cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for an Early Neoglacial Glacier Advance from Rock Glaciers and Lake Sediments in the Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A.

Lichenometric ages of active glacigenic rock glaciers and Matthes (Little Ice Age) moraines, together with sediment cores from basins below these landforms, provide evidence for a glacier advance -3000 yr ago in the Sierra Nevada, California. Diameters of the largest lichens (70-108 mm) on the Mendel rock glacier indicate that it began forming well before the onset of the Little Ice Age (LIA) (-700 yr BP). Smaller lichens (30-45 mm) on the Matthes moraines of Darwin and Conness glaciers suggest that they formed during the LIA. The apparent lack of pre-LIA Holocene moraines below "clean" glaciers in the Sierra Nevada demonstrates that the pre-LIA Neoglacial advance must have been less extensive than the Matthes advance. Sediment cores recovered below Matthes glacial deposits provide additional support for a pre-LIA Neoglacial advance. Three cores from a meadow directly below the Powell rock glacier record grus deposition (suggesting nonglacial, summer-dominant mass wasting) between about 5300 and 3600 14C yr BP (--6000-3900 cal yr BP), and alternating gyttja and silt (suggesting cooler, winter-dominated precipitation) after about 3600 14C yr BP (3900 cal yr BP). A lake core from below Conness Glacier shows a transition from higher-organic sediments (10-16% total organic carbon) to lower-organic sediments (2-4% total organic carbon) at approximately 3200 14C yr BP (3400 cal yr BP), suggesting formation and growth of the glacier in the cirque at that time.
Benefit-Cost Analysis, Policy Impacts, and Congressional Hearings

Methods for identifying relevant policy impacts for valuation in benefit-cost analyses (BCAs) have received relatively little attention in academic research, applied policy analyses, and guidance documents. In this paper, we develop a systematic, transparent, and replicable process that draws upon information contained in records of Congressional hearings to identify relevant policy impacts for valuation in a BCA. Our approach involves classifying – and subsequently analyzing – statements from witnesses testifying in Congressional hearings on the topic of the BCA. By using Congressional hearings as the basis for our approach, we are identifying potential policy impacts from information provided during the very process the BCA is intended to inform. However, because this approach is quite resource-intensive and would be somewhat burdensome for agencies to implement, it may be best applied in the academic realm, with identified impacts resulting from such applications then made available to agency personnel for potential inclusion in BCAs. Using the case of the Glen Canyon Dam, we demonstrate the approach and its resulting improvements in the quality and transparency of the BCA it was intended to inform.
GraphiDe: A Graph Processing Accelerator leveraging In-DRAM-Computing

In this paper, we propose GraphiDe, a novel DRAM-based processing-in-memory (PIM) accelerator for graph processing. It transforms current DRAM architecture to massively parallel computational units exploiting the high internal bandwidth of the modern memory chips to accelerate various graph processing applications. GraphiDe can be leveraged to greatly reduce energy consumption and latency dealing with underlying adjacency matrix computations by eliminating unnecessary off-chip accesses. The extensive circuit-architecture simulations over three social network data-sets indicate that GraphiDe achieves on average 3.1x energy-efficiency improvement and 4.2x speed-up over the recent DRAM based PIM platform. It achieves ~59x higher energy-efficiency and 83x speed-up over GPU-based acceleration methods.
Accelerating low-voltage SAR ADC operation via comparator timing assisted and circuit adaptive tuning techniques

This work presents techniques that effectively utilise comparator timing information to accelerate low-voltage successive approximation register (SAR) analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) operation. Compared to existing approaches that only exploit the prolonged comparator decision time in the events of metastability, the proposed techniques are effective in a broader voltage range and can extract more information about the voltages being compared. To cope with large variations associated with comparator delay, this work proposes robust timing measurement circuit, uncertainty-tolerant search algorithm and circuit adaptive tuning techniques. The adaptive tuning technique enables ADC to autonomously find voltage levels corresponding to the outputs of the timing measurement circuit as well as to adjust the uncertainty ranges used in the search algorithm. This eliminates the need of post-silicon calibration for the timing measurement circuits, which are typically required in existing approaches. The developed techniques are used in the design of a 9-bit 0.45 V SAR ADC circuit with a 130 nm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology. Measurement results from the prototype chip indicate that for most input levels the proposed ADC completes conversion in six or seven conversion cycles. At 200 KS/s sampling rate, its power dissipation is 2.88 μW and it achieves a signal-to-noise distortion ratio of 50.66 dB with a figure of merit of 51.8 fJ/c.-s.
Examining rater accuracy and consistency with a special education observation protocol

Abstract Research indicates that instructional aspects of teacher performance are the most difficult to reach consensus on, significantly limiting teacher observation as a way to systematically improve instructional practice. Understanding the rationales that raters provide as they evaluate teacher performance with an observation protocol offers one way to better understand the training efforts required to improve rater accuracy. The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of raters evaluating special education teachers’ implementation of evidence-based math instruction. A mixed-methods approach was used to investigate: 1) the consistency of the raters’ application of the scoring criteria to evaluate teachers’ lessons, 2) raters’ accuracy on two lessons with those given by expert-raters, and 3) the raters’ understanding and application of the scoring criteria through a think-aloud process. The results show that raters had difficulty understanding some of the high inference items in the rubric and applying them accurately and consistently across the lessons. Implications for rater training are discussed.
Blutung aus Kolon und Rektum

