cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microwave to Terahertz: Characterization of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials

Microwave engineering has been an exciting forefront of modern technology and one of the major enablers of the fast-expanding information era. Since its formal establishment in the 19th century, this classic field has experienced many revolutions powered by discoveries of new materials and inventions of related devices. Rapid developments in nanotechnology in recent years have offered exciting possibilities for revolutionary discoveries in many branches of human endeavor. Nanomaterials and associated devices are being widely studied and developed for applications in electronics, optics, biology, energy, etc. Although it has been suggested that nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene-based devices may work well in the microwave or even terahertz (THz) range [1], [2], most of the previous measurements were done at dc or lower frequency ( f <; 300 MHz) [3]-[5]. The characterization techniques of nanomaterials at microwave and THz frequency are important for both fundamental research and practical applications before proposed components such as antennas, interconnections, and circuit building blocks [6]-[8] can be realized. In this article, a review of characterization methods and associated challenges for various CNT and graphene samples from microwave to THz frequencies is presented, and pros and cons of the approaches are highlighted.
Pilot Physical Activity Intervention Reduces Severity of ADHD Symptoms in Young Children

Objective: Physical activity associates with mental health and neurocognitive function, showing potential for addressing ADHD symptoms. As a preliminary assessment of this potential, the authors pi...
X-Ray photoelectron study of the reaction of oxygen with cerium

Abstract The interaction of D2 O with a polycrystalline cerium surface, successfully cleaned by heavy Ar+ bombardment and annealing, was studied at 120 were observed at BE 530.3 (Ce2O3) and 532.7eV (adsorbed OD). When clean Ce at 120 K was exposed to D2 O, the O(1s) spectra were initial eV (adsorbed D2 O). For exposures greater than 10 Langmuir (L), a multilayer of ice grows and the O(1s) spectra become dominated by a peak at 5 The results of interaction with D2 O are compared with oxidation by O2. The significant differences are: (1) the absence of Ce(IV) when oxidati relatively small extent of oxidation that occurs when Ce is exposed to D2 O at 120 K, and (3) the larger chemical-shift of the Ce(III)-derived spec The XPS studies of the interaction of D2 O with Ce reported here may be summarized as follows: (1) Exposure at 300 K gives rise to O(1s) features characteristic of oxide and hydroxide, while the Ce(3d) spectra indicate Ce(III), but no CE( (2) Exposure at 120 K gives O(1s) features characteristic of adsorbed OD, chemisorbed D2 O, a multilayer of ice, and a small amount of oxide. T are characteristic of clean Ce except for slight broadening. (3) Exposure at 120 K followed by warming to 240 and 300 K gives spectra characteristic of hydroxide and oxide surface-species. Between 240 and 300 K, O(1s) intensity. (4) At 300 K, a relatively thick layer of oxide forms, and after an exposure of 50 L the features characteristic of metallic Ce are no longer observabl (5) As compared to the case for O2, exposure to D2 O gives rise to different satellite-splittings in the Ce(3d) spectra, suggesting that di formed in the two cases. (6) The spectra observed for Ce exposed to D2 O are in excellent accord with those found for the heavier lanthanides [4].
Strain and sex differences in susceptibility of rats to dioctyltin dichloride.

Abstract Treatment with dioctyltin dichloride (DOTC) induced increased mortality, atrophy of the thymus and suppression of responses to concanavalin A. Brown Norway (BN) rats were more susceptible than Lewis (LEW) to the lethal effects of DOTC and males were more susceptible than females. Increased mortality did not correlate with changes in the histological appearance of the thymus. LEW × BN F 1 hybrids resembled the LEW parent in susceptibility to the lethal effects of DOTC and the BN parent in susceptibility to changes in the thymus.
A nonsingular model of the open magnetosphere

We present a modified version of the Toffoletto and Hill (1989) open magnetosphere model that incorporates a tail-like interconection field with a discontinuity 10 represent the slow-mode expansion fan that defines the high-latitude tail magnetopause. (The interconnection field is defined as the perturbation on an initially closed magnetosphere model to make it open.) The expansion fan controls the open field line region in the tail, and the intersection of the fan with the tail current sheet is, by design, the x line. The new interconnection field allows greater control of the tail field structure; in particular, it enables us to eliminate the nightside mapping singularity that occurs in previous models when the interplanetary magnetic field is nonsouthward. Also, in contrast to earlier models, the far tail x line extends farther downstream on the flanks than in the center of the tail, consistent with observations.
Stricture repair using free graft

Single stage urthroplasty with an onlay patch graft of penile skin or buccal mucosa is an effective treatment for patients with complex anterior urethral stricture disease. Using buccal mucosa, operative time is substantially reduced by using a two-team approach in which one team harvests the graft from the mouth while a perineal team simultaneously exposes and calibrates the stricture. Excellent results can be expected using grafts urethral substitution in men with refractory bulbar strictures. Focal areas of severe stenosis may be excised from the graft bed. For patients with long or dense strictures, grafts may easily be combined with other tissue transfer techniques.
Chromosome counts of Compositae from Latin America

