cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A mitochondrial signal peptide from Neurospora crassa increases the permeability of isolated rat liver mitochondria.

Abstract Mitochondria that contain Ca 2+ can be induced by a variety of triggering agents and conditions to undergo a permeability transition (PT); the inner membrane becomes nonselectively permeable to small solutes. Mastoparan, an amphipathic peptide from wasp venom, has recently been reported to induce this transition (Pfeiffer et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270,4923). We have examined the effect on the permeability of isolated rat liver mitochondria of a second amphipathic peptide, the signal sequence of cytochrome oxidase subunit IV from Neurospora crassa (pCoxIV, amino acids 3–22), which targets subunit IV to its mitochondrial location. Permeability increases were visualized via mitochondrial swelling with the following results. (1) pCoxIV (5–100 μ M ) induced concentration-dependent mitochondrial swelling. Control peptides from the N- and C-termini of the voltage-dependent anion-selective channel had no such effect. (2) Swelling required mitochondrial energization; it was eliminated or halted by the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p -(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone. (3) Peptide-induced swelling was slowed by increasing concentrations of KCl. (4) Swelling was enhanced by inorganic phosphate ( M ). (5) Trifluoperazine (50 μ M ), propranolol (0.5 m M ), and dibucaine (0.5 m M ) were potent inhibitors of peptide-induced swelling, whereas other inhibitors of the classical PT (cyclosporin A, EGTA, and ADP) inhibited only partially. (6) pCoxIV opened a pore rather than disrupting mitochondrial membrane structure, but 50% inhibition of peptide-induced swelling required polyethylene glycol of molecular weight substantially larger than that needed to inhibit the Ca 2+ -induced PT to the same extent. In summary, pCoxIV opens a pore in isolated mitochondria. The dependence of pore opening on membrane potential and the inhibition of the peptide-induced permeability increase by increasing salt concentration suggest that this effect of the signal peptide is related to its interactions with mitochondria during protein import. The peptide-induced pore appears, however, to be distinct from both the classical permeability transition pore and the mastoparan-induced permeability increase. Key Words: mitochondria; permeability transition; signal peptide; protein import.
Separation and characterization of human T lymphocytes with varying adhesiveness for endothelial cells

Abstract Previous studies in this laboratory have demonstrated that the adhesion of T lymphocytes to endothelial cell (EC) monolayers in vitro can be increased by preincubation of the EC with interferon-γ, interleukin 1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or by stimulation of the T cells with phorbol esters. In this report, we have demonstrated that three subpopulations of human peripheral blood T cells can be identified on the basis of their abilities to bind to EC: (1) a strongly binding group which binds to unstimulated EC; (2) an intermediately binding subset which adheres to EC only if these cells have been stimulated with IL-1, TNF, or LPS; and (3) a weakly binding subpopulation which adheres poorly to either unstimulated or stimulated EC. The more adhesive subgroups had larger cellular volumes than the less adhesive cells, were relatively enriched in cells bearing the OKM1 surface marker, and expressed relatively greater amounts of the lymphocyte-function-associated-1 molecule. Stimulation of the EC to bind increased numbers of T cells by IL-1, TNF, and LPS appeared to be mediated by the expression of a common adhesion molecule on the EC.
Clinical pharmacology of the serotonin receptor agonist, zolmitriptan.

Migraine is a common, often disabling, neurovascular disease that has been shown to be associated with abnormal serotonergic activity. Drugs that modulate serotonin receptors are commonly used in the acute treatment of a migraine attack. Zolmitriptan, a 5-hydroxytryptophan1B/1D receptor agonist, is once such drug that is used in acute migraine therapy. Zolmitriptan is FDA approved for the treatment of acute migraine attacks and there is recent literature demonstrating its efficacy in the acute treatment of cluster attacks. It is rapidly absorbed and is detectable in the plasma within 2 – 5 min for the nasal spray formulation and within 15 min for the oral formulations. Zolmitriptan reaches peak plasma levels in 2 – 4 h and significant plasma levels are maintained for up to 6 h and lower levels for over 15 h. As zolmitriptan's metabolism is predominantly hepatic, patients with severe hepatic impairment should not receive zolmitriptan. However, only 25% of zolmitriptan is bound to plasma proteins and thus i...
Multiple myeloma involving the temporomandibular joint.

