cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasound on rectal cancer.

Introduction Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the most accurate imaging modality for locoregional staging of rectal cancer. It remains unclear whether this technology impacts the clinical outcome of patients with this malignancy. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of EUS FNA by comparing the clinical outcomes of patients with rectal cancer before and after the introduction of EUS in our institution. Methods Outcomes of patients with de novo nonmetastatic rectal cancer seen in 1999 without EUS evaluation (non-EUS control group) were compared to patients evaluated in 2000/2001 with EUS FNA (EUS group). Results Outcomes of 68 (non-EUS control group) and 73 (EUS group) patients with nonmetastatic rectal cancer were compared. Among patients with advanced T or N stage, adjuvant therapy was administered to 45 patients (84.9%; preoperative to 31 (58.5%) patients and postoperative to 14 (26.4%)) in the EUS group; adjuvant therapy was administered to 37 patients (78.7%; preoperative to 7 (14.9%) patients and postoperative to 30 (63.8%)) in the non-EUS group. Cox proportional hazards demonstrated EUS FNA to be associated with reduced tumor recurrence risk, hazard ratio, 0.72 (95% CI: 0.52-0.97, p= 0.03). Conclusions EUS staging of rectal cancer appears to facilitate appropriate employment of preoperative neoadjuvant therapy in those patients with advanced disease. EUS use is associated with a recurrence-free survival advantage in patients, supporting its routine use in rectal cancer staging.
Differential scanning calorimetry of plant cell walls.

Abstract High-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry has been used to study the phase transition of cell wall preparations of the elongating and mature regions of soybean hypocotyls and of celery epidermis and collenchyma strands. A step-like transition believed to be glass transition was observed in walls isolated from the elongating region of soybean hypocotyls at 52.9 degrees C. Addition of 1 mM CaCl2 to the cell wall preparation increased the transition temperature to 60.8 degrees C and greatly reduced the transition magnitude. In walls from the mature region, the transition was small and occurred at a higher temperature (60.1 degrees C). Addition of calcium to the mature region cell wall had little effect on the transition. Based on the known interactions between calcium and pectin, we propose that calcium affects the glass transition by binding to the polygalacturonate backbone of wall pectin, resulting in a more rigid wall with a smaller transition at a higher temperature. The mature region either has more calcium in the wall or has more methyl-esterified pectin, making it less responsive to added calcium.
D2-type dopamine receptors in postmortem human brain sections from normal and schizophrenic subjects.

THE density of the presumed dopamine D 4 receptor ([ 3 H]YM-09151-2 minus [ 3 H]raclopride), as well as the densities of the two ligands themselves were compared in various areas of cerebral tissue from normal versus schizophrenic subjects off or on antipsychotic drugs at the time of death. Using autoradiographic techniques, and analyzing various brain areas, no differences were found in the density of the D 4 receptor, nor were differences found between the groups, in any brain region, in the amount of bound [ 3 H]YM-09151-2 or [ 3 H]raclopride. There were, therefore, no differences in the density of the D 2 -type receptors, including the D 4 receptor, in normal and schizophrenic subjects off or on antipsychotic drugs at the time of death.
Dynamics of structural phase transitions in highly anisotropic systems

We report computer simulations of a two-dimensional (2D) highly anisotropic lattice-dynamical model which exhibits a structural phase transition. The model is a set of chains weakly coupled by harmonic forces; within each chain the particles move in a double minimum ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4}$ potential with harmonic interparticle coupling. For the simulations here, the ratio of the coupling constants in the two directions is 400:1. We present numerical results for thermodynamic properties which confirm that the system has a second-order phase transition. The major emphasis of the simulation is on dynamic properties, however. We employ a graphical device (``soliton detector'') which gives a coarse-grained pictorial representation of the particle motions. Further, we present extensive calculations of wave-vector- and frequency-dependent spectral functions of displacement fluctuations. The order parameter (q=0) spectral function has a soft-mode peak and a central peak, as seen in scattering experiments. A major result of these calculations is that the minimum soft-mode frequency occurs at a (soft-mode) temperature ${T}_{s}$ which is considerably above the critical temperature ${T}_{c}$. This soft-mode temperature can be correlated with the appearance of one-dimensional soliton propagation along the chains. The critical temperature is related to the growth of 2D correlations resulting from the interchain coupling. These 2D fluctuations are responsible for a dramatic narrowing and intensity increase of the central peak in the 2D system as compared to the corresponding 1D system. We conclude with calculations of the effects of interactions between solitons on neighboring chains and how such correlations would be manifested in the spectral functions.
Stability of the parallel flow of a fluid over a slightly heavier fluid

