cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Near-Rational Model of the Business Cycle, with Wage and Price Inertia

This paper presents a model in which insignificantly suboptimal behavior causes aggregate demand shocks to have significant real effects. The individual loss to agents with inertial price-wage behavior is second-order in terms of the parameter describing the shock, while the effect on real economic variables is first-order. Thus, significant changes in business activity can be generated by anticipated money supply changes provided that some agents are willing to engage in nonmaximizing behavior which results in small losses.
Immunocompetent Adults from Human Norovirus Challenge Studies Do Not Exhibit Norovirus Viremia

Noroviruses (NoV) are among the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide ([1][1]). There is also limited knowledge of the pathogenesis of human NoV infection. Children, immunocompromised adults, and gnotobiotic pigs and calves used as models of human NoV infection all can develop NoV
An analysis on price matching policy

Price matching policies have been widely adopted in retailing and other industrial markets. The flourishing online channels have made price comparison and matching much easier. Previous research on price matching policy focuses on how this policy impacts the competition among sellers based on simultaneous pricing games. However, besides the role to match the competitors' current price during a purchase (i.e. concurrent price matching), price matching policy usually has another role: to match a seller's own price or the competitors' price if the price drops within a specified period after the purchase (i.e. posterior price matching). This role has important implication for consumers' purchasing behavior. Rational consumers may delay purchasing, hoping for possible markdowns that come later. This delayed purchasing behavior, however, may harm a seller's profit. Posterior price matching allows a seller to induce early purchasing of buyers. This is because with a guarantee to match the lower price that may be offered by the seller later, a buyer cannot gain by waiting. On the other hand, posterior price matching reduces a seller's pricing power, and also changes a seller's pricing strategy over time, influencing a buyer's utility. Therefore whether or not posterior price matching benefits sellers or buyers deserve a close examination. In this paper, we present an analytical model that investigates the impact of posterior price matching on both the buyers' utility and the seller's revenue in three scenarios: (1) the seller is a monopolist in the market; (2) the seller is a semi-monopolist in the market, i.e., he is a monopolist in the first period, but the market is perfectly competitive and he has no pricing power in the second period; and (3) the seller is a price-taking seller, i.e., the market is perfectly competitive, in both periods. We find that in scenario 1 a price matching policy is beneficial for the seller but makes the buyers worse off. However, in scenario 2 and 3, we find that there exists a wide range of situations where a price matching policy surprisingly can benefit both parties.
The Vertical Structure of Hurricane Rainbands and Their Interaction with the Mean Vortex

Abstract The model of hurricane rainbands developed by Willoughby (1977a, 1978) is here extended to simulate linear waves on a baroclinic mean vortex. Although the energetics are more complicated than in the case of barotropic mean flow, these results support the plausibility of Willoughby's model of rainbands as inward-propagating inertia-buoyancy waves. These waves are excited with small amplitude at the storm's periphery and amplify in consequence of the Eliassen-Palm theorem as they are Doppler-shifted to higher frequency during their propagation toward the storm's center. In a baroclinic mean flow, as in a barotropic one, the energy for the amplification comes primarily from the kinetic energy of the mean flow. The primary process which effects this energy exchange is associated with a horizontal export of angular momentum from the vortex center. A baroclinic mean vortex also supplies a lesser amount of energy to the perturbations at the expense of the mean available potential energy. In the upper tr...
Identification and characterization of homeobox transcription factor genes in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, and their expression in embryonic development

A set of 96 homeobox transcription factors was identified in the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus genome using permissive blast searches with a large collection of authentic homeodomain sequences from mouse, human and fly. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to compare the sea urchin homeobox gene family to those of vertebrates, with the result that with the only a few exceptions, orthologs of all vertebrate homeodomain genes were uncovered by our search. QPCR time course measurements revealed that 65% of these genes are expressed within the first 48 h of development (late gastrula). For genes displaying sufficiently high levels of transcript during the first 24 h of development (late blastula), whole mount in situ hybridization was carried out up to 48 h to determine spatial patterns of expression. The results demonstrate that homeodomain transcription factors participate in multiple and diverse developmental functions, in that they are used at a range of time points and in every territory of the developing embryo.
Synchronization of unimanual and bimanual responses with monotic and dichotic clicks

In experiments requiring subjective judgments, the apparent rate of rapidly presented dichotically alternating clicks has consistently been shown to be slower than that of clicks presented monotically. The first of the present studies asked (1) if slowing of dichotic clicks would be observed when the listener’s task was to “follow” the clicks with overt motor responses (unimanual keypresses) rather than to make psychophysical judgments, and (2) if following of dichotic clicks could be improved by providing two response channels (alternating bimanual presses). Both answers were affirmative. The second study asked (3) if the improvement obtained in the bimanual condition reflected increased perceptual capacity. The results indicated that it did not, but was attributable to an increase in response ceiling.
Toxins of the sea anemone Epiactis prolifera.

