cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the adequacy of message-passing parallel supercomputers for solving neutron transport problems

A coarse-grained, static-scheduling parallelization of the standard iterative scheme used for solving the discrete-ordinates approximation of the neutron transport equation is described. The parallel algorithm is based on a decomposition of the angular domain along the discrete ordinates, thus naturally producing a set of completely uncoupled systems of equations in each iteration. Implementation of the parallel code on Intel's iPSC/2 hypercube, and solutions to test problems are presented as evidence of the high speedup and efficiency of the parallel code. The performance of the parallel code on the iPSC/2 is analyzed, and a model for the CPU time as a function of the problem size (order of angular quadrature) and the number of participating processors is developed and validated against measured CPU times. The performance model is used to speculate on the potential of massively parallel computers for significantly speeding up real-life transport calculations at acceptable efficiencies. We conclude that parallel computers with a few hundred processors are capable of producing large speedups at very high efficiencies in very large three-dimensional problems.
Systems of Na‐Fe‐SiO2 Glasses and Steel: II, Moessbauer Spectroscopy

Moessbauer effect spectroscopic studies were made on Na-Fe-SiO2 glasses before and after wetting experiments on steel in an Ar atmosphere. The glasses prepared under reducing conditions contained Fe3+ ions. The Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio for all glasses increased as the time at wettability test temperature was increased. Iron in the glasses (according to isomer-shift data) was possibly octahedrally coordinated. The Fe environment in glasses very nearly saturated with Fe oxide was most symmetrical. The glasses prepared under reducing conditions exhibited more symmetrical Fe environments than those prepared under oxidizing conditions. The structural symmetry in the glasses very nearly saturated with Fe oxide facilitated the electron transfer reaction, 2Fe3++Fe0=3Fe2+; the conversion to Fe2+ occurred to the greatest extent in these glasses.
Effects of season and estradiol on concentrations of histamine within discrete brain regions of ovariectomized ewes.

Abstract Histamine has been implicated as a neuromodulator of secretion of gonadotropins in several species. Concentrations of histamine were analyzed within discrete brain regions and endocrine tissues to help determine whether this amine has the potential to exert a similar function in ewes expected to have dramatically different serum concentrations of LH. Following collection of blood samples at 12-min intervals for 4 hr, ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX-estradiol treated (OVX-E) ewes were slaughtered during the breeding and anestrous seasons (five animals/group). Concentrations of LH were depressed by treatment with estradiol (E; P .05) affected solely by either season or E. An interaction between effects of season and estradiol on concentrations of histamine occurred (P
Underage youth trading sex in the Philippines: trafficking and HIV risk

This study examines the socio-structural sexual health risks of female youth (aged 14–17) working in bar/spa venues and brothels in the Philippines, compared to their older counterparts. Aside from this study, few female sex work studies have interviewed youth under 18. On four southern Philippines islands, 770 female sex workers (FSWs), aged 14–48, were recruited from bar/spa venues and brothels to participate in a socio-structural HIV prevention study. Controlling for the effects of a larger HIV prevention intervention study involving 1484 female bar/spa workers, the minors, compared to older FSWs, had less education (AOR: 0.81, CI: 0.70–0.94), less children (AOR: 0.19, CI: 0.10–0.37), and were more likely to work in illegal brothels (AOR: 4.60, CI: 1.66–12.75) and to be high on drugs during sex (AOR: 2.26, CI: 1.39–3.67). It was less likely that anyone talked to them about HIV prevention (AOR: 0.32, CI: 0.15–0.72), but more likely they were recruited by venue owners (AOR: 5.67, 1.56–20.56) and were tol...
Simmel's Philosophy of History and Its Relation to Phenomenology: Introduction

This set of three papers presents an inaugural study of the relationship of Georg Simmel's philosophy of history to phenomenology. These studies function as provisional, yet trailblazing explorations in the sense that they lack corrobo ration with an established body of research. They are meant to motivate fur? ther historical research concerning, and creative use of, Simmel's philosophy of history towards the goal of developing a phenomenological approach to history. One task of this brief introduction is to demonstrate that this subject matter should be viewed as transcending the narrow interests of a circum? scribed group of Simmelian specialists. This new direction in Simmelian stud? ies should be recognized as potentially effecting important consequences in the fields of both the human sciences and philosophy. Any historical period of theoretical thought needs to be a living history, continually engaged so that it dynamically and continually unfolds through perspectival modifications. Otherwise, the historical relation (and history only exists as a relation) becomes reified: we forget that it is a human achievement and allow it to be packaged as positivistic facticities ("no assembly neces? sary"), rather than as a lived relation. Just as inauthenticity is a fundamental characteristic of Dasein, the reification of history is also a fundamental mo? dality of historical inauthenticity. Once the historicality of the lifeworld is objectivated as history, the hypostatization of the temporal process can be accepted without renewed and continued reflection. Another fundamental aspect of history is anachronistic thinking, which follows from its present-at hand objectivation. Anachronistic thinking reads an outcome back into its genesis. For example, we think of Husserl as the father of the phenomen? ological movement and from our temporally situated reflective glance may unthinkingly place the present meaning-context back into the horizons of his milieu. This anachronistic thinking is quite common without disciplined train? ing in historical thinking and method, but only a lived-historical reflection can counter this tendency of the natural attitude to de-historicize the genesis of its outcomes.
Development of a novel dual-layer thick Ag substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of self-assembled monolayers