The incompressible, inviscid, parallel flow of a layer of fluid over a slightly denser fluid, in the presence of gravity, is investigated for stability. Two idealized piece-wise-linear steady velocity profiles are examined analytically, and a comparison with related experimental results is made.The dimensionless parameter U/(gh)½, where U is flow velocity, g the acceleration of gravity, and h the thickness of the upper layer, appears to have a critical value between 0.2 and 0.7, below which stable flows can persist. At the onset of instability disturbances of wavelength about h or 2h are predicted, with more violent disturbances of longer wavelength occurring at higher values of U/(gh)½ For continuous steady velocity profiles this instability phenomenon is found to be relatively insensitive to the ratio of the densities of the two fluids.
Thermal conduction path analysis in 3-D ICs

The on-going effort of integrating heterogeneous circuits as well as the increasing length of global interconnect are driving the semiconductor community towards 3-D integrated circuits. In this work, thermal paths within a 3-D stack are investigated using the HotSpot simulator, and the results are compared to experimental data of a fabricated two layer stack with a single back metal layer. Resistive heaters and sensors measure the heat flow in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. The dependence of the thermal conductivity on temperature is integrated into the thermal simulation process. At high temperatures (~ 80°C), this effect is responsible for inaccuracies in the temperature and thermal resistance of up to, respectively, 20% and 28%. As confirmed by simulation, those horizontal paths that lie mostly within the silicon layer conduct more heat as compared to the vertical paths, since the thermal conductivity of silicon dioxide is ~ 200 times smaller than the thermal conductivity of silicon.
Long-Lived Reductions in Recoilless Fractions Following Coulomb Excitation

Time-independent reductions in recoilless fractions have been observed in the M\"ossbauer effect following simultaneous Coulomb excitation of the first excited states of ${\mathrm{W}}^{183}$ and ${\mathrm{W}}^{182}$ in W${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. These results are not in agreement with models predicting only a local temperature increase following excitation, but can be understood in terms of long-lived radiation damage effects.
Development of Voice-Coil Micro-Actuator for 3-D Virtual Tactile Displays

An electromagnetic micro-actuator operating on the principle of voice-coil actuators is presented. Using finite element analysis of several conceptual designs of actuators [1–3], it was established that the voice-coil type device (where the coil is the moving part) has most beneficial characteristics for the envisioned application. These include sufficient force over a relatively large distance, allowing tactile stimulation of surfaces with irregular shape, fast response, and small footprint that matches the density of the tactile sensory neurons in the finger. Finite element analysis based on ANSYS was used to determine the dimensions of the components of the actuator. In comparison to earlier designs [3–5], this novel device has smaller sizes (2.28 mm in diameter and 7 mm in length), which makes it suitable for use in an array to be worn on the fingertip. Based on the static measurements of a test prototype, it is estimated, that the micro-actuator can produce at least 26 mN of repulsive force on the fingertip over a stroke of 2100 μm with a peak force of 34 mN. The driving circuit operates with 13.5V and generates a vibration frequency of up to 265 Hz without significant change of the force-displacement characteristics. In the higher frequency range (above 100 Hz) the actuator provides at least 15 mN of force over a stroke of 2300 μm, and a peak force of 21mN. The perceivability of the device on human fingertip approves the expectations drawn from the fact that all of the above parameters meet the required values of the thresholds of the human perception known from [4] and [5]. Due to its increased stroke, the voice-coil micro-actuator proved to be very suitable for the envisioned application allowing contact with the curved surface of the fingertip.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Laser ablation of alumina in water

Bulk α-alumina immersed in distilled water was ablated by pulsed UV laser radiation. The resulting colloidal solution contained micron and submicron size particles. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra of the ablated and original material are similar. Hence, most of the ablated material is α-alumina. From transmission electron microscope images, most of the submicron and all of the micron-sized particles have sharp edges and do not have spherical shapes, indicating that the dominant ablation mechanism is due to crack propagation. Some spherical particles of diameter less than 100 nm are observed, indicating that they were formed from the liquid state.
Selective uptake of low density lipoprotein-cholesteryl ester is enhanced by inducible apolipoprotein E expression in cultured mouse adrenocortical cells.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E is expressed at high levels by steroidogenic cells of the adrenal gland, ovary, and testis. The cell surface location of apoE in adrenocortical cells suggests that apoE may facilitate the uptake of lipoprotein cholesterol by either the endocytic or the selective uptake pathways, or both. To examine these possibilities, the human apoE gene was expressed in murine Y1 adrenocortical cells under control of an inducible tetracycline-regulated promoter. The results show that induction of apoE yielded a 2–2.5-fold increase in the uptake of low density lipoprotein-cholesteryl ester (LDL-CE) but had little effect on high density lipoprotein-CE uptake. Analysis of lipoprotein uptake pathways showed that apoE increased LDL-CE uptake by both endocytic and selective uptake pathways. In terms of cholesterol delivery to the adrenal cell, the apoE-mediated enhancement of LDL-CE selective uptake was quantitatively more important. Furthermore, the predominant effect of apoE expression was on the low affinity component of LDL-CE selective uptake. LDL particles incubated with apoE-expressing cells contained 0.92 ± 0.11 apoE molecules/apoB after gel filtration chromatography, indicating stable complex formation between apoE and LDL. ApoE expression by Y1 cells was necessary for enhanced LDL-CE selective uptake. This result may indicate an interaction between apoE-containing LDL and cell surface apoE. These data suggest that apoE produced locally by steroidogenic cells facilitates cholesterol acquisition by the LDL selective uptake pathway.
Autonomous Control Of Image Sensor For The Optimal Acquisition Of Ground Information For Dynamic Analysis

