cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medication adherence in heart failure

Non-adherence with medical regimens in heart failure is a significant challenge and serves as a major reason that favorable outcomes associated with various therapies evaluated in clinical trials have not translated to the so-called real-world setting. Non-adherence has complex influences and is clearly associated with poorer outcomes. The approaches that are used or have been proposed to improve drug-taking behavior, such as in-hospital initiation of therapy, simplification of dosing regimens through adoption of combination and long-acting formulations, and improvements in provider-patient communication, are reviewed.
Deriving managerial benefit from knowledge search: a paradigm shift?

A conceptual model of knowledge/information (K/I) search and transfer was developed; it was based on three concepts: managers' preferences for internal versus external sources, the importance of relationships between sources and recipients, and the derived managerial benefit. The results of an empirical study demonstrated a high degree of explained variance in managerial benefit and suggested managers' preferences for external sources over internal ones. They also supported the notion that managers use internal, known knowledge search to enhance their reputation and status. These results suggested a shift away from the conventional wisdom of internal preference that is reflected in theories of in-group favoritism and out-group derogation.
Clinical dilemma : Dyspnea

Objectives To review the current state of evidence for the nursing treatment of cancer-related dyspnea. Data Sources Nursing and medical literature, published guidelines, and Cochrane Systematic reviews. Conclusion Limited evidence exists for the current strategies used to treat dyspnea among persons with cancer. Implications for Nursing Practice Nurses must be cognizant of the level of evidence or the lack of scientific evidence supporting treatment strategies used. Keeping abreast of the developments in the area of dyspnea management is imperative as research adds to the current body of evidence. Nurses are uniquely positioned to add to the body of evidence through collaboration with nurse researchers.
Purification and properties of human cataractous lens glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase has been shown to occur in three different forms in the human adult cataractous lens: a membrane bound form (M) and at least two cytosolic isozymes: I1 and I2. Similar Km's for substrate, cofactor and HAsO4, were established for each form and all three forms, to differing degree, require a reduced sulfhydryl group for maximum activity. A variety of phosphonucleosides (ATP, ADP, AMP and 3′ 5′ cyclic AMP) as well as NADH inhibit enzyme activity. Inhibition by ATP is non-competitive whereas cyclic AMP and NADH compete for the cofactor binding site. Chloride ion stimulates and inhibits enzyme activity at low and high concentrations respectively.
Business Student Moral Influencers: Unseen Opportunities for Development?

Using the case study approach, we explore the influences of a university's ethical system on the moral development of business undergraduate students. The sample participants in this qualitative st...
Effects of Caffeine on the Growth of Mandible and Long Bone in Protein–Energy Malnourished Newborn Rats:

Rat dams with eight pups each were divided into six groups upon delivery; the first three were fed 6, 12 or 20% protein diets, and the second three the same diets but with caffeine added in the amount of 2 mg/100 g body wt. At Day 15, randomly selected pups were injected with [14C]proline to determine collagen synthesis of mandible and long bone. Other pups were used to determine the calcium content of these bones. The body, mandibular, and long bone weight of the pups whose dams were fed the 6% protein diet with caffeine increased compared to the noncaffeine group. Calcium content of the mandible and the collagen synthesis of the long bone were also increased. However, calcium content of long bone, collagen synthesis of mandible, and hydroxyproline content of mandible and long bone showed no difference between the caffeine and noncaffeine groups. In the pups whose dams were fed the 12% protein diet with caffeine, body and mandibular weight, collagen synthesis, and hydroxyproline and calcium contents in mandibles and long bones of pups showed no difference from those of the noncaffeine group, but long bones were heavier. In the pups whose dams were fed the 20% protein diet with caffeine, the body and long bone weight and hydroxyproline and calcium contents of the long bone of pups were lower than those of the noncaffeine group. Mandibular weight, calcium content, and hydroxyproline showed no difference between caffeine and noncaffeine animals, but collagen synthesis of the mandible was increased. Current data indicate that nutritional state and caffeine intake of the mother have a close relation to growth and development of the offspring.
On sample spacings from IMRL distributions

Abstract It is proved that in random sampling from IMRL distributions the spacings are (i) themselves IMRL, (ii) ordered by mean residual life, (iii) ordered by variance, and that the covariance between successive spacings is non-negative.
The dynamic behavior of negative-resistance devices

The composite characteristic of two voltage-controlled negative-resistance devices in series may be a multivalued function of either voltage or current. This paper treats the dynamic behavior of such a composite device. Results obtained by analog computer simulation are shown to be descriptive of the behavior of actual tunnel diode circuits. Major emphasis is given to circuits having a high load resistance.
A theoretical analysis of the CH3+H reaction: isotope effects, the high-pressure limit, and transition state recrossing

