cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acetazolamide or dexamethasone for prevention of acute mountain sickness: a meta-analysis

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) describes a constellation of symptoms that is usually self-limited and benign. However, it may impair judgement and physical abilities at high altitudes and interfere with the pleasure of recreational activities. Severe cases may be fatal. Acclimatization is an effective prevention, but is not always practical or possible. Therefore, pharmacologic prophylaxis of AMS is an active area of research. This study used meta-analytic techniques to evaluate the published literature regarding pharmacologic prophylaxis of AMS with acetazolamide and dexamethasone. Twenty eligible reports were located via a computer-assisted search, reference lists and review articles. Dependent measures for this study were the percentage of patients with AMS and the percentage of patients with specific symptoms associated with AMS. An effect size (ES) is the standardized mean difference between experimental and control groups or the conversion from the point-biserial correlation between treatment and effect and allows integration of the results of independent studies. In this study, a negative ES indicates that the prophylaxis regimen exerted a protective effect; the greater the magnitude of the ES the greater its effect. The overall average weighted ES was −0.59 (95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.41 to −0.77) when both drugs' results were pooled. The average weighted ES for studies comparing acetazolamide to placebo was −0.61 and it was −0.32 for studies comparing dexamethasone to placebo. The average ES was −0.38 when all of the reported symptoms were pooled together. This report confirms the effectiveness of pharmacologic prophylaxis against AMS with acetazolamide or dexamethasone. Acetazolamide appears to be more effective, but inconsistencies in dexamethasone dosing, environmental conditions, and rate of ascent confound interpretation. This meta-analysis points out areas for future research.
Adaptive spherical lens.

This paper reports the creation of a tandem liquid crystal cell arrangement capable of simulating the performance of a spherical lens. Electrical modulation of the index of refraction creates focusing behavior. The modulation is induced by a set of electrodes whose individual voltages are arranged to provide a cylindrical exit wave front for a uniform plane-wave input. Two such cells with orthogonal electrodes arranged in cascade create spherical lens performance. Experimental evidence using a lens with a relatively small number of electrodes is presented. Applications for such structures, once improved, would include real-time focus adjustment for optical disk readers and hand-held photographic equipment as well as aberration compensation for long path-length optical systems.
Involvement of both cholinergic and catecholaminergic pathways in the central action of methylphenidate: a study utilizing lead-exposed rats.

The effects of methylphenidate (MPH) and the cholinergic agonists nicotine and oxotremorine were tested on the spontaneous multiple unit activity in the mesencephalic reticular formation of two groups of rats. In control rats i.v. MPH (1 mg/kg), nicotine (0.125 mg/kg), and oxotremorine (0.5 mg/kg) all attenuated the unit activity with latencies of less than 10 min. In another group of rats, exposed to lead acetate since birth, the extent of attenuation of unit activity induced by MPH and nicotine was reduced and the latency of effect was delayed by 45–50 min. The latency of the oxotremorine effect was not changed but the attenuation of unit activity was more pronounced in the lead-treated group. Pretreatment with spiroperidol, to inhibit the aminergic receptors, diminished the inhibitory effect of MPH in the control group but not in the lead-treated group, whereas the attenuating effect of oxotremorine was not affected in either group. These data support our previous evidence that MPH exerts its action in the central nervous system by a cholinergic pathway in addition to published catecholaminergic pathways. Furthermore, the present findings indicate that chronic leadexposure in rats results in cholinergic hypofunction and supersensitivity at central cholinergic receptor sites. This alteration of central cholinergic function may be partially attributed to the malnutrition observed in the lead-exposed animals.
Influence of Changes in Insulin Receptor Binding during Insulin Infusions on the Shape of the Insulin Dose-Response Curve for Glucose Disposal in Man*

To determine the influence of insulin infusions used in dose-response studies on monocyte insulin binding, monocyte insulin binding and glucose disposal were measured in six normal subjects before and at the end of each of four sequential 2-h insulin infusions (0.4, 1.0, 2.0, and 10 mU kg−1 min−1). Monocyte insulin binding was unaltered at the end of the first three infusions (plasma insulin, 31 ± 2 (SEM),77 ± 3, and 184 ± 10 μU/ml) but was decreased after the last infusion (plasma insulin, 1730 ± 125 μU/ml) at 0.2 through 10.2 ng/ml insulin concentrations in the binding assay (P < 0.01). Using a one-site model, this could be ascribed to a decrease in insulin receptor affinity (1.54 ± 0.26 vs. 2.27 ± 0.48 × 108 M−1 P < 0.05), whereas in a two-site model this appeared to be due to a decrease in high affinity binding sites (1,868 ± 228 vs. 2,387 ± 207, P < 0.02). Nevertheless, insulin receptor occupancies estimated to occur during the insulin infusions were virtually identical whether preinsulin infusion bi...
Osteoid osteoma of the proximal femur: Treatment by percutaneous bone resection and drilling (PBRD). A report of 44 cases

