cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Sec Comment Letter Process and its Effects on the Quality of Disclosure for IPO Firms

The SEC reviews all initial registration filings for disclosure quality enhancements and compliance with securities laws. The results of these reviews are documented in publicly-available comment letters from the SEC to the issuers. We study these comment letters for 95 firms that completed initial public offerings from 2004-2005. We analyze the letters to understand the content, frequency, and duration of the comment letter process. We examine the determinants of comment letter process attributes, focusing on managerial expertise and corporate governance explanations. We find that when the IPO firm has a CFO with prior public company experience, the firm receives fewer comments from the SEC that address fewer disclosure and financial reporting issues. Corporate governance structures appear to affect the overall IPO process, but not necessarily the comment letter process. Finally, we link our comment letter process measures to the IPO firms' information environment without results in our initial tests.
Recycling of water for irrigation: Persistence of enteroviruses in sewage effluent and natural waters receiving the effluent

A virological analyses of a sewage treatment plant which provided chlorinated, activated sludge treated sewage effluent to irrigate a complete two-year crop of sugarcane was made. The raw, the activated sludge treated and the chlorinated sewage effluent, as well as streams and a harbor receiving sewage effluents were concentrated by either the polymer two-phase, PE-60, Al(OH)3, protamine sulfate, or cellulose membrane method and assayed for human enteric viruses. Viruses were recovered from 100% (11/11) of the raw sewages tested at concentrations ranging from 27 to 19 000 PFU l−1 while 76% (13/17) of the activated sludge treated effluent was positive at concentrations ranging from 7 to 5222 PFU l−1. After chlorination, 58% (31/53) of the samples was positive for virus at concentrations ranging from 2 to 750 PFU l−1. Human enteroviruses were also isolated from shallow flowing streams at distances up to 3 mi (5 km) from the closest known sewage effluent discharge point and from a harbor approximately 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from the point of sewage discharge entering the harbor. The viruses most often isolated were echovirus 7, coxsackievirus B-4, B-5 and poliovirus 1, 2, and 3. These results indicate that although activated sludge treatment plus chlorination remove approximately 90% of the virus from the raw sewage, the final treated sewage effluent, which is normally discharged into a stream and in this experimental study to irrigate sugarcane, still contains a significant concentration of infectious viruses. Furthermore, the recovery of enteroviruses from waterways at points distant from the sewage treatment plants indicates that sewage-borne viruses persist in natural water environment. The significance of enteric viruses in waters accessible to the public and used for irrigation purposes remains to be determined.
Oil from plastic via hydrothermal liquefaction: Production and characterization

Abstract We determined the effect of batch holding time (0.5 h, 1 h) and temperature (350–450 °C) on the yield, composition, and quality of oil formed from the hydrothermal treatment of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The highest oil yields for each material ranged from just 16 wt% for PET to 86 wt% for polystyrene. The depolymerization of plastics to produce oil occurs fastest in the supercritical water regime (T > 400 °C). The higher heating value (HHV) of the oil from PP and PS (44–45 MJ/kg) is comparable to that of gasoline (HHV ~ 43.4 MJ/kg). The oil from PC and PET had lower heating values but further treatment to remove oxygen atoms would increase the energy density. Increasing the hydrothermal reaction severity (longer times, higher supercritical temperatures) reduces oil yields but increases heating values. Increasing temperature causes more aromatization in the oil from PP and PS and promotes dehydration reactions during hydrothermal treatment of PET and PC. The oil from PC contained bisphenol-A as a major product. Obtaining such monomers from hydrothermal treatment would provide a revenue stream in addition to oil and thereby improve the process economics.
Experimental Implementation of PLL for Free-Piston Engine Application

Linear generators use linear motion to produce electricity, whereas conventional rotary generators use rotary motion to produce electricity. Their alternative configuration gives them superiority in system efficiency and reliability over their traditional counterpart. Incorporating the linear alternator in a free-piston engine system to utilize the linear motion has been studied in the past. This paper presents an implementation and instrumentation of a control technique for a single-phase tubular permanent magnet linear alternator in a Free Piston Engines (FPE) system. A minimum amount of mechanical energy is required to provide a minimal engine compression ratio to start the engine and electricity generation. To provide adequate energy, a start-up mechanism has been implemented to start running the engine by reaching the required displacement through the electrical linear motor. The technique has been implemented and tested on a real machine, software and hardware implementations are described, and results are presented.
System-Level Design Methodology for a Distributed Electromechanical Actuator in Bio-Inspired Robots

Biological mechanisms are embraced in mobile robots to interact with their environments. Although existing biologically inspired robots perform well, their performance is limited due to the lack of a flexible spine. A vertebrate spine provides agility, a wide range of motion, balance, and efficiency. This paper proposes a system-level design methodology for a distributed and scalable actuator that mimics a robotic spine in the vertical plane. A modified limb design is introduced that significantly improves the torque capability of the distributed actuator.
BEOL Compatible Indium-Tin-Oxide Transistors: Switching of Ultra-High-Density 2D Electron Gas over 0.8×10 14 /cm 2 by Ferroelectric Polarization

