cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alopecia Areata Treatment Patterns, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Comorbidities in the US Population Using Insurance Claims.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder causing sudden, non-scarring hair loss. There are currently no drugs approved for AA treatment. This study assessed prevalence of comorbidities, treatments, and healthcare costs and resource utilization among patients with AA in the USA. Patients diagnosed with AA between January 2011 and December 2018 were identified in IBM MarketScan® Research Databases. Eligible patients had no other hair loss-related disorders and were continuously enrolled with medical and pharmacy benefits at least 12 months before and after AA diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize comorbid conditions, treatments related to AA or other autoimmune/inflammatory conditions, and all-cause and AA-specific healthcare costs and resource utilization identified from claims data. A total of 68,121 patients with AA were identified. Mean (SD) age was 40.3 (17.8) years and 61.0% were female. The most common comorbidities included hyperlipidemia (22.4%), hypertension (21.8%), thyroid disorders (13.1%), contact dermatitis or eczema (10.8%), depression (9.5%), and anxiety (8.4%). Comorbid autoimmune diseases included atopic dermatitis (2.8%), psoriasis (2.1%), chronic urticaria (1.5%), and rheumatoid arthritis (1.1%). During the 12-month follow-up period, 37,995 patients (55.8%) were prescribed treatment for their AA or other comorbid autoimmune/inflammatory disease; 44.9% of treated patients were prescribed therapy within 7 days of AA diagnosis. Of patients receiving treatment, 80.3% received topical steroids and 30.0% received oral steroids. Mean (SD) total healthcare costs were $11,241.21 ($43,839.69) for all-causes and $419.12 ($1534.99) for AA. AA-related expenses were driven by outpatient and prescription costs. Patients with AA have a high comorbidity burden and lack of treatment. Current AA treatments, including systemic therapies other than oral steroids, were not frequently utilized in this study population. Healthcare costs incurred by patients with AA went beyond AA-related expenses. Longitudinal data are needed to better understand treatment trajectories and the disease burden in patients with AA.
How You Can Know You Are Right

This chapter provides an introduction to common statistical techniques and experimental practices to the peculiar problems of image database. The statistics is composed of two parts: techniques for measuring the results of a test, and statistical techniques to evaluate the results of an experiment. The experimental design is the plan according to which the test trials are carried out. These include trials with the system under evaluation, trials without any systems, and trials with different versions of the same system. A careful experimental design is necessary in order to ensure that the results obtained by the experiment have both internal and external validity. When evaluating an image database, or any other manufactured item or procedures involving human subjects, the basic procedure is to have subjects sitting in front of the system perform a certain activity that yields measurable results, and is correlated with the aspect of the system being measured. One usually employes a certain experimental protocol to determine how many trials should be done, with which subject, and what results should be compared. The chapter also discusses the measurements of trial results.
A novel guanine nucleotide-binding protein coupled to the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor. II. Purification, characterization, and reconstitution.

Abstract In the previous paper, we reported the identification of a 74-kDa G-protein that co-purifies with the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor following ternary complex formation. We report here on the purification and characterization of this 74-kDa G-protein (termed Gh) isolated de novo from rat liver membranes. After solubilization of rat liver membranes with the detergent sucrose monolaurate, Gh was isolated by sequential chromatography using heparin-agarose, Ultrogel AcA 34, hydroxylapatite, and heptylamine-Sepharose columns. The protein, thus isolated, is not a substrate for cholera or pertussis toxin but displays GTPase activity (turnover number, 3-5 min-1) and high-affinity guanosine 5'-O-3-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S) binding (half-maximal binding = 0.25-0.3 microM), which is Mg2(+)-dependent and saturable. The relative order of nucleotide binding by Gh is GTP gamma S greater than GTP greater than GDP greater than ITP much much greater than ATP greater than or equal to adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, which is similar to that observed for other heterotrimeric G-proteins involved in receptor signaling. Moreover, specific alpha 1-agonist-stimulated GTPase (turnover number, 10-15 min-1) and GTP gamma S binding activity could be demonstrated after reconstitution of purified Gh with partially purified alpha 1-adrenergic receptor into phospholipid vesicles. The alpha 1-agonist stimulation of GTP gamma S binding and GTPase activity was inhibited by the alpha-antagonist phentolamine. A 50-kDa protein co-purifies with the 74-kDa G-protein. This protein does not bind guanine nucleotides and may be a subunit (beta-subunit) of Gh. These findings indicate that Gh is a G-protein that functionally couples to the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor.
NONDESTRUCTIVE MEASUREMENT OF MAGNETIC PERMEABILITY

Conventional techniques for measuring magnetic permeability using permeameters require either a thin strip or a ring to be cut from a sample of the material. Obviously, this type of measurement is destructive in nature and cannot be used for in-situ permeability measurements. In this paper, we describe a technique that can be used to measure the permeability of flat plates nondestructively. The method uses a closed-form solution for the on-axis field that is transmitted through the ferromagnetic plate by an axisymmetric coil with a rectangular cross-section, energized by a DC (or very low frequency) current.
Human impact on landscapes

