cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding Formation of Solid Electrolyte Interface Film on LiMn2 O 4 Electrode

We studied formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film on the surface of spinel LiMn 2 O 4 electrodes by evaluating irreversible capacity and monitoring impedance change in the first charge and discharge cycle of a Li/LiMn 2 O 4 cell. Results show that during the first cycle, LiMn 2 O 4 produces 10-15% irreversible capacity in both 1 m LiPF 6 3:7 ethylene carbonate/ethyl methyl carbonate (EC/EMC) and 1 m LiPF 6 1:1:3 propylene carbonate (PC)/EC/EMC electrolytes. Formation of the irreversible capacity mainly takes place in two voltage regions of ∼3.1 V, near open-circuit voltage of a fresh cell. and 3.7-4.2 V, in the voltage range of delithiation and lithiation of LiMn 2 O 4 . It is believed that the irreversible capacity is associated with the formation of SEI film on the surface of LiMn 2 O 4 electrode. Impedance data indicate that electrolyte solvents greatly affect properties of the SEI film. The SEI film formed with PC/EC/EMC electrolyte is more resistive and more stable, while that formed with EC/EMC electrolyte is subjected to a reversible breakdown at voltages higher than 3.8 V. It is observed that after the cell is cycled, the SEI film becomes more conductive while the bulk resistance of electrolyte and electrode increases.
Is the United States bowing out of Asia

Abstract The formation of NAFTA and the recent intensification of intra-East Asian trade and investment have led many to conclude that the economic linkages between the United States and East Asia are weakening. This paper shows otherwise. An analysis of the trends of the last twenty five years indicates that (i) the U.S. held its high share in East Asian imports, while the shares of Japan and other countries outside the region declined; (ii) the U.S. generally increased its share of investments in East Asia, except for a recent, and most likely temporary, surge of Japanese investments; (iii) East Asian exponers increased their shares in U.S. markets; and (iv) East Asian investors sharply increased their share ofU. S. inward investment stocks. Cross-Pacific economic relations remain strong, although they could be threatened by exclusive trading arrangements on either side.
Familial hematuria due to type IV collagen mutations: Alport syndrome and thin basement membrane nephropathy.

Purpose of review Recent molecular genetic studies have shown that mutations in type IV collagen account for a significant proportion of patients with persistent glomerular hematuria. This review will discuss the implications of these findings for the diagnosis and management of persistent glomerular hematuria. Recent findings Type IV collagen mutations are associated with a continuum of disease severity. Heterozygous mutations typically cause isolated, nonprogressive hematuria. Mutations in both alleles of the autosomal type IV collagen genes, or hemizygous mutations in the X-linked gene encoding the alpha 5 chain of type IV collagen, result in progressive renal disease that is often associated with sensorineural deafness (Alport syndrome). Animal models of Alport syndrome have begun to provide insights into the pathogenesis of end-stage renal disease in Alport syndrome, with potentially important implications for therapy. Summary Recognition that glomerular hematuria frequently has a genetic basis is important for accurate genetic counseling, early identification of individuals at risk for end-stage renal disease development, and institution of therapies to delay the onset of ESRD.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LOW DENSITY STRUCTURES FROM OROTIC ACID-INDUCED FATTY LIVERS

Centrifugation of a sucrose homogenate of the livers of female albino rats fed a 1.5% orotic acid diet for 3 wk yielded a pellicle containing low density structures. In morphology and biochemical properties these structures resembled those portions of endoplasmic reticulum which accumulated lipid. Electron microscopy indicated large droplets of lipid bounded by a membrane with attached ribosome-like particles. The presence of ribosomes in these structures was established by treatment with deoxycholate and centrifugation. The proportion of 18S and 29S RNA was the same as that found in the ribosomes from normal liver; however, the distribution of radioactivity between the 18S and the 29S RNA after injection of 8-14C-adenine was distinctly different. The RNA isolated from these structures contained a higher guanylic acid to cytidylic acid ratio than that found in the microsomes of the normal liver. It is proposed that these low density structures may be those portions of the endoplasmic reticulum in which there exists a defect responsible for the block in the assembly or secretion of plasma lipoprotein.
The structure of time-optimal trajectories for single-input systems in the plane: the C ∞ nonsingular case

For single-input $C^\infty $ systems in the plane, in which the control enters linearly, we prove, if the system is suitably nondegenerate, that the time-optimal trajectories are finite concatenations of “bang-bang” and singular arcs, with local bounds on the number of switchings.
Effectiveness of photosensitive dye during uptake and redistribution

The location of photosensitive dye within a cell will affect the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT). This report demonstrates that during the first 3 hours of dye (Photofrin porfimer) uptake from a liquid medium, the dye is diffusely distributed within the cell. After 24 hours of dye uptake, the dye is localized in specific sites within the cell. Fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that the 3-hour dye's emission peak near 635 nm was slightly blue shifted for the localized 24-hour dye. This paper demonstrates that the diffuse dye (at 3 hours) is more effective for PDT than the localized dye (at 24 hours). The amount of diffuse dye within the cell that is required to achieve an LD50 (50% lethal dose) is 1.5-fold to 4.5- fold less than the amount of localized dye required, using the same light exposure. The range of 1.5 - 4.5-fold refers to the results for four cell lines.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Androgen effects on plasma GH, IGF-I, and 41-kDa IGFBP in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).