Abstract Introduction Osteoid osteoma is a benign osteogenic tumor that is mainly located in the lower limbs. According to Campanacci the proximal femur is involved in 25% of cases. We present a series of 44 cases of osteoid osteoma located in the neck of the femur or the lesser trochanter treated by the minimally invasive method, CT-guided percutaneous bone resection and drilling (PBRD). Materials and methods This series included 44 patients, 20 girls and 24 boys, treated between 1987 and 2012. The average age at surgery was 12.7 years old (range 4–34). The diagnosis was based on the “association” of scintigraphy (hyperfixation) – CT scan (nidus located on the femoral neck or near the lesser trochanter). These patients underwent CT-guided PBRD under general anesthesia. Specific ancillary material was used to reach and remove the nidus and a cylinder of bone was sent to the pathologist for assessment. A lateral or anterior approach was used in all cases except one in which a posterior incision was made. Histological confirmation was obtained in 23 cases (the bone fragment was damaged in 21 cases). Results Forty-two patients were reviewed after a minimum follow-up of one year (12–56 months). Two patients were lost to follow-up. Results were evaluated clinically and on CT scan 1 year after surgery: there were 35 cures with complete and permanent pain relief. There were 5 failures and 1 case of recurrence requiring a second CT-guided PBRD procedure as well 2 complications involving femoral fracture (one associated with failure). Discussion The proximal femur is a common location of osteoid osteoma. Treatment requires careful preoperative planning to determine the surgical approach for safe removal. PBRD is a minimally invasive technique, allowing complete resection with suitable ancillary equipment. This method should be compared with thermoablation, which is a similar technique. Conclusion CT-guided PBRD is a therapeutic option in case of osteoid osteoma of the proximal femur. Level of evidence Level IV.
Somatic mutation, affinity maturation and the antibody repertoire: A computer model

Somatic mutation has been implicated as a significant and possibly primary factor in the maturation of antibody affinity in the humoral immune response. B cells stimulated by antigen experience a hyper-mutation in the gene segments that code for the antigen-binding site of the antibody, creating antibody specificities that did not exist at the time of immunization. Although most of the mutations are likely to be disadvantageous, new specificities with a higher affinity for the antigen are sometimes created. These higher-affinity cells are preferentially selected for proliferation and eventual antibody secretion, resulting in a progressively higher average affinity over time. In this paper we present the results of an investigation of somatic mutation through the use of a computer model. At the basis of the model is a large repertoire of discrete antibodies and antigens, having three-dimensional structures, that exhibit properties similar to those of the real populations. The key factor is that the binding strength between any antibody/antigen pair can be calculated as a function of the complementarity of the (a) size, (b) shape and (c) functional groups that comprise the two structures. The created repertoires are imbedded in a dynamical system model of the immune response to directly evaluate the affect of somatic mutation on affinity maturation. We also present an expanded hypothesis of clonal selection and development to explain how the mutational restrictions imposed by the genetic code and the structure of the antibody repertoire, along with antigen concentration, affinity, and probabilistic factors may interact and contribute to the expansion of specific clones as the response develops over time.
Surface and Bulk Measurements of Metals Deposited on Activated Carbon

Diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning Auger microscopy, elemental analyses, BET surface area, and thermogravimetric analyses have been used to study metals and adsorbed organics on the surface of metal-loaded activated carbon materials. Metals such as copper, zinc, and molybdenum have been deposited on activated carbon via incipient wetness methods. Studies of ground and unground samples show that the organic functional groups such as OH, CH2, CH3, CO, C−O, C−O−C, and CH are exclusively found on the exterior of the metal loaded samples and not in the bulk. Surface studies show that Cu and Zn deposits are on the surface whereas Mo is deposited throughout the bulk of the Mo-loaded activated carbon systems. Surface data for the Cu system suggest the presence of CuCO3 and Cu(OH)2. The Zn species appears to be Zn2+ on the basis of XPS and SAM data. Mo appears to be oxidized, but a specific oxidation state and the oxidic species are not yet able ...
Spot test for 3-pyridinols

Abstract A sensitive spot test to distinguish between 3-pyridinol and certain of its substitution products, on the one hand, and various phenols or 2-pyridinols giving a positive Folin-Denis test involves treatment with bromine water; then excess sodium arsenite followed by brief heating and basification. The blue color formed has spottest sensitivities of the order of 5 μg/0.25 ml in a test tube; or 1 μg/cm 2 on filter paper. Although the structure of the colored species has not been definitely established, it appears, on the basis of chemical and physical evidence, to be an azaquinone.
Variables Related to Obesity and Body Fat: Avenues to Change

Obesity and overweight constitute major health concerns in this country today. This article provides a description of the terms overweight and obese, variables contributing to diet and exercise adherence, and practice implications for nurse practitioners.
Citrus tissue culture: stimulation of fruit explant cultures with orange juice.

