cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trainee Contribution Is Not Associated With Citation Frequency: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE Publication citation frequency is a measure of scientific influence. The purpose of this study was to measure the association between trainee involvement in publications and citation frequency. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective cohort study of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from January to December 2010 was conducted. For each included publication, the study topic and design were recorded. The primary predictor variable was trainee involvement (yes or no). For the purpose of our study, the term "trainee" encompassed dental students, graduate (non-dental) students, oral and maxillofacial surgery residents, and non-oral and maxillofacial surgery residents, as indicated by author affiliations listed in each article. The outcome variable was the number of citations accumulated between 2010 and 2017. Descriptive statistics were computed. Analyses of variance were performed to compare citation distribution among study types and designs. Student t tests and χ2 tests were performed. RESULTS The sample consisted of 111 publications, of which 85 (76.6%) had at least 1 trainee author. Among all publications, the mean number of citations was significantly different across study designs (P = .03), with case reports earning the lowest number of citations on average (mean, 14.9 citations). Trainee publications had significantly different distributions of study topics (P = .02) and designs (P < .01). Among publications with a trainee author, the most common topic was pathology (37%) and the most common study design was a case report (45%). Despite the higher proportion of case reports, the mean number of citations between trainee (mean, 30.4 citations) and non-trainee (mean, 30.5 citations) publications was not significantly different (P = .99). CONCLUSIONS Including trainees does not alter the citation frequency of the articles published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This finding is encouraging to both academic surgeons and their trainees, as a higher volume of students and residents can be engaged in research while preserving the influence of the published works.
Influence of phase and interface properties on the stress state dependent fracture initiation behavior in DP steels through computational modeling

Abstract In dual phase (DP) steels, fracture can initiate within the ferrite phase, the martensite phase, or at the interfaces between these phases with the dominant fracture initiation mechanism expected to depend on a number of factors, including the phase and interface properties as well as the applied stress state. The present study aims to identify the links among fracture initiation behavior, phase/interface properties, and stress state in DP steels through finite element analysis using representative volume element (RVE) simulations. An idealized RVE model containing a circular martensite particle was loaded under five different stress states. The RVE model incorporated a ductile fracture criterion for ferrite, a brittle fracture criterion for martensite, and a cohesive zone model (CZM) for the ferrite/martensite interface. A parametric study was performed to determine the relative influence of fracture properties of each constituent and stress state on the failure initiation behavior, and to identify the conditions under which the fracture initiation behavior was stress state dependent.
Major ADC Companies, Current Clinical Trials, Recent Patents Issued and Patent Applications, and Cost Analysis of Drug Therapy

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) have come to the age of fruition following a long period of trials and errors. Three ADCs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) thus far and many more are in the development pipelines. This chapter provides the current landscape of ADC drug discovery and development. It summarizes the major players and programs in ADC drug development worldwide, currently running clinical trials registered in the USA, and recently published US patents and patent applications. In addition, the cost and outcomes aspects of ADC drug therapy are discussed.
The test set for the TransCoder system.

The TransCoder system translates source code between Java, C++, and Python 3. The test set that was used to evaluate its quality is missing important features of Java, including the ability to define and use classes and the ability to call user-defined functions other than recursively. Therefore, the accuracy of TransCoder over programs with those features remains unknown.
The DOG 1 EXPRESSION IN DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF CHONDROBLASTOMAS AND ITS HISTOLOGICAL MIMICKERS

Objective: Chondroblastoma is rare benign cartilage forming tumor of bone predominantly in individuals less than 20 years of age. Recently immunohistochemical marker DOG 1 has been reported to help in the diagnosis in difficult cases where histological features overlap with other similar entities. Current study aims to assess the sensitivity and specificity of DOG 1 in the diagnosis of chondroblastomas. Study design: descriptive cross-sectional study Place and duration of study: The study was conducted from June 2015 to July 2017 in Department of Histopathology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan. Patients and methods: Total fifty-two patients were included in this study including 19 chondroblastomas, 21 giant cell tumors and 12 chondromyxoid fibromas. DOG 1 antibody was applied on all the cases Results: DOG 1 was positive in 100 % of cases of chondroblastomas. However, intensity and proportion of staining pattern was variable among them. 78% (n=15) cases showed diffuse moderate to strong expression while 22% (n=4) cases showed focal weak expression. Only 10% (n=2) cases of giant cell tumors and 33% (n=4) of chondromyxoid fibromas expressed focal weak expression for DOG 1. Conclusions: This study confirms 100 % expression of DOG 1 in cases of chondroblastomas but intensity and proportion of staining pattern was variable. Therefore DOG 1 may prove to be a useful immunohistochemical marker for diagnosis of chondroblastomas in the future in difficult cases in correlation with histological and radiological features.
Optimal Capital Utilization by Financial Firms: Evidence from the Property-Liability Insurance Industry

