cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of contrast enhanced CT and Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI for detection of focal hepatic lesions: initial findings

Twenty-nine patients with known or suspected focal hepatic disease were evaluated in a retrospective multi-institutional study comparing T1-weighted manganese (II) N,N'-dipyridoxylethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetate 5,5'-bis (phosphate) (DPDP) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with dynamic sequential bolus contrast enhanced computed tomography (DBCT) for the detection of focal liver lesions. The patients were divided into four dose groups, receiving 3, 5, 8, or 10 mumol/kg of Mn-DPDP, delivered either via intravenous bolus (0.25 ml/sec) or infusion (1 ml/sec). Each of three readers, with varying levels of expertise in interpreting hepatic MRI and CT studies, identified more lesions on the Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI than the contrast enhanced CT images. Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI depicted the presence of extensive metastatic disease not seen with DBCT in three patients with fatty liver. The most experienced MRI reader saw more lesions per patient on the Mn-DPDP enhanced MRI than with DBCT, while the opposite held true for the most experienced CT reader. The best single exam for detection of hepatic lesions may be determined by the experience of the reader.
A simple relationship between the hammett acidity function, Ho, and the thermodynamic pKa values of unsubstituted aromatic carboxamides

Abstract The well-known failure of the Hammett Ho function to describe the prototropic reaction isotherms of aromatic carboxamides can be corrected by taking account of the hydration requirements of the prototropic reactions of the carboxamides relative to the hydration requirements of the dissociations of the primary amines used as indicators to establish the Ho scale. This approach has been successfully applied to benzamide and the naphthamides. For up to a 4:1 molar ratio of water to sulfuric acid, the amide acidity scale, HA and the Ho scale are simply related by HA = Ho — 2 log aw , where aw is the activity of water.
Toward managed flexibility: The revival of labour inspection in the Latin world

Examining the role of labour inspection in the context of the revival of labour market regulation, the authors distinguish between the Latin model, where inspectors have authority to tailor enforcement to firms' exigencies, and the less flexible Llnited States approach. The Latin model can reconcile regulation with economic flexibility and transform inspectors into the shock troops of a campaign for decent work. But its vulnerability to arbitrary behaviour on their part needs to be addressed through: management of organizational cultures; exposure and sys- tematization of the tacit knowledge underpinning inspectors' judgements; and research into the relationship between labour standards and business practices.
Natural gas, uncertainty, and climate policy in the US electric power sector

Abstract This paper investigates how uncertainties related to natural gas prices and potential climate policies may influence capacity investments, utilization, and emissions in US electricity markets. Using a two-stage stochastic programming approach, model results suggest that climate policies are stronger drivers of greenhouse gas emission trajectories than new natural gas supplies. The dynamics of learning and irreversibility may give rise to an investment climate where strategic delay is optimal. Hedging strategies are shown to be sensitive to the specification of probability distributions for climate policy and natural gas prices, highlighting the important role of uncertainty quantification in future research. The paper also illustrates how this stochastic modeling framework could be used to quantify the value of limiting methane emissions from natural gas production.
Elastic Properties of a Single Lamella of Montmorillonite by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

We present results for the elastic properties of a single lamella of montmorillonite consisting of two tetrahedral layers and the intervening octahedral layer. The calculations were performed using...
Applications of 3-D finite element procedures to static and dynamic problems in micropolar elasticity

Abstract Based on micropolar elasticity theory, 3-D finite element formulations are developed for bodies of revolution as well as those of arbitrary shape. In contrast to the general 3-D formulation which uses completely approximate shape functions, the axisymmetric development which can handle asymmetric problem is based on a quasi-analytical procedure. Both the general and body of revolution developments have the capacity to handle static as well as dynamic problems involving structures composed of possibly fully anisotropic materials. To reveal the accuracy of the formulations as well as the potential importance of micropolar effects, several numerical experiments are included in this paper.
Educating the Learning Disabled Adolescent: Some Assumptions

Educational practices for learning disabled adolescents exhibit considerable variance. Much of this variance stems from differing assumptions made about learner, assessment, and instructional facto...
Determination of the acidic sites of purified single-walled carbon nanotubes by acid–base titration

We report the measurement of the acidic sites in three different samples of commercially available full-length purified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) – as obtained from CarboLex (CLI), Carbon Solutions (CSI) and Tubes@Rice (TAR) – by simple acid–base titration methods. Titration of the purified SWNTs with NaOH and NaHCO3 solutions was used to determine the total percentage of acidic sites and carboxylic acid groups, respectively. The total percentage of acidic sites in full length purified SWNTs from TAR, CLI and CSI are about 1–3%.
Anesthesia for fetal surgery

