cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of delayed time-out on problem behavior of preschool children

Time-out is a common negative punishment procedure in home and school settings. Although prior studies have shown time-out is effective, more research is needed on its effects when implementation is imperfect. We evaluated delays to time-out with 4 preschool children who engaged in some combination of aggression, property destruction, and rule breaking. Target behavior decreased for all subjects exposed to delayed time-out, with 3 of 4 subjects displaying low levels of target behavior even when time-out was delayed by 90-120 s. These data suggest delayed time-out might be effective in situations in which a caregiver or teacher cannot implement time-out immediately.
High Gain Dual Polarized Omni Antenna for four channel MIMO Applications

Here we present a four channel omni-directional antenna that covers the 4.9-6.4GHz frequency band. It employs a combination of dipole and patch coupled slot antennas. It uses a parallel feed network to avoid beam squint. We optimized the patterns for 4x2 MIMO. The antennas are widely deployed in fixed wireless and outdoor Wi-Fi applications.
Swell Effects on Near-Coastal Smap L-Band High-Resolution NRCS Data

In this paper, physical models for ocean surface swell effects on L-band backscatter at 40° incidence angle are used to interpret measurements from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active/Passive (SMAP) radar. The backscatter normalized radar cross section (NRCS) of the ocean surface is predicted using the two-scale (or composite surface) model (TSM). The wind-driven ocean surface in the model is characterized using the Durden-Vesecky directional spectrum, while swell effects are represented through their contribution to the long wave slope variance. The excess slope variance attributed to swell is then obtained from the Wave Watch III wave model. Preliminary comparisons in HH polarization show an improved agreement between modeled and observed NRCS data when swell effects are included.
Pathophysiologic and Prognostic Implications of Right Atrial Hypertension in Adults With Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background Right atrial pressure (RAP), a composite metric of right ventricular diastolic function, volume status, and right heart compliance, is a predictor of mortality in patients with heart fai...
Multifrontal Non-negative Matrix Factorization.

Non-negative matrix factorization (Nmf) is an important tool in high-performance large scale data analytics with applications ranging from community detection, recommender system, feature detection and linear and non-linear unmixing. While traditional Nmf works well when the data set is relatively dense, however, it may not extract sufficient structure when the data is extremely sparse. Specifically, traditional Nmf fails to exploit the structured sparsity of the large and sparse data sets resulting in dense factors. We propose a new algorithm for performing Nmf on sparse data that we call multifrontal Nmf (Mf-Nmf) since it borrows several ideas from the multifrontal method for unconstrained factorization (e.g. LU and QR). We also present an efficient shared memory parallel implementation of Mf-Nmf and discuss its performance and scalability. We conduct several experiments on synthetic and realworld datasets and demonstrate the usefulness of the algorithm by comparing it against standard baselines. We obtain a speedup of 1.2x to 19.5x on 24 cores with an average speed up of 10.3x across all the real world datasets.
Hematopoietic Cytokines to Support Repeated Doses of Dose-Intensive Chemotherapy with Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, and Cisplatin (DICEP)

The last two decades have witnessed fundamental changes in the practice of clinical oncology. Perhaps the most important is the acknowledgement that partial, or in many cases even complete, clinical remissions do not usually result in substantial survival benefit. The degree of tumor reduction obtainable with present standard therapy regimens is not sufficient to prolong survival in most patients. The importance of dose intensity in achieving a higher response rate’ and, arguably, survival2 has encouraged some oncologists, usually in a clinical trials milieu, to accept absolute but reversible granulocytopenia as a justifiable side effect of chemotherapy. This change in attitude has been fostered by the successes of bone marrow transplantation as well as by the development of improved supportive agents and approaches. Concurrently, several hematopoietic cytokines capable of ameliorating hematologic toxicity and the side-effects of dose-intensive therapy have become clinically available. These changes are the basis for a series of trials conducted over the last six years at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center attempting to achieve even greater dose rate intensity and total dose intensity than that used in most transplantation programs. The results of those trials are the substance of this report.
Small Scale Creation in Active Scalars

The focus of the course is on small scale formation in solutions of the incompressible Euler equation of fluid dynamics and associated models. We first review the regularity results and examples of small scale growth in two dimensions. Then we discuss a specific singular scenario for the three-dimensional Euler equation discovered by Hou and Luo, and analyze some associated models. Finally, we will also talk about the surface quasi-geostrophic (SQG) equation, and construct an example of singularity formation in the modified SQG patch solutions as well as examples of unbounded growth of derivatives for the smooth solutions.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and School Readiness Among Preschool-Aged Children

