cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A STUDY OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE SEVERITY OF NEONATAL NARCOTIC WITHDRAWAL

A prospective study of 198 infants of drug dependent mothers included: (1) history of maternal drue habit, (2) measurement in infant's urine of total morphine & qualitative detection of other drugs by gas chromatograph, (3) evaluation of severity of neonatal withdrawal by a scoring system & (4) study of the effect of a modified environment (quiet, warm, dimly lit & frequent feeding) on withdrawal. RESULTS: (1) history is unreliable in assessing maternal drug habit. Mean morphine levels of 1.02 & 0.99mg% were found in the urine of infants whose mothers claim non-usage of heroin for 1-3 months before delivery, respectively. (2) severity of neonatal withdrawal did not correlate with infant's urine morphine level range 0-9.4 mg%, P 10th percentile). Mean weight loss = 160.5 g (4)the control (C) & experimental (E) groups for modified environment study were matched for weight, sex, gest. age and maternal methadone dose. The incidence of mild withdrawal was 68% (C) vs. 71% (E); of moderate withdrawal, 27% (C) vs. 26% (E): of severe withdrawal, 5% (C) vs. 3% (E). The difference between the 2 groups was not significant. (5) the qualitative detection of other drugs in the infant's urine will be presented.
Retinal detachment in retrolental fibroplasia.

Retrolental fibroplasia is a continuing problem in ophthalmology and may lead to retinal detachment. In this study, two groups of patients with retrolental fibroplasia and retinal detachment are described. The first group consists of youngsters who develop retinal detachment during their teenage years and frequently have not been diagnosed as having the disease until the retina detaches. Usually definite retinal breaks can be found near the equator and these are round or oval in appearance and without opercula.
N-terminal contributions of the γ-subunit of fetal hemoglobin to its tetramer strength: Remote effects at subunit contacts

The greatly increased tetramer strength of liganded fetal hemoglobin compared with adult hemoglobin is shown by its 70-fold smaller tetramer-dimer dissociation constant. This property has been shown previously to be only partially caused by the 5-amino-acid differences at both types of interfaces in each hemoglobin. A major contributor to tetramer strengthening is the 18-amino-acid N-terminal A helix of the gamma-subunit of fetal hemoglobin, which differs from the beta-subunit of adult hemoglobin at eight amino acid residues. This long-distance communication between the A helix and the distant C helix and FG helical corner comprising the subunit contacts at the allosteric interface represents internal signaling. Physiologically, its greater tetramer strength endows fetal hemoglobin with the capacity to abstract oxygen from maternal adult hemoglobin. It also leads to resistance of fetal red cells to the malaria parasite because the HbF tetramer does not dissociate to dimers as readily as HbA; dimers are digested by malaria proteases but tetramers are not. In this communication, we report which sites on the A helix of the gamma-subunit are important for tetramer strengthening in HbF by substituting certain amino acids in the beta-subunit by the corresponding residues in the gamma-subunit. The recombinant hemoglobins containing up to five replacements together have been extensively characterized. Mass values were within 1 unit of theory. Gly 1 (gamma) of HbF with its high pK(a) of 8.1 compared with a 7.1 value for Val 1 (beta) of HbA creates a highly electropositive N terminus that may couple with the electronegative sequence just after it on the gamma-subunit. The Leu 3 to Phe replacement has no apparent role; however, position 5 is important because replacement of Pro 5 (beta) by Glu 5 (gamma) promotes tetramer strengthening. The Glu --> Asp replacement at position 7 enhances this effect because of the lower pK(a) of Asp but the Val --> Ile substitution at position 11 has no effect. Thus, the three positive/negative sites at positions 1, 5, and 7 account for practically all of the tetramer strength of HbF, as illustrated by an electrostatic surface potential analysis. The pathway by which information is transmitted to the distant allosteric subunit interfaces is currently under study. Oxygen-binding properties of the hemoglobins with charged substitutions more closely resemble those of HbA rather than those of HbF. Thus, whereas the A helix has a major role in controlling the strength of interactions at the tetramer-dimer allosteric interface, oxygen-binding properties of HbA and HbF are influenced by sequences in the C helix and at the FG helical corner constituting the allosteric interface.
Dilution Device for Coupling Monitors to Source Emissions

Abstract The coupling of continuous gaseous source monitors to stacks or ducts usually requires some degree of sample conditioning. A novel device has been designed and constructed to eliminate the problems of moisture condensation and particulate entrainment in sampling systems by diluting the stack gas in-situ and measuring the resulting sample stream with ambient air sensors. Dilution ratios of from 500:1 through 2400:1 have been studied and the feasibility of a prototype design has been demonstrated in the field.
Hysterectomy for nonmalignant conditions.

