cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence from 617 laboratories in 47 countries for SLMTA-driven improvement in quality management systems

Background: The Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme is a large-scale effort to improve the quality of laboratories in resource-limitedcountries. Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the first four years (2010–2013) of SLMTA implementation. Methods: Country-level data were submitted by SLMTA programme leads and compiledglobally. Performance was measured before (baseline) and after (exit) SLMTA implementation using an audit checklist which results in a percentage score and a rating of zero to five stars. Some laboratories continued to monitor performance in post-exit surveillance audits. We evaluated score improvements using two-tailed t-tests for equal variances and estimated the number of tests performed by SLMTA laboratories based on star level. Results: SLMTA was implemented in 617 laboratories in 47 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Southeast Asia. At the baseline audit, the laboratories scored an average of 39% on the checklist and 84% of them were rated below one star. As of December 2013, 302 laboratories had completed the SLMTA programme; mean checklist scores increased from39% at baseline to 64% at exit (p < 0.001) over an average 16-month programme duration. Ninety-two laboratories conducted a surveillance audit at a median of 11 months after their exit audit; 62% further increased their performance. Six SLMTA laboratories have achieved accreditation status. In total, the 617 SLMTA laboratories conduct an estimated 111 milliontests annually. Only 16% of these tests were conducted by laboratories with at least one star at baseline, which increased to 68% of tests after SLMTA training. Thus, approximately 23 million tests are conducted annually by laboratories previously at zero stars that now have one to five stars; this number is projected to increase to 58 million when currently-enrolled laboratories complete the programme. Conclusion: SLMTA has transformed the laboratory landscape in resource-limited countries worldwide and has the potential to make a substantial and sustainable impact on the qualityof laboratory testing and patient care.
Non-fused polyaromatic hydrocarbons: interactions of aromatic and antiaromatic rings through a CC bond

The interaction of the moieties of benzene, cyclobutadiene, cyclopentadinyl anion, and the cyclopent- adianide cation upon each other and upon a CC bond connecting pairs of these rings is investigated computa- tionally. The resulting non-fused bicycles include biphenyl, phenylcyclobutadiene, phenylcyclopentadienylium, phe- nylcyclopentadienide, pentafulvalene, cyclobutadienyl- cyclopentadienylium, cyclobutadienyl-cyclopentadienide, and bicyclobutadiene. The relative stability and aromaticity are assessed from hydrogenation energies, aromatic sta- bilization energies, ring separation energies, nucleus-inde- pendent chemical-shift, harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity, and natural bond orbital analysis. Calculations are performed with density functional theory (B3LYP) and Moller-Plesset perturbation theory of second order (MP2). Enthalpy quantities are also determined by G3. When both rings are aromatic in character, the bridging bond is mostly r in character. When one or both of the rings is antiaro- matic, the bridging bond has significant p character. Sys- tems with contrasting aromaticities have CC bridging bonds of lengths between CC single bond lengths and CC double bond lengths and where the systems were charged, the charge is evenly distributed between the rings.
THE ELUSIVE CONCEPT OF QUALITY: WHAT JUNIOR AND SENIOR COLLEGE PRESIDENTS THINK

Because it is difficult to describe higher education quality or indicators of quality to the general public, this study was developed to determine if educational leaders had definitions that might prove useful. From 20 presidents of two‐ and four‐year colleges seven different definitions of quality emerged; and among indicators of quality, none was named by all or even a majority of presidents. Most presidents rated their own institutions as being of high quality but based their rating on different factors than they had identified as indicators of quality. In rating other colleges, presidents identified indicators different from those they had for their own campuses. Most differences among presidents did not appear to be based on the type of institutions they led. The results of this study indicate that educational leaders must begin to agree on definitions and indicators of quality before they can hope to present a united front to the public.
Nonlinear effects of monetary policy on stock returns in a smooth transition autoregressive model

Abstract This paper employs smooth transition autoregressive (STAR) models to investigate the nonlinear effect of monetary policy on stock returns. The change in the Federal funds rate is used as an endogenous measure of monetary policy, and the growth rate of industrial production is also considered in the model. Our results show that the relationship between the monetary policy and excess returns on stock prices is positive and nonlinear. A decrease in the Federal funds rate causes a larger increase in excess returns if excess stock returns are located in the extreme low excess returns regime.
Optical properties of amorphous SixGe1−x(H) alloys prepared by R.F. Glow discharge

Abstract Amorphous alloys of Si and Ge have been prepared over the entire composition range by r.f. plasma decomposition of mixed gases of SiH4 and GeH4. The optical absorption edge is found to have a linear dependence on alloy composition given by: Eg = 0.95 + 0.70x (eV).
Staff programmer vs. system: The issues

