cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Cost-effectiveness of Infection Control Strategies to Reduce Hospital-Onset Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Importance Clostridioides difficileinfection is the most common hospital-acquired infection in the United States, yet few studies have evaluated the cost-effectiveness of infection control initiatives targetingC difficile. Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness of 9C difficilesingle intervention strategies and 8 multi-intervention bundles. Design, Setting, and Participants This economic evaluation was conducted in a simulated 200-bed tertiary, acute care, adult hospital. The study relied on clinical outcomes from a published agent-based simulation model ofC difficiletransmission. The model included 4 agent types (ie, patients, nurses, physicians, and visitors). Cost and utility estimates were derived from the literature. Interventions Daily sporicidal cleaning, terminal sporicidal cleaning, health care worker hand hygiene, patient hand hygiene, visitor hand hygiene, health care worker contact precautions, visitor contact precautions,C difficilescreening at admission, and reduced intrahospital patient transfers. Main Outcomes and Measures Cost-effectiveness was evaluated from the hospital perspective and defined by 2 measures: cost per hospital-onsetC difficileinfection averted and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Results In this agent-based model of a simulated 200-bed tertiary, acute care, adult hospital, 5 of 9 single intervention strategies were dominant, reducing cost, increasing QALYs, and averting hospital-onsetC difficileinfection compared with baseline standard hospital practices. They were daily cleaning (most cost-effective, saving $358 268 and 36.8 QALYs annually), health care worker hand hygiene, patient hand hygiene, terminal cleaning, and reducing intrahospital patient transfers. Screening at admission cost $1283/QALY, while health care worker contact precautions and visitor hand hygiene interventions cost $123 264/QALY and $5 730 987/QALY, respectively. Visitor contact precautions was dominated, with increased cost and decreased QALYs. Adding screening, health care worker hand hygiene, and patient hand hygiene sequentially to the daily cleaning intervention formed 2-pronged, 3-pronged, and 4-pronged multi-intervention bundles that cost an additional $29 616/QALY, $50 196/QALY, and $146 792/QALY, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this study suggest that institutions should seek to streamline their infection control initiatives and prioritize a smaller number of highly cost-effective interventions. Daily sporicidal cleaning was among several cost-saving strategies that could be prioritized over minimally effective, costly strategies, such as visitor contact precautions.
Colonic Conditions: Benign Colonic Neoplasia

Benign colonic neoplasms encompass a wide range of pathologies, including completely benign as well as pre-cancerous lesions. When confined to the mucosa these lesions are collectively referred to as polyps. These neoplasms can be classified by gross or histologic appearance. They are typically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on screening colonoscopy. The prevalence of colorectal polyps varies depending on the population, with adenomas being the most commonly encountered. Historically, the prevalence of adenomas was estimated via autopsy findings and was higher than determined by more recent studies based on endoscopic findings. Among average-risk patients undergoing screening, the prevalence of adenoma is 10% in studies utilizing sigmoidoscopy and greater than 25% with colonoscopy. Treatment varies depending on type, size, and location of the lesion with endoscopic, open or laparoscopic surgical removal, and transanal resection all as potential options.
The ubiquitin system affects agronomic plant traits

In a single vascular plant species, the ubiquitin system consists of thousands of different proteins involved in attaching ubiquitin to substrates, recognizing or processing ubiquitinated proteins, or constituting or regulating the 26S proteasome. The ubiquitin system affects plant health, reproduction, and responses to the environment, processes that impact important agronomic traits. Here we summarize three agronomic traits influenced by ubiquitination: induction of flowering, seed size, and pathogen responses. Specifically, we review how the ubiquitin system affects expression of genes or abundance of proteins important for determining when a plant flowers (focusing on FLOWERING LOCUS C, FRIGIDA, and CONSTANS), highlight some recent studies on how seed size is affected by the ubiquitin system, and discuss how the ubiquitin system affects proteins involved in pathogen or effector recognition with details of recent studies on FLAGELLIN SENSING 2 and SUPPRESSOR OF NPR CONSTITUTIVE 1, respectively, as examples. Finally, we discuss the effects of pathogen-derived proteins on plant host ubiquitin system proteins. Further understanding of the molecular basis of the above processes could identify possible genes for modification or selection for crop improvement.
Distributions and the Frobenius Theorem

Given any smooth manifold M (of dimension n), for any smooth vector field X on M, it is known that for every point p ∈ M, there is a unique maximal integral curve through p; see Warner or Gallier and Quaintance. Furthermore, any two distinct integral curves do not intersect each other, and the union of all the integral curves is M itself. A nonvanishing vector field X can be viewed as the smooth assignment of a one-dimensional vector space to every point of M, namely \(p \mapsto \mathbb {R} X_p \subseteq T_p M\), where \(\mathbb {R} X_p\) denotes the line spanned by Xp. Thus, it is natural to consider the more general situation where we fix some integer r, with 1 ≤ r ≤ n, and we have an assignment p↦D(p) ⊆ TpM, where D(p) is some r-dimensional subspace of TpM such that D(p) “varies smoothly” with p ∈ M. Is there a notion of integral manifold for such assignments? Do they always exist?
Contracting Around Citizens United: A Systemic Solution

