cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Digital anthropometric evaluation of young children: comparison to results acquired with conventional anthropometry.

OBJECTIVE Three-dimensional optical (3DO) imaging devices for acquiring anthropometric measurements are proliferating in healthcare facilities, although applicability in young children has not been evaluated; small body size and movement may limit device accuracy. The current study aim was to critically test three commercial 3DO devices in young children. METHODS The number of successful scans and circumference measurements at six anatomic sites were quantified with the 3DO devices in 64 children, ages 5-8 years. Of the scans available for processing, 3DO and flexible tape-measure measurements made by a trained anthropometrist were compared. RESULTS Sixty of 181 scans (33.1%) could not be processed for technical reasons. Of processed scans, mean 3DO-tape circumference differences tended to be small (~1-9%) and varied across systems; correlations and bias estimates also varied in strength across anatomic sites and systems (e.g., regression R2s, 0.54-0.97, all p < 0.01). Overall findings differed across devices; best results were for a multi-camera stationary system and less so for two rotating single- or dual-camera systems. CONCLUSIONS Available 3DO devices for quantifying anthropometric dimensions in adults vary in applicability in young children according to instrument design. These findings suggest the need for 3DO devices designed specifically for small and/or young children.
Parole Officer Decision-Making Before Parole Revocation: Why Context Is Key When Delivering Correctional Services:

Back-end sentencing is the discretionary, administrative process through which individuals on parole are returned to prison for violating the requirements of their supervised release. Parole office...
Directive-Based Hybrid Parallel Power System Dynamic Simulation on Multi-core CPU and Many-Core GPU Architecture

High-performance computing (HPC)-based simulation tools for large-scale power grids are important to the improvement of future energy sector resiliency and reliability. However, the application development complexity, hardware adoption, and maintenance cost with large HPC facilities have hindered the wide utilization and quick commercialization of HPC applications. This paper presents a hybrid implementation of power system dynamic simulation – a time-critical function for transient stability analysis using directive-based parallel programming models to showcase the advantage of leveraging multi-core CPU and many-core GPU computing with superior floating-point acceleration performance and cost-effective architecture to lower this barrier. Real-time modeling and simulation with least modifications on the legacy sequential program are achieved with significant speedup performances on two test cases.
Entropy Based Fatigue Identification in Spinal Surface Electromyographic Signals using Wavelets

There are two general areas where the detection and evaluation of muscle fatigue are important. The first one is socioeconomic and it is related to ergonomics (human workload in factories, workman compensation, insurance, etc.) and the second one is the study of the musculoskeletal disorders. In both areas, the understanding of the characteristics of the surface electromyographic (SEMG) signal is necessary before muscle evaluation criteria will be developed and supporting devices can be designed. Up to date, spectral shift changes of the SEMG signal have been used by researchers to detect muscle fatigue during the performance of a specific static task. More specifically, two measures of the power spectrum have been investigated, the mean (MNF) and the median (MDF) frequency. It was observed that although both MNF and MDF are shifted toward the lower frequency region of the spectrum (during the task performance), the shifts were inconsistently subject sensitive. From the two methods, MDF is less sensitive to noise thus it is the preferred method. These finding raised questions about the usage of MNF and MDF as muscle fatigue indicators. Other researchers have used another method known as the zero crossings (ZC) method. A ZC is defined as an event when a signal changes polarity. In practice, it is difficult to obtain the exact number of ZCs especially if the amplitude of the background noise is higher than that of the SEMG signal.
Scenario-based design for a cloud forensics portal

Cloud computing continues to transform how we address security challenges in closed and private networks. Given the advanced functionality offered by cloud computing, network monitoring and digital forensics efforts are potentially detectable and service interruptive which affects the effectiveness and thoroughness of digital forensic methods. Virtualization, the cost-effective delivery platform for clouds and data centers, provides an opportunity for Virtual Machine Introspection (VMI) through the hypervisor. VMI would be an environment to monitor the activity of a Virtual Machine (VM). In this paper, we propose a multi-phase scenario-based design concept within an open source virtualized environment to collect data to validate the hypervisor's ability to provide a portal for threat monitoring that is effective, undetectable, and non-interruptive.
Hershberger Assay to Investigate the Effects of Endocrine‐Disrupting Compounds with Androgenic or Antiandrogenic Activity in Castrate‐Immature Male Rats

The protocol described in this unit is designed to evaluate the effects of androgenic and antiandrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the castrate-immature male rat. Continuous 10-day exposure of the prepubertal male to chemicals is used to identify androgenic or antiandrogenic activities based on the weights of several androgen-dependent tissues on the day after treatment is ended. Androgen-dependent organ weights and growth, along with kidney, liver, and adrenal weights are measured at necropsy. The androgen-dependent tissues include the ventral prostate, seminal vesicles (with fluid plus coagulating glands), levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscles, Cowper's glands, and glans penis. Optional measures, which facilitate interpretation of the data when positive effects are detected, include serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels. Androgenic chemicals cause increases in one or all of the androgen-dependent tissue weights after being administered by oral gavage or subcutaneously (s.c.) to castrate-immature male rats. Antiandrogenic chemicals cause reductions in androgen-dependent tissue weights after being coadministered with testosterone propionate (s.c.).
Mouse models to elucidate mechanisms of folate-related cancer pathologies

