cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectral narrowing in high-gain lasers

The dependence of spectral narrowing in lasers on the line-broadening mechanism is investigated including the effects of saturation and distributed loss. It is found that in the unsaturated regime the narrowing is essentially independent of the resonance broadening mechanism and the narrowed line approaches a Gaussian. The onset of saturation slows or reverses the narrowing process. Experimental results have been obtained using a 3.51-μ xenon laser.
Cheyletiella dermatitis: a case report and the role of specific immunological hypersensitivity in its pathogenesis

Summary A cutaneous eruption in a patient due to infestation of his dog with the Cheyletiella mite is described, Intradermal testing with mite extract is used to demonstrate delayed hypersensitivity to mite antigens. The contribution of delayed hypersensitivity to the development of the eruption and the diagnostic use of skin testing are discussed.
GC-MS Determination of an Unknown Pesticide. II. An Experiment Investigating Quality of Analysis Using Random Sampling and Estimation of Variance

Newly devised components are described which significantly enhance both the scientific and pedagogical components of a previously published, qualitatively oriented experiment for students in an undergraduate instrumental analysis course. To provide a laboratory exercise containing as much real-world experience as possible, the earlier experiment was modified in such a way as to allow its use as a quantitative experiment illustrating such principles as sampling, experimental design, analysis of variance, and the use of internal standards.
Structure and interaction of organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposites for microelectronic applications. 1. MSSQ/P(MMA-co-DMAEMA) nanocomposites

Nanoporous methyl silsesquioxane (MSSQ), which is an important and promising candidate for spin-on ultralow dielectric constant applications, has been produced via the thermosetting of MSSQ, templa...
The interface between morphology and action planning: a comparison of two species of New World monkeys

Recent research with several species of nonhuman primates suggests sophisticated motor-planning abilities observed in human adults may be ubiquitous among primates. However, there is considerable variability in the extent to which these abilities are expressed across primate species. In the present experiment, we explore whether the variability in the expression of anticipatory motor-planning abilities may be attributed to cognitive differences (such as tool use abilities) or whether they may be due to the consequences of morphological differences (such as being able to deploy a precision grasp). We compared two species of New World monkeys that differ in their tool use abilities and manual dexterity: squirrel monkeys, Saimiri sciureus (less dexterous with little evidence for tool use) and tufted capuchins, Sapajus apella (more dexterous and known tool users). The monkeys were presented with baited cups in an untrained food extraction task. Consistent with the morphological constraint hypothesis, squirrel monkeys frequently showed second-order motor planning by inverting their grasp when picking up an inverted cup, while capuchins frequently deployed canonical upright grasping postures. Findings suggest that the lack of ability for precision grasping may elicit more consistent second-order motor planning, as the squirrel monkeys (and other species that have shown a high rate of second-order planning) have fewer means of compensating for inefficient initial postures. Thus, the interface between morphology and motor planning likely represents an important factor for understanding both the ontogenetic and phylogenetic origins of sophisticated motor-planning abilities.
Erythromycin for persistent or recurrent nongonococcal urethritis. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of a 3-week regimen of erythromycin for treatment of persistent or recurrent nongonococcal urethritis in men. Design:A prospective, randomized, double-bl...
A SNP haplotype associated with a gene resistant to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum in upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L . )

An F4:5 population of 285 families with each tracing back to a different F2 plant, derived from a cotton bacterial blight resistant line ‘DeltaOpal’ and a susceptible line ‘DP388’, was artificially inoculated with bacterial blight race 18 (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum) to assay their resistance or susceptibility to the disease. The segregation in the F4:5 population indicates that the resistance was conditioned by a single dominant gene designated B 12. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers identified as putatively linked to the resistance gene by bulked segregant analysis were confirmed on the entire F4:5 population. Three SSR markers, CIR246, BNL3545 and BNL3644 on chromosome 14, were found closely linked to B 12 . The association between CIR246 and B 12 was validated among 354 plants of 16 diverse varieties. Based on Monsanto SSR/single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) consensus map, SNP markers closely linked to CIR246 were used to screen ‘DeltaOpal’ and ‘DP388’ for polymorphism. The polymorphic SNP markers were run on the F4:5 population and the four SNP markers spanning 3.4 cM were found to flank the resistance gene on chromosome 14. The linkage between B 12 and the 4-SNP marker haplotype was validated using 18 elite cotton lines. This 4-SNP marker haplotype can be used for marker assisted selection for bacterial blight resistance breeding programs or for screening germplasm collections for this locus rapidly.
Exploring the Interactions of Chloride Deicer Solutions with Nanomodified and Micromodified Asphalt Mixtures Using Artificial Neural Networks

