cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTIVENESS OF LIQUID SOAP VS. CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE FOR THE REMOVAL OF CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE FROM BARE HANDS AND GLOVED HANDS

Objective:To compare liquid soap versus 4% chlorhexidine gluconate in 4% alcohol for the decontamination of bare or gloved hands inoculated with an epidemic strain of Clostridium difficile.Design:C difficile (6.7 log10 colony-forming units [CFU], 47% spores), was seeded onto bare or latex gloved hands of ten volunteers and allowed to dry. Half the volunteers initially washed with soap and half with chlorhexidine, followed by the other agent 1 week later. Cultures were done with Rodac plates at three sites on the hand: finger/thumbtips, the palmar surfaces of the fingers, and the palm. Statistical comparison was by paired Student’s t test.Results:On bare hands, soap and chlorhexidine did not differ in residual bacterial counts on the finger/thumbtips (log10 CFU, 2.0 and 2.1, P= NS) and fingers (log10 CFU, 2.4 and 2.5, P=NS). Counts were too high on bare palms to quantitate. On gloved hands, soap was more effective than chlorhexidine on fingers (log10 CFU 1.3 and 1.7, P<.01) and palms (log10 CFU 1.5 and 2.0, P<.01), but not finger/thumbtips (log10 CFU 1.6 with each, P=NS). Residual C difficile counts were lower on gloved hands than bare hands (P<0.01 to <0.0001).Conclusions:The two agents did not differ significantly in residual counts of C difficile on bare hands, but on gloved hands residual counts were lower following soap wash than following chlorhexidine wash. These observations support the use of either soap or chlorhexidine as a handwash for removal of C difficile, but efficacy in the prevention of C difficile transmission must be determined by prospective clinical trials.
THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF CELL WALL CARBOHYDRATES: II. FORMATION OF CELLULOSE AND XYLAN FROM LABELED MONOSACCHARIDES IN WHEAT PLANTS

D-Glucose-1-C14, D-allose-1-C14, D-ribose-1-C14, D-xylose-1-C14, and sedoheptulose-2-C14 were administered to Thatcher wheat plants. The cellulose and xylan were isolated after a 5–48 hr. period of metabolism, and converted to glucose and xylose, respectively. The distribution of C14 in both glucose and xylose was then determined by fermentation with Lcuconostoc mesentcroides. Glucose was found to be a better precursor of both cellulose and xylan than any of the other sugars. The distribution of C14 in the products strongly suggested that the main route for synthesis of the xylose units of xylan was by removal of carbon-6 from a hexose and that pentoses were converted to xylan only through a hexose intermediate.
A New Shear-Compression Test for Determining the Pressure Influence on the Shear Response of Elastomers

A new shear-compression experiment for investigating the influence of hydrostatic pressure (mean stress) on the large deformation shear response of elastomers is presented. In this new design, a nearly uniform torsional shear strain is superposed on a uniform volumetric compression strain generated by axially deforming specimens confined by a stack of thin steel disks. The new design is effective in applying uniform shear and multiaxial compressive stress on specimens while preventing buckling and barreling during large deformation under high loads. By controlling the applied pressure and shear strain independently of each other, the proposed setup allows for measuring the shear and bulk response of elastomers at arbitrary states within the shear-pressure stress space. Thorough evaluation of the new design is conducted via laboratory measurements and finite element simulations. Practical issues and the need for care in specimen preparation and data reduction are explained and discussed. The main motivation behind developing this setup is to aid in characterizing the influence of pressure or negative dilatation on the constitutive shear response of elastomeric coating materials in general and polyurea in particular. Experimental results obtained with the new design illustrate the significant increase in the shear stiffness of polyurea under moderate to high hydrostatic pressures.
Incidence of right ventricular asynergy in patients with coronary artery disease.

The effects of coronary artery disease on patterns of left ventricular contractility have been thoroughly investigated. In contrast, little is known about the incidence of right ventricular dysfunction induced by this disease. To evaluate the frequency of right ventricular asynergy, biplane right ventricular cineangiograms were obtained in 26 patients. Seven segmental axes of shortening were analyzed in each end-systolic and end-diastolic frame and normalized as percent decrease (or increase) in axis from end-diastolic length. Of 26 patients, 8 (Group I) served as normal (control) subjects. The remaining 18 patients had significant coronary artery disease; 6 of these (Group II) had no significant disease of the right coronary artery, whereas 12 (Group III) had significant obstruction of this artery. Four patients in Group II had a previous anteroseptal myocardial infarction, and six in Group III had a previous inferior myocardial infarction. There was a progressive decrease in segmental axes of shortening from Group I to II and from Group II to III, but the decrease was not significant at the level P
Variable expression of rib, pectus, and scapular anomalies with Robin-type cleft palate in a 5-generation family: A new syndrome?

