cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nondestructive evaluation of wooden logs using ground penetrating radar

This paper addresses the crucial need for a non-invasive method for precisely detecting the subsurface defects in wooden logs. The method utilises ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology which has the potential to be implemented in real time in saw mills in the near future. Internal defects such as knots, decays and embedded metals are of great concern for lumber production. Nondestructive scanning of logs using GPR to detect defects in logs prior to sawing can greatly increase the productivity and yield of high value defect-free lumber by optimal orientation of the saw blade, and prevent damage to saw blade from embedded metals. Also, GPR offers high speed scanning capability which is needed for future online implementation in saw mills. In this research, the scanned GPR data have been analysed to investigate the capability of GPR to detect subsurface defects such as metals, decays and knots. This paper presents the comprehensive results from GPR scanning of several wooden logs and shows comparisons wi...
Monitoring of single nicks in duplex DNA by gel electrophoretic mobility-shift assay.

We demonstrate that the gel electrophoretic mobility-shift assay (EMSA) can be used for site-selective and quantitative monitoring of nicks in linear double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) thus allowing to expediently follow the nicking activity of enzymes or other agents targeted to a designated dsDNA site. At elevated temperature and/or in the presence of urea, DNA fragments carrying a single nick produced by the nicking enzyme N.BstNBI exhibit a well-detectable gel retardation effect. On the basis of permutation analysis, the decreased electrophoretic mobility of nicked dsDNA fragments is attributed to a bend (or hinge) in the DNA double helix sequence-specifically generated by a nick. Since nick-induced DNA bending depends on interaction between base pairs adjacent to a nick, the change in mobility is different for nicked DNA sites with different sequences. Therefore, EMSA monitoring of differential mobility change caused by nicks within various DNA sequences could be useful for studying the differential base stacking and nearest-neighbor energetics.
Applying Landscape Ecology to the Assessment of Nonpoint Source Pollution

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution caused by human activities is difficult to manage not because of the deficiency of water- or land-treatment technologies, but because the sources of NPS pollutants a...
Isolation of anticoagulant fractions from crude fucoidin.

SummaryA method of preparation, some physical and chemical properties and anticoagulant activities of fucoidin fractions from Fucus vesiculosus have been described. Certain fractions prepared from ...
Prime Ideals in Group Algebras OE Polycyclic‐by‐Finite Groups

index such that the prime ideals of K[G0] ca n De described in a particularly nice manner. Furthermore, he showed that this type of description does not, in general, apply to K[G]. In this paper, we offer a slightly different, somewhat more complicated formulation which does indeed describe the primes of K[G]. Observe that the group algebra K[G] can be written as K[G] = K[G0] * (G/Go), a crossed product of the finite group H = G/Go over the ring R = K[G0]. Furthermore, a recent paper [5] of the authors studies the general crossed product situation R*H with H finite and offers a rather complicated scheme for describing the prime ideals of
Femtosecond-pump, continuum-probe nonlinear absorption in GaAs.

We present calculations of femtosecond-pump, continuum-probe nonlinear absorption in GaAs, including effects of electrons and heavy, light, and split-off holes. To account for hole-band nonparabolicity and anisotropy, a 30\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}30 k\ensuremath{\cdot}p Hamiltonian is diagonalized. Carrier dynamics are determined using an ensemble Monte Carlo method. Differential transmission spectra are obtained from the carrier distributions and directly compared with experiments. Our results show that pump\char21{}continuum-probe experiments provide the first direct evidence for a redistribution of holes on a femtosecond scale.
The aldo-keto reductases (AKRs): Overview

The aldo-keto reductase (AKR) protein superfamily contains >190 members that fall into 16 families and are found in all phyla. These enzymes reduce carbonyl substrates such as: sugar aldehydes; keto-steroids, keto-prostaglandins, retinals, quinones, and lipid peroxidation by-products. Exceptions include the reduction of steroid double bonds catalyzed by AKR1D enzymes (5β-reductases); and the oxidation of proximate carcinogen trans-dihydrodiol polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; while the β-subunits of potassium gated ion channels (AKR6 family) control Kv channel opening. AKRs are usually 37kDa monomers, have an (α/β)8-barrel motif, display large loops at the back of the barrel which govern substrate specificity, and have a conserved cofactor binding domain. AKRs catalyze an ordered bi bi kinetic mechanism in which NAD(P)H cofactor binds first and leaves last. In enzymes that favor NADPH, the rate of release of NADP(+) is governed by a slow isomerization step which places an upper limit on kcat. AKRs retain a conserved catalytic tetrad consisting of Tyr55, Asp50, Lys84, and His117 (AKR1C9 numbering). There is conservation of the catalytic mechanism with short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) even though they show different protein folds. There are 15 human AKRs of these AKR1B1, AKR1C1-1C3, AKR1D1, and AKR1B10 have been implicated in diabetic complications, steroid hormone dependent malignancies, bile acid deficiency and defects in retinoic acid signaling, respectively. Inhibitor programs exist world-wide to target each of these enzymes to treat the aforementioned disorders. Inherited mutations in AKR1C and AKR1D1 enzymes are implicated in defects in the development of male genitalia and bile acid deficiency, respectively, and occur in evolutionarily conserved amino acids. The human AKRs have a large number of nsSNPs and splice variants, but in many instances functional genomics is lacking. AKRs and their variants are now poised to be interrogated using modern genomic and informatics approaches to determine their association with human health and disease.
Argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness: Testing for conceptual and measurement equivalence across cultures

