cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emotion language in primary care encounters: reliability and validity of an emotion word count coding system

Abstract Objectives: To develop a reliable and valid computer coded measure to assess emotional expression from transcripts of physician–patient interactions. Methods: Physician encounters with two standardized patients (SPs) were audiotaped. Fifty patients from each physician ( n = 100 primary care physicians) completed surveys that assessed patients’ perceptions of their relationships with physicians. Audio-recordings of 193 patient-physician encounters were transcribed and computer-coded to derive a percent emotion words, and research assistants completed the Measure of Patient-Centered Communication (MPCC). Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, regression analyses revealed physicians’ use of emotion words and the MPCC contribute independently to patients’ and SPs’ perceptions of their relationship with physicians. Conclusions: The computerized coding of emotion words shows promise as a reliable, valid, and simple method to code transcript data of physician–patient interactions. This method may be expanded to examine other aspects of physician language and does not require coder training.
The triple line pattern on carotid intima media thickness imaging and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors in patients on lipid lowering therapy.

BACKGROUND Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) infrequently identifies a triple line pattern (TLP) in the visualization of the internal elastic lamina. We examined the prevalence and predictors of the TLP among a consecutive series of subjects enrolled in a CIMT clinical trial, and also the effects of lipid lowering therapy. METHODS Baseline CIMT studies of subjects with known heart disease, or high risk for heart disease, were evaluated from a single site of the Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol 6-HDL and LDL Treatment Strategies in Atherosclerosis trial (N=120). One sonographer obtained four views of the right and left far wall common CIMT, using a 13 MHz ultrasound probe. Images were blindly reviewed for the presence of the TLP. The TLP was defined as absent (0), possible (1), or definite (2). A composite score from all four views was calculated. A patient was defined as having the TLP if the composite score was ≥4. Univariate predictors of the TLP were explored. Follow-up ultrasounds at 14 months were also reviewed for presence of the TLP. RESULTS The prevalence of the TLP at baseline was 22.5%. Among cardiovascular risk variables, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in subjects displaying the TLP (141.3±15.6 mmHg versus 133.1±18.4 mmHg; P=0.036). There were no differences among those with, and without, the TLP, with respect to other cardiovascular risk variables (age, sex, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, glucose, weight, waist girth, tobacco use, medications, quantitative CIMT), or image quality. During ongoing lipid lowering therapy, the prevalence of the TLP increased to 54.2% (P<0.001). However, it was unrelated to changes in lipid concentrations or cardiovascular risk variables. CONCLUSION The TLP in CIMT imaging is commonly identifiable using high-frequency ultrasound, and appears to be associated with higher systolic blood pressure. Its prevalence and incidence is unrelated to lipid parameters.
Incremental Value of 111-In Pentetreotide SPECT/CT Fusion Imaging of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Rationale and Objectives Hybrid single photon-emission computed tomographic (SPECT) and computed tomographic (CT) imaging for the investigation of neuroendocrine tumors allows the fusion of functional and anatomic information in a rapid and efficient method. The aim of this study was to assess the incremental diagnostic value of 111 In pentetreotide SPECT/CT imaging compared with traditional planar and SPECT imaging with respect to lesion localization and characterization and reader confidence. Materials and Methods Forty-nine patients (23 male, 26 female; mean age, 56.9 years; range, 14–88 years) who underwent 111 In pentetreotide planar, SPECT, and SPECT/CT imaging were eligible for this retrospective study, including patients with suspected or confirmed carcinoid tumors ( n = 24), endocrine pancreatic tumors ( n = 18), medullary thyroid cancer ( n = 3), paragangliomas ( n = 2), and multiple endocrine neoplasia type I ( n = 2). Planar and SPECT images were reviewed by two blinded readers, followed by interpretation using additional SPECT/CT images in a subsequent session. A third reader provided consensus in cases with disagreements. Results In 55 of 89 lesions (61.8%), 111 In pentetreotide SPECT/CT imaging improved lesion localization compared to planar and SPECT imaging; in 25 of 89 lesions (28.1%), SPECT/CT imaging changed lesion classification. In 20 of 49 patients (40.8%) for reader 1 and 14 of 49 patients (28.6%) for reader 2, 111 In pentetreotide SPECT/CT imaging provided incremental diagnostic value, which was considered likely to affect patient management in twelve of 20 and seven of 14 patients, respectively. Increased reader confidence was found in 32 of 49 patients (65.3%) for both readers with uniformly high confidence after SPECT/CT interpretation. Conclusions Hybrid 111 In pentetreotide SPECT/CT imaging provides incremental diagnostic value and greater reader confidence over planar and SPECT imaging. This is achieved though superior lesion localization, the identification of physiologic activity, and additional anatomic information derived from the nondiagnostic CT portion of the study.
Relationship between 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate concentration and spontaneous preterm birth.

