cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Density-functional formulation of the generalized pseudopotential theory. II

The density-functional formulation of the generalized pseudopotential theory (GPT) set forth in paper I of this set is recast in an optimum representation and more widely applied to empty- and filled-$d$-band metals. Optimization is achieved by making the most advantageous separation possible of (i) the hybridization potential into volume-dependent (${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{vol}}$) and structure-dependent (${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{struc}}$) parts, and (ii) the nonuniform component of the valence-electron density into screening and orthogonalization-hole contributions. The resulting new definitions of these quantities permit the entire contribution of ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{struc}}$ to the total energy to be folded into the original framework of the theory, where ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{struc}}$ was n\'eglected. The energy-wave-number characteristic $F(q)$ and overlap potential ${v}_{\mathrm{o}1}(r)$ then assume simpler and more computationally efficient forms, in which certain large numerical cancellations otherwise inherent in the calculation of physical properties are eliminated. The new representation also makes clearer the ranges of applicability of the empty-and filled-$d$-band limits of the theory. The optimized GPT is shown to provide an excellent description of the group-$\mathrm{II}A$ metals Ca and Sr in the empty-$d$-band limit and of the group-$\mathrm{II}B$ metals Zn and Cd in the filled-$d$-band limit. Somewhat surprisingly, however, a filled-$d$-band treatment is found not to be adequate in the noble metals because the number of electrons effectively emptied out of the $d$ states through hybridization (\ensuremath{\sim} \textonehalf{} electron/atom) is not small relative to the nominal valence (1 electron/atom). It is further shown that a much more accurate description of the noble metals can be expected by allowing the $d$ states to unfill and a self-consistent valence to be achieved in zero order, and the first steps towards implementing the partially-filled-$d$-band limit of the GPT are considered here. Finally, extensive applications of the optimized GPT that we have made on the band structure, cohesion, liquid-metal transport, lattice dynamics, and structural phase stability in 22 simple and -$d$-band metals are summarized and compared with both experiment and the density-functional calculations of Moruzzi, Janak, and Williams.
Have hair follicle stem cells shed their tranquil image

In a recent issue of Nature Genetics, Jaks et al. (2008) demonstrate that hair follicle cells expressing the intestinal stem cell marker Lgr5 are hair follicle epithelial stem cells. In contrast to the established bulge stem cell population, Lrg5+ cells are actively cycling and reside in part outside the bulge.
Agile Condor: A scalable high performance embedded computing architecture

The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate Advanced Computing and Communications Division is developing a new computing architecture, designed to provide high performance embedded computing (HPEC) pod solution to meet operational and tactical real-time processing intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. This newly designed system, Agile Condor, is a scalable and HPEC system based on open industry standards that will increase, far beyond the current state-of-the-art, computational capability within the restrictive size, weight and power constraints of unmanned aircraft systems' external “pod” payloads. The objective with such a system is to explore and develop innovative system solutions to meet future Air Force real-time HPEC; e.g., multi-mission, multi-function ISR processing and exploitation. While the core compute capability can be placed in various environments, our baseline design utilizes a 12-inch diameter flight-certified aeronautics pod that is scalable in length. Agile Condor can be connected to external data sources, or the nose and tail can be made of Radio Frequency (RF) transparent material, enabling the use of various RF sensing technologies within the same aeronautics enclosure. Inside this pod is a lightweight, thermally-efficient industry standard 3U VPX conduction cooled (with unconditioned ambient air) chassis that supports the required board and interface hardware. Agile Condor brings high-performance computing closer to sensors and immediately enables future research and development efforts in neuromorphic computing and autonomous system operations.
Teaching statistics to non-mathematics majors: Interdisciplinary integration with R and EDA

In this paper, we consider statistics as a college level subject from a number of different perspectives. The paper defines statistics, states the goals of introductory statistics courses, and outlines different directions of the course. The paper sketches the main topics of the course and discusses the necessity of real life examples and exercises targeting specific majors. It is a necessity for students to be able to explore data before using standard statistical methods. A number of tools are considered to facilitate work on the problems and exploration process. We argue that R is one of the most appropriate tools for the task, and suggest a way to introduce R into the course as a means of implementing this approach and allowing students to gain a better hands-on experience with real life examples.
Kinetics of lipase-catalysed interesterification of triglycerides in cyclohexane

Abstract The kinetics of interesterification reactions catalysed by Candida cylindracea lipase in cyclohexane have been investigated. The enzymatic rate constants K m and V max have been measured for the hydrolysis of trilaurin and the esterification of dilaurin and lauric acid, in the absence of mass transfer limitations. The enzymatic turnover number for esterification is three times higher than that for hydrolysis, suggesting that hydrolysis may be the rate-controlling step in interesterification. Equations are presented for K m and V max in terms of elementary-step rate constants.
Relativized Quantum Physics Generating N-Valued Coulomb Force and Atomic Hydrogen Energy Spectrum

