cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MOVING THE CROWD AT THREADLESS

Crowdsourcing is an online, distributed problem-solving and production model already in use by businesses such as Threadless.com, iStockphoto.com, and InnoCentive.com. This model, which harnesses the collective intelligence of a crowd of Web users through an open-call format, has the potential for government and non-profit applications. Yet, in order to explore new applications for the crowdsourcing model, there must be a better understanding of why crowds participate in crowdsourcing processes. Based on 17 interviews conducted via instant messenger with members of the crowd at Threadless, the present study adds qualitatively rich data on a new crowdsourcing case to an existing body of quantitative data on motivations for participation in crowdsourcing. Four primary motivators for participation at Threadless emerge from these interview data: the opportunity to make money, the opportunity to develop one's creative skills, the potential to take up freelance work, and the love of community at Threadless. A f...
Franchisor market power and control rights in franchise systems: the case of Major League Baseball versus the Los Angeles Dodgers

The theory of control rights in franchise systems predicts that leverage is garnered either through the franchisor’s system-specific assets or the franchisee’s local market assets. To date, the literature has neglected the market power of the franchisor, as excessive market power limits franchisees’ outside options. In this paper, I study the case of the LA Dodgers baseball franchise and its decision to file a strategic bankruptcy in 2011. In the case study section, I show (i) that the control rights of Major League Baseball (MLB) were amplified due to its monopoly position, (ii) the Dodgers had limited outside options due to this, and (iii) the Dodgers best option was to shift control rights from MLB (franchisor) to the courts even though the team was completely solvent.
Dissociation of neural regions associated with anticipatory versus consummatory phases of incentive processing

Incentive delay tasks implicate the striatum and medial frontal cortex in reward processing. However, prior studies delivered more rewards than penalties, possibly leading to unwanted differences in signal-to-noise ratio. Also, whether particular brain regions are specifically involved in anticipation or consumption is unclear. We used a task featuring balanced incentive delivery and an analytic strategy designed to identify activity specific to anticipation or consumption. Reaction time data in two independent samples (n=13 and n=8) confirmed motivated responding. Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed regions activated by anticipation (anterior cingulate) versus consumption (orbital and medial frontal cortex). Ventral striatum was active during reward anticipation but not significantly more so than during consumption. Although the study features several methodological improvements and helps clarify the neural basis of incentive processing, replications in larger samples are needed.
Distributed programming in Scala with APGAS

APGAS (Asynchronous Partitioned Global Address Space) is a model for concurrent and distributed programming, known primarily as the foundation of the X10 programming language. In this paper, we present an implementation of this model as an embedded domain-specific language for Scala. We illustrate common usage patterns and contrast with alternative approaches available to Scala programmers. In particular, using two distributed algorithms as examples, we illustrate how APGAS-style programs compare to idiomatic Akka implementations. We demonstrate the use of APGAS places and tasks, distributed termination, and distributed objects.
Carotenoid transformations in coastal marine waters

Rapidly sinking large particles contribute a major portion of the mass flux from marine surface waters to the sea floor. The recognition that organic matter associated with these particles undergoes major alterations in its chemical composition during vertical transit has raised new questions on the role of rapid transformation processes in carbon and nitrogen cycling, benthic nutrition, and post-depositional degradation1. Analysis of specific organic compounds has established some of the compositional changes of these transformations2–4. However, most of the changes observed represent the sum of biological production and degradation. For example, bacterial and chemical degradation of fatty acids in the water column may be completely masked by an even greater production of these compounds by zooplankton. Hence it is often difficult to distinguish between competing degradative processes, and to assess the relative significance of each. Carotenoid pigments have characteristics which make them particularly suitable for use as organic tracers to distinguish between short-term degradation processes. Carotenoids are widely distributed in both photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic organisms; many of them are source specific; they contain diverse functional groups; and they represent one of the more labile biogenic compound classes in the sea. We report here for the first time the isolation and identification of carotenoid transformation products from sediment trap experiments conducted in coastal marine waters, and discuss the source and significance of observed transformation products with respect to a proposed degradation pathway.
BORN WAVE CROSS-SECTION CALCULATIONS FOR COLLISIONAL QUENCHING OF METASTABLE H(2s) BY HELIUM, NEON, ARGON, AND KRYPTON.