Research in the United States has identified argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness as, respectively, constructive and counterproductive forms of communication predispositions. The present study tests the conceptual equivalence of the two constructs and the measurement equivalence of the Argumentativeness Scale (Infante & Rancer, 1982) and the Verbal Aggressiveness Scale (Infante & Wigley, 1986) across cultures. College students from the United States (N = 755) and Japan (N = 716) responded to a questionnaire. The results indicated that: (a) the two—factor solution of the Argumentativeness Scale and the Verbal Aggressiveness Scale was a reasonable overall fit to both samples, with some culture‐specific unreliable items; (b) orthogonality of the two constructs held for both samples; (c) the factor structures (factor loading patterns and factor variance‐covariance structures) of the two scales were partially variant across the samples; and (d) the two scales had satisfactory construct validity for the ...
Polymer conformation and ionic association in complexes of lithium, sodium and potassium triflate with poly (ethylene oxide) oligomers

Abstract Raman spectra of poly (ethylene oxide) oligomers complexed with alkali metal triflate salts have been measured as a function of chain length, salt concentration and temperature. Spectral changes in the oligomer bands accompanying complexation are attributed to a conformational arrangement of the polyether backbone not observed in the pure liquid. An anomalous chain length dependence is discussed in terms of cation coordination with the polyether oxygen atoms.
Effect of mode competition on beam divergence in a ring laser

Beam profiles of the two light beams produced by a ring laser have been measured, corresponding to waves traveling in opposite directions around the ring. It is found that the two beam profiles do not change significantly as the cavity detuning from line center is reduced from several natural linewidths to zero, even though this is accompanied by large changes in the intensities and the fluctuations of the two light beams.
Lymphoproliferative disorder early after cardiac transplantation

Abstract In cardiac transplantation, extremely potent immunosuppressive agents are used, which leave the host vulnerable to a variety of infections and malignancies. Among the malignancies, lymphoproliferative disorders are the most common. 1 Most cases of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders have been described in patients who have undergone several months of immunosuppression. 2,3 This report describes our experience with patients who developed lymphoproliferative disorder within 3 months of heart transplantation.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and phorbol myristate acetate decrease TRH receptor messenger RNA in rat pituitary GH3 cells: evidence that protein kinase-C mediates the TRH effect.

In a previous report we showed that TRH-induced down-regulation of the density of its receptors (TRHRs) on rat pituitary tumor (GH3) cells was preceded by a decrease in the activity of the mRNA for the TRH-R, as assayed in Xenopus oocytes. Here we report the effects of TRH, elevation of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and H-7 [1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride], an inhibitor of protein kinases, on the levels of TRH-R mRNA, which were measured by Northern analysis and in nuclease protection assays using probes made from mouse pituitary TRH-R cDNA, in GH3 cells. These agents were studied to gain insight into the mechanism of the TRH effect, because signal transduction by TRH involves generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and elevation of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration, which leads to activation of Ca2+/calmodulindependent protein kinase, and of 1,2-diacylglycerol, which leads to activation of protein kinase-C. TRH (1 μm TRH, a maxima...
Effects of halothane and methoxyflurane on regional brain and spinal cord substance P-like and beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivities in the rat.

Effects of acute exposure (2 hr) to either 1.5% halothane or 0.5% methoxyflurane were investigated in the Sprague Dawley rat. Pituitary (PIT) and central nervous system (CNS) substance P (SP)-like and β-endorphin (β-end)-like immunoreactivities were evaluated immediately after anesthetic exposure (2 h), after righting reflex (4 h) or 24 hr postexposure (24 h). Only halothane significantly reduced SP-like immunoreactivity in olfactory bulbs in both the 2-h and 4-h groups. Halothane elevated SP-like immunoreactivity of hippocampus at all three time periods, and in the hypothalamus at 2 h. Both anesthetics significantly depleted thalamic concentrations of SP-like immunoreactivity. Methoxyflurane anesthesia resulted in a drastic decrease in SP-like immunoreactivity in PIT at all three time periods periods, while halothane elevated PIT concentrations of this peptide at 4 h. Both anesthetics significantly decreased β-end-like immunoreactivity in the olfactory bulbs and thalami at 2, 4, and 24 h. However, halothane alone significantly elevated β-end-like immunoreactivity in the spinal cord at 24 h. Halothane significantly elevated PIT β-end-like immunoreactivity at 2 and 24 h, while methoxyflurane significantly lowered it in the 4-h group, but elevated the levels of the same in the 24-h group. Brain stem β-end immunoreactivity were significantly reduced at 2 h by both anesthetics, and at 4 h by methoxyflurane. Results indicate that halothane and methoxyflurane may differ significantly in their actions on SP and β-end secreting neurons in the CNS.
Teachers, student achievement and national income: A cross-national examination of relationships and interactions

