cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusion anisotropy of oxygen and hydrogen adatoms on W(110)

Abstract We propose a simple theoretical model to explain the experimentally observed diffusion anisotropy of H and O adatoms on W(110) surface. This model is based on the concept of an intracell diffusion jump within the potential well of each unit cell of the W(110) surface, due to a potential barrier created by a local distortion of the substrate in the presence of an adatom. The branching ratio between intracell and intercell jumps determines the anisotropy of diffusion. Different degrees of the local distortion lead to distinct branching ratios, which can be used to explain the observed anisotropy of diffusion of H and O adatoms.
Personality and self-perceptions of creativity across domains.

The current study evaluated the structure of a revised (shortened) version of the Creativity Domain Questionnaire (CDQ), examined its relationship with five personality factors, and analyzed potential differences in creativity domains based upon gender and occupational status. One hundred eighty-two students and 60 warehouse employees completed the Revised Creativity Domain Questionnaire (CDQ-R) and the Big Five Factor Markers. Consistent with an exploratory factor analysis of pilot data, a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis of these data supported a four-factor structure for the CDQ-R. Correlations between these four creativity domains and the Big Five personality factors generally were consistent with theoretical expectations. Effects for gender also were consistent with theory. Women perceived themselves as more creative in the Arts general domain while men perceived themselves significantly more creative in Math/Science. There were no effects for occupational status.Creativity takes place in dive...
Sudden asystole during craniotomy: unrecognized phenytoin toxicity.

The authors report a case of intraoperative sinus arrest in an otherwise healthy patient undergoing craniotomy for aneurysm clipping after mild subarachnoid hemorrhage. The sinus arrest was precipitated by a rapid infusion of 1500 mg phenytoin and was successfully treated with standard resuscitative measures. The differential diagnosis of intra-operative cardiac arrest and the mechanisms of action of phenytoin are discussed. The authors emphasize the role of phenytoin in cerebral protection.
Frequency of various serological characteristics in the Polish population.

Abstract The frequency of appearance of various serological characteristics in the Polish population (with sex taken into consideration) is presented on the basis of material collected by the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Poznan during the four years from 1968 until 1971.
Zero plasma digoxin levels in patients on oral digoxin therapy

STUDIES of patients considered to be on adequate digoxin therapy sometimes reveal zero levels of plasma digoxin. The reasons for this in certain patients is considered. Some are confused regarding medication, some probably cannot afford the therapy while others deliberately mislead the physician for their own purposes. Confusion in hospital orders can prevent adequate therapy although the physician may be unaware of this. The physical properties of the digoxin tablets and drugs which alter gastrointestinal motility can interfere with or prevent absorption. Certain medications with high adsorptive capacity can produce zero digoxin levels in blood. As so many factors can prevent achievement of adequate levels of digoxin in plasma it is suggested that much greater use be made of routine radioimmunoassay measurements of blood levels in patients on this therapy.
Activation of Prostate-Specific Antigen Precursor (pro-PSA) by Prostin, a Novel Human Prostatic Serine Protease Identified by Degenerate PCR†,‡

A novel serine protease was found in human prostate by degenerate oligonucleotide PCR amplification and cloned. The zymogen form of this enzyme, named prostinogen, is composed of 240 amino acid residues with an amino-terminal propiece of 5 residues and a 235-residue mature enzyme. The transcript has a signal peptide of 15 amino acid residues. The mature enzyme has 41% sequence identity with prostate specific antigen (PSA). Prostinogen was expressed in Escherichia coli and refolded from inclusion bodies. The zymogen, with a molecular mass of 28 kDa, was readily activated by agarose-immobilized trypsin to generate prostin, a serine protease, which cleaves the chromogenic substrate (N-benzoyl-L-Ile-L-Glu-L-Gly-L-Arg-p-nitroaniline hydrochloride) (S-2222). Recombinant prostin readily activates the precursor of PSA (pro-PSA) by cleavage of the amino terminal Arg(7)-Ile(8) peptide bond. These results indicate that prostin may be a physiological activator of pro-PSA following its own proteolytic activation, as part of a cascade system involving a series of serine protease precursor proteins in the prostate.
The use of Mohs micrographic surgery for determination of residual tumor in incompletely excised basal cell carcinoma.