Almost 600000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the US at an annual cost of nearly $5 billion. In its most basic form hysterectomy entails removal of the uterus; but depending on the patients condition and risk factors removal of the cervix ovaries fallopian tubes upper portion of the vagina and the pelvic nodes may also be indicated. One of the most common indications is excessive bleeding which may be caused by hormonal changes. The uterus may be removed by two surgical procedures: laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH). In comparison LAVH allows removal of pelvic adhesions which causes more trauma to more tissues while LSH is less drastic offering the possibility of sparing the cervix. Initial data suggest that LSH entails shorter operating times shorter lengths of hospitalization lower costs and less morbidity than LAVH. On the other hand women with endometrial uterine fibroids endometriosis uterine prolapse and chronic pelvic pain often have the option of more conservative approaches like drug therapy. Hence women who choose hysterectomy need to know what type of hysterectomy is indicated and whether the cervix can be preserved.
Diabetic stress: new triumphs and challenges to maintain vascular longevity.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is present in more than 165 million individuals worldwide and has increasingly become a significant health concern, especially regarding vascular and cardiac disease [1]. By the year 2030, it is predicted that more than 360 million individuals will be afflicted with DM. At least 80% of all diabetics have Type 2 DM, which is increasing in incidence as a result of changes in human behavior that relate to diet and daily exercise. Although Type 1 insulin-dependent DM accounts for only 5–10% of all diabetics, it is increasing in adolescent minority groups. Of potentially greater concern is the incidence of undiagnosed diabetes, which consists of impaired glucose tolerance and fluctuations in serum glucose that can increase the risk for the development of DM. Both acute and long-term complications of Type 1 and Type 2 DM can result in complications of the vascular and cardiac systems. For example, DM can impair vascular integrity and alter cardiac output that eventually diminishes the capacity of sensitive cognitive regions of the brain, leading to functional impairment and dementia [2,3].
Effects of a Group Preventive Intervention on Risk and Protective Factors Related to Dating Violence.

A group intervention was designed to impact protective and risk factors related to dating violence in college students. The group used a manualized approach to address gender-role stereotypes and conflicts, healthy and nonhealthy entitlement attitudes, and communication and anger management skills.
Hydrogen permeation in amorphous CuTi and PdSi alloys

Abstract A double cell electrochemical technique was used to study the hydrogen permeation in four amorphous alloy systems: Cu 48 Ti 52 ; Cu 70 Ti 30 ; Pd 83 Si 17 ; and Pd 81 Si 19 . The hydrogen diffusivity versus hydrogen composition and the hydrogen solubility versus hydrogen activity were determined for all four alloys. In all systems, the hydrogen diffusivity increased substantially with increasing hydrogen content. For the Pd alloys, studies done on the crystallized alloys showed substantial differences in diffusivity and solubility behavior between the amorphous and crystallized states.
Wear Testing of Seals in Magneto-Rheological Fluids©

Magneto-rheological (MR) fluid-based dampers can be used in suspensions to modify ride, handling, and suspension frequencies in autos. We have developed a unique seal wear test method to simulate the wear of rod seals in Magneto-rheological fluid-based dampers. In this test, seal material samples in the form of rectangular coupons are immersed in a bath of MR fluid, and a section of the rod is brought into contact with the seal coupon. The rod is loaded against the coupon with a known normal force, and a variable-frequency reciprocating machine is used to stroke the rod back and forth across the material coupon surface. Test conditions such as normal load, frequency and amplitude of oscillation, and temperature are adjusted to simulate desired conditions. This bench test method ranks various seal materials qualitatively in the correct order (as determined in field tests with these seal materials) in terms of wear and abrasion resistance and constitutes a valid test procedure for the screening of seal mate...
Time for Alert-ology or RE-sensitization?

* Abbreviations: EMR — : electronic medical record In their case report in this issue of Pediatrics, Carspecken et al1 describe a child for whom the diagnosis of furosemide allergic hypersensitivity was delayed due to false-positive allergy alert overrides to other drugs. Although articles demonstrating the incidence and prevalence of alert fatigue are not new, I compliment Carspecken for the transparency as to how fatigue from false-positive electronic medical record (EMR) alerts may have adversely affected patient care. I am sure that most of us can review the case report, as can the authors, and will be able to pick apart many case details and see where improvements in the process of care could have been made. As we critique the events as described … Address correspondence to Stephen T. Lawless, MD, MBA, Vice President of Quality and Safety, Nemours 1600 Rockland Rd, ARB-100, Wilmington, DE 19803. E-mail: stephen.lawless{at}nemours.org
Texture Classification Using Multi-resolution Rotation--Invariant Operators

