cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The History of Testosterone and the Evolution of its Therapeutic Potential.

Abstract Introduction Testosterone therapy has been controversial since its synthesis in the 1930s to the present day. Testosterone’s history provides depth and context for current controversies. Aim To review the history of testosterone therapy from its initial synthesis in the 1930s to the modern day. Methods Expert review of the literature. Main Outcome Measures Impactful events in the history of testosterone. Results By the 1940s there was already a fascinating literature that described the many symptomatic benefits of testosterone therapy that are recognized today. Numerous early reports suggested testosterone therapy improved angina pectoris and peripheral vascular disease. The assertion by Huggins and Hodges (Cancer Res 1941;1:293–297) in 1941 that testosterone activated prostate cancer (PCa) cast a pall for the next 70 years. The introduction of the radioimmunoassay in the 1970s shifted the diagnosis of testosterone deficiency from signs and symptoms to an undue emphasis on blood test results. The fear of PCa was the primary obstacle to the adoption of testosterone therapy for decades. Prescription rates increased as accumulated evidence showed testosterone therapy was not associated with increased PCa risks. The observation that androgenic stimulation of PCa reaches a maximum at relatively low testosterone concentrations—the saturation model—provided the theoretical framework for understanding the relation between androgens and PCa and led to multiple case series documenting reassuring results of testosterone therapy in men with PCa. Recent concerns regarding cardiovascular risks also have diminished because new evidence suggests testosterone therapy might actually be cardioprotective. In 2016 the Testosterone Trials provided high-quality evidence of multiple benefits of testosterone therapy, nearly all of which had been recognized by clinicians by 1940. Conclusions If the past has any lessons for the future, it is likely that research will continue to demonstrate health benefits of testosterone therapy, while it remains one of the most controversial topics in medicine. Morgentaler A, Traish A. The History of Testosterone and the Evolution of its Therapeutic Potential. Sex Med Rev 2020;8:286–296.
A systematic review of community-based interventions to improve oral chronic disease medication regimen adherence among individuals with substance use disorder

Abstract Background Poor medication adherence has been shown to cause medical complications, death, and increased healthcare costs and may be of particular importance in patients with substance use disorder (SUD). Concerns regarding adherence in this population may influence a healthcare provider’s decision to prescribe a medication requiring high adherence. Guidance defining best practices that promote adherence among individuals with SUD is lacking. Methods A review of English articles in Medline and PsycINFO databases, published between October 1, 1994 and October 31, 2017, was conducted in order to identify studies of interventions intended to improve adherence to oral chronic disease medication regimens among patients with SUD. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental study designs, and case series were included. Article quality was assessed. Results A total of 854 abstracts were retrieved, of which 24 met inclusion criteria. Adherence interventions were categorized as those: 1) addressing the chronic disease state; 2) addressing SUD; or 3) both. Studies varied greatly with respect to intervention length, method of measuring adherence, and quality. Statistically significant improvement in adherence was observed in 12 of 24 studies (50%). Specific interventions that improved adherence included incentive-based interventions, directly observed therapy, and telephonic/home visits. Counseling-based interventions such motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy presented mixed results. Conclusions While effective interventions were identified, heterogeneity of study designs and study quality preclude determination of optimal interventions to promote adherence in this population. Further evaluation with sound study design may inform the development of best practices for treating chronic disease in patients with SUD.
Gastrostomy tube placement among infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome undergoing stage 1 palliation.

OBJECTIVE Different feeding strategies have been suggested to improve growth and survival of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome following stage 1 palliation. The study objective was to assess hospital mortality following stage 1 palliation among infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who had two feeding modalities, gastrostomy tube vs no gastrostomy tube. DESIGN Retrospective study design. SETTING Multicenter pediatric heath information system database. PATIENT About 4287 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent stage 1 Norwood procedure from 2004 through 2013. Infants who had gastrostomy tube with or without fundoplication procedure were identified and their clinical characteristics were compared. INTERVENTION None. OUTCOMES MEASURES The primary outcome was discharge hospital mortality following stage 1 palliation. RESULTS About 1214 patients who underwent stage 1 palliation had gastrostomy tube placement prior to hospital discharge. About 881 only had this procedure, while 333 patients also underwent fundoplication. Infants who had a gastrostomy tube placement vs no gastrostomy procedure had longer hospital stay, but significantly lower hospital mortality (5% vs 19%, P < .001). Hospital mortality was lower in infants who had only gastrostomy vs gastrostomy with fundoplication procedure (4% vs 8%, P = .004). In the multivariable analysis, gastrostomy procedure was associated with a higher likelihood of survival to hospital discharge (HR: 0.06, CI [0.04, 0.1]), whereas additional fundoplication procedure increased the risk of mortality (HR: 2.77, CI [1.52, 5.04]). CONCLUSIONS The gastrostomy procedure did not place infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome at higher risk of mortality. These infants should be considered for gastrostomy tube placement if they had persistent difficulty in oral feeding following stage 1 palliation.
Design of High-Speed Wireless Links Using Non-Directional Infrared Radiation

