cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Intraocular Lens Power Calculation Formulae in Pediatric Eyes

Purpose To evaluate accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulae (SRK II, SRK/T, Holladay 1, Hoffer Q) in pediatric eyes. Design Retrospective case series. Participants One hundred thirty-five eyes of 96 children with congenital, developmental, or acquired cataracts who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery and IOL implantation by a single surgeon over a 10-year period. Methods Axial length (AL), keratometry (K), and manufacturer's A constant were employed in 4 common IOL power calculation formulae to predict the refractive outcome. Retinoscopy was measured at 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively and converted to spherical equivalent. For analysis, eyes were grouped by age at surgery, AL, and mean K. Main Outcome Measures We determined the prediction error (PE) = predicted refraction − actual refraction and the absolute PE=|predicted refraction − actual refraction|. The formula that gave the best prediction (minimum PE) was determined. Results The mean age at surgery was 6.4 years. Mean absolute PE was 1.11 for the SRK II, 0.84 for SRK/T, 0.76 for Holladay, and 0.76 for Hoffer Q formulae. There was a trend toward greater PE in eyes of younger children (≤2 years), shorter AL (AL ≤ 22 mm) and steeper corneas (mean K > 43.5 diopters [D]). On comparing absolute PE obtained with 4 formulae in each patient, Hoffer Q gave the minimum PE in 46% of eyes compared with 23% with SRK II, 18.5% with SRK/T, and 12.5% with Holladay 1. The SRK/T, Holladay 1, and Hoffer Q were similar in accurately predicting refractive error within ±0.5 D in about 43% eyes. When clinically significant deviation in PE occurred (>0.5 D), there was usually an undercorrection (72%), except for Hoffer Q, which was almost as likely to overcorrect as undercorrect (44% vs 56%). The PE was lower with office measurements when compared with anesthesia measurements, owing probably to better fixation in older children with higher ALs. Conclusion The PE was insignificant (PE ≤ 0.5 D) in 43% eyes, and similar for all formulae. However, the Hoffer Q was predictable for the highest number of eyes. When the PE was >0.5 D, most formulae gave an undercorrection, except for the Hoffer Q, which the surgeon may want to consider when targeting postoperative refractions. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
“I Did It Myself”: The Necessity of Solo Play for Preschoolers

Recent research about the benefits of solitude suggests that the capacity to play alone is an important developmental step, but the benefits of solitude in early childhood have not been fully researched. Current research on solitary play most often views solitary in contrast to social play, and focuses on how low rates of social interaction may negatively affect preschoolers. Children who play alone more than is typical fall into four groups: shy and non‐shy soloists, isolated and depressed children. Only the latter two groups present clear concerns during the preschool years. Solo play should be viewed as a capacity in its own right, not in contrast to social play. More research from this perspective is needed to investigate the regulatory and expressive benefits of playing alone for all preschoolers.
Student grades and average ratings of instructional quality: The need for adjustment

Abstract The authors compared the average grades given in 165 behavioral and social science courses with the average ratings given by students to the instructors who taught the courses. Significant positive correlations were found between the average ratings for instructional quality and the average grades received by students. The courses in which the average grades were the highest were also those in which students gave teachers the highest ratings. Among possible reasons for the correlations are that better teachers attracted better students or that quality teachers provided more effective instruction, resulting in more student learning and, thus, higher average grades. Another explanation is that most college students tend to bias their ratings of instructional quality in favor of teachers who grade leniently (I. Neath, 1996). If correct, the latter reasoning begins to explain why the widespread use of student evaluations in the United States in recent decades has been accompanied by increases in the ...
Adolescent pregnancy prevention: Choosing an effective program that fits

Abstract Adolescent pregnancy prevention remains a high priority issue for communities, schools, and service agencies that work with adolescents. Since the early 1990s the United States has provided funding for pregnancy prevention programs with an emphasis on abstinence only education programs. Also during this time, prevention programs with youth development and service learning foundations have been developed and empirically studied. Current programs found to be effective through rigorous evaluation and that are included in best-practice lists by five research and advocacy groups are identified in the article. As well, strategies are discussed for program planning and implementation, and for strengthening goodness-of-fit between the program and the local community.
Mechanistical studies on the formation of carbon dioxide in extraterrestrial carbon monoxide ice analog samples

Binary ice mixtures of two carbon monoxide isotopomers, 13C16O and 12C18O, were subjected at 10 K to energetic electrons to investigate the interaction of ionizing radiation with extraterrestrial, carbon monoxide bearing ices. The chemical modifications were monitored on line and in situ via absorption–reflection–absorption Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as in the gas-phase via a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Detected products include two newly formed carbon monoxide isotopomers (12C16O and 13C18O), carbon dioxide (12C16O2, 12C18O16O, 12C18O2, 13C16O2, 13C18O16O, and 13C18O2), and dicarbon monoxide (12C13C16O and 13C13C16O). Kinetic profiles of carbon monoxide and of carbon dioxide were extracted and fit to derive reaction mechanisms and information on the decomposition of carbon monoxide and on the formation of carbon dioxide in extraterrestrial ice analog samples.
Identification of an Epstein-Barr virus early gene encoding a second component of the restricted early antigen complex

