cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased stiffness and persistent narrowing of the aorta after successful repair of coarctation of the aorta: relationship to left ventricular mass and blood pressure at rest and with exercise.

Fifteen children and adolescents who had repair of coarctation of the aorta before age 15, who were not hypertensive at rest, and who had resting arm-leg blood pressure gradients of <20 mm Hg underwent noninvasive evaluation of left ventricular structure and function, aortic stiffness, and residual coarctation as well as bicycle exercise testing. These results were compared with those in 15 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The mean resting age-related systolic blood pressure percentiles (63% versus 46%), transverse aortic stiffness measured by the elastic modulus (Ep) (42.1 versus 23.2 kPa), stiffness index beta (β) (3.66 versus 2.17), echocardiographic left ventricular fractional shortening (0.42 versus 0.36), left ventricular mass index (99.3 versus 81.0 gm/m2), maximum exercise right arm systolic blood pressure (173 versus 156 mm Hg), and exercise arm-leg blood pressure gradient (35 versus 6 mm Hg) were significantly increased in the coarctectomy patients compared with controls. Univariate correlations in the coarctectomy group showed significant relationships of residual aortic narrowing with left ventricular mass index (r = 0.68, p < 0.01) and resting systolic blood pressure percentile for age (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). Residual aortic narrowing did not significantly correlate with aortic stiffness, resting blood pressure gradient, or exercise blood pressure gradient. Neither left ventricular mass index nor resting systolic blood pressure percentile significantly correlated with age of repair or years after repair. These results demonstrate persistent abnormalities in aortic stiffness and left ventricular mass and function after successful repair of coarctation of the aorta in childhood and adolescence. Mild degrees of residual aortic narrowing may affect resting blood pressure and left ventricular mass. Elevated blood pressure and blood pressure gradients between upper and lower extremities during exercise may be a reflection of increased arterial stiffness in the upper body as well as mild persistent coarctation.
Near-Optimal Rendezvous Protocols for RDMA-Enabled Clusters

Optimizing Message Passing Interface (MPI) point-to-point communication for large messages is of paramount importance since most communications in MPI applications are performed by such operations. Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) allows one-sided data transfer and provides great flexibility in the design of efficient communication protocols for large messages. However, achieving high performance on RDMA-enabled clusters is still challenging due to the complexity both in communication protocols and in protocol invocation scenarios. In this work, we investigate a profile-driven compiled-assisted protocol customization approach for efficient communication on RDMA-enabled clusters. We analyze existing protocols and show that they are not ideal in many situations. By leveraging the RDMA capability, we develop a set of protocols that can provide near-optimal performance for all protocol invocation scenarios, which allows protocol customization to achieve near-optimal performance when the appropriate protocol is used for each communication. Finally, we evaluate the potential benefits of protocol customization using micro-benchmarks and application benchmarks. The results demonstrate that the proposed protocols can out-perform traditional rendezvous protocols to a large degree in many situations and that protocol customization can significantly improve MPI communication performance.
The Restoration of Nature and Biogeography An Introduction to Alfred Russel Wallace's “Epping Forest„ in 1878

Alfred Russel Wallace was one of the most renowned naturalists and scientific explorers of the 19th century. After 4 years exploring the Amazon basin, he spent 8 years traveling in the Malay Archip...
Interaction of a Rayleigh wave with a disbond in a material interphase normal to a free surface

Abstract Reflection and transmission of Rayleigh surface waves by an interphase between identical or different materials, has been investigated. The interphase is normal to the free surface and contains a discrete disbond. The mechanical behaviour of the interphase is represented by a layer of extensional and shear springs. The mathematical statement of the problem is reduced to a system of singular integral equations for the displacements on the free surface and the tractions and the displacements across the interphase. Numerical solutions of this system have been computed by the use of the boundary element method. Expressions for the reflection and transmission coefficients have subsequently been obtained by the use of half-plane Green's functions in conjunction with an elastodynamic representation integral. Both surface-breaking and near-surface disbonds have been considered. Results are presented for selected values of the elastic constants of the joined bodies, the stiffness parameters of the interphase, the length parameter(s) of the disbond and the wavelength of the incident surface wave.
William C. Rhoden, Third and a Mile: The Trials and Triumphs of the Black Quarterback, An Oral History

William C. Rhoden, Third and a Mile: The Trials and Triumphs of the Black Quarterback, An Oral History (New York: ESPN, 2007). Pp. 240. $24.95. ISBN 978-1-933-06011-8 The release of black quarterba...
20-HETE-induced nitric oxide production in pulmonary artery endothelial cells is mediated by NADPH oxidase, H2O2, and PI3-kinase/Akt

We have shown that 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) increases both superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) production in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs). The current study was ...
Lower Eyelid Reconstruction by Tarsal Transposition

Summary We reconstructed the lower eyelids of 13 patients using a tarsoconjunctival flap from the upper eyelid. The laterally based pedicle flap permitted a one-stage repair without prolonged occlusion of the eye. The technique was best suited to lesions involving the lateral aspect of the lower eyelid, but can be applied to lesions of the central and medial eyelid. The functional and cosmetic results were equal or superior to tarsoconjunctival advancement flaps.
Age and cohort effects on personality factor scores across sexes and racial/ethnic groups.

