cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer analysis of etiology and pregnancy rate in 636 cases of primary infertility

Since the rate of pregnancy is a function of time, conventional pregnancy rates (number of patients achieving pregnancy per number of patients treated) are inadequate for counseling unless the follow-up period is specified. To overcome this problem, the expectancy of pregnancy for 636 cases of primary infertility was calculated with the assumption that the patients were followed up indefinitely. The overall "conventional" pregnancy rate was 38%, whereas the overall expectancy of pregnancy was 64%. Endometriosis was found to be the most common factor, comprising 25% of the cases, with a pregnancy rate of 31% and an expectancy of 52%. The expectancy of future pregnancy in a patient who has not achieved pregnancy by a given time is presented for each etiologic factor. This paper also presents a comparison of expectancies of pregnancy by different treatments, which may be helpful in selecting appropriate therapy.
Design of a Simulated Environment for Flexible Manufacturing Systems

A new simulated environment of flexible manufacturing systems is proposed in this article. The simulated environment can help the engineers reduce their efforts and better deal with some frustrating situations in the beginning of research and development. A modeling tool, called scenario, is employed in this paper. The scenario is able to depict the actions between equipment and its controller. This article starts with scenario to model the operation sequences of the system's equipment. In addition, this article demonstrates how a scenario is converted into a Petri net. To our knowledge, it is the first time that scenarios are used to model the operations of the equipment's handshaking. Finally, two emulators are given for the simulated environment.
Valuing Modern Contract Scholarship

Eric Posner has written a thoughtful and provocative indictment of the modem economic analysis of contracts. His essay makes two central claims about the failings of scholars "to produce an 'economic theory."'' Specifically, Posner claims that the economic approach "does not explain the current system of contract law" and that it does not "provide a solid basis for criticizing and reforming contract law."2 In other words, Posner claims that modem scholarship fails as either a descriptive or a normative theory, in that it fails to give an account of what current law is or what efficient law should be.
Is There a Political Ecology of the Sierra Leonean Landscape

Corruption and State Politics in Sierra Leone. William Reno. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. 229 pp. Fighting for the Rain Forest: War, Youth and Resources in Sierra Leone. Paul Richards. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 1996. 182 pp. Myth and Reality in the Rain Forest: How Conservation Strategies Are Failing in West Africa. John F. Oates. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999. 310 pp.
The Person on the Street's Understanding of Systems Thinking

The understanding of and application of systems knowledge has been studied in various business, government, and education environments. However, as yet, it is unclear what people at large know about systems thinking, where they gained their knowledge, and how important they consider systems thinking to their decision-making processes. This first phase of a 2-year exploratory study considered these unknowns to identify any need for teaching systems thinking and how to best teach it if appropriate. Results indicated that although the 172 respondents agreed making decisions using systems thinking is important to 79.7% of decisions made and approximately half believed they understood the meaning of social systems and application of systems thinking to decision making, most demonstrated no or limited understanding of both. Finally, most participants' latently gleaned impressions of systems and systems thinking were gained through informal experiences that had occurred since completing their secondary school education. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactive Power Control to Alleviate Bus Voltage Violations in an AC-DC System

This paper presents a number of refinements to the formulation as well as the solution procedure for a coordinated reactive power control scheme using conventional reactive power sources, transformer tap, and also the DC converters of a multiterminal DC network. The proposed approach offers considerable improvements in the computational efficiency. These improvements can be attributed to (a) a reduction in the dimensionality of the formulation by exploiting the decoupled nature of the real and reactive power flows in the AC network, (b) sparse matrix techniques to selectively generate the required sensitivity relationships as opposed to computing the entire sensitivity matrix, (c) an efficient dual simplex LP scheme adapted to solve for the desired controls. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new approach and to show that even for a small 30 bus, 5 DC terminal system significant reduction in computing time can be obtained.
Cytotoxicity of nimbolide, epoxyazadiradione and other limonoids from neem insecticide.

Neem seed preparations contain not only azadirachtin as the active insect antifeedant or growth regulator but also a variety of their limonoids, some of which are cytotoxic to N1E-115 neuroblastoma (mouse), 143B.TK- osteosarcoma (human) and Sf9 (insect) cultured cell lines. The most potent of these limonoids is nimbolide with an IC50 ranging from 4 to 10 microM, and averaging 6 microM for the three cell lines. Other limonoids of decreasing potency and their average IC50 values (microM) are epoxyazadiradione 27 microM, salannin 112 microM, and nimbin, deacetylnimbin and azadirachtin each >200 microM (practically nontoxic). Nimbolide at 10 microM acts rapidly in the neuroblastoma cells to induce blebbing associated with disruption of plasma membranes almost instantaneously and 50% loss of cell viability with 30 min. At 5 microM nimbolide, the cells become elongated and assume a neuronal shape accompanied by spikes and lamellipodia within 1-2 hr followed shortly thereafter by extensive cytological changes and and vacuolization associated with irreversible processess leading to cell death. Calcium is apparently not involved the cytotoxic effect since a calcium-free medium, leading to profound morpholigical changes, does not alter the sensitivity to nimbolide. In contrast, epoxyazadiradione requires higher concentrations and a few hr for 50 % viability loss without major morphological changes, indicating a difference in mode of action for nimbolide and epoxyazadiradione. and epoxyazadiradione.
The decay of the scalar neutrino