In vitro growth of explant (juice vesicle or albedo tissues) cultures from citron (Citrus medica), lemon (C. limon), grapefruit (C. paradisi), sweet orange (C. sinensis), and mandarin (C. reticulata) fruits was stimulated by addition of orange juice (10% v/v optimum) to a basal medium containing Murashige and Skoog salts, 50 grams per liter sucrose, 100 milligrams per liter myo-inositol, 5 milligrams per liter thiamine·HCl, 2 milligrams per liter 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.5 milligrams per liter kinetin. In analyzing this effect of orange juice on citron explant cultures, we failed to obtain increased yields by addition of appropriate concentrations of citric acid to the basal medium but obtained growth stimulation when the medium was supplemented with juice from an “acidless” orange variety (cv. Lima). These facts suggest that some component(s) other than citric acid is involved. Addition of the inorganic ash corresponding to 10% (v/v) orange juice to the basal medium had no effect on yields. Similarly, the stimulatory effect of orange juice could not be explained based on its content of sucrose or of organic growth factors already present in the basal medium.
A 2.5GHz 2.2mW/25µW on/off-state power 2ps rms -long-term-jitter digital clock multiplier with 3-reference-cycles power-on time

Modern mobile platforms utilize power cycling to lower power dissipation and increase battery life. By turning off the circuits that are not in use, power cycling provides a viable means to make power dissipation proportional to workload, hence achieving energy proportional operation. The effectiveness of this approach is governed by the turn on/off times, off-state power dissipation, and energy overhead due to power-cycling. Ideally, the circuits must turn on/off in zero time, consume no off-state power, and incur minimal energy overhead during on-to-off and off-to-on transitions. Conventional clock multipliers implemented using phase-locked loops (PLLs) present the biggest bottleneck in achieving these performance goals due to their long locking times. Even if the PLL is frequency locked, the slow phase acquisition process limits the power-on time [1-2]. Techniques such as dynamic phase-error compensation [3], edge-missing compensation [4], and hybrid PLLs [5] improve the phase acquisition time to at best few hundred reference cycles. However, such improvements are inadequate to make best use of power-cycling. Multiplying injection-locked oscillators (MILO) are shown to lock faster than PLLs, but suffer from conflicting requirements on injection strength to simultaneously achieve low jitter and fast locking. Increasing the injection strength extends lock range and reduces locking time, but severely degrades the deterministic jitter performance [6]. In view of these drawbacks, we propose a highly digital clock multiplier that seeks to achieve low jitter, fast locking, and near-zero off-state power. By using a highly scalable digital architecture with accurate frequency presetting and instantaneous phase acquisition, the prototype 8×/16× clock multiplier achieves 10ns (3 reference cycles) power-on time, 2psrms long-term absolute jitter, less than 25μW off-state power, 12pJ energy overhead for on/off transition, and 2.2mW on-state power at 2.5GHz output frequency.
A portable cardiopulmonary bypass/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system for the induction and reversal of profound hypothermia: Feasibility study in a swine model of lethal injuries

: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation's (CCF) cardiopulmonary bypass/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (CPB/ECMO) system capabilities were tested in a hypothermia trauma management feasibility study in a porcine animal model at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A.). In this survival series, the CCF system was used in a simulated forward lines combat casualty application where lethal uncontrolled hemorrhage from major vascular injuries was repaired under a state of profound hypothermic arrest (suspended animation), followed by recovery and monitoring in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. The animals were monitored for survival, neurological impact, cognitive functions, organ damage, and delayed complications over 3 weeks. A survival rate of 83% matched rates previously found using conventional equipment. Neurological findings, organ dysfunction, and complication rates also were no different from previous studies using standard equipment. Successful survival results demonstrated that the CCF CPB/ECMO system could be used to induce a period of profound hypothermic arrest for the repair of lethal traumatic injuries. The logistical advantages of this system make it an attractive choice for use in austere settings and during transport.
The family medical history as a tool in preconception consultation

A multigenerational medical family history graphically recorded as a pedigree or family tree is a cost-effective tool in preconception counseling to identify couples at risk to have offspring with inherited disorders and to identify if either partner has a personal risk for a disorder with a genetic etiology. Interpretation of a medical family history can provide risk assessment for reproductive planning and choices, inform a diagnosis to help identify a patient’s medical screening needs and clinical management, and build rapport with the patient or couple. The use of standardized pedigree nomenclature is paramount to healthcare delivery as electronic medical records become universal. The trend towards having patients prepare a medical family history in advance of the first clinic visit is a way to empower patients to take charge of their health, and also allow health professionals to spend more focused time in confirming and interpreting family history at the visit instead of constructing family history. This article reviews standardized pedigree symbols, clues to identifying “red flags” in family history (with a focus on preconception genetic counseling), the pedigree as a psychosocial tool, and resources for obtaining a medical family history.
Invariant subspaces and rational approximation

