cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The prevalence, anatomic distribution, and diagnosis of colonic causes of chronic diarrhea.

Abstract Background: The prevalence of chronic diarrhea from a colonic disease and the optimal method of its diagnosis have not been ascertained. Methods: Eight hundred nine patients with chronic non-bloody diarrhea unassociated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection underwent colonoscopy with biopsy specimen taken from throughout the colon and, if reached, the terminal ileum. The prevalence and anatomic distribution of ileocolonic histopathology and whether flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy represents the safest and most cost-effective test for diagnosis were determined. Results: 122 of 809 patients (15%) had colonic histopathology (microscopic colitis in 80 patients, Crohn's disease in 23, melanosis coli in 8, ulcerative colitis in 5, other forms of colitis in 5, and nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in 1). A correct assessment of colonic histology (normal or abnormal) could have been made from biopsies of the distal colon in 99.7% of patients. Conclusion: In a referral setting, colonic histopathology occurs in 15% of patients with chronic diarrhea without HIV infection. According to this prevalence and the nearly universal diffuse anatomic distribution of colonic disease in these patients, a diagnostic investigation for chronic colonic diarrhea using a 60 cm flexible sigmoidoscope is highly efficient and cost-effective. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;51:318-26.)
Transition readiness skills acquisition in adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease: findings from integrating assessment into clinical practice.

BACKGROUND Almost 80% of adult gastroenterologists report inadequacies in the preparation of patients transferred from pediatrics. To improve transition to adult care, it is important to identify the specific deficits that patients are demonstrating before transfer. We present data from a clinic-wide assessment of transition readiness skill acquisition in adolescents/young adults with IBD. METHODS A total of 195 patients (age, 16-25 yr) with IBD completed the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire. Patient age, diagnosis, time since diagnosis, physician global assessment, and patient and parent disease management confidence ratings were extracted from the medical record. Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire scores were compared with a benchmark established by an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional Transition Task Force. RESULTS Only 5.6% of older adolescents/young adults on the verge of transfer to adult care met our institutional benchmark (3.5% of adolescents, 7.3% of young adults). Patients reported mastery of 9.10 ± 4.68 out of 20 Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire items. Transition readiness was associated with older age (r = 0.27, P < 0.001) and female gender (F(1,192) = 13.81, P < 0.001) but not time since diagnosis, physician global assessment, or confidence ratings. Deficits in health care utilization/self-advocacy (e.g., understanding insurance, scheduling appointments/following up on referrals), and self-management (e.g., filling/reordering prescriptions) were observed. CONCLUSIONS Most patients on the verge of transferring to adult care are not demonstrating transition readiness. Deficits observed represent modifiable behaviors. Using data-driven assessments to guide interventions to enhance transition readiness may minimize the retention of young adult patients in pediatrics and result in patients who are better prepared for adult care.
OEIS complex (omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects): a review of 14 cases.

OEIS complex refers to a combination of defects consisting of omphalocele, exstrophy of the cloaca, imperforate anus, and spinal defects. Possible embryologic mechanisms proposed for these findings have included: a single defect of early blastogenesis or a defect of mesodermal migration during the primitive streak period. Fourteen cases with OEIS complex and related malformations were reviewed for demographic features, prenatal and family histories, and clinical, radiological and pathological findings including the frequency and types of associated anomalies. The pathogenetic mechanisms causing OEIS complex and related malformations, such as anorectal and spinal defects, are discussed. The findings in these cases illustrate the spectrum of defects that can occur in the embryologic development of the cloaca and the urorectal septum. Differences in the timing and extent of mesenchymal ingrowth as well as cloacal membrane rupture may account for these variable findings. A developmental field defect involving the intraembryonic mesoderm suggests a possible etiologic role for homeobox genes, such as HLXB9 with mutations, resulting in anorectal and spine abnormalities, or retinoic acid receptors. OEIS complex with its mostly sporadic occurrence suggests etiologic heterogeneity with a possible role for environmental and genetic causes.
Outlook for Development of High-throughput Cryopreservation for Small-bodied Biomedical Model Fishes

With the development of genomic research technologies, comparative genome studies among vertebrate species are becoming commonplace for human biomedical research. Fish offer unlimited versatility for biomedical research. Extensive studies are done using these fish models, yielding tens of thousands of specific strains and lines, and the number is increasing every day. Thus, high-throughput sperm cryopreservation is urgently needed to preserve these genetic resources. Although high-throughput processing has been widely applied for sperm cryopreservation in livestock for decades, application in biomedical model fishes is still in the concept-development stage because of the limited sample volumes and the biological characteristics of fish sperm. High-throughput processing in livestock was developed based on advances made in the laboratory and was scaled up for increased processing speed, capability for mass production, and uniformity and quality assurance. Cryopreserved germplasm combined with high-throughput processing constitutes an independent industry encompassing animal breeding, preservation of genetic diversity, and medical research. Currently, there is no specifically engineered system available for high-throughput of cryopreserved germplasm for aquatic species. This review is to discuss the concepts and needs for high-throughput technology for model fishes, propose approaches for technical development, and overview future directions of this approach.
Downregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by the Bordetella bronchiseptica Type III secretion system leads to attenuated nonclassical macrophage activation.