The reaction of methyl radicals with hydrogen atoms is studied with a combination of ab initio quantum chemistry, variational transition state theory, and classical trajectory simulations. The interaction between the two radicals, including the umbrella mode of the methyl radical, is examined at the CAS+1+2 level using an augmented correlation consistent polarized valence triple zeta basis set. The implementation of an analytic representation of the ab initio data within variable reaction coordinate transition state theory yields predictions for the zero-pressure limit isotopic exchange rate constants that are about 15% greater than the available experimental data. Trajectory simulations indicate that the transition state recrossing factor for the capture process is 0.90, essentially independent of temperature and isotope. The dynamically corrected theoretical prediction for the CH{sub 3} + H high pressure rate coefficient is well reproduced by the expression 1.32 x 10{sup -10}T{sup 0.153}exp(-15.1/RT) cm{sup 3}molecule{sup -1}s{sup -1}, where R = 1.987 cal mole{sup -1} K{sup -1}, for temperatures between 200 and 2400 K. This prediction is in good agreement with the converted experimental data for all but the one measurement at 200 K. Calculations for the triplet abstraction channel suggest that it is unimportant. Methyl umbrella mode variations have surprisingly littlemore » effect on the predicted rate coefficients.« less
Acute treatment with pyrrolo(1,4)benzodiazepine antitumor antibiotics alters in vitro hepatic drug metabolizing activity in rats☆

Abstract The pyrrolo(1,4)benzodiazepine antitumor antibiotic, anthramycin, shares a number of toxicities with the widely used anticancer agent adriamycin. We investigated whether acute doses of anthramycin and the structurally related compounds, sibiromycin and tomaymycin, would depress P-450-dependent drug biotransformations as has been reported for adriamycin. Alterations in drug metabolism rates were determined in rats using 50 and 75% of the approximate 7-day LD 50 determined in mice. 4 days post dosing ethylmorphine demethylase and aniline hydroxylase activities in liver 9000 g supernatant were depressed from 26 to 76%. Tomaymycin lowered drug metabolism in a dose-related manner, while sibiromycin produced the greatest amount of depression. Like adriamycin, the pyrrolo(l,4)benzo-diazepines possess the ability to depress hepatic drug metabolism and therefore may affect the disposition of compounds with which they are co-administered.
Metallographic techniques for evaluation of Thermal Barrier Coatings produced by Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition

Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC) produced by Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition (EB-PVD) are primarily applied to critical hot section turbine components. EB-PVD TBC for turbine applications exhibit a complicated structure of porous ceramic columns separated by voids that offers mechanical compliance. Currently there are no standard evaluation methods for evaluating EB-PVD TBC structure quantitatively. This paper proposes a metallographic method for preparing samples and evaluating techniques to quantitatively measure structure. TBC samples were produced and evaluated with the proposed metallographic technique and digital image analysis for columnar grain size and relative intercolumnar porosity. Incorporation of the proposed evaluation technique will increase knowledge of the relation between processing parameters and material properties by incorporating a structural link. Application of this evaluation method will directly benefit areas of quality control, microstructural model development, and reduced development time for process scaling.
Principal component analysis and Akaike information criterion based image enhancement for ground penetrating radar

Principal component analysis and Akaike information criterion based image enhancement scheme is proposed for ground penetrating radar images. The scheme is capable of discriminating target, clutter and noise subspaces. Information theoretic criterion is used with conventional principal component analysis to find the target eigen values. Proposed scheme works for extracting multiple targets in heavy cluttered ground penetrating radar images. Simulation results are compared on the basis of mean square error, peak signal to noise ratio and visual inspection. (6 pages)
cis-Acting transcriptional regulatory sequences in the gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV) long terminal repeat

Abstract Gibbon ape leukemia viruses (GALV) are a group of retroviruses which have been associated with hematopoietic neoplasms in primates. Two of the viruses, GALV-SEATO and GALV-San Francisco (GALV-SF), are associated with myeloid and lymphocytic leukemias, respectively, in apes. Using an assay based on the transient expression of the bacterial gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), we examined the transcriptional activity of GALV-SEATO and GALV-SF. The results suggest that high level expression of GALV is due primarily to cis-acting enhancer sequences. Sequence delineation analysis of GALV-SEATO showed the GALV-SEATO enhancer sequences to be located within a 45-bp tandem repeat in GALV-SEATO. GALV-SF, which has two-to fivefold lower transcriptional activity, contains only a single copy of the 45-bp element with 6-bp differences from those in the GALV-SEATO enhancer element. This 45-bp element is highly homologous to sequences within the LTRs of several murine leukemia viruses but has not been examined for enhancer function in these retroviruses. Expression of GALV was not restricted to hematopoietic cells but was extraordinarily high in MLA 144 cells, a gibbon ape T-cell line known to be infected with GALV-SF. However, expression of constructs containing the CAT gene directed by GALV-SEATO LTR sequences was similar in uninfected and GALV-infected fibroblasts, indicating the lack of virally encoded or virally induced trans-activating factors capable of increasing expression in these cells.
Effects of nucleotide bromination on the stabilities of Z-RNA and Z-DNA: a molecular mechanics/thermodynamic perturbation study.

