cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 17063: Enhanced Prediction of Heart Failure 30-Day Readmission Risk With Four Readily-Available Clinical Variables

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) readmissions, with ~25% within 30 days of discharge, can be reduced with costly post-hospitalization interventions. Determining which patients will benefit from these interventions remains a critical challenge. Hypothesis: We aimed to devise a simple model to predict 30-day HF readmission risk. Methods: Patients ≥21 years of age admitted for HF to a single academic center from July 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2009 were identified by billing codes for HF. Patients were excluded if they died within 90 days, were transferred, discharged to hospice or prison, or later admitted electively or for a surgical emergency not related to HF. Demographics, co-morbidities, laboratories, vitals, and discharge medications (27 variables) were tested as predictors for risk of 30 day readmission. First, independent univariate testing of categorical variables was performed utilizing a retention p-value of < 0.2. Next, continuous variables and retained categorical variables were tested in a mu...
Microwave Remote Sensing: Active and Passive, Volume II: Radar Remote Sensing and Surface Scattering and Emission Theory

The fundamental principles of radar backscattering measurements are presented, including measurement statistics, Doppler and pulse discrimination techniques, and associated ambiguity functions. The operation of real and synthetic aperture sidelooking airborne radar systems is described, along with the internal and external calibration techniques employed in scattering measurements. Attention is given to the physical mechanisms responsible for the scattering emission behavior of homogeneous and inhomogeneous media, through a discussion of surface roughness, dielectric properties and inhomogeneity, and penetration depth. Simple semiempirical models are presented. Theoretical models involving greater mathematical sophistication are also given for extended ocean and bare soil surfaces, and the more general case of a vegetation canopy over a rough surface.
Phorbol ester-stimulated insulin secretion by RINm5F insulinoma cells is linked with membrane depolarization and an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration.

Abstract In studying the regulation of insulin secretion by phorbol esters, we examined their effects on the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), using the Ca2+ indicator fura-2 in the rat insulin-secreting beta-cell line RINm5F. [Ca2+]i was measured in parallel with the rate of insulin release. 50 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which may act via protein kinase C, stimulated insulin release and caused an increase in [Ca2+]i. Ca2+-free conditions eliminated the increase in [Ca2+]i and resulted in a reduced stimulation of insulin release by TPA. The Ca2+ channel blocker nitrendipine (300 nM) inhibited both the increase in [Ca2+]i and the increased rate of insulin secretion. Another phorbol ester, 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which activates protein kinase C, also induced an increase in [Ca2+]i and in the rate of insulin release, while 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which fails to stimulate protein kinase C, was without effect. Further studies with bis-oxonol as an indicator of membrane potential showed that TPA depolarized the beta-cell plasma membrane. From these results, it is concluded that TPA depolarizes the plasma membrane, induces the opening of Ca2+ channels in the RINm5F beta-cell plasma membrane, increases [Ca2+]i, and results in insulin secretion. The action of TPA was next compared with that of a depolarizing concentration of KC1 (25 mM), which stimulates insulin secretion simply by opening Ca2+ channels. TPA consistently elicited less depolarization, a smaller rise of [Ca2+]i, but a greater release of insulin than KC1. Therefore an additional action of TPA is suggested, which potentiates the action of the elevated [Ca2+]i on insulin secretion.
Development of an MRI-compatible needle driver for in-bore prostate biopsy

Minimally invasive percutaneous approaches routinely employ insertion of needles into soft tissue for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Lack of targeting accuracy while inserting needles can significantly mitigate the effectiveness of these methods. Robot-assisted needle steering under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance is a viable option for reaching the target accurately. In this paper, we report the development of an MRI-compatible needle driver for in-bore prostate biopsy. The device easily mounts onto and works together with our previously developed MRI-compatible prostate interventional robot. It is the first robotic device using a standard biopsy gun, which is easily replaceable/detachable in case of multi-sampling biopsy applications. The mechanism enables rotation, translation, and triggering of the biopsy gun to steer the bevel needle through the tissue and to take samples accurately from the target loci. Using the rotational and translational capabilities, the same system can also assist brachytherapy needle placement. Preliminary experiments have shown that the design meets the requirements set by the clinical workflow. System feasibility was verified by multiple users inserting 2 different types of needles under visual feedback into a phantom made of soft plastic. The average targeting errors were 0.92 mm for 18 gauge biopsy and 1.65 mm for 20 gauge brachytherapy needle.
Fatty acids of triglycerides and sterol esters from duncan grapefruit, dancy mandarin and their tangelo hybrids

Abstract The fatty acid composition of the triglycerides and sterol esters of juice sac lipids were determined in Duncan grapefruit, Dancy mandarin and three of their tangelo hybrids. The fatty acid profiles of Orlando and Minneola tangelos resembled those of the Dancy mandarin parent more than those of the grapefruit. The profiles of Seminole tangelo were different from those of both parents and of its sister hybrids.
Electrostricitive P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer-based high-performance micromachined unimorph actuators

