cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computable performance analysis of recovering signals with low-dimensional structures

The last decade witnessed the burgeoning development in the reconstruction of signals by exploiting their low-dimensional structures, particularly, the sparsity, the block-sparsity, the low-rankness, and the low-dimensional manifold structures of general nonlinear data sets. The reconstruction performance of these signals relies heavily on the structure of the sensing matrix/operator. In many applications, there is a flexibility to select the optimal sensing matrix among a class of them. A prerequisite for optimal sensing matrix design is the computability of the performance for different recovery algorithms. I present a computational framework for analyzing the recovery performance of signals with low-dimensional structures. I define a family of goodness measures for arbitrary sensing matrices as the optimal values of a set of optimization problems. As one of the primary contributions of this work, I associate the goodness measures with the fixed points of functions defined by a series of linear programs, second-order cone programs, or semidefinite programs, depending on the specific problem. This relation with the fixed-point theory, together with a bisection search implementation, yields efficient algorithms to compute the goodness measures with global convergence guarantees. As a by-product, we implement efficient algorithms to verify sufficient conditions for exact signal recovery in the noise-free case. The implementations perform orders-of-magnitude faster than the state-of-the-art techniques. The utility of these goodness measures lies in their relation with the reconstruction performance. I derive bounds on the recovery errors of convex relaxation algorithms in terms of these goodness measures. Using tools from empirical processes and generic chaining, I analytically demonstrate that as long as the number of measurements are relatively large, these goodness measures are bounded away from zeros for a large class of random sensing matrices, a result parallel to the probabilistic analysis of the restricted isometry property. Numerical experiments show that, compared with the restricted isometry based performance bounds, our error bounds apply to a wider range of problems and are tighter, when the sparsity levels of the signals are relatively low. I expect that computable performance bounds would open doors for wide applications in compressive sensing, sensor arrays, radar, MRI, image processing, computer vision, collaborative filtering, control, and many other areas where low-dimensional signal structures arise naturally.
Do you believe what eye believe

Speaker belief is an essential component how interlocutors interact, according to information structure and other theories of conversational interaction. We tested this assumption by investigating unscripted spontaneous speech patterns in an experimental paradigm that manipulated speakers belief states about shared visual information. We found that interlocutors were more likely to use references based on content (rather than appearance) in mismatched belief conditions. Also, final rising pitch contours (confirmation contours) seemed to be used more when interlocutors share the same visual common ground. These contours seem to elicit more back-channels than final falling pitch contours. Our results provide evidence that situational variables such as visual common ground strongly effect how speakers create their utterances.
Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of smokers.

Objective To determine the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of heavy smokers. Design Microscopic examination of semen for 1 month during supplementation with placebo or ascorbic acid at dose levels of 200 or 1,000mg/d. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch. Participants Seventy-five men (20 to 35 years old) randomly divided into one of three supplementation groups: placebo, 200mg and 1,000mg of ascorbic acid. Main Outcome Improvement in sperm quality as compared with presupplementation levels and between the three treatment groups. Results The placebo group showed no improvement in sperm quality. The groups receiving ascorbic acid showed improvement in sperm quality with most improvement in the 1,000-mg group. Pearson's correlation showed statistically significant relationships between the weekly group means of serum and seminal plasma ascorbic acid levels and sperm qualities. Conclusions Ascorbic acid supplementation of heavy smokers in excess of 200mg/d results in improved sperm quality.
Embracing the Opposition: The Conservative Appropriation of Liberal Critiques

In this paper, I argue that in the last twenty years American conservatives have (mis)appropriated rhetorical critiques of their political opponents, especially regarding the authority of science and of regulatory agencies, originally initiated by liberals in the 1970s-1990s.
Nanocrystals: The strongest size

In polycrystalline materials with grain sizes in the micrometre range, strength increases with decreasing grain size. This is because dislocations pile up at the grain boundaries and, as the grains become smaller, the effect of dislocation blocking increases, thereby strengthening the material. But with grains in the nanometre range, the opposite behaviour is found. Why? Computer simulations show that the reverse effect arises primarily from sliding motions at grain boundaries.
Gas-Volume Measurement System for Evaluating Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Compounds

Yeast spoilage was followed by measuring gas volume produced inside a sealed bag of inoculated fruit. Volume of gas produced correlates with plate counts.
Solution Aging Effects on the Performance and Morphology of P3HT: PCBM Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

In a bulk heterojunction photovoltaic device, the morphology of the active layer strongly affects the device performance. By comparing the device performance from P3HT:PCBM solutions that were aged for different times, we notice that aging time has an influence on device power conversion efficiency. We prove the morphological difference in P3HT:PCBM thin films is caused by different aging time, and demonstrate a relationship between the P3HT:PCBM phase behavior and BHJ device performance through UV-Vis absorption spectrum and atomic force microscope.
Applications of a new transference theorem to Ajtai's connection factor