Background: The presence of tumor involving surgical margins after excision of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) presents a therapeutic dilemma. Some authors advocate a conservative policy whereas others recommend immediate reexcision. Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate residual tumor utilizing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) of those BCCs with margin involvement after primary excision. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 77 patients with 78 tumors who underwent MMS because of margin involvement after primary excision of BCC to detect the presence or absence of residual tumor. Results: Residual tumor was found in 55% of the cases as defined by the need for two or more stages of MMS to achieve a tumor-free plane. Conclusion: We suggest reexcision of all BCCs that are found to have marginal involvement after primary excision because of the large percentage of cases found to have residual tumor.
Estimating tree resin dose effect on termites

The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a natural tropical tree resin in controlling termites thus providing protection from their destruction. Tree resin from the bark of tropical trees offers the potential for this protection. Termites were fed by filter paper soaked in tropical tree resin dissolved in a solvent at different concentrations for 15 days. The number of termites still alive on each day was observed and recorded. In this paper, we use four types of statistical models: Partially linear model, piecewise linear model, cubic smooth spline and mixed effect model to analyze the termite data. The results show that tropical tree resin, particularly at a higher concentration of 10 mg is significantly more effective in killing termites. We show that two dishes under 10 mg of tree resin were mistaken since the data for these two dishes are shown insignificantly different from data under 5 mg. The partially linear model shows that there is non-linear (piecewise linear) time effect. Both piecewise linear model and cubic spline smoothing show that the most effective period is the first week. The non-parametric smoothing, cubic spline, and piecewise linear model are not significantly different. Mixed effect model is consistent with partial linear model and piecewise linear model. The estimated treatment effect is time varying with a change point at day 7. Therefore, we suggest the piecewise linear model as the final simplest one for prediction. This model fits the data with adjusted R2 = 93.7 per cent and shows that on average, 10 mg is 68.9 per cent more efficient than 5 mg in killing termites during the first week. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of cell density on the expression of differentiation by chick embryo chondrocytes.

In this report the effects of cell density on the expression of differentiation by chick embryo sternal chondrocytes is studied. Differentiation is simultaneously assayed in terms of the rate of synthesis of collagen and acid mucopolysaccharide and in terms of the distribution of newly synthesized acid mucopolysaccharide between the cells and the culture medium. Cell density is studied first in terms of the number of cells per plate and second in terms of the size of aggregates of cells. First, when cultures, started-with 104 cells/60 mm dish, are studied over time, it is observed that the rate of synthesis of collagen and acid mucopolysaccharide increases faster than accountable for by the growth rate. Because conditioned medium placed on cultures grown in fresh medium can rapidly enhance mucopolysaccharide synthesis relative to the growth rate, it is suggested that conditioning of the culture medium might contribute in part to the observed rapid acceleration of the expression of differentiation with time in culture. Second, when cultures are started with small inocula so that large aggregates of cells form before cultures reach stationary phase, both the rate of synthesis of specialized products and the ability of cells to retain acid mucopolysaccharides is promoted. It is suggested that accumulated matrix might provide a microenvironment that itself promotes better expression of the cartilage phenotype.
Relativistic effects in the atomic and nuclear few-body problems

Abstract Relativistic effects in the atomic and nuclear few-body systems are classified and discussed with the emphasis on electromagnetic transitions. The size of relativistic corrections, calculational techniques and ambiguities, and comparison of theory and experiment are considered.
Hysteresis, avalanches, and disorder-induced critical scaling: A renormalization-group approach

Hysteresis loops are often seen in experiments at first-order phase transformations, when the system goes out of equilibrium. They may have a macroscopic jump (roughly as in the supercooling of liquids) or they may be smoothly varying (as seen in most magnets). We have studied the nonequilibrium zero-temperature random-field Ising-model as a model for hysteretic behavior at first-order phase transformations. As disorder is added, one finds a transition where the jump in the magnetization (corresponding to an infinite avalanche) decreases to zero. At this transition we find a diverging length scale, power-law distributions of noise (avalanches), and universal behavior. We expand the critical exponents about mean-field theory in 6-\ensuremath{\epsilon} dimensions. Using a mapping to the pure Ising model, we Borel sum the 6-\ensuremath{\epsilon} expansion to O(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}^{5}$) for the correlation length exponent. We have developed a method for directly calculating avalanche distribution exponents, which we perform to O(\ensuremath{\epsilon}). Our analytical predictions agree with numerical exponents in two, three, four, and five dimensions [Perkovi\ifmmode \acute{c}\else \'{c}\fi{} et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 4528 (1995)]. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Dispersive orientational dipole relaxation in thermally stimulated depolarization currents

Abstract We show that dipole orientational relaxation in thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC) from alkali-containing glass can be explained by requiring broad distribution of dipole relaxation events. This requirement originates in the structural disorder of the material. Shlesinger-Montroll's theory in the framework of continuous-time random-walk is applied to the case of dispersive rotational motions of dipole relaxation. The Williams-Watts function is obtained for orientational dipole decay. The TSDC is calculated and is in good agreement with our experiment.
Laparoscopic palliation of polycystic liver disease

