cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability and validity of a survey to measure bowel function and quality of life in long-term rectal cancer survivors

Examination of reliability and validity of a specialized health-related quality of life questionnaire for rectal cancer (RC) survivors (≥5 years post-diagnosis). We mailed 1,063 Kaiser Permanente (KP) RC survivors (313 ostomy and 750 anastomosis) a questionnaire containing the Modified City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy (mCOH-QOL-O), SF-12v2, Duke–UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ), and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Bowel Function Index (BFI). We adapted certain BFI items for use by subjects with intestinal ostomies. We evaluated reliability for all instruments with inter-item correlations and Cronbach’s alpha. We assessed construct validity only for the BFI in the ostomy group, because such use has not been reported. The overall response rate was 60.5 % (577 respondents/953 eligible). Compared with non-responders, participants were on average 2 years younger and more likely non-Hispanic white, resided in educationally non-deprived areas, and had KP membership through a group. The mCOH-QOL-O, SF-12, and FSSQ were found to be highly reliable for RC survivors. In the ostomy group, BFI Urgency/Soilage and Dietary subscales were found to be reliable, but Frequency was not. Factor analysis supported the construct of Urgency/Soilage and Dietary subscales in the ostomy group, although one item had a moderate correlation with all three factors. The BFI also demonstrated good concurrent validity with other instruments in the ostomy group. With possible exception of the BFI Frequency subscale in populations with ostomies, components of our survey can be used for the entire population of RC survivors, no matter whether they received anastomosis or ostomy.
The predictive value of endometrial stripe thickness in patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy who have an empty uterus at ultrasonography.

. Prior research suggests that, in patients with empty uteri at ultrasonography, endometrial stripe thickness may be predictive of ectopic pregnancy or the likelihood of obtaining chorionic villi after a dilatation and evacuation procedure (D+E). However, it is unclear whether the predictive value of endometrial stripe thickness is confined to patients with low beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) values. Objective: To determine whether endometrial stripe thickness is predictive of the risk of ectopic pregnancy or the likelihood of obtaining chorionic villi after D+E in patients with β-hCG values >1,000 mIU/mL or ≤1,000 mIU/mL. Methods: In an urban academic ED, the authors conducted a retrospective chart review of consecutive ED patients from August 1991 to August 1997 with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding, a positive β-hCG value, and an empty uterus by transvaginal ultrasound examination. Patients were divided into four groups—group 1: endometrium thin, β-hCG value ≤1,000 mIU/mL; group 2: endometrium thick, β-hCG value ≤1,000 mIU/mL; group 3: endometrium thin, β-hCG value >1,000 mIU/mL; and group 4: endometrium thick, β-hCG value >1,000 mIU/mL. The secondary analysis was limited to patients who had a D+E performed within 48 hours of the ED visit. The risks of ectopic pregnancy and the likelihoods of obtaining chorionic villi after D+E were compared using chi-square or Fishers' exact test where appropriate, with a p-value of 0.05 being significant. Results: 224 patients were enrolled in the initial analysis. Intergroup differences in the frequency of ectopic pregnancy were of borderline significance (p = 0.08). However, when the comparison was limited to the groups with β-hCG values ≤1,000 mIU/mL, the predictive value of endometrial stripe thickness reached statistical significance (group 1: 27/99 [27%], group 2: 2/28 [7%], p = 0.05). 79 patients had a D+E performed. Intergroup differences in the rate of obtaining chorionic villi were significant (p = 0.002). Group 1 had the lowest frequency of having chorionic villi identified (4/26 [15%]) and was the only group in which villi were obtained in fewer than 50% of cases. Conclusion: Endometrial stripe thickness may be predictive of the risk of ectopic pregnancy and the likelihood of obtaining chorionic villi at D+E. However, its predictive value appears to be confined to patients with β-hCG values ≤1,000 mIU/mL.
Baroreflex loading maneuvers do not suppress increased plasma arginine vasopressin in patients with congestive heart failure.

Abstract Nonspecific baroreflex loading maneuvers such as head-down till readily suppress stimulated arginine vasopressin levels in normal humans. To test the hypothesis that the increased arginine vasopressin levels in patients with congestive heart failure would not respond normally to baroreflex loading, 12 patients with congestive heart failure had arginine vasopressin levels and osmolality determined in the supine position and after 15 min of 30 ° head-down tilt. Arginine vasopressin was increased to 6.5 ± 2.0 pg/ml at control measurement and did not decrease. Eight patients underwent further study after osmotic stimulation with mannitol. Mannitol increased osmolality from 287 ± 9.2 to 294 ± 7.8 mOsm/kg (p
Trisomy 21 in bone marrow cells of a patient with a prolonged preleukemic phase

