cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
C# 2008: new features: tutorial presentation

C#, the flagship .NET language, is still a rapidly evolving language. C# 2008 with .NET 3.5 introduces many new features which can ease coding. It has also introduced an alphabet soup of new acronyms such as, XAML, and BAML, and new technologies such as WCP, WPF and LINQ. WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) is a new GUI API.
Effects of Incorporating Kryptonite TM Bone Cement in Fracture Fixation with Plating Technique: A Cadaveric Study of Humerus Midshaft Fracture

KryptoniteTM bone cement has an opportunity to incorporate in plate/screw (PLT) technique of internal long bone fracture fixation. The effects of the bone cement as a bonding interface between plate and screw remain unknown mechanics. The purpose of this study was to compare biomechanical advantages of adding KryptoniteTM bone cement in non-locking screw vs. locking screw. The study was specifically addressed humerus midshaft fracture. The PLT technique in this study utilized Locking Compression Plate (LCP) which obtained mixed unicortical and bicortical screws. A total of 4 pairs of cadaveric humerus bone were randomly divided into two groups (n = 4). The Hybrid locking (HL) group contained locking unicortical screws whereas the hybrid non-locking group (HNK) utilized non-locking screws feature incorporating the biocompatibility cement in the constructed bone-implant. Biomechanical studies including static and dynamic tests were performed on the fixated specimens of the two groups to evaluate behavior of the bone implant in vivo condition, using servohydraulic testing system (MTS system) to obtain construct stiffness and rigidity for axial compression and torsion. Independent sample paired t-test was used to detect significant differences between the two groups with 95% confidence interval (p < 0.05). HNK group was found 27 and 20% higher than HL group in axial stiffness and yield strength respectively. Ultimate failure load of HNK group (1199 ± 232 N) is superior to the HL group (994 ± 239 N). The HNK group was found about 23.1% higher than HL group in torsional stiffness. The study was found statistically non-significant difference among the two groups. In conclusion, KryptoniteTM bone cement initially found to host both mechanical and biological advantages which become attractive for internal long bone fixation.
Rethinking information sharing for threat intelligence

In the past decade, the information security and threat landscape has grown significantly making it difficult for a single defender to defend against all attacks at the same time. This called for introducing information sharing, a paradigm in which threat indicators are shared in a community of trust to facilitate defenses. Standards for representation, exchange, and consumption of indicators are proposed in the literature, although various issues are undermined. In this paper, we take the position of rethinking information sharing for actionable intelligence, by highlighting various issues that deserve further exploration. We argue that information sharing can benefit from well-defined use models, threat models, well-understood risk by measurement and robust scoring, well-understood and preserved privacy and quality of indicators and robust mechanism to avoid free riding behavior of selfish agents. We call for using the differential nature of data and community structures for optimizing sharing designs and structures.
Radiations and Other Physical Agents

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the effects of exposing mammalian embryos to various forms of ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Although some clinical applications will be alluded to, the primary purpose will be to present the quantitative information derived from animal experiments. A detailed consideration of the clinical implications and clinical interpretation of the hazards of ionizing and nonionizing radiation are discussed in other monographs (Brent and Gorson, 1972; Brent and Harris, 1976).
Brine migration in a salt repository

The possible role of brine migration in radionuclide transport in a nuclear waste repository is studied. Mathematical derivation of the analysis is given, along with numerical illustrations using parameter values typical of a nuclear waste repository. For heat-emitting wastes and the parameters studied here, brine migration in salt is minuscule, of the order of micrometers per year, localized within a few meters from the waste package, and highly transient, fading away within a few years of waste emplacement.
Race and Objective Social Isolation: Older African Americans, Black Caribbeans, and Non-Hispanic Whites

Objectives Social isolation is a major risk factor for poor physical and mental health among older adults. This study investigates the correlates of objective social isolation among older African Americans, Black Caribbean immigrants, and non-Hispanic Whites. Methods The analysis is based on the older subsample (n = 1,439) of the National Survey of American Life. There are eight indicators of objective social isolation: no contact with neighbors, neighborhood groups, friends, family members, religious congregation members, not being married and no romantic involvement, living alone, and not being a parent. Results Very few older Americans are socially isolated from family and friends. Non-Hispanic Whites are more likely than both African Americans and Black Caribbeans to live alone, to be childless, and have limited contact with religious congregation members. For both African Americans and Black Caribbeans, being female is protective against social isolation, but for both populations, men are more likely to be married or have a romantic partner. For African Americans, residing in the South is also protective against social isolation. Discussion This analysis provides greater clarity on racial and ethnic differences in social isolation among older adults, as well as within-group differences in objective social isolation among African Americans and Black Caribbeans.
Conservative Management of Acute Type B Dissection

Acute type B aortic dissection is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, management has involved medical stabilization with “anti-impulse” therapy to prevent the progression of dissection and the complications of malperfusion and rupture. Despite best medical therapy, complications may still occur, leading to an early mortality of more than 10 %. Although endovascular measures have been demonstrated to improve early survival after complicated acute type B aortic dissection, the use of stent grafts have not demonstrated improved outcomes for the cases of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection. Data on the benefit of stent grafts for promoting “remodeling” in type B aortic dissection has been equivocal. For these reasons, conservative management for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection remains the mainstay for treatment.
Automated Isotopic Profile Deconvolution for High Resolution Mass Spectrometric Data (APGC-QToF) from Biological Matrices.