Abstract One major problem for supersymmetry has been the lack of any experimental motivation. Although scalar neutrinos are usually predicted to be among the lighter new particles, their presence has been expected to be hidden because of their decay into unobserved neutrals. We calculate the decays of the scalar neutrino and show that there may be a substantial rate into charged particles. These decay modes lead to very distinctive signatures for supersymmetry in e+e− physics and in W±, Z0 decays.
The Dehydratase Activity of Lacticin 481 Synthetase is Highly Processive

Lacticin 481 synthetase (LctM) is a bifunctional enzyme that undertakes dehydration and cyclization in the structural region of the pre-lacticin peptide (LctA) to introduce three thioether rings and one dehydrobutyrine residue. The order and timing of these events has been investigated employing high-resolution ESI−FTMS-based tandem MS/MS techniques and chemical derivatization. LctM demonstrates highly processive behavior as seen by MS analysis of the reaction course of dehydration. Furthermore, cyclization is not tightly coupled to dehydration and follows at a later stage of the enzymatic reaction.
The contribution of fly ash toward indoor radon pollution from concrete

Owing to concerns about radon exposure, there is a need for understanding risk associated with fly ash in concrete. Monte Carlo simulations were applied, based on the radium specific activity of concrete constituents taken from the literature, to predict probabilities for the radium specific activity and radon exhalation rate. The model was then used to predict the indoor radon concentrations and effective annual doses from two different slab-on-grade concrete floors, one with and one without fly ash, in a typical single-family home in the United States. Due to uncertainty in the literature-reported values, a sensitivity analysis was conducted varying the emanation fraction of the fly ash concrete floors. The results show that concrete floors made without fly ash and a 5% emanation fraction, resulted in 90% of the simulated homes having an indoor radon concentration of less than or equal to 2.3 Bq m−3 and an associated annual dose of less than or equal to 54 μSv y−1. This annual dose represents 4% of the total annual background inhalation dose. A 25wt% fly ash concrete with an emanation fraction of 3% achieved the same exposure probability, but higher assumed emanation fractions raised the exposure probability. In general, the predicted radon exposure from fly ash concrete suggests minimal population health effects. But, given the serious health effects of radon exposure the influence of fly ash on the emanation fraction and radioactive pollution indoors deserves further exploration.
Minority mating advantage of certain eye color mutants of Drosophila melanogaster. III. Female discrimination and genetic background.

A repetition of certain experiments done 2 years previously with two eye color mutants,brown andscarlet, inDrosophila melanogaster was undertaken to reconfirm results; however, initial tests revealed that strains or conditions had changed so that females were less discriminating. Testing was undertaken with changes in genetic background and certain laboratory conditions, with single females courted by equal numbers of two eye color types of males (3 red,R: 3 orange,O). These eye colors were produced as (1) mutants “off the shelf,” (2) recombinants from an outcross to a wild-type strain (CS), (3) mutants as in Experiment 1 but with male types stored either together or separately, and (4) recombinants from a double outcross of flies from Experiment 2 to hybrids from two additional wild strains,LS andOR. Experiment 4 producedR andO males that courted nearly equally (as in previous experiments), in contrast with about 70% courtship byR males in the other experiments. Females discriminated in favor of those second to court in G0, G1, and a repeat of G0; however, with two generations of inbreeding, discrimination by this criterion lessened to become nonsignificant. In Experiments 1 and 2,O females favored second-courting males, butR females in hose experiments and all females in Experiment 3 mated more randomly. Effects of storing males either together or separately were not significant. About 20–30% of the females (low threshold) were highly receptive immediately after first courtship. Those trials plus any in which only a single type of male courted were omitted from estimations of female discrimination; a possible bias incurred by such omission against females that might have initial preferences was found to be nonsignificant. Discriminating ability was discussed as a fitness property inDrosophila populations.
Electron Transport in Gas Diffusion Layer of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

A three-dimensional, single-phase, isothermal numerical model of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is employed to investigate effects of lateral electron transport in gas diffusion layer (GDL) for the first time. An additional electron transport equation is solved in the catalyst and gas diffusion layers, and in the current collector. It is found that the lateral electronic resistance plays a critical role in determining the current distribution and cell performance. With reduced GDL thickness, the effect of the lateral electronic resistance becomes even stronger, because the cross-sectional area of GDL for lateral electron transport is smaller. Inclusion of GDL electron transport enables the thickness of GDL and widths of the gas channel and current collecting land to be optimized for better current distribution and cell performance. In addition, the present model enables: (1) direct incorporation of contact resistances emerging from GDL/catalyzed membrane and GDL/land interfaces in the solution process, (2) natural implementation of the total current as the more useful boundary condition than the cell voltage, and (3) stack modeling with cells connected in series and hence having the identical total current.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Perceptions and use of an early warning system during a higher education transition program