Total quenching cross sections for metastable $\mathrm{H}(2s)$ atoms in collisions with helium, neon, argon, and krypton have been calculated over the incident-energy range 1.0 keV-1.6 MeV in the first Born approximation with the added approximation of closure used to describe target excitation. The first-Born-approximation cross sections for helium target atoms are one-third the measured values of Byron, Krotkov, and Medeiros over the incident-energy range 1.0-5.0 keV. The first-Born-approximation results for the heavier targets are much larger than experiment, although scaled results based on parameters determined from electron-loss data for $\mathrm{H}(1s)$ show fair agreement with recent experiments. The contributions of individual quenching processes are examined, and electron loss dominates for incident energies greater than 4.0 keV.
Does Dissatisfaction with Access to Specialists Affect the Desire to Leave a Managed Care Plan

Frequent changes in health plan enrollment may lead to discontinuity of care and compromise quality. Using multiple logistic regression, we investigated how four dimensions of patient satisfaction were associated with the desire to disenroll from a managed care plan. A total of 17,196 enrollees from a large health plan in California responded to a survey regarding their satisfaction with care and desire to disenroll from the plan. Nineteen percent stated that they wanted to change from the plan. Dissatisfaction with access to specialty care and convenience of care produced the highest calculated relative risks of desire to leave the plan [relative risk ERR] = 2.7 and 2.6, respectively), while dissatisfaction with the quality of care and with hospital care produced lower relative risks (1.8 and 1.5, respectively). Because limiting direct access to specialists is a cardinal feature of most managed care organizations, managed care organizations may need to reexamine their approaches to the specialty care ref...
Program structure, staff perceptions, and client engagement in treatment

A key goal of drug abuse treatment providers is getting their clients to engage and participate in therapeutic activities as a first step toward deriving longer-term benefits. Much research had focused on personal characteristics that relate to client engagement; program characteristics have received less attention. This study explored client and program differences in engagement ratings using data from a nationwide set of 94 outpatient drug-free treatment programs in a hierarchical linear model analysis. The results show that elements of program context, including structural features (e.g., smaller size and Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations/Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities accreditation) and staff's perceptions of personal efficacy, organizational climate, and communal workplace practices, relate to better overall client engagement. These findings add further evidence that treatment providers should also address the workplace environment for staff as part of quality improvement efforts.
The Nature of Clay Soils from the Mekong Delta, an Giang Province, South Vietnam

Soil samples from near Long Xuyen, South Vietnam, considered to be typical of the clayey alluvial soils of the Mekong Delta, were investigated to determine the soil mineral content and soil type. The soils are of fairly uniform composition, consisting mainly of clay minerals and quartz. the predominant clay minerals including illite and chlorite with lesser amounts of kaolinite and smectite. The small hydrous iron oxide content, indicated by fluorescence background intensity, verified that the soils are not latosols but are clayey estuarine soils amenable to future development as arable land.
Locoregional Patterns of Failure in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: Implications for Treatment De-escalation

Factor n Site BOT 16 Tonsil 12 T Stage T1 3 T2 14 T3 4 T4 7 N Stage N0 3 N1 2 N2 21 N3 2 CONCLUSIONS MATERIALS/METHODS Loco-regional failure (LRF) in oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) has dropped markedly in the past decade. Improved outcomes have led many investigators to seek methods for deescalating treatment. We examined our patterns of LRF to identify areas at low risk for isolated failure, which could be considered for dose de-escalation • 85% of local failures (LF) (17/20) were in the center of the PTV70Gy
MILA – multilevel immune learning algorithm and its application to anomaly detection

T-cell-dependent humoral immune response is one of the more complex immunological events in the biological immune system, involving interaction of B cells with antigen (Ag) and their proliferation, differentiation and subsequent secretion of antibody (Ab). Inspired by these immunological principles, a Multilevel Immune Learning Algorithm (MILA) is proposed for novel pattern recognition. This paper describes the detailed background of MILA, and outlines its main features in different phases: Initialization phase, Recognition phase, Evolutionary phase and Response phase. Different test problems are studied and experimented with MILA for performance evaluation. The results show MILA is flexible and efficient in detecting anomalies and novel patterns.
Shelley and Plato’s Symposium: the poet’s revenge*

Shelley's translation of Plato's Symposium has been studied primarily for the insights it provides into Shelley's poetry. The translation, however, also deserves study as a contribution in its own right to the Classical tradition. Shelley's translation is flawed due to Shelley's refusal to use a lexicon, the speed at which the translation was com posed, and Shelley's largely Neoplatonic interpretation of the dialogue. These same factors, however, also contribute to the translation's unique sensitivity to the rhythm of Plato's prose and the counterplay within the dialogue of abstract ideas and concrete detail. Shelley's translation succeeds largely because he does not attempt simply to re produce Plato's particular balance of abstract against concrete, but rather substitutes instead his own, Neoplatonic, sense of the counterpoint of the ideal and the physical.
Synthesis of Main‐Chain Liquid‐Crystalline Polyesters Containing Diphenyl Mesogens by Chemo‐Enzymatic Route †

Main‐chain thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polyesters containing rigid biphenyl mesogens and flexible spacers were synthesized by chemo‐enzymatic route. The enzyme‐catalyzed polymerization showed high regio‐ and chemo‐ selectivity, and is environmentally friendly. The resulting polyesters were characterized with 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polarized light optical microscopy (POM). †Dedicated to the memory of Professor Sukant K. Tripathy.
The ends of the Earth

'Polar-Palooza', a travelling roadshow celebrating the International Polar Year 2007–2009, highlights the scientific passion of those working on Arctic and Antarctic research, along with their ecological concerns.
Lymphoscintigraphy of melanoma: lymphatic channel activity guides localization of sentinel lymph nodes, and gamma camera imaging/counting confirms presence of radiotracer in excised nodes.