Bordetella bronchiseptica utilizes a type III secretion system (TTSS) to establish a persistent infection of the murine respiratory tract. Previous studies have shown that the Bordetella TTSS mediated cytotoxicity in different cell types, inhibition of NF-κB in epithelial cells, and differentiation of dendritic cells into a semimature state. Here we demonstrate modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and altered cytokine production in macrophages and dendritic cells by the Bordetella TTSS. In macrophages, the MAPKs ERK and p38 were downregulated. This resulted in attenuated production of interleukin- (IL-)6 and IL-10. In contrast, the Th-1-polarizing cytokine IL-12 was produced at very low levels and remained unmodulated by the Bordetella TTSS. In dendritic cells, ERK was transiently activated, but this failed to alter cytokine profiles. These results suggest that the Bordetella TTSS modulates antigen-presenting cells in a cell type-specific manner and the secretion of high levels of IL-6 and IL-10 by macrophages might be important for pathogen clearance.
Perturbations of Gravitational Instantons

Ashtekar's spinorial formulation of general relativity is used to study perturbations of gravitational instantons corresponding to finite-action solutions of the Euclidean Einstein equations (with a nonzero cosmological constant) possessing an anti-self-dual Weyl curvature tensor. It is shown that, with an appropriate "on-shell" form of infinitesimal gauge transformations, the space of solutions to the linearized instanton equation can be described in terms of an elliptic complex; the cohomology of the complex defines gauge-inequivalent perturbations. Using this elliptic complex we prove that there are no nontrivial solutions to the linearized instanton equation on conformally anti-self-dual Einstein spaces with a positive cosmological constant. Thus, the space of gravitational instantons is discrete when the cosmological constant is positive; i.e., the dimension of the gravitational moduli space in this case is zero. We discuss the issue of linearization stability as well as the feasibility of using the Atiyah-Singer index theorem to compute the dimension of the gravitational moduli space when the cosmological constant is negative.
Calcichrome: a re-examination of its structure and chemical properties by solid- and liquid-state NMR, infrared spectroscopy, and selective chemical degradation

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopies were used to unravel the controversies regarding the structures of calcichrome and calcion. Together with the identification of the products from selective chemical cleavage reactions, these data indicate that structures of both compounds are equivalent with a molecular formula of C 20 H 14 N 2 O 15 S 4 ·3H 2 O (2,8,8′-trihydroxy-1,1′-azonaphthelene-3,6,3′,6′-tetrasulfonic acid). The compound has two titratable phenolic protons in aqueous solution with p K a values of 7.19 ± 0.05 and 11.63 ± 0.05 at 25 ° C. As a ligand, the compound forms a colored complex with calcium(II) at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio (pH 12.3) with a formation constant of 8.0 × 10 3 at 25 ° C. The free form of the ligand at pH 12.3 has a molar maximum molar absorptivity of 1.44 × 10 4 l mol −1 cm −1 at 599 nm, whereas the complexed form has a maximum molar absorptivity of 1.37 × 10 4 l mol − cm −1 at 522 nm.
Electrical and optical properties of defects and impurities in ZnO

Abstract Advancements in ZnO device applications have fostered much interest in the electrical and optical activities of various defects and impurities in the material. Although it has long been known that Group III dopants, such as Al, make efficient donors, the roles of other impurities, such as H and N, are only recently being elucidated. The same is true of the simplest point defects, such as Zn and O vacancies and interstitials. Theoretical work has been essential in identifying and understanding various defects and impurities. For example, theory has shown that H is always a donor (not amphoteric), that the O vacancy is a deep donor, not shallow, and that the Zn interstitial is a shallow donor, in agreement with electron-irradiation (EI) experiments. Recent irradiation studies show that significant defect annihilations take place, even at low temperatures, thus showing why ZnO is so resistant to radiation effects. To develop applications involving electroluminescence, it will be necessary to identify a reliable acceptor dopant, and N, P, and As have been most thoroughly investigated so far. In fact, p-type samples with resistivities
Myelopathie cervicale par ossification du ligament transverse de l’atlas : à propos d’un cas opéré chez un sujet de race blanche et analyse de la littérature☆

