cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hysteresis in binocular grating perception: Contrast effects

Abstract It is known that when pairs of sinusoidal gratings of slightly different spatial frequencies are viewed stereoscopically, subjects perceive a plane tilted in depth. Here it is shown that if the contrast of one of the gratings is continuously varied in time, abrupt transitions occur between perceptions of a flat and tilted surface. These transitions define a hysteresis loop as a function of contrast As eye movements cannot account for this effect, binocular contrast hysteresis must be neural in origin. A mathematical model is developed to account for the major aspects of the hysteresis phenomenon. The key feature of the model is positive feedback among disparity sensitive cells generated by disinhibitory circuits.
Hydrogen partitioning between nominally anhydrous upper mantle minerals and melt between 3 and 5 GPa and applications to hydrous peridotite partial melting

Abstract To extend our knowledge of partitioning of hydrogen between nominally anhydrous mantle minerals and basaltic melts to higher pressures, we conducted 8 experiments at 3–5 GPa and 1350–1440 °C on a modified mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) + 2 wt.% H2O. H contents in olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and garnet were measured by counting 16O1H ions with low-blank SIMS, and total H2O concentrations in coexisting glasses were measured by FTIR, SIMS, and electron microprobe. The glasses have water contents ranging from 4.1 to 8.9 wt.%. Eleven measured pyroxenes have H2O concentrations ranging from 430 to 1430 ppm, two garnets have concentrations of 73 and 260 ppm, and one olivine has a concentration of 29 ppm. Mineral/melt hydrogen partition coefficients are as follows: DHcpx/melt ranges from 0.014–0.021, DHopx/melt ranges from 0.009–0.019, DHgt/melt ranges from 0.001–0.0033, and DHol/melt has a value of 0.0006. Mineral/mineral hydrogen partitioning data are as follows: DHcpx/opxranges from 1.2–2, DHcpx/gt has values of 5.5 and 14, and a single DHcpx/ol has a value of 27. DHpyx/melt correlates with the concentration of Al2O3 in pyroxene and with the concentration of Al on tetrahedral sites. Combining the mineral/melt hydrogen partitioning data from this study, and estimates of mineral modes and compositions along the solidus, we estimate that DHperid/melt increases from 0.006 at 1 GPa up to 0.01 near the garnet lherzolite/spinel lherzolite transition, owing to the maximum in Al2O3 concentration in pyroxenes. With increasing pressure DHperid/melt for garnet lherzolite diminishes to 0.005 at 5 GPa, as pyroxenes become less aluminous and less abundant. As a result, incipient hydrous melts beneath oceanic ridges with bulk mantle H2O contents of 50–200 ppm will have solidus partial melts with H2O contents between 0.5 and 3.8 wt.%, while oceanic island mantle with 300–1000 ppm will have solidus partial melts with H2O content between 3 and 20 wt.%.
Auditory P3 Responses to Name Stimuli

Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) were recorded from 10 normal adults in response to their own first names and to other first names spoken on tape. The following experimental conditions were used: 30 repetitions of the subject's first name; 80 other assorted first names from the same gender; 30 repetitions of a first name other than the subject's name. A P3 component was recorded from all ten subjects in response to their own first name, but not to other first names. Utility of this procedure could include assessment of cognitive processing of nonresponsive populations such as comatose patients, stroke patients, demented patients, autistics, infants, and children.
Large eddy simulations of two-phase turbulent reacting flows

A brief overview is provided of various methods for large eddy simulation (LES) of twophase turbulent non-reacting and reacting flows. The recent development in the extension of “filtered mass density function”(FMDF) method to two-phase flows is the subject of a more elaborate discussion. This includes the modeling and computational issues associated with the subgrid-scale closures and numerical implementation of the LES/FMDF.
Homo Economicus and Homo Politicus: Non-Economic Rationality in the Early 18th Century London Stock Market

The case of the early 18th-century London stock market is used to evaluate economic and sociological theones of market trading. Data from 1712 on shares in two companies (the Bank of England and the East India Company), and on trading among three different groups (political parties, ethnic-religious groups, and guilds) are used to show how economic theories of rational trading do not account for market behavior, even though the 1712 London stock market was a highly centralized, organized and active capital market. Trading was embedded in domestic and mternational politics as party groups used the market to control joint-stock companies, and as ethnic-religious groups used the market to provide financial support for Britain's war with France In addition to economic goals, political goals were pursued in the market.
Revised multicultural perspective index and measures of depression, life satisfaction, shyness, and self-esteem.

