cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failure Analysis of Aramid Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Laminates with Surface and Through Thickness Fatigue Cracks

Fiber reinforced aluminum laminates are able to retard fatigue crack growth by transfer of load from cracked aluminum layers to intact fibers. The resulting crack bridging effect leads to superior laminate fatigue crack growth response compared to that of monolithic aluminum. In real laminate structures, fatigue cracks emanating from an open hole, as well as surface cracks initiated in an outer laminate aluminum layer, can be present. In this investigation, fatigue crack growth data on surface notch and open hole (through thickness notch) initiated fatigue cracks are presented. The failure analysis reveals that the surface initiated cracks propagate only in the outer aluminum layer, with fibers remaining intact. The open hole initiated cracks, on the other hand, propagate through the laminate thickness in all aluminum layers. In this case, depending on the laminate residual stress state (controlled by a post stretch procedure), a complete fiber failure may occur. When the fiber integrity is preserved, however, the laminates fatigue response in all cases is superior to that of monolithic aluminum.
Fracture model reduction and optimization for Forchheimer flows in reservoirs

In this study, we analyze the flow filtration process of slightly compressible fluids in fractured porous media. We model the coupled fractured porous media system, where the linear Darcy flow is considered in porous media and the nonlinear Forchheimer equation is used inside the fracture. Flow in the fracture is modeled as a reduced low dimensional boundary value problem which is coupled with an equation for flow in the reservoir. We prove that the solution of the reduced model can serve very accurately to approximate the solution of the actual high-dimensional flow in reservoir fracture system because the thickness of the fracture is small. In the analysis, we consider two types of Forchheimer flows in the fracture: isotropic and anisotropic, which are different in their nature. Using the method of reduction, we develop a formulation for an optimal design of the fracture, which maximizes the capacity of the fracture in the reservoir with fixed geometry. Our method, which is based on a set point control algorithm, explores the coupled impact of the fracture geometry and β Forchheimer coefficient.
Investigating temporal and spatial variation of eDNA in a nearshore rocky reef environment

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is increasingly used to measure biodiversity of marine ecosystems. However, key aspects of spatial and temporal dynamics of eDNA remain unknown. Particularly, it is unclear how long eDNA signals persist locally in dynamic marine environments, since degradation rates have predominantly been quantified through mesocosm studies. To determine in situ eDNA residence times, we introduced an eDNA signal from a non-native fish into a Southern California rocky reef ecosystem, and then measured changes in both introduced and background eDNA signals over 96 hours. Foreign eDNA signal could no longer be detected 7.5 hours after introduction, far exceeding disappearance rates quantified in laboratory studies. In addition, native vertebrate eDNA signals varied greatly over the 96 hours of observation, but time of day and tidal direction did not drive this variation in community structure. Species accumulation curves showed that standard sampling protocols using 3 replicate 1 L sea water samples were insufficient to capture full diversity of local marine vertebrates, capturing only 76% of all taxa. Despite this limitation, a single eDNA sample captured greater vertbrate diversity than 18 SCUBA based underwater visual transect surveys conducted at a nearby site. There was no significant difference in species richness between temporal replicates and spatial replicates, suggesting a space for time substitution may be effective for fully capturing the diversity of local marine vertebrate communities in nearshore rocky reef environments. This result is particularly important in designing eDNA metabarcoding sampling protocols to capture local marine species diversity.
A meta-analysis of DaVinci Si versus Xi in colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether adoption of DaVinci Xi® had any impact upon intra- and postoperative metrics in colorectal surgery. METHODS The Pubmed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and MEDLINE (Ovid) databases were systematically searched. Operating time as well as docking and surgeon console times were the primary endpoints. Conversion and postoperative complication rates were the secondary endpoints. RESULTS Six studies totaling 610 patients (320 Si and 290 Xi) were included. Total operating time [MD (95% CI) = 30.553 (15.071, 46.035); p < 0.001], docking time [MD (95% CI) = 4.178 (2.120, 6.235); p < 0.001] and surgeon console time [MD (95% CI) = 17.246 (-0.479, 34.971); p = 0.056] were longer in DaVinci Si® as compared to DaVinci Xi® . No significant difference was found in conversion (p = 0.816) and postoperative complication rates (p = 0.405). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis found that the adoption of DaVinci Xi® was associated with significantly decreased total operating time as well as docking and surgeon console times. Conversion and complication rates were similar.
Sleep Disordered Breathing and Mortality in Patients With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Septal Myectomy

