cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sample bias and the scaling of hydraulic conductivity in fractured rock

Compilations of the hydraulic conductivity of fractured rock suggest an increase in conductivity between laboratory and field scales. This scaling is inconsistent with recent suggestions that natural fracture networks are near the percolation threshold as the effective conductivity of networks near the percolation threshold decreases with increasing scale. The predicted decrease in conductivity with increasing scale may not be apparent in laboratory data due to a systematic bias in laboratory scale samples; many laboratory scale samples may not contain fractures that are larger than the size of the sample. When this bias is accounted for, the conductivity of simulated networks near the percolation threshold is consistent with the compiled data and increases with the sample dimension. Therefore, observed scaling in conductivity can be interpreted as consistent with the idea that many fracture networks are near the percolation threshold.
Serum antibodies to fetal antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract We report here the occurrence of antibodies in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus which react with antigens on fetal liver cells of 15-day-old mouse embryos. The antibodies were demonstrated by a two-step isotopic antiglobulin assay using the embryonic liver cells as targets. Absorption tests with adult mouse spleen and liver confirmed the fetal nature of the antigen. Other studies demonstrated that activity did not relate to rheumatoid factor and did not involve Fc receptors on target cells.
Location and morphology of parasympathetic preganglionic neurons in the sacral spinal cord of the cat revealed by retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase

The distribution and morphology of preganglionic neurons in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN) of the cat have been studied with the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing technique. HRP applied to the cut pelvic nerve was identified in cells located ipsilaterally, primarily in the intermediate gray matter. They formed a column approximately 10 mm long, usually contained within two, but occasionally three, sacral segments, S2 contained a majority of cells. In transverse sections the SPN had the appearance of an inverted "L". Cells were medium-sized, oval or spindle-shaped, and transversely oriented. They were distributed among two major components and one minor one: (1) dorsal band (34%) located mainly in lamina V beneath the dorsal horn (cells and dendrites horizontally oriented), (2) lateral band (64%) along the lateral edge of the gray matter in laminae VII through V (cells oriented dorsoventrally with dendrites extending within the nucleus and into the dorsolateral funiculus), and (3) a small group (2%) of cells at the rostral end of the SPN in lamina VII in the middle of the ventral horn. These data coupled with the results of other investigations indicate that the SPN has a viscerotopic organization wherein the colon is innervated primarily by cells in the dorsal band and the urinary bladder is innervated primarily by cells in the lateral band.
Computer simulation of within family selection in finite populations

The relative efficiency, in terms of selection limits, between mass selection and within family selection was compared by computer simulation methods. A 20-locus additive model was used to simulate a quantitative trait under selection. It was assumed that 50–75 percent of the genetic variance in the base population was controlled by four major genes initially at low frequencies.
Cloud properties and radiative forcing over the maritime storm tracks of the Southern Ocean and North Atlantic derived from A-Train

[1] Annually averaged cloud properties, cloud radiative effects, and cloud radiative heating from 20° × 20° latitude-longitude regions in the Southern Ocean (50°S, 135°W) and the North Atlantic (55°N, 25°W) are compared using quantities derived from measurements collected by active and passive remote sensors in the NASA A-Train. The algorithm suite used to infer cloud properties along the nadir track of the CloudSat and CALIPSO satellites takes input from the cloud boundaries from the merged active remote sensors, radar reflectivity from CloudSat, liquid water path derived from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer on Aqua, optical depth derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on Aqua, and top-of-atmosphere (TOA) fluxes measured by the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System. Errors in annually averaged cloud radiative effect are estimated to range from approximately 5 to 10 W m−2 and heating rate uncertainties range from 0.5 to 2 K day−1. The study regions demonstrate a high degree of similarity in cloud occurrence statistics, in cloud properties, and in the radiative effects of the clouds. Both regions are dominated by a background state of boundary layer clouds (mean liquid water path ∼150 g m−2). Boundary layer clouds and cirrus (mean ice water path ∼100 g m−2) occurring either alone or together amount to approximately 75% of all clouds. Deeper frontal clouds amount to 10%–12% of the coverage. A strong net TOA cooling effect is partitioned between solar cooling of the surface and IR cooling of the atmosphere that is dominated by the ubiquitous boundary layer clouds. It is shown that regimes inferred according to their cloud top pressure and optical depth are often dominated by multiple hydrometeor layers and therefore defy simple classification. Because of this vertical distribution, hydrometeor-induced heating is distributed within the atmosphere in a different way than would be inferred from passive remote-sensing data considered alone.
High Growth Rate of Epitaxial Silicon-Carbon Alloys by High-Order Silane Precursor and Chemical Vapor Deposition

The growth of epitaxial strained silicon-carbon alloys are of great interest for use in the source-drain regions of MOSFETs to induce tensile strain in channel regions to enhance electron carrier mobility. In this work, the growth of epitaxial Si1-yCy alloys by chemical vapor deposition with high substitutional carbon fractions (y~1.8%) and extremely high growth rates at 575degC (~20nm/min) are reported. The high growth rates are enabled by a novel high-order silane (HOS) silicon precursor
Capacity related characteristics of Glyco-Gel affinity chromatographic support.

