cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient solution for machine cell formation in group technology

Abstract The design of cellular manufacturing (CM) systems has received considerable attention from both practitioners and academics in the study of automated manufacturing systems. CM, an application of group technology (GT), focuses on grouping parts with similar design and/or process characteristics into part families and forming associated machines into machine cells in order to achieve higher manufacturing efficiency. In this paper, we propose a quadratic programming model for machine cell formation with congestion constraint, which in addition to assigning the machines to the cells, finds the optimal number of machine cells. An efficient algorithm based on graph partitioning is used for solving the problem. Extensive computational tests are conducted to test the performance of the proposed algorithm with respect to several performance measures under various problem parameters.
The third-normal stress difference in entangled melts: Quantitative stress-optical measurements in oscillatory shear

Stress-optical measurements are used to quantitatively determine the third-normal stress difference (N3 = N1 + N2) in three entangled polymer melts during small amplitude (<15%) oscillatory shear over a wide dynamic range. The results are presented in terms of the three material functions that describe N3 in oscillatory shear: the real and imaginary parts of its complex amplitude ψ 3 * = ψ 3 ′ - iψ 3 ″ , and its displacement ψ 3 d . The results confirm that these functions are related to the dynamic modulus by ω2ψ 3 * (ω)=(1-β)[G*(ω))−\(\frac{1}{2}\)G*(2ω)] and ω2ψ 3 d (ω)=(1- β)G′(ω) as predicted by many constitutive equations, where β = −N2/N1. The value of (1-β) is found to be 0.69±0.07 for poly(ethylene-propylene) and 0.76±0.07 for polyisoprene. This corresponds to −N2/N1 = 0.31 and 0.24±0.07, close to the prediction of the reptation model when the independent alignment approximation is used, i.e., −N2/N1 = 2/7 − 0.28.
Gender Differences Regarding Peer Influence and Attitude toward Substance Abuse.

Gender role socialization differentially influences attitudes toward substance abuse for boys and girls. Students (n = 968, 456 = males, M age = 16.20, SD = 1.20) were administered a questionnaire to assess their perceptions of attitudes toward substance abuse. Boys' approval was significantly different than the level of approval estimated for girls on teenagers drinking beer or wine coolers chi 2 (4,n = 931) = 418.58, p < .00001, drinking hard liquor chi 2 (4,n = 921) = 432.49, p < .00001, driving after drinking chi 2 (4,n = 924) = 492.32, p < .00001, smoking marijuana chi 2 (4,n = 921) = 609.62, p < .00001, smoking cigarettes chi 2 (4,n = 927) = 480.35, p < .00001, taking diet pills to lose weight chi 2 (4,n = 914) = 185.05, p < .00001, and taking diet pills to get high chi 2 (4,n = 921) = 428.43, p < .00001. Teens viewed getting drunk at a party as more acceptable than driving after drinking 2 (4,n = 921) = 264.10, p < .00001, but gave boys more approval than girls for driving after drinking. Possible implications of these findings are discussed.
Scaling theory for the growth of amorphous films.

We present a scaling theory for the time evolution of the morphology of amorphous films, based on the Huygens principle growth algorithm. During the coarsening stage of the growth, the time-dependent correlation length diverges with time as \ensuremath{\xi}(t)\ensuremath{\propto}${\mathrm{t}}^{\mathrm{p}}$. We calculate p for a range of random and self-similar starting surfaces. When the effect of noise is taken into account, the exponent p reaches a universal value (3/4, in good agreement with experiments.
Extreme-ultraviolet polarimetry with laser-generated high-order harmonics

We developed an extreme ultraviolet polarimeter, which employs laser-generated high-order harmonics as the light source. Reflection scans made with this instrument show agreement over three orders of magnitude with data obtained at the advanced light source.
Divergence by ADHD subtype in smoking cessation response to OROS-methylphenidate.

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric condition subclassified in DSM-IV according to its core symptoms domains as (a) pre- dominantly inattentive (ADHD-IN), (b) predominantly hy- peractive/impulsive (ADHD-H), and (c) combined inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive (ADHD-C). Whether these sub- types represent distinct clinical entities or points on a severity continuum is controversial. Divergence in treatment response is a potential indicator of qualitative heterogeneity. This study examined smoking cessation response by ADHD subtype to osmotic-release oral system methylphenidate (OROS-MPH). Methods: Male and female adult smokers (ADHD-C = 167 and ADHD-IN = 87) were randomized to receive OROS-MPH or placebo as augmentation treatment to nicotine patch and counseling. Logistic regression was conducted to test the effect of OROS-MPH versus placebo on prolonged smoking absti- nence by ADHD subtype. Results: The subtypes were similar in baseline demograph- ic, smoking, and psychiatric history but differed in smoking cessation response to OROS-MPH or placebo as a function of nicotine dependence level. The 3-way interaction was sig- nificant; c 2 (1) = 8.22, p < .01. Among highly dependent smokers, the prolonged abstinence rates were greater with OROS-MPH than with placebo in the ADHD-C group (60% vs. 31.3%, respectively, p < .05) but higher with placebo than with OROS-MPH in the ADHD-IN group (60% vs. 11.8%, respectively, p < .01). Abstinence rates did not differ by sub- type or treatment among smokers who were less nicotine dependent. Conclusion: Contrasting treatment response and divergence in the impact of nicotine dependence level support the hypothesis
Genus Oblivious Cross Parameterization: Robust Topological Management of Inter-Surface Maps