Despite costly global efforts to improve and reward teacher qualifications like education and experience, little international evidence exists on the relationship between these attributes and student achievement. It is also unclear whether these attributes are more important for disadvantaged children, or in lower-income countries. This article examines the relationships among teacher characteristics (experience, education, readiness to teach, and gender), student background, and fourth grade students’ mathematics and science achievement across 25 diverse countries participating in the 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. The analysis revealed limited evidence that the teacher characteristics deemed important in teacher upgrading and compensation are systematically related to student test scores, or that these characteristics are more important for lower-income students. It also found no relationship between national income and the importance of these characteristics. These results add to increasing evidence that efforts to improve teacher quality must look beyond simply increasing and rewarding measurable teacher qualifications like education and experience. Further, those who design cross-national studies should consider developing richer measures of teacher skill and knowledge.
BODY COMPOSITION AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE IN BPD CHILDREN AT SCHOOL AGE: COMPARISON WITH NON-BPD PRETERM AND TERM BORN CHILDREN † 1843

BODY COMPOSITION AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE IN BPD CHILDREN AT SCHOOL AGE: COMPARISON WITH NON-BPD PRETERM AND TERM BORN CHILDREN † 1843
Carbohydrate interference of complement-dependent cell lysis

The antibody-mediated cytotoxicity of three autoreactive sera, an allogeneic hyperimmune serum and a xenogeneic hyperimmune serum was abrogated by the presence of either glucosamine, galactosamine, lactulose or lactose. This inhibition could be overcome in a dose-dependent fashion by increasing the amount of complement in the cytotoxicity assay, but not by increasing the amount of antibody. Furthermore, the inhibition was specific for these sugars in that isomers and N-acetylated derivatives were not inhibitory. The results suggest that these sugars directly blocked events of the complement cascade.
Competing Claims and Nationalist Narratives: A City/State Debate in a Globalising World

This paper contributes to ongoing discussions about international urban entrepreneurialism, place marketing efforts, and city/state relations through an empirical analysis of a controversial state-sponsored prestige project, Galicia's ‘City of Culture’ museum. The protracted intra-regional debate surrounding the construction of the museum is informative in that it offers a scenario in which two rival cities are competing with each other within the same state. The story of their conflict adds a new and complicating dimension to the discussion by highlighting how city identity may intersect with national identity in relation to the politics of the state. The results show how the actual politics of city/state relations can be one of contestation between a range of political interests that extend beyond a simple, bipolar city/state relationship.
A Genetic Selection for Circadian Output Pathway Mutations in Neurospora crassa

In most organisms, circadian oscillators regulate the daily rhythmic expression of clock-controlled genes (ccgs). However, little is known about the pathways between the circadian oscillator(s) and the ccgs. In Neurospora crassa, the frq, wc-1, and wc-2 genes encode components of the frq-oscillator. A functional frq-oscillator is required for rhythmic expression of the morning-specific ccg-1 and ccg-2 genes. In frq-null or wc-1 mutant strains, ccg-1 mRNA levels fluctuate near peak levels over the course of the day, whereas ccg-2 mRNA remains at trough levels. The simplest model that fits the above observations is that the frq-oscillator regulates a repressor of ccg-1 and an activator of ccg-2. We utilized a genetic selection for mutations that affect the regulation of ccg-1 and ccg-2 by the frq-oscillator. We find that there is at least one mutant strain, COP1-1 (circadian output pathway derived from ccg-1), that has altered expression of ccg-1 mRNA, but normal ccg-2 expression levels. However, the clock does not appear to simply regulate a repressor of ccg-1 and an activator of ccg-2 in two independent pathways, since in our selection we identified three mutant strains, COP1-2, COP1-3, and COP1-4, in which a single mutation in each strain affects the expression levels and rhythmicity of both ccg-1 and ccg-2.
Extended medial maxillary antrostomy

A subset of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis have difficult-to-treat or recalcitrant maxillary sinus disease. For these patients, standard maxillary sinusotomy techniques may not be adequate to allow the drainage of sinus contents or allow the application of topical medication to reduce severity of disease. Herein, we describe an extended maxillary antrostomy technique that creates a wide opening in the maxillary sinus and carries the opening inferiorly to the level of the nasal floor allowing for drainage of the maxillary sinus without necessitating mucociliary clearance to counteract gravitational forces necessary with typical maxillary opening techniques. This technique allows for in-office debridement of the maxillary sinus and gravity-independent application of topical medications and rinses.
Clinical Model for NASH and Advanced Fibrosis in Adult Patients With Diabetes and NAFLD: Guidelines for Referral in NAFLD