An isotopic profile matching algorithm, the isotopic profile deconvoluted chromatogram (IPDC), was developed to screen for a wide variety of organic compounds in high-resolution mass spectrometry (...
Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer: A Fundamental Component of Precision Oncology

Precision oncology embodies the targeted and rational treatment of cancer according to the specific molecular alterations underlying an individual patient’s disease. It is now well-established that cancer is primarily a genetic disease caused by inherited and acquired genomic aberrations [1]. Each cancer carries a unique set of “driver” genomic aberrations that work together to promote cancer initiation and maintenance. It is also understood that cancer genomes are inherently unstable, and the accumulation of new driver genomic aberrations can lead to cancer progression and drug resistance [2]. The promise of precision oncology postulates that each cancer can be treated more effectively, and even possibly cured, through understanding and targeting key driver genomic aberrations. This requires first identifying key oncogenic genomic aberrations in cancer cells, enabled via molecular diagnostics, to guide the rational selection of molecular therapeutic agents specifically targeting these alterations. Thus, cancer molecular diagnostics are a fundamental and integral component of precision oncology.
Survey Says…?: Assessing Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Use and Awareness for Responsive Service Delivery

The object of this study is to assess Texas A&M University (TAMU) students/faculty/staff members’ use and awareness of the Libraries’ free document delivery and interlibrary loan service, branded a...
“I’m afraid of cops:” black protesters’ and residents’ perceptions of policing in the United States

Proactive policing strategies produce a wide range of harms to African Americans. Research on attitudes towards police show that citizen distrust is more widespread among Blacks than Whites.However...
Synergistic effects of β-amyloid and ceramide-induced insulin resistance on mitochondrial metabolism in neuronal cells

A large body of evidence support major roles of mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin action in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. However, interaction between cellular expression of β-amyloid (Aβ) and insulin resistance on mitochondrial metabolism has not been explored in neuronal cells. We investigated the additive and synergistic effects of intracellular Aβ42 and ceramide-induced insulin resistance on mitochondrial metabolism in SH-SY5Y and Neuro-2a cells. In our model, mitochondria take-up Aβ42 expressed through viral-mediated transfection and exposure of the same cells to ceramide produces resistance to insulin signaling. Ceramide alone increased phosphorylated MAP kinases while decreasing phospho-Akt (Ser473). The combination of Aβ42 and ceramide synergistically decreased phospho-Thr308 on Akt. Aβ42 and ceramide synergistically also decreased mitochondrial complex III activity and ATP generation whereas Aβ alone was largely responsible for complex IV inhibition and increases in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production (ROS). Proteomic analysis showed that a number of mitochondrial respiratory chain and tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes were additively or synergistically decreased by ceramide in combination with Aβ42 expression. Mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins were notably dysregulated by Aβ42 (Mfn1) or Aβ42 plus ceramide (OPA1, Drp1). Antioxidant vitamins blocked the Aβ42 alone-induced ROS production, but did not reverse Aβ42-induced ATP reduction or complex IV inhibition. Aβ expression combined with ceramide exposure had additive effects to decrease cell viability. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Aβ42 expression and ceramide-induced insulin resistance synergistically interact to exacerbate mitochondrial damage and that therapeutic efforts to reduce insulin resistance could lessen failures of energy production and mitochondrial dynamics.
Recent Insights into the Molecular and Cellular Contributions to Venous Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are common mortal/morbid diseases worldwide, and improvements in prophylaxis and therapy have been elusive. The basic pathophysiology of how a thrombus forms in vivo and how it resolves are now better understood through experiments with animal models. Inflammation can both cause and incite venous thrombosis. Leukocytes, platelets, and coagulation factors coalesce locally after a thrombogenic stimulus occurs. Cell adhesion molecules, such as P-selectin, bridge the interface of thrombosis and inflammation, and are both biomarkers for, and pathogenic in DVT. Once DVT forms, natural thrombolysis occurs primarily via the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)–plasmin system. Alternative pathways also exist for venous thrombus resolution, including the matrix metalloproteinases. A new concept in DVT resolution related to sterile inflammation is clearance of procoagulant necrotic leukocytes and platelets, in part mediated by TLR9 signaling. A consequence of DVT is the proximate vein wall injury, which is dependent on the mechanism and duration of the thrombus-vein wall contact. Both vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells maintain normal vein homeostasis, but adopt an injury response after thrombosis that may lead to vein fibrosis. In humans, multiple biomarkers are now available, but increased specificity for venous thrombosis is still elusive. Some of these biomarkers such as P-selectin may also play a causative role, and be attractive therapeutic targets for nonanticoagulant DVT prophylaxis and treatment.
Psychological Influences on African American Compulsive Gambling Behavior