We apply a new transference theorem from the geometry of numbers to Ajtai's connection of average-case to worst-case complexity of lattice problems. We also derive stronger bounds for the special class of lattices which possess n/sup /spl epsiv//-unique shortest lattice vectors. This class of lattices plays a significant role in Ajtai's connection of average-case to worst-case complexity of the shortest lattice vector problem, and in the Ajtai-Dwork public-key cryptosystem. Our proofs are non-constructive, based on methods from harmonic analysis. They yield currently the best Ajtai connection factors.
Transthoracic defibrillation in 100-kg calves with sequentially applied pulses

The effectiveness of up to five 50-A, 4-ms rectangular pulses (each nominally 50% successful) followed, when required, by up to six 70-A, 6-ms pulses applied at 15-s intervals in reversing ventricular fibrillation in 100-kg calves was studied in 600 episodes in which 50-A, 6-ms; 70-A, 3-ms; 70-A, 6-ms; 70-A, 12-ms; or 100-A, 6-ms prefibrillation shocks had been delivered 5 s before the induction of fibrillation and in another 600 episodes in which the prefibrillation shock was omitted. We found that 1) there was a modest adverse influence of the prefibrillation shock upon the outcome of the 50-A, 4-ms portion of the sequential shock effort; 2) The 50-A, 4-ms shocks remained reasonably successful throughout the five-shock sequence; 3) when the prefibrillation shock was omitted, the time intervals for a return of a ventricular complex and normal sinus rhythm in the postdefibrillation electrocardiogram increased rapidly with the number of shocks required for defibrillation; and 4) if defibrillation was not achieved with the five-shock sequence, a single 70-A, 6-ms shock was about 94% successful and the sequence of up to six shocks was 100% successful.
The Colorimetric Determination of Neutral Steroids (Hormones) in a 24-Hour Sample of Human Urine (Pregnanediol; Total, Alpha and Beta Alcoholic, and Non-Alcoholic 17- Ketosteroids)1

IT is becoming increasingly apparent that measurements of the urinary steroids are of value in clinical diagnosis and in studies of human endocrine physiology. Relatively simple procedures for the determination of the total, alpha and beta alcoholic, and non-alcoholic neutral 17-ketosteroids in a single twenty-four-hour urine sample have been reported (1, 2). Astwood and Jones (3) have recently perfected a simple procedure for the gravimetric determination of pregnanediol. The present paper reports a method whereby both the 17-ketosteroids and the pregnanediol may be determined colorimetrically on a single twenty-four-hour urine specimen. The method involves (a) the simultaneous hydrolysis and extraction of steroids from urine with carbon tetrachloride, (b) separation of the neutral steroids into ketonic and non-ketonic fractions with Girard’s Reagent “T,” (c) colorimetric determination of pregnanediol in the non-ketonic fraction after purification according to Astwood and Jones and (d) colorimetric deter...
Homicidal death following blunt trauma in a vulnerable host, with secondary infections including local tetanus.

An uncommon type of homicide resulted from complications of an ordinarily nonfatal injury after a 59-year-old obese, hypertensive, diabetic man was struck in the face with a two-by-four, sustaining a grossly contaminated laceration. It was cleaned and sutured primarily, and a tetanus booster was given. On the fourth hospital day there was evidence of anerobic wound cellulitis, including Clostridium tetani. The wound was surgically debrided, but 2 days later the patient developed local tetanus. Only then was it discovered that he had never been immunized against tetanus. He did not develop systemic tetanus, but 2 days later he died with bronchopneumonia and sepsis. The assailant was indicted for involuntary manslaughter, but after a contentious trial he pleaded "no contest" to a reduced charge. The decedent was a vulnerable host, his contaminated facial laceration initiating an unbroken course of events that led to his death. Language: en
Efficiency of a single-converter detector for monochromatic photons between 25 and 234 MeV

Abstract We have measured the detection efficiency of a large solid angle photon detector, using a tagged, monochromatic photon beam. The detector consists of a lead converter of thickness 1.7 radiation lengths, a multiwire proportional chamber and counters. Efficiencies were measured at eleven photon energies between 25 and 234 MeV/ c . The systematic uncertainties were minimized by measuring the photon tagging efficiencies using a large NaI counter. The overall uncertainties in the detection efficiencies are ⩽ 2%. We compare the results with values calculated for the efficiencies using the Stanford EGS Monte Carlo code. Agreement between the measured and calculated values is excellent.
Optimizing heparin utilization in angiographic flush solutions.

