cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Local Anesthesia for Inguinal Hernia Repair Reduces Complications in Older Patients.

Abstract Background Inguinal hernia repair is the most common general surgery operation in the United States. Nearly 80% of inguinal hernia operations are performed under general anesthesia versus 15%-20% using local anesthesia, despite the absence of evidence for the superiority of the former. Although patients aged 65 y and older are expected to benefit from avoiding general anesthesia, this presumed benefit has not been adequately studied. We hypothesized that the benefits of local over general anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair would increase with age. Materials and methods We analyzed 87,794 patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project who had elective inguinal hernia repair under local or general anesthesia from 2014 to 2018, and we used propensity scores to adjust for known confounding. We compared postoperative complications, 30-day readmissions, and operative time for patients aged Results Using local rather than general anesthesia was associated with a 0.6% reduction in postoperative complications in patients aged 75+ y (95% CI –0.11 to –1.13) but not in younger patients. Local anesthesia was associated with faster operative time (2.5 min - 4.7 min) in patients Conclusions Surgeons should strongly consider using local anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair in older patients and in younger patients because it is associated with significantly reduced complications and substantial cost savings.
Daily Hand-Off of Chronic Stroke Neurorehabilitation Patients to Expert Clinicians, With Resulting Significant Coordination Improvement: Care Model Development and Implementation

Background: New models of care delivery are necessary to meet workforce needs while delivering expert care in neurorehabilitation. Therefore, we sought to develop and assess the implementation of a new model of care for neurorehabilitation using a 5-member team of therapists (5-Team Model) for the treatment of individuals with chronic stroke, rather than a conventional single-therapist model. Methods: A mixed methods approach was employed; continuous quality improvement methods and quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test methods were used to assess the effectiveness of the new model. Six chronic stroke patients participated in an upper limb neurorehabilitation motor learning protocol 5 days/week, 5 hours/day (60 sessions; 300 hours); treatment was administered using the 5-Team Model approach to treatment. Results: Mean improvement on the Fugl Meyer (FM) was 11.5 points. All six participants demonstrated improvement on Fugl Meyer that was within or beyond the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) range of 4.25-7.25 points for chronic stroke. Results indicated that the 5-Team Model was effective in implementing care. Conclusions: The 5-Team Model for neurorehabilitation was successfully implemented, with patient hand-off every day to a different therapist; it produced clinically significant improvement on a measure of coordination (FM) which is comparable to or better than prior reports from a standard care model. This new model of care met the needs of the research team workforce for flexibility, while maintaining the level of quality of care. Successful implementation required addressing a series of hindering factors in an iterative manner and enhancing promoting factors. These elements included the context within which the change was implemented, the methods used in implementing the change, the evidence that the change was successful, and communication that the change was successful. The context requirements included existing framework and participating model members who were willing to exert the required effort for success, model champions. This high level of enthusiastic participation along with strong leadership contributed to long-term success, sustainability.
Newer is not always better: Rethinking transferability metrics, their peculiarities, stability and performance.

Fine-tuning of large pre-trained image and language models on small customized datasets has become increasingly popular for improved prediction and efficient use of limited resources. Fine-tuning requires identification of best models to transfer-learn from and quantifying transferability prevents expensive re-training on all of the candidate models/tasks pairs. We show that the statistical problems with covariance estimation drive the poor performance of H-score [Bao et al., 2019] -- a common baseline for newer metrics -- and propose shrinkage-based estimator. This results in up to 80% absolute gain in H-score correlation performance, making it competitive with the state-of-the-art LogME measure by You et al. [2021]. Our shrinkage-based H-score is 3-55 times faster to compute compared to LogME. Additionally, we look into a less common setting of target (as opposed to source) task selection. We identify previously overlooked problems in such settings with different number of labels, class-imbalance ratios etc. for some recent metrics e.g., LEEP [Nguyen et al., 2020] that resulted in them being misrepresented as leading measures. We propose a correction and recommend measuring correlation performance against relative accuracy in such settings. We also outline the difficulties of comparing feature-dependent metrics, both supervised (e.g. H-score) and unsupervised measures (e.g., Maximum Mean Discrepancy [Long et al., 2015]), across source models/layers with different feature embedding dimension. We show that dimensionality reduction methods allow for meaningful comparison across models and improved performance of some of these measures. We investigate performance of 14 different supervised and unsupervised metrics and demonstrate that even unsupervised metrics can identify the leading models for domain adaptation. We support our findings with ~65,000 (fine-tuning trials) experiments.
Adaptive Switching of Variable-Fidelity Models in Population-Based Optimization

