cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical Outcomes of Patients with HIV Undergoing Lead Extraction for Infectious and Noninfectious Indications.

Background With the increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV+) patients in the United States, and the association between HIV and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the use of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) in patients with HIV has become more common. With the increasing incidence of device-related complications, lead extraction is becoming a topic of importance in this population. As the use of implantable devices increases in the HIV+ population, complications are to be expected; therefore, lead extraction in the HIV population must be addressed. Methods From January 2004 to May 2013, 1,018 patients requiring lead extraction were referred to a single, high-volume tertiary cardiovascular center. Within this group of patients, 10 were HIV+. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of this cohort and reported clinical variables of interest. Results Infection was the most common indication for lead extraction and device removal. Four patients were in advanced heart failure, and the overall average ejection fraction of the sample population was 32.7 ± 16.3%. In addition, the majority of patients had one or more medical comorbidities. Devices removed, in order of frequency, were implantable cardioverter defibrillators, permanent pacemakers, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. On average, 35.6 ± 41.6 months elapsed from implantation of the oldest lead to the date of extraction. There were no major or minor complications and all procedures were clinically successful. Conclusions Laser lead extraction is both safe and effective in patients with HIV. This study sets a level of clinical precedent regarding the management of CIED infection or malfunction in patients with HIV.
Physical Mapping of the 5S rRNA Multigene Family in Common Wheat

In situ hybridization in conjunction with deletion mapping was used to physically map the 5S rRNA multigene family in Triticum aestivum L. cv. «Chinese Spring». Twelve 5S rRNA loci were mapped on chromosomes of homoeologous group 1 (arms 1AS, 1BS, and 1DS) and group 5 (arms 5AS, 5BS, and 5DS)
Superheated drop detector for determination of neutron dose equivalent to patients undergoing high‐energy x‐ray and electron radiotherapy

The superheated drop detector (SDD) consists of thousands of superheated drops dispersed in a small vial of gel, which vaporize upon exposure to high LET radiation, thereby providing a directly observable indication of neutrondose. This detector possesses high sensitivity to neutrons and insensitivity to high‐energy photons and electrons, making it suitable for the determination of neutrondose equivalent rates around high‐energy photon and electron radiotherapybeams. In the present work, the SDD was used to measure the neutrondose equivalent in and around the radiotherapybeams produced by a 32‐MeV linear accelerator. For both x‐ray and electron beams, the neutrondose profiles were observed to follow the photon/electron radiotherapybeam profiles. For 25‐MV x rays, the neutrondose equivalent per photondose on the central axis increased by a factor of about 3 as field size increased from 5×5 to 30×30 cm. However, the neutrondose equivalent rate at 50 cm off‐axis in the patient plane was essentially independent of field size. The neutrondose equivalent per electron dose was essentially zero for electron beams with energies below 15 MeV, but increased rapidly above 15 MeV. For 25‐MeV electrons, neutrondose equivalent on the central axis was about 1 5 that for 25‐MV x rays. Analogous to the data for 25‐MV x rays, the neutrondose equivalent rate on the central axis of a 25‐MeV electron beam exhibited a similar field size dependence and outside the beam it was essentially independent of field size. Compared with P2O5 phosphorous activation detector data [Med. Phys. 7, 545–548 (1980)], the SDD neutrondose equivalent rate reading is about 20% higher on the central axis of a 25‐MV x‐ray beam. At points off‐axis in the patient plane, agreement between SDDs and phosphorous activation detectors is excellent. The SDD provides an easy‐to‐use and accurate method for the determination of neutrondose in the presence of high‐energy photons and electrons generated by medical accelerators.
Single priming dose of meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine (NeisVac-C®) in infants

Since the introduction of the meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine in the pediatric population in 1999, numerous clinical studies have confirmed the immunogenicity and safety of the NeisVac-C(®) vaccine, and several have observed a strong immune response after a single priming dose, which could be successfully boosted. Maximizing protection of infants with as few vaccine doses as possible would increase the general acceptability of the immunization strategies and support broader coverage without increasing vaccination costs. This was a randomized feasibility study of a single priming NeisVac-C(®) vaccine dose administered at 4 or 6 months of age, compared to the currently licensed two dose priming at 2 and 4 months of age, followed by a booster vaccination at 12-13 months of age. High seroprotection rates and serum bactericidal antibody (rSBA) titers were observed in all study groups, whether a single or two dose priming vaccination was administered, at all time points investigated: one month after the priming vaccination(s) (>99% of subjects rSBA≥8), prior to booster vaccination (>65% of subjects with rSBA≥8, with the lowest titers and GMTs seen in the two dose priming group), as well as after booster vaccination administration (99% with rSBA≥128 in all three study groups, with the highest GMT of 2472 seen in the 4 month single dose group). This study confirmed trends seen in previous reports that a single-dose priming vaccination at 4 or 6 months of age can be considered a valuable alternative to the currently licensed two-dose priming vaccination schedule.
The locations of newly formed stars in molecular clouds

