cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of morphologic changes of the corpus luteum by transvaginal ultrasound in early pregnancy monitoring

Objective To determine whether the ultrasound appearance, size, or change in size of the corpus luteum of early pregnancy correlated with serum progesterone, estradiol (E2), or 17-hydroxyprogesterone or were predictive of pregnancy outcome. Methods Transvaginal ultrasound assessment of the corpus luteum was performed prospectively on 55 women between 4–8 weeks' gestation. Forty-five (82%) subjects conceived in spontaneous cycles and ten (18%) conceived in cycles stimulated with clomiphene citrate. Fifty-three of 55 (96.4%) women had a second ultrasound assessment 5–8 days later (mean 6.7). Blood was drawn from each patient on the day of the ultrasound examination to measure hormone concentration. Results The appearance of the corpus luteum (macrocystic [more than 50% cystic], microcystic [less than 50% cystic], or noncystic) was not predictive of hormone concentration or pregnancy outcome. A nonviable pregnancy occurred in five of six (83%) women in whom a corpus luteum was undetectable by ultrasound and in 15 of 49 (31%) women in whom a corpus luteum was present ( P = .01). There was no specific corpus luteum volume which could predict pregnancy failure. However, when a decreasing volume from first to second ultrasound examination was observed, 11 of 20 (55%) pregnancies resulted in nonviable outcomes compared to five of 27 (19%) when an increasing volume was observed ( P r = 0.38, P = .04). Conclusions Our data reveal a lack of correlation between the size of the corpus luteum on ultrasound examination and known steroid products in pregnancies conceived during spontaneous cycles. Corpus luteum volume and steroid products were higher in those patients whose ovulation was induced with clomiphene citrate. Also, different morphologic appearances of the corpus luteum in early human pregnancy, based on the amount of cystic component, have no functional significance. However, a decreasing corpus luteum volume before 8 weeks' gestation is associated with a higher probability of early pregnancy loss.
On the existence of traveling waves for delayed reaction–diffusion equations☆

Abstract We study the existence of traveling wave solutions for reaction–diffusion equations with nonlocal delay, where reaction terms are not necessarily monotone. The existence of traveling wave solutions for reaction–diffusion equations with nonlocal delays is obtained by combining upper and lower solutions for associated integral equations and the Schauder fixed point theorem. The smoothness of upper and lower solutions is not required in this paper.
Dynamic estimation of CPU demand of web traffic

Managing the resources in a large Web serving system requires knowledge of the resource needs for service request-s of various kinds, and these needs may change over time. Assessing resource needs is commonly performed using techniques such as offline profiling, application instrumentation, and kernel-based instrumentation. Little attention has been given to the dynamic estimation of dynamic resource needs, relying only on external and high-level measurements such as overall resource utilization and request rates. We consider the problem of dynamically estimating dynamic CPU demands of multiple kinds of requests using CPU utilization and throughput measurements. We formulate the problem as a linear regression problem and obtain its basic solution. However, in practice one is faced with issues such as insignificant flows, collinear flows, space and temporal variations, and background noise. In order to deal with such issues, we present several mechanisms such as data aging, flow rejection, flow combining, noise reduction, and smoothing. We implemented these techniques in a Work Profiler component that we delivered as part of a broader system management product. We present experimental results from using this component in scenarios inspired by real-world usage of that product; our technique produces estimates that are roughly within a factor of 2 of the right answer, for the request flows that draw significant CPU power.
Spatial and seasonal variation in nutrient excretion by benthic invertebrates in a eutrophic reservoir

SUMMARY1. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) ﬂuxes via excretion by benthic invertebrates werequantiﬁed in a eutrophic reservoir (Acton Lake, Ohio, U.S.A.). We quantiﬁed variation innutrient ﬂuxes seasonally (June until November 1997), spatially (three sites) and amongtaxa (chironomids, tubiﬁcid oligochaetes and Chaoborus).2. The three taxa differed in spatial distribution and contribution to nutrient ﬂuxes.Tubiﬁcids were the most abundant taxon at two oxic sites (1.5 and 4 m depth), and wereexceedingly rare at an anoxic, hypolimnetic site (8 m). Chironomids were abundant only atthe shallowest oxic site. Chaoborus was the only abundant taxon at the anoxic site. Totalbenthic invertebrate biomass was greatest at the shallowest site and lowest at the anoxic,hypolimnetic site.3. Mass-speciﬁc excretion rate [lmol NH 4 –N or soluble reactive P (SRP) excreted mg drymass –1 h –1 ] varied among experiments and was inﬂuenced by temperature. Differencesamong taxa were not signiﬁcant. Thus, nutrient ﬂux through benthic invertebrates wasaffected more by total invertebrate biomass and temperature than by species composition.4. Fluxes of N and P via benthic invertebrate excretion (lmol NH
College-Sample Psychometric and Normative Data on a Short Form of the Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices Test

The Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices Test (APM) is a popular measure of higher-order general mental ability (g). Its use in both basic research and applied settings is partially attributable to its apparent low level of culture-loading. However, one disadvantage curtailing its more widespread use may be its protracted administration time. Arthur and Day addressed this issue by creating an APM short form. The present study provides college-sample normative data on this 12-item short form of the APM that demonstrates psychometric properties similar to those of the long form, but with a substantially shorter administration time. These data will facilitate the use and interpretation of short form test scores in research settings where administration time is a major concern.
Chemoradiation for localized rectal cancer: Neoadjuvant versus adjuvant approaches

For many years, adjuvant postoperative chemotherapy and radiation has been the standard of care in the United States for patients with T3, T4, or node-positive rectal cancer. Preoperative chemoradiation has generally been reserved for situations in which a response to therapy would allow for sphincter-preserving surgery. Recent data support the use of chemoradiation in the preoperative setting, demonstrating improvements in tumor downstaging, treatment toxicity, rate of sphincter-preserving surgery, and pelvic recurrence.
Effect of acepromazine and butorphanol on halothane minimum alveolar concentration in ponies

The effect of i.v. acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg bwt), butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg bwt) and a combination of acepromazine and butorphanol on halothane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined in 7 mixed-breed ponies. Ventilation was controlled, and blood pressure and temperature were maintained within normal limits. Following the determination of baseline MAC, treatments were administered to each pony in a random manner. The control treatment was normal saline. The baseline halothane dMAC for the control group was 0.91 +/- 0.04%, and no significant change occurred after saline administration. Acepromazine decreased (P = 0.0001) the halothane MAC from mean +/- s.e. 0.92 +/- 0.02% to 0.58 +/- 0.04%, and the combination of acepromazine and butorphanol, decreased (P = 0.003) halothane MAC, from mean +/- s.e. 0.95 +/- 0.04% to 0.59 +/- 0.06%. This represents a decrease of 36.9 and 37.8%, respectively. However, the difference between these 2 treatments was not significant. Butorphanol did not significantly change the mean group value for MAC; nevertheless, 3 ponies had an increase, one a decrease, while the MAC did not change in the remaining 3 ponies following butorphanol treatment.
The Time is Now: Improving Substance Abuse Training in Medical Schools

This commentary highlights the growing demand for substance abuse prevention and treatment, summarizes the literature regarding the current insufficiencies in substance abuse training in medical schools, and suggests strategies to address this gap in physician education. The authors describe how the combination of mandated coverage for substance abuse services and expanding treatment needs means that more physicians, regardless of their patient populations, will be faced with addressing the problem of substance use. The authors review the literature on substance abuse training in medical schools, which indicates insufficient exposure to this topic. The authors describe how current substance abuse training at medical schools is focused on transmitting scientific knowledge with relatively little education or training in attitudes and skills central to effective prevention and treatment. Given the gap between clinical need and physician education, the authors suggest several strategies for medical schools to increase training in substance abuse knowledge, attitudes, and skills, which will enhance the practice of evidence-based care. The authors posit that medical curricular reform, combined with initiatives to change clinical culture around substance abuse, will translate into improved rates of screening, shorter overall length of treatment, effective referrals for continued treatment, and increased access to care for individuals who use substances and so reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with substance use.
Kinetics of water vapor reactions with intergranular fracture surfaces of Ni3Al with and without boron

In recent years, there has appeared some convincing evidence that the brittleness normally observed in Ni{sub 3}Al polycrystals at ambient temperature and pressure is at least partially due to an environmental effect associated with trace levels of moisture present in many testing environments. In a previous study, the authors found that undoped Ni{sub 3}Al is susceptible to environmental embrittlement in either moist Ar or Ar + 5%H{sub 2} gas, indicating similar embrittling effect of both environments. In contrast to this, boron-doped Ni{sub 3}Al is not very susceptible to moisture-induced embrittlement whereas it is susceptible to gaseous hydrogen-induced intergranular embrittlement. In both H{sub 2}O and H{sub 2} environments, crack tip processes leading to embrittlement may involve gas phase transport to the crack tip, adsorption of the gaseous species (associative and dissociative), absorption and diffusion of atomic hydrogen. Once atomic hydrogen is produced at the surface, its absorption and diffusion should be the same regardless of whether it originates as environmental H{sub 2}O or as H{sub 2}.
Ethosuximide reduces ethanol withdrawal-mediated disruptions in sleep-related EEG patterns.

