cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In-situ grating-damage detection and analysis for the 1.5-m grating compressor of the OMEGA EP kilojoule, petawatt-class short-pulse laser system

A grating-inspection system and damage-analysis method have been developed to measure in-situ laser-induced damage of a 1.5-m grating in the OMEGA EP pulse compressor during a 2.2-kJ energy ramp.
A molecular noise generator

Recent studies have demonstrated that intracellular variations in the rate of gene expression are of fundamental importance to cellular function and development. While such 'noise' is often considered detrimental in the context of perturbing genetic systems, it can be beneficial in processes such as species diversification and facilitation of evolution. A major difficulty in exploring such effects is that the magnitude and spectral properties of the induced variations arise from some intrinsic cellular process that is difficult to manipulate. Here, we present two designs of a molecular noise generator that allow for the flexible modulation of the noise profile of a target gene. The first design uses a dual-signal mechanism that enables independent tuning of the mean and variability of an output protein. This is achieved through the combinatorial control of two signals that regulate transcription and translation separately. We then extend the design to allow for DNA copy-number regulation, which leads to a wider tuning spectrum for the output molecule. To gain a deeper understanding of the circuit's functionality in a realistic environment, we introduce variability in the input signals in order to ascertain the degree of noise induced by the control process itself. We conclude by illustrating potential applications of the noise generator, demonstrating how it could be used to ascertain the robust or fragile properties of a genetic circuit.
Electrogenic calcium pump contributes to dopamine neuron repolarization

Dopaminergic neurons (DA) in vitro can produce two distinct firing patterns: single spikes, which are called slow oscillatory potentials (SOP), and square underlying bursting activity. Previously [1], we proposed a conductancebased computational model that explained the mechanisms of both SOP and square wave activity. Based on experimental data, the SOP mechanism was driven by a calcium (Ca) L-type current and an apamin-sensitive small conductance (SK) current. The square waves could be generated by partially blocking the SK current, but to repolarize the cell, a slow potassium current was hypothesized. Experiments on DA suggested that an ether-a-gogo potassium current could play the role of the hypothetical slow potassium current. Experiments also showed that Ca is a major player in both SOP and square wave firing. Calcium removal is an elusive mechanism and we previously considered that Ca pump is nonelectrogenic [1,2]. However, a nonelectrogenic Ca pump leads to equal rates of Ca influx and efflux at steady state and also equal rates of charge influx and efflux. As a result, once Ca concentration equilibrates, there should be no persistent inward calcium current, which contradicts experimental observations. In this paper, we hypothesize that Ca pump contributes to cell repolarization. Experimental results already published and our numerical simulations based on electrogenic Ca pump support this hypothesis.
Emergency psychiatric patients in a municipal hospital — Demographic clinical and dispositional characteristics

These data, especially the fact that nearly 40% of the patients do not arrive on their own initiative, show why this type of practice is challenging, to say the least.
Political Factors in Decision Making and Implications for HRD

The problem and the solution. Despite the vast range of theoretical conceptualizations and empirical studies, little is considered about the impacts of organizational political factors on decision making. The dominant perspective views decision making as an individual psychological process and regards social and political factors as irrelevant. Viewing organizational decision making as a social and political process, this article proposes an integrative model of decision making and draws implications for human resource development practice.
Longstanding common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) Sans recurrent sinopulmonary infection

Abstract Rationale CVID represents a heterogeneous immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent sinopulmonary infections. We have encountered 3 CVID patients with profound longstanding hypogammaglobulinemia whose histories are conspicuous for the absence of recurrent infections. This paradox suggests that these patients are protected by a non-immunoglobulin dependent host defense mechanism. Methods The clinical histories of 3 patients (2 males and 1 female) with CVID and no history of recurrent infections evaluated at our institution were reviewed. Results Documentation of hypogammaglobulinemia in each patient was made between 6 and 14 years ago. The diagnosis of CVID was made between ages 25 and 46. Each denied a history of pneumonia, otitis, or recurrent sinusitis. Serum IgG ranged from 57-169 mg/dl (650-2000 mg/dl), IgM ranged from 10-25 mg/dl (40-270 mg/dl) and IgA was Conclusions We describe a subset of CVID patients who were spared recurrent sinopulmonary infections over a period of years, despite quantitative and functional immunoglobulin dysfunction. Study of these patients may provide insights into novel anti-bacterial host defense mechanisms that can offset the infectious complications of hypogammaglobulinemia.
A rapid method for extracting DNA from agarose gels.