The clinical, hematologic, and cytogenetic findings are described in a patient who developed clinical and hematologic features of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) after a three-year period of observation with unexplained thrombocytopenia. Five months before the diagnosis of AML she developed hepatosplenomegaly and a lupus-like syndrome. At this time she was also found to have trisomy 21 in all bone marrow cells studied, in addition to trisomy 8 in a few cells. The finding of trisomy 21 in all of the bone marrow cells examined could reflect a nonrandom alteration in the leukemic stem line or it might indicate that mosaic patients with trisomy 21 cells in their bone marrow share the increased risk of AML that has been documented for trisomy 21 patients.
Charge transfer processes and sputtering processes of self-sustaining alkali metal coatings on metal surfaces

Abstract It is well known that adsorption of electronegative or electropositive atoms on a metal surface results in charge transfer between the metal conduction band and the adsorbate atom. This charge transfer results in the formation of a coverage-dependent image dipole and a consequent change in the work function and adsorbate binding energy. Additionally, the secondary electron yield and the charge state of surface atoms desorbed by thermal, electron impact or ion impact desorption processes are closely related to the effective adsorbate charge. We discuss here the effect of Gibbsian segregation as a means of producing similar effects for electropositive (alkali metal) layers on a number of metal substrates. Classical chemisorption theory is used as a means of estimating the adsorbate effective charge and the results are compared with models used to predict the secondary ion fraction of sputtered atoms. The resulting concept of self-sustaining sputter-resistant coatings is analyzed in the context of applications to the fusion environment as well as to, e.g., materials for high current electrical contacts.
Microwave saturation of paraelectric-resonance transitions of OH− inns in KCℓ☆

Abstract Microwave saturation measurements of 24 GHz paraelectric resonance transitions of OH − ions in KCl at 1.3 and 4.2°K have been made. Proof of inhomogeneous broadening for these lines and an estimate of 3 × 10 −7 sec for the relaxation time result. Saturation data and spectroscopic data taken in both absorption and dispersion for several orientations are found to be incompatible with an explanation in terms of - oriented dipoles and predominantly 90° overlap.
Exoenzymic activity of alpha-amylase immobilized on a phenol-formaldehyde resin

Amylose and amylopectin from two starch sources were partially degraded by alpha-amylase immobilized on a phenol-formaldehyde resin. The degradation products were fractionated by gel-permeation chromatography and high-pressure, liquid chromatography. Two distinct fractions were obtained from tapioca amylose. One is a fragment having a molecular weight exceeding 200,000, and the other consists of oligosaccharides of low molecular weight with a degree of polymerization of 1–8. In contrast, treatment of tapioca amylose with soluble alpha-amylase produces a single fraction, nearly all of which has a molecular weight of <35,000, with only traces of small oligosaccharides detectable by high-pressure, liquid chromatography. Even wider differences were observed in degradation products from tapioca amylopectin. Similar activity-patterns were obtained with immobilized and soluble enzymes, using corn amylose and corn amylopectin as substrates. Immobilization of alpha-amylase on the resin apparently restricts the activity of the enzyme to the ends of the starch molecules, making it appear to be limited to exoenzymic activity.
Automatic reading of part numbers

Abstract For reliable machine recognition of man-readable part numbers, an encoding technique known as theta-modulation is used. Each of the characters to be read is modulated by a grating with a specific angular orientation θ. Ten alpha-numeric characters are encoded by consecutive grids separated by 18°. The numerals are decoded by evaluating the diffraction patterns of the grid-encoded digits. The orientation of the diffraction pattern is detected by an array of segmented photo-detectors. This part number reading technique is invariant against translations and was successfully applied to parts with perfectly polished or with coarse surfaces.
Response to Langdon Gilkey's Inaugural Address at the Niebuhr Society, 22 November 2003 in Atlanta

AbstractAfter applauding Professor Gilkey for focusing attention on Reinhold Niebuhr's book, Moral Man and Immoral Society, I framed my response by setting forth seven salient elements of Niebuhr's political theory. After affirming Gilkey's portrayal of the differences between our contemporary situation and that which Niebuhr addressed in the 1930s, I focused on a third characteristic of Niebuhr's thought that Gilkey neglected to mention, namely, the impact of his thought on African-American activists in their struggle for racial justice in the United States. That impact mainly pertained to his perceptive analysis of power conflicts among social groups and especially the societal power of racism. Niebuhr's sensitivity to that problem was heightened during his ministry in Detroit and thereafter. Thus, Martin Luther King, Jr, his protege, Jesse Jackson and many others came to view Niebuhr as a major source of inspiration for their struggle. But, in spite of Niebuhr's appreciation of Gandhi and his support o...
Primary Afferent NMDA Receptors Increase Dorsal Horn Excitation and Mediate Opiate Tolerance in Neonatal Rats