This paper explores some of the psychological influences on excessive participation in state lotteries by African Americans. The impact of racism and poverty, and African American beliefs, and learning are discussed in an effort to explain African American compulsive lottery participation. Finally, an approach to treatment is proposed.
Traditional vs. Extreme Athletes: An Exploration of Personality Indicators

The purpose of this research was to explore the personality indicators of traditional and extreme sport athletes. An online snowball sample of 149 athletes completed the 33-item questionnaire composed of personality indicators from the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking Scale. T-test results revealed that extreme athletes had higher Introversion , Perceiving , and Sensation Seeking scores than traditional athletes. Visual inspection of the correlation matrix of personality indicators revealed that the Myers Briggs type Perceiving was the most highly correlated variable with every factor of Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking Scale. Overall, the study revealed that extreme athletes perceive the external world differently than traditional athletes and that extreme athletes are more adept at being flexible, being spontaneous, and adapting to situations.
How can psychological adaptations be heritable

By Fisher's fundamental theorem, selection depletes additive genetic variation. However, moderate heritabilities are invariably obtained for psychological traits, even those that have been under intense selection. Examples include sociosexuality (interest in emotionally uncommitted sex), schizophrenia and sexual orientation, which have all been subject to strong sexual selection. A number of factors can help maintain (or at least slow depletion of) genetic variation. These include antagonistic pleiotropy; geographic or temporal variability in optimal phenotypes (and hence genotypes); mutational pressure (especially in the context of parasite resistance dynamics); and existence of heritable strategic variation or morphs. I discuss the likelihood that these factors maintain heritable variation for intelligence. I then review some evolutionary hypotheses regarding variation in some specific psychological traits.
The Failure of Abstinence-Only Education: Minors Have the Right to Honest Talk about Sex

Federal sponsorship of abstinence-only education impairs the constitutional rights minors enjoy with respect to their sexual health and procreation decisions. Abstinence-only education's singular focus on abstinence, and its distortions concerning the effectiveness of methods of contraception and disease prevention, the risks associated with abortion, and the other consequences of sex misleads minors and compromises their ability and right to make informed health decisions. In light of the potential health risks associated with these curricula, abstinence-only education cannot be justified as intending to serve any significant state interest. While the government may have an interest in encouraging abstinence in unmarried youth, its current policy is being pursued at the expense both of truth and public health. Importantly, there is no evidence that providing comprehensive sex education promotes increased sexual behavior or dilutes the message that abstinence is a preferable choice, as proponents assert. Furthermore, the government's singular focus on abstinence represents an educational policy that is inconsistent with the democratic educational objective of preparing adolescents to make responsible, informed choices.
Radioimmunoassay for the Major Structural Protein of Hamster Type C Viruses

A radioimmunoassay for the major, group-specific antigen (p30) of hamster type C viruses was developed. The test detected approximately 5 ng of viral protein per ml and was highly specific for hamster viruses when used with homologous antibody. Comparison of three hamster viruses, two being mouse-hamster pseudotypes, in homologous and heterologous intraspecies assays, showed no evidence of type specificity for these proteins. The pseudotype viruses showed no evidence of mouse virus p30 antigenic determinants. An interspecies antigen assay employing (125)I-labeled hamster p30 and anti-feline p30 was completely inhibited by cat (feline leukemia virus), hamster, and rat viruses, to a slightly lesser degree by mouse viruses, and only poorly by RD 114 and Gibbon ape viruses. The Mason-Pfizer virus did not inhibit this assay. Hamster p30 was detected by radioimmunoassay in individual embryos from two LSH hamsters and in several adult tissues, excluding muscle at levels below that required for detection in complement-fixation tests.
Raptor abundance and northern bobwhite survival and habitat use

Predation risk has a profound influence on prey behavior and habitat use. The Rio Grande Plains ecoregion of Texas, USA, provides a unique opportunity to investigate changes in prey behavior because the ecoregion experiences a high influx of raptors every year during autumn migration. We used an 8-year data set (2000–2008) of radiocollared northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) and raptor abundance to test the hypothesis that bobwhites responded to increased raptor abundance via changes in woody-cover use at the home-range scale. Bobwhite survival was negatively correlated with raptor abundance, with red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), and northern harriers (Circus cyaneus) accounting for 51% of the variability in bobwhite survival (P < 0.010). However, we documented no change in the amount of woody cover used by bobwhites in their home range between the raptor migration (6.6% ± 0.5%; n = 73 bobwhites) and non-migration periods (7.1% ± 0.4%; n = 105 bobwhites; P = 0.490). In addition, bobwhites that survived the raptor migration period used similar amounts of woody cover within their home range (6.3% ± 0.6%, n = 58 bobwhites) compared with those dying during the migration period (6.8% ± 0.4%, n = 100 bobwhites; P = 0.530). Our data suggest that bobwhites do not alter their use of woody cover at the home-range scale in response to increasing raptor abundance, but this does not preclude increased use of woody cover at the point-of-use scale. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Public capital and regional output: Another look at some Japanese and American data