Eine Blutung aus dem Rektum wird vom Patienten als sehr ernstes Zeichen angesehen. Daher mus der Chirurg viele Patienten mit diesem speziellen Problem untersuchen. Diagnose und Therapie mussen insbesondere dann, wenn die Blutung massiv ist, Hand in Hand gehen. In den meisten Fallen wird standardmasig vorgegangen. Die Ursachen einer rektalen Blutung sind nachfolgend der Reihe nach mit zunehmender Schwere der Blutung aufgefuhrt : 1. Die Blutung manifestiert sich im Stuhl durch einen positiven Guajakintest: Diese Patienten werden herausgelesen, wenn Screening-Untersuchungen zum Nachweis einer Dickdarmerkrankung durchgefuhrt werden, wobei die Patienten in der Regel 50 Jahre alt oder daruber sind. Es mus an die Moglichkeit eines versteckten Karzinoms gedacht werden, und weitere diagnostische Masnahmen sind notwendig. 2. Es finden sich kleine hellrote Blutmengen am Toilettenpapier oder zum Zeitpunkt der Defakation am Stuhl In der Regel wird uber diese Art einer Blutung berichtet. Beinahe in allen Fallen ruhrt sie von einer Erkrankung des Anorektums her. Haufigste Ursachen sind Hamorrhoiden, aber es konnen auch oberflachliche Fissuren oder traumatische Exkoriationen von zu kraftigem Saubern zu einer Blutung fuhren. Wird der Patient unmittelbar nach dem Absetzen des blutigen Stuhls untersucht, kann der ulzerierte Bezirk sichtbar sein; wenn aber einige Stunden vergehen, ist es nahezu unmoglich, den Ort der Blutung im Anorektalgebiet zu finden. 3. Wiederholtes Absetzen kleinerer Blutmengen uber einen Zeitraum mehrerer Tage, wobei das Blut mit dem Stuhl vermischt ist: Eine derartige Blutung mus immer mit grosem Mistrauen betrachtet werden. Beim Erwachsenen sind die haufigsten Ursachen ein Karzinom, Polypen oder eine Divertikuli tis. Bei jungen Erwachsenen kann es das erste Zeichen einer Colitis ulcerosa oder eines M. Crohn sein. 4. Akute massive Blutung: In diesem Fall wird der Patient eine grose Menge entweder hellroten oder kirschroten Blutes absetzen. Obgleich die Blutmenge haufig alarmierend ist, entwickeln diese Patienten sehr selten einen Schock und die Gesamtmenge des Blutverlustes ist im Durchschnitt gerechnet viel geringer, als wenn die Blutung aus dem oberen Gastrointestinaltrakt stammt. Dies ist allerdings die einzige Patientengruppe, bei der ein sofortiges therapeutisches Vorgehen erforderlich wird; in all den vorangegangenen Gruppen richtet sich die Behandlung der Blutung nach der zugrunde liegenden Erkrankung.
Buckling of composite cylinders under combined compression and torsion Theoretical/experimental correlation

Elastic buckling loads for laminated composite circular cylindrical shells under combined axial compression and torsion are plotted on a dimensionless load plane and determined experimentally from boron/epoxy and graphite/epoxy specimens with symmetric and asymmetric layups. Good correlation is achieved between the theoretical and experimental interaction curves. The theoretical buckling loads are obtained from Fluegge's cylindrical shell equations and for pure torsion there is good correlation, but for the pure axial compression the correlation is rather poor.
DksA coordinates bile-mediated regulation of virulence-associated phenotypes in type three secretion system-positive Vibrio cholerae.

In order to cause disease, pathogenic strains of Vibrio cholerae rely on intricate regulatory networks to orchestrate the transition between their native aquatic environment and the human host. For example, bacteria in a nutrient-starved environment undergo a metabolic shift called the stringent response, which is mediated by the alarmone ppGpp and an RNA-polymerase binding transcriptional factor, DksA. In O1 serogroup strains of V. cholerae, which use the toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP) and cholera toxin (CT) as primary virulence factors, DksA was reported to have additional functions as a mediator of virulence gene expression. However, little is known about the regulatory networks coordinating virulence phenotypes in pathogenic strains that use TCP/CT-independent virulence mechanisms. We therefore investigated whether functions of DksA outside of the stringent response are conserved in type three secretion system (T3SS)-positive V. cholerae. In using the T3SS-positive clinically isolated O39 serogroup strain AM-19226, we observed an increase in dksA expression in the presence of bile at 37 °C. However, DksA was not required for wild-type levels of T3SS structural gene expression, or for colonization in vivo. Rather, data indicate that DksA positively regulates the expression of master regulators in the motility hierarchy. Interestingly, the ΔdksA strain forms a less robust biofilm than the WT parent strain at both 30 and 37 °C. We also found that DksA regulates the expression of hapR, encoding a major regulator of biofilm formation and protease expression. Athough DksA does not appear to modulate T3SS virulence factor expression, its activity is integrated into existing regulatory networks governing virulence-related phenotypes. Strain variations therefore may take advantage of conserved ancestral proteins to expand regulons responding to in vivo signals and thus coordinate multiple phenotypes important for infection.
The Question of Pure Altruism

