cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of anticoagulation in outpatients: experience with an anticoagulation service in a municipal hospital setting.

In 66 months, a general hospital's outpatient Anticoagulation Service (ACS) monitored 263 patients who received 280 courses of warfarin sodium totalling 254 patient treatment years. Major hemorrhagic morbidity was 4% of courses and there was no mortality attributable to warfarin therapy. Major hemorrhage occurred in patients with increased anatomic risk of bleeding (diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, cystitis), and was not a function of patient age, sex, anticoagulation control, or medications administered concurrently with warfarin. Control of anticoagulation was not correlated with age or other medications, but was worsened significantly by the presence of congestive heart failure. We attribute a favorable experience with outpatient ACS to careful patient selection, patient education and monitoring, attention to duration of anticoagulation, and continuing communication with primary physicians who retained responsibility for medical care. An ACS offers safety, consistency, efficiency, and a unified approach to outpatient anticoagulation in the general hospital setting. (Arch Intern Med137:197-202, 1977)
The development of a scale to measure task completion motivation

A 20-item inventory, with adequate internal consistency and reliability, was developed to measure the motivational pressure to complete a task once it was begun. Correlational studies indicated that the task-completer could be described as conscientious and persistent, aware of the social realities, a follower rather than a leader, socially precise, controlled and exacting, relaxed, tranquil, unfrustrated, self-assured, and nonanxious. The inventory was found to have a modest social desirability component and was unrelated to measures of psychopathology.
Preoperative antibiotic and steroid therapy and hearing loss caused by semicircular canal transection in pseudomonas otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether preoperative administration of antibiotics and corticosteroids can attenuate the severity of hearing loss (HL) with semicircular canal (SC) transection in a guinea pig model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) otitis media (OM).STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective and controlled.METHODS: OM was induced in 64 pigmented guinea pigs by bilateral, transtympanic injection of PA. Two to 4 days later, 1 horizontal SC was randomly transected. In the 1st series, antibiotic therapy was initiated either immediately before or after surgery. In the 2nd series, all animals received preoperative antibiotics, and half received dexamethasone before surgery. Hearing was tested before and after surgery.RESULTS: PA was recovered in all ears. SC transection was associated with significant HL. HL was better in animals given antibiotics preoperatively (clicks, 16 versus 32 dB, P = 0.0220). Addition of preoperative steroids did not significantly further reduce HL (7 ...
Quantum electrodynamics based on self-energy versus quantization of fields: Illustration by a simple model.

The relation between the formulations of quantum electrodynamics based on self-energy and the standard perturbative quantum electrodynamics is further elaborated and a simpler model is given.
End-to-end test of spatial accuracy in Gamma Knife treatments for trigeminal neuralgia a)

Purpose: Spatial accuracy is most crucial when small targets like the trigeminal nerve are treated. Although current quality assurance procedures typically verify that individual apparatus, like the MRI scanner, CT scanner, Gamma Knife, etc., are meeting specifications, the cumulative error of all equipment and procedures combined may exceed safe margins. This study uses an end-to-end approach to assess the overall targeting errors that may have occurred in individual patients previously treated for trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: The trigeminal nerve is simulated by a 3 mm long, 3.175 mm (1/8 in.) diameter MRI-contrast filled cavity embedded within a PMMA plastic capsule. The capsule is positioned within the head frame such that the location of the cavity matches the Gamma Knife coordinates of an arbitrarily chosen, previously treated patient. Gafchromic EBT2 film is placed at the center of the cavity in coronal and sagittal orientations. The films are marked with a pinprick to identify the cavity center. Treatments are planned for radiation delivery with 4 mm collimators according to MRI and CT scans using the clinical localizer boxes and acquisition protocols. Shots are planned so that the 50% isodose surface encompasses the cavity. Following irradiation, the films are scanned and analyzed. Targeting errorsmore » are defined as the distance between the pinprick, which represents the intended target, and the centroid of the 50% isodose line, which is the center of the radiation field that was actually delivered. Results: Averaged over ten patient simulations, targeting errors along the x, y, and z coordinates (patient’s left-to-right, posterior-to-anterior, and head-to-foot) were, respectively, −0.060 ± 0.363, −0.350 ± 0.253, and 0.348 ± 0.204 mm when MRI was used for treatment planning. Planning according to CT exhibited generally smaller errors, namely, 0.109 ± 0.167, −0.191 ± 0.144, and 0.211 ± 0.094 mm. The largest errors along individual axes in MRI- and CT-planned treatments were, respectively, −0.761 mm in the y-direction and 0.428 mm in the x-direction, well within safe limits. Conclusions: The highly accurate dose delivery was possible because the Gamma Knife, MRI scanner, and other equipment performed within tight limits and scans were acquired using the thinnest slices and smallest pixel sizes available. Had the individual devices performed only near the limits of their specifications, the cumulative error could have left parts of the trigeminal nerve undertreated. The presented end-to-end test gives assurance that patients had received the expected high quality treatment. End-to-end tests should become part of clinical practice.« less
Status of SERT II thrusters and spacecraft - 1976

The historical record of the SERT II ion thrusters and spacecraft performance for 6 1/2 years since the February 1970 launch is reviewed. The most recent ion thruster operation test shows no changes since 1974. Thruster 2 is fully operational with no performance degradation. Thruster 1 has a high voltage grid short, but continues to demonstrate cathode and discharge relight capability. Spacecraft orbit and dynamic analysis indicates a stable, sun-synchronous spacecraft orientation by 1979. An attitude adjustment maneuver was performed in August 1976 to achieve this orientation and provide sufficient continuous solar power for thruster operation in 1979.
Interactions of S-(2-haloethyl)-mercapturic acid analogs with plasmid DNA.