Summary.-In a 2002 publication, Mowrer and McCarver reported weak but significant correlations (r = .24) between scores on the Multicultural Perspective Index and scores on Neugarten, Havighurst, and Tobin's 1961 Life Satisfaction Index-A and the Life Satisfaction Scale developed in 1985 by Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin. Using 382 undergraduate students the present study reduced the Index from 42 to 29 items based on each item's correlation with total items. An additional 104 undergraduate students then completed the modified 29-item version, Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale, Cheek and Buss's Shyness Scale, the Self-rating Depression Scale by Zung, and the Neugarten, et al. Life Satisfaction Index-A. Scores on the modified Index were negatively correlated with those on the Depression and Shyness scales and positively correlated with scores on the Self-esteem and Life Satisfaction scales (p< .05). In 2002, Mowrer and McCarver published a preliminary assessment of their Multicultural Perspective Index. As the index title suggests, this Index was intended to measure the construct of Multicultural Perspective. This perspective encompasses characteristics such as an Openness Toward Diversity, a Desire to Lead, Striving to Improve Oneself and Achieve Goals, Adaptability/flexibility, and a Belief in Social Responsibility and Fairness. It seemed plausible that such qualities might lead a person to be more satisfied with their lives. Using two measures of life satisfaction, Mowrer and McCarver (2002) found a small, but statistically significant positive correlation (r = .24) between scores on the Index and on the Life Satisfaction Index-A (Neugarten, Havighurst, & Tobin, 1961) and the Life Satisfaction Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985). To address further the relationship between the Index and life satisfaction the present study reduced its length while maintaining an acceptable Cronbach coefficient alpha and correlated the scores on the shortened version with scores on the Life Satisfaction Index-A as well as the Self-esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), Shyness Scale (Cheek & Buss, 1981), and the Selfrating Depression Scale (Zung , 1965).
Human teratocarcinoma stem cells: Glycolipid antigen expression and modulation during differentiation

Teratocarcinomas are germ cell tumors in which pluripotent stem cells, embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, undergo differentiation along the pathways resembling those occurring during early embryogenesis. Human EC cell lines established in vitro provide a model for studying embryonic cellular differentiation in a way that is pertinent to early human development. The predominant glycolipid antigens expressed by EC cells of both humans and mice have globoseries core structures; in humans they are terminally modified to yield the monoclonal antibody-defined stage-specific embryonic antigens SSEA-3 and SSEA-4, and also globo-ABH antigens; in the mouse terminal modification yields the Forssman antigen rather than SSEA-3 and -4. These observations focus attention on the possible role of the P-blood group system, which regulates synthesis of globoseries oligosaccharides, in the behavior of cells in the early embryo and in teratocarcinomas. Marked changes in the core structures of the cell surface glycolipids occur as the EC cells differentiate; thus globoseries structures rapidly diminish and are replaced by lactoseries and then by ganglioseries glycolipids. During differentiation of the NTERA-2 line of pluripotent human EC cells into neurons and other cell types, the various subsets of differentiated cells that arise are distinguished by their differential expression of new glycolipid antigens, particularly ganglioside GT3 (recognized by antibody A2B5), and ganglioside 9-0-acetyl GD3 (recognized by antibody ME311). Neurons are found among the A2B5+/ME311- cells.
On robustness of 2 mx3 n fractional factorial resolution III designs against the unavailability of data

Abstract In this paper we develop a general method for checking the robustness property for fractional factorial designs against the unavailability of data. We then apply the method for studying the robustness property of Bose-Iyer designs. Bose-Iyer designs are in fact balanced optimal 2 m × 3 n fractional factorial designs of Resolution III. The robustness study in this paper involves difficult, lengthy and costly computations.
Catecholamine-induced alteration in sedimentation behavior of membrane bound beta-adrenergic receptors

Incubation of astrocytoma cells with catecholamines results in a decrease in catecholamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and a concomitant alteration in the sedimentation properties of particulate beta-adrenergic receptors. The altered receptors exhibit agonist binding properties similar to those of receptors that are "uncoupled" from adenylate cyclase.
Isolating weather effects from seasonal activity patterns of a temperate North American Colubrid.

Forecasting the effects of climate change on threatened ecosystems and species will require an understanding of how weather influences processes that drive population dynamics. We have evaluated weather effects on activity patterns of western ratsnakes, a widespread predator of birds and small mammals in eastern North America. From 2010–2013 we radio-tracked 53 ratsnakes in the fragmented region of central Missouri. We relocated each snake 4× per week and used movement frequency as an index of activity. We used generalized linear mixed models within an information–theoretic approach to evaluate temporal and weather variables as potential predictors of snake activity. While snakes were generally sedentary, activity showed a linear response to relative humidity and a quadratic response to air temperature, peaking near 30 °C. Seasonal activity patterns differed between sexes and among years, but snakes were generally least active in mid-summer, regardless of weather. Our findings provide strong evidence that air temperature and relative humidity differentially affect activity patterns of an important predator and are the mechanism explaining increased nest predation rates with warmer temperatures.
Stapedectomy Outcomes: Titanium versus Teflon Wire Prosthesis