We examined capacity related properties of “Glyco-Gel” (Pierce), a boronate agarose gel for separating and measuring glycated proteins by affinity chromatography. Our data indicate linear capacity to as much as 20 mg as applied hemoglobin or almost 10 mg as bound hemoglobin and 26 mg as applied serum proteins or a minimum of 2.5 mg as bound serum protein for each mL of gel. The capacity and affinity of the support for glycated proteins becomes optimum only after four regeneration cycles. The support matrix appears to have a small concentration of nonspecific binding sites equivalent to 0.09 to 0.18 mg as serum protein for each mL of gel. These sites do not bind hemoglobin. They lead to an overestimation of glycated protein that can cause large errors when the proportion of glycated protein is determined with small column loads. If near capacity loads are applied, the samples must be dialyzed or diluted to avoid decreased analytical recovery resulting from competitive and eluting properties of endogenous sugars.
Long-term toxicology and carcinogenicity of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol.

Abstract Carcinogenesis bioassays were conducted by giving 2,4,6-trichlorophenol [2,4,6-TCP] in feed to groups of 50 male and female Fischer rats and male B6C3F1 mice for two years. Dietary concentrations were 0 [20/group], 5000 [0.5%], or 10,000 [1%] ppm. Female mice began with 10,000 and 20,000 ppm but after 38 weeks were lowered due to reduced body weights to 2500 and 5000 ppm for 67 weeks; exposures averaged 5200 and 10,400 ppm. Adverse effects at two years were leukocytosis and monocytosis of peripheral blood and hyperplasia of bone marrow in both sexes of rats. In mice, liver toxicity, including individual liver cell abnormalities, focal areas of cellular alteration, and focal and nodular areas of hyperplasia were commonly present. Regarding carcinogenic activity, TCP caused leukemias/lymphomas in male rats, and possibly in female rats and female mice as well, and induced liver tumors in male and female mice. Using NTP categories of evidence indicates ‘clear evidence of carcinogenicity’ for male rats [hematopoietic system tumors]; ‘equivocal evidence of carcinogenicity’ for female rats [hematopoietic system tumors]; ‘clear evidence of carcinogenicity’ for male and female mice [liver tumors].
Factors Influencing Receipt of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Among Veterans Following Lower Extremity Amputation

Abstract Zhou J, Bates BE, Kurichi JE, Kwong PL, Xie D, Stineman MG. Factors influencing receipt of outpatient rehabilitation services among veterans following lower extremity amputation. Objective To determine patient-, treatment-, and facility-level characteristics associated with receiving outpatient rehabilitation services after lower extremity amputation within the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. Design Observational study. Setting All Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs). Participants Veterans (N=4165) with lower extremity amputation discharged from VAMCs between October 1, 2002, and September 20, 2004. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Receipt of outpatient rehabilitation services up to 1 year postdischarge. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval of veterans to receive outpatient services. Results Sixty-five percent of veterans with lower extremity amputation received outpatient services. Older veterans, patients admitted for surgical amputation from extended care rather than transferred from another hospital, and those with transfemoral and/or bilateral rather than unilateral transtibial amputations were less likely to receive outpatient services. Those with serious comorbidities and those who had procedures for acute central nervous system disorders, active cardiac pathology, serious nutritional compromise, and severe renal disease during the surgical hospitalization less often initiated outpatient care. Patients who received inpatient consultative rehabilitation compared with inpatient specialized rehabilitation, and who were treated in the Northeast compared with the Southeast less often initiated outpatient care. Finally, those discharged to home or other locations rather than extended care had an initial increased likelihood of receiving outpatient service, but by 180 days postdischarge those discharged to extended care were more likely to initiate outpatient services. Conclusions Both clinical characteristics and types of rehabilitation services received appear to influence the receipt of outpatient rehabilitation services. Geographic location also affected the receipt of outpatient rehabilitation, suggesting that care patterns are not standardized across the nation.
Early Removal of Weak-Binding Adsorbates by Kinetic Separation

When a surface is exposed to a binary mixture of gases at the same partial pressures, it is expected that the species that binds to it more strongly will occupy a higher percentage of the surface due to its preferential adsorption. However, that is not necessarily the case during the equilibration process because the species with smaller binding adsorbs faster. Here, we demonstrate that a competition based on both binding energies and adsorption rates rules the kinetics of adsorption of a binary mixture on a homogeneous lattice of sites. This generates a selectivity process that has the opposite effect to the one that happens at equilibrium: the early removal of the weaker species by its faster adsorption.
Characterization of solubilized opioid receptors : reconstitution and uncoupling of guanine nucleotide-sensitive agonist binding