We review the advantages of non-directional infrared radiation as a medium to provide wireless indoor access to local-area networks. We describe the major impairments to such non-directional infrared links, which are small received signal power in the face of potentially intense ambient infrared radiation, optical interference from fluorescent lighting, and intersymbol interference caused by multipath optical propagation. We discuss two communication techniques that can counter these impairments: baseband on-off keying with adaptive decision-feedback equalization and multiplesubcarrier modulation. For the former modulation/equalization technique, we present detailed performance simulations, which show that an adaptive decision-feedback equalizer is effective in mitigating multipath-induced intersymbol interference. Finally, we present an analysis of the signal-to-noise ratio of a receiver for baseband on-off keying. This analysis shows that with a properly designed PIN-FET receiver, it is possible to achieve digital communication at speeds as high as 100 Mb/s.
A Personal Neuroscientific Development with Remarks on Other Events and People

The course of one’s constructive behavior or career bears no mystical landmarks. Rather, it follows the lines of least resistance or easily accepted opportunity, directed in part by prejudice, preference, energy, good and bad advice, a strong element of lucky circumstance. A reasonably high effort: indolence ratio is usually important. These remarks introduce a very personal statement on an early phase of neuroendocrinological history.
Does fever at the time of discharge have any impact on the incidence of readmission

Most physicians believe that patients who have fever within 24 hours of the planned date of discharge should be kept in the hospital until the fever resolves. A search of the literature revealed very few articles addressing this topic. The object of this study was to review a number of patient discharges from the surgical service and to document the presence or absence of fever within 24 hours of the time of discharge. The primary end point of the study was to determine the rate of readmission for both patients discharged with fever and those discharged without fever. Secondary end points were to determine whether the readmission was related to the original discharge diagnosis or the presence of fever at the time of discharge. The records of all adult patients with a hospital length of stay of > or = 5 days discharged from the surgical and gynecology services from April through July of 2007 were reviewed. Deaths were excluded. The following data elements were recorded: primary discharge diagnosis; age; highest recorded temperature within 24 hours of discharge; date time and cause of readmission within 30 days; and outcome. Fever was defined as a temperature of > or = 100 degrees F. Data were entered into an Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) spreadsheet, and statistical analysis was performed using chi2 and Fisher's exact tests using Primer of Biostatistics (McGraw-Hill, New York, NY). The records of 300 consecutive patients were reviewed. Follow-up was available for 86.7 per cent of the patients, 84.4 per cent of the febrile patients, and 87.1 per cent of the nonfebrile patients. A fever of > or = 100 degrees within 24 hours of discharge was noted in 45 (15.0%) patients. The mean fever was 100.5 degrees, with a range of 100 degrees to 102.1 degrees. There were 38 readmissions. Of the 45 patients with fever, seven (15.6%) were readmitted. Of those seven, four readmissions were related to the previous admitting diagnosis. Of the patients who were discharged without fever, 31 (12.2%) were readmitted with 24 of those readmissions for diagnoses related to the first admission. The rate of readmission for fever and nonfever patients was not statistically significantly different (P = 0.697). Similarly, the rate of related versus nonrelated diagnoses in both the fever and nonfever groups was not statistically significantly different (P = 0.351). The presence or absence of fever within 24 hours of patient discharge seems to have no impact on the rate of readmission within 30 days.
Radial Basis Function Collocation Method

The radial basis function (RBF) collocation method, and particularly the multiquadric collocation method, has some amazing properties for solving partial differential equations. First, it is a “meshless” method, which is a much desired characteristic in modern day numerical methods. Advantages include the easy preparation of input data and the flexibility in solving moving boundary problems. The basis functions are of “global” nature, and the approximate solution is infinitely smooth, that is, it can be differentiated infinite number of times everywhere. It is based on the point collocation of a simple series expression, hence the mathematical algorithm is simple, and easy to program. Radial basis function is based on the Euclidean norm r i =∥x−x i ,∥ which means that the numerical algorithm can be easily extended to solve n-space problems. For a class of ill-posed boundary value problems, traditional methods require that it be converted into well-posed problems and be solved iteratively by optimization. RBF collocation method can solve these problems without iteration. The most amazing characteristic of multiquadric collocation is its amazing accuracy. Unlike the popular numerical methods, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Finite Difference Method (FDM), which use piece-wise, low-degree polynomials for interpolation, collocation methods use global and highly smooth functions. As a consequence, multiquadric collocation achieves exponential error convergence of \( O\left( {e^{ac} \lambda ^{ch^{ - 1} } } \right) \), as compared to the power law O(h k ) of traditional numerical methods. Furthermore, by varying the constant c in the multiquadric, (r 2+c)1/2 , increasing accuracy of solution can be achieved without refining the mesh. For a 2-D Poisson equation, it is demonstrated in a numerical example that a uniform accuracy of 10-15 can be accomplished using merely a 20x20 mesh. This accuracy is impossible to reach with the O(h k ) numerical scheme
Perceived Quality of Scenic and Recreational Environments