Abstract Objective To determine the impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on survival in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) following septal myectomy. Patients and Methods Patients with obstructive HCM undergoing septal myectomy from 2007 to 2016 were reviewed. Those who had an overnight oximetry test within 6 months before myectomy were included in analysis. Oxygen desaturation index was examined continuously and also categorically (SDB [>5/h] and severe SDB [>15/h]). Results A total of 619 of 1500 patients undergoing septal myectomy had overnight oximetry tests. Sleep-disordered breathing (oxygen desaturation index >5/h) was identified in 338 (54.6%) patients, and among those patients, 117 (18.9%) were classified as severe. Patients with SDB were older, had greater body mass index and body surface area, were more likely to have arterial hypertension and atrial fibrillation, and had an increased E/e’ ratio on Doppler echocardiography. Notably, there was no difference in preoperative resting left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient between patients with SDB and those with normal overnight oximetry (55 (interquartile range: 25 to 86) mm Hg versus 52 (interquartile range: 21 to 85) mm Hg; P=.29). There was no difference in age-adjusted survival among patients with normal oximetry compared with those with mild SDB (hazard ratio: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.45 to 2.17), and severe SDB (hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% CI 0.42 - 2.71). Conclusion Sleep-disordered breathing is present in more than half of patients with obstructive HCM in whom septal myectomy is indicated, and is mainly associated with aging, overweight, and male sex. However, SDB does not alter survival following septal myectomy.
Entrepreneurial passion: A systematic review and research opportunities

In this paper, we conduct a systematic review on the topic of entrepreneurial passion. We summarize the empirical findings of studies based on the four major conceptualizations of passion: passion for work, the dualistic model of passion, entrepreneurial passion, and perceived passion. Moreover, we analyze 63 published papers in the literature and identify potential research opportunities in this area. First, research on the relationship between entrepreneurial passion and firm performance needs further examination; we need comprehensive and more nuanced studies on this relationship, focusing on diverse types of passion. Second, distinctive mechanisms based on different types of passion would enhance our understanding of how passion influences firm performance and other outcomes. Third, it is essential that future studies carefully match theoretical arguments and measurements, based on the frameworks of passion. Fourth, scholars should conduct empirical research on entrepreneurial passion in various cultural contexts. Fifth, theoretical justifications and contextual appropriateness for each framework of passion are critical to advance the literature. Lastly, scholars need to utilize unified terminologies of passion.
Isolated traumatic occipital condyle fractures: Is external cervical orthosis even necessary?

Background Occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) have been reported in up to 4-16% of individuals suffering cervical spine trauma. The current management of OCF fractures relies on a rigid cervical collar for 6 weeks or longer. Here, we calculated the rate of acute and delayed surgical intervention (occipitocervical fusion) for patients with isolated OCF who were managed with a cervical collar over a 10-year period at a single institution. Methods This was a retrospective analysis performed on all patients admitted to a Level 1 Trauma Center between 2008 and 2018 who suffered traumatic isolated OCF managed with an external rigid cervical orthosis. Radiographic imaging was reviewed by several board-certified neuroradiologists. Demographic and clinical data were collected including need for occipitocervical fusion within 12 months after trauma. Results The incidence of isolated OCF was 4% (60/1536) for those patients admitted with cervical spine fractures. They averaged 49 years of age, and 58% were male falls accounted for the mechanism of injury in 47% of patients. Classification of OCF was most commonly classified in 47% as type I Anderson and Montesano fractures. Of the 60 patients who suffered isolated OCF that was managed with external cervical orthosis, 0% required occipitocervical fusion within 12 months posttrauma. About 90% were discharged, while the remaining 10% sustained traumatic brain/orthopedic injury that limited an accurate neurological assessment. Conclusion Here, we documented a 4% incidence of isolated OCF in our cervical trauma population, a rate which is comparable to that found in the literature year. Most notably, we documented a 0% incidence for requiring delayed occipital-cervical fusions.
Wound Infection: A Review of Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment Modalities

Summary Surgical site infections and chronic wound represent a burden to patients and the health care system. One in 24 surgical patients will develop an SSI, making SSI the most common nosocomial infection in the United States. Early detection and monitoring of wound infection are critical for timely healing and return to normal function. However, the mainstay of wound infection diagnostic entails subjective clinical examination and semi-quantitative, invasive microbiological tests. In this review, we present current wound infection assessment modalities in the clinical and translational fields. There is a need for a point-of-care assessment tool that provides fast, accurate, quantitative information on wound status, with minimal to no contact with the patient. In the next ten years, the evolution of wound diagnostic tools reported here may allow medical providers to optimizing patient care while minimize patient discomfort.
Human Growth: Assessment and Interpretation

Many researchers and professionals need to be able to measure, assess and interpret human growth between birth and adulthood. However, much of the methodology is scattered in diverse literature. Human Growth: Assessment and Interpretation provides a complete reference to the field for all those who measure and assess child growth. It emphasises the interpretation of growth data taking into account the adjusted effects of influences such as genes, hormones and substance abuse during pregnancy, gives descriptions of normal and abnormal growth patterns, and of variant growth patterns such as failure-to-thrive and catch-up growth. Including methods to measure size and maturity, the judgement and interpretation of recorded data, evaluations of influences on growth and the significance of abnormal growth, it will be an essential source of information for pediatricians, human biologists, health workers, nutritionists, epidemiologists and others who are responsible for the health and welfare of children.
Bioviolence: Preventing Biological Terror and Crime