: Opioid receptors were solubilized from bovine striatal membranes with the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate-(CHAPS). High concentrations of NaCl (0.5–1.0 M) were necessary to ensure optimal yields, which ranged from 40 to 50% of membrane-bound receptors. This requirement was found to be specific for sodium, with only lithium able to substitute partially, as previously reported for solubilization with digitonin. Opioid antagonists, but not agonists, were able to bind to soluble receptors with high affinity. High-affinity binding of μ, δ, and κ agonists was reconstituted following polyethylene glycol precipitation and resuspension of CHAPS extract. Evidence is presented suggesting that this is the result of inclusion of receptors in liposomes. Competition and saturation studies indicate that the three opioid receptor types retain their selectivity and that they exist in the reconstituted CHAPS extract in a ratio (50:15:35) identical to that in the membranes. In reconstituted CHAPS extract, as in membranes, μ-agonist binding was found to be coupled to a guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), as demonstrated by the sensitivity of [3H][d-Ala2, N-methyl-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin ([3H]DAGO) binding to guanosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS). In the reconstituted CHAPS extract, complete and irreversible uncoupling by GTPγS was observed, whereas membrane-bound receptors were uncoupled only partially. Treatment with GTPγS, at concentrations that uncoupled the μ receptors almost completely, resulted in a fourfold decrease in the Bmax of [3H]DAGO binding with a relatively small change in the KD. Competition experiments showed that the Ki of DAGO against [3H]bremazocine was increased 200-fold. This indicates that the observed decrease in Bmax is due to a reduction in affinity of the uncoupled receptors to a level too low to be measurable, whereas the residual coupled receptors retain high affinity for μ agonists. The methods described should prove useful for opioid receptor purification and reconstitution with G proteins and second messenger systems.
Identity of mononuclear cells which compromise the resistance of trauma patients

The presence of aberrant activation of suppressor T lymphocytes and inhibitory monocytes (o) was examined in the Ficoll-Hypaque-purified mononuclear cells from 18 thermally injured and 20 splenectomy patients. The cells were either depleted of T cells by the E-rosette method in the burn patients or of o by filtration over Sephadex G-10 columns in the splenectomy patients. Undepleted and depleted cells were then examined for their phytohemagglutinin (PHA) response and ability to suppress the “one-way” mixed leukocyte response (MLR) of normal individuals. Undepleted cells from burn patients had depressed PHA responses and gained suppressive activity by 5 to 8 days after injury, suppressing the normal MLR an average of 57.5% compared with only 14.0% suppression by T-depleted cells (P < 0.01). The PHA response of splenectomy patients' cells was markedly depressed to 22% of normal at 12 to 16 days after operation, compared to a supranormal (mean 113%) response after removal of o by filtration (P < 0.01). These data demonstrate the activation of suppressor T cells after thermal injury and an increase in inhibitory monocytes after splenectomy. Such regulatory cells may have a major role in decreasing the immunocompetence of these patients.
Response to Letter to the Editor on: Efficacy of Bracing versus Observation in the Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis (Evid Based Spine Care J 2011;2(2):25-34).

We appreciate the comments from D. Schlenzka and T. Yrjonen. We thank you for your interest in our article. We agree that the article by Mannherz et al does cover a younger age group of patients, but given the difficulty finding prospective follow-up in bracing treatments, it was included as it showed failure in long-term follow-up.1 The illustrative case demonstrates a patient with high compliance in that she was highly motivated to be braced, and continued to wish to be braced, despite earlier advice to the contrary that the brace treatment was failing to maintain the curve. The patient was premenarche at the time of treatment commencement. Continuation of treatment was purely at patient request. In our institution, we have adopted the shared decision-making model for patient consent to treatment.2 All forms of treatment options are discussed with patients. Complications of observation, bracing, and surgical treatment are discussed. The clinician role is to allow patients to make the best individual decisions for their particular circumstances and this does vary between individuals and caregivers. Bracing is offered to patients at our institution, but the scientific evidence to support its use is compounded by the lack of large-scale multicenter and international trials to show that the brace will prevent curve deterioration and/or surgical intervention. We know that there is significant variation in cultural and regional patterns to brace compliance. Greg Houghton, in an article that would be difficult to replicate, placed electrodes within the brace that showed poor compliance.3 Patients often are psychologically affected by brace wearing in that it may turn a disease that is invisible to most visible to the majority. No treatment is without complication, and we need high-quality evidence to support and advocate and mentor patients in the use of any technology and treatment. Current, scientific literature is not as helpful as we would wish it to be in helping patients and caregivers make the best selection of care and decision making for their individual cases. The EBSJ offers a unique opportunity for the development of an appropriate, helpful, and scientifically validated randomized controlled trial in the use of bracing in idiopathic adolescent scoliosis (IAS). I would welcome such a development and an opportunity to help make better, more informed decision making in brace treatment in IAS.
A method to enhance porosity of micro-particles

