cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanics of respiration.

Abstract This outline of the mechanics of breathing is not altogether new and is largely a summary of recent work on the subject from the author's laboratory. The data apply primarily to normal healthy young males and the variations to be expected in other age groups and in clinical practice are still unknown. The outline is unsatisfactory also because of inadequate information concerning the elasticity of the human lung and its proper position on the pressurevolume diagram. No attempt has been made to deal separately with abdominal and thoracic types of breathing and indeed the data for this purpose are non-existent. The distribution of resistance to air flow between the upper and lower respiratory passages is not well documented experimentally and would be of much clinical interest. At best, an outline of the mechanical problems of breathing has been sketched and some possible methods of attack have been suggested for future additions to our knowledge of the subject.
Equilibrium and electrostatic stability theory of tokamaks from the drift-kinetic equation

Abstract From the Vlasov equation a reduced kinetic equation, defined as the drift-kinetic equation, is derived by the small gyroradius expansion theory. The reduced equation is of the form df dt = 0 where f is the distribution of guiding centers, and the time derivative is taken along the particle orbits in the drift approximation. The derived kinetic equation is taken for the basis of the study of equilibria and electrostatic stability in axisymmetric, toroidal geometry. From the integral mode equation derived in the stability analysis, the theory of the current driven and the ballooning drift mode is developed and applied to tokamak plasmas.
Pathologic effects of fractionated fast neutrons or photons on the pancreas, pylorus and duodenum of dogs

Abstract Thirty-nine adult male Beagles received either fast neutron or photon irradiation to the right thorax to determine the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of fast neutrons on normal pulmonary tissue. The right anterior abdomen was included in the field of radiation. Twenty-four dogs (six/group) received fast neutrons with an average energy of 15 MeV to total doses of 1000, 1500, 2250 or 3375 rad in four fractions per week for six weeks. Fifteen dogs received 3000, 4500 or 6750 rad of photons (five/group) in an identical fractionation pattern. All neutron irradiated dogs receiving 3375 and 2250 rad and one receiving 1500 rad developed clinical signs of pancreatic, hepatic and gastrointestinal disturbances. The liver enzymes of these dogs became elevated and they died or were euthanatized in extremis 47–367 days after irradiation. Only one 6750 rad photon dog developed similar signs and died 708 days post-irradiation. Five neutron and 10 photon exposed dogs died of other causes. Neutron-induced lesions in the stomach and duodenum included hemorrhages, erosions, ulcerations and fibrosis. Ulcers perforated the GI tract of five dogs. Pancreatic lesions included degranulation and necrosis of acinar cells, fibrosis and atrophy. Islet cells were not obviously damaged. All lesions were associated with degenerative and occlusive vascular changes. The RBE of fast neutrons, assessed by clinical signs, gross and microscopic pathology, is approximately 3–4.5 for pancreas and about 4.5 for pylorus and duodenum.
Multiple pyruvate decarboxylase genes in maize are induced by hypoxia

Two cDNA clones corresponding to anaerobically induced maize mRNAs were found to have homology to a previously identified maize pyruvate decarboxylase gene. DNA sequencing and RFLP mapping indicate that these cDNAs represent two additional maize pdc genes. Each of the clones is approximately 85% identical in predicted amino acid sequence to the other two. All three clones are induced by hypoxic stress, but with different levels and kinetics of induction.
Quantification of Earthquakes

Because earthquakes are the result of complex geophysical processes, it is not a simple matter to find a single measure of the size of an earthquake. Further, extremely large earthquakes saturate the conventional magnitude scale. Recent estimates of energy released by such earthquakes suggest values high enough to have possible implications for plate motion, the Chandler wobble and rotation of the Earth.
Degradation rate evaluation of 26-year-old 200 kW power plant in a hot-dry desert climate

The object of this study is the durability / degradation evaluation of a 26-year-old photovoltaic (PV) monocrystalline silicon (c-Si) system located in Phoenix, Arizona (a hot-dry desert condition). This first of a kind neighborhood solar power plant, called Solar One, was built by developer John F. Long. This 4000-frameless-module bipolar system was originally installed with a rated capacity of 175 kW (17° fixed south tilt). This paper presents only the degradation rates of the modules, and the degradation and failure modes of this power plant are presented in another paper of this conference. The system was shown to degrade approximately at a rate of 2.3% per year with no apparent potential induced degradation (PID) effect in either polarity. The power plant is currently operating at less than 40% (<70 kW) of its rated capacity (175 kW). The resulting study showed that degradation was a direct result of several factors including: Module construction materials, module design, vandalism, installation methods and hot-dry environmental conditions of Phoenix. Ultimately, intensive encapsulation browning (leading to current loss - largest cause for power loss) and higher series resistance (potentially due to solder bond fatigue leading to fill factor loss) were determined to be the primary causes for the degradation loss.
Time-Domain Simulation of Multibody Floating Systems Based on State-Space Modeling Technology

