cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Summer that Never Was: Preparation for Teaching a Graduate Reference Course during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Adjusting teaching during a pandemic and increased awareness of the need for social justice not only requires revision of course syllabi. This scenario elevates the need for continuing education as...
Modified atomic layer deposition of MoS2 thin films

As one of the most attractive transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), the growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with industrial compatibility is of great importance. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been shown to be a promising method to achieve the growth of high-quality TMD materials. However, MoS2 films deposited by ALD often are amorphous with nonideal stoichiometry and require high-temperature post-deposition annealing. In this study, we introduce a modified ALD recipe using Mo(CO)6 and H2S, resulting in controllable linear growth behavior, a S-to-Mo ratio of 2:1, and crystalline films at a temperature as low as 190 °C. The growth mechanisms and key factors leading to this improvement are proposed and complemented by kinetics calculations. This newly developed methodology relies on aligning the process time with the reaction kinetics of carbonyl disassociation. The MoS2 films prepared herein were shown to be active hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts.
Impact of varying doses of omega-3 supplementation on muscle damage and recovery after eccentric resistance exercise.

Abstract Background Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) commonly occurs following intense resistance exercise and is associated with decrements in exercise performance and delayed muscle recovery. Thus, practical methods to attenuate EIMD would prove useful to both training and athletic populations. Omega-3 (n-3) supplementation has been shown to mitigate EIMD with evidence of increasing efficacy at higher doses (up to 6 g/day). However, data of its efficacy in trained individuals is limited. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of 6 and 8 g of n-3 supplementation on markers of muscle damage and muscle recovery after eccentric resistance exercise in resistance-trained males. Methods Using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design, 26 resistance trained males (23 ± 4 years; 173.6 ± 20.5 cm; 81.9 ± 9.7 kg; 14.2 ± 3.7% body fat) supplemented with 6 (n=10) or 8 g (n=7) of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, or placebo (n=9) for 33 days. On day 30, participants performed a lower body muscle-damaging eccentric resistance exercise bout. Measures of muscle performance, soreness, and damage were taken pre-exercise on day 30 as well as on days 31–33, including vertical jump height (VJH), perceived muscle soreness (PMS), hip and knee range of motion (ROM), repetitions to fatigue (RTF) at 70% 1-RM, and serum creatine kinase (CK) while participants continued to supplement until day 33. Results There were significant differences in VJH, PMS, and serum CK following the muscle-damaging exercise bout compared to pre-exercise (p 0.05) differences between supplementation groups (6 g, 8 g, and placebo) at any time point post-exercise (day 31–33). There were no changes in hip and knee ROM or RTF at any time point or between groups. Vertical jump height and PMS returned to pre-exercise levels despite CK remaining elevated post-exercise. Conclusions Thirty-three days of 6 and 8 g of n-3 supplementation did not attenuate EIMD or enhance muscle recovery following muscle-damaging eccentric resistance exercise in resistance-trained males. Further research using various n-3 supplementation durations, doses, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations may be needed to establish its efficacy in attenuating EIMD, which may vary between trained and untrained individuals. Furthermore, while circulating CK is commonly used to assess muscle damage, elevated CK levels may not reflect muscle recovery status following muscle-damaging exercise.
Geometric G1-Renewal process as repairable system model

This paper considers a point process model with a monotonically decreasing or increasing ROCOF and the underlying distributions from the location-scale family, known as the geometric process [8]. In terms of repairable system reliability analysis, the process is capable of modeling various restoration types including “better-than-new”, i.e., the one not covered by the popular G-Renewal model [7]. The distinctive property of the process is that the times between successive events are obtained from the underlying distributions as the scale parameter of each is monotonically decreasing or increasing. The paper discusses properties and maximum likelihood estimation of the model for the case of the Exponential and Weibull underlying distributions.
Camera orientation: an opportunity for human-robot collaborative control

Collaborative control systems have shown great promise in offloading tasks to an automated peer, allowing the human operators to focus their efforts on perceptual judgments and decision-making that exceed the current capability of automation. This paper initiates a discussion about exposing camera orientation to the collaborative control interaction model. It may be the case that the robot can work with the human operator to automatically direct attention to critical features in an environment by systematically influencing the orientation of the camera. The results of a user evaluation suggest that this kind of interface has potential, but there are several additional interaction constraints that will need to be considered in a successful design.
The rate of vascular colonization as a measure of the genotypic interaction between various cultivars of tomato and various formae or races of Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract The extent of vascular colonization, as determined by hyphal growth from vascular elements, and the degree of foliar symptoms were compared in eight cultivars of tomato at 4 weeks after inoculation with each of three races of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici or race 1 of F. oxysporum f.sp. pisi or cubense . These interactions included hosts having polygenic or single-dominant I, I-2 or I-3 type resistance. In all cases the degree of symptom expression was closely related to the extent of vascular colonization of the host ( R = 0·8). A colonization quotient was calculated for each host-parasite combination by which the genetic interactions were compared. In no instance was there any indication of a physiological tolerance to extensive colonization on the part of the host. The genetic interactions appear, rather, to modulate the rate and degree to which the processes of localization are activated. The colonization quotient can provide a significant numerical measure for comparing various genotypic interactions.
Testicular tubular adenoma in two sisters