Even if our bones and the debris of civilization soon become diagnostic fossils of one of the briefest biostratigraphic zones in geological history, our effect on land surfaces of the world already is conspicuous and irreversible. Modern cities, dams, parking lots, and highways are reshaping the landscape. The pace and scope of human activity are now altering elemental cycles that have sustained life on this planet for millions of years. The burning of oil and coal, for example, is reintroducing carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, diluting breathable oxygen in the atmosphere, and creating a global warming by the greenhouse effect.
Chipping away at 'stemness'

Global gene-expression analyses of human embryonic stem cells confirm the involvement of some known genes in stem-cell function and identify some new candidate regulators of stem-cell growth. Support remains elusive, however, for the concept of 'stemness' - a pattern of expression of genes that is common to all stem cells.
A simplified finite element model for fully developed axial turbulent flow in rod bundles

A simplified computational scheme that can be efficiently applied to predict fully developed axial flow in rod bundle subchannels is presented and compared with experimental results for different flow conditions. Galerkin's finite element method and the physical model of turbulence proposed by Roco and Zarea (1978) are used in this approach. The flow in the corner, wall, and central subchannels for both triangular and square rod bundles is investigated. Different values of the subchannel pitch-to-diameter ratio and various Reynolds numbers are considered. In all these cases, the present computational scheme gives the correct qualitative trends for the distributions of the axial velocity and wall shear stress. The comparison performed with current measurements in the subchannels of a 3 x 6 rectangular rod bundle and with other available experimental and analytical results taken from the literature shows good agreement.
Cooperation and decision-making in a wireless multi-provider setting

In this paper we investigate network design for a wireless service provider using two orthogonal technologies: a WAN technology with uniform spatial coverage and set of LAN access points each with limited coverage. We assume that the system is designed so that users (or their agents) independently and greedily select among the two options based on maximizing a specified utility function which may be a function of the quality of the wireless link, distance to the access points, and/or congestion on system resources. We focus on two complementary aspects of this problem. On the one hand we study system performance under such decision-making strategies. We show convergence of decision-making process to an equilibrium, and that a congestion-sensitive utility can provide substantial (300%) performance improvements over natural proximity-based criterion. On the other hand, we consider various problems associated with dimensioning typically expensive backhaul links, for the WAN and set of LAN hotspots. Our results show how to best jointly exploit technologies with different coverage scales so as to statistically multiplex spatial load fluctuations in order to reduce backhaul costs.
Advanced retrievals of multilayered cloud properties using multispectral measurements

Received 6 June 2004; revised 2 September 2004; accepted 4 October 2004; published 13 April 2005. [1] Current satellite cloud retrievals are usually based on the assumption that all clouds consist of a homogenous single layer despite the frequent occurrence of cloud overlap. As such, cloud overlap will cause large errors in the retrievals of many cloud properties. To address this problem, a multilayered cloud retrieval system (MCRS) is developed by combining satellite visible and infrared radiances and surface microwave radiometer measurements. A two-layer cloud model was used to simulate ice-over-water cloud radiative characteristics. The radiances emanating from the combined low cloud and surface are estimated using the microwave liquid water with an assumption of effective droplet size. These radiances replace the background radiances traditionally used in single-layer cloud retrievals. The MCRS is applied to data from March through October 2000 over four Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) sites. The results are compared to the available retrievals of ice water path (IWP) from radar data and show that the MCRS clearly produces a more accurate retrieval of ice-over-water cloud properties. MCRS yields values of IWP that are closest to those from the radar retrieval. For ice-over-water cloud systems, on average, the optical depth and IWP are reduced, from original overestimates, by approximately 30%. The March–October mean cloud effective temperatures from the MCRS are decreased by 10 ± 12K,whichtranslatestoanaverageheightdifferenceof � 1.4km.Theseresultsindicatethat ice-cloud height derived from traditional single-layer retrieval is underestimated, and the midlevel ice cloud coverage is over classified. Effective ice crystal particle sizes are increased by only a few percent with the new method. This new physically based technique should be robust and directly applicable when data are available simultaneously from a satellite imager and the appropriate satellite or surface microwave sensor.
Immune system derived from homeostatic proliferation generates normal CD8 T-cell memory but altered repertoires and diminished heterologous immune responses.