Operating in a campaign finance environment flooded by advertisements from outside spending groups, Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren managed to keep their 2012 Senate race almost entirely free from such ads. They did so by utilizing a private agreement, dubbed "the People's Pledge." The People's Pledge deterred outside spending groups by imposing a financial penalty on a candidate's campaign committee when outside groups aired advertisements to that candidate's benefit. The Pledge proved to be remarkably effective: It was only violated twice, and the benefiting candidate complied with the penalty provision both times. Given the barriers to statutory reform erected by the Court's reasoning in Citizens United and the implausibility of Article V amendment, the People's Pledge stands out as perhaps the most effective way to eliminate outside spending in elections. Yet, it has hardly been utilized since the Warren-Brown race. In a recent article in Columbia Law Review, Contracting Around Citizens United, Professor Ganesh Sitaraman discovers why: Candidates, acting in a financially rational matter, are unlikely to enter the Pledge in most situations. This conclusion casts doubt on the People's Pledge's efficacy as a systemic reform solution. This Essay argues that the People's Pledge can become a viable systemic reform solution by creating a financial incentive for candidates to offer the Pledge, or accept the Pledge if it is offered to them. Specifically, the Essay argues for the creation of a political party-based financial incentive. It analyzes the institutional incentives and operational considerations for the parties to adopt this proposed practice and discusses the normative benefits that would result from adoption of the practice. Section I reviews and analyzes Professor Sitaraman's article. Section II proposes a party-based financial incentive for offering or accepting the People's Pledge and details the proposed version of the Pledge. Section III demonstrates how the current state of campaign finance law gives the political parties an institutional incentive to adopt the proposed practice. It then analyzes other operational considerations that make adoption of the practice more viable. Section IV argues that adoption of the proposed practice, and the party-centralization of campaign financing that would result from it, would be normatively beneficial. The final Section concludes the Essay.
Terrorist Attacks and Investor Risk Preference: Evidence from Mutual Fund Flows

Using a comprehensive list of terrorist attacks over three decades, we find that aggregate investor risk aversion inversely relates to terrorist activity in the United States. A one standard deviation increase in the number of attacks each month leads to a $75.09 million drop in aggregate flows to equity funds and a $56.81 million increase to government bond funds. Tests on alternative channels further suggest that the shift in aggregate risk aversion is driven mainly by an emotional shock rather than changes in wealth or the outside environment. We also investigate possible alternate explanations for reduced flows to risky assets. Our evidence is consistent with a fear-induced increase in aggregate risk aversion.
Cultivating Interest in Oncology Through a Medical Student Oncology Society

The purpose of this descriptive analysis is to describe a formal method to foster interest in oncology among medical students through a Student Oncology Society (SOS). The SOS is a student-run multidisciplinary interest group that offers oncology-related events to interested medical students at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). We employed a student survey to document the impact of the SOS on student interest in careers in oncology and students’ perceived accessibility of mentors in oncology at our institution. All 35 students who attended the event reported that they found the discussion panels “valuable” or “somewhat valuable.” A minority of students reported that student and faculty were “somewhat accessible” or “very accessible.” At the end of the survey, 37 % of the students reported that a discussion of career paths of various physicians or a student/resident panel on oncology would be beneficial. By giving students an opportunity to learn about the different medical and surgical specialties within oncology, the SOS is able to cultivate early interest and understanding of the field of oncology among pre-clinical medical students. Further work must be done to connect medical students to faculty mentors in oncology. Although this short report provides a model for other medical schools to begin their own student oncology interest groups, further rigorous evaluation of pre-clinical oncology education initiatives are necessary in order to document their long-term impact on medical education.
Advances in Logic‐Based Optimization Approaches to Process Integration and Supply Chain Management

Optimization as an enabling technology has been one of the big success stories in process systems engineering. In this paper we present a review on recent research work in the area of logic-based discrete/continuous optimization. In particular, recent advances are presented in the modeling and solution of nonlinear mixed-integer and generalized disjunctive programming, global optimization and constraint programming. The impact of these techniques is illustrated with several examples in the areas of process integration and supply chain management.. 11.
A Scale-Dependent Dynamic Model for Scalar Transport in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