It is important to study MULTIBODY dynamics when analyzing the transfer of cargo between ships and platforms at sea. The hydrodynamic interactions between multiple bodies in close proximity are expected to be significant and complex. In this paper, two levels of approximation of hydrodynamic coefficients are considered, i.e., the constant coefficient method (CCM) and the impulse response function (IRF). The equations of motion are written in standard state-space format, in which the convolution terms are computed using the trapezoidal rule. Initially, this newly proposed numerical scheme is successfully applied to calculate motion responses of a two-body floating system. The time-domain responses of this multibody floating system in both regular waves and random sea are further verified numerically. In addition, an ideal case of the motion mitigation of this system using Dynamic Positioning (DP) system is also given and discussed. The mean drift force is considered using Newman’s approximation. Numerical study shows that the optimal Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) method can help to mitigate the motion responses of this two-body floating system at sea. Finally, this scheme is extended to a three-body floating system, with the relative motions in random seas determined.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A stochastic differential equations approach for the description of helium bubble size distributions in irradiated metals

Abstract A rate theory model based on the theory of nonlinear stochastic differential equations (SDEs) is developed to estimate the time-dependent size distribution of helium bubbles in metals under irradiation. Using approaches derived from Ito’s calculus, rate equations for the first five moments of the size distribution in helium–vacancy space are derived, accounting for the stochastic nature of the atomic processes involved. In the first iteration of the model, the distribution is represented as a bivariate Gaussian distribution. The spread of the distribution about the mean is obtained by white-noise terms in the second-order moments, driven by fluctuations in the general absorption and emission of point defects by bubbles, and fluctuations stemming from collision cascades. This statistical model for the reconstruction of the distribution by its moments is coupled to a previously developed reduced-set, mean-field, rate theory model. As an illustrative case study, the model is applied to a tungsten plasma facing component under irradiation. Our findings highlight the important role of stochastic atomic fluctuations on the evolution of helium–vacancy cluster size distributions. It is found that when the average bubble size is small (at low dpa levels), the relative spread of the distribution is large and average bubble pressures may be very large. As bubbles begin to grow in size, average bubble pressures decrease, and stochastic fluctuations have a lessened effect. The distribution becomes tighter as it evolves in time, corresponding to a more uniform bubble population. The model is formulated in a general way, capable of including point defect drift due to internal temperature and/or stress gradients. These arise during pulsed irradiation, and also during steady irradiation as a result of externally applied or internally generated non-homogeneous stress fields. Discussion is given into how the model can be extended to include full spatial resolution and how the implementation of a path-integral approach may proceed if the distribution is known experimentally to significantly stray from a Gaussian description.
The benefits and costs of the section 8 existing housing program

Abstract The demand-side Section 8 Existing Housing Program begun in 1975 is currently the second largest low-income housing program in the United States with over one million units. This paper presents estimates of the benefits and costs of the program and examines its allocative and distributive effects. The effects of Section 8 Existing are compared with those under an alternative program of equal-subsidy, unrestricted cash grants. Among other things, it is found that the average monthly subsidy of $100 is valued by recipients at $83 on average. Recipients are induced to consume 11 percent more housing and 6 percent less of other goods than they would with the cash grant. Recipient households near the eligibility income limits do not receive so large a benefit as to become better off than ineligible households. The poorest and largest families receive the largest benefit, other things equal. However, most poorer families are excluded while some richer families participate and equally situated families do not receive the same offer of assistance.
Decision making in the treatment of patients with malocclusion and chronic periodontitis: Scientific evidence and clinical experience

With a marked increase in the number of adult patients seeking corrective orthodontic care and the high prevalence of destructive periodontal diseases in the adult population in the United States, the importance of addressing inflammatory periodontal diseases in patients receiving treatment for malocclusion is critical and timely. Control of initiating etiologic factors should be a preface to corrective orthodontic treatment of patients with inflammatory periodontal disease. Once these factors have been controlled, the progression of treatment should be based upon the stability of the periodontal attachment apparatus, the severity and bony morphology associated with destructive periodontal disease, and the nature of the orthodontic tooth movement inform the treatment sequence for patients with malocclusion and concomitant periodontal disease. In the presence of horizontal bone loss, elimination of periodontal pockets and other clinical signs of inflammation would allow for immediate progression to corrective orthodontic therapy. Reevaluation of periodontal conditions after orthodontic tooth movement may then be followed by definitive periodontal care based upon clinical findings. Pre-orthodontic surgical periodontal therapy is appropriate to control periodontal inflammation and/or address deep periodontal defects that may compromise periodontal stability during orthodontic intervention. Periodontal maintenance therapy during active orthodontic treatment and post-treatment is critical to long-term maintenance of orthodontic results and periodontal health. A staged, interdisciplinary approach can most adequately treat patients to achieve optimal esthetics, function, and oral health.
Conformational Transitions of Adsorbed Proteins on Surfaces of Varying Polarity

