cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Markovian Analysis of a Geriatric Ward

This paper evaluates the cost-effectiveness of a specialized geriatric program in a California mental hospital by analyzing the movement of patients into, through, and out of the program. The procedure for modelling the patients' movements between states with a Markov chain is detailed and the results analyzed. First passage times, long-term trends, and stay times until death are derived as well as the associated costs the hospital must endure. Lastly, ways to simulate the effect of possible program modifications are illustrated.
Chromosomal composition of four permanent cultured cell lines derived from human gliomas

Four permanent cell lines derived from malignant human gliomas were karyotyped using Giemsa-trypsin banding. D-65 MG had a stemline with 44 chromosomes, including 11 markers: 1p+, 2q-, 3p-, 3q+, 4p-, 9q-, 11q+, 15q-, 17p+, 21p+, 22q-. The net effect after accounting for fragments in markers was: +8, -10, -16 -X. D-32 MG had chromosome counts 90-91 without a distinct stem karyotype. Modal cells contained from 3 to 5 copies of the normal autosomes and 5 markers: 1q-, 3q-, 7q-, 13q-, 18q-. D-32 MGCl2 had a complex karyotype containing 78-82 chromosomes. There was no stemline, and modal cells varied from one another primarily in their set of marker chromosomes. A total of 23 markers were seen in this line, 17 of which were present in most modal cells. They were partially characterized as: 1q+, 1q+, 2q-, 5q+, 7p-, 7q-, 8p+, 8p+, 9p+, 12p+, 14q-, 16q+, 19q+, 19q+, a small submetacentric chromosome of undetermined origin and two small isochromosomes, i(Dp or Gp) and i(17p or 18p). A-172 MG had a modal peak of 77 chromosomes within which no two cells were exactly alike. Ten markers seen in modal cells were: 1p-, 4p+, 6p+, 6p+, 6q-, 7p-, 9p-q+, 13q+ 14p+, 22q+. There were no normal copies of chromosomes #1, #6, #9, #14. These four glioma-derived cell lines possess unique karyotypes, but each displays some combination of the numerical and structural deviations generally associated with established glioma lines.
Optical, electro-optical and transport properties of MoS2

Optical and transport properties of natural and synthetic crystals of 2H-MoS2 have been investigated by infra-red absorption at 300 K, conventional reflectivity, modulation reflectivity (wave-length, electric-field and thermal) in the visible region at 85 K and temperature dependence of resistivity in the range (295÷850) K. Five independent exciton series were observed in which the first series forms a hydrogen-like sequence. Three absorption bands occur in transmission spectrum in addition to the absorption edge at ∼1 μm. Resistivity measurements showed extrinsic semiconductor behavior below 750 K, becoming intrinsic above 750 K with an activation energy of 1.2 eV. The optical and transport results are consistent with the band structure calculation by linear combination of the muffin-tin orbital method.
On bars with cracks

Abstract Within the framework of elementary strength-of-materials theories, bars with cracks subjected to tension or torsion are considered. Simple formulas for stress intensity factors are derived leading to results which are close to values obtained on the basis of the theory of elasticity.
Modeling the optical transfer function in the imaging chain

Modeling the imaging chain has become a critical design tool to understand the relationship between design trades and image quality in camera systems. The mathematical models for the fundamental components of an imaging chain are well understood and have been validated using working camera systems. However, the complexity of camera designs continues to grow as the technology advances to drive higher performance using different approaches. The fundamental imaging chain models do not always meet the needs of the new imaging system designs, thus requiring the models to advance in complexity as well. Of particular interest to the optical designers is the development of mathematical models that enable more complex modeling of the wavefront errors for the optical transfer functions (OTF) in the image chain models. A tutorial on the imaging chain is given followed by an innovative approach using an η matrix for modeling the OTF in the imaging chain.
Neritic and pelagic carbonate sedimentation in the marine environment: ignorance is not bliss

Synthesis of available data allows us to define general patterns of late Quaternary carbonate production and sedimentation in the global ocean. During high stands of sea level, the neritic and pelagic environments appear to sequester approximately similar amounts of carbonate, whereas during low stands of sea level the decreased neritic zone produces and accumulates approximately an order of magnitude less carbonate. Assuming that global accumulation of deep-sea carbonates remains more or less constant during glacially induced changes in sea level, the ocean becomes depleted with respect to calcium carbonate during high stands and recharges during low stands. Before we can achieve a better understanding of the global carbonate system, however, we need a better understanding of key environments and processes: (a) production and accumulation on continental shelves both as potential sinks (accumulation) and as sources (export to the deep sea); (b) a better measure of pelagic carbonate production; and (c) late Quaternary (late Pleistocene and Holocene) mass accumulation rates in the deep sea.
Analysis of agronomic and domestication traits in a durum × cultivated emmer wheat population using a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism-based linkage map

