cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential relative increment (PRI): a new method to empirically derive optimal tree diameter growth

Potential relative increment (PRI) is a new method to derive optimal diameter growth equations using inventory information from a large public database. Optimal growth equations for 24 species were developed using plot and tree records from several states (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) of the north central US. Most species were represented by thousands of individuals measured across an extensive geographic region that presumably covered a large range of possible environmental conditions. Thus, it was assumed that the individuals growing at the highest rate for each diameter class represented a reasonable estimate of size-specific optimal growth. Comparison of PRI equations among several hardwood and conifer species of differing shade tolerance indicated that unique patterns of optimal diameter growth result. The PRI methodology is similar to other optimal growth models in both shape and trends of predicted growth, but is easier to calculate and offers more flexibility than many other designs.
Initiation of propagation in a one-dimensional excitable medium

Abstract This study examines the initiation of propagation in a one-dimensional fiber by local stimulation with a small electrode. The membrane dynamics is based on the generic FitzHugh-Nagumo model, reduced in a singular limit to a nonlinear heat equation. A steady-state solution of this nonlinear heat equation defines the critical nucleus, a time-independent distribution of potential that acts as a threshold for propagating wavefronts. The criterion for initiation of propagation from the initial conditions on potential is obtained by re-writing the nonlinear heat equation as a gradient flow of an energy and projecting this gradient flow onto an approximate solution space. Assuming that the evolving potential has a shape of a Gaussian pulse, the solution space consists of the amplitude of the pulse, a , and the inverse of its width, k . The evolution of the potential is visualized on the ( a , k ) phase plane in which the rest state is a stable node and the critical nucleus solution is a saddle point. The criterion for initiating propagation takes the form of a pair of separatrices that bisect all possible pulse widths. For a specific pulse width, the separatrices determine the minimum amplitude necessary to start propagation. Infinitely broad pulses (space-clamped fiber) require amplitude equal to the membrane excitation threshold. As the width of the pulse decreases, the requirement on the amplitude grows. In a limit of very narrow pulses, the pulse width and the amplitude are related by a linear relationship corresponding to a constant charge delivered by the pulse.
Protective immunity and vaccines to schistosomiasis

Human schistosomiasis is a major health problem in endemic areas and it is estimated that world-wide more than 200 million people are infected. Active infection, exposure to attenuated parasites, or appropriate immunization with parasite extracts or purified antigens can lead to partial protection against challenge infections. Studies of the humoral and cellular mechanisms responsible for these forms of resistance, and the definition, purification or production of recombinant moieties responsible for the induction of immunity are currently the focus of considerable research efforts.
Rapid Renal Function Deterioration: An Unusual Presentation of Coral Reef Plaque

Coral reef aorta is an uncommon variant of atherosclerotic disease. We report a rare presentation of rapid renal function deterioration in a patient with coral reef plaque protruding into the renal orifices without significant disease elsewhere. The patient was successfully treated with aorta endarterectomy, resulting in complete resolution of renal dysfunction. This case highlights the importance of prompt intervention for renal rescue.
Rates of carbonate bond formation: Implications for macrocyclization

High yields of cyclic oligomeric carbonates can be prepared using an amine-catalyzed reaction of bisphenol A–bischloroformate. We have studied the mechanistic aspets of this carbonate macrocyclization by the isolated study of key chemical events. Using stopped-flow FT-IR spectroscopy, we have found that the rate of carbonate formation between the intermediate acyl ammonium salt and 4-isopropylphenol is the same for the acyl ammonium salt derived from tri-n-butylamine, triethylamine and diethylmethylamine. Previously, we found that conversion of acyl ammonium salt to urethane was also insensitive to amine structure while the formation of acyl ammonium salt is profoundly dependent on amine structure. These results are consistent with a mechanism in which the selectivity toward macrocyclization versus linear oligomer or high polymer formation is related to acyl ammonium salt concentration.
Sedimentary pyrite formation: An update

Abstract Sedimentary pyrite formation during early diagenesis is a major process for controlling the oxygen level of the atmosphere and the sulfate concentration in seawater over geologic time. The amount of pyrite that may form in a sediment is limited by the rates of supply of decomposable organic matter, dissolved sulfate, and reactive detrital iron minerals. Organic matter appears to be the major control on pyrite formation in normal (non-euxinic) terrigenous marine sediments where dissolved sulfate and iron minerals are abundant. By contrast, pyrite formation in non-marine, freshwater sediments is severely limited by low concentrations of sulfate and this characteristic can be used to distinguish ancient organic-rich fresh water shales from marine shales. Under marine euxinic conditions sufficient H2S is produced that the dominant control on pyrite formation is the availability of reactive iron minerals. Calculations, based on a sulfur isotope model, indicate that over Phanerozoic time the worldwide average organic carbon-to-pyrite sulfur ratio of sedimentary rocks has varied considerably. High C S ratios during Permo-Carboniferous time can be explained by a shift of major organic deposition from the oceans to the land which resulted in the formation of vast coal swamps at that time. Low C S ratios, compared to today, during the early Paleozoic can be explained in terms of a greater abundance of euxinic basins combined with deposition of a more reactive type of organic matter in the remaining oxygenated portions of the ocean. The latter could have been due to lower oceanic oxygen levels and/or a lack of transportation of refractory terrestrial organic matter to the marine environment due to the absence of vascular land plants at that time.
Soluble proteins and multiple enzyme forms in early growth of wheat