Abstract Japanese and American data are used to recover estimates of regional production functions that include government capital as an input. Estimated parameters are used to simulate allocations of government capital which would have resulted in equal per employee outputs across states and regions. Base case estimates indicate that complete equalization would have increased aggregate output by about 8 percent in 1954 but reduced it by 14 percent in 1963, in Japan, and reduced aggregate output by about 25 percent in the U.S. in 1972. Sensitivity analyses show that these results are not affected much by small changes in the parameters.
Speech Perception, Development of

To acquire a language infants must be able to perceive its basic speech sounds. Infants are born with excellent abilities to discriminate a wide range of speech sounds. During the course of their first year, these capacities become more specialized for processing the sound patterns of their native language. Keywords: speech perception; language acquisition; word segmentation; infants; statistical learning
Control of High-Purity Distillation Columns from a Robustness Viewpoint

A realistic study of the LV-control of a high-purity distillation column is presented. Linear controllers designed based on a linearized model of the plant are found to yield acceptable performance also when there is model-plant mismatch. The mismatch can be caused by uncertainty on the manipulated inputs, nonlinearity and variations in reboiler and condenser holdup. The presence of input uncertainty makes the use of a steady-state decoupler unacceptable. The effect of nonlinearity is strongly reduced by using the logarithm of the compositions. A simple diagonal PI-controller is not sensitive to model-plant mismatch, but yields a response with a sluggish return to steady-state.
Dynamic Systems in Developmental Science

In its mathematical, methodological, and conceptual grounding, the dynamic systems (DS) approach to development offers a unique, relationally focused model for understanding developmental process. Proponents of the DS approach, however, are metatheoretically divided with respect to what constitutes the very nature of explanation in developmental science, resulting in two distinct ontological frameworks within the approach: an inclusive, pluralistic framework and an exclusive, monistic framework. The purpose of this chapter is to articulate the metatheoretical divide that currently exists within the DS approach and to address the implications of this divide for realization of the approach's potential as a Relational-Developmental-Systems paradigm. The chapter begins with an overview of historical influences on the DS approach to development, specifically targeting the multidisciplinary frameworks of von Bertalanffy's general systems theory and nonlinear dynamical systems theory. Alternate ways of marrying these multidisciplinary influences are discussed and used to anchor the chapter's delineation of the DS approach to development through its ontologically distinct variants. The chapter ends by framing metatheoretical division within the DS approach in terms of the Relational-Developmental-Systems and Cartesian-Split-Mechanistic paradigms. Keywords: Cartesian-Split-Mechanistic paradigm; circular causality; dynamic process; dynamic systems; emergence; final explanation; formal explanation; general systems; holistic structuralism; metatheory; nonlinear dynamics; nonlinearity; organization; qualitative mathematics; Relational-Developmental-Systems paradigm; self-organization; structural reification; theory
Characterizing Pawlak's approximation operators

We investigate the operators associated with approximations in the rough set theory introduced by Pawlak in his [14,11] and extensively studied by the Rough Set community [16].We use universal algebra techniques to establish a natural characterization of operators associated with rough sets.
Unconscious Bias in Judicial Performance Evaluations: Why the ABA Guidelines are Not Good Enough

Judicial performance evaluations (JPEs) are an important part of the judicial selection process in the states, particularly those using a version of the merit plan. All states that use JPEs follow the ABA’s Guidelines (1985), which claim to minimize the potential for unconscious bias through the use of behavior-based evaluation. But these measures have yet to be subjected to rigorous analysis. This analysis of the 'Judging the Judges' survey of Nevada attorneys provides such an analysis. After controlling for objective measures of judicial performance, gender and race still contribute significantly to the scores on all of the behavior-based measures implemented in the Nevada poll. I find evidence of significant unconscious bias, as social cognition theory would predict. This result raises serious questions about the validity and fairness of JPEs around the country.
Strong-Field Photoionization by Few-Cycle Laser Pulses