Abstract A series of related S -(2-haloethyl)- l -cysteine analogs were synthesized and their interaction with DNA was studied with plasmid pBR322. Both S -(2-chloroethyl)- l -cysteine (CEC) and S -(2-bromoethyl)- l -cysteine (BrEC) rapidly induced relaxation of the supercoiled plasmid as determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy, whereas S -(2-fluoroethyl)- l -cysteine did not interact with DNA. The relaxation was most probably due to strand scission at alkylated labile sites in the DNA. When 35 S-labeled CEC or BrEC was used as the substrate, covalent binding of 35 S to DNA was obtained; CEC displayed a somewhat higher binding than BrEC. No binding of 35 S was obtained with (2-hydroxyethyl)- l -[ 35 S]cysteine, [ 35 S]cysteine, or [ 35 S]cystine, substrates which did not induce relaxation of the DNA. Esterification of the carboxyl group resulted in a somewhat lower rate of DNA strand scission, whereas N-acetylation prevented the cysteine analogs from inducing DNA strand breaks. S -(2-Chloroethyl)-glutathione (GSH) did not interact with DNA as determined by lack of effect on the superhelicity of DNA, a finding which is in agreement with the hypothesis that the primary amine groups of CEC or BrEC may participate in the formation of reactive intermediates which can interact with DNA. S -(2-Hydroxyethyl)-GSH and S -(2-hydroxyethyl)- l -cysteine were unable to induce DNA strand breaks. Neutral denaturation of supercoiled pBR322 treated with the analogs revealed that compounds which were able to induce DNA strand breaks also interfered with denaturation of double-stranded circular DNA. No such interference was observed when double-stranded linear DNA (obtained by Bam H1 restriction digestion) was treated with the analogs prior to denaturation. These data indicate that a marked difference exists between S -(2-chloroethyl)- l -cysteine and S -(2-chloroethyl)-glutathione in their reaction with supercoiled plasmid DNA. Either a major difference exists in the reactivity of the corresponding episulfonium ions of these conjugates or a separate mechanism of alkylation based on a free α-amino of the cysteine conjugate is participating in DNA strand breakage and possible crosslinking. In vivo toxic effects of these S -(2-chloroethyl) conjugates are predicted to be distinctly different.
Cyanogenesis in manioc: Concerning lotaustralin☆

Abstract A glucoside of 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutyronitrile was shown to be present, in low concentration compared with linamarin, in three samples of relatively bitter tubers of manioc ( Manihot esculenta Crantz). The glucoside was separated, as the trimethylsilyl derivative, by gas chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. The β- d -glucopyranosides of the enantiomeric hydroxy nitriles were synthesized from acetobromoglucose and methyl ethyl ketone cyanohydrin, being separated by chromatography of the acetates. The less levorotatory of the synthetic glucosides, having the ( R ) configuration at the asymmetric center of the aglucone, was shown to be identical with the compound which occurs naturally in white clover (lotaustralin).
Assessment of risk posed by introduced braconid wasps to Pieris virginiensis, a native woodland butterfly in New England

Abstract The range of the native butterfly Pieris virginiensis Edwards has decreased in New York and Ontario since the 1940s. Loss of habitat and harm from Cotesia glomerata (L.), a braconid parasitoid introduced to North America in the late nineteenth century for biological control of the invasive pest butterfly Pieris rapae (L.), have been suggested as the causes of this decline. In western Massachusetts, extensive habitat suitable for P. virginiensis remains and its principal host plant, Cardamine diphylla, is common. We found P. virginiensis to be widely present, occurring at 39% of host plant patches. In laboratory tests, we found that both C. glomerata and Cotesia rubecula (Marshall) are able to parasitize and successfully develop in P. virginiensis larvae when these are presented on detached leaves of C. diphylla. However, when we exposed laboratory-reared first or second instars of either P. rapae or P. napi (both suitable hosts for these Cotesia spp.) as sentinel larvae on leaves of either Brassica oleracea or C. diphylla at sites where P. virginiensis was present, no parasitism by either Cotesia sp. was detected. Some sentinel larvae were parasitized by an unidentified ichneumonid in the genus Hyposoter. We conclude that in western Massachusetts, P. virginiensis is widely distributed at low densities and that while it is physiologically an acceptable and suitable host for both C. glomerata and C. rubecula, larvae of field populations of this butterfly are not attacked because these parasitoids do not forage in forested habitats, even when they are locally present in adjacent meadows. Consequently, we report that this butterfly is not threatened by these parasitoids contrary to early suggestions in the literature.
Raman spectroscopy of the reaction of thin films of solid-state benzene with vapor-deposited Ag, Mg, and Al