Abstract 1. 1. Two cases of benign testicular tubular adenoma in two sisters are reported. The gonads consisted preponderantly of testicular tissue; the ovarian tissue was represented only by islands of ovarian stroma. In spite of the predominantly male character of the gonads, the patients looked and felt perfectly feminine. Each sister had female external genitals, a vagina, but no or almost no uterus and only a tiny tubal rudiment. 2. 2. The removal of the malformed gonads caused severe deficiency symptoms. 3. 3. The genealogic tree of these sisters showed that several members had abnormalities of their sexual organs and their sexual personality which marked them as intersexual individuals. 4. 4. The gonads of these cases are interpreted as ovotestes. Embryologic facts as well as Goldschmidt's intersexuality theory are applied to explain the origin of this malformation.
Neutral Hydrogen Observations of the Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies NGC 185 and NGC 205

In this note we report the detection and mapping of neutral hydrogen in two dwarf elliptical galaxies NGC 185 and NGC 205. Both are companions to M 31 and both are classified as peculiar owing to the presence of obscurring dust patches near their nuclei. Both galaxies also contain a small population of blue, presumably young stars (Hodge 1963, 1973).
Lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

The etiology, diagnosis and management of lithium-induced diabetes insipidus (LIDI) is discussed, including the presentation of a case report. It is suggested that lithium provokes LIDI by decreasing the responsive ness of the kidney to the antidiuretic hormone. Lithium-induced polyuria may be managed by concomitant treatment with a thiazide diuretic or discontinuation of the lithium. Caution must be employed, however, when using thiazides with lithium as these diuretics decrease renal clearance of lithium.
Review: Type 2 diabetes screening does not reduce mortality but treating dysglycemia delays onset of diabetes.

Source Citation Selph S, Dana T, Blazina I, et al. Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:765-76. 25867111
Extended X‐ray absorption fine structure and multiple‐scattering simulation of nickel dithiolene complexes Ni[S2C2(CF3)2]2n (n = −2, −1, 0) and an olefin adduct Ni[S2C2(CF3)2]2(1‐hexene)

A series of Ni dithiolene complexes Ni[S2C2(CF3)]2n (n = −2, −1, 0) (1, 2, 3) and a 1-hexene adduct Ni[S2C2(CF3)2]2(C6H12) (4) have been examined by Ni K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies. Ni XANES for 1–3 reveals clear pre-edge features and approximately +0.7 eV shift in the Ni K-edge position for `one-electron' oxidation. EXAFS simulation shows that the Ni—S bond distances for 1, 2 and 3 (2.11–2.16 A) are within the typical values for square planar complexes and decrease by ∼0.022 A for each `one-electron' oxidation. The changes in Ni K-edge energy positions and Ni—S distances are consistent with the `non-innocent' character of the dithiolene ligand. The Ni—C interactions at ∼3.0 A are analyzed and the multiple-scattering parameters are also determined, leading to a better simulation for the overall EXAFS spectra. The 1-hexene adduct 4 presents no pre-edge feature, and its Ni K-edge position shifts by −0.8 eV in comparison with its starting dithiolene complex 3. Consistently, EXAFS also showed that the Ni—S distances in 4 elongate by ∼0.046 A in comparison with 3. The evidence confirms that the neutral complex is `reduced' upon addition of olefin, presumably by olefin donating the π-electron density to the LUMO of 3 as suggested by UV/visible spectroscopy in the literature.
The Role of Unlabeled Data in Supervised Learning

Most computational models of supervised learning rely only on labeled training examples, and ignore the possible role of unlabeled data. This is true both for cognitive science models of learning such as SOAR [Newell 1990] and ACT–R [Anderson, et al. 1995], and for machine learning and data mining algorithms such as decision tree learning and inductive logic programming (see, e.g., [Mitchell 1997]). In this paper we consider the potential role of unlabeled data in supervised learning. We present an algorithm and experimental results demonstrating that unlabeled data can significantly improve learning accuracy in certain practical problems. We then identify the abstract problem structure that enables the algorithm to successfully utilize this unlabeled data, and prove that unlabeled data will boost learning accuracy for problems in this class. The problem class we identify includes problems where the features describing the examples are redundantly sufficient for classifying the example; a notion we make precise in this paper. This problem class includes many natural learning problems faced by humans, such as learning a semantic lexicon over noun phrases in natural language, and learning to recognize objects from multiple sensor inputs. We argue that models of human and animal learning should consider more strongly the potential role of unlabeled data, and that many natural learning problems fit the class we identify.
State-space approach for self-tuning feedback control with pole assignment

