cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Review

Chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation are 2 major disorders that are closely linked. Their coexistence is associated with adverse prognosis. Both share several common predisposing conditions, but their interaction involves complex ultrastructural, electrophysiologic, and neurohormonal processes that go beyond mere sharing of mutual risk factors. Rate control approach remains the standard therapy for atrial fibrillation in heart failure because current strategies at rhythm control have so far failed to positively impact mortality and morbidity. This is largely because of the shortcomings of current pharmacologic anti-arrhythmic agents. Surgical and catheter-based therapies are promising, but long-term data are lacking. The role of non-anti-arrhythmic therapeutic agents also is being explored. Further progress toward improved understanding the complex relationship between atrial fibrillation and heart failure should improve management strategies.
Antibody combining site heterogeneity within the response to phosphocholine-keyhole limpet hemocyanin

Abstract The memory response to PC-KLH is dominated by two antibody populations differing in fine specificity. Group I antibodies show affinity for both phosphocholine (PC) and p -nitrophenyl phosphocholine (NPPC). Group II antibodies exhibit significant affinity only for NPPC. Here, we describe the binding site charactersitics of Group II antibodies and show that in recognizing NPPC these antibodies have a common requirement for the phenyl moiety, a negatively charged phosphate, and the trimethyl structure of the choline. However, Group II antibodies were found to differ in their requirement for the positively charged nitrogen of choline and thus could be divided into two subgroups. In contrast to Group II-A, Group II-B antibodies recognize not only NPPC but also its analog p -nitrophenyl-3,3-dimethyl butyl phosphate (NPDBP), which differs from NPPC by substituting a carbon for the positively charged nitrogen of the choline moiety. These results suggest that Group II-B antibodies do not require the positive charge in order to bind, although the binding constant, Ka, was increased when the nitrogen was present. Furthermore, heterogeneity within Group II antibodies was characterized by differences in binding to clinitrophenyl phosphocholine which has an additional phenyl ring and aminophenyl phosphocholine which has an amino group in place of the nitro group of NPPC. The results indicate that diversity in the memory response to PC-KLH is reflected in the Group II antigen-binding phenotype by antibodies which differ appreciably in their recognition of various structural aspects of the hapten.
Targeted gene knockdown in zebrafish reveals distinct intraembryonic functions for insulin-like growth factor II signaling.

IGF-II is the predominant IGF ligand regulating prenatal growth in all vertebrates, including humans, but its central role in placental development has confounded efforts to fully elucidate its functions within the embryo. Here we use a nonplacental model vertebrate (zebrafish) to interrogate the intraembryonic functions of IGF-II signaling. The zebrafish genome contains two coorthologs of mammalian IGF2 (igf2a, igf2b), which exhibit distinct patterns of expression during embryogenesis. Expression of igf2a mRNA is restricted to the notochord, primarily during segmentation/neurulation. By contrast, igf2b mRNA is expressed in midline tissues adjacent to the notochord, with additional sites of expression in the ventral forebrain, and the pronephros. To identify their intraembryonic functions, we suppressed the expression of each gene with morpholino oligonucleotides. Knockdown of igf2a led to defects in dorsal midline development, characterized by delayed segmentation, notochord undulations, and ventral curv...
An examination of silver nanoparticles in socks using screening-level life cycle assessment

Screening-level life cycle assessment (LCA) can provide a quick tool to identify the life cycle hot spots and focus research efforts to help to minimize the burdens of a technology while maximizing its benefits. The use of nanoscale silver in consumer products has exploded in popularity. Although its use is considered beneficial because of antimicrobial effects, some attention must be given to the potential environmental impacts it could impart on the life cycle of these nanoproducts as production demands escalate. This work examines the environmental impact of including silver nanoparticles in commercially available socks using screening-level LCA. Initial results suggest washing during the use phase contributes substantially more than the manufacturing phase to the product life cycle impacts. Comparison of nanoparticles prepared by either chemical reduction, liquid flame spray (LFS), or plasma arc demonstrate how the type of manufacturing process used for the nanoscale silver can change the resulting life cycle impact of the sock product. The magnitude of this impact will depend on the type of process used to manufacture the nanoscale silver, with LFS having the most impact because of the need for large quantities of hydrogen and oxygen. Although the increased impacts for a single nanoproduct may be relatively small, the added environmental load can actually be a significant quantity when considered at the regional or global production level.
Exercise-induced increases in myocardial adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate and phosphodiesterase activity