Observations of very massive stars (M≥10M⊙) are suggestive of a star formation process which requires an external trigger. However, observations pertaining to the formation of stars of lower mass (M≤9M⊙) require no such triggering mechanism and are consistent with the idea that such stars form as a natural consequence of the evolution, gravitational collapse and fragmentation of a proto-stellar molecular cloud.
On diffusional control in the disc fermenter

Operation of the disc fermenter involves growth of a microbial film on a solid support surface. Substrates which diffuse through the film for consumption, may become limiting. A criterion for the prediction of diffusional effects is applied to recent data, and indicates the presence of severe intra-film gradients.
An Efficient and Optimal Filter for Identifying Point Sources in Millimeter/Sub-Millimeter Wavelength Sky Maps

A new technique for reliably identifying point sources in millimeter/sub-millimeter wavelength maps is presented. This method accounts for the frequency dependence of noise in the Fourier domain as well as non-uniformities in the coverage of a field. This optimal filter is an improvement over commonly-used matched filters that ignore coverage gradients. Treating noise variations in the Fourier domain as well as map space is traditionally viewed as a computationally intensive problem. We show that the penalty incurred in terms of computing time is quite small due to casting many of the calculations in terms of FFTs and exploiting the absence of sharp features in the noise spectra of observations. Practical aspects of implementing the optimal filter are presented in the context of data from the AzTEC bolometer camera. The advantages of using the new filter over the standard matched filter are also addressed in terms of a typical AzTEC map.
Tone generation on a hydrofoil of a high-speed ship

Experimental results of hydrofoil singing on a full-scale passenger ship are reported. It is proposed that hydrodynamic generation of a tone is caused by self-excited oscillation of a foil trailing edge. The natural frequency of the vibrating structure as well as the frequency of the external force are estimated. A lift-oscillator model is applied for modeling purposes. One effective method of eliminating the hydrofoil singing is discussed.
An organizational strategy to improve adolescent measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in a low socioeconomic population. A method to reduce missed opportunities.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a clinical organization strategy can improve measles-mumps-rubella vaccination rates in adolescents by reducing missed opportunities. DESIGN Nonequivalent control group design with a treatment clinic and a comparison clinic. Measurements were made for 8 months before intervention and for 9 months after intervention. SETTING Two urban family practice clinics serving a low socioeconomic population. POPULATION All clinic visits by adolescents aged 11 to 18 years. INTERVENTION A clinic organizational strategy that systematically identified and vaccinated adolescents seen in the clinic for any reason. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Two vaccination indexes were measured monthly at each clinic: the percentage of eligible visits at which measles-mumps-rubella vaccination was given and the percentage of visits that were up to date, with adolescents having received the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine at that visit or at a previous visit. RESULTS The intervention resulted in a significant increase at the treatment clinic in the mean percentage of vaccinations given (from 7.8% to 17.4%) (Student's t = 3.02; P = .0087) and the mean percentage of up-to-date visits (from 17.2% to 38.6%) (t = 8.33; P < .0001). During the same period, there was no significant change in the mean vaccination rates in the comparison clinic. CONCLUSIONS An organizational strategy appears to be a useful method to reduce missed opportunities and improve measles-mumps-rubella vaccination rates in adolescents from a low socioeconomic population.
Gate voltage dependent resistance of a single organic semiconductor grain boundary

Conducting probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM) was used to examine electrical transport through an individual grain boundary (GB) in the organic semiconductor sexithiophene (6T, Egap ∼ 2.3 eV). The sample consisted of a pair of grains grown by vapor deposition onto an SiO2/Si substrate. A variable channel length transistor was constructed using a microfabricated Au electrode contacting one grain, a Au-coated AFM tip as a positionable electrode, and the doped Si substrate as a gate. The GB resistance was found to be gate voltage dependent and large, on the order of 109−1010 Ω for a 1 μm boundary length. Resistances across single 6T grains were an order of magnitude lower. The results indicate that GBs can be the principal bottleneck to charge transport in polycrystalline organic semiconductor films, particularly at low gate fields, consistent with a recent model that proposes potential barriers exist between grains. We estimate the GB barrier height to be on the order of 100 meV.
Effectiveness of multidose antenatal steroids

Abstract Objective: To compare effectiveness between single and multiple courses of antenatal steroids in preterm births and determine adverse effects attributable to multiple courses. Methods: We studied retrospectively the neonatal outcomes of infants who weighed 1750 g or less at birth between January 1990 and December 1997. Infants exposed to a single course were compared with those exposed to two or more courses of antenatal steroids, with respect to various perinatal outcome variables. Results: Ninety-three neonates were exposed to two or more courses of antenatal steroids and 261 neonates had been given single courses. The mean (± standard deviation) gestational age (29.6 ± 2.8 weeks compared with 28.7 ± 2.7 weeks; P = .007) and birth weight (1252 ± 321 g compared with 1159 ± 339 g; P = .013) were significantly higher among neonates exposed to multiple courses. There were no significant differences between groups in perinatal outcomes; however, those exposed to multiple courses had a significantly lower rate of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (17 [18%] compared with 107 [41%]; P ≤ .001) and surfactant use (40 [43%] compared with 149 [57%]; P = .02). Adjusting for confounding variables, multiple courses of steroids were significantly associated with a 65% reduction in the incidence of RDS (odds ratio 0.35; 95% confidence interval = 0.18, 0.70; P = .003). Conclusion: Compared with single courses, multiple courses of antenatal steroids reduced significantly the incidence of RDS with no apparent increase in neonatal sepsis or disturbances in fetal growth.
Invited Commentary: Surveilling Surveillance—Some Statistical Comments

