cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“He Was in Those Days Beautiful and Slim”: Bertrand Russell and G.E. Moore, 1894–1901

Moore and Russell’s philosophical and personal paths through the early years of the twentieth century make a fascinating chronicle. Some of this story is familiar; but material from the unpublished Moore papers adds new and forceful detail to the account. It is a commonplace by now that Russell and Moore were not friends, although they maintained a long professional association. Their most intellectually intimate phase came early on, reaching a peak in 1897–99. But I show that during this period Moore developed an indisputable antagonism toward Russell, which I argue was motivated by a form of intellectual self-preservation from the Russellian juggernaut. This paper examines aspects of the development of their views and their relationship between 1894 and 1901.
Data Consistency in a Voluntary Medical Incident Reporting System

Voluntary medical incident reporting systems are a valuable source for studying adverse events and near misses. Unfortunately, such systems usually contain a large amount of incomplete and inaccurate reports which negatively affect their utility for medical error research. To investigate the reporting quality and propose solutions towards quality voluntary reports, we employed a content analysis method to examine one-year voluntary medical incident reports of a University Hospital. Results indicate that there is a large amount of inconsistent records within the reports. About 25% of the reports were labeled as "miscellaneous" and "other". Through an in-depth analysis, those "miscellaneous" and "other" were substituted by their real incident types or error descriptions. Analysis shows that the pre-defined reporting categories serve well in general for the voluntary reporting need. In some cases, human factors play a key role in selecting accurate categories since reporters lack time or information to complete the report. We suggest that a human-centered, ontology based system design for voluntary reporting is feasible. Such a design could help improve the completeness and accuracy, and interoperability among national and international standards.
Imaging Stereocilia Links in Live Auditory Hair Cells

We previously imaged stereocilia links in glutaraldehyde-fixed mammalian auditory hair cells using hopping probe scanning ion conductance microcopy (HPSICM, Novak et al. Nat Methods, 2009). Due to the complex three-dimensional structure of the stereocilia bundle, achieving high-resolution images required a considerable amount of time (∼44 min/bundle). To study the dynamics of stereocilia link regeneration in real time, we needed a significantly faster yet reliable way to continuously scan the stereocilia bundles in live hair cells.To improve the HPSICM imaging speed, we re-designed the scan head by incorporating a faster piezo assembly with a resonant frequency of ∼18 kHz for Z-movement. Despite having a less sensitive strain gauge sensor (compared to the previously used capacitive sensor), the vertical resolution of the system remained the same (∼5nm). Significantly smaller inertia allowed mounting the scan head on a rotational platform and scanning the sample at any angle, a pre-requisite for the successful imaging of tip links. Moreover, the overall image resolution was slightly decreased and we can now image hair cell bundles significantly faster (∼11 min/bundle).The performance of the improved system was tested using cultured organ of Corti explants from the Shaker 2 and Whirler mice due to their short stereocilia with abundant stereocilia links (typically ∼5nm in diameter and ∼100-300nm in length). To test the ability of HPSICM to detect these miniature structures at high imaging speed we performed continuous time-lapse scanning and looked for reproducibility of the links in consecutive images. Next, to rule out the possibility that the observed links were simply scanning artifacts, we disrupted the links by treating the explants with BAPTA-buffered Ca2+-free medium. Our results demonstrate that the improved HPSICM technique successfully visualizes stereocilia links in live auditory hair cells.Supported by NIDCD/NIH (ARRA supplement to R01DC008861)
Magneto-Gasdynamic Channel Flow

Die Gleichungen fur die «quasi-eindimensionale» Stromung eines elektrisch leitenden Gases werden im Falle eines Stromfadens mit veranderlichem Querschnitt hergeleitet, wobei die Stromung unter dem Einfluss eines elektrischen und magnetischen Feldes steht. Obwohl kein allgemeines Integral angegeben werden konnte, ergeben sich interessante Folgerungen fur die Beschleunigung der Stromung und fur die Anderung der Mach-Zahl. Zum Beispiel kann in gewissen Geschwindigkeitsbereichen eine Uberschallstromung «magneto-gasdynamisch» auch bei konstantem Stromungsquerschnitt beschleunigt werden. Bei variablem Querschnitt sind die Gleichungen fur einen besonderen Fall integriert worden; das Ergebnis dieser Integration kann als weiteres Beispiel fur die Veranschaulichung der Wirkung einer elektromagnetischen Energiezufuhr dienen. Die auch bei konstantem Querschnitt bestehenden mannigfaltigen Moglichkeiten werden fur verschiedene Anfangsbedingungen diskutiert, wobei Falle sich zeigen, bei denen Beschleunigungen und Verzogerungen mit Durchgangen durch die Schallgeschwindigkeit auftreten sowie auch neue Falle von «Blockierungen» sich offenbaren.
Nonparametric Clustering of Functional Data