The paper presents a state-space approach for dealing with self-tuning control problems. A joint algorithm for system-parameter identification and system-state estimation is derived. With the joint algorithm, modern control techniques can be easily applied to systems having stochastic disturbances. The state-space version of the self-tuning control with pole assignment is investigated. Based on the state-space approach, the proposed self-tuning control algorithm can be applied to time-invariant linear systems including the unstable and nonminimum-phase systems.
Packing density and structural heterogeneity of insulin amyloid fibrils measured by AFM nanoindentation

A nanoindentation approach based on atomic force microscopy was applied to test the elastic properties of insulin amyloid fibrils. Fibrils exhibited a nearly elastic response to the compressive load. The results, corrected for the finite sample thickness effect, reveal that the fibril Young's modulus is considerably lower than the modulus of protein crystals, suggesting lower packing density in amyloid fibrils. Variation in elasticity among and within fibrils has been studied, showing that the Young's moduli of insulin fibrils have a relatively wide distribution of values, ranging from 5 to 50 MPa. Amyloid fibrils with higher modulus were found to be more wear-resistant during AFM scanning. The measured distribution of elasticity values of different fibrils together with wear-resistance tests indicates structural heterogeneity among fibrils, whereas the structure of individual fibrils appears to be homogeneous. The relative simplicity of the method used in this study can facilitate rapid collection of qua...
Development and validation of a time-series model for real-time thermal load estimation

Abstract Dynamic cooling load changes caused by weather, occupants and equipment use are prevailing challenges for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system design, operation and controls. The thermal capacity of a building envelope delays conduction heat gains while the thermal capacity of the whole structure delays radiative cooling loads. These delays make cooling load calculations inherently complicated. It has been challenging to accurately estimate cooling load in a building in real-time. In this paper, a time-series cooling load model is deduced from a simplified resistance–capacitance (RC) model to provide an efficient solution with manageable computational requirements. In addition, the time-series model is also tested on a thermal zone in an office building, defined in EnergyPlus as a single zone with an ideal HVAC system. RC parameters of building envelope and internal mass are obtained using theoretical characteristics of the building construction in frequency domain and EnergyPlus data, respectively. These are used in formulation of a time-series representation of the cooling load for three scenarios of light, medium, and heavy construction of a thermal zone in an office building. For all scenarios, cooling load with the simplified time series model is estimated within 7% mean absolute percentage error relative to EnergyPlus.
Microscopic derivation of magnetic-flux-density profiles, magnetization hysteresis loops, and critical currents in strongly pinned superconductors

We present a microscopic derivation, without electrodynamical assumptions, of {ital B}({ital x},{ital y},{ital H}({ital t})), {ital M}({ital H}({ital t})), and {ital J}{sub {ital c}}({ital H}({ital t})), in agreement with experiments on strongly pinned superconductors, for a range of values of the density and strength of the pinning sites. We numerically solve the overdamped equations of motion of these flux-gradient-driven vortices which can be temporarily trapped at pinning centers. The field is increased (decreased) by the addition (removal) of flux lines at the sample boundary, and complete hysteresis loops can be achieved by using flux lines with opposite orientation. The pinning force per unit volume we obtain for strongly pinned vortices, {ital J}{sub {ital c}}{ital B}{similar_to}{ital n}{sub {ital p}}{ital f}{sub {ital p}}{sup 1.6}, interpolates between the following two extreme situations: very strongly pinned independent vortices, where {ital J}{sub {ital c}}{ital B}{similar_to}{ital n}{sub {ital P}}{ital f}{sub {ital p}}, and the two-dimensional Larkin-Ovchinikov collective-pinning theory for weakly pinned straight vortices, where {ital J}{sub {ital c}}{ital B}{similar_to}{ital n}{sub {ital P}}{ital f}{sub {ital p}}{sup 2}. Here, {ital n}{sub {ital p}} and {ital f}{sub {ital p}} are the density and maximum force of the pinning sites.
Comparison of training algorithms and network architectures

Summary form only given. In the presentation major difficulties of designing neural networks are shown. It turn out that popular MLP (Multi Layer Perceptron) networks in most cases produces far from satisfactory results. Also, popular EBP (Error Back Propagation) algorithm is very slow and often is not capable to train best neural network architectures. Very powerful and fast LM (Levenberg- Marquardt) algorithm was unfortunately implemented only for MLP networks. Also, because a necessity of the inversion of the matrix, which size is proportional to number of patterns, the LM algorithm can be used only for small problems. However, the major frustration with neural networks occurs when too large neural networks are used and it is being trained with too small number of training patterns. Indeed, such networks, with excessive number of neurons, can be trained to very small errors, but these networks will respond very poorly for new patterns, which were not used for training. The most of frustrations with neural network can be eliminated when smaller, more effective, architectures are used and trained by newly developed NBN (Neuron-by-Neuron) algorithm. The methods of computational intelligence can be most successful but they have to be used with great care. It turns out that often popular training algorithms are not capable of tuning neural network to proper accuracy without losing generalization abilities. As a consequence, such system of computational intelligence may not work properly for cases which were not used in training. The comparison of different neural network architectures is given and it is shown how to develop and train close to optimal topologies.
Simple Memory Circuit for Iterative Analog Computation

This paper describes a memory circuit for iterative com putation on electronic analog computer that uses much less analog equipment than the conventional track-and- store circuit.
Clinical update: gunshot wound ballistics.

