cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RIGOROUS GRAPHICAL TARGETING FOR RESOURCE CONSERVATION VIA MATERIAL RECYCLE/REUSE NETWORKS

Material recycle/reuse is one of the key strategies in reducing the consumption of fresh resources in the process industries. Over the past decade, several techniques have been developed to reduce the consumption of specific material utilities such as water and hydrogen. To date, none of the published techniques provides a noniterative, systematic, and graphical technique for identifying a target for minimum usage of the fresh resources ahead of detailed design of the recycle/reuse network. In this paper, we present a rigorous graphical targeting approach to minimize the use of fresh resources by using segregation, mixing, and direct recycle/reuse strategies. First, the problem is formulated mathematically to provide a systematic basis for its solution. Then, dynamic programming techniques are employed to derive the mathematical conditions and characteristics of an optimal solution strategy. These conditions and characteristics are transformed into a graphical form that can be readily used to identify rig...
Completion of the mouse aggrecan gene structure and identification of the defect in the cmd-Bc mouse as a near complete deletion of the murine aggrecan gene.

Mouse cartilage matrix deficiency (cmd), an autosomal recessive phenotype caused by absence of aggrecan, maps to Chromosome (Chr) 7 and is caused by a 7-bp deletion in exon 5 generating a premature stop codon (Watanabe et al. 1994). Another spontaneous mutation with the same locus and phenotype, cmd-Bc, has now been defined as the complete loss of exons 2 to 18, resulting in a significantly shortened mRNA (1.2 kb). The upstream breakpoint is in intron 1, 18.8 kb 3′ of exon 1; the downstream breakpoint lies 10.5 kb past the final aggrecan exon 18. The deletion is flanked by sequences homologous to topoisomerase I and II cleavage sites and a 7-bp direct repeat, suggesting the defect resulted from a nonhomologous recombination event. Additionally, the size of the first intron and the intron-exon structure between exons 12 and 14 were determined, establishing the length of the murine aggrecan gene as 68.6 kb. This report completes the structural analysis of the murine aggrecan gene, defines a second null mutation, and reinforces the importance of aggrecan in development.
Isomerization of linoleic, linolenic and other polyunsaturated acids with potassium tertiary butoxide and its application in the spectrophotometric estimation of these acids.

It has been shown that potassium tertiary butoxide isomerizes such unsaturated fatty acids as linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic, and pentaenoic at a temperature of 90°. With 5% potassium-t-butanol reagent conjugation of linoleic acid attains a maximum at the end of 2 hrs. and remains steady thereafter even up to 10 hrs. while with linolenic, arachidonic, and pentaenoic acids it is still occurring at the end of such long times of reaction as 48 and 10 hrs., respectively. This continuance of reaction at the end of such long periods with these higher unsaturated acids demonstrates that the isomerization with the tertiary butoxide reagent at 90° is not complicated by side reactions, such as polymerization and deisomerization. All the methods studied give high absorption coefficients in the lower regions of maxima—233 mµ with linolenic, 233 mµ and 268 mµ with arachidonic acids—showing thereby that isomerizations of these acids occur stepwise. Based on this study, a method using 5% potassium-t-butanol as reagent, at 90° with a time of reaction of 4 hrs., has been proposed for the estimation of linoleic and linolenic acids. The k233 value for linoleic acid (94.0) obtained by this method compares very well with those by the 6.6% KOH-glycol and 21% KOH-glycol methods while with linolenic acid the k233 value (63.2) is higher and k268 value (74.2) lies intermediate between those by the other methods. The proposed method is shown to estimate the linoleic and linolenic acid contents of several typical oils with about the same degree of accuracy as either the 6.6% KOH-glycol or 21% KOH-glycol methods.
GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF THE MEXICAN DUCK, ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS DIAZI RIDGWAY, FROM NORTH CENTRAL MEXICO AND SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES

Twenty-five species of helminths, recovered from the gastrointestinal tracts of 129 Mexican ducks from Mexico and the United States, were all new host records. The species included: Echinoparyphium recurvatum, Echinostoma revolution, Hypoderaeum conoideum, Notocotylus attenuatus, Prosthogonimus cuneatus, Zygocotyle lunata, Anomotaenia ciliata, Cloacotaenia megalops, Diorchis bulbodes, Diorchis sp., Drepanidotaenia lanceolata, Echinocotyle rosseteri, Fimbriaria fasciolaris, Fimbriarioides sp., Hymenolepis sp. 1, Hymenolepis sp. 2, Sobolevicanthus gracilis, Corynosoma constrictum, Polymorphus minutus, Amidostomum acutum, Echinuria sp., Epomidiostomum crami, Hystrichis varispinosus, Rusguniella arctica, and Tetrameres sp. Fimbriarioides sp. occurred predominantly in ducks from south-central Chihuahua, Mexico. The distributions for the other 24 species of the helminths were not significantly different among the four collecting areas. The helminth fauna for the 32 complete specimens and 97 intestinal tracts wa...
Rooting response of shoot cuttings from three peach growth habits