The problem addressed in this chapter is concerned with research needs and priorities for Perceived Environmental Quality Indices for scenic and recreational environments. The overriding notion is that of measuring environmental performance relative to human purposes, so that the relative quality of alternative environments can be described and compared. The Perceived Environmental Quality Index (PEQI) differs from the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) in that it is concerned with perceptions of the environment and of environmental quality as opposed to scientific physical measurements and formal calculations of environmental performance and quality. Perhaps it is advisable to define these concepts more carefully before proceeding.
Pyrene-Like HOMO Governs Polaron Delocalization in Model Graphitic Strips: A Combined Experimental and Computational Analysis

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with large graphitic cores have attracted significant attention as charge-transfer materials for photovoltaic and molecular electronics applications. In this...
Electric Field-Guided Cell Migration, Polarization, and Division: An Emerging Therapy in Neural Regeneration

The endogenous EF has been detected in a developing neural system. Studies revealed that EF plays an important role in the development nervous system because the size, location, and developmental timing of EF influence cellular process. The significant biological effect of EF is its influence on the directional growth of neurites and cell migration. In vitro studies have demonstrated an applied direct-current EF-guided and promoted axonal growth and hippocampal neuron migration toward the cathode pole. Cell division is involved in development, wound healing, and pathology. The physiological role of EF-induced regulation of the cell division plane of neuronal cells has been shown in in vitro experiments. Although the mechanism of EF-directed axonal growth and cell migration is not fully understood, studies have found that the polarization of cells, activation of ion channels, and intracellular signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of EF-guided migration. These studies have provided direct evidence that an EF can potentially direct and enhance in vivo neural cell migration and axonal growth. The application of EF stimulation can be a novel technology for neural regeneration.
"A Temporal Stuttering" Dementia and Disaster in Ruth Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being

Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being shuttles across collapsed geographies and temporalities—from the transpacific aftereffects of the Fukushima disaster back to intergenerational histories of th...
Reduce Cost by Combining the Bench Test Software and Integration and Test Software with the Mission Operations Software

Subsystem test, spacecraft integration and test, and mission operations software have been dealt with in past missions in an ad hoc manner on a mission-specific basis. The TIMED mission has decided to use the mission operations software, EPOCH 2000, customized by JHU/APL, as subsystem test, spacecraft integration and test, and mission operations software. The use of common software for the three systems tests has been called the “Mini-MOC” approach. For three different uses, the commonalities are command and telemetry database, display pages, interfaces, and procedures. The mission operations specialists have only one system to learn. The software and other related data such as command and telemetry database and display pages will be well tested before launch. The paper also addresses the side effects, such as the learning curve for the subsystem engineers and the response time for fixing problems, of using the mission operations software as subsystem test software.
Metadata for Data Warehousing

A data warehouse is kind of database whose architecture (and underlying supporting technology) has been optimized for highly efficient query, at the cost of sacrificing features that support robust interactive inserts, updates and delete actions. The difference between a data warehouse and a data mart (which is also optimized for the same purpose) is partly one of scope. While warehouses are supposed to encompass data across an entire organization, data marts are typically smaller scale (e.g., departmental in scope) though in an ideal situation they would receive data from a warehouse, effectively serving as front-ends to the latter.
TEMPORAL TRENDS IN ANTICOAGULATION MANAGEMENT FOR UNITED STATES ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Anticoagulation (AC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) in active duty (AD) personnel carries significant mission impacts and has evolved with emergence of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). This study aims to compare AC regimens temporally utilized and the association with military retention rates. A
Lung tissue engineering

Abstract The ex vivo regeneration of lung requires the simultaneous resolution of a number of complex and interlocking engineering challenges. The alveolus, the functional unit of the lung, is a delicate tissue unit made up of precise mixture of cells, extracellular matrix, and secreted proteins that allow proper ventilation and subsequent gas exchange. Functional tissue-engineered lungs must maintain homeostatic levels of blood–gas barrier integrity, permit easy gas ventilation when transplanted into the chest, produce and regulate sufficient surfactant to prevent tissue damage, and contain the proper cell populations to permit appropriate postimplantation tissue homeostasis. This chapter provides a broad overview of work in pulmonary regeneration to date and postulates potential advances that might be achieved in the near future as this work comes closer to clinical translation.
NEXT Harm Reduction: An Online, Mail-Based Naloxone Distribution and Harm-Reduction Program

