cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Criteria for assessing operating room utilization in a free-standing children’s hospital

Summary Background: The staffed hours of operation in any surgical facility are a valuable institutional resource. The realistic target for the utilization of this resource is dependent on many factors including scheduling, efficiency, and culture of the facility. There is no previously reported measure for the actual utilization of staffed regular operating room (OR) hours in an academic pediatric institution. The leadership of the perioperative services at Children’s Hospital Boston (CHB) sought to define the utilization of surgical suite staffed block time hours at that institution and in addition determine whether changes in workflow could increase the measured utilization. Methods: Operating room efficiency in fiscal year 2009 was measured using two variables: utilization and turnover measured in hours for each month in fiscal year 2009, recorded in hours expressed as ratios (observed/expected) and as differences (observed – expected). A total of 27 851 cases from October 1, 2008, through September 30, 2009, were analyzed. All elective cases were scheduled electronically following institutional guidelines; urgent or emergent procedures were scheduled into vacant time slots on the day of the procedure. Time series analysis based on a generalized autoregressive moving average process was used to compare expected with observed utilization and to evaluate changes in utilization and turnover ratios. Results: Efficiency as measured by capped utilization divided by total available time in the OR averaged 79%. Utilization ratios ranged from a low of 73% in February 2009 to a high of 87% in July 2009. An improvement in on-time first-case starts may have contributed to the increase in the utilization of staffed block time. Turnover time as defined by turnover ratio decreased significantly over time, indicating an improved efficiency in the OR starting in April 2009. Conclusions: Adhering to the specific guidelines that are followed at CHB, the mean utilization of scheduled block time was 79%. This was achieved by maximizing workflow in the surgical, anesthesia, and nursing disciplines to shorten turnover time, fill gaps in the elective schedule with emergency procedures, and provide staffing to accommodate cases that extend beyond the scheduled staffed time prior to the reporting period. Simulated models from other pediatric institutions suggest that the optimal utilization of designated time periods in a surgical facility may range from 85% to 90%.
The prodomain of the Bordetella two-partner secretion pathway protein FhaB remains intracellular yet affects the conformation of the mature C-terminal domain

Two-Partner Secretion (TPS) systems use β-barrel proteins of the Omp85-TpsB superfamily to transport large exoproteins across the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. The Bordetella FHA/FhaC proteins are prototypical of TPS systems in which the exoprotein contains a large C-terminal prodomain that is removed during translocation. Although it is known that the FhaB prodomain is required for FHA function in vivo, its role in FHA maturation has remained mysterious. We show here that the FhaB prodomain is required for the extracellularly-located mature C-terminal domain (MCD) of FHA to achieve its proper conformation. We show that the C-terminus of the prodomain is retained intracellularly and that sequences within the N-terminus of the prodomain are required for this intracellular localization. We also identify sequences at the C-terminus of the MCD that are required for release of mature FHA from the cell surface. Our data support a model in which the intracellularly-located prodomain affects the final conformation of the extracellularly-located MCD, which, we hypothesize, triggers cleavage and degradation of the prodomain.
Morphological Confirmation of Homalometron (Trematoda: Apocreadiidae) Species in Freshwater Fishes in Southeastern Texas, U.S.A., with Description of Two Species

ABSTRACT: Recent work using DNA sequence data considered Homalometron armatum (McCallum, 1895) Manter, 1947 (Trematoda: Apocreadiidae) to consist of 3 species. The goal of the present investigation was to test, using new collections, whether these 3 putative species could be recognized and differentiated morphometrically. Newly collected worms from freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) and redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) in Texas, U.S.A., were combined with existing museum collections in multivariate analyses of morphometric characteristics. Principal components analysis on new collections suggested that worms did group by morphometric characteristics relativized by worm length. Discriminant function analyses demonstrated a high degree of fidelity between a priori classification of worms and the ability to discriminate among populations using morphometric data. Based on these results, the 2 as-yet undescribed species of Homalometron are named herein.
Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy in 2014

Cholescintigraphy with 99mTc-hepatobiliary radiopharmaceuticals has been an important, clinically useful diagnostic imaging study for almost 4 decades. It continues to be in much clinical demand; however, the indications, methodology, and interpretative criteria have evolved over the years. This review will emphasize state-of-the-art methodology and diagnostic criteria for various clinical indications, including acute cholecystitis, chronic acalculous gallbladder disease, high-grade and partial biliary obstruction, and the postcholecystectomy pain syndrome, including sphincter-of-Oddi dysfunction and biliary atresia. The review will also emphasize the use of diagnostic pharmacologic interventions, particularly sincalide.
Health services research in the privacy age.