We report on a 5-generation family with multiple musculoskeletal anomalies, including: Robin-type cleft palate, rib “dysplasia,” scapular hypoplasia, and pectus excavatum. Robin-type clefts are known to be associated with various skeletal malformations; however, most of these include limb anomalies which are not present in this family. To our knowledge, there are no reports of similar conditions in the literature. The transmission through 5 generations and the presence of male-to-male transmission are consistent with autosomal-dominant transmission of a trait with variable expressivity. Am. J. Med. Genet. 73:247–250, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers of the descending thoracic aorta: evaluation with CT and distinction from aortic dissection.

Penetrating atherosclerotic ulceration of the aorta is a poorly understood entity that clinically mimics classic aortic dissection but has imaging features that are distinctly different. In a review of 16 patients with penetrating atherosclerotic ulceration, patients were typically hypertensive (n = 14), and they experienced chest or back pain (n = 13). All patients had an abnormal chest radiograph, with diffuse (n = 14) or focal (n = 2) enlargement of the descending thoracic aorta. Features at contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) included intramural hematoma (n = 16), focal ulcer (n = 15), displaced intimal calcification (n = 13), pleural and/or extrapleural fluid (n = 7), mediastinal fluid (n = 4), and a thick or enhancing aortic wall (n = 6). The chest radiograph and CT findings were compared in patients treated conservatively (n = 9) and surgically (n = 7). These findings did not correlate with the need for surgery. Eight of nine conservatively treated patients were asymptomatic after t...
Prostacyclin‐induced rundown of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor currents in HEK293 cells is protein kinase A‐dependent and NR2 subunit‐selective

Previous studies in neurons have demonstrated a rapid decrease in NMDA receptor currents following tyrosine kinase inhibition or exposure to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Inhibitors of protein kinase A␣(PKA) block the PDGF-induced rundown suggesting a multistep pathway that leads to decreased amplitudes of NMDA-activated currents. In this study, HEK293 cells expressing different NMDA receptor subunits were used to study the effects of prostacyclin receptor-mediated PKA activation on the magnitude of glutamate-activated currents. The prostacyclin agonist iloprost induced a rapid and time-dependent depression of otherwise stable glutamate-activated currents in cells expressing NR1–2a/2A or NR1–2a/2D receptors but not NR1–2a/2B or NR1–2a/2C receptors. This rundown was prevented by treatment of cells with the PKA inhibitor H89. The iloprost effect persisted in cells coexpressing NR1–2a/2A receptors and either wild-type or mutant Src kinase (SrcS17A). Co-expression of PSD-95 with NR1–2a/2A receptors reduced but did not eliminate the extent of rundown. Iloprost also produced current rundown in cells expressing NR1–2a and a C-terminal truncated NR2A subunit (NR2A1050stop) but not in those transfected with an NR2A tyrosine mutant (Y842F). The iloprost-induced rundown of wild-type NR1–2a/2A receptors was prevented by prior exposure of cells to hypertonic sucrose. These results suggest that PKA influences the functional activity of NMDA receptors in an NR2 subunit-selective fashion.
Original Papers · Travaux originaux: Studies of Normal Hearing

Auditory function changes continually from birth to old age. A variety of methods to assess hearing have evolved since the invention of the audiometer. Types of measurement include: electrical response in the central nervous system, cochlear acuity and speech responses. While some of these tests correlate fairly well with each other, their ability to represent overall hearing function is questionable. Other attempts to improve the assessment of hearing have been made in the area of self-appraisal, but these, too, have significant limitations. Most self-report and peer appraisal questionnaires have been established by studies of hearing-impaired populations. Norms for these techniques in normal-hearing populations need to be established. There is still room for valid tests of everyday communication. What we have in measurement procedures does not achieve this goal. Research studies of today will hopefully produce better definition of normal auditory function.
Descriptive Analysis of Fifth Grade Division Instruction in Basal Mathematics Programs: Violations of Pedagogy

The purpose of this article was to examine the teaching of division in two fifth-grade mathematics basal series published prior to the current National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards (1989) and recent editions of the same basals published after the standards were in effect. In this article, six pedagogical variables gleaned from effective teaching practices are presented followed by a narrative description of the extent to which the late 1980s' and early 1990s' editions of two basal mathematics programs applied these variables in designing instructional sequences. The present analysis revealed substantial pedagogical deficits in the two programs' 1980 and 1990 editions: prior knowledge was rarely addressed, content was introduced too rapidly, coherence of information taught was lacking, teaching demonstrations were often not explicit and straightforward, and practice and review were often inadequate.
Diffusion abnormalities of the corpus callosum in patients receiving bevacizumab for malignant brain tumors: suspected treatment toxicity

