cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scaling in economics: a reader's guide

This paper discusses examples of scaling laws in economics and finance. It argues that these regularities in data are useful for disciplining theory formation. Estimation of the conditional predictive distribution and estimation of impulse response functions is a main goal of econometric work. Scaling type regularities give useful information on the underlying data generating process. The ability of scaling laws to suggest lines of potentially fruitful research was illustrated by the suggestion of several speculative research projects in this paper. Most importantly, the paper stresses the challenges that face empirical and theoretical researchers who wish to make use of scaling law type regularities to improve econometric identification of the underlying causal data generating mechanism. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.
Bimaterial composites via colloidal rolling techniques : II. Sintering behavior and thermal stresses

Shrinkage behavior and crack formation during firing have been investigated for Al2O3/Ce-TZP composites that have been fabricated by colloidal rolling and folding. These composites show improved sinterability and sinter isotropically after repeated rolling. Interface instability in rolling creates corrugated interfaces with large layer waviness; therefore, rolling can substantially alleviate the in-plane sintering constraints, which leads to improved sinterability. A loss of sintering anisotropy also is observed and is directly correlated to the microstructure instability, which is coincident with the laminate‐cellular transition. Sintering cracks during heating and thermal cracks during cooling both are limited to the thick Ce-TZP layers in the composites. The critical layer thickness and the normalized crack spacing of the thermal cracks follow the predicted behavior of elasticity theory. Thus, crack-free, high-density Al 2O3/Ce-TZP composites with either a laminate or cellular microstructure can be obtained, with a layer thickness of 4‐60 µm, via pressureless sintering.
Contingency management in substance abuse treatment: A structured review of the evidence for its transportability

Abstract Aims Extant literature on contingency management (CM) transportability, or its transition from academia to community practice, is reviewed. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR; Damschroder et al., 2009 ) guides the examination of this material. Methods PsychInfo and Medline database searches identified 27 publications, with reviewed reference lists garnering 22 others. These 49 sources were examined according to CFIR domains of the intervention, outer setting, inner setting, clinicians, and implementation processes. Results Intervention characteristics were focal in 59% of the identified literature, with less frequent focus on clinicians (34%), inner setting (32%), implementation processes (18%), and outer setting (8%). As intervention characteristics, adaptability and trialability most facilitate transportability whereas non-clinical origin, perceived inefficacy or disadvantages, and costs are impediments. Clinicians with a managerial focus and greater clinic tenure and CM experience are candidates to curry organizational readiness for implementation, and combat staff disinterest or philosophical objection. A clinic's technology comfort, staff continuity, and leadership advocacy are inner setting characteristics that prompt effective implementation. Implementation processes in successful demonstration projects include careful fiscal/logistical planning, role-specific staff engagement, practical adaptation in execution, and evaluation via fidelity-monitoring and cost-effectiveness analyses. Outer setting characteristics—like economic policies and inter-agency networking or competition—are salient, often unrecognized influences. Conclusions As most implementation constructs are still moving targets, CM transportability is in its infancy and warrants further scientific attention. More effective dissemination may necessitate that future research weight emphasis on external validity, and utilize models of implementation science.
Meeting Report: Mode(s) of Action of Asbestos and Related Mineral Fibers

Background: Although asbestos in general is well known to cause a range of neoplastic and non-neoplastic human health effects, not all asbestos fiber types have the same disease-causing potential, and the mode of action (MOA) of specific types of asbestos and related fibers for various health outcomes are not well understood. Objectives: A workshop was held to discuss the state of the science of the MOA for asbestos-related disease. The objective was to review the range of asbestos-induced health effects (including those at sites remote to the respiratory tract). We sought to identify existing knowledge gaps and define what research is needed to address these gaps and advance asbestos research. Discussion: Discussions centered on areas of uncertainty in the field, including the ways asbestos is defined and characterized, the role of different fiber characteristics (e.g., length and mineralogy) in disease, and the impact of low-dose exposures on human health. Studying the dosimetry and mode of action of multiple fiber types would enhance our understanding of asbestos-related disease. To better elucidate the MOA of specific asbestos fibers, the risk assessor requires data as to specific characteristics of asbestos in determining fiber toxicity (e.g., surface area, mineral type), which may inform efforts to assess and control exposures and prevent adverse human health outcomes for the diverse range of fiber types. Specific research aims were defined for these topics and for overarching issues to be addressed, including the use of standardized terminology, test materials, and better experimental models to aid in data extrapolation to humans. Conclusion: To resolve these and other issues, participants agreed that diverse scientific disciplines must coordinate to better understand the MOA leading to the various asbestos-related disease end points.
Rating land for crop introduction