Capitalization levels in the property-liability insurance industry have increased dramatically in recent years - the capital-to-assets ratio rose from 25% in 1989 to 35% by 1999. This paper investigates the use of capital by insurers to provide evidence on whether the capital increase represents a legitimate response to changing market conditions or a true inefficiency that leads to performance penalties for insurers. We estimate "best practice" technical, cost, and revenue frontiers for a sample of insurers over the period 1993-1998, using data envelopment analysis, a non-parametric technique. The results indicate that most insurers significantly over-utilized equity capital during the sample period. Regression analysis provides evidence that capital over-utilization primarily represents an inefficiency for which insurers incur significant revenue penalties.
A Four-Parameter Spectrally-Universal Line Shape Function

A 3-parameter lineshape function, defined by convolving the Gross and Doppler lineshape functions, was previously proposed as a spectrally universal form. It reduces to the Gross lineshape at microwave and longer wavelengths, and transitions to the Voigt lineshape in the infrared. Unfortunately, the Gross lineshape function is known to not capture the asymmetry of the true microwave lineshape as well as the Weiskopf form. Here, a Center-Shift at Half-Width parameter is introduced to create a modified-Gross lineshape function applicable in the microwave. Its spectral convolution with the Doppler lineshape is demonstrated to provide a 4-parameter lineshape function accurate for the entire ultraviolet to radio wave spectral range.
Mechanisms and clinical manifestations of cardiovascular toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Immunotherapies have greatly expanded the armamentarium of cancer-directed therapies in the past decade, allowing the immune system to recognize and fight cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), in particular, have revolutionized cancer treatment and have demonstrated survival benefit in numerous types of cancer. These monoclonal antibodies increase anti-cancer immunity by blocking down-regulators of adaptive immunity, including cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and its ligand (PD-L1), resulting in anti-tumor activity. As ICIs increase immune system activation, they can cause a wide range of inflammatory side effects, termed immune-released adverse events. Though these toxicities can affect nearly any organ, the most fatal toxicity is myocarditis. Here, we discuss the diverse spectrum of cardiovascular toxicities associated with ICI use. In addition, we provide insight and future directions on mechanisms and treatments for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) involving the myocardium, pericardium, vasculature, and conduction system.
Kinetic mix at gas-shell interface in inverted corona fusion targets

Gas-filled, laser-driven “inverted corona” fusion targets have attracted interest as a low-convergence neutron source and platform for studying kinetic physics. At the fill pressures under investigation, ejected particles from the shell can penetrate deeply into the gas before colliding, leading to significant mixing across the gas–shell interface. Here, we use kinetic-ion, fluid-electron hybrid particle-in-cell simulations to explore the nature of that mix. Simulations of the system demonstrate characteristics of a weakly collisional electrostatic shock, whereby a strong electric field accelerates shell ions into the rarefied gas and reflects upstream gas ions. This interpenetration is mediated by collisional processes: At higher initial gas pressure, fewer shell particles pass into the mix region and reach the hotspot. This effect is detectable through neutron yield scaling vs gas pressure. Predictions of neutron yield scaling show excellent agreement with experimental data recorded at the OMEGA laser facility, suggesting that 1D kinetic mechanisms are sufficient to capture the mix process.
Soft Subdivision Search in Motion Planning, II: Axiomatics

We propose to design motion planning algorithms with a strong form of resolution completeness, called resolution-exactness. Such planners can be implemented using soft predicates within the subdivision paradigm. The advantage of softness is that we avoid the Zero problem and other issues of exact computation. Soft Subdivision Search (SSS) is an algorithmic framework for such planners. There are many parallels between our framework and the well-known Probabilistic Road Map (PRM) framework. Both frameworks lead to algorithms that are practical, flexible, extensible, with adaptive and local complexity. Our several recent papers have demonstrated these favorable properties on various non-trivial motion planning problems. In this paper, we provide a general axiomatic theory underlying these results. We also address the issue of subdivision in non-Euclidean configuration spaces, and how exact algorithms can be recovered using soft methods.
Diet quality among women participating in the Pregnancy, Exercise, and Nutrition Feasibility Study (1021.8)

Background: A nutrient-rich diet during pregnancy is critical to optimize gestation and birth outcomes. The PEN program, a team-based, peer-led, 20-session curriculum was used to promote healthy dietary choices and activity during pregnancy to reduce gestational diabetes risk. Methods: The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the Diet Quality Index for Pregnancy (DQI-P) were used to assess diet quality of 14 control (CG) and 12 intervention (IG) participants based on food intake measured by the Automated Self-Administered-24 Hour Dietary Recall. Mean changes in HEI and DQI-P scores from baseline (BL) to the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (T) were calculated and differences within and between groups were determined using t-tests. Results: Although no significant differences or changes in mean total HEI or DQI-P scores were observed between groups at BL, T2, or T3, added sugar consumption was 47.9% lower in the IG (8.7 ± 8.2 tsp-equivalent) than the CG (16.7 ± 10.6 tsp-equivalent) at T3 (P=0.045). Mean DQI-P fruit score,...
Fault isolation filter design for linear systems