Combining a wide range of protein adsorption experiments (three globular proteins on eight well-defined homogeneous surfaces) with Monte Carlo simulations of lattice proteins at different concentrations and on surfaces of varying “polarity”, we explore the extent and rheological behavior of adsorbed proteins as a function of substrate polarity, “on” rate constants (ka) and steric parameters (|A1|) from the random sequential adsorption model, and demonstrate a folding to unfolding transition upon adsorption. We show that model globular proteins (hen egg lysozyme, ribonuclease A, and insulin dimer) behave similarly with respect to adsorption. Experimentally, above a substrate wettability cos θ > 0.4 (where θ is the sessile contact angle of water on a substrate in air), the adsorbed mass, rigidity, and ka of the proteins are diminished, while the steric factor |A1| is increased, suggesting a lower packing density. To analyze these results, we have invoked computer simulations. We show that changing surface p...
Mobile cloud applications: opportunities, challenges and directions

The use of smartphones and tablets is set to surpass the use of PCs for Internet access, media experiences, and social networking. Recognizing the growing "bring your own device" trend, enterprises are increasingly embracing the use of multi-platform mobile devices. And for millions of users in many parts of the world, mobile devices are emerging as the primary means to participate in an increasingly online and digital world. The above trends have given rise to, and been facilitated by, the development and adoption of mobile applications, which leverage the unique capabilities of the mobile device including its location awareness and the numerous on-device sensors. However, mobile applications can also be limited by the processing and battery capabilities of mobile devices, which despite recent progress, shows a widening gap with the growing computing/power requirements of emerging Internet multimedia applications. The use of cloud computing can help bridge this gap, providing mobile applications the capabilities of cloud servers and storage together with the benefits of mobile devices and mobile connectivity, enabling a new class of media rich mobile cloud applications, with the additional benefit of true ubiquitous access from any device, anywhere.We discuss different types of consumer multimedia and enterprise mobile cloud applications that we see emerging. We describe their advantages, but also the various challenges that will need to be addressed to ensure their economic viability and mass adoption. In particular, we illustrate the challenges associated with ensuring high user experience including acceptable latency, low cloud and mobile network costs, and scalability to large number of users. We provide several directions for possible solutions, including developing cloud user experience measurement techniques, response time management techniques, and cloud media adaptation techniques. We also propose extending the Cloud beyond the traditional Internet to the edge of the wireless networks. We describe the advantages of the resulting Mobile Network Clouds, and discuss the problems that need to be addressed. Finally, to address scalability, we propose a novel Mobile Cloud Scheduling problem, that considers simultaneously mobile network and cloud resources to increase the number of concurrent mobile cloud application sessions that can be scheduled, while minimizing the cloud cost.
The impact of corporate governance on Internet financial reporting

Abstract This study examines the association between corporate governance mechanisms and disclosure transparency measured by the level of Internet financial reporting (IFR) behavior. We measure corporate governance by shareholder rights, ownership structure, board composition, and audit committee characteristics. We develop a disclosure index to measure the extent of each sample firm’s IFR by presentation format, information content, and corporate governance disclosures. Results indicate that firms with weak shareholder rights, a lower percentage of blockholder ownership, a higher percentage of independent directors, a more diligent audit committee, and a higher percentage of audit committee members that are considered financial experts are more likely to engage in IFR. The findings suggest that corporate governance mechanisms influence a firm’s Internet disclosure behavior, presumably in response to the information asymmetry between management and investors and the resulting agency costs. Additional exploratory analysis indicates that the association between corporate governance and IFR varies with firm size. Our results suggest that new regulatory guidance in corporate governance leads to improved disclosure transparency via IFR.
Trajectories of Abuse and Disclosure Child Sexual Abuse by Catholic Priests

The distribution of the incidents of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in the United States (event structure) and the reports of these abuse events (reporting structure ) present two distinct trajectories, confounding existing individual-level research results. Data from an institutional census of records of abuse between 1950 and 2002 show a steady increase in cases through the late 1970s and early 1980s, followed by a surge in reporting in the mid-1990s and again in 2002. These patterns are stable throughout all regions of the Catholic Church in the United States. Rather than analyze the abuse or reporting from a conventionally individual, psychological framework, this research reframes the analyses for the event structure and the reporting of abuse by priests.
The effects of varying levels of deprivation on the stability of dominance-submission hierarchies