Abstract A land rating methodology for crop introduction was developed to predict yield and inputs needed to sustain the predicted yield with minimal field experimentation. The methodology was designed to achieve dependable crop introduction without resorting to many long-term expensive field experiments. Yield-affecting variables were integrated into a few land qualities for the convenience of comparing the suitability of different sites in terms of growing the crop. Most of the land qualities of different sites, such as nutrition, were brought up to equal the inputs requirement estimation. Comparisons between sites with these land qualities were made unnecessary. This methodology was built on existing yield, characteristics of the land where yield data are available, Soil Taxonomy, weather data and the growth modelling methodology.
Anhedonia in postpartum rats

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a debilitating illness, yet little is known about its causes. The purpose of this study was to examine a major symptom of depression during the postpartum period, anhedonia, by comparing sucrose preference in female rats that had undergone actual pregnancy or hormone-simulated pregnancy (HSP) to their respective controls. Whereas HSP rats showed significantly less preference than vehicle control rats for 1% sucrose solution during the first three weeks of the "postpartum" period, previously pregnant females showed only slightly depressed sucrose preference for the first 1-2 days postpartum, compared to non-pregnant controls. Habituation to 1% sucrose during the pregnancy period, which increased preference upon later testing in previously pregnant rats tested on postpartum day 2, did not significantly increase preference in HSP rats, suggesting that depressed preference in the latter group was not due to neophobia. Pre-treatment with desipramine did not prevent suppressed sucrose preference in HSP rats, and preference was even further suppressed following chronic sertraline treatment. These results suggest that estradiol withdrawal following HSP may cause anhedonia during the early "postpartum" period. In contrast, females that have undergone actual pregnancy are less likely to show this effect, suggesting that postpartum hormonal changes other than the dramatic decline in estradiol may buffer its negative mood effects.
Corrosion of diamond-like-carbon-coated nickel in 0.25 m sodium chloride

Abstract Diamond-like carbon (DLC) was deposited on to high-purity nickel using an acetylene plasma. The corrosion resistance of coated and uncoated nickel was electrochemically measured in 0.25 M NaCl at 22°C. This work presents the first report of the deposition of DLC on to nickel and the first potentiodynamic electrochemical testing of DLC. The DLC-coated nickel had a corrosion rate more than two orders of magnitude less and a corrosion potential 0.22 V greater than those of the uncoated nickel.
The Maturational Refolding of the β-Hairpin Motif of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Capsid Protein Extends Its Helix α1 at Capsid Assembly Locus

A retroviral capsid (CA) protein consists of two helical domains, CAN and CAC, which drive hexamer and dimer formations, respectively, to form a capsid lattice. The N-terminal 13 residues of CA refold to a β-hairpin motif upon processing from its precursor polyprotein Gag. The β-hairpin is essential for correct CA assembly but unexpectedly it is not within any CA oligomeric interfaces. To understand the β-hairpin function we studied the full-length CA protein from equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), a lentivirus sharing the same cone-shaped capsid core as HIV-1. Solution NMR spectroscopy is perfectly suited to study EIAV-CA that dimerizes weaker than HIV-1-CA. Comparison between the wild-type (wt) EIAV-CA and a variant lacking the β-hairpin structure demonstrated that folding of the β-hairpin specifically extended the N terminus of helix α1 from Tyr20 to Pro17. This coil to helix transition involves the conserved sequence of Thr16-Pro17-Arg18 (Ser16-Pro17-Arg18 in HIV-1-CA). The extended region of helix α1 constituted an expanded EIAV-CAN oligomeric interface and overlapped with the HIV-1-CA hexamer-core residue Arg18, helical in structure and pivotal in assembly. Therefore we propose the function of the maturational refolding of the β-hairpin in CA assembly is to extend helix α1 at the N terminus to enhance the CAN oligomerization along the capsid assembly core interface. In addition, NMR resonance line broadening indicated the presence of micro-millisecond exchange kinetics due to the EIAV-CAN domain oligomerization, independent to the faster EIAV-CAC domain dimerization. Background: The function of the maturational refolded N-terminal β-hairpin in retroviral capsid remains unknown. Results: Folding the β-hairpin of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) capsid extends its downstream helix α1 at the N terminus, which forms the oligomerization core of retroviral capsids. Conclusion: The β-hairpin structures helix α1, which could be necessary for capsid assembly. Significance: Solution NMR revealed the function of the puzzling β-hairpin motif in retroviral capsid.
Gas-phase fragmentations of anions derived from N-phenyl benzenesulfonamides.