BACKGROUND: Strengthened regulations concerning privacy of health information are affecting large-scale health outcomes research. OBJECTIVE: To create a data collection system that would facilitate outcomes research, avoid selection bias, and fulfill obligations to protect privacy. DESIGN: We created a web-based system that uses touch-screen computer technology for longitudinal collection of data. The system provides access to information in deidentified form, enables it to be linked to health services and outcomes data, and allows patients to join a research registry project (RRP) and be placed on a prospective subject list (PSL). PARTICIPANTS, MEASUREMENTS, AND RESULTS: Pilot testing in 86 consecutive patients who were seen at a large, urban, university-based general medicine practice and had a mean age of 50 years showed that 81 patients had no difficulty, 5 had some difficulty, and none had considerable difficulty using the computer technology to complete a health survey. No patients refused to complete the survey and all patients completed the entire survey. Forty-seven (55%) joined the RRP and 42 of these 47 (89%) joined the PSL. RRP participants were less likely than RRP nonparticipants to be divorced or widowed (P=.03) and less likely to have hypertension (P=.03) but had no other significant differences in sociodemographic or clinical characteristics. PSL participants did not differ from PSL nonparticipants. CONCLUSIONS: The new system ensures privacy and appears to facilitate research recruitment and avoid selection bias.
MERIT40 deficiency expands hematopoietic stem cell pools by regulating thrombopoietin receptor signaling.

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and multilineage reconstitution are controlled by positive and negative signaling cues with perturbations leading to disease. Lnk is an essential signaling adaptor protein that dampens signaling by the cytokine thrombopoietin (Tpo) to limit HSC expansion. Here, we show that MERIT40 (Mediator of RAP80 Interactions and Targeting 40 kDa [M40]), a core subunit of an Lnk-associated Lys63 deubiquitinating (DUB) complex, attenuates HSC expansion. M40 deficiency increases the size of phenotypic and functional HSC pools. M40−/− HSCs are more resistant to cytoablative stress, and exhibit superior repopulating ability and self-renewal upon serial transplantation. M40−/− HSCs display increased quiescence and decelerated cell cycle kinetics accompanied by downregulation of gene sets associated with cell division. Mechanistically, M40 deficiency triggers hypersensitivity to Tpo stimulation and the stem cell phenotypes are abrogated on a background null for the Tpo receptor Mpl. These results establish M40-containing DUB complexes as novel HSC regulators of HSC expansion, implicate Lys63 ubiquitination in HSC signaling, and point to DUB-specific inhibitors as reagents to expand stem cell populations.
POLIOMYELITIS IN THE CYNOMOLGUS MONKEY IV. FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON EXPOSURES CONFINED TO THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES, WITH NOTES ON THE FECAL EXCRETION OF VIRUS

36 exposures of the stomach and intestines of 18 cynomolgus monkeys to large doses of poliomyelitis virus by a method designed to avoid simultaneous exposure of the oropharynx and upper esophagus induced poliomyelitis in only one instance. These observations are to be compared with a previous study in which exposures of the entire alimentary tract including oropharynx and upper esophagus by simple feeding of comparable amounts of the same strain resulted in poliomyelitis in half of the test animals. In the capsule-fed animals virus regularly appeared in the stools during and immediately after the feeding periods but disappeared thereafter excepting in the single case of poliomyelitis, in which it persisted. No evidence of resistance to subsequent intracerebral inoculation was observed in the uninfected capsule-fed animals.
EXTRACTION OF STOONTIUM FROM NITRIC ACID SOLUTIONS USING DICYCLOHEXANO-18-CROWN-5 AND ITS DERIVATIVES

ABSTRACT Dicyclohexano-18-Crown-6 (DCH18C6)and its dimethyl and di-t-butyl derivatives have been evaluated as extractants for Sr (II) from nitric acid media. As with DCH18C6, a correlation is observed between the extraction of strontium nitrate by the di-t-butyl compound dissolved in a variety of oxygenated, aliphatic solvents and the concentration of water in the organic phase. Comparison of the extractant dependencies of the three compounds using n-octanol as the diluent shows that the expected first power dependence of the strontium distribution ratio (Dsr) on crown concentration is observed only for the di-t-butyl derivative. DCH18C6 shows a marked deviation from first power dependence at crown concentrations greater -0.01 M. Dsr acid dependencies for DCHl8C6 and the di-t-butyl derivative do not exhibit the decrease in strontium distribution ratios at high acidities observed for DCH18C6 in chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Spinnability of silica sols structural and rheological criteria

Abstract 29Si NMR spectroscopy of concentrated silicate sols, prepared by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of TEOX in ethanol with H2O/Si ratios, r ≈ 1.5 or 1.7, followed by alcohol evaporation, shows that the polysilicate species responsible for spinnability are not simple rigid-rod, ladder polymers or linear polymers. Instead a distribution of silicate species is observed consistent with the products of a statistical (random) growth process. The primary criterion for spinnability is high viscosity without premature gelation. This is accomplished under acid-catalyzed conditions with low values of r.
Unusual Pacing Observed in a Biventricular Pacemaker with Epicardial Pacing Leads

In this case report, we describe inappropriate pacing in a patient with a newly implanted biventricular pacing system with three epicardial leads. Very high pacing thresholds resulted from the use of nonsteroid eluting leads, and unusual pacing behavior was due to the chosen implant locations for the right atrial and right ventricular epicardial leads. The interplay between the programmed pacemaker parameters, the very late ventricular sensing in the setting of intrinsic right bundle branch block, and atrial lead oversensing led to ineffective biventricular pacing. The persistently elevated pacing thresholds and sensing problems led to very early battery depletion and the need to replace the epicardial system with three new endocardial leads.
Biotechnology--the enormous cost of success.