Although firearm related injury and mortality actually may be declining, gunshot trauma remains a significant cause of morbidity and socioeconomic cost with 115,000 missile injuries annually and as many as 40,000 deaths. Wounds typically are classified as low-velocity ( 2000 feet/second). However, these terms can be misleading. More important is the efficiency of energy transfer, which is dependent on the projectile's physical characteristics including deformation and fragmentation, kinetic energy, stability, entrance profile, path traveled through the body, and the biologic characteristics of the tissues. Therefore, the decision whether to explore the wound should not be based solely on the involvement of a high-velocity or low-velocity weapon. The majority of low-velocity gunshot wounds can be treated safely nonoperatively with local wound care and outpatient treatment. Treatment of associated fractures generally is dictated by the bony injuries, which have similar personalities to closed fractures. Because contamination is not always apparent, routine antibiotic prophylaxis still is recommended. The soft tissues assume a more crucial role in high-velocity and shotgun fractures, whereas high-energy injuries and grossly contaminated wounds mandate irrigation, appropriate debridement, and the use of open fracture protocols. However, a patient with a high-velocity wound with limited soft tissue disruption, no significant functional deficits, no evidence of bullet fragmentation, and minimal bony involvement can be a candidate for simple wound care. When exploration is indicated, decompression and excision of necrotic tissue is the rule with color, consistency, contractility, and capacity to bleed providing valuable information regarding muscle viability.
Non-RRKM Dynamics in the CH3O2 + NO Reaction System

Quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations on a model potential energy surface (PES) show strong deviations from statistical Rice−Ramsperger−Kassel−Marcus (RRKM) rate theory for the decomposition reaction (1) CH3OONO* → CH3O + NO2, where the highly excited CH3OONO* was formed by (2) CH3O2 + NO → CH3OONO*. The model PES accurately describes the vibrational frequencies, structures, and thermochemistry of the cis- and trans-CH3OONO isomers; it includes cis−trans isomerization in addition to reactions 1 and 2 but does not include nitrate formation, which is too slow to affect the decay rate of CH3OONO*. The QCT results give a strongly time-dependent rate constant for decomposition and damped oscillations in the decomposition rate, not predicted by statistical rate theory. Anharmonicity is shown to play an important role in reducing the rate constant by a factor of 10 smaller than predicted using classical harmonic RRKM theory (microcanonical variational transition state theory). Master equation simulations...
Initiating ESL Students Into the Academic Discourse Community: How Far Should We Go?

In the interest of finding ways to help their students succeed in university studies, college-level L2 writing researchers and teachers have endeavored for years to define the nature of academic writing tasks. The effort to determine what academic writing is and what ESL students need to know in order to produce it has led to the development of a number of different approaches to the teaching of writing. Most recently, this effort has led to a problematic trend toward having teachers of English, including teachers of freshman composition, teach students to write in other disciplines. This trend has emerged in response to criticism of previous writing programs, analyses of surveys of academic writing tasks, and movements such as Writing Across the Curriculum and English for specific purposes. This article reviews studies of L1 writing programs in which students learn to write in various disciplines, discusses the implications of the researchers' findings, and argues that (a) the teaching of writing in the disciplines should be left to the teachers of those disciplines and (b) L2 English composition teachers should focus on general principles of inquiry and rhetoric, with emphasis on writing from sources.
The Micro-Neighborhood: An Approach to Ecological Patterns of Ethnic Groups

anti-Jewish behavior. Two indicators of the educational level of communities-percentage of those between 1417 years old enrolled in school and the median years of education completed by those 25 years old and above --displayed no relationship with the incidence of anti-Semitic acts. With respect to minority population characteristics, both the absolute size and relative size of the Jewish population manifested consistent and positive associations with the incidence of anti-Semitic acts. As the number nd percentage Jewish inc eased, the number of acts increased. Similarly, change in the size of the Jewish population showed a direct association
Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: Specific relations to ventricular size and negative symptomatology

A number of studies of schizophrenia have demonstrated associations between cognitive impairment and both cerebral ventricle size and negative symptomatology. The nature of these associations, however, have been obscured by interstudy differences in the assessment of cognitive functioning and by the lack of function-related specificity in measures of structural brain abnormality. In this study, 28 SCID-diagnosed chronic schizophrenic inpatients were administered a brief comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests, a computed tomography (CT) scan, and were rated for positive and negative symptomatology. Enlarged ventricle-to-brain ratio (VBR) of the anterior portion of the lateral ventricles, the frontal horns, was found to be related to deficits in general intellectual level, conceptual thinking, immediate verbal memory, and psychomotor speed. VBR of the more usually studied bodies of the lateral ventricles was associated only with deficits in verbal memory and motor speed. VBRs were unrelated to both positive and negative symptom measures in this sample. Results suggest that more widespread impairment of schizophrenics' cognitive functioning may be related to structural abnormality within the frontal lobes, complementing recent findings linking structural and metabolic abnormalities of this area of the brain to the disease itself.
Anastomotic devices for coronary surgery.