This paper presents a method for effectively detecting unknown patterns or clusters in high dimensional functional data. Examples of such data include gene expression levels measured over time from microarray experiments, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), mass spectrometry data from proteinomics, lipidomics etc. We define clusters through the unknown high dimensional multivariate distributions of all observations along each curve. KullbackLeibler information and Mahalanobis generalized squared distance can fail to provide meaningful measure of distance between distributions in such high dimensional setting. We propose a new similarity measure and an agglomerative clustering algorithm, called PCLUST, to effectively differentiate among high dimensional populations. The algorithm produces invariant results under monotone transformations of data and does not require users to specify the number of clusters. Simulations show that PCLUST significantly outperforms 9 other popular algorithms in both clustering accuracy and robustness. An application in identifying biomarkers using time course gene expression data from Arabidopsis in response to environmental stresses is illustrated.
Effects of methylnaltrexone on guinea pig gastrointestinal motility.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of methylnaltrexone (MNTX), a peripherally acting μ opioid receptor (μOR) antagonist, on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in naive vs. opiate chronically treated guinea pigs in vitro and in vivo. We have used the electrically stimulated muscle twitch contractions of longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus (LMMP) preparations and total GI transit as measure of GI motility. In LMMP preparations of naive guinea pigs, MNTX (1–30 μM) induced a significant, dose–response reduction of morphine-induced inhibition of electrically stimulated muscle twitch contractions, with an IC50 of 9.4 10−8M. By contrast, MNTX abolished the inhibitory effect of acute morphine at any concentrations tested (1–30 μM) in the guinea pigs chronically treated with opiates. In vivo, MNTX (10–50 mg s.c.) did not affect GI transit in naive guinea pigs when administered acutely or for five consecutive days, but reversed the GI transit delay induced by chronic morphine treatment. These findings show that MNTX is effective in reversing opiate-induced inhibition of GI motility acting at peripheral μ opioid receptors, but does not exert a pharmacologic effect on GI transit in the absence of opiate stimulation.
'Wayward and Noncompliant' People with Mental Disabilities: What Advocates of Involuntary Outpatient Commitment can Learn from the Juvenile Court Experience with Status Offense Jurisdiction

Proponents of involuntary outpatient commitment (IOC) have much to learn from a previous social and legal experiment designed to force an identified group of recalcitrant individuals to behave in ways that a benevolent state has deemed reasonable. It's called status offense jurisdiction, and empowers the state to assume authority over minors who are "wayward," "ungovernable," "incorrigible" or "stubborn and rebellious." Although these children have not committed any crime, the state may restrict their liberty under a blend of parens patriae and police power rationales, in order to protect them from future harm and provide them with rehabilitative treatment. Since the establishment in the United States of the first juvenile court in 1899, the various states and the federal government have struggled to address the unintended but serious negative consequences of attempts to protect and control non-criminal children whose common characteristic is their resistance to authority. This essay will review the history of status offense jurisdiction within the context of the juvenile justice system. Next it will draw parallels between status offense jurisdiction and proposed IOC of adults with mental disabilities who are "noncompliant" with what the state regards as a reasonable treatment plan. The paper predicts that IOC will have the same enforcement problems and negative consequences as status offense jurisdiction - indeed, possibly even more negative because of the additional stigma associated with the status of mental illness plus a prediction of future danger to self or others. Ultimately it recommends that proponents of IOC reconsider the whole concept in light of the cautionary tale of status offense jurisdiction.
A new system of classification for spinal injuries

Abstract Background context: A comprehensive classification for spinal trauma has proved difficult to achieve as attested to by the number of systems in use today. In addition, few systems can be applied to all levels of the spine, and the first two cervical vertebrae are usually treated as altogether separate from the remainder of the spine. Consequently, outcome data and comparison of published data are difficult, at best. Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to introduce a new system for classification of spine trauma applicable to all levels of the spine. Study design/setting A different way of viewing the vertebrae is proposed. It allows the inclusion of all levels of the spinal column in a unified classification system based on the morphology of the injury. Each vertebra is viewed as a bony ring, and the rings are linked, above and below, by three osseoligamentous structures. These are the end plate–disc–end plate anteriorly and the facet joints posteriorly. Equivalent structures for the links are defined for the atlas and axis. Patient sample The x-rays and computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging of patients with spine trauma were used to apply this classification to acute injuries. The sample used was all patients with spine trauma admitted, during a 1-year period, to a level 1 trauma center. Not all the patients were treated by the author, and no attempt was made to determine indications for treatment or treatment outcomes on the basis of this new classification system. Methods A new classification retrospectively applied to a defined patient population, which appeared to be representative of known trauma patterns. Results All patients with spinal trauma in this patient population were classifiable by this new system. All fracture types proposed in this system were represented in the patient sample. Conclusion This new classification system appears to warrant further study.
A Formal Approach on Specification Modeling to Support Industrial PLC Program Verification

