cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiologic effects of isoproterenol on cardiac conduction system in man

The effects of isoproternol (ISOP) on the functional properties of the A-V conduction system were studied in 16 patients using His-bundle recordings and the atrial extrastimulus technique. In all patients, ISOP at an infusion rate of 1 mcg. per minute resulted in sinus acceleration and enhancement of A-V nodal conduction, but had no effect on His-Purkinje conduction time. ISOP significantly decreased both functional and effective refractory periods of the A-V node. The relative refractory period of the His-Purkinje system decreased by a small amount in five patients in whom the parameter could be compared before and after the drug.
Methylmercury and brain development: imprecision and underestimation of developmental neurotoxicity in humans

Methylmercury is now recognized as an important developmental neurotoxicant, though this insight developed slowly over many decades. Developmental neurotoxicity was first reported in a Swedish case report in 1952, and from a serious outbreak in Minamata, Japan, a few years later. Whereas the infant suffered congenital poisoning, the mother was barely harmed, thus reflecting a unique vulnerability of the developing nervous system. Nonetheless, exposure limits for this environmental chemical were based solely on adult toxicity until 50 years after the first report on developmental neurotoxicity. Even current evidence is affected by uncertainty, most importantly by imprecision of the exposure assessment in epidemiological studies. Detailed calculations suggest that the relative imprecision may be as much as 50%, or greater, thereby substantially biasing the results toward the null. In addition, as methylmercury exposure usually originates from fish and seafood that also contains essential nutrients, so-called negative confounding may occur. Thus, the beneficial effects of the nutrients may appear to dampen the toxicity, unless proper adjustment is included in the analysis to reveal the true extent of adverse effects. These problems delayed the recognition of low-level methylmercury neurotoxicity. However, such problems are not unique, and many other industrial compounds are thought to cause developmental neurotoxicity, mostly with less epidemiological support than methylmercury. The experience obtained with methylmercury should therefore be taken into account when evaluating the evidence for other substances suspected of being neurotoxic.
A flow-condition-based interpolation finite element procedure for triangular grids

A flow-condition-based interpolation finite element scheme is presented for use of triangular grids in the solution of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The method provides spatially isotropic discretizations for low and high Reynolds number flows. Various example solutions are given to illustrate the capabilities of the procedure. This article replaces a previously published version, which was retracted due to printing errors: International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids 2005; 49(8):849–875 [DOI: 10.1002/fld.1027]. Retraction notice DOI: 10.1002/fld.1247 Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemistry of C-Trimethylsilyl-Substituted Heterocarboranes. 27. Synthetic, Spectroscopic, Structural, and Reactivity Studies on d0 Hafnacarboranes of 2,3-C2B4-Carborane Ligands

The sodium/lithium compounds closo-exo-Li(THF)-1-Na(THF)-2-(SiMe3)-3-(R)-2,3-C2B4H4 (R = SiMe3, Me, H), were found to react with several different hafnium reagents to produce half- and full-sandwich and mixed-ligand chlorohafnacarboranes in good yields. The reaction of the sodium/lithium compounds with HfCl4 in 2:1 molar ratios produced the full-sandwich complexes 1-Cl-1-(THF)-2,2‘-(SiMe3)2-3,3‘-(R)2-4‘,5,5‘,6-Li(THF)n-[1,1‘-commo-Hf(2,3-C2B4H4)2] (R = SiMe3, n = 2 (I); R = Me, n = 1 (II); R = H, n = 1 (III)) in yields of 77%, 65%, and 71%, respectively. When R = SiMe3, a 1:1 molar ratio of carborane to HfCl4 gave the half-sandwich species [Li(THF)2][1,1,1-(Cl)3-closo-1-Hf-2,3-(SiMe3)2-2,3-C2B4H4] (V) in 77% yield. On the other hand, both 2:1 and 1:1 reaction ratios of carborane (R = Me) to Cp*HfCl3 gave only the mixed-ligand sandwich compound 1,1‘-(Cl)2-2-(SiMe3)-3-(Me)-4,5-Li(THF)-1,1‘-commo-Hf[(η5-C5Me5)(η5-2,3-C2B4H4)] (IV) in 82% yield. All compounds were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, 1H, 1...
Clinical management of infantile cholelithiasis.

