunoreactive bands ∼26 Mr comigrating with PLP were sequenced for the first 10–12 residues. A sequence corresponding to PLP was found in normal CNS, as expected, but not in the band from jp CNS. Our results provide no evidence for an aberrant form of PLP in jp CNS at 17–20 days. This and other studies suggest that the abnormalities in jp brain are not due to toxicity of the mutant jp PLP/DM-20 proteins. Interestingly, a sequence identical to the amino terminus of the mature proton channel subunit 9 of mitochondrial F0 ATPase was detected in the immunoreactive bands ∼26 Mr in both normal and jp samples. This identification was supported by reactivity with an Ab to the F0 subunit and by labeling with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). In contrast to PLP isolated from whole CNS, PLP isolated from myelin was devoid of F0 subunit 9 based on sequence analysis and lack of reactivity with an Ab to the F0 subunit, yet still reacted with DCCD. This finding rules out the possibility that contaminating F0 ATPase gives rise to the DCCD binding exhibited by PLP and confirms the possibility that PLP has proton channel activity, as suggested by Lin and Lees (1,2).
Oxygen Consumption of Tissues in the Human Lung

A method for estimating the metabolic rate of the human pulmonary tissues is described. Six patients with far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis showed an average rate of 12 percent of the total oxygen consumption. A method for measuring the right ventricular output with an inert gas is also outlined, and the use of this approach to minimize errors in the estimation of the tissue metabolic rate is described.
The dissipation of neuropathic pain paradoxically involves the presence of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)

Neuropathic pain, a chronic disabling pain arising from nerve injury, develops a central component. In brain neurons, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) levels intensify and TNF-inhibition of norepinephrine (NE) release, dependent upon alpha(2)-adrenergic activation, amplifies during neuropathic pain onset. TNF-inhibition of NE release transforms to facilitation in the hippocampus of rats administered antidepressants (treat neuropathic pain), contemporaneous with decreased neuron TNF. Therefore, adrenergic drugs inhibit increased pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia) by decreasing TNF production, thereby inducing increased NE release. This study examined TNF- and alpha(2)-adrenergic-regulated NE release from hippocampal slices during both the onset and dissipation of hyperalgesia during sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI). The enhanced inhibition of NE release by TNF at peak hyperalgesia (day-8) transformed to facilitation of NE release at days 12, 14, 16, and 21 post-CCI, corresponding to dissipation of hyperalgesia. Chronic antidepressant drug administration alone to rats results in similar findings. Rats administered the antidepressant amitriptyline (10 mg/kg, i.p., 60 min) at day-8 post-CCI, no longer exhibited hyperalgesia. Interestingly, the presynaptic response to TNF transformed to facilitation of NE release. While TNF directs the development of hyperalgesia, it is also involved in the resolution of pain, a possible mechanism for management of chronic pain.
Near-Infrared Analysis of Chemical Constituents and Physical Characteristics of Polymers:

The polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) concentration and intrinsic viscosity of polycarbonate (PC) polymer blends were determined by means of near-infrared (NIR) reflectance and absorption spectrometry coupled with multiple regression analysis. The cross-search method was used in the selection of analytical wavelengths, whereas the correctness of the determinations was confirmed by cross validation. The correlation coefficients between the reference and NIR-determined values for the reflectance and absorption techniques were 0.979 and 0.955, respectively. The apparent number of orthogonal degrees of freedom in the polymer standards was affected by the number of samples employed in the NIR regression analysis.
Aeroacoustic fluid dynamic equations and their acoustic energy conservation corollary with O2 and N2 vibrational relaxation effects included

A formulation of fluid dynamic equations for air is given based on concepts of irreversible thermodynamics. An explicit expression for the instantaneous entropy function is derived from statistical physical principles and is approximated for the case when only O2 and N2 molecular vibrations are not in internal equilibrium. The fluid model includes an entropy balance equation based on this instantaneous entropy function. The model is complete; numerical values and formulas are included for all coefficients. In the latter part of the paper, an acoustic energy conservation theorem is derived which includes a non-negative expression for acoustic energy dissipation per unit time and volume. The latter is shown to be a lowest order approximation of temperature times the irreversible entropy production term in the entropy balance equation, even though this term does not appear in the linear acoustic equations. An independent derivation of the absorption coefficient of plane waves is given in which the energy theorem is utilized.
Internal motivation to respond without prejudice and automatic egalitarian goal activation

Abstract Past research has shown that people who are motivated primarily by their internalized beliefs to respond without prejudice are less likely to show implicit forms of racial bias (e.g., Devine, P. G., Plant, E. A., Amodio, D. M., Harmon-Jones, E., & Vance, S. L. (2002). The regulation of explicit and implicit race bias: The role of motivations to respond without prejudice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 835–848). We tested the idea that such individuals inhibit implicit race bias by automatically activating egalitarian goals. Study 1 showed that participants high in internal motivation but low in external motivation (i.e., primary internal) displayed more egalitarianism, but only after they had been subliminally exposed to African American faces. Study 2 showed that primary internal motivation was associated with lower levels of automatic stereotype activation and this effect was mediated by egalitarian goal activation. These results provide converging evidence that the relationship between primary internal motivation and low levels of implicit bias stems from the activation of egalitarian goals. We discuss the implications of these findings for efforts to reduce cognitive and affective forms of implicit racial bias.
The pathogenesis of cryoglobulinemic neuropathy

We describe a woman with vasculitic neuropathy and essential mixed cryoglobulinemia. Immunologically mediated demyelination and nerve ischemia, the latter either a result of vasa nervorum obstruction by cryoglobulins or secondary to vasa nervorum vasculitis, are the mechanisms most often associated with this neuropathy.