The structures of ZI- and ZII- form RNA and DNA oligonucleotides were energy minimized in vacuum using the AMBER molecular mechanics force field. Alternating C-G sequences were studied containing either unmodified nucleotides, 8-bromoguanosine in place of all guanosine residues, 5-bromocytidine in place of all cytidine residues, or all modified residues. Some molecules were also energy minimized in the presence of H2O and cations. Free energy perturbation calculations were done in which G8 and C5 hydrogen atoms in one or two residues of Z-form RNAs and DNAs were replaced in a stepwise manner by bromines. Bromination had little effect on the structures of the energy-minimized molecules. Both the minimized molecular energies and the results of the perturbation calculations indicate that bromination of guanosine at C8 will stabilize the Z forms of RNA and DNA relative to the nonbrominated Z form, while bromination of cytidine at C5 stabilizes Z-DNA and destabilizes Z-RNA. These results are in agreement with experimental data. The destabilizing effect of br5C in Z-RNAs is apparently due to an unfavorable interaction between the negatively charged C5 bromine atom and the guanosine hydroxyl group. The vacuum-minimized energies of the ZII- form oligonucleotides are lower than those of the corresponding ZI- form molecules for both RNA and DNA. Previous x-ray diffraction, nmr, and molecular mechanics studies indicate that hydration effects may favor the ZI- conformation over the ZII- form in DNA. Molecular mechanics calculations show that the ZII–ZI energy differences for the RNAs are greater than three times those obtained for the DNAs. This is due to structurally reinforcing hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the hydroxyl groups in the ZII form, especially between the guanosine hydroxyl hydrogen atom and the 3′-adjacent phosphate oxygen. In addition, the cytidine hydroxyl oxygen forms a hydrogen bond with the 5′-adjacent guanosine amino group in the ZII- form molecule. Both of these interactions are less likely in the ZI- form molecule: the former due to the orientation of the GpC phosphate away from the guanosine ribose in the ZI form, and the latter apparently due to competitive hydrogen bonding of the cytidine 2′-hydroxyl hydrogen with the cytosine carbonyl oxygen in the ZI form. The hydrogen-bonding interaction between the cytidine hydroxyl oxygen and the 5′-adjacent guanosine amino group in Z-RNA twists the amino group out of the plane of the base. This may be responsible for differences in the CD and Raman spectra of Z-RNA and Z-DNA.
ATMOSPHERIC IMAGING ASSEMBLY OBSERVATIONS OF HOT FLARE PLASMA

We present observations of hot plasma from solar eruptions recorded by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory. AIA is the first narrowband instrument capable of taking images of hot plasma in the 5-15 MK range. We find that there are hot structures above flare loops, and that they are typically more diffuse and nebulous than the well-defined flare loops. Because of the narrowband response, high sensitivity, and high spatial resolution of AIA, these supra-arcade structures are visible in exquisite detail, particularly in the 131 A and 94 A channels. In one event, a C4.9 flare observed on 2010 November 3, hot plasma is seen to outline an erupting plasmoid and possibly a current sheet. We compare hot plasma observed with AIA to structures observed with the X-Ray Telescope on the Hinode mission and find that the plasma imaged in AIA contains more fine detail. These new AIA observations show that supra-arcade flare structures and coronal mass ejections are highly structured not only in space and time, but also in temperature. This thermal structuring is expected, based on modeling efforts, but has now been imaged directly for the first time over a large range of temperatures.
Intensity of the RQ0 branch in the v9 fundamental of ethane

Abstract The intensity of the R Q 0 branch of the v 9 fundamental of ethane has been measured to be 0.74±0.09cm -2 atm -1 at 300°K. Rotational structure of the laboratory spectrum is discussed by means of a comparison with a computed spectrum.
On the coronae of rapidly rotating star. V. The other stars.

Results of Einstein X-ray observations of 25 stellar systems are presented. The systems observed include 15 spectroscopic binaries of which eleven were detected; nine were serendipitous detections, three of which may be new RS CVn systems. Coronal activity levels and their implications for these stars are discussed.
Arousal and memory: A comment

A study by Maltzman, Kantor, and Langdon and one by Yarmey did not obtain the Kleinsmith and Kaplan finding of poor immediate recall of high arousal material. However, on both methodological and theoretical grounds their results are not inconsistent with this previous finding. Important methodological departures from the Kleinsmith and Kaplan design include the free recall procedure in one case and rapid presentation rate in the other. Further, both studies failed to use a concurrent measure to classify the items for each S, making assessment of the relevance of their results difficult.
A Method for Aggregating Strategies Across Individuals: Managing a Lack of IV Access