Needle EXchange Technology (NEXT) Harm Reduction is an online, mail-based platform designed for sending (1) naloxone kits to people at risk for overdose and (2) sterile syringes and other equipment...
Rorschach Inkblot Technique

“What might this be?” With these few words a person is introduced to one of the most fascinating techniques in all of psychological assessment, the Rorschach. Developed by a Swiss psychiatrist, Hermann Rorschach (1884–1922), the test consists of ten abstract inkblots that are shown one at a time to the subject, who reports what is seen. The task may seem rather innocuous, but in the hands of a trained clinician, it can yield a veritable gold mine of information about personality style and structure, quality of thinking and affect, diagnostic issues, and can also facilitate in treatment planning and evaluation. In brief, what at first blush may seem to be a parlor game that hinges on imagination is actually a very sophisticated and complex way to examine the psychological world of patients and others deemed appropriate for evaluation.
Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5-associated dermatomyositis: expanding the clinical spectrum.

DM is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects muscle, lungs and skin to varying extents in different patients. Like many other systemic autoimmune diseases, DM patients frequently have specific autoantibodies which are strongly associated with distinct clinical phenotypes, making autoantibodies useful for disease diagnosis and prognosis (1). For example, autoantibodies which recognize Mi-2 are associated with a more severe cutaneous form of DM which responds favorably to therapy (2–4), while antibodies against the aminoacyl tRNA synthetases are associated with a clinical phenotype termed the “antisynthetase syndrome”, consisting of myopathy, fever, ILD, Raynaud’s phenomenon, non-erosive arthritis and mechanics hands (4–6). Autoantibodies against the interferon (IFN)-inducible antigen MDA5, have recently been described in 10–20% of Japanese DM patients. Anti-MDA5 antibody-positive patients had predominantly amyopathic DM and a high risk for ILD, including rapidly progressive ILD which was frequently fatal (7–11) (reviewed in (12)). To date, only one US cohort of DM patients has been systematically evaluated with regard to prevalence of MDA5 autoantibodies and the associated clinical attributes (13). These patients were drawn from an academic dermatology practice, and similar to the Japanese experience, 13% of DM patients had MDA5 autoantibodies. Consistent with previous reports, these patients were more likely to be amyopathic and have ILD. In addition, they demonstrated a characteristic cutaneous phenotype consisting of skin ulceration, tender palmar papules, or both. We sought to determine the prevalence of MDA5 autoantibodies in a cohort of 160 DM patients evaluated at a tertiary referral US myositis specialty center, and to define the clinical features of these patients. In this cohort, anti-MDA5 antibody positive patients often demonstrated hallmark features of the antisynthetase syndrome in the absence of tRNA synthetase autoantibodies. ILD was less severe than previously reported (7–11), and was absent completely in some patients over years of follow-up. Thus, anti-MDA5-associated myositis should be strongly considered when a patient with features of the antisynthetase syndrome is negative for anti-synthetase antibodies.
The battered child at thirty: what can be learned from Saul Krugman at eighty?

Some years ago—10 to be exact—at a 70th birthday celebration for Saul Krugman, I reviewed his impressive CV and pointed out that the field of avian biology had lost a great star. His first paper was on the use of ethylene glycol vapor to eliminate Newcastle disease virus, a pathogen of chickens.1 A further review of the Senior Krugman9s CV reveals an early case report that may well have been one of the first reported cases of sexual abuse of infants—a case of herpetic vulvovaginitis in a 6-month-old infant.2 It was an unusual and an interesting case. Thirty-five years later one would at least have to evaluate the possibility of sexual abuse in this infant, and it likely would have been discussed as part of the paper. Several years ago (23 actually), when I began my pediatric career, I was occasionally asked whether I was related to Saul Krugman. Those of us who have followed a similar professional path to one or both of our parents are used to being asked such questions. Ken McIntosh, David Hodes, Karen, Allison, and Jennifer Kempe, to name a few, have all faced quizzical looks when we were introduced to a group of pediatricians as if to say: "I know that name, but you don9t look old enough to be...." Each of us deals with this relationship differently and indeed will do so at different stages of our lives. When I was asked the inevitable question, was I related to Saul Krugman, I used to respond, "yes, he is my wife9s father-in-law."
Runx2 Expression in Smooth Muscle Cells Is Required for Arterial Medial Calcification in Mice.