The host responds to lymphopenic environments by acute homeostatic proliferation of T lymphocytes, which acquire phenotypes similar to memory cells. Using T-cell knockout (KO) mice adoptively reconstituted with splenocytes from immunologically naive mice, we examined the immune responses of an immune system derived from homeostatically proliferating (HP) T cells. HP cells mounted relatively normal acute CD8 T-cell responses to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), but with altered T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires, and they became functional memory cells capable of recall responses. Although homeostatic proliferation does not normally fully restore T-cell numbers, the CD8+ T-cell pool was completely restored in T-cell KO mice after LCMV infection. CD4 T-cell responses were lower and not fully restored but seemed sufficient to allow for complete differentiation of CD8 memory T cells. The LCMV-immune HP mouse had an immune repertoire heavily biased with LCMV epitope-specific T cells with oligoclonal expansions. LCMV-immune HP mice had reduced cross-reactive and non–cross-reactive CD8 T-cell responses when challenged with a T cell–cross-reactive virus. Thus, whereas an HP immune system is capable of mounting relatively normal acute and memory CD8 T-cell responses, the narrowing of the T-cell repertoire may reduce immune responses to subsequently encountered pathogens.
Chemical Chaperones Exceed the Chaperone Effects of RIC-3 in Promoting Assembly of Functional α7 AChRs

Functional α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) do not assemble efficiently in cells transfected with α7 subunits unless the cells are also transfected with the chaperone protein RIC-3. Despite the presence of RIC-3, large amounts of these subunits remain improperly assembled. Thus, additional chaperone proteins are probably required for efficient assembly of α7 AChRs. Cholinergic ligands can act as pharmacological chaperones to promote assembly of mature AChRs and upregulate the amount of functional AChRs. In addition, we have found that the chemical chaperones 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA) and valproic acid (VPA) greatly increase the amount of functional α7 AChRs produced in a cell line expressing both α7 and RIC-3. Increased α7 AChR expression allows assay of drug action using a membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent indicator. Both PBA and VPA also increase α7 expression in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line that endogenously expresses α7 AChRs. VPA increases expression of endogenous α7 AChRs in hippocampal neurons but PBA does not. RIC-3 is insufficient for optimal assembly of α7 AChRs, but provides assay conditions for detecting additional chaperones. Chemical chaperones are a useful pragmatic approach to express high levels of human α7 AChRs for drug selection and characterization and possibly to increase α7 expression in vivo.
The Changing Map of Characteristics and Service Needs Among Korean American Immigrants in Chicago: A GIS-Based Exploratory Study

The purpose of this exploratory study is to identify various sociogeographic characteristics and emerging service needs of older adult immigrants resulting from suburbanization and socioeconomic changes in Chicago during the last two decades. Integrating the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with the Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), this study analyzes data from 529 Korean American older adults who received services from a Korean ethnic social service agency. The findings from this study provide preliminary knowledge on emerging social service needs and suggest a useful insight in developing new programs for Korean American and other immigrant social service agencies.
Uses of language and philosophical problems

Men such as Nowell-Smith and Hart, although they have focused attention on important alternatives to the kinds of solutions traditionally offered to certain philosophical problems, have not justified our adopting the alternatives they propose. The obvious question to ask at this point is what they must do to justify their conclusions. I shall not attempt to answer that question here. However, I do wish to indicate what this would seem to involve. They must justify a premise something like one of the form “‘P’ is used descriptively if and only if ‘P’ functions in such a way that it has logical features A, B, C...” This brings up two related problems. First, there is the problem of showing why an expression used descriptively must have any special logical features. This, as I have tried to show, involves justifying the claim that there are in the logic of a language symptoms of the kinds of things the expressions of the language refer to, a claim, incidentally, like the one Wittgenstein made in 1916 when he said, “The way in which language signifies is mirrored in its use.” Second, if the first problem is solved, there is the problem of showing just what those special features are. Using the language of the Wittgenstein of the Tractatus, we can say that these followers of the Wittgenstein of the Investigations must show, first, that some logical features of descriptive expressions are essential to their referring; and, second, just which features are essential rather than accidental. Can such claims be justified? About this I can here offer only one clue. They cannot be justified if the early Wittgenstein is correct because to do so would involve us in the relationship between language and reality about which, according to Wittgenstein, we can say nothing.
A 2.4GHz WLAN transceiver with fully-integrated highly-linear 1.8V 28.4dBm PA, 34dBm T/R switch, 240MS/s DAC, 320MS/s ADC, and DPLL in 32nm SoC CMOS

A 2.4GHz WLAN transceiver is presented with a fully-integrated highly-linear 28.4dBm PA, 34dBm T/R switch, 240MS/s DAC and 320MS/s ADC (high OSR for relaxed filtering), DPLL and fractional LOG, in 32nm CMOS. For 802.11g 54Mbps, without linearization the TX delivers 19.8dBm at 12.5% efficiency (PA 21.6dBm/19.7% PAE) for −25dB EVM and mask-compliant 22.8dBm/18.5%, while the RX achieves 4.8dB NF, −69dBm sensitivity, and −8dBm IIP3.
Purification of a mouse embryo extract component which enhances chondrogenesis in vitro