Summary One case of cervical myelopathy associated to ossification of transverse atlantal ligament (OTAL) and C1 posterior arch hypoplasia in a Caucasian adult female is reported. A 53-years-old female affected by cervical myelopathy was treated with C1 laminectomy and posterior arthrodesis. CT scan demonstrated that the distance between ossification of the ligament and anterior cortex of the posterior arch of atlas was 6.2 mm leading to consistent space reduction for spinal cord at this level. Patient underwent spinal cord decompression and fixation with C1 poliaxial screws in lateral masses and two bilateral crossing C2 laminar screws with an improvement of neurological functions at 4 years follow-up. The association between OTAL and C1 hypoplasia was reported in very few cases. The treatment with C1 laminectomy without fusion is reported in medical literature with good clinical outcome. Our patient obtained a neurological improvement at midterm follow-up with spinal cord decompression and fusion.
The Consequences of Prudent Affluence

M Y REMARKS are addressed mainly to the community of teachers of modern foreign languages in American schools and higher learning institutions. Evidence that this community has reached an unprecedented level of affluence assaults us constantly. This very meeting in this opulent new hotel, with a record high of more than 3,000 registered participants, is both a manifestation and a symbol of professional affluence. By contrast the first Northeast Conference in 1954 met
Physiological profiles of high school female cross country runners.

Abstract Percent body fat, ratings of perceived exertion and maximal oxygen consumption during a continuous running treadmill test were obtained on 127 high school female cross country runners. These young runners (x 15.6 yrs) were running approximately 25 miles per week at the time of testing. They had an average [Vdot]O2 max of 50.8 ml · min-1 and an HR max of 198.0 bpm. The mean percent body fat, as determined from hydrostatic weighing, was 15.4%. The onset of metabolic acidosis was estimated to occur at 78% of [Vdot]O2 max. A stepwise multiple regression with the 3000 meter run as the dependent variable indicated that max treadmill run time, weight relative [Vdot]O2 max and [Vdot] max entered the equation in that order, yielding an R of 0.67. Both HR and RPE increased with work intensity, but not at equal rates. These high school female runners had higher [Vdot]O2 max's than previously reported for this age group; however, they were considerably below these values reported for national caliber distanc...
Pretreatment prognostic factors in carcinoma of the uterine cervix: A multivariable analysis of the effect of age, stage, histology and blood counts on survival

Abstract From January, 1953 through December, 1977, 910 previously untreated patients with invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix (Stages IB-IVB) were seen at Yale-New Haven Medical Center and affiliated hospitals. An extensive retrospective analysis was undertaken in an attempt to identify prognostically significant pretreatment factors. The patients studied were uniformly staged according to the current FIGO recommendations and the majority of patients had been treated under standardized protocols combining external beam radiation therapy and intracavitary radium. Pretreatment parameters, including prior medical illnesses, gross tumor characteristics, histology, and blood parameters were studied, employing stepwise Cox regression analyses to identify the possible effects of all factors and all two-way interactions among factors on survival, disease-free survival and freedom from local-regional failure, controlling for stage of disease. FIGO stage, patient age at diagnosis, pretreatment neutrophil count and hematocrit, uterine position, prior subtotal hysterectomy, histology, history of diabetes mellitus and number of pregnancies were all found to have prognostic significance. When other factors including stage of disease were controlled for, increased tumor size was associated with decreased disease-free survival and local-regional control rates.
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) R2R3-MYB transcription factors SNP identification, phylogenomic characterization, chromosome localization, and linkage mapping

R2R3-MYB transcription factors of plants are involved in the regulation of trichome length and density. Several of them are differentially expressed during initiation and elongation of cotton fibers. We report sequence phylogenomic characterization of the six MYB genes, their chromosomal localization, and linkage mapping via SNP marker in AD-genome cotton (2n = 52). Phylogenetic grouping and comparison to At- and Dt-genome putative ancestral diploid species of allotetraploid cotton facilitated differentiation between genome-specific polymorphisms (GSPs) and marker-suitable locus-specific polymorphisms (LSPs). The SNP frequency averaged one per 77 bases overall, and one per 106 and 30 bases in coding and non-coding regions, respectively. SNP-based multivariate relationships conformed to independent evolution of the six MYB homoeologous loci in the four tetraploid species. Nucleotide diversity analysis indicated that the six MYB loci evolved more quickly in the Dt- than At-genome. The greater variation in the Dt-D genome comparisons than that in At-A genome comparisons showed no significant bias among synonymous substitution, non-synonymous substitution, and nucleotide change in non-coding regions. SNPs were concordantly mapped by deletion analysis and linkage mapping, which confirmed their value as candidate gene markers and indicated the reliability of the SNP discovery strategy in tetraploid cotton species. We consider that these SNPs may be useful for genetic dissection of economically important fiber and yield traits because of the role of these genes in fiber development.
Intense low energy positron beams