Abstract Substantial differences exist across ethnic groups and sexes in generational changes in status among groups residing in Hawaii. Despite these generational differences across groups, age differences in personality are remarkably consistent across sexes and racial/ethnic groups, and the few Sex x Age, Ethnicity x Age or Sex x Ethnicity x Age interactions account for little variance in scores. It is concluded that age/generational differences in personality factor scores in these populations result from age and not, to any major degree, from cohort effects.
The luminance of tachistoscope lamps as a function of flash duration

The steady-state luminance of the lamps in a commonly used Iconix tachistoscope was shown to depend, in a complex nonlinear fashion, upon the length of time the lamps were lit. This was probably due to variations in lamp temperature with time. An integrating photometer was used to measure the light energy present in short flashes and in time periods of various durations with the lamps burning continuously. The equivalent luminance of short flashes was calculated by comparing values obtained by integration over a short flash with values resulting from integration, over an identical duration, of the lamps in a steady-state. With flashes up to 50 msec in nominal duration, luminous energy was less than one-half of that present in the same duration with the lamps burning continuously. The importance of this information for the interpretation of tachistoscopic experiments, as well as possible means of monitoring the effects, are discussed.
Canopy cover effects on mass loss, and nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics from decomposing litter in oak and pine stands in northern Lower Michigan

Abstract Patterns of litter decomposition and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release in relation to various levels of canopy cover were examined using litterbags placed on the forest floor of northern red oak ( Quercus rubra L.) and red pine ( Pinus resinosa Ait.) stands in northern Lower Michigan, USA. A series of experimental plots consisted of four levels of canopy cover treatments, i.e. clearcut, 25% (50% during first sampling year), 75%, and uncut. Mass loss from decomposing leaves was higher for oak leaves in red oak stands (approximately 60% loss of the original mass) than for pine needles in red pine stands (approximately 40% loss of the original mass) during the 2 year study period. Leaf mass loss in the clearcut red oak treatment was significantly higher than in the uncut red oak treatment. In contrast, no canopy cover effects on litter mass loss were found in red pine stands. Nitrogen concentrations in decomposing litter increased during the 2 year period in all canopy cover treatments in both stand types, but they did not differ significantly among canopy cover treatments. These results indicate that various levels of red oak and red pine canopy removal generally have a minor impact on litter decomposition and nutrient (N and P) release during the first 2 years following canopy manipulation, except in red oak clearcuts.
Bcl-2 Does Not Inhibit Bax Insertion During Intrinsic Apoptosis

Mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) permeabilization and cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytosol are considered to be the commitment steps of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Cytochrome c release is regulated by the Bcl-2 family proteins, which contains both pro-apoptotic (e.g. BAX) and anti-apoptotic (e.g. Bcl-2) members. It is now well established that after a death signal, cytosolic BAX is translocated to the mitochondrial outer membrane, inserted then in the double leaflet and activated through a conformational change. Activated BAX oligomerizes and might be associated to other mitochondrial proteins, leading to the formation of the Mitochondrial Apoptosis-induced Channel (MAC) into the MOM. This channel allows the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. Bcl-2 inhibits MAC formation and therefore, cytochrome c release. However, the molecular mechanisms through which Bcl-2 affects earlier steps of BAX-mediated apoptosis are not fully understood.In this study we investigated the effects of Bcl-2 over-expression on BAX-mediated apoptosis. We were able to confirm that Bcl-2 over-expression inhibits BAX translocation to the MOM and activation/oligomerization, as previously reported. Bax translocation is generally considered as the primary target of Bcl-2. Surprisingly, Bcl-2 over-expression did not alter the insertion status of BAX into the MOM. These data point out the further step, BAX activation/oligomerization, as the primary target of Bcl-2. Since Bcl-2 does not inhibit BAX insertion, we hypothesize that an event occurring after cytochrome c release triggers somehow a positive feedback on Bax expression and translocation. Thus, the inhibition of cytochrome c release by Bcl-2 could explain the further blocking on BAX translocation.Supported by NYU Research Challenge Funds to LD.
The expression of fatty acid synthase (FASE) is an early event in the development and progression of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Correlation of elevated levels of the lipogenic enzyme, fatty acid synthase (FASE), with advanced stages of some cancers has drawn attention to this enzyme as a possible marker of poor prognosis. Because recent studies have shown that cancer cells are dependent on fatty acid synthetic activity and pharmacologic inhibitors of this enzyme are selectively cytotoxic to cancer cells, expression of FASE also may provide a potential target for intervention in the neoplastic process. To determine the potential usefulness of expression of FASE in the neoplastic process of the lung, we evaluated its pattern of expression immunohistochemically in archival specimens from 60 human lung specimens with squamous cell cancer (SCC) and associated "preneoplastic" lesions compared with its expression in the normal bronchial epithelium of 60 noncancer specimens. The expression of FASE was significantly higher in SCC associated uninvolved bronchial epithelium (mean = 0.40+/-0.03, median = 0.38) compared with its expression in the bronchial epithelium of noncancer specimens (mean = 0.18+/-0.02, median = 0.16) indicating its early expression. We also observed a statistically significant step-wise increase in FASE expression from SCC associated uninvolved bronchial epithelium (mean = 0.40+/-0.03, median = 0.38) to epithelial hyperplasia (0.58+/-0.04, median = 0.57) to SCC (1.53+/-0.06, median = 1.50). The results suggested that expression of FASE is an early event in the development and progression of SCC of the lung. The inhibition of fatty acid synthesis by inhibiting enzymatic function with metabolic analogues may be a useful strategy in the treatment of SCCs. The expression of FASE in early lesions such as SCC associated uninvolved bronchial epithelium and epithelial hyperplasia might also provide a potential means for intervention early in the neoplastic process in the lung or even preventing their malignant transformation to invasive carcinomas.
On the perfect accuracy of an approximate subscript analysis test