Abstract A case of multiple myeloma of the temporomandibular joint with absence of early laboratory findings is presented.
Ferritic/martensitic steels for advanced nuclear reactors

Design concepts for the next generation of nuclear power reactors include water-cooled, gas-cooled, and liquid-metal-cooled reactors. Reactor conditions for several designs offer challenges for engineers and designers concerning which structural and cladding materials to use. Depending on operating conditions, some designs favor elevated-temperature ferritic/martensitic steels for in-core and out-of core applications. Such steels have been investigated in previous work on international fast reactor and fusion reactor research programs. Steels from these fission and fusion programs will provide reference materials for future fission applications. In addition, new elevated-temperature steels have been developed in recent years for conventional power systems that also need to be considered.
Poisson Growth Mixture Modeling of Intensive Longitudinal Data: An Application to Smoking Cessation Behavior

Intensive longitudinal data (ILD) have become increasingly common in the social and behavioral sciences; count variables, such as the number of daily smoked cigarettes, are frequently-used outcomes in many ILD studies. We demonstrate a generalized extension of growth mixture modeling (GMM) to Poisson-distributed ILD for identifying qualitatively distinct trajectories in the context of developmental heterogeneity in count data. Accounting for the Poisson outcome distribution is essential for correct model identification and estimation. In addition, setting up the model in a way that is conducive to ILD measures helps with data complexities - large data volume, missing observations, and differences in sampling frequency across individuals. We present technical details of model fitting, summarize an empirical example of patterns of smoking behavior change, and describe research questions the generalized GMM helps to address.
An Analysis of Clumping in the Soil Amoeba Mayorella palestinensis

SYNOPSIS. Mayorella palestinensis, a small soil amoeba, clumped during active growth in axenic, fluid culture media. Clumping was not associated with starvation (as in the case of cellular slime molds) or with encystation Hartmannella rhysodes was used as a control amoeba which did not clump to the same extent, but otherwise resembled M. palestinensis. Mixtures of both amoebae formed mixed clumps, without subsequent segregation of amoebae in the clumps. Clumping by M. palestinensis was temperature dependent, localized to the surface of the amoeba and required surface conformation. The requirement for a living system could be separated from the surface specificity of M. palestinensis and satisfied with living amoebae that did not clump by themselves, i.e., H. rhysodes, but did clump with dead M. palestinensis. It is proposed that amoeba-to-amoeba adhesion is similar to foreign substrate adhesion, and that M. palestinensis adheres to itself because its surface is more suitable for adhesion than other surfaces present in the culture. A competition for adhesion exists between surfaces so that clumps can be dissociated by providing a foreign surface that is more suitable for adhesion than the surface of the amoeba.
Online Determination of the Potential Benefit of Path Adaptation in Undersea Search

In this paper, we examine a problem of autonomous vehicle decision making for search operations performed by undersea autonomous vehicles. Specifically, we consider the problem of determining whether to continue with preplanned search paths or to switch to focused local search efforts in the presence of limited contact information. Using techniques from information theory, we develop a context of search channel capacity from which rapid computations of performance bounds can be computed based on sensing capabilities and prior search information. These bounds characterize search planning alternatives and are useful in making the initial online determination of search plan adaptation. We illustrate the utility of our approach with numerical examples applying multiple undersea searchers.
Convergence Properties of an Interval Probabilistic Approach to System Reliability Estimation

Based on a black box model of a complex system, and on intervals and probabilities describing the known information about the inputs, we want to estimate the system's reliability. This problem is motivated by a number of problem areas, most specifically in engineering reliability analysis under conditions of poor measurement and high complexity of system models. Using the results of tests performed on the system's computer model, we can estimate the lower and upper bounds of the probability that the system is in a desirable state. This is equivalent to using Monte-Carlo sampling to estimate cumulative belief and plausibility values of functionally propagated finite random intervals. In this paper, we prove that these estimates are correct in the sense that under reasonable assumptions, these estimates converge to the actual probability bounds.
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: An Update on New Diagnostic Modalities and Review of the Literature.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic condition affecting approximately 1 in 15,000–20,000 individuals, and the majority of cases exhibit an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. However, genetic heterogenicity is seen in PCD and reflects the complexity of ciliary structure and biogenesis. There have been many recent advances in the diagnosis and management of PCD in the last few years, including advanced genetic sequencing, nasal nitric oxide assay, and ciliary motility tests. This article focuses on the ultrastructure and pathophysiology of ciliary dyskinesias, along with a review of clinical features, screening, and diagnostic tests. It also reflects upon the diagnostic challenge caused by the diverse clinical presentation, which will be of great value to pediatricians for considering PCD in their differential list, henceforth leading to early recognition and management, along with awareness of the recent advances in the field of genetics and other techniques for diagnosis of this condition.
MSSM inflation, dark matter, and the LHC