Abstract This report describes the purification of a proteinaceous component of mouse embryo extract which enhances the chondrogenic expression of 11.5-day mouse limb mesenchyme grown in culture. The factor, purified by ultracentrifugation and molecular-sieve and DEAE-cellulose chromatography, is nondialyzable, periodate stable, trypsin sensitive, and heat precipitable at 65°C in pure form. Treatment of the preparation purified by DEAE chromatography with chloroform:methanol reveals that the biological activity remains in the aqueous phase. The purified component, with a molecular weight of 50,000 by SDS gel electrophoresis, appears to be a glycoprotein or phosphoprotein. When compared to controls, the addition of microgram quantities of the purified factor to cultures of 11.5-day mouse limb mesenchyme causes (1) a threefold enhancement of 35 SO 4 incorporation into sulfated glycosaminoglycans, (2) a fourfold increase in their accumulation, (3) a stimulation of cartilage collagen type II deposition, and (4) an acquisition of a morphology and organization characteristic of cartilage nodules within a 48-hr culture period. Measurements of free sulfate and amino sugars and their absolute specific activities, respectively, reveal that the component produces a small increase in the cellular concentration of free sulfate, but has no effect on free amino sugars. Comparison of extracts prepared from 10- and 13-day mouse embryos reveals that the activity is present in embryos of both ages, but is more effective in the older embryos.
Ethical and Regulatory Challenges in Psychophysiology and Neuroscience-Based Technology for Determining Behavior

In the past three decades, there has been an explosion in research to understand the mechanisms of brain function. Recent advances in psychophysiology and neuroscience, while still limited, have sparked great interest in developing technologies that could peer into the brain and be used to identify or indicate certain behaviors. The polygraph (lie detector) represents an old technology used for discerning clues to the human brain; functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) represents one of the newest efforts. The use of these technologies in intelligence and counterintelligence in the field without validation represents a major concern about its usefulness. Both research on this new technology and subsequent use on public raise ethical challenges. This article will address the overall ethical issues associated with these new technologies. The report identifies the ethical and cultural challenges in conducting research on these new tools, explores the possibility of using current U.S. regulatory require...
Determination of differential scatter-air ratios (dSAR) for three-dimensional scatter integration.

Scatter dose may be calculated by summing the scatter contribution from individual volume elements. These contributions may be represented by differential scatter–air ratios (dSAR). Determination of dSAR from measured data is only approximately correct for second and higher orders of scatter and yields values often limited to one significant figure. Monte Carlo calculation, on the other hand, is time intensive, requires some knowledge of the beam’s x‐ray spectrum, and mastering the complexities of a program such as EGS4. Total scatter dose at a point may be determined by measuring depth dose or tissue–air ratios and partitioning the dose into its primary and scatter components. Scatter may be represented by scatter–air ratios, which can be characterized by the sum of first, second, and higher orders of scatter. The first scatter dose may be computed exactly by summing the first scatter contribution from individual elements, determined from the first principle. Separation of dSAR into primary attenuation and depth‐independent terms allows the latter to be precomputed once for a given energy and stored in tabular form. Second scatter may be treated in a similar manner. The higher orders of scatter are computed by subtracting the sum of calculated first and second scatter doses from the total scatter dose. Elements close to and approximately 1 cm above the point of calculation contribute most heavily to the first scatter dose. Compared to the first scatter dose, the second scatter dose contribution is lower, particularly for elements close to the point of calculation. First scatter dose constitutes most of the scatter dose for small field sizes and shallow depths. For larger field sizes and greater depths, second and higher orders of scatter dose become more significant. As beam energy increases, the first scatter dose comprises a greater fraction of total scatter dose.
Isolation of keratinophilic fungi from soil in the vicinity of Bogota, Colombia.

Soil collected from 54 areas in and around Bogota, Colombia were examined for the presence of keratinophilic fungi by theVanbreuseghem's hair baiting technique. The organisms isolated and frequency are indicated:Trichophyton terrestre, 33;T. ajelloi, 32;Chrysosporium keratinophilum, 30;Microsporon gypseum, 14; andM. fulvum, 1. The perfect stage,Nannizzia gypsea, 1; andArthroderma quadrifidum, 2; were observed growing on hair in three plates. The following organisms apparently have been reported for the first time from soil samples in Colombia:M. fulvum, T. ajelloi, T. terrestre, C. keratinophilum, N. gypsea, andA. quadrifidum.
Applications of nanoNewton dielectrophoretic forces using atomic layer deposited oxides for microfluidic sample preparation and proteomics

By increasing the strength of the negative dielectrophoresis (DEP) force, we demonstrate a significantly improved electrokinetic actuation and filtering microsystem. A pinhole-free, nanometer-scale, thin film oxide was deposited using atomic layer deposition, as a protective layer to protect the electrodes from corrosion, when applying high AC voltages (>20 Vpp) at the electrodes. The electrodes were capacitively coupled to the electrolyte buffer by the application of a high frequency AC voltage signal, thus avoiding electric field degradation and the consequent reduction in dielectrophoresis force due to the presence of the insulating oxide layer. In this work, we demonstrated the use of this DEP-enhanced device for two microfluidic applications. First, we demonstrate an on-chip platform for the depletion of cells and highly abundant serum proteins in blood, which is a prerequisite to assay low-abundance protein biomarkers. For the second application, we show 100% detachment of anti-IgG and IgG bound beads (which is on the same order of magnitude in strength as typical antibody-antigen interactions) from the surface, upon the application of the enhanced negative DEP force. This capability offers the possibility of performing a bead-based multiplexed assay against multiple antigen targets where in a single microfluidic channel various regions are immobilized with a different antibody, each targeting a different antigen.
Toward a Greater Understanding of Antigay Prejudice: On the Role of Sexual Orientation and Gender Role Violation