Intensive global competition requires the automotive manufacturers to launch new vehicle models with a shorter launch time, better quality, lower cost and more customization. One of the key enablers for achieving these objectives is to have an efficient & error-free manufacturing automation system which is typically controlled by Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). The current PLC logic code testing process in automotive industry is usually performed manually by individual engineer, and the overall testing quality highly depends on the engineer’s expertise and experience. The PLC logic code testing normally consists of two parts, testing requirements (specification) and testing methods. One of the major hurdles for applying rigorous testing methods on PLC logic verification in industry is the lack of formal testing specifications. The current PLC testing specifications and requirements are documented in various formats, such as sequence of operation document, process instrument diagram, wiring diagrams, and time motion diagrams, etc. These varied documents cannot be directly used for control logic testing and require a better alternative. Formal methods, the latest technology widely used in software testing, is an approach selected for generating comprehensive test cases to ensure the correctness and consistency of PLC programs. This paper presents a novel approach for specifying the expected behavior of the already implemented industrial PLC code. The generated formal specification models can work with math-based logic verification tool to facilitate the usage of formal verification in manufacturing automation control. The specification modeling methodology contains all the required information from different logic design and testing phases, such as process sequence, wiring information, logic pattern, code comments, and domain knowledge, etc. And the statecharts is used as model formalism, because of its capability to model states hierarchically and provide a better visual representation.Copyright © 2008 by General Motors
An algorithm for computing the minimum-time regulator of multivariable discrete linear systems

Abstract This paper constructs an algorithm in general form for computing time-invariant feedback laws which assume deadbeat regulation in minimum time of multivariable discrete-time linear systems. The algorithm simply assumes that the system is irreducible. The key idea is the division of the state space into sub-statespaces according to the time needed to reach the equilibrium state. Based on the spans of all sub-statespaces, iterative formulae for computing all the feedback gains are obtained. The formulae can be programmed easily, and the transient response can be shaped by choosing different sets of feedback gains. An example is worked out to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.
A genetic approach to promoter recognition during trans induction of viral gene expression

Viral infection of mammalian cells entails the regulated induction of viral gene expression. The induction of many viral genes, including the herpes simplex virus gene encoding thymidine kinase (tk), depends on viral regulatory proteins that act in trans. Because recognition of the tk promoter by cellular transcription factors is well understood, its trans induction by viral regulatory proteins may serve as a useful model for the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. A comprehensive set of mutations was therefore introduced into the chromosome of herpes simplex virus at the tk promoter to directly analyze the effects of promoter mutations on tk transcription. The promoter domains required for efficient tk expression under conditions of trans induction corresponded to those important for recognition by cellular transcription factors. Thus, trans induction of tk expression may be catalyzed initially by the interaction of viral regulatory proteins with cellular transcription factors.
Effects of class F fly ash on sulfate resistance of Type V Portland cement concretes under continuous and interrupted sulfate exposures

Abstract The current study evaluates influence of class F fly ash replacement level on the ettringite-based expansion and gypsum formation (strength reduction and mass loss) of Type V Portland cement concretes. To this aim, control concretes were made using Type V Portland cement with different contents of 333, 374 and 416 kg/m3. Fly ash contained concretes were designed by replacing 15, 20, 25 and 30% by weight of cement with fly ash. An experimental program was designed to monitor length change, mass loss, and compressive strength reduction of mixtures under interrupted and continuously-immersed sulfate exposure conditions. The results of this study revealed improvements in concretes’ resistance to sulfate attack by replacing a portion of cement with fly ash. The improvements, however, were not as much as expected for class F fly ash. The optimum replacement level was different for different cement contents. It was increased with increases in cementitious materials contents. No mass loss and strength reduction were observed within a year of exposure. The performances of mixtures under interrupted and continuous immersion were nearly similar. Both compressive strength and ettringite-based expansion of the studied specimens under interrupted sulfate immersion condition were marginally lower than those of continuously immersed specimens.
Answers to frequently asked questions about migraine.

Migraine is a common primary headache disorder associated with pronounced disability and hence marked economic and public health implications. Appropriate treatment is warranted to limit the associated disability migraineurs experience. Because of the heterogeneity of migraine, treatment plans must be individualized. The purpose of this article is to provide answers to frequently asked questions regarding the management of migraine.
Modification of Borrelia burgdorferi to overproduce OspA or VlsE alters its infectious behaviour.