Fetal surgery is the performance of procedures on the fetus or the placenta, designed to alter the natural history of a fetal disease that is diagnosed in utero. Fetal surgery can vary from minimally invasive percutaneous procedures such as laser treatment of placental vessels for fetuses with life-threatening twin–twin transfusion syndrome, to invasive surgical procedures such as fetal thoracotomy and pulmonary lobectomy after a hysterotomy. During fetal surgery, the fetus continues to be perfused by the placenta and the umbilical circulation. After the procedure, the fetus continues gestation in utero until delivery. Fetal surgery is distinct from other fetal therapies that are nonsurgical and involve delivery of medications or blood to the fetus, usually performed percutaneously.
Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer

Oxaliplatin use in palliative and adjuvant treatment of colon cancer is frequently limited by cumulative neurotoxicity, leading to reduced quality of life and decreased dose. The mechanism of this neurotoxicity is unclear, but may relate to neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels involving calcium chelation by a metabolite of the drug. Various preventative measures have been tested to reduce the incidence of neurotoxicity, including calcium and magnesium infusions, dose interruption of the drug, and prophylactic neuromodulatory agents. Despite the promising efficacy of these measures, they are not universally accepted. Less is known about the best way to treat established neurotoxicity, which is permanent in some patients, although venlafaxine has shown promise in small clinical trials. This paper analyzes the extent, cause and risk factors for neuropathy, and the potential preventative and therapeutic treatments for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.
Enzymatic tissue digestion as an alternative sample preparation approach for quantitative analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Compound extraction from biological tissue often presents a challenge for the bioanalytical chemist. Labor-intensive homogenization or sonication of whole or powdered tissue is performed before compounds can be extracted and analyzed. Enzymatic digestion is commonly used for tissue dissociation and cell harvesting and offers the advantages of unattended sample preparation, potential automation, and low cost. The feasibility of enzymatic digestion as an alternate tissue preparation technique was evaluated for bioanalysis of drugs in conjunction with LC/MS/MS. Two different enzymes (collagenase and proteinase K) that are known to degrade connective tissues to allow tissue dissolution were chosen for evaluation, employing well-known antidepressants desipramine and fluoxetine as test compounds in dog and rat brain tissue. Comparison between enzymatic digestion and conventional homogenization tissue preparation was performed, including investigation of matrix ionization suppression of both methods using a postcolumn infusion system. Results showed that enzymatic digestion has extraction efficiency comparable to homogenization. Matrix ionization suppression was not observed for either the test compounds evaluated or the sample extraction method. Test compound levels of incurred tissue samples prepared by enzymatic digestion were in good agreement with the values obtained by the conventional homogenization tissue preparation, indicating that enzymatic digestion is an appropriate tissue sample preparation method.
Alternative uses of 'we'

On peut aisement comprendre pourquoi certains philosophes ont cherche a saisir l'usage du pronom personnel Je. Le concept de personne derive de cet usage. A la suite de M. Gilbert et de son livre, On Social Facts, l'A. s'interroge sur les alternatives offertes par l'emploi philosophique possible de la premiere personne du pluriel nous. Dans une premiere partie, il developpe la theorie de Gilbert a ce sujet. Dans une seconde partie, il en tire toutes les implications. Puis, dans le reste de l'article, il montre les limites d'un tel emploi en philosophie
Oxygen uptake by Trypanosoma lewisi-complex cells. II. R and L isolates compared.

Abstract 1. 1. The oxygen uptake of the L and R isolates of Trypanosoma lewisi originating in the United States were compared by conventional manometric technics. A standard number of cells (5 × 10 6 ) was employed in Warburg flasks (13–17 ml); a variable number of cells was also used as further check on observations. A comparison of the influence of crowding was also made of the L isolate. 2. 2. The L cell showed consistently greater oxygen uptake endogenously and with glucose and rat serum as substrates. Both isolates exhibited a progressively mounting pattern of oxygen consumption correlated with age of the infection but not related to the development of populations in the blood stream. 3. 3. The R form developed significantly greater populations in the blood stream of the rat. 4. 4. L cells at populations of 50 × 10 6 cells/flask showed 50 per cent inhibition of O 2 uptake with reference to the 5 × 10 6 cell level and 70 per cent inhibition with respect to the 500 × 10 6 population. Inhibition of respiratory activity progressively mounted with the age of the infection.
F plasmid incompatibility and copy number genes: Their map locations and interactions

Abstract The genes coding for vegetative F plasmid replication, replication control, and incompatibility are known to map between the kilobase coordinates 40.3 and 49.3 (abbreviated 40.3–49.3F). We have subdivided this region of the F genome by a combination of in vivo and in vitro genetic techniques and have constructed F:pSC101 hybrid plasmids which contain the F DNA sequences having the approximate coordinates 41–43, 43–46, and 46–49F. We find that hybrids with regions 43–46 and 46–49F are incompatible with an F′lac+ plasmid while the hybrid with the region 41–43F is compatible. We have also constructed similar F:pSC101 hybrid plasmids with the regions 43–46 and 46–49F derived from mini-F plasmid copy number mutants. We find that hybrids made from three independent F copy number mutants show a loss of the incompatibility function associated with the 43–46F region and retention of the incompatibility function associated with 46–49F region. Moreover, spontaneous revertants, selected for regain of the 43–46F incompatibility function, have also regained normal control over their copy numbers. We also find that copy number mutations map in the 43–46F region. From our results we conclude (i) that F contains at least two inc+ loci, designated incA+ (46–49F) and incB+ (43–46F), and (ii) that gene(s) regulating F copy number may be related to the incB+ gene(s).
Neil3 and NEIL1 DNA Glycosylases Remove Oxidative Damages from Quadruplex DNA and Exhibit Preferences for Lesions in the Telomeric Sequence Context