Abstract Three polypeptides designated epiactins A, B, and C are responsible for the hemolytic activity of extracts of the sea anemone, Epiactis prolifera. Their pI values are 6.4, 8.3, and 7.6 for A, B, and C, respectively. They all are similar in size (ca. 19,500 daltons) and lack methionine and proline. Epiactin B is the major toxin and it is inactivated by dialysis against distilled water, by freeze-drying, and by exposure to 50 °C for 30 min whereas epiactin A is stable to these treatments. Epiactin C appears to be a variant form of B. The activity of epiactin B is inhibited by sphingomyelin and by sheep erythrocyte membranes. Treatment of the latter with enzymes known to destroy sphingomyelin reduces the inhibitory capacity of the membranes. For these reasons sphingomyelin is thought to be the receptor for the toxin. Epiactin B is broadly similar to basic, sphingomyelin-inhibitable, cytotoxic polypeptides produced by several other anthozoan species but is more powerful in its action on sheep erythrocytes than any yet described.
A new variational Monte Carlo trial wavefunction with directional Jastrow functions

Abstract The addition of a directional term to standard Jastrow functions was investigated in variational quantum Monte Carlo calculations for the LiH molecule using wavefunctions composed of Slater determinants combined with Pade and with Schmidt–Moskowitz functions. The recovery of correlation energy was improved significantly by the added term: from 52% to 71% for the Pade function and from 61% to 78% for the Schmidt–Moskowitz function.
Inhibition of mitogenic activity of PDGF, EGF, and FGF by interferon-γ

Abstract Natural or recombinant human interferon-γ abolishes the mitogenic activity of platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor on GM2767 or FS-4 human fibroblasts. Similarly murine interferon-γ abolishes the mitogenic activity of these growth factors on BALB/C-3T3 fibroblasts. Inhibition of DNA synthesis by interferon-γ was accomplished by blocking the transition of G 0 G 1 to S phase of the cell cycle. Addition of interferon-γ 15 h after the addition of growth factors (when the cells had already entered the S phase) had no effect on DNA synthesis.
A microfabricated intravascular ultrasound scanner for intravascular interventions

Minimally invasive medical therapy can reduce both healthcare costs and patient suffering. The development of submillimeter scale instruments falls in a gap of manufacturing technologies between traditional machining and microfabrication techniques. To address this need we have developed a fabrication technique based upon laser machining of tubular structures combined with shaped-memory alloy actuators to create compliant devices for minimally invasive interventions. The initial application of this approach has been to develop a forward viewing intravascular ultrasound scanner for use in guiding intravascular interventions in situations where traditional angiography and intravascular ultrasound are unable to provide adequate guidance. The ultrasound device is less than 1.5 mm in diameter and provides imaging at 20 frames per second. Imaging currently is performed with a 20 MHz 800 micron diameter transducer producing axial resolutions of approximately 150 microns. Device optimization has resulted in peak strains of less than 1% within the compliant structure resulting in device life greater than 200,000 cycles providing usable times greater than twice the anticipated procedure length. The design concepts embodied in this initial implementation will serve as a platform for a variety of self actuated minimally invasive tools.
Quantitative spectrophotometric assay of renal tissue plasminogen activator

Most determinations of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) activity have been done with qualitative or semiquantitative variations of the fibrin-overlay technique [1–4]. However, to meaningfully compare renal TPA activities between animal species or in same kidneys under different conditions, a quantitative and sensitive assay is required. We are reporting here the development of such an assay based on a two-step reaction: (1) activation of plasminogen (Plg) to plasmin by renal TPA, and (2) quantitation of plasmin by using S2251, a chromogenic substrate highly specific for this enzyme.
The role of neuroimaging in sport-related concussion.

This article describes some of the newer techniques that are being used in the clinical assessment of patients following mild to moderate TBI, addresses their use in the acute setting, and explores their potential role in long-term follow-up. Also addressed are the challenges faced before some of these newer techniques can be incorporated into routine clinical management. Large studies are needed with a special emphasis on the effects of repeated head trauma in the young athlete. This is especially relevant where conventional imaging does not demonstrate a macroscopic abnormality. The emphasis has to shift from identifying structural abnormalities on imaging studies to understanding the functional changes in the brain that may explain the long-term neuropsychological effects of concussion and mTBI. Language: en
Association between the commercial characteristics of psychotropic drugs and their off-label use.

