cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ambulatory Computerized Prescribing and Preventable Adverse Drug Events.

BACKGROUND Adverse drug events (ADEs) represent a significant cause of injury in the ambulatory care setting. Computerized physician order entry reduces rates of serious medication errors that can lead to ADEs in the inpatient setting, but few studies have evaluated whether computerized prescribing in the ambulatory setting reduces preventable ADE rates in ambulatory care. OBJECTIVE To determine the rates of preventable ADEs before and after the implementation of computerized prescribing with basic clinical decision support for ordering medications. DESIGN Before-after study of ADE rates in practices implementing computer order entry. PARTICIPANTS Adult patients seeking care in primary care practices at academic medical centers in Boston, Massachusetts (n = 41,819), and Indianapolis, Indiana (n = 9128). MAIN MEASURES We attempted to standardize the medication-related decision support knowledge base provided at the 2 sites, although the electronic records and presentation layers used at the 2 sites differed. The primary outcome was preventable ADEs identified based on structured results or symptoms defined by extracting symptom concepts from provider notes; potential ADEs were a secondary outcome. RESULTS Computerized prescribing did not significantly change the rate of preventable ADEs at either site. Compared with Boston practices, the rate of potential ADEs was more than seven-fold greater at Indianapolis (6.4/10,000 patient-months vs. 49.5/10,000 patient-months, P < 0.001). Computerized prescribing was associated with a 56% decrease in the potential ADE rate at Indianapolis (49.5 to 21.9/10,000 patient-months, P < 0.001) but a 104% increase at Boston (6.4 to 13.0/10,000 patient-months, P < 0.001). Preventable ADEs that occurred after computerized prescribing was implemented were due to patient education issues, physicians ignoring feedback from CDSS, and incomplete computerized knowledge base was incomplete (34%, 33%, and 33% in Indianapolis and 44%, 28%, and 28% in Boston). CONCLUSIONS The implementation of computerized prescribing in the ambulatory setting was not associated with any change in preventable ADEs but was associated with a decrease in potential ADEs at Indianapolis but an increase at Boston, although the absolute rate of ADEs was much lower in Boston.
Acute Non-Lymphocytic Leukemia

Acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) is a grouping of several different leukemias. The cells responsible for these malignancies are closely related, and causation of each of the leukemias appears to result from the same set of agents. These leukemias are those most clearly linked to the environment. They are caused by ionizing radiation, either in the form of the atomic bomb or in the form of medical radiotherapy and they can be caused by the powerful chemotherapy that is used, often together with radiation, to treat other forms of cancer. They also have been caused by exposure to benzene, and because benzene is found in cigarette smoke, it is this association that is probably responsible for the fact that this set of leukemias has also been linked to cigarette smoking. ANLL is diagnosed less commonly in Utah than in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and is more common among men than among women. It is also more common among older than among young or middle-aged adults, and is more common among whites than among persons of other racial/ethnic groups. ANLL incidence, especially among women, is higher among those of a higher social class. Incidence rates have been stable over time, both in the county as a whole and among the residents of high-risk census tracts. No systematic pattern of geographical occurrence is apparent, and no local source of causation is proposed.
Crucial Role of Sonographic Imaging in Early Detection of Emphysematous Cholecystitis

Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that warrants immediate surgical intervention following diagnosis. This condition is associated with a high mortalit...
Sex Differences in the Language of Children and Parents

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses that if sex differences exist in language, whether in the distribution of abilities or in different kinds of linguistic performance, it is clear that they stem at least in part from environmental or social factors. The early evidence for sex differences in language development rests on both performance and neurological data. There are no comparable mathematics readiness classes or programs to enhance the acquisition of spatial visualization that might help girls catch up with boys. Sex differences in the onset of lateralization for speech have been found. Parents probably have beliefs about the language capabilities of their children as well. When one finds sex differences in the language of children and parents, it is important to acknowledge that they result not solely from environmental forces, like the pressures of sex role socialization or from inborn differences like different patterns of neuroanatomical development; rather, sex differences arise out of a complex interaction between children with particular endowments and parents with all of their expectations, special ways of speaking, and patterns of sensitivity.
A developmental model for thalidomide defects

Thalidomide was prescribed as a mild sedative until it was demonstrated in 1961 that it was responsible for inducing congenital malformations in children whose mothers took the drug during pregnancy. Perhaps the most striking aspect of this syndrome is phocomelia (a severe shortening of the limbs). The long bones are shorter than normal and more proximal elements are lost, such that in extreme cases the hand or fingers are attached directly to the shoulder, a condition described as resembling the flipper of a seal1,2. Here I show how these defects can be understood in the context of current models for limb patterning.
Moss and Adams’ Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Including the Fetus and Young Adult, 6th Ed