Department of Electrical EngineeringPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, PA 16802AbstractIn this paper attempt is made to improve the overall performance of a stripmap imagesensor through the implementation with AI. The virtual range of scanning thus obtainedcould be two to three times as large as the original range.The approach suggested is mainly a predictive control with which the viewing directionof the sensor is intermittently centered at the centroid of the target information acquiredduring the preceding scans so that maximum amount of information on the successive targetsegments can be obtained.Simulation experiment conducted verifies the feasibility of the suggested approach.IntroductionThrough constant improvements over the past thirty years image sensor has already beena successful technique in the detection and conversion of low light level signals. Never-theless, human user from various branches of sciences and technologies of today are lookingforward to havinglag intelligent sensor which can autonomously adjust itself to an optimalworking condition'-ondition
Reconstructing the assembly of a stream-insect metacommunity

AbstractDispersal rates and the diversity of the regional species pool strongly affect community assembly in habitat patches. Incorporating these elements mechanistically into a model of community assembly requires adoption of a metacommunity paradigm. We developed a hierarchical model of community assembly for stream insects that incorporates regional effects (distance to and generic richness of other stream reaches) and local effects (water quality and community composition). We tested our model with a unique data set detailing changes in stream-insect community composition over 6 sampling periods across a 27-y period of watershed recovery from anthropogenic effects. α and γ richness increased greatly over the time period, whereas β richness declined strongly. Generic richness of individual stream reaches was significantly related to dispersal distance and generic richness of surrounding immigrant pools in preceding years. However, the strength of the relationship declined over time indicating that dist...
Resolving the deposit dilemma: A new DEA bank efficiency model.

Abstract One of the weaknesses of current bank efficiency models is a disagreement as to the role of deposits in the bank production process. Some models view deposits as an input, while others view them as an output. Such disparity of approaches results in inconsistent efficiency estimates. In this study we propose an alternative Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) bank efficiency model that treats deposits as an intermediate product, thus emphasizing the dual role of deposits in the bank production process. Consequently, the effect of the amount of deposits on bank efficiency depends on the efficiency at both stages of the bank production process. The main advantage of our model is that it does not require a researcher to make a judgment call as to whether having more (production approach) or less (intermediation approach) deposits is “better” for bank efficiency. Our unified framework has the potential to produce more consistent efficiency estimates.
Client importance and non-Big 5 auditors’ reporting decisions

Abstract In this paper, we examine the effect of the trade-off between economic dependence and reputation protection on the link between client size and the audit reporting decisions of non-Big 5 auditors. We find that non-Big 5 auditors, like Big 5 auditors, do not allow their larger clients greater leeway to manage earnings. In fact, there is some evidence that non-Big 5 auditors treat their larger clients more strictly. In addition, non-Big 5 auditors, like Big 5 auditors, are at least as likely to issue a going-concern report to their potentially financially distressed larger clients as they are to their otherwise smaller clients.
The “bigger deal” is OpenURL

Purpose – To provide a regular update on matters of interest to the interlending and document supply (ILDS) community.Design/methodology/approach – Informal.Findings – That there is a varied response to the impact of big deals on document supply.Originality/value – Insights from senior practitioners in the USA and comment by a prominent player in the area.
An algebraic formula for amplitudes of intermodulation products involving an arbitrary number of frequencies

Given a nonlinear device described by a power series and having an input consisting of a sum of any number of cosine waves, a formula is derived which enables one to express the amplitude of any chosen intermodulation product in the output as a function of the power series coefficients and the amplitudes of the input frequency components.
Teaching audit reports: A flowchart approach