Background Chronic ethanol (EtOH) leads to disruptions in resting electroencephalogram (EEG) activity and in sleep patterns that can persist into the withdrawal period. These disruptions have been suggested to be predictors of relapse. The thalamus is a key structure involved in both normal brain oscillations, such as sleep-related oscillations, and abnormal rhythms found in disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Previously, we have shown progressive changes in mouse thalamic T-type Ca2+ channels during chronic intermittent EtOH exposures that occurred in parallel with alterations in theta (4 to 8 Hz) EEG patterns. Methods Two groups of 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were implanted with wireless EEG/electromyogram (EMG) telemetry and subjected to 4 weeks of chronic, intermittent EtOH vapor exposure and withdrawal. During the week after the final withdrawal, mice were administered ethosuximide (ETX; 200 mg/kg) or saline. EEG data were analyzed via discrete Fourier transform, and sleep-scored for further analysis. Results Chronic intermittent EtOH exposure produced changes in the diurnal rhythms of the delta (0.5 to 4 Hz) and theta bands that persisted into a subsequent week of sustained withdrawal. These disruptions were restored with the T-channel blocker ETX. Repeated EtOH exposures preferentially increased the relative proportion of lower frequency power (delta and theta), whereas higher frequencies (8 to 24 Hz) were decreased. The EtOH-induced decreases in relative power for the higher frequencies continued into the sustained withdrawal week for both groups. Increases in absolute delta and theta power were observed in averaged nonrapid eye movement and rapid eye movement sleep spectral data during withdrawal in ETX-treated animals, suggesting increased sleep intensity. Conclusions These results suggest that persistent alterations in delta and theta EEG rhythms during withdrawal from chronic intermittent EtOH exposure can be ameliorated with ETX and that this treatment might also increase sleep intensity during withdrawal.
Pediatric Infectious Endophthalmitis: A Review

Infectious endophthalmitis is a rare but severe complication of septecemia, intraocular surgeries, or penetrating eye trauma. The etiology, prognosis, and management of pediatric endophthalmitis resulting from exogenous and endogenous infections are reviewed. Open-globe trauma and glaucoma surgery are the most frequent causes of endophthalmitis in children, whereas endogenous infection is the least common cause. Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species are common bacterial agents in both posttraumatic and postoperative pediatric endophthalmitis, whereas Candida albicans is a commonly reported organism in endogenous endophthalmitis. Additionally, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae appear more likely as pathogens in children than in adults. The clinical manifestations and outcome usually correlate with the virulence of the infecting organism. The visual prognosis of endophthalmitis is generally poor.
Current and dynamical correlators in the Calogero-Sutherland model

Abstract We derive a new expression for the current of one-dimensional anyons in terms of Jack polynomials and calculate the exact dynamical polarization tensor for all rational values of the statistical parameter λ. We employ the method of expansion of operators in terms of many-body eigenfunctions.
Donor or recipient hepatitis B seropositivity is associated with allograft vasculopathy.

Background Increasing interest has focused on possible viral triggers of cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Although much interest has centered on cytomegalovirus, it has recently been noted that donor hepatitis C seropositivity is associated with risk for accelerated vasculopathy. The current study hypothesized that hepatitis B (HBV) might be associated with accelerated vasculopathy. Methods Sixty-six patients who received heart transplants between September 1998 and July 2000 were analyzed by intravascular ultrasound within 6 weeks and again at 12 months after transplantation. These patients were divided into 2 groups: the HBV Group ( n = 13) in which either the donor or recipient was seropositive for hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), and a Control Group ( n = 53) in which neither donor nor recipient was positive for HBcAb. Results Baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were similar. The HBV Group had significant increase in the change in average intimal area (1.59 ± 1.4 vs 0.46 ± 0.4 mm 2 , p = 0.01) per mm length of the vessel compared with controls. Allograft vasculopathy at 1 year (defined as largest maximal intimal thickness increase of ≥0.50 mm) occurred in 46% of the HBV group compared with 24% of the control group ( p = 0.05). When measured as an average maximal intimal thickness increase of >0.30 mm, allograft vasculopathy at 1 year occurred in 31% of the HBV Group compared with 5% of Controls ( p = 0.01). Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that HBV seropositivity in donor or recipient may be associated with an increased risk for cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Commentary---Bidders' Experience and Learning in Online Auctions: Issues and Implications

This study explores the implications of rejecting the sealed-bid abstraction proposed by Zeithammer and Adams [Zeithammer, R., C. Adams. 2010. The sealed-bid abstraction in online auctions. Marketing Sci.29(6) 964--987]. Using a conditional order statistic model that relies on the joint distribution of the top two proxy bids of an auction, Zeithammer and Adams show that inexperienced bidders' reactive bidding is the main cause of the rejection of the sealed-bid abstraction. Their empirical study suggests that a large percentage of bidders reactively bid, and there is weak evolutionary pressure for bidders to converge to sealed bidding. We discuss theoretical implications of this rejection and the role of bidder experience, as well as inferences about bidder learning. Tracking an inexperienced bidder's bidding behavior over time, we show that bidders learn and their bidding strategy gravitates toward rational bidding. Potential biases in bidder experience measurement and bidder learning can be assessed using a cross-sectional, time-series data set that tracks a random sample of new eBay bidders. Learning speed is faster with their complete bidding history rather than feedback ratings or winning observations only. We highlight the importance of proper measures of bidder experience and its effect on bidding strategy evolutions, both of which play important roles in clarifying bidding behavior in online auctions.
'Is this What We Came to Florida for?': Florida Women and the Fight Against Air Pollution in the 1960s

