cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Episodic circulation and exchange in a wave-driven coral reef and lagoon system

We examined the role of wave-driven circulation relative to wind and buoyancy forcing in a coral reef-lagoon system. Circulation measurements in Paopao Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia, during austral summer show the importance of waves in driving flows over the reef crest, through the lagoon, and out the reef pass. Tides were comparatively weak, due to proximity to amphidromic points, and exhibited an unusual spring-neap cycle where the major lunar tide modulated the major solar tide, and the overall tidal phase stayed approximately constant. Wind had only a secondary effect compared to surface waves. A simple fluid mass balance indicated rapid flushing of the shallow back reef and export through the reef pass, and a reef capture zone width of ~2.3 km. The reef pass circulation dynamics exhibited two-layer baroclinic exchange flow when waves were small, which was suppressed during large wave events. The unusually weak tidal forcing provided an opportunity to more closely investigate wave-driven circulation dynamics. As expected theoretically, there was a wave-driven setup of the free surface across the shallow lagoon, which drove a highly frictional flow, evident by a large drag coefficient CP ~ 0.1. Diverging from extant theory, the observed setup varied strongly with significant wave height and period. Overall, the circulation and exchange between this coral reef system and the adjacent open ocean were largely determined by episodic remote-forcing events and differed significantly from periodic tidal-exchange mechanisms.
A technique for comparing the electrophoretic mobility rates of viruses or virus strains

Abstract A comparison was made of the mobility rates of 13 strains of tobacco mosaic virus by a zonal electrophoresis technique using phosphate buffer at pH 6, 7, and 8 and using 2 gradients of sucrose. The common type strain, AC-3, was used as an internal standard. All of the laboratory isolates and two naturally occurring strains migrated similarily to AC-3; four naturally occurring strains were different. The difference between the groups of the slow-moving (unlike AC-3) and fast-moving (like AC-3) strains was distinct. A Tiselius electrophoresis technique was used with several strains to make a comparison with the data from the zonal technique. Serological analysis resolved the strains into two groups also, but all naturally occurring strains were differentiated from the AC-3 strain. Three different buffer solutions at pH 6, 7, and 8 were used to compare the mobility rates of four plant viruses. The pH of the solution caused little change in migration, but the buffer effected the rates. Both Tris and veronal buffer produced faster migration of the viruses than did phosphate buffer. In all buffers, brome mosaic virus failed to show much migration from the origin.
Renal Excretion of Interferon

DESPITE the intensity of research on interferons—natural virus-inhibiting proteins induced by various viral and non-viral substances1—relatively little is known about their bodily distribution, metabolism and excretion. Gresser et al.2 have recovered interferon in the urine of mice after a parenteral inoculation of interferon, and Oh has reported finding interferon in the urine of rabbits following inoculation of endotoxin. No data on amounts excreted were obtained. This communication presents data from studies of renal clearance in rabbits with (1) administered interferon; (2) interferon induced by a virus; (3) interferon induced by endotoxin.
SU-8/silicon hybrid three dimensional intraneural electrode array

This paper presents the fabrication of a silicon based three dimensional intraneural electrode array. The electrode array consists of a 3 by 4 array of needles with a 250 μm center to center distance and 50 μm separation between neighboring needles. The length of each penetrating portion of the needle is defined by the starting silicon material thickness. We present the fabrication details to build 1 mm tall needles with 250 to 400 μm of their height insulated in SU-8. We are able to present a simpler, more elegant, more reproducible, and more scalable process than the current state of the art method that relies on glass insulation and a dicing saw by using deep reactive ion etching to produce needles and SU-8 to electrically isolate them.
Right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary artery stents in children under 18 months of age.

Objective: To report our experience on patients less than 18 months of age in whom stents were placed either in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) or pulmonary arteries. Background: Although percutaneous placement of intravascular stents in congenital heart disease is common practice, there are few reports regarding placement in young children. Methods: Retrospective review of our database identified 19 patients less than 18 months of age who underwent placement of 26 stents in either the RVOT or pulmonary arteries. Data evaluated were patient age, gender, weight, site of narrowing, type of stent, gradient across the area of narrowing pre- and post-stent placement, vessel size pre- and post-stent placement, gradient, and vessel size on followup, and ability to redilate the stent if necessary. Results: Mean patient age was 9.7 months (range 0.5–17.5 months). There were 14 males and 5 females with a mean weight of 7.1 kg (range 2.3–10.2 kg). Five patients had stents placed in the RVOT and 14 patients had 21 stents placed in the branch pulmonary arteries. Two Johnson and Johnson P188 stents were used, 23 premounted Genesis biliary stents and 1 other. Gradient across the stenotic area decreased from a mean of 52.9 mm Hg (range 20–80 mm Hg) to 15 mm Hg (range 3–40 mm Hg) (P <.001). Conclusions: Percutaneous placement of intravascular stents in young children is a viable procedure, can provide excellent relief of stenoses, and increases vessel size in the short term. Although many of these stents cannot be dilated to adult size, their efficacy in small infants and children in whom further surgery will ultimately be required makes them desirable for this group of patients. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Longitudinal Analysis of the International Telecommunication Network, 1978-1996:

