cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Doubts about other minds and the science of physiognomics.

Etude du doute concernant les autres esprits souleves par les sceptiques anciens tels que les Cyrenaiques, constituant l'ecole socratique mineure, et le neo-pyhrronien Theodose. Examinant les origines, les principes et les methodes de la physiognomie, en relation avec la position epistemologique des Sceptiques sur la question des autres esprits, l'A. souligne l'interaction entre les physiognomistes et les philosophes concernant la psychologie des humeurs et la typologie physiognomique. Malgre tout, la physiognomie ne fournit pas de solution a la these selon laquelle nous ne pouvons pas connaitre l'etat interieur des autres personnes
QUENCHING OF EXCITED STATE PYRENE BY HALOTHANE IN POLY(OXYETHYLENE)-POLY(OXYPROPYLENE)-POLY(OXYETHYLENE) TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS

Time-resolved fluorescence quenching of excited state pyrene by halothane was investigated in aqueous solutions of poly(oxyethylene)−poly(oxypropylene)−poly(oxyethylene) triblock copolymers, P84, P104, and F38, at 25 °C. The occupancy number of halothane in the block copolymer micelles and the dispersive factor were obtained from nonlinear least-squares fitting of the immobile quencher-probe and dispersive kinetic models, respectively. It is shown that these parameters depend on the concentration of halothane in the system and the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of the block copolymers. The application of dispersive kinetics appears to be a suitable technique to investigate the self-aggregation behavior of self-assembly systems. Exponential series lifetime-distribution analysis was also carried out and the results support the presence of aggregates of triblock copolymers in these systems. The results of this study suggest that halothane molecules distribute primarily in the core of the micelles but, upon ...
Google Expectations and Interlibrary Loan: Can We Ever Be Fast Enough?

Users’ expectations of interlibrary loan services have been shaped by their experiences with search engines that provide uncomplicated interfaces and immediate full-text delivery. Libraries must not only allow for discovery of materials but must also meet users’ expectations that mirror their experiences in these online environments. The continual challenge for libraries is to provide ever-faster delivery times, both through innovative services and by taking advantage of technological advances. Even though delivery times continue to decrease, the user satisfaction gap that exists between immediate electronic content delivery upon discovery and waiting to receive materials from interlibrary loan remains.
The human neonatal gut microbiome: a brief review.

The field of genomics has expanded into subspecialties such as metagenomics over the course of the last decade and a half. The development of massively parallel sequencing capabilities has allowed for increasingly detailed study of the genome of the human microbiome, the microbial super organ that resides symbiotically within the mucosal tissues and integumentary system of the human host. The gut microbiome, and particularly the study of its origins in neonates, have become subtopics of great interest within the field of genomics. This brief review seeks to summarize recent literature regarding the origins and establishment of the neonatal gut microbiome, beginning in utero, and how it is affected by neonatal nutritional status (breastfed versus formula fed) and gestational age (term versus preterm). We also explore the role of dysbiosis, a perturbation within the fragile ecosystem of the microbiome, and its role in the origin of select pathologic states, specifically, obesity and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. We discuss the evidence supporting enteral pre- and probiotic supplementation of commensal organisms such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the neonatal period, and their role in the prevention and amelioration of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. Finally, we review directions to consider for further research to promote human health within this field.
Radio frequency radiation beam pattern of lightning return strokes: Inferred from FORTE satellite observations

