cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sphincter of Oddi manometry

In 1887, Ruggero Oddi, described the sphincter of Oddi (SO) (1). But until recently, problems related to sphincter of Oddi dysfunction were either poorly diagnosed or were treated empirically with surgery. The introduction of endoscopie retrograde examination of the biliary and pancreatic ducts provided an opportunity for evaluating the sphincter function. This endoscopie technique has subsequently facilitated the development of biliary and pancreatic manometry (2).
Capacity Planning for Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facilities

Abstract In this work, we develop an integrated optimization under uncertainty framework to address the problem of capacity planning in pharmaceutical supply chains that employ novel integrated continuous production schemes. Since the outcomes of clinical trials are uncertain, the problem naturally leads to a stochastic programming problem, which is formulated as a scenario-based multi-period mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model. The number of scenarios grows exponentially with the number of potential products, resulting in large-scale MILP models that are intractable with standard solvers. We propose a novel solution method to solve the above industrial-scale problems that contain up to 10 potential products and nearly 60,000 scenarios.
High-Frequency Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes asymptotic high-frequency (HF) techniques and solutions for analyzing a variety of electrically large, electromagnetic (EM) scattering and diffraction problems. These high-frequency methods and hence the solutions are asymptotic in the sense that their accuracy increases as some characteristic dimension associated with the scatterer becomes electrically large with increasing frequency. The high-frequency solutions serve to complement the other solutions that are primarily restricted to low frequencies, such as the formal convergent eigenfunction expansions and numerical solutions, which exhibit extremely poor convergence properties with increasing frequency. An important advantage of asymptotic HF methods is that they can provide solutions, often in closed form, to complex scattering problems for which exact analytical solutions cannot be found with techniques currently available. The high-frequency techniques summarized here are those based on the classical geometrical optics (GO) and physical optics (PO), as well as their modern extensions: the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD); and its uniform version (the UTD), the physical theory of diffraction (PTD), and the equivalent current method (ECM).
TEMPORAL TRENDS IN STENT COVERAGE OF BIORESORBABLE POLYMER AND DURABLE POLYMER DRUG-ELUTING STENTS: A META-ANALYSIS OF STRUT-LEVEL OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY DATA

Delayed strut coverage is an important risk factor for stent thrombosis. The endothelialization rate of bioresorbable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP DES) may be better compared to durable polymer 2nd generation drug eluting stents (DP DES). We pooled data from all optical coherence tomography (OCT
Impact of the emission wavelengths on in vivo multiphoton imaging of mouse brains

Tissue scattering and absorption impact the excitation and emission light in different ways for multiphoton imaging. The collected fluorescence includes both ballistic photons and scattered photons whereas multiphoton excited signal within the focal volume is mostly generated by ballistic photons. The impact of excitation wavelengths on multiphoton imaging has been extensively investigated before; however, experimental data is lacking to evaluate the impact of emission wavelengths on fluorescence attenuation in deep imaging. Here we perform three-photon imaging of mouse brain vasculature in vivo using green, red, and near-infrared emission fluorophores, and compare quantitatively the attenuation of the fluorescence signal in the mouse brain at the emission wavelengths of 520 nm, 615 nm and 711 nm. Our results show that the emission wavelengths do not significantly influence the fluorescence collection efficiency. For the green, red and near-infrared fluorophores investigated, the difference in fluorescence collection efficiency is less than a factor of 2 at imaging depths between 0.6 and 1 mm. The advantage of long wavelength dyes for multiphoton deep imaging is almost entirely due to the long excitation wavelengths.
What Is Our Creativity Worth

As we approach the third decade of the 21st century, new ideas, new ways of life, and new methods of art education are all around us. Pedagogy is both changing and has already changed. Art educator...
Fighting obesity at the local level? An analysis of predictors of local health departments' policy involvement.

Abstract Obesity is a critical public health issue in the United States. Local health departments (LHDs) can play a crucial role in public health policy, and are well-positioned to address obesity in their communities. We assess the obesity policy involvement among LHDs across the United States and the factors associated with increased involvement. Data come from 1803 LHDs in the 2016 National Profile of Local Health Department survey, supplemented with county-level obesity prevalence and political ideology. Negative binomial regressions examined LHD and regional characteristics associated with the number of obesity policies with which LHDs were involved. Almost half (46.1%) of LHDs reported no involvement with local obesity policies. Several factors were associated with increased policy involvement: having local boards of health with advisory (IRR = 1.31, p
Research Priorities in Family Caregiving: Process and Outcomes of a Conference on Family-Centered Care Across the Trajectory of Serious Illness