The telomeric DNA of vertebrates consists of d(TTAGGG)n tandem repeats, which can form quadruplex DNA structures in vitro and likely in vivo. Despite the fact that the G-rich telomeric DNA is susceptible to oxidation, few biochemical studies of base excision repair in telomeric DNA and quadruplex structures have been done. Here, we show that telomeric DNA containing thymine glycol (Tg), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG), guanidinohydantoin (Gh), or spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) can form quadruplex DNA structures in vitro. We have tested the base excision activities of five mammalian DNA glycosylases (NEIL1, NEIL2, mNeil3, NTH1, and OGG1) on these lesion-containing quadruplex substrates and found that only mNeil3 had excision activity on Tg in quadruplex DNA and that the glycosylase exhibited a strong preference for Tg in the telomeric sequence context. Although Sp and Gh in quadruplex DNA were good substrates for mNeil3 and NEIL1, none of the glycosylases had activity on quadruplex DNA containing 8-oxoG. In addition, NEIL1 but not mNeil3 showed enhanced glycosylase activity on Gh in the telomeric sequence context. These data suggest that one role for Neil3 and NEIL1 is to repair DNA base damages in telomeres in vivo and that Neil3 and Neil1 may function in quadruplex-mediated cellular events, such as gene regulation via removal of damaged bases from quadruplex DNA. Background: BER of quadruplex structures and telomere DNA has not been well studied. Results: Neil3 and NEIL1 remove damages from quadruplex DNA and show telomeric sequence context effects. Conclusion: Neil3 and NEIL1 may be involved in repair of damages in quadruplex DNA. Significance: This is the first evidence of glycosylase activity on quadruplex DNA and suggests new roles for these enzymes.
Biogeographic gradients of middle Eocene-Oligocene calcareous nannoplankton in the South Atlantic Ocean

Middle Eocene-Oligocene calcareous nannoplankton have been analyzed quantitatively for eight DSDP and ODP sites ranging from the equatorial zone to 65°S latitude in the South Atlantic Ocean. There is a general decrease in calcareous nannoplankton species diversity from the middle Eocene through the Oligocene, and species diversity also decreases towards the higher latitudes. Similar to findings of other studies, the drop of the species diversity of calcareous nannoplankton across the Eocene/Oligocene boundary is not drastic. Delineation of latitudinal distribution patterns of individual species or groups and R-mode cluser analysis permit the classification of warm-water taxa (Coccolithus formosus, discoasters, helicosphaerids, and sphenoliths), temperate-water taxa (Coccoliths pelagicus, Cyclicargoliths floridanus group, Reticulofenestra bisecta, Reticulofenestra samodurovii/Reticulofenestra umbilica), and cool-water taxa (chiasmoliths, Isthmolithus recurvus, and Reticulofenestra daviesii). The abundance of warm-water taxa plummets whereas the abundance of cool-water taxa sharply increases across the Eocene/Oligocene boundary at the middle- and high-latitude sites, reflecting a profound cooling event in these areas. Polar ordination and similarity analyses reveal that steep latitudinal biogeographic gradients had been established at least by the middle Eocene. The gradient greatly increases near the Eocene/Oligocene boundary, indicating more severe and permanent cooling at the high latitudes. The biogeographic gradient data of this study conflict with the widely accepted inference from the oxygen isotopic data that the thermal gradients between mid latitudes and high latitudes are low or nearly flat for the Paleogene oceans. Lower surface water salinities in the high latitudes may have lowered the δ18O values of the planktonic microfossils, but apparently did not have significant effect on latitudinal distribution patterns of calcareous nannoplankton, which offers an independent means for estimating latitudinal thermal gradients.
Comparing cost and complications of primary and staged surgical repair of neonatally diagnosed Hirschsprung's disease

Abstract Background/Purpose We questioned whether primary surgical correction of neonatally diagnosed Hirschsprung's Disease (HD) incurs higher costs or increased incidence of adverse events (AE) when compared with staged repair. Methods We reviewed the medical records of all neonates diagnosed with HD at our institution between 1997 and 2007. Sixty subjects fulfilled criteria for inclusion. Twenty-seven neonates had primary repair, and 33 had staged repair. We measured inflation-adjusted total costs, direct costs, and total charges and 6 AE between the 2 groups. A generalized linear model was used to examine differences between group variables. Results We found no statistically significant difference in costs or AE between primary and staged repair. Inflation-adjusted median financial data for primary or staged repair were, respectively, as follows: total costs, $35,670 vs $38,538 ( P = .617); direct costs, $18,453 vs $23,937 ( P = .128); total charges, $107,315 vs $102,492 ( P = .690). Adverse events occurred in 48% of primary repair subjects and 36% of staged repair subjects ( P = .434); no single AE differed significantly between the two groups. Conclusions We found no statistical evidence that primary neonatal correction of HD adds cost or risk of AE when compared with a traditional staged approach in neonates who met inclusion criteria.
Gamma-induced trapping levels in si with and without gold doping

