cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decline, and Regional Disparities, in Medical Cocaine Usage in the United States

PurposeCocaine is a stimulant with a complex history that is used in otorhinolaryngological surgeries as a local anesthetic and vasodilator. There is extensive regulation in the United States for the storage and disposal of this Schedule II drug, potentially incentivizing health care professionals to avoid use. This descriptive study characterized medical cocaine use in the United States. MethodsRetail drug distribution from 2002-2017 in units of grams of weight was extracted for each state from the Drug Enforcement Administrations Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System database, which reports on medical, research, and analytical-chemistry use. The percent of buyers (hospitals, pharmacies, providers) was obtained. Use per state, corrected for population, was determined. Available data on cocaine use, as reported by the Medicare and Medicaid programs for 2013 - 2017, also were examined. ResultsMedical cocaine use in the US, measured on the basis of mass, decreased 62.5% from 2002 to 2017. Hospitals accounted for 84.9% and practitioners for 9.9% of cocaine distribution in 2017. The number of pharmacies nationwide carrying cocaine dropped by 69.4% to 206. The percent of all US hospitals, practitioners, and pharmacies that carried cocaine in 2017 was 38.4%, 2.3%, and 0.3%, respectively. There was a seven-fold difference in distribution per state in 2002 (South Dakota = 76.1 mg/100 persons, Delaware = 10.1 mg/100 persons). Similarly, there was a ten-fold regional disparity observed for 2017. Relative to the average state, those reporting the highest values (Montana = 20.1 and North Dakota = 24.1 mg/100 persons), were significantly elevated. Cocaine use within the Medicare and Medicaid programs was negligible. ConclusionMedical cocaine use across the United States exhibited a pronounced decline over a fifteen-year period. If this pattern continues, licit cocaine will soon become an obscure pharmacological relic of interest only to analytical chemists and medical historians. O_LSTKey PointsC_LSTO_LIQuestion: How has medical use of cocaine, a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor administered for otorhinolaryngological surgeries and some diagnostic procedures, changed in the United States? C_LIO_LIFindings: Cocaine usage, as reported to the Drug Enforcement Administration has undergone a pronounced (62.5%) decline over the past fifteen-years, while some pronounced regional differences were noted. C_LIO_LIMeaning: Although cocaine has played a key role in the history of anesthesia, the development of safer and non-controlled alternatives may continue to supplant this agent in contemporary use. C_LI
Time-Dependent Rebrightenings in Classical Nova Outbursts: A Late-Time Episodic Fuel Burning?

A significant fraction of novae exhibit a series of rebrightenings on the decline branch of their light curves. We use visual observations to study this phase in several well-observed novae. We find that these rebrightenings are isolated flare-like events on otherwise smooth light curves and we show that in most novae in our sample the time intervals between consecutive flares gradually increase as a geometric series; rebrightenings are equally spaced in logarithmic time. We also find a correlation between the rate of increase in the time between rebrightenings with the speed class of the nova in the sense that slower novae tend to increase the time intervals faster. We attribute these rebrightenings to instabilities in the envelope hydrogen burning and we mention other cases of such timing patterns in astronomy and natural sciences in general.
Structural violence: A concept analysis to inform nursing science and practice

This analysis is meant to elucidate the concept of structural violence and its implications for nursing science and practice. The concept of structural violence, also known as indirect violence, was first identified in the literature by peace researcher Johan Galtung. According to Galtung, structural violence broadly represents harm done to persons and groups through inequitable social, political, or economic structures. Such inequitable structures, such as systemic discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. create conditions within society that directly disadvantage and oppress members of certain groups. This oppression can inflict profound physical, psychological, and socioeconomic harm on individuals, leading to disparate health outcomes. Using techniques for developing conceptual meaning as outlined in Chinn and Kramer (2018), our analysis seeks to specify meanings and applications of structural violence for application to nursing. This analysis draws on literature from clinical, historical, and other social sciences. Databases including CINAHL, PubMed, JSTOR, and PsychInfo were explored for references to structural violence. Structural violence is readily identified in specific contexts where individuals or groups are disadvantaged by socially constructed systems, such as those of race, gender, and economic privilege. Structural violence can result in health disparities and the development of conditions that predispose individuals to health risks. Nurses must be familiar with the concept to address these issues with patients.
Decoding the function of an oncogenic transcription factor: finding the first responders.