The nuclear track technique (NTT) is used to enhance the porosity of silica micro-particles. The enhanced porosity is a result of the formation of surface and interior pores or tracks in the silica by the action of external and internal fission fragments. The fission tracks produced at the surface and within the interior of the micro-particles are a result of coating the particles with trace quantitities of uranium, instead of having trace quantities of uranium incorporated within the silica matrix.
Supraglottic laryngeal cancer : Analysis of treatment results

Objective: This study reports the results of treatment for supraglottic laryngeal cancer with nine different treatment modalities with long-term follow-up. Study Design: Retrospective study of 653 patients with supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell cancer treated from April 1955 to January 1999. Methods: The study population included previously untreated patients with cancer of the supraglottic larynx treated with curative intent by one of nine treatment modalities and who were eligible for 5-year follow-up. The treatment modalities included subtotal supraglottic laryngectomy (SSL), SSL with neck dissection (SSL/ND), total laryngectomy (TL), TL/ND, radiation therapy (RT), SSL/RT, SSL/ND/RT, TL/RT, and TL/ND/RT. Multiple diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up parameters were studied using standard statistical analysis to determine significance. Results: None of the nine treatment modalities produced a survival advantage, either overall or within the stages. Overall disease specific survival (DSS) by treatment modality included SSL 88.9%, SSL/ND 75.8%, TL 83.3%, TL/ND 66.7%, RT 47.2%, SSL/RT 68.9%, SSL/ND/RT 68.1%, TL/RT 59.3%, and TL/ND/RT 46.7%. Improved DSS and cumulative disease specific survival rates were associated with patients under the age of 65 years (P = .0001), early stage disease, N0 disease (P = .0001), clear resection margins (P = .0094), and no recurrence (P = .0001). Posttreatment function showed that 90% of patients were functional in everyday life, 90.7% were eating satisfactorily, 91.4% were breathing naturally, and 83% of SSL patients, 85.7% of RT patients, and 52.8% of TL patients had “good” voices. Laryngeal preservation was accomplished in 86.1% of SSL patients and 72.7% of RT patients (P = .0190). Conclusions: No treatment modality produced a survival advantage. Because SSL produced the best rate of laryngeal preservation, we recommend its use in treating the primary in eligible patients. The importance of clear resection margins is stressed. Patients with N+ disease should have the neck treated. Patients with N0 disease may be observed safely with no loss of survival advantage. Because of the pattern of recurrence and the high rates of distant metastasis and second primary cancers, follow-up for a period of not less than 8 years is recommended.
On a block implementation of Hessenberg multishift QR iteration

The usual QR algorithm for finding the eigenvalues of a Hessenberg matrix H is based on vector-vector operations, e.g. adding a multiple of one row to another. The opportunities for parallelism in such an algorithm are limited. In this paper, we describe a reorganization of the QR algorithm to permit either matrix-vector or matrix-matrix operations to be performed, both of which yield more efficient implementations on vector and parallel machines. The idea is to chase a k by k bulge rather than a 1 by 1 or 2 by 2 bulge as in the standard QR algorithm. We report our preliminary numerical experiments on the CONVEX C-1 and CYBER 205 vector machines.
Radiation effects on interface reactions of U/Fe, U/(Fe + Cr), and U/(Fe + Cr + Ni)

We study the effects of radiation damage on interdiffusion and intermetallic phase formation at the interfaces of U/Fe, U/(Fe + Cr), and U/(Fe + Cr + Ni) diffusion couples. Magnetron sputtering is used to deposit thin films of Fe, Fe + Cr, or Fe + Cr + Ni on U substrates to form the diffusion couples. One set of samples are thermally annealed under high vacuum at 450 C or 550 C for one hour. A second set of samples are annealed identically but with concurrent 3.5 MeV Fe++ ion irradiation. The Fe++ ion penetration depth is sufficient to reach the original interfaces. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry analysis with high fidelity spectral simulations is used to obtain interdiffusion profiles, which are used to examine differences in U diffusion and intermetallic phase formation at the buried interfaces. For all three diffusion systems, Fe++ ion irradiations enhance U diffusion. Furthermore, the irradiations accelerate the formation of intermetallic phases. In U/Fe couples, for example, the unirradiated samples show typical interdiffusion governed by Fick’s laws, while the irradiated ones show step-like profiles influenced by Gibbs phase rules.
ESL Students' Attitudes toward Punctuation.