Though not well-known, Einstein endeavored much of his life to general-relativize quantum mechanics, (rather than quantizing gravity). Albeit he did not succeed, his legacy lives on. In this paper, we begin with the general relativistic field equations describing flat spacetime, but stimulated by vacuum energy fluctuations. In our precursor paper, after straightforward general relativistic calculations, the resulting covariant and contravariant energy-momentum tensors were identified as n-valued operators describing graviton excitation. From these two operators, we were able to generate all three boson masses (including the Higgs mass) in precise agreement as reported in the 2010 CODATA (NIST); moreover local, as-well-as large-scale, accelerated spacetimes were shown to naturally occur from this general relativized quantum physics approach (RQP). In this paper, applying the same approach, we produce an n-valued Coulombs Force Law leading to the energy spectrum for atomic hydrogen, without assuming quantized atomic radii, velocity and momentum, as Bohr did.
Numerical Simulation of Air Sparging for Remediation of NAPL Contamination

A numerical simulation study of air sparging for the removal of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) from the subsurface is presented. These simulations were performed using the T2VOC integrated finite-difference, multiphase-flow, contaminant transport code. The code is used to model two-dimensional air sparging experiments from Ji et al. (1993) which include both homogeneous and heterogeneous permeability distributions. The model predicts the experimental gas plume shape and behavior very well. Field-scale simulations using a radially symmetric, cylindrical mesh are then used to model hypothetical DNAPL and LNAPL spills and air sparging remediation performance in various hydrogeologic settings. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems are considered. The results of the study indicate that the sparging-induced gas pressure increase, or ``positive pressure,`` measured at steady state below the water table, closely corresponds to both the subsurface gas distribution and the effective zone of contaminant reduction. Because this positive pressure is easily measured in the field with a simple monitoring device, it can be used to realistically define the sparging radius of influence.
High frequency discharges in sensory nerves following ischemia.

Abstract The effects of ischemia and recovery from ischemia on afferent discharges recorded from dorsal root filaments were assessed in anesthesized cats. During ischemia produced by cross-clamping the lumbar aorta, some of the hindlimb afferents originating in muscle spindles exhibited a sustained high frequency discharge of 120–160 Hz, the so-called “explosion.” During recovery from ischemia, nerve discharges appeared in previously inactive dorsal root afferent nerve fibers not of muscle spindle origin. The post-ischemic high frequency discharges appeared in bursts of action potentials at frequencies of 200–500 per second, with 6–32 spikes per burst; the bursts recurred at intervals of 120–600 msec. The nerve fibers exhibiting post-ischemic bursts could not be activated by muscle stretch, muscle tension, palpation, or tactile skin stimulation prior to or during the ischemia. No post-ischemic burst discharges could be detected in analogous experiments with the sural nerve. Intermediate size fibers from normal cutaneous and muscle mechanoreceptors were eliminated as possible origins of the post-ischemia activity. Possible sources include dorsal root ganglion cells or fibers whose sensory endings lie in deep structures such as the walls of the larger blood vessels.
A Simple Probability Model Yielding Performance Bounds for Modular Memory Systems

A simple probability model is defined that represents modular memory systems under saturation demand for storage. An analysis of the model based on the theory of finite Markov chains leads to results that demonstrate the effects of changes in loading times and the number of modules on system performance.
Bonding within the Endohedral Fullerenes Sc3N@C78 and Sc3N@C80 as Determined by Density Functional Calculations and Reexamination of the Crystal Structure of {Sc3N@C78}·Co(OEP)}·1.5(C6H6)·0.3(CHCl3)

Density functional calculations have been performed on Sc3N@C80 and Sc3N@C78 to examine the bonding between the scandium atoms and the fullerene cage. The encapsulation of the Sc3N unit is a strongly exothermic process that is accompanied by a formal transfer of six electrons from the scandium atoms to the fullerene cage in both complexes. In the case of Sc3N@C78, the metal ions are strongly linked to three [6:6] ring junctions of three different pyracylene patches, which are located at the midsection of the fullerene cage. This bonding restricts the Sc3N unit from freely rotating inside the cage. Geometric optimization of the structure of Sc3N@C78 indicates that the carbon cage expands to accommodate the Sc3N unit within the cage. This optimized structure has been used to re-refine the crystallographic data for {Sc3N@C78}·{Co(OEP)}·1.5(C6H6)·0.3(CHCl3). In contrast, in Sc3N@C80, the Sc3N unit is not trapped in a specific position within the inner surface of the Ih cage, which is an unusual fullerene that...
Chemical Etching of Silicon by CO2-Laser-Induced Dissociation of NF3

