cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autophagy and cartilage homeostasis mechanisms in joint health, aging and OA

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease, but neither preventive measures nor disease-modifying drugs are available and a continuing need exists for safe and effective symptom-modifying therapies. Clinical trials of candidate disease-modifying OA drugs in patients with established or advanced disease have not demonstrated their efficacy, but these failed trials have motivated investigation into the mechanisms that maintain joint health. The enhancement of such mechanisms could be a novel approach to reducing the risk of OA. Aging is one of the most important risk factors for OA; however, aging of joint cartilage is a process that is distinct from the subsequent cartilage changes that develop following the onset of OA. This Review focuses on the mechanisms that maintain cell and tissue homeostasis, and how these mechanisms fail during the aging process. Autophagy is a cellular homeostasis mechanism for the removal of dysfunctional organelles and macromolecules. Defective autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of aging-related diseases and recent observations indicate that this process is compromised in aging cartilage. Augmentation of homeostasis mechanisms is discussed as a novel avenue to delay joint aging and reduce OA risk.
A complete energy transfer map for COF2

Fluorescence from the ν1, ν4, ν6, and ν3/ν5 states has been observed following Q‐switched CO2 laser excitation of the ν2 C–F stretch mode of COF2. A kinetic model is presented which is consistent with the observed fluorescence lifetimes. Following excitation of the ν2 mode, 2ν2 is rapidly pumped by ladder climbing collisions. The 2ν2 states are collisionlessly coupled to the ν1 mode by Fermi resonance leading to the creation of a steady state between the ν1 and ν2 manifolds within 30 gas kinetic collisions. Subsequently, the ν2 state decays to the ν6 mode in 800 collisions, and also fills the ν4 mode in 2000 gas kinetic collisions. The ν4 level rapidly equilibrates with the near resonant states 2ν3, 2ν5, and ν3+ν5 after about 25 collisions, and these states rapidly decay to the ν3 and ν5 fundamentals in less than or about 100 collisions. The ν6 state relaxes to the ν3/ν5 states, in approximately 190 collisions, while vibration‐translation/rotation relaxation of ν3 and ν5 to the ground state occurs on a ti...
The relationship between stimulus reactivity and heart rate in two inbred strains of Mus musculus

In previous studies combining multivariate and behavior genetic analyses, we found that locomotor activity can be distinguished experimentally from stimulus reactivity and is under separate genetic control. The present study is the first in a series designed to investigate the physiological correlates of stimulus reactivity (the initial responses of an animal to novel/complex stimuli). Heart rate was monitored for six males and six females each of two strains of inbred mice-DBA/2J and LG/J-during testing of stimulus reactivity. DBAs had low stimulus reactivity scores (long latencies to approaching novel stimuli and low exploration scores), although they maintained fairly high activity scores. Heart rate associated with initial and later approaches to novel stimuli in the DBAs was highly unstable and high in magnitude. LGs, on the other hand, had high stimulus reactivity scores accompanied by low and stable heart rates throughout the testing situation. Physiological strategies suggested by the work of Lacey and of Obrist are discussed.
The intergenerational link to antisocial behavior: Effects of paternal contact

We investigated the relationship between paternal antisocial behavior and child conduct problems and we tested whether the degree of contact between father and child moderated the intergenerational link to antisocial behavior. Subjects were 92 children between the ages of 6 and 13 referred to an outpatient mental health clinic. There was a significant association between Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) in fathers and a diagnosis of conduct problems in their children. However, the relationship between paternal APD and conduct problems in offspring was not dependent on whether or not the father was in the home or on the degree of paternal contact with their child. The theoretical implications of these findings for explaining the intergenerational link to antisocial behavior in terms of observational learning were discussed.
Low-Voltage Operational Active Inductor for LNA Circuit

A low voltage operational active inductor circuit is attractive for spiral-inductor-less LNA because of realizing high gain and low voltage operation simultaneously. In this paper, a simply structured low-voltage operational active inductor to enhance the amplifier gain is introduced and analyzed. This active inductor, which utilizes a transistor load operated in the triode region and a source follower, features a small DC voltage drop suitable for low voltage LNAs. An LNA using the active inductor load was designed with an input matching circuit using 90nm CMOS technology. The LNA tuned to 2.4GHz operation has 19.5dB of the internal gain. In addition, the frequency characteristics are easily varied by changing the capacitance value in the active inductor circuit. The core circuit occupies only 0.0026 mm2 and consumes 2.8mW with 1.2V supply voltage.
421 ACUTE SOMATOMEDIN RESPONSE TO GROWTH HORMONE THERAPY