Abstract Among many species of salmonids, fast growing fish mature earlier than slow growing fish, and maturing males grow faster than non-maturing ones. To study the potential endocrine basis for this reciprocal relationship we examined the in vivo effects of the androgens, testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), on plasma growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and 41-kDa IGF binding protein (41-kDa IGFBP) (putative IGFBP-3) in coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. Immature male and female, two-year old fish (avg. wt. 31.7 ± 0.63 g) were injected with coconut oil containing T or 11-KT at a dose of 0.1, 0.25, or 1 μg/g body weight. Blood samples were taken 1 and 2 weeks postinjection, and analyzed by immunoassay for T, 11-KT, GH, IGF-I, and 41-kDa IGFBP. Steroid treatments elevated the plasma T and 11-KT levels to physiological ranges typical of maturing fish. Plasma IGF-I and 41-kDa IGFBP levels increased in response to both T and 11-KT in a significant and dose-dependent manner after 1 and 2 weeks, but GH levels were not altered. These data suggest that during reproductive maturation, in addition to the previously demonstrated effects of the IGFs on steroidogenesis, the gonadal steroids may in turn play a significant role in regulating IGF-I and its binding proteins in fish. The interaction between the reproductive and growth axes may provide a regulatory mechanism for bringing about the dimorphic growth patterns observed between maturing and non-maturing salmonids and other species of fish.
Pharmacokinetics of lithium carbonate in children

The pharmacokinetics in both serum and saliva of a single oral dose of lithium carbonate 300 mg was investigated in nine children aged 9 to 12 years. The serum and saliva concentration-time curves were parallel and biexponential, with a fast distribution phase after the peak at the second hour and a slow elimination phase starting from the 12th hour. The fast phase half-life was 6.0 +/- 1.8 hour in the serum, and 5.8 +/- 1.9 hour in the saliva. The slow phase half-life was 17.9 +/- 7.4 hour in the serum and 15.6 +/- 8.2 hour in the saliva. Lithium was 2.84 +/- 0.86 times higher in the saliva than in the serum, with a saliva/serum r coefficient of correlation of 0.93. A relatively large error was found in predicting serum levels from saliva. There were significant intersubject differences in the saliva/serum ratio, which point to the need for individual ratios in clinical use. On the whole, the pharmacokinetics of lithium in children had the same features as in adults, with a trend toward a shorter elimination half-life and higher total clearance.
Controlled Nucleation Aerosol Reactors: Production of Bulk Silicon

A new type of aerosol reactor is described. By controlling the rate of gas phase reactions such that vapor diffusion to existing particles is favored over homogeneous nucleation, a small number of seed particles can be grown to supermicron sizes. A model for the influence of growing particles on the rate of homogeneous nucleation has been used to design a reactor for the production of silicon particles by thermal decomposition of silane gas. Particles as large as 9 μm mass median diameter have been grown in this two-stage reactor. Silicon aerosol yields ranging from 70% to 83% have been achieved with this system.
New York-Structural GenomiX Research Consortium (NYSGXRC): a large scale center for the protein structure initiative.

Structural GenomiX, Inc. (SGX), four New York area institutions, and two University of California schools have formed the New York Structural GenomiX Research Consortium (NYSGXRC), an industrial/academic Research Consortium that exploits individual core competencies to support all aspects of the NIH-NIGMS funded Protein Structure Initiative (PSI), including protein family classification and target selection, generation of protein for biophysical analyses, sample preparation for structural studies, structure determination and analyses, and dissemination of results. At the end of the PSI Pilot Study Phase (PSI-1), the NYSGXRC will be capable of producing 100–200 experimentally determined protein structures annually. All Consortium activities can be scaled to increase production capacity significantly during the Production Phase of the PSI (PSI-2). The Consortium utilizes both centralized and de-centralized production teams with clearly defined deliverables and hand-off procedures that are supported by a web-based target/sample tracking system (SGX Laboratory Information Data Management System, LIMS, and NYSGXRC Internal Consortium Experimental Database, ICE-DB). Consortium management is provided by an Executive Committee, which is composed of the PI and all Co-PIs. Progress to date is tracked on a publicly available Consortium web site (http://www.nysgxrc.org) and all DNA/protein reagents and experimental protocols are distributed freely from the New York City Area institutions. In addition to meeting the requirements of the Pilot Study Phase and preparing for the Production Phase of the PSI, the NYSGXRC aims to develop modular technologies that are transferable to structural biology laboratories in both academe and industry. The NYSGXRC PI and Co-PIs intend the PSI to have a transforming effect on the disciplines of X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy of biological macromolecules. Working with other PSI-funded Centers, the NYSGXRC seeks to create the structural biology laboratory of the future. Herein, we present an overview of the organization of the NYSGXRC and describe progress toward development of a high-throughput Gene→Structure platform. An analysis of current and projected consortium metrics reflects progress to date and delineates opportunities for further technology development.
Maximum likelihood estimation, from doubly censored samples, of the mean of a normal distribution with known coeffucient of variation