Strategies are key to resilience. Operators in dynamic environments use a variety of strategies to accomplish their goals while keeping workload manageable. Research has been conducted to elicit the kinds of strategies operators use to accomplish their goals, but there is currently no method to systematically aggregate strategies to produce composite strategies across multiple operators. The purpose of the present study was to consider multiple approaches to aggregating strategies across operators to arrive at a systematic and reliable methodology. This methodology is then applied to strategies generated by four pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurses. These nurses were interviewed on how they would manage the threat of an inability to gain IV access on a patient in an acute situation. The composite strategies the nurses produced are then discussed in detail.
Comparison of Epitaxial Graphene on Si-face and C-face 6H-SiC

We present atomic force microscopy (AFM), Hall-effect measurement, and Raman spectroscopy results from graphene films on 6H-SiC (0001) and (000-1) faces (Si-face and C-face, respectively) produced by radiative heating in a high vacuum furnace chamber through thermal decomposition. We observe that the formation of graphene on the two faces of SiC is different in terms of the surface morphology, graphene thickness, Hall mobility, and Raman spectra. In general, graphene films on the SiC C-face are thicker with higher mobilities than those grown on the Si-face.
Integration of human immunodeficiency virus DNA: adduct interference analysis of required DNA sites.

Abstract The integration (IN) protein encoded by human immunodeficiency virus directs the integration of viral DNA into host DNA. We have probed the DNA sites required for the function of IN protein by attaching adducts to model DNA substrates and assaying their effects on integration in vitro. These experiments reveal that modifications in a short region on both DNA strands at the ends of the viral DNA block IN protein function. Modification of the target DNA near the point of DNA strand transfer also blocks IN protein function. Further experiments suggest that distinct subsets of the identified interactions are important for separate steps in the integration process.
Investigating the reading-to-write construct

Abstract This study explored the extent to which the reading-to-write construct is the sum of one's reading and writing abilities or an independent construct. The investigation included an analysis of (a) test tasks, (b) the relationship of test task scores and scores on reading and writing measures, and (c) the effects of proficiency level and educational level on reading-to-write performance. A sample of 139 participants performed two reading-to-write tasks—a summary and a response essay—based on the same source text. Results indicate that the test tasks were different dimensions of the reading-to-write ability, and that the reading-to-write ability seems to be a unique construct weakly associated with reading for comprehension and disassociated from writing an essay without background reading support. In addition, it was found that language proficiency and educational level had a modest effect on the performance of the tasks.
High-frequency pattern generation using multiple input channels and combinational logic

A simple and high-performance approach is derived for combining multiple low-transition-rate digital test pattern channels to produce a single high-transition-rate one. Additional circuitry includes only delay elements and exclusive-or logic gates, so the speed is not limited by clocking constraints. Any cyclic output pattern with a period of p bits can be produced by appropriate programming of the input channels if the inputs are given patterns with a period of 2p bits. >
Assessment of living renal donors with spiral CT.

PURPOSE: To determine whether spiral computed tomography (CT) can be used to evaluate potential living renal donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve potential living renal donors underwent spiral CT and conventional arteriography. CT angiography was performed with 30-second spiral acquisition during injection of 150 mL of nonionic iodinated contrast material into an antecubital vein at 5 mL/sec. Five minutes after injection, a frontal abdominal scout projection was obtained to assess the renal collecting system. Results of blinded interpretations of axial CT angiograms, three-dimensional CT angiograms, and conventional arteriograms were correlated with intraoperative findings in 11 cases. RESULTS: Axial and three-dimensional CT angiography were 100% sensitive for identifying seven accessory renal arteries and 14% and 93% sensitive for identifying five prehilar renal artery branches. Renal venous anomalies were confirmed in three patients at surgery. Operative management changed in four of 11 patients who un...
Deoxyribonucleic acid-based hybrid thin films for potential application as high energy density capacitors

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) based hybrid films incorporating sol-gel-derived ceramics have shown strong promise as insulating dielectrics for high voltage capacitor applications. Our studies of DNA-CTMA (cetyltrimethylammonium) complex/sol-gel ceramic hybrid thin film devices have demonstrated reproducibility and stability in temperature- and frequency-dependent dielectric properties with dielectric constant k ∼ 5.0 (1 kHz), as well as reliability in DC voltage breakdown measurements, attaining values consistently in the range of 300–350 V/μm. The electrical/dielectric characteristics of DNA-CTMA films with sol-gel-derived ceramics were examined to determine the critical energy storage parameters such as voltage breakdown and dielectric constant.
Distributed system for processing multidimensional radiological images

Three-dimensional (3D) image data generated by modalities such as CT and MRI can provide a physician with insight. Analysis of such data has traditionally been done using time- consuming, error-prone manual techniques. Automating this analysis can improve the consistency of the results and reduce the amount of user interactive time required. Automated analysis, however, carries with it a tremendous computational burden. To address this problem, we have designed a distributed processing environment for the rapid processing of 3D radiological images. Our system enables sequences of image processing operations (filtering, morphology, segmentation, etc.) to be linked together. These sequences are then rapidly carried out by distributing the computational load across a network of workstations and a massively parallel computer, using the PVM protocol. A graphical user interface facilitates system operation, making the low-level parallel processing issues transparent to the user.
Notes on neotropical Pterobryaceae