We consider the problem of generating a map between two triangulated meshes, M and M', with arbitrary and possibly differing genus. This problem has rarely been tackled in its generality. Early schemes considered only topological spheres. Recent algorithms allow inputs with an arbitrary number of tunnels but require M and M' to have equal genus, mapping tunnel to tunnel. Other schemes which allow more general inputs are not guaranteed to work and the authors do not provide a characterization of the input meshes that can be processed successfully. Moreover, the techniques have difficulty dealing with coarse meshes with many tunnels. In this paper we present the first robust approach to build a map between two meshes of arbitrary unequal genus. We also provide a simplified method for setting the initial alignment between M and M', reducing reliance on landmarks and allowing the user to select "landmark tunnels" in addition to the standard landmark vertices. After computing the map, we automatically derive a continuous deformation from M to M' using a variational implicit approach to describe the evolution of non-landmark tunnels. Overall, we achieve a cross parameterization scheme that is provably robust in the sense that it can mapM toM' without constraints on their relative genus or on the density of the triangulation with respect to the number of tunnels. To demonstrate the practical effectiveness of our scheme we provide a number of examples of inter-surface parameterizations between meshes of different genus and shape.
Effect of the Dietary Ratio of Digestible Energy to Crude Protein on Growth and Feed Conversion in Juvenile Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei under Similar Levels of Daily Protein Consumption

Abstract We evaluated the effect of the dietary ratio of digestible energy (DE) : Crude protein (CP) on growth performance and nutrient utilization in juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei fed various diets with a constant daily protein input. Juveniles (weight = 0.94 ± 0.04 g [mean ± SE]; n = 30) were stocked in an indoor recirculating-water system (173-L polyethylene tanks; 20 shrimp/tank) and were assigned to four different treatments. Two treatments consisted of 30% and 40% CP diets (30 isoenergetic [ISO]-100% and 40 ISO-75%, respectively) with a constant level of DE (3.28 kcal/g). Two treatments consisted of 30% and 40% CP diets with variable levels of DE (2.70 and 3.6 kcal/g, respectively) that maintained a constant DE : CP ratio of 9 kcal/g of protein (30 ratio [RAT]-100% and 40 RAT-75%, respectively). At the end of the 49-d trial, final weight and weight gain did not differ among the treatments. However, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) for the 40 RAT-75%...
Visual Summary of Herpetofaunal Diversity in Texas

Abstract Texas has 215 native herpetofaunal species. We visually summarized herpetofaunal diversity across Texas to identify species-rich counties and counties that likely are under-surveyed. Mean number of species per county was 53.1. In general, counties in eastern and central Texas had the highest herpetofaunal diversity. The majority of counties in the Panhandle region likely are under-surveyed. In addition to serving as a guide for future surveying efforts, this study provides useful information for landowners and county-development coordinators concerning herpetofaunal conservation and management.
Altered ABA, proline and hydrogen peroxide in an Arabidopsis glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferase mutant

Plant responses to abiotic stress are determined both by the severity of the stress as well as the metabolic status of the plant. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key component in integrating these various signals and controlling downstream stress responses. By screening for plants with decreased RD29A:LUC expression, we isolated two alleles, glutamate:glyoxylate transferase1-1 (ggt1-1) and ggt1-2, of a mutant with altered ABA sensitivity. In addition to reduced ABA induction of RD29A, ggt1-1 was altered in ABA and stress regulation of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase, proline dehydrogenase and 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 3, which encode enzymes involved in Pro and ABA metabolsim, respectively. ggt1-1 also had altered ABA and Pro contents after stress or ABA treatments while root growth and leaf water loss were relatively unaffected. A light-dependent increase in H2O2 accumulation was observed in ggt1-1 consistent with the previously characterized role of GGT1 in photorespiration. Treatment with exogenous H2O2, as well as analysis of a mutant in nucleoside diphosphate kinase 2 which also had increased H2O2 content but is not involved in photorespiration or amino acid metabolism, demonstrated that the greater ABA stimulation of Pro accumulation in these mutants was caused by altered H2O2 content as opposed to other metabolic changes. The results suggest that metabolic changes that alter H2O2 levels can affect both ABA accumulation and ABA sensitivity.
Absorption of foliar-applied arsenic by the arsenic hyperaccumulating fern (Pteris vittata L.)