Micromachined unimorph actuators based on the electrostrictive P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer have been fabricated. The performance of the devices has been modeled and characterized. The experimental results on the device responses are very close to the prediction of the model, indicating a high actuator displacement and voltage sensitivity. For a typical unimorph device with 1 mm length, the displacement at the center of the device can reach 30 micrometers , and the ratio of the displacement/applied voltage is more than 30nm/V. Furthermore, over more than 3 frequency decades, the dispersion of the displacement is less than 20%, which indicates the high frequency capability of this polymer based MEMS. To demonstrate the high force capability of the device, the displacement response of the device was evaluated at 200 Hz ina fluid medium and there is no observable change in the displacement response in fluid medium when compared with that measured in air. Due to the large field induced electrostrictive strain and high frequency capability of the electrostrictive P(VDF-TfFE), the device is capable of operating at no-resonance model with high displacement and force output, and over a broad frequency range (DC to >10 kHz). The observed performance of the device indicates that this type of electrostrictive P(VDF-TrFE) based MEMS is attractive for micro-pump, values, and air coupled ultrasonic transducer array, etc.
Frictional systems subjected to oscillating loads

If a discrete elastic system with frictional interfaces is subjected to periodic loading, the eventual steady-state response may depend on the initial condition or an initial transient phase of the loading history. In cases where shakedown is possible, it is known that it will occur for all initial conditions if there is no coupling between slip displacements and normal contact tractions, but that when coupling is present, counter-examples can be developed where the steady-state depends on the initial conditions. In this paper, we explore the conjecture that this is a special case of a more general theorem that the time-varying terms in the steady-state solution for an uncoupled system are always independent of initial conditions. In such problems, the ‘memory’ of previous events can only be stored in the slip displacements at nodes that are presently strictly within the friction cone. If all the nodes slip at some point in the cycle, this memory must be continually exchanged between nodes, with a consequent degradation, or loss of memory, resulting in an asymptotic approach to a unique steady state. This behaviour is illustrated using a simple two-node example. When there exists a set of ‘permanently stuck nodes’, these constitute a repository for the system memory, but in uncoupled problems the displacements at these nodes have no effect on the normal tractions at the slipping nodes and hence on the time-varying terms in the solution These arguments are illustrated in the context of two examples: a random distribution of frictional microcracks in a block loaded in plane strain and a generalized Hertzian contact problem with friction.
Structure-function studies of canine cardiac sarcolemmal membranes. I. Estimation of receptor site densities.

Abstract A novel method for the estimation of receptor site densities in purified canine cardiac sarolemmal vesicle is described. Canine sarcolemmal vesicles, purified by the method of Jones et al. (Jones, L.R., Maddock, S.W. and Besch, H.R. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 9971–9980) had high (Na + + K + )-ATPase specific activity (127±1.9 μ mol P i /mg per h). Total phospholipid content, estimated by measurements of total phosphorus and total fatty acid contents, was 3.09 μmol/mg. Saturation isotherms for several receptor ligands gave the following values for K d and B max : ouabain 32.6±2.7 nM, 365±59 pmol/mg; quinuclidinyl benzilate 0.055 ± 0.010 nM, 5.8 ± 0.7pmol/mg; dihydroalprenolol 4.6± 1.0 nM, 2.2 ± 0.2 pmol/mg; and nitrendipine 0.21±0.04 nM, 0.93 ± 1.04 pmol/mg. Membrane phospholipid surface area per ligand-binding sites was estimated from the B max values for each receptor ligand utilizing 3.09 μmol phospholipid / mg and 60 A 2 as the average surface area occupied by each phospholipid molecule. The following receptor site densities per μm 2 phospholipid surface were obtained: ouabain, 400; quinuclidinyl benzilate, 6; dihydroalprenolol, 2; and nitrendipine, 1. As the surface area contributed by protein was estimated to be less than 20% of the lipid surface area, these values must be reduced by approx. 20% to estimate site densities per μm 2 membrane surface. These data demostrate much lower beta-adrenergic and muscarinic receptor density compared to that of Na + pump sites.
Allelic Variants for Complement Factors C3, C4, and B in Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis:

Impaired immune defense mechanisms and genetic factors appear to play a role in susceptibility to acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG). Therefore, possible etiological mechanisms might involve genes at the Major Histocompatibility Complex, which include the complement factor loci. We have tested for a possible association between certain complement factor alleles and ANUG using a case-control study design. Specific alleles at complement factors C3 and C4, and properdin factor B (Bf) loci were determined indirectly by high voltage agarose gel electrophoresis in 58 subjects with a history of ANUG and in 58 age-sex-matched healthy controls. The highest relative risk of ANUG, as obtained by conditional logistic regression, for alleles at the C3 locus was 1.9 (90% confidence limits 0.8 to 4.8; p = 0.229) for C3*F-positive individuals. The highest relative risk for alleles at the C4 locus was 2.6 (0.5 to 14.9 ; p = 0.358) for C4A*3-positive individuals. There was no evidence for an association between...
The distribution of tropical seagrasses with relation to their tolerance of high temperatures