Abstract Purpose Infantile cholelithiasis is a rare disease process, and management strategies are poorly defined. We therefore examined the risk factors, complications, and management of this disease at our institution. Methods We retrospectively reviewed infants with cholelithiasis diagnosed on ultrasound between 1997 and 2013. Details of the patient's medical history, presentation, imaging findings, laboratory values, and treatment were reviewed and analyzed. Results Over the 16-year period, 50 infants were evaluated for cholelithiasis. Thirty-seven (74%) had at least one risk factor for gallstone development which included total parenteral nutrition, diuretic therapy, cephalosporin antibiotic treatment, sepsis, congenital heart disease (CHD), prematurity, or a malabsorptive gastrointestinal condition. Thirteen (26%) infants were symptomatic, most commonly presenting with emesis and jaundice. Complications from gallstones included choledocholithiasis (9), cholecystitis (3), and pancreatitis (1). Nearly half (6/13) of patients with complicated cholelithiasis had CHD. Of infants presenting with complications, 9 had a cholecystectomy, most commonly via a laparoscopic approach, 2 had an ERCP for choledocholithiasis, and 2 were medically managed. In patients managed conservatively, resolution of gallstones occurred in 25%. Conclusions Infantile cholelithiasis has variable outcomes ranging from spontaneous resolution to choledocholithiasis or cholecystitis. While patients with complicated cholelithiasis often undergo an operation, infants
Service Coordination and Children’s Functioning in a School-Based Intensive Mental Health Program

Coordination of mental health services in children with serious emotional disturbance (SED) has shown a preliminary relationship to positive outcomes in children. Yet, research in this area is sparse. Therefore, the relation between service coordination activities and adaptive functioning was examined for 51 children SED who were treated in the school-based Intensive Mental Health Program for elementary school students (IMHP; average treatment length was 12 months; mean age 9.37 at intake). Systematic review of detailed case records identified 16,669 episodes of service coordination that could be coded reliably for frequency, quality, and purpose (planning, linking, monitoring) of the service coordination component. Adaptive functioning was measured by Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) ratings and daily points earned on the behavior management system of the IMHP at intake, 6, 12 months, and discharge. Findings indicated that the frequency, quality, and purpose of the service coordination component varied from case to case and by time in treatment. Although service coordination activities overall decreased as treatment progressed, concentrated high quality service coordination (measured by frequency, quality, and component of service coordination) consistently predicted improved functioning on both CAFAS ratings and daily points earned. Results have both practice and policy implications for training interagency teams and clinicians on when and how to optimally coordinate services.
Metal‐Organic Decomposition and Microstructure Development in Ba2ycu3o7‐X Films from Metal Trifluoroacetate Precursors

Decomposition of metal-organic precursors to Ba2Ycu3O7-X films is difficult because of the high reaction temperature required to decompose the BaCO3 intermediate. The recently proposed use of metal trifluoroacetate (TFA) solutions offers an alternative path to barium-containing superconducting films. The TFA salts decompose to the metal fluorides forming BaF2, eliminating BaCO3 from the system. Ultimate conversion to BYC, however, is shown not only to depend on hydrolysis of the BaF2 at high temperatures, but also hydrolysis of copper trifluoracetate at low temperatures to prevent the volatilization of Cu(TFA)2. These processes result in unique microstructural behavior which can be characterized by electon microscopy and Auger spectroscopy. Effects due to substrate interactions have been eliminated by use of a chemically inert substrate material, BaZrO3.
Mode-locked two-photon entangled states

When the modes of a laser are locked in phase, the output field becomes pulses with equal time intervals. Similarly, a mode-locked two-photon state consists of N frequency-conjugate photon pairs in superposition, which provides the mechanism for phase locking of the different frequency components. The quantum state has the following form:
Predicting the readability of transparent text.

Will a simple global masking model based on image detection be successful at predicting the readability of transparent text? Text readability was measured for two types of transparent text: additive (as occurs in head-up displays) and multiplicative (which occurs in see-through liquid crystal display virtual reality displays). Text contrast and background texture were manipulated. Data from two previous experiments were also included (one using very low contrasts on plain backgrounds, and the other using higher-contrast opaque text on both plain and textured backgrounds). All variables influenced readability in at least an interactive manner. When there were background textures, the global masking index (that combines text contrast and background root mean square contrast) was a good predictor of search times (r = 0.89). When the masking was adjusted to include the text pixels as well as the background pixels in computations of mean luminance and contrast variability, predictability improved further (r = 0.91). Keywords: vision models, luminance contrast, contrast gain, masking, text contrast, word search, transparent displays
Piezoreflectivity of Gallium Arsenide

The response of the reflectivity spectrum of single-crystal gallium arsenide to uniaxial stress in the [001] and [111] directions was determined. Interband transitions were detected at 1.425 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.015, 1.76 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02, 2.89, 3.12, and 4.5 eV. The direct edge at $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ is found to have a deformation potential ratio $\frac{d}{b} \ensuremath{\simeq}3.2$, using a stress-optical response model based on the Pikus - Bir Hamiltonian. The 2.89- and 3.12-eV spin-orbit-split transitions exhibit modulated reflectivity line shapes expected of $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ symmetry. Comparison is made with the stress-modulated response of a symmetry-related transition in germanium. The deformation-potential ratios $\frac{{D}_{1}^{5}}{{D}_{1}^{1}}=\ensuremath{-}0.55\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03$, $\frac{{D}_{3}^{5}}{{D}_{3}^{3}}=0.77\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03$ have been derived. Comparison of the hydrostatic component of the perturbation with the energy derivative of the unmodulated reflectivity spectrum shows good agreement with a rigid-shift model. Finally, the 4.5-eV transition has shown a response to the stress perturbation indicative of a $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ symmetry.
Angiogenic Nanoscaffold Accelerates Diabetic Wound Healing and Improves Wound Tissue Strength in db/db Mice