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of two stapes prostheses in hearing improvement of patients undergoing stapes surgery for otosclerosis. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: Titanium and Teflon wire stapes prostheses were compared with regard to effectiveness in closing the air-bone gap. The charts of 461 stapedectomies performed by one surgeon from 1996 to 2001 were reviewed. Patients who underwent stapedectomy for reasons other than otosclerosis, revision cases, and those with inadequate preoperative or postoperative bone-conduction threshold data were excluded. Small fenestra technique using either laser or drill was used for all patients. Inclusion criteria were met by 218 patients. Patients were then grouped according to type of prosthesis used, and hearing outcomes were compared. Measured outcomes were four frequency air-bone gap closure, pure-tone threshold, and rate of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Results: The study group was comprised of 35 titanium and 183 Teflon wire prostheses. Closure of the air-bone gap to less than 10 dB was achieved in 86% of the patients with Teflon prosthesis compared with 71% of those with titanium prostheses. The groups were equivalent in regard to site of otosclerotic disease as well as technique, laser or drill, used to create the fenestra. Rate of SNHL was low for both groups and not significantly different. Conclusions: Both prostheses provided comparable results, although the Teflon platinum wire prosthesis was slightly superior. The smaller numbers in the titanium group may confound these results. The design of the titanium prosthesis provides a crimp that is circumferential around the incus, and that prosthesis was selected in cases with a narrow incus. The selection bias may also influence the results seen in this study.
Randomized clinical trial of a school-based academic and counseling program for older school-age students.

Background: Up to 17% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma; children ages 9-14 years experience higher morbidity and mortality compared with other age groups. An academic and counseling program for older elementary students with asthma was developed in collaboration with school personnel, healthcare professionals, and community members: Staying Healthy―Asthma Responsible and Prepared (SHARP). The life span development perspective and the Acceptance of Asthma Model were used to guide development and implementation. Objectives: This study aimed to establish the preliminary efficacy of SHARP to improve cognitive, behavioral, psychosocial, and quality-of-life outcomes. Methods: A two-group, longitudinal, prospective, cluster randomized clinical trial design was used. The sample of fourth- to sixth-grade students (N = 66) with asthma aged 9-12 years (M = 10.5, SD = 0.9) was 52% male, was racially diverse (30% Black, 36% White, and 18% biracial), and had a wide range of incomes. Three schools (n = 38 students) were randomized to receive SHARP, and two schools (n = 28 students) were assigned to usual care. Self-report instruments were used. Results: Compared with the usual care group, statistically significant improvements in the SHARP group were found in student knowledge of asthma, reasoning about asthma, use of risk reduction behaviors, and participation in life activities (p 0.7). Improvements in use of episode management behaviors and acceptance of asthma outcomes were clinically significant with medium effect sizes of 0.3-0.5. Discussion: The SHARP Student and Community Components demonstrated preliminary efficacy for improving asthma knowledge, reasoning about asthma, use of episode management and risk reduction behaviors, acceptance of asthma in taking control and vigilance, and participation in life activities.
Microbolometer production at Indigo Systems

Indigo’s emergence as a production source of uncooled microbolometers was reported in the SPIE proceeding in 2003. With now over a year of modest volume production history on the small-format FPAs, the details of the production experiences are reported. Progress on the mid-format arrays is discussed as are the efforts towards large-format, small pixel devices. Also discussed is the status of the production ramp that will lead to the supply of uncooled FPAs into the automotive market.
Accuracy of intravascular ultrasound for diameter measurement of phantom arteries.

Abstract Background. Uniplanar quantitative angiography (QA) is the standard method for measuring vessel diameter during surgical and endovascular procedures. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), a relatively new technology, is another means of obtaining this measurement. This study was designed to validate the accuracy of these two modalities by comparing each to direct caliper measurement, the gold standard, using phantom femoral artery segments (PAS). Materials and methods. PAS diameter was measured with a 12.5-MHz mechanically rotating IVUS catheter (Boston Scientific Corp.) and QA (OEC Corp.) was compared to the direct caliper measurement (Mitutoyo Corp.) at 60 different locations within PAS. At each location minimal lumen diameter and perpendicular lumen diameter were measured and their mean was calculated. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCC) between direct caliper measurement and IVUS and uniplanar and biplanar angiography were calculated. Fisher's Z transformation was used to compare the correlation coefficients. Results. The ICCC for IVUS was 0.89. The ICCCs for uniplanar and biplanar angiography were 0.73 and 0.82, respectively. IVUS correlated more closely with direct caliper measurement than uniplanar and biplanar angiography ( P = 0.00008, 0.02) Biplanar angiography correlated more closely with direct caliper measurement than uniplanar angiography ( P = 0.04). Conclusions. IVUS more accurately measures lumen diameter than uniplanar or biplanar angiography. Diameter measurement with biplanar angiography is more accurate than uniplanar angiography.
The Allocation of Monthly Payments to Principal and Interest; A Caveat for Consumers

The true cost of credit depends not only on the amount borrowed and the interest rate, but also the manner in which monthly interest charges are calculated. Changes in this calculation method that appear to be minor can produce some surprising changes in the cost of credit. These changes, which do not have to be disclosed on some types of loans, are worth watching for when shopping for credit.
Changing identification among American Indians and Alaska natives

