cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Second Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

ABSTRACT Relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) leads to poor survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A second HCT (HCT2) may achieve durable remission. To determine the outcomes of patients who received an HCT2 for relapsed AML and to evaluate the predictors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). We retrospectively reviewed medical records of adult patients who underwent an HCT2 for relapsed AML at our institution during 2000 to 2019. Ninety-one patients were identified with a median age of 44 years (range 18-73) at HCT2. Donor types were HLA-identical sibling (n = 37 [41%]), HLA-matched–unrelated (n = 34 [37%]), haploidentical (n = 19 [21%]), and cord blood (n=1 [1%]). Donors were different at HCT2 in 53% of patients. The majority of patients received reduced intensity conditioning (n = 71 [78%]) and were in remission (n = 56 [61%]) at HCT2. The median remission duration after HCT1 was 8.4 months (range 1-70) and the median time between transplants was 14 months (range 3-73). The median follow-up of surviving patients after HCT2 was 66 months (range 2-171), with 32% alive at time of analysis. The most common cause of death was disease recurrence (n = 45 [73%]). At 2 years, the rates of OS, PFS, progression, and nonrelapse mortality were 36%, 27%, 42%, and 18%, respectively. The development of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after first HCT and HCT comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥2 at HCT2 were associated with inferior PFS and OS after HCT2. A second HCT is feasible in selected patients with AML who have relapsed after HCT1. Long-term survival benefit is possible in patients without chronic GVHD after HCT1 and HCT-CI
Prosecution in Public, Prosecution in Private

Criminal procedure has long set a boundary between public and private in criminal enforcement: generally speaking, enforcement decisions at the post-charging stage are exposed to some degree of public view, while those at the pre-charging stage remain almost entirely secret. The allocation of public and private is, at heart, an allocation of power — and the current allocation is a relic. When private prosecutors were the mainstay of criminal enforcement, public court processes effectively constrained them. But those processes do little to constrain the spaces where enforcement power today resides: in decisions by the servants of a state-run, professionalized enforcement apparatus on whether to investigate, to charge, or to decline charges. This Article challenges criminal procedure’s centuries-old boundary between public and private in criminal enforcement. It argues that the justifications for the boundary are outdated and overstated, and the costs under-noticed. The public/private boundary has served to skew enforcers’ incentives; impoverish insight into enforcement patterns and their causes; weaken traditional channels of accountability (judicial, electoral and internal); and erode public trust. The Article reimagines a new boundary for our time, one that strengthens secrecy in some respects while relaxing it in others, and enables robust oversight of necessarily secret processes. More fundamentally, the Article is a call to center the public/private boundary in accounts of power in the criminal process.
Vulnerability Challenges of Software Defined Networking

As a recently introduced and rapidly accepted new network technology, software defined networking (SDN) provides network providers with operational agility and reduction in capital and operational expenses. As with all new technologies, especially one that offers rich operational flexibility, the lack of experience makes it vulnerable to potential misuse or malicious activities. As SDN becomes the technology of choice of network and service providers, it is imperative that careful attention is paid to the technology's vulnerability and proper mechanisms to protect SDN-based deployment environments. This article presents a classification of vulnerability challenges for SDN and discusses several solution strategies to address these challenges.
Ultrasonically Induced Fetal Weight Reduction in Mice

The use of ultrasound in the clinical practice of medicine continues to increase. And yet an adequate assessment of the risk associated with such exposures is not available (O’Brien et al., 1972). In an effort to develop experimental data which would be useful in the assessment of risk, pregnant mice have been exposed to ultrasound at the eighth day of gestation. This is the period of development which corresponds to neurogenesis and early organogenesis. The neural grove is open throughout its length and mid-gut is wide open. Embryologically, this period corresponds to approximately the 20th day of human gestation (Rugh, 1968).
A Social Cognitive Perspective on Opportunity Evaluation

This study uses social cognitive theory as basis to propose an integrative, multilevel research model that examines how entrepreneurs evaluate opportunities. We use a conjoint experiment coupled wi...
The Kinetics of Glycogen Phosphorylases from Brain and Muscle

Abstract A kinetic study has been made of phosphorylase a from rabbit brain and of phosphorylase b from rabbit brain and muscle. In the case of brain phosphorylase a the kinetic data indicate strong cooperative interaction between glycogen and phosphate sites and between glycogen and adenylate sites. Under the experimental conditions there was found little evidence of interaction between phosphate and adenylate sites, although from a few experiments under different conditions and from the work of others, some interaction is possible. Although there are presumably at least two glycogen sites and two phosphate sites in the active form of the enzyme, there was no sign of interaction of one glycogen site with another or one phosphate site with another. The kinetic behavior of brain phosphorylase a is similar to that reported earlier for muscle phosphorylase a except for the failure to show the strong phosphate-adenylate interaction characteristic of the latter. The muscle enzyme also has much greater affinity for glycogen and somewhat lower affinity for adenylate and phosphate. The kinetic behavior of phosphorylase b is more complicated than that of phosphorylase a. The data for muscle phosphorylase b can be adequately explained by a formulation involving two binding sites each for 5'-adenylate and inorganic phosphate, and one site for glycogen. Random order of addition is indicated with marked interaction between many of the sites. Of the 17 independent kinetic constants demanded by this formulation 10 have been provisionally evaluated. The kinetic pattern of brain phosphorylase b resembles that of the muscle enzyme but the apparent affinities for phosphate and adenylate are greater. Raising the temperature to 38° profoundly decreases apparent affinity of all four enzymes for glycogen, with comparatively little effect on apparent affinity for phosphate.
Perissodactyla (Odd‐Toed Ungulates Including Horses, Rhinoceroses and Tapirs)