Let x be a random variable having the normal distribution with mean μ and variance c2μ2, where c is a known constant. The maximum likelihood estimation of μ when the lowest r1 and the highest r2 sample values censored have been given the asymptotic variance of the maximum likelihood estimator is obtained.
ON THE DEHN COMPLEX OF VIRTUAL LINKS

A virtual link comes with a variety of link complements. This paper is concerned with the Dehn space, a pseudo-manifold with boundary, and the Dehn complex, a two-dimensional spine of the Dehn space. In the classical case where the link is planar, the Dehn space is the link complement in the 3-sphere. We study topological and geometric properties of the Dehn complex of a virtual link. Among other things, we show that every finitely presented group is the fundamental group of a Dehn complex, and that the Dehn complex of any alternating triple of an alternating virtual link is a non-positively curved squared complex.
Effect of Antihypertensive Therapy on the Circadian Blood Pressure Pattern

This study employed 24-hour automated ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to evaluate whole-day patterns of blood pressure in age-matched groups of normotensive volunteers, untreated hypertensive patients, and hypertensive patients treated with prazosin. As would be expected, overall systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found to be lowest in the normotensive subjects and highest in the untreated hypertensive patients. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure values for patients receiving prazosin twice daily were significantly lower than in the untreated patients; they were slightly, but not significantly, higher than the values recorded for the normotensive volunteers. The data from 24-hour monitoring revealed no between-group differences in the actual circadian rhythm of the blood pressure. This finding established that the blood pressure pattern for hypertensive patients treated with prazosin was parallel to that for normal individuals. Thus, prazosin administered twice daily reduces blood pressure throughout a full 24-hour period in a fashion that maintains the normal circadian pattern of the blood pressure.
Crystal structures of Drosophila N-cadherin ectodomain regions reveal a widely used class of Ca2+-free interdomain linkers

Vertebrate classical cadherins mediate selective calcium-dependent cell adhesion by mechanisms now understood at the atomic level. However, structures and adhesion mechanisms of cadherins from invertebrates, which are highly divergent yet function in similar roles, remain unknown. Here we present crystal structures of three- and four-tandem extracellular cadherin (EC) domain segments from Drosophila N-cadherin (DN-cadherin), each including the predicted N-terminal EC1 domain (denoted EC1’) of the mature protein. While the linker regions for the EC1’-EC2’ and EC3’-EC4’ pairs display binding of three Ca2+ ions similar to that of vertebrate cadherins, domains EC2’ and EC3’ are joined in a “kinked” orientation by a previously uncharacterized Ca2+-free linker. Biophysical analysis demonstrates that a construct containing the predicted N-terminal nine EC domains of DN-cadherin forms homodimers with affinity similar to vertebrate classical cadherins, whereas deleting the ninth EC domain ablates dimerization. These results suggest that, unlike their vertebrate counterparts, invertebrate cadherins may utilize multiple EC domains to form intercellular adhesive bonds. Sequence analysis reveals that similar Ca2+-free linkers are widely distributed in the ectodomains of both vertebrate and invertebrate cadherins.
The gularis muscle in Urodela

The last muscle in the transverse superficial throat series in all genera of salamanders is here called ‘gularis.’ This eliminates a long list of synonyms. A description of its metamorphic changes in Dicamptodon (Ambystomidae) and comparison of the larval and adult conditions in this genus with those in other known genera clears up the homologies of the muscle throughout the series. The study is based on dissections and a survey of the literature covering all important groups except the Hynobiidae.
The 51 000 cm−1 state in benzene: E1g rydberg or E2g valence?

Abstract A previously unobserved electronic state in fluorobenzene appears as a two-photon resonance in the multiphoton resonance ionization spectrum. The band system is assigned to the 3s Rydberg ← b 2 (π) HOMO transition with a quantum defect of 0.83 and an origin at 50 914 ± 15 cm −1 . Its correspondence to the benzene state characterized by Johnson in the same region assigns that state to E 1g 3s Rydberg.
198 IS MYOCARDIAL HYPERTROPHY IN HYPERTENSIVE CHILDREN RELATED TO BLOOD PRESSURE