The census-enumerated American Indian population dispersed rapidly between 1930 and 1990. Changes in ethnic classification account for most of the change. In the 1980 count, 10 states with historically large Indian populations account for 53% of births of Indians between the ages of 10 and 80, compared with 72% of the first enumerations of the same cohorts. Migration further reduced the share of these states to 46% of Indian residents in these cohorts. Study of the dispersal of the Indian population should focus primarily on the new emergence of the expression of Indian identity, rather than on migration from former population centers.
Pathologic function and therapeutic potential of exosomes in cardiovascular disease

The heart is a very complex conglomeration of organized interactions between various different cell types that all aid in facilitating myocardial function through contractility, sufficient perfusion, and cell-to-cell reception. In order to make sure that all features of the heart work effectively, it is imperative to have a well-controlled communication system among the different types of cells. One of the most important ways that the heart regulates itself is by the use of extracellular vesicles, more specifically, exosomes. Exosomes are types of nano-vesicles, naturally released from living cells. They are believed to play a critical role in intercellular communication through the means of certain mechanisms including direct cell-to-cell contact, long-range signals as well as electrical and extracellular chemical molecules. Exosomes contain many unique features like surface proteins/receptors, lipids, mRNAs, microRNAs, transcription factors and other proteins. Recent studies indicate that the exosomal contents are highly regulated by various stress and disease conditions, in turn reflective of the parent cell status. At present, exosomes are well appreciated to be involved in the process of tumor and infection disease. However, the research on cardiac exosomes is just emerging. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the pathologic effects of exosomes on cardiac remodeling under stress and disease conditions, including cardiac hypertrophy, peripartum cardiomyopathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy and sepsis-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. In addition, the cardio-protective effects of stress-preconditioned exosomes and stem cell-derived exosomes are also summarized. Finally, we discuss how to epigenetically reprogram exosome contents in host cells which makes them beneficial for the heart.
When the Classroom Floor Becomes the Complex Plane: Addition and Multiplication as Ways of Bodily Navigation.

In this article we contribute a perspective on mathematical embodied cognition consistent with a phenomenological understanding of perception and body motion. It is based on the analysis of 4 selected episodes in 1 session of an undergraduate mathematics class. The theme of this particular class session was the geometric interpretation of the addition and multiplication of complex numbers. On the basis of these episodes, the article examines 2 conjectures: (a) The mathematical insights developed by an individual or a group are expressed in and constituted by perceptuo-motor activity, and (b) the learning of mathematical ideas is shaped in nondeterministic ways by the setting or learning environment.
Prophylactic bromocriptine treatment during pregnancy in women with macroprolactinomas: report of 13 pregnancies.

Summary. Ten women with a macroprolactinoma had prophylactic bromocriptine treatment during 13 pregnancies in the second and third trimesters. One patient had signs of tumour enlargement during the first trimester, but none of them showed tumour enlargement during prophylactic bromocriptine treatment. Prolactin levels were reduced in both maternal and cord sera, but they were normal in amniotic fluid. All pregnancies progressed to term. Thirteen healthy infants were born without congenital malformations and growth and psychomotor development were normal during the follow-up period (7 months to 5 years). The safety of bromocriptine treatment during pregnancy is discussed and our current policy of management of patients with prolactinomas is outlined.
Tyranny of a "randomized controlled trials".

“Evidence-based medicine” is a popular concept that simply means basing clinical decisions on best available scientific evidence. The idea appears very sensible and attractive – who would not want to be treated according to the best scientific evidence? As usual, complexity lurks just below the surface.
A numerical study of the Chicago lake breeze

A two-dimensional numerical model is presented for the study of the Chicago area lake breeze. The hydrostatic approximation used by previous workers in this field is not employed. Instead, the complete z-momentum equation is solved and the equation of continuity is retained in its original form. The numerical model employs a staggered mesh, and Alternating Direction Implicit methods are used for the integration of the equations. Computational stability is achieved without external filters, upstream space differencing, or artificial horizontal diffusion terms. The results obtained for realistic initial conditions but simplified boundary conditions compare reasonably well with observations obtained by Lyons in his 1967 observational study of the Chicago lake breeze. Limiting forms of the lower boundary condition bracket the observed wind speeds and other kinematic features of the breeze. Among the various ‘eddy diffusivity’ models, that with constant ‘eddy diffusivity’ with height produces the most realistic results. The models with a decrease of ‘eddy diffusivity’ with height show unrealistic flow patterns in the upper layers. The stability of the atmosphere at the onset of the breeze is shown to have a pronounced effect on the intensity of the circulation, but not on the thickness of the inflow layer, which appears quite insensitive to large changes in the parameters involved.
A process for generating quantitative belief functions

Abstract We present a structured methodology for transforming qualitative preference relationships among propositions into appropriate numeric representations. This approach will be useful in the difficult process of knowledge acquisition from experts on the degree of belief in various propositions or the probability of the truthfulness of those propositions. The approach implicitly (through the qualitative assignments) and explicitly (through the vague interval pairwise comparisons) provides for different levels of preference relationships. Among its advantages, it permits the expert to: explore the given problem situation, using linguistic quantifiers; avoid the premature use of numeric measures; and identify input data that are inconsistent with the theory of belief functions.
Interleukin-21 is a critical regulator of CD4 and CD8 T cell survival during priming under Interleukin-2 deprivation conditions.