Traditional pre-1970s conservation and wilderness preservation - precursors of environmentalism - have been criticized for being too male-dominated. Environmentalism has sometimes been tarred with the same brush. Yet history is full of examples of women taking the lead in fighting environmental pollution, which came to be the main focus of environmentalism in the 1960s and '70s. Florida women provide one such example. Women became local leaders in the fight against air pollution in Jacksonville, Miami, and even rural Polk County, where cattle ranchers and citrus growers along with other residents faced nuisance and damage from phosphate industry emissions. These women leaders ran the gamut from a working-class neighborhood representative to middle-class club women. They took the lead both in pressuring local and state officials to take action, and in calling for federal help when local or state action proved insufficient.
Neoproterozoic-Cambrian basement-involved orogenesis within the Antarctic margin of Gondwana

High-grade metamorphic tectonites of the Nimrod Group in the central Transantarctic Mountains compose a major ductile shear zone that formed within the paleo-Pacific margin of Gondwana. Despite demonstrated Precambrian protoliths, the timing of metamorphism and tectonite development has been poorly constrained. Igneous rocks of diverse compositions intrude the Nimrod tectonites. Four intrusive units with incipient to well-developed ductile fabrics yield U-Pb zircon ages of 541-521 Ma, and a nondeformed pegmatite has a U-Pb zircon age of ∼515 Ma. These data show that early Paleozoic Ross magmatism was compositionally, texturally, and temporally more heterogeneous than previously recognized. Fabrics in the igneous rocks are concordant with those in their host tectonites, indicating that Nimrod tectonism was in part synchronous with plutonism. U-Pb ages of 525-522 Ma for metamorphic monazite from two pelitic tectonites support this interpretation. Thus, ductile deformation was in its peak to waning stages between about 540 and 520 Ma. This timing provides compelling evidence for transcurrent basement involvement in oblique plate convergence along the Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian Antarctic margin of Gondwana.
Additivity of the Entropies of Black Holes and Matter

The thermodynamic equilibrium between black holes and matter is characterized theoretically, summarizing the results of Martinez and York (1989). Particular attention is given to the problem of gravitational entropy and the nature of the additivity of the entropies of black holes and matter. It is concluded that no extra gravitational entropy arises as a result of the way changes in the gravitational field are produced by static minimally coupled matter, and that black-hole entropy adds directly to the entropy of matter when the two are in thermal equilibrium. The validity of interpreting S(BH) as entropy in the standard sense of statistical thermodynamics is confirmed. 11 refs.
Treatment of Pediatric Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis with Low-Dose Cyclophosphamide

OBJECTIVE:To report the safety and efficacy of long-term, low-dose cyclophosphamide therapy in a child with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH).CASE SUMMARY:A 7-year-old boy diagnosed with IPH 4 years previously was initially prescribed prednisolone. Because he only had a transient response to prednisolone, oral cyclophosphamide 2 mg/kg/d was later added. A dramatic improvement was noted during the subsequent follow-up. One year after cyclophosphamide therapy, the patient suddenly developed thrombocytopenia (platelet count 75 times 103/mm3), with the platelet count decreasing to 10 times 103/mm3 over the following 10 months. Cyclophosphamide was tapered to an alternating daily dosage of 1 mg/kg. The tapering resulted in a subsequent increase in the platelet count, which was maintained between 20 and 50 times 103/mm3 without occurrence of petechiae or spontaneous bleeding. Under this reduced dosing regimen, the disease has remained in remission for >1 year.DISCUSSION:Due to the low prevalence of IPH, ...
Psychometric evaluation of the thought-action fusion scale in a large clinical sample.

This study examined the psychometric properties of the 19-item Thought–Action Fusion (TAF) Scale, a measure of maladaptive cognitive intrusions, in a large clinical sample (N = 700). An exploratory factor analysis (n = 300) yielded two interpretable factors: TAF Moral (TAF-M) and TAF Likelihood (TAF-L). A confirmatory bifactor analysis was conducted on the second portion of the sample (n = 400) to account for possible sources of item covariance using a general TAF factor (subsuming TAF-M) alongside the TAF-L domain-specific factor. The bifactor model provided an acceptable fit to the sample data. Results indicated that global TAF was more strongly associated with a measure of obsessive-compulsiveness than measures of general worry and depression, and the TAF-L dimension was more strongly related to obsessive-compulsiveness than depression. Overall, results support the bifactor structure of the TAF in a clinical sample and its close relationship to its neighboring obsessive-compulsiveness construct.
Noise-robust speech recognition through auditory feature detection and spike sequence decoding

