cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are Hydrogen Bonds Unique among Weak Interactions in Their Ability to Mediate Electronic Coupling

Superexchange effects on the electronic coupling element for electron transfer are investigated using water dimers and atomic donors and acceptors. We compare the electronic coupling elements obtained with H-bonded dimers to those obtained for other water dimer geometries at given donor−acceptor and oxygen−oxygen distances. The H-bonded orientation does not yield significantly different coupling elements from non-H-bonded orientations at a given oxygen−oxygen distance. In addition, the distance dependence of the coupling mediated by H-bonds is not significantly different from that for other dimer geometries. It is found that protonation of the intervening waters has a significant effect on coupling elements for donor/acceptor pairs with low ionization potentials. The implications of these results are discussed for condensed-phase ground- and excited-state electron transfers.
Multiphoton absorption of alkali-metal atoms above the ionization threshold.

We describe a powerful method for computing cross sections for multiphoton ionization of atoms. The method is especially suited to absorption above threshold.
Early cretaceous polarity chrons CM0 to CM11 recorded in northern Italian land sections near Brescia

Abstract Three Lower Cretaceous pelagic limestone sections located in the Lombardian Prealps, northwest of Brescia, record polarity chrons CM0 to CM11. The polarity chrons are correlated to nannofossil and foraminiferal events. The Polaveno section records polarity chrons CM3 to CM11 with excellent fit to the Larson and Hilde [1] polarity model derived from Hawaiian oceanic magnetic anomalies. This is the first complete magnetostratigraphic record in this interval and indicates that this part of the Hawaiian polarity model represents an approximately constant spreading rate record. The Pie' del Dosso section records CM0 and CM1 with correlations to the biostratigraphic record. The San Giovanni section records part of the CM3 to CM9 interval, with the CM6 to CM8 interval cut out by faulting. The correlations of polarity chrons to nannofossil datum planes are generally consistent with previously published correlations based on data from the Southern Alps and central Italy (Umbria). We present new biostratigraphic data from a previously studied section (Capriolo, Southern Alps) which result in revised identification of CM0 and CM1 at this locality.
Predictive medicine. XIV. Results.

: Much has been written about the nature and causes of the aging process. For purposes of a predictive medicine program the following points serve as a reasonable base: 1) old people report more symptoms and signs, 2) the old die more readily than the young, and 3) old people with many symptoms and signs die more readily than old people with few such manifestations. Thus it is highly desirable to use all the techniques possible to reduce the number of clinical findings to a minimum. A predictive medicine program can anticipate classical disease. One example is given to show that the supposed inevitable increase of cardiovascular symptoms and signs with age can be thwarted by dietary means (vitamin E). Another example is given to indicate that, partly by exercise or diet, people may be made younger at heart.
A putative mitochondrial mechanism for antioxidative cytoprotection by 17beta-estradiol.

Abstract It has been demonstrated that estrogens are potent antioxidants and protect against H 2 O 2 -mediated depletion of intracellular ATP in human lens epithelial cells (HLE-B3) [Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 44 (2003) 2067]. To investigate the mechanism by which 17β-estradiol (17β-E 2 ) protects against oxidative stress, HLE-B3 cells were exposed to insult with H 2 O 2 at physiological (50 μ m ) and moderately supra- physiological (100 μ m ) levels over a time course of several hours, with and without pretreatment with 17β-E 2 . The ability of 17β-E 2 to prevent H 2 O 2 -induced injury to several oxidant susceptible components of the cellular ATP generating machinery, including abundances of mitochondrial gene transcripts encoding respiratory chain subunits and cytochrome c , the glycolytic pathway enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the energy-shuttling creatine kinase (CK) system, and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ Ψ m ), a measure of mitochondrial membrane integrity, were determined 3 hr after oxidative insult. Northern blot analysis revealed H 2 O 2 -induced reductions in mitochondrial transcripts for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (NADH) subunits 4 and 5 and cytochrome c . H 2 O 2 also inactivated GAPDH but did not alter CK activity. Pretreatment and simultaneous addition of 17β-E 2 with H 2 O 2 did not prevent the reductions in mitochondrial transcript levels and GAPDH activity. 17β-Estradiol did moderate the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ Ψ m ) in response to H 2 O 2 as demonstrated by JC-1 staining and fluorescence microscopy. Although the precise mode of action responsible for protection by estradiols against oxidative stress remains to be determined, these results indicate that the hormone stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane, thereby preserving the driving force for oxidative ATP synthesis.
Handedness patterns of psychosis-prone college students

Abstract In this study, I investigated the handedness patterns of large samples of hypothetically psychosis-prone college students. Psychosis-prone subjects who scored high on the Perceptual Aberration-Magical Ideation scale ( n = 173) or on the revised Physical Anhedonia scale ( n = 88) did not differ significantly from control subjects ( n = 929) in self-categorized, handedness patterns. These findings provide no support for the hypothesis that psychosis-prone college students are characterized by anomalous handedness patterns. Methodological factors that may have confounded the results of previous investigations in this area are discussed.
Reframing the Ethical Issues in Part-Human Animal Research: The Unbearable Ontology of Inexorable Moral Confusion