I congratulate Kleinman et al. (1) on their thoughtful application of generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to disease surveillance in space and time. In this commentary, I amplify some appealing features of the approach, provide an overview of data issues that may affect the field performance of a surveillance system based on such a method, and discuss several technical issues.
1188 COMPLICATIONS OF DIETARY TREATMENT OF TYROSINEMIA

Tyrosinemia was diagnosed in an 8 month old white male infant with liver disease based on: plasma tyrosine(TYR) >6 times normal, high α-fetoprotein(αFP) and liver biopsy findings of post necrotic cirrhosis with fatty change and moderate parenchymal siderosis. Within 3 days of institution of the recommended 3200 AB formula, TYR decreased to normal but plasma methionine(MET) increased 16 times normal. Concornittant with elevation in MET was worsening of liver disease with severe cholestasis as evidenced by marked elevations of serum bile acids(SBA) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT) with a mild increase in transaminase(ALT). This resolved when dietary MET content was decreased and MET became normal. αFP however, considered a marker of hepatic regeneration following hepatocellular necrosis, did not increase further during this episode. This suggests 1) High MET may be as important as high TYR in the liver disease associated with Tyrosinemia; 2) Effect of high MET appeared to be cholestatic rather than hepatocellular injury. This suggests caution in using the low TYR, high MET formula designed for dietary management of this disease.
Breathing interplay effects during proton beam scanning: simulation and statistical analysis.

Treatment delivery with active beam scanning in proton radiation therapy introduces the problem of interplay effects when pencil beam motion occurs on a similar time scale as intra-fractional tumor motion. In situations where fractionation may not provide enough repetition to blur the effects of interplay, repeated delivery or 'repainting' of each field several times within a fraction has been suggested. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effectiveness of different repainting strategies in proton beam scanning. To assess the dosimetric impact of interplay effects, we performed a series of simulations considering the following parameters: tumor motion amplitude, breathing period, asymmetry in the motion trajectory for the target and time required to change the beam energy for the delivery system. Several repainting strategies were compared in terms of potential vulnerability to a dose delivery error. Breathing motion perpendicular to the beam direction (representing superior–inferior type tumor motion in patients) was considered and modeled as an asymmetric sine function with a peak-to-peak amplitude of between 10 and 30 mm. The results show that motion effects cause a narrowing of the high-dose profile and widening of the penumbra. The 90% isodose area was reduced significantly when considering a large motion amplitude of 3 cm. The broadening of the penumbra appears to depend only on the amplitude of tumor motion (assuming harmonic motion). The delivered dose exhibits a shift of 10–15% of the tumor amplitude (or 1–5 mm) in the caudal direction due to breathing asymmetry observed for both sin4(x) and sin6(x) motion. Of the five repainting techniques studied, so-called 'breath sampling' turned out to be most effective in reducing dose errors with a minimal increase in treatment time. In this method, each energy level is repainted at several evenly spaced times within one breathing period. To keep dose delivery errors below 5% while minimizing treatment time, it is recommended that breath sampling repainting be employed using 5–10 paintings per field for an assumed tumor volume of 8.5 × 8.5 × 10 cm3. For smaller tumor volumes more repaintings will be required, while for larger volumes five repaintings should be sufficient to achieve the required dose accuracy.
Biceps tenodesis for long head of the biceps after auto-rupture or failed surgical tenotomy: results in an active population.

Background Long head of the biceps (LHB) deformity after surgical tenotomy or auto-rupture may result from attrition or injury. The purpose of this study was to describe the surgical outcomes of biceps tenodesis after failed surgical tenotomy or auto-rupture of the LHB tendon in a population of active patients. Methods During a 5-year period, 11 patients with a mean age of 43.3 years (range, 33-56 years) presented with symptoms of biceps cramping with activity (100%), deformity (100%), or pain (36%) at a mean of 8 months (range, 0.5-22 months) from a tenotomy (6 of 11) or an auto-rupture (5 of 11). All patients underwent a mini-open subpectoral biceps tenodesis with interference screw fixation. Patients were independently evaluated by patient-reported outcome measures (Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation [SANE] and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index [WORC]) and a biceps position examination. Results Of the 11 patients, 10 (91%) completed the study requirements at a mean of 2.6 years (range, 1.6-4.2 years). A total of 9 of the 10 patients (90%) returned to full activity. The mean preoperative SANE score was 61.1 (standard deviation [SD], 8.8), and the mean preoperative WORC score was 53.2 (SD, 9.2), which improved postoperatively to a SANE score of 84.2 (SD, 7.1) and a WORC score of 86 (SD, 8.2). There were no differences in LHB muscle position relative to the antecubital fossa (3.17 cm preoperatively to 3.25 cm postoperatively; P = .35). Deformity was resolved in all patients; 9 of 10 patients reported full resolution of cramping, and pain was resolved in 8 of 10. Conclusions LHB tenodesis after auto-rupture or surgical tenotomy improved symptoms and allowed predictable return to activity and patient satisfaction. Additional work is necessary to determine the optimal treatment of primary biceps lesions.
Translation of Bacteriophage Qβ Messenger RNA in a Murine Krebs 2 Ascites Tumor Cell-Free System