Intense positron beams are under development or being considered at several laboratories. Already today a few accelerator based high intensity, low brightness e+ beams exist producing of the order of 108–109 e+/s. Several laboratories are aiming at high intensity, high brightness e+ beams with intensities greater than 109 e+/s and current densities of the order of 1013–1014 e+ s−1 cm−2. Intense e+ beams can be realized in two ways (or in a combination thereof) either through a development of more efficient Β+ moderators or by increasing the available activity of Β+ particles. In this review we shall mainly concentrate on the latter approach. In atomic physics the main trust for these developments is to be able to measure differential and high energy cross-sections in e+ collisions with atoms and molecules. Within solid state physics high intensity, high brightness e+ beams are in demand in areas such as the re-emission e+ microscope, two-dimensional angular correlation of annihilation radiation, low energy e+ diffraction and other fields. Intense e+ beams are also important for the development of positronium beams, as well as exotic experiments such as Bose condensation and Ps liquid studies.
THEORETICAL STUDIES ON THE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF THE CIS-TO-TRANS CONVERSION IN DINUCLEAR GOLD HALIDE BIS(DIPHENYLPHOSPHINO)ETHYLENE COMPLEXES

Ab initio calculations were carried out on cis- and trans-(diphosphino)ethylene digold halide, Au2X2C2H2(PH2)2 (X = Cl, Br, I), the model compounds for dinuclear gold(I) bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene complexes, Au2X2(dppee). The calculations reveal aurophilic interactions in the cis compound, thus stabilizing the cis complex with respect to the trans species. The aurophilic interaction, caused by an interplay between relativistic and electron correlation effects, increases with increasing softness of the ligand attached to gold. Excited-state calculations show ethylene π* contributions only for the cis compound, but not for the trans compound, thus explaining why the trans complex does not isomerize to the cis compound upon UV radiation at wavelengths greater than 220 nm. The singlet excitation can be best described as a charge-transfer transition from the halogen lone pair to the Au (5d6s6p) orbitals with strong intermixing from phosphorus (sp) orbitals. Because of symmetry reasons, these orbitals mix w...
Aspects of dissipation for compressible fluids and kinetic theory

There are several types of dissipationthe viscosity and heat conductivity, the nonlinearity and the coupling of distinct characteristicsthat can occur in the system of conservation laws. In additio...
STABILITY OF GRAPHITE SUSPENSIONS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN AMPHIPHILIC COMB-LIKE POLYMER

ABSTRACT The effect of an amphiphilic comb-like polymer on the stability of aqueous graphite suspensions was determined. Suspensions of graphite were better dispersed as the concentration of the comb-like polymer was increased. Furthermore, the stability at higher pH values was greater than that at lower values. The electrophoretic mobility of graphite was measured with and without the polymer to determine the mechanism of colloidal stabilization. A combination of steric and electrostatic forces is proposed to be the cause for the observed behavior.
A heuristic approach to attribute partitioning

One technique that is sometimes employed to enhance the performance of a database management system is known as attribute partitioning. This is the process of dividing the attributes of a file into separately stored subfiles. By storing together those attributes that are frequently requested together by transactions, and by separating those that are not, attribute partitioning can reduce the number of pages that are transferred from secondary storage to primary memory in the processing of a transaction.The goal of this work is to design mechanisms that can automatically select a near-optimal attribute partition of a file's attributes, based on the usage pattern of the file and on the characteristics of the data in the file. The approach taken to this problem is based on the use of an accurate partition evaluator and of a heuristic that guides a search through the large space of possible partitions. The heuristics propose a small set of promising partitions to submit for detailed analysis. The evaluator assigns a figure of merit to any proposed partition that reflects the cost that would be incurred in processing the transactions in the usage pattern if the file were partitioned in the proposed way.We have implemented an evaluator for a particular model database system and have developed a heuristic search technique. A series of experiments has demonstrated the accuracy and efficiency of this heuristic.
Dynamic Effects in Hopkinson Bar Four-Point Bend Fracture

Hopkinson bar techniques have played an important role in the study of high-rate deformation and fracture behavior of materials. In the current work, a split Hopkinson pressure bar was developed for dynamic four-point bend fracture testing, referred to as a “two-bar (incident and transmitted bars)/four-point” (2-bar/4-pt) bend test. To further understand some fundamental issues regarding stress wave propagation in this 2-bar/4-pt bend testing system, dynamic fracture tests were performed in pulse-shaped and unshaped pulse testing conditions. The effect of the pulse shaper on the incident pulse characteristics (rise time and duration), specimen’s dynamic response (load and loading point displacement), crack initiation time and stress-state equilibrium were investigated experimentally in the current work. The present results show that stress state equilibrium can be achieved prior to fracture initiation in notched and precracked specimens. In the pulse-shaped bending test, the specimen is more likely to attain stress-state equilibrium than in an unshaped incident pulse test. The crack initiation time was extended and the time required for attaining stress equilibrium was reduced by pulse shaping due to the tailored incident pulse having a longer rise time, which ensures that stress equilibrium is achieved prior to crack initiation.
Estimating the water budget of major US river basins via remote sensing