Lymphescintigraphy has become a standard procperative procedure to map the cutaneous lymphatic channel for progression of nodal metastasis of melanoma of the skin. Lymphoscintigraphy was employed to visualize lymphatic channels as a guide to identify sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Excised tissue was imaged with a gamma camera to verify the findings of presurgical lymphoscintigraphy. Percent counts of SLN(s) among the total counts of the excised melanoma tumor or scar tissue and SLN(s) were calculated. Eleven patients with cutaneous melanoma received four to ten intradermal injections of Tc-99m sulfur colloid at elual distances around the melanoma site. Images were made immediately after injection: 1 minute per image for 15 min; and then 5 minutes or 1,000,000 counts per image for 30 min. After surgery, the excised melanoma tumor or scar and SLN(s) were imaged/counted with a gamma camera. Percent counts of SLNs among the total counts of the excised melanoma tumor or scar tissue and SLNs were calculated. To validate the specimen count accuracy, an experimental phantom study was done. Linear lymphatic channels were identified between the injected sites and the SLNs in each patient. Gamma camera images demonstrated radioactivity in the SLNs of all patients, verifying the lymphoscintigraphy findings. Uptake in the SLNs of ten of the eleven patients ranged from 0.4 to 7.2% (mean 2.2%) of the total counts in excised tissue. We noted that a node with lower uptake should not be ignored because a lower percent of SLN activity does not necessarily rule out existing metastasis. In two of eleven patients, histopathologic showed metastases. One patient’s melanoma on the middle back had lymphatic channel activity directed to both axillae. The results of the phantom study validated accuracy of our specimen counts. Because linear lymphatic channels existed between lymph nodes and the injected sites in all eleven patients, these lymphatic channels could be used as a guide for localizing SLNs. The SLNs indicated by presurgical lymphoscintigraphy were verified by postoperative gamma camera imaging, and radiotracer localization in the SLNs averaged 2.2%.
Antagonistic action of E and F series prostaglandins upon mineralocorticoid production by the human adrenal

At long time intervals, the E and F prostaglandins exert antagonistic effects on aldosterone production in vitro. At short intervals the E prostaglandins tend to mimic the inhibitory effect of the PGF series.
Assignment of 1H, 13C and 15N resonances of the reduced human IgG1 CH3 domain

Here we report the NMR resonance assignments for the reduced form of human IgG1 C(H)3 domain, a 26 kDa dimer in solution (residues 341-447). The assignments have been deposited in the BioMagResBank with a BMRB accession number of 15204.
Nesting and Pollen Preference of Osmia lignaria lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Virginia and North Carolina Orchards

ABSTRACT Cavity-nesting megachilid bees in the genus Osmia, found throughout the Palearctic and Nearctic regions, are good candidates for domestication. In North America, Osmia lignaria Say has been reported to be an excellent pollinator of tree fruit and is currently being developed for commercial use in orchards. This is largely because of research over several decades with the western subspecies of this bee, Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson, in western orchards. The behavior of the eastern subspecies, O. lignaria lignaria Say, in eastern orchards has not previously been reported. This study evaluated the nesting activity and pollen preference of a population of the eastern subspecies in five orchards in the foothills and piedmont regions of North Carolina and Virginia over a 2-yr period. Apple was present in all orchards and all were bordered by hardwood forest. Shelters were placed both within orchards and the forest border. Emergence dates, nest construction, and orchard bloom were monitored weekly. ...
Irreversible myocardial damage after coronary air embolism : A case report

This case report describes the complication of an air embolism in the right coronary artery that developed during coronary angiography in a patient with acute anterior myocardial infarction. Follow-up left ventriculography, 4 months later, showed irreversible inferior wall damage. Incomplete aspiration of the angiographic catheter was the cause of this complication and should be avoided.
Mass in the infratemporal fossa