The role of laparoscopic surgery in the management of polycystic liver disease (PCLD) is not well defined. The authors hypothesized that laparoscopic fenestration for PCLD relieves symptoms caused by polycystic liver disease. In this study, 11 patients underwent 20 laparoscopic cyst fenestration operations as treatment for symptoms of their PCLD. Symptoms leading to surgery were pain and pressure in 15 (75%) and early satiety in 12 (60%) patients. The median hospital stay was 1 day. The symptoms resolved postoperatively in all the patients. An additional laparoscopic fenestration was required in six (55%) patients for recurrent symptoms. The average time to reoperation was 22 ± 16 months. Two patients required hepatic transplantation. Initial symptom resolution occurred in all the patients undergoing redo fenestration. The authors conclude that laparoscopic fenestration for PCLD is safe, results in minimal “down” time and relieves the symptoms caused by PCLD. Symptomatic relief usually is temporary, and repeat surgery is required for recurring symptoms in half of the patients.
Dynamically supporting unexplored domains in conversational interactions by enriching semantics with neural word embeddings

Spoken language interfaces are being incorporated into various devices (e.g. smart-phones, smart TVs, etc). However, current technology typically limits conversational interactions to a few narrow predefined domains/topics. For example, dialogue systems for smartphone operation fail to respond when users ask for functions not supported by currently installed applications. We propose to dynamically add application-based domains according to users' requests by using descriptions of applications as a retrieval cue to find relevant applications. The approach uses structured knowledge resources (e.g. Freebase, Wikipedia, FrameNet) to induce types of slots for generating semantic seeds, and enriches the semantics of spoken queries with neural word embeddings, where semantically related concepts can be additionally included for acquiring knowledge that does not exist in the predefined domains. The system can then retrieve relevant applications or dynamically suggest users install applications that support unexplored domains. We find that vendor descriptions provide a reliable source of information for this purpose.
Methods of measuring ambient atmospheric radon and radon surface flux associated with phosphogypsum treatment of a Florida spodosol soil

Abstract Phosphogypsum (PG) is a by‐product gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) of the manufacture of phosphoric acid and is a major potential source of S and Ca for crops. The PG used in this study contained 25.6% Ca, 62.1% SO4‐S, and 18 pCi 226Ra g‐1 . Radon (222Rn) emanations from a bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) pasture on a typical Florida Spodosol fertilized with PG up to 4.0 Mg ha−1 as a source of S were measured as atmospheric ambient radon (pCi L−1) using electret ion chambers (EIC) and as radon surface flux (pCi m2 s−1) using large‐area activated charcoal canisters (LAACC). Atmospheric ambient radon values before PG application measured twice, each over a 30‐d period from June 11 to August 24, 1990, and after PG application measured seven times, each over a 30‐ or 60‐d period from August 25, 1990 to July 16, 1991, averaged 0.17±0.07 and 0.19±0.09 pCi L−1, respectively. Post‐application measurements over treated and untreated plots (including external controls) were 0.20±0.08 and 0.18±0.09 pCi L−1, respect...
Serum Lipid Changes Associated With Modified Protein Diets: Results From the Feasibility Phase of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study

The use of low-protein diets for the management of progressive renal insufficiency may require increases in dietary fats to maintain caloric balance. This raises the concern that such diets might exacerbate the lipid problems already prevalent in chronic renal insufficiency. We present a study in which protein-restricted diets were followed by a group of patients with renal insufficiency without a compensatory increase in fat calories and without adverse effects on serum lipids. Ninety-six patients with renal insufficiency were enrolled in the feasibility phase of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study and were assigned to dietary protein intakes of 1.3, 0.575, or 0.28 g/kg body weight/d. The last diet was supplemented with amino acids or their keto analogs. Of this group, 25 participants were excluded from the present study of lipids because of changes in their intake of medications with known effects on serum lipids, three were excluded because of proteinuria increasing by more than 2 g/d, and seven were excluded because of incomplete measurements. For the remaining 61 participants, median serum total cholesterol at baseline was 215 mg/dL. In 72% of participants it exceeded the age- and sex-adjusted median of the Lipid Research Clinics Prevalence Study. Glomerular filtration rates varied from 8 to 56 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . The patients' serum lipid levels were stable by 6 months on assigned diets. Serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels tended to decrease with reduced protein intake. The baseline to follow-up change in protein intake calculated from urinary urea measurements was significantly correlated with the change in serum total cholesterol (Spearman r = 0.31, P r = 0.34, P
Bimolecular rates of association of amines with boron trifluoride: Theoretical consideration

The application of the RRKM theory to the reverse bimolecular reaction of the amine–borontrifluoride system has been made. The results are in good agreement with experiments.
Silanediol peptidomimetics. Evaluation of four diastereomeric ACE inhibitors.