Prologue Foreword Ronald K. Noble Introduction Part I. The Bioviolence Condition and How it Came to Be: 1. Why worry? 2. Methods of bioviolence 3. Who did bioviolence? Who wants to do it? Part II. The Bioviolence Prevention Strategy: 4. Strategic foundations 5. Complication: what law enforcers should stop 6. Improving resistance through bioscience 7. Public health preparedness 8. International nonproliferation 9. The challenge of global governance Conclusion.
On board power management

More and more electric loads are being added to the vehicle electric power system. Very limited power capacities of current system can not handle the continuously increasing of the load powers. Simply increasing the capacitates of the alternator and battery and thickening the wires make the system very bulky, heavyweight, complicated and low efficiency. Further, the involvements of the electric traction, such as hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and fuel cell vehicle (FCV), make conventional power system impossible to completely meet the requirements. Thus, a total new, advanced power system must be developed to meet the vehicle development requirement. This work introduces the architectures of integrated on-board power system and some ideas of power management.
Glutathione and glutathione delivery compounds.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a brief background in glutathione function metabolism and discusses currently available methods for increasing cellular glutathione levels. Glutathione (γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine; GSH) is the major cellular antioxidant and is found in high concentrations in most mammalian cells. GSH has several functions, including roles in metabolism, transport, catalysis (coenzyme), and maintenance of the thiol moieties of proteins and the reduced form of other molecules such as cysteine, coenzyme A, and antioxidants such as ascorbic acid; it is also used in the formation of deoxyribonucleic acids. GSH participates in the protection against toxic compounds. One of its important functions is in the protection against oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), many of which are generated during normal metabolism. GSH can react nonenzymatically with ROS, and GSH peroxidase (and non-Se peroxidase) catalyzes the destruction of hydrogen peroxide and hydroperoxides. γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase is nonallosterically feedback inhibited by GSH. The degradation of the γ-glutamyl moiety of GSH (or GSH S-conjugates) is catalyzed by γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, a membrane-bound enzyme whose active site is on the external surface of certain cells. GSH is normally transported out of cells where transpeptidation occurs in the presence of amino acids, and a γ-glutamyl amino acid is formed. This can then be transported into cells where it, but not GSH, is a substrate for γ -glutamyl cyclotransferase and forms amino acid and 5-oxoproline. 5-Oxoproline is ring opened by 5-oxoprolinase to form glutamate. The chapter discusses the various GSH deficiencies that include inborn error of metabolism, l -Buthionine-SR-Sulfoximine (BSO)-induced GSH deficiency, and disease associated with oxidative damage. The discussion includes the glutathione delivery compounds with l -2-Oxothiazolidine-4-Carboxylic Acid, γ-Glutamylcyst(e)ine, Glutathione Monoesters and GSH Diester. The several methods for modulating cellular GSH levels presented in this chapter offer selective tools to study mechanisms and offer potential therapy of human diseases associated with GSH deficiency and oxidative stress.
Deliberation in the wild: a visualization tool for blog discovery and citizen-to-citizen participation

Web logs (or blogs) have become a means for citizens to share opinions and deliberate on local issues. However, the large number of blogs makes finding and exploring content of interest relatively difficult. This discovery problem presumably also limits participation by interested citizens. We present a tool to display a representation of citizen-to-citizen discussion in blogs that reveals similarity across blog entries. Through association and content analysis, blog entries are linked to each other to form clusters of related local content. Users can navigate and explore online discussions by manipulating the graph, filtering content, and clicking on a blog title to go directly to a given blog in order to read further. The visualization of online discussion can promote participation by highlighting popular topics and laying out the structure of conversations. We conducted a case study on regional Southwest Virginia blogs to validate the tool's usability and capacity for facilitating citizen-to-citizen discussion, as well as government awareness of diverse voices in the local community. In this paper we present the tool design, its functionality, the usability evaluation and summarize the results.
Alcohol, GABA receptors, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-receptor system in rodent brains, the role of this system in the normal development of the brain, and disturbances that may cause neurobehavioral disorders with an emphasis on alcohol. Abstaining from alcohol is the best way to avoid the evils of alcohol on the fetus, but the habit of alcohol drinking has not improved since the outcomes became known. Because alcohol's behavioral effects are derived significantly from altered GABA and GABA receptor function, it is imperative that this information be used to develop drugs against alcohol's effects on the developing brain. It is encouraging to know that GABAB receptor agonists are now used against spasticity, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and addiction and currently, GABAB antagonists are on trial to improve cognitive improvements of Alzheimer's disease. These studies assure the feasibility of targeting specific molecule of GABA system in the body. Thus, GS39783 that exerts anxiolytic effects by positive modulation of GABAB receptors in animal models may also be tried to prevent behavior problems in subjects exposed to alcohol during development. Similar studies are required with the GABAA receptor system because a majority of studies show involvements of GABAA receptors in the alcohol-induced neurodevelopmental disorders.
Neutral H2 and H2+ ions in the Saturnian magnetosphere

