cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 6 – Biomass Utilization

Many modern cars can run on gasoline with low concentrations of ethanol, and flex-fuel cars are able to utilize fuels with any concentration of ethanol. However, the fact that most ethanol sources for fuel production are also food sources makes their adoption untenable. Lignocellulosic biomass, however, is the most abundant plant material on Earth, with much higher yields per area of land, and is therefore available at a lower cost compared with starch- or sucrose-based materials. The major drawback in the commercial use of lignocellulose for the production of fuels and chemicals is the lack of cost-effective solutions in the processing of lignocellulose. This chapter discusses the dissolution of cellulose using ionic liquids (ILs) in detail, as well as enzymatic catalysis using ILs.
Modeling Nonlinear-Inelastic Seismic Response of Tall Buildings with Soil–Structure Interaction

AbstractSoil-structure interaction (SSI) effects are of interest for the seismic analysis and the design of tall buildings on shallow foundations, particularly when both the structure and soil unde...
What to Do When Everything Happens at Once: Analytic Approaches to Estimate the Health Effects of Co-Occurring Social Policies.

Social policies have great potential to improve population health and reduce health disparities. Thus, increasing empirical research seeks to quantify the health effects of social policies by exploiting variation in the timing of policy changes across places. Multiple social policies are often adopted simultaneously or in close succession in the same locations, creating co-occurrence which must be handled analytically for valid inferences. Although this is a substantial methodological challenge for studies aiming to isolate social policy effects, limited prior work has systematically considered analytic solutions within a causal framework or assessed whether these solutions are being adopted. We designated seven analytic solutions to policy co-occurrence, including efforts to disentangle individual policy effects and efforts to estimate the combined effects of co-occurring policies. We leveraged an existing systematic review of social policies and health to evaluate how often policy co-occurrence is identified as a threat to validity and how often each analytic solution is applied in practice. Of the 55 studies, only 17 (31%) reported checking for any co-occurring policies, although 36 (67%) used at least one approach that helps address policy co-occurrence. The most common approaches were: adjusting for measures of co-occurring policies; defining the outcome on subpopulations likely to be affected by the policy of interest (but not other co-occurring policies); and selecting a less-correlated measure of policy exposure. As health research increasingly focuses on policy changes, we must systematically assess policy co-occurrence and apply analytic solutions to strengthen future studies on the health effects of social policies.
Use of aortic arch measurements in evaluating significant arch hypoplasia in neonates with coarctation

Abstract Background Surgical repair for neonatal arch hypoplasia with coarctation can be performed by a sternotomy or thoracotomy. Objectives This study retrospectively investigates the use of pre-surgical absolute aortic arch measurements in guiding the optimal approach for neonates with coarctation and aortic arch hypoplasia. Methods Patients ≤ 30 days old who underwent coarctation repair via a median sternotomy or lateral thoracotomy between January 2000 and July 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Neonates requiring intracardiac surgery were excluded. Specific aortic arch measurements were obtained and 3 ratios calculated: distal transverse arch diameter/carotid artery diameter (DT/CA), distal transverse arch diameter/distance from the carotid to subclavian artery (CSA) and isthmus diameter/descending aorta diameter (I/D). Results Of 118 patients, 65 had a lateral thoracotomy and 53 had a median sternotomy. Distal transverse arch, the carotid artery and isthmus diameters correlated with surgical approach. The DT/CA ratio was statistically significant with an ROC curve (p Conclusion In neonates with coarctation, pre-surgical aortic arch measurements and ratios can be utilized to identify aortic arch hypoplasia and guide surgical approach. In our institution, neonates with a DT/CA ratio of 0.9 or less routinely underwent arch reconstruction by a median sternotomy. Re-intervention rates in the median sternotomy and lateral thoracotomy groups were comparable.
When Extracting Is Not Subtracting: Accounting for Organism-technologies as Stakeholders in Microbial Resource Extraction through an Experiment in Discursive Biomimicry:

This paper concerns how digitizing biological resources enables disentangling information technologies from biological bodies and, thus, from response-abilities among creatures from which they are ...
Hypercoordinated eka-tin materials with dangling aryl-methoxy and -methylthio ligands exhibiting intramolecular secondary bonding and aryl bond stabilization in reactions with organotin chlorides

The syntheses of [2-(CH3ECH2)C6H4]PbPh3−nCln, (n = 0, E = O (4), E = S (5); n = 1, E = O (6), E = S (7); n = 2, E = O (8), are described. NMR and single crystal data illustrate significant Pb⋯E interactions increasing as n progresses from 0 to 2. The Pb⋯E interactions stabilize the Pb–aryl bonding to the extent that the reactions of 4 and 5 with Me2SnCl2 result in interchange of a Ph group and Cl to produce 6 and 7, respectively, together with Me2PhSnCl.
Assessment of Acute Abdominal Symptoms