Objective 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate 250 mg weekly reduces recurrent spontaneous preterm birth in women with a prior spontaneous preterm birth by 33%. The dose is not based on pharmacologic considerations. A therapeutic concentration has not been determined hampering any attempt to optimize treatment. This study evaluated the relationship between 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate plasma concentrations and the rate of spontaneous preterm birth in women with singleton gestation. Study Design A single blood sample was obtained between 25 and 28 weeks' gestation from 315 women with a spontaneous preterm birth who participated in a placebo-controlled, prospective, randomized clinical trial evaluating the benefit of omega-3 supplementation in reducing preterm birth. All women in the parent study received 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate and 434 received omega-3 supplementation and 418 received a placebo. Plasma from 315 consenting women was analyzed for 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate concentration. Results There were no differences between placebo and omega-3 supplemented groups in demographic variables, outcomes or in mean 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate concentration. Plasma concentrations of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate ranged from 3.7-56 ng/mL. Women with plasma concentrations of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate in the lowest quartile had a significantly higher risk of spontaneous preterm birth ( P = .03) and delivered at significantly earlier gestational ages ( P = .002) than did women in the second to fourth quartiles. The lowest preterm birth rates were seen when median 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate concentrations exceeded 6.4 ng/mL. Conclusion Low plasma 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate concentration is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth. This finding validates efficacy of this treatment but suggests that additional studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage.
Deep Terms in the Isoelectronic Sequence V I to Cu VII

By the use of constant second differences in the radiated frequencies from terms involving an electron transition to the ground state, it has been possible to identify the $3{d}^{5}^{6}S_{\frac{5}{2}}$ and $3{d}^{4}4p^{6}P^{\mathrm{o}}$ terms of this sequence. Ionization potentials cannot be computed because of the lack of completeness in the data on the first three members of the sequence.
Functional relationship between bovine brain phosphodiesterase activator protein and bovine heart troponin C.

Abstract Phosphodiesterase activator protein has been purified from bovine brain and its properties compared with that of bovine heart troponin C. While both proteins activate ‘activator depleted phosphodiesterase’ in the presence of Ca 2+ , a 200-fold greater concentration of troponin C was necessary and the maximal effect was less than that with the activator protein. The activator protein formed a Ca 2+ -dependent complex with bovine heart troponin I during electrophoresis in 6 M urea-polyacrylamide gel. However, the mobility of this complex was different from that of troponin C · troponin I complex and the affinity between troponin C and troponin I was much stronger than that between the activator protein and troponin I. Ca 2+ induced changes in the electrophoretic mobility of activator protein and the pattern of its elution during gel filtration which were similar to the Ca 2+ -dependent conformational changes observed with troponin C. Bovine heart troponin I reduced basal, troponin C and the activator protein stimulation of phosphodiesterase activity. These results are compatible with the concept that phosphodiesterase activator protein and troponin C might have a functional relationship.
Subsets of Transgenic T Cells That Recognize CD1 Induce or Prevent Murine Lupus: Role of Cytokines

T cells with T cell receptor (TCR) transgenes that recognized CD1 on syngeneic B cells stimulated B cells to secrete immunoglobulins in vitro. The CD4+, CD8+, or CD4−CD8− T cells from the spleen of the TCR transgenic BALB/c donors induced lupus with anti–double stranded DNA antibodies, proteinuria, and immune complex glomerulonephritis in irradiated BALB/c nude mice reconstituted with nude bone marrow. Injection of purified CD4−CD8− T cells from the marrow of transgenic donors prevented the induction of lupus by the transgenic T cells. Transgenic T cells that induced lupus secreted large amounts of interferon (IFN)-γ and little interleukin (IL)-4, and those that prevented lupus secreted large amounts of IL-4 and little IFN-γ or IL-10.
Deflection and enhancement of solar energy particle flux at the Moon by structures within the terrestrial magnetosphere

[1] The Moon spends 25% of its orbit within the terrestrial magnetosphere. Particle tracking is used to investigate access points of 35 MeV and 760 MeV particles into the magnetosphere for both quiet and disturbed magnetospheric conditions. The results indicate that solar energetic particle (SEP) flux at the Moon can be reduced for storm conditions when the magnitude of the magnetic field in the sheath is enhanced, as particles in the 35 MeV range have limited access to the magnetosphere for storm conditions. Plasmoids are also effective at reducing SEP flux from the tailward direction. The results also indicate that the flux of SEPs from the dawnside of the magnetosphere can be focused into the current sheet, leading to a potential enhancement in SEP flux at the Moon. Particles traveling up the tail for both quiet and storm conditions tended to experience the greatest deflection away from the central tail.
Hiring a Geography Teacher; What To Expect:

Unless geography is well taught, all the noble efforts to promote it are for naught. The need for trained teachers is apparent, and this writer offers some recom mendations for the selection and training of geography teachers.
Robust non-Zenoness of piecewise analytic systems with applications to complementarity systems