Abstract The effective and efficient communication of audit report material for historical generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)-based financial statements is a challenging task for auditing educators. A sizable number of auditing standards focus on this subject matter. Moreover, several recent expectation-gap standards, notably Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 58, impact directly on the reporting issue. Two instructional issues are of concern with regard to audit report materials. They are (a) the complexity of the material and (b) timing-when this material should be presented. With respect to the complexity issue, SAS No. 58 and related standards are so complex that many auditing students are overwhelmed by the topic. With regard to timing, some instructors feel a need to communicate an overview of the reporting process when the topic is first introduced and then deliver a more detailed discussion later in the course. To address the complexity and timing issues, this paper illustrates two different levels of flowcharts. These materials may be used in the classroom by accounting educators to effectively communicate the set of reporting conditions and the related audit report responses.
Vertical moisture profile characteristics of severe surface drought and surface wetness in the western United States: 1973–2002

Drought can be viewed as a three-dimensional phenomenon rather than simply a surface feature. We characterize drought across the western United States from 1973 to 2002 in a three-dimensional context by examining its vertical moisture extent using NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data derived from rawinsonde moisture profiles. We then apply a discriminant analysis to establish the degree of difference between the vertical moisture profiles of extreme drought and extreme wetness conditions. The mean vertical moisture profiles of dry cases are measurably drier than those of wet regions, particularly at the lower levels of the profile. The discriminant analysis of the 9254 cases indicates that moisture in the lowest (850 hPa) level of the profile is most important in identifying dry versus wet regions, and, consequently, implies a strong influence of convective precipitation in defining surface drought and wet conditions in the study region. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Laparoscopic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection with Therapeutic Intent in Men with Clinical Stage I Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumors

Abstract Background and Purpose: Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) as a primary means of therapy for patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCTs) remains controversial. The object of this study was to assess the outcomes of patients with clinical stage I NSGCTs who underwent laparoscopic RPLND with therapeutic intent. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the pathologic and clinical outcomes of 26 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic RPLND with therapeutic intent for clinical stage I NSGCT from July 2006 to March 2009. Patients underwent an extended template laparoscopic RPLND including dissection behind the great vessels. A full bilateral dissection was performed if metastatic disease was discovered intraoperatively. Results: Of the 26 patients, 9 (35%) were discovered to have pathologic stage II disease. The mean number of nodes removed at the time of laparoscopic RPLND was 28 (range 6–82). Of six patients found to have pN1 di...
Effect of aging on recovery of striatal dopamine receptors following N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1, 2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) blockade.

The recovery rate of striatal dopamine receptors following blockade by N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1, 2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) in vivo is reduced by 25–35% in striata from senescent Wistar rats when compared to mature counterparts. No differences in binding affinity for [3H]-spiperone were observed for the different age groups at various times after EEDQ injection. These results suggest that loss of striatal dopamine receptors during aging may be due to a decreased biosynthetic rate.
Pneumatically Actuated Diaphragm Single Chamber Micropump

The analysis of a single chamber micropump with a diaphragm driven by a pulse train of external pressure and two passive check valves at inlet and outlet is performed. The model for the micropump is developed based on the fundamentals of fluid mechanics and theory of plates with quasi-static approximation. The simulation results are compared with existing experimental data. They are in good agreement on flow rate and in reasonable agreement on backpressure for low driving frequency up to 3 Hz. It is found that the flow rate increases as the driving frequency increases or the backpressure decreases. The results also predict that a duty cycle of 50% results in the highest flow rate at the same frequency and actuating pressure. Also, a higher actuating pressure yields a higher flow rate. The model presented here can effectively assist the design process of micropumps since the model is directly related to the basic design parameters such as geometric dimensions and material properties.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Generic model of an autonomous sensor

Abstract This paper presents a novel approach towards the development of a generic model of an autonomous sensor (independent, self-reliant, self-sufficient). A case is made for autonomy as the ability to operate optimally using information available to the sensor without the intervention of other systems. The model's taxonomy accommodates behaviors common to most sensors. A taxonomy that includes knowledge and data bases is defined such as to equip the sensor model with decision making and learning capabilities based not only on analytic, or statistical methods, but also based on heuristic knowledge, and on the ability to represent behaviors that are difficult or impossible to represent with analytical or deterministic methods. The objective of the model is to allow the sensor to operate in an “intelligent” manner regardless of the control system in which it may be used. A simulated autonomous thermistor has been instantiated as an example. As defined, autonomous sensors would simplify implementation and operation of complex systems with large numbers of sensors, would improve systems that use multisensor integration and fusion, would maintain sensors at optimum operating conditions, and would aid in automatic task error detection and recovery in complex systems.
Impact testing of potato harvesting equipment

Samples of 28 different potato harvester chain links in seven different configurations were evaluated using the MSU-USDA Instrumented Sphere (IS). During the fall of 1989, 23 potato harvesters in Michigan were evaluated using the IS. Besides the IS impact data, each harvester was measured for chain speed relationships, operating ground speed, chain type and drop height. Testing of the harvesters did provide a range of data that represents what is likely to occur when the IS is used to evaluate individual harvesters. Based on the average peak acceleration and velocity change values (and the computed severity rating), air heads had the most severe impacts. The next most severe impacts were the primary chain, where all impacts were on steel. Next were the transitions to the rear cross and the side elevator, both of which involved a change of direction for the IS and the potatoes. Roller tables had the least severe impacts.
AN INEXPENSIVE EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEM FOR STUDY OF TWO PHASE FLOW BY LASER IMAGE PROCESSING