Let μ be a positive measure of compact support in the complex plane. Let P be the set of complex polynomials and Rμ the set of rational functions having no poles on the support of μ. For each p, 1 ≤ p < ∞, let Lp(dμ) have its usual meaning. Denote by Hp(dμ) and Rp(dμ) the closures in Lp(dμ) of P and Rμ respectively. The principal aim of this paper is to establish, in certain cases, the existence of nontrivial closed subspaces in Hp(dμ) and Rp(dμ) which remain invariant under multiplication by P and Rμ. If p > 2 it is shown that Rp(dμ) always has an Rμ-invariant subspace. Specifically, if p > 2 either Rp(dμ) = Lp(dμ) or Rp(dμ) has an Rμ-invariant subspace of finite codimension. An example is provided to indicate that this dichotomy need not persist when p = 2. Hp(dμ) is similar to Rp(dμ) in that it always has a P-invariant subspace when p > 2. Concerning Hp(dμ) particular attention is given to the case where μ is Lebesgue measure dx dy restricted to a compact set E. In this connection it is shown that Hp(E, dx dy) has a P-invariant subspace whenever p ≠ 2 and that H2(E, dx dy) has also, provided E has “finite perimeter.” In a note added in the proof the author claims to have established for an arbitrary compact E the existence of P-invariant subspaces in H2(E, dx dy). A number of results concerning approximation by polynomials and rational functions in the Lp(E, dx dy) norm are obtained as by-products of this investigation. Some of these were obtained earlier by S. O. Sinanjan while others extend his work.
Malaria Mosquitoes Host-Locate and Feed upon Caterpillars

Adult female mosquitoes need blood to develop their eggs and both sexes use nectar and honeydew as carbohydrate resources for flight, survival and to enhance reproduction. However, there are also a few reports in the literature of mosquitoes feeding on haemolymph of soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars. The frequency and significance of this entomophagous behavior is not well understood, but is thought to be a vestige of ancestral feeding behavior or an opportunistic behavior that has evolved over time. In our current paper we investigated the extent to which the malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, is attracted to, and can successfully feed on, larvae of two common moth species, Manduca sexta and Heliothis subflexa. Using y-tube olfactometer assays we found that female An. stephensi readily flew upwind to and landed on the caterpillars of both moth species. The nature of the volatile cues used in host location remains unclear but respirometer studies suggest a possible role of CO2. Laboratory cage assays further showed that the female mosquitoes were able to actively feed on moth larvae and gain sufficient nutritional benefit to influence survival. The extent to which such an opportunistic behavior occurs in the field has yet to be explored but our results suggest that this haemolymph feeding behavior could play a role in malaria mosquito life history and could provide a novel mechanism for horizontal transmission of pathogens and other micro-organisms between hosts.
Adverse health consequences that co-occur with depression: a longitudinal study of black adolescent females.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify adverse health consequences that may co-occur with depression among black female adolescents. Methods. Adolescents were recruited from high-risk neighborhoods in Birmingham, Alabama. The sample comprised 460 black female adolescents (aged 14–18 years) who completed assessments at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Only adolescents who consistently scored above the threshold for depression at all 3 assessments (n = 76) or below the threshold at all 3 assessments (n = 174) were included (N = 250) in the data analysis. Within this sample, adolescents who were depressed were compared with those who were not depressed with respect to the following health consequences: low self-esteem, emotional abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, poor body image, and antisocial behavior. Results. Using generalized estimating equations and controlling for covariates, depressed adolescents were 5.3 times more likely to report low self-esteem, 4.3 times more likely to report emotional abuse, 3.7 times more likely to report being physically abused, and almost 3 times as likely to report being verbally abused. Furthermore, depressed adolescents were more than twice as likely to report poor body image and nearly twice as likely to report engaging in antisocial behaviors. Conclusions. The findings suggest that a broad range of adverse health consequences may accompany depression among black female adolescents. Physicians need to be alert to the co-occurrence of depression and low self-esteem; emotional, physical, and verbal abuse; poor body image; and antisocial behaviors among this population.
A Secular Bible

AbstractWhat has been called secular criticism among some scholars in the Society of Biblical Literature has been pursued as a critique and alternative to traditional theological studies. The question is whether the term secular is being used to describe a method, characterize the biblical literature, or propose a postmodern hermeneutic for a secular age. The article explores these issues to find that secular criticism has not been able to escape the assumption of biblical authority by criticizing theological interpretations. The alternative would be to study the Christian myth embedded in the Bible and render a cultural critique.
The Two Incision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Technique and Results

The two-incision technique for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has evolved rapidly over the past decade with the aid of training courses, new instrumentation, and cadaver laboratories. We describe our technique, choice of implants, and outcomes using this method. While there is clear evidence of a learning curve for two-incision THA, the number of complications and operative times both declined after the 20th case in our series. We conclude that, with appropriate training, both in the laboratory and with surgeon experience, two-incision THA can be a safe alternative to more invasive hip replacement surgery.
Photodissociation of Ethylene Sulfide at 193 nm: A Photofragment Translational Spectroscopy Study with VUV Synchrotron Radiation and ab Initio Calculations