Perturbations in folate metabolism are associated with risk for colon cancer, although the underlying mechanisms remain to be established. It is not known if the associations between disruptions in folate metabolism and cancer result from altered S-adenosylmethionine (SAM; also known/abbreviated as AdoMet) synthesis and/or deoxythymidylic acid (dTMP) synthesis. Cytoplasmic serine hydroxymethyltransferase (cSHMT) is a metabolic switch that directs the partitioning of folate-activated one-carbon units between dTMP and SAM biosynthesis. cSHMT is expressed in tissues associated with folate-related pathologies, including the colon. Therefore, gain-of-function and loss-of-function cSHMT mouse models can be used to elucidate the contributions of the dTMP and SAM biosynthetic pathways to colon cancer. Nutrition and genetics interact to contribute to the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. Molecular antecedents that promote the development of sporadic colon cancer include DNA damage (single point mutations, the loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability), and epigenetic alterations including chromatin methylation, which affect both genome stability and gene expression. Implicated in the development of cancer is the loss of function of the tumor suppressor genes adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and p53 , as well as epigenetic alterations, such as methylation of DNA that acts to silence tumor suppressor genes. Dietary deficiency of critical nutrients, including folate, and the generation of oxidative stress, increase rates of DNA damage and thereby have the potential to induce genetic mutations and instability that are responsible for the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. Tetrahydrofolate (THF) serves as a cofactor that chemically activates and carries one-carbon units at three different oxidation levels for a network of reactions known as one-carbon metabolism, which occurs in the mitochondria and the cytoplasm (Figure 1).1,2 The primary role of mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism is to generate glycine and formate from serine.1,2 Mitochondrial-derived formate traverses to the cytoplasm where …
Comparison of the diagnostic performance of human whole genome microarrays using mixed-tissue RNA reference samples

Universal approaches for assessing the diagnostic performance of microarray assays are essential for the application of microarray technology to clinical and regulatory settings. Reference systems for diagnostic assays in laboratory medicine typically involve the utilization of reference samples, metrics, and reference datasets to ensure that measurements are comparable and true. For microarray performance evaluation and process improvement, reference samples can be composed of mixes of different tissue or cell line RNAs that contain tissue-selective analytes at defined target ratios. The diagnostic accuracy of detected changes in expression, measured as the area under the curve from receiver-operating characteristic plots, can provide a single commutable value for comparing assay specificity and sensitivity. Examples of applying this method for assessing overall performance are provided using public datasets generated on five commercial human whole genome microarray platforms for the MicroArray Quality Control project, a community-wide effort to address issues surrounding microarray data reliability.
Enhancement of nucleate boiling heat transfer with nanofiber mat

Nucleate pool boiling heat transfer has been experimentally studied at ambient temperature, on a surface with a novel nanofiber mat coating. The nano-textured surface was made of alumina ceramic substrate covered by an electrospun polymer nanofiber mat with a thickness of about 30 µm and immersed in saturated HCFC-123. The surfaces of the individual polymer nanofibers in the mat were copper-plated. Significant enhancements in nucleate boiling heat transfer as well as reduction of surface temperature have been achieved for the copper nanofiber-coated surface compared to a bare surface.
Anisotropy of an 192iridium high dose rate source measured with a miniature ionization chamber.

The anisotropy of a high dose rate (HDR) 192 Ir source was measured in air and in water using a miniature (0.147 cm 3 ) ionization chamber. Measurements were made at a distance of 5 cm from the source center at polar angles from 10°–170°. The anisotropy was found to be less pronounced in water, and the anisotropy is asymmetric about the transverse axis. The results agree with previous ionization chamber and TLD measurements to within ±4%. Mean anisotropy factors were determined at each angle from all existing data at 5 cm distance, and compared to published Monte Carlo calculations, and to the values used in the microSelectron HDR brachytherapy planning system (BPS). The Monte Carlo photon transport code appears to systematically underestimate the anisotropy factor by up to 4% in the forward direction and overestimate it by up to 3% in the backward direction. The mean anisotropy factors also indicate that the BPS systematically underestimates the anisotropy factor by up to 3% in the forward direction, and overestimates it by up to 15% in the backward direction. However, the 15% difference occurs at 180° where it is not likely to be clinically significant.
Trend-free block designs: existence and construction results

