cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving severe sepsis outcomes, managing cholesterol in patients with diabetes, and pediatric adverse events

Improving severe sepsis outcomes “An empiric antimicrobial guide specific for severe sepsis was associated with a reduced length of stay, a significantly earlier time to first dose antibiotic, and significantly lower total and variable hospital costs,” reported Hutchison et al.1 Information was abstracted from charts of 119 patients treated at a large medical center. The control group consisted of 67 patients treated before implementation of the medication guide, and the intervention group included 52 patients treated after implementation. The guide provided recommendations of first and second antibiotic choice based on the origin (e.g., health care iatrogenesis, communityacquired or a patient with neutropenia) and the location of the severe sepsis (e.g., lung, skin, gastrointestinal). Postimplementation, the time to first antibiotic administration (9.8 ± 8.8 vs. 14.7 ± 11.5 hours) and the overall length of stay (1.77 ± 1.13 vs. 14.90 ± 45.07 days) were significantly shorter. Significant cost savings were realized in the total (30%) and variable costs ($2,831) of the patient stay. Implications. The two most important factors in successful sepsis treatment are time to treatment and antibiotic choice. Evidence-based recommendations contained on a single page were cost effective and improved care by getting the correct antibiotic to the patient more quickly.
Temporal variation in substratum specificity of Semibalanus balanoides (Linnaeus) cyprids

Larvae of many benthic marine invertebrates can delay metamorphosis in the laboratory. Along the coast of New England, Semibalanus balanoides (Linnaeus) cyprids recruit to adult populations over a period of approximately 8 weeks and it is reasonable to expect the relative number of cyprids delaying metamorphosis to increase as the season progresses. For cyprid larvae of the barnacle S. balanoides, specificity for a chemical metamorphic cue produced by conspecific adults declines in the laboratory during this delay period. If substratum specificity declines with larval age in the field, daily cohorts of cyprids attaching later in the season should exhibit progressively reduced specificity for the conspecific cue. To determine if cyprids attaching later in the recruitment season exhibit reduced substratum specificity compared to earlier attaching cyprids, the rates of cyprid attachment to control substrata (unattractive) and substrata coated with conspecific adult extract (attractive) were examined in the field at Nahant, Massachusetts, USA for two recruitment seasons (Spring 1994 and Spring 1995). Specificity for the conspecific cue varied considerably among daily cohorts of cyprids attaching at different times during both recruitment seasons. In 1994, cyprids attached at significantly greater rates to plates coated with conspecific adult extract than to control plates (P < 0.05) during the first half of the recruitment season but attached to all plates at similar rates during the remainder of the season. In 1995, cohorts of cyprids attaching on different dates also differed in their specificity for the adult cue although the mid-season decline in specificity observed in 1994 did not occur. Because substratum specificity has only been shown in the laboratory to decline with cyprid age, these results are consistent with the interpretation that cyprid larvae of S. balanoides at least periodically delay their metamorphosis in the field. These results also suggest that field tests of putative settlement cues and antifouling compounds must account for variation in substratum specificity exhibited by larvae attaching at different times during the recruitment season.
Electronic Databasing of Tuberculosis in a Network Office Setting

ISSUE: Greater than four hundred acid fast bacillus smears are reported annually in this 1200 bed acute care university teaching hospital. Final results may take up to 12 weeks to be reported. With this large number of pending cases ongoing, it was not only difficult but logistically challenging to track final results. An opportunity existed to improve the tracking of acid-fast bacillus (AFB) positive smears and cultures awaiting the final results. This was important in early identification of patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and expedited required reporting to the health department. PROJECT: A detailed spreadsheet was designed for easy identification regarding the status of AFB results and provided easy ability to sort multiple variables. The spreadsheet included data points for patient name, medical record number, unit, actual/suspect case, data reported to the health department and final results. The spreadsheet was color coded for rapid status identification: Yellow-smear/culture pending; Green-smear/culture final atypical TB or other; Red- Mycobacterium Tuberculosis identified. If the patient is reported to the health department, a hyper link is attached to the reporting form. Additional comments, communication with the health department and other important information are available in a pop-up message linked to the patient line listing. RESULTS: The development of this spreadsheet has provided the information available on the patient in an organized, useful format. The ability to sort by multiple variables provides identification of incomplete information as well as potential trends. LESSONS LEARNED: A well designed spreadsheet is a useful tool for surveillance line listings that require a high degree of flexibility and rapid analysis.
Proteomics and metabolomics in renal transplantation‐quo vadis?

