cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Home‐based delivery of variable length prolonged exposure therapy: A comparison of clinical efficacy between service modalities

OBJECTIVE This study examined clinical and retention outcomes following variable length prolonged exposure (PE) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) delivered by one of three treatment modalities (i.e., home-based telehealth [HBT], office-based telehealth [OBT], or in-home-in-person [IHIP]). METHOD A randomized clinical trial design was used to compare variable-length PE delivered through HBT, OBT, or IHIP. Treatment duration (i.e., number of sessions) was determined by either achievement of a criterion score on the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5; PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) for two consecutive sessions or completion of 15 sessions. Participants received PE via HBT (n = 58), OBT (n = 59) or IHIP (n = 58). Data were collected between 2012 and 2018, and PTSD was diagnosed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), administered at baseline, posttreatment, and 6 months following treatment completion. The primary clinical outcome was CAPS-5 PTSD severity. Secondary outcomes included self-reported PTSD and depression symptoms, as well as treatment dropout. RESULTS The clinical effectiveness of PE did not differ by treatment modality across any time point; however, there was a significant difference in treatment dropout. Veterans in the HBT (odds ratio [OR] = 2.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10, 6.52; p = .031) and OBT (OR = 5.08; 95% CI = 2.10; 12.26; p < .001) conditions were significantly more likely than veterans in IHIP to drop out of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Providers can effectively deliver PE through telehealth and in-home, in-person modalities although the rate of treatment completion was higher in IHIP care.
Charge Movement and Structural Changes in the Gas-Phase Unfolding of Multimeric Protein Complexes Captured by Native Top-Down Mass Spectrometry.

The extent to which noncovalent protein complexes retain native structure in the gas phase is highly dependent on experimental conditions. Energetic collisions with background gas can cause structu...
Early prediction of pediatric acute kidney injury from the emergency department: A pilot study.

Abstract Background Identifying acute kidney injury (AKI) early can inform medical decisions key to mitigation of injury. An AKI risk stratification tool, the renal angina index (RAI), has proven better than creatinine changes alone at predicting AKI in critically ill children. Objective To derive and test performance of an “acute” RAI (aRAI) in the Emergency Department (ED) for prediction of inpatient AKI and to evaluate the added yield of urinary AKI biomarkers. Methods Study of pediatric ED patients with sepsis admitted and followed for 72 h. The primary outcome was inpatient AKI defined by a creatinine >1.5× baseline, 24–72 h after admission. Patients were denoted renal angina positive (RA+) for an aRAI score above a population derived cut-off. Test characteristics evaluated predictive performance of the aRAI compared to changes in creatinine and incorporation of 4 urinary biomarkers in the context of renal angina were assessed. Results 118 eligible subjects were enrolled. Mean age was 7.8 ± 6.4 years, 16% required intensive care admission. In the ED, 27% had a +RAI (22% had a >50% creatinine increase). The aRAI had an AUC of 0.92 (0.86–0.98) for prediction of inpatient AKI. For AKI prediction, RA+ demonstrated a sensitivity of 94% (69–99) and a negative predictive value of 99% (92–100) (versus sensitivity 59% (33–82) and NPV 93% (89–96) for creatinine ≥2× baseline). Biomarker analysis revealed a higher AUC for aRAI alone than any individual biomarker. Conclusions This pilot study finds the aRAI to be a sensitive ED-based tool for ruling out the development of in-hospital AKI.
Important determinants of the patient choice between TNF- vs. non-TNF Biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Abstract Objective To assess why patients choose TNF- versus non-TNF biologics for treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after methotrexate-failure. Methods Participants responded to the question “What sort of things help a patient decide the treatment choice between the two types of injectable biologics, TNF biologic versus non-TNF biologic, for treating active rheumatoid arthritis when methotrexate fails to control RA disease activity?” They nominated responses, discussed and then voted. Results Forty-four patients participated in 10 nominal groups (Birmingham; n = 6; New York City: n = 4), who were predominantly female (86%), 68% white, with a mean age of 65 (standard deviation [SD], 12) years. Present/past DMARDs included methotrexate in 91%, glucocorticoids in 11%, and biologics and/or Jak-inhibitors in 68% of participants. Pain and fatigue were mild-moderate with means of 3.9 (SD, 2.5) and 4.3 (SD, 2.5), respectively, on 0-10 scale; mean morning joint stiffness was 1.3 hours (SD, 2.1). The number of groups that nominated each response and total votes were as follows: (1) Side effects/fear of side effects: 10/10; 31% votes (82/264); (2) Efficacy/ability to reduce joint damage: 9/10; 30% votes (80/264); (3) Doctor's opinion, 6/10; 12% votes (32/264); (4) Cost, 7/10; 9% votes (25/264); (5) Other drugs/comorbidity, 4/10; 12% votes (31/264); (6) Experience of others/information-seeking/own research, 2/10; 2% votes (5/264); (7) Newness, 1/10; 2% votes (6/264); and (8) Convenience/frequency of use, 1/10; 1% votes (3/264). Conclusions We identified the patient perspective of choice between TNF versus non-TNF biologic for treating active RA. This knowledge can help in informative shared decision-making in clinical care.
Feasibility of achieving spectral CT imaging from a single KV acquisition and deep learning method