Designs for which treatment and block contrasts are orthogonal to specified common trend components within blocks have been called trend-free block designs. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of such designs was given in a reference. A matrix sum was required to have certain properties. It is shown now that the existence of a matrix with the required properties assures the existence of the necessary component matrices] The existence of trend-free block designs for specified trends in one or more dimensions is examined in a number of theorems and corollaries. Initial results are general and then trends in one dimension are considered. An alternative formulation of the necessary and sufficient condition for a trendfin one dimension are sufficient condition for a trendfree block design is given when each treatment has the same number of replications. Some special results are obtained for complete and balanced incomplete block designs. Some design construction methods are developed to esta...
Opening-mode fractures of a brittle coating bonded to an elasto-plastic substrate

Abstract An elasto-plastic fracture model is presented to study the opening-mode fractures for an alumina coating fully bonded to an aluminum substrate undergoing large tensile deformation. The periodic stress field in the coating layer is described by one section between two adjacent cracks. The coating material is brittle and elastic; whereas the substrate exhibits elasto-plastic behavior that is characterized with a bi-linear hardening plastic function. For simplicity, a one-dimensional elasto-plastic model is employed to the substrate; an elasto-plastic shear lag model is used to describe the stress transfer from the substrate to the coating; and a plane strain formulation is derived for stress analysis in the coating. Explicit solutions have been derived for the coating-substrate system under different loading stages. When the applied load is in the linear elastic state, the elastic field in the coating is verified with the finite element results. When the substrate yields, the fracture energy release rate can be calculated and the corresponding elasto-plastic fracture analysis is conducted. Experimental characterization has been further conducted to validate the present model, which in overall predicts the fracture initiation, infilling and saturation in the coating successfully. The present formulation is general and can be applicable to other types of coating – ductile substrate systems.
Maturation of periodontal connective tissue in new-born rat incisor

Abstract The organization of collagen and ground substance in the periodontium of the rat incisor was studied during the first 12 days of postnatal life. Tissues were rapidly frozen in isopentane at −150 °C, and cut in a cryostat without decalcification. Maturation of fibres and ground substance was followed using correlated biophysical (polarization microscopy), histochemical (paS, toluidine blue and collagen immunofluorescence), and empirical (Van Gieson and silver impregnation) methods. Periodontal ligament cells contained glycoprotein granules, probably precursors of ground substance. Glycogen was prominent in young bone cells. At birth, the periodontal ligament consisted of unorganized isotropic argyrophilic fibres strongly reactive to collagen immunofluorescent staining; with further development many fibres became oriented and showed anisotropy. They were mainly disposed parallel to the tooth axis with lateral ramifications into bone. Concurrently, collagen of cementum, bone borders, and pericellular matrix of osteocytes showed intense immunofluorescence. When taken together with distinct metachromasia seen in these areas, this indicates a loose aggregation of their macromolecular constituents. Ground substance of the periodontal ligament acquired metachromasia a few days after birth. Principal fibres were subjected to heat, a variety of enzymes and one fixative. Collagenase abolished birefringence and immunofluorescence. Principal fibres were not equally stable during heating. Some fibre groups became isotropic at 62 °C (Ts), others were unaffected or partially affected. Hyaluronidase treatment lowered Ts to 57 °C, and eliminated the heat resistance of thermostable fibres. Evidently, ground substance stabilized the principal fibres. It appears that collagen-ground substance interactions affect stable-labile transformations involved in fibre remodelling, and may influence eruption.
Experimental formation of massive hydrate deposits from accumulation of CH4 gas bubbles within synthetic and natural sediments

In order for methane to be economically produced from the seafloor, prediction and detection of massive hydrate deposits will be necessary. In many cases, hydrate samples recovered from seafloor sediments appear as veins or nodules, suggesting that there are strong geologic controls on where hydrate is likely to accumulate. Experiments have been conducted examining massive hydrate accumulation from methane gas bubbles within natural and synthetic sediments in a large volume pressure vessel through temperature and pressure data, as well as visual observations. Observations of hydrate growth suggest that accumulation of gas bubbles within void spaces and at sediment interfaces likely results in the formation of massive hydrate deposits. Methane hydrate was first observed as a thin film forming at the gas/water interface of methane bubbles trapped within sediment void spaces. As bubbles accumulated, massive hydrate growth occurred. These experiments suggest that in systems containing free methane gas, bubble pathways and accumulation points likely control the location and habit of massive hydrate deposits.
Field recognition of pathogen and HIV self.