This paper reports findings from the implementation of a learning analytics-powered Early Warning System (EWS) by academic advisors who were novice users of data-driven learning analytics tools. The information collected from these users sheds new light on how student analytic data might be incorporated into the work practices of advisors working with university students. Our results indicate that advisors predominantly used the EWS during their meetings with students---despite it being designed as a tool to provide information to prepare for meetings and identify students who are struggling academically. This introduction of an unintended audience brings significant design implications to bear that are relevant for learning analytics innovations.
A heuristic improvement of the Bellman-Ford algorithm

Abstract We describe a new shortest paths algorithm. Our algorithm achieves the same O(nm) worst-case time bound as Bellman-Ford algorithm but is superior in practice.
Characteristics of adolescents caught with cigarettes at school: implications for developing smoking cessation programs.

A potential method of recruiting adolescents for smoking cessation interventions is to offer treatment to students who have been caught with cigarettes at school. The present investigation surveyed 110 adolescents after they were caught with cigarettes at school. The majority of participants were daily smokers (65%) and 17% of the sample scored > or =6 on a version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire. Smoking was pervasive in their social environment, with approximately half the sample reporting that all five of their five best friends smoked. Interest in quitting was evident. Most had made a quit attempt during the past year (71%) and two-thirds planned to quit within the next 6 months. However, questionable strategies (e.g., increasing caffeine consumption) had been used during previous quit attempts. The implications for developing school-based smoking cessation programs are discussed.
Surface-field measurements in low-mobility semiconductors

Abstract It is shown how an elaboration of the time-of-flight technique can be used to study surface fields in amorphous semiconductors. This development is applied to thin films of intrinsic and P-doped a-Si: H and it is shown that fields greater than 2 × 103 V cm−1 can exist at the surface.
Mechanism of Conductance by Hydrogen and Hydroxyl Ions in Aqueous Solutions

IT has been suggested1–5 that the process of electrolytic conduction by hydrogen and hydroxyl ion in water involves, in addition to the mass transport of the hydrated ions, a proton transmission mechanism. This mechanism yields by means of a relatively small motion (c. 0·4 A.) of a proton as great a charge transport as would result from a much larger (c. 3 A.) motion of the entire ion.
Running exercise may reduce risk for lung and liver cancer by inducing activity of antioxidant and phase II enzymes

The effects of exercise, ethanol, and exercise plus ethanol-treatments on activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UDP-GT) in lung and liver were investigated. All treatments induced SOD and CAT activity in the lung while CAT activity was enhanced only by the combined treatments in the liver. Ethanol reduced hepatic SOD activity, while with the combined treatment SOD was normal. Exercise enhanced UDP-GT activity in liver and lung while ethanol had no effect and GST activity was induced in the liver by the combined treatment. Thus exercise may reduce risk for lung and hepatic cancer and prevent an ethanol-induced increase in risk for hepatic cancer by enhancing activity of antioxidant and phase II enzymes.
Ability of Institutionalized and Community-Based Adults With Retardation to Respond to Questions in an Interview Context

This study examined the ability of adults with mild and moderate levels of retardation to respond to simple and complex questions. The sample consisted of 20 subjects living in an institutional setting and 20 subjects living in the community. A 30-minute language sample, structured as a job interview, was elicited from each subject by an investigator. During the interview, the investigator asked a number of questions interspersed within the conversation. Two levels of questions were presented: simple and complex. Ten questions were presented at each level. Responses were scored in terms of how informative and truthful the subject was (specific scoring conventions were based upon the work of Grice, 1975). The community group produced a significantly greater number of appropriate answers to both simple and complex questions than did the institutional group. Group differences were observed along both parameters of informativeness and truthfulness.
Entrapment of J-Tip guidewires by venatech and stainless-steel greenfield vena cava filters during central venous catheter placement: Percutaneous management in four patients

We present four patients in whom bedside placement of a central venous catheter was complicated by entrapment of a J-tip guidewire by a previously placed vena cava (VC) filter. Two Venatech filters were fragmented and displaced into the superior VC or brachiocephalic vein during attempted withdrawal of the entrapped wire. Two stainless-steel Greenfield filters remained in place and intact. Fluoroscopically guided extraction of both wires entrapped by Greenfield filters was successfully performed in the angiography suite.
Preparation of inactivated St. Louis encephalitis virus vaccine from hamster kidney cell culture.