This paper is concerned with the problem of detecting and isolating faults. We provide a method to design a fault isolation filter such that multiple faults can be detected and isolated. This design procedure guarantees to isolate up to n faults, where n is the dimension of the system. In particular, we are interested in the application of the developed scheme to a d.c. motor driving a centrifugal pump driven. Extensive computer simulations demonstrate the detectability and isolability of faults by the detection filter in the occurrence of multiple faults in the motor-pump dynamic system. >
Networks and Bridges: Nuns in the Making of Modern Chinese Buddhism

AbstractBuddhist women have been building modern Chinese Buddhism for over a century and have been instrumental in the globalization of Buddhism. This article focuses on how Chinese Buddhist nuns constructed new networks, and their role as “bridges” between eras, people, institutions, and regions in modern times. The first section contextualizes the “Buddhist Revival” in turn-of-the-century China, and highlights the reforms of Buddhist modernizer Taixu regarding Chinese Buddhist women, particularly in the field of education. The second section discusses several networks of Buddhist women spanning a time-period from the late nineteenth century to the present, including those of two eminent nuns, Longlian and Tongyuan. I also discuss some reasons for the evolution of Taiwan's flourishing order of nuns and highlight networks of Taiwan nuns connecting Taiwan, China, Japan, and Hong Kong. The mission of these nuns past and present has been education, the key to the development of the nuns’ order and to the flo...
Chronic Kidney Disease and Heart Failure: Epidemiology and Outcomes

Heart failure (HF) is common and is associated with poor prognosis. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in HF, and shares many risk factors with HF such as age, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Findings from large HF registries suggest that over half of all HF patients may have CKD. The concomitant presence of CKD is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in HF; yet, it is also associated with underutilization of evidence-based HF therapy that may reduce morbidity and mortality. Understanding the epidemiology and outcomes of CKD in HF is essential to ensure proper management of these patients.
Chapter 28 Cerebellar contributions to the acquisition and execution of learned reflex and volitional movements

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the neuroanatomy of the substrates responsible for mediating the cerebellum's action in conditioned reflex behavior that emphasizes the multiple parallel pathways by which the cerebellum can regulate the output of these reflex systems and the multiple sites within these pathways at which critical information regarding both the conditioned and the unconditioned stimulus are available. Perhaps, the greatest support for the storage hypothesis has been derived from experiments examining the substrates responsible for the classically conditioned eyeblink or nictitating membrane reflex. These studies, which have been reviewed extensively, demonstrate that permanent or temporary lesions in specific regions of the interposed nuclei block acquisition and eliminate the capacity to recall and execute previously acquired conditioned reflexes of this effector system. Because of the conceptual importance of determining if the cerebellum's action in the classical conditioning of the eyeblink reflex is restricted to only the expression of the conditioned reflex, the experiments were focused on assessing the effects of inactivating the interposed nuclei with muscimol on the characteristics of both the conditioned, as well as the unconditioned responses of this effector system.
Functional Importance and Local Environments of the Cysteines in the Tetracycline Resistance Protein Encoded by Plasmid pBR322

The properties of the cysteines in the pBR322-encoded tetracycline resistance protein have been examined. Cysteines are important but not essential for tetracycline transport activity. None of the cysteines reacted with biotin maleimide, suggesting that they are shielded from the aqueous phase or reside in a negatively charged local environment.
Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-1 in serum for detection of peri-operative myocardial infarction after cardiac surgery

We prospectively studied changes in serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-1 (LD-1, EC 1.1.1.27) in 99 consecutive patients after either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, n = 61), isolated cardiac-valve replacement (n = 24), or the two procedures combined (n = 14); 86 of these had no clinical evidence of peri-operative myocardial infarction (MI). Blood was sampled immediately after surgery and at 6-h intervals for up to 42 h thereafter. LD-1 was isolated by using the LD M-subunit antiserum. Samples from the non-MI patients were used to establish the reference intervals for LD-1. By 24 h after surgery, mean serum LD-1 values were higher (P less than 0.001) in non-MI patients who underwent isolated valve replacement (222 +/- 74 U/L) or combined CABG and valve replacement (266 +/- 58 U/L) than in 50 non-MI patients who underwent CABG alone (134 +/- 42 U/L). Separate reference intervals were determined for CABG and other patients at each sampling time. By 24 h after operation, LD-1 exceeded these reference intervals in the 10 CABG and two combined-procedure patients in whom other evidence of MI was present. Measurement of LD-1 24 to 42 h after cardiac surgery appears to be a useful test for the diagnosis of perioperative MI.
Doubly Triggered Harmony in Laal as Subphonemic Agreement by Correspondence

