cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The differential analyzer as an active mathematical instrument

The essential role played by amplification and control in the successful development of the differential analyzer is described. This first occurred in 1930 with the introduction of the capstan torque amplifier in Vannevar Bush's largely mechanical form, and then in 1947 with the use of the voltage operational amplifier in an electronic embodiment that was called an electronic analog computer. Certain essential components and features of both machines are outlined and contrasted, highlighting how the fast all-electronic machine best exemplifies the distinctive benefits attending the evolution from mostly mechanical to fully electronic implementation. >
Behavior change strategies for increasing condom use

Abstract The only sure method of preventing the spread of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is to stop transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus-type 1). Laboratory studies have shown that the use of condoms during sexual behavior prevents transmission of HIV. This paper explores/actors that influence condom use in response to AIDS including the role of information, perceived risk, attitudes about condom use, self-efficacy, and social support. Behavior change strategies at both the community and individual level are evaluated.
Maximum and minimum principle in potential scattering

Representations for the tangent of the scattering phase shift are obtained, in which it appears as the maximum of an explicitly known functionaland the minimum of another (explicitly known) functional. Similar representations may be used to evaluate the energies of bound states.
Towards lightweight structural computing techniques with the SmallSC framework

Since 1997 a significant amount of research has been conducted on the topic of structural computing, leading to the creation of several structural computing systems. Unfortunately, many of these systems require a considerable amount of infrastructure making it difficult for these systems to be used by anyone except their original developers. This situation has hindered the adoption of structural computing techniques by researchers outside of the structural computing field. This paper reports on an effort to create an extensible data model that embodies some of the lessons learned from structural computing research while also being packaged in such a way to enable its easy adoption. We report on how we have used this model in three separate systems and discuss ways in which the model can be enhanced in the future. The paper ends with a call to the structural computing community to form a working group that can help manage an open source release of the SmallSC framework, ensuring that new features added to the framework are ones that the community deems representative of structural computing technology.
The Outcomes of Obese Patients in Critical Care

The severity and prevalence of obesity continue to rise throughout the world. A similar rise in the prevalence of obesity is seen in the population of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). In the ICU setting, nearly every aspect of care is made more difficult by obesity. This review highlights the challenges in the care of obese ICU patients. Multiple statistical reviews have suggested improved outcomes for obese ICU patients. This article critically evaluates published outcome studies and highlights potential confounders that may result in misleading results. Body mass index (BMI) has been traditionally used to stratify risk in obese populations. Other factors that may be more predictive of poor outcomes in obese populations are further discussed. Further research in these factors has the potential to guide therapy in high-risk critically ill obese populations.
Relatedness with teachers and peers during early adolescence: An integrated variable-oriented and person-oriented approach

The primary aims of the present longitudinal study were to examine (a) patterns of early transition relatedness with teachers and peers in 6th grade, (b) whether pre-transition behavior in 5th grade predicted early transition relatedness in 6th grade, and (c) how unique indicators of early transition relatedness with teachers and peers and patterns of early transition relatedness were associated with school adjustment among 383 rural, lower- to middle-class, White youth. Results suggest that behavioral characteristics in elementary school may contribute to early transition patterns of relatedness with teachers and peers in middle school. Findings also indicate that having a pattern of poor relationships with the primary social partners in the school context is negatively associated with adjustment above and beyond the independent indicators of relatedness. Implications for school practice are discussed.
Computational micro-mechanical model of flexible woven fabric for finite element impact simulation

This work presents a computational material model of flexible woven fabric for finite element impact analysis and simulation. The model is implemented in the non-linear dynamic explicit finite element code LSDYNA. The material model derivation utilizes the micro-mechanical approach and the homogenization technique usually used in composite material models. The model accounts for reorientation of the yarns and the fabric architecture. The behaviour of the flexible fabric material is achieved by discounting the shear moduli of the material in free state, which allows the simulation of the trellis mechanism before packing the yarns. The material model is implemented into the LSDYNA code as a user defined material subroutine. The developed model and its implementation is validated using an experimental ballistic test on Kevlar woven fabric. The presented validation shows good agreement between the simulation utilizing the present material model and the experiment. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Different mechanisms govern the two-phase Brust-Schiffrin dialkylditelluride syntheses of Ag and Au nanoparticles.