Abstract When the latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome in B95-8 cells is induced into a replicative phase, two abundant early RNAs are transcribed rightward from the EBV Bam HI H DNA fragment into Bam HI F. Analysis of cDNA clones prepared from the RNA of cells replicating EBV revealed that both RNAs contain the BHRF1 open reading frame. Part of BHRF1, cloned into a prokaryotic fusion protein expression vector, expressed a fusion protein in Escherichia coli and the purified fusion protein was used to generate a monoclonal antibody against BHRF1. This antibody was then employed to characterize the protein encoded by BHRF1 in cells replicating EBV. The monoclonal antibody reacted with a 17-kDa protein component of the restricted early antigen (EA) complex. The distribution of the protein in cells was similar to that noted when sera from patients with African Burkitt's lymphoma were used to stain these cells. The protein was synthesized before the major 47–56 kDa protein associated with the diffuse component of EA in superinfected Raji cells. All human sera containing antibodies to EA as determined by immunofluorescence (IF) reacted with the protein as did some sera determined to be anti-VCA positive and anti-EA negative by IF. The predicted amino acid sequence of the protein has characteristics which suggest that it is a membrane protein. It also has significant homology with both the anchor region of polyoma middle T antigen and with the predicted protein product of the bcl-2 mRNA activated by the 14/18 chromosome translocation characteristic of follicular lymphomas. This latter homology is extensive and colinear, suggesting common evolution and function. However, neither a mRNA which could efficiently translate the BHRF1 protein nor the BHRF1 protein could be detected in latently infected cells. Thus, the bcl-2 predicted protein is similar to an EBV protein synthesized in the early phase of virus infection.
Cumulative minutes with T90 greater than tempindex is predictive of response of superficial malignancies to hyperthermia and radiation

Abstract Purpose: To better define thermal parameters related to tumor response in superficial malignancies treated with combined hyperthermia and radiation therapy. Methods and materials: Patients were randomized to receive one or two hyperthermia treatments per week with hyperthermia given during each week of irradiation. Hyperthermia was given for 60 min with treatments begun within 1 hr following irradiation. Power was increased to patient tolerance or normal tissue temperature of 43.0°C. Irradiation was generally given 5 times per week with doses prescribed to normal tissue tolerance (generally 24–70 Gy at 1.8–2.5 Gy per fraction). Multipoint thermometry was used with temperatures obtained every 5 min. Results: One hundred eleven individual treatment fields containing 1 or more tumor nodules were completely evaluable. The complete and overall response rates were 46% and 80%, respectively. Forty-one percent of all treatment fields (51% of responding lesions) remained controlled at 2 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that the cumulative minutes that the temperature achieved by 90% of the measured tumor sites (T 90 ) was ≥40.0°C, tumor histology, tumor volume, and radiation dose were significantly associated with complete tumor response. The complete response rate was not significantly affected by the number of hyperthermia treatments given per week. The incidence of clinically significant complications was low. Conclusions: These results support the usefulness of the cumulative minute system in describing time-temperature relationships. The significance of thermal variables with regard to tumor response strongly supports the contention that hyperthermia can be a useful adjunct to irradiation for the local control of cancer.
Numerical analysis of turbulent jet plumes

High speed jet exhaust flow and its interaction with body and/or fin generated shock produce one of the most challenging flowfields. The flow domain includes shear layers, series of compression and expansion waves, shock waves, chemical reactions, equilibrium and/or nonequilibrium, multiphase flow, and finally, turbulence. There are several interesting issues to be resolved with regard to the computation of such flowfields. At the present time, the capability to produce a comprehensive computer program which can address all aspects of the flowfield and resolve the details of the flow does not exist. In order to better understand various interactions, a logical approach is to investigate each phenomenon separately and ultimately integrate these effects to produce an accurate model. In the present study, two turbulence models are used to investigate their performance in supersonic jet flows. Flowfield simulation is performed on a multi-block grid system using a flux-vector splitting scheme. (Author)
Outcome following ranibizimab therapy for neovascular age related macular degeneration in patients with poor, intermediate and good vision

Purpose To assess the visual outcome following intravitreal ranibizumab in eyes with wet age related macular degeneration(AMD) in patients with three different baseline vision viz; 54 ETDRS letters. Methods This study assessed the ETDRS visual acuity at diferent time points in a total of 98 patients.Optical coherent tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography FFA was carried out at baseline and thereafter when required. Intravitreal ranibizumab was administered monthly for 3 months and when necessary as guided by vision and OCT. Follow up period was 6 months. Results In the 27 patients with baseline vision 54 letters had a mean change in vision at 6 months of +6 (p=0.4). Only 16% gained more than 15 letters(ceiling effect). All the three groups were observed to have improvement of vision in the 3rd month which was sustained in the 6 month.Patients with baseline vision more than 54 letters receive an average of 3.52 injections over the 6 month period. Those with vision 35-54 and <35 received an average of 3.42 and 3.56 injections respectively over the same period. Conclusion Response to ranibizumab in patients with good and intermediate and poor vision at baseline was similar to the ANCHOR and MARINA studies up to 6 months.
Transient, polarized modulated reflection spectroscopy of near bandedge excitations in Cd.70Mn.30Te