Dominance hierarchies were found to be highly stable, both when members of a competing pair were under equal levels of deprivation and when the more “submissive” member of a pair competed under higher levels of deprivation than did its dominant counterpart. Significant relationships between dominance measures relating to “social encounter” and “limited access” competition were also found over the deprivation levels tested.
The use of dynamic work sharing production methods to reduce the impact of labour turnover in serial assembly lines

Labour turnover is one of the major complications that industry faces on a daily basis. Turnover is particularly harmful to serial assembly lines. The learning process that a new operator must undergo when first introduced to an assembly line station generates blockage and starvation in the previous and successive stations, causing a reduction in the line’s throughput. In this paper, we analyse different work allocation strategies for serial assembly line designs in order to determine which designs perform best under the presence of labour turnover and a task-learning process. In particular, we compare the traditional balanced line with two other assembly line designs, a variant of the bucket brigades (BB) and a hybrid method – the modified work sharing (MWS) method. By making a judicious use of control buffers, the MWS method seeks to combine the positive characteristics of both the BB and traditional balanced lines to naturally adapt to different levels of labour turnover. The results presented in this paper show that the MWS outperforms the BB and the balanced designs.
Reply to Povilitis: Another Conservation Conundrum

I am pleased that my essay on naturalness (Angermeier 2000) inspired additional thinking and writing about conservation imperatives. In my view, no question is more fundamental to conservation science and policy than "What should we conserve?" Povilitis (2001 [this issue]) raises some interesting questions about how conservation decisions should be made and concludes that an imperative based on naturalness is inadequate "to unify conservation." I agree with his conclusion but not with his rationale, which includes flawed logic and false insinuations. Below, I respond to the main issues discussed by Povilitis and try to clarify the role of naturalness as a guiding principle in biological conservation. Before addressing our disagreements, it is worth noting that we agree on at least five key points: (1) conservationists need clearly defined principles to guide conservation; (2) conservationists should distinguish between natural and anthropogenic features of ecosystems; (3) the biosphere is becoming increasingly anthropogenic or unnatural; (4) to be effective, conservation must be integrated into citizens' daily lives; and (5) responsible stewardship occurs only if people view themselves as parts of ecosystems. Our disagreements seem to stem from our views on how to achieve points 4 and 5. Povilitis promotes the social constructionist notion that the (human) masses will become conservationists if they are assured that they are "part of" rather than "apart from" nature. He also insinuates (falsely) that I espoused the human-apart-from-nature view. In fact, I argued that technologies, not humans, are unnatural (Angermeier 2000: 376). Povilitis's view overlooks the fact that the biodiversity crisis exists precisely because of human activity, especially economic development facilitated by modern, industrial-scale technology. Development and application of such technology is socially acceptable (even desirable) largely because of the prevailing view that humans are superior to (apart from) the rest of nature.
The Relationship of Inheritance Systems To Genealogical Structures and Male Longevity

It has been observed that in some populations male succession to petty offices and inheritance of impartible male property pass down a line of brothers before members of a more junior generation inherit or succeed. When the proper ty or office is conveyed to a member of a junior generation, populations vary as to whether the heir or successor is usually a son, a brother's son, or a sister's son. The present paper argues that these diverse patterns evolve in response to dif ferent genealogical structures and the patterning of male survivorship. The arguments, while general, are developed through historical exegeses of the demography and inheritance systems of the Havasupai Indians of northern Ari zona and the Aborigines of Groote Eylandt.
The plastic fetal pituitary

A chronically adverse intrauterine environment can foster a fetal hypercortisolemia that persists after stressful conditions are removed and well after a transient, stress-associated elevation in adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) has passed (1, 2). This observation, among others, strongly suggests that chronic intrauterine stress can reprogram the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. As Butler and colleagues show in this issue of the JCI (3), the development of a phenotypically novel cellular subpopulation within the pituitary may explain, at least in part, this profound and long-lasting change in the endocrine environment. Butler et al. demonstrate here that the fetal ovine pituitary possesses a developmental malleability that allows a remodeling of its corticotroph population. The particular alterations seen depend upon the stage of fetal life during which stressful stimuli are experienced, but some persist late into gestation and may well be permanent.
Suppression of somatotroph function induced by growth hormone treatment in neonatal pigs

Abstract The effect of recombinant porcine growth hormone (pGH) treatment on pituitary function was evaluated in young pigs. Piglets received intraperitoneal recombinant pGH implants (0.5 mg/d sustained release) or vehicle implants beginning at 3 d of age. Ten piglets were sacrificed at 4 and 6 wk of age (five piglets/treatment group) for the collection of pituitary glands, blood, and liver tissue. Blood samples also were drawn at 3 and 12 d of age. Serum concentrations of GH, prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-2 were evaluated. Levels of IGF-1 and IGF-2 mRNA were determined in liver samples. Treatment with GH increased circulating levels of GH and IGF-1 (P
Sabotage at General Motors’ Van Nuys Assembly Plant, 1975–83

Sabotage is an aspect of industrial behaviour which is both important and under-researched. This case study in a UAW-organised plant is drawn from the author's experience. He suggests that the scope and incidence of sabotage may be much higher than some labour process studies suggest.
Does trans-lesion synthesis explain the UV-radiation resistance of DNA synthesis in C. elegans embryos?