Proximal and distal anastomotic devices will play different roles in advancing minimally invasive cardiac surgery. In the wake of the first experiences with the St. Jude Symmetry™, data will be needed to support new technology adoption. The value of anastomotic technology will be greater in the off‐pump and small access coronary techniques. When coronary vascular connectors provide the same or better patency than suture cardiac surgeons will use them for most cases because they will be faster and more reliable. This burgeoning field of anastomotic connectors is already beginning to spill over into other specialties. There is promise for these devices in vascular procedures. It is predicted that similar devices will also be used for bowel anastomoses. With continued evolution of anastomotic devices, it is easy to visualize that in the near future the majority of anastomoses may be performed with a manual or automatic device as opposed to the current conventional suture technique.
Antidepressants are weak competitive antagonists of histamine H2 receptors in dissociated brain tissue

Abstract Guinea pig hippocampus dissociated by mechanical means into uniform clumps of cells (∼ 100 μm in diameter) contains histamine receptors (H 1 and H 2 ) which mediate the formation of cyclic AMP. In this preparation, antidepressants are very potent antagonists of histamine H 1 receptors but are weak antagonists of histamine H 2 receptors. The latter result is contrary to data derived by others using homogenates of the guinea pig hippocampus and seems to dispel the idea that antidepressants derive their efficacy by blocking histamine H 2 receptors in brain.
Extremism, Power, and the Imagined Basis of Social Conflict:

There is perhaps no more dan gerous force in social relations than the human mind. People's ca pacities to categorize, interpret, and go "beyond the information given" readily lead to the stereo typing and dehumanization that escalate and entrench group con flict. In this article, we focus on op posing partisans' tendency to exaggerate their opponents' ex tremism and the magnitude of their conflict. We first present re search documenting this bias, then consider how imagined extremism intensifies social conflicts, and conclude by discussing how parti sans with power judge their con flicts in more biased ways than do partisans without power, but are themselves judged more accu rately.
Feasibility and Efficacy of Local Radiation Therapy With Concurrent Novel Agents in Patients With Multiple Myeloma

Treatment of multiple myeloma with radiotherapy concurrent with novel agents, cytotoxic therapy, or both was safe, effective, and well tolerated in the majority of patients, with no dose adjustment or significant treatment- related toxicity. Introduction: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) with concurrent novel agents (NAs), cytotoxic therapy (CTx), or both in the management of osteolytic bone lesions in multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and Methods: A total of 39 patients with MM received RT to 64 different bone sites during the 2007-2012 period, with a dose of 8 to 37.5 Gy (mean, 26.8 Gy) delivered in 1 to 15 fractions (median, 10 fractions). Of these patients, 21 also received concurrent NAs or CTx. Pain response, M protein and k light chain response, and adverse events were evaluated. Results: RT was completed in 35 of 39 patients (89.7%) in this study. Pain relief was observed in 30 of 31 patients (96.7%). Hematologic toxicity (grade 3 or 4 by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group system) was seen in 43.2% of treated patients, and NA therapy was stopped in 2 patients owing to grade 4 toxicity. RT adverse effects resolved at 4 to 6 weeks posttreatment. Changes in pre- and posttreatment levels of M protein trended toward sig- nificance in patients treated with RT þ systemic therapy (ST) versus. RT alone (DM ProteinRTþST ¼ 5.6 g/L; DM ProteinRT ¼ 0 g/L; P ¼ .089). Conclusion: Treating MM with RT concurrently with CTx including NAs was safe and well tolerated in the majority of patients (14 of 16 (87.5%) for those taking NAs and 19 of 21 (90.5%) for all patients). Excellent clinical pain response (> 95%) was also seen in patients regardless if they were treated with RT þ ST or RT alone.
Liquid-assisted pulsed laser cleaning with near-infrared and ultraviolet pulsed lasers

Liquid-assisted steam nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation is shown to be effective for cleaning contaminant particles as small as 0.3 micrometers in diameter from metallic substrates. The cleaning threshold and efficiency are investigated for the fundamental and frequency-tripled Nd:YAG laser harmonics (wavelengths (lambda) equals1064 and 355 nm). The rapid phase- change and thin liquid film ablation processes are examined in order to elucidate the cleaning mechanism. The pressure enhancement accompanying the explosive-vaporization process and the momentum supplied by the ablation plume are the main sources of the augmented cleaning efficiency at moderate laser energy densities.
Persistence, switching, and discontinuation rates among patients receiving sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram

Study Objective. To compare persistence, switching, and discontinuation rates among patients taking brand-name selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Design. Retrospective cohort study. Data Source. Protocare Sciences managed care database. Patients. A total of 14,933 patients with depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder whose prescriptions for brand-name SSRIs were filled from January 1, 1999–June 30, 2002. Measurements and Main Results. A total of 5598 patients received sertraline, 4131 citalopram, and 5204 paroxetine. Adherence status was categorized as persistence, switching (from one SSRI to another SSRI), and discontinuation. Persistence was determined based on the number of days' supply of the prescribed drug, with a minimum of 15 days to refill. Survival analyses using life-table survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models were conducted. Age, sex, and copayment were covariates in the Cox proportional models. Sensitivity analysis with a longer time to refill was performed to determine whether the results were sensitive to the algorithm for determining adherence. Compared with patients receiving sertraline and citalopram, those receiving paroxetine had lower rates of persistence (23.79% vs 25.96% for sertraline [p=0.0093] and 26.56% for citalopram [p=0.0022]) and higher rates of switching (3.55% vs 3.32% for sertraline [p=0.5076] and 2.78% for citalopram [p=0.0359]) and discontinuation (72.66% vs 70.72% for sertraline [p=0.0258] and 70.66% for citalopram [p= 0.0334]). Survival curves showed that persistence rates with sertraline and citalopram were significantly greater than with paroxetine (p<0.05, log-rank and Wilcoxon tests). Age was an independent predictor of persistence; male sex and copayment were not. The comparisons across SSRIs were robust in the sensitivity analysis that varied the time to refill allowed. Conclusion. Differences in the persistence rates were noted among patients receiving three brand-name SSRIs, with patients receiving paroxetine having lower persistence than those receiving sertraline and citalopram. Observed differences in persistence across SSRIs were not sensitive to model specifications. Prescription of SSRIs that demonstrate better adherence would benefit both the patient and the health care system.
Should uterine size be an indication for surgical intervention in women with myomas

The quality assurance guidelines published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advocate hysterectomy for women with fibroids once the size of the uterus equals or exceeds that at 12 weeks of gestation, regardless of the presence or absence of significant symptoms. Reasons frequently cited by gynecologists for the necessity for surgical intervention include (1) the inability to examine the ovaries, (2) the possible malignancy of the enlarged pelvic mass, (3) the potential for compromise of adjacent organ function if uterine or myomatous growth continues, (4) the greater risks of future surgical treatment if uterine or myomatous growth continues, (5) the potential for greater fertility after surgery on a smaller uterus, and (6) the possibility of continued uterine or myomatous growth resulting from hormone replacement therapy after menopause. A review of the literature reveals surprisingly scant data supporting each of these indications for surgical intervention. The availability of high-resolution ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging allows for expectant management in many cases where the uterus is at least 12 gestational weeks in size, The presence and severity of myoma-related symptoms should be the most important considerations in the individualization of treatment strategies.
On finite mixtures of geometric and negative binomial distributions

Finite mixtures of distributions have been getting increasing use in the applied literature. In the continuous case, linear combinations of exponentials and gammas have been shown to be well suited for modeling purposes. In the discrete case, the focus has primarily been on continuous mixing, usually of Poisson distributions and typically using gammas to describe the random parameter, But many of these applications are forced, especially when a continuous mixing distribution is used. Instead, it is often prefe-rable to try finite mixtures of geometries or negative binomials, since these are the fundamental building blocks of all discrete random variables. To date, a major stumbling block to their use has been the lack of easy routines for estimating the parameters of such models. This problem has now been alleviated by the adaptation to the discrete case of numerical procedures recently developed for exponential, Weibull, and gamma mixtures. The new methods have been applied to four previously studied dat...
Exact solutions for the Saffman-Taylor problem with surface tension.

Solutions are reported for the problem of the motion of a two-dimensional interface between a viscous and a nonviscous fluid. The solution has the interface moving uniformly while the viscous fluid has a nontrivial potential flow. In an alternative interpretation, there are gravitational forces in the plane which allow the interface to be at rest while the fluid is in motion.
Experimental investigation of convecting vortex/boundary-layer interactions

The interaction between propagating spanwise vortices and a turbulent boundary layer was studied experimentally. The results focus on the relationship between the passage of vortex structures and the response of the boundary layer in terms of ensemble-average unsteady mean velocity, wall shear, and turbulent stresses. Both positive and negative circulation vortices were studied at different heights above the test surface. The results indicate that the sign of the vortex has an effect on the wall shear response as well as the height of the vortex above the surface. The negative circulation vortices were found to interact more closely with and penetrate deeper into the boundary layer than the positive sense vortices. A phase lag between the freestream disturbance caused by the vortex and the wall shear stress response is demonstrated. The relationship of the measured wall-shear stress to the pressure gradient and to a scaling velocity determined from the standard log-law fit for the overlap layer are discussed. The response of the boundary-layer turbulence is examined at key phases during the interaction.
Performance and Characteristics of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Pyroelectric Detectors