The improvement of long-term transplant organ and patient survival remains a critical challenge following kidney transplantation. Proteomics and biochemical profiling (metabolomics) may allow for the detection of early changes in cell signal transduction regulation and biochemistry with high sensitivity and specificity. Hence, these analytical strategies hold the promise to detect and monitor disease processes and drug effects before histopathological and pathophysiological changes occur. In addition, they will identify enriched populations and enable individualized drug therapy. However, proteomics and metabolomics have not yet lived up to such high expectations. Renal transplant patients are highly complex, making it difficult to establish cause-effect relationships between surrogate markers and disease processes. Appropriate study design, adequate sample handling, storage and processing, quality and reproducibility of bioanalytical multi-analyte assays, data analysis and interpretation, mechanistic verification, and clinical qualification (=establishment of sensitivity and specificity in adequately powered prospective clinical trials) are important factors for the success of molecular marker discovery and development in renal transplantation. However, a newly developed and appropriately qualified molecular marker can only be successful if it is realistic that it can be implemented in a clinical setting. The development of combinatorial markers with supporting software tools is an attractive goal.
Sustainability, student affairs, and students

Divisions of student affairs play a crucial role in the sustainability movement in colleges and universities. This chapter presents a review of the work being done on college campuses and by major professional associations to integrate sustainability into the student affairs mission.
Skeletal muscle fat infiltration: impact of age, inactivity, and exercise.

Fat infiltration within the fascial envelope of the thigh or intermuscular adispose tissue (IMAT), has been shown to be associated with both adverse metabolic and mobility impairments in older individuals. More recent findings suggest these fat deposits may be associated with increasing age and inactivity; and perhaps exercise may be able to counter or mitigate this increase in IMAT. This brief report summarizes the literature with respect to IMAT and its relationship to increasing age, physical activity levels, muscle strength, mobility and metabolism in the elderly. Further, we present preliminary data suggesting that IMAT is associated with increasing age in individuals across disease states (r=0.47, p<0.05), and that resistance exercise can decrease IMAT in older individuals with a variety of co-morbid conditions.
What do we mean when we say “palatable food”?

The word palatability and related words have not been used in a consistent way. Palatability may be a property of a food, of the organism eating the food, or both. Investigators have failed to distinguish different possible meanings of the statement: "palatable foods increase intake". This may indicate: (1) a simple observation that some foods stimulate more intake than others, (2) an innate response to the taste of foods that alters appetite, (3) a correlate of food intake that does not itself affect intake, and (4) a link in a causal chain involving prior associations between foods and their postingestive consequences.
Elastic wavefield interactions with solute species during precipitation processes in solids

Abstract The linear coupling of elastic deformations and solute diffusion in solids produces effects such as strain-induced diffusion and solute-induced dilatation. Beyond linear theory, there are significant physical effects that must be described using the nonlinear coupling of solute concentration to elastic stiffness. This coupling is developed using a continuum, thermodynamic approach that considers the possible effects that might arise in elastic solids containing a mobile solute species. The related effects of solute concentration on elastic wavespeeds during precipitation processes are modeled and are compared to previously reported experimental results obtained in an aluminum alloy.
Carbonic Anhydrase Catalysis: A Volume Profile Analysis

The human carbonic anhydrase II catalyzed hydration of CO2 and dehydration of HCO3- at low and high buffer concentrations and at low and high substrate concentrations were studied using a pH-indicator method at pressures up to 130 MPa. Activation volumes, ΔV⧧, for khcat, khcat/Khm, kdcat, and kdcat/Kdm are 0, −9 ± 1, +9 ± 1 (+10 ± 3 in D2O), and +14.0 ± 1.2 cm3 mol-1 in H2O solution, respectively; they were derived from rate constants obtained in the buffer concentration independent region. The value of ΔV⧧ for both intra- and intermolecular proton-transfer steps is zero. The solvent kinetic isotope effect on kdcat is 3.6 ± 0.4 (H2O/D2O) at pressures up to 100 MPa. Analysis of these results indicates that nucleophilic attack of the Zn2+ bound hydroxyl moiety on CO2 is associative, and that the CO2 release and the substitution of H2O by HCO3- on the zinc center are dissociative in character. The CO2 release and a proton transfer are concerted steps during the dehydration reaction. A reaction volume profile...
The 52nd Annual Wind River Conference On Prokaryotic Biology--2008.

The 52nd Annual Wind River Conference on Prokaryotic Biology, which was held at the secluded Aspen Lodge only minutes from Estes Park, CO, concluded on 15 June 2008. The Conference, which was first held more than 50 years ago as the Transformation Meeting, was renamed the Wind River Conference on
The nature of the intermediate formed in the methoxymercuration of p-substituted styrenes

Abstract The logarithms of the rates of methoxymercuration of p-substituted styrenes give excellent correlations with, both, σ and σ + . Based on the values of ϱ and ϱ + obtained, an unsymmetric bridged ion is proposed as the intermediate formed in these reactions.
Pro-Rationalization: A Defence Mechanism

Pro-rationalization is a term suggested to describe the mechanism whereby the individual attempts to enhance or protect his ego by the prediction of a devalued outcome of a series of events. Examples are given and the process is described in motivational terms.
Mixing of rubber and viscoelasticity—III. Viscoelastic characterization of gum rubber

