cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solvolysis of wood and pure cellulose by anhydrous hydrogen fluoride vapor

Abstract The solvolysis of bigtooth aspen wood and pure cellulose (filter paper) by anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) vapor was investigated. Each substrate was exposed to a 100% HF vapor stream at 0·101 MPa and 27°C to 77°C for a given reaction time. The water-soluble reaction products were then post-hydrolyzed in 2 n trifluoroacetic acid for 1 h at 121°C. With this two-step hydrolysis, maximum glucose yields of 85% from wood and 94% from pure cellulose were obtained. HPLC analysis of the water-soluble reaction products obtained before post-hydrolysis revealed that glucose and glucosyl fluoride repolymerized to oligomers during vapor-phase HF solvolysis of cellulose. The oligosaccharide product distribution was dependent on reaction time, temperature and sample water content.
A theory for low-frequency waves observed at comet Giacobini-Zinner

As the ICE spacecraft approached comet Giacobini-Zinner, low-frequency waves in two frequency ranges were observed in the magnetic field data. Under certain conditions, a gyrating beam of water group ions is capable of generating electromagnetic waves with periods near 100 s (in the spacecraft frame of reference) and shorter-period whistler branch waves with periods near 3 s. The 100-s wave can arise from either a nonresonant firehose instability or a resonant beam driven instability so long as the angle between the directions of the local magnetic field and solar wind velocity is less than 90 percent. Whenever that angle exceeds about 30 percent, the gyrating ring distribution formed by newly ionized water is also unstable to the generation of whistler waves with 3-s periods.
Fimbriated Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Abates Initial Inflammatory Responses by Macrophages

Oral immunization of mice with a Salmonella vaccine expressing colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli results in the rapid onset of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 production, which explains the observed elevations in mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and serum IgG1 antibodies. In contrast, oral immunization with the Salmonella vector does not result in the production of Th2-type cytokines. To begin to assess why such differences exist between the two strains, it should be noted that in vitro infection of RAW 264.7 macrophages resulted in the absence of nitric oxide (NO) production in cells infected with the Salmonella-CFA/I vaccine. This observation suggests differential proinflammatory cytokine production by these isogenic Salmonella strains. Upon measurement of proinflammatory cytokines, minimal to no tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-1α, IL-1β, or IL-6 was produced by Salmonella-CFA/I-infected RAW 264.7 or peritoneal macrophages, but production was greatly induced in Salmonella vector-infected macrophages. Only minute levels of IL-12 p70 were induced by Salmonella vector-infected macrophages, and none was induced by Salmonella-CFA/I-infected macrophages. The absence of IL-12 was not due to overt increases in production of either IL-12 p40 or IL-10. CFU measurements taken at 8 h postinfection showed no differences in colonization in RAW 264.7 cells infected with either Salmonella construct, but there were differences in peritoneal macrophages. However, after 24 h, the Salmonella vector strain colonized to a greater extent in RAW 264.7 cells than in peritoneal macrophages. Infection of RAW 264.7 cells or peritoneal macrophages with either Salmonella construct showed no difference in macrophage viabilities. This evidence shows that the expression of CFA/I fimbriae alters how macrophages recognize or process salmonellae and prevents the rapid onset of proinflammatory cytokines which is typical during Salmonella infections.
Future applications of ordered polymeric thin films

Abstract Polymeric ultrathin film systems need to be developed in the context of applications where their unique combinations of properties promise revolutionary improvements in performance or cost effectiveness. The applications examined include electron beam resists for microlithography and nanolithography, insulating films in semiconductor devices, non-linear optical elements and coatings for communications and computing, as well as highly permselective membranes in biotechnology. In this paper, we will review some of the most appealing suggestions and evaluate their current status. Improvements in film characterization and deposition based on Langmuir-Blodgett techniques are also suggested.
The Practice Impact of Electronic Health Record System Implementation Within a Large Multispecialty Ophthalmic Practice

Importance Given the lack of previous reports examining the impact of electronic health record (EHR) system migration in ophthalmology, a study evaluating the practice and economic effect of implementing an EHR into an ophthalmic practice is warranted. Objective To examine the clinical and economic impact of EHR system implementation into a large multispecialty ophthalmic practice. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective case-control study was conducted comparing the pre-EHR and post-EHR time periods at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland, Ohio. Eight months were spent prior to implementation personalizing and customizing the system to enable advanced charting functions (July 1, 2011, to March 1, 2012). The periods were compared regarding total revenue, total visit volume, revenue per visit, coding volumes, and the number of diagnostic tests and procedures performed. In addition, the total costs of the EHR implementation and the expected return in EHR incentive payments were evaluated. Data analysis was performed from April 1, 2011, through April 5, 2013. Main Outcomes and Measures Net revenue, patient volume, revenue to volume ratio, diagnostic and procedure volume, capital and implementation costs, EHR incentive payments received, and coding volumes (including eye and evaluation and management [E/M] codes). Results A total of 28 161 patient encounters were identified (13 969 in the pre-EHR period and 14 191 in the post-EHR period). No significant change was identified with total net fiscal revenue between the periods (median, −$44 372 per month; 25th to 75th interquartile range [IQR], −$103 850 to $83 126; P = .42). No significant change in patient volume (median, +217.0; IQR, −511.5 to 812.0; P = .57) or revenue per visit volume (median, −$7; IQR, −$9 to −$1; P = .20) was identified. The volume of diagnostic tests and procedures billed was unchanged after conversion (median, +93; IQR, −20 to 235; P = .13). Overall use of eye codes declined (−15.7%) and use of E/M codes increased (14.7%) following EHR implementation ( P P Conclusions and Relevance The analyses conducted in this study did not identify significant differences in revenue or productivity following EHR conversion in this clinical setting. The EHR incentive payments did not offset costs of implementation.
Asymptotic behavior of solutions of reaction-diffusion equations with nonlocal boundary conditions