Abstract Current year shoot cuttings were collected in October and August from three growth habits of peach (Compact, Pillar, and Standard) and treated with one of four concentrations of indole butyric acid (0, 250, 1250, and 2500 mg L −1 IBA). Rooting response was measured after 5 weeks in the greenhouse. Little or no rooting occurred with cuttings from any growth habit that was collected in October or in August when treated with 0 and 2500 mg L −1 IBA. In August, the number of shoots that rooted was greater in cuttings from Pillar (79 and 45%) than Compact (13 and 3%) treated with 250 and 1250 mg L −1 IBA, respectively. Cuttings from Standard trees had intermediate rooting of 56 and 6% at 250 and 1250 mg L −1 IBA, respectively. Pillar trees consistently grew more roots with greater root length per cutting than the other growth habits. It is proposed that differences in rooting response among the growth habits may be associated with differences in endogenous auxin concentration that had been found in previous studies. Within peach and possibly other fruit trees, the capacity of shoot cuttings to develop adventitious roots can vary by cultivar and successful root induction with exogenous plant growth regulators may depend, in part, on endogenous hormone levels.
Molecular machines: reinventing the wheel.

Abstract The invention of the wheel was one of the most significant events in human history. Now, working out how molecules can roll across an atomic surface may have significant implications for the design and construction of nanomachines.
Psychopathic disorders and criminal responsibility in the USA

The insanity defense in the United States is available to provide a legal excuse for those whose criminal acts were due to serious mental illness. To an underappreciated extent, the evolution of the insanity defense is integrally related to the evolution of conceptions of psychopathic disorders and their relevance, or determined lack thereof, to the insanity defense. As legal and mental health professionals discuss the ideal insanity defense and whether psychopathic disorders should be qualifying or disqualifying conditions, any practical outcome of such discussions must take into account the politics of the insanity defense. When this is done, it becomes apparent that the insanity defense itself, even for serious, psychotic mental disorders, is withering under relentless attack and must be advanced and defended without diluting its salient importance by including psychopathic disorders.
Issues in manuscript writing

Writing a manuscript is an art of a science.. Publication is kind of documentation to be used for further advancing research. If it is not documented, it is equal to not done, this statement itself highlighting the importance of documentation/ publication in the field of scientific research. The RESEARCH word itself self-explanatory and it is defined as researching the elements from excising galaxy. So every researcher searching for something in existing galaxy and whoever documenting/ publishing first will get credit. Process of documentation started in Neolithic human period itself. They use to make symbols and identification marks when they are moving one place to another place and that marking are till now identifiable. Now also we can see written scripts in rock temples, pyramids and ancient cultural centers, through this, we can now able to understand the life style of ancient culture and civilization.read more..,
Influenza vaccination is less effective for stimulating a Granzyme B response in older adults

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against influenza declines with age and is only partially improved with influenza vaccination. Granzyme B (Grz B) is a key enzyme in CTL-mediated killing of virus-infected cells. The purpose of this study was to determine age-related differences in the number of virus-specific precursor CTL (pCTL) and Grz B levels after influenza vaccination. Our hypothesis was that Grz B is less effectively stimulated by killed-virus vaccines in older compared to young adults. We measured pCTL frequency by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and Grz B levels in lysates of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with live influenza virus under ex vivo and in vitro conditions. Prior to influenza vaccination, healthy young and older adults had similar levels of Grz B in A/Sydney-stimulated PBMC. Four weeks after vaccination, the Grz B levels in PBMC from young adults were significantly higher than PBMC from older adults (young, 6.35 U/mg protein; older, 2.94 U/mg protein; p<0.0001). Young adults had a higher proportion of pCTL compared to older adults (p<0.001), but the two groups had a similar increase in the number of pCTL in response to vaccination (pre to post: young, 0.44–0.50%; older, 0.36–0.44% of PBMC). The level of Grz B per pCTL in young adults showed a 3.4-fold rise compared to a 1.7-fold rise in older adults in response to vaccination. We conclude that vaccination with killed virus is more effective in young compared to older adults for restimulating a previously primed response to influenza, but only weakly stimulates virus-specific pCTL.
Molecular Iodine Clock

We demonstrate a simple optical clock based on an optical transition of iodine molecules, providing a frequency stability superior to most rf sources. Combined with a femtosecond-laser-based optical comb to provide the phase coherent clock mechanism linking the optical and microwave spectra, we derive an rf clock signal of comparable stability over an extended period. Measurements suggest the stability ( 5x10(-14) at 1 s) of the cw laser locked on the iodine transition is transferred to every comb component throughout the optical octave bandwidth (from 532 to 1064 nm) with a precision of 3.5x10(-15). Characterization of the performance of the optical clock shows (in-)stability below 3x10(-13) at 1 s (currently limited by the microwave sources), and 4.6x10(-13) over one year.
Soft tissue management using palatal mucosa around endosteal implants in vascularized composite grafts in the mandible