The current structure of the international telecommunications network and how it has changed since the late 1970s are examined. Consistent with world-systems theory, the net-work may be described as one large interconnected group of nations arrayed along a center-to-periphery dimension. At the core are the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. At the periphery are the poorer nations and the former Soviet republics. The network may be subdivided into eight regional blocks, what Huntington labels civilizations. Over time, the network has become denser and more highly integrated and centralized. Recently, however, there has been a significant reversal in centralization. Furthermore, the rate of change among 39 wealthier nations appears to be accelerating.
Multilinear programming: Duality theories

It has been pointed out that the text and proof of a proposition in Ref. 1 are worded ambiguously. The version below is intended to be clearer.
On the constant-depth complexity of k-clique

We prove a lower bound of ω(nk/4) on the size of constant-depth circuits solving the k-clique problem on n-vertex graphs (for every constant k). This improves a lower bound of ω(nk/89d2) due to Beame where d is the circuit depth. Our lower bound has the advantage that it does not depend on the constant d in the exponent of n, thus breaking the mold of the traditional size-depth tradeoff. Our k-clique lower bound derives from a stronger result of independent interest. Suppose fn :0,1n/2 → {0,1} is a sequence of functions computed by constant-depth circuits of size O(nt). Let G be an Erdos-Renyi random graph with vertex set {1,...,n} and independent edge probabilities n-α where α ≤ 1/2t-1. Let A be a uniform random k-element subset of {1,...,n} (where k is any constant independent of n) and let KA denote the clique supported on A. We prove that fn(G) = fn(G ∪ KA) asymptotically almost surely. These results resolve a long-standing open question in finite model theory (going back at least to Immerman in 1982). The m-variable fragment of first-order logic, denoted by FOm, consists of the first-order sentences which involve at most m variables. Our results imply that the bounded variable hierarchy FO1 ⊂ FO2 ⊂ ... ⊂ FOm ⊂ ... is strict in terms of expressive power on finite ordered graphs. It was previously unknown that FO3 is less expressive than full first-order logic on finite ordered graphs.
Substrates of IAP Ubiquitin Ligases Identified with a Designed Orthogonal E3 Ligase, the NEDDylator

Inhibitors of Apoptosis Protein (IAPs) are guardian ubiquitin ligases that keep classic proapoptotic proteins in check. Systematic identification of additional IAP substrates is challenged by the heterogeneity and sheer number of ubiquitinated proteins (>5,000). Here we report a powerful catalytic tagging tool, the NEDDylator, which fuses a NEDD8 E2-conjugating enzyme, Ubc12, to the ubiquitin ligase, XIAP or cIAP1. This permits transfer of the rare ubiquitin homolog NEDD8 to the ubiquitin E3 substrates, allowing them to be efficiently purified for LC-MS/MS identification. We have identified >50 potential IAP substrates of both cytosolic and mitochondrial origin that bear hallmark N-terminal IAP binding motifs. These substrates include the recently discovered protein phosphatase PGAM5, which we show is proteolytically processed, accumulates in cytosol during apoptosis, and sensitizes cells to death. These studies reveal mechanisms and antagonistic partners for specific IAPs, and provide a powerful technology for labeling binding partners in transient protein-protein complexes.
Willingness to Help a Stranger: The Effects of Social Context and Opinion Similarity1

Two field experiments investigate how information about aspects of the social environment affects willingness to help others who are similar or dissimilar. Subjects were pedestrians who found a lost packet of materials containing information about the opinions of the packet's loser and a survey report which claimed that the quality of life in the neighborhood had either improved or deteriorated. In the fiist study, the opinions were varied in order to create different degrees of opinion similarity between the loser and subject. Results showed that relatively slight differences between the loser's and subject's opinions made subjects unwilling to help (return the lost packet) when information about the social environment suggested a negative state of affairs, e.g., quality of life deteriorating. However, when information about the social environment suggested a positive state of affairs, subjects were willing to help, even if there was little similarity of opinion. In the second study, subjects learned that the loser of the packet agreed with their views on one opinion but disagreed on another. In this study, one of the two opinions concerned the same social issue as the one described in the survey report. Results demonstrated that subjects helped when there was agreement on the social issue that was also highlighted in survey reports of a negative state of affairs in the social environment and withheld help when there was disagreement on this issue. There were trends for the same result with information about a positive state of affairs in the social world.
Determination of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in air in a pickle and pepper processing plant.