Abstract This paper is concerned with some dynamical property of a reaction-diffusion equation with nonlocal boundary condition. Under some conditions on the kernel in the boundary condition and suitable conditions on the reaction function, the asymptotic behavior of the time-dependent solution is characterized in relation to a finite or an infinite set of constant steady-state solutions. This characterization is determined solely by the initial function and it leads to the stability and instability of the various steady-state solutions. In the case of finite constant steady-state solutions, the time-dependent solution blows up in finite time when the initial function in greater than the largest constant solution. Also discussed is the decay property of the solution when the kernel function in the boundary condition prossesses alternating sign in its domain.
Periodic Orbits and Recurrences: An Introduction and Review

The study of periodic classical orbits of quantum systems is a branch of the field called “quantum chaos,” which is the study of quantum-mechanical systems whose classical counterparts exhibit chaotic motion. Many examples have now been examined: a one-electron atom in magnetic field[1], an atom in an oscillating electric field[2], any molecule in a high vibrational state[3], a “quantum billiard,” such as an electron in a stadium-shaped microjunction[4], and numerous model systems, including the Henon-Heiles oscillator[5], quantum maps[6], or geodesic motion of a particle on a surface of constant negative curvature[7]. Always the central issues are: How do we use information about classical orbits to generate information about quantum wave-functions? Can we interpret observations on a quantum system using classical or semiclassical mechanics? How does classically chaotic behavior manifest itself in quantum properties of a system?
The Effect of Exposure to Irrigant Solutions on Apical Dentin Biofilms In Vitro

This study assessed the effectiveness of different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) (Vista Dental Products, Racine, WI), and BioPure MTAD (Dentsply Endodontics-Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK). Intracanal contents were collected from 10 patients diagnosed with chronic apical periodontitis. The samples were cultured on hemisections of root apices to generate a polymicrobial biofilm. Each biofilm was separately immersed in 6% NaOCl, 3% NaOCl, 1% NaOCl, 2% CHX, 1% NaOCl followed by BioPure MTAD, and sterile phosphate buffered solution (PBS). SEM analysis showed 6% NaOCl and 3% NaOCl were capable of disrupting and removing the biofilm; 1% NaOCl and 1% NaOCl followed by MTAD were capable of disrupting the biofilm, but not eliminating bacteria; 2% CHX was not capable of disrupting the biofilm. Viable bacteria could not be cultured from specimens exposed to 6% NaOCl, 2 % CHX, or 1% NaOCl followed by BioPure MTAD. These results indicate that 6% NaOCl was the only irrigant capable of both rendering bacteria nonviable and physically removing the biofilm.
Periportal sinusoidal dilatation associated with pregnancy

Periportal sinusoidal dilatation is an hepatic vascular lesion previously reported solely as a complication of oral contraceptive therapy. We report a case occurring during pregnancy and describe the angiographic appearance and pathologic findings. Peliosis hepatis is the main consideration in the differential diagnosis — the features distinguishing of these hepatic lesions are presented.
The acquisition by Steria of Bull's service companies: motivations, negotiations, integration and strategic implications (2000-2004)

The objective of this case study is to analyse in detail the acquisition by Steria, a French IT systems and services company, of the European service companies of its major competitor, Bull. This successful acquisition transformed Steria from a French company to European leader and doubled revenues from euro (€) 500 million to over €1 billion, while always maintaining profitability in spite of the collapse of the 'internet bubble'. We present first the view from the field: the effect on the personnel of the acquired and acquiring companies. Then we present the view from the headquarters of both companies: the motivations of the CEOs, the often contentious negotiations, and the successful integration. We develop the strategic implications of the acquisition for the new 'European' Steria and discuss possible alternatives for achieving the goal of doubling sales by 2006, as set by Steria's CEO. We conclude with 'lessons learned' that may be useful to companies considering major international acquisitions.
Childhood onset inclusion body myositis mimicking limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