Chromosome counts of Compositae are reported from Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, and Chile. First counts are reported for 20 species in Baccharis, Calea, Erigeron, Eupatorium, Heliopsis, Isocarpha, Liabum, Monactis, Pinaropappus, Senecio, Sigesbeckia, Simsia, Spilanthes, Verbesina, and Viguiera. Additional counts also are provided for 65 populations of taxa counted previously, of which 10 are new numbers. The systematic implications of certain of these counts are discussed. DURING RECENT EXPEDITIONS from our laboratory to Latin America to collect genera of Compositae for revisionary studies, miscellaneous taxa of the family also have been collected. In addition to herbarium material, floral buds have been obtained for chromosomal studies. These have yielded new counts as well as confirmatory data for other taxa known from only one or a few reports. Two previous studies of this type from our laboratory already have been published (Keil and Stuessy, 1975, 1977). The materials and methods involving conventional squash techniques of buds for meiotic stages are outlined in Keil and Stuessy (1975); our methods here differ only in the use of Snow's stain (Snow, 1963) rather than acetocarmine. All voucher specimens are on deposit in the herbarium of The Ohio State University (OS).
Targeting Glutamatergic Signaling and the PI3 Kinase Pathway to Halt Melanoma Progression.

Our group has previously reported that the majority of human melanomas (> 60%) express the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (GRM1) and that the glutamate release inhibitor riluzole, a drug currently used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, can induce apoptosis in GRM1-expressing melanoma cells. Our group previously reported that in vitro riluzole treatment reduces cell growth in three-dimensional (3D) soft agar colony assays by 80% in cells with wildtype phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activation. However, melanoma cell lines harboring constitutive activating mutations of the PI3K pathway (PTEN and NRAS mutations) showed only a 35% to 40% decrease in colony formation in soft agar in the presence of riluzole. In this study, we have continued our preclinical studies of riluzole and its effect on melanoma cells alone and in combination with inhibitors of the PI3 kinase pathway: the AKT inhibitor, API-2, and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, rapamycin. We modeled these combinatorial therapies on various melanoma cell lines in 3D and 2D systems and in vivo. Riluzole combined with mTOR inhibition is more effective at halting melanoma anchorage-independent growth and xenograft tumor progression than either agent alone. PI3K signaling changes associated with this combinatorial treatment shows that 3D (nanoculture) modeling of cell signaling more closely resembles in vivo signaling than monolayer models. Riluzole combined with mTOR inhibition is effective at halting tumor cell progression independent of BRAF mutational status. This makes this combinatorial therapy a potentially viable alternative for metastatic melanoma patients who are BRAF WT and are therefore ineligible for vemurafenib therapy.
Carboxy-terminal five amino acids of the nucleocapsid protein of vesicular stomatitis virus are required for encapsidation and replication of genome RNA

The encapsidation of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) genome RNA, a prerequisite step to the replication process by the nucleocapsid protein (N) was studied by its ability to package VSV leader RNA in vitro in a RNase-resistant form. The VSV leader RNA was derived from the SP6 transcription vector while the N protein was made in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The in vitro encapsidation was carried out by translating N mRNA in the presence of 32P-labeled presynthesized leader RNA. The RNA encapsidation property of the N protein was completely abrogated when the C-terminal five amino acids (VEFDK-COOH) were deleted. Systematic mutational analyses within the C-terminal five amino acid regions reveal that the RNA encapsidation activity was lost in all mutants except K --> A and K --> R, indicating that C-terminal five amino acids, in particular the lysine residue play critical role in genome RNA encapsidation. To correlate the in vitro encapsidation abilities of these mutant N proteins with genome RNA replication, we have used a full-length cDNA clone of VSV genome RNA to rescue infectious virions from cells expressing L, P, and wt or mutant N proteins and measured the recovery of plaque forming units. The results indicate that the N mutants that are defective in in vitro encapsidation of leader RNA do not support replication, establishing the requirement of C-terminal five amino acids of the N protein in viral replication.
Effect of elemental composition of PtPd bimetallic nanoparticles containing an average of 180 atoms on the kinetics of the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction.

PtPd bimetallic nanoparticles containing an average of 180 atoms and composed of seven different Pt:Pd ratios have been prepared within sixth-generation, hydroxyl-terminated, poly(amidoamine) dendrimers. Transmission electron microscopy indicates that the sizes of all seven nanoparticle compositions are within ±0.2 nm of one another and the calculated size. Single-particle energy-dispersive spectroscopy shows that the elemental composition is determined by the ratio of the Pt and Pd precursor salts used to prepare the nanoparticles. Cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk voltammetry measurements show that the Pt:Pd ratio of the nanoparticles determines their efficiency for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The maximum activity for the ORR occurs at a Pt:Pd ratio of 5:1, which corresponds to a relative mass activity enhancement of 2.4 compared to otherwise identical monometallic Pt nanoparticles.
Inventory and Comparative Evolution of the ABC Superfamily in the Genomes of Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora sojae