A dual-layer, thick (∼70 nm) vapor-deposited Ag substrate has been developed that gives enhancement factors on the order of 104 for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiments. This substrate has a total thickness of ∼70 nm but also has an outermost surface morphology that approximates that of a thin Ag island film (AgIF) substrate. This is accomplished using a dual overlayer/underlayer structure in which a thick underlayer of 45-nm Ag is vapor-deposited onto a treated glass slide. This Ag underlayer is exposed to ambient conditions under which the surface chemisorbs oxygen, leading to the thermodynamically favorable formation of an active Ag2O interface. An overlayer of 25-nm Ag is vapor-deposited on top of this structure. The first Ag/Ag2O underlayer produces an active interface that decreases the diffusion of the Ag atoms from the second vapor-deposited overlayer, thereby forming Ag particles with shapes favorable for SERS enhancement. Atomic force microscopy results show that the Ag overlayer...
Fresh osteochondral allografttransplantation for articular cartilage defects

Abstract Fresh osteochondral allografts represent an effective solution for treatment of isolated cartilage defects. The key tosuccessful allograft transplantation is cell viability, with current methods of storage up to 42 days while maintaining acceptable levels of cell viability. Ongoing research and investigations into ways of extending storage time will result in greater availability of osteochondral allografts and pave the road for use of this technique in other joints (ie, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and talus). This article describes the indications, preoperative planning, operative technique, and postoperative care for this procedure.
Thermodynamics of hydrogen solubility in cryogenic solvents at high pressures

Abstract Solubility data for hydrogen in liquids at low temperature and high pressure have been reduced by a thermodynamic relation similar to the Krichevsky-Kasarnovsky equation but allowing for the variation of activity coefficient with hydrogen concentration. The parameters appearing in this relation have been partially correlated on the basis of a very simple solution model. The results show that under comparable conditions the solubility of hydrogen in simple inorganic solvents (argon, nitrogen and carbon monoxide) is considerably larger than that in light hydrocarbons (ethane, ethylene, propane and propylene), with methane falling in between these groups.
Drug-Induced Hyperphagia: What Can We Learn From Psychiatric Medications?

This brief review examines hyperphagia and associated weight gain as undesirable side effects of psychiatric medications; exploring the scope of the problem, proposed mechanisms, and potential interventions. Mechanisms of action appear to include drug-mediated effects on hypothalamic appetite pathways that have been implicated in other etiologies of obesity. There is great individual variation in response to these medications as well as variation in the degree of weight gain within drug classes. Gene polymorphisms may be a key factor in determining individual variations in response. Better understanding of the underlying mechanisms can guide useful interventions. Medication selection and dosing appear to be important strategies to minimize adverse weight gain.
Determination of Cloud Vertical Structure from Upper-Air Observations

Abstract A method is described to use rawinsonde data to estimate cloud vertical structure, including cloud-top and cloud-base heights, cloud-layer thickness, and the characteristics of multilayered clouds. Cloud-layer base and top locations are identified based on three criteria: maximum relative humidity in a cloud of at least 87%, minimum relative humidity of at least 84%, and relative humidity jumps exceeding 3% at cloud-layer top and base, where relative humidity is with respect to liquid water at temperatures greater than or equal to 0°C and with respect to ice at temperatures less than 0°C. The analysis method is tested at 30 ocean sites by comparing with cloud properties derived from other independent data sources. Comparison of layer-cloud frequencies of occurrence with surface observations shows that rawinsonde observations (RAOBS) usually detect the same number of cloud layers for low and middle clouds as the surface observers, but disagree more for high-level clouds. There is good agreement be...
Development of the stratum corneum.