The mammalian order Perissodactyla, or ‘odd-toed’ ungulates, includes the living horses, rhinoceroses and tapirs, and two extinct groups, the brontotheres and chalicotheres. Over their 55 million years, they evolved into an amazing variety of forms, and about 40 million years ago, they were the dominant hoofed mammals on the planet. Since then, they have been largely replaced by the even-toed artiodactyls, and today most wild perissodactyl species are on the brink of extinction. Keywords: horse; rhinoceros; tapir; mammals; hyrax
Changes in Histone Acetyl Content and in Nuclear Non-Histone Protein Composition of Avian Erythroid Cells at Different Stages of Maturation

Abstract Duck erythroid cells were fractionated by centrifugation in bovine serum albumin density gradients. Differences in cell density were correlated with the stage of maturation as determined by biochemical and morphological parameters. Avian erythroid cells increase in density as they mature. Cell populations corresponding to known stages in differentiation were compared with regard to histone composition and degree of acetylation, nature and amount of the non-histone nuclear proteins, and DNA and RNA synthetic capacities. Although the total histone to DNA ratio of the chromatin does not vary appreciably during maturation, the relative proportion of the erythroid cell-specific histone F2c increases at least 2-fold with the increasing age of the cell, whereas the other histones, except F2a2, decrease. The degree of acetylation of histones F2a1 and F3 decreases with the increasing age of the cell. The non-histone protein complement of the erythroid cell nucleus decreases 6-fold during maturation. Analysis of the non-histone proteins in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate shows a limited heterogeneity and a remarkable similarity in their electrophoretic patterns at different stages in maturation. Quantitative rather than qualitative changes predominate as maturation proceeds. The decline in non-histone protein content with age is striking particularly in the lower molecular weight components. However, a protein band of molecular weight 55,000 is conserved selectively during maturation and it represents the predominant component of the non-histone nuclear proteins of the mature erythrocyte. The nucleoprotein changes occurring during erythrocyte maturation parallel a decrease in the amount of chromatin-associated RNA and the rate of RNA synthesis. The average RNA synthetic capacity of the isolated erythroblasts and early polychromatic erythrocytes is about 8 times higher than that of the mature erythrocyte fraction.
Structure-functional analysis of Foxp3 (IRC4P.478)

Foxp3 is responsible for the major immunological features of Treg cells, including hypoproliferation in vitro, immune suppression of conventional T cells and resistance to Th2 cell differentiation. In addition to the Forkhead domain, the Foxp3 protein contains the N-terminal, zinc finger and leucine zipper domains. To understand how these domains contribute to Foxp3 functions, we systematically compared the roles of these domains in determining the 3 major immunological features of Treg cells. We designed a bridge-mediated mutagenesis method to generate Foxp3 mutants with complete deletion of each of the domains. CD4 T cells expressing the Foxp3 mutant with deletion of the N-terminal, leucine zipper or the forkhead domain showed robust TCR dependent proliferation in vitro, differentiated into Th2 cells, and lost immune suppressive activities in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating a complete loss of all 3 functions of Foxp3. In contrast, deletion of the zinc finger domain only partially impaired these functions of Foxp3. This result suggests that mutations in the zinc finger domain could lead to nonlethal autoimmune and allergic diseases, in which reduction rather than complete loss of Foxp3 functions is expected. In any case, deletion of a particular domain showed similar effects on all 3 functions of Foxp3. Therefore defining each of the immunological features of Treg cells requires intact Foxp3 proteins.
The quartile operator and pointwise convergence of Walsh series

The bilinear Hilbert transform is given by H(f, g)(x) := p.v. ∫ f(x− t)g(x + t) t . It satisfies estimates of the type ‖H(f, g)‖r ≤ C(s, t)‖f‖s‖g‖t. In this paper we prove such estimates for a discrete model of the bilinear Hilbert transform involving the Walsh Fourier transform. We also reprove the well-known fact that the Walsh Fourier series of a function in Lp[0, 1], with 1 < p converges pointwise almost everywhere. The purpose of this exposition is to clarify the connection between these two results and to present an easy approach to recent methods of time-frequency analysis.
Serum Vitamin A Esters Are High in Captive Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) Monkeys