A sampling and analytical method has been developed for measurement of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in air. This method is applicable to measurement of the capsaicinoids in air in pepper processing plants and involves air sampling with a 13-mm glass fiber filter, recovery of the sample with 2 mL of acetonitrile, filtration of the solution, and analysis by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Excitation and emission wavelengths of the detector were 281 and 312 nm, respectively. Average recoveries were 98 to 104% after fortification of glass fiber filters with 0.13- to 2.9-µg quantities of capsaicin. Average recoveries of dihydrocapsaicin were 93 to 99% after fortification of glass fiber filters with 0.11- to 3.0-µg quantities. Detection limits of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were 0.015 and 0.02 µg per sample, respectively. This method was used successfully for determining air concentrations of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in a health hazard evaluation at a large pickle ...
Case-Control Study of Oral Contraceptive Use and Risk of Breast Cancer

The relation of oral contraceptive use to the risk of breast cancer in white women aged 25-59 years was assessed with data collected during 1977-1992 in a case-control surveillance system in hospitals in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. A total of 3,540 cases with breast cancer were compared with 4,488 controls with nonmalignant nongynecologic conditions unrelated to oral contraceptive use. Relative risk estimates were obtained by unconditional logistic regression with control for major risk factors. For at least 1 year of use relative to less than 1 year, the multivariate relative risk estimate was 1.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.3) in women aged 25-34 years, 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.0) in women aged 35-44 years, and 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.4) in women aged 45-59 years (p < 0.01 for the difference across age). Among women aged 25-34 years, the relative risk estimates were greatest for use of long duration, but the trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.17); in addition, the duration of use was correlated with the recency of use, and it was not possible to distinguish their effects. Among women aged 35-44 years, the relative risk estimate decreased with increasing duration of use (p = 0.01). Among women aged 45-59 years, some relative risk estimates were increased, but there was no consistent pattern. The results add to the evidence of an association between oral contraceptive use and an increased risk of breast cancer at young ages.
Imposing specificity by regulated localization (abstract only)

Many biologically important enzymes — RNA polymerases, RNA splicing enzymes, ubiquinating enzymes, certain kinases and proteases — are “`regulated”' by being brought to one or another of many potential substrates by auxiliary docking proteins (e.g. transcriptional activators). These regulatory interactions require interactions between simple adhesive (but specific) surfaces. This kind of regulation is highly `evolvable' : new and expanded meanings to signals are readily generated by simple changes in protein surfaces.
Further Bounds Existing on the Transient Responses of Various Types of Networks

Five new theorems stating bounds on the transient response of certain types of networks are derived and illustrated. The first one states that any system function, whose real part on the positive real-frequency axis decreases monotonically as frequency increases, cannot have an overshoot in its step response greater than eighteen per cent, nor can its rise time, from the time that the input step is applied to the time that the response first crosses the final value line, be less than 1.22(r-K)C where r is the final value of the step response and K and 1/C are the constant term and the coefficient of the 1/s term in the inverse power-seres expansion of the system function. Similarly, the other four theorems show that when the system function is appropriately restricted, the transient response is bounded. These restrictions include never-negative or never-positive conditions on the real or imaginary parts of the system function along the real-frequency axis, while the resulting bounds are determined by certain coefficients occurring in the powerseries expansions of the system function.
Validation of ozone and aerosol retrieval methods with UV rotating shadowband spectroradiometer (RSS)

The data from the Rotating Shadownband Spetroradiometer UV-RSS deployed at Table Mountain, Boulder Colorado since June 2003 are used to retrieve ozone column and aerosol Angstrom coefficients in the 300 nm-380 nm range. The retrievals are performed from Langley regressions and from direct normal instantaneous irradiance measurements. The results from retrievals are used to verify assumption on ozone absorption cross-sections and ozone vertical profiles. A comparison between UV-RSS retrievals and those from the collocated instruments like the UV-MFRSR, Dobson, ozone sondes and TOMS-&-OMI is performed.
Political violence and Eritrean health care.

Abstract In both colonial and post-colonial eras, the creation of nation states has often been accompanied by conflict and violence in Third World countries, particularly if such attempts have ignored previously existing cultural, religious and/or ethical differences. The illegitimacy of national state construction becomes even more apparent when the attempt is associated with conflicting geopolitical interests of the ‘super-powers’, as is in the case of the Horn of Africa. The 27 years of armed struggle of Eritrea to free itself from Ethiopian domination is a consequence of previous and continuing attempts to create a nation state serve the interests of the ex-colonialists and ‘super-powers’ at the expense of the needs and desires of the people. Throughout the 27 years of strugglewith its inevitable disruption ofcivilian life and service provisions, Eritrea has continued to develop a needs-based health care system. The Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) has developed a health care system which directly involves the people themselves. Through careful selection of priorities and a national allocation system for the distribution of scarce resources, it has provided remarkably effective emergency services, primary care and preventive health services. Such an approach has avoided the errors committed by many other Third World countries who, through copying modern western medical care systems, developed secondary and tertiary medical care facilities which were irrelevant to the health care needs of the vast majority of their populations.
Cloning, gene organization and identification of an alternative splicing process in lecithin:retinol acyltransferase cDNA from human liver.