Summary In 2015, Professor Ronald (Ronnie) Marks will celebrate his 80th birthday and the 35th year since assuming the Chair of Dermatology at the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff, Wales. Ronnie's long and prolific career is well deserving of a celebratory Festschrift. Among his many accomplishments, Marks was an early champion of quantitative measurements and the application of bioengineering methods to clinical skin science, with particular focus on stratum corneum biology and the measurement of skin appearance. Appealing to Ronnie's wry sense of humour, I would characterize his career in the words of the native Welshman, Dylan Thomas, who published an unfinished novel in 1955 entitled Adventures in the Skin Trade. Ronnie Marks has been a quintessential and imaginative adventurer in the ‘skin trade’, and he continues to forge new trails for others to follow. The areas highlighted below are emblematic of Ronnie's varied research interests and his impact on stimulating experimental questions for me and future investigators of epidermal differentiation and stratum corneum development.
Nanoparticle-structured thin film sensor arrays for breath sensing

Abstract Chemiresistor sensor arrays with nanoparticle-structured thin films and coupled with pattern recognition engine could enable chemical sensing of biomarker molecules such as acetone in human breath samples with high sensitivity and selectivity, which serves as an intriguing approach to developing potential medical device for noninvasive monitoring of diabetes. This report describes the results of a proof-of-concept investigation to demonstrate the viability of such sensor arrays with the nanostructured sensing films for the detection of human breath and acetone vapor (a volatile biomarker in diabetics’ breath). The nanostructured sensing films were prepared by self-assembly of monolayer-capped gold nanoparticles on an array of chemiresistors using functionalized alkyl thiols as linking molecules. In addition to showing the viability for quantitative detection of acetone, the investigation focused on the understanding of how differences in human breaths could impact the sensor array recognition characteristics. The results have revealed that the difference in data scattering between male and female's breath samples was relatively small. The data distribution between breath samples obtained under controlled fasting and food conditions depends on the design parameters of the sensor arrays. The results have demonstrated the potential of the sensor arrays coupled with pattern recognition for the detection of acetone in diabetic breath, which upon further refinements and testing could lead to a useful portable sensor device for human breath recognition.
Learning medicine through the closet door.

The first call night of my third year of medical school wasn't the first time that I had felt intensely uncomfortable because of homophobic comments, but it was the most memorable.
Structural Properties and Electrical Characteristics of Homoepitaxial GaN PiN Diodes

GaN PiN diodes with a 4 μm Si-doped n--GaN drift layer (n~7×1016 cm-3) were grown on free-standing GaN using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Atomic force microscopy showed smooth surfaces with a step structure indicating good 2D growth. The dislocation density and impurity incorporation in the drift layer were remarkably reduced compared to a similar diode structure grown on sapphire. The full width at half maximum of the (0002) rocking curve was 79 arcsec, much smaller than 230 arcsec for the heteroepitaxial structure. The diodes on GaN demonstrated rectification up to –265 V, corresponding to a critical electric field ~2.7×106 V/cm. The maximum value of the figure of merit is ~2.4 MW cm-2, which represents a 2.2× improvement over the diodes on sapphire.
Advances in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Surgical treatment is the most effective means of curing atrial fibrillation (AF). The classic Maze procedure eliminates AF in more than 90% of patients. A complex but safe operation, the Maze procedure is applied by relatively few surgeons. Recently, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in surgical treatment of AF. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of AF and development of new ablation technologies enable surgeons to perform pulmonary vein ablation and create linear left atrial lesions rapidly and safely. Such procedures, which add 15 minutes to operative time, ablate AF in approximately 80% of patients. New ablation technologies are being adapted to enable thoracoscopic and minimally invasive surgical AF ablation in patients with lone AF.
Ear reconstruction utilizing the subcutaneous island pedicle graft (flip-flop) flap.

SOFT TISSUE RECONSTRUCTION of the conchal aspects of the external ear includes a variety of approaches, including granulation, graft, or local skin flap. We describe our experience with the single-stage subcutaneous island pedicle graft (flip-flop) flap for reconstruction of defects with a significant amount of exposed cartilage involving primarily the concha, antitragus, antihelix, and external auditory meatus (EAM).
Food and the Making of Modern Inuit Identities

Although the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic have access to an ever-expanding market of different kinds of foods, they continue to invest considerable time and money obtaining Inuit foods, that is, foods hunted, fished, and gathered within the Inuit homeland. In this article, I explore how Inuit use these two types of foods (Inuit food and non-Inuit food) to express cultural differences as well as personal and collective identity. I focus on three realms of expressive activity: 1) local networks of exchange, 2) local discourses about the moral and physiological effects of Inuit and non-Inuit foods, and 3) the cultural logic of eating Inuit and non-Inuit foods. In short, food serves as an important vehicle in the production of meaning and identity, a process that has become increasingly important politically yet increasingly complicated socially and economically as Inuit react to an expanding world of commodities and consumer tastes.
A platinum-195 nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of some dihydroxo bridged binuclear platinum(II) sulfoxide complexes

Abstract Seven binuclear complexes form when di-μ-hydroxo-bis(tetramethylene sulfoxide)platinum(II) reacts with di-μ-hydroxo-bis(diethylsulfoxide)platinum (II). The seven complexes are readily observed by 195 Pt NMR and their structures are assigned. Chemical shifts and coupling constants are reported. Also observed for these dihydroxo bridged species is a significant (45 ppm) shift of the 195 Pt resonance as a function of pH suggesting a pH-dependent equilibrium which appears fast on the NMR timescale.
Brecht and the courtroom: Alienating evidence in the “Rodney King” trials