Here we report the first unambiguous identification of the chemical structures of the precursor species involving metal (Au and Ag) ions and Te-containing ligands in the Brust–Schiffrin syntheses of the respective metal nanoparticles, through which the different reaction pathways involved are delineated.
Microscopic thrombi in glioblastoma multiforme do not predict the development of deep venous thrombosis

Patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are known to be at risk for hypercoagulable events. Tumoral intravascular thrombi likely contribute to the development of hypoxia and necrosis. The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is a relationship between the number of thrombi identified microscopically at the time of tumor resection and the subsequent development of extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A retrospective review of 96 patients (53 men and 43 women; age range, 21-92 years; mean age, 60.2 years) with GBM (World Health Organization grade IV) was carried out. Thrombi were counted (number of thrombi/blood vessels evaluated/10 high-power fields) in nonnecrotic areas of the resected tumor and correlated with a variety of clinical and pathological parameters, including the development of postoperative DVT, as detected by extremity ultrasound. Thrombi were identified in the resected GBM in 66 (69%) patients. Of the tumors with thrombi, the percentage of blood vessels with thrombi ranged from 1.1% to 42.9% (mean, 10.7%). Deep venous thrombosis was discovered in 30 (31.3%) patients. There was no correlation between the number of microscopic thrombi and the development of DVT. Eighty-one patients died of tumor (survival, 1-66 months; mean, 11.0 months), 12 patients were alive at last known follow-up (mean, 23 months), and 3 patients were lost to follow-up. Of patients with DVT, 27 patients died of tumor (survival, 1-47 months; mean, 11.0 months), 3 patients were alive (18, 20, and 21 months), and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. There was no correlation between the number of microscopic thrombi and the percentage of resected tumor that was necrotic (range, <5%-90%), presence of palisaded necrosis (36.8% of tumors), presurgical (mean, 78.3) or postsurgical (mean, 75.5) Karnofsky performance scores, or survival (mean, 8.9 months in patients with no microscopic thrombi vs 11.5 months in patients with thrombi). Microscopic thrombi were identified in about two thirds (69%) of patients with GBM, and DVT developed in about one third (31.3%) of patients with GBM. There was no correlation between the number of microscopic thrombi and the subsequent development of DVT in patients with GBM. Patients who developed DVT did not appear to have a worse survival.
Patient and observer ratings of physician shared decision making behaviors in breast cancer consultations.

Abstract Objective Explore the validity of using patient reports to measure shared decision making (SDM). Methods 178 patients diagnosed with breast cancer obtained SDM assistance in a university-based clinic. Trained observers rated physician SDM behaviors and surveyed patients. We calculated the frequency with which patients and observers reported maximum SDM behaviors for each survey item. We also calculated agreement frequency between patients and observers. Results Over 90% of patients rated doctors as reflecting SDM competencies. Patients reported doctors making recommendations more than soliciting their preferred choice (90% vs. 69%, p p p =0.002), suggesting a possible agreement bias. Conclusions High agreement supports further investigation into using patients as efficient and effective raters of SDM. Patient ratings may be inflated by agreement bias. Practice implications Doctors presentations may be biased toward discussing benefits more than risks. Policy makers can solicit patient ratings of SDM as long as they are aware of possibly inflated ratings due to agreement bias.
Cell phone recycling experiences in the United States and potential recycling options in Brazil.

Abstract This paper presents an overview of cell phone recycling programs currently available in the United States. At the same time, it also provides analyses of the current recycling situation and possible recycling alternatives for Brazil. Although there are several recycling options in the United States, collection rates are still only 10% of all potential devices because customers are not aware of these possibilities. The whole system is financially based on reselling refurbished cell phones and recycled materials to developing countries which represent an effective and strong market. Several recyclers offer funds to collection partners who are either charities or who work with charities while obtaining the materials that they need in order to run their operations. A mobile phone recycling system for Brazil considering the United States experience and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle is suggested. A deposit/refund/advance-recycling fee is proposed which might be implemented as a voluntary industrial initiative managed by PRO Brazil, a producer responsibility organization. One widespread public–private agreement will integrate all mobile phone stakeholders, and environmental education actions and promotional events will promote citizen’s participation.
Effect of nanofluids on the readability of RFID tags

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is becoming increasingly popular in the area of supply chain management, to track and record shipments in retail and manufacturing industries. This paper focuses on the readability of RFID tags in the presence of various nanofluids at different concentrations on a conveyor belt which is a typical packaging environment. Several variables tested in this experiment were different types of nanofluids at several concentrations, different speeds of the conveyor. Antenna type, and the distance of the tag from the antenna were kept constant throughout the experiment. The data was analyzed using nested factorial design to examine the significance of the main factors.
Two-Position Micro Latching Mechanism Requiring a Single Actuator

The Two-Position Micro Latching Mechanism (MLM) requiring a Single Actuator is presented in this paper. In contrast to the two positions of a bistable mechanism resulting from potential energy curves, the MLM remains in its second position as a result of mechanical interference between a slider and flexible beams. For the MLM, restoration energy and forces are supplied from an external source, either the actuator, an active load, or both. The MLM has two positions — locked and unlocked. The unlocked position is the manufactured position, where no loads are present. Once the mechanism is locked, it is held by mechanical interference in a second position and can resist forces opposite the input direction. Testing showed that the MLM functions as intended and demonstrated that the MLM is capable of being actuated on-chip with a single actuator. The unique characteristics of the MLM suggest that it has a potential for use in numerous MEMS applications where two positions are required.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
The medal recipient