In this work, we report back-end-of-line (BEOL) compatible indium-tin- oxide (ITO) transistors with ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) as gate insulator. A tunable high-density two-dimensional (2D) electron gas over 0.8×1014 /cm2 is achieved at the HZO/ITO oxide/oxide interface because of the ferroelectric polarization, which is confirmed by I-V, positive up and negative down (PUND) and Hall measurements. Such high carrier density can be completely modulated and switched on and off by ferroelectric polarization switching, enabling high mobility ITO transistor with high on- current and high on/off ratio.
Quantification of fentanyl analogs in oral fluid using LC-QTOF-MS

Oral fluid is a valuable alternative matrix for forensic toxicologists due to ease of observed collection, limited biohazardous exposure, and indications of recent drug use. Limited information is available for fentanyl analog prevalence, interpretation, or analysis in oral fluid. With increasing numbers of fentanyl-related driving under the influence of drug (DUID) cases appearing in the United States, the development of detection methods is critical. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a quantitative method for fentanyl analogs in oral fluid (collected via Quantisal™) using liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Validation resulted in limits of detection and quantification ranging from 0.5 to 1 ng/mL. Established linear range was 1-100 ng/mL for all analytes, except acetyl fentanyl at 0.5-100 ng/mL (R2 > 0.994). Within- and between-run precision and bias were considered acceptable with maximum values of ±15.2%CV and ±14.1%, respectively. Matrix effects exhibited ionization enhancement for all analytes with intensified enhancement at a low concentration (9.3-47.4%). No interferences or carryover was observed. Fentanyl analogs were stable in processed extracts stored in the autosampler (4⁰ C) for 48h. The validated method was used to quantify fentanyl analogs in authentic oral fluid samples (n=17) from probationers/parolees. Fentanyl and 4-ANPP concentrations were 1.0-104.5 ng/mL and 1.2-5.7 ng/mL, respectively.
Marijuana and Hemorrhagic Stroke: Does a Risk Exist? (5284)

Objective: To investigate the relationship between tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure and hemorrhagic stroke. Background: Exposure to THC, a main psychoactive active ingredient in marijuana, is becoming more common and suspected to increase the risk of ischemic stroke. However, outcomes of hemorrhagic stroke are less interrogated. Design/Methods: Following the Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analaysis guidelines, we searched PubMed and 6 other databases for studies reporting neurologic complication in patients with THC use. Quality appraisal will be formally conducted by the time of study presentation. Results: Of 3164 citations screened, 6 studies met inclusion criteria (median publication year=2016). Three studies had outcomes regarding subarachnoid hemorrhage (one case series, one retrospective cohort, and one case-control study) and 3 studies regarding intraparenchymal hemorrhage (all retrospective cohort). 5131 patients had THC use (n=3340 males, median age 40 years [range 23–47 years]). Of these, 4738 patients had both THC exposure and a hemorrhagic stroke. 2601 patients had intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) and 2137 had a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In these patients, hypertension (54%), vasoactive substance use (71.3%), and tobacco abuse (51.2%) were the most prevalent comorbidities, with diabetes mellitus (8.8%), obesity (5.1%) and hyperlipidemia (4.6%) present but less common. Median mortality was 16% following stroke ([range 15–26%]). Conclusions: Few studies consider the impact of THC on cerebrovascular health, and even fewer the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Given the changing sociolegal landscape surrounding marijuana use in the United States, there is a need to rigorously evaluate the effect of marijuana, cannabidiol, and THC on cerebrovascular outcomes. Reports of IPH and SAH following THC are concerning, but the literature is exceptionally sparse and wide-ranging in methods and reported outcomes. Large and more rigorous studies surrounding this relationship are necessary. Disclosure: Dr. Swetlik has nothing to disclose. Dr. Migdady has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hasan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Price has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cho has nothing to disclose.
Violating Bell inequality using weak coherent states.

We present an experimental investigation of two-photon interference using a continuous-wave laser. We demonstrate the violation of the Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt (CHSH) inequality using the phase-randomized weak coherent states from a continuous-wave laser. Our implementation serves as an approach to reveal the quantum nature of a state that is considered to be a classical state.
Icing on the Cake: The Role of Research in Practitioner Training

Dixon, Reed, Smith, Belisle, and Jackson (Behavior Analysis in Practice 8, 7–15, 2015) evaluated research productivity in BACB training programs. While research productivity may indeed be an important metric for future researchers, we posit that the field consists mainly of practitioners, and as such training should be focused on practice. We provide an alternative perspective on enhancing the quality of education for behavior analysts who will, by and large, go on to be practitioners.
Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

