Measurement and Evaluation of Alternative Computer Architectures

The Army/Navy Computer Family Architecture Committee has developed an approach for quantifying the relative performance of alternative computer architectures.     

Simple inheritance of key traits distinguishing maize and teosinte

Here the current studies in cell DNA content of plasma cells (PC), from multiple myeloma (MM) patients is reviewed, focusing on two complementary aspects the detection of clonal abnormalities and the identification of the proliferative rate of PC. There is accumulating evidence that the measurement of cell DNA content by flow cytometry (FCM) is a useful parameter in the clinical evaluation of MM patients. Between 50 and 70% of MM patients display DNA aneuploidy, the majority of them being hyperdiploid. Comparing hyperdiploid with diploid patients, the former seem to display a better prognosis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies have confirmed that there is a high incidence of numerical chromosome abnormalities in MM and that trisomies are significantly more common than monosomies (84% vs 14%). The most frequent gains can be seen in chromosome 9 and 15 while the most common monosomies are those of chromosome 13 and X in females. The possibility of analysing the cell cycle distribution by using a propidium iodide (PI)/CD38 double staining technique may be an alternative to other more laborious methods of assessing the PC labelling index. Thus, patients with > 3% S-phase PC detected by FCM have an adverse prognosis and this parameter is one of the most important independent prognostic criteria for predicting survival in MM patients. Moreover, the number of S-phase PC, together with other prognostic factors, such as beta 2microglobulin, age and performance status can be a very useful tool for stratifying patients into groups in order to establish risk-directed therapeutic protocols.     

Interactions of acetylcholine and epinephrine on the dynamics of insulin release in vitro

An in vitro system for perifusion of rat pancreatic islets has been utilized to define the effects of epinephrine on acetylcholine-induced insulin release over varying concentrations of the two agents. Perifusion of islets with epinephrine before challenge with acetycholine produced marked enhancement of both phases of cholinergically induced insulin release; enhancement of the first phase being more marked with increase in acetylcholine concentration and the converse being observed with the second phase. Perifusion of islets with epinephrine during stimulation with acetylcholine produced inhibition of insulin release, an effect dependent upon the concentration of epinephrine and of acetylcholine. There was an order of difference in the acetycholine concentration needed to overcome significant epinephrine-mediated inhibition of the first phase of insulin release (5 X 10(-4) mug/ml) and that needed to overcome inhibition of the second phase (5 X 10(-3) mug/ml). Comparison of the effects of various concentrations of epinephrine on glucose- and acetyl-choline-induced insulin release revealed that epinephrine was a less potent inhibitor of the first phase of acetylcholine-induced insulin release than of the first phase of glucose-induced insulin release. These data provide some insight into the potential interactions between cholinergic and adrenergic autonomic systems in modifying insulin release.     

New technique for lesser saphenous vein harvesting

A new technique using the Thompson self-retaining retractor system (Thompson Surgical Instruments, Inc, Traverse City, MI) to harvest lesser saphenous veins is presented. This modification, used in 10 patients undergoing redo myocardial revascularization, provided a rapid, comfortable, and convenient method for harvesting lesser saphenous veins.     

A Bus System for the Military Computer Family

A number of perplexing technical issues must be resolved as bus designs for the MCF systems are implemented. Their resolution could have an industry-wide effect.     

The formation of triarylsulfonium salts through a photochemical route

Summary An original method of synthesizing triarylsulfonium salts through UV light excitation of diphenylsulfides in presence of diphenyliodonium salts is described.Visiting Scientist from the Institute of Photographic Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Beijing, China     

Workplace design guidelines for asymptomatic vs. low-back-injured workers

While numerous efforts have attempted to provide quantitative guidelines for the prevention of initial low back disorders during material handling tasks, none have appeared in the literature that address the issue of recurrent low back disorders due to materials handling when returning to the workplace. A study comparing the spine loads of low back pain patients and asymptomatic controls was conducted. Subjects lifted weights varying from 4.5-11.4 kg at four vertical heights, two horizontal distances and five task asymmetries collectively representing common industrial lifting situations. Spine loading was calculated using a validated EMG-assisted biomechanical model. Spine loads observed during lifting tasks were compared to spine tolerance values believed to initiate low back injuries. In addition, the percentage of patients successfully performing the lift was noted and used as an indication of the willingness of the subject to perform the task. These evaluations are summarized in a series of three lifting guidelines indicating safe, medium risk and high risk lifting tasks for low back patients as well as asymptomatic workers. It is believed that adherence to these guidelines can minimize the risk of recurrent low back disorders due to occupational lifting.     

Detrended fluctuation analysis of intracranial pressure predicts outcome following traumatic brain injury

Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) is a recently developed technique suitable for describing scaling behavior of variability in physiological signals. The purpose of this study is to explore applicability of DFA methods to intracranial pressure (ICP) signals recorded in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). In addition to establishing the degree of fit of the power-law scaling model of detrended fluctuations of ICP in TBI patients, we also examined the relationship of DFA coefficients (scaling exponent and intercept) to: 1) measures of initial neurological functioning; 2) measures of functional outcome at six month follow-up; and 3) measures of outcome, controlling for patient characteristics, and initial neurological status. In a sample of 147 moderate-to-severely injured TBI patients, we found that a higher DFA scaling exponent is significantly associated with poorer initial neurological functioning, and that lower DFA intercept and higher DFA scaling exponent jointly predict poorer functional outcome at six month follow-up, even after statistical control for covariates reflecting initial neurological condition. DFA describes properties of ICP signal in TBI patients that are associated with both initial neurological condition and outcome at six months postinjury.