cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of morbidity after traumatic pancreatic injury.

Background: Although relatively uncommon, traumatic pancreatic injury is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this review were to validate the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma organ injury grading system for pancreatic injury by defining its relationship to subsequent morbidity and to characterize the independent predictors of postoperative complications. Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of all patients with a pancreatic injury, confirmed by laparotomy, admitted to our Level I trauma center from 1986 and 1999. Pancreatic injury severity was assessed on the basis of the operative report. Outcome parameters included mortality, pancreatic complications (pancreatic fistula, pseudocyst, pancreatitis), intensive care unit (ICU) complications (acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, renal failure, multiple organ failure syndrome), abdominal complications (abscess, wound infection, ventral hernia, enteric fistula), and length of stay. Results: There were 193 patients identified. Mortality was 12%. Overall morbidity in the series was 50%, with a 22% prevalence of pancreas-related complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that the grade of pancreatic injury was an independent predictor of both pancreatic complications (odds ratio, 4.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-10) and mortality (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-5.8). Pancreatic and ICU complications were associated with longer ICU and hospital stays. Conclusion: The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Score predicts the development of complications and mortality after pancreatic injury and identifies patients who will require extensive resources and may benefit from transfer to a Level I trauma center.
Sigma Delta quantization for compressive sensing

Compressive sensing is a new data acquisition technique that aims to measure sparse and compressible signals at close to their intrinsic information rate rather than their Nyquist rate. Recent results in compressive sensing show that a sparse or compressible signal can be reconstructed from very few measurements with an incoherent, and even randomly generated, dictionary. To date the hardware implementation of compressive sensing analog-to-digital systems has not been straightforward. This paper explores the use of Sigma-Delta quantizer architecture to implement such a system. After examining the challenges of using Sigma-Delta with a randomly generated compressive sensing dictionary, we present efficient algorithms to compute the coefficients of the feedback loop. The experimental results demonstrate that Sigma-Delta relaxes the required analog filter order and quantizer precision. We further demonstrate that restrictions on the feedback coefficient values and stability constraints impose a small penalty on the performance of the Sigma-Delta loop, while they make hardware implementations significantly simpler.
A new human cell line derived from a poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma

Abstract Establishment and characterization of an endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line are described. The tumor cells, designated AC-258, originated from a patient with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. These cells have been passed in culture more than 102 times and have maintained their morphological and chromosomal integrity in a fashion suggestive of monocloning. Cells from passages 1, 58, and 102 were aneuploid. The average number of chromosomes per cell was 64.8, and 8–17 marker chromosomes per cell were identified and described. Histological evaluation of tumor explants from 3 passages grown in nude (athymic) mice revealed morphologic identity. The doubling time of AC-258 was 22 hr. No detectable estrogen- or progesterone-binding proteins were found. The AC-258 cell line provides researchers with another tool with which to investigate biochemical and biological properties of human cancer cells.
Manual Traffic Allocation for Small-Town Networks

A new manual travel allocation spreadsheet for street networks in small towns is described. The method is useful for rural planning organizations or state departments of transportation that must cost-effectively develop transportation models for small towns that expect growth and new transportation facilities. Unlike the usual computerized network model, this spreadsheet combines available census data and maps with expert judgment to assign traffic volumes manually to small networks with up to 10 internal and 12 external zones. The spreadsheet produces origin-destination matrices for manual or computer-based assignment. A case study application in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, demonstrates the method.
Differential Regulation by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 of Calbindin-D9k and Calbindin-D28k Gene Expression in Mouse Kidney*

The mouse kidney is a unique tissue since both vitamin D-dependent calcium binding proteins (calbindin-D9k, and calbindin-D28k) are present in the same cells of the distal convoluted tubule. We have used specific complementary DNAs to mouse calbindin-D9k and mouse calbindin-D28k and Northern and slot blot analyses in order to obtain a better understanding of the regulation of two different molecular expressions of 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] action in the same cells. Both calbindins were found to be regulated developmentally in a similar manner (an increase in gene expression between birth and 1 week of age, coinciding with nephron differentiation, and a peak at 3 weeks of age). However, the time course of response of the messenger RNA of each calbindin to 1,25(OH)2D3 was markedly different. The peak of induction of renal calbindin- D28k mRNA was at 12 h after a single injection of 1,25(OH)2D3 (200 ng/100 g body wt) to vitamin D-deficient mice, and a decrease was observed at 24 h (similar to t...
The maximum and minimum of primary forecasts

The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the maximum (or minimum) of a number of primary forecasts may make a valuable addition to the forecasting accuracy of a combination of forecasts. Such forecasts are readily computable. Theoretical results are presented for two unbiased forecasts with correlated normally distributed errors, showing that the maximum (minimum) of two forecasts can have a smaller error variance than either of the primary forecasts and the forecast error can have low correlation with the primary errors. Empirical results are obtained for two different sets of forecasts available in the literature, and it is observed that a combination forecast including the maximum and/or minimum has attractive forecasting properties.
Calcium action potentials in insect myocardial fibers.