The surface lipoproteins of the Lyme disease spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi directly interact with tissue microenvironments during mammalian infection, and thus potentially affect various aspects of infection. To investigate the influence of surface antigen synthesis on infectious behaviour, B. burgdorferi was modified to constitutively produce the well-characterized surface lipoproteins OspA and invariant VlsE. Although increasing OspA or VlsE production did not significantly affect synthesis of other surface lipoproteins or spirochaetal growth in vitro, overexpressing vlsE resulted in increased ospA but decreased ospC expression, and overexpressing ospA led to decreased ospC and vlsE expression in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Increasing the expression of either ospA or vlsE did not alter the ID50, but affected spirochaetal dissemination and significantly reduced tissue spirochaete loads in SCID mice. In immunocompetent mice, increased vlsE expression resulted in quick clearance of infection, while constitutive ospA expression led to a substantial ID50 increase and severely impaired dissemination. Furthermore, B. burgdorferi with constitutive ospA expression persisted in the skin tissue but was cleared from both heart and joints of chronically infected immunocompetent mice. Taken together, the study indicates that increasing production of OspA or invariant VlsE influences lipoprotein gene expression in the murine host and alters the infectious behaviour of B. burgdorferi.
A performance gradient perspective on approximate dynamic programming and its application to partially observable Markov decision processes

This paper shows an approach to integrating common approximate dynamic programming (ADP) algorithms into a theoretical framework to address both analytical characteristics and algorithmic features. Several important insights are gained from this analysis, including new approaches to the creation of algorithms. Built on this paradigm, ADP learning algorithms are further developed to address a broader class of problems: optimization with partial observability. This framework is based on an average cost formulation which makes use of the concepts of differential costs and performance gradients to describe learning and optimization algorithms. Numerical simulations are conducted including a queueing problem and a maze problem to illustrate and verify features of the proposed algorithms. Pathways for applying this analysis to adaptive critics are also shown.
Protein kinase D isoforms: new targets for therapy in invasive breast cancers?

The Protein Kinase D (PKD) family of serine/threonine kinases consists of three members-PKD1, PKD2, and PKD3. While PKD1 in many cancers has been identified as a suppressor of the invasive phenotype, the two other PKD subtypes, PKD2 and PKD3, have been attributed oncogenic functions. In invasive Breast Cancer cells PKD1 expression is downregulated by methylation of the PRKD1 promoter. On the other hand, PKD2 and PKD3 are not silenced, and drive proliferation, invasion, and mediate chemoresistance. Two strategies emerge to utilize this knowledge for novel treatment opportunities. First, pan PKD inhibitors could be developed and used for these aggressive cancers. An alternative approach to obtain similar effects would be to induce the re-expression of PKD1.
Failure to Connect: The Massachusetts Plan for Individual Health Insurance

This Article briefly describes the key features of the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Act, focusing particularly on the Connector. It then offers preliminary thoughts on the expected effect of that mechanism for creating quality, affordable health insurance products for individuals. Observers anticipate that commercial insurers will offer scant coverage and high-premium, high-deductible plans through the Connector, which coverage ultimately may be neither more affordable than products currently or more helpful to covering the cost of health care than no coverage at all. If the Connector fails to facilitate the individual insurance mandate, Massachusetts's promise of universal coverage may begin to unravel. Moreover, its usefulness as a model for other states proposing or considering similar risk-pooling mechanisms will be greatly diminished.
Utility of Routine Right Heart Catheterization after LVAD Implantation

Purpose Continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have a positive effect on pulmonary hypertension (PH) that is critical for patients implanted as bridge to heart transplant (BTT). Routine right heart catheterization (RHC) for evaluation of PH is frequently done after LVAD implant. We describe the role of RHC in treatment of PH in patients with an LVAD as BTT. Methods and Materials We performed a retrospective analysis of treatment of PH based on results of RHC in patients with isolated LVAD for more than 6 months. Thirty eight patients implanted with LVAD as BTT from 2008-2012 were included. Of those, 24 patients (63%) had a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >2.5 at time of implant (Group A), and 14 patients (37%) had PVR Results Average duration of support was 20.5±9.1 and 21.5±10.6 months for Group A and B, respectively (NS). Mean PVR for Group A and B are presented in table 1 . Five patients in group A required treatment of PH, by addition or up-titration of PDE-5 inhibitor, as a result of routine RHC, compared to none in Group B. There were no major complications with RHC. Conclusions There was no need for treatment of PH in patients with normal PVR at LVAD implant. None of the patients with PVR PVR > 2.5 PVR p Pre-implant 4.2±1.25 1.7±0.81 6 months 2.1±0.97 1.8±0.57 0.35 12 months 1.9±0.82 1.9±0.64 0.93 18 months 1.8±0.83 1.6±0.32 0.60
Keap1 in adhesion complexes.