This article presents a novel model management technique to be implemented in population-based heuristic optimization. This technique adaptively selects different computational models (both physics-based models and surrogate models) to be used during optimization, with the overall objective to result in optimal designs with high fidelity function estimates at a reasonable computational expense. For example, in optimizing an aircraft wing to obtain maximum lift-to-drag ratio, one can use low fidelity models such as given by the vortex lattice method, or a high fidelity finite volume model, or a surrogate model that substitutes the high-fidelity model. The information from these models with different levels of fidelity is integrated into the heuristic optimization process using the new adaptive model switching (AMS) technique. The model switching technique replaces the current model with the next higher fidelity model, when a stochastic switching criterion is met at a given iteration during the optimization process. The switching criterion is based on whether the uncertainty associated with the current model output dominates the latest improvement of the relative fitness function, where both the model output uncertainty and the function improvement (across the population) are expressed as probability distributions. For practical implementation, a measure of critical probability is used to regulate the degree of error that will be allowed, i.e., the fraction of instances where the improvement will be allowed to be lower than the model error, without having to change the model. In the absence of this critical probability, model management might become too conservative, leading to premature model-switching and thus higher computing expense. The proposed AMS-based optimization is applied to two design problems through Particle Swarm Optimization, which are: (i) Airfoil design, and (ii) Cantilever composite beam design. The application case studies of AMS illustrated: (i) the computational advantage of this method over purely high fidelity model-based optimization, and (ii) the accuracy advantage of this method over purely low fidelity model-based optimization.
Preconcentration of trace metal ions by combined complexation-anion exchange : Part 2. Cobalt, zinc, cadmium and lead with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid [1]

Abstract The ligand, 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid, forms anionic complexes with cobalt(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II), and lead(II), each resulting complex showing a high affinity for anion-exchange resins. The effect of pH, ligand/metal ratio, volume, and concentration on percent retention of the anionic complexes by an anion-exchange resin are reported. At optimum conditions, all four metals are quantitatively retained by the column. Zinc, cadmium and lead(II) ions are completely eluted with 11 ml or less of 2 M HN03; cobalt(II) is totally removed by 12 M HCl and 2 M HNO3. Concentration enhancements of 100-fold are easily achieved. All four anionic complexes can be left on the column for 7 days and still be quantitatively (99%) recovered. A ligand-loaded resin column can also remove all four metals quantitatively. Distribution coefficients for the metal complexes and their ligand/metal ratios were determined by using batch methods that may also serve as the isolation procedure.
CEO Compensation at GE: A Decade with Jeff Immelt

When ISS, a large shareholder advisory group, recommended a "no" vote on Jeff Immelt's award of 2 million stock options in April 2011, GE's compensation committee had to decide whether to rescind or amend the award or ignore the ISS recommendation. Was Immelt's 2010 pay in line with his performance? How would shareholders vote on the advisory "say on pay" ballot question at GE's annual meeting in April?Learning Objective: Allow students to analyze and discuss the pay practices in use at General Electric.
Film as Testimonial Literature

Hidden Scars. 1994. 50 minutes, color. Written, directed, and produced by Grace Barnes. For more information, contact The University of California Extension Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2000 Center Street, Fourth Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704; (510) 642-0460.
Characterization of phagolysosomal simulant fluid for study of beryllium aerosol particle dissolution

A simulant of phagolysosomal fluid is needed for beryllium particle dissolution research because intraphagolysosomal dissolution is believed to be a necessary step in the cellular immune response associated with development of chronic beryllium disease. Thus, we refined and characterized a potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) buffered solution with pH 4.55, termed phagolysosomal simulant fluid (PSF), for use in a static dissolution technique. To characterize the simulant, beryllium dissolution in PSF was compared to dissolution in the J774A.1 murine cell line. The effects of ionic composition, buffer strength, and the presence of the antifungal agent alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride (ABDC) on beryllium dissolution in PSF were evaluated. Beryllium dissolution in PSF was not different from dissolution in the J774A.1 murine cell line (p = 0.78) or from dissolution in another simulant having the same pH but different ionic composition (p = 0.73). A buffer concentration of 0.01-M KHP did not appear adequate to maintain pH under all conditions. There was no difference between dissolution in PSF with 0.01-M KHP and 0.02-M KHP (p = 0.12). At 0.04-M KHP, beryllium dissolution was increased relative to 0.02-M KHP (p = 0.02). Use of a 0.02-M KHP buffer concentration in the standard formulation for PSF provided stability in pH without alteration of the dissolution rate. The presence of ABDC did not influence beryllium dissolution in PSF (p = 0.35). PSF appears to be a useful and appropriate model of in vitro beryllium dissolution when using a static dissolution technique. In addition, the critical approach used to evaluate and adjust the composition of PSF may serve as a framework for characterizing PSF to study dissolution of other metal and oxide particles.
Melatonin synthesis in chicken retina: effect of kainic acid-induced lesions on the diurnal rhythm and D2-dopamine receptor-mediated regulation of serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity.