The mechanism for the increase in left ventricular mass (LVM) in children with labile hypertension (HT) remains unresolved. M-mode echocardiograms (ME) were obtained from 27 HT children (mean age 14.4 y) and 26 normotensive (NT) children (mean age 14.1 y) of comparable sex, race and BSA. Mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) in HT was 137/89; that in NT was 110/68 (p < 0.001). ME was digitized/analyzed with H-P computer, and the observed values expressed as SD from predicted normal (σ PN) based on age, BSA and HR. HT and NT values were similar for: LVEDD, LVEDD, LAmax, LVSV, Qlv, LVET and PEP/ET. However, HT values were greater than NT for: wall thickness (p < .001), LVM (p < .005), thickness/radius ratio (t/r) (p < .001), Ao (p < .05) and PEP (p < .025). HT values were lower than NT for %MAS (p < .01) and VCF (p < .05). Poor correlation was observed between SBP or DBP and LVM/M2 or O LVM (r = 0.34 to 0.43). Density function curves derived by multi-regression analysis (using equation: Ydv = K1 σPN1 + K2 σPN2 + Kn σPNn ± X, where Ydv = discriminating value and K, X = constants) and utilizing 11 echo parameters separated HT from NT with minimal overlap (p < .001). Moreover, positive correlation was observed between Ydv and resting DBP (r = 0.65), suggesting that the cardiac status of HT children may very well be related to the increased pressure overload of labile character and varying duration.
Global simulations of nitrate and ammonium aerosols and their radiative effects

Abstract. We examine the formation of nitrate and ammonium on five types of externally mixed pre-existing aerosols using the hybrid dynamic method in a global chemistry transport model. The model developed here predicts a similar spatial pattern of total aerosol nitrate and ammonium to that of several pioneering studies, but separates the effects of nitrate and ammonium on pure sulfate, biomass burning, fossil fuel, dust and sea salt aerosols. Nitrate and ammonium boost the scattering efficiency of sulfate and organic matter but lower the extinction of sea salt particles since the hygroscopicity of a mixed nitrate-ammonium-sea salt particle is less than that of pure sea salt. The direct anthropogenic forcing of particulate nitrate and ammonium at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) is estimated to be −0.12 W m−2. Nitrate, ammonium and nitric acid gas also affect aerosol activation and the reflectivity of clouds. The first aerosol indirect forcing by anthropogenic nitrate (gas plus aerosol) and ammonium is estimated to be −0.09 W m−2 at the TOA, almost all of which is due to condensation of nitric acid gas onto growing droplets (−0.08 W m−2).
Liquid and Ice Cloud Microphysics in the CSU General Circulation Model. Part III: Sensitivity to Modeling Assumptions

Abstract The inclusion of cloud microphysical processes in general circulation models makes it possible to study the multiple interactions among clouds, the hydrological cycle, and radiation. The gaps between the temporal and spatial scales at which such cloud microphysical processes work and those at which general circulation models presently function force climate modelers to crudely parameterize and simplify the various interactions among the different water species (namely, water vapor, cloud water, cloud ice, rain, and snow) and to use adjustable parameters to which large-scale models can be highly sensitive. Accordingly, the authors have investigated the sensitivity of the climate, simulated with the Colorado State University general circulation model, to various aspects of the parameterization of cloud microphysical processes and its interactions with the cumulus convection and radiative transfer parameterizations. The results of 120-day sensitivity experiments corresponding to perpetual January co...
Spatial interactions in identification and detection of compound visual stimuli.

Abstract Identification and detection thresholds were obtained for stimuli varying in width from 10 min to 40 min of visual angle. Stimuli were presented singly or in pairs, a smaller and a larger one superimposed. In the pairs, the larger component was usually more easily identified and appeared to mediate detection. Both identification of the larger component and detection of the compound were facilitated by increasing the relative width of the smaller component. When the stimuli were presented singly, width had no reliable effect. The results suggest that stimulation is simultaneously processed by several receptive field mechanisms which are coaxial but have different spatial dimensions. The configuration of the stimulus determines which mechanism is dominant.
A novel method for preparing nanoparticle-coated additives used in polypropylene composites

A novel simultaneous, in situ milling and coating method carried out in a fluid energy mill (FEM) is applied for the first time to prepare nanoparticle-coated CaCO3 (CC) additives for polymer composite materials. Simply milled (without coating) CC particles and as-received CC particles were used as references for comparison. The effects of the grinding pressure and the fraction of the nanoparticles on the size and flowability of CC particles were studied. The composites made with polypropylene (PP) and this specially prepared CC have higher elongation at break, elastic modulus, and impact strength, compared with the PP filled with uncoated CC. The thermal and thermo-oxidative stabilities of PP are improved as well by introducing the milled and nanoparticle-coated CC. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Probability distribution of the number of initiated cells of carcinogenesis under prevention

In this paper, I have shown that under some mild conditions, the number of initiated cells in an extended two-stage model of carcinogenesis can be approximated by a diffusion process. By using this approximation, I have derived the probability distribution for the number of initiated cells in terms of Laguerre polynomials under normal prevention conditions. This follows from the fact that many of the dietary components are antioxidants which would neutralize the hydroxyl free radicals and hence, reduce the proliferation rates of initiated cells to interrupt or slow down the promotion stage in carcinogenesis.
Living related liver transplantation for acute liver failure in children.