A set of 2-D multi-resolution, rotation-invariant operators is developed. These operators are based on 1-D projection functions which form a basis set for local image patterns. The operators are complex with the magnitude rotation-invariant and the phase carrying directional information. Convolution of an operator with an image yields a complex output image containing magnitude and phase information. Application of a set of such operators at different resolutions to an image yields a set of features which may then be used for classification and phase analysis. The operators are evaluated with respect to their ability to perform texture analysis. Texture classification of four structurally similar textures is performed with better than 90% accuracy of interior regions. Also demonstrated is the ability of the operators to provide orientation information about textures.
The thermal properties of complex, nanophase-separated macromolecules as revealed by temperature-modulated calorimetry

Linear, flexible macromolecules are long recognized as phase structures limited to micrometer and nanometer dimensions with covalent bonds crossing the interfaces. This special, usually non-equilibrium structure leads to unique properties and a multitude of changes for different thermal and mechanical histories. Analyses that enable the study of these properties are temperature-modulated calorimetry and related techniques which allow the separation of equilibrium and non-equilibrium responses. Research on these topics is reviewed and combined to a model for the nanophases. The new approach to the complex nanophase systems yields a better understanding of the relationship between structure and thermodynamic properties. Special emphasis is placed on the size and surface effects on the glass and melting transitions, the development of rigid-amorphous phases, and the reversible melting within the globally metastable structure.
Isothermalisobaric molecular dynamics simulation of diatomic liquids and their mixtures

Abstract Isothermalisobaric ensemble molecular dynamics simulations have been performed for systems of two-center Lennard-Jones molecules for pure fluids as well as binary mixtures. The results obtained from various ensemble averages have been compared for pure fluid simulations of Lennard-Jones model diatomic fluids. The excess enthalpy and excess volume of three equimolar mixtures (argonnitrogen, argonoxygen, and nitrogenoxygen) have been calculated and compared with values obtained from previous NVT molecular dynamics and perturbation theory. Pair distribution functions obtained from various methods are compared for the equimolar mixture of nitrogen and oxygen and used to study the effect of attractive forces on the local structure. For four other systems (argonethane, methaneethane, carbon disulfidecarbon tetrachloride, and carbon disulfidetetrachloroethylene), excess enthalpies and excess volumes from NPT simulations are used to test the ability of perturbation theory to predict these properties and are also compared with experimental data. The comparison of simulation and experiment clearly shows the need to improve the available parameters for cross interactions in binary mixtures.
Peptides with the Same Composition, Hydrophobicity, and Hydrophobic Moment Bind to Phospholipid Bilayers with Different Affinities

We investigated the dependence of membrane binding on amino acid sequence for a series of amphipathic peptides derived from δ-lysin. δ-Lysin is a 26 amino acid, N-terminally formylated, hemolytic peptide that forms an amphipathic α-helix bound at membrane-water interfaces. A shortened peptide, lysette, was derived from δ-lysin by deletion of the four N-terminal amino acid residues. Five variants of lysette were synthesized by altering the amino acid sequence such that the overall hydrophobic moment remained essentially the same for all peptides. Peptide-lipid equilibrium dissociation constants and helicities of peptides bound to zwitterionic lipid vesicles were determined by stopped-flowfluorescence and circular dichroism. We found that binding to phosphatidylcholine bilayers was a function of the helicity of the bound peptide alone and independent of the a priori hydrophobic moment or the ability to form intramolecular salt bridges. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on two of the peptides suggest that sequence determines the insertion depth into the bilayer. However, deeper bilayer insertion observed in the MD simulations is not synonymous with slow peptide desorption from the bilayer, as determined experimentally. We also found a systematic deviation of the experimentally determined dissociation constant and that predicted by the Wimley-White interfacial hydrophobicity scale. The reason for the discrepancy remains unresolved but appears to correlate with a predominance of isoleucine over leucine residues in the lysette family of peptides.
Urological consequences of incomplete cord lesions in patients with myelomeningocele.

Objectives To determine the urological consequences of incomplete cord lesions in patients with myelomeningocele and a neuropathic bladder. Patients and methods From a total of 407 patients with myelomeningocele and a neuropathic bladder, 31 (8%) were identified as having a combination of sacral sensory or motor sparing and positive conus reflexes. Their case-notes were reviewed with reference to spinal neurology, patterns of micturition, including the degree of spontaneous continence, findings on imaging and urodynamic studies, and forms and outcomes of any treatment given. Results The anatomical distribution of the lesions was thoracic (two), thoracolumbar (three), lumbar (six), lumbosacral (four) and sacral (11). The mean age at presentation was 9.5 years (range 3.5–19.5) and the mean follow-up 4.5 years (range 0.5–10.5). At presentation, 14 patients had urinary incontinent episodes both day and night, 10 by day only, seven by night only, and the upper urinary tracts were dilated in eight (26%). Nineteen were ambulant unaided and 10 with aid of crutches or calipers, whilst two were wheelchair-bound. Only one patient had faecal incontinence. A urodynamic examination in 18 patients showed competent sphincteric mechanism and detrusor hyper-reflexia in all, and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in 11. The methods of treatment included oxybutynin and/or clean intermittent catheterization alone or in combination. Thirty patients are currently reliably dry by day and 26 also by night. Five patients have undergone surgical treatment for vesico-ureteric reflux, three a Mitrofanoff procedure and two augmentation cystoplasty. Conclusion Although patients with congenital incomplete cord lesions and positive conus reflexes may gain some measure of urinary continence spontaneously, they are at serious risk of developing upper urinary tract complications. The treatment of urinary continence is simple and effective because there is a competent sphincter mechanism. These patients require life-long supervision even if they require no treatment for urinary incontinence.
Implementing the Scientist–Practitioner Model in the Hospital Setting