[1] The Saturnian system is immersed in an extended cloud of neutrals. Although water vapor ejected from Enceladus' south pole is the dominant neutral source, photolysis and radiolysis of ices can release H2O, O2, and H2 from the icy ring particles and the icy satellites, and Titan's atmosphere is a source of H2. Once ionized, these neutrals are the source of the observed magnetospheric plasma. To understand the H2+ ion densities observed by the Cassini plasma spectrometer (CAPS), we developed a Monte Carlo test particle model to simulate the spatial morphology of the neutral H2 cloud and the resulting H2+ ion source rates. The H2 lifetime is constrained by its local chemistry, which is computed from the latest plasma measurements by Cassini CAPS data. The main rings, Enceladus' water torus, Rhea, and Titan are considered as the primary sources of H2 in our model. It is seen that H2 accumulates over Saturn's main rings because of thermal accommodation with the ring particles, and Titan is the dominant source of H2 in the outer magnetosphere (>∼6 RS). From ∼6 to ∼2.5 RS, photodissociation of water from Enceladus and H2 scattered from the ring atmosphere are comparable sources. The newly formed H2+ ions are lost by collisions with the ring particles inside ∼2.5 RS, by interchange processes in the middle magnetosphere, and by flow down the tail in the outer magnetosphere. The density distribution of H2+ estimated from our ion source rates roughly agrees with CAPS observations, and we show that the H2+ density near the equator over the main rings is at least 1 order of magnitude smaller than O2+, possibly consistent with the nondetection of H2+ by CAPS at Saturn orbit insertion.
Treatment strategies in mantle cell lymphoma.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) defined by the translocation t(11;14). MCL combines characteristics of both indolent and aggressive lymphomas, and it is incurable with conventional chemoimmunotherapy but has a more aggressive disease course. Minimal data exist on treatment of patients diagnosed with early-stage disease (stage I–II non-bulky), as this represents only a small portion of the patients diagnosed with MCL, but therapeutic options evaluated in retrospective studies include radiation or combination radiation and chemotherapy. There is a subset of patients with newly diagnosed MCL that can be observed without treatment, but the majority of patients will require treatment at diagnosis. Treatment is often based on age (≤65–70 years of age), comorbidities, and risk factors for disease. The majority of patients who are younger and without significant comorbidities are treated with intensive induction using combination chemoimmunotherapy regimens, many which include consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Several regimens have been studied that show improved median progression-free survival (PFS) to 3–6 years in this population of patients. The majority of older patients (≥65–70 years of age) are treated with combination chemoimmunotherapy regimens with consideration of rituximab maintenance, with enrollment on a clinical trial encouraged. Therapy for relapsed disease is dependent on prior treatment, age, comorbidities, and toxicities but includes targeted therapies such as the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib, the immunomodulatory agent lenalidomide, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, combination chemoimmunotherapy, ASCT, and allogeneic stem cell transplant in selected cases. Several novel agents and targeted therapies alone or in combination are currently being studied and developed in both the upfront and relapsed setting.
Water Use and Water Productivity of Sugarbeet, Malt Barley, and Potato as Affected by Irrigation Frequency

Successful irrigation management is one of the most important agronomic practices for achieving profi table yield and maximizing crop water productivity (CWP) while maintaining environmental quality by minimizing water losses to runoff and deep drainage. Th is study was conducted to compare the infl uence of two irrigation frequencies on crop water use (CWU) and CWP of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) on a sandy loam soil in the semiarid northern Great Plains. Th e irrigation frequencies compared were: high frequency (HF) irrigation with biweekly application of small irrigation quantities, and the conventional low frequency (LF) with weekly application of large irrigation quantities. Irrigation frequency was varied based on either 15 mm (HF) or 30 mm (LF) cumulative crop evapotranspiration replacements. Seasonal CWU amounts were determined using the water balance equation of sugarbeet, malt barley, and potato under HF and LF irrigations for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. No signifi cant diff erences due to irrigation frequency were found for yield, CWU, and CWP of sugarbeet (root and sucrose), malt barley, or potato. Small diff erences in CWU values between HF and LF irrigations were due to variations in soil moisture content in the soil profi le and drainage losses below the 0.91-m soil depth. Conventional LF irrigation thus can sustain yield, improve water use, and reduce net economic input as feasibly as HF irrigation practices when a self-propelled automated sprinkler system is used on a sandy loam soil.
A summary of the computational fluid dynamics analysis of the hypersonic flights of Pegasus