Abstract Tropical seagrasses that are distributed in shallow sites and are likely to be exposed to air at low tides show greater tolerance of high temperatures than those which occur in deeper sites and remain submerged. Among seven genera that occur widely in tropical oceans, Enhalus and Halodule show the greatest heat tolerance and Syringodium the least, with Thalassodendron, Thalassia, Cymodocea and Halophila variously intermediate. Of two sympatric Cymodocea species, C. rotundata Ehrenb. & Hempr. ex Aschers. tolerates higher temperatures than does C. serrulata (R.Br.) Aschers. & Magnus. Within Halodule, narrow-leaved plants are more resistant to high temperature stresses than wide-leaved plants, and within the Halophila ovalis (R.Br.) Hook. f—H. minor (Zoll.) den Hartog complex, most small-leaved populations are more resistant to high temperatures than large-leaved populations. Although diverse leaf types may occur together within shallow seagrass beds, plants with narrow and/or small leaves predominate in sites that are most likely to be exposed to the high temperatures that may accompany low tides in the tropical oceans.
Influence of water deprivation on the disposition of paracetamol

The effect of acute (96 h) water deprivation on the disposition of paracetamol (acetaminophen) has been examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma and urinary concentrations of the drug and its two major metabolites, the glucuronide and sulphate, were determined by a sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatographic assay. Following an intravenous dose of 100 mg kg-1 of paracetamol, no significant changes were found in the elimination rate constant (k), the mean residence time (MRT), total plasma clearance (Cl) and the apparent volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss). However, rats deprived of water for 96 h excreted a larger percentage of the administered dose as the glucuronide conjugate (15.3 vs 7.9%) and a smaller percentage as unchanged paracetamol (7.3 vs 20.7%) in the urine. In addition, there was a significant two-fold increase in the partial metabolic clearance to paracetamol glucuronide. Water deprivation also led to a significant reduction in the renal clearance of paracetamol accompanied by an increase in the renal clearance of the glucuronide.
An Improved Convergence Analysis and Applications for Newton-Like Methods in Banach Space

Abstract In this study we introduce more general Chen–Yamamoto-type conditions to generate a Newton-like method which converges to a locally unique solution of a nonlinear equation in a Banach space containing a non-differentiable term. Using new and more precise majorizing sequences we provide local and semilocal results, first under the same and secondly, under weaker sufficient convergence conditions than before. In both cases we show that our results can be reduced to the ones by Chen and Yamamoto (Chen, X., Yamamoto, T. (1989). Convergence domains of certain iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations. Numer. Funct. Anal. Optimiz. 10(1&2):37–48.), whereas the error bounds and the information on the location of the solution can be more precise, and under more general conditions. Finally some numerical examples are provided where our results compare favorably with earlier ones in both the local and semilocal case.
Echocardiographic Determination of Mitral Disc Valve Excursion

Disc excursion and opening and closing velocities of prosthetic disc valves can be measured accurately by diagnostic echocardiography. The ultrasound beam is projected along the longitudinal axis of the valve and the echoes arising from the struts, disc, and suture ring are displayed on the oscilloscope. Twenty-four patients with normally functioning mitral Beall valves of various sizes and three patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction (one Beall, two Kay-Shiley) were studied. Table 1 lists the disc excursions with standard deviations of Beall valves measured by ultrasound. The 0.06-0.09 cm difference in excursion between models no. 103 and no. 104 valves was detected by ultrasound without prior knowledge of change in design of the valve and demonstrates the extreme accuracy of this technic. The opening and closing disc velocity averaged 22 cm/sec and 40 cm/sec, respectively. Decrease in expected disc excursion and abnormal motion patterns were found in three patients with prosthetic dysfunction second...
In vivo breast imaging with diffuse optical tomography based on higher-order diffusion equations

We report on in vivo absorption and scattering imaging of a human breast cyst and implant, using a reconstruction algorithm based on our third-order diffusion equations. To validate these in vivo images, a series of phantom experiments were conducted, in which we used low-absorbing and low-scattering heterogeneities to mimic a breast cyst or implant. These heterogeneities or targets were composed of pure water or a mixture of water and very dilute Intralipid (0.05% and 0.1%). The phantom experiments confirmed the quantitative imaging capability of our improved algorithm for reconstructing heterogeneities where the conventional diffusion approximation is inadequate. Pilot clinical results from female volunteers indicate that enhanced diffuse optical tomography can quantitatively image findings such as breast cysts or implants in which the absorption and scattering coefficients are usually low.
Obesity-Associated Biomarkers and Executive Function in Children