Various concentrations of heparin in angiographic flush solutions are em ployed during angiography. In an effort to determine whether differences in outcome are seen when either high or low concentrations of heparin in an giographic flush solutions are utilized, two groups of patients were evaluated. There was no difference in outcome and a small systemic effect from heparin was seen in both groups. Use of a low concentration of heparin is suggested for routine angiography.
The dynamics of charged dust in the tail of comet Giacobini‐Zinner

A numerical simulation has been performed to calculate the distributions of dust particles of various sizes down the tail of comet P/Giacobini-Zinner. When the electrostatic charging of the grains in the plasma and radiative environment of the comet is taken into account, it is found that the distribution of the grains (particularly at the lowest end of the mass spectrum) in a plane normal to the orbital plane is entirely different from what is expected had the grains been uncharged. Although the NASA-ICE spacecraft, which will fly through the tail of this comet almost normal to its orbital plane on September 11, 1985, has no dedicated dust experiments, it is expected that the plasma wave instrument will serve as an indirect detector, even of the smallest grains, via the plasma clouds created by the high-velocity dust impacts. Knowledge of the spatial variation of the grain sizes encountered along the flight path of the spacecraft will provide us with the information necessary to calculate the electrostatic potential of the grains, which in turn will lead to an estimation of the role of the electromagnetic forces on the dynamics of such grains.
Carcinoma of the esophagus: Sites of failure

A clinico-pathologic study of 173 patients with esophageal cancer was done. The median survival for all patients was 6.4 months. Persistent tumor in esophagus at the time of death was present in 78% of patients treated with radiation alone. Metastases to mediastinal, intraabdominal and supraclavicular nodes were found in 73%, 49% and 20% of patients respectively. Systemic metastases were found in 57% of patients, liver being the most common site. In 15% of patients, fistulae developed between esophagus and trachea or bronchus because of direct extension of the primary tumor. Local and regional tumor caused the death of 111 patients, whereas distant metastases led to death in only 27 patients. This study confirms the extensive intra- and extrathoracic spread of malignancy in a majority of patients with cancer of the esophagus.
Empirical Bayes Estimation via the Smoothing by Roughening Approach

Abstract In many statistical applications, data can be modeled by a compound process where parameters are sampled from a prior (mixing) distribution and data are sampled conditional on parameters. Bayes and empirical Bayes methods are powerful and credible in making inferences from such data, but can be nonrobust. To improve robustness we propose an empirical Bayes approach that replaces a parametric prior by a smoothed non-parametric estimate. The estimation procedure, called smoothing by roughening (SBR), produces robust and efficient estimates and inferences by blending the advantages of both parametric and nonparametric approaches. This article presents large-sample analysis of the SBR approach and proposes a discrete computing algorithm to overcome computational difficulties. We apply the approach to batting average data and toxoplasmosis prevalence data and present results from a series of Monte Carlo simulations evaluating its performance.
Effect of Emulsifiers and Food Gum on Nonfat Ice Cream

Nonfat ice cream was made with a mix composition of 12% milk SNF, 12% sucrose, 5% corn syrup solids, 3.5% maltodextrin, and 0.25% stabilizer blend. Two emulsifiers at three levels each and one gum at three levels were evaluated in nonfat ice creams. Emulsifiers were 52% α-monoglyceride and 72% α-monoglyceride, and the gum was hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. A portion of the mix was retained as the control, which contained no emulsifier or additional food gum, and was evaluated in addition to the nine treatments. Mean fat content of the mix was 0.14%, and total solids content was 34.16%. Results indicated differences between treatments in whipability and stability to heat shock; however, there were no differences in meltdown. There was about a 10-μm increase in mean ice crystal size for treatments when compared after 1 and 12 wk of storage. Addition of either emulsifier to nonfat ice cream reduced the mean ice crystal size when compared with the control or gum, which is a major factor in improvement of the texture of nonfat ice cream. The sensory panel preferred the nonfat ice cream with 0.25% added monoglyceride and diglyceride with 72% α-monoglyceride content stabilizer over the control with respect to coarseness and iciness, coldness intensity, and overall body and texture scores.
Prediction of renal insufficiency in Pima Indians with nephropathy of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background: A high prevalence and early onset of type 2 diabetes in Pima Indians is well known. Our objective is to use several statistical models to identify predictors of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) deterioration and develop an algorithm to predict GFR 4 years after the initial evaluation. Methods: All records (n = 86) were randomly assigned to a training set (n = 60) and a testing set (n = 26). Linear regression, generalized additive, tree-based, and artificial neural network models were used to identify predictors of outcome and develop a prediction algorithm. Results: Proteinuria remained the single most important predictor of long-term renal function; other predictors included baseline GFR, blood pressure, plasma renin activity, lipid profile, age, weight/body mass index, and diabetes duration. All four models achieved a good correlation ( r = 0.73 to 0.78) between observed and predicted 4-year GFRs on a separate (testing) data set. Best results in predicting the value of GFR were achieved using a tree-based model with six terminal nodes ( r = 0.78; root mean squared prediction error=38.9). The tree-based and generalized additive models achieved high positive (91%) and negative (100%) predictive values in identifying subjects, who developed depressed GFRs in 4 years. An artificial neural network achieved the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.91). Conclusion: GFR depression within 4 years can be predicted with a precision that suggests potential clinical utility. A tree-based model with six terminal nodes has shown the best results in predicting the actual value of GFR, whereas an artificial neural network is the model of choice to identify the group of patients that will develop renal insufficiency. © 2002 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Oxygen-deficient BaTiO3−x perovskite as an efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst

Abstract Perovskite oxide catalysts have emerged as the most promising bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. In this work, a new type of oxygen-deficient BaTiO3−x has been synthesized using a sol–gel method followed by a reductive heat treatment at 1300 °C in vacuum. The prepared perovskite nanoparticles have an average particle size on the order of 100 nm with uniform size distribution. X-ray diffraction shows that this perovskite catalyst consists of a significant amount of hexagonal BaTiO3−x. State-of-the-art IrO2 nanoparticles were also prepared in this work, which were used for reference and has excellent OER activity. Importantly, the oxygen-deficient perovskite catalysts exhibited high catalytic activity simultaneously for the ORR and the OER in alkaline electrolyte. The more challenged OER activity measured with the perovskite exceeds the IrO2 catalyst at relatively low potentials (
Transport and metabolism of l-glutamic acid by abdominal ganglia of the hawk moth, Manduca sexta

Abstract 1. The transport of exogenous L -glutamate was characterized in an insect ganglion with an in vitro preparation consisting of whole ganglia in short-term organ culture. The characteristics studied include the ionic dependence and specificity of transport, as well as its rate of operation. 2. Rates for the Na+-dependent and Na+-independent components were measured, revealing lowaffinity carriers; the apparent KMs are 0.48 and 1.27 mM, respectively. 3. Accumulation of exogenous glutamate is saturable, sensitive to metabolic inhibitors, and specific for certain dicarboxylic acids, thus exhibiting features of a carrier-mediated process. Transport is partially dependent on Na+ in the medium, and it is reduced in the presence of the competitor amino acids, L-and D-aspartate. 4. Exogenous glutamate is metabolized by abdominal ganglia; the major amino acid metabolites were measured in extracts of the ganglia and in the culture medium. Major amino acid metabolites derived from glutamate and recovered in the ganglia are glutamine, proline, GABA, and small amounts of aspartate and alanine. 5. Proline and glutamine are spontaneously released by the ganglia. A portion of this material is newly synthesized from exogenous glutamate, and its release follows a different time course for proline and glutamine. 6. Metabolism of exogenous glutamate may be a biochemical aspect of the insect blood-brain barrier.
A prototype amorphous selenium imaging plate system for digital radiography.

This paper summarizes the results of research and development of a prototype amorphous selenium digital imaging system. The first phase of this project consists of the preliminary design and fabrication of the system. In this system the conventional film–screen photon receptor is replaced by a charged amorphous selenium imaging plate. After exposure, the latent electrostaticimage on the selenium surface is scanned with multiple microelectrometer probes forming a 1024×1024×12 bit digital image. The second phase investigates the system’s physical imagingcharacteristics and clinical feasibility. X‐ray exposure latitude comparable to 200‐speed calcium–tungstate film–screen system are shown for three typical diagnostic kVp settings with total filtration of 3 mm aluminum and 9 cm Lucite. Using the modulation transfer function(MTF), resolving power of approximately 1.0 line pair per millimeter and detective quantum efficiency values of approximately 5% have been measured. The clinical evaluation consists of preliminary images of a 16‐kg female dog and a 4.5‐kg rabbit and comparisons to film–screen images are offered.
Function-Block Enabled Job Shop Planning and Control With Uncertainty

The objective of this research is to develop a methodology of distributed process planning and its execution control for job shop operations. The manufacturing processes of job shop operations are rather complex, especially at shop floors where highly mixed products in small batch sizes are handled simultaneously. In addition to the fluctuating job shop operations, unpredictable events like job delay, urgent job insertion, fixture shortage, missing tool, and even machine break-down, are regularly challenging the job shop operations. Targeting the fluctuations, this research proposes a DPP (distributed process planning) approach to generate process plans that are responsive and adaptive to the changes. In this paper, a function block enabled approach is introduced. It is expected that the new approach can largely enhance the dynamism of fluctuating job shop operations.© 2004 ASME
Mitral Valve Surgery: Transventricular Valvuloplasty and Use of Ivalon Sponge Pack for Mitral Insufficiency

Some of the techniques applicable to mitral valve surgery have been reviewed and the need for flexibility of approach and improvement in methods emphasized. The techniques reported here are not original with us but derive from reports previously made by Dr. Frank Gerbode and Dr. Dwight Harken. Surgical experiences from November, 1956, to November, 1957, in 64 cases of mitral valvular disease have been presented. Results, while favorable, are early and evaluation therefore must be guarded. Valvular stenosis resisting finger fracture has responded uniformly well to transventricular use of the Brock dilator. Murmurs have been greatly reduced or eliminated. Patients with mitral regurgitation complicating other valvular disease have had their regurgitation reduced or eliminated with use of an intrapericardial Ivalon sponge pack. Gratifying improvement has been seen in two of three patients with severe “isolated” mitral insufficiency.
Electrical anti-icing of aircraft windshields