The introduction 30 years ago of hemodialysis as a widely used treatment for renal disease began a classic cycle of good news and bad news. On the bright side, vast numbers of people with life-thre...
Advances in Piezoelectrically Actuated RF MEMS Switches and Phase Shifters

This report presents results on recent advances in piezoelectric actuated radio frequency (RF) microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices including a temperature insensitive RF MEMS series switch and the demonstration of a 2-bit MEMS phase shifter incorporating PZT switches. Using lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films, modifications to our earlier designs resulted in a RF MEMS series switch operating at 10 V from -25degC to 100degC with better than 30 dB isolation and insertion loss less than 0.5 dB from DC to 50 GHz. In addition, a 17 GHz, 2-bit reflection phase shifter has been demonstrated with an average insertion loss of 2.96 dB using PZT shunt switches operating at 15 V.
A Role for SIR-2.1 Regulation of ER Stress Response Genes in Determining C. elegans Life Span

Summary C . elegans SIR-2.1, a member of the Sir-2 family of NAD + -dependent protein deacetylases, has been shown to regulate nematode aging via the insulin/IGF pathway transcription factor daf-16 . Treatment of C . elegans with the small molecule resveratrol, however, extends life span in a manner fully dependent upon sir-2.1 , but independent of daf-16 . Microarray analysis of worms treated with resveratrol demonstrates the transcriptional induction of a family of genes encoding prion-like glutamine/asparagine-rich proteins involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response to unfolded proteins. RNA interference of abu-11 , a member of this ER stress gene family, abolishes resveratrol-mediated life span extension, and overexpression of abu-11 extends the life span of transgenic animals. Furthermore, SIR-2.1 normally represses transcription of abu-11 and other ER stress gene family members, indicating that resveratrol extends life span by inhibiting sir-2.1 -mediated repression of ER stress genes. Our findings demonstrate that abu-11 and other members of its ER stress gene family are positive determinants of C . elegans life span.
SEASONAL INCIDENCE OF BREEDING, MOULT AND LOCAL DISPERSAL OF RED-BILLED FIREFINCHES LAGONOSTICTA SENEGALA IN ZAMBIA

Summary Red-billed Firefinches were netted and ringed in Lochinvar National Park, Zambia, in 1972 and 1973 and were netted sporadically through 1975. Most nested from March to May, i.e., in the late rainy season and in the early dry season, though some nested as late as August. Nearly all evidently bred in their first year. Moult generally began after breeding was completed, and the indicated average duration of moult was 3–5-4 months. The main foods taken at all times of year were seeds of the seasonal grasses Echinochloa colonum and Setaria spp. Local population densities, estimated by two methods, were in the range 33–86 birds per km2. Ringing results demonstrated overlapping activity ranges in the breeding season. Dispersal movements were non-directional, and varied up to 14 km. Some ringed birds moved regularly each year between a particular waterhole and a breeding site; other did not move from the site of original ringing. Most dispersal was evident in the dry season (June and July) and in the early rains (October and November). Genetically effective dispersal of young from the site of birth to the site of the first breeding season was up to 6'8 km, and some adults were netted in sites a few kilometres apart in successive breeding seasons. Some dispersing firefinches crossed the song dialect boundaries of the Village Indigobirds.
Kangaroo care: National Survey of Practice, Knowledge, Barriers, and Perceptions.

Purpose A national survey was conducted to assess practice, knowledge, barriers, and perceptions regarding Kangaroo Care (KC)--the holding of diaper-clad preterm infants skin-to-skin, chest-to-chest by parents. Design A descriptive survey was conducted. Methods Kangaroo Care Questionnaires (KCQs), developed for the study, were sent to nurse managers in all hospitals in the United States that were identified as providing neonatal intensive care services (N = 1,133), and were to be completed by the nurse most familiar with the practice of KC in that unit. A second KCQ was sent to non-respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Results A response rate of 59% (N = 537) was achieved. Over 82% of the respondents reported practicing KC in their neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Nurses were knowledgeable about KC. Major barriers to practicing KC for certain types of infants were infant safety concerns, as well as reluctance by nurses, physicians, and families to initiate or participate in KC. Many NICUs do not permit KC for certain types of infants (e.g., those on vasopressors or high-frequency ventilation). Over 60% of respondents agreed that low gestational age or weight were not contraindications. Respondents from NICUs in which KC is practiced were more positive in their perceptions than respondents from NICUs that do not practice KC. Clinical implications The findings suggest that in order to overcome barriers to the practice of KC, nurses need educational offerings highlighting the knowledge and skills needed to provide KC safely and effectively. These educational offerings should also emphasize the value of KC to infants and parents. In addition, knowledgeable practitioners need to develop evidence-based policies and procedures that will lead to successful KC.
Going Most of the Way: “Technical Virginity” among American Adolescents