[1] The fast propagating return stroke is expected to produce a radiation pattern differing from a dipole pattern, with a “correction” of (1 − v cos θ/c)−1 or the so-called F factor. The FORTE satellite measures lightning Very High Frequency (VHF) radiation at different angles from the up space and offers the first opportunity of examining the F factor. In this report, we studied a group of FORTE-detected lightning events that were also observed by the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). NLDN provided the discharges' geolocations and helped to identify the discharge types. During the summers of 1998 and 1999, 25,721 coincident events were found. Among these, 2092 were found to be narrow (<100 ns), VHF-intense and highly polarized bursts and were found to be associated with the beginning of return strokes. Through careful statistical analysis regarding the distributions of the event occurrence, we found that the overall ensemble of events can be considered to have an isotropic pattern in the upper half-space. The subset of the narrow bursts displays a beam pattern that agrees with the F factor at a propagating speed of v = 0.75c. The latter is inferred by comparing FORTE observations to a free-space transmission line (TL) model. The analysis shows that the ground does not affect the narrow-burst beam pattern observed from the upper half-space; the source for the narrow burst needs to be a few tens of meters above the surface of the Earth and is apparently associated with the junction point of the attachment process. The physical size of the corresponding discharge is estimated to be less than 20 m. The analysis also suggests that a single upward current is responsible for the observations, rather than a bidirectional current as suggested by others for the attachment process. Similarly, the traveling current source (TCS) model that consists of a simultaneous downward current is found less suitable for the initiation of return strokes.
Nutritional morbidity in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this report is to detail the nutritional sequelae seen in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) followed in a multidisciplinary clinic. Methods: Data on 121 surviving CDH patients seen between 1990 and 2000 were collected. Regression analysis was used to determine the impact of factors such as Apgar score, birth weight, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and patch repair on outcomes associated with nutritional morbidity. Results: There were 100 left and 21 right CDH defects. Mean birth weight and 5-minute Apgar score were 3.1 kg (±0.8) and 6.8(±2), respectively. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was required in 43 (36%) patients and patch repair in 39 (32%). A gastrostomy was required in 39 (32%) patients and a fundoplication in 23 (19%) patients. The side of the defect did not affect the frequency of these procedures. Fifty-six percent of patients were below the 25th percentile for weight during most of their first year. Regression analysis found that duration of ventilation ( P P =.03) were independent variables predictive of failure to thrive thereby requiring a gastrostomy tube. Patch repair also was predictive of need for subsequent fundoplication caused by gastroesophageal reflux ( P P =.001) and oxygen requirement at discharge ( P =.015). Two thirds of these patients subsequently improved. Conclusions: Nutritional problems continue to be a source of morbidity for survivors of CDH, particularly in the first year of life. Not surprisingly, patients who had prolonged intubation and prosthetic material at the gastroesophageal junction fared worse. Despite aggressive nutritional management, 56% of the population remained below the twenty-fifth percentile for weight. These data show the need for careful nutritional assessment in all CDH patients, especially those at high risk for malnutrition. J Pediatr Surg 36:1171-1176. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Shape optimization and dynamic characterization of multiple-electrostatically deformable microbridges

The nonlinear nature of electrostatic fields in micromachined structures, such as, cantilevers, bridges or plates, makes it difficult to achieve desired deflection shapes. An analytical approach to predict the static deflection and dynamic behavior of a microbridge subjected to electrostatic fields of multiple electrostatic actuators is presented in this paper. The boundary support conditions of the micromachined structures are nonhomogeneous in nature and are modeled with artificial translational and rotational springs. The static and dynamic behaviors of the microbridge are investigated by the Rayleigh–Ritz method using boundary characteristic orthogonal polynomials. The deflection of the microbridge and the natural frequencies under certain applied voltages are also presented. Least-squares fitting method is used to optimize the applied voltage of actuators in order to generate the desired static deflection. The proposed method is simple and can be easily extended to complicated configurations which are suitable for adaptive optics applications.
Do experts and naive observers judge printing quality differently

We theorize that there may be four types of differences (I, II, III, IV) between the expert observers and the naive observers when judging printing quality. Using data from a printing quality competitiveness study, we show that the expert observers may judge printing quality differently from naive observers depending on the test image and the specific printing defects the samples may have. We use correlation coefficients of the rank scores of samples to reveal various degrees of disagreement between the two groups for all the samples of an image. Significance test of each individual pair of samples were used to identify those pairs that have the largest discrepancy for each image when judged by the two groups. The visual differences between the samples were also analyzed. We further used scaled values distribution plots generated by bootstrap to explicitly show the differences both in printing quality ranking and attributes ranking. For the samples in this study, there was good agreement between the two groups for color images when engine artifacts were least obvious, making the type I and type III difference unlikely. For the mono print, the two groups ranked the samples differently in many pairings and ranked them in opposite directions. The data show that the expert group tended to weigh on engine printing artifacts more than the naive group, indicating the type IV difference.
Patient-clinician information engagement increases treatment decision satisfaction among cancer patients through feeling of being informed.

Abstract Objective Examine how patient–clinician information engagement (PCIE) may operate through feeling informed to influence patients’ treatment decision satisfaction (TDS). Methods Randomly drawn sample ( N = 2013) from Pennsylvania Cancer Registry, comprised of breast, prostate and colon cancer patients completed mail surveys in the Fall of 2006 (response rate = 64%) and Fall of 2007. Of 2013 baseline respondents, 85% agreed to participate in follow-up survey ( N = 1703). Of those who agreed, 76% ( N = 1293) completed follow-up surveys. The sample was split between males and females. The majority of participants were White, over the age of 50, married, and with a high school degree. Most reported having been diagnosed with in situ and local cancer. Results PCIE was related to concurrent TDS ( β = .06) and feeling informed ( β = .15), after confounder adjustments. A mediation analysis was consistent with PCIE affecting TDS through feeling informed. Baseline PCIE predicted feeling informed ( β = .04) measured 1 year later, after adjustments for baseline feeling informed and other confounders. Feeling informed was related to concurrent TDS ( β = .35) after confounder adjustment and follow-up TDS ( β = .13) after baseline TDS and confounder adjustment. Conclusion Results suggest PCIE affects TDS in part through patients’ feeling informed. Practice implications PCIE may be important in determining patients’ level of feeling informed and TDS.
Valuing Debt in a Complex Capital Structure