The Banerjee test is commonly considered to be the more accurate of the two major approximate data dependence tests used in automatic vectorization/parallelization of loops, the other being the GCD test. From its derivation, however, there is no simple explanation of why the Banerjee test should be nearly as accurate as it is given credit for. We present a set of sufficient conditions for the Banerjee test's accuracy, and explain its perceived accuracy in actual practice by proving that under circumstances which occur extremely frequently in actual code, the Banerjee test is, in fact, not approximate, but perfectly accurate.
Self-esteem and reactance: Further evidence of attitudinal and motivational consequences

Abstract The present experiments were designed to explore further the relationship between self-esteem and reactance within the domains of achievement and persuasion. Previous research in the achievement context has shown that self-esteem and reactance are positively related. Experiment 1 sought to extend this relationship into the persuasion setting. As predicted, a positive self-esteem/reactance relationship was obtained. The second experiment was designed to identify a factor that might moderate the relationship between self-esteem and reactance: degree of freedom threat. Previous research in the persuasion context has shown that the aforementioned self-esteem/reactance relationship is attenuated or even reversed when freedom threat is low rather than high. Experiment 2 sought to extend this relationship into the achievement context. As predicted, the positive self-esteem/reactance relationship was considerably weakened in the low-threat environment of Experiment 2, especially in comparison to previous research in which freedom threat was considerably higher. Taken together, the present and previous studies show consistent relationships between self-esteem and reactance across achievement and persuasion domains, suggesting that the essence of reactance is similar in these two domains. Practical implications are also discussed.
Evolution of hot corrosion resistance of YSZ, Gd2Zr2O7, and Gd2Zr2O7 + YSZ composite thermal barrier coatings in Na2SO4 + V2O5 at 1050 °C

Abstract This paper compares the hot corrosion performance of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), Gd2Zr2O7, and YSZ + Gd2Zr2O7 composite coatings in the presence of molten mixture of Na2SO4 + V2O5 at 1050 °C. These YSZ and rare earth zirconate coatings were prepared by atmospheric plasma spray (APS). Chemical interaction is found to be the major corrosive mechanism for the deterioration of these coatings. Characterizations using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicate that in the case of YSZ, the reaction between NaVO3 and Y2O3 produces YVO4 and leads to the transformation of tetragonal ZrO2 to monoclinic ZrO2. For the Gd2Zr2O7 + YSZ composite coating, by the formation of GdVO4, the amount of YVO4 formed on the YSZ + Gd2Zr2O7 composite coating is significantly reduced. Molten salt also reacts with Gd2Zr2O7 to form GdVO4. Under a temperature of 1050 °C, Gd2Zr2O7 based coatings are more stable, both thermally and chemically, than YSZ, and exhibit a better hot corrosion resistance.
Health, safety and risk in Outward Bound

There are five USA Outward Bound schools with an annual enrollment of 30000 students. The national office has general supervisory responsibility for safety, although each school has its own Safety Committee and local operating procedures. All safety incidents, including injuries, illnesses,'near misses', student dropouts, and incident-associated activities are reported to the national office annually. Overall injury rates for all schools from 1978–1988 were 0.75 per 1000 student days. The 1988 injury rate was 0.49 and illness rate 0.40 per 1000 student days. Since 1962 there have been 13 accidental student deaths, 3 instructor deaths, and 4 deaths unrelated to accidents. The last accidental death was in 1978. Statistics for 1988 and 1989 are reviewed in detail, and a comparison made between injury rates in Outward Bound and in common sports. The injury rates in Outward Bound compare favorably with those in other sports; well supervised wilderness experiential education is as safe as, or safer than, other activities of urban youth.
Trends in Surgical Management of Femoral Neck Fractures in the United States