Cell adhesion complexes are sensors that interact with the extracellular environment and allow for the transmission of signals found outside the cell across the plasma membrane to the cell interior. Keap1 is a newly identified component of cell adhesion complexes. We investigated Keap1's association with these complexes in diverse tissues and cell types. Keap1 is present in focal adhesion (FA)-like assemblies in kidney proximal tubule cells where it colocates with actin. In liver, Keap1 is found in the adherens junctions (AJ) and at the base of the bile canaliculi. To study Keap1's involvement in both the integrin-based FA and the cadherin-based AJ, we induced formation of these complexes in fibroblasts, using a serum starvation followed by a serum supplementation method. When compared with vinculin, a component of all FA, we found that Keap1 assembles only in the peripheral FA. Within the peripheral FA, Keap1 was present in distinct foci along the length of the FA and these foci were different from vinculin, talin, paxillin, and phospho-tyrosine rich regions of the FA. Unlike most FA components, Keap1 was also recruited to the newly formed AJ. As Keap1 homologues are actin-bundling proteins, we hypothesize that Keap1's function is to bundle F-actin within these diverse types of cell adhesion components.
Relation of childhood socioeconomic status and family environment to adult metabolic functioning in the CARDIA study

OBJECTIVE: Low SES and a conflict-ridden, neglectful, or harsh family environment in childhood have been linked to a high rate of physical health disorders in adulthood. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate a model of the pathways that may help to explain these links and to relate them to metabolic functioning (MF) in the Coronary Artery Risk Development In Young Adults (CARDIA) dataset. METHODS: Participants (n = 3225) in the year 15 assessment of CARDIA, age 33 to 45 years, completed measures of childhood socioeconomic status (SES), risky early family environment (RF), adult psychosocial functioning (PsyF, a latent factor measured by depression, hostility, positive and negative social contacts), and adult SES. Indicators of the latent factor MF were assessed, specifically, cholesterol, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and waist circumference. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 9.7%. Structural equation modeling indicated that childhood SES and RF are associated with MF via their association with PsyF (standardized path coefficients: childhood SES to RF -0.13, RF to PsyF 0.44, PsyF to MF 0.09, all p Language: en
The Unfolded Protein Response: A Pathway That Links Insulin Demand with β-Cell Failure and Diabetes

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the entry site into the secretory pathway for newly synthesized proteins destined for the cell surface or released into the extracellular milieu. The study of protein folding and trafficking within the ER is an extremely active area of research that has provided novel insights into many disease processes. Cells have evolved mechanisms to modulate the capacity and quality of the ER protein-folding machinery to prevent the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins. These signaling pathways are collectively termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR sensors signal a transcriptional response to expand the ER folding capacity, increase degredation of malfolded proteins, and limit the rate of mRNA translation to reduce the client protein load. Recent genetic and biochemical evidence in both humans and mice supports a requirement for the UPR to preserve ER homeostasis and prevent the β-cell failure that may be fundamental in the etiology of diabetes. Chronic or overwhelming ER stress stimuli associated with metabolic syndrome can disrupt protein folding in the ER, reduce insulin secretion, invoke oxidative stress, and activate cell death pathways. Therapeutic interventions to prevent polypeptide-misfolding, oxidative damage, and/or UPR-induced cell death have the potential to improve β-cell function and/or survival in the treatment of diabetes.
Influence of polymer matrix composition and architecture on polymer nanocomposite formation: Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of stacks of two-dimensional platelets immersed in a polymer melt were performed to investigate aspects of the polymer matrix that promote the formation of intercalated or exfoliated nanocomposite structures. Such factors include temperature, copolymer architecture, and blend composition. Increasing the polymer-sheet attractive interaction led to binding of the sheets, where individual beads simultaneously attract two neighboring sheets, thus kinetically blocking intercalation by occupying the perimeter of the affected gallery. Polymers with a small polymer-sheet attraction, but having a strongly attractive chain end (end-functionalized polymers) minimized the bonding of adjacent sheets. These systems exhibited some sheet sliding because a majority of the confined polymer beads only interacted weakly with adjacent sheets; however, the number density of intercalated polymer was low. Mixtures of end-functionalized and nonfunctionalized polymers, however, yielded better intercalation efficiency. For the mixed system, the reduced number of highly attractive beads provided sufficient interaction for intercalation to occur, enabling greater intercalation rates, less sheet-bridging, and incorporation of the nonfunctionalized polymers into the galleries. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 3272–3284, 2003
Analyzing and characterizing small-world graphs