Hugh D. Allen, ed 1632 pp. Baltimore, Md: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000. $269.00. ISBN 0-683-30742-8 Moss and Adams’ Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents Including the Fetus and Young Adult is a longstanding and venerable resource for pediatric cardiology and congenital heart disease information. The new sixth edition arrived attractively and efficiently packaged in 2 volumes, and I placed it alongside the fifth edition, which was published in 1995, to help highlight the differences and the improved, updated sections. It looks like Lippincott has acquired Williams & Wilkins as part of the consolidation of the publications business, but there has certainly been no consolidation in the list of contributors to this expanded work. Dr Hugh Allen has now become the chief editor; the other editors are Dr Howard Gutgesell, who has previously been involved, Dr Edward Clark, and Dr David Driscoll. Dr George Emmanouilides remains an honorary editor, which I think is appropriate and important. My copy of the first edition of this text, which was published in 1968 and is now all underlined with dog-eared pages and illegible side notes, is now elevated to my unreachable top shelf. The first edition, which was a tremendous resource for trainees, could actually be read cover to cover and studied, and Hugh Allen and I studied with it together when we were preparing to take our Boards in Pediatric Cardiology. A much bigger endeavor now is the update of Moss and Adams as a multiauthored text, which represents a major undertaking in recruitment, author retention, inspiration, and motivation, and I’m sure this group …
The Nader report: one author's perspective.

The author discusses a study done by a group of researchers sponsored by a grant to Ralph Nader. The study focused on the community mental health centers program of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It finds fault with the discrepancy between ideology and implementation of the program, charging that it has failed to supplant the state hospital system, has excluded the very poor and the very sick, is inaccessible to the population it purports to serve, lacks citizen involvement, and is not held accountable to NIMH. Three psychiatrists comment on the author's presentation.
Plasma Cysteine, Cystine, and Glutathione in Cirrhosis

Plasma contains three forms of cyst(e)ine: cysteine, cystine, and protein-bound cysteine. The former is a thiol and the latter two are disulfides. The levels of all three types of cyst(e)ine, as well as the cysteinyl tripeptide glutathione, were measured in the plasma of 14 normal and 10 cirrhotic individuals. All subjects ate mixed foods. Some cirrhotic patients were studied during nasogastric hyperalimentation with Vivonex (Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Norwich, N.Y.) as well as during total parenteral nutrition with FreAmine III (American McGaw, Irvine, Calif.); neither formula contains cyst(e)ine. Regardless of the nature of the diet, cirrhotic patients had significantly subnormal values for cysteine, glutathione, and albumin. In addition, the following significant changes were found to be diet-dependent: (a) elevated methionine during Vivonex, (b) subnormal taurine during mixed foods and total parenteral nutrition, (c) depressed protein-bound cysteine during total parenteral nutrition, (d) depressed cyst(e)ine thiol/disulfide ratio during mixed foods, and (e) depressed total thiol during Vivonex and total parenteral nutrition. The data indicate multiple abnormalities in sulfur metabolism in cirrhosis.
Establishment of Left–Right Asymmetry in Chick and Mouse Embryos

All vertebrates have consistent left–right structural asymmetry, and deviations from the typical asymmetry in humans are clinically important. Studies elucidating the mechanisms that establish left–right asymmetry have lead to some of the most elegant advances in the field of embryology. In the past several decades, while we have gained an extensive understanding of the development of left–right asymmetry during embryogenesis, many questions remain to be addressed to fully appreciate the molecular mechanisms underlying its establishment. In this review article, the authors summarise the gene regulatory network that controls left–right patterning. They also focus on our current understanding of how left–right symmetry is broken. Key Concepts: Primary cilia rotating in a clockwise direction generate a unidirectional leftward fluid flow at a structure called the node, resulting in left–right symmetry breakage in mouse embryos. Similar leftward flow is observed in many vertebrate embryos. Planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling, initially identified in the fruitfly, controls the uniform orientation of hairs and bristles on the body. A primary cilium is a microtubule-based antenna-like structure lacking the central pairs of microtubules. This ‘9+0’ microtubular structure and lack of dynein arms render them immotile, whereas motile cilia have a ‘9+2’ microtubular structure with dynein arms. BMP signalling negatively regulates cell cycle at the ventral surface of the node. The posterior tilt of nodal cilia regulated by planar cell polarity is critical to generate a unilateral leftward flow from the rotation of the nodal cilia. The ventral surface of the node is quiescent that allows formation of cilia. Keywords: chick; cilia; gene expression; left–right patterning; mouse; node
A Little Creativity Goes a Long Way: An Examination of Teams’ Engagement in Creative Processes

Using surveys and interview data this research examines teams’ engagement in creative processes. Results of cluster analysis indicated that the more creative teams were those that perceived that their tasks required high levels of creativity, were working on jobs with high task interdependence, were high on shared goals, valued participative problem-solving, and had a climate supportive of creativity. In addition, members of the more creative teams spent more time socializing with each other and had moderate amounts of organizational tenure. Implications for management are discussed.
Permutationally invariant potential energy surfaces in high dimensionality