Abstract Over 10-fold larger fluences were required to inhibit both DNA synthesis and cell divisionin wild-type C. elegans embryos as compared with other model systems or C. elegans rad mutants. In addition, unlike in other organisms, the molecular weight of daughter DNA strands was reduced only after large, superlethal fluences. The molecular weight of nascent DNA fragments exceeded the interdimer distance by up to 19-fold, indicating that C. elegans embryos can replicate through non-instructional lesions. This putative trans-lesion synthetic capability may explain the refractory nature of UV radiation on embryonic DNA synthesis and nuclear division C. elegans .
Migration, Neighborhoods, and Networks: Approaches to Understanding How Urban Environmental Conditions Affect Syndemic Adverse Health Outcomes Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

Adopting socioecological, intersectionality, and lifecourse theoretical frameworks may enhance our understanding of the production of syndemic adverse health outcomes among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM). From this perspective, we present preliminary data from three related studies that suggest ways in which social contexts may influence the health of MSM. The first study, using cross-sectional data, looked at migration of MSM to the gay resort area of South Florida, and found that amount of time lived in the area was associated with risk behaviors and HIV infection. The second study, using qualitative interviews, observed complex interactions between neighborhood-level social environments and individual-level racial and sexual identity among MSM in New York City. The third study, using egocentric network analysis with a sample of African American MSM in Baltimore, found that sexual partners were more likely to be found through face-to-face means than the Internet. They also observed that those who co-resided with a sex partner had larger networks of people to depend on for social and financial support, but had the same size sexual networks as those who did not live with a partner. Overall, these findings suggest the need for further investigation into the role of macro-level social forces on the emotional, behavioral, and physical health of urban MSM.
Sensory nerves only temporarily protect the unstable canine knee joint from osteoarthritis. Evidence that sensory nerves reprogram the central nervous system after cruciate ligament transection.

Objective. The slow rate at which articular cartilage degrades in dogs after transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACLT) has been attributed to capsular thickening and buttressing by osteophytes. We investigated the roles of the peripheral and central nervous systems in protecting knee joints with chronic ACL deficiency from breakdown. Methods. Five groups of dogs were studied; all were killed 72 weeks after left knee surgery. Group A had ACLT, group B had ACLT followed 52 weeks later by ipsilateral L4–S1 dorsal root ganglionectomy (DRG), group C had DRG followed 2 weeks later by ACLT, group D had sham DRG followed 2 weeks later by ACLT, and group E had DRG followed 2 weeks later by sham ACLT. Results. Group E dogs did not develop knee pathology. All cruciate-deficient knees were lax at the end of the study. The osteoarthritis (OA) that developed in groups A, B, and D was comparable (P > 0.05), and was significantly greater than that in group E (P < 0.05). Group C developed much more severe OA than any of the other groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Ipsilateral sensory input is temporarily important in protecting the unstable joint from rapid breakdown. Over time, the central nervous system apparently acquires the ability to protect the unstable joint without continued ipsilateral sensory input.
Fluorescence Microscopy Study of Chiral Discrimination in Langmuir Monolayers: Mixed Monolayers of N-Stearoylserine Methyl Ester with Achiral Additives

Abstract Langmuir monolayers of mixtures of the L and racemic forms of N -stearoylserine methyl ester (SSME) with two achiral additives, N -stearoylglycine methyl ester (SGME) and methyl stearate, were examined using fluorescence microscopy observations and surface pressure II versus area per molecule A isotherm measurements. The addition of SGME was found to promote the formation of curved condensed-phase domain structures in both racemic and enantiomeric films. The addition of methyl stearate was found to inhibit the formation of ordered dendritic or curved structures overall. SGME appears to be miscible with SSME in mixed monolayers, while methyl stearate is partially miscible. II-A isotherms for the mixtures of L-SSME with methyl stearate show evidence for partial miscibility and positive deviations from ideality while those for mixed films of L-SSME and SGME show evidence for positive deviations from ideality. Isotherms for mixed films of racemic SSME and methyl stearate show evidence for partial miscibility, while those for racemic SSME with SGME indicate nonideal behavior.
Hypothenar skin grafts for fingertip reconstruction