The fact that heavy metals can enter various domains of the plant system through foliar pathways spurred us to explore if the fronds of the Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.), a hyperaccumulator of arsenic, a carcinogenic metalloid, was proficient in absorbing arsenic in the form of sprays. The specific objective of this study was to investigate the impact of frond age, form of arsenic, and time of application on the absorption of foliar-applied arsenic by the brake fern; also examined were the effects of foliar sprays on surface ultrastructure and arsenic speciation in the frond following absorption. Foliar sprays of different arsenic concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm) were applied to young and fertile fronds. A positive linear relationship existed between arsenic concentration and absorption; the arsenic concentration of fronds increased from 50 to 200 ppm. Time-course analysis with excised pinnae indicated an initial linear increase followed by a plateau at 48 h. The young fronds with immature sori absorbed more arsenic (3100 ppm) than the fertile mature fronds (890 ppm). In the frond, the arsenic absorption was greatest in the lamina of the pinnae followed by the sori and the rachis. Applying arsenic during night (20:00-22:00 h) or afternoon (12:00-14:00 h) resulted in greater absorption of arsenic than the application in the morning (08:00-10:00 h). The arsenic absorption was greater through abaxial surfaces than through adaxial surfaces. The brake fern absorbed more arsenic when it was applied in the form of arsenite. Regardless of the form of arsenic and the surface it was applied to, arsenic occurred as arsenite, the reduced and the most toxic form of arsenic, after having been absorbed by the fronds. Scanning electron microscopy revealed no surface morphological alterations following all arsenic sprays. The study unequivocally illustrated that the Chinese brake fern absorbed foliar-applied arsenic with great efficiency. Consequently, the arsenic concentrations in the fronds transcended the levels of hyperaccumulation; such a characteristic could be exploited in the phytoremediation of groundwater contaminated with arsenic.
Exact scattering from a slotted semielliptical channel

The exact eigenfunction solution is obtained for the two-dimensional problem of the scattering of a plane electromagnetic wave by a slotted semielliptical channel in an infinite ground plane. Specifically, the canonical solution is found for the boundary-value problem of a semielliptical channel in a ground plane, slotted along the interfocal distance. >
Social and economic correlates of depressive symptoms and perceived stress in South African adults

Objectives: Adults in South Africa demonstrate rates of mental illness at or above levels elsewhere in the developing world. Yet there is a research gap regarding the social context surrounding mental health in this region. The objective of this analysis was to characterize the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms and perceived stress among a heterogeneous South African population. Methods: Low-income adults (n = 257) in Capetown, Port Elizabeth and Durban were interviewed regarding demographics, income, subjective social status, life events and decision-making. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used. Results: CES-D scores were 18.8 (SD 11.7), with 50.4% of men and 64.5% of women exceeding the cut-off at which professional care is recommended (p = 0.03). PSS scores were 18.6 (SD 6.7), with a mean of 17.5 among men and 19.6 among women (p = 0.02). In multivariate regressions, increased CES-D scores were associated with more household members (p Conclusions: Depressive symptoms and perceived stress are public health concerns in this sample, with more symptoms among those with fewer resources. The prevention of mental illness is critical, especially in vulnerable populations.
Diagnosis and treatment of a lumbar extradural arteriovenous malformation.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are the most common spinal vascular anomaly. The majority are intradural and are supplied by the spinal arteries. This paper presents an unusual A VM that was fed by the lumbar arteries and was located totally in the extradural space; in fact, its drainage enlarged the internal vertebral venous plexus, resulting in its clinical presentation as a right lumbar radiculopathy.
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: incidence, associations, and effect of risk factor assessment--report of 33 cases.

Purpose: To describe the presentation and clinical course of patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) at a large acute-care hospital, to evaluate the overall incidence of NSF, and to assess the effect of a hospital-wide policy regarding gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) use on NSF incidence. Materials and Methods: A review of all cases of NSF observed at an institution from 2003 to 2008 was conducted. This HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board. The informed consent requirement was waived. Demographics, medical history, and associated conditions were recorded. Radiologic procedures were evaluated if they were performed within 1 year prior to NSF onset. GBCA use was assessed by checking the electronic database for each procedure. The incidence of NSF was compared before and after implementation of an institutional policy designed to assess risk of NSF prior to GBCA use. Results: All 33 patients with NSF (mean age, 49 years; age range, 15–78 years) had advanced re...
Identifying Early Melanomas at Higher Risk for Metastases

Itreportsthelargestseries(n 26,736)withthelongestfollow-up(20years)ofanyprevious publication in the ﬁeld to our knowledge. The data areespecially unique, because they are derived from a population-basedprospective melanoma registry that is more representative of mela-noma survival outcome compared with that reported from majormelanoma centers having a more selective referral of patients withhigher-risk disease. The Queensland investigators focused on thinmelanomas(ie,T1with 1.0mminthickness),whicharethemostcommonpresentationsofmelanomainmostpartsoftheworld.Suchpatients with thin or T1 melanomas are a heterogeneous group, andthevastmajorityhavealowriskofdying.Ontheotherhand,itisvitalfor physicians evaluating and treating melanomas to know abouttheimportantanddeﬁnableminorityofpatientswithinthisgroup,whoinfacthaveamuchhigherriskofharboringmetastaticmela-noma and eventually dying from their T1 melanoma. Indeed, wecanpartitionpatientswithT1melanomaintotwopopulations—alow-risk group that can safely be treated conservatively with min-imalfollow-upforrecurrencemonitoringandahigher-riskgroupof patients who should be considered for more extensive surgeryand more intensive follow-up.Overall, approximately 80% of all the Queensland patientspresented initially with T1 melanoma measuring 1 mm thick-ness.Theyreportedalong-termfollow-upwitha96%survivalrateat 20 years. Although only 2.2% of patients died of known meta-static melanoma, another 14.8% died of other causes. A smallcriticismisthatsomepatientsdyingasaresultofothercausesmay,infact,havediedfromoccultmetastaticmelanoma,anditisdifﬁcultto know accurately about the incidence of occult metastases withoutautopsyveriﬁcation.Forexample,ifapatientdiesofastrokewithoutradiologicconﬁrmation,wewouldnotknowwhetherthiswasavas-culareventoramassivebleedintoametastaticmelanoma.The Queensland investigators identiﬁed different risk strata onthe basis of two major features: tumor thickness (associated with afourfoldincreasedriskofdyingwhencomparing 0.25
Grassroots groups as stakeholders in spatial data infrastructures: challenges and opportunities for local data development and sharing