We study variants of Kleinberg's small-world model where we start with a k-dimensional grid and add a random directed edge from each node. The probability u's random edge is to v is proportional to d(u,v)-r where d(u,v) is the lattice distance and r is a parameter of the model.For a k-dimensional grid, we show that these graphs have poly-log expected diameter when k 2k. This shows an interesting phase-transition between small-world and "large-world" graphs.We also present a general framework to construct classes of small-world graphs with Θ(log n) expected diameter, which includes several existing settings such as Kleinberg's grid-based and tree-based settings [15].We also generalize the idea of 'adding links with probability α the inverse distance' to design small-world graphs. We use semi-metric and metric functions to abstract distance to create a class of random graphs where almost all pairs of nodes are connected by a path of length O (log n), and using only local information we can find paths of poly-log length.
Improving the performance of three-mirror imaging systems with Freeform Optics

The image quality improvement for three-mirror systems by Freeform Optics is surveyed over various f-number and field specifications. Starting with the Korsch solution, we increase the surface shape degrees of freedom and record the improvements.
Cooperation through Interference Amplification

A new cooperation scheme through interference amplification is introduced. The interference amplification scheme improves the performance of the interference-suffering communication pair by creating a more desirable interference spectrum at the intended receiver and letting the corresponding transmitter do water-filling. The results show that this cooperation scheme gives significant gains especially when the interference is strong
Problem solving in frame-structured systems using interactive dialog

This paper provides an overview of the process by which problem solving in a particular frame-like knowledge-based system is accomplished. The inter-relationship between specialization traversal and entity processing is addressed and the specific role of the user interaction is described.
Should I stay or should I go? The influence of individual and organizational factors on pharmacists’ future work plans

Abstract Objectives To examine the association between individual (demographic) and organizational (work environment and workload) factors and pharmacists’ future work plans and explore reasons for either leaving or staying with current employers (culture/climate factors). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting United States in 2004. Participants 1,263 pharmacists. Intervention Seven-page mail survey. Main Outcome Measures Future work plans, time spent in practice activities, staffing levels, and actual and perceived workload and demographic variables. Results Overall, 15% of respondents reported that they planned to leave their current employer within the year subsequent to this survey. More than 50% reported that their workload had significantly increased in the previous year. Multivariate analyses showed that nonwhites were 2.1 times more likely to be planning to leave their current employer, compared with whites, and unmarried respondents were 1.7 times more likely to leave than were married individuals. More negative perceptions regarding the impact of workload on various personal, work, and patient care outcomes predicted leaving. A main factor that prompted their inclinations was described by 72% of leavers (insufficient and/or unqualified staff) and 49% of stayers (flexible scheduling). The most common reasons for staying were good salary and relationships with coworkers, while the most common reasons for leaving were a desire for change and stress/workload issues. Conclusion Future work plans of pharmacists are influenced by a variety of individual, organizational, and culture/climate factors. While employers have little latitude for influencing demographic characteristics of employees, many organizational and culture/climate factors (scheduling, opportunities for interpersonal interactions, salary/benefits, staffing, and workload) can be addressed with the intent of reducing pharmacist turnover.
Targeting Treatment-Resistant Depression

Only 50% of depressed patients achieve remission of symptoms after 2 trials of antidepressants. Therefore one half of patients are considered treatment resistant. Studies have shown that with each failed antidepressant, chances of remission continue to decline. Untreated depressive symptoms lead to impaired social and occupational function, decline of physical health, suicidal thoughts, and increased health care utilization. Clinicians recognize there is an urgent need to find an efficacious treatment, but it becomes more difficult to decide on an appropriate therapy once a patient has failed 2 to 3 trials of antidepressants. An evidence-based review was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of several different antidepressant strategies to help the clinician decide which may be beneficial for specific patients.
Signalling on ATM testbeds: an example

Due to the availability in high-speed links and switches, real-time applications such as videoconferencing have gained the interest of researchers in the fields of multimedia and high-speed networking. Videoconferencing tools such as vic have been developed and tested on some of the ATM testbeds with no support for quality of service guarantees. Mechanisms for providing quality of service guarantees for these applications need to be supported. Extensive experiments are required to validate such mechanisms and it is vital to facilitate testbeds that enable these experiments. An important functionality in such testbeds is signalling support to establish virtual circuits. The direction of signalling is discussed and an example implementation from the XUNET testbed is described.
Polygamous Families in Contemporary Society

Polygamous Families in Contemporary Society. Irwin Altman and Joseph Ginat. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996. xv. 512 pp., appendix, notes, references, index.
Validation and application of an ensemble Kalman filter in the Selat Pauh of Singapore