Chronic ulcers are a leading cause of morbidity in diabetic patients. Diabetes is associated with major changes in the wound microenvironment and disruption of normal wound healing process, characterized by a prolonged inflammatory phase with elevated levels of wound proteases and increased degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components [1]. This impedes wound healing due to a lack of provisional matrix, impaired recruitment and survival of endothelial (EC) and endothelial precursor (EPC) cells, and insufficient neovascularization, resulting in delayed healing. Therefore, strategies focused on restoring the diabetic wound microenvironment by decreasing ECM degradation and promoting neovascularization are promising for development of new therapies to treat chronic diabetic ulcers.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Genotypic exclusion: A novel relationship between the ribitol-arabitol and galactitol genes of E. coli

Genetic studies indicate that the E. coli C chromosomal genes which are responsible for catabolism of the pentitol sugars, ribitol and D-arabitol, are not present in the closely related E. coli K12 strains (Reiner 1975). Molecular studies of these tightly linked genes reveal that they are surrounded by 1.4 kilobase inverted repeats of imperfect homology (Link and Reiner 1982). Here we report that E. coli C lacks genes for catabolism of the hexitol sugar galactitol, genes which are present in E. coli K12. Furthermore, the ribitol-arabitol and galactitol genes, which show no mutual homology, are mutually exclusive when exchanged (by homologous recombination) between E. coli C and K12. Physical characterization of lambda specialized transducing phages carrying the ribitol-arabitol or galactitol genes demonstrates that this exclusion results because these genes have identical locations in their respective chromosomes. This novel type of allelic relationship between nonhomologous genes has not been previously described in prokaryotes. Analysis of the catabolic capabilities of a collection of natural E. coli strains suggests that this exclusion relationship extends to strains in the natural E. coli population. We suggest an insertion/deletion model to account for the origins of this unusual gene arrangement.
Sub-graph routing : a novel fault-tolerant architecture for shared-risk link group failures in WDM optical networks

Failure resilience is one the desired features of the Internet. Multiple link failure models, in the form of shared-risk link group (SRLG) failures, are becoming critical in survivable optical network design. Most of the traditional restoration schemes are based on the single-failure assumption which is unrealistic. In our research, we propose a novel survivability approach that can tolerate multiple failures arising out of SRLG situations. Each network has a set of sub-graphs that can be created by removing each of the links in the network and, in addition, removing all of the links of a SRLG. Connections in the newly proposed strategy are accepted if they can be routed in all the sub-graphs, and are protected against all single link and SRLG failures. We also study how restorability can be achieved for node failures and analyze the performance of our approaches for different network topologies. Our proposed restoration architecture requires the storage of network state information corresponding to each of the possible failure scenarios defined by the subgraphs. This restoration model is novel and can be implemented in current WDM backbone networks.
Bisphosphonates: From Grandparents to Grandchildren

Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogues of pyrophosphate that inhibit bone resorption by their action on osteoclasts. Bisphosphonates have been extensively used in the elderly with primary and secondary osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and hypercalcemia of malignancy. In recent years, bisphosphonates have been used to treat children acutely for resistant hypercalcemia and chronically for various metabolic bone diseases. The theoretical concerns of possible adverse effects of these drugs on the growing skeleton have not been proven to be true. In the present review, we have critically analyzed the available literature on bisphosphonate therapy in both adult and pediatric clinical trials. Although not yet approved by the FDA for use in children, bisphosphonates, from published experience, demonstrate benefit to the child with no serious adverse effects. Based on the literature analysis the review furnishes detailed recommendations and practical guidelines regarding the use of oral and intravenous bisphosphona...
Effects of Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentration in the Dark on the Growth of Soybean Seedlings

Previous work has shown that elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the dark reversibly reduce the rate of CO2 efflux from soybeans. Experiments were performed exposing soybean plants continually to concentrations of 350 or 700 cm3 m-3 for 24 h d-1, or to 350 during the day and 700 cm3 m-3 at night, in order to determine the importance of the reduced rate of dark CO2 efflux for plant growth. High CO2 applied only at night conserved carbon and increased dry mass during initial growth compared with the constant 350 cm3 m-3 treatment. Long-term net assimilation rate was increased by high CO2 in the dark, without any increase in daytime leaf photosynthesis. However, leaf area ratio was reduced by the dark CO2 treatment to values equal to those of plants continually exposed to the higher concentration. From days 14-21, leaf area was less for the elevated night-time CO2 treatment than for either the constant 350 or 700 cm3 m-3 treatments. For the days 7-21-period, relative growth rate was significantly reduced by the high night CO2 treatment compared with the 350 cm3 m-3 continuous treatment. The results indicate that some functionally significant component of respiration was reduced by the elevated CO2 concentration in the dark.
Healing of an Asymptomatic Carotid Plaque Ulceration