Reports from academic and media sources assert that many young people substitute non-vaginal sexual activities for vaginal intercourse in order to maintain what could be called "technical virginity." Explanations for technical virginity, however, are based on weak empirical evidence and considerable speculation. Using a sample of 15-19-year-olds from Cycle 6 of the National Survey of Family Growth, we examine technical virginity and its motivations. The results suggest that religious adolescents are less likely than less-religious ones to opt for non-vaginal sex over total abstinence. Abstinence pledgers who are virgins are neither more nor less likely than nonpledgers who are virgins to substitute non-vaginal sex for intercourse. Moreover, religion and morality are actually the weakest motivators of sexual substitution among adolescents who have not had vaginal sex. Preserving technical virginity is instead more common among virgins who are driven by a desire to avoid potential life-altering consequences, like pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Does Ischial Screw Fixation Improve Mechanical Stability in Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

Ischial screw fixation, albeit technically challenging, is postulated to provide additional mechanical stability in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). Hemipelvis specimens were prepared to simulate revision THA, and an acetabular component with supplemental screw fixation was implanted. Three configurations were tested: 2 dome screws alone, 2 dome screws plus an additional screw within the dome, and 2 dome screws plus an ischial screw. Force displacement data were acquired during mechanical testing. An increase in mechanical stability was observed in acetabular components with supplemental screw fixation into either the posterior column or ischium (P≤.031) compared to isolated dome fixation. In addition, supplemental ischial screw fixation may provide a modest advantage over a screw placed posteroinferiorly within the acetabular dome during revision THA.
A Full-Genomic Sequence-Verified Protein-Coding Gene Collection for Francisella tularensis

The rapid development of new technologies for the high throughput (HT) study of proteins has increased the demand for comprehensive plasmid clone resources that support protein expression. These clones must be full-length, sequence-verified and in a flexible format. The generation of these resources requires automated pipelines supported by software management systems. Although the availability of clone resources is growing, current collections are either not complete or not fully sequence-verified. We report an automated pipeline, supported by several software applications that enabled the construction of the first comprehensive sequence-verified plasmid clone resource for more than 96% of protein coding sequences of the genome of F. tularensis, a highly virulent human pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. This clone resource was applied to a HT protein purification pipeline successfully producing recombinant proteins for 72% of the genes. These methods and resources represent significant technological steps towards exploiting the genomic information of F. tularensis in discovery applications.
Pasajes para perderse: la problemática de la escritura de Teresa de Ávila en el Libro de su vida

By taking a new approach to a work that has resisted classification, which bowdlerizes its inconsistencies and “errors” in the pursuit of clarity, this study proposes to analyze how the peculiarity of Teresa de Avila’s style in Libro de su vida can be explained by historical and personal conditions that make her work appear ambiguous, paradoxical, and contradictory in order to express her marginality. Teresa’s constant effort to adapt her writing to the masculine postulates of her confessors and their discourse, while, at the same time, giving expression to her desire, results in a language that, in an effort to justify itself, constantly self-examines and mends itself, thus producing an auto-reflexivity that stimulates the emergence in the discourse of a polyphonic, fluid, bisexual, and non-logocentric voice. She mediates this tension between voices through the intersection of genres and the introduction into her writing of tropes, such as oxymoron and anacoluthon, that deconstruct the deficiencies and “errors” of patriarchal language. Placed in the margins between voices and genres, Teresa’s discourse insinuates the “otherness” obscured by language’s logocentrism, thus producing the space within discourse for her voice.
Constants and pseudo-constants of the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation.

Abstract Elucidating earlier work, it is shown that the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation has n + 2 constants for all n ≥ 0. It also has a pseudo-constant from which the constants can be obtained by differentiation with respect to time. The pseudo-constant can be obtained from a basis functional Jn(n+2) = -1/18 [unk] yn+2q by taking repeated Poisson brackets with the Hamiltonian.
Trends in Diabetes Prevalence and Diabetes-Related Complications in Older Mexican Americans From 1993–1994 to 2004–2005

OBJECTIVE Evidence has shown that Mexican Americans have a higher prevalence of diabetes and a greater risk for diabetes-related complications than non-Hispanic whites. However, no studies have described the changes in prevalence among older Mexican Americans. The purpose of this study was to expand on the current literature by examining the trends in diabetes prevalence and diabetes-related complications in Mexican Americans aged ≥75 years from 1993–1994 to 2004–2005. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The prevalences of self-reported diabetes and diabetes-related complications were estimated in the original cohort (1993–1994) and the new cohort (2004–2005) of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (Hispanic EPESE) and were compared across the two surveys. RESULTS The prevalence of diabetes among Mexican Americans aged ≥75 years has nearly doubled between 1993–1994 and 2004–2005 from 20.3 to 37.2%, respectively ( P CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of diabetes in older Mexican Americans has increased dramatically. At the same time, there has been no improvement in diabetes-related complications as has been found in the general older population. These findings heighten the urgency for more effective public health interventions targeted to this population. As diabetes and obesity become more prevalent in older adults, physicians should encourage appropriate management in older patients, including early detection and glycemic control.
A methodology and tool for top-down relational database design