Abstract Optically induced changes on subnanosecond timescale in the near normal incidence reflection spectra of semimagnetic Cd1−xMnxTe (x = .30) at zero magnetic field have been measured near its fundamental edge in the temperature range of 10 to 50 K by sensitive picosecond excite-probe methods. Only part of these spectra show an observable dependence on the sense of circular polarization, but with a strongly temperature dependent decay rate and behavior suggestive of spin relaxation of localized, optically oriented electrons or holes.
Two-Photon Exchange in Electron-Deuteron Scattering

We show that multiple scattering of the electron (i.e., two-photon exchange) in electron-deuteron elastic scattering leads to a small component in the cross section, which decreases very slowly with momentum transfer and may dominate the cross section at high momentum transfer.
Derivation of the CPT Theorem and the Connection between Spin and Statistics from Postulates of the S-Matrix Theory

The $\mathrm{CPT}$ theorem and the normal connection between spin and statistics are shown to be consequences of postulates of the $S$-matrix approach to elementary particle physics. The postulates are much weaker than those of field theory. Neither local fields nor any reference to space-time points are used. Quantum commutation relations and properties of the vacuum play no role. Completeness of the asymptotic states and positive definiteness of the metric are not required, though certain weaker asymptotic conditions prevail. The proofs depend on unitarity, macroscopic relativistic invariance, and a very weak analyticity requirement on the mass-shell scattering functions. The proofs are in the framework of the new $S$-matrix approach to elementary particle physics, which is established on a formal basis.
Further Lessons in Kalahari Ethnography and History

No event has an autonomous life. It's always limited to things around it.Jean-Luc Godard (1966)It only takes three generations for personal contact to be lost, and then thememory, if it exists at all, passes on to strangers, us.Peter Greenaway (1994)In this journal (HA 20:185-235, hereafter 1993), Lee and Guenther attack me personally and my work, particularly my book Land Filled with Flies, which elsewhere they (1995:298) say has “a density of error and misrepresentation unrivaled in recent anthropology.” This is not the first nor the last such attack, which began in 1989 when, in a symposium at the annual meeting of the American Anthropological Association, Lee implied that I was complicit in destroying data that he insinuated I wished not to be available for further inspection. He also then accused me, along with my colleague James Denbow, of pandering to the supposed need of the Government of Botswana to create a homogeneous national identity. We were to have done this by orienting our research toward a subversion of evidence of differences among the various peoples—especially “Bushmen”—of the country. Lee has never retracted this nor his accusation of data forgery, although he (1993:20n6) has elliptically acknowledged that the latter is false. Since then, Lee and Guenther, together and alone, have expanded their litany of alleged malfeasance and intensified their attacks. Most recently, Guenther (1999) continues to accuse me of “doctoring” evidence (this term was first used in 1993:217).
Ballonn-assisted Guglielmi detachable coiling of wide-necked aneurysma: Part II--clinical results.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the indications and efficacy of balloon-assisted Guglielmi detachable coiling (BAGDC). METHODS: BAGDC was used for 23 patients (19 women and 4 men; mean age, 55 yr) (17%) of a series of 136 consecutive patients who underwent Guglielmi detachable coiling of aneurysms. Every aneurysm had a wide neck, and 57% were large (11-25 mm in diameter). In each case, a nondetachable silicone balloon was advanced in the parent artery and inflated to occlude the neck of the aneurysm and stabilize the Guglielmi detachable coil delivery microcatheter at the aneurysm neck. Guglielmi detachable coils were then deposited. The balloon was then deflated to verify appropriate coil placement and stability, and finally, the Guglielmi detachable coils were detached. This process was repeated until the aneurysm was suitably embolized. RESULTS: One hundred percent aneurysm embolization was achieved in 19 patients (83%), and 95 to 100% embolization was achieved in 4 patients (17%). Twenty-two patients (96%) were at their preprocedure neurological baseline after the procedure. There were three complications in the study. One patient died after sustaining subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm followed by a hemorrhagic infarction. She had undergone an unsuccessful clip ligation of her aneurysm. A second patient developed an intra-arterial thrombus at the site of balloon deployment. She sustained ischemic events that were treated with thrombolysis and anticoagulation. She made a complete recovery. A third patient developed an intra-arterial thrombus that was noted during the procedure. She was treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis and experienced no clinical sequelae. No permanent complications could be attributed to the BAGDC technique. The median clinical follow-up time was 10 months. No patient required additional treatment or developed a recurrent aneurysm neck or lumen. CONCLUSION: BAGDC is a promising adjunct to the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms. The balloon serves two purposes: it stabilizes the microcatheter in the aneurysm during coil delivery, and it forces the coil to assume the three-dimensional shape of the aneurysm without impinging on the parent artery.
Increased Mucosal CD4+ T Cell Activation in Rhesus Macaques following Vaccination with an Adenoviral Vector