A 72-year-old man with asymptomatic, bilateral, >80% carotid stenoses diagnosed by duplex ultrasound was scheduled for a left carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and a right CEA 2 months later. He underwent in vivo neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination 1 week before each scheduled CEA. Carotid plaque specimens were subsequently evaluated with ex vivo MRI and histological analysis.1 Histology sections were coregistered with ex vivo (0.5-mm thick) and in vivo (3-mm thick) MR slices using the carotid bifurcation as a point of reference. All in vivo and ex vivo MRI images were measured in millimeters from the bifurcation. The entire CEA sample (10-mm thick) was sectioned every 0.25 mm. Measurements in all modalities were referenced to the superior edge of the bifurcation. The gross morphology and calcified regions of each MR image were used to confirm registration with histology sections.1 The initial neck MRI performed before the left CEA revealed a small dark region protruding into the plaque from the lumen, a characteristic of plaque ulceration (Figure 1A). An ulcer was visualized at the same location in the ex vivo specimen (Figure 1B). Matched ex vivo …
Competence and the laying of blame.

The New York Times of May 13 carried a story that detailed for American readers the grim story of Dr Harold Shipman, a general practitioner established in a busy practice near Manchester, England, who, it appears, may be the world's most proli®c serial murderer. In the US the publication of Blind Eye told the rather bizarre tale of Dr Michael Swango, who apparently pursued a career of poisoning co-workers and patients while in medical school and in residency training. Although Shipman and Swango appear to be psychopaths, both cases have raised concerns about the broader issue of oversight of medical practitioners. But I cite these notorious examples to make a point about competence in medicine, namely, that doctors are viewed as being responsible for their actions. It is presumed that doctors are in control, not only of their own behaviour, but also of the circumstances and events accompanying their encounters with patients. It is this presumption that allows us to blame doctors and to hold them morally culpable for errors. This is not by way of offering excuses for Shipman or Swango. It is rather to make the point that our conception of the doctor's competence includes the justi®cation to blame. The process may be relatively straightforward when we confront the psychopath, but the bases for our view of doctors' accountability deserve inspection because they illuminate several important principles.
Model-based spatiotemporal analysis and control of a network of spiking Basal Ganglia neurons

Precise spatiotemporal control of the output of a network of intricately connected neurons through microstimulation is highly desirable in many neural prosthetic applications. This control, however, is challenging, in part due to the large number of unobserved variables in the system under consideration, the complexity underlying the local mechanisms of microstimulation, and the interplay between the intrinsic network structure and its dynamic response to external stimulation. In this work we use a simplified firing rate model, identified from a network of Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) type spiking Basal Ganglia (BG) neurons, to study the response of the network to patterned microstimulation, and to design effective feedback control laws to approximate a desired spatiotemporal pattern. Mathematical analysis of the simplified model using Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) suggests that the BG neural circuit under study exhibits strong spatiotemporal selectivity and only responds strongly to a range of specific spatiotemporal stimulation patterns. We use the concept of functional controllability based on SVD to evaluate the effectiveness of various combinations of stimulation sites for a given set of neurons to be controlled. The results suggest that the functional controllability is largely decided by the network connectivity and the connection strength. Finally, we demonstrate that the controller design based on the simplified model is indeed effective in driving the output neurons to follow a prescribed spatiotemporal firing pattern in the network output.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's activities to achieve ignition by X-ray drive on the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a MJ-class glass laser-based facility funded by the Department of Energy which has achieved thermonuclear ignition and moderate gain as one of its main objectives. In the summer of 1998, the project was about 40% complete, and design and construction was on schedule and on cost. The NIF will start firing onto targets in 2001, and will achieve full energy in 2004. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) together with the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) have the main responsibility for achieving X-ray driven ignition on the NIF. In the 1990s, a comprehensive series of experiments on Nova at LLNL, followed by recent experiments on the Omega laser at the University of Rochester, demonstrated confidence in understanding the physics of X-ray drive implosions. The same physics at equivalent scales is used in calculations to predict target performance on the NIF, giving credence to calculations of ignition on the NIF. An integrated program of work in preparing the NIF for X-ray driven ignition in about 2007, and the key issues being addressed on the current Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) facilities [(Nova, Omega, Z at Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) and NIKE at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)], are described.
MODIFICATIONS OF THE OPTIMAL VELOCITY TRAFFIC MODEL TO INCLUDE DELAY DUE TO DRIVER REACTION TIME

Abstract Straightforward inclusion of a delay time due to driver reaction time in the optimal velocity (OV) model reveals an unphysical sensitivity to driver reaction times. For delay times of nearly 1 s , which are typical for most drivers, oscillations in vehicle velocity induced by encountering a slower vehicle grow until limited by non-linear effects. Simulations demonstrate that unrealistically small delay times are needed for lengthy platoons of vehicles to avoid collisions. This is a serious limitation of the OV model. Other models, such as the inertial car-following model, allow somewhat larger delay times, but also show unphysical effects. Modifications of the OV model to overcome this deficiency are demonstrated. In addition, unphysical short-period oscillations of vehicle velocity are eliminated by introducing partial car-following into the model. Traffic jams are caused primarily by the delay due to driver reaction time in the modified OV model.
A new Medicaid program.