Bevacizumab has been reported to cause diffusion restriction in the tumor bed of patients with malignant gliomas. This study evaluated prolonged diffusion restriction, in the corpus callosum (CC), of patients with malignant brain tumors treated with bevacizumab. We retrospectively reviewed our database of patients treated with bevacizumab for malignant brain tumors looking for those with restricted diffusion in the CC. CC ADC ratio measurements were obtained prior to and following treatment. Correlation was made with biopsy (n = 3) and MR perfusion (n = 7) and PET (n = 4). The temporal evolution of these changes relative to therapy was examined with mixed effects regression analysis. Nine patients (eight malignant gliomas, one malignant meningioma) out of 146 patients were found to have developed areas of diffusion restriction in the CC. These areas tended to enlarge and coalesce over serial MRIs and persisted for up to 22 months. Hypoperfusion was demonstrated in MR perfusion in 7/7. PET was hypometabolic in all 4. Biopsy of the CC showed no tumor in 3/3. ADC ratio measurements indicated a significant overall effect of time (F(16,60) = 11.2; p < 0.0001), consistent with persistent diffusion restriction over the measured time periods. Bevacizumab causes prolonged diffusion restriction in the CC. The negative MR perfusion, FDG PET and histopathology suggest this is a toxicity of bevacizumab and not active tumor. Awareness of these changes can assist in patient care.
CUSTOMER DRIVEN MARKETING IN THE TRANSPORTATION/LOGISTICS INDUSTRY.

Since deregulation of the airlines in 1978, and rail and truck in 1980, the transportation/logistics Industry has undergone significant changes. The trend has been one of improved efficiency and extreme price and cost pressures, requiring more of a customer driven marketing approach on the part of transportation/logistics service providers. This article identifies some of the more significant changes that have affected the industry and offers considerations for decision making to those who are tasked with making critical marketing decisions. Finally, a vision of the future of the transportation/logistics industry is presented.
Acute pulmonary embolus mimicked on V/Q scan by sarcoidosis

Acute pulmonary embolus is a common problem requiring evaluation in the emergency setting. Following the initial chest radiograph, the most common imaging test requested is the ventilation perfusion lung scan. We describe a patient with sarcoidosis and a false positive ventilation perfusion lung scan caused by bilateral hilar adenopathy compressing the proximal pulmonary arteries. This case illustrates that patients with hilar adenopathy and suspected pulmonary embolus may have unreliable ventilation perfusion scans, and should be referred to arteriography or CT for evaluation, rather than for a ventilation perfusion lung scan.
Comparison testing of soap irritancy using aluminum chamber and standard patch methods

Five soaps were tested for irritancy potential using both the aluminum chamber and a standard 21-day patch testing method. One of the products showed marked potential for irritation after 21 days of patch testing but not with the chamber method of testing. An explanation of the varying results obtained by the two methods requires further investigation.
Comparative Ngas measurements for a parallel plate chamber in proton, electron, and 60Co beams

The TG21 protocol introduced the N gascalibration method for parallel plate chambers in high‐energy electron beams. This calibration method was performed for a Markus parallel plate chamber in proton and electron beams of various energies as well as a 60Co beam. For an individual chamber, the N gas value in protonbeams differs from the N gas value in cobalt and electron beams by the ratio of (W/e) for protonbeams to that of a 60Co beam. While the replacement correction factor is essential for Markus chambers in low‐energy electron beams, the results of our N gas pp measurements in protonbeams showed that the Markus chamber does not need a replacement correction factor for therapeuticprotonbeams of energy 20–170 MeV. These results indicate that the 0.7‐mm guard ring of the Markus chamber is adequate to prevent the in‐scattering of secondary electrons produced by protonirradiation of the chamber wall or medium.
A Molecular Dissection of Caveolin-1 Membrane Attachment and Oligomerization TWO SEPARATE REGIONS OF THE CAVEOLIN-1 C-TERMINAL DOMAIN MEDIATE MEMBRANE BINDING AND OLIGOMER/OLIGOMER INTERACTIONS IN VIVO

Caveolins form interlocking networks on the cytoplasmic face of caveolae. The cytoplasmically directed N and C termini of caveolins are separated by a central hydrophobic segment, which is believed to form a hairpin within the membrane. Here, we report that the caveolin scaffolding domain (CSD, residues 82-101), and the C terminus (residues 135-178) of caveolin-1 are each sufficient to anchor green fluorescent protein (GFP) to membranes in vivo. We also show that the first 16 residues of the C terminus (i.e. residues 135-150) are necessary and sufficient to attach GFP to membranes. When fused to the caveolin-1 C terminus, GFP co-localizes with two trans-Golgi markers and is excluded from caveolae. In contrast, the CSD targets GFP to caveolae, albeit less efficiently than full-length caveolin-1. Thus, caveolin-1 contains at least two membrane attachment signals: the CSD, dictating caveolar localization, and the C terminus, driving trans-Golgi localization. Additionally, we find that caveolin-1 oligomer/oligomer interactions require the distal third of the caveolin-1 C terminus. Thus, the caveolin-1 C-terminal domain has two separate functions: (i) membrane attachment (proximal third) and (ii) protein/protein interactions (distal third).
The Aftereffects of Stress: An Attentional Interpretation