Speech recognition in noisy conditions is a major challenge for computer systems, but the human brain performs it routinely and accurately. Automatic speech recognition ASR systems that are inspired by neuroscience can potentially bridge the performance gap between humans and machines. We present a system for noise-robust isolated word recognition that works by decoding sequences of spikes from a population of simulated auditory feature-detecting neurons. Each neuron is trained to respond selectively to a brief spectrotemporal pattern, or feature, drawn from the simulated auditory nerve response to speech. The neural population conveys the time-dependent structure of a sound by its sequence of spikes. We compare two methods for decoding the spike sequences-one using a hidden Markov model-based recognizer, the other using a novel template-based recognition scheme. In the latter case, words are recognized by comparing their spike sequences to template sequences obtained from clean training data, using a similarity measure based on the length of the longest common sub-sequence. Using isolated spoken digits from the AURORA-2 database, we show that our combined system outperforms a state-of-the-art robust speech recognizer at low signal-to-noise ratios. Both the spike-based encoding scheme and the template-based decoding offer gains in noise robustness over traditional speech recognition methods. Our system highlights potential advantages of spike-based acoustic coding and provides a biologically motivated framework for robust ASR development.
Comparison of the effects of clofibrate and halofenate (MK-185) in isolated rat hepatocytes

Both clofibrate and halofenate reduce serum lipids in hyperlipidemic subjects. Although several studies have reported alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism after clofibrate-feeding to animals, little work has been done to determine the effects of these drugs in vitro. In the present study with isolated rat hepatocytes, CPIB significantly inhibited acetate, incorporation into cellular lipids. Since oxidation of acetate to CO2 was not inhibited by similar concentrations of CPIB, it is concluded that the reduction in lipid synthesis did not result from inhibition of acetate thiokinase. Isolation of labeled products by thin-layer chromatography revealed an equal reduction of acetate incorporation into all lipid classes. Halofenate was approximately thirty times more potent than clofibrate in decreasing lipid synthesis from [14C]acetate. Whereas CPIB had no affect on [14C]leucine incorporation into protein, halofenate also inhibited this pathway. Each drug increased both the esterification and oxidation of [14C]-palmitate, suggesting that displacement of fatty acids from albumin was responsible. Although halofenate was a more potent inhibitor of lipid synthesis than clofibrate, the latter drug was more specific in its action.
Trends in the national outcomes and costs for claudication and limb threatening ischemia: Angioplasty vs bypass graft

Purpose Debate exists as to the benefit of angioplasty vs bypass graft in the treatment of lower extremity peripheral vascular disease. The associated costs are poorly defined in the literature. We sought to determine national estimates for the costs, utilization, and outcomes of angioplasty and bypass graft for the treatment of both claudication and limb threat. Methods We searched the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (1999-2007), identifying patients who had an identifiable International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 diagnosis code of atherosclerotic disease (claudication [440.21] or limb threat [440.22-440.24]). Of these, only patients who underwent intervention of angioplasty ± stent (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty [PTA; 39.50-39.90]), peripheral bypass graft (BPG; 39.29) or aortofemoral bypass (ABF; 39.25) were included. We compared demographics, costs, and comorbidities, as well as multivariable-adjusted outcomes of in-hospital mortality and major amputation. Additionally, we used the New Jersey State Inpatient and Ambulatory databases in order to better understand the influence of outpatient procedures on current volume and trends. Results There were 563,143 patients identified (PTA: 38%, BPG: 50%, ABF: 6%; 5.1%: multiple procedure codes). Patients who had PTA and BPG were similar in age (70.4 vs 69.5 years) but older than patients who had ABF (61.8 years, P Conclusion PTA has altered the treatment paradigm for lower limb ischemia with an increase in costs and procedures. It is unclear if this represents an increase in patients or number of treatments per patient. Although mortality is slightly lower with PTA for all indications, amputation rates for limb-threat patients appear higher, as does the average cost. Longitudinal studies are necessary to determine the appropriateness of PTA in both claudication and limb-threat patients. The mortality benefit with PTA may be ultimately lost, and average costs elevated, if multiple interventions are performed on the same patients.
Non-equilibrium degassing and a primordial source for helium in ocean-island volcanism

Radioactive decay of uranium and thorium produces 4He, whereas 3He in the Earth's mantle is not produced by radioactive decay and was only incorporated during accretion-that is, it is primordial. 3He/4He ratios in many ocean-island basalts (OIBs) that erupt at hotspot volcanoes, such as Hawaii and Iceland, can be up to sixfold higher than in mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs). This is inferred to be the result of outgassing by melt production at mid-ocean ridges in conjunction with radiogenic ingrowth of 4He, which has led to a volatile-depleted upper mantle (MORB source) with low 3He concentrations and low 3He/4He ratios. Consequently, high 3He/4He ratios in OIBs are conventionally viewed as evidence for an undegassed, primitive mantle source, which is sampled by hot, buoyantly upwelling deep-mantle plumes. However, this conventional model provides no viable explanation of why helium concentrations and elemental ratios of He/Ne and He/Ar in OIBs are an order of magnitude lower than in MORBs. This has been described as the 'helium concentration paradox' and has contributed to a long-standing controversy about the structure and dynamics of the Earth's mantle. Here we show that the helium concentration paradox, as well as the full range of noble-gas concentrations observed in MORB and OIB glasses, can self-consistently be explained by disequilibrium open-system degassing of the erupting magma. We show that a higher CO2 content in OIBs than in MORBs leads to more extensive degassing of helium in OIB magmas and that noble gases in OIB lavas can be derived from a largely undegassed primitive mantle source.
The immunology of food allergy.