The search for stem/progenitor cells capable of endothelium regeneration during postnatal life has gained substantial interest over the past decades and led to the discovery of a subset of cells with robust endothelial regenerative capacity. These so-called endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are phenotypically identical to cultured endothelial cells, but exhibit high proliferative potential, capacity for self-regeneration, and in vivo vasculogenesis potential. ECFCs have been isolated from endothelial cells from several tissues and are rare in the peripheral blood circulation. Our understanding of ECFC biology in disease is at an early stage. In pulmonary arterial hypertension, there is evidence for both beneficial and pathological roles of ECFCs. A favorable ECFC response repairs endothelial cell dysfunction and attenuates right ventricular hypertrophy. In situations with sustained endothelial stress or uncontrolled propagation of a reparative response, proliferation of ECFCs contributes to pathological remodeling.
A Logic Based Modeling Approach to Managing Workflow Policy Changes

Workflow management systems are becoming increasingly important in the automation of business processes. In order to ensure proper workflow execution, workflow policies must be specified with respect to users, roles, and tasks. In today’s dynamic business environment, successful organizations must be able to respond to new customer demands and market opportunities with flexibility and speed. However, without systematic management of workflow policies, changes in organizational structure and process models can lead to inconsistent workflow specifications. Thus far, research in the change management of workflow policies has been scant. In this paper, we propose a logic-based approach to address this problem. Our contribution is three-fold: 1) a modeling language based on predicate logic is proposed, which is succinct and expressive enough to represent process model, organization model, and workflow polices; 2) workflow policy consistency in a dynamic changing environment is formally defined and analyzed based on the proposed language. 3) two algorithms are developed to check and enforce the policy consistency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work focuses on the formal analysis of workflow policy change management.
Construction and analysis of Es2 efficient supersaturated designs

Abstract In this paper, we construct supersaturated designs for large numbers of two-level factors and 10 ⩽ n ⩽ 22 runs by augmenting k-circulant designs [Liu, Y., Dean, A.M., 2004. k-circulant supersaturated designs. Technometrics 46, 32–43] with interaction columns or by deleting columns from k-circulant designs. Most of the designs presented have Es 2 efficiencies above 0.90 and they extend the range of efficient supersaturated designs available in the literature. Difficulties encountered in the use of supersaturated designs in detecting active factors are addressed. We show that, when only one factor is active, the regression technique of forward selection is guaranteed to select the correct factor as active under the idealized conditions that non-active factors have negligible effects and the errors are small. Under similar conditions, we derive bounds on the maximum allowable correlation between the columns of the model matrix that guarantee the correct selection of the “most active” factor when two or more factors are non-negligible. Further, we obtain conditions for the correct selection of the two most active factors using subset selection in regression. A number of designs that satisfy these conditions are identified.
Notes on Rvb-Vanilla by Anderson et al.

The claims made for the Resonating Valence Bond ideas for the Cuprates in a recent paper by Anderson et al. on the basis of a variational calculation are discussed.
The origin of citrus flavor components—IV : The terpenes of “Valencia” orange leaf, peel, and blossom oils

Abstract The essential oils of “Valencia” orange peel and leaves were extracted at periodic intervals during the normal growing season, analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography, and qualitative variations noted. The major components of the peel oil from the very small immature fruit were linalool and sabinene, while at the end of the season (+)-limonene was the predominant compound in the mature fruit. The leaf oils did not show a pronounced seasonal variation. Analysis of the oils from petal, pistil, and stamen portions of the blossoms showed differences in their composition.
Repeat robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN): feasibility and early outcomes.

Objective To demonstrate the feasibility, and to report our single-centre perioperative outcomes of repeat robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). Patients and Methods From June 2006 to June 2012, 490 patients underwent RAPN for a renal mass at our centre. Of these patients, nine who had undergone previous ipsilateral nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) were included in the analysis. Patient charts were reviewed to obtain demographic data, preoperative surgical history, operative details, and postoperative outcomes and follow-up data. Results In all, 12 tumours were removed in nine patients (median age 69 years; six female). A third of the operations were performed on patients with a solitary kidney. The median (range) R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score for the resected masses was 7 (4–8). The warm ischaemia time was 17.5 min and in three of the nine patients an unclamped procedure was performed. No intraoperative complications were registered, whereas only two minor complications occurred postoperatively. There were no renal unit losses. All surgical margins were negative. There was no significant difference between mean preoperative and latest postoperative mean estimated glomerular filtration rates (70.5 vs 63.5 mL/min/1.73m2, P > 0.05). At a mean (sd) follow-up of 8.3 (13) months, eight of the nine patients with a pathology diagnosis of malignant neoplasm were alive and free from disease at the latest follow-up. Conclusion Although technically more demanding, repeat RAPN can be safely and effectively performed in patients presenting with local recurrence after primary NSS for kidney cancer.
Invasion by Bacteriophage T5. II, Dissociation of Calcium-Independent and Calcium-Dependent Processes.