CT imaging is one of the primary diagnostic tools utilized in modern radiology departments. Current stateof- the-art spectral CT imaging systems have been implemented using advanced x-ray source and/or detector technologies that have enabled image objects to be rapidly scanned using two distinct x-ray spectra (i.e., different effective beam energies). In this paper, we study the possibility to extract the encoded spectral information from the measured data when a single polychromatic x-ray spectrum is used to acquire data using an energy integration detector. Based upon our physical analysis, a physics-based deep neural network architecture, termed the Deep Spectral Imaging Network, was trained to demonstrate the feasibility of achieving spectral CT imaging using an energy integration detector and a single-kV acquisition.
Health Climate Justice and Deforestation in the Amazon

Health is a dimension of tropical deforestation that deserves greater attention in light of current trends of climate change, environmental degradation and national and subnational development policies. Forest fires are becoming more frequent and larger in scale globally (Baccini et al., 2017). Deforestation fuels global warming, and reducing forest fires is essential to meet the Paris Agreement targets (UNEP, 2018).
Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) First-in-First-Out (FIFO) Synchronizers: New Designs and Paradigms

Digital single-flux quantum (SFQ) technology promises to meet the demands of ultralow-power and high-speed computing needed for future exascale supercomputing systems. However, high degrees of variability makes ultrahigh-speed low-skew clock distribution of large-scale SFQ circuits challenging. This article proposes to mitigate this problem by supporting multiple independent SFQ clock domains with the design of reliable clock domain crossing (CDC) circuits. We first show that previously proposed CDC first-in-first-out buffers (FIFOs) are vulnerable to synchronization errors, motivating the need for more robust CDC FIFOs. Inspired by complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) multi-flip-flop FIFO synchronizers, we then present a metastability-resilient SFQ FIFO synchronizer that, simulations show, delivers over a 1000 reduction in logical error rate at 30 GHz. We show that, for a 10-stage FIFO, the Josephson junction area of our proposed design is only 7.5% larger than the nonresilient counterpart. Finally, we propose detailed design guidelines that define the minimal depth of our proposed synchronizers subject to both throughput and burstiness constraints.
Secure and Cost-Effective Micro Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)-Like Metering for Behind-the-Meter (BTM) Solar Systems using Blockchain-Assisted Smart Inverters

Recently, there is increasing interest in using behind-the-meter (BTM) solar systems for grid services. However, providing visibility and operational situational awareness of BTM solar systems mainly operated by small-scale solar inverters is challenging due to the requirement of relatively expansive networked observation tools (e.g., micro phasor measurement units (µPMUs)) and consequent cybersecurity threats through networks. This paper presents a secure, cost-effective, µPMUs-like metering method using a blockchain-assisted smart (BAS) inverters for a BTM solar system. The proposed BAS inverter consisting of an internet of things device as a node of a local blockchain network enables the secure provision of inverter measurement data for grid services. The BAS inverter sends the encrypted local measurement data with a timestamp to a local blockchain miner. Once the blockchain miner generates a tamper-resistant metering ledger including the measurements, it is used to assess the situational awareness of the BTM solar system. The concept of the proposed metering using the BAS inverters is validated by experimental studies.
Methanol-to-Olefins Catalysis on HSSZ-13 and HSAPO-34 and Its Relationship to Acid Strength

Catalyst lifetime and product selectivity of methanol-to-olefins (MTO) catalysis on isostructural HSSZ-13 and HSAPO-34, possessing Bronsted acid sites of different acid strengths, are examined and ...
“Pale, male, and stale”? An analysis of introductory readers in political science

Scholarship indicates that women and gender are underrepresented in Political Science textbooks, particularly those in American Politics. We complement those analyses by focusing on the “companion ...
A Dominant Heterozygous Mutation in COG4 Causes Saul-Wilson Syndrome, a Primordial Dwarfism, and Disrupts Zebrafish Development via Wnt Signaling.

Saul-Wilson syndrome (SWS) is a rare, skeletal dysplasia with progeroid appearance and primordial dwarfism. It is caused by a heterozygous, dominant variant (p.G516R) in COG4, a subunit of the conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex involved in intracellular vesicular transport. Our previous work has shown the intracellular disturbances caused by this mutation; however, the pathological mechanism of SWS needs further investigation. We sought to understand the molecular mechanism of specific aspects of the SWS phenotype by analyzing SWS-derived fibroblasts and zebrafish embryos expressing this dominant variant. SWS fibroblasts accumulate glypicans, a group of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) critical for growth and bone development through multiple signaling pathways. Consistently, we find that glypicans are increased in zebrafish embryos expressing the COG4 p.G516R variant. These animals show phenotypes consistent with convergent extension (CE) defects during gastrulation, shortened body length, and malformed jaw cartilage chondrocyte intercalation at larval stages. Since non-canonical Wnt signaling was shown in zebrafish to be related to the regulation of these processes by glypican 4, we assessed wnt levels and found a selective increase of wnt4 transcripts in the presence of COG4 p.G516R . Moreover, overexpression of wnt4 mRNA phenocopies these developmental defects. LGK974, an inhibitor of Wnt signaling, corrects the shortened body length at low concentrations but amplifies it at slightly higher concentrations. WNT4 and the non-canonical Wnt signaling component phospho-JNK are also elevated in cultured SWS-derived fibroblasts. Similar results from SWS cell lines and zebrafish point to altered non-canonical Wnt signaling as one possible mechanism underlying SWS pathology.
A comprehensive review of in-situ polymer gel simulation for conformance control