Abstract Lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) catalyzes the synthesis of retinyl esters in many tissues and is crucial for the transport and intracellular storage of vitamin A. LRAT expression is highly regulated in the liver. In this study, we have cloned and sequenced the full-length LRAT mRNA from human liver and identified its 5′- and 3′-ends. Full-length LRAT mRNA comprises 5023 nt with a predicted ORF of 230 amino acids, a short 5′UTR, and a relatively long 3′UTR of 4 kb containing several polyadenylation signals and AU-rich regions. Based on alignment of this mRNA with human genomic DNA in the GenBank database, the human LRAT gene spans about 9.1 kbp and consists of two exons and a relatively long 4-kbp intron. Further analysis of normal liver revealed a minor alternative splicing variant which lacks a 103 nt polynucleotide contained in the 5′UTR of the full-length LRAT transcript. This variant predicts that the LRAT gene is organized into three exons and two introns, as reported for LRAT cloned from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. These two LRAT mRNA variants are also present in testis, which is known to express LRAT and contain retinyl esters. Major and minor transcription start sites for human liver LRAT mRNA were identified and the sequence of the upstream proximal promoter region was retrieved from the GenBank database and physically analyzed for the presence of putative cis-acting elements essential for basal transcription. This region contains a TATA box, CCAAT box and Sp1 site, which are apparently conserved in mouse and rat LRAT genes. Our results provide evidence that multiple LRAT mRNA transcripts, which are expressed in a tissue-specific manner, may result from several mechanisms including differential splicing of the 5′UTR region and the use of multiple polyadenylation signals in the 3′UTR.
Integrating heat treatment, biocontrol and sodium bicarbonate to reduce postharvest decay of apple caused by Colletotrichum acutatum and Penicillium expansum

Abstract ‘Golden Delicious’ apples were wound inoculated with conidial suspensions of either Colletotrichum acutatum or Penicillium expansum, then treated with heat (38 °C) for 4 days, sodium bicarbonate, and/or one of two heat tolerant biocontrol agents (yeasts). Following four months storage at 0 °C, the apples were left at room temperature for two weeks. Populations of antagonists were stable throughout the experiment and were higher on the heated than the non-heated fruit. Both antagonists reduced decay caused by P. expansum, whereas heat or heat in combination with either antagonist eliminated decay. Either heat or the antagonists alone reduced decay caused by C. acutatum, but a combination of the two was required to completely eliminate decay caused by this pathogen. Adding sodium bicarbonate to the heated or antagonist-treated fruit had little effect on decay caused by either pathogen but when used on non-heated fruit, it significantly reduced decay severity caused by P. expansum after four months at 0 °C. The goal of this research is to combine alternative methods of control to provide an effective substitute for synthetic pesticides.
The Determination of Daily Hours and Wages

I. The general framework, 220. — II. Productivity changes and nonlabor income, 225. — III. Overtime, 227. — IV. The effect of training, 228. — V. Minimum wage and wage ceiling, 230. — VI. Some aspects of market demand and supply, 233. — VII. Concluding remarks, 234. — Appendix, 234.
Decade-scale coastal bluff retreat from LiDAR data: Lake Erie coast of NW Pennsylvania, USA

Bluff retreat is an ongoing problem on the southern Great Lakes coast of the United States where Pleistocene unconsolidated sediments overlie Devonian bedrock. This retreat results in loss of sediment from the coastal zone and a decrease in coastal water quality, and is of concern because evaluating landslide hazards and developing regulations on coastal construction setbacks must account for spatial variability in coastal retreat. The goal of this pilot study is to explain and quantify short to medium term spatial variability in bluff-retreat patterns, magnitudes, and rates along a 6 km littoral cell on the Pennsylvania coast of Lake Erie. High-resolution LiDAR data covering a one-decade time frame (1998–2007) permit mapping of the bluff-crest position on two comparable, high-quality data sets. The rates of bluff retreat range from unresolvable (~20% of coast) to 2.2 m/year, averaging 0.22 ± 0.1 m/year. Average-annual change rates and 9-year net movement values show an along-coast periodicity, with a spatial wavelength of ~1 km and an amplitude of 0.2 m/year. Observed variability is inferred to occur because variations in surface watershed size and groundwater recharge area, topographic shielding of the bluff from overland flow, and groundwater-table topography, cause groundwater discharge and overland flow to the bluff face to vary along the coast. In addition, short ravines (<300 m in length) fed by groundwater seepage distort groundwater equipotential lines and cause locally enhanced bluff retreat. While other factors likely influence bluff retreat spatially along this coast, their roles are relatively minor at the scale of this study.
Persistence and expression of herpes virus in guinea pig B and T spleen cells.