OBJECTIVE Approximately 18 million people in the U.S. have coexisting type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is not known who among these patients has nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with advanced fibrosis. Therefore, we aimed to determine factors that are associated with both NASH and advanced fibrosis in patients with diabetes and NAFLD in order to identify who should be prioritized for referral to a hepatologist for further diagnostic evaluation and treatment. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study was derived from the NASH Clinical Research Network studies and included 1,249 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD (including a model development cohort of 346 patients and an independent validation cohort of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes as defined by the American Diabetes Association criteria). Outcome measures were presence of NASH or advanced fibrosis (stage 3 or 4) using cross-validated, by jackknife method, multivariable-adjusted area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and 95% CI. RESULTS The mean ± SD age and BMI of patients with diabetes and NAFLD was 52.5 ± 10.3 years and 35.8 ± 6.8 kg/m 2 , respectively. The prevalence of NASH and advanced fibrosis was 69.2% and 41.0%, respectively. The model for NASH included white race, BMI, waist, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, HbA 1c , HOMA of insulin resistance, and ferritin with an AUROC of 0.80 (95% CI 0.75–0.84, P = 0.007). The specificity, sensitivity, negative predictive values (NPVs), and positive predictive values (PPVs) were 90.0%, 56.8%, 47.7%, and 93.2%, respectively, and the model correctly classified 67% of patients as having NASH. The model for predicting advanced fibrosis included age, Hispanic ethnicity, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, ALT-to-AST ratio, alkaline phosphatase, isolated abnormal alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin (total and direct), globulin, albumin, serum insulin, hematocrit, international normalized ratio, and platelet count with an AUROC of 0.80 (95% CI 0.76–0.85, P CONCLUSIONS Routinely available clinical variables can be used to quantify the likelihood of NASH or advanced fibrosis in adult diabetic patients with NAFLD. The clinical models presented can be used to guide clinical decision making about referrals of patients with diabetes and NAFLD to hepatologists.
Evolution of the chalcone-isomerase fold from fatty-acid binding to stereospecific catalysis

In vascular plants, chalcone isomerase converts chalcones to (S)-flavanones in a committed step in flavonoid biosynthesis. This paper reports the crystal structures, ligand-binding properties and in vivo function of several catalytically inactive members of the chalcone isomerase family, which seem to act solely as fatty-acid-binding proteins (FAPs). FAP-knockout Arabidopsis thaliana plants exhibit elevated -linolenic acid levels and marked reproductive defects, suggesting that chalcone isomerases are a rare example of the emergence and evolution of enzymes from non-enzyme ancestors.
Applications of computer-generated holograms for interferometric measurement of large aspheric optics

Interferometric optical testing using computer-generated holograms (CGH's) has proven to give highly accurate measurements of aspheric surfaces. New applications of CGH interferometry were developed to support the fabrication of the large, steep mirrors required by the next generation ground-based telescopes. A new test to certify null correctors was designed and implemented that uses small CGH's fabricated onto flat surfaces. This test solves the difficult problem of verifying the accuracy of the null correctors that are used for measuring primary mirrors. Several new techniques for hologram fabrication have been explored for this application. A second new use of CGH's was developed for measuring convex secondary mirrors using test plates with holograms fabricated onto concave spherical reference surfaces. This test provides efficient and accurate measurement of large aspheric convex mirrors. A polar coordinate laser writing machine was built for fabricating these patterns onto curved optical surfaces up to 1.8 meters in diameter and as fast as f/1. These powerful new techniques have been implemented and optimized at the Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory to guide mirror polishing for large telescope projects. They can also be readily applied for measuring small aspheres to high accuracy.
Continuous and discrete time response analysis of the backflow cell model for linear interphase mass transfer on a distillation plate

An analysis of the backflow cell model of a distillation plate with linear interphase mass transfer is given. The steady state character is discussed in terms of liquid phase concentration profiles and plate efficiencies. The dynamics due to liquid and vapor phase concentration perturbations are derived for continuous time and discrete times based upon two point time difference methods of numerical solution. The moments of the discrete impulse response are related to those for continuous time. Stability and convergence are discussed. For the liquid on a valve plate, the backflow cell model outlet response due to a measured inlet response is compared to the monitored outlet response resulting from upstream salt tracer injection. On presente une analyse d'un modele a reflux de plateau de distillation, ou il se fait un transfert lineaire de masse entre les phases liquide et gazeuse. On discute les characteristiques du regime permanent d'apres les profits de concentration de hi phase liquide et le rendement des plateaux. On deduit la dynamique qui resulte des perturbations dans les concentrations des phases liquide et vapeur, dans le cas de periodes continues et discontinues, en se basant sur les methodes de solution numerique portant sur la difference de temps a deux points particuliers. On etablit une correlation entre les moments de l'impulsion discontinue et ceux d'un temps continu et discute les sujets de stabilite et de convergence. Dans le cas d'un liquide sur un plateau a soupape, on compare la reponse a la sortie du liquide du modele a reflux (laquelle provient d'une reponse mesuree a l'entree du dit liquide) avec la reponse contrǒlee a la sortie du liquide, apres injection en amont d'un sel indicateur.
Enhancing structure relaxations for first-principles codes: An approximate Hessian approach