We showed previously that hepatic vitamin A concentrations of captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) are subtoxic to toxic, with livers exhibiting stellate cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Although marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) livers are also high in vitamin A, no stellate cell irregularities were observed. To further characterize the effects of high dietary vitamin A from preformed sources, stored serum samples were analyzed from monkeys used for biomedical research and housed at the Wisconsin Primate Research Center. The monkeys had been fed commercially available monkey diets, providing vitamin A (as retinyl acetate) at levels exceeding NRC recommendations by a factor of four. The serum from both rhesus and marmoset monkeys had total serum vitamin A (retinol, retinyl esters and metabolites) within the expected range for both species, i.e., 1.44 +/- 0.34 and 1.41 +/- 0.72 micromol/L serum for rhesus and marmoset monkeys, respectively. However, high serum retinyl ester concentrations as a percentage of total serum vitamin A were present in both species, 12 +/- 5.1% (range, 5.5-23%) for rhesus and 27 +/- 14% (range, 10-57%) for the marmosets. Serum retinol concentrations were normal, i.e., 1.21 +/- 0.28 (rhesus) and 0.92 +/- 0.43 micromol/L (marmoset), compared with published values.
Ketamine decreases postoperative pain scores in patients taking opioids for chronic pain: results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Background Patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain may suffer from inadequate postoperative pain control. Ketamine is an adjuvant demonstrating analgesic and opioid-sparing effects. We hypothesize that an intravenous ketamine infusion in addition to opioid-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) improves postoperative pain relief in this patient population. Methods We evaluated 64 patients with chronic pain taking opioids undergoing nononcologic surgery. Patients were randomized to receive either postoperative hydromorphone PCA and continuous ketamine (0.2 mg/kg/hour), or hydromorphone PCA and saline. Patients provided numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores for “worst,” “average,” and “least” pain following surgery. The primary outcome measure was change in patients' postoperative NRS scores compared with baseline NRS. Secondary and tertiary outcomes included postoperative day one 24-hour opioid use and the amount of opioid used 24 hours prior to hospital discharge. Results Fifty-nine patients were included in the analysis. Baseline patient characteristics were similar with the exception of age. Patients using ketamine had decreased “average” pain scores (percent change between postoperative and preoperative NRS) after surgery (13.5% decrease in the ketamine group vs 15.5% increase in NRS in the placebo group, P = 0.0057). There were no differences in “worst” or “least” pain scores or postoperative opioid use. Side effects between groups were similar. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that a postoperative ketamine infusion at 0.2 mg/kg/hour in addition to opioids results in a statistically significant reduction of “average” pain scores in patients undergoing surgery who take opioids for chronic pain. However, “least” and “worst” pain scores and the amount of opioid used postoperatively did not differ between groups. Thus, the use of a postoperative ketamine infusion at 0.2 mg/kg/hour provides limited benefit in improving pain management for this challenging population.
Control of a Mushroom-Infesting Fly (Diptera: Sciaridae) with Insecticides Applied to the Casing Layer

For chemical control of the sciarid fly, Lycoriella mali (Fitch), attacking the commercial mushroom crop only methoprene or malathion can be used as a treatment of the casing. Twenty-four chemicals were evaluated to find more effective materials and to determine lengths of activity and effects on a mushroom crop when used in commercial conditions. The LD95 of the more effective materials, based on ppm of dry weight of casing, was chlorpyrifos-56, diflubenzuron-120, dimethoate-88, ethoprop-81, methoprene-104, and SIR 8514-5. Methoprene, diflubenzuron, and SIR 8514 did not reduce yields as casing treatments whereas chlorpyrifos and ethoprop did. Diflubenzuron and SIR 8514 when used at several times efficacious dosages had no deleterious effect on mushroom yield. A treatment of the casing with diflubenzuron or SIR 8514 should eliminate fly infestations from the casing for the entire cropping period.
NEGATIVE MUON STAR PRODUCTION IN NUCLEAR EMULSION

Negative muon star production in nuclear emulsion is studied, with particular reference to its use in determining pion contamination in beams with π/μ ≲ 10−3. Of 9.3 · 104 muon endings examined (1.95±0.07)% gave visible stars. The existence of muon stars of ≥ 3 prongs is ascertained, and the fraction of endings giving such stars is found to be (5.8±1.2) · 10−4. The results are compared and found in agreement with a simple model of muon capture through the weak interaction with a subsequent nuclear excitation energy of about (15 ÷ 20) MeV. Evidence for capture near the nuclear surface is found. The results lead to a multiprong star detection efficiency for muons relative to pions of (1.7±0.4) · 10−3, which combined with exploitation of the range difference of the two kinds of particles permits contamination measurements much simpler than those performed by counters, and yet just as accurate.
The affective lability scales: Development of a short-form measure.