This paper examines narrative strategies in the State and Federal trials of the four Los Angeles Police Department officers who beat motorist Rodney King. Brecht's theory of alienation provides the analytic framework. Alienation distances viewers from their “natural” response to social phenomena. Similarly, attorneys in the Rodney King trials distanced jurors from their “natural” response to the Holliday videotape. They employed something like Brecht's narrative technique— telling a story so that “the knots [between the episodes] are easily noticed"—to alienate the video. Besides alienating this important piece of evidence, attorneys also provided jurors a sympathetic victim with whom they could identify. Combining alienating techniques and objects of identification, attorneys established a dialectic that made jurors “think feelings and feel thoughtfully” in a Brechtian manner.
Low energy ion impact phenomena on single crystal surfaces

The dynamics of a solid bombarded by a 600 eV Ar+ ion have been studied classically by computer simulation. The model uses a crystallite of about 250 atoms described by pair potentials derived from elastic constants and which reproduce the surface binding energy of the solid. The relative calculated yield of secondary atom emission from the three low index faces of Cu follow the previously determined experimental order (111) > (100) > (110). We find major differences in the sputtering mechanisms for these faces. On (110), the impacted atom is ejected most frequently, while on (111) and (100) it almost never leaves the solid. We report the energy distribution of the sputtered particles for each face. The simulation successfully predicts the shape of the curve including the low energy maximum which is observed experimentally near 2 eV. In addition our model shows that many low energy atoms attempt to leave the crystal but are subsequently trapped to the solid at large distances from their original sites. This mechanism of radiation enhanced diffusion inevitably occurs in conjunction with sputtering or any other heavy secondary particle emission or scattering process.
Research and Implementation of a Wireless Network Security Inspection Platform for a Power Supply Enterprise

Currently, information security inspection can only be conducted via network scan using a laptop, which results in a low-efficient one-by-one check, and moreover lacks the ability to locate wireless networks and not to mention technical measures to discover hidden networks. With respect to the regulations of a power supply enterprise regarding wireless network security, combined with the operation and maintenance comprehensive supervision system (IMS), and the information extranet security monitoring system (ISS), a cascading wireless network security inspection platform is studied and implemented. This paper describes the wireless network encryption technology, and details the deployment pattern and the work flow, etc. about the wireless network security inspection platform. Experiments show that the platform provides support for the information security supervision work of wireless networks and can effectively safeguard the security of wireless networks in a power enterprise.
Tarasoff v. confidentiality

The Tarasoff decision is discussed as a logical extension of evolving legal doctrine imposing a special duty on caretakers. The mental health professions are being held to a standard of negligence and perhaps even to a standard of strict liability. Tarasoff is viewed as a part of society's interest in using the information disclosed in confidential relationships as a means of social control. This in turn is seen as part of a disquieting trend to curtail First Amendment rights. The adversarial nature of the relationship between the 1974 Tarasoff decision and the constitutional rights of patients to privacy, confidentiality, and privilege is discussed. The author re-asserts: "As asepsis is to surgery, so is confidentiality to psychiatry" (Beigler, 1978, p. 255). Language: en
The task force specification for GERAM and its fulfillment by PERA

Abstract The IFAC/IFIP Task Force on Architectures for Enterprise Integration has established a specification and set of requirements for a Generalized Enterprise Reference Architecture and Methodology (GERAM) as a class of complete enterprise architecture systems. These can be used to judge whether a specific enterprise reference architecture and methodology fulfills such requirements and can itself be classified as a GERAM. This paper describes the development of these requirements by the Task Force and shows how the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture and Methodology (PERA) fulfills them and can be labeled as a GERAM.
Disappearance of GAD-mRNA and tyrosine hydroxylase in substantia nigra following striatal ibotenic acid lesions: evidence for transneuronal regression.

Abstract Transneuronal regression in substantia nigra reticulata (SNR) and substantia nigra compacta (SNC) neurons was studied in Fischer 344 male rats by immunocytochemistry and by in situ hybridization. Three months after striatal lesioning by ibotenic acid, there was a shrinkage (30%) of the SNR region cross-sectional area and a 50% disappearance of neurons that contain glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-mRNA, but only in the ventromedial portion of this nucleus. Loss of dopaminergic neurons, as recognized by tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity, occurred only in caudal portions of the SNC and SNR. These findings suggest that lasions in reciprocally connected pathways, like the nigrostriatal and striatonigral systems, may produce a vicious cycle (feedforward cascade) of neurodegeneration due to interference with retrograde and anterograde influences.
Analysis of continuous reverse osmosis systems for desalination