Objective To examine the association between preschool-aged children's exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and multiple, intersecting domains of school readiness using a nationally representative sample. Study design A sample of 15 402 preschool-aged children (3-5 years) in the US from the 3 most recent cohorts (2016-2018) of the National Survey of Children's Health were employed. Primary caregivers were asked survey questions about the adversities experienced by focal children. Four distinct domains of school readiness among the children were also derived from the survey: early learning skills, self-regulation, social-emotional development, and physical health and motor development. Results Although nearly one-half of children who had not been exposed to ACEs were on-track across all domains, only 1 in 5 children exposed to 3 or more ACEs were on-track across all domains. Follow-up analyses identified parenting stress and reduced positive parenting practices as significant mediators of this association. Multivariate results also indicated that, regardless of the school readiness domain examined, an accumulation of ACEs increased the rate of items on which a child needs support or is at-risk. Conclusions An accumulation of ACEs among preschool-aged children elevates risk within and across school readiness domains. These findings highlight the urgent need to identify best practices to reduce ACE exposure, as well as improve school readiness during early childhood.
Urban Energy Data Visualization and Management: Evaluating Community-Scale Eco-Feedback Approaches

AbstractAs energy consumption in urban areas rises to the level of being a global concern, the impact of community behavior becomes critical to assessing and managing energy consumption. Eco-feedba...
QUANTIFYING THE EFFECTS OF NITROGEN ON DRY MATTER PARTITIONING OF STANDARD CUT CHRYSANTHEMUM ‘SHENMA’ IN SOLAR GREENHOUSE

Aims Dry matter partitioning is the basis of external quality formation of ornamental plants. Nitrogen is the important nutrient affecting dry matter partitioning of plants. Our aim was to quantitatively investigate the effects of nitrogen on dry matter partitioning of standard cut chrysanthemum (Dendranthema morifolium ‘Shenma’) grown in a solar greenhouse. Methods We conducted our experiments using different planting dates and different levels of nitrogen application rates in a solar greenhouse in Beijing, China during October 2005 and July 2006. The integrated photo-thermal index, the product of thermal effectiveness, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and day length (PTEP), was used to describe changes of the partitioning indices of leaf, stem and flower with development stages. Effects of the accumulated leaf nitrogen content at bud-showing stage on the dynamics of the partitioning indices of leaf, stem and flower were quantified based on experimental data. Based on these quantitative relationships, we developed a model for predicting the effects of nitrogen on dry matter partitioning. Independent experimental data were used to validate the model. Important findings The seasonal maximum accumulated leaf nitrogen content occurred at the bud-showing stage, and the optimal value at this stage is 1.62 g·m–2. Based on the 1:1 line, the coefficients of determination (R2) between the simulated and measured dry weight of stem, leaf and flower were 0.96, 0.97 and 0.94, respectively, and the relative prediction errors (RSE) between the simulated and measured dry weight of stem, leaf and flower were 8.26%, 5.76% and 3.70%, respectively. The model wedeveloped can satisfactorily predict dry weight of stem, leaf and flower using greenhouse air temperature, radiation, day length and the accumulated leaf nitrogen content at the bud-showing stage as inputs; hence, it can be used for the optimization of nitrogen management for standard cut chrysanthemum ‘Shenma’ production in solar greenhouse.
Greed, the Market, and Human Flourishing

Milton Friedman once argued that the free market system has been the most effective economic system in lifting millions out of poverty and that greed is a key component of that system. While greed has been almost universally condemned throughout major world religions, economists such as Friedman, have argued that there are some benefits to greed in free market economies. In this chapter, I explore the positive case for greed in a market economy argued by John Meadowcroft. Ultimately, I argue that while there are benefits to society derived from individuals pursuing their self-interest, in contrast, the effects of greed on society are harmful. I then suggest solutions on how society can help shape the character of its citizens through education in the arts and positive psychology in an effort to curb the excesses of greed.
Immunopathogenesis of the NOD Mouse

The NOD mouse model of type 1A (immune-mediated) diabetes and genetic derivatives of this strain are probably the most extensively studied autoimmune animal models (1–4 ). NOD mice spontaneously develop insulitis. This is followed in the great majority of female mice by sufficient beta-cell destruction to result in overt diabetes and approximately 50% of male mice develop diabetes. Insulitis develops between 4 and 8 weeks and over a prolonged period of time increasing numbers of mice develop severe hyperglycemia. In addition, the mice develop sialitis and other autoimmune disorders, such as thyroiditis, retinitis, and autoimmune neuropathy, depending upon the genetic backgrounds (5–7 ). Multiple derivatives of the NOD model (congenic strains of mice with specific mutations and transgenes) are available from repositories at the Jackson Laboratories and Taconic and from individual investigators. There is no doubt that type 1A diabetes is the result of T cell-mediated destruction of beta cells with genetic mutations and therapies that eliminate (e.g., Rag and SCID mutations) T cells preventing disease and ability to transfer the disease with autoreactive T cells.
Isolation and Characterization of a Mutant of Salmonella typhimurium Deficient in a Major Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase Activity