Optimal T cell activation and expansion require binding of the common gamma-chain (γc) cytokine Interleukin-2 (IL-2) to its cognate receptor that in turn engages a γc/Janus tyrosine kinase (Jak)3 signaling pathway. Because of its restricted expression by antigen-activated T cells and its obligatory role in promoting their survival and proliferation, IL-2 has been considered as a selective therapeutic target for preventing T cell mediated diseases. However, in order to further explore IL-2 targeted therapy, it is critical to precisely understand its role during early events of T cell activation. In this study, we delineate the role of IL-2 and other γc cytokines in promoting the survival of CD4 and CD8 T cells during early phases of priming. Under IL-2 inhibitory conditions (by neutralizing anti-IL-2 mAbs), the survival of activated CD8+ T cells was reduced, whereas CD4+ T cells remained much more resistant. These results correlated with reduced Bcl-2 expression, and mitochondrial membrane potential in CD8+ T cells in comparison to CD4+ T cells. However, using transwell co-culture assays we have found that CD4+ T cells could rescue the survival of CD8+ T cells even under IL-2 deprived conditions via secretion of soluble factors. A cytokine screen performed on CD8+ T cells cultured alone revealed that IL-21, another γc cytokine, was capable of rescuing their survival under IL-2 deprivation. Indeed, blocking the IL-21 signaling pathway along with IL-2 neutralization resulted in significantly reduced survival of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Taken together, we have shown that under IL-2 deprivation conditions, IL-21 may act as the major survival factor promoting T cell immune responses. Thus, investigation of IL-2 targeted therapies may need to be revisited to consider blockade of the IL-21 signaling pathways as an adjunct to provide more effective control of T cell immune responses.
Review of dental materials citations: Part B, July to December 1995.

Abstract Objective: A lag of many months occurs between journal issue publication and updates to electronic databases. The objective of this literature analysis was to identify and categorize all of the dental materials citations in biomedical journals that were published from July 1995 through December 1995. Methods: Seventeen primary and 51 secondary journals were searched using their tables of contents to detect and record dental materials publications from July to December of 1995. Those journals that were typically rich in dental materials articles were classified as primary ones. Citations were categorized into 17 topics and divided into subsections. The review excluded case reports, most literature related primarily to dental implants, and most articles on biomedical materials used outside of the field of general dentistry. Results: The greatest number of citations was related to topics of dentin bonding and resin-based restorative filling materials (composites and glass ionomers). There was no major change in the number of dental materials publications per year reported from 1993 (n=786) to 1995 (n=751). Significance: This citation list provides a comprehensive resource for use by academicians and researchers to bridge the gap between intial publication and access to electronic searching methods for major databases.
Reading the Silences,Questioning the Terms: A Response to the Focus on Eighteenth-Century Ethics

It is striking that most of the essays in this Focus do not explore the specifically religious aspects of Enlightenment ethical thought. A principled reason for this may be found in a conception of religion that makes it hard for Enlightenment thinkers to seem religious at all. Neither does this conception fit anything that is likely to be a live option for most people today, and the now prevalent unpopularity of eighteenth-century piety and religious thought may blind us to important religious possibilities.
Mechanisms for anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy: clinical and laboratory correlations

Abstract Anthracyclines are cardiotoxic. The preferential cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines can be attributed to: (1) a limited endogenous ability of the heart to scavenge reactive free radicals; (2) vulnerable sulfhydryl groups; (3) intra-myocyte accumulation of the parent compound and major metabolite; and (4) vulnerable transcriptional event(s) with limited ability of the heart to regenerate. The cumulative anthracycline dose-dependent cardiotoxicity can be attributed to: (1) intra-myocyte accumulation of the parent compound and major metabolite; and (2) irreversible damage or myocyte loss due to free radicals. Cardioprotection by dexrazoxane and the risk of prior radiation can be attributed to their effects on anthracycline-generated free radicals. The progressive time-dependent `late' cardiotoxicity could conceivably be attributed to vulnerable transcriptional event(s) that initiate a vicious cycle leading to inexorable progression to heart failure. The risk to the female sex, the partially-reversible contractile dysfunction and the focal and regional histopathology are not easily understood in the context of the current mechanistic hypotheses. Future cardioprotection strategies should focus on reducing myocyte accumulation and/or blocking transcriptional effects of anthracyclines.
Low mass dilepton radiation at RHIC

Abstract In this work we discuss the emission of low mass dilepton radiation from a hydrodynamic evolution model of Au–Au collisions and make comparisons with recent PHENIX measurements. The dilepton emission rates from the hadronic phase are treated at finite temperature and Baryon density and are completely constrained by broken chiral symmetry in a density expansion. The rates are expressed in terms of vacuum correlators which are measured in e + e − annihilation, τ decays and photo-reactions on nucleons and nuclei. We consider two possibilities for the hadronic phase: A chemical equilibrated an off equilibrium hadronic gas. We find that while chemical off-equilibrium helps explain part of the low mass ( 0.15 ⩽ M ( GeV ) ⩽ 0.7 ) enhancement seen in the data there is still a large discrepancy.
A comparison of ground‐state averages in electron propagator theory