Inclusion body myositis was initially recognized in patients with "steroid-resistant polymyositis" and subsequently in patients with other immune-mediated disorders. The finding of inclusion body myositis in a patient diagnosed for 30 years as having limb-girdle muscular dystrophy suggests yet another patient pool that may harbor this entity. ( J Child Neurol 1989;4:283-285).
RELATIVE STOCK PRICES AND THE FIRM SIZE EFFECT

A stock's relative price ratio, defined as the ratio of the current price to the average of the highest and lowest prices over some holding period, is shown to be a better predictor of future stock returns than firm size. The price ratio has an even stronger January seasonality than does firm size. After controlling for price ratio variations, firm size has no significant relationship to return. The abnormal returns for the price ratio effect are consistent with those predicted by optimal tax selling considerations.
FDG PET imaging as a potential modality for detecting atherosclerotic lesions in the major arteries

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the atherosclerotic lesions in large arteries can be detected by FDG-PET, and to define the changes that occur over time in different age groups. Methods: We evaluated the presence of FDG vascular uptake in 78 consecutive subjects (48 male 30 female; age 7 - 80) who underwent whole-body PET scans for the assessment of non-cardiovascular disorders. They were divided into 4 groups according to their age, 0–20 yrs (n=11); 21–40 yrs (n=20); 41–60 yrs (n=26) and 61–80 yrs (n= 21). We recorded the presence of atherosclerotic FDG uptake in the ascending, arch, descending and abdominal aorta, also in the iliac and femoral arteries. The SUVs was calculated for the most metabolically active atherosclerotic lesions in each of the anatomic segments noted above. Results: Among 78 subjects in all 4 groups, 70 were noted to have increased uptake in at least one segment of the large vessels. The mean and SD of SUVs in four groups for the different arteries are given in the table below. SUVs were significantly different for all age groups (p Patient n = 70 Ascending Aorta Arch of Aorta Descending Aorta Iliac Artery Femoral Artery Gp1 (n = 9) 1.16 ± 0.62 1.3 ± 0.45 1.37 ± 0.48 - - Gp2 (n = 16) 1.74 ± 0.38 1.75 ± 0.18 1.98 ± 0.24 1.36 ± 0.10 1.17 ± 0.26 Gp3 (n = 24) 2.06 ± 0.54 2.10 ± 0.47 2.11 ± 0.48 1.45 ± 0.25 1.27 ± 0.23 Gp4 (n = 21) 2.23 ± 0.44 2.24 ± 0.43 2.23 ± 0.44 1.72 ± 0.54 1.57 ± 0.26 Conclusion: These data indicate that atherosclerotic changes shows FDG uptake which increases with age in the large arteries. The probable explanations for the FDG uptake are the presence of macrophages in the atherosclerotic plaques. However, the possibility of smooth muscle uptake as a possible explanation for such uptake can not be ruled out. Further studies are underway to determine the bases for the observations made in the study.
The efficient solution of the (quietly constrained) noisy, linear regulator problem

Abstract In a previous paper we gave a new, natural extension of the calculus of variations/optimal control theory to a (strong) stochastic setting. We now extend the theory of this most fundamental chapter of optimal control in several directions. Most importantly we present a new method of stochastic control, adding Brownian motion which makes the problem “noisy.” Secondly, we show how to obtain efficient solutions: direct stochastic integration for simpler problems and/or efficient and accurate numerical methods with a global a priori error of O ( h 3 / 2 ) for more complex problems. Finally, we include “quiet” constraints, i.e. deterministic relationships between the state and control variables. Our theory and results can be immediately restricted to the non “noisy” (deterministic) case yielding efficient, numerical solution techniques and an a priori error of O ( h 2 ) . In this event we obtain the most efficient method of solving the (constrained) classical Linear Regulator Problem. Our methods are different from the standard theory of stochastic control. In some cases the solutions coincide or at least are closely related. However, our methods have many advantages including those mentioned above. In addition, our methods more directly follow the motivation and theory of classical (deterministic) optimization which is perhaps the most important area of physical and engineering science. Our results follow from related ideas in the deterministic theory. Thus, our approximation methods follow by guessing at an algorithm, but the proof of global convergence uses stochastic techniques because our trajectories are not differentiable. Along these lines, a general drift term in the trajectory equation is properly viewed as an added constraint and extends ideas given in the deterministic case by the first author.
First report of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’-related strain associated with little leaf disease of Helianthus debilis in Florida, USA

) with symptoms indicative of phyto-plasma disease were observed in a demonstration garden of native plantsin Broward county, Florida during 2005, and again, in 2006. Symptomsobserved on plants included stunting, shoot proliferation, apical bunchesof small, yellowed leaves and ﬂoral abnormalities. DNA samples extractedfrom shoots of 11 diseased and two symptomless plants were assessed forphytoplasma DNA by a PCR assay (35 cycles) employing phytoplasmauniversal primer pair P1 (Deng & Hiruki, 1991) and P7 (Smart
Estrogen down-regulates GnRH gene expression in human placental cytotrophoblast cells.