The effectiveness of an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is assessed in the Selat Pauh of Singapore using observing system simulation experiment. Perfect model experiments are first considered. The perfect model experi- ments examine the EnKF in reducing the initial perturba- tions with no further errors than those in the initial conditions. Current velocity at 15 observational sites from the true ocean is assimilated every hour into the false ocean. While EnKF reduces the initial velocity error during the first few hours, it fails after one tidal cycle (approximately 12 h) due to the rapid convergence of the ensemble members. Successively, errors are introduced in the surface wind forcing. A random perturbation e is applied indepen- dently to each ensemble member to maintain the ensemble spread. The assimilation results showed that the success of EnKF depends critically on the presence of e, yet it is not sensitive to the magnitude of e, at least in the range of weak to moderate perturbations. Although all experiments were made with EnKF only, the results could be applicable in general to all other ensemble-based data assimilation methods.
Ensuring critical event sequences in high consequence computer based systems as inspired by path expressions

The goal is to provide a high level of confidence that critical software driven event sequences are maintained in the face of hardware failures and harsh or unstable operating environments. The technical approach includes in-situ (embedded in the software) dynamic (run-time) fault management for ensuring critical event sequences in high consequence software. Our method is based on deriving a mathematical description of the critical software controlled event sequence, embedding checkpoints and update points around the critical events into the target code, and adding a module that implements the functionality of the underlying mathematical model. This methodology is inspired by previous work in path expressions. This paper discusses the perceived problems, a brief overview of path expressions, the proposed methods, and a discussion of the differences between the proposed methods and traditional path expression usage and implementation.
Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection During Laparoscopic/Robotic Prostatectomy

One of the most rapidly evolving areas in urology is robotic surgery. In a video entitled “Robotic Assisted Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection” Mason et al present the technique and extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) during robotic pelvic surgery. This video demonstrates that extended PLND can be effectively performed using modern surgical tools. Although PLND during radical prostatectomy can provide important staging information, it is also associated with complications such as lymphocele formation and injury to adjacent structures. 1 In this issue of The Journal Eifler et al (page 1661) from Baltimore, Maryland present their experience performing PLND during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and subsequent symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE). They examined the records of nearly 800 men who underwent surgery by a single surgeon. Limited or standard PLND was performed in approximately 60% of men at increased risk for lymph node metastasis. Although the overall incidence of symptomatic VTE was less than 1%, a significant association was noted between VTE and PLND, consistent with the metaanalysis of the literature on this topic. Based on available nomograms, the probability of lymph node involvement with prostate cancer can be reliably assessed before surgery. Regardless of surgical approach, an experienced surgeon can perform PLND with comparable lymph node yields. 2 However, with a downward stage migration of prostate cancer, the role of extended PLND during radical prostatectomy is being questioned, especially in low risk patients. Therefore, the role and potential benefits of PLND during radical prostatectomy should be carefully weighed against its rare yet significant complications.
Cropland Area and Net Primary Production Computed from 30 Years of USDA Agricultural Harvest Data

Abstract Croplands cover large areas of the globe and contribute significantly to the global carbon cycle. However, like other ecosystems, limited information exists on spatially explicit, ground-based estimates of carbon fluxes. In this study, county-level cropland area and harvest information reported in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) from 1972 to 2001 was utilized to calculate the temporal behavior of net primary production (NPP) for croplands across the United States. Production data for individual crops were converted to estimates of NPP using crop-specific factors. Because NASS does not include all crops of interest during all years, only a crop type in a county estimate was included if the entire time series was complete. Incomplete reporting occurred primarily with hay. Trends in crop area, NPP, and total production (area times NPP) exhibited significant spatial variation. The largest increases in production occurred in the Midwest, Great ...
Abstract W P54: Renal Impairment in African American Stroke Patients and the Risk of Symptomatic ICH With Systemic tPA

Background: Uremia is a bleeding risk in chronic kidney disease (CKD) that has a higher prevalence among African Americans (AA). Recent studies in predominantly Caucasian populations showed that impaired renal function did not increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) with intravenous tPA for acute ischemic stroke. We sought to determine if the risk of sICH is higher in AA patients with CKD at our institution. Subjects & Methods: Consecutive patients who received intravenous thrombolysis at our comprehensive stroke center were retrospectively analyzed. Demographics, stroke severity, and instances of sICH were recorded. Renal function was assessed by creatinine clearance (CrCl) and estimated with the Cockcroft and Gault equation. CKD was defined as CrCl < 60. CrCl was further stratified into the following groups: 59 - 30, 29 - 15, and < 15 ml/min. Results: We identified 236 patients with reported CrCl who received tPA at our institution (mean age 65+/-17 SD, 46% women, pre-treatment m...
A Perspective on Implementing a Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Platform for Drug Discovery and the Advancement of Personalized Medicine