A mutant of Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 that is deficient in a major deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase activity has been isolated and characterized. This mutant resembles the pol mutants of E. coli in that it has low DNA polymerase activity and it is sensitive to methyl methane sulfonate as well as ultraviolet irradiation. Revertants selected for methyl methane sulfonate resistance are no longer sensitive to ultraviolet irradiation and contain normal DNA polymerase levels. No direct role in replication can be ascribed to this polymerase activity since cells grow well in its absence. In addition, the LT2 plasmid has been shown to exist in the mutant strain.
Calcite from Thomasville, Pennsylvania

Abstract The calcite crystals from Thomasville include dramatic large twins on (0001) and much smaller but interesting twins on the rarely seen law (0221). Both kinds of twins are distorted relative to untwinned crystals. Twins on (0001) are stubbier, whereas twins on (0221) are greatly elongated, with a much reduced set of faces. Both forms of distortion can be related to a growth advantage provided by the twin plane.
Lower Bounds for Multicast Message Authentication

Message integrity from one sender to one receiver is typically achieved by having the two parties share a secret key to compute a Message Authentication Code (MAC). We consider the "multicast MAC", which is a natural generalization to multiple receivers. We prove that one cannot build a short and efficient collusion resistant multicast MAC without a new advance in digital signature design.
Binding of the transcription factor EBP-80 mediates the methylation response of an intracisternal A-particle long terminal repeat promoter.

Abstract Intracisternal A-particle (IAP) expression in mouse cells has been correlated with hypomethylation of HhaI and HpaII sites in proviral long terminal repeats (LTRs). In a previous study, in vitro methylation of three HhaI sites in the U3 region of the LTR from the cloned genomic IAP element, MIA14, was shown to inhibit promoter activity in vivo. In this study, we found by site-directed mutagenesis that the two more downstream HhaI sites within this LTR were responsible for the methylation effects on promoter activity in vivo; methylation of the other (5') HhaI site, which lies within a putative SP1 binding domain, did not affect promoter activity. Methylation of the HhaI sites also inhibited promoter activity of the LTR in a cell-free transcription system. Exonuclease III footprinting demonstrated methylation-induced changes in protein binding over the region encompassing the downstream HhaI site, designated the Enh2 domain. The protein that interacts specifically with this domain, EBP-80, was characterized in a previous study (M. Falzon and E. L. Kuff, J. Biol. Chem. 264:21915-21922, 1989). We show here that the presence of methylcytosine in the HhaI site within the Enh2 domain inhibited binding of EBP-80 in vitro. The methylated MIA14 LTR construct was much less responsive to added EBP-80 in an in vitro transcription system than was the unmethylated construct. These data suggest that CpG methylation within the Enh2 domain may exert its effect on transcription in vivo by altering the interaction between EBP-80 and its cognate DNA sequence.
Comparison of Clinical and Neuropsychiatric profiles of patients with intermittent PNES (iPNES) and non-epileptic psychogenic status (NEPS) (P5.089)

OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical and neuropsychiatric profiles of patients with NEPS and iPNES. BACKGROUND NEPS describes markedly prolonged PNES that lead to substantial and repetitive utilization of emergency medical services, ICU admissions, potential iatrogenic harm, and overall increased cost of healthcare. We sought to perform a clinical and neuropsychiatric comparison of patients with NEPS and isolated PNES (iPNES) to clarify key clinical differences beyond merely the duration of events. DESIGN/METHODS 8 self-paced questionnaires Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS), SOMS-7, Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), Personality Assessment Inventory(PAI), Childhood trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Quality of Life in Epilepsy, and BDI-II were prospectively administered to 192 patients. Of those, 45 were identified with iPNES and 17 with NEPS based on the recording of the ictal events in EMU and clinical history and were selected for this comparative analysis (the remaining patients were diagnosed with epilepsy (68), PNES and epilepsy (5), or had non-diagnostic evaluation (57). An independent-samples t-tests (or Chi-square) were conducted to compare these groups with respect to the demographic, clinical, and neuropsychiatric variables. RESULTS Overall, the differences between groups in demographic and clinical variables were relatively minor. Patients with iPNES had more years of education (13.6 vs. 12.1; p=0.011), were more frequently cared for by an epileptologist (p=0.012) and tended to have less major medical comorbidities (3.0 vs. 4.3; p=0.064). There were no significant differences between groups with respect to any of the neuropsychiatric measures. CONCLUSIONS. While the literature suggests that patients with NEPS may be different from those with iPNES, our study reveals no significant differences between the two groups with respect to neuropsychiatric measures and only minor demographic variables. Factors other than just psychiatric, may need to be considered as the underlying cause of the differences in the presentation between iPNES and NEPS. Disclosure: Dr. Arora has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rawal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dworetzky has nothing to disclose. Dr. Szaflarski has nothing to disclose.
Semi-automatic conceptual data modeling using entity and relationship instance repositories