Full-thickness skin grafts from the hypothenar area were used to reconstruct 25 digits in a group of 20 patients. The results were evaluated objectively and subjectively at an average of 9.5 months after operation for sensibility, durability, and appearance. Eighty-six percent of the patients had two-point discrimination of 10 mm or less, with one half of them having two-point discrimination of less than 6 mm. All patients had good protective coverage and no ulcer formation. All patients could differentiate between coarse and smooth texture, although only one third had texture discrimination equal to that of normal digits. None of the patients complained of hypersensitivity. The donor site was cosmetically acceptable in all cases. The use of hypothenar full-thickness grafts provides an acceptable method for fingertip reconstruction, particularly in instances of palmar and lateral pulp loss in which there is insufficient tissue available for local advancement.
Relationship of meeting physical activity guidelines with quality-adjusted life-years

Abstract Objective The quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) is a standard outcome measure used in cost-effectiveness analyses. This study investigates whether attainment of federal physical activity guidelines is associated with higher QALY estimates among adults with or at an increased risk for knee osteoarthritis. Methods This is a prospective study of 1794 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers at baseline. Participants were classified as (1) Meeting Guidelines [≥150min of moderate-to-vigorous (MV) activity per week acquired in sessions ≥10min], (2) Insufficiently Active (≥1 MV session[s]/week but below the guideline), or (3) Inactive (zero MV sessions/week). A health-related utility score was derived from participant responses to the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey at baseline and 2 years later. The QALY was calculated as the area under utility curve over 2 years. The relationship of physical activity level to median QALY adjusted for socioeconomic and health factors was estimated using quantile regression. Results Relative to the Inactive group, median QALYs over 2 years were significantly higher for the Meeting Guidelines (0.112, 95% CI: 0.067–0.157) and Insufficiently Active (0.058, 95% CI: 0.028–0.088) groups, controlling for socioeconomic and health factors. Conclusion We found a significant graded relationship between greater physical activity level and higher QALYs. Using the more conservative estimate of 0.058, if an intervention could move someone out of the Inactive group and costs
Current status of doped germanium photoconductors for far-infrared astronomy

Germanium photoconductors are considered the `state of the art' for detection of the 30 to 200 micrometers band of the electromagnetic spectrum. Ge:Be, Ge:Ga and stressed Ge:Ga detectors have been developed for imaging and spectroscopic astronomy, and are successfully used in facilities such as sounding rockets and the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Their use is also projected for NASA's Space IR Telescope Facility and ESA's IR Space Observatory. This paper describes a few of the figures of merit for these devices with consideration given to the various ways in which they are employed. Current device performance is reported. We briefly discuss recent advancements in understanding the electrical behavior of these devices as they respond to a step change in photon flux. Also discussed are several 2D photoconductor arrays that are currently in use or under development.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Retrograde State Dependent Learning

Sodium pentobarbital administered intravenously after acquisition in a one-trial passive avoidance task results in state dependent (drug dissociated) learning in male albino rats. Findings have methodological implications for drug-based research and theoretical implications for drug discrimination studies. Predictions based on a stimulus generalization hypothesis are not supported, whereas those based on an information storage hypothesis are supported.
A Two-Step Bayesian Approach for Propensity Score Analysis: Simulations and Case Study

A two-step Bayesian propensity score approach is introduced that incorporates prior information in the propensity score equation and outcome equation without the problems associated with simultaneous Bayesian propensity score approaches. The corresponding variance estimators are also provided. The two-step Bayesian propensity score is provided for three methods of implementation: propensity score stratification, weighting, and optimal full matching. Three simulation studies and one case study are presented to elaborate the proposed two-step Bayesian propensity score approach. Results of the simulation studies reveal that greater precision in the propensity score equation yields better recovery of the frequentist-based treatment effect. A slight advantage is shown for the Bayesian approach in small samples. Results also reveal that greater precision around the wrong treatment effect can lead to seriously distorted results. However, greater precision around the correct treatment effect parameter yields quite good results, with slight improvement seen with greater precision in the propensity score equation. A comparison of coverage rates for the conventional frequentist approach and proposed Bayesian approach is also provided. The case study reveals that credible intervals are wider than frequentist confidence intervals when priors are non-informative.
Detection of Adenoviral Genome in the Myocardium of Adult Patients With Idiopathic Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Background—The use of molecular biological techniques has demonstrated the importance of enteroviral infection of the myocardium in the pathogenesis of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy in adults and adenovirus and enterovirus infection in children. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of adenoviral infection of the myocardium of adults with impaired left ventricular function of unknown origin. Methods and Results—Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used to determine the frequency of detection of adenoviral DNA and enteroviral RNA in myocardial tissue samples from 94 adult patients with idiopathic left ventricular dysfunction and 14 control patients. Histological and immunohistological analyses were performed to detect myocardial inflammation. Adenoviral genomic DNA was detected by nPCR in 12 of the 94 patients with left ventricular dysfunction (in each case, adenovirus type 2), whereas enteroviral RNA was detected in another 12 patients. All control samples were negative for ...
Evolution of SciFinder, 2011–2013: New Features, New Content