Inflation can occur near a point of inflection in the potential of flat directions of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). In this paper we elaborate on the complementarity between the bounds from cosmic microwave background measurements, dark matter, and particle physics phenomenology in determining the underlying parameters of MSSM inflation by specializing to the minimal supergravity scenario. We show that the future measurements from the Large Hadron Collider in tandem with all these constraints will significantly restrict the allowed parameter space. We also suggest a new perspective on the fine tuning issue of MSSM inflation. With quantum corrections taken into account, the necessary condition between the soft supersymmetry breaking parameters in the inflaton potential can be satisfied at scales of interest without a fine tuning of their boundary values at a high scale. The requirement that this happens at the inflection point determines a dimensionless coupling, which is associated with a nonrenormalizable interaction term in the Lagrangian and has no bearing for phenomenology, to very high accuracy.
Diabetic children in nondiabetic camps

Summary A small group of diabetic girls was included as regular campers in a Girl Scout camp for two-week periods in two successive summers. In localities where special camps for diabetic children are not available, it is recommended that diabetic children be admitted to established camps which have adequate health supervision. While it is not assumed that regular camps are superior in all respects to special camps for diabetic children, they do have one advantage which is worthy of consideration; namely, the opportunity for diabetic children to live and to compete on an equal basis with nondiabetic children.
Dynamic Load Balancing At Individual Nodes In LAN

The limit of load balancing due to decreasingly available bandwidth is studied. In the computer simulation, the bandwidth of the communication link is translated into 1.) the transfer delay associated with relocating a job and 2.) the uncertainty of the remote queuing status, due to the combined effects of the system dynamics and the non-zero time required in probing the status of the remote stations. The computer simulation is based on a sender-initiated load balancing scheme and is tested for a number of decision thresholds. Among these, an adaptive threshold that is a function of the traffic pattern and the system capability, "balances" the load best; it may not always minimize the average delay, but it always keeps the service stations (or nodes, or processors) similarly loaded. Results are obtained for both stationary and bursty traffics, and for both fixed-length and exponential-length jobs. For all the loading ratios tested, the balancing scheme is capable of improving the system performance over that of the no-balancing cases, when the transfer delay is less than 10 ms. For greater transfer delays, the improvement may drop to negative values.
Multiple kernel interpolation for inverting non-linear dimensionality reduction and dimension estimation

The problem of stably inverting a non-linear dimensionality reduction map has applications in data visualization and machine learning, besides being of theoretical interest. In this paper, we propose a meshfree interpolation method for obtaining such inverse maps using a non-negative linear combination of multiple interpolants. We show that the proposed scheme can improve upon the approximation power of its individual constituent kernels, and discuss the conditions under which its parameters can be uniquely estimated. We also provide an approach for estimating the intrinsic dimensionality (ID) of manifolds using the proposed inverse map. Experiments using multiple kernel interpolation for reconstruction of novel test data and ID estimation show an improved or similar performance compared to existing techniques.
Haptic gloves for audio-tactile web accessibility

In this Doctoral Consortium paper, I propose to develop haptic gloves that would enable tactile web browsing for blind people. The gloves will be used with regular screen readers, and will provide users with the ability explore web pages by touch. Besides improving the usability and efficiency of web access, the gloves will also enable me to study tactile behavior of blind users.
PREDICTING AN EQUILIBRIUM STATE VALUE FROM TRANSIENT STATE DATA

Values of many biological, chemical and physical factors approach their respective equilibrium state values when constant reactive potentials are applied to these factors. These equilibrium state values are frequently required for analyzing their transient processes. Mathematical analyses of available data on transient state values of various factors revealed that most of these values could be estimated by using an exponential formula, A procedure was developed for the reliable prediction of equilibrium values through the proper application of the formula to transient state values. For this development, it was assumed that transient state values were given at equal time intervals. According to a number of experimental computations, errors of equilibrium state values predicted by the developed procedure were less than 5%. The procedure estimated equilibrium values with less than 50% the time effort required by conventional procedures and will be of great use for reliably predicting equilibrium state values, especially when a factor converges very slowly to its equilibrium condition.
Application of Ion-Pair Methods to Drug Extraction from Biological Fluids II: Quantitative Determination of Biguanides in Biological Fluids and Comparison of Protein Binding Estimates

Simple methods for the quantitative determination of the biguanides (buformin, metformin, and phenformin) in blood, plasma, bile, and cerebrospinal fluid were based on the extraction of the 1:1 bromthymol blue ion-pair into methylene chloride. The spectrophotometric determination of the biguanide in the aqueous solution obtained by freeing it from the ion-pair by the addition of excess tetrabutylammonium hydroxide to the organic phase and reextracting gave sensitivities of 0.2 mcg./ml. Since direct extraction precipitated proteins and irreversibly coprecipitated biguanides, the proteins were removed from blood plasma either by precipitation with trichloroacetic acid or by centrifugal ultrafiltration. The biguanides remained in solution under these circumstances. It was necessary to do a prior extraction of bile with methylene chloride to remove interferences before applying the ion-pair method with the subsequent assay procedures. Buformin and phenformin were more readily extractable as free bases from highly alkaline aqueous solutions by 1:1 chloroform-tert-amyl alcohol than methylene chloride, whereas the highly lyophilic metformin was inextractable. The partition coefficients of buformin and phenformin in such systems were determined as functions of sodium hydroxide concentrations, and the pK' a values in water at 25° were estimated as 13.0. There was no significant difference between the 50% centrifugal ultrafiltration method and the equilibrium dialysis method in determining the extent of protein binding of biguanides in both dog and human plasma, i.e., about 7–10%. Fifty percent ultrafiltration of biguanide-spiked blood or plasma is the preferred method over complete filtration for the determination of protein and erythrocyte binding. The latter tends to coprecipitate soluble biguanides and overestimates the extent of protein binding. There was no significant binding of the biguanides to the erythrocytes of whole human and dog blood.
Trade Promotion Decisions Under Demand Uncertainty: A Market Experiment Approach