Two studies were conducted in order to test the hypothesis that the aftereffects of stress on both performance and social behavior are attributable to a depletion of attentional capacity. This depletion, or “cognitive fatigue,” was predicted to increase with both the attentional load and duration of an activity. A laboratory study demonstrated that aftereffects can be induced (without a stressor such as noise, crowding, or shock) by the performance of an attention-demanding task. Deficits on an aftereffects task increased as principal task demand and task duration increased. A second study, conducted in a field setting, found that after performing a high-load task, subjects were less likely to help a woman search for a contact lens than were their counterparts who performed a low-load task. Similarly, subjects who had been crowded were less likely to help than were those who had not been crowded. The data are interpreted as providing support for the “cognitive-fatigue” explanation of the aftereffects of stress.
Keynote 1. Smart Networked Systems and Societies: What Will the Future Look Like?

We are witnessing a new revolution in computing and communication. The Internet, which has spanned several networks in a wide variety of domains, is having a significant impact on every aspect of our lives. The next generation of networks will utilize a wide variety of resources with significant sensing capabilities. Such networks will extend beyond physically linked computers to include multimodal-information from biological, cognitive, semantic, and social networks. This paradigm shift will involve symbiotic networks of people (social networks), smart devices, and smart phones or mobile personal computing and communication devices that will form net-centric societies or cyber-physical social systems. These devices — and the network — will be constantly sensing, monitoring, and interpreting the environment; this is sometimes referred to as the Internet of Things (IOT). The symbiosis of IOT and social networks will have significant implications for both the market for advanced computing and communication infrastructure and the future markets — for nearly 4.5 billion people — that net-centric societies will create. In this talk I will discuss a future vision for healthcare, which will involve smart phones, smart devices, and social networks, and will discuss computing technologies that make this vision a reality.
The fictionalization of lessons learned

In this paper, the discusses their mission which is a part of an innovative research effort to create prototype leadership development applications for US Army officers in partnership with the Hollywood film industry and researchers at the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT). In short, they're creating a new genre of Army training films, and exploring their role in interactive technologies for case-method teaching, which is the formal use of stories in classroom instruction.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CELL DIVISION IN TRICHOSARCINA POLYMORPHA AND PSEUDENDOCLONIUM BASILIENSE (CHLOROPHYCEAE)1

SUMMARY Pseudendoclonium basiliense and Trichosarcina polymorpha are essentially identical with regard to the fine structural details of cell division even though one was previously classified in the Chaetophorales and the other in the Ulvales. Cell division in the 2 genera is also shown to be like that in Ulva, as previously suggested might be the case. The combination of mitotic and cytokinetic characteristics common to the 3 genera is distinctive: (1) precocious development of a thick cleavage furrow, (2) centrioles distinctly lateral to polar fenestrae, (3) collapse of the interzonal spindle at telophase, and. (4) a cleavage furrow not associated with microtubules. It is suggested that features of vegetative cell division presently provide the best, characteristics for defining the Ulvaceae and that the use of growth habit should be abandoned. Despite the fact that a phycoplast is not present, in these algae, it is concluded that their affinities lie with genera that do possess a phycoplast.
Two Critical Issues in Primary Prevention: What It Is and How To Do It

Definition of primary prevention and of end-state and stressful life variable models are presented to guide the design and conduct of primary prevention activities.
New generation dopaminergic agents. 7. Heterocyclic bioisosteres that exploit the 3-OH-phenoxyethylamine D2 template

Abstract The synthesis of several-bioisosteric analogs based on the 3-OH-phenoxyethylamine dopamine D 2 agonist template (i.e., 3 ) is described. The benzimidazol-2-ones and benzthioimidazol-2-ones ( 7–10 ) and 2-trifluoromethyl-benzimidazole ( 13 ) were observed to have excellent affinity for the D 2 receptor.
On stability of sixth-order nonlinear system

The stability of an isolated equilibrium point for a sixth-order nonlinear differential equation is presented. A Liapunov function is constructed which satisfies the well-known theorem of LaSalle (1969) .
Coordination of Purchasing and Bidding Activities Across Posted Offer and Auction Markets

In both consumer purchasing and industrial procurement, combinatorial interdependencies among the items to be purchased are commonplace. E-commerce compounds the problem by providing more opportunities for switching suppliers at low costs, but also potentially eases the problem by enabling automated market decision-making systems, commonly referred to as trading agents, to make purchasing decisions in an integrated manner across markets. We are investigating a new approach to deal with the combinatorial interdependency challenges for online markets. This approach relies on existing commercial online market institutions such as posted-offer markets and various online auctions that sell single items. It uses trading agents to coordinate a buyer’s purchasing and bidding activities across multiple online markets simultaneously to achieve the best overall procurement effectiveness. This paper presents two sets of models related to this approach. The first set of models formalizes optimal purchasing decisions across posted-offer markets with fixed transaction costs. The second set of models is concerned with the coordination of bidding activities across multiple online auctions.
Properties and reactions of uranium(IV) tetrahydroborate by ion cyclotron mass spectrometry