Abstract A method for obtaining high recovery of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from agarose gels using an agarase extraction procedure is presented. This DNA is physically intact and biologically active. The DNA obtained with this procedure should be useful for a wide range of applications.
Can quantum probability help analyze the behavior of functional brain networks

Pothos & Busemeyer (P&B) argue how key concepts of quantum probability, for example, order/context, interference, superposition, and entanglement, can be used in cognitive modeling. Here, we suggest that these concepts can be extended to analyze neurophysiological measurements of cognitive tasks in humans, especially in functional neuroimaging investigations of large-scale brain networks.
Solubility of ozone in some flourocarbon solvents

Abstract The solubilities of ozone 0-6 Wt% in air or oxygen, in 14 Fluorocarbon solvents have been determined at ambient temperature. Solubilities ranged from 50 to 700 ppm (wt) for a gas phase 0 3 concentration of 6 Wt%. Compounds with 0 3 solubilities 3 solubilities >200 ppm (wt) showed apprarent marked Henry's Law deviations.
A new methodology to obtain accurate models for ferroelectrics with application to BaTiO/sub 3/

A new methodology based on semi-infinite optimization is proposed to obtain accurate yet simple phenomenological models for ferroelectric single crystals. The phenomenological models for ferroelectrics start with a Taylor series expansion of the governing thermodynamic potential, the elastic Gibbs function, in terms of the independent variables. The coefficients of the appropriately truncated series are determined, based on the experimental properties of the crystal. However, there is to date no method to determine the coefficients for an accurate correlation to the experimental measurements. To this end, a semi-infinite optimization problem is formulated, aiming at minimizing the error between the analytical model and experiments in terms of permittivity coefficients and spontaneous polarization. A model in the cubic and the tetragonal phases for barium titanate (BaTiO/sub 3/) single crystals for a particular choice of experimental measurements is used to demonstrate the workability of the proposed methodology. The resulting optimization problem has an infinity of inequality constraints. The optimal solution to the proposed semi-infinite optimization problem when used in the model, accurately predicts the ferroelectric properties of BaTiO/sub 3/ single crystals such as phase transitions, spontaneous polarization, permittivity, the range of temperature in the cubic and the tetragonal phase. The proposed methodology is not limited by the complexity of the phenomenological model, or the choice of the experimental measurements. Furthermore, the proposed methodology can be generalized to model ferroelastic materials. >
Subtle pathology detection with multidetector row coronal and sagittal CT reformations in acute head trauma

We sought to analyze retrospectively the advantages of coronal and sagittal reformations obtained with multidetector row computed tomography (CT) in patients with acute head trauma. Multidetector 16-section CT was performed in 200 patients (110 male and 90 female; age range, 3–87 years; mean age, 45 years) with acute head trauma. Scans were performed sequentially, and axial 5-mm-thick slices were obtained from base of skull to vertex. The source data set was reformatted in coronal and sagittal planes, with 2-mm-thick sections at 2-mm intervals. Images were analyzed retrospectively by two independent, blinded readers. The final diagnosis was determined by clinical follow-up. CT imaging abnormalities were detected in 55 out of 200 patients who were scanned for head trauma. Acute traumatic intracranial abnormality was detected on axial scans in 45 patients. Subtle findings were confirmed on coronal and sagittal CT reformations in ten cases, and these were undetected initially on axial CT. Coronal and sagittal reformations confirmed subtle findings in 18.2% (10/55) of the cases (P = 0.001). Indeterminate neuroimaging findings confirmed by coronal and sagittal CT head reformations include tentorial and interhemispheric fissure subdural hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and inferior frontal and temporal lobe contusions. Coronal and sagittal CT head reformations improve the sensitivity and diagnostic confidence in the clinical setting of acute trauma. Overall, coronal and sagittal reformations improved diagnostic confidence and interobserver agreement over axial images alone for visualization of normal structures and in the diagnosis of acute abnormality.
Computers in the Kindergarten

The computer use of two classrooms of kindergarten aged children in private school in Chicago were compared for variance in terms of the age and sex of the children, for variance by classroom, and for variance in the software selected. The major statistical method used was analysis of variance. There were two dependent variables: total frequency of computer use and the difference between the frequency in the first half and that in the second half (in order to examine the changing pattern of computer use in the two classrooms). There was no significant difference in computer use by sex or age, but there was a significant difference in the frequency of computer by classroom in the second half of the project compared to the first half. There was no significant difference in the software selected. ∗ This research was completed with the help of a Committee on Research Grant from Northeastern Illinois University.
A two-sided estimate in the Hsu—Robbins—Erdös law of large numbers

Abstract Let X1, X2, … be independent identically distributed random variables. Then, Hsu and Robbins (1947) together with Erdos (1949, 1950) have proved that S(λ)  def ∑ n=1 ∞ P(|X 1 +⋯+X n |⩾λn) 0 , if and only if E[X21] c 1 λ −2 E[X 1 2 ·1 {|X 1 |λ} ]⩽S(λ)⩽C 2 λ −2 E[X 1 2 ·1 {|X 1 |λ} ] , for every λ > 0.
Separation of substituted pteroyl monoglutamates and pteroyl oligo-γ-l-glutamates by high pressure liquid chromatography