This article describes changes to the information resource SciFinder for approximately the last 18 months (December 2011–June 2013) culminating in the first major interface change since the debut of SciFinder as a web-based resource in 2008. These changes are divided into two broad categories: those affecting content (references, substances, and reactions) and those affecting workflow (search and postsearch processing features, interface changes, and improved access). Finally, an overview of the new, June 2013, SciFinder interface is presented.
Derivatization to enhance sequence-specific fragmentation of peptides and proteins☆

Abstract Results are presented that demonstrate that the guanidination of lysine residues of peptides and proteins can enhance the sequence-specific fragmentation observed in 252Cf-plasma desorption mass spectrometry. The conversion of the lysine residue(s) of [Lys1] bradykinin, recombinant eglin C, and ribonuclease A to homoarginine resulted in increased fragment ion peak intensities and the formation of additional fragment ion containing the homoarginine residue(s). This enhancement in the fragmentation of peptides and proteins is achieved by replacing sites with moderate proton affinity, the side chains of lysines, with more basic sites, the guanidino groups of homoarginine residues, increasing protonation and thus, fragment ion formation. Formation of molecular ions was not strongly affected by guanidination. In addition to enhancing fragmentation, the guanidination of lysine residues provides a simple way to distinguish lysine from glutamine residues using mass spectrometry.
A novel tissue in an established model system: the Drosophila pupal midgut

The Drosophila larval and adult midguts are derived from two populations of endodermal progenitors that separate from each other in the early embryo. As larval midgut cells differentiate into an epithelial layer, adult midgut progenitors (AMPs) remain as small clusters of proliferating, undifferentiated cells attached to the basal surface of the larval gut epithelium. During the first few hours of metamorphosis, AMPs merge into a continuous epithelial tube that overgrows the larval layer and differentiates into the adult midgut; at the same time, the larval midgut degenerates. As shown in this paper, there is a second, transient pupal midgut that develops from the AMPs at the beginning of metamorphosis and that intercalates between the adult and larval midgut epithelia. Cells of the transient pupal midgut form a multilayered tube that exhibits signs of differentiation, in the form of septate junctions and rudimentary apical microvilli. Some cells of the pupal midgut develop as endocrine cells. The pupal midgut remains closely attached to the degenerating larval midgut cells. Along with these cells, pupal midgut cells are sequestered into the lumen where they form the compact “yellow body.” The formation of a pupal midgut has been reported from several other species and may represent a general feature of intestinal metamorphosis in insects.
The Degree Profile in Some Classes of Random Graphs that Generalize Recursive Trees

We study the degree profile for a number of classes of random graphs that arise as generalizations of recursive trees, including random circuits and random recursive trees endowed with the power of choice. We investigate the distribution of the degrees of nodes that appear in various stages of the insertion process in each of these graph types. For these classes, we will see phase transitions in degrees depending on the stage—early stages are associated with normal distributions, intermediate stages are associated with the Poisson distribution and in the late stages the degrees become degenerate.
Differential effects of medium- and long-chain triglycerides on food intake of normal and diabetic rats.

Abstract Three experiments were performed to examine the effect of ingestion of medium- (MCT) and long-chain (LCT) triglyceride oils at the beginning of the normal feeding period on subsequent food intake of normal and diabetic rats. In the first experiment, diabetic rats reduced food intake more than normal animals in the first 6 hr after ingestion of 2.0 ml of MCT or LCT oil. In the second experiment, diabetic rats reduced food intake to a similar extent by 6 hr after ingestion of 1.5 ml of MCT or LCT oil, but the time course of this effect depended on the oil ingested. Ingestion of MCT oil produced a decrease in food intake within 2 hr, whereas ingestion of LCT oil reduced food intake 2–4 hr later. In the third experiment, a direct comparison was made of the differential time course of food intake suppression by MCT or LCT oil in both normal and diabetic rats. Diabetic rats decreased food intake after ingestion of 1.5 ml MCT or LCT oil, whereas normal rats did not. Again, in diabetic rats, ingestion of MCT oil produced a more rapid reduction in food intake than ingestion of LCT oil. It is proposed that the more pronounced reduction in food intake of diabetic rats after oil ingestion is due to a greater degree of hepatic oxidation of ingested fat, whereas the differential effect of MCT and LCT oil ingestion in diabetic rats is due to a differential rate of delivery of the ingested lipid substrate to the liver.
Viability and acrosome staining of bull, boar and rabbit spermatozoa