Data modelers frequently lack experience and have incomplete knowledge about the application being designed. To address this issue, we propose new types of reusable artifacts called Entity Instance Repository (EIR) and Relationship Instance Repository (RIR), which contain ER modeling patterns from prior designs and serve as knowledge-based repositories for conceptual modeling. We explore the development of automated data modeling tools with EIR and RIR. We also select six data modeling rules used for identification of entities in one of the tools. Two tools were developed in this study: Heuristic-Based Technique (HBT) and Entity Instance Pattern WordNet (EIPW). The goals of this study are (1) to find effective approaches that can improve the novice modelers' performance in developing conceptual models by integrating patternbased technique and various modeling techniques, (2) to evaluate whether those selected six modeling rules are effective, and (3) to validate whether the proposed tools are effective in creating quality data models. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the tools, empirical testing was conducted on tasks of different sizes. The empirical results indicate that novice designers' overall performance increased 30.9-46.0% when using EIPW, and increased 33.5-34.9 % when using HBT, compared with the cases with no tools.
A distributed data implementation of parallel full CI program

A distributed data parallel full CI program is described The implementation of the FCI algorithm is organized in a combined Cl driven approach With extra computation we were able to avoid redundant communication, and convert the collective communication into more efficient point-to-point communication. The network performance is further optimized by improved DDI library. Examples show very good speedup performance on 16 node PC clusters. The application of the code is also demonstrated.
ULTRASONIC ATTENUATION MEASUREMENTS ON LuBa2Cu3O7 AND HoBa2Cu3O7

HoBa2Cu3O7 and LuBa2Cu3O7 show very different ultrasonic attenuation behavior at temperatures below 220 K. The Ho sample exhibits a broad maximum in attenuation at around 220 K, while the Lu sample shows a minimum followed by a plateau below 140 K. At Tc, the Ho sample shows a decrease in attenuation; there is no evidence for such a change in the Lu sample.
An examination of the Deep Impact collision site on Comet Tempel 1 via Stardust-NExT: Placing further constraints on cometary surface properties

Abstract In this work, we describe a detailed study of the Deep Impact (DI) collision site on Comet 9P Tempel 1 as imaged by the Stardust-NExT spacecraft in February of 2011. This investigation reveals a tentatively identified, barely resolvable, shallow impact crater located at the previously identified impact site, 49 ± 12 m in diameter; surrounded by an area of slightly brightened material marking a potential ejecta blanket 85–120 m in diameter. Assuming that this crater identification is correct, we use this diameter to place further constraints on the surface material struck by the DI impactor to yield crater scaling-law constants of μ = 0.45 ± 0.05 (exponential constant), K 1 = 0.15 ± 0.05 (linear proportionality constant), and Y ¯ = 1 – 10 kPa (effective target strength) utilizing the expressions and nomenclature of Holsapple (Holsapple, K.A. [1993]. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 21, 333–373). These material constants are roughly analogous to the material properties of a lightly-packed, ‘dry’ mountain snow. Additional modeling yields refined values for the total ejected mass produced by the DI event of 1.2 × 10 6 kg (5.4 × 10 5 –2.6 × 10 6 kg), with 60% ± 20% of that mass ejected at greater than the comet’s escape velocity of 1.4 m/s, and producing a relatively thin ejecta blanket with a thickness at the final crater rim of 2.7 mm (0.5–13 mm). These values are consistent with our previous analysis of the Deep Impact event’s ejecta behavior as seen from the DI flyby spacecraft, as well as the observations conducted by other Earth-orbiting and Earth-based telescopes.
The mechanisms of biological control of plant diseases

Abstract Examples of biological control of plant diseases are analyzed to identify the mechanisms by which such control is effected. The evidence supporting the hypothesis that metabolites produced by one organism may inhibit another is presented. The fact that the formation of such a toxic material is an adaptive phenomenon in response to the presence of the inhibited organism is of considerable significance. Failure to compete successfully for suitable substrates is a form of biological control, that probably ranks second in importance. Lysis appears not to be a primary mechanism of microbial antagonism in the soil. Biological control of soil-borne pathogens is an important factor in disease control in nature. Its exploitation requires sustained and imaginative effort.
Disruptions in TFTR

Abstract This paper addresses the processes during disruptions of plasmas in the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR), including precursor phenomena, and the resulting effects which are of concern in future devices, such as heat loads and runaways. The pre-disruptive behavior varies for disruptions due to operation at different operating limits such as (a) high density, (b) low q a , and (c) high poloidal beta β p . Power loading and runaway electron impact on the first wall of a tokamak are important issues in present research devices and in the design of future devices such as CIT and ITER. In particular, disruptions can deposit large amounts of power in localized areas which can then damage the wall or adversely affect operation. The time scales and spatial profiles of heat deposition on the first wall have been studied with a poloidal array of infrared detectors and an extensive array of thermocouples providing coverage of the entire axi-symmetric, primary power-handling limiter in TFTR — the bumper limiter. While there were often common hot spots, different types of disruptions caused different heating patterns and heat loads on the bumper limiter.
Pipelining for cyclic control systems