There is evidence to suggest that the HIV virus is never presented clearly and completely to the immune system. It is possible there is an additional recognition system in skin it misses. By bypassing the skin in inoculation or neutralizing skin presentation in semen, an envelope that may modify immune response, pathogen may get by this additional field recognition system. In an effort to engage this additional recognition system for more information about the virus, the immune system may end up purposefully mutating the virus for the wrong reason inadvertently establishing a repertoire of HIV self. The unique circumstances of HIV presentation may cause this proposed additional normally compatible recognition system to turn into a competing system.
Aerothermodynamic Environment Definition for the Genesis Sample Return Capsule

NASA's Genesis sample return mission will be the first to return material from beyond the Earth-Moon system. NASA Langley Research Center supported this mission with aerothermodynamic analyses of the sample return capsule. This paper provides an overview of that effort. The capsule is attached through its forebody to the spacecraft bus. When the attachment is severed prior to Earth entry, forebody cavities remain. The presence of these cavities could dramatically increase the heating environment in their vicinity and downstream. A combination of computational fluid dynamics calculations and wind tunnel phosphor thermography tests were employed to address this issue. These results quantify the heating environment in and around the cavities, and were a factor in the decision to switch forebody heat shield materials. A transition map is developed which predicts that the flow aft of the penetrations will still be laminar at the peak heating point of the trajectory. As the vehicle continues along the trajectory to the peak dynamic pressure point, fully turbulent flow aft of the penetrations could occur. The integrated heat load calculations show that a heat shield sized to the stagnation point levels will be adequate for the predicted environment aft of the penetrations.
Production of short pulses in semiconductor lasers by external laser excitation through chi (3)

It is shown that parametric mixing through χ(3) of two injected laser lines can provide index modulation sufficient for the mode locking of the semiconductor laser. Numerical estimates indicate that picosecond pulses with 100-GHz repetition rates should be possible with a few watts of external laser power.
On non-classical boundary conditions

To determine the deformation of a body from the system of differential equations governing its thermo-mechanical deformations, we need side conditions such as boundary conditions. The most frequently employed boundary conditions are those of place and/or traction in a purely mechanical problem and of temperature and/or heat flux in a thermal problem. These and other more familiar mechanical boundary conditions are summarized by SEWELL [1, eqns. (9)-(13)]. The frequently considered thermal boundary conditions are discussed by CARSLA W & JAEGER [2, Chapter 1]. It seems that the interest in non-classical mechanical boundary conditions originated in the study of elastic stability, and a convenient reference for the various mechanical loadings considered up to 1961 is the book by BOLOTIN [3]. In this book, nOLOTIN discusses many elastic-stability problems under follower loads, defined as those which follow in a prescribed manner the deformation of the surface element upon which they are acting. More general than these are the configuration-dependent loadings [1] defined * by an a priori assumption that the load
SU‐FF‐T‐267: Correlation of Electron Beam Parameters with Measured Dose Ratios in Clinical Photon Beams

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to find a direct correlation between measured depth dose ratios and off axis ratios and two beam parameters for Monte Carlo simulations (i.e., the incident beam energy and radius) in clinical megavoltage photon beams in order to facilitate Monte Carlo applications in radiotherapytreatment planning.Method and Materials: The BEAM code was used to simulate the 6 MV photon beams from a Varian 2100C. A series of Monte Carlo simulations of Varian 2100C treatment head were performed for the incident beam energies from 5.1 MeV to 6.9 MeV and the beam radii from 0.03 cm to 0.12 cm. The calculated phase space files were then used for dose calculations in water. The depth dose ratio (DDR) defined as ratio of central axis depth dose at 20 cm to that at 10 cm and the off axis ratio (OAR) defined as ratio of dose at 10 cm in depth and 15 cm off axis to that at 10 cm on central axis as a function of incident electron beam energy and beam radius were studied. Results: For a fixed beam radius, the DDRs and OARs were linearly proportional to the incident beam energy for all the beam radii, with DDR = 0.5746 + 0.0072Ein and OAR = 1.4864 − 0.0824Ein, respectively. However, for a fixed incident beam energy, both DDRs and OARs were found to be virtually independent of incident beam radius, which is inconsistent with previously reported 18 MV photon beam in‐air results (Med. Phys. 29, 379, 2002). Conclusion: The OARs are more sensitive than the DDRs to the incident beam energy. However, both ratios are essentially independent of incident beam radius.
The Linde Solinox process: Gypsum-free flue-gas desulphurization

Abstract The details of a physical scrubbing process for flue-gas desulphurization are given together with a comparison with conventional chemical absorption processes. Relative advantages of the process and case studies of its implementation in a variety of plants are discussed.
Resolution and reconstitution of cytochrome oxidase.

Summary Cytochrome oxidase has been resolved into two fractions by extraction with formic acid. An insoluble-fraction (subunits I–III) retains the heme and phospholipid of the original enzyme and a soluble-fraction (subunits IV–VII) retains the copper. Recombination of the two enzymatically inactive fractions in the presence of sodium deoxycholate results in the expression of full enzymic activity.
Large-volume water samplers

Two new sea-water samplers have been developed to collect water in larger volumes (one and 12 gal) than the conventional Nansen bottle. Both are constructed of plastic which is relatively inert chemically, are free-flushing, and can be either messenger- or bottomactuated.
Overcoming Contamination in Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy

Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy is a technique used for detection of subtle changes in the optical properties of materials and finds wide application in biosensors and chemical tranducers. Due to the extreme sensitivity, contamination of the sensor surface is a major problem in experiments involving surface plasmon resonance measurements. We report here that aluminum oxide (alumina) can be used as a perfect protective coating for the metal in surface plasmon resonance experiments. The alumina is electron beam evaporated to create a relatively thick layer on the sensor (gold) surface, immediately after the gold deposition process without exposing the latter to environmental conditions. During experiment, this protective coating was removed by dissolving the alumina in an alkaline solution, thus exposing the uncontaminated gold surface for further experiments. By the study of the shift in the waveguide modes supported in the dielectric alumina layer, the dissolution of alumina was monitored. Theoreti...
Influence of water table levels on CO2 emissions in a Colorado subalpine fen: an in situ microcosm study

Abstract We quantified the relationship between water table position and CO 2 emissions by manipulating water table levels for two summers in microcosms installed in a Colorado subalpine fen. Water levels were manipulated in the microcosms by either adding water or removing water and ranged from +10 cm above the soil surface to 40 cm below the soil surface, with ambient water levels in the fen averaging +3 and +2 cm above the soil surface during 1998 and 1999, respectively. Microcosm installation had no significant effect on CO 2 efflux; the 2 year means of natural and reference CO 2 efflux were 205.4 and 213.9 mg CO 2 -C m −2 h −1 , respectively ( p =0.80). Mean CO 2 emissions were lowest at the highest water tables (water +6 to +10 cm above the soil surface), averaging 133.8 mg CO 2 -C m −2 h −1 , increased to 231.3 mg CO 2 -C m −2 h −1 when the water table was +1 to +5 cm above the soil surface and doubled to 453.7 mg CO 2 -C m −2 h −1 , when the water table was 0–5 cm below the soil surface. However, further lowering of the water table had little additional effect on CO 2 emissions, which averaged 470.3 and 401.1 mg CO 2 -C m −2 h −1 when the water table was 6–10 cm, and 11–40 cm beneath the soil surface, respectively. The large increase in CO 2 emissions as we experimentally lowered the water table beneath the soil surface, coupled with no increase in CO 2 emissions as we furthered lowered water tables beneath the soil surface, suggest the presence of an easily oxidized labile carbon pool near the soil surface.
Regulation with growth: The political economy of palm oil in Malaysia

Abstract The study of the palm oil industry in Malaysia demonstrates that with a proper mix of public regulation and investment a state may achieve national control over an industry and promote the interests of poorer citizens while promoting overall growth and international competitiveness of the industry. The introduction summarizes the literature on public interventions in agricultural markets. Section 2 describes the palm oil industry and its growth in Malaysia. Sections 3 and 4 discuss policies in investment and in regulation and marketing respectively. The conclusion further articulates the thesis.
Combustion synthesis of Ni 3 Al and Ni 3 Al-matrix composites

The self-propagating mode of combustion synthesis (SHS) of Ni3Al starting from compacts of stoichiometrically mixed Ni and Al powders readily forms fully reacted structures with about 3 to 5 pct porosity, if green density of the compacts is greater than about 75 pct of theoretical. SHS-produced Ni3Al matrix composites with up to 2 wt pct A12O3 whiskers also have relatively low porosity levels. Porosity increases rapidly with lower green densities, higher Al2O3, or SiC whisker contents, and the degree of reaction completeness diminishes. The SiC whiskers undergo reaction with the matrix, while Al2O3 whiskers are nonreactive. All of these observations correlate well with temperature measurements made during the course of the reaction. The SHS mode can be achieved with agglomerated particle size ratioD Al/D Ni ≥ 1, larger than the limit established from studies of the thermal explosion mode of combustion synthesisD Al/D Ni ≃ 0.3.
Separation of CO2 from Flue Gas: A Review

Abstract As a result of human activity, approximately 7 Gt of carbon are emitted to the earth's atmosphere each year. A large portion of this carbon is in the form of gaseous CO2, and approximately 30% of this CO2 comes from fossil fuel power plants. In addition to rising levels of atmospheric CO2, the earth's temperature is increasing. Since CO2 can act as a trap for heat (similar to the glass in a greenhouse), reduction of CO2 emissions is an important area of research. Separation and sequestration of CO2 are near‐term goals for emissions reduction. Better fuel efficiency (in power production, transportation, and other areas) can be considered a mid‐term goal. An acceptable long‐term goal for reducing emissions is using alternate power sources such as nuclear, solar, and wind power. Because separation and sequestration are short‐term goals, they are critical and challenging steps for researchers. Methods that are reviewed in this paper include absorption using solvents or solid sorbents, pressure‐ and t...
Adenosine Formation During Hypoxia in Isolated Hearts: Effect of Adrenergic Blockade