We have examined the acute somatomedin (SM) response to growth hormone (GH) therapy in 21 GH deficient children using a placental membrane radioreceptor assay (RRA), which measures a variety of SMs, and a radioimmunoassay (RIA) specific for SM-C and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). RRA and RIA SM determinations were performed on the same acid-chromatographed samples, obtained before initiation of therapy and 13 hr after each of 4 daily injections of GH (0.1 U/kg). The 4 days of GH therapy resulted in an increase in SM levels from 0.39±0.24(SD)U/ml to 1.18±0.62(SD) U/ml determined by RRA and 0.19±0.14(SD)U/ml to 0.82±0.51(SD)U/ml determined by RIA. A single injection of GH resulted in a significant rise in plasma SM levels measured by either RRA or RIA (p<0.001). Subjects who responded poorly to 2 injections of GH also had low SM levels after 4 days and even after 6 weeks of GH therapy. The RRA resulted in consistently higher values than the RIA, particularly when compared to a pure IGF-I/SM-C standard. SM peptide content determined by RRA and RIA were strongly correlated for individual subjects as well as for the whole group. However, the RRA/RIA ratio among individual subjects varied from 0.85 to 2.50. The marked difference in SM peptide content measured by RRA and RIA and the variability in the RRA/RIA ratio among individual subjects suggests that the IGF-I/SM-C RIA measures only one of a number of GH dependent SM peptides.
Substance Abuse Among Older Adults

Although the myth that older adults do not use mood-altering substances persists, evidence suggests that substance use among older adults has been underidentified for decades. The baby boom generation is unique in its exposure to, attitudes toward, and prevalence of substance use-causing projected rates of substance use to increase over the next twenty years. Given their unique biological vulnerabilities and life stage, older adults who misuse substances require special attention. Prevalence rates of substance use and misuse among older adults, methods of screening and assessment unique to older adults, and treatment options for older adults are reviewed.
Characterization of an NADH oxidase of the flavin-dependent disulfide reductase family from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii

Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, a deeply rooted hyperthermophilic anaerobic methanarchaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent, carries an NADH oxidase (Nox) homologue (MJ0649). According to the characteristics described here, MJ0649 represents an unusual member within group 3 of the flavin-dependent disulfide reductase (FDR) family. This FDR group comprises Nox, NADH peroxidases (Npx) and coenzyme A disulfide reductases (CoADRs); each carries a Cys residue that forms Cys-sulfenic acid during catalysis. A sequence analysis identified MJ0649 as a CoADR homologue. However, recombinant MJ0649 (rMJNox), expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity an 86 kDa homodimer with 0.27 mol FAD (mol subunit)(-1), showed Nox but not CoADR activity. Incubation with FAD increased FAD content to 1 mol (mol subunit)(-1) and improved NADH oxidase activity 3.4-fold. The FAD-incubated enzyme was characterized further. The optimum pH and temperature were > or =10 and > or =95 degrees C, respectively. At pH 7 and 83 degrees C, apparent Km values for NADH and O2 were 3 microM and 1.9 mM, respectively, and the specific activity at 1.4 mM O2 was 60 micromol min(-1) mg(-1); 62 % of NADH-derived reducing equivalents were recovered as H2O2 and the rest probably generated H2O. rMjNox had poor NADPH oxidase, NADH peroxidase and superoxide formation activities. It reduced ferricyanide, plumbagin and 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), but not disulfide coenzyme A and disulfide coenzyme M. Due to a high Km, O2 is not a physiologically relevant substrate for MJ0649; its true substrate remains unknown.
PC‐based expert system shells: some desirable and less desirable characteristics

: Today's marketplace offers a great variety of PC-based expert system shells. More than ever ES developers need a clear idea of what characteristics they require in an ES toolkit. This paper discusses a recent project which used different shells to build versions of a common application. Evaluating this work illuminates some of the important attributes one should look for.
An automatic device for sectioning analytical polyacrylamide gels: radioactive Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal proteins.

Abstract An automatic electronic device has been designed for sectioning cylindrieal analytical polyacrylamide gels while maintaining them in a rigid state at low temperature. Gel sections of 1 mm thickness or less can be obtained. The acrylamide gel prepared using ethylene diacrylate as crosslinking agent can be dissolved completely in Kinard's scintillation solution. To illustrate the resolution obtainable with this device, Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal proteins labeled with tritiated-leucine were electrophoretically resolved on an analytical polyacrylamide gel and the number of radioactive counts per gel section determined. The relative specific radioactivity of different protein bands can be estimated by comparing the counts per gel section with the intensity of the protein stain.
Sedimentology, stratigraphy, and extinctions during the Cretaceous-Paleogene transition at Bug Creek, Montana

Bug Creek Valley, the source of an unusual and controversial Cretaceous-Paleogene coincidence of mammals, dinosaurs, pollen, and indium, exemplifies the importance of depositional process in the reconstruction of evolutionary events. Five sedimentary facies are recognized at Bug Creek: a cross-stratified sandstone, a green and purple siltstone, a lateral accretionary sandstone, a coal, and a variegated siltstone. Repeated fluvial channeling restricts the accuracy of lateral correlations, and the relationship of the fossil assemblage to the presumed Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary cannot be established. Sedimentologically, the Cretaceous-Paleogene transition is represented here by Cretaceous meandering channels that gave way initially to Paleogene swamp deposition.
Treatment planning guidelines regarding the use of CT/PET-guided IMRT for cervical carcinoma with positive paraaortic lymph nodes.