The gas-phase ion chemistry of U(BH/sub 4/)/sub 4/ is studied with the techniques of ion cyclotron resonance spectrometry. An electron impact ionization energy of 9.0 +- 0.5 eV is determined, and appearance energies for several positive fragment ions are reported. These data are analyzed to give ..delta..H/sub f/(U(BH/sub 4/)/sub 4/) = -7 +- 14 kcal/mol as well as several bond dissociation energies for the parent neutral and its fragment ions. U(BH/sub 4/)/sub 4/ attaches thermal electrons to form the molecular anion. Fragment negative ions are observed with higher energy electrons. The reactions of both positive and negative ions in U(BH/sub 4/)/sub 4/ alone and with other gases are reported. The trapped-electron spectrum is obtained and compared with previous optical spectroscopic studies of U(BH/sub 4/)/sub 4/. Irradiation of major positive ions by a low-power CW CO/sub 2/ laser produced no evidence of photochemistry.
The Use of Eccentrically Biased Resistance Exercise to Mitigate Muscle Impairments Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Short Review:

Background:Novel interventions that can safely and effectively overload muscle early following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are needed to minimize atrophy and weakness that often becom...
Evaluation of the clouds and the Earth's radiant energy system (CERES) scanner pointing accuracy using a coastline detection system

Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) investigation to examine the role of clouds in the radiative energy flow through the Earth-atmosphere system. The first CERES scanning radiometer was launched on November 27, 1997 into a 35 inclination, 350 km altitude orbit, on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft. The CERES instrument consists of a three channel scanning broadband radiometer. The spectral bands measure shortwave (0.3 - 5 microns), window (8 - 12 microns), and total (0.3 - 100 microns) radiation reflected or emitted from the Earth-atmosphere system. Each Earth viewing measurement is geolocated to the Earth fixed coordinate system using satellite ephemeris, Earth rotation and geoid, and instrument pointing data. The interactive CERES coastline detection system is used to assess the accuracy of the CERES geolocation process. By analyzing radiative flux gradients at the boundaries of ocean and land masses, the accuracy of the scanner measurement locations may be derived for the CERES/TRMM instrument/satellite system. The resulting CERES measurement location errors are within 10% of the nadir footprint size. Precise pointing knowledge of the Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS) is required for convolution of cloud properties onto the CERES footprint; initial VIRS coastline results are included.
Essential Criteria to Characterize Constructivist Teaching: Derived from a Review of the Literature and Applied to Five Constructivist-Teaching Method Articles.

Constructivism is an important theory of learning that is used to guide the development of new teaching methods, particularly in science education. However, because it is a theory of learning and not of teaching, constructivism is often either misused or misunderstood. Here we describe the four essential features of constructivism: eliciting prior knowledge, creating cognitive dissonance, application of new knowledge with feedback, and reflection on learning. We then use the criteria we developed to evaluate five representative published articles that claim to describe and test constructivist teaching methods. Of these five articles, we demonstrate that three do not adhere to the constructivist criteria, whereas two provide strong examples of how constructivism can be employed as a teaching method. We suggest that application of the four essential criteria will be a useful tool for all professional educators who plan to implement or evaluate constructivist teaching methods.
A ternary conjugate system for substrate measurements in hydrogen peroxide generating enzyme reactions: urate in human fluids.

Abstract The ternary conjugate system, the basics of which were previously described, and its adaptation to the analysis of glucose by glucose oxidase, has been modified to make it appropriate for urate analysis utilizing uricase-oxygen as the oxidant system. The intensive and extensive variables of the analytical system have been optimized. The method has been found to yield results that establish its accuracy and reproducibility. It provides a degree of analytical rapidity unattainable by other highly specific methods. The basic system could prove applicable to several other hydrogen peroxide generating enzyme systems.
A Hot Electron–Hole Pair Breaks the Symmetry of a Semiconductor Quantum Dot

The best-understood property of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is the size-dependent optical transition energies due to the quantization of charge carriers near the band edges. In contrast, much less is known about the nature of hot electron–hole pairs resulting from optical excitation significantly above the bandgap. Here, we show a transient Stark effect imposed by a hot electron–hole pair on optical transitions in PbSe QDs. The hot electron–hole pair does not behave as an exciton, but more bulk-like as independent carriers, resulting in a transient and varying dipole moment which breaks the symmetry of the QD. As a result, we observe redistribution of optical transition strength to dipole forbidden transitions and the broadening of dipole-allowed transitions during the picosecond lifetime of the hot carriers. The magnitude of symmetry breaking scales with the amount of excess energy of the hot carriers, diminishes as the hot carriers cool down and disappears as the hot electron–hole pair becomes an e...
Energies of low-lying excited states of linear polyenes.