PREVENTION of ice formation on the aircraft windshield presents difficult problems. In addition to optical quality, the thermal and structural characteristics of suitable transparent materials, such as glass and certain plastics, must be given careful consideration. Further, an important design criterion for an aircraft windshield is its ability to withstand impact loads such as those which result when a large bird strikes the windshield. Contemporary windshield design practice usually calls for a laminated structure, commonly consisting of a layer of polyvinyl butyral, encased between two plates of tempered glass. The impact resistance of such a construction has been shown to be dependent upon the vinyl temperature, the optimum temperature being of the order of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Direct correlation thus exists between impact resistance and anti-icing ability in windshield design. The regulations of the Civil Aeronautics Board specify that the windshield and supporting structure of a transport airplane shall be designed to resist the impact of a 4-pound bird when the airplane is flying at sea level cruising speed.1 It is apparent, therefore, that it may be necessary to supply heat to a laminated windshield continuously, regardless of the prevalence of icing conditions, and further that the amount of heat must be controlled within the limits specified by impact resistance as well as deicing.
Limited capital markets and the real effects of monetary stabilization policies under alternative exchange rate regimes

Abstract A common argument against monetary stabilization policies in developing countries is that they lead to short-run output contractions. This paper argues that, in economies facing severely limited capital markets, such contractionary effects may hold only under a fixed exchange rate system, especially if the policy lacks credibility. However, if currency substition is an additional feature of the economy, monetary deceleration may be expansionary even under fixed exchange rates. (JEL E52, E63)
The association of non-homologous parts of chromosomes in the mid-prophase of meiosis in Zea mays

1.Association of chromosomes at pachytene in Zea mays is 2-by-2 whether or not the parts associated are homologous. 2.Evidence for non-homologous association of parts of chromosomes has been obtained from monoploids, diploids, monosomics, trisomics, deficiencies, inversions, translocations, ring-shaped chromosomes, “asynaptic” plants and so-called “B-type” chromosomes. 3.In many cases, the non-homologous association at pachytene appears to be as intimate as homologous association. 4.Non-homologous association, present at pachytene, rarely continues into diakinesis. 5.Translocations probably result from the association of non-homologous parts of chromosomes. With 51 figures in the text and plates VII–XII.
Finance for shelter: recent history, future perspectives

Finance for land, infrastructure and housing has originated from three sources over the past 20 years: NGOs, governments and microfinance institutions. NGOs have largely concentrated on supporting community groups for collective action to negotiate for infrastructure and building projects; government agencies have run subsidized land and housing programmes for poverty alleviation, and MFIs have begun to offer housing loans, finding housing to be a profitable new market. This article outlines the three approaches, and suggests the way ahead.
Model nucleoprotein complexes: studies on the interaction of cationic homopolypeptides with DNA.

Abstract Complexes of natiye calf thymus DNA with the cationic polypeptides poly-lornithine, poly-l-lysine, poly-l-arginine and poly-l-homoarginine, have been prepared and their solubility, stoichiometry, absorption spectra and thermal denaturation studied. Increasing the peptide cation/DNA phosphate ratio, up to electrostatic equivalence, yielded progressively more insoluble products and increased the turbidity of the “soluble” fraction. Certain spectral changes were observed which may be largely attributed to anomalous scattering in the absorbing region. Addition of the polypeptides to DNA resulted in a marked stabilization of the helix against thermal denaturation. At peptide cation/DNA phosphate ratios less than electrostatic equivalence, thermal denaturation monitored at 260 and 280 mμ revealed a biphasic transition profile: the first transition had a melting temperature similar to DNA under the same solvent conditions; the second melting temperature was characteristic for the type of polypeptide in the complex. Thermal denaturation monitored at 350 mμ (i.e., turbidity transitions) showed a monophasic profile at the higher melting temperature of the DNA-polypeptide complex. The different polypeptides stabilized DNA against melting to different extents. In order of decreasing degree of stabilization they are: poly-l-ornithine > poly-l-lysine > poly-l-arginine > poly-l-homoarginine. Analysis of the dispersion of hyperchromicity demonstrated that poly-l-ornithine and poly-l-lysine preferentially stabilize A-T rich regions, whereas poly-l-arginine and poly-l-homoarginine appear less discriminating. The soluble DNA-polypeptide complexes could be subfractionated by ultracentrifugation into a fraction which melted like “naked” DNA, and a fraction which melted at the higher temperature characteristic of the complex and showed a peptide cation/DNA phosphate ratio close to electrostatic equivalence. The experimental data imply that, under proper conditions of annealing, the basic polypeptides form definable molecular structures with DNA; the binding reaction is stoichiometric and co-operative. Model-building suggests that the polypeptides could interact with either the large or small groove of DNA.
An open-label pilot study of St. John's wort in juvenile depression.