Psychologists who work in hospital settings confront assorted challenges in implementing the scientist–practitioner model. Clinical psychologists must deal with the tension between an evidence-based model and the realities of clinical practice. Psychologists can gain a better understanding of what it means to function as a scientist–practitioner by understanding current debates in both psychology and medicine on the relationship between research and practice. Psychologists are not unique in the slow pace of implementing research into practice. Psychologists in hospitals can make a contribution to the treatment of medical patients by emphasizing the role of the treatment relationship in health-care outcomes. Medicine’s use of practice-based research networks provides a valuable structure for psychologists to emulate in order to function as active participants in the collection of practice-based evidence rather than passively accommodating to the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
IL-18-Binding Protein Protects Against Lipopolysaccharide- Induced Lethality and Prevents the Development of Fas/Fas Ligand-Mediated Models of Liver Disease in Mice

IL-18-binding protein (IL-18BP) is a natural IL-18 inhibitor. Human IL-18BP isoform a was produced as fusion construct with human IgG1 Fc and assessed for binding and neutralizing IL-18. IL-18BP-Fc binds human, mouse, and rat IL-18 with high affinity (K(D) 0.3-5 nM) in a BIAcore-based assay. In vitro, IL-18BP-Fc blocks IL-18 (100 ng/ml)-induced IFN-gamma production by KG1 cells (EC(50) = 0.3 microg/ml). In mice challenged with an LD(90) of LPS (15 mg/kg), IL-18BP-Fc (5 mg/kg) administered 10 min before LPS blocks IFN-gamma production and protects against lethality. IL-18BP-Fc administered 10 min before LPS blocks IFN-gamma production induced by LPS (5 mg/kg) with ED(50) of 0.005 mg/kg. Furthermore, IL-18BP-Fc (5 mg/kg) abrogates LPS (5 mg/kg)-induced IFN-gamma production even when administered 6 days before LPS but shows no effect when administered 9 or 12 days before LPS. Given 10 min before LPS challenge to mice primed 12 days in advance with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes, IL-18BP-Fc prevents LPS-induced liver damage and IFN-gamma and Fas ligand expression. Given at the moment of priming with P. acnes, IL-18BP-Fc decreases P. acnes-induced granuloma formation, macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 production and prevents sensitization to LPS. IL-18BP-Fc also prevents Con A-induced liver damage and IFN-gamma and Fas ligand expression as well as liver damage induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A or by anti-Fas agonistic Ab. In conclusion, IL-18BP can be engineered and produced in recombinant form to generate an IL-18 inhibitor, IL-18BP-Fc, endowed with remarkable in vitro and in vivo properties of binding and neutralizing IL-18.
Quantitative measurement of Stachybotrys chartarum conidia using real time detection of PCR products with the TaqManTMfluorogenic probe system

The occurrence of Stachybotrys chartarum in indoor environments has been associated with a number of human health concerns, including fatal pulmonary haemosiderosis in infants. Currently used culture-based and microscopic methods of fungal species identification are poorly suited to providing quick and accurate estimates of airborne human exposures to the toxin containing conidia of this organism. In this study, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product analysis using the TaqManU fluorogenic probe system and an Applied Biosystems PrismS model 7700 sequence detection instrument (model 7700) was applied to the specific detection of S. chartarum ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. Based upon this assay and a recently reported comparative cycle threshold method for quantifying target DNA sequences using data from the model 7700, a simple method for the direct quantification of S. chartarum conidia was developed. In analyses of samples containing several different strains and from two to over 2x10(5)cells, this method consistently provided quantitative estimates of S. chartarum conidia that were within a one-fold range (50-200%) of those determined on the basis of direct microscopic counts in a haemocytometer. The method showed a similar level of agreement with direct counting in the quantification of S. chartarum conidia in air samples collected from several contaminated homes.
On the Homogenized Yield Strength of Two-Phase Composites