LEONID ALEXANDER UMANSKY was born in Nikolaiev, Russia, an industrial and shipbuilding town, on July 23, 1890. His father was a mechanical engineer, and some of his forebears, including a grandfather who pioneered the coal mining industry in southern Russia, were engaged in one form or another of industrial activity. After the usual boyhood training in what we call the elementary and high schools, he enrolled as a student of electrical engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of St. Petersburg from whence he graduated in 1915.
Realizing the unreal: Dharmakīrti’s theory of yogic perception

The Buddhist epistemologist Dharmakīrti (fl. ca. 7th century C.E.) developed a theory of yogic perception that achieved much influence among Buddhist thinkers in India and Tibet. His theory includes an odd problem: on Dharmakīrti’s view, many of the paradigmatic objects of the adept’s meditations do not really exist. How can one cultivate a meditative perception of the nonexistent? This ontological difficulty stems from Dharmakīrti’s decision to construe the Four Noble Truths as the paradigmatic objects of yogic perception. For him, this ontological problem manifests in an epistemological corollary: “impermanence” (anityatā) and other features of the Noble Truths are conceptual, but the adept’s meditative perception of them must be nonconceptual. How can a nonconceptual cognition apprehend a conceptual object? A key aspect of Dharmakīrti’s theory of concepts provides a solution to this problem. Specifically, Dharmakīrti maintains that a concept, when taken as a mental event, can be considered a particular and thus an object of nonconceptual cognition. Taking this approach, Dharmakīrti downplays the notion that yogic perception is an encounter with real things in the world, in part because it is phenomenally akin to hallucination. Instead, what counts for Dharmakīrti—and what differentiates the adept’s realization from the madman’s hallucination—are the salvific effects induced by the meditative experience.
Reactive aluminum in the vermont soil test

Abstract Determination of Reactive Al by extracting a soil sample with pH 4.8 NH4 OAc (1.25 N acetate) characterizes for northern acid soils the quantity of soil acidity that must be neutralized to meet lime need and also lower the P adsorbing capacity. Extracted Al is used in conjunction with pH in 10 mM CaCl2 to calculate the lime requirement directly. First, the amount of P fertilizer needed is approximated, based on the P intensity (Available P) determined in the same NH4 OAc extract. Then the recommended amount is increased by a P‐fixation factor obtained from the Reactive Al measured, and decreased by a Reserve P factor derived from fluoride extractable P. Unlike a buffer lime requirement method, which predicts lime needed to reach a target pH, the Reactive Al test estimates the quantity of acidity that must be neutralized to prevent fixation of P fertilizer by soil Al and to release P from Al‐bound sources. Attaining a particular target pH is not the primary goal. The Reserve P test measures the am...
Global suppression of protein folding defects and inclusion body formation

Amino acid substitutions at a site in the center of the bacteriophage protein P22 tailspike polypeptide chain suppress temperature-sensitive folding mutations at many sites throughout the chain. Characterization of the intracellular folding and chain assembly process reveals that the suppressors act in the folding pathway, inhibiting the aggregation of an early folding intermediate into the kinetically trapped inclusion body state. The suppressors alone increase the folding efficiency of the otherwise wild-type polypeptide chain without altering the stability or activity of the native state. These amino acid substitutions identify an unexpected aspect of the protein folding grammar--sequences within the chain that carry information inhibiting unproductive off-pathway conformations. Such mutations may serve to increase the recovery of protein products of cloned genes.
Combined Pretemporal and Endovascular Approach to the Cavernous Sinus for the Treatment of Carotid-Cavernous Dural Fistulae: Technical Case Report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous dural fistulae is becoming the prominent treatment modality for these lesions. The intractability of these lesions and their tendency to recur, especially after previous endovascular treatment sessions, exhausts the available routes and tends to present a difficulty in accessing the cavernous sinus. To avoid the risks associated with a direct surgical approach, an alternative, less invasive route to the cavernous sinus using a pretemporal extradural approach is combined with a direct endovascular approach. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 38-year-old woman presented with a history of right visual and ocular symptoms related to a Type D cavernous carotid dural fistula, which was fed by intemal carotid and external carotid branches. The fistula was initially treated with embolization of the external carotid arterial supply. After a transient improvement, the patient's visual acuity worsened. A follow-up angiogram showed the major supply from the intracavernous internal carotid branches and draining through the inferior ophthalmic vein. The transvenous route was not accessible. An attempt to cannulate the intracavernous branches was not successful. The combined pretemporal and endovascular approach was then used. INTERVENTION: The pretemporal extradural region of the superior orbital fissure was exposed. Using microsurgical techniques and Doppler flow guidance, the anterior cavernous sinus was cannulated through the orbital venous drainage channels. Using intraoperative angiography, thrombogenic coils were deployed at the level of the fistula. Intraoperative angiography confirmed complete obliteration of the fistula. CONCLUSION: The combined pretemporal (extradural) and endovascular approach to the cavernous sinus is a less invasive alternative for the treatment of intractable carotid-cavernous dural fistulae.
Divine intimacy and the problem of horrendous evil