SummaryThe role of spleen lymphocytes in acute and latent guinea pig herpes-like virus (GPHLV) infection and the in vitro susceptibility of the lymphocytes to GPHLV were explored. Macrophage-, B-cell-, and T-cell-enriched populations obtained from infected guinea pigs were examined for infectious GPHLV. During acute infection, virus was first detected in the macrophage and B-cell fractions, whereas, infectious virus was only evident in the T-cell fraction 5 days or more after inoculation. During latent infection, infectivity titers in the B fractions were consistently higher than in the T fractions. In both the B and the T lymphocytes derived from latently infected guinea pigs, virus was expressed only after in vitro cultivation or cocultivation with susceptible cells. Lymphocytes infected in vitro did not support GPHLV replication, although latent infection of lymphocytes with GPHLV was readily accomplished in vivo.We thank Christine Cote for excellent technical assistance. This research was partially su...
Modeling adsorption in multicomponent systems using a Freundlich-type isotherm

Abstract The suitability of a Freundlich-type isotherm, the Sheindorf-Rebuhn-Sheintuch (SRS) equation, to represent the competitive adsorption of Sr, Cs and Co in Ca-montmorillonite suspensions was investigated. Experimental adsorption data were obtained for systems containing these cations as single-component, binary and ternary mixtures. The competition coefficient α ij , which were obtained based on the experimental adsorption data for bicomponent systems, can be viewed as a way to quantify competitive interactions. The competition coefficients obtained for the cations under consideration indicate that their competitive interactions are of similar magnitude, with the cation least affected by competitive effects being Cs, while the adsorption of Co was more significantly affected by the presence of Cs, and Sr by the presence of Co. After α ij -values were substituted in the SRS equation, the adsorption of systems of three or more components could be predicted. To validate the SRS equation, the adsorption values predicted by this equation for the ternary mixture SrCs Co were compared to values determined experimentally. The SRS equation successfully modeled adsorption for the range of concentrations that followed Freundlich behavior.
A framework for the development of multi-display environment applications supporting interactive real-time portals

Advances in multi-touch enabled interactive tabletops led to many commercially available products and were increasingly deployed at places beyond research labs, for example at exhibitions, retail stores, or showrooms. At the same time, small multi-touch devices, such as tablets or smartphones, became prevalent in our daily life. When considering both trends, occasions and scenarios where tabletop systems and mobile devices form a coupled interaction space are expected to become increasingly widespread. However, application development or research prototypes for those environments will foreseeable require considerable resources when considering nowadays heterogeneity of device platforms and the functionality to establish a connected interaction space. To address these concerns, this paper discusses challenges and answers questions that arose during design and implementation of the Environs framework, a multi-display environment software framework that eases development of interactive distributed applications. In particular, Environs enables applications utilizing video portals that put high requirements on responsiveness and latency.
Positive Nonsentinel Node Status Predicts Mortality in Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma

While sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) is a highly accurate and well-tolerated procedure for patients with cutaneous melanoma, the role of the completion lymph node dissection (CLND) for patients with positive SLN biopsy remains unknown. This study aimed to look at the prognostic value of a positive nonsentinel lymph node (NSLN). A prospectively maintained database identified 222 patients with cutaneous melanoma and a positive SLN biopsy, without evidence of distant disease. All of these patients underwent CLND, and 37 patients (17%) had positive NSLN. With median follow-up of 33 months, patients with negative NSLN had median survival of 104 months, while patients with positive NSLN had median survival of 36 months (p < 0.001). There were no survivors in the patients with positive NSLN beyond 6 years. When patients with an equal number of positive nodes were analyzed, the presence of a positive NSLN was still associated with worse melanoma-specific survival (66 months for NSLN− versus 34 months for NSLN+, p = 0.04). While increasing age, tumor thickness, and male sex were associated with an increased risk of death on multivariate analysis, a positive NSLN was the most important predictor of survival (hazard ratio 2.5). We conclude that positive NSLN is an independent predictor of disease-specific survival in patients with cutaneous melanoma.
Robotics Narratives and Networks [History]

Somewhere around 1983, maybe late 1982, there was talk beginning about doing something more formal within IEEE that dealt with robotics and automation. Informally, activity was getting started through the Control Society,...also Systems, Man and Cybernetics, which obviously makes a lot of sense with the telerobotics things and a few others. But we wanted to build a more permanent home for it, so there was one of the first meetings. George Saridis chaired the meeting. I know George Bekey was there, Tony Bejczy, Lou Paul, probably another half dozen people.
EFFECT OF GLUCOSE ON THE BACTERIAL SPOILAGE OF BEEF

Ground beef with less than 2% added glucose showed typical spoilage characteristics by gram-negative psychrophiles during refrigerated storage. In samples containing 2–10% glucose, acids produced at the expense of the carbohydrate lowered the meat pH from 5.8 to 5.0–5.2. This low pH persisted in the meat until all glucose was depleted. During this period growth of the predominant nonpigmented Pseudomonas organisms was hindered, and no spoilage characteristics such as slime and off-odors were observed. When the glucose disappeared the meat pH started to rise. Incipient spoilage (off-odors and tackiness) became apparent when a pH value of 6.0 was exceeded. Lactobacilli counts were slightly higher in glucose-treated meat than in the control, but no bacterial shift was observed. Instead, the added glucose caused a shift in nutrient utilization by the spoilage microflora. Normally these bacteria attack the nitrogenous compounds in meat, resulting in production of alkaline by-products and elevated meat pH. In the presence of glucose, the same microorganisms utilized the carbohydrate preferential to other compounds in the meat. The oxidatively formed acids lowered the meat pH, affected the growth rate of the spoilage bacteria and hence retarded spoilage. The addition of 2% glucose to ground beef prolonged its average shelf life at refrigerated temperatures from 5 days to 8–10 days.
Health Information Exchange Improves Identification Of Frequent Emergency Department Users