Abstract Analyses of continuous constant pressure reverse osmosis two-dimensional flow systems are given such that system performance is predicted explicitly in terms of operating variables. Such problems require the solution of a nonlinear diffusion equation with nonlinear boundary conditions. A series solution, which accounts for nonlinearities in both the diffusion equation and its boundary conditions, is developed. Boundary-layer flows with pressure gradient are treated as wedge type flows, and the analyses given can be applied to both fully developed and entrance region flows. Generalized numerical results are given for a wide range of practical interest. Some specific data are also reported for typical systems similar to those which may be used in practice.
1181 10 year results of external beam and HDR intracavitary irradiation in the primary treatment of cancer of the uterine cervix

From August 1980 to December 1990, 303 patients with cancer of the uterine cervix underwent primary irradiation in a combination of external beam and HDR intracavitary treatment at the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Sisters of Mercy Hospital in Linz, Austria. All patients were classified according to the FIGO rules: Stage I 54 patients, stage II 171, stage III 75 and stage IV 3 patients. 8 patients were lost to follow up. The mean follow up time of survivors is 110 months. A complete remission could be achieved in 282 patients, which is 93%; persistent turnout was found in 21 patients at the first follow up check 3 to 5 months after completion of irradiation. The actuarial overall survival probability for all patients at 5 and 10 years is 62% and 42% respectively, the disease specific survival probability is 68% and 64%. The local control rate at 5 and 10 years is 73% and 72% respectively. According to stage, disease specific survival lies at 90% for stage I, 69% for stage II, and 48% for stage III and IV at 5 years, and at 10 years 87%, 66% and 41% respectively. The actuarial local control probability for stages I, II, and III/IV is 90%, 74%, 60% respectively at 5 years, and 88%, 74%, and 56% at 10 years. (Kaplan-Meier calculations). From all 303 patients 34 suffered from 40 severe and moderate side effects (glossary of Chassagne and Sismondi). The rate for grade II complications is 10% and for grade III 3%. We conclude that HDR after loading in addition to external beam radiotherapy is a very effective tool for primary irradiation of cervical cancer, and a safe one in experienced hands.
Discounting in cost-utility analysis of healthcare interventions: reassessing current practice.

Cost-utility analysis (CUA) is a technique that can potentially be used as a guide to allocating healthcare resources so as to obtain the maximum health benefits possible under a given budget constraint. However, it is not clear that current practice captures societal preferences regarding health benefits. In analyses of healthcare interventions providing survival benefits, the market rate of interest is the sole empirical variable that reflects societal preferences. This approach is based on the assumptions that: (i) healthcare interventions should be ranked using cost-effectiveness (CE) ratios; (ii) the discount rate for costs in CUA should be equal to that used in cost-benefit analysis (CBA); (iii) the discount rate in CBA should be the market rate of interest on long-term government bonds; and (iv) the Keeler-Cretin paradox is applicable to CUA of healthcare interventions, so that the discount rate for benefits in CUA should be set equal to the discount rate for costs. This approach ignores a fundamental difference between CBA and CUA, namely that CUA assumes that a budget constraint has been specified prior to the analysis. It starts with the assumption that a given amount of funds have been withdrawn from the economy to fund healthcare, so there is no opportunity cost to consider. For that reason, the principles on which the choice of discount rate rests differ in the two techniques. Furthermore, use of CE ratios to rank interventions assumes that the budget constraint can be expressed as a single constraint. But healthcare budgets are multiyear budgets that are roughly constant from year to year. A more realistic model would involve multiple constraints and would require linear programming for solution. This can be reduced to a series of single constraints, thereby allowing use of the simpler CE ratio approach, if we assume that the budget being allocated is intended for one cohort at a time, i.e. all people for whom a new funding decision must be made in a given year. In general, we assume that future cohorts will be allotted comparable funding. However, the Keeler-Cretin paradox depends on the assumption that cohorts are competing with each other for resources, and is therefore not applicable to CUA of healthcare. Other approaches are therefore needed to assign utilities to healthcare interventions providing survival benefits. Methods should be developed that allow analyses to reflect a range of philosophical approaches through sensitivity analysis.
Intrauterine growth retardation alters mitochondrial gene expression and function in fetal and juvenile rat skeletal muscle.

Intrauterine Growth Retardation Alters Mitochondrial Gene Expression and Function in Fetal and Juvenile Rat Skeletal Muscle
Development and optimization of taste-masked orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) of clindamycin hydrochloride.

AbstractThe purpose of this research was to develop an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) dosage form containing taste-masked beads of clindamycin HCl. Several formulation strategies were evaluated and a taste-masked ODT of clindamycin HCl was prepared without the use of a waxy cushioning agent. Clindamycin HCl (ca. 46% w/w) was coated onto microcrystalline cellulose beads (Cellets® 200) followed by the addition of a taste-masking layer of amino methacrylate copolymer, NF (Eudragit EPO® (EPO)) coating suspension. The efficiency of both the drug coating process and the taste-masking polymer coating process, as well as the taste masking ODTs was determined using potency and drug release analysis. Magnesium stearate was found to be advantageous over talc in improving the efficiency of the EPO coating suspension. A response surface methodology using a Box–Behnken design for the tablets revealed compression force and levels of both disintegrant and talc to be the main factors influencing the ODT properties. Bl...
Risk prediction for patients with syncope.