A key factor in large-eddy simulations (LES) of the atmospheric boundary layer is our limited ability to account for the physics that are not explicitly resolved in the simulations. These subgrid-scale (SGS) processes are particularly important in the near-ground region, where the characteristic eddy size is typically on the order of (or smaller than) the grid size. Numerical simulations and field experiments were performed to address open issues in SGS modeling. A new scale-dependent dynamic model was developed and used to optimize the value of the SGS model coefficient in the eddy-diffusion model at every position and time step based on the resolved field. Simulations with the scale-dependent dynamic model yield the expected trends of the coefficient as function of position, scale, and atmospheric stability. Furthermore, the new model gives improved predictions of mean profiles and turbulence spectra as compared with the traditional eddy-diffusion and dynamic models. Scale dependence of the model coefficient is further explored using high-resolution wind velocity and temperature measurements obtained in the surface layer using arrays of twelve three-dimensional sonic anemometers.
The danger in over‐reacting to terrorism: Has the US embarked upon a road that should have remained less traveled?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the earlier application of the behavioral response model which analyzed the behavioral response to September 11, 2001, to analyzing the organizational response of the US Federal Government during the ensuing years.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative methodology is used in which the organizational response is assessed to determine if that which has been observed parallels organizational chaos typical in natural disasters.Findings – Findings suggest the literature applicable to behavioral and organizational response to natural disasters is quite appropriate to describing the post “September 11” actions of the USA.Research limitations/implications – The argument presented suggests that the organizational response was typically chaotic and is counter‐productive in defeating the long‐term goals of the terrorists. While the author extends the application of the behavioral and organizational response model to the policy decisions of the US Government, some m...
The respiratory burst oxidase of human neutrophils. Guanine nucleotides and arachidonate regulate the assembly of a multicomponent complex in a semirecombinant cell-free system.

Abstract We recently characterized a "semirecombinant" cell-free NADPH-oxidase system, comprised of plasma membrane plus the recombinant cytosolic proteins p47-phox and p67-phox, wherein superoxide generation was activated by an anionic amphiphile plus guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) (Uhlinger, D. J., Inge, K. L., Kreck, M. L., Tyagi, S. R., Neckelmann, N., and Lambeth, J. D. (1992) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 186, 509-516). Based on preincubation with guanine nucleotides, we show that plasma membrane contains G protein(s) that support oxidase activation at submaximal rates. By varying p47-phox and p67-phox concentrations, kinetic parameters (EC50 and Vmax) for each were determined. For both, GTP gamma S increased the Vmax and decreased the EC50, whereas guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S) produced the opposite effect, consistent with the participation of a G protein in an activation complex containing p47-phox and p67-phox. Using [35S]methionine-labeled p47-phox and p67-phox, we investigated the association of these components with both normal plasma membranes and chronic granulomatous disease membranes lacking cytochrome b558. p47-phox translocation was stimulated by arachidonate but not GTP gamma S, was about 50% cytochrome-dependent, and occurred independently of p67-phox. Arachidonate-stimulated translocation of p67-phox required both cytochrome and p47-phox and was enhanced by GTP gamma S. The mass of p47-phox and p67-phox which assembled with cytochrome b558 indicated a ternary complex with a 1:1:1 stoichiometry.
Editorial: The State of the Journal, January 2003

With the publication of this issue, JON begins its second year as a fully peer-reviewed source of high-quality scientific and engineering articles describing the state-of-the-art of optical networking. In his Editorial, editor-in-chief Richard A. Linke examines where the field of optical networking stands and how JON is doing in fulfilling its mission.
Approximation of a parameter perturbation set by convex sets

Estimating an admissible parameter perturbation set in a real parameter space is addressed; Norm bounds may be too conservative. Also Matrix pencil method suffers from numerical difficulties. An improved matrix measure method is suggested to approximate an admissible parameter perturbation set by a series of convex sets. Each of the set can be computed by a matrix measure method which is easy to compute and is numerically stable.
For what subsets of parameters is the least squares estimator minimax

Abstract For the normal linear regression model, the unknown parameters are assumed to belong to a convex set. In this article, it is proved that when the set includes arbitrarily long line segments in a certain easily found direction then the standard least squares estimators are minimax. When the set contains a whole straight line in this direction they are unique minimax.
Effects of photoperiod on the circadian timing of pheromone response in male Trichoplusia ni: Relationship to the modulatory action of octopamine