Because gold doping can be used to suppress ionization-induced photocurrents in Si devices exposed to radiation environments, it is of interest to know whether or not radiation-induced mobile defects interact with Au to form deep level defect complexes. Trapping level studies have been undertaken using the technique of deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) prior to and following Co-60 gamma irradiation and thermal annealing of p+/n Si junctions doped with 3-6 × 1014 Au/cm3 and 1-3 × 1013 Au/cm3 , and of non-Au doped p+ /n and n+ /p junctions. Prior to irradiation, the Au acceptor level at Ec - 0.57 eV is observed in the gold doped junctions. During irradiation, five additional levels at Ec - 0.18 eV, Ec - 0.20 eV, Ec - 0.46 eV, Ev +0.17 eV, and Ev + 0.39 eV grow in linearly with gamma dose. None of these levels are associated with Au because they are observed at equal concentrations in the non-Au doped and Audoped junctions, and because the Au concentration as monitored by the Ec - 0.57 eV level does not change even when defect concentrations are of the same order. Isochronal annealing studies also indicate that the Au acceptors are inert to defect re-ordering effects which occur during annealing.
Induction of S.cerevisiae MAG 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase transcript levels in response to DNA damage.

We previously showed that the expression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae MAG 3-methyladenine (3MeA) DNA glycosylase gene, like that of the E. coli alkA 3MeA DNA glycosylase gene, is induced by alkylating agents. Here we show that the MAG induction mechanism differs from that of alkA, at least in part, because MAG mRNA levels are not only induced by alkylating agents but also by UV light and the UV-mimetic agent 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. Unlike some other yeast DNA-damage-inducible genes, MAG expression is not induced by heat shock. The S. cerevisiae MGT1 O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase is not involved in regulating MAG gene expression since MAG is efficiently induced in a methyltransferase deficient strain; similarly, MAG glycosylase deficient strains and four other methylmethane sulfonate sensitive strains were normal for alkylation-induced MAG gene expression. However, de novo protein synthesis is required to elevate MAG mRNA levels because MAG induction was abolished in the presence of cycloheximide. MAG mRNA levels were equally well induced in cycling and G1-arrested cells, suggesting that MAG induction is not simply due to a redistribution of cells into a part of the cell cycle which happens to express MAG at high levels, and that the inhibition of DNA synthesis does not act as the inducing signal.
Deaths from injury and poisoning of children in Liverpool: A ten-year survey 1978–1987

Deaths of children in Liverpool under 16 years of age from injury and poisoning were examined for the period 1978–1987: 174 deaths occurred during the 10-year period. The commonest causes of death were road traffic accidents: 103 cases (60%). Of these 87 were of pedestrians struck by vehicles. Many of these children were very young and were unsupervised, or poorly supervised by other children. Drivers of vehicles were largely responsible for the accidents in 20 cases. The ability of children to cope in various traffic situations is discussed and responsibilities of parents and drivers are considered in relation to matters of accident prevention.
Catalytic Coupling of Carbon Dioxide and 2,3-Epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in the Presence of a (Salen)CrIIICl Derivative

The coupling reaction of carbon dioxide and 2,3-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene catalyzed by (salen)CrIIICl, H2salen = N,N ‘-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-ethylenediimine, in the presence of a cocatalyst, N-methylimidazole, affords a moderate yield of the cis cyclic carbonate product along with a trace quantity of polycarbonate. The solid-state structures of both the epoxide monomer and the cis cyclic carbonate were determined by X-ray crystallography.
The loss of CF2O on ice, NAT, and sulfuric acid solutions

We measured the first-order loss rate coefficients for CF2O on solid surfaces, ice and HNO3-treated ice, and on sulfuric acid solutions that coated the inside wall of a flow tube. We determined an upper limit for the uptake coefficient, γ, of ∼3×10−6 for CF2O on ice and HNO3-treated ice. A value for γ on a 60% (by weight) sulfuric acid solution of 3(+2/−3)× 10−6 was measured and we observed a higher value over 40% acid, γ = 6×10−5 (± 30%). The loss of CF2O on stratospheric particles is a very slow process and will be insignificant for events that occur on timescales of a year, such as the annual polar chlorine activation phenomena.
Management of Bile Duct Stones in the Era of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The development of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has transformed many aspects of gallstone disease management, particularly the care of patients with known or suspected bile duct stones. New obstacles
Effect of electrical stimulation of the brain on visually controlled (attentive) behavior in Macaca mulatta