Thin films of solid-state benzene at 30 K were reacted with small quantities of vapor-deposited Ag, Mg, and Al under ultrahigh vacuum, and products were monitored using surface Raman spectroscopy. Although Ag and Mg produce small amounts of metal–benzene adduct products, the resulting Raman spectra are dominated by surface enhancement of the normal benzene modes from metallic nanoparticles suggesting rapid Ag or Mg metallization of the film. In contrast, large quantities of Al adduct products are observed. Vibrational modes of the products in all three systems suggest adducts that are formed through a pathway initiated by an electron transfer reaction. The difference in reactivity between these metals is ascribed to differences in ionization potential of the metal atoms; ionization potential values for Ag and Mg are similar but larger than that for Al. These studies demonstrate the importance of atomic parameters, such as ionization potential, in solid-state metal–organic reaction chemistry.
Functional disability due to back pain. a population-based study indicating the importance of socioeconomic factors

Using national survey data, we examined correlates of disability due to low back pain in 1,516 persons who had back pain. Greater education level correlated significantly (P less than 0.001) with fewer disability days (i.e., days of activity limitation, absence from work, confinement to bed, or reduced housework), even after controlling for severity, sciatica, occupation, and age. Findings in men differed from those in women; education level was a strong correlate for men only. For work absenteeism, low income was a stronger correlate than education. These data support the importance of social factors in the prognosis of some musculoskeletal diseases.
Evaluation of Precision and Establishment of Reference Ranges for Plasma Thyroxine using a Point-of-Care Analyzer in Healthy Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate precision and establish a reference range in healthy guinea pigs for total plasma thyroxine (T 4 ) using a point-of-care analyzer. One-hundred-nine (109) healthy pet and laboratory-housed guinea pigs were included in this study in which plasma T 4 concentrations were measured on a point-of-care analyzer. Some of the samples were analyzed in duplicate and then compared using an intraclass correlation coefficient ( r i ) and coefficient of variance to assess precision. Statistical analysis was performed to test for normal distribution of data and a reference range was established. Differences in subsets of the tested population were evaluated using t tests and analysis of variance. The r i was 0.95 and the coefficient of variance was 4.2%. Data were normally distributed and a reference range for plasma T 4 of 2.26 μg/dL to 5.82 μg/dL was established. No significant differences between or among mean plasma T 4 concentrations were found when sexes, housing type, and sampling protocol were compared. In addition, no significant difference was found between the mean plasma T 4 concentrations of 2 age groups (2 months and 8 months). The overall precision of this testing modality was determined to be excellent, indicating that measuring plasma T 4 with enzyme immunoassay on the point-of-care analyzer yields consistently repeatable results. This study successfully defined plasma T 4 reference intervals specific to a point-of-care analyzer in normal guinea pigs. Our results showed that age (2 months and 8 months), sex, housing type, and sampling protocol have no significant effect on the mean plasma T 4 , although pet-housed guinea pigs had a wider reference interval than laboratory-housed guinea pigs.
Vismodegib as eye-sparing adjuvant treatment for orbital basal cell carcinoma.

Orbital invasion of basal cell carcinoma (BCCA) may lead to disfigurement, blindness, or even death1. Orbital exenteration, although disfiguring and blinding, is often the only option for cure when incompletely excised medial canthal tumors extend into the orbit.2 The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a hedgehog pathway inhibitor3 with an adequate safety profile,4 Vismodegib (Erivedge, Genentech, CA), for oral treatment of basal cell nevus syndrome5 and locally advanced or metastatic BCCA.6 We report a patient with BCCA invading the medial orbit who was treated with oral vismodegib, resulting in near-total tumor shrinkage that permitted complete excision with clear surgical margins. Histopathologically, the excised tissue contained scattered residual tumor cells exhibiting squamous differentiation and low proliferative capacity.
Potato Response to Legume and Fertilizer Nitrogen Sources

Production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in rotation with an N 2 -fixing legume requires better information on the N contribution from the legume and on management of N-fertilizer following a legume. Objectives of this research were to : (i) quantify N accumulation by legumes grown as either green manure or hay; and (ii) evaluate the vine and tuber yield response of a subsequent potato crop to legume and fertilizer N. We established rotations at two Michigan locations in 1987 on McBride sandy loam (coarse-loamy, mixed, frigid Alfic Fragiothods) and Oshtemo sandy loam (coarse-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic hapludalfs) (...)
The optimal temperature of sulfur retention

Abstract The effects of calcination temperature on the development of pore size and on the SO 2 sorption capacity have been investigated. It has been shown that the optimal temperature of sulfur retention observed in a fluidized-bed combustor can very possibly be due to pore size variations because of calcinations at different temperatures.
Electrochemical studies of molybdenum-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid complexes