A new unobtrusive method for two-phase flow data collection was proven reliable in this research. Digital image processing is used to measure drop dispersion and mixing in highly turbulent liquid/liquid pipeline flow. The location of interest is illuminated briefly by a sheet of light from a pulsed laser, thereby freezing the motion, and is viewed by a CCD video camera. The intensity distribution of light affected by droplets is measured by an array of sensors and is stored in a computer as a set of grey levels. Computer software reconstructs the droplet pattern from this array of spatially distributed grey levels. After appropriate computer screening to eliminate non-drops, the drop size distribution, local concentration, and other relevant statistical parameters are calculated. This on-line, computer based automatic image processing system is being used to determine local concentrations directly and to analyze the large amounts of data necessary to develop reliable correlations and validate proposed the...
Asymptotic of some integral

Consider an integral I(s) := ∫ b 0 e−s(x 2−icx)x2dx, where c > 0 and b > 0 are arbitrary positive constants. It is proved that I(s) ∼ −2i s3c3 as s→ +∞. Possible applications of this result to the Pompeiu problem are outlined. MSC: 41A60
The inner world of the psychotherapist: A program of research on countertransference

The author reviews findings from his research to date on countertransference. Particular attention is paid to the succession of ideas underlying this program of research, and the author highlights measurement and other methodological challenges inherent to empirical work on countertransference. A theoretical framework for integrating countertransference research is presented, as are clinical implications and directions for future research.
The real world: developing information age issues forums

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to describe the development of a series of forums on issues of the information age, created to address ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standard Five.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a case study, including citations to relevant literature.Findings – The paper provides a technique for addressing ACRL Information Literacy Standard Five, examples of topics, discussion of logistics, and value to students.Originality/value – The ideas and methods presented in the paper may be used by other librarians to arrange forums at their own institutions. A checklist to assist in preparation is also included.
Factors Influencing Water Consumption in Multifamily Housing in Tempe, Arizona

Central to the Smart Growth movement is that compact development reduces vehicle miles traveled, carbon emissions, and water use. Empirical efforts to evaluate compact development have examined residential densities but have not distinguished decreasing lot sizes from multifamily apartments as mechanisms for compact development. Efforts to link design features to water use have emphasized single-family at the expense of multifamily housing. This study isolates the determinants of water use in large (more than fifty units) apartment complexes in the city of Tempe, Arizona. In July 2007, per bedroom water use increased with pool area, dishwashers, and in-unit laundry facilities. We are able to explain nearly 50 percent of the variation in water demand with these variables. These results inform public policy for reducing water use in multifamily housing structures, suggesting strategies to construct and market “green” apartment units.
Making Sense of Word Sense Variation

We present a pilot study of word-sense annotation using multiple annotators, relatively polysemous words, and a heterogenous corpus. Annotators selected senses for words in context, using an annotation interface that presented WordNet senses. Interannotator agreement (IA) results show that annotators agree well or not, depending primarily on the individual words and their general usage properties. Our focus is on identifying systematic differences across words and annotators that can account for IA variation. We identify three lexical use factors: semantic specificity of the context, sense concreteness, and similarity of senses. We discuss systematic differences in sense selection across annotators, and present the use of association rules to mine the data for systematic differences across annotators.
Routine revascularization is unnecessary in the majority of patients requiring zone II coverage during thoracic endovascular aortic repair: A longitudinal outcomes study using United States Medicare population data

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage without bypass (TEVAR + SUB) to TEVAR with coverage of the LSA with a bypass at the time of the initial procedure or later at a separate procedure (TEVAR + SUB + BYPASS).MethodsThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services inpatient claims for 2006–2007 were queried using Current Procedural Terminology codes for TEVAR, TEVAR + SUB, TEVAR + SUB + BYPASS or later as a separate procedure.ResultsA total of 2676 patients underwent TEVAR; 869 (32.5%) underwent TEVAR + SUB and 49 (5.6%) TEVAR + SUB + BYPASS. At the time of the initial procedure, TEVAR + SUB + BYPASS was associated with a higher incidence of stroke compared to TEVAR + SUB (12.8% vs. 3.8 %; p = 0.0033). Among TEVAR + SUB, only 1.93% (50 patients) had a subsequent bypass performed during a one-year follow-up. Overall rates of morbidity (p = 0.004) and mortality (p = 0.011) trended towards significance in favor of TEVAR + S...
Expression of antisense RNA fails to inhibit influenza virus replication