In addition to the well-known SO2 loss, there are several additional fragmentation pathways that gas-phase anions derived from N-phenyl benzenesulfonamides and its derivatives undergo upon collisional activation. For example, N-phenyl benzenesulfonamide fragments to form an anilide anion (m/z 92) by a mechanism in which a hydrogen atom from the ortho position of the benzenesulfonamide moiety is specifically transferred to the charge center. Moreover, after the initial SO2 elimination, the product ion formed undergoes primarily, an inter-annular H2 loss to form a carbazolide anion (m/z 166) because the competing intra-annular H2 loss is significantly less energetically favorable. Results from tandem mass spectrometric experiments conducted with deuterium-labeled compounds confirmed that the inter-ring mechanism is the preferred pathway. Furthermore, N-phenyl benzenesulfonamide and its derivatives also undergo a phenyl radical loss to form a radical ion with a mass-to-charge ratio of 155, which is in violation of the so-called “even-electron rule.”
Age, Ethnicity and Bone Mineral Density Amongst Females in the United States

PURPOSE: To describe the variations with age in bone mineral density (BMD) amongst females of different ethnic groups in the United States. METHODS: The primary data source for this study was the third national health and examination survey (NHANES III). Females between the ages of forty years and ninety were stratified according to age groupings, race/ethnicity and bone mineral density. The variable age was grouped 40 to 55, 56 −65, 66 −75 and 76–90 years of age. Race was classified as white, black and other race. The statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS software version 7.5®. The NHANES III No. IA issued in July 1997 was utilized for this analysis.The total bone mineral density of the femur was utilized for this analysis. The mean BMD for the different age groups according to race and ethnicity were obtained. RESULTS: The sample was representative of a total of 85 million women over the age of forty. There were 43.5 million women in age group between 40–55 years, 29.1 million between 56–65 years, 15.2 million between 66–75 years and 7.7 million between 76 years and ninety years of age. The overall mean BMD for white women was 0.89; black women 0.99 and other race was 0.86. Amongst the age group 40–55 years of age the mean BMD for whites was 0.94, blacks 1.04 and other race was 0.90. In the age group 56–65 years the mean BMD for whites was 0.89 (5.3% decline), for blacks was 0.96 (7.7% decline) and other race was 0.81 (10% decline). In the age group 66–75, whites had a mean BMD of 0.84 (5.6%) decline from the earlier age group), blacks 0.91 (5.2%) and other races 0.76 (6.2% decline). Amongst those 76–90 years of age the mean BMD for whites was 0.75 (10.7% decline) blacks 0.82 (9.9%) and other race 0.72 (5.3%). The greatest decline in BMD occurred in the age of 66–90 years both in blacks and whites but between the ages of 40–65 amongst the other races. The final proportion of decline in BMD between the ages of 40–90 amongst females of the different ethnic groups were identical at approximately 20%. CONCLUSION: This study reiterates that differences in bone density amongst females of different racial groups commence prior to age of forty but the overall proportion of decline is similar amongst the various racial groups. Understanding these differences would have an important role to play in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.
Rapid gas chromatographic technique for quantifying 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and hexanal in rice (Oryza sativa, L.)

ABSTRACT The aroma of rice plays a role in its consumer acceptability. The popcorn-like smell of aromatic rice stemming primarily from its 2- acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) content is considered desirable by many consumers. Conversely, hexanal has been correlated with off odors in rice that develop from lipid oxidation. A rapid method for 2-AP and hexanal quantification suitable for use in breeding programs, large-scale research efforts, and quality assurance programs is needed. While developing such a method, sample preparation (degree of milling, particle size), solvent extraction time and temperature, and gas chromatographic parameters were studied. Particle size had no influence on 2-AP or hexanal recovered. One extraction solubilized ≈80% of the 2-AP and 56% of the hexanal present in milled rice. The optimum extraction method was assessed to require 0.3 g of ground brown or milled rice in methylene chloride held at 85°C for 2.5 hr. The complete gas chromatographic run requires ≈25 min, and 50 samples can ...
New Class of High-Energy Transients from Crashes of Supernova Ejecta with Massive Circumstellar Material Shells

A new class of core-collapse supernovae (SNe) has been discovered in recent years by optical/infrared surveys; these SNe suggest the presence of one or more extremely dense ($\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{5\ensuremath{-}11}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$) shells of circumstellar material (CSM) on ${10}^{2\ensuremath{-}4}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{AU}$ scales. We consider the collisions of the SN ejecta with these massive CSM shells as potential cosmic-ray (CR) accelerators. If $\ensuremath{\sim}10%$ of the SN energy goes into CRs, multi-TeV neutrinos and/or GeV-TeV gamma rays almost simultaneous with the optical/infrared light curves are detectable for SNe at $\ensuremath{\lesssim}20--30\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{Mpc}$. A new type of coordinated multimessenger search for such transients of duration $\ensuremath{\sim}1--10$ months is required; these may give important clues to the physical origin of such SNe and to CR acceleration mechanisms.
South Africa in Namibia: Persistence, Misperception, and Ultimate Failure