Abstract Punctuation is a surprisingly underexplored area of second language writing and learning. The small body of published literature about punctuation tends to look at ways in which punctuation can be taught. Little is known, except anecdotally, about how English as a second language (ESL) students actually feel about using English punctuation, despite the fact that they must use it frequently if they are writing in English, and may have different notions of how it functions based on its use in their native language. In this paper we report on a survey study of university students’ attitudes toward punctuation in English as a first step toward generating deeper understanding about students’ use of punctuation. The results suggest that students are generally somewhat positive about their use of English punctuation, with some variance in their use of punctuation depending on the writing context at hand.
Death and Divorce— Helping Students Cope in Single-Parent Families

The school is often the most stable environment for young people from sin gle-parent homes. Whether the student has lost a parent to death or divorce, educators must be aware of the student's special needs during what may be a lengthy recovery period.
Intravenous fluid therapy in the prehospital management of hemorrhagic shock: Improved outcome with hypertonic saline/6% Dextran 70 in a swine model

The small quantities of 7.5% hypertonic saline (HTS) in 6% Dextran 70 (DEX 70; Travenol Laboratories, Deerfield, IL) required to produce marked improvement in tissue perfusion may make it an ideal solution for the prehospital management of hypotensive trauma patients. This study shows that the initial treatment of porcine hemorrhagic shock with 7.5% HTS/6% DEX 70 results in significantly improved hemodynamics and higher survival rates than those seen in animals treated with normal saline. These results are very encouraging and dictate the need for evaluation in human trials.
The orthodenticle gene is regulated by bicoid and torso and specifies Drosophila head development

IN the Drosophila embryo, cell fate along the anterior–posterior axis is determined by maternally expressed genes1,2. The activity of the bicoid {bcd) gene is required for the development of larval head and thoracic structures3, and that of maternal torso (tor)1 for the development of the unsegmented region of the head (acron). In contrast to the case of thoracic and abdominal segmentation4,5, the hierarchy of zygotically expressed genes controlling head development has not been clearly defined. The bcd protein, which is expressed in a gradient6, activates zygotic expression of the gap gene hunchback (hb) 7,8, but hb alone is not sufficient to specify head development. Driever et al.9 proposed that at least one other bcd-activated gene controls the development of head regions anterior to the hb domain. We report here that the homeobox gene orthodenticle (otd), which is involved in head development, could be such a gene. We also show that otd expression responds to the activity of the maternal tor gene at the anterior pole of the embryo.
Molecular orbital calculations on substituted carbodiimides

Semi-empirical SCF calculations (INDO) are used to predict barriers to internal motion in substituted carbodiimides. The barriers calculated for dimethylcarbodiimide yield no great surprises and are in excellent agreement with that observed for an alkyl substituted molecule. We also demonstrate, as found for other systems, that a substituent bearing a lone pair of electrons gives considerable nitrogen configurational stability. On the other hand, cyano substitution seems to yield a molecule that is extremely flexible with essentially no barrier to internal rotation or inversion.
Specificity of iminodipeptidase: Effect of alterations in in the pyrrolidine ring of l-prolylglycine

Abstract 1. 1. The relative rates of hydrolysis by iminodipeptidase of swine kidney are: l -prolylglycine 0.64 ± 0.02, hydroxy- l -prolylglycine 1.00 ± 0.06, allohydroxy- l -prolylglycine 0.79 ± 0.04, and methoxy- l -prolylglycine 1.33 ± 0.21. It is, therefore, concluded that alteration at the 4-position of the pyrrolidine ring of hydroxy- l -prolylglycine has little effect on the rate of hydrolysis by iminodipeptidase. 2. 2. The synthesis and properties of allohydroxy- l -prolylglycine and methoxy- l -prolylglycine are described.
Predictive Validity of the Graduate Record Examination Advanced Psychology Test for Graduate Grades

The purposes of this study were to investigate the predictive validity of the GRE Advanced Psychology Test and to assess the effects of program area on the relationship between test scores and students' grades. Test scores were significantly correlated with grades for the entire sample of 293 (r = .41, p < .01) but did not predict grades similarly for all program areas. The correlations obtained for each program area were .10 (n = 95) for clinical psychology, .56 (n = 71, p < .01) for counseling psychology, .39 (n = 58, p < .01) for school psychology, and .48 (n = 69, p < .01) for general/experimental psychology.
Nonlinearity in the generation of antidromic activity during evoked cortical activity

Abstract The occurrence probability of antidromic activity propagated to the lateral geniculate body of decerebrate cats was examined as a function of the amplitude of the postsynaptic portion of the evoked response in striate cortex. With increasing amplitude of the evoked cortical response there was an abrupt increase in antidromic activity recorded in the geniculate. Further increase in amplitude did not, however, increase the probability of detectable antidromic activity. These findings suggest that the precise geometry of an extracellular potential field as well as local factors at the terminal branches of afferent fibers determine the probability of antidromic invasion of those fibers.
Conjugation of fatty acids to DDT in the rat: Possible mechanism for retention

Palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic fatty acid conjugates of DDT were retained in vivo in livers and spleens of male and female rats given chronic i.p. injections of DDT. These DDT fatty acid conjugates could also be produced in vitro in a rat liver coenzyme A fortified microsomal system using the DDT hydroxylated metabolite DDOH as the substrate. The phenomenon of fatty acid conjugation to DDT may be a mechanism by which it is retained in the body and ultimately exerts its toxic effect.
Crawling Credible Online Medical Sentiments for Social Intelligence