Abstract We examined the factor structure of the Affective Lability Scales and constructed an 18-item short form (ALS-SF). Three independent studies are presented. Study 1 presented a factor analysis, which failed to support the initial six-factor structure and suggested a three-factor solution. A potential 18-item ALS-SF was developed and described by an anxiety/depression scale, depression/elation scale, and an anger scale. Preliminary convergent validity analysis showed a high correlation between the total ALS score and the ALS-SF total score as well as highly similar relationships between the two ALS total scores and their correlations with other measures of affective functioning (i.e., affect intensity, impulsivity, depression). Study 2 presented a confirmatory factor analysis of the proposed short form and suggested that the 18-item scale could constitute a three-factor or six-factor model, both showing good fit. Study 3 evaluated the short form’s temporal stability characteristics, which were computed over a thirty-day period. Overall, the 18-item ALS-SF appears to serve as an adequate measure of overall affect lability.
Research opportunities in the decision and management sciences

The National Science Foundation established the Decision and Management Sciences Program DMS in 1982. Healthy and growing, DMS is likely to affect OR/MS significantly, not only by providing funds for basic research, but also through its vision of a combined theoretical and empirical science of operational and managerial processes, and by its policy of bringing together different disciplines within the program. An NSF workshop held in Dallas in April 1984 sought to identify research opportunities in the decision and management sciences. Promising areas, many of them inviting cross-disciplinary research, appear in the development of measurement-based models for operational processes both natural and designed and including organizational and managerial activities, choice theory individual and group choice, values, judgment, and risk behavior, decision support, and the treatment of complexity. Increased knowledge in any of these areas would be likely to have a valuable long-run impact on management practice.
Amplitude changes in the visual evoked cortical potential with backward masking.

Abstract A series of three experiments examined backward visual masking effects and visual evoked cortical potential correlates of such masking. In Experiment I, which was concerned with the effects of sequential sets of like stimuli (grids), it was found that when backward masking occurred, it was accompanied by decreased visual evoked potential (VEP) amplitudes. Experiment II replicated the first experiment using different stimuli (letter B's) and several new subjects. Again, backward masking was accompanied by decreased VEP amplitudes. In Experiment III, which examined the effects of sequential sets of unlike stimuli (B's and grids), it was found that when earlier stimuli differed in configuration from later stimuli, there was an absence of backward masking and VEP amplitude changes also failed to appear. Thus, when backward masking did not occur, no changes in the VEP were observed. The results are discussed in terms of interactions between excitatory and inhibitory activities produced at the visual cortex by the earlier and subsequently presented stimuli. Various concepts regarding the visual system mechanisms involved in backward masking, including integration and interruption hypotheses, may help to explain the complexity of findings obtained thus far in studies using VEP correlates of backward visual masking.
Inhibition of productive replication of Epstein-Barr virus DNA by phosphonoacetic acid.

Abstract Phosphonoacetic acid (100 μg/ml) inhibited EBV DNA replication in superinfected Raji cells but had little effect either on replication of latent EBV DNA or on cellular DNA synthesis. This differential effect of the chemical on EBV DNA replication subsequently was used to determine the number of EBV genomes per cell in productive P3 HRI cells.
Illusions of efficacy: The effects of group size on perceived efficacy in social dilemmas.

Several theorists have suggested that group members feel a diminished sense of self-efficacy in larger groups facing social dilemmas. Four experiments were performed to explore this question. In Experiment 1 it was demonstrated that group members correctly perceive that self-efficacy declines with group size for step-level public goods problems. In Experiments 2 and 3, group size was objectively unrelated to the subjects' impact on the group's chances for obtaining a public good. But in both experiments, subjects still felt more self-efficacious when the group was smaller. A final experiment explored the relationship between group size and perceived collective efficacy for obtaining a public good. When the provision point was relatively low (viz., one-third of the group had to contribute to provide the public good), subjects generally perceived smaller groups to be more efficacious than larger groups, even though under certain conditions precisely the opposite was true. These illusions of efficacy were attributed to familiar judgmental heuristics, involving an overgeneralization of experience in groups of varying sizes. Their implications for cooperative behavior in social dilemmas are discussed.
Beneficial hemodynamic response to chronic prazosin therapy in congestive heart failure

Abstract Thirteen patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) were treated with prazosin. Following the first dose, cardiac output (CO) (mean ± SD) rose from 3.2 ± 1.2 to 4.3 ± 1.1 L/min, pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PAD) decreased from 23 ± 12 to 18 ± 11 mm Hg, mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased from 85 ± 10 to 76 ± 10 mm Hg, and heart rate did not change (92 ± 15 vs 92 ± 14 bpm). At the end of a 48 to 72 hour titration to an optimal regimen, significant effects on CO (3.2 ± 1.1 vs 4.5 ± 1.3 L/min), PAD (24 ± 12 vs 18 ± 8 mm Hg), and MAP (84 ± 10 vs 76 ± 10 mm Hg) were still seen. The patients were restudied after 3 months of treatment. In contrast to reports of rapid development of tolerance to prazosin, we found continued beneficial effects on CO (3.0 ± 1.3 vs 3.8 ± 1.0 L/min) and PAD (23 ± 12 vs 18 ± 10 mm Hg), without significant change in MAP (81 ± 11 vs 78 ± 8 mm Hg). We found wide variability in the CO rise in response to prazosin, which was not accounted for by differences in plasma prazosin concentration. Systemic vascular resistance in the untreated state did correlate with the percentage change in CO. In addition, excessive lowering of the PAD appeared to blunt the CO response in some cases.
On an exponential bound for the Kaplan-Meier estimator.