The number of older adults living with functional decline and serious illness is growing exponentially at a time when availability of both family and professional caregivers is strained. Achieving optimal outcomes for this vulnerable population involves advancing the knowledge needed to improve the quality of care delivered by families, health professionals, and community programs. Recent reports from National Institute of Health and the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine have called for the identification of gaps in key areas of family caregiving intervention research. In March 2018, the Family Caregiving Institute at UC Davis convened an invitational meeting of over 50 thought leaders in family caregiving-representing service agencies, funding organizations, and academia-to participate in the Research Priorities in Caregiving Summit: Advancing Family-Centered Care across the Trajectory of Serious Illness. Using an iterative process, attendees identified the top 10 research priorities and created research priority statements that incorporated a definition of the priority topic, rationale for the priority; problem(s) to address; priority population(s); and example research topics. The research priority statements serve as a roadmap for research development that will address the most significant gaps in the caregiving field.
Postsynthetic Modification: An Enabling Technology for the Advancement of Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with immense chemical tunability derived from their organic and inorganic building blocks. Presynthetic approaches have been used to construct tailor-made MOFs, but with a rather restricted functional group scope limited by the typical MOF solvothermal synthesis conditions. Postsynthetic modification (PSM) of MOFs has matured into an alternative strategy to broaden the functional group scope of MOFs. PSM has many incarnations, but two main avenues include (1) covalent PSM, in which the organic linkers of the MOF are modified with a reagent resulting in new functional groups, and (2) coordinative PSM, where organic molecules containing metal ligating groups are introduced onto the inorganic secondary building units (SBUs) of the MOF. These methods have evolved from simple efforts to modifying MOFs to demonstrate proof-of-concept, to becoming key synthetic tools for advancing MOFs for a range of emerging applications, including selective gas sorption, catalysis, and drug delivery. Moreover, both covalent and coordinative PSM have been used to create hierarchal MOFs, MOF-based porous liquids, and other unusual MOF materials. This Outlook highlights recent reports that have extended the scope of PSM in MOFs, some seminal reports that have contributed to the advancement of PSM in MOFs, and our view on future directions of the field.
Spouse and Adult-Child Dementia Caregivers in Chinese American Families: Who Are More Stressed Out?

Abstract Objectives Though many studies have explored differences between spouses and adult children in dementia care, empirical evidence is lacking on racial- and ethnic-minority populations. To fill this research gap, this study examined care tasks, caregiver burden, and depressive symptoms of Chinese spouse and adult-child caregivers in dementia care. Guided by the stress process model, this study asked 3 questions: Do spouse and adult-child caregivers take up different care tasks and experience different levels of caregiver burden and depressive symptoms? Does gender moderate the differences between spouse and adult-child caregivers? Whether care tasks and burden mediate the association between being a spouse/adult-child caregiver and depressive symptoms? Setting and Participants Data were collected from a questionnaire-based survey of Chinese Americans who provided care for their family members with dementia in New York City. The analytical sample included 126 Chinese spouse or adult-child caregivers. Methods Care tasks was indicated by intensity of 8 types of care tasks. Caregiver burden and depressive symptoms were measured by Zarit's Burden Interview and the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Linear regression, interaction term (spouse/adult-child caregiver by gender), and path analysis were conducted to address the 3 questions. Results The results of linear regression show no significant difference in care tasks between the 2 groups, but spouse caregivers had significantly higher levels of caregiver burden and depressive symptoms than adult children. Wives had higher levels of caregiver burden and depressive symptoms than husbands, daughters, and sons. Caregiver burden mediated the association between being a spouse caregiver and higher depressive symptoms, whereas care tasks did not shape such association. Conclusions and Implications This study highlighted the emotional stress of Chinese American older adults in providing care for their spouses. The findings indicate the necessity of developing culturally meaningful activities to support Chinese American spouse caregivers.
A diffuse-interface method for reducing spurious pressure oscillations in multicomponent transcritical flow simulations

Abstract Spurious pressure oscillations are a numerical instability that is commonly observed in multiphase and multicomponent flow problems near the critical point. A diffuse-interface model has been created to simulate transcritical mixing in multispecies and multiphase systems where spurious pressure oscillations pose a serious challenge in achieving convergence. To reduce the spurious pressure oscillations, three methods have been proposed and implemented in the present paper: (1) artificially thickening the interface between different species, (2) reconstruction of the primitive variables in the characteristics space, and (3) developing a hybrid method (HY) that switches between quasi-conservative (QC) double-flux (DF) and the classical fully-conservative numerical procedures based on the changes in the effective specific heat ratio and the effective reference internal energy. The cases considered include (1) a transcritical shock tube problem between nitrogen and n-dodecane, (2) a near-critical shock-droplet interaction, and (3) the transcritical Spray A benchmark case of Engine Combustion Network (ECN) that represents the injection of n-dodecane into a high-pressure and high-temperature nitrogen environment. Characteristic-wise reconstruction of the primitive variables in our proposed fully-conservative method tends to reduce the spurious pressure oscillations compared to primitive-wise reconstruction including the reconstruction of the speed of sound. The HY model is found to effectively reduce the magnitude of the spurious pressure oscillations, the loss of energy conservation, and provides more accurate results for all tested cases. The artificial thickening of the interface between different species is found to reduce spurious pressure oscillations and reduce energy conservation loss when used in conjunction with a QC method (HY or DF).
Coworker Complementarity and the Stability of Top-Management Teams