Abstract Stabilization of T5- Escherichia coli complexes (transition from blendor-sensitive to blendor-resistant infection) has been shown to consist of at least two separable processes, or sets of processes: (1) calcium-independent (transfer of phage DNA), and (2) calcium-dependent. Several well-demarked steps characterize the transfer of DNA from phage to bacterium and the stabilization of complexes. In purified preparations of P 32 -labeled T5, a fraction of the total host-adsorbable P 32 fails ever to transfer. The transferable remainder consists of two fractions, which can be distinguished under appropriate experimental conditions. The results are discussed in relation to those of other authors.
Functional recovery of untreated human immunodeficiency virus-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case report.

HIV-associated Guillain-Barre syndrome is a well-documented phenomenon, typically occurring at seroconversion. GBS may result in functional impairment treated with a combination of medications, plasmapheresis, and rehabilitation. The quantified functional recovery of HIV-associated GBS with or without HIV treatment is not well described. Utilizing serial FIM scoring, we describe a patient's recovery from HIV-associated GBS after treatment with IVIg and acute inpatient rehabilitation without HIV treatment.
3-Dimensional thermal analysis and active cooling of short-length high-power fiber lasers

A fully 3-dimensional finite element model has been developed that simulates the internal temperature distribution of short-length high-power fiber lasers. We have validated the numerical model by building a short, cladding-pumped, Er-Yb-codoped fiber laser and measuring the core temperature during laser operation. A dual-end-pumped, actively cooled, fiber laser has generated >11 W CW output power at 1535 nm from only 11.9 cm of active fiber. Simulations indicate power-scaling possibilities with improved fiber and cooling designs.
“Heavy” species Ludwig–Soret transport effects in air-breathing combustion

Abstract In the combustion community there seems to be a persistent view that Ludwig–Soret (L-S) (thermally driven, non-Fickian) species diffusion will only be important for low molecular weight species, such as H and H2 in H2/air flames. In the present paper we mobilize and extend some relevant research which, among other things, proves this particular viewpoint to be untrustworthy, replacing it with more robust and readily used criteria tailored to high molecular weight (Sc > 1) species. As an immediate corollary of the results presented/discussed here, many previous “L-S-free” theoretical studies of (large or small) “Lewis number effects in combustion” must be re-examined and extended since “extreme” nonunity Lewis number effects and significant L-S transport effects will frequently “go together.” Often, lack of direct experimental information about the relevant thermal diffusion factor αT, or even complexity of the underlying kinetic theory expressions for αT, are used to “justify” neglecting L-S species transport. To overcome this we suggest and exploit two remarkably simple but rational approximate methods to estimate αT for “heavy” species via the already familiar Schmidt number νA/DBA, in the ideal gas, high temperature limit. We also provide, as a corollary, simple but rational correlations/estimates for anticipating the simultaneous consequences of Fick and Ludwig–Soret diffusional transport, including appreciable modifications of the recovery factor for mainstream chemical energy (Rosner [1] ) in surface-catalyzed combustion. Using instructive examples for nonpremixed and surface-catalyzed combustion, we demonstrate the importance of L-S transport for heavy fuel vapor species (even the normal paraffins CnH2n+2 smaller than eicosane (n = 20; Table 1 ), as well as for flame intermediates (including soot precursors, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) up to coronene (C24H12; Table 2 ). We conclude that it is not only bona fide soot particles that are appreciably influenced by “thermophoresis” in such laminar diffusion flames—even for coronene we estimate (Table 2) that the dimensionless “thermophoretic diffusivity”: αTDBA/vg, is already about 0.47, not far from the particle-limit value of 0.5385. Put another way, in combustion applications the L-S effect, while known to be important for diffusion flames involving H(g) and H2(g), does not “disappear” for heavier vapors, only to “suddenly” reappear for bona-fide nanoparticles (e.g., “soot”)!
What Can We Learn from Bone Biology for the Treatment for Osteoporosis