In this paper, we examine trade promotion decisions in manufacturer–retailer channels where retailers face consumer demand uncertainty. We first present the theoretical analysis for two types of markets where trade promotion discounts are offered either as off-invoices or as scan-backs. We derive propositions by comparing wholesale and retail prices, retailer order quantities, and profits given the same trade promotion discount. Next, we extend the basic model so that the amount of trade promotion discount influences market expansion and solve for the optimal discount level. To test our theory, we then employ market experiments where we manipulate demand uncertainty and market expansion. Consistent with our theoretical predictions, we find that wholesale and retail prices are higher and retailer order quantities lower when the same amount of trade promotion discount is allocated to scan-backs versus off-invoices. In the market expansion condition, we find that manufacturers offer deeper discounts when tra...
Membrane fractionation based on functional composition : evidence for membrane domains

This study provides evidence for the organization of a bacterial cytoplasmic membrane in functional domains. The cytoplasmic membrane ofRhodospirillum rubrum was fractionated on the basis of affinity for the β-lactam agent 6-aminopenicillanic acid. Cytoplasmic membrane components were found to be differentially localized in membrane subpopulations; this implies that these membranes arose from distinct domains in the laterally differentiated cytoplasmic membrane.
Detonation Velocity of PETN in Small confined cylindrical charges

Steady state detonation velocities have been measured in small brass-confined pressings of PETN. These velocities were found to vary linearly with the reciprocal of the charge diameter and directly with the compact density. For a pressing density of 950 kg/m3 the velocity at infinite diameter was calculated to be 5.27 km/s (50.02 kmk) and the Eyring-type „reaction-zone length” 0.54 mm (±0.02 mm).
Evidential reasoning based on Dempster-Shafer theory and its application to medical image analysis

In this paper, we propose the knowledge representation and evidence propagation schemes based on multivariate belief functions and present a medical image recognition system as an example to demonstrate their effectiveness in evidential reasoning. The multivariate belief functions, defined in a product space, are employed to represent domain specific knowledge such as rules or propositions. The product space and its sub-spaces (margins) are composed of a set of compatible frames. The logical relationships among these margins can be easily defined by using multivariate belief functions. Propagation of evidence is executed by extending or marginalizing the associated multivariate belief function to those margins characterized by their logical relationships. By using the blackboard-based architecture and the profound features of D-S theory, the proposed image recognition system is capable of mimicking the reasoning process of a human expert in recognizing anatomical entities efficiently in a set of correlated x-ray computed tomography, proton density weighted, and T 2 -weighted magnetic resonance images. Additionally, the proposed schemes can be also applied to other problem domains by employing the appropriate knowledge base. Several experiment results are given to illustrate the performance of the proposed system.
Electrical Brain Stimulation

s / Brain Stimulation 8 (2015) 428e437 437 implanted in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in the past 15 years has helped in clarifying basal ganglia pathophysiology and its relation to PD symptoms. LFP-clinical correlations should provide the rationale for developing and implementing a new aDBS devices able to adapt stimulation parameters to the individual patient’s needs using LFPs as feedback (Priori et al., 2012, Exp Neurol). We tested the external portable device aDBS in 6 freely moving PD patients after DBS electrodes implant in STN and we compared its clinical efficacious to that of cDBS. The 5th and the 6th day after the DBS electrodes implant, the patients, after the standard antiparkinsonian medication, underwent two hours of cDBS and two hours of aDBS, respectively. The patients were not aware of the DBS type. The motor state was evaluated by two blinded neurologists through the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scale (part III), and Rush dyskinesia rating scale (DRS). From a technological point of view the device confirmed its ability to adapt stimulation to LFPs. Whereas the mean UPDRS III score was the same during aDBS and cDBS, the dyskinesias were less severe, both standing and walking. Our portable device unlocks new opportunities to study aDBS in freely moving PD patients providing new insights into the impact of this novel technology on their quality of life.
Full System Decontamination (FSD) Prior to Decommissioning