Adrenergic receptor blockade has been reported to decrease cardiac adenosine formation and release during hypoxia. We wished to determine whether this occurs by an improvement in the energy supply/demand ratio. Isolated guinea pig hearts were perfused at a constant pressure of 50 mm Hg. Hypoxia (30% O2) was maintained for 20 min while adenosine release and venous PO2 were measured in the coronary venous effluent. beta-adrenergic blockade with 5 microM atenolol did not change hypoxic adenosine release (Control: 15.6 +/- 2.7, Atenolol: 23.6 +/- 5.7 nmol/g/20 min). Addition of 6 microM phentolamine with atenolol significantly reduced hypoxic adenosine release (4.4 +/- 1.4 nmol/g/20 min, P < 0.05). Atenolol was without hemodynamic effects, but addition of phentolamine reduced left ventricular pressure development, heart rate, and oxygen consumption prior to hypoxia. Atenolol plus phentolamine did not change venous PO2 during hypoxia. Treatment with phenoxybenzamine (1 microM) plus atenolol also reduced adenosine release (7.4 +/- 0.8 nmol/g/20 min). Control experiments and atenolol plus phentolamine experiments were repeated using 31P-NMR to measure high energy phosphates. Adrenergic blockade had no effect on phosphate concentrations during normoxia, but resulted in higher [PCr], lower [P(i)] and higher phosphorylation potentials during hypoxia. Adrenergic blockade also prevented the hypoxia-induced rise in intracellular [H+], [AMP] and [ADP] seen in control hearts. The changes in phosphorylation potential are correlated with similar changes in adenosine release in adrenergically intact hearts. We conclude that the primary effect of adrenergic blockade during hypoxia is a reduction in ATP use due to alpha-receptor blockade. This leads to improved high energy phosphate concentrations during hypoxia and a reduction in adenosine formation.
Laser treatment of chromium plated steel

Abstract Both flat steel coupons and rolls for a geared-roller test machine were chromium plated and laser treated in an effort to improve adhesion. Under the experimental conditions the electroplate was rendered considerably softer but more fragile. A Cr-Fe alloy was produced at the interface at the slower processing speeds and the steel under the electroplate was considerably hardened by the formation of untempered martensite. While this work shows only much decreased durability for laser-treated chrome plate, perhaps other experimental conditions might show improved properties.
Clinically significant incidental findings among human immunodeficiency virus-infected men during computed tomography for determination of coronary artery calcium.

Those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and might undergo computed tomographic (CT) scans for early detection. Incidental findings on cardiac CT imaging are important components of the benefits and costs of testing. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with incidental findings on CT scans performed to screen for coronary artery calcium (CAC) among HIV-infected men. A clinically significant finding was defined as requiring additional workup or a medical referral. A total of 215 HIV-infected men were evaluated. Their median age was 43 years; 17% were current tobacco users; the median CD4 count was 580 cells/mm 3 ; and 83% were receiving antiretroviral medications. Also, 34% had a positive CAC score of >0. An incidental finding was noted among 93 participants (43%), with 36 (17%) having ≥1 clinically significant finding. A total of 139 findings were noted, most commonly pulmonary nodules, followed by granulomas, scarring, and hilar adenopathy. Most of the incidental findings were stable on follow-up, and no malignancies were detected. The factors associated with the presence of an incidental finding in the multivariate model included increasing age (odds ratio 1.6 per 10 years, p
Compositional Schedulability Analysis of Hierarchical Real-Time Systems

Embedded systems are complex as a whole but consist of smaller independent modules interacting with each other. This structure makes them amenable to compositional design. Real-time embedded systems consist of realtime workloads having deadlines. Compositional design of such systems can be done using real-time components arranged in a scheduling hierarchy. Each component consists of some real-time workload and a scheduling policy for the workload. To simplify schedulability analysis for such systems, analysis should be done compositionally using interfaces that abstract timing requirement of components. To facilitate analysis of dynamically changing systems, the framework should also support incremental analysis. In this paper, we overview our approach to compositional and incremental schedulability analysis of hierarchical real-time systems. We describe a compositional analysis technique that abstracts resource requirement of components using periodic resource models. To support incremental analysis and resource bandwidth minimization, we describe an extension to this interface model. Each extended interface consists of multiple periodic resource models for different periods. This allows the selection of a periodic model that can schedule the system using minimum bandwidth. We also account for context switch overhead of components in these extended interfaces. We then describe an associative composition technique for such interfaces, that supports incremental analysis
On making rules: Toward a reformation of the dynamics of transference in psychoanalytic treatment

This paper examines the effect patient transferences have on the analyst and on the analyst's stance in treatment. The paper suggests that certain features of what are commonly considered central to a “classical” psychoanalytic stance may derive from not fully understood dynamics of the transference situation and may be neither necessary nor useful aspects of technique. A comprehensive, developmental conception of transference as a general human endowment is proposed as a way of viewing the impact of transference in the treatment situation. The adaptive function of adolescent regression and adolescent developmental transference is examined as a paradigm for all transferences, both in and outside treatment. In this “adaptive” perspective, transference is understood not simply as a misconstrual of a new relationship on the basis of old struggles. Rather, transference is seen as an effort to bring to bear as much of one's own most vital interests, as they have been shaped developmentally, and to compel the o...
Units of commutative modular group algebras