ABSTRACT: This paper suggests a new federal-state partnership—a new Medicaid program—for coverage of the uninsured and long-term care. It discusses national eligibility standards, based on financial need (rather than categorical eligibility); buy-ins and reinsurance for high-risk populations; a national strategy of “Medicaid plus tax credits” to cover the uninsured; Medicaid long-term care with expanded eligibility, better financial protection, and home and community-based care benefits; quality initiatives; administration; and possible financing sources (such as estate taxes and an increased Social Security Disability Insurance wage base). Without a new mission and national standards, Medicaid will continue to grow in a patchwork fashion with huge gaps and inequities.
Parameter optimization using the L∞ exact penalty function and strictly convex quadratic programming problems

Abstract This paper presents an algorithm for the numerical solution of constrained parameter optimization problems. The solution strategy is based on a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) technique that uses the L ∞ exact penalty function. Unlike similar SQP algorithms the method proposed here solves only strictly convex quadratic programs to obtain the search directions. The global convergence properties of the algorithm are enhanced by the use of a nonmonotone line search and second-order corrections to avoid the Maratos effect. The paper also presents an ANSI C implementation of the algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by solving numerous parameter optimization and optimal control problems that have appeared in the literature.
The Human Language Project: Building a Universal Corpus of the World's Languages

We present a grand challenge to build a corpus that will include all of the world's languages, in a consistent structure that permits large-scale cross-linguistic processing, enabling the study of universal linguistics. The focal data types, bilingual texts and lexicons, relate each language to one of a set of reference languages. We propose that the ability to train systems to translate into and out of a given language be the yardstick for determining when we have successfully captured a language. We call on the computational linguistics community to begin work on this Universal Corpus, pursuing the many strands of activity described here, as their contribution to the global effort to document the world's linguistic heritage before more languages fall silent.
Combining fertilizer and organic inputs to synchronize N supply in alternative cropping systems in California

Abstract One of the principal aims of alternative cropping systems is to minimize excessive loss of N while maximizing N use efficiency and meeting crop N requirements. Many such cropping systems substitute intensive application of synthetic fertilizer with organic inputs, such as N2-fixing legumes. The effectiveness of legume residues as a N source for subsequent crops depends heavily on temporal N release from the residue during the growing season. A field experiment with 15 N -labeled fertilizer and 15 N -labeled vetch residue was conducted to determine the temporal pattern of N release from both sources in conventional and alternative cropping systems in California. The experiment was conducted within conventional (fertilizer), low-input (fertilizer and organic N), and organic (organic N only) cropping systems established 9 year previously. Availability of N from the labeled inputs was determined based on uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). Uptake of total N and 15 N by maize in each cropping system was monitored at 10 day intervals from 50 to 90 days after seeding for determination of uptake rates. Uptake of N from fertilizer in the conventional system was greater than uptake of N from vetch in the low-input and organic systems. Uptake of N from vetch was delayed, but with a sustained availability later in the season. Uptake rates of N from fertilizer peaked at 4.3 kg N ha−1 per day between 70 and 80 days while those from vetch residue reached a maximum of 0.6 kg N ha−1 per day during the same time period. Grain and N yield at harvest did not differ between cropping systems despite different temporal and quantitative availability of N from organic and inorganic N inputs. This demonstrates that optimum yields can be achieved under management which uses alternative sources of N and can successfully match N availability with crop uptake.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis using Confa

This article describes the confa command, which fits confirmatory factor analysis models by maximum likelihood and provides diagnostics for the fitted models. Descriptions of the command and its options are given, and some illustrative examples are provided. Copyright 2009 by StataCorp LP.
What happens to allochthonous material that falls into streams? A synthesis of new and published information from Coweeta

SUMMARY 6. The average respiration rate of FPOM was 1.4 mg O2 g AFDM -1 day -1 over a temperature range of 6-22 ∞C, which implies a decomposition rate of 0.00104 day -1 . Transport distances of both corn pollen and glass beads, surrogates of natural FPOM, were short (< 10 m) except during high discharge. 7. Estimates of transport rate were substantially larger than the breakdown rates for sticks, leaves and FPOM. Thus, an organic particle on the stream bottom is more likely to be transported than broken down by biological processes, although estimates of turnover length suggest that sticks and leaves do not travel far. However, once these larger particles are converted to refractory FPOM, either by physical or biological processes, they may be transported long distances before being metabolized.
A comparison of bulk and SOI deep sub-micron MOSFET small-signal behavior in the high-frequency regime beyond 10 GHz