Development of a high-density SNP map and evaluation of QTL shed light on domestication events in tetraploid wheat and the potential utility of cultivated emmer wheat for durum wheat improvement. Cultivated emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccum) is tetraploid and considered as one of the eight founder crops that spawned the Agricultural Revolution about 10,000 years ago. Cultivated emmer has non-free-threshing seed and a somewhat fragile rachis, but mutations in genes governing these and other agronomic traits occurred that led to the formation of today’s fully domesticated durum wheat (T. turgidum ssp. durum). Here, we evaluated a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between a cultivated emmer accession and a durum wheat variety. A high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genetic linkage map consisting of 2,593 markers was developed for the identification of quantitative trait loci. The major domestication gene Q had profound effects on spike length and compactness, rachis fragility, and threshability as expected. The cultivated emmer parent contributed increased spikelets per spike, and the durum parent contributed higher kernel weight, which led to the identification of some RILs that had significantly higher grain weight per spike than either parent. Threshability was governed not only by the Q locus, but other loci as well including Tg-B1 on chromosome 2B and a putative Tg-A1 locus on chromosome 2A indicating that mutations in the Tg loci occurred during the transition of cultivated emmer to the fully domesticated tetraploid. These results not only shed light on the events that shaped wheat domestication, but also demonstrate that cultivated emmer is a useful source of genetic variation for the enhancement of durum varieties.
SUSAN PHILIPS , Ideology in the language of judges: How judges practice law, politics, and courtroom control . (Oxford studies in anthropological linguistics, 17.) Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Pp. xvii, 205. Hb $59.00, pb $29.95.

In a time when some scholars are bemoaning an apparent drop in attention to the role of ideology in legal settings, Philips's new book comes as a welcome intervention. The author uses fine-grained analysis of courtroom language to reveal the pervasive influence of ideology on trial court judges' practices. Followers of Philips's pioneering work on legal language will not be disappointed; the volume lives up to the exacting standard she set for the field in her early articles on courtroom (and classroom) discourse. The study uses discourse analysis of guilty pleas in an Arizona criminal court to uncover how wider social-structural and political divisions are affecting the administration of justice – a process mediated by ideology and enacted in the minute details of linguistic exchanges.
A fourth order accurate discretization for the Laplace and heat equations on arbitrary domains, with applications to the Stefan problem

In this paper, we first describe a fourth order accurate finite difference discretization for both the Laplace equation and the heat equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions on irregular domains. In the case of the heat equation we use an implicit discretization in time to avoid the stringent time step restrictions associated with requirements for explicit schemes. We then turn our focus to the Stefan problem and construct a third order accurate method that also includes an implicit time discretization. Multidimensional computational results are presented to demonstrate the order accuracy of these numerical methods.
Relationships of sedimented diatom species (Bacillariophyceae) to environmental gradients in dilute northern New England lakes

Limnological gradients of small, oligotrophic, and low conductance lakes in northern New England were defined by principal components analysis; relationships of sedimented diatom species to the gradients were investigated by correlation analysis. Diatom distributions were most strongly related to the gradient of pH and alkalinity and the covarying variables, conductance, Mg, Ca, total Al, and exchangeable Al. Weaker relationships to lake morphology, dissolved organic carbon and water color, altitude and marine aerosol inputs, and the distinctive water chemistry of some New Hampshire lakes were also present. Results for 16 taxa of importance in the authors' studies of lake acidity are given in detail and are compared to results from other regions of eastern North America. Planktonic taxa were absent below pH 5.5, with the exception of the long form of Asterionella ralfsii var. americana Korn. The two forms of this taxon differed ecologically: the long form ([ge] 45 [mu]m) had an abundance weighted mean (AWM) pH 5.53 and occurred mostly in lakes that were deep relative to transparency; the short form (< 45 [mu]m) had an AWM pH 4.90 and occurred in lakes that were shallow relative to transparency. The ecological advantage of a [open quotes]splitter[close quotes] approach to diatommore » taxonomy was demonstrated by examination of other taxa as well, including Tabellaria flocculosa (Roth) Kuetz. These results have important implications for paleolimnological interpretations. 66 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs.« less
Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The preservation of cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation.