I applaud Quinn et al (February 2004 issue) for their important efforts to derive a decision instrument (the San Francisco Syncope Rule) for emergency department (ED) patients presenting with syncope. Such a tool could help emergency physicians identify patients at low risk of a dangerous outcome, who might thus be discharged safely. However, I have several concerns about this study. First, it is unclear what overall benefit the San Francisco Syncope Rule would have had compared to current practice. We are told that the sensitivity of the San Francisco Syncope Rule was 96% and that its application could have decreased admissions by 10%. However, we are not told how the San Francisco Syncope Rule compared with physician judgment in identifying patients with serious outcomes. If current practice captured only the same 96% of patients with a serious outcome, then decreasing admissions by even a small amount (10%) would be useful, because it would come at no cost. However, if current practice captured all patients who developed a serious outcome, then a gain of 10% fewer admissions at the cost of missing 4% of adverse outcomes would seem far less attractive.
System-ready scientists.

Government and industry must do their bit to ensure that universities provide the workforce they want.
Physical characterization of the genome of the Myxococcus xanthus bacteriophage MX-8.

We have constructed a restriction map for the genome of bacteriophage MX-8 from Myxococcus xanthus using the enzymes PvuII, MboI, and EcoRI. The phage genome size, as determined by restriction analysis, is 51.7±0.6 Kb. Double digestions, redigestions of isolated fragments, and crossed-contact hybridization of partial digestion products show that the restriction map is circular. Restriction analysis and Southern hybridization show that the phage DNA molecules are packaged sequentially from a concatemer starting from a specific site which we have mapped. The DNA molecules have an average terminal redundancy of approximately 8% and are circularly permuted over at least 40% of the genome.
Variation of the refractive indices of KBr and KI with pressure to 14 kbars

Abstract A two-stage high pressure optical vessel for measuring the variation of the refractive index of solids with pressure to 14 kbars is described. The refractive indices of KBr and KI increase with pressure with a pronounced nonlinear dependence above 3 kbars. However, the same data are found to exhibit a perfect linear relationship between the change in refractive index and the Lagrangian volume strain, even though the latter is as large as 9%.
High-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase and adenosine localized in sensory organs

Abstract Odorant-stimulated formation of cAMP in olfactory receptor neurons may mediate olfactory signal transduction. The response is short and desensitization occurs rapidly, possibly by induction of cyclic necleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. Previously, we showed that two low Km PDEs regulate hydrolysis of cAMP in olfactory cilia. One PDE is Ca2+/ calmodulin-dependent and non-selective for both cAMP-PDE and cGMP; the other is Ca2+/ calmodulin-independent, sensitive to rolipram and selective for cAMP. We have localized cAMP-selective PDE in olfactory, gustatory and retinal sensory systems by autoradiography with the selective inhibitor [3H]rolipram. We observe dense binding over olfactory neurons, particularly over olfactory nerve bundles and olfactory cilia. In the tongue apical regions of taste buds of the circumvallate papillae are strongly labeled as well as portions of the glossopharyngeal nerve. Retinal binding is most dense over the inner plexiform layer, ganglion cells and the optic nerve but is also substantial over the inner nuclear layer. The pattern of [3H]rolipram-binding in retina is reminiscent of adenosine localization. Accordingly, adenosine was immunohistochemically localized in olfactory, gustatory and retinal tissues. Adenosine immunoreactivity is observed in olfactory neurons, in the basal regions of taste buds and in retinal ganglion cells.
Spatially coherent clustering using graph cuts

Feature space clustering is a popular approach to image segmentation, in which a feature vector of local properties (such as intensity, texture or motion) is computed at each pixel. The feature space is then clustered, and each pixel is labeled with the cluster that contains its feature vector. A major limitation of this approach is that feature space clusters generally lack spatial coherence (i.e., they do not correspond to a compact grouping of pixels). In this paper, we propose a segmentation algorithm that operates simultaneously in feature space and in image space. We define an energy function over both a set of clusters and a labeling of pixels with clusters. In our framework, a pixel is labeled with a single cluster (rather than, for example, a distribution over clusters). Our energy function penalizes clusters that are a poor fit to the data in feature space, and also penalizes clusters whose pixels lack spatial coherence. The energy function can be efficiently minimized using graph cuts. Our algorithm can incorporate both parametric and non-parametric clustering methods. It can be applied to many optimization-based clustering methods, including k-means and k-medians, and can handle models, which are very close in feature space. Preliminary results are presented on segmenting real and synthetic images, using both parametric and non-parametric clustering.
Superoxide dismutase 1 encoding mutations linked to ALS adopts a spectrum of misfolded states

Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), which are one cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), induce misfolding and aggregation of the protein. Misfolding can be detected by the binding of antibodies raised against peptide epitopes that are normally buried in the native conformation, shifts in solubility in non-ionic detergents, and the formation of macromolecular inclusions. In the present study, we investigate the relationship between detergent-insoluble and sedimentable forms of mutant SOD1, forms of mutant SOD1 with aberrantly accessible epitopes, and mutant protein in inclusions with the goal of defining the spectrum of misfolded states that mutant SOD1 can adopt. Using combined approaches in cultured cell models, we demonstrate that a substantial fraction of mutant SOD1 adopts a non-native conformation that remains soluble and freely mobile. We also show that mutant SOD1 can produce multimeric assemblies of which some are insoluble in detergent and large enough to sediment by ultracentrifugation and some are large enough to detect visually. Three conformationally restricted antibodies were found to be useful in discriminating mal-folded forms of mutant SOD1. An antibody termed C4F6 displays properties consistent with recognition of soluble, freely mobile, mal-folded mutant SOD1. An antibody termed SEDI, which recognizes C-terminal residues, detects larger inclusion structures as well as soluble misfolded entities. An antibody termed hSOD1, which recognizes aa 24-36, detects an epitope shared by soluble non-natively folded WT and mutant SOD1. This epitope becomes inaccessible in aggregates of mutant SOD1. Our studies demonstrate how different methods of detecting misfolding and aggregation of mutant SOD1 reveal different forms of aberrantly folded protein. Immunological and biochemical methods can be used in combination to detect soluble and insoluble misfolded forms of mutant SOD1. Our findings support the view that mutant SOD1 can adopt multiple misfolded conformations with the potential that different structural variants mediate different aspects of fALS.
Contact-dependent inhibition of EGFR signaling by Nf2/Merlin

The neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor, Merlin, is a membrane/cytoskeleton-associated protein that mediates contact-dependent inhibition of proliferation. Here we show that upon cell-cell contact Merlin coordinates the processes of adherens junction stabilization and negative regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling by restraining the EGFR into a membrane compartment from which it can neither signal nor be internalized. In confluent Nf2(-/-) cells, EGFR activation persists, driving continued proliferation that is halted by specific EGFR inhibitors. These studies define a new mechanism of tumor suppression, provide mechanistic insight into the poorly understood phenomenon of contact-dependent inhibition of proliferation, and suggest a therapeutic strategy for NF2-mutant tumors.
Workflow analysis using attributed metagraphs

Graph theoretic methods for analyzing workflows and processes can provide insight into important problems in process design, and can help in the design of effective workflows. In particular, representation of workflows as metagraphs has been shown to provide a useful basis for formal analysis of processes and workflows. We show how attributed metagraphs can be used to analyze workflows that have tasks with specified temporal constraints. In particular, we show how we can identify time-critical tasks and critical paths through workflows, which generalize traditional network scheduling (PERT/CPM) methods used in project management.
Alleviating linear ecological bias and optimal design with subsample data

In this paper, we illustrate that combining ecological data with subsample data in situations in which a linear model is appropriate provides three main benefits. First, by including the individual level subsample data, the biases associated with linear ecological inference can be eliminated. Second, by supplementing the subsample data with ecological data, the information about parameters will be increased. Third, we can use readily available ecological data to design optimal subsampling schemes, so as to further increase the information about parameters. We present an application of this methodology to the classic problem of estimating the effect of a college degree on wages. We show that combining ecological data with subsample data provides precise estimates of this value, and that optimal subsampling schemes (conditional on the ecological data) can provide good precision with only a fraction of the observations.
Scalar coherent fading channel: Dispersion analysis

The backoff from capacity due to finite blocklength can be assessed accurately from the channel dispersion. This paper analyzes the dispersion of a single-user, scalar, coherent fading channel with additive Gaussian noise. We obtain a convenient two-term expression for the channel dispersion which shows that, unlike the capacity, it depends crucially on the dynamics of the fading process.
Incremental learning of nonparametric Bayesian mixture models

Clustering is a fundamental task in many vision applications. To date, most clustering algorithms work in a batch setting and training examples must be gathered in a large group before learning can begin. Here we explore incremental clustering, in which data can arrive continuously. We present a novel incremental model-based clustering algorithm based on nonparametric Bayesian methods, which we call memory bounded variational Dirichlet process (MB-VDP). The number of clusters are determined flexibly by the data and the approach can be used to automatically discover object categories. The computational requirements required to produce model updates are bounded and do not grow with the amount of data processed. The technique is well suited to very large datasets, and we show that our approach outperforms existing online alternatives for learning nonparametric Bayesian mixture models.
Not Only Response but Early Response to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