Decontamination prior to decommissioning and dismantling is an internationally accepted approach. Not only does it provide for minimization of personnel dose exposure but also maximization of the material volume available for free release. Since easier dismantling techniques in lower dose areas can be applied, the licensing process is facilitated and the scheduling and budgeting effort is more reliable. The most internationally accepted approach for decontamination prior to decommissioning projects is the Full System Decontamination (FSD). FSD is defined as the chemical decontamination of the primary cooling circuit, in conjunction with the main auxiliary systems. AREVA has long-term experience with Full System Decontamination for return to service of operating nuclear power plants as well as for decommissioning after shutdown. Since 1976, AREVA has performed over 500 decontamination applications and from 1986 on, decontaminations prior to decommissioning projects which comprise virtually all nuclear power plant (NPP) designs and plant conditions: • NPP designs: HPWR, PWR, and BWR by AREVA, Westinghouse, ABB and GE; • Decontaminations performed shortly after final shutdown or several years later, and even after re-opening safe enclosure; • High alpha inventory and or low gamma/alpha ratio; • Main coolant chemistry (e.g. with and without Zn injection during operation). Fifteen decontaminations prior to decommissioning projects have been performed successfully to date. The lessons learned of each project were consequently implemented for the next project. AREVA NP has developed a fully comprehensive approach for decontamination based on the CORD® (Chemical Oxidation Reduction Decontamination) Family, applied using the in-house designed decontamination equipment AMDA® (Automatic Modular Decontamination Appliance). The Decontamination Concept for Decommissioning (DCD) will be outlined in this paper. Based on highlights of previous FSDs performed prior to decommissioning the AREVA concept for FSD and DCD will be outlined: • Application window; • Decontamination area; • Waste considerations; • Positive results for subsequent decommissioning and dismantling activities.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Relationship of prostate-specific antigen and prostate volume in patients with biopsy proven benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND Emerging data suggest a direct correlation between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate volume in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and clinical evidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We attempt to confirm that a similar correlation exists between PSA and prostate volume in patients with biopsy-proven BPH. METHODS Over a 5 year period, 2,270 patients were confirmed to have BPH as the only histological diagnosis after evaluation with serum PSA, trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy, and prostate volume measurement. PSA and prostate volume were statistically analyzed by age-stratified cohorts, including multiple regression analysis and assessment of correlation using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS Mean PSA and prostate volume increased with each advancing cohort of age, and the correlation of PSA and prostate volume was determined to be statistically significant (P < 0.001) in each cohort with a correlation coefficient ranging from 0.33 to 0.41. CONCLUSIONS We confirm that the relationship between PSA and prostate volume in a large series of patients with biopsy-proven BPH provides a comparable correlation to data for patients with LUTS and clinical BPH. As such, PSA represents a valuable approximation of prostate volume, and may prove to be clinically useful in the management of patients with BPH. Prostate 45:315–319, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Type 7 Adenylyl Cyclase is Involved in the Ethanol and CRF Sensitivity of GABAergic Synapses in Mouse Central Amygdala

Abstract The GABAergic system in the central amygdala (CeA) plays a major role in ethanol dependence and in the anxiogenic response to ethanol withdrawal. Previously, we found that both ethanol and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) increase GABAergic transmission in mouse and rat CeA neurons, in part by enhancing the release of GABA via activation of presynaptic CRF1 receptors. CRF1 receptors are coupled to the enzyme adenylyl cyclase (AC), which produces the second messenger cyclic AMP. There are nine isoforms of AC, but we recently found that CRF1 receptors in the pituitary were coupled to the Type 7 AC (AC7). Therefore, using an in vitro electrophysiological approach in brain slices, here we have investigated a possible role of the AC7 signaling pathway in ethanol and CRF effects on CeA GABAergic synapses of genetically modified mice with diminished brain Adcy7 activity (HET) compared to their littermate male wild type (WT) mice. We found no significant differences in basal membrane properties, mean baseline amplitude of evoked GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs), or paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) of GABAA-IPSPs between HET and WT mice. In CeA neurons of WT mice, ethanol superfusion significantly augmented (by 39%) GABAA-IPSPs and decreased PPF (by 25%), suggesting increased presynaptic GABA release. However, these effects were absent in HET mice. CRF superfusion also significantly augmented IPSPs (by 38%) and decreased PPF (by 23%) in WT CeA neurons, and still elicited a significant but smaller (by 13%) increase of IPSP amplitude, but no effect on PPF, in HET mice. These electrophysiological data suggest that AC7 plays an important role in ethanol and CRF modulation of presynaptic GABA release in CeA and thus may underlie ethanol-related behaviors such as anxiety and dependence.
Modeling exceptions via commitment protocols