Abstract Changes in the soluble proteins and enzymes of wheat ( Triticum aestivun L. ), var. Lee, in relation to germination and early plant development were studied. Extracts of dormant seed, germinated seed, etiolated coleoptile, and first green leaf were analyzed by polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis. Patterns of soluble proteins and the isoenzyme bands of the following enzymes were studied: glucose-6-phosphate, 6-phosphogluconate, malate, isocitrate, glutamate, and alcohol dehydrogenases; peroxidase; catalase; acid and alkaline phosphatases; esterase; and amylase. Photographs and densitometer tracings of gels showing changes during germination and growth are presented.
Nonlinear Analysis of Rail Vehicle Forced Lateral Response and Stability

The method of statistical linearization is presented as a design tool for rail vehicles that is capable of including fundamental nonlinearities such as wheel profile geometry and suspension nonlinearities. The method is capable of predicting the response of the vehicle to statistical track irregularities as well as the onset of hunting. The fundamentals of the method, and efficient frequency domain numerical algorithm for stationary response, and a design example are presented. The design example illustrates the influence of wheel profile, gage, track roughness, and suspension variations on vehicle response and stability.
Fine Mapping of the Chromosome 12 Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease Locus: Potential Genetic and Phenotypic Heterogeneity

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is the only confirmed susceptibility gene for late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD). In a recent genomic screen of 54 families with late-onset AD, we detected significant evidence for a second late-onset AD locus located on chromosome 12 between D12S373 and D12S390. Linkage to this region was strongest in 27 large families with at least one affected individual without an APOE-4 allele, suggesting that APOE and the chromosome 12 locus might have independent effects. We have since genotyped several additional markers across the region, to refine the linkage results. In analyzing these additional data, we have addressed the issue of heterogeneity in the data set by weighting results by clinical and neuropathologic features, sibship size, and APOE genotype. When considering all possible affected sib pairs (ASPs) per nuclear family, we obtained a peak maximum LOD score between D12S1057 and D12S1042. The magnitude and location of the maximum LOD score changed when different weighting schemes were used to control for the number of ASPs contributed by each nuclear family. Using the affected-relative-pair method implemented in GENEHUNTER-PLUS, we obtained a maximum LOD score between D12S398 and D12S1632, 25 cM from the original maximum LOD score. These results indicate that family size influences the location estimate for the chromosome 12 AD gene. The results of conditional linkage analysis by use of GENEHUNTER-PLUS indicated that evidence for linkage to chromosome 12 was stronger in families with affected individuals lacking an APOE-4 allele; much of this evidence came from families with affected individuals with neuropathologic diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Taken together, these results indicate that the chromosome 12 locus acts independently of APOE to increase the risk of late-onset familial AD and that it may be associated with the DLB variant of AD.
Quantitative determination of methylamines using microelectrodes.

Abstract A new method for measuring methylamino compounds such as choline, trimethylamine, trimethylamine-N-oxide, betaine, l -carnitine, and dimethylamine is described. A glass microelectrode is used to quantify methylamines in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10.0 m m . Rapid time response and a good sensitivity are maintained by the microelectrode even when measurements are performed in solutions having high ionic strength and low pH. These characteristics make this assay suitable for use with conventional column chromatographic techniques of separation for these methylamines.
On the theory of thermal density fluctuations in the glassy state: Application to poly(vinyl acetate)

A theory of the liquid state, suitably modified for the glass, contains a characteristic structure functionh, which represents a free volume fraction. As shown previously by means of experimental pressure-volume-temperature studies,h retains finite, nonvanishing temperature and pressure coefficients upon passing through the glass transition. These results are now employed to compute the mean-square thermal density fluctuations in poly(vinyl acetate). AboveT g , the result attests again to the satisfactory quantitative performance of the equilibrium theory. BelowT g , two glasses formed at low and elevated pressures, respectively, are considered under quasi-equilibrium conditions. The results show the anticipated initial accord with the approximation proposed by Fischer and Wendorff, involving the isothermal compressibility of the liquid atT g . The theory delineates the increasing departures with decreasing temperature observed in the literature. We comment finally on the trend of the fluctuations on approaching absolute zero. Explicit low temperature calculations remain to be undertaken.
THE INTERLEUKIN 1 RECEPTOR : LIGAND INTERACTIONS AND SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION

The interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor is a critical component in mediating the inflammatory responses of IL-1, which affect nearly every cell type. Recently, major inroads have been made toward understanding the mechanism by which IL-1 interacts with its receptor and activates signal transduction. The receptor-ligand association has been visualized by X-ray crystal structure analysis, revealing intimate details that distinguish IL-1beta from the naturally-occuring receptor antagonist. Signaling studies have focused primarily on the ability of IL-1 to transduce the activation of the transcription factor, NF-kappaB, which is of central importance to inflammatory and immune responses. Virtually all of the effort has targeted the activation of a kinase which results in the phosphorylation of the inhibitory IkappaB molecule at two serines that precedes the proteolytic degradation of this inhibitor and the release of active NF-kappaB. The recent characterization of an IL-1 receptor associated kinase (IRAK) and a continuous molecular path between this kinase and that which directly phosphorylates IkappaB would seem to all but close the basic understanding of IL-1 receptor signal transduction. However, at least half of the IL-1-dependent NF-kappaB activation is independent of IRAK and uses a novel pathway involving the recruitment of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) to a distinct site within the cytoplasmic domain of the IL-1 receptor. This novel pathway for NF-kappaB activation and the fact that other important transcription factors are also activated by an IL-1 receptor-dependent signal event, clearly defines additional mechanisms that influence inflammation.
A method for evaluating and selecting renewable and non-renewable energy technologies

This paper offers a simple method of evaluating the existing renewable and non-renewable energy technologies. The evaluation method is based on the weights given to the importance of six selection criteria: the economic viability; the conversion efficiency; the present level of the technological development; the environmental impacts; the after-production clean-up cost; the renewability and abundance of the source. This paper also outlines the main shortcomings of the energy technologies, based on which they are rated. These ratings together with the weights assigned to the selection criteria produce normalised scores for each technology which are then used for comparison. The existing energy technologies are evaluated from five different points of view, in which the importance of (the weights given to) the economic viability and the environmental impacts of the technologies are varied. The results show that in a society that assigns the highest importance to the economics of the energy production technologies, the non-renewable sources are the most attractive, but become less desirable, when the environmental impacts of the technologies are given any weight. In particular, even with a moderate weight (of two out of a maximum weight of four) given to the environmental impacts, the renewable technologies, especially solar thermal concentrator has become the technology of choice.
Survival experience in the breast cancer detection demonstration project

Very high survival rates have been observed in four through 11 years of follow-up in 4,240 women with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP). The relative five, eight, and 10-year survival rates were 88, 83, and 79 percent, respectively. Allowances were made for lead-time bias among cancers detected through screening, and the validity of the findings was supported by internal analyses, which showed that length-time bias was of little, if any, importance, and that any possible “overdiagnosis” of cancer cases was also of small relevance. In view of current interest in the value of screening women before age 50, intensive analyses were made comparing the BCDDP data for women in their 40s with women in their 50s. In terms of kinds of breast cancers found, modality of finding them, and survival rates once they have been found, the parallel results for the two groups show that screening was vitually as effective in the younger as in the older women. Some authorities are of the opinion that the benefits of mammography after age 50 are well documented, but at younger ages the evidence is still inconclusive. The findings in this study show there is no doubt of the very successful results of screening for breast cancer with mammography in younger as well as older women. In comparing relative five-year and eight-year survival rates for women with invasive breast cancers detected through screening in the BCDDP, with those for cases diagnosed in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (NCISEER) program from 1977 to 1982, it is seen that for individual subcategories by tumor size and nodal class, the survival rates are about the same. However, for overall invasive cancers, the five-year and eight-year survival rates were 87 and 81 percent, respectively, for the BCDDP, compared with 74 and 65 percent for SEER. Thus the substantial gains in survival followed the large shift toward a high proportion of cancers being diagnosed and treated in more favorable stages through the screening accomplishments. With respect to the relative case fatality rates, the complements of the relative survival rates, the eight-year rate of 19 percent for the BCDDP versus that of 35 percent for SEER connotes 46 percent fewer women dying in the BCDDP group.
Differential immunomodulation by anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies of anti-CD3-induced T cell activation: dependence upon the individual anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody used for activation.