Abstract The pheromone-mediated upwind flight of male cabbage looper moths was measured throughout the scotophase in a series of photoperiods, to determine the phase-relationship between the time of peak response to pheromone during the dark and the photoperiod cues. Male upwind flight and source contact was measured to a low dose of pheromone, one that would best reveal the presence of a temporal peak in male sensitivity. Results failed to support the idea that there is a narrow ‘window’ of maximal sensitivity during the dark that is phase-regulated by either the lights off, or lights on signal. Rather, there was a clear relationship between the lights off signal and the time (2–3h) to reach maximal response levels, regardless of the duration of the dark. Once the point of maximal response was reached, response levels displayed relatively constant levels until the very end of the dark period. Experiments involving shifts in the time of lights off or lights on also supported the idea that the lights off cue is critical for expression and timing of the response rhythm. Other experiments confirmed that a circadian oscillator is involved, evidenced by the rhythmic expression of male behavior mirroring the duration of expected dark periods in two photoperiods when males were tested in constant dark conditions. Also, constant dark and light conditions significantly affected the pattern of change in levels of octopamine observed in the brain in a light:dark regime. Of particular interest, the pattern of decrease in octopamine levels correlated well with the pattern of response to sex pheromone over the dark, supporting an earlier hypothesis that octopamine modulates neural pathways involved in perception of the odor signal, and that this action is triggered by the lights off cue. The results support the conclusion that the lights off photoperiod cue is a critical time in which a number of physiological process are initiated that will affect male response thresholds for a number of behaviors during the dark, including our previously demonstrated modulatory action of octopamine on the sensitivity of male moths to sex pheromone.
Performance of the patency capsule compared with nonenteroclysis radiologic examinations in patients with known or suspected intestinal strictures.

Background The patency capsule (PC) is used before capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients with known or suspected small-bowel (SB) strictures or obstruction (SBO) to avoid CE retention. False-positive PC examination results can occur in patients with delayed transit without obstruction, precluding the use of CE. Radiological tests are another option to evaluate the presence of SBO before CE. Objectives Comparison of the PC and radiological examinations to detect clinically significant SB strictures. Main Outcome Measurements Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the PC, and radiological tests for detecting significant strictures. Results Forty-two patients underwent a PC study and radiological examinations. Both of the examinations showed similar sensitivity (57% vs 71%; P = 1.00) and specificity (86% vs 97%; P = .22). The receiver-operating characteristic curves evaluating combined sensitivity and specificity were also similar in both the PC and radiological examinations (0.71 vs 0.84, respectively; P = .46). Pooling results from both the PC and radiological tests had the highest sensitivity and NPV (100%, 100%). False-positive results occurred in 5 PC examinations and 1 radiological examination. The PC examination had 3 false-negative results (9%), whereas radiological tests had 2 (6%). Limitations Retrospective study. Conclusions The NPV for the PC and radiological tests were not significantly different, suggesting that if findings on either test are negative before CE, the patient will most likely pass the capsule without incident. Radiological tests can be used to minimize PC study false-positive results by confirming or excluding the presence of a significant stricture suspected by the PC and to localize the PC if passage is delayed.
Towards a postmodern research agenda for public relations

The theory and practice of public relations are largely based on a modernist understanding of organization that privileges management perspectives and a strategic focus in the field. This article explores the possibility of postmodernism as an alternative theoretical approach to public relations. Postmodernism rejects the manager as a rational being who has the ability to determine organizational outcomes through strategies. Modernist public relations is examined as a hegemonic practice that interpellates practitioners into the system to legitimize the perspectives and actions of corporate managers as objective knowledge, particularly through discursive practices in organizational media. Public relations’ media relations role is critiqued for its creation of a hyperreality and the resulting crisis of representation. The paper concludes with suggestions for a postmodern research agenda based on reflexivity.
Cage effects in recombination of allyl radicals in irradiated polyethylene

A cage model has been presented to describe the kinetics of recombination of radicals in solid polymer. The theory includes Torrey's treatment for jump diffusion and radiative boundary condition in the diffusion equation to account for the hindrance to the diffusion of macroradicals and the finite cage process of recombination reaction, respectively. The result has been applied to the interpretation of data on the decay of allyl radical in irradiated polyethylene. 1 figure, 1 table.
Lithium and Deuterium NMR Studies of Acid-Leached Layered Lithium Manganese Oxides

6Li and 2H MAS NMR in conjunction with X-ray diffraction is used to study the acid leaching of the layered Mn(IV) compound Li2MnO3 (i.e., Li[Li0.33Mn0.67]O2). Lithium NMR shows that the lithium ions are progressively removed from the lithium layers during leaching, the reduction in lithium content in the layers correlating directly with the concentration of a new local environment for lithium that contains both manganese ions and protons in the first cation coordination sphere. The composition of these samples may be written as H1-xLix[Li0.33Mn0.67]O2, indicating that H+/Li+ ion exchange has occurred. 2H MAS NMR shows unequivocally that deuterons are present in these structures, following leaching in D2SO4/D2O. X-ray diffraction confirms that leaching is associated with the shearing of the oxygen layers to form a structure with an AABBCC stacking sequence of the oxygen layers. This stacking sequence is also found in isostructural compound HCrO2. The hydrogen bonding between the oxygen layers is proposed t...
Effects of ouabain and high K + on respiration of turtle brain and urinary bladder in vitro.