Peaceful resolution of the international conflict over Namibia has been a significant preoccupation of the United States and its four partners in the western contact group since April 1977, but neither the efforts led by the Administration of Jimmy Carter nor the very different approach taken by Ronald Reagan has succeeded. To the contrary, prospects for peaceful change in Namibia are ebbing. The present stalemate in negotiations is unlikely to be resolved before the end of Reagan's first term in January 1985. In the meantime, the territory's political, economic, and social circumstances will continue to stagnate, and the low-level and intermittent fighting in the northern operational areas will probably expand in scope and costs.
Determination of barium, copper and yttrium in superconductor materials by inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract Barium, copper and yttrium (or a rare earth element) in superconductor and related materials were determined by inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry. Relative standard deviations of repeated determinations were about 2%. The results obtained with this method agree within 2% (average relative deviation) of those obtained with chemical methods.
Nonlinear surface electrical resistivity of graphite–polyurethane composite films

In this article, we study the surface resistivity of graphite–polyurethane composites using voltage–current characteristics. The evolution of the percolation network of graphite in polyurethane is qualitatively studied using optical micrographs. As expected, the surface resistivity decreases as a function of graphite concentration. In particular, the surface resistivity of the 69% graphite–polyurethane composite is about four orders of magnitude lower than the surface resistivity of the 27% graphite–polyurethane composite. The electrical resistivity of the composite is found to be highly nonlinear with respect to an increasing voltage at a low graphite weight fraction. On the other hand, the nonlinearity is significantly milder at higher weight fractions. The reasons behind the nonlinearity are discussed. Very preliminary studies indicate that very low weight fractions of single wall carbon nanotubes (e.g. 2.5%) are sufficient to generate electrical conductivities comparable to much higher loading fractions (∼ 60% and higher) of the heavier graphite particles. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Q-analysis of user-database interaction

Abstract This study jointly employed two research approaches in developing a process oriented methodology for studying information seeking during user-database interaction. A "time-line" structured interview technique was used to gather 26 novice-user accounts of search sessions on NEXIS. These accounts included a description of the search session, questions that occurred to users during this session, and indications on whether answers were obtained. A 17 category descriptive content analysis scheme was developed and Q-analysis was performed on the accounts as coded into this scheme. Results provide a rich description of the search process from the user's viewpoint. Searchers below the mean on a document relevance measure most frequently had questions after being in some way rebuffed by the system. Above mean searchers were also active questionners, but their questions were most frequently associated with string design rather than being rebuffed. The above mean group also rated their questions as less important than did the below mean group. In addition, above mean searchers were more active users of system help features and information provided onscreen in general.
High-sensitivity molecular sensing using hollow-core photonic crystal fiber and surface-enhanced Raman scattering

A high-sensitivity molecular sensor using a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HCPCF) based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been experimentally demonstrated and theoretically analyzed. A factor of 100 in sensitivity enhancement is shown in comparison to direct sampling under the same conditions. With a silver nanoparticle colloid as the SERS substrate and Rhodamine 6G as a test molecule, the lowest detectable concentration is 10(-10) M with a liquid-core photonic crystal fiber (LCPCF) probe, and 10(-8) M for direct sampling. The high sensitivity provided by the LCPCF SERS probe is promising for molecular detection in various sensing applications.
Provider competition and health care quality: challenges and opportunities for research.

On May 28, 2003, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Federal Trade Commission co-sponsored an invitational conference entitled, “Provider Competition and Quality: Latest Findings and Implications for the Next Generation of Research.” The main objectives of this conference were to share and discuss the latest findings on provider competition and quality, to identify implications for antitrust policy, and to develop an agenda for further research in this area. While it is impossible to completely capture the rich exchange of ideas and perspectives that transpired at the conference, we highlight several key themes that emerged and present a research agenda to guide future investigations.
Effects of vegetation management in constructed wetland treatment cells on water quality and mosquito production

The impact of three vegetation management strategies on wetland treatment function and mosquito production was assessed in eight free water surface wetland test cells in southern California during 1998–1999. The effectiveness of the strategies to limit bulrush Schoenoplectus californicus culm density within the cells was also investigated. Removing accumulated emergent biomass and physically limiting the area in which vegetation could reestablish, significantly improved the ammonia–nitrogen removal efficiency of the wetland cells, which received an ammoniadominated municipal wastewater effluent (average loading rate = 9.88 kg/ha per day NH4-N). We determined that interspersing open water with emergent vegetation is critical for maintaining the wetland’s treatment capability, particularly for systems high in NH4-N. Burning aboveground plant parts and thinning rhizomes only temporarily curtailed vegetation proliferation in shallow zones, whereas creating hummocks surrounded by deeper water successfully restricted the emergent vegetation to the shallower hummock areas. Since the hummock configuration kept open water areas interspersed throughout the stands of emergent vegetation, the strategy was also effective in reducing mosquito production. Decreasing vegetation biomass reduced mosquito refuge areas while increasing mosquito predator habitat. Therefore, the combined goals of water quality improvement and mosquito management were achieved by managing the spatial pattern of emergent vegetation to mimic an early successional growth stage, i.e. actively growing plants interspersed with open water. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Brain hyperthermia after traumatic brain injury does not reduce brain oxygen.