The electric field of few-cycle laser pulses can be precisely controlled by controlling their “absolute” phase. Intense phase-stabilized few-cycle laser pulses give rise to novel effects in strong-field and above-threshold ionization (ATI). The phase dependence of the photoelectron spectra is a sensitive probe of the dynamics of the strong-field ionization processes underlying attosecond laser physics. Conversely, the phase-dependence of ATI spectra can be used for the measurement of the absolute phase. This, a summary of the experimental status of phase-dependent strong-field ionization, and a description of unsolved problems are the main points of this contribution.
Conversion of Esters to Allylsilanes: Trimethyl(2‐Methylene‐4‐Phenyl;3‐Butenyl)Silane

Conversion of Esters to Allylsilanes: Trimethyl(2-Methylene-4-Phenyl-3-Butenyl)Silane product: trimethyl(2-methylene-4-phenyl-3-butenyl)silane byproduct: 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3-butadiene Keywords: addition, to CO; metalation reactions, magnesium; silylation; tetrahydrofuran
Inter-Rater Agreement of a Non-Invasive Ultrasound Cardiac Output Monitoring (USCOM) Device in Emergency Department Patients

• Increasing ED length of stay is resulting in more critical care being delivered in the ED(1) • Early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) for severe sepsis and septic shock requires invasive hemodynamic monitoring in the ED(2) • The pulmonary artery (PA) catheter has long been the mainstay for hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients in the ICU setting(3) • Several technologies are available to provide non-invasive alternatives to PA catheterization and may prove useful in the emergency department (ED) setting • The USCOM 1A uses continuous-wave doppler ultrasound technology to measure cardiac index (CI) and stroke volume index (SVI) • The USCOM monitor has been shown to be a reliable hemodynamic monitoring tool when compared to the PA catheter in the ICU setting(4) • The purpose of this study is to investigate the inter-rater agreement of this device when used by ED personnel (operators) with minimal training
Isotopic anomalies in meteorites and their origins. V - Search for fission fragment recoils in Allende sulfides

Abstract Three troilite- and pentlandite-rich samples from the Allende C3 chondrite were analyzed for Xe (and in one case Ne and Ar) by mass spectrometry, in 13–22 temperature steps. All samples released a small ‘CCFXe’ component (enriched in the heavy isotopes Xe 134, 136 ) at the relatively low temperature of 700–800°C, ahead of adsorbed atmospheric Xe (~900°C), radiogenic Xe 129 (1000°C), and primordial Xe (1250°C). Though such a labile component suggests implanted fission recoils, the simultaneous release of Ne, Ar, and Xe 124, 126 shows that it instead comes from carbon and perhaps chromite, two major host phases of CCFXe. Apparently small amounts of these phases are occluded in sulfides, and decompose by chemical reaction upon heating. Thus the experiment fails to resolve the nature of CCFXe. A marked enrichment of Xe 124 , without corresponding enrichments in Xe 126 or Xe 131–136 , was observed in the 550–650° and 1400–1500° fractions. Though requiring confirmation, it supports earlier evidence for the complexity and variability of the light xenon component, contrary to claims that it is an integral part of CCFXe.
Chemical Modifications in Therapeutic Protein Aggregates Generated under Different Stress Conditions

In this study, we characterized the chemical modifications in the monoclonal antibody (IgG2) aggregates generated under various conditions, including mechanical, chemical, and thermal stress treatment, to provide insight into the mechanism of protein aggregation and the types of aggregate produced by the different stresses. In a separate study, additional biophysical characterization was performed to arrange these aggregates into a classification system (Joubert, M. K., Luo, Q., Nashed-Samuel, Y., Wypych, J., and Narhi, L. O. (2011) J. Biol. Chem. 286, 25118–25133). Here, we report that different aggregates possessed different types and levels of chemical modification. For chemically treated samples, metal-catalyzed oxidation using copper showed site-specific oxidation of Met246, His304, and His427 in the Fc portion of the antibody, which might be attributed to a putative copper-binding site. For the hydrogen peroxide-treated sample, in contrast, four solvent-exposed Met residues in the Fc portion were completely oxidized. Met and/or Trp oxidation was observed in the mechanically stressed samples, which is in agreement with the proposed model of protein interaction at the air-liquid interface. Heat treatment resulted in significant deamidation but almost no oxidation, which is consistent with thermally induced aggregates being generated by a different pathway, primarily by perturbing conformational stability. These results demonstrate that chemical modifications are present in protein aggregates; furthermore, the type, locations, and severity of the modifications depend on the specific conditions that generated the aggregates.
Methanosphaera stadtmaniae gen. nov., sp. nov.: a species that forms methane by reducing methanol with hydrogen.