Hiring a staff programmer who programs specific experiments makes the least demands on the user, but the laboratory throughput is limited. Developing a high-level user-programmed system permits high throughput, but entails considerable effort and certain risks. Details and examples illustrate the issues.
Random coil dimensions of poly(diethyl siloxane)

Abstract A sample of high molecular weight poly(diethyl siloxane), [Si(C2H5)2O]x, (PDES) was separated into a series of fractions by means of liquid-liquid precipitations. Four of the fractions were studied by osmometry and viscometry in toluene at 25°C. The resulting values of the number-average molecular weight, second virial coefficient, and intrinsic viscosity indicate that the unperturbed dimensions of PDES are essentially the same as those of poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) of the same chain length. Thus, differences in intramolecular interactions between these two chains have little effect on their unperturbed dimensions. Most pertinent in this regard are interactions between the side chains, which are favourable in trans conformations in both PDES and PDMS. These favourable interactions in trans conformations would be enhanced in the case of the ethyl groups in PDES, but this effect is apparently offset by a comparable increase in favourable interactions between ethyl groups and oxygen atoms in the competing gauche conformations.
ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION OF INDIUM ANTIMONIDE SURFACES.

Abstract Large signal alternating current field effect experiments previously performed on the {111} A and B “real” surfaces of n and p-type InSb were extended to cleaved {110} and {100} “real” surfaces of n-type InSb. Discrete “fast” states were observed in the energy gap near the valence as well as near the conduction band edge on all surfaces. The discrete state near the conduction band edge exhibited essentially the same density on all surfaces, ~ 4 × 10 11 /cm 2 , while the state near the valence band edge was found to be 2 to 6 times more dense, increasing in the order: {110} cleaved, {111} A, {100}, and {111} B. All surfaces were found to be p-type; the degree of p-type character correlated directly with the state density near the valence band edge. The present results were found to be consistent with a model according to which the discrete “fast” states near the valence and conduction band edges are acceptor-like, characteristic of the antimony and indium species, respectively. This model was extended to emphasize the importance of sub-surface states. The electrical properties of these surfaces were correlated with their chemical and structural characteristics and were found to be consistent with the Gatos-Lavine model of the dangling bonds on the III–v compound surfaces.
Disulfide Bonding Arrangements in Active Forms of the Somatomedin B Domain of Human Vitronectin

The N-terminal cysteine-rich somatomedin B (SMB) domain (residues 1−44) of the human glycoprotein vitronectin contains the high-affinity binding sites for plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and the urokinase receptor (uPAR). We previously showed that the eight cysteine residues of recombinant SMB (rSMB) are organized into four disulfide bonds in a linear uncrossed pattern (Cys5−Cys9, Cys19−Cys21, Cys25−Cys31, and Cys32−Cys39). In the present study, we use an alternative method to show that this disulfide bond arrangement remains a major preferred one in solution, and we determine the solution structure of the domain using NMR analysis. The solution structure shows that the four disulfide bonds are tightly packed in the center of the domain, replacing the traditional hydrophobic core expected for a globular protein. The few noncysteine hydrophobic side chains form a cluster on the outside of the domain, providing a distinctive binding surface for the physiological partners PAI-1 and uPAR. The hydrop...
Epidemiology of cancer in rheumatoid arthritis: Methodologic pitfalls

Studies that try to associate immunoinflammatory disease, typified by rheumatoid arthritis, and malignancy have been limited by several important methodologic difficulties. Usually the hypothesis examined has been one of an increase in incidence of one or more specific neoplasms, and sometimes this hypothesis has been generated after examining the data. Some of the more common methods for assessing risk, including case reports and small series, case-control studies, hospital-based studies, and animal studies, and the competing risk fallacy can create problems of interpretation and can skew the results. The ideal study is one in which a random sample of 1,000 or more patients with rheumatoid arthritis are followed prospectively from disease onset to death and the data compared with total population data over the same period. Ideally, there would be perfect follow-up and autopsy information available on all patients and all control patients. Such studies of course will not be available. However, those studies that are designed best fail to associate rheumatoid arthritis with malignancy, although certain specific malignancies do appear associated with alkylating agent therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Tying critical success factors to systems development

Abstract Critical Success Factors methodology has become an accepted top down methodology for information systems planning. This paper discusses how the CSF approach is tied to information systems development in one division of the Hewlett-Packard organization. A step by step approach which maps CSF into Critical Success Projects is described. These steps ensure congruence of information systems activities designed to support operational and strategic efforts with those factors managers have identified as critical. This approach has proven beneficial in generating high level user involvement and support. In addition, it has caused IS analysts to become business partners with the client business.
Poetry, Attentiveness and Prayer: One Poet's Lesson1