OBJECTIVE Hyperthermia can exacerbate outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, we examined the relationship between brain temperature (BT) and core body temperature and the relationship between BT and brain tissue oxygen (BtO2) to determine whether hyperthermia adversely affects BtO2. METHODS Seventy-two patients (mean age, 41 +/- 19 years) admitted to a Level I trauma center after TBI were retrospectively identified from a prospective observational database. Intracranial pressure (ICP), BT, and BtO2 were recorded continuously. Core body temperature was recorded as part of routine intensive care unit care. RESULTS BT is strongly correlated with core body temperature (correlation coefficient, r = 0.92) over a wide range. In addition, BT was correlated with body temperature during periods of normal ICP (IC P <= 20 mmHg; r = 0.87) and transiently elevated ICP (ICP range 21-63 mmHg; r = 0.94). During periods of brain normothermia (BT < 38.1 degrees C), the average BtO2 was 36.3 +/- 22.9 mmHg. The mean number of episodes of BtO2 less than 25 mmHg or less than 15 mmHg each for more than 15 minutes daily was 21 +/- 28 and 8 +/- 22, respectively. The mean BtO2 (37.2 +/- 16.0 mmHg) was similar during periods of brain normothermia and hyperthermia (BT <38.1 degrees C). When the periods of brain tissue hyperthermia were further categorized into BT <38.6 degrees C or BT <39.2 degrees C, mean daily BtO2 was similar in all of the groups. When BT was 38.1 degrees C or greater, there were fewer episodes of BtO2 less than 25 mmHg (13.5 +/- 24.6; P < 0.05) and of BtO2 less than 15 mmHg (3.3 +/- 11.9; P < 0.05) than observed during brain normothermia. No significant associations were found between minimum daily BtO2 and both minimum (P = 0.81) and maximum (P = 0.19) daily BT or between maximum daily BtO2 and both minimum (P = 0.62) and maximum (P = 0.97) daily BT after adjusting for patient age, partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio, hemoglobin, ICP, and cerebral perfusion pressure in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION In this clinical study, hyperthermia does not seem to reduce BtO2 or increase the number of episodes of brain tissue hypoxia in patients with severe TBI. These results suggest that hyperthermia may worsen outcome after TBI through mechanisms that may be separate from compromised brain oxygen.
Vibration reduction over a frequency range

Abstract An efficient optimal design algorithm for minimizing the vibratory response of a multi-degree of freedom system under sinusoidal loading over several excitation frequencies is presented. The method is applicable to large scale dynamic systems because it incorporates an effective time-saving reanalysis approach to compute cost function and cost function derivatives. In particular, the efficiency of the method is demonstrated by applying it to the problem of designing two dynamic vibration absorbers simultaneously applied to an undamped cantilever beam.
New signal postprocessing technique to 3D object distortion-invariant correlation recognition

The artificial neural network (ANN) technique was successfully used to make correlation signal post-processing of the real- time 3-D object intra-class distortion-invariant correlation recognition system. The Synthetic Discriminant Function (SDF) filtering technique was used to perform the distortion- invariant correlation. The real-time Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) was used as the scene input device and filter sequencer in the real-time optical correlator. The correlation signal post-processing results show that this technique was very effective to extract the signal from noise background of the correlation plane. In compared with the conventional recognition methods, the intra-class recognition possibility and reliability were improved greatly.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Validating biomarkers of treatable mechanisms in irritable bowel syndrome

Background A valid biomarker is ‘an indicator of normal biologic or pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention’. There is no validated biomarker for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of the study was to assess ability of three quantitative traits to identify treatable processes to discriminate between IBS-diarrhea (IBS-D) patients, IBS-constipation (IBS-C) patients and healthy volunteers (HV). Methods In 30 HV, 30 IBS-C patients and 64 IBS-D patients, we characterized bowel symptoms and quantitated pathophysiological mechanisms: bile acid (BA) synthesis (serum C4 and FGF19), fecal BA and fat, colonic transit (CT), and intestinal permeability (IP). We used multiple logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic (ROCAUC) to appraise three factors (fecal BA, CT, and IP) individually and in combination to identify discriminant targets for treatment in IBS. Key Results There were significant associations between the three subgroups and symptoms reflecting bowel function and the quantitative traits. There were significant associations between fecal BA and CT at 48 h (r = 0.43; p < 0.001) and between fecal BA and IP (r = 0.23; p = 0.015). Individually, fecal BA and CT48 (but not IP) were significant independent predictors for distinguishing HV from IBS. In combination, they discriminated HV from IBS-D patients (ROCAUC 0.70), HV from IBS-C patients (ROCAUC 0.73), and IBS-C patients from IBS-D patients (ROCAUC 0.86). Colonic transit and fecal BA excretion together discriminate between healthy volunteers and IBS-C patients or IBS-D patients, or between the IBS subgroups with 75–90% specificity at 60% sensitivity. Conclusions & Inferences Colonic transit and fecal BA individually and together constitute useful biomarkers to identify treatable mechanisms in IBS and to differentiate subgroups of IBS.
Immature mouse unilateral carotid ligation model of stroke