Abstract Numerous cellular biochemical events caused by hormones are mediated throught cyclic AMP. Although many changes occur in the cell during exercise that could be attributed to this nucleotide, little evidence is available implicating it as an important regulator of exercise metabolism. In this investigation it was found that a 60 min bout of treadmill exercise caused a 2.4-fold increase in myocardial cyclic AMP immediately following the work. Rather than the imemediate nucleotide hydrolysis that was expected, it was found that the elevated cyclic AMP level remained for approx. 24 h before returning to control levels. Cardiac glycogen fell to 30% of control after work but supercompensated 60% above control within 1 h following exercise. Therefore, cardiac cyclic AMP was elevated at a time when glycogen was being synthesized. Study of the temporal relationship between the exercise-induced increase in cyclic AMP and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase indicated that the work caused an increase in the hearts' capacity to hydrolyze cyclic AMP. Measurement of heart phosphodiesterase at substrate concentrations of 1.0 and 100 μM produced significant increased in enzyme activity immediately following exercise which remained elevated for 48 h and was back to control activity 96 h following work. These data present a potentially fascinating model for the study of the dissociation between cyclic AMP, glycogenesis and elevations in phosphodiesterase activity in the heart.
Social Capital and Happiness: Additional Cross-Country Evidence

Using several different samples, model specifications, and variable proxies, this study revisits the role of social capital in generating life satisfaction (happiness). The main outcome of the exercise is that the parameter for social capital (generalized trust) is extremely fragile, and most estimates show little significant role of social capital in generating happiness. Six additional points are noted. First, the role of income seems generally positive and significant. Second, there are marked parametric differences between high-income and low-income subgroups, but it is difficult to say whether social capital or income is more important in either group. Third, significance of income inequality and of inflation vary considerably across the models and the samples, but their association with happiness is generally weak. Fourth, two measures of happiness (life satisfaction) yield similar sets of estimates. Fifth, there is some indication that “transition” economies are marked by lower happiness while Latin American countries are generally happier. Last, a reasonable test indicates absence of any significant specification error and mitigates worries about possible endogeneities.
DT-diaphorase in morbidly obese patients.

Abstract Dicumarol sensitive DT-diaphorase (EC 1.6.99.2) activity has been measured in human cytosol from liver and various extrahepatic tissues not containing tumors which were removed during elective operations. The specific activity was found to be highest in tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. In contrast to rodent liver, the human liver has extremely low DT-diaphorase activity. Tissue activity was found to be highly variable among the patients studied which suggests that nutritional and/or genetic factors may be involved. The variability ranged from undetectable levels in liver to 223 nmol/mg × min in stomach. The data question whether the current concept concerning the biological function of this enzyme is applicable to man.
Population Physiology: Leveraging Electronic Health Record Data to Understand Human Endocrine Dynamics

Studying physiology and pathophysiology over a broad population for long periods of time is difficult primarily because collecting human physiologic data can be intrusive, dangerous, and expensive. One solution is to use data that have been collected for a different purpose. Electronic health record (EHR) data promise to support the development and testing of mechanistic physiologic models on diverse populations and allow correlation with clinical outcomes, but limitations in the data have thus far thwarted such use. For example, using uncontrolled population-scale EHR data to verify the outcome of time dependent behavior of mechanistic, constructive models can be difficult because: (i) aggregation of the population can obscure or generate a signal, (ii) there is often no control population with a well understood health state, and (iii) diversity in how the population is measured can make the data difficult to fit into conventional analysis techniques. This paper shows that it is possible to use EHR data to test a physiological model for a population and over long time scales. Specifically, a methodology is developed and demonstrated for testing a mechanistic, time-dependent, physiological model of serum glucose dynamics with uncontrolled, population-scale, physiological patient data extracted from an EHR repository. It is shown that there is no observable daily variation the normalized mean glucose for any EHR subpopulations. In contrast, a derived value, daily variation in nonlinear correlation quantified by the time-delayed mutual information (TDMI), did reveal the intuitively expected diurnal variation in glucose levels amongst a random population of humans. Moreover, in a population of continuously (tube) fed patients, there was no observable TDMI-based diurnal signal. These TDMI-based signals, via a glucose insulin model, were then connected with human feeding patterns. In particular, a constructive physiological model was shown to correctly predict the difference between the general uncontrolled population and a subpopulation whose feeding was controlled.
Integration of cytoplasmic calcium and membrane potential oscillations maintains calcium signaling in pituitary gonadotrophs.