Abstract 1. 1. In agreement with findings on mammalian brain, respiration of turtle cerebral cortical slices was stimulated by ouabain and high K + in the external medium. 2. 2. The effects of 40 mM K + and 10 −4 M ouabain on brain respiration were not significantly additive. 3. 3. The possibility that mitochondrial “Ca-respiration” accounts for both K + -induced and ouabain-induced stimulation of brain slice respiration is discussed. 4. 4. In contrast to brain, respiration of urinary bladder tissue was slightly depressed by 40 mM K + in the external medium. 5. 5. Ouabain (10 −4 M) depressed bladder oxygen consumption by approximately 20 per cent in the presence of both 2 and 40 mM K + .
Structural Durability of a Composite Pressure Vessel

The effect of local ply fiber fracture on the load-carrying capability and structural behavior of a composite cylindrical shell under internal pressure is investigated, using the CODSTRAN computer code to simulate the composite structural degradation under loading. Results show that an initial outer-surface defect in the vessel begins to grow at a relatively low pressure but exhibits localized gradual damage growth prior to structural fracture and that an initial inner-surface defect shows an overall damage progression and fracture behavior closely similar to that of the outer surface defect. An initial defect located near the mid-thickness of the shell requires a higher pressure to cause damage initiation, but, once the damage initiation pressure is reached, a sudden structural fracture stage is entered by rapid damage propagation at a slightly higher pressure.
Karyotypic Relationships within the Short-Tailed Shrews, Genus Blarina

Short-tailed shrews of the genus Blarina exhibit considerable geographic variation in both diploid number and fundamental number. Four chromosomal groups are recognized within the genus: Blarina brevicauda , FN = 48; 2N = 50, 49, or 48; B. carolinensis , FN = 45 or 44; 2N = 46, 39, 38, or 37; B. c. peninsulae , FN = 52; 2N = 52, 51, or 50; B. hylophaga , FN = 62, 61, or 60; 2N = 52. B. c. peninsulae also may be a distinct species, but exact determination must await location and analysis of a zone of contact with B. carolinensis .
Ex ante or ex post competition policy? A progress report

Abstract When intervening in markets, say to block a merger, competition authorities are constrained by the limited information they have about the social desirability of the available alternatives. Compared to ex ante control, ex post control is based on the more accurate information that becomes available in the intervening period, but entails temporary losses to social welfare and reversal costs incurred to unscramble the eggs. Through a toy model, we identify situations in which the competition authority finds it optimal to commit to forego the option of ex post review in order to avoid chilling ex ante socially beneficial mergers. On the other hand, the case for ex post review is strengthened if post-merger market conducts can signal the merged firm's private information about the consequences of the merger.
The Changing Concept of Change: The Derivative from Fermat to Weierstrass

First the derivative was used, then discovered, explored and developed, and only then, defined.
A path analytic study of the structure of employee job satisfaction: The critical role of top management

Abstract This empirical study examined the structure of job satisfaction for 1991 unionized, hourly rated assembly plant employees. The sample was drawn from 10 product assembly plants in the U.S. automobile industry. A multistage, multivariate model was formulated, involving 15 hypotheses. Causal relationships among the variables in the model were estimated using path analysis. A major finding was that the more positive the individual employee's perception of upper management, the greater the employee's job satisfaction. In addition, the employee's perception of upper management had a greater influence on employee job satisfaction than the employee's perception of immediate supervision (foreman).
Broadband Wireless Access - The Next Wireless Revolution

Broadband wireless access is the third wireless revolution, after cellphones (1990s) and Wi-Fi (2000s). It is viewed by many carriers and cable operators as a "disruptive" technology and rightly so. The broadcast nature of wireless transmission offers ubiquity and immediate access for both fixed and mobile users, clearly a vital element of nextgeneration quadruple play (i.e., voice, video, data, and mobility) services. Unlike wired access (copper, coax, fiber), a large portion of the deployment costs is incurred only when a subscriber signs up for service. An increasing number of municipal governments around the world are financing the deployment of multihop wireless networks with the overall aim of providing ubiquitous Internet access and enhanced public services. This tutorial will provide a comparative assessment of the key issues and technologies underpinning promising broadband wireless access solutions such as 802.16 (Wi-Max), long-range/multihop 802.11 (Wi-Fi), wireless DOCSIS, 3G/4G, mobile TV, digital TV broadcast, 802.20 (mobile broadband), 802.21 (media independent handoff and interoperability), and the emerging 802.22 (wireless regional area networks) standard. Key topics include licensed and unlicensed spectrum consideration; reliable physical layer transmission using multiple antennas; multichannel medium access protocols with QoS provisioning; wireless access topologies: point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, peerto- peer multihop (mesh); wireless multimedia services: wireless IP-TV, wireless VoIP; mobility; cognitive radio technologies; advanced wireless security; wireless/wireline integration.
Detection of elevated serum antibodies to Treponema denticola in humans with advanced periodontitis by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EL1SA) was used for the detection of circulating antibodies in human sera to antigens of three serotypes of Treponema denticola. The antigens used in the assay were obtained by a sodium deoxycholate extraction procedure. Sera obtained from totally edentulous patients, patients with advanced periodontitis, as well as dental students who were in good to excellent periodontai health were tested for antibodies to these antigens by ELISA. Significantly elevated antibody levels were detected in 10/11 patients with advanced periodontitis towards the antigens of all 3 serotypes. In contrast, ll/ 13 edentulous patients were negative for antibodies to serotypes W and TT and 9/13 were negative against serotype 11. In the mild gingival inflammation group, 11/14 individuals were negative against serotypes W and 11, and all were found to be negative against serotype TT. Adsorption studies carried out with 4 highly reactive sera indicated that the IgG antibodies detected by ELISA were specific for these antigens of T. denticola. The results of these studies are at variance with those of previous investigators who reported the total absence of detectable antibodies to T. denticola in sera from patients with advanced periodontai disease.
Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) activity in rat plasma.