ABSTRACT The possibility that vaccination with adenovirus (AdV) vectors increased mucosal T cell activation remains a central hypothesis to explain the potential enhancement of HIV acquisition within the Step trial. Modeling this within rhesus macaques is complicated because human adenoviruses, including human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-5), are not endogenous to macaques. Here, we tested whether vaccination with a rhesus macaque-derived adenoviral vector (simian adenovirus 7 [SAdV-7]) enhances mucosal T cell activation within rhesus macaques. Following intramuscular SAdV-7 vaccination, we observed a pronounced increase in SAdV-7-specific CD4 + T cell responses in peripheral blood and, more dramatically, in rectal mucosa tissue. Vaccination also induced a significant increase in the frequency of activated memory CD4 + T cells in SAdV-7- and HAdV-5-vaccinated animals in the rectal mucosa but not in peripheral blood. These fluctuations within the rectal mucosa were also associated with a pronounced decrease in the relative frequency of naive resting CD4 + T cells. Together, these results indicate that peripheral vaccination with an AdV vector can increase the activation of mucosal CD4 + T cells, potentially providing an experimental model to further evaluate the role of host-vector interactions in increased HIV acquisition after AdV vector vaccination. IMPORTANCE The possibility that vaccination with a human adenovirus 5 vector increased mucosal T cell activation remains a central hypothesis to explain the potential enhancement of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition within the Step trial. In this study, we tested whether vaccination with a rhesus macaque-derived adenoviral vector in rhesus macaques enhances mucosal CD4 + T cell activation, the main cell target of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/HIV. The results showed that vaccination with an adenoviral vector indeed increases activation of mucosal CD4 + T cells and potentially increases susceptibility to SIV infection.
Theory of Self-Trapped Exciton Luminescence in Halide Crystals

A detailed phenomenological theory of the triplet luminescence from self-trapped excitons in halide crystals is developed. Energy levels and wave functions are obtained by constructing and diagonalizing a Hamiltonian matrix. Coupled rate equations for the decay of the three lowest triplet levels are solved for the general case in which the levels are not in thermal equilibrium, and circular polarizations, light intensities, and excited-state lifetimes are obtained as functions of temperature, magnetic field, and crystal orientation. KI and CsI excitons are used as detailed examples; the latter is of particular interest because it appears to exhibit a level crossing at \ensuremath{\sim}45 kG. The theory is also appropriate to other systems, including the excited $M$ center and the relaxed excited ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{+}$ ion in alkali halides.
Problems of atmospheric shear flows and their laboratory simulation

Shear flows generated by movement of the atmosphere near the earth's surface are accompanied by complexities not ordinarily encountered in the treatment of turbulent boundary layers. Problems arising from the following physical features are considered: (1) thermal stratification; (2) surface roughness in the form of forests and cities; (3) non-uniformity of surface roughness and/or temperature (leading to 3-dimensional turbulent boundary layers); (4) surface irregularities in the form of hilly and mountainous topography.
Effect of pressure on proton spin-lattice relaxation in several concentrated aqueous electrolyte solutions☆

Abstract The pressure dependences of the proton nuclear spin-lattice relaxation times of the water molecules in concentrated 4.5 m aqueous solutions of CsBr, RbBr, KBr, LiCl, CaCl 2 , and LaCl 3 have been measured at 25°C up to 2.5 kbars. The proton spin-lattice relaxation times of the aqueous solutions of the structure breaking electrolytes, CsBr, RbBr, and KBr, are longer than that of pure water and decrease with increasing pressure. For all these three solutions the pressure dependence of T 1 is very similar; however, under the same pressure and at the same temperature the structure breaking ability of the cations increases as K + + + . In concentrated solutions of LiCl, CaCl 2 , and LaCl 3 , the proton spin-lattice relaxation times, which are all shorter than T 1 of pure water at the same temperature, increase first to a maximum and then begin to decrease with increasing pressure. The structure-making ability of the cations increases as Li + ++ +3 which is parallel to the increase in charge-to-radius ratio of the cations.
RNA-seq in the tetraploid Xenopus laevis enables genome-wide insight in a classic developmental biology model organism

Advances in sequencing technology have significantly advanced the landscape of developmental biology research. The dissection of genetic networks in model and non-model organisms has been greatly enhanced with high-throughput sequencing technologies. RNA-seq has revolutionized the ability to perform developmental biology research in organisms without a published genome sequence. Here, we describe a protocol for developmental biologists to perform RNA-seq on dissected tissue or whole embryos. We start with the isolation of RNA and generation of sequencing libraries. We further show how to interpret and analyze the large amount of sequencing data that is generated in RNA-seq. We explore the abilities to examine differential expression, gene duplication, transcript assembly, alternative splicing and SNP discovery. For the purposes of this article, we use Xenopus laevis as the model organism to discuss uses of RNA-seq in an organism without a fully annotated genome sequence.
Adaptation and implementation of the RAYGUN gamma-ray analysis code on the IBM PC