Abstract Electrical stimulation of various subcortical regions of the brains of five Macaca mulatta monkeys was conducted during the performance of a learned visual attention task. This required the animal to press for a red (positive) stimulus and to withhold responses to green or blue (negative) stimuli. Errors in performance were more frequently induced by the stimulation of the lower brain stem (midbrain and pons) than that of the thalamus. Omission errors (not responding to the positive stimuli) were most frequently elicited by stimulation of the mesopontine reticular formation or structures which are anatomically and functionally related to it. In contrast, commission errors (responding to negative stimuli) resulted most frequently from the stimulation of specific sensory systems or from areas closely related to them.
Exploring residue component contributions to dynamical network models of allostery.

Allosteric regulation in biological systems is of considerable interest given the vast number of proteins that exhibit such behavior. Network models obtained from molecular dynamics simulations have been shown to be powerful tools for the analysis of allostery. In this work, different coarse-grain residue representations (nodes) are used together with a dynamical network model to investigate models of allosteric regulation. This model assumes that allosteric signals are dependent on positional correlations of protein substituents, as determined through molecular dynamics simulations, and uses correlated motion to generate a signaling weight between two given nodes. We examine four types of network models using different node representations in Cartesian coordinates: the (i) residue α-carbons, (ii) the side chain center of mass, (iii) the backbone center of mass, and the entire (iv) residue center of mass. All correlations are filtered by a dynamic contact map that defines the allowable interactions betwee...
Differential game control of a bilinear solar collector/heat exchanger system

Abstract The problem of maximizing storage fluid temperature for a parametric, two-loop solar collector/ heat exchanger system is investigated as a min-max differential game in which the solar flux is unknown. Optimal feedback control laws are developed for both the tank- and collector-loop flow rates. The optimal flow rates are shown to be “on-off,” regardless of the system parameter values. However, if the collector loop pumping capacity is sufficiently greater than that of the tank loop, then the collector-loop “on” flowrate is not the maximum attainable flow rate. Furthermore, for the usual case where the tank loss-to-capacitance ratio is less than or equal to that of the collector plate, it is shown that the optimal flow rates are independent of the insolation and depend only on the current plate-to-tank temperature difference. Otherwise, the optimal flow rates also depend on the time-to-go. Optimal trajectories and a three-dimensional switching surface are presented for specific parameter values.
Early Holocene pecan, Carya illinoensis, in the Mississippi River valley near Muscatine, Iowa

A fossil pecan, Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch, from floodplain sediments of the Mississippi River near Muscatine, Iowa, was accelerator-dated at 7280 ± 120 yr B.P. This discovery indicates that pecan was at or near its present northern limit by that time. Carya pollen profiles from the Mississippi River Trench indicate that hickory pollen percentages were much higher in the valley than at upland locations during the early Holocene. Pecan, the hickory with the most restricted riparian habitat, is the likely candidate for producing these peaks in Carya pollen percentages. Therefore, pecan may have reached its northern limit as early as 10,300 yr B.P. Its abundance in Early Archaic archaeological sites and the co-occurrence of early Holocene Carya pollen peaks with the arrival of the Dalton artifact complex in the Upper Mississippi Valley suggest that humans may have played a role in the early dispersal of pecan.
Verb argument information used in a prodrop language: An experimental study in Japanese

Japanese is an SOV, head-final language with phonologically null arguments. Due to these characteristics, any (or all) of the arguments classified by a verb may be null. Consequently, verb argument information which Japanese readers/listeners receive overtly is sometimes incomplete. Furthermore, the arguments in a string may or may not belong to the same clause, and the disambiguating verb argument information does not become available until the end of a clause. These characteristics pose a question of whether or not verb argument information is a useful source of information for on-line syntactic processing in Japanese. An experiment using three types of complex NPs was designed specifically to examine whether Japanese readers use the argument structure information, or alternatively, they simply use “minimal attachment” in on-line processing of syntactically ambiguous structures. The reading times of three types of complex NPs suggest that native speakers of Japanese indeed utilize verb argument information, and they do so immediately. This finding supports the hypothesis that the Japanese language is processed in the similar way to English in that verb argument information functions as an important source of information in on-line processing. The difference between processing English and processing Japanese is that the former has a mechanism which keeps track of null arguments as well as overt ones.
Rapid thermal annealing effects on tin oxide nanowires prepared by vapor-liquid-solid technique.

Tin oxide nanowires have been grown on p-type silicon substrates using a gold-catalyst-assisted vapor–liquid–solid growth process. The nanowires were annealed in the presence of oxygen at 700 °C for different time intervals. The changes in material properties of the nanowires after annealing were investigated using various characterization techniques. Annealing improves the crystal quality of the nanowires as seen from Raman spectroscopy analysis. Photoluminescence (PL) data indicates a decrease in the oxygen vacancies and defects after annealing, affecting the luminescence from the nanowires. In addition, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to obtain the changes in the tin and oxygen atomic concentrations before and after annealing, from which the stoichiometry was calculated.
Effect of an intensive care unit rotating empiric antibiotic schedule on the development of hospital-acquired infections on the non-intensive care unit ward.