Automated and manual annotation of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily in the Phytophthora ramorum and P. sojae genomes has identified 135 and 136 members, respectively, indicating that this family is comparable in size to the Arabidopsis thaliana and rice genomes, and significantly larger than that of two fungal pathogens, Fusarium graminearum and Magnaporthe grisea. The high level of synteny between these oomycete genomes extends to the ABC superfamily, where 108 orthologues were identified by phylogenetic analysis. The largest subfamilies include those most often associated with multidrug resistance. The P. ramorum genome contains 22 multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) genes and 49 pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) genes, while P. sojae contains 20 MRP and 49 PDR genes. Tandem duplication events in the last common ancestor appear to account for much of the expansion of these subfamilies. Recent duplication events in the PDR and ABCG families in both the P. ramorum and the P. sojae genomes indicate that selective expansion of ABC transporters may still be occurring. In other kingdoms, subfamilies define both domain arrangements and proteins having a common phylogenetic origin, but this is not the case for several subfamilies in oomycetes. At least one ABCG type transporter is derived from a PDR transporter, while transporters in the ABCB-half family cluster with transporters from bacterial, plant, and metazoan genomes. Additional examples of transporters that appear to be derived from horizontal transfer events from bacterial genomes include components of transporters associated with iron uptake and DNA repair.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE INDUCTANCE ASSOCIATED WITH A MICROSTRIP ANTENNA FEED

ABSTRACT It has been demonstrated that a microstrip antenna excited in a non-degenerate resonant mode has a driving point impedance which can be modeled as a resonant parallel R-L-C circuit in series with the an inductor. The latter is an inductance which can be associated with the feeding probe or microstrip line feed of the antenna. This paper investigates the variation with feed location of this inductive component both experimentally and by a full modal expansion of the field using the “cavity model”. The results demonstrate that the simple, feed position-independent formula for this inductive component is inadequate for certain applications involving loaded microstrip elements. The results also show that the cavity model can predict the variation of feed inductance with feed location reasonably well except near the edge of the patch. The physical mechanism for the variation of this inductive component as well as the physical reason why the cavity model overestimates this parameter with feeds near the...
CONSUMPTION OCCASION INFLUENCE ON CONSUMER BRAND CHOICE

The effects of consumer brand attitudes and consumption situations on behavioral intentions and reported behavior are analyzed for 172 adult beer drinkers. The inclusion of situational variables in the multiple regression equations substantially increased the levels of explained variances for behavioral intentions and reported behavior. The inclusion of an interaction term of attitude-toward-the-object and a consumption situation did not increase the level of explained variance of behavioral intention; substantial improvement in the levels of explained variance of reported behavior was found with an interaction term in the equations. Thus, behavioral intention toward a particular brand is likely to be modified by situational influences.
Effect of fetal exposure to ultrasound on B lymphocyte function and antibody class production.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine if ultrasound radiation would affect the ability of antigen-stimulated B cells and their clonal progeny to undergo the isotype switch and produce diverse antibody classes. Pregnant BALB/c mice were exposed to various intensities of ultrasound (0.1–3.0 W/cm2) at different ages of gestation. Spleens from the resulting offspring were removed five or ten days after birth. The splenocytes were analyzed for the frequency of B cells capable of responding to the hapten 2,4 dinitrophenyl (DNP) using the splenic fragment assay, a B cell cloning assay. The DNP-responsive B cell clones were then classified on the basis of isotype expression. It was found that ultrasonic radiation during gestation did not alter the frequency of B cells responding to DNP. Furthermore, ultrasound had no apparent effect on the B lymphocyte's capacity to switch to different isotypes after antigenic stimulation. Thus, the results indicate that prenatal exposure to ultrasound does not appreciably affect the genetic and cellular processes necessary for the isotype switch and antibody class production.
The Florida Current: A Clean but Challenging Energy Resource

[1] The patterns and overall magnitude of energy usage worldwide seem to preclude a single renewable alternative to traditional fossil fuel sources. Still, putting renewable resources to work where they exist, and thereby implementing a widely diversified portfolio of renewable energy recovery, offers the possibility of significantly reducing fossil fuel use on a regional basis. One such resource is the Florida Current, an oceanographic feature that has been the focus of intense study for many decades. Understanding its behavior on the time and space scales required to realize its energy potential, however, is still a work in progress, one that is challenged by a paucity of relevant data and by a range of sensitive environmental considerations.
Influence of second-order Doppler effect on optical Ramsey fringe profiles.