Transcription factors (TFs) are frequently altered in human diseases. Identifying the direct and immediate target genes of TFs is critical to understanding their role in pathophysiology. Stengel et al. (2020) applied chemogenetic and nascent transcriptome mapping technologies to define the core gene set regulated by AML1-ETO—an oncogenic TF fusion protein frequently found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Growth and Urban Development in Prefecture-Level China

Nowhere has the scale and scope of urbanization been larger than in China over the last few decades. We analyze Chinese city development over the past 20 years, using data for the urbanized components of prefecture-level cities. We show that, despite much variability and fast economic and demographic change, China is undergoing transformations similar to the historical trajectory of other urban systems. We also show that the distinguishing signs of urban economies - superlinear scaling of agglomeration effects in economic productivity and economies of scale in land use - also characterize Chinese cities. We then analyze the structure of economic change in Chinese cities using a variety of metrics, characterizing employment, firms and households. Population size estimates remain a major challenge for Chinese cities, as official numbers are often reported based on the Hukou registration system. We use the information in the residuals to scaling relations to predict actual resident population and show that these estimates agree well with data for a subset of cities for which counts of total resident population exist. We conclude with a list of issues that must be better understood and measured to make sense of present urban development trajectories in China.
Examining the effects of multiple chronic conditions on cognitive decline and potential moderators among older Koreans: Findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing 2006-2016.

Abstract Background More than half of older Koreans have two or more chronic conditions, known as multiple chronic conditions (MCC). Successful self-management (e.g., diet control, exercise, taking medications) is critical to prevent worsening of condition or acquisition of additional chronic conditions. This study investigated the effects of MCC on cognitive decline and risk factors in each chronic condition group over a 10-year period. Methods Six waves (2006–2016) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing were used, featuring 2,198 older adults who were cognitively healthy at baseline. MCC were categorized into three groups: no chronic condition (n=831), one chronic condition (n=813), and two or more chronic conditions (n=554). Linear mixed-effects model analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4. Results Individuals with MCC showed greater cognitive decline than those with no or one chronic condition. Different factors were associated with cognition in each group. Among those with no chronic condition, age, income, education, and functional limitation were associated with cognitive decline. Among those with one chronic condition, age, marital status, working status, self-rated health, and arthritis were associated with cognitive decline. Among those with two or more chronic conditions, age, income, marital status, and living arrangement were associated with cognitive decline. Listed factors have p-values less than .05. Conclusions Findings indicate MCC is significantly related with cognitive decline. Risk factors for cognitive decline differed across three chronic condition groups. Self-management programs that target each group can be a promising strategy to mitigate cognitive decline among older Koreans.
Anticoagulation after Spontaneous Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage in Patients with Mechanical Heart Valves and Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation

Aim Patients with mechanical heart valves and coexisting atrial fibrillation (AFib-MHV) who suffer an intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH, defined as bleeding solely within the brain parenchyma and/or ventricle) are at a high risk of thromboembolism without anticoagulation. Data are lacking regarding the safety of early re-initiation of anticoagulation in these patients. Patients and Methods We performed a descriptive, single-institution retrospective analysis of patients with AFib-MHV who suffered a non-traumatic, supratentorial IPH between July 2013 and June 2017. We analyzed the patients and IPH characteristics, anticoagulation and antiplatelet use, the occurrence of thrombotic and hemorrhage complications, and discharge disposition. We described the timing of initiation of anticoagulation and outcomes after IPH while in-patient. Results Six patients with AFib-MHV suffered a spontaneous IPH. Four were initiated on anticoagulation prior to discharge, of whom two were initiated within 3 days post-hemorrhage. These patients suffered no bleeding complications and were discharged home with a modified Rankin Scale of 1. Conclusion Patients with AFib-MHV who suffer a spontaneous IPH are a rare population to study. Further studies to guide the management of restarting anticoagulation in this select population are warranted.
Anodic Oxidation of Fuels at Low Temperatures

The anodic oxidation of fuels in low temperature cells, mainly on platinum metals, platinum metal alloys and alloys of platinum metals with other metals, is the subject of this chapter. Most oxidation studies were made on these metals because the efficiency of other electrocatalysts is too low. The mechanism for the oxidation of carbon monoxide, mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, formic acid, methanol, higher alcohols, hydrocarbons, and hydrazine is discussed in separate sections.
The role of emotions in marriage and family therapy: Past, present, and future

SUMMARY As the traditional perspective of viewing emotions from an intrapsychic perspective has shifted to a more relational stance, the interpersonal functions of emotions within the family system have been underscored. As a result, the role of emotions in therapeutic interventions designed to assist distressed couples and families requires attention. The purpose of the current paper is to trace the role that emotions have played in marriage and family therapy (MFT) interventions both historically and currently. Towards this end, a brief overview of the historical role of emotions in MFT is presented followed by a review of research and therapeutic approaches that have integrated emotion into systemically based therapies. Future directions for incorporating emotions into MFT research, theory, and intervention are addressed.
Interferometric imaging technique for nondestructive evaluation of optoelectronic devices and wafers

A versatile, non-destructive interferometric optical characterization technique can be applied to broad-area optoelectronic devices or wafers at various processing stages to detect stress defects, and heteroepitaxial material, thermal bond, or current injection nonuniformities.
HEAT TREATMENT AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Ti-Cu ALLOYS

Hypoeutectoid Ti-Cu alloys are responsive to heat treatment, and considerable variation of mechanical properties may be produced by transformation of the β phase. Control of cooling rate, isothermal transformation, or quench tempering determine the transformation structure and properties. The transformation products are similar to those of carbon steel.
Animal Consciousness and Science Matter: Anthropomorphism Is not Anti-science