This paper addresses non-Zenoness of a class of Lipschitz piecewise analytic systems subject to state perturbations and parameter uncertainties, motivated by sensitivity analysis of such systems. Specifically, the existence of uniform bounds on the number of mode switchings on a finite time interval is established for perturbed systems. For general parameterized piecewise analytic systems, this is achieved locally by extending Sussmann's result; this result is applied to a class of nonlinear complementarity systems arising from contact mechanics and constrained dynamical optimization. Furthermore, the existence of a global uniform bound on the number of switchings is established for bimodal piecewise affine systems by exploiting affine structure, under mild conditions on system parameters. It is shown that this bound is independent of initial state perturbations.
Does Eligibility for Protection Orders Prevent Repeat Abuse of Domestic Abuse Victims in Caribbean States

The English-speaking Caribbean state of Barbados enacted protection orders legislation in 1992. The goal was to protect household members from domestic abuse inflicted by those with whom they live. To understand the impact of this policy, the study utilized a survival analysis model to test the hypothesis that eligibility for protection orders on Barbados contributed to a significantly lower hazard of repeat abuse for women, compared to women on St. Kitts where protection orders were not available. Data were drawn from police reports that document incidents of domestic abuse reported on Barbados and St. Kitts where high rates of domestic abuse persist. The study found only a negligible difference between the hazard of repeat abuse of women on St. Kitts and women on Barbados.
Sustainable development: is it achievable within the existing international political economy context?

The past few years have not been particularly auspicious in environmental terms; there is increasing evidence of a fairly widespread environmental crisis, increasing the pressure to rethink many of the concepts related to environment and development. Among the important concepts that need to be revisited and further explored is ‘sustainable development’. This paper examines the roots of the sustainable development concept and argues that within the current international political economic system it would be nearly impossible to adopt development strategies that are conducive to truly sustainable development. Four hypotheses about international political economic structures and their relationship to sustainable development are examined. The analysis builds on the linkages between historical processes, international political economic structures, international institutions and the development process posited by globalist theories. The paper concludes that profound changes in economic, political and social structure would be necessary to foster sustainable development. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
The use of coal liquefaction catalysts for coal/oil coprocessing and heavy oil upgrading

Abstract The catalytic hydrogenation of heavy oil and mixed coal-heavy oil (coprocessing) systems has been the focus of a recent study at the Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC). The intent of this effort was to extend the use of coal liquefaction technologies to heavy oil upgrading and coprocessing systems. Specifically, new dispersed molybdenum-based catalysts developed at FETC and a novel silica-doped hydrous titanium oxide (HTO : Si)-supported NiMo catalyst developed at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) were tested in these systems. The results indicate the potential of coal liquefaction catalysts for use in coprocessing and heavy oil upgrading. High conversions of coal–oil mixtures were observed with dispersed catalyst loadings as low as 100 ppm Mo. Similar results were observed in heavy oil systems. Also, the novel NiMo/HTO : Si catalyst was at least as effective as commercially-available supported catalysts (e.g. Amocat 1C) for conversion of high boiling point material to distillable products and aromatics removal.
Central noradrenergic neurones concentrate 3H-oestradiol

Central catecholamines play an important part in the regulation of hormone secretion from the pituitary gland and in the mediation of male and female sexual behaviour1–6. Noradrenaline has been shown to stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) probably by influencing the secretion of LH-releasing hormone (LHRH)7,8. The medial preoptic and hypothalamic areas, including the median eminence, contain noradrenaline-containing terminals which originate from discrete noradrenaline-containing cell groups in the lower brain stem. These cell groups have been identified in the pons and the medulla oblongata by histochemical methods and pharmacological experiments9–14. Recent studies with antiserum to dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), the enzyme that converts dopamine to noradrenaline, provided evidence for the existence of noradrenergic cells15,16. These include the locus coeruleus (group A6), a ventrally located more diffuse but continuous subcoeruleus group (group A5), a cell group located dorsal to the nucleus (n.) dorsalis motorius nervi vagi (group A2) and a cell group in or near the nucleus reticularis lateralis (group A1). Using the thaw-mount autoradiographic technique, oestradiol-concentrating neurones have been localized in many areas of the lower brain stem, including the locus coeruleus, n. tractus solitarii, n. dorsalis motorius nervi vagi, and reticular formation17 where catecholamine-containing neurones exist. We report here the simultaneous localization, in the same histological section, of 3H-oestradiol and the enzyme dopamine-β-hydroxylase in neurones of the rat lower brain stem with a combined technique of thaw-mount autoradiography and immunohistochemistry18,19, demonstrating that noradrenaline-or adrenaline-containing neurones are oestradiol target cells.
Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes XPD and XRCC1 and p53 mutations in lung carcinomas of never-smokers.