We review recent progress in developing potential energy and dipole moment surfaces for polyatomic systems with up to 10 atoms. The emphasis is on global linear least squares fitting of tens of thousands of scattered ab initio energies using a special, compact fitting basis of permutationally invariant polynomials in Morse-type variables of all the internuclear distances. The computational mathematics underlying this approach is reviewed first, followed by a review of the practical approaches used to obtain the data for the fits. A straightforward symmetrization approach is also given, mainly for pedagogical purposes. The methods are illustrated for potential energy surfaces for , (H2O)2 and CH3CHO. The relationship of this approach to other approaches is also briefly reviewed.
The immune response of patients with ragweed hay fever treated with polymerized ragweed antigens

This report describes the immune response of patients with ragweed hay fever treated with polymerized ragweed antigens (PRW). Their IgG antibody responses to crude ragweed extract, antigen E, antigen K, and antigen Ra3 were determined by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay. The results indicate that PRW contains an array of clinically important antigens that are available for immunologic processing and result in an immune response in patients treated with this new form of immunotherapy for ragweed hay fever.
Ethanol Oxidation: Kinetics of the α-Hydroxyethyl Radical + O2 Reaction

Bioethanol is currently a significant gasoline additive and the major blend component of flex-fuel formulations. Ethanol is a high-octane fuel component, and vehicles designed to take advantage of higher octane fuel blends could operate at higher compression ratios than traditional gasoline engines, leading to improved performance and tank-to-wheel efficiency. There are significant uncertainties, however, regarding the mechanism for ethanol autoignition, especially at lower temperatures such as in the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) regime. We have studied an important chemical process in the autoignition and oxidation of ethanol, reaction of the α-hydroxyethyl radical with O2(3P), using first principles computational chemistry, variational transition state theory, and Rice−Ramsperger−Kassel−Marcus (RRKM)/master equation simulations. The α-hydroxyethyl + O2 association reaction is found to produce an activated α-hydroxy−ethylperoxy adduct with ca. 37 kcal mol−1 of excess vibrational energy. This ac...
Calculated CNO2 bond dissociation energies

Abstract The effect of substituents on CNO2 bond energies was explored with high level calculations. Geometries for the compounds NO2CXH2; X = H, F, OH, NH2, CH3 and NO2CHY; Y = O, CH2 were optimized with the 3-21G basis set. Bond energies, calculated with full MP4/6-31G* energies, were corrected to 298 K by including scaled zero-point corrections and heat capacity corrections. In the series where X was varied, the bond dissociation energy (BDE) remained nearly constant (59.0–62.3 kcal/mol). In contrast, the NO2CHO bond is much weaker (52.0 kcal/mol) and the NO2CHCH2 bond is much stronger (71.0 kcal/mol) compared to the CNO2 bond in the NO2CXH2 series. Bond strengths were compared when H replaces NO2. It was found that the constant CNO2 bond energy in the NO2CXH2 series is due to two offsetting effects. Namely, substituents which increase the intrinsic bond energy (IBE) also increase the stability of the radical.
Malignant pediatric intracerebral nerve sheath tumor in neurofibromatosis type 1

Dear Editor: We read with interest the article by Oztanir et al., published in Child's Nervous System, describing a supratentorial malignant intracerebral nerve sheath tumor (MINST) in a 14-month-old girl with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) [1]. We wanted to bring attention to some points in regard to this article about this very rare tumor. The authors propose that MINST may have a propensity to be located infratentorially in adults and supratentorially in children and teenagers. However, three of the previous 11 reported cases of MINST (the authors had found six in their literature review) were located supratentorially in adults. De Cauwer et al. described a case of MINST in a 57year-old male in the right parietofrontal lobe [2]. Furthermore, there are two case reports of MINST of the lateral ventricles in 57and 40-year-old patients [3, 4]. The authors also state that this is the first report of the occurrence of MINST in the context of NF-1. However, there are three previous cases of this association in the literature, in both adults and children [2, 3, 5], granted these three other cases with NF-1 association have been reported with the triton variant of MINST. The imaging features of all previously described cases of MINST were nonspecific, mixed intensity-enhancing lesions, with presence of calcification in a minority of cases, features which did not allow differentiation from more commonly encountered tumors. However, there is a recent report on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) features in an intracerebral pontine malignant nerve sheath tumor in which Kozic et al. describe the presence of very high choline concentration associated with complete lack of creatine and NAA, suggesting the non-glial origin of the mass [6]. The actual usefulness of this finding in differentiating these tumors from other glial and non-glial tumors using MRS remains to be determined.
Cost Enectiveness of Well Site Selection Methods in a Fractured Aquifer

In regions where ground water flow is restricted to sparse, narrow fractures, productive and nonproductive drilling sites frequently are separated by only a few tens of meters. Drilling success rates are low in these areas because favorable drilling sites occur infrequently and are difficult to identify. The drilling success rate can be increased when imagery and surface geophysics are incorporated into the site selection method. We present a method to evaluate the economic benefit of various site selection methods and show that the use of surface geophysics and aerial photography can reduce drilling costs by approximately a factor of two in an area with a low drilling success rate that is characterized by narrow fracture zones covered with several meters of weathered clays and thick vegetation. The benefits are smaller and less certain when social considerations are a strong factor in site selection.
Causal concepts in chemical vernaculars