Abstract The effect of kainic acid (KA)-induced lesions of retinal neurons on regulation of serotonin N -acetyltransferase (NAT) activity in chicken retina was investigated. Although NAT activity was higher in KA-lesioned retinas than in controls, the pattern of diurnal variation of enzyme activity throughout 36 h of constant darkness was similar for both tissues. Quinpirole, a selective D 2 -dopamine receptor agonist, inhibited the nocturnal increase of NAT activity in both control and KA-treated retinas. Quinpirole was significantly more potent in KA-treated retinas than in controls; the ED 50 value for quinpirole was 3 times lower in KA-treated retinas than in control tissues. KA treatment markedly reduced retinal levels of dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). We conclude that: (1) NAT activity in retina is localized primarily to KA- insensitive cells, presumably photoreceptors; (2) KA-sensitive inner retinal neurons are not essential to the maintenance of the circadian rhythm of NAT activity; and (3) KA-induced lesions of retinal cells result in supersensitivity of D 2 -dopamine receptors regulating NAT activity in a mechanism that involves adaptive changes following a decline in retinal dopamine neurotransmission.
The First Family of Cell-Cell Fusion

Our understanding of the developmentally critical process of cell-cell fusion has been greatly advanced by the identification of the first family of cell-cell fusion proteins. Together, the two founding members of the FF family execute the majority of cell-cell fusion events in C. elegans.
The dynamics of gatekeeping in online collaborative systems

In this thesis, he explores the dynamics of gatekeeping in online peer-production communities, such as Wikipedia, Stack Overflow, and various open-source software projects. How are standards set for content inclusion, and what mechanisms are used to find and remove content deemed inappropriate by the community? The subject of vandalism, or the malicious addition of "bad" content, has been widely studied. Here, he focuses on content added in good faith that has nevertheless been judged inappropriate for the specific community. He also explores the possibility of using various automated tools to assist humans in gatekeeping tasks.
Electronic properties of carbon nanotube/fabric composites

Abstract Single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/fabric composite materials were manufactured using two simple manufacturing processes. The first method is direct deposition of SWNTs by either a spray method or by incubation; the other is a Quasi-Langmuir–Blodgett (QLB) transfer technique. The composite retains high mechanical strength (governed by the fabric), and good electrical properties (determined by the nanotubes). We measure the DC electrical conductivity of the composite fabric to be 5.33 S/cm for the sprayed tubes, 13.8 S/cm for the incubated SWNTs, and 8 S/cm for the QLB transferred tubes; these values are limited not by the nanotube network, but by the surface roughness of the fabric itself. Measurements of the conductivity up to 1 MHz reveal a transport process that proceeds along a random network, with barriers separating the various nanotubes. The material is resistive both to changes in temperature (range of 0–80 °C) and mechanical deformations. The conductivity of the composite decreases by less than 10% when bent around a cylinder of 1 cm diameter.
Making Care Work: Employed Mothers in the New Child Care Market

Making Care Work: Employed Mothers in the New Child Care Market. Lynet Uttal. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. 2002. 208 pp. ISBN 0-8135-311-X. $22.00 (paper). Although numerous articles and books have examined the increased rates of employment among mothers and the increased need for child care, few researchers have examined the mechanisms that mothers use to select and maintain care for their children. To fill this gap, Lynet Uttal offers a rich and illuminating study of the paid care system and the burdens that mothers shoulder to find and maintain adequate care for their children. Using interviews with 48 employed mothers from Memphis, Tennessee and Santa Cruz, California, Uttal illustrates how the political and economic terrain of child care has changed for working mothers. It is well documented that the use of relative care in the United States has declined, while the use of market-based care has increased. Uttal argues that the shift in the sources of child care from family to the private market has altered the way that mothers locate and come to terms with their child-care selections. Unlike other services that can be purchased from the private market, child care is a complex and emotional commodity. To grapple with the difficulty of finding the right care, Uttal shows that mothers employed several techniques, including hiring providers with similar childrearing values and/or racial backgrounds and finding arrangements that offer educational opportunities. In addition, mothers often tried to find care that they believed would serve as a competent maternal substitute. Although Uttal nicely details how mothers find care in the emerging child-care market, her most important contribution to the literature is her analysis of the "social experience of transferring one's children to paid caregivers" (p. 117). In contrast to other studies, Uttal goes beyond issues of supply and demand and instead heightens our understanding of not only the child-care system but also the changing context of motherhood in the early 21st century. The child-care process does not simply end once a mother finds an arrangement; instead, mothers often struggle to find a balance between care and market-based principles. Uttal explains that there is no social script that mothers can use to sustain their child-care arrangements. To maintain their child-care arrangements, the mothers in Uttal's study develop interpersonal relationships with their child-care providers so that they can manage, negotiate, and monitor the care that their children receive. …
Genetic control of inflammatory arthritis and glomerulonephritis in congenic lpr mice and their F1 hybrids.