Abstract 1. 1. Electrical activity in single myocardial cells of an insect was measured in relation to the amount of calcium ([Ca2+]o) in physiological test salines. 2. 2. Action potentials are reduced to 0 mV in zero [Ca2+]o and increase 22 mV per tenfold increase in [Ca2+]o. 3. 3. Action potentials are inhibited by 2 mM Cl2 while the resting potential is not altered. 4. 4. It is concluded that action potentials in the myocardial cells of the moth Hyalophora cecropia are “calcium-spikes”.
The effects of adolescent methamphetamine exposure.

Methamphetamine use among adolescents is a significant social and public health concern. Despite increased awareness of methamphetamine use among younger people, relatively little research has examined the effects of adolescent methamphetamine use compared to adult use. Thus much remains to be learned about how methamphetamine alters adolescent brain function and behavior. In this article we review recent trends in adolescent methamphetamine use and data examining the effects of adolescent methamphetamine use on the dopaminergic system and behavior in humans and animal models. Future research is warranted to expand our understanding of the effects of adolescent methamphetamine exposure and how those effects differ from those seen in adults.
SEM/EDS comparison of polar and seasonal temperate ice.

We have developed a method employing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for examining uncoated ice specimens. By permitting the ice to sublimate in the SEM at temperatures between -115 degrees and -60 degrees C, enough ions are produced to prevent specimen charging. The absence of a conductive coating permits both the acquisition of uncompromised X-ray spectra, and a dynamic view of impurities as the ice sublimates. The method has enabled us to examine the microstructure and impurities in ice in ways not possible through standard melt chemistry measurements or even through using a SEM to study coated samples. Soluble impurities appeared either as white spots in grain interiors, grain boundaries, and triple junctions, or as filaments in grain boundaries. Inclusions of insoluble impurities have also been observed in natural ice. Thus, we have been able to compare the microstructural location and concentration of impurities in ice from different terrestrial locations. Even when ion chromatography of the melt from two core sections reveals similar levels of impurities, the morphology and location of the impurity aggregates can be quite different. Analysis of impurity type and location can provide clues to the depositional environment and history of the ice.
The measured electrical properties of normal and malignant human tissues from 50 to 900 MHz

The electrical conductivity and relative permittivity of malignant and normal human tissues were measured at frequencies from 50 to 900 MHz. The measurements were made between 23 and 25 degrees C using a network analyzer connected to a flat-ended coaxial probe that was pressed against the freshly excised tissue samples. The malignant tissues were of the following normal tissue origin: bladder, colon, kidney, liver, lung, lymph nodes, mammary gland, spleen, and testes. The normal tissues included: colon, kidney, liver, lung, mammary gland, and muscle. Normal tissue samples of bladder, lymph, spleen, and testes were not available. In general, at all frequencies tested, both conductivity and relative permittivity were greater in malignant tissue than in normal tissue of the same type. For tissues of the same type, the differences in electrical properties from normal to malignant were the least for kidney (about 6% and 4% average differences over the frequency range in permittivity and conductivity, respectively), and these differences were the greatest for mammary gland (about 233% and 577% average differences in permittivity and conductivity, respectively). To illustrate a potential use of these data in hyperthermia applications, frequency-selective heating of malignant tissue (modeled as a sphere) surrounded by host normal tissue is calculated from the measured electrical properties for certain tissues.
Equity and Reciprocity Motivations as a Function of the Intentionality of Underpayment

Summary Previous tests of a two-process model positing additive equity and reciprocity motivations were only partially supportive. Specifically, although intentionally overrewarded subjects more frequently returned portions of the reward than unintentionally overrewarded subjects, intentionally and unintentionally underrewarded subjects demanded a larger share of reward with equal frequency. In contrast to previous studies, the present study tested the previously unsupported portion of the model in a situation in which the most obvious mode of inequity reduction was the subjects' (N = 20) manipulation of performance inputs. As expected, the task performance of intentionally underrewarded subjects was lower than that of unintentionally underrewarded subjects, although self report data failed to corroborate the two-process explanation. An alternative model is proposed which requires a modification of the equity formula, but avoids positing an additive reciprocity motivation.
On homogeneous interrior-point algorithms for semidefinite programming