Four diastereomers of a Phe-Ala peptide mimic incorporating a central silanediol group have been individually prepared and tested as inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Three of the silanediols exhibit levels of inhibition that are similar to those of corresponding ketones reported by Almquist. For the fourth diastereomer, with both stereogenic carbons inverted relative to the most active isomer, the ketone gives the least enzyme inhibition whereas the silanediol shows a surprisingly low IC 50 value.
Would You Major in Psychology Again

(1985). Would You Major in Psychology Again? Teaching of Psychology: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 17-20.
Archaeogeophysical studies at cortaillod and St. Blaise, Lac De Neuchǎtel, Switzerland

A sub-bottom profiler survey was conducted at offshore areas of Lac de Neuchǎtel in March, 1987. The objective was to characterize and understand the lacustrine geomorphology (sediments and geological features) at the archaeological sites of Cortaillod, Hauterive-Champreveyres, and St. Blaise by means other than systematic coring such as was carried out at Cortaillod-Est. Additionally, it allowed the optimum placement of subsequent cores. The high resolution acoustical profiling revealed several interesting geomorphological features such as relatively thick alluvial and colluvial sediments at the two sites of Cortaillod-Est and Les Esserts overlying glacial/post-glacial unconformities (formations). At St. Blaise-Hauterive, the southward trend of the Marin reef structure was found to be covered along much of its length with Holocene sediments, as were several suspected nearby stream channels or distributaries. These channels are completely filled with stratified sediments, most probably of Holocene origin. These channels may have been sub-aerially active in the early Post-Glacial and hence provide clues to the development of Lake Neuchǎtel in the early Holocene. The results of this study are the basis for future, more detailed, studies of these sediments as to their origin and composition.
Research methodology for studies of prayer and distant healing

The double-blind randomized clinical trial is the gold standard for trials of prayer and distant healing. Adequate blinding and randomization procedures should be followed and documented. The intervention must be well defined (include frequency, amount of time and training and/or experience level of healers). Subjects should have risks and benefits of study participation explained to them and sign informed consent before enrollment. Populations should be homogeneous. Consider stratification for smaller samples. Baseline information, including psychological status, beliefs about prayer and healing and other sources of prayer and healing, should be collected from subjects in clinical trials. This should be examined as part of the final data analysis for contribution to outcomes. Objectively measurable outcomes with adequate variability should be chosen. Subject study participation activities such as clinical interviews, traveling to special sites. journaling or meditation should be minimized to avoid washing out a small effect. In clinical trials subjects should be asked if they believed they were in the treatment group and this information should be entered as a co-variate for data analysis. Healers/prayers should be treated in a collegial and respectful way. Their healing efforts (time. location, method) should be documented in a log and they should be periodically contacted and encouraged by experimenters if the study' is taking place over an extended period of time. Observational and outcomes research can add an important dimension to healing research. Qualitative studies may also make an important contribution and help guide development of future controlled trials.
The water balance of Lake Victoria

Abstract This paper presents new calculations of Lake Victoria's water balance. Evaporation is estimated using both the Penman formula and the energy balance approach, and sensitivity studies are performed to determine the influence of input data on the estimates. Rainfall over the lake is estimated from catchment rainfall using a relationship between the two that was derived using satellite data. The results, using the reference period 1956–1978, indicate that mean annual rainfall over the lake is 1791 mm, compared to mean annual evaporation of 1551 mm. When compared with lake level changes, tributary inflow, and discharge during this period, there is a resultant imbalance of 19 mm. Adding this amount to the calculated evaporation, we are able to reproduce with great accuracy the lake level changes during the period 1956–1978 utilizing precipitation estimates of this study plus measured inflow and discharge. Sensitivity studies show that the discrepancy in the balance of 19 mm is considerably smaller tha...
MHC recognition by clones of Mls specific T-lymphocytes.

To test whether M1s determinants, like other non-MHC or nominal antigens, are recognized by T-cells in association with H-2 determinants, the in vitro proliferative responses of T-cell lines and clones were studied. Lines and clones were prepared by soft agar cloning (B10.BR x BALB/c)F1 (H-2k/H-2d, M1sb/M1sb) T-cells responding in a primary MLR to AKD2F1 (H-2k/H-2d, M1sa/M1sa) stimulator cells. All the T-cell clones obtained could respond equally well in a proliferative assay to the Mlsa determinant in association with the H-2 haplotype of either parent, i. e., DBA/2 (H-2d, M1sa), and AKR (H-2k, M1sa) both stimulated equally well. When the T-cell lines and clones were screened against stimulators from recombinant inbred (RI) strains, it became apparent that strains exhibiting the H-2b, M1sa genotype stimulated poorly or not at all. This shows that the T-cell response to M1sa involves MHC recognition, and raises the possibility that the response to M1sa can involve recognition of H-2 specificities shared between the H-2 k and H-2 d haplotypes.
Base station to vehicle communication for intelligent vehicle/highway systems (IVHS)

An optimum frequency reuse factor of 1 or 2 is proposed to minimise the average queueing delay and maximise throughput in a packet-switched microcellular network with BPSK transmission over dispersive Rician-fading channels. Thus, for intelligent vehicle/highway system data networks, frequency reuse can be substantially denser than has been suggested for circuit-switched cellular telephony networks.
Computational representation of increasing lattice-valued image operators