Abstract Rapid analysis of substituted and unsubstituted pteroyl-oligo-γ- l -glutamates at the nanomole level is carried out by high performance liquid chromatography. The use of a siliceous microparticulate anion-exchanger column and gradient elution at pH 6.5 with increasing salt concentration facilitates the separation of the species containing up to seven glutamyl residues without decomposition in 30 min. The column effluent is monitored with a uv detector at 254 nm, and the peaks are conveniently identified by their retention.
Predictors of Weight Loss Success: Exercise vs. Dietary Self-Efficacy and Treatment Attendance

Pre-treatment diet and exercise self-efficacies can predict weight loss success. Changes in diet self-efficacy across treatment appear to be even stronger predictors than baseline levels, but research on changes in exercise self-efficacy is lacking. Using data from a pilot study evaluating tangible reinforcement for weight loss (N=30), we examined the impact of changes in diet and exercise self-efficacy on outcomes. Multiple regression analyses indicated that treatment attendance and changes in exercise self-efficacy during treatment were the strongest predictors of weight loss. Developing weight loss programs that foster the development of exercise self-efficacy may enhance participants' success.
Noninvasive Predictors of Systemic Embolism in Mitral Stenosis: An Echocardiographic and Clinical Study of 500 Patients

Few predictors of systemic embolism in patients with mitral stenosis have been identified by noninvasive methods. This study used the most powerful noninvasive diagnostic tool, transthoracic echocardiography, as well as other noninvasive clinical information to look for predictors. Five hundred consecutive patients with a mitral valve area of 2 cm2 or less were studied. They were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 143 patients with a history of systemic embolism and group 2 consisted of 357 patients with no history of systemic embolism. Using a stepwise logistic regression on a random subsample of 400 patients, 4 independent predictors were found: the presence of atrial fibrillation (p=0.003, relative risk [RR]=2.3, 95% CI=1.3, 4.2), the absence of significant tricuspid regurgitation (p=0.008, RR=2.5, 95% CI=1.3, 4.9), the absence of aortic regurgitation (p=0.022, RR=2.2, 95% CI=1.1, 4.2), and the presence of left atrial smoky echoes (p=0.039, RR=1.7, 95% CI=1.1, 3.0). When the above model, together with significant interaction terms, was applied to the remaining 100 patients, both the Hosmer-Lemeshow and Brown goodness-of-fit statistics were not significant (p=0.888 and p=0.248, respectively), indicating that the fit was adequate and the model was validated. Thus, important noninvasive predictors of systemic embolism in patients with mitral stenosis can easily be obtained. Subgroups of patients with high risk of systemic embolism can be identified. This may refine our therapeutic strategies to prevent the catastrophe of systemic embolism.
Hyperreal transients on transfinite distributed transmission lines and cables

A prior work showed how non-standard analysis could be used to derive hyperreal transients in transfinite electrical networks containing lumped inductors, capacitors, resistors and sources. In this work, hyperreal transients are derived for transfinite electrical networks whose parameters are distributed. In particular, explicit expressions are derived for hyperreal transients on uniform transmission lines and cables that ‘extend beyond infinity’ transfinitely. This requires a substantially altered technique as compared to the prior work. The present one uses a different kind of truncation procedure that reduces the transfinite line or cable to a conventionally infinite one and then expands the latter in steps to ‘fill out’ the transfinite line or cable. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolism of 4-cholesten-3-one to 5α-cholestan-3-one by leaf homogenates

Abstract Young leaf homogenates of Digitalis purpurea , Cheiranthus cheiri and Strophanthus kombe ' were incubated at 30° for 2 hr with 4-cholesten-3-one-[4- 14 C] in a buffered medium containing an NADPH generating system. A single identical metabolite was observed with each tissue. The metabolite was identified by co-chromatography and co-crystallization to constant specific activity as 5α-cholestan-3-one. Leaf homogenates of D. purpurea exhibited the greatest metabolic activity. Addition of non-radioactive progesterone effectively competed with the radioactive substrate, markedly reducing the yield of 5α-cholestan-3-one.
Direct covalent linkage of fluorescent probes to the plant protoplast surface

Methods for fluorescently labeling the surface of live plant protoplasts are presented and characterized. Two classes of chemical reactions were exploited to accomplish direct covalent attachment of reactive fluorophores to plasma membrane components. One class of reactions involved the derivatization of existing amino-groups on the protoplast surface. The other class of reactions involved a two-step procedure to derivatize surface carbohydrates. In the first step, aldehyde groups were generated by oxidation of surface carbohydrates with either periodate or galactose oxidase. The second step involved formation of a Schiff base linkage between the aldehydes and a hydrazide or aromatic amine on a fluorophore. Both classes of reactions were demonstrated with several fluorophores including fluorescein, rhodamine, and Lucifer yellow. The reactions were carried out under conditions that allowed good protoplast survival while producing a high ratio of surface fluorescence to cytoplasmic fluorescence. The reaction products were characterized to the extent of determining whether the fluorophores were incorporated into proteins or into lipids. These fluorescence-labeling procedures should prove useful in a variety of cell biological and biochemical applications.
A zinc hydroxide complex of relevance to 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase: The synthesis, structure and reactivity of the tris(2-mercapto-1-phenylimidazolyl)hydroborato complex [TmPh]ZnOH