Summary Among the chelates formed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), those with Mo(VI) and Mo(V) are unusual because the metal-to-ligand ratio is two-to-one. Coulometry, chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry have been used to investigate the electrochemistry of these compounds with the intention of establishing a correlation between the electrochemical results and the unique structural features of the chelates. In the presence of EDTA, the overall reduction of Mo(VI) involves three electrons. The initial electrode reaction, however, is the reduction of Mo(VI) to Mo(IV), which is followed by a disproportionation reaction to give Mo(V) and Mo(III). The two-to-one Mo(V)-EDTA chelate (a diamagnetic, dioxo-bridged species) is reduced through a series of parallel, but entirely independent steps. A third series of compounds arises from the Mo(III) species produced coulometrically from Mo(VI)-EDTA. The uniqueness of the various molybdenum-EDTA species can be seen from cyclic voltammetric experiments and the differences in the rate of Mo(IV) disproportionation. The rate of disproportionation of Mo(IV) is considerably slower for those compounds having oxygen bridges between molybdenum atoms.
Predictors of inotrope use during separation from cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract Objective: To identify the demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic features that predict the use of inotropic support at separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Design: Retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Setting: Referral center for cardiothoracic surgery at a university hospital. Participants: One thousand nine patients undergoing either CABG or combined CABG and valve surgery with CPB in whom an intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination was performed. Interventions: Inotropic support was defined as the use of dopamine ≥5 μg/kg/min; any dose of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dobutamine, and milrinone; or the insertion of an IABP during separation from CPB. Support was implemented by the anesthesia care team as clinically indicated. Comprehensive TEE examinations were conducted before CPB in all patients according to published guidelines and subsequently reviewed by a single, independent operator. Measurements and Main Results: Inotropic support was used in a total of 394 patients (39%) at separation from CPB. The study identified 6 significant, independent predictors of inotrope use: (1) Wall Motion Score Index, (2) combined CABG and mitral valve repair or replacement surgery, (3) left ventricular ejection fraction Conclusions: Incorporating data from a comprehensive intraoperative TEE examination, the authors identified 6 reproducible factors that independently predict the use of inotropic support at separation from CPB.
Single Cell Protein from Wood Pulp Waste as a Feed Supplement for Lactating Cows

Abstract Twenty-four Holstein cows were assigned to one of three rations at the beginning of their first or second lactation and were kept on the rations for 16 wk. Rations differed only that a single cell protein material marketed under the name RayPro (ITT Rayonier, Inc., trademark) was substituted for cottonseed meal at 0, 3, and 7% (dry matter) of the total ration. Crude protein analyses were 15.6, 15.9, and 16.5% for rations containing 0, 3, and 7% RayPro. Rations were composed of 50% concentrate, 25% chopped alfalfa hay, and 25% corn silage dry matter. Milk fat percentages were 3.2, 3.6, and 3.7% for rations with 0, 3, and 7% RayPro. Cows fed the ration containing 7% RayPro had higher rumen ammonia (6.0, 5.9, 8.1 mg/dl) and higher urea in blood plasma (12.7, 14.9, 16.3 mg/dl) than cows fed the 0 and 3% RayPro rations. RayPro is an acceptable substitute for conventional protein supplements in amounts used in this trial when fed as part of a completely mixed ration.
Dynorphin modulates prolactin secretion in the turkey.

Abstract Big dynorphin (prodynorphin 209-240), dynorphin A (prodynorphin 209-225), dynorphin B (prodynorphin 228-240), β-endorphin (β-lipotrophin 61-90), or Mel-enkephalin, each infused into the third ventricle, were tested for their effect on PRL release in the anesthetized turkey hen. Laying hens that received big dynorphin at the rate of 0.35 nmol/min showed a 5.1-fold increase in serum PRL at the end of a 30-min infusion period. In a second experiment, the big dynorphin-induced PRL increase was 2.6-fold. Nest-deprived, previously incubating hens that received big dynorphin displayed an 8.2-fold increase in serum PRL. Laying and nest-deprived incubating control birds infused with saline displayed no PRL increases. Laying hens that received dynorphin A (0.35 nmol/min) showed a 1.5-fold increase in serum PRL after 30 min of infusion; after 40 min of infusion, this increase rose to 2.7-fold. Infusions of β, endorphin (0.35 nmol/min), or Met-enkephalin (0.35 nmol/min) failed to evoke PRL increases in either laying or nest-deprived incubating turkeys. Infusion of big dynorphin or dynorphin A for 120 min maintained an elevated PRL level across the period, a level equal to that evoked by electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic nucleus (ES/POM). Infusion of dynorphin B (0.48 nmol/min) or a reduced dose of dynorphin A (0.09 nmol/min) augmented the PRL response evoked by ES/POM. No augmentation was noted for β endorphin or Met-enkephalin, nor for saline-infused controls. The dynorphin-induced PRL response appeared to be dose-dependent. It appears that dynorphin is involved in the regulation of turkey PRL and that β-endorphin and Met enkephalin, at the doses tested, are not.
Hepatobiliary clearance of IgA immune complexes formed in the circulation.