Abstract Purpose Computed tomography (CT)/positron emission tomography (PET)-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy of the paraaortic lymph nodes (PALNs) has been proposed for patients with cervical carcinoma and paraaortic metastasis. This investigation attempted to determine the guidelines regarding the selection of appropriate treatment parameters (e.g., number of beams, beam geometry) and organ-specific parameters (e.g., importance weighting and tolerance dose) for intensity-modulated radiotherapy planning for the PALNs. Methods and materials Patients underwent imaging using CT and PET. The images were registered, and the structures were contoured. A goal dose of 50.4 Gy and 59.4 Gy was assigned to the clinical target volume (lymph node bed) and gross tumor volume (PET-delineated PALNs), respectively. For each patient, multiple treatment plans using various beam geometries and planning parameters were executed and evaluated in terms of the dose–volume histograms of the target and critical structures. Results Acceptable sparing of the stomach, liver, and colon was achieved, regardless of the number of beams used. Sparing of the spinal cord was strongly dependent on the number and arrangement of the beams. Varying the number and arrangement of the beams affected small intestine sparing, but the amount of sparing was limited because the small intestine overlapped the target volumes, and, therefore, received the prescription dose. Adjusting the number of beams, beam angles, and prescription parameters provided minimal improvement in kidney sparing. Conclusion We successfully developed treatment plans that deliver 59.4 Gy to the positive PALNs and 50.4 Gy to the paraaortic region using CT/PET-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy.
Experimental Investigation of Real-Time Helicopter Weight Estimation

M ASS properties are critical parameters that influence stability and handling qualities of any flight vehicle. Real-time knowledge of mass properties is especially useful for helicopter flight, where payload release or acquisition may routinely alter the weight or mass center location in an unknown manner. Examples include a helicopter drawing up water to fight forest fires, a medivac helicopter picking up injured individuals, or a combat helicopter dropping off or picking up supplies or troops.Advanced flight control systems can use such information to ensure safe operation of the helicopter under various flight regimes and to provide feedback for gain scheduling. Additionally, knowledge of the mass properties during flight can reduce maintenance costs by helping to ascertain when life-limited parts need to be inspected or replaced in a precise way. Previous work has been conducted to estimate gross weight of helicopters during flight. Methods include hover performance charts [1], neural networks [2–4], and corrected moment theory [5]. Most recently, Abraham and Costello [6] successfully estimated weight and mass center of a helicopter in a simulation environment by making use of an extended Kalman filter. The purpose of this note is to apply the methods of Abraham and Costello to experimentally estimate the gross weight of a small radio-controlled (R/C) helicopter, the Align TREX600e. A nonlinear dynamic helicopter model is developed, and main rotor lift curve slope is estimated using maximum likelihood estimation. Flight tests for various helicopter weights are conducted, and it is shown that the gross weight can be reliably estimated in real time during axial maneuvers. The estimator is also shown to be responsive to instantaneous changes to the helicopter weight during flight.
DEVELOPMENT OF CORTICAL BEHAVIOR IN VERY PREMATURE INFANTS: ADAPTATION AND ORIENTATION

Tone, reflexes, and gross motor activity do not always reflect neural maturation with advancing gestational age (GA). To improve assessment of neurobehavioral development, the Brazelton Scale was adapted for use with very premature infants. 15 well infants of ≤32 weeks GA, whose courses were benign (ie, without disease or complication), were examined at ≤3 days of age. Preliminary results suggest that adaptation and orientation scores (cortical measures) correlate well with GA: Four items (adaptation to light and pinprick, and orientation to light and rattle) showed rising linear trends across age groups. Three remaining items (adaptation to rattle and orientation to face and voice) clearly differentiated between 28- and 30-week gestation infants, but did not distinguish between 30- and 32-week gestation groups. Average scores on other measures (alertness, irritability, level of activity, reaction to a cloth on the face) were not reliably different among the three groups of prematures. Tone and standard reflexes, similarly, did not change uniformly with advancing gestational age.
Resistivity of cermet films containing oxides of silicon

Abstract The resistivity of various metal-silicon oxide cermets and its variation with composition is reviewed. It is found that the resistivity of any cermet containing SiO or SiO 2 can be predicted with fair accuracy from the volume per cent SiO 2 alone. Similarly, the activation energy for conduction above 40–50 volume per cent SiO 2 depends strongly on the SiO 2 concentration.
Effect of vertebral surface extraction on registration accuracy: a comparison of registration results for iso-intensity algorithms applied to computed tomography images