The aldehydes introduced in this paper and the more appropriate concentrations for their general use as fixatives are: 4 to 6.5 per cent glutaraldehyde, 4 per cent glyoxal, 12.5 per cent hydroxyadipaldehyde, 10 per cent crotonaldehyde, 5 per cent pyruvic aldehyde, 10 per cent acetaldehyde, and 5 per cent methacrolein. These were prepared as cacodylate- or phosphate-buffered solutions (0.1 to 0.2 M, pH 6.5 to 7.6) that, with the exception of glutaraldehyde, contained sucrose (0.22 to 0.55 M). After fixation of from 0.5 hour to 24 hours, the blocks were stored in cold (4°C) buffer (0.1 M) plus sucrose (0.22 M). This material was used for enzyme histochemistry, for electron microscopy (both with and without a second fixation with 1 or 2 per cent osmium tetroxide) after Epon embedding, and for the combination of the two techniques. After fixation in aldehyde, membranous differentiations of the cell were not apparent and the nuclear structure differed from that commonly observed with osmium tetroxide. A postfixation in osmium tetroxide, even after long periods of storage, developed an image that—notable in the case of glutaraldehyde—was largely indistinguishable from that of tissues fixed under optimal conditions with osmium tetroxide alone. Aliesterase, acetylcholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase, adenosine triphosphatase, and DPNH and TPNH diaphorase activities were demonstrable histochemically after most of the fixatives. Cytochrome oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphatase were retained after hydroxyaldipaldehyde and, to a lesser extent, after glyoxal fixation. The final product of the activity of several of the above-mentioned enzymes was localized in relation to the fine structure. For this purpose the double fixation procedure was used, selecting in each case the appropriate aldehyde.
Strain patterns within part of the Willard thrust sheet, Idaho–Utah–Wyoming thrust belt

Abstract The Willard thrust sheet, located in northern Utah, USA, contains a 10–15-km-thick sequence of strata that were internally deformed and translated about 50 km ESE. Upper levels of the sheet are relatively little deformed, lower levels have minor folds and cleavage that increase in intensity downward and rotate into parallelism with the thrust, and the basal fault zone contains mylonite and ultracataclasite. Finite strain displays systematic changes with structural position and lithology. Basal levels have strain ratios (R≈RXZ) of 3–5, and angles (θ) between stretch directions and the thrust of 50°. Principal stretching (X) directions trend perpendicular to oblique to minor fold axes, which are locally oblique to the overall transport direction, reflecting partial decoupling of internal deformation from thrust slip. Principal axial ratios have RYZ>RXY, but microfabrics indicate only limited extension in the intermediate stretching direction (Y), corresponding to volume losses of about 10–40%. Strain is factored into components of thrust-perpendicular thinning and thrust-parallel shear that increase downward and in mica-rich layers, minor thrust-parallel shortening to extension, minor longitudinal extension, and minor longitudinal (wrench) shear. These patterns reflect litho-mechanical layering of the thrust sheet, which includes a very weak basal fault zone that formed at elevated fluid pressures, a weak mica-rich lower level with widespread crystal plastic and mass transfer deformation, and a stronger upper part with limited internal deformation.
Objective Diagnosis (Ulnar Nerve Conduction Velocity) and Current Therapy of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Abstract Analysis of 155 operations in 138 patients with thoracic outlet syndrome demonstrates the validity of resection of the first rib as the optimal method of therapy in patients who are not relieved by conservative management. The ulnar nerve conduction velocity (UNCV) study has provided a reliable, positive, objective method for diagnosis, selection, and evaluation of therapeutic modalities in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. Median and musculocutaneous nerve compression can be the etiological factor in patients with atypical pain distribution in whom the UNCV is normal. Conduction study of these nerves confirms the diagnosis of thoracic outlet compression. The transaxillary approach allows complete resection of the first rib with decompression of the neurovascular bundle and is associated with a reduced morbidity and hospital stay.
On the sliding property of SNOW 3 G and SNOW 2.0

SNOW 3G is a stream cipher chosen by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) as a crypto-primitive to substitute KASUMI in case its security is compromised. SNOW 2.0 is one of the stream ciphers chosen for the ISO/IEC standard IS 18033-4. In this study, the authors show that the initialisation procedure of the two ciphers admits a sliding property, resulting in several sets of related-key pairs. In case of SNOW 3G, a set of 232 related-key pairs is presented, whereas in the case of SNOW 2.0, several such sets are found, out of which the largest are of size 264 and 2192 for the 128-bit and 256-bit variant of the cipher, respectively. In addition to allowing related-key recovery attacks against SNOW 2.0 with 256-bit keys, the presented properties reveal non-random behaviour that yields related-key distinguishers and also questions the validity of the security proofs of protocols that are based on the assumption that SNOW 3G and SNOW 2.0 behave like perfect random functions of the key-IV.
Have clinical studies demonstrated diabetes prevention or delay of diabetes through early treatment