Social intelligence derived from Health 2.0 content has become of significant importance for various applications, including post-marketing drug surveillance, competitive intelligence, and to assess health-related opinions and sentiments. However, the volume, velocity, variety, and quality of online health information present challenges, necessitating enhanced facilitation mechanisms for medical social computing. In this study, we propose a focused crawler for online medical content. The crawler leverages enhanced credibility and context information. An extensive evaluation was performed against several comparison methods, on an online Health 2.0 test bed encompassing millions of pages. The results revealed that the proposed method was able to collect relevant content with considerably higher precision and recall rates than comparison methods, on content associated with medical websites, forums, blogs, and social networking sites. Furthermore, an example was used to illustrate the usefulness of the crawler for accurately representing online drug sentiments. Overall, the results have important implications for social computing, where a high-quality data and information foundation are imperative to the success of any overlying social intelligence initiative.
A multilocus approach to assessing co-evolutionary relationships between Steinernema spp. (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) and their bacterial symbionts Xenorhabdus spp. (γ-Proteobacteria: Enterobacteriaceae)

Nematodes of the genus Steinernema Travassos, 1927 (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) and their associated bacteria, Xenorhabdus spp. (γ-Proteobacteria), are an emergent model of terrestrial animal-microbe symbiosis. Interest in this association initially arose out of their potential as biocontrol agents against insect pests, but, despite advances in their field application and the growing popularity of this model system, relatively little has been published to uncover the evolutionary facets of this beneficial partnership. This study adds to the body of knowledge regarding nematode-bacteria symbiosis by proposing a possible scenario for their historical association in the form of a cophylogenetic hypothesis. Topological and likelihood based testing methods were employed to reconstruct a history of association between 30 host-symbiont pairs and to gauge the level of similarity between their inferred phylogenetic patterns.
Pairwise curve synchronization for functional data

SUMMARY Data collected by scientists are increasingly in the form of trajectories or curves. Often these can be viewed as realizations of a composite process driven by both amplitude and time variation. We consider the situation in which functional variation is dominated by time variation, and develop a curve-synchronization method that uses every trajectory in the sample as a reference to obtain pairwise warping functions in the first step. These initial pairwise warping functions are then used to create improved estimators of the underlying individual warping functions in the second step. A truncated averaging process is used to obtain robust estimation of individual warping functions. The method compares well with other available time-synchronization approaches and is illustrated with Berkeley growth data and gene expression data for multiple sclerosis.
Crystallography, anisotropic metamagnetism, and magnetocaloric effect in Tb5Si2.2Ge1.8

The metamagnetic-like transitions and giant magnetocaloric effect were observed with the magnetic field applied parallel to the $a$ and $c$ axes, but not the $b$ axis in a ${\mathrm{Tb}}_{5}{\mathrm{Si}}_{2.2}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{1.8}$ single crystal. The in situ x-ray powder diffraction study indicates that these metamagnetic-like transitions are coupled to crystallographic phase transformations occurring via strong magnetoelastic interactions. The magnetocrystalline anisotropy plays an important role in this system. Magnetic fields less than $40\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kOe}$ cannot drive either the magnetic or the crystallographic phase transition to completion for ${\mathrm{Tb}}_{5}{\mathrm{Si}}_{2.2}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{1.8}$ powder due to the strong single ion anisotropy of Tb.
Rare Gas Light Sources for the Vacuum Ultraviolet

Microwave-excited emission continua in rare gas (Xe, Kr, Ar) discharges have been investigated with respect to their suitability for photoelectric and photographic detection, order separation, and production of wavelength standards in the vacuum ultraviolet. A differential pumping system for use with the argon emission continuum has been developed. Absorption spectra of the following molecules are included here as examples of the usefulness of these radiation sources: O2, N2, CO2, C2H2, H2, and CO.
Donor clusters in silicon. Results of ESR measurements