Prejudice against gay men and lesbians could be driven by at least two types of expectancy violations: those pertaining to sexual orientation per se, and perceived violations of traditional gender roles (e.g., the fact that gay men are often inferred to be feminine and lesbians to be masculine). However, it is unclear whether one or the other (or both) of these expectancy violations are actually important in driving prejudicial reactions. In a completely crossed design, participants were asked to evaluate a target who varied with respect to biological sex, sexual orientation, and gender role (i.e., whether they were masculine or feminine). In addition, we also examined the contingency of these variables on preexisting individual differences in prejudice toward gay men and lesbians as a whole. Results showed a moderate trend among high prejudice participants to disparage “double violators,” that is, individuals who simultaneously violate expectations about both sexuality and gender roles. Implications for ...
Scientific Spectroscopy: The First 150 Years

Arthur Schawlow was born in Mount Vernon, New York, but moved to Canada at an early age. He received the Ph.D. Degree from the University of Toronto in 1949. After two years as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associate at Columbia University, he was a Research Physicist at Bell Laboratories from 1951 to 1961. Since then, he has been a Professor of Physics at Stanford University, and where he is now the J. G. JacksonA¢â¬â?C. J. Wood Professor. His research has been in optical and microwave spectroscopy, nuclear quadrupole resonance and superconductivity. He is, with Charles H. Townes, coinventor of the laser (1958). He was President of the Optical Society of America in 1975, and President of the American Physical Society in 1981. He shared the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics, for his contributions to the development of laser spectroscopy.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
THE IMPACT OF NEONATAL NURSE CLINICIANS AS PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS ON MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT PREMATURE INFANTS

Many medical facilities have introduced non-physicians as primary care providers for high risk neonates. Our medical center developed a neonatal nurse clinician (NNC) program in response to the reduction of numbers of pediatric housestaff, the perceived importance of consistent primary care providers, and the need for a career ladder for direct patient care in nursing. The object of this study was to evaluate the influence of NNCs on mortality and morbidity using peri and intraventricular hemorrhage (PV/IVH) as a marker for infants with BW 750-1250g. 42 successive inborn infants (BW=1038±148g, GA=29±2 wks) who received primary care from pediatric housestaff were prospectively evaluated for PV/IVH and survival in 1981. In 1982 74 infants (BW=1010±154g, GA=28±2 wks) received primary care from NNCs and were evaluated for PV/IVH and survival. Primary care included: resuscitation; maternal history; physical exams; procedures (i. e., intubation, thoracentesis, chest tube insertion, and umbilical catheterization), clinical assessment and management plans.
Plasma testosterone in male patients with Huntington's disease: relations to severity of illness and dementia.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms and by a progressive loss among other, of dopaminergic receptors in striatum, cortex, and hypothalamus. Central dopaminergic activity has been implicated in the regulation of sex hormones. Several features of testosterone deficiency, such as reduced muscle mass, depressive mood, and cognitive impairment, are often present in HD patients, but data on their testosterone levels are lacking. We assessed plasma levels of testosterone, LH, and FSH in 42 male patients with HD, confirmed by molecular genetic analysis, and searched for differences from age-matched healthy male subjects and for relations to CAG repeat number, age, age range, 26 to 76 (mean, 50.7 ± 12.3) years; duration of illness range, 1 to 23 (mean, 6.7 ± 6.3) years; and CAG repeat numbers from 40 to 65 (45.1 ± 3.8). Disease symptomatology was assessed using the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale. Testosterone and LH levels of the patients were significantly lower compared to the levels of 44 age-matched (mean age, 48.9 ± 13.0, range, 26–76 years) healthy men. Severity of illness was negatively related to plasma testosterone levels. Further, low testosterone levels were associated with dementia but not with depression or psychotic features. Clinical studies with selected HD patients are needed to evaluate possible beneficial effects of androgen substitution therapy on cognitive functions, depression, muscle mass and strength, general well-being, and, eventually, neuroprotective effects. Ann Neurol 2005;57:520–525
The torsional dependence of an interaction potential: the CH3OHHe system