The problem of horrendous evil is the problem of reconciling the existence of horrendous evils with the existence of a God that is nevertheless good to individuals. A solution to the problem along the lines of that proposed by Morilyn McCord Adams resolves the problem by appeal to various sorts of intimacy with God on the part of the participants in horrendous evils. One half of the problem concerns the victims of horrendous evils. A second half of the problem of horrendous evil is the same problem for those perpetrators of horrendous evils who also potentially have their lives defeated. The present paper argues not only that the intimacy such an overall strategy appeals to fails to solve the first half of the problem, but also that it makes no progress at all on the second half.
Costs and care: Directing resources to children

While it does not cost a great deal to make a difference in the life of a child living in poverty, that does not mean that they are cheap to care for. To avoid confusion there is a need to distinguish between expenditures on care, marginal costs of care and total cost of care. Expenditures on children are the amounts of money spent on their care. The marginal cost of care is the cost of achieving a specific increase in the level of care. The total cost of care is the cost of providing a given level of care. While much can be said about differences in expenditures and marginal costs, little can be said about differences in total costs. Clearly, expenditures are far greater among the rich, while the marginal impact of additional spending is far greater among the poor. Total costs of care, however, cannot be compared easily because the care itself is not comparable. To compare care requires a definition of care. This article focuses upon this issue and points to the limitations inherent in conceptualizing as...
Timing Successive Product Introductions with Demand Diffusion and Stochastic Technology Improvement

This paper considers a firms decisions on the introduction timing for successive product generations. We examine the case where a firm introduces multiple generations of a durable product for which demand is characterized by a demand diffusion process. Under fixed introduction costs, we consider the case where available product technology improves stochastically. As such, delaying introduction to a later date may lead to the capture of further technology improvements, potentially at the cost of slowing sales for the existing product (and a decline in market potential for the product to be introduced, given our focus on durable products). We specify a state-based model of demand diffusion and construct a decision model to solve the firms introduction timing problem. By incorporating technology improvement in our model, we prove the optimality of a state-dependent threshold policy governing the firms product-introduction decisions. Numerical analysis reveals the influence of key model parameters on the pace of product introduction. Our model helps to explain the product-introduction behavior of firms and provides an alternative to previous explanations of IBMs introduction timing decisions for successive generations of its mainframe computers.
Gene transfection of Toxoplasma gondii using PEI/DNA polyplexes

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of using cationic polyethylenimine (PEI) to deliver green fluorescent protein (GFP) to protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. PEI/DNA polyplexes were formed using branched PEI and pEGFP-N1 plasmid with various N/P ratios that ranged from 5 to 50. With the increment of N/P ratio, the average size of formed PEI/DNA polyplexes determined by dynamic light scattering analysis decreased from 306 to 203 nm, while the surface charge of polyplexes obtained by zeta potential measurements increased from 20.2 to 36.7 mV. Gene transfection efficiency modulated by N/P ratio was determined, indicating PEI/DNA polyplexes were capable of transfecting parasites. The maximal GFP expression was observed 8 h post-transfection using N/P ratio of 30. To demonstrate the infectivity and potential use of GFP-expressing T. gondii, transfected parasites were inoculated to the monolayer of human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells. GFP-expressing tachyzoites were observed in intracellular milieu of the infected HFF cells one day after the infection. After 12-day culture, the bradyzoites expressing GFP within cysts were clearly visualized extracellularly. Our results revealed that PEI can be harnessed as an effective and inexpensive reagent to construct GFP-expressing T. gondii which has potential uses such as the study of interconversion stages and antimicrobial drug screening.
Cardiovascular genomics: estimating the total number of genes expressed in the human cardiovascular system.