Resolution sufficient to resolve second-order Doppler broadening (3.9 kHz) has been obtained for the Ca 1S0–3P1 transition (657 nm) by using an atomic beam and optical Ramsey fringe techniques. Laser-beam separations up to 21 cm yield Ca linewidths (HWHM) as narrow as 1 kHz. As resolution is increased to approach, then exceed, the second-order linewidth, large asymmetries, shifts, and shape changes occur in the Ramsey fringe profile.
Aluminum chemistry: Fractionation, speciation, and mineral equilibria of soil interstitial waters of an alpine watershed, Front Range, Colorado

Soil interstitial waters and minerals were collected and analyzed to evaluate the influence of acid deposition on Al chemistry in the soil environment of the Green Lakes Valley Front Range, Colorado. The soil solutions were subjected to a series of batch Al experiments followed by computer modeling to separate the labile from the nonlabile Al, and to estimate the activity of Al3+. The Al solubility in the interstitial waters is complex and is controlled by organic solutes, H4SiO4, and pH. The pH and concentrations of SO2−4 do not correlate with Al concentrations. The chemical equilibria of Al are controlled by amorphous aluminosilicate Al(OH)3(1−x) SiO2x. Studies of mineralogy and soil water chemistry provide a useful combination to evaluate and predict the chemical processes of a soil environment.
Mars sample return mission with in-situ resource utilization

A Mars sample return mission has been proposed where oxygen for the return propellant would be produced using the Martian atmosphere. A mass analysis of an in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) oxygen plant shows that significant reductions in landed mass and mission costs can be attained by using methane carried from Earth and oxygen produced on Mars as propellents for the return trip. The metrics for the mass analysis are based on laboratory data collected from proof-of-concept, scale-up, and long-duration experiments. Using existing technology and current performance levels, it is shown that an ISRU plant capable of producing 7 kg/ day of oxygen requires an estimated mass of 108 kg and consumes 2.9 kW of electrical power. A 2.5 kg/day oxygen production facility has a mass of 64 kg and requires 1.1 kW of electrical power.
Low Power Asynchronous VLSI with NEM Relays

CMOS technology scaling has reached a point where the circuit's static power is as high as the dynamic power. While further process scaling will only worsen leakage in transistors, it will benefit NEM relay technology. As asynchronous circuit design helps with dynamic power and NEM relays with static power, the use of NEM relays in asynchronous VLSI is ideal for low-power applications. In this paper, we present ways of combining both asynchronous and NEMS technologies and compare them with their CMOS counterpart. NEM relays can effectively implement not only QDI designs, but also bundled-data and power-gated circuits. We show in simulation that a 64-bit C-element, 32-bit PCHB AND and 8-bit PCHB adder implemented with NEM relays can achieve over 16X, 25X and 1.7X better energy-efficiency respectively compared to CMOS in a 90nm technology.
An overview of group and organizational decision support systems

Research on group decision support systems (GDSSs) is summarized. Information needs for group and organizational decision-making are examined. GDSS design constructs are discussed. Overall GDSS evaluation issues are examined. >
CT-based pulmonary artery measurements for the assessment of pulmonary hypertension.

Rationale and Objectives Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex and fatal disease that is difficult to diagnose noninvasively. This study evaluated previously published computed tomography–based vessel measurement criteria and investigated the predictive power and diagnostic ability of the main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAD) and the ratio of MPAD to aorta diameter (rPA). Materials and Methods The database for this study consisted of 175 PH patients (for whom mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] was known), 16 patients without PH but with known mPAP (non-PH patients), and 114 “normal” patients without known mPAP. The performance of previously published criteria, MPAD > 29 mm and rPA > 1, was determined. The relationship between vessel measurements and mPAP was evaluated through correlation and linear regression analysis. The ability of these measurements to discriminate between patients with and without PH was determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results For discriminating between PH and “normal” patients, the sensitivity and specificity of the criterion MPAD > 29 mm were 0.89 (0.84–0.93) and 0.83 (0.76–0.90), respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of the criterion rPA > 1 were 0.89 (0.85–0.94) and 0.82 (0.74–0.89), respectively. At a specificity of 0.95 in the task of separating PH and “normal” patients, the sensitivity of MPAD was 0.81 (0.72–0.90) and the sensitivity of rPA was 0.76 (0.66–0.85), but the specificity for both decreased when non-PH patients were included. For the combined PH and non-PH patient groups, the correlation between the vessel measurements and mPAP was significant but low, and the ability of the vessel measurements to predict mPAP was limited. Conclusion This study found that the sensitivity of previously published vessel criteria for identifying PH patients is high, but the specificity may not be high enough for routine use in a clinical patient population.
Elastic-Plastic Analysis of Thick-Walled Pressure Vessels With Sharp Discontinuities

Application of special isoparametric finite elements is presented for the elastic-plastic analysis of shells of revolution. General isoparametric elements are selected which, in the form of a layered system, are capable of representing a solid of revolution. The customary Kirchhoff-Love hypothesis is not invoked and solutions therefore apply both to thin and thick shells of revolution. Sharp discontinuities in geometry, circumferential ribs and/or grooves, as well as cellular walls may be studied. A special feature is the development of an element permitting sliding at the element interfaces with or without friction. The illustrative examples include a pressure vessel with a circumferential crack in the wall thickness, and a circular plate consisting of two disks which can slide along their interface. The solutions are limited to axially symmetric problems. Flow theory of plasticity is used in the inelastic regions.
Intensity Fluctuation Polarimetry