Abstract The tris(2-mercapto-1-phenylimidazolyl)hydroborato ligand, [TmPh], has been used to prepare [TmPh]ZnOH, the first structurally characterized terminal zinc hydroxide complex of a tridentate sulfur donor ligand; as such, [TmPh]ZnOH represents a good structural model for the zinc enzyme 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD).
Gravity-induced stresses in stratified rock masses

This paper presents closed-form solutions for the stress field induced by gravity in anisotropic and stratified rock masses. These rocks are assumed to be laterally restrained. The rock mass consists of finite mechanical units, each unit being modeled as a homogeneous, transversely isotropic or isotropic linearly elastic material. The following results are found. The nature of the gravity induced stress field in a stratified rock mass depends on the elastic properties of each rock unit and how these properties vary with depth. It is thermodynamically admissible for the induced horizontal stress component in a given stratified rock mass to exceed the vertical stress component in certain units and to be smaller in other units; this is not possible for the classical unstratified isotropic solution. Examples are presented to explore the nature of the gravity induced stress field in stratified rock masses. It is found that a decrease in rock mass anisotropy and a stiffening of rock masses with depth can generate stress distributions comparable to empirical hyperbolic distributions previously proposed in the literature.
PedWiz: a web-based tool for pedigree informatics

A novel web-based tool PedWiz that pipelines the informatics process for pedigree data is introduced. PedWiz is designed to assist researchers in the analysis of pedigree data. It provides a convenient tool for pedigree informatics: descriptive statistics, relative pairs, genetic similarity coefficients, the variance-covariance matrix for three estimated coefficients of allele identical-by-descent sharing as well as mean allele sharing, a plot of the pedigree structures, and a visualization of the identity coefficients. With a renewed interest in linkage and other family-based methods, PedWiz will be a valuable tool for the analysis of family data.
Generations: Academic and Athletic Integration of a Southern PWI Basketball Program

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to: (a) analyze the insights and experiences of the 1st African American student-athlete (in basketball) at a prominent predominantly White institution in the Deep South as well as the later insights and experiences of his sons at the same university; and (b) to present a counterstory to the dominant historical rendering of the Civil Rights Movement, the integration of athletics, and the experiences and outcomes of contemporary African American athletes. Method: Using qualitative critical race methodology, investigators conducted and analyzed interviews with the 1st African American to play basketball at a prominent university located in the Deep South and his 2 sons who attended the same university a generation later. Results: Using the lens of critical race theory, the themes conceived from the analysis were the counterstory of agency, counterstorytelling stereotypes, and the salience of everyday racism. Conclusion: Racism is still existent within society, even w...
MASS COMMUNICATION AND BELIEF CHANGE: A TEST OF THREE MATHEMATICAL MODELS

Three mathematical models of communication and belief change were proposed and tested: a proportional change model, a belief certainty model, and an accumulated information model. A quick correlational check of the three models suggested that the accumulated information model was the superior with the belief certainty model being the most inferior of the three. Stronger support for the accumulated information model obtained using a more stringent test: a nonlinear bivariate regression which produced visual “plots” of empirical data that nearly duplicated the visual “plots” produced by the theoretical model. The accumulated information model states that belief change is proportional to the discrepancy between the original belief and the belief communicated in the message, and inversely proportional to the amount of information which the receiver has about the topic at the time the message is received. The belief certainty model was the most inferior of the three indicating that the degree to which a receiver is certain in conviction is unrelated to the communication-belief change relationship.
Direct current dielectrophoretic simulation of proteins using an array of circular insulating posts

This paper presents a mathematical model for the manipulation of proteins using insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) and direct current (DC) electric fields. Simulations via COMSOL v4.1 Multiphysics software are implemented to study the response of moderately sized proteins on a lab-on-a-chip platform. The geometry of the device is incorporated in a model that solves current and mass conservation equations within an array of circular insulating silicon posts embedded in a channel. Both micro- and nano-scale geometries are utilized to investigate the protein concentration distributions in the iDEP device. Our results indicate that the trapping of proteins is independent of the scale with respect to the geometry of a device as long as the applied electric field remains constant. DC voltage dependency on concentration distributions has also been explored in both micro- and nano-scale device geometries. To achieve DEP trapping of the proteins, nano-scale geometry is a better selection, as the voltage necessary to generate the required electric field (2.5 MV/cm) is 10(5) × lower compared with the voltage required to generate the same field in the micro-scale device.
Double-Species Slurry Flow in a Horizontal Pipeline