Abstract Gel treatment has been widely applied in mature oilfields to improve sweep efficiency and control water production. Correct numerical simulation is of major importance to the optimization design and prediction of a successful gel treatment. However, there exist many problems in current simulation studies in published literature. This paper first presents a comprehensive review on the major factors that have been considered at different gelation stages during gel treatment, the models used in the commercial/in-house simulators, and current numerical simulation studies on both laboratory and field scales. Then we classify the current in-situ gel numerical simulation problems as 1, deficient model problem that has published numerical model but has not been applied in simulator and application studies; 2, missing model problem that does not have published quantitative model; and 3, inaccurate application problem that does not consider the major factors of gel performance, based on the reasons from some questionable results of current simulation studies. Finally, we point out the major research efforts that should be made in the future to better simulate in-situ gel treatment process. The review indicates that numerous simulation studies using commercial software packages intend to predigest the gel treatment, many of which, however, ignore important mechanisms and mislead the operation of gel treatment. In fact, a full assessment of simulating in-situ gels cannot be achieved unless the quantitative models can be qualified in terms of transport and plugging mechanisms based on the experimental results.
The Predictive Power of a Deep-Learning Segmentation Based Prognostication (DESEP) Model in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Previous work has reported that imaging features captured by a deep learning tumor segmentation algorithm correlates with overall and disease-specific survival, even without direct supervision using survival information. The current study aims to create a model to predict survival outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after treatment with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using deep-learning segmentation-based prognostication (DESEP). MATERIALS/METHODS The DESEP model was trained using imaging from 108 patients with NSCLC with various clinical stages and treatment histories. The model generated predictions based on unsupervised features learned by a deep-segmentation network from computed tomography imaging to categorize patients into high and low risk groups for overall survival (DESEP-predicted-OS), disease specific survival (DESEP-predicted-DSS), and local progression free survival (DESEP-predicted-LPFS). Serial assessments were also performed using auto-segmentation based volumetric RECIST and computer-based unidimensional RECIST methods. RESULTS There was a high concordance between DESEP-predicted-LPFS risk category and manually calculated RECISTv1.1 (φ = 0.544, P = 0.001). Neither the auto-segmentation based volumetric RECIST nor the computer-based unidimensional RECIST correlated with RECISTv1.1 (P = 0.081 and P = 0.144, respectively). While RECISTv1.1 correlated with LPFS (HR = 6.97,3.51-13.85, c = 0.70, P < 0.001), it could not provide insight regarding DSS (P = 0.942) or OS (P = 0.662). In contrast, the DESEP-predicted methods were predictive of LPFS (HR = 3.58, 1.66-7.18, c = 0.60, P < 0.001), OS (HR = 6.31, 3.65-10.93, c = 0.71, P < 0.001) and DSS (HR = 9.25, 4.50-19.02, c = 0.69, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Deep-learning segmentation-based prognostication can predict LPFS as well as OS, and DSS after SBRT for NSCLC. It can be used in conjunction with RECISTv1.1 to provide additional insights regarding DSS and OS in NSCLC patients receiving SBRT.
Influence of safety climate on risk tolerance and risk-taking behavior: A cross-cultural examination

Abstract Although there are growing number of studies that investigate the influence of safety climate on safety outcomes, the relationship between safety climate and individual risk-taking behavior remains unknown. This study leverages survey data from 11,811 construction workers from 19 countries to empirically validate the associations between safety climate, risk tolerance, and risk-taking decisions in the workplace using linear-mixed effects model analysis. Results showed that safety climate has a significantly negative relationship with risk tolerance. Furthermore, safety climate also has a negative relationship with risk-taking decisions, which is independent of respective risk tolerance levels. These results show that safety climate can reduce risk tolerance and promote more risk-averse decision-making at work. The consistency of these results across diverse cultures suggests that multi-national organizations can foster a consistent safety culture where operational rules are followed, and risks are avoided. Future research is suggested to validate these findings and explore how individual organizational policies and interventions influence safety climate and risk-based decision making.
Physician Responsibility to Discuss Palliative Unproven Therapies With Out-of-Option Patients.