The formation and clearance of circulating IgA immune complexes from blood to bile was investigated in this study. The i.v. injection of either MOPC-315, an IgA M-component with antidinitrophenyl (DNP) specificity, or TEPC-15, an IgA M-component of a different specificity, was followed by i.v. injection of 125I-DNP10-bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the antigen. The formation and clearance of IgA immune complexes in the circulation of MOPC-315-treated, but not TEPC-15-treated animals was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation with polyacrylamide beads coated with rabbit anti-mouse IgA. IgA-125I-DNP10-BSA complexes were identified in the bile from MOPC-315-treated, but not TEPC-15-treated animals utilizing this same immunoprecipitation technique. These observations suggest that the liver or bile ducts transport IgA immune complexes from blood into bile. The clearance of 125I-DNP10-BSA from the circulation was documented by coprecipitation with rabbit anti-BSA and BSA. The clearance of this circulating antigen was slower in the MOPC-315-treated than in the TEPC-15-treated animals suggesting that under the conditions of the present experiment, circulating antigen is cleared more slowly after IgA immune complex formation.
Hydroxylation of limonene enantiomers and analogs by recombinant (-)-limonene 3- and 6-hydroxylases from mint (Mentha) species: evidence for catalysis within sterically constrained active sites.

Abstract Limonene enantiomers and substrate analogs, including specifically fluorinated derivatives, were utilized to probe active site interactions with recombinant (−)-(4 S )-limonene-3-hydroxylase (CYP71D13) and (−)-(4 S )-limonene-6-hydroxylase (CYP71D18) from mint ( Mentha ) species. (−)-(4 S )-Limonene is hydroxylated by both enzymes at the designated C3- and C6-allylic positions, with strict regio- and stereospecificity and without detectable allylic rearrangement, to give the corresponding products (−)- trans -isopiperitenol and (−)- trans -carveol. CYP71D13-catalyzed hydroxylation of (+)-(4 R )-limonene also yields the corresponding trans -3-hydroxylated product ((+)- trans -isopiperitenol); however, the C6-hydroxylase converts (+)-(4 R )-limonene to a completely different product profile dominated by the enantiopure cis -6-hydroxylated product (+)- cis -carveol along with several minor products, including both enantiomers of the trans -6-hydroxylated product ((±)- trans -carveol), indicating allylic rearrangement during catalysis. These results demonstrate that the regiospecificity and facial stereochemistry of oxygen insertion is dictated by the absolute configuration of the substrate. Fluorinated limonene analogs are also tightly bound by both enzymes and hydroxylated at the topologically congruent positions in spite of the polarizing effect of the fluorine atom on substrate reactivity. This strict retention of oxygenation geometry suggests a rigid substrate orientation imposed by multiple hydrophobic active site contacts. Structurally simplified substrate analogs are hydroxylated at slower rates and with substantial loss of regiospecificity, consistent with a loss of active site complementarity. Evaluation of the product profiles generated allowed assessment of the role of hydrophobic contacts in orienting the substrate relative to the activated oxygen species.
A likelihood based robust Bayesian summary

Abstract In a global Bayesian robustness study, one finds the range of a posterior quantity of interest over a class of plausible priors. However, not all the values in the range would be equally supported by the data. In evaluating robustness, it would be of interest to assess the amount of “data support” for each value in the range. The values that have relatively little data support may be ruled out effectively reducing the range. Here, we propose a likelihood based robustness summary, which includes a measure of data support along with the range, that may be useful in better assessing the robustness. In most cases, this summary can be obtained without any additional computation.
Constraints to the Development of Community

Data collected in a general population survey from a random sample of individuals in two communities located in west Texas are used to explore individual-level manifestations of structural constraints to collective action and their associated factors. Multivariate logistic regression analyses reveal that twelve independent factors are statistically associated with one or more of five potentially common constraints cited by individuals as to why they do not devote more time to helping solve community problems. Possible implications of the findings for community theory and the practice of rural community development are advanced, as are suggestions for future research. The interactional field theoretical approach to social organization serves as the conceptual foundation for this investigation.
Coronary Artery Calcium Scanning Using Computed Tomography: Clinical Recommendations for Cardiac Risk Assessment and Treatment

Awareness of coronary artery calcium scanning by computed tomography as a reproducible, low-radiation dose means to estimate plaque burden in patients necessitates clinical recommendations for interpretation. Coronary artery calcium scanning is best applied in the intermediate risk, asymptomatic adult population. Calcium scores >100 or >75th percentile transform the intermediate risk patient to high risk with recommendations for more aggressive therapy. Scores exceeding the 90th percentile or >400 define the group at the highest risk of a cardiovascular event and may suggest further cardiac testing. Scores from 11 to 100 and
UTILIZATION OF MODELS IN WATER RESOURCES

: A 1984 survey of water resources personnel was conducted to determine the current and future uses of mathematical models in planning, design and operations of water resources systems. Eighty-six percent of those responding indicated they have used mathematical models in the last year. Lack of appropriate data, inadequate time and funding to do the modeling and lack of models that represent the “real world” situation were the most frequently mentioned constraints to model use. Microcomputers were seen as having a positive influence on mathematical model use in water resources.
A 3D integral imaging optical see-through head-mounted display