This paper investigates the unique challenges of an expanding group of stakeholders making demands upon shared geospatial data resources: non governmental organisations participating in local governance. In spite of efforts to improve local data integration in spatial data infrastructures and development of strategies from public participation GIS to expand access to geospatial data and technologies, grassroots data users still experience difficulties with the accessibility, quality, and usefulness of local government data resources. Drawing from extended ethnographic research conducted in Chicago, Illinois, I illustrate these problems and how they are shaped by grassroots groups' resource constraints, knowledge systems, and socio-political positions; and assess the feasibility and impacts of proposed alternatives for better meeting grassroots spatial data needs. I contend that the needs and challenges of these stakeholders are unique from those of other users, but are nonetheless rooted in central dilemmas of spatial data handling, and so might be addressed through stronger engagement with GIScience research in this arena.
Synthesis of porphyrins tailored with eight facially-encumbering groups. An approach to solid-state light-harvesting complexes

Abstract Synthetic models of the photosynthetic antenna complexes must achieve long-range 3-dimensional order encompassing a large number of porphyrinic pigments with limited direct contact of the pigments. In order to develop solid-state antenna complexes, we have synthesized porphyrins bearing benzyloxy groups projecting over both faces and optionally also around the periphery of the porphyrin. Routes have been established for prefunctionalizing benzaldehydes with various benzyloxy groups. Reaction of 2,6-bis, 3,5-bis, or 2,4,6-tris-(benzyloxy)benzaldehydes with pyrrole via the room temperature two-step one-flask porphyrin reaction provides direct access to the facially-encumbered porphyrins. The benzyloxybenzaldehydes react as efficiently as methoxybenzaldehydes, indicating the utility of the -OCH2- unit for introducing large substituents near the face of the porphyrin. The octakis and dodecakis(benzyloxy)porphyrins exhibit characteristic porphyrin absorption and fluorescence properties in solution. The crystal structure of meso-tetrakis[2,6-bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyloxy)phenyl]porphyrin has been determined. The pentafluorobenzyloxy substituents provide a cavity on each side of the porphyrin plane which has an approximate cylindrical shape with a diameter of ~ 7.5 A and a height of ≥ 4.5 A. The porphyrin core parameters are those obtained for free base derivatives in which the inner hydrogen atoms are ordered. Crystal data: a = 14.759 (1) A, b = 25.519 (2) A, c = 13.100 (1) A, α = 100.04 (1), β = 99.83 (1), γ = 88.25 (1), V = 4767.3 (6) A3, all measurements at 127 K, triclinic, space group P 1 , Z = 2 R1(F) = 0.097, for 10020 “observed” data, and wR2(F2) = 0.275 for 17761 total unique (all) data.
Enhanced Effect of Combining Human Cardiac Stem Cells and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Reduce Infarct Size and to Restore Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction

Background—Because mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) induce proliferation and differentiation of c-kit+ cardiac stem cells (CSCs) in vivo and in vitro, we hypothesized that combining human (h) MSCs with c-kit+ hCSCs produces greater infarct size reduction compared with either cell administered alone after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results—Yorkshire swine underwent balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion and were immunosuppressed after MI with cyclosporine and methylprednisolone. Intramyocardial combination hCSCs/hMSCs (1 million cells/200 million cells, n=5), hCSCs alone (1 million cells, n=5), hMSCs alone (200 million cells, n=5), or placebo (phosphate-buffered saline; n=5) was injected into the infarct border zones at 14 days after MI. Phenotypic response to cell therapy was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and micromanometer conductance catheterization hemodynamics. Although each cell therapy group had reduced MI size relative to...
Regional Differences in Response to Electrical Stimulation within the Medial Preoptic-Suprachiasmatic Region on Blood Luteinizing Hormone Levels in Ovariectomized and Ovariectomized, Estrogen-Primed Rats*