Abstract Let F be a perfect field of characteristic p and let G be an arbitrary abelian p-group. The normalized units of the group algebra F(G) are denoted by V(G). The proposition that G is a direct factor of V(G) is a long-standing question, which we call the Direct Factor Problem. It is known that the Direct Factor Problem has an affirmative solution provided that V(G) G is simply presented. In this paper, we prove that V(G) G has a v-basis. It has recently been shown for an abelian p-group of cardinality not exceeding ℵ1 that having a v-basis implies the group is simply presented, but for larger groups this implication is unresolved.
Simple Assay for Voriconazole in Serum by HPLC

A simple method for analysis of the antifungal drug voriconazole in serum is described. It utilizes a short cyano cartridge column, isocratic separation, and direct serum deproteinization with a mixture of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and methanol. The advantages of this method are the simplicity and the low concentration of the organic solvent in the mobile phase.
Data allocation design in computer networks: LAN versus MAN versus WAN

Using off-the-shelf distributed database management systems, distributed database developments have significantly proliferated. The data allocation design is an essential factor affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of a disturbed database in meeting geographically dispersed database processing demands. Data allocations in local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wide area networks (WANs) are subject to different requirements and considerations. In particular, the primary incentives for distributed database implementations in a LAN are load balancing and distributed computing, while the development of distributed databases in a WAN is mainly motivated by the notion of locality of reference. MANs benefit from both balanced nodal processing loads and maximized local access. Furthermore, the performance levels and cost structures in LANs, MANs and WANs are different. Moreover, LANs, MANs and WANs exhibit distinct network control and medium contention schemes. This paper analyzes the unique considerations and requirements for data allocation in each type of network and further examines the impact of network environments on the structures and the effectiveness of optimal data allocation models.
Neuropsychiatric complications of liver and other solid organ transplantation

1. Mental status changes are often the earliest indication of an untoward complication after transplantation. These may be obvious, such as hallucinations or paranoid delusions, or they may be subtle, appearing as changes in personality or motivation. 2. The three most common categories of neuropsychiatric posttransplant complications include the following: (1) concurrent pathological processes, such as mass lesion; (2) effects of vasoconstriction secondary to immunosuppressive medications; and (3) central nervous system pharmacodynamic effects of the immunosuppressive medications. 3. This differential diagnosis should guide the history as well as the mental status and neurological examinations. Suspected acute processes deserve computed tomography scanning. Magnetic resonance imaging, more sensitive to subtle structural change, should be generally reserved for cases suggesting such chronic change or those in which treatment appears ineffective. 4. Treatment follows the differential diagnosis. Concurrent diagnoses dictate specific treatment, such as in drainage of a subdural hematoma or administration of antibiotics for cerebral abscess. Symptoms referable to vasoconstriction suggest switching the primary immunosuppressive agent. Symptoms suggesting delirium indicate lowering the dosage of immunosuppressive medication, as in the case of generalized seizure, or use of very low-dose antipsychotic medication, as in cases of confusion, amotivational states, or personality changes.
Foraging patterns in three sympatric forest ant species, Prenolepis imparis, Paratrechina melanderi and Aphaenogaster rudis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

. 1 Ecological segregation was studied in Aphaenogaster rudis Emery, Paratrechina melanderi (Wheeler) and Prenolepis imparis (Say), the three commonest surface-foraging ants in a Maryland (U.S.A.) hardwood forest community. 2 P.imparis retreats from the surface during mid-summer, but shows more cool-season activity than do the other two species. P.melanderi is most active during the warmest months of the years. A.rudis is the most generalized of the three species in its seasonal activity pattern. 3 P.imparis is a highly aggressive species which forms large mobilizations at rich food sources. P.melanderi is a timid species which forms small mobilizations. A.rudis is intermediate in both respects. 4 Based on the results of baiting trials, P.imparis shows an apparent preference for protein-fat food, P.melanderi prefers carbohydrate food, and A.rudis exhibits no significant preference for either fclod type. 5 As a result of its extended seasonal activity, weak circadian periodicity, and lack of food specialization, A.rudis has the broadest annual niche of the three species studied. 6 The unusual seasonal activity pattern of P.imparis results in a relatively low degree of annual niche overlap between this species and either of the other two. Overlap between A.rudis and P.melanderi is substantially higher. 7 Experimental manipulations confirm that rates of resource removal by a behaviourally subordinate species (Amdis) are reduced in the presence of a dominant species (P.imparis). 8 Persistence of these three widespread, abundant, relatively generalized ant species in local sympatry may in part reflect their differential success in: (a) finding food, (b) defending food, and (c) handling food items of different sizes.
Spectroscopy of hydrothermal reactions 17. Kinetics of the surface-catalyzed water-gas shift reaction with inadvertent formation of Ni(CO)4