Methanosphaera stadtmaniae is a non-motile, Gram-positive spherical-shaped organism that obtains energy for growth by using hydrogen to reduce methanol to methane. It does not produce methane from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, formate, acetate or methylamines and cannot grow with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, nitrate, fumarate, sulfate or choline. Its pH optimum is 6.5 to 6.9 and its temperature optimum is 36° to 40° C. It is not inhibited by bile salts, inhibitors of the synthesis of folic acid coenzymes, cephalothin or clindamycin but is inhibited by metronidazole, bacitracin, monensin, lasalocid, or bromoethanesulfonate. It requires acetate, carbon dioxide, isoleucine, ammonium, and thiamin for growth and biotin is stimulatory. It does not contain cytochromes and the mol % G+C of its DNA is 25.8. The composition of its cell wall and 16 S rRNA and its immunological fingerprint are consistent with characterization of the organism as a member of a new genus of the family Methanobacteriaceae. The habitat of the type strain is the human large intestine.
Effects of carbonate salts on crystallization kinetics and properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)

In this study, thermal and microscopic analyses were used to evaluate a variety of carbonate and bicarbonate salts (alkali, alkaline-earth, and other metals), having different thermal stability within the range of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) processing temperatures, as nucleating agents for recycled bottle PET. In addition, the effects of the salts on the melt viscosity and MW of the resin after melt processing were investigated in attempts to determine their overall relative performance as potential nucleating agents during injection molding. It was found that among the additives tried sodium salts are the most effective nucleating agents for recycled PET crystallization with a concomitant relatively small reduction in molecular weight. All other salts were less effective nucleating agents and, in some cases, caused also significant resin degradation. Mechanisms explaining the behavior of the different salts are proposed. With regard to processability of recycled PET in injection molding, it was found that for certain additives temperatures below 100°c could be effectively used, resulting in short cycles that produced crystalline products with satisfactory mechanical properties.
Metapathography: Three Unruly Texts

Designating a new genre that he calls metapathography, Peter Graham interrogates the relation between the writer's gift and the writer's health. Examining pathographies written by accomplished authors---Norman Cousins, Reynolds Price, and Raymond Carver---Graham claims that disease, when visiting a writer, differs fundamentally from disease that visits one not gifted in language. The assertion that disease is a language is buttressed by Graham's findings that the writer might get sick or get well differently from the non-writer by virtue of his or her ability to articulate, and therefore master, those inchoate events taking place in the body.
Maintenance of in Vivo Tolerance by Persistence of Antigen

T cells of the immune system respond only to foreign antigens because those cells with reactivity for self proteins are either deleted during their development or rendered nonresponsive (anergic). The maintenance of the nonresponsive state was found to require the continual exposure of the anergic T cells to antigen. When anergic T cells were removed from the self antigen by adoptive transfer to a mouse strain lacking the antigen or by in vitro culture, nonresponsiveness was reversed and the anergic cells returned to normal functional status.
Ultrasound-activated Agents Comprised of 5FU-bearing Nanoparticles Bonded to Microbubbles Inhibit Solid Tumor Growth and Improve Survival

Nanoparticle (NP) drug delivery vehicles may eventually offer improved tumor treatments; however, NP delivery from the bloodstream to tumors can be hindered by poor convective and/or diffusive transport. We tested whether poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) NP delivery can be improved by covalently linking them to ultrasound (US)-activated microbubbles in a “composite-agent” formulation and whether drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-loaded NPs delivered in this fashion inhibit the growth of tumors that are typically not responsive to intravenously administered 5FU. After intravenous composite-agent injection, C6 gliomas implanted on Rag-1−/− mice were exposed to pulsed 1 MHz US, resulting in the delivery of 16% of the initial NP dose per gram tissue. This represented a five- to 57-fold increase in NP delivery when compared to multiple control groups. 5FU-bearing NP delivery from the composite-agent formulation resulted in a 67% reduction in tumor volume at 7 days after treatment, and animal survival increased significantly when compared to intravenous soluble 5FU administration. We conclude that NP delivery from US-activated composite agents may improve tumor treatment by offering a combination of better targeting, enhanced payload delivery, and controlled local drug release.
Interspecific differences and discrimination of auditory and olfactory signals ofGalago crassicaudatus andGalago garnettii

Although morphological, genetic, and reproductive differences between the two recently separated species, Galago crassicaudatusand G. garnettii,have been documented, social and ecological distinctions are much less well known The calls and chest glands used in scent marking differ. Observational data on calling and answering between species and experimental results on responses to conspecific and allospecific scent from captive galagos at the Duke University Primate Facility showed that members of both species preferentially responded to conspecific signals. The differences in the signals themselves suggest some contrasts in habitat and social patterns. They may also have direct taxonomic implications, but these are not yet clear. Awareness of these differences in signals should allow us to determine from descriptions of calls, skin glands, and behavior which species were subjects in reports published before this taxonomic revision.
Multi-factor performance measure model with an application to Fortune 500 companies