Abstract The number of genes encoded by the human genome has long sought to be determined. With the recent publications of the complete sequence of the human genome, the number of genes encoded by the human genome has now been estimated to be 32 000–38 000. Now the next step will be to determine which of these genes are expressed in a given cell, tissue or organ. Using three unique approaches taking advantage of our current cardiovascular EST database and the complete nucleotide sequence of human chromosomes 21 and 22 as well as cDNA microarray hybridization, we estimate that between 20 930–27 160 genes are expressed in the cardiovascular system.
Pediatric regional anesthesia network (PRAN): A multi-institutional study of the use and incidence of complications of pediatric regional anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia is increasingly used in pediatric patients to provide postoperative analgesia and to supplement intraoperative anesthesia. The Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Network was formed to obtain highly audited data on practice patterns and complications and to facilitate collaborative research in regional anesthetic techniques in infants and children. METHODS: We constructed a centralized database to collect detailed prospective data on all regional anesthetics performed by anesthesiologists at the participating centers. Data were uploaded via a secure Internet connection to a central server. Data were rigorously audited for accuracy and errors were corrected. All anesthetic records were scrutinized to ensure that every block that was performed was captured in the database. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were tracked until their resolution. Blocks were categorized by type and as single- injection or catheter (continuous) blocks. RESULTS: A total of 14,917 regional blocks, performed on 13,725 patients, were accrued from April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2010. There were no deaths or complications with sequelae lasting >3 months (95% CI 0–2:10,000). Single- injection blocks had fewer adverse events than continuous blocks, although the most frequent events (33% of all events) in the latter group were catheter- related problems. Ninety- five percent of blocks were placed while patients were under general anesthesia. Single- injection caudal blocks were the most frequently performed (40%), but peripheral nerve blocks were also frequently used (35%), possibly driven by the widespread use of ultrasound (83% of upper extremity and 69% of lower extremity blocks). CONCLUSIONS: Regional anesthesia in children as commonly performed in the United States has a very low rate of complications, comparable to that seen in the large multicenter European studies. Ultrasound may be increasing the use of peripheral nerve blocks. Multicenter collaborative networks such as the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Network can facilitate the collection of detailed prospective data for research and quality improvement. (Anesth Analg 2012;115: 1353–64)
Effects of myomas or prior myomectomy on in vitro fertilization (IVF) performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the presence of myomas and prior myomectomy on the pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.
Increased incidence of cancer in infants in the U. S.: 1980-1990

BACKGROUND During the decade between 1980-1990, the rate of cancer in children in the U.S. increased. It is unknown whether cancer in infancy, which is biologically and clinically different from cancer in older children, also increased. METHODS To evaluate changes in cancer incidence in infants in the U.S. age < 1 year, data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and the U.S. Bureau of the Census were used to construct age specific, population-based cancer incidence rates. RESULTS Overall, the annual cancer rate in infants increased from 189 cases per million infants between 1979-1981 to 220 between 1989-1991. At both timepoints, female infants had higher cancer rates than male infants. Although the rates for female infants remained stable at 223 between 1979-1981 versus 236 between 1989-1991, rates for male infants increased from 158 to 205 during the same timepoints. Male infants had increased rates of central nervous system (CNS) tumors (P < 0.05), neuroblastoma, and retinoblastoma; female infants had increased rates of teratomas (P < 0.01) and hepatoblastomas. Between 1979-1981, the three most common types of cancer in infants were neuroblastoma, leukemia, and renal tumors (27%, 15%, and 14%, respectively), and were neuroblastoma, CNS tumors, and leukemia between 1989-1991 (27%, 15%, and 13%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the rate of certain types of cancer in infants in the U.S. is increasing. Studies of both genetic and environmental factors are needed to explain these increased rates and the changing distribution of cancer in the first year of life. Cancer 1998;82:1396-400. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Early Childhood Teachers as Socializers of Young Children’s Emotional Competence