Qβ is a small bacterial virus whose three genes are encoded in a single-stranded molecule of RNA. This RNA serves directly as the Qβ message. Here we describe conditions under which RNA corresponding to the coat cistron of this bacterial virus is translated in a system derived from mammalian cells. Translation of the bacterial virus messenger RNA is less effective than that of mammalian globin messenger RNA, but is somewhat enhanced by mild alkali treatment of the messenger. The synthesized product when subjected to electrophoresis migrates with authentic Qβ coat protein and yields tryptic peptides that correspond to those derived from the Qβ coat protein.
Kinetic properties of glycogen synthase from skeletal muscle after phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 4

Glycogen synthase I (EC 2.4.1.11) from rat and from rabbit skeletal muscle was phosphorylated in vitro by glycogen synthase kinase 4 (EC 2.7.1.37) to the extent of 0.8 phosphates/subunit. For both phosphorylated enzymes, the activity ratio (activity without glucose 6-P divided by activity with 8 mM glucose 6-P) was 0.8 when determined with low concentrations of glycogen synthase and/or short incubation times. However, the activity ratio was 0.5 with high enzyme concentrations and longer incubation times. It was found that the lower activity ratios result largely from UDP inhibition of activity measured in the absence of glucose 6-P. Inhibition by UDP was much less pronounced for glycogen synthase I, indicating that a major consequence of phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 4 is an increased sensitivity to UDP inhibition.
Simulating multivariate distributions with specific correlations

The mixture approach for simulating bivariate distributions introduced by Michael, J. R. and Schucany, W. R. (2002). The mixture approach for simulating bivariate distributions with specific correlations. The American Statistician, 56, 48–54, is generalized to generate pseudo-random numbers from multivariate distributions. The simulated joint distributions have identical marginals and equal positive pairwise correlations. The approach is illustrated for the p-dimensional families of beta and gamma distributions. For these families the formulas for the correlations have simple closed forms and the computations are quite simple.
Reversible Li Deposition on Ni in Ultrahigh Vacuum

Formation of lithium (Li) and Li-oxide films and subsequent annealing have been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy. The results indicated that an Li film vapor-deposited on to a nickel (Ni) substrate can be reversibly evaporated from the substrate by heating the sample to 850 K. No Li diffusion into, and alloying with, Ni were observed at any temperature between 200 and 850 K upon annealing. Annealing an Ni substrate covered by an Li-oxide film at 1100 K also produced an Li-free Ni substrate. The results show definitively that Ni is an inert substrate for Li deposition.
The role of transforming growth factor alpha in the enterochromaffin- like cell tumor autonomy in an African rodent mastomys

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Gastric carcinoids evolved from enterochromaffin- like (ECL) cell hyperplasia are usually associated with high pH and hypergastrinemia. The Mastomys species exhibits a genetic propensity to gastric carcinoid formation that can be accelerated by acid inhibition- induced hypergastrinemia. Although gastrin is critical in the initiation of the ECL cell transformation, the role of other growth factors involved in the evolution of the tumor autonomy has not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha in the regulation of ECL cell transformation. METHODS: Mastomys were orally administered an irreversible H2-receptor antagonist loxtidine for 0, 8, and 16 weeks, and ECL cell transformation was monitored by assessing gastrin levels, mucosal histamine content, and chromogranin immunoreactivity. The ECL cells were purified, and cell proliferation at each stage in response to gastrin and TGF alpha was measured by bromodeoxyuridine uptake. TGF- alpha expression was evaluated by radioimmunoassay and Northern blot, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor expression was determined by Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Although the response to gastrin decreased during hypergastrinemia, the proliferative effect of TGF-alpha on ECL cells was specifically amplified during the development of hyperplasia. TGF-alpha and EGF receptor expression increased steadily in the transformed cells. CONCLUSIONS: During low acid-induced hypergastrinemia, the expression of TGF-alpha and EGF receptor may constitute an autocrine regulatory mechanism in ECL cell tumor transformation. (Gastroenterology 1996 Nov;111(5):1212-23)
DOES CR(CO)3COMPLEXATION REDUCE THE AROMATICITY OF BENZENE