The pulsed infrared laser dissociation of NF3 is reported for the first time, and is used to investigate silicon etching. The role played by collision-enhanced multiple-photon absorption and dissociation is considered, with data on the nonlinear decrease of the absorption cross-section with increasing pulse energy and increasing pressure presented. Using an experimental arrangement in which the laser beam is focussed parallel to the surface, the dissociation process induces spontaneous etching of silicon. Fluorinecontaining radicals diffuse from the focal volume to the surface where a heterogeneous chemical reaction occurs. Etching was monitored by use of a quartz-crystal microbalance upon which a thin film of amorphous silicon was deposited. For a surface with no previous exposure to the photolysis products, dissociation causes the formation of a surface layer prior to the onset of etching. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates this to be a fluorosilyl layer possessing a significant concentration of SiF3 and SiF4. In contrast, a surface already thickly fluorinated does not form a thicker layer once laser pulsing commences again. In this case, etching starts immediately with the first pulse. The etch yield dependencies on several parameters were obtained using silicon samples possessing a thick fluorosilyl surface layer. These parameters are NF3 pressure, laser wavenumber, pulse energy, buffer gas pressure, and perpendicular distance from focal volume to surface. Modeling of the etch yield variation with perpendicular distance shows the time-integrated flux of radicals impinging on the surface to be inversely proportional to the distance. Attempts at etching SiO2 under identical conditions were unsuccessful despite the evidence that thin native oxide films are removed during silicon etching.
Increased level of soluble syndecan-1 in serum correlates with myocardial expression in a rat model of myocardial infarction

A candidate marker for ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI), syndecan-1 (Sdc1), has been shown to be upregulated in myocardial tissues. However, the clinical potential of this marker depends on the ability to obtain samples safely and noninvasively. Therefore, we investigated the expression of soluble Sdc1 in the serum of rats after MI. Anterior descending coronary arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats were ligated, and MI was confirmed by morphologic and physiologic methods. Rats that underwent surgery without ligation served as the control group. We analyzed the expression of Sdc1 mRNA by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and that of Sdc1 protein by western blot in heart tissue from the MI border and compared it to the expression of soluble Sdc1 in serum. The myocardial levels of expression of Sdc1 mRNA and protein were very low in the sham group but increased significantly in the MI group (P < 0.01). The expression of myocardial Sdc1 reached a peak at day 3 and declined gradually thereafter, although the levels at 14 days remained significantly higher than those in the sham group. The expression of soluble Sdc1 in the sera of the rats in the MI group followed a similar pattern and was linearly correlated with the expression of Sdc1 protein in the MI border zone (r = 0.952, P < 0.01). Soluble Sdc1 was also detected at low levels in normal rat serum. These results may facilitate additional exploration of the utility of serum Sdc1 as a biomarker for MI in humans.
Current collapse in GaN heterojunction field effect transistors for high-voltage switching applications

We have investigated current collapse in GaN heterojunction field effect transistors (HFETs) for high voltage power switching applications. With a novel technique in which the gate and drain pulses are controlled independently, we have measured the current collapse under various switching conditions. We found that the current collapse improves under hard switching in which the loadline passes through high current and high voltage area. This was attributed to holes that are generated through impact ionization and compensate trapped electrons at device surface. We show that optimized field plate and surface treatment significantly improves the current collapse for high voltage GaN HFETs.
CD11b EXPRESSION ON GRANULOCYTES AS A DIAGNOSTIC MARKER FOR NEONATAL SEPSIS. • 1805

A simple diagnostic test for sepsis will be extremely useful in the clinical assessment of neonates, whose immunological immaturity leads to difficulty in determining the presence of infection. The aim of this study was to determine whether altered expression of CD11b (Mac-1 or CR3) on granulocytes can serve as a marker for sepsis, thereby identifying infants in need of critical therapy and sparing infants who are not at risk a costly stream of tests, procedures and medications. 0.1 ml whole blood samples were obtained from newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to rule out sepsis. Samples were diluted with 2.5 ml staining media, and stained with Phycoerythrin-conjugated CD11b monoclonal antibody and Fluorescein-conjugated CD15 monoclonal antibody. CD11b expression on neutrophils was then determined by flow cytometry. Blood was simultaneously sent for routine bacterial culture, complete blood count (CBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) determination by the hospital's diagnostic facility. Results of bacterial cultures, CBC and CRP were obtained 5 - 7 days later, and were correlated with the previously determined (and thus blinded) neutrophil CD11b expression. Results from 106 subjects demonstrated high median neutrophil CD11b in all infants in which a positive culture was obtained. High levels of CD11b were associated with increased CRP. Neonates with no elevation in CRP, negative bacterial cultures and no other clinical signs of sepsis had low levels of CD11b expression(r=.81, p<.001). Both CD11b and CRP were elevated in 100% of subjects with positive bacterial cultures. However, CD11b was elevated on the first hospital day in 90% of cases, whereas CRP was elevated on the first hospital day in 30% of cases. These results strongly suggest that elevated CD11b indicates infection in neonates. This elevation is likely to occur close to the time of pathogen exposure, whereas CRP elevation appears to occur hours later, requiring serial CRP determinations over a number of days to obtain confidence in the result. Thus, the ease, speed and small amount of blood required to perform this test will make the CD11b assay a convenient diagnostic tool for infants at risk for sepsis.
Energy landscape for martensitic phase transformation in shape memory NiTi