The polarimetric properties of an unknown field can be determined from the changes in the intensity fluctuations that result from mixing it with a reference field, even if the two fields are mutually incoherent.
Evidence for floatation or near floatation in the mouth of Kamb Ice Stream, West Antarctica, prior to stagnation

[1] Ice-penetrating radar profiles reveal distinctive internal structure within the flat ice terrains that bound the lower reaches of the now stagnant Kamb Ice Stream, West Antarctica; slightly warped but continuous upper layers overlie extensive deep line diffractors located at a uniform depth several hundreds of meters above the bed. On the basis of their orientation and morphology we interpret the line diffractors to be the tips of basal crevasses. At the boundary between these terrains and the inter–ice stream ridges, internal layers are strongly downwarped, and the deepest layers are truncated at the bed. Results from simple kinematic ice flow modeling indicate that the observed layer pattern requires a cumulative basal melt of 120–350 m over a time period that is less than 300 years. Fields of basal crevasses are typically observed in ice shelves; however, isolated basal crevasses can also be found in grounded ice when the subglacial water pressure is close to overburden. On the basis of the presence of these crevasses we argue that these terrains were once floating or near floating in the past. We combine model results with estimates of recent ice thickness change to suggest that floatation was transitory and the region may have become fully grounded roughly 200 years prior to stagnation of Kamb Ice Stream.
Role of metallothionein in biliary metal excretion.

We have studied the effect of acute induction of metallothionein on the biliary excretion of a bolus of metal in the rat. Female Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered zinc chloride (6.5 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg), ip in saline daily for 3 d; control animals received saline alone. Zinc causes a 17‐fold induction in hepatic metallothionein levels, while dexamethasone caused a 5‐fold induction. A bolus of metal chloride, either zinc, mercury, or cadmium, 1 mg/kg iv, was administered, and bile and plasma samples were collected and analyzed for metal content. At 3 h the rats were killed, livers excised, and both metallothionein and the metals associated with metallothionein estimated. Cadmium was excreted into the bile in inverse proportion to the hepatic metallothionein content, while metallothionein content did not appear to bear any relationship to biliary excretion of mercury or zinc. Metallothionein from rats pretreated with zinc contained twice as much zinc per molecule of metallothionein as that ...
A detailed study of scaling behavior in electrochemical etching of tungsten wires: Effects of non-uniform etching

Abstract We report electrochemical etching of a tungsten wire and its scaling behavior based on electrical resistance measurements. The resistance curve exhibits a unique power law, and yet its scaling exponent is found to be smaller than that expected on the basis of Ohm's law. A simple numerical analysis aided by atomic force microscopy indicates that the observed exponent is possibly subject to spatial non-homogeneity that occurs during an etching process in which individual wire segments tend to approach their own singular points. Despite this non-uniform etching, a unique value of scaling factor 0.84 ± 0.06 has been obtained, consistent with a previous result.
Myenteric denervation of rat jejunum alters calcium responsiveness of intestinal smooth muscle

Abstract Background/Aims: Long-term myenteric and extrinsic denervation of a segment of rat jejunum results in increased stress generation by the longitudinal muscle layer of the denervated segment 15 days after denervation. This study examined whether alterations in the properties of either cell membrane calcium channels and/or sarcoplasmic reticular Ca 2+ -adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) contribute to the increased stress development. Methods: The effects of the calcium channel blocker nifedipine and the sarcoplasmic reticular Ca 2+ -ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid on the contractile activity of denervated and control smooth muscle were determined. Results: The ability of nifedipine to inhibit KCl-induced contractions was significantly increased in denervated tissues; however, there was no difference in the potency of nifedipine when tissues were stimulated with carbachol. Calcium concentration-response curves obtained in the presence of either KCl or carbachol were determined in tissues previously depleted of calcium. Long-term denervated tissues showed an increased sensitivity to calcium and a decreased maximum contractile response after stimulation with carbachol. Cyclopiazonic acid inhibited repletion of intracellular calcium stores of control muscle but had no effect in denervated tissue. Conclusions: Long-term denervation of a segment of rat small intestine results in profound alterations in calcium metabolism at the cell membrane and, to a lesser extent, at the sarcoplasmic reticulum of smooth muscle cells of the longitudinal muscle layer.
Sociodemographic Attributes and Spina Bifida Outcomes

BACKGROUND: A National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR) was begun in 2009 to help understand the natural history of spina bifida (SB) and the effects of treatments provided by SB clinics. We used the NSBPR to explore the relationship of sociodemographic characteristics with SB outcomes. METHODS: Using NSBPR data collected in 2009 to 2012, we examined the unadjusted association between demographic characteristics and 4 SB outcomes: bowel continence, bladder continence, mobility, and presence of pressure sores. We then developed multivariable logistic models to explore these relationships while controlling for SB clinic, SB type, and level of lesion. RESULTS: Data were available on 2054 patients CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic attributes are associated with SB outcomes. In particular, males, non-Hispanic blacks, and patients without private insurance have less favorable outcomes, and age has an impact as well. These characteristics need to be considered by clinicians who care for this patient population and factored into case-mix adjustment when evaluating variation in clinical and functional outcomes among different SB clinics.
Stability in a population model