Ring currents in (C6H6)Cr(CO)3, 1, (cis-1,3-butadiene)Cr(CO)4 (4), (C6H6)2Cr (5), (C4H4)Fe(CO)3 (6), and (cis-1,3-butadiene)Fe(CO)3 (8) have been assessed by σ−π disected nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) calculations. Shielding contributions from the C−C(π) orbitals to the NICS values reveal that there is no quenching of ring current in the benzene ring of 1 or in dibenzene chromium 5. The previously reported paratropic ring current for 1 is shown to be a consequence of latent aromaticity in 1,3-butadiene chromium tetracarbonyl 4 (one of the molecules used in the magnetic susceptibility equation). NICS values, a diatropic ring current, and a positive aromatic stabilization energy (ASE) all point to this aromaticity. NICS values for cyclobutadiene iron tricarbonyl, 6, show moderately sized diamagnetic shielding above the plane of the four-membered ring. In addition, 6 has a negative magnetic susceptibility exaltation (MSE) (diatropic ring current), quite opposite from the large paratropic current ...
Photolysis of NO at 2139 and 2265 Å in the presence of CO2

Abstract The room-temperature photolysis of NO in the absence and presence of CO2 was studied at 2139 A, and in the presence of CO2 at 2265 A. Both wavelengths produce the A2Σ+ state of NO, but the former gives ν + 1, whereas the latter gives ν = 0. At both wavelengths the results are the same. The products measured were N2 and N2O in the absence of CO2, and N2 and CO in the presence of CO2. The ratio [CO2]/[NO] was varied by a factor of 2600. All of the CO production can be explained by interaction of NO(A2Σ+) with CO2. However, two reactive states are required to explain the production of N2. The second reactive state must be either NO(a4Π) or high vibrational levels of the ground electronic state of NO, and it is produced by collisional deactivation of NO(A2Σ+). The formation of N2 and N2O may proceed via an energy rich N2O2 dimer. Relative rate constants for the various quenching reactions are listed in Table IV.
Modeling cotton production response to shading in a pecan alleycropping system using CROPGRO

Light optimization assessment in alleycropping systems through model application is becoming an integral part of agroforestry research. The objective of this study was to use CROPGRO-cotton, a process-based model, to simulate cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production under different levels of light in a pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch) alleycropping system in Jay, Florida, USA. Soil classification in the area was Red Bay sandy loam soil (Rhodic Paleudult). To separate roots of cotton and pecan, polyethylene-lined trenches were installed parallel to tree rows, thus competition for water and nutrients was assumed to be non-existent. Four treatments were set up in the CROPGRO-cotton model, as follows: (1) control (full amount of light transmittance), (2) Row 1 (50% light transmittance), (3) Row 4 (55% light transmittance), and (4) Row 8 (70% light transmittance). Cotton model parameters affecting specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area index (LAI), maximum leaf photosynthetic rate (FLMAX) and carbon partitioning were calibrated using the full sun treatment. Measurements of SLA, LAI, and aboveground biomass were made on the different shaded treatments and compared with simulated values. Simulation results showed that aboveground mechanisms affecting production in shaded environment (i.e., SLA, LAI, LFMAX, and carbon partitioning) influence model behavior. After calibration, the model predicted SLA of cotton in all treatments with reasonable precision. However, LAI was underestimated in the more shaded treatment rows 4 and 8. Generally, the model provided a close agreement between measured and simulated biomass both in 2001 and 2002 (R 2 = 0.95 and R 2 = 0.92, respectively). In 2001, predicted biomass for the control was 5,401 kg ha−1 compared to the measured value of 5,393 kg ha−1. A similar trend was also observed in 2002. The CROPGRO-Cotton model was able to describe variations in growth among the shaded treatments well across both growing seasons. However, it was found that additional research is needed to improve the model’s ability to simulate LAI under shading conditions. Parameters associated with photosynthesis and dry matter partitioning were reasonably stable across shading treatments and years but those associated with leaf area growth varied.
Competitive response to radical product innovations

Abstract Radical product innovations are often agents of creative destruction. They threaten to destroy existing market positions, and yet they often yield vast new market opportunities. This article examines how competitors respond to the introduction of radical product innovations. The authors argue that competitive response to radical product innovations is inherently different from response to the incremental innovations that are typically studied in existing research. They introduce the dual concepts of market expansion and entry thresholds to develop new hypotheses about competitive response. Some of these hypotheses contradict prior literature. Using objective data from the U.S. pharmaceutical industry between 1997 and 2001, they estimate a shared-frailty hazard model to explain the competitive response to radical product innovations. The results show that the likelihood of competitive response is substantially higher when the introducing firm is large or market dependent. Moreover, the response is...
Monolayer interactions of individual lecithins with natural sterols.