In the Dyson equation, the self-energy describes all relaxation and correlation corrections to Koopmans's theorem. Energy-independent contributions to the self-energy depend on the one-electron reduced density matrix of the reference state. Three formalisms for calculating these terms are considered: perturbation theory, coupled-cluster theory, and contour integral theory. In one method, combinations of coupled-cluster singles and doubles amplitudes are substituted for first-order double excitation coefficients and for second-order single excitation coefficients. Another approach generates a description of reference state correlation through the evaluation of approximate contour integral expressions. Calculations on electron binding energies of closed-shell molecules and anions reveal that the coupled-cluster results for the energy-independent self-energy terms are closer to the perturbative results than to the contour integral values. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pilocarpine Adsorption by Serum and Ocular Tissues

Ophthalmologists have routinely used pilo­ carpine for a century.' However, the inactivation or metabolic fate of this drug after it has been administered into the conjunctival sac is still incompletely understood and even controversial. A pilocarpine-transforming ac­ tivity in the sera of various species'* and the hydrolysis of pilocarpine by rabbit and human serum and ocular tissues have been de­ scribed. However, it had earlier been dem­ onstrated that pilocarpine was absorbed by and could be released unchanged from rab­ bit serum. Lyons and Krohn in 1973 con­ cluded that the mechanism of interaction be­ tween pilocarpine and uveal tissues was not enzymatic. In the present study, we examined the in­ teraction of pilocarpine with serum and ocu­ lar tissues from rabbits, using quantitative spectrophotometric and colorimetric tech­ niques, as well as bioassays. A heat-reversible binding of pilocarpine without enzymatic transformation was found.
Differences in Outcomes Between Younger and Older Patients With Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in epidemiology, types of presentation, time between diagnosis and treatment, tumor characteristics, and survival in patients 45 years or younger with non–small cell lung cancer. Methods A nested case-control study was conducted during 7 years using a prospective database of patients with non–small cell lung cancer. Younger patients ( Results There were 762 patients (254 were p p p p = 0.037). Conclusions Despite similar stages and tumor characteristics patients younger than 45 years of age with non–small cell lung cancer have a significantly worse prognosis than older patients. Although they are more likely to be symptomatic, younger patients have a greater delay in seeking thoracic surgical care. These data should be considered in the treatment strategy offered to younger patients with non–small cell lung cancer.
Expression of Leukotriene B4 receptor-1 on CD8+ T cells is required for their migration into tumors to elicit effective antitumor immunity

Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) receptor (BLT)1 is expressed on variety of immune cells and has been implicated as a mediator of diverse inflammatory diseases. However, whether biological responses initiated via this receptor generate tumor-promoting inflammation or antitumor immunity remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of BLT1 in antitumor immunity using syngeneic TC-1 cervical cancer model, and observed accelerated tumor growth and reduced survival in BLT1⁻/⁻ mice compared with BLT1⁺/⁺ mice. Analysis of the tumor infiltrates by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy revealed a significant decrease in effector immune cells, most notably, CD8⁺ T cells and NK cells in the tumors of the BLT1⁻/⁻ mice. Gene expression profiling confirmed the dramatic decrease of IFN-γ, granzyme B, and IL-2 in tumors growing in BLT1⁻/⁻ mice. Furthermore, depletion of CD8⁺ T cells enhanced the tumor growth in BLT1⁺/⁺ but not in BLT1⁻/⁻ mice. However, similar levels of Ag-dependent CD8⁺ T cell-mediated killing activity were observed in spleens of BLT1⁺/⁺ and BLT1⁻/⁻ mice. Adoptive transfer of CD8⁺ T cells from tumor-bearing BLT1⁺/⁺ but not BLT1⁻/⁻ mice significantly reduced tumor growth and increased the survival of Rag2⁻/⁻ mice. Although the homeostatic proliferation and expression profiles of other chemokine receptors of adoptively transferred BLT1⁺/⁺ and BLT1⁻/⁻ CD8⁺ T cells appears to be similar, BLT1⁺/⁺ T lymphocytes entered the tumors in greater numbers. These results suggest that BLT1 expression on CD8⁺ T cells plays an important role in their trafficking to tumors.
Assessment of sotalol prescribing in a community hospital: Opportunities for clinical pharmacist involvement