Background Off-label prescribing, or the use of a medicine for non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indications, is especially common for psychotropic therapies and often lacks scientific support. We quantified the association between 4 commercial characteristics of prescription medicines-product age, therapeutic class age, drug volume, and promotional expenditures-and off-label use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers from 1998 through 2009. Methods We linked data from the IMS Health National Disease and Therapeutic Index, a nationally representative audit of office-based physicians, with data from FDA@gov and the drug compendium DrugDex, to derive information regarding off-label use. Our primary outcome was the rate (per 1000 uses) with which a drug was prescribed for non-FDA-approved indications during a given calendar year. We used mixed-effects regression models with random intercepts for each drug, adding measures of commercial characteristics as fixed effects within this model. Results From 1998 through 2009, the average proportion of all uses that occurred off-label was 23.3% for antidepressants, 60.7% for antipsychotics, and 54.2% for mood stabilizers. There was a positive association between the annual rate of off-label use and drug volume [incidence rate ratio (IRR), 1.41; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.32-1.50], although the strength of this association was not uniform across the therapeutic classes examined. There was also a small but statistically significant association between product age (IRR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.98) and class age (IRR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06) and the rate of off-label use, also varying across therapeutic class. There was a statistically significant inverse association between promotional expenditures and off-label use (IRR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.93-0.96) when controlling for our other commercial characteristics. These associations were similar when examining scientifically unsupported rather than all off-label use. Conclusions Our findings suggest that drug prescription volume, rather than product age or therapeutic class age, should be scrutinized further to identify settings where the public health impact of unsupported off-label prescribing may be particularly important.
Obesity-Stigma and the â€œWhy Tryâ€ Model: Implications for Outdoor Recreation Constraint Negotiation

Outdoor recreation provides a multitude of opportunities for the promotion of health, wellness, and quality of life, and such benefits can be especially helpful in countering the negative effects of inactivity and health problems related to obesity. However, the stigma related to being overweight has a high likelihood of constraining or preventing participation in outdoor recreation activities for people who are significantly overweight. In order to better understand how outdoor recreation professionals might address obesity-stigma and promote outdoor recreation activities to this target population, the authors create a theoretical framework, building from a modified labeling theory, the â€œWhy Tryâ€ Model.
Hadronic regge sequences as primitive realizations of SL(3,R) symmetry

Abstract Four primitive infinite dimensional unitary representations of the group of rotations and deformations - SL(3,R) - are constructed and associated with the four Regge trajectories: π, ϱ, N, Δ. The model predicts E2 transition moments and a power law for E versus j consistent with the Chew-Frautschi relation E∼j 1 2 .
Microscopic and Macroscopic Characterization of Organosilane-Functionalized Nanocrystalline NaZSM-5

Nanocrystalline NaZSM-5 zeolites with systematically varied particle sizes (15, 60, and 200 nm) were functionalized with organosilanes. Through the systematic variation of particle size and therefore external surface area of NaZSM-5, the extent of functionalization and location of functional groups were spectroscopically verified. 29Si magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy provided conclusive evidence that the silanol groups located on the external surface of NaZSM-5 were functionalized through reaction with the organosilanes. The 29Si NMR results provided quantitative information about the extent of functionalization on NaZSM-5. A nitroxide spin label was adsorbed on the external surface of NaZSM-5 to probe the surface properties by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The macroscopic and microscopic properties, such as the behavior of functionalized NaZSM-5 in different solvents, and the specific surface areas were also investigated. The hydroph...
High Resolution Digital Elevation Modeling With On-Vehicle Sensors

High resolution elevation mapping is useful for precise field operations. To achieve a good operation performance, the requirement of the field shape accuracy can be centimeter-level in some tasks. This paper presents a method of conducting high resolution elevation mapping with vehicle-borne sensors. To achieve this purpose, a laser range sensor obtains geometric information of the ground surface while an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and vision sensor provide high resolution measurements of the moving vehicle’s current location and attitude. The high frequency information from the INS captures the vehicle dynamics, and the low frequency vision sensor data enables vehicle self-localization by eliminating drift error in the INS measurements. A test run of this system was conducted experimentally. And the inclusion of vision-based measurements was shown to improve the accuracy of the ground elevation comparing with an INS-only method.© 2014 ASME
Size and shape of skeletal muscle M-protein.