Abstract MRL - lpr lpr mice spontaneously develop a complex immunological disease characterized by glomerulonephritis, inflammatory erosive arthritis and the production of rheumatoid factors (RF) and anti-DNA antibodies. We have previously reported that, of congenic lpr strains, only MRL - lpr lpr mice develop synovial pathology suggesting that both the lpr gene and another gene(s) in the MRL background are necessary for the development of arthritis. To define further the genetics of arthritis and its relationship to glomerulonephritis and autoantibody production, we studied disease expression in MRL - lpr lpr and C57BL 6 - lpr lpr mice and their offspring ( BM - lpr lpr and MB - lpr lpr ). At 6 months of age these mice were killed and bled, and their kidneys and knee joints were removed for pathological studies. Fourteen of 28 MB - lpr lpr mice displayed synovial hypertrophy, while eight of 28 had significant synovial inflammation. BM - lpr lpr mice showed similar changes: nine of 22 and eight of 22 exhibited synovial hypertrophy and inflammation respectively. Joints from MRL - lpr lpr mice revealed 13 of 17 with synovial hypertrophy and 12 of 17 with inflammation, while none of 14 B6 - lpr lpr mice had synovial changes. Renal pathology was minimal in the F1 mice with only mild hypercellularity in seven of 21 MB - lpr lpr and five of 22 BM - lpr lpr mice. All MRL - lpr lpr mice, in contrast, had marked glomerular changes with 12 of 17 exhibiting glomerular crescents. Only one F1 mouse had both arthritis and renal abnormalities. IgM RF levels were elevated in all four experimental groups, but did not correlate with the presence or severity of arthritis. IgG RF levels were elevated in the MB - lpr lpr and MRL - lpr lpr mice, but did not correlate with the degree of arthritis. These results indicate that renal disease and arthritis develop independently in lpr mice, possibly on a genetic basis, and that the presence and titer of autoantibodies do not correlate with tissue injury.
Influence of doping on the dynamical properties of III–V–N by Raman scattering, infrared absorption and model calculations

Abstract In the framework of a rigid-ion model and using realistic Greens function theory, we have studied systematically the influence of doping on the lattice dynamics of III–V-nitrides. Our theoretical analysis is based on a sound physical appeal for the perturbation caused by different dopants in compound semiconductors. After analyzing the dynamical behavior for two sets of impurities with closest masses occupying Ga- and As-sites in GaAs, we have proposed simple empirical relationships providing corrections to the impurity–host interactions for isoelectronic defects and for dopants carrying static charges. Despite the simplicity of perturbation models, our Greens function theory provided results in good agreement with the recent Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) absorption data for the magnitude and splitting of N-isotopic shifts of localized vibrational modes in GaAs. With high-resolution FTIR spectroscopy, we strongly believe that the 14NAs-related broad local mode (∼471 cm−1) in GaAs can be resolved into fine structures due to Ga-host isotopes. Theoretical results for the in-band modes of AsN in cubic gallium nitride are compared and discussed with the existing Raman data on molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) grown GaN layers on GaAs substrates, as well as on GaN samples intentionally doped with As.
β-Elimination of glucosyluronic residues during methylation of an acidic polysaccharide from Erwinia chrysanthemi CU 643

Abstract The Erwinia chrysanthemi CU643 EPS has a linear hexasaccharide repeating unit in which a 4-linked uronic acid residue is present. The EPS was methylated by either the NaOH–Me 2 SO–MeI or Li-dimsyl procedure. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the methylated products indicates that the β-eliminative degradation occurs during the methylation, as characterized by serial fragments of the hexasaccharide repeating units. The degradation was clearly defined from the methylation of a glucosyluronic-containing pyruvated pentasaccharide.
Contracting in crisis intervention