Abstract Pituitary gonadotrophs exhibit spontaneous low-amplitude fluctuations in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) due to intermittent firing of nifedipine-sensitive action potentials. The hypothalamic neuropeptide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, terminates such spontaneous [Ca2+]i transients and plasma-membrane electrical activity and initiates high-amplitude [Ca2+]i oscillations and concomitant oscillations in membrane potential (Vm). The onset of agonist-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations is not dependent on Vm or extracellular Ca2+ but is associated with plasma-membrane hyperpolarization interrupted by regular waves of depolarization with firing of action potentials at the peak of each wave. The Vm and Ca2+ oscillations are interdependent during continued gonadotropin-releasing hormone action (greater than 3-5 min), when sustained Ca2+ entry is necessary for the maintenance of [Ca2+]i spiking. The initial and sustained agonist-induced Ca2+ transients and Vm oscillations are abolished by blockade of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, consistent with the role of Ca2+ re-uptake by internal stores in the oscillatory response during both phases. Such a pattern of synchronization of electrical activity and Ca2+ spiking in cells regulated by Ca(2+)-mobilizing receptors shows that the operation of the cytoplasmic oscillator can be integrated with a plasma-membrane oscillator to provide a long-lasting signal during sustained agonist stimulation.
Seborrheic keratosis of penis

Abstract Seborrheic keratosis is a benign skin disorder which rarely occurs on the penis. Histopathologicexamination shows characteristic basal cell hyperplasia with cystic formation in the thickened epidermis. Excisional biopsy is perhaps the only way to rule out malignant disease.
Paleomagnetic constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Sakarya continent, northwestern Anatolia—Comment

Abstract Thirteen sites were sampled in northwestern Anatolia in order to gather paleomagnetic information concerning the tectonic evolution of this region through Jurassic to Early Tertiary time, an interval encompassing much of the history of the Neo-Tethys in this area. Specifically, information concerning the history and behaviour of a crustal block, the Sakarya Continent, was sought in order to place some constraints on geologic models that have been proposed for the region. Four Jurassic sites are believed to exhibit early magnetization signatures that yield similar paleolatitudes for all sites. These results, when compared with paleolatitude information for Eurasia, suggest that Sakarya lay in close proximity to the southern Eurasian margin at least during the Jurassic part of its history. Significantly different declinations from the same four sites are interpreted to reflect the deformation of Sakarya when it docked with Eurasia during the Early Tertiary. These rotations are not attributed to motions of the North Anatolian Fault since results from three Paleocene sites in the same area show no evidence of significant rotation with respect to Eurasia.
Structural response of oxidation resistant carbon-carbon composites

Computational simulation of time, temperature, and oxidation-dependent response of carbon/carbon composites is illustrated and compared to experimental data. The material system examined is a SiC-coated, balanced eight-layer 8-harness satin weave carbon fibre cloth with boron carbide inhibitors in the matrix. Two representative cells, in-plane and through-the-thickness of the textile architecture, are developed to describe time(oxidation)-dependent material properties and thermo-mechanical response under static and cyclic loads with two-dimensional finite elements. These intelligible models enable a realistic interpretation of the overall response of the laminate subjected to the complex thermal-oxidative-mechanical loading conditions, and closely agree with the experimental data.
Rat embryo development on human sera is related to numbers of previous spontaneous abortions and nutritional factors.

Objectives: The objectives were to determine (1) if sera from women with histories of spontaneous abortions were teratogenic to cultured embryos more often than were sera of nonaborters, (2) if the teratogenicity could be corrected by adding nutrients to the sera, and (3) if these findings were relevant to reproductive outcomes. Study Design: Rat embryos were cultured for 48 hours on sera from 102 subjects who had experienced spontaneous abortions. Samples from 48 were retested with nutrients added and 10 took dietary supplements, were again tested with embryo cultures, and reported on their pregnancy outcomes. Results: The frequencies of teratogenic sera increased with numbers of spontaneous abortions (0 to ≥ 5) in a manner that did not deviate from linearity (27% to 89%) (χ2 p > 0.957). Nutrient supplements were added to 48 samples, and 40 were corrected and 10 subjects were given dietary supplement. Sera from six showed improved embryo cultures, and these women completed their pregnancies. Conclusions: Rat embryo cultures may provide unique insights into the causes and treatment of spontaneous abortions.
Image Coders With Semi-Definite And Definite Decoders

The special class of convolutional, or nonblock, coding systems which employ both FIR encoders and FIR decoders, or definite decoders, is proposed for real-time processing of sampled data. Fully definite multi-dimensional systems and partially definite, i.e. definite in some dimensions but not in others, are seen to exist. Since such a coding system is necessarily a multi-channel system, for signals of any dimension, some of the properties of multi-channel systems are considered as well as their applications. It is seen that convolutional coders incorporating definite decoders can do several desirable things, normally associated only with block coders, such as noncausal coding; and, in addition, traditional applications of single channel convolutional coders, such as linear prediction and estimation, are also possible in multi-channel systems. Color television image coding is seen to be a natural application for multi-channel coding because of the inherent separation of luminance and chrominance into separate channels. An important property of definite coding systems affecting the economy of 2 and 3 dimensional processing systems, which are used for bandwidth compression, is that the decoder uses only the compressed data, thereby significantly reducing the memory requirements for storage of data corresponding to previous lines and frames. Examples are presented of definite systems which separate color signals into their components, noncausal coders, doders which reduce the visability of noise bursts, and linear predictors with feedback quantizers.
Online support for commerce processes by web retailers