Slurry transport experiments were performed with five double-species slurries composed of glass beads and water. The double-species glass beads were various combinations of beads having two widely different densities and three narrow particle size distributions. Pressure gradients for double-species slurries were compared to those for individual components at the same solids volume concentrations. Effect of mean particle diameter on pressure gradient of double-species slurry in the pipe was studied. Experiments were performed in a horizontal pipe flow loop of 23 mm internal diameter. Obtained data are useful for pipeline systems design and also valuable for verification of numerical simulations of the slurry flows
Transfer of water from roots into dry soil and the effect on wheat water relations and growth

This investigation was performed to study the effect on plant water relations and growth when some of roots grow into dry soil. Common spring water (Triticum aestivum) plants were grown from seed in soil in 1.2 m long PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tubes. Some of the tubes had a PVC partition along their center so that plants developed a split root system (SPR). Part of the roots grew in fully irrigated soil on one side of the partition while the rest of the roots grew into a very dry (-4.1 MPa) soil on the other side of the partition. Split root plants were compared with plants grown from emergence on stored soil moisture (STOR) and with plants that were fully irrigated as needed (IRR). The experiment was duplicated over two temperature regimes (10°/20°C and 15°/25°C, night/day temperatures) in growth chambers. Data were collected on root dry matter distribution, soil moisture status, midday leaf water potential (LWP), leaf relative water content (RWC) and parameters of plant growth and yield.
Targeting children at risk through adult health and social services: An analysis of family and environmental risk factors☆

Abstract This study utilized data from representative probability samples of five social service and health care populations and the general population to assess the prevalence of parent and family-related problems that are known to place children at risk for mental and developmental disorder. Risk factors were analyzed according to a theoretical conceptual framework. Chi-square analysis was used to determine how subsamples of the five clinical populations differed from a subsample of the general population on a set of eight risk factors. Results indicated that compared to the general population, the percentage of respondents with family-related risk factors was significantly higher across the five clinical subsamples. Findings suggest that a fruitful way to identify and intervene with children at risk for mental and developmental disorder may be in conjunction with services that treat their parents. Joint parent-child interventions that aim at prevention as well as treatment can be designed.
Poly(aryline imides) as E-beam resist-sensitivity and resolution

Polyamic acids synthesized from di-trifluoromethyl methane bis(phthalic anhydride) and 4,4'-diaminophyenyl sulfone (F-1) and 4,4'-diaminophenyl ether (F-4) were found to have excellent negative E-beam resist properties. The best materials contain about 90 percent imidized structural units having sensitivities of 1.5 to 2.5 μC cm−2 and contrast of 1.0 to 1.3. Polyamic acid of pyromellitic dianhydride and 4,4'-diaminophenyl sulfone (P-1) imidized to 97 percent exhibits useful positive E-beam resist properties. Radiation induces imidization and chain scission to alter the solubility of the resist polymers resulting in the formation of latent images.
Performance enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells by incorporating graphene sheets of various sizes

Abstract Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using photoanodes made from graphene–TiO2 nanocomposites. The dependence of the size of graphene sheets on the cell performance was investigated. The experimental results indicated that cells loaded with the smaller graphene sheets yielded larger enhancement. The smaller graphene sheets improved the dye adsorption, leading to higher conversion efficiency. The DSSC incorporated with graphene sheets of 184 nm exhibited the largest enhancement in efficiency (∼49%) as compared to the cell without graphene.
Studies on the mutagenic activation of heterocyclic amines by cynomolgus monkey, rat and human microsomes show that cynomolgus monkeys have a low capacity to N-oxidize the quinoxaline-type heterocyclic amines

A number of mutagens and carcinogens have been isolated from cooked meats. In the current study we investigated the ability of hepatic microsomes from cynomolgus monkeys, Fischer-344 rats and humans to metabolically activate these compounds. Monkeys had almost no capacity to activate the quinoxaline-type compounds to mutagens in the Ames test relative to rats and humans but were able to activate the quinoline, pyridoindole and pyridoimidazole compounds. Differences in the mutagenicity of the quinoline and quinoxaline compounds by monkeys and rats was related to differences in cytochrome P-450-mediated N-oxidation between the species. This suggests that monkeys and rats may have different hepatic cytochrome P-450 isozymes, which are important for the metabolic activation of quinolines and quinoxalines, or that the orthologous monkey cytochromes show a select substrate specificity for the quinolines over the quinoxalines.
Image Denoising with an Orientation-Adaptive Gaussian Scale Mixture Model

We develop a statistical model for images that explicitly captures variations in local orientation and contrast. Patches of wavelet coefficients are described as samples of a fixed Gaussian process that are rotated and scaled according to a set of hidden variables representing the local image contrast and orientation. An optimal Bayesian least squares estimator is developed by conditioning upon and integrating over the hidden orientation and scale variables. The resulting denoising procedure gives results that are visually superior to those obtained with a Gaussian scale mixture model that does not explicitly incorporate local image orientation.
New data base for climate studies

Until the advent of satellite data it had been impractical to measure continental snow cover. Beginning with the ESSA 3 satellite in late 1966, and continuing to the present NOAA and GOES series satellites, Northern Hemisphere continental snow cover has been routinely mapped by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This mapping has produced a reliable, timely and relatively unbiased continental snow-cover data base for use in climate studies.
Femoral medullary infarction secondary to canine total hip arthroplasty.