Repeated exposure to opiates produces analgesic tolerance, which limits their clinical usefulness. Whole-cell voltage-clamped lamina I cells in spinal slices from opiate-tolerant neonatal rats show an increase in miniature, spontaneous, and primary afferent-evoked EPSCs when compared with lamina I cells from opiate-naive rat spinal slices. This increased excitation can be blocked by the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist APV, apparently acting at NMDARs on primary afferents. Consistent with these results, electron microscopy demonstrates an increased incidence of NMDARs in substance P-containing spinal dorsal horn primary afferent terminals in opiate-tolerant rats. Moreover, superfusion of spinal slices from opiate-tolerant rats with NMDA produces a reversible increase in miniature EPSC (mEPSC) frequency in contrast to a decrease in mEPSC frequency produced by NMDA in opiate-naive slices. Finally, NMDAR antagonists inhibit the expression of opiate tolerance both in inhibiting EPSCs in spinal slices and in inhibiting behavioral nociceptive responses to heat. NMDAR antagonists have been reported in many studies to inhibit morphine analgesic tolerance. Our studies suggest that an increase in primary afferent NMDAR expression and activity mediates a hypersensitivity to noxious stimuli and causes the inhibition of opiate efficacy, which defines tolerance.
Historical Floodplain Sedimentation in the Galena River Basin, Wisconsin and Illinois

Abstract Post-settlement alteration of the natural land cover accelerated floodplain sedimentation in the Galena River basin in Wisconsin and Illinois. Twenty-three stream channels and valley cross sections originally surveyed by the Soil Conservation Service c. 1940 were resurveyed in 1979. A comparison of the two surveys shows that bankfull cross-sectional area has generally decreased since 1940, especially in the upper and middle portions of the basin where significant reduction in bankfull stream width occurred. The magnitude of post-1940 floodplain sedimentation increased in the downstream direction, but variations in magnitudes are associated with both valley width and drainage area changes. Valley width influences on hydraulics largely govern the pattern of overbank sedimentation. An analysis of all historical floodplain sedimentation showed that abnormally wide valleys were associated with large accumulations despite their having low values for mean depth. Abnormally narrow valleys had minor accum...
Metabolic syndrome as a predictor for postoperative complications after urologic surgery.

Objective To elucidate whether metabolic syndrome (MS) has an effect on outcomes after nephrectomy, prostatectomy, or cystectomy. Methods Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's database, patients undergoing cystectomy, nephrectomy, or prostatectomy between 2005 and 2011 were reviewed to assess for the presence of MS and a variety of perioperative complications. Results The overall complication rate for cystectomy, nephrectomy, and prostatectomy was 52.4%, 20.2%, and 8.7%, respectively. On multivariate analysis controlling for age, sex, body mass index, cardiac comorbidity, functional status, surgical approach (prostatectomy and nephrectomy), and surgery within 30 days, MS was not associated with perioperative complications in patients undergoing cystectomy (odds ratio [OR], 0.760; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.476-1.213). On multivariate analysis, the presence of MS was a significant predictor of perioperative complications after radical nephrectomy (adjusted OR, 1.489; 95% CI, 1.146-1.934). With regards to prostatectomy, MS was not a significant predictor of complications (OR, 1.065; 95% CI, 0.739-1.535). Conclusion Patients in this cohort with MS undergoing cystectomy or prostatectomy did not experience a higher rate of complications compared with patients without MS, although patients with MS undergoing nephrectomy had a higher complication rate. It may be warranted to preoperatively counsel patients with MS undergoing nephrectomy that complication rates may be higher.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Spirooxindole Amides through Nitrile Hydrozirconation

Spirooxindole amides can be prepared by the intramolecular addition of functionalized indoles into acylimines that are accessed from nitriles by hydrozirconation and acylation. The stereochemical outcome at the quaternary center was controlled by the steric bulk of the substituent at the 2-position of the indole unit. The products are well-suited for diversification to prepare libraries.
A minimum action method for small random perturbations of two-dimensional parallel shear flows

In this work, we develop a parallel minimum action method for small random perturbations of Navier-Stokes equations to solve the optimization problem given by the large deviation theory. The Freidlin-Wentzell action functional is discretized by hp finite elements in time direction and spectral methods in physical space. A simple diagonal preconditioner is constructed for the nonlinear conjugate gradient solver of the optimization problem. A hybrid parallel strategy based on MPI and OpenMP is developed to improve numerical efficiency. Both h- and p-convergence are obtained when the discretization error from physical space can be neglected. We also present preliminary results for the transition in two-dimensional Poiseuille flow from the base flow to a non-attenuated traveling wave.
Mechanical analysis for emergent vegetation in flowing fluids

Vegetation plays an important role in stream processes and management efforts. However, the description of mechanical behaviours of vegetation–fluid interaction requires an improved understanding of the underlying physics and of the methods used for investigating this interaction. The objective of this research was to develop a method for describing vegetation mechanics in flowing fluids. This was accomplished by outlining methods for describing vegetation responses to flow under rigid and bending conditions for simple vegetation elements. The results of the theoretical analyses provide insight into influences of vegetation biomechanical properties to force distributions, bending behaviour, and potential vegetation rupture locations and conditions. The approach can be used to estimate hydraulic conditions for vegetation failure and flow resistance caused by vegetation, especially for flexible species. Although the techniques developed here are based on simplifying assumptions, the present analysis provide...
Methicillin-Sensitive and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Management Principles and Selection of Antibiotic Therapy