Abstract This paper presents a methodology for logical design of relational schemas and integrity constraints using semantic binary schemas. This is a top-down methodology. In this methodology, a conceptual description of an enterprise is designed using a semantic binary model. Then, this description is converted into the relational database design. The paper also describes a tool which automates all the busy work of the methodology and provides graphic output. With respect to the intelligent design decisions, the tool accepts instructions from its user, who is a database designer, or, when the user defaults, makes decisions itself based on ‘rule-of-thumb’ principles.
Numerical results for diffraction by a parallel-plate waveguide

In designing waveguide phased arrays, it is often found useful to have the knowledge of the diffraction pattern and excitation coefficients of a semi-infinite parallel-plate waveguide illuminated by a plane wave. To the best of these authors' knowledge, numerical results for the above quantities have not appeared elsewhere in the literature. It is the purpose of this note to present some calculated results for the above quantities, with the guide dimension and the incident angle of the plane wave as parameters.
Influence of asymmetry on multifractal properties of maps

It is shown that the multifractal properties of a period-doubling attractor and of repellers associated with symmetric unimodal maps are affected if an asymmetry is introduced in the zth derivative of the map at its maximum of order z. For a quadratic map, a universal scaling factor associated with the period-doubling attractor is calculated as a function of an asymmetry parameter. Expansions of multifractal functions in terms of an asymmetry parameter are obtained.
Local density theory of high Tc superconductors: Ba2Sr2CaCu2O8

Abstract Results of highly precise local density FLAPW calculations of the electronic structure and properties of the T c superconductor, Ba 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 , are presented and compared with the earlier Cu-O systems. Here too, charge transfer excitations (excitons) appear responsible for the high T c .
Level Structure of H 4

A particle-unstable hydrogen isotope of mass 4 is formed in the reaction ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}+{\mathrm{Li}}^{7}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{H}}^{3}+{\mathrm{H}}^{4}$. Two discrete levels of ${\mathrm{H}}^{4}$ have been found and their binding energies and widths have been determined. Some evidence for the existence of a third level is presented.
Stimulation of the phosphorylation of a 66,000-Da soluble tyrosine phosphoprotein by agents that activate or augment activation of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes

Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated the rapid phosphorylation on tyrosine of a 66-kDa soluble protein (TPP 66), when human T lymphocytes were incubated with the mitogenic lectins phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A. To further explore the role of TPP 66 in lymphocyte activation we have utilized a variety of agents which either activate directly or augment the activation of the T cell and assayed their effect on TPP 66 phosphorylation. Wheat germ agglutinin, the divalent cation ionophore A23187, and phorbol myristate acetate have been demonstrated to activate human T cells and each of these agents also induced the rapid phosphorylation of TPP 66. In addition, epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor also induced the phosphorylation of TPP 66. Phosphorylation was seen at concentrations that are within the active dose range for all agents tested. Phosphorylation was on tyrosine, since base hydrolysis of TPP 66 followed by single-dimension high-voltage electrophoresis revealed radioactivity only in the area corresponding to authentic phosphotyrosine. These data demonstrate that a variety of agents which either directly activate human T lymphocytes or augment activation are associated with the tyrosine phosphorylation of TPP 66 and provide further evidence for a critical role for this protein in the control of lymphocyte activation.
The role of adhesion forces in nanoscale measurements of the conductive properties of organic surfaces using conductive probe AFM

Electronic and mechanical studies of metal-molecules-metal junction have been accomplished to evaluate how bias-induced adhesion forces influence the charge transport efficiency of these junctions. The conducting probe atomic force microscope (CP-AFM) measures the current through an organic film sandwiched between two metal electrodes as a function of the tip-sample separation simultaneously with detection of the force between the probe and the surface. By applying a voltage between the sample and the tip, an attractive electrostatic capacitance force is added to the adhesion force. This paper describes probe-sample capacitance forces in conducting probe (CP) microscopy of polythiophene and alkanethiol monolayers, both theoretically and experimentally. The importance of taking into account an offset in the interaction force determined by the bias-induced adhesion force in the electronic measurements is demonstrated using current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the polythiophene monolayer and the dependence of the adhesion force as a function of applied tip bias.
Nuclear-Spin Relaxation and Knight Shift in Transition Metals

The electron--phonon enhancement of electronic specific heat and the effective Coulomb enhancement of spin susceptibility are taken into account, the former through the Eliashberg-McMillan theory of superconductivity for transition metals and the latter through gyromagnetic effect experiment, in calculating the nuclear-spin relaxation rates in transition metals. The nuclear-spin relaxation rate of vanadium determined experimentally is found to be consisient with the conjecture that the observed Knight shift is almost entirely due to orbital paramagnetism. Inclusion of the above corrections gives better qualitative agreement with observed relaxation rates for V, Nb, and Pt. (auth)
Polarized optical microscopy of anisotropic media: Imaging theory and simulation