Research that involves the creation of animals with human-derived parts opens the door to potentially valuable scientific and therapeutic advances, yet invokes unsettling moral questions. Critics and champions alike stand to gain from clear identification and careful consideration of the strongest ethical objections to this research. A prevailing objection argues that crossing the human/nonhuman species boundary introduces inexorable moral confusion (IMC) that warrants a restriction to this research on precautionary grounds. Though this objection may capture the intuitions of many who find this research unsettling, it relies on mistaken views of both biology and moral standing, ultimately distorting the morally relevant facts. We critically examine IMC, identify mistaken essentialist assumptions, and reframe ethical concerns. The upshot is a stronger line of objection that encourages a more inclusive and productive ethical discourse.
Viral Cyclins Mediate Separate Phases of Infection by Integrating Functions of Distinct Mammalian Cyclins

Gammaherpesvirus cyclins have expanded biochemical features relative to mammalian cyclins, and promote infection and pathogenesis including acute lung infection, viral persistence, and reactivation from latency. To define the essential features of the viral cyclin, we generated a panel of knock-in viruses expressing various viral or mammalian cyclins from the murine gammaherpesvirus 68 cyclin locus. Viral cyclins of both gammaherpesvirus 68 and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus supported all cyclin-dependent stages of infection, indicating functional conservation. Although mammalian cyclins could not restore lung replication, they did promote viral persistence and reactivation. Strikingly, distinct and non-overlapping mammalian cyclins complemented persistence (cyclin A, E) or reactivation from latency (cyclin D3). Based on these data, unique biochemical features of viral cyclins (e.g. enhanced kinase activation) are not essential to mediate specific processes during infection. What is essential for, and unique to, the viral cyclins is the integration of the activities of several different mammalian cyclins, which allows viral cyclins to mediate multiple, discrete stages of infection. These studies also demonstrated that closely related stages of infection, that are cyclin-dependent, are in fact genetically distinct, and thus predict that cyclin requirements may be used to tailor potential therapies for virus-associated diseases.
Conventional and neural network approaches to regression

The problem of estimating an unknown function from a finite number of noisy data points (examples) is an ill-posed problem of fundamental importance for many applications, such as machine vision, pattern recognition, and process control. Recently, several new computational techniques for non-parametric regression have been proposed by statisticians, and by researchers in artificial neural networks. However, there is little interaction between the two research communities. The goal of this paper is twofold. First, we present a critical survey of statistical and neural network techniques for non-parametric regression. Second, we present comparisons between a representative neural network technique called Constrained Topological Mapping, and several statistical methods, for low-dimensional regression problems.
Shock in acute myocardial infarction: Evolution of physiologic therapy

In the past 25 years the treatment of shock in myocardial infarction has evolved into a physiologic approach based on on-line measurements of hemodynamic variables. This has aided in the development of new pressor agents so that a family of pharmacologic agents is now available. Appropriate use of vasodilators and recognition and treatment of intravascular volume depletion have increased survival. Recognition and appropriate treatment of the preshock state have decreased the incidence of shock. The criteria for use of mechanical support and surgical intervention are soundly established; the use of thrombolytic therapy and balloon angioplasty for this syndrome is ready to be evaluated.
Language, hierarchy and hegemony: Thai muslim discourse strategies

Abstract This paper compares the use of honorific pronouns and salutations displayed by the minority Thai-speaking Muslims in the areas where Thai Buddhists are the majority population. Because of different socialization experiences Thai Muslim discourse strategies and social interactions appear to reflect different conceptions of hierarchical social relations in Thai society than do those of Thai Buddhists. An Islamic egalitarian ethos paralleling modernization values has led to these variant discourse strategies. Hence, Thai hegemonic cultural practices are interpreted and accepted differently by this Muslim minority, affecting the symbolic relationship between this minority and the Thai state.
Foldvary, Fred. Public Goods and Private Communities: The Market Provision of Social Services. Brookfield VT: Ashgate Publishing, 1994, 288 pp., $59.95

Do public goods and services, such as streets, parks and dams have to be provided by government? In Public Goods and Private Communities, Fred Foldvary's innovative application of public choice and social choice theory to questions of urban economics shows how collective goods can be provided by agents in a market process. Rejecting the market-failure hypothesis, Dr Foldvary argues that an entrepreneur can provide collective goods by consensual community agreements. Instead of studying particular services, as previous studies have done, this book concerns itself with entire private communities. A series of case studies demonstrate how real world communities, such as Walt Disney World, the Reston Association in Virginia and the private neighbourhoods of Saint Louis, are in fact financing their own public goods and services in accordance with this theory. For such communities to rise and prosper, the author contends, government must eliminate zoning and many other restrictions, as well as the taxation of private services. After considering the implications of his work for urban economies - at a time when many of America's cities are plagued by decay, violence and poverty - Dr Foldvary argues that prosperity can be restored to cities if private communities are allowed to develop. As an original response to an urgent, contemporary problem this well-written book will be welcomed by social scientists, policy makers and business leaders seeking solutions to problems of urban decay.
Partial Purification of the Cyanide-Resistant Alternative Oxidase of Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) Mitochondria