Strains of community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) have emerged as an important group of pathogens. Most infections present as cutaneous abscess and most of these may respond to drainage alone. Sulfonamide and tetracycline antibiotics remain valuable agents for most CA-MRSA infections, but inducible resistance to clindamycin is problematic in some areas. Linezolid, and the newer parenteral antibiotics should be reserved for serious infections.
Association of nucleocapsid polypeptides with defective RNA synthesis in a temperature-sensitive mutant of Sendai virus.

Abstract A temperature-sensitive mutant of Sendai virus, is 105, does not synthesize virus-specific RNA at the restrictive temperature (38°). In this study, all virus-specific polypeptides of the mutant were synthesized for several hours at this temperature in about the same amounts as in cells incubated with wild-type virus, when infection was initiated at permissive temperature. However, the major nucleocapsid polypeptide (NP) did not assemble into nucleocapsids, whereas newly synthesized P, the minor nucleocapsid polypeptide, was able to associate with preexisting nucleocapsids. Moreover, pulse-chase experiments showed that, in the mutant, P was only transiently associated with nucleocapsids, suggesting some transiently related nucleocapsid function. After a shift to the permissive temperature (30°), normal nucleocapsid formation resumed, but the production of genomic RNA and RNAs sedimenting in the region of replicative and transcriptive intermediates was substantially higher than normal. This latter finding suggests that a viral product(s) essential for RNA synthesis accumulated during incubation at the restrictive temperature. Since nucleocapsids are the structures in which viral RNA synthesis takes place, these results indicate that the is 105 gene codes for a nucleocapsid polypeptide, perhaps P or NP, that is responsible for the synthesis or regulation of viral RNA.
Experimental study of creep crack growth in coarse-grained aluminum

Abstract Tensile specimens of coarse-grained high purity aluminum were used in this study. With the employment of moire techniques, high temperature creep growth of a pre-existing edge crack perpendicular to the loading direction was quantitatively investigated. The results show that transgranular creep fracture by rupture after extensive localized necking ahead of the crack tip is the only failure mechanism, if no other cavities or microcracks pre-exist. During the process of creep growth of a pre-existing edge crack, the influence of grain boundary is less significant compared with that of room temperature plastic deformation, or high temperature creep deformation of non-damaged specimens. If the specimen has pre-existing cavities along the grain boundary, intergranular creep fracture by cavity growth and coalescence is the failure mode.
The emergence of an industrial infrastructure for technological innovation

Abstract This paper proposes a social system framework to examine how an industrial infrastructure emerges to facilitate and inhibit technological innovation. This infrastructure includes institutional arrangements, resource endowments, and proprietary activities that are necessary to develop and commercialize an innovation. This industrial infrastructure emerges through the accretion of numerous events involving many public and private sector actors over an extended period of time. The practical implication of this perspective is that policies directed at technological innovation to achieve economic reform must not only be concerned with the micro organization and activities of the firm, but also with the creation of a macro industrial infrastructure that any technological community needs to sustain its members. J. Comp. Econom., June 1993, 17 (2), pp. 338-365. Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455.
Reproducibility of two electrical stimulation techniques to assess neuromuscular fatigue

Abstract The main aim of this study was to compare the reliability of percutaneous electrical stimulation over the muscle (MES) and electrical stimulation over the nerve (NES) to assess quadriceps muscle voluntary activation and muscle contractile properties. A secondary aim was to determine whether MES detects the fatigue induced by prolonged exercise in the heat. For the first purpose, eight participants performed on three non-consecutive days: quadriceps maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) with superimposed electrical stimulation to assess voluntary activation, and electrically evoked contractions to assess peak force (PEVO), using NES (ball-shaped cathode) or MES (adhesive electrodes). For the second purpose, the same participants pedalled for 2 h at 60% VO2max in a 36°C environment. Quadriceps maximal voluntary contractions, voluntary activation, and PEVO were measured before and just after the completion of exercise using MES. Voluntary activation assessed with MES presented lower intra-day (1.3±0....
Distributional implications of changes in U.S. petroleum taxation

Abstract This article develops a methodology based on input-output relations for the evaluation of excise tax incidence. Since many excise taxes are levied on products that are used not only in final consumption but also as intermediate inputs in the production of other commodities, estimation of the tax burden by the conventional methodology of using direct final consumption may yield inadequate and perhaps misleading results. The input-output methodology developed in this article is applied to the case of the U.S. taxation of petroleum products and the empirical results are compared with similar ones obtained by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office.
Design of Goldschmidt Dividers with Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata

A Goldschmidt divider implemented with semiconductor quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is described. Most Goldschmidt dividers use a state machine for control, but state machines are difficult to implement in QCAs due to the long delays between the state machines and the computational circuits to be controlled. To resolve this problem, a data tag method is used. The data tags travel with the data and local tag decoders generate control signals. Since each datum has a tag, pipelining can be employed to increase the throughput. Using the new architecture, fixed-point Goldschmidt dividers are implemented with QCA technology.
Exploring the Energy Landscape of Antibody−Antigen Complexes: Protein Dynamics, Flexibility, and Molecular Recognition

The production of antibodies that selectively bind virtually any foreign compound is the hallmark of the immune system. While much is understood about how sequence diversity contributes to this remarkable feat of molecular recognition, little is known about how sequence diversity impacts antibody dynamics, which is also expected to contribute to molecular recognition. Toward this goal, we examined a panel of antibodies elicited to the chromophoric antigen fluorescein. On the basis of isothermal titration calorimetry, we selected six antibodies that bind fluorescein with diverse binding entropies, suggestive of varying contributions of dynamics to molecular recognition. Sequencing revealed that two pairs of antibodies employ homologous heavy chains that were derived from common germline genes, while the other two heavy chains and all six of the light chains were derived from different germline genes and are not homologous. Interestingly, more than half of all the somatic mutations acquired during affinity maturation among the six antibodies are located in positions unlikely to contact fluorescein directly. To quantify and compare the dynamics of the antibody-fluorescein complexes, three-pulse photon echo peak shift and transient grating spectroscopy were employed. All of the antibodies exhibited motions on three distinct time scales, ultrafast motions on the <100 fs time scale, diffusive motions on the picosecond time scale, and motions that occur on time scales longer than nanoseconds and thus appear static. However, the exact frequency of the picosecond time scale motion and the relative contribution of the different motions vary significantly among the antibody-chromophore complexes, revealing a high level of dynamic diversity. Using a hierarchical model, we relate the data to features of the antibodies' energy landscapes as well as their flexibility in terms of elasticity and plasticity. In all, the data provide a consistent picture of antibody flexibility, which interestingly appears to be correlated with binding entropy as well as with germline gene use and the mutations introduced during affinity maturation. The data also provide a gauge of the dynamic diversity of the antibody repertoire and suggest that this diversity might contribute to molecular recognition by facilitating the recognition of the broadest range of foreign molecules.
Mode I stress intensity factors induced by fracture surface roughness under pure mode III loading: Application to the effect of loading modes on stress corrosion crack growth

A model to estimate the reduction of effective crack tip Mode III stress intensity factors by frictional and asperity interaction of an idealized fracture surface is described. An extension of the model is used to calculate the Mode I stress intensity factors due to the crack tip opening displacement induced by the mismatch of the fracture surface asperities. The results of calculations based on a “reasonable” fracture surface profile are used to analyze experimental studies designed to determine the relative significance of hydrogen embrittlement and crack tip dissolution in stress corrosion crack growth in Al alloys by comparison of Mode I and Mode III stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance. It is concluded that a pure Mode III stress state is not possible for cracks with microscopically rough surfaces and that the magnitude of the induced Mode I stress intensity factor is sufficient to cause stress corrosion crack growth.
Functional outcome of AO type C distal humeral fractures

Abstract Purpose: To review the functional outcome of AO type C distal humeral fractures (bicondylar fractures) managed with dual orthogonal plate fixation. Method: Twenty-three patients were reviewed retrospectively at a mean of 45.1 months. Patient-rated outcomes (Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand [DASH], Patient Rated Ulnar Nerve Evaluation [PRUNE], American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Elbow form [ASES-e], and Short Form-36 [SF-36]), clinical, radiographic, and objective evaluations were used to assess outcomes. Results: Almost 40% of patients required a third plate for adequate fixation. Patients identified minimal subjective deficits (10%) with a mean satisfaction of 93%. The arc of motion was decreased in the flexion-extension plane (122° relative to 138°, p Conclusions: Outcomes of AO type C distal humeral fractures were good with dual orthogonal plating, ulnar nerve transposition, and early motion. Additional plating may be required with distal fracture patterns or osteopenic bone. (J Hand Surg 2003;28A:294-308. Copyright © 2003 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Effects of a new nonionic and a conventional ionic contrast agent on coronary sinus ionized calcium and left ventricular hemodynamics in dogs.