There does not exist an entirely satsifactory drug for patients with established osteoporosis. No currently available drug is either universally acceptable or leads to substantial formation of new bone. Moreover, in spite of the recent introduction of newer bisphosphonates, intranasal calcitonin and estrogen-related compounds, there is still room for new preventive treatments for bone loss associated with the menopause and hormone withdrawal. There is an even greater need for acceptable and efficacious therapies for patients with established osteoporosis who have severe bone deficits. This is the reason that the pharmaceutical industry is now spending billions of dollars in a search for better modalities of treatment than those currently available. Specific problems can be found with all existing therapies, and drugs under development. The task that confronts the industry in identifying new therapies is particularly difficult. Although bringing a new drug to the market is very expensive in any pharmaceutical arena, it is particularly so in osteoporosis. This is because the Food and Drug Administration in the United States and many other regulatory agencies require evidence of beneficial effects on fracture rates. This problem is compounded somewhat by the expense involved in clinical studies in osteoporosis (requiring large numbers of patients from multiple centers), and the decline in research and development budgets associated with reduced profits due to managed care and price controls on drugs in some countries. Establishing practice guidelines for osteoporosis may also limit the use of drugs, particularly those that are expensive, or require treatment in many patients to see benefits in one. In the European Community, price controls on drugs already exist in many countries. A pharmaceutical company entering this field must consider the size of the therapeutic market, as well as the competition. For example, the bisphosphonate market is likely to be shared by a number of similar compounds during the next decade, and the same appears likely for estrogenrelated compounds. The lag time between discovery of a new lead for osteoporosis and the introduction of a new drug in the clinic may be 10–15 years. This certainly seems to have been the experience with resorption inhibitors such as alendronate and raloxifene. This means that there must be an enormous investment by the pharmaceutical company, possibly in the order of $500 million in today’s dollars, so that the eventual market must be substantial to accommodate this risk.
Collaborative research in primary prevention: The practitioner-researcher relationship

The contemporary context of prevention services makes collaboration between practitioners and researchers very important. Guidelines for productive collaboration are presented.
Protein dynamics from time resolved UV Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy can provide unique information on the evolution of structure in proteins over a wide range of time scales; the picosecond to millisecond range can be accessed with pump-probe techniques. Specific parts of the molecule are interrogated by tuning the probe laser to a resonant electronic transition, including the UV transitions of aromatic residues and of the peptide bond. Advances in laser technology have enabled the characterization of transient species at an unprecedented level of structural detail. Applications to protein unfolding and allostery are reviewed.
Kinetic analysis of partially purified glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases from rat muscle, adipose tissue and liver, and from baker's yeast.

Abstract 1. 1. The major electrophoretic form of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase ( d -glucose-6-phosphate—NADP oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49) from rat muscle, liver and epididymal adipose tissue has been partially purified. The kinetic properties of these rat tissue enzymes have been studied and compared with those of crystalline baker's yeast. 2. 2. Glucose-6-phosphate deydrogenase from rat muscle, liver and adipose tissue had K m values of glucose 6-phosphate of 3.4·10 −5 M and for NADP- of 2.0·10 −6 M . 3. 3. When the supernantants from liver and muscle extracts were used as the enzyme sources, NAD+ will not substitute for NADP+, NAD+ will, however, substitute for NADP+ if purified liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is used as the enzyme source. NADP+ at concentrations greater than 0.01 M exhibits substrate inhibition. 4. 4. NADPH is a competitive inhibitor of both glucose 6-phosphate and NADP+ for the rat muscle enzymes, while NADH is without inhibitory effect.
Chembio extraction on a chip by nanoliter droplet ejection

This paper describes a novel liquid separation technique for chembio extraction by an ultrasonic nanoliter-liquid-droplet ejector built on a PZT sheet. This technique extracts material from an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) in a precise amount through digital control of the number of nanoliter droplets, without any mixing between the two liquids in the ATPS. The ultrasonic droplet ejector uses an acoustic streaming effect produced by an acoustic beam focused on the liquid surface, and ejects liquid droplets only from the liquid surface without disturbing most of the liquid below the surface. This unique characteristic of the focused acoustic beam is perfect (1) for separating a top-layer liquid (from the bulk of liquid) that contains particles of interest or (2) for recovering a top-layer liquid that has different phase from a bottom-layer liquid. Three kinds of liquid extraction are demonstrated with the ultrasonic droplet ejector: (1) 16 microl of top layer in Dextran-polyethylene glycol-water ATPS (aqueous two-phase system) is recovered within 20 s; (2) micron sized particles that float on water surface are ejected out with water droplets; and (3) oil layer on top of water is separated out.
The incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease in untreated women infected with Chlamydia trachomatis: a structured review:

Because of the long-term consequences of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the cost-effectiveness of Chlamydia trachomatis screening depends in part on the incidence of PID in untreated, chlamydia-infected women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the original research assessing the incidence of PID following C. trachomatis infection. We conducted a thorough search of the literature and selected all available prospective cohort studies. Six studies had original data: the incidence of PID varied from 0% (97.5% confidence interval [CI] 0-12%) during one year of follow-up of 30 women to 30% (95% CI 12-54%) during 50 days of follow-up of 20 women. Studies that included asymptomatic women in other settings reported a lower incidence than those that evaluated women in sexually transmitted disease clinics. In conclusion, no study was of a size or quality to answer our research question definitively. Investigators and clinicians planning chlamydia-screening programmes need to be cognizant of the inconclusive incidence data.
Health services in infant day care centers