The objectives of this research are to modify an asphalt mixture with two materials—nanoclay and carbon microfiber—and to investigate the interactions of chloride deicer solutions with nano- and/or micromodified and unmodified asphalt mixtures in terms of indirect tensile strength (ITS) and fracture energy. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used in this study to establish predictive models and quantify the complex cause-and-effect relationships between the nano- or micromodification and conditioning of asphalt mixtures and the resulting mechanical properties. Four influential variables (nanoclay content, microfiber content, deicer type, and deicer dilution ratio) were collectively examined to predict the ITS and fracture energy of asphalt mixtures, and a back-propagation neural network of three layers with seven or nine hidden nodes was employed respectively. The established ANN models were then successfully used for numerical in- vestigations on the parameters affecting the asphalt properties. The addition of polysiloxane-modified montmorillonite and/or carbon micro- fiber (both at less than 2% by weight of asphalt binder) can enhance the tensile strength fracture energy of asphalt concrete mixtures and reduce their moisture susceptibility and cracking risk, and such benefits are especially significant when the asphalt concrete is conditioned in water or chloride-based deicer solutions. This evaluation makes it possible to design asphalt mixtures for a desired level of ITS or fracture energy in the absence or presence of common chloride-based deicer solutions. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000452. © 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Deicing; Chloride; Tensile strength; Moisture; Asphalts; Mixtures; Neural networks; Nanotechnology. Author keywords: Deicer; Tensile strength; Fracture energy; Moisture susceptibility; Nano-modified asphalt mixtures; Micro-modified asphalt mixture; Artificial neural networks.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MICROENVIRONMENT SURROUNDING A CHROMOPHORE IN DETERMINING ITS SPECTROSCOPIC BEHAVIOR

Resumen Se pone especial enfasis en la importancia del microambiente de un grupo como factor determinante del comportamiento fotoquimico, emision y dicroismo circular de moleculas biologicas. Los ejemplos dados incluyen la fotoquimica de la ribonucleasa, la dependencia de las propiedades luminiscentes de amino acidos aromaticos con la temperatura, y el comportamiento espectroscopico de los dinucleotidos.
Expectancy violation and student rating of instruction

This study examined whether violations that are incongruent with student expectations are significantly different than congruent violations of expectancy in relation to student ratings of instruction. Analysis using the Scheffe' post ANOVA test revealed that college students having high expectations/high experiences evaluated teachers more favorably than students with low expectations/high experiences, low expectations/low experiences and high expectations/low experiences. Reasons why these findings did not coincide with the expectancy violation model are offered.
Long-distance, unconditional teleportation of atomic states via complete measurement of all Bell-states

We propose a scheme for creating long-distance quantum entanglement, which can be used to teleport quantum states of an atom unconditionally via measurements of all four Bell states, using a method of sequential elimination.
Modification of mitrofanoff principle for continent urinary diversion

In 1980, Mitrofanoff described a method of achieving continent urinary diversion by surgically closing the bladder neck and creating a continent catheterizable stoma from the appendix, which had been implanted in a non-refluxing manner into the bladder, or from a non-refluxing distal ureter. We describe a modification of the Mitrofanoff procedure for continent urinary diversion in 7 children in whom a standard Mitrofanoff procedure was not possible due to either body habitus or appendiceal anatomy. All 7 patients are continent both day and night. Four have required stomal revisions. Renal function has remained stable or improved in all patients. Although the revision rate was high, this modification of the Mitrofanoff principle has provided good long-term results in these patients and may be useful when patient's anatomy does not allow the creation of a standard appendicovesicostomy.
Phaedo 104-105: Is the Soul a Form?

In his Plato's Phaedo, R. Hackforth notes that the confusions of the final argument for the immortality of the soul in the Phaedo are deepened by a change in Plato's conception of the 'logical status' of the soul from 'soul as form to soul as possessor of form' in the course of the argument, probably at 105E10.1 D. Keyt, in a recent article in Phronesis, adapts Hackforth's view to his aim of locating the fallacies in the final argument by commenting that even if Plato does not take the soul to be an immanent form in the argument, he does treat it as if it were one.2 Although Keyt does not accuse Plato of equivocating on 'soul' in the course of the argument, one of the two fallacies he attributes to him stems from Plato's treating the soul as if it were a form. I should like to defend Plato from both these criticisms by showing that he never treats the soul as an immanent form in the course of the argument. The most important evidence that both Hackforth and Keyt cite for their view is the parallelism of the statements at 104 D 1-7 and 105 D 3-5. Here are these crucial passages:
Citizenship Education: A Historical Perspective (1951–Present)

Citizenship education and instruction have gone through a series of dramatic changes in the decades encompassing the early days of the Cold War up to our modern, globally focused educational environment. Throughout this progression, multiple influences, both internal and external to the educational construct, have shaped the role and direction of citizenship education. This article examines these changes and the historical context of these modifications—spanning the era from post–World War II America to post-9/11 classrooms. Through this historical review, it becomes apparent that there has been a shift in the timeliness of incorporation of new topics and themes of instruction over the last 50 years. Where it once took an extended period of time to incorporate new ideals of social change into curriculum and instruction, contemporary classrooms now have the ability to react to unfiltered current developments in an immediate fashion. In addition, it has become apparent that the new focus for much of today's...
Bending effects in multicore optical fibers

We investigate effects of macro- and micro-bending on multicore optical fibers including crosstalk, skew, and loss, as well as the performance of a transmission system.
Liability risk in the pharmaceutical industry: Tort law in the US and UK

This paper examines the extent to which product liability risk contributes to the high costs of pharmaceuticals in the United States relative to prices in the United Kingdom. Research on pharmaceut...
Structure-activity relationships in the binding of chemically derivatized CD4 to gp120 from human immunodeficiency virus.