We examined trends in utilization of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), THA, and hemiarthroplasty (HA) for femoral neck fractures. Closed femoral neck fractures managed with ORIF or hip arthroplasty (n = 162,257) were extracted from 1990 to 2001 Nationwide Inpatient Samples. Trends were examined during three periods (1990–1993 [Period I], 1994–1997 [Period II], and 1998–2001 [Period III]). Utilization of HA increased from 67.8% in Period I to 75.3% in Period III. In the same period, utilization of THA decreased from 11.6% to 6.6%. The trend of decreased use of THA was consistent regardless of age, hospital, or surgeon volume. In Period III, 28.7% of patients were managed at urban teaching hospitals as compared with 19.6% in Period I. Increased utilization of HA conforms with recent evidence that arthroplasty has better outcomes than ORIF. However, the decrease in THA is contrary to what was expected, and its impact on patient outcomes needs to be evaluated. The increase in the proportion of femoral fractures managed at urban teaching hospitals may reflect a change in the organization of trauma systems during the last decade. Level of Evidence: Level II, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Gas phase synthesis of MTBE on fluoride-modified zeolites

The gas phase synthesis of MTBE was studied using three series of zeolites modified by ion-exchange with ammonium fluoride, the parent materials being HY, H-mordenite, and HZSM-5. Modification of zeolites by fluoride-exchange was found to enhance the MTBE synthesis activity for all three types of zeolites without impairing their excellent selectivity to MTBE. The mechanism of activity enhancement by fluoride-modification appears to be related to the formation of extra-lattice Al rather than the presence of fluoride-ions.
Characterization of heterogeneous immobilized enzyme subpopulations using EPR spectroscopy

Direct evidence was obtained for the existence of two distinct forms of active alpha-chymotrypsin immobilized on CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of five different spin-labeled immobilized enzyme formulations in the presence of indole were all resolved into the same two spectral components. Both subpopulation spectra were approximately identified experimentally, and the subpopulation exhibiting greatly restricted spin-label motion was shown also to be relatively inaccessible to solvent. Using overall specific activity data and subpopulation fractions from EPR spectral analysis, the specific activity of the more constricted immobilized enzyme active form was shown to be approximately 15 times smaller than that of the other class of immobilized enzyme molecules with an indole EPR spectrum similar to that of chymotrypsin in solution. Variations in overall specific activity of formulations with different loadings and different supports results entirely from changes in the proportions of the same two subpopulations of immobilized enzyme molecules.
Proper Organization of Microtubule Minus Ends Is Needed for Midzone Stability and Cytokinesis

Successful cytokinesis is critical for maintaining genome stability and requires the assembly of a robust central spindle to specify the cleavage furrow position, to prevent separated chromosomes from coming back together, and to contribute to midbody abscission. A proper central spindle is assembled and maintained by a number of microtubule-associated and molecular motor proteins that sort microtubules into bundles with their plus ends overlapping at the center. The mechanisms by which different factors organize the central spindle microtubules remain unclear. We found that perturbation of the minus-end-directed Kinesin-14 HSET increased the frequency of polyploid cells, which resulted from a failure in cytokinesis. In addition, HSET knockdown resulted in severe midzone microtubule organization, most notably at microtubule minus ends, as well as mislocalization of several midbody-associated proteins. Biochemical analysis showed that both human HSET and Xenopus XCTK2 cofractionated with the gamma-tubulin ring complexes on sucrose gradients and that XCTK2 associated with gamma-tubulin and Xgrip109 by immunoprecipitation. Our data reveal the novel finding that a minus-end-directed motor contributes to the organization and stability of the central spindle, which is needed for proper cytokinesis.
The nature of the boron-carbon double bond in 2,4-diboramethylenecyclopropane

Abstract The structure of the title compound has been determined by means of ab initio SCF theory using a double-zeta plus polarization basis set. A very unusual, nearly bicyclic geometry has been found as global minimum, which contains a strong boron-carbon double bond. The results of theoretically determined vibrational frequencies and IR intensities are reported and provide useful information on the structure and topomerization processes of 2,4-diboramethylenecyclopropane.
Problems in the application of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) in rural substance abuse services

The aim of this research was to test the utility of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) in a rural community substance abuse outpatient treatment center and to predict future alcohol and drug problems based on ASI information. Substance abuse counselors used the ASI to assess the problems of 89 adult clients at intake, and research staff assessed drug use outcomes 3 months later. There were significant improvements between intake and follow-up on the scores on the alcohol, drug, legal, and family sections of the ASI. Scores on the alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and medical sections of the ASI predicted some of the variance (16%) in drug and alcohol use outcomes, but psychiatric, medical, legal, and employment problems were not significant predictors. There was some difficulty in obtaining adequate reliability in counselors' severity ratings for alcohol problems. The relationship of counselors' severity ratings to the more objective composite scores varied substantially by subsection of the ASI. The improvements in alcohol and drug use indices appeared to be more related to subjective appraisals of problems related to use rather than due to changes in drug-using behavior. Implications of these findings and recommendations for further research using the ASI are discussed.
Resonant Raman scattering in germanium and zincblende-type semiconductors temperature dependence