This paper examines the extent to which companies in various industries are using the World Wide Web and its associated technologies to conduct retail business. Using the framework of an Electronic Commerce Architecture (ECA), a variety of commercial Web sites are analyzed to determine which commerce processes are being supported online in each industry and each type of industry. The results of this study provide useful insight not only for researchers on the state of Web technology adoption and electronic commerce practices in industry, but also for companies seeking to derive competitive advantage through electronic commerce.
Spontaneous generation of voltage in Gd 5 (Si x Ge 4-x ) during a first-order phase transition induced by temperature or magnetic field

The spontaneous generation of voltage has been observed during the first-order magnetic-Martensitic phase transition process in ${\mathrm{Gd}}_{5}{(\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{4\ensuremath{-}x})$ alloys regardless of whether the transformation is triggered by temperature or magnetic field. Based on various experimental data we show that thermoelectric power is a major contributor to the observed voltage. The characteristics of the simultaneously recorded spontaneous voltage and the signal from a differential thermocouple attached to the sample are quite complex, indicating that thermal effects arising in this class of materials during the first-order phase transition are nontrivial. The unusual dynamics of both the heat release and absorption during the phase transformations in ${\mathrm{Gd}}_{5}{(\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{4\ensuremath{-}x})$ result in the appearance of temperature gradients and, therefore, thermoelectricity.
Endoscopic balloon dilation of esophageal strictures following surgical anastomoses, endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy, and corrosive ingestion

Between 1987 and 1991, endoscopic balloon dilation was performed for esophageal strictures which developed after operation in 28 cases, after sclerotherapy in 9 cases, and after corrosive injury in 8 cases, for a total of 45 cases. The locations of stricture were upper third in 20 cases, mid-third in 2 cases, and lower third in 23 cases. The stricture appeared clinically 1 to 3 months after esophageal injury. Endoscopic follow-up interval was 1 week. A total of 136 dilations were done in these 45 patients with an average of 2.6 times/case (range, 1 to 8). The result of dilation was good in 9 cases, improved in 18 cases, slightly improved in 15 cases, with only 3 cases having no response. The follow-up period was 2 years on average (range, 0.5 to 4 years). The data suggest that endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe, effective, and easy method for the management of esophageal stricture caused by surgical anastomosis, sclerotherapy, and corrosive injury.
A practical approach to colitis

Abstract Etiologies for colonic inflammation and injury are numerous and may be the result of idiopathic, infectious, iatrogenic, and autoimmune processes. Colitides most likely to be encountered in clinical practice are those caused by idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, ischaemia, radiation, diverticulosis, and medications. Additionally, collagenous and lymphocytic colitis are entities to be considered in the setting of a normal endoscopic exam. Although evaluation of specimens for inflammatory colon disorders can be challenging, the differential diagnosis can be narrowed if the histologic features are interpreted in the context of the endoscopic and clinical findings. This article aims to provide the reader with a review of the most commonly encountered inflammatory processes of the colon and to offer guidance to differentiate between entities bearing in mind that there is significant overlap between many of these disorders.
The shelf‐life of uneviscerated and eviscerated chicken carcasses stored at 10°C and 4°C

1. Uneviscerated and eviscerated chicken carcasses were processed together and stored in groups of 10 at 10°C and 4°C; a further 10 eviscerated carcasses were wrapped in “polythene” bags and stored at 4°C. 2. The bacteriological condition of the uneviscerated and eviscerated carcasses prior to storage was very similar. 3. At 10 °C the eviscerated carcasses developed a slight “off” odour in 3 to 4 d (average 3.5 d) whilst the first signs of greening in the uneviscerated carcasses occurred in 4 to 6 d (average 5 d). 4. At 4 °C wrapped eviscerated carcasses developed slight “off” odour in 5 to 6 d (average 5.6 d) whilst the unwrapped eviscerated carcasses varied considerably in their shelf‐life from 5 to 11 d (average 7.9 d). After 18 d the uneviscerated carcasses were still quite acceptable and no bacteria were found in the breast muscle (i.e. < 150/g). 5. Bacteriological examinations made of the skin of the three groups of chickens stored at 4 °C confirmed the differences obtained in shelf‐life; Pseudomona...
Studies toward a conjugate vaccine for anthrax. Synthesis and characterization of anthrose [4,6-dideoxy-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanamido)-2-O-methyl-D-glucopyranose] and its methyl glycosides.