We analyze changes in the composition of top management teams when a key member of the team (the chief executive officer [CEO]) departs. We find that the probability of non-CEO top manager turnover increases markedly around times of CEO turnover. Further, the magnitude of this increase depends on the relations between the tenure of the manager and tenures of the departing and incoming CEOs. Departure of a long-tenured CEO has a larger effect on turnover probability for a long-tenured non-CEO manager than for a short-tenured manager. Succession of a long-tenured manager as CEO has a larger effect on turnover probability for a short-tenured non-CEO manager than for a longtenured manager. We argue that these findings are at least partially the result of complementarities across these groups of coworkers that affect the value of employment relationships between senior executives and firms.
Activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ameliorates HIV-associated neurology and neuropathology.

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy are primarily manifested as impaired behaviors, glial activation/neuroinflammation and compromised neuronal integrity, for which there are no effective treatments currently available. In the current study, we used doxycycline-inducible astrocyte-specific HIV Tat transgenic mice (iTat), a surrogate HAND model and determined effects of PNU-125096, a positive allosteric modulator of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) on Tat-induced behavioral impairments and neuropathologies. We showed that PNU-125096 treatment significantly improved locomotor, learning and memory deficits of iTat mice while inhibited glial activation and increased PSD-95 expression in the cortex and hippocampus of iTat mice. Using α7 nAChR knockout mice, we showed that α7 nAChR knockout eliminated the protective effects of PNU-125096 on iTat mice. In addition, we showed that inhibition of p38 phosphorylation by SB239063, a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor exacerbated Tat neurotoxicity in iTat mice. Lastly, we used primary mouse cortical individual cultures and neuron-astrocytes co-cultures and in vivo staining of iTat mouse brain tissues and showed that glial activation was directly involved in the interplay among Tat neurotoxicity, α7 nAChR activation, and p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrated for the first time that α7 nAChR activation led to protection against HAND and suggest that α7 nAChR modulator PNU-125096 hold significant promise for development of therapeutics for HAND.
Utility Mergers and the Modern (and Future) Power Grid

Scott Hempling’s Regulating Mergers and Acquisitions of U.S. Electric Utilities provides a comprehensive history of electric utility mergers in the United States since the 1980s. Hempling documents the dramatic consolidation the industry has seen in the past fifty years, and he convincingly argues that electric utility mergers present unique problems for regulators. This Review considers how utility acquisitions (a) allow holding companies to leverage the utilities’ creditworthiness to cross-subsidize non-utility affiliates, and (b) exacerbate informational asymmetries between regulators and utilities. It argues that utility mergers generate negative spillovers outside of the utility’s service territory that have potentially significant environmental consequences, and argues that FERC and state energy regulators have been overly reluctant to respond to these challenges, even compared to regulators that oversee other heavily regulated industries.
Natural Transformation of Post-industrial Lands: Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ (USA)

Abandoned post-industrial or wasteland landscapes present an interesting paradox. Do the ecological benefits of these naturally assembled systems present an “attractive nuisance” due to the potential for contaminate transfer or do they provide valuable ecosystem services and functions? This case study presents data from a former railyard that since its abandonment in the 1960s has developed into a mix of urban forest shrubland and meadow. The heterogeneous structure and the legacy metal contaminants have been characterized. The diversity of the naturally assembled plant community is also well documented, as are its successional trajectories. The ecological risk associated with contaminant transfer has been examined at the primary, secondary, and tertiary trophic levels. In general, the findings indicate that while the plant communities are a novel mix of old and new world species and do not follow traditional trajectories, they are providing significant ecosystem functions. In addition, and most significantly, the risk associated with contaminant transfer throughout the food web appears to be minimal. After 30 years of investigations, researchers have concluded that this wasteland provides valuable ecosystem services.
Can We Eliminate Opioids After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background:Multimodal pain protocols have been effective for postsurgical pain control; however, no published protocol has been effective in eliminating opioid consumption.Purpose:To compare a mult...
Static Crystal Field for Orthohydrogen Impurities in Parahydrogen