A simple homogeneous primal-dual feasibility model is proposed for semidefinite programming (SDP) problems. Two infeasible-interior-point algorithms are applied to the homogeneous formulation. The algorithms do not need a big M initialization. If the original SDP problem has a solution (X * y * S *), then both algorithms find an ϵ-approximate solution (i.e., a solution with residual error less than or equal to ϵ) in at most steps, where ρ* = Tr(X * + *), and ϵ0 is the residual error at the (normalized) starting point. A simple way of monitoring possible infeasibility of the original SDP problem is provided such that in at most steps either an 6-approximate solution is obtained, or it is determined that there is no solution (X * y * S *) with Tr(X * + S *) less than or equal to a given number ρ > 0. Numerical results on Mehrotra type primal-dual predictor-corrector algorithms show that the homogeneous algorithms outperform their non-homogeneous counterparts, with improvement of ore than 20% in many cases, ...
Effects of Pyrethroid Insecticides on the Common Green Lacewing

Third instars of Chrysopa carnea Stephens can tolerate a wide range of doses of fenvalerate (cyano (3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl 4-chloro- a -(1-methylethyl) benzeneacetate), permethrin (3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl ( cis, trans -3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate), cis - and trans -permethrin. Larvae exhibited marked tolerance to all pyrethroids over a 72 h period when dosed topically with 250 µg insecticide/insect. Larval survivorship, adult emergence, and fecundity were unaffected by permethrin but not by fenvalerate at the 1000 µg/g level through one generation (larva to larva); female longevity, however, was decreased by permethrin. The ED50 value (paralysis, failure to pupate, knockdown, and mortality) for fenvalerate was ca. 1000 µg/g whereas ED50 values for the other compounds could not be determined but would be greater than 25,000 µg/g.
Partitioning schemes for the 2-matrix and the pair density

Several schemes are discussed for partitioning the secondorder reduced density matrix GAMMA into two parts, GAMMA /sup 0/ and GAMMA /sup '/. The GAMMA /sup 0/s are based on the independent particle model and the GAMMA /sup '/ are corrections due to electron correlation. The difficulties of choosing a GAMMA /sup 0/ that will serve as a suitable reference point for studying electron correlation are discussed. In order to compare alternative partitioning schemes, an atomic wave fuction for the /sup 1/S ground state of the Be atom in the configuration-intenaction approximation was selected. A fifty-two configuration wave function was computed and contour graphs were made of the total pair density GAMMA (1 2) and of the correlation pair density'' GAMMA ' (1 2) for several choices of the reference GAMMA /sup 0/. (auth)
Magnetic stimulation of the spinal accessory nerve: normative data and clinical utility in an isolated stretch-induced palsy

Abstract We report the clinical and electrophysiological findings of isolated stretch-induced accessory nerve palsy obtained by using conventional technique compared to magnetic stimulation at the base of the skull. The same methods of magnetic stimulation were applied in 10 healthy volunteers, to determine normal limits of amplitude and latency of the motor responses. The clinical features of the isolated spinal accessory nerve palsy are weakness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and of the three portions of trapezius muscle. Most commonly reported etiologies include surgical manipulation and excision in the posterior triangle of the neck. Less frequently the cause is represented by radiation procedures, shoulder traction, penetrating, blunt or stretch injuries; this last etiology is extremely rare. The use of conventional electrophysiological methods to evaluate injuries of the nerves leaving the base of the skull is limited by the difficulty in obtaining an adequate electrical surface stimulation necessitating the use of needle electrodes. Moreover, conventional electrical stimulation often causes significant discomfort to the patient. The magnetic coil stimulation at the base of the skull is a new alternative painless technique that permits to elicit motor responses, by stimulating deeply situated nerves and, in particular, the accessory nerve, resulting as a useful electrodiagnostic tool.
A Review of the Use of Ultrasonography in Fish Reproduction

Abstract Ultrasound imaging analysis involves development of an effective combination of physical properties, equipment, instrument settings, and protocols. This review focuses on the application of ultrasonography to fish reproduction. The goal was to assemble a comprehensive reference data set to serve as a decision-enabling tool for potential users. The specific objectives were to (1) identify the ultrasound equipment, settings, and procedures used during examination, (2) review the fish handling procedures used during examination, and (3) review current data on sex identification and reproduction indices developed using ultrasonography. The 27 studies selected for inclusion in this review represent 21 fish species. Most (96%) of the studies reported the model name for the ultrasound unit, but only 19% reported the probe model. The most reported probe features were the frequency capability (96% of the studies) and array format (linear, sector, or annular; 81%). The majority of the studies (89%) did not...
Computational tools for metabolic engineering

A great variety of software applications are now employed in the metabolic engineering field. These applications have been created to support a wide range of experimental and analysis techniques. Computational tools are utilized throughout the metabolic engineering workflow to extract and interpret relevant information from large data sets, to present complex models in a more manageable form, and to propose efficient network design strategies. In this review, we present a number of tools that can assist in modifying and understanding cellular metabolic networks. The review covers seven areas of relevance to metabolic engineers. These include metabolic reconstruction efforts, network visualization, nucleic acid and protein engineering, metabolic flux analysis, pathway prospecting, post-structural network analysis and culture optimization. The list of available tools is extensive and we can only highlight a small, representative portion of the tools from each area.
Effect of gossypol on the thyroid in young rats.