The diagnostic evaluation of the patient with acute abdominal pain is one of the most interesting and challenging problems in clinical medicine. Changes in technology in the past 25 years (ultrasonography, computed tomographic [CT] scanning, magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], diagnostic peritoneal lavage, and laparoscopy) have improved our ability to “see” into the abdomen. Nevertheless, the abdomen remains very much a “black box” for the clinician on the front line. Surgery is still awaiting the development of an imaging test of sufficient accuracy to revolutionize the evaluation of the acute abdomen much as the head CT scan changed forever the fields of neurology and neurosurgery. A careful history and physical examination by an experienced surgeon, together with judicious use of laboratory and currently available imaging studies, remain the best method of evaluation at present.
Concepts, Philosophical Issues About

Concepts are generally defined as representations that allow us to think about properties or categories. Philosophers have debated the nature of these representations and the cognitive functions that they serve. Keywords: concepts; definitions; prototypes; theories; atomism
Four Arguments Against the Federal Marriage Amendment that Even an Opponent of Gay Marriage Should Accept

In this article, the author argues against a federal constitutional amendment preventing states from recognizing same-sex marriages. As of now, a nationwide policy debate is underway on the merits of providing full marital recognition to gay couples. That debate is still in its infancy and is proceeding in a variety of ways, with divergent policy choices in the states. It should not be cut short by the extraordinary mechanism of a constitutional amendment that would substantially delay or permanently foreclose what may turn out to be a valuable social reform.To summarize, the four main points the author makes are: First, a constitutional amendment is unnecessary because federal and state laws, combined with the present state of the relevant constitutional doctrines, already make court-ordered, nationwide same-sex marriage unlikely for the foreseeable future. Therefore, an amendment banning same-sex marriage is a solution in search of a problem. Second, a constitutional amendment defining marriage would be a radical intrusion on the nation's founding commitment to federalism in an area traditionally reserved for state regulation, family law. There has been no showing that federalism has been unworkable in the area of family law. Third, a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage would be an unprecedented form of constitutional amendment, cutting short an ongoing national debate over what privileges and benefits, if any, ought to be conferred on same-sex couples, and preventing democratic processes from expanding individual rights. Fourth, the amendment as proposed is constitutional overkill that reaches well beyond the stated concerns of its proponents, foreclosing not just courts but also state legislatures from recognizing same-sex marriages and perhaps other forms of legal support for same-sex relationships. Whatever one thinks of same-sex marriage as a matter of policy, no person who cares about our Constitution and public policy should support this unnecessary, radical, unprecedented, and overly broad departure from the nation's traditions and history.
Neutron Capture Cross Sections for 86 Sr and 87 Sr at Stellar Temperatures

Recent work on s-process nucleosynthesis has focused attention on the investigation of capture cross sections for nuclei in the mass region near the N=50 closed neutron shell [1,2,3]. Of special astrophysical interest are (i) the analysis of the s-process branching through 85Kr as a monitor of stellar neutron density and temperature and (ii) the investigation of the possible Chronometric pair 87Rb-87Sr as an independent measure of the age of the galaxy. For both problems the capture cross sections of the two pure s-process nuclei 86Sr and 87Sr have to be known to an accuracy of 5% or better. The current investigation of the neutron capture cross sections for 86Sr and 87Sr was undertaken to extend recent measurements by WALTER and BEER [2] to energies below 3.5 keV, where strong resonances are known to exist, and to explore the discrepancy in the results of the Maxwellian averaged capture cross section of 87Sr at kT = 30 keV as reported by previous investigators [2,4,5].
The Brookline Aging Project—Some Implications for Health Education

This investigation was supported by Public Health Research Grant RG6609 from the Division of Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Washington, D. C.
HUMAN PLACENTAL Ca-Mg STIMULATED ATP'ase ACTIVITY

Calcium and magnesium are transported against a concentration gradient in the human placenta from mother to fetus. Ca-Mg ATP'ases have been described in numerous tissues and organelles and have been associated with the active transport of calcium. The properties of Ca-Mg stimulated ATP'ase activity were investigated in mitochondrial and raicrosomal fractions prepared from human placental villus tissue in 12 placentas. Ca-Mg ATP'ase was always 2-3 fold higher in the microsomal fraction. Ca stimulated activity was less in each preparation than for Mg; Ca ATP'ase was X=13.1 μmole PO4 mg−1 30 min−1 (range 10.2-23.9) and Mg ATP'ase X=20.2 (13.3-28.3). Microsomal fractions had lower glutamate dehydrogenase and higher alkaline phosphatase activity than mitochondrial fractions. Sucrose gradient fractions of microsomal protein showed that Ca-Mg ATP'ase were enriched together and associated with the plasma membrane marker 5' nucleotidase rather than an endoplasmic reticulum marker NADH oxidase. pH max found to be 7.8-8.3 for both Ca and Mg ATP'ase. ATP was hydrolyzed >ADP and 5' AMP was not hydrolyzed. Ethacrynic acid l-5mM caused inhibition of both Ca-Mg ATP'ases. Sodium azide inhibited mitochondrial Ca-ATP'ase more than microsomal. Inhibition of Ca-ATP'ase was minimal in the microsomal fraction in 10mM azide. Both mitochondrial and microsomal Mg-ATP'ase were equally and markedly inhibited by azide (5-20mM). The human placenta is rich in Ca-Mg ATP'ase activity at term and this activity is associated with plasma membrane markers; its role in human placental Ca and Mg transport remains to be determined.
E1 on the Move