Computational mathematical morphology provides zeta-function-based representation for windowed, translation-invariant image operators taking their values in a complete lattice. Image operators are induced via windowing by product lattice operators and, in both the increasing and nonincreasing cases, these reduce to classical logical representation for binary operators. The present paper presents the image-operator theory for increasing filters. In particular, it treats gray-to-binary and gray-to-gray morphological operators, as well as representation of lattice-valued stack filters via threshold decomposition.
A theoretical study on thermoelectric properties of graphene nanoribbons

We investigate the thermoelectric properties of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) by solving atomistic electron and phonon transport equations in the nonequilibrium Green’s function formalism. The dependence of thermopower on temperature and chemical potential is compared to that of graphene, which shows the important role of quasi-one-dimensional geometry in determining the thermoelectric properties of a GNR. The edge roughness and lattice vacancy are found to increase the thermopower but decrease the thermoelectric ZT factor because the decrease in the electronic conductance outweighs the decrease in the thermal conductance and the increase in the thermopower.
805 IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION AND TRANSLOCATION BREAKPOINT (DGS) MAPPING III. DiGEORGE SYNDROME (DGS) WITH PARTIAL MONOSOMY OF CHROMOSOME 22

805 IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION AND TRANSLOCATION BREAKPOINT (DGS) MAPPING III. DiGEORGE SYNDROME (DGS) WITH PARTIAL MONOSOMY OF CHROMOSOME 22
Testing the Genetics of Behavior in Mice

The important study by J. C. Crabbe et al. of behaviors measured across three laboratories using the same mouse strains (Reports, 4 June, p. [1670][1]) demonstrates clearly what is widely known in the neuroscience field: behavior is a complex phenomenon that is strongly affected by both genetics and
Temperature-programmed decomposition of deuterated formic acid on Ni/SiO2

Abstract Decomposition of deuterated formic acid (DCOOH) was studied on supported Ni SiO 2 catalysts at atmospheric pressure by using temperature-programmed decomposition (TPD) to allow a direct comparison to similar studies on single crystal nickel surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum. A bimolecular reaction mechanism appears to be occurring on both surfaces; the acid hydrogens form predominantly water while the carbon-bonded hydrogens form predominantly molecular hydrogen. The formation of D2 and CO2 is limited by decomposition of a surface intermediate and not by desorption. The formation of the CO product is limited by desorption, however, as was observed in single crystal studies. Though studies at atmospheric pressure on supported nickel are influenced by readsorption, CO disproportionation, adsorption on the support, and exchange reactions, agreement between the studies at vastly different pressures is quite good.
A Closed-Form Observer for the 3D Inductionless MHD and Navier-Stokes Channel Flow

We present a PDE observer that estimates the velocity, pressure, electric potential and current fields in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) channel flow, also known as Hartmann flow. This flow is characterized by an electrically conducting fluid moving between parallel plates in the presence of an externally imposed transverse magnetic field. The system is described by the inductionless MHD equations, a combination of the Navier-Stokes equations and a Poisson equation for the electric potential under the so-called MHD approximation in a low magnetic Reynolds number regime. Our observer consists of a copy of the linearized MHD equations, combined with linear injection of output estimation error, with observer gains designed using backstepping. Pressure, skin friction and current measurements from one of the walls are used for output injection. For zero magnetic field or non-conducting fluid, the design reduces to an observer for the Navier-Stokes Poiseuille flow, a benchmark for flow control and turbulence estimation. The observer design for non-discretized 3-D MHD or Navier-Stokes channel flow has so far been an open problem.
Denture stomatitis and methods influencing its cure

A review of the etiology and pathology of chronic denture stomatitis is presented, and two current methods of treatment have been evaluated. The concept of use of tissue conditioning materials is discussed and has proved to be helpful. The physical condition of the patient and his cooperation during and after treatment were observed to be significant factors in the treatment of chronic denture stomatitis. This study was preliminary in nature. Before more conclusive judgements can be made, standard methods should be developed for quantifying the improvement for patients with chronic denture stomatitis. In a more comprehensive study, steps could be taken to guard against investigator bias.
A mechanism study: The earthquake of October 24, 1927

The fault plane solution for the Alaska earthquake of October 24, 1927, is obtained and is found to be similar to that of the more recent earthquake of July 10, 1958, which occurred in the same general region. Using the data from the plane of polarization of theS waves, the mechanism at the focus is seen to conform to a single couple or faulting model rather than to a double couple. TheS waves, further, select one of the nodal planes forP as the fault plane.
Effect of resident work hour restriction on surgical outcome