In The Grain of Wheat, Hans Urs von Balthasar quotes St. Basil on the intent contemplation of God's works. In Letters to Malcolm, C. S. Lewis speaks of making “every pleasure into a channel of adoration”, by praising “these pure and spontaneous pleasures” as “‘patches of Godlight’ in the woods of our experience.” According to Iris Murdoch, such attentiveness requires a degree of “selflessness” that resembles aesthetic contemplation and— it may be inferred — prayerful reflection. Using these passages and others by Kathleen Norris and Simone Weil, this essay offers related perspectives on the process and the effects of attentiveness, in poetry and prayer. Poets practise, and thereby teach an attentiveness that is analogous to that achieved in certain forms of prayer. Prayer, like poetry, gives thanks for the mysteries — even as it seeks to understand and respond to the injustices and sufferings — of life. Denise Levertov illustrates in her poetry an awareness of how such attentiveness can be productive, in her late religious poems especially.
The densities of mixed glass former 0.35 Na2O + 0.65 [xB2O3 + (1 − x)P2O5] glasses related to the atomic fractions and volumes of short range structures

Abstract The mixed glass former effect (MGFE) is defined as a non-linear and non-additive change in the ionic conductivity with changing glass former fraction at constant modifier composition between two binary glass forming compositions. In this study, mixed glass former (MGF) sodium borophosphate glasses, 0.35 Na2O + 0.65 [xB2O3 + (1 − x)P2O5], 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, which have been shown to have a strong positive MGFE, have been prepared and their physical properties, density and molar volume, have been examined as predictors of structural change. The density exhibits a strong positive non-linear and non-additive change in the density with x and a corresponding negative non-linear and non-additive change in the molar volume. In order to understand the structural origins of these changes, a model of the molar volume was created and best-fit to the experimentally determined molar volumes in order to determine the volumes of the short range order (SRO) structural units in these glasses, how these volume change from the molar volumes of the binary glasses, and how these volumes change across the range of x in the ternary glasses. The best-fit model was defined as the model that required the smallest changes in the volumes of the ternary phosphate and borate SRO structural groups from their values determined by the densities of the binary sodium phosphate and sodium borate glasses. In this best-fit molar volume model, it was found that the volumes of the various phosphate and borate SRO structural groups decreased by values ranging from a minimum value of ~ 1% for x = 0.1 and 0.9 to a maximum value of ~ 6% for the phosphate and ~ 9% for the borate SRO groups at the minimum in molar volume at x = 0.4. The free volume was found to have a negative deviation from linear which is unexpected given the positive deviation in ionic conductivity.
Humor and the Incongruity Hypothesis

Summary The method of constant stimuli was used to investigate the effects of an incongruity between an expected and an actual comparison weight (Co) on humor responses of 90 male and female college students. Humor increased as a function of the incongruity between the expected Co and the actual Co. The heaviness of the actual Co determined the degree of incongruity. Humor also increased with the number of judgments prior to the presentation of the incongruous Co. The number of prior judgments was assumed to lead to the development of the expected Co.
Studies of iodixanol in the rabbit lung and peritoneum.

Objective. To evaluate a new water-soluble contrast agent, iodixanol. The study evaluates absorption from the peritoneal cavity and toxicity in the lung. Materials and methods. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were given the study agent and comparative agents into an endotracheal tube. Serial chest radiographs were evaluated for development of pulmonary edema. All lungs were evaluated histopathologically for toxic inflammatory response. Fifteen different rabbits were given intraperitoneal injection of the study and comparative contrast agents. Serial abdomen radiographs, taken up to 24 h after injection, were evaluated for contrast absorption from the peritoneal cavity. Results. Evaluation of indicators of pulmonary edema demonstrated that iodixanol caused the same or less pulmonary edema than comparative agents. Histopathologic analysis showed that iodixanol caused less macrophage response than saline (P = 0.010), the same lymphocyte infiltration as saline (P = 0.472), the same neutrophil response as saline (P = 0.297), and the same vasculitic reaction as saline (P = 0.128). Compared to iohexol 270, iodixanol caused the same macrophage infiltrate (P = 0.924), the same lymphocyte infiltration (P = 0.523), more neutrophil reaction (P = 0.007), and less vasculitic reaction (P = 0.042). Iodixanol was rapidly absorbed from the peritoneal cavity. Conclusion. Iodixanol is a new contrast agent that is isotonic at all clinically useful iodine concentrations. It appears safe in the lung and is absorbed from the peritoneal cavity.
Isolation and characterization of amyloplast envelope membranes from Solanum tuberosum

Abstract Amyloplasts were separated from other subcellular organelles by sedimentation through a discontinuous sucrose density gradient. Purified amyloplast envelope membranes were similar in most characteristics to those from other types of plastids. A substantial proportion of the carotenoid content of these membranes was present in the esterified form. In contrast to published work on chloroplasts of photosynthetic tissue, our results showed that the acylase (acyl-CoA:sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase) is firmly bound to the envelope membranes. Evidence was obtained to indicate that digalactosyldiacylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and sulpholipid, but not monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, are exclusively found in the cell as amyloplast lipids.
Pre-Sézary syndrome