We present a method for improving the speed of geometry relaxation by using a harmonic approximation for the interaction potential between nearest neighbor atoms to construct an initial Hessian estimate. The model is quite robust, and yields approximately a 30% or better reduction in the number of calculations compared to an optimized diagonal initialization. Convergence with this initializer approaches the speed of a converged BFGS Hessian, therefore it is close to the best that can be achieved. Hessian preconditioning is discussed, and it is found that a compromise between an average condition number and a narrow distribution in eigenvalues produces the best optimization.
Novel adaptation to hawkmoth pollinators in Clarkia reduces efficiency, not attraction of diurnal visitors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plant populations experiencing divergent pollination environments may be under selection to modify floral traits in ways that increase both attractiveness to and efficiency of novel pollinators. These changes may come at the cost of reducing overall effectiveness of other pollinators. The goal of this study was to examine differences in attractiveness and efficiency between Clarkia concinna and C. breweri, sister species of annual plants with parapatric distributions. METHODS An assessment was made as to whether observed differences in visitors between natural populations are driven by differences in floral traits or differences in the local pollination environment. Differences in floral attractiveness were quantified by setting out arrays of both species in the geographical range of each species and exposing both species to nocturnal hawkmoths (Hyles lineata) in flight cages. Differences in visitor efficiency were estimated by measuring stigma-visitor contact frequency and pollen loads for diurnal visitors, and pollen deposition on stigmas for hawkmoths. KEY RESULTS The composition of visitors to arrayed plants was similar between plant species at any particular site, but highly divergent among sites, and reflected differences in visitors to natural populations. Diurnal insects visited both species, but were more common at C. concinna populations. Hummingbirds and hawkmoths were only observed visiting within the range of C. breweri. Despite attracting similar species when artificially presented together, C. concinna and C. breweri showed large differences in pollinator efficiency. All visitors except hawkmoths pollinated C. concinna more efficiently. CONCLUSIONS Differences in the available pollinator community may play a larger role than differences in floral traits in determining visitors to natural populations of C. concinna and C. breweri. However, floral traits mediate differences in pollinator efficiency. Increased effectiveness of the novel hawkmoth pollinator on C. breweri comes at relatively little cost in attractiveness to other visitors, but at large cost in their efficiency as pollinators.
THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL TIES AND SELF-EFFICACY IN FORMING ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AND MOTIVATING NASCENT BEHAVIOR

Theoretical models of entrepreneurship suggest that an individual's intention to start an enterprise is a strong predictor of eventual entrepreneurial action. Less understood are factors that influence the likelihood of entrepreneurial intentions and nascent behavior. In this study, we develop and test several hypotheses about how social network ties and self-efficacy affect entrepreneurial intentions and nascent behavior. We found that a personal network of supportive strong ties coupled with high entrepreneurial self-efficacy increases the likelihood of entrepreneurial intentions and nascent behavior. A personal network of weak ties with practical business knowledge and experience also increases the likelihood of entrepreneurial nascent behavior but not entrepreneurial intentions. In contrast, a personal network of strong ties with practical business knowledge and experience has little effect on either intentions or nascent behavior and may, in fact, suppress both. The contribution of this study to nascent entrepreneurship research and implications for future research are discussed.
Path Planning Via CPLEX Optimization

This paper presents an optimized solution of finding time-optimal trajectories for autonomous systems. These systems are subject to avoidance requirements, which include avoidance of collisions with other systems and obstacles, either static or dynamic. The necessary constraints for avoidance are added to a time-optimizing linear program by including a binary variable in the optimization. The resulting problem is a mixed-integer linear program (MILP). This will be solved using AMPL mathematical programming language in conjunction with CPLEX optimization software.
Output Regulation — Continuous-Time Systems

Earlier in the book, we presented ways of constructing stabilizing feedback laws that result in large domains of attraction. In this chapter, we will study the classical problem of output regulation for linear systems subject to actuator saturation
Outcomes and treatment of acute hepatitis C virus infection in a United States population.