Abstract We have measured the resonance in the Raman scattering near the E1 gaps of InAs and of a Ge0.77 Si0.23 alloy at 77, 300 and 594°K. In contrast to the E1 gap determined in absorption and transmission measurements, the coresponding peak in the spectral dependence of the scattering cross section shifts very little with temperature; it occurs at all temperatures very near the energy of the absorption peak measured at low temperatures (∼ 77°K).
Perinatal asphyxia: Timing and mechanisms of injury in neonatal encephalopathy

This article summarizes the recent medical literature regarding perinatal asphyxia with respect to timing and mechanisms of injury for neonates who were clinically diagnosed with an encephalopathy in the newborn period. Multiple mechanisms of injury are reviewed, including genetic vulnerability, acquired inflammatory responses, and clotting defects that can lead to ischemic-induced brain damage. Before effective treatments for fetal and neonatal brain disorders can be developed, accurate and timely diagnoses of fetal or neonatal brain injury must be achieved. Specific subsets of children can then benefit from neuroprotective strategies that can target the specific developmental aspects of brain adaptation or plasticity relative to the specific etiology and timing of injury after asphyxia.
Motor learning of a bimanual task in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) have been shown to improve their motor performance with sufficient practice. However, little is known about how they learn goal-oriented tasks. In the current study, 21 children with unilateral CP (age 4-10 years old) and 21 age-matched typically developed children (TDC) practiced a simple bimanual speed stack task over 15 days of practice. Both groups demonstrated their ability to learn the current bimanual task, but their rate of improvement and learning pattern differed. Children with unilateral CP overall were slower and improved ~10% less than TDC. Most of the improvement occurred during the first 3 days for the TDC, whereas performance did not plateau until 6-8 days for the children with unilateral CP. This initial slower learning rate for children with unilateral CP was also confirmed by better fitting of the curve to an exponential function than the power law function (p<0.05). Therefore, when working with children with unilateral CP, sufficient practice is important (two to three times more than for TDC), and delayed improvement is expected.
Use of Potentially Curative Therapies for Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer in the United States: Results from the National Cancer Data Base

Abstract Background Despite its lethal potential, many patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) do not receive aggressive, potentially curative therapy consistent with established practice standards. Objective To characterize the treatments received by patients with MIBC and analyze their use according to sociodemographic, clinical, pathologic, and facility measures. Design, setting, and participants Using the National Cancer Data Base, we analyzed 28 691 patients with MIBC (stages II–IV) treated between 2004 and 2008, excluding those with cT4b tumors or distant metastases. Treatments included radical or partial cystectomy with or without chemotherapy (CT), chemoradiotherapy (CRT), radiation therapy (RT), or CT alone and observation following biopsy. Aggressive therapy (AT) was defined as radical or partial cystectomy or definitive RT/CRT (total dose ≥50Gy). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis AT use and correlating variables were assessed by multivariable, generalized estimating equation models adjusted for facility clustering. Results and limitations According to the database, 52.5% of patients received AT; 44.9% were treated surgically, 7.6% received definitive CRT or RT, and 25.9% of patients received observation only. AT use decreased with advancing age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.34 for age 81–90 yr vs ≤50 yr; p p 0.001), the uninsured (OR: 0.73; p 0.001), Medicaid-insured patients (OR: 0.81; p = 0.01), and at low-volume centers (OR: 0.64 vs high-volume centers; p 0.001). Use of AT was higher with increasing tumor stage (OR: 2.23 for T3/T4a vs T2; p 0.001) and nonurothelial histology (OR: 1.25 and 1.43 for squamous and adenocarcinoma, respectively; p 0.001). Study limitations include retrospective design and lack of information about patient and provider motivations regarding therapy selection. Conclusions AT for MIBC appears underused, especially in the elderly and in groups with poor socioeconomic status. These data point to a significant unmet need to inform policy makers, payers, and physicians regarding appropriate therapies for MIBC.
Stability of pantoprazole in 0.9% sodium chloride injection in polypropylene syringes

Pantoprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor used primarily for the short-term medical management of erosive esophagitis associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease.[1][1] It is a weak base (pKa ≈ 4) with stability in aqueous solution dependent on pH; the rate of degradation increases with
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of the Products of Laser-Ablated Thorium Atom Reactions with H2O in Excess Argon