Abstract In order to find the features of molecular structure responsible for interactions between sterols and lecithins in monolayers at the air-water interface, we have measured mixed monolayers containing one pure sterol and one molecular species of lecithin in different mole ratios. Four naturally-occurring sterols and nine synthetic lecithins were used. Cholesterol, β-sitosterol, dihydrocholesterol, and ergosterol were examined in mixtures with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-, 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-, 1-palmitoyl-2-linolenoyl-, 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-, 1,2-distearoyl-, 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-, 1-stearoyl-2-linolenoyl- and 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyllecithins. In addition, the interactions of 5-α-androstane-3-β-ol with the first three palmitoyl-lecithins were investigated. All sterols condensed strongly with 1,2-dipalmitoyllecithin at low pressures (5 dynes/cm) and this condensation was much less at 40 dynes/cm. Cholesterol and β-sitosterol produced the greatest condensations in all lecithin films, and these condensations were greater at low pressures. These results suggest that differences in the aliphatic side chain have little influence on the behavior of these sterols in mixed monolayers with lecithins. Dihydrocholesterol (cholestanol), ergosterol and 5-α-androstane-3-β-ol produced much smaller condensations in lecithin monolayers, and in these cases also, condensations were usually less at 40 than at 5 dynes/cm. The difference between these sterols and the other sterols is mainly in the B-ring, which suggests that a B-ring with a double bond at C 5 favors condensation much more than either a saturated B-ring (dihydrocholesterol and androstanol) or one with double bonds at C 5 and C 7 (ergosterol).
SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN CASTRATED ADRENALECTOMIZED HAMSTERS MAINTAINED ON DCA

INTRODUCTION THE persistence of many components of sexual behavior for a considerable time after castration is commonly observed in male individuals of many vertebrate species (Stone, 1927, 1932; Beach, 1944). An explanation frequently advanced is that in castrated (or gonadless) males extratesticular androgen from the adrenal cortex is responsible for the continuingsexual activity (Sollenberger and Hamilton, 1939; Beach, 1948:25; Morgan and Stellar, 1950:426; Dempsey, 1951:216; Kinsey et al., 1953: 755). Until now this hypothesis has not been tested experimentally except for preliminary reports by Pauker-Warren and Aronson (1952) and by Schwartz and Beach (1954). The present study was directed toward revealing the possible influence of the adrenal cortex on sexual behavior; in particular, to test the hypothesis that adrenal cortical secretions are responsible, at least in part, for the persistence of sexual behavior after castration. Since morphological changes in the seminalvesicles are frequently used ...
Diffraction spectrometer for spectral analysis of mammographic x-ray sources

The use of a diffraction spectrometer developed by Deslattes for determination of mammographic kV is extended to the measurement of accurate, relative x-ray spectra. A series of x-ray spectra were acquired by passing an x-ray beam through a bent-silicon diffraction crystal, and the diffracted x-rays were detected by a charge coupled device (CCD) coupled to an x-ray scintillating screen. The raw spectra were corrected both on the energy axis and on the x-ray photon fluence axis. The measured, corrected x-ray spectra were compared against tabulated x-ray spectra measured under similar conditions. Results indicate that the current device is capable of producing accurate relative x-ray spectra in the mammography energy range.
Some Proximity Effect Formulas for Bus Enclosures

Proximity effect currents, caused by parallel conductors in proximity with each other, are important chiefly because of the increase in resistance loss that they cause. Large, nonmagnetic tubular enclosures for buses have low resistances, and special formulas are required. Formulas are given for open-circuit 3-phase enclosures and for bonded single-phase enclosures. The measurement of such circuits, giving curves of loss versus frequency, is best made on small metallic models at about 1,000 cycles, according to experience with other skineffect problems. The results can be adapted very precisely to 60-cycle cases, and they are needed to check the algebraic formulas and to determine the end effects in open-circuit tubes. Electromagnetic centimeter-gram-second units are used throughout.
Chemical and biological characterization of methylated bovine growth hormone

Abstract Bovine growth hormone has been methylated in acid methanol under various conditions. The methylated hormone has been characterized biologically and chemically. Bovine growth hormone derivatives with 6 methyl groups per mole of 22 000 mol. wt. (15% esterification) or less retained full growth-promoting activity. There was a progressive loss of biological activity as the number of methyl groups introduced increased from 8 to 15 per mole. A complete loss of biological activity occurred when 50% or more of the free carboxyl groups were esterified. Methylation was complete after 36 h of reaction. Native bovine growth hormone contains 40.3 ± 0.7 free carboxyl groups per mole determined by potentiometric titration. Ester analysis of the methylated hormone reacted for 36 to 72 h revealed 41.4 and 40.8 methyl esters per mole respectively. Amino acid analysis of native and completely methylated bovine growth hormone revealed 41.6 residues as aspartic and glutamic acid. Evidence obtained from starch-gel electrophoresis in conjunction with biological assays supports the conclusion that the decrease in growth-promoting activity of the growth hormone derivatives is related to the degree of esterification and not the reaction conditions employed.
Findings from a low-energy, new commercial-buildings research and demonstration project