Abstract Background. Resident duty hour limitations adopted by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) were triggered by concerns regarding the effect of resident fatigue and sleep deprivation on patient care and safety. The actual impact of restricting surgical resident duty hours on patient quality of care is unknown. Methods. The divisions of General and Vascular Surgery at the Michael E. DeBakey Houston VAMC implemented a limited work hours schedule effective October 1, 2002. We compared the rate of postoperative morbidity and mortality before and after implementing the new schedule. The data were collected, analyzed, and validated by the VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) for the periods of October 1, 2001 to September 30th, 2002 (preintervention), and October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003 (postintervention). Observed/expected (O/E) ratios of mortality and morbidity were extracted and compared. The level of resident supervision in the operating room was determined for each case. Results. In the preintervention period, 405 cases were analyzed in General Surgery and 202 cases in Vascular Surgery as compared to 382 cases in General Surgery and 208 cases in Vascular Surgery in the postintervention period. O/E ratios of mortality were similar in the pre- and postintervention periods (0.63 and 0.60 in General Surgery; 0.78 and 0.81 in Vascular Surgery; P = 0.90 and 0.94, respectively). O/E ratios of morbidity were also similar in the pre- and postintervention periods (1.06 and 1.27 in General Surgery; 1.47 and 1.50 in Vascular Surgery; P = 0.20 and 0.90, respectively). Although a tendency toward more attending supervision in the operating room was noticed after the implementation of the new ACGME guidelines, this tendency was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion. The restricted duty hour schedule did not affect postoperative outcome on the General and Vascular Surgery services in our facility.
Correlation of lamotrigine concentrations between serum and saliva.

Study Objective. To compare the relationship between serum and salivary concentrations of lamotrigine in pediatric and adult epilepsy populations. Design. Paired-sample pharmacokinetic study. Setting. University neurology clinic. Patients. Thirty-seven patients with epilepsy, aged 2–60 years, who were taking lamotrigine and whose physicians had ordered a lamotrigine serum concentration. Measurements and Main Results. Patients spit a minimum of 0.25 ml into a cup to provide saliva samples. Blood samples were obtained by phlebotomy. Serum and salivary lamotrigine concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate correlations. Six patients' results were omitted due to the lack of a serum or saliva specimen or clearly erroneous results, leaving 31 patients for analysis. There was a strong correlation between the serum results reported by two reference laboratories (coefficient of correlation [r] = 0.988). The correlations between salivary and serum lamotrigine concentrations were similar for reference laboratory A (r = 0.81) and reference laboratory B (r = 0.84). Saliva:serum concentration ratios ranged from 0.41–1.26 (mean ± SD 0.62 ± 0.19) for reference laboratory A and from 0.40–1.19 ((mean ± SD 0.64 ± 0.18) for reference laboratory B. Conclusion. There is a good correlation between salivary and serum concentrations for lamotrigine. However, there is wide interpatient variability in the saliva:serum ratio. The data suggest that salivary monitoring may play a role in the monitoring of lamotrigine for adult and pediatric patients.
The border between the ultrabithorax and abdominal-A regulatory domains in the Drosophila bithorax complex.

The bithorax complex in Drosophila melanogaster includes three homeobox-containing genes—Ultrabithorax (Ubx), abdominal-A (abd-A), and Abdominal-B (Abd-B)—which are required for the proper differentiation of the posterior 10 segments of the body. Each of these genes has multiple distinct regulatory regions; there is one for each segmental unit of the body plan where the genes are expressed. One additional protein- coding gene in the bithorax complex, Glut3, a sugar-transporter homolog, can be deleted without phenotype. We focus here on the upstream regulatory region for Ubx, the bithoraxoid (bxd) domain, and its border with the adjacent infraabdominal-2 (iab-2) domain, which controls abdA. These two domains can be defined by the phenotypes of rearrangement breakpoints, and by the expression patterns of enhancer traps. In D. virilis, the homeotic cluster is split between Ubx and abd-A, and so the border can also be located by a sequence comparison between species. When the border region is deleted in melanogaster, the flies show a dominant phenotype called Front-ultraabdominal (Fub); the first abdominal segment is transformed into a copy of the second abdominal segment. Thus, the border blocks the spread of activation from the bxd domain into the iab-2 domain.
Epidermolytic variant of hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma

The seventh family with autosomal dominant epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma is reported. The lesions are clinically indistinguishable from Unna-Thost disease but resemble epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma) histopathologically. A skin biopsy is essential for making the correct diagnosis. One of our patients was treated with isotretinoin for 13 weeks without significant improvement.
Chest dimensions of European and Aymara children at high altitude.