Consider the difference equation @x"n"+"1 = @[email protected]"n + @[email protected]"[email protected]"n"-"k, n=0,1,..., where 0 =< @a < @a < 1 < @a + @b, @[email protected]?(0,~) and [email protected]?{0,1...}, When k = 0, (*) was proposed by Milton and Belar as a model for the bobwhite quail population of northern Wisconsin. In this paper, we investigate the stability properties of (*) and establish some sufficient conditions for the positive equilibrium of (*) to be globally asymptotically stable.
Preliminary orbital parallax catalog

The study is undertaken to calibrate the more reliable parallaxes derived from a comparison of visual and spectroscopic orbits and to encourage observational studies of other promising binaries. The methodological techniques used in computing orbital parallaxes are analyzed. Tables summarizing orbital data and derived system properties are then given. Also given is a series of detailed discussions of the 71 individual systems included in the tables. Data are listed for 57 other systems which are considered promising candidates for eventual orbital parallax determination.
Crater size-frequency distributions and a revised Martian relative chronology

A relative plotting technique is applied to Viking 1:2M photomosaics of 25,826 Martian craters of diameter greater than 8 km and age younger than that of the Martian surface. The size-frequency distribution curves are calculated and analyzed in detail, and the results are presented in extensive tables and maps. It is found that about 60 percent of the crater-containing lithologic units, including many small volcanoes and the ridged planes, were formed during the heavy-bombardment period (HBP), while 40 percent arose after the HBP. Wide region-to-region variation in the crater density is noted, and localized age estimates are provided.
Use of digoxin in infants and children, with specific emphasis on dosage.

Summary The foregoing discussion leads to several general conclusions regarding the use of digoxin in the pediatric patient. First, pharmacokinetic studies indicate that somewhat higher doses are required in the infant to attain the same serum levels as in the adult. Important sources for this difference appear to be more rapid body clearance of digoxin and larger volume of distribution in the infant. Second, higher serum digoxin levels are not indicated on the basis of decreased myocardial uptake of digoxin in the infant. Tissue uptake of digoxin, as indicated by myocardium/serum digoxin ratios, is higher in infants and children than in adults. Third, according to results of animal studies, the inotropic sensitivity to digoxin in the young is probably greater—certainly not less—than in the adult. This is opposite to a commonly held view that the immature heart is less sensitive to cardiac glycosides and therefore requires higher serum levels for a therapeutic effect. Rather, the infant has decreased sensitivity of the conduction system to digitalis toxicity, and healthy myocardium less prone to arrhythmia than the adult. Therefore the infant may tolerate, but does not require, higher serum levels of digoxin. Fourth, high levels of serum digoxin (>2 ng/ml) are not associated with greater inotropic effects in the pediatric patient. The higher dosages of digoxin are, instead, associated with greater frequency of toxic effects, especially in infants receiving concomittent diuretic therapy. Therefore, a digoxin dosage recommendation is presented, that will result in mean serum digoxin levels of 1.1 to 1.7 ng/ml. Fifth, the classic ECG signs of digoxin toxicity derive from reactions in adult hearts with coronary artery disease and do not apply to immature or healthy cardiac tissue. In the pediatric patient a common first sign of digoxin toxicity is a prolongation of the PR interval, whereas in most adults it is an increased frequency of arrhythmias. Cautious practice would include digoxin doses aimed at moderate serum levels (1.0 to 2.0 ng/ml), ECG monitoring, especially during digitalization, and avoidance of hypokalemia. Clinical status and presence or absence of ECG signs of toxicity are as good guides to dosage as are frequent serum level determinations in infants older than 2 months. In newborn or premature infants, who have immature digoxin elimination mechanisms, frequent serum level determinations are necessary.
Measurement of aortic blood flow by Doppler echocardiography: Temporal, technician, and reader variability in normal subjects and the application of generalizability theory in clinical research

Although Doppler echocardiographic measurements of aortic flow have been found to correlate with stroke volume, the reliability of this technique is unknown. The purpose of this study was to measure the reliability of Doppler estimates of cardiac output by identifying and estimating the magnitude of different sources of error. We measured the reliability of Doppler estimates of cardiac output by identifying the magnitude of sources of error in 11 subjects with studies performed by two technicians and read by two readers. Analysis with generalizability theory demonstrated that the largest portion of the total variance was from differences among patients, with a smaller contribution due to day-to-day variability. Variability due to technician was low for continuous wave Doppler (2.0%), but high for pulsed wave (23.2%). Thus continuous wave, but not pulsed wave Doppler measurements, can be used to detect serial changes in cardiac output due to an intervention.
Robotic Surgery for Salivary Gland Disease