Transient myocardial depression associated with intracoronary injections of contrast medium has been attributed to hypertonicity and to calcium binding. To further assess the importance of calcium binding, a new technique for continuous monitoring of coronary sinus ionized calcium with an intravascular calcium-selective electrode was used. With this calcium-selective electrode the effects of intracoronary injection in dogs of a conventional ionic contrast agent, sodium meglumine diatrizoate (Renografin-76), and a new nonionic agent, iohexol, were assessed and compared. Left ventricular pressure was measured with a micromanometer catheter. After bolus injection of 0.2 ml/kg body weight of Renografin-76 (n =10), coronary sinus pCa increased by 0.27 from 2.98 ± 0.02 to 3.25 ± 0.03, indicating a decrease in ionized calcium from 2.0 to 1.1 mEq/liter. With iohexol (n=9), pCa increased by only 0.05 ± 0.01 (p These findings indicate that Renografin-76 results in greater myocardial depression than the new nonionic agent iohexol. This is due largely to lowering of the ionized calcium in the coronary circulation resulting mainly from calcium binding by the calcium-chelating additives in Renografin-76, although hypertonicity also plays a role.
A simple formula for the zero-point energies of hydrocarbons

Abstract A simple empirical formula exists for the calculation of accurate zero-point energies of hydrocarbons. The formula is based upon the numbers of C and H atoms present, and not at all upon any structural details. The rms deviation from the predictions of this formula for fifty-five molecules is 1.22 kcal/mol.
Epigenetic regulation of uterine biology by transcription factor KLF11 via posttranslational histone deacetylation of cytochrome p450 metabolic enzymes.

Endocrine regulation of uterine biology is critical for embryo receptivity and human reproduction. Uterine endometrium depends on extrinsic sex steroid input and hence likely has mechanisms that enable adaptation to hormonal variation. Emerging evidence suggests that sex steroid bioavailability in the endometrium is determined by adjusting their metabolic rate and fate via regulation of cytochrome (CYP) p450 enzymes. The CYP enzymes are targeted by ubiquitously expressed Sp/Kruppel-like (Sp/KLF) transcription factors. Specifically, KLF11 is highly expressed in reproductive tissues, regulates an array of endocrine/metabolic pathways via epigenetic histone-based mechanisms and, when aberrantly expressed, is associated with diabetes and reproductive tract diseases, such as leiomyoma and endometriosis. Using KLF11 as a model to investigate epigenetic regulation of endometrial first-pass metabolism, we evaluated the expression of a comprehensive array of metabolic enzymes in Ishikawa cells. KLF11 repressed mos...
Reconnaissance Estimates of Subsidence Along Salt-Gila Aqueduct, Arizona

A new approach was recently tested for prediction of subsidence along the Salt-Gila Aqueduct. This concrete-lined aqueduct is 104 km long and follows basin margins eastward of Phoenix, Arizona. Prominent subsidence started with an intensification of ground-water pumpage in the 1940's. Available annual leveling data along the alinement extend from 1971–1978. It was assumed that the 1971–76 subsidence amounted to 20 percent of past subsidence occurring during overdraft of ground water. Experience with other studies indicates that future “residual” subsidence along the aqueduct caused by pre-1976 overdraft could be equal to the amounts of past subsidence. Estimated declines of ground water between 1976 and 2005 and between 1976 and 2020 were calculated to be respectively 16 percent and 22 percent of the 1923–76 decline in the northern portion and 65 percent and 112 percent in the southern portion of the alinement. These ratios were used for estimates of post-1976 subsidence caused by pre-2005 and pre-2020 overdrafts (assuming constant ratios between subsidence and overdraft). Maximum estimated subsidence was 1.91 m for 2005 and 2.09 m for 2020. However, this subsidence will not be achieved for many years after 2005 and 2020. The amount of actual 1976–2005 and 1976–2020 subsidence was estimated using an assumed 30-year “half-life” of residual subsidence. The values were up to 0.96 m for the year 2005 and up to 1.30 m for the year 2020. These rough estimates were made at a cost of less than $10,000 and verified the sophisticated costly preconstruction estimate. A similar comparison of 2–3 independent estimates appears to be a sound approach for all large projects.
A simple estimation method of stress intensity factors for through-cracks in angle-ply laminates

Abstract In the present paper a simple method of estimation of stress intensity factors for through-cracks in angle-ply laminates is developed. In this procedure, Savin's elasticity solution for an elliptical hole in two-dimensional infinite plate is used as a basic solution for the stress distribution in each ply of laminate. The present method is applied to the problems of through cracks in a ( 0° 90 ) s laminate and a ( −45° + 45° ) s laminate. Comparison with existing numerical solutions obtained by three-dimensional finite element analysis shows good agreement. The simplicity of the present method gives the design engineer a useful tool for estimating stress concentration due to the presence of a hole or a crack.
Kinetic analysis of high-resolution TGA variable heating rate data