SummaryThe large plaque variant of the P-15 strain of SLE virus which grows to a titer of 108 to 109 TCID50/0.1 ml in HKC was inactivated by formalin and tested for antigenicity. The virus was harvested in medium 199 containing 2% H.AL, and was readily and apparently predictably inactivated by 1:4000 formalin at 37°C. Loss by nitration prior to activation was in the expected range of 0.3 log. The inactivated preparation when tested for the minimal immunogenic dose (MID) in mice gave a low value, indicative of excellent immunogenicity. The MID for a preparation with a preinactivation titer of 10-7-3/0.1 ml was 0.0079 ml, whereas that with a titer of 10-8-7/0.1 ml furnished an MID of <0.0015 ml. The latter vaccine elicited an unexpectedly good response in guinea pigs in an antigen extinction test. The protection the mice developed from such vaccine exceeded that of an earlier mouse brain St. Louis virus vaccine and that of a recently developed HKC JBE vaccine.
Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (Kimura's disease)

Abstract Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (Kimura's disease) primarily affects the skin of the head and neck and the oral mucosa. While the clinical picture is nonspecific, the variable microscopic tissue pattern often is diagnostic. The etiology is unknown, and treatment is unpredictable. A case is presented in which Kimura's disease was not suspected clinically prior to the biopsy. The patient responded to topical fluocinonide, and there was no evidence of an immunologic defect.
A Dense Packing of Hard Spheres with Five-fold Symmetry

SUPPOSE a plane of hard spheres is constructed such that the spheres form concentric pentagons with an odd number of balls per pentagon side. A second plane of hard spheres is now constructed such that the spheres form concentric pentagons with an even number of spheres per pentagon side. If this second plane is placed in intimate contact with the first, with their five-fold axes coincident, there results a layer which, within the plane of the layer, can be continuously packed to infinity (Fig. 1). Identical layers can then be stacked one on another, with their five-fold axes coincident, to give an infinite packing along the five-fold axis. An infinite structure can thus be constructed the nucleus of which is a pentagonal dipyramid of seven spheres.
Protein folds in channel structure.

Abstract Advances have been made during the past year in our understanding of the structural basis of channel-protein function. With the convergence of conceptual and technical breakthroughs, we stand at the threshold of an exciting phase in the analysis of membrane proteins with the same molecular detail that used to be the exclusive domain of aqueous soluble proteins. The provocative prospect of establishing the occurrence of minimum units of structure with specific functional attributes may provide a realistic pathway towards understanding the fundamental principles underlying the sequence—structure determinism.
Influence of Initiation Efficiency and Polydispersity of Primary Chains on Gelation during Atom Transfer Radical Copolymerization of Monomer and Cross-Linker

The influence of initiation efficiency and polydispersity of primary chains on the experimental gel points was studied during atom transfer radical copolymerization (ATRcP) of monovinyl monomer and...
ICAM-1 Increasesin VitroAdhesion and Cytotoxicity in a Murine Fibrosarcoma

Cellular adhesion and specific cytotoxicity are two essential components for the successful cellular therapy of cancer. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is an essential participant in lymphocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and may also play a role in lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. To study the effect of ICAM-1 on adhesion and cytotoxicity in vitro, MCA-105 tumor cells were cotransfected with ICAM-1 and the gene for neomycin resistance (NeoR). Two clones (Clones 81 and 149) with confirmed enhancement of ICAM-1 expression were selected. Studies were performed examining adhesion of lymphocytes to HUVECS, MCA-105, Clone 81 or Clone 149 alone, or combinations of the three tumor cell lines with HUVECs. Peripheral blood lymphocytes labeled with 51 Cr were used and adhesion was determined by counting in a γ-counter after rinsing away nonadherent cells. Cytotoxicity was performed using 51 Cr-labeled MCA-105, NeoR, Clone 81, and Clone 149 target cells. LAK cells cultured from splenocytes of normal mice were used as the effector cells and a chromium release assay was performed. Adhesion data showed significant increases in adhesion (P < 0.05) for Clones 81 and 149 compared to MCA-105. However, the combination of HUVECs and tumor cells to mimic the in vivo condition had a variable effect on adhesion compared to tumor cells alone. Cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that Clone 149 was significantly (P < 0.05) more susceptible to lysis by normal LAK cells compared to MCA-105, NeoR, and Clone 81. These results suggest that increased ICAM-1 expression enhances the susceptibility of tumor cells to lysis by LAK cells.
Metabolism of 3-methylhistidine in man☆

The metabolism of L-3-methylhistidine was studied in man using intravenously administered ((14)C)3-methylhistidine. Analysis for expired (14)CO2 for periods up to 2 hr following a single intravenous injection revealed no radioactivity, indicating that this compound is not oxidized in man. Analysis of urine samples for total radioactivity showed that 75% of the administered dose was excreted in 24 hr and 95% in 48 hr. Ion-exchange chromatography of urine samples with monitoring of the column eluated by a flow liquid-scintillation technique showed the presence of only two radioactive peaks. The time taken to elute these peaks was compatible with the major excretory component (95.5%) being ((14)C)3-methylhistidine, accompanied by a small amount (4.5%) in the form of N-acetyl-((14)C)3-methylhistidine. The plasma disappearance curves of ((14)C)3-methylhistidine suggested a half-life of approximately 130 min. The inability ot oxidize 3-methylhistidine and its quantitative excretion as the original compound as well as its N-acetyl derivative is similar to its metabolic fate in the rat and therefore suggests that 3-methylhistidine excretion may provide a reliable measure of actin and myosin turnover in the whole animal or in human subjects.
Multi-scale decomposition of turbulent fluxes above a forest canopy