This article extends previous bond valuation models to account for more realistic assumptions regarding financial distress. Realized value of an individual bond under severe financial distress will reflect the expected outcome of credit-event negotiations and the relative priority listing of the security. We explicitly represent the probability rate of credit-event occurrence as a function of firm value relative to the fixed overall debt obligations of the firm. Risk premiums generated under reasonable parameter value choices fall within the range of observed bond risk premiums. Our model also provides an explanation as to why observed bond risk premia are positive after adjustment for default.
The Orbitofacial Glands of Bats: An Investigation of the Potential Correlation of Gland Structure with Social Organization

The facial glands of bats are modified skin glands, whereas there are up to three different orbital glands: Harderian, lacrimal, and Meibomian glands. Scattered studies have described the lacrimal and Meibomian glands in a handful of bat species, but there is as yet no description of a Harderian gland in bats. In this study we examined serial sections of orbitofacial glands in eight families of bats. Much variation amongst species was observed, with few phylogenetic patterns emerging. Enlarged facial glands, either sudoriparous (five genera) or sebaceous (vespertilionids only) were observed. Meibomian and lacrimal glands were present in most species examined (except Antrozous), though the relative level of development varied. Two types of anterior orbital glands were distinguished: the Harderian gland (tubulo-acinar: observed in Rousettus, Atribeus, Desmodus and Miniopterus) and caruncular (sebaceous: observed in Eptesicus and Dieamus). The relative development of the nasolacrimal duct and the vomeronasal organ did not appear to be correlated with the development of any of the exocrine glands examined. There does, however, appear to be a correlation between the presence of at least one well developed exocrine gland and the level of communality and known olfactory acuity, best documented in Artibeus, Desmodus, and Miniopterus.
An automated scintillation counting system with high efficiency for continuous analysis: Cross-links of [3H]NaBH4-reduced collagen

Abstract A completely mobile apparatus is described for automatic column monitoring and analysis of radioactive-labeled compounds by the scintillation counting of aqueous effluents from chromatographic columns. The system is extremely versatile, is highly efficient for tritium-labeled substances, and uses only approximately 10% of the sample, saving 90% for further work. The system may be easily assembled from readily available items. In physiological studies of the analysis of cross-links from [ 3 H]NaBH 4 -reduced collagen, the output of work was increased by ninefold.
A computerized semi-automated radioimmunoassay for plasma testosterone.

Abstract A new computer program has been developed for the treatment of data from steroid radioimmunoassays. It uses an iterative technique that solves some 600 quadratic equations to compute the binding parameters for two independent, saturable binding agents from the standard curve data. The accuracy of curve fitting was such that all points on the standard curve were within one standard deviation of perfect fit, and no systematic bias was introduced into the results. Because the binding parameters were independent of the labelled ligand concentration, the methodology could be simplified, partially automated, and made more accurate and precise. The method was rapid, and 112 male plasma samples and 14 quality controls could be analysed (duplicate extracts on 40 μl aliquots with duplicate assays on each extract) by one person in one and a half days. The coefficient of variation between duplicate extracts of a reference plasma sample containing about 1000 ng testosterone/l00ml was 3.1% and the variation between assays on this sample conducted over a 3-month period was 3.8%.
Complementary DNA cloning and expression of the papaya ringspot potyvirus sequences encoding capsid protein and a nuclear inclusion-like protein in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Three cDNA clones that express viral gene products in Escherichia coli JM83 were derived from a watermelon mosaic virus-1 strain of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV-W). DNAs complementary to portions of the viral RNA were inserted into the pUC8 and pUC9 plasmids, and the expressed polypeptides were fusion products with the amino terminus of β-galactosidase. Clones W1-77 and W2-1 expressed fusion products with apparent molecular weights of 40,000 (40K) and 14K, respectively, which were serologically related to PRSV capsid protein. A 52K product serologically related to a 54K nuclear inclusion protein of tobacco etch virus was produced by clone W1-18. The sequences encoding the capsid and 57K nuclear inclusion-like proteins of PRSV were physically mapped to adjacent positions through Southern blot analyses of clones W1-77 and W1-18.
Principles Of Underwater Lighting

A brief review of the optical nature of ocean water provides the basis for a discussion of the distribution of flux diverging from underwater local light sources, the propagation of highly collimated beams of light produced by incoherent sources and by lasers. Image transmission by ocean water from underwater objects irradiated by these light sources is also discussed in terms of the observable optical properties of ocean water with the intent of providing a basis for the engineering of underwater viewing devices, and photographic or television systems.
The effect of thromboxane A2 receptor antagonism on amphotericin B-induced renal vasoconstriction in the rat