The effect of gossypol on thyroid structure and function was examined. Groups of young male rats were subcutaneously injected daily with 0.2 ml gossypol acetic acid in doses of 1, 5, or 10 mg per kg body weight. Control rats were injected with vehicle only. At the end of the 15-day treatment, there was a dose-dependent decrease in the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones, i.e., free thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and reverse triiodothyronine. Histopathological examination revealed focal degeneration of thyroid follicles after a dose of 1 mg gossypol per kg body weight; widespread follicular atrophy occurred with 5 mg and 10 mg gossypol per kg body weight. The degenerating follicles were lined with discontinuous cuboidal or squamous follicular epithelium, some of which exfoliated into colloid.
Effect of chronic administration of perhexiline on pacing-induced S-T segment depression in the atherosclerotic rabbit

Abstract The effect of chronically administered perhexiline gluconate (a parenteral formulation of Pexid ® ) on pacing-induced electrocardiographic S-T segment depression in atherosclerotic rabbits was studied. This model has been shown to be useful in demonstrating antianginal drug activity in the experimental animal. In this single-blind study the effects of intraperitoneal injections of perhexiline gluconate were compared with injections of equal volumes of normal saline solution. Either the active preparation or saline was injected daily for 8 days. The perhexiline-treated animals had significantly less S-T segment depression at each of three pacing rates when compared to the saline-treated animals. These results indicate that non-nitrate antianginal agents can prevent S-T segment depression in this model.
A study of solvent effects on the synthesis of pure component and composite ceramic powders by metal alkoxide hydrolysis

The production of ceramics having high density, low porosity, and fine grains requires the use of high-purity metal oxide powders that consist of particles of uniform shape, size, and composition. Metal Alkoxide hydrolysis is an attractive method for the synthesis of high-purity metal oxide particles. The nature of the precipitate formed is affected by the solvent. This present study investigates the growth kinetics and characteristics of metal oxide particles (i.e., ZrO/sub 2/ and TiO/sub 2/) that are produced in various alcohol solvents (ethanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and tert-butyl alcohol). Results are also presented for the synthesis of uniform homogeneous composite metal oxide particles (i.e., Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/-ZrO/sub 2/ and ZrO/sub 2/-TiO/sub 2/) by low-temperature metal alkoxide hydrolysis. 3 figs., 7 refs.
On two-step processes via particle transfer channels

Abstract Two-step processes via particle transfer channels are formulated without employing the post-prior approximation. It is shown that this approximation leads to erroneous conclusions which seriously overestimate the effect of higher order processes.
Kinetic analysis of isothermal cures performed below the limiting glass transition temperature

The paper addresses the problem of the application of isoconversional kinetic analysis to incomplete cures. Contrary to the expectations, a theoretical analysis suggests that correct estimates of the activation energy can be obtained if one uses the relative extents of cure instead of the absolute values. This conclusion is illustrated by simulated data for a hypothetical process and experimental data for epoxy-novolac cure.
STRAIN SPECIFICITY AND PRODUCTION OF ANTIBIOTIC SUBSTANCES. X. CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES WITHIN THE STREPTOMYCES GRISEUS GROUP.

In 1948, a detailed description of the streptomycin-producing organism was blishedl3 under the name Streptomyces griseus (Krainsky) Waksman and Henrici. the eleven years that have since passed, there has accumulated a very extensive arature dealing with this organism and a number of related forms. Numerous rieties have been described, and a certain degree of confusion has arisen. It ,s thereby established that we are dealing here not with a single species, but with group of closely related forms. Because of the great economic importance of is group, its re-evaluation and reinterpretation is justified at this time. Nomenclature of the Streptomycin-Producing Organism.-In 1916, Waksman and irtis" isolated from different soils cultures of an organism which they believed be similar to a culture previously isolated and described as Actinomyces griseus Krainsky.5 Waksmanl? soon recognized, however, that the two organisms were ghtly different. Since no type culture of Krainsky's organism has ever been ailable for comparison, all the descriptions subsequently published in the various itions of Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology were based upon that of aksman and Curtis,"l later modified by Waksman,l? and by Waksman et al.13 hen Waksman and Henricil2 proposed, in 1943, to create a new genus Streptoices, this organism was named Streptomyces griseus. The strain to which this me was applied carries our laboratory number 3463. It was the first streptoTcin-producing culture and has been designated as the type culture (by original signation) of the new species Streptomyces griseus Waksman and Henrici. The original proposal to create a new generic name Streptomyces was made by aksman and Henrici in a manuscript submitted to the Journal of Bacteriology in >ril, 1943, and to Dr. R. S. Breed in May, 1943, for publication in the sixth ition of Bergey's Manual. This name first appeared in the Journal of Bacteri,gy in October, 1943; unfortunately, the sixth edition of Bergey's Manual, Lich contained a detailed description of Streptomyces griseus was not published til 1948.
A Simulation Modeling Methodology for Analyzing Large Complex Rail Networks