Abstract First-principles calculations are presented for parent B2 phase and martensitic B19 and B19′ phases in NiTi. The results indicate that both B19 and B19′ are energetically more stable than the parent B2 phase. By means of ab initio density functional theory, the complete distortion–shuffle energy landscape associated with B2 → B19 transformation in NiTi is then determined. In addition to accounting for the Bain-type deformation through the Cauchy–Born rule, the study explicitly accounts for the shuffle displacements experienced by the internal ions in NiTi. The energy landscape allows the energy barrier associated with the B2 → B19 transformation pathway to be identified. The results indicate that a barrier of 0.48 mRyd atom−1 (relative to the B2 phase) must be overcome to transform the parent B2 NiTi to orthorhombic B19 martensite.
Pancreatic Endotherapy and Necrosectomy

There has been a paradigm shift in the management of pancreatic necrosis from open surgical debridement of infected necrosis to minimally invasive interventional radiologic, laparoscopic, and endoscopic drainage/debridement techniques. A step-up approach from less invasive to the more invasive modalities is recommended. An important distinction to make is between pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis (WON), as the interventions for each are different. Endoscopic or other interventions should be delayed for at least 4 weeks for collections to encapsulate. Direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) is an effective, minimally invasive option. Several variations in the technique, including the use of esophageal fully covered self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) and lumen-apposing SEMS have recently been described. The incremental effectiveness of these stents over conventional techniques needs to be studied. Dual-modality drainage with endoscopic transmural stent placement and lavage through percutaneous drains is also an effective option with low mortality and morbidity. Several minimally invasive surgical options, including video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement and sinus tract endoscopy are available and may be preferable to open surgical necrosectomy. An algorithmic, multidisciplinary management is warranted for successful outcomes. Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome in the setting of necrotizing pancreatitis is challenging; long-term endoscopic transmural stent placement and/or distal pancreatectomy are potential treatment options.
Openness in participation, assessment, and policy making upon issues of environment and environmental health: a review of literature and recent project results.

Issues of environment and environmental health involve multiple interests regarding e.g. political, societal, economical, and public concerns represented by different kinds of organizations and individuals. Not surprisingly, stakeholder and public participation has become a major issue in environmental and environmental health policy and assessment. The need for participation has been discussed and reasoned by many, including environmental legislators around the world. In principle, participation is generally considered as desirable and the focus of most scholars and practitioners is on carrying out participation, and making participation more effective. In practice also doubts regarding the effectiveness and importance of participation exist among policy makers, assessors, and public, leading even to undermining participatory practices in policy making and assessment. There are many possible purposes for participation, and different possible models of interaction between assessment and policy. A solid conceptual understanding of the interrelations between participation, assessment, and policy making is necessary in order to design and implement effective participatory practices. In this paper we ask, do current common conceptions of assessment, policy making and participation provide a sufficient framework for achieving effective participation? This question is addresses by reviewing the range of approaches to participation in assessment and policy making upon issues of environment and environmental health and some related insights from recent research projects, INTARESE and BENERIS. Openness, considered e.g. in terms of a) scope of participation, b) access to information, c) scope of contribution, d) timing of openness, and e) impact of contribution, provides a new perspective to the relationships between participation, assessment and policy making. Participation, assessment, and policy making form an inherently intertwined complex with interrelated objectives and outcomes. Based on experiences from implementing openness, we suggest complete openness as the new default, deviation from which should be explicitly argued, in assessment and policy making upon issues of environment and environmental health. Openness does not undermine the existing participatory models and techniques, but provides conceptual means for their more effective application, and opens up avenues for developing new kinds of effective participatory practices that aim for societal development through collaborative creation of knowledge.
Undrained Shear Strength of Normally Consolidated and Overconsolidated Clays from Pressuremeter Tests: A Case Study