E1 enzymes activate ubiquitin or related proteins and pass them to E2 enzymes. A recent structure and associated biochemical studies (Huang et al., 2005) show how an E1 binds its cognate E2 and indicates that large, conformational changes will be an integral component of the E1 reaction cycle.
Intensional analysis of quantified types

Compilers for polymorphic languages can use run-time type inspection to support advanced implementation techniques such as tagless garbage collection, polymorphic marshalling, and flattened data structures. Intensional type analysis is a type-theoretic framework for expressing and certifying such type-analyzing computations. Unfortunately, existing approaches to intensional analysis do not work well on quantified types such as existential or polymorphic types. This makes it impossible to code (in a type-safe language) applications such as garbage collection, persistency, or marshalling which must be able to examine the type of any run-time value. We present a typed intermediate language that supports the analysis of quantified types. In particular, we provide both type-level and term-level constructs for analyzing quantified types. Our system supports structural induction on quantified types yet type-checking remains decidable. We also show that our system is compatible with a type-erasure semantics.
Some new bounds for the maximum number of vertex colorings of a (v, e)-graph

Let f(v, e, λ) denote the maximum number of proper vertex colorings of a graph with v vertices and e edges in λ colors. In this paper we present some new upper bounds for f(v, e, λ). In particular, a new notion of pseudo-proper colorings of a graph is given, which allows us to significantly improve the upper bounds for f(v, e, 3) given by Lazebnik and Liu in the case where e > v2-4. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Graph Theory 28: 115128, 1998
Vital roles of an interhelical insertion in catalase-peroxidase bifunctionality.

Abstract The loop connecting the F and G helices of catalase–peroxidases contains a ∼35 amino acid structure (the FG insertion) that is absent from monofunctional peroxidases. These two groups of enzymes share highly similar active sites, yet the monofunctional peroxidases lack appreciable catalase activity. Thus, the FG insertion may serve a role in catalase–peroxidase bifunctionality, despite its peripheral location relative to the active site. We produced a variant of Escherichia coli catalase–peroxidase (KatG) lacking its FG insertion (KatG ΔFG ). Absorption spectra indicated the heme environment of KatG ΔFG was highly similar to wild-type KatG, but the variant retained only 0.2% catalase activity. In contrast, the deletion reduced peroxidase activity by only 50%. Kinetic parameters for the peroxidase and residual catalase activities of KatG ΔFG as well as pH dependence studies suggested that the FG insertion supports hydrogen-bonded networks critical for reactions involving H 2 O 2 . The structure also appears to regulate access of electron donors to the active site.
A carboxyl-terminal propeptide is necessary for proper sorting of barley lectin to vacuoles of tobacco.

Barley lectin is synthesized as a preproprotein with a glycosylated carboxyl-terminal propeptide (CTPP) that is removed before or concomitant with deposition of the mature protein in vacuoles. Expression of a cDNA clone encoding barley lectin in transformed tobacco plants results in the correct processing, maturation, and accumulation of active barley lectin in vacuoles [Wilkins, T.A., Bednarek, S.Y., and Raikhel, N.V. (1990). Plant Cell 2, 301-313]. The glycan of the propeptide is not essential for vacuolar sorting, but may influence the rate of post-translational processing [Wilkins, T.A., Bednarek, S.Y., and Raikhel, N.V. (1990). Plant Cell 2, 301-313]. To investigate the functional role of the CTPP in processing, assembly, and sorting of barley lectin to vacuoles, a mutant barley lectin cDNA clone lacking the 15-amino acid CTPP was prepared. The CTPP deletion mutant of barley lectin was expressed in tobacco protoplasts, suspension-cultured cells, and transgenic plants. In all three systems, the wild-type barley lectin was sorted to vacuoles, whereas the mutant barley lectin was secreted to the incubation media. Therefore, we conclude that the carboxyl-terminal domain of the barley lectin proprotein is necessary for the efficient sorting of this protein to plant cell vacuoles.
Cost-utility analysis of minimally invasive versus open multilevel hemilaminectomy for lumbar stenosis