Abstract The key step in the first chemical synthesis of anthrose ( 16 ) and its methyl α- ( 6 ) and β-glycoside ( 22 ) was inversion of configuration at C-2 in triflates 10 , 2 , and 18 , respectively, obtained from the common intermediate, methyl 4-azido-3- O -benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-α- d -mannopyranoside ( 1 ). To prepare methyl α-anthroside ( 6 ), methylation at O-2 of the gluco product 3 , obtained from 2 , was followed by hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis of the formed 2-methyl ether 4 , to simultaneously remove the protecting benzyl group and reduce the azido function. Subsequent N-acylation of the formed amine 5 with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid gave the target methyl α-glycoside 6 . Synthesis of methyl β-anthroside ( 22 ) comprised the same sequence of reactions, starting from the known methyl 4-azido-3- O -benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-β- d -mannopyranoside ( 17 ), which was prepared from 1 . In the synthesis of anthrose ( 16 ), 1-thio-β-glucoside 11 , obtained from 1 through 10 , was methylated at O-2, and the azido function in the resulting benzylated 1-thioglycoside 12 was selectively reduced to give amine 13 . After N-acylation with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, 1-thioglycoside 14 was hydrolyzed to give the corresponding reducing sugar, aldol 15 , which was debenzylated to afford anthrose.
Thermally Responsive P(M(EO)2MA-co-OEOMA) Copolymers via AGET ATRP in Miniemulsion

Thermally responsive random copolymers of di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (M(EO)2MA) and oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEOMA) (Mn ∼ 300 or 475) with varied composi...
A cognitive therapy treatment program for repeat DUI offenders

Driving under the influence is a devastating problem in the United States, killing almost 17,000 people in 2005. The present article describes a cognitive treatment program aimed at repeat drinking and driving offenders. Sixty-three participants were court mandated to the four-month outpatient treatment program. Before entering and after completing treatment, participants were administered self-report instruments measuring alcohol problems, readiness to change, self-esteem/efficacy, and criminal thinking patterns. Additionally, arrest histories were examined. Findings suggested that participants were characterized not only by repeated arrests, but elevated blood alcohol content and high levels of self-reported alcohol dependency and problem-drinking behaviors. The majority of clients expressed a readiness to change their drinking and driving behaviors with 87 percent graduating from the program. A DUI recidivism rate of 13 percent was found for graduates of the program at a twenty-one month follow-up. The results demonstrate that the treatment program is a valuable tool in the battle to reduce criminal recidivism.
It Takes Two to Tango Why Older People Have the Best Relationships

Older adults report more positive feelings and fewer problems in their relationships than do younger adults. Prior theories have focused on aspects of the older adult (e.g., social cognition, motivation) to explain these findings. We propose a social input model to explain why older adults describe themselves as having better relationships. This model maintains that older adults’ reports of positive social ties reflect both their own actions and those of their social partners. When adults of any age find themselves in a tense interchange with an older adult, they minimize tensions to facilitate positive emotional experiences. These behaviors may stem from perceived time remaining in the relationship, forgiveness or abrogation of blame, and stereotypes of aging. Findings suggest socioemotional regulation in late life involves actions on the part of both older adults and their social partners.
Steady flows in rectangular cavities

This paper deals with the steady flow in a rectangular cavity where the motion is driven by the uniform translation of the top wall. Creeping flow solutions for cavities having aspect ratios from ¼ to 5 were obtained numerically by a relaxation technique and were shown to compare favourably with Dean & Montagnon's (1949) similarity solution, as extended by Moffatt (1964), in the region near the bottom corners of a square cavity as well as throughout the major portion of a cavity with aspect ratio equal to 5. In addition, for a Reynolds number range from 20 to 4000, flow patterns were determined experimentally by means of a photographic technique for finite cavities, as well as for cavities of effectively infinite depth. These experimental results suggest that, within finite cavities, the high Reynolds number steady flow should consist essentially of a single inviscid core of uniform vorticity with viscous effects being confined to thin shear layers near the boundaries, while, for cavities of infinite depth, the viscous and inertia forces should remain of comparable magnitude throughout the whole domain even in the limit of very large Reynolds number R.
Toxic Megacolon Associated With Methotrexate Therapy

We describe the case of a patient with psoriasis who developed severe colitis, with toxic megacolon, after a course of treatment with methotrexate. The duration of her colitis, which was eventually resolved by using conservative measures, was far greater than that of other drug-related complications, which included bone marrow depression, jaundice, and renal failure. The literature pertaining to this rare manifestation of methotrexate toxicity is reviewed. A prolonged illness and relative sparing of the distal colon appear to be characteristic of this form of colitis.
Distributed cognition, learning webs, and domain-oriented design environments