Photodissociation of ethylene sulfide at 193 nm has been studied using photofragment translational spectroscopy and ab initio theoretical calculations. Tunable synchrotron radiation was used as a universal but selective probe of the reaction products to reveal new aspects of the photodissociation dynamics. The channel giving S + C2H4 was found to be dominated by production of ground-state sulfur atoms (S(3P):S(1D) = 1.44:1), mostly through a spin-forbidden process. The results also suggest the presence of a channel giving S(3P) in conjunction with triplet ethylene C2H4 (3B1u) and allow insight into the energy of the latter species near its equilibrium geometry, in which the two methylene groups occupy perpendicular planes. In addition, a channel leading to the production of H2S with C2H2 also has been observed. Our experimental results are supported and elaborated by theoretical calculations.
Reduction of autofluorescence on DNA microarrays and slide surfaces by treatment with sodium borohydride

Microarray technology is currently being used extensively in functional genomics research and modern drug discovery and development. Henceforward, tremendous application potential for this technology exists in the fields of clinical diagnostics and prognostics, pathology, and toxicology for high-throughput analysis of "disease" gene expression. However, the major hurdle now in this technology is not the performance of the arrays but rather the efficient reproducibility of the hybridization signal intensity in a fluorescence-based analysis. The sensitivity of fluorescence detection on an array is to a large extent limited by the amount of background signal arising due to nonspecifically bound probes and fluorescence that is intrinsically associated with the chip substrate and/or the attached target DNA, the so-called autofluorescence. Here, we describe a simple and efficient method to reduce autofluorescence from undetermined sources on coated glass slides with and without DNA arrays. This sodium borohydride-mediated reduction process resulted in significantly lower and more even background fluorescence. This in turn extended the dynamic range of detection and reduced the average coefficient of variation of fluorescent signal ratios on DNA microarrays in addition to improving the detection of genes that are expressed at a low level.
Noble Gas Endohedral Complexes of C60 Buckminsterfullerene

Equilibrium geometries and binding energies (corrected for basis set superposition error) of single and multiple noble gas atom complexes of C60 are calculated at DFT and MP2 levels of theory using basis sets including polarization functions. B3LYP and MP2 give similar van der Waals dispersion interactions, predicting repulsive energies for the He and Ne complexes of about 1 kcal/mol, and higher energies for the larger noble gas atom complexes. As expected, C60 is resilient to deformation in all cases studied, with the geometry of the fullerene cage barely affected by the presence of multiple noble gas atoms inside.
The ribs or not the ribs: which influences mortality?

BACKGROUND: The relative impact of rib fractures on mortality risk is unclear. This study examined the respective relationships between mortality and the number of fractured ribs, patient age, and severity of intrathoracic and extrathoracic injuries. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried, abstracting mortality, age, number of ribs fractured, associated intrathoracic and extrathoracic injury, and Abbreviated Injury Score codes. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression indicated the strongest influence on mortality was severity of intrathoracic injury, followed by severity of extrathoracic injury, age 65 years or older, more than 5 ribs fractured, and age 46 to 65 years. The mortality rate for isolated rib fractures ranged from 1.8% to 3.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality related to rib fractures is affected independently by severe intrathoracic injury, presence of extrathoracic injury, advanced age, and more than 5 fractured ribs. Patients with these conditions may benefit from a higher level of care.
The effects of low-fat skim chocolate milk on urinary hydration indices in a sample of Division 1-AA cross country runners during off-season training sessions

Methods Urine samples were collected from nine cross country runners twice a week (on the intense interval training days each week) for six weeks pre and post practice sessions. Each week participants consumed one of the three rehydration drinks. Participants served as their own control and drink choice was randomized in a cross over design across the three drinks. Urine was tested at four different times on each of the experimental days; (1) before practice (PRE), (2) immediately after practice (IPE), (3) 60 minutes after practice (RECV), (4) and a midnight sample (PST). Four urine indexes were examined on each of the experimental days to assess the difference in hydration status using the three experimental drinks: 1) Urine osmolality1 (Uosm), 2) specific gravity2 (Usg), 3) volume of urine output3 (Uo), and 4) urine color4 (Ucol).
Self-administered bolus jejunostomy feeding and gastric fluid reinfusion in patients with gastric atony.

Twelve patients with profound gastric atony were taught to administer their own tube jejunostomy bolus feedings and, when necessary, to manage their gastric secretions by connecting their gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes. These techniques allowed 11 of 12 patients to obtain reasonable nutrient intake and eight of the 12 to successfully reinfuse retained gastric secretions; alleviating the need for intravenous fluid replacement and expediting hospital discharge. Seven patients were able to resume some oral intake at home after resolution of their gastric atony. In the sufficiently motivated patient with gastric atony from multiple causes, these techniques provide alternatives to indefinite hospitalization with cumbersome and expensive intravenous hyperalimentation or constant infusion enteral alimentation. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition9:626-629, 1985)
Induced absorption and stimulated emission in a driven two-level atom

We have considered the induced processes that occur in a driven two-level atom, where a laser photon is absorbed and emitted by the ground and by the excited states of the atom, respectively. In th...
First attempt at measuring the CMB cross-polarization