Undrained shear strength (su) of founda- tion soil of Marquette interchange near Milwaukee, Wisconsin was evaluated from the results of a number of pressuremeter tests conducted on normally consol- idated (NC) organic silts and overconsolidated (OC) silty clay. The su-values were interpreted from tradi- tional closed-form methods. The pressuremeter geom- etry and test sequence as well as response of the soil profiles were also simulated using axisymmetric finite element (FE) method with Cam-Clay soil model. The Cam-Clay model parameters were estimated from laboratory tests on undisturbed soil samples. Results show that the su estimated from the rate of cavity pressure change with volumetric strain (referred to as direct traditional method) is almost twice the su estimated from an indirect traditional method that estimates su from shear modulus, in situ horizontal stress, and ultimate cavity pressure obtained from the cavity pressure curves. The su-values predicted from the FE models are lower than those estimated from the traditional methods and shows that the assumption of infinite pressuremeter length in traditional methods results in overprediction of undrained shear strength by a factor of 1.5 for NC clay and 2.2 for OC clay. The results of finite element analysis considering Cam- Clay soil model and finite length for pressuremeters suggest the undrained shear strength of 63 ± 7 kPa for NC organic silt and 259 ± 68 kPa for OC silty clay.
Advances in Photorefractive Beam Coupling

Introducing impurities into the potassium site in photorefractive potassium niobate has proven to significantly enhance the optical and photorefractive properties. In addition, the trap density has been increased over a factor of thirty.
Serum lipoproteins of rabbits fed semi‐purified diets varying in protein and carbohydrate source

The effect of dietary protein and carbohydrate type on the composition and properties of serum lipoproteins in rabbits was studied. The animals were pair-fed either casein-sucrose and soy protein-sucrose or casein-dextrose and soy protein-dextrose-containing low fat, low cholesterol, semi-purified diets for 84 days. Main effects due to protein and carbohydrate type were observed to be altered lipoprotein class compositions. These effects were due primarily to the presence of casein which resulted in cholesterol-rich, triglyceride-poor lipoproteins among all isolated classes. Increases in serum low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol and protein concentrations, as well as lipoprotein total mass, were also observed with casein feeding. Carbohydrate effects due to dietary sucrose were elevated high density lipoprotein phospholipid and protein concentrations, independent of protein source. When casein was included, sucrose-containing diets resulted in increased intermediate density lipoprotein cholesterol; when soy protein was used, low density lipoprotein cholesterol elevations were observed. Dietary interactions were also found especially between casein and sucrose, resulting in increased intermediate lipoprotein mass and total lipoprotein concentrations. Comparisons of lipoprotein class particle size among rabbits indicated similar particle diameters among animals in all dietary groups. Evidence that casein feeding caused increased lipoprotein particle number in addition to compositional differences was obtained. It was concluded that lipoprotein structure within a given class is maintained in spite of compositional variations due to dietary protein or carbohydrate source.
Vereinfachte Vordimensionierung von Wabenträgern

Wabentrager sind schon lange als materialsparende Leichtbautrager im Einsatz und haben fruher auch zu entsprechenden Kosteneinsparungen gefuhrt. Mit der Zunahme der Fertigungskosten stehen heute vor allem asthetische Grunde fur den Einsatz von Wabentragern im Vordergrund. Die neuen Stahlbautabellen C5/05 des Stahlbau Zentrums Schweiz (SZS) [1] enthalten Grundwerte fur Wabentrager, die eine einfache Vordimensionierung ermoglichen und somit den Entwurf erleichtern. Der vorliegende Aufsatz erlautert die technischen Grundlagen und gibt Hinweise zur Anwendung der tabellierten Werte.
Application of SAP R/3 in on-line inventory control

Abstract An organizational competitiveness depends upon the effectiveness of information flow and subsequently the material flow. Information systems especially computer based ones greatly contribute to the effective communication within an organization whether it could be manufacturing or services. For companies to be competitive, they need to have access to “the right kind of information at the right time”. An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system can help to improve the communication within an organization. In this paper, the authors describe how SAP R/3 software came in rescue of a potentially devastating inventory management situation in a large corporation with worldwide operations. The paper describes in detail the assessment of system requirements at various locations (production and storage facilities), configuration of SAP R/3 to meet those requirements, difficulties in system implementation, and benefits realized.
Infection control programs in skilled nursing long-term care facilities: An assessment, 1995