A partial purification of the cyanide-resistant, alternative oxidase from skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus L.) spadix mitochondria is described. Skunk cabbage mitochondria were solubilized in N,N-bis-(3-D-glucon-amido-propyl)deoxycholamide and the alternative oxidase was purified using a batch DEAE-cellulose treatment, followed by precipitation with Extracti-Gel and chromatography on Sephadex G-200. Following pooling and concentrating of the most active fractions from the gel filtration column, a 20- to 30-fold purification of the alternative oxidase was obtained, with no evidence of contamination by cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) or cytochrome c reductase (complex III). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the partially purified oxidase showed major polypeptides at 36 and 29 kD, both of which react with monoclonal antibodies raised against the Sauromatum guttatum alternative oxidase. The purified oxidase fraction showed no absorbance in the visible spectral region, and addition of sodium borohydride induced no absorbance changes in the ultraviolet region. The purified alternative oxidase catalyzed the four-electron reduction of oxygen to water in the absence of citrate, but catalyzed an apparent two-electron reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide in the presence of 0.7 M citrate.
DOES A DEFECT IN INSULIN LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I (IGF-I) GENERATION EXIST IN INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES (IDDM)?

Elevated, normal and low IGF-I values have been reported in IDDM. To clarify the influence of blood glucose (BG) control on IGF-I in the young diabetic, we studied 19 IDDM (16±lyrs) before and after one week of intensified Rx. During conventional Rx, IGF-I levels were markedly reduced in comparison to age-matched healthy controls (198±20 vs. 448±34 ng/ml, p<0.001) and were negatively correlated with glycosylated Hb values (r=-0.55, p<0.02). Insulin infusion pump Rx, which lowered mean 24hr BG from 233±16 to 110±5 mg/dl, induced a rise in IGF-I (198±20 to 252±34 ng/ml, p<0.005) despite a 30% fall in mean 24hr growth hormone (GH) levels, (p<0.05). To evaluate this apparent defect in IGF-I generation, we administered exogenous GH (0.1U/kg IM × 4 days) to 8 prepubertal IDDM (11.4±0.3yrs) maintained on their usual Rx, and to 7 age-matched healthy controls. Despite a significant rise in BG from 176±21 to 276±22 mg/dl(p<0.001), exogenous GH resulted in a marked increase in IGF-I (from 63±11 to 146±27 ng/mg, p<0.02) indistinguishable from that observed in non-diabetic children (58±7 to 112±24 ng/ml). Conclusions: (1) Poorly controlled IDDM is associated with reduced IGF-I levels which can be restored by improved metabolic control. (2) This defect can be overcome by exogenous GH even in the face of poor metabolic control. (3) Low IGF-I values in IDDM in the presence of high GH levels may be due to reduced biological activity of endogenous GH.
Electronic and structural effects of oxygen doping in Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox superconductors characterized by tunneling microscopy.

Scanning tunneling microscopy has been used to characterize the electronic and structural effects of oxygen doping in ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathit{x}}$ materials. Bias-voltage-dependent images of oxygen-deficient nonsuperconducting crystals show that reversible oxygen loss leads to nonperiodic variations in the electronic states near the Fermi level (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}300 mV). Variations in the electronic states near the Fermi level are not observed, however, in images of superconducting samples. In addition, high-resolution images of the BiO layer of oxygen-deficient samples do not exhibit vacancies or strongly perturbed sites, but rather appear similar to images of the BiO layer of superconducting crystals. These data indicate that suppression of ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathit{x}}$ may not be due to oxygen loss from the BiO layer.
The impact of vendor customizations on android security