Abstract Multi-scale properties of upward and downward component contributions to the turbulent fluxes of momentum, sensible heat, water vapor, and CO2 over a forest canopy in different atmospheric stability conditions are examined. The technique uses an innovative wavelet cospectral decomposition of fluxes into their positive and negative components. Results show that both the frequency of occurrence and the intensity of upward and downward events in the wavelet cospectra, as well as the upward and downward global wavelet cospectra, are intimately tied to the scale of motion. The average frequency of occurrence of the events in both directions was close to 50% at small scales, with the main component dominating at larger scales. The averaged normalized global intensity of the main component of scalar wavelet cospectrum has a prominent peak at 30–70 s varying with the interested fluxes and the atmospheric stability, and decreases sharply for larger scales and more gradually for smaller scales. The intensity of the minor component is almost constant in the fine scales, and decreases to almost zero as the scale increases. Results from these analyses are indirectly supported by techniques such as the quadrant-hole analysis and the Fourier cospectrum. These properties suggest that the main component of wavelet cospectrum dominating at larger scales has a more important contribution to fluxes than the minor component. These results support the idea that the scalar exchange takes place mostly through the action of large-scale eddies.
Transpiration rates of the understory annual Impatiens capensis (Balsaminaceae) in response to the autumnal changes in canopy leaf area.

Summary Leaf transpiration rates of Impatiens capensis were measured beneath a broadleaved deciduous forest canopy over successive growing seasons using a steady-state porometer. The transpiration measurements, which continued into early autumn, provided a framework for assessing whether I. capensis exhibits stomatal opening in response to the autumnal increase in available direct-beam radiation reaching the forest floor. The deciduous canopy LAI (leaf area index) decreased from a growing season maximum of 3.94 m 2 m −2 , while the understory I. capensis population located along a stream channel maintained LAI values ranging from 0.58 to 1.05 m 2 m −2 late into the growing season. Late morning and early afternoon leaf transpiration rates during the months of June and July averaged about 8 μg cm −2 s −1 , with a mean stomatal conductance of 0.5 cm s −1 . In August, leaf transpiration averaged almost 12 μg cm −2 s −1 , with stomatal conductance exceeding 1.5 cm s −1 . However, beginning in early to mid-September, before canopy leaf-fall, the persistent green leaves of I. capensis exhibited a sharp decline in transpiration, possibly a result of decreasing vapor pressure deficits or non-lethal physiological damage induced by cold stress. This physiological decline offsets any advantage that could have been gained by the increased exposure to direct-beam radiation after canopy leaf-fall in mid-October. Although green leaf area and seed-bearing capsules may persist until the first frost in October or early November, there is no evidence of stomatal opening suggestive of carbon assimilation for enhanced seed development during this early autumn period. We conclude that the persistent green leaf area of I. capensis fails to exploit the increase in available direct-beam radiation in the final stage of its life cycle.
Stationary networks viewed from rotating references

THIS ARTICLE summarizes the first of a series of studies oh the physical and mathematical analysis of the steady-state stability of conventional and long-distance transmission systems as they are influenced by the presence of voltage regulators and other control devices. As a first step attention is restricted to the transmission line as a component part of the over-all system and practical equivalent circuits are established for its representation, when the connected synchronous machines oscillate. For that purpose the basic equations of stationary networks are set up when viewed from uniformly rotating reference frames. An isolated inductor and capacitor, then a transformer, and finally a transmission line are used as examples. Their equations viewed from a simultaneously rotating and oscillating reference frame are given in reference 1.
Distribution of magnon modes in disordered two dimensional Heisenberg ferro and antiferromagnets

Abstract The numerical evaluation of the distribution of magnon modes in disordered two dimensional Heisenberg ferro and antiferromagnets is outlined. Calculations are carried out for 30 × 30 arrays using techniques developed by Dean and Bacon. Detailed results are reported for an amorphous ferromagnet having a Gaussian distribution of exchange integrals and for a substitutionally disordered antiferromagnet resembling K 2 Mn 0.5 Ni 0.5 F 4 .
Instability in the propagation of fast cracks

We report on experimental investigations of the propagation of cracks in the brittle plastic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Velocity measurements with resolution an order of magnitude better than previous experiments reveal the existence of a critical velocity (330\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}30 m/s) at which the velocity of the crack tip begins to oscillate, the dynamics of the crack abruptly change, and a periodic pattern is formed on the crack surface. Beyond the critical point the amplitude of the oscillations depends linearly on the mean velocity of the crack. The existence of this instability may explain the failure of theoretical predictions of crack dynamics and provides a mechanism for the enhanced dissipation observed experimentally in the fracture of brittle materials.
Sural nerve pathology in ALS patients: a single-centre experience