Drug candidates exhibiting well-defined pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles that are otherwise safe often fail to demonstrate proof-of-concept in phase II and III trials. Innovation in drug discovery and development has been identified as a critical need for improving the efficiency of drug discovery, especially through collaborations between academia, government agencies, and industry. To address the innovation challenge, we describe a comprehensive, unbiased, integrated, and iterative quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP)–driven drug discovery and development strategy and platform that we have implemented at the University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute. Intrinsic to QSP is its integrated use of multiscale experimental and computational methods to identify mechanisms of disease progression and to test predicted therapeutic strategies likely to achieve clinical validation for appropriate subpopulations of patients. The QSP platform can address biological heterogeneity and anticipate the evolution of resistance mechanisms, which are major challenges for drug development. The implementation of this platform is dedicated to gaining an understanding of mechanism(s) of disease progression to enable the identification of novel therapeutic strategies as well as repurposing drugs. The QSP platform will help promote the paradigm shift from reactive population-based medicine to proactive personalized medicine by focusing on the patient as the starting and the end point.
AERODYNAMIC DESIGN SENSITIVITIES BY AUTOMATIC DIFFERENTIATION

The theme is the automatic-differentiation methodology for calculating sensitivity derivatives from advanced CFD codes. Previously documented success and recent advances are discussed; the computational advantages and disadvantages of this methodology are reviewed in comparison with other well-known competing methods. The feasibility of the technology as a practical design tool is assessed in the context of its application to practical aerodynamic design problems — in particular, aircraft design.
A Computational Model of Attentional Focus:The Searchlight of Attention Hypothesis Revisited

Some time ago, Crick(1984)proposed a “Searchlight of Attention” function for the LGN-PGN complex.
Development of Oxidase activity by human bone marrow granulocytes.

Abstract To study the stage of development of oxidase activity responsible for the respiratory burst in human granulocytes, we investigated the effect of phorbol myris-tate acetate (PMA) and fluoride (F ) on nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction by bone marrow and circulating granulocytic cells in 13 subjects without leukocyte functional disorders and a patient with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Myeloblasts, promyelocytes, and myelocytes did not reduce NBT. Metamyelocytes showed minimal activity that improved with further maturation of the cell. Morphologically mature bone marrow polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) had significantly less NBT-reducing capacity than peripheral blood cells. Inhibition of phagocytosis by cytochalasin B completely abolished dye reduction under resting conditions. PMA-stimulated NBT reduction, however, was not affected. Thus, ingestion of NBT was not a prerequisite for its reduction. None of the PMNs from the CGD patient reduced NBT. These results indicate that either oxidase activity or the ability of cells to respond to activating stimuli does not develop until the metamyelocyte stage, and furthermore, a disparity between the morphological and functional maturation exists in bone marrow granulocytes.
Colonna capsular arthroplasty. A long-term follow-up of forty hips.

A follow-up study of thirty-six patients with forty dislocated hips, treated by Colonna's capsular arthroplasty at The Hospital for Special Surgery between 1936 and 1964, led to the following conclusions: 1. Regardless of the cause of the dislocation, a majority of well established dislocations of the hip in which the two joint surfaces are markedly disproportionate can be successfully reduced and stable functional joints can be produced by Colonna arthroplasty, provided that the femoral head is spherical and can be pulled down opposite the true acetabulum. 2. Traction, continued for sufficient time to pull the femoral head down to the level of the true acetabulum, is an essential preliminary step. In some instances when the arthroplasty is performed, the femoral head can be mobilized sufficiently by soft-tissue release without preliminary traction. However, preliminary traction should always be employed unless contraindicated. Previous surgical treatment or infection with subsequent scarring may make traction ineffective. 3. Other technical factors (the construction of an adequately deep acetabulum at the proper level or close to it, derotational femoral osteotomy to correct excessive anteversion when present, postoperative immobilization in a plaster spica for not longer than three to six weeks, and early resumption of movement while delaying weight-bearing) are also important in gaining good results. 4. After the initial recovery period of from two to three years, the functional qualities of adequately reconstructed hips remain stable, at least for the years spanned by this study. 5. The indications for capsular arthroplasty as outlined by Colonna can be extended to include bilateral congenital dislocation of the hip; paralytic dislocation secondary to lower motor neuron or root lesions; and certain healed septic dislocations. The age restriction (three to eight years of age) proposed by Colonna can be expanded, partticularly for paralytic dislocation. 6. The subluxated hip fixed in a false acetabulum is the most difficult type to treat by this method and probably constitutes a contraindication to its use.
Sexual functioning in young women with breast cancer.

9100 Background: Sexual dysfunction is a known complication of adjuvant therapy for breast cancer and an important determinant of quality of life. Little is known about the frequency and magnitude ...