Abstract Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) recognizing different CD2 epitopes each inhibited anti-CD3-induced proliferation and anti-CD3-induced increase in surface CD2 expression. The magnitude of inhibition by either anti-CD2 mAb was dependent upon which anti-CD3 mAb was used as the stimulus, being more pronounced when the anti-CD3 mAb 454 was used as the stimulus than when either anti-CD3 mAb 147 or 446 was the stimulus. The effects of neuraminidase-treated sheep erythrocytes (which bind to CD2) were also more pronounced on mAb 454-induced proliferation than on mAb 147- or 446-induced proliferation. Furthermore, the effects of preincubation with anti-CD2 mAb depended upon the responder status of the donor to IgG1 anti-CD3 mAb. Preincubation of high-responder cells with anti-CD2 mAb had little effect on subsequent IgG1 anti-CDS-induced proliferation. In contrast, preincubation of low-responder cells with anti-CD2 mAb usually augmented the otherwise small proliferative response to IgG1 anti-CD3 mAb. Taken together, these observations suggest that interaction of surface CD2 with ligand alters the response of T cells to anti-CD3 mAb, but these effects depend upon the individual anti-CD3 mAb used for stimulation. These studies raise the possibility that perturbation of different parts of the CD3-T cell antigen receptor complex may lead to different sequelae, and, as a result, the T cell may respond to a given immunomodulator in different ways.
Preparing Gender Inclusive Science Teachers: Suggestions from the Literature.

It is imperative that the education given to United States children include adequate science taught in a way that will encourage the retention of all students; however, as half the population is female and females are underrepresented in the fields of mathematics and science, it is especially important that females be encouraged in these areas. Teacher education has been challenged to develop programs that produce teachers who understand the need for equitable science classrooms and who have the skills necessary to produce them.
Anesthetic use in newborn infants: the urgent need for rigorous evaluation

Approximately 1.5 million neonates receive general anesthesia each year for a surgical procedure. Despite this being an essential practice, a number of recent studies now indicate that anesthetic exposure could cause toxicity and neuronal apoptosis in the developing brain. This could potentially influence long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, especially premature infants in need of multiple surgical procedures. Most anesthetic drugs routinely administered to neonates have not been adequately tested for safety or efficacy. Given the number of confounders, dosing is often extrapolated from adults. This is concerning since many different drugs can be administered concurrently, with few of these agents actually approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Since 1997, legislation has been passed in the United States and abroad encouraging more drug investigation in infants and children. This has resulted in over 500 labeling changes to products regarding safety and efficacy in various pediatric age groups. However, only three drugs routinely used as anesthetic agents in newborn infants have had any updated labeling (none in very premature infants). This “off-label” use without adequate testing must be addressed. Therefore, more clinical trials of common anesthetic agents used alone and in combination in neonates are urgently needed.
Projection photolithography by wave-front conjugation

Conjugate wave-front generation by degenerate four-wave mixing has been employed to project images with submicrometer features onto photoresist-coated substrates. The developed patterns demonstrate a resolution of >800 line pairs per millimeter for 413-nm illumination, consistent with theoretical expectations. The patterns are not degraded by speckle or edge enhancement, and the magnification is within 0.1% of unity. Focusing is accomplished by a novel interferometric procedure.
Novel Mechanism of Resistance to Folate Analogues: Ribonucleoside Diphosphate Reductase Deficiency in Bacteriophage T4

Some spontaneously occurring bacteriophage T4 mutants (far mutants) were able to form plaques in the presence of concentrations of folate analogues that completely inhibit plaque formation by wild-type phage T4. Some of these far mutants were shown to be ribonucleoside diphosphate (RDP) reductase (EC 1.17.4.1) deficient, and some independently isolated RDP reductase-deficient mutants (nrd mutants) were shown to be folate analogue resistant. The map positions of the RDP reductase-deficient far mutants were shown to be within the genes controlling the phage-induced RDP reductase activity.
Stability and quenching in high-temperature superconductors

Two experiments, both on stability and protection issues for high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, are described. Each experiment, with a silver-sheathed BiPbSrCaCuO(2223) tape test sample cooled by a cryocooler, covers the temperature range 20/spl sim/50 K in a zero magnetic field. In this paper, preliminary results on normal zone propagation are presented. Experiment 1 measures normal zone propagation in both longitudinal and transverse directions in a 3-layer test pancake coil; experiment 2 measures temperature distributions, both spatial and temporal, along a length of a conductor undergoing quenching in the longitudinal direction. These results are consistent with those of a simulation code. >
Introducing Liability Dollarization and Contractionary Depreciations to the IS Curve

This paper presents a simple modification to the standard IS curve used, at least implicitly, by policymakers that allows capital flight to have a contractionary effect in emerging market economies. In the standard model, capital flight leads to an expansionary shift in the IS curve through an increase in net exports. However, in the presence of liability dollarization for domestic firms, a currency depreciation triggered by capital flight leads to an investment collapse. A simple adjustment to the standard investment schedule captures this channel and allows for the possibility that capital flight yields a contractionary shift in the IS curve.
Diodes in CMOS for millimeter and sub-millimeter wave circuits

High volume millimeter wave applications are emerging. With the speed improvement of CMOS, sub-millimeter wave operation of CMOS circuits appears to be possible. in traditional millimeter and sub-millimeter wave systems, discrete Schottky diodes are widely utilized. This paper reviews the high frequency performance of junction and Schottky diodes fabricated in CMOS without any process modification, and circuits using the diodes, as well as suggesting approaches that can improve their performance.
Sensitivity of the sodium efflux in single barnacle muscle fibers to the microinjection of aluminum.