Suppose a stranger throws himself in front of a car to save the life of a child about to be run over or a dying wealthy man decides to give all his wealth to charity at no gains to himself. What motivates that stranger to act, causing absolute harm to himself and death with no reward received in return? What motivates the dying man who has nothing to gain from charity decide to give away his fortunes to complete strangers? One answer is pure altruism, the selfless concern for others’ well-being at the cost of one’s own well-being, time, or energy. This would be a satisfactory answer that seems to have been accepted society, that selflessness can truly exist. However, there are serious concerns about the selfless aspect of altruism with some scholars, such as evolutionary psychologists and proponents of the social exchange theory, claiming that it is not merely unlikely for it to exist, but that it is outright impossible, while others counter these claims be it through innate, biologically, or religious conviction of divinely acquired selflessness or Batson’s infamous empathy-altruism hypothesis. Regardless of which route one takes, the means to the end do not require proper identification to notice that humans do participate in behavior that penalizes them and benefits others, but the question is can and do they do so independently of self-interest?
PSA testing, cancer treatment, and prostate cancer mortality reduction: What is the mechanism?

Abstract Any effective screening program must satisfy 2 criteria: 1) the test must identify clinically significant disease earlier than its clinical presentation, and 2) a treatment must be available that will alter the natural history of the disease. The controversy surrounding PSA testing that has raged since 1991 centers on these 2 points. Screening and treatment trials published during the past 3 decades have provided critical insights into our understanding of the natural history of PSA identified cancers and the impact of treatment. This in turn raises questions concerning the mechanism of prostate cancer mortality reduction. This essay reflects on the mechanisms of disease progression and the implications for future screening and treatment efforts.
Homodimer and heterodimer DNA binding and transcriptional responsiveness to triiodothyronine (T3) and 9-cis-retinoic acid are determined by the number and order of high affinity half-sites in a T3 response element.

T3 (triiodothyronine) response elements (TREs) consist of pairs of strong and weak (S and W), 10-nucleotide T3 receptor (TR) monomer binding sites (half-sites). We report that the number and order of S and W half-sites in a direct repeat TRE determines whether it mediates ligand-dependent or independent transcriptional activation or inhibition in the presence of TR or TR and 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor (RXR); and whether a TRE is preferentially bound by TR homodimers, TR-RXR heterodimers, or CV1 cell TR accessory protein (TRAP)-TR heterodimers. TR homodimers bound equally to TREs composed of the 5‘-S and 3‘-W (SW) and the opposite (WS) arrangement of half-sites. TR-RXR gamma heterodimers bound SW better than WS. TR-TRAP heterodimers bound WS better than SW. Transcription of a reporter gene cis-linked to WS responded to unliganded TR and RXR, and either ligand stimulated expression 2-fold more. Reporter expression cis-linked to SW was not altered by unliganded receptors, and T3 stimulated transcription only in the presence of both TR and RXR. SS was strongly activated by liganded, but not by unliganded TR. SS was activated by unliganded TR and RXR gamma together, and T3 further stimulated transcription 2-fold. Under these conditions, transcription was inhibited 60% by 9-cis-retinoic acid.
Studies of pepsin in human gastric juice

It is obvious from this work that measurements of concentration of pepsin in the gastric juice have no prognostiic value.
Coronal Structures and the Sunspot Cycle

Several solar eclipses must be observed to study the, corona at different phases of the solar-activity cycle. I describe a series of coronal observations at various eclipses over the most recent saros. The most recent experiment studies a mechanism of coronal heating by measuring high-frequency intensity oscillations in coronal loops in the green line. I also describe an application of the monthly variation in the daily sunspot numbers to the solar-neutrino problem.
Meat Products, Processed Meat Ingredients

Ingredients were first utilized to preserve meat and improve its palatability; which date back to when our ancestors used salt and fire to preserve meat. Since that time humans have incorporated a wide variety of ingredients to develop unique meat products and find ways to extend the shelf life of these products so that they can be shipped long distances and held for prolonged periods of time. Ingredients shape the sensory perception of processed meat products by their ability to affect the appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, and juiciness of the product. In recent years, consumers have demanded healthier and more convenient meat products. The meat ingredient industry has provided several ingredients to meet these demands, eg, extenders and binders to lower the fat level of the meat product, salt replacers and other ingredients to replace nitrite in organic and natural products. In the last few years, the food industry is seeing an increase in consumer demand for nutraceutical or functional ingredients and the meat industry is responding. This chapter reviews the most commonly utilized ingredients used in meat processing and how they function in the meat products. Keywords: meat; meat processing; ingredients
Oxygen isotope study of YBa2Cu3O7.