Study design Two-year cost-utility study comparing minimally invasive (MIS) versus open multilevel hemilaminectomy in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether MIS versus open multilevel hemilaminectomy for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis is a cost-effective advancement in lumbar decompression surgery. Summary of background data MIS-multilevel hemilaminectomy for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis allows for effective treatment of back and leg pain while theoretically minimizing blood loss, tissue injury, and postoperative recovery. No studies have evaluated comprehensive healthcare costs associated with multilevel hemilaminectomy procedures, nor assessed cost-effectiveness of MIS versus open multilevel hemilaminectomy. Methods Fifty-four consecutive patients with lumbar stenosis undergoing multilevel hemilaminectomy through an MIS paramedian tubular approach (n=27) versus midline open approach (n=27) were included. Total back-related medical resource utilization, missed work, and health state values [quality adjusted life years (QALYs), calculated from EuroQuol-5D with US valuation] were assessed after 2-year follow-up. Two-year resource use was multiplied by unit costs based on Medicare national allowable payment amounts (direct cost) and work-day losses were multiplied by the self-reported gross-of-tax wage rate (indirect cost). Difference in mean total cost per QALY gained for MIS versus open hemilaminectomy was assessed as incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER: COST(MIS)-COST(OPEN)/QALY(MIS)-QALY(OPEN)). Results MIS versus open cohorts were similar at baseline. MIS and open hemilaminectomy were associated with an equivalent cumulative gain of 0.72 QALYs 2 years after surgery. Mean direct medical costs, indirect societal costs, and total 2-year cost ($23,109 vs. $25,420; P=0.21) were similar between MIS and open hemilaminectomy. MIS versus open approach was associated with similar total costs and utility, making it a cost equivalent technology compared with the traditional open approach. Conclusions MIS versus open multilevel hemilaminectomy was associated with similar cost over 2 years while providing equivalent improvement in QALYs. In our experience, MIS versus open multilevel hemilaminectomy is a cost equivalent technology for patients with lumbar stenosis-associated radicular pain.
Inflammatory Burden of Cardiac Allograft Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Is Associated With Early Recurrent Cellular Rejection and Predicts a Higher Risk of Vasculopathy Progression

Objectives This study was designed to investigate tissue characterization of the coronary allograft atherosclerotic plaque with virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) imaging to assess the presence and predictors of vessel wall inflammation and its significance in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) progression. Background A unique form of accelerated atherosclerosis, CAV remains the leading cause of late morbidity and mortality in heart transplant patients. The pathogenesis of CAV is not fully elucidated. Methods A total of 86 patients with coronary allograft vasculopathy underwent VH-IVUS examination of the left anterior descending coronary artery 3.61 ± 3.04 years following cardiac transplantation. Based on the VH-IVUS plaque characteristics, coronary allograft plaque was divided on virtual histology intravascular ultrasound-derived “inflammatory” (VHD-IP) (necrotic core and dense calcium ≥30%) and “noninflammatory” plaque (VHD-NIP) (necrotic core and dense calcium Results In the whole study population, the mean percentage of fibrous, fibrofatty, dense calcified, and necrotic core plaques in a mean length of 62.3 ± 17.4 mm of the left anterior descending coronary artery were 50 ± 17%, 16 ± 11%, 15 ± 11%, and 18 ± 9%, respectively. Patients with a 6-month total rejection score >0.3 had significantly higher incidence of VHD-IP than those with a 6-month total rejection score ≤0.3 (69% vs. 33%, p = 0.011). The presence of VHD-IP at baseline was associated with a significant increase in plaque volume (2.42 ± 1.78 mm3/mm vs. –0.11 ± 1.65 mm3/mm, p = 0.010), plaque index (7 ± 9% vs. 0 ± 8%, p = 0.04), and remodeling index (1.24 ± 0.44 vs. 1.09 ± 0.36, p = 0.030) during 12 months of follow-up when compared with the presence of VHD-NIP at baseline and during follow-up. Conclusions The presence of VHD-IP as assessed by VH-IVUS is associated with early recurrent rejection and with higher subsequent progression of CAV. A VH-IVUS assessment may add important information in the evaluation of transplant recipients.
New identifications of Fe XVII spectral lines in solar flares

The identifications of Fe XVII transitions between the 2s(2)2p(5)3s, 3p, and 3d configurations published by Jupen (1984) are reviewed. The review is based on examining spectroheliograms of solar flares obtained by a Naval Research Laboratory instrument on Skylab (S082-A). Agreement is obtained with the majority of identifications given by Jupen, but different wavelengths are found for a few of the lines. The relative intensities of the lines are qualitatively in agreement with calculations. A broad line at 1153.20 A is identified with the 2p(5)3s(3)P(0)-2p(5)3s(3)P1 forbidden transition of Fe XVII. This line was found in flare spectra obtained by the NRL slit spectrograph on Skylab (S082-B).
The bear in the back yard: Myth, ideology, and victimage ritual in soviet funerals

A longitudinal myth analysis of American news magazine reports on the USSR reveals a pattern of image‐clusters that endures from the time of Stalin's funeral to Brezhnev's, almost 30 years later. A Russophobic worldview is explored through a symbolic vocabulary in which clusters of images cohere into a few dominant, generative myths. It is argued that the resultant rhetorical vision, which chains out across three major news magazines over a 30 year period, functions as victimage ritual. Through this rhetorical form, a society that repeatedly espouses peace can cathartically be relieved of the guilt it might otherwise feel as it drifts into another Cold War. It is dramatistically purified by imagining an enemy that is coercive, irrational, visceral, cunning, animalistic, thus simplifying the complexities of culpability. What remains to be studied is how recurrent myths are perpetuated over long periods of time, and how the ideologies they fashion produce an effect on individual consciousness.
Social factors related to psychiatric disorder: the Yale Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study

Results are reported from the first wave of the Yale Epidemiologic Catchment (ECA) Project, a large community survey conducted in South-central Connecticut, USA. The NIMH-Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) was employed in the study to generate DSM III diagnoses. The 6-month prevalence rate from the unweighted data are reported. Factors associated with having had a recent DSM III diagnosis are examined. The need to take the age and sex of respondents into account when interpreting these relationships is emphasized.
Corporate Culture and Nutrition Professionals