Background & Aims: Acute hepatitis C infection progresses to chronic infection in up to 80% of infected persons. Reports from Europe indicate that early treatment of acute hepatitis C infection produces sustained virologic response rates as high as 80%–98%. However, the outcome of acute hepatitis C infection in United States cohorts is not well-characterized. Methods: We describe the clinical course of 28 episodes of acute hepatitis C infection in 24 persons at our institution. Results: Of the 28 infections, 7 episodes resolved spontaneously. Of the remaining 21 episodes, 16 were treated, and 5 did not receive treatment. Of the 16 treated episodes, 4 received interferon and ribavirin, 11 received pegylated interferon and ribavirin, and 1 was treated initially with interferon monotherapy followed by pegylated interferon monotherapy. Among those episodes treated with interferon, 3 of 4 experienced sustained virologic response. Among those episodes treated with pegylated interferon, all 12 achieved SVR. In total, 15 of 16 treated patients (94%) experienced SVR. In all, 18 of the 24 patients (75%) experienced spontaneous or treatment-induced sustained virologic clearance. Conclusions: Our experience with treated and untreated acute HCV infection is comparable to that observed in Europe. Patients treated with antiviral therapy had an excellent response. Randomized trials to investigate immediate versus delayed treatment of acute hepatitis C infection are warranted. In view of these strongly positive outcomes, increased vigilance for acute hepatitis C becomes essential.
The integration of a helicopter emergency medical service in a mass casualty response system.

Since 1985, the state of Connecticut has been served by a hospital-based, advanced life support (ALS) helicopter air medical service. The service is stationed at a 1,000-bed, Level I, trauma center that is responsible for its operation. Connecticut statute requires the hospital to file operations reports with the Office of Emergency Medical Services, which reports to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Operations include response to requests for transportation of severely ill or injured patients from the scene of an incident, and patient transport from one hospital to a higher level, definitive-care hospital.This service also was charged to develop a disaster response plan to be integrated into the overall state plan for disaster responses. The helicopter disaster response involves all six New England states and the three hospital-based emergency medical helicopter programs that operate in the New England states.This approach has allowed for joint planning and multi-agency, simulated drills. The helicopter emergency medical service has responded to 15 simulated emergencies (drills) and seven actual mass casualty incidents from May, 1985 to June, 1989. In Connecticut, the planning process conducted by the Department of Public Health and the Office of State EMS produced a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional, mass-casualty response plan.
On Performance of Cooperative Large CDMA Random Access Networks

In this paper, the effect of user cooperation on network performance is investigated in terms of throughput and stability region for CDMA random access networks where a large number of users randomly access an access point (AP). The network considered consists of two classes of users depending on the received power at the AP. A cooperation strategy with very low overheads is proposed, and the network performance gain obtained by adopting this strategy is characterized in closed-form formulas. The validity of our analysis is confirmed by simulation results.
Rofecoxib‐Induced Instant Aquagenic Wrinkling of the Palms

An 18-year-old woman presented with a 3-week complaint of exaggerated palmar wrinkling and swelling following brief exposure (1-2 minutes) of her hands to water. She had a history of mixed connective tissue disease and had been started on rofecoxib therapy 1 month prior to the onset of her skin symptoms. Discontinuation of rofecoxib was followed by resolution of symptoms within a period of 3 weeks. Similar palmar skin changes following water exposure have been reported to occur in cystic fibrosis and are thought to be due to increased salt content of the skin and secondary increased water-binding capacity. Rofecoxib is a selective COX-2 inhibitor that has been shown to increase sodium reabsorption in the kidney via effects on prostaglandin E 2 and the renal vasculature. The COX-2 protein is also expressed in keratinocytes and plays a role in keratinocyte differentiation. Prostaglandin E 2 also plays a role in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Thus rofecoxib may cause increased sodium reabsorption in the skin, as it does in the kidney. The rofecoxib-associated elevation in skin sodium may increase keratin water-binding capacity and cause exaggerated aquagenic wrinkling of the skin, as occurs in cystic fibrosis.
Constrained Densification of Alumina/Zirconia Hybrid Laminates, II: Viscoelastic Stress Computation

To analyze the inhibited densification during sintering and differential shrinkage during cooling of Al2O3/ZrO2symmetric and asymmetric laminates, viscoelastic formulations, in which the viscosity and elastic modulus vary with time, have been developed. The viscoelastic mismatch stresses have been numerically computed over the entire processing cycle, including the heating period, the isothermal period, and the cooling period. The viscosity and free sintering rates that are needed for stress computation have been obtained by modifying the parameters that are measured for a normal isotropic densifying compact using cyclic loading dilatometry. The modification is based on the available sintering models to account for the effect of strain history on compact viscosity and sintering rates. The stress calculation shows that, with the exception of the initial heating period, the viscoelastic stress is identical to the viscous stress that is calculated solely from the strain rate mismatch. Sintering damage in the laminates is shown to occur during densification under conditions where the differential sintering stress is smaller than the intrinsic sintering pressure. The magnitude of residual stress in hybrid laminates on cooling is dependent on the cooling rate, and slower cooling rates are capable of almost completely relaxing the expansion mismatch stress at temperatures of >1200°C.
A visual design for collaborative work: columns for commenting and annotation

Collaboration has traditionally occurred through verbal and visual communication. In recent years, technical innovation has provided a new context for collective efforts that are supported by the computer. Yet little attention has been paid to the traditional visual designs that have supported collaboration in the past. The paper describes a visually oriented design for accessing and organizing information in the context of computer supported collaborative work. The authors show how interface design with a strong emphasis on a simple yet elegant visual metaphor can facilitate collaboration by reducing clutter and focusing end-user tasks efficiently. A columnar visual interface provides a powerful interaction mechanism for supporting collaboration in general. >
Arsenite Slows S Phase Progression via Inhibition of cdc25A Dual Specificity Phosphatase Gene Transcription