Objective: We have previously shown that a rotating empirical antibiotic schedule could reduce infectious mortality in an intensive care unit (ICU). We hypothesized that this intervention would decrease infectious complications in the non-ICU ward to which these patients were transferred. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: An ICU and the ward to which the ICU patients were transferred at a university medical center. Patients: All patients treated on the general, transplant, or trauma surgery services who developed hospital-acquired infection while on the non-ICU wards. Interventions: A 2-yr study consisting of 1-yr non-protocol-driven antibiotic use and 1-yr quarterly rotating empirical antibiotic assignment for patients treated in the ICU from which a portion of the patients were transferred. Measurements and Main Results: There were 2,088 admissions to the non-ICU wards during the nonrotation year and 2,183 during the ICU rotation year. Of these patients, 407 hospital-acquired infections were treated during the nonrotation year and 213 were treated during the ICU rotation (19.7 vs. 9.8 infections/ 100 admissions, p <.0001). During the ICU rotation year a decrease in the rate of resistant Gram-positive and resistant Gram-negative infections on the non-ICU wards occurred (2.5 vs. 1.6 infections/100 admissions, p =.04; 1.0 vs. 0.4 infections/100 admissions, p =.03). Subgroup analysis revealed that the decrease in resistant infections on the wards was due to a reduction in resistant Gram-positive and resistant Gram-negative infections among non-ICU ward patients admitted initially from areas other than the ICU implementing the antibiotic rotation (e.g., home, other ward, or a different ICU) (1.8 vs. 0.5 infections/100 admissions, p =.0001; 0.7 vs. 0.2 infections/100 admissions, p =.02), not due to differences for those transferred to the ward from the rotation ICU (10.4 vs. 9.7 infections/100 admissions, p = 1.0; 4.3 vs. 1.9 infections/100 admissions, p =.3). No differences in infection-related mortality were detected. Conclusions: An effective rotating empirical antibiotic schedule in an ICU is associated with a reduction in infectious morbidity (hospital-acquired and resistant hospital-acquired infection rates) on the non-ICU wards to which patients are transferred.
Calculation of intensity ratio of Brillouin components in HeII under pressure

Abstract The ratio of the intensities of Brillouin components due to first and second sound is calculated using experimentally determined pressure dependence of specific heats ratio. The intensity of second-sound Brillouin components is found to be as strong as six tenths of that of the first sound component near critical temperature under 20–30 atmosphere pressure.
SMOPD-C: An autonomous vertical partitioning technique for distributed databases on cluster computers

Distributed databases on cluster computers are widely used in many applications. With the volume of data getting bigger and bigger and the velocity of data getting faster and faster, it is important to develop techniques that can improve query response time to meet applications' needs. Database vertical partitioning that splits a database table into smaller tables containing fewer attributes in order to reduce disk I/Os is one of those techniques. While many algorithms have been developed for database vertical partitioning, none of them is designed to partition the database stored in cluster computers dynamically, i.e., without human interference and without fixed query workloads. To fill this gap, this paper introduces a dynamic algorithm, SMOPD-C, that can autonomously partition a distributed database vertically on cluster computers, determine when a database re-partitioning is needed, and re-partition the database accordingly. The paper then presents comprehensive experiments that were conducted to study the performance of SMOPD-C using the TPC-H benchmark on a cluster computer. The experiment results show that SMOPD-C is capable of performing database re-partitioning dynamically with high accuracy to provide better query cost than the current partitioning configuration.
CCAAT/Enhancer-binding Protein α Alters Histone H3 Acetylation at Large Subnuclear Domains

Transcriptional regulation is commonly associated with local levels of histone acetylation, which controls chromatin structure at specific genes or within contiguous chromosomal domains. Less well understood are the higher order determinants of histone acetylation. The transcription factor, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), concentrates at one higher order structure, the peri-centromeric chromatin, and regulates differentiation in many cell types, including pituitary cells. We used quantitative fluorescence microscopy to show that immunostained acetylated histone H3 is relatively absent from peri-centromeric domains visible as large structures in mouse pituitary progenitor GHFT1-5 cells. GHFT1-5 cells do not contain C/EBPα. We observed that expression of C/EBPα in GHFT1-5 cells leads to an increased level of acetylated histone H3, but not acetylated histone H4, at the peri-centromeric domains. Only transcriptionally active forms of C/EBPα altered histone acetylation at the peri-centromeric domain. The altered state of histone acetylation at large intranuclear domains may complement, counteract, or supercede the more gene-local activities of other transcription factors to coordinate C/EBPα-induced cellular differentiation.
Testicular dysfunction and sexual impotence in the alcoholic rat.