The incidence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase at alarming rates. Prediabetes is a state of abnormal glycemic values that are not abnormal enough to result in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Significant interest in the prevention of diabetes has resulted in trials evaluating pharmacologic intervention and lifestyle intervention to prevent the development of diabetes. Controversy exists over the exact definition of diabetes prevention. Agents might possibly delay diagnosis of diabetes via pharmacologic lowering of blood glucose. Goals of diabetes prevention include decreased cardiovascular disease. Trials assessing diabetes prevention should assess 1) Impact of the study drug upon the incidence of diabetes, 2) Impact of the study drug upon diagnosis of diabetes after post-treatment washout phase, 3) Assessment of insulin sensitivity/@-cell function/insulin secretion and blood glucose, 4) Assessment of confounding factors, 5) Impact of the study drug on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. The published studies were reviewed using these criteria. Six studies evaluating seven agents have been were reviewed. Six of the seven agents reduced diagnosis of diabetes during use, but only two demonstrated effect after washout phase. One of the two agents has been withdrawn from the market. The second agent had a short follow-up period making the results difficult to interpret. Assessment of insulin secretion at entry to trial was common, however ongoing reassessment was uncommon. All studies attempted to assess confounding factors, however stratification of drug benefit relative to amount of lifestyle modification benefit was not reported in trials. Cardiovascular benefit in the form of reduced hypertension was documented with three agents. Pharmacologic prevention of type 2 diabetes remains unproven, due in part to the difficulty distinguishing between prevention and delay. Reduction in cardiovascular benefit is unproven with most agents studied. Larger studies powered to detect cardiovascular endpoints are necessary to determine benefit of diabetes prevention.
CLUSTER ANALYSIS OF ANTHER-DERIVED PLANTS OF SOLANUM PHUREJA (SOLANACEAE) BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The feasibility of grouping anther-derived plants of Solanum phureja according to ploidy based on their morphological characteristics was studied. Canonical discriminant analysis identified four characteristics (anther length, number of chloroplasts per pair of guard cells, leaf width, corolla width at widest diam) of nine measured as the most effective combination for diagnosing ploidy. Data for these characteristics from two sets of plants were subjected to two clustering techniques, one using the average linkage clustering (UPGMA of the NT-SYS programs) and the other using centroid sorting (SAS-Fastclus). Screening of anther-derived plants by cluster analysis proved to be an efficient means of separating monoploids from the other ploidy levels. THE MAIN APPLICATION of anther culture to plant breeding is the development of haploid and subsequently homozygous diploid plants; therefore, it is essential that the ploidy level of regenerated plants be known. Anther-derived plants have frequently been observed to vary with respect to chromosome number (Wenzel and Uhrig, 198 1; Bhaskaran, Smith and Finer,
Perceptions of Women's Sexual Interest and Acquaintance Rape. The Role of Sexual Overperception and Affective Attitudes.

Rape prevention and education efforts often focus on the need for clear communication regarding sexual intent between women and men. This approach is based on the underlying assumption that acquain...
Global Climate Change, U.S. Agriculture, and Carbon Dioxide

What should U.S. agriculture do to adapt for possible climate change and what can it do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? An evaluation indicates that, unless there is a decline of about one-fourth in total crop yields, the U.S. land resource base will be adequate and food security can be met. The impacts of climate change on individual crop production regions are hard to predict, however, and may be either negative or positive. The assumption must be made that agriculture faces an uncertain future and, therefore, must rely upon experience, adoption of proven technologies, development of new technologies, and improved husbandry of land, water, and energy resources [...]
Experimentation with Gray Theory for Pavement Smoothness Prediction

Riding quality is a dominant characteristic of pavement performance. In the proposed mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG), the functional performance indicator is pavement smoothness as indicated by the international roughness index (IRI). The MEPDG IRI prediction models were developed on the basis of a general hypothesis in which changes in smoothness are caused in part by various distresses, which can be predicted. With pavement distress data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database, traditional regression analysis was used statistically to establish the MEPDG prediction equations. The gray system theory was devised in the 1980s for modeling uncertain systems with the characteristics of partially known information. A pavement performance prediction system can fit the domain of the gray system. The gray theory-based prediction method was used to develop IRI prediction equations. With the data exported from the LTPP database, it was found that certain specific distresses sign...
Cardiovascular effects of Leu-enkephalin in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat

Microinjections of Leu-enkephalin into the dorsal vagal complex induced hypotension and bradycardia. Both naloxone, given at a dose conferring selectivity for mu receptors, and the delta antagonist ICI 154,129 prevented the cardiovascular effects of Leu-enkephalin. Naloxone was also found to decrease the gain of the baroreflex. These results suggest that Leu-enkephalin is involved in cardiovascular regulation through activation of delta-, and possibly mu-, opioid receptors in the dorsal vagal complex.
Electro-photographic model based stochastic clustered-dot halftoning with direct binary search

Most electrophotographic printers use periodic, clustered-dot screening for rendering smooth and stable prints. However, when used for color printing, this approach suffers from the problem of periodic moire´ resulting from interference between the periodic halftones of individual color planes. There has been proposed an approach, called CLU-DBS for stochastic, clustered-dot halftoning and screen design based on direct binary search. We propose a methodology to embed a printer model within this halftoning algorithm to account for dot-gain and dot-loss effects. Without accounting for these effects, the printed image will not have the appearance predicted by the halftoning algorithm. We incorporate a measurement-based stochastic model for dot interactions of an electro-photographic printer within the iterative CLU-DBS binary halftoning algorithm. The stochastic model developed is based on microscopic absorptance and variance measurements. The experimental results show that electrophotography-model based stochastic clustered dot halftoning improves the homogeneity and reduces the graini-ness of printed halftone images.
Folding of Intramolecular DNA Hairpin Loops: Enthalpy-Entropy Compensations and Hydration Contributions