This paper is concerned with the determination of the effective yield strength of two-phase, rigid-perfectly plastic composite materials. The individual phases are assumed to satisfy, for simplicity, incompressible, isotropic yield criteria of the Mises type. The volume fractions of the constituent phases are prescribed, but their distribution within the composite is otherwise arbitrary. Using the homogenization framework of Suquet (1983) to define the homogenized, or effective, yield strength domain of rigid-perfectly plastic composites, a variational statement is introduced allowing the estimation of the associated effective dissipation functions of plastic composites in terms of the effective dissipation functions of corresponding classes of linearly viscous comparison composites. Thus the variational statement suggests a procedure for generating bounds and estimates for the effective yield strength of rigid-perfectly plastic composites from well-known bounds and estimates for the effective properties of the corresponding linear comparison composites. Sample results are given in the form of upper bounds and lower estimates of the Hashin-Shtrikman type for the effective yield strength of two-phase composites with overall isotropy. Additionally, estimates and bounds are also given for the effective strength domains of two-phase laminated and fibre-reinforced composites, with overall transverse isotropy.
Kinetic analysis of thermogravimetric data

Thermogravimetric data are generally more extensive than are comparable isothermal aging data, and therefore afford preliminary kinetic information in greater abundance. The kinetic analysis of the thermogram, by use of either its exact equation or a more convenient approximation formula, is straightforward in cases of volatilization via simple kinetics. Application of the analytical procedure to the thermogram for the zero-order volatilization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane yielded an estimate of 11.65 kcal./mole as the average heat of vaporization in the temperature range of 80 to 145°C. The apparent activation energy for the first-order pyrolytic volatilization of 200-mg. samples of pulverized polytetrafluoroethylene was estimated to be 66 to 68 kcal./mole in the temperature range of 520 to 610°C.
The Humanistic Psychology of Human Evil: Ernest Becker and Arthur Koestler

Little effort has been made in psychology and psychiatry to study pathologies that afflict, not the aberrant neurotic or psychotic individual or social group, but the greater population of the psychologically normal. A study of such “universal pathologies” requires a focus on the “evil of banality,” and not the more restricted “banality of evil.” Where the latter phrase was used by Hannah Arendt to refer to the psychological normality of delimited groups of individuals who perpetrate evil (specifically, Nazi leaders during the Holocaust), the “evil of banality” refers to pathologies of normality—to the psychological constitution of the average person that predisposes him or her to participate in aggression and destruction. The article begins by summarizing conclusions reached in the author's The Pathology of Man: A Study of Human Evil (Charles C. Thomas, 2005). This study provides an up-to-date frame of reference within which are discussed the complementary and insightful observations concerning human evi...
The relationship between scene and eye movements

Individual differences make it difficult to recognize similarities between individuals in eye movement patterns. However, if consistencies can be found, eye movements could be used for a variety of purposes. In this study, the consistency of eye fixation patterns is explored using statistical evaluation as well as neural networks. Eye tracking data is used as input units into neural networks to test whether they can learn to associate task patterns with that task data. A network is successfully used to determine whether a participant was searching text on the screen or counting groups of arrows from eye fixation information. Another network is trained to determine whether the participant was counting a group of 1-3 arrows or 4-6 arrows, as would be expected according to the tendency to "subitize," or recognize small numbers of objects without counting each of them. The implications of the findings are discussed.
A Rare Case of Cold Agglutinin Hemolytic Anemia Induced Gangrene

Gangrene is a rare and extreme presentation of cold agglutinin disease and our case is one of only few published reports in medical literature (less than twenty). In our patient severe hemolysis as manifested by elevated indirect bilirubin, LDH and low haptoglobin was triggered by unusual infectious organisms (E. Coli and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus). J MEDICINE July 2015; 16 (2) : 115-117
Do transmyocardial and percutaneous laser revascularization induce silent ischemia? An assessment by exercise testing.

Abstract Background Transmyocardial and percutaneous laser revascularization (TMR, PTMR) may reduce angina and increase exercise tolerance in otherwise untreatable angina patients, although the mechanism is unknown and the placebo effect may be significant. One other proposed mechanism is cardiac denervation leading to silent ischemia. Methods Electrocardiograms obtained during symptom-limited exercise (ETT, modified Bruce protocol) at baseline and 12 months were analyzed (blinded core laboratory) from 182 patients randomized to TMR (n = 92) or medical therapy alone (MED TMR , n=90) and 219 patients randomized to PTMR (n = 109) or medical therapy alone (MED PTMR , n=110). Results Exercise duration increased 1 year after TMR or PTMR relative to medically treated patients (6.8 ± 3.4 min vs 8.6 ± 3.5 min for TMR; 7.3 ± 3.1 min vs 9.1 ± 3.6 min for PTMR, P TMR subjects had ST depression >1.0 mm, >80% had angina during exercise, but only 3% had ST changes without chest pain (silent ischemia). This did not change after TMR. In the PTMR group, more subjects exercised to >1.0 mm ST depression (from 17% to 34%, P PTMR , but the proportion with silent ischemia did not change in either group. Conclusion Exercise tolerance improved after TMR and after PTMR. Relative to PTMR, TMR more effectively suppressed pain during exercise and ischemic ST depression. However, neither TMR nor PTMR induced significant silent ischemia. These results suggest that denervation may not be a significant factor contributing to angina relief after these procedures. The contribution of the placebo effect was not determined by these results. (Am Heart J 2002;143:1052-7.)
Familial Transitional Cell Carcinoma