Cell lines were constructed which permanently express influenza virus-specific RNA. Two approaches were followed. C127 cells were transformed with bovine papilloma virus (BPV) vectors and the resulting cell lines were found to inhibit the replication of influenza virus at low multiplicity of infection (MOI 0.05). However, examination of cellular RNA using single-stranded probes revealed the presence of both (+)sense and antisense RNA transcripts (45-70 copies per cell). In this BPV-based system the inhibitory activity appeared to be associated with a non-specific, interferon (IFN)-mediated effect. In the second approach, an expression system was used which involved 293 cells, a chimeric human cytomegalovirus (CMV)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) promoter, and methotrexate- (Mtx)-mediated gene amplification. Cells were found to express up to 7500 copies of influenza virus-specific RNA per cell at a steady state level. In this system no RNA transcripts of the opposite orientation were found. However, all cell lines permanently expressing either (-)sense or (+)sense viral RNA failed to reduce influenza virus titers in a multi-cycle replication experiment (MOI 0.01).
Effect of pressure on heat transport in polymers used in dentistry.

The thermal properties of dental materials are important in certain aspects of tooth repair and the restoration of dental function. This is especially true for polymeric dental materials, for which low thermal conductivity is often considered an important asset. This paper contains a report on the surprisingly large effect that pressure (well with in the range encountered on the biting surfaces of teeth) can have on heat transfer in polymers that are widely used in dentistry. A sandwich type pressure-conductivity cell has been used to measure the thermal conductivity K of polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, and poly-n-butyl methacrylate. The measurements span the range −50 to 50°C and pressures up to 2000 bar. For the polymers mentioned (and many others) K at a given temperature increases as pressure is increased. Initial increases in pressure to several hundred bars may typically increase the over-all heat transfer coefficient by a factor of two or more. At higher pressures, the relative slope (dK/dp)/K is typically about 10% per kilobar. Some comments are made about the thermal contact coefficient and the thermal diffusivity which are of more direct interest to dentists than K itself.
Improved phase sensitivity in spectral domain phase microscopy using line-field illumination and self phase-referencing

We report a quantitative phase microscope based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography and line-field illumination. The line illumination allows self phase-referencing method to reject common-mode phase noise. The quantitative phase microscope also features a separate reference arm, permitting the use of high numerical aperture (NA > 1) microscope objectives for high resolution phase measurement at multiple points along the line of illumination. We demonstrate that the path-length sensitivity of the instrument can be as good as 41pm/Hz, which makes it suitable for nanometer scale study of cell motility. We present the detection of natural motions of cell surface and two-dimensional surface profiling of a HeLa cell.
Analytical Modeling of Chemical Vapor Infiltration in Fabrication of Ceramic Composites

A model for chemical vapor infiltration is applied to the study of the growth of alumina from the chemical reaction among AlCl3, H2, and CO2 within a SiC-fiber bundle which is situated in an isothermal hot-wall reactor. The pore space between the fibers is simulated by cylindrical capillary tubes. The model considers binary diffusion of CO2 and H2, chemical reaction on the inner surface of the tube, and deposition film growth. Furthermore, diffusion-controiled and chemical-reaction-controlled processes are taken into account to determine the dominating process in chemical vapor infiltration. Both molecular diffusion and Knudsen diffusion are considered sequentially in this model during the infiltration process. Based upon this model, the optimum processing conditions required for chemical vapor infiltration to form a SiC/Al2O3 composite can be predicted for different fiber preform systems.
QUALITATIVE DIFFERENCES IN THE ANTIGENIC COMPOSITION OF INFLUENZA A VIRUS STRAINS.

A study of the PR8, Christie, Talmey, W.S., and swine strains of influenza A virus by means of antibody absorption tests revealed the following findings: 1. Serum antibody could be specifically absorbed with allantoic fluid containing influenza virus or, more effectively, with concentrated suspensions of virus obtained from allantoic fluid by high-speed centrifugation or by the red cell adsorption and elution technique. Normal allantoic fluid, or the centrifugalized sediment therefrom, failed to absorb antibodies. Influenza B virus (Lee) caused no detectable absorption of antibody from antisera directed against influenza A virus strains, but it specifically absorbed antibody from Lee antisera. 2. The neutralizing, agglutination-inhibiting, and complement-fixing anti-bodies in ferret antisera were completely absorbed only by the homologous virus strain, even though 2 absorptions were carried out with large amounts of heterologous virus strains. 3. PR8 virus appeared to have the broadest range of specific antigenic components for it completely absorbed the heterologous antibodies in Christie and W.S. antisera and left only those antibodies which reacted with the respective homologous strains. The other virus strains (Christie, Talmey, W.S., swine) were more specific in the absorption of heterologous antibodies and completely removed only those antibodies which reacted with the absorbing virus. 4. The absorption tests revealed a higher degree of specificity and individuality of the virus strains than the various cross reactions previously reported. The strain specificity of PR8 virus was equally manifest in absorption tests with ferret sera and with human sera following vaccination. 5. The amount of homologous antibody remaining in a PR8 ferret serum after absorption with PR8 virus, obtained by the red cell adsorption and elution method, varied inversely as the concentration of virus used for absorption. A given concentration of virus, however, absorbed a greater percentage of neutralizing antibodies than either agglutination-inhibiting or complement-fixing antibodies.
Maxmin Expected Utility over Savage Acts with a Set of Priors