Abstract A study has been made of the behavior of the Na efflux in single muscle fibers from the barnacle, Balanus nubilus , toward the microinjection of AlCl 3 . The effect of microinjecting AlCl 3 is either biphasic with inhibition following transitory stimulation, or monophasic with inhibition occurring promptly and taking about 1 hr to reach a maximum. The magnitude of the inhibition is dose dependent and the minimally effective concentration is 10 m m . This is diluted by the myoplasm by a factor of roughly 100. Fibers injected with 1 m AlCl 3 are found to be insensitive to 10 −4 m ouabain, whereas fibers injected with 0.5 m AlCl 3 show a further fall in Na efflux, which is smaller than that seen in control fibers. The response of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux to the injection of 0.5 m AlCl 3 is biphasic: stimulation is followed by inhibition. The stimulatory phase is largely dependent on the presence of external Ca 2+ and is reversed by the sudden omission of Ca 2+ from the bathing medium. Fibers also injected with 0.5 m AlCl 3 show a marked reduction in the response of the Na efflux to high external K. Injection of ATPMg before or after the injection of AlCl 3 fails in most instances to abolish or reverse the inhibitory effect. By contrast, fibers preinjected with deferoxamine show little or no effect following the injection of AlCl 3 . However, external application of deferoxamine is ineffective.
Science and strategy for preventing and managing corneal ulceration.

Abstract Corneal ulcers can cause significant loss of vision from scarring and astigmatism, but rapid management can limit the destruction and improve outcomes. Infectious ulcers usually resolve with antimicrobial treatment. Noninfectious ulcers, however, present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. They can often be resolved by eliminating toxic medications and providing surface support with lubrication and collagenase inhibitors, but resistant ulcers may need more aggressive therapy with bandage contact lenses, tarsorrhaphy, or autologous serum. Ulcers impending perforation require urgent surgical management (e.g., tissue glue, conjunctival flaps, or keratoplasty). Topical steroids are useful when the ulceration is secondary to inflammatory mediators, but they are contraindicated in corneal melts with minimal inflammation, such as those associated with Sjogren syndrome. Systemic immunomodulation is required in addition to topical therapy in the presence of autoimmune disease. Understanding of the pathological processes that occur in different types of corneal ulcers is essential to formulation of a logical and effective treatment plan. Newer, more targeted treatment modalities may offer treatment options that have greater efficacy and fewer adverse effects.
Empirical Evaluation of the Utility and Effectiveness of Clinically Flexible Application in Evidence-Based Treatments

A common criticism of the adoption and use of empirically supported treatments is their perceived lack of applicability to complex individual cases. For example, some individual clients present with multiple problems, comorbid conditions, or respond poorly to the best available psychological treatment. An ongoing dilemma for scientifically-minded clinicians in such situations is whether and how best to proceed with deviations from manualized treatments. Conscientious clinical scientists may be reluctant to deviate from protocol without some means of assessing whether outcome will be better or worse than proceeding with the protocol. Some clinicians may abandon the protocol and the principles on which it is based, and proceed as guided by clinical judgments based on recollections of similar cases and roadblocks. How does the conscientious clinical scientist evaluate whether deviations from treatment protocol enhance or degrade outcome? I will discuss the relative merits and possibilities of the Polaris-MH-data-informed approach provided by Grissom and Lyons (2006), with attention to (a) its potential for providing evidence-based feedback to clinician and client, and (b) how it might be particularly useful in the context of empirically-supported treatments. I will also propose principles for how clinicians can use evidence from relevant literature to inform and evaluate the utility of deviations from protocol.
Imaging of lipoma of the corpus callosum and intracranial dermoids in the Goldenhar syndrome.

With increased frequency, lipoma of the corpus callosum and intracranial dermoids have been recognized to be associated with oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia (Goldenhar syndrome) [1-5]. We report an additional case of lipoma of the corpus caltosum in a newborn with Goldenhar syndrome. Sonographic, roentgenographic and computertomographic (CT) features of these intracranial lesions are discussed and the literature is reviewed.
Crystal structure of a covalent intermediate in DNA cleavage and rejoining by Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I