This paper develops a model for exceptions and an approach for incorporating them in commitment protocols among autonomous agents. Modeling and handling exceptions is critical for successful applications of multiagent systems. Protocols help build multiagent systems, but traditional representations (such as finite state machines or Petri nets) inadequately model complex interactions and exceptions therein. Emerging commitment-based representations are promising, because they declaratively reflect the semantics of an interaction. However, current approaches lack a strong treatment of exceptions.This paper treats both expected and unexpected exceptions. A commitment protocol is modeled as a set of computations, each representing an allowed interaction and showing the evolving commitments of the participants. Exceptions are modeled via preference structures induced on these sets of computations. The preference structures statically show how expected exceptions are handled whereas the structures must be enhanced dynamically to handle unexpected exceptions. Our approach includes operators for composing protocols and exception handlers, whereby appropriate exception handlers can be dynamically introduced into a protocol as needed.The main contributions of this paper are (1) a framework for modeling and handling exceptions intelligently in commitment protocols and (2) a demonstration of the benefits of commitment protocols over traditional formalisms in handling exceptions.
The Geriatric Patient

An 85-year-old woman, with a history of moderate dementia (with an MMSE of eighteen 6 months ago), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease was admitted to the hospital because of altered mental status. History reveals worsening agitation after a fall about a week ago. Her current medications include oxybutynin for urinary incontinence, cimetidine for acid reflux, and citalopram 40 mg daily for depression, in addition to her antihypertensive and cardiovascular medications. Because she was agitated she had also been started on haloperidol (5 mg total daily) and 1 mg lorazepam every 6 h as needed a week ago with no improvement in behavior, but with further decrease in her eating and self-care. On physical exam she was noted to have cogwheeling, restlessness, and bruises on her arms and her left hip area. When palpating and performing range of motion of her left lower extremity, it was noted that she pulled back and got more agitated. Mini-Mental Status Exam was 12/30 with difficulties with orientation, spelling “WORLD” backwards, and recall. During the interview she stated that she wants to go home and dislikes medications. Staff reported that she has been refusing some of her medications. Labs were performed which indicated sodium 120, urinalysis positive for leukocyte esterase and nitrites, an EKG with QTc 490, and X-ray indicating ankle fracture. The patient was started on ciprofloxacin for urinary tract infection. A psychiatric consultation is requested for management of altered mental status and agitation, as well as for assessment of capacity to refuse treatment.
Using spatial information to analyze correlations between test structure data

A modeling strategy that captures the dependence of performances on the spatial position of the chips on the wafer is presented. The information from this model can be used to determine whether the variance and correlation of parameters are due to random variation or are a function of wafer position. Simulation or knowledge from process engineers can be used to determine whether the spatial correlation between two parameters is due to a single underlying cause or multiple causes. The spatial correlation can also be used to split the correlation matrix into two parts: the first matrix would contain correlations due to spatially dependent disturbances and the second would contain those due to disturbances not spatially dependent. >
Deep venous thrombosis: the opportunity at hand.

OBJECTIVE. The use of imaging-guided treatments for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is accelerating. Increased appreciation of the impact of postthrombotic syndrome on DVT patients' quality of life and advances in thrombolytic methods have together sparked an unprecedented degree of interdisciplinary collaboration in developing contemporary DVT treatment guidelines and a pivotal clinical trial to establish the risk–benefit ratio of interventional DVT therapy.CONCLUSION. Radiologists should improve their DVT education, support ongoing clinical trials, and collaborate with DVT-focused nonradiologists in their institutions.
CASRE: a computer-aided software reliability estimation tool

The construction of a computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tool for a systematic and automatic application of software reliability modeling for real-world projects is described. Emphasis is placed on the practical project applications of existing software reliability models for better software reliability estimations. This CASE tool is built on top of existing software reliability models, called component models, as the baseline for software reliability measurement. The main advantage of this tool over other similar tools is its various reliability estimations under a paradigm which linearly combines the component models. This tool features an enhanced graphical user-interface which greatly facilitates the potentially tedious application procedure for software reliability estimation. >
The Effect of Organizational Type and Hierarchical Level on Nurses' Perceptions of Hospital Issues

Managers in four acute care hospitals in southeast Florida described the resource, management, outcome, and external issues confronting their organizations. Eight major issues and four contributing and resulting subissues associated with each were identified from the 746 separate issue statements the managers made. Nurses in the same four hospitals were asked to evaluate the impact of the eight issues on their organization and their work, as well as the extent to which the subissues had either contributed to or resulted from the main ones. Overall perceptual patterns are discussed, as well as the differential effects of both hospital type and level of employment on perceptions. It is suggested that differential perceptions among such a key component of the care delivery system as nurses will need to be better understood as hospitals seek to survive in a turbulent environment.
Uncertainty Propagation through Software Dependability Models