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the hypersonic flights of the NASA's Pegasus launch vehicle was carried out using the PARC code. The flight data included heat transfer rates and sparse pressure coefficients primarily in the fillet region of the vehicle. Since the CFD simulations did not account for ablation at the vehicle surface, the test heat transfer results were obtained for the low Mach number simulations; as the Mach number was increased, the ablative effects at the vehicle surface became more apparent and contributed to the error.
Analytical fractionation of complex lipid mixtures: DEAE cellulose column chromatography combined with quantitative thin layer chromatography

A quantitative chromatographic procedure for the fractionation of complex lipid mixtures is described. The method utilizes diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose column chromatography followed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Spots produced in TLC are charred with sulfuric acid-potassium dichromate and heat and are then measured by quantitative densitometry. Results obtained with beef brain and beef heart mitochondrial lipids are presented, and the close correspondence between column isolation procedures and the new procedure is demonstrated. Methods utilizing only column chromatography, column chromatography and TLC, and one- and two-dimensional TLC without column chromatography are compared.
Timing and Management of Birth among the !Kung: Biocultural Interaction in Reproductive Adaptation

The !Kung San, a band-level society of northwestern Botswana, were subsisting primarily by traditional methods of hunting and gathering into the 1970s. The basic facts of their culture, social organization, subsistence ecology, and demography have been well documented by Marshall (1976), Lee and DeVore (1976), Lee (1979), Howell (1979) and others. The purpose of this article is to consider the timing and management of birth among the !Kung as biocultural adaptation. Birth spacing and birth management are separate but interdependent aspects of the reproductive adaptation of this population. In each case it will be seen that while concepts of biological adaptation are necessary, they are not sufficient, since they enter into a complex web of factors that include cultural traditions as central.
Mapping Economics through the Journal Literature: An Experiment in Journal Cocitation Analysis.

This article reports a limited experiment in journal cocitation mapping, using the newly available online access to gather cocitations to a set of economics journals. the research is exploratory and descriptive -essentially a feasibility study. The goal is to test the extent to which cocitation analysis as this level of litterature aggregation, can yield coherent and interpretable results.
Commissioning the MMT ground-layer and laser tomography adaptive optics systems

A multi-laser adaptive optics system, at the 6.5 m MMT telescope, has been undergoing commissioning in preparation for wide-field, partially corrected as well as narrow-field, diffraction limited science observations in the thermal and near infrared. After several delays due to bad weather, we have successfully closed the full high order ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) control loop for the first time in February 2008 using five Rayleigh laser guide stars and a single tilt star. Characterization and automated correction of static aberrations such as non-common path errors were addressed in May 2008. Calibration measurements in preparation for laser tomography adaptive optics (LTAO) operation are planned for the fall of 2008 along with the start of shared-risk GLAO science observations. We present the results of GLAO observations with the PISCES imager, a 1 - 2.5 µm camera with a field of view of 110 arc seconds. The status of the remaining GLAO commissioning work is also reviewed. Finally, we present plans for commissioning work to implement the LTAO operating mode of the system.
Use of statistical techniques in nutrition education research publications

Abstract We identified sources of statistical information and categorized statistical techniques used in research published in the Journal of Nutrition Education (JNE) and compared the statistical techniques to those used in nutrition and food science journals. We also evaluated the level of statistical knowledge required to interpret JNE research. We examined 101 JNE research articles published from 1980–86 and 120 research articles from a sample of nutrition and food science journals. The latter were selected based on frequency of citation in the JNE articles. Descriptive statistics, Pearson r , Student's t -test, one-way ANOVA, and measures of reliability were used in at least 20% of both JNE and nutrition and food science research articles. The JNE articles used factor analysis, item analysis, and measures of reliability and validity significantly more often than did the nutrition and food science articles. JNE research articles used more complex statistical techniques, which required a higher level of statistical knowledge, and provided a more thorough explanation of the statistics used than did the nutrition and food science research. This study provides a baseline for evaluating trends in use of statistics in nutrition education research, it may help improve the communication of research needs and results between researchers and practitioners, and it can help academic programs in nutrition education to evaluate their curricula.
Witt’s extension theorem for mod four valued quadratic forms

The mod 4 valued quadratic forms defined by E. H. Brown, Jr. are studied. A classification theorem is proven which states that these forms are determined by two things: whether or not their associated bilinear form is alternating, and the rj-invariant of Brown (which generalizes the Arf invariant of an ordinary quadratic form). Particular attention is paid to a generalization of Witt's extension theorem for quadratic forms. Some applications to self- orthogonal codes are sketched, and an exposition of some unpublished work of E. Prange on Witt's theorem is provided in an appendix.
Domestic Petroleum Product Prices and Subsidies: Recent Developments and Reform Strategies