Abstract A polarized microscope image is the intensity distribution of the projection, onto the image plane, of a certain component of the local electric susceptibility tensor within the object. The tensor component is that with respect to the polarizer direction and the analyzer direction. From a single scattering approximation, a theory and formulas are derived for computing a polarized microscope image from the dielectric permittivity distribution of a given object. Effects of microscope aberrations are accounted for. Predicted images are displayed for spherulites, fused spheres, oblate and prolate spheroids, ellipsoids, toroids, and Dupin cyclides, in which the principal directions of the susceptibility tensor bear a known relation to the local distinguished directions of the generating surfaces or axes of the object. Lamellar structures are sufficient but not necessary to yield the predicted images: any similar anisotropy of susceptibility suffices. The images that can be generated range from the well known Maltese crosses seen in polymer spherulites to more intricate patterns from structures possible in nematic, smectic, and cholesteric liquid crystals. The predictions include the effects of object orientation on the image, a valuable tool for image interpretation. The results reveal that geometrically different objects may appear very similar in polarizing microscopy if they are viewed in too few orientations. A tangent construction is presented that bypasses computations yet successfully predicts the simulated images.
SPATIAL AND STRATIGRAPHIC VARIATION OF MARINE PALEOENVIRONMENTS IN THE MIDDLE-UPPER MIOCENE GATUN FORMATION, ISTHMUS OF PANAMA

The middle–upper Miocene (Serravallian-Tortonian) Gatun Formation of Panama is one of the most diverse marine fossil assemblages in the Caribbean, and has been widely used as a baseline in studies investigating the effects of the late Neogene closure of the Central American Seaway. Despite being the focus of exhaustive paleoecological sampling studies, previous studies have not revealed the fine-scale spatial and temporal variation in the composition of the Gatun fauna. High-resoluton faunal inventories were conducted from over 600 stratigraphic horizons in the Gatun Formation, capturing more than 200 species, which represent mostly widespread or common, and typically macroscopic taxa. Cluster and detrended correspondence analyses (DCA) reveal a stratigraphic pattern of variation in the faunal composition of individual horizons as well as differences between sampling sites. Stratigraphic curves of DCA axis scores indicate relative shifts in water depth and sedimentation through the stratigraphy and among localities. Overall the Gatun reveals both coarse- and fine-scale temporal variations in paleobathymetry, reflecting long-term shifts in basin subsidence and accommodation space that is potentially overprinted by fifth- or sixth-order glacio-eustatic cycles. The formation accumulated during an overall phase of increasing accommodation space, with major intervals of transgression (lower Gatun), regression (middle Gatun), and further transgression to mid-shelf depths (upper Gatun). Shallowing through the middle part of the Gatun is largely the result of an increase in supply of pyroclastic and volcaniclastic sediments from the adjacent volcanic arc. These findings have implications for understanding the tectonic evolution of the Canal Basin.
Adaptive gossip protocols: Managing security and redundancy in dense ad hoc networks

Many ad hoc routing algorithms rely on broadcast flooding for location discovery or, more generally, for secure routing applications. Flooding is a robust algorithm but because of its extreme redundancy, it is impractical in dense networks. Indeed in large wireless networks, the use of flooding algorithms may lead to broadcast storms where the number of collisions is so large that it causes system failure. To prevent broadcast storms, many mechanisms that reduce redundant transmissions have been proposed that reduce retransmission overhead either deterministically or probabilistically. Gossip is a probabilistic algorithm in which packet retransmission is based on the outcome of coin tosses. The retransmission probability can be fixed, dynamic or adaptive. With dynamic gossip, local information is used to determine the retransmission probability. With adaptive gossip, the decision to relay is adjusted adaptively based on the outcome of coin tosses, the local network structure, and the local response to the flooding call. The goal of gossip is to minimize the number of retransmissions, while retaining the main benefits of flooding, e.g., universal coverage, minimal state retention, and path length preservation. In this paper we consider ways to reduce the number of redundant transmissions in flooding while guaranteeing security. We present several new gossip protocols that exploit local connectivity to adaptively correct propagation failures and protect against Byzantine attacks. A main contribution of this work is that we introduce a cell-grid approach that allows us to analytically prove performance and security protocol properties. The last two gossip protocols that we give are fully adaptive, i.e., they automatically correct all faults and guarantee delivery, the first such protocols to the best of our knowledge.
The Oral Language Archive (OLA) A Digital Audio Database for Foreign Language Study