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative disease of upper and lower motor neurons. Sensory involvement is thought not to be a feature of ALS. We reviewed 17 cases of sural nerve biopsies performed in a large cohort of ALS patients referred to our centre over a 23-year period. More than two-third of biopsies revealed a variable degree of axonal loss. In one case, pathological findings suggested the concomitant presence of an inherited neuropathy, subsequently confirmed by genetic evaluation. In another case, pathological and neurographic data were similar to those of an inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy, but the clinical course corroborated the diagnosis of ALS. Our data confirm that sensory nerve involvement may be found in ALS patients. This finding should prompt physicians to carefully investigate a possible alternative diagnosis, but does not exclude the possibility that the patient may have ALS.
52-Year-Old Man With Arthralgias, Fever, and Fatigue

A 52-year-old previously healthy man was admitted to an inpatient internal medicine resident hospital service with a 2-week history of profound generalized fatigue, nocturnal fevers (temperature as high as 39.4°C [103°F]), cold sweats, anorexia, and bilateral hand swelling and numbness. The swelling progressed to symmetrically involve his elbows, shoulders, knees, and ankles. He also reported arthralgias and profound weakness that had caused him to be confined to a wheelchair. He experienced joint stiffness of less than 30 minutes' duration in the morning that improved with activity. He denied recent tick bites, exposures to sick contacts, or travel outside of Minnesota and reported no recent weight loss, sore throat, or infection. A full review of systems was otherwise unremarkable. Family history was remarkable for an aunt and cousin with lupus.
Comparative invitro studies of tiazofurin and a selenazole analog

2-β-D-Ribofuranosylselenazole-4-carboxamide, a selenazole analog of the antitumor agent Tiazofurin, is severalfold more cytotoxic to murine tumor cells in culture than Tiazofurin. Like Tiazofurin, the cytotoxicity of the selenazole analog is reversed by exogenous guanosine, and both nucleosides specifically inhibit IMP dehydrogenase activity in cultured P388 cells. The dose-dependency for this inhibition correlates with the relative cytotoxicities of both drugs, indicating that a more potent inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase by the selenazole analog is primarily responsible for its increased cytotoxicity. The specific inhibition of the isolated enzyme by potential metabolites of the selenazole analog is discussed.
Design of Palatable Credit Scorecards as a Highly Automated Analytic Service by Combining Machine Learning with Domain Expertise

Lenders require accurate and interpretable credit scoring models palatable to regulators, financial services staff and consumers. Expert-designed segmented scorecards fill this need. Building such models is a laborious data-guided task for experienced modelers. It can take weeks to hone a model for deployment. Lenders would like to design, update and test models, predictors and segmentation schemes more frequently, objectively and cost-effectively, as environments change fast and as new data emerge. We propose scorecard design as an automated analytic computing service used by domain experts, comprising data-driven machine learning with expert-imposed palatability restrictions and model visualization, in two stages: Stage I fits a tree ensemble model to render a best-fit score and a list of segmentation candidates. Stage II uses this information to generate optimal palatable segmented scorecards subject to restrictions provided by the experts. When implemented on a computer cluster, our process yields close to deployment-ready scorecards within minutes to hours, which can be rapidly honed and upon approval deployed into a separate scoring service. While motivated by transparency needs of credit scoring, such a service can be valuable for any application requiring highly predictive yet palatable scoring algorithms.
The decay of 58Mn

Abstract Gamma-ray singles spectra in the decay of 58 Mn to 58 Fe have been measured with a Ge(Li) detector. Beta groups of 3.8 ± 0.1(63.5%/decay) and 5.9 ± 0.1(11.5%/decay) MeV were measured with a plastic scintillator. Sixteen γ-transitions were observed, 10 for the first time. Twelve were fitted into levels at 810.73, 2 + ; 1674.71, 2 + ; 2134.0, 3 + ; 2600.7, 3399.7, 3442.9 and 3634, 2 + , keV. The half-life was found to be 65.3 ± 0.7 s.
How it was learned that quantized fields are operator-valued distributions

This essay describes the emergence of a mathematical concept, the notion of a quantized field, from the physics of the first half of the twentieth century. The physics involved includes some of the most important developments of the era. The episode can be regarded as another instance of the fruitful interaction of physics and mathematics.
The effect of saline solutions on nasal patency and mucociliary clearance in rhinosinusitis patients.