The RAYGUN gamma-ray analysis code (a descendant of GAMANAL and GRPANL) has been converted from FORTRAN IV to RATFOR and ported to the IBM PC environment. The history of the code and some of the problems encountered during the conversion are discussed. The converted code was then used to analyze the IAEA G-1 Intercomparison Spectra as one measure of the codes performance. The results of the analyses showed that although the intrinsic peak finding and multiplet resolution capabilities of the code are a bit weak, the UPPER-LIMIT and LIBRARY-SEARCH options work quite well. When appropriate gamma-ray libraries are created, the overall performance of the code is quite satisfactory. The RAYGUN code runs on an IBM PC or clone with 256 Kbytes of RAM.
Pair distribution function analysis of X-ray diffraction from amorphous spheres in an asymmetric transmission geometry: application to a Zr58.5Cu15.6Ni12.8Al10.3Nb2.8 glass

A method for the calculation of the pair distribution and structure functions from X-ray intensity data obtained with an area detector for an off-center incident X-ray beam on an amorphous sphere is presented. Error propagation for converting from the structure function to the pair distribution function is also described, including a summation series approach to treat the error from a high-q truncation. A Zr58.5Cu15.6Ni12.8Al10.3Nb2.8 glass (Vitreloy 106a) is used to demonstrate the techniques. In particular, the semi-analytical corrections presented to calculate the effects of secondary scatter within and asymmetric transmission through a spherical sample are verified.
The effect of Ni on the cryogenic attritor milling of Metglas Fe78B13Si9

Abstract The addition of 17 at.% of elemental Ni powders to the cryogenic attritor milling of Metglas Fe78B13Si9 slowed the mechanical crystallization of the α-Fe and Fe2B phases. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis indicated that no more than 3.60 at.% of Ni dissolved into the Metglas, which was well within the equilibrium solubility limit of Ni in α-Fe. It is proposed that the addition of Ni impede mechanical crystallization during attritor milling by inhibiting bending and wear-like processes which could otherwise cause crystallization.
Adaptive active control of sound fields in elastic cylinders via vibrational inputs

A model of an aircraft fuselage is used to evaluate an active noise control system using vibrational force inputs as secondary control sources. The cylindrical shell is unstiffened, undamped, and contains no interior acoustic damping. A control system based on the filtered-x version of the least mean squares algorithm is configured, using one control source and one error sensor.
Moonlight and the Migratory Orientation of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis)

Migratory birds might respond to moonlight in at least four ways: (1) a geographical reference for selecting a compass direction, (2) a celestial ‘landmark’ to facilitate maintenance of a preferred heading, (3) a stimulus that distracts migrants and introduces error in compass orientation, or (4) a source of illumination that facilitates nocturnal flight. This study examines the response of migratory savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) to moonlight during controlled tests in orientation cages. I found no evidence that savannah sparrows use a lunar compass to select a direction. If savannah sparrows do use the moon as a ‘landmark’ to maintain a direction selected with reference to a different cue, I expected birds to be better oriented on overcast nights when the moon is present than they are when the moon is absent. The results suggest otherwise. Usually, savannah sparrows respond phototactically to the moon by directing their cage activity toward or at a constant angle with respect to the moon's azimuth. Interestingly, the migrant's response to moonlight depended on whether the bird viewed the setting sun earlier that evening.
Optimization of the main-group and late-transition-metal elemental structures: Gallium, boron, zinc, cadmium, and manganese.

We demonstrate that a tight-binding Hamiltonian, to which a pairwise additive repulsive potential has been added, can qualitatively and semiquantitatively account for the elemental structures of gallium, boron, zinc, cadmium, and manganese. These structures represent the most complex structures found in the lighter elements of the Periodic Table (N40). We show that these structures result from the interplay of the number of valence electrons, the overlap of atomic orbitals, and geometrical features such as the number of triangles of bonded atoms and the angles between bonds. To illustrate this last point, we use the method of moments in a useful quantitative fashion. Finally, we account for the variation in cell parameters observed in binary noble-metal and main-group hexagonal closest-packed structures.
Oxidation of organic impurities in the recycle and reclaim loops of ultra-pure water plants

The oxidation of trace organic impurities in ultrapure water by ultraviolet light (UV), ozone, and the combination of UV/ozone is investigated. The emphasis is on the development of a global model to simulate the process that take place in the typical oxidation reactors used in ultrapure water plants. The study also focuses on reaction mechanism for oxidation of multi-component organic impurities. Eighteen organic model compounds are chosen as representative contaminants. The results demonstrate and confirm a significant synergistic effect between UV and ozone oxidation. A mechanism for the synergistic oxidation of organic impurities is proposed and validated with experimental data. The combination of the reaction and the reactor models is used to determine the fundamental kinetic parameters involved in the three oxidation processes.
Hospital pricing estimation by Gaussian conditional random fields based regression on graphs