Some problems among the neotropical members of the moss family Pterobryaceae are reviewed.Orthostichidium is synonymized withHildebrandtiella, resulting inH. guyanensis (Mont.) Buck; andOrthostichopsis is reviewed for the New World with a new species,O. praetermissa, described.
Periodic changes in the form of the P waves in partial heart block

Abstract Five cases of partial auriculoventricular block are reported, in which those P waves which came carly in diastole constantly had an altered shape. In four of these cases, during 2:1 block, the P waves with an abnormal configuration seemed to be slightly premature. Knowledge of this disturbance will prevent confusion with blocked auricular extrasystoles. Sometimes this change of form may be due to superimposition of U waves on early P waves. Another possibility is a change in intra-auricular conduction or site of stimulus formation caused by varying vagal tone.
Dieting and Binge Eating among Adolescents: What Do They Really Mean?

The study objectives were to gain insight into how the terms "dieting" and "binge eating" are understood and used by adolescents and to assess whether interpretations of these terms are consistent across age and gender. Twenty-five focus groups were conducted with 203 adolescents (138 girls and 65 boys) in urban public junior and senior high schools. Respondents were asked questions about dieting and binge eating behaviors. In the majority of groups (n=19), healthful eating behaviors, such as eating less fat or more fruits and vegetables, were mentioned in reference to dieting. However, in many of the groups (n=13) unhealthful eating behaviors, such as skipping meals or "starvation," were also described. Dieting was frequently described as an umbrella term for different behaviors aimed at weight control (ie, physical activity) or in nonbehavioral terms (ie, as a desire or plan for weight loss). Although binge eating was described as overeating by many participants, often it was not clear if youth were referring to uncontrolled overeating. In nearly half of the groups, participants indicated unfamiliarity with the term "binge eating." There was some confusion between binge eating and other forms of disordered eating. The findings suggest that prevalence rates of self-reported dieting and binge eating behaviors should be interpreted with caution and it should not be assumed that the majority of adolescents who self-report dieting are engaging in unhealthful behaviors. In providing nutrition counseling to youth, and in assessing dieting and binge eating behaviors in clinical settings and in research studies, specific behaviors should be defined.
Self Assembly and Optical Properties of Dendrimer Nanocomposite Multilayers

Ultrathin multilayers are important for electrical and optical devices, as well as for immunoassays, artificial organs, and for controlling surface properties. The construction of ultrathin multilayer films by electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition proved to be a popular and successful method to create films with a range of electrical, optical, and biological properties. Dendrimer nanocomposites (DNCs) form highly uniform hybrid (inorganic-organic) nanoparticles with controlled composition and architecture. In this work, the fabrication, characterization, and optical properties of ultrathin dendrimer/poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and silver-DNC/PSS nanocomposite multilayers using layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic assembly techniques are described. UV-vis spectra of the multilayers were found to be a combination of electronic transitions of the surface plasmon peaks, and the regular frequency modulations attributable to the multilayered film structure. The modulations appeared as the consequence of the highly regular and non-intermixed multilayer growth as a function of the resulting structure. A simple model to explain the experimental data is presented. Use of DNCs in multilayers results in abrupt, flat, and uniform interfaces.
Sources of variability in nicotine and cotinine levels with use of nicotine nasal spray, transdermal nicotine, and cigarette smoking

Author(s): Benowitz, NL; Zevin, S; Jacob, P | Abstract: AimsNicotine nasal spray and transdermal nicotine are effective aids to smoking cessation, and are being evaluated for treatment of other medical diseases. Wide variation in levels of nicotine and its metabolite, cotinine, have been observed with such therapies. This study aimed primarily to assess sources of individual variability in nicotine and metabolite plasma levels from these dosing systems and from cigarette smoking.MethodsTwelve cigarette smokers, studied on a clinical research ward, received four treatments of 5 days duration each, including (1) cigarette smoking, 16 cigarettes/day; (2) transdermal nicotine, 15 mg/day; (3) nicotine nasal spray, 24-1 mg doses/day; (4) placebo nicotine nasal spray, 24 doses/day. On a different occasion, the disposition kinetics of nicotine and cotinine were determined via infusion of deuterium-labeled nicotine and continine. Plasma levels of nicotine, cotinine, and 3'-hydroxycotinine and daily intake of nicotine during various treatments were examined, as well as pharmacokinetic factors that determined plasma nicotine and continine levels.ResultsThere was considerable individual variation in plasma nicotine and cotinine levels and in the daily of nicotine absorbed from various delivery systems, with most variability with nicotine nasal spray (fivefold) and least for transdermal nicotine (two-to threefold). Plasma nicotine levels were determined most strongly by nicotine clearance. Continine levels were determined most strongly by dose of nicotine and, to a lesser extent, the clearance of cotinine and fractional conversion of nicotine to continine.ConclusionsPlasma levels of nicotine and cotinine produced by nicotine therapies are highly variable, due to both wide variability in individual pharmacokinetics and in dose delivery from the products. To compensate for individual differences in clearance, individualization of nicotine dosing based on therapeutic drug monitoring with comparison to nicotine or continine levels during cigarette smoking prior to treatment may be necessary to optimize nicotine therapy. This study also validates a recently proposed method for estimating absolute bioavailability of a drug using drug and metabolite pharmacokinetic data, and presents novel data on plasma levels of the metabolite trans-3'-hydroxycotinine in people.
Wide area network access to CMS data using the LustreTM filesystem