SummaryThe ACTH-releasing activity of hypothalamic extract and rat plasma was examined with the dispersed rat pituitary cell technique of Swallow and Sayers (8). Although both plasma and serum caused ACTH release which was dose-related, stress did not enhance the ACTH releasing activity. Furthermore, separation studies of plasma using ultrafiltration and gel separation suggest that the CRF activity in plasma is associated with molecules of a molecular weight greater than 15,000.The hypothalamic extract used in this study was kindly provided by the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism and Digestive Diseases (NIAMDD) Rat Pituitary Hormone Distribution Program.
ENDOCRINOPATHY AND ECTOPIC HORMONES IN MALIGNANCY

This article reports progress in the field of endocrinopathies and focuses on the molecular aspects of these diseases. Implications for genetics and metabolic study are presented. Although limitations of earlier approaches are confirmed, progress is noted, particularly with regard to the contribution of octreotide scintigraphy. Integrated with the evolving applications of molecular insights, significant clinical progress has been recorded.
Application of TPB to punctuation usage in instant messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is being widely used in the workplace and personal life at an accelerated rate. In this paper, we empirically investigate an extension of TPB (Theory of Planned Behaviour) model to explain why individuals use punctuation in IM. Conceptually, we examine attitude and behavioural belief and their impacts on punctuation usage. Our research model was tested in an empirical study, which confirmed all of our hypotheses. This paper also explains why people prefer to use punctuation in IM and how the usage is moderated by the communication context.
Analysis of semi-classical potentials for molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations of warm dense matter

Abstract Effective, semi-classical potentials may present a powerful tool for the determination of properties of warm dense matter, systems characterized by both moderate coupling and moderate degeneracy. However, this requires the use of these potentials in a regime where the approximations employed in their derivation begin to break down. This work presents a careful analysis of the methodology and approximations used to derive semi-classical potentials for Coulomb systems. Particular attention is paid to the appearance of many-body effects and the techniques that may be used to model them. Analytical arguments and simple examples indicate that the role of many-body effects cannot be ignored in the warm dense matter regime, and those semi-classical Coulomb potentials that focus on the pair interaction do not adequately treat many-body effects.
Liposome-mediated uptake of chloroplasts by plant protoplasts

Liposomes, artificial lipid vesicles, have been used to induce the uptake of isolated spinach chloroplasts into protoplasts of bothNeurospora crassa andDatura innoxia. Chloroplasts showed high oxygen evolution rates preceding uptake and for extended periods of time after uptake. Survival, as measured by pigment retention and oxygen evolution, was much improved over polyethylene glycol induce uptake. Possible future application of liposome-mediated uptake in plant protoplast studies are discussed.
Slowing of response time in young and middle-aged hypertensive patients

Abstract Reaction time (RT) was compared in 160 hypertensive and 43 normotensive adults. After being screened for coronary and cerebrovascular disorders, each subject completed 12 variations of a serial RT task. Subjects were blocked into normotensive, nonmedicated hypertensive, and medicated hypertensive groups, and into three age groups: 18–31; 32–45; 46–59. Response slowing was observed with increasing age. Significant slowing was also seen in the medicated but not the nonmedicated hypertensive group. Plasma renin activity (PRA) interacted with the medication factor; longest RTs were obtained for treated subjects with low and normal PRA and untreated subjects with high PRA. These results were interpreted in terms of changes in ability to autoregulate cerebral blood flow as a result of vascular damage.
The Significance of Electrochemical Activation Parameters for Surface-Attached Reactants.

Abstract The interpretation of activation parameters for electrochemical reactions involving surface-attached or adsorbed reactants is considered and compared with the corresponding experimental quantities for solution-phase reactants. The relation between the experimental activation parameters and the theoretically relevant quantities describing the energetics of heterogeneous electron transfer is summarized; this relationship is shown to be especially straightforward for surface-attached reactants.
Rural-urban differences in health behaviors and implications for health status among US cancer survivors.