Excessive thickness and mobility of the skin flap and lack of a vestibular sulcus in composite vascularized bone grafts for mandibular reconstruction limit the usefulness of endosteal implants to support a prosthetic device. Palatal mucosal grafts and a simple acrylic stent are an excellent means to overcome these problems. The technique is presented in this paper.
Estimation of anti-D IgG in red blood cell eluates using the specific radioactivity of 125I-labeled IgG: effect of unlabeled, cytophilic IgG

The specific radioactivity of conventionally prepared 125I IgG anti-D eluates is significantly less (from 1/5 to 1/20) than that of the 125I IgG fraction used to prepare the eluate. This discrepancy is due to the release of unlabeled, cytophilic IgG from normal red blood cells during eluate preparation and does not represent an underestimation of the eluate anti-D IgG content. Cytophilic IgG content of eluates plays an important role in reducing the nonimmunologic binding of labeled antibody IgG. The results justify the assumption used in numerous studies that the specific radioactivity of 125I IgG fractions can be used to provide a valid estimate of the anti-D IgG content of eluates.
Role of the Lymphotoxin/LIGHT System in the Development and Maintenance of Reticular Networks and Vasculature in Lymphoid Tissues.

Lymphoid organs are meeting zones where lymphocytes come together and encounter antigens present in the blood and lymph or as delivered by cells migrating from the draining tissue bed. The exquisite efficiency of this process relies heavily on highly specialized anatomy to direct and position the various players. Gated entry and exit control access to these theaters and reticular networks and associated chemokines guide cells into the proper sections. Lymphoid tissues are remarkably plastic, being able to expand dramatically and then involute upon resolution of the danger. All of the reticular scaffolds and vascular and lymphatic components adapt accordingly. As such, this organ is a wonderful example of a physiologic remodeling process and is potentially a guide to study such elements in pathological settings such as fibrosis, chronic infection and tumor metastasis. The lymphotoxin/LIGHT axis delivers critical differentiation signals that direct and hone differentiation of both reticular networks and the vasculature. Considerable progress has been made recently in understanding the mesenchymal differentiation pathways leading to these specialized networks and in the remodeling that occurs in reactive lymph nodes. In this article we will review some new advances in the area in terms of developmental, differentiation and maintenance events mediated by this axis.
Methods for achieving ultra-low backgrounds in above-ground germanium detector systems

The authors have previously shown how to achieve a 40-fold reduction in system background for above-ground germanium detectors. Such systems are generally sufficient for examining small hydrogenous samples or samples of non-hydrogenous materials such as soil, glass, metals, etc. However, samples with a large hydrogen content yield a seriously degraded background due to a number of neutron-induced interactions, such as Compton scatter following hydrogen capture of thermalized neutrons. A study was performed to better understand the sources of thermal neutron flux in above-ground detector systems. The effects of different quantities of hydrogen in the sample were also examined. Methods are presented for additional lowering of system background for both hydrogenous and non-hydrogenous samples.
Perineal corporeal compression: technique to evaluate chordee.

Abstract A technique to evaluate ventral curvature of the penis by inducing and exaggerating erections is described. Its use should prevent the completion of hypospadias repair with persistent chordee.
Effects of feeding lactating dairy cows diets containing extruded soybeans and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids.

Abstract Four multiparous Holstein cows averaging 36 DIM and fitted with ruminal cannulas were utilized in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of feeding extruded whole soybeans and Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Treatments were diets containing 1) no added fat, 2) 16% extruded whole soybeans, 3) 16% extruded whole soybeans and 3% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids, and 4) 16% extruded whole soybeans and 6% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids. Cows were fed for ad libitum intake a diet of alfalfa haylage, corn silage, and concentrate (35:15:50, DM basis). Intakes of DM and energy and production of milk, 4% FCM, fat, CP, and SNF were decreased by feeding extruded whole soybeans and 6% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids, but differences were small among the other treatments. The weight percentages and yields of C 18:0 , C 18:1 , and C 18:2 in milk were increased, and most shorter chain fatty acids were decreased, by feeding supplemental fat. Digestibilities of DM, OM, ADF, soluble residue, total C 18 fatty acids, and total fatty acids were decreased, but digestibility of hemicellulose was increased by feeding supplemental fat. The largest decrease in digestibilities of most dietary constituents and in energy and N utilization occurred when 16% extruded whole soybeans plus 6% Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids were fed to the cows. Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids can supply up to 3% of the dietary DM in diets containing 16% extruded whole soybeans without having deleterious effects on most variables measured in this experiment.
Pursuing a career in academia: Perceptions of pharmacists and student pharmacists