Abstract M-protein was isolated from chicken pectoralis muscle and shown to be relatively homogeneous by the criterion of high-speed equilibrium ultracentrifugation. A sample of the protein was rotary shadowed with platinum and examined by electron microscopy. M-protein appears to be elongated with a length of 360 A and a width of 41 A to give an axial ratio of 9:1. These results are compatible with the suggestion that M-protein is a component of the M-filaments in the M-band of skeletal muscle myofibrils.
Preoperative anemia increases postoperative morbidity in elective cranial neurosurgery

Background: Preoperative anemia may affect postoperative mortality and morbidity following elective cranial operations. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to identify elective cranial neurosurgical cases (2006-2012). Morbidity was defined as wound infection, systemic infection, cardiac, respiratory, renal, neurologic, and thromboembolic events, and unplanned returns to the operating room. For 30-day postoperative mortality and morbidity, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with multivariable logistic regression. Results: Of 8015 patients who underwent elective cranial neurosurgery, 1710 patients (21.4%) were anemic. Anemic patients had an increased 30‑day mortality of 4.1% versus 1.3% in non‑anemic patients (P < 0.001) and an increased 30‑day morbidity rate of 25.9% versus 14.14% in non‑anemic patients (P < 0.001). The 30‑day morbidity rates for all patients undergoing cranial procedures were stratified by diagnosis: 26.5% aneurysm, 24.7% sellar tumor, 19.7% extra-axial tumor, 14.8% intra-axial tumor, 14.4% arteriovenous malformation, and 5.6% pain. Following multivariable regression, the 30-day mortality in anemic patients was threefold higher than in non-anemic patients (4.1% vs 1.3%; OR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.65-4.66). The odds of postoperative morbidity in anemic patients were significantly higher than in non-anemic patients (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.03-1.61). There was a significant difference in postoperative morbidity event odds with a hematocrit level above (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.78-1.48) and below (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.55-3.42) 33% [hemoglobin (Hgb) 11 g/dl]. Conclusions: Preoperative anemia in elective cranial neurosurgery was independently associated with an increased risk of 30‑day postoperative mortality and morbidity when compared to non‑anemic patients. A hematocrit level below 33% (Hgb 11 g/dl) was associated with a significant increase in postoperative morbidity.
Price Convergence in Contestable Market Structures: The Impact of Time and Price Caps on Intercity Telecommunications Rates

In this study, we tested if long-distance rates among AT&T, MCI, and US Sprint between New York City and six major SMSAs during 1980–91 have converged. Empirical findings show that rates have converged over time, that rate ratios or differences increased under price cap, and that distance does not have any impact on rate convergence. The variables of TIME and price cap (CAP) have greater impacts on rate convergence for AT&T/US Sprint than AT&T/MCI. Regression results based on pooled cross-section and time-series data yield better results.
The Nano-threading of Polymers

When guest polymers are threaded by host cyclodextrins (CDs) to form crystalline inclusion compounds (ICs), the included polymer chains are highly extended and separated from neighboring chains. This is a consequence of the stacking of the cyclic oligosaccharides, α-, β-, or γ-CD containing 6, 7, or 8 glucose units, respectively, which produces continuous narrow channels (~0.5–1.0 nm diameters), where the guest polymers are included and confined. Observations that illuminate several important aspects of the nano-threading of polymers to form polymer-CD-ICs are described. These include (i) the competitive CD threading of polymers with different chemical structures and molecular weights from their solutions containing suspended solid or dissolved CDs, (ii) the threading and insertion of undiluted liquid polymers into solid CDs, and (iii) suspension of polymer A or B-CD-IC crystals in a solution of polymer B or A and observation of the transfer of polymer B or A from solution to displace polymer A or B and form polymer B or A-CD-ICs, without dissolution of the CD-ICs. In addition, we report observations of polyolefins adsorbed on zeolites, where we believe the adsorbed polyolefin chains are actually threaded and absorbed into the interiors of the zeolite nano-pores, rather than adsorbed on the zeolite surfaces. All of the above observations were made to assist in answering the question “Why do randomly-coiling polymer chains in solution or the melt become threaded or thread into the nano-pores of dissolved or solid CDs and solid zeolites, where they are highly extended and segregated from other polymer chains?” Though still not fully able to answer this question, we are able to assess the importance of several factors that have been previously suggested to be important in the formation of CD-ICs with both polymer and small-molecule guests and to the nano-threading of polymers in general. In particular, the value in observations of the inclusion of guest polymers, as well as small-molecule guests, into solid CDs suspended in their solutions and in neat guest liquids were made apparent, because interactions between host CDs, between CDs and solvents, and between quests and solvents, which complicate and make understanding the formation of polymer-CD-ICs difficult, are either eliminated or can be independently varied in these experiments.
Satisfaction with, and the Beneficial Side Effects of, Hypnotic Analgesia