The magnitude of the oxygen isotope effect in the high-${T}_{c}$ superconductor Y${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ has been determined by substitution of $^{18}\mathrm{O}$ for $^{16}\mathrm{O}$. A series of cross exchanges was performed on highquality polycrystalline specimens to eliminate uncertainties due to sample heat treatments and sample inhomogeneities. Magnetic measurements suggest a relative isotope shift for the bulk material of -0.17\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 K at 80% $^{18}\mathrm{O}$ substitution, yielding ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{\mathrm{bulk}}=0.019\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004$ where ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\sim}{M}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ and $M$ is the oxygen mass. Resistivity measurements in freshly prepared specimens reveal filamentary superconductivity 1 or 2 K above the bulk superconducting transition temperature. The isotope shift associated with the filamentary superconductivity is similar to but slightly larger than the bulk shift: ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{\mathrm{fil}}=0.028\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$. The filamentary superconductivity is time dependent and disappears several months after sample preparation. We show that the above values of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ are inconsistent with the standard three-dimensional phonon-mediated Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory, and discuss implications for alternative possibilities.
Observations — Concluding Remarks

I must speak for all the professional astronomers here in saying that I am most impressed by the contributions made at this IAU Colloquium by amateur astronomers. I spoke earlier of the contacts between amateur astronomers and the IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams and Minor Planet Center, particularly with regard to discoveries of comets, novae, supernovae and minor planets. But I also spoke of the great importance of follow-up observations and computations. Janet Mattei has quoted Fran Cordoba’s remark that “discoveries belong to those who keep vigil on them”. It is difficult to deny that the routine of follow-up lacks the glamor associated with making a spectacular discovery, but such discoveries are few and far between, and we need to give greater credit to the unsung heroes who go steadily about this work. Even if all the professional astronomers in the world wanted to pursue this routine, there would not be enough of them to monitor everything that needs to be watched. This is precisely where the amateur comes in.
Critical Variables in the Radioimmunological Technique for Measuring Immunoreactive Insulin with Use of Immunosorbents

A commercial kit for determining immunoreactive insulin, the "Phadebas Insulin Test," was methodically evaluated to establish the optimal conditions for this immunoassay. Sensitivity, day-to-day and within-run precision, recovery, accuracy, and specificity are excellent. Results by this method compare favorably with those of the double-antibody technique. This rapid, simple, convenient, and reliable procedure for insulin immunoassay can be easily adapted to the facilities of a clinical laboratory as a standard diagnostic test or for clinical reseach.
Human exposures to monomers resulting from consumer contact with polymers.

Abstract Many consumer products are composed completely, or in part, of polymeric materials. Direct or indirect human contact results in potential exposures to monomers as a result of migrations of trace amounts from the polymeric matrix into foods, into the skin or other bodily surfaces. Typically, residual monomer levels in these polymers are
ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE PROTOTRACTATUS

Wittgenstein's ‘Prototractatus’ raises difficult textual questions concerning both its structure and the date of its composition. I provide an account of the structure of the ‘Prototractatus’ by investigating the hitherto unexplored connections between it and other early Wittgenstein manuscripts. I then consider the two most influential proposals on its date of composition, made by von Wright and McGuinness, and argue that neither of them stands up to scrutiny. I make an alternative suggestion, and discuss its implications for the significance of the ‘Prototractatus’ in the study of Wittgenstein's early philosophy.
Rolling Contact Fatigue Life and Spall Propagation of AISI M50, M50NiL, and AISI 52100, Part I: Experimental Results

This article is the first part of a three-part series that investigates the rolling contact fatigue (RCF) initiation and spall propagation characteristics of three bearing materials, namely, AISI 52100, VIM-VAR AISI M50, and VIM-VAR M50NiL steels. Although there is substantial prior work published on the rolling contact fatigue initiation of these materials, little has been published on their spall propagation characteristics after spall initiation. It is recognized that rapid spall growth can lead to catastrophic bearing failure. Hence, understanding the spall growth phase and factors that may cause accelerated growth rates is key to achieving a reliable and robust bearing design. The end goal is to identify control parameters for optimizing bearing materials for improved spall growth resistance. This first part study features the experimental results from 208-size (40 mm bore) angular-contact ball bearings endurance life tested at maximum Hertzian contact stress levels of 3.10 GPa and bearing outer race...
Surface Diffusion of Compact and Other Clusters: Ir x on Ir(111)

Quantitative measurements have been made of the diffusivity D of larger Ir clusters on Ir(111) to explore the mechanisms of motion. For noncompact Ir{sub 18} , migration occurs by changes in overall shape as atoms diffuse along cluster edges; in an Arrhenius plot, the prefactor D{sub 0} is {approximately}10{sup {minus}3} cm{sup 2}/s , comparable to that for single atom motion. For Ir{sub 19} and Ir{sub 7} , clusters which exist as compact closed shells, diffusion by changes in overall shape is shown to be unlikely. Migration occurs by an entirely different mechanism, with prefactors D{sub 0} being 3 or more orders of magnitude higher than for Ir{sub 18} . {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society }
From Self-Regulate to Admission Control in Real-Time Traffic Environment