Accurate estimation of what a day in a hospital costs and what the hospital charges is of high interest to many parties, including health care providers, medical insurance companies, health researchers, and uninsured patients. The problem is complex, as the cost-to-charge ratio varies greatly from hospital to hospital and over time. In addition, the cost-to-charge ratio is often not reported, and in such cases group average values from similar hospitals are used. In this study we address the problem of estimating the cost-to-charge ratio at the hospital level by utilizing structured regression on a temporal graph of more than 4,000 hospitals, observed over 8 years, constructed from the National Inpatient Sample database. In the proposed approach, the cost-to-charge estimates at individual hospitals for a certain month obtained by an artificial neural network were used as unstructured components in the Gaussian Conditional Random Fields (GCRF) model. The diagnosis codes of treatments in each hospital were used to create a similarity metric that represents correlation among hospital specializations. The estimates of cost-to-charge ratio obtained using convex optimization of the GCRF parameters on the constructed graph were much better than those relying on group average based cost-to-charge estimates. In addition, cost-to-charge ratio estimates by our GCRF model outperformed regression by nonlinear artificial neural networks.
Endotoxin-Induced Microclots in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

Radially oriented fibrin microclots were observed when blood from patients with active lesions of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis was kept in capillary tubes for 24 h. Addition of bacterial extract or endotoxins increased the fibrin formation. The phenomenon is not seen in healthy subjects or patients who have healed after colectomy. The data are consistent with our findings in patients with vasculitis and support the view that patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have circulatory endotoxins.
P2 High turnover rates for hydrogen sulfide in murine tissues

Background Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is a biologically active metabolite, which influences many physiological processes. While H 2 S can be produced and degraded in different mammalian tissues, the kinetics of its turnover, which determine its steady state levels, have not been well studied. We have assessed the rates of H 2 S production in murine liver, kidney, and brain homogenates at physiologically relevant conditions. We have also studied the kinetics of H 2 S clearance by liver, kidney, and brain homogenates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Methods Organs were obtained from 2 month old BALB/C males. Kinetics of H 2 S production and clearance were studied in tissue homogenates diluted 1:9 with 100 mM HEPES buffer, pH 7.4. Production of H 2 S was studied under anaerobic conditions at 37 °C and cysteine concentration from 0 to 5.0 mM. Kinetics of H 2 S clearance was studied at 25 °C under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions with initial H 2 S concentration of 20 ppm. Concentration of H 2 S was determined using gas chromatography with DB-1 column (30 m, 0.32 mm, 1.0 μm) and 355 Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector (Agilent). Results We found that the rate of H 2 S production by tissue homogenates is considerably higher than background rates observed in the absence of exogenous substrates. At physiological cysteine concentration of 100 μM our estimations for the rate of H 2 S production (mean ± SD) in mouse liver and brain are 484 ± 271 μmol/h kg ( n = 7) and 29 ± 7 μmol/h kg ( n = 4) respectively. In kidney the rate of H 2 S production of 104 ± 44 μmol/h kg ( n = 3) was obtained at 0.5 mM cysteine. In the absence of cysteine H 2 S added to homogenate decays exponentially with time and, as expected, the decay is significantly faster under aerobic conditions. The half-life for H 2 S under aerobic conditions is 2.0, 2.8, and 10.0 min with liver, kidney and brain homogenate, respectively. Western-blot analysis of the sulfur dioxygenase, ETHE1, involved in H 2 S catabolism, demonstrates higher protein levels in liver and kidney versus brain. At pH 5.8 the rate of H 2 S production decreases dramatically and becomes negligible at physiologically relevant cysteine levels, while the rate of H 2 S clearance decreases only slightly. By combining experimental and simulation approaches, we demonstrate high rates of tissue H 2 S turnover and provide estimates of in vivo steady-state H 2 S levels which are 29, 8.7, and 18 nmoles per kg tissue in mouse liver, kidney, and brain respectively. Conclusion Our study reveals that mammalian tissues maintain a high metabolic flux of sulfur through H 2 S, providing the possibility for rapid regulation of H 2 S levels.
Spin—orbit and vibronic perturbations on the chiroptical spectra of dissymmetric pseudo-tetragonal metal complexes