Abstract The Oral Language Archive is a project underway at Carnegie Mellon University to create a centralized database of digitized sound accessible from distributed personal computers for the study of foreign languages. In addition to the sounds themselves, OLA is comprised of the tools to manage and distribute those sounds. This combination of information, and the tools to access interactively that information, constitute a unique attempt to provide a universal structure to describe, categorize and listen to all major languages via a single access system. That is, the OLA user will be able to listen to hours of Japanese, French and Russian dialogues of varying complexity from their personal computer using a single application.
A developmental examination of ratings of associative strength

Ratings of associative strength between members of pairs of categorically related words were obtained for children from Grades 3,4,6, and 8 and for college adults. Correlations of ratings were high among the five grade levels, indicating that associative relations are an early form of semantic representation that change minimally in development.
Overestimates of the size of poly(A) segments

Poly(A) molecules containing on average 25, 45 and 90 nucleotide residues are all eluted from DEAE-Sephadex in the presence of 7 M urea by approximately the same NaCl concentration which is higher than that required to elute 4 S and 5 S RNA. The same poly(A) molecules have electrophoretic mobilities on 12% polyacrylamide gels which are proportional to the logarithm of the number of nucleotide residues they contain but not to the number found in 4 S and 5 S RNA, even after denaturation of the RNA and performing electrophoresis in the presence of 2.2 M formaldehyde. As a result, many reported estimates of poly(A) size derived from such techniques are probably too large and need re-evaluation. Corrections are suggested for the use of 4 S and 5 S RNA as molecular weight markers for electrophoresis on 12% polyacrylamide gels.
Distribution of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor immunoreactivity in the rat hypothalamus: coexpression in neuropeptide Y and dopamine neurons in the arcuate nucleus.

Abstract An abundance of physiological data suggests an interaction between neuropeptide Y (NPY) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the regulation of endocrine and autonomic functions. Previously, studies in our laboratory have indicated that NPY neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH) project to and come in close contact with CRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). Conversely, it has been demonstrated that the ventromedial portion of the ARH, an area containing NPY neurons, displays CRH receptor binding and CRH receptor mRNA. These data suggest a possible reciprocal feedback regulation between NPY and CRH neurons. The ARH also contains several other populations of neurons that may be targets of the CRH system and express CRH receptors; most notable are tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons (TIDA). The PVH is an important component in the regulation of prolactin secretion and may play a role in the suppression of TIDA activity, which is a critical step in the prolactin stress response. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the distribution and cellular localization of CRH R 1 receptor-like immunoreactivity (CRH R 1 -ir) in the rat hypothalamus and to determine the phenotype of neurons in the ARH that contain CRH R 1 -ir. CRH R 1 -ir was present throughout the rat brain. Hypothalamic regions with the highest levels of immunostaining were the supraoptic nucleus, magnocellular PVH, ARH, and suprachiasmatic nucleus. Double label immunofluorescence was used to demonstrate that CRH R 1 -ir in the ARH was localized to NPY cell bodies. Furthermore, TIDA neurons in the ARH also displayed CRH R 1 -ir. However, despite an abundance of CRH R 1 -ir cells in the ARH, CRH-ir fiber innervation to the ARH was extremely sparse. Therefore, although this study provides neuroanatomical evidence for direct CRH R 1 regulation of ARH NPY and TIDA neurons in the rat, it is not consistent with the idea of a reciprocal feedback loop and suggests the involvement of other CRH-like ligands, such as urocortin.
The scaling of maximal oxygen consumption and pulmonary dimensions in small mammals.

Abstract This report has reexamined the relationship between standard and maximal rates of oxygen consumption (V O2 std and V O2 max) and pulmonary surface area in mammals whose weights extend over the lower half of the total log weight range in mammals. For combined groups of wild and laboratory animals with body weights of 2—3700 g, the following equations pertain: V O2 std (ml·min −1 ) = 0.0602· W 0.727 ; V O2 max (ml·min −1 ) = 0.499· W 0.678 ; alveolar surface area S a (m 2 ) = 0.00406· W 0.888 . The ratio of V O2 max/V O2 std, or the factorial aerobic scope, is nearly constant over this weight range at approximately 6.6 (range 5.8–7.1). In view of this finding, earlier studies relating S a or pulmonary diffusion capacity to V O2 std are still appropriate models for pulmonary constraints on metabolic rate. The data summarized here suggest that, at least for wild species of mammals, pulmonary diffusion capacity may limit V O2 max.
Disparities in preventive health services among Somali immigrants and refugees.