There is a growing focus on links between obesity and cognitive decline in adulthood, including Alzheimer’s disease. It is also increasingly recognized that obesity in youth is associated with poorer cognitive function, specifically executive functioning skills such as inhibitory control and working memory, which are critical for academic achievement. Emerging literature provides evidence for possible biological mechanisms driven by obesity; obesity-associated biomarkers such as adipokines, obesity-associated inflammatory cytokines, and obesity-associated gut hormones have been associated with learning, memory, and general cognitive function. To date, examination of obesity-associated biology with brain function has primarily occurred in animal models. The few studies examining such biologically mediated pathways in adult humans have corroborated the animal data, but this body of work has gone relatively unrecognized by the pediatric literature. Despite the fact that differences in these biomarkers have been found in association with obesity in children, the possibility that obesity-related biology could affect brain development in children has not been actively considered. We review obesity-associated biomarkers that have shown associations with neurocognitive skills, specifically executive functioning skills, which have far-reaching implications for child development. Understanding such gut–brain associations early in the lifespan may yield unique intervention implications.
Monitoring Osteoblastic Differentiation with Multivariate Analysis of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

Osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells was monitored via time-resolved fluorescence of endogenous NADH. Multivariate analysis of fluorescence decay parameters yielded canonical variables that track cell differentiation status.
Performance and Interactions of Seven Egg Production Stocks in Three Cage Housing Regimes

Abstract THERE has been a definite trend in recent years toward higher bird densities in housing egg production stocks. Decreased income per bird or per dozen eggs has prompted egg producers to increase bird densities in an effort to reduce housing, equipment, and labor costs per bird. Many cage operators are increasing the bird density in cages by housing two or more pullets in a cage originally designed to accommodate a single bird. Although commercial egg producers generally use a Leghorn type bird in cage operations, little information is available to indicate whether strains differ in their ability to adapt to high density conditions in cage operations. Gowe (1956) reported that the relative performance of seven Leghorn strains in floor pens was not necessarily an adequate test of the performance of the same strains in cages. He also concluded that some strains of S. C. White Leghorns apparently adapt themselves better …
Cysteamine therapy: a treatment for cystinosis, not a cure

Cystinosis as a clinical entity is a progressive dysfunction of multiple organs caused by the accumulation of cystine in the tissues, leading, for example, to end-stage renal failure, diabetes, hypothyroidism, myopathy, and central nervous system deterioration. Brodin-Sartorius and colleagues present a long-term study on the impact of cysteamine therapy on these complications. The data show that cysteamine improves the outcome and complications of cystinosis but does not prevent them.
Wen Z-Q. 2007. Raman Spectroscopy of Protein Pharmaceuticals. J Pharm Sci 96:2861–2878

Tryptophan 757 2.3 10 18 400 W18 880 2.3 4.0 3.0 130 W17 1010 4.5 14 34 470 W16 1131 4.5 5.0 5.0 – W13 1238 6.6 4.0 25 102 W1
Time, affluence and pollution in the theory of consumer's behavior

Abstract This paper extends Becker's analysis on the allocation of time to provide a theoretical basis for the phrase “affluence breeds effluence.” Many environmentalists fear that a pollutant tax is merely a license to pollute. Their fears are well-founded if we consider the effect of increased affluence of the society on the pollutant stock. Assuming that relatively pollutant intensive “commodities” are also relatively less time intensive, an assumption applicable to most of the affluent societies, it is shown that the pollutant tax policy will be ineffective if the effect of increased wage rate on pollutant stock is ignored in spite of the efficiency of such a tax as a policy tool.
A note on digital filter implementation using hybrid RNS-binary arithmetic

Abstract Binary logic implementation of residue arithmetic using longer intermediate pseudo-residues has been shown to offer advantages over standard binary and lookup-table RNS realizations. In this note, we show that a small modification to one such proposed scheme leads to even greater advantages.
Production of an 18% protein liquid micellar casein concentrate with a long refrigerated shelf life

Abstract Our objective was to develop a process to produce a high-concentration liquid micellar casein concentrate (18% protein, MCC18) with a long refrigerated shelf life. The MCC18 is a novel milk protein ingredient produced by fractionating skim milk using microfiltration (MF). To achieve a long refrigerated shelf life, the processing of MCC18 was designed to maximize the removal of low-molecular weight compounds [e.g., lactose and nonprotein nitrogen (NPN)] that can be easily metabolized by microbes, while minimizing the microbial count in the final product. The production of MCC18 was done over a period of 5 d. The experiment was replicated 3 times in different weeks with a different batch of raw milk. Raw whole milk was pasteurized and separated to produce skim milk. Skim milk was ultrafiltered (UF) to remove more than half of the lactose and NPN. The UF milk retentate was diluted with water and then MF in 3 stages to remove approximately 95% of the serum protein and further remove lactose and NPN. The retentate from the last stage of MF was UF to concentrate the protein to 18% and batch pasteurized. The MCC18 was collected immediately after processing in sterile plastic vials and stored at 4°C. The average MCC18 contained 21.78% total solids, 18.27% true protein, 0.31% NPN, and 0.13% lactose. The MCC18 at the day of processing contained a mean aerobic bacterial count of 2.1 log cfu/mL and mean aerobic spore count of 2.3logcfu/mL. The MCC18 formed a solid gel at temperatures 22°C. This provides a unique opportunity in ingredient handling and packaging and eliminates the challenges encountered in reconstitution of dried milk protein ingredients. The MCC18 produced in this study maintained a bacteria count
A novel application for 222Rn emanation standards: radon-cryptophane host chemistry.