As the congestion in the nation's freeways increases, the reliance on rail freight shipments is increasing. For this reason, models are needed to analyze the increased traffic burden on the rail ne...
MODEL.LA. A modeling language for process engineering—I. The formal framework

Abstract A modeling language (MODEL.LA.) has been constructed for the interactive or automatic definition of models for processing systems. It is based on six modeling elements and 11 semantic relationships obeying basic axioms of transitivity, monotonicity, commutativity and merging. Its syntax can be described by an extended BNF (Backus—Naur Form). The structure of process models is depicted by specific digraphs, which are symbolically constructed by algorithmic procedures driven by the context of the modeling activity. MODEL.LA. can generate models of processing systems: (a) at various levels of abstraction; (b) capturing qualitative, semiquantitative and quantitative knowledge; (c) with complete documentation of the modeling context (assumptions, simplifications, process engineering task). Its object-oriented modularity makes it extensible and easily maintainable. Although a large part of MODEL.LA. is domain-independent, its vocabulary and syntax is specific to process engineering activities such as: process development, design, control and operations. A language for modeling processing systems, called MODEL.LA., has been presented. Realizing the limitations of the previous procedural attempts, it is based on an object-oriented, declarative approach. The language has been designed to be capable of: (i) expressing all points of interest assumed to be needed in modeling processing systems; (ii) representing processing systems at any level of detail; (iii) generating automatically the set of basic mathematical relationships that are describing the model components; and (iv) offering explicit documentation of all the assumptions that give rise to a particular model. It can be viewed as a very high-level special-purpose language, that moves the user several levels away from the inherent programming language (e.g. LISP, as in this case, Pascal or C). MODEL.LA. complies with all the requirements that were proposed for its design. Its basic strengths are its modularity and its inherent capability of controlling complexity by breaking down complex systems into smaller, less complex pieces. In fact, the specification of a model-class involves the subsequent specification and characterization of all its components. This idea is recursively applied throughout the definition process. Thus, it is very similar to what we usually do when we describe processing systems in natural languages. Another important feature of this language is its extensibility. At a very simple level, the ability to characterize a processing system can be extended by incorporating a richer terminal vocabulary. Also, its modularity makes possible the incorporation of new blocks in the definition of a class; blocks that may describe other aspects, that presently are not considered. If the incorporation of new modeling points of view requires the definition of new classes of modeling elements, it can be done in a straightforward manner.
Influence of Hospital Length of Stay for Heart Failure on Quality of Care

Adherence to treatment guidelines during hospital admissions for heart failure impacts readmissions and mortality. However, the relation between guideline adherence and heart failure hospital length of stay (LOS) has not been well studied. Whether quality of care delivered to patients with heart failure is impacted on by hospital LOS was assessed. Data were analyzed from 209 hospitals participating in the Get With the Guidelines heart failure program. From January 2005 to September 2006, a total of 36,078 admissions were recorded and stratified by a median heart failure hospitalization LOS of
Development of hippocampal long-term potentiation is reduced by recently introduced calpain inhibitors.

Abstract The effects of two recently synthesized inhibitors of calpains, calpain inhibitor I (CiI) and calpain inhibitor II (CiII) were tested on the development of long-term potentiation (LTP) in region CA1 of rat hippocampus. Slices maintained in 100 μM of CiI or CiII showed an initial degree of potentiation after theta burst stimulation that, in contrast to controls, slowly decayed across time. The effects of CiI and CiII appeared to be independent of possible actions on the physiological mechanisms that take place during the induction stage of LTP. Since these inhibitors are more potent and specific than leupeptin in blocking calpain activity, their effects on LTP can be more convincingly ascribed to a selective blockade of the calcium-sensitive protease. Accordingly, the results favor the idea that a proteolytic event of the kind found after N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor activation is an intermediary step in the development of LTP.
Haemodynamic and clinical effects of an intravenous potassium channel opener — a review