WhenIstartedmycareerinleukemiaresearch,interferonalfa was standard therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Interferon could induce complete cytogenetic response (CCyR; ie, 0% Philadelphia-chromosome metaphases) or partial cytogenetic response (PCyR; ie, 1% to 35%), and such responses were associated with improved survival. These responses, particularly CCyR, occurred only in a minority of patients and the time to response was not given much attention. With the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), our goals became more ambitious,
Response to Comment on the Reports of Over-estimation of ASCVD Risk Using the 2013 AHA/ACC Risk Equation

We appreciate the comments of Muntner et al1 regarding our concern2 that the new atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk equation3 appears to overestimate risk in the 5 external validation cohorts examined to date (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis [MESA], REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke [REGARDS], Women’s Health Study [WHS], Physicians’ Health Study [PHS], and Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study [WHI-OS]). We concur that understanding how these validation cohorts differ from those used to derive the new risk equation is important to achieving confidence in the equation. First, the authors explain that the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study contributing to model development used active surveillance to enhance the identification of study outcomes, a technique not used in the REGARDS and MESA studies. Although this is a possible explanation for underascertainment in the REGARDS and MESA studies, it is unlikely to have occurred to the same extent in the WHS and PHS cohorts. These are composed of health professionals, who would be more likely to recognize outcomes and report them correctly. In addition, the follow-up response for both of these studies was excellent; morbidity follow-up was 97% and 98% complete in the WHS and PHS, respectively. The follow-up questionnaire response for the WHI-OS was also excellent, with reported recent participation rates of 95% among survivors at study closeout in 2005 and 98% for those in the WHI Extension Study.4 Although it is conceivable that there may be more underascertainment in the WHI, as the authors noted, this would explain only part of the …
Two Claims about Desert

Many philosophers claim that it is always intrinsically good when people get what they deserve and that there is always at least some reason to give people what they deserve. I highlight problems with this view and defend an alternative. I have two aims. First, I want to expose a gap in certain desert-based justifications of punishment. Second, I want to show that those of us who have intuitions at odds with these justifications have an alternative account of desert at our disposal - one that may lend our intuitions more credibility.
When is perioperative 'steroid coverage' necessary?

Although data are lacking, it seems prudent to boost glucocorticoid doses in the perioperative period for patients receiving long-term steroid therapy.
A novel, micro-contact potential difference probe

Abstract A novel, non-vibrating, micro-contact potential difference (CPD) probe fabricated by micromachining has been tested for measurements on a magnetic hard disk drive. The 50 μm diameter probe, with integrated shielding, provides high-resolution surface images as the probe is scanned over the surface of interest. The probe utilizes Parylene as a flexible substrate material that allows it to be bent away from the integrated electronics and closely approach the surface under study. A four-mask process was used to create the micro-CPD probe, including a 500 μm radius, annulus of SU-8 that provides mechanical support for the gold electroplated probe and sputtered shielding. Defects, such as scratches and adhesive tape placed on a magnetic hard disk, were measured at a height of 0.5 mm and rotation speed of 1000–3600 rpm. From these signals the features, were reconstructed from the CPD signal, to determine the feature size.
The Political Economy of Israeli‐Palestinian Interdependence

The Israeli and Palestinian economies are asymmetrically interdependent. Some scholars argue that the Palestinian economy cannot be viable alone. Others believe that economic links with Israel will promote peace. Supporters of separation argue that these links distort Palestinian development. I show that the current interdependence is associated with a cyclical Israeli-Palestinian violence and Palestinian economic decline. Assuming that an independent Palestinian state forms in most of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, I argue that Israeli-Palestinian relations require economic separation to be stable. Economic separation will deteriorate Palestinian welfare in the short run. Policies to make it viable are considered.
From Software Architecture Analysis to Service Engineering: An Empirical Study of Methodology Development for Enterprise SOA Implementation

This paper presents an integrated service-oriented enterprise system development framework (called the BITAM-SOA Framework) as well as an instantiated design process model (called the Service Engineering Schematic) that was a result from a three-year action research case study with a Fortune 50 company in the financial services industry. The BITAM-SOA Framework and Schematic advance are both business-IT alignment and software architecture analysis techniques supporting the engineering of enterprise-wide service-oriented systems-that is, service engineering.
ANN-based protection system for Controllable Series-Compensated transmission lines

This paper presents a protection system for classifying and locating faults in Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensated (TCSC) transmission lines. The proposed scheme is based on Multi-layer Perceptron Neural Networks (MLPNN). The Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) training algorithm is employed. The LM algorithm appears to be the fastest training algorithm and highly nominated for better generalized models. Three-phase power system currents and voltages at the relay location are used as inputs to MLPNN-based relay. Two neural networks are trained to address fault classification and location. Feasibility and reliability of the proposed scheme are investigated using fault data set of a typical 500 kV power system simulated in EMTPATP software package. Studied system is subjected to all possible faults at different operating conditions, including fault location, fault inception angle and fault resistance. Simulation results demonstrate the robustness and fault tolerant features of proposed protection system.