Abstract This paper provides an axiomatic foundation for a maxmin expected utility over a set of priors (MMEU) decision rule in an environment where the elements of choice are Savage acts. This characterization complements the original axiomatization of MMEU developed in a lottery-acts (or Anscombe–Aumann) framework by I. Gilboa and D. Schmeidler (1989, J. Math. Econ. 18 , 141–153). MMEU preferences are of interest primarily because they provide a natural and tractable way of modeling decision makers who display an aversion to uncertainty or ambiguity. The novel axioms are formulated using standard sequence techniques, which allow cardinal properties of utility to be expressed directly through preferences. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: D81.
Gas gangrene of the heart in clostridial septicemia.

Abstract Morphologic evidence of invasion of the cardiac muscle was present in 9 out of 17 patients with histologic evidence of wide-spread systemic clostridial infection. The cardiac lesions consisted of foci of myonecrosis containing numerous organisms, myocardial gaseous cysts, and clumps of organisms within the lumina of cardiac vascular and lymphatic channels. There was no inflammatory response to the invading clostridial organisms. Each of the patients with clostridial myonecrosis of the heart had clostridial infection in a number of other organs. The portal of entry was a gastrointestinal or respiratorytract ulceration. It is probable that the incidence of systemic clostridial infections will rise with the increasing use of chemotherapeutic agents, steroids, and antibiotics.
Experimental pressure response for a modified PRC: Well‐stirred binary gas phase

The batch pressure-response cell provides flexible and accurate means of assessing the kinetics in heterogeneous gas-liquid reactions. A new model is derived to determine the kinetics of reactions of general (n,m) order using binary gas phase. This model has an important feature that allows the determination of the reaction order with respect to the gas-phase reactant and the rate constant from a single set of pressure vs. time data through a simple two-parameter estimation routine. Gas mixing was introduced via a simple modification of the liquid-phase magnetic stirrer to reduce the gas-phase mass-transfer resistance to negligible levels and the parameter estimation problem to only two factors. The heterogeneous cobalt catalyzed sulfite oxidation reaction at low partial pressures of oxygen using a nitrogen-oxygen mixture was tested to verify the validity of the model. The predicted kinetics were remarkably close to those values in the literature, yielding an oxygen order of 1.98 ± 0.02, which is taken to be second order in oxygen.
Creating compassionate care within the hospital intensive care unit: beyond positivism and toward wisdom and responsibility

Of deaths in the US, an increasing proportion occur within hospital intensive care units amidst miraculous medical technology. A positivist ethos dominates, despite the severe philosophic criticisms levelled at its axiomatic foundations. As patients are transformed into ‘cases’, they lose social identity, and their dying becomes a medical defeat, rather than a natural and social process. Families encounter sedated intubated specimens rather than social persons from whom they wish ceremonially to depart. In response to these problems, there are ongoing efforts at transformation and remediation. Viewing biomedicine in relationship to phronesis, this article explores the dilemmas.
Complete Methods Set for Scalable Ion Trap Quantum Information Processing

Large-scale quantum information processors must be able to transport and maintain quantum information and repeatedly perform logical operations. Here, we show a combination of all of the fundamental elements required to perform scalable quantum computing through the use of qubits stored in the internal states of trapped atomic ions. We quantified the repeatability of a multiple-qubit operation and observed no loss of performance despite qubit transport over macroscopic distances. Key to these results is the use of different pairs of 9 Be + hyperfine states for robust qubit storage, readout, and gates, and simultaneous trapping of 24 Mg + “re-cooling” ions along with the qubit ions.
When Do Affiliations with VCs Matter? Payment Structures in High-Tech Partnerships

We consider the payments that a new venture receives from a collaborative agreement by extending signaling theory to the literature on the design of high-tech partnerships. Specifically, we develop...
Application of multilayer feedforward neural networks to precipitation cell-top altitude estimation