The first step in HIV infection is the binding of the envelope glycoprotein gp120 to the host cell receptor CD4. An interfacial “Phe43 cavity” in gp120, adjacent to residue Phe43 of gp120-bound CD4, has been suggested as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. We designed a CD4 mutant (D1D2F43C) for site-specific coupling of compounds for screening against the cavity. Altogether, 81 cysteine-reactive compounds were designed, synthesized, and tested. Eight derivatives exceeded the affinity of native D1D2 for gp120. Structure–activity relationships (SAR) for derivatized CD4 binding to gp120 revealed significant plasticity of the Phe43 cavity and a narrow entrance. The primary contacts for compound recognition inside the cavity were found to be van der Waals interactions, whereas hydrophilic interactions were detected in the entrance. This first SAR on ligand binding to an interior cavity of gp120 may provide a starting point for structure-based assembly of small molecules targeting gp120-CD4 interaction.
The Efficacy of an All-Positive Approach to Classroom Management.

This study addressed the question of whether an all-positive approach to classroom management can be effective. The on-task behavior and academic performance of eight, second- and third-grade children with behavior problems were examined. Results indicated that an all-positive approach that relied primarily on praise was not effective. However, when an individualized reward system was used, the children's rates of on-task behavior were high and stable. Similar effects were observed for academic productivity. Thus, a classroom can be managed using only positive consequences. However, to be successful, such an approach may require a considerable amount of teacher time and effort, particularly potent, varied and individual rewards, and high rates of appropriate behavior previously established using both positive and negative consequences.
Electrical breakdown of a gas between coaxial cylinders at microwave frequencies

The criterion for breakdown of a low pressure gas at microwave frequencies is that the ionization rate equal the diffusion rate for electrons. This principle is applied to compute the breakdown of air in coaxial cylinders using previously reported high frequency ionization coefficient data obtained from breakdown experiments between parallel plates. Agreement between computed and measured results at 9.6-cm wave-length supports the validity of the above criterion for breakdown. The method of computation is illustrative of the general problem of computing breakdown fields for tubes of arbitrary shape and field configuration using ionization coefficient data obtained from uniform field breakdown.
Disorder of an AlAs‐GaAs superlattice by silicon implantation

Data are presented on a 126‐layer AlAs‐GaAs superlattice which has been selectively disordered by silicon implantation. Silicon ions, implanted at 375 keV and a dose of 1014 cm−2, yield a compositionally disordered region 0.33 μm thick centered 0.7 μm below the superlattice surface. The implanted region demonstrates reduced photoluminescence intensity relative to the unimplanted regions of the superlattice. The amphoteric nature of silicon and defect‐induced vacancies account for the range and extent of disordering observed in the superlattice.
The effect of prednisone on the progression from ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis.

Abstract Fifty percent of ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) patients will progress to generalized myasthenia, 90% within 3 years from the onset of ocular symptoms. This study was performed to determine whether treatment with oral prednisone initiated and completed within 2 years from the onset of ocular symptoms would affect the progression of ocular myasthenia to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG). Fifty-six patients were included in this review, with 27 patients in the prednisone-treated group and 29 patients in the untreated group. The treated group was initiated on 60 mg of prednisone daily with a slow taper over 3–6 months. At 2 years, significantly fewer patients in the treated group (3 of 27) progressed to generalized myasthenia when compared to the untreated group (10 of 29) (χ2, p=0.04). Our results suggest that the early use of steroids may decrease progression of ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis. The decision to use steroids should be considered early in the course of patients diagnosed with ocular myasthenia gravis. This study should be considered preliminary and a prospective trial is warranted to confirm our observations.
Dispersion of second‐order optical nonlinearity in chromophoric self‐assembled films by optical parametric amplification: Experiment and theory

The dispersion of the second‐order optical nonlinearity in chromophoric self‐assembled stilbazolium films has been characterized in detail as a function of fundamental wavelength from 800 to 1600 nm using an optical parametric amplifier‐based measurement system. The second‐harmonic generation (SHG) spectrum exhibits a distinctive two‐photon resonance at ℏω=1.3 eV (960 nm). The maximum in the second‐order susceptibility coincides with a low‐energy chromophore‐centered charge‐transfer one‐photon excitation at 480 nm (2.6 eV). The experimental SHG dispersion values compare favorably with theoretical results computed using a semiempirical sum‐over‐states formalism. These indicate that the χ(2) response is dominated by an excitation along the long axis of the stilbazolium chromophore from the highest occupied to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital.
A review of hybridization in marine angelfishes (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae)