Abstract The paper develops tools for reconciling diverse measures which characterize the financial performance of the Fortune 500 companies. The technology of data envelopment analysis (DEA) is employed to determine a multi-factor financial performance model which inherently recognizes tradeoffs among various financial measures. This study offers an alternative perspective and characterization on the performance of the Fortune 500 companies. It is shown that the top-ranked companies by revenue do not necessarily have top-ranked performance viewed as being multidimensional. Only about 3% companies were operating on the best-practice frontier. Substantial technical and scale inefficiencies are found. Decreasing returns to scale (DRS) are uncovered among the relatively large (revenue-top-ranked) companies. The study of congestion shows that a reduction in current levels of employees, assets and equity may actually increase revenue and profit levels. Factor-specific measures, within the framework of multidimensional measure, are developed to further study the performance of companies and industries. The performance of best-practice frontier companies is analyzed by constructing reference-share measures which indicate the role each frontier company plays in evaluating non-frontier companies. Finally, the reliability of the best-practice frontier is examined.
Some Considerations for Precision Metrology of Thin X-Ray Mirrors

Determination of the shape of very thin x-ray mirrors employed in spaced-based telescopes continues to be challenging. The mirrors shapes are not readily deduced to the required accuracy because the mount induced distortions are often larger than the uncertainty tolerable for the mission metrology. In addition to static deformations, dynamic and thermal considerations are exacerbated for this class of mirrors. We report on the performance of one temporary mounting scheme for the thin glass mirrors for the Constellation-X mission and prospects for deducing their undistorted shapes.
Communication and information sharing at VA facilities during the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Background Effective communication is critical to formulating responses to emergent events in health care settings. However, the range of factors that influenced communication in health care settings during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic has received limited attention. Methods Cross-sectional semistructured interviews were conducted by telephone with 33 infection control key informants at nationally dispersed Veterans Affairs health care facilities. Interviews were guided by an interview script that addressed topics on infection control practices, including information sources, methods of dissemination, barriers and facilitators to effective communication, and recommendations for future practices. Results Communication was facilitated when information was timely, organized, disseminated through multiple channels, and included educational materials. Barriers to effective communication included feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information received, encountering contradictory information, and restrictions on information dissemination because of uncertainty and inconsistent information. Participants offered recommendations for future pandemics, including the need for standardized educational content, clearer guidance from national organizations, and predefined communication plans for hospital staff. Conclusion The findings of the present study provide insight about improving communication efforts within Veterans Affairs health care facilities during emergent events. The communication experiences discussed—and barriers and facilitators identified—can also be used in planning for future pandemics and other emergent situations.
Effects of manipulating sedentary behavior on physical activity and food intake.

Objectives: Sedentary behaviors have been correlated with obesity. We investigated whether changes in sedentary behaviors relate to changes in energy intake and/or physical activity. Study design: Experimental within-subject crossover design in which children participated in three 3-week phases: baseline and increased and decreased targeted sedentary behaviors. Participants: Thirteen 8- to 12-year-old, nonobese children. Measurements: Sedentary behaviors were measured through the use of daily activity logs, physical activity measured with accelerometers, and energy intake measured by means of repeated 24-hour recalls collected during each phase. Energy intake, energy expenditure, and energy balance per day were calculated. Results: Children showed significant (P < .001) increases of 50% and decreases of 53% in targeted sedentary behaviors from baseline during the increase and decrease phases, respectively. There was a significant (P = .05) increase in energy balance per day (+350.7 kcal) when sedentary behaviors were increased, as the result of an increase in energy intake per day (+250.9 kcal) and a decrease in energy expenditure (−99.8 kcal). No significant changes in energy balance were observed when sedentary behaviors were decreased. Conclusions: Increasing sedentary behaviors had a greater influence on physical activity and energy intake than reducing sedentary behavior in nonobese youth. In some children, changes in sedentary behaviors may be important to modify energy balance and prevent obesity. (J Pediatr 2002;140:334-9)
Are government or private enterprises more likely to engage in dumping? Some international evidence

This paper provides the first systematic evidence comparing the incidence of below-cost dumping among state and privately owned firms. Recent economic theory indicates that government enterprises, if motivated by goals such as output or revenue maximization rather than profit maximization, face higher returns to engaging in below-cost pricing than private enterprises. International data from anti-dumping investigations strongly confirm this prediction. Between 43% and 94% of initiated below-cost dumping cases and between 54% and 100% of affirmative dumping decisions against exporting firms from nonmarket economies are attributable to those firms' publicly owned status. We are able to reject the hypotheses that this result is explained by political biases against nonmarket economies in anti-dumping procedures or from possible political biases stemming from the industry composition of nonmarket exports. In fact in both cases, we find that the above results may understate the true effect of market organization on a country's propensity to engage in dumping.
The sources of pain during phacoemulsification using topical anesthesia

Sir, Phacoemulsification using topical anesthesia is a safe and satisfactory procedure. Minimal pain was reported, but some patients still felt pain.1, 2, 3 To identify the sources of the pain, we encourged the patients to report pain in a ‘yes or no' fashion once it was felt, and the exact surgical steps were recorded.
Vaccination route, infectivity and thioglycollate broth administration: effects on live vaccine efficacy of auxotrophic derivatives of Salmonella choleraesuis.