CLINICAL PRESENTATION An otherwise healthy 59-year-old woman was referred to the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for evaluation and treatment of a 2 cm mass in the left infratemporal fossa. She complained of a dult facial pain on the left side in the distribution of the second and third divisions of the trigemihal nerve. The discomfort increased in intensity with mandibular motion and mastication. Mild analgesics such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen provided little relief from the pain that had been increasing in severity over the previous 2 months. Nine years earlier, the patient first noted a painless mass in the area superior and medial to the left retromolar pad. An excisional biopsy of the soft tissue nodule was performed. She remained asymptomatic until 3 years later at which time she reported to a local oral surgeon with severe pain and limited mouth opening. Physical examination and a computerized axial tomography (CT) scan performed at that time revealed no masses or lesions. Scar tissue from the original biopsy site was removed, and the patient's symptoms resolved. However, 9 years after the first excision, the patient presented to the same oral surgeon with a return of facial pain on the left side in the distribution of the second and third trigeminal nerve divisions. A C T was performed that revealed a well-defined 2 cm mass medial to the mandibular ramus. There was no bone invasion or destruction (Fig. 1). Physical examination revealed no facial asymmetries. The muscles of mastication were palpable and functionally normal. The parotid glands were nontender, and there were no masses. Pain limited the patient's maximum mouth opening to 32 mm with right and left lateral excursions of 10 and 12 ram, respectively. There was no temporomandibular joint tenderness, crepitus, or deviation on opening. Cranial nerves II-XII were intact, and there was no cervical lymphadenopathy.
Free radicals: a potential pathogenic mechanism in inherited muscular dystrophy.

Abstract Despite years of intensive work, the biochemical defect responsible for the pathogenesis of inherited muscular dystrophy has not been identified either in humans or animals models. This review examines evidence in support of the hypothesis that free radicals may be responsible for muscle degeneration in this disorder. A variety of cellular abnormalities noted in dystrophic muscles can be accounted for by free radical mediated damage. In addition, chemical by-products associated with free radical damage are found in dystrophic muscle tissue from humans and animals with this disease. Various enzymatic antioxidant systems can be enhanced as a normal cellular response to oxidative stress, and such changes are seen both in dystrophic muscle cells and certain other tissues of dystrophic animals. An increased level of free radical damage would follow from either: 1) enhanced production of free radical species, or 2) a deficient component of the cellular antioxidant system, such as vitamin E. The free radical hypothesis of muscular dystrophy can account for data supporting several alternative theories of the pathogenesis of this disease, as well as other observations which have not previously been explained.
Observations of the fundamental rotation-vibration band of CN

Three lines of the fundamental rotation-vibration band of CN have been observed in the laboratory using a King furnace. The transition moment squared has been found to be .00075 plus or minus .00031 atomic units. In addition, the transition moment squared of the 0-0 band of the red system of CN has been measured to be 0.48 plus or minus 0.28 atomic units (an oscillator-strength of .00033 plus or minus .0019).
Fast atom bombardment analysis of arachidonic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine molecular species.

Fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry was evaluated as a means for the characterization of molecular species of glycerophosphocholines (GPC) from HL60 cells. Previous reports of phospholipid molecular species analysis have suggested that several inherent problems with FAB could limit its analytical usefulness in such an application. The GPC-related secondary ions produced by the FAB experiment were found to be dependent on the matrix employed. Triethanolamine was found to minimize mass-related discrimination in ion emission when mixtures were studied; and furthermore, this matrix maintained 60% maximal ion current after 12 minutes as compared to a glycerol matrix which diminished to 10% maximal ion current. Using triethanolamine, the major GPC species in HL60 cells prelabeled with (2H8) arachidonic acid were found to be 16:0a16:1, 16:0e/18:1, 16:0a/18:1, 18:1a/18:1 and 18:0a/18:1.† It was possible to identify the minor GPC species containing arachidonic acid only after partial purification by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Comparison of the 2H8/2H0 enrichment data estimated by FAB with data obtained by gas chromatographic/mass spectral analysis of arachidonic acid following GPC hydrolysis revealed that the precision of FAB was less precise than gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Yet the FAB technique did allow the observation of one unexpected molecular species (18:1a/20:4) due to the fact that the GPC was not degraded to simpler species prior to analysis. In this respect, the two strategies of molecular species analysis complement each other.
Profit in Bottle Laws

Standardized container legislation, while it would pose problems during a transition stage, would reduce solid waste and litter, conserve resources, and lower packaging costs. Consumers would retain empty containers and return them to the store. Closed-top baskets could be designed to maintain sanitation and eliminate counting and sorting problems. Another method would separate returnable containers from other solid waste by magnetic coding for reprocessing. The burden would rest on the consumer, and some problems would arise because of the widespread use of trash compactors. Transitional problems for the packaging industry would cause some disruption in production and employment and would require investment. Present container legislation has been successful when it has utilized private markets and encountered few enforcement problems. Research is needed in the area of material source control to complement recycling. Incentives in the form of deposit returns are modestly successful for bottle recovery, but a legislated standardization of containers would allow new methods of collection and lower prices. 17 references (DCK)
Mechanism of endotoxin-induced kinin production in human plasma.