The mortality rate among children with acute liver failure (ALF) on the waiting list for liver transplantation is high. We present our experience with living related donor liver transplantation (LRD-LT) in children who required urgent transplantation for ALF. Between December 1995 and July 1997, 6 children underwent LRD-LT for ALF. Cause of liver failure, recipient and donor demographics, clinical and laboratory data, surgical details, complications, and 6-month and 2-year graft and patient survival were recorded. Five boys and 1 girl received left lateral segment grafts from their parents. The mean age was 4 ± 2.8 years (range, 1 to 9 years). ALF was caused by Wilson's disease in 1 patient and sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis syndrome in 1 patient; in 4 patients, the cause was unknown. All patients had mental status changes; 2 were on life support. Mean pretransplantation liver function test values were: alanine aminotransferase, 972 ± 565 U/L (normal, 1 to 53 U/L), total bilirubin, 31.3 ± 12.4 mg/dL (normal, 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL), prothrombin time, 34.3 ± 12.4 seconds (normal, 10.8 to 13.3 seconds), international normalized ratio, 8.46 ± 5.4 (normal < 2), and fibrinogen, 109 ± 23.9 mg/dL (normal, 175 to 400 mg/dL). The donors were 5 mothers and 1 father. The mean donor age was 32.5 ± 7.6 years (range, 19 to 40 years). No donor required blood transfusion, and no donor had any early or late postoperative complications. The donors' mean hospital length of stay was 5 days. In five cases, grafts were blood group–compatible; 1 child received a blood group–incompatible graft. All grafts functioned immediately. No patient had hepatic artery or portal vein thrombosis or biliary complications. The child who received a mismatched graft died of infection of the brain caused by Aspergillus spp at 22 days posttransplantation with a functioning graft. The child with ALF caused by sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis syndrome developed outflow obstruction 3 months posttransplantation and required retransplantation; he eventually died of vascular complications related to his primary disease. Four children are alive at a mean follow-up of 27 months (range, 14 to 36 months). LRD-LT for children with ALF facilitates timely transplantation without drawing on cadaveric donor resources. The established safety record of LRD-LT made this option appealing to both physicians and parental donors.
Grantocracy: Conservation grant-making and the territorialization of neoliberalism in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula

Abstract This paper uses the concept of “grantocracy” as an analytic to understand a form of governance through grant-making by state actors as one aspect of the reregulation wrought by neoliberalization of the state. We explore this idea through a case study of conservation grant making in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a highly rural and remote forestry-dependent economy. Grantocracy requires the disaggregation and rescaling of the public good, as grants are provided to address specific problems and provide single-purpose solutions. We found that while grants were intended for single purposes, in practice the use of partnerships and matching funds espoused by these programs resulted in funding programs being recombined in often conflicting and unstable ways. Moreover, limited transparency in the grant-making process restricted opportunities for public input and has helped to elide the role of the state in land conservation, undermining democratic environmental governance. This further promotes a neoliberal ideology that government is the problem, never the solution. Many of these difficulties, we conclude, arise from reliance upon the territorial strategy of private property to achieve land conservation goals.
The nail-patella syndrome

The nail-patella syndrome is a pleiotropic malformation syndrome affecting the nails,the skeleton, and occasionally the central nervous system and the kidneys. Thirty-eight cases from five kindreds illustrate this syndrome, its autosomal dominant inheritance and pleiotropic manifestations, as well as an occasional new mutation. The condition is linked with the ABO blood group locus and it appears to be modified by at least three different alleles.
Proportion of Seriously Injured Patients Admitted to Hospitals in the US with a High Annual Injured Patient Volume: A Metric of Regionalized Trauma Care

Background Multiple regional trauma systems have been implemented over the past 3 decades to achieve the goal of regionalized care for injured patients. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) advocates that seriously injured patients should be treated in designated Level I trauma centers that meet criteria including admitting more than 1,200 injured patients annually. Reliable measures are needed to evaluate the implementation of regionalized care nationally. The goal of this study was to measure the proportion of seriously injured patients treated at high injury–volume hospitals. Study Design We performed a retrospective observational study of injured patients hospitalized in the US during the years 1995 to 2003, drawn from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Hospitals were ranked in order of annual volume of injured patient admissions. A patient's severity of injury was calculated using ICD-9–based Injury Severity Score (ICISS). The principal measure was the proportion of seriously injured patients (ICISS≤0.90) admitted to high-volume hospitals. Results Nine hundred fifteeen injured patients admitted per year is the empiric threshold for hospitals with a high injury volume. Only 7% of hospitals in the US meet this volume threshold. Sixty percent of seriously injured patients are treated in these high-volume hospitals; within the elder (age 65 years or older) subset, this percentage is lower. Conclusions The proportion of seriously injured patients in high-volume hospitals is a functional metric that provides a practicable and comprehensive measure of regionalized trauma care in the US. Injured elder Americans have less access to experienced trauma hospitals.
Ocular disconjugacy cannot be measured without establishing a solid spatial reference