SummaryThis study compares the chest dimensions of European children raised at high altitude with those of Andean natives. The samples consist of 216 children between 8 and 14 years who attend the private French School in La Paz, Bolivia and 253 Aymara children of the same age who reside in the rural country of Arncoraimes, Bolivia. Compared to the Aymara children, the European children have larger chest depths and chest widths, but have smaller chest dimensions relative to stature. There is no difference between the two groups in the ratio of chest width to chest depth. The small relative chest size of the European children further expands the range of variation in chest dimensions among high altitude populations.
Interaction of multiple distributed energy resources in voltage regulation

Distributed energy resources (DE) with power electronics (PE) interfaces with the right control are capable of providing reactive power related ancillary services; voltage regulation in particular has drawn much attention. In this paper the problem of how to coordinate control multiple DEs to regulate the local voltage in the distribution system is addressed. A control method for voltage regulation using the DE PE controller is presented and based on the proposed control scheme; the voltage regulation of a distribution system with one DE and two DEs are tested, respectively. The factors affecting the gain parameters of the PE controller are investigated. The simulation results show that the parameters of the controller determine its dynamic response for voltage regulation and the factors associated with the network characteristics, such as locations of DEs and the amount of load, affect the impact range of the controller. The research work presented in this paper can be potentially used for the control system design of Smart Grid or Utility of the Future.
Ultrasound—biophysics mechanisms

Ultrasonic biophysics is the study of mechanisms responsible for how ultrasound and biological materials interact. Ultrasound-induced bioeffect or risk studies focus on issues related to the effects of ultrasound on biological materials. On the other hand, when biological materials affect the ultrasonic wave, this can be viewed as the basis for diagnostic ultrasound. Thus, an understanding of the interaction of ultrasound with tissue provides the scientific basis for image production and risk assessment. Relative to the bioeffect or risk studies, that is, the biophysical mechanisms by which ultrasound affects biological materials, ultrasound-induced bioeffects are generally separated into thermal and non-thermal mechanisms. Ultrasonic dosimetry is concerned with the quantitative determination of ultrasonic energy interaction with biological materials. Whenever ultrasonic energy is propagated into an attenuating material such as tissue, the amplitude of the wave decreases with distance. This attenuation is due to either absorption or scattering. Absorption is a mechanism that represents that portion of ultrasonic wave that is converted into heat, and scattering can be thought of as that portion of the wave, which changes direction. Because the medium can absorb energy to produce heat, a temperature rise may occur as long as the rate of heat production is greater than the rate of heat removal. Current interest with thermally mediated ultrasound-induced bioeffects has focused on the thermal isoeffect concept. The non-thermal mechanism that has received the most attention is acoustically generated cavitation wherein ultrasonic energy by cavitation bubbles is concentrated. Acoustic cavitation, in a broad sense, refers to ultrasonically induced bubble activity occurring in a biological material that contains pre-existing gaseous inclusions. Cavitation-related mechanisms include radiation force, microstreaming, shock waves, free radicals, microjets and strain. It is more challenging to deduce the causes of mechanical effects in tissues that do not contain gas bodies. These ultrasonic biophysics mechanisms will be discussed in the context of diagnostic ultrasound exposure risk concerns.
Phase noise in surface-acoustic-wave filters and resonators

Measurements of the phase noise modulation imparted on UHF carriers by surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) filters and resonators have been made using an HP 3047 spectrum analyzer. Three different types of SAW phase noise were observed. One type can be explained by temperature fluctuations. It is characterized by a spectral density of phase fluctuations which decreases as 1/f/sup 2/. The predominant noise mechanism in most SAW devices has a 1/f spectral density. The source of this noise is unknown, but it appears to be associated with both acoustic propagation and transduction. In filters fabricated on lithium niobate substrates, a third noise mechanism is evidenced. This mechanism produces nonstationary noise bursts that appear to originate in the transducer region. Experiments have been carried out on substrate materials, transducer metallizations, and over acoustic path lengths. The means by which low-frequency fluctuations are mixed to the carrier frequency have been studied. >
A ray tracing approach to restoration and resolution enhancement in experimental ultrasound tomography

Recursive ray tracing is applied for experimental time-of-flight projection data to achieve a resolution enhancement over the initial straight-ray reconstructed velocity image. Curved-ray reconstruction is performed using the dedicated simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART). Tomographic reconstructions from experimental data are compared to images obtained from simulated projection data for a refractive field mimicking the actual tissue-equivalent phantom. The simulation study adequately explains the macro-structural geometric distortion and loss of resolution in the straight-ray image due to refraction effects that are unaccounted for.
Coherent ultrafast optically controlled rotation of electron spins in charged quantum dots

Coherent ultrafast optically controlled rotation of electron spins in an ensemble of charged quantum dots is demonstrated, laying the ground work for spin initialization and Rabi oscillations.
“Earthquake Fears: Predictions, and Preparations in Mid-America” by John E. Farley