Case study research suggests that hypnosis treatment may provide benefits that are not necessarily the target of specific suggestions. To better understand satisfaction with and the beneficial "side effects" of hypnosis treatment, questions inquiring about treatment satisfaction and treatment benefits were administered to a group of 30 patients with chronic pain who had participated in a case series of hypnotic analgesia treatment. The results confirmed the authors' clinical experience and showed that most participants reported satisfaction with hypnosis treatment even when the targeted symptom (in this case, pain intensity) did not decrease substantially. Study participants also reported a variety of both symptom-related and nonsymptom-related benefits from hypnosis treatment, including decreased pain, increased perceived control over pain, increased sense of relaxation and well-being, and decreased perceived stress, although no single benefit was noted by a majority of participants.
Shear localization in ice: Mechanical response and microstructural evolution of P-faulting

Abstract Systematic experiments on laboratory-grown polycrystalline granular ice and columnar S2 ice loaded triaxially under a high degree of confinement at T = −10 °C to T = −40 °C at applied strain rates e ˙ 11 = 1 × 10 - 5 s - 1 to e ˙ 11 = 2 × 10 - 1 s - 1 show the mechanical response and microstructural evolution leading to terminal failure. Terminal failure is characterized by a sudden brittle-like drop in load, localized heating and the development of a narrow shear band, consisting of recrystallized grains, oriented on a plane of maximum shear. This mode of failure, termed plastic (P) faulting, is consistent with the idea of adiabatic heating leading to localized mechanical instability and shear deformation. The microstructural state of the material, including the development of dynamic recrystallization and any prior loading history, does not have a significant affect on the character of shear localization or the levels of deformation required to generate P-faulting.
Is Regionalism Viable? A Case for Global Free Trade

We assume an imperfectly competitive world with n commodities and address the question of whether or not (regional) trade blocs are viable.To answer this fundamental question,we use a notion of stability,offered by Greenberg (1990),and show that regional trade blocs are not viable as they are not stable.On the other hand, we demonstrate that a global trade bloc is viable. Therefore, our results provide theoretical support for advocates of global free trade.
Population trends in northern spotted owls: associations with climate in the Pacific Northwest.

We used reverse time capture-mark-recapture models to describe associations between rate of population change (k) and climate for northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) at six long-term study areas in Washington and Oregon, USA. Populations in three of six areas showed strong evidence of declining populations, while populations in two additional areas were likely declining as well. At four areas, k was positively associated with wetter-than-normal conditions during the growing season, which likely affects prey availability. Lambda was also negatively associated with cold, wet winters and nesting seasons, and the number of hot summer days. The amount of annual variation in k accounted for by climate varied across study areas (3–85%). Rate of population change was more sensitive to adult survival than to recruitment; however, there was considerable variation among years and across study areas for all demographic rates. While annual survival was more closely related to regional climate conditions, recruitment was often associated with local weather. In addition to climate, declines in recruitment at four of six areas were associated with increased presence of barred owls. Climate change models predict warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers for the Pacific Northwest in the first half of the 21st century. Our results indicate that these conditions have the potential to negatively affect annual survival, recruitment, and consequently population growth rates for northern spotted owls.
Self-esteem, personality and achievement in high school: a prospective longitudinal study in Texas.

Abstract This research explored four empirical questions: (1) Is self-esteem a better predictor of academic success and adjustment than other aspects of personality? (2) How is self-esteem related to Big-Five dimensions of personality during the transition from middle school to high school? (3) Do dispositions like Agreeableness or Openness relate to an adolescent's adaptation and affect reactions to the self? and (4) Do sources of information about adolescents (e.g., self-rating, other rating, objective “life history”) converge? We also explored the general hypothesis that personality, self-esteem, and teachers' ratings of adjustment during the middle school years predict later life outcomes during high school. Overall, results indicate Big-Five personality characteristics were more stable than self-esteem across this transition period. Agreeableness and Openness assessed in middle school are related to later scholastic competence and behavioral conduct, academic success, and adjustment in high school. Results were discussed in terms of personality development and self-evaluation.
Time-Synchronization Challenges and Techniques