Abstract Background: In 1989 the Health Care Financing Administration mandated that long-term care facilities (LTCFs) maintain infection control programs; however, few data are available to guide the design of these programs. The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of infection control programs in LTCFs by using methodology adapted from Phase I of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control. Methods: A descriptive study of infection control programs in skilled nursing LTCFs was undertaken in a representative sample of 136 New England skilled nursing LTCFs that have ≥25 beds, with use of a self-report Infection Surveillance and Control Questionnaire. Results: Nearly all (98%) the LTCFs reported having personnel responsible for infection control, with a median of 8 hours per week spent on infection control activities. Ninety percent of these persons were registered nurses; 52% had formal training in infection control. Twenty-five percent of the respondents reported that their infection control program was either "inactive" or nonexistent in 1988, and 60% rated their programs as either "moderately active" (43%) or "very active" (17%) during that year. By 1994, most LTCFs (67%) rated themselves as "very active," and only 3% as inactive or nonexistent. The mean scores on the questionnaire's surveillance and control indices were 23 (out of a possible 30) and 47 (out of a possible 60), respectively, which indicates medium infection surveillance and control activity. On the basis of the data provided by 72% of the respondents (n = 98), a crude estimate of 13.97 infections per 1000 resident-days was calculated, which is a higher rate than previously reported for LTCFs. Conclusions: Findings from the study indicate that it is feasible to use methodology adapted from Phase I of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control to assess infection control programs in LTCFs; however, further research into the efficacy of nosocomial infection control in skilled nursing LTCFs is needed. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 1999;27:4-9)
Estimating the General Factor in the Wisc and the Wais

Three methods of estimating the general factor (g) in the WISC and the WAIS were compared, using the standardization data for the two scales. Estimates of the mean g-loading across subtests and age levels ranged from .57 to .63 for the WISC and from .73 to .76 for the WAIS. Although differences among these estimates were statistically significant, it was concluded that the three methods provide closely comparable results.
Interleukin-6 Induces Expression of Ifi202, an Interferon-inducible Candidate Gene for Lupus Susceptibility

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease. In human SLE patients, as well as in mouse models of SLE, the development of disease is associated with increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). However, IL-6 target genes contributing to the development of disease remain to be identified. Our previous studies of one mouse model of SLE identified an interferon-inducible gene, Ifi202, as a major contributor to the disease. We now report that IL-6 induces expression of the Ifi202 gene. We found that IL-6 treatment of mouse splenocytes increased levels of Ifi202 mRNA and p202 protein. Furthermore, IL-6 treatment of NIH 3T3 cells or expression of a constitutively active form of STAT3, a known mediator of IL-6 signaling, stimulated the activity of a 202-luc-reporter through a potential STAT3 DNA-binding site (the 202-SBS) present in the 5'-regulatory region of the Ifi202 gene. Moreover, treatment of cells with IL-6 stimulated binding of the transcription factor STAT3 to an oligonucleotide containing the 202-SBS in gel-mobility shift assays and to the 5'-regulatory region of the Ifi202 gene in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Importantly, site-directed mutagenesis of 202-SBS or expression of a dominant negative form of STAT3 significantly reduced constitutive as well as IL-6-stimulated activity of the 202-luc-reporter. Together, our observations support the idea that IL-6 stimulates transcription of the Ifi202 gene through STAT3 activation and predict that increased levels of IL-6 in lupus contribute to up-regulation of p202.
The Uniqueness of Persons

Persons are thought to have a special kind of value, often called “dignity,” which, according to Kant, makes them both infinitely valuable and irreplaceably valuable. The author aims to identify what makes a person a person in a way that can explain both aspects of dignity. She considers five definitions of “person”: (1) an individual substance of a rational nature (Boethius), (2) a self-conscious being (Locke), (3) a being with the capacity to act for ends (Kant), (4) a being with the capacity to act for another (Kant), and (5) an incommunicably unique subject (Wojtyla). She argues that none is capable of grounding both aspects of dignity since they are incompatible kinds of value; it is impossible for the same thing to ground both. Human persons are infinitely valuable in virtue of shareable qualities of their nature, whereas they are irreplaceably valuable because of a nonqualitative feature of their personhood.
Effects of concurrent exposure to different food and sucrose rewards in differential conditioning

In one experiment two control groups were run to either an eight-pellet reward or a one-pellet reward and a discrimination group was run to eight pellets on one stimulus and one pellet on a second stimulus. The discrimination group ran slower to the one-pellet stimulus than did the low-reward control group, indicating the presence of a concurrent depression effect. In the second experiment the same design was used but a high sucrose reward was contrasted with a low sucrose reward. The rate of differentiation was retarded in the sucrose experiment compared to the food pellet experiment and no depression effect was observed, although the functional difference between the sucrose rewards was greater than between the food pellet rewards. These data indicate that the difference between sucrose and food pellet rewards obtained in sequential shift experiments is also obtained in concurrent shift experiments.
Multi-chemothermoimmunotherapy for human colon adenocarcinoma in vitro