The etiology of lung cancer in population with little or no tobacco exposure is not well understood. Individual genetic susceptibility factors have been suggested to contribute to lung cancer risk in this population. Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are implicated in the development of lung cancer as they are frequently found in lung tumors from both smokers and never-smokers. In order to determine whether genetic polymorphisms affecting DNA repair capacity modulate p53 mutations in lung tumors from never-smokers, we compared p53 mutations with genotypes of XPD 312, XPD 751, and XRCC1 399 in lung tumors from 43 lifetime never-smokers. p53 mutations were identified in 10 (23%) cases and consisted mostly of G/C to A/T transitions. No statistically significant association was found between p53 mutations and genotypes of XPD 312 or XPD 751. However, patients with the XRCC1 399 Gln allele, that results in a lower base excision repair capacity, were more likely to have p53 mutations, compared with patients the wild-type Arg allele (P = 0.03). In addition, the p53 mutation frequency increased with an increasing number of combined genotypes associated with a lower DNA repair capacity of XPD 312, XPD 751, and XRCC1 399 (P = 0.02). These results suggest that individuals who never smoked and had XRCC1 399 Gln allele may be at a greater risk of p53 mutations, especially if combined with the genotypes of XPD 312 and XPD 751 that may result in a lower DNA repair capacity. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Structure of cyclobutanone

Abstract The microwave spectra of the 18O and the α,α,α′,α′-tetradeuterated isotopic species of cyclobutanone have been investigated. Structural parameters determined are r CO = 1.204 ± 0.006 A , r CH α = 1.099 ± 0.003 A , ∠ HαCHα = 109.2 ± 1° with the methylene group tilted toward the carbonyl group by 4.6 ± 0.8°.
Compilation and Communication Strategies for Out-of-Core Programs on Distributed Memory Machines

It is widely acknowledged that improving parallel I/O performance is critical for widespread adoption of high performance computing. In this paper, we show that communication in out-of-core distributed memory problems may require both interprocessor communication and file I/O. Thus, in order to improve I/O performance, it is necessary to minimize the I/O costs associated with a communication step. We present three methods for performing communication in out-of-core distributed memory problems. The first method, called thegeneralized collective communicationmethod, follows a loosely synchronous model; computation and communication phases are clearly separated, and communication requires permutation of data in files. The second method, called thereceiver-driven in-core communication, communicates only the in-core data. The third method, called theowner-driven in-core communication, goes even one step further and tries to identify the potential future use of data (by the recipients) while it is in the senders memory. We provide performance results for two out-of-core applications: the two-dimensional FFT code, and the two-dimensional elliptic Jacobi solver.
A new process using a redox type of ion exchanger for cesium separation

A sorption-desorption-regeneration cycle composed of sorption of cesium on the sorbent in reduced state from strong nitric acid medium in the presence of an inhibitor such as hydrazinium salt, desorption of cesium by converting the spent sorbent into an oxidized state with a strong nitric acid eluent containing nitrous acid, and regeneration of the sorbent with a reducing agent such as hydrazinium salt was found to be possible with practically no loss of the sorbents when insoluble hexacyanoferrates of copper were used as redox type of ion exchangers.
A PSYCHOLINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION OF A RULE THEORY OF ‘SENSE‘

Sommers, formalizing some procedures of linguistic analysis used by Wittgenstein and Ryle, has proposed that the senses of a set of terms may be represented uniquely and unequivocally by a topological tree. This claim was tested by examining empirically its consequence that sets of terms not fitting on a tree must contain some equivocation. Each of four different measures of equivocation supported this prediction. Implications for current research on meaning are discussed.
Chromium oxalate: a new spin label broadening agent for use with thylakoids.

Abstract Potassium tris(oxalato)chromate(III) trihydrate (chromium oxalate) has been shown to be a more useful broadening agent than potassium ferricyanide for the spin label 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine- N -oxy-4-amine (Tempamine) in thylakoid suspensions. Our data show that chromium oxalate is less permeable than ferricyanide, does not inhibit thylakoid electron transport or photophosphorylation, and is not photoreduced by thylakoids.
Problems of Parenting: Solutions of Science

ABSTRACT The Adlerian theoretical approach to training parents was evaluated as to the effects upon parenting attitudes, parent-child relationship problems and family system functioning. The study included a treatment group and a comparison group. Specifically, the commercially developed videotape parent training program, Active Parenting Discussion Program, represented Adlerian parenting theory. Parent groups trained in Active Parenting improved in their attitudes toward physical punishment of children and had an improvement in clinically severe parent-child relationship problems. However, above average parents developed less appropriate attitudes toward child development as a result of Adlerian parent training. Active Parenting had a positive, but statistically insignificant, effect on family system functioning.
Magnetism of Fe on W(001) and the effects of oxygen adsorption

Abstract Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer and bilayer Fe on W(001), denoted by 1Fe/W(001), and 2Fe/W(001), and oxygen on 2Fe/W(001) have been calculated using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method. The ferromagnetism of the Fe monolayer is found to be removed by the W(001) substrate (even as a metastable state) for the monolayer Fe/W(001) system; the AFM coupling becomes the ground state. Interestingly, an additional Fe overlayer can activate the ferromagnetism of the ‘dead’ Fe layer — which indicates the sensitivity of the magnetism to the overlayer thickness for Fe/W(001) especially around monolayer coverages. The bilayer Fe adopts a tetragonal (rather than bcc) structure on W(001), which keeps the interatomic distance between two Fe layers identical to that in bulk bcc Fe (4.69 a.u.). Oxygen adsorption induces a large change of the atomic structure and the Fe magnetic moment (an increase in the top layer and a reduction in the underlayer). Magnetic Fe overlayers induce a large magnetic moment of 0.19–0.22μ B on the interfacial W atoms and a very large magnetic hyperfine interaction. The spin density at E F , m ( r , E F ), is negative in the surface-vacuum region for the bilayer Fe/W(001) system, but becomes positive on oxygen adsorption.
Idiopathic orbital inflammation: ocular mechanism and clinicopathology