Although hybridization of terrestrial and freshwater organisms has been well-studied, very little work has focused on hybridization among coral reef fish species. In the present paper, eleven examples of probable hybrids between marine angelfishes (Pomacanthidae) are reviewed. Evidence is presented which strongly suggests that the nominal speciesApolemichthys armitagei is invalid and that specimens previously identified as this species represent hybrids betweenA. trimaculatus andA. xanthurus. Of the remaining ten probable pomacanthid hybrids, five are inCentropyge (C. eibli x C. flavissimus, C. eibli x C. vrolikii, C. flavissimus x C. vrolikii, C. loricu0lus x C. potteri, andC. multifasciatus x C. venustus); one inHolacanthus (H. bermudensis x H. ciliaris), and four inPomacanthus (P. arcuatus x P. paru, P. chrysurus x P. maculosus, P. maculosus x P. semicirculatus, andP. sexstriatus x P. xanthometapon). An additional five examples of possible pomacanthid hybrids are described, two inCentropyge, two inChaetodontoplus and one inPomacanthus. Examination of hybrids may provide clues on reproductive behavior, dispersal capabilities, and phylogenetic relationships of species. More studies on hybridization in coral reef fish species, particularly those involving molecular techniques, are needed.
Biofilm, City of Microbes

In most natural environments, association with a surface in a structure known as a biofilm is the prevailing microbial lifestyle. Surface association is an efficient means of lingering in a favorable microenvironment rather than being swept away by the current. Taken to the extreme, we may view the
The Scalar Scheme for Reversible Information-Embedding in Gray-Scale Signals: Capacity Evaluation and Code Constructions

Reversible information-embedding (RIE) is a technique transforming host signals and the message into the stego-signals, and the stego-signals can be losslessly reversed to the host signals and the message. We consider the conditions: 1) the host signals are composed of gray-scale independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) samples; 2) the mean squared error is adopted as the measure of distortion; and 3) the procedure is a scalar approach, i.e., the encoder only reads a host signal and then outputs the corresponding stego-signal in each iteration. In this paper, we propose an iterative algorithm to calculate the signal transition probabilities approximating the optimal rate-distortion bound. Then we propose an explicit implementation to embed a message in an i.i.d. host sequence. The experiments show that the proposed method closely approaches the expected rate-distortions in i.i.d. gray-scale signals. By the image prediction model, the proposed method can be applied to gray-scale images.
A Study of Dealuminated Faujasites

Abstract We have examined a series of steamed and chemically dealuminated faujasites, with lattice parameters varying from 2.4488 to 2.4242 nm, using a range of techniques in order to obtain a better understanding of the acid sites in these materials. Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements of isopropylamine showed that only a fraction of the sites associated with framework Al give rise to Bronsted-acid sites, as determined by decomposition of the amine between 575 and 650 K. Infrared spectroscopy indicated that these acidic sites are associated with the hydroxyls observed in a band at 3640 cm−1. No significant differences were observed for TPD-TGA of isopropylamine or for propene oligomerization between a steamed and a chemically dealuminated H-Y having nearly the same lattice parameter; however, TPD-TGA measurements of isopropanol suggest that additional reaction sites are present in the steamed sample for this probe molecule. n-Hexane cracking measurements at 748 and 798 K indicate that turnover frequencies (molecules reacted/site sec) are significantly enhanced by steaming, but that acid leaching reduces the activity back to that observed for a chemically dealuminated material. Microcalorimetry measurements for pyridine and isopropylamine provided no evidence for the presence of special sites in steamed materials. It is suggested that the enhanced cracking activities observed in steamed faujasites are not due to the enhanced acidity of the hydroxyl sites.
ON MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF GENERALIZED FERMAT EQUATIONS

Meromorphic solutions f, g of the equations fp + gq = 1 in C2 with p, q ≥ 2 being integers are not necessarily constant. We show that they always are, if fz2 and gz1 have the same zeros. An application is also given to characterize meromorphic solutions of related nonlinear partial differential equations.
Isomorphism and pseudosymmetry in 2,6-dichloro-and 2,6-dibromobenzonitrile

The title compounds are isomorphous, with two half-molecules in the asymmetric unit of a monoclinic unit cell in the space group C2/m. For the chloro compound: a = 18.0525 (8), b = 20.7374 (10), c = 3. 8334 (2) A, beta = 101.143 (1) degrees; for the bromo compound: a = 18.2269 (15), b = 21.349 (2), c = 3.9663 (3) A, beta = 101.446 (2) degrees. The dominant intermolecular interactions are between halogen atoms rather than between halogen and nitrile, as is the case in the corresponding 2,4,6-trihalobenzonitriles. The molecules pack into layers with a fourfold pseudosymmetry. The pseudosymmetry appears to be the consequence of halogen-halogen intermolecular interactions.
The characteristics of Asia‐Pacific growth triangles