We agree with Lynch et al. that patients with chronic diseases and Band-Aid treatments are unlikely to benefit from a version of Operation Warp Speed or by deprioritizing standards of scientific ev...
Optimal waveform selection for target classification

This paper studies the design of a set of outgoing radar signals to discriminate between two target classes. We model the reflectivity function of each target by a two-dimensional stochastic process to account for uncertainties and propagation effects. The signals are selected to minimize the expected number of transmissions that are needed to guarantee a given confidence level in the classification decision. We argue that this goal can be achieved by selecting the signals that maximize the Kullback-Liebler information number between the two target classes. We illustrate our approach with a particular model. We show that for this model, the optimal set of waveforms can be designed off-line and depends on both the statistics of the reflectivity functions of the targets in both classes and the observation noise level.
The War About the War: Iraq and the Politics of National Security Advising in the G.W. Bush Administration's First Term

The purpose of this article is to examine the extent to which the management system and foreign policy advisory structures of the George W. Bush Administration led the president to launch the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. We contend that the decision to attack Iraq was an outgrowth of the conflict that began when the administration's national security team was assembled after Bush's electoral victory and was a by-product of the president's management style. We devote significant attention to the internal battles surrounding the decision for war between those who believe in a traditional multilateral approach (realists) to world politics and those who believe in a Pax Americana built on unilateralism (neocons). The article concludes that in addition to the way President Bush organized the decision-making process, his propensity for delegating responsibility to others combined with policy making structures built largely on consensus and personality factors, as opposed to procedures and processes, ultimately drove the White House toward the use of military force in Iraq.
Closed Head Injury

Closed head injury represents the leading cause of death among young people in developed countries. In light of the complex underlying pathophysiology, no therapeutic drugs have been developed to prevent or diminish the posttraumatic neuroinflammatory response and subsequent secondary cerebral insults. Although a large number of patients with skeletal injuries requiring operative fixation sustain an associated head injury, the ideal timing and modality of fracture fixation in head-injured patients remains a controversial topic of debate. Several groups advocate immediate definitive fracture fixation (“early total care”), whereas others prefer the concept of “damage control orthopedics” consisting of initial temporizing external fixation and delayed staged conversion to definitive internal fixation. This chapter provides an outline of the pathophysiology of closed head injury and its impact on the clinical decision making for the management of associated musculoskeletal injuries.
Low dose of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid reduces adiposity and increases markers of thermogenesis in overweight mice (1037.1)

Our objective was to examine the extent to which 0.1%, w/w, of trans-10,cis-12 (10,12) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces adiposity in overweight, sedentary or exercised mice by increasing ther...
Effect of Information Technology on Business Relationships and Firm Performance

This dissertation aims to further enquiry into business value of IT by identifying customer satisfaction and relationship oriented measures of IT effectiveness and firm performance. We draw on IT value, transaction cost and customer satisfaction streams of literature to test several hypotheses relating effect of IT on firm performance. Using a combination of archival and primary data, this study advances our understanding of the effect of IT investments (both in dollar terms and at the individual technology application level) on several outcome variables such as customer satisfaction, buyer-supplier relationships and aggregate firm performance measures. In contrast with previous research on business value of IT focusing on tangible measures of firm performance, this dissertation examines intangible and more comprehensive measures of firm performance.
A unique reliability data point: the start-stop operation of a polysilicon micromotor at the eight year mark

This paper is our first report of a fully-packaged, surface-micromachined, polysilicon, harmonic side-drive (also known as "wobble") micromotor which has been operating in the field without maintenance for eight years. This micromotor was installed by us in early 1997 as part of the Micromachine Exhibit at the Great Lakes Science Center (Cleveland, Ohio). Visitors view the micromotor under a microscope and can actuate the rotor by pressing the "on" button. The rotor, which is normally at rest, spins at /spl sim/7 rpm while the "on" button is depressed. Over this eight year period, the museum estimates a total of /spl sim/4.7 million visitors. A conservative estimate of the number of times the "on" button has been pressed by visitors to watch the rotor spin is /spl sim/2.5 million. The continued operation of the micromotor provides an insight into a unique reliability data point of particular importance to microsystems, i.e., routine start-stop operation at random intervals over extended periods of time in the field.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Barriers Regarding Vaccination Against Hepatitis A and B in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Survey of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Physicians in the United States

Background Although vaccination against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recommended for all patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, physician vaccination practices are suboptimal. Since training for family medicine (FM) and internal medicine (IM) physicians differ, we hypothesised that there are differences in knowledge, attitudes and barriers regarding vaccination against HAV and HBV in patients with chronic HCV between these two groups. Methods A two-page questionnaire was mailed to 3000 primary care (FM and IM) physicians randomly selected from the AMA Physician Masterfile in 2005. The survey included questions about physician demographics, knowledge and attitudes regarding vaccination. Results Among the 3000 physicians surveyed, 1209 (42.2%) returned completed surveys. There were no differences between respondents and non-respondents with regard to age, gender, geographic location or specialty. More FM than IM physicians stated that HCV+ patients should not be vaccinated against HAV (23.7% vs. 11.8%, p Conclusions Despite recommendations to vaccinate against HAV and HBV in patients with chronic HCV infection, physicians often do not test or vaccinate susceptible individuals. Interventions are needed to overcome the barriers identified and improve vaccination rates.
A CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF CANCER OF THE ENDOMETRIUM