Corporate culture refers to the internal work environment that reflects a company's values, beliefs, business principles, traditions, and ways of operating. This study investigated the perceived corporate culture of nutrition professionals. The findings suggest that a great deal of corporate culture revolves around the interactions between manager and employee and that positive corporate culture is equated with good managerial practices. An effective manager leads to satisfied employees, resulting in a team that works together in a positive environment.
Urinary Tobacco Smoke Constituent Biomarkers for Assessing Risk of Lung Cancer

Tobacco-constituent biomarkers are metabolites of specific compounds present in tobacco or tobacco smoke. Highly reliable analytic methods, based mainly on mass spectrometry, have been developed for quantitation of these biomarkers in both urine and blood specimens. There is substantial interindividual variation in smoking-related lung cancer risk that is determined in part by individual variability in the uptake and metabolism of tobacco smoke carcinogens. Thus, by incorporating these biomarkers in epidemiologic studies, we can potentially obtain a more valid and precise measure of in vivo carcinogen dose than by using self-reported smoking history, ultimately improving the estimation of smoking-related lung cancer risk. Indeed, we have demonstrated this by using a prospective study design comparing biomarker levels in urine samples collected from smokers many years before their development of cancer versus those in their smoking counterparts without a cancer diagnosis. The following urinary metabolites were associated with lung cancer risk, independent of smoking intensity and duration: cotinine plus its glucuronide, a biomarker of nicotine uptake; 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and its glucuronides (total NNAL), a biomarker of the tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK); and r-1-,t-2,3,c-4-tetrahydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrene (PheT), a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These results provide several possible new directions for using tobacco smoke-constituent biomarkers in lung cancer prevention, including improved lung cancer risk assessment, intermediate outcome determination in prevention trials, and regulation of tobacco products.
Modulus stabilization with bulk fields

We propose a mechanism for stabilizing the size of the extra dimension in the Randall-Sundrum scenario. The potential for the modulus field that sets the size of the fifth dimension is generated by a bulk scalar with quartic interactions localized on the two 3-branes. The minimum of this potential yields a compactification scale that solves the hierarchy problem without fine-tuning of parameters.
The Economic Origins of the Kwilu Rebellion

Early in 1964, the recently independent Belgian Congo (now Zaire) experienced a wave of unrest sparked by a rebellion in its Kwilu province. Under the leadership of Pierre Mulele, the movement established control over an entire region for a period of nearly two years. The initial success of Mulelism encouraged a series of further uprisings which brought the central government to the brink of collapse. Although the Kwilu rebellion was ultimately reduced by a combination of military force and regional economic stagnation and thus failed in its objectives, it has attracted considerable scholarly attention because it aptly illustrates the processes whereby social movements in the postwar Third World originate and evolve. A concise description of the movement's main features is provided in an informative article by Fox, de Craemer, and Ribeaucourt which appeared in this journal.' It identifies the rebellion as simultaneously nationalist and anti-elite, that is, opposed to constituted authorities, both foreign and domestic. It stresses the coexistence of traditionalist and millennial ele-
A Framework for Understanding Noise Impacts on Wildlife: An Urgent Conservation Priority

Anthropogenic noise is an important environmental stressor that is rapidly gaining attention among biologists, resource managers, and policy makers. Here we review a substantial literature detailing the impacts of noise on wildlife and provide a conceptual framework to guide future research. We discuss how several likely impacts of noise exposure have yet to be rigorously studied and outline how behavioral responses to noise are linked to the nature of the noise stimulus. Chronic and frequent noise interferes with animals' abilities to detect important sounds, whereas intermittent and unpredictable noise is often perceived as a threat. Importantly, these effects can lead to fitness costs, either directly or indirectly. Future research should consider the range of behavioral and physiological responses to this burgeoning pollutant and pair measured responses with metrics that appropriately characterize noise stimuli. This will provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms that govern wildlife responses...
An inventory control model designed for a small manufacturer using a programmable calculator

Abstract Described is a low cost inventory control model design for a small manufacturer. The model utilizes a programmable calculator and is easy to implement. Results from a case study show significant cost savings over an existing inventory card system.
Nonspecific abdominal pain is a safe diagnosis

Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to assess if a clinical diagnosis of nonspecific abdominal pain (NSAP) is safe and if patients with this initial diagnosis are likely to require further investigation or surgical intervention. Methods 3323 patients admitted with NSAP from July 1990 to September 2012 utilizing a prospective database of all surgical admissions were included. Readmission over the period of the study and specifically within 30days of their initial presentation was identified together with any invasive investigation or surgical intervention. Main results 319 children (9.6%) were subsequently readmitted with abdominal pain at some point during the study period. Of these, 78 (2.3%) were readmitted within 30days. 118 (3.5%) children subsequently had an operation or invasive investigation some point following their initial admission. Of these 33 (0.6%) had the procedure within 3months of the initial admission. 13 patients had an appendicectomy within 3months of the initial presentation. Of these histology confirmed appendicitis in 8 patients. This gives an overall incidence of "missed" appendicitis of 0.2 % (8/3323). Conclusion This study confirms that a clinical diagnosis of nonspecific abdominal pain (NSAP) is safe in a pediatric population and the risk of "missing" appendicitis is only 0.2%. Patients and/or parents can be confidently reassured that the risk of missing organic pathology is very low.
Flying Height Control Using Dual Thermal Protrusions in Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR)