Abstract An aromatic-dependent, therefore non-virulent, derivative of a mouse-virulent strain of Salmonella choleraesuis previously shown not to be effective as a live vaccine when given intraperitoneally (i.p.) to ltys mice, was administered to BALB/c mice. Two doses given i.p. or by feeding did not protect against i.p. or oral challenge with 50 to 5000 LD60 of the virulent ancestor strain. By contrast two doses given intravenously (i.v.) gave almost complete protection against i.p. or oral challenge with 500 LD50 and some protection against larger doses. The number of live bacteria (cfu) in the liver and spleen 24 h after administration of the live vaccine was less than 1% of the number inoculated i.p., but c. 25% of the number injected i.v. The number of cfu in the gut 24 h after oral vaccine administration was only c. 10−5 of the number fed. Administration of thioglycollate broth i.p. 5 days before i.p. vaccination increased recovery of live vaccine cfu in the liver and spleen and its protective efficacy. In each case the live vaccine did not multiply extensively in vivo. We have previously shown that a purine- and a thymine-requiring derivative of S. choleraesuis were each considerably attenuated but unlike the aro derivative were effective as i.p. live vaccines in mice. Doses of these strains (c. 104 cfu) found protective were administered i.p. to BALB/c mice. Each strain multiplied extensively in the liver and spleen to c. 107 cfu by day 6. All these results are in agreement with a correlation of protective efficacy of a live vaccine with the persistence of a large number of the vaccine bacteria in the liver and spleen for several days.
Cyclophanes with Sharp Corners: Synthesis of Macrocycles Containing One or Two 1,5,2,4,6,8-Dithiatetrazocine Rings

Several cyclophanes have been prepared which contain one or two of the bent 3,7-diamino-1,5,2,4,6,8-dithiatetrazocine (DTTA) ring systems linked by polymethylene chains: 1,8-dimethyl-1,8-diaza[8](3,7)(1,5,2,4,6,8-dithiatetrazocinophane) (6), 1,6,15,20-tetramethyl-1,6,15,20-tetraaza[6.6](3,7)(1,5,2,4,6,8-dithiatetrazocinophane) (8), and 1,5,14,18-tetramethyl-1,5,14,18-tetraaza[5.5](3,7)(1,5,2,4,6,8-dithiatetrazocinophane) (9). In each synthesis, an N,N‘-dimethyl-α,ω-diamine was converted to the corresponding bis(guanidinium hydrobromide), which was then treated with sulfur dichloride in the presence of DBU under conditions of moderate dilution to form the cyclophane in low yield (0.1−0.7%). When N,N‘-dimethylhexanediamine was used, a cyclophane containing a single DTTA ring bridged by the polymethylene chain was formed (6), but with the corresponding butane- and propanediamines, dimeric cyclophanes containing a pair of DTTA rings resulted (8 and 9). When N,N‘-dimethylpentanediamine was used, a monomeric p...
Medical Presentations of Covert Sexual Abuse in Eating Disorder Patients

Abstract A subpopulation of patients with eating disorders have also experienced sexual abuse. Medical symptoms in that subpopulation can, at times, represent an embellishment of true organic pathology or a physical way of remembering past trauma (“body memories”). Organic disease must be ruled out by the use of specific and appropriate tests. A thorough history and a detailed physical examination are imperative so that the patient is not subjected to unnecessary, expensive, and/or often invasive tests, which may only worsen or complicate the patient's condition. Medical personnel and therapists alike should be vigilant to the connection between unusual physical symptoms and a history of sexual abuse in patients with eating disorders.
Grain boundary faceting in YBa2Cu3O7–x bicrystal thin films on SrTiO3 substrates

The structure of [001] tilt boundaries in YBa2Cu3O7–x (YBCO) thin films deposited on [001] tilt SrTiO3 (STO) bicrystal substrates has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These boundaries are (100)/(210), (310)/(510), (410)/(310), (510)/(210), (210)/(410), and (210)/(310), with corresponding misorientation angles of 26°, 29°, 32°, 37°, 40°, and 44°. It was found that the YBCO film boundaries were meandering along the relatively straight substrate boundaries. High-resolution lattice images indicated that the microscopic meandering of the film boundary essentially consisted of many straight segments of facets at the atomic scale. On the basis of the observed facets, three competing factors controlling the formation of facets are discussed. First, the boundary plane is defined by Miller indices (hk0) in both crystals with sufficiently small h, k (i.e., h, k ≤ 5) and sufficiently large effective interplanar spacing (i.e., deff > 0.06 nm). Second, the closure failure defined by the difference between the local misorientation from the design misorientation is small, i.e., less than 2°. Third, the deviation of a local facet plane is observed to be less than 30° from the design boundary plane. Higher values of deffs are observed to give tolerance to higher deviation angles.