The smartphone market has grown explosively in recent years, as more and more consumers are attracted to the sensor-studded multipurpose devices. Android is particularly ascendant; as an open platform, smartphone manufacturers are free to extend and modify it, allowing them to differentiate themselves from their competitors. However, vendor customizations will inherently impact overall Android security and such impact is still largely unknown.In this paper, we analyze ten representative stock Android images from five popular smartphone vendors (with two models from each vendor). Our goal is to assess the extent of security issues that may be introduced from vendor customizations and further determine how the situation is evolving over time. In particular, we take a three-stage process: First, given a smartphone's stock image, we perform provenance analysis to classify each app in the image into three categories: apps originating from the AOSP, apps customized or written by the vendor, and third-party apps that are simply bundled into the stock image. Such provenance analysis allows for proper attribution of detected security issues in the examined Android images. Second, we analyze permission usages of pre-loaded apps to identify overprivileged ones that unnecessarily request more Android permissions than they actually use. Finally, in vulnerability analysis, we detect buggy pre-loaded apps that can be exploited to mount permission re-delegation attacks or leak private information.Our evaluation results are worrisome: vendor customizations are significant on stock Android devices and on the whole responsible for the bulk of the security problems we detected in each device. Specifically, our results show that on average 85.78% of all pre-loaded apps in examined stock images are overprivileged with a majority of them directly from vendor customizations. In addition, 64.71% to 85.00% of vulnerabilities we detected in examined images from every vendor (except for Sony) arose from vendor customizations. In general, this pattern held over time -- newer smartphones, we found, are not necessarily more secure than older ones.
Theory of an Ellipsometric Technique for Investigating Weakly Absorbing Substances

Ellipsometer measurements to obtain estimates of refractive index and thickness of weakly absorbing isotropic, homogeneous slab
The Relation Between Frequency and Spark-Over Voltage in a Sphere-Gap Voltmeter

The standard instrument for measuring crest values of high alternating voltages at 60 cycles is the sphere-gap voltmeter, which measures a voltage by the distance which it will flash between spheres. In much of the high-voltage research, however, very high frequencies are used. For measuring the voltages used in these high-frequency tests, the sphere-gap voltmeter is used, the assumption being made that its calibration at high frequency is but little, if any, different from that at 60 cycles. In the endeavor to make the sphere-gap a standard for measuring peak values of voltage at high frequencies, as it is at present a standard at commercial frequencies, experimental data were obtained from which calibration curves for the sphere-gap voltmeter were plotted for frequencies ranging from 28,000 to 425,000 cycles per sec. for standard conditions of temperature and pressure. These curves cover a voltage range from about 10,000 to 50,000 volts, the source of the high-frequency voltage being a Poulsen arc with variable inductance and capacity in, its a-c. circuit. The results show no appreciable change in voltage required to flash across a given gap as the frequency increases until a frequency of about 20,000 cycles is reached, then a gradual decrease inl required voltage as the frequency increases from 20,000 to 60,000 cycles, after which a single curve holds for all frequencies at least up to 425,000 cycles per sec., the highest frequency tested.
Review of Governing the World? Addressing “Problems Without Passports”

In this brief volume, leading international organization (IO) scholar Thomas Weiss offers an impassioned plea for the necessity of restraining sovereignty to address today's thorniest global challe...
Evaluation of Sea Surface Temperature Measurements from Drifting Buoys

Abstract Three drift-buoy designs have been deployed since 1988 in substantial numbers in the tropical Pacific Ocean by United States participants as part of the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere (TOGA) Pan Pacific Surface Current Study. These include the Low Cost Tropical Drifter designed and built at the Atlantic Oceanography and Meteorological Laboratory, the Low Cost Drifter (LCD) designed and built by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Draper Laboratories, and the Minister Drifter designed and built at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and built by Tecnocean Inc., San Diego, California, which has subsequently become known as the World Ocean Climate Experiment standard drifter. This report contains an evaluation of the performance of the sea surface temperature measurement system carried by these buoy designs. Based on comparisons of the monthly mean SST derived from the available XBT and CTD casts and on intercomparisons of among each of the buoy types, all three designs appear to include...
Scaling regime at the large-N phase transition of two-dimensional pure gauge theories

Abstract The SU(N) single unitary matrix models are studied in the vicinity of their large-N transition point and an interesting mathematical structure is seen to emerge.
Characterization and imaging in optically scattering media by use of laser speckle and a variable-coherence source

We demonstrate the application of laser-speckle statistics formed by a variable-coherence source illuminating a scattering medium, for determining the scattering parameter μs′ of a diffusion model for the medium. Furthermore, we apply this technique to visualize laterally localized inhomogeneities embedded within a highly scattering sample.
Resummation in a hot scalar field theory.

A resummed perturbative expansion is used to obtain the self-energy in the high-temperature {ital g}{sup 2}{phi}{sup 4} field-theory model up to order {ital g}{sup 4}. From this the zero-momentum pole of the effective propagator is evaluated to determine the induced thermal mass and damping rate for the bosons in the plasma to order {ital g}{sup 3}. The calculations are performed in the imaginary-time formalism and a simple diagrammatic analysis is used to identify the relevant diagrams at each order. Results are compared with similar real-time calculations found in the literature.
Survival and immunization of raccoons after exposure to pseudorabies (Aujeszky's disease) virus gene-deleted vaccines.