We hypothesized that using communitywide data from a health information exchange (HIE) could improve the ability to identify frequent emergency department (ED) users—those with four or more ED visits in thirty days—by allowing ED use to be measured across unaffiliated hospitals. When we analyzed HIE-wide data instead of site-specific data, we identified 20.3 percent more frequent ED users (5,756 versus 4,785) and 16.0 percent more visits by them to the ED (53,031 versus 45,771). Additionally, we found that 28.8 percent of frequent ED users visited multiple EDs during the twelve-month study period, versus 3.0 percent of all ED users. All three differences were significant ( p < 0.001 ). An improved ability to identify frequent ED users allows better targeting of case management and other services that can improve frequent ED users’ health and reduce their use of costly emergency medical services.
Characterization of lightpipes for efficient transfer of light

Lightpipes are used to transfer light from the source to a desired target. The lightpipe shape typically conforms to the necessary path, thus bending of the lightpipe is required. A number of different methods of bending the lightpipe have been developed, from linear, discontinuous bends to smooth, common circular bends to bends that expand or contract the cross-sectional size of the lightpipe over the path. In this paper we develop a set of parameters to describe the overall shape of an in-plane lightpipe section. These parameters include the thickness, radius of bend, index of refraction, and ratios of sets of these parameters. The transfer efficiency from the source to target is used to quantify the utility of parameterized lightpipes. Etendue is used to highlight the results. More complex lightpipes, such as those with several bends along their path, can be developed from the combination of parameterized sections. Finally, this parameterization can be used to automate the development of lightpipe geometry within optical analysis and design software.
Theory of Electromagnetic Properties of Superconducting and Normal Systems. I

General expressions for the current density for superconductors in a transverse electromagnetic field are derived from a Green's-function formulation. They are sufficiently general to apply to cases of strong coupling, to superconductors with magnetic impurities, and to anisotropic materials. It is explicitly shown that the response function satisfies ${\mathrm{lim}}_{q\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0}{\mathrm{lim}}_{\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0}K(q,\ensuremath{\omega})=K(0,0)={\mathrm{lim}}_{\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0}{\mathrm{lim}}_{q\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0}K(q,\ensuremath{\omega}).$ The condition for superconductivity is that $K(0,0)$ be nonvanishing. An expression for the current density in real space in a form similar to that of Mattis and Bardeen is obtained. Various limiting forms of the expressions are derived to facilitate applications to various problems. An expression for the Josephson tunelling current which can be applied to strong-coupling and impure superconductors is derived under the assumption that the tunnelling matrix element is constant.
Effects of solid phase crystallization by rapid thermal annealing on the optical constants of sputtered amorphous silicon films

Abstract Rapid thermal annealing is applied to induce crystallization of sputtered amorphous silicon deposited on thermally grown oxide layers. The influence of annealing temperatures in the range of 600 °C–980 °C is systematically investigated. Using scanning-electron microscopy, ellipsometry and X-ray diffraction techniques, the structural and optical properties of the films are determined. An order-of-magnitude reduction of the extinction coefficient is achieved. We show that the optical constants can be tuned for different design requirements by controlling the process parameters. For example, we obtain a refractive index of ~ 3.66 and an extinction coefficient of ~ 0.0012 at the 1550-nm wavelength as suitable for a particular optical filter application where a high refractive index and low extinction coefficient is desired.
Controlled clinical comparison of plastic versus glass bottles of BacT/ALERT PF medium for culturing blood from children.

The plastic pediatric BacT/ALERT (bioMerieux, Durham, N.C.) PF (PPF) is a new nonvented aerobic culture medium in a clear plastic bottle designed to prevent breakage. We compared the performance of the new PPF bottle to that of the present glass BacT/ALERT PF bottle for the recovery of microorganisms as well as for the time to detection of growth in samples of blood obtained for culture from children. We found that the PPF and PF bottles were comparable for recovery of microorganisms and that the safety advantage of plastic bottles can be achieved without compromising performance.
The neurosurgeon-dentist team in cranioplasty

The dentist’s digital skill and training are important in the diagnostic work-up and the preparation of impression materials for cranioplasty. Dentists who are trained in surgical principles and operating room procedure assist the plastic surgeon in these operations.
Raman spectroscopic study of the structure of antibodies.