Pathogenesis of idiopathic orbital inflammation remains elusive but several lines of evidence point to immune-mediated processes as the likely underlying ocular mechanism. The exact nature of the immunological process and possible role of infection need to be elucidated in greater depth. There is an obvious need for a more satisfactory animal model for orbital pseudotumor. Given the prevalence of recurrent and persistent orbital inflammation, therapeutic alternatives to corticosteroids need to be further explored and systematically investigated.
Soil microarthropod response to the application of entomopathogenic nematode-killed insects in maize and flower strip habitats

Abstract Insects killed by entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) represent a resource with which soil arthropods can interact. These interactions can be positive for EPN (e.g., arthropods serve as parasitic or phoretic hosts) or negative (e.g., EPN serve as prey). Plant diversity and soil disturbance may influence these interactions. We investigated the effects of maize and flower strip habitats on microarthropod abundance and community composition in soil surrounding greater wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella, infected with the EPN Steinernema carpocapsae (Sc). In the first year of the experiment (2005), we compared microarthropod communities responding to burial of Sc-killed insects with a control (no soil disturbance). In 2006, we added two control treatments: burial of freezer-killed insects and sham burial. Soil samples (including G. mellonella) were collected 2 and 20 days (2005) or 2 and 12 days (2006) after application. In 2005, arthropod abundance and community composition were similar between maize and flower strip habitats. In 2006, we detected more arthropods in the maize than the flower strips. In both years, community composition differed between treatments providing resources (Sc-killed and freezer-killed insects) and those without (sham burial and no disturbance), with the greatest difference on the final sampling date. Soil surrounding Sc-killed and freezer-killed insects contained more dipterans, acarid mites, staphylinid beetles, onychiurid and entomobryid collembolans, and immature and male mesostigmatid mites than soil at sham burial and no disturbance sites. Most of these taxa are capable of nematophagy; however, EPN relative abundance was not associated with arthropod community composition.
Microscale gas breakdown: ion-enhanced field emission and the modified Paschen’s curve

Gas breakdown at microscale dimensions has been of great interest to the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and plasma communities for nearly 15 years as the first reports of deviations from traditional theory began to emerge. Since those first reports, a significant amount of work has investigated why gas breakdown deviates from the classic Paschen’s Law when the dimensions are in the range of 1–10 µm. Nearly universally, these deviations that form the so-called modified Paschen’s curve have been attributed to electron field emission, where electrons directly tunnel from the cathode into the gas due to the very high electric fields at microscale dimensions. Furthermore, because of ionization in the gas gap, field emission is enhanced by positive ions and thus is inherently coupled to the gas and discharge dynamics. Progress in understanding the mechanisms and physics of this process has in turn led to new ideas and devices that capitalize on the high surface-to-volume ratio in microscale dimensions and take advantage of cathode emission processes. This topical review summarizes and analyzes the numerous experimental, computational and analytical works on breakdown at microscale dimensions, discusses implications and new areas emerging in microscale devices that take advantage of field emission and presents perspectives looking ahead at new opportunities for field emission-driven microplasmas.
DIME: a programming environment for unstructured triangular meshes on a distributed-memory parallel processor

DIME (Distributed Irregular Mesh Environment) is a user environment written in C for manipulation of an unstructured triangular mesh in two dimensions. The mesh is distributed among the separate memories of the processors, and communication between processors is handled by DIME; thus the user writes C-code referring to the elements and nodes of the mesh and need not be unduly concerned with the parallelism. A tool is provided for the user to make an initial coarse triangulation of a region, which may then be adaptively refined and load-balanced. DIME provides many graphics facilities for examining the mesh, including contouring and a Postscript hard-copy interface. DIME also runs on sequential machines.
A study of localized curing of glass‐filled composites using microhardness measurements

Extent of cure of hybrid composite systems is examined by conducting hardness measurements at different stages of the photopolymerization reaction and obtaining kinetic parameters that matched the experimental data. The materials are commercial dental composites based on bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane resins with different photoinitiator concentrations as well as filler particle sizes and combinations. Samples (five per group) were made using nylon molds (2.5 × 5 mm) of the tested composites. The samples were light cured with a constant-power light source for durations up to 20 s. After curing, all samples underwent Vicker's hardness testing of top and bottom surfaces. While there are significant differences in the polymerization behavior between the top and bottom locations for the tested composites, the corresponding growth exponent n, a kinetic parameter in the kinetic theory, is very close in all cases. For the tested materials the coefficient factor k is much lower for the bottom surfaces compared with the top surfaces. This reduction in the value of k is more severe for the material with a higher concentration of the photoinitiator as well as a higher percentage of glass filler particles in the wavelength range affecting the photopolymerization. It is argued that a relationship between k and the irradiation intensity can be used to quantify the decay of irradiated light with its penetration into the composites. The comparisons can be used to draw preliminary conclusions on the parameters controlling the effective depth of cure in a hybrid composite. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 426–431, 2005
Noun Phrases for Nursing Diagnoses