The advancement of Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems technology, wireless communications, and digital electronics has enabled the development of lowcost, low-power, multifunctional sensor nodes that are small in size and communicate untethered in short distances. The sensor nodes may be used in military, environmental, and commercial applications [1]. Each of these applications may require a different level of clock precision among the sensor nodes. For example, the clock precision required for security time-stamping and target tracking may be different. In addition, sensor nodes with a common view of time may fuse and display voice and video data in a meaningful way. Also, they may be able to use Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to access the channel and turn off the radio whenever possible to save energy. Thus, time synchronization is needed for different types of services that require coordination and precision. If services do not require time, then time synchronization may be an overhead for the sensor networks. Since some applications and protocols need time synchronization, this chapter explores the design challenges, factors influencing time precision, and the state-of-the-art in time synchronization for wireless sensor networks. The purpose of any time synchronization technique is to maintain a similar time within a certain tolerance throughout the lifetime of the network or among a specific set of nodes in the network. To achieve the purpose, the time synchronization protocol has to take into account the energy as well as the low-end nature of the sensor nodes in a multi-hop environment. Hence, this requirement makes a challenging problem to solve. In addition, the sensor nodes may be left unattended for a long period of time, e.g., in a cave or on an ocean floor. When messages are exchanged using
Innervation of Bone Marrow in the Rabbit

The tibias of fetal, neonatal and mature New Zealand albino rabbits were investigated histochemically to elucidate the development of innervation of the blood vessels and parenchyma in the marrow cavity. The neurovascular complex in the marrow was developed poorly at birth. Adrenergic nerves were detected with difficulty and accompanied thin walled blood vessels which could not be identified as either arterial or venous. Large bundles of nerves, suggesting the beginning of myelination, appeared by the 5th neonatal day. Simultaneously, several other morphological changes occurred. Arteries in the marrow developed a PAS positive adventitia which loosely held the nerve bundles; complete internal elastic lamellae and muscular medias also were seen for the first time. Concomitantly, there was incrcease in sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides in the connective tissue of the developing marrow cavity and large numbers of osteoclasts were seen in the enlarging marrow cavity. At this time scattered foci of early haemopoietic activity were found. In the adult, adrenergic and cholinesterase positive nerves were distributed along both arteries and veins. Adrenergic fibers also were present on arterioles and on thin walled vessels (sinusoids and venules). Among the parenchyma, cholinesterase positive fibers were found more frequently than were adrenergic fibers. While some of the fibers were observed near haemopoietic foci and fat cells, no specific terminations were observed. The ratio of fibers to cellular elements in the marrow did not seem to differ with the degree of haemopoietic activity. The results suggest that the development of a mature neurovascular complex is critical to the establishment of microenvironment suitable for haemopoiesis to occur. In addition, the reported neural influence on haemopoiesis is suggested to be mediated through vasomotor activity.
Immediate Effects of Physostigmine on Amitriptyline-Induced QRS Prolongation

AbstractPrior studies have suggested that physostigmine may be useful in reversing QRS prolongation due to amitriptyline toxicity. To investigate this question, we devised a pharmacologic model in rabbits utilizing an initial intravenous bolus of amitriptyline (4–6 mg) followed by a constant amitriptyline infusion (0.2–0.4 mg/min) empirically titered to maintain the QRS at 50% or more of control value for at least 5 min. Intravenous physostigmine (2 mg) sufficient to produce muscle fasciculations and significant (P < 0.01) slowing of sinus rate was then administered to six animals. No significant change in QRS duration was noted at 1, 3, and 5 min intervals following physostigmine. Although no immediate antidotal effect of physostigmine on amitriptyline-induced QRS prolongation could be demonstrated, these results do not exclude a possible interaction between the membrane effects of the tricyclic antidepressants (and related agents) and the vagal branch of the autonomic nervous system.
Aqueous photochemistry of triclosan: formation of 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and oligomerization products

The photochemical fate of the antimicrobial agent triclosan is presented. Experiments performed in both natural and buffered deionized water show that triclosan rapidly photodegrades by direct photolysis (t(1/2) = 5 h, pH 8, noon summer sunlight, 45 degrees N latitude). Both 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,8-DCDD) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) are produced. The 2,8-DCDD and 2,4-DCP also are photolabile and, thus, are intermediates. The yields for 2,8-DCDD and 2,4-DCP ranged from 3 to 12% depending on the conditions employed. When triclosan is photolyzed in the presence of Suwannee River (GA, USA) fulvic acid, a portion of the initial mass is recovered as insoluble material. Based on experiments in which the formation of insoluble material was monitored with photolysis time, it is postulated that photolysis in natural waters leads to some of the triclosan being coupled to humic matter. Triclosan also reacts rapidly with both singlet oxygen (k(rxn) = 1.07 +/- 0.03 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) in water of pH 10) and hydroxyl radical (k(*OH) = 5.4 +/- 0.3 X 10(9) M(-1)(s-1). Indirect photolysis pathways, however, are not expected to be important because of low steady-state concentrations of reactive oxygen species in natural waters and the efficiency of the direct photolysis of triclosan.
Voice quality after organ‐preservation therapy with definitive radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer

Background The purpose of this study was to analyze voice quality among patients treated by definitive radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer. Methods Ten patients with laryngeal cancer who had completed radiotherapy were involved in this pilot study. A standardized protocol was administered assessing: (1) sustained vowel production following maximal inspiration, (2) sustained vowel production for a 7-second duration repeated 5 times, and (3) spontaneous speech for 10 seconds. Results The acoustic parameters among patients with early-stage cancer were not statistically different from healthy age-corresponding controls, except for shimmer (0.20 vs 0.16 dB, ρ = 0.01) and maximum phonation duration (24.37 vs 30.10 seconds, ρ = 0.04). For patients with locally advanced cancer, differences with controls were observed with shimmer (2.29 vs 0.16 dB, ρ = 0.01), jitter (7.49% vs 1.04%, ρ = 0.01), harmonics-to-noise ratio (2.67 vs 9.22, ρ = 0.01), and maximum phonation duration (14.12 vs 30.10 seconds, ρ = 0.01). Conclusions Despite the subtle differences in voice quality that existed, radiotherapy as a curative treatment for laryngeal cancer allows maintenance of a functional voice. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
Identification of alcohol-dependent clopidogrel metabolites using conventional liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE Clopidogrel (CLO) is a prodrug used to prevent ischemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention or with myocardial infarction. A previous study found ethyl clopidogrel (ECLO) is formed by transesterification of CLO when incubated with alcohol in human liver microsomes. We hypothesize that ECLO will be subject to further metabolism and developed an assay to identify its metabolites. METHODS A liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed to identify metabolites of ECLO. According to the predicted metabolic pathway of ECLO, precursor–product ion pairs were used to screen the possible metabolites of ECLO in human liver S9 fractions. Subsequently, the detected metabolites were characterized by the results of product ion scan. RESULTS In the presence of alcohol, CLO was tranesterified to ECLO, which was further oxidized to form ethylated 2-oxo-clopidogrel and several ethylated thiol metabolites including the ethylated form of the H4 active metabolite. CONCLUSIONS The ECLO formed by transesterification with alcohol is subject to metabolism by CYP450 enzymes producing ethylated forms of 2-oxo-clopidogrel and the active H4 thiol metabolite. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A public ethos of enhancement across Asia.

Philosophers, like other intellectuals, can at times help shape the future of our society, and the pursuit of a better society is a common dream of all peoples. The global question of whether or no...
On optimal survivability design under a scheduled traffic model in wavelength-routed optical mesh networks

We study the optimal survivability design problem under a scheduled traffic model in wavelength convertible WDM optical mesh networks. In this model, a set of demands is given, and the setup time and teardown time of a demand are known in advance. We formulate the joint routing and wavelength assignment problems as integer linear programs that maximally exploit network resource reuse in both space and time. Moreover, we propose efficient heuristic algorithms to solve large survivable routing and wavelength assignment problems under the scheduled traffic model. Our simulation results indicate that the optimization of resource sharing in space and time enabled by our connection-holding-time-aware protection schemes can achieve significantly better resource utilization than schemes that are holding time unaware. In addition, the proposed heuristic algorithms are shown to be indeed very effective.
P-010 A canine bifurcation giant aneurysm model

Purpose To create a reproducible canine model of giant aneurysms. Materials and methods Seven mongrel dogs were used for this study. All procedures were performed under an institutional approved protocol. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 10 mg/kg intravenous injection, and maintained using 1–5% isoflurane and 100% oxygen. After the neck was sterilely prepped and draped, bilateral 10 cm incisions were made medial to each external jugular vein. 30 mm segments of both external jugular veins were ligated, removed and placed in heparinized saline (1000 U heparin/100 ml saline). The left common carotid artery (CCA) was ligated proximally and a temporary vascular clamp was placed distally. A tunnel was created under the trachea to pass the left CCA to the right side. Temporary clamps were placed proximally and distally on the right CCA. An 8 mm arteriotomy was made on the right CCA midway between the clamps. The distal segment of the left CCA was then anastomosed to the base of the right CCA. Both external jugular vein segments were opened longitudinally and angled (arrowhead shaped) incisions were made into both vein segments so that they would match the arterial opening where the right and left CCAs had been anastomosed. The opened segments of the jugular veins were then anastomosed to form a single cylinder using a running suture technique. Once this was done the resulting vein pouch was sewn into the opening between the right and left CCA. All vascular sutures were performed using 7-0 prolene suture. The temporary vascular clamps were removed, and if any leaks were seen, additional sutures were used until hemostasis was established (Abstract P-010 figure 1A). Incisions were closed using absorbable suture. The surgical procedure took 2.5 h. Animals were allowed to recover for further studies. Angiograms were preformed 4.5 weeks after the aneurysm creation. Results Six of seven aneurysms remained fully patent 4.5 weeks post-creation (Abstract P-010 figure 1B). During this interval, animals showed no surgical related complications. No medication was needed to prevent thrombus. Aneurysm dimensions are shown in Abstract P-010 table 1. Conclusion We successfully developed a reproducible giant aneurysm model using a vein patch technique.
On modal modeling for medical images: underconstrained shape description and data compression