The use of contracts in the social services is an important area that needs to be looked at. This paper is concerned specifically with the use of contracts in one particular part of social services: crisis intervention. Contracts that define the working relationship between the client and mental health counselor can be beneficial for both when they attempt to solve the problems that contributed to the crisis situation. There are five benefits to be gained from the use of contracts in crisis intervention and they are briefly discussed.
Locally pseudocompact topological groups

Abstract A topological group is said to be locally pseudocompact if the identity has a pseudocompact neighborhood (equivalently: if the identity has a local basis of pseudocompact neighborhoods). Such groups are locally bounded in the sense of A. Weil, so each such group G is densely embedded in an essentially unique locally compact group G (called its Weil completion). The authors present necessary and sufficient conditions of local and global nature for a locally bounded group to be locally pseudocompact, as follows. Theorem. If G is a locally bounded group with Weil completion G , then the following conditions are equivalent: 1. (i) Gis locally pseudocompact; 2. (ii) G is C ∗ - embedded in G (i.e., βG = β G ) ; 3. (iii) G is C- embedded in G (i.e., υG = υ G ) ; 4. (iv) G is M- embedded in G (i.e., γG = G ) ; 5. (v) some nonempty open subsetU of G satisfies β(cl G U) = cl G U ; 6. (vi) every bounded open subset U of G satisfies β(cl G U) = cl G U .
Opening prices on the New York Stock Exchange

Abstract The prices of opening transactions on the New York Stock Exchange are determined quite differently from prices of subsequent transactions. This paper tests the null hypothesis that opening prices are as representative of contemporaneous equilibrium stock values as subsequent intra-day transactions prices. With one possible exception, there is no basis for rejecting this hypothesis, despite the very different trading mechanisms used in opening trades and intra-day trades.
Juvenile and adolescent elbow injuries in sports

Elbow injuries in skeletally immature athletes continue to increase as juvenile and adolescent athletes participate in organized athletics at earlier ages and with greater intensity. Specialization in specific sports at younger ages has led to an increase in injuries related to repetitive microtrauma. As a result, the spectrum of injuries commonly seen in skeletally immature athletes has increased at a time when long-term outcomes and less invasive interventions with biologic principles are gaining greater attention. Optimal treatment of these injuries requires a knowledge of the complex developmental and radiographic anatomy, the pathophysiology and natural history, and the indications and expected outcomes for conservative and operative management.
Aerial colonization and growth: rapid invertebrate responses to temporary aquatic habitats in a river floodplain

AbstractFloodplains of unregulated rivers alternate between aquatic and terrestrial phases, resulting in temporary aquatic habitats. If aquatic invertebrates are to take advantage of such habitats, they must be capable of rapid colonization and growth. Aerial immigration is one means of colonization and may include active dispersal by reproductive and nonreproductive adult insects and passive dispersal of other invertebrates. The aquatic invertebrate assemblage that could develop from aerial colonization during the time of a flood was investigated with floating colonization trays containing natural detritus and water on the water surface of a southeastern USA floodplain during 5 flooded periods in a year. Density and biomass of aquatic invertebrates that resulted from aerial colonization were measured after 17 d. Minimum growth rates and potential secondary production of several chironomid taxa were measured based on increases in larval size during this time period. Egg-mass collection trays, similar to c...
Infrared spectroscopy of ion complexes of CH5

The IR spectra of CH5+(H2) and CH5+(CH4)n(n equals 1, 2, 3) were obtained using vibrational predissociation spectroscopy. From the spectra the information on the structure and the intramolecular dynamics of CH5+ with H2 and CH4 was obtained and discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Diagnostic ability of retinal nerve fiber layer imaging by swept-source optical coherence tomography in glaucoma.