This paper presents a novel pipelining technique designed specifically to improve the execution of cyclic control systems and applications in terms of scan cycle time reduction and/or execution of additional workload. Based on the observation that cyclic control systems are tightly coupled with physical processes and that state information (e.g. on/off signals, temperature, pressure) is the most critical data in an application, we present new execution schemes that overlap the execution of multiple cycles in multi-core processors over time. Using an edge detection application benchmark and a software real-time PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) implementation on a quad-core processor, we validate our pipelining method and show the performance scalability of the various schemes. Additionally, we analyze the resilience of our pipelining approach to time delays and propose a speculative execution method to deal with data dependency violations.
Cage opening of 1,2‐(CH2OH)2‐closo‐1,2‐C2B10H10 with 2‐(aminomethyl)‐pyridine: synthesis and structure of a cobalt salt of functionalized nido‐C2B9H10 mono anion

The reaction of 1,2-(CH2OH)2-closo-1,2-C2B10 H10 carborane with 2-(aminomethyl)-pyridine in methylene chloride at room temperature led to the partial cage degradation of the closo carborane and its conversion to the nido derivative. The addition of cobalt chloride hexahydrate in methanol to the mixture produced orange crystals 1. The crystal structure of the orange compound has been determined. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topologies of capillary condensation

Calculations are presented to illustrate the dependence of capillary adsorption upon the interactions present in model pores. The sequence of phase transitions at zero temperature is determined for a Lennard-Jones lattice gas in a pore consisting of 4 × 4 × ∞ sites. The dependence of the specific filling sequence upon the comparative strength of the gas-pore wall and the gas-gas interaction well-depths is determined. Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of sorption at finite temperature in the continuum version of the same model pore are also reported. Both the theory and the simulations were performed with variable gas-solid and gas-gas energy well-depths. At a temperature of 90 K, the gas-solid heterogeneity associated with atoms adsorbed in the corners, on the walls and in the interior pore volume gives rise to sequential adsorption similar to that observed in the lattice gas calculation at 0 K. A gradual approach to non-wetting behavior is observed as the gas-solid well-depth decreases. Values of the gas-solid well-depth needed to produce pore filling at saturation (i.e., “pore-wetting”) are discussed.
Variable progesterone response and estradiol secretion in prepubertal beef heifers following treatment with norgestomet implants.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of norgestomet ear implants on progesterone response and estradiol secretion in prepubertal beef heifers. In the first experiment, 47 beef heifers were treated with norgestomet. The implants were implanted subcutaneously for 9 d. After implant removal, blood samples were taken from heifers 2 to 4 d per week for 40 d. Following progesterone determination in jugular venous plasma, heifers were classified according to their progesterone response: 1) no response (Group 1); no rise in progesterone above 1 ng/ml throughout the sampling period; 2) one cycle (Group 2); one increase in progesterone above 1 ng/ml for at least 2 d followed by no further increase in progesterone during the sampling period; and 3) two cycles (Group 3); a rise in progesterone above 1 ng/ml for at least 2 d followed by another cycle of normal duration. Heifers treated with norgestomet were classified as 23 with no response, 9 with 1 cycle and 15 with 2 cycles. Concentrations of estradiol were measured in jugular venous samples on Day 2 after implant removal. Mean concentrations of estradiol were greater in Group 3 than in Group 1 (P ≤ 0.01). In Experiment 2, 29 prepubertal beef heifers were assigned randomly to either a 9-d treatment with norgestomet (n = 14) or to serve as untreated controls (n = 15). Blood plasma samples were collected daily from Days 0 to 44 after implant removal. After progesterone determination, heifers were classified as 8 with no response, 4 with 1 cycle and 3 with 2 cycles in the control group, and 5 with no response, 3 with 1 cycle and 6 with 2 cycles in the norgestomet group (frequencies did not differ; P > 0.1). Jugular venous blood plasma was also collected at 4-h intervals from 0 h to 96 h after implant removal and concentrations of estradiol were measured. Patterns of estradiol secretion differed (P ≤ 0.05) and overall mean concentrations of estradiol over the first 96 h following implant removal were greater (P ≤ 0.01) in norgestomet-treated heifers versus the controls. We conclude that norgestomet can produce a variable progesterone response with heifers with 2 cycles secreting more estradiol. Implants of norgestomet also causes more acute secretion of estradiol in prepubertal beef heifers.
Myoplasmic Calcium (Ca) Movements during Relaxation and Recovery of Superfast Muscle Fibers of the Toadfish Swimbladder (TSB)