Nine satellite-based products, each of which provides information about land surface water budget terms, are used to estimate seasonal and annual variations in the water budget of the major river basins of the conterminous USA from 2003 to 2006. The remotely sensed terms are compared with gridded gauge precipitation, and estimates of evapotranspiration (E) and total water storage (TWS) derived from the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) macroscale hydrology model. Among the remote sensing estimates, precipitation has the largest uncertainties. In general, apparent errors for E and TWS show substantial spatial variations, but the consistencies among these remote sensing products are greater than among precipitation products, possibly due in part to similarities in methodology, especially for TWS. Inferred run-off (as a residual of remote sensing estimates of precipitation, E, and TWS) is generally overestimated, due both to excessive precipitation and underestimation of combined E and terrestrial water storage change (TWSC) from remote sensing.
Mediating mechanisms of a military web-based alcohol intervention.

This study explored the mediating mechanisms of two Web-based alcohol interventions in a sample of active duty United States military personnel. Personnel were recruited from eight bases and received the Drinker's Check-Up (N=1483), Alcohol Savvy (N=688), or served as controls (N=919). The interventions drew on motivational interviewing and social learning theory and targeted multiple mediators including social norms, perceived risks and benefits, readiness to change, and coping strategies. Baseline data were collected prior to the intervention and follow-up data on alcohol consumption were gathered 1 month and 6 months after program completion. Two mediation models were examined: (1) a longitudinal two-wave model with outcomes and mediators assessed concurrently at the 1-month follow-up; and (2) a three-wave model in which the causal chain was fully lagged. Results indicated strong support for the role of perceived descriptive norms in transmitting the effects of the Drinker's Check-Up, with consistent mediation across the majority of alcohol outcome measures for both the concurrent and fully lagged mediation models. These results suggest that web-based interventions that are effective in lowering perceived norms about the frequency and quantity of drinking may be a viable strategy for reducing alcohol consumption in military populations. The results did not support program mediation by the other targeted variables, indicating the need for future research on the effective components of alcohol interventions. The mediation models also suggest reasons why program effects were not found for some outcomes or were different across programs.
Colonoscopy in octogenarians and older patients.

Introduction: Colonoscopy in the elderly has been considered by many to be risky because of mechanical bowel preparation and dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, conscious sedation, and hypoxic complications. We hypothesized that colonoscopy in octogenarians and older patients is a safe procedure. Materials and methods: A retrospective review of 803 patients who underwent colonoscopy from January 1997 to October 1997 was performed. The patients were grouped by age: group A (17-49 years) had 166 patients (20%); group B (50-79 years) had 534 patients (67%); and group C (80 years and older) had 103 patients (13%). Results were considered significant at p value less than 0.05 unless otherwise noted. Results: Blood in the stool (84%) and history of colonic vascular disease (5.8%) were the most common indication in group C (84%). Colonoscopy was used in group A (18%) more often than in the other groups to rule out inflammatory bowel disease. History of colon polyps was a more common indication in group B (20%) than in the other groups. Group A had a significantly higher incidence of normal examinations (84%) and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (14%). Group B had a higher incidence of polyps than the other groups. Group C had the highest incidence of vascular disease (15%). Diverticular disease and carcinoma were more common in groups B (37%) and C (52%). The amount of sedation in the groups did not significantly differ. Completion of the colonoscopy to the cecum or anastomotic sites did not differ among the groups (p > 0.05), nor did complication rates among groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Colonoscopy is safe in octogenarians and older patients. Age does not, by itself, confer an increased risk to the procedure.
Action of intrahypothalamic 6-hydroxydopamine on motivated responding for food and water in the rat.

Abstract 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was micro-injected in minute quantities into the hypothalamus of the food- and water-deprived rat that had been trained to lever press for food pellets and water. During a 2-hr period subsequent to a micro-injection, the effect was examined of 0.2, 0.5, 2.0 or 4.0 μg of the drug on lever pressing responses (FR-10 schedule of reinforcement) that were motivated by food and water deprivation. Injected bilaterally, a low dose (0.5 μg) of 6-OHDA significantly disrupted the motivated responding in only one rat. However, after successive injections of 2.0 or 4.0 μg of 6-OHDA, the lever responses for both food and water were suppressed in a dose-dependent fashion in all animals. Similarly, the ad lib consumption of food and water during an additional two-hour period in the home cage was markedly reduced after the highest dose was injected. Directly after the injection was given, there was no significant increase in food or water intake. The possible mechanisms are discussed by which 6-OHDA impairs the rat's performance of an operant task motivated by hunger and thirst.
Photopatternable and Photoactive Hydrogel for On-demand Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide in Cell Culture