Abstract Formation of kinins in the presence of endotoxin was investigated in cell-free specimens of plasma from normal adult humans, of decomplemented plasma, of plasma deficient in Hageman factor (factor XII), and of plasma from human newborns. Endotoxin activated kinin-forming enzymes and depleted kininogen only in the presence of both complement and antibody to endotoxin. The interaction between plasma and endotoxin was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor but not by ovomucoid trypsin inhibitor. This pattern of inhibition implies that plasma kallikrein or plasmin is the enzyme responsible for conversion of kininogen to kinins in this system. Activity of p -toluenesulfonyl-Larginine methyl ester (TAME) esterase in plasma correlated with formation of kinin during activation of plasma kallikrein by glass, but no such correlation was found when endotoxin was used to activate the kinin-generating system. Salicylates in pharmacological concentrations blocked formation of kinins in the presence of endotoxin but hydrocortisone did not. We conclude that endotoxin reacts with complement and antibody to endotoxin to activate plasma kallikrein or plasmin to form kinin. This reaction can be effectively inhibited by salicylates but not by hydrocortisone, it does not require the presence of Hageman factor, and it does not result in significant increases in the activity of plasma TAME esterase.
Learning-based configuration estimation of a multi-segment continuum robot

In this paper, we present a visual learning algorithm for estimating the configuration of a multisegment continuum robot designed for surgery. Our algorithm interpolates a stereo visual feature descriptor manifold using Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) to estimate configuration pose angles. Results are shown on a 3-segment snake robot, where rotational accuracy in the range of 1° −2° is achieved.
Multiparticle Matrix Elements of Currents at Large Mass

We employ a simple field-theory model to explore the extent to which kinematical lightcone dominance entails also leading light-cone singularity dominance, for higher matrix elements of current products. We retain all leading logarithmic terms in the ladder approximation, and impose the Mueller-Regge picture as a boundary condition on simple two-particle matrix elements appropriate for processes such as massive lepton-pair production and semi-inclusive electroproduction. We explore several asymptotic regimes with current mass ${q}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$, and find that limit sequences may always be defined that become analytically equivalent to some leading-singularity limit, before any discontinuities are computed. This includes commutativity of the deep-Regge and deep-scaling limits, as suggested by Brandt and Preparata. In massive lepton-pair production the pionization (central) vertex ${V}_{P}({q}^{2}+{{q}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{2}, {q}^{2})$ depends on the transverse momentum ${q}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ of the current, as well as the invariant mass ${q}^{2}$. In the present model, whenever ${q}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ with $\frac{{{q}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{2}}{{q}^{4}}$ finite, the appropriate residue in Mellin-transform space comes in part from the leading Mellin singularity relevant for the limit ${q}^{2}+{{q}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ in ${V}_{P}$, for the bremsstrahlung amplitudes. This suggests that perhaps any attenuation of these amplitudes, which carry the leading light-cone singularity, will not occur with emphasis on the ${q}^{2}+{{q}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{2}$ scale in ${V}_{P}$ but rather on the second, independent ${q}^{2}$ scale. On the other hand, whenever ${q}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ with $\frac{{{q}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{2}}{{q}^{4}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$, the appropriate residue in Mellin-transform space comes in part from the leading Mellin singularity relevant for the limit ${q}^{2}+{{q}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$, for the bremsstrahlung amplitudes. The bremsstrahlung amplitudes are not attenuated in this limit, but rather develop a square root of a triple-Regge behavior. This behavior obtains only for the bremsstrahlung amplitudes, with the annihilation amplitudes becoming asymptotically independent of ${q}^{2}+{{q}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{2}$. The existence of interpolating limits and nonattenuation of the bremsstrahlung amplitudes allows us to conclude that in the model no natural mechanism precludes dominance by the leading light-cone singularities, in any kinematically light-cone-dominated regime. In semi-inclusive electroproduction, the mechanism which generally links lightcone dominance with dominance by the leading light-cone singularity is graphically equivalent to the fixed-pole mechanism operating in inclusive electroproduction.
Detection and localization of unexploded ordnance using small unmanned helicopters

This paper presents the development and testing of a sensor payload for use on unmanned helicopters. This payload is designed to be used to detect and geo-position unexploded ordnance termed UXOs. This technology will be beneficial to explosive ordnance disposal personnel in their test range clearance operations. This payload is capable of gathering image, attitude, and position information during flight, and a suite of software programs was developed capable of modeling, classifying, and geo-positioning UXOs.
One-year prospective quality-of-life outcomes in patients treated with angioplasty for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