This paper is the third in a series where the author attempts to provide scientific interpretation for mixing of rubber. Each gum rubber exhibits its own characteristic behavior during mixing. In the previous paper, the behavior was identified with viscoelastic properties and failure. This paper describes characterization of gum rubbers based on viscoelastic properties. Methods of describing deformation are discussed with a proposal to use material functions for the present purpose. Non-linear viscoelasticity is discussed with a proposal to use a particular linearization scheme. The conventional characterization methods are discussed concerning the limitations and shortcomings of dilute solution methods and the Mooney index. The linearization scheme is applied as the characterization method most suitable for gum rubbers. A number of examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of this characterization method in relating the results to molecular architecture. Finally, the discussion covers processability of gum rubbers and their molecular structure
Simultaneous efflux of endogenous D-ser and L-glu from single acute hippocampus slices during oxygen glucose deprivation.

D-serine and L-glutamate play crucial roles in excitotoxicity through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor coactivation, but little is known about the temporal profile of efflux during cerebral ischemia. We utilized a newly designed brain slice microperfusion device coupled offline to capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence to monitor dynamic efflux of endogenous D-ser and L-glu in response to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in single acute hippocampus slices. Efflux profiles with 2-min temporal resolution in response to 24-min OGD show that efflux of D-ser slightly precedes efflux of L-glu by one 2-min sampling interval. Thus both coagonists are available to activate NMDA receptors by the time when glu is released. The magnitude of D-ser efflux relative to baseline values is, however, less than that for L-glu. Peak efflux during OGD, expressed as pre-OGD baseline values, was as follows: D-ser 254% ± 24%, L-glu 1,675% ± 259%, L-asp 519% ± 128%, and L-thr 313% ± 33%. L-glutamine efflux was shown to decrease significantly in response to OGD. The microperfusion/CE-LIF approach shows several promising attributes for studying endogenous chemical efflux from single, acute brain slices.
Metabolic effects of synthetic calcitriol (Rocaltrol®) in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

The long-term safety and efficacy of synthetic 1,25-(OH)2D3 (calcitriol; Rocaltrol) in the treatment of women with type 1 osteoporosis is being assessed in a randomized trial. Patients were allocated in double-blind fashion to 1,25-(OH)2D3 or matching placebo. Initially, the calcium intake was adjusted to 1,000 mg/d. The study protocol called for increasing the dose of 1,25-(OH)2D3 until patients developed either hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria. However, in order to maintain a higher dose of calcitriol on a long-term basis, the calcium intake had to be reduced to 600 mg/d in those receiving calcitriol; if that was not successful in eliminating hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria, then the dose of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was reduced as necessary. During the hypercalcemic phase, the indices of bone resorption decreased significantly, demonstrating that calcium absorption is solely responsible for hypercalcemia. The maintenance dose was established after 8 to 10 weeks, and the 24-hour urine calcium and creatinine clearance remained constant throughout the remainder of the study period. On a calcium intake of 600 mg/d, the long-term maintenance dose of 1,25-(OH)2D3 averaged 0.675 micrograms/d. Long-term therapy on an average dose of 0.675 micrograms/d was not associated with nephrotoxicity.
Effect of endocrine glands on the protection of rat from ammonia intoxication.

Summary Adrenalectomy, castration or thymectomy increased the sensitivity of rats to ammonia intoxication. On the other hand, the removal of pituitary gland, thyroid, ovary or pineal gland did not affect the sensitivity to ammonia intoxication. With adrenalectomized rats, N-carbamyl-L-glutamate plus L-arginine protected only 50% of the animals at a concentration 3 times that which afforded normal rats with 100% protection. The decrease in the degree of effectiveness of this amino acid mixture to protect adrenalectomized rats is due to the impairment of liver function as indicated by a decreased rate of urea synthesis in liver slices of adrenalectomized rats.
Ionic currents and cytoplasmic streaming in Amoeba proteus

Amoeba proteus may drive a current through themselves, and this current may determine the direction of cytoplasmic streaming. Cytoplasm streams from the more contracted tail or uroid region to the extending pseudopods. The positions of the uroid and pseudopods change as the amoeba changes direction. The membrane potential of the amoeba may change with location in the cell. This voltage gradient may regulate the magnitude and direction of cytoplasmic streaming. Bingley and Thompson (1962), recorded from amoebae using intracellular microelectrodes and reported that the membrane potential of the uroid region was more negative than that of the pseudopods. In contrast, Nuccitelli et al. (1977), using a vibrating probe, observed that current entered the uroid region and exited through the pseudopods. They concluded that the uroid region was more depolarized than the pseudopods. We revisited this issue by recording membrane potential simultaneously from two regions of the amoeba and by recording ionic currents using the two-electrode voltage clamp. Our data support the findings of Nuccitelli et al. Cytoplasm may stream from more depolarized to more hyperpolarized regions. Moreover, overshooting depolarizations of the cell may produce global cytoplasmic contractions and rounding of the amoeba.
A Reading Apprenticeship for Delayed Primary Readers.