Oxidative stress, largely mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a nearly ubiquitous component in complex biological processes such as aging and disease. Optimal in vitro methods used in elucidating disease mechanisms would deliver of low levels of hydrogen peroxide, emulating the in vivo pathological state, but current methods are limited by kinetic stability or accurate measurement of the dose administered. Here we present an in vitro platform that exploits anthraquinone catalysts for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide. This system can be dynamically tuned to provide constant generation of hydrogen peroxide at a desired physiologic rate over at least 14 days and is described using a kinetic model. Material characterization and stability is discussed along with a proof-of-concept in vitro study that assessed the viability of cells as they were oxidatively challenged over 24 h at different ROS generation rates.
Quality control in PET systems employing 2-D modular detectors

The authors have developed and put into operation three automated quality control procedures for PET (positron emission tomography) with 2-D modular detectors that are designed to detect problems quickly with a minimum effort on the part of the user. These procedures check the following: (1) the stability of the system in terms of the efficiencies of the detectors in a module or block; (2) resolution and its uniformity throughout the field of view; and (3) the stability of the whole system in terms of the data reproducibility. The stability of the detector modules is checked in terms of the uniformity of detector efficiencies by conducting a chi-square type test on the count rates of each detector in a block. In order to check the resolution and its uniformity and also the placement of the data in the PET scans, a cylindrical lucite phantom was fabricated which has a set of axial holes placed at 2-cm intervals. A computer program has been developed to analyze the images produced by this phantom and determine deviations from the normal resolution and correct placement of the data. A third procedure examines the reproducibility of the system by scanning a cylinder filled with a solution of Ge-68 several times and comparing the count rates in a small region of interest. >
Estimation of the optimum loading of an antibiotic powder in an acrylic bone cement : Gentamicin sulfate in smartset HV

Background In some countries, commercially available antibiotic powder-loaded acrylic bone cement is routinely used in joint replacement, while, in others, “off-label” formulations are used in sele...
A Select Bibliography of American Bar Foundation Research

This bibliography of the American Bar Foundation's published research was compiled within definite limitations. The principal consideration was the provision of a historical record of the research product of the American Bar Foundation from its beginning. This select bibliography is neither a catalog of Foundation publications nor a holdings list of Foundation materials in the Cromwell Library. Not all publications listed are available. Detailed information on the research program of the American Bar Foundation can be found in its annual reports, its Research Reporters, and various other brochures.
Viscous Analysis of Three-Dimensional Turbomachinery Flows on Body Conforming Grids Using an Implicit Solver

A 3-D Navier-Stokes analysis for turbomachinery flows on C- or O-type grids is presented. The analysis is based on the Beam and Warming implicit algorithm for solution of the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations and is derived from an early version of the ARC3D flow code developed at NASA Ames Research Center. The Navier-Stokes equations are written in a Cartesian coordinate system rotating about the z-axis, and then mapped to a general body-fitted coordinate system. All viscous terms are calculated and the turbulence effects are modelled using the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model. The equations are discretized using finite differences on stacked body-conforming grids. Modifications made to convert ARC3D from external flow to internal turbomachinery flows and to improve solution accuracy are given in detail. The body-conforming grid construction procedure is also presented. Calculations for several rotor flows have been made, and results of code experimental verification studies are presented. Comparisons of the solutions obtained on the C- and O-type grids are also presented, with particular attention to shock resolution.Copyright © 1991 by ASME
Risk factors for piperacillin/tazobactam-resistant Gram-negative infection in hematology/oncology patients with febrile neutropenia

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a life-threatening complication of cancer therapy, and initial ineffective therapy is associated with poor outcomes. Piperacillin/tazobactam (PTZ) is a commonly used empiric antibiotic for the treatment of FN, but resistance among Gram-negative pathogens is well described. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to identify risk factors for PTZ-resistant (PTZ-R) Gram-negative isolates. Hematology/oncology patients with FN from November 2007 to November 2013 with a positive culture for Gram-negative bacilli were divided into two groups: PTZ-sensitive (PTZ-S) and PTZ-R. A multivariable model using logistic regression was constructed to identify risk factors for PTZ-R. A total of 171 patients were included (25 PTZ-R, 146 PTZ-S), yielding a 14.6 % resistance rate. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the PTZ-R group (29 vs 11 %, P = 0.024). Multivariable analysis yielded intensive care unit (ICU) status (odds ratio (OR) 20.18; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.03–397.35; P = 0.048), antibiotics for >14 days in the previous 90 days (OR 6.02; CI 1.17–30.93; P = 0.032), and respiratory source (OR 13.65; CI 1.14–163.57; P = 0.039) as significant risk factors for PTZ-R, and the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of the model was 0.894. Among PTZ-R isolates, 88 % were sensitive to meropenem and 100 % were sensitive to amikacin. Given the high mortality rates in the PTZ-R group, a risk-factor-guided approach driven by this multivariable model may help identify patients that could benefit from amikacin combination therapy to help optimize empiric therapy in this setting.
Enantiospecific Recognition of the Intrinsically Disordered C-Myc Oncoprotein by Small Molecules