Abstract The influence of spin—orbit and vibronic interactions upon the chiroptical properties of nearly degenerate dd transitions in metal complexes of pseudo-tetragonal symmetry is investigated. A model system is considered in which three nearly degenerate dd excited states are coupled via both spinorbit and vibronic interactions. Vibronic interactions among the three nearly degenerate dd electronic states are assumed to arise from a pseudo-Jahn—Teller (PJT) mechanism involving three different vibrational modes (each nontotally symmetric in the point group of the undistorted model system). A vibronic hamiltonian is constructed (for the excited states of the model system) which includes linear coupling terms in each of the three PJT-active vibrational modes as well as a linear coupling term in one totally symmetric mode of the system and a spin—orbit interaction term. Wavefunctions and eigenvalues for the spin—orbit/vibronic perturbed excited states. of the model system are obtained by diagonalizing this hamiltonian in a basis constructed of uncoupled vibrational and electronic (orbital and spin) wavefunctions. Rotatory strengths associated with transitions to vibronic levels of the perturbed system are calculated and “rotatory strength spectra” are computed assuming gaussian shaped vibronic spectral components. Calculations are carried out for a number of vibronic and spin—orbit coupling parameters and for various splitting energies between the interacting electronic states. The calculated results suggest that chiroptical spectra associated with transitions to a set of nearly degenerate dd excited states of a chiral transition metal complex cannot be interpreted directly without some consideration of the effects introduced by spin—orbit and vibronic perturbations. These perturbations can lead to substantial alterations in the sign patterns and intensity distributions of rotatory strength among vibronic levels derived from the interacting electronic states and it is generally not valid to assign specific features in the observed circular dichroism spectra to transitions between states with well-defined electronic (orbital and spin) identities. Our theoretical model is conservative with respect to the total (or net) rotatory strength associated with transitions to levels derived from the three interacting electronic states; the vibronic and spin—orbit coupling operators are operative only within this set of states. That is, the total (or net) rotatory strength associated with these transitions remains invariant to the vibronic and spin—orbit coupling parameters of the model.
Blindness, Anonychia, and Oral Mucosal Scarring as Sequelae of the Stevens‐Johnson Syndrome

: In its most severe form, bullous erythema multiforme is known as the Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). A case of SJS is reported in which ophthalmic complications caused blindness and ultimate enucleation, and in which there occurred permanent loss of nails as well as scarring of the oral mucosa.
Superadiabaticity in reaction waves as a mechanism for energy concentration

Spatially propagating reaction waves are central to a variety of energy applications, such as high temperature solid phase or combustion synthesis, and thermopower waves. In this paper, we identify and study a previously unreported property of such waves, specifically that they can generate temperatures far in excess of the adiabatic limit. We show that this superadiabaticity occurs when a reaction wave in either one dimension (1D) or two dimensions (2D) impinges upon an adiabatic boundary under specific reaction and heat transfer conditions. This property is studied analytically and computationally for a series of 1D and 2D example systems, producing an estimate of the upper bound for excess temperature rise as high as 1.8 times the adiabatic limit, translating to temperatures approaching 2000 K for some practical materials. We show that superadiabaticity may enable several new types of energy conversion mechanisms, including thermophotovoltaic wave harvesting, which we analyze for efficiency and power density.
Design of optimal boundary control for nonstationary doubly diffusive convective flow

An optimal control design and computation are presented for control of doubly diffusive convective flows. Convective flow is often undesirable in crystal growth and therefore it is natural to try and mitigate it. We will consider the canonical doubly diffusive flow in a rectangular enclosure in which natural convection occurs due to imposed thermal and concentration gradients. The control action to suppress the convection is effected by the movement of top wall. The results show that the control is effective in driving the convective flow to a purely diffusive flow.
A monolithic CMOS 16 channel, 12 bit, 10 microsecond analog to digital converter integrated circuit

A monolithic CMOS 16-channel, 12-b, 10- mu s analog-to-digital converter has been designed and tested. The circuit converts 16 channels in parallel via a single slope ramp and Gray code counter algorithm. When biased for 10.0 mu s conversions of a 2-V input range into 4050 voltage bins, and ohmically connected to a computer, initial testing shows that typical performance is a noise level of 0.3 bins rms, an integral nonlinearity of 4 bins, adjacent channel crosstalk effects of less than 1 bin, and a total chip power consumption of 110 mW. The chip contains 16 sample and hold circuits, out of range logic, a Gray-to-binary converter, and tri-state data outputs for microprocessor compatibility. The die size is 4.4 by 1.5 mm in a 2 polysilicon, 1.2- mu m feature size CMOS process, and has 52 bonding pads. Off-chip requirements are a single power supply, a single high speed clock, a precision voltage reference, three biasing resistors, and supply filtering capacitors. This custom circuit has advantages of lower power dissipation and less PC board area than competitive approaches, and is designed for further monolithic system integration. Design details and test results are presented. >
The Ca2+ Dynamics of Isolated Mouse β-Cells and Islets: Implications for Mathematical Models