Abstract Eight second‐ and third‐grade delayed readers participated in a 10‐week cognitive apprenticeship in reading, meeting three times a week to read student‐chosen books with an adult volunteer reading partner, alternating lines or pages as the partner modeled reading strategies and fluent reading, helped with the decoding of difficult words, offered questions and explanations to clarify text meaning, and in other ways scaffolded the reading experience to enable the student to accomplish the authentic task of reading a personally interesting book beyond his or her independent capabilities. Compared to a group of matched controls, apprenticeship students made significantly larger gains in reading comprehension as measured by the KTEA and in classroom reading behaviors as observed by their teachers.
Socially facilitated antipredator behavior by ringed salamanders (Ambystoma annulatum)

Many aspects of animal behavior can be socially facilitated, including foraging behavior, exploration behavior, and antipredator behavior. Although larvae of the ringed salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) are not gregarious, they can live in high densities and face intense predation pressure during a short period following hatching. In a predator-recognition experiment, we found that these salamanders responded to chemical cues from dragonfly nymphs (Family: Libellulidae) with appropriate antipredator behavior (decreased activity), and this response was absent when salamanders were exposed to chemical cues from nonpredatory mayfly nymphs (Family: Heptageniidae). In a second experiment, we tested whether antipredator behavior in response to chemical cues of dragonflies could be socially facilitated by larval ringed salamanders. We placed an “observer” salamander into a central arena with four “demonstrator” salamanders behind clear barriers around an arena. The barriers ensured that chemical cues would not be detected by the observer. When demonstrators were exposed to chemical cues from dragonflies, the data were consistent with the hypothesis that both demonstrators and observers decreased activity relative to a blank control. Our results provide evidence that social facilitation can occur in larval ringed salamanders, a nonsocial species.
The Psychobiology of Sexual Addiction

Abstract Sexual addictions may be systematically studied using operationalized diagnostic criteria in a variety of studies employing conventional research methodologies such as is being done in the investigations of a variety of Axis I disorders. Although descriptive investigations into the sexual addictions were on par with that of other major mental disorders in the last century, further investigations did not keep pace with that of other mental disorders. Programmatic research into the sexual addictions is poised to be guided by understanding both neurobiological mechanisms involved in sexual behaviors and multicausal, biopsychosocial approaches. A comprehensive understanding of sexual addiction would involve addressing issues in the areas of nosology, epidemiology, family studies, diagnostic criteria, genetics, neurobiology, comorbidity, and empirically based treatments. The authors suggest current research questions and priorities that, when addressed, can contribute to significant advances in the un...
Seropositivity to herpes simplex virus type 2, but not type 1 is associated with premature cardiovascular diseases: A population-based cross-sectional study

Objective: Thirty-five years after herpesviruses were suggested to induce atherosclerosis seroepidemiological evidence on Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV) remains sparse and controversial. We aimed to investigate the relationship between HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods and results: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 14,415 participants (mean age 34.3 years, range 20e49) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 e2010. Serum IgG-antibodies to HSV were measured by enzymatic immunodot assay and CVD were selfreported. CVD prevalence was 1.8%; 51.3% of participants were infected with HSV-1, 7.5% with HSV-2, and 15.2% with both. After adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, STD, and CVD risk factors, seropositivity to HSV-2 was positively associated with CVD (Odds ratio [OR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09e2.21, P ¼ 0.014), but not with HSV-1 (OR 1.13, 95% CI: 0.79e1.62). Conclusion: HSV-2 may be associated with premature CVD, but not HSV-1.
Comparison of musculoskeletal images from the AGFA and Fuji digital imaging systems

The AGFA Diagnostic Center and the Fuji Computed Radiography digital imaging machines differ in image processing software and as a result image appearance differs. The fundamental methods of image processing of digital musculoskeletal radiographs are described in a companion poster with demonstrations of the effects of the setting of each factor on the final image appearance. In this poster, we will demonstrate the differences between the systems through a discussion of interesting cases with optimized images. The two digital systems are competitive with each having advantages and disadvantages compared to the other. When compared to conventional screen film systems, our group considers the digital images that can be obtained on both machines to be superior to conventional images.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A custom processor for node and power management of a battery-less body sensor node in 130nm CMOS

We present a processor, the Digital Power Manager (DPM), providing power management and node/data/processing flow control for a 130nm battery-less power harvesting body sensor node. The DPM adjusts node power consumption, responding to available energy to support operation exclusively from harvested power. The DPM consumes 2.5pJ/instruction and 0.63pJ/cycle for NOPs.
How I Became an Encyclopedia Editor—and Other Tales of a Wayward Scholar

The author presents a personal narrative of her experiences as the editor of the second edition of the "Encyclopedia of Language and Education," a 10 volume work, discussing her interactions with the work's publisher, her interactions with coeditors, and the copyediting of the work.
Distribution of DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and cu in soil particle‐size fractions 1