The human mind is limited, making collaboration with other humans and with things (in our case with compu­ tational environments) a necessity rather than a lUxury. Relevant knowledge for work and for learning is dis­ tributed in our head, in the heads of others, and in the environment. Learning webs are used by (virtual) communities of practice. Domain-oriented design environments (DODEs) support learning webs by allowing all stake­ holders in a design process to learn and work collabo­ ratively with each other and with their computational environments. DODEs serve as models for the design of collaborative working and learning environments by exploring and supporting different relationships and task responsibilities between humans and computers. DODEs integrate working and learning by grounding learning in self-directed, authentic activities. They support learning on demand as an essential ele­ ment of life-long learning. The creation of DODEs faces the fundamental challenge to make them simulta­ neously learner-directed and supportive. DODEs tran­ scend other computer-supported cooperative learning systems, which employ the computer only as a medium with few interpretable components. They integrate hu­ mans and computational resources more creatively by acknowledging that persons become skill resources only when they consent to do so, whereas computa­ tional environments are available at the bidding of the user.
Winter Air Temperature Change over the Terrestrial Arctic, 1961–1990

Abstract We evaluate two approaches to spatially interpolating winter surface air-temperature fields over the terrestrial Arctic from available weather-station records. We then examine 30 yr (1961–1990) of winter air-temperature change over the terrestrial Arctic through a time-trend analysis of interpolated winter air-temperature fields. We used monthly average air temperatures from 4984 Arctic station records that were available for the period 1961–1990. The two spatial interpolation procedures employed were “traditional” interpolation and a method that makes use of spatially high-resolution digital-elevation information, called “DEM-assisted” (DAI). The Arctic average winter air temperature obtained from the traditionally interpolated 1961–1990 climatology is over 9°C colder than the mean winter station temperature, illustrating the considerable warm bias in Arctic weather station locations. The DAI-based average is 1°C colder, further emphasizing the importance of spatial interpolation prior to spatia...
Informationally Decentralized Video Streaming Over Multihop Wireless Networks

Various packet scheduling, dynamic routing, error-protection, and channel adaptation strategies have been proposed at different layers of the protocol stack to address multi-user video streaming over multihop wireless networks. However, these cross-layer transmission strategies can be efficiently optimized only if they use accurate information about the network conditions and hence, are able to timely adapt to network changes. Due to the informationally decentralized nature of the multihop wireless network, performing centralized optimization for delay-sensitive video streaming application based on global information about the network status is not practical. Distributed solutions that adapt the transmission strategies based on timely information feedback need to be considered. To acquire this information feedback for cross-layer adaptation, we deploy an overlay infrastructure, which is able to relay the necessary information about the network status and incurred delays across different network ldquohorizonsrdquo (i.e., across a different number of hops in a predetermined period of time). In this paper, we propose a distributed streaming approach that is optimized based on the local information feedback acquired from the various network horizons. We investigate the distributed cross-layer adaptation at each wireless node by considering the advantages resulting from an accurate and frequent network information feedback from larger horizons as well as the drawbacks resulting from an increased transmission overhead. Based on the information feedback, we can estimate the risk that packets from different priority classes will not arrive at their destination before their decoding deadline expires. Subsequently, the various transmission strategies such as packet scheduling, retransmission limit and dynamic routing policies are adapted to jointly consider the estimated risk as well as the impact in terms of distortion of the different priority classes. Our results show that the proposed dynamic routing policy based on timely information feedback outperforms existing state-of-the-art on-demand routing solutions by more than 2 dB in terms of the received video quality.
STATE, TRAIT AND CHANGE DIMENSIONS OF INTELLIGENCE

Summary. Methods for operationally distinguishing between generically different kinds of traits and states were described in some detail, prior to demonstrating the use of the methods to describe human abilities. The results indicated that a distinction between fluid intelligence, crystallised intelligence, broad fluency and broad visualisation exists primarily at the trait level, although states of fluency and visualisation were found to exist in attenuated form independently of reliable within-person variations in intelligence.
Simple Biologically Informed Inflammatory Index of Two Serum Cytokines Predicts 10 Year All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults

SERUM measures of inflammatory activation are among the most reliable markers of risk for adverse health outcomes in older persons (1). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other proinflammatory cytokines predict disability and mortality and have been correlated to many chronic diseases that are highly prevalent and frequently result in disability in older persons (1–3). Increasing evidence from basic biological studies suggest that inflammatory cytokines play a direct role in the development and clinical progression of chronic disease states, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer, and the typical manifestations of aging, such as sarcopenia, anemia, and cognitive decline (4–9). Although the specific mechanisms that link inflammation to mortality and other adverse health outcomes have not been clarified, developing parsimonious and reliable measures of inflammation may be useful in clinical practice as risk assessment tools, as potential therapeutic targets, and to monitor clinical progression and effectiveness of interventions. In spite of this potential clinical utility, with the potential exception of C-reactive protein (CRP) in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases (10), inflammatory markers have not yet been widely incorporated into clinical practice (11), partly because there is not yet a “gold standard” inflammatory measurement that best and most reliably predicts adverse outcomes in older adults. In fact, there have been few attempts to develop a comprehensive study of inflammatory markers for this purpose and to aggregate biologically informed measures to maximize predictive validity (11,12). As a result, most studies on the effect of proinflammatory state on health outcomes in older patients still consider cytokines separately. Previous research has suggested that the upregulation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkB)-mediated innate immune system plays a key role in the progressive rise of serum inflammatory markers with aging (13). Building on this biological knowledge, we hypothesized that a simple aggregate measure whose expression is influenced by NFkB activation would be independently predictive of mortality and other adverse outcomes than any single inflammatory marker, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), education, smoking, and CVD status. We sought to evaluate this hypothesis and identify the subset of 15 NFkB-related inflammatory markers that were most predictive of mortality for 10 years in two large longitudinal cohort populations of older adults. As exploratory analyses, we also evaluated (a) whether the inflammatory phenotype for predicting mortality differed according to sex and CVD status and (b) whether the impact of inflammation on mortality changed with age.
License valuation in the aerospace industry: A real options approach

This paper discusses a practical case application of real options applied to license valuation in the aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul industry. After categorizing the available licensing opportunities of the firm, four distinct licensing classes are identified: traditional delay licenses, contingent investment licenses, licenses with cost uncertainties, and indefinite delay licenses. Due to the varying nature of the classes, accepted real option valuation techniques are applied to include the European call, dual asset, exchange, and perpetual option. Appropriate sensitivity analyses and discussion for each license class provide guidelines for decision-making. In general, it is shown that the real options framework captures value overlooked by discounted cash flow approaches.
Accurate measurement of functional residual capacity and oxygen consumption of patients on mechanical ventilation.

Abstract We developed an apparatus and technique for the simultaneous measurement of functional residual capacity and oxygen uptake (VO2) for use in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The accuracy of the functional residual capacity measurement was proven using an in vitro lung model and the reproducibility of this measurement was established by use in ICU patients. We tested the accuracy of the VO2 measurement in comparison with two other methods in common use among ICU patients and our method proved accurate. We conclude that this technique for measurement of functional residual capacity and VO2 is highly accurate and easily applied to patients on any mode of mechanical ventilation.
Dominici et al. Respond to “Heterogeneity of Particulate Matter Health Risks”

Tolbert (1) highlights issues that we also found to be complex as we interpreted the results of our analyses (2). We analyzed data from a 14-year interval over which particulate matter levels dropped substantially across the United States. We applied methods developed as part of the National Morbidity, Mortality, and Air Pollution Study for evaluating change in the short-term effect of particulate matter 10 lm in aerodynamic diameter over a period of increasingly stringent regulation that might have changed the chemical composition and toxicity of particulate matter. The decline in particulate matter concentrations over a span with uniformly collected particulate matter measurements and mortality provided an opportunity to assess whether the health of the public had benefited from the decline. Our work can be categorized as accountability assessment, that is, evaluating whether regulations have had an impact on harmful exposures and the occurrence of health effects (3). There is an increasing call for such evaluations, given the cost of some environmental regulations, including the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for particulate matter. For two of the ‘‘criteria pollutants’’ with specific biomarkers—lead (blood lead level) and carbon monoxide (level of carboxyhemoglobin in blood)—declines in levels in population samples were readily linked to specific events, including the removal of lead from gasoline (4). For airborne particulate matter, a heterogeneous mixture with many sources, accountability assessment is far more challenging, as noted by Tolbert (1). In meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for particulate matter, strategies in nonattainment areas typically focus on the controllable sources delivering the greatest emission load, and not necessarily the most toxic particles since we are still uncertain as to the toxicity-determining characteristics of particulate matter. Of necessity, our analyses were descriptive, seeking to identify whether there was an indication of a change in the risk of health events associated with particulate matter, beyond that associated with a decline in overall particulate matter mass concentration. As noted by Tolbert (1), the evidence for a decline in toxicity is suggestive, but far from conclusive. Tolbert lists alternative explanations for the findings. One possible explanation is the play of chance, given the imprecision with which possible effect modification was estimated. The sample size, of course, is fixed, because we used most of the data available. Our estimates could be interpreted as at least bounding the magnitude of any change in risk. The imprecision associated with the temporal changes in the short-term effect of particulate matter 10 lm in aerodynamic diameter, even when estimated from 14 years of data for 100 cities, shows one challenge of accountability assessment, particularly given the graded implementation over time of measures affecting particulate matter concentrations and characteristics.
Polynomial and standard higher order neural network