We investigate the small-signal behavior of SOI CMOS devices. The small signal parameters include: power gain, transconductance, input resistance, output resistance, input and output capacitance. These characteristics were compared to bulk CMOS at RF frequencies above 10 GHz. Analysis of these results, show a great reduction in the negative impacts of both the parasitic S/D resistance and parasitic BJT floating-body effects on RF circuits at the 10 GHz regime.
Growth Disturbance Following ACL Reconstruction with Use of an Epiphyseal Femoral Tunnel

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in skeletally immature patients are increasing in prevalence. This appears to be the result of a heightened suspicion for such injuries, more readily available imaging, and the ever-increasing physical demands and competitiveness of organized youth sports1. As a result, there is increased interest in early ACL reconstruction to potentially prevent further intra-articular damage to the knee2-4. Multiple surgical techniques for ACL reconstruction described for adults are not appropriate in skeletally immature patients because they involve large drill holes across the physis, fixation or bone blocks that cross the physis, or tensioning of a graft across the physis, all of which have been shown to result in growth disturbances5-13. Because of these concerns, multiple surgical techniques to address ACL tears in patients with open physes have been described, including primary repair, extra-articular tenodesis, transphyseal reconstruction, partial transphyseal reconstruction, and physeal sparing techniques. Growth disturbances have been reported with the use of most of these techniques12-14. Anderson described a technique of ACL reconstruction that avoids drilling tunnels across the physis15,16. Theoretically, this should decrease the incidence of growth disturbance following ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients. With this technique, both the femoral and the tibial tunnels are drilled entirely within the epiphysis, and an all-soft-tissue graft is used for the reconstruction. Good results were found in twelve patients at the time of follow-up, two to eight years postoperatively15, and to our knowledge a growth disturbance has never been reported after the use of this technique. Here, we describe a case of distal femoral valgus angulation associated with use of an epiphyseal femoral tunnel for a revision ACL reconstruction in an immature patient. The patient and his family …
Condominium Conversion and the Tax Reform Acts of 1969 and 1976

Condominium conversions became a major factor in housing markets durig the 1970s. The analysis presented in this paper suggests that rental housing investors are in high marginal tax brackets and use rental housing tax losses to shelter other income. These characteristics imply that rental housing tax benefits are an important determinant of rental housing investment. The Tax Reform Act of 1969 and 1976 reduced rental housing tax benefits and may have provided an important stimulus for the condominium conversions of the 1970s. Tax and survey data confirm the predicted characteristics of rental-housing investors. Estimates of rental flows in Chicago from 1962 to 1977 indicate that the Tax Reform Act of 1969 and 1976 were possible causes of condominium conversions during the 1970s.
Invariant States and Redundant Logic in Synchronous Sequential Circuits

The concept of invariant states of synchronous sequential circuits is defined. An invariant state is incompletely specified (i.e., it is a cube), and its specified state variables remain constant under any input vector. Invariant states provide a method to identify redundant logic, which may not be identified based on redundant stuck-at faults. A procedure for finding invariant states with maximal numbers of specified state variables is described. The process of finding redundant logic based on an invariant state is explained. Experimental results show that several large benchmark circuits have invariant states with large numbers of specified state variables, explaining why these circuits are untestable. Properties of invariant states in synchronizable circuits are also discussed
Disaggregating the State and Local Tax Deduction

The appropriateness of a federal deduction for state and local taxes is a frequent point of contention among scholars and policymakers, and various proposals have been offered to limit or modify the deduction. All of the debates and proposals surrounding the deduction treat states and localities as if they were the same. This Article disaggregates state and local governments to show that the way they tax and spend is different in many ways that are relevant to the deduction. When state and local government revenues are disaggregated, it becomes clear that the “state and local tax deduction” is actually two distinct deductions, one primarily for state income taxes and another primarily for local property taxes. Property taxes, which make up nearly three-quarters of local taxes, are fully deductible. Sales taxes, which make up nearly half of state revenue, can only be deducted in lieu of income taxes, an option that few itemizing taxpayers take. When state and local expenditures are disaggregated, it becomes apparent that local expenditures provide more direct benefits to taxpayers living within relatively homogeneous localities while state expenditures provide fewer public benefits to those who pay state taxes and are more likely to result in redistribution. This Article evaluates the arguments traditionally made for and against the deduction in light of the differences between state and local revenues and expenditures, revealing that the arguments for the deduction apply more strongly to states while the arguments against the deduction apply more strongly to localities. This means that Congress currently has the deduction backwards: local taxes are proportionately more deductible than state taxes even though a deduction for local taxes is less justified than a deduction for state taxes. This Article builds on this analysis to provide an initial framework for how federal deductibility for state and local taxes could be more fairly and efficiently constructed to account for the differences between states and localities.
Commentary on the Acquisition Workforce