Abstract To examine the distribution of DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and Cu in clay, silt, and sand fractions; surface soils were collected from cultivated fields of North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Iowa, Ohio, and Illinois. Clay, silt, and sand fractions were separated after sonic dispersion of soil water suspension and analyzed for DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, and Cu. In general, clay had the highest and sand the lowest amount of DTPA‐extractable metals. Consequently, clay had the highest and sand the lowest intensity and capacity factors for these metals since DTPA micronutrient test measures both these factors.
Racism, Psychology, and Morality: Dialogue with Faucher and Machery

I here respond to several points in Faucher and Machery’s vigorous and informative critique of my volitional account of racism (VAR). First, although the authors deem it a form of “implicit racial bias,” a mere tendency to associate black people with “negative” concepts falls short of racial “bias” or prejudice in the relevant sense. Second, such an associative disposition need not even be morally objectionable. Third, even for more substantial forms of implicit racial bias such as race-based fear or disgust, Faucher and Machery offer no account or explanation of when we should consider these racist, in whom, in what respect(s), or why. So, findings of implicit racial bias pose no clear objection to VAR. Fourth, because VAR allows not only racial hate, but also callous indifference, disdain, and other forms of racially driven disregard, to be racist,VAR is not “psychologically monist.” Fifth, as VAR allows racist attitudes to be immoral in more than one way, offending against both the moral virtues of ben...
Cryopreservation of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) shoot tips by vitrification.

Vitrification is a technically simple method for cryopreserving plant germplasm, requiring only the application of suitable cryoprotectants and rapid cooling rates. Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) shoot tips obtained from in vitro plants survived liquid nitrogen (−196°C) exposure following a vitrification-inducing pretreatment. Shoot tips were treated in a stepwise manner with a vitrification solution containing 30% glycerol, 15% ethylene glycol and 15% dimethylsulfoxide in growth medium. Incubation of shoot tips for 1 to 2 h in low concentrations of the vitrification solution enhanced survival. Most surviving shoot tips developed callus, and a variable percentage subsequently formed shoots. Survival was not achieved using two-step cooling procedures. The percentage of shoot tips surviving vitrification and those subsequently forming a shoot varied widely among replications.
Oil Spills: Method for Measuring Their Extent on the Sea Surface

It is difficult to estimate the area affected by an oil spill at sea, the degree of coverage by oil pollutants within the affected area, and the quantity of pollutants involved. Estimates of volumes and flow rates are based on estimated changes in areal extent of the spill. Uncertainties in measurement of area degrade the accuracy of estimating other parameters. To resolve this problem, available stock components have now been assembled into a system that yields repeatable, economical measurement of the areal extent of oil spills at acceptable levels of accuracy. The system comprises overflights with a thermal infrared imaging system, densitometric color enhancement of the infrared images, and automatic digital planimetry of the areas of specified image densities.
Evaluation of Cleaning and Washing Processes for Cotton Fiber: Part V. Characterization of Dust Samples1

Fine dusts in trash samples collected on Pneumafil filter during carding of washed cottons were separated into 20 to 38-μm and <20-μm fractions, their ash contents determined, and elemental analyse...
Factors Associated With Marital Satisfaction and Mood Among Spouses of Persons With Chronic Back Pain

Abstract Few studies have examined the impact of chronic pain on the spouse. In this study the impact of pain and disability as rated by both the patient and the spouse on spouse marital satisfaction and affective distress was examined in 110 couples. Zero-order correlations indicated that absolute ratings of perceived disability by the spouse, rather than discrepancies between spouse and patient ratings, were most highly associated with spouse marital dissatisfaction and affective distress. Predictors of spouse marital satisfaction and distress were examined by using simultaneous multiple regression. Spouse ratings of greater physical disability were significantly related to greater spouse affective distress. Spouse ratings of higher psychosocial disability, lower spouse marital satisfaction, and being a patient of male gender were marginally related to higher spouse affective distress. Spouse marital dissatisfaction was significantly associated with patient ratings of greater psychosocial disability and lower pain. Spouse-rated psychosocial disability and affective distress were also marginally related to spouse marital satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of patient disability, particularly limitations in function as perceived by the spouse, on spouse adjustment. Perspective The impact of chronic pain on the spouse of the person with pain has received little empirical attention. The present study examines the relationship between patient and pain-related factors and psychosocial adjustment in the spouse.
Influence of cathartics on the activity of small intestine

Although the various cathartics influence the amplitude and character of contractions in exteriorized loops of small intestine they fail to change the rate. After administration of magnesium sulfate the feeding responses are suppressed. Of the drugs studied cascara sagrada disturbs activity (motility and feeding responses) least.
Exchangeable oxygen on alumina

The exchange of oxygen between oxygen-18 labeled carbon monoxide and an alumina surface was much slower and the equilibrium density lower than previously found for carbon dioxide. No carbon exchange took place between labeled carbon monoxide and dioxide up to 400/sup 0/C. Similar IR absorption bands suggested that both exchange reactions proceed via the same carbonate and bicarbonate intermediates, with formation of the intermediates from labeled carbon dioxide being rate-determining. Removal of reactive oxygen as water during alumina dehydration was confirmed experimentally. Exchange of molecular oxygen-18 with the alumina surface was observed but was very slow, even at 520/sup 0/C.
Declining rates of deceased donor renal transplantation in the United States over successive years of listing.