The paper reviews recent developments in the pass-through of international to domestic petroleum product prices, in the different fuel pricing regimes, and in fuel subsidies in a range of emerging market and developing economies. The main finding of the paper is the limited price pass-through in many countries and the consequent increase in fuel subsidies. The paper proposes that key elements of a successful strategy to contain subsidies should comprise: making subsidies explicit; making pricing mechanisms more robust; combining reductions in subsidies with measures to protect the poorest; using the resulting savings well, and transparency and consultation.
Shunt-Related Brain Abscess and Ascending Shunt Infection:

We report the fifth case of shunt-related brain abscess. Two prior cases have been associated with colonic perforation and infection with gram-negative enteric organisms. These cases strongly suggest that ascending shunt infection is possible despite bulk cerebrospinal fluid flow in the opposite direction and add to our understanding of shunt infections.
Effect of lanthanide promoters on zirconia-based isosynthesis catalysts prepared by surfactant-assisted coprecipitation

Abstract This work examines the characteristics and performance of lanthanide-promoted zirconia catalysts for synthesis of isobutene from syngas (isosynthesis). Several mixed-metal-oxide catalysts employing a range of modifier species are considered. The catalysts examined include lanthana-promoted zirconia (La-ZrO 2 ), ceria-promoted zirconia (Ce-ZrO 2 ) and lanthana–ceria–zirconia (LaCe–ZrO 2 ). The addition of metal promoters to zirconia is known to have an effect on the physicochemical properties of the catalyst which in turn affects catalytic performance for isosynthesis. In this work, catalyst properties are characterized via a number of diagnostic techniques including N 2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analysis following pyridine chemisorption. Isosynthesis activity is evaluated in a packed bed reactor configuration and the results are analyzed in terms of the physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts. Catalyst activity test results indicate that such modifiers have a strong effect on carbon monoxide conversion and selectivity to isobutene.
Abnormal lipoprotein-lipase-mediated plasma triglyceride removal in untreated diabetes mellitus associated with hypertriglyceridemia.

Hypertriglyceridemia is common in untreated diabetes mellitus. An abnormality in the interaction of lipoprotein lipase with endogenous circulating plasma lipoprotein triglyceride has been demonstrated in untreated diabetes. These diabetics have a decreased maximal removal capacity for plasma triglyceride (27.0 mg TG/kg/hr) and increased Km (390 mg/dl) for endogenous plasma triglyceride-lipoprotein lipase interaction compared to that found in nondiabetic hypertriglyceridemic subjects (Vmax, 32.0; km, 157). Diabetics treated for at least two months have a maximal removal capacity and Km similar to that of nondiabetic subjects (Vmax, 32.7; Km, 192). No evidence for an increase in triglyceride production due to diabetes per se was found. When diabetic subjects with triglyceride levels over 400 mg/dl were selected for study, most were found to have an independent familial form of hypertriglyceridemia.
Integrating improvement competencies into residency education: a pilot project from a pediatric continuity clinic.

Objective.—The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires residents to attain 6 core competencies. This article describes a model for integrating 2 of these competencies (practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice) into residency education and assesses the clinical outcomes achieved for patients. Study Design.—An observational study with before-after comparisons. Intervention.—Pediatric faculty facilitated multidisciplinary improvement team meetings (which included 8 residents) and implemented an established improvement model to improve the selected clinical condition (immunizations). Main Outcome Measures.—The proportion of consecutive children who were up-to-date on DTP, polio, MMR, HIB, and hepatitis B vaccines by 24 months of age. Results.—The residents' improvement team successfully implemented 5 changes in the clinic process, which coincided with an increase in immunization rates for 2-year-olds during the 1-year study period. Clinic immunization rates increased from 60% at baseline to 86% at follow-up (P = .04). Conclusion.—This study suggests that it is feasible to integrate practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice into residency education while providing a valuable learning experience for residents and improving patient outcomes.
Theory of the pressure dependence of a prototype exchange integral

The variation of electron exchange integrals in solids subjected to hydrostatic pressures $P$ is considered by examining a prototype exchange integral $J$. The quantity $(\frac{1}{J})(\frac{\mathrm{dJ}}{\mathrm{dP}})$ is determined within the context of a theory of solids under hydrostatic pressures in which the application of pressure is represented in terms of the crystal compressibility and two parameters which are associated with electronic screening and wavefunction-distortion effects. Pressure variations of magnetic-phase boundaries, exchange-enhanced susceptibilities, and exchange interactions of pairs of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ ions in ruby are considered as examples of the applications of the results.
Induction of the synthesis of a 70,000 dalton mammalian heat shock protein by the adenovirus E1A gene product

Abstract We have attempted to determine whether any cellular genes are activated as a result of the action of the adenoviral El A gene. The proteins synthesized in uninfected HeLa cells have been compared to those produced in early adenovirus infected cells. At least one protein, absent from uninfected HeLa cells, was synthesized in large amounts following adenovirus infection. This 70 kd protein was not synthesized in cells infected with the E1A mutant d1312, even when the multiplicity of infection with the mutant was such that the only viral gene not expressed was the E1A gene. Thus the induction of the 70 kd protein requires the expression of the viral E1A gene. The 70 kd protein was also induced by heat shock in uninfected cells. The same 70 kd protein is synthesized in 293 cells, a line of human embryonic kidney cells transformed by a fragment of adenovirus DNA. These cells constitutively express the E1A and E1 B genes.
Home equity commitment and long-term care insurance demand