AbstractPurpose: Bladder cancer is a common malignancy, and a frequent cause of urological consultation and surgical intervention. Except for smoking and certain occupational exposures, the etiology of bladder cancer is largely unknown. Although the majority of patients with bladder cancer do not have a family history of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract, the study of familial transitional cell carcinoma may lead to knowledge of the pathogenesis of this disease.Materials and Methods: To evaluate the current understanding of familial transitional cell carcinoma, we reviewed the contemporary literature for case reports and epidemiological studies about this disease.Results: Numerous case reports document the clustering of transitional cell carcinoma in families, several of which demonstrate an extremely early age at onset of disease, which argues in favor of a genetic component to familial transitional cell carcinoma. The results of large epidemiological studies also suggest the existence of ...
Blue Matter, an application framework for molecular simulation on blue gene

In this paper we describe the context, architecture, and challenges of Blue Matter, the application framework being developed in conjunction with the science effort within IBM's Blue Gene project. The study of the mechanisms behind protein folding and related topics can require long time simulations on systems with a wide range of sizes and the application supporting these studies must map efficiently onto a large range of parallel partition sizes to optimize scientific throughput for a particular study. The design goals for the Blue Matter architecture include separating the complexities of the parallel implementation on a particular machine from those of the scientific simulation as well as minimizing system environmental dependencies so that running an application within a low overhead kernel with minimal services is possible. We describe some of the parallel decompositions currently being explored that target the first member of the Blue Gene family, BG/L, and present simple performance models for these decompositions that we are using to prioritize our development work. Preliminary results indicate that the high-performance networks on BG/L will allow us to use FFT-based techniques for periodic electrostatics with reasonable speedups on 512-1024 node count partitions even for systems with as few as 5000 atoms.
A subspace approach to estimation of autoregressive parameters from noisy measurements

This correspondence describes a method for estimating the parameters of an autoregressive (AR) process from a finite number of noisy measurements. The method uses a modified set of Yule-Walker (YW) equations that lead to a quadratic eigenvalue problem that, when solved, gives estimates of the AR parameters and the measurement noise variance.
Object-oriented qualitative simulation of human mental models of complex systems

A qualitative model of an expert's mental model of a complex system (advanced nuclear power plant) was developed from the qualitative physics of confluences and simulated using an object-oriented extension to Common LISP (Flavors). Invisible connections for flow compatibility, control connections, iterative propagation, and embedded propagation were among the features provided for derivation of causal ordering. Deterministic output was guaranteed through stochastic state transition. Using a fictitious loop fragment showed changes in flow rate change through a pump. State transition models provided excellent fits to the simulation data and showed that all conditions converged to steady state. Strictly forward (with the flow) propagation facilitated consistency within intermediate pre-equilibrium states and convergence as compared to forward propagation with limited backward propagation. The psychological plausibility of qualitative simulation models was evaluated. A further extension of mythical causality is suggested, for which constraint propagation executes on multiple levels of aggregation. >
A 16-channel analog VLSI processor for bionic ears and speech-recognition front ends

We describe a 470 /spl mu/W 16-channel analog VLSI processor for bionic ears (cochlear implants) and portable speech-recognition front ends. The power consumption of the processor is kept at low levels through the use of subthreshold CMOS technology. Each channel is composed of a programmable bandpass filter, an envelope detector, and a logarithmic dual-slope analog-to-digital converter that currently operate over 51 dB of input dynamic range. The 16 channels were programmed to cover the entire audio frequency spectrum in a logarithmic or mel-scale fashion and sampled at 312.5 Hz with 64 discriminable levels per channel. The processor also includes an on-chip low-power microphone front end that transduces sound to an electrical signal that is input to each of the 16 channels. The processor, implemented in a 1.5 /spl mu/m process on a 9.23 mm/spl times/9.58 mm chip, with a 2.8 V supply, offers an order-of-magnitude power saving over more traditional A-to-D-then-DSP processors implemented in advanced submicron processes. It is thus suited for fully-implanted bionic ear processors of the future or portable speech-recognition front ends.
Harpers Ferry looming: a history of the future

This article urges historians to study rumors and prophecies as temporal counterparts of historical memories. To conduct such research, it proposes an analytical framework inspired by Koselleck's (2004) ‘horizons of expectations’ and superior mirages called looming, and applies it to rumors and prophecies surrounding John Brown's attack on Harpers Ferry. When people responded to uncertain knowledge about the event, they spread rumors that darkened and bloodied American visions of the future. As apocalyptic prophecies crystallized and spread through national media channels, the act of forecasting empowered unlikely prophets and the stories they told.
Role of Socioeconomic Status in Predicting Sonographically Detected Breast Cancer Compared With Family History, Age, or Ethnicity