This correspondence points out a need for clarification concerning the methodology utilized in the study “Eye tracking detects disconjugate eye movements associated with structural traumatic brain injury and concussion”, recently published in Journal of Neurotrauma. The authors of the paper state that binocular eye movements were recorded using a single-camera video-oculography technique and that binocular disconjugate characteristics were analyzed without calibration of eye orientation. It is claimed that a variance-based disconjugacy metric was found to be sensitive to the severity of a concussive brain injury and to the status of recovery after the original injury. However, the reproducibility of the paper’s findings may be challenged simply by the paucity of details in the methodological description. More importantly, from the information supplied or cited in the paper, it is difficult to evaluate the validity of the potentially interesting conclusions of the paper.
Correlates of Stress in HIV Disease

A group of 53 men with HIV disease participated in this correlational study of the relationships among psychological distress, quality of life, uncertainty, coping patterns, stress, and CD4+ T-lymphocyte levels. Meaningful correlations (r > .40, p < .01) indicated that higher levels of negative-impact stressful experiences were associated with more frequent use of emotion-focused coping; both higher levels of negative stress and more frequent use of emotion-focused coping were associated with lower quality of life, higher psychological distress, and more uncertainty; lower quality of life was associated with higher psychological distress and more uncertainty; and lower CD4+ counts were associated with higher levels of positive-impact stressful experiences.
A FRAMEWORK FOR THE EVALUATION OF REAL-TIME SPECIFICATION TECHNIQUES

Real-time and embedded software systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in everyday life. Well-defined and robust methods and methodologies are needed to support development and maintenance of such large and complex systems. Specification of a system is a critical phase of the development life cycle and has a major impact on the quality of a system. Formal specification languages and techniques are needed to be able to comprehensively and correctly define and prototype large and complex systems. The quality of a specification directly depends upon the capability of the language or technique used to express the specification. There is a need to determine language appropriateness for real-time systems. This paper establishes a real-time specification technique evaluation framework based on the features of real-time systems. The features are presented and the paper summarizes the result in terms of major features and their sub-features in a tabular form. This detailed list of features should serve not only to compare the techniques using a common framework, but also to determine the extent of real-time support that these techniques provide for specification. Application of the framework is demonstrated by testing a set of specification techniques for the specification of a real-time embedded cell phone software system.
OSCAR: The acid rain project

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy are jointly undertaking a project to evaluate the causes and effects of precipitation caused by coal smoke in the atmosphere. OSCAR (oxidation and scavenging characteristics of April rain' Chem. Eng. News, April 20, 1981, p. 26) is the acronym for a program to track acid rain from its origin to downwind locations. Several aircraft and several tens of precipitation samplers are located throughout North America to collect data. The study is concentrated in an area near Ft. Wayne, Ind., an area in a strategic position to receive emissions dissolved and otherwise incorporated in rain thought to originate from the coal-burning plants in the Ohio river valley region.
Socioeconomic Status Influences the Relationship between Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Work and Disability

Objective. Biopsychosocial models are currently accepted for study of low back pain (LBP), but there is little evidence investigating socioeconomic status (SES) influence on disability, pain intensity, and physical impairment. The present study examined SES (income and education) and fear-avoidance model (fear-avoidance beliefs and pain catastrophizing) for their influence on disability, pain intensity and physical impairment. Design. Cohort study, where patients (n = 108) were referred to physical therapy for treatment of acute or sub-acute LBP and completed standard questionnaires. Results. SES had no statistically significant associations with disability, pain intensity, or physical impairment. Moderation analysis indicated that the interaction between fear-avoidance beliefs about work and SES accounted for significant amount of variance in disability scores (Beta = -0.24, t = -2.71, P = 0.008). The interaction indicated that people in the low SES group experienced a higher association of fear avoidance beliefs and disability at baseline, 4 weeks, and 6 months. Other moderation results between psychological factors and SES were not observed for pain intensity and physical impairment. Conclusions. This study adds to the growing literature examining biopsychosocial models by considering SES. Our results suggest SES had a minimal influence on pain intensity and physical impairment, but did interact with fear-avoidance beliefs to influence disability. Language: en
Leukotriene B4 as a mediator of early and late reactions to antigen in humans: the effect of systemic glucocorticoid treatment in vivo.