African immigrants and refugees—almost half of them from Somalia—account for one of the fastest-growing groups in the United States. There is reason to suspect that Somali-Americans may be at risk for low completion of recommended preventive health services. This study’s aim was to quantify disparities in preventive health services among Somali patients compared with non-Somali patients in an academic primary care practice in Rochester, Minn. It also examined the effect of medical interpreters, emergency department visits, and primary care visits on the completion of preventive services. Rates of pap smears, vaccinations (influenza, pneumococcus, and tetanus), lipid screening, colorectal cancer screening, and mammography were assessed in Somali and non-Somali patients during the second quarter of 2008. Data were collected regarding the utilization of medical interpreters, emergency services, and primary care services among Somali patients. Results were reported using standard descriptive statistics. Of the 91,557 patients identified in the database, 810 were Somali. Somali patients had significantly lower completion rates of colorectal cancer screening, mammography, pap smears, and influenza vaccination than non-Somali patients. Use of medical interpreters and primary care services were generally associated with higher completion rates of preventive services. There are significant discrepancies in the provision of preventive health services to Somali patients compared with that of non-Somali patients. These findings suggest the need to identify the root causes of these discrepancies so that interventions may be crafted to close the gap.
Some axioms for constructive analysis

This note explores the common core of constructive, intuitionistic, recursive and classical analysis from an axiomatic standpoint. In addition to clarifying the relation between Kleene's and Troelstra's minimal formal theories of numbers and number-theoretic sequences, we propose some modified choice principles and other function existence axioms which may be of use in reverse constructive analysis. Specifically, we consider the function comprehension principles assumed by the two minimal theories EL and M, introduce an axiom schema CFd asserting that every decidable property of numbers has a characteristic function, and use it to describe a precise relationship between the minimal theories. We show that the axiom schema AC00 of countable choice can be decomposed into a monotone choice schema AC 00 m (which guarantees that every Cauchy sequence has a modulus) and a bounded choice schema BC00. We relate various (classically correct) axiom schemas of continuous choice to versions of the bar and fan theorems, suggest a constructive choice schema AC1/2,0 (which incidentally guarantees that every continuous function has a modulus of continuity), and observe a constructive equivalence between restricted versions of the fan theorem and correspondingly restricted bounding axioms $${AB_{1/2,0}^{2^{\mathbb{N}}}}$$ . We also introduce a version WKL!! of Weak Konig's Lemma with uniqueness which is intermediate in strength between WKL and the decidable fan theorem FTd.
A synthetic segment of surfactant protein A: structure, in vitro surface activity, and in vivo efficacy.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a 248-residue, water-soluble, lipid-associating protein found in lung surfactant. Analysis of the amino acid sequence using the Eisenberg hydrophobic moment algorithm predicts that the SP-A segment spanning residues 114-144 has high hydrophobic moments, typical of lipid-associating amphipathic domains. The secondary structure, in vitro surface activity and in vivo lung activity of this SP-A sequence were studied with a 31-residue synthetic peptide analog(A114-144). Analysis of the secondary structure using circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated association with lipid dispersions and a dominant helical content. Surface activity measurements of A114-144 with surfactant lipid dispersions and the hydrophobic surfactant proteins B and C (SP-B/C) showed that A114-144 enhances surface activity under conditions of dynamic compression and respreading on a Langmuir/Wilhelmy surface balance. Synthetic surfactant dispersions containing A114-144 improved lung compliance in spontaneously breathing, 28-d premature rabbits to a greater degree than surfactant dispersions with synthetic SP-B/C and synthetic surfactant lipids alone. These observations indicate that inclusion of A114-144 may improve synthetic preparations currently used for surfactant replacement therapy.
Diagnostic Models and the Nature of Psychiatric Disorder

Diagnostic models of illness shape the directions of research, treatment, and theory. There are three such models in psychiatry: typological, dimensional, and mixed typological-dimensional. Of these, the typological model is by far the most popular. A review of pertinent studies suggests, however, that this popularity is not based on clinical validity or the nature of psychiatric variables. On the other hand, the mixed diagnostic models appear to be too complex for general use. There is increasing evidence that the dimensional diagnostic model best fits the nature of psychiatric data and might therefore provide the most fruitful basis for progress in psychiatric research and clinical practice.
Verteporfin infusion-associated pain

Abstract PURPOSE: To determine if oral hydration decreases the incidence of verteporfin infusion-associated pain and to find out if other factors play a role in predisposing to this undesired complication. METHODS: Nonrandomized clinical trial. We prospectively examined 250 consecutive patients who have been diagnosed with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration and received photodynamic therapy using verteporfin. One hundred twenty-five patients were assigned to receive 500 ml of water orally administered 30 minutes before beginning the verteporfin infusion, and the remaining 125 consecutive patients were used as controls. Historical and clinical factors in these patients were evaluated for their association with the presence of verteporfin infusion-associated pain. RESULTS: Out of 125 patients receiving water before treatment 12 (9.6%) experienced verteporfin infusion-associated pain. Among the 125 patients who did not get hydration before therapy 12(9.6%) experienced verteporfin infusion-associated pain. There was no statistical difference between the incidence of pain in the two groups ( P = 1.0). No statistically significant association was evidenced between the presence of pain and participant's baseline characteristics, except for pain on previous administration of verteporfin ( P CONCLUSIONS: Verteporfin infusion-associated pain may be more common than has been previously reported and is not limited to the back area. It appears to be an idiosyncratic reaction to the drug. It does not seem to be prevented by oral hydration before infusion of verteporfin, and no baseline characteristics, other than a history of pain on previous infusion, seem to be predictive of verteporfin infusion-associated pain.