A case-control study of the epidemiology of endometrial cancer in women aged 45-74 years was carried out in 7 hospitals in Connecticut from 1977-79. 167 cases of adenocarcinoma adenocanthoma and adenosquamous neoplasms of the endometrium were included. 903 women of the same age admitted to surgical services except gynecology served as controls. Response rates were 67% for cases and 72% for controls. Odds ratios for the association between selected variables and endometrial cancer adjusted by linear logistic regression for the effect of all other variables in the table indicated that elevated risks were associated with being white and being well-educated among demographic variables and with nulliparity fewer pregnancies later age at menopause use of estrogen replacement therapy and a history of ovarian or endometrial cancer in mother or a sister among reproductive variables. The longer estrogen replacement therapy was used the higher the risk up to 10 years of use. Heavier women were found to be at higher risk although the risk for women of medium weight was only slightly increased. Women who reported a history of diabetes had a somewhat increased risk while a history of ever having blood clots in the veins or of having had tubes tied was associated with reduced risk. Use of oral contraceptives was associated with a decreased risk although the decrease did not reach statistical significance.
Use of vitamin and mineral supplements by pharmacy students

Use of vitamin and mineral supplements by undergraduate pharmacy students and the students' perceptions and beliefs about these products were studied. Undergraduate pharmacy students from two schools in Philadelphia completed a questionnaire in which they were asked whether they had taken vitamin or mineral supplements within the preceding two weeks, the reason for taking the supplements, and the identity of the type of products taken. General demographic information and a self-assessment of health and diet were also obtained. In addition, using a five-point Likert scale, students were asked to rate the degree to which they agreed with five controversial statements regarding vitamin and mineral supplements. Of the 692 students completing the questionnaire, 47% had taken supplements in the preceding two weeks. This percentage is higher than that determined in surveys of the general population and of professionals in other health disciplines. No significant difference was noted in the percentage of men and women who took supplements, but the types of products taken by men and women differed significantly. The most common reasons for taking supplements were inadequate diet, to improve energy, for stress, and for colds. Year in school had a modest influence on the beliefs about vitamin and mineral supplement use expressed by students. The use of vitamin and mineral supplements among pharmacy students was high. Pharmacy schools should devote time in the curriculum to the sociological and clinical aspects of vitamin and mineral therapy.
The effects of haloclines on the vertical distribution and migration of zooplankton

Abstract While the influence of horizontal salinity gradients on the distribution and abundance of planktonic organisms in estuaries is relatively well known, the effects of vertical salinity gradients (haloclines) are less well understood. Because biological, chemical, and physical conditions can vary between different salinity strata, an understanding of the behavioral response of zooplankton to haloclines is crucial to understanding the population biology and ecology of these organisms. We studied four San Francisco Bay copepods, Acartia ( Acartiura ) spp., Acartia ( Acanthacartia ) spp., Oithona davisae , and Tortanus dextrilobatus , and one species of larval fish ( Clupea pallasi ), in an attempt to understand how and why zooplankton respond to haloclines. Controlled laboratory experiments involved placing several individuals of each species in two 2-m-high tanks, one containing a halocline (magnitude varied between 1.4 and 10.0 psu) and the other without a halocline, and recording the location of each organism once every hour for 2–4 days using an automated video microscopy system. Results indicated that most zooplankton changed their vertical distribution and/or migration in response to haloclines. For the smaller taxa ( Acartiura spp., Acanthacartia spp., and O. davisae ), this behavior took the form of accumulating in or below the halocline, while the effects on the larger species ( C. pallasi and T. dextrilobatus ) were more subtle. C. pallasi yolk sac and 3- to 6-day-old larvae seemed to pause or remain in the halocline during their diel migration, while 14- to 17-day-old larvae appeared to avoid the halocline by remaining in deeper, more saline water. There were very few statistically significant effects of haloclines on the vertical distribution of T. dextrilobatus . Subsequent mortality experiments with Acartiura spp., Acanthacartia spp. and T. dextrilobatus indicated that the behavioral changes seen in the halocline studies were not associated with any salinity-induced mortality per se, although more subtle affects of physiological stress could not be ruled out. These results point to a high degree of flexibility in vertical migration behavior within a given species as well as large variation between species. Such behavioral flexibility is likely to be very important in allowing planktonic organisms generally, and estuarine organisms in particular, to maintain or alter position relative to currents, food, and predators.
Enthalpy of fuel gas odorants on surrogate soil surfaces by gas chromatography