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of two saline nasal sprays on nasal patency and mucociliary clearance in patients with rhinosinusitis.Study DesignRandomized double-blind trial.Subjects and MethodsEighty patients with rhinosinusitis at a tertiary care academic center had nasal patency and mucociliary clearance measured. Each patient was then treated with either physiological or hypertonic saline. Nasal patency and mucociliary clearance measurements were repeated after treatment. Subjective evaluation was also performed.ResultsBoth solutions improved saccharine clearance times (P < 0.0001). Buffered physiological saline significantly affected nasal airway patency (P = 0.006). Both solutions improved symptoms of nasal stuffiness (P < 0.0001) and nasal obstruction (P < 0.0001). Buffered hypertonic saline caused increased nasal burning/irritation compared with buffered physiological saline (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsBuffered physiological and buffered hypertonic saline nasal sprays both improve mucociliary clearan...
Self-esteem patterns distinctive of groups of drug abusing and other dysfunctional adolescents.

Self-report measures on seven scales representing four broad processes of self-esteem were used to contrast three groups of drug abusers (pretreatment, in-treatment, and posttreatment), two other groups of institutionalized dysfunctional youth, and a “normal” public school sample, all from a population of White middle-class suburban adolescents. Multivariate analysis of co-variance with adjustment for age and sex was used to compare the dysfunctional groups with the normal group. Discriminant analysis portrayed the dimensions of self-esteem separating all the groups. Pretreatment and in-treatment drug abusers had significantly lower scores on all seven measures of self-esteem; posttreatment abusers did not show these decrements, but reported greater ease in sharing feelings than normals did. The learning disabled adolescents were not significantly different from the normal group, while runaways reported a lower sense of well being and greater ease in sharing feelings. These outcomes suggest that low self-...
Analysis of SNARE-mediated Membrane Fusion Using an Enzymatic Cell Fusion Assay

The interactions of SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins on vesicles (v-SNAREs) and on target membranes (t-SNAREs) catalyze intracellular vesicle fusion(1-4). Reconstitution assays are essential for dissecting the mechanism and regulation of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion(5). In a cell fusion assay(6,7), SNARE proteins are expressed ectopically at the cell surface. These "flipped" SNARE proteins drive cell-cell fusion, demonstrating that SNAREs are sufficient to fuse cellular membranes. Because the cell fusion assay is based on microscopic analysis, it is less efficient when used to analyze multiple v- and t-SNARE interactions quantitatively. Here we describe a new assay(8) that quantifies SNARE-mediated cell fusion events by activated expression of β-galactosidase. Two components of the Tet-Off gene expression system(9) are used as a readout system: the tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA) and a reporter plasmid that encodes the LacZ gene under control of the tetracycline-response element (TRE-LacZ). We transfect tTA into COS-7 cells that express flipped v-SNARE proteins at the cell surface (v-cells) and transfect TRE-LacZ into COS-7 cells that express flipped t-SNARE proteins at the cell surface (t-cells). SNARE-dependent fusion of the v- and t-cells results in the binding of tTA to TRE, the transcriptional activation of LacZ and expression of β-galactosidase. The activity of β-galactosidase is quantified using a colorimetric method by absorbance at 420 nm. The vesicle-associated membrane proteins (VAMPs) are v-SNAREs that reside in various post-Golgi vesicular compartments(10-15). By expressing VAMPs 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 at the same level, we compare their membrane fusion activities using the enzymatic cell fusion assay. Based on spectrometric measurement, this assay offers a quantitative approach for analyzing SNARE-mediated membrane fusion and for high-throughput studies.
Corrections to calculations of the radius of gyration of polydisperse gaussian coils when scattering measurements at low angle are missing

The initial slopes and intercepts of Zimm plots of scattering experiments yield the centroidal radius of gyration of the scattering particle. In many cases, it is not possible to measure at sufficiently low angle to obtain accurate initial slopes and intercepts. Errors for missing data can be corrected by using calculated scattering functions as models. Such corrections are given here for polydisperse Gaussian coils.
Modulation of allograft incorporation by continuous infusion of growth factors over a prolonged duration in vivo

Morselized cancellous allograft bone is frequently used in the reconstruction of bone defects in cases of revision total joint replacement, trauma, spine fusion and treated infection. However, the initial lack of viable bone cells in morselized allograft bone significantly slows the process of graft incorporation compared to autograft bone. This study examined the effects of prolonged local infusion of the growth factors bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7 or OP-1) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2 or basic FGF) in the process of allograft incorporation using a rabbit tibial chamber model. New bone formation was evaluated by two indices, the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the level of birefringence. The markers of osteoclast-like cells were also measured. Without the infusion of the growth factors, lower levels of new bone formation were observed in the allograft group, compared to the autograft group. Infusion of growth factors FGF-2 and OP-1, singly or in combination, for 4 weeks, diminished this difference. The numbers of osteoclast-like cells were much higher in the allograft group before the growth factors were delivered. The infusion of FGF, singly, diminished this difference. However, the infusion of OP-1 or the combination of FGF and OP-1 did not decrease the number of osteoclast-like cells to a level comparable to autograft only. Local infusion of growth factors appears to be a useful adjunct to promote the incorporation of allograft bone in vivo.
An exchange assay for quantitating 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors.