Network Utility Maximization (NUM) has been studied extensively to improve network quality of service (QoS) and to overcome network congestion. However, even with congestion resolved, network is not always able to meet user's minimum demand for QoS. To address this issue, this paper proposes a new "self-regulate" model that considers user tolerance for poor QoS and the price user is willing to pay. In addition, we demonstrate that user "self- regulate" model may not lead to convergence as today's Internet user landscape changes constantly and quickly. This leads to our proposal for an admission control algorithm which considers network revenue, user tolerance, and user utility.
A Semiparametric Sequential Algorithm for Estimation of Dose–Response Curve

Abstract Sequential designs for binary regression models are used for efficient estimation of quantiles of interest of the dose–response curve given by a link function. In many applications the link function is assumed to be known up to a location and a scale. We perform an empirical study to illustrate how the quantile estimates may be affected when the link function is misspecified. We propose nonparametric estimation of the link function via an isotonic smoothing spline estimator and incorporate the estimator into the sequential allocation scheme. This makes the procedure more robust against link function misspecification and at the same time maintains the objective of efficient estimation of the parameters.
Nanocluster nucleation and growth kinetic and mechanistic studies: a review emphasizing transition-metal nanoclusters.

Abstract A review of the literature of kinetic and mechanistic studies of transition-metal nanocluster nucleation and growth is presented; the focus is on nucleation processes. A brief survey of nucleation theory is given first, with an emphasis on classical nucleation theory, as this is the logical starting point of transition-metal nanocluster nucleation and growth studies. The main experimental methods for following nanocluster formation are examined next—dynamic light scattering, UV–visible spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopies—with special attention paid to their strengths and weaknesses. Several specific examples of transition-metal nanocluster formation are then given, beginning with LaMer's classic sulfur sol system and including the Finke–Watzky mechanism of slow continuous nucleation A → B followed by fast autocatalytic surface growth A + B → 2 B . Finally, brief overviews of semiconductor nanoparticle preparations, solid-state nucleation studies—emanating from Avrami's work—and protein agglomeration mechanistic studies are also provided, as these processes are relevant, conceptually and in a general sense, to the field of transition-metal nanocluster nucleation and growth mechanisms.
Central cholinergic function: Relationship to choline administration

Abstract The relationship between exogenous choline availability and central cholinergic activity was investigated in rats maintained for 2 weeks on choline deficient, standard choline or choline supplemented diets. Dietary choline deficiency decreased the concentration of acetylcholine (ACh) in striata to 85% of control and levels could be restored following acute choline administration. No significant behavioral alterations were observed in choline deficient animals. Brain levels of ACh in rats maintained on a choline supplemented diet did not differ from control values, but these animals exhibited a significant hyperactivity when placed in a symmetrical Y-maze for a 30 minute period. Basal activity levels in choline supplemented rats were 186% of the activity of animals on a standard dietary regimen. In addition, the induced hyper-active state was reversed by acute choline administration. Results suggest that dietary choline is intimately involved with central cholinergic mechanisms, but effects may not be mediated through alterations in neurotransmitter levels.
Flicker electroretinogram in retinitis pigmentosa.

Electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded as a function of flicker frequency from 5 to 50 Hz for 14 retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients, 12 normal subjects and 1 rod monochromat. Data were analyzed by measuring the angular position of the response maximum, i.e. the phase, as a function of pulse-train frequency. Flicker ERGs obtained from the RP patients showed non-linear, frequency-dependent phase shifts when compared to the normal data. These phase shifts were simulated in a normal observer by attenuating the stimulus luminance by 1 log unit. However, the shape of the waveforms recorded from the normal differed markedly from those recorded from the RP patients. The differences, but not the ratios of the times-to-peak of the positive and negative ERG wavelets were longer in the RP patients than in the normal. These data suggest that the temporal anomalies in the RP flicker ERG are most likely due to changes in the amplitudes and time constants of the ERG components, and not simply to a reduced quantum catch or photoreceptor loss.
Laser recanalization in high risk patients.

Laser recanalization was attempted in 13 patients in whom the risk of surgical therapy was increased by severe angina, infection, absent venous conduit, or recent deep venous thrombosis, and in 4 patients at high risk for limb loss due to severe infrapopliteal arterial occlusive disease. Total occlusions of the superficial femoral, tibial, or peroneal arteries were treated. Recanalization was accomplished using Argon laser power and a Spectraprobe-PLRm. Two patients also required common femoral artery endar-terectomy to improve inflow. Laser recanalization was successful in 9 patients (53%), and 8 (47%) had relief of symptoms. None of the 4 patients with tibial and peroneal artery occlusion had successful recanalization or limb salvage. Restenosis or reocclusion developed in 4 patients during the first year after successful recanalization, but only 1 had recurrent symptoms. Limb salvage was initially achieved in 5 of 8 recanalization failures by surgical reconstruction but 3 developed graft infections requiring graft removal in 2 and amputation in 1. Thus, laser recanalization can accomplish limb salvage in selected patients whose medical or surgical risks complicate arterial bypass surgery.
Orthodontic treatment motivation and cooperation: a cross-sectional analysis of adolescent patients' and parents' responses.