Reactions of laser-ablated Th atoms with H2O during condensation in excess argon have formed a variety of intriguing new Th, H, O species. Infrared absorptions at 1406.0 and 842.6 cm-1 are assigned to the H−Th and ThO stretching vibrations of HThO. Absorptions at 1397.2, 1352.4, and 822.8 cm-1 are assigned to symmetric H−Th−H, antisymmetric H−Th−H, and ThO stretching vibrations of the major primary reaction product H2ThO. Thorium monoxide (ThO) produced in the reaction inserts into H2O to form HThO(OH), which absorbs at 1341.0, 804.0, and 542.6 cm-1. Both HThO(OH) and ThO2 add another H2O molecule to give HTh(OH)3 and OTh(OH)2, respectively. Weaker thorium hydride (ThH1-4) absorptions were also observed. Relativistic DFT and ab initio calculations were performed on all proposed molecules and other possible isomers. The good agreement between experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts provides support for these first identifications of Th, H, O...
DPDE-based mesoscale simulations of shock response of HE composites

The dissipative particle dynamics with energy conservation (DPDE) method is extended to simulate the shock response of high energetic (HE) materials at micron length scales. The symmetrical impact of an RDX impactor and target plates with 1μm diameter spheres is simulated at planar impact velocities of 208 m/s and 876 m/s with a Lennard-Jones-like potential, dissipative, and random forces, and artificial viscosity force between particles. The in situ shock quantities were obtained using Hardy's averaging. In situ longitudinal stresses from simulations were 0.84 and 3.82 GPa. Values from the literature are 0.81 and 2.92 GPa at the two impact velocities, respectively. The uniaxial strain condition was predicted with equal lateral stresses and negligible shear stresses. The higher stress value at 876 m/s may be due to lack of inelasticity in the interparticle potential. The temperature increases of 5.5 0K and 93.7 0K, respectively, were predicted assuming dissipation of a fraction of the potential energy. It is concluded that the DPDE method holds promise for a unified computational framework for multi-scale simulations of HE.
Electrical Conductivity, Relaxation and the Glass Transition: A New Look at a Familiar Phenomenon

Annealed samples from a single melt of a 10 mol% K2O-90SiO2 glass were reheated to temperatures ranging from 450 to 800 C, held isothermally for 20 min, and then quenched in either air or a silicon oil bath. The complex impedance of both the annealed and quenched samples was measured as a function of temperature from 120 to 250 C using ac impedance spectroscopy from 1 Hz to 1 MHz. The dc conductivity, sigma(sub dc), was measured from the low frequency intercept of depressed semicircle fits to the complex impedance data. When the sigma(sub dc) at 150 C was plotted against soak temperature, the results fell into three separate regions that are explained in terms of the glass structural relaxation time, tau(sub S). This sigma(sub dc) plot provides a new way to look the glass transition range, Delta T(sub r). In addition, sigma(sub dc) was measured for different soak times at 550 C, from which an average relaxation time of 7.3 min was calculated. It was found that the size and position of the Delta T(sub r) is controlled by both the soak time and cooling rate.
Comparison of Prevalence Calculations Using Infection Control Surveillance Methods and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry Guidelines

Abstract BACKGROUND: In May 2003, the consensus document was published entitled, Infection Control Recommendations for Patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Microbiology, Important Pathogens, and Infection Control Practices to Prevent Patient-to-Patient Transmission. The recommendations are based on the basic principle that CF pathogens are transmitted by the droplet and contact routes. The CF Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR) compiles and publishes the age-specific prevalence of respiratory pathogens in CF patients each year. Our CF Center participates in this registry and uses the data to compare our pathogen-specific prevalence with national data. Discrepancies were found when comparing our data with those from the CFFPR due to difference in the methods of calculating prevalence. OBJECTIVE: To understand how different methods of analysis might influence the interpretation of center-specific, as compared to national registry, infection control data. METHODS: The Department of Infection Prevention and Control at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), in collaboration with the CHOP Cystic Fibrosis Center, conducts active surveillance of cystic fibrosis patients for Burkholderia cepacia (BC) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Traditionally, prevalence data at our institution were reported based on the number of patients ever colonized with BC or MRSA (termed IPC prevalence). Upon review of CFFPR reporting guidelines, we calculated the period prevalence of colonization based on isolation of BC or MRSA within the past calendar year (termed CFFPR prevalence) and stratified our data by age group. RESULTS: Comparison of IPC and CFFPR prevalence revealed discrepant results. For active patients in the CHOP CF Center, IPC prevalence of MRSA was 10.0%. However, the prevalence of MRSA as determined by CFFPR reporting guidelines was markedly lower; CFFR prevalence was 5.5%. In contrast, IPC prevalence of BC was 7.4%, while CFFPR prevalence was 6.7%. Consistent with national data, we observed higher prevalence of these two critical pathogens was observed in the 11–17 and 18–24 age groups compared to younger age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Caution is needed when comparing data from national registries with data collected by infection control departments within individual centers. Differences in collecting and reporting data to the CF Foundation from traditional infection control surveillance methods must be fully appreciated by those using these data for benchmarking purposes.
Modelling of the threshold voltage distributions of sub-20nm NAND flash memory