Abstract Amphotericin B (AmB) is the drug of choice for most systemic fungal infections, but doses are frequently reduced because of nephrotoxicity. We investigated the role of thromboxane as a mediator for this nephrotoxicity. Vehicle or amphotericin (0.60 mg/kg) was infused into the left renal artery in four groups of rats, and renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured. Group 1 received vehicle for 90 min. Group 2 received vehicle followed by a 30 minute AmB infusion which caused a significant and reversible fall in the RPF and GFR. Group 3 received vehicle followed by AmB infusion, but were infused with a bolus of ibuprofen (20mg/kg) 45 minutes before AmB. This group exhibited an insignificant attenuation in the fall in RPF and GFR. Group 4 received vehicle followed by AmB, but were infused with a bolus and continuous infusion of the thromboxane receptor antagonist SQ29,548. This group demonstrated an attenuation in the fall in RPF and a significant decrease in GFR compared to AmB control rats. In addition, the rat glomeruli were incubated with AmB (4ugm/ml). Supernatant levels of thromboxane B 2 were significantly elevated in the presence of AmB vs buffer alone. We conclude that the reduction in RPF and GFR observed with AmB infusion in the rat is partially mediated by release of thromboxane.
Stress, competence, and resilience: Common frontiers for therapist and psychopathologist

The joint contributions of psychotherapist and researcher to strengthening the knowledge base of psychopathology has been too often ignored in the antagonism that exists between the two camps. This article examines the contributions of both groups to the emerging science of developmental psychopathology. The role of single case observations in the origins of this multidisciplinary perspective is highlighted. The constructs of stress, coping, risk, vulnerability, and protective factors are reviewed as central themes in the formulation of research in developmental psychopathology. A research case example, Project Competence, is provided to illustrate the relevance of these concepts in studying the factors that influence the quality of adjustment in children and adolescents. The implications of such research findings for therapeutic interventions and future research on stress-resistance are discussed, with emphasis on the benefits to be gained by both therapist and researcher from the study of risk and protective factors in the development of competence and psychopathology.
Discovery of a novel class of targeted kinase inhibitors that blocks protein kinase C signaling and ameliorates retinal vascular leakage in a diabetic rat model

Protein kinase C (PKC) family members such as PKCbetaII may become activated in the hyperglycemic state associated with diabetes. Preclinical and clinical data implicate aberrant PKC activity in the development of diabetic microvasculature abnormalities. Based on this potential etiological role for PKC in diabetic complications, several therapeutic PKC inhibitors have been investigated in clinical trials for the treatment of diabetic patients. In this report, we present the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel class of 3-amino-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole derivatives as inhibitors of PKC that are structurally distinct from the prototypical indolocarbazole and bisindolylmaleimide PKC inhibitors. From this pyrrolo-pyrazole series, several compounds were identified from biochemical assays as potent, ATP-competitive inhibitors of PKC activity with high specificity for PKC over other protein kinases. These compounds were also found to block PKC signaling activity in multiple cellular functional assays. PF-04577806, a representative from this series, inhibited PKC activity in retinal lysates from diabetic rats stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate. When orally administered, PF-04577806 showed good exposure in the retina of diabetic Long-Evans rats and ameliorated retinal vascular leakage in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. These novel PKC inhibitors represent a promising new class of targeted protein kinase inhibitors with potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of patients with diabetic microvascular complications.
Hidden Conflict in Organizations: Uncovering the Behind-the-Scenes Disputes

The article reviews the book “Hidden Conflict in Organizations: Uncovering the Behind-the Scenes Disputes, ” edited by Deborah M. Kolb and Jean M. Bartunek.
Pseudotsuga menziesii chemical races of California and Oregon

Abstract Cortical oleoresin from more than 300 Douglas-fir trees sampled in over 30 localities throughout California and southern Oregon was analyzed for its monoterpene hydrocarbon composition. The results confirmed the existence of a distinct chemical race found in its pure unhybridized form throughout the Sierra Nevada as well as near Lompoc in the Purissima Hills of coastal California. Chemical features characterizing this race included near-absence of sabinene and presence of larger amounts of α- and β-pinenes in the cortical essential oil. Elsewhere in California and southernmost Oregon, the Sierra Nevada race has extensively intergraded with the coastal Douglas-fir race from western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (var. menziesii ), a race producing large amounts of sabinene and lesser amounts of α- and β-pinenes. On the basis of chemical composition, the Sierra Nevada race was judged to be closer to the inland Douglas-fir races (var. glauca ) than to the coastal race. Evolution of the Sierra Nevada race is explained by the emergence of the Great Basin arid regions during the PliocenePleistocene epochs which disjoined Western Douglas-fir populations from their eastern inland counterparts.
Corrosion-induced fracture of a double-modular hip prosthesis: a case report.