Eighteen patients with erythroderma, recurrent cycles of circulating Sezary cells of less than 1,000 cells/mm 3 , and a chronic course were followed for a mean time of nearly 5 years and were diagnosed as having pre-Sezary syndrome. Only one patient died, and none developed lymphoproliferative disease. All ten patients who underwent patch testing showed positive results. The elevation of IgE was striking when this group was compared with a group with Sezary syndrome. Most patients achieved partial or complete remission on low-dose chlorambucil and prednisone therapy. Some patients had lymphocytic or lymphomatoid bands on skin biopsy specimens and were like previously reported patients with pre-Sezary syndrome whose condition progressed to Sezary syndrome. A nontoxic chemotherapy or an anti-T cell treatment program can control this chronic erythroderma state. (J AM ACAD DERMATOL 10:992–999, 1984.)
Growth of thin oxide scales for electron microscopy studies

Abstract This report describes a method of growing thin oxide scales and analyzing them in situ by transmission electron diffraction. This technique is particularly useful for routine identification of protective oxides that are too thin to permit satisfactory preparation by conventional methods of samples for X-ray diffraction.
Sensing and reproducing the shapes of 3D objects using claytronics

This demonstration presents a novel mechanism for the electronic acquisition of shapes of arbitrary objects, and the the remote reproduction of these shapes: in essence a 3D fax machine. Our approach is based on Claytronics, a form of intelligent matter or "smart clay" composed of thousands of tiny particles, each of which is a small electronic device capable of sensing, computation, communication, and actuation. For our purposes, this Claytronic material is treated as a network of thousands to millions of communicating sensor nodes that must work cooperatively to determine the shape of an object. We demonstrate the highly scalable software we have designed to permit such intelligent "clay" be used as both the input and output stages of a 3D fax machine through physics-based simulations.
Preparation and catalytic behaviour of sub-nanometer gold deposited on TiO2 by vacuum calcination

Titania-supported gold catalysts calcined under vacuum have been studied using a combination of TEM and activity measurements for CO oxidation. A time dependent study by TEM suggested the presence of highly dispersed gold, a high percentage of which lies below the 1 nm resolution limit. A comparison between Au/TiO2 samples calcined in vacuum and air has shown large differences in catalytic behaviour, indicating that not only the size of gold particles but also the oxidized state of the support surface is important.
Gentamicin solution for mediastinal irrigation: Systemic absorption, bactericidal activity, and toxicity

Local irrigation with gentamicin sulfate represents a possible substitute for neomycin sulfate, used for many years but now no longer available for use as an irrigation fluid. In this investigation, mediastinal irrigation with gentamicin was used in 12 patients who had experienced problems after a heart operation. The regimen employed for mediastinal irrigation with gentamicin was equipotent with that using neomycin. We sought to determine the degree of absorption and risk of either inadequate or toxic blood levels that might follow gentamicin absorption. Irrigation periods were short, ranging from one to four days and determined by measurements of plasma gentamicin concentration using radioimmunoassay evaluation. Systemic gentamicin absorption occurred in all patients. Toxic levels of higher than 8.0 micrograms/mL occurred and were size related, ie, correlated with smaller body weight and surface area, and sex related, ie, female sex. Larger-sized patients often had inadequate levels. Despite the potential risk from toxic blood levels, major increases in serum creatinine levels were not seen. These findings suggest that monitoring of plasma gentamicin levels during mediastinal irrigation with gentamicin is mandatory to avoid both inadequate treatment and toxicity.
Trade and Darbar Politics in the Bengal Subah, 1733–1757

The history of India's trade has attracted the attention of researchers for several decades now. But in the seventies and eighties our knowledge of the history of India's trading world has been especially enriched by a spate of literature on the subject. Among the issues that have received special attention from historians, the relationship between merchants and politics must be singled out as a theme that has recurred in the investigations and analyses of scholars. This issue of the connection between merchants and politics has yielded different conclusions depending on the regional and chronological dimensions of each study, as well as on the specific circumstances that molded the history of the regions that have figured in studies of Indian trade history.
A Scholar’s Guide to Research, Collaboration, and Publication in NINES

This essay offers a rationale for the design of Collex, the social software and faceted browsing system that powers NINES, a “networked infrastructure for nineteenth-century electronic scholarship.” It describes how Collex serves as a clearinghouse and collaborative hub for NINES, allowing scholars to search, browse, collect, and annotate digital objects relevant to nineteenth-century studies from a variety of peer-reviewed sources. It also looks forward to the next version of Collex, which will include a sophisticated exhibits builder, through which scholars can “remix” or re-purpose collected objects into annotated bibliographies, course syllabi, illustrated essays, and chronologies – and contribute these resources back into the NINES collective. A detailed guide to using Collex, complete with screenshots, is included. This article frequently links directly into the NINES system (in which, by virtue of its publication in Romanticism and Victorianism on the Net, it is already included), thereby gesturing at the future of networked, “born-digital” scholarship.
Properties of lipid bilayer membranes. Membrane thickness.