Arsenic acts as a toxicant, a carcinogen, and an effective chemotherapeutic agent, but its mechanisms of action are unclear. We have previously shown that treatment of U937 cells with 5mM sodium arsenite inhibits cell cycle progression through each cell cycle phase, including S phase. Cdc25A dual specificity phosphatase controls entry into and progression through S phase by dephosphorylating sites of inhibitory phosphorylation on cyclin E-cdk2 (Thr14 and Tyr15). Immunoblotting reveals that a 3-h treatment of U937 cells with 5mM sodium arsenite results in a dramatic decrease in cdc25A protein levels. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments confirm that cyclin E-cdk2 is more phosphorylated at Thr14 and Tyr15 in the presence of arsenite, and kinase activity assays reveal a decrease in cyclin E‐associated cdk2 activity. Therefore, arsenite-dependent cdc25A depletion could contribute to S phase inhibition. There exists an S phase checkpoint known to be mediated by proteasomal cdc25A degradation. However, cycloheximide half-life assay reveals that cdc25A is actually stabilized in arsenite-treated cells. Real-time RT-PCR shows that cdc25A mRNA levels are substantially decreased with arsenite treatment, and actinomycin D half-life assay reveals no change in message stability. Decreased cdc25A message translation is shown by sucrose density gradient polysomal analysis to be an unlikely cause for the profound arsenite-dependent reduction in cdc25A protein levels. Studies are ongoing to establish the mechanism by which 5mM arsenite decreases cdc25A message abundance, but we surmise that, given the lack of effect on mRNA stability, an inhibition of gene transcription is likely involved.
Extending the benefit ef lipid-reguulating therapy to primary prevention

In recent years, a number of published secondary prevention trials have further strengthened the rationale for aggressive lipid-regulating therapy in patients with established coronary artery disease. However, the role of lipid-regulating therapy in primary prevention is less well characterized. Several large primary prevention trials, using a variety of interventions, are ongoing in different populations. These include the Air Force CoronaryJTexas Atherosclerosis Prevention Study, the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study, the Women's Health Initiative, and the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial. These investigations will extend the results of earlier primary prevention trials and further characterize the rationale for intervention.
Developing entrepreneurial activity systems at the bottom of the pyramid

A relatively new area of discussion within the strategic entrepreneurship domain is a creation of novel strategies by established firms to meet the needs of the poor at the bottom of the world's economic pyramid. Scholars in this area advocate that multinational companies take advantage of profit making opportunities in serving the four billion people who are the world's poorest consumers. To do so effectively, multinationals need to build new activity systems that support the novel strategies required to function in a setting, vastly different from their typical markets. Bottom of the pyramid (BOP) scholars strongly suggest companies involve multiple parties familiar with the BOP environment in this process. In this paper, I describe how companies can go about developing entrepreneurial activity systems that incorporate sources of knowledge and information from the bottoms of various pyramid stakeholders in a way that facilitates the design and execution of opportunistic strategies.
The Paradoxes of Allais and Ellsberg

In The Enterprise of Knowledge (Levi, 1980a), I proposed a general theory of rational choice which I intended as a characterization of a prescriptive theory of ideal rationality. A cardinal tenet of this theory is that assessments of expected value or expected utility in the Bayesian sense may not be representable by a numerical indicator or indeed induce an ordering of feasible options in a context of deliberation. My reasons for taking this position are related to my commitment to the inquiry-oriented approach to human knowledge and valuation favored by the American pragmatists, Charles Peirce and John Dewey. A feature of any acceptable view of inquiry ought to be that during an inquiry points under dispute ought to be kept in suspense pending resolution through inquiry.
The Young Athlete with Down Syndrome

Participation in sports is important for the physical and emotional health of physically and mentally challenged children. Before participation in sports, several questions need to be answered: (1) Is the child ready to participate? (2) What types of sports are appropriate? (3) What are the advantages/disadvantages of specific sports? Each child with Down syndrome (DS) must undergo a careful pre-participation evaluation by an individual trained and experienced with the medical and orthopedic comorbidities associated with DS. Important medical factors relevant to sports participation by children with DS include hearing loss, cardiovascular disorders, pulmonary hypoplasia, obesity, and musculoskeletal problems. Approximately 20 % of children with DS suffer from musculoskeletal pathology, secondary to abnormal collagen leading to ligamentous laxity and decreased muscle tone. Children with DS commonly suffer from abnormalities of the cervical spine, hip, patellofemoral joint, and feet. Most athletes with DS can participate safely in several sports if appropriately screened, supervised, and matched. Children with DS should be encouraged to participate in sport at all levels because of the well-recognized psychological and medical benefits.
Whole cell Cl- currents in human neutrophils induced by cell swelling