Room temperature absorption and emission spectra of the all-trans isomers of decatetraene, dodecapentaene, tetradecahexaene, and hexadecaheptaene have been obtained in a series of nonpolar solvents. The resolved vibronic features in the optical spectra of these model systems allow the accurate determination of S0 (11Ag−) → S2 (11Bu+) and S1 (21Ag−) → S0 (11Ag−) electronic origins as a function of solvent polarizability. These data can be extrapolated to predict the transition energies in the absence of solvent perturbations. The effects of the terminal methyl substituents on the transition energies also can be estimated. Franck−Condon maxima in the absorption and emission spectra were used to estimate differences between S0 (11Ag−) → S1 (21Ag−) and S0 (11Ag−) → S2 (11Bu+) electronic origins and “vertical” transition energies. Experimental estimates of the vertical transition energies of unsubstituted, all-trans polyenes in vacuum as a function of conjugation length are compared with long-standing multiref...
Common Exposure Outbreak of Gastroenteritis Due to Type 2 Rotavirus with High Secondary Attack Rate within Families

A sharp outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with human rotavirus type 2 involved not only all of nine infants and young children in a playgroup but also seven of 10 parents and grandparents studied. The source of the outbreak appeared to be two non-playgroup siblings. Six of 11 individuals studied shed human rotavirus type 2, and each of seven from whom paired sera were obtained developed a type 2 sero-response. Overall, evidence of infection with rotavirus type 2 was demonstrated in 10 of 11 individuals by detection of virus in stools and/or a serologic response in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Fracture behavior of fused quartz with laser-induced internal flaws

Pulsed-laser light was used to generate internal flaws in fused quartz. The size of the flaw produced was proportional to the amount of laser pulse energy above a threshold value of 2.5 mJ. Specimens of different flaw sizes were tested at room temperature under four-point bending. The bending strength decreased as the flaw size increased, and a Griffith relationship was established between the lateral flaw size and the critical stress at the flaw tip. Characteristic demarcation lines were observed on the fracture surfaces of specimens with a flaw size greater than 0.25 mm. It is suggested that the formation of the demarcation line is caused by a discontinuous change of stress intensity in the dynamic process of the crack propagation.
Investigating the multimodality of multivariate data with principal curves

We propose a simple method to assess the number of subpopulations in multivariate data by projecting the data on its principal curve and then applying Silverman's bandwidth test to the resulting univariate sample. Our results indicate that this method works well even in high-dimensional settings with relatively small sample sizes, provided that the number of subpopulations is not large compared to the number of dimensions.
Changes in oxygen consumption of the american lobster, homarus american us, during the molt cycle

Abstract 1. 1. Variations in oxygen consumption of the American lobster, Homarus americanus , are reported during the molt cycle. 2. 2. Oxygen consumption rates rise as molting approaches, then drop rapidly. 3. 3. The results of this study are important to researchers who use oxygen consumption as a method of determining the effects of environmental Stressors (including pollutants) on crustaceans.
Semigroups and the Generalized Road Coloring Problem

The road coloring problem has been open for some 25 years. This paper shows how algebraic methods, specifically semigroup theory, can be used to both generalize and shed light on the problem. Given a strongly connected digraph, the notion of a coloring semigroup is defined. The main result shows that the existence of a coloring semigroup whose kernel is a minimum rank right group of rank t implies the digraph is periodic of order t.
Intramolecular Electrostatic Electron Traps

MOST of the better known radical anions and dianions have in common the fact that their precursors possess low-lying vacant molecular orbitals. It is deduced that compounds in which atoms are suitably disposed to afford the maximum overlap of vacant orbitals should constitute suitable electron acceptors so that a stable reduced species might be obtained.
COMPLICATIONS OF STERILE ABSCESS FORMATION AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM FOLLOWING PERIURETHRAL BULKING AGENTS

AbstractPurpose: Agents currently used in the treatment of urinary incontinence secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency are effective and minimally invasive. Ensuring a lack of sensitivity to the product or use of autologous material, such as fat, minimizes significant problems. However, local and systemic complications can occur with any bulking agent. We describe rare complications of periurethral bulk injections.Materials and Methods: Three cases of sterile abscess formation and 1 of pulmonary embolism after periurethral bulk injections were reviewed. Two patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency were treated with transurethral injection of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen at the Mayo Clinic, 1 also treated with collagen for intrinsic sphincter deficiency was referred from elsewhere and 1 underwent periurethral injection of autologous fat for intrinsic sphincter deficiency elsewhere. Clinical information and patient followup were obtained from medical records and discussion with treating phy...
The effect of initial grain size distribution on abnormal grain growth in single-phase materials