Objective Due to risk of serious adverse drug events (ADEs) sotalol use is limited in renal insufficiency and heart failure. To reduce potential life-threatening ADEs, medication safety initiatives that ensure appropriate dosing of sotalol are necessary. Pharmacist-managed renal dosing assessment programmes ensure appropriate dosing of renally eliminated medications. A prospective medication safety evaluation was conducted to assess the need to include sotalol in an existing renal dosing assessment programme as well as the impact of clinical pharmacist assessment on sotalol prescribing. Methods Patients in a 736-bed community hospital, receiving sotalol during a 6-week period, were prospectively evaluated. Information was collected on indication, dosing, concomitant disease states and medications, renal function, QTc length, symptoms of toxicity and readmissions. Pharmacist recommendations were made when necessary and were followed to determine acceptance rate and patient outcomes. Key findings Thirty-six patients were prescribed sotalol for atrial tachyarrhythmias. Thirty-two (89%) were dosed inappropriately with respect to renal function. Twenty (56%) had left-ventricular dysfunction as defined by an ejection fraction of ≤40%. At time of initial assessment, 15 (42%) were exhibiting signs of potential sotalol toxicity. Pharmacists provided recommendations regarding discontinuation or dosage adjustment on 32 patients with a 38% full and a 12% partial acceptance rate. All-cause readmission rates for patients receiving appropriate therapy, including those after pharmacist recommendations were accepted (Group A; n = 16), were compared to those remaining on inappropriate therapy (Group B; n = 20). Readmission rates within 6 months differed between groups (31% for Group A, 55% for Group B; P = 0.095, odds ratio 3.7). Conclusion This medication safety evaluation suggests the need for pharmacist assessment in patients receiving sotalol. Dosage adjustment or avoidance in patients with renal insufficiency, heart failure and other relative contraindications is often necessary to avoid toxicity. Sotalol was inappropriately prescribed in the majority of patients secondary to renal insufficiency. Based on this evaluation, it was recommended to add sotalol to the institution's pharmacist-managed renal dosing adjustment programme. Ensuring clinical pharmacist assessment when sotalol is prescribed can help reduce potential life-threatening ADEs and hospital readmissions.
Quantitative analysis of technetium 99m 2-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile single-photon emission computed tomography and isosorbide dinitrate infusion in assessment of myocardial viability before and after revascularization☆

Assessment of viable myocardium in territories of hypoperfused myocardium is important for predicting functional recovery after revascularization. This study was designed to evaluate quantitative analysis of 99mTc-labeled 2-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) myocardial perfusion imaging combined with isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) infusion to detect myocardial viability in patients with chronic coronary artery disease before and after revascularization. Twenty-seven consecutive patients with previous myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction 35.2%±13.5%) referred for coronary artery bypass (CABG) were studied with 99mTc-labeled MIBI single-photon emission computed tomograpy at rest and during ISDN infusion before CABG followed by resting imaging after CABG. Quantitative analysis was performed with circumferential profiles. Left ventricular function (global and regional) was assessed by radionuclide ventriculography before and after CABG. Out of 212 abnormal perfusion segments with resting 99mTc-labeled MIBI SPECT, 99 segments (47%) showed improved uptake of 99mTc-labeled MIBI during ISDN infusion. The mean ratio of myocardial uptake was 0.58±0.25 (resting 0.53±0.23; p 0.05 vs ISDN) showed improved uptake of 99mTc-labeled MIBI. The mean ratio of myocardial uptake was 0.60±0.26 (resting 0.53±0.23; p<0.05). The concordance between the improvement of post-CABG wall motion and that of pre-CABG ISDN perfusion imaging was 83%, between the improvement of wall motion and perfusion imaging after CABG 94%, and between the improvement of pre-CABG ISDN and post-CABG perfusion imaging 83%, respectively. ISDN infusion can improve the uptake of 99mTc-labeled MIBI in hypoperfused myocardium and increase the efficiency of 99mTc-labeled MIBI in the detection of viable myocardium in patients with previous myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction.
Application and evaluation of the lead-adenosine triphosphatase method in skeletal tissue.

Application and evaluation of the lead-ATPase histochemical method in skeletal tissue has demonstrated an intracellular localization of enzyme activity. The skeletal tissue was demineralized for 72 hr in cold 10% aqueous EDTA adjusted to pH 7.2. Frozen sections were cut and placed on cold albumenized slides, oriented, thawed, dried in a cool air stream, and fixed for 10 min in cold (−2 to −3 C) 10% formalin buffered with Na-acetate and adjusted to pH 7.2. The sections were washed, treated with 10% EDTA for 20 min at room temperature, rewashed, and incubated for an optimal period of 30 min at 37 C. in the lead-ATP medium of Wachstein and Meisel. Following incubation the sections were washed, treated for 1 min with 1% (NH4)2S, rewashed, immersed for 30 min in 10% buffered formalin, dehydrated, cleared, and mounted. Evaluation of the substrate specificity suggests that other phosphatases associated with skeletal tissue do not complicate the ATPase reaction.
Effects of chronic hyperglycemia on electrocortical activity states in unanesthetized fetal lambs.