Evidence suggests that male alcoholics show a decrease in plasma testosterone levels which may lead to sexual impotence. Testosterone is mainly synthesized in the testes, and the object of this study is to investigate how chronic alcohol ingestion by male rats affects testosterone synthesis in the testis and sexual behavior. Male rats were isolated at 25 days of age and randomly assigned to one of the following diet groups: (1) Alcohol Group, 20% alcohol in water and rat chow ad lib; (2) Sucrose Group, matched to Alcohol Group in rat chow intake and receiving a sucrose solution calorically equivalent to the alcohol intake; (3) Control Group, water and rat chow ad lib. Four rats from each group were sacrificed at 52 and at 154 days old. Testicular tissue was incubated with [3H]-progesterone and the percentage of conversion to testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was measured. In the older Alcohol subgroup, there was a decrease in the conversion of progesterone to testosterone and androstenedione, accompanied by an increase in the conversion to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, suggesting an inhibitory effect of alcohol on 17–20 desmolase. Measures of sexual behavior indicated that Alcohol rats tended to show less sexual interest behaviors in the presence of females in heat than the Sucrose and Control rats.
Possible Explanation of Anomalies in Neutral K Phenomena

THE experimental results usually interpreted as evidence for CP violation in neutral K decay have been found1 to be inconsistent with the values of all the relevant observables obtained from other measurements. In particular, either the KL–KS mass difference or the difference (δ2–δ0) between two pion–pion scattering phases, as determined from a phenomenological analysis1 of the former data, has an opposite sign from that obtained by independent measurements of these two quantities. (The measurements of the sign of the mass difference have been summarized in ref. 2, and the independent determination of the sign of (δ2–δ0) is backed by a considerable body of evidence; see ref. 3.)
A semantic view of ALGOL 68

This article presents a semantic view of the programming language ALGOL 68 [1]. The presentation emphasizes those elements of the language which form the basis for viewing an ALGOL 68 program as a composite expression, built-up through embedded expression layers. It is intended to give a glimpse of the semantic issues present in ALGOL 68 rather than a tutorial or general introduction. This discussion of the language defined by the Revised Report follows the treatment given by Branquart, Lewi, Sintzoff and Wodon [2] for the language defined by the original Report [3].
Management of Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia.

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) develops as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux, and its importance is derived from its association with esophageal adenocarcinoma (ACA) [1]. BE is found in 10% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux. It is a premalignant condition and is associated with a risk of esophageal ACA up to 125-fold greater than in the general population [2,3]. The sequence to carcinogenesis is thought to follow a progression from Barrett’s metaplasia, through low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and, finally, to ACA [4]. Furthermore, various studies have shown that the overall incidence of ACA from Barrett’s metaplasia ranges from 0.2% to 2% [5] and that approximately 32% of patients diagnosed with BE with HGD progress to esophageal ACA within 5 years [6]. In addition, several other studies have shown that 38% to 73% of patients who undergo an operation after an endoscopic biopsy diagnosis of HGD already have esophageal ACA [7–16]. The initiation of surveillance programs has led to earlier diagnosis of HGD and early esophageal ACA, which has presumably saved many lives [17–19]. Although the prognosis of ACA is extremely poor (with a 5-year survival rate of 13% to 15%), when esophageal ACA is found in the early stages, it has a good chance of being cured [20,21]. The authors’ current management options for BE with HGD include (1) surveillance, (2) endoscopic mucosal ablative therapies, and (3) esophagectomy. In this manuscript, the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of patients with BE with HGD and its relationship with ACA is discussed.
Physical region for three-neutrino mixing angles

We derive a set of symmetry relations for the three-neutrino mixing angles, including the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) matter effect. Though interesting in their own right, these relations are used to choose the physical region of the mixing angles such that oscillations are parametrized completely and uniquely. We propose that the preferred way of setting the bounds on the mixing angles should be ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{12}\ensuremath{\in}[0,\ensuremath{\pi}/2]$, ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}\ensuremath{\in}[\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}/2,\ensuremath{\pi}/2]$, ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{23}\ensuremath{\in}[0,\ensuremath{\pi}/2]$, and $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\in}[0,\ensuremath{\pi})$. No CP violation then results simply from setting $\ensuremath{\delta}=0$. In the presence of the MSW effect, this choice of bounds is a new result. Since the size of the asymmetry about ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}=0$ is dependent on the details of the data analysis and is a part of the results of the analysis, we argue that the negative values of ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}$ should not be ignored.
Periodic and complex waveform current oscillations of copper electrodissolution in phosphoric acid in an epoxy-based microchip flow cell