Abstract A model that describes the temporal evolution of an initial grain size distribution (GSD) has been used to analyze the effect of initial GSD on grain growth. Based upon the work of Hillert, and Hunderi and Ryum, this model uses a finite difference technique to numerically solve the continuity equation. A formal method has been developed to create synthetic GSDs. The model is used to study the evolution of both continuous and discontinuous GSDs. For either case, two parameters describe the deviation from steady state: u max is the ratio of the largest grain radius to the critical grain radius, and F o is the initial fraction of grains larger than twice the critical radius. The analysis is applied to lognormal GSDs obtained from experimental results. It is shown that, for all initial GSDs with nonzero F o , a transient period of abnormal grain growth characterizes the initial stages of growth. F o and u max allow approximate prediction of the duration and extent of abnormal grain growth.
Interaction between Long-Term Potentiation and Depression in CA1 Synapses: Temporal Constrains, Functional Compartmentalization and Protein Synthesis

Information arriving at a neuron via anatomically defined pathways undergoes spatial and temporal encoding. A proposed mechanism by which temporally and spatially segregated information is encoded at the cellular level is based on the interactive properties of synapses located within and across functional dendritic compartments. We examined cooperative and interfering interactions between long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), two forms of synaptic plasticity thought to be key in the encoding of information in the brain. Two approaches were used in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the mouse hippocampus: (1) induction of LTP and LTD in two separate synaptic pathways within the same apical dendritic compartment and across the basal and apical dendritic compartments; (2) induction of LTP and LTD separated by various time intervals (0–90 min). Expression of LTP/LTD interactions was spatially and temporally regulated. While they were largely restricted within the same dendritic compartment (compartmentalized), the nature of the interaction (cooperation or interference) depended on the time interval between inductions. New protein synthesis was found to regulate the expression of the LTP/LTD interference. We speculate that mechanisms for compartmentalization and protein synthesis confer the spatial and temporal modulation by which neurons encode multiplex information in plastic synapses.
Free amino acid changes associated with vernalization of wheat

Abstract Changes in the free amino acids in the leaf tissues of a spring and an obligate winter wheat were determined. The plants were grown for 0–5 weeks at 2° and at 25°. Seventeen known and at least seven unidentified ninhydrin positive components were detected. Only glutamic acid and lysine were more abundant at 25° than at 2°. At 2° the spring variety contained higher quantities of 14 of the amino acids, and the winter wheat contained higher quantities of alanine, glutamic acid, proline and arginine; proline being outstanding. At 25° the differences were not so marked. A general increase in the neutral and acidic amino acids in both varieties grown at 2° during the first 2 weeks was followed by a rapid decline during the subsequent week. Usually, a gentle to rapid increase followed during the final 2 weeks of growth. The basic amino acids did not follow this general pattern. The effect of growing temperature on the amino acid levels was usually greater than the varietal effect of spring vs. winter wheat. But large differences between these varieties were detected in the levels of phenylalanine, proline, tryptophan and unknown No. 1. Glutamine and asparagine + serine, which were all eluted together, usually accounted for 30–80 per cent of the total free amino acids. Alanine and proline were both very high in the cold-grown winter wheat; alanine contributed 30–35 per cent and proline 16–18 per cent of the total free amino acids during the latter part of the growth period. Similar and parallel changes were observed in some of the amino acids during the 5 weeks of growth, but there was no apparent correlation between these patterns of similar change and the common biosynthetic families of amino acids. The patterns and rather dramatic changes in levels of several of the soluble nitrogen compounds may well be significant clues to biochemical mechanisms involved in vernalization of wheat. Components which this study suggests may be of particular interest are proline, glutamine and asparagine, ammonia plus overlapping unknowns, other basic amino acids and an acidic substance tentatively suggested to be glutathione.
Percutaneous Penetration of Local Anesthetic Bases: Pharmacodynamic Measurements

Local anesthetics do not penetrate readily through human skin if applied in their salt form; however, if applied in their base form various effects may be observed, such as a decrease in pricking pain and a change in burning, itch, and thermal sensations. These effects occur after skin penetration and may be attributed to the action of the anesthetics on nociceptors and thermoreceptors, i.e., on C and Aδ nerve fiber respectively. As there is little known about the time course of the pharmacodynamic response of cutaneously applied local anesthetic bases, this study was conducted to characterize various local anesthetics pharmacodynamically by measuring thermal thresholds over time with a thermal sensory analyzer. The results show that the investigated local anesthetics affect thermal thresholds to a different extent, with tetracaine and lidocaine being most efficient. From the response versus time profiles of all eight study subjects various response parameters were obtained: only the cold sensation parameters proved suitable for characterization of the local anesthetics, possibly because cold receptors are located in the epidermis and can easily be reached. Lag times of onset are short and the maximum anesthetic effect is reached within 2–3 h. Cold sensation parameters correlate linearly with the solubility of the local anesthetic bases in medium chain triglycerides and with the drug flux of 50% saturation, indicating that medium chain triglycerides may have similar properties with regard to the local anesthetics solubility as the stratum corneum lipids.
The heat of dimerization of some carboxylic acids in the vapour phase determined by a spectroscopic method

Abstract In this work, the lower molecular weight carboxylic acids, formic, acetic, propionic, n-butyric, isobutric and trimethylacetic have been studied to find, firstly, whether there is any trend in thermodynamic properties due to mass or structure of the alkyl substituent, and secondly, to demonstrate the utility and limitations of a simple spectroscopic procedure for the determination of thermodynamic properties.
Ovarian thresholds to exogenous LH at varying times in the rat estrous cycle.