Modularity is an important aspect of total hip replacement design. A modular Morse taper is commonly used to attach the femoral head to the femoral stem. Newer double-modular designs incorporate a second interface at the neck-stem junction. Increased modularity purportedly allows the surgeon to more closely restore patient anatomy, such as limb length, lateral offset, and femoral anteversion, and to better balance the soft tissue to achieve optimal biomechanics. However, modularity also increases the number of mechanical junctions that may lead to fretting (micromotion)1, corrosion2,3, and ultimately fracture. We have evaluated a double-modular PROFEMUR Z stem (Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, Tennessee) after catastrophic failure due to a fractured neck component at the neck-stem junction. This retrieval allowed us to analyze the mechanical failure mechanisms associated with a double-modular design. We hypothesized that modularity at the neck-stem junction resulted in fretting and crevice corrosion, which led to crack initiation and, on the application of an overload event, to fracture. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and he consented. In June 2006, a thirty-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis who was 6 ft and 6 in (2 m) tall, weighed 242 lb (109.8 kg), and had a body mass index of 29 kg/m2 underwent an uncomplicated right total hip arthroplasty with a cementless PROFEMUR Z hip stem with a long, straight neck (no varus/valgus offset) and a ceramic-on-ceramic articulation. The ceramic-on-ceramic modular implant was considered to be indicated in this particular patient because of his young age, high body mass index, active lifestyle, and profession. A modular stem was used in an effort to reproduce the anatomic femoral anteversion, offset, and lower-limb length to optimize hip abductor and biomechanical function. The hip functioned well until April 2008, when …
Isolation of a Specific Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Oxidase

An extract of Hubbard squash oxidizes both the synthetic and the natural ascorbic acid (vitamin C)∗ with great rapidity. This is due to an enzyme having an optimum pH of 5.83 to 5.96. It may be obtained and purified by extracting the squash (edible part) with twice its weight of 30% ethyl alcohol for 10 minutes. The centrifuged and filtered fluid is treated with an equal volume of acetone, which causes a yellow sticky substance to precipitate. This may be washed free of yellow pigment with acetone, dissolved in water and reprecipitated with acetone. A third precipitation yields a preparation, which after drying in vacuo over sulphuric acid has an activity 500 times that of the original extract.This preparation is water soluble and gives slight protein tests. Alcohol and saturated solutions of neutral salts, however, do not precipitate it. It is digested (inactivated) by trypsin. A polysaccharide accompanies the enzyme in the above precipitation. We have found no way of removing it thus far.This enzyme dif...
Fourier Transforms in VLSI

This paper surveys nine designs for VLSI circuits that compute N-element Fourier transforms. The largest of the designs requires O(N2 log N) units of silicon area; it can start a new Fourier transform every O(log N) time units. The smallest designs have about 1/Nth of this throughput, but they require only 1/Nth as much area.
Giant cell arteritis of the legs. Clinical isolation of severe disease with gangrene and amputations

Giant cell arteritis rarely presents as clinically advanced extra-ocular ischemia or gangrene. Clinically isolated leg involvement with amputation is even more unusual. A 69-year-old woman is described who had giant cell arteritis necessitating bilateral leg amputations. No other clinical sequelae have ensued during a four-year follow-up period. Temporal artery biopsy subsequent to the amputations revealed no arteritis. Disparities between the usual patterns of clinical and anatomic involvement in giant cell arteritis underlie the potential diagnostic difficulties in this disease. Although typically diagnostic, temporal artery biopsy does not always bridge the clinical and anatomic disparities.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic studies of the catalytic subunits of human pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase isoforms 1 and 2

Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (PDP) is a mitochondrial serine phos­phatase that activates phosphorylated pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by dephosphorylation. In humans, two PDP isoforms (1 and 2) have been identified. PDP1 is composed of a catalytic subunit (PDP1c) and a regulatory subunit (PDP1r), whereas PDP2 consists of only a catalytic subunit (PDP2c). Both PDP1c and PDP2c have been crystallized individually and complete X-ray diffraction data sets have been collected to 2.45 and 2.0 A resolution, respectively. The PDP1c crystals belonged to space group P41212 or P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 65.1, c = 216.1 A. The asymmetric unit is expected to contain one molecule, with a Matthews coefficient V M of 2.56 A3 Da−1. The PDP2c crystals belonged to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 53.6, b = 69.1, c = 109.7 A. The asymmetric unit is expected to contain one molecule, with a Matthews coefficient V M of 1.91 A3 Da−1.
Using Fremyella diplosiphon as a Model Organism for Genetics-based Laboratory Exercises

AbstractIn this pilot study, a genetics-based laboratory exercise using the cyanobacterium Fremyella diplosiphon was developed and trialled with thirteen Natural Sciences undergraduates. Despite most students only having limited prior exposure to molecular genetics laboratory methods, this cohort confirmed that they were able to follow the protocol and create a range of mutants. Supporting evidence that this was a useful exercise was derived from eight of these students going on to full-time laboratory research to study these mutants. In summary, the exercise was considered very useful for improving student learning through practical genetics instruction.
Image-guided percutaneous drainage vs. surgical repair of gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks: is there a difference in hospital course or hospitalization cost?