TOPIC. The use of noun phrases for nursing diagnoses instead of the current mixture of phrases and clauses PURPOSE. This article reviews the current list of qualifiers; discusses language clarity, precision, grammatical concerns; and defines noun phrases. SOURCE. Literature review CONCLUSIONS. The author proposes a list of qualifiers to replace the current list, and recommends a revised list of nursing diagnoses using noun phrases to improve their clinical usefulness, allow for alphabetization, and enhance clarity.
Comparison of treatment of pyometra with estradiol cypionate or cloprostenol followed by infusion or non-infusion with nitrofurazone.

Abstract One hundred-fifty-two dairy cows affected with pyometra were treated either with cloprostenol (CLP) or with estradiol cypionate (ECP). The cows which failed to respond within 7–10 days were re-treated with the same drug used in the first treatment. Half of the cows which responded to these treatments received intrauterine infusions with 50 cc nitrofurazone solution. After two treatments, 72 (94.9%) of 79 cows in the CLP group had evacuated the purulent exudate from their uteri whereas only 57 (78.1%) of 73 cows in the ECP group had responded (P vs 3.57, respectively, P>0.1). Eight (9.3%) of 86 CLP treated and 3 (5.1%) of 59 ECP treated cows had recurrence of pyometra (P>0.1). Incidence of follicular cysts within 30 days after treatment was 16.4% ( 13 79 ) and 7.0% ( 4 57 ) among CLP and ECP groups, respectively (P>0.1). Two of 106 CLP (1.9%) and 5 of 107 ECP treatments (4.7%) were associated with subsequent perimetritis and adhesions. Intrauterine infusion of nitrofurazone increased the number of services/ conception (3.57 vs 2.21, P Cloprostenol was superior to ECP as an initial treatment of bovine pyometra. Intrauterine infusion of nitrofurazone following evacuation of the uterus appeared not to be effective in prevention of relapses and had a negative effect on conception rates.
Canonizing Kannon: The ninth-century Esoteric Buddhist Altar at Kanshinji

The celebrated ninth-century Nyoirin Kannon statue of Kanshinji is regarded by scholars as the temple's original horizon (main icon) and a paradigm of Esoteric Buddhist expression. This essay highlights the canonizing strategies of modern scholarship and suggests another honzon for Kashinji's early history. A study of records and contexts points to the importance of both extant and lost ninth-century statues at the temple. At the same time, historiographic investigation highlights the adverse relationship between scholarly research on Kanshinji and modern apologists' presentation of Esoteric Buddhism and its icons as enigmatic and sensual, and other misrepresentations of their function.
The action of a binary nonionic detergent on a kidney membrane fraction

The disruption of a kidney cortex microsomal membrane preparation by a binary, nonionic detergent, was followed by using as markers, the changes in total protein content, and (Na+, K+)-ATPase in a supernatant fraction. Both markers responded similarly to changes in pH, microsome concentration and detergent concentration, but responded differently for time-dependent studies. The (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity was increased 2.2-fold (76.1 mumoles Pi/mg protein/h, 95% ouabain-sensitive) by a single detergent treatment and 3.5-fold (92% ouabain-sensitive) by a sequential detergent treatment. Changes in the critical micelle concentration (cmc) were observed for varying detergent and protein concentrations, which suggest interactions of monomeric detergent with the membrane. The peak of (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity occurred above the cmc which suggests the participation of micelles in releasing the enzyme from the membranes. Hill plots of the protein released as the detergent concentration was varied showed a change in the slope near the cmc indicating a four-fold increase in the binding of detergent to membranes as the detergent concentration is increased above the cmc. These results suggest that the disruption of membranes by detergent involves the binding of detergent monomers to the membrane followed by the formation of co-micelles of the detergent with segments of the membrane to complete the separation process.
Prostaglandin release from vasculature by angiotensin II: dissociation from lipolysis.