DNA intramolecular hairpins are appropriate models for the thermodynamic description of the pseudo-intramolecular melting behavior of native DNA. To improve our understanding of the stability and melting behavior of DNA secondary structures and of the physical properties of nucleic acids, we have carried out a thermodynamic investigation of all possible bulges and mismatches in the hairpin molecule: d(GCNGCT5GCGC) and d(GCNGCT5GCMGC), where N represents a bulged base and N-M represents a W-C or mismatched base pair. We used circular dichroism spectroscopy to determine the overall conformation of each hairpin and UV melting and differential scanning calorimetry techniques to characterize their unfolding thermodynamics. The majority of hairpins melted in two-state monophasic transitions with transition temperatures independent of strand concentration. Relative to the host hairpin with 4 dG-dC base pairs in the stem, all hairpins with a bulge or a mismatch are less stable, while the hairpins with an extra c...
Difference in the anisotropy of the L X-rays emitted from gold atoms aligned by impact ionization using H+ or H+2 of the same energy/amu

Abstract The L X-ray emitted from gold atoms, impact-ionizated by 120° scattered 1 MeV/amu protons, and singly charged molecular hydrogen ions were measured at 0° and 90° relative to the reaction plane using a coincidence technique. Unambiguous difference under identical experimental conditions was observed. An attempt to understand this “molecular effect” using a simple model of randomly oriented incident molecular ion is made.
Neutron Diffraction Study of Manganese Ferrite

Neutron diffraction patterns have been obtained for polycrystalline Mn${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ at 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The fraction of tetrahedral sites occupied by ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{+2}$ has been found to be 0.81\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03, indicating that Mn${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ has very nearly the normal spinel structure. The value 0.3846\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0003 has been assigned to the space group parameter $u$. The observed magnetic scattering is consistent with the N\'eel model and with the measured saturation moment.
Intrahospital Transport of Children on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Indications, Process, Interventions and Effectiveness

Objective Critically ill patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are transported within the hospital to the radiology suite, cardiac catheterization suite, operating room, and from one ICU to another. No studies to date have systematically evaluated intra-hospital transport (IHT) while on ECMO. This study aims to evaluate indications, process, interventions, and effectiveness of patients undergoing IHT.
Some properties of spectral line profiles

Abstract The analyticity of the generalized complex susceptibility is used to discuss the frequency dependence of the susceptibility of passive systems and, in particular, to derive some properties of the Gaussian-broadened Lorentz line profile. It is demonstrated that a convergent part of the frequency moments of a Lorentz profile can be unambiguously defined.
Collaboration using multiple PDAs connected to a PC

The Pebbles project is creating applications to connect multiple Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to a main computer such as a PC. We are using 3Com PalmPilots because they are starting to be ubiquitous. We created the “Remote Commander” application to allow users to take turns sending input from their PalmPilots to the PC as if they were using the PC’s mouse and keyboard. “PebblesDraw” is a shared whiteboard application we built that allows all of the users to send input simultaneously while sharing the same PC display. We are investigating the use of these applications in various contexts, such as co-located meetings.
Frequency reference challenges - a systemic view

The performance of conventional quartz oscillators is being tested to the limit. We will introduce basics behind quartz and then go over known technical challenges including activity dips, aging, vibration sensitivity etc. that are encountered using quartz oscillators. We will cover new technologies on the horizon specifically MEMS based technologies that continue to solve issues faced by crystal oscillators.
A Middle East free of nuclear weapons: possible, probable or pipe-dream?

This article provides an overview of the attempts to address a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)-free zone in the Middle East as mandated by the 2010 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. The article outlines regional nuclear programmes in Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq and Syria, and the evolution of nuclear weapon-free zones and NPT politics. The article further proposes a set of recommendations for what might constitute a nuclear weapon-free zone treaty, including interim measures that would support the establishment of the Middle East WMD-free zone, drawing on historical precedent from relevant cases.
Improved Seismic Performance of Gusset Plate Connections

Current design practices use a strength-based design approach to design gusset plate connections in special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs), in which the expected tensile and compressive capacities of the brace are used to design the gusset plate and the weld used to connect the brace to the frame. To achieve brace end rotation, the gusset plate is sized using a linear offset rule, and large, uneconomical gusset plate connections may result. A research program was undertaken to improve the economy and performance of gusset plate connections. A new approach is proposed in which the gusset plate design is based on a balanced design approach in which the yield mechanisms of the brace are balanced with the yield mechanisms of the connection and the failure modes of the system to achieve a target yielding hierarchy and suppress unwanted failure modes. Full-scale one-story, one-bay frames were designed and tested to investigate the seismic performance of current and proposed design methods. In the test program, variations in balance factors between the brace, gusset plate, and weld were considered to study the proposed method, to evaluate possible yield mechanisms and failure modes, and to obtain the desired yielding hierarchy. Comparison of the observed and measured performance of each specimen is made and specific design expressions to improve the seismic engineering of SCBF systems are proposed.
Clinical responses during gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. changes in synovitis, radiologically detectable erosive lesions, serum proteins, and serologic abnormalities