The properties of the conductive Cl- transport pathway underlying regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in human neutrophils were investigated using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. Cell swelling was induced during whole cell recordings by making the patch pipette solution hyperosmotic (approximately 20%) relative to the bath by addition of sucrose. Immediately after establishment of the whole cell configuration, no measurable Cl- currents were evident. Over a period of several minutes the outwardly rectifying Cl- current that developed displayed no apparent voltage dependence of activation and did not inactivate with time during voltage steps over the range of -80 to +80 mV. Reduction of Cl- currents by application of suction to the interior of the pipette implied that the swelling-induced Cl- channels are activated by membrane stretch. Based on reversal potential measurements, the volume-induced Cl- conductance was found to discriminate poorly among Cl-, Br-, I-, and NO3-, to possess a finite permeability to glucuronate (Pglucuronate/PCl approximately 0.1) and to be impermeable to cations. Single-channel conductance was estimated to be 1.5 pS from analysis of the variance of membrane current fluctuations. The activated Cl- currents were blocked by 100 microM of the compound MK-447 analogue A (inhibitor constant Ki = 37 microM) and by 200 microM 3,5-diiodosalicylate, 500 microM 4-acetamido-4'-iodothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, and 200 microM UK-5099. These results suggest that the initial event triggering RVD in neutrophils may be activation of stretch sensitive Cl- channels in the plasma membrane.
Unified framework for clinical data analytics (U-CDA)

In spite of significant progress in the area of data management and integration, heterogeneous nature of clinical data makes it challenging to develop a unified view of clinical data. Therefore, a central question we are trying to address is how we can utilize data analytics to discover insightful knowledge from the scattered & large amount of clinical data to simplify clinical decision making. We propose a Unified Framework for Clinical Data Analytics (U-CDA) for mining large amounts of heterogeneous data to build enhanced clinical data analytics system. This requires addressing several challenges: · A substantial amount of patient data is stored in unstructured data sources such as patient diaries, clinical notes. It is challenging to aggregate and analyze such data. · Capturing a large amount of clinical data of dynamic nature in static schema may not be feasible, thus, there is a need to port the data to SQL like environments which facilitate the analytics. · In several cases, environmental and spatial factors affect health of patients. Building such contextaware intelligent system is critical to facilitating the decision making. · Web mining of online public health discussion forums where patients voluntarily post information about treatments, adverse drug reactions can also be effectively utilized to provide insights into decision making.
Organising pneumonia in common variable immunodeficiency

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common of the primary immunodeficiency disorders. Pulmonary manifestations are characterised by recurrent rhinosinusitis, respiratory tract infections and bronchiectasis. Less commonly the lung may be affected by lymphoid disorders and sarcoid-like granulomas. Organising pneumonia (OP) is a rare pulmonary manifestation. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with CVID who presented with fever, dyspnoea and persistent lung infiltrates despite antibiotic therapy. CT of the chest showed bilateral patchy alveolar infiltrates. Pulmonary function tests revealed moderate restriction and reduction in diffusion capacity. Initial bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies did not yield a diagnosis but surgical lung biopsies identified OP. Significant clinical, radiographic and physiological improvement was achieved after institution of corticosteroid therapy.
Influence of Potato Persistence, Foliar Biomass, and Foliar Nitrogen on Abundance of Leptinotarsa decemlinteata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abundance of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), was compared on cultivars of potato that differed in time to maturity (persistence), foliar biomass, and foliar concentrations of N. Longer-season cultivars produced more (although not consistently significant) foliage than shorter-season cultivars. Foliar concentrations of N were higher in most longer-season cultivars than in shorter-season cultivars. Abundance of beetles was not significantly different among most cultivars on most sample dates. Beetle abundance was significantly positively correlated with cultivar persistence, foliar biomass, and foliar N concentration. Multiple regression techniques indicated that foliar N was a better predictor of beetle abundance than foliar biomass.
Calcium and Vitamin D Intake of Boys Who Have Autism

Objective. To determine the calcium and vitamin D intake of boys with autism ages 7 to 12 years and to compare these intakes with the dietary reference intake (DRI). Design. This study is a cross-sectional design using data obtained from a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire that assesses daily calcium and vitamin D intake. Subjects. Subjects were recruited through the Autism Society of America. Forty-seven parents or caretakers of eligible subjects were included. Twenty-two of the subjects were boys with autism ages 7 to 8, and 25 of the subjects were boys with autism ages 9 to 12. Results. Seventeen out of 22 boys with autism ages 7 to 8 consumed significantly less calcium (P = .0085) and vitamin D (P = .0085) than the age-appropriate DRI. Twenty-three out of 25 boys with autism ages 9 to 12 consumed significantly less calcium than the DRI levels (P = .0001). Twenty-one out of 25 boys with autism ages 9 to 12 also consumed significantly less vitamin D than the age-appropriate DRI levels (P = .0045). ...