Abstract Prostaglandin (PG) was released from the perfused splenic fat pad (with the spleen removed) by angiotensin (AII) and not by epinephrine or ACTH. The angiotensin antagonist, cysteine-8-AII blocked the AII induced PG release both in the spleen and the splenic fat pad. ACTH stimulated lipolysis from the rabbit spleen fat pad, but catecholamines and AII were ineffective. Thus, the release of PG from the rabbit splenic fat pad does not seem to require enhanced lipolysis nor do lipolytic agents cause the release of bioassayable PG.
A quantitative neuromotor predictor of antidepressant non-response in patients with major depression

Predicting response to antidepressant medication has been a challenge to clinicians and researchers for decades. Attention has been paid to the role of motor retardation as a putative indicator of treatment response, yet previous findings have been mixed. One reason for this inconsistency may be related to the subjective nature of motor retardation and how it is assessed. In the present study, we adopted a measure of motor programming previously shown to characterize parkinsonian bradykinesia to test whether neuromotor function could predict response to antidepressant treatment. Twenty-eight patients (14 males and 14 females with a mean age of 42.0 years) meeting DSM-IV criteria for a depressive disorder were randomized to receive 8 weeks of treatment with one of three antidepressant medications (sertraline, phenelzine, or bupropion). Treatment outcomes were assessed using the 17-item version of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Patients were considered asymptomatic if their post-treatment HRSD total score was equal to or less than 7. Treatment responders (n=15) had significantly less baseline impairment (P=0.01) on the neuromotor measure than non-responders (n=13). There was a significant relationship between amount of improvement on the HRSD and severity of baseline neuromotor function (r=-0.51; P=0.006). No significant group effects were found for baseline psychomotor slowing or clinical ratings of motor retardation. These results demonstrate that a quantitative measure of motor programming may be a useful predictor of antidepressant non-response.
Workshop: Flexible read decomposition for improved short read error correction

Error correction is often an important first step prior to analyzing reads from next-generation DNA sequencers. Intuitively, error correction with respect to a specific genomic position can be achieved by laying out all the reads covering the position, and examining the base in that specific position from all these reads. Because errors are infrequent and random, reads that contain an error in this specific position can be corrected using the majority of the reads that have this base correctly. This intuition cannot be directly implemented because the source genome is unknown and multiple sequence alignment is an NP-hard problem. Therefore, all error correction algorithms resort to correcting errors in subreads of a fixed length, such as kmers from the input reads. By taking kmers with slight variations to be spanning the same genomic region, these methods can avoid the need for multiple sequence alignment and enable error correction for sequencers that predominantly make only substitution errors. This general framework is besieged with multiple issues: 1) Larger k promotes specificity while shorter k provides sufficient frequency to improve accuracy. 2) Memory usage may increase exponentially with k. 3) Multiple equally likely correction choices may lead to ambiguity in correction. 4) Correction of subreads may impact overlapping subreads that were previously deemed correct through frequency of occurrence, causing multiple conflicting choices.
Testing of an automobile exhaust thermoelectric generator in a light truck

Testing was conducted on a prototype automobile exhaust thermoelectric generator (AETEG) installed in a 1999 GMC Sierra pick-up truck. The system consisted of the generator, its power conditioning unit, and the interfaces to the test truck's engine coolant and exhaust systems. The objective of the test was to measure the AETEG's performance and its effect on the truck systems as well as to determine which factors are important for optimizing an AETEG design. Testing was performed in a dynamometer-equipped wind tunnel at Delphi Corporation's Harrison Thermal Systems Division in Lockport, New York. The first tests established the benchmark data set. Then the prototype AETEG was installed and three configurations of the system were tested in succession: the AETEG alone, the AETEG with portions of the exhaust pipes leading to it insulated, and the AETEG with insulated upstream exhaust pipes and with a pre-cooling heat exchanger operating to lower the inlet coolant temperature to the generator. Some of the important outcomes of the tests were: insulating the exhaust and lowering the coolant temperature had a significant positive effect on the power, parasitic losses resulting from the AETEG weight and the coolant pumping power were significant but manageable, and the increased exhaust flow resistance and the additional heat load from the AETEG were not significant effects.
Social responses to virtual humans: implications for future interface design

Do human-human social interactions carry over to human-virtual human social interactions? How does this affect future interface designers? We replicated classical tests of social influence known as the social facilitation and inhibition effects. Social facilitation/inhibition theory states that when in the presence of others, people perform simple tasks better and complex tasks worse. Participants were randomly assigned to perform both simple and complex tasks alone and in the presence of either a real human, a projected virtual human, or a virtual human in a head-mounted display. Our results showed participants were inhibited by the presence of others, whether real or virtual. That is, participants performed worse on the complex task, both in terms of percent correct and reaction times, when in the presence of others than when alone. Social facilitation did not occur with the real or virtual human. We discuss these results and their implications for future interface designers.
Assembly of Molybdenum/Titanium μ-Oxo Complexes via Radical Alkoxide C−O Cleavage