We investigate the dynamical behavior of anodic copper dissolution in phosphoric acid in an on-chip integrated microfluidic flow cell. Electrodissolution of copper in the microcell displayed periodic, smooth, and relaxation oscillations. The system displayed complex waveforms with mixed-mode and chaotic oscillations as well. These waveforms appeared when proper external resistance, flow rate, and circuit potential were applied. The oscillations in the Cu-phosphoric acid system exhibited a strong dependence on the flow rate of the electrolyte solution. An increase in flow rate correlated with a decrease in the minimum external resistance required for oscillations. The experiments displayed a considerable “drift” where repeated linear polarization scan measurements resulted in a decrease of current level as well as a shift of the range of oscillations to lower (more negative) potentials. The experiments also indicated that the direction of flow affected the observed dynamics of the microcell flow system. Pushing the flow moved the acid through the channel over the recessed Cu electrode to reservoir accommodating the counter and reference electrode; pulling the flow transferred the acid from the reservoir to the electrode. With pull flow, an increased oscillatory potential range and a greater variety of complex waveform types were observed.
Effect of carbaryl(1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate) on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and some liver microsomal enzymes in white leghorn cockerels.

Abstract White Leghorn cockerels were given a po dose of carbaryl (1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate) at the rate of 0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg/kg of body weight for 3 or 6 days. Carbaryl treatment of 100 mg/kg and above caused a decrease in sodium pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and an increase in the liver weight. Carbaryl treatment at 100 mg/kg and above caused an increase in liver aniline hydroxylase activity. Liver aminopyrine demethylase activity increased after treatment with carbaryl at the rate of 200 mg/kg or more. A slight and variable increase in liver cytochrome P450 content occurred after treatment with 300 or 400 mg of carbaryl per kg of body weight. Pretreatment of cockerels with sodium pentobarbital caused little change in the rate of excretion of 14C given as 1-naphthyl-1-14C N-methylcarbamate.
Anxiogenesis in adult rats treated chronically with cocaine during adolescence: Effects of extended abstinence and 8-OH-DPAT treatment

Abstract Our laboratory has recently observed the development of an anxiogenic response after a short abstinence period (∼10 days) in young adult rats treated repeatedly with cocaine during adolescence. The present study was conducted to determine if this effect persists into adulthood following extended durations of abstinence and whether it could be modulated with the 5-HT 1A agonist (±)-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT). Accordingly, 30-day-old rats were injected with either 10 mg/kg cocaine or saline for 8 consecutive days. Approximately 8 weeks after the final injection, anxiety levels in subjects were assessed with an elevated zero maze with a second assessment performed 4 weeks thereafter. Shortly prior to each test session, half the subjects in each of the two adolescent drug conditions received injections of 300 μg/kg 8-OH-DPAT while the other half received injections of the vehicle. Based on total time spent in the open areas of the maze, the results obtained at the first abstinent duration indicated that adolescent cocaine treatment did not induce an anxiogenic response. Assessment of maze behavior at the second abstinent duration was aided with a digital tracking and computerized scoring system ( LimeLight , Actimetrics). Similar to the results obtained at the first abstinent duration, the amount of time spent in the open areas of the maze was unrelated to prior cocaine treatment. However, cocaine-treated rats did show evidence of an anxiogenic response at this abstinent duration based on more frequent entries into and out of the open and enclosed areas of the maze, more frequent and longer durations of exploratory bouts beyond the perimeter of the maze, excessive number of cautious protrusions into the open areas, and faster running velocities through the open areas. These results were not artifacts of generalized motor activation in that comparable total distance traveled scores were noted for all subjects. Treatment with 8-OH-DPAT shortly prior to elevated zero maze testing normalized these behaviors induced by adolescent cocaine. It is concluded that the anxiogenic response produced by cocaine exposure during adolescence persists 12 weeks beyond cessation of drug treatment and that this effect is reversible with 8-OH-DPAT. In addition, the results underscore the importance of taking multiple measures when assessing anxiety in experimental animals. Implications for the neurobiology of drug abuse and the role of serotonin are discussed.
The simultaneous diffusion of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in purified NaCl single crystals

Abstract In this paper a technique for studying the simultaneous diffusion of two divalent ions in an alkali halide is described. The technique has several advantages over the usual single ion method. Equations are developed which show the effect of common ion interaction on the diffusion profile. The technique is applied to the diffusion of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ in purified NaCl single crystals. The effect of effusion during quenching is examined and found not to distort the low concentration region of the penetration curve deeper in the crystal. The values of D o , the migration energy U o , the enthalpy Δ h ′ and entropy of association Δ S ′ measured in these experiments are given by D s(Pb) =1·40×10 −2 exp (−0·982 eV/ kT ) cm 2 /sec, D s(Cd) =3·57×10 −3 exp (−0·857 e V/ kT) cm 2 /sec, Δ g′ (Pb) =−0·775 eV+(5·29×10 −4 eV/° k ) T , and Δ g′ (Cd) =−0·972 eV+(6·65×10 −4 eV/° K ) T , The primed quantities Δ g′ and δ s′ have the configurational contribution to the entropy removed.
The Pan-German League and radical nationalist politics in interwar Germany, 1918–1939

For the past decade or so, scholarly interest in the Alldeutscher Verband (Pan-German League) has grown significantly, as historians continue to examine the ideological continuities between early v...