Abstract This study aims at investigating and characterizing GnRH gene expression and regulation in human placental cytotrophoblasts by estradiol. RT-PCR analysis demonstrates that the cytotrophoblasts expressed the pro-GnRH gene. PCR with two pairs of oligonucleotide primers generated doublets 870 bases apart at the expected molecular weights, indicating that the upstream and downstream transcriptional start sites of the GnRH gene were utilized and that transcripts with and without intron I were both produced. In human placental cytotrophoblasts, the upstream transcription start site of GnRH gene was the major one and gave rise to an mRNA level three times higher than the downstream start site. RT-PCR assay also revealed that estradiol downregulated the expression of GnRH gene in human cytotrophoblasts. Estradiol at the concentration of 10 nM led to a significant (50%) reduction in the mRNA from the upstream transcription start site. Such downregulation was dose-dependent and abolished by the addition of an estrogen antagonist, ICI, indicating that the gene expression was mediated by estrogen receptors. Furthermore, downregulation of GnRH gene expression by estradiol has also been confirmed by luciferase assay.
Measuring the sphere-surface interaction in optical trap assisted nanopatterning

Near-field methods rely on a precise positioning of the optical element above the surface. In this work, we measure the interaction potential of a trapped microsphere near a sample surface by high-speed microscopy.
When disagreement facilitates performance in judgment tasks: Effects of different forms of cognitive conflict, information environments, and human information processing characteristics

Abstract The effects of cognitive conflict, i.e., interpretive disagreement between parties sharing the same information, on adjustments to alternative information environments are explored in an experimental study of judgment. The results indicate that conflict facilitates appropriate shifts in judgment in some cases, but not in others. Thus the introduction, maintenance, or enhancement of conflict may be as important in some contexts as it is undesirable in others. Several implications and suggestions for extending the contingencies under which conflict might be useful are presented.
Effect of Rosiglitazone Treatment on Nontraditional Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

To the Editor: In response to the article by Haffner et al,1 I have the following comments. There were no inclusion or exclusion criteria cited within the article. How was it ethical to stop antidiabetic medications in patients for 4 weeks? In Table 1, there is no mention of other disease states or medications that may have affected the inflammatory state of the patients. I would also argue that the baseline HbA1c level is not an accurate reflection, because it looks at control for the previous 3 months, 4 weeks of which the subjects were taking no medications. The high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of 1.1, 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 do not make sense, as they are labeled in mg/dL and there is no explanation as to where these numbers came from. In the Figure, there is …
Search for new neutral particles in π + -proton collisions at 10.5 GeV/ c

We report the results of a search for the hadronic production of unexpected, long-lived, neutral particles (such as neutrinos) in 10.5-GeV/c ..pi../sup +/-proton interactions. This is done by directly measuring the momentum carried away by gamma rays, K/sup 0/'s, ..lambda../sup 0/'s, and neutrons and comparing the sum to the total missing neutral momentum. This calorimetric technique allows us to look for anomalous neutral particles in a manner that is independent of any assumptions about their production or decay characteristics. We report results in various reaction channels in the form of limits on the neutral momentum that could be carried away by particles other than the expected gamma rays, K/sup 0/'s, ..lambda../sup 0/'s, and neutrons. The analysis finds one channel with a possibly significant momentum imbalance that warrants further study.
Muscle metaboreflex control of ventricular contractility during dynamic exercise.

When oxygen delivery to active skeletal muscle is insufficient for the metabolic demands, afferent nerves within muscles are activated, which elicit reflex increases in heart rate (HR), cardiac out...
Intracerebral temperature changes after x-irradiation in the rabbit.

(1970). Intracerebral Temperature Changes after X-irradiation in the Rabbit. International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine: Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 291-295.
Hail Detection with a Differential Reflectivity Radar

A major objective in the remote sensing of convective storms by radar is the clear and reliable differentiation between regions of hail and regions of rainfall. This report describes the application of the differential reflectivity (Z(DR)) radar technique to the problem of hail detection. The procedure is based on the markedly different polarization-dependent backscatter characteristics of rain and hail. Field experiments conducted in Colorado during the spring of 1983 provide significant evidence of hail detection with this new radar technique.
Linear augmented-Slater-type-orbital method for electronic-structure calculations

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibility of using augmented Slater-type orbitals (STO) as basis functions for electronic-structure calculations. STO's have a radial dependence given by ${r}^{n\ensuremath{-}1}\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\zeta}r)$ and as a result have a number of important advantages. They are localized about sites and have the same asymptotic form as actual atomic orbitals. They are regular at the origin and possess analytic Fourier transforms. The Fourier transform can be manipulated to yield an addition theorem, that is, a reexpansion formula for an STO about another site which is similar to the one used for spherical Bessel functions. Augmenting the STO's with numerical solutions of the Schr\"odinger equation within touching spheres leads to a small secular matrix since the numerical functions are orthogonal to all the core states and the STO's are only used in the interstitial region. The method has been applied to copper, silver, and palladium using Chodorow-type potentials and accounting for all relativistic effects except spin-orbit coupling. The results on copper are in good agreement with previous calculations and with experiments. The results on Pd and Ag are in better agreement with photoemission experiments than fully self-consistent local-density calculations.
Effects of Hydrazine on Functional Morphology of Rainbow Trout Embryos and Larvae