Abstract Objective Renal transplantation is the best treatment for end-stage renal disease. However, limited availability of donor organs is a problem. We analyzed the changing trends of transplantation and mortality in subjects listed for deceased donor renal transplantation over successive years. Methods By using US Renal Data System data, we identified Medicare patients receiving dialysis who were listed for their first deceased donor renal transplant between January 1996 and December 2005. Subjects were followed to the first occurrence of transplant, death, or September 30, 2007. The effect of the year of listing was analyzed adjusting for age, sex, race, vintage, panel reactive antibody, and cause of end-stage renal disease. Results There were 70,891 subjects (mean age 50.1±14.3 years, 59.9% were men, 54% were white, average duration of dialysis 2±2.2 years). Multivariate analysis revealed that compared with patients listed in 1996, for patients listed in subsequent years the cumulative incidence of death remained within a narrow boundary and the cumulative incidence of transplant progressively declined. For example, for subjects listed in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004, the cumulative incidence of death relative to 1996 was 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.03), 1.02 (CI, 1.01-1.03), 0.99 (CI, 0.98-0.99), and 0.94 (CI, 0.93-0.94), respectively, 12 months after listing. However, correspondingly for these subjects at the 12-month follow-up time point, the cumulative incidence of transplant relative to 1996 was 0.85 (CI, 0.84-0.86), 0.73 (CI, 0.71-0.74), 0.63 (CI, 0.62-0.64), and 0.58 (CI, 0.57-0.59), respectively. Conclusion There is a progressive unfavorable pattern of declining transplantation rates with each successive year of listing in patients listed for deceased donor renal transplantation.
Scaling relations for large Martian valleys

[1] The dendritic morphology of Martian valley networks, particularly in the Noachian highlands, has long been argued to imply a warmer, wetter early Martian climate, but the character and extent of this period remains controversial. We analyzed scaling relations for the 10 large valley systems incised in terrain of various ages, resolvable using the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS). Four of the valleys originate in point sources with negligible contributions from tributaries, three are very poorly dissected with a few large tributaries separated by long uninterrupted trunks, and three exhibit the dendritic, branching morphology typical of terrestrial channel networks. We generated width-area and slope-area relationships for each because these relations are identified as either theoretically predicted or robust terrestrial empiricisms for graded precipitation-fed, perennial channels. We also generated distance-area relationships (Hack's law) because they similarly represent robust characteristics of terrestrial channels (whether perennial or ephemeral). We find that the studied Martian valleys, even the dendritic ones, do not satisfy those empiricisms. On Mars, the width-area scaling exponent b of −0.7–4.7 contrasts with values of 0.3–0.6 typical of terrestrial channels; the slope-area scaling exponent θ ranges from −25.6–5.5, whereas values of 0.3–0.5 are typical on Earth; the length-area, or Hack's exponent n ranges from 0.47 to 19.2, while values of 0.5–0.6 are found on Earth. None of the valleys analyzed satisfy all three relations typical of terrestrial perennial channels. As such, our analysis supports the hypotheses that ephemeral and/or immature channel morphologies provide the closest terrestrial analogs to the dendritic networks on Mars, and point source discharges provide terrestrial analogs best suited to describe the other large Martian valleys.
Effect of estradiol and degree of cell differentiation on human melanoma susceptibility to killing by monoclonal antibodies

Abstract An estradiol non-responsive melanotic (E − M + ShA) was derived from an estradiol-responsive melanotic (E + M + ShA), and an estradiol-responsive amelanotic (E + M − SR) was derived from estradiol non-responsive amelanotic (E − M − SR) cell lines by deprivation and supplementation of the culture medium with estradiol, respectively, E + M + ShA cells became E − M + ShA after 5 weeks, i.e. 2 subcultures, of culture in the absence of estrogen, and E − M − SR cells became E + M − SR after 7 weeks, i.e. 3 subcultures, of culture in the presence of 10 −7 M 17β-estradiol. Spleen lymphocytes from mice pre-immunized with E + M + ShA, E − M + ShA, E − M − SR and E + M − SR have been fused with murine non-producer myeloma cells to obtain mouse mouse hybridoma cultures that synthesize monoclonal antibodies against human malignant melanoma. The complement-dependent cytotoxic activities of these antibodies linked responsiveness to estradiol with melanotropin biosynthesis.
Self-assembled monolayers derived from a double-chained monothiol having chemically dissimilar chains.