Introduction Orthodontic patients' cooperation determines their treatment outcomes. Our objectives were to compare orthodontic treatment motivation of child and adolescent patients and their parents at an initial screening appointment with the responses of patients in treatment and their parents. Furthermore, we explored the association between participants' levels of treatment motivation and treatment cooperation. Methods Data were collected from 227 child and adolescent patients (50.2% boys, 49.8% girls; average age, 13 years; age range, 7.11-16.11 years) and their parents. Of the respondents, 144 (63.4%) were in orthodontic treatment (71 boys, 73 girls), and 83 (36.6%) (43 boys, 40 girls) were surveyed at their initial orthodontic screening appointment. Results Parents reported greater motivation for their children to have orthodontic treatment than did the children. This was especially true among patients who were already in treatment. The higher the patients' treatment motivation, the more they reported that they cooperated with their orthodontists' treatment recommendations. However, the parents' motivation for their child to have orthodontic treatment was not significantly correlated with their children's treatment cooperation. Conclusions Although parents reported greater motivation levels than their children, the patients' levels of motivation to receive orthodontic treatment were found to determine their reported cooperation with their orthodontists' treatment recommendations.
Understanding the Genetic Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death

Diagnosing genetic diseases can be deceptively difficult. Although long QT syndrome (LQTS) is the best-understood genetic cause of sudden cardiac death, ~75% of patients with the phenotype have unidentifiable mutations. This hinders definitive diagnosis when LQTS is suspected as the cause of sudden
A study of combined continuous ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate for postmenopausal hormone replacement.

In a blinded, prospective, dose-response pilot study of continuous estrogen-progestin replacement therapy, 77 thin, nonsmoking, white women, who were 12 to 60 months postmenopausal and had normal medical histories, were randomly assigned to receive one of five dose combinations of daily ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate (20 µg and 1.0 mg, 10 µg and 1.0 mg, 10 µg and 0.5 mg, 5 µg and 1.0 mg, and 5 µg and 0.5 mg) or conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg on days 1 to 25 and medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg on days 16 to 25. An additional 10 women meeting the same criteria served as a comparison group by taking calcium only. During 12 months of therapy, continuous users had significantly less vaginal bleeding and spotting than did sequential users. As compared with baseline values, bone metabolism and computerized tomographic measurements of vertebral trabecular bone density at month 12 indicated reduced bone turnover and increased density in hormone users. Endometrial biopsy specimens were negative for hyperplasia and neoplasia. The continuous ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone acetate tablet, even at the lowest doses studied, provided the same salutary effects on bone, endometrium, and postmenopausal symptoms as sequential therapy while minimizing annoying vaginal bleeding and spotting.
The changing patterns of psychiatric problems in Vietnam

Abstract I contend that military psychiatrists have been premature in suggesting that the Vietnam conflict has produced fewer psychiatric casualties than previous wars. While the number of men hospitalized and evacuated because of psychiatric problems has decreased, there has been a concurrent increase in disciplinary problems, drug abuse, and in the number of men diagnosed as character disorders. For some of our troops, duty in Vietnam has produced significant feelings of depression and guilt and has led to a rejection of any identification with the military. Other soldiers have turned to drug abuse as an escape from their distress. Men with character disorders sometimes act out their conflicts in antisocial behavior. The varying patterns of group formation in combat and support units determine whether this behavior will be directed towards Vietnamese or U.S. personnel. Antisocial behavior and drug abuse are symptomatic of emotional distress and have replaced combat fatigue as the predominant psychiatric syndromes among United States troops in Vietnam.
Isolated beta-globin chains reproduce, in normal red cell membranes, the defective binding of spectrin to alpha-thalassaemic membranes

Alpha-thalassaemic erythrocytes develop a specific membrane skeletal defect that is manifest as a loss of normal spectrin-binding sites on the inner surface of the thalassaemic membranes. To test whether this lesion could be caused by the excess free beta-globin chains that accumulate in alpha-thalassaemic red cells, we incubated normal red cell membranes with native, haem-containing alpha or beta globin chains or with haemoglobin A. Spectrin-depleted inside-out membrane vesicles (IOVs) derived from membranes incubated with beta-globin chains bound only 9 +/- 3% as much spectrin as IOVs from control membranes incubated with bovine serum albumin. In contrast. IOVs from membranes incubated with alpha-globin chains or haemoglobin A were nearly normal (79 +/- 3% and 86 +/- 5% of controls, respectively). This differential effect of globin chains was not seen when membranes were first transformed into spectrin-depleted IOVs and then incubated with the isolated globin chains. Under these conditions, both alpha and beta globin chains reduced the spectrin-binding capacity of the IOVs by approximately 45% (alpha 46 +/- 7%, beta 43 +/- 6%) whereas haemoglobin A had no effect. Unlike IOVs, spectrin isolated from membranes exposed to alpha or beta globin chains bound normally to IOVs and to actin (in the presence of protein 4.1). These studies show that isolated beta-globin chains (but not alpha-globin chains) can produce a spectrin-binding defect in normal red cell membranes similar to that seen in alpha thalassaemia. The existence of similar defects in the membrane skeletons of red cells from other diseases with unstable beta globins suggests a common pathophysiology for the premature destruction of these cells.
Some E and MV-optimal designs for the two-way elimination of heterogeneity