Ortho-para mixtures of solid hydrogen show a number of unique and interesting properties which have been the subject of numerous investigations during the past decade or so. Among these are measurements of the energy level Splitting of the triply degenerate J = 1 rotational State of dilute mixtures of orthohydrogen in solid parahydrogen. In the environment of neighboring molecules with rotational quantum number J = 0, the triply degenerate J = 1 State is split. This Splitting is observed in the NMR spectrum and depends on the ortho hydrogen concentration x [1–3].
UNDERSTANDING SUCCESSIVE SEARCHES ACROSS MULTIPLE SESSIONS OVER THE WEB

This study intends to enhance the understanding of successive searches over multiple sessions by characterizing successive searches with a conceptual model, Multiple Information Seeking Episodes (MISE), validating MISE and supporting successive searches with a prototyped information system, PERsonalized and Successive Information Seeking Toolkit (PERSIST), whose requirements are derived from MISE. The study has both theoretical and practical values as it increases the understanding of human information behavior and develops useful tools to support the concerned behavior.
Plant Cell Wall Carbohydrates as Substrates for Azospirillum brasiliense

Carbohydrate components (simple sugars and polysaccharides) of cell walls of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L., cv. Gahi) were studied as potential substrates for the root-associated diazotroph Azospirillum brasiliense Sp. 7. Simple sugars were utilized, but no evidence was obtained to support the suggestion that the polysaccharide components tested might serve as substrates for growth following hydrolysis by the associated azospirilla.
MCM-22 zeolite family and the delaminated zeolite MCM-56 obtained in one-step synthesis

Zeolite MCM-22 can form via a layered intermediate, which combines the potential of two classes of materials: zeolites and layered solids. Various discrete products with different arrangement of the MCM-22 monolayers have been recognized. A comprehensive overview of the resultant MCM-22 family is presented with the emphasis on synthetic routes and characterization, especially by X-ray diffraction, which allows identification of the various family members. One of the discussed materials, MCM-56, is identified as comprising a disordered collection of MCM-22 monolayers. It is the only delaminated zeolite available via a convenient one-step hydrothermal synthesis. MCM-56 may be a substrate for novel zeolitic materials with designed and tailored structures.
Sets and Functions

A set is a collection of distinct objects with a precise description or mechanism for determining whether a given object belongs to the collection. If an object belongs to the collection it is called an element or a member of the set.
Trade-offs in protecting storage: a meta-data comparison of cryptographic, backup/versioning, immutable/tamper-proof, and redundant storage solutions

Modern storage systems are responsible for increasing amounts of data and the value of the data itself is growing in importance. Several primary storage system solutions have emerged for the protection of data: (1) secure storage through cryptography, (2) backup and versioning systems, (3) immutable and tamper-proof storage, and (4) redundant storage. Using results from published studies, we compare these four solutions against different requirements highlighting trade-offs in performance, space, attack resistance, and cost. We also present a case study of applying these solutions based on design work at NCSA. Lastly, we conclude that while different storage protection solutions may be appropriate for different requirements, some general conclusions can be made about current state-of-the-art storage protection solutions as well as directions for future research.
Jumping Translocations in Myeloid Malignancies Associated With Treatment Resistance and Poor Survival

Abstract Background Jumping translocations (JT) are uncommon cytogenetic abnormalities involving nonreciprocal translocations of a single donor chromosome onto 2 or more chromosomes. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of JTs in patients with myeloid malignancies are not well described. Materials and Methods We searched our cytogenetic database from 2003 to 2014 to identify cases of myeloid malignancies associated with a JT. These cases were cross-referenced with our clinical databases to determine patient characteristics, response to treatment and overall survival. Results We identified 10 patients with myeloid malignancies and a JT: 4 cases of acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplastic syndrome–related changes, 4 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome, and 2 cases of postpolycythemia myelofibrosis. The donor segment was derived from chromosome 1 in every case. The acquisition of a JT was a late occurrence, with a median time to JT development of 24.9 months (range, 0-248 months) from diagnosis. The overall response to treatment was poor, with no patients experiencing a response to conventional chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents. The median overall survival for the group was 9 months (95% confidence interval, 2.5-15.5) after identification of a JT. Conclusion The acquisition of a JT in patients with myeloid malignancies appears to be a late event and is associated with myelodysplasia. In our series, this was associated with a poor prognosis with a poor response to treatment, disease transformation to acute myeloid leukemia, and short overall survival.
Fermilab Energy Doubler Beam Position Detector

This paper describes the design and performance of the beam position detector being installed in the Fermilab superconducting Energy Doubler accelerator. The detector is a stripline pickup designed to operate at 4 degrees Kelvin and with beam intensities ranging from 108 to 1011 protons per RF bucket at 53 MHz. The detector design, signal amplitude, positional sensitivity, directivity, and longitudinal impedance are presented.
Gyromagnetic effect in a superconductor