Heats of adsorption and heats of interaction for natural gas odorants on clay and organo-clay, respectively, were determined by means of wall-coated open-tubular (WCOT) column gas chromatography. The odorants studied are organic thiol and sulfide compounds. Clay stationary phases were created from the synthetic clay Laponite-RD. Subsequent coatings with octadecane created an organo-clay stationary phase. Experimental results show that, as a class, sulfide odorants have larger enthalpies on clay and organo-clay surfaces than thiol odorants. Therefore, we conclude that thiols are less likely to be sequestered on soil surfaces. The effect of hydrated clay surfaces on odorant enthalpies is also presented. Further, we demonstrate that Lewis acid-base chemistry on clay surfaces explains the significant difference in enthalpy magnitudes between the sulfide and thiol classes.
Stability and superstructure of squarylium dye TSQ Langmuir–Blodgett films

The stability of monolayer Squarylium Dye TSQ in air-subphase interface was studied. Langmuir-Blodgett films of this dye were . . deposited on mica and on hydrophobic silicon 100 wafers and a contact mode atomic force microscope AFM was used to characterize the structures of these films. It was found that the stability of a TSQ monolayer in the air-subphase interface was increased substantially when cadmium chloride was added to the subphase. Although TSQ dye does not have a long alkyl tail typically required to form a LB film, AFM images of these films and their 2D Fourier Transform analyses show that TSQ LB films possess a triclinic superstructure. . Based on the analyses of pressure-area p-A isotherms and AFM images of these films, models of TSQ molecules packing on the subphase were developed. q 1998 Published by Elsevier Science S.A.
Determinants of the Src Homology Domain 3-Like Fold

In eukaryotes, the Src homology domain 3 (SH3) is a very important motif in signal transduction. SH3 domains recognize poly-proline-rich peptides and are involved in protein-protein interactions. Until now, the existence of SH3 domains has not been demonstrated in prokaryotes. However, the structure of the C-terminal domain of DtxR clearly shows that the fold of this domain is very similar to that of the SH3 domain. In addition, there is evidence that the C-terminal domain of DtxR binds to poly-proline-rich regions. Other bacterial proteins have domains that are structurally similar to the SH3 domain but whose functions are unknown or differ from that of the SH3 domain. The observed similarities between the structures of the C-terminal domain of DtxR and the SH3 domain constitute a perfect system to gain insight into their function and information about their evolution. Our results show that the C-terminal domain of DtxR shares a number of conserved key hydrophobic positions not recognizable from sequence comparison that might be responsible for the integrity of the SH3-like fold. Structural alignment of an ensemble of such domains from unrelated proteins shows a common structural core that seems to be conserved despite the lack of sequence similarity. This core constitutes the minimal requirements of protein architecture for the SH3-like fold.
On algorithms for estimating computable error bounds for approximate periodic solutions of an autonomous delay differential equation

Abstract Machine tool chatter has been characterized as isolated periodic solutions or limit cycles of delay differential equations. Determining the amplitude and frequency of the limit cycle is sometimes crucial to understanding and controlling the stability of machining operations. In Gilsinn [Gilsinn DE. Computable error bounds for approximate periodic solutions of autonomous delay differential equations, Nonlinear Dyn 2007;50:73–92] a result was proven that says that, given an approximate periodic solution and frequency of an autonomous delay differential equation that satisfies a certain non-criticality condition, there is an exact periodic solution and frequency in a computable neighborhood of the approximate solution and frequency. The proof required the estimation of a number of parameters and the verification of three inequalities. In this paper the details of the algorithms will be given for estimating the parameters required to verify the inequalities and to compute the final approximation errors. An application will be given to a Van der Pol oscillator with delay in the non-linear terms.
A nuclear magnetic resonance study of the binding of acetylsalicylic acid to human serum albumin.

Abstract The binding of acetylsalicylic acid to human serum albumin has been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The results indicate that acetylsalicylic acid exchanges rapidly with at least one site on human serum albumin, and that the nuclear spin relaxation of the acetyl protons of bound acetylsalicylic acid is characterized by a correlation time of the magnitude expected for the rotational correlation time of a human serum albumin molecule. The calculated rotational correlation time of the ASP·HSA complex is 4 × 10 −8 seconds. Limits are also set on the rate constants involved.
Synergistic stimulation of EpsE ATP hydrolysis by EpsL and acidic phospholipids

EpsE is a cytoplasmic component of the type II secretion system in Vibrio cholerae. Through ATP hydrolysis and an interaction with the cytoplasmic membrane protein EpsL, EpsE supports secretion of cholera toxin across the outer membrane. In this study, we have determined the effect of the cytoplasmic domain of EpsL (cyto-EpsL) and purified phospholipids on the ATPase activity of EpsE. Acidic phospholipids, specifically cardiolipin, bound the copurified EpsE/cyto-EpsL complex and stimulated its ATPase activity 30–130-fold, whereas the activity of EpsE alone was unaffected. Removal of the last 11 residues (residues 243–253) from cyto-EpsL prevented cardiolipin binding as well as stimulation of the ATPase activity of EpsE. Further mutagenesis of the C-terminal region of the EpsL cytoplasmic domain adjacent to the predicted transmembrane helix suggested that this region participates in fine tuning the interaction of EpsE with the cytoplasmic membrane and influences the oligomerization state of EpsE thereby stimulating its ATPase activity and promoting extracellular secretion in V. cholerae.
Social Enterprises and Corporate Enterprises Fundamental Differences and Defining Features