Tsb fibers produce high-frequency contractions (80-100 Hz at 16 oC) that generate the fish's cyclical mating call (∼500 ms duration, ∼10 s intercall interval). Our aim was to understand Ca movements during the intercall interval by measuring Ca transients elicited by action potentials (APs). Fluo-4 was micro-injected into one fiber within a dissected bundle. With one AP, the peak, time of peak, and temporal half-width of ΔF/FR (change in indicator fluorescence divided by resting fluorescence) were ∼20, ∼9 ms, and ∼14 ms, respectively. The remaining analysis considered the late time course of ΔF. From 1 to 60 s after cessation of stimulation, ΔF was well fitted by a double-exponential decay plus a small offset. With a 40-AP train at 83 Hz, the two exponential components had approximately equal amplitudes; the fast and slow time constants were ∼2 and ∼10 s. ΔF was well simulated with our kinetic model of Ca movements in tsb fibers (model 3; Rome et al., J. Physiol., 2011) extended to the 60 s time scale. With one AP, the estimated amount of SR Ca released is ∼750 μM (concentration referred to the myoplasmic water volume) and fM(1) (the amount of the released Ca still in the myoplasm 1 s after cessation of stimulation) is ∼630 μM, 97% of which is bound to parvalbumin. With 40 APs and a Ca release of ∼5.5 mM, fM(1) is ∼3.2 mM, with 92% bound to parvalbumin. The calling cycle thus appears to be constrained by Ca accumulation on parvalbumin and the slow rate of Ca pumping that ensues when parvalbumin lowers free [Ca] close to the resting level. Supported by NIH (GM 086167) and NSF (IOS-1145981).
Passive antibody decay in thyroidectomized rabbits.

IN the course of an investigation of the immune response of rabbits exposed to a low environmental temperature (− 15° C.) it was noted that the decay-rate of passively administered homologous antibody was increased1. Reference has been made to the fact that thyroxin-treated rabbits also exhibit an increase in passive antibody decay2. The fact that an animal metabolizes protein more rapidly under conditions of cold stress or when treated with thyroxine leads one, a priori, to consider more closely the influence of the thyroid on the immune response under cold stress. The following preliminary investigation was therefore undertaken to determine the effect of surgical thyroidectomy on the rate of decay of passively administered homologous antibody.
Effect of Risk on Aspects of Escape Behavior by a Lizard, Holbrookia propinqua, in Relation to Optimal Escape Theory

Prey must balance gains from activities such as foraging and social behavior with predation risk. Optimal escape theory has been successful in predicting escape behavior of prey under a range of risk and cost factors. The optimal approach distance, the distance from the predator at which prey should begin to flee, occurs when risk equals cost. Optimal escape theory predicts that for a fixed cost, the approach distance increases as risk increases. It makes no predictions about approach distance for prey in refuges that provide only partial protection or about escape variables other than approach distance, such as the likelihood of stopping before entering refuge and escape speed. By experimentally simulating a predator approaching keeled earless lizards, Holbrookia propinqua, the predictions of optimal escape theory for two risk factors, predator approach speed and directness of approach were tested. In addition, predictions that the likelihood of fleeing into refuge without stopping and the speed of escape runs increase with risk, in this case predator approach speed, and that lizards in incompletely protective refuges permit closer approach than lizards not in refuges were also tested. Approach distance increased with predator approach speed and directness of approach, confirming predictions of optimal escape theory. Lizards were more likely to enter refuge and ran faster when approached rapidly, verifying that predation risk affects escape decisions by the lizards for escape variables not included in optimal escape theory. They allowed closer approach when in incompletely protective refuges than when in the open, confirming the prediction that risk affects escape decisions while in refuge. Optimal escape theory has been highly successful, but testing it has led to relative neglect of important aspects of escape other than approach distance.
A new search for insterstellar H2O absorption in the spectrum of Zeta Ophiuchi

Intensive Copernicus scans of the 1(11)-0(00) line of the F-X band of H2O were carried out, resulting in a 2 sigma upper limit of 1.04 mA for this line at 1114.225 A. The recently published f-value implies a column density limit of 5.3 x 10 to the 12th/sq cm, marginally above the level expected from recent chemical model calculations. A 1.8 sigma feature appears at the expected position of the H2O line, implying a column density for the ground rotational state of 2.8 x 10 to the 12th/sq cm.
Contrast-associated nephropathy.