It is well known that in experimental settings wherev treatments are being tested inb blocks of sizek, a group divisible design having parametersλ 2=λ2+1 and whose correspondingC-matrix has maximal trace is both E and MV-optimal among all possible competing designs. In this paper, we show that under certain conditions, the E and MV-optimal group divisible block designs mentioned in the previous sentence can be used to construct E and MV-optimal row-column designs to handle experimental situations in which heterogeneity is to be eliminated in two directions and wherev treatments are being tested inb columns andk rows. Examples are given to illustrate how the results obtained can be applied.
Within Homogeneous Turbulence: Crow Instability Large Eddy Simulation of Aircraft Wake Vortices

Ambient atmospheric turbulence effects on aircraft wake vortices are studied using a validated large eddy simulationmodel. Our results con rm that the most ampli ed wavelength of the Crow instability and the lifetime of wake vortices are signi cantly in uenced by ambient turbulence (Crow, S. C., “Stability Theory for a Pair of TrailingVortices,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 8, No. 12, 1970,pp. 2172–2179). The Crow instabilitybecomeswell developed in most atmospheric turbulence levels, but in strong turbulence the vortex pair deforms more irregularly due to turbulence advection. The most ampli ed wavelength of the instability decreases with increasing dimensionless turbulence intensity , although it increases with increasing turbulence integral length scale. The vortex lifespan is controlled primarily by and decreases with increasing , whereas the effect of integral scale of turbulence on vortex lifespan is of minor importance. The lifespan is estimated to be about 40% larger than Crow and Bate’s predicted value (Crow, S. C., and Bate, E. R., “Lifespan of Trailing Vortices on a Turbulent Atmosphere,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 13, No. 7, 1976, pp. 476–482) but in agreement with Sarpkaya’s recent modi cation (Sarpkaya, T., “Decay of Wake Vortices of Large Aircraft,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 36, No. 9, 1998, pp. 1671–1679) to Crow and Bate’s theory. This larger lifespan is also supported by data from water tank experiments and direct numerical simulations. There appears to be a possibility that the scatter in vortex lifespans due to ambient turbulence alone decreases with increasing Reynoldsnumber, whereas larger scatter of lifespans in  ight tests may result from other factors such as strati cation, wind shear, and inhomogeneous ambient turbulence.
Action Potential Phenomena in Experimental Bimolecular Lipid Membranes

A MOLECULAR mechanism which develops multivibrator kinetics such as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has been constructed in experimental bimolecular lipid membranes by the methods given here. These electrokinetic phenomena are indistinguishable from cellular action potentials and include thresholds, refractoriness, delayed rectification, bistable flip-flop kinetics, anodal break excitation, self-regenerative changes of membrane potential accompanied by decreases in conductance, and spontaneous rhythmic firing, the frequency of which can be precisely controlled by varying the temperature and the applied electrical polarization. They are also reversibly blocked by local anaesthetics such as cocaine at physiological concentrations (2 per cent) and are modified in various ways by acridine and phenothiazine derivatives including chlorpromazine at concentrations of about 1 γ/c.c.
Opitz (G) syndrome

Abstract Opitz syndrome, or G syndrome, is a composite of congenital malformations including hypertelorism, hypospadias, and recurrent aspiration secondary to a disordered swallowing mechanism. The mode of inheritance is probably autosomal dominant with male predominance. This paper describes an infant with this syndrome who developed progressive airway obstruction requiring several endotracheal intubations. After extubation a laryngeal granuloma developed and required tracheostomy and excision. A hallmark of the patient's life has been persistent aspiration. No vocal cord paralysis or anatomic laryngeal anomaly was present. The aspiration was apparently due to neural incoordination of laryngeal and pharyngoesophageal motor activity. Because of the threat to life posed by aspiration, early recognition of this syndrome is imperative.
Asymmetry parameters in 183 W and 182 W using MICE detection with a crystal monochromator