To identify differences in hospital course and hospitalization cost when comparing image-guided percutaneous drainage with surgical repair for gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks. A retrospective IRB-approved search using key words “leak” and/or “anastomotic” was performed on all adult CT reports from 2002 to 2011. CT examinations were reviewed for evidence of a postoperative gastrointestinal leak and assigned a confidence score of 1–5 (1 = no leak, 5 = definite leak). Patients with an average confidence score <4 were excluded. Type of surgery, patient data, method of leak management, number of hospital admissions, length of hospital stay, discharge disposition, number of CT examinations, number of drains, and hospitalization costs were collected. One hundred thirty-nine patients had radiographic evidence of a gastrointestinal anastomotic leak (esophageal, gastric, small bowel or colonic). Nine patients were excluded due to low confidence scores. Twenty-seven patients underwent surgical repair (Group A) and 103 were managed entirely with percutaneous image-guided drainage (Group B). There was no significant difference in patient demographics or number of hospital admissions. Patients in Group A had longer median hospital stays compared to Group B (48 vs. 32 days, p = 0.007). The median total hospitalization cost for Group A was more than twice that for Group B ($99,995 vs. $47,838, p = 0.001). Differences in hospital disposition, number of CT examinations, number of drains, and time between original surgery and first CT examination were statistically significant. Gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks managed by percutaneous drainage are associated with lower hospital cost and shorter hospital stays compared with surgical management.
Polarization-modulation FTIR spectroscopy of self-assembled monolayers and multilayers at metal surfaces

The technique of polarization modulation Fourier transform infrared (PM-FTIR) spectroscopy is used to obtain grazing incident angle differential reflectance spectra of molecular monolayers and multilayers adsorbed onto gold substrates. These spectra are obtained by the photoelastic modulation of the FTIR beam polarization and a novel real-time sampling methodology that generates the average and differential FTIR interferograms from measurements of the infrared signal during each modulation cycle. In comparison with conventional electronics which utilize a lock-in amplifier, the real-time electronics permit the operation of the FTIR spectrometer at normal mirror velocities, and without the need for a background spectrum. We have applied PM-FTIR spectroscopy to study of the modification of alkanethiol monolayers via amide and ester formation reactions.
"Regression-Discontinuity Design" by Any Other Name Might Be Less Problematic.

In "Random Measurement Error Does Not Bias the Treatment Estimate in the Regression- Discontinuity Design : II. When an Interaction Effect Is Present, " Trochim, Cappelleri, and Reichardt claim to ...
Dielectronic recombination of positive ions—I. A generalized cascade theory

Abstract A generalized theory of dielectronic recombination is formulated, explicitly incorporating the higher-order effect of cascade transitions to all the captured final states which are stable against Auger emission. The previously-used rate formulas contain only the two-step process of target excitation followed by a single radiative transition. The formal reaction theory is employed to precisely define the contribution of the successive open channels to energy shifts and resonance widths. Correct expressions are derived for the radiative and Auger branching ratios associated with each stage of the cascade. Various angular momentum averaging procedures and the effect of the spectator electrons in the participating subshells are discussed.
Microstructure and Some Functional Properties of Spray Dried Cheddar Whey Concentrated by Ultrafiltration or Combination of Ultrafiltration and Vacuum Evaporation

In order to study the influence of the vacuum evaporation (VE) process on the functionality of whey protein concentrates (WPC’s) , Cheddar WPC’s were produced with and without VE, viz. by i) ultrafiltration (UF) and spray drying (SD) (UFSD), and by ii) UF, VE and SD (UFVESD). Geling properties and interfacial microstructure around residual fat were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Both WPC’s were hydrated with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 7.0 (10% protein w/v) and gels were made in glass tubes by heating for 15 min at 90°C. Electron dense membrane like structures were seen at the oil-water interface of gels prepared with UFVESD whey implying the presence of large amphipathic aggregates. Samples from UFSD which had not been subjected to VE, did not show such structures. Gels made from UFVESD had significantly higher strain values than UFSD gels. Functional attributes studied were packing density (PD) and water holding capacity (WHC). The packing density of the UFVESD powders was three times that of the UFSD powders indicating markedly larger powder particles. Data thus indicated changes in the interfacial microstructure and some functional attributes due to the incorporation of VE.
Breeding experiments confirm species status of two morphologically similar gastropods (Lacuna spp.) in central California

Abstract Two species of gastropods, Lacuna marmorata Dall, 1919, and L. unifasciata Carpenter, 1857, commonly co-occur on surfgrass in central California. They are very similar in color, shell shape, and radular form; morphometric analyses demonstrate about 10% overlap in shell shape, and both color and radular form are ambiguous characters. Egg-laying and breeding experiments revealed differences between the two species in fecundity and length of viable sperm storage. Once stored sperms are exhausted, pairing with conspecifics results in the resumption of production of fertilized eggs, while non-conspecific pairings never result in fertile eggs. We conclude that prezygotic barriers prevent hybridization between these two morphologically nearly identical species.
Higher-order calculation of transmission above the potential barrier