We compute upper limits on cosmic microwave background cross-polarization by cross-correlating the PIQUE and Saskatoon experiments. We also discuss theoretical and practical issues relevant to measuring cross-polarization and illustrate them with simulations of the upcoming BOOMERANG 2002 experiment. We present a method that separates all six polarization power spectra (TT, EE, BB, TE, TB, EB) without any other ``leakage'' than the familiar EE-BB mixing caused by incomplete sky coverage. Since E and B get mixed, one might expect leakage between TE and TB, between EE and EB and between BB and EB---our method eliminates this by preserving the parity symmetry under which TB and EB are odd and the other four power spectra are even.
Thermodynamics of Duffing’s Oscillator

We study the averaged characteristics of the response of Duffing's oscillator to harmonic excitation. We show that, as in classical thermodynamics, response characteristics are potential functions of excitation characteristics
Bringing GIS analysis to institutional research: Resources for practitioners

This chapter discusses useful resources for learning about GIS analysis, software packages, and sources of GIS data.
Ultrasonic Investigation of the Ferroelectric Transition Region in K H 2 P O 4

The velocity and attenuation of 15-MHz ultrasonic shear waves have been investigated as a function of the temperature and the electric field applied along the polar axis of potassium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals. These data are analyzed to give the free dielectric susceptibility ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{X}$ and the constant-stress polarization relaxation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{X}$. The ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{X}$ values are in fairly good agreement both above and below ${T}_{c}$ with the predictions of the Silsbee-Uehling-Schmidt model. However, the ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{X}$ values show a temperature dependence which cannot be readily interpreted in terms of the Silsbee-Uehling-Schmidt model. Comparison with comparable data for K${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ strongly suggests that proton tunneling plays an important role in K${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$P${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$.
Variation in host usage among geographic populations of Leptinotarsa decemlineata , the Colorado potato beetle

Insect herbivores can become extensive invaders if they are able to undergo host expansions onto widely-grown agricultural host plants. An important yet unresolved question is whether all herbivore populations are equally able to utilize new host plants or if populations may be geographically structured, that is only a subset has the potential to undergo a host range expansion and become widely invasive. We examined if derived and ancestral geographic populations of L.decemlineata or Colorado potato beetle, varied in host preference and performance on both wild (Solanum rostratum) and cultivated (Solanum tuberosum) host plants. Sampling from six different North American regions (3 ancestral and 2 derived), we performed two full-factorial experiments to test for differences in host preference, acceptance, and performance on S. rostraum and S. tuberosum. Our results reveal the development of new (cultivated) host associations within pest populations of L. decemlineata following its geographic expansion. Pest beetles (i.e., Vermont populations) discriminated less between host plants and grew faster than all other beetle population on both host species. The Vermont beetles also developed faster on leaves than all other populations. The greater general preference, acceptance, and performance of Vermont beetles on all host types underscores the virulence of the pest form of the beetle and may help to explain the absence of pest incidence within the ancestral regions of L. decemlineata.
Bound state to continuum collisional probabilities

Abstract The bound state to continuum transition probability for a square-well oscillator under a collinear collision with an inert gas atom is derived using the first-order time-dependent perturbation theory. The continuum wavefunction of the oscillator is quantized by the method of box normalization. The theory is applied to the system He + H2 to compute the dissociative probability as a function of total energy. The result implies that at temperatures below 2000 K a direct excitation to the continuum from low vibrational states is more probable than a stepwise excitation.
A Plumber's friend in need is a Plumber's friend indeed☆

Abstract In response to the critique of Gaes, Quigley-Fernandez, and Tedeschi ( Journal of Research in Personality , 1978, 12 , 189–192) it was acknowledged that the cell N s were incorrect as originally reported, and the weakness of a postexperimental division of subjects was reaffirmed. Emphasis was placed on the comparability of a simple rating scale and an elaborate bogus pipeline in measuring attraction . The need for determining the way in which the bogus pipeline functions prior to its uncritical adoption in any given experimental situation was stressed as a point of agreement.
New fluoride ion conductor, KxBi1−xF3−2x (.02≤ x ≤.12), with the tysonite structure

Abstract A study of the phase relationships in the KF-BiF 3 system shows the existence of a new compound occurring in the composition range from about 3 to 10 mole percent KF. X-ray analysis of this compound showed it to be isomorphous with the trivalent rare earth fluorides having the tysonite structure. This compound has been characterized by X-rays, lattice parameter and density measurements, DTA and chemical analysis. Ionic conductivity measurements on both single crystals and pressed pellets in the temperature range from 25 to ∼ 450°C show it to be an excellent fluoride ion conductor.
Collective vibrations of water-solvated hydroxide ions investigated with broadband 2DIR spectroscopy