Abstract An interaction potential for the methanol-helium system was calculated, consisting of an SCF part plus a damped dispersion contribution. A double-zeta basis set was used for the methanol, augmented with one set of polarization functions on each atom. The He basis was a ( 6s 3s ) set augmented with two p-functions. The counterpoise method was used to help correct the basis set superposition error. Interaction energies were computed as a function of the relative position of the HE (R, θ, φ) as well as of the methanol conformation, described by the single angle γ. The SCF potential was found to be relatively more repulsive at the methyl end of the molecule compared to the Billing site-site potential. A φ-shift approximation was found to predict fairly accurately the γ-dependence of the potential from the staggered conformation interaction alone. The anisotropy of the potential was analyzed using an expansion in products of spherical harmonics in θ, φ and exp(inγ) functions, in which it was shown that only n values which are multiples of three appear. The resulting expansion coefficients are those needed for the matrix elements of the potential between two rotational-torsional states in the close-coupling formation of the scattering problem. It was found that the torsional anisotropy is much weaker than the overall anisotropy and that the φ and γ anisotropies are strongly coupled.
The complexity of microbial diversity in bacterial vaginosis.

The microbiologic cause of bacterial vaginosis has long eluded scientists, writes Sharon Hillier. The ecology of the vaginal microflora is influenced by several forces, thus challenging our understanding of the normal diversity of vaginal flora.
A sampling series representation of the gain and refractive-index formulas for a combined homogeneously and inhomogeneously broadened laser line

The well-known sampling theorem of communication theory and the associated sampling-series representation of a function are used to derive series representations for the gain and refractive index associated with a laser line that may, in general, be both homogeneously and inhomogeneously broadened. The representations obtained provide the basis for an efficient and highly accurate algorithm for computing numerical approximations to the gain and refractive-index integrals.
Experimental activation of anti-cuckoldry mechanisms responsive to female sexual infidelity

Abstract Recent research indicates that men may have evolved mechanisms dedicated to detecting and responding to the risk of partner infidelity. Because activation of these “anti-cuckoldry” mechanisms depends on partner infidelity, or the perception of partner infidelity, existing evidence for such mechanisms relies on correlational data. The current study tests several predictions regarding men’s anti-cuckoldry mechanisms in an experimental design. As predicted, the results demonstrated: (1a) experimental activation of men’s anti-cuckoldry mechanisms by presenting them with a vignette depicting a female partner’s sexual infidelity; (1b) no activation of men’s anti-cuckoldry mechanisms by presenting them with a vignette depicting a sexual encounter without female infidelity; (2) experimental activation of men’s anti-cuckoldry mechanisms was influenced by their perceived risk of partner infidelity; and (3) women were not influenced by the partner infidelity manipulation.
Benzoyl Derivatization as a Method To Improve Retention of Hydrophilic Peptides in Tryptic Peptide Mapping

This study exploits the increase in chromatographic retention that accrues from benzoyl derivatization of primary amines as a tool to increase sequence coverage in tryptic peptide mapping. N-hydroxysuccinamide sulfonyl benzoate quantitatively derivatizes primary amines of peptides. Introduction of the hydrophobic benzoyl moiety into peptides increased retention of peptides during reversed-phase chromatography (RPC), particularly in the case of smaller hydrophilic peptides. Short chain (1-6 amino acids) tryptic fragments of model proteins lysozyme, myoglobin, and cytochrome c derivatized with N-hydroxysuccinamide sulfonyl benzoate eluted in the linear acetonitrile gradient. Application of benzoyl derivatization was further extended to achieve complete sequence coverage of a therapeutic protein, recombinant human growth hormone, and in detection of single amino acid polymorphism.
Chloride for bromide substitutions on carbon utilizing tri-n-butyltin chloride

Abstract A new halogen for halogen substitution reaction on carbon utilizing tri-n-butylin halides is reported. The substitutions proceed to equilibrium positons rather than to completion. Mechanistic investigations indicate, at least for benzhydryl and secondary benzyl type bromides, that the substitutions using tri-n-butylin chloride proceed via rate determining organotin halide assisted alkyl halide ionization for both the forward and reverse reactons.
Stimulation by insulin and prostaglandin E1 of glucose metabolism and inhibition of lipolytic action of theophylline on fat cells in the absence of K

Insulin and prostaglandin E1 inhibited the lipolytic action of theophylline on white fat cells and stimulated the metabolism of glucose by cells isolated and incubated in K+- free buffer. Fat cells incubated in K+-free buffer metabolized more glucose than in regular buffer and under certain conditions a marked increase in glucose metabolism due to insulin was bestseen in the presence of theophylline. The addition of tetraphenylborate, a K+ complexing agent, did not block the action of insulin in K+- free buffer. These results indicate that the mechanisms by which insulin and prostaglandin E1 affect fat cell metabolism are not dependent upon extracellular K+. (Endocrinology 83: 548, 1968)
A comparison of Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana as foods for the oyster, Crassostrea virginica