To date, most efforts to define social entrepreneurship have focused on adapting existing management theories on entrepreneurship and non-profits rather than distinguishing the organisational purpo...
Using the CSM-CROPGRO-Peanut Model to Simulate Late Leaf Spot Effects on Peanut Cultivars of Differing Resistance

Late leaf spot (LLS) caused by Cercosporidium personatum (Berk. and Curt.) Deighton leads to significant reductions in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield worldwide. This study was conducted to improve the mechanisms and methods by which LLS effects on defoliation and photosynthesis are linked to the CSM-CROPGRO-Peanut model for simulating growth and yield reductions in peanut cultivars. Field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to collect data on the effects of LLS on biomass accumulation and partitioning, leaf necrosis and defoliation, and total canopy photosynthesis (TCP) in peanut cultivars with more (York) and less (Carver) quantitative resistance to LLS. After incorporating LLS damage as defoliation percentage and necrotic area, the model accurately simulated crop growth and development for both cultivars despite different disease dynamics. Simulated TCP and leaf, total crop, and pod yield values were in good agreement with measured data. A modification in the model code to directly reduce leaf photosynthesis and quantum efficiency according to empirical observations resulted in improved simulations of LLS effects on growth and yield. Correlations among measured defoliation and necrotic area with disease ratings indicated that visual disease ratings could be successfully used to estimate necrosis and defoliation for model inputs. Results indicated that the CSM-CROPGRO-Peanut model has adequate capability to simulate LLS effects on growth and yield in peanut cultivars with differing levels of resistance to LLS when inputs on canopy necrotic area and defoliation are provided.
Relaxin and the radiolucent fissure in the symphysis pubis during pregnancy: The gas phenomenon

A vertical radiolucent fissure is frequently seen in the symphysis pubis on x-ray pelvimetry studies. This phenomenon is illustrated and discussed. It appears to be a parameter of targeted relaxin softening and stretching of the symphysis.
High-pressure study of silane to 150 GPa

We present an extensive study of the optical, electronic, and structural properties of silane (SiH{sub 4}) to 150 GPa through the use of Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, synchrotron infrared reflectivity, optical absorption, and synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements. To mitigate possible contamination from previously reported metal hydride formation, we performed experiments using gold-lined sample gaskets, finding molecular silane remains in the transparent and insulating P2{sub 1}/c structure until {approx}40 GPa. Silane shows a partial loss of crystallinity above {approx}50 GPa and appears to visibly darken. The darkening is plausibly the result of a loss of molecular character with many enthalpically competitive pathways available, including decomposition, combined with the absorptive nature of the sample. Above 100 GPa we observed crystallization into structures partially consistent with the previously reported nonmolecular I4{sup -} 2d and I4{sub 1}/a types. In the absence of decomposition, silane remains partially transparent and nonmetallic to at least 150 GPa with a band gap constrained between 0.6 and 1.8 eV. Under pressure, silane is sensitive to irradiation from x-rays and lasers, and may easily decompose into metallic silicon. We suggest that previous reports of metallization starting from molecular SiH{sub 4} arise from decomposition, and superconductivity may originate from hydrogen-doped silicon.more » While silane may readily decompose, the inherent metastability provides access to a wide range of path- and sample-history-dependent states and suggests a unique range of physical properties for hydrogen-rich silicon alloys.« less
Comparison of urinary and recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin during ovulation induction in intrauterine insemination cycles: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Objectives To compare the in vivo effectiveness of recombinant (r) hCG with urinary (u) hCG during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination (COH-IUI) cycles. Design Prospective controlled clinical study. Setting Private IVF center. Patient(s) Two hundred eighty-four subjects undergoing COH-IUI cycles. Interventions(s) Women were randomized into receiving r-hCG or u-hCG for final maturation and induction of ovulation. Main Outcome Measure(s) Clinical pregnancy rate and outcome of pregnancy. Result(s) Background characteristics were similar in the two groups studied except for a slight difference in the mean duration of infertility (3.0 vs. 2.3). There was no significant difference in the number of follicles ≥16 mm, mean peak E 2 , or mean 1-week P levels between the two groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was 27.1% in the recombinant group compared with 28.5% in the urinary group. The outcome of pregnancy was similar in both groups. Conclusion(s) Recombinant hCG was found to be as effective as u-hCG in achieving pregnancy during COH-IUI cycles. This is in agreement with earlier studies on the effectiveness of r-hCG in IVF cycles.
Pulp response in the rhesus monkey to "composite" dental restorative materials in unlined cavities