Abstract This study was designed to mimic conditions that could exist during an accidental spill of hydrazine, a fuel for missiles and jet engines. Twelve-day-old eggs of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri were exposed to nominal hydrazine concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/liter. The eggs were exposed for 48 hours and subsequently maintained in a recirculating-flow system. Exposure to the various concentrations of hydrazine did not result in significant mortality or reduction in hatching. Aberrations in morphogenesis of larvae included loss of muscular control, reduced growth rates, and loss of tactile sensitivity at concentrations of 1.0 and 5.0 mg/liter.
Enantioselective Oxidation of Di-tert-Butyl Disulfide with a Vanadium Catalyst: Progress toward Mechanism Elucidation†

The mechanism of the oxidation of di-tert-butyl disulfide (1) to the chiral thiosulfinate (2) by H2O2 catalyzed by bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium and a chiral Schiff-base ligand (3) has been inves...
Differential Expression and Sequence Conservation of the Anaplasma marginale msp2 Gene Superfamily Outer Membrane Proteins

Bacterial pathogens in the genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia encode a protein superfamily, pfam01617, which includes the predominant outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of each species, major surface protein 2 (MSP2) and MSP3 of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum MSP2 (p44), Ehrlichia chaffeensis p28-OMP, Ehrlichia canis p30, and Ehrlichia ruminantium MAP1, and has been shown to be involved in both antigenic variation within the mammalian host and differential expression between the mammalian and arthropod hosts. Recently, complete sequencing of the A. marginale genome has identified an expanded set of genes, designated omp1-14, encoding new members of this superfamily. Transcriptional analysis indicated that, with the exception of the three smallest open reading frames, omp2, omp3, and omp6, these superfamily genes are transcribed in A. marginale-infected erythrocytes, tick midgut and salivary glands, and the IDE8 tick cell line. OMPs 1, 4, 7 to 9, and 11 were confirmed to be expressed as proteins by A. marginale within infected erythrocytes, with expression being either markedly lower (OMPs 1, 4, and 7 to 9) or absent (OMP11) in infected tick cells, which reflected regulation at the transcript level. Although the pfam01617 superfamily includes the antigenically variable MSP2 and MSP3 surface proteins, analysis of the omp1-14 sequences throughout a cycle of acute and persistent infection in the mammalian host and tick transmission reveals a high degree of conservation, an observation supported by sequence comparisons between the St. Maries strain and Florida strain genomes.
Infrainguinal bypass grafting in patients with end-stage renal disease: Improving outcomes?

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to examine recent trends in the outcomes of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing infrainguinal bypass grafting (IBG) with autogenous vein. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all IBGs performed on patients with ESRD at a single tertiary care institution during the interval 1993 to 1999 was undertaken. The comparison groups consisted of concurrent series of patients with elevated creatinine (creatinine level > 1.2 mg/dL) and patients with normal renal function undergoing IBG. Procedural variables, angiographic runoff scores, and extent of tissue necrosis at presentation were correlated with outcome. Categoric parameters were compared with χ 2 analysis; rates were computed with life-table analysis. Results: Of an overall cohort of 622 IBGs performed during this interval, 78 IBGs (12.5%) were performed on 60 patients with ESRD, with a perioperative mortality rate of 1.3% that was comparable to controls. All reconstructions in the ESRD cohort were for limb salvage indications. Four-year survival, primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates for the ESRD group were 51% ± 9%, 60% ± 11%, 86% ± 5%, and 86% ± 5%, respectively; these were not statistically different from the control groups. Limb salvage in the ESRD group was 77% ± 6% at 4 years and was significantly less then either the elevated creatinine (92% ± 4%; P P Conclusions: Patients with ESRD constitute an increasing proportion of patients undergoing IBG in a tertiary care setting. Four-year survival, perioperative mortality, and graft patency rates are similar to patients with normal renal function and support an aggressive approach to this population. Major limb amputation despite a patent graft remains a problem of unique frequency in patients with ESRD. Adequate predictors of hemodynamic failure of IBG in this group do not exist, although a heel ulcer more than 4 cm may indicate an unsalvageable foot. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1171-8.)
Equibiaxial deformation of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) by a forging process

Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (PMP) has been uniaxially compressed by a forging (equibiaxial) process. The rheology of the process has been examined for this semicrystalline polyolefin, melting point about 235°C. The yield energy, area under the compressive stress-strain curve up to the yield point, as a function of temperature was found to consist of two linear components of different slope. These two linear relations arise from the glassy and crystalline phases of PMP. The intercept temperature (T i ) at zero yield energy for the glassy phase has been evaluated
Scientific data repositories on the Web: An initial survey