We review limit theory and inequalities for the Kaplan-Meier Kaplan and Meier (J Am Stat Assoc 53:457-481, 1958) product limit estimator of a survival function on the whole line [Formula: see text] . Along the way we provide bounds for the constant in an interesting inequality due to Biotouze et al. (Ann Inst H Poincare Probab Stat 35:735-763, 1999), and provide some numerical evidence in support of one of their conjectures.
Characterizing the Diversity and Biological Relevance of the MLPCN Assay Manifold and Screening Set

The NIH Molecular Libraries Initiative (MLI), launched in 2004 with initial goals of identifying chemical probes for characterizing gene function and druggability, has produced PubChem, a chemical genomics knowledgebase for fostering translation of basic research into new therapeutic strategies. This paper assesses progress toward these goals by evaluating MLI target novelty and propensity for undergoing biochemically or therapeutically relevant modulations and the degree of chemical diversity and biogenic bias inherent in the MLI screening set. Our analyses suggest that while MLI target selection has not yet been fully optimized for biochemical diversity, it covers biologically interesting pathway space that complements established drug targets. We find the MLI screening set to be chemically diverse and to have greater biogenic bias than comparable collections of commercially available compounds. Biogenic enhancements such as incorporation of more metabolite-like chemotypes are suggested.
GTID: A Technique for Physical Device and Device Type Fingerprinting

In this paper, we introduce GTID, a technique that can actively and passively fingerprint wireless devices and their types using wire-side observations in a local network. GTID exploits information that is leaked as a result of heterogeneity in devices, which is a function of different device hardware compositions and variations in devices’ clock skew. We apply statistical techniques on network traffic to create unique, reproducible device and device type signatures, and use artificial neural networks (ANNs) for classification. We demonstrate the efficacy of our technique on both an isolated testbed and a live campus network (during peak hours) using a corpus of 37 devices representing a wide range of device classes (e.g., iPads, iPhones, Google Phones, etc.) and traffic types (e.g., Skype, SCP, ICMP, etc.). Our experiments provided more than 300 GB of traffic captures which we used for ANN training and performance evaluation. In order for any fingerprinting technique to be practical, it must be able to detect previously unseen devices (i.e., devices for which no stored signature is available) and must be able to withstand various attacks. GTID is a fingerprinting technique to detect previously unseen devices and to illustrate its resilience under various attacker models. We measure the performance of GTID by considering accuracy, recall, and processing time and also illustrate how it can be used to complement existing security mechanisms (e.g., authentication systems) and to detect counterfeit devices.
Development and growth of L forms of bacteria and PPLO on membrane filters.

SummaryWe have confirmed that L forms of bacteria and PPLO grow well on membrane filters of about 0.2 μ, or larger pore size when placed on the surface of appropriate solid media. The cultures grow through these filters and, according to our observations, also through filters of 0.1 μ on the surface of which no growth is visible. Bacteria exposed to inducing agents on membrane filters continue to grow as L forms, as on agar. With H. influenzae this occurs more readily and more abundantly than on agar media. The way in which the L forms develop from bacteria and the structure of the colonies is similar to that observed on agar. The bacteria grow to large bodies on the surface and, from these, growth embeds itself and extends inside the filters. The extension inside the filters consists of irregular connected masses or of irregular branching filaments. The size of these depends partly on the pore size of the filters but also on the individuality of the organisms. Air entrapped at the clearing of the filters...
Failure mechanisms in SiC-fiber reinforced 6061 aluminum alloy composites under monotonic and cyclic loading

Micromechanisms influencing crack propagation in a unidirectional SiC-fiber (SCS-8) continuously reinforced Al-Mg-Si 6061 alloy metal-matrix composite (SiCf/Al-6061) during monotonie and cyclic loading are examined at room temperature, both for the longitudinal (0 deg or L-T) and transverse (90 deg or T-L) orientations. It is found that the composite is insensitive to the presence of notches in the L-T orientation under pure tension loading due to the weak fiber/matrix interface; notched failure strengths are ∼1500 MPa compared to 124 MPa for unreinforced 6061. However, behavior is strongly dependent on loading configuration, specimen geometry, and orientation. Specifically, properties in SiCf/Al in the T-L orientation are inferior to unreinforced 6061, although the composite does exhibit increasing crack-growth resistance with crack extension (resistance-curve behavior) under monotonie loading; peak toughnesses of ∼16 MPa√m are achieved due to crack bridging by the continuous metal phase between fibers and residual plastic deformation in the crack wake. In contrast, such bridging is minimal under cyclic loading, as the ductile phase fails subcritically by fatigue such that the transverse fatigue crack-growth resistance is superior in the unreinforced alloy, particularly at high stress-intensity levels. Conversely, fatigue cracks are bridged by unbroken SiC fibers in the L-T orientation and exhibit marked crack deflection and branching; the fatigue crack-growth resistance in this orientation is clearly superior in the composite.
Enthalpy of reaction of thorium(IV) with oxalate