With two independent experimental measurements (capacitance and optical measurements) on the same lipid bilayer and the knowledge of an asymmetric dielectric constant calculated from a model of the bilayer, the thickness, the average area per hydrocarbon chain and the dielectric constant of the bilayer, which are consistent with the data of two independent experiments, were obtained. By using various data of capacitance and optical reflectance on lecithin bilayers, the thickness (54 ∼ 48 A), area per hydrocarbon chain (23·5 ∼ 25·0 A2) and dielectric constant (e‖ = 2·32 ∼ 2·29, e⊥ = 2·59 ∼ 2·25) for the lecithin (egg) bilayer were deduced.
First-principles study of the atomic reconstructions and energies of Ga- and As-stabilized GaAs(100) surfaces

We have carried out ab initio total-energy density-functional calculations to study the reconstructions of GaAs(100) surfaces as a function of Ga and As surface coverage. Equilibrium atomic geometries and energies for Ga- and As-stabilized 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1, 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1, 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2, and 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 surfaces consisting of various combinations of dimers and vacancies were determined. Dimerization of Ga (As) surface atoms is calculated to lower the energy by 1.7 eV (0.7 eV) per dimer and to lead to the most stable atomic configurations. For half-monolayer coverages, relaxation energies are very large, and nondimerized structures are only slightly (0.03--0.05 eV per 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 cell) higher in energy. Asymmetric dimers were tested for As surfaces and found to be higher in energy than symmetric dimers. The stability of surfaces in equilibrium with Ga and As sources is considered and it is shown that the chemical potentials are restricted within limits set by the free energies of the elemental bulk phases of Ga and As. Ab initio calculations of these bulk energies at T=0 K determine the limiting chemical potentials and also the heat of formation, which we find to be 0.73 eV per GaAs pair, compared with the experimental value of 0.74 eV. Our calculations indicate that with excess bulk As available, a full monolayer coverage of As is energetically more favorable than a half-monolayer coverage, whereas with excess Ga available, the surface energy of full and half-monolayer coverages are nearly the same. To examine the effects of larger unit-cell dimensions on total energies, we rely on results from tight-binding calculations. For half-monolayer coverages, 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4 unit cells are found to have a significantly lower energy than 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 cells not because of a greater lattice relaxation but because of orbital rehybridization effects which are not possible in a smaller cell. The results of the ab initio and tight-binding calculations indicate that the optimal surface coverage for Ga- and As-terminated surfaces is less than a full monolayer.
THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUICIDE RATES IN AMERICAN CITIES IN 1930

Lester (1986) argued [based on the theory of Henry and Short (1984)l that, where the quality of life is better, people have less justification for blaming others for their misfortunes and so are more likely to become depressed and suicidal. H e has shown that both nations and states with a higher quality of life have higher suicide rates. The present note examines the association of the suicide rates of 68 major American cities from 1925 to 1929 (Dublin & Bunzel, 1933) with the quality of life in those cities in 1930 as rated by Thorndike (1976) based on a variety of social indcators, such as infants' death rate and expenditure on schools. The mean q u d t y of life was 38.4 (SD = 7.2) and the mean suicide rate was 16.2 per 100,000 per year (SD = 5.5) . The Pearson r between these two variables was 0.30 (one-tailed, p < .01), confirming Lester's earlier results of analyses for nations and American states.
A technique for the creation of long autogenous tissue arterial patches

An endarterectomized segment of an occluded artery (e.g. superficial femoral artery), is an alternative autogenous material for patch angioplasty which preserves the continuity of the saphenous vein. A technique of incising endarterectomized segments of superficial femoral artery in a spiraled manner is presented which allows for the creation of long autogenous tissue patches. A spiral is drawn on the exterior of a harvested arterial segment which is either 1 cm, 7 mm or 5 mm in width. When incised along the spiral, the length of the resulting elliptical patch will be two, three, or four times, respectively, the length of the original artery segment. The authors have used the technique to close extended profundoplasty in three patients and for construction of a patched distal anastomosis in two patients undergoing prosthetic femoropopliteal bypass grafting. There have been no early complications.
Design of Efficient Propulsion for Nanorobots