Using exceptionally high intensity Mossbauer sources (∼ 1–100 Ci) of182Ta and183Ta, we have measured the Mossbauer effect for the 46.5 and 99.1 keV transitions of183W and the 100.1 keV transition of182W. Using a microfoil internal conversion electron (MICE) /1/ detector capable of operation at low temperatures, and a LiF crystal monochromator, we obtain effects of nearly 600% for the 46.5 keV transition and 3 1/2% and 6% for the other two cases, while standard transmission measurements typically yield much smaller signal-to-background ratios. With this technique we have measured the asymmetry term in the conversion electron spectra. To our present level of accuracy the results are in agreement with theoretical calculations of interference parameters /2/. Our results do not agree with earlier measurements /3/ on this transition, which are grossly at variance with theoretical calculations of the interference parameter.
In vitro evaluation of novel N-acetylalaninate prodrugs that selectively induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells

Cancer cell esterases are often overexpressed and can have chiral specificities different from that of the corresponding normal cells and can, therefore, be useful targets for activating chemotherapeutic prodrug esters. Prodrug esters are inactive compounds that can be preferentially activated by esterase enzymes. Moreover, cancer cells often exhibit a high level of intrinsic oxidative stress due to an increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decreased expression of some enzymatic antioxidants. Prodrugs designed to induce additional oxidative stress can selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells already exhibiting a high level of intrinsic oxidative stress. This study focused on the in vitro evaluation of four novel prodrug esters: the R- and S- chiral esters of 4-[(nitrooxy)methyl]phenyl N-acetylalaninate (R- and S-NPAA) and the R- and S- chiral esters of 4-[(nitrooxy)methyl]naphth-1-yl N-acetylalaninate (R- and S-NQM), which are activated, to varying extents, by oxidized protein hydrolase (OPH, EC 3.4.19.1) yielding a quinone methide (QM) intermediate capable of depleting glutathione (GSH), a key intracellular antioxidant. OPH is a serine esterase/protease that is overexpressed in some human tumors and cancer cell lines. To evaluate the chiral ester prodrugs, we monitored cellular GSH depletion, cellular protein carbonyl levels (an oxidative stress biomarker) and cell viability in tumorigenic and nontumorigenic prostate cancer cell lines. We found that the prodrugs were activated by OPH and subsequently depleted GSH. The S-chiral ester of NPAA (S-NPAA) was two-fold more effective than the R-chiral ester (R-NPAA) in depleting GSH, increasing oxidative stress, inducing apoptosis, and decreasing cell viability in tumorigenic prostate LNCaP cells but had little effect on non-tumorigenic RWPE-1 cells. In addition, we found that that S-NPAA induced apoptosis and decreased cell viability in tumorigenic DU145 and PC3 prostate cell lines. Similar results were found in a COS-7 model that overexpressed active human OPH (COS-7-OPH). Our results suggest that prostate tumors overexpressing OPH and/or exhibiting a high level of intrinsic oxidative stress may be susceptible to QM generating prodrug esters that are targeted to OPH with little effect on non-tumorigenic prostate cells.
HPLC for urinary catecholamines and metanephrines with alpha-methyldopa

In five healthy selected volunteers with normal blood pressure and one pheochromocytoma patient, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been evaluated, with electrochemical detection for quantitation of urinary catecholamines and metanephrines during administration of the antihypertensive, alpha-methyldopa. The clinical usefulness of HPLC is compared with that of the conventional assay method--the trihydroxyindole (THI)-fluorometric procedure. The THI fluorometric method is known to suffer from true false-positive interference as a result of its inability to differentiate between alpha-methyldopa, its primary metabolic derivatives, and the structurally similar endogenous catecholamines. It is shown that the HPLC separation methodology yields accurate, reproducible results devoid of interference from the presence of alpha-methyldopa. Free urinary excretion rates of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine were elevated by alpha-methyldopa, P less than 0.001, for epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine when measured by the trihydroxyindole technique but not with high performance liquid chromatography. With alpha-methyldopa treatment, urinary normetanephrine excretion rates were slightly increased, P less than 0.05, by fluorometric analysis and slightly decreased. P less than 0.05, when measured by HPLC. Of added interest, the formation of the normetanephrine analog of alpha-methyldopa, previously undetected, is suggested. Slightly elevated metanephrine levels are seen by the THI-fluorometric method in the presence of alpha-methyl metanephrines. Establishing that the HPLC assay procedure is suitable for clinical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, despite the presence of alpha-methyldopa, makes it unnecessary to discontinue use of this antihypertensive in screening for pheochromocytoma.
Cost-effective techniques for enhancing heat transfer rate in steam condensation

Two different cost-effective techniques were used to enhance the condensation heat transfer rate of steam over a horizontal copper (99.9% Cu, 0.1% P) tube surface period. The first technique was using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), and the second technique was using small amounts of heat transfer additives. Results of the experimental investigations done using these two techniques are presented. The use of SAMs of n-octadecyl mercaptan promotes dropwise condensation, which facilitates the deposition of desirable films that are only as thick as the length of composite molecules. When compared to complete filmwise condensation, the SAM coating increased the condensation heat transfer rate by a factor of 3 for copper surfaces in a horizontal tube configuration. Using effective additives, the condensation heat transfer coefficient can be enhanced as much as 1.4 times as compared to operating without additives. The steam condensation, which occurred in our experiments using effective additives, was mostly dropwise