In extending the Miller-Good modified WKB approximation to include the higher-order terms, a divergence was introduced. Because of this divergence, the approximation was limited to energies above the potential barrier. With this divergence removed, the modified WKB method is no longer limited to energies above the potential barrier. In order to demonstrate this method, we calculate the transmission coefficients for energies below the peak of the potential barrier and show that the higher-order terms are essential to the approximation.
Cultural and Biochemical Characterization of a Capnophilic Gram-Negative Bacterium from Hamsters:

The present study describes the cellular, cultural, and biochemical properties of 5 isolates of a bacterium from reproductive tract exudates of hamsters in a breeding colony with a clinical history of abortions and infertility. Although defined cultural and biochemical test methodologies were used to determine the phenotypic properties of this gram-negative bacillus, the organism could not be identified to either genus or species based on the descriptions of currently classified organisms in the family Pasteurellaceae or similar organisms.
The contemporary European zinc cycle: 1-year stocks and flows

Abstract A regional material stock and flow (STAF) model was constructed to track the pathway of zinc in the early 1990s in selected western European countries. This paper traces the major flows of zinc from ore, to product, to potential secondary resource as it moves through the European economy over 1 year. Successive mass balance estimations were used to determine zinc flows, including the amount of metal that enters stocks in waste reservoirs and products. A resource-specific model and database were used to allocate zinc flows and record temporal and spatial boundary data and data quality criteria. The model shows that for primary zinc, as for other non-ferrous metals, most is imported as concentrate from North and South America and Oceania, and is smelted in Europe to refined metal. It is estimated that 5 kg zinc per person enters use annually in the European economy; this is partly balanced by a flow to waste management of about 2 kg per capita. The largest flows of zinc in discard streams are in construction and demolition debris and in end-of-life vehicles. Only about 34% of the discarded zinc is recycled. While zinc's residence time can be high for many of its applications in the building and construction sector, since the majority of zinc is used as an anti-corrosion coating, there are dissipative losses occurring during the lifetime of products and infrastructure containing zinc. This study and others suggest that zinc losses to the environment are significant in magnitude, and their impacts should be evaluated over time and at various spatial scales.
Compartment-specific labeling information in 13C metabolic flux analysis of plants

Metabolic engineering of plants has great potential for the low cost production of chemical feedstocks and novel compounds, but to take full advantage of this potential a better understanding of plant central carbon metabolism is needed. Flux studies define the cellular phenotype of living systems and can facilitate rational metabolic engineering. However the measurements usually made in these analyses are often not sufficient to reliably determine many fluxes that are distributed between different subcellular compartments of eukaryotic cells. We have begun to address this shortcoming by increasing the number and quality of measurements that provide (13)C labeling information from specific compartments within the plant cell. The analysis of fatty acid groups, cell wall components, protein glycans, and starch, using both gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are presented here. Fatty acid labeling determinations are sometimes highly convoluted. Derivatization to butyl amides reduces the errors in isotopomer resolution and quantification, resulting in better determination of fluxes into seed lipid reserves, including both plastidic and cytosolic reactions. While cell walls can account for a third or more of biomass in many seeds, no quantitative cell wall labeling measurements have been reported for plant flux analysis. Hydrolyzing cell wall and derivatizing sugars to the alditol acetates, provides novel labeling information and thereby can improve identification of flux through upper glycolytic intermediates of the cytosol. These strategies improve the quantification of key carbon fluxes in the compartmentalized flux network of plant cells.
Hypertonic stress induces rapid and widespread protein damage in C. elegans.

Proteostasis is defined as the homeostatic mechanisms that maintain the function of all cytoplasmic proteins. We recently demonstrated that the capacity of the proteostasis network is a critical factor that defines the limits of cellular and organismal survival in hypertonic environments. The current studies were performed to determine the extent of protein damage induced by cellular water loss. Using worm strains expressing fluorescently tagged foreign and endogenous proteins and proteins with temperature-sensitive point mutations, we demonstrate that hypertonic stress causes aggregation and misfolding of diverse proteins in multiple cell types. Protein damage is rapid. Aggregation of a polyglutamine yellow fluorescent protein reporter is observable with <1 h of hypertonic stress, and aggregate volume doubles approximately every 10 min. Aggregate formation is irreversible and occurs after as little as 10 min of exposure to hypertonic conditions. To determine whether endogenous proteins are aggregated by hypertonic stress, we quantified the relative amount of total cellular protein present in detergent-insoluble extracts. Exposure for 4 h to 400 mM or 500 mM NaCl induced a 55–120% increase in endogenous protein aggregation. Inhibition of insulin signaling or acclimation to mild hypertonic stress increased survival under extreme hypertonic conditions and prevented aggregation of endogenous proteins. Our results demonstrate that hypertonic stress causes widespread and dramatic protein damage and that cells have a significant capacity to remodel the network of proteins that function to maintain proteostasis. These findings have important implications for understanding how cells cope with hypertonic stress and other protein-damaging stressors.
Read Channel Modeling for Detection in Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording Systems

In this paper, we describe a read channel model for detector design for two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) system, a novel strategy for recording at upto 10 Tb/in2. We describe a scheme for (1) modeling of the recording medium, (2) modeling of the write/readback process, and (3) an experimental method for the characterization of noise in the TDMR channel, occurring due to irregularities in the bit-boundaries in the recording medium, that can be used for detection purposes.
Nitroxy/azido-functionalized triazoles as potential energetic plasticizers.