The gyromagnetic ratio of a superconducting tin sphere has been measured by the Einstein-DeHaas method. The result is approximately that to be expected on the picture of perfectly free superconducting electrons and is in agreement with the work of Kikoin and Gubar.
Model of cavity coupling for beam breakup control

The coupling of the accelerating cavities to dummy cavities was recently found to reduce beam breakup growth. This paper analyzes a more sophisticated model, proposed by George Caporaso, that includes the time delay between coupled cavities and covers the possibilities of wave cutoff and resonance in the coupling path. A dispersion relation is obtained. We show that the peak spatial exponentiation rate of the dominant BBU mode is reduced by as much as a factor of two, and this reduction is insensitive to the coupling path length. Other modes are destabilized, however, but they have lower growth rates, in general.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adenylate Metabolism of Embryonic Axes from Deteriorated Soybean Seeds

RNA and protein syntheses in axes excised from dry soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds at different levels of deterioration were assayed. Low rates of protein synthesis in slightly deteriorated seeds were not due to losses in ribosomal or soluble fraction activities. However, the lowered rates of RNA and protein syntheses of deteriorated seeds were associated with reduced ATP content of the tissues. Adenine and adenosine conversions to ATP were reduced in deteriorated axes, and these reductions were reflected in reduced incorporation of these compounds into RNA.
Fiscal Decentralization: A Political Theory with Latin American Cases

Theories of fiscal federalism explain the efficiency and other economic gains from decentralization but do not explain its extent and nature in practice. The authors develop a political theory of decentralization that focuses on the lines of political accountability between politicians at different levels of government. The more accountable central-level politicians--presidents and legislators--are to subnational politicians, the greater the extent of decentralization and the more it will conform to the preferences of subnational politicians, for example, with respect to the degree of the center's discretion. The model is tested on five Latin American countries that, although formally decentralized, in fact exhibit wide differences in the distribution of spending and revenue responsibilities. The theory also helps explain a number of problems governments have encountered in decentralizing, including subnational debt crises and a mismatch between responsibilities and resources.
A new family of bismuth — Precious metal pyrochlores

Abstract A series of compounds has been synthesized based on the new pyrochlores, Bi2Ru2O7 and Bi2Ir2O7. Electrical and magnetic properties were measured on several of these materials. High conductivity and small Seebeck coefficients were observed for Bi2Ru2O7 and Bi2Ir2O7. A qualitative band model is discussed in an attempt to rationalize the transport properties.
Toward a national food policy for the USA

Abstract This special report discusses the need for a national food policy in the USA. Based on a speech1 made by Carol Tucker Foreman, Assistant Secretary, Food and Consumer Services, of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is part of an ongoing debate in that country. Assistant Secretary Foreman made the speech at the Food and Agricultural Outlook Conference sponsored by the USDA in Washington DC, 14–17 November 1977. The views presented here are not an official US government statement, but rather one part of an important policy making process. FOOD POLICY welcomes submission of other opinions on the question of a food policy for the USA, or for any other nation.
Characterization of a human and mouse tetrapyrrole-binding protein.

Abstract The cDNA for p22HBP has been cloned from human and mouse, and the protein expressed, purified, and characterized. Both mouse and human proteins bind heme and porphyrins with micromolar K d s, are highly homologous, monomeric, and soluble, and have a cytoplasmic location. The proteins bind metalloporphyrins, free porphyrins, and N -methylprotoporphyrin with similar affinities, and mutations of a selected set of putative metal ligating residues did not have any significant effect on the measured K d s. That the presence or absence of metal in the porphyrin has no effect on the binding constants and the observation that the EPR signal for heme does not change upon binding to the protein strongly suggest that p22HBP is a generic tetrapyrrole-binding protein rather than a dedicated heme-binding protein. A role for p22HBP in cellular porphyrin metabolism is discussed.
Retroviral mediated gene transfer into bone marrow progenitor cells: use of beta-galactosidase as a selectable marker.

Abstract Recombinant retroviruses have been utilized as vectors for gene transfer in model systems of gene therapy. Since many of these model systems require the transplantation of genetically modified primary cells it is important to devise methods which will allow the rapid and efficient selection for transplantation of only the cells which are capable of expressing high levels of the transferred gene. This report describes the use of beta-galactosidase as such a selectable marker. Bone marrow progenitors are infected with a recombinant retrovirus encoding beta-galactosidase. Using a fluorescence assay for beta-galactosidase we demonstrate that it is possible to use cell sorting to enrich for cells which will form bone marrow colonies that express high levels of beta-galactosidase. This rapid and non-toxic selection of bone marrow cells may facilitate attempts to achieve gene therapy in a variety of model systems.
Electrochemical adjustment of thin film Ti-Pd resistors