The proliferation of NAND flash memory in consumer devices has driven their aggressive cost reduction by continuous scaling to smaller technology nodes. However, this relentless cost per capacity improvement has diminished the reliability of flash memory to a degree that advanced signal processing and error correction are needed to enhance signal integrity in current flash-based systems. Accurate models of flash readback signals are necessary to properly design such advanced signal enhancement schemes. We propose a new parametric model of the flash readback signal based on fitting threshold voltage distributions from NAND flash devices. We show accurate fitting results for flash devices cycled up to 10 times longer than their nominal endurance specification, and provide simple expressions of the model parameters as a function of program/erase cycles. Finally, we also demonstrate that the proposed model can be used to capture effects such as programming errors, that occur in over-stressed flash devices.
Pharmacological evidence for opioid and adrenergic mechanisms controlling growth hormone, prolactin, pancreatic polypeptide, and catecholamine levels in humans

A group of 14 healthy subjects received 50 mg/kg body weight of 2 deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) IV in a 20-minute infusion to induce glucoprivation and stimulate the release of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), pancreatic polypeptide (hPP), and catecholamines. Six subjects having spontaneously high GH baseline levels (greater than 8 ng/mL) failed to mount a GH response to 2DG-induced glucoprivation while eight subjects having low GH baseline levels (less than 8 ng/mL) all had increases (greater than 10 ng/mL) of GH levels after 2DG (P less than 0.05). Baseline level of GH was a reliable predictor of subsequent GH response to 2DG. Administration of the alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist clonidine (0.5 mg po) reliably increased GH levels (P less than 0.05). Elevated GH levels following clonidine administration abolished GH responses to subsequently infused 2DG (P less than 0.05). While these data do not exclude the possibility of a short loop feedback control of GH secretion, they strongly suggest that the direction of the GH response to a provocative stimulus is determined by the antecedent GH level and that an alpha-adrenoreceptor mechanism is involved in such a biphasic modulation of GH levels. Clonidine administration significantly reduced total catecholamine, pancreatic polypeptide, and prolactin response to 2DG while opiate receptor blockade with naloxone (10 mg IV bolus followed by 2 mg/hr) did not affect catecholamine and pancreatic polypeptide response but did slightly attenuate the GH and PRL response to glucoprivation. We conclude that alpha adrenoreceptor mechanisms are of major importance while opiate receptor mechanisms are of relatively minor importance in modulating the effects of glucoprivation on sympathetic outflow and hPP, GH, and PRL levels.
Reflections on customer knowledge management in e-business

Customer knowledge is an important asset for all businesses. The rhetoric of e‐business emphasises the opportunities for knowing customers in the digital economy. This article sets the context with a brief summary of the key characteristics of the knowledge management paradigm. This is used as a platform for the themes that form the core of this article: defining the knowledge that the organisation requires; knowledge tools and the relationships between data, information and knowledge; the role of customer communities in CKM; bounding and structuring organisational knowledge communities; ownership of knowledge assets; integrating customer knowledge across channels; and comparing customer knowledge management with customer relationship management. The overarching message of the article is that customer knowledge management is not just about data. Organisations need to develop strategies that enable them to capitalise on the dynamic integration of systems and people.
Diironhexacarbonyl clusters with imide and amine ligands: hydrogen evolution catalysts

The reaction of Fe3(CO)12 and N-(4-thiolphenyl)-1,8-naphthalimide afforded a new diironhexacarbonyl complex (3). The integrity and electronic structure of 3 has been determined by elemental analysis and spectroscopy (NMR and infrared). Infrared spectrum of 3 shows peaks at 2000, 2040, and 2075 cm−1 ascribed to stretching frequencies of the terminal metal carbonyls. Compound 4 was obtained from the reaction of Fe3(CO)12 and 4-aminothiolphenol. A comparison of the electronic, electrochemical, and electrocatalytic properties of 3 and 4 are discussed. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that 3 and 4 catalyze the reduction of acetic acid to produce hydrogen at −2.19 V and −1.88 V versus Fc/Fc+, respectively.
On A Normal Ordering Ambiguity In The Twisted Wzw Model

Abstract We clarify a normal ordering ambiguity that exists in the definition of the stress-energy tensor of the twisted WZW model, and present in detail the regularization procedure that gives rise to a modular invariant spectrum. We prove a generalization of the Goddard-Nahm-Olive theorem to the twisted case and derive the condition on the twist for which an associated heterotic string model always possesses massless spacetime fermions.
Use of gap repair in fission yeast to obtain novel alleles of specific genes