Abstract A new form of economic cooperation has emerged in the Asia‐Pacific in the form of ‘growth triangles’ or GTs. GTs have as their basic aim the co‐operative economic development of bordering regions of three sovereign entities. Building on market forces to concentrate infrastructure and industrial development in one transnational triangle of growth, GTs draw upon worldwide trends of decentralization and globalization of production. Despite their common goal, GTs in the Asia‐Pacific region differ significantly in terms of the extent of utilization of market forces versus institutionalization, degree of openness of markets, and geographical and demographic spread. This article examines the various GTs in the Asia‐Pacific region for a new and promising style of economic cooperation.
Enhanced leaching of copper from chalcopyrite in hydrogen peroxide–glycol system

The dissolution of copper from chalcopyrite was investigated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ethylene glycol. Hydrogen peroxide was used as oxidant in the leaching process. Addition of a small amount of ethylene glycol significantly improved the copper dissolution. The copper leaching mechanism was established by examining the influence of various parameters on the reaction rate in the presence of ethylene glycol. The effect of temperature on the reaction kinetics suggests that the leaching reaction follows the surface reaction-controlled model. The linear relationship between the log of reaction rate constant and log of particle radius supports the proposed reaction model. The reaction order was calculated with respect to hydrogen peroxide which indicates that hydrogen peroxide has greater influence on the leaching kinetics. Stirring speed and sulfuric acid concentration are not important variables. Most of the sulfide ions were transformed to elemental sulfur during the reaction. The elemental sulfur was present on the surface of chalcopyrite residue as discrete crystalline particles instead of a coating of continuous film which causes the passivation of chalcopyrite surface. Ethylene glycol was found to stabilize the hydrogen peroxide at elevated temperature which could be another reason for enhanced recovery.
Vegetation response to western juniper slash treatments.

The expansion of pinon–juniper woodlands the past 100 years in the western United States has resulted in large scale efforts to kill trees and recover sagebrush steppe rangelands. It is important to evaluate vegetation recovery following woodland control to develop best management practices. In this study, we compared two fuel reduction treatments and a cut-and-leave (CUT) treatment used to control western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis spp. occidentalis Hook.) of the northwestern United States. Treatments were; CUT, cut-and-broadcast burn (BURN), and cut-pile-and-burn the pile (PILE). A randomized complete block design was used with five replicates of each treatment located in a curl leaf mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray)/mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. spp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle)/Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis Elmer) association. In 2010, 4 years after tree control the cover of perennial grasses (PG) [Sandberg’s bluegrass (Poa secunda J. Pres) and large bunchgrasses] were about 4 and 5 % less, respectively, in the BURN (7.1 ± 0.6 %) than the PILE (11.4 ± 2.3 %) and CUT (12.4 ± 1.7 %) treatments (P < 0.0015). In 2010, cover of invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) was greater in the BURN (6.3 ± 1.0 %) and was 50 and 100 % greater than PILE and CUT treatments, respectively. However, the increase in perennial bunchgrass density and cover, despite cheatgrass in the BURN treatment, mean it unlikely that cheatgrass will persist as a major understory component. In the CUT treatment mahogany cover increased 12.5 % and density increased in from 172 ± 25 to 404 ± 123 trees/ha. Burning, killed most or all of the adult mahogany, and mahogany recovery consisted of 100 and 67 % seedlings in the PILE and BURN treatments, respectively. After treatment, juniper presence from untreated small trees (<1 m tall; PILE and CUT treatments) and seedling emergence (all treatments) represented 25–33 % of pre-treatment tree density. To maintain recovery of herbaceous, shrub, and mahogany species additional control of reestablished juniper will be necessary.
Degradation of perchloroethylene and dichlorophenol by pulsed-electric discharge and bioremediation

Pulsed electric discharge (PED) and bioreme- diation were combined to create a novel two-stage sys- tem which dechlorinates the halogenated pollutants, 2,4- dichlorophenol and perchloroethylene, with repetitive (0.1-1 kHz), short pulse (~100 ns), low voltage (40-80 kV) discharges and then mineralizes the less chlorinated products with aerobic bacteria. A 6.1 mM aqueous di- chlorophenol sample was cycled through the PED reac- tor (60 kV of applied pulsed voltage and 300 Hz) 6 times, resulting in the release of 55% of the initial dichlorophe- nol chloride ions (1 mM Cl ˛ removed each cycle). The respective average specific efficiency is 0.4-0.6 keV/(Cl ˛ molecule). Pseudomonas mendocina KR1, which grows in minimal medium supplemented with phenol but not with dichlorophenol, increased in cell density in all cul- tures supplemented with the PED-treated DCP samples and yielded a maximum of two-fold additional Cl ˛ re- leased compared to the PED-related alone. The number of PED-treatment cycles, voltage, and frequency were also varied, showing that both cell densities and overall dichlorophenol dechlorination were highly dependent upon the number of PED-treatment cycles, rather than the tested voltages and frequencies. Using this two-stage treatment system, PED released 31% of the initial chlo- ride ions from dichlorophenol (after three cycles at 40-45 kV and 1.2 kHz) while P. mendocina KR1 in the second stage increased dechlorination to 90%. These results were corroborated by the 35% additional chloride release found with activated sludge cultures. Perchloroethylene (0.6 mM) was similarly treated in a first-stage PED reactor (80% chloride removal after four cycles) followed by bio- degradation of the dechlorinated products with a recom- binant toluene o-monooxygenase-expressing Pseudo- monas fluorescens strain. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that the PED reactor created less-chlori- nated byproducts (i.e., trichloroethylene) that were removed (74%) upon exposure to the recombinant bac- terium. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 59: 438-444, 1998.
Generalized continuum modeling of 2-D periodic cellular solids