The Raman spectra of human IgG, IgM, and rabbit IgG in lyophilized form and solution are reported. The spectral results indicate that the predominant structure in these immunoglobulin proteins is the antiparallel β-sheet. The Raman spectra have also been obtained of rabbit anti-ovalbumin, and this antibody molecule precipitated with its respective antigen. The spectra reflect a conformational change on binding of antibody with antigen. The conformational change occurs in the direction of disordering.
The effects of congenital heart disease on the lungs

Summary The alterations in anatomy and physiology, which often accompany congenital heart disease, may have a major impact on the child's lungs. These changes in pulmonary blood flow and ventilation are usually demonstrable on chest radiography and should be recognized as manifestations of the underlying lesion and not mistaken for primary lung disease. Correlation with the clinical history and physical examination are essential for correct interpretation, but radiological findings should be viewed objectively and without bias to provide accurate and valuable information to the treating physician.
Partial normalization of pubertal timing in female mice with DSS colitis treated with anti-TNF-α antibody

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and resultant colitis occurring prior to puberty are frequently associated with delayed puberty and losses of growth and bone mineralization. Some of this delay may be due to colonic inflammation and associated systemic inflammation. To date no treatments for IBD have been shown to normalize the timing of puberty. Our objective in this study was to determine whether there is a normalization of the timing of puberty during treatment of colitis using monoclonal antibodies (abs) to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. We induced colitis in 23-day-old C57Bl6 female mice using 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 7 days, followed by removal of DSS for an additional 3 days, resulting in 10 days of worsening colitis. DSS-treated mice received either TNF-α ab or Control ab on days 4 and 8 of colitis, while non-colitic Control mice received injections of TNF-α ab (Control + TNF-α ab). All groups were followed for the timing of vaginal opening until day of life 33, when they were euthanized for serum and colon collection. The DSS + TNF-α ab group had lower levels of systemic interleukin (IL)-6 and a partial normalization of the timing of vaginal opening compared to the DSS + Control ab group. There were no differences in weight gain, growth, or colon histological inflammatory scores between the DSS + TNFα ab and DSS + Control ab groups over the course of the experiment. We conclude that anti-TNF-α ab treatment causes a partial normalization of pubertal timing coincident with decreased systemic inflammation in DSS colitis. These data may have implications regarding growth and bone mineralization outcomes in pediatric IBD.
Afferent fiber-selective shift in opiate potency following targeted opioid receptor knockdown.

Abstract Spinal application of opiates is the cornerstone of potent analgesia. In the present study, opiate analgesia was investigated after cutaneous application of a recombinant herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) encoding μ-opioid receptor (μOR) cDNA in reverse orientation with respect to the human cytomegalovirus early enhancer-promoter. Hind paw application of this recombinant vector was used in order to attenuate expression of the μOR in primary afferents and determine whether recombinant vector application would differentially affect the antinociceptive effects of the specific μOR agonist, [ d -Ala 2 , N -MePhe 4 ,Gly-ol 5 ] enkephalin (DAMGO), on behavioral responses mediated by C- and Aδ-thermonociceptors. The recombinant vector encoding the Escherichia coli lacZ gene marker, KHZ, served as a control virus. Dorsal hind paw surfaces of female Swiss-Webster mice were treated with one of these two viruses (1×10 8 pfu, 10 μl) or vehicle (uninfected). Immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analyses revealed decreased μOR expression in the superficial dorsal horns ipsilateral to hind paws treated with AMOR, but not KHZ. To add, behavioral foot withdrawal latencies of AMOR- and KHZ-treated hind paws demonstrated dose-dependent antinociception after intrathecal DAMGO administration. However, cutaneous application of dorsal hind paw surfaces treated with AMOR, but not KHZ, caused a rightward shift in the C-fiber dose–response, thus, indicating a loss of potency of intrathecal DAMGO. Loss or diminution of DAMGO potency during Aδ-fiber-mediated responses was not observed. These immunohistochemistry and behavioral results of novel, recombinant HSV-1 vector μOR ‘knock-down’ in nociceptor afferent fibers provide additional evidence for presynaptic localization of μORs on central C-, but not Aδ-terminals.
Case studies in the personal fabrication of electronic products

This paper investigates the use of digital fabrication for the individual production and customization of electronic devices. We present two products -- a pair of speakers with laser-cut parts and a computer mouse with a 3D-printed enclosure -- and describe their making and modification by workshop participants. The speakers target a general audience, engaging a diversity of skills and backgrounds. The mouse aims at designers, exploring the application of 3D modeling skills to the production of electronic devices. We use the case studies to discuss general implications of digital fabrication for technology production and education: enabling collaboration and iteration through open-source hardware, enhancing the products of educational technologies and experiences, and increasing the diversity of and personal connections to electronic products. The case studies also suggest opportunities for further research into tools, materials, and people.
The Use of Intermediate Sourcing Strategies

SUMMARY Much of the existing literature discusses vertical integration and competitive spot bidding as sourcing strategy choices, but often neglects intermediate sourcing strategies, such as taper integration and long-term supplier relationships. This exploratory study examines the extent to which firms use intermediate sourcing strategies, as opposed to the polar strategies, and attempts to improve our understanding of the sourcing choices available to manufacturing firms. Results from a sample of 209 plant managers indicate that firms use taper integration and long-term supplier relationships more frequently than vertical integration and competitive spot bidding. Further, the choice of a sourcing strategy was found to be dependent on the industry.
New spirocyclic oxindole synthesis based on a hetero Claisen rearrangement.