In 2007 I published a book called Animals Matter (Bekoff 2007a) and at about the same time Erin Williams and Margo DeMello published a book called Why Animals Matter (DeMello and Williams 2007). And just some months ago another book called Why Animals Matter by Marian Dawkins (2012) has been published. I think of it as ‘Dawkins’ Dangerous Idea’. It is often very interesting how communication among colleagues and the publishing industry works and this brief backstory shows this clearly. To wit, in mid-February 2012 I received a review copy of Professor Dawkins’ book from an editor at Oxford University Press asking me to write a supportive comment for the cover. I was very surprised to receive this request because I had actually learned about the book a few weeks before in an email message from my colleague Bruce Friedrich who works for Farm Sanctuary about another matter in which Professor Dawkins told him, “[...] Marc may no longer speak to me when he sees a book that is about to come out!” (Friedrich, February 4, 2012). I was taken by surprise on both occasions because not only was I unaware of another book called Why Animals Matter when I saw Dawkins’ email but also that I would be asked to support a book that clearly took me (and many others) to task. If Dawkins’ criticisms were merely about me I would have let them go but one does not have to read between the lines to see that she is putting forth a sweeping dismissal or denial of a large body of solid scientific data that have passed the litmus test of credibility in that they have been published
Optimal light integral and carbon dioxide concentration combinations for lettuce in ventilated greenhouses

Abstract Carbon dioxide enrichment and supplemental lighting in greenhouse facilities are common procedures for improving production rates. Carbon dioxide enrichment is usually used to decrease the amount of supplemental lighting, as it is a much less expensive process. However, it is economically prohibitive to maintain elevated CO 2 concentrations inside the greenhouse during periods of high ventilation rates. In this work, a crop-specific model is developed for lettuce. The model searches for the economically optimal daily light (photosynthetically active radiation—PAR) integral and CO 2 concentration combinations. This takes into account the ventilation rate, the environmental PAR integral, and the acceptable values of target combinations of PAR integral and CO 2 concentration, for the specific crop plant (lettuce). The optimal combinations achieve operating savings for the greenhouse facility.
Control of 1973 Mississippi River Flood

In 1973 a major flood occurred on the Mississippi River. Much of the alluvial valley of the river between Alton, Ill. and the Gulf of Mexico is protected against floods by Federally constructed flood control works. As some of these systems were not complete at the onset of the flood, a major flood fight was required to safeguard the valley. Many miles of levee had to be raised to provide proper protection. Other problems requiring flood-fight efforts were seepage under levees, scour at levees and structures, and riverbank failures. Even though major emergency efforts were required, the Federal flood control systems were effective and of great value in controlling the flood. The projects prevented the inundation of 26,000 sq miles (67,500 km²) of land and reduced flood damages by over –14,000,000,000. However, the losses sustained indicate the need to complete authorized works and possibly expand existing projects or initiate new projects in some areas, or both.
Effective models to predict customers’ responses to interactive audio advertisements

XAPPmedia provides an interactive audio advertising service that allows customers to connect with advertisers by speaking prompted phases in their audio advertisement. In order to provide better services for their advertisers, XAPPmedia needs to determine key components that influence advertising performance. We developed an Ad Effectiveness model that coaches advertisers to optimize their XAPP advertising configurations for maximum ROI (Return on Investment), and it can also forecast expected advertising performance in the future. In this project, we implemented logistic regression and decision tree models to determine significant variables and the relationship between predictive variables and the voice response rates. We adopt log loss function and accuracy to evaluate model performance. Logistic regression with higher accuracy and smaller loss is a better model for our data than the decision tree.
Affect, learning, and delight

Because of the growing recognition of the role that affect plays in learning, affective computing has become the subject of increasing attention in research on interactive learning environments. The intelligent tutoring systems community has begun actively exploring computational models of affect, and game-based learning environments present a significant opportunity for investigating student affect in interactive learning. One family of game-based learning environments, narrative-centered learning environments, offer a particularly compelling laboratory for investigating student affect. In narrativecentered environments, learning activities play out in dynamically generated interactive narratives and training scenarios. These afford significant opportunities for investigating computational models of student emotion. In this talk, we explore the role that affective computing can play in next-generation interactive learning environments, with a particular focus on affect recognition, affect understanding, and affect synthesis in game-based learning.
Immunosuppression in weanling and adult Sprague-Dawley rats induced by acute exposure to 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachloroazoxybenzene

The acute immunomodulatory effects of the environmental and occupational contaminant, 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene (TCAOB), were investigated on selected immune parameters in weanling and adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Significant immunotoxic effects were found 17 days after 4 doses of 25 mg/kg TCAOB, administered i.p. The main non-immune toxic effects were decreased body, kidney, heart and testis weights, and a simultaneous increase in liver weight. The immune parameters showing significant suppression were: thymic weight, splenic plaque forming cell populations and function, pertioneal macrophage chemiluminescence, and bone marrow cellularity. Weanling animals were affected by TCAOB to a greater extent than adults on both the multiple and single dose regimens. The immunotoxic effects were found to be qualitatively similar to those of its isosteric analog, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The results demonstrate that TCAOB is a very potent immunotoxic compound and may have long-term effects after a single exposure. This study is the first investigation into the effect of TCAOB on immune functions.
Organic matter accumulation post‐mineral sands mining

Soil development and organic matter (OM) accumulation are vital for sustainability in reclaimed prime farmlands following mineral sands mining. Additionally, the effectiveness of soil reconstruction techniques on soil development greatly influences crop productivity. Soil development and management effects following mineral sands mining were evaluated in years 1 (2005), 4 (2009) and 6 (2011) at the Carraway-Winn Reclamation Research Farm, VA, USA. Treatments for this full scale agricultural experiment are as follows: biosolids applied at a rate of 78 Mg/ha managed with conventional tillage (BIO-CT) and no-till (BIO-NT), a 15-cm topsoil cap (TS), and a lime + fertilized control. Crop yields were determined annually, and soils were collected and analysed for aggregate size distributions and OM pools (available, aggregate-protected and mineral-bound). Crop yields (Corn-Zea mays and wheat/soybean-Triticum aestivum/Glycine max) were generally larger in the biosolids treatments from 2005 to 2008, with no difference among treatments from 2009 to 2011. Whole soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) rapidly increased between 2005 and 2009, mainly in the large macroaggregate (2000‐8000 lm) size fraction. Carbon accumulation rates in the whole soils ranged from 2.85 to 3.58 Mg C/ha in the first 4 yr of soil development (similar trends were observed for N). There were no differences for soil aggregate parameters among treatments until year 6, where biosolids treatments contained more microaggregate (53‐250 lm) and mineral-bound C and N relative to other treatments. Short-term increases in crop yields and long-term increases in stable soil C and N make biosolids applications a viable alternative to traditional TS replacement strategies for this mining land use scenario.
The guinea pig as a model for predicting photoallergic contact dermatitis

This report describes modifications in the techniques used for both the induction and elicitation of photoallergic contact dermatitis (PACD) in the guinea pig. These changes have improved the reliability of this animal as the model of choice for screening chemicals or products for their tendency to produce PACD. The induction period consists of 15 exposures of the test substance to shoulder skin that has been abraded with a nylon brush rotating at 13,000 rpm. One hour later, the test site is irradiated with broadband UVA from a source having some irradiance below 320 nm (UVA/b). The animals receive 450 J/cm2 of UVA during the three-week induction period. The elicitation (challenge) test is repeated for two consecutive days. Each day, the test material, if a liquid, is applied to two sites every 30 to 60 min for 6 h; then one of the sites receives 20 J/cm2 of UVA. These photo-induction and photo-induction and photo-elicitation procedures have demonstrated that low-level concentrations (0.25% range) of 6-methyl coumarin or musk ambrette will both induce and elicit PACD in the guinea pig. This report adds more evidence that the induction of PACD in the guinea pig is dependent on broadband UVA.
Biomass to hydrogen via fast pyrolysis and catalytic steam reforming of the pyrolysis oil or its fractions

Pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and reforming of the pyroligneous oils are being studied as a strategy for producing hydrogen. A process of this nature has the potential to be cost competitive with conventional means of producing hydrogen. We propose a regionalized system of hydrogen production, where small- and medium-sized pyrolysis units (<500 Mg/day) provide bio-oil to a central reforming unit to be catalytically converted to H2 and CO2. Thermodynamic modeling of the major constituents of the bio-oil has shown that reforming is possible within a wide range of temperatures and steam-to-carbon ratios. In addition, screening tests aimed at catalytic reforming of model compounds to hydrogen using Ni-based catalysts have achieved essentially complete conversion to H2. Existing data on the catalytic reforming of oxygenates have been studied to guide catalyst selection. A process diagram for the pyrolysis and reforming operations is discussed, as are initial production cost estimates. A window of opport...
The production process: Inputs and wastes

Abstract A simple model of the production process is developed which blends the traditional theory of productive services with the concepts of material processing, energy use, and waste generation. Taxonomies for inputs by function and wastes by origin are offered which more clearly define the nature of substitution possibilities between inputs and illustrate trade-offs which exist between different types of production wastes. Implications of the model for production function specification, economic growth, econometric estimation, and emissions control policy are discussed.
Hinode/EIS spectroscopic validation of very hot plasma imaged with Solar Dynamics Observatory in non-flaring active region cores