Arterial medial calcification (AMC) is a hallmark of aging, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Smooth muscle cell (SMC) transition to an osteogenic phenotype is a common feature of AMC, and is preceded by expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), a master regulator of bone development. Whether SMC-specific Runx2 expression is required for osteogenic phenotype change and AMC remains unknown. We therefore created an improved targeting construct to generate mice with floxed Runx2 alleles (Runx2f/f) that do not produce truncated Runx2 proteins after Cre recombination, thereby preventing potential off-target effects. SMC-specific deletion using SM22–recombinase transgenic allele mice (Runx2ΔSM) led to viable mice with normal bone and arterial morphology. After vitamin D overload, arterial SMCs in Runx2f/f mice expressed Runx2, underwent osteogenic phenotype change, and developed severe AMC. In contrast, vitamin D–treated Runx2ΔSM mice had no Runx2 in blood vessels, maintained SMC phenotype, and did not develop AMC. Runx2 deletion did not affect serum calcium, phosphate, fibroblast growth factor-23, or alkaline phosphatase levels. In vitro, Runx2f/f SMCs calcified to a much greater extent than those derived from Runx2ΔSM mice. These data indicate a critical role of Runx2 in SMC osteogenic phenotype change and mineral deposition in a mouse model of AMC, suggesting that Runx2 and downstream osteogenic pathways in SMCs may be useful therapeutic targets for treating or preventing AMC in high-risk patients.
Differential effects between intravenous and targeted renal delivery of fenoldopam on renal function and blood pressure in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

A randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrated that intravenous (IV) fenoldopam did not prevent further deterioration in renal function after contrast administration in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. This lack of effect may have been a consequence of the inability to administer an effective renal dose of IV fenoldopam. This study sought to determine whether compared with IV administration, selective intrarenal (IR) fenoldopam would increase local concentration, leading to a higher glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and, because of first-pass renal elimination, result in lower systemic drug levels and less decrease in systemic blood pressure (BP). A randomized, controlled, open-label, partial crossover design trial was conducted in which 33 patients who underwent coronary angiography were randomized in a 1:2 ratio to control or fenoldopam (initially IV, then crossed over to IR through a bifurcated renal infusion catheter). Compared with IV fenoldopam, IR administration was associated with a significantly higher GFR (73.7 ± 3.1 vs 62.6 ± 2.5 ml/min, p = 0.0007) and renal plasma flow (537.2 ± 34.0 vs 494.0 ± 35.5 ml/min, p
Polysome profiles, amino acid incorporation in vitro, and polysome reaggregation following disaggregation by heat shock through the mitotic cycle in Physarum polycephalum

Abstract Polysome profiles and amino acid incorporation were examined in cell-free preparations obtained from Physarum polycephalum . It was found that both the size distribution and the specific activity of the polysome preparations were essentially constant throughout the mitotic cycle, in contrast to the depression of protein synthesis known to occur in vivo in this organism during mitosis and again during interphase. It is suggested that the rate of protein synthesis in vivo is regulated by means of soluble cytoplasmic substances rather than by changes in the size distribution or functional capacity of the polysomes themselves. Polysomes were disaggregated by heat shock during either the S or G 2 period. Polysome reaggregation occurred readily in cultures heat-shocked during G 2 , but not in those heat-shocked during the S phase of the division cycle.
Estrogen dynamics and hormonal differences associated with lactational performance of cows induced to lactate

Abstract Five nonpregnant and nonlactating Holsteins (three cows and two heifers) were injected subcutaneously each 12 b of days 1 to 7 with estradiol-17 β and progesterone (.1mg and .25 mg/day per kg bodyweight) dissolved in absolute ethanol to induce lactation. Estradiol-17 β and -17 α represented 81 to 89% of total estrogen in blood plasma from days 7 to 27, and -17 α was 78 to 90% of total estrogen excreted in urine. Although conversion of absorbed estradiol-17 β to free estrone occurred in blood plasma, conversion of estradiol-17 β to free estradiol-17 α was greater. Among estrogens, only estradiol-17 β was higher in blood plasma after day 27 than in some untreated cows with abnormal ovarian function. The heifers, but not the cows, lactated from treatment. Compared with pretreatment (day 0) and end of treatment day 7 to 7.5, concentrations of prolactin in blood plasma were increased prior to first milking (day 12) of heifers as in other studies but were unchanged through day 38 in the cows. Epimers of estradiol, -17 β in blood plasma and -17 β and -17 α in urine, were lower in heifers than in cows during day 13 and days 17 to 26 but not thereafter. However, failure to induce lactation in the cows appeared to be due to low secretion of prolactin.
Constitutive c- myc oncogene expression blocks mouse erythroleukaemia cell differentiation but not commitment

Mouse erythroleukaemia cells (also called Friend cells) can be isolated from the spleen of certain strains of mice that have been infected with the Friend virus complex1. The cells resemble pro-erythroblasts and, when exposed to dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) or a variety of other chemicals, can be induced to undergo a programme of differentiation which closely resembles the final stages of normal erythropoiesis2. This includes the cessation of proliferation and large increases in the production of messenger RNA for both α- and β-globin. In addition, DMSO induces a rapid (<2h) decrease in c-myc mRNA levels3,4. The c-myc oncogene is expressed in the majority of proliferating normal cells5 and altered expression of the gene has been implicated in the genesis of a wide variety of tumours6–9. To study the influence of oncogene activation on differentiation, we have transfected viral-promoter-driven c-myc genes into mouse erythroleukaemia cells. Constitutive c-myc expression was found to block DMSO-induced differentiation.
Following the sun: case studies in global software development