Though causality seems to have a natural place in chemical thought, the analysis of the underlying causal concepts requires attention to two different research styles. In Part One I attempt a classification and critical analysis of several philosophical accounts of causal concepts which appear to be very diverse. I summarize this diversity which ranges from causality as displayed in regular concomitances of types of events to causality as the activity of agents. Part Two is concerned with the analysis of contrasting chemical discourses, comparing the classical atomist style of Boyle, and Lavoisier and von Liebig with the later energeticist style of van’t Hoff and Hinshelwood. In detail different clusters of causal concepts can be abstracted from these discursive styles, yet they all approximate the Realist format for causal discourse. By way of summary I make an attempt to map the vernacular distinctions of Part Two onto the philosophical territory of Part One. The argument is rounded off with a brief analysis of a chemical publication of 2008.
Antibody-coated bacteria in persistent and recurrent urinary tract infections

Antibody-coated bacteria in persistent and recurrent urinary tract infections. Multiple urine specimens from 24 patients (16 with pyelonephritis; 8 with cystitis) were tested over a period of time ranging from 2 months to over 3 years to determine whether the results of the urine fluorescent antibody (FA) test changed with persistent or recurrent infection. These 24 patients, who were a part of our initially reported study of antibody-coated bacteria, had returned to the clinic because of continued problems with infection. The FA test results remained positive for 12 patients who had persistent or recurrent kidney infections involving the same bacterial strain. Five other patients had recurrences caused by strains different from the bacterial isolate involved in the previous kidney infection; these 5 patients had a total of 27 reinfection episodes, and 13 of the episodes were associated with negative FA tests. Direct localization studies showed that, in the course of persisting infection, changes in the FA test results from negative to positive were associated with the ascen-dence of infection to the kidney. Unbound (excess, free) antibacterial antibody detected in the urines from 12 of 14 patients with renal infection was found to be weakly cross reactive with bacteria other than the one causing the infection; this antibody persisted with continued infection, although it was short-lived after the infection had subsided, disappearing by the 4th month. FA test results were consistently negative for 8 patients with recurrent episodes of cystitis but without past history or evidence of pyelonephritis.
Stability Analysis of Coarse-Mesh Rebalance

A stability analysis for coarse-mesh rebalance (CMR) is developed and tested. The analysis is based on linearizing the CMR algorithm for a special class of problems and using a Fourier analysis to ...
Decentralized filtering and control in the presence of delays: discrete-time and continuous-time case

Abstract The problem of estimation and control of a process with linear, Gaussian dynamics and quadratic cost (LQG) in a decentralized processing environment is considered. It is assumed that the delay that is involved with the transmission of the measurements from the sensor(s) to the processor which is responsible for estimating and controlling the process state(s) is not negligible. Furthermore, it is also assumed that the delay associated with the transmission of control actions is not negligible either. We consider the LQG problem in systems with discrete time and continuous time dynamics in the presence of fixed delays in the transmission of measurements and control actions. We derive the optimal estimator and controller in a recursive form for both cases. The optimal filter is an extension to the Kaiman filter to account for the transmission delay. The optimal controller satisfies the certainty equivalence principle, and is given by a separation rule as a product of the delayed state estimates and a time-varying gain matrix.
A two-sex age-structured population model: well posedness.

In this paper we consider a two‐sex population model proposed by Hoppenstead. We do not assume any special form of the mating function. We address the problem of existence and uniqueness of continuous and classical solutions. We give sufficient conditions for continuous solutions to exist globally and we show that they have in fact a directional derivative in the direction of the characteristic lines and satisfy the equations of the model with the directional derivative replacing the partial derivatives. The existence of classical solutions is established with mild assumptions on the vital rates.
Changes in epidemiological patterns of HCV infection and their impact on liver disease over the last 20 years in Greece.

Summary. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Greek patients with chronic infection as well as possible secular changes in their distribution in relation to modes of transmission, age and time at acquisition of the infection and other variables. We evaluated 434 unselected patients, 241 males and 193 females with a median age of 46.2 years (18–75), with chronic HCV infection presenting during the period 1996–2000. HCV infection was confirmed by the detection of HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while HCV genotyping was performed by the Inno-LiPA assay. Liver biopsies were evaluated according to Ishak's scoring system. Of 434 patients, 167 had a history of blood transfusion [post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH)], 80 were i.v. drug users and in 187 the route of infection remained unknown. The overall distribution of HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 47, 8.3, 27 and 15.2%, respectively. Genotype 3 was common in younger adults and i.v. drug users, whereas genotype 1 predominated in older people and PTH patients (P < 0.001 for both). Infection acquired before 1981 (group A) was related to transfusion and genotype 1, while after 1981 (group B) with i.v. drug use and genotype 3 (P < 0.01). Biopsy was available in 369 (85%) patients, of whom 22.5% had cirrhosis; 29.8% in group A and 9.9% in group B. In a multivariate analysis, cirrhosis was strongly associated with the duration of infection (P = 0.013). Our study revealed a change of HCV genotype distribution in the last 20 years among Greek patients with chronic HCV infection as a result of epidemiological changes in HCV transmission. The presence of cirrhosis was associated only with the duration of infection. These observations have impact both on prevention and treatment.
Structural characterization of gilsonite bitumen by advanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry revealing pyrrolic and aromatic rings substituted with aliphatic chains