Effective adjunctive therapies for colorectal carcinoma are clearly needed. We evaluated the cytotoxic responses in vitro of human colon carcinoma cell lines to combined modalities: 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV), carboplatin (CP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and hyperthermia (HTX). Cytotoxicity was evaluated in a cell proliferation assay using crystal violet staining. 5-FU/LV was administered 2–3 days before TNF and CP, followed 1 h later by HTX. These cell lines were relatively resistant to HTX alone (42°C for 2 h), but were heterogeneous in their responses to various doses of the other single agents. This heterogeneity was also evident for combined modalities: the geneity was also evident for combined modalities: the HCT-15 cell line exhibited significant supra-additivity for selected doses of CP, TNF and 5-FU/LV, which was further enhanced by hyperthermia. In contrast, the HT-29 cell line did not demonstrate a strong pattern for supra-additivity, whereas the DLD-1 cell line had an intermediate response. Thus, our results suggest one approach to develop effective and dose-sparing multimodality therapeutic regimens for colon adenocarcinoma.
The SV40 small t intron is accurately and efficiently spliced in tobacco cells

We have introduced the SV40 small t intron into tobacco cells as part of a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase-SV40 transcription unit. We find that the small t intron is efficiently and accurately spliced in transgenic tobacco cells that carry this transcription unit. Our results indicate that there is substantial conservation of RNA processing signals between plants and animals, more than has been previously assumed. They also suggest that pre-mRNA processing in plants requires multiple branch sites for efficient processing.
Dynamic average consensus over random networks with additive noise

In this paper, we consider distributed dynamic average consensus problem in the presence of uncertainties on information exchange. Two categories of noise are used to characterize these uncertainties: the first is multiplicative noise that captures the randomness of network connections, while the second is additive noise that describes several uncertainty sources. We propose an iterative algorithm that allows each agent to compute/track the average of their private dynamic signals in the presence of both kinds of noise. This algorithm relaxes restrictive assumptions on consensus over random directed network topologies, such as doubly stochastic weights, symmetric link switching styles, etc, and introduces new mechanisms for mitigating effects of communication uncertainties on information aggregation.
The stratigraphy of Meridiani Planum, Mars, and implications for the layered deposits' origin

Abstract Large exposures of water-altered layered deposits have recently been identified on the surface of Mars. The source materials, formation, and aqueous alteration history are presently poorly understood. The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has examined a tiny fraction of large-scale layered deposits in Meridiani Planum, and many questions remain about the origin and history of these widespread materials. Here we present the first detailed stratigraphic study of sulfate-bearing layers throughout the region. We used altimetry data to examine the three-dimensional disposition of twenty-two distinct stratigraphic horizons along their exposures. Our results show that most of these benchmark horizons: (1) are planar and coherent over at least a 100-km scale, and (2) have dip azimuth and magnitudes that are similar to the underlying regional slope, which was emplaced by 3.70 Ga. Nearby ancient river valleys, that appear to have been formed by precipitation-fed surface runoff, originally were incised at ~ 3.74 Ga and then reactivated near the Noachian–Hesperian boundary (3.70 Ga). Mapping relations with these valleys suggest that the Meridiani layers formed near and after this time and without significant volumetric contributions of material excavated from the valleys. Thermal infrared data and erosional expressions imply that significant physical compositional differences exist within the stratigraphy, and these likely reflect a changing paleodepositional environment and/or chemical alteration histories. Any hypothesis for the origin of these regional-scale materials must be consistent with all these observations. We conclude that the previously stated hypotheses of aeolian deposition cemented by a fluxing groundwater table and sulfur-rich volcanic processes are both viable possibilities, while other hypotheses are not supported by these observations.
Do we need another equation to estimate GFR from serum creatinine in renal allograft recipients

Sir, We read with interest the study by Poge et al. evaluating a refit version of the MDRD equation and the Mayo Clinic Quadratic equation to improve estimation of GFR in renal allograft recipients [1]. As pointed out by Poge et al., these two equations were not developed using a standardized assay for serum creatinine. Because the same creatinine assay was used to develop these two equations, it still could be shown that differences in the source population can lead to different equations [2]. However, we recognize that it has been difficult to determine to what extent the Mayo Clinic Quadratic and MDRD equations perform differently due to assay calibration versus the source population. A confirmed conversion factor between a standardized assay (i.e. traceable to isotope dilution mass spectroscopy) and the Mayo Clinic assay used to develop these equations may be helpful. Since the Mayo Clinic assay used an uncompensated rate-Jaffe method, the following calibration correction based on assay differences reported in the literature could be used [3]:
Some Issues Associated with Interactions Between Ototoxic Drugs and Exposure to Intense Sounds