This paper presents a comparison of iso-intensity-based surface extraction algorithms applied to computed tomography (CT) images of the spine. The extracted vertebral surfaces are used in surface-based registration of CT images to physical space, where our ultimate goal is the development of a technique that can be used for image-guided spinal surgery. The surface extraction process has a direct effect on image-guided surgery in two ways: the extracted surface must provide an accurate representation of the actual surface so that a good registration can be achieved, and the number of polygons in the mesh representation of the extracted surface must be small enough to allow the registration to be performed quickly. To examine the effect of the surface extraction process on registration error and run time, we have performed a large number of experiments on two plastic spine phantoms. Using a marker-based system to assess accuracy, we have found that submillimetric registration accuracy can be achieved using a point-to- surface registration algorithm with simplified and unsimplified members of the general class of iso-intensity- based surface extraction algorithms. This research has practical implications, since it shows that several versions of the widely available class of intensity-based surface extraction algorithms can be used to provide sufficient accuracy for vertebral registration. Since intensity-based algorithms are completely deterministic and fully automatic, this finding simplifies the pre-processing required for image-guided back surgery.
Apoptosis as a form of cell death in intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVEThe goals of this study were to identify and quantify the presence of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) among human subjects. Recent evidence from laboratory models suggests that cell death in the perihematoma region may involve apoptosis.METHODSRetrospecti
Population differences in the testosterone levels of young men are associated with prostate cancer disparities in older men.

Although there is evidence that greater exposure to testosterone is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, a recent analysis of 18 prospective studies found no relationship between levels of endogenous sex hormones and prostate cancer development. However, the reviewed studies were subject to methodological constraints that would obscure any potential relationship between prostate cancer and androgenic hormones. If prostate cancer risk is mediated by lifetime exposure to testosterone, then case-control studies that concentrate on endogenous sex hormones near the ages that prostate cancer is diagnosed would provide limited information on cumulative testosterone exposure across the lifespan. Alternately, early adulthood has been suggested as the most salient period to evaluate the influence of steroid physiology on prostate carcinogenesis. As such, an exhaustive literature search was completed to obtain testosterone values reported for study samples of younger men, along with prostate cancer incidences for the larger populations from which the study populations were sampled. A novel analytical method was developed to standardize, organize, and examine 12 studies reporting testosterone levels for 28 population samples. Study populations were generally apportioned according to ethnicity and geographic residence: Americans of African, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic ancestry from several different regions within the United States as well as men from China, Germany, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, South Korea, and Sweden. Population differences in the testosterone levels of young men were significantly associated with population disparities in the prostate cancer incidence of older men (Spearman's rho = 0.634, p = 0.002). Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Modulation of Syndecan-1 Shedding after Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation

The early use of fresh frozen plasma as a resuscitative agent after hemorrhagic shock has been associated with improved survival, but the mechanism of protection is unknown. Hemorrhagic shock causes endothelial cell dysfunction and we hypothesized that fresh frozen plasma would restore endothelial integrity and reduce syndecan-1 shedding after hemorrhagic shock. A prospective, observational study in severely injured patients in hemorrhagic shock demonstrated significantly elevated levels of syndecan-1 (554±93 ng/ml) after injury, which decreased with resuscitation (187±36 ng/ml) but was elevated compared to normal donors (27±1 ng/ml). Three pro-inflammatory cytokines, interferon-γ, fractalkine, and interleukin-1β, negatively correlated while one anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, positively correlated with shed syndecan-1. These cytokines all play an important role in maintaining endothelial integrity. An in vitro model of endothelial injury then specifically examined endothelial permeability after treatment with fresh frozen plasma orlactated Ringers. Shock or endothelial injury disrupted junctional integrity and increased permeability, which was improved with fresh frozen plasma, but not lactated Ringers. Changes in endothelial cell permeability correlated with syndecan-1 shedding. These data suggest that plasma based resuscitation preserved endothelial syndecan-1 and maintained endothelial integrity, and may help to explain the protective effects of fresh frozen plasma after hemorrhagic shock.
Was Freud a Medical Scientist or a Social Theorist? The Mysterious “Development of the Hero”

Rather than viewing Freud as a presumptuous Viennese physician who late in life attempted to “apply” some of his provocative psychological speculations to various social phenomena, this essay argue...
Education in small states: policies and priorities; Tertiary education in small states: planning in the context of globalization

by Michael Crossley, Mark Bray and Steve Packer, London, Commonwealth Secretariat, 2011, 85 pp., £15.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-84929-036-4 Tertiary education in small states: planning in the conte...
Digestive Parameters in Young Turkeys Fed Yucca Saponin

Yucca saponin fed in a concentration of 63 ppm to turkey poults at 6 to 14 weeks of age did not significantly improve weight gains, feed conversion, or digestive coefficients. Compared with nonstressed control groups, saponin-fed poults did not have significantly greater average weight gains or feed intakes when stressed by crowding (3 poults per cage) or by adding ammonia to the atmosphere (30 to 35 ppm).
Characteristics of patients with pneumonia who are discharged from hospitals against medical advice.