Objective— To evaluate the prevalence of femoral intramedullary infarction after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to determine whether any specific femoral morphology predisposes to bone infarction. Study Design— Retrospective clinical study. Sample Population— All dogs from our hospital population undergoing THA between 1984 and 1997 with radiographic follow-up available at 1 year or more postoperatively. Methods— A case control study was conducted within the THA group to determine risk factors predisposing to femoral infarction after THA. Medical records and radiographs were reviewed. Data were collected on clinical parameters, femoral morphology, prosthesis, and bone changes. Radiographic diagnosis was confirmed using histopathology in 11 femora. Radiographs of 50 age-matched control dogs weighing more than 20 kg with coxofemoral degenerative joint disease were randomly chosen to determine the prevalence of bone infarction in nonoperated dogs. Results— Ninety-one dogs with 110 THA were included in the study. Fifteen of the 110 femora with THA had radiographic evidence of infarction (14%). Infarction was not present in any femora in the control group. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of infarction between dogs that received cemented or uncemented prostheses. Clinical signs were not reported in any patient that developed femoral infarction. Young age (P = .03) and a distance between the greater trochanter and nutrient foramen greater than 79 mm (P = .008) predisposed dogs to femoral infarction. Over time, three infarcts decreased in size radiographically, five remained unchanged, and three expanded. An osteosarcoma developed at the site of a bone infarct in one dog. Conclusion— Femoral intramedullary infarction occurred in 15 of 110 THA. Young age at the time of THA and a greater distance between the greater trochanter and the nutrient foramen predisposed to infarction. Clinical Relevance— Intramedullary infarction occurs after canine THA. These bone infarcts do not appear to cause clinical signs; however, they may present a diagnostic challenge. Malignant transformation could potentially result from medullary infarction.
Analysis of N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene-induced frame-shifts in pBR322

Abstract We present a simple system which can be used to study directly directly the sequence change and the cellular repair functions involved in frame-shift mutagenesis by a covalently reactive mutagen. Positive (+S) and negative (−S) alterations in the number of base pairs of the Tc gene of pBR322 were generated and particular clones with ApRTcS phenotypes were selected for mutagenesis experiments. Exposure of these frame-shifted plasmid DNAs to a potent carcinogen, N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene (AAAF), in vitro, caused covalent alterations to DNA sequence and resulted in a number of revertants (ApRTcR) not observed in the untreated controls. The dose curve indicated an exponential response suggesting single-hit kinetics. Differential inactivation of the Ap gene was observed among various E. coli strains. The wild-type AB1157 and AB2463 (yrecA) showed a similar dose curve while AB1886 (uvrA) showed a marked decrease in ApR clones at the same dose. Both addition (+S) and deletion (−S) plasmids exhibited similar dose curves on inactivation of Ap gene. The reversion frequency, however, of −S plasmid was a factor of 10 times higher than +S plasmid. The reversion frequency also increase markedly with uvrA host but not with recA host. 2 types of deletion revertants of the +S plasmid were found. 1 revertant has a single GC base-pair deletion in GC-rich region which is likely to be a target for AAAF reaction. The other showed a deletion of 4 base pairs (TCGA) at the tandem repeating sequence TCGATCGA which may represent a hot spot for frame-shift mutation.
A Discriminant Analytic Test of Biglan's Theoretical Distinction between Biology and English Department Chairpersons.

Discriminant function analysis was used to compare the structural variables of department size, type of institution, and highest degree awarded with academic discipline to determine which accounts for more variance in the responses of chairpersons from biology and English departments to questions concerning their perceived influence. In most cases, the structural variables accounted for more of the variance than did discipline. The data are presented graphically by plotting the group centroids against the discriminant functions. The implications of these findings for administrators in institutions of higher education are discussed.
Periodontal considerations for functional utilization of a retained root after furcation management.