Gold therapy given to 73 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was associated with remission of synovitis for 3 months or longer in 27 patients and 50% or greater improvement in 20 patients. New joint deformities did not develop in patients who experienced remission, and progression of radiologically detectable erosive changes was prevented. Serum protein and serologic abnormalities were improved in all groups, but patients who had a good response experienced the greatest improvement. No single clinical or laboratory feature in the pretreatment assessment predicted response, but, as a group, the patients with the best response also ranked best for most prognostic indicators.
Effect of Arsenic Exposure on Alveolar Macrophage Function: I. Effect of Soluble As(III) and As(V)

Abstract Despite potential differences in the mechanism and potency of toxicity between the two common oxidation states of arsenic (As(III) and As(V)), assessments of the risk from inhaled arsenic generally ignore the oxidation state of inorganic arsenicals. Differences between potency and toxicity of As(III) and As(V) were evaluated by determining alteration in function of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) following in vivo and in vitro exposure to soluble arsenic. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used throughout. One day following intratracheal instillation of 1 mg/ml (as arsenic) of either sodium arsenite (As(III)) or sodium arsenate (As(V)), PAM were lavaged and analyzed for alterations in superoxide (O2−), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) production. There were no differences in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PGE2 or TNF-α. PAM lavaged from As(V)exposed animals showed significant increases in O2− production. In vivo exposure to either oxidative form of arsenic decreased basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of TNF-α production by PAM, but did not suppress LPS-induced production of PGE2. To test the direct effects of arsenic on PAM function, PAM were lavaged from control animals and exposed, in vitro, to either arsenical for up to 24 hr to concentrations of 0.1 to 300 μg/ml arsenic. Doses used were not cytotoxic to PAM, since LDH release was not significantly increased, even at the highest dose. Significant dose-dependent inhibition of O2− production was only evident after 24 hr exposure to arsenicals. As(III) was more potent than As(V), inhibiting O2− at concentrations as low as 0.1 μg/ml compared to 1.0 μg/ml of As(V). Suppression of LPS-induced release of TNF-α also occurred at lower concentrations of As(III), 50% inhibition at 0.15 μg/ml, compared to As(V), 50% inhibition at 1.8 μg/ml. While As(II) exposure had no affect on PGE2 production, As(V) caused inhibition of LPS-induced PGE2 production at concentrations above 1.0 μg/ml. Differences between As(III) and As(V) indicate that different mechanisms and/or potencies exist between the two arsenic species. Arsenic-induced alteration in PAM function may compromise host defense against infections and alter immune surveillance.
A composite outcome for neonatal cardiac surgery research

Objective The objective of this study was to determine whether a composite outcome, derived of objective signs of inadequate cardiac output, would be associated with other important measures of outcomes and therefore be an appropriate end point for clinical trials in neonatal cardiac surgery. Methods Neonates (n = 76) undergoing cardiac operations requiring cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively enrolled. Patients were defined to have met the composite outcome if they had any of the following events before hospital discharge: death, the use of mechanical circulatory support, cardiac arrest requiring chest compressions, hepatic injury (2 times the upper limit of normal for aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase), renal injury (creatinine >1.5 mg/dL), or lactic acidosis (an increasing lactate >5 mmol/L in the postoperative period). Associations between the composite outcome and the duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and total hospital charges were determined. Results The median age at the time of surgery was 7 days, and the median weight was 3.2 kg. The composite outcome was met in 39% of patients (30/76). Patients who met the composite outcome compared with those who did not had a longer duration of mechanical ventilation (4.9 vs 2.9 days, P P P P R 2 = 0.29-0.42, P Conclusions The composite outcome is highly associated with important early operative outcomes and may serve as a useful end point for future clinical research in neonates undergoing cardiac operations.
Comparison of temporal filtering methods for dynamic contrast MRI myocardial perfusion studies.