Robotic surgery has revolutionized surgical capabilities and continues to change surgical approaches and management. Robotic surgery is in its infancy with respect to head and neck surgery. However, there are several validated indications for robotics in ENT. The authors discuss the role of robotic surgery specifically related to salivary gland disease and discuss the indications, complications and anatomic nuances that justify the current role and continued effort to expand indications for robotic surgery in the field of head and neck surgery.
Black and White Interracial Couples: Managing Relational Disapproval Through Facework

This study examined the types of responses Black and White interracial couples used when anticipating or after experiencing a face threat due to racism or prejudice and their facework strategies used in alleviating those threats. Thirty-eight interviews were conducted with 19 Black and White interracial couples involved in a romantic relationship. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data analysis indicated that interracial couples believed they had to respond to racism or prejudice they encountered. To mitigate face threats, couples used preventive and corrective facework strategies. By the types of preventive and corrective facework used, the authors conclude that interracial couples believe they are helping to bridge the racial divide in the United States.
Three-dimensional camera space manipulation

This article extends to three-dimensional tasks the method of camera space manipulation. A minimum of two cameras is required to place points on end effectors (or objects in their grasp) of n-degree-of-freedom manipulators relative to other bodies. This is accomplished using a sequential estimation scheme that permits placement of these points in each of the two-dimensional image planes of monitoring cameras. A precise and robust manipulation strategy that is compatible with "real time" results. Simulations are used that show the method to be insensitive to two particular kinds of model error- unmodeled elastic deflection and unmodeled camera distortion. The method is tested experimentally with a three- dimensional point placement task. It is then generalized to rigid body placement tasks and illustrated with experiments involving the positioning of one rigid body on a second. An appendix details the unfolding of one such experimental maneuver at several junctures in the visual data-collecting process.
Effects of a community-based weight loss intervention on adipose tissue circulating factors.

Summary Aims Obesity is associated with metabolic dysfunctions, which may be mediated by changes in adipose tissue signaling factors. These molecules are denoted as A dipose T issue G enerated M ediators of C ardio V ascular R isk (ATGMCVR) here, and include leptin, adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). This study examined the effect of a weight loss program on ATGMCVR in obese adults with prediabetes. Materials and methods Subjects were randomized to usual care (UC; n = 15) or lifestyle weight loss groups (LWL; n = 15). LWL was a community-based weight loss intervention to promote physical activity and healthy eating. ATGMCVR at 1-year were compared between groups by analysis of covariance; baseline value of the mediator was the covariate. Baseline means for ATGMCVR were compared between those with (n = 21) and without (n = 9) metabolic syndrome (MetS). Results At baseline, subjects were 58 ± 9 (SD) years, 70% female, with a BMI of 34 ± 4 kg/m2. One-year weight loss (%) was 7.8 ± 6.0% for LWL and 1.7 ± 4.5% for UC. Group differences at 1-year were noted (adjusted means [95%CI] for UC and LWL, respectively) for adiponectin (8526.3 [7397.7, 9827]; 10,870.9 [9432.0, 12,529.3] ng/ml; p = 0.02), leptin (30.4 [26.1, 35.4]; 23.7 [20.3, 27.5] ng/ml; p = 0.02), IL-6 (0.4 [0.3, 0.5]; 0.2 [0.1, 0.2] pg/ml; p = 0.001), and PAI-1 (50 [42.7, 58.7]; 36.2 [30.8, 42.4] pg/ml; p = 0.01). No differences in baseline ATGMCVR were seen between subjects with and without MetS. Conclusion These findings suggest ATGMCVR can be improved with weight loss; larger studies are needed to determine if improvements in metabolic dysfunction are related to changes in ATGMCVR.
T-matrix study of resonant reactive scattering and comparison between direct and indirect scattering contributions to the dissociative attachment process of e+AB-->A+B-

A rigorous derivation of the T matrix is presented to study the effects of direct and indirect reactive scattering processes of e+AB\ensuremath{\rightarrow}A+${B}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$, involving electron(e)\char21{}molecule(AB) systems. Analysis of dissociative attachment processes e+${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}H+${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ and e+HCl\ensuremath{\rightarrow}H+${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ is presented, with emphasis on the individual role of the direct and indirect processes in affecting the total cross sections. Marked differences among different electron-molecule collision systems are found from this analysis, and the cause of such differences is explained.
Hypnotically suggested asthma.

Abstract 15 asthmatic and 19 non-asthmatic Ss were administered the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (Shor & E. Orne, 1962) and accordingly assigned to one of three susceptibility groups-low, medium, or high. Subsequently, all Ss were exposed to a hypnotically suggested asthma experience. Subjective and physiological measures of respiratory efficiency were administered before, during, and after the hypnotically suggested asthma experience. Ss did respond significantly differently in these three conditions, but the physiological measures did not reveal typical asthma physiological patterns. High and medium susceptible Ss were ostensibly convinced that they “experienced” asthma, but the low susceptible Ss were uniformly unimpressed. One of the most noteworthy findings was that Ss' ability to respond differentially (according to the asthma suggestions) was enhanced by greater susceptibility to hypnosis yet not “enhanced” by their history of previous asthma.
Carboxy terminus splice variation alters ClC channel gating and extracellular cysteine reactivity.