In this paper, we explore the use of the LustreTM cluster filesystem over the wide area network to access Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) data stored on physical devices located hundreds of kilometres away. We describe the experimental testbed and report on the I/O performance of applications writing and reading data on the distributed LustreTM filesystem established across the WAN. We compare the I/O performance of a CMS application to the performance obtained with IOzone, a standard benchmark tool. We then examine the I/O performance of the CMS application running multiple processes on a single server. And compare the Lustre results to results obtained on data stored on local filesystems. Our measurements reveal that the IOzone benchmark tool, accessing data sequentially, can saturate the Gbps network link that connects our Lustre client in Miami Florida to the Lustre storage located in Gainesville, Florida. We also find that the I/O rates of the CMS application is significantly less than what can be obtained with IOzone for sequential access to data.
The Continuing Roles for U.S. Strategic Forces

The rise of hostile rogue states, new terrorist threats, and the proliferation of WMD and missile technology have all highlighted our need for an effective deterrence strategy in this post-Cold War environment. The fundamental questions of strategy we now face are to understand what and how we may be able to deter in a new strategic environment. Unfortunately, most of what we believed was true about deterrence during the Cold War is now misleading because international conditions have changed so dramatically. This conclusion does not suggest that we discard deterrence. It does, however, explain why our Cold War strategy of deterrence based on offensive nuclear forces and a mutual balance of terror must be reconsidered in toto.
Lamb Waves and Resonant Modes in Rectangular-Bar Silicon Resonators

This paper presents two newly developed models of capacitive silicon bulk acoustic resonators (SiBARs) characterized by a rectangular-bar geometry. The first model is derived from an approximate analytical solution of the linear elastodynamic equations for a parallelepiped made of an orthotropic material. This solution, which is recognized to represent a Lamb wave propagating across the width of the resonator, yields the frequencies and shapes of the resonance modes that typically govern the operation of SiBARs. The second model is numerical and is based on a finite-element multiphysics simulation of both acoustic wave propagation in the resonator and electromechanical transduction in the capacitive gaps of the device. It is especially useful in the computation of the SiBAR performance parameters, which cannot be obtained from the analytical model, e.g., the relationship between the transduction area and the insertion loss. Comparisons with the measurements taken on a set of silicon resonators fabricated using electron-beam lithography show that both models can predict the resonance frequencies of SiBARs with a relative error, which, in most cases, is significantly smaller than 1%.
An evaluation of methods to monitor infants receiving intravenous lipids

Nephelometric measurement of light-scattering index and visual estimates of turbidity have been advocated to monitor serum Intralipid levels. This study describes a simple modified fluorometric method for accurately measuring lipid particles in serum and examines the reliability of such estimates compared with other chemical measurements. Ten percent IL was diluted with either saline or serum to various concentrations (0 to 250 mg/dl). The LSI showed an excellent correlation with known IL standard solutions in saline or serum (R=0.99) and with triglyceride concentrations (R=0.98). One hundred nine blood samples were obtained from 35 patients (28 neonates) receiving IL. An elevated TG, free fatty acid, or cholesterol level could not be reliably predicted from the LSI. The ability of clinical personnel to visually grade the degree of turbidity was evaluated by having them assign a turbidity score of 0 to 4+ to 39 hematocrit tubes which contained clear, hemolyzed, or icteric serum, each of which had IL concentrations varying from 0 to 292 mg/dl. The 15 tubes of identical IL concentration of 99 mg/dl were graded from 0 to 4+ by two of the observers, from 1 to 4+ by three of the observers, and 0 to 3+, 1 to 3+, and 2 or 3+ by one each of the observers. This study shows that (1) in vitro fluorometric LSI correlates well with IL concentrations; (2) in vivo correlations of LSI with FFA, cholesterol, and TG are poor; and (3) personnel are unable to reliably grade turbidity by visual examination of hematocrit tubes. Infants on IL should be monitored by TG and FFA levels.
Segmental-dependent membrane permeability along the intestine following oral drug administration: Evaluation of a triple single-pass intestinal perfusion (TSPIP) approach in the rat