Thermal flying height (TFC) control technology has been used in the past few years to achieve a lower flying height for higher storage areal density. In this paper, a slider with dual thermal protrusion, one produced by the laser used to heat the disk in HAMR and the other one used for TFC, is programmed with feedback control to reduce the flying height modulation (FHM) due to disk waviness and to attenuate the external disturbances. A numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the feasibility of the system. The results show that FHM of the dual protrusion slider is reduced significantly when the protrusion heights and locations are optimized. External disturbance induced FHM can be suppressed as well. This scheme can benefit HAMR because it will provide a more consistent flying height and more freedom to compensate external disturbances.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Properties of some pseudobinary alloys based on UAl2

Abstract Some effects of alloy substitution for U in UAl 2 were studied by X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements. The substituents include Y, La, Lu, Ce, Sc, Zr. We have found miscibility gaps with rare earth substitutions which cannot be explained by an atomic size effect. Our low temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show large increases for the La and Y substitutions while other substituents had much smaller effects. We attribute the miscibility gaps and the differences in magnetic susceptibility to bond breaking by the substituents. We find the specific heat of the La substitutions to be still consistent with a spin fluctuation description and have calculated parameters using this model from our data.
Heat defense control in an experimental heat disorder.

Both whole-body heat exposure and intraperitoneal heating (IPH) result in a body temperature (T b) fall that occurs once heating is abated (”hyperthermia- induced hypothermia”). This phenomenon involves a decrease in the threshold T b (T b-thresh) for activation of metabolic heat production (cold defense). Whether the T b-thresh for ear skin vasodilation (heat defense) also changes during hyperthermia-induced hypothermia remains unknown. In experiment 1, we applied IPH to guinea pigs by perfusing water through a preimplanted intraperitoneal thermode and delivered the total heat load of either approximately 1.5 kJ (”short” IPH; perfusion duration: 14 min) or approximately 3.0 kJ (”long” IPH; 40 min). Short IPH caused skin vasodilation and a 1.1°C rise in T b; no hypothermia occurred when IPH ceased. Long IPH caused vasodilation and hyperthermia of a comparable magnitude (1.4°C) that were followed by a T b fall to 1.9°C below the preheating value. In experiment 2, the T b-thresh for skin vasodilation was measured twice: at the beginning of long IPH and at the nadir of the post-IPH hypothermia. The two T b-thresh values were 39.0 (SEM 0.1)°C and 39.2 (SEM 0.2)°C respectively. In the controls, the T b-thresh was measured at the beginning and after short IPH; both control values were 39.0 (SEM 0.2)°C. We conclude that the hyperthermia- induced hypothermia, although previously shown to be coupled with a decrease in the T b-thresh for cold defense, occurs without any substantial change in the T b-thresh for heat defense. We speculate that postheating thermoregulatory disorders are associated with threshold dissociation, thus representing the poikilothermic (wide dead-band) type of T b control.
Does Cuprous Oxide Photosplit Water

A thin film of copper(I) oxide (thickness ∼9 A), grown on a Cu(111) crystal, was used as a model photocatalyst for decomposition of D2O using ultraviolet light (hν = 1.55−6.21 eV). No evidence for water photosplitting was observed. The experimental uncertainties establish an upper limit of 2 × 10-21 cm2 for the cross section of the photoprocess sought. The pure Cu2O film was grown by bombardment with O2+ ions (1.5 kV) at a sample temperature of 605 K and was characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy.
Separation of bile acids by column-partition chromatography.

Abstract The separation of certain biologically significant cholanic acids has been achieved by column partition chromatography. Aqueous acetic acid supported on Celite 545 was employed as stationary phase, while petroleum ether-isopropyl ether mixtures served as mobile phase. Lithocholic acid was separated from the higher fatty acids with the solvent system 95% aqueous methanol-n-heptane.
A gene family required for human germ cell development evolved from an ancient meiotic gene conserved in metazoans.