Abstract In a controlled experiment, 16 wild-trapped raccoons were exposed to 1 of 2 genetically modified live pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccines used in swine. One vaccine had genes deleted for thymidine kinase (TK − ) and glycoprotein G (gG − ); the other had an additional deletion for glycoprotein E (gE − ). These vaccines were administered orally and intranasally at four dose levels: 10 3 , 10 4 , 10 5 , and 10 6 TCID 50 . The 21 days survival rate was 37.5% for the gG − TK − vaccine; all of the survivors developed antibodies to PRV. All animals receiving the gG − gE − TK − vaccine survived; 75% (all except the lowest dose) developed anti-PRV antibodies. Survivors were challenged intranasally with a 3.2×10 3 TCID 50 dose of the virulent wildtype PRV Shope strain. Two of the remaining three gG − TK − vaccinated raccoons survived the challenge; for the gG − gE − TK − vaccine, the survival rate was 50% (4/8). The raccoons with higher vaccine-induced antibody titers were more likely to survive the challenge with the virulent PRV; there was a 100% mortality rate for raccoons lacking detectable anti-PRV antibodies. This experiment indicates that exposure of raccoons to modified live gene-deleted PRV vaccines may result in an immune response, and that this immunity provides some protection against exposure to virulent virus.
NICMOS performance on the Hubble Space Telescope

NICMOS, the near IR camera and multi-object spectrometer was placed in the Hubble Space Telescope in February 1997. Since then it has ben carrying out and extensive program of scientific research. This paper presents the current status and performance of the instrument along with a sample of the observations that have been carried out to this date.
Synthesis and characterization of polymer-filled nonwoven membranes

Polymer-filled nonwoven membranes were prepared by filling the open pores of nylon nonwovens with poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS). PAMPS was synthesized via radical polymerization and crosslinked to prevent its dissolution in water. PAMPS-filled nylon nonwoven membranes showed enhanced dimensional stability and mechanical properties when compared with PAMPS membranes without nonwovens. The conductivities of PAMPS-filled nylon nonwovens were slightly lower than those of PAMPS membranes. Compared with PAMPS membranes without nonwoven hosts, both linear and crosslinked PAMPS-filled nylon nonwoven membranes exhibited lower vapor permeabilities for water, methanol, acetone, and dimethyl methylphophonate (DMMP). In addition, crosslinked PAMPS-filled nonwoven membranes presented high permselectivity on DMMP over water, which is critical for chemical protection application. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Modified nucleosides in undermethylated phenylalanine transfer RNA from Escherichia coli

A complete nucleoside analysis of highly purified undermethylated and normal tRNAPhe from a methionine-starved culture of Escherichia coli RCrel showed that the undermethylated species contained N6-isopentenyladenosine in place of 2-methyl-thio-N6-isopentenyladenosine. This difference may account for the inactivity of undermethylated tRNAs in protein synthesis. Both normal and undermethylated tRNAPhe contained fractional amounts of 7-methylguanosine. The amount of unmodified uridine in undermethylated tRNAPhe was in excess of that expected due to lack of methylation.
Laparoscopic hepatic resection using saline-enhanced electrocautery permits short hospital stays.

Laparoscopic hepatic resection has been reported to yield lower morbidity and shorter hospital stays than open resection. However, few studies have evaluated patient and technical factors associated with short hospital stays. We conducted a retrospective review of patients undergoing laparoscopic hepatic resec-tion at our institution from May 2002 to February 2004. Patient and operative factors were analyzed with respect to time to discharge. Seventeen patients underwent 10 wedge resections and seven segmen-tectomies or bisegmentectomies. There were no mortalities, conversions to open procedure, clinically evident bile leaks, or transfusion requirements. Eleven patients were discharged within 24 hours. When compared with those discharged later than 24 hours, there were fewer patients with advanced ASA classification (0 versus 3 in ASA class 3, p < 0.05). With appropriate patient selection, laparoscopic hepatic resections may be safely performed, result in short hospital stays, and are facilitated by technol-ogies such as saline-enhanced electrocautery and endoscopic ultrasound. Information reflected in advanced ASA class may predict patients unlikely to be discharged within 24 hours.
Effect of differentiation agents on expression of CA 125, alkaline phosphatase, and cytokeratins in human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells (OVCA 433).

Abstract A number of chemical agents have been found to influence the proliferation, morphology, enzymatic activity, and antigen expression of neoplastic cells toward a more differentiated pheno-type. We studied the effects of differentiating agents retinoic acid, sodium butyrate, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the expression of the tumor-associated antigen CA 125 and several biochemical markers of differentiation in cultured OVCA 433 ovarian cancer cells. Treatment of OVCA 433 cells with these agents for 96 hr reduced cellular proliferation and altered cellular morphology. Quantitation of cell surface CA 125 using flow cytometry revealed that CA 125 expression was reduced by 35–50%. The amount of CA 125 antigen shed into the culture media was reduced to a similar degree. In addition, differentiation inducers markedly enhanced cellular alkaline phosphatase activity and induced the expression of a 65–67-kDa cytokeratin. These findings provide support for the induction of a more differentiated phenotype by these agents.
Revascularization of Severely Ischemic Lower Extremities in the Elderly by Femorotibial Bypass