The structure and conformation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) derived from the adsorption of a specifically designed double-chained partially fluorinated thiol having the formula 12,12,13,13,14,14,15,15,16,16,17,17,18,18,19,19,19-heptadecafluoro-2-tetradecylnona-decane- 1 -thiol (2) onto the surface of evaporated gold were examined by ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results were compared to those of SAMs generated from normal hexadecanethiol (1) and a structurally related single-chained partially fluorinated thiol having the formula 12,12,13,13,14,14,15,15,16,16,17,17,18,18,19,19,19-heptadecafluorononadecane-1-thiol(3). Collectively, the studies demonstrate that the double-chained adsorbate 2 forms SAMs on gold in which the alkyl chains are less densely packed and less conformationally ordered than those in the SAMs derived from each of the single-chained adsorbates. Furthermore, the fluorocarbon moieties in the SAMs derived from 2 are more tilted from the surface normal than those in the SAMs derived from 3. The low values of contact angle hysteresis suggest, however, that the double-chained adsorbate 2 generates homogeneous monolayer films on the surface of gold.
Generalized potentials in finite elastoplasticity

Abstract This paper deals with the development of a thermodynamic basis for finite elastoplasticity which does not require assumptions of convexity and/or differentiability of various free energy or stress potential functionals. The approach involves an extension of the thermodynamic arguments of Coleman and Noll to non-differentiable non-convex energies, and thereby overcomes some of the traditional objections of applying this apparatus to the study of finite plasticity.
Modeling the Role of Negative Cooperativity in Metabolic Regulation and Homeostasis

A significant proportion of enzymes display cooperativity in binding ligand molecules, and such effects have an important impact on metabolic regulation. This is easiest to understand in the case of positive cooperativity. Sharp responses to changes in metabolite concentrations can allow organisms to better respond to environmental changes and maintain metabolic homeostasis. However, despite the fact that negative cooperativity is almost as common as positive, it has been harder to imagine what advantages it provides. Here we use computational models to explore the utility of negative cooperativity in one particular context: that of an inhibitor binding to an enzyme. We identify several factors which may contribute, and show that acting together they can make negative cooperativity advantageous.
ACTIVE: adaptive low-latency peer-to-peer streaming

Peer-to-peer (P2P) streaming is emerging as a viable communications paradigm. Recent research has focused on building efficient and optimal overlay multicast trees at the application level. However, scant attention has been paid to interactive scenarios where the end-to-end delay is crucial. Furthermore, even algorithms that construct an optimal minimum spanning tree often make the unreasonable assumption that the processing time involved at each node is zero. However, these delays can add up to a significant amount of time after just a few overlay hops and make interactive applications difficult. In this paper, we introduce a novel peer-to-peer streaming architecture called ACTIVE that is based on the following observation. Even in large group discussions only a fraction of the users are active at a given time. We term these users, who have more critical demands for low-latency, active users. The ACTIVE system significantly reduces the end-to-end delay experienced among active users while at the same time being capable of providing streaming services to very large multicast groups. ACTIVE uses realistic processing assumptions at each node and dynamically optimizes the multicast tree while the group of active users changes over time. Consequently, it provides virtually all users with the low-latency service that before was only possible with a centralized approach. We present results that show the feasibility and performance of our approach.
Managed IT services: the role of IT standards

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the practical issues regarding standards and the management of IT services delivered by external or outsourced service providers called managed service providers (MSPs).Design/methodology/approach – Extensive review of published materials from academic and industry sources is carried out to discuss the managed services practice as well as IT standards applicable for managed services.Findings – Implementation of international IT standards such as the ITIL framework for IT service management benefits both internal IT organizations and MSPs. Availability of a common standard for managing IT services makes the transition of IT service management from the client organization to an MSP or from an MSP to another MSP less painful and helps to reduce or eliminate service disruptions.Practical implications – The ultimate objective of this paper is to offer MSPs as well as internal IT organizations a comprehensive discussion on the IT standards that are applicable fo...
Solar cycle study of interplanetary Lyman-alpha variations: Pioneer venus orbiter sky background results

PVO observations of the interplanetary Ly-alpha (IPL) background, obtained over an entire solar cycle (SC) from 1979 to 1985, are compiled and analyzed statistically, along with data from other instruments and earlier solar cycles. The results are presented in extensive tables and graphs and characterized in detail. Findings reported include SC variation of 1.8 for the longitudinally averaged IPL intensity (in agreement with the variation of the 27-d disk-averaged integrated solar Ly-alpha flux), yearly averaged ecliptic H-atom lifetime at 1 AU equal to 1.0 Ms at solar minimum and 1.5 Ms at solar maximum, interplanetary H density equal to 0.07 + or - 0.01/cu cm, and interplanetary H/He within the heliopause but far from the sun of 7 + or - 3.
Wavelet analysis of neutron reflectivity