The Deleted in AZoospermia (DAZ) genes encode potential RNA-binding proteins that are expressed exclusively in prenatal and postnatal germ cells and are strong candidates for human fertility factors. Here we report the identification of an additional member of the DAZ gene family, which we have called BOULE. With the identification of this gene, it is clear that the human DAZ gene family contains at least three members: DAZ, a Y-chromosome gene cluster that arose 30–40 million years ago and whose deletion is linked to infertility in men; DAZL, the “father” of DAZ, a gene that maps to human chromosome 3 and has homologs required for both female and male germ cell development in other organisms; and BOULE, a gene that we propose is the “grandfather” of DAZ and maps to human chromosome 2. Human and mouse BOULE resemble the invertebrate meiotic regulator Boule, the proposed ortholog of DAZ, in sequence and expression pattern and hence likely perform a similar meiotic function. In contrast, the previously identified human DAZ and DAZL are expressed much earlier than BOULE in prenatal germ stem cells and spermatogonia; DAZL also is expressed in female germ cells. These data suggest that homologs of the DAZ gene family can be grouped into two subfamilies (BOULE and DAZL) and that members of the DAZ family evolved from an ancestral meiotic regulator, Boule, to assume distinct, yet overlapping, functions in germ cell development.
The Raman spectra of CF3SCF3, CF3S(O)CF3 and CF3SSCF3

Abstract The liquid phase Raman spectra of CF 3 SCF 3 , CF 3 SSCF 3 and CF 3 S(O)CF 3 are reported in the region 2000-0 cm −1 . Supplementary infrared data of the gaseous compounds are also re-examined in the region 2000-400 cm −1 . Assignments for the normal modes of vibration are made on the basis of the previously reported symmetries of C 2v and C 2 for CF 3 SCF 3 and CF 3 SSCF 3 , respectively, and an assumed C 3 symmetry for CF 3 S(O)CF 3 . Strong evidence for the basic structure of the latter is obtained from depolarization measurements and a comparative vibrational study of all three molecules.
The comparison of mounting approaches for vehicular multi-arm spiral antennas

Two approaches for mounting spiral antennas on a typical ground vehicle are considered. Firstly, a cavity-backed aperture is flushed in the vehicles body. Secondly, spiral antenna is mounted in front of the vehicle. While the former approach is utilized more frequently, the later provides greater gain and efficiency at the lower end and comparable gain and efficiency at higher frequencies while maintaining good axial ratio. Effects of real soils on the performances in both cases are also considered.
Renormalized lattice perturbation theory

Abstract Apparent large failures of perturbation theory in lattice gauge theory at g2 ≤ 1.0 result from the use of the bare coupling constant of the lattice regulator in the perturbative expansion. They can be cured by the use of a coupling constant defined by some physical process. This situation is the same as that encountered in dimensionally regularized perturbation theory, where the use of a coupling constant definition suggested by the regulator (the MS scheme) can make the perturbative expansion appear to be more poorly behaved then it really is.
Lump Interactions and Collapse in the Modified Zakharov–Kuznetsov Equation

Two-dimensional solitary wave (lump) interactions and the formation of singularities in the modified Zakharov-Kuznetsov (mZK) equation are considered. The mZK equation represents an anisotropic two-dimensional generalization of the Korteweg-deVries equation and can be derived in a magnetized plasma for small amplitude Alfven waves at a critical angle to the undisturbed magnetic field. The radially symmetric positive solutions (lumps) for the mZK equation are computed. It is shown that when two lumps interact, the initial energy exchange between them is followed by the emergence of a single collapsing lump and a radiation field behind it. Connections to the analytic theory of collapse for the mZK equation are discussed.
Computational methods for the tubular chemical reactor

Abstract The numerical methods that have been successfully applied to the tubular reactor are here reviewed. After demonstrating the essential stiffness of the equations, the Newton-Raphson iteration and collocation methods are described for the steady state. For the calculation of transients the collocation methods can be usefully supplemented by quasilinearization.
Quantitative observation of misfit dislocation arrays in low and high angle twist grain boundaries

Abstract The fine structure of (001) twist boundaries in gold was systematically studied by transmission electron microscopy. About 200 such boundaries were prepared under controlled conditions by welding single crystal films together face-to-face at various twist angles Θ. An almost continuous study of the structure was then made over the entire range 0 ⋜ Θ⋜45°. Orthogonal grids of grain boundary misfit screw dislocations were found in the vicinities of critical angles Θc (Θc=0, 22–6, 28.1 and 36.9°). producing various high density coincidence site boundaries. Measured geometrical properties of the grids near each Θc (i.e. grid spacings, orientation and dislocation diffraction contrast) were completely consistent with those predicted for a boundary structure consisting of a suitable misfit dislocation grid embedded in the high density coincidence site interface corresponding to Θc. Fine structure was not detected in appreciable angular ranges lying between the Θc. This may have been due in part to the re...
Influence of adjuvants and plant growth regulators on herbicide performance in honey mesquite

Addition of surfactant I (trimethylnonylpolyethoxyethanol) or surfactant II (4-isopropenyl-1-methyl-cyclohexane) at 1.0 and 0.6% (v/v) of the spray solution enhanced the phytotoxicity of clopyralid (3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), the triethylamine salt of triclopyr {[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid}, picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid), and 2,4,5-T [(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid)] applied at 0.14 kg ae/ha to greenhouse-grown honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.). Application of benazolin [4-chloro-2-oxo-3(2H)-benzothiazolacetic acid] increased the phytotoxicity of all herbicides, but ethephon [(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid] and mefluidide {N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amino]phenyl]acetamide} were usually ineffective. Clopyralid + picloram, triclopyr, or 2,4,5-T applied in 1:1 combinations at 0.07 + 0.07 kg/ha were usually equally or more effective than any one of the herbicides applied alone at 0.14 kg/ha. Adjuvants did not enhance the phytotoxicity of picloram, triclopyr, or 2,4,5-T on field-grown honey mesquite but sometimes did with clopyralid.
A novel method for the production and evaluation of hernia repair mesh in an in vitro environment