Abstract A generalized continuum representation of two-dimensional periodic cellular solids is obtained by treating these materials as micropolar continua. Linear elastic micropolar constants are obtained using an energy approach for square, equilateral triangular, mixed triangle and diamond cell topologies. The constants are obtained by equating two different continuous approximations of the strain energy function. Furthermore, the effects of shear deformation of the cell walls on the micropolar elastic constants are also discussed. A continuum micropolar finite element approach is developed for numerical simulations of the cell structures. The solutions from the continuum representation are compared with the “exact” discrete simulations of these cell structures for a model problem of elastic indentation of a rectangular domain by a point force. The utility of the micropolar continuum representation is illustrated by comparing various cell structures with respect to the stress concentration factor at the root of a circular notch.
Evaluation of abnormal exercise electrocardiogram in apparently healthy subjects: labile repolarization (ST-T) abnormalities as a cause of false positive responses.

Abstract Long-term follow-up studies were carried out in 121 apparently healthy men with an abnormal S-T segment response to exercise—49 Indiana State policemen and 72 subjects from a large occupational health center. The mean follow-up periods were 66 months and 43 months, respectively, for the two groups of subjects. A tendency toward labile S-T or T wave abnormalities were documented during standing rest or with hyperventilation in 61 of these 121 subjects and there was only one new coronary event in this subgroup. The labile ST-T wave changes and the abnormal S-T segment responses to exercise were not consistently reproducible in these subjects, and it was not unusual to see an abnormal S-T segment response at a time when the labile repolarization changes could not be demonstrated. Many of the subjects exhibited labile ST-T wave changes only after oral glucose loading. Significant coronary artery disease was documented in 34 (57 percent) of the remaining 60 subjects during the follow-up period. Coronary cineangiographic studies, obtained in 21 of the 35 subjects from the health center who had had no evidence of labile ST-T wave abnormalities, revealed coronary arterial stenoses of 75 percent or greater in 19. A statistical analysis was carried out in the 35 subjects without labile ST-T abnormalities to determine if there were exercise test variables that would differentiate the true positive from the false positive responses. A set of criteria were identified that yielded a specificity of 92 percent, a sensitivity of 82 percent and a predictive value of 95 percent. The entire group of 72 from the health center subjects had undergone an average of 3.8 exercise tests before their referral to the authors' laboratory. A review of these records revealed that a serial conversion from a normal to an abnormal S-T segment response was not more predictive of underlying coronary artery disease than an initially abnormal test result.
Comparison of Conventional and Wire Mesh Expandable Prostheses and Surgical Bypass in Patients With Malignant Esophagorespiratory Fistulas

Abstract Background . Patients who present with malignant esophagorespiratory fistula continue to provide a significant palliative challenge to gastroenterologists and surgeons. Methods . This retrospective series reviewed 29 patients treated with conventional prostheses (13 patients), expandable wire mesh-coated prostheses (12 patients), and surgical bypass with esophageal exclusion (4 patients) between 1982 and 1995. Results . Improvement in dysphagia scores were comparable in all three groups. Fistula occlusion was more successful with expandable prostheses (92%) compared conventional prostheses (77%); however, reinterventions were required more commonly with expandable prostheses, which were also significantly more expensive on a unit cost basis. In selected patients in whom prosthesis placement either was inappropriate or failed, surgical bypass and esophageal exclusion was undertaken. These patients demonstrated good palliation with minimal morbidity and no mortality. Conclusions . Both conventional and expandable prostheses are safe and reasonably straightforward treatment modalities for patients with esophagorespiratory fistulas. Because of ease of insertion and large luminal diameter, expandable metal prostheses will see increasing use in treatment of these difficult patients; however, conventional prostheses will remain a good alternative, especially in patients with extrinsic esophageal compression. When stent placement is either unsuccessful or inadvisable, physiologically fit patients can undergo surgical bypass and esophageal exclusion with good palliation and minimal morbidity and mortality.
The value of traditional upper endoscopy as a diagnostic test for Barrett's esophagus.