An optical see-through head-mounted display (OST-HMD), which enables optical superposition of digital information onto the direct view of the physical world and maintains see-through vision to the real world, is a vital component in an augmented reality (AR) system. A key limitation of the state-of-the-art OST-HMD technology is the well-known accommodation-convergence mismatch problem caused by the fact that the image source in most of the existing AR displays is a 2D flat surface located at a fixed distance from the eye. In this paper, we present an innovative approach to OST-HMD designs by combining the recent advancement of freeform optical technology and microscopic integral imaging (micro-InI) method. A micro-InI unit creates a 3D image source for HMD viewing optics, instead of a typical 2D display surface, by reconstructing a miniature 3D scene from a large number of perspective images of the scene. By taking advantage of the emerging freeform optical technology, our approach will result in compact, lightweight, goggle-style AR display that is potentially less vulnerable to the accommodation-convergence discrepancy problem and visual fatigue. A proof-of-concept prototype system is demonstrated, which offers a goggle-like compact form factor, non-obstructive see-through field of view, and true 3D virtual display.
A History Of Pepsin And Related Enzymes

ABSTRACT Studies on gastric digestion during 1820–1840 led to the discovery of pepsin as the agent which, in the presence of stomach acid, causes the dissolution of nutrients such as meat or coagulated egg white. Soon afterward it was shown that these protein nutrients were cleaved by pepsin to diffusible products named peptones. Efforts to isolate and purify pepsin were spurred by its widespread adoption for the treatment of digestive disorders, and highly active preparations were available by the end of the nineteenth century. There was uncertainty, however, as to the chemical nature of pepsin, for some preparations exhibited the properties of proteins while other preparations failed to do so. The question was not settled until after 1930, when Northrop crystallized swine pepsin and provided convincing evidence for its identity as a protein. The availability of this purified pepsin during the 1930s also led to the discovery of the first synthetic peptide substrates for pepsin, thus providing needed evid...
Histopathologic approaches to chemical toxicity using primary cultures of dissociated neural cells grown in chamber slides.

Morphologic lesions have received only limited attention as in vitro endpoints of toxicity. In the present work, "tissue" and cell morphology of control and toxicant-treated primary dissociated cerebrocortical cell cultures from fetal mice were examined using phase-contrast and bright-field microscopy. In untreated control cultures, a reproducible sequence of developmental events included cellular reaggregation, intercolony bridging with cell migration, and neuronal apoptosis, with maturation yielding confluent monolayers containing both neurons and glia. Because even mature cultures had regions of varying differentiation, an understanding of the normal developmental sequence was essential when assessing toxicant-treated cultures for damage. Chemicals induced neuronotoxic, gliotoxic, and cytotoxic (i.e., nonspecific) patterns of morphologic damage in growing (< 6 day old) or mature (6-15 day old) cultures in both a concentration-dependent and cell type-specific manner. In addition, exposure to some toxicants consistently reduced the staining intensity for glial fibrillary acidic protein in the astrocyte carpet prior to the appearance of structural damage. These data indicate that histopathologic endpoints, including methods for neural-specific markers, represent potentially valuable criteria for in vitro assessments of neurotoxicity.
Accelerating Lloyd’s Algorithm for k -Means Clustering

The k-means clustering algorithm, a staple of data mining and unsupervised learning, is popular because it is simple to implement, fast, easily parallelized, and offers intuitive results. Lloyd’s algorithm is the standard batch, hill-climbing approach for minimizing the k-means optimization criterion. It spends a vast majority of its time computing distances between each of the k cluster centers and the n data points. It turns out that much of this work is unnecessary, because points usually stay in the same clusters after the first few iterations. In the last decade researchers have developed a number of optimizations to speed up Lloyd’s algorithm for both low- and high-dimensional data.In this chapter we survey some of these optimizations and present new ones. In particular we focus on those which avoid distance calculations by the triangle inequality. By caching known distances and updating them efficiently with the triangle inequality, these algorithms can provably avoid many unnecessary distance calculations. All the optimizations examined produce the same results as Lloyd’s algorithm given the same input and initialization, so are suitable as drop-in replacements. These new algorithms can run many times faster and compute far fewer distances than the standard unoptimized implementation. In our experiments, it is common to see speedups of over 30–50x compared to Lloyd’s algorithm. We examine the trade-offs for using these methods with respect to the number of examples n, dimensions d, clusters k, and structure of the data.
Modular single-phase trans-Z-source inverter for multi-input renewable energy system