Recognizing the need to focus on the strategic management of the federal acquisition workforce, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) promulgated Policy Letter 05-01, Developing and Managing the Acquisition Workforce. These two brief pieces discuss the policy letter and what it signals to the acquisition community. The first, Empty Promise for the Acquisition Workforce, concludes that, although the letter's title optimistically heralded a bold step forward, OFPP both aimed too low and missed the mark. The letter attempted to redefine cosmetically the acquisition workforce and describe how a portion of this deputized acquisition workforce should be trained. While the latter is important, the letter dodged the primary issue that daunts the workforce, painted a deceptive picture of a growing acquisition workforce and failed to communicate a vision for a reinvigorated corps of contracting professionals. The second, A Pedagogical Perspective on Training the Acquisition Workforce, offers some pedagogical reactions to the policy letter and some suggestions, with a focus on the need for teaching critical thinking.
4He in Groundwater

Helium-4 is produced within the Earth by the decay of 238U, 235U and 232Th. Shortly after the discovery of the radioactivity of U and Th, the idea of using the accumulation of He in minerals as a dating tool was proposed by Ernest Rutherford (Hurley, 1954). The U-He dating method for rocks is based on the assumption that U- and Th- bearing minerals quantitatively retain the He produced within them. However, comparison of U-He dates with other methods (e.g., K-Ar) has shown that U-He ages frequently underestimate the true age of the sample as a result of incomplete He retention.
Primer system for bonding conventional adhesives and coatings to silicone rubber

Abstract This research examines a novel, two-part primer system that allows almost any adhesive or coating to adhere strongly to silicone rubber. Based on cyanoacrylate, the system forms a thin coating that binds tightly to silicone and provides a porous, nanostructured surface to which adhesives and coatings can bond well. Crucial to the effectiveness of the primer layer is the solvent used in the second part of the primer system. The layer׳s polycyanoacrylate forms as a gel in the presence of that solvent and is subject to the solvent׳s chemical and physical influences. When the solvent has little affinity for the polycyanoacrylate, as well as a small surface tension, the gel is able to withstand capillary stresses exerted by the evaporating solvent and become a xerogel with extensive porosity and nanostructure.
Roles of septins in prospore membrane morphogenesis and spore wall assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The highly conserved family of septin proteins has important functions in cytokinesis in mitotically proliferating cells. A different form of cytokinesis occurs during gametogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in which four haploid meiotic products become encased by prospore membrane (PSMs) and specialized, stress-resistant spore walls. Septins are known to localize in a series of structures near the growing PSM, but previous studies noted only mild sporulation defects upon septin mutation. We report that directed PSM extension fails in many septin-mutant cells, and, for those that do succeed, walls are abnormal, leading to increased susceptibility to heating, freezing, and digestion by the Drosophila gut. Septin mutants mislocalize the leading-edge protein (LEP) complex required for normal PSM and wall biogenesis, and ectopic expression of the LEP protein Ssp1 perturbs mitotic septin localization and function, suggesting a functional interaction. Strikingly, extra copies of septin CDC10 rescue sporulation and LEP localization in cells lacking Sma1, a phospholipase D-associated protein dispensable for initiation of PSM assembly and PSM curvature but required for PSM extension. These findings point to key septin functions in directing efficient membrane and cell wall synthesis during budding yeast gametogenesis.
Interpretation of When I was in Rosy Village by Ding Ling

A series of novels,essays and prose written by Ding Ling before 1949 have always been hot topics of studying female literature in modern Chinese literature.When I was in Rosy Village is a kind of unique writing of existence experience.By revealing the references of different layers in linguistic description,it can be found that the invisible clue of the work is the morbid mental state of most people in deserted age according to the depiction of venereal disease.To interpret the narrative intention of Ding Ling by divinity writing and to see through the female world in the perspective of text gender are feasible analytical methods.
Application of Conformance Efficiency Modification Method to Determination of Theoretic Water Cut Curve of Reservoir

Water cut curve is the basic curve used to research the water-yielding rules of the water drive oilfield.This paper reviews the existing research methods for the water-yielding rules,presents the difference between the lab core and the real reservoir in macroscopic and microscopic geologic characteristics,integrated with the relative permeability curve and the methods for determination of the volumetric conformance efficiency of lab core and the real reservoir,and proposes a new method-conformance efficiency modification method that can be used to determine the theoretic water cut curve of the water drive oilfield.The case study indicates that the calculated theoretic water cut curve is more accordant with the actual performance than the existing methods.
Thermoplastic Blends from Albumin and Zein: Plastic Formation and Mechanical Properties Including Modeling