: In 79 of 89 patients operated on for severely ischemic lower extremities, the procedure used was femorotibial or femoroperoneal bypass. Two thirds of the patients were over 60 years of age. In some cases the follow-up period was as long as eight and a half years. A functional bypass was achieved as often in the older groups (67–77 per cent) as in the younger group (74 per cent). The rate of limb salvage was lower in the older groups, but it was still a significant 57–65 per cent versus 74 per cent in patients younger than 60. Femorotibial bypass in lieu of primary amputation is recommended for elderly patients with such absolute indications for surgery as gangrene, gangrenous ulceration, or rest pain.
An Evaluation of Blueberry Cultivars Grown in Plastic Tunnels in Douglas County, Oregon

Abstract Growing fruits and vegetables in plastic tunnels is known to accelerate maturity and protect quality. There are several studies on highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) that demonstrate the ability of row covers to advance or delay crop maturity depending on how they are manipulated. Accelerating or delaying harvest time can prove to be very lucrative for producers. However, before producers start putting plastic tunnels over their crops it is important to know how blueberry cultivars will behave when grown under plastic. Six cultivars of southern highbush blueberry and eight cultivars of northern highbush blueberry were grown in a high hoop plastic tunnel for two seasons. Blueberry plants were grown under plastic from February 1 until their harvest was completed each year. After harvest, the plastic covering over the hoops was removed to help the blueberry plants develop fruit buds and meet winter chill requirements. On February 1 the plastic covering was returned to the high hoop tunnel aft...
Estimating HIV incidence in the United States from HIV/AIDS surveillance data and biomarker HIV test results

The development of an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test that detects recent infection has enabled the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to estimate annual HIV incidence (number of new infections per year, not per person at risk) in the United States from data on new HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) diagnoses reported to HIV/AIDS surveillance. We developed statistical procedures to estimate the probability that an infected person will be detected as recently infected, accounting for individuals choosing whether and how frequently to seek HIV testing, variation of testing frequency, the reporting of test results only for infected persons, and infected persons who never had an HIV-negative test. The incidence estimate is the number of persons detected as recently infected divided by the estimated probability of detection. We used simulation to show that, under the assumptions we make, our procedures have acceptable bias and correct confidence interval coverage. Because data on the biomarker for recent infection or on testing history were missing for many persons, we used multiple imputation to apply our models to surveillance data. CDC has used these procedures to estimate HIV incidence in the United States.
Assessment of the Fracture Behavior of an Asymmetrically Loaded Cantilever Composite Structure

The complex fracture behavior of a cross-ply composite cantilever beam with artificially embedded delamination is investigated analytically, numerically, and experimentally. The analysis of the cantilever beam is divided into two geometric configurations: the global bending of the widelaminated cantilever, and the local buckling of the delaminated part. A finite element model developed in ANSYS is used to concurrently analyze the effects of contact zone and determination in the aforementioned asymmetrically loaded structure. The obtained experimental data are correlated and compared with the findings of the FEM simulations. All numerical, analytical, and experimental results illustrate that the fracture behavior of the laminate cantilever beam is dominated by mode II, mainly due to the effect of a large contact zone. The latter is determined by geometric and loading parameters. The dominance of mode II over mode I, leads to the initiation and propagation of an interfacial crack rather than an intralayer one. Furthermore, experimental evidence indicates that crack kinking during propagation depends on the architecture of the specimens.
Fluid therapy in shock and critical illness.