Abstract This paper shows how home equity may substitute for long-term care insurance (LTCI). The elderly commonly hold substantial wealth in the form of home equity that is rarely spent before death, except for after moves to long-term care facilities. Absent strong bequest motives implies that marginal utility fluctuates less across health states than one would predict based on a standard model without wealth tied up in housing. Numerical examples show that this “asset commitment” may substantially weaken LTCI demand.
Photographic Use of Electrical Discharge Flashtubes

Xenon-filled gaseous discharge tubes flashed from energy stored in electrical capacitors are very useful converters of electrical energy into light, for both visual and photographic purposes. The efficiency for a typical tube is about 40 lumens per watt for rated conditions. Measured values of light output and efficiency as functions of energy input are given for the FT-14 flashtube. A method of measuring the integrated light output is described, as well as typical circuits and electrical conditions. The xenon electrical flashtube is particularly useful for color photography since its spectral distribution is similar to that of daylight and since the spectral distribution and efficiency are not appreciably affected by voltage or life. The quantity of light is predictable in terms of energy input from the storage capacitor. The flashtube is proposed as a standard lamp, especially for flash comparison. An approximate relationship useful for calculating the photographic exposure factor or guide factor (distance × aperture) is given in terms of energy in the condenser, the type of reflector used, and film speed.
Medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency: electron microscopic differentiation from Reye syndrome.

Inborn errors involving the oxidative metabolism of fatty acids may present clinically with a Reye syndrome-like picture. This case report of a patient with medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency illustrates that electron microscopy may help to differentiate this disorder from Reye syndrome even if a liver biopsy is performed in a patient who recovered from an acute metabolic decompensation. Together with this case, a review of the few reports in the literature of pathological findings in MCAD deficiency is given. Changes uncharacteristic for Reye syndrome are a largedroplet steatosis and the presence of distinctive mitochondrial abnormalities on electron microscopy. The detection of an electron dense mitochondrial matrix and a widened space of inner mitochondrial membranes rules out Reye syndrome and is suggestive of a disorder of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation.
Gastric ischemia following endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer

Procedure-related complications of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) mainly include bleeding and perforation. Another complication is stricture formation after ESD close to the pylorus or close to the gastroesophageal junction. We report a case of an 86-year-old patient who developed extensive gastric ischemia after ESD for early gastric cancer. We suppose that the most likely reason for the ischemia was the submucosal injection of a large volume of a mixture of glycerol (10%) and epinephrine (dilution 1: 50 000) that was used, in combination with the patient’s underlying cardiovascular comorbidity. Gastric ischemia as a complication of gastric ESD has not been described previously. A conservative treatment approach seems justifiable. However, close endoscopic follow up for early recognition and treatment of a resulting stricture is recommended.
Fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, debilitating, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. There is no cure for the disease, and its management includes use of symptomatic agents and diseasemodifying therapies to reduce and/or prevent relapses and disease progression. Fatigue affects up to 90% of MS patients and can significantly impair function, quality of life, and interaction with family and friends. The common causes of fatigue and effective interventions and treatments are reviewed in this article.
Active control of electroosmotic flow in microchannels using light

Abstract The ability to control bulk electroosmotic flow in microchannels via light modulation is demonstrated. Microchannels (1000 μm wide, 20 μm deep) were fabricated and a TiO2 film was deposited on the inner walls of the channel. TiO2 is a direct semiconductor that exhibits a change in surface charge upon radiation with UV light; leading to variations in the zeta potential and subsequent flow modulation. The bulk velocity was measured using the current monitoring technique in the presence and absence of UV radiation. Phosphate buffer solutions of different pH values (2.2, 4.7, 8.4) were tested. The magnitude of the change in velocity due to irradiation varied from 7 to 242 μm/s depending on the pH of the buffer. The largest velocity change was observed at pH 4.7, with smaller changes observed at higher and lower pH values. Parameters influencing flow velocity are also discussed.
Intraclass and between-class training-image registration for correlation-filter synthesis

Correlation filters have traditionally been designed without much attention given to the issue of the training images within a class or the relative spatial position between classes. We examine the impact of training-set registration on correlation-filter performance and develop techniques for centering the training images from a class that result in improved performance. We also show that it is beneficial to adjust the spatial position of the classes relative to one another. Although the proposed techniques are relevant for many types of correlation filter, we limit our discussion to algorithms for the maximum average correlation height filter and the distance classifier correlation filter.
A COMPARISON OF GABA AND β‐ALANINE TRANSPORT AND GABA MEMBRANE BINDING IN THE RAT BRAIN