Young children’s emotional competence—regulation of emotional expressiveness and experience when necessary, and knowledge of their own and other’s emotions—is crucial for social and academic (i.e., school) success. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanisms of how young children develop emotional competence. Both parents and teachers are considered as important socializers of emotion, providing children experiences that promote or deter the development of emotional competence. However, compared to parents, early childhood teachers’ roles in socializing young children’s emotional competence have not been examined. Based on the findings from research on parental socialization of emotion, in this theoretical review we explore possible teacher roles in the development of young children’s emotional competence. Additionally, we suggest future research focusing on early childhood teacher socialization of emotion, and discuss theoretical and practical benefits of such research.
Rational and Evolutionary Engineering Approaches Uncover a Small Set of Genetic Changes Efficient for Rapid Xylose Fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Economic bioconversion of plant cell wall hydrolysates into fuels and chemicals has been hampered mainly due to the inability of microorganisms to efficiently co-ferment pentose and hexose sugars, especially glucose and xylose, which are the most abundant sugars in cellulosic hydrolysates. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cannot metabolize xylose due to a lack of xylose-metabolizing enzymes. We developed a rapid and efficient xylose-fermenting S. cerevisiae through rational and inverse metabolic engineering strategies, comprising the optimization of a heterologous xylose-assimilating pathway and evolutionary engineering. Strong and balanced expression levels of the XYL1, XYL2, and XYL3 genes constituting the xylose-assimilating pathway increased ethanol yields and the xylose consumption rates from a mixture of glucose and xylose with little xylitol accumulation. The engineered strain, however, still exhibited a long lag time when metabolizing xylose above 10 g/l as a sole carbon source, defined here as xylose toxicity. Through serial-subcultures on xylose, we isolated evolved strains which exhibited a shorter lag time and improved xylose-fermenting capabilities than the parental strain. Genome sequencing of the evolved strains revealed that mutations in PHO13 causing loss of the Pho13p function are associated with the improved phenotypes of the evolved strains. Crude extracts of a PHO13-overexpressing strain showed a higher phosphatase activity on xylulose-5-phosphate (X-5-P), suggesting that the dephosphorylation of X-5-P by Pho13p might generate a futile cycle with xylulokinase overexpression. While xylose consumption rates by the evolved strains improved substantially as compared to the parental strain, xylose metabolism was interrupted by accumulated acetate. Deletion of ALD6 coding for acetaldehyde dehydrogenase not only prevented acetate accumulation, but also enabled complete and efficient fermentation of xylose as well as a mixture of glucose and xylose by the evolved strain. These findings provide direct guidance for developing industrial strains to produce cellulosic fuels and chemicals.
Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium parvum in patients with severe diarrhea and AIDS.

The sensitivity of noninvasive stool microscopy and endoscopic biopsies from the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract in the diagnosis ofCryptosporidium parvum in patients with AIDS is not known. We evaluated 30 severely immunocompromised patients with AIDS and diarrhea caused byC. parvum. C. parvum was diagnosed by either stool microscopy, endoscopic biopsy, or both. Patients submitted a mean (±sem) of 3.3±0.3 stool samples, each microscopically evaluated for ova and parasites. Upper and lower endoscopy were performed in all patients and endoscopic biopsies were taken throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea had been present for a mean of 13.5 ± 2.3 months and mean daily stool weight was 1224 ± 127 g. Overall, individual stool samples were insensitive, as only 53% demonstratedC. parvum. When multiple stool samples were considered for each patient, 73% of subjects demonstratedC. parvum in at least one stool sample. The sensitivity of endoscopy with mucosal biopsy varied by anatomical location: stomach (11%), duodenum (53%), terminal ileum (91%), and colon (60%). The terminal ileum was significantly more likely than the duodenum to demonstrateC. parvum (P=0.03). Thus, duodenal biopsies are much less sensitive than those from the terminal ileum in the diagnosis ofC. parvum. In AIDS patients with diarrhea undergoing colonoscopy, intubation of the terminal ileum should be performed when feasible. Although individual stool samples are insensitive in detectingC. parvum, the diagnostic yield is improved by the collection of multiple samples.
Infrainguinal arterial reconstructions with vein grafts in patients with prior aortic procedures: the influence of aneurysm and occlusive disease.

Abstract Purpose: This study assessed whether infrainguinal reconstructions with autogenous vein (IR) performed in patients with prior abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs have altered graft patency, compared with those in patients who have undergone prior aortobifemoral bypass grafting procedures (ABF) for aortoiliac occlusive disease. Methods: From 1979 to 1998, 54 patients with prior aortic reconstructions underwent 64 autogenous single-segment saphenous IRs solely for infrainguinal occlusive disease. Included in this cohort were 30 IRs with an earlier AAA repair and 34 IRs with an earlier ABF repair. During the same period, 1274 patients underwent 1642 autogenous vein lower-extremity bypass grafting procedures (LEB). Lower-extremity native arterial (AAA, n=6; ABF, n=11) and vein graft diameters (AAA, n=6; ABF, n=6) were determined by means of angiography and duplex ultrasonography, respectively. The three reconstruction groups (AAA, ABF, LEB) were compared. Results: The patients in the three groups were similar in sex, indication for operation, proximal and distal anastomotic site, and number of distal runoff vessels. The cumulative 5-year primary graft patency rate in the AAA group (92% ± 5%) was significantly higher ( P P =.05). A significant increase in both native arterial ( P =.001) and vein graft diameter ( P t test, respectively, in the AAA group compared with the ABF group. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that, compared with those in patients without a previous aortic procedure, IRs in patients with prior AAA repairs have significantly improved graft patency, and IRs in patients with prior ABF reconstructions for aortoiliac occlusive disease have significantly decreased graft patency. Larger arterial diameter and altered vein graft adaptation may contribute to the superior long-term outcomes of IRs in patients with prior AAA repairs. (J Vasc Surg 2000;31:1128-34.)
Ln norm optimal histogram matching and application to similarity retrieval