Background The standard test for diagnosing Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a conventional upper endoscopy. However, studies have shown that confirmation of BE by endoscopy with histologic intestinal metaplasia can be difficult. Objective To determine the overall accuracy, as well as factors that influence the accuracy of a conventional upper endoscopy in diagnosing BE. Setting Thirteen academic, community, and Veterans Affairs sites. Design A retrospective data review. Patients Patients who underwent an upper endoscopy with a finding of "suspected Barrett's esophagus" and esophageal biopsies. Pathology reports were examined to identify cases with intestinal metaplasia. Main Outcome Measurements Percentage of pathology-confirmed BE among suspected cases. Results A total of 2511 procedures were examined; the frequency of biopsy-confirmed BE was 48.4%. Multivariate logistic regression identified the following factors to be independently associated with biopsy-confirmed BE: long-segment BE that measured ≥3 cm (odds ratio [OR] 4.61 [95% CI, 3.73-5.69]), male sex (OR 1.82 [95% CI, 1.49-2.22]), increasing age (age interval 70-79 years with OR 2.33 compared with age Limitations Biopsy specimens were assumed to sample the tubular esophagus; the actual pathology slides were not reevaluated by the investigators. Conclusions Endoscopic evaluation has limitations for the diagnosis of BE. Specific patient and endoscopic characteristics may be associated with the confirmation of BE on biopsy specimens. Further study is needed to determine if new endoscopic imaging technologies improve the ability to correctly identify BE.
Rain Infiltration into swelling/shrinking/cracking soils

A model for predicting rain infiltration at the field scale with swelling/shrinking/cracking/ soils is described. The simplifying assumptions are: (1) no vertical infiltration takes place due to a sealed surface condition. rainwater moves laterally over the soil surface to the cracks, where it uniformly flows along the vertical walls of the cracks. (2) The geometry is represented by a prismatic column structure with cracks between the columns. The approach consists of a two-component process of Darcian matrix flow in the soil medium and Hortonian flow on the walls of the cracks. The Darcian analysis of horizontal matrix flow uses a spectral series solution of the Richards equation for the wetting front advance. The crack volume is determined from bulk density measurements, from which ponding time estimates can be made. Closed-form expressions are derived for the cumulative infiltration. The analytical results are compared with experimental results obtained for a Mississippi Delta clay soil. For the case, where excess rainwater has reached the bottom of the crack at the moment crack closure occurs, an exact solution is obtained for incipient ponding as a function of crack morphology, rainfall intensity, and sorptivity. Runoff is computed as the difference between the cumulative rainfall and cumulative infiltration.
The Case for Labor Demand Targeting

This paper argues for a fundamental reorientation of fiscal policy from the current aggregate demand management model to a model that explicitly and directly targets the unemployed. Some advantages...
On Hamilton cycle decompositions of r-uniform r-partite hypergraphs

The definition of edge-adjacency can be generalized in multiple ways to hypergraphs, and extended from that, cycles and Hamilton cycles. One such generalization of a Hamilton cycle is attributed to Kierstead and Katona. In a recent paper by Kuhl and Schroeder, Hamilton cycle decompositions of complete r-partite r-uniform hypergraphs are discussed, a conjecture was made that the necessary numerical conditions are sufficient, and was shown true for some cases. In this paper, the conjecture is proved using constructions involving Hamming codes, comparisons between the two constructions are made, and a classification of when they are equivalent is shown.
Caudal vertebral development and morphology in three salamanders with complex life cycles (Ambystoma jeffersonianum, Hemidactylium scutatum, and Desmognathus ocoee).

We describe caudosacral and caudal vertebral morphology across life history stages in three caudate amphibians: Ambystoma jeffersonianum (Ambystomatidae), Desmognathus ocoee (Plethodontidae: Desmognathinae), and Hemidactylium scutatum (Plethodontidae: Plethodontinae). All three species have aquatic larvae, but adults differ in habitat and predator defense strategy. Predator defense includes tail autotomy in D. ocoee and H. scutatum but not A. jeffersonianum. Of the species that autotomize, H. scutatum has a specialized constriction site at the tail base. We investigated whether aquatic larvae exhibit vertebral features similar to those previously described for aquatic adults and examined the effect of metamorphosis, if any, on vertebral morphology and the ontogeny of specialized vertebral features associated with tail autotomy. Interspecific comparisons of cleared-and-stained specimens indicate that vertebral morphology differs dramatically at hatching and that caudosacral and caudal vertebrae undergo continuous ontogenetic change throughout larval, metamorphic, and juvenile periods. Larvae and juveniles of H. scutatum do not exhibit adult vertebral features associated with constricted-base tail autotomy. The pond-type larvae of A. jeffersonianum and H. scutatum have tapering centrum lengths posterior to the sacrum. This pattern is functionally associated with aquatic locomotion. The stream-type larvae of D. ocoee undergo enhanced regional growth in the anterior tail such that the anterior caudal centra become longer than the preceding caudosacral centra. With the exception of the first two caudal vertebrae, a similar growth pattern occurs in H. scutatum adults. We hypothesize that enhanced growth of the anterior caudal segments is associated with tail elongation and autotomy. J. Morphol. 247:142–159, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An analysis of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate content in oral joint supplement products

Abstract Oral supplements intended for the treatment and prevention of joint-related problems in horses may not contain ingredients at levels that meet label claims.
Medical symptoms associated with tobacco smoking with and without marijuana abuse among crack cocaine-dependent patients.