In this paper we evaluate a modified approach to the traditional single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) rat model in investigating segmental-dependent permeability along the intestine following oral drug administration. Whereas in the traditional model one single segment of the intestine is perfused, we have simultaneously perfused three individual segments of each rat intestine: proximal jejunum, mid-small intestine and distal ileum, enabling to obtain tripled data from each rat compared to the traditional model. Three drugs, with different permeabilities, were utilized to evaluate the model: metoprolol, propranolol and cimetidine. Data was evaluated in comparison to the traditional method. Metoprolol and propranolol showed similar P(eff) values in the modified model in all segments. Segmental-dependent permeability was obtained for cimetidine, with lower P(eff) in the distal parts. Similar P(eff) values for all drugs were obtained in the traditional method, illustrating that the modified model is as accurate as the traditional, throughout a wide range of permeability characteristics, whether the permeability is constant or segment-dependent along the intestine. Three-fold higher statistical power to detect segmental-dependency was obtained in the modified approach, as each subject serves as his own control. In conclusion, the Triple SPIP model can reduce the number of animals utilized in segmental-dependent permeability research without compromising the quality of the data obtained.
The role of mantle-depletion and melt-retention buoyancy in spreading-center segmentation

Abstract Numerical experiments are used to examine the structure of mantle flow beneath the axis of a spreading center. Buoyancy results from the depletion of residual mantle in iron relative to magnesium as melt is extracted (mantle-depletion buoyancy) and from the presence of low-density melt (melt-retention buoyancy). 3-D buoyant mantle flow arises spontaneously from an initially 2-D solution for low mantle viscosity and low spreading rate. At high viscosity and high spreading rate, initially 2-D solutions remain 2-D. This may explain the fundamentally different structure of fast and slow spreading centers. In a uniform viscosity halfspace, the along-axis wavelength of 3-D buoyant upwelling scales with the maximum depth of melting, the only length scale in this system. For reasonable maximum depths of melting (60–90 km), along-axis wavelengths of 200–300 km are preferred, longer than the 50–100 km segmentation length of slow spreading centers. In a viscosity-layered halfspace, the thickness of the asthenosphere introduces another length scale. A wavelength of segmentation comparable to the asthenosphere thickness also develops in our numerical experiments. This suggests the possibility that a wavelength corresponding to the spacing between gravity lows may be controlled by the asthenosphere thickness, while the spacing of major fracture zones corresponds to the longer wavelength ( ≈ 3 times the maximum depth of melting) intrinsic to the melting region. The along-axis structure of 3-D flow varies from narrow, focused upwellings, at low spreading rates and mantle viscosities, to broad regions of upwelling at high spreading rates and mantle viscosity. To allow an along-axis crustal thickness variation no larger than that which is observed ( ≈ 3–4 km), the highly focused upwelling and crustal production predicted at slow spreading rates requires appreciable along-axis transport of melt.
Sensitivity to prediction error in reach adaptation

It has been proposed that the brain predicts the sensory consequences of a movement and compares it to the actual sensory feedback. When the two differ, an error signal is formed, driving adaptation. How does an error in one trial alter performance in the subsequent trial? Here we show that the sensitivity to error is not constant but declines as a function of error magnitude. That is, one learns relatively less from large errors compared with small errors. We performed an experiment in which humans made reaching movements and randomly experienced an error in both their visual and proprioceptive feedback. Proprioceptive errors were created with force fields, and visual errors were formed by perturbing the cursor trajectory to create a visual error that was smaller, the same size, or larger than the proprioceptive error. We measured single-trial adaptation and calculated sensitivity to error, i.e., the ratio of the trial-to-trial change in motor commands to error size. We found that for both sensory modalities sensitivity decreased with increasing error size. A reanalysis of a number of previously published psychophysical results also exhibited this feature. Finally, we asked how the brain might encode sensitivity to error. We reanalyzed previously published probabilities of cerebellar complex spikes (CSs) and found that this probability declined with increasing error size. From this we posit that a CS may be representative of the sensitivity to error, and not error itself, a hypothesis that may explain conflicting reports about CSs and their relationship to error.
Identifying Genes with The Concept of Customization

Gene selection with microarray data is an important task towards the study of genomics. The goal is to identify the optimal subset of genes such that maximum discrimination power across samples (e.g., tumor types) while minimum redundancy among genes are achieved. Essentially, it is NPcomplete. Approximation algorithms are usually solicited including individual ranking and sequential forward selection. Typically, from source input microarray data to output selected genes, multiple steps including preprocessing, discretization, discrimination modeling, redundancy modeling, optimization formularization, classification, and evaluation are involved in the presence of a number of options (techniques) for each of them. Putting them together, we form the concept of customization for gene selection in this paper, that is, configure the entire scenario such that various maybe trivial techniques can team work with superior performance rather than focus on certain technique within a single step (e.g., discrimination power modeling). One configuration following the principle of simplicity is constructed in this paper which identi?es genes effectively shown by experiments.
COUNTRY CAPABILITIES AND THE STRATEGIC STATE: HOW NATIONAL POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS AFFECT MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS' STRATEGIES