Food allergies represent an increasingly prevalent human health problem, and therapeutic options remain limited, with avoidance being mainstay, despite its adverse effects on quality of life. A better understanding of the key immunological mechanisms involved in such responses likely will be vital for development of new therapies. This review outlines the current understanding of how the immune system is thought to contribute to prevention or development of food allergies. Drawing from animal studies, as well as clinical data when available, the importance of oral tolerance in sustaining immunological nonresponsiveness to food Ags, our current understanding of why oral tolerance may fail and sensitization may occur, and the knowledge of pathways that may lead to anaphylaxis and food allergy–associated responses are addressed.
Understanding clustering of defects in a sub-0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS fabricator

Over two decades of bipolar-experience has previously alerted one to the fact that the extent of defect clustering, assumed in the CMOS yield models, may not hold for defects monitored on microelectronic test structures (MTS). Tracing the defect clustering from inline CMOS MTS, we now describe a viable yield prediction model using data from the various inline monitors, which also helps reconcile the questions raised earlier. Such a yield-bridge between the MTS-data and the product yield establishes the validity of the yield model and assumptions therein.
Risk of Corticosteroid-Induced Hyperglycemia Requiring Medical Therapy among Patients with Inflammatory Eye Diseases

Objective To identify the incidence and risk factors for corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia requiring medical therapy among patients with inflammatory eye diseases. Design Retrospective cohort study. Participants Patients with ocular inflammation followed at 5 United States tertiary centers that initially were neither diabetic nor taking hypoglycemic medications. Methods Eligible patients who used oral corticosteroids during follow-up were identified and followed longitudinally for initiation of hypoglycemic medication over 1 year after beginning corticosteroids. The remaining eligible patients were followed for 1 year after their initial visit. Survival analysis was used to calculate the risk of hyperglycemia requiring medical therapy and to identify potential risk factors. Main Outcome Measures Initiation of hypoglycemic medications. Results Among 2073 non-diabetic patients treated with oral corticosteroids, 25 (1.21%) initiated hypoglycemic therapy compared with 5 of 2666 patients (0.19%) not treated with oral corticosteroids (relative risk [RR], 4.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68–11.5). The RR tended to be higher in association with higher initial doses (for initial doses P = 0.002) and African-American race (RR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.34–6.43; P = 0.007). Conclusions These results suggest that the absolute risk of corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia that is detected and treated with hypoglycemic therapy in the tertiary ocular inflammation setting is low (an excess cumulative risk on the order of 1% within 1 year), although on a relative scale it is approximately 4.4-fold higher than in patients not treated with oral corticosteroids. Older age and African-American race also were risk factors. Physicians who use systemic corticosteroids for ocular inflammatory diseases should be aware of this risk, and should consider surveillance for hyperglycemia among high-risk patients. However, given the low absolute risk, routine laboratory monitoring or referral for monitoring may not be necessary for low-risk patients. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
The Limits of Law: The Public Regulation of Private Pollution

This book examines the systematic constraints on US law enforcement agencies' efforts to regulate business behaviour. It looks specifically at the postwar development of laws regulating water pollution and at the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to enforce them. The discussion traces the factors leading to legal change and analyses the ways in which the impacts of environmental laws vary from their stated purposes and goals, even under relatively favourable conditions for their enforcement. It shows how legal processes and social relations mutually constrain and shape one another as the state struggles to manage often contradictory responsibilities, in this case to encourage both economic growth and environmental welfare.
How Effective Is Code-Based Reading Tutoring in English for English Learners and Preservice Teacher-Tutors?

The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of a code-based reading tutorial in English for eight beginning at-risk readers who were English learners (ELs) and for their preservice teacher-tutors. Eight undergraduate preservice special education teachers tutored the ELs twice weekly for a total of 15 hr to fulfill a required service learning project. Tutoring was provided at the children's high-poverty elementary school. On average, ELs' raw scores grew significantly in terms of word attack, passage comprehension, and sound identification. Furthermore, ELs gained an average of .18 standard score points per hour of tutoring on word attack, .38 on word identification, and .30 on passage comprehension. Tutors improved from 57.50% to 99.38% on a reliable test of teacher knowledge of language structure. Practical applications to promote research-based practices and limitations are discussed.
The Role Of 3′,5′-Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate in the Regulation of Adrenal Medullary Function

Two main lines of evidence have contributed to our present understanding of the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the adrenal medulla. One was provided by Axelrod (1971) by showing that tyrosine hydroxylase activity is regulated transynaptically, the other by Kvetnansky and collaborators (1971) by showing that the injection of dibutyryl cyclic AMP restores the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase in hypophysectomized animals.
Lunar heat flow: Regional prospective of the Apollo landing sites