The problem of optimal histogram matching is investigated using a monotone gray level transformation, which always assigns all picture points of a given gray level i to another gray level T(i) such that if i ≥j, then T(i)≥T(j). The objective is to find a transformed version of a given picture such that an error measure between the gray level histogram of the transformed picture and that of a reference picture is minimized. In a previous paper (S. K. Chang and Y. W. Wong, Comm. ACM 21, No. 10, October 1978, 835–840) we presented an O(k1 × k2) depth-first tree search algorithm to find an optimal monotone transformation using L1 norm (sum of absolute differences) as the error measure, where k1 and k2 are the number of gray levels of the given picture and the reference picture, respectively. The same problem using Ln norm as the error measure is investigated in this paper. A breadth-first tree search algorithm with a cutoff thresholdis described, which has time complexity O(k12 × k2). Applications of histogram matching to similarity retrieval are discussed.
Bacteriology and treatment of malodorous lower reproductive tract in gynecologic cancer patients

Objective: To determine the bacteriology of lower genital tract cancers to direct potential treatment modalities and to determine the impact of treatment on quality of life. Methods: Gram stain, saline preparations, tumor pH determinations, and anaerobic and aerobic tumor cultures were obtained from 13 consecutive patients with malodorous gynecologic cancers and 13 patients (controls) with nonmalodorous tumors. All patients with odor were treated with topical metronidazole for 7 days. Odor assessment questionnaires were administered daily in the treatment group. Quality-of-life evaluation was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaire before and after treatment. Results: Cancer of the cervix (n 5 5 21) was the most common primary site and accounted for 81% (95% confidence interval 61%, 93%) of malodorous gynecologic cancers. Eight of 13 (62%) patients with malodorous tumors had bacterial vaginosis compared with four of 13 (31%) of those without odor (P 5 5 .11). Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated with equal frequency from malodorous gynecologic cancers. Results of odor assessment questionnaires showed a graded improvement with topical antibiotic therapy (P < < .001). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaire indicated improved quality of life after therapy (P 5 .02). Conclusion: Most patients with odor had bacterial vaginosis and had an improvement in odor with topical metronidazole. Therefore, this treatment might be useful for patients with malodorous pelvic tumors. (Obstet Gynecol 2000; 96:23‐7. © 2000 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)
Acute respiratory failure after intrathecal methotrexate administration

This is a report of a case of acute respiratory failure following the administration of intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) for prophylaxis of central nervous system leukemia (CNS) in a 3-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This could be attributed to acute metabolic or direct toxic effects of methotrexate to the central nervous system tissue. Although the specific agent responsible for this complication following intrathecal injection of MTX is unclear, it is worthwhile to describe this event.
Estimation of the zero shear rate viscosity for dilute solutions of rigid macromolecules with complex configurations

A method for estimating the zero shear rate viscosity for dilute solutions of rigid macromolecules with complex configurations is proposed; this method is based on the macromolecular kinetic theory of Curtiss, Bird, and Hassager. Macromolecular models constructed from a collection of spheres, cylindrical rods, circular discs, and parallelepipeds with arbitrary dimensions and relative orientations can be easily handled by this method. Comparison with available experimental data for several biopolymers shows excellent agreement. As an application to this method, we investigate the effect of surface roughness on the intrinsic viscosity of spherical particles.
Ground state of a frustrated quantum antiferromagnet: Fixed-node Green function Monte Carlo study

The ground state of the J1−J2spin-12 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the square lattice is investigated in the 0 ≤ J2J1 ≤ 0.7 range using a fixed-node quantum Monte Carlo method. Simulations are based on trial states featuring Neel and collinear antiferromagnetic long-range order. Ground state energy estimates obtained on small clusters reproduce exact results with reasonable accuracy; finite-size scaling analysis of the data shows quantitative agreement with modified spin-wave theory, as well as consistency with the hypothesis of an antiferromagnetically ordered ground state, with a transition from Neel to collinear order at J2J1 ≈ 0.57.
Plasma fibrinogen level is not elevated in young adults from families with premature ischemic heart disease.

Several epidemiological studies have found that the plasma fibrinogen level is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD), similar in importance to the serum cholesterol level. A family history of IHD is also a significant risk factor for IHD, statistically independent of the serum cholesterol level. Whether the familial risk for IHD is related to genetic control of the fibrinogen level is unknown. Estimates of the genetic contribution to the variance in plasma fibrinogen levels vary markedly. We previously found elevated levels of cholesterol and factor VII in young subjects with a familial history of premature IHD. In the present study we chose to measure fibrinogen, factor VII antigen, and total cholesterol levels in 43 asymptomatic first-degree relatives ( 0.4). In contrast, the high-risk group had significantly higher mean factor VII antigen (p < 0.001) and mean serum cholesterol (p < 0.0001) than the low-risk group. These data argue against the hypothesis that genetic determination of the plasma fibrinogen level is a common pathophysiological mechanism responsible for familial risk of IHD.
Isolation of a potential antitumor fraction from Rumex hymenosepalus (Polygonaceae). II. Identification of the active fraction.