To gain an understanding of pharmacistsʼ and student pharmacistsʼ perceptions of careers in academia. Surveys were administered via e-mail to 13,451 licensed pharmacists in the state of North Carolina and to 304 third- and fourth-year professional students at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Overall, 25% of student pharmacists and 35% of pharmacists indicated that they were considering or had considered a position in academia. In addition, 67% of all respondents indicated being informed about pharmacy career opportunities by previous faculty members. Meaningful work, interfacing with students, and flexible hours were cited as being most important in considering academia, while politics, geographical location, and pay were cited as barriers. Perceptions of the academic environment may present a challenge to increasing interest in careers in pharmacy academia. Study results indicate that efforts, in addition to exposing students to careers in academia, are necessary to address barriers that impact perceptions of academia.
Elastic properties of carbonates from laboratory measurements at seismic and ultrasonic frequencies

Rocks saturated with a fluid can be described as viscoelastic materials. The velocity and elastic moduli of viscoelastic materials increase with frequency. Therefore, the elastic rock properties that we measure at high frequencies might not resemble the observations at lower frequencies. Laboratory measurements of velocity and elastic moduli are mostly performed at frequencies higher than those of surface seismic data, but with the stress-strain experimental procedure the moduli and velocity of laboratory samples can be measured at seismic frequencies.
Radioreceptor Assay for growth hormone in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and its application to the study of stunting

Binding sites for native chum salmon growth hormone (sGH) in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) hepatic membranes were analyzed by radioreceptor assay. Displaceable (specific) binding represented up to 25% of total radiolabeled sGH added. Binding was dependent on buffer pH and membrane protein concentration, and was complete by 24 hours at 15 degrees C. Specific binding was greatest in liver membranes, and was also detected in muscle, ovary, gill, kidney, and brain. Scatchard analyses indicated a single class of hepatic binding sites that were specific for sGH. In stunts, abnormal seawater salmon with elevated plasma GH levels and inhibited growth, specific binding of sGH to liver membranes was three times lower than in normal seawater smolts. The concentration of salmon GH binding sites was decreased in stunt livers by 60%, while their affinity for sGH was unchanged. Down-regulation of hepatic GH receptors by high plasma GH levels may explain in part the low sGH binding in stunts.
The startup of Run II: Status of Tevatron, CDF, and DØ

I briefly summarize the current status of Tevatron Run II, and highlight a few preliminary results from the CDF and DO experiments. PACS: 13.85.Lg – 14.54.Ha – 14.70.-e – 14.80.-j
Use of alveolar carbon monoxide measurements to assess red blood cell survival in hemodialysis patients

We recently described a simple technique for measuring RBC survival based on measurements of the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in alveolar air, corrected for environmental CO using a device that equilibrates with atmospheric CO at the same rate as does the patient. The purpose of the present report is to demonstrate the clinical utility of this method via measurements of RBC turnover in hemodialysis patients. Prior to dialysis, the mean RBC survival of 9 chronic dialysis patients was 70 ± 9 days, about 50% shorter than that of 32 healthy subjects. During the dialysis, the endogenous Pco increased by 14% (P < 0.05) while subjects not undergoing dialysis had a 6% fall in endogenous Pco over this same time period. Thus, this technique demonstrated that the hemodialysis procedure resulted in about a 20% increase in RBC destruction. This increased RBC destruction has not been detectable with previous methodologies (including conventional measurements of CO production) due to the insensitivity and lack of reproducibility of conventional techniques. We conclude that the simple, non-invasive measurement of endogenous Pco provides the most accurate available means of assessing the influence of a variety of acute manipulations on RBC survival. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY AT LEAF SURFACES

THE CONDITIONS of humidity at leaf surfaces are of importance in plant physiology, plant pathology, and entomology. Mellanby (1933) used calibrated hygroscopic paper and a torsion balance, and estimated the relative humidity on the upper surface of a cabbage leaf to be 52 per cent and on the lower surface to be 53 per cent when the relative humidity of the air was 33 per cent. Ramsey, Butler and Sang (1938) used a specially constructed hair hygrometer and a paper evaporimeter, and secured relative humidity values ranging from about 20 per cent to about 90 per cent at about 4 mm. above various leaf surfaces when the relative humidity of the air was 10 per cent. Longree (1939) found that conidia of Sphaerotheca pannosa germinated poorly on glass when the relative humidity of the air was below 96 per cent, but germinated well on young rose leaves at a wide range of air humidities, which was taken to indicate that the relative humidity at the surface of rose leaves was above 96 per cent. Shaw (1935) determined the turgor deficit of plant tissues, indirectly calculated the relative humidity of the intercellular spaces, and secured values of 93 to 100 per cent relative humidity. Thut (1939) measured the change in weight of vessels containing humidity-regulating substances when the vessels were held tightly against the lower surfaces of leaves, and secured relative humidity values of 55 to 91 per cent for the stomatal openings and intercellular spaces. Thut also determined the relative humidity equivalent of the diffusion pressure deficit of the tissues of normal and wilted leaves and secured values from 98.6 to 99.7 per cent. The writers have applied the principle of the wet and dry bulb thermometer as used in psychrometric measurements to determinations of the relative humidity at leaf surfaces. Briefly this principle is that the temperature depression of aqueous surfaces is a function of the rate of vaporization of water at the surface, which in turn is a function of the relative humidity of the air and the relative humidity at the liquid surface. In this study it is further shown that when solutions of known vapor pressures and giving known relative humidities (Spencer, 1926) are used to wet the wet bulb of a psychrometer, the temperature depression of these solutions is a function of the relative humidity given by these solutions. It is also shown that temperature depression is a function of the rate of water loss from, or absorption by, these solutions. Therefore, in a constant environment for each rate of water loss and temperature depression of different solutions there is a corresponding relative humidity at the surface of these solutions. With leaves also it is believed that for each rate of water loss there is a corresponding relative humidity at the
Computational simulations of delamination wear in a coating system