Stochastic models are often employed to study dependability of critical systems and assess various hardware and software fault-tolerance techniques. These models take into account the randomness in the events of interest (aleatory uncertainty) and are generally solved at fixed parameter values. However, the parameter values themselves are determined from a finite number of observations and hence have uncertainty associated with them (epistemic uncertainty). This paper discusses methods for computing the uncertainty in output metrics of dependability models, due to epistemic uncertainties in the model input parameters. Methods for epistemic uncertainty propagation through dependability models of varying complexity are presented with illustrative examples. The distribution, variance and expectation of model output, due to epistemic uncertainty in model input parameters are derived and analyzed to understand their limiting behavior.
An IC for closed-loop micromotor control

A micromotor control integrated circuit (MCIC) which enables closed-loop control of an electrostatic micromotor is described. The MCIC consists of low-noise sense electronics designed to detect critical rotor angles to a resolution of 0.5/spl deg/(0.05 fF) at a 1 MHz sampling rate, and control logic which cycles the micromotor drive state during continuous rotation to maintain maximum torque, independent of the loading. The MCIC was fabricated using a 2-/spl mu/m, n-well CMOS process and all circuits, analog and digital, function as expected. Preliminary measurements indicate that the input-referred noise of the sense amplifier is very close to the design objective of 32 /spl mu/V RMS.
Nicotinic Stimulation Produces Multiple Forms of Increased Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission

Synaptic modulation and long-term synaptic changes are thought to be the cellular correlates for learning and memory (Madison et al., 1991; Aiba et al., 1994; Goda and Stevens, 1996). The hippocampus is a center for learning and memory that receives abundant cholinergic innervation and has a high density of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) (Wada et al., 1989; Woolf, 1991). We report that strong, brief stimulation of nAChRs enhanced hippocampal glutamatergic synaptic transmission on two independent time scales and altered the relationship between consecutively evoked synaptic currents. The nicotinic synaptic enhancement required extracellular calcium and was produced by the activation of presynaptic α7-containing nAChRs. Although one form of glutamatergic enhancement lasted only for seconds, another form lasted for minutes after the nicotinic stimulation had ceased and the nicotinic agonist had been washed away. The synaptic enhancement lasting minutes suggests that nAChR activity can initiate calcium-dependent mechanisms that are known to induce glutamatergic synaptic plasticity. The results with evoked synaptic currents showed that nAChR activity can alter the relationship between the incoming presynaptic activity and outgoing postsynaptic signaling along glutamatergic fibers. Thus, the same information arriving along the same glutamatergic afferents will be processed differently when properly timed nicotinic activity converges onto the glutamatergic presynaptic terminals. Influencing information processing at glutamatergic synapses may be one way in which nicotinic cholinergic activity influences cognitive processes. Disruption of these nicotinic cholinergic mechanisms may contribute to the deficits associated with the degeneration of cholinergic functions during Alzheimer’s disease.
Compliant head probe for positioning electroencephalography electrodes and near-infrared spectroscopy optodes

A noninvasive head probe that combines near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG) for simultaneous measurement of neural dynamics and hemodynamics in the brain is presented. It is composed of a compliant expandable mechanism that accommodates a wide range of head size variation and an elastomeric web that maintains uniform sensor contact pressure on the scalp as the mechanism expands and contracts. The design is intended to help maximize optical and electrical coupling and to maintain stability during head movement. Positioning electrodes at the inion, nasion, central, and preauricular fiducial locations mechanically shapes the probe to place 64 NIRS optodes and 65 EEG electrodes following the 10-5 scalp coordinates. The placement accuracy, precision, and scalp pressure uniformity of the sensors are evaluated. A root-mean-squared (RMS) positional precision of 0.89 ± 0.23 mm, percent arc subdivision RMS accuracy of 0.19 ± 0.15%, and mean normal force on the scalp of 2.28 ± 0.88 N at 5 mm displacement were found. Geometric measurements indicate that the probe will accommodate the full range of adult head sizes. The placement accuracy, precision, and uniformity of sensor contact pressure of the proposed head probe are important determinants of data quality in noninvasive brain monitoring with simultaneous NIRS-EEG.
Size-related stabilization of diamond nanoparticles