We have employed titration calorimetry to investigate the aqueous solution chemistry of the Th(IV) + oxalate coordination system. The enthalpies of formation of the two oxalic acid species and the first Th-oxalate complex have been measured at an ionic strength I=1.0M and temperature t=25°C. Corresponding entropy values were calculated from the van't Hoff equation, and a thermodynamic summary of the Th/H/oxalate system is presented in a table.
Ankle variability is amplified in older adults due to lower EMG power from 30–60 Hz

The purpose of this study was to determine the neuromuscular mechanisms of the involved muscles that contribute to the greater positional variability at the ankle joint in older adults compared with young adults. Eleven young adults (25.6±4.9 years) and nine older adults (76.9±5.9 years) were asked to accurately match and maintain a horizontal target line with 5° dorsiflexion of their ankle for 20 s. The loads were 5 and 15% of the one repetition maximum load (1 RM). The visual gain was kept constant at 1° for all trials. Positional variability was quantified as the standard deviation (SD) of the detrended position signal. The neural activation of the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles was quantified as the normalized EMG amplitude, power spectrum density (PSD; EMG oscillations) and coactivation of the two muscles. As expected, positional variability was greater in older adults (older: 0.11±0.06° vs. young: 0.04±0.02°; p=.003). The only significant neural difference occurred for the PSD of the tibialis anterior muscle, where young adults exhibited significantly greater power than older adults from 30-60 Hz. The amplified positional variability of ankle joint in older adults was associated with lower power from 30-60 Hz oscillations in the tibialis anterior muscle (r(2)=.3, p=.01). These results provide novel evidence that older adults exhibit greater positional variability with the ankle joint relative to young adults likely due to their inability to activate the tibialis anterior muscle from 30-60 Hz.
Recent developments in transparent polycrystalline spinel for electro-optic applications

High optical quality spinel is being developed as exit aperture (windows and domes) for various electro-optic (EO) and infrared (IR) systems operating in harsh environmental conditions. These applications require windows with low absorption loss, low scattering loss, good index homogeneity, low transmitted wavefront error and high strength. Windows are also required in very large sizes and thicknesses for specialty applications. We have demonstrated fabrication of high optical quality spinel windows with high strength and environmental ruggedness. We achieved record low absorption loss of 6 ppm/cm at 1.06 μm and transmitted wavefront error of better than λ/10 at 633 nm. We are also developing technology for making very large and very thick spinel windows.
Mechanism of DBDS and Irgamet 39 on the Corrosion and Suppression of Copper in Transformers

Copper testing strips are wrapped with three layers of Kraft paper and carried out aging experiment in corrosive sulfur contaminated insulating oil at 150 °C for 10 days. It is found that the copper sulfide is first formed on the surface of copper and tainted to the inner side of the insulation paper. Then the copper sulfide permeates through the paper and damages the dielectric property. In addition, flaking mechanism on the transformer failure is proposed. On the basis of this observation, different concentration of Irgamet 39 used as passivator is treated with the transformer oil containing corrosive sulfur, investigating the acidity, dielectric loss and corrosion to seek optimized condition. At last, long term stability of Irgamet 39 is studied by means of 208 transformers in service.
Diffusion in glassy polymers — relaxation and antiplasticization

Abstract The applications of free-volume concepts to describe diffusion in polymer-solvent systems is reviewed. It is shown how the Vrentas-Duda free-volume model for diffusion in polymer solutions above the glass transition temperature can be modified to describe diffusion of low molecular weight species in glassy polymers. The free-volume model for the diffusion of a trace amount of solvent in a glassy polymer is evaluated utilizing data for toluene-polystyrene. The inverse gas chromatography technique using a capillary column coated with a polymer film was employed to obtain diffusivity data for the toluene-polystyrene system over a temperature range traversing the glass transition temperature. Finally, it is discussed how free-volume concepts can be extended to describe antiplasticization behavior which occurs when molecular motions in glassy polymers are retarded by the addition of certain low molecular weight species.
Book Reviews: An Essential Point of Departure

A review of High Performance Linux Clusters with Oscar, Rocks, openMosix & MPI by Joseph D. Sloan.
Microstructure Evolution and the Constitutive Relations of High-Temperature Solders

This study characterized the temperature-dependent constitutive parameters (yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus, strain hardening exponent) from the mechanical behavior of five high-temperature solders, 95Sn-5Sb, 95Pb-5In, 90Pb-10Sn, 92.5Pb-5Sn-2.5Ag, and 93Pb-3Sn-2In-2Ag, chosen such that T m > 518 K. To model appropriately their mechanical responses under high-temperature thermal cycling, where the temperatures exceed 473 K, the material’s parameters must be determined as a function of temperature. Uni-axial tensile tests were, therefore, carried out between 298 K and 473 K to determine the constitutive behavior of each solder. 95Sn-5Sb exhibited the highest strength over the temperature range tested except near 473 K. Pb-based alloys with a higher degree of solid solution (>5%) showed greater strengthening than those primarily strengthened by coarse precipitates. Additionally, microstructure changes in 90Pb-10Sn and 95Sn-5Sb were shown to be responsible for unexpected mechanical behavior at elevated temperatures.
Perturbation method for low states of a many-particle boson system