Isothermal and constant heating rate thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiments have been performed for examining decomposition of polymers and composites. In practice, low heating rates are necessary to obtain good resolution under nonisothermal conditions thus increasing the time required for experiments. A novel TGA mode, high-resolution TGA (Hi-ResTM TGA), provides a means to remarkably increase the resolution while often decreasing the time required for experiments. In this variable heating rate mode of Hi-ResTMTGA, the heating rate is continuously and dynamically varied to maximize resolution. Thus, traditional methods cannot be directly utilized to determine kinetic parameters. Accordingly, in this work, variable heating rate experiments were run on ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) copolymer, poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), and carbon-fiber-reinforced bismaleimide (BMI), whose kinetics have been quantitatively described with traditional isothermal and nonisothermal experiments. Comparison of the different techniques led to the development of a simplified method by which the activation energy, preexponential factor, and reaction order can be extracted from variable heating rate TGA experiments. The technique, based on the principle that maximum weight loss rate is observed at minimum heating rate, gave kinetic results that were in excellent agreement with values that have been determined by traditional isothermal and dynamic experiments. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modelling and estimation for a moving boundary problem

The displacement of a slightly compressible liquid by another in a porous medium has been modelled. This problem, which involves a moving boundary, has been numerically solved for the one-dimensional case by using the Galerkin method. State and parameter estimation have been carried out using the extended Kalman filter.
The effect of atomic order on the superconducting properties of A-15 Nb3Au and Nb3Au1-xPtx alloys

Abstract The superconducting transition temperature, T c , of pseudobinary A-15 Nb 3 Au 1-x Pt x exhibits a broad maximum at x =0.3. Since the T c of Nb 3 Pt is known to be strongly dependent on atomic order, we have measured the long range order parameter of Nb 3 Au 1-x Pt x alloys by x-ray diffraction techniques. We found these alloys to be almost fully ordered. We also investigated the effects of reactor-spectrum neutron irradiation on the T c of Nb 3 Au. As in the case of Nb 3 Pt, T c of Nb 3 Au is strongly depressed with respect to the unirradiated value of 11K. We conclude that the peak of T c in the Nb 3 Au 1-x Pt x system cannot be explained on the basis of atomic ordering.
Economic Development and Productivity Analysis: The Case of Soviet Metalworking

I. Introduction, 205. — II. Capital intensity: theoretical considerations, 207; production processes, 215; auxiliary processes, 220; other high-priority industries, 225; final comments, 227. — III. Impossibility of "tracing" an existing pattern, 228. — IV. Summation and conclusions, 232.
Electron beam pumped CW Se II laser

Abstract We have observed cw laser action in 15 transitions of singly ionized selenium using an electron beam to excite a He-Se mixture. The variation of the laser output power as a function of the electron beam discharge parameters is reported.
Unification of Legendre, Laguerre, Hermite, and binomial discrete transforms using Pascal's matrix

Pascal's matrix plays an important role in the computation of the discrete Legendre, Laguerre, Hermite, and binomial transforms. In particular, Pascal's matrix helps to unify the formulation of these orthogonal transforms and demonstrate the similarity of the computation of the transform matrices. It also allows the identification of the identical computations needed for these transforms. The fundamental finding is based on the discovery of the relationship between Pascal's matrix and the binomial coefficient.
Abnormal Mitral Valve Motion in Patients with Elevated Left Ventricular Diastolic Pressures

In order to see whether or not the echocardiographically recorded mitral valve could reflect alterations in left ventricular pressure, simultaneous mitral valve echograms and left ventricular pressures were obtained on patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Attention was given to the left ventricular initial diastolic pressure (LVIDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and the atrial component of the left ventricular pressure (LVa). The echocardiographic measurements included the opening velocity of the mitral valve in early diastole (D-E slope) and the interval between the A point, which is the onset of closure of the mitral valve following atrial systole, and the C point, which represents closure of the mitral valve as indicated by the meeting of the anterior and posterior mitral leaflets. In order to compensate for variations in atrioventricular conduction, the A-C interval was subtracted from the electrocardiographic P-R interval. In 19 patients, the LVIDP was less than...
A Data Analytics Approach to Failure Precursor Detection of Gas Turbine

In this paper, a novel approach is proposed to detect precursory events that lead to catastrophic systems failures. This approach is applied to investigating failures of heavy duty gas turbines. Current industry standards rely on either vibration sensors or gas path performance measurement sensors to identify system anomalies, but this proposed process is based on a combination of information from both type of monitoring sensors. This process is built on a systematical multi-step concept developed by assembling proven mathematical and statistical signal processing techniques to achieve a robust and more precise failure precursor detection methodology. The first step includes performing a multi-resolution analysis of gas turbines gas path performance measurement parameters, condition monitoring and vibration sensors data using wavelet packet transform to extract their signal features. Then, the probabilistic principal component analysis is utilized to fuse data of different types into a set of uncorrelated principal components. Next, a one-dimensional signal representing the multi-variable data is computed. After that a statistical process control technique is applied to set the anomaly threshold. Finally, a Bayesian hypothesis testing method is applied to the monitored signal for abnormality detection. As a proof of concept, the proposed process is successfully applied to a gas turbine compressor failure precursor detection problem.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Effects of speech practice on fast mapping in monolingual and bilingual speakers.