Intravenous nicorandil (4-12 mg) produced a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (-5 to -15%), systemic vascular resistance (-8 to -27%), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (-15 to -41%) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (-8 to -18%) in patients with coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure. Cardiac output was significantly increased (+3 to +19%) in most studies. These haemodynamic effects of intravenous nicorandil (4-8 mg) were comparable to those of nitroglycerin (0.3 mg), although a greater decrease in preload was produced by nitroglycerin. Moreover, no significant haemodynamic tolerance developed over a 12 to 24 h period during continuous infusion of nicorandil (2.4 micrograms.kg-.min-1) in patients with heart failure, in contrast to nitroglycerin infusion (0.65 microgram.kg-1 x min-1). Intravenous nicorandil (4-12 mg) was also shown to produce a slightly smaller increase (8-27%) in the diameter of the large coronary arteries compared to that of sublingual nitroglycerin (0.3 mg) (16-32%) and to cause a significant decrease in coronary vascular resistance (-9 to -53%) and a significant increase in coronary sinus flow (+6 to +81%) in patients with coronary artery disease. The efficacy of intravenous nicorandil (2-6 mg.h-1) in unstable angina pectoris has been compared with that of isosorbide dinitrate (2-5 mg.h-1) in a double-blind, multicentre trial. Over a 3 to 9 day period, nicorandil therapy tended to be more effective in abolishing anginal attacks and decreasing nitroglycerin consumption.
Minority Mobilization in an International City: Rivalry and Conflict in Miami

On March 20, 1 986 many South Florida Hispanics were disappointed yet politically emboldened by the result of a close U.S. House vote on President Reagan's Nicaraguan Contra aid bill. Although the proposal was defeated in a 222-210 vote, the outcome was viewed locally as a Latin victory because Miami's moderately liberal Democratic delegation broke ranks with House leadership by voting three to one in support of the President's proposal.1 It is apparent that pressure felt from Miami's Cuban and Nicaraguan exile communities, as well as from the Florida Commission on Hispanic Affairs and the Cuban-American National Foundation, was decisive in compelling locally elected Democratic House members to support the President over their party.
The Ways of Wickedness: Analyzing Messiness with Messy Tools

The revelatory paper, “Dilemmas in the General Theory of Planning,” by Rittel and Webber (Policy Sci 4:155–169, 1973) has had great impact because it provides one example of an emergent consensus across many disciplines. Many “problems,” as addressed in real-world situations, involve elements that exceed the complexity of any known or hoped-for model, or are “wicked.” Many who encounter this work for the first time find that their concept of wicked problems aptly describes many environmental disputes. For those frustrated with the lack of progress in many areas of environmental protection, Rittel and Webber’s work suggested a powerful explanatory hypothesis: Complex environmental problems cannot be comprehended within any of the accepted disciplinary models available in the academy or in discourses on public interest and policy. What should we conclude about the future of social improvements, and about the possibilities for rational discourse leading to cooperative action, with respect to this huge number of pressing public, environmental problems? Can we find ways to address environmental problems that improves the ability of communities to respond creatively and rationally to them? I will argue that, while the Rittel-Webber critique requires us to abandon many of the assumptions associated with a positivistic view of science and its applications to policy analysis, it also points to a more productive direction for the future of policy analysis. I will introduce “boundary critique,” developed within Critical Systems Theory (CST), an approach that offers some reason for optimism in dealing with some aspects of wickedness.
Operational performance characteristics of pyrolytic graphite thermocouples

Abstract We present and discuss information on output and sensitivity of thermoelectric units made up of boron Pyrographalloy (PGB) and Pyrographite (PG) rods assembled in a layer-plane configuration. Primary consideration is given to the following operational features: (a) e.m.f. enhancement as a result of heat treatment, (b) e.m.f. variation with boron content of the alloy leg, and (c) e.m.f. stability under severe thermal cycling conditions. The PG-0.7 per cent B/PG combination is shown to exhibit desirable characteristics from the standpoint of potential temperature-sensing applications. Up to about 2000°C, the thermoelectric behavior of these couples can be described in terms of a parabolic zero-gap two-band model, provided that exact Fermi-Dirac statistics are used. At ultra-high temperatures, the PGB/PG systems investigated so far develop less TEP than predicted. The reasons for this are not yet known: It may reflect intrinsic limitations of graphite thermocouples, or it may be a consequence of difficulties inherent in calibrating at very high temperatures.
Statistical estimation of internal available bandwidth