Multiple-trigger assimilations pose notoriously difficult problems to standard autosegmental analyses (Flemming 1997). I present the unusual double-trigger rounding harmony of Laal (unclassified, Chad), where V 1 in a disyllabic stem assimilates in rounding to a same-height round V 2 , iff the root contains a labial consonant. I show that Agreement-by-Correspondence, initially developed for consonant agreement (Hansson 2001, Rose & Walker 2004), recently extended to vowel harmony (Rhodes 2012), consonant-tone interaction (Shih 2013), and harmony processes involving contour segments and tones (Inkelas & Shih 2013), can account for multiple-trigger assimilations such as that of Laal, provided it can access subphonemic phonetic information.
Comparison of three algorithms used to evaluate adverse drug reactions

The consistency of three algorithms in evaluating adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was studied. As part of a hospital's ADR protocol, doctor of pharmacy students were required to collect and summarize all ADR data. Algorithms by Kramer, Naranjo, and Jones were used to evaluate all ADRs between January and May 1984. Kramer's algorithm was used for every reported ADR; Naranjo's and Jones' algorithms were used to check consistency in scoring among ADRs already scored with the Kramer algorithm. The two numerical scales (Kramer and Naranjo) were compared using linear regression. The results of all three algorithms were translated into categories of suspicion (A = definite or probable; B = probable; C = possible; and D = unlikely, doubtful, or remote) and evaluated for consistency with a weighted kappa (kw) statistical test. A total of 28 ADRs were evaluated, and the correlation (r = 0.87) between the total numerical scores of the Kramer and Naranjo algorithms was significant. Comparison of the Kramer and Naranjo algorithms showed 67% agreement with a kw value of 0.43 (-1 = perfect disagreement and +1 = perfect agreement). Similarly, there was 67% agreement (kw = 0.48) between Kramer's algorithm and Jones' algorithm. Agreement between Naranjo's and Jones's algorithms was 64%, but the kw value was only 0.28. The simpler and less time-consuming Naranjo algorithm compared favorably with the Kramer algorithm in scoring ADRs; more data are needed to support the use of the Jones algorithm.
Instream Habitat Associations Among Three Federally Threatened and a Common Freshwater Mussel Species in a Southeastern Watershed

Abstract The current study examined instream habitat associations among 1 common and 3 federally threatened mussel species at 3 sites in a southeastern watershed (Choctawhatchee River). We documented instream habitat structures (e.g., leaf pack, root mat, root wad, woody debris, and log) in the immediate vicinity (∼5 cm) of 94 Elliptio pullata (Gulf Spike), 263 Pleurobema strodeanum (Fuzzy Pigtoe), 117 Fusconaia burkei (Tapered Pigtoe), and 25 Hamiota australis (Southern Sandshell). Results of chi-square tests showed significant differences in use of instream habitat types among species (P < 0.05). At all 3 sites, the threatened species were almost exclusively associated with either woody debris or logs. When we found the mussels with leaf pack, we also recorded a majority of the individuals with at least one additional instream habitat (usually woody debris). In contrast, we observed the majority of the common species, E. pullata, either exclusively with leaf pack or, at 1 site, equally with leaf pack an...
Activation of Phospholipase A by Plant Defense Elicitors

Participation of phospholipase A (PLase A) in plant signal transduction has been documented for auxin stimulation of growth but not for elicitation of any plant defense response. In this paper, we report two independent assays for monitoring PLase A induction in plant cells and have used these assays to evaluate whether transduction of defense-related signals might require PLase A activation. Oligogalacturonic acid, a potent elicitor of the soybean (Glycine max) H2O2 burst, was unable to stimulate endogenous PLase A, suggesting that PLase A activation is not an obligate intermediate in the oligogalacturonic acid-induced burst pathway. In contrast, harpin and an extract from the pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae both stimulated the oxidative burst and promoted a rapid increase in PLase A activity. To evaluate the possible role of this inducible PLase A activity in transducing the oxidative burst, we tested the effect of chlorpromazine-HCl, a PLase A inhibitor on elicitor-stimulated burst activity. Pretreatment with chloropromazine was found to inhibit the H2O2 burst triggered by V. dahliae extract at the same concentration at which it blocked PLase A activation. In contrast, neither the harpin- nor oligogalacturonic acid-induced burst was altered by addition of chlorpromazine. These data suggest that PLase A stimulation may be important in certain elicitor-induced oxidative bursts (e.g. V. dahliae) and that other elicitors such as oligogalacturonic acid and harpin must operate through independent signaling intermediates to activate the same defense response.
Dynamic respiratory changes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A 50 year old woman presented with severe exertional dyspnoea. On physical examination, she had a 3/6 systolic ejection murmur that virtually disappeared with inspiration. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated findings typical of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with a pronounced increase in ventricular septal thickness and an outflow gradient of 100 mm Hg. The patient underwent cardiac catheterisation (panel below: Ao, aortic pressure, LA, left atrial pressure, LV, left ventricular pressure, …
A prospective randomized trial comparing clomiphene citrate with tamoxifen citrate for ovulation induction.