To determine if socioeconomic status is another risk factor in the development and treatment of breast cancer, the records of 250 women, equally divided between those with and without breast cancer, were studied at an outpatient clinic. The frequency of sonographically detected breast cancer increased systematically with respect to age, from 0% at age <30 years to 70.5% at age ≥50 years. The frequency of detection was higher among white (non-Hispanic) women, 69.4%, compared with nonwhite (Hispanic, Black, Asian) women, 42.3%. Breast cancer detection was higher (55.3%) among the lowest income group (<$40,345) than among higher income groups (45.6%) and higher among patients with Medicare (89.2%) and Medicaid (50%) compared with private, other, or no medical insurance (38.1%–44.4%). Detection was higher among women with a family history of breast cancer (55.0%) compared with no family history (46.7%) and higher among nulliparous women (100%) than nonnulliparous women (29.1%). These data suggest that aspects...
Making education reform work for the poor: accountability and decentralization in Latin America

We build upon and examine critically the framework for analysing accountability set forth in the World Bank’s World Development Report 2004 (WDR04) through a review of selected literature studying accountability‐focused reforms in three Latin American countries – Brazil, Colombia and Chile. We examine the successes and pitfalls of the three accountability‐related reforms (which also involve some type of decentralization) in fostering institutional environments in which the key actors involved in provision are held responsible for fulfilling their roles in providing education services. We apply the WDR04 framework in our analysis of the process of implementation and impact of different types of accountability‐focused reforms in the three countries. The framework was conceptualized by analysing case studies such as ours for a broad range of sectors, and now has widening influence in the policy‐making community, thus justifying a critical assessment. We discuss common challenges impeding implementation of th...
A novel work-sharing protocol for U-shaped assembly lines

A U-shaped production line is considered one of the most flexible designs used by companies to adapt to varying production conditions and to implement lean concepts. Similarly, work-sharing allows for cross-training of a flexible workforce while achieving high levels of worker utilization. This paper proposes a new protocol for U-shaped assembly lines that relies on work-sharing principles and on an adaptation of bucket brigades to cellular environments. Discrete event simulation is used to maximize throughput while determining buffer locations and buffer levels for each worker. This model is validated with a physical simulation and then tested with industry data. The results show the protocol enables a high level of throughput and worker utilization for the manufacturing cell while capping the maximum amount of WIP in the system. The proposed protocol is generalizable with respect to the number of stations, processing times, types of processes, and worker velocities.
Computer Literacy and Book Literacy: Parallels and Contrasts

The computer, the most significant technological advance for handling information, is rapidly becoming an important tool for the literate person. The book, an equally significant device for thinking and communication, has long been the focus of formal instruction. The paper explores the role of the school in promoting book literacy and inquires into the lessons to be learned from the long history of reading instruction.
Multipole-accelerated capacitance extraction algorithms for 3-D structures with multiple dielectrics

The authors describe how to extend the multiple-accelerated boundary-element method for 3-D capacitance computation to the case where conductors are embedded in an arbitrary piecewise-constant dielectric medium. Results are presented to demonstrate that the method is accurate, has nearly linear computational growth, and can be nearly two orders of magnitude faster than the standard boundary-element method based on matrix factorization. >
REDISCOVERY OF THE GRAY BAT (MYOTIS GRISESCENS) IN NORTHEASTERN MISSISSIPPI

Abstract A male gray bat (Myotis grisescens) was discovered on private property in Tishomingo County, northeastern Mississippi, on 20 September 2004. The endangered gray bat previously had been known only from a site known as Chalk Mine in the northeastern corner of the county, where it was last documented in 1967. The 2004 specimen was recorded approximately 42 km south of the Chalk Mine site. The discovery of this specimen is noteworthy because it represents the first gray bat documented for the state of Mississippi in 37 years.
Compact FMCW radar for a UAS Sense and Avoid system

U.S. Federal Avionics Administration (FAA) regulations limit the use of unmanned air systems (UAS) in commercial and private industry because of the potential danger that they pose to other aircraft. The development of an onboard Sense and Avoid (SAA) system is necessary for UAS to share the same airspace as other aircraft. This paper presents the design and fabrication of a radar sensor designed for use as part of a reactive path planning system. The radar is a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) type with two receive channels. This enables monopulse processing to provide both range and bearing information of detected targets. Without connectors or antennas, it weighs 46 g, is 7.6 × 5 × 3.8 cm in size, and costs less than $100 when built in quantities of 100 or more. The radar has been tested using outdoor targets and is currently being integrated with a UAS autopilot and collision avoidance algorithm for airborne testing.
Architecture-aware optimization targeting multithreaded stream computing