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic accuracies of swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) wide-angle and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements for glaucoma detection. Design Cross-sectional case-control study. Methods In this study we enrolled 144 glaucomatous eyes of 106 subjects and 66 eyes of 42 healthy subjects from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study. Glaucoma was defined by the presence of repeatable abnormal standard automated perimetry results and/or progressive glaucomatous optic disc change on masked grading of stereophotographs. Wide-angle and peripapillary RNFL thicknesses were assessed using swept-source OCT. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was also evaluated using spectral-domain OCT. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to evaluate the ability of the different swept-source OCT and spectral-domain OCT parameters to discriminate between glaucomatous and healthy eyes. Results Mean (±standard deviation) average spectral-domain OCT wide-angle RNFL thicknesses were 50.5 ± 5.8 μm and 35.0 ± 9.6 μm in healthy and glaucomatous eyes, respectively ( P P Conclusion Swept-source OCT wide-angle and peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements performed well for detecting glaucomatous damage. The diagnostic accuracies of the swept-source OCT and spectral-domain OCT RNFL imaging protocols evaluated in this study were similar.
Regional stability changes in oxidized and reduced cytochrome c located by hydrogen exchange and mass spectrometry

Amide hydrogen exchange rates are highly sensitive to protein structure and may, therefore, be used to detect and characterize structural changes in proteins. Specific regions within folded proteins undergoing structural change can often be identified if localized amide hydrogen exchange rates are determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The ability to measure localized amide hydrogen exchange rates by proteolytic fragmentation followed by mass spectrometric analysis opens the possibility to also identify localized structural changes in proteins by mass spectrometry. If successful, this approach offers considerable advantage over NMR in speed, sensitivity, protein solubility, and ability to study large proteins. This possibility has been investigated by determining the amide hydrogen exchange rates in oxidized and reduced cytochrome c by protein fragmentation/mass spectrometry. The fundamental difference in these forms of cytochrome c is the oxidation state of the iron, which other studies have shown results in only minor structural changes in the protein. In the present study, the largest differences in hydrogen exchange rates were found for peptide amide hydrogens located distant from the Nand C-termini, indicating that the structure in these regions is most affected by the oxidation state of the iron. These results are consistent with previous studies of oxidized and reduced cytochrome c, suggesting that hydrogen exchange and mass spectrometry may be generally useful for locating subtle changes in protein structure.
The metabolic fate of [i−14C]galactitol in mammalian tissue

Abstract The metabolic fate of [ i −14C]galactitol in various rat tissues, intact rats and normal humans has been determined. Of the tissues examined kidney slices oxidized the galactitol to 14CO2 to the greatest extent but this was only 3% of the rate of oxidation of d -[ i −14C]galactose and [ i −14C]sorbitol. [ i −14C]Galactitol oxidation by kidney slices was inhibited 40% by incubation with 5.5 mM d -glucose or d -galactose but not d -arabinose or d -xylose. Homogenates of renal cortex were capable of carrying out galactitol oxidation and the basal level was enhanced by addition of either ATP, DPN or TPN. Studies of the penetration of galactitol into tissue slices in vitro revealed a volume of distribution for the polyol of about 60% of wet tissue weight in most tissues. 3 · 10−3 M phlorizin inhibited the penetration into kidney cortex slices. The volume of distribution of galactitol in tissues after injection of the compound into nephrectomized rats was found to vary from 10% of wet tissue weight for brain to 108% for liver. Chromatographic analysis of tissue extracts after penetration of the polyol revealed essentially all of the 14C material to be galactitol itself. Radioactive galactitol injected into rats or normal humans was almost entirely excreted unchanged in the urine with little or no detection of label in CO2. These studies indicate that the formation of galactitol is a dead end alternate pathway of galactose metabolism and that this polyol's major fate in the animal is renal excretion.
Mössbauer studies of spin relaxation of Fe3+ in TiO2☆☆☆

Spin relaxation Mossbauer studies of 0.22% Fe3+ in TiO2 have been made. We find the internal magnetic field at the iron nucleus due to the ∣ ±52 〉 electronic states is 554 kOe with an associated relaxation time ⩾ 10-8 sec at 78°K.
Long-lasting improvement after septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background . The most effective treatment of symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is still disputed. Treatment options include medical therapy, pacemaker insertion, percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation, mitral valve replacement, and surgical resection of obstructing muscle. The long-term results of the various treatment options are not well defined. We aimed to demonstrate that septal myectomy is efficacious in reducing or abolishing left ventricular outflow tract gradient and leads to long-lasting symptomatic improvement in most patients. Methods . Twenty-two consecutive patients had septal myectomy between 1981 and the present. Their records were reviewed to document the details of their preoperative status, hospital course, their subsequent clinical outcome, and current status. Results . Mean age at operation was 31.3 years. Preoperatively all patients were disabled by typical symptoms despite aggressive medical treatment. Mean resting gradient was 78 mm Hg. Nine patients required simultaneous associated cardiac procedures. There were no perioperative deaths and minimal morbidity. Two patients died at 6 and 9 years postoperatively of congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. Long-term survivors have been followed up for a mean of 6.6 years. Currently all have minimal or no symptoms. The mean resting gradient was 12 mm Hg. No patient has required reoperation for residual obstruction. Conclusions . Septal myectomy reduces or abolishes left ventricular outflow tract gradient in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Myectomy provides long-lasting symptomatic improvement in most patients. The clinical status of patients late postoperatively can be affected by arrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction.
The efficacy and effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with cirrhosis