Abstract Gilsonite, a naturally occurring asphaltite bitumen, consists of a complex mixture of organic compounds. In the present study, advanced one and two dimensional solid state and solution 1 H, 13 C and 15 N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR-MS) were employed to investigate its composition and structure. 13 C NMR yielded a carbon aromaticity of 27%. Aromatic moieties in gilsonite were primarily single rings or small clusters of fused rings. Half of the aromatic carbons of gilsonite can be accounted for by pyrroles. 15 N and 13 C cross polarization-magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR showed that most nitrogen in gilsonite was pyrrolic. The aromatic rings were heavily substituted with alkyl chains, as evidenced by 1 H 13 C correlation spectra. Advanced solid state NMR spectral editing techniques clearly identified specific functional groups such as CCH 3 , CCH 2 , and C CH 2 (exomethylene). 1 H 13 C wideline separation (WISE) NMR helped identify mobile and non-protonated alkyl carbons. FT-ICR-MS indicated that ∼64% of calculated formulae generated by ESI were aliphatic, while only about 0.8–2.5% of formulae contained possible aromatic rings. All of the assigned formulae contained at least one heteroatom (N, O or S), indicating that ionization by ESI was selective for the polar fraction of gilsonite and potentially less reflective of the overall chemical character of gilsonite than NMR spectroscopy. By combining the information obtained from advanced NMR and ultrahigh resolution MS we propose a structural model for gilsonite as a mixture of many pyrrolic and a few fused aromatic rings highly substituted with and connected by mobile aliphatic chains.
Discourse Skills of Boys with Fragile X Syndrome in Comparison to Boys with Down Syndrome.

Purpose This study compared the conversational discourse skills of boys who have fragile X syndrome with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with those of boys with Down syndrome and boys who are typically developing. Method Participants were boys who have fragile X syndrome with (n = 26) and without (n = 28) ASD, boys with Down syndrome (n = 29), and boys who are typically developing (n = 22). Turns during an examiner–child interaction consisting of structured and semistructured activities were coded for the boys' ability to maintain a topic of conversation and the frequency of perseveration. Results The results revealed that boys who had both fragile X and ASD produced significantly more noncontingent discourse than did boys who had only fragile X, boys with Down syndrome, or typically developing boys. This finding was observed regardless of whether the topic was maintained or changed and whether the turn type was a response or initiation. Regardless of autism status, boys with fragile X used mor...
X-ray spectrum and variability of 3C 120

The X-ray luminosity of 3C 120 is variable by a factor of 2.5 on time scales of days to months. The spectral slope of the 2-10 keV X-rays changes systematically in the sense that the higher intensity states are steeper. Simple power laws fitted to the data are consistent with an energy index alpha of 0.51 + or - 0.13 at minimum intensity and 0.83 + or - 0.03 at maximum, with a continuous variation in between. A more complicated spectral shape cannot be ruled out, but changes in absorbing column density alone cannot explain the data. The results are interpreted in terms of beamed synchrotron emission from a relativistic jet, a model which has been invoked previously for the spectra of BL Lac objects. The spectral variability is in marked contrast to the behavior of 3C 273, another superluminal source in which the X-ray spectral index is constant to a high degree of accuracy despite variability in time scales and amplitudes which are quite similar to those of 3C 120. The difference may be due to the degree of beaming of the respective core components. Another model which is consistent with the data involves thermal emission from isothermal shocks in a hot (approximately 10 to the 8th K) medium. Thermal Compton and spherical accretion X-ray source models do not reproduce the correct behavior of alpha versus flux.
Structural role of lead in lead silicate glasses derived from XPS spectra

Abstract The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of lead silicate glasses with different PbO content were measured and analyzed and the structural role of lead in the glass is discussed. It was found that the binding energy of Pb4f 7/2 decreases with the increase of PbO content before the concentration of PbO reaches 40 mol% and is maintained at a low constant when the PbO content is higher than 40 mol%. It was inferred that the polarizability of Pb is concentration-dependent and grows with the increase of PbO content in the glass. This suggests an increase in the covalent degree of PbO bond, which accounts for the formation of the PbO 4 pyramid polymeric chain network. It is proposed that in the low PbO content region (PbO 2 is the main glass former and the three-dimensional network built by SiO 4 tetrahedra is still maintained, with PbO increase in the glass. PbO 4 pyramids tend to assemble together to form another structure network. In the high PbO content region (PbO > 40 mol%), the three-dimensional network built by SiO 4 tetrahedra is seriously destroyed; the PbO 4 pyramid polymeric chains connect together through SiO 4 tetrahedra to form the glass structure network skeleton.
Solar Energy Applications on Military Bases