The infrared spectra of aqueous solutions of NaOH and other strong bases exhibit a broad continuum absorption for frequencies between 800 and 3500 cm−1, which is attributed to the strong interactions of the OH− ion with its solvating water molecules. To provide molecular insight into the origin of the broad continuum absorption feature, we have performed ultrafast transient absorption and 2DIR experiments on aqueous NaOH by exciting the O–H stretch vibrations and probing the response from 1350 to 3800 cm−1 using a newly developed sub-70 fs broadband mid-infrared source. These experiments, in conjunction with harmonic vibrational analysis of OH−(H2O)n (n = 17) clusters, reveal that O–H stretch vibrations of aqueous hydroxides arise from coupled vibrations of multiple water molecules solvating the ion. We classify the vibrations of the hydroxide complex by symmetry defined by the relative phase of vibrations of the O–H bonds hydrogen bonded to the ion. Although broad and overlapping spectral features are observed for 3- and 4-coordinate ion complexes, we find a resolvable splitting between asymmetric and symmetric stretch vibrations, and assign the 2850 cm−1 peak infrared spectra of aqueous hydroxides to asymmetric stretch vibrations.
Gradient bounds for solutions of degenerate variational inequalities

We note here that a technique of Oleinik for obtaining derivative estimates for degenerate second-order elliptic equations applies even to certain degenerate variational inequalities.
Feedback Classification of Multi-Input Nonlinear Control Systems

We study the feedback group action on multi-input nonlinear control systems with uncontrollable mode. We follow slightly an approach proposed in Kang and Krener [W. Kang and A. J. Krener, SIAM J. Control. Optim., 30 (1992), pp. 1319--1337] which consists of analyzing the system and the feedback group step by step. We construct a normal form which generalizes, on one hand, the results obtained in the single-input case and, on the other hand, those recently obtained by the same author in the controllable case. We illustrate our results by studying the Caltech Multi-Vehicle Wireless Testbed (MVWT) and the prototype of Planar Vertical TakeOff and Landing aircraft {(PVTOL)}. We also study the notion of bifurcation of controllability for systems with one nonzero uncontrollable mode. We first show that the equilibria for those systems is a p-dimensional submanifold (p equals number of inputs). Provided that one term in their normal form is nonzero, we show that these systems are linearly controllable, hence stabilizable, at any nearby equilibrium point of the origin.
Evaluation of Ventilated Sanders in the Autobody Repair Industry

Orbital and reciprocating sanders were evaluated in autobody shops to obtain information on the ability of the sanders to control worker dust exposures. Air is exhausted from ventilated sanders at a rate of 0.25 to 1.0 m3/min. When unventilated sanders were used, short-term total dust exposures ranged between 2 and 170 mg/m3. When ventilated sanders were used, short-term total exposures ranged between 0.22 and 1.2 mg/m3. Aerosol photometer measurements showed that ventilation decreased dust exposure by a factor of 10 when body-filling compound was sanded. These results indicate that the use of sanders equipped with high-velocity, low-volume ventilation should be encouraged in the autobody repair industry.
Patterns of Complementary Therapy Use for Symptom Management for Older Rural Adults With Diabetes

Studies on complementary therapy use among adults with diabetes are limited by crude use measures and lack of specificity of use for treating diabetes. Data are from a study including baseline and repeated 3-day assessments of complementary therapy use among rural African American and White older (age ≥64) adults (n=71). Most commonly used complementary therapies for diabetes at baseline included prayer (88.7%), food/beverages (50.7%), herbs (11.3%) and home remedies (9.9%). In repeated measures (1131 interviews), prayer was used on 57.2% of days, followed by food/beverages (12.7%), herbs (3.4%) and home remedies (2.7%). 56.3% who reported praying did so on ≥5 reporting periods; other complementary therapy use was sporadic. These data show, with the exception of prayer and food/beverages, limited complementary therapy use for diabetes treatment among rural older adults, and less inconsistent use patterns of most complementary therapies. Further research is needed to understand the motivations and patterns of complementary therapy use for diabetes patients.
Baroclinic Instabilities of Linear and Jet Profiles in the Atmosphere

Abstract The baroclinic instabilities of double- and single-jet profiles prevailing at 45°N and 60°N in winter are investigated together with the classical constant shear model. It is found that they are unstable for all wavelengths and the spectrum of the unstable disturbances consists of a short-wave band which includes both the short surface cyclone waves and the much longer waves which occupy the entire troposphere, and a long-wave band composed of disturbances with their amplitudes oscillating in the troposphere but extending into the stratosphere and mesosphere, especially when the strength of the upper jet is relatively strong. The eigenvalues for the double-jet profile are determined almost entirely by the vertical shear in the troposphere, although the vertical structures of the long waves in the stratosphere and mesosphere are significantly influenced by the strength of the upper jet. On the other hand, the single stratosphere jet at 60°N is sufficiently unstable for long waves only when the max...
Personalization from incomplete data: what you don't know can hurt