in patients with cirrhosis. These disparate society recommendations have spurred questions regarding the benefits of HCC surveillance in patients with cirrhosis. In this commentary, we will discuss the efficacy and effectiveness of HCC surveil - lance to improve early tumor detection and overall survival in patients with cirrhosis. • AFPearly detection • effectivenesshepatic cancerliver cancer • screeningultrasound "A lack of randomized data supporting hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with cirrhosis does not equate to a lack of efficacy. "
Random variate generator

As the use of computer simulation grows in a variety of science and engineering fields, the quality of random variate generators becomes increasingly important. Unfortunately, a number of standard implementations are grossly inadequate and exhibit poor statistical properties. This paper presents a software pattern for efficiently implementing an extensible, high-quality random variate generator. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Services sciences, management, and engineering

As part of their e-business activities, enterprises create, share, recombine, and process an ever increasing amount of data and documents that range from simple transactional data to complex business process definitions. In many respective processes, multiple spheres overlap, e.g. (1) inter- with intra-organizational data sources in collaborative processes, (2) master data with transactional data, (3) regular data with behavioral aspects of processes, or (4) facts with normative assertions. Since business entities are members of multiple value chains, same as data sources are often used in multiple contexts and processes, there are often conflicting requirements on the representation of such data.
Squeezing in resonance fluorescence and Schrödinger's uncertainty relation

Abstract Resonance fluorescence can exhibit squeezing in its quadrature components. Historically, this squeezing is defined with respect to Heisenberg's uncertainty relation, but when the lower limit on the uncertainty product becomes state dependent, this concept becomes rather artificial. Schrodinger's uncertainty relation sets a higher lower bound on the uncertainty product when the two observables are correlated. In the steady state both limits are nearly equal, but for pulsed excitation they can differ considerably. It is shown that after excitation with a π/2 or π pulse, the fluorescence is never squeezed. The squeezing is optimum for a π/3 or 2π/3 pulse, and is a factor of two better than for the best case in the steady state. If the inversion is zero after the pulse, then the fluctuations in the quadrature field are considerably below the Schrodinger limit, but the field is never squeezed below the Heisenberg limit.
Evaluation of analytical reporting errors generated as described in SW-846 Method 8261A

SW-846 Method 8261A incorporates the vacuum distillation of analytes from samples, and their recoveries are characterized by internal standards. The internal standards measure recoveries with confidence intervals as functions of physical properties. The frequency these confidence intervals include true values was very close to theoretical predictions. The ruggedness of the Method’s generation of confidence intervals was tested by analyzing water samples that were altered using salt, glycerin, oil, and detergent, and by increasing sample volume. Quality-control requirements were established for identifying when results might not be normally distributed. There were 11,260 analyte results, of which 90.8% of the data passed quality controls. Their distribution about true value was near theoretical values (71.3, 95.0, and 99.2% for one, two and three sigma deviations).
Preoperative sagittal CT evaluation of the frontal recess.

Endoscopic surgical approaches for chronic frontal sinusitis require the reestablishment of adequate frontal sinus ventilation and drainage for relief of symptoms. After the resection of anterior e...
WEB MINING: A SURVEY OF CURRENT RESEARCH, TECHNIQUES, AND SOFTWARE

The purpose of this paper is to provide a more current evaluation and update of web mining research and techniques available. Current advances in each of the three different types of web mining are reviewed in the categories of web content mining, web usage mining, and web structure mining. For each tabulated research work, we examine such key issues as web mining process, methods/techniques, applications, data sources, and software used. Unlike previous investigators, we divide web mining processes into the following five subtasks: (1) resource finding and retrieving, (2) information selection and preprocessing, (3) patterns analysis and recognition, (4) validation and interpretation, and (5) visualization. This paper also reports the comparisons and summaries of selected software for web mining. The web mining software selected for discussion and comparison in this paper are SPSS Clementine, Megaputer PolyAnalyst, ClickTracks by web analytics, and QL2 by QL2 Software Inc. Applications of these selected web mining software to available data sets are discussed together with abundant presentations of screen shots, as well as conclusions and future directions of the research.
Adsorption Morphology, Light Absorption, and Sensitization Yields for Squaraine Dyes on SnS2 Surfaces