Delamination wear constitutes one relevant wear process in many materials. In particular, wear failure through delamination is relevant for material systems where a coating is present on a substrate material. A computational modeling approach is presented that aims to describe the processes of formation and growth of wear delaminations. The model is based on the cohesive zone model approach. An irreversible cohesive zone model is used in a parametric numerical study of delamination wear in a coating system. The model predicts trends in agreement with the trends emerging from Archard's law. The proposed modeling approach has the advantage that details of the delamination wear process can numerically be studied, and that a unified framework from delamination initiation and propagation is provided.
NMR evidence for very slow carrier density fluctuations in the organic metal ( TMTSF ) 2 ClO 4

We have investigated the origin of the large increase in spin-echo decay rates for the $^{77}\mathrm{Se}$ nuclear spins at temperatures near to $T=30\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ in the organic superconductor ${(\mathrm{TMTSF})}_{2}{\mathrm{ClO}}_{4}$. The measured angular dependence of ${T}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ demonstrates that the source of the spin-echo decays lies with carrier density fluctuations rather than fluctuations in TMTSF molecular orientation. The very long time scales are directly associated with the dynamics of the anion ordering occurring at $T=25\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, and the inhomogeneously broadened spectra at lower temperatures result from finite domain sizes. Our results are similar to observations of line-broadening effects associated with charge-ordering transitions in quasi-two-dimensional organic conductors.
Aminoarsolanes—II. Conformational studies

Abstract 1H and 13C NMR spectra of six dialkylaminoarsolanes were obtained as a function of solvent, concentration, and temperature. CI mass spectral data were also obtained as a function of retention time for the same compounds. These results suggest that the AsN bond is not labile as compared to the AsCl bond in chloroarsolanes. No evidence for dimer formation was noted either in solution or the gas phase under the investigated experimental conditions. The averaged solution conformation of the 1,3-dioxarsolane ring is discussed in terms of rapid intramolecular conformational averaging; nature of substituents at the 2,4, and 5 positions; and effects of temperature, solute concentration and solvent type.
Outcomes in Patients with Obstructive Jaundice from Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Implications for Management

Introduction Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer can develop jaundice from intrahepatic or extrahepatic causes. Currently, there is little data on the underlying causes and overall survival after onset of jaundice. The purpose of this study was to characterize the causes of jaundice and determine outcomes.
Maternal Hypothermia in Scheduled Cesarean Births and Neonatal Outcomes

Shinobu Nomachi, RM, RN, MS, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan Objective Mother–infant bonding disorders affect a mother’s ability to cope with the care of her infant and can have long-term adverse consequences for the mother–infant relationship. Evidence demonstrates the benefits of infant massage with preterm and low birth weight infants to improve the mother’s mental health, but benefits are unknown among mothers with full-term infants. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of full-term infant massage for a 4-week period on mother’s emotional state.
An estimation of the fine structure constant using fiber bundles

We calculateg 0/e whereg 0 is the strength of an elementary magnetic monopole ande the charge on the electron, in terms of a ratio of loop sizes in the twisted and untwisted principal fiber bundles withU(1) the structure group andR 3-{0} the base space. The result involves the present distance around theU(1) space and, rather surprisingly, the structure of the quantum gravitational vacuum. Combining our result with the expression foreg 0 from the Dirac quantization condition gives a final estimate for the fine structure constant,α∼1/100.
Men, Women, Trade, and Free Markets

In this paper, we provide one of the first systematic analyses of gender's effect on trade attitudes. We draw on a unique representative national survey of American workers that allows us to evaluate a variety of potential explanations for gender differences in attitudes toward free trade and open markets more generally. We find that existing explanations for the gender gap, most notably differences between men and women in economic knowledge and differing material self-interests, do not explain the gap. Rather, the gender difference in trade preferences and attitudes about open markets is due to less favorable attitudes toward competition among women, less willingness to relocate for jobs among women, and more isolationist non-economic foreign policy attitudes among women.
SUSTAINING PROBLEM‐SOLVING CAPACITY IN COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS

Research Summary: Comprehensive Community Initiatives (CCIs) attempt to build collaborative networks within the community and enhance the community's collaborative social problem-solving capacity to address specific criminal justice problems. In this paper, we use network analysis methods to operationalize the collaborative problem-solving capacity in two sites involved in the Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent and Chronic Juvenile Offenders (Wilson and Howell, 1995). The problems addressed in this paper originally emerged while conducting a national process evaluation of the Comprehensive Strategy. Both overall and organizational-level network measures are used to operationalize the collaborative problem-solving capability in the planning and implementation phases of the Comprehensive Strategies. Policy Implications: An important policy implication of our work is that sustaining connections with even a handful of organizations can be difficult. CCIs represent complex systems consisting of multiple organizations collaborating over time under varying constraints and opportunities. Understanding such dynamic complexity is important if one is to recognize the difficulties inherent in sustaining such collaborative networks. For the process evaluation of the Comprehensive Strategy, participants provided concrete feedback about how to sustain the collaborative networks into the implementation phase. Specific feedback included: (1) providing greater upfront clarity of funding, (2) learning from other "exemplary" sites, and (3) developing a clearer definition of community and funder roles. We leverage results from other parts of the implemented multimethod research design to both interpret and validate the network results. Language: en
Blood Analyses of Wolf Pups and Their Ecological and Metabolic Interpretation

Blood samples were obtained from 32 wolf ( Canis lupus ) pups live-trapped over a three-year period in northern Minnesota. The results of 21 laboratory analyses of hematology and blood chemistry are tabulated and analyzed in terms of study area, age, sex, and year of collection. Mean values are compared to those reported for dogs in the same age group. The numerous differences between dog and wolf pups are interpreted in terms of nutritional levels and dietary composition with the suggestion that the wolves are not achieving their full growth potential. Individual abnormal test results are tabulated and possible interpretations are suggested. Abnormal results were observed in 13 animals including 10 of 11 animals sampled in 1972. The results in the 1972 animals indicated a poorer nutrition. This preponderance of abnormal test results in pups from 1972 is correlated with ecological studies on this wolf population indicating decreased survival. The potential value of such long-term integrated field and laboratory studies for providing a more complete understanding of changes in the dynamics of natural populations in terms of the responses of individual animals is demonstrated.
763-4 Resting Echocardiography Identifies Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients with Latent Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction

Latent LV outflow tract (OT) obstruction has important therapeutic and prognostic implications in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, since its presence can not be known until it is provoked, we investigated the resting echo features of patients with latent LVOT obstruction, aiming to predict it before provocation. Methods 48 patients with non-obstructive HCM (resting LVOT pressure gradient (PG) l 40 mmHg) challenged with amyl nitrite inhalation were studied. 23 patients (mean 51 ± 18 years) were nonprovocable and 25 (mean 52 ± 12 years, p = ns) were provocable (LVOT-PG ≥ 40 mmHg with amyl). Echo measurements included assessment of LV shape (asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH), concentric hypertrophy (CH) and prominent basal septal bulge (SB), anterior and posterior mitral leaflet length, qualitative assessment of mitral valve systolic anterior motion (SAM, 0 = none to 3 = severe), LVOT-PG, LVOT diameter at the onset of systole (DlA, cm), septal and posterior wall thickness, end-diastolic and end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction determined by Simpson's method. The angle (α, degrees) between the color Doppler-determined ejection streamline in LVOT and the LV long axis was measured to assess the magnitude of the drag force acting on the mitral valve. Results 12 of 16 patients (80%) with SB showed LVOT obstruction after amyl inhalation, whereas only 3 of 8 patients (38%) with ASH and 10 of 25 (40%) with CH showed obstruction (p l 0.05). Unpaired t-testing revealed the following: SAM resting PG DIA α nonprovocable 0.5 ± 0.8 9 ± 4 2.2 ± 03 32 ± 9 provocable 0.9 ± 09 13 ± 9 1.8 ± 03 37 ± 7 p value 0.11 0.06 l 0.0001 l 0.05 The sensitivity for predicting provocable patients by combination of small LVOT diameter (≤2 cm) and large α (≥ 35 degrees) was 64% and the specificity was 79%. Wall thickness, leaflet length, ventricular volume, and ejection fraction did not show significant differences between two groups. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed DIA and resting PG are best predictors for PG after amyl inhalation (r = 0.67, p l 0.001). Conclusions Non-obstructive HCM patients with 1) prominent septal bulge, 2) narrow LVOT, 3) oblique angle between the ejection flow and the LV long-axis, and 4) higher resting PG appeared to be predisposed for latent LVOT obstruction.
An intracranial electrode delivery system for the chronic mouse and bat preparation.