The prevalence of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) in cell signaling and disease makes them attractive targets. Despite the absence of defined tertiary structure, small molecules can bind IDPs at sites determined by a short, linear segment of the protein's primary sequence. The oncoprotein c-Myc, a transcription factor that must undergo coupled folding and binding to its obligate partner Max in order to interact with DNA, is an attractive system for understanding specificity in small molecule binding to IDPs. Three independent small molecule binding sites exist in the bHLHZip region of c-Myc, the segment necessary for coupled folding and binding to Max. The chiral small molecule 10074-A4 recognizes one of these sites. A racemic mixture of 10074-A4 exhibits a circular dichroism signal upon binding to c-Myc indicating an enatioselective interaction of the molecule with the protein. We provide a model for this induced circular dichroism signal based on conformational selection in the binding enantiomer, and we synthesize the pure enantiomers and compare their binding. Derivatives of 10074-A4 were synthesized and these also display enatiospecific binding. Even though c-Myc is disordered, and remains so in the complex, it specifically recognizes both the chemical functionalities in the small molecule and their particular three dimensional arrangement.
Chronically elevated corticosterone in the amygdala increases corticotropin releasing factor mRNA in the dorsolateral bed nucleus of stria terminalis following duress

Elevated corticosterone in the amygdala leads to cautious avoidance behaviors on the elevated plus maze. The current study examined the effect of elevated corticosterone in the amygdala on corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) mRNA levels in the bed nuclei of stria terminalis (BNST). Exposure to the elevated plus maze increased CRF mRNA in both the dorsolateral and ventrolateral BNST. Corticosterone implants in the amygdala potentiated this effect in the dorsolateral, but not ventrolateral BNST. Corticosterone also resulted in an increased number of neurons expressing CRF in the dorsolateral BNST in response to the behavioral stimuli.
Nonlinear effects of group size on collective action and resource outcomes

For decades, scholars have been trying to determine whether small or large groups are more likely to cooperate for collective action and successfully manage common-pool resources. Using data gathered from the Wolong Nature Reserve since 1995, we examined the effects of group size (i.e., number of households monitoring a single forest parcel) on both collective action (forest monitoring) and resource outcomes (changes in forest cover) while controlling for potential confounding factors. Our results demonstrate that group size has nonlinear effects on both collective action and resource outcomes, with intermediate group size contributing the most monitoring effort and leading to the biggest forest cover gain. We also show how opposing effects of group size directly and indirectly affect collective action and resource outcomes, leading to the overall nonlinear relationship. Our findings suggest why previous studies have observed differing and even contradictory group-size effects, and thus help guide further research and governance of the commons. The findings also suggest that it should be possible to improve collective action and resource outcomes by altering factors that lead to the nonlinear group-size effect, including punishing free riding, enhancing overall and within-group enforcement, improving social capital across groups and among group members, and allowing self-selection during the group formation process so members with good social relationships can form groups autonomously.
Production and Properties of Spray-Dried Whole Milk Foam

Summary Droplets of concentrated whole milk foam have been dried in a standard spray dryer. This has been done by incorporating nitrogen gas into the concentrate at high pressure prior to atomization. The resultant powder has excellent dispersibility properties and can be produced at rates in excess of those obtained by conventional operation. The method of foam-spray drying employed and the physical properties of the resultant powders are given in detail.
Estimation of surface precipitation constants for sorption of divalent metals onto hydrous ferric oxide and calcite

Abstract Equilibrium constants for modeling surface precipitation of divalent metals, M2+, onto hydrous ferric oxide and calcite were estimated from linear correlations of standard state Gibbs free energy of formation, ΔGfo, of the surface precipitates. The experimental ΔGfo of the surface precipitates was derived from the surface precipitation model of Farley et al. [J. Colloid Interface Sci. 106 (1985) 226], which in turn was based on a surface complexation model coupled with solid solution representation for precipitation on the surface. The ΔGfo values are correlated through the relations Δ G f, M(OH) 2 ( s ) o −77.210 r M 2+ =1.03266 Δ G n, M 2+ o −305.368 and Δ G f, MCO 3 ( s ) o −83.991 r M 2+ =0.915 Δ G n, M 2+ o −343.331 where ‘s’ stands for the end-member component of the solid solution, ΔGfo is in kcal/mol, r represents the Shannon–Prewitt radius of M2+ in a given coordination state (A), and ΔGn, M2+o denotes the non-solvation contribution to the Gibbs free energy of formation of the aqueous M2+ ion. The coefficients in the correlations were regressed from the aforementioned experimental ΔGfo. The statistically significant correlations (R2=0.99) allow approximate estimation of free energies and, hence, equilibrium constants of the surface precipitation reactions for Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Sr2+, Sn2+, Ba2+, Eu2+, Ra2+, Pb2+, Hg2+, Cu2+, and UO22+.
Reports of visual fatigue resulting from use of a video display unit