Due to the constraints imposed at low Reynolds number, the design of efficient propulsive systems for nanorobots has proven challenging. In this paper, an approach for the design of an efficient nanorobotic propulsive system was proposed. First, resistive force theory was used to develop a dynamic model for the propulsion of nanorobots, accounting for the fluid dynamics generated by the propeller (flagellum). Second, an optimal control problem was formulated and solved to balance the tradeoff between energy utilization and tracking efficiency. Finally, simulations were conducted to analyze the effect of different body to flagellum ratios (BFR) on propulsive efficiency. It was found that the optimal flexural rigidity of the nanorobot propeller was 5.8 × 10 -19 N·m 2 , within the range of sperm flagellum, 0.7 × 10 -19 -74.0 × 10 -19 N·m 2 . Simulations of multiple BFRs demonstrated that multipoint actuation of the nanopropeller was more efficient at BFRs of less than 1.0, while single actuation was only effective for nanorobots with a BFR >0.2. The results from this study could provide useful insights for the design of efficient nanorobotic propulsive systems, in terms of energy efficiency and trajectory tracking accuracy.
Effects of in vitro ozone exposure on peroxidative damage, membrane leakage, and taurine content of rat alveolar macrophages

Rat alveolar macrophages (AM) were isolated by pulmonary lavage, allowed to adhere to a tissue culture flask, and then exposed to 0.45 +/- 0.05 ppm ozone. After exposures ranging from 0 to 60 min, the medium was decanted and cells were harvested. Cells were assayed for oxidant damage and media analyzed for leakage of intracellular components. Increasing length of exposure to ozone resulted in a decreased number of adherent AM and decreased cell viability. Resting and zymosan-stimulated chemiluminescence increased immediately after ozone exposure and reached a maximum at 15-30 min, then declined to initial levels after 60 min of ozone exposure. Lipid peroxidation and leakage of protein and K+ ions increased with increasing length of exposure to ozone, while leakage of reduced and oxidized glutathione increased through 30 min, then declined (reduced) or leveled off (oxidized). Activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase decreased with time while intracellular taurine concentration exhibited an initial rise, peaked at 30 min, and then returned to the untreated level. Leakage of taurine into the medium increased with time of exposure, suggesting that exposure of AM to ozone results in a shift from bound to free intracellular taurine. These data indicate that in vitro exposure of AM to ozone results in a time-dependent alteration of cell function, membrane integrity, and viability.
"Life at Lake Home": An Ethnographic Performance in Six Voices; An Essay on Method, in Two

Debates about representational forms in qualitative research have tended either to celebrate or to condemn particular forms. Such an approach reifies the differences between various means of expression and diverts attention from the interpretive, political and pedagogic issues which, in my view, lend importance to representational choices. Here, I offer an experiential account of performing ethnography, based on my own field work. I discuss performance both as process and product, and find points of convergence between my goals as an ethnographer and the resources of performance. As process, performance encourages participants — performers and audience members alike — to articulate and reflect critically on cultural contexts and meanings; as product, performance models (in ways more difficult through writing) episodes of social life which, often, are the object of naturalistic inquiry.
Factors that affect compartmentalization and wound closure of Quercus rubra infested with Enaphalodes rufulus

The mechanisms by which hardwood trees resist invasion by native wood borers are still poorly understood. 2 We examined the importance of several host, herbivore and environmental variables in relation to Quercus rubra L., northern red oak, resistance to a native cerambycid, Enaphalodes rufulus (Haldeman) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), the red oak borer. 3 We employed tree-ring techniques to date and measure two indicators of host tree physical resistance, vertical lesion size and wound closure of scars left by larval galleries, within 107 Q. rubra hosts from eight sites within the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests of Arkansas. 4H ostQ. rubra decline status proved a valuable predictor of resistance, wherein healthy trees exhibited better compartmentalization capacity, as indicated by shorter lesions and faster wound closure, than declining trees and those that died during a recent E. rufulus outbreak. 5 Only healthy Q. rubra exhibited a significant declining lesion length trend from 1988 to 2006 and were likely able to re-allocate resources in favour of maintaining resistance as the feeding pressure from borers increased and then relaxed post- outbreak. 6 Variables related to borer feeding pressure consistently explained more variation in lesion length than host or environmental variables. Hosts were better able to compartmentalize injury from small, unsuccessful E. rufulus galleries than large, successful galleries from which larvae survived to adulthood. 7 Healthy Q. rubra, as survivors of the recent outbreak, were able to effectively tolerate feeding pressure from borers at the same time as sustaining growth and maintenance. Tolerance may be an important resistance mechanism for hardwood hosts against the native wood borers that attack them.
Solutions to the Variational Equations for Relative Motion of Satellites