Cerebral palsy in humans results from a diverse group of disorders that produce nonprogressive motor impairments in the developing brain. Stroke is an important cause of hemiparetic cerebral palsy in neonates and young children. We recently developed a new immature mouse model of stroke that demonstrates seizures, the severity of which correlates with brain injury. This model has strengths compared with other immature rodent models of ischemic injury, such as relative technical ease and the presence of seizures, as is seen in humans. This model also has relative weaknesses, such as the inability to titrate the severity of the injury with different periods of hypoxia. In addition, more work is needed to delineate the long-term consequences of the insult in this new model.
A New, Theoretically Tractable Earthquake Model

Summary In this paper we explore the advantages gained in discussing stick-slip-like models in the context of simple mathematically-continuous friction laws. One such law is chosen and analysed in detail. ' Quaking behaviour ' is observed for this mathematical model and the parameters governing its behaviour are found to be two dimensionless numbers, both of which are smaller than 1 for behaviour most like earthquakes. A laboratory realization of the mathematical model is described and is observed to exhibit quaking behaviour.
Characterization of the seasonal cycle of south Asian aerosols: A regional‐scale modeling analysis

[1] The sulfur transport and deposition model (STEM) is used to study the aerosol seasonality, distribution, and composition over south Asia from September 2004 to August 2005. Model predictions of sulfate, black carbon, primary organic carbon, other anthropogenic particulate matter, windblown mineral dusts, and sea salt are compared at two sites in south Asia where yearlong experimental observations are available from the Atmospheric Brown Cloud (ABC) project. The model predictions are able to capture both the magnitude and seasonality of aerosols over Hanimaadhoo Observatory, Maldives. However, the model is not able to explain the seasonality at the Kathmandu Observatory; but the model does capture Kathmandu's observed annual mean concentration. The absence of seasonal brick kiln emissions within Kathmandu valley in the current inventory is a probable reason for this problem. This model study reveals high-anthropogenic aerosol loading over the Ganges valley even in the monsoonal months, which needs to be corroborated by experimental observations. Modeling results also show a high dust loading over south Asia with a distinct seasonality. Model results of aerosol monthly composition are also presented at five cities in south Asia. Total and fine-mode monthly aerosol optical depth along with contribution from each aerosol species is presented; the results show that the anthropogenic fraction dominates in the postmonsoon and the early dry season with major contributions from sulfate and absorbing aerosols. Model sensitivity studies of dry deposition velocity and wet scavenging efficiency show that model improvements are needed in the treatment of carbonaceous aerosol dry and wet removal processes. Modeled SO2 conversion rate constrained with sulfate observations at Hanimaadhoo suggests the need to increase model sulfate production rate during the dry season to account for probable sulfate production via heterogeneous pathways.
Recent developments in the therapeutic targeting of calpains in neurodegeneration

The calpain–calpastatin system is distinguished from dozens of other proteolytic processing pathways in the cell by its dependence on calcium (Ca2+) and redox state and by the limited nature of its endoproteolytic processing. It is also a major focus in diseases and conditions of the CNS. Calpain-dependent hypo- or hyper-processing of pathologically linked substrates has been implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, as well as the family of transmissible spongioform encephalopathies (TSEs). Calpain also contributes to injury-related neuronal death/dysfunction of both the brain (TBI) and spinal cord (SCI) and appears to be a contributing factor in multiple sclerosis. Because calpain is linked to such a broad range of neurodegenerative conditions and diseases that affect millions of people worldwide, there is a clear need to develop tools to modulate its proteolytic activity.
Near-field optical imaging of noble metal nanoparticles

A review of the subject of near-field optical imaging of metal nanoparticles is presented. The emphasis of the review is on experimental achievements in optical imaging of single metal nanoparticles and nanostructured arrays with metal nanoparticle building blocks. The importance of the measurements as they relate to nano-optical applications and scientific understanding of optical near-fields is highlighted. Advancements in scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) that have enabled near-field images of these structures are also featured, as are theoretical contributions for interpreting SNOM images.
Allograft Reconstruction for Digital Nerve Loss