[Ca(2+)](i) and electrical activity were compared in isolated beta-cells and islets using standard techniques. In islets, raising glucose caused a decrease in [Ca(2+)](i) followed by a plateau and then fast (2-3 min(-1)), slow (0.2-0.8 min(-1)), or a mixture of fast and slow [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. In beta-cells, glucose transiently decreased and then increased [Ca(2+)](i), but no islet-like oscillations occurred. Simultaneous recordings of [Ca(2+)](i) and electrical activity suggested that differences in [Ca(2+)](i) signaling are due to differences in islet versus beta-cell electrical activity. Whereas islets exhibited bursts of spikes on medium/slow plateaus, isolated beta-cells were depolarized and exhibited spiking, fast-bursting, or spikeless plateaus. These electrical patterns in turn produced distinct [Ca(2+)](i) patterns. Thus, although isolated beta-cells display several key features of islets, their oscillations were faster and more irregular. beta-cells could display islet-like [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations if their electrical activity was converted to a slower islet-like pattern using dynamic clamp. Islet and beta-cell [Ca(2+)](i) changes followed membrane potential, suggesting that electrical activity is mainly responsible for the [Ca(2+)] dynamics of beta-cells and islets. A recent model consisting of two slow feedback processes and passive endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release was able to account for islet [Ca(2+)](i) responses to glucose, islet oscillations, and conversion of single cell to islet-like [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. With minimal parameter variation, the model could also account for the diverse behaviors of isolated beta-cells, suggesting that these behaviors reflect natural cell heterogeneity. These results support our recent model and point to the important role of beta-cell electrical events in controlling [Ca(2+)](i) over diverse time scales in islets.
Lucilius and His Nose (Pliny, N.H., Praef. 7)

In his prefatory epistle dedicating his Naturalis Historia to Vespasian, the elder Pliny takes great pains to plead that his magnum opus (which at praef. 1 he compares with Catullus' nugae!) is unworthy of the emperor: ‘maiorem te sciebam, quam ut descensurum hue putarem’ (praef. 6). Continuing in this vein, Pliny goes on to say ‘praeterea est quaedam publica etiam eruditorum reiectio’, and appeals for support to the great Cicero: ‘utitur ilia et M. Tullius extra omnem ingenii aleam positus, et, quod miremur, per aduocatum defenditur’ (praef. 7). Cicero's aduocatus is the satirist Lucilius, from whom a mangled fragment in trochaic septenarii is then quoted: ‘nec doctissimis. Manium Persium haec legere nolo, Iunium Congum uolo.’ The sense of this fragment, which Pliny very probably quoted from the now-lost beginning of Cicero's preface to his De Re Publica, can be restored from Cicero, De Oratore 2.25: ‘nam ut C. Lucilius…dicere solebat ea quae scriberet neque ab indoctissimis se neque a doctissimis legi uelle, quod alteri nihil intelligerent, alteri plus fortasse quam ipse; quo etiam scripsit “Persium non curo legere” (hie enim fuit, ut noramus, omnium fere nostrorum hominum doctissimus), “Laelium Decimum uolo” (quem cognouimus uirum bonum et non illiteratum, sed nihil ad Persium): sic ego…’. This latter passage has allowed the former to be restored, to some extent exempli gratia, to the following form in Warmington's and Krenkel's editions of Lucilius
Photoswitchable Formation of a DNA Interstrand Cross‐Link by a Coumarin‐Modified Nucleotide

A coumarin-modified pyrimidine nucleoside (1) has been synthesized using a CuI-catalyzed click reaction and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). Interstrand cross-links are produced upon irradiation of ODNs containing 1 at 350 nm. Cross-linking occurs through a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction with the opposing thymidine, 2′-deoxycytidine, or 2′-deoxyadenosine. A much higher reactivity was observed with dT than dC or dA. Irradiation of the dT-1 and dC-1 cross-linked products at 254 nm leads to a reversible ring-opening reaction, while such phenomena were not observed with dA-1 adducts. The reversible reaction is ultrafast and complete within 50–90 s. Consistent photoswitching behavior was observed over 6 cycles of irradiation at 350 nm and 254 nm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of photoswitchable interstrand cross-linking formation induced by a modified pyrimidine nucleoside.
Nitrogen-vacancy center creation with helium-ion microscope

We investigate a method to create nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond using a focused-heliu m-ion-microscopy. Near-surface NV centers can be created with spatial resolution below 0.6μm. NV center spectral line widths at various optical and microwave frequencies were also studied.
Positive and negative regulation of EAAT2 by NF-κB: A role for N-myc in TNFα-controlled repression

The glutamate transporter gene, EAAT2/GLT-1, is induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and downregulated by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). While TNFα is generally recognized as a positive regulator of NF-κB-dependent gene expression, its ability to control transcriptional repression is not well characterized. Additionally, the regulation of NF-κB by EGF is poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate that both TNFα-mediated repression and EGF-mediated activation of EAAT2 expression require NF-κB. We show that EGF activates NF-κB independently of signaling to IκB. Furthermore, TNFα can abrogate IKKβ- and p65-mediated activation of EAAT2. Our results suggest that NF-κB can intrinsically activate EAAT2 and that TNFα mediates repression through a distinct pathway also requiring NF-κB. Consistently, we find that N-myc is recruited to the EAAT2 promoter with TNFα and that N-myc-binding sites are required for TNFα-mediated repression. Moreover, N-myc overexpression inhibits both basal and p65-induced activation of EAAT2. Our data highlight the remarkable specificity of NF-κB activity to regulate gene expression in response to diverse cellular signals and have implications for glutamate homeostasis and neurodegenerative disease.