Abstract Since the introduction of the Video Display Unit (VDU), investigations have been conducted to determine what variables, if any, produce visual fatigue when using a VDU. Human factors researchers have typically investigated relationships between VDU use and visual fatigue by having users subjectively evaluate the extent of their fatigue with a self-report questionnaire. This paper reviews four typical methods of gathering self-report visual fatigue symptoms that appear within the human factors literature.
Atomic enhancements in the detection of weakly interacting particles

Abstract Proposed holometric and supercolloidal detectors can measure energy depositions of the order of atomic energies. At these energies, atomic bound state effects lead to great enhancements in the detection of weakly interacting particles. As an example, we show that solar axions could give event rates 105–106 times larger than published neutrino detector design capabilities. Thus, relatively small detectors might see solar axions.
Asthenopia with Tuberculosis

This paper contains an analysis of 184 cases in tuberculous exsoldiers. It gives the relative frequency of the different symptoms with practical points bearing on the clinical management of these cases. Read before the Colorado Congress, July 30, 1921.
Imaging the permeability structure of a limestone aquifer by crosswell acoustic tomography

A narrow‐band pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) code was used to generate an acoustic pulse that approximates a single laser‐like frequency. Measurements of crosswell tomography under a Florida limestone aquifer were made using four different PRBS frequencies: 250, 1 000, 2 000, and 3 000 Hz. Velocity images created by different PRBS frequencies showed different velocity values in the permeable layers but no velocity difference in the impermeable layers. For selected source‐receiver pairs across these layers, crosswell experiments were conducted with more PRBS frequencies ranging from 200 to 5 000 Hz. Pulse propagation calculations using a layered elastic model indicate that the velocity‐frequency dispersion is not a result of geometrical dispersion. The original procedure to extract porosity, permeability, and shear strength from seismic velocity images has been extended to the more general case of mixed lithified and unlithified sediments. The velocity‐frequency dispersion data for the limestone layer...
The free-electron laser as a laboratory instrument

A free-electron laser (FEL) with a component cost, including the accelerator, of approximately $300k, has lased at a wavelength of 85 /spl mu/m with /spl ap/12 ps micropulse duration, achieving a power growth four orders of magnitude greater than the coherent spontaneous emission, and with a small-signal, single-pass gain of 21%. The price is about an order of magnitude less than other FELs for the far infrared, and transforms the device from the role of a national facility to that of a laboratory instrument. Cost reduction was achieved by employing several novel features: a microwave cavity gun for the accelerator, a staggered-array wiggler, and an on-axis hole in the upstream cavity mirror for electron ingress and radiation egress. >
Electromagnetic modeling in hyperthermia: current status and future directions

The ability to simulate hyperthermic treatments is recognized as an essential tool for understanding and improving hyperthermia therapy. Models have evolved from simple analytic solutions on idealized geometries to complex two- and three-dimensional numerical calculations on realistic CT-based anatomies. A discussion is presented of the progress that has been made in calculating power deposition patterns produced inside the body by electromagnetic (EM) means. It is seen that while two-dimensional models have been informative and agree qualitatively with clinical observations, 3-D models of hyperthermia therapy are needed. >
A comparison of overlay routing and multihoming route control

The limitations of BGP routing in the Internet are often blamed for poor end-to-end performance and prolonged connectivity interruptions. Recent work advocates using overlays to effectively bypass BGP's path selection in order to improve performance and fault tolerance. In this paper, we explore the possibility that intelligent control of BGP routes, coupled with ISP multihoming, can provide competitive end-to-end performance and reliability. Using extensive measurements of paths between nodes in a large content distribution network, we compare the relative benefits of overlay routing and multihoming route control in terms of round-trip latency, TCP connection throughput, and path availability. We observe that the performance achieved by route control together with multihoming to three ISPs (3-multihoming), is within 5-15% of overlay routing employed in conjunction 3-multihoming, in terms of both end-to-end RTT and throughput. We also show that while multihoming cannot offer the nearly perfect resilience of overlays, it can eliminate almost all failures experienced by a singly-homed end-network. Our results demonstrate that, by leveraging the capability of multihoming route control, it is not necessary to circumvent BGP routing to extract good wide-area performance and availability from the existing routing system.
On simplification of the context-null concept and its practical application

The notion of context dependent null-values is an approach that exploits the relationship between a null-value and other known values in relational databases to deduce missing information. In a series of previous papers (1999, 2000, 2001) the context of a null-value was assumed to be defined by every known value associated with it in the database. In this paper, we suggest that only those known values that influence the null-value need to be considered. Using an example, we demonstrate that this simplified approach is more practical and easier to implement. We also show that, in order to deduce the missing information, the database designer would need to define how the known values influence it.