This article presents a framework for the analysis of how MNC's strategies interact with states' industrial strategies. It first shows how national institutional arrangements can systematically contribute to state strategic capabilities that form a basis of competitive advantage. It then examines conditions under which these arrangements and capabilities affect, or fail to affect, gthe international strategies and organization structures of home firms, incoming foreign direct investors, and home firms' international customers, collaborators and competitors
ISORROPIA II: a computationally efficient thermodynamic equilibrium model for K + –Ca 2+ –Mg 2+ –NH 4 + –Na + –SO 4 2− –NO 3 − –Cl − –H 2 O aerosols

Abstract. This study presents ISORROPIA II, a thermodynamic equilibrium model for the K+–Ca2+–Mg2+–NH4+–Na+–SO42−–NO3−–Cl−–H2O aerosol system. A comprehensive evaluation of its performance is conducted against water uptake measurements for laboratory aerosol and predictions of the SCAPE2 thermodynamic module over a wide range of atmospherically relevant conditions. The two models agree well, to within 13% for aerosol water content and total PM mass, 16% for aerosol nitrate and 6% for aerosol chloride and ammonium. Largest discrepancies were found under conditions of low RH, primarily from differences in the treatment of water uptake and solid state composition. In terms of computational speed, ISORROPIA II was more than an order of magnitude faster than SCAPE2, with robust and rapid convergence under all conditions. The addition of crustal species does not slow down the thermodynamic calculations (compared to the older ISORROPIA code) because of optimizations in the activity coefficient calculation algorithm. Based on its computational rigor and performance, ISORROPIA II appears to be a highly attractive alternative for use in large scale air quality and atmospheric transport models.
IR Probes of Protein Microenvironments: Utility and Potential for Perturbation

A variety of IR-active moieties with absorptions that are distinct from those of proteins have been developed as probes of local protein environments, including carbon-deuterium bonds (CD), cyano groups (CN), and azides (N3 ); however, no systematic analysis of their utility in a protein has been published. Previously, we characterized the N-terminal Src homology 3 domain of the murine adapter protein Crk-II (nSH3) with CD bonds site-selectively incorporated throughout, and showed that it is relatively rigid and electrostatically heterogeneous and that it thermally unfolds under equilibrium conditions via a simple two-state mechanism. We now report the synthesis and characterization of eight variants of nSH3 with CN and/or N3 probes at five of the same positions. In agreement with previous studies, the position-dependent spectra suggest that both probes are predominantly sensitive to hydration, and not to their local electrostatic environments. Importantly, both probes also tend to significantly perturb the protein if they are not incorporated at surface-exposed positions. Thus, unlike CD labels, which are both sensitive to their environment and non-perturbative, CN and N3 probes should be used with caution.
Substrate characterization and catheter ablation for monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

VT Ablation in Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Introduction: Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) is uncommon in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The purpose of this study was to define the substrate and role of catheter ablation for VT in apical HCM. Methods: Four patients with apical HCM and frequent, drug refractory VT (mean age of 46 ± 10 years, left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction; 54 ± 14%) underwent catheter ablation with the use of electroanatomic mapping. Endocardial mapping was performed in 4 patients and 3 patients underwent epicardial mapping. Results: In 3 patients, VT was related to areas of scar in the apical LV where maximal apical wall thickness ranged from 14.5 to 17.8 mm, and 2 patients had apical aneurysms. Endocardial and epicardial substrate mapping revealed low voltage (<1.5 mV) scar in both endocardial and epicardial LV in 2 and only in the epicardium in 1 patient. Inducible VT was abolished with a combination of endocardial and epicardial ablation in 2 patients, but was ineffective in the third patient who had intramural reentry that required transcoronary ethanol ablation of an obtuse marginal vessel for abolition. The fourth patient had focal nonsustained repetitive VT from right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), consistent with idiopathic RVOT-VT, that was successfully ablated. During follow-ups of 3-9 months, all patients remained free from VT. Conclusion: Monomorphic VT in apical HCM can be due to endocardial, epicardial or intramural reentry in areas of apical scar. Epicardial ablation or transcoronary alcohol ablation is required in some cases. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 41-48, January 2011)
Clean coal technologies: OSCAR and CARBONOX commercial demonstrations

Two promising clean coal processes, OSCAR and CARBONOX, which were developed in the authors' laboratory from initial fundamental research to the current stage of pilot demonstration, are highlighted.
Quantizer design for distributed estimation with communication constraints and unknown observation statistics

We consider the problem of quantizer design in a distributed estimation system with communication constraints in the case where only a training sequence is available. Our approach is based on a generalization of regression trees. The look-ahead method that we also propose improves significantly the performance. The final system performs similarly to the one that assumes known statistics.