We use coronal imaging observations with SDO/AIA, and Hinode/EIS spectral data, to explore the potential of narrow band EUV imaging data for diagnosing the presence of hot (T >~5MK) coronal plasma in active regions. We analyze observations of two active regions (AR 11281, AR 11289) with simultaneous AIA imaging, and EIS spectral data, including the CaXVII line (at 192.8A) which is one of the few lines in the EIS spectral bands sensitive to hot coronal plasma even outside flares. After careful coalignment of the imaging and spectral data, we compare the morphology in a 3 color image combining the 171, 335, and 94A AIA spectral bands, with the image obtained for CaXVII emission from the analysis of EIS spectra. We find that in the selected active regions the CaXVII emission is strong only in very limited areas, showing striking similarities with the features bright in the 94A (and 335A) AIA channels and weak in the 171A band. We conclude that AIA imaging observations of the solar corona can be used to track hot plasma (6-8MK), and so to study its spatial variability and temporal evolution at high spatial and temporal resolution.
Design principles for critical incident response systems

The national incident management system (NIMS) was developed so that responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines could work together to respond to natural and manmade disasters and emergencies, including acts of terrorism. The NIMS document provides a set of guidelines about practices but it does not make explicit the design requirements for information systems to support the management of critical incidents. Though there are academic and practitioner papers in the general area of emergency management, there is a lacuna of literature discussing how to design information systems to support critical incident response. In this paper we develop a set of design principles that are grounded in emergency management concepts and also in the insights from the real response managers in the Western New York area. The set of design principles provide a foundation for the development of critical incident response systems.
Oral manifestations of dermatitis herpetiformis.

Abstract Although oral mucosal manifestations are not usually observed in dermatitis herpetiformis, the long and difficult course of the disease frequently brings the patients to the dentist, who should be aware of the specific oral manifestations.
Study of 2-mercapto-benzothiazole degradation/oxidation of electronic componenets by FTIR and FT-Raman

In the past, we had electronic devices which used Loctite 680 (an anaerobic adhesive) and Loctite Primer-T returned from the field with a whitish debris contamination. The debris, ranging from a few microns to several hundred microns (agglomerated) in diameter, had caused a serious problem in the field. The white debris turned out to be related to the Primer- T used on the electronic components. In this paper, we show how we used FT-IR and FT- Raman microscopy to identify the contaminant and the source of the contamination and to gain a better understanding on the formation of the contaminant.
Alterations in Cardiac Gene Expression During Ventricular Remodeling Following Experimental Myocardial Infarction

Following myocardial Infarction (MI) the heart undergoes a process of remodeling characterized by considerable hypertrophy of the non-infarcted myocardium. We have recently characterized the molecular basis of key electrophysiologic alterations that may provide insight into the arrhythmogenecity of post-MI remodeled hypertrophied myocardium. To further characterize other key alterations in the pattern of cardiac gene expression in a time-dependent manner, we have measured mRNA and immunoreactive protein levels of selective cardiac genes in the remodeled hypertrophied left-ventricular (LV) myocardium of rats, 3 and 21 days after left-coronary ligation and compared the results with sham-operated rats. RNase protection assay was performed to assess the expression of c-fos, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), brain natriuretic factor (BNF),α2/3isoform of Na–K ATPase, cardiacα/βisoform of myosin heavy chain (MHC). Compared to the sham group, the expression of c-foswas increased 10-fold (P<0.02) in the MI group on day 3, but unlike other overload hypertrophy models, the expression remained elevated by three-fold on day 21. Similar to other overload models, the ANF and BNF expression increased significantly. No alterations were observed in the expression of cardiacα-actin. There was reexpression of the fetal isogene form of MHC and Na–K ATPase after MI. Theβ-MHC mRNA levels, the fetal isoform of MHC, returned to basal levels after 21 days. After an initial five-fold decrease the adult isoform of αNa–K ATPase,α2Na–K ATPase mRNA, returned to control levels and similar changes were seen in the corresponding protein levels. These findings indicate that during LV remodeling and hypertrophy following MI, there is an upregulation of early response genes and fetal isogene expression. The pattern of activation, however, is distinct from that observed in other overload models, indicating the possible involvement of alternate signal transduction pathways.
“Ideology” and “Legitimation” As Necessary Concepts for Christian Ethics

Among the many concepts generated by modern social theory, none has had quite the significance or the centrality of the twin concepts of ideology and legitimation. Yet, despite their widespread use and acknowledged importance, they rarely, if ever, find a place in academic discussions of Christian ethics in the Anglo-American tradition./1/ This situation is, it seems to me, unfortunate and debilitating for Christian ethics, especially an ethics centered on the problems of rules and actions. In the first section of this paper, I wish to explain what I take to be the meaning of these two terms and the decisive ethical problem of contemporary society to which they point. In the second section, I will attempt to show that this problem is also a problem for contemporary Christian ethics, and to formulate an answer to this problem from that perspective. Further, in the course of the discussion I will try to remove some misunderstandings which have grown up around the concepts and to hazard some guesses as to why their use has until now been largely resisted.
Determining the Neutrino Flux from Accelerator Neutrino Beams