Background Despite lower reported patency rates than open bypass, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) may result in symptom relief, limb salvage, maintenance of ambulation and independent living, and overall improved quality of life. The goal of this study was to prospectively assess quality of life and functional outcomes after angioplasty and stenting in patients with chronic leg ischemia. Methods From August to December 2002, 84 patients with 118 chronically ischemic limbs underwent PTA with or without stenting as part of an ongoing prospective project performed to examine management of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. All patients completed a preprocedure health questionnaire (Short Form 36) to provide adequate baseline data. Each patient was followed up every 3 months after treatment for 1 year to determine traditional outcomes of arterial patency, limb salvage, survival and amputation-free survival, and functional outcomes assessed according to improvement in quality of life, maintenance of ambulatory status, and maintenance of independent living status. The entire cohort was analyzed, as were subgroups of patients with lifestyle-limiting claudication and those with critical limb ischemia. Outcomes were analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis, the log-rank test for survival curves, and the one-sample t test. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine whether presentation and level of disease were independent predictors of outcome. Results Of the 84 patients, 54 (64.3%) were treated for claudication (34 aortoiliac occlusive disease and 20 infrainguinal disease), and 30 (35.7%) were treated for critical limb ischemia (11 aortoiliac occlusive disease and 19 infrainguinal disease). One-year results for the 54 patients with claudication were as follows: primary patency, 78.5%; limb salvage, 100%; amputation-free survival, 96.3%; survival, 96.3%; maintenance of ambulation status, 100%; and maintenance of independence, 100%. There was statistical improvement in all physical function categories, including physical function (29.4 ± 8.9 vs 37.1 ± 11.3; P P = .0001), bodily pain (35.8 ± 8.5 vs 42.9 ± 10.9; P P P = .0009). Cox models with hazard ratios (HRs) revealed that presentation was a significant predictor for outcomes of primary patency (HR, 4.2; P = .0002), secondary patency (HR, 6.0; P P = .0047), survival (HR, 10.9; P = .0002), and amputation-free survival (HR, 11.2; P P = .00289). Conclusions Despite inferior reconstruction patency rates when compared with the historical results of open bypass, PTA provides excellent functional outcomes with good patient satisfaction, especially for treating claudication. These findings support a more liberal use of PTA intervention for patients with vasculogenic claudication.
Adopting a Robotic pH Instrument for Soil and Soil-Buffer pH Measurements in a Soil Test Laboratory

Optimum software settings were evaluated to minimize time of analysis without sacrificing data quality on an AS-3010D LabFit robotic instrument. There was little to no difference between soil and soil-buffer pH values measured via manual methods and LabFit analysis with four software settings. A setting for routine laboratory analysis was determined by evaluating r2 values from a comparison of LabFit versus manual measurements. Settings for routine analysis were adopted as follows: 5 s for sample delay time, 60 s for maximum sample time, 10 readings for stability, 0.02 for pH stability, 0 s for buffer run delay, and probe rinsing after every 40 samples. These settings were evaluated on 2933 Kentucky soil samples where robotic versus routine analysis of soil and soil-buffer pH resulted in r2 values of 0.94 and 0.82 for soil pH and soil-buffer pH, respectively. The results validated the utility of robotic instruments for soil pH analysis.
Squamous carcinoma arising in benign cystic teratoma of the ovary. A report of four cases and review of the literature

Four cases of squamous carcinoma arising in benign cystic teratoma of the ovary are presented, with a detailed correlation of clinical, operative and pathological findings with prognosis. Confinement of tumor to the ovary, with an intact ovarian capsule, is the most important prognostic factor since patients with extracapsular extension succumb to their disease within 2 years. The literature dealing with this subject is reviewed.
Some physiological effects of gamma irradiation on lemon fruit

Abstract Gamma irradiation of lemon fruit at doses as low as 100 krads results in delayed but severe injury. After 30–40 days at 15°C (59°F) the fruits develop cavities along the segment walls. This injury apparently is not caused by dehydration even though irradiated fruits lose more water than do unirradiated fruits. Doses of 200–400 krads cause a dramatic loss in ascorbic and citric acids in juice extracted from lemon fruit after 40 days at 15°C. Radiation injury resembling the “Black Button” disease of citrus appears about two weeks after treatment, and Alternaria rot develops in the dying tissues. Auxin and kinetin treatments following irradiation did not protect the buttons from the injury.
On solving certain nonlinear partial differential equations by accretive operator methods

We use similar functional analytic methods to solve (a) a fully nonlinear second order elliptic equation, (b) a Hamilton-Jacobi equation, and (c) a functional/partial differential equation from plasma physics. The technique in each case is to approximate by the solutions of simpler problems, and then to pass to limits using a modification of G. Minty’s device to the spaceL ∞.
Prevention of Pale, Soft, Exudative Porcine Muscle Through Regulation of Ante-Mortem Environmental Temperaturea

SUMMARY Thirty-seven Poland China pigs of uniform weight were subjected to various (warm, cold, warm-cold) ante-mortem treatments. The warm treatment (42–45°C) resulted in rapid post-mortem glycolysis, rapid onset of rigor mortis at a low pH and high temperature, and the development of extremely pale, soft, and exudative musculature with a marked loss in juice retention and protein solubility. Although muscle characteristics improved markedly from cold treatment (1–3°C), the most desirable muscles were produced by the warm treatment followed immediately by cold treatment. The latter treatment resulted in lower muscle temperature and reduced levels of glycogen and certain glycolytic components at the time of death. These muscles exhibited a limited glycolysis, rapid onset of rigor mortis but at a low temperature and high pH, and appeared dark, dry, and firm, with superior juice retention and greater protein solubility. The cold-to-warm treatment failed to provide uniformity in the development of post-mortem changes in color and structure.
Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome

Arterial vascular complications resulting from thoracic outlet compression, although rare, can be substantial and potentially limb threatening. Bony abnormalities such as cervical ribs can lead to chronic trauma to the subclavian artery. Early on, the clinical symptoms can be subtle and confusing, causing potential delay in diagnosis.
What happens when automated blood culture instrument detect growth but there are no technologists in the microbiology laboratory

We investigated blood cultures that revealed growth at night when no technologists were in the microbiology laboratory and at other times when the laboratory was staffed. On average, it took 7 h and 26 min and 2 h and 12 min for laboratory personnel to report positive blood culture Gram stain results to physicians when growth was detected by automated instruments during the former and latter time periods, respectively. When positive blood culture results led to a change in therapy, it took an average of 8 h and 21 min and 5 h and 26 min in the former and latter groups, respectively, from detection to when the order was written.
Methodology for Comparing End-of-Life Pathways for Non-Recycled Materials

Recycling plastics is widely accepted as the most beneficial end use of plastic products. Consequently, many cities are turning towards single-stream recycling to make it easier for consumers to recycle and to increase the total amount of municipal solid waste (in particular, energy-dense plastic waste) that is diverted to recycling facilities. However, single-stream recycling Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are now faced with sorting more diverse material flows with increased contamination from the mixing of recyclable and non-recyclable materials, leading to roughly 5–10% of the incoming material being sent to landfills. Converting the energy dense MRF waste material into solid recovery fuel (SRF) pellets creates an additional use for the products, diverts the material from the landfill, and displaces some fossil fuel use. However, there are some non-obvious energetic and environmental tradeoffs that require analysis to quantify. That is the intent of the research presented here. To analyze the potential of SRFs as viable alternative fuel sources, a first-order thermodynamic materials and energy balance was constructed using cement kilns as a test-bed. The proposed methodology allows for a range of traditional fuels to be compared with and without supplemental SRF. The SRF case can be benchmarked against the reference case, or conventional plastic end-of-life pathway, landfilling of the non-recycled plastic. The comparison includes transportation and processing steps required for each pathway, including any additional sorting needed for creating the SRF as well as the pelletization process itself. A robust methodology was created that allows for the MRF residue to be adjusted on a compositional basis because residue composition varies by season and location, which affects the analysis. Additionally, proximity to SRF conversion facilities and cement kilns will vary for each MRF and can impact the analysis so the methodology allows these factors to be adjusted. A test case was studied to compare the landfilling or combustion of MRF residue in a cement kiln at a rate of 0.9 metric tons per hour (7884 metric tons for a one year period). The analysis details the total energy consumed, landfill avoidance, amount of fuel displaced, and the total equivalent CO2 emissions of each scenario. The methodology successfully models the reference and SRF case and is robust enough to be used with a wide variety of potential SRF scenarios. A few parametric studies were performed on the transportation and landfill variables to determine their relative effect on results. It was found that additional transportation would have minimal effect of total energy consumption. When using SRF as a supplementary cement kiln fuel, the equivalent CO2 reductions are higher in scenarios with low methane capture efficiency at the landfill. Overall, it was found that using SRF as a supplementary fuel at cement kilns reduces the total fossil energy consumption and total equivalent CO2 reductions by 6% and 76%, respectively.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Feeding induces translocation of vacuolar proton ATPase and pendrin to the membrane of leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) mitochondrion-rich gill cells

In this study we characterized mitochondrion-rich (MR) cells and regulation of acid/base (A/B) relevant ion-transporting proteins in leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) gills. Immunohistochemistry revealed that leopard shark gills posses two separate cell populations that abundantly express either Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) or V-H⁺-ATPase (VHA), but not both ATPases together. Co-immunolocalization with mitochondrial Complex IV demonstrated, for the first time in shark gills, that both NKA- and VHA-rich cells are also MR cells, and that all MR cells are either NKA- or VHA-rich cells. Additionally we localized the anion exchanger pendrin to VHA-rich cells, but not NKA-rich cells. In starved sharks, VHA was localized throughout the cell cytoplasm and pendrin was present at the apical pole (but not in the membrane). However, in a significant number of gill cells from fed leopard sharks, VHA translocated to the basolateral membrane (as previously described in dogfish), and pendrin translocated to the apical membrane. Our results highlight the importance of translocation of ion-transporting proteins to the cell membrane as a regulatory mechanism for A/B regulation.
Predictors of transfusion for spinal surgery in Maryland, 1997 to 2000