Most prior studies of patients discharged from the hospital against medical advice have been small and included patients with a variety of primary diagnoses, and they have generally not adjusted adequately for comorbidity (1,2). Demographic, clinical, and patient factors, however, may contribute to determining the likelihood that a hospitalization will end against medical advice, and the identification of these factors would help target interventions towards appropriate patients. Therefore, we studied a retrospective cohort of patients hospitalized for pneumonia to determine characteristics associated with discharge against medical advice.
Quantum dot labeling and tracking of human leukemic, bone marrow and cord blood cells ☆

Quantum dots (QDs) are nanometer scale fluorescent semiconductors that are increasingly used as labeling tools in biological research. These nanoparticles have physical properties, such as high quantum yield and resistance to photobleaching, that make them attractive molecular probes for tracking hematologic cells. Here, we show that QDs attached to a transporter protein effectively label all hematologic cells tested, including cell lines and malignant and non-malignant patient samples. We demonstrate that dividing cells can be tracked through at least four cell divisions. In leukemic cell lines, some cells remain labeled for 2 weeks. We show that QDs can be used to follow cells as they differentiate. QDs are seen in monocyte-like and neutrophil-like progeny of labeled HL-60 myeloblasts exposed to Vitamin D analogues and DMSO, respectively. QDs are also observed in monocytes generated from labeled CD34+ cells. In addition, QDs attached to streptavidin can target cells with differing cell surface markers, including CD33. In summary, QDs have the ability to bind to specific cells of interest, be taken up by a diverse range of hematologic cells, and followed through many divisions and through differentiation. These results establish QDs as extremely useful molecular imaging tools for the study of hematologic cells.
The Macaca rhesus monkey skull and surgical intervention

Abstract Six Macaca rhesus monkeys were subjected to various surgical procedures and observed with respect to postnatal changes in mandibular and cranial symmetry and growth. Two major experimental groups were employed. The first group of operations consisted of removal of sections of the posterosuperior ramal surface, including part of the condyle. Evaluation of the skulls of these animals after a growth period of approximately seventeen months showed no appreciable effect on mandibular growth or cranial symmetry. Removal of the entire condyle in one animal had the greatest effect on the mandibular growth, although no cranial asymmetry was demonstrated. This effect does not appear to be restricted to any specific area of the condyle. The second group, which received autogenous epiphyseal plate transplants from the distal head of the fifth metatarsal following condylectomy, revealed a dense fibrous connective tissue replacement of some of the graft tissue. Although remnants of a plate were demonstrable, the articular cartilage of the graft appears to be the major growth-contributing site. Epiphyseal plate proliferation did not make any significant contribution to the mandible.
Differences in Exercise Capacity among Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients Correlate More with Resting Filling Pressures Than Systolic Function

Purpose There is variable improvement in exercise tolerance after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We hypothesized that echocardiographic markers of resting and dynamic ventricular systolic function as well as resting filling pressures would be predictors of exercise tolerance in these patients. Methods and Materials 17 outpatients (mean age 60.6, mean 527 days post-implant, 41% destination therapy) with LVAD (16 HeartMate II, 1 Heartware) underwent symptom-limited exercise treadmill echocardiography with modified Bruce protocol and Borg scale reporting. A complete echocardiogram was performed at rest and an RV-focused echocardiogram was performed at peak stress. Linear correlation and multiple linear regression with adjustment for age, sex, BSA, and Borg score were used to relate echocardiographic variables to treadmill duration. Results Along with ability to augment cardiac output, baseline low LV filling pressure (Mitral E/e’) and pulmonary pressure (MPAP) predicted increased exercise capacity, while resting and dynamic markers of RV and LV systolic function did not. Conclusions Low resting LV (E/e’) and low mean PA pressure along with ability to augment cardiac output correlated significantly with exercise capacity while resting and dynamic measures of right and left ventricular systolic function did not. Therapies that lower filling pressures and optimization of LVAD unloading may provide symptomatic benefit in this population. Correlation Between Echo Parameter and Treadmill Time Echo Parameter Spearman Correlation Coefficient (r) p-value Adjusted R-square * p-value RVTEI 0.0483 0.8643 0.0000 0.9982 RV S’ 0.09172 0.7355 0.0001 0.9814 LV S’ 0.30464 0.2513 0.1133 0.2519 Mitral E/e’ −0.54706 0.0283 0.3074 0.0429 Mean PA pressure −0.45522 0.0663 0.3539 0.0267 IVC diameter −0.62508 0.0168 0.3913 0.0612 LVIDD 0.01474 0.9552 0.0303 0.5633 % increase CO with stress 0.60989 0.0269 0.4251 0.0121 Increase RV S’ with stress 0.23321 0.3847 0.1456 0.2145 Increase LV S’ with stress −0.51025 0.1088 0.0462 0.5305 * Adjusted for age, sex, BSA, and Borg score
Linked Systems Project, Part 2: Standard Network Interconnection

The Linked Systems Project, directed toward implementing computer‐to‐computer communications, consists of two major program components. One component is the development of the Standard Network Interconnection. The other is the creation of a practical application —Authorities Implementation—which was discussed in the preceding article. This discussion of the Linked Systems Project covers the design and implementation of the Standard Network Interconnection. The article on “Open Systems Interconnection” in Library Hi Tech, No. 9, should be read as an introduction to this topic (and article).
715-3 Cost Implications of Aortic Counterpulsation in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial

To evaluate the cost implications of prophylactic aortic counterpulsation (IASP) to sustain coronary artery patency during acute myocardial infarction. we evaluated 102 (55%) from the 182 patients enrolled in the randomized IABP study. After coronary artery patency was established during acute cardiac catheterization, pts were randomized to IABP (N = 52) for 48 hours versus standard therapy, Control (C) = 50. During the hospitalization. pts with IASP had less recurrent ischemia (4% vs. 21%), less reinfarction (3% vs. 8%), less reocclusion (8% vs. 21%), and less need for emergency PTCA (2% vs. 11%). The duration of hospitalization (IABP = 104vs. C = 9.7 daysl and CCU stay (IABP = 4.7 vs. C = 3.9 days) were similar. The outcomes were similar in the sUbstudy compared with the overall clinical trial. Median costs were: Cath Lab $ CCU/ICU $ Non-ICU $ Total $ IABP 5,910 3,239 1,804 17,903 Control 5,679 2,781 1,851 17,913 The cost of hospitalization was significantly greater in pts with recurrent ischemia ($21,069vs. $17,492, p = 0.02) or reinfarction ($22,772 vs. $17,721, p = 0.06) compared with patients without these complications. Thus These findings suggest that a strategy of prophylactic IASP therapy after patency has been established during acute myocardial infarction while improving clinical outcomes does not increase hospitalization cost.
Quarry Blast Sources and Earthquake Prediction: The Parkfield, California, Earthquake of June 28, 1966

Quarry blasts provide an excellent source of waves with which to study temporal variations of seismic travel times. Using sources from several active quarries we found no time changes at Gold Hill (GHC), California from 7 months before the 1966 Parkfield mainshock to at least 13 months following the event. GHC is within 0.5 km of the zone of ground breakage associated with the earthquake. This event was one of the largest to occur in central California since 1906. The negative result of our experiment does not rule out the existence of an anomaly prior to the event, rather it emphasizes the difficulty of detecting such anomalies without a fortuitous combination of sources and stations. The routine monitoring of temporal changes in seismic velocity along the San Andreas fault may require not only dense networks of high quality seismic stations, but also sources whose spatial location and origin time can be controlled.
Efficient Online Benefit-Aware Multiprocessor Scheduling Using an Online Choice of Approximation Algorithms

Maximizing the benefit gained by soft real-time jobs in many applications and embedded systems is highly needed to provide an acceptable QoS (Quality of Service). This paper considers a benefit model for on-line pre-emptive multiprocessor scheduling. The goal is to maximize the total benefit gained by the jobs that meet their deadlines. This method prioritizes the jobs using their benefit density functions and schedules them in a real-time basis. We propose an online choice of two approximation algorithms in order to partition the jobs among identical processors at the time of their arrival without using any statistics. Our analysis and experiments show that we are able to maximize the gained benefit and decrease the computational complexity (compared to existing algorithms) while minimizing make span (response time, also referred to as cost), with fewer missed deadlines and more balanced usage of processors. Our solution is applicable to a wide variety of soft real-time applications and embedded systems such as, but not limited to multimedia applications, medical monitoring systems or those with higher utilization such as bursty hosting servers.
The expected likelihood of transitivity for a probabilistic chooser

May [18] developed an algebraic choice model of pairwise preference comparison in which subjects respond precisely to ordinal information on attributes of comparison. This study considers a probabilistic choice model variation of May's model, in which subjects respond with various degrees of precision in comparison to May's model. This precision can be viewed as an indirect measure of the subject's level of perception of the attributes of comparison. The purpose of the study is to examine the expected likelihood with which subjects will have transitive responses, as the degree of precision is varied. Closed form representations are obtained for the expected likelihood of transitivity for three alternatives for each different level of precision. Results indicate that a relatively small change in this precision can lead to substantial changes in the expected likelihood of transitivity.
Developing Countries' Greenhouse Emmissions: Uncertainty and Implications for Participation in the Kyoto Protocol

Developing countries can participate in the Kyoto Protocol to limit greenhouse gas emissions by adopting national emissions limits. Such limits could offer economic gains to developing countries, cost savings to industrialized countries, and environmental benefits. They could also address concerns of the U. S. Senate. On the other hand, uncertainty about greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries is so great that emissions limits may impose substantial costs if they turn out to be unexpectedly stringent. To manage risks arising from emissions limits, developing countries should index any emissions limits to variables that predict emissions in the absence of limits. This paper presents such an index-similar to one recently adopted by Argentina-and develops estimates showing that it could lower the risk of economic losses to developing countries from about 40 percent to about 35 percent.
A critical reassessment of second‐look laparotomy in epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Eighty-eight women with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, treated by first-line chemotherapy, achieved a complete clinical response and underwent second-look laparotomy to assess the true pathologic status of their disease. Persistent tumor was found in 50 patients (57%). Thirty-two of these (36%) had obvious gross tumor, whereas, 16 (18%) had microscopic disease. Thirty-eight patients (43%) had no pathologic evidence of persistent ovarian carcinoma. With a follow-up of 6 to 60 months, 30 of these patients (79%) remain without evidence of recurrence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed three covariates that were independently significant in predicting continued disease-free status. These included: the greatest diameter of the largest residual tumor left at the primary operation; histologic features of the tumor; and the diameter of the largest tumor aggregate found at initial operation. A mathematical model based on the most significant covariates was designed to assess the relative risk of any patient having persistent tumor at second-look laparotomy. A comparison of the predicted to actual outcome revealed a sensitivity of the model of 88%, a specificity of 71%, and an accuracy of 77%. Second-look laparotomy represents the basis on which potentially curative second-line salvage therapy can be initiated. With an increasing period of follow-up and with greater numbers of patients, it can potentially document a complete pathologic response to first-line therapy administered with curative intent, and identify patients for additional, adjunctive therapy, who are at risk of recurrence.
Estimating the Variance in Solutions to the Aerosol Data Inversion Problem