Abstract The construction of an electrode delivery device is described which facilitates the accurate placement of multiple electrode arrays in the chronic small animal preparation. The device is easily constructed, easily used, and has many features which can be readily modified by individual investigators to serve their own needs. During implantation of the electrodes, the delivery device can be used to stimulate, lesion or to record the EEG activity from discrete neural sites. The electrode array is permanently affixed to the skull by dental acrylic anchored to two cranial screws. The use of a delivery system such as the one described may encourage neurobehavioral research with the mouse, a more easily maintained and economical subject than the standard laboratory rat.
Group VA Polyesters Containing Thiodiglycolic Acid-Synthesis and Preliminary Cancer Activity

The interfacial condensation between the salt of thiodiglycolic acid and the Group V dihalides produces the corresponding polyesters in moderate to good yield in 15 secs and less. The products are tacky to glassy. Infrared spectroscopy shows the formation of the M-O linkage with bands present derived from both reactants. The geometry about the metal is predominately non-bridging. MALDI MS shows ion fragment clusters to two repeat units with ion fragment clusters consistent with the formation of the M-O-C(O)- linkage. The arsenic polymer exhibits outstanding inhibition of the AsPC-1 adenocarcinoma pancreatic cancer cell line. Both the arsenic and antimony polymer show good inhibition of the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line. The antimony polymer shows good inhibition of both the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that are estrogen-independent and estrogen receptor negative and the MCF-7 breast cancer cells that are an estrogen receptor (ER) positive cancer cell line.
Modeling phage induced bacterial disinfection rates and the resulting design implications

Abstract The phage induced disinfection rates of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 in the presence of coliphage Ec2 were determined under a wide range of phage and bacterial concentrations. These rates were elucidated to determine if phages could be used in water and wastewater treatment systems as a biological based disinfectant. Disinfection rates ranging from 0.13 ± 0.1 to 2.03 ± 0.1 h −1 were observed for E. coli K12. A multiple linear regression model was used to explain the variance in the disinfection rates, and this model demonstrated an interaction effect between the initial phage and bacterial concentrations. Furthermore, the results were modeled with particle aggregation theory, which over predicted the disinfection rates at higher phage and bacterial concentrations, suggesting additional interactions. Finally, the observed and predicted disinfection rates were used to determine additional design parameters. The results suggested that a phage based disinfection process may be suitable for the inactivation of specific pathogens in plug flow reactors, such as the pathogens in hospital wastewater effluents and the bacteria responsible for foaming and sludge bulking in activated sludge processes.
Panitumumab: A Fully Human Monoclonal Antibody with Activity in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Objective:To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials, adverse effects, and drug interactions of panitumumab.Data Sources:A MEDLINE search was conducted (1966–February 2007) using the search terms panitumumab, ABX-EGF, E7.6.3, monoclonal antibody, colorectal neoplasm, epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFr, and epidermal growth factor receptor signal transduction. Articles and abstracts were further identified from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Clinical trials evaluating panitumumab for solid tumors were selected from the data sources. All published relevant abstracts were included.Data Synthesis:The most recent developments in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer include the monoclonal antibodies targeted against vascular endothelial growth factor and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr). Panitumumab is the first fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to EGFr. Clinical activ...
Open Lung Biopsy Among Critically Ill, Mechanically Ventilated Patients. A Metaanalysis

Rationale: Open lung biopsy may be performed to guide therapy in mechanically ventilated patients with diagnostic uncertainty regarding etiology of pulmonary infiltrates. Current evidence for open lung biopsy in mechanically ventilated patients comes from single-center case series.Objectives: We performed a metaanalysis of case series to determine diagnoses, complications, and changes in therapy after lung biopsy in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation.Methods: We searched Medline for case series of lung biopsies in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation. We pooled results of individual case series using random effects metaanalysis models to obtain summary proportions.Measurements and Main Results: We identified 14 case series including a total of 512 mechanically ventilated patients with 530 histopathological diagnoses. The most common diagnoses were “fibrosis/pneumonitis” (n = 155, 25%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14–37%) and infection (n = 113, 20%; 95% CI, 15–27...
THE PROVENANCE AND COAL RANK OF JET BY CARBON‐13 NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY

The carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of jet samples from England and Spain resemble those of carbonaceous materials from lignitic and sub-bituminous ranks. This characterization is based on the aromatic/aliphatic ratio of resonances and on the pattern of fine structure. Particularly characteristic of jet is the well-defined fine structure in the aromatic region that may be attributed to phenolic functionalities. This fine structure is found in all English and Spanish samples. Resonances from rapidly moving methyl groups are found in English but not in Spanish samples and may provide a means of distinguishing provenance.
Graph Theory Analysis of Functional Brain Networks and Mobility Disability in Older Adults