ABSTRACT Objective This pilot study examined the effectiveness, safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) in the treatment of youths diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Method Youths 6 to 16 years of age meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder with depressive symptoms of at least moderate severity were eligible to enroll between January 1999 and January 2001 in this 8-week, prospective, open-label, outpatient study. Outcome measures included the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale. A priori criteria for response consisted of a CDRS-R score of ≤28 and a CGI severity score ≤2. Patients were initially prescribed 150 mg St. John's wort three times daily. If at the end of week 4 the patient did not meet a priori response criteria, the dose was increased to 300 mg three times daily. Results Thirty-three youths with a mean (SD) age of 10.5 (2.9) years were enrolled. After 4 weeks of St. John's wort therapy, 22 youths had their dose increased to 900 mg/day. Twenty-five of the patients met response criteria after 8 weeks of treatment. Overall, St. John's wort was well tolerated. Conclusion St. John's wort may be an effective treatment for youths diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Placebo controlled trials seem indicated.
Toxicology and human health effects following exposure to oxygenated or reformulated gasoline

In order to replace antiknock leaded derivatives in gasoline, legislations were enacted in the United States and other countries to find safer additives and to reduce CO, O3, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in non-attainment areas. Oxygenates commonly used include various alcohols and aliphatic ethers. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is the most widely used and studied ether oxygenate and is added to gasoline at concentrations up to 15% by volume. Inhalation of fumes while fueling automobiles is the main source of human exposure to MTBE. Humans are also exposed when drinking water contaminated with MTBE. Epidemiological, clinical, animal, metabolic and kinetic studies have been carried out to address human health risks resulting from exposure to MTBE. MTBE is an animal carcinogen, but its human carcinogenic potential remains unclear. Because MTBE functions as a non-traditional genotoxicant, several mechanisms were suggested to explain its mode of action, such as, functioning as a cytotoxic as opposed to a mitogenic agent; involvement of hormonal mechanisms; or operating as a promoter instead of being a complete carcinogen. Some studies suggested that carcinogenicity of MTBE might be due to its two main metabolites, formaldehyde or tributanol. A role for DNA repair in MTBE carcinogenesis was recently unveiled, which explains some, but not all effects. The totality of the evidence shows that, for the majority of the non-occupationally exposed human population, MTBE is unlikely to produce lasting adverse health effects, and may in some cases improve health by reducing the composition of emitted harmful VOCs and other substances. A small segment of the population (e.g. asthmatic children, the elderly, and those with immunodeficiency) may be at increased risk for toxicity. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate this hypothesis. Concern over ground and surface water contamination caused by persistent MTBE has lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to proposed reducing or eliminating its use as a gasoline additive. The major potential alternatives to MTBE are other forms of ethers such as ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) or tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), and alcohols such as ethanol. More definitive studies are needed to understand the mechanism(s) by which aliphatic ethers may pose health and environmental impacts. The switch from MTBE to ethanol is not without problems. Ethanol costs more to produce, poses challenges to the gasoline distribution system, extends the spread of hydrocarbons through ground water in gasoline plumes, and in the short-term is unlikely to be available in sufficient quantity. Moreover, its metabolite acetaldehyde is a possible carcinogen that undergoes a photochemical reaction in the atmosphere to produce the respiratory irritant peroxylacetate nitrate (PAN). Congress is addressing whether the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAA) provisions concerning reformulated gasoline (RFG) should be modified to allow refineries to discontinue or lessen the use of oxygenates.
Physiologic profiles in circulatory support and management of the critically III

An automated system has been developed for measuring hemodynamic, oxygen transport and tissue utilization functions. Rapid measurement and data analysis of physiologic profiles by paramedical personnel allow prompt evaluation of altered cardiovascular function. Evaluation of physiologic function allows therapeutic interventions to be instituted on a timely basis, appropriately directed toward improvement of the measured cardiovascular abnormalities. Physiologic profile studies were performed on 1016 occasions in 580 patients during a three-year period and form the basis of this report. Although utilized on hospitalized patients, there are implications for use in evaluating and treating all critically ill patients.
Fuel cell cathode air filters: Methodologies for design and optimization

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells experience performance degradation, such as reduction in efficiency and life, as a result of poisoning of platinum catalysts by airborne contaminants. Research on these contaminant effects suggests that the best possible solution to allowing fuel cells to operate in contaminated environments is by filtration of the harmful contaminants from the cathode air. A cathode air filter design methodology was created that connects properties of cathode air stream, filter design options, and filter footprint, to a set of adsorptive filter parameters that must be optimized to efficiently operate the fuel cell. Filter optimization requires a study of the trade off between two causal factors of power loss: first, a reduction in power production due to poisoning of the platinum catalyst by chemical contaminants and second, an increase in power requirements to operate the air compressor with a larger pressure drop from additional contaminant filtration. The design methodology was successfully applied to a 1.2 kW fuel cell using a programmable algorithm and predictions were made about the relationships between inlet concentration, breakthrough time, filter design, pressure drop, and compressor power requirements.
1/f noise in SiGe HBTs fabricated on CMOS-compatible thin-film SOI