Abstract Contrast nephropathy can be defined as an acute impairment of renal function that follows exposure to radiocontrast materials and for which alternative explanations for renal impairment have been eliminated. Based on reported studies, the incidence of contrast associated nephropathy (CAN) varies from 0 to 22%. This wide variation can be traced to differences in study design and the criteria used to designate significant renal impairment. Irrespective of the exact incidence, 2 defined risk factors have been identified: preexisting renal disease and diabetes mellitus. Whereas preexisting renal insufficiency is the single most influential risk factor for CAN, when diabetes coexists the incidence approaches 100%. The clinical presentation of CAN is distinct, having a temporal relation between the performance of the contrast study in the high-risk patient and the onset of an increase in serum creatinine levels within the next 24 hours. Serum creatinine values greater than 50% of baseline or rising 1 mg/dl or more is diagnostic. The peak serum creatinine level occurs within 3 to 5 days of the contrast study and oliguria is associated in approximately 30% of the cases. Monitoring serum creatinine is the most useful clinical procedure in high-risk patients after angiography. At least 5 potential pathophysiologic mechanisms of CAN have been proposed: interference with renal perfusion, altered glomerular permselectivity, direct tubular injury, intraluminal obstruction, and immunologic mechanisms. Support for each mechanism, either singularly or in combination, can be found in published reports; however, none has achieved universal acceptance. The single most important clinical axiom regarding the prevention and management of CAN is, “Always use the least invasive diagnostic procedure available.” In patients with prestudy serum creatinine levels >2 mg/dl, preventing dehydration and interprocedure hydration using a solution of 20% mannitol containing furosemide has been advocated; this is in addition to volume-for-volume replacement of urine volume with half-normal saline solution. Because the hypertonicity of renal contrast material has been shown to have adverse effects on renal hemodynamics independent of chemical composition, new low osmolality and nonionic contrast media have been introduced. However, conclusive evidence to support their lower nephrotoxic potential is missing.
Designing AO retinal imaging systems for real world uses: issues and limitations

Adaptive Optics retinal imaging systems are starting to reach a level of maturity that allows development of systems specialized for different purposes. In this talk I will present some of the issues that arise when considering systems research use with clinical patients, and compare and contrast three AO scanning systems we have developed.
Guideline warfare over interventional therapies for low back pain: can we raise the level of discourse?

Abstract As guidelines proliferate and are used to inform efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of care, disputes over guideline recommendations are likely to become more common and contentious. It is appropriate for guidelines to come under close scrutiny, given their important clinical and policy implications, and critiques that point out missing evidence, improper methods, or errors in interpretation can be valuable. But for critiques to be valid, they should be based on accurate information and a sound scientific basis. A 2009 guideline sponsored by the American Pain Society (APS) on the use of invasive tests and interventional procedures found insufficient evidence to make recommendations for most interventional procedures. It was subsequently the subject of lengthy critiques by the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) that sought to challenge the methods used to develop the APS guideline, point out alleged errors in the evidence review commissioned to inform the guideline, and question the integrity of the APS guideline process. We show that the ASIPP critiques contain numerous errors and fail to adhere to scientific standards for reviewing evidence, and provide suggestions on how future disputes regarding guidelines might be addressed in a more constructive manner. Perspective In order to best serve patients and clinicians, debates over guidelines should be based on accurate information, adhere to current methodological standards, acknowledge important deficiencies in the evidence when they are present, and handle conflicts of interest in a vigorous and transparent manner.
Immunogold identification of the somatotrophs of domestic fowl of different ages

The somatotrophs of the pituitary gland of the male domestic fowl were identified by means of an immuno-electron-microscopic method based on gold as the electron-opaque label and an antibody to growth hormone. Gold particles indicating sites of growth hormone were restricted to cells in which virtually all of the granules were labelled. Little, if any, gold label was found outside the granules in these cells designated as somatotrophs, or at sites outside these cells. The size of these gold-labelled secretory granules presumed to contain growth hormone decreased with age, from a mean sectional diameter of 256±6.2 nm (SEM) at 4–6 weeks to 221±5.7 nm at 11–18 weeks and 205±8.6 nm at 24–30 weeks of age. On the basis of these values for mean sectional diameters the change between the first two periods represents a decrease in granule volume of about 36%. However, during the same period the growth hormone concentration of the granules increased. Accordingly, growth hormone content per granule changed little if at all. In contrast, from 11–18 weeks to 24–30 weeks of age there was a decrease of 31% in growth hormone content per granule. These data indicate that growth hormone packaging in the chicken somatotroph changes with age. The first change results in the production of smaller granules of higher growth hormone concentration. During this period growth hormone content per granule remains relatively constant. The later change results in the production of granules of lower growth hormone content than that of younger animals.
Elemental Analysis of Cracking Catalysts by X-Ray Fluorescence

X-ray fluorescence analysis has been applied to the routine determination of Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Ni, V, and light rare earths (e.g., La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm) found in petroleum refining catalysts. Two different fusion techniques, using lithium tetraborate, are utilized to cover the elements desired over the necessary concentration ranges. A straight fusion technique can be used for rare earths, Fe, Ni, V, and Al and Ti in used catalysts. A heavy absorber fusion technique is necessary to determine Si and Al in fresh catalysts, clays, or other materials with wide matrix variations.
Multi-Purpose Transducers for Industrial Data Handling Systems

This paper discusses the requirements for industrial transducers for use with data handling systems. The most desirable form for the signal is discussed in some detail, and the general philosophy in the design of a group of transducers for this purpose described. Examples of systems using these transducers are given.
Remarks on the issue of structure sensitivity in heterogeneous catalysis: activity and selectivity

Boudart has set forth the notion of the turnover number, N, i.e., the number of molecules reacting per second per site. In terms of the fundamental aspects of heterogeneous catalysis, per se, the concept of the turnover number is most potent in that variations in morphology (nature and structure) of surface sites with crystallite size variations (or for that matter alloying, heat treatment, etc.) are made manifest by measurements of N; and, as the author suggests, signal practical consequences with respect to catalytic reactor analysis and design, for catalyst systems prone to sintering emerge in the light of the turnover number concept. Finally, the potential importance of relative turnover numbers in affecting selectivity is noted. 9 references.
Collaboration in electronic medical evidence development: a case study of the Social Security Administration's MEGAHIT System.