Measurements of ESR spectra of Si:P and Si:As samples with donor concentrations in the range 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{16}$/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ to 9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{17}$/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ have been obtained in the range 1.4-16 K at 9.5 GHz. The higher temperature $\frac{d{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}}{\mathrm{dH}}$ spectra were integrated to obtain ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}(N,T,H)$. The experimental results and simulated spectra based on Poisson statistics, but neglecting cluster topological effects and cluster-cluster interactions, are not in good agreement and demonstrate the problems in using peak heights of the central pair line or triad lines to determine cluster statistics. However, Poisson statistics predictions for the ratio of the integrated intensity of the outer lines to the total integrated intensity are shown to be obeyed and determine the characteristic ${V}_{c}$ for cluster formation. ${V}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}8.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{3}$ for Si:P and 5.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{3}$ for Si:As. A search on a 2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{17}$/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ Si:P sample outside the isolated donor transitions for the $\frac{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5A}{6}$ hyperfine transitions ($A$ is the Fermi contact hyperfine constant) of the upper $S=\frac{1}{2}$ state of donor triads predicted by Shimizu has revealed very weak extra "bumps" in $\frac{d{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}}{\mathrm{dH}}$ at ${H}_{0}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}35.5$G in good agreement with Shimizu's prediction. However, the intensity of these "bumps" is very much weaker than expected neglecting topological effects and cluster-cluster interactions. An analysis of the many-electron hyperfine interaction based on a linear combination of Slater determinants is given and applied to the donor triad case. The results are shown to agree with Shimizu's results when overlap terms are neglected. Monte Carlo calculations on donor clusters have yielded the topological distribution function $P(\ensuremath{\theta})$ [$tan(2\ensuremath{\theta})=\sqrt{3}\frac{({J}_{\mathrm{bc}}\ensuremath{-}{J}_{\mathrm{ac}})}{({2J}_{\mathrm{ab}}\ensuremath{-}{J}_{\mathrm{bc}}\ensuremath{-}{J}_{\mathrm{ac}})}$] for donor triads and demonstrate it is sharply peaked about $\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\approx}0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$. The role of cluster-cluster interactions on the ESR spectrum of ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}(N,T,H)$ is considered and these interactions are discussed for donor triads.
Thermal degenerate rearramement of 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane iron tricarbonyl

Abstract Vapor phase pyrolysis of bis -1,2-(dideuteriomethylene) cyclobutane iron tricarbonyl at 170° resulted in hydrogen scrambling. Degradation of the rearrangement product indicated that either one exomethylene group was exchanging with one ring methylene or hydrogens were being reversibly transferred from the ring carbons to the exocyclic ones. Mechanisms that would explain either possibility involve the intermediacy of a sigma bonded iron with a π-allyl ligand.
One hundred consecutive laparoscopic cholangiograms. Results and conclusions.

Background: In 100 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the feasibility, reliability, and cost of routine laparoscopic cholangiography were prospectively studied. Methods: Fluoroscopic cholangiograms with multiple exposures were successfully completed in all patients in an average time of 6.9 min. Results: Twenty-one percent were abnormal, and 15 common duct stones and 6 significant anatomic anomalies detected. Thirteen out of 15 patients with common duct stones had preoperative suspicion of common duct stones. Two out of 15 were completely unsuspected. The average cost of cholangiography was $768, and there were no complications related to the procedure. There were no false interpretations. Conclusions: When compared with selective preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), routine laparoscopic cholangiography is safer, more accurate, and less costly, and may have the added benefit of potentially reducing iatrogenic injuries in patients with anatomic variations. Routine laparoscopic cholangiography should be considered by all surgeons.
Developmental matching and the numerical matching hypothesis for neuronal cell death

Abstract The nervous system contains some of the most precisely matching cell populations in an organism. It appears that a variety of ontogenetic buffer mechanisms ensure that precise matching develops reproducibly in all nervous systems. Selective cell death—one such neural ontogenetic buffer mechanism—operates by natural selection. Our mathematical model of matching by natural selection allows a detailed analysis of Hamburger's (1975) unique neuronal cell counts for the chick limb motor systems. We conclude that the numerical matching hypothesis is not a sufficient explanation for neuronal cell death—i.e., the excess neurons of the chick spinal motor column must have an additional developmental role besides ensuring numerical parity in the final neuro-muscular matching populations.
Increasing patient engagement: patients' responses to viewing problem lists online.

Objective: To characterize the opinions, emotions, and actions taken by patients who viewed their electronic problem list via an online personal health record (PHR). Materials and Methods: An online survey of patients who viewed their problem lists, as maintained by their healthcare provider, in a web-based PHR linked to an electronic health record for the first time. Results: A total 3,649 patients completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 42.1%. Patient attitudes towards the problem list function were positive overall, with 90.4% rating it at least somewhat useful and 86.7% reporting they would probably or definitely use it again. Nearly half (45.6%) of patients identified at least one major or minor problem missing from their list. After viewing the list, 56.1% of patients reported taking at least one action in response, with 32.4% of patients reporting that they researched a condition on the Internet, 18.3% reported that they contacted their healthcare provider and 16.7% reported changing or planning to change a health behavior (patients could report multiple actions). 64.7% of patients reported feeling at least somewhat happy while viewing their problem list, though others reported feeling sad (30.4%), worried (35.7%) or scared (23.8%) (patients could report multiple emotions). A smaller number of patients reported feeling angry (16.6%) or ashamed (14.3%). Patients who experienced an emotional response were more likely to take action. Conclusion: Overall, patients found the ability to view their problem lists very useful and took action in response to the information. However, some had negative emotions. More research is needed into optimal strategies for supporting patients receiving this information.
The effect of stimulus and response meaningfulness when response availability is equated