A new method for preparing spirocyclic oxindoles is presented. Featuring a [3,3]-sigmatropic enolate rearrangement, the three-step process converts carboxylic acid starting materials to oxidnole products in overall yields of 52−76%. The enolate rearrangement step occurs at −78 °C and provides easy access to oxindole products that have previously been difficult to prepare.
Isocyanate‐Based Dendritic Building Blocks: Combinatorial Tier Construction and Macromolecular‐Property Modification

Used individually or combinatorially, unique isocyanate-based dendritic monomers generate homo- and heterofunctional materials (the sketch shows schematically a molecule with a heterofunctional surface). Tier construction by combinatorial monomer addition offers new avenues to macromolecular architectural design and the control of physical properties.
Grammatical aspect and temporal distance in motion descriptions.

Grammatical aspect is known to shape event understanding. However, little is known about how it interacts with other important temporal information, such as recent and distant past. The current work uses computer-mouse tracking (Spivey, Grosjean, & Knoblich, 2005) to explore the interaction of aspect and temporal context. Participants in our experiment listened to past motion event descriptions that varied according to aspect (simple past, past progressive) and temporal distance (recent past, distant past) while viewing scenes with paths and implied destinations. Participants used a computer mouse to place characters into the scene to match event descriptions. Our results indicated that aspect and temporal context interact in interesting ways. When aspect placed emphasis on the ongoing details of the event and the temporal context was recent (thus, making fine details available in memory), this match between conditions elicited smoother and faster computer mouse movements than when conditions mismatched. Likewise, when aspect placed emphasis on the less-detailed end state of the event and temporal context was in the distant past (thus making fine details less available), this match between conditions also elicited smoother and faster computer mouse movements.
Pushbroom Hyperspectral Imaging with a Coded Aperture

We describe a hyperspectral camera which operates by translating a scene across the entrance of a coded aperture spectrometer. This applies a sequence of unique codes to the image, allowing full reconstruction of the datacube.
Increased rate of lipase-catalyzed saccharide-fatty acid esterification by control of reaction medium

Through proper selection of initial conditions and control of the reaction medium composition, a productivity rate over 10-fold higher than that previously reported was achieved for lipase-catalyzed fructose-oleic acid esterification. From a screening process, tert-butanol (t-BuOH) was selected as the most effective solvent for cosolubilizing fructose and oleic acid during the initial stage of the reaction. A t-BuOH concentration of 0.35–0.55 w/w produced the highest rate and extent of reaction at 60°C. Neither water addition nor removal applied to initial reaction materials improved the rate. Since both fructose-oleic acid mono- and diester promoted higher fructose solubility than either oleic acid or oleic acid/t-BuOH mixtures, t-BuOH was not needed during the latter stage of the reaction. Also, the presence of t-BuOH hindered the removal of water by free evaporation. Thus, complete removal of t-BuOH during the middle-to-latter stage of reaction was found to enhance the reaction rate. In addition, the introduction of fructose to the reactor in small batchwise increments accelerated the reaction. The monoester to diester ratio decreased during the initial and middle stages of the reaction owing to the disappearance of t-BuOH, but increased slightly during the later stages presumably because of the ester formation.
Dynamics of hardwood patches in a conifer matrix: 54 years of change in a forested landscape in Coastal Oregon, USA

Changes to minor patch types in forested landscapes may have large consequences for forest biodiversity. The effects of forest management and environment on these secondary patch types are often poorly understood. For example, do early-to-mid successional minor patch types become more expansive as late successional forest types are fragmented or do they also become more fragmented in managed landscapes? We evaluated the dynamics of early-to-mid successional hardwood patches in a conifer-dominated landscape in relation to environment and land ownership in the central Coast Range of Oregon, USA, from the time of early logging to the present-day using scanned and georeferenced aerial photographs and a GIS. Hardwood patches declined in size, number, total area, and within-patch cover-type heterogeneity, and became more irregular in shape. Patch turnover and fragmentation was high, with most patches present at the historical date disappearing by the present-day. Land ownership was important to hardwood patch dynamics: hardwoods declined on lands owned by the USDA Forest Service, increased on non-industrial private lands, and were at similar levels at both dates on private forest industry lands. Patch locations became more restricted to near-stream, lower elevation areas where hardwoods are competitive. The relatively extensive distribution of hardwood patches at the historical date probably resulted from earlier fire, selective logging, and grazing. In recent decades, forest management that includes fire suppression and intensive management, and ecological constraints have resulted in a landscape in which early-to-mid successional hardwood patches have been reduced in size, fragmented, and restricted to particular locales.