Abstract Thin multilayered films consisting of tantalum nitride (Ta2N), titanium, palladium and gold are used at Sandia National Laboratories to fabricate hybrid microcircuits. From these stock multilayered composites, various circuits can be selectively etched and patterned to provide conductors and two levels of resistor patterns. The Ta2N is used to form resistor structures having values ranging from about 20 to 50 000 Ω. In order to provide resistors having values of about 1–4 Ω, the palladium, with its underlying titanium and Ta2N layers, is used; these were designated as Ti-Pd resistors. Low resistivity tuned strip lines, for example, have this need. Present hybrid microcircuit technology typically limits the fabrication precision of thin film resistors to accuracies of 20% or 30%. Laser trimming is typically used to adjust out-of-tolerance resistors; however, in the case of strip-line resistor applications this introduces undesirable variations in the impedance. We have completed a study of the use of an electrochemical probe which can be used to deposit gold selectively or, alternatively, to remove palladium from the surface of the palladium composite film resistors described above. This permits resistor adjustment to either higher or lower values and does not produce discontinuities which occur with laser trimming. The process is similar in its result to that observed in the electrochemical or anodic trimming of Ta2N resistors and is used to achieve practical tolerances of about 5% in Ti-Pd resistors. Studies describing accelerated life aging, temperature coefficient of resistance changes and final adjustment precision are discussed.
Survival following a vertical free fall from 300 feet: The crucial role of body position to impact surface

We report the case of a 28-year old rock climber who survived an "unsurvivable" injury consisting of a vertical free fall from 300 feet onto a solid rock surface. The trauma mechanism and injury kinetics are analyzed, with a particular focus on the relevance of body positioning to ground surface at the time of impact. The role of early patient transfer to a level 1 trauma center, and "damage control" management protocols for avoiding delayed morbidity and mortality in this critically injured patient are discussed.
Inhibition of Src kinases combined with CD40 ligand blockade prolongs murine cardiac allograft survival.

Background. Members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs) are requisite signaling molecules activated by multiple receptors during immune responses. Their expression and catalytic activity has not been characterized in allograft rejection in vivo. Methods. We measured expression and catalytic activity of SFKs in MHC- mismatched murine cardiac allografts. We also examined the effects of a Src inhibitor (CGP77675) with or without anti-CD154 mAb on graft survival, histology, and expression and catalytic activity of SFKs within the grafts. Results. In acutely rejecting allografts from untreated controls, total activity of Hck and Lyn increased 10-fold, predominantly reflecting increases in the amount of protein. Total activity of Lck increased only fourfold, reflecting small changes in both the amount of protein and specific activity. One dose of anti-CD154 plus CGP77675 markedly diminished cellular infiltration, but survival was only moderately prolonged despite inhibition of all SFKs in the rejected grafts. Two doses of anti-CD154 plus CGP77675 allowed permanent graft acceptance in 60% of recipients even after discontinuation of the inhibitor. Both rejected and long surviving grafts showed increased activity of all SFKs. Recipients that rejected their grafts showed serum alloantibody production, and grafts rejected during treatment demonstrated deposition of complement indicating the contribution of antibody to rejection. Conclusions. The myeloid and B cell Src family kinases, Hck and Lyn, rather than the T cell Src kinase Lck, show the greatest increase in expression and total activity in rejecting allografts. Both rejected and long-surviving grafts show significant increases in SFK expression and acitivity.
Trifluoperazine and W-7 inhibit mating in Chlamydomonas at an early stage of gametic interaction☆

Gametic mating by Chlamydomonas reinhardi is inhibited in a dose-dependent and reversible manner by the calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine (TFP) and W-7, but not by W-5, an analog of W-7 having lower affinity for calmodulin. Quantitation of the sequential steps of mating showed that TFP and W-7 both allow normal levels of flagellar agglutination but prevent all subsequent steps. Gametes agglutinate aberrantly and do not form mating pairs. Further, both of these drugs prevent the translocation of latex beads along the flagellar surface. Our observations suggest that calmodulin may play an integral role in the translocation of flagellar adhesion sites during the tip-locking stage of the Chlamydomonas mating reaction. Flagellar surface motility may be crucial to the transduction of signals during mating and may share regulatory mechanisms with other forms of surface motility.
Polymer-assisted solution-phase (PASP) library synthesis of α-ketoamides

A parallel solution-phase library synthesis of α-ketoamides is described. The two-step library synthesis is accomplished using polymer-assisted solution-phase (PASP) synthesis techniques. This high-yielding, multi-step sequence utilizes sequestering resins for the removal of reactants, reactant by-products, and tagged reagents. The first step of the library synthesis utilizes PASP resins to mediate the amide coupling of an α-hydroxy acid with an amine. The second step uses PASP resins for the periodinane oxidation of the α-hydroxy acid to an α-ketoamide leaving highly pure products after simple filtration and evaporation. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng (Comb Chem) 71:51–57, 2000.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) composites of copper-4,4′-trimethylenedipyridine