The rate constants and Arrhenius parameters for the reaction of CO in H2O were determined at 230−270 °C and 27.4 MPa by the use of a titanium flow reactor with real-time detection by infrared spectroscopy through sapphire windows. These rate measurements appear to be the first below the critical temperature of water. The zeroth-order kinetics model produced an Arrhenius activation energy of 32 ± 3 kcal/mol, which is in the range of previously reported values at higher temperatures, but the preexponential factor [ln(A, mol kg-1 s-1)] of 20.5 is much larger. The higher overall reaction rate is consistent with heterogeneous catalysis by the reactor surfaces considering (1) the zeroth-order kinetics, (2) the high A factor, (3) the activation energy in the range for the water-catalyzed reactions, and (4) the previously determined dependence of the decomposition rate of the putative formic acid intermediate on the metal used to construct the cell. Extremely toxic Ni(CO)4 was observed to form as a result of extr...
Amphetamine induced increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity.

LONG term effects of the amphetamine drugs on enzymes relevant to neurotransmitter biosynthesis and catabolism have created considerable interest. Utena et al.1 have shown that chronic amphetamine administration leads to a biphasic change in monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity during administration, and produces a prolonged increase in MAO activity which outlasts the presence of the drug. Javoy et al.2, using intraventricularly administered isotopic norepinephrine, have shown that a marked increase in turnover of norepinephrine follows amphetamine administration. This could indicate that the activity of the rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of norepinephrine, tyrosine hydroxylase, was increased. This kind of change has been attributed to the loss of a tonic allosteric product inhibition by norepinephrine and is thought to result from the depletion of intracellular norepinephrine by the actions of amphetamine in releasing and blocking re-uptake of synaptic norepinephrine3. Another potential mechanism for this kind of alteration, and one which would be likely to outlast both the presence of the drug or the norepinephrine depleted state, would be a change in the level of the rate limiting enzyme. In a preliminary communication, we reported some evidence suggesting that methedrine (+N-methylamphetamine) might increase the specific activity of brain tyrosine hydroxylase and that this mechanism was cycloheximide sensitive4. We document here this kind of amphetamine induced change in tyrosine hydroxylase in the adrenal medulla and, in addition, confirm a similar effect with reserpine and 6-hydroxydopamine which has already been reported by Mueller et al.5.
Beiträge zur Chemie der Si-N-Bindung, XIII: Die Thermolyse von Trisanilino-silanen†

Bei der Thermolyse von Trisanilino-silanen bei 400 bis 430° werden vor allem 4-gliedrige Si-N-Ringe gebildet.
Identification of the ideal clutter metric to predict time dependence of human visual search

The Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) has recently performed a human perception experiment in which eye tracker measurements were made on trained military observers searching for targets in infrared images. This data offered an important opportunity to evaluate a new technique for search modeling. Following the approach taken by Jeff Nicoll, this model treats search as a random walk in which the observers are in one of two states until they quit: they are either searching, or they are wandering around looking for a point of interest. When wandering they skip rapidly from point to point. When examining they move more slowly, reflecting the fact that target discrimination requires additional thought processes. In this paper we simulate the random walk, using a clutter metric to assign relative attractiveness to points of interest within the image which are competing for the observer's attention. The NVESD data indicates that a number of standard clutter metrics are good estimators of the apportionment of observer's time between wandering and examining. Conversely, the apportionment of observer time spent wandering and examining could be used to reverse engineer the ideal clutter metric which would most perfectly describe the behavior of the group of observers. It may be possible to use this technique to design the optimal clutter metric to predict performance of visual search.
Small phonon contribution to the photoemission kink in the copper oxide superconductors

This paper reports first-principles calculations of the role of phonons in La2−xSrxCuO4 (LSCO). It is demonstrated that the phonon-induced renormalization of the electron energies and the Fermi velocity is almost one order of magnitude smaller than the effect observed in photoemission experiments. Therefore the present finding rules out electron–phonon interaction in bulk LSCO as the exclusive origin of the measured kink. Despite over two decades of intense research efforts, the origin of high-temperature superconductivity in the copper oxides remains elusive. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments1,2 have revealed a kink in the dispersion relations (energy versus wavevector) of electronic states in the copper oxides at binding energies of 50-80 meV, raising the hope that this anomaly could be a key to understanding high-temperature superconductivity. The kink is often interpreted in terms of interactions between the electrons and a bosonic field. Although there is no consensus on the nature of the bosons (or even whether a boson model is appropriate), both phonons1 and spin fluctuations2 have been proposed as possible candidates. Here we report first-principles calculations of the role of phonons and the electron–phonon interaction in the photoemission spectra of La2 - xSr x CuO4. Our calculations within the standard formalism demonstrate that the phonon-induced renormalization of the electron energies and the Fermi velocity is almost one order of magnitude smaller than the effect observed in photoemission experiments. Therefore, our result rules out electron–phonon interaction in bulk La2 - xSr x CuO4 as the exclusive origin of the measured kink. Our conclusions are consistent with those reached independently in a recent study3 of the related compound YBa2Cu3O7.