Dynamic contrast myocardial perfusion studies may benefit from methods that speed up the acquisition. Unaliasing by Fourier encoding the overlaps using the temporal dimension (UNFOLD), and a similar linear interpolation method have been shown to be effective at reducing the number of phase encodes needed for cardiac wall motion studies by using interleaved sampling and temporal filtering. Here such methods are evaluated in cardiac dynamic contrast studies, with particular regard to the effects of the choice of filter and the interframe motion. Four different filters were evaluated using a motion-free canine study. Full k-space was acquired and then downsampled to allow for a measure of truth. The different filters gave nearly equivalent images and quantitative flow estimates compared to full k-space. The effect of respiratory motion on these schemes was graphically depicted, and the performance of the four temporal filters was evaluated in seven human subjects with respiratory motion present. The four filters provided images of similar quality. However, none of the filters were effective at eliminating motion artifacts. Motion registration methods or motion-free acquisitions may be necessary to make these reduced FOV approaches clinically useful.
Dissociative Experiences and Reality-Testing Deficits in College Students:

One hundred forty-one college students completed a computerized test of reality-monitoring deficits and a computerized version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). In the test of reality-monitoring, subjects fixated on a dot, perceived a stimulus to one side, imaged an identical stimulus on the other side and rated its vividness while continuing to image. Then, either the dot became a P and subjects pressed a button on the side of the percept, as quickly as possible, or the dot became an I and subjects pressed a button on the side of the image. Subjects exhibiting above-median scores on the Dissociation/Amnesia factor of the DES took longer to discriminate perception from vivid imagery than from faint imagery, as if they failed to monitor the greater “central innervation” behind more vivid, more percept-like imagery. These results corroborate recent findings that dissociative tendencies in college students, like psychotic tendencies in students, have reality-testing deficiencies at their core.
Evolutionary ecology of insect adaptation to Bt crops

Transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins are used worldwide to control major pests of corn and cotton. Development of strategies to delay the evolution of pest resistance to Bt crops requires an understanding of factors affecting responses to natural selection, which include variation in survival on Bt crops, heritability of resistance, and fitness advantages associated with resistance mutations. The two main strategies adopted for delaying resistance are the refuge and pyramid strategies. Both can reduce heritability of resistance, but pyramids can also delay resistance by reducing genetic variation for resistance. Seasonal declines in the concentration of Bt toxins in transgenic cultivars, however, can increase the heritability of resistance. The fitness advantages associated with resistance mutations can be reduced by agronomic practices, including increasing refuge size, manipulating refuges to increase fitness costs, and manipulating Bt cultivars to reduce fitness of resistant individuals. Manipulating costs and fitness of resistant individuals on transgenic insecticidal crops may be especially important for thwarting evolution of resistance in haplodiploid and parthenogenetic pests. Field-evolved resistance to Bt crops in only five pests during the last 14 years suggests that the refuge strategy has successfully delayed resistance, but the accumulation of resistant pests could accelerate.
Canadian Homicide: An Investigation of Crime-Scene Actions

Recent literature suggests that different styles of homicide will most appropriately be reflected in the different types of behaviors committed by offenders at a crime scene. These distinctions, it has been proposed (e.g., Salfati, 2000), can best be understood using an instrumental and expressive thematic framework for the way the offender acts at the crime scene. Multidimensional analysis was carried out on the crime-scene actions derived from 75 Canadian single-offender, single-victim homicides, with the aim to replicate these earlier studies. A multivariate structure resulted, encompassing both hypothesized styles. Results are discussed in terms of implications for cross-national similarities and differences in the thematic structure of homicide and explorations regarding future avenues for research regarding crime-scene classification.
Joint cross-well and single-well seismic studies of CO2 injection in an oil reservoir

A series of time-lapse seismic cross-well and single-well experiments were conducted in a diatomite reservoir to monitor the injection of CO2 into a hydrofracture zone, based on P- and S-wave data. A high-frequency piezo-electric P-wave source and an orbital-vibrator S-wave source were used to generate waves that were recorded by hydrophones as well as 3-component geophones. During the first phase the set of seismic experiments was conducted after the injection of water into the hydrofractured zone. The set of seismic experiments was repeated after a time period of seven months during which CO2 was injected into the hydrofractured zone. The questions to be answered ranged from the detectability of the geological structure in the diatomic reservoir to the detectability of CO2 within the hydrofracture. Furthermore, it was intended to determine which experiment (cross-well or single-well) is best suited to resolve these features. During the pre-injection experiment, the P-wave velocities exhibited relatively low values between 1700 and 1900 m/s, which decreased to 1600‐1800 m/s during the post-injection phase (−5%). The analysis of the pre-injection S-wave data revealed slow S-wave velocities between 600 and 800 m/s, while the post-injection data revealed velocities between 500 and 700 m/s (−6%). These velocity estimates produced high Poisson’s ratios between 0.36 and 0.46 for this highly porous (∼50%) material. Differencing post- and pre-injection data revealed an increase in Poisson’s ratio of up to 5%. Both velocity and Poisson’s ratio estimates indicate the dissolution of CO2 in the liquid phase of the reservoir accompanied by an increase in pore pressure. The single-well data supported the findings of the cross-well experiments. P- and S-wave velocities as well as Poisson’s ratios were comparable to the estimates of the cross-well data. The cross-well experiment did not detect the presence of the hydrofracture but appeared to be sensitive to overall changes in the reservoir and possibly the presence of a fault. In contrast, the single-well reflection data revealed an arrival that could indicate the presence of the hydrofracture between the source and receiver wells, while it did not detect the presence of the fault, possibly due to out-of-plane reflections.
Movement and Dipersal of Tournament-Caught Largemouth Bass in Lake Mead, Arizona-Nevada