The use of integrals of certain reference satellite motions has played an important role in many classical investigations. As a principal example, the solution to the two-body problem is the foundation of Lagrange's planetary equations. The two-body solution has also been used to find solutions that satisfy the associated linear differential "variational" equations that form the basis of certain guidance schemes without additional integration by expanding the solution about a nominal trajectory. These guidance equations have traditionally been written in a nonrotating coordinate system. Recently, solutions to the two-body (and the perturbed two-body) variational equations written in a rotating coordinate system have been found by linearizing solutions to nonlinear equations of relative motion obtained from the two two-body problem solutions. In those solutions, classical and modified orbital elements are varied. Here, the general problem of finding solutions to the variational equations of dynamical systems that are completely integrable is first considered. Then, an alternate solution for linear relative motion of a satellite with respect to another satellite moving in an elliptic orbit is obtained in the form of an analytical state transition matrix by varying the initial polar coordinates, the inclination, and the right ascension of the ascending node of the reference orbit in the analytical solution to the nonlinear equations. Only the inverse of a relatively simple matrix is required at initial time and the new transition matrix is valid for arbitrary elliptic orbits. Examples of relative motion, obtained by evaluating the analytical solution, are presented and are compared with numerical results.
Polarization of protons elastically scattered from beryllium

Abstract The polarization in proton elastic scattering from 9 Be was measured using the polarized beam from a tandem accelerator. Angular distributions of the polarization were measured at twelve energies between 3.0 and 12.0 MeV. An optical-model analysis was performed of the present polarization measurements and previously measured cross sections. The optical model was found to reproduce the data quantitatively only for incident proton energies above 9 MeV.
Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Career Indecision.

Although progress has been made in developing a more complete understanding of career indecision, there continues to be a need for a better diagnostic approach to career indecision.
Brief report: induction of sustained remission in recurrent catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome via inhibition of terminal complement with eculizumab.

Objective Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is characterized by histopathologic evidence of small vessel thrombosis, dysfunction of multiple organs occurring over a short period of time, and laboratory confirmation of the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Treatment of CAPS focuses on anticoagulation therapy and on removal of aPL that promote thrombosis by activating endothelial cells, monocytes, and platelets. Studies in animal models support the hypothesis that a more targeted intervention, such as complement inhibition, may be an effective means to prevent aPL-induced thrombosis. Herein we describe use of an inhibitor of complement activation to treat CAPS that was refractory to conventional therapy. Methods Our patient was a young man who had recurrent CAPS characterized by multiple arterial thromboses in large and small vessels despite maximal anticoagulation, immunosuppression, and plasma exchange therapy. We treated him with eculizumab, an anti-C5 monoclonal antibody that blocks activation of terminal complement. Results Administration of eculizumab, at doses that blocked complement activity, aborted acute progressive thrombotic events, reversed thrombocytopenia, and was associated with no further clinical episodes of thrombosis during >3 years of therapy. Conclusion This first report of the use and clinical efficacy of eculizumab, an inhibitor of complement activation, in the treatment of CAPS demonstrates both the importance of complement (specifically, terminal complement components) in the pathogenesis of CAPS and the therapeutic benefit of complement inactivation.
Delayed rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon after nonunion of a fracture of the dorsal radial tubercle

Several apparently conflicting mechanisms have been proposed to explain the seemingly spontaneous delayed rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon (EPL). The following case, the first of its kind of which we are aware, may help to clarify the relationships between these mechanisms. Traumatic hyperextension of a patient's wrist brought the styloid process of the third metacarpal into contact with Lister's tubercle, fracturing it. Chronic chafing of the EPL on the nonunited fracture's jagged surface seemed to cause its spontaneous rupture 18 months later. The long period between accident and rupture is evidence that rupture was not caused by crush injury. Because a fracture of Lister's tubercle will not normally be visible on radiographs, after accidents in which this may have occurred or when the EPL ruptures more than 3 months after injury, we recommend that special radiographs of Lister's tubercle be taken to determine if such a fracture exists.
The effect of a tailored message intervention on heart failure readmission rates, quality of life, and benefit and barrier beliefs in persons with heart failure.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a tailored message intervention on heart failure readmission rates, quality of life, and health beliefs in persons with heart failure (HF). Design This randomized control trial provided a tailored message intervention during hospitalization and 1 week and 1 month after discharge. Theoretic framework The organizing framework was the Health Belief Model. Subjects Seventy persons with a primary diagnosis of chronic HF were included in the study. Results HF readmission rates and quality of life did not significantly differ between the treatment and control groups. Health beliefs, except for benefits of medications, significantly changed from baseline in the treatment group in directions posited by the Health Belief Model. Conclusions A tailored message intervention changed the beliefs of the person with HF in regard to the benefits and barriers of taking medications, following a sodium-restricted diet, and self-monitoring for signs of fluid overload. Future research is needed to explore the effect of health belief changes on actual self-care behaviors.
An Overview of Therapeutic Positioning for Multiply-Handicapped Persons, Including Augmentative Communication Users