Abstract Steroid hormone receptors, including those for vitamin D3 contain reactive sulfhydryl group(s) essential for hormone binding. On this basis, several compounds that are capable of interacting with sulfhydryl groups were tested for their ability to dissociate 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 from chicken intestinal receptors. At concentrations resulting in 50% displacement of specifically bound cytoplasmic 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, the order of potency for these displacing reagents is mersalyl acid > sodium thiocyanate ≅ p-hydroxymercuribenzoate ≅ mercuric chloride > 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid). Hormone displacement by mersalyl acid and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate was completely reversible upon dithiothreitol addition. In contrast limited rebinding of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 occurred after, 5,5-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and mercuric chloride treatment. Furthermore, at least for mersalyl acid treatment, hormone displacement and subsequent regeneration of sterol binding did not seem to alter the integrity of the receptor as evidenced by sucrose gradient analysis, DNA-cellulose and phosphoeellulose chromatography. Additionally, treatment of the nuclear 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 receptor did not significantly affect the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant for hormone binding (Kd = 2.7 × 10−10 M; Kd = 1.7 × 10−10 M, for control and mersalyl acid treated receptor, respectively). Finally, a method has been developed for measurement of occupied 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors. The unfilled receptors were quantitated in the cytoplasm or chromatin extracted fraction by incubation with radioactive 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 at 0–4°C for 3–6 h without interference from previously filled sites. The total receptor measurement is carried out by incubation of cytosol or nuclear extract with 0.5–1.0mM mersalyl acid for 1.0 h. Exchange of radioactive sterol for the bound nonradioactive sterol is accomplished by incubation with 1–2 mM dithiothreitol and 1.0 nM radioactive 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 at 0–4°C for 16 h. Subtracting the unfilled sites from total sites results in a measurement of filled sites. With this exchange assay, estimates of total receptor in untreated and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treated chicks (estimated 2 h after injection of doses 0.3–300 nmol) were not significantly different (66.2 ± 4.5 versus 64.4 ± 10.4 to 69.0 + 5.9 pg/mg protein, respectively). Furthermore, quantitation of total receptor by direct or exchange assay obtained from in vitro incubations of intestinal slices with radioactive and nonradioactive 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were not significantly different (56.8 ± 7.4 versus 59.8 ± 4.4 pg/mg protein, respectively).
Gluon thermodynamics with an extended plaquette action.

We study the deconfinement transition in finite-temperature lattice QCD, using a simple extension of the usual plaquette action. We find that the extension does not dramatically improve the approach to asymptotic scaling of the deconfinement temperature as the lattice spacing is reduced. However, we do find that the perturbation-theory calculations of the relations of the ..lambda.. parameters for the different actions are approximately satisfied.
Accurate data aggregation for VANETs

Data aggregation is an important issue for vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs). Congestion notification applications are built to warn drivers of traffic slowdowns far enough in advance that the drivers may take alternate routes. Data that is broadcast should be self-contained and fit into a single MAC-layer frame. With dense traffic, aggregation is needed to represent a large number of vehicles in relatively small frame. We present a new technique for aggregating vehicles' data without losing accuracy. Vehicles build a local view based on speed and position reports from neighboring vehicles. This local view, representing vehicles up to 1.6 km ahead, is then aggregated into a single frame and broadcast. Vehicles use received aggregated frames to extend their views even farther.
A fuzzy measure approach to systems reliability modeling

Our objective here is to study the role that fuzzy measures can play in systems reliability modeling. We first introduce some basic ideas from fuzzy measure theory and then introduce some specialized ideas about fuzzy measures, cardinality index, and attitudinal character, which will later be useful in comparing systems reliability. Basic ideas of reliability modeling and the role of the system structure function are discussed. The system's signatures associated with a structure function are introduced and we show their relationship to expected time to system failure. We show how we can model a systems structure function using a fuzzy measure's. A description of the role of a measures cardinality index and attitudinal character in providing tools for comparing systems reliability is provided. We describe how to obtain a structure model of a complex system using aggregation operators and the measure representation of individual components.
Distribution and relative abundance of stored-product insects in California: a method of obtaining sample populations.

Use of a sheltered food packet to obtain sample populations of stored-product insects-provides an excellent basis for quantitative assessment of the distribution and relative abundance of species in various regions of California. Populations of insects obtained in the food packets developed from infestations occurring at the site of exposure, and development was influenced directly by the climate of the area. The food packet adopted for use contained a mixture of part each, by weight, of poultry laying mash, rolled barley, wheat, and corn. About ½ lb of the food mixture was tied up in cheesecloth, then covered with ⅛-in-mesh hardware cloth. Non storage facilities such as carports, garages, equipment sheds, inactive dairy barns and poultry houses, old livestock barns, and other structures not being used to store dry food products or seeds or feeds, provided shelters for food packets exposed to natural infestation during the spring and summer, usually for 4-5 months. Differences in distribution and abundance of insects obtained in sample populations reflected differences in climates of various regions of the State. The type of non storage facility used for shelter had little, if any, influence on the kind of insects or abundance of each species in sample populations.