The synthesis of a series of nitroxy- and azido-functionalized compounds, based on 4-amino-3,5-di(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,4-triazole, for possible use as an energetic plasticizers is described. All compounds were fully characterized. Two of them were further confirmed by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Energetic performance was calculated by using EXPLO5 v6.01 based on calculated heats of formation (Gaussian 03) and experimentally determined densities at 25 °C. The results show that the nitration product 1-nitro-3,5-di(nitroxymethyl)-1,2,4-triazole, containing a nitro group and two nitroxy groups, exhibits good detonation properties (D=8574 m s(-1) , P=32.7 GPa). In addition, its low melting point makes it very attractive as an energetic plasticizer in solid propellants.
Desegregating Texas Schools: Eisenhower, Shivers, and the Crisis at Mansfield High

Foreword by Alwyn Barr Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Pathway to Equality: The Determination to Change 2. The Dismantlement of "Separate but Equal" 3. The Creed of Segregation and States' Rights in the South with an Emphasis on Texas 4. Taking a Stand on School Integration: The Dilemma of President Dwight David Eisenhower during His First Term 5. The Mansfield School Integration Case: Jackson v. Rawdon 6. A Collision Course: The Crisis at Mansfield High School 7. A Significant Aftermath: The Mansfield School Integration Case and Crisis Notes Bibliography Index
Biomedical telemetry: Today's opportunities and challenges

Biomedical telemetry is used today to communication with cardiac devices, insulin pumps, and a few other implantable devices that are on the order of 1–2″ in diameter. Future systems promise advanced communication with cardiac, optical, neurological and auditory devices that are on the order of a centimeter in dimension. Miniaturized antennas and inductive coupling systems provide the radio interface between air and the implantable device. New materials and methods allow miniaturized communication systems to be seamlessly integrated within the medical device itself. This paper describes recent advances in biotelemetry, the challenges faced today, and opportunities for the future.
Up-regulation of photosynthesis and sucrose metabolism enzymes in young expanding leaves of sugarcane under elevated growth CO2

Midday leaf CO2 exchange rate (CER), concentration of chlorophyll (Chl) and soluble protein and activity of the primary enzymes involved in leaf photosynthesis and sucrose metabolism were determined during leaf ontogeny for sugarcane plants grown at ambient (360 mmol mol � 1 ) and double-ambient (elevated, 720 mmol mol � 1 )C O 2. Although leaf CER of both CO2 treatments increased and was highest at 14 days after leaf emergence (DALE), leaf CER of the elevated-CO2 plants, however, was 20, 7 and 10% greater than that of the ambient-CO2 plants at 7, 14 and 32 DALE, respectively. Elevated-CO2 plants also had up to 51% lower stomatal conductance and 39% less transpiration, which resulted in 26–52% greater water-use efficiency (WUE) than ambient-CO2 plants, during leaf growth and development. Concentrations of total Chl and soluble protein and activities of RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco), PEP carboxylase (PEPC), NADP-malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH), pyruvate Pi dikinase (PPDK) and sucrose-P synthase (SPS), expressed on a leaf area basis, generally followed leaf CER patterns during leaf ontogeny. For the elevated-CO2 plants, total Chl and soluble protein were 31 and 15% greater, and Rubisco, PPDK and NADP-MDH were up-regulated by 21, 117 and 174%, respectively, at 14 DALE, whereas PEPC and NADP-malic enzyme tended to be lower than or similar to the ambient-CO2 plants throughout leaf development. In addition, leaf SPS activity was increased by 13 and 37% and leaf sucrose concentration was 31 and 19% higher at 7 and 14 DALE, respectively, under elevated growth CO2. At final harvest, elevated growth [CO2] enhanced leaf area by 31%, leaf fresh weight by 13.5%, stem fresh weight by 55.5%, total above-ground plant fresh weight by 44%, and stem juice volume by 83%. The up-regulation of the key photosynthesis and sucrose metabolism enzymes at early stages of leaf development would indicate an acclimation to elevated growth [CO2] for the C4 sugarcane plant. An up-regulation of the enzymes, together with a reduction in leaf stomatal conductance and transpiration and an improvement in leaf WUE and plant water status, could lead to an enhancement in leaf area, plant biomass accumulation and sucrose production for the CO2-enriched sugarcane plants. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.