When an expert sociologist examines a dramatic failed earthquake prediction, it should catch the attention of seismologists. John Farley's book, triggered by Iben Browning's pseudoprediction of a major earthquake for the New Madrid Fault on December 3, 1990, certainly caught mine. Farley's study is based on random telephone surveys, one survey before and three after the date of the predicted earthquake. The survey areas were in Missouri—in St. Louis and, closer to the New Madrid Fault, Sikeston and Cape Girardeau. The October 1990 survey indicated that 55-57% of the overall population thought that a significant earthquake on December 3 was very or somewhat likely, although it also showed that many people were skeptical about Browning's prediction. Using much of the same sample, a February 1991 survey indicates considerable revisionism—only 37% stated that they had been at least somewhat concerned about an earthquake—and illustrates the value of the early survey and...
Pheromones and Courtship Behavior in Butterflies

synopsis. The courtship of butterflies begins with a general attraction of males to moving objects. If the object of the attraction is a receptive female, her response will elicit further courtship behavior from the male. Male courtship pheromones are disseminated during the aerial phases of courtship and after the female has landed. While female butterflies generally lack specific courtship pheromone glands, females of some groups do possess these. Courtship pheromones of males of four members of the subfamily Danainae in the family Nymphalidae have now been identified. Three of these share the same active component, but each has specific additional components. Although the courtship pheromone secretions of butterflies have odors which are very distinctive to humans, the active compound of these pheromones is odorless to humans and elicits responses from antennal receptors of all butterflies tested. The pheromone receptors are short, thin-walled pegs on the antennae of both male and female butterflies.
UV Radiation Effects on Plant Growth and Forage Quality in a Shortgrass Steppe Ecosystem

Levels of UV were manipulated in a native shortgrass steppe using open-sided structures with tops that either passed or blocked wavelengths shorter than ~370 nm. Precipitation was controlled to create a drought or a very wet year. Subplots were either nondefoliated or defoliated to simulate grazing by livestock, which is the primary land use. Plant community productivity and forage quality were assessed in response to the two climate change variables (UV, precipitation) and grazing stress. Productivity and seasonal standing biomass of the dominant grass species were negatively affected by passing versus blocking UV, but only in the dry year. Another species was negatively affected by passing UV in the wet year, indicating the potential for future shifts in species composition. Forage quality for ruminants increased when UV was passed compared with blocked, as determined by in vitro digestible dry matter, depending on species and precipitation. Nitrogen concentrations and soluble and fiber components of vegetation also displayed some UV effects, but they were generally small and depended on species, season or amount of precipitation (or all). Grazing treatment had large positive effects on current-year productivity only in the wet year and some small positive effects on quality in both wet and dry years. Interactions between UV and grazing treatment were not observed.
Maternal and nutritional contributions to infant rats' activational responses to ingestion

Infant rats deprived of food, maternal care, and the opportunity to suckle display a dramatic behavioral activation and vigorously ingest when provided milk through oral cannulas. These experiments assessed which components of deprivation are important in producing these responses to milk. Nutritional deprivation alone, with or without the presence of an active maternal female, appears to be sufficient to produce ingestion. Behavioral activation, on the other hand, appears to require both nutritional deprivation and deprivation from a maternal female. The effect of maternal stimulation on later behavioral reactivity was not a function of the pups' opportunity to suckle. However, active maternal stimulation was more effective in preventing activation than was passive maternal stimulation (e.g., thermotactile and olfactory stimulation). Stimulation provided by an active, nonlactating mother was effective in preventing behavioral activation, but the effect was short-lived, lasting only 2 hr after the pup was removed from the mother's care. This series of studies thus reveals that identified components of maternal separation have dissociable effects on appetitively motivated behaviors in infant rats.
Long-Pulse Applications of Pulse-Forming Lines for High-Power Linac Application

The ever present demands for high efficiency in the RF power stations for particle accelerators has caused increased interest in longer RF pulses (ten's of microseconds) for linacs such as the Pion Generator for Medical Irradiation (PIGMI) and Free Electron Laser (FEL). For either RF power station, a fundamental decision is whether to use a modulating anode/hard-tube driver or pulsed cathode/line-type pulser configuration. The choices in the extremes of low power for very long pulses or for very-high-power, short pulses are, respectively, a modulated anode/hard tube modulator and pulsed cathode/pulse forming line. However, the demarcation between these two extremes is not clearcut. The criteria (cost, flexibility performance, reliability, efficiency) that resulted in the RF station definition of these two specific systems will be described.
Egyptian Private Higher Education at a Crossroads

The Egyptian Revolution comes amid a period of national and general regional growth of private higher education. Indeed, the Middle East is the last region to establish the private sector across the breadth of its countries. Apart from a few precursors such as the American University in Cairo, the private sector is basically a creation of the last two decades, and its share in Egypt is still small, though it is growing. On the one hand, the new minister says private universities should be distinctive, not "duplicating" public ones and thus offering new programs: on the other hand regulations about access cannot be ruled out nor can caps on the amount of tuition rises. Already evident is a public policy orientation to discourage for-profit private higher education.
Microelectrode studies in the brain of fetal rats and new born rats.

During the development of the fetus, differentiation of the nervous system is correlated to an increase of oxygen consumption of the brain. In response to the increased oxygen demand, the capillary network becomes more dense with the decisive decrease of the inter-capillary distance. This process is continued after birth such that the number of capillaries per volume unit of tissue in adults might be more than threefold compared to that of the newborn (Craigie 1955, Diemer 1968).