The body of literature related to adaptive equipment for positioning clients with neuro-musculoskeletal disorders has expanded slowly since the early 1970s. Much of this literature describes custom solutions to positioning problems for individual clients with cerebral palsy. Papers addressing the positioning needs for augmentative communication users remain sparse and superficial in scope. Furthermore, the literature on adaptive equipment solutions is substantially limited to clinicians' perceptions and theoretical premises of the effectiveness of positioning devices. Few formal studies of the effects of positioning have been reported, and none of the studies have addressed the relationship of body positioning to the use of augmentative communication devices. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature devoted to formal studies and guidelines for the use of therapeutic positioning for clients with multiple physical needs. Considerations for employing seating and positioning systems ...
A set of axioms for a value for partition function games

Myerson (1977) derived an efficient value for games in partition function form. In this paper, we present a set of axioms which characterize a different efficient value for such games. This latter value assigns value 0 to dummies and assigns nonnegative values to players in monotone simple games.
SERA: A hybrid scheduling framework for M2M transmission in cellular networks

Trends show that machine-to-machine (M2M) devices are going to grow by orders of magnitude, far surpassing the number of mobile devices. This unprecedented scale and the fact that M2M traffic typically consists of many small-sized transmissions make the data and signaling overhead of introducing M2M traffic into cellular networks a big concern. Fortunately, it is possible to exploit certain unique characteristics of M2M traffic, like periodicity and delay tolerance in its scheduling, to alleviate these concerns. In this paper, we propose SERA — a two-level Scheduled Randomization framework, which does precisely this, and efficiently integrates M2M traffic into cellular networks. Broadly, SERA consists of (i) a central controller that defines certain coarse-level transmission parameters to govern M2M traffic in the next scheduling period and (ii) a simple distributed randomized algorithm at each M2M device that governs fine-grained transmission decisions within the period. Using experiments and analyses, we show that compared to existing techniques for M2M traffic management, SERA can lower peak traffic load by 30–40%, bring down the total time spent under congestion by 30–40%, and that these gains are robust to errors in traffic prediction.
Adipose Tissue Branched Chain Amino Acid (BCAA) Metabolism Modulates Circulating BCAA Levels

Whereas the role of adipose tissue in glucose and lipid homeostasis is widely recognized, its role in systemic protein and amino acid metabolism is less well-appreciated. In vitro and ex vivo experiments suggest that adipose tissue can metabolize substantial amounts of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). However, the role of adipose tissue in regulating BCAA metabolism in vivo is controversial. Interest in the contribution of adipose tissue to BCAA metabolism has been renewed with recent observations demonstrating down-regulation of BCAA oxidation enzymes in adipose tissue in obese and insulin-resistant humans. Using gene set enrichment analysis, we observe alterations in adipose-tissue BCAA enzyme expression caused by adipose-selective genetic alterations in the GLUT4 glucose-transporter expression. We show that the rate of adipose tissue BCAA oxidation per mg of tissue from normal mice is higher than in skeletal muscle. In mice overexpressing GLUT4 specifically in adipose tissue, we observe coordinate down-regulation of BCAA metabolizing enzymes selectively in adipose tissue. This decreases BCAA oxidation rates in adipose tissue, but not in muscle, in association with increased circulating BCAA levels. To confirm the capacity of adipose tissue to modulate circulating BCAA levels in vivo, we demonstrate that transplantation of normal adipose tissue into mice that are globally defective in peripheral BCAA metabolism reduces circulating BCAA levels by 30% (fasting)-50% (fed state). These results demonstrate for the first time the capacity of adipose tissue to catabolize circulating BCAAs in vivo and that coordinate regulation of adipose-tissue BCAA enzymes may modulate circulating BCAA levels.
Subsecond magnetic resonance angiography and the evaluation of abnormal arteriovasuclar communications

Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography is becoming widely accepted in the diagnosis of vascular diseases. When used for evaluation of arterial stenoses, aneurysm, thrombosis, or occlusion, MR angiography is a robust and accurate technique. Traditional techniques for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) offer the benefit of high spatial resolution in characterizing vascular malformations, but have lacked the temporal resolution to describe dynamic flow events. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the potential role of a novel technique, sub-second MRA, in the evaluation of abdominal arteriovenous malformation.
Three-dimensional adaptive split-and-merge method for medical image segmentation

We have developed a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm using adaptive split- and-merge method. The framework of this method is based on a two-dimensional (2-D) split- and-merge scheme and the region homogeneity analysis. Hierarchical oct-tree is used as the basic data structure throughout the analysis, analogous to quad-tree in the 2-D case. A localized feature analysis and statistical tests are employed in the testing of region homogeneity. In feature analysis, standard deviation, gray-level contrast, likelihood ratio, and their corresponding co-occurrence matrix are computed. Histograms of the near-diagonal elements of the co-occurrence matrix are calculated. An optimal thresholding method is then applied to determine the desired threshold values. These values are then used as constraints in the tests, such that decision of splitting or merging can be made.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.