Advances in global network connectivity over the past 10 years have significantly reduced the effects that physical separation has on geographically distributed development teams. It is increasingly clear that time zones, rather than physical distances, are becoming the most significant factor which separates potential collaborators. Collaboration across time zones often involves modifications to the typical work day, with remote team members collaborating either very late at night or extremely early in the morning. Though this presents obvious problems, a natural question is whether it is possible to exploit this diversity as a competitive differentiator, instead of treating time zones as an impediment to productivity. In two case studies, we examine whether it is possible to create a development environment in which tasks can "follow the sun," allowing teams to work during extended local business hours and assign or hand off tasks at the end of their day to teams that are just starting their day, effectively yielding a 24-hour development clock. We examine the factors that influenced the success or failure of the respective projects and conclude with a discussion of best practices for using this approach successfully.
[3H]Adenosine Triphosphate: Release during Stimulation of Enteric Nerves

The isolated taenia coli of the guinea pig takes up tritiated adenosine, adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine triphosphate, in preference to tritiated inosine and adenine. After uptake, [(3)H]adenosine is converted and retained primarily as [(3)H]adenosine triphosphate. Tritium is released from taenia coli treated with [(3)H]adenosine upon activation of the nonadrenergic inhibitory nerves. These results are consistent with the previous evidence that adenosine triphosphate may be the transmitter from the nerves.
Exploring Post-critical Composition: MEmorials for Afghanistan and the Lost Boys of Sudan*

Abstract This article seeks to extend the concept of “post-critical composition” through an analysis of two MEmorials, the post-critical genre Gregory Ulmer [Ulmer, Gregory L. (2005). Electronic monuments. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press] has been exploring for 15 years. I resist the tendency on the part of some post-critical theorists to reject the role of genres and models in favor of perpetual re-invention of genres and pedagogies with each composition. Through a combination of product analysis and process reflection, this article documents the necessary but flexible role the genre of MEmorial played in a student composition, “MEmorial for Afghanistan,” and in my own composition, “Strangers in Strange Lands: A MEmorial for the Lost Boys of Sudan*.” This essay is an extension of not only post-critical composition but also online memorialization, described by National Public Radio [National Public Radio. (2007, May 28). Online memorials to the war dead. Day to day. Retrieved June 5, 2007, from http://www.npr.org ] as a “modern phenomenon” and identified by Joyce Walker [Walker, Joyce. (2007). Narratives in the database: Memorializing September 11th online. Computers and Composition 24(2), 121–153] as a potentially powerful means of encouraging “cyborg citizens.”
The properties of anisotropic conical failure surfaces in relation to the Mohr–Coulomb criterion

An earlier publication1 considered the properties of circular conical failure surfaces whose axes coincide with the space diagonal in principal stress space. The present work uses a similar approach to analyse conical surfaces that are offset from the space diagonal. It is shown that cones fitted to the Mohr–Coulomb surface in triaxial compression contain a potential singularity. The occurrence and location of the singularity depends on the Mohr–Coulomb friction angle to which the surface is fitted in triaxial extension. It is shown that for a cone fitted to the same friction angle in both triaxial extension and compression, singular conditions occur when that angle reaches . Even cones fitted to smaller friction angles give significant overestimations of material strength for certain stress paths.
NEW APPROACHES TO SOLUTION OF NATIONAL ECONOMY MODELS AND BUSINESS CYCLES

A new approach to national economy models is proposed using the decomposition method. Reasons are discussed justifying the approach and consequences.
Control strategy for integrating the active front steering and the electronic stability control system: analysis and simulation

This paper describes the research into the integrated control of vehicles fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Active Front Steering (AFS). The AFS is integrated with ESC and the performance of the vehicle with these systems is investigated using the CarSim™ simulation environment. First, we develop corrective yaw moment commands for ESC and AFS using the method of control hierarchy. This design approach uses variable-structure control and converts the design problem into two single input design problems. Second, we present the control activation algorithm to coordinate the ESC and the AFS controls. Finally, we present simulations to demonstrate the performance of the integrated system.
Criterion‐Related and construct validity of the pervasive developmental disorders rating scale and the autism behavior checklist