Abstract Objective: To compare the rates of ovulation and pregnancy after tamoxifen citrate (TMX) or clomiphene citrate (CC) among anovulatory women with infertility. Design: Prospective randomized trial. Setting: Infertility clinic in a university teaching hospital. Patient(s): Eighty-six anovulatory women under 40 years of age undergoing ovulation induction. Intervention(s): The women were assigned randomly to receive either TMX or CC on cycle days 5–9. Main Outcome Measure(s): Rates of ovulation and pregnancy for the two treatment modalities. Result(s): The overall rate of ovulation in the TMX group was 50 of 113 (44.2%) and in the CC group, 41 of 91 (45.1%). There were 10 pregnancies in the TMX group and 6 pregnancies in the CC group. The cycle fecundity per ovulatory cycle was 20.0% in the TMX group and 14.6% in the CC group. Conclusion(s): The overall rate of ovulation and pregnancy were similar with TMX and CC. TMX is a suitable alternative agent to CC in the management of anovulatory infertility.
Homology between mammalian cell DNA sequences and human herpesvirus genomes detected by a hybridization procedure with high-complexity probe

Abstract Mouse and human DNA used as in vitro-labeled "high-complexity" probes revealed hybridization between specific herpesvirus DNA fragments on Southern transfers and repetitive sequences present at 10 3 to 10 5 copies per mammalian cell genome. Several different sites of major cell-virus sequence homology have been detected in both the herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 genomes, and these are located predominantly within the L and S inverted repeat regions and near the center of the L unique region. The hybrids persisted even in relatively stringent conditions, and appear to correlate closely with some of the previously recognized regions of size heterogeneity in the viral genome. Cloned viral DNA fragments from each site hybridized to different sets of discrete bands and dispersed elements within restriction-endonuclease-digested genomic DNA from a variety of vertebrate species. Localized cell-virus homology was also detected in both the human Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus genomes.
The ion pathway through the opened Na + ,K + -ATPase pump

P-type ATPases pump ions across membranes, generating steep electrochemical gradients that are essential for the function of all cells. Access to the ion-binding sites within the pumps alternates between the two sides of the membrane to avoid the dissipation of the gradients that would occur during simultaneous access. In Na(+),K(+)-ATPase pumps treated with the marine agent palytoxin, this strict alternation is disrupted and binding sites are sometimes simultaneously accessible from both sides of the membrane, transforming the pumps into ion channels (see, for example, refs 2, 3). Current recordings in these channels can monitor accessibility of introduced cysteine residues to water-soluble sulphydryl-specific reagents. We found previously that Na(+),K(+) pump-channels open to the extracellular surface through a deep and wide vestibule that emanates from a narrower pathway between transmembrane helices 4 and 6 (TM4 and TM6). Here we report that cysteine scans from TM1 to TM6 reveal a single unbroken cation pathway that traverses palytoxin-bound Na(+),K(+) pump-channels from one side of the membrane to the other. This pathway comprises residues from TM1, TM2, TM4 and TM6, passes through ion-binding site II, and is probably conserved in structurally and evolutionarily related P-type pumps, such as sarcoplasmic- and endoplasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases and H(+),K(+)-ATPases.
Probing a 2-aminobenzimidazole library for binding to RNA internal loops via two-dimensional combinatorial screening.

There are many potential RNA drug targets in bacterial, viral, and human transcriptomes. However, there are few small molecules that modulate RNA function. This is due, in part, to a lack of fundamental understanding about RNA–ligand interactions including the types of small molecules that bind to RNA structural elements and the RNA structural elements that bind to small molecules. In an effort to better understand RNA–ligand interactions, we diversified the 2-aminobenzimidazole core (2AB) and probed the resulting library for binding to a library of RNA internal loops. We chose the 2AB core for these studies because it is a privileged scaffold for binding RNA based on previous reports. These studies identified that N-methyl pyrrolidine, imidazole, and propylamine diversity elements at the R1 position increase binding to internal loops; variability at the R2 position is well tolerated. The preferred RNA loop space was also determined for five ligands using a statistical approach and identified trends that ...
Virulence of Heliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus exposed to monochromatic ultraviolet irradiation

Abstract Suspensions of polyhedra of the Heliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus were irradiated at 16 microwatts/cm2 with narrow-band ultraviolet energy at wavelengths of 257 nanometer (nm) (1 nm = 1 × 10−9 meter = 1 millimicron = 10 Angstrom units), 307.5 nm, and 364 nm and with broad-band energy in the visible and near-infrared range and assayed for virulence with 20-mg larval bollworms, Heliothis zea, and tobacco budworms, Heliothis virescens. Wavelengths of 257 nm and 307.5 nm significantly inactivated virus, and 364 nm and the visible range may have inactivated it. Mortality was reduced 45 and 88.9% in bollworm and tobacco budworm, respectively, when they were assayed with a polyhedral suspension (1250 viral inclusions/mm2 of diet surface) treated with monochromatic energy at 307.5 nm.
Nuclear-Coupled Thermal Hydraulics Stability of a Natural Circulation Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor

Stability analyses are carried out for a natural circulation lead-cooled fast reactor which is at its design stage. Because of its natural circulation feature, flow stability as well as nuclear-coupled thermal hydraulics stability is of some concern. Modal Expansion Method (MEM) and Reduced Order Model (ROM) are used for neutronics and thermal hydraulics part, respectively. These two separate models are coupled through feedback effects. Different simulation scenarios on the separate and coupled models are reported.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Replica Bethe ansatz studies of two-dimensional interfaces with quenched random impurities

The statistical mechanics of interfaces subject to quenched impurities is studied in two dimensions. The presence of randomness changes the scaling of domain wall fluctuations, and modifies critical behavior at interface-driven depinning (wetting), and commensurate-to-incommensurate phase transitions. All these problems are examined by combining the replica method with Bethe ansatz calculations. Results include expressions for quench-averaged free energies, their cumulants, expectation values, distribution functions, in addition to a number of new critical exponents. The intermediate results include some novel Bethe ansatz solutions, such as the ground state energy of a system of n attracting fermion species.
Qualitative identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by high-performance thin-layer chromatography and fluorescence scanning densitometry

Abstract A procedure is described for the accurate measurement of emission response ratios for polycyclic aromtic hydrocarbons using fluorescence scanning densitometry and reversed-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatography. By optimizing instrumental conditions and using perylene as a reference standard, the emission response ratios can be reproduced to better than 3% relative standard deviation on a day-to-day basis. The emission response ratios enable the optimum detection conditions for sensitivity or selectivity to be easily identified. The normalized emission response ratios can be used to improve the confidence in the identification of a particular compound made by coincidence of retention in the chromatographic system. The method has been applied to the identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in samples of laboratory dust and a diesel engine exhaust particulate sample.
Polymers as Selective Antagonists of Hemolytic Asbestos Fibers

The dehydroxylated product obtained by heating hemolytic asbestos fibers of the chrysotile variety at 1,000 C still possesses hemolytic properties. A comparison of the lytic processes of these two materials indicates that they are not identical, as is shown by the fact that they are antagonized by the selective action of different polymers such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, in the case of the unheafed chrysotile, and polyvinyipyridine-N-oxide, in the case of the heated product. The nature of the surface of the two materials and the polymer structure may explain the different interactions.
Nucleation of superconducting vortices by exciting acoustic standing waves in a type-II superconductor

Nucleation of vortices in a superconductor below the first critical field can be assisted by transverse sound in the gigahertz frequency range. Vortices will enter and exist the superconductor at the frequency of the sound. We compute the threshold parameters of the sound and show that this effect is within experimental reach.
A new methodology for predicting crack initiation life for rolling contact fatigue based on dislocation and crack propagation

Abstract A new methodology for predicting crack initiation life is presented and validated experimentally. The methodology considers that the total fatigue life is the summation of crack initiation life and crack propagation life, since fatigue failures are due to crack initiation and crack propagation. It has been established that the crack propagation life can be estimated based on a modified Paris’ law when the size of crack is larger than a certain value. However, there has been no verified method for estimating the crack initiation life with good accuracy. The proposed methodology for predicting the crack initiation life is based on a dislocation model, and the constants for the model are determined by the crack initiation lives obtained by a new approach. This new approach determines the crack initiation life by subtracting the predicted crack propagation life from the experimentally obtained total fatigue life. The developed crack initiation life model is combined with a crack propagation life model for the prediction of fatigue life. It is noted that the standard deviation in the ratios of experimental life to predicted life by the developed fatigue life model is only 14% of that by the International Standard.
Advice-giving and disputant empowerment in divorce mediation sessions

While mediation programs vary greatly in their procedures and philosophies, most programs expect the mediator to act as a neutral facilitator who empowers disputants to resolve the dispute themselves. Advice-giving by mediators is therefore typically not recommended. However, mediators often find ways to give advice, if only indirectly. In this paper I use conversation analytic techniques to examine how mediators give advice to disputants in videotaped mediation sessions between divorcing couples. I found that while mediators display an orientation to a norm of no advice-giving, they do often give advice. Advice is often formulated indirectly, for example as a suggestion rather than as prescriptive advice, or as general information rather than advice targeted to a specific individual. Mediators also often gave procedural rather than substantive advice. These findings are discussed in terms of how advice-giving can support or detract from the ability of mediators to empower mediation clients to resolve their own disputes.
Nesiritide (BNP) in the management of postoperative cardiac patients

Recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a promising new agent in the management of heart failure. The pharmacologic properties of BNP make it desirable to use in a subset of patients after cardiac surgical operations. Among these therapeutic potentials is the effect on markedly reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and central venous pressure with mild systemic vasodilatation. In addition, BNP directly effects the kidneys to promote natriuresis. We believe this agent to be useful in the treatment of the postcardiac surgery patients with left ventricular dysfunction and mild to moderate renal insufficiency. This report summarizes our experience in 2 patients.
High-pass-filtered magnetocardiogram and cardiomyopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Prolonged and/or fractionated depolarization due to tissue degeneration of the ventricular myocardium is a feature of cardiomyopathy. Signal averaged electrocardiography uses high-pass filters of the Butterworth type to quantify, noninvasively, fractionated high-frequency components at the end of the QRS complex. In this study a finite impulse response high-pass filter of the 90th order (cutoff at 37 Hz) was applied to magnetocardiograms (MCGs) and high-resolution electrocardiograms (ECGs) order to quantify high-frequency components throughout the myocardial depolarization. Additionally, late-potential analysis on the signal-averaged ECG was performed. A prospective investigation was made of 23 cardiologically asymptomatic patients, 11 females and 12 males, with type I diabetes mellitus. Their mean age was 21.7 years (range, 13-34 years). The mean duration of diabetes was 14 years (range, 1-27 years). Data were compared with those of 22 control subjects (12 females, 10 males) of mean age, 23.2 years (range, 11-35 years). The ECGs and MCGs were simultaneously recorded and signal-averaged, digitally filtered, and quantified by a score obtained by multiplying the amplitude variation of the signal by the number of maximal/minimal in the QRS complex. Echocardiograms were used to calculate the left ventricular mass and to document the presence of cardiomyopathy. Scores were higher in the MCGs of with type I diabetes mellitus than in the control subjects (P < .001). High scores correlated with an increased left ventricular muscular mass index (P < .05) and duration of the diabetes (P < .05). The high-resolution ECG, processed analogously, showed similar results in relation to left ventricular mass (P = .06) and duration of diabetes (P = .07), respectively (nonsignificant). No late potentials were found. These findings suggest that using a linear-phase high-pass finite impulse response filter may be useful for the noninvasive identification of patients with cardiomyopathy who exhibit possible disturbances of intraventricular depolarization. Our findings also suggest that analysis using the total QRS complex, rather than the final part of the QRS complex only, may improve identification of patients at risk.
ade9 is an allele of SER1 and plays an indirect role in purine biosynthesis.

In this study we demonstrate that ade9 plays an indirect role in purine biosynthesis as a non-functional allele of SER1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The SER1 locus, encoding 3-phosphoserine aminotransferase required for serine biosynthesis, is located on chromosome XV and resides approximately where ade9 had previously been mapped genetically. A minimal functional construct of SER1 is necessary and sufficient to complement both the adenine- and serine-requiring phenotypes of ade9 strains. In addition, adequate exogenous serine levels mask the adenine phenotype of ade9. A disruption of SER1 behaves in the same manner phenotypically as the original ade9 strain. Therefore, ade9 can be more accurately described as an allele of SER1. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiation losses in distributed feedback lasers and longitudinal mode selection

We show that seemingly symmetric longitudinal modes symmetrical distributed feedback (DFB) lasers utilizing higher orc Bragg reflection actually have differing thresholds and resonant wavelength shifts from the Bragg condition as a result of power radiated by the grating.
A parable wrapped in an enigma: population-based assessments of outcomes among high-risk neonates are even less achievable in the age of clinical informatics.

A of the biomedical research literature in perinatal care is the article on sequelae of high-risk infants. These articles variously examine growth, cognitive, neurodevel-opmental, behavioral, health, and other outcomes of low-birth-weight, preterm, or intrauterine growth-restricted neonates who survived the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or neonatal period. More recently, a new genre of articles has emerged that provides metaanalytic or systematic reviews of the results of these articles on sequelae of high-risk infants. 1-5 A review of the purposes, analytic strategies, conclusions, and implications of these studies seems worthwhile. In this commentary, I focus especially on the comments and suggestions of other researchers who have considered the methodological complexities and study designs required for scientifically valid, clinically useful studies. 6-10
Groundwater resources of the Birim basin in Ghana

Abstract An attempt to assess ground water resources of a medium size (4775 km 2 ) drainage basin located on the Crystalline Complex in southern Ghana is presented. Mean annual rainfall 1578 mm, total river discharge 1,886,588 064 m 3 a −1 , surface runoff 1,320,611,645 m 3 a −1 , base flow 565,976,419 m 3 a −1 , were determined from 13 meteorological and 1 river gauging stations located within the basin. From these data, the total runoff coefficient was 36%, surface runoff coefficient was 25% and the base flow coefficient was 11%. Then, Permanent Water Reserve, Qt = 5,333.20 × 106 m 3 and Recoverable Water Reserve, 2,133.28 × 10 6 m 3 a −1 for the aquifer of the basement complex aquifer of the basin were calculated from 42 boreholes.
A convenient large-scale method for the isolation of membrane vesicles permeable to a specific inorganic ion: isolation and characterization of functional acetylcholine receptor-containing vesicles from the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus.