Optimizing program execution targeted for Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) can be very challenging. Our ability to efficiently map serial code to a GPU or stream processing platform is a time consuming task and is greatly hampered by a lack of detail about the underlying hardware. Programmers are left to attempt trial and error to produce optimized codes.Recent publication of the underlying instruction set architecture (ISA) of the AMD/ATI GPU has allowed researchers to begin to propose aggressive optimizations. In this work, we present an optimization methodology that utilizes this information to accelerate programs on AMD/ATI GPUs. We start by defining optimization spaces that guide our work. We begin with disassembled machine code and collect program statistics provided by the AMD Graphics Shader Analyzer (GSA) profiling toolset. We explore optimizations targeting three different computing resources: 1) ALUs, 2) fetch bandwidth, and 3) thread usage, and present optimization techniques that consider how to better utilize each resource.We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed optimization approach on an AMD Radeon HD3870 GPU using the Brook+ stream programming language. We describe our optimizations using two commonly-used GPGPU applications that present very different program characteristics and optimization spaces: matrix multiplication and back-projection for medical image reconstruction. Our results show that optimized code can improve performance by 1.45x--6.7x as compared to unoptimized code run on the same GPU platform. The speedup obtained with our optimized implementations are 882x (matrix multiply) and 19x (back-projection) faster as compared with serial implementations run on an Intel 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo with a 2 GB main memory.
Long-range transport of sulfur dioxide in the central Pacific

[1] Long-range transport of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from east Asia to the central North Pacific troposphere was observed on transit flights during the NASA Transport and Chemical Evolution over the Pacific mission. A series of SO2-enhanced layers above the boundary layer was observed during these flights. The significant features included enhanced SO2 layers associated with low water vapor and low turbulence that were usually dynamically isolated from the marine boundary layer. This study shows that atmospheric dynamics were very important in determining the SO2 distributions in the central Pacific during March and April 2001. Trajectory studies revealed that SO2-enhanced layers could be connected to both volcanic and anthropogenic sources in east Asia. These trajectory studies also showed that the air parcels usually were lifted 2 km above the source regions and then progressed to the east in the midlatitudes (30°–60°N). The air parcels arrived in the central Pacific within 2–3 days. Sulfur dioxide transported at altitudes of 2–4 km dominated the SO2 distribution in the central Pacific. A comparison of SO2 observations and results of chemical transport models indicated that SO2 was removed primarily by cloud processes. Therefore, in the absence of cloud, SO2 can be transported long distances if the trajectory is decoupled from the boundary layer. Another important observation was that the Miyake-jima volcano made a major contribution to the SO2 concentrations in the central Pacific troposphere during March and April 2001. At times, the volcanic SO2 had more influence in the central Pacific than the six largest anthropogenic SO2 source regions in east Asia.
Primary structure and developmental expression of a large cytoptasmic domain form of Xenopus laevis neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)

Abstract The neural cell adhesion molecule, (NCAM), is involved in cell-cell interactions during development of the vertebrate nervous system. NCAM exists in multiple protein forms and these are selectively expressed in different cells and at different times during development. Here we report the complete amino acid sequence of the large cytoplasmic form of Xenopus laevis NCAM, derived from a full-length cDNA clone. Using specific probes the expression of different NCAM transcripts during Xenopus embryogenesis has been examined. We find that transcripts encoding the large cytoplasmic domain form of NCAM exist in maternal RNA and that these are the only significant NCAM transcripts present until late gastrula when transcripts encoding the small cytoplasmic domain form of NCAM are first detected. No RNA encoding the small surface domain form of NCAM is detected during early development. These results indicate that the expression of NCAM sequences during early development of Xenopus differs from that described in other species.
Approximation Bounds for Minimum Information Loss Microaggregation

The NP-hard microaggregation problem seeks a partition of data points into groups of minimum specified size k, so as to minimize the sum of the squared euclidean distances of every point to its group's centroid. One recent heuristic provides an O(k3) guarantee for this objective function and an O(k2) guarantee for a version of the problem that seeks to minimize the sum of the distances of the points to its group's centroid. This paper establishes approximation bounds for another microaggregation heuristic, providing better approximation guarantees of O(k2) for the squared distance measure and O(k) for the distance measure.
Franklin Enterprises: The New Division

Franklin Enterprises, a leading supplier of industry plumbing, heating and cooling equipment, decided to set up an eBusiness division, Franklin Online (FOL), to develop online services for corporate account holders. Cody Lewis, an exemplary inside sales person, was appointed a Regional Business Development Manager (RBDM) for the newly established eBusiness division. With his sales skills, he created a team of sales people in his region that helped increase sales significantly through much quicker market penetration activities. He also worked closely with the other RBDM‟s in order to maximize the success of each territory. The very significant growth of the eBusiness division for corporate accounts led Franklin Enterprises to subsequently extend the service to the non-account consumer market as well.