The use of passive 118-GHz O/sub 2/ observations of rain cells for precipitation cell-top altitude estimation is demonstrated by using a multilayer feedforward neural network retrieval system. Rain cell observations at 118 GHz were compared with estimates of the cell-top altitude obtained by optical stereoscopy. The observations were made with 2-4-km horizontal spatial resolution by using the millimeter-wave temperature sounder (MTS) scanning spectrometer aboard the NASA ER-2 research aircraft during the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE) and the Cooperative Huntsville Meteorological Experiment (COHMEX) in 1986. The neural network estimator applied to MTS spectral differences between clouds, and nearby clear air yielded an rms discrepancy of 1.76 km for a combined cumulus, mature, and dissipating cell set and 1.44 km for the cumulus-only set. An improvement in rms discrepancy to 1.36 km was achieved by including additional MTS information on the absolute atmospheric temperature profile. An incremental method for training neural networks was developed that yielded robust results, despite the use of as few as 56 training spectra. Comparison of these results with a nonlinear statistical estimator shows that superior results can be obtained with a neural network retrieval system. Imagery of estimated cell-top altitudes was created from 118-GHz spectral imagery gathered from CAMEX, September through October 1993, and from cyclone Oliver, February 7, 1993.
Retaliatory attitudes and violent behaviors among assault-injured youth

Abstract Objectives To examine the effect of retaliatory attitudes on subsequent violent behavior and fight-related injuries among youth who presented to the emergency department with assault injuries. Design Assault-injured youth were interviewed at baseline, 6 months, and 18 months to assess fighting behavior, retaliatory attitudes, weapon carrying, and injury history as part of a larger randomized control trial. Setting Two emergency departments in urban areas were selected for the study. Participants A total of 129 adolescents aged 10–15 years were included in the study. Outcome measures Fighting behavior, assault injury, weapon carrying, and aggressive behavior. Results Higher retaliatory attitudes at baseline were associated with more aggression and a higher frequency of fighting over time. Conclusions Retaliatory attitudes may fuel cycles of violence among youth. Medical professionals in acute care settings have an opportunity to identify youths at risk of future assault injury by assessing retaliation, providing anticipatory guidance, and referring to intervention programs.
Empathic lead users: The effects of extraordinary user experiences on customer needs analysis and product redesign

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of empathic lead user analysis for uncovering latent customer needs that could lead to breakthrough product ideas. Empathic lead users are defined as ordinary customers (or designers) who are transformed into lead users by experiencing the product in radically new ways, via extraordinary user experiences. These extraordinary experiences may include modifications of the usage environment or the way in which the customer interacts with the product. A procedure for designing and conducting empathic lead user interviews is introduced in this paper. Results are reported for a trial study in which the empathic lead user technique is compared with verbal and articulated use interviews for a common consumer product (a two-person tent). Empathic lead user interviews are observed to have a significantly positive effect on latent needs discovery in the trial study, leading to a five-fold increase in latent needs discovery relative to articulated use interviews with a prototype and a twenty-fold increase relative to verbal interviews without a prototype. Empathic lead user interviews emerge as a promising tool for supporting innovation and breakthrough concept generation.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Quinolone Antibiotics Induce Shiga Toxin-Encoding Bacteriophages, Toxin Production, and Death in Mice

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cause significant disease; treatment is supportive and antibiotic use is controversial. Ciprofloxacin but not fosfomycin causes Shiga toxin-encoding bacteriophage induction and enhanced Shiga toxin (Stx) production from E. coli O157:H7 in vitro. The potential clinical relevance of this was examined in mice colonized with E. coli O157:H7 and given either ciprofloxacin or fosfomycin. Both antibiotics caused a reduction in fecal STEC. However, animals treated with ciprofloxacin had a marked increase in free fecal Stx, associated with death in two-thirds of the mice, whereas fosfomycin did not. Experiments that used a kanamycin-marked Stx2 prophage demonstrated that ciprofloxacin, but not fosfomycin, caused enhanced intraintestinal transfer of Stx2 prophage from one E. coli to another. These observations suggest that treatment of human STEC infection with bacteriophage-inducing antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones, may have significant adverse clinical consequences and that fluoroquinolone antibiotics may enhance the movement of virulence factors in vivo.
Optical-fiber strain sensors with asymmetric etched structures

Optical-fiber strain gauges with asymmetric etched structures have been analyzed, fabricated, and tested. These sensors are very sensitive with a gauge factor as high as 170 and a flat frequency response to at least 2.7 kHz. The gauge factor depends on the asymmetry of the etched structures and the number of etched sections. To understand the physical principles involved, researchers have used structural analysis programs based on a finite-element method to analyze fibers with asymmetric etched structures under tensile stress. The results show that lateral bends are induced on the etched fibers when they are stretched axially. To relate the lateral bending to the optical attenuation, we have also employed a ray-tracing technique to investigate the dependence of the attenuation on the structural deformation. Based on the structural analysis and the ray-tracing study parameters affecting the sensitivity have been studied. These results agree with the results of experimental investigations.