The use of proteins in blending with traditional polymers in the formation of thermoplastics can produce plastics with properties that are superior to traditional petroleum-based plastics. We investigated the physical and thermal properties of albumin and zein thermoplastic blends plasticized with glycerol and mixed with varying amounts of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Several mechanical models were utilized to determine how tensile properties will be altered when varying amounts of protein/LDPE were added into the thermoplastic blend. When analyzed for thermal properties, we found that as the amount of LDPE in the thermoplastic blend increased, the resulting plastic possessed thermal properties that were more similar to pure LDPE plastics. In terms of mechanical properties, comparison between the experimental data and model predictions points to a synergistic effect between albumin and LDPE that leads to higher modulus, while a potential lack of compatibility between zein and LDPE leads to a plastic with lower modulus. Based on our results, the use of albumin and zein proteins when blended with LDPE in the production of thermoplastics has potential use in the areas of medical and food packaging applications.
Rat strain differences in freezing and sleep alterations associated with contextual fear.

Study Objective: To examine rat strain differences in fear responses and subsequent alterations in sleep associated with contextual fear. Design: Recordings for each strain were obtained of nondisturbed baseline sleep and of sleep after exposure to a novel chamber (handling control). Afterward, the rats were subjected to shock training for 2 sessions (ST1, ST2) and to contextual fear (CF) alone. Percentage time spent in freezing (FT%) was observed during ST1, ST2 and CF exposures. Sleep was recorded for 20 hours (8-hour light and 12-hour dark period) following ST1, ST2 and CF. Setting: NA Subjects: The subjects were 2 inbred rat strains (Fischer 344 [F344] and Lewis [LEW] and one outbred rat strain (Wistar [WST]). Interventions: The rats were surgically implanted with electrodes for recording electroencephalogram and electromyogram for determining arousal state. Measurements and Results: Strain rankings for FT% were F344 = LEW > WST during ST2 and CF. LEW and WST rats exhibited decreased rapid eye movement sleep (REM) after shock training and CF compared with baseline and control; F344 rats did not. F344 and WST rats showed increased dark-period REM after ST1, ST2, and CF compared with baseline but not with control. Conclusions: Shock training and CF induce immediate reductions in REM in rats. However, strain differences in the amount of REM decrease did not simply relate to the strength of fear responses during shock training and CF. We speculate that reported strain differences in stress hormones, particularly prolactin, may contribute to strain differences in fear-induced alterations in REM.
What Does a Shoulder MRI Cost the Consumer

More than 100 MRIs per 1000 inhabitants are performed in the United States annually, more than almost every other country. Little is known regarding the cost of obtaining an MRI and factors associated with differences in cost. By surveying all hospital-owned and independent imaging centers in Iowa, we wished to determine (1) the cost to the consumer of obtaining a noncontrast shoulder MRI, (2) the frequency and magnitude of discounts provided, and (3) factors associated with differences in cost including location (hospital-owned or independent) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services designation (rural, urban, and critical access). There were 71 hospitals and 26 independent imaging centers that offered MRI services in Iowa. Each site was contacted via telephone and posed a scripted request for the cost of the technical component of a noncontrast shoulder MRI. Radiologists’ reading fees were not considered. Statistical analysis was performed using standard methods and significance was defined as a probability less than 0.05. The mean technical component cost to consumers for an MRI was USD 1874 ± USD 694 (range, USD 500-USD 4000). Discounts were offered by 49% of imaging centers, with a mean savings of 21%. Factors associated with increased cost include hospital-owned imaging centers (USD 2062 ± USD 664 versus USD 1400 ± USD 441 at independent imaging centers; p < 0.001; mean difference, USD 662; 95% CI, USD 351–USD 893) and rural imaging centers, unless designated as a critical access hospital (USD 2213 ± USD 668 versus USD 1794 ± USD 680; p = 0.0202; mean difference, USD 419; 95% CI, USD 66–USD 772). In Iowa, the cost to the consumer of a shoulder MRI is significantly less at independent imaging centers compared with hospital-owned centers. Referring physicians and healthcare consumers should be aware that there may be substantial price discrepancies between centers that provide advanced imaging services. Level IV, Economic and decision analysis.
Vaporization and recondensation dynamics of indocyanine green-loaded perfluoropentane droplets irradiated by a short pulse laser

Phase-transition droplets have been proposed as promising contrast agents for ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging. Short pulse laser activated perfluorocarbon-based droplets, especially when in a medium with a temperature below their boiling point, undergo phase changes of vaporization and recondensation in response to pulsed laser irradiation. Here, we report and discuss the vaporization and recondensation dynamics of perfluoropentane droplets containing indocyanine green in response to a short pulsed laser with optical and acoustic measurements. To investigate the effect of temperature on the vaporization process, an imaging chamber was mounted on a temperature-controlled water reservoir and then the vaporization event was recorded at 5 million frames per second via a high-speed camera. The high-speed movies show that most of the droplets within the laser beam area expanded rapidly as soon as they were exposed to the laser pulse and immediately recondensed within 1–2 μs. The vaporization/recondensation...