Abstract Juvenile oysters, Crassostrea virginica, were fed diets consisting of varying proportions of the diatoms Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana. Growth of the oysters over a 5-week period was inversely proportional to the amount of P. tricornutum in the diet. Analysis of the diatoms showed similar amounts of protein and lipid in the two species, while P. tricornutum was higher in carbohydrate and T. pseudonana higher in ash. P. tricornutum lacked the essential amino acid tryptophan, but this deficiency has been reported for other diatom species that are good foods for bivalves.
General multi-group macroscopic modeling for thermo-chemical non-equilibrium gas mixtures

This paper opens a new door to macroscopic modeling for thermal and chemical non-equilibrium. In a game-changing approach, we discard conventional theories and practices stemming from the separation of internal energy modes and the Landau-Teller relaxation equation. Instead, we solve the fundamental microscopic equations in their moment forms but seek only optimum representations for the microscopic state distribution function that provides converged and time accurate solutions for certain macroscopic quantities at all times. The modeling makes no ad hoc assumptions or simplifications at the microscopic level and includes all possible collisional and radiative processes; it therefore retains all non-equilibrium fluid physics. We formulate the thermal and chemical non-equilibrium macroscopic equations and rate coefficients in a coupled and unified fashion for gases undergoing completely general transitions. All collisional partners can have internal structures and can change their internal energy states after transitions. The model is based on the reconstruction of the state distribution function. The internal energy space is subdivided into multiple groups in order to better describe non-equilibrium state distributions. The logarithm of the distribution function in each group is expressed as a power series in internal energy based on the maximum entropy principle. The method of weighted residuals is applied to the microscopic equations to obtain macroscopic moment equations and rate coefficients succinctly to any order. The model’s accuracy depends only on the assumed expression of the state distribution function and the number of groups used and can be self-checked for accuracy and convergence. We show that the macroscopic internal energy transfer, similar to mass and momentum transfers, occurs through nonlinear collisional processes and is not a simple relaxation process described by, e.g., the Landau-Teller equation. Unlike the classical vibrational energy relaxation model, which can only be applied to molecules, the new model is applicable to atoms, molecules, ions, and their mixtures. Numerical examples and model validations are carried out with two gas mixtures using the maximum entropy linear model: one mixture consists of nitrogen molecules undergoing internal excitation and dissociation and the other consists of nitrogen atoms undergoing internal excitation and ionization. Results show that the original hundreds to thousands of microscopic equations can be reduced to two macroscopic equations with almost perfect agreement for the total number density and total internal energy using only one or two groups. We also obtain good prediction of the microscopic state populations using 5-10 groups in the macroscopic equations.
Studies of positron states and annihilation characteristics at the reconstructed (100) surface of GaAs

Abstract The high-resolution positron-annihilation-induced Auger spectrum from GaAs(1 0 0) displays six As and three Ga Auger peaks below 110 eV corresponding to M 4,5 VV, M 2 M 4 V, M 2,3 M 45 M 45 Auger transitions for As and M 2,3 M 4,5 M 4,5 Auger transition for Ga. PAES data is analyzed by performing quantum mechanical calculations of positron surface states and annihilation characteristics for As- and Ga-rich reconstructed (1 0 0) surfaces of GaAs. It is shown that by comparing theoretical positron annihilation probabilities for relevant core electrons with experimental ones estimated from the measured Auger peak intensities, it is possible to identify the chemical composition of the topmost layers of the GaAs(1 0 0) surface.
Aspiration in patients with acute stroke

Abstract Objectives: To determine the frequency and clinical predictors of aspiration within 5 days of acute stroke. Design: Case series. Setting: Tertiary care center. Patients: Consecutive stroke patients ( n = 55) with new neurologic deficit evaluated within 5 days of acute stroke. Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of features identified on clinical swallowing and oromotor examinations and occurrence of aspiration (silent or overt) evident on videofluoroscopic swallow study (VSS). Results: Aspiration occurred in 21 of 55 patients (38%). Whereas 7 of 21 patients (33%) aspirated overtly, 14 (67%) aspirated silently on VSS. Chi-square analyses revealed that dysphonia, dysarthria, abnormal gag reflex, abnormal volitional cough, cough after swallow, and voice change after swallow were significantly related to aspiration and were predictors of the subset of patients with silent aspiration. Logistic regression revealed that abnormal volitional cough and cough with swallow, in conjunction, predicted aspiration with 78% accuracy. Conclusions: Silent aspiration appears to be a significant problem in acute stroke patients because silent aspiration occurred in two thirds of the patients who aspirated. The prediction of patients at risk for aspiration was significantly improved by the presence of concurrent findings of abnormal volitional cough and cough with swallow on clinical examination.
A system approach to pharmacodynamics I: Theoretical framework

A general theoretical framework is constructed for the relationship between a pharmacokinetic response r(e.g., systemic drug concentration or input rate), and an observed pharmacologic effect response E The overall relationship may be described mathematically by E = Ω{r} = Ωp{Ωb{Ωr{r}}} where Ω is an operator that describes the overall relationship, and Ωr, Ωb, and Ωp are operators that describe the contributions of components of the pharmacodynamic system. The kinetic basis for applying certain general mathematical properties such as linearity are discussed. The result is the introduction of various specific mathematical structures that may be applied to pharmacodynamic systems [e.g., E = ϕt(r), E = (ϕt,(ψr *r), E = ϕp(ψp*ϕb,(r)), and E = ϕp(ψp*ϕb(ψr*r))].
Humoral immunity to herpes simplex viral-induced antigens in smokers.