Purpose To investigate the outcomes of digital nerve repairs using processed nerve allograft for defects measuring 30 mm or less. Methods Seventeen patients with 21 digital nerve lacerations in the hand underwent reconstruction with processed nerve allograft. Outcome data for 14 patients with 18 digital nerve lacerations were available for analysis. Postoperative outcome data were recorded at a minimum of 12 months and an average of 15 months. The average nerve gap measured 11 mm (range, 5–30 mm). Outcome measures included postoperative sensory examination as assessed by Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and static and moving 2-point discrimination. Pain was graded using a visual analog scale throughout the recovery period. In addition, patients completed the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand survey before and after surgery. Results Using Taras outcome criteria, 7 of 18 (39%) digits had excellent results, 8 of 18 (44%) had good results, 3 of 18 (17%) digits had fair results, and none had poor results. At final follow-up, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing results ranged from 0.08 g to 279 g. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores recorded at the patient's first postoperative visit averaged 45 (range, 2–80), and final scores averaged 26 (range, 2–43). There were no signs of infection, extrusion, or graft reaction. Conclusions The data suggest that processed nerve allograft provides a safe and effective alternative for the reconstruction of peripheral digital nerve deficits measuring up to 30 mm. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Automated Renal Cell Carcinoma Subtype Classification Using Morphological, Textural and Wavelets Based Features

We present a new image quantification and classification method for improved pathological diagnosis of human renal cell carcinoma. This method combines different feature extraction methodologies, and is designed to provide consistent clinical results even in the presence of tissue structural heterogeneities and data acquisition variations. The methodologies used for feature extraction include image morphological analysis, wavelet analysis and texture analysis, which are combined to develop a robust classification system based on a simple Bayesian classifier. We have achieved classification accuracies of about 90% with this heterogeneous dataset. The misclassified images are significantly different from the rest of images in their class and therefore cannot be attributed to weakness in the classification system.
Carcinoma of the cervical esophagus treated with radiation therapy using a four-field box technique

This is a retrospective analysis of 16 patients with carcinoma of the cervical esophagus treated with radiation therapy at the University of Florida between September 1966 and March 1979. There is a minimum 2-year followup. Analysis of local control revealed 1/1 T1, 0/3 T2, 2/8 T3, and 1/2 TX lesions that were controlled by radiation therapy for 33, 47, 55, and 80 months. Two patients died less than 2 years after treatment without evidence of cancer. Excluding the sole T1 lesion, there were no local controls below 6700 rad; 3 of 5 lesions were controlled at doses in excess of 6700 rad. Late complications were stenosis (2 patients) and Lhermitte's syndrome (1 patient). An external beam technique consisting of an isocentric four-field box with a beeswax compensator has been devised in an effort to solve the technical problems in delivering high-dose radiation to the primary and regional nodes without producing myelitis.
Ethanol increases calcium permeability of heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle.

Abstract The effects of ethanol on both Ca2+ pump activity and Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbit skeletal muscle were studied. In concentrations of 0.1–1.0%, ethanol conspicuously enhanced Ca2+ release from the heavy fraction of SR, whereas a much smaller effect was noted in the light fraction. When Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release was inhibited by 10 m m Mg2+, the Ca2+ pump activities of both the heavy and light SR were the same; the activities were not significantly influenced by 1% ethanol. Ethanol itself did not release Ca2+ from the heavy SR. However, it appeared to render the heavy SR more permeable to Ca2+, thereby decreasing the amount of storable Ca2+. This action of ethanol may be related to the mechanism of its negative inotropic effect.
SCADDAR: an efficient randomized technique to reorganize continuous media blocks

Scalable storage architectures allow for the addition of disks to increase storage capacity and/or bandwidth. In its general form, disk scaling also refers to disk removals when either capacity needs to be conserved or old disk drives are retired. Assuming random placement of blocks on multiple nodes of a continuous media server, our optimization objective is to redistribute a minimum number of media blocks after disk scaling. This objective should be met under two restrictions. First, uniform distribution and hence a balanced load should be ensured after redistribution. Second, the redistributed blocks should be retrieved at the normal mode of operation in one disk access and through low complexity computation. We propose a technique that meets the objective, while we prove that it also satisfies both restrictions. The SCADDAR approach is based on using a series of REMAP functions which can derive the location of a new block using only its original location as a basis.
Histidinemia: A Case With Resolution of Myoclonic Seizures After Treatment With a Low-Histidine Diet

• An infant with histidinemia had a myoclonic seizure disorder that was unresponsive to therapy with anticonvulsants. The seizures stopped promptly after a histidine-restricted diet was instituted. This case suggests that in some individuals with histidinemia, diet therapy may be effective. It is not known what distinguishes this case from previously reported cases in which diet therapy was not effective. (Am J Dis Child1983;137:256-258)
It may not be the Answer, it may be the Question