The goals of the DOD-solar study were to identify potentially economic solar-energy projects on specific military bases and to define the necessary steps to install solar projects in the near term. Five classes of mature solar technologies were investigated: crystalline photovoltaics, solar hot water, transpired collectors (solar wall), pool heaters, and daylighting. Approximately 500 military bases/facilities were screened using simple payback models that used site-specific data for insolation, conventional energy prices, and financial incentives for solar. One or more economically viable projects appear to exist at nearly every base analyzed. Most projects are for solar daylighting and solar walls. Several pool and domestic water heating opportunities exist and a number of large photovoltaic projects also appear to be possible. Approximately 30 business-case analyses (BCAs) were performed which represent the larger project potential. Government and private ownership of the solar systems were investigated in the BCAs. Though the potential is large, it appears that a new multi-year DOD program that promotes private ownership needs to be launched before the full potential can be realized.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Diagnostic variables as predictors of ecological risk

The state of an ecosystem may be represented by a multidemensional state vector,x. The goal of ecosystem management is to insure that the ecosystem remains within some setX of acceptable states, such thatx ∈X. Since ecosystem management decisions must be based on limited knowledge, a small number of diagnostic variables must be found which accurately reflect ecosystem state. If the vector of diagnostic variables, ω, is found to be within a specified set Ω, the state vectorx is predicted to be withinX. The selection and use of such diagnostic variables is examined in the context of an aquatic ecosystem simulation model. Techniques used in searching for diagnostic criteria include multiple linear regression, discriminant analysis, and visual inspection of graphical data displays. The adequacy of a diagnostic criterion as a predictor of ecological risk is demonstrated to be a function of the associated rates of type I and type II statistical errors. A simple cost-benefit analysis is undertaken to illustrate one approach for choosing an optimal balance between these error rates.
Log‐linear analyses of patterns of adoption behavior: U.S. White women, 1982, 1976, and 1973

Absract This paper investigates the characteristics of U.S. white women who have adopted one or more children. A form of nonbiological parenthood such as adoption has received little attention in the social science literature. The paper examines those individual characteristics that are the most influential in accounting for variation in adoption behavior: age at interview, parity, and fecundity status. The main determinants of adoption have tended to remain constant over time. The need for further research in the area of adoption behavior is discussed.
Intraoperative colonoscopy does not worsen the outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a case-matched study.

Background Intraoperative colonoscopy is sometimes needed as an adjunct to colorectal surgery. When it is performed with laparoscopic surgery, there is the potential for prolonged bowel distension, obstructed surgical exposure, and increased morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the overall safety and outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal procedures in which intraoperative colonoscopy was performed.
Absorption coefficient instrument for turbid natural waters

An instrument has been developed that directly measures the multispectral absorption coefficient of turbid natural water. The design incorporates methods for compensation of variation in the internal light source intensity, correction of the spectrally dependent nature of the optical elements, and correction for variation in background light level. When used in conjunction with a spectrally matched total attenuation instrument, the spectrally dependent scattering coefficient can also be derived. Systematic errors associated with multiple scattering have been estimated using Monte Carlo techniques.
Degradation and bound residue formation of atrazine in a Western Tennessee soil

Biological and physical degradation, and metabolite and soil-bound residue formation, of [U-ring-14C]atrazine (2-chloro-4-[ethylamino]-6-[isopropylamino]-1,3,5-triazine) were characterized in a western Tennessee soil using laboratory and field assays. Biological mineralization of [14C]atrazine was examined in the laboratory using intact surface soil cores in sealed microcosms. Physical mineralization was determined using gamma-radiation-sterilized soil microcosms. Metabolites measured were deethylatrazine (DEA), deisopropylatrazine (DIA), dealkylatrazine (DAA) and hydroxyatrazine (HYA). Atrazine was applied at a rate of 2.2 kg/ha (˜ 5.6 μg/g soil) to soil microcosms in two studies and 3.2 kg/ha to the field. Evolution of 14CO2 from [14C]atrazine in nonirradiated soil microcosms increased to 12 and 28% of the radiolabel added after 180 d incubation. Irradiated soil microcosms evolved less than 0.07% of the radiolabel as 14CO2 for both studies after the same period. The concentrations of metabolites throughout the laboratory and field studies were: HYA > DEA > DIA > DAA. The highest concentration of HYA detected during microcosm and field studies was approximately 0.5 μg/g soil. Atrazine dissipation rates and metabolite production in nonirradiated microcosms were comparable to field results. Atrazine concentrations after 180 d in nonirradiated microcosm and field samples were lower than HYA, and either equivalent to or greater than DEA. The DAA was not detected throughout microcosm or field studies. Rates of dissipation for atrazine followed first-order kinetics. Atrazine half-life, based on extractable residues, was approximately 21 d in the microcosm studies, compared to 14 d in surface field soil. Extractable 14C residues sampled from nonirradiated microcosms decreased in concentration during the incubation period. Soil-bound 14C residues increased and, at the termination of the two studies, accounted for 39 and 43% of the radioactivity added to nonirradiated microcosms. Bound 14C residues in irradiated microcosms accounted for 49 and 48% of the activity after 180 d. Similarity of results between microcosm and field studies suggests that those microcosms may be useful for predicting the fate of atrazine in surface soil.
Mapping single and multigenetic traits in S. cerevisiae by genomic mismatch scanning and DNA microarrays