A companion study has shown that in adult female rats stimulation of the preoptic brain always leads to ovulation when performed at 1100 on proestrus and followed by hypophysectomy 2 hr later. By contrast, at 2200 on diestrus day 2 (D2) such treatment is markedly ineffective, raising the question whether the ovarian follicles are competent to respond at that time. In the present work, 4- and 5-day cyclic rats were given a standard dose of LH (NIH-LH-B5, 12 μg/100 g body wt sc); most were hypophysectomized after 2 hr. Results at autopsy 22–35 hr after injection were registered as “full ovulation” by 7 or more tubal ova, “partial activation” by fewer ova or only histologic lutein changes, and negative when even lutein changes were lacking. Rats treated with LH at times ranging from 2200 on D2 to 1100 on proestrus gave full ovulation in 80 % of the cases, with partial activation in the remainder. There were no significant differences among the different groups. Two special groups hypophysectomized shortly be...
Improved RF power extraction from 1.55µm Ge/Si n-i-p photodiodes with load impedance optimization

The RF output power of Ge/Si n-i-p waveguide photodetectors is improved by increasing the load impedance. The maximum extracted RF power at 3GHz is 17.13dBm with a compression current of 42mA using a 100?? load.
Angular and energy distributions of neutrons from the interaction of 14 MeV neutrons with Li6 and Li7

The angular and energy distributions from the interaction of 14 Mev neutrons with /sup 6/Li and /sup 7/Li were determined from analysis of nuclear plate detectors placed at 10 deg intervals from 10 deg to 160 deg . The angular distributions of the elastically scattered neutrons are similar not only to those expected on the basis of diffraction scattering, but also to those obtained from an optical model analysis with parameters identical to those used for fitting medium-weight and heavy nuclei. The total elastic scattering cross section for 6/sup Li/ is 883 plus or minus 95 mb; for 7/sup Li/, 969 plus or minus 110 mb. The neutrons from inelastic collisions are much less peaked in the forward direction and exhibit a considerable isotropic component. The measured value for the total cross section for the emission of neutrons for /sup 6/Li is 1.44 plus or minus 0.16 b; for /sup 7/Li, 1.61 plus or minus 0.2 b. (auth)
Efficient EVM Testing of Wireless OFDM Transceivers Using Null Carriers

High-volume manufacturing of current generation orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transceivers mandates testing for error-vector-magnitude (EVM) at production testing. During EVM test, a modulated RF input signal is down-converted and demodulated to obtain the output baseband digital data and EVM is computed by processing the baseband digital data. Hence, production testing of OFDM devices would require such modulation- and demodulation-capable automated test equipment (ATE) to perform EVM test. Such capabilities significantly add up to the cost of the ATE, thereby increasing the overall cost of testing. Moreover, test time for EVM can be relatively long compared to other tests due to the need to average over a large number of data bits. In this paper, we propose a methodology for testing EVM using multi-tone signals sourced from inexpensive signal sources that generate standard constellations. Moreover, introducing null carriers in the multi-tone test stimulus enables accurate characterization of system noise with reduced number of data bits. This enables significant speedup in EVM testing. We present the theory to corroborate the proposed approach along with simulation and hardware results. The proposed test method also has the potential to significantly reduce EVM test time under production test conditions.
Theory of electron correlation in atoms and molecules

Corrections to the Hartree-Fock (H.F.) wave function, $\Phi\_0$, and energy of a many-electron system are given. By the use of operator techniques in perturbation theory, the first-order w.f., $X'\_1$, is obtained in terms of pair functions. These satisfy equations just like those of an actual two-electron system, except that now each electron moves in the H.F. field of the entire N-electron `medium' added to the field of nuclei. Every pair function must be orthogonalized to each of the two H.F. orbitals associated with it to get the complete $X'\_1$. This $X'\_1$ determines both E$\_2$ and E$\_3$. The second-order energy. E$\_2$, comes out as the sum of pair interactions and three- and four-body correlations due to the exclusion principle. The latter may be incorporated into the pair energies if each pair function is orthogonalized also to the remaining H.F. orbitals of $\Phi\_0$. The approach allows the valence and inner shells, etc., to be discussed separately and extends some of the concepts of quantum chemistry based on orbital approximations so as to include correlation.