Much research on the effects of aging on mobility has focused on muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. However, considerable variability in mobility function remains after accounting for these factors. Recently, it has been proposed that changes in the brain and nervous system might account for some of this variability (1). Behavior and neuroimaging evidence points to a role for the cortex in mobility. Epidemiological studies show that gait speed correlates with cognitive function and that low gait speed or gait abnormalities may precede cognitive decline (2,3). Furthermore, increased cognitive demand, particularly in the domain of executive function, slows gait speed (4), suggesting shared brain resources supporting cognition and mobility. Structural neuroimaging studies suggest that the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with executive function, is important for mobility, along with frontoparietal sensorimotor regions, basal ganglia, and cerebellum (5–9). Lower regional brain volumes, including in frontoparietal, frontal, and sensorimotor regions, are associated with poorer gait speed, gait characteristics, and balance (5–9). Mobility involves coordination of regions across the brain, and damage to the connections between these regions may contribute to declining mobility function. White matter lesions arising from cardiovascular disease are associated with mobility impairment, especially when they are severe and located in frontal lobe (for review see Zheng and colleagues (10)). Importantly, associations between brain changes and mobility are observed in the absence of frank disease, indicating that brain changes are relevant to even healthy-appearing older adults and may occur early on in mobility decline. The strong links between white matter health and mobility suggest that brain connectivity is important for mobility function. However, analysis of structural connectivity cannot directly assess how functional connections in the brain differ with mobility impairment. Functional network analyses have the potential to identify alterations in brain function prior to the development of irreparable tissue damage. Graph theory analysis of functional brain imaging data exploits the complexity of brain connections to characterize the overall functional architecture of the brain network. Rather than ascertaining whether individual brain regions are associated with mobility disability, graph theory analysis treats the brain as one integrated network and asks whether the architecture of communication patterns within that network is altered when mobility is impaired. Here, we analyze functional magnetic resonance imaging data using graph theory (11) to assess differences in functional brain connections across participants with high, mid, and low mobility function determined by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score (12).
Tax Systems in Transition

How have tax systems, whose primary role is to raise resources to finance public expenditures, evolved in the transition countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union? The authors find that: (1) the ratio of tax revenue-to-GDP decreased largely due to a fall in revenue from corporate income tax; (2) the fall in revenue from the corporate income tax led to a decline in the importance of income taxes, notwithstanding a rise in the share of individual income tax; (3) social security contributions together with payroll taxes became less important in the Commonwealth of Independent States; and (4) domestic indirect taxes gained in importance in overall tax revenues. Apart from the increased role of personal income taxation, these developments go in a direction opposite to those observed in poor countries as they get richer. They show a key aspect of transition, namely a movement from a system where the government exercised a preeminent claim on output and income before citizens had access to the remainder, to one with a greatly diminished role for the public sector, as reflected in a lower ratio of public expenditure to GDP, where the government needs to collect revenue in order to spend. Can expected levels of public expenditure be financed by the basic instruments of a modern tax system without creating significant distortions in the private sector? The authors suggest that transition countries, depending on their stage of development, should aim for a tax revenue-to-GDP ratio in the range of 22 to 31 percent, comprising value-added tax (6 to 7 percent), excises (2 to 3 percent), income tax (6 to 9 percent), social security contribution together with payroll tax (6 to 10 percent), and other taxes such as on trade and on property (2 percent). The authors' analysis also sheds light on the links between tax policy, tax administration, and the investment climate in transition countries.
Residual Frequency Offset and Phase Compensation for OFDM Systems

In orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, carrier frequency offset (CFO) due to mismatch of the local oscillators causes inter-carrier interference (ICI), which may result in significant performance degradation. Although, several frequency synchronization schemes were reported, there possibly remains frequency offset and it can still generate ICI and induces phase distortion of the OFDM symbols. In this paper, we propose a method to compensate both residual frequency offset (RFO) and RFO induced phase error (PE) by the Kalman filter. Our approach is based on building a simple robust state-space model and the Kalman filter is then applied to estimate and track the RFO and PE. Simulation results show that the proposed method significantly compensates the performance degradation due to RFO and almost achieves ideal packet error rate (PER) performance with lower complexity.
Multidetector CT of Acute Aortic Syndrome

Summary Acute aortic syndrome is charaterised by aortic pain in a patient with a history of hypertension. Causes of this syndrome include aortic dissection, intramural haematoma and penetrating ulcer. The aorta must be fully assessed with an accurate imaging examination when the syndrome is suspected clinically. Multidetector computed tomography is reliable and efficient and is the modality of choice for the evaluation of acute aortic syndrome.
X-ray laser studies at LLE

New target geometries for collisional excitation X-ray laser experiments (in nickel) were proposed, analyzed, and experimentally studied on the glass development laser. The new geometries are designed to yield a higher gain and reduced refraction due to (1) a higher plasma density, (2) a wide lateral density profile, and (3) a concave lateral density profile. These new geometries were (a) two parallel exploding (thin) foils, irradiated from one side only, (b) two ablating (thick) foils, one of which was irradiated on its inner face, and (c) and exploding foil in front of an ablating foil, irradiated by a single laser beam incident on the thin foil. Long-line-focus experiments are described. Theoretical developments included development of a ray-tracing code for an amplifying medium of varying lateral density profile and prediction of high gain on new type transitions in neon-like ions, involving the excitation of an inner (2 s) electron. >