Antibodies to herpes simplex viral-induced antigens (HSVIA) were assayed by an indirect immunofluorescent technique in 93 regular cigarette smokers, 75 of whom also imbibed alcoholic beverages. Controls were 94 nonsmoking, nondrinking volunteers matched with the smoker for age and sex. IgA antibodies to HSVIA were detected six times more frequently in the sera of smokers than in nonsmoking controls, p less than .0005. IgG and IgM anti-HSVIA were detected with comparable frequencies in both groups, but the antibody titers were significantly higher in the smoking group than in controls, p less than .05. IgA anti-HSVIA was detected more frequently in smokers with 10 or more pack-years of cigarette exposure than in smokers with 10 or more pack-years of smoking (p less than .05) or in matched nonsmokers (p less than .02). IgA antibody titers to HSVIA were significantly higher in cigarette smokers who drank alcoholic beverages than in smokers who did not drink, p less than .025. This study demonstrates that cigarette smoking and the use of alcoholic beverages are associated with heightened humoral immunity to HSV-induced antigens in a population at high risk for development of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region.
Strain-relief mechanisms and nature of misfit dislocations in GaAs/Si heterostructures

Abstract The nucleation and glide of misfit dislocations in the GaAs/Si system is investigated using transmission electron microscopy. GaAs epilayers of different thickness were examined by electron microscopy (plan and cross-section) and the elastic strain remaining in the film related to the average spacing of the misfit dislocations at the interface. The GaAs epilayer 1000 A thick contains mostly 60° misfit dislocations whose average spacing is larger than the equilibrium dislocation spacing. The 2000 A and thicker GaAs epilayers contain predominantly 90° misfit dislocations with an average spacing between the dislocations less than the equilibrium dislocation spacing. The 90° dislocations are thought of as being formed by the reaction of 60° dislocations. A model is developed based on minimum energy considerations to determine the strain-thickness relationship. Nucleation and glide of a 60° half loop in the presence of neighboring half loops is used to calculate the dislocation energy. The mixed 60° dislocations are only half as effective as the 90° dislocations in relieving the lattice mismatch, but the glissile 60° dislocations are easier to form. The formation of sessile 90° dislocations at the interface is explained on the basis of dislocation reactions. The theoretical predictions of strain relaxation are compared with experimental observations using high-resolution electron microscopy.
Biomechanical comparison between the trapezius transfer and latissimus transfer for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears

Background The purpose of this study was to characterize the biomechanical effects of the lower trapezius transfer and to compare it with the latissimus dorsi transfer in a cadaveric model of a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear. Methods Eight cadaveric shoulders were tested at 0°, 30°, and 60° of shoulder abduction. Range of motion, humeral rotational position due to muscle loading, joint reaction forces, and kinematics were measured. All specimens were tested in 4 conditions: intact, massive posterosuperior cuff tear, lower trapezius transfer, and latissimus dorsi transfer. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Results Internal rotation due to muscle loading increased with massive cuff tear compared with the intact condition ( P P P P Conclusion The lower trapezius transfer is superior to the latissimus transfer at restoring native glenohumeral kinematics and joint reaction forces in our cadaveric model. It may be a promising treatment option for patients with a massive irreparable rotator cuff tear.
Preoperative embolization of replaced right hepatic artery prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Aberrancy of the hepatic arterial anatomy is common. Because of its course directly adjacent to the head of the pancreas, a replaced right hepatic artery (RHA) is vulnerable to invasion by peri-pancreatic malignancies. Division of the RHA at the time of pancreaticoduodenectomy, however, may result in hepatic infarction and/or bilioenteric anastomotic complications. We report two cases of patients undergoing preoperative embolization of tumor encased replaced RHAs to allow for sufficient collateralization prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:509–512. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting organisational objectives: role of stakeholder influence and volatility of environmental sectors

Investigates the link between stakeholder influence and environmental sector volatility on organizational objectives. Uses a questionnaire survey (with findings drawn from 86 firms listed in Industrial Compustat) to determine the three most important long‐term objectives for the organization and the level of influence five different stakeholder groups have on strategic decision making. Reports that three significant associations were revealed between stakeholder influence and profitability. Performs Pearson correlation tests to provide validity and stepwise regression to determine the predictive power of stakeholder and environmental sector volatility on objectives. Finds that customer influence was the only stakeholder group which failed to be significantly linked to any organizational objectives. Concludes that both stakeholder influence and environmental sector volatility are important in determining organizational objectives. Notes limitations of the study due to the small sample size and recommends areas for further research.