Abstract Background In January 2009, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began a collaboration with MedVirginia to send authorized requests for and receipts of patient health information using the Medical Evidence Gathering and Analysis through Health IT (MEGAHIT) application. This request and receipt used the Nationwide Health Information Network (NwHIN) for secure and interoperable Health IT standards-based transport of patient information. Methods This case study, conducted from June to November 2009, represents the first production exchange of health information across the NwHIN. Interviews with 43 participants from a variety of organizations are reported across technical , organizational , and governance dimensions in terms of challenges, successes, and considerations for moving forward. Results This case study reports on the technical, organizational, and governance dimensions of collaboration. In terms of technical success, the authorized medical evidence request and receipt took approximately 2min, including Continuity of Care Document (CCD) rendering. Overall, this resulted in mean case-processing time savings of 30%. Organizationally , the production effort required collaboration among multiple stakeholders: SSA sought claimant health information, MedVirginia provided patient health information, and other parties, such as the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), facilitated transport of patient information across the NwHIN. According to those involved, this limited production effort tolerated and even benefited from an ad hoc multiparty governance structure. Conclusions Multi-party collaboration can result in technical success, but achieving that success is dependent on a variety of organizational factors. This case study highlights the significance of and potential for requesting and receiving patient health information across the NwHIN. It will inform interested collaborating stakeholders as SSA engages additional providers in using MEGAHIT to collect health information via the NwHIN.
Passive rational fitting of a network transfer function from its real part

A methodology is presented for the rational function approximation of a passive network function from sampled values of its real part over the bandwidth of interest. The accuracy and validity of the proposed methodology are demonstrated through its application to the fitting of several broadband, multiport transfer functions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2008.
Missing phenotype data imputation in pedigree data analysis

Mapping complex traits or phenotypes with small genetic effects, whose phenotypes may be modulated by temporal trends in families are challenging. Detailed and accurate data must be available on families, whether or not the data were collected over time. Missing data complicate matters in pedigree analysis, especially in the case of a longitudinal pedigree analysis. Because most analytical methods developed for the analysis of longitudinal pedigree data require no missing data, the researcher is left with the option of dropping those cases (individuals) with missing data from the analysis or imputing values for the missing data. We present the use of data augmentation within Bayesian polygenic and longitudinal polygenic models to produce k complete datasets. The data augmentation, or imputation step of the Markov chain Monte Carlo, takes into account the observed familial information and the observed subject information available at other time points. These k complete datasets can then be used to fit single time point or longitudinal pedigree models. By producing a set of k complete datasets and thus k sets of parameter estimates, the total variance associated with an estimate can be partitioned into a within-imputation and a between-imputation component. The method is illustrated using the Genetic Analysis Workshop simulated data. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Herpes simplex virus type 2-mediated disease is reduced in mice lacking RNase L

Abstract RNase L helps mediate the antiviral state induced by type I interferons (IFNαβ). Although herpes simplex virus (HSV) encodes inhibitors of the IFNαβ-induced antiviral response, the IFNαβ system serves the body as a first line of defense against HSV. We investigated whether RNase L limits HSV-2 replication and virulence. RNaseL −/− and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were infected intravaginally with HSV-2 strain 333. Although initial replication in the genital epithelium was similar, mice lacking RNase L developed less severe genital and neurologic disease than wild-type mice, survived longer, and contained lower viral titers in the nervous system. CD4 + T cell infiltration into the genital tract and spinal cord of RNase L −/− mice was reduced, suggesting that a restricted inflammatory response may account for reduction in disease. Thus, RNase L does not play a significant role in control of HSV-2 infection in vivo; instead, RNase L may regulate aspects of the inflammatory response that contribute to disease.
A new lower bound for the linear knapsack problem with general integer variables

It is well known that the linear knapsack problem with general integer variables (LKP) is NP-hard. In this paper we first introduce a special case of this problem and develop an O(n) algorithm to solve it. We then show how this algorithm can be used efficiently to obtain a lower bound for a general instance of LKP and prove that it is at least as good as the linear programming lower bound. We also present the results of a computational study that show that for certain classes of problems the proposed bound on average is tighter than other bounds proposed in the literature.