The effect of electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic-suprachiasmatic nucleus (MPOA-SCN) region of the forebrain on blood LH levels was studied in ovariectomized, pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Animals were either not primed with estrogen or previously given 5 micrograms estradiol benzoate (EB)/100 g BW . day for the 2 days before stimulation. Rats were bled continuously (30, 40, or 50 microliter whole blood/5--6 min) through indwelling right atrial cannulae for 1.5 h before stimulation, 1.5 h during stimulation, and up to 1 h afterwards. Whole blood was analyzed for LH by RIA. In ovariectomized, unprimed rats, electrical stimulation of the ventral MPOA consistently increased LH release. In contrast, stimulation of the peri-SCN region (immediately caudal to the MPOA, and lateral and dorsal to, but not within, the SCN), uniformly inhibited pulsatile LH secretion. Activation of the SCN elevated blood LH levels in most unprimed rats tested, but suppression of episodic LH release occasionally occurred. Pretreatment with estrogen resulted in increased LH secretion in response to stimulation of each of these three regions. Estrogen prolonged the LH increase occurring during MPOA stimulation, completely reversed the inhibitory LH response to peri-SCN stimulation, and either reversed any possible inhibitory response to SCN stimulation or greatly increased the magnitude and duration of the increase in blood LH levels produced in the unprimed rat during activation of this nucleus. In summary, the present study indicates that well defined areas in the MPOA-SCN region can have strikingly different effects on LH secretion in the absence of ovarian estrogen and that this steroid is critically important in determining the direction, magnitude, and duration of the LH response to a localized brain stimulus.
Reconsidering the Corporate Attorney-Client Privilege: A Response to the Compelled-Voluntary Waiver Paradox

Many within the legal profession are presently of the opinion that the protection traditionally accorded by the corporate attorney-client privilege is being seriously eroded, if not completely destroyed. This sentiment has largely been inspired by the perceived effect of government use of what I refer to as "compelled-voluntary" waiver in the context of investigations into corporate wrongdoing. Various governmental bodies employ this waiver device, but the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") is perhaps the best known and certainly the most vilified. The DOJ guidelines for prosecuting corporations, embodied first in the so-called "Holder Memorandum" and now in the "Thompson Memorandum," provide, among other things, that it is appropriate for federal prosecutors to consider a "corporation's timely and voluntary disclosure of wrongdoing and it's willingness to cooperate in the investigation of its agents..." The guidelines go on to indicate that "[o]ne factor...prosecutors may weigh in assessing the adequacy of a corporation's cooperation is the completeness of its disclosure including, if necessary, a waiver of the attorney-client and work product protections..." Although the Holder and Thompson Memoranda, as well as the Organizational Sentencing Guidelines, describe waiver as not being absolutely required by the government, the corporate bar insists that waivers are routinely sought and that corporations feel compelled to acquiesce. The prospect of such a waiver is made particularly daunting by the general rule that once a party discloses privileged information to a third party, the privilege is waived as to everyone, including prospective or current plaintiffs and their attorneys. The end result, according to many, is the complete evisceration of the corporate attorney-client privilege, and in turn, effective corporate legal representation. The Article examines this problem, as well as some of the solutions that have been proposed thus far, and concludes that the focus of the current debate amongst the American Bar Association ("ABA"), the DOJ, and others needs to be adjusted. In particular, rather than trying to address the waiver issue head-on, as is presently being done, the Article suggests that reconsidering the existing scope of the corporate attorney-client privilege itself would promote a more constructive dialogue. The Article specifically proposes narrowing the privilege through the adoption of a control group-type test modeled after Comment 7 to Rule 4.2 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Whether or not this is the best approach, the Article maintains that the key to solving the compelled-voluntary waiver paradox is to re-focus the discussion on the composition of the federal corporate privilege.
Debate: Midwestern Vascular Surgery Society Meeting, September 10, 2004, Omaha, Nebraska

This article is the result of a debate. The motion proposed was that "endovascular procedures, carotid endarterectomies, and aortic surgery should be done preferentially by a vascular trainee rather than a general surgery resident.'' Arguments in favor of the motion were that with the development of endovascular surgery, there are now less open vascular procedures to perform and hence, vascular trainees needed to hone their skills on these limited cases rather than waste that experience on a general surgery resident. This focused training experience would allow vascular fellows to be become more highly skilled vascular surgeons. Additionally, endovascular procedures are an important component of modern vascular surgery, and it is important for the vascular fellow to develop significant experience with and acquire the appropriate numbers of endovascular cases to get the necessary credentials when going into a vascular practice. Arguments against the motion were that exposure to vascular cases will make a better general surgeon, one who will also be well equipped to deal with trauma cases and situations where the control of bleeding might be life saving. Additionally, the issue of exposure of general surgery residents to vascular cases might be a positive recruitment strategy for future vascular fellows. The motion was carried by a small majority vote.
Isolation and Prevalence of Campylobacter in the Reproductive Tracts and Semen of Commercial Turkeys