Despite the widespread use of tobacco and marijuana by cocaine abusers, it remains unclear whether combined tobacco and marijuana smoking is more harmful than tobacco smoking alone in cocaine abusers. We investigated the differences in medical symptoms reported among 34 crack cocaine abusers who did not smoke tobacco or marijuana (C), 86 crack cocaine abusers who also smoked tobacco (C + T), and 48 crack abusers who smoked both tobacco and marijuana (C + T + M). Medical symptoms were recorded using a 134-item self-report instrument (MILCOM), and drug use was assessed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). After controlling for clinical and demographic differences, the C + T + M group reported significantly more total symptoms on the MILCOM as well as on the respiratory, digestive, general, and nose/throat subscales than the C + T or C groups. The C + T group reported higher total and respiratory and nose/throat symptoms than the C group. However, the C group had the highest number of mood symptoms amon...
Val153Met Polymorphism of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase and Prevalence of Uterine Leiomyomata

The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene encodes enzymes that inactivate catechol estrogens and may have a protective role in estrogen-induced tumorigenesis, such as uterine leiomyoma (fibroids). Val158Met is a common single-nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene (Ex4-12 G>A; rs4680) that results in a lower activity enzyme, increasing susceptibility to tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between the COMTVal158Met polymorphism and uterine fibroids. Participants were 972 premenopausal African American (n = 576) and white (n = 396) women from a cross-sectional sample of women in the National Institute of Environmental Health Science's Uterine Fibroid Study. Blood was collected from participants for DNA, and telephone interviews and questionnaires were completed to gather demographic and reproductive history. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using race-specific log-risk regression models. Effect measure modification by age, body mass index, ...
Buffering approach for energy saving in video sensors

Networked video sensors need to execute two dependent periodic tasks: video encoding and transmission. The dependency and periodicity often result in small idle intervals of CPU and wireless network interface card (WNIC). In this paper, we present a sender-buffering approach to exploit such idle intervals for energy saving. Specifically, a video sensor encodes frames in a timely fashion, but buffers encoded frames and transmits them in bursts at longer intervals. In doing so, it (1) accumulates short WNIC idle intervals into longer ones, during which the WNIC can enter the lower-power sleep mode, and (2) slows down the CPU by avoiding CPU idle intervals, which are resulted from both early completion of frame encoding and waiting for frame transmission. Our experimental results show that the buffering approach can save 32-80% CPU energy and 35- 54% WNIC energy, while increasing the overall end-to-end transmission delay by at most 2 frames.
Respect: Or, How Respect for Persons Became Respect for Autonomy

This article provides an intellectual archeology of how the term "respect" has functioned in the field of bioethics. I argue that over time the function of the term has shifted, with a significant turning point occurring in 1979. Prior to 1979, the term "respect" connoted primarily the notion of "respect for persons" which functioned as an umbrella which conferred protection to autonomous persons and those with compromised autonomy. But in 1979, with the First Edition of Principles of Biomedical Ethics by Beauchamp and Childress, and the report of the Ethical Advisory Board (EAB) of the (then) Department of Health, Education, and Welfare entitled Research on In Vitro Fertilization, usage shifts from "respect for persons" to "respect for autonomy." Two results: 1) those with compromised autonomy are no longer protected by the canons of "respect" but rather the less overriding canons of beneficence; and 2) the term "respect" functions increasingly as a rhetorical device in public bioethics discourse.
Heat‐resistant polymers containing bipyridyl units. III. Polyimides having o‐, m‐, or p‐phenylenedioxy linkage

New series of diamines having pyridine rings and o-, m-, or p-phenylenedioxy linkages were prepared by condensation of chloronitropyridine with isomeric dihydroxybenzenes followed by chemical reduction. The polymerization of the diamines with benzo-phenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride gave polyamic acids with the inherent viscosities in the range 0.21 to 1.30 dl/g. The conversion of these polyamic acids to polyimides was carried out thermally and the resulting polyimides exhibited very good solubility in organic solvents.
Do medical student's surgical examination scores correlate with performance markers?

BACKGROUND: Some medical school training consists of oral examinations. METHODS: We conducted a 9-year review of third-year medical student examinations including oral examinations, National Board of Medical Examiners Surgery Subject Examination (SSE, ie, shelf), and United States Medical Licensing Examinations Step 1 and Step 2. RESULTS: Step 1 showed a moderate to strong association with Period 1 orals (Somers’ D 5 .297, P ,.001), but not Period 2 orals (Somers’ D 5 .048, P 5.053). Period 1 orals (percentage) had a strong association with SSE (Somers’ D 5 .356, P ,.001) and Step 2 (Somers’ D 5 .368, P ,.001). Period 2 orals (pass/fail) suggested a positive, but not statistically significant, association with SSE (Somers’ D 5 .334, P 5 .085) and Step 2 (Somers’ D 5 .370, P 5 .055). Step 1 shows a strong association with SSE (Somers’ D 5 .490, P , .001). SSE showed a strong association with Step 2 (Somers’ D 5 .506, P , .001). CONCLUSIONS: Orals can be used to identify students who may have difficulty passing the SSE. Step 1 can be used to identify students at risk of poor performance on the SSE, and SSE can be used