Purpose This study examines the effects of the levels of speech practice on fast mapping in monolingual and bilingual speakers. Method Participants were 30 English-speaking monolingual and 30 Spani...
Importance of crack tip radii in fracture and fatigue of glass

Abstract Changes in crack tip radii can influence fracture and fatigue of glass. Crack tips are blunted by reaction with water, increasing the strength without changing the crack depths. The Hillig and Charles theory shows that the rate of tip sharpening is greater than the rate of crack deepening when the crack is stressed in a humid environment. Energy criteria for fracture are inadequate for understanding these phenomena.
DC Biased Dielectric Property of MPB PZT Ceramics with Monoclinic Distortion at Low Temperatures

Complex dielectric properties of PbZr 1 m x Ti x O 3 ceramics with compositions in the vicinity of the morphotropic phase boundary (x=0.46, 0.48, and 0.51), as a function of dc bias fields, were measured under small ac signal conditions. In monoclinic phase, dielectric permittivity shows hysteresis behavior and decreases with increasing bias field when E bias >E c . For compositions of tetragonal phase and near the on-set of the monoclinic phase transitions, dielectric permittivity increases with increasing bias electric field, indicating a continued polarization switching process. Such anomalous behavior is attributed to the E-field induced monoclinic phase, which allows polarization rotation without domain reversal. Temperature dependence of the dc biased dielectric property between 12K and 300K is also reported. Dielectric dispersion is mostly clamped out for both PZT 54:46 and PZT 52:48 as temperatures approaching 12K; however, remains significant in PZT 49:51.
Innate and Adaptive Autoimmunity Directed to the Central Nervous System

The immune system has two major components, an innate arm and an adaptive arm. Certain autoimmune diseases of the brain represent examples of disorders where one of these constituents plays a major role. Some rare autoimmune diseases involve activation of the innate arm and include chronic infantile neurologic, cutaneous, articular (CINCA) syndrome. In contrast, adaptive immunity is prominent in multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and the paraneoplastic syndromes where highly specific T cell responses and antibodies mediate these diseases. Studies of autoimmune brain disorders have aided in the elucidation of distinct neuronal roles played by key molecules already well known to immunologists (e.g., complement and components of the major histocompatibility complex). In parallel, molecules known to neurobiology and sensory physiology, including toll-like receptors, gamma amino butyric acid and the lens protein alpha B crystallin, have intriguing and distinct functions in the immune system, where they modulate autoimmunity directed to the brain.
Computer science students' difficulties with proofs by induction: an exploratory study

Induction is an important concept for computer science and yet students have difficulties understanding it. The current literature on students' difficulties with induction is concerned with difficulties students have while proving a statement by induction. My research focuses on identifying difficulties that students may have prior to proving a statement. In particular, the present paper is concerned with students' understanding of the recursive/inductive definition of the elements the statement is about. My study is contextualized within the undergraduate computer science curriculum, and its results show that students' performance with proofs by induction improves after class instruction, but not as it would be desirable. Moreover, they suggest that students who understand recursive/inductive definitions can successfully perform a proof by induction, while students who do not are either not able to perform proofs by induction, or if they are, they do so mechanically. In addition, students' performance is affected by their past knowledge and experience, as well as the context in which a problem is presented.
Navier-Stokes computations for conventional and hollow projectile shapes at transonic velocities

Abstract : Advanced numerical techniques for the prediction of projectile aerodynamics have been applied to standard and hollow projectile shapes. Computer codes developed for solving the time dependent Generalized Axisymmetric and 3-D Thin-Layer Navier-Stokes equations have enabled simultaneous solutions of the inviscid and viscous regions of the flow field. Transonic computations have been performed for a 6-caliber secant-ogive-cylinder-boattail projectile shape at various free stream Mach numbers. Results have been obtained showing the formation of shocks near the nose-cylinder and cylinder-boattail junctions as well as the movement of these shocks with varying free stream conditions. Surface pressure distributions and velocity profiles have been obtained and are compared with available experimental data for angle of attack, alpha = O. Additional results are shown for alpha = 2 degrees, Mach = 0.96. The General geometry capability of the present method enables computations to be performed for many unique shapes such as hollow projectiles or ring airfoils. Internal and external pressure distributions are presented for a ring airfoil shape from Mach = 0.70 through Mach = 0.90.
Going Tubular in the Rostral Migratory Stream: Neurons Remodel Astrocyte Tubes to Promote Directional Migration in the Adult Brain

Newly generated neuroblasts from the subventricular zone of the adult brain migrate as neuronal chains within a network of astroglial tubes in the rostral migratory stream. This highly directed, rapid migration channels new neurons to the olfactory bulb. In this issue of Neuron , Kaneko et al. demonstrate that migrating neurons dynamically remodel the morphology and organization of astroglial tubes to promote long distance, directional migration of neurons in the adult brain.