This paper presents a method for using end-to-end available bandwidth measurements in order to estimate available bandwidth on individual internal links. The basic approach is to use a power transform on the observed end-to-end measurements, model the result as a mixture of spatially correlated exponential random variables, carryout estimation by moment methods, then transform back to the original variables to get estimates and confidence intervals for the expected available bandwidth on each link. Because spatial dependence leads to certain parameter confounding, only upper bounds can be found reliably. Simulations with ns2 show that the method can work well and that the assumptions are approximately valid in the examples.
Beyond Mucosal Infection: a Role for C. albicans-Streptococcal Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Dental Caries

The human body is home to countless microorganisms that can modulate the transition between health and disease. When conditions in the host favor the growth of pathogens, the populations can shift toward their dominance and/or cause disbyosis. In the mouth, commensal organisms are typically most abundant, but when oral hygiene is neglected and sugar is frequently consumed and/or there is a disruption in saliva production/flow, organisms associated with dental caries disease eg, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) become more prevalent. These organisms interact with dietary sugars and host saliva to form complex 3-dimensional biofilms on pellicle-coated teeth. The production of exopolysaccharides (eg, via S. mutans-sucrose interactions) modulates the assembly of the biofilm matrix, while acid production (eg, by acidogenic flora) and low pH within the biofilm facilitate the demineralization of the adjacent tooth enamel. During the assembly of cariogenic biofilms, S. mutans likely interacts and competes with other oral microbial species in the mouth. Although it is widely recognized that bacterial-fungal interactions commonly occur on mucosal surfaces, their possible role in dental caries has received limited attention. This review provides evidence that interactions between S. mutans and Candida albicans (C. albicans) may be involved in the pathogenesis of early childhood caries.
The Least Generous Welfare State? A Case of Blind Empiricism

Abstract Comparative analyses of modern welfare states rely heavily on measures of social expenditure, which have been developed and refined by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. These measures are used to assess the relative degrees of welfare effort, generosity and social protection afforded by welfare states. A critical analysis of the most rigorous and widely used measures of social expenditure reveals three fundamental issues, which involve the assumption of proportionality, indifference to need, and the discounted activity of deficit spending. These issues undermine the conventional social accounting for welfare states, making it virtually incomprehensible to interpret as a comparative measure of welfare effort, generosity, and social protection.
Orderly recruitment among motoneurons supplying different muscles.

Virtually all movements involve the recruitment of motor units from multiple muscles. Given the functional diversity of motor units (motoneurons and the muscle fibers they supply), the effective production of specific movements undoubtedly depends upon some principle(s) to organize the ensemble of active motor units. The principle acting to organize the recruitment of motor units within muscles is the size principle, whereby the first motor units to be recruited have the smallest values for axonal conduction velocity and contractile force, and are the slowest to contract and fatigue. Here we consider the possibility that the size principle applies in the recruitment of motor units across muscles, i.e., that regardless of their muscles of origin, active motor units are recruited in rank order, for example, from low to high conduction velocity. The benefits of orderly recruitment across muscles could be similar to the acknowledged advantages of orderly recruitment within muscles. One benefit is that the neural process involved in organizing active motor units would be simplified. In a muscle-based scheme, the size principle would organize only those motor units within individual muscles, leaving the nervous system with the additional task of coordinating the relative activities of motor units from different muscles. By contrast, in an ensemble-based scheme, orderly recruitment of all motor units according to the size principle would automatically coordinate motor units both within and across motor nuclei. Another potential benefit is the provision for movements with smooth trajectory, the result of interleaving the divergent torque contributions made by motor units from muscles that differ in their orientations about joints. Otherwise, if order were restricted within muscles, the torque trajectory of a joint would change unevenly as participating muscles begin contracting at different times and grade activity at different rates. These considerations support speculation that motor units recruited from co-contracting muscles are collectively recruited according to the size principle.
5a-Pregnane-3a,21-diol-20-one (THDOC) attenuates mild stress-induced increases in plasma corticosterone via a non-glucocorticoid mechanism: comparison with alprazolam

5 alpha-Pregnane-3 alpha,21-diol-20-one (THDOC; 5 mg/kg) and the triazolobenzodiazepine alprazolam (1 mg/kg) attenuated mild stress-induced increases in plasma corticosterone concentrations via GABAergic mechanisms. Unlike alprazolam, THDOC failed to decrease corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) concentrations in the locus ceruleus. While THDOC may plausibly act via endogenous GABAergic mechanisms to reduce stress-induced endocrine and behavioral responses that are likely mediated in part by CRF neurons, these preliminary findings suggest that, at the dose and time point studied, THDOC does not identically mimic the actions of alprazolam, another drug which potentiates GABAergic activity.
Culture Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

In order to investigate how mutant SOD1 protein or environmental exogenous stressors lead to the death of motor neurons, we have established several in vitro model systems. We describe some features of the various models in order to demonstrate the advantages and shortcomings of each system.
Ion nucleation as a detector: application of REMPI to generate selected ions in supersaturated vapors