A practical and reliable staining procedure was developed to distinguish the viability and acrosomal status of bull, boar and rabbit spermatozoa. The first stain with trypan blue or Congo red is rapid and avoids artifacts. This stain is precipitated by neutral red during the 2 min required for fixation. The precipitate gives a high contrast black color, resistant to the subsequent rinsings and persists during the time required for staining the acrosome with Giemsa. Ten classes of spermatozoa are distinguished (live or dead with intact acrosomes, loose acrosomes, damaged acrosomes, no acrosome, or with no acrosome and no postacrosomal ring). The intact acrosomes are purple, the loose acrosomes are dark lavender and the damaged acrosomes are pale lavender. The anterior part of the head of live spermatozoa with no acrosome is white or light pink and the same area of dead spermatozoa is white or pale gray. The postacrosomal ring is red. The postacrosomal area of the head of live spermatozoa is white or light ...
Hemoglobin solutions and tissue oxygenation.

Oxygen (O 2 ) delivery to tissues plays an important role in determining microcirulatory autoregulatory responses. The balance between O 2 delivery by whole blood and tissue O 2 consumption likely has evolved based on regulatory processes designed to accommodate the encapsulation of hemoglobin (Hb) within red blood cells (RBCs). The hemodynamic, rheologic, and physical properties of blood, or an alternate O 2 -carrying solution, can have important consequences for O 2 delivery to tissue. The development of acellular hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOC) requires reassessment of the O 2 loading and unloading charactistics of Hb, the effects of altering the rheologic properties of blood, and the impact of these changes on microcirculatory autoregulation and tissue oxygenation. A variety of experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of HBOCs. However, mechanisms responsible for HBOC-facilitated, O 2 -dependent autoregulatory changes in the microcirculation have not been completely elucidated.
A concentration probe for the study of mixing in supersonic shear flows

An aspirating hot-film probe is developed to measure local mean gas composition in supersonic flows. The probe consists of a constant temperature hot-film sensor operating in a channel with a choked exit. Thus, the flow over the hot film is influenced only by total temperature, total pressure, and gas concentration. The use of the probe requires a separate measurement of the total temperature in the gas flow. The probe has a spatial resolution of 0.011 in. and shows acceptable sensitivity to flow angularity. The probe is used in the study of an unheated supersonic air/helium mixing layer in a 23 cm × 23 cm supersonic wind tunnel. Data are presented in raw form and after reduction to concentration and mean flow quantities.
Which Revolution in Military Affairs?: Political Discourse and the Defense Industrial Base

Since the arrival of Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, the discourse of American military strategy has been framed around a Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). This article takes up the question of ...
Susruta of India, an unrecognized contributor to the history of exercise physiology

When considering the history of exercise physiology, authors begin with Hippocrates and the "Golden Age" of Greece before mentioning Galen and the contributions from Rome. However, this approach has omitted the information from the ancient civilizations of India which flourished before and during the emergence of Mycenaen cultures. Specifically ignored have been 1) the tridosa doctrine (humoral theory), which as early as 1500 B.C., emphasized that disease occurred because of a displacement of one or more of the three humors, with health being achieved when the humors were in equilibrium and 2) the perspective of Susruta (Sushruta) who was a 600 B.C. physician who included exercise in his prescriptions to prevent and treat diseases. Susruta not only advocated exercise to maintain equilibrium among the humors, notably kapha, he promoted exercise to minimize the consequences of obesity and diabetes. To be effective, exercise had to be daily and moderate in intensity and never excessive or to exceed the half-maximum limit for exhaustion, because disease or even death could ensue. It is concluded that Susruta's concepts pertaining to chronic exercise and to the health benefits of exercise were "remarkably modern" and that future authors on the history of exercise physiology should include contributions from ancient India.
Analyzing characteristics of task structures to develop GPGP coordination mechanisms

Previous research about multi-agent coordination has concentrated at a high level, e.g. developing communication protocols for coordination, constructing special purpose agents to dictate the coordination behaviors of an entire system, or associating rules or coordination mechanisms with every agent to achieve cooperative behaviors. Much less research addresses multi-agent coordination at a low level: evaluating the effects of agents' task structures upon agents' coordination behaviors. This paper presents an Extended Hierarchical Task Network (EHTN) to represent precisely those structural features that affect coordination. Using this EHTN formalism, an extended set of Generalized Partial Global Planning (GPGP) coordination mechanisms has been developed for multi-agent coordination. Each coordination mechanism is defined in terms of EHTN rewriting rules and an associated set of pre-defined EHTN behaviors. This set of GPGP coordination mechanisms has been applied to a simulated emergency medical service (EMS) system. The experimental results reveal some of the performance relationships between specific mechanisms and external environmental characteristics.