Abstract Electrocortical activity (ECoG), tracheal pressure and nuchal muscle activity were recorded in utero in 8 chronically hyperglycemic and 10 control unanesthetized fetal lambs to investigate the effects of chronic hyperglycemia on fetal electrocortical activity states. The chronically hyperglycemic state, induced by alloxan administered to the ewes, existed for at least 40 days prior to the experiments. The mean duration of episodes of high voltage (HV) ECoG was significantly increased in the hyperglycemic group (mean ± SD: 21.8 ± 9.2 min) compared with the control group (14.8 ± 3.3 min), but the incidence of low voltage (LV) ECoG was not different between the groups. ECoG power spectra were not different between the groups. During LV ECoG, the proportions of time with neck movements were significantly less in the hyperglycemic than in the control group. No difference in percentages of time with long neck muscle activity was seen during the HV state in both groups. The incidence of breathing movements was equal in both groups, during HV as well as LV ECoG. No differences in breathing interval were observed.
Two Key Concepts for Wealth Management and Beyond

Asset allocation is profoundly influenced by at least two underappreciated concepts. First, tax-deferred accounts—for example, 401(k)s—are like partnerships in which the investor owns (1 – tn) of the partnership principal and the government owns the remainder, where tn is the marginal tax rate when the funds are withdrawn. Second, the government shares in both the return and the risk of assets held in taxable accounts. The authors discuss these concepts’ implications for wealth management.
Concepts and methods in optimization of integrated LC VCOs

Underlying physical mechanisms controlling the noise properties of oscillators are studied. This treatment shows the importance of inductance selection for oscillator noise optimization. A design strategy centered around an inductance selection scheme is executed using a practical graphical optimization method to optimize phase noise subject to design constraints such as power dissipation, tank amplitude, tuning range, startup condition, and diameters of spiral inductors. The optimization technique is demonstrated through a design example, leading to a 2.4-GHz fully integrated, LC voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) implemented using 0.35-/spl mu/m MOS transistors. The measured phase-noise values are -121, -117, and -115 dBc/Hz at 600-kHz offset from 1.91, 2.03, and 2.60-GHz carriers, respectively. The VCO dissipates 4 mA from a 2.5-V supply voltage. The inversion mode MOSCAP tuning is used to achieve 26% of tuning range. Two figures of merit for performance comparison of various oscillators are introduced and used to compare this work to previously reported results.
Material taxonomy for object identification in HYDICE imagery

This paper summarizes investigations made at The Aerospace Corporation, during the past year, in the field of hyperspectral material identification. A spectral feature metric which makes use of visible features in the `graph' of a reference spectrum or acquired hyperspectral sample was developed and refined. Using this, and other well-known spectral similarity metrics, a mechanism for creating material taxonomies using clustering techniques was developed. The taxonomies and metrics were combined to create an innovative means for identifying materials and objects in hyperspectral scenes from the HYDICE sensor.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Current approaches to the management of Her2-negative metastatic breast cancer

While metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains incurable, a vast array of active therapeutic agents has provided the opportunity for long-term disease control while maintaining quality of life and physical function. Optimal management of MBC balances a multitude of factors, including a woman's performance status, social support, symptoms, disease burden, prior therapies, and surrogates for tumor biology. Choosing the most appropriate initial therapy and subsequent sequence of treatments demands flexibility as goals and patient preferences may change. Knowledge of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Her2 receptor status of the metastatic tumor has become critical to determining the optimal treatment strategy in the metastatic setting as targeted therapeutic approaches are developed. Patients with ER+ or PR+ breast cancer or both have a wide array of hormonal therapy options that can forestall the use of cytotoxic therapies, although rapidly progressive phenotypes and the emergence of resistance may ultimately lead to the need for chemotherapy in this setting. So-called 'triple-negative' breast cancer - lacking ER, PR, and Her2 overexpression - remains a major challenge. These tumors have an aggressive phenotype, and clear targets for therapy have not yet been established. Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment in this group, but biologically based clinical trials of new agents are critical to developing a more effective set of therapies for this patient population.
Mass motion and heating in a magnetic neutral point system

Optical spectroscopic and magnetic probe observations of a laboratory discharge device, in which magnetic field line reconnection occurs at an x-type neutral point, were presented. Timeresolved spectral-line profiles of the ionized argon line AII lambda 4348 were presented. These allowed the determination of Doppler shifts and broadenings near the neutral poirt. Plasma heating occurred at the neutral point and downstream from it. Plasma was ejected from the downstream sides of the neutral point region at the local Alfven speed at all times. This was equal to about one-tenth the upstream Alfven speed at the one time it is known. The downstream magnetic Mach number or local reconnection rate'' was found to be nearly independent of the plasma conductivity and time. The rate of transfer of magnetic flux from the upstream to downstream regions was strongly dependent on conductivity and time. (auth)
Runway incursion prevention system simulation evaluation

A runway incursion prevention system (RIPS) was evaluated in a full mission simulation study at the NASA Langley Research center in March 2002. RIPS integrates airborne and groundbased technologies to provide (1) enhanced surface situational awareness to avoid blunders and (2) alerts of runway conflicts in order to prevent runway incidents while also improving operational capability. A series of test runs was conducted in a high fidelity simulator. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the RIPS airborne incursion detection algorithms and associated alerting and airport surface display concepts. Eight commercial airline crews participated as test subjects completing 467 test runs. This paper gives an overview of the RIPS, simulation study, and test results.