A study of 13 infant day care centers in Santa Clara County (California) was undertaken to determine the content of the health program, types of health workers participating, utilization of community health resources, admissions policies on children with handicaps and illnesses, and unmet needs in health services. Although there was minimal provision for the health and safety of infants served there were limited services by health workers, irregular utilization of health resources, and neglect of other aspects such as grouth and development of the infants. There is need for more assistance and consultation from community health resources for preventive health services, health education and services for sick children.
In vivo evaluation of a bioactive scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Revision cases of total hip implants are complicated by the significant amount of bone loss. New materials and/or approaches are needed to provide stability to the site, stimulate bone formation, and ultimately lead to fully functional bone tissue. Porous bioactive glasses (prepared from 45S5 granules, 45% SiO2, 24.5% Na2O, 24.5% CaO, and 6% P2O5) have been developed as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering and have been studied in vitro. In this study, we investigated the incorporation of tissue-engineered constructs utilizing these scaffolds in large, cortical bone defects in the rat simulating revision conditions. With implantation times of 2, 4, and 12 weeks the results were compared to those using the bioactive ceramic scaffold alone. Two tissue-engineered constructs were studied: osteoprogenitor cells that were either seeded onto the scaffold prior to implantation ("primary") or those that were culture expanded to form bonelike tissue on the scaffold prior to implantation ("hybrid"). Defects treated with the hybrid had the greatest amount of bone in the available pore space of the defect over all other groups at 2 weeks (p < 0.05). For both the primary and hybrid groups, woven and lamellar bone was present along the interface of the scaffold and the host cortex and within the porous space of the scaffold at 2 weeks. By 4 weeks, very uniform, lamellar bone was present throughout the scaffold for both tissue-engineered groups. The amount of bone significantly increased over time for all groups while the bioactive ceramic gradually resorbed by 40% at 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Structural properties of the treated long bones improved over time. Long bones treated with the hybrid had an early return in torsional stiffness by 2 weeks. Both tissue-engineered constructs achieved normal torsional strength and stiffness by 4 weeks as compared to the scaffold alone, which achieved this by 12 weeks. Porous, surface modified bioactive ceramic is a promising scaffold material for tissue-engineered bone repair.
Polymerization of methane

Plasma polymerization of methane in a magnetically enhanced capacitively coupled bell jar reactor operating at a frequency of 10 kHz is reported. Dependence of polymer deposition rate on monomer feed rate (F), composite power parameter (W/FM), electrode temperature, and electrode cleanliness have been examined. Such functional properties as wettability, adhesion, and thermal stability of the polymer are found to depend on the composite power parameter (W/FM) of the plasma. The permeability studies indicate highly crosslinked nature of the polymer. ESCA studies reveal codeposition of electrode material with the polymer under high W/FM conditions, potential applications of plasma polymer of methane are suggested.
Elastic-plastic analysis of a collinear array of cracks on a bimaterial interface

Abstract In previous studies, we found that although the near-tip fields of cracks on a bimaterial interface do not have a separable form of the Hutchinson-Rice-Rosengren (HRR) type, they appear to be nearly separable in an annular region well within the plastic zone. Furthermore, the fields bear interesting similarities to mixed mode HRR fields for homogeneous media. Over length scales comparable to the size of the dominant plastic zone, the stress levels in both materials are set by the yield strength of the weaker (lower yield strength) material. Over distances which are small compared with the smallest dimension of the plastic zone (or distances comparable with the crack tip opening displacement), the behavior of the stresses is governed by the strain hardening characteristics of the more compliant (lower hardening) material. Asymptotically, as the crack tip is approached, the material system responds like that of a plastically deforming solid bonded to a rigid substrate; in particular, the stress and the strain fields in the more compliant material behave like those of a material with identical plastic properties bonded to a rigid substrate. Guided by this observation, our attention is directed to the plane strain problem of a deformable material bonded to a rigid substrate. The bimaterial interface is populated by a row of collinear cracks. The body is loaded by remote tension so that the cracks remain effectively open over size scales that are physically relevant. Contained and large-scale yielding solutions for cracks with crack-length-to-ligament ratios that differ by more than two orders of magnitude are obtained by finite element analysis. The solutions reveal that the effects of load (or finite ligament plasticity) and geometry on the near-tip fields are adequately accounted for by the J integral. Furthermore, the near-tip fields appear to possess a structure which is similar to that already presented in previous publications on the small-scale yielding problem. Over the full range of loads considered, the relation between the crack opening displacement (measured at the center of the crack) and the J integral is not sensitive to differences in geometry associated with widely different crack-length-to-ligament ratios.
Motion induced by surface-tension gradients

The physical mechanisms of flows generated by surface-tension gradients are clearly defined and the relevant dimensionless parameters are derived. These are used to indicate the qualitative nature of possible flows.
Contamination and remediation waves in a filtration model