ABSTRACT We used ultrasonic telemetry to study post-release movement and dispersal of tournament-caught largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Lake Mead, Arizona-Nevada. Among 19 fish that survived for more than one week after release, none returned to its site of capture during a 43-day observation period. Dispersal was limited; twelve (63%) fish were last located less than 0.5 km from the tournament release site.
Site and stand variables influencing red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), population densities and tree mortality

Three research areas in the Ozark National Forest, Arkansas, were chosen to investigate relationships of site and stand conditions to northern red oak, Quercus rubra L., mortality attributed to red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus (Haldeman), a native wood-boring beetle. Fixed vegetation plots were installed in each area on five topographic positions: north, south, east, and west-facing benches and on ridges. Red oaks were classified into three red oak borer infestation history classes, low, moderate, and high, based on crown condition and red oak borer basal emergence holes. Three red oak borer population variables, number of current generation galleries, previous generation heartwood galleries, and emerging adults, were extrapolated to the stand-level based on infestation history class and within-tree red oak borer density data derived from whole and partial-tree sampling during the 2003 red oak borer cohort. Strong explanatory site and stand variables for borer population densities and northern red oak mortality were number of northern red oak, research area, topographic position, tree species richness, and tree species diversity. Number of northern red oak was positively correlated with increased borer densities and oak mortality whereas richness and diversity were negatively correlated. Yearly re-evaluations of 527 red oaks from 2002 to 2005 revealed that 8% improved in health relative to red oak borer infestation, 48% remained the same, 31% declined, and 13% died. Numbers of living trees and healthy trees decreased in some research areas and on some topographic positions. Results revealed spatial variability in tree and stand variables, red oak borer densities, and oak mortality and elucidated stand factors associated with this insect outbreak and oak mortality event.
Mammary glands of adipophilin-null mice produce an amino-terminally truncated form of adipophilin that mediates milk lipid droplet formation and secretion

Adipophilin (ADPH), a member of the perilipin family of lipid droplet-associated proteins, is hypothesized to mediate milk lipid formation and secretion. Unexpectedly, the fat content of milk from ADPH-null mice was only modestly lower than that of wild-type controls, and neither TIP47 nor perilipin appeared to fully compensate for ADPH loss. This prompted us to investigate the possibility that the mutated ADPH gene was not a genuine null mutation. ADPH transcripts were detected in ADPH-null mammary tissue by quantitative real-time PCR, and C-terminal-specific, but not N-terminal-specific, ADPH antibodies detected a single lower molecular weight product and immunostained cytoplasmic lipid droplets (CLDs) and secreted milk fat globules in ADPH-null mammary tissue. Furthermore, stable cell lines expressing cDNA constructs corresponding to the ADPH-null mutation produced a product comparable in size to the one detected in ADPH-null mammary glands and localized to CLDs. Based on these data, we conclude that ADPH-null mice express an N-terminally truncated form of ADPH that retains the ability to promote the formation and secretion of milk lipids.
Characteristics of innovative adaptive-optics servos that use membrane-based spatial light modulators

A theoretical model has been developed to simulate the behavior of a new class of optically addressed membrane-based spatial light modulator. Numerical simulations of the single-pixel performance of adaptive-optics servos that use this type of device have also been performed and indicate that excellent high-speed optical wave-front-error reduction can be achieved.
Successful Treatment of Fungal Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis: Case Report and Review

We report a case of Candida albicans prosthetic valve endocarditis in a patient who was still alive 1 year following a homograft aortic root and valve replacement and antifungal therapy. Only 33 other cases of successfully treated fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis have been reported. We review these 33 cases and six cases of late recurrence following treatment, as well as the clinical features, diagnosis, and options for treatment of fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis.
Feline immunodeficiency virus latency

Despite highly effective anti-retroviral therapy, HIV is thought to persist in patients within long-lived cellular reservoirs in the form of a transcriptionally inactive (latent) integrated provirus. Lentiviral latency has therefore come to the forefront of the discussion on the possibility of a cure for HIV infection in humans. Animal models of lentiviral latency provide an essential tool to study mechanisms of latency and therapeutic manipulation. Of the three animal models that have been described, the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cat is the most recent and least characterized. However, several aspects of this model make it attractive for latency research, and it may be complementary to other model systems. This article reviews what is known about FIV latency and chronic FIV infection and how it compares with that of other lentiviruses. It thereby offers a framework for the usefulness of this model in future research aimed at lentiviral eradication.