Mapping single and multigenetic traits in S. cerevisiae by genomic mismatch scanning and DNA microarrays
Gas- and solution-phase energetics of the methyl α- and β-D-aldopentofuranosides

The conformational preferences of the furanose rings in methyl α-d-arabinofuranoside (1), methyl β-d-arabinofuranoside (2), methyl α-d-lyxofuranoside (3), methyl β-d-lyxofuranoside (4), methyl α-d-ribofuranoside (5), methyl β-d-ribofuranoside (6), methyl α-d-xylofuranoside (7), and methyl β-d-xylofuranoside (8) have been studied in the gas (B3LYP/6-31+G**//B3LYP/6-31G*) and aqueous (B3LYP/6-31+G**//SM5.42/BPW91/6-31G*) phases. The results of these theoretical investigations are compared to previous theoretical and experimental results to determine the northern and southern minima in solution for each glycoside.
A study of the reaction 40Ca(d, p)41Ca using the WBP model

Abstract Predictions of the weakly bound projectile model are compared with measured differential cross sections, polarisation and vector analysing power for the reactions 40 Ca(d, p) 41 Ca leading to the g.s., 1.95 MeV, 2.47 MeV and 3.95 MeV states in 41 Ca at deuteron energies between 5 MeV and 21 MeV. Optical potentials for the calculations are obtained by fitting nucleon-nucleus scattering from 40 Ca between 8 MeV and 40 MeV. Uncertainties in these optical potentials are small and the corresponding (d, p) predictions are well defined. There is qualitative agreement with all the measurements and the spectroscopic factors extracted are independent of the deuteron energy.
Microvascular Mural Cell Functionality of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Cells

Microvascular mural or perivascular cells are required for the stabilization and maturation of the remodeling vasculature. However, much less is known about their biology and function compared to large vessel smooth muscle cells. We have developed lines of multipotent mesenchymal cells from human embryonic stem cells (hES-MC); we hypothesize that these can function as perivascular mural cells. Here we show that the derived cells do not form teratomas in SCID mice and independently derived lines show similar patterns of gene expression by microarray analysis. When exposed to platelet-derived growth factor-BB, the platelet-derived growth factor receptor β is activated and hES-MC migrate in response to a gradient. We also show that in a serum-free medium, transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) induces robust expression of multiple contractile proteins (α smooth muscle actin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, smooth muscle 22α, and calponin). TGFβ1 signaling is mediated through the TGFβR1/Alk5 pathway as demonstrated by inhibition of α smooth muscle actin expression by treatment of the Alk5-specific inhibitor SB525334 and stable retroviral expression of the Alk5 dominant negative (K232R). Coculture of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) with hES-MC maintains network integrity compared to HUVEC alone in three-dimensional collagen I-fibronectin by paracrine signaling. Using high-resolution laser confocal microscopy, we show that hES-MC also make direct contact with HUVEC. This demonstrates that hESC-derived mesenchymal cells possess the molecular machinery expected in a perivascular progenitor cells and can play a functional role in stabilizing EC networks in in vitro three-dimensional culture.
Interception of targets using brief directional cues

There are time delays in visuomanual and oculomotor pathways, and some of these time delays may be due to the finite time required to process visual motion signals and to extract accurate information about the speed and direction of the motion. The present experiments were designed to ascertain the time required to obtain a reliable estimate of the direction of target motion. Subjects were asked to indicate the final direction of a moving target, which abruptly changed direction and shortly thereafter disappeared, by pointing to its expected emergence at the boundary of an occlusion. Subjects made small but consistent errors that overestimated the target's change in direction. These errors depended little on the amount of time the target was visible (ranging from 50 to 400 ms) after it changed direction. Pointing direction was strongly correlated with gaze, which was dominated by a saccade initiated shortly after the target changed direction. The pointing errors were explained by the fact that the saccade always intercepted the (occluded) target, but then continued in the same direction toward the boundary of the occlusion. The analysis reveals that target direction was estimated accurately even at the shortest viewing time.
fat-1 transgene expression prevents cell culture-induced loss of membrane n-3 fatty acids in activated CD4+ T-cells.