Abstract Man made sources of neutrinos, from reactors and proton accelerators, are providing the best experimental sensitivities to determining the unknown neutrino oscillation parameters such as θ 13 , the mass hierarchy, and the CP phase. In addition, these experiments enable the measurements of the known neutrino oscillation parameters with higher precision and the search for new neutrino oscillation phenomena. A critical component of any neutrino oscillation experiment is the precision determination of the neutrino flux from the source, and its composition. I will summarize the different techniques used by current short and long baseline neutrino accelerator experiments to determine the unoscillated neutrino flux, and discuss the implications for future experiments.
Controls on the first appearance of jadeitic pyroxene, northern Diablo Range, California

A reaction producing jadeitic pyroxene in metagreywackes of the northern Diablo Range has been identified on the basis of mineral distribution, isograd patterns and composition of coexisting minerals. The appearance of jadeitic pyroxene (∼Jd80) is closely followed by the disappearance of pumpellyite, which indicates that pumpellyite plays a major role in the pyroxene-producing reaction. A new projection from hematite, lawsonite, chlorite, quartz and H2O on to the NaAlO2-FeO-MgO ternary confirms the role of pumpellyite in pyroxene production and suggests a reaction of the form: 1.00 pumpellyite + 0.31 chlorite + 8.71 albite + 0.70 hematite + 2.00 H2O = 8.54 jadeite + 0.57 glaucophane + 3.09 lawsonite + 5.26 quartz. Metagreywackes of the northern Diablo Range were metamorphosed under conditions of PH2O=Ptotal at 200-300 °C and 7.5-10.0 kbar. Despite the low temperatures attained during metamorphism, the assumption of equilibrium yields results consistent with field observations and phase relations.
On remote measurements of lightning return stroke peak currents

Abstract Return-stroke peak current is one of the most important measures of lightning intensity needed in different areas of atmospheric electricity research. It can be estimated from the corresponding electric or magnetic radiation field peak. Electric fields of 89 strokes in lightning flashes triggered using the rocket-and-wire technique at Camp Blanding (CB), Florida, were recorded at the Lightning Observatory in Gainesville, about 45 km from the lightning channel. Lightning return-stroke peak currents were estimated from the measured electric field peaks using the empirical formula of Rakov et al. (1992) and the field-to-current conversion equation based on the transmission line model (Uman and McLain, 1969). These estimates, along with peak currents reported by the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), were compared with the ground-truth data, currents directly measured at the lightning channel base. The empirical formula, based on data for 28 triggered-lightning strokes acquired at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), tends to overestimate peak currents, whereas the NLDN-reported peak currents are on average underestimates. The field-to-current conversion equation based on the transmission line model gives the best match with directly measured peak currents for return-stroke speeds between c /2 and 2 c /3 (1.5 and 2 × 10 8 m/s, respectively). Possible reasons for the discrepancy in the peak current estimates from the empirical formula and the ground-truth data include an error in the field calibration factor, difference in the typical return-stroke speeds at CB and at the KSC (considered here to be the most likely reason), and limited sample sizes, particularly for the KSC data. A new empirical formula, I = − 0.66–0.028 rE , based on data for 89 strokes in lightning flashes triggered at CB, is derived.
Electrocardiographic Voltage in Pericardial Effusion

The usefulness of the electrocardiographic sign of "low voltage" in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion was investigated in 122 patients comprising three study groups. Sixty-four patients (group 1) had a pericardial effusion detected and measured by echocardiographic studies. The volume of the effusion showed no correlation with electrocardiographic voltage. A second group of 36 patients was identified as having low voltage on routine electrocardiograms. Only 13 (36 percent) had echocardiographically demonstrable pericardial effusion. Group 3 consisted of 22 patients who required pericardiocentesis. The ECGs obtained immediately after pericardiocentesis showed an increase in average voltage of 0.48 mm in the limb leads and 0.83 mm in the precordial leads for each 100 ml of fluid removed. This study demonstrates that a single ECG with "low voltage" is not useful in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion but that a reduction in the voltage of serial ECGs may suggest the development of pericardial effusion.
Electron spectroscopy study of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films formed by methane ion beam deposition

Abstract We studied the electronic structure of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films (HACFs) by UV photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. The valence band spectra are similar to those obtained from measurements of the (111) surface of crystalline diamond. The work function of the HACFs increases, and the Fermi edge moves toward the valence band edge, as the annealing temperature increases ( T ⩾ 400 °C). The secondary electron spectra and the C KVV Auger peaks of HACFs and graphite differ appreciably. The C 1s loss spectrum is very sensitive to the chemical environment of the carbon atoms and directly reflects the change from an essentially fourfold-coordinated carbon network to a more graphitic structure for annealing temperatures above about 500 °C.
Infection of mouse fibroblasts by cardioviruses: Premature uncoating and its prevention by elevated pH and magnesium chloride

Abstract The plating efficiencies of ME-, EMC-, MM-, Columbia SK-, and mengoviruses, collectively called “cardioviruses,” were enhanced 2- to 5-fold by conducting the virus attachment step at 22° rather than at 37°. This behavior was traced to a temperature-dependent loss of infectivity (abortive infection) following attachment of the virion to the cell. Abortive infection was virus specific; it was detectable with cardioviruses but not with poliovirus type 1 or coxsackievirus B1 and took place on both HeLa and L cells. Studies with purified, isotopically labeled ME-virus showed that loss of infectivity was accompanied by release of the RNA genome from cell-attached virions into the extracellular fluid. The coat protein initially remained attached to the cell after RNA release but subsequently dissociated from the cell in the form of 14 S subunits. Premature uncoating was inhibited by alkaline pH and by hypertonic salt solutions.
Retinal Schiff bases: the effect of water on spectral absorption.