Abstract In collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, a 222Rn emanation source was used for the determination of the binding affinity of radon to a cryptophane molecular host. This source was similar to a 222Rn emanation standard that was developed and disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The novel experimental design involved performing the reactions at femtomole levels, developing exacting gravimetric sampling methods and making precise 222Rn assays by liquid scintillation counting. A cryptophane-radon association constant was determined, KA=(49,000±12,000) L mol−1 at 293 K, which was the first measurement of radon binding to a molecular host.
DNA evidence for multiple origins of intergeneric allopolyploids in annualMicroseris (Asteraceae)

Seventy populations of North American annualMicroseris, Stebbinsoseris, andUropappus species were examined for chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA restriction site variability to determine the origin of the allotetraploid speciesS. heterocarpa andS. decipiens. Previously identified chloroplast DNA restriction site variants were used in concert with restriction site variation forNco I in the nuclear-encoded ribosomal DNA repeat. The presence of two, mutually exclusive restriction site gains were observed in diploid populations ofM. douglasii; these same variants were also found in populations of allotetraploidS. heterocarpa, indicating mutiple origins of this species from different maternal diploid populations ofM. douglasii. Variation in the rDNA repeat between the diploid annual species and the putative paternal genome ofU. lindleyi was found to be additive inS. heterocarpa. A similar relationship was observed for the origin ofS. decipiens; cpDNA restriction site variants found inM. bigelovii andM. douglasii were present inS. decipiens. The rDNANco I variants also were additive in this purported allotetraploid. These results confirm the reticulate evolutionary pattern inStebbinsoseris and provide another example of multiple origins of intergeneric allopolyploids.
The effect of pH on the aerobic and anaerobic photolysis of tryptophan and some tryptophan-containing dipeptides.

— Rates of photolysis, quantum yields of fluorescence, and fluorescence emission maxima for the dipeptides glycyltryptophan (Gly-Trp) and tryptophylglycine (Trp-Gly) and for free tryptophan (Trp) were determined under both degassed and aerated conditions in the pH range 4.5-10.0. The photolyses were performed at 25°C using 290 nm radiation from a 1000 W xenon lamp. Photolysis rates were determined by monitoring tryptophan fluorescence loss with time. It was found that Trp-Gly and free Trp showed similar behavior in that their fluorescence quantum yields and photolysis rates increased significantly above neutral pH. In contrast, the Gly-Trp fluorescence yield was smaller than that of Trp or Trp-Gly, showing no significant increase at high pH and the photolysis rate for Gly-Trp decreased with increasing pH. In comparing aerated to degassed samples, it was found that degassing had a far greater effect on the photolysis rates of Trp and Trp-Gly than on the photolysis rate of Gly-Trp especially at higher pH. But, degassing did not change the relative fluorescence quantum yields or fluorescence emission maxima of any of the three compounds. Possible mechanisms for photolysis under various experimental conditions were examined in light of the data.
Enzyme-immunoassay techniques for the detection of atrazine in water samples: Evaluation of a commercial tube based assay

Abstract Environmental immunoassays can help lower the operating costs and improve the effectiveness of residue laboratories. The present study assesses the ability of a commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect triazine herbicides in water. The tube based EIA could detect atrazine in lake and river water with detection limits of 62 pg/mL and 180 pg/mL respectively. The assay's ability to quantify atrazine in a set of 124 water samples taken from many parts of Canada was compared with a reference method that used gas chromatographic separation combined with a nitrogen phosphorous detector (GC-NPD) (R=0.919). A 71 % reduction in analytical load was achieved at a threshold concentration of 1 ng/mL. There were 2.4 % false negative and 0.8 % false positive results associated with that load reduction. The variability of the assay control parameters was generally within two standard deviations of the mean response for 65 assays. The EIA for atrazine is recommended for use as a screening technique and as an inexpensive way to monitor triazine levels in waters that are known to be contaminated with those herbicides.
Inferring injection returns from chloride monitoring data

Reservoir chloride concentration and injection rate data are used to examine injector-producer connectivity in two reservoirs, Dixie Valley, Nevada and Palinpinon-I, Philippines. General trends of chloride and injection rate with time are isolated from their respective short-term variations using the wavelet transformation approach. Multiple regression techniques are then used to correlate the isolated short-term variations in chloride with corresponding short-term fluctuations in injection rates and subsequently to quantify the degree of connectivity between injectors and producers. Communication between specific injector-producer pairs, as implied by analysis of data from Palinpinon-I, was also verified by comparison with tracer test data and qualitative field observations. Results of analysis of data from Dixie Valley demonstrate that multilinear modeling is not suitable for analyzing data sets that lack sufficient time variability. In contrast, adequate time variability is observed in data from Palinpinon-I, and qualitative field observations and tracer test data agreed best with the results of regression on changes in chloride concentration over four-month periods (wavelet detail level 3). Improvements in the analysis could result from increased data collection frequency of both chloride and injection rate as well as accounting for the nonlinearity of chloride with injection rate.
Chemoprotective Effects of Two Dithiolthiones and of Butylhydroxyanisole Against Carbon Tetrachloride and Acetaminophen Toxicity