Abstract In order to evaluate the effects of fatty acids on immune cell membrane structure and function, it is often necessary to maintain cells in culture. However, cell culture conditions typically reverse alterations in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition achieved by dietary lipid manipulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that T-cells from transgenic mice expressing the Caenorhabditis elegans n-3 desaturase ( fat -1) gene would be resistant to the culture-induced loss of n-3 PUFA and, therefore, obviate the need to incorporate fatty acids or homologous serum into the medium. CD4 + T-cells were isolated from (i) control wild type (WT) mice fed a safflower oil-n-6 PUFA enriched diet (SAF) devoid of n-3 PUFA, (ii) fat- 1 transgenic mice (enriched with endogenous n-3 PUFA) fed a SAF diet, or (iii) WT mice fed a fish oil (FO) based diet enriched in n-3 PUFA. T-cell phospholipids isolated from WT mice fed FO diet (enriched in n-3 PUFA) and fat -1 transgenic mice fed a SAF diet (enriched in n-6 PUFA) were both enriched in n-3 PUFA. As expected, the mol% levels of both n-3 and n-6 PUFA were decreased in cultures of CD4 + T-cells from FO-fed WT mice after 3d in culture. In contrast, the expression of n-3 desaturase prevented the culture-induced decrease of n-3 PUFA in CD4 + T-cells from the transgenic mice. Carboxyfluorescein succinidyl ester (CFSE) -labeled CD4 + T-cells from fat -1/SAF vs. WT/SAF mice stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 for 3d, exhibited a reduced ( P fat -1-containing CD4 + T-cells express a physiologically relevant, n-3 PUFA enriched, membrane fatty acid composition which is resistant to conventional cell culture-induced depletion.
An examination of alternate assessment durations when assessing multiple-skill computational fluency: The generalizability and dependability of curriculum-based outcomes within the context of educational decisions

The current study extended previous research on curriculum-based measurement in mathematics (M-CBM) assessments. The purpose was to examine the generalizability and dependability of multiple-skill M-CBM computation assessments across various assessment durations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 minutes). Results of generalizability and dependability studies (N = 104 students) suggest that relative interindividual decisions can rely on the results from 1-minute administrations for low-stakes decisions and the results of 4-minute administrations for high-stakes decisions. Moreover, absolute intraindividual decisions can rely on the results from 4-minute administrations for low-stakes decisions and 13-minute administrations for high-stakes decisions. The implications and limitations of these results are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 615–622, 2005.
Phase I study of twice-weekly gemcitabine and concomitant external-beam radiotherapy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Abstract Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity associated with twice-weekly gemcitabine and concomitant external-beam radiotherapy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Methods and Materials: Twenty-one patients with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with external-beam radiotherapy to a dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions, concurrent with gemcitabine, infused over 30 min before irradiation on a Monday and Thursday schedule. The dose of gemcitabine was escalated in 5 cohorts of 3–6 patients each. Initial gemcitabine dose was 10 mg/m 2 , with dose escalation until dose-limiting toxicity was observed. Results: The maximum tolerated dose of gemcitabine was 50 mg/m 2 , when given in a twice-weekly schedule with radiation. Dose-limiting toxicity was seen in 2 patients at 60 mg/m 2 , and consisted of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding approximately 1 month after completion of treatment. Six patients had radiographic evidence of response to treatment, and 5 of these underwent complete surgical resection. Three patients who underwent complete resection had been deemed to have unresectable tumors before enrollment on trial. Four patients are alive, including 2 without evidence of disease more than 1 year after resection. Conclusion: The combination of external-beam radiation and twice-weekly gemcitabine at a dose of 50 mg/m 2 is well tolerated and shows promising activity for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Our data suggest a higher maximum tolerated dose and different dose-limiting toxicity than previously reported. Further investigation of this regimen is warranted.
Dissolved organic carbon in the Mid-Atlantic Bight

The Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) is a highly productive continental shelf region on the eastern North American coast and a potential sight for the export of organic carbon to the open ocean. The dynamics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the MAB were studied during three cruises in April 1994, March 1996 and August 1996 in order to characterize DOC distributions on the shelf, estimate inventories of DOC on the shelf and quantify DOC transport. There were clear spatial and temporal trends in DOC distributions. Concentrations of DOC were greater inshore than offshore and increased southward along the shelf. The total DOC inventory on the shelf during the March and April cruises was estimated at B5.88 � 10 12 g C and this increased by 0.4 � 10 12 g C (7%) in August. A simple mass balance of DOC input and export in the MAB resulted in total export of 18.7–19.6 � 10 12 gC yr � 1 . Up to 67% of this carbon is recycled oceanic DOC that is refractory with respect to MAB seawater residence times, B4% is introduced through estuaries, sediments and rainwater and at least 29% of the exported shelf DOC (4.1–7.4 � 10 12 gC yr � 1 ) is produced on the shelf. Net ecosystem production of DOC in the MAB is estimated to be between 10% and 18% of MAB primary productivity estimates. Our data supports the hypothesis that the MAB as a whole is net autotrophic for the periods of study and that DOC is an important component in ocean margin carbon budgets. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.