Summary The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of stimulus-M and response-M on paired-associate learning when the low- and high-M responses are made equally available. The procedure for equating response availability consisted of learning the response items in random serial order to a criterion of complete free recall. Immediately following the criterial trial, S learned a list of paired associates by the method of anticipation. Preliminary Experiments A and B were concerned with some basic effects of item-learning. The results of Experiment A showed that item-learning under conditions of free recall does not affect the relative M values of low- and high-M items. Experiment B showed that low- and high-M items are equally available in short-term retention despite the fact that low-M items are acquired in free-recall learning at a much slower rate than high-M items. The main experiment compared the acquisition of Lo-Lo, Lo-Hi, Hi-Lo and Hi-Hi lists with and without prior response-learning. A different group of 11 Ss was assigned to each of the eight conditions. These main predictions concerning the effects of prior item-learning were derived from the two-stage analysis of associative learning: (1) prior item learning should facilitate acquisition of all four lists; (2) when stimulus-M is constant, pairs comprised of Hi M and Lo M responses should not differ in ease of learning; (3) when response-M is constant, pairs with Hi M stimuli should be acquired more rapidly than pairs with Lo M stimuli; (4) the difference in performance for the pairs which differ in stimulus M should be localized in the associative stage of learning. Analyses were performed of the trials to criterion, trials to first response occurrence regardless of placement, and the difference between the trial of initial response occurrence and first correct pairing. Only the first prediction given above was supported. The results were discussed as they relate to the two-stage analysis of associative learning.
Algebraic algorithms in GF(q)

Abstract This talk reports on joint work with R. Loos (Univ. Karlsruhe) on algebraic algorithms for computing in large Galois Fields GF(q) with q = pn where p is the characteristic of the field and may be arbitrarily large. This work is materialized by a module of algorithms implemented in the ALDES/SAC2 computer algebra system, which will be available with the next release of this system.
Logit discrete choice model: a new distribution-free justification

According to decision making theory, if we know the user’s utility $${U_i=U(s_i)}$$of all possible alternatives s i , then we can uniquely predict the user’s preferences. In practice, we often only know approximate values $${V_i\approx U_i}$$of the user’s utilities. Based on these approximate values, we can only make probabilistic predictions of the user’s preferences. It is empirically known that in many real-life situations, the corresponding probabilities are described by a logit model, in which the probability p i of selecting the alternative s i is equal to $${p_i=e^{\beta\cdot V_i}/\sum_{j=1}^n e^{\beta\cdot V_j}}$$. There exist many theoretical explanations of this empirical formula, some of these explanations led to a 2000 Nobel prize. However, it is known that the logit formula is empirically valid even when the assumptions behind the existing justifications do not hold. To cover such empirical situations, it is therefore desirable to provide a new distribution-free justification of the logit formula. Such a justification is provided in this paper.
Phonon Boltzmann Equation and Second Sound in Solids

It has been suggested that two types of second sound, "drifting" and "driftless," are possible in dielectric crystals. The conditions for the existence of these two types of second sound are obtained, both from a heuristic analysis of the problem and from an exact solution of the complete linearized Boltzmann equation. The exact solution is given in terms of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the collision matrix, with the effects of normal processes, umklapp processes, and imperfections included. It is shown that to get drifting second-sound normal-process scattering must dominate so that crystal momentum is approximately conserved; while to get driftless second sound, the scattering must be such that a uniform energy flux will decay exponentially. These conditions for the two types of second sound are not mutually exclusive. It is found that normal-process scattering need not dominate for second sound to exist; but that only when it does dominate, is second sound likely to be observable. The relaxation times for both types of second sound are shown to be the same and equal to the reciprocal of smallest nonzero eigenvalue of the collision matrix. An expression is given for a lower limit on this relaxation time.
Dynamic Contact of a Rigid Sphere With an Elastic Half-Space: A Numerical Simulation

A numerical simulation is performed to investigate the development of forces between a rigid sphere and an elastic half-space during normal, dynamic contact in the absence of friction. Of interest is to quantify the magnitude of forces that arise and to identify any sources of hysteresis between approach and separation, the latter being associated with energy dissipation. In the simulation a rigid sphere approaches and separates from an isotropic, linearly elastic half-space at a prescribed, constant speed. Surface forces are incorporated in the model by ascribing a surface interaction potential derived from the Lennard-Jones 6-12 intermolecular potential. Dynamical equations of motion for the interface are integrated numerically during the approach-separation event. During the approach phase, it is found that the magnitude of adhesive force is generally consistent with well-known static-equilibrium based analytical models (e.g., DMT and JKR), depending upon the strength of the interaction potential. However, during separation, the attractive force computed in this dynamic simulation may be several times higher than the predictions of the analytical models. Additionally, the maximum compressive forces attained during the contact process far exceed the predictions of Hertzian contact theory. The discrepancy between results of this simulation and those of the static-equilibrium analytical and numerical models indicate that dynamic interactions play a significant role in determining the development of contact forces. Moreover, dynamic effects persist even when the approach-separation speed of the sphere is small compared to the dilatation and shear wave speeds of the half-space.