SUMMARY. Campylobacter is one of the most commonly reported bacterial causes of human foodborne infections in the United States, and epidemiologic evidence indicates that a significant proportion of human infections result from the improper preparation of poultry products. Campylobacter frequently colonizes the avian intestinal tract, but recent research indicates that this organism can also colonize the avian reproductive tract and possibly contaminate eggs and subsequent offspring. The present studies were undertaken to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in the reproductive systems of commercial turkeys. In the first study, pooled semen samples from seven commercial turkey farms were randomly collected by abdominal massage over a period of 13 wk. The pooled semen samples were serially diluted, and 0.1 ml of each dilution was plated on Campy-Line agar and incubated at 42 C for 48 hr in a microaerophilic environment for enumeration of Campylobacter. Campylobacter was isolated from 57 of the 59 pooled semen samples, and levels ranged from below the limit of detection (,10 1 ) to 1.6 310 6 cfu/ml of semen. In the second study, the reproductive tracts of 11 hens and 17 toms were aseptically excised, and the segments (female: vagina, shell gland, isthmus, magnum, and infundibulum; male: ductus deferens and testes) were swabbed with a dry cotton sterile swab. The swabs were incubated for 24 hr in Campylobacter enrichment broth, and 0.1 ml of the enriched sample solution was streaked onto Campy-Line agar plates and incubated at 42 C for 48 hr in a microaerophilic environment. Of the 11 hens sampled, Campylobacter was isolated from the vagina (10/11), the shell gland (7/11), the isthmus (8/11), the magnum (6/11), and the infundibulum (4/11). Of the 17 toms sampled, Campylobacter was isolated from the ductus deferens (8/17) and the testes (2/17). Campylobacter is present in the reproductive tracts and semen of commercial turkeys and may lead to vertical transmission of Campylobacter from the hen to the chick.
Long-Term Sediment Generation Rates for the Upper Río Chagres Basin

In situ-produced cosmogenic 10Be was measured in 17 sediment samples to estimate the rate and distribution of sediment generation in the upper Rio Chagres basin over the last 10 to 20 kyr. Results indicate that the upper Rio Chagres basin is generating sediment uniformly. Nuclide activities suggest basin-wide sediment generation rates of 143 and 354 tons/km/yr (avg. = 234 ± 74 tons/km/yr; n = 7) for small tributary basins and 248 to 281 tons/km/yr (avg. = 267 ± 97 tons/km/yr; n = 3) for large tributary basins. The weighted average of all tributaries is 269 ± 63 tons/km/yr; n = 10). A sample collected upstream of Lago Alhajuela suggests that the entire basin is exporting sediment at a rate of 275 ± 62 tons/km/yr. These cosmogenic nuclide measurements all suggest that the upper Rio Chagres basin (when considered on scales 350 km2) is generating sediment at ∼270 tons/km/yr. This long-term (1 −20 kyr) sediment generation rate that is equivalent to the estimate derived from suspended sediment yield measured below the upper Rio Chagres- Rio Chico confluence from 1981–96 (289 tons tons/km/yr). Such similarity implies that decadal and millennial sediment yields are similar. Thus, short-term sediment yields and long-term sediment generations are in balance, implying steady landscape behavior over time. The background sediment yield suggests that it would take ∼3,600 years to completely fill Lago Alhajuela, the reservoir for the Panama Canal. Taking into account the present day 2- to 3- fold increase in sediment yields for adjacent human-impacted Rio Boqueron and Rio Pequeni basins, the filling time is reduced to ∼2,000 years. However, it would only take between 250 to 600 years to reduce the reservoir capacity (69% of maximum) enough to drain the entire reservoir for precipitation conditions similar to the 1982 El Nino event. Such models highlight the importance of proper watershed management in order to reduce the sedimentation of Lago Alhajuela.
Electrophoretic patterns of human leukocyte alkaline phosphatase in polycythemia vera.

Electrophoretic patterns of leukocyte alkaline phosphatase have been examined in seven normal and four erythrocytosis control subjects and in eight patients with polycythemia vera to determine whether changes occurred after chemotherapy. One major fast band and two narrow slow and intermediate bands of enzyme activity were found in both groups. There was no significant difference between the normal and erythrocytosis subjects. Mean values for the control group revealed that the slow band extended from the origin to 0.5 cm, the intermediate band from 0.5 to 1.0 cm, and the fast band from 1.5 to 5.0 cm, with the fast peak apex located 3.4 cm from the origin. In the eight polycythemia vera patients studied both before and after chemotherapy, there was a consistent and significant shift of the fast band from a location extending from 0.9 to 4.2 cm to a near normal position of 1.4 to 4.8 cm with a shift of the fast peak apex from 1.9 to 3.3 cm from the origin, after a remission was obtained. The slow and intermediate bands did not appear to be influenced by therapy.
Cutaneous involvement of disseminated adenovirus infection in an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient

Infection by human adenoviruses can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts, such as allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients, with limited effective treatment options. Specific cutaneous manifestations of disseminated adenovirus infection are not well described. We report a woman in her twenties who received an allogeneic T-cell-depleted peripheral blood SCT for the treatment of severe aplastic anaemia and, 5 months post-transplant, was hospitalized for severe systemic adenovirus infection with progressive involvement of the colon, liver and lungs. Despite therapy with intravenous cidofovir, oral brincidofovir and intravenous immunoglobulin, she had progression of adenoviraemia and dissemination of adenoviral disease. The patient developed a progressive rash characterized by keratotic papules that began on the palms and soles and spread to the entire body. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies of individual skin lesions from the palm and abdomen showed focal acantholytic dyskeratosis and keratinocytes with hyperchromatic nuclei. Several keratinocyte nuclei were immunoreactive for adenovirus. The patient was further treated with ribavirin and adenovirus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes but experienced multisystem progression of adenovirus infection culminating in death.
Large-Cell Lymphoma Arising in the Mediastinum in Children and Adolescents Is Associated With an Excellent Outcome: A Children’s Cancer Group Report