While most hernia mesh researchers use animal models or patient studies to evaluate prostheses, we have developed an in vitro-centric mesh production and examination system to characterize mesh properties that affect the cellular affinity and treatment potential of repair mesh. A loom was designed and constructed, and a feasibility study was conducted on auto-loom woven, degummed silk mesh seeded with murine-derived D1 multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Meshes of two different pore sizes, 1 mm and 2 mm, were investigated. The seeded meshes were evaluated using a variety of assays to determine cellular metabolic activity, viability, and conformation at time points of 7, 14, and 21 days. The assays showed substantial cell attachment to the mesh at all time points, including penetration of cells into the interior of silk threads. Metabolic activity peaked at Day 14 for both mesh sizes, with a sharp rise in protein production from Day 7 to 14. Based upon the successful production of mesh and acquisition of results from the assays performed, it can be concluded that an in vitro evaluation system for hernia mesh is both possible and likely to produce scientifically relevant results.
Bis(isopropylamino)methylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)gallate.

The title compound, [MeC(NHiPr)2][Ga(C6F5)4] crystallizes as discrete ions forming interionic hydrogen bonds of the type N—H⋯F.
On the computation of the span of a set of vectors

Abstract This paper presents a computational approach for determining the span of a given set of vectors, X , belonging to a finite-dimensional Euclidean vector space, V , over the field of complex numbers, C . A basis for the sub-space, M , spanned by X is selected from the elements of X . The remaining elements of X are then represented in terms of the basis. The Gauss elimination technique with full pivoting as generalized to nonsquare, complex matrices is used throughout to determine basis vectors and dependent vector relationships. A discussion of computational requirements is included. The Appendix contains a listing of the FORTRAN IV program developed for use on the IBM System 360/65 computer.
Sacral neuromodulation effects on periurethral sensation and urethral sphincter activity

Aims To characterize the effect of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) on urethral neuromuscular function.
Synchronized distortions of bicyclobutanes

Abstract The linear relationship between flap angle, θ, and bridging bond length, r 13 , in bicyclobutanes, found empirically by Irngartinger through x-ray analysis, is reproduced by ab initio STO-3G calculations. Additional distortions of the bicyclobutane geometry which are synchronized with flap angle variations are predicted.
Use of Laser Spallation to Measure the Adhesion of Optical Fiber Coatings

The correlation between chemical effects of some typical optical fiber coating formulations and adhesion to glass was studied by the use of laser spallation. The technique was able to show verifiable differences between dissimilar materials and demonstrated a good correlation to adhesion values determined by mechanical peel testing, and
Microfabricated elastomeric stencils for micropatterning cell cultures.

Here we present an inexpensive method to fabricate microscopic cellular cultures, which does not require any surface modification of the substrate prior to cell seeding. The method utilizes a reusable elastomeric stencil (i.e., a membrane containing thru holes) which seals spontaneously against the surface. The stencil is applied to the cell-culture substrate before seeding. During seeding, the stencil prevents the substrate from being exposed to the cell suspension except on the hole areas. After cells are allowed to attach and the stencil is peeled off, cellular islands with a shape similar to the holes remain on the cell-culture substrate. This solvent-free method can be combined with a wide range of substrates (including biocompatible polymers, homogeneous or nonplanar surfaces, microelectronic chips, and gels), biomolecules, and virtually any adherent cell type.
Lack of identity of the A antigen and concanavalin A receptor on bovine erythrocytes; implications for membrane structure.

. Concanavalin A binding experiments on trypsinized and nontrypsinized bovine red cells strongly indicate that the con A receptor and the A antigen are molecularly independent cell surface entities. Untrypsinized bovine red cells are not agglutinated by con A, although such cells do bind the lectin. Trypsinization of A-positive cells causes increased binding of anti-A antibodies, accompanied by clustering of the A antigen sites on the membrane. Following trypsinization additional con A is also bound, but the con A receptors are not seen to aggregate in the membrane. This selective ligand-induced antigen redistribution in the membrane suggests that mammalian red cell membranes are in a fluid state, and that the fluidity of membrane moieties can vary.
A fast, physically based point snowmelt model for use in distributed applications

A new mathematical solution to the problem of water flow through snow is presented and its implementation in a snowmelt model, SNAP, is discussed. An analytical solution for vertical water flow through homogeneous snow is developed and formulae that allow the solution to accommodate time-varying surface input from rain or snowmelt are derived. This facilitates use of the technique in a computer snowmelt model. Because the new technique requires no matrix computation, it is sufficiently computationally efficient to be a candidate for use in watershed-scale, distributed forecasting systems. Because it is a physically based model that takes into account the effect of the snow itself on the timing and magnitude of outflow, the model allows more accurate prediction of the magnitude and timing of snowmelt than in currently employed operational models. Results of the new model agree well with previous theoretical solutions and with field measurements of melt and rain-on-snow events in a seasonal snow pack.