This study investigated the validity of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC; Krug, Arick, & Almond, 1993) and the Pervasive Developmental Disorders Rating Scale (PDDRS; Eaves, 1993a). Both instruments are screening devices designed to measure characteristics of individuals with autistic disorder or, more broadly, pervasive developmental disorders. Results showed that the total scores of the ABC and PDDRS measure significantly overlapping constructs (r= .80). Further, both instruments significantly discriminated between participants with autistic disorder and children with diagnoses frequently confused with autistic disorder. Both instruments provided respectable indices for classification accuracy (PDDRS overall accuracy = 88%, ABC overall accuracy = 80%). Finally, the ABC and PDDRS agreed in their classifications of 85% of the 136 participants; a phi coefficient based on the instruments' nominal classifications of the participants equaled .68 (p< .001). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Excitotoxic effect of kainic acid on chicken cochlear afferent neurons

The excitotoxic effects of kainic acid, a glutamate analog, on the auditory neurons in the chicken cochlea were assessed by light and transmission electron microscopy. Kainic acid was directly applied onto the round window of adult chickens and their cochleas were harvested 3 h after application. Transverse microscopic sections of the basilar papilla revealed swelling of afferent dendrites without any morphological changes in efferent endings. The regions of the basilar papilla damaged by kainic acid were localized in the apical 80% and primarily on the neural side where tall hair cells are located. The basal, abneural short hair cell region was devoid of damage. These results imply that glutamate is a primary neurotransmitter in chicken auditory afferent neurons that synapse on tall hair cells.
Conditioning on certain random events associated with statistical variability in PK/PD.

In PK/PD data analysis, statistical models involving random variables are developed. At times an analysis can be carried out by conditioning on certain random events involving these variables. This paper attempts to clarify issues regarding conditioning. In particular, conditioning is examined as it relates to a number of disparate practical matters: missing covariate values, dose titration, BQL data, “no change from baseline” data, and the use of a truncated intraindividual probability distribution for PK observations.
Silver dollars: the development of the US elderly market segment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to periodize the history of the US senior market segment, a large, lucrative target market.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a four‐step adaptation of an existing framework, periodizing the segment's history into three phases: independence phase, mid‐nineteenth century‐1935; growing affluence phase, 1935‐1965; and maturity phase, 1965 to present.Findings – The senior market began with urbanization resulting from the industrial revolution. The growth of private pensions, two World Wars, a variety of governmental programs such as the GI Bill and Social Security and Medicare Acts, political power resulting from the establishment of groups such as the American Association of Retired Persons, and increasing stress on inclusiveness in marketing accelerated the growth of the market. As baby boomers age, the market is sure to grow in scope and market power.Research limitations/implications – Time and space limitations require that this paper focus on the senior ma...
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and healthcare systems: four steps for effective response.

That bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics pose an increasing threat to our health is no longer news. The arrival of this problem now has been addressed extensively by the medical community.)-3 Moreover, problems associated with multiple-drugresistant (MDR) bacteria have been detailed for the public in newspapers, newsmagazines, on television, and in other popular media. Books also have been written for the public, informing them of the difficulties that MDR organisms pose and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.4 What should be today's news, then, is the responses that are being made to deal with MDR organisms by the medical community, the public, and the government. Unfortunately, however, these responses have been slow and relatively uncoordinated. While governmental agencies, healthcare organizations, and professional societies try to figure out how best to deal with these new MDR organisms, public and healthcare worker concern grows. Nowhere is the problem of drug resistance more pertinent than in the acute care hospital. True, the increase in pneumococci with resistance to penicillin has a major impact on the community, and methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) now have become common in extended care facilities and a few communities as well as in hospitals. However, other prominent MDR organisms primarily have been hospital-based to date. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported primarily as nosocomial pathogens, whether in outbreaks or in endemic patterns of occurrence. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia c li, and other Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-sp ctrum p-lactamases usually have exploited the hospital setting as well. Formerly rare gram-negative bacilli like Acinetobacter species have discovered ways to resist all except a few antimicrobials; concurrently they have become the most frequent organism causing infection in intensive care unit patients in many U.S. hospitals.5 Thus, defining appropriate control measures for MDR organisms is a particular concern for acute care hospitals.
The importance of sound identification training in phonological intervention.

Little is known about the relevance of sound identification training in phonological intervention. Some treatment approaches incorporate sound identification training; others do not. The purpose of...
Optimization of the Source-detector Geometry for Diffuse Optical Tomography

We use simulation and singular value analysis to optimize source-detector geometry for breast imaging in the parallel plane geometry.
Serum B12 concentration is elevated in patients receiving chronic parenteral nutrition, but is not a marker of intestinal failure-associated liver disease.