PURPOSE: Large-cell lymphoma (LCL) arising in the mediastinum (LCL-M) is a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that includes B-cell lymphomas as well as T-cell lymphomas, including anaplastic LCL. LCL-M is well recognized in young adults but is less well characterized and infrequent in children and adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective review of Children’s Cancer Group therapeutic studies for nonlymphoblastic lymphomas (CCG-551, CCG-503, CCG-552, and CCG-5911) identified 20 patients with LCL-M, representing 7.2% of all LCLs classified by central pathology review. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 4 to 19 years (median, 12.5 years; mean, 12 years); 55% of the patients were male. Although a variety of chemotherapy regimens were used, response was excellent, with all 20 patients (100%) achieving a complete response. Four patients (20%) experienced relapse locally or in distant sites including brain and kidney. One patient died of sepsis during therapy. For the 20 patients with LCL-M, t...
Mebrofenin clearance rate for liver function testing: standardization of methodology aimed to improve intraobserver reproducibility.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess which region of interest results in the best intraobserver reproducibility of mebrofenin clearance rate (MCR) processing. METHODS Mebrofenin clearance rate was calculated according to Ekman's formalism. Processing methods included smaller left ventricular (LV) versus larger regions, nearly the whole heart (WH), which were applied to either anterior (ANT) or geometric mean (GEO) data. Each variation was processed twice by an expert operator, and Pearson linear correlation (r) was used to test for reproducibility. RESULTS Studies from 50 patients (16 women) were available for processing. Mean (SD) for age, model for end-stage liver disease, and Child scores were 54 (10) years (range, 23-70 y), 13.1 (4.9) (range, 6-30), and 7.8 (2.1) (range, 5-14), respectively. The linear correlation equations (r, significance) between the 2 processing takes were y=0.34x+4.3 (r=0.5442, P<0.0001) for MCR-LV-ANT, y=0.94x+0.33 (r=0.9464, P<0.0001) for MCR-LV-GEO, y=0.87x+0.50 (r=0.9760, P<0.0001) for MCR-WH-ANT, and y=0.92x+0.24 (r=0.9898, P<0.0001) for MCR-WH-GEO. The MCR-WH-GEO method had statistically better reproducibility when compared with the other methods. CONCLUSIONS The highest reproducibility was found with the technique that used geometric mean data and the larger blood pool region of interest. Further work should address training approaches that foster optimal interoperator reproducibility, which could allow for wider implementation of this liver function parameter.
The amino-terminus and membrane-spanning domains of LMP-1 inhibit cell proliferation.

The LMP-1 oncoprotein of EBV is required to maintain proliferation of infected B-cells and shares several features with CD40, TNF-R1, and related receptors. Members of this family can bind TRAF and TRADD molecules and activate NF-κB and AP-1, as can LMP-1. While CD40 and TNF-R1 are dependent on binding their ligands for their signaling, LMP-1 apparently is not. We have found that LMP-1 can act as a governor of cell proliferation and thereby limit its own activities. Its inhibition of proliferation is not mediated by apoptosis but results in cytostasis in four cell lines tested. The structural moiety of LMP-1 that distinguishes it from CD40 and TNF-R1, its amino-terminus and multiple membrane spanning segments, alone can mediate its cytostatic activity.
Estimation of Wind Turbine Blade Operational Loading and Deflection with Inertial Measurements

In an effort to improve the reliability and decrease the cost of wind energy, an approach is presented that monitors the static and dynamic loading to wind turbine rotor blades with the goal of reducing maintenance costs and providing the input to future active control smart turbine blades. A set of uniaxial and triaxial DC accelerometers were successfully installed within a 9m CX-100 turbine blade fabricated by TPI composites. Sensors were located in regions that maximized spatial observability based on previous modal tests. DC accelerometers were used in the blade to monitor both constant acceleration and dynamic acceleration. The rotation of the blade at each sensor location was determined by the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration, which leaked into the flap acceleration measurement as the blade was deformed. The estimates of the blade rotation at sensor locations were used to estimate blade tip deflection for the case when a priori tip deflection and rotation data was available and for the case when data was not available. The case when data was available a priori produced the smallest error in estimation, but the non-data-fitted blade deflection method showed the blade deflection along the entire span. For both methods the 6.5m sensor was the best single sensor estimator and the 2m and 8m sensor combination was the best double sensor estimator. The precision of the continuous blade deflection estimate improved as the deflected shape approached the first bending mode. Dynamic loading to the blade was estimated with modal filtering by which the contribution of each mode was determined. In the application of these methods, modal filtering could be used to determine the fatigue accumulation due to each mode of vibration and as an input to an active control turbine blade. At the time of writing this paper, the smart turbine blade at USDA in Bushland, TX was about to be operated but no data was available to apply the methods discussed in this paper.
Curative effect of large-dose ACTH on EV71 infection combined with adrenal dysfunction in critically ill children with hand-foot-mouth disease