DNA topoisomerases control DNA topology by breaking and rejoining DNA strands via covalent complexes with cleaved DNA substrate as catalytic intermediates. Here we report the structure of Escherichia coli topoisomerase I catalytic domain (residues 2-695) in covalent complex with a cleaved single-stranded oligonucleotide substrate, refined to 2.3-A resolution. The enzyme-substrate intermediate formed after strand cleavage was captured due to the presence of the D111N mutation. This structure of the covalent topoisomerase-DNA intermediate, previously elusive for type IA topoisomerases, shows distinct conformational changes from the structure of the enzyme without bound DNA and provides detailed understanding of the covalent catalysis required for strand cleavage to take place. The portion of cleaved DNA 5' to the site of cleavage is anchored tightly with extensive noncovalent protein-DNA interactions as predicted by the "enzyme-bridged" model. Distortion of the scissile strand at the -4 position 5' to the cleavage site allows specific selectivity of a cytosine base in the binding pocket. Many antibacterial and anticancer drugs initiate cell killing by trapping the covalent complexes formed by topoisomerases. We have demonstrated in previous mutagenesis studies that accumulation of the covalent complex of bacterial topoisomerase I is bactericidal. This structure of the covalent intermediate provides the basis for the design of novel antibiotics that can trap the enzyme after formation of the covalent complex.
Continuous-flow ventricular assist device exchange is safe and effective in prolonging support time in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Objective Although the development of continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (CF-VAD) has improved the reliability of these devices, VAD exchange is still occasionally necessary. The focus of this study was to analyze our institution's entire experience with primary CF-VAD implants, evaluate the baseline variables, determine which factors predict the need for exchange, and evaluate the impact of exchange on survival and event-free survival. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients in a single center who received a primary CF-VAD implant between December 1999 and December 2013. All CF-VAD exchanges were reviewed; demographics, indications, preoperative and operative data, and clinical outcomes were summarized. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to ascertain predictors for exchange. Time-to-event and survival analyses were also performed. Results We identified 469 patients who underwent 546 CF-VAD implantations. Of these patients, 66 (14%) underwent 77 exchanges from one CF-VAD to another. The primary indications included hemolysis or thrombosis (n = 49; 63.6%), infection (n = 9; 11.7%), or other causes (n = 19; 24.7%). Survival was not significantly different between the exchange and nonexchange groups. Multivariable regression analysis identified a history of cerebrovascular events as a significant predictor for exchange. Among exchange patients, 11 underwent heart transplantation, 3 had their CF-VADs explanted, 26 had ongoing support, and 26 died during device support. Conclusions In our series of contemporary CF-VAD exchanges, a history of previous cerebrovascular events was a significant predictor for exchange. Exchange did not affect early or late survival. Our data suggest that aggressive surgical treatment of pump-related complications with exchange is safe and justified.
Influence of nanoscale Cu precipitates in α -Fe on dislocation core structure and strengthening

Atomistic simulations of the interaction of a screw dislocation in $\ensuremath{\alpha}\text{-Fe}$ with different size bcc Cu precipitates suggest two plausible strengthening mechanisms. For precipitate diameters in the range $1.5\text{ }\text{nm}\ensuremath{\le}d\ensuremath{\le}3.3\text{ }\text{nm}$, the dislocation core structure within the Cu precipitate undergoes a polarized to nonpolarized transformation, leading to the dislocation pinning at the precipitate-matrix interface and the bowing out of the dislocation line. The calculated bow-out angle and resolved shear stress required to detach the dislocation from the precipitate are in agreement with recent experiments. The structural transition of larger $(d\ensuremath{\ge}3.3\text{ }\text{nm})$ Cu precipitates under high shear stress is responsible for the loss of slip systems and hence for dislocation pinning.
SU‐GG‐J‐30: A Novel Scatter Reduction and Correction Method to Improve Cone‐Beam CT (CBCT) Image Quality

Purpose: To develop a novel scatter reduction and correction method to improve the CBCTimage quality for IGRT applications. Method and Materials: A one‐dimensional grid composed of lead with equal interspacing was positioned between the x‐ray source and the imaging object during CBCT acquisition. The grid provides direct scatter reduction by blocking half of the beams. Partial image data were obtained from the grid inter‐space (unblocked) region while scatter was measured from the blocked region beneath the grid in the projection images. Scatter was corrected by subtracting the measured scatter from the original projection image. Information in the penumbra region of each grid septa was derived. Three modes were developed to reconstruct full CBCTimages from partially blocked projections. In single rotation axial mode, interpolation was used to fill in the missing data in the half‐fan projections. In dual rotation mode, two‐rotation half‐fan scans were acquired with the grid offset by half a grid cycle, and complimentary projections were merged to form complete projections for reconstruction. In single rotation helical mode, one‐rotation full‐fan scan was acquired with the grid offset by half a grid cycle at the scan center. Both CatPhan and anthropomorphic pelvis phantoms were used to evaluate the method. Results: In the CatPhan study, CNR was improved using our approach from 4.3 to 6.4 in comparison to conventional CBCT, and CT‐number linearity correlation coefficient increased from 0.88 to 0.998. Scatter induced streak artifacts were significantly reduced. In the pelvis phantom study, complete sets of CBCTimages were reconstructed and scatter related artifacts were significantly reduced in all three modes. Conclusion: Our method enhances CNR and provides much more accurate measurement of scatter with reduced or equivalent dose to conventional CBCT. Scatter‐related artifacts are substantially reduced, and the CBCTimages generated are of appropriate quality for adaptive radiation therapy.
Comment on "Ground state properties of a spin-1 antiferromagnetic chain"