Abstract Pyroelectiic detectors based on the polymer film polyvinylidene fluoride should be recognized as attractive choices for applications where a high detectivity coupled with a broad spectral response and a large area are required. Devices with a 1 cm2 area typically have a detectivity of 109 f1/2 cm Hz1/2/W where f is the frequency in Hz. Fabrication may be directly from commercially available film or with some additional processing. Several instruments incorporating these detectors have been developed to solve certain radiometric measurement problems.
Use of lupin flour as a replacement for full-fat soy in diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykis)

Abstract A 12-week feeding study was conducted to determine if either whole or dehulled lupin flour could be used as an economical replacement for full-fat soybean meal (FFSM) in a ration for rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) and to determine if it was necessary to replace the soybean oil lost when FFSM was omitted from the ration. The results of the trial indicated that lupin can be used as a substitute for FFSM without the soy oil supplements used in a previous study. Total percentage weight gains of fish fed the diets containing soy, lupin, or lupin with added oil for 12 weeks all fell within the range 170–180. In addition, in fish fed the diets containing the higher-protein lupin, growth was at least equal to and up to 15% greater than that shown by the fish fed the soy diets. This interpretation of the data would indicate that the economics of using lupin (at the quoted prices) favors its use over FFSM in the test ration and that the dehulled (higher-protein) lupin may be even more desirable for use in feeds for salmonids.
Insights into the molecular basis of the hormonal control of molting and metamorphosis from Manduca sexta and Drosophila melanogaster.

This short review summarizes our current knowledge about the role of transcription factors regulated by ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone (JH) in larval molting and metamorphosis in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, and Drosophila melanogaster. We show new evidence that EcR-A/USP-2 and E75A contribute to the down-regulation of MHR3 after the peak of ecdysteroid. Also, there is suggestive evidence that both MHR4 and βFTZ-F1 may regulate the expression of dopa decarboxylase as the ecdysteroid titer declines. We summarize the regulation by JH of the Broad transcription factor that normally appears in the epidermis in the final larval instar and specifies pupal cuticle formation at the metamorphic molt. Premature expression of different Broad isoforms also is shown to cause precocious degeneration of the prothoracic glands as well as to prevent ecdysteroid release during its presence.
Mapping of glycolytic enzyme-binding sites on human erythrocyte band 3

Previous work has shown that GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), aldolase, PFK (phosphofructokinase), PK (pyruvate kinase) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) assemble into a GE (glycolytic enzyme) complex on the inner surface of the human erythrocyte membrane. In an effort to define the molecular architecture of this complex, we have undertaken to localize the binding sites of these enzymes more accurately. We report that: (i) a major aldolase-binding site on the erythrocyte membrane is located within N-terminal residues 1–23 of band 3 and that both consensus sequences D6DYED10 and E19EYED23 are necessary to form a single enzyme-binding site; (ii) GAPDH has two tandem binding sites on band 3, located in residues 1–11 and residues 12–23 respectively; (iii) a PFK-binding site resides between residues 12 and 23 of band 3; (iv) no GEs bind to the third consensus sequence (residues D902EYDE906) at the C-terminus of band 3; and (v) the LDH- and PK-binding sites on the erythrocyte membrane do not reside on band 3. Taken together, these results argue that band 3 provides a nucleation site for the GE complex on the human erythrocyte membrane and that other components near band 3 must also participate in organizing the enzyme complex.
Application of TraPPE-UA force field for determination of vapor–liquid equilibria of carboxylate esters

Abstract The transferability of Lennard–Jones parameters in the united-atom force field known as “transferable potentials for phase equilibria” (TraPPE-UA) is assessed through vapor–liquid equilibria calculations performed on carboxylate esters. In the TraPPE-UA force field, non-bonded interactions are governed by a Lennard–Jones plus fixed point charge functional form. Partial charges are borrowed from the optimized potentials for liquid simulations (OPLS) force field [Briggs, Nguyen, Jorgensen, J. Phys. Chem. 95 (1991) 3315]. No reparameterization of pseudo-atoms occurs in this work. Instead, the molecules of interest are built from pseudo-atoms parameterized in previous installments of the TraPPE-UA force field. Configurational-bias Monte Carlo simulations in the grand canonical ensemble, combined with histogram-reweighing techniques, are used to determine the vapor–liquid coexistence curves, vapor pressures and critical points of the esters methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl propionate and vinyl acetate. Pressure-composition diagrams are calculated for methyl acetate + ethyl acetate at 313.15 K and methyl acetate + methanol at 323.15 K. Average deviations in the saturated liquid densities and critical temperatures from experiment vary from 1.8% (methyl acetate) to 4.2% (vinyl acetate), while the critical densities for all four esters are predicted to within 0.8%. The pressure-composition diagrams for methyl acetate + ethyl acetate and methyl acetate + methanol agree qualitatively with experiment, but quantitative differences exist due to the overprediction of the pure component vapor pressures. For the methyl acetate + methanol system the predicted azeotropic composition of x AcOMe = 0.66 is in good agreement with the experimental value of x AcOMe expt = 0.65 . Analysis of the microstructure of the methyl acetate + methanol mixture shows that the addition of methyl acetate has little effect on the self-association of methanol molecules through hydrogen bonding.
7053 Endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration in the evaluation of superior mediastinal masses.