Abstract Boundaries of stability regions (of particles sizes) of diamond and graphite at low pressure and various temperatures have been established by modeling and computation of free energies of the crystal phases. The results indicate that diamond is the stable modification of carbon, and graphite is the metastable one at small particle sizes. The diamond charge lattice is presented by ion-electron lattice of negative bond charges and positive ions. The graphite charge lattice consists of hexagonal ion-electron nets and collectivized conduction electrons located between the nets. The consideration of conduction electrons in the graphite model provides the stable graphite structure, since the attraction between the conduction electrons and hexagonal nets compensates the repulsive forces acting between the nets. The intersection of size dependencies of free energies of diamond and graphite indicates the size-related stabilization of small diamond particles. The established boundaries of stability regions of diamond and graphite are: 10.2 nm at room temperature, 6.1 nm at 525 °C, 4.8 nm at 800 °C and 4.3 nm at 1100 °C.
The United Kingdom National Health Service Perspective on the Power of Information in Healthcare

In January of 2013 the UK Department of Health (DOH)2 published a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers entitled A review of the potential benefits from the better use of information and technology in Health and Social Care (1). The 60-page final report highlighted additional evidence in support of previously published strategies [ The power of information: Putting all of us in control of the health and care information we need and an accompanying impact assessment (2)], which identified and evaluated the potential benefits that would arise from implementation of actions to “transform information for healthcare … to achieve higher quality care and improve outcomes for patients and service providers.” The majority of the DOH review contains substantial quantities of “could deliver,” “potential financial benefits,” and “significant further work is required.” Given the size and scope of the variables that must be conquered in implementing such systems, the viewpoint presented in the report appears overly optimistic. It also ignores many of the known limitations of electronic medical records and use of the Internet for communication and coordination of medical care. Key findings of the review suggest that potential financial benefits could be on the …
Large-scale motion in a turbulent boundary layer: a study using temperature contamination

A fully developed turbulent boundary layer with a zero pressure gradient was explored by using temperature as a passive contaminant in order to study the large-scale structure. The temperature tracer was introduced into the flow field by heating the entire wall to approximately 12°C above the free-stream temperature. The most interesting observation was the existence of a sharp internal temperature front, characterized by a rapid decrease in temperature, that extended throughout the entire boundary layer. In the outer, intermittent region, the internal temperature front was always associated with the upstream side of the turbulent bulges, i.e. the ‘backs’. It extended across the entire logarithmic region and was related to the sharp acceleration associated with the bursting phenomenon near the wall. Conditional averages of the velocities measured with the temperature front revealed that it was associated with an internal shear layer. The results suggest that this shear layer provides a dynamical relationship between the large structures in the outer, intermittent region and the bursting phenomenon near the wall.
Individualism, Civic Virtue, and Public Administration The Implications of American Habits of the Heart

The increasing intensity of American individualism and the corresponding decline of a sense of community have been documented by Robert Bellah and four associates in the important new book Habits of the Heart. One striking implication of this trend is that public administration is becoming lost in the wilderness of individualism. The regime values of modern American politics dictate an emphasis on power and on the clash of individual interests, to the detriment of administrative effectiveness. However, public administration is in actuality founded on the other side of a constitutional duality of power and morals. Public administration relates directly to conceptions of classical republicanism, civic virtue, and cooperative effort. The true constitutional model of public administration derives from Federalists and Anti-Federalists alike in a system of modern politics and classical administration. This model is essential to the continuing viability and effectiveness of public administration in a representat...
Zigbee-based intra-car wireless sensor networks: a case study

There is a growing interest in eliminating the wires connecting sensors to the microprocessors in cars due to an increasing number of sensors deployed in modern cars. One option for implementing an intra-car wireless sensor network is the use of ZigBee technology. In this article we report the results of a ZigBee-based case study conducted in a vehicle. Overall, the results of the experiments and measurements show that ZigBee is a viable and promising technology for implementing an intra-car wireless sensor network.
Demographic Trends in Nonmetropolitan America

Although dichotomies like rural/urban are widely used and even serve as a basis for public policy, they have become mere abstractions: Their meaning is generally impressionistic, based on multiple subjective criteria and inferred from constructs often based on extreme examples of each. At the extremes, differences are clear and their implications easily appreciated. Whether rural/urban is thought of geographically as certain kinds of settlements or sociologically as distinctive lifestyles, ecological and so­ cial changes have blurred the boundaries between these two categories. Cities have deconcentrated into the countryside, and rural and urban lifestyles have converged under the effects of a mass society with its mass media and mass consumption. A consequence is that most Americans are no longer either rural or urban; rather, they have become suburban. Despite these changes, rural and urban retain program and policy relevance and, therefore, require operational definition and specification (recognizing that any definition that divides the nation in two will be arbitrary). The United States Bureau of the Census has data collection and report­ ing responsibilities; their criteria for reporting data, there­ fore, have become the standard. The Census definition of rural and urban is based on "places" and their population. The nation's rural population resides in towns of 2,500 or fewer, or outside incorporated places. But the more widely used Census distinction is metropolitanlnonmetropolitan. With this measure, counties are the unit of analysis and the population of entire counties is classified as either metro­ politan or nonmetropolitan. That classification emerged to