The authors have previously described modal analysis, an efficient, physically-based solution for recovering, tracking, and recognizing solid models from 2D and 3D sensor data. The underlying representation consists of two levels: modal deformations, which describe the overall shape of a solid, and displacement maps, which employ a multiscale wavelet representation to provide local and fine surface detail. Here, the authors address the problem of recovering modal models in the underconstrained case of fitting a 3D model to contours found in medical slice and X-ray data. They describe an extension which can be used to incorporate measurement uncertainty while estimating the modal deformation parameters. Finally, the authors give details about how to compress dense 3D point data from surfaces, by use of displacement maps and wavelets. >
Noise Exclusion in Spatial Attention

Precue validity affects the performance of perceptual tasks. These spatial attention effects have been variously attributed to facilitation of processing, capacity allocation, or noise reduction. We used a new attention-plus-external (stimulus)-noise paradigm and model to identify the mechanisms of attention in cue-validity paradigms. A new phenomenon is reported: a large effect of location cue validity in an orientation identification task that specifically occurs when the stimulus is embedded in external (environmental or stimulus) noise. This result identifies the mechanism of the effect as external-noise exclusion, distinguished from stimulus enhancement that manifests itself only in noiseless stimulus environments.
Snapshots of experience: vignettes from a nursing home

The specific aim of this research project was to examine and describe the experience of living in a nursing home for six people of 80 years and older. ‘Visit’ is presented as a means of developing nursing knowledge. This research method is founded on the belief that the act of nursing involves the development of a relationship, and was created out of the author's desire for a relational research method. Philosophical support for the method is provided by Maurice Merleau-Ponty's existentialism, Sally Gadow's existential advocacy, and Jean Watson's Human Caring Theory. Authenticity is proposed as an alternative to the concepts of reliability and validity for judging the scientific merit of the method. Whether the nursing role is researcher, practitioner or educator, each person's unique and inexhaustible story provides the basis for nursing care. Nurse researchers using ‘Visit’ as a method of inquiry can illustrate these unique differences through a story, through the images or pictures each individual creates with his or her own words.
Testing the Titius–Bode law predictions for Kepler multiplanet systems

We use three and half years of Kepler Long Cadence data to search for the 97 predicted planets of Bovaird & Lineweaver (2013) in 56 of the multi-planet systems, based on a general Titius-Bode relation. Our search yields null results in the majority of systems. We detect five planetary candidates around their predicted periods. We also find an additional transit signal beyond those predicted in these systems. We discuss the possibility that the remaining predicted planets are not detected in the Kepler data due to their non-coplanarity or small sizes. We find that the detection rate is beyond the lower boundary of the expected number of detections, which indicates that the prediction power of the TB relation in general extra solar planetary systems is questionable. Our analysis of the distribution of the adjacent period ratios of the systems suggests that the general Titius-Bode relation may over-predict the presence of planet pairs near the 3:2 resonance.
Improving macromolecular atomic models at moderate resolution by automated iterative model building, statistical density modification and refinement.

An iterative process for improving the completeness and quality of atomic models automatically built at moderate resolution (up to about 2.8 A) is described. The process consists of cycles of model building interspersed with cycles of refinement and combining phase information from the model with experimental phase information (if any) using statistical density modification. The process can lead to substantial improvements in both the accuracy and completeness of the model compared with a single cycle of model building. For eight test cases solved by MAD or SAD at resolutions ranging from 2.0 to 2.8 A, the fraction of models built and assigned to sequence was 46–91% (mean of 65%) after the first cycle of building and refinement, and 78–­95% (mean of 87%) after 20 cycles. In an additional test case, an incorrect model of gene 5 protein (PDB code 2gn5; r.m.s.d. of main-chain atoms from the more recent refined structure 1vqb at 1.56 A) was rebuilt using only structure-factor amplitude information at varying resolutions from 2.0 to 3.0 A. Rebuilding was effective at resolutions up to about 2.5 A. The resulting models had 60–­80% of the residues built and an r.m.s.d. of main-chain atoms from the refined structure of 0.20 to 0.62 A. The algorithm is useful for building preliminary models of macromolecules suitable for an experienced crystallographer to extend, correct and fully refine.