Continued investigation into the character of the antitumor fraction of Rumex hymenosepalus has resulted in the identification of leucodelphinidin and leucopelargonidin as components of this fraction. The activity was shown to reside in the polymeric fraction. The monomeric fraction was shown to be inactive.
Survey of physician experience, trends and outcomes with atrial fibrillation ablation

Objective: We evaluated the prevalence, trends, outcomes and the general experience of physicians performing atrial fibrillation ablation (AF-ABL) in the United States (US).
Why Is Bank Debt Senior? A Theory of Asymmetry and Claim Priority Based on Influence Costs

This theory can explain why bank debt is universally senior, consistent with the presence of conflict lawyers) and absolute priority violations in financial distress: better organized banks would more strongly contest priority in financial distress if they were junior. Because "deterrence can reduce creditors' total expenses in a priority contest, the ex post stronger lobbyist/litigant should be senior ex ante. For equivalent reasons, the theory can advise when public debt should be senior to trade credit and/or implicit contracts, and can even suggest one rationale for the absolute priority rule (APR). This article further shows that Chapter HI creditor reimbursement procedures can lower overall costs. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Prolonged stabilization of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in a single patient consuming a fermented soy therapy.

Abstract Background. Women with ovarian cancer who experience disease progression during or within 6 months of first-line treatment with platinum-based anticancer drugs are considered to have platinum-resistant tumors. These patients have an unfavorable prognosis, and they frequently seek complementary and alternative therapies (CAM). Historically, this represents an understudied and underreported component of ovarian cancer treatment. Case. This report describes the case of a woman with rapidly progressive, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Upon initiating self-directed treatment with Haelan951®, a commercially available fermented soy beverage, she entered into a phase of prolonged disease stabilization including improvement in the serum tumor marker CA-125. Conclusion. Fermented soy products are known to contain high concentrations of the isoflavone, genistein, and other compounds that exhibit anticancer activity in preclinical models. This case report supports the prospective evaluation of alternative therapies such as these in patients with platinum-refractory ovarian cancer.
Renormalization of overlapping transverse divergences in a model light-front Hamiltonian.

We construct a simplified model of a light-front Hamiltonian and describe its renormalization. Our construction starts from a Hamiltonian which acts in a space spanned by free states of two fermions and states of two fermions and one scalar boson. For the purpose of this paper the starting Hamiltonian is regularized by chopping factors in the interaction vertices. We derive an effective Hamiltonian acting in the space of two fermions. Then we make ad hoc simplifications in the effective Hamiltonian to produce a model that we can analyze. We drop fermion self-interactions and replace the eigenvalue in the effective one-boson-exchange term by a constant. Our model Hamiltonian acts in the space of two fermions only. The model involves logarithmic ultraviolet transverse divergences, analogous to overlapping divergences in perturbative Lagrangian $S$-matrix calculations. We describe the construction of a Hamiltonian counterterm that removes the divergences to all orders in Hamiltonian perturbation theory. The counterterm is local in the transverse direction and contains an arbitrary function of the longitudinal momenta of fermions. We suggest that a suitable choice of the arbitrary function may partly remove the violation of rotational invariance in the spectrum of the model Hamiltonian. The renormalization group transformation for the renormalized two-fermion interaction, ${V}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, is determined by a nonlinear integro-differential equation of the form $\frac{d{V}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}}{d\ensuremath{\lambda}}=\ensuremath{-}{V}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}{K}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}{V}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, where ${K}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$ is a known kernel and $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ is the scale of the relative transverse momenta of fermions at which the interactions are chopped off.
Effect of nickel supplementation on production and composition of milk.

Abstract Three concentrations of nickel carbonate were fed to 3 groups of 5 lactating dairy cows each. Nickel carbonate was mixed in the concentrate ration at 0, 50 and 250 ppm of elemental nickel and concentrate fed at a ratio of 1kg per 3kg of milk produced. Average daily consumption of supplemental nickel per cow was 0, 365 and l,835mg, respectively. No significant effect on milk production, milk composition, animal health or feed consumption was observed. Within the detectable limits of the analytical procedure, feeding nickel did not increase nickel in milk and never exceeded that in plant processed milk. None of the milk samples from cows fed 250 ppm nickel contained as much as 0.1 ppm nickel, which was the lower reliability limit of the procedure. Less than 0.12% of the supplemental nickel appeared in the milk.