Abstract Energy edge (EE) was a research-oriented demonstration project that began in 1985; 28 buildings were constructed to use 30% less electricity than a hypothetical simulated baseline building. Average energy savings for 18 buildings evaluated with post-occupancy tuned simulation models were less at 17%. Only six met the cost of conserved (CCE) energy of 5.6 ¢/kWh for the total package of energy-efficiency measures because the building characteristics changed from design assumptions. Forty-one percent of the individual energy-efficiency measures met the target CCE. The cost effectiveness of the measures would have been greater if the baseline had been common practice rather than the regional building code. The EE small offices use about 30–50% less energy than comparable buildings. Savings also would have been greater if commissioning was included within the program. Future projects should consider lower-cost “hands-on” evaluation techniques with annual check-ups to ensure persistence of savings.
Unresectable Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas: Patterns of Failure and Treatment Results

AbstractWe retrospectively reviewed the outcome of 36 consecutive patients seen in our department with nonmetastatic unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. There were 28 men and 8 women with a mean age of 63.7 years (range, 43–78 years). Radiation therapy (RT) was given to all patients. 5–Fluorouracil (5–FU) was given as a bolus (500–1000 mg/m2/day) during the first and last weeks of RT in 22 patients, whereas continuous 5–FU (225 mg/m2/day) was given to 3 patients. The median survival for all patients was 10 months. Overall survival for all patients at 1 and 3 years was 47.2% and 19.1%, respectively. The pancreas, peritoneum, liver, and lungs were components of failure in 66.7%, 33.3%, 14.8%, and 14.8%, respectively. Local control was a major problem in patients treated for unresectable pancreatic cancer. The results of this study confirm the dismal prognosis of these patients.
On the divergence of perturbation theory for anharmonic oscillators

Abstract Generalized Bose operators are used to reduce the general anharmonic oscillator into an harmonic oscillator with a frequency which depends on the strength of the anharmonicity (λ) and on the quantum number. The analytic properties of the energy levels as functions of λ are very transparently exhibited.
Employer-sponsored health insurance in the United States--origins and implications.

The author reviews the history of employer-sponsored health insurance in the United States and outlines how it became the cornerstone of the nation's health care system. He discusses the implications of employer-based insurance for access to and the affordability and quality of health care.
A Cautionary Note on the Use of Factor Analysis: A Response to Borgatta, Kercher, and Stull, and Hubbard and Allen

A statement by Wilkinson (1986) that “principal component and common factor solutions for real data rarely differ enough to matter” induced Borgatta, Kercher, and Stull (1986) to construct a hypothetical dataset which appeared to contradict Wilkinson's claim. In a later issue of the same journal, Hubbard and Allen (1987) followed with counter-examples to Wilkinson's statement based on real data. Both analyses in reply to Wilkinson were based on mathematical artifacts. The present paper reanalyzes their data, outlines the difference between factors and components, and reviews several types of factor indeterminancy.
TU‐A‐M100J‐01: Quality Assurance and Acceptance Testing of Gamma Camera and SPECT Systems

The general purpose gamma camera and those configured for SPECT are the bread‐and‐butter imaging instruments in nuclear medicine, and remains the principle component in systems specifically designed for cardiacSPECT. Routine maintenance, calibration, and quality control of these imaging systems is crucial for providing the nuclear physician or radiologist images of high quality without artifact, the bane of nuclear medicine imaging. Acceptance testing, for the most part, provides baseline measurements that are used as reference data for future comparisons. Performance measurements and quality assurancetesting of gamma camera and SPECT have been quite variable. The vendors are very specific about calibration procedures that are done one site, but the quality assurancetesting by the customer are left up to the individual laboratories that vary to a large part based on the expertise of the staff. Federal and state radiation safety regulatory agencies purposely do not include any gamma cameraquality assurancetesting in their regulations. There are now two nuclear medicine accreditation programs, one by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the other by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL), that have sought to standardize nuclear medicine imaging and quality assurance procedures performed. Also specified are the qualifications of the personnel who perform and interpret the imaging results. This lecture will provide an overview of the gamma camera and SPECTcalibrations, performance measurements, and quality assurance tests, whether they are for acceptance testing or routine quality control. NEMA, ACR and ICANL accreditation program documents, and AAPM Task Group reports will be used as a backdrop for the presentation. A discussion of common image artifacts and how to avoid and correct them will also be included. Educational Objectives: 1. Learn the basic gamma camera and SPECT performance measurements and quality assurance test procedures. 2. Become familiar with the test procedures and the frequency of testing prescribed by the ACR and ICANL accreditation programs. 3. Be able to identify common gamma camera and SPECTimage artifacts and how to correct them.
Bayesian Updating of Transferred Household Travel Data

To address data limitation concerns in small and midsized urban areas, new research areas about the transferability of household travel survey data and synthetic travel data simulation are emerging. Research has suggested that local updating can significantly improve the quality of the transferred data. Among updating techniques, Bayesian updating is intuitively easy to understand and has the advantages of using prior information and successive updating. However, although parameters of interest can take various distributional forms, traditionally in practice only variables with normal distributions have been studied by using Bayesian updating. The application of Bayesian updating to two transferred travel statistics that are shown to be best fitted with gamma distribution was examined. The bootstrap method was used to justify the prior assumptions for the parameters of interest. Then, Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation with Gibbs sampler was used to update the priors of the parameters. The posteriors wer...
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and urinary tract infections: is there a connection?