We prepared a series of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites with a novel one dimensional coordination polymer copper-4,4′-trimethylenedipyridine (CU-TMDP). The CU-TMDP was sonicated in a methyl methacrylate monomer and polymerized in situ. Thermal, mechanical and optical properties of CU-TMDP–PMMA composites were probed via optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), microhardness, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The CU-TMDP was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The functionality of the CU-TMDP interacted with the polymer matrix such that mechanical properties are tuned by varying CU-TMDP loadings. The data point to the fact that interactions are primarily due to London dispersion forces or dipole–dipole interactions. This initial study forms the basis for future applications requiring tailored mechanical properties.
The Pattern and Effectiveness of Forager Allocation Among Flower Patches by Honey Bee Colonies

Abstract To gather its food efficiently, a colony of honey bees must allocate its foragers among flower patches in accordance with their profitabilities. Previous empirical studies have revealed the mechanisms of the allocation process, but tell us neither the allocation pattern that results nor its effectiveness. To investigate these topics, we develop a system of differential equations that models the allocation process in a hypothetical colony of bees whose behavior closely approximates the observed behavior of real bees. We find that our hypothetical colony tends toward a specific allocation of foragers among flower patches, one in which each forager experiences the same rate of "value" accumulation regardless of which patch she is visiting (the equal value rate allocation). Moreover, we show that no allocation brings value to the hypothetical colony's hive more than twice as quickly as the equal value rate allocation. To test the accuracy of our model and its predictions about the allocation patterns of honey bee colonies, we use the model to generate predictions about the patterns of dancing and other variables for different flower patches that should be observed in real colonies. The results of one empirical test confirm the model's prediction that at equilibrium the foragers from different patches will experience equal rates of value accumulation.
Anal fistula plug: initial experience and outcomes.

PURPOSE:This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of the Cook Surgisis® AFP™ anal fistula plug for the management of complex anal fistulas.METHODS:This was a retrospective review of all patients prospectively entered into a database at our institution who underwent treatment for complex anal f
Examining Job Stress and Satisfaction Among Digital Forensic Examiners

A significant body of research has developed focusing on the occupational reactions of police officers and criminal justice system employees. Few studies have, however, examined the way that digital forensic analysts working with computerized evidence experience and respond to work stress. This study addresses this gap in the literature through an analysis of job satisfaction and stress in the work experiences of a sample of 56 digital forensic analysts. The findings suggest that analysts experience a moderate amount of work stress, high levels of job satisfaction, and utilize prosocial coping strategies to deal with these stresses.
Low Maintenance Alternative Turf Trials

Abstract Mixtures of cool-season grasses and flowers marketed under the names “Ecology Lawn Mix” and “Fleur de Lawn’; and “No Mow”, a mixture of fine fescues, performed as well as conventional, low maintenance, cool-season grasses when rated for color, cover and overall appearance in three years of trials at two locations in Minnesota. Materials were evaluated using no pesticides or irrigation, with 2′, 4′ and minimum (2/yr) mowing treatments and three fertility levels. Mixtures containing perennial ryegrass provided the best cover with minimal weed competition. Warm-season grasses and mixtures of forbs without cool-season grasses had significantly lower color and cover ratings. This research provides more choices for homeowners and commercial grounds personnel looking for acceptable, alternative turf-grasses with minimal inputs.
Broad-band elliptical beamshape horns with low cross polarization

Horn antennas with an elliptical beam and low cross polarization are discussed. A new class of elliptical-beamshape horns has been investigated. The horns are based on the dielectric core approach, using a dielectric core inside a smooth-walled horn. Horns with rectangular as well as elliptical cross sections have been studied. Experiments show that they have considerably larger cross-polar bandwidth than that obtained from corrugated horns with an elliptical beam. They are also potentially much cheaper to manufacture. >
Prior antiarrhythmic drug use and the outcome of atrial fibrillation ablation

Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is generally performed after patients fail antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy. Some patients have drug contraindications or choose to avoid a lifetime of drug therapy. Little is known about the impact of previous drug therapy on ablation outcomes. We evaluated AAD use before AF ablation and its impact on ablation outcomes. Methods and results We evaluated freedom from AF after ablation and patients' clinical characteristics by number of AADs failed in 1125 patients undergoing 1504 ablations. We also evaluated reasons why some patients did not receive prior drug therapy. Cox multivariate analysis examined factors predicting ablation failure. Patients failing more drugs before ablation were older ( P = 0.001), had a longer duration of AF ( P = 0.0001), were more likely female ( P = 0.037), had more repeat ablations ( P = 0.045), and less paroxysmal AF ( P = 0.003). For patients with either paroxysmal or persistent AF, the number of drugs failed predicted AF recurrence ( P = 0.0001). Other factors predicting AF recurrence following final ablation included age ( P = 0.004), left atrial size ( P = 0.002), female gender ( P = 0.0001), and persistent AF ( P = 0.0001). The reason for not receiving prior drug therapy was medical in 21.5% and patient choice in 78.5%. Number of drugs failed did not influence ablation outcome for patients with long-standing persistent AF ( P = 0.352). Conclusions For paroxysmal and persistent AF patients undergoing ablation, those failing fewer AADs have different clinical characteristics than those who fail more drugs. Our study also suggests that the more drugs failed pre-ablation, the lower the freedom from AF post-procedure, possibly due to AF progression during drug trials.
Rise time spectroscopy of nuclear radiations in stilbene

Abstract Pulse shape analysis in the zero crossing mode [1] is used to discriminate radiations with different decay times in a stilbene scintillator. Using a photomultiplier tube with small spread in transit time, the alphas and gammas from 241 Am have a resolution of 2.5 ns and 1.4 ns respectively, with a figure of merit of 4.2 [2]. A remarkable feature of this method is the added sensitivity to do spectroscopy of any given radiation. The spectrum of fission neutrons from 252 Cf is displayed. The spontaneous fission fragments, the gammas, and alphas are also well resolved.
Multimodal liquid chromatography columns for the separation of proteins in either the anion-exchange or hydrophobic-interaction mode.

Abstract Several high-performance stationary phases suitable for protein chromatography were synthesized. Columns packed with these materials could be operated independently in either the anion-exchange or hydrophobic-interaction mode. Two approaches were used to prepare these materials. In the first method, a polyamine was adsorbed on the surface of macroporous silica and then crosslinked with a multifunctional oxirane. The hydrophobicity of the crosslinking agent and the extent of interconnection were used to modulate the electrostatic and solvophobic interactions. The second approach also utilized a crosslinked polyamine stationary phase; however, the forces of interaction were attenuated through controlled acylation of surface amines with a small anhydride molecule. The resolving ability of these columns, functioning in either mode, was comparable to commercial high-performance liquid chromatographic columns, designed to operate by a single retention mechanism. Column selectivity for proteins was completely different in each mode. Protein fractions collected from a multimodal column, operated in the anion-exchange mode, could be further purified by rechromatographing them on the same column in the hydrophobic-interaction mode. Utility of the multimodal column was demonstrated with the fractionation of several cytochromes and ferredoxins from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.
Region of Interest Issues: The Relationship between Structure and Function in the Brain

The comparison of data sets from individual subjects between imaging modalities is necessary in order to evaluate the normal physiologic responses of the brain or the pathophysiological changes that accompany disease states. Similarly, it is critical to compare data between individuals both within and across imaging modalities. In a collaborative project with a number of university groups, we have developed a system that allows for the within-subject alignment and registration of three-dimensional data sets obtained from different modalities for the same individuals. These data make use of proposed criteria for the optimal solution to positron emission tomography image acquisition and analysis originally established through a series of international workshops. The analysis takes into account errors induced by image acquisition, registration, and alignment with regard to scaling, translation, and rotation. Using the principles of morphometrics and homologous landmarks, the between-subject warping of indivi...
Ischemic preconditioning increases iNOS transcript levels in conscious rabbits via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.

Abstract Recent studies implicate iNOS as the mediator of the late phase of ischemic preconditioning (PC). However, it is unknown whether induction of iNOS activity is mediated by transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, or post-translational mechanisms. To address this issue, we isolated and sequenced a partial iNOS cDNA expressed in preconditioned rabbit myocardium. Using a rabbit-specific probe generated from this sequence, we measured the steady state levels of the iNOS transcript after ischemic PC [six cycles of 4-min occlusion/4-min reperfusion (O/R)]. Three hours after ischemic PC, the iNOS mRNA levels in the ischemic/reperfused region were increased approximately three-fold relative to samples from the non-ischemic region and from control rabbits. This increase in mRNA levels was completely abolished by pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor Nω -nitro- l -arginine. Conversely, administration of the NO donor nitroglycerin induced an increase in iNOS mRNA levels similar to that induced by ischemic PC. We conclude that in the conscious rabbit, ischemic PC induces an increase in iNOS mRNA levels, and that this induction is triggered by increased generation of NO during the PC stimulus. These results provide direct evidence that upregulation of iNOS is a natural response of the heart to a brief ischemic stress and that NO itself, in the absence of ischemia, upregulates myocardial iNOS transcript levels, a finding that may have implications for nitrate therapy. This previously unrecognized NO-dependent upregulation of iNOS mRNA is likely to play an important role in the development of late PC as well as in many other pathophysiological conditions in which NO is implicated.