Abstract Resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of aromatic molecules present in a small concentration within a supersaturated host vapor is demonstrated. The method is applied to the study of ion nucleation in supersaturated vapors of methanol, acetonitrile and nonane induced by the molecular ions of benzene, toluene, and p -xylene. With this method it is now possible to selectively and unambiguously generate specific ions of interest and study their nucleating behavior. Furthermore, the selectivity of REMPI combined with the amplification and detection capabilities of nucleation and growth offer valuable analytical features for the identification of trace components in supersaturated vapors.
Hispanics and the death penalty: Discriminatory charging practices in San Joaquin County, California

Following reinstatement of the death penalty after the Supreme Court's decision in Gregg v. Georgia (1976), social scientists carefully documented evidence of racial and gender bias against defendants and victims at all stages of the death penalty system, from charging to conviction and sentencing. Despite these consistent findings, questions remained. One crucial unknown was whether or not racial bias uncovered in investigations of African Americans and Whites also negatively impacted members of other minority groups, in particular the largest minority group in the U.S.-Hispanics. Are Hispanics, as both victims and defendants, treated more like non-Hispanic Whites or African Americans? This research examined all death-eligible homicides in San Joaquin County, California from 1977 through 1986. Using logistic regression analysis, the investigation uncovered patterns of racial and gender bias, finding defendants in Hispanic victim cases were less likely to face a death-eligible charge than defendants in White victim cases. Evidence of discrimination may have implications for how Hispanic integration and race and ethnicity are understood and for evaluating the success of statutory reforms designed to insure fairness and constitutionality of the death penalty.
Methods for Detection of Parent-of-Origin Effects in Genetic Studies of Case-Parents Triads

When affected probands and their biological parents are genotyped at a candidate gene or a marker, the resulting case-parents-triad data enable powerful tests for linkage in the presence of association. When linkage disequilibrium has been detected in such a study, the investigator may wish to look further for possible parent-of-origin effects. If, for example, the transmission/disequilibrium test restricted to fathers is statistically significant, whereas that restricted to mothers is not, the investigator might interpret this as evidence for nonexpression of the maternally derived disease gene-that is, imprinting. This report reviews existing methods for detection of parent-of-origin effects, showing that each can be invalid under certain scenarios. Two new methods are proposed, based on application of likelihood-based inference after stratification on both the parental mating type and the inherited number of copies of the allele under study. If there are no maternal genetic effects expressed prenatally during gestation, the parental-asymmetry test is powerful and provides valid estimation of a parent-of-origin parameter. For diseases for which there could be maternal effects on risk, the parent-of-origin likelihood-ratio test provides a robust alternative. Simulations based on an admixed population demonstrate good operating characteristics for these procedures, under diverse scenarios.
Free to be me: a survey study on customization with World of Warcraft and City Of Heroes/Villains players

While large amounts of resources are put into making games engaging, little is known about the effect of specific game features such as customization. This study is part of a larger research which focuses on the effect of customization on user motivation, enjoyment and engagement. The goals of this exploratory survey study were to investigate the importance of customization on players' enjoyment and motivation to play, and the effectiveness of different forms of customizations on enjoyment and motivation. We also aimed to capture players' reasons for specific game customizations, and investigate differences in gender, player experience in these areas.
Gender and the Barnum Effect: A Reinterpretation of Piper-Terry and Downey's Results:

The Barnum Effect refers to people's acceptance of high baserate, bogus feedback. Typically, sex is not significantly associated with such acceptance, but recently Piper-Terry and Downey found that undergraduate women accepted such feedback from friends more than men. They concluded that the women in their sample did this because they wanted to help, i.e., avoid embarrassing, their friends; however, this explanation is flawed for two reasons. First, there are other ways to be helpful that would lead to the opposite result; for example, bluntly honest feedback might be helpful and followed by lower acceptance of feedback. In addition, an alternative hypothesis holds that men and women accept bogus feedback because they are rational. Compared with men, women reveal their reactions and personalities more clearly and thus rationally rate their friends' feedback on personality as more accurate.
Ablation of the cornea and synthetic polymers using a UV (213 nm) solid-state laser

A study is made of photoablation of the porcine cornea and synthetic collagen with 213-nm radiation generated by the fifth harmonic from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The new nonlinear crystals, beta barium borate (BBO), with specific angle cutting were used to optimize the fifth-harmonic generation (213 nm). For comparison purposes, the above materials were also ablated by 266-nm (fourth-harmonic) laser radiation. Light and electron microscopy demonstrated that the damage zones created by 213- and 266-nm radiation are >