We report, for the first time, the low frequency noise characteristics of both fully- and partially-depleted SiGe HBTs-on- SOI, both in forward and inverse modes of operation. These SiGe HBTs on thin-film SOI are then compared with bulk SiGe HBTs in order to evaluate how the fundamentally different device structure affects 1/f noise performance. In addition, the impact of substrate voltage, collector doping, and temperature on low-frequency noise is investigated.
Mechanism of ST-elevation in precordial leads V1–V4 in acute pulmonary embolism

In a recent case report [1] of massive pulmonary embolism (PE) with ST-elevations in precordial leads V1–V4, the authors offered several possible explanations for this paradoxical pattern but failed to mention paradoxical coronary embolism as the most likely mechanism. In contrast to the usual ST depression in precordial leads V1–V4 from right heart strain, [2,3] patients with PE have occasionally shown ST elevations in the right to mid precordial leads on ECG [4–9]. The most likely explanation is paradoxical coronary embolism secondary to PE [10–21]. Paradoxical embolism usually occurs in the setting of a sudden rise of right heart pressure, e.g., acute PE, or Valsalva maneuver during straining at defecation or cough, which causes a rightto-left shunt through a pre-existing patent foramen ovale or small atrial septal defect or atrial septal aneurysm [10–21]. Patent foramen ovale is a frequent finding, occurring in approximately one quarter of the population, both at autopsy (27.3% [22]) and by echocardiography in a large populationbased Stroke Prevention: Assessment of Risk in a Community (SPARC) study (25% [23]) and in divers (27.6% [24]). The prevalence is even higher in patients with PE (35% [25]) and unexplained stroke (54% [26]–75% [27]). Formerly considered merely an innocent incidental postmortem finding, patent foramen ovale began to attract increasing attention in the clinical arena in recent years for its role in causing paradoxical embolism and with the recent introduction of several percutaneous devices for its successful closure.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are widely prescribed. Several reports have observed an increased bleeding risk associated with SSRI use, which is hypothesized to be secondary to their antiplatelet effect. Methods— We tested the hypothesis that SSRIs increase the risk for or potentiate the risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with antiplatelets and anticoagulants. Results— In multivariate analysis, we found no increased risk associated with SSRI use for intracerebral hemorrhage (odds ratio=1.1, 95% CI: 0.7 to 1.8; P=0.63) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (odds ratio=0.6, 95% CI: 0.4 to 1.0; P=0.054). In addition, potentiation of risk with warfarin or antiplatelets was not observed. Conclusions— Further studies with larger populations would be needed to exclude a small increase in intracranial hemorrhage risk with SSRI use.
Trichlorosilane-imine complexes. A new method for the reduction of imines to amines

Abstract It has been found that trichlorosilane adds regio-specifically to the carbon—nitrogen double bond of imines under mild conditions to yield hydrolytically unstable N -trichlorosilyl intermediates. The latter can be hydrolyzed in situ by alcoholic base to give the corresponding amines in moderate to good yields. Variously substituted aldo and keto imines, both alkyl and aryl, were tested to demonstrate the scope of the reaction. The facility of trichlorosilane addition appears to depend on the nature of the groups directly attached to the carbon—nitrogen double bond. Hydride trapping experiments suggest an intramolecular rather than intermolecular hydride transfer during the course of the reaction.
Fatigue Assessment and Service Life Prediction of Existing Steel Bridges by Integrating SHM into a Probabilistic Bilinear S-N Approach

AbstractFatigue assessment of several steel bridge details, having equivalent stress range below the constant amplitude fatigue threshold (CAFT), showed that many of these details are free of cracks, although the remaining life calculations predicted that they should have already been suffering from cracks. This shows that the current methods for predicting the fatigue remaining life of steel bridges can be conservative and may lead to unnecessary retrofit and rehabilitation actions. For a better fatigue life prediction, a bilinear S-N approach has been proposed. In this approach, the bilinear S-N lines have different slopes above and below the CAFT. This paper addresses fatigue assessment and service life prediction of existing fatigue-prone steel bridges by integrating structural health monitoring (SHM) data into a probabilistic bilinear S-N approach. The effect of changing the value of the slope of the AASHTO S-N lines below the CAFT on the fatigue life is investigated through a parametric study. In ad...
A comparison of traditional approaches to hierarchical linear modeling when analyzing longitudinal data.