Abstract We propose a model for the filtration of suspended particles in porous media and we examine some of its mathematical properties. The model includes a variable porosity that depends on the volume of particles retained through filtration and a kinetics law that allows both a positive and negative rate of particle accretion. We characterize the properties of accretion rates that lead to contamination and remediation wave fronts in the model.
Production of citric acid by Candida lipolytica Y1095: Effect of glucose concentration on yield and productivity

Abstract The effects of temperature and initial pH on growth of Candida guilliermondii Y 488, Candida lipolytica Y 1095, Yarrowia lipolytica Y 7576, and Saccharomycopsis lipolytica DRL 99 were evaluated. All four yeasts exhibited maximum biomass production at 27°C. Except for S. lipolytica DRL 99, increased agitation nearly doubled the amount of biomass produced at 27°C. The growth of S. lipolytica DRL 99 was also affected by initial medium pH. Based on the results of these experiments, C. lipolytica Y 1095 was selected for citric acid production studies in a 2-1 batch fermentor. At a glucose concentration of 3% w/v, the maximum specific growth rate of C. lipolytica Y 1095 was 0.38 h-1. During the production phase, citric acid yields ranged from 0.50 to 0.79 g citric acid produced per gram glucose consumed and the volumetric productivity ranged from 0.27 to 0.60 g citric acid per liter per hour. Final citric acid concentrations ranged from 13.6 to 78.5 g citric acid per liter and were dependent on the initial glucose concentration in the production medium.
A Tensor Product Action on q-Clan Generalized Quadrangles with $q=2^e$

The Fundamental theorem of q-clan geometry implies (among other things) that all automorphisms of the generalized quadrangle GQ(C) of order (q^2,q) associated with a q-clan C which fix a special pair of points are automorphisms of the elation group of the quadrangle. When q=2^e, with a slight modification of the usual representation, we describe these automorphisms in terms of tensor products of pairs of matrices in GL(2,q). The resulting efficiency in computation allows a simplified description of the automorphisms of GQ(C). We apply the general theory to give an improved description of the induced stabilizers of the ovals in PG(2,q) that are associated with the new Subiaco q-clans introduced and studied in [2], [7], [1] and [8].
Partial differential approximants for multivariable power series. II: Invariance properties

The invariance properties of partial differential approximants for power series in two (or more) variables are investigated. Certain classes of approximants are shown to exhibit desirable properties such as : ( a ) Eulerian invariance under the change of variables x => x = Ax /(1+ Bx ) and/or y => y = Cy / (1+ Dy ); ( b ) ‘rotational’ invariance under homo­geneous linear transformations of x and y ; ( c ) covariance under exponentiation of the original series. Similar results are demonstrated for constrained, multipoint, and higher order differential approximants. Specializing to functions of one variable provides extensions of known invariance properties of ordinary Pade approximants and inhomogeneous differential approximants.
Anomalous L subshell ratios in mixed M1-E2 transitions

Abstract The L subshell ratios of a number of M1-E2 transitions have been measured accurately with the Berkeley 50-cm iron free π √2 spectrometer. When the three L subshell conversion lines are resolved, the M1-E2 mixing ratio is overdetermined, because a unique value of δ2 (i.e. E2/M1) is given by any one of the ratios LI/LII, LI/LIII and LII/LIII. (Algebraically only two of these ratios are independent.) Thus, if all three ratios are measured experimentally, the same value of δ2 should in principle be obtained. In fact, this does not always appear to be the case. One of the most pronounced discrepancies is found in the case of the 103 keV transition in Eu153. The measured ratios are LI/LII = 8.22±0.10, LI/LIII = 20.65±0.28 and LII/LIII = 2.51±0.05. With use of carefully interpolated values from Sliv's tables, the E2 admixtures obtained are 2.02±0.08, 1.66±0.3 and 1.44±0.06 percent, respectively. With Rose's values the E2 admixtures are 2.18±0.08, 1.52±0.03 and 1.15±0.06 percent. Similar discrepancies were observed in the 114 keV transition in Lu175 and 42 and 52 keV transitions in Bk249. Relatively good agreement with Sliv's values is found for the 69 keV transition in Eu153 and for the 58 keV transition in Tb159. The agreement is generally better with Sliv's than with Rose's values. The two sets of theoretical L conversion coefficients differ sometimes by as much as 50%.
Solvation of Radicals in Small Clusters

The spectra and solvation behavior of several radical systems, cooled in a supersonic jet expansion, are studied using laser induced fluorescence and time-of-flight mass spectroscopic techniques. The systems included in this study are small radicals, CH3O and NCO, and larger aromatic radicals, picolyl, lutidyl, cyclopentadienyl, and its derivatives. Intensive ab initio and Leonard-Jones potential energy surface calculations are performed to understand the spectra, the geometries, and the van der Waals interactions of these radicals and their clusters. Inter- and intra-molecular dynamics of excited state species, possible chemical reactions, as well as substituent effects on cluster chemistry are discussed.
Linear Simulation of the Stationary Eddies in a General Circulation Model. Part I: The No-Mountain Model