Botet and Jullien [Phys. Rev. B 27, 613 (1983)] and Botet, Jullien, and Kolb [Phys. Rev. B 28, 3914 (1983)] performed a finite-size scaling analysis of the spin-1 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg-Ising chain. Their work was criticized by Bonner and M\"uller [Phys. Rev. B 29, 5216 (1984)] on the grounds that a similar analysis for spin \textonehalf{} yields misleading results. In the present work, we show that the plane-rotator version of spin-1 chain has some features similar to that obtained by Botet et al., although, unfortunately, our model can be solved analytically only over a restricted set of the parameters, and thus does not unambiguously confirm their results. The need for further studies is emphasized.
Scheduling for charging plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

We construct a dynamic stochastic model to study the scheduling problem for battery charging of multiple (possibly a large number of) PHEVs. Our model incorporates the stochasticity in future PHEV arrival process and future renewable generation. The objective of scheduling is to maximize the overall social welfare, which is derived from total customer utility, the electricity cost associated with PHEV charging, and the non-completion penalty for not satisfying PHEVs' charging requests. Through a dynamic programming formulation, we show the Less Laxity and Longer remaining Processing time (LLLP) principle: priority should be given to vehicles that have less laxity and longer remaining processing times, if the non-completion penalty (as a function of the additional time needed to fulfill the unsatisfied charging request) is convex. We introduce various forms of improved polices generated from a given heuristic policy according to the LLLP principle, and show that these improved polices can only improve social welfare, compared to the original heuristic.
Resin adhesive systems: in vitro evaluation of dentin bond strength and marginal microleakage.

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate adhesive bonding and marginal microleakage of ten commercially available adhesive restorative systems. Shear bond strength to dentin ranged from 1.7 to 13.4 MPa. Restoration margins in enamel showed significantly less microleakage than dentin-cementum margins.
Effects of perinatal methylphenidate (MPH) treatment in male and female Sprague-Dawley offspring.

Abstract MPH is a common treatment for adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, little information exists regarding its safety during pregnancy and thus, women with ADHD face difficult decisions regarding continued use during pregnancy. Here, Sprague–Dawley rats were orally treated 3 ×/day with 0 (control), 6 (low), 18 (mid), or 42 (high) mg MPH/kg/day (i.e., 0, 2, 6, or 14 mg/kg at each treatment time) on gestational days 6–21. On postnatal days (PNDs) 1–21, all offspring/litter were orally treated 2 ×/day with the same dose. Righting reflex (PNDs 3–6) and slant board performance (PNDs 8–11) were assessed. T3, T4, E2, testosterone, LH and corticosterone were measured at PND 22. Separate pregnant dams and resulting litters were used for serum MPH measurements. MPH treatment had mild, but significant, effects on gestational body weight and food intake. Birth weight of high MPH offspring was 5% more than controls (p
Full-range Fourier domain optical coherence tomography imaging probe with a magnetic-driven resonant fiber cantilever

In this work, we developed a full-range Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) imaging probe with a magnetic-driven resonant fiber cantilever. A galvanometer-driven reference mirror provides a linear phase modulation to each M-scan/B-scan frame to enable complex conjugate-free, full-range FD-OCT imaging. A fiber cantilever inside the probe is driven by a low-voltage miniature magnetic transducer. The fiber cantilever scans at its resonant frequency synchronized to the phase modulation induced by the reference mirror. Using a CCD line-scan camera-based spectrometer, we demonstrated real-time full-range FD-OCT at 34 frame/s (1024 pixel lateral × 2048 pixel axial).
Referrals to the Washoe County Mental Health Court

This study examined the demographic, mental health, and criminal characteristics of 1,220 referrals to the Washoe County mental health court over a three-year period in order to determine which characteristics were associated with acceptance into the court. Results indicated that those with a thought disorder, a mood disorder, a felony index charge, and a misdemeanor index charge were significantly more likely to be accepted into the mental health court and those with a crime against a person, a crime against the community, and males were significantly less likely to be accepted into the court. A violent current crime and/or criminal history were also associated with rejection from the mental health court. These results have important policy implications for those who are referred to the court but who receive another disposition of their case and for those with violent crimes or criminal histories who are rejected by the court. This research is limited by its focus on one mental health court but does help...
Preventing Stalled Quality Improvement Teams: A Written Test of Project Selection ability