Most cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are considered idiopathic without an identifiable etiologic agent. It has been previously reported that a number of patients with TTP had a urinary tract infection (UTI). Apheresis records were searched for patients with TTP from 1999 through 2007. Records were examined for evidence of UTI, and the patients were divided into 4 groups: 1, laboratory evidence of UTI on admission; 2, UTI just before admission; 3, UTI that developed during hospitalization; and 4, weak laboratory evidence of a UTI. The study included 90 TTP “visits.” (A visit was defined as all admissions for TTP for a specific patient within a 1-month period.) Of the TTP visits, 21 (23%) were associated with UTIs. Group 1 included 7 patients; group 2, 10 patients; group 3, 3 patients; and group 4, 1 patient. This suggests that UTIs might serve as a TTP stimulus. Owing to the relatively strong association of UTIs with TTP, all patients with TTP should be screened for UTI and treated accordingly.
Deaf Students' Self-Appraisals, Achievement Outcomes, and Teachers' Inferences about Social-Emotional Adjustment in Academic Settings

35 deaf students completed the Self-description Questionnaire I and their teachers completed the Meadow/Kendall social-emotional inventory for deaf students. Significant positive but small correlations were found among reading scores, reading appraisals, and social-emotional adjustment inferences. Achievement, particularly reading, appears associated with concepts of self.
Endometrial Carcinoma Associated with Pregnancy: A Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

Endometrial carcinoma associated with pregnancy is uncommon. In case 1, a 40-year-old gravida 2, para 2, was diagnosed with focal well-differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma 4 months postpartum. In case 2, a 35-year-old gravida 1, para 0, was diagnosed with a well-differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma of the endometrium after a D&C for an incomplete abortion at 7 weeks gestation. In case 3, a 32-year-old gravida 2, para 1, was diagnosed with a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with squamous metaplasia 4 months postpartum. All are without evidence of disease more than 2 years after therapy. A literature review shows 24 previous cases of pregnancy associated with endometrial cancer. These cases demonstrate the importance of endometrial sampling for abnormal postpartum bleeding despite the protective effects of pregnancy.
The use of secondary science classroom teaching assistant experiences to recruit academically talented science majors into teaching

The study was conducted to determine whether a classroom teaching assistant project could help recruit academically talented undergraduate science majors into teacher preparation. Academically talented science majors were identified by science course grade-point averages. The majors spent 10 hours each week for approximately 10 weeks assisting carefully selected secondary science teachers in their classroom teaching activities. Science teachers were selected for the project based on their reputations as creative, student-centered teachers. The classroom work in which the science majors engaged involved much direct involvement with students. In addition to the classroom work, the science majors also engaged in frequent discussions with their teachers about science teaching and participated in biweekly discussions with project directors about the classroom experiences. Only 3 of the 15 science majors involved in the project made definite decisions to enter teacher education. Case studies were developed about the three majors. The reasons accounting for their decisions included factors associated with the classroom experience as well as prior beliefs held about teaching. Results indicate that recruitment of some academically talented science majors into teaching can be positively influenced by classroom experiences involving direct interaction with students, opportunities to earn teacher certification without abandoning the academic science major, and frequent discussion about and encouragement of the majors' consideration of teaching as a rewarding and challenging career. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed84:212–227, 2000.
Nitric acid concentrations near the tropical tropopause: Implications for the properties of tropical nitric acid trihydrate clouds

[i] In situ measurements of NO y , NO x , and temperature confirm that nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles could form at the tropical tropopause. The HNO 3 mixing ratio near the tropical tropopause is typically no larger than about 0.2-0.3 ppbv, and the corresponding equilibrium mass of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) is no larger than 0.3 μg m -3 . Considerably larger NAT condensed masses are required to explain the HALOE extinctions; however, localized regions of enhanced HNO 3 produced by oxidation of lightning-generated NO might exist. NAT layers would only be identified as clouds by SAGE II if the particle diameters are in the optimum range of about 0.6 to 2 μm and the condensed NAT mass is larger than about 0.2 μg m 3 . The SAGE II extinction ratio measurements (0.5 μm/1.0 μm) cannot distinguish NAT clouds from mixtures of optically thin ice clouds and background aerosols.
The structure of thorikosite, a naturally occurring member of the bismuth oxyhalide group

Abstract Thorikosite, (Pb 3 Sb 0.6 As 0.4 )(O 3 0H)Cl 2 , is a naturally occurring member of the bismuth oxyhalide group isostructural with LiBi 3 O 4 Cl 2 . The space group is I4/mmm with a = 3.919(1)A˚ , c = 12.854(5)A˚ , and Z = 1 . A crystal structure analysis showed complete solid solution of Pb 2+ , Sb 3+ , and As 3+ on the single cation site and large atomic temperature factors indicative of pervasive structural disorder. The latter is due to the structural adjustments necessary to accommodate cations of very different sizes in the same site. Thorikosite is closely related to synthetic tetragonal PbSbO 2 Cl through the coupled substitution Sb 3+ O 2− ⇌ Pb 2+ (OH) − .