The generalized back propagation algorithm is extended to multi-layer higher-order neural networks (HONNs). The performance of HONNs is presented. Two basic structures, the standard form and the polynomial form, are discussed. The performance of these two structures is compared using the classical TC test case, the geometric rotation problem. Simulation results show that both types of constructing strategies can recognize noisy data under rotation up to 70% and noisy irrational data up to 94%. The effect of the number of hidden neurons is discussed. >
Vortex decay above a stationary boundary

An attempt is made to understand the decay of a free vortex normal to a stationary, infinite boundary. For rapidly swirling flows in fluids of small viscosity, thin boundary layers develop along the rigid boundary and along the axis, the axial boundary layer being strongly influenced by the behaviour of the plate boundary. An over-all picture of the flow is sought, with only moderate success in the region far from the origin. Near the origin, the eruption of the plate boundary layer into the axial boundary layer is studied.
Coordinated Changes in mRNA Turnover, Translation, and RNA Processing Bodies in Bronchial Epithelial Cells following Inflammatory Stimulation†

Bronchial epithelial cells play a pivotal role in airway inflammation, but little is known about posttranscriptional regulation of mediator gene expression during the inflammatory response in these cells. Here, we show that activation of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells by proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) leads to an increase in the mRNA stability of the key chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein 1 and IL-8, an elevation of the global translation rate, an increase in the levels of several proteins critical for translation, and a reduction of microRNA-mediated translational repression. Moreover, using the BEAS-2B cell system and a mouse model, we found that RNA processing bodies (P bodies), cytoplasmic domains linked to storage and/or degradation of translationally silenced mRNAs, are significantly reduced in activated bronchial epithelial cells, suggesting a physiological role for P bodies in airway inflammation. Our study reveals an orchestrated change among posttranscriptional mechanisms, which help sustain high levels of inflammatory mediator production in bronchial epithelium during the pathogenesis of inflammatory airway diseases.
An in vivo teratology screen utilizing pregnant mice

Twenty-eight compounds of known teratogenic potential were assayed by an in vivo screening procedure. Postnatal growth and viability of prenatally exposed offspring was used as a measure of developmental toxicity. Gravid CD-1 mice were administered maximum tolerated doses of the compounds for up to 5 consecutive days during the period of major organogenesis. The dams were allowed to give birth, and litter size and weight on postpartum d 1 and 3 were recorded and compared with concurrent controls. All 15 compounds that were teratogenic by standard teratology test criteria exhibited some form of developmental toxicity. Four chemicals known to produce only fetal toxicity (reduced weight or supernumerary ribs) were tested and the screen successfully identified those that reduced weight. Finally, of the 9 compounds that show no effect in standard tests, 6 were also negative in the screen and 3 demonstrated either reduced viability or weight.
The "Soissons Bible" Paintshop in Thirteenth-Century Paris

IN the early thirteenth century Paris was the scene of far-ranging revisions of the Bible.' As is well known, the books of St Jerome's translation were put into a particular sequence, a certain set of prologues was added, Stephen Langton's division of the books into chapters was adopted, and the text itself was corrected. The result was the basis of the modern Vulgate. The physical form of Bibles also changed. Unlike the great institutional tomes of the twelfth century, they now became smaller and more personal, often of portable size, and they generally were made on fine vellum. At various moments in the first half of the thirteenth century a number of different authorities were at work in Paris revising the text, but undoubtedly the most popular version and the one of interest here was the earliest. According to Roger Bacon, it was produced by a group of University professors and librarii.2 The reason for their collaboration is not hard to find. An accepted exemplar would simplify teaching in the University by replacing texts often at wild variance with one another by a standard text; and all copies would have the authority of the theologians behind them, and their prestige would naturally increase. This proved to be one of the most viable ideas ever developed in the history of publishing. During the succeeding centuries, literally hundreds of copies of this Bible were produced in Paris and disseminated throughout the world. As has often been remarked, there is scarcely a self-respecting library of mediaeval manuscripts that does not contain at least one copy of a Parisian "University Bible." Roger Bacon's statement that these Bibles were created by the librarii of Paris means, of course, that these men were the entrepreneurs, as they were also for textbooks. But there is a distinction to be made between the two classes, over and above the fact that many of the Bibles are illuminated and hence luxury volumes. None of the Bibles seems to contain any pecia marks, a sign of student copywork.3 Quite the contrary, the fact that a fair number of Bibles are signed by scribes suggests that these men, whether clerics or not, were professional scribes, as is consonant with luxury work. The painters were also professionals and very likely secular as well, as the recent discovery of tax lists from Paris indicates.4 How the production of illuminated Bibles was organized in Paris at any given moment is still an open question, one which can be answered only by