An application of wavelet multiresolution analysis (WMA) to phase-sensitive neutron specular reflection is described. By use of Daubechies-8 wavelets, it is shown how the WMA notions of trend and detail are well-suited to describing the effects of truncated data on the spatial behavior of the scattering length density (SLD) profiles inferred from measurements. In particular, the inaccessibility of certain spatial detail to real measurements is readily seen. A WMA fitting scheme for refining the SLD deduced from phase-inversion measurements in a manner consistent with the data-determined spatial resolution is demonstrated.
Experimental investigation of the bond-coat rumpling instability under isothermal and cyclic thermal histories in thermal barrier systems

Reliable life–prediction models for the durability of thermal barrier coatings require the identification of the relative importance of various mechanisms responsible for the failure of the coatings at high temperatures. Studies of these mechanisms in subsystems of thermal barrier coatings can provide valuable information. In the present work, we undertake an experimental study of ‘rumpling’, or progressive roughening of the bond–coat (BC) surface in the bond coat–superalloy systems upon high–temperature exposure. Thermal cycling and isothermal experiments are carried out on a platinum aluminide BC, a nickel aluminide BC, and an NiCoCrAlY BC deposited on an Ni–based superalloy in air and in vacuum. Cyclic experiments are conducted in air for different levels of initial roughness of the BC surface. Upon thermal cycling in air, the BC surfaces with a wide range of initial roughness rumple to comparable characteristic wavelengths and amplitudes, indicating the insensitivity of the rumpling phenomenon to the initial surface fluctuations. Observations of the rumpled BC surfaces show that the stresses in the BC provide driving force for the rumpling process. On comparing the experimental observations with existing rumpling models in the literature, it is concluded that the thermally grown aluminium oxide and the microstructural changes in the BC have a limited role in inducing rumpling. Plausibility of several possible deformation mechanisms is discussed. It is shown that several of the rumpling observations in the current work can be explained by a BC stress–driven surface–diffusion model from the literature.
Preliminary assessment of population structure in the mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari)

The mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari Lonnberg E (1905) The Fishes of the Swedish South Polar Expedition. Wiss. Ergebnisse Schwedische Sudpol- Exped. 1901–1903, vol 5, p 37 is widely distributed south of the Antarctic convergence and over shelf areas surrounding sub-Antarctic Islands. In order to evaluate global population structure in this species, we examined DNA sequence variation in four mitochondrial regions and four nuclear genes in icefish from four locations in the Atlantic Ocean sector and one location in the Indian Ocean. Despite small sample sizes, mitochondrial and nuclear gene data indicated the existence of at least three genetically distinct stocks: Heard Island, South Shetland Islands, and the remaining Atlantic populations (Shag Rocks, South Georgia, and Bouvet Island). The mitochondrial and nuclear SNP markers developed here will be useful for more extensive analyses of population structure in this species.
Topological optimization for spare-sharing-based wavelength-routed all-optical networks

Abstract In this paper, we propose a two-level fault tolerance strategy for wavelength-routed all-optical networks. The first-level strategy is applied to handle the large-scale disaster induced failures while the second-level strategy protects the network against regular single-link failures. The first-level fault tolerance is achieved by solving a topological optimization problem to re-regulate the traffic away from the disaster-affected area with minimum resource cost. Shared lightpath protection is applied in the second-level fault tolerance design to reduce resource allocation. First, by comparing with a simple greedy approach that we develop, we show that the traditional Routing and Wavelength Assignment (RWA) method, in which the routing and wavelength assignment are considered in a separate fashion, cannot lead to satisfying performance. Next, in order to obtain better performance, based on drawback analysis of the greedy approach, we propose a two-phase heuristic algorithm, in which the first phase is designed to generate an initial feasible solution and the second phase iteratively perfects the initial solution until no improvement can be made. For the design of the first phase, two variations are proposed featuring different types of initial solution generation. The numerical results show that, combined with perfection phase, both design variations can lead to considerable performance improvement over the greedy solutions. Finally, we propose a Performance Indicator (PI) that provides insight into the reason for performance difference among algorithms.
The influence of auditory short-term memory on behavior problem development

The purpose of this research was to determine the influence of two subcomponents of auditory short-term memory on the developmental trajectories of behavior problems. The sample included 7,058 children from the NLSY79 – Children and Young Adult survey between the ages 5 and 14 years. Results suggested that anxious/depressed behavior increases during childhood and hyperactive and antisocial behavior problems decrease over the course of childhood. Children who scored higher on the Digit Span Backwards test demonstrated lower initial anxious/depressed, antisocial, and hyperactive behaviors, and children who scored higher on the Digit Span Forwards test demonstrated lower initial hyperactive behaviors. Some effects varied by sex; boys who scored higher on the Digit Span Forwards test decreased in antisocial behaviors at a slower rate than those who scored lower on the test. Thus, short-term memory associated with rehearsal mechanisms appears to influence initial levels of various problem behaviors for both ma...