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has emerged as an important imaging modality over recent years in evaluating the upper gastrointestinal tract and adjacent structures. EUS with fine needle aspiration (FNA) has become an important tool evaluating suspected malignancies in the chest. There are few reports of needle biopsy of lesions above the aortic arch, especially at the upper sphincter.We report five cases where EUS and FNA was diagnostic of superior mediastinal masses. Case 1 was a 63 year old female with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who developed superior mediastinal lymphadenopathy and a left lower lobe nodule. Bronchoscopy with needle biopsy was non-diagnostic. Case 2 was a 65 year old male with a mediastinal mass invading the C6/C7 disc. The patient had severe COPD and was not a candidate for mediastinoscopy. Both bronchoscopy and CT guided needle biopsies were non-diagnostic. Case 3 was an 83 year old female with mild COPD and a long smoking history that was found to have a pancoast tumor at the right lung apex. Due to multiple medical problems, mediastinoscopy was contraindicated. Cases 4 and 5 were women, ages 41 and 61,with large superior mediastinal masses on CT referred directly for EUS. In all cases, EUS evaluated the characteristics of each lesion, FNA was performed, and diagnostic cytology acquired. In three cases, the FNA was performed at the upper sphincter. There were no complications; only one patient was kept for overnight observation. Cytologic diagnoses in cases 1 through 5 were recurrent CLL, non-small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, Castleman's disease, and metastatic breast cancer, respectively. EUS with FNA is a safe and effective way to evaluate and establish a tissue diagnosis of superior mediastinal masses. Three patients in this case series had multiple co-morbidities which limited diagnostic options and failed conventional diagnostic tests. Additionally, all five subjects had superior mediastinal lesions near the upper sphincter that could have made FNA difficult, but the procedure was well tolerated in all cases.With increased availability, EUS with FNA will become a common alternative to more invasive diagnostic procedures such as mediastinoscopy due to lesser cost and morbidity.
Measuring molecular force fields: Terahertz, inelastic neutron scattering, Raman, FTIR, DFT, and BOMD molecular dynamics of solid l-serine

Abstract A vibrational analysis of polycrystalline l -serine is provided using experimental terahertz, FTIR, Raman and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectra, calculated INS spectra – and Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulations from which the power spectra for the electronegative elements are compared to the THz spectra. Corrections are made to density functional theory (DFT) calculations for van der Waals interactions. Assignments and potential energy distributions are included for all 3 N = 336 normal modes of an eight molecule supercell, including those for 48 non-bonded whole molecule translating and rotating vibrations, of which three are acoustic modes, usually not considered. Calculated and observed frequencies differ by an average 3 cm −1 ( s = 4). The INS spectrum of these modes below 100 cm −1 , calculated from energy second derivatives, show a remarkable similarity to the experimental 10 K spectra. The calculated low frequency modes are insensitive to small changes in cell parameters and geometry. THz intensities are represented by power spectra and not calculated explicitly. Nevertheless, power spectra of 13 ps BOMD trajectories at classical temperatures of 20 K, 400 K, and 500 K are markedly similar to the experimental terahertz spectra at 77 K and 298 K. Calculations on a serine crystal supercell 2 × 2 × 2 molecules deep appear to include, in a crude but fortuitously accurate way, enough of the principle out of phase dispersion to yield a match with experimental frequencies and intensities.
Considerations for choosing an electronic medical record for an ophthalmology practice.

Objectives To give a brief overview of issues pertinent to selecting an ophthalmic electronic medical record (EMR) program and to outline the company demographics and software capabilities of the major vendors in this area. Methods Software companies shipping an EMR package were contacted to obtain information on their software and company demographics. The focus was on companies selectively marketing to ophthalmology practices, and, therefore, most were selected based on their representation at the 1998 and/or 1999 American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. Software companies that responded to repeated inquiries in a timely fashion were included. Results Sixteen companies were evaluated. Electronic medical records packages ranged from $3000 to $80 000 (mean, approximately $30 000). Company demographics revealed a range from 1 to 1600 employees (mean, 204). Most of these companies have been in business for 6 years or less (range, 1-15 years; mean, 6 years). My opinions concerning various aspects of the EMR are presented. Conclusions There is a wide range of EMR products available for the ophthalmology practice. Computer technology has matured to a point at which the graphical demands of the ophthalmology EMR can be satisfied. Weaknesses do exist in the inherent difficulty of recording an ophthalmology encounter, the relative adolescence of software companies, and the lack of standards in the industry.