Longitudinal designs typically involve repeated time-ordered observations for each individual (or unit). Such designs are uniquely suited to studying changes over time within individuals, and relating these to individual characteristics to identify processes and causes of intra- individual changes and interindividual differences in physiologic and psychological development. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast univariate and multivariate ANOVA with repeated measures to hierarchical linear modeling as approaches to analyzing such longitudinal data. This will enable researchers to choose the approach that best meets their research needs, and it will enable them to compare research results that are reported using one analytical approach with results that are reported using the other approach.
Predictive Habitat Models for the Occurrence of Stream Fishes in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands

Abstract In most wadeable streams of the mid-Atlantic Highlands region of the eastern USA, physical habitat alteration is the primary stressor for fish. Models that predict the occurrence of stream-fish species based on habitat measures can be useful in management, and predicted probability of occurrence can be a measure of habitat suitability with which to compare alternative habitat management scenarios and assess the effectiveness of stream restoration. We developed such models for each of 13 mid-Atlantic Highlands stream-fish species and species groups by using multiple logistic regression and six instream habitat measures: depth, temperature, substrate, percent riffles, cover, and riparian vegetation. The predictive ability of the models ranged from 61% to 79% in cross-validation and from 38% to 85% on an independent data set. The models predicted well for both the original and test data sets for black bass Micropterus spp., brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, darters Etheostoma and Percina spp., shin...
Effect of melt convection at various gravity levels and orientations on the forces acting on a large spherical particle in the vicinity of a solidification interface

Numerical modeling was Undertaken to analyze the influence of both radial and axial thermal gradients on convection patterns and velocities claiming solidification of pure Al and an Al-4 wt% Cu alloy. The objective of the numerical task was to predict the influence of convective velocity on an insoluble particle near a solid/liquid (s/l) interface. These predictions were then be used to define the minimum gravity level (q) required to investigate the fundamental physics of interactions between a particle and a s/l interface. This is an ongoing NASA founded flight experiment entitled "particle engulfment and pushing by solidifying interfaces (PEP)". Steady-state calculations were performed for different gravity levels and orientations with respect to the gravity vector The furnace configuration used in this analysis is the quench module insert (QMI-1) proposed for the Material Science Research Facility (MSRF) on board the International Space Station (ISS). The general model of binary alloy solidification was based on the finite element code FIDAP. At a low g level of 10(exp -4) g(sub o) (g(sub o) = 9.8 m/square s) maximum melt convection was obtained for an orientation of 90 deg. Calculations showed that even for this worst case orientation the dominant forces acting on the particle are the fundamental drag and interfacial forces.
Is Mainstream Psychological Research “Womanless” and “Raceless”? An Updated Analysis

In the late 20th century, mainstream psychological research was accused of being “womanless” and “raceless” by excluding women and members of racial-ethnic minority groups and by interpreting their experiences as deviant from White male norms. The present article provides an updated analysis of the state of psychological research by examining research published in 2007 in eight prominent journals across four subdisciplines (N = 255). Two types of data were examined: (1) gender and racial-ethnic representation at the levels of editor, senior author, and participant, and (2) the presence of biased assumptions in reporting tendencies. Representation was interpreted in relation to relevant baselines drawn from U.S. data. Women and members of racial-ethnic minority groups do not appear to be underrepresented as editors in mainstream psychology. However, women continue to be underrepresented as senior authors, and members of racial-ethnic minority groups continue to be underrepresented as research participants. Furthermore, studies using predominately male or White samples (vs. female or racial-ethnic minority samples) were less likely to indicate participant gender or race-ethnicity in the title and marginally less likely to provide a rationale for including participants of only one social group, consistent with the notion that reporting tendencies within mainstream psychological research continue to reflect assumptions that men and Whites are more typical members of the category “human” than are women and racial-ethnic minorities. These findings indicate that mainstream psychology has not yet reached social equity and that efforts to increase diversity and decrease subtle biases should continue to be supported and funded.
Transesterification of waste vegetable oil under pulse sonication using ethanol, methanol and ethanol–methanol mixtures

This study reports on the effects of direct pulse sonication and the type of alcohol (methanol and ethanol) on the transesterification reaction of waste vegetable oil without any external heating or mechanical mixing. Biodiesel yields and optimum process conditions for the transesterification reaction involving ethanol, methanol, and ethanol-methanol mixtures were evaluated. The effects of ultrasonic power densities (by varying sample volumes), power output rates (in W), and ultrasonic intensities (by varying the reactor size) were studied for transesterification reaction with ethanol, methanol and ethanol-methanol (50%-50%) mixtures. The optimum process conditions for ethanol or methanol based transesterification reaction of waste vegetable oil were determined as: 9:1 alcohol to oil ratio, 1% wt. catalyst amount, 1-2 min reaction time at a power output rate between 75 and 150 W. It was shown that the transesterification reactions using ethanol-methanol mixtures resulted in biodiesel yields as high as >99% at lower power density and ultrasound intensity when compared to ethanol or methanol based transesterification reactions.