The Schiff base of retinaldehyde (RET) and ethanolamine phosphoglyceride (EPG) appears to be unique. Other Schiff bases of amines and RET absorb spectrally at about 365 nm in aqueous or non-aqueous solvents. RET and EPG in chloroform/methanol exhibit a 336 nm absorbance which we attribute to the absence of the conjugative effect of associated water formed as a result of imino formation. We assume that methanol in chloroform is a hydrogen bonding agent (for water) superior to the Schiff base. The presence of the phosphate portion of EPG appears essential since substitution of sulfate eliminates the effectiveness of the methanol.
New transition metal binding modes for creatinine: molecular structures of [(C4R4)Ir(C4H7N3O)(PPh3)2Cl] and [(C4R4)Ir(C4H7N3O)(PPh3)2]BF4, (R = CO2CH3)

Abstract Reaction of [(C 4 R 4 )Ir(PPh 3 ) 2 Cl] ( 4 , R = CO 2 CH 3 ) and creatinine in chloroform at 23 °C gave the creatinine complex [(C 4 R 4 )Ir(C 4 H 7 N 3 O)(PPh 3 ) 2 Cl] ( 6 ) in 81% isolated yield. Reaction of the bis (acetonitrile)iridium cation [(C 4 R 4 )Ir(NCCH 3 ) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ][BF 4 ] ( 5 , R = CO 2 CH 3 ) and creatinine in chloroform at 23 °C gave [(C 4 R 4 )Ir(C 4 H 7 N 3 O)(PPh 3 ) 2 ][BF 4 ] ( 7 , R = CO 2 CH 3 ) in 96% isolated yield. X-ray crystallography established two unprecedented coordination modes for creatine in complexes 6 and 7 . In complex 6 the creatinine is bound to iridium in a monodentate fashion through the exocyclic nitrogen, whereas creatinine serves as a bidentate η 2 -(N,O)-ligand in 7 .
Plasma heating and current drive systems for the fusion ignition research experiment (FIRE)

Abstract FIRE is a high-field, burning-plasma tokamak that is being studied as a possible option for future fusion research. Preliminary parameters for this machine are R 0 =2.14 m, a =0.595 m, B 0 =10 T, and I p =7.7 MA. Magnetic field coils are to be made of copper and pre-cooled with LN 2 before each shot. The flat-top pulse length desired is ≥20 s. Ion cyclotron (IC) and lower hybrid rf systems will be used for heating and current drive. Present specifications call for 20 MW of IC heating power, with an additional 10 MW of IC power or 20 MW of lower hybrid power as upgrade options.
Generation of collagenase-resistant collagen by site-directed mutagenesis of murine pro alpha 1(I) collagen gene.

Abstract Collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase 1) cleaves type I, II, and III collagen helices at a specific site between Gly-Ile or Gly-Leu bonds (residues 775 and 776, P1-P1'). To understand the mechanism of collagen processing, mutations around the cleavage site have been introduced into the cloned murine pro alpha 1(I) collagen (Col1a1) gene. These mutant constructs have been transfected into homozygous Mov13 fibroblasts that do not express the endogenous Col1a1 gene due to a retroviral insertion. Secreted triple-helical type I collagens containing substitutions of Pro for Ile (position 776) (P1') were not cleaved by human rheumatoid synovial collagenase, whereas those containing substitutions of Met for Ile (position 776) were cleaved. Type I collagens containing double substitutions of Pro for Gln-774 (P2) and Ala-777 (P2') were not cleaved regardless of whether they contained the wild-type residue Ile at position 776 or the substitution of Met for Ile at position 776. The wild-type alpha 2(I) chains derived from the endogenous Col1a2 gene were also resistant to enzyme digestion when they were complexed with the mutant alpha 1(I) chains, indicating that the presence of normal alpha 1(I) sequences is critical for cleavage of the alpha 2(I) chains in the type I heterotrimer.
The emergence of Clostridium difficile infection among peripartum women: a case-control study of a C. difficile outbreak on an obstetrical service.