Abstract The rationale for periodontal treatment in this case was that inflammatory perio-dontal disease can be arrested by creating a dento-gingival anatomy which is accessible for daily plaque removal techniques and that hypermobility per se does not mandate splinting to adjacent, less mobile teeth. These principles were applied to the management of a maxillary molar with advanced furcation involvement. In order to resolve the furcation problem it was necessary to amputate the palatal and disto-buccal root which resulted in retention of the mesio-buccal root. Although this retained root was hypermobile, this was not reason in itself to justify splinting. Splinting would be necessary only if the mobility interfered with masticatory function or increased progressively. Since this would not be known until the behavior of the tooth was observed in function, the root was restored as an independent unit. The occlusion was designed so that the crown had no premature contacts in the retruded or intercuspal positions and no non-working side contacts in lateral excursion. The margins of the crown were kept supragingival. In the weeks following crown placement, no increase in mobility occurred although the tooth was in full masticatory Function. One year later there had been no change in the mobility status. It was concluded that the retained mesio-buccal root which had reduced periodontal support and a degree of hyper-mobility was capable of independent function. No periodontal breakdown occurred due to this mobility. Furthermore, efficient removal of plaque prevented recurrence of inflammatory periodontal disease and, in the presence of this plaque control, root caries did not develop after placing the crown margins in a supragingival location.
Testing chiral anomalies with hadronic currents

Chiral anomalies are calculated using an effective-Lagrangian technique introduced for anomalies by Wess and Zumino and recently reformulated by Witten. Anomalous amplitudes for vector currents decaying into three pseudoscalars are tested by comparison with ${K}_{l4}$ decay, $\ensuremath{\eta}$ and ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$, and strong decays of vector mesons. The agreement with experiment for ${K}_{l4}$ is an impressive verification of the anomaly in the vector current. For $\ensuremath{\eta}$ and ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ decay, the results are excellent, and for the strong decays, good. Since the electromagnetic and strong amplitudes have been extrapolated to higher momenta with a final-state-interaction approximation, it is not surprising that the agreement is less good here, where, indeed, further dynamical assumptions are needed. A number of new predictions are made for hadronic decays of ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, and ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$.
Action potential control of cardiac contractility.

The transient and/or sustained trans-sarcolemmal voltage induced zero to peak tension changes in cardiac contractility at any given level of diastolic dimensions and associated physical-chemical conditions establish the action potential as the predominant controller of cardiac contractility. Demonstration that the inotropic increases in peak tension effects of extra cellular [Ca++] occur and are determined by the duration and degree of positivity of the plateau phase of the action potential document the predominant role of this phase of the action potential relative to control of cardiac contractility. The large increases in peak tension induced by prolongation of the plateau phase of the action potential by interpolated stimuli (i.e., extrasystolic potentiation) and the immediate maximal peak tension following sustained contracture induced by sarcolemmal depolarization highlight this fact. The demonstration that this prolonged action potential induced maximal tension capability (peak inotropic state) of ventricular fibers can be achieved within a single cycle suggests an analogous technic would provide objective noninvasive measurements of the cardiac reserve of humans in health and disease. A potentially valuable measurement, the temporal resolution requirements of which, although beyond the scope of current three-dimensional imaging systems, is achievable with current state of the art technology. The unique experimental and clinical diagnostic value of such a system for noninvasive analogous measurements in humans with congenital and acquired cardiac abnormalities is as yet, however, not widely recognized. Hence, objective confirmation of the unique potential value of such a system awaits development of the required high fidelity [X,Y,Z 1 mm3 voxel) spatial and (10 ms)] temporal resolution capability system. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Clinical Trials in Congestive Heart Failure: Why Do Studies Report Conflicting Results?

Excerpt As subscribers to peer-reviewed medical journals, we commonly read reports about advances in the treatment of acute and chronic diseases. Some reports describe highly favorable results and ...
Nucleon-nucleon forces from bags, quarks and boson exchange

Abstract The concept of chiral symmetry in QCD is developed, especially the two possible realizations: i) the Wigner mode, in which fermions are massless, ii) the Goldstone mode, in which fermions acquire mass through spontaneous symmetry breaking. The former is used to describe quarks in the confinement region, the latter, to describe the external regions in which pions and σ-mesons carry, in a phenomenological way, the relevant degrees of freedom. A schematic treatment of interactions arising from quark-gluon exchange in region i), the perturbative region, is summarized and it is pointed out that in the primitive form given, perturbative QCD does not have much to say about the nucleon-nucleon force, at least it does not describe known empirical features, such as the spin-orbit interaction and the behavior of the central repulsion with energy. The chiral bag model, in which quarks are confined by fiat, is developed, starting from the M.I.T. bag model. Pions are coupled to the bag so as to conserve the axial-vector current. From this, boson exchange models can be built up. The non-perturbative solution of the model indicates a possibility of obtaining the non-relativistic constituent quark model from the chiral bag. It is pointed out that little bags must be very deformed, and consequences of this for physical quantities are worked out.
Solid, shape recovered “Bulk” nitinol: Part II—Mechanical properties