We have adapted a method for making libraries of mutations in any specific gene for use in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe . This elegant and simple method consists of PCR amplification of the gene of interest, followed by co-transformation of fission yeast with the PCR fragment and a linearized plasmid vector prepared such that the ends of the vector share DNA sequence with the ends of the PCR fragment. Homologous recombination between the vector and the PCR fragment occurs at a high frequency and results in a collection of yeast transformants, most harboring a mutated allele of the original gene within the vector of choice. This library can then be screened or selected for phenotypes of interest.
Effects of the Repeal of Missouri’s Handgun Purchaser Licensing Law on Homicides

In the USA, homicide is a leading cause of death for young males and a major cause of racial disparities in life expectancy for men. There are intense debate and little rigorous research on the effects of firearm sales regulation on homicides. This study estimates the impact of Missouri's 2007 repeal of its permit-to-purchase (PTP) handgun law on states' homicide rates and controls for changes in poverty, unemployment, crime, incarceration, policing levels, and other policies that could potentially affect homicides. Using death certificate data available through 2010, the repeal of Missouri's PTP law was associated with an increase in annual firearm homicides rates of 1.09 per 100,000 (+23 %) but was unrelated to changes in non- firearm homicide rates. Using Uniform Crime Reporting data from police through 2012, the law's repeal was associated with increased annual murders rates of 0.93 per 100,000 (+16 %). These estimated effects translate to increases of between 55 and 63 homicides per year in Missouri.
Pre-college Electrical Engineering Instruction: The Impact of Abstract vs. Contextualized Representation and Practice on Learning

Background While engineering instructional materials and practice problems for pre-college students are often presented in the context of real-life situations, college-level texts are typically written in abstract form. Purpose (Hypothesis) The goal of this study was to jointly examine the impact of contextualizing engineering instruction and varying the number of practice opportunities on pre-college students' learning and learning perceptions. Design/Method Using a 3 × 2 factorial design, students were randomly assigned to learn about electrical circuit analysis with an instructional program that represented problems in abstract, contextualized, or both forms, either with two practice problems or four practice problems. The abstract problems were devoid of any real-life context and represented with standard abstract electrical circuit diagrams. The contextualized problems were anchored around real-life scenarios and represented with life-like images. The combined contextualized-abstract condition added abstract circuit diagrams to the contextualized representation. To measure learning, students were given a problem-solving near-transfer post-test. Learning perceptions were measured using a program-rating survey where students had to rate the instructional program's diagrams, helpfulness, and difficulty. Results Students in the combined contextualized-abstract condition scored higher on the post-test, produced better problem representations, and rated the program's diagrams and helpfulness higher than their counterparts. Students who were given two practice problems gave higher program diagram and helpfulness ratings than those given four practice problems. Conclusions These findings suggest that pre-college engineering instruction should consider anchoring learning in real-life contexts and providing students with abstract problem representations that can be transferred to a variety of problems.
Variability in habitat, diet, and social structure of Hapalemur griseus in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.

This study investigated the effects of habitat on the diet, population density, and social structure of a small-bodied folivore, Hapalemur griseus. Three groups of H. griseus were followed at two study sites (Tala and Vato) within Ranomafana National Park in southeastern Madagascar. These two sites differed in degree of habitat disturbance, forest composition, and forest structure, as determined by botanical plots (50 × 10 m) which were monitored twice monthly in the home ranges of three study groups (group T, n = 4; group V1, n = 4; group V2, n = 2). Tala has experienced more habitat disturbance compared to Vato, and this appeared to influence population density and group size. The H. griseus that inhabit Tala occur at much higher densities and in larger social groups than the H. griseus at Vato. These results may be attributable to: 1) a greater number of potential food sources, 2) a more dense resource base, and/or 3) higher-quality resources at Tala for this folivore. In general, dietary diversity for all groups was low, and groups exploited similar plant species. However, within this small range of food sources, each study group specialized in food sources found in the highest abundance within their home range. This resulted in dietary differences between groups within sites, as well as differences between sites. Introduced tree species such as Chinese guava (Psidium cattleyanum) may have greatly impacted the diet and social structure of those groups at Tala, whose home ranges included this food source. In contrast, Vato group 1 ingested more new and mature leaves of Ficus spp., and Vato group 2 primarily ate spider bamboo (Nastus elongatus). In conclusion, it seems that microhabitat differences, which may be related to habitat disturbance and/or other factors such as topography, influenced the food species ingested by H. griseus. Overall habitat quality, which is likely also affected by habitat disturbance, influenced general diet, population density, and group size. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A case of Hodgkin's lymphoma with severely impaired liver function treated successfully with gemcitabine followed by ABVD.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) originates from clonal B cells and is the most common malignancy in the second decade of life. Liver involvement is uncommon at presentation in patients with HL and there is a paucity of data for treatment of patients with severely impaired liver function. We present an unusual case of HL with severe hepatic impairment, splenomegaly and multiple chromosomal abnormalities that was treated initially with gemcitabine and steroids. Once liver function tests improved, six cycles of Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine were administered. The patient remains in remission at 3.5 years of follow-up.