[1] We reexamine the Apollo Heat Flow Experiment in light of new orbital data. Using three-dimensional thermal conduction models, we examine effects of crustal thickness, density, and radiogenic abundance on measured heat flow values at the Apollo 15 and 17 sites. These models show the importance of regional context on heat flux measurements. We find that measured heat flux can be greatly altered by deep subsurface radiogenic content and crustal density. However, total crustal thickness and the presence of a near-surface radiogenic-rich ejecta provide less leverage, representing only minor (<1.5 mW m−2) perturbations on surface heat flux. Using models of the crust implied by Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory results, we found that a roughly 9–13 mW m−2 mantle heat flux best approximate the observed heat flux. This equates to a total mantle heat production of 2.8–4.1 × 1011 W. These heat flow values could imply that the lunar interior is slightly less radiogenic than the Earth's mantle, perhaps implying that a considerable fraction of terrestrial mantle material was incorporated at the time of formation. These results may also imply that heat flux at the crust-mantle boundary beneath the Procellarum potassium, rare earth element, and phosphorus (KREEP) Terrane (PKT) is anomalously elevated compared to the rest of the Moon. These results also suggest that a limited KREEP-rich layer exists beneath the PKT crust. If a subcrustal KREEP-rich layer extends below the Apollo 17 landing site, required mantle heat flux can drop to roughly 7 mW m−2, underlining the need for future heat flux measurements outside of the radiogenic-rich PKT region.
A novel resonant snubber based soft-switching inverter

A new soft-switching inverter has been developed to overcome overvoltage and overcurrent problems in the existing resonant link inverters. This inverter employs a single auxiliary switch and a resonant inductor per phase to produce a zero voltage across the main switch so that the main switch can turn on at a lossless condition. Both the auxiliary switch and the resonant inductor are operating at a fractional duty, and thus are small in size compared to the main inverter circuit components. Although the resonance can be obtained with the use of the stray capacitance across the main switch, typical implementations require a small capacitor paralleling with the main switch to obtain nearly lossless turn-off. This paper describes both three-phase and single-phase circuit configurations. Operation modes in a complete zero-voltage switching cycle for the single-phase soft-switching inverter are described in detail with graphical explanation. Because the zero voltage condition is predictable by the selected circuit components, the implementation of this inverter does not require any voltage or current sensors. The circuit operation was first verified by a computer simulation and then further tested with a 1 kW power MOSFET based single-phase inverter. Both simulation and experimental results are presented to show the superiority of the proposed soft-switching inverter. >
Compliant control of constrained robot manipulators: a mathematical formulation and control expressions

The authors formulate the compliant control problem mathematically, using the framework of constrained Hamiltonian systems. They then derive nonlinear control expressions for the force and the motion on the constraint surface. The derivations reveal conditions that define the class of constraint surfaces allowable in the formulations. Two examples are given to illustrate the formulation and the methodology. >
Effect of Xanthan Gum and CMC on the Structure and Texture of Corn Flour Pellets Expanded by Microwave Heating

ABSTRACT Third-generation snacks obtained by microwave expansion of glassy cereal pellets are often hard and nonuniform and need to be improved to become acceptable to the consumer. Gums such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum (XG) have the ability to improve the volume, structure, and texture of expanded cereal products, due to their effects on moisture retention and rheological properties. This study investigates the effect of 1% addition of CMC and XG on the structural and mechanical properties of samples obtained by microwave expansion of glassy corn pellets. Unexpanded, glassy pellets were obtained by extrusion and subsequent equilibration at aw = 0.53 at room temperature. The equilibrated pellets were expanded by microwave heating. The addition of gums significantly improved the shape, structural and textural uniformity of the microwave-expanded samples. These effects were attributed to the contribution of gums to the rheology and moisture sorption capacity of the matrix. It is our hyp...
Phosphatidylinositol and other lipids in a mammalian sympathetic ganglion: effects of neuronal activity on incorporation of labelled inositol, phosphate, glycerol and acetate.

— Superior cervical ganglia from adult rats were incubated for 1–6 h in a physiological salt solution containing 32Pi [2-3H]inositol, [U-14C]glycerol, or [U-14C]acetate. Control ganglia were at rest throughout incubation, while the preganglionic nerves of the experimental ganglia were stimulated at 5/s, starting after 1 h of incubation. Responses were monitored by recording the action potentials in a postganglionic nerve. Radioactivity of phospholipids was counted after separation of the lipids by paper chromatography. Specific activity of free inositol and the gamma-phosphate of ATP were measured, the latter by using the hexokinase reaction with [14C]glucose, isolating the product, and counting its content of 32P and 14C. At rest, labelling of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine proceeded at constant rates for at least 8 h with all precursors which entered them, except that labelling with glycerol slowed after 2–4 h. During stimulation the rate of incorporation of 32P into PI approximately doubled, as previously reported. The increased rate remained constant for 3 h and then reverted to approximately the resting rate, although the electrical response continued unabated for 16 h. This decrease in rate of 32P-labelling of PI in the ganglion could not be accounted for by transport into the postganglionic nerves. In stimulated preparations, after 4 h of incubation the labelling of PI was increased above the resting level by 53 ± 5% (mean ±s.e.m.) with [3H]inositol, 97 ± 6% with 32Pi, 24 ± 6% with [14C]glycerol and −3 ± 10% with [14C]acetate. The increase with glycerol was thus statistically significant, in contrast with the findings of others on brain, where an increase of this size has neither been demonstrated nor excluded. There were no accompanying effects of stimulation on the specific activities of the gamma-P of ATP or of the free inositol within the ganglion that were sufficient to explain the difference between the labelling of PI with P and that with inositol.
Numerical study of plasma formation from conductors exposed to megagauss magnetic fields