When only pressures and flow are examined, but not oxygen transport and oxygen consumption, crystalloids may appeart to be satisfactory, particularly in the elective patient who is not in shock. Body water shifts after hemorrhage, trauma and various combinations of these; proponents of the crystalloid school of thought believe reduced interstitial water (ISW) is the major problem in both hemorrhage and trauma, while others, who question the validity of 35SO4 as a measure of ISW, believe that the primary circulatory problem is hypovolemia. Sodium is known to increase arterial pressure and urine output; if these effects are used to test therapeutic efficacy; then sodium-rich solutions will be found to be effective even though they do not correct the essential defect of shock and trauma states.Fluid shifts have been described as either a “leak” or “equilibration” of the administered fluids according to the viewpoint of the observer. Irrespective of these interpretations, the net water shift in or out of the plasma volume has been measured before and after fluid therapy. In essence, crystalloids expand the ISW, as over 80% leaves the plasma before the end of the infusion; bu contrast, albumin increases plasma volume particularly in the early postoperative course of critically ill surgical patients. Blood volume expansion with massive volumes of crystalloids by virtue of the associated massive interstitial water expansion, may improve plasma volume, but this may also impede peripheral oxygen diffusion and worsen tissue oxygenation. In the postoperative shock patient, and the patient in early ARDS, blood volume and oxygen delivery are more effectively provided by colloids.Pulmonary edema may result from cardiogenic factors, noncardiac (ARDS) factors and excessive fluid administration. Salt and water restriction, diuretics and other supportive measures are usually indicated. When pulmonary edema is associated with hypovolemia, concentrated (25%) albumin may restore body water distribution by shifting fluid from the interstitium into the plasma volume. However, when pulmonary edema is due to interstitial pneumonitis, viral pneumonia and other medical causes of respiratory failure, the pulmonary capillay-alveolar membrane leak which usually occurs in the late stage of ARDS may be worsened by colloid therapy.Irrespective of philoscophical considerations of protagonists of a “partyline”, the critically ill, high risk patinnt should be monitored with sophisticated hemodynamic and O2 transport measurements in order to optimize the values of these variables to achieve maximum chances of survival.
Formation of five-membered cyclic anhydride intermediates by polycarboxylic acids: Thermal analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) has been used as the most effective nonformaldehyde crosslinking agent for cotton and wood pulp cellulose. Our previous research has indicated that a polycarboxylic acid esterifies cellulose in two steps: the formation of a five-membered cyclic anhydride intermediate by the dehydration of two adjacent carboxyl groups, and the reaction between cellulose and the anhydride intermediate to form an ester linkage. In this research, we investigated the formation of carboxylic anhydrides by BTCA and other polycarboxylic acids in powder forms, and as finishes applied to cotton fabric using thermal gravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We found that BTCA and other polycarboxylic acids in powder forms start to form five-membered cyclic carboxylic anhydrides when the temperature reaches the vicinity of their melting points. The formation of carboxylic anhydride is accelerated above the melting points. We also found that BTCA forms anhydrides at lower temperatures when it is applied to cotton fabric as a finish. An increase in temperature increases both the amount of anhydride and the amount of ester formed on the cotton fabric. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 2711–2718, 1998
Ankle Syndesmosis Injuries

Physician awareness of ankle syndesmosis injuries is improving. The anatomy involved and the mechanism of injury are extremely relevant for the understanding and treatment of this type of injury. Examination under anesthesia may confirm the syndesmosis instability. Based on those findings, stabilization is the recommended approach.
Management of complex glottic stenosis in children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Abstract Objectives To describe our management of complex glottic stenosis in tracheotomy dependent children with severe recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Methods Retrospective chart review at a tertiary care children's hospital. Results Three children with complex glottic stenosis secondary to severe recurrent respiratory papillomatosis were treated at our institution since 2011. Two patients had complete stenosis, and the third had near-complete stenosis. Two patients were managed using balloon dilation alone, and the third also underwent laryngotracheal reconstruction with posterior costal cartilage grafting. Two patients have been successfully decannulated and the third has been tolerating continuous tracheotomy capping for greater than twelve months. All three patients underwent aggressive debridement of papillomatosis and balloon dilation every 4–6 weeks until their burden of disease was controlled. In two patients, the glottic airway was patent, and the third continued to have complete restenosis between procedures and required laryngotracheoplasty with multiple post-operative dilation procedures to establish an adequate glottic airway. Conclusions Severe laryngeal stenosis is a well-described complication of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, but its management is not well-defined. Aggressive management of papillomatosis with frequent debridement is critical in successfully managing laryngeal stenosis. Balloon dilation alone may be surprisingly effective in these patients, and laryngotracheoplasty can be used as an adjunct procedure in those patients who fail balloon dilation. Given the quality of life issues and concerns regarding distal spread of disease with tracheotomies in these patients, we feel that aggressive management and early decannulation is in the patient's best interest.
Coset coding to extend the lifetime of memory

Some recent memory technologies, including phase change memory (PCM), have lifetime reliabilities that are affected by write operations. We propose the use of coset coding to extend the lifetimes of these memories. The key idea of coset coding is that it performs a one-to-many mapping from each dataword to a coset of vectors, and having multiple possible vectors provides the flexibility to choose the vector to write that optimizes lifetime. Our technique, FlipMin, uses coset coding and, for each write, selects the vector that minimizes the number of bits that must flip. We also show how FlipMin can be synergistically combined with the ability to tolerate bit erasures. Thus, our techniques help to prevent bits from wearing out and can then tolerate those bits that do wear out.
A Chick Model of Retinal Detachment: Cone Rich and Novel