This paper presents a novel modular single-phase trans-Z-source inverter for the multi-input grid-connected renewable energy (photovoltaic/wind/fuel cell) system in order to simplify the system structure and reduce the cost. The proposed modular single-phase trans-Z-source inverter evolves from the original Z-source inverter by incorporating coupled inductors and center-tapped capacitors and thus making the system neutral available. By utilizing the extra shoot-through state which is prohibited in the conventional voltage-source inverter to avoid short circuit, the proposed inverter can perform DC-DC boost conversion and DC-AC inversion simultaneously based on the single-stage structure. Multiple inverter modules can be flexibly configured in terms of terminal interconnections, and thus they can adapt to multiple energy sources at different voltage levels and power capacities. More importantly, a shared DC bus decouples the AC outputs of the interconnected inverter modules from their inputs and enables the system to supply balanced power to the grid. Circuit modularization and minimum required devices predict a significantly reduced cost; furthermore, the shoot-through operation offers a great EMI immunity and reliability.
Instability induced all-optical switching in planar semiconductor microcavities

Using a microscopic theory, we predict all-optical switching in planar semiconductor micro-cavities where a weak beam switches a stronger signal. The scheme is similar to that recently demonstrated in atomic vapors.
Extraocular connective tissues: a role in human eye movements?

Purpose This study presents a detailed anatomic analysis of the undisturbed connective tissues that surround the horizontal extraocular muscles (EOMs) of humans. Emphasis is placed on those EOM orbital side tissues that, in previous MRI studies, were assumed to couple the muscle to the pulley. Methods Serial 5-mum sections were prepared from paraffin-embedded blocks of the lateral and medial rectus muscles and their surrounding connective tissues. The sections were treated with Masson's trichrome stain for light microscopic examination of muscle fibers (red) and surrounding connective tissues (blue). Results Rectus muscle sections demonstrated the orbital connective tissues to be a collagenous bridge between the distal third of the muscle and the orbital periosteum (i.e., check ligament [CL]). The CL attaches to the muscle by investing itself around orbital muscle fibers whereas, at the point of attachment, those fibers remain aligned with the remainder of the muscle. The CL on the orbital side and the reflected bulbar fascia on the global side of the muscle constitute a tubelike sheath. The posterior border of the sheath insinuates into the muscle belly and its anterior aspect blends into the sides of the portal through Tenon's capsule. Conclusions All rectus EOM fibers participate in eye rotation. The CL is the band of tissue present on the MRI images, but was previously described as the orbital layer insertion for the active pulley hypothesis (APH). The APH should now be questioned. Alternate theories incorporating accepted neurophysiological, anatomic, and ophthalmological principles of EOM movement are discussed.
End-to-end pairwise key establishment using multi-path in wireless sensor network

Resource aware random key pre-distribution schemes have been proposed to overcome the limitations of energy constrained wireless sensor networks. In most of these schemes, each sensor node is loaded with a key ring. Neighboring nodes are considered to be connected through a secure link if they share a common key. Nodes which are not directly connected establish a secure path which is then used to negotiate a symmetric key. However, since different symmetric keys are used for different links along the secure path, each intermediate node must first decrypt the message received from the upstream node. Notice that during this process, the negotiated key will be revealed to each node along the secure path. The objective of this paper is to address this short-coming. To this end, we propose an end-to-end pairwise key establishment scheme which uses a properly selected set of node-disjoint paths to securely negotiate symmetric keys between sensor nodes. We show through analysis that our scheme is highly secure against node captures in wireless sensor networks. The proposed scheme can be combined with any existing key pre-distribution scheme to enhance the security of its path-key establishment procedure.
Endurantist and perdurantist accounts of persistence

In this paper, I focus on three issues intertwined in current debates between endurantists and perdurantists—(i) the dimension of persisting objects, (ii) whether persisting objects have timeless, or only time-relative, parts, and (iii) whether persisting objects have proper temporal parts. I argue that one standard endurantist position on the first issue is compatible with standard perdurantist positions on parthood and temporal parts. I further argue that different accounts of persistence depend on the claims about objects’ dimensions and not on the auxiliary claims about parthood and temporal parts.
Mitomycin-augmented non-penetrating deep sclerectomy: preoperative gonioscopy and postoperative perimetric, tonometric and medication trends

Background/Aims Non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) can enhance drainage of aqueous humour without disrupting the trabecular endothelial layer, reducing risks of postoperative hypotony and hyphema. This study explores associations of angle morphology with surgical efficacy in eyes with open and obstructed angles. Methods Eighty-nine consecutive eyes undergoing successful NPDS (non-implant, with 0.4 mg/ml mitomycin C and limbus-based two-layer closure) were studied in this institutional review board-approved retrospective quality assurance study. Postoperative complication frequency, intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma medications required and acuity were monitored (baseline vs 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18-month postoperative levels), along with 30-2 Humphrey MD and corrected pattern standard deviation (CPSD) (baseline vs 6, 12 and 18-month postoperative values). Preoperative gonioscopy was compared with the subsequent requirement for specific postoperative interventions. Results IOP at all five postoperative intervals was reduced (22±0.9 to 12±0.5 mm Hg; p Conclusions Following NPDS, a sustained IOP decrease of 10 mm Hg (45%) was attained, with stable acuity, increased perimetric generalised light sensitivity and 90% reduction in medical therapy requirement. Morbidity risk was associated with narrow gonioscopic angle insertion and synechia, but not with shallow approach or trabecular pigmentation.
Image restoration using a reduced order model Kalman filter