Regularization has been successfully used for solving a wide variety of ill-posed problems such as the inversion of aerosol size distribution data. The solutions are well characterized and converge nicely to the true distribution as the number of data increases. If there are few data, then there can be many reasonable distributions that are consistent with the measurements. Here, in addition to knowing an optimal solution, one should also have an estimate of the variance of the solution or a characterization of the size of the solution set. We set up the necessary machinery to allow one to estimate the variance of linear functionals of the size distribution, e.g., the concentration of particles in a given size interval. This estimate depends on the form of the weighted average, the variance in one's a priori estimate of the size distribution, the data, and the uncertainty in the data. There are many applications. We demonstrate, for example, how to determine which of two instruments will better allow one ...
Plasmonic enhancement of intrinsic carbon nanodot emission

Abstract In this Letter we characterize both the photophysical and plasmonic enhanced photophysical properties of carbon nanodots produced by a combustion method. In addition, we have found that max entropy analysis of luminescence decay reveals inhomogeneous distribution of radiative lifetimes. Further, while quantum yields of intrinsic carbon nanodots emission are low [
NONLINEAR STUDY OF BELL'S COSMIC RAY CURRENT-DRIVEN INSTABILITY

The cosmic ray current-driven (CRCD) instability, predicted by Bell, consists of nonresonant, growing plasma waves driven by the electric current of cosmic rays (CRs) that stream along the magnetic field ahead of both relativistic and nonrelativistic shocks. Combining an analytic, kinetic model with one-, two-, and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we confirm the existence of this instability in the kinetic regime and determine its saturation mechanisms. In the linear regime, we show that, if the background plasma is well magnetized, the CRCD waves grow exponentially at the rates and wavelengths predicted by the analytic dispersion relation. The magnetization condition implies that the growth rate of the instability is much smaller than the ion cyclotron frequency. As the instability becomes nonlinear, significant turbulence forms in the plasma. This turbulence reduces the growth rate of the field and damps the shortest wavelength modes, making the dominant wavelength, λ d , grow proportional to the square of the field. At constant CR current, we find that plasma acceleration along the motion of CRs saturates the instability at the magnetic field level such that vA ~ v d,cr, where vA is the Alfven velocity in the amplified field, and v d,cr is the drift velocity of CRs. The instability can also saturate earlier if CRs get strongly deflected by the amplified field, which happens when their Larmor radii get close to λ d . We apply these results to the case of CRs propagating in the upstream medium of the forward shock in supernova remnants. If we consider only the most energetic CRs that escape from the shock, we obtain that the field amplification factor of ~10 can be reached. This confirms the CRCD instability as a potentially important component of magnetic amplification process in astrophysical shock environments.
Testing an increasing failure rate average distribution with censored data

A life distribution F is an increasing failure rate average (IFRA) if For testing H0: F is exponential, versus H1 F is IFRA, but not exponential based on randomly censored data, we propose a test statistics where is the KAPLAN–MIEER Product limit estimator of F. The asymptotic normality of Jn c(b) is established and an asymptotically distribution – free test is obtained. /The efficiency loss due to ocensoring is studied compared to DESHPANDE'S (1983) test uncensored case. The asymptotic relati ve efficiency with respect to CHEN,HOLLANDER AND LANGBERG'S (1983) test is shoen to be reasonably high
Experimental and ab Initio Investigations of the Kinetics of the Reaction of H Atoms with H2S

Article on experimental and ab initio investigations of the kinetics of the reaction of H atoms with H2S.
The Tombusvirus-encoded P19: from irrelevance to elegance.