Administration of tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole or of two dithiolthiones to female CD-1 mice protected against the acute toxic effects of two hepatotoxic agents, acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride. Reduced mortality of mice was observed following pretreatment with tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole or dithiolthiones. Pretreatment reduced or prevented hepatic glutathione depletion produced by these two hepatotoxic agents. Liver damage, i.e., as determined by serum transaminase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities, was less after pretreatment with tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole or dithiolthiones. Administration of dithiolthiones resulted in increased (from four- to over six-fold) activities of liver glutathione-S-transferases.
ACTH AND CORTISOL RESPONSES TO L-DOPA AND INSULIN STIMULI IN CHILDREN WITH SHORT STATURE 383

ACTH AND CORTISOL RESPONSES TO L-DOPA AND INSULIN STIMULI IN CHILDREN WITH SHORT STATURE 383
Patients' willingness to talk to others about living kidney donation.

Background—Living donor kidney transplantation has several advantages for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, many patients are reluctant to pursue this treatment option, preferring instead to wait for a deceased donor organ.Objective—To examine predictors of patients' willingness to talk to others about living kidney donation.Methods—One hundred thirty-two adult patients awaiting kidney transplantation who were enrolled in a randomized trial examining the effectiveness of education on rates of live donor kidney transplantation completed a baseline rating of their willingness to talk to others about living kidney donation. Also, patients completed measures of knowledge and concerns about living donation and a rating of perceived health.Results—Slightly more than half the patients (56.1%) had low willingness to talk to others about living donation. The following variables were associated with higher willingness to talk to others: white race (odds ratio, 3.31; confidence interval, 1.7-7.4), coll...
Longitudinal and Radial Characteristics of Intra-Anal Pressures in Children Using 3D High-Definition Anorectal Manometry: New Observations

Longitudinal and Radial Characteristics of Intra-Anal Pressures in Children Using 3D High-Definition Anorectal Manometry: New Observations
Simulation of chemical reaction equilibria and kinetics in heterogeneous carbon micropores

Abstract We present a simulation study which shows how the equilibrium yield and kinetics of chemical reactions can be enhanced by tailoring the structure and surface chemistry of the catalyst support material. Equilibrium results are presented for the ammonia synthesis reaction, N 2 +3H 2 ↔2NH 3 , occurring within various carbon supports, representing a range of chemical and physical surface heterogeneity. Using a simulation technique known as Reactive Monte Carlo (RxMC), we find that surface activation and pore width are primary factors in determining the conversion of the ammonia synthesis reaction while effects of surface corrugation are small. We probe the kinetic effects of physical confinement within microporous carbons by studying the bimolecular hydrogen iodide decomposition reaction, 2HI→H 2 +I 2 , in carbon slit-pores and nanotubes. The rate constant of this reaction is measured by combining the quasi-equilibrium hypothesis of transition-state theory (TST) with the RxMC simulation technique. The kinetic simulations represent a new method for probing reaction kinetics in non-ideal environments and show accurate results when applied to the hydrogen iodide decomposition reaction.
Expectant management of stage A-1 (T1a) prostate cancer utilizing serum PSA levels: A preliminary report

Background and Objectives The natural history of stage A-1 (T1a) prostate cancer remains unpredictable. Although stage A-1 (T1a) was traditionally considered an indolent lesion, recent reports have documented the potential progression of stage A-1 (T1a) cancer. Methods Eight men aged 65 to 76 years at the time of diagnosis with stage A-1 (T1a) prostate cancer received no therapy. These men have been followed from 3 to 9.5 years (mean, 6.25 years). During this period, the patients have been followed with periodic rectal examinations and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Results The PSA levels of five of the eight patients remain in the normal range and no patient has had a change in his rectal examination. In the three patients who had elevated PSA levels, there was no evidence of metastatic disease. No patient has died from prostate cancer; one patient died from cerebrovascular causes. Conclusions Patients with stage A-1 (T1a) prostate cancer have an unpredictable natural history. PSA levels can be used to monitor disease progression and identify those patients where observation is no longer appropriate. J. Surg. Oncol. 1999:70:49–53. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hemostatic, metabolic, and androgenic risk factors for coronary heart disease in physically active and less active postmenopausal women