Science Data Repositories (SDRs) have been recognized as both critical to science, and undergoing a fundamental change. A websample study was conducted of 100 SDRs. Information on the websites and from administrators of the SDRs was reviewed to determine salient characteristics of the SDRs, which were used to classify SDRs into groups using a combination of cluster analysis and logistic regression. Characteristics of the SDRs were explored for their role in determining groupings and for their relationship to the success of SDRs. Four of these characteristics were identified as important for further investigation: whether the SDR was supported with grants and contracts, whether support comes from multiple sponsors, what the holding size of the SDR is and whether a preservation policy exists for the SDR. An inferential framework for understanding SDR composition, guided by observations, characteristic collection and refinement and subsequent analysis on elements of group membership, is discussed. The development of SDRs is further examined from a business standpoint, and in comparison to its most similar form, institutional repositories. Because this work identifies important characteristics of SDRs and which characteristics potentially impact the sustainability and success of SDRs, it is expected to be helpful to SDRs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selectivity, stability and repeatability of In2O3 thin films towards NOx at high temperatures (≥500 °C)

Abstract Solid state sensors need to be selective to the target gas and stable in their performance in the sensing environment. We have investigated the selectivity, stability, and repeatability of indium oxide (In2O3) thin film sensor to detect NOx (25 ppm) in presence of other exhaust gas pollutants including H2, NH3 and CO2 at high operating temperatures (≥400 °C) in N2 carrier gas. When exposed individually to 25 ppm NOx, 100 ppm NH3, 5000 ppm H2 and 1000 ppm CO2, the sensor is selective to NOx with higher sensor response (S ∼ 23) to NOx species compared to other gases (S ∼ 1). The sensor response (S) drastically decreases when either NH3 or H2 are added to the NOx test gas. In2O3 samples without promoter layers exhibited higher sensor response to NOx in presence of 100 ppm NH3 when compared to Au promoter samples. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed in order to investigate the gas-phase reactions between NOx and NH3 or H2 at high temperatures (>400 °C). At >500 °C, NH3 and H2 reduce NOx to H2O and N2 which may explain the drastic reduction in NOx response at high temperatures (>500 °C). Exposure to H2 also etched the In2O3 film which comprises the stability when the sensor is operated in a H2 rich environment (>2500 ppm H2). In2O3 thin films deposited in an oxygen environment (25% O2) which presented the highest and quickest response were repeatable to 25 ppm NOx exposures with overall variation in sensor response
Exponential bounds of mean error for the nearest neighbor estimates of regression functions

Abstract Let ( X , Y ), ( X 1 , Y 1 ),…, ( X n , Y n ) be i.i.d. ( R r × R )-valued random vectors with E | Y | m n ( x ) be a nearest neighbor estimate of the regression function m ( x ) = E ( YsβX = x ). We establish an exponential bound of the mean deviation between m n ( x ) and m ( x ) given the training sample Z n = ( X 1 , Y 1 ,…, X n , Y n ), under the conditions as weak as possible. This is a substantial improvement on Beck's result.
A Proposal: Exchange Equilibria Control the Degree Chlorinated Hydrocarbons are Biologically Magnified in Lentic Environments

Abstract The dynamics of DDT in lentic environments were studied in a farm pond and four artificial pools. A hypothesis that biological magnification of pesticides was dependent on passage of the residues through a food chain was rejected and a hypothesis that accumulation depends on adsorption and solubility differences was proposed. The mechanism proposed is based on the principle that compounds are exchanged between water and fats. Exchange in fish passes through two stages, from water to blood and from blood to fats, permitting a high degree of magnification in fish. The proposed mechanism accounts for the reported observations that pesticides are excreted by fish, that body load of pesticides increases as the fat content of fish increases, that pesticide magnification by fish is inverse to the water solubility of the compounds and that pesticides persist longer in oligotrophic than eutrophic lentic ecosystems.
A DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING THE CONCENTRATION OF GLYCOL VAPORS IN THE AIR

A device for automatically maintaining any desired concentration of triethylene or propylene glycol vapor in air is described. It can also be used to measure very rapidly the glycol content of room air. This instrument should greatly facilitate tests of the efficacy of glycol vapors in preventing air-borne infections.
EFFECTS OF PREDATOR CUES ON PESTICIDE TOXICITY: TOWARD AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MECHANISM OF THE INTERACTION