Abstract A theoretical description of the ground state and low excited states of liquid He4 is developed in terms of a set of correlated basis functions. We start from a simple correlated trial function ψ0 suitable for an approximate description of the ground state under the assumption of a strong repulsive force when two particles approach closely. The function ψ0 and a set of model functions ϕn are used to construct a set, ψn = ψ0ϕn, of linearly independent correlated basis functions. Matrix elements of the identity and Hamiltonian operator are evaluated by systematic application of a generalized Kirkwood type superposition approximation. A normalized, orthogonal basis |en> is constructed from linear combinations of the functions ψm; the associated matrix elements 〈en |H| em〉 vanish everywhere except on the three diagonals m = n, n ± 1. This result is a consequence of an appropriate choice of the model functions and use of the superposition approximation in evaluating the matrix elements. At this point is it proper to speak of a free phonon description. A final approximate diagonalization, neglecting phonon-phonon interaction, yields explicit formulas for the ground state energy and the momentum dependence of the phonon energy. The analogy with Bogoliubov's treatment of the boson system, using uncorrelated basis functions is very close as is also the relation to Feynman's theory of the excitation energies. A parallel analysis is successful with ψ0 taken to be the correct ground-state eigenfunction. In this case the matrix elements of the phonon-phonon interaction can be expressed completely in terms of the elementary liquid structure function as given by the analysis of x-ray diffraction at low temperatures. The way is open to an accurate evaluation of the phonon energy as a function of momentum (the Landau curve) and a corresponding accurate evaluation of the thermodynamic properties of the liquid at low temperatures.
Brief report: Reducing inappropriate usage of stress ulcer prophylaxis among internal medicine residents. A practice-based educational intervention.

BACKGROUND: Many inpatients receive stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) inappropriately. This indiscriminate usage increases costs and avoidable side-effects. Practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI) methodology may improve compliance with published guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the response of internal medicine residents to an educational intervention regarding SUP. DESIGN: A prospective, pre and postintervention cohort study using an educational intervention based on PBLI. PATIENTS: Three groups of consecutively admitted patients (1 group preintervention and 2 groups postintervention) on the medicine ward at a University Hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rates of inappropriate SUP prescription and discharge with an inappropriate prescription. RESULTS: One month after the intervention, inappropriate prophylaxis was significantly decreased (59% pre, 29% postintervention, P<.002). The rate of discharge with an inappropriate prescription also decreased, but was not significant (25% pre, 14% postintervention, P=.14). In the 6-month postintervention cohort, inappropriate SUP remained lower (59% pre, 33% postintervention, P<.007). The rate of discharge with an inappropriate prescription was also significantly lower (25% pre, 7% postintervention, P<.009). CONCLUSION: Practice-based learning and improvement can improve compliance with published guidelines, and change practice patterns. After the intervention, both inappropriate prophylaxis and inappropriate prescriptions upon discharge were reduced. Importantly, the intervention was sustained, transmitted across academic years to a new class of interns who had not directly experienced the intervention.
Competing effects of field localization and absorption enhancement using plasmonic nanostructures in thin film a-Si solar cells

The, sometimes, competing effects of field localization at plasmonic resonances and the use of nanoplasmonic structures to enhance light absorption in thin film solar cells is discussed in this paper. Resonant nanoplasmonic structures are embedded in the front or back metal oxide layer of the solar cell for absorption enhancement. The intense field localization at plasmonic resonances leads to loss in the metal nanostructure itself and in the very near surrounding dielectric even if the dielectric is of low loss. A nanoplasmonic metal cross is used, as an example, to enhance the light absorption of the thin film silicon solar cell and a full wave analysis is performed to study the detailed field patterns. Although a broadband enhancement of the total light absorption is demonstrated, the practical enhancement needed in the semiconductor part of the solar cell is reduced due to absorption loss caused by field localization. and the improvement of solar cell performance is lower than expected. Methods to reduce field localization loss will be discussed in the presentation. A new plasmonic structure that exhibits broadband enhancement of light absorption with lower absorption loss due to field localization is proposed.
On the front lines of welfare delivery: Are workers implementing policy reforms?