Physically active postmenopausal women have a lower incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) than their more sedentary peers, but little information is available concerning the responsible mechanisms. The primary aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that physically active post-menopausal women demonstrate more favorable levels of hemostatic, metabolic, and androgenic CHD risk factors than less active control subjects. If so, a secondary aim was to determine which of the characteristics associated with a physically active lifestyle, ie, low body fat, a high-carbohydrate/low-fat diet, high maximal aerobic capacity (aerobic fitness), and high levels of physical activity, are most closely related to this lower risk profile. To address these aims, we compared CHD risk factors in physically very active women (n = 14; age, 55 +/- 2 years) with those in healthy, nonobese sedentary control subjects (n = 17; age, 56 +/- 1 years). Maximal aerobic capacity (fitness) was 83% higher (P < .001) in the physically active women. Concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 activity and tissue plasminogen activator antigen were lower (more favorable) (P < .005) in the physically active women versus control subjects, whereas plasma fibrinogen levels did not differ. The physically active women had lower (P < .01) fasting plasma insulin and glucose concentrations as well as smaller responses to an oral glucose challenge. Both total-body and abdominal fat levels were lower (P < .001) and lipid and lipoprotein profiles were generally more favorable (P < .05) in the physically active women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The potential of CD4 T-cell memory

While many aspects of memory T-cell immunobiology have been characterized, we suggest that we know only a fraction of the effector functions that CD4 T cells can bring to bear during secondary challenges. Exploring the full impact of memory CD4 T-cell responses is key to the development of improved vaccines against many prominent pathogens, including influenza viruses, and also to a better understanding of the mechanisms of autoimmunity. Here we discuss factors regulating the generation of memory CD4 T cells during the activation of naive cells and how the nature of the transition from highly activated effector to resting memory upon the resolution of primary responses might impact memory CD4 T-cell heterogeneity in vivo. We stress that memory CD4 T cells have unique functional attributes beyond the secretion of T helper (Th) subset-associated cytokines that can shape highly effective secondary responses through novel mechanisms. These include the recruitment of innate inflammatory responses at early phases of secondary responses as well as the action of enhanced direct effector functions at later phases, in addition to well-established helper roles for CD8 T-cell and B-cell responses.
Ximelagatran: A New Era in Oral Anticoagulation

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical trials of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor xirnelagatran. Data Sources: All primary articles involving ximelagatran or its active form, melagatran, and indexed on MEDLINE or International Pharmaceutical Abstracts databases (1966-December 2002) were evaluated. Recent ximelagatran and melagatran abstracts were also obtained online from the American Society of Hematology at www.hematology.org/meeting/abstracts.cfm (2001 and 2002). Data Synthesis: Ximelagatran is an orally bioavailable prodrug of melagatran that directly blocks unbound thrombin and fibrin-bound thrombin. Ximelagatran displays predictable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties with a linear dose-response relationship and low interpatient variability. These parameters allow fixed dosing of ximelagatran without routine coagulation monitoring. Ximelagatran has yet to be approved by the FDA; however, several major clinical trials have been completed. These clinical trials have revealed that an easier-to-manage ximelagatran regimen is at least as effective and has a similar safety profile as conventional therapy for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The results of studies with ximelagatran for treatment of VTE and prevention of thrombosis associated with atrial fibrillation are promising, but need further investigation. Conclusions: Ximelagatran possesses several advantages over warfarin including fixed dosing and the lack of coagulation monitoring, the absence of known diet or drug interactions, and a faster onset of action. Ximelagatran appears to be at least as effective as warfarin for prevention of VTE. Further research is needed with ximelagatran in the treatment of VTE and atrial fibrillation.
Semi-infinite throat as the end-state geometry of two-dimensional black hole evaporation

We study a modified two-dimensional dilaton gravity theory which is exactly solvable in the semiclassical approximation including back reaction. Infalling matter in an initially static radiationless spacetime forms a black hole if its energy is above a certain threshold. The black hole singularity is initially hidden behind a timelike apparent horizon. As the black hole evaporates by emitting Hawking radiation, the singularity meets the shrinking horizon in finite retarded time to become naked. A boundary condition exists at the naked singularity which preserves energy conservation, stability, and continuity of the metric and results in a unique end state for all evaporating black holes. The end-state geometry is static and asymptotically flat at its right spatial infinity, while its left spatial infinity is a semi-infinite throat extending into the strong coupling region. This end-state geometry is the ground state in our model.
Pulley reconstruction using palmaris longus autograft after repeat trigger release

We present a patient with a history of revision trigger release who experienced post-surgery limitation of active flexion as a result of bowstringing of the flexor tendons and required a double loop pulley reconstruction using a palmaris longus autograft.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Exit of Golgi-resident Defective for SREBP Cleavage (Dsc) E3 Ligase Complex Requires its Activity