Objective: To explore the clinical curative effect of large-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone( ACTH) on EV71 infection combined with adrenal dysfunction in critically ill children with hand-foot-mouth disease. Methods: One hundred critically ill children with hand-foot-mouth disease,EV71 infection combined with adrenal dysfunction who were treated in the hospital from October 2010to October 2011 were selected as study objects,and then they were randomly divided into control group and observation group,50 children in each group. The children in control group were treated with routine therapy,such as antiviral therapy,reducing intracranial pressure,diminishing inflammation with hormone,abatement of fever,and supporting treatment; while the children in observation group were treated with intravenous injection of large-dose ACTH( 250 μg /1. 7 m2) based on the routine therapy used in control group. The curative effects in the two groups were evaluated,and the indexes of renal function in the two groups were compared. Results: The total effective rates in observation group and control group were 98. 0% and 72. 0%,respectively,there was statistically significant difference between the two groups( χ2= 13. 254,P = 0. 031); the increasing value of cortisol( △max) in control group and observation group were( 3. 8 ± 2. 1) μg / dL and( 7. 1 ±1. 8) μg/dL,respectively,there was statistically significant difference between the two groups( t =10. 184,P =0. 008). Conclusion: Large-dose ACTH can significantly improve the curative effect of critically ill children with hand-foot-mouth disease,EV71 infection combined with adrenal dysfunction,improve adrenal function,increase blood cortisol concentration,and relieve renal tissue damage or dysfunction,which has important value in clinical application.
Treatment of impetigo: oral antibiotics most commonly prescribed.

Background Impetigo is a highly contagious, superficial skin disease that is frequently seen in children. While data support the use of topical antibiotics for treatment, the medications actually prescribed in practice are not well documented. Objectives To determine the prescribing pattern of dermatologists and nondermatologists when treating impetigo and the demographics of the patients treated. Methods National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data on office visits for impetigo were analyzed from 1997 to 2007. Patient demographics and the treatments for impetigo were recorded. Results During this 10-year period, dermatologists managed an estimated 274,815 impetigo visits and nondermatologists an estimated 3,722,462 visits. Both dermatologists and nondermatologists most frequently prescribed oral antibiotics to treat impetigo. Topical antibiotics were second most common, and a variety of combination treatments were used. Conclusions Oral antibiotics are the most common class of medications used to treat impetigo. There is an opportunity for physicians to take advantage of the equally efficacious topical antibiotics for treating impetigo. A shift towards topical antibiotics would likely decrease morbidity (resulting from adverse effects) associated with use of oral agents.
Topological object types for morphodynamic modeling languages

We survey useful ingredients for a new class of mathematical process-modeling languages aimed at spatial and developmental biology. Existing modeling languages for computational systems biology do not fully address the problems of spatial modeling that arise in morphodynamics (the local dynamics of form) and its applications to biological development. We seek to extend the operator algebra semantics approach from our previous “Dynamical Grammars” modeling language, whose most spatial object type is the labelled graph, to encompass more flexible topological objects. Taking clues from current developments in 3D meshing and from topological modeling for biology, illustrated by a plant tissue example, we seek language support for the approximation of low-dimensional CW complexes (which are nontrivial topological spaces, with cardinality of the continuum) and dynamic fields thereon, by finite labelled abstract complexes. Some of the proposed types would be computationally demanding, without further restriction. Restrictions and control of these approximations can be specified by use of “metricated” types. Minimally, such approximations should permit the accurate simulation of spatial diffusion processes.
Cobalt-Catalyzed and Lewis Acid-Assisted Nitrile Hydrogenation to Primary Amines: A Combined Effort

The selective hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines using a bench-stable cobalt precatalyst under 4 atm of H2 is reported herein. The catalyst precursor was reduced in situ using NaHBEt3, and the resulting Lewis acid formed, BEt3, was found to be integral to the observed catalysis. Mechanistic insights gleaned from para-hydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) transfer NMR studies revealed that the pairwise hydrogenation of nitriles proceeded through a Co(I/III) redox process.
Hilbert-style Proofs

We present hierarchical, Hilbert-style proofs (see Historical note 6.1) as an alternative to the equational proof system E of Chap. 3. The Hilbert style of proof is used often in teaching geometry in high school. To illustrate a propositional logic in the Hilbert style, we give a natural deduction logic, ND. Using this logic, we formalize informal proof methods used in mathematics and discuss various proof styles and their advantages.
A new method for assaying antimicrobials in the prostate

In this study we collected prostatectomy specimens from 20 men receiving selected preoperative antimicrobials: oral carbenicillin, norfloxacin, or ciprofloxacin. The prostatectomy specimens were then individually separated into stroma and epithelium. The intraprostatic differential concentrations were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The ratio of stromal to epithelial concentrations of the antimicrobials were calculated for carbenicillin (0.95), norfloxacin (1.28), and ciprofloxacin (1.1). The quinolones tended to have higher stromal concentrations (although this was not statistically significant). Carbenicillin was found in levels three times its MIC90 forEscherichia coli while the quinolones were detected in concentrations which greatly exceeded theirE. coli MIC90s.