Rural US adults have increased risk of poor outcomes after cancer, including increased cancer mortality. Rural–urban differences in health behaviors have been identified in the general population and may contribute to cancer health disparities, but have not yet been examined among US survivors. We examined rural–urban differences in health behaviors among cancer survivors and associations with self-reported health and health-related unemployment. We identified rural (n = 1,642) and urban (n = 6,162) survivors from the cross-sectional National Health Interview Survey (2006–2010) and calculated the prevalence of smoking, physical activity, overweight/obesity, and alcohol consumption. Multivariable models were used to examine the associations of fair/poor health and health-related unemployment with health behaviors and rural–urban residence. The prevalence of fair/poor health (rural 36.7 %, urban 26.6 %), health-related unemployment (rural 18.5 %, urban 10.6 %), smoking (rural 25.3 %, urban 15.8 %), and physical inactivity (rural 50.7 %, urban 38.7 %) was significantly higher in rural survivors (all p < .05); alcohol consumption was lower (rural 46.3 %, urban 58.6 %), and there were no significant differences in overweight/obesity (rural 65.4 %, urban 62.6 %). All health behaviors were significantly associated with fair/poor health and health-related unemployment in both univariate and multivariable models. After adjustment for behaviors, rural survivors remained more likely than urban survivors to report fair/poor health (OR = 1.21, 95 % CI 1.03–1.43) and health-related unemployment (OR = 1.49, 95 % CI 1.18–1.88). Rural survivors may need tailored, accessible health promotion interventions to address health-compromising behaviors and improve outcomes after cancer.
Electrical Systems for Automatic Handling and Electric Heating of Slabs

The availability of large quantities of electrical power and sophisticated means of control has justified the use of induction methods in heating large steel slabs to rolling mill temperatures. Capable of delivering 210 MW, a unique power system, comprising power transformers, autotransformers, static switches, and capacitor banks, provides eighteen induction heaters with controlled electrical energy. The entire system can deliver 600 ton/h of steel to the rolling mill. The basic overall automatic control scheme involves the operations of slab handling control, heater control, static power switching, and computer control. The control functions, including phase balance and demand limit control, are described and discussed. The features and operation of the static power switch, capable of switching close to 10 000 A, are presented. Used as a protective device, the switch can clear up to 210 000-A faults in less than one cycle.
One-electron broken-symmetry approach to the core-hole spectra of semiconductors

It is shown that in contrast to band theory, a self-consistent one-electron model with broken symmetries (crystal orbitals are not constrained to be Bloch periodic) provides a physical description of core-ionization, core-exciton, and core-to-conduction-band transition energies in semiconductors. Application to GaP shows that a hitherto unrecognized factor---the screening of the core-hole self-energy by the electron orbit---can explain many of the outstanding puzzles in core-hole spectra.
Interstitial cystitis : A critique of current concepts with a new proposal for pathologic diagnosis and pathogenesis

Interstitial cystitis (IC) has continued to be an unresolved problem in clinical urology despite intense investigation over the past 16 or more years. Its etiology and pathogenesis are still undetermined, and its pathologic diagnosis is essentially one of exclusion, with no specific or clear criteria. In this review, current concepts of the etiology/pathogenesis and pathology are critically analyzed, new pathologic observations summarized, and a proposal of neurogenic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic factor is presented in the context of all currently available information. The popular postulate attributing IC to a deficient or defective glycosaminoglycan urothelial surface layer is not substantiated by morphologic, experimental, clinical, or therapeutic observations. Although the consensus seems to discount an infectious etiology, there is sufficient evidence that a microbial factor-short of a bona fide clinical infection-may have a role. Both autoimmunity and mast cell infiltration also appear to have a role, despite the lack of evidence that either is involved as the primary etiologic factor. Claims that the so-called feline urologic syndrome may represent a natural animal model of IC are shaky. As it now stands, there is no natural or induced animal model that duplicates IC as it occurs in humans. No specific or diagnostic light microscopic pathologic features are provided by either routine histopathology or immunohistochemistry. Increasingly, it has been recognized that detrusor mast cell count has little or no diagnostic value. On the other hand, electron microscopy has provided important new observations: (a) presence of mast cells, activated by piecemeal degranulation, in close proximity to intrinsic nerves-particularly in suburothelium: (b) distinctive pathologic changes in urothelium, suburothelium, and muscularis in biopsy samples obtained after diagnostic bladder hydrodistension; (c) constant associated changes in venules, capillaries, and neural elements in the same biopsy samples; and (d) diffuse involvement of bladder wall, with the most evident and profound pathologic changes in posthydrodistension biopsy samples obtained from cystoscopically obvious lesions (glomerulations). These features are sufficiently distinctive to allow definitive pathologic diagnosis of IC, and provide a firm basis for primary involvement of neurogenic inflammation in its pathogenesis. A proposal is presented regarding the mechanisms invoked by neurogenic inflammation. This proposal revolves around sensory nerve excitation, the release of neuropeptides, and activated differential secretion of potent mast cell mediators. This proposal can account for the heterogeneity and variability of observed pathologic features, and upholds the tacit acceptance of IC as a disease of pluricausal etiology and multifactorial pathogenesis.
Limits of downstream hydraulic geometry