A convenient, large-scale method for the isolation of membrane vesicles permeable to specific inorganic ions has been developed. The general principle of this method involves the exchange of Na+ within the vesicles for external Cs+. Vesicles in which this exchange rapidly occurs can be separated on the basis of their density from vesicles in which the exchange occurs slowly (G. P. Hess and J. P. Andrews (1977) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA74, 482–486). This approach has been adapted to develop a method suitable for the large-scale isolation of vesicles that contain functional acetylcholine receptors from the Electrophorus electricus electroplax. The new procedure involves a discontinuous sucrose gradient for an initial purification of the vescles. This allows the use of a low-speed centrifuge, which has a capacity up to 30 times greater than the Beckman ultracentrifuge previously used. A self-forming CsCl-Percoll gradient and low-speed centrifugation are then used for the isolation of the functional acetylcholine receptor-containing vesicles. The isolation step leads close to the theoretically possible fourfold purification of the vesicles that contain functional receptors. The yield, up to 12 mg membrane protein/centrifugal run, is about 100-fold higher than the yield from the sucrose-CsCl density gradient previously (Hess and Andrews, see above) used. The gradients are self-forming and an equilibrium is reached after centrifugation for only 30 min. In 12 experiments with membrane preparations from 12 different ceis, the functional vesicles had an internal volume of 2.0 ± 0.3 μl/mg vesicle protein and a receptor concentration of 1.2 ± 0.02 μm (1.2 μmol/liter of internal volume). Electron micrographs of these vesicles show an average vesicle radius of 1600 ± 300 A. From these results, an average of 12 receptor molecules/membrane vesicle is calculated.
SUPERSYMMETRIC A4×Z3 AND A4 REALIZATIONS OF NEUTRINO TRIBIMAXIMAL MIXING WITHOUT AND WITH CORRECTIONS

In an improved application of the tetrahedral symmetry A4 first introduced by Ma and Rajasekaran, supplemented by the discrete symmetry Z3 as well as supersymmetry, a two-parameter form of the neutrino mass matrix is derived which exhibits the tribimaximal mixing of Harrison, Perkins and Scott. This form is the same as the one obtained previously by Altarelli and Feruglio, and the inverse of that obtained by Babu and He. If only A4 is used, then corrections appear, making tan2 θ12 different from 0.5, without changing significantly sin22θ23 from one or θ13 from zero.
Identification of damage in an aeroelastic system based on attractor deformations

Vibration-based damage detection is a powerful method of structural health monitoring, which is based on the identification of changes in vibration characteristics due to changes in material and/or stiffness properties of structures. Current such techniques are based mostly on linear approaches, whereas nonlinear methods still have certain difficulties in detecting the level and location of damage, especially in the case of high dimensional systems. One of the main reasons for these difficulties is the low sensitivity of current methods to small parametric variations. In this paper, we increase this sensitivity by exploiting nonlinearities. To explore the potential offered by nonlinearities in increasing sensitivity, results are presented for a two dimensional panel subjected to supersonic flows. The nonlinearity resulting from the coupling of stretching and bending of the panel is considered in the structural model. The damage in the panel is modeled as a local loss of bending stiffness (along the panel) and at the mounting points. The basis for the development of a method for detecting multiple simultaneous damages is presented. This method is based on probability density functions of sampled attractors of the dynamics. Exploiting nonlinear dynamics is shown to be powerful in detecting different damage levels and locations.
Meal pattern analysis: artifacts, assumptions and implications ☆

The meal patterns of 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats were monitored continuously for eight consecutive days. During that time, food intake was measured every second, accurate to 0.01 gram. Results from this procedure demonstrated that the correlation between meal size and meal duration was, at best, weak. Further, the correlation between meal size and either the pre or post meal interval was also weak (approximately 0.20). Subsequent re-evaluation of the patterns using different end-of-the-meal criteria resulted in a significant interaction between the end-of-the-meal definition and the strength of the correlation between meal size and post meal interval, with more robust correlations being observed with the use of longer end-of-the-meal definitions. In an attempt to resolve the question of which definition to use, log survivorship analysis was applied to the interval data. Results from that procedure suggest that a 10 minute end-of-the-meal definition is appropriate in most cases in the analysis of daytime patterns, and a 5 minute definition should be used when quantifying nighttime patterns. Under these "data determined" conditions, the correlation between meal size and post meal interval was not statistically significant. The implications of these results with respect to a homeostatic model of feeding behavior are discussed.