Background Development of retinal detachment models in small animals can be difficult and expensive. Here we create and characterize a novel, cone-rich retinal detachment (RD) model in the chick. Methodology/Principal Findings Retinal detachments were created in chicks between postnatal days 7 and 21 by subretinal injections of either saline (SA) or hyaluronic acid (HA). Injections were performed through a dilated pupil with observation via surgical microscope, using the fellow eye as a control. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed at days 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 after retinal detachment to evaluate the cellular responses of photoreceptors, Muller glia, microglia and nonastrocytic inner retinal glia (NIRG). Cell proliferation was detected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-incorporation and by the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Cell death was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). As in mammalian models of RD, there is shortening of photoreceptor outer segments and mis-trafficking of photoreceptor opsins in areas of RD. Photoreceptor cell death was maximal 1 day after RD, but continued until 14 days after RD. Muller glia up-regulated glial fibriliary acidic protein (GFAP), proliferated, showed interkinetic nuclear migration, and migrated to the subretinal space in areas of detachment. Microglia became reactive; they up-regulated CD45, acquired amoeboid morphology, and migrated toward outer retina in areas of RD. Reactive NIRG cells accumulated in detached areas. Conclusions/Significance Subretinal injections of SA or HA in the chick eye successfully produced retinal detachments and cellular responses similar to those seen in standard mammalian models. Given the relatively large eye size, and considering the low cost, the chick model of RD offers advantages for high-throughput studies.
A new neural network‐based model for hysteretic behavior of materials

Cyclic behavior of materials is complex and difficult to model. A combination of hardening rules in classical plasticity is one possibility for modeling this complex material behavior. Neural network (NN) constitutive models have been shown in the past to have the capability of modeling complex material behavior directly from the results of material tests. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for NN-based modeling of the cyclic behavior of materials. The proposed NN material model uses new internal variables that facilitate the learning of the hysteretic behavior of materials. The same approach can also be used in modeling of the hysteretic behavior of structural systems or structural components under cyclic loadings. The proposed model is shown to be superior to the earlier versions of NN material models. Although the earlier versions of the NN material models were effective in capturing the multi-axial material behavior, they were only tested under cyclic uni-axial state of stress. The proposed NN material model is capable of learning the hysteretic behavior of materials under even non-uniform stress state in multi-dimensional stress space. The performance of the proposed model is demonstrated through a series of examples using actual experimental data and simulated testing data.
Selective updates on mechanisms of action of positive inotropic agents

Several extensive reviews concerning the actions of new positive inotropic agents in the treatment of congestive heart failure, often with reference to their mechanism of action, have recently been published [1–7]. Each of them has presented specific points of view. This review will place special emphasis on the significance of intracellular sodium activity for the modulation of myocardial inotropy; the continuing importance, after a 200 year history, of the use of cardiac glycosides as strong inotropic agents; the emerging significance of the phosphoinositide (PIP2) pathway to provide additional second messengers for the modulation and regulation of cardiac inotropy; the contribution of the α1-adrenergic system to cardiac inotropy; the increasing awareness of the significant involvement of adenosine and its antagonists in cardiac function; and the increasing realization that myocardial tissues are not homogeneous, i.e., that in many species the atrial and ventricular tissues are using different, even opposite mechanisms in the generation of their functional responses.
Fluorescent-light-induced lethality and DNA repair in normal and xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblasts

Cell survival and induction of endonuclease-sensitive sites in DNA were measured in human fibroblast cells exposed to fluorescent light or germicidal ultraviolet light. Cells from a xeroderma pigmentosum patient were hypersensitive to cell killing by fluorescent light, although less so than for germicidal ultraviolet light. Xeroderma pigmentosum cells were deficient in the removal of fluorescent light-induced endonuclease sites that are probably pyrimidine dimers, and both the xeroderma pigmentosum and normal cells removed these sites with kinetics indistinguishable from those for ultraviolet light-induced sites. A comparison of fluorescent with ultraviolet light data demonstrates that there are markedly fewer pyrimidine dimers per lethal event for fluorescent than for ultraviolet light, suggesting a major role for non-dimer damage in fluorescent light lethality.
Molecular and crystal structure of an iodo-gold-silver-platinum cluster, [(Ph3P)6Au6Ag6Pt(AgI3)2](THF)2, with a trimetallic icosahedral core capped with two planar [AgI3] units

Abstract The synthesis and crystal structure of the first trimetallic iodo-gold-silver-platinum cluster, [(Ph3P)6Au6Ag6Pt(AgI3)2](THF)2, with a centered icosahedral metal core and two planar AgI3 capping units are described. The cluster core serves as the basic building block for a new series of trimetallic (AuAgPt) polyicosahedral clusters with iodo ligands. In the crystal, the clusters form a clathrate structural network capable of stabilizing weakly hydrogen-bonded (THF)2 dimers.
A network performance analyst's workbench

Performance measurement and analysis of the behavior of a computer network usually requires the application of multiple software and hardware tools. The location, functionality, data requirements, and other properties of the tools often reflect the distribution of equipment in the network. We describe how we have attempted to organize a collection of tools into a single system that spans a broad subset of the measurement and analysis activities that occur in a complex network of heterogenous computers. The tools are implemented on a pair of dedicated midicomputers. A database management system is used to couple the data collection and analysis tools into a system highly insulated from evolutionary changes in the composition and topology of the network.