Certain commonly-used drugs can produce hearing loss having many of the same physiological and psychophysical features as hearing loss induced by exposure to intense sound. Until quite recently, little research had been done on the question of possible interactions between drug-induced hearing loss (DIHL) and exposure-induced hearing loss (EIHL), and the vast majority of what had been done concentrated on drugs which themselves cause permanent threshold shift (PTS) [1–3]. In recent times, however, some studies have been done with drugs which are themselves responsible only for temporary hearing loss, and the results of this work have raised the need for specialists working in the area of EIHL to consider again some logical and practical problems they have struggled with in the past. My goal in this chapter is to raise some of these problems for discussion, in the context of a brief review of our recent research on the interactions between EIHL and hearing loss induced by salicylates.
Controlling Health Care Spending: Unintended Consequences of a Fragmented Approach

Health care policy decisions in Washington are being driven almost entirely by budget considerations and Presidential politics. The public programs, Medicare and Medicaid, have been targeted for drastic cuts ("decreases in growth"), which could have devastating effects on the millions of people who rely on the services provided through these programs, including patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Very little is being said about the overall growth of health care spending, with private sector growth continuing to outpace general inflation. Fragmenting the approach to health care reform, focusing only on the public programs, could lead to significant unintended consequences in the system as a whole, including less affordable health insurance and increasing numbers of uninsured. For nephrology, significant reforms should be developed and promoted by health professionals to assure the viability of the ESRD program, and the continued delivery of the highest quality care to ESRD patients. These should include: management of demand for dialysis services; enactment of health insurance reform; active participation in the growth of managed care in the ESRD area, and the HCFA Demonstration Project of ESRD Capitation; reexamination of the role of home dialysis, particularly home hemodialysis; development of new care delivery paradigms, including the expanded use of physician extenders.
Activity patterns of largemouth bass in a subtropical US reservoir

Nine largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacepede, >1.5 kg were implanted with radio tags and tracked for 1 year in an embayment of Lake Seminole, Georgia, USA. Most largemouth bass movement was <50 m h )1 in all seasons and at all times of day. During the day largemouth bass were offshore in deeper water near large woody structures and moved little. Movement was lower during dusk and night periods, and a general movement towards shoreline areas was evident. Water depths where largemouth bass were located had bimodal distributions in all seasons and diel periods, with one mode typically at depths <1 m and another around 3 m. Home ranges were typically largest in the summer and smallest in the winter. Largemouth bass appeared to divide their time between an offshore resting area, primarily occupied during the day, and a near-shore area, where foraging presumably occurred, primarily used during low-light periods. The largemouth bass population in Lake Seminole consists of multiple overlapping subpopulations, offering the opportunity for embayment-specific management.
The Growth of Optical Quality LiNbo3 Thin Films On Sapphire and LiTao3 Substrates Using Solid-Source Mocvd

High quality lithium niobate (LiNbO3) epitaxial thin films have been grown on c-plane sapphire and LiTaO3 substrates by solid-source MOCVD using the tetramethyl-heptanedionate sources, Li(thd) and Nb(thd)4. Phase content was controllable, and stoichiometric films were reproducibly deposited over a broad temperature range from a Li(thd)-rich source. Using sapphire substrates, with which the occurrence of multiple in-plane orientations is typically a problem, LiNbO3 films with only one in-plane orientation could be prepared within a narrow range of growth conditions. XRD rocking curve FWHM values as low as 0.04°, and optical waveguiding losses near 2dB/cm (1200A thick film, TMo mode, 632.8nm) were obtained. However, film thicknesses on sapphire were limited to 2000A because of cracking caused by the large thermal expansion mismatch, and in such thin films, optical confinement is poor. In contrast, LiTaO3 has almost same lattice constants and thermal expansion coefficients as LiNbO3, making it a potentially superior substrate material. Lithium niobate films up to 6000A were successfully deposited on LiTaO3 substrates without cracking. Film quality was greatly improved, with FWHM values as low as 0.01°, and rms surface roughness less than 10 A. Preliminary optical waveguiding losses less than 6 dB/cm for the TEo mode have been achieved.
Thermal-aware floorplanning for task migration enabled active sub-threshold leakage reduction

This paper presents a new approach to active sub-threshold leakage reduction using task migration. The main idea is to replicate a hot module in a design so as to actively migrate its computation at regular intervals, reducing the on-chip temperature and thereby the sub-threshold leakage. We observe that choosing which blocks to migrate and their placement in a floorplan is a chicken-and-egg problem. To solve this, we propose a two step floorplanning methodology, wherein, given a base floorplan, we first choose the modules to replicate and then effectively utilize the deadspaces in it by exploiting the lateral conduction of heat in the floorplan to place a modulepsilas replica. With an optimized floorplan, using task migration we obtain an average savings of 29% in the active sub-threshold leakage at the expense of about 6% additional area.