The one-dimensional state-space representation of an image for restoration using a Kalman filter requires a relatively large state vector. For a typical autoregressive signal model with nonsymmetric half-plane support, the dimension of the state is approximately equal to the product of the image model order and the pixel width of the image. This state is large, particularly for practical images and would require excessive computation if the Kalman filter were used directly. Consequently, there have been various filtering approximations which reduce the amount of computation. An alternate approach is to reduce the dimension of the image model and use the corresponding optimal filter directly. To this effect a reduced-order model Kalman filter which reduces both the amount and the complexity of the computations is developed. >
Enhancing Student Learning in Structures Courses with Building Information Modeling

This paper presents the findings of a study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in enhancing student learning in structural concrete design courses. In reinforced concrete design, three dimensional (3D) visualization of concrete members can advance students understanding of reinforcement details and rebar-placement. BIM facilitates the usage of 3D views in teaching such courses and provides opportunities to address the challenges faced by the students during the visualization process. A study involving the use of BIM 3D views were conducted in two courses over a one-semester period. In the study, improvements in student performance were observed in several of the problems presented when 3D models were used. BIM has the potential to provide faculty with a tool that can improve teaching of structural design courses in a more visual and interactive way and greatly enhance the educational experience of the students.
Effect of packing on void morphology in resin transfer molded E-glass/epoxy composites

Effects of applying a packing pressure on void content, void morphology, and void spatial distribution were investigated for resin transfer molding (RTM) E-glass/epoxy composites. Packing pressures of zero and 570 kPa were respectively applied to center-gated composites containing 17.5% randomly oriented, E-glass fiber preform. Radial samples of these disk-shaped composites were utilized to evaluate voidage via microscopic image analysis. Two adjacent surfaces were cut from each molded disk in order to evaluate void presence from both through-the-thickness and planar views. The packed composite was found to contain almost 92% less void content than the unpacked composite. While void fractions of 2.2 and 2.6% were measured, respectively, from the through-the-thickness and planar surfaces of the unpacked composite, only 0.2% void content was observed in the packed composite from both surfaces. Digital images obtained from through-thethickness surface showed that average void size dropped from 59.3 m in the unpacked composite to 31.7 m in the packed composite. A similar reduction in average void size from 66.7 to 41.1 m was observed from the planar surfaces. Circular voids were found to experience higher removal rates at 99%, followed by cylindrical and elliptical voids at 83 and 81%, respectively; while irregular voids show slightly lower void removal rates at 67%. Void proximity to fiber bundles was also observed to affect void reduction as voids located inside fiber tows experience lower void reduction rates. Along the radial direction of the molded disks, removal of voids with different proximities to fibers seems to depend on their arrangement at the end of the filling stage. These findings are believed to ascertain packing as an effective void removal method for RTM and similar liquid composite molding processes. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:614 – 627, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers
The elegance of The Elegant Universe: unity, beauty, and harmony in Brian Greene's popularization of superstring theory

The emergence of string theory into popular culture can be seen in recent episodes of Joan of Arcadia and in the NOVA series based on Brian Greene's best-selling book, The Elegant Universe. Greene's book has played a significant role in string theory's emergence into popular culture. In order to persuade the general public to accept the new and controversial theory of superstrings as a revolutionary scientific theory, Greene carefully constructs his argument in The Elegant Universe, reinforcing the elegance and beauty of string theory. The Elegant Universe itself is an elegantly constructed argument, in terms of both its overall structure and its language. The threads of Greene's argument are carefully woven to create the unified textual fabric of his argument.
Whose Vision? Conspiracy Theory and Land-Use Planning in Nevada County, California

In this paper we examine the role of claims of global conspiracy in undermining a local environmental planning process known as Natural Heritage 2020 (NH 2020) in Nevada County, California. County officials intended NH 2020 to mitigate the environmental impacts of rapid growth in this gentrifying rural community. This program illustrates the increasing use by land-use planners of landscape-scale approaches derived from conservation biology to protect biodiversity on private land. In Nevada County, this new planning vision met intense resistance. The ensuing struggle demonstrates the conflicts that can arise between social groups with competing visions for the future of the local environment in response to efforts to realize particular visions through land-use planning and policymaking. Opponents perceived a significant threat to their property rights from the use of a landscape-scale vision from conservation biology in county planning, which some depicted as part of a global environmental conspiracy. We e...
Management of oral malodour

Halitosis is a common problem. Its aetiology is multifactorial, but oral malodour is usually caused by microbial metabolism from the tongue, saliva or dental plaque. Mouthwashes are only effective against halitosis caused by intraoral factors. The principal causative agents of oral malodour are volatile sulphide compounds (VSCs), including hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide. Data suggest that oral VSC levels correlate with the depth of periodontal pockets. Trials have shown that both mechanical oral care and mouthwash use can reduce halitosis levels. The majority of studies involving mouthwashes have investigated chlorhexidine and essential oil mouthwashes, although comparative studies are sparse.