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative patient, hospital, and surgeon characteristics associated with transfusion for spinal surgery. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Discharge data were obtained from 39 Maryland hospitals for adult patients (n = 3988) who had a primary procedure code for spinal surgery between July 1997 through June 2000, and with these codes, surgeons and hospitals were characterized by annual patient volume. Outcome variables included any allogeneic transfusion, any transfusion, RBCs, autologous blood, FFP, or platelet transfusion. Logistic regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Characteristics independently associated with an increased risk of receiving any allogeneic transfusion (n = 786) included age >54 (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-2.1), age >66 (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 2.0-3.5), female sex (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0), diabetes with chronic complications (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.9), and metastatic tumor (OR, 4.9; 95% CI, 2.3-10.5), emergency room admission (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.8), and greater hospital volume (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.8-8.6). Characteristics independently associated with increased autologous transfusions (n = 574) included white race (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4), female sex (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8), and greater surgeon volume (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.4-9.1). DISCUSSION: This information can be used to provide informed risk-benefit discussions with patients regarding the risk for blood transfusion as well as to target high-risk patients and institutions for interventions to reduce the risk of exposure to blood components.
Tumor-derived macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) inhibits T lymphocyte activation

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multi-functional cytokine that is considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine. However, our studies show that MIF, when produced in super-physiological levels by a murine neuroblastoma cell line (Neuro-2a) exceeding those normally seen during an immune response, inhibits cytokine-, CD3-, and allo-induced T-cell activation. MIF is also able to inhibit T cells that have already received an activation signal. The T-cell inhibitory effects of culture supernatants from neuroblastoma cells were reversed when the cells were transfected with dicer-generated si-RNA to MIF. When T cells were activated in vitro by co-culture with interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15 and analyzed for cytokine production in the presence or absence of MIF-containing culture supernatant, inhibition of T-cell proliferation and induced cell death were observed even as the treated T cells produced high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). The inhibitory effects of MIF were partially reversed when lymphocytes from IFN-γ knockout mice were tested. We propose that the high levels of MIF produced by neuroblastoma cause activation induced T-cell death through an IFN-γ pathway and may eliminate activated T cells from the tumor microenvironment and thus contribute to escape from immune surveillance.
Religion and Death: A Test of Homans' Thesis.

This article tests George Homans' contention that religion arouses a sense of anxiety concerning death and then alleviates the anxiety it creates. Data were collected on 372 participants who were r...
40Gbps operation of an offset quantum well active region based widely-tunable all-optical wavelength converter

We demonstrate for the first time 40 Gbit/s operation of a quantum well based monolithically integrated widely tunable all-optical wavelength converter. We show open eyes at 40 Gbit/s RZ with an output switching window of 6 ps and low pattern dependence across a 25 nm output tuning.
Examining a Gender Stereotype: Menopausal Women1

Two studies evaluated whether there was a subtype of menopausal women and, if so, how it differed from the global gender stereotype. Study 1 had participants generate items associated with women going through menopause, midlife women, and midlife men. Results showed that there is a menopausal women stereotype, and it is mostly negative in content. Moreover, this stereotype differs from the perceptions of women in general. Study 2 examined the effects of the menopausal women stereotype by employing the illusory correlation paradigm (e.g., McConnell, Sherman, & Hamilton, 1994) and found that participants greatly overestimated the number of times that menopausal women and negative moods appeared together. This research highlights the importance of examining stereotype subtypes and subgroups
CFD applications in hypersonic flight

Design studies are underway for a variety of hypersonic flight vehicles. The National Aero-Space Plane will provide a reusable, single-stage-to-orbit capability for routine access to low earth orbit. Flight-capable satellites will dip into the atmosphere to maneuver to new orbits, while planetary probes will decelerate at their destination by atmospheric aerobraking. To supplement limited experimental capabilities in the hypersonic regime, CFD is being used to analyze the flow about these configurations. The governing equations include fluid dynamic as well as chemical species equations, which are solved with robust upwind differencing schemes. Examples of CFD applications to hypersonic vehicles suggest an important role this technology will play in the development of future aerospace systems. The computational resources needed to obtain solutions are large, but various strategies are being exploited to reduce the time required for complete vehicle simulations.
Role of laminin in endothelial cell recognition and differentiation

Role of laminin in endothelial cell recognition and differentiation. The vascular endothelium normally is maintained in a quiescent state, but under certain conditions it is induced to undergo marked changes in behavior and form new vascular structures. A complex interaction among various growth and differentiation factors and the extracellular milieu regulates this behavior. One series of signals affecting endothelial behavior is provided by laminin, a major structural protein of basement membrane. These signals have been studied using Matrigel, a reconstituted basement membrane preparation from the murine Englebreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma, in an in vitro assay of endothelial cell differentiation. Three biologically-active sequences from the laminin molecule have been evaluated. Synthetic peptides that include the sequences -RGD-, -YIGSR-, and -SIKVAV- mediate, respectively, cell binding to Matrigel, alterations in cell morphology, and induction of migration and collagenase activity. Preliminary data indicate that observations made with this system may be relevant to endothelial function in vivo. Endothelial cell differentiation on Matrigel may thus be a useful in vitro model for the study of certain steps in angiogenesis.