Abstract An investigation was carried out to compare the effects of new composite restorative materials with those of zinc oxide and eugenol and unlined silicates. The results indicate that composite materials can be considered biologically acceptable but that they are attended by a mild and persistent inflammatory response when used in deep, unlined cavities. It is recommended that the composite resins be used clinically with a protective base or liner.
Vertical Integration and Corporate Strategy

Proposing a new look at vertical integration and the dimensions that comprise it, this study develops a framework for predicting when firms use make-or-buy decisions. The strategic business units (SBUs) studied made fewer products and services in-house and firms were engaged in fewer stages of processing when demand was highly uncertain than they did when demand was more certain. Internal transfers from upstream or to downstream business units were more numerous when synergies with adjacent SBUs were substantial than when they were not. Some competitive imitation of vertical integration strategies occurred, and firms with high market shares sought higher ownership stakes in stages of processing adjacent to those markets. Vertical integration involves a variety of decisions concerning whether corporations, through their business units, should provide certain goods or services in-house or purchase them from outsiders instead. Corporations considering vertical integration - one of the first diversification strategies firms consider as they progress from being single-business companies - must make decisions regarding the autonomy of these business units. Most research concerning vertical integration has assumed that savings in the costs of transactions that integration accomplishes supersede autonomy needs of strategic business units (SBUs). According to such an assumption, integrated firms will transfer all of their relevant goods and services to adjacent, in-house business units. However, this paper argues for a dynamic concept of vertical integration in which,the key to effective management is understanding when corporate needs for intrafirm cooperation might take precedence over the concerns of autonomous business units, and when the opposite might be true. The theory developed in this study incorporates the forces of competitive settings and corporate (as well as business-level) strategy needs in a suggested framework for appropriate use of vertical integration. Developing this strategy framework introduces several new dimensions that characterize all vertical integration strategies. My intent is to bridge the gap between economic treatments of vertical integration and activities observed in the histories of several industries; the next section briefly sketches the dimensions of this gap.
Inactivation of Cytochrome P450 3A4 by Bergamottin, a Component of Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit juice has been found to significantly increase oral bioavailability of several drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (P450 3A4) through inhibiting the enzymatic activity and decreasing the content of intestinal P450 3A4. HPLC/MS/MS and HPLC/UV analyses of ethyl acetate extracts from grapefruit juice revealed the presence of several furanocoumarins of which bergamottin (BG) is the major one. BG was shown to inactivate P450 3A4 in a reconstituted system consisting of purified P450 3A4, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, cytochrome b5, and phospholipids. Inactivation was time- and concentration-dependent and required metabolism of BG. The loss of catalytic activity exhibited pseudo-first-order kinetics. The values of kinactivation and KI calculated from the inactivation studies were 0.3 min-1 and 7.7 μM, respectively. While approximately 70% of the erythromycin N-demethylation activity was lost during incubation with BG in the reconstituted system, P450 3A4 retained more than 90% of the heme as d...
Sex-steroid control of the aging somatotropic axis.

Growth hormone (GH) concentrations decline progressively with increasing age. In contrast, the maximal pituitary secretory capacity, plasma elimination kinetics, and hepatic actions of GH are preserved in older people. Reduced availability of GH and thereby insulin-like growth factor in the elderly has significant implications. In particular, epidemiologic investigations correlate hyposomatotropism with reduced insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia, increased cardiovascular mortality, intra-abdominal adiposity, sarcopenia, osteopenia, and diminished quality of life. Obesity forecasts decreased GH secretion in the adult. In addition, sex steroid depletion after adolescence predicts relative GH deficiency. Conversely, supplementation with estradiol or an aromatizable androgen, such as testosterone, stimulates GH production in aging and hypogonadal adults. Recent developments in this arena allow new clinical perspectives in aging, which are highlighted in this article.
The effect of deacylated tRNA on enzymatic binding of N-formyl-methionyl-tRNA to ribosomes

Abstract Deacylated tRNA 2 markedly inhibits both AUG-directed binding of f-Met-tRNA to ribosomes (1, 2) and the subsequent synthesis of f-Met-puromycin (2) at 10 mM Mg++, in a system to which no soluble factors are added. Since this suggests that under some circumstances, the rate of initiation of protein synthesis may be regulated by the tRNA/f-Met-tRNA ratio, it is of interest to examine the effect of tRNA in an enzymatic binding system. In the present communication, we report that GTP and initiation factors are required for binding of f-Med-tRNA at 5 mM Mg++, as also found by several other investigators (3–7). The results demonstrate that in the presence of GTP and initiation factors, tRNA does not inhibit AUG-directed binding of f-Met-tRNA to ribosomes. A portion of these findings has been presented (8).
37.4: A Study on PWM Driving Schemes for a 20 inch VGA Carbon Nanotube Field Emission Display

PWM driving schemes for a 20″ carbon nanotube field emission display (CNT-FED) are studied in this paper. One of their advantages is the inherent ability to linearize the gamma curves of CNT-FEDs to increase their gray levels and color accuracy. There are, however, some critical problems associated with PWM driving schemes for CNT-FED. After theoretical analysis of them, several solutions are proposed and experimentally evaluated.