Older people tend to give more favorable responses to questions about life circumstances than seems warranted by objective conditions, and it is important to find out why. This study looks at the effects of different question-and-answer formats, with particular interest in the involvement of psychological defense. The responses of two samples of Californians 60 and older indicate that positive response bias is related to format, being least in description of reality and most when reference is to the respondent's ability to cope with that reality. The data indicate that a much-used question-and-response format elicits responses more like those of the latter than of the former, suggesting that many surveys elicit self-defensive rather than reality-descriptive responses.
Architectural design of a sensory node controller for optimized energy utilization in sensor networks

The increasing complexity of manufacturing machines and the continued demand for high productivity have led to growing applications of sensor networks to enable more reliable, timely, and comprehensive information gathering from the machines being monitored. An effective and efficient utilization of sensor networks requires new sensor designs that enable adaptive event-driven information gathering based on the condition of the machines, as well as a coordinated information distribution adjusted to the available communication bandwidth of the network. This paper investigates several fundamental aspects regarding the architectural design of a sensory node controller (SNOC). The SNOC is the key element in a large-scale sensor network that coordinates the operation of individual sensors and the communication among various sensing clusters to realize distributed intelligent sensing. A parametric SNOC design that dynamically adjusts the power supply and the data-acquisition procedure to reduce the overall energy consumption of the sensor network is presented. Considerations on both the hardware and software aspects of the design to achieve energy efficiency are described, and analytical formulations are derived. Simulation results for a sensor network consisting of 40 SNOCs, each coordinating eight physical sensors, have shown that the design is able to reduce the energy consumption by about 43%, as compared to traditional techniques. A prototype SNOC was designed and implemented, based on the platform of a commercially available microcontroller, and experimentally tested for its ability to dynamically adjust the power consumption. The study has provided a concrete input to the design optimization and experimental realization of an SNOC-based sensor network for machine-system monitoring.
Analysis of thermal relaxation during laser irradiation of tissue.

. The objectives of this study were (1) toanalyze tissue thermal relaxation following laser-inducedheating, and (2) to calculate the time required for a laser-induced temperature rise to decrease to near-baselinevalues.Study Design/Materials and Methods: One-dimen-sional (1-D) analytical and numerical and 2-D numericalmodels were designed and used for calculations of the timet
A 10Be production-rate calibration for the Arctic

We present a Baffin Bay 10 Be production-rate calibration derived from glacial deposits in western Greenland and Baffin Island, and test our results against published 10 Be calibration datasets to develop an Arctic 10 Be production rate. Our calibration comprises: (i) 10 Be measurements from moraine boulders linked to a 14 C- dated moraine at Jakobshavn Isfjord in western Greenland, (ii) an independent and previously published 10 Be production rate at Jakobshavn Isfjord and (iii) re-measured 10 Be concentrations from a Baffin Island calibration site that is included in the north-eastern North America dataset. Combined, we calculate a sea-level/high-latitude 10 Be production rate for the Baffin Bay region of 3.96 � 0.07 atoms g � 1 a � 1 (Lal/Stone scaling model). After testing the Baffin Bay rate against calibration sites in Norway and north-eastern North America, we calculate a more conservative Arctic production rate of 3.96 � 0.15 atoms g � 1 a � 1 . The Baffin Bay and Arctic 10 Be production rates are indistinguishable from the north-eastern North America 10 Be production rate (3.91 � 0.19 atoms g � 1 a � 1 ) and yield overall uncertainties of <2-3.7% (1s). These production rates reduce systematic uncertainties in 10 Be-based chronologies of ice-margin change and allow 10 Be-based chronologies to be more confidently compared with high-resolution climate records, such as those from Greenland ice cores. Copyright # 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS COLONIZATION IN A MEDICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Objective:To determine the epidemiology of colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) among intensive care unit (ICU) patients.Design:Ten-month prospective cohort study.Setting:A 19-bed medical ICU of a 1,440-bed teaching hospital.Methods:Patients admitted to the ICU had rectal swab cultures for VRE on admission and weekly thereafter. VRE-positive patients were cared for using contact precautions. Clinical data, including microbiology reports, were collected prospectively during the ICU stay.Results:Of 519 patients who had admission stool cultures, 127 (25%) had cultures that were positive for VRE. Risk factors for VRE colonization identified by multiple logistic regression analysis were hospital stay greater than 3 days prior to ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 2.3 to 5.7), chronic dialysis (AOR, 2.4; CI95, 1.2 to 4.5), and having been admitted to the study hospital one to two times (AOR, 2.3; CI95,1.4 to 3.8) or more than two times (AOR, 6.5; CI95, 3.7 to 11.6) within the past 12 months. Of the 352 VRE-negative patients who had one or more follow-up cultures, 74 (21%) became VRE positive during their ICU stay (27 cases per 1,000 patient-ICU days).Conclusion:The prevalence of VRE culture positivity on ICU admission was high and a sizable fraction of ICU patients became VRE positive during their ICU stay despite contact precautions for VRE-positive patients. This was likely due in large part to prior VRE exposures in the rest of the hospital where these control measures were not being used.