CLH-3a and CLH-3b are Caenorhabditis elegans ClC channel splice variants that exhibit striking differences in voltage, Cl−, and H+ sensitivity. The major primary structure differences between the channels include a 71 amino acid CLH-3a N-terminal extension and a 270 amino acid extension of the CLH-3b C-terminus. Deletion of the CLH-3a N-terminus or generation of a CLH-3a/b chimera has no effect on channel gating. In contrast, deletion of a 169 amino acid C-terminal CLH-3b splice insert or deletion of the last 11 amino acids of cystathionine-β-synthase domain 1 gives rise to functional properties identical to those of CLH-3a. Voltage-, Cl−-, and H+-dependent gating of both channels are lost when their glutamate gates are mutated to alanine. Glutamate gate cysteine mutants exhibit similar degrees of inhibition by MTSET, but the inhibition time constant of CLH-3b is sevenfold greater than that of CLH-3a. Differences in MTSET inhibition are reversed by deletion of the same cytoplasmic C-terminal regions that alter CLH-3b gating. Our results indicate that splice variation of the CLH-3b cytoplasmic C-terminus alters extracellular structure and suggest that differences in the conformation of the outer pore vestibule and associated glutamate gate may account for differences in CLH-3a and CLH-3b gating.
Stock Market Volatility and Fractional Integration

A fractional integration framework and a relationship between the variability of innovations in real stock prices and real dividends implied by the present value model are used to examine the issue of stock market volatility raised by Shiller (1981) and LeRoy and Porter (1981). It is found that both stock price and dividend data are neither trend stationary nor difference stationary; they are fractionally integrated. The data also show that low interest rates and investors' myopic behaviour only have a limited role in explaining excessive market volatility. On the other hand, the evidence for excess market volatility seems substantial even after controlling for sampling uncertainty. Copyright @ 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved.
Orientational Order and Linear Dichroism of a Water Soluble Porphine in a Lyotropic Nematic Liquid Crystal

Abstract Aqueous lyotropic nematic liquid crystals can be homogeneously oriented by magnetic fields and are therefore well suited to be used as anisotropic solvents for optical polarization studies of water soluble dye molecules. The potassium laurate (KL)/KCl/H2O nematic phase, composed of rod-like or cylindrical micelles, was used as a matrix for the study of orientational order and linear dichroism of a substituted free-base porphine (TPPS4). The results indicate that a significant portion of porphine molecules are incorporated into the micelles with their planes on the average perpendicular to the optic axis of the lyotropic rods. The order parameter of TPPS4 is much higher in this system than in other nematic lyophases such as KL/decanol/H2O in which preferential hydrogen bonding occurs between TPPS4 molecules and the hydroxyl groups of decanol molecules which presumably occupy the surface of the cylindrical micelles. All observed electronic transitions in the 350-700 nm range are found to be polariz...
Proposed Guidelines for International Control of Psychoactive Substances

The World Organization is responsible for assessing the abuse potential and public health and social problems associated with the use of psychoactive substances and recommending whether such substances be subject to international control. Such control has potentially significant public health and economic ramifications. Applicable for all drug classes, guidelines are proposed that provide a mechanism for the objective, scientifically sound, and systematic review of psychoactive substances and which permit scheduling and descheduling decisions to be made on the basis of incomplete information. These guidelines provide for the quantitative evaluation of experimental, clinical, and epidemiological indices, which predict or document abuse and take into account the assessed reliability and volume of supporting evidence. While additional abuse-related information is generally helpful, its benefit must be considered in the context of costs. The establishment of guidelines acceptable to national and international...
A Web-based program to ensure compliance of medical staff providers with mandated health care facility requirements.

Background We designed a Web-based program for educating medical staff providers on infection control and prevention measures and for ensuring that such providers comply with mandated immunizations, influenza vaccination, and tuberculin skin testing. Methods Our program was designed in a health care system employing approximately 2,699 medical staff providers and 9,700 other health care workers in 3 hospitals; a skilled nursing care facility; and a large, multisite, faculty practice plan. We developed a program for educating medical staff providers on infection control and antibiotic stewardship and ensuring compliance with institutional immunization, tuberculin skin testing, and influenza immunization requirements. A post-test required a 100% correct score to pass. The modules allowed access from any computer with Internet connectivity. Results In total, 2,666 of the 2,699 (98.8%) medical staff providers completed the program, and 76.4% of the 2,666 received influenza vaccination. Conclusion Entering the data into an electronic database allowed for ease in monitoring compliance, and the requirement for successfully passing a post-test following the educational modules ensured that medical staff providers had read the material. Entry into the electronic database also allowed for analysis of reasons for varied compliance with influenza immunization that will be useful in focusing future educational efforts.