Recent aluminum rod experiments1,2 driven by 1-MA Zebra generator at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) have provided a benchmark for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modeling. The innovative 'hourglass' and 'barbell' load geometries used in the experiments made it possible to distinguish between plasma formation due to Ohmic heating, which can be studied numerically utilizing MHD codes, and plasma formation due to high electric fields, by introducing a large-diameter contact with the electrodes. This prevents the explosive electron emission (EEE) at the contacts which triggers initial plasma formation in the conventional rod explosion experiments.
"Hospital's full-up": the 1918 influenza pandemic.

a Curtailing the human suffering associated with a catastrophic infectious disease outbreak presents two key operational challenges for health professionals: caring for the sick and dying and halting the outbreak. In providing for these two central activities, one can assume a manager’s point of view, aptly engaged in a calculus of supply and demand. If x grams of anthrax, then y numbers of the sick and dying and z amounts of hospital beds, vaccines, antibiotics, and so on. Such a perspective is necessary in thinking through the range of potential effects and best- and worst-case scenarios and providing for the optimum protection of populations. A complementary point of view is that of the historian who attempts to understand an outbreak as it unfolds in real human time, discerning the complex effects of infectious disease as it works its way through the lives of individuals, families, and institutions. In the event of a catastrophic epidemic initiated by a biological attack, would we be able to tend to large numbers of ill and dying people? Although the US health care system has never faced a scenario so chilling, history affords us a sobering glimpse of the burdens associated with a large-scale, lethal epidemic. 1 In 1918 and 1919, the Spanish influenza outbreak sickened one of every four Americans and caused more than 500,000 deaths in this country alone and more than 40 million worldwide. This devastation resulted from a disease with an estimated case mortality rate of 2.5%. The possible effects of a biological attack involving the agents of greatest concern are even more grim: The estimated mortality rate for untreated pneumonic plague approaches 100%; untreated inhalation anthrax, 90%; and smallpox, 30%. Influenza overtook the United States in three lethal waves, incapacitating our cities at its peak in the fall of 1918. Baltimore, like other major cities, was heavily affected. Two-thirds of pandemic-related deaths occurred in October alone. More than 3,000 people succumbed to the disease. A severe worker shortage curtailed industrial production and government services. At least 25% of police officers, postal workers, sanitation workers, and firefighters failed to report for duty. Transportation, food supply, and communication networks were equally in peril. Gravediggers, also afflicted with flu, could not keep up with the demand for burials. Morgues were overflowing, some handling 10 times their normal capacity.
Sintering of UN as a Function of Temperature and N2 Pressure

The sintering of uranium mononitride (UN) depends on temperature and the N2 pressure maintained over the nitride during heat treatment. At a given temperature, an N2 pressure that maintained the UN in the single-phase region slightly above the phase boundary where the reaction UN→U+½N2(g) occurred was most effective in accelerating the sintering of single-phase UN. For example, specimens sintered at 1600°C under N2 pressures of either 1140 or 1.7XlO−4 torr had essentially identical compositions, but the density of the former was 10.78 g/cm3 (75% of theoretical), whereas that of the latter was 12.20 g/cm3 (85% of theoretical). Results were similar at temperatures up to 2100°C. The X-ray lattice constant of UN sintered at reduced N2 pressures was slightly larger than that of UN sintered in 1140 torr of N2. The observed constants ranged from 4.88904 to 4.88991 A; the combined O+C content varied from 400 to 900 ppm.
Cracking and Delamination of Heteroepitaxial Barium Hexaferrite Films

Experimental results are shown for the structural and stress behaviors of c-axis oriented barium hexaferrite films on c-plane sapphire (Al2O3) substrates as a function of oxygen growth pressure and film thickness. It is shown that films deposited at 20 mTorr crack and delaminate at thicknesses above 15 μm, but that evidence for these large stresses is not apparent in either substrate curvature measurements or distortion of the c-axis lattice constant for thinner films (< 2 μm). In contrast, films (< 4 μm) deposited at 300 mTorr show large substrate curvatures that relax with increasing film thickness, in tandem with the formation of first large outgrowths, and then polycrystalline grains as the original c-axis film texture is randomized. Correlations between these observations are made to explain the complex evolution of properties in these films.