Objective. An outbreak of 20 peripartum Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) occurred on the obstetrical service at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) between April 2006 and June 2007. In this report, we characterize the clinical manifestations, describe interventions that appeared to reduce CDI, and determine potential risk factors for peripartum CDI. Methods. An investigation was initiated after the first three peripartum CDI cases. Based on the findings, enhanced infection control measures and a modified antibiotic regimen were implemented. We conducted a case-control study of peripartum cases and unmatched controls. Results. During the outbreak, there was an overall incidence of 7.5 CDI cases per 1000 deliveries. Peripartum CDI infection compared to controls was significantly associated with cesarean delivery (70% versus 34%; P = 0.03 ), antibiotic use (95% versus 56%; P = 0.001 ), chorioamnionitis (35% versus 5%; P = 0.001 ), and the use of the combination of ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin (50% versus 3%; P 0.001 ). Use of combination antibiotics remained a significant independent risk factor for CDI in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions. The outbreak was reduced after the implementation of multiple infection control measures and modification of antibiotic use. However, sporadic CDI continued for 8 months after these measures slowed the outbreak. Peripartum women appear to be another population susceptible to CDI.
Associations of electrocardiographic P-wave characteristics with left atrial function, and diffuse left ventricular fibrosis defined by cardiac magnetic resonance: The PRIMERI Study

Background Abnormal P-terminal force in lead V 1 (PTF V1 ) is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and death. Objective Our goal was to explore associations of left ventricular (LV) diffuse fibrosis with left atrial (LA) function and electrocardiographic (ECG) measures of LA electrical activity. Methods Patients without atrial fibrillation (n = 91; mean age 59.5 years; 61.5% men; 65.9% white) with structural heart disease (spatial QRS-T angle ≥105° and/or Selvester QRS score ≥5 on ECG) but LV ejection fraction >35% underwent clinical evaluation, cardiac magnetic resonance, and resting ECG. LA function indices were obtained by multimodality tissue tracking using 2- and 4-chamber long-axis images. T 1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement were used to assess diffuse LV fibrosis and presence of scar. P-prime in V 1 amplitude (PPaV 1 ) and duration (PPdV 1 ), averaged P-wave-duration, PR interval, and P-wave axis were automatically measured using 12 SLTM algorithm. PTF V1 was calculated as a product of PPaV 1 and PPdV 1 . Results In linear regression after adjustment for demographic characteristics, body mass index, maximum LA volume index, presence of scar, and LV mass index, each decile increase in LV interstitial fibrosis was associated with 0.76 mV*ms increase in negative abnormal PTF V1 (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.42 to −0.09; P = .025), 15.3 ms prolongation of PPdV 1 (95% CI 6.9 to 23.8; P = .001) and 5.4 ms prolongation of averaged P-duration (95% CI 0.9–10.0; P = .020). LV fibrosis did not affect LA function. PPaV 1 and PTF V1 were associated with an increase in LA volumes and decrease in LA emptying fraction and LA reservoir function. Conclusion LV interstitial fibrosis is associated with abnormal PTF V1 , prolonged PPdV 1 , and P-duration, but does not affect LA function.
STUDY OF SERIAL REACTION KINETICS AND CHANGES OF GROUP COMPOSITIONS OF PETROLEUM ASPHALTS IN CONTINUOUS HEAT AND AIR AGING

ABSTRACT The serial reaction kinetics and the changes of group compositions of Shengli petroleum asphalt(SPA) and Huansanlian petroleum asphalt(HPA) were studied during continuous heat and air aging(CHAA) at 120 ∼ 180°C. The test results show that at given temperature the contents of saturate constituents of two asphalts change very little, aromatic constituents decrease clearly and asphaltenes increase gradually during CHAA. At lower temperatures(120 ∼ 140 °C) the contents of resins increase slowly and no toluene insolubles form obviously, but at higher temperature(180°C) the resins increase at first and then decrease and the toluene insolubles increase much quickly with the CHAA time. The higher the CHAA temperature, the more evidently the change of asphalt group compositions would change. The apparent aging rate constants and the apparent aging activation
Radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis: a complication of radioiodine treatment of pulmonary metastases from cancer of the thyroid.

INTRODUCTION THIS paper has been prompted by the observation that large doses of radioiodine given to patients with pulmonary metastases from thyroid cancer may produce severe pulmonary damage. Although this is a complication of radioiodine therapy heretofore unreported, it has been observed following roentgen irradiation directed to the chest. From the latter studies, the pathologic anatomy of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis and a rough notion of the dosage of x-ray irradiation required to produce it, has been obtained (1, 2). The present report describes in some detail the histories of 2 patients in whom fatal pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonitis developed. It also describes briefly our experience in other patients with pulmonary metastases from carcinoma of the thyroid who received one or more large doses of I131. Two of these patients have symptoms of pulmonary insufficiency, probably secondary to pulmonary fibrosis. CLINICAL MATERIAL AND METHODS Radioiodine as I131 was given orally in doses rangin...
Evaluation of the nuclear charge form factor with intrinsic hyperspherical- coordinate wave functions

Evaluation of the nuclear charge form factor requires the evaluation of a many-body matrix element. In this paper it is shown how this many-body matrix clement can be reduced to a integral over single-particle matrix elements when hyperspherical coordinates are used. (auth)