Organizations which use quality improvement teams (QITs) in total quality management (TQM) can benefit from training the team personnel in how to select projects with a low risk of stalling. Projects with a high risk of stalling have typical shortcomings, including: failure to focus on a finite or observable process, failure to select a project within the team's authority and resources, and failure to establish importance related to key customers' needs. Training sessions on how to select viable projects may be warranted because stalled teams set a negative example and discourage potential TQM participants. If the organization institutes training on project selection, however, the cost should be justified through systematic evaluation of the training's impact. Designed for those who conduct evaluations of training sessions, this paper demonstrates an efficient written assessment test of project selection ability. The test requires judgments on the suitability of various projects derived from field interviews about projects which were selected by teams which stalled. Testing with a sample of novice and expert quality team leaders shows that the test is sensitive to differences in skills and could thus be used to document the effect of training on students' ability to select projects.
The radioactivity of rocks

Our knowledge of the physics of the Earth's interior is seriously limited by the extremely restricted range, both of depth and of time, for which direct evidence is available. In addition, the Earth's surface is far from homogeneous and reliable mean values of its physical properties can be obtained only by extensive sampling and measurement. The internal heat of the Earth is one of the features that has received considerable study and about which there has been an even greater amount of speculation. This heat has been credited with supplying the bulk, of the energy required in volcanism, petrogenesis, diastrophism, convection-currents, and continental drift.
Sideband noise of a large phase carrier in interferometric sensors

Interferometric sensors using balanced detectors and phase stabilisation schemes remain susceptible to laser intensity noise if phase carrier techniques are employed. An intensity stability of 4 × 10−6 is required for the low-frequency side-band noise to be equivalent to microradian phase shift sensitivity if the phase carrier has a peak phase shift of π/2 rad.
Effect of inflation on interstitial cuff and pressure in liquid-filled rabbit lung.

Abstract Degassed rabbit lungs were inflated to 15 cmH2O pressure with 3% albumin solution. To study cuff growth, lungs were frozen in liquid N2 at several (20–120 min) inflation times. Cuff-to-vessel area ratio measured from frozen lung pieces increased with time reaching a maximum value (0.5–0.9) by 1 h. Time constants (to) of cuff growth were similar to those (28 min) of the interstitial pressure (Pi) response measured by micropuncture at the lung hilum. Pi response was slower with saline (to = 84 min) than with albumin. Compared to saline, positively charged protamine sulphate increased the Pi response (to = 44 min). Time constants for cuff growth and Pi response were smaller at 15 cmH2O than at 5 cmH2O inflation pressure (30 vs. 60–120 min). Electrical analog models indicated a doubling of interstitial resistance with a four-to eight-fold decrease in interstitial specific compliance at the higher inflation pressure, the latter attributed to nonlinear elastic behavior of lung parenchyma.
Hepatitis B infection in patients with acute liver failure in the United States

Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been reported in 30% to 50% of patients with acute liver failure (ALF) in small case series. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection in a large series of ALF patients in the United States and the prevalence of precore and core promoter variants in patients with ALF caused by hepatitis B. Sera from patients in the US ALF study and liver, when available, were tested using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers in the HBV S and precore regions. PCR-positive samples were sequenced. Sera and/or liver from 139 patients (39 males, 100 females; mean age, 42 years) enrolled between January 1998 and December 1999 were studied. Twelve patients were diagnosed with hepatitis B, 1 with hepatitis B+C+D coinfection, and 22 had indeterminate etiology. HBV DNA was detected in the sera of 9 (6%) patients; all 9 had ALF caused by hepatitis B. HBV genotypes A, B, C, and D were present in 4, 3, 1, and 1 patients, respectively. Seven of these 9 patients had precore and/or core promoter variants. Liver from 19 patients were examined. HBV DNA was detected in the liver of 3 patients with ALF caused by hepatitis B, but in none of the remaining 16 patients with non-B ALF. Contrary to earlier reports, occult HBV infection was not present in this large series of ALF patients in the United States. HBV precore and/or core promoter variants were common among US patients with ALF caused by hepatitis B.
Microstructure and tensile properties of compacted, mechanically alloyed, nanocrystalline Fe-AI

Data on mechanical properties of nanocrystalline materials have been limited, due in part to the difficulty in producing consolidated nanocrystalline materials of sufficient quantity for characterization and evaluation. A second problem is consolidation and retention of the nanostructure. A vacuum hot-pressing consolidation program has been developed to produce full-dense compacts from attrition milled, mechanically alloyed, nanograin micron-size particles of Fe-2 wt pet Al powder. The resulting compacts were of sufficient size to allow evaluation of microstructure, density, hardness, and tensile properties. The compacted microstructure was a composite of pure iron submicrograins and Fe-A1 nanograin clusters. Tensile strength was found to be proportional to the sample’s density squared. For full-dense compacts, tensile strength of nanocrystalline compacts approaching 1 GPa was obtained.