Background: Cobalamin is released during hepatic cytolysis associated with liver injury. Serum B12 concentration is frequently elevated in patients that receive long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). We hypothesized that serum B12 concentration would become elevated in intestinal failure-associated liver disease and would reflect in disease severity. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 13 patients with short bowel syndrome (<200cm residual small intestine) that included complete terminal ileum resection (3 male and 10 female, aged 42 to 78 y) that had received parenteral nutrition (PN) 6.1 ± 3 years. All 13 patients had received at least 1 liver biopsy for presumed intestinal failure-associated liver disease. At the time of biopsy, patients had received PN between 2 and 7 days a week (4.7 ± 1.9 d). The liver biopsies were evaluated and prospectively scored for pathology using 3 independent scoring systems validated for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [Brunt, NAFLD activity score (NAS) and Dixon methods], whereby numeric values were assigned to degrees of steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Serum B12 concentration and hepatic chemistries (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin) were recorded within 1 week of the biopsies. Results: Thirteen biopsies were available for analysis. Serum B12 concentration and hepatic chemistries were available for all biopsy times. The mean serum B 12 concentration was 619 ± 222 pg/mL. The mean daily parenteral B12 dose was 3.3 ± 1.3 meg. Mean NAS, Brunt, and Dixon scores were 2, 1, and 1, respectively. The Spearman correlation coefficients between serum B12 concentration and liver biopsy scores were 0.15, 0.1, and 0.1 for the NAS, Brunt, and Dixon scores, respectively, indicating that there was no correlation between serum B12 concentration and liver pathology. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the NAS inflammation subscore and serum B12 concentration was 0.02. B12 concentration also failed to correlate with hepatic chemistries. There was surprisingly little correlation between serum B12 concentration and exogenous B12 daily dose through PN (r=0.19, P=0.45). Conclusions: Elevated serum B12 concentration is commonly encountered in patients who receive long-term parenteral nutrition. This does not seem to be an indicator of hepatic pathology; rather it may reflect the provision of excessive intravenous vitamin B12 and other as yet unknown factors.
IBM PowerPC 440 FPU with complex-arithmetic extensions

The PowerPC® 440 floating-point unit (FPU) with complex-arithmetic extensions is an embedded application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) core designed to be used with the IBM PowerPC 440 processor core on the Blue Gene®/L compute chip. The FPU core implements the floating-point instruction set from the PowerPC Architecture™ and the floating-point instruction extensions created to aid in matrix and complex-arithmetic operations. The FPU instruction extensions define double-precision operations that are primarily single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) and require two (primary and secondary) arithmetic pipelines and floating-point register files. However, to aid complex-arithmetic routines, some FPU extensions actually perform different (yet closely related) operations while executing in the arithmetic pipelines. The FPU core implements an operand crossbar between the primary and secondary arithmetic datapaths to enable each pipeline operand access from the primary or secondary register file. The PowerPC 440 processor core provides 128-bit storage buses and simultaneous issue of an arithmetic instruction with a storage instruction, allowing the FPU core to fully utilize the parallel arithmetic pipes.
Upper Airway Obstruction Presenting as Exercise-induced Asthma

A patient presented with a ten-year history of exercise-induced wheezing. After trials of metaproterenol and cromolyn failed to improve her symptoms, she was observed during exercise. She proved to have inspiratory stridor caused by collapse of the posterior aryepiglottic folds over the vocal cords during inspiration only following exercise. Symptoms primarily improved with physical conditioning.
Are improved rater reliability results associated with faster reaction times after rater training for judgments of laryngeal mucus

Mucus aggregation on the vocal folds, a common complaint amongst persons with voice disorders, has been visually rated on four parameters: type, pooling, thickness, and location. Rater training is used to improve the reliability and accuracy of these ratings. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of training on rater reliability, accuracy and response time. Two raters scored mucus aggregation from 120 stroboscopic exams after a brief introductory session and again after a thorough training session. Reliability and accuracy were calculated in percent agreement. Two-tail paired t-tests were used to assess differences in reaction time for ratings before and after training. Inter-rater reliability improved from 79% pre-training to 92% post-training. Intra-rater reliability improved from 77% to 91% for Rater 1 and 80% to 88% for Rater 2 following training. Accuracy improved from 80% to 96% for Rater 1 and 76% to 95% for Rater 2 from pre- to post-training. Reaction time decreased for both raters (p=0.025). These findings further our understanding of observer performance on judgments of laryngeal mucus. These results suggest that rater training increases reliability and accuracy while decreasing reaction time. Future studies should assess the relationship of these judgments and voice changes.
Review and Status of Frictional Cooling

Muon cooling is the main technological obstacle in the building of a muon collider. A muon cooling scheme based on Frictional Cooling holds promise in overcoming this obstacle. An experiment designed to demonstrate the Frictional Cooling concept using protons was undertaken at Nevis Labs. Although the results of this experiment were inconclusive in the observation of cooling, the data allowed the qualification of detailed simulations which are used to simulate the performance of a Muon Collider. The lessons learned from this endeavor have gone into the planning of a second demonstration experiment to be undertaken at Max-Planck-Institute (MPI) Munich. The status of the Frictional Cooling simulations and experimental program are summarized.