Abstract The role played by leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) in human allergic reactions has been the subject of recent interest and speculation. To characterize further the role of this mediator, we quantitated LTB 4 levels in nasal washing by radioimmunoassay in 13 atopic subjects during immediate and late reactions after nasal antigen challenge while the subjects were taking placebo or prednisone (20 mg every 8 hours for 48 hours) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover protocol and compared these levels with levels of seven nonatopic subjects undergoing similar nasal antigen challenge. Nasal antigen challenge of atopic subjects resulted in an increase in LTB 4 levels during the immediate reaction in 10 of 13 subjects (913 with a >50% increase over baseline) with no similar increase observed in nonatopic subjects ( p 4 levels was observed in 1213 atopic subjects (613 with >50% increase over a second baseline) during late time periods ( p p 4 levels. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of immunoreactive LTB 4 demonstrated that 84% of immunoreactive LTB 4 coeluted with the biologically isomer during the immediate reaction, whereas 44% to 61% coeluted with the biologically active isomer during late reactions. Steroid pretreatment had no effect on either the early or late increase in LTB 4 levels or on the neutrophil influx observed during the late reaction. In a second series of studies involving eight subjects, we demonstrated that a single 50 mg oral dose of prednisone had no effect on the release of LTB 4 from neutrophils stimulated ex vivo with calcium ionophore A23187 or serum-activated zymosan, and, furthermore, that neutrophil concentration ("density") had a marked effect on the ability of neutrophils to metabolize LTB 4 that they synthesize. These results indicate that human allergic nasal reactions are associated with the release of LTB 4 in vivo and that these levels and neutrophil influx are not modified by systemic steroid pretreatment. Because multiple inflammatory cells may participate in these allergic reactions to synthesize and metabolize LTB 4 , this mediator may play a complex role in human allergic reactions.
A Seamless Integration of 3-D Vertical Filters With Highly Efficient Slot Antennas

A seamless integration of 3-D vertical cavity filters with highly efficient slot antennas is presented herein. This integration technique enables low-loss filtering and reduces co-site interference within phased arrays. A vertical two-pole cavity filter integrated with a slot antenna is demonstrated at X band. The center frequency and fractional bandwidth of the filter/antenna system are 10.16 GHz and 3.0%, respectively. Due to the near-zero transition loss achieved by this seamless integration, the efficiency of the integrated slot antenna is shown to be as high as 97%. Equivalent circuit models are developed to identify the losses in the filter/antenna, which are verified by full-wave simulations. The measured impedance matching and radiation patterns closely agree with simulation results. This technique can be extended for higher-order filters seamlessly integrated with slot antennas. In addition, this technique can be applied in all microwave, millimeter-wave, and submillimeter-wave frequency regions.
Management of the Newborn with Imperforate Anus

The results of surgical care of 62 newborn infants with imperforate anus are summarized here in a 20-year retrospective study. Ninety per cent had anomalies in either formation of the urorectal septum or failure of posterior, "migration" of the rectum. The over-all mortality rate was 30 per cent, but most of the deaths were in untreated newborns having other severe congenital anomalies. Emphasis in diagnosis is placed on correlating physical findings with some abnormality during a specific phase of embryologic development. The value of upside-down lateral films of the pelvis in determining the initial treatment is de-emphasized. Roentgenograms of the chest, abdomen and lumbosacral spine, and intravenous pyelogram and cystogram, are important to detect the associated, anormalies.The over-all results of perineal anoplasty for a low perineal fistula or obvious perineal bulging are good, which indicates that this is the procedure of choice with such newborns. A combined abdominoperineal pull-through operation...
Optical imaging of turbid media using independent component analysis: theory and simulation

A new imaging approach for 3-D localization and characterization of objects in a turbid medium using independent component analysis (ICA) from information theory is developed and demonstrated using simulated data. This approach uses a multisource and multidetector signal acquisition scheme. ICA of the perturbations in the spatial intensity distribution measured on the medium boundary sorts out the embedded objects. The locations and optical characteristics of the embedded objects are obtained from a Green's function analysis based on any appropriate model for light propagation in the background medium. This approach is shown to locate and characterize absorptive and scattering inhomogeneities within highly scattering medium to a high degree of accuracy. In particular, we show this approach can discriminate between absorptive and scattering inhomogeneities, and can locate and characterize complex inhomogeneities, which are both absorptive and scattering. The influence of noise and uncertainty in background absorption or scattering on the performance of this approach is investigated.
Competent, Proficient, Advanced Practice/Expert—Where Are You in Your Career Development?