Three-coordinate Ti(NRAr)3 [R = C(CD3)2(CH3), Ar = C6H3Me2] was prepared in 73% yield by sodium amalgam reduction of ClTi(NRAr)3 and in 83% yield upon treatment of TiCl3(THF)3 with 3 equiv of Li(NRAr)(OEt2) in the presence of TMEDA. Ti(tBuNPh)3 was prepared similarly in 75% yield by treatment of TiCl3(THF)3 with 3 equiv of Li(tBuNPh)(OEt2) in the presence of TMEDA. Reaction of Ti(NRAr)3 with NMo(OtBu)3 in hydrocarbon solvents at −35 °C generates a thermally unstable intermediate formulated as (tBuO)3Mo[μ-N]Ti(NRAr)3, which readily loses a tert-butyl radical and isomerizes at 25 °C. Kinetics of the latter process were obtained over the temperature range 20−60 °C; the process exhibits clean first-order behavior. The following activation parameters were obtained: ΔH⧧ = 21.4 ± 0.2 kcal mol-1 and ΔS⧧ = −3.7 ± 0.6 cal mol-1 K-1. The oxo-bridged product (tBuO)2(N)Mo[μ-O]Ti(NRAr)3 was isolated in 83% yield from this reaction. Full characterization of the latter diamagnetic complex included an X-ray crystal struc...
A descriptive account of capybara behaviour

A study of capybara behaviour was made on two large ranches in the llanos of Venezuela. Animals were marked with numbered, brightly coloured collars and observations were recorded with a videocamera. Capybaras were found to regurgitate and re‐chew food material at frequent intervals throughout the day when they were resting, complementing coprophagy as an aid to digestion. Social organization as reported by others was confirmed, however some exceptional behavioural actions were recorded on videotape. Reaction to predators and infant predation is described, as well as vocalizations, grooming, contact between individuals, marking, territory and home range.
What constitutes essential nursery habitat for a marine species? A case study of habitat form and function for queen conch

There is increasing recognition that habitats should be managed as part of fisheries management. It is generally assumed that amount of suitable habitat is linked to production of de- mersal species and that maps of bottom type will provide the information needed to conserve essen- tial habitats. In this review, a synthesis of nursery habitat is made for Strombus gigas (queen conch), a large, economically important gastropod in the Caribbean region. Juveniles occur on a variety of bottom types over their geographic range. In the Bahamas, nurseries occur in specific locations within large, beds of seagrass, while obvious characteristics of the benthic environment such as seagrass density, depth and sediment type are not good predictors of suitable habitat. Rather, nurseries persist where competent larvae are concentrated by tidal circulation and where settlement occurs selec- tively. Nursery locations provide for high juvenile growth resulting from macroalgal production not evident in maps of algal biomass, and they provide for low mortality compared with seemingly simi- lar surroundings. Therefore, critical habitats for queen conch juveniles are determined by the inter- section of habitat features and ecological processes that combine to yield high rates of recruitment and survivorship. While maps of bottom type are a good beginning for habitat management, they can be traps without good knowledge of ecological processes. A demersal species can occupy different substrata over its geographic range, different life stages often depend upon different bottom types, and specific locations can be more important than particular habitat forms. Habitat management must be designed to conserve habitat function and not just form. Implicit in the concept of 'essential habitat' is the fact that expendable habitat exists, and we need to prevent losses of working habitat because of inadequate protection, restoration or mitigation. Key nurseries may represent distinctive or even anomalous conditions.
Highly sensitive rapid, reliable, and automatic cardiovascular disease diagnosis with nanoparticle fluorescence enhancer and mems.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the leading threat to human life. An effective way for sensitive and accurate CVD diagnosis is to measure the biochemical markers released from the damaged myocardial cells in the bloodstream. Here, a multi-analyte, fluorophore mediated, fiber-optic immuno-biosensing system is being developed to simultaneously and rapidly quantify four clinically important cardiac markers, myoglobin, C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin I, and B-type natriuretic peptide. To quantify these markers at a pico-molar level, novel nanoparticle reagents enhancing fluorescence were used and signal enhancement was obtained as high as ~230%. Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) was integrated to this system to ensure a reliable and fully-automated sensing performance. A point-of-care, automatic microfluidic sensing system for four cardiac marker quantification was developed with the properties of 3 cm sensor size, 300 μL sample volume, 9-minute assay time, and an average signal-to-noise ratio of 35.
Thermal Studies of Au-Ti Thin Films Deposited on Oxide Substrates

Co-evaporated Au-Ti thin films deposited onto sapphire and silicon dioxide substrates were thermally treated over a temperature range of 300–900°C in both vacuum and reactive amb ients. Vacuum annealing produced negligible reaction between the oxide substrate and film, the Au-Ti, however, reacted to form intermetallic compounds with little net elemental redistribution in the film. Heat treating in oxygen resulted in segregation of titanium to the surface where it formed both rutile and anatase structures. In addition, the high interfacial energy between the gold and the oxide phases led to the formation of large (5 micron diameter) gold particles on the film surface or voids at the titania-gold interface. Annealing in Ammomia produced an oxynitride surface in addition to the Ti-Au separation, Au particulate formation, and/or interfacial voiding already observed. The extent of surface degradation observed during these reactive ambient anneals varied with Ti concentration and temperature. The film did not react with SiO 2 under any circumstances, however, at temperatures above 650°C in reactive ambients the titanium accumulated at the Al 2 ,O 3 interface. These results were obtained by RBS, X-ray diffraction, TEM and SEM.