Pesticide toxicity may be modified by a number of co-occurring environmental and ecological stressors. Coexposure to predator cues has been shown to potentiate and/or synergize toxicity of pesticides. However, the mechanisms behind these interactions are not well understood. Here we examine the effects of fish predator (bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus) cues on toxicity of five different pesticides to the freshwater cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia dubia. The purpose for examining patterns among pesticides was to test the idea that the mechanism of the interaction could be explained by a general stress response; that is, the interaction patterns would be similar regardless of the pesticide's mechanism of action (MOA)). Acute 96-h concentration-response experiments were conducted for pesticides with and without fish cues. Predator cues influenced the toxicity of pesticides and the interaction patterns varied among pesticides. Fipronil exhibited a synergistic interaction, while predator cues interacted antagonistically for bifenthrin and thiacloprid. Other compounds previously reported to potentiate toxicity (malathion) were found to act additively. The results demonstrate that factors such as pesticide bioavailability, KOC, and exposure concentration may be important for predicting the occurrence of these interactions and that patterns were not consistent among pesticides varying in MOA. Predator stress is an important component for structuring communities and ecosystem processes. Fully understanding how this process may interact with organic contaminants may best be achieved by examination at toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic scales. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:1926-1934. # 2011 SETAC Keywords—Ceriodaphnia dubia Mixture effects Multiple stressors Nonadditive interactions Predator cues
Survey on Barriers to Adoption of Laparoscopic Surgery.

Objective To identify challenges that impede wider adoption of laparoscopy in gynecologic surgery and assessing whether the current training programs are addressing these challenges adequately. Methods A survey was designed to examine barriers to adoption of laparoscopy for practicing gynecologists. The survey was piloted on gynecologic surgeons and was further refined following their feedback. Finally, the survey was deployed to 4273 gynecologists across the United States via e-mail using the national database of the American Medical Association. Respondents were grouped into two categories based on how often they report referral of patients for laparoscopy. Demographics, training, and practice characteristics were compared using Fisher exact tests for categorical variables and t tests for continuous variables. Participants rated factors that were thought to limit laparoscopy use on a 5-point Likert scale; median values of these scores were compared with Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results We received 210 responses (29% of people who opened the e-mail and 93% of those who opened the survey). Physicians who perform their own laparoscopies were on average younger and tended to be more subspecialized. Some of the most highly rated limiting factors included lack of adequate surgical volume, reluctance of managing unexpected surgical scenarios, difficulty with video-eye-hand coordination, altered depth perception, and laparoscopic suturing. Conclusion This survey identified barriers to adoption of laparoscopic surgical techniques beyond what has previously been identified. Based on these findings, novel simulation and continuing medical education curricula can be created to address the primary barriers in order to increase laparoscopic approach to surgery among gynecologists.
Suboptimal cardiovascular risk factor identification and management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort analysis

Accelerated cardiovascular (CV) disease significantly contributes to increased mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, with a risk comparable to the one observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Part of this enhanced risk in RA is attributed to traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs). The aims of this study were to determine how often traditional CRFs are identified and managed by (a) rheumatologists, compared with primary care physicians (PCPs) in RA patients; and (b) PCPs among patients with RA, DM, and the general population (GP). A retrospective cohort study compared age/gender/ethnicity-matched patients from three groups: RA, DM, and GP (without RA or DM); n = 251 patients per group. Electronic patient records were reviewed during a continuous 12-month period between June 2007 and April 2011 to assess whether CRFs were identified and managed. In RA patients, PCPs managed obesity, BP, and lipids significantly more often than did rheumatologists. PCPs managed obesity, BP, and lipids significantly more often in diabetic patients than in the other two groups, and more often in the GP than in RA patients. In patients with elevated BMI, PCPs managed weight in 68% of the DM group, 46% of the GP, and 31% of the RA group (P < 0.0001 for all groups; P = 0.006 between RA and GP groups). Rheumatologists identify and manage CRFs less frequently than PCPs. PCPs manage CRFs less frequently in RA patients, compared to the GP and DM. Given the increased CV risk associated with RA, physicians need to more aggressively manage CRFs in these patients.
Control strategies for Marek's disease: a perspective for the future

Marek's disease virus is an evolving pathogen, acquiring virulence in response to increasingly effective vaccines. Although vaccine efficacy is generally good, industry has placed a high priority on more effective products. The search for better vaccines has been conducted mainly in the arena of molecular biology, and has been thus far disappointing. Various conditions prevail that currently limit the potential to develop suitable long-term solutions. A new paradigm based on reduction of early exposure, multiple levels of host resistance, and improved cooperation among stakeholders is proposed for consideration.
Ovarian cancer screening.