E ALL START our careers as renal dietitians as competent practitioners—some of us more recently than others. The competent dietitian recognizes patients at nutrition risk, gathers pertinent nutrition assessment information, interprets that data, diagnoses/determines the nutrition problem, and formulates a plan of care. Critical-thinking skills continue to develop, and our ability to ‘‘sift’’ through all of the data and find the relevant datacontinuestoimprovewithexperience.Asacompetent practitioner, focusing on the data versus the patient is not uncommon. As we progress in our careers, we become proficient and have enhanced critical-thinking skills. Our knowledge and experience can be transferred and easily used in solving a clinical puzzle in a different patient. We get moreorganized in our reasoning and more able to recognize patterns in our patients. We get better at diagnosing/determining the actual nutrition problem. An example would be a patient with hyperkalemia who has diabetic ketoacidosis. The problem is not increased intake of potassium, but a shifting of hydrogen ions from the blood into the cells and potassium leaving the cells and entering the blood. Advanced practice or expert renal dietitians have the highest nutrition assessment and diagnosis skills. Critical thinking and problem-solving are instinctive, and at this level the registered dietitian is able to quickly determine relevant data and diagnose the problem on the basis of the evidence. The advanced practice renal dietitian can also anticipate likely future problems. The dietitian, performing at the expert level, critiques the literature, applies clinical research to improve patient outcomes, and identifies the gaps in the research/literature. As a professional, it is important to self-identify where you are inyourcareer development and to layout your lifelong learning plan to continue to progress in your level of practice and provide safe and high-quality patient care. A workgroupcomposedofmembersoftheCouncilonRenal Nutrition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Renal Practice Group are revising the 2009 Standards of Practice (SOP) and Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) in nephrology care. The SOP/SOPP can help with self-assessment and guide that learning plan. The 2014 revision, scheduled to be published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition in the fall, uses the new language of competent, proficient, and advanced practice/expert. 1-3 This resource will assist you in developing an individual professional growth plan and can serve as a tool in programmatic development. I encourage you to look for the article next fall.
New insights into the 1999 eruption of Shishaldin volcano, Alaska, based on acoustic data

Data collected by a pressure sensor provide new insights into the 1999 eruption of Shishaldin volcano, Unimak Island, Alaska. On 19 April 1999, after 3 months of unrest and an extended period of low-level Strombolian activity, Shishaldin experienced a Subplinian eruption (ash plume to >16 km), followed by several episodes of strong Strombolian explosions. Acoustic data from the pressure sensor allow us to investigate the details of an eruption which was instrumentally well recorded, but with few visual observations. In the 12 h prior to the Subplinian phase, the pressure sensor detected a series of small, repeated pulses with a constant spectral peak at 2- 3 Hz. The amplitude and occurrence rate of the pulses both grew such that the signal became a nearly continuous hum just before the Subplinian eruption. This humming signal may represent gas release from rising magma. The main Subplinian phase was heralded by (1) the abrupt end of the humming signal, (2) several pulses of low- frequency sound interpreted as ash bursts, and (3) a dramatic increase in seismic tremor amplitude. The change in acoustic signature at this time allows us to precisely time the start of the Subplinian eruption, previously approximated as the time of strongest tremor increase. The 50-min Subplinian phase actually contained several bursts of signal, each of which may represent a discrete volume of magma passing through the system. Following the Subplinian event, the pressure sensor recorded four discrete episodes of Strombolian gas explosions on 19-20 April and another on 22-23 April. Four of the five episodes were accompanied by strong seismic tremor; the fifth has not been previously recog- nized and was not associated with anomalous tremor amplitudes. In time series these events are similar to explosions recorded at other volcanoes but in general they are much larger, with maximum amplitudes of >65 Pa at 6.5 km from the vent, and they have low (0.7-1.5 Hz) peak frequencies. These large explosions occurred at rates of 3-20 per minute for 1-5 h in each episode. The explosions were accompanied by a small (<5 km above sea level) ash plume and only minor amounts of ejecta were produced. Thus, the explosion activity was domi- nated by gas release.
Obsolescence of durable goods and optimal purchase timing

Abstract We study a model with a durable good subject to periodic obsolescence and analytically characterize the optimal purchasing policy. The key result is that consumers optimally synchronize new purchases with the innovation cycle. The model simultaneously explains coordinated adoption without invoking network effects and provides a theoretical underpinning for a diffusion curve that features a temporary adoption slowdown.
Markets with Search Friction and the DMP Model

Dale T. Mortensen delivered his Prize Lecture on 8 December 2010 at Aula Magna, Stockholm University.(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
General Regression Neural Network Model for Behavior of Salmonella on Chicken Meat during Cold Storage

A study was undertaken to investigate and model behavior of Salmonella on chicken meat during cold storage at constant temperatures. Chicken meat (white, dark, or skin) portions (0.75 cm 3 ) were inoculated with a single strain of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 (2.8 log) followed by storage for 0 to 8 d at -8, 0, 8, 12, 14, or 16 °C for model development and at -4, 4, 10, or 14 °C for model validation. A general regression neural network model was developed with commercial software. Performance of the model was considered acceptable when the proportion of residuals (observed - predicted) in an acceptable prediction zone (pAPZ) from -1 log (fail-safe) to 0.5 logs (fail-dangerous) was 0.7. Growth of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 on chicken meat was observed at 12, 14, and 16 ° Ca nd was highest on dark meat, intermediate on skin, and lowest on white meat. At lower temperatures (-8 to 10 °C) Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 remained at initial levels throughout 8 d of storage except at 4 °C where there was a small (0.4 log) but significant decline. The model had acceptable performance (pAPZ = 0.929) for dependent data (n = 482) and acceptable performance (pAPZ = 0.923) for independent data (n = 235). Results indicated that it is important to include type of meat as an independent variable in the model and that the model provided valid predictions of the behavior of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 on chicken skin, white, and dark meat during storage for 0 to 8 d at constant temperatures from -8 to 16 °C.