Layers of quality control ensure proper protein folding and complex formation prior to exit from the endoplasmic reticulum. The fission yeast Dsc E3 ligase is a Golgi-localized complex required for sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) transcription factor activation that shows architectural similarity to endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation E3 ligases. The Dsc E3 ligase consists of five integral membrane proteins (Dsc1–Dsc5) and functionally interacts with the conserved AAA-ATPase Cdc48. Utilizing an in vitro ubiquitination assay, we demonstrated that Dsc1 has ubiquitin E3 ligase activity that requires the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc4. Mutations that specifically block Dsc1-Ubc4 interaction prevent SREBP cleavage, indicating that SREBP activation requires Dsc E3 ligase activity. Surprisingly, Golgi localization of the Dsc E3 ligase complex also requires Dsc1 E3 ligase activity. Analysis of Dsc E3 ligase complex formation, glycosylation, and localization indicated that Dsc1 E3 ligase activity is specifically required for endoplasmic reticulum exit of the complex. These results define enzyme activity-dependent sorting as an autoregulatory mechanism for protein trafficking. Background: Proteolytic activation of fungal SREBP requires the five-subunit Golgi Dsc E3 ligase. Results: Dsc1 is an active E3 ligase; loss of Dsc E3 ligase activity leads to ER localization of the Dsc complex. Conclusion: ER exit of the Dsc E3 ligase requires E3 ligase activity. Significance: This is the first example of enzyme activity-dependent protein sorting in the secretory pathway.
Obituary: Henry G. Schwartz, M.D. 1909–1998: An obituary

Following a long illness, Henry G. Schwartz, former editor of the Journal of Neurosurgery, died on December 24, 1998 at the age of 89 years. The author provides an annotated chronology of Dr. Schwartz's life and some highlights of his distinguished career.
Generalized molecular orbital theory

Abstract A limited multi-configuration self-consistent field (MC SCF) theory is presented, in which all the highly occupied orbitals are associated with one Fock-like operator, while the weakly occupied ones are associated with a second Fock-like operator. Results for H 2 and LiH are presented as successful tests of this simple procedure.
Characterization of DBT overhead

In recent years, dynamic binary translation has emerged as an important tool with many real world applications. Besides supporting legacy binary code and ISA virtualization, it enables innovative co-designed microarchitectures and allows transparent binary instrumentation. The dynamic nature of the translation usually incurs extra execution overhead and many research works had proposed software and hardware solutions to minimize the overhead [1, 2]. In this paper, we analyze our dynamic binary translator performance and depict the main sources of overhead in details. We classify the translation operations and associated overhead into five major categories, and quantify their contribution to the overall overhead. Based on the analysis and detailed evaluation, we identify and point out the most promising solutions to address the overhead problem. We believe this study is an important first step toward the grand goal of zero-overhead dynamic binary translation.
SENSORY STORAGE OF FRAGMENTARY DISPLAYS

Sidmmary.-A pattial-report version of the Eriksen-Collins paradigm was devised to test iconic storage. The test lay in presenting arrays of 12 partial letters, one of which was randomly chosen for completion. Additional conditions checked whether the completed letters were legible and to what extent the completion fragments were guessable. Test sequences included dark or light interstimulus intervals and 4 different delay times, which had no significant effects. Analysis showed that subjects were no better able to report a synthesis of the first and second fragments than to guess the letters from separate fragments. A second experiment demonstrated some integration of successive single-letter presentations, although subjects apparently do not have iconic access to full arrays of letter fragments. Conceptions of sensory storage have changed considerably since Sperling's ( 1960) monograph on visual information storage. The time scale over which such storage is thought to operate has been appreciably curtailed (Adelson & Jonides, 1980), and the nature of the storage mechanism has undergone frequent re-evaluation. The original postulation claimed that what has become known as iconic storage differed from short-term storage in possessing substantially greater capacity, as evidenced by the comparison of partial with whole reports. An essential characteristic of iconic storage was that its contents were thought to be unprocessed physical representations of the stimulus, probably taking the form of a visual trace and identified with visible persistence. In addition such storage, like other conceivable alternatives, was regarded as subject to rapid decay. Despite subsequent debate concerning the evidence for these hypotheses (Coltheart, 1975; Coltheart, Lea, & Thompson, 1974; Holding, 1975a, 197513) some reviewers, such as Long (1980), continue to express broadly similar views. A very different view has been put forward by Coltheart (1980), extensively modifying the stance taken in earlier work. The later survey distinguishes the informational persistence of iconic storage from visible persistence and also from neural persistence, arguing that iconic memory may not after all take the form of a precategorical sensory buffer. Instead, as Holding ( 1972 ) concluded on the basis of subjects' incapacity to store unfamiliar Arabic letters, it is en
Closed-form compression noise in images with known statistics

This paper studies the principle of transform coding and identifies the quantization noise as the sole distortion. It shows that compression noise is a linear transform of quantization noise, which is usually generated during quantization of transform coefficients using uniform scalar quantizers. The quantization noise may not distribute uniformly as distributions and quantization step sizes vary among transform coefficients. This paper derives the marginal, pairwise and joint probability density functions (pdfs) of multi-dimensional quantization noise. It also shows the mean vector and covariance matrix of quantization noise in closed-form. Based on above results, this paper derives closed-form compression noise statistics, which include marginal pdfs, pairwise pdfs and joint pdf, mean vector and covariance matrix of compression noise. This paper shows compression noise has a jointly normal distribution, which enables its calculation to have reasonable computation complexity. The derived statistics of quantization and compression noise are verified by using the JPEG compression algorithm and lumpy background images. Verification results show that derived statistics closely predicts estimated ones. This paper provides a theoretical foundation to derive closed-form model observers and to define closed-form quality measures for compressed medical images.