Background. The three most extensively evaluated screening methods for ovarian cancer are pelvic examination, serum CA 125, and transvaginal sonography (TVS). The lack of sensitivity of pelvic examination and serum CA 125 has limited their use in ovarian cancer screening. Currently, the most effective screening method for ovarian cancer is TVS. Methods. Transvaginal sonography was performed with a standard ultrasound unit and a 5.0 MHz vaginal transducer. Each ovary was measured in three dimensions and ovarian volume was calculated using the prolate ellipsoid formula (L X H X W X 0.523). An ovarian volume greater than or equal to 20 cm 3 in premenopausal women and greater than or equal to 10 cm 3 in postmenopausal women was considered abnormal. Also, any internal papillary projection from the tumor wall was considered abnormal. A patient with an abnormal screen had a repeat TVS in 4-6 weeks. Women with a persisting abnormality on TVS underwent pelvic examination, serum CA 125 determination, Doppler flow sonography, and tumor morphologic indexing before operative tumor removal. Results. Eighty-five hundred asymptomatic women underwent TVS screening. One hundred twenty-one of these women had a persisting abnormality and underwent tumor removal. Fifty-seven patients had serous cystadenomas and eight had primary ovarian cancers. Six patients had Stage IA ovarian cancer, one had Stage IIC ovarian cancer, and one had Stage IIIB ovarian cancer. Only one of these patients had palpable ovarian enlargement on clinical examination and one had an elevated serum CA 125. All patients are alive and well 4-61 months after conventional therapy. The direct cost of TVS screening was highest during the initial years of the program and fell progressively to $30/screen during the 4th year of the study. Worldwide, more than 14,000 women have been screened using ultrasonography, and 19 ovarian cancers have been detected. More than 20,000 patient-screening-years have been accrued, and there have been no deaths from primary ovarian cancer in the screened population. Conclusions. Transvaginal sonography screening causes a decrease in stage at detection and a decrease in case-specific mortality. Further study is needed to determine if annual TVS screening will significantly reduce ovarian cancer mortality. The cost for TVS screening is reasonable and is well within the range of that reported for other screening tests.
Localized Optical Excitations and Two-Exciton Spectroscopy of Phenylacetylene Dendrimers

The one- and two-exciton manifolds of conjugated dendrimers possessing fractal geometries are studied using the Frenkel exciton model. Two-photon spectra can be used to determine both the magnitude and the sign of short-range coupling among segments. Self-similarity and the high degree of symmetry make it possible to compute the one-exciton states and the optical response with reduced numerical effort that scales linearly rather than exponentially with the number of generations. The third-order optical response and exciton scattering matrix are expressed in compact forms using irreducible representation of optical excitations, totally avoiding the expensive explicit calculation of two-exciton eigenstates.
Blood feeding by the Rocky Mountain spotted fever vector, Dermacentor andersoni, induces interleukin-4 expression by cognate antigen responding CD4+ T cells.

Tick modulation of host defenses facilitates both blood feeding and pathogen transmission. Several tick species deviate host T cell responses toward a Th2 cytokine profile. The majority of studies of modulation of T cell cytokine expression by ticks were performed with lymphocytes from infested mice stimulated in vitro with polyclonal T cell activators. Those reports did not examine tick modulation of antigen specific responses. We report use of a transgenic T cell receptor (TCR) adoptive transfer model reactive with influenza hemagglutinin peptide (110-120) to examine CD4+ T cell intracellular cytokine responses during infestation with the metastriate tick, Dermacentor andersoni, or exposure to salivary gland extracts. Infestation with pathogen-free D. andersoni nymphs or administration of an intradermal injection of female or male tick salivary gland extract induced significant increases of IL-4 transcripts in skin and draining lymph nodes of BALB/c mice as measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, IL-10 transcripts were significantly increased in skin while IL-2 and IFN-γ transcripts were not significantly changed by tick feeding or intradermal injection of salivary gland proteins, suggesting a superimposed Th2 response. Infestation induced TCR transgenic CD4+ T cells to divide more frequently as measured by CFSE dilution, but more notably these CD4+ T cells also gained the capacity to express IL-4. Intracellular levels of IL-4 were significantly increased. A second infestation administered 14 days after a primary exposure to ticks resulted in partially reduced CFSE dilution with no change in IL-4 expression when compared to one exposure to ticks. Intradermal inoculation of salivary gland extracts from both male and female ticks also induced IL-4 expression. This is the first report of the influence of a metastriate tick on the cytokine profile of antigen specific CD4+ T cells. Blood feeding by D. andersoni pathogen-free nymphs or intradermal injection of salivary gland extracts programs influenza hemagglutinin influenza peptide specific TCR transgenic CD4+ T cells to express IL-4.
An Extensible Markup Language for effective system and service federation

In defense applications, a Federation of Systems (FoS) is an autonomous environment where systems are managed without central authority and direction. In the case of Web applications, federated services means services from different providers are aggregated with the same business objectives as part of a value chain relationship. Managing such a dynamic environment requires an infrastructure-level coordination capability where policy and guidance of the joint objectives can be seamlessly exchanged and agreed on. Invented to support the US Department of Defense (DoD) Test & Evaluation (T&E) network mission operations, a set of computer-readable infrastructure descriptions, called Integration Markup Language (IML), was created by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to automate infrastructure management between federated partners. This paper describes the applications of IML as part of the Policy-Based Adaptive Network and Security Management (PAM)1 project for the DoD T&E program and DoD/NASA Mission Command and Control. It provides a detailed illustration of how the language is used to assist partner systems to exchange policies without having to expose their internal applications and network infrastructures. An advantage of this feature eliminates the need to modify exiting systems, thus improving the efficiency of adoptability. This paper provides practical samples of the language schema and instruction of how to convert the enterprise network or application configuration into IML descriptions. This paper concludes by explaining how the IML can assist cross-provider collaboration of cloud-computing services as well as the applications of using IML to enhance cyber security.