Clickstream data collected at any web site (site-centric data) is inherently incomplete, since it does not capture users' browsing behavior across sites (user-centric data). Hence, models learned from such data may be subject to limitations, the nature of which has not been well studied. Understanding the limitations is particularly important since most current personalization techniques are based on site-centric data only. In this paper, we empirically examine the implications of learning from incomplete data in the context of two specific problems: (a) predicting if the remainder of any given session will result in a purchase and (b) predicting if a given user will make a purchase at any future session. For each of these problems we present new algorithms for fast and accurate data preprocessing of clickstream data. Based on a comprehensive experiment on user-level clickstream data gathered from 20,000 users' browsing behavior, we demonstrate that models built on user-centric data outperform models built on site-centric data for both prediction tasks.
Occurrence of Clostridium perfringens in ground beef and ground turkey evaluated by three methods

A rapid and effective method (Fung's Double-tube method) for estimating low numbers of Clostridium perfringens from ground beef and ground turkey has been investigated and compared to Oxyrase Enzyme and Gas Pak Anaerobic System methods. C. perfringens was detected with one or more of the methods in 64 (54%) of 118 ground beef samples and 40 (73%) of 55 ground turkey samples. Fung's Double-tube showed 94 (54%) out of 173, Oxyrase Enzyme 77 (45%) out of 173, and Gas Pak Anaerobic System 73 (42%) out of 173 ground beef and ground turkey samples to be positive for C. perfringens. Fung's doubletube showed significantly (p <0.05) higher number of samples positive for C. perfringens in these samples than other two methods. The results indicated a much higher occurrence of C. perfringens in ground turkey (73%) than in ground beef (54%). Furthermore in order to compare the efficiency of these methods in enumerating number of C. perfringens cells during storage, some samples were kept at room temperature (23°C) for 7 days. The number of C. perfringens increased from 44/g up to 1.3x109/g as enumerated by Fung's Double-tube.
Effect of algal diet and temperature on the biochemical composition of the rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis

Abstract Rotifers were fed on four species of unicellular algae ( Dunaliella tertiolecta, Pavlova lutheri, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Isochrysis galbana ) at a range of temperatures. Measurements were made of growth rate, weight and level of total protein, carbohydrate and lipid. Large differences were found in rotifer weight and biochemical composition as a result of feeding and starvation. There were only minor differences attributable to the type of alga used as a food.
The percent of positive biopsy cores improves prediction of prostate cancer-specific death in patients treated with dose-escalated radiotherapy.

Purpose To examine the prognostic utility of the percentage of positive cores (PPC) at the time of prostate biopsy for patients treated with dose-escalated external beam radiation therapy. Methods and materials We performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated at the University of Michigan Medical Center to at least 75 Gy. Patients were stratified according to PPC by quartile, and freedom from biochemical failure (nadir + 2 ng/mL), freedom from metastasis (FFM), cause-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed by log-rank test. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cut point for PPC stratification. Finally, Cox proportional hazards multivariate regression was used to assess the impact of PPC on clinical outcome when adjusting for National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk group and androgen deprivation therapy. Results PPC information was available for 651 patients. Increasing-risk features including T stage, prostate-specific antigen, Gleason score, and NCCN risk group were all directly correlated with increasing PPC. On log-rank evaluation, all clinical endpoints, except for OS, were associated with PPC by quartile, with worse clinical outcomes as PPC increased, with the greatest impact seen in the highest quartile (>66.7% of cores positive). ROC curve analysis confirmed that a cut point using two-thirds positive cores was most closely associated with CSS (p = 0.002; area under ROC curve, 0.71). On univariate analysis, stratifying patients according to PPC less than or equal to 66.7% vs. PPC greater than 66.7% was prognostic for freedom from biochemical failure (p = 0.0001), FFM (p = 0.0002), and CSS (p = 0.0003) and marginally prognostic for OS (p = 0.055). On multivariate analysis, after adjustment for NCCN risk group and androgen deprivation therapy use, PPC greater than 66.7% increased the risk for biochemical failure (p = 0.0001; hazard ratio [HR], 2.1 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-3.0]) and FFM (p = 0.05; HR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.1-2.9]) and marginally increased the risk for CSS (p = 0.057; HR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.0-4.6]). Conclusion PPC at the time of biopsy adds prognostic value for clinically meaningful endpoints for patients treated with dose-escalated radiation therapy. This was particularly true for NCCN-defined intermediate- and high-risk patients.
The Treatment of Infants With Oxacillin Sodium

OXACILLIN SODIUM has been demonstrated to effectively inhibit penicillin-sensitive and resistant staphylococci in vitro at concentrations readily obtainable in vivo 1 and together with other similar penicillinase-resistant penicillins, is considered a drug of choice in staphylococcal infection. 2 As young infants are particularly susceptible to staphylococcal infection, information concerning the effectiveness of oxacillin sodium in treating such infections and the pharmacology of oxacillin sodium in such patients is needed. The study reported herein provides information regarding the serum concentrations of oxacillin sodium achieved with varying dosage schedules in young infants, the effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of severe staphylococcal infection in this age group, and the toxicity of the drug in newborns and in older infants. Material and Methods All patients less than 2 years of age admitted to the service wards or nurseries of the Department of Pediatrics, Mercy Hospital during the period July 1, 1963, to