— It was found that rat brain nerve endings contain a high affinity and Na- dependent transport system for [3H]β-alanine ([3H]β-ala). As determined from Michaelis-Menten plots, the [3H]β-ala Km was 2.8 × 10-5 M and the Vmax was 0.29 nmol/mg protein/5 min. Under similar incubation conditions the [3H]GABA Km was 3.8 x 10-6M and the Vmax was 6.3 nmol/mg protein/5 min. The [3H]β-ala and [3H]GABA transport systems were further characterized by determining the IC50 values for a number of compounds. The compounds tested were GABA, β-ala, l-2,4-diaminobutyric acid. DL-3-hyd-roxy-GABA, β-guanidopropionic acid, strychnine, γ-guanidobutyric acid, imidazole-4-acetic acid, DL-proline, bicuculline, L-serine, glycine, l-α-ala and taurine. DABA, dl-3-hydroxy-GABA, β-guanidopro-pionic acid and γ-guanidobutyric acid were more potent inhibitors of [3H]GABA than [3H]β-ala transport. Strychnine, imidazole-4-acetic acid, proline and glycine were between 2 and 6 times more potent inhibitors of [3H]β-ala than [3H]GABA transport. β-Ala, bicuculline, serine, α-alanine and taurine were all markedly more potent (12–150 times) inhibitors of [3H]β-ala than [3H]GABA transport. IC50 values were also determined for the above compounds for the sodium-dependent and the sodium-independent binding of [3H]GABA to both fresh and frozen brain membranes. In general, the potency of these compounds to inhibit either sodium-independent or sodium-dependent binding was greater in fresh tissue. It was also observed that the neurophysiologically‘glycine-like’amino acids were more potent inhibitors in the presence of NaCl. No significant correlations were found between [3H]GABA binding under any condition and [3H]GABA or [3H]β-ala transport into nerve endings.
Direct and indirect optimization of linear time-invariant dynamic systems using transformations

This paper deals with optimal trajectory generation of linear dynamic systems commanded between two fixed states in a prescribed final time. From the literature, it is well known that the optimal solution of this problem satisfies first-order linear differential equations in the state and costate variables. In this paper, a new procedure is presented for optimization where transformations are used to embed the state equations explicitly into the cost functional. The resulting transformed functional is then solved by both direct and indirect methods. The computational trade-offs of these methods are discussed. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raised bispecific anti-p-azophenylphosphorylcholine antibodies reactive with nitroiodohydroxyphenylacetyl

Abstract Rabbit antisera raised against the p -azophenylphosphorylcholine group (APPC) were found to contain bispecific antibodies which bound the 3-nitro-5-iodo-4-hydroxyphenylacetyl group (NIP) as well as the APPC group. Binding of the NIP group occurred only with restricted components of the total anti-APPC antibodies, as shown by isoelectric focusing patterns visualized with radiolabeled protein conjugates of APPC and NIP. The bispecific antibody isolated on NIP immunoadsorbent bound NIP acid with an association constant of 5 × 10 3 M −1 which was two orders of magnitude lower than the association constant of 4 × 10 5 M −1 for p -nitrophenylphosphorylcholine (NPPC). The binding by bispecific antibody of either structure could be inhibited by both haptens, as shown by inhibition of hemolysis of NIP- and APPC-coupled red cells. When stimulated by NIP-KLH, a rabbit previously immunized with APPC-KLH gave rise to an increased amount of NIP binding anti-APPC antibody with the same isoelectric focusing properly as that exhibited by the bispecific antibody originally produced by APPC-KLH immunization. Antibody-forming cells from this rabbit produced antibody that could bind either haptenic structure, as shown by the fact that lymph node cells from the rabbit contained plaque forming cells (PFC) which could lyse either NIP- or APPC-coupled red cells. Both PFC responses could be inhibited by either NIP acid or NPPC. Furthermore, complete lysis was seen in plaques formed with a mixed target cell population containing both NIP-and APPC-coupled red cells. These responses showed that the same antibody-forming cells were stimulated by either haptenic structure and that the resultant antibodies were bispecific.
Stereological analysis of Zener pinning

Numerous models of Zener pinning in inhibited grain growth have been analysed from a stereological perspective. These analyses show that many differences among the models, such as the volume fraction exponent, are due to differences in assumed spatial location of the pinning particles. Including a stereological parameter describing the amount of contact between grain boundaries and particles yields a common volume fraction exponent of unity in essentially all models. A new general pinning criterion containing the degree of boundary contact parameter is derived.
Using a RIBBON program to illustrate lipid bilayer packing

Abstract We describe the use of the Priestle RIBBON program suite for the illustration of lipid bilayer packing. The hydrocarbon chains of lecithin-like molecules are representable by β-sheet arrows. The lateral packing, packing across the bilayer midline and any twisting, bowing, or curling of the polymethylene chain are readily detectable.