A linear primitive-equation stationary-wave model is developed to describe Northern Hemisphere winter stationary eddies on a sphere, and simulation results are compared with the predictions of a flat-lower-boundary GCM in extensive graphs and maps. The linear model is shown to reproduce the general behavior of the GCM well, with 10-30-percent underestimation of amplitudes in the Northern Hemisphere extratropical upper troposphere. The response to global heating plus transient eddy flux convergences is then decomposed into responses to total tropical forcing (heating plus transients) and total extratropical forcing (upper and lower tropospheric transients and latent, sensible, and radiative heating). The quality of the simulation is found to deteriorate rapidly if transient forcing is omitted, although somewhat better results are obtained by substituting thermal damping for transient forcing. The importance of low-level-transient parameterization for theories of time-mean low-level flow is emphasized.
Molecular orientation in individual electrospun nanofibers measured via polarized Raman spectroscopy

Using polarized Raman spectroscopy, we have recorded Raman spectra from individual electrospun Nylon-6 nanofibers. Analysis of these single-fiber spectra, compared to those of unoriented and oriented Nylon-6 films, indicates significant molecular orientation. Because electrospinning produces fibers in a jet with a large strain rate, this molecular orientation is expected. We present quantitative measurements of molecular orientation in a single nanofiber and compare these to those of film samples. Such measurements could yield information about the uniformity of the electrospinning process and resulting fibers, and may also allow comparison between spectrally measured orientation functions and single-fiber mechanical properties.
Early Primary Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract Young age, low weight, and the requirement for transannular patch reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) are thought to adversely affect intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Forty patients underwent complete repair between January, 1984, and January, 1987. Only infants with pulmonary atresia, complete atrioventricular canal, or coronary artery anomalies were shunted initially. The malalignment ventricular septal defect was closed with a Dacron patch. Infundibular resection was minimized. All atrial communications were left open. Thirty-four patients (85%) had a transannular RVOT patch, and 2 patients (5%) had a nontransannular patch. All 10 infants weighing 3.4 to 9.6 kg had a transannular RVOT patch at 7 weeks to 12 months of age. An RVOT patch was used in 26 of 30 children operated on between 1 and 6 years of age (median age, 24 months). No patient undergoing intracardiac repair died. Postoperative RVOT pullback gradients were between 0 and 35 mm Hg (mean, 18.5 mm Hg). Postoperative pulmonary artery saturation (mean, 73%) did not reveal any residual ventricular septal defect. The right ventricular/arterial pressure ratio was always less than 0.6 (mean, 0.4). All children are doing well at follow-up from two to 37 months. Serial echocardiograms reveal no residual ventricular septal defect and only 1 moderate RVOT gradient. Follow-up cardiac catheterization in 15 patients revealed no residual ventricular septal defect and RVOT gradients between 5 and 35 mm Hg. The right ventricular/left ventricular pressure ratio was always less than 0.6 (mean, 0.48). The early and late results justify continued primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot in symptomatic children, regardless of age or weight. A transannular RVOT patch did not have a major impact on operative mortality.
A Study of the Validity of Self-Reported Measures of Academic Growth.

This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between self-reported and pre-post measures of academic growth. Self-reported and pre-post measures were obtained in three areas, simple cognitive, complex cognitive, and attitudinal. The subjects were 162 graduate students enrolled in six different graduate courses. Partial correlations relating self-reported measures of growth to posttest performance on measures of achievement (simple and complex cognitive)and attitude, controlling for pretest performance indicated that self-reported measures of academic growth were primarily related to growth in attitudes toward the subject matter of a course.
Intolerable Risk, Irreparable Harm: The Legacy Of Physician-Owned Specialty Hospitals

Issues of physician ownership and referral could cause major shifts in the structure of medical care and make the financing of U.S. hospital services problematic. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 mandated research on this matter and applied an eighteen-month moratorium against self-referral to allow policymakers to consider the issue. Research findings thus far confirm that physicians’ ownership and referral present conflicts of interest through medical and economic patient selection and potentially excessive utilization. The policy response must prevent these results and preserve fair competition among hospitals.
A comparative appraisal of some community-based alternatives to institutionalization

Mental disorders and criminal behavior are considered to fall under the rubric of deviance. This perspective of deviant behavior forms the framework for comparing community-based programs for emotionally disturbed persons and for offenders with institutionally based program~ The interactionist model lends itself to the development of community-based modalities in lieu of institutionalization; in contrast, the internal locus model has traditionally led to long-term confinement. In this appraisal, significant dimensions of community-based programs are explored, including selection variables for individuals, program variables, community variables, and interdependent models for assessing the interaction among them. The costs and benefits, both to the individual and to the community, of implementing community-based alternatives are discussed. Recommendations are made regarding evaluation and accountability.