The impact of policy changes on the local delivery of services has been overlooked in several decades of largely unsuccessful efforts to “reform” welfare. This article uses one case of state-level welfare reform in the early 1990s to examine the implementation of policy changes in local welfare offices. Direct observation of transactions between welfare workers and clients suggests that policy reforms were not fully implemented by street-level bureaucrats. The instrumental transactions that continued to dominate interactions with clients were consistent with processing claims and rationing scarce resources, but they were poorly aligned with new policies aimed at changing the services and message delivered to welfare clients. The failure to fully implement reforms on the frontlines has implications for the achievement of policy objectives and for equity in service provision. Implementation issues will have even greater urgency as welfare is devolved from federal to state governments.
Ultrasound demonstration of uterus subseptus

Uterus subseptus, a common uterine anomaly, can be detected by ultrasound examination. In this series it was detected only during the second trimester of pregnancy. The reasons for this are discussed, and it is concluded that although ultrasound can be used to detect these anomalies, it is not sufficiently sensitive to supplant hysterography.
MiTF Regulates Cellular Response to Reactive Oxygen Species through Transcriptional Regulation of APE-1/Ref-1

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF) is a key transcription factor for melanocyte lineage survival. Most previous work on this gene has been focused on its role in development. A role in carcinogenesis has emerged recently, but the mechanism is unclear. We classified melanoma cells into MiTF-positive and -negative groups and explored the function of MiTF in regulating cellular responses to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The MiTF-positive melanoma cell lines accumulated high levels of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE-1/Ref-1, redox effector-1), a key redox sensor and DNA endonuclease critical for oxidative DNA damage repair. We demonstrate that APE-1 is a transcriptional target for MiTF. Knocking down MiTF led to reduced APE-1 protein accumulation, as well as abolished induction of APE-1 by ROS. MiTF-negative melanoma cells survived more poorly under ROS stress than the MiTF-positive cells based on 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and Trypan blue staining. Overexpression of APE-1 partially rescued ROS-induced cell death when MiTF was depleted. We conclude that MiTF regulates cellular response to ROS by regulation of APE-1, and this may provide a mechanism of how MiTF is involved in melanoma carcinogenesis.
Body mass index as a risk factor for cystotomy during suprapubic placement of mid-urethral slings

This study aims to investigate whether body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for cystotomy during sling placement via suprapubic approach for stress urinary incontinence. Retrospective chart review was performed for suprapubic mid-urethral sling placement between June 2005 and October 2007. Data collected included demographics, BMI, and history of prior and concomitant procedures. Primary outcome was cystotomy during sling placement. Of 198 women identified, 129 had a BMI < 30 kg/m2 and 69 had a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. There were 18 (14.0%) cystotomies in the BMI < 30 kg/m2 group and three (4.3%) in the BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 group (p = 0.04). BMI < 30 kg/m2 remained a risk factor for cystotomy after controlling for confounders (OR 4.63, 95% CI 1.20–17.86), as did prior anti-incontinence surgery (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.01–12.50). BMI < 30 kg/m2 may be a risk factor for cystotomy during sling placement utilizing the suprapubic approach.
Prevalence and Psychosocial Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents and Adults with Klinefelter Syndrome

Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of depressive symptoms among adolescents and adults with Klinefelter syndrome
Why is mobile capital taxed

The government for a jurisdiction has both capital and labor taxes at its disposal. It taxes mobile capital to finance the public good despite the desire to attract capital and despite the tax on immobile labor if capital incomes are distributed more unequally than labor incomes among the residents of the jurisdiction. The result extends to progressive taxes and to pure redistribution.
Paternalistic assumptions and a purported duty to deceive.

In his target article, Foddy (2009) argues that placebos are effective and harmless, and that physicians are sometimes justified in deceptively using them. In making his case, Foddy makes several u...
Ordering-Induced Microstructures and Microwave Dielectric Properties of the Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–BaZrO3 System

The structures of compositions across the Ba(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )-O 3 -BaZrO 3 (BMN-BZ) system have been examined using X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy, and their dielectric properties have been characterized in the microwave range. Although pure BMN adopts a 1:2 ordered structure, of space group Pm31, additions of 5-15 mol% BZ stabilize a cubic (Fm3m), 1:1 ordered phase with a doubled perovskite repeat. At higher levels of substitution (>25 mol% BZ), the B-site cations are disordered. After normal sintering, the niobates in the 1:1 phase field are comprised of nanometer-sized ordered domains that are dispersed in a disordered matrix. However, by reducing the cooling rate to 10°C/h, a fully ordered microstructure is formed with domain sizes >100 nm in size. The structure of the 1:1 phases has been interpreted using a random-layer model, in which one site is occupied by niobium, and the second is occupied by a random distribution of the remaining cations. The addition of small concentrations of BZ produces a 100% improvement in the dielectric-loss properties of BMN, and a Q.f value of 82000 is obtained for a 5 mol% substitution.
An initial-boundary value problem for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

Abstract We present a method for studying initial-boundary value problems associated with integrable nonlinear evolution equations. For concreteness we consider the nonlinear Schrodinger equation in the variable q(x,t), x in [0,∞), with a mixed boundary condition, i.e. qx(0,t)+αq(0,t) is given (α is an arbitrary real constant), q(x,t) can be obtained by solving a linear integral equation uniquely defined in terms of appropriate scattering data. These data satisfy a single nonlinear integrodifferential equation uniquely defined in terms of the boundary condition. For the special case of a homogeneous boundary condition, the scattering data are found in closed form.