The use of Nitinol for medical purposes was first reported in the late 1960s. Today Nitinol is commonly used for the manufacture of stents, which are primarily used in peripheral and coronary bypass graft interventions. The application of NiTi in orthopedics is an exciting prospect but one that has yet to be realized. Nitinol's unique mechanical behavior is derived from the coordinated atomic movements manifesting in phase transformations from cubic austenite to monoclinic martensite. These phase transformations are solid-to-solid phase transformations that occur without diffusion or plasticity, potentially making them reversible. They involve changes in the crystalline structure that can be induced by changes in either temperature or stress. In addition to phase transformations, Nitinol's mechanical strength is strongly dependent on the alloy composition and the method in which the material is processed, i.e. rolled, drawn, extruded, or forged. The mechanical work, combined with the intermediate heat treatment steps, contribute to modify microstructure, transformation temperatures and mechanical properties. These manufacturing processing steps lead to texturing (crystallographic alignment) of the material. Alignment of the atomic planes from texture in the polycrystalline material have a marked influence on the mechanical properties by either limiting or promoting phase transformations and shape recovery strains. This paper focuses on the fatigue and fracture properties of Nitinol.
Transport properties of ultrathin YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ layers: Evidence for two-dimensional vortex fluctuations

We report on the transport properties of ultrathin YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7[minus][delta]] (YBCO) layers, and compare the results with predictions of the Ginzburg-Landau Coulomb-gas (GLCG) model for two-dimensional (2D) vortex fluctuations. We find that the normalized flux-flow resistances for several ultrathin YBCO structures collapse onto a single universal curve, as predicted by the model. In addition, the values for the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition temperature [ital T][sub KT] and the Ginzburg-Landau temperature, [ital T][sub [ital c]0], obtained by separate analyses of [ital I]-[ital V] and resistance data within the context of the GLCG model, are in general agreement. Finally, we find that the properties of a series of YBCO/Pr[sub 0.5]Ca[sub 0.5]Ba[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7[minus][delta]] superlattice structures are consistent with the GLCG treatment for anisotropic, 3D layered superconductors.
Inter-enterprise collaborative business process management

Conventional workflow systems are primarily designed for intra-enterprise process management, and they are hardly used to handle processes with tasks and data separated by enterprise boundaries, for reasons such as security, privacy, sharability, firewalls, etc. Further, the cooperation of multiple enterprises is often based on peer-to-peer interactions rather than centralized coordination. As a result, the conventional centralized process management architecture does not fit into the picture of inter-enterprise business-to-business e-commerce. We have developed a Collaborative Process Manager (CPM) to support decentralized, peer-to-peer process management for inter-enterprise collaboration at the business process level. A collaborative process is not handled by a centralized workflow engine, but by multiple CPMs, each representing a player in the business process. Each CPM is used to schedule, dispatch and control the tasks of the process that the player is responsible for, and the CPMs interoperate through an inter-CPM messaging protocol. We have implemented CPM and embedded it into a dynamic software agent architecture, E-Carry, that we developed at HP Labs, to elevate multi-agent cooperation from the conversation level to the process level for mediating e-commerce applications.
Computational Analysis of Conjugate Heat Transfer and Particulate Deposition on a High Pressure Turbine Vane

Numerical computations were conducted to simulate flyash deposition experiments on gas turbine disk samples with internal impingement and film cooling using a CFD code (FLUENT). The standard k-ω turbulence model and RANS were employed to compute the flow field and heat transfer. The boundary conditions were specified to be in agreement with the conditions measured in experiments performed in the BYU Turbine Accelerated Deposition Facility (TADF). A Lagrangian particle method was utilized to predict the ash particulate deposition. User-defined subroutines were linked with FLUENT to build the deposition model. The model includes particle sticking/rebounding and particle detachment, which are applied to the interaction of particles with the impinged wall surface to describe the particle behavior. Conjugate heat transfer calculations were performed to determine the temperature distribution and heat transfer coefficient in the region close to the film-cooling hole and in the regions further downstream of a row of film-cooling holes. Computational and experimental results were compared to understand the effect of film hole spacing, hole size and TBC on surface heat transfer. Calculated capture efficiencies compare well with experimental results. NOMENCLATURE A Surface area [m 2 ]
Price formats, discounts, and consumers' perceptions: A comparison between hospitality and non-hospitality industries

Price promotions play a crucial role in enhancing value and creating an economic incentive for consumers to purchase products and services. Results from this study clearly demonstrate that different discount levels and discount formats have a significant impact on consumers' perceptions. Non-hospitality services differed significantly from hospitality firms preferring the percentage format over the dollar format for value perceptions and purchase intentions. There is little or no preference for discount formats in the case of hospitality services. In contrast, the relationship between the four discount levels and value perceptions is positive and direct, except at the 80% level. The relationship between discount levels and other dependent variables was found to be significantly different between hospitality and non-hospitality firms.