The Tombusvirus-encoded p19 protein (P19) was once thought irrelevant, but is now recognized as a potent suppressor of RNA interference. In this Timeline article, Herman Scholthof takes us through the experimental and cognitive 'twists and turns' that transformed our perceptions of P19.
Race differences and the Spearman hypothesis

Abstract Certain published data have been reviewed and new data presented relevant to the so-called Spearman hypothesis concerning the racial differences on cognitive tests of black and white Americans. In the published data, the correlation between the profiles of low socio-economic and high socio-economic status (SES) whites became −.90 when sex, area of the country, and grade/age were controlled. This nearly mirror-image relationship suggests that the residual across-the-board difference between the two groups is primarily on the general factor in intelligence. In contrast, the same correlation between blacks and the low SES whites was only −.19. This indicated not only independence of the profiles but the presence of multiple causes of differences in addition to a possible contribution of the general factor. These published interpretations have now been confirmed by obtaining correlations between general factor loadings and the group differences for most of the same tests. For the SES dochotomy in whites this correlation is .86. For blacks and the low SES whites it is .17. When the two distributions of differences are correlated, a value of .42 is obtained. The Spearman hypothesis appears to apply primarily to differences in socio-economic status rather than race. Furthermore, one cannot assume a large genetic component for each set of differences. Nor can one argue that the possibility of a large environmental component for each set indicates common environmental causes.
Transformation of the CSU–CHILL Radar Facility to a Dual-Frequency, Dual-Polarization Doppler System

AbstractThis paper describes the transformation of the Colorado State University–University of Chicago–Illinois State Water Survey (CSU–CHILL) National Radar Facility from a single-frequency (S band) dual-polarization Doppler weather radar system to a dual-frequency (S and X bands) dual-polarization Doppler system with coaxial beams. A brief history regarding the development of dual-wavelength radars is first presented. In the past, dual-wavelength measurements were used to detect hail using the dual-wavelength ratio defined as the ratio of intrinsic (or attenuation corrected) X-band reflectivity to the S-band reflectivity. Departures of this ratio from unity were taken to indicate the presence of hail, produced by Mie scattering at the shorter wavelength by hail. Most dual-wavelength radars were developed with attempts to match beams for S and X bands, which implies that the sample volumes for the two frequencies were essentially the same. The X-band channel of the CSU–CHILL radar takes a different appro...
The preparation and characterization of crystals of the superconducting polymer, (SN)x

Abstract A technique is described for growing (SN) x crystals which have superior electrical properties to those reported previously. The room temperature electrical conductivity has increased, so has the ratio of the room temperature and 4°K resistivities. There is no conductivity maximum in the region 20–30°K and the superconducting transition temperature is higher.
Resuscitation of the Moribund Patient Using Portable Cardiopulmonary Bypass

The advancements in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support through oxygenation and pumping units have permitted the explosive development of heart surgery. A battery-powered portable cardiopulmonary bypass machine has been used in 39 patients whose conditions precluded transport to the operating room. Nineteen patients with massive pulmonary emboli, 10 with extensive cardiopulmonary trauma, who had sustained massive drug overdose, and 2 with cardiogenic shock from acute myocardial infarction were successfully placed on cardiopulmonary bypass at the bedside within 15 minutes of cardiac arrest using femoral artery and femoral vein cannulation. Six patients who had cardiac arrest and suspected massive pulmonary emboli were found to have no mechanical cause for their arrest. Thirteen of the patients with massive pulmonary emboli were saved. Eight of the 10 patients who required portable cardiopulmonary bypass for massive traumatic thoracic injuries had control of hemorrhage and repair, allowing bypass to be discontinued. Two of these 8 patients had sustained transection of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. Sixteen patients survived for more than 30 days, and there are 15 long-term survivors.
Emerging drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are heterogeneous and often accompanied by comorbid psychiatric disorders. Although symptoms tend to lessen with age, many patients continue to be affected by the disorder into adulthood. Although many medications are available to treat ADHD, it is unlikely that a single medication will ever be developed to work for all patients. Recent advances, such as long-acting, extended-release formulations and transdermal delivery systems, have lengthened the duration of effectiveness, which has increased compliance and eliminated the need for additional medication dosing during the school or work day. Additional safe, well-tolerated, long-acting medications with further reduced potential for diversion and abuse are needed. Catecholamine pathways and their effect on executive functions and ADHD symptom control have been productive areas of research. Potential therapies such as adrenergic receptor agonists, glutamatergic agents, GABA receptor antagonists and nicotine receptor agonists are being explored as future pharmacotherapies for ADHD.
Analysis of Bituminous Crack Sealants by Physicochemical Methods: Relationship to Field Performance

Bituminous crack sealants were analyzed by viscometry, fluorescence microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, modulated differential scanning calorimetry, and low-temperature tensile testing. The results indicate that sealants are blends of bitumen, oil, copolymer, and filler. Upon blending, these components produce a three-phase system that consists of a polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) matrix, a filler, and a filler-PMB interface. Spectroscopy and microscopy indicate that the PMB phase is rich in styrene-butadiene copolymer, that the filler is recycled rubber, sometimes mixed with calcium carbonate, and that the interface depends on the filler and the oil content in the sealant. The physicochemical methods were used to predict the short- and medium-term performance of sealant mixtures. The short-term performance predicted from viscometry and microscopy correlated well with the 1-year field performance of the sealants. Sealants showed two glass transition temperatures (Tg's), and a reasonable co...