Adjustments to flow width, depth, and velocity in response to changes in discharge are commonly characterized by using downstream hydraulic geometry relationships. The spatial limits of these relationships within a drainage basin have not been systematically quantified. Where the erosional resistance of the channel substrate is sufficiently large, hydraulic driving forces presumably will be unable to adjust channel form. Data sets from 10 mountain rivers in the United States, Panama, Nepal, and New Zealand are used in this study to explore the limits of downstream hydraulic geometry relationships. Where the ratio of stream power to sediment size (Ω/ D 84) exceeds 10,000 kg/s3, downstream hydraulic geometry is well developed; where the ratio falls below 10,000 kg/s3, downstream hydraulic geometry relationships are poorly developed. These limitations on downstream hydraulic geometry have important implications for channel engineering and simulations of landscape change.
Abstract ED05-02: Building a tobacco-free world: Engaging youth and young adults

A recent study by Christakis and Fowler (2008) found that when one or two people in a social network stop smoking, others in that network also tend to stop as well—highlighting both the importance of social networks and the potential to virally spread behavior change. Dr. Donna Vallone will discuss research related to prompting online social engagement and participation in the EX community, a component of the web-based smoking cessation program, www.becomeanex.org. Evidence suggests that these online social networks can provide social support to online smokers interested in quitting—a critical component of cessation treatment outlined in the US Clinical Guidelines for Smoking Cessation. Social media applications of EX on Facebook, Twitter and other channels will also be discussed. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):ED05-02.
Process systems engineering in an electronic economy: expanding applications and the changing relationship between research and practice

Abstract The prospects of the process systems engineering discipline have never been more promising. Continuing improvements in computer hardware and software development tools enable rapid and widespread application of process systems engineering methodologies on a scale undreamed of only 10 or 20 years ago. Furthermore, the massive investments in information infrastructure within industry and the huge societal investments in information generation projects, such as the human genome project, provide many more opportunities for process systems methodologies. This talk will briefly review the variety of applications that are being addressed by these methodologies and will rely on the other conference presentations for in-depth treatment. This review of applications sets the stage for a discussion of the challenges requiring further evolution of methodologies. In particular, the enormous complexity of many systems in practice and under study requires the adoption of experimental methodologies, inductive engineering approaches, a willingness of process systems engineers to develop software debugging and improvement tools, the invention of flexible information architectures that are maintainable and easily incorporate new knowledge, and practical ways to address uncertainty and risk in large-scale problems. Complicating the approaches used to address these methodological needs is the requirement that problems be fixed in short time scales to match the fast pace of the economy. This challenge of solving problems at an accelerated rate stresses the traditional relationship between application and research and industry and academia. We discuss this issue in a technical fashion and frame the nature of the required collaboration in terms of how different organizations need to cooperate to build, deploy, and use complex software machines to serve various process applications. This viewpoint shows that the process systems engineering community has some of the same challenges as the software industry in general, but some of the peculiarities of the physics underlying the problems that we face requires discipline specific contributions. The software machine viewpoint of process systems engineering technology transfer highlights the need for research advances to be viewed in the context of how they can be integrated with other components, the potential properties and uses of software machines that can be built around them, and the required nature of the supply chain that delivers these advances to practice.
Maximum and Practical Sustainably Harvestable Vibrational Power From Avian Subjects

In this study we investigate the maximum sustainably harvestable vibrational power from a bird for the purpose of creating new long life tracking tags. We develop a model for harvestable power based on known maximum laden mass capabilities of various bird species and a standard power model for bird flight. Both maximum harvestable power and practically harvestable powers are derived. Practically harvestable power was derived assuming a payload mass and a given specific power for the vibrational harvester. Based on these models, data from various species ranging from 2.55 g to 11.6 kg in mass is used to show relationships between harvestable power and mass. Using estimates for a piezoelectric energy harvester specific power, the practically harvestable power ranges from tens of microwatts to hundreds of milliwatts, depending on the species.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
An unusual case of malignant hyperthermia during desflurane anesthesia in an African-American patient.

Implications Malignant hyperthermia is an uncommon, heritable condition triggered by anesthesia and is followed by an increase in temperature that may be fatal without prompt treatment. It is rare with desflurane and in black individuals of African descent. We present a case of malignant hyperthermia in an African-American patient during desflurane anesthesia.