The sensitization properties of two squaraine dyes adsorbed onto the van der Waals surface of n-doped tin disulfide single crystals were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), vis−NIR absorption spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemical techniques. Quantum yield per absorbed photon (QYAP) values of near unity were observed for submonolayer coverages of 2,4-bis(4-(N-methyl-N-hexylamino)phenyl)squaraine (1-6SQ) in aqueous electrolyte when a sufficiently positive bias was applied, demonstrating the advantages of SnS2 as a photoanode for fundamental studies of dye sensitization. Islandlike and microcrystalline morphologies, associated with aggregate formation and revealed by AFM, could be correlated with spectral shifts in both the absorbance and photoaction spectra. A related dye, 2,4-bis(4-(N,N-dimethyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl)squaraine (1-1OHSQ), at similar coverages showed slightly lower QYAP, ascribed to a recombination path due to the different aggregate structures.
IN VIVO CHLOROPHYLL a FLUORESCENCE TRANSIENTS AND THE CIRCADIAN RHYTHM OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN GONYAULAX POLYEDRA

— The intensity of chlorophyll a fluorescence during the early part of fluorescence induction at O, initial fluorescence, and P, peak fluorescence, was higher during the day phase of the circadian cycle than during the night phase in continuous light (LL) conditions and was positively correlated with the rate of oxygen evolution. The circadian rhythm in fluorescence in LL persisted in the presence of 10μM 3–(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), which blocks electron flow from photo-system (PS) II in photosynthesis. The rhythmic changes in fluorescence intensity are consistent with a lower rate constant for radiationless transitions during the day phase than during the night phase of the circadian rhythmicity. The circadian changes in the intensity of fluorescence were abolished at 77K, which may indicate the importance of structural changes in membranes in circadian oscillations.
Sulfur, chlorine and fluorine degassing and atmospheric loading by the Roza eruption, Columbia River Basalt Group, Washington, USA

Abstract In this study we attempt to quantify the amount of S, Cl and F released by the 1300 km3 Roza member (~ 14.7 Ma) of the Columbia River Basalt Group, which was produced by a moderate-size flood basalt eruption in the mid-Miocene. Our results are the first indication of the potential atmospheric SO2 yield from a flood basalt eruption, and indicate the mechanism by which flood basalt eruptions may have seriously affected the environment. Glass inclusions in phenocrysts and quenched glass in products from various stages of the eruption were analyzed for concentrations of S, Cl and F and major elements. Glass inclusions contain 1965 ± 110 ppm S, 295 ± 65 ppm Cl and 1310 ± 110 ppm F. Groundmass glass of Roza dike selvages contains considerably lower concentrations: 1110 ± 90 ppm S, 245 ± 30 ppm Cl and 1020 ± 25 ppm F. Scoria clasts from near vent deposits contain 665 ± 75 ppm S, 175 ± 5 ppm Cl and 950 ± 20 ppm F, and the groundmass glass of lava selvages contains 520 ± 30 ppm S, 190 ± 30 ppm Cl and 890 ± 55 ppm F. In crystalline lava, the concentrations are 195 ppm S, 100 ppm Cl and 830 ppm F. Volatile element concentrations in these samples represent the progress of degassing through the eruption and can be used to estimate the potential amount of the volatiles S, Cl and F released by the magma into the atmosphere, as well as to evaluate the amount liberated by various phases of the eruption. The total amount of volatiles released by the Roza eruption is estimated to have been ~ 12,420 Mt SO2, ~ 710 Mt HCl and ~ 1780 Mt HF. The Roza magma liberated ~ 9620 Mt SO2 (77% of the total volatile mass released), ~ 400 Mt HCl (56%) and ~ 1450 Mt HF (81%) at the vents and lofted by the eruption columns to altitudes of 7–13 km. Degassing of the lava is estimated to have released an additional ~ 2810 Mt SO2, ~ 310 Mt HCl and ~ 330 Mt HF. The Roza eruption is likely to have lasted for ~ 10 years, indicating an annual H2SO4-mass loading of ~ 1800 Mt. Thus, the atmospheric perturbations associated with the Roza eruption may have been of the magnitude predicted for a severe “nuclear” or “volcanic” winter, but lasting up to a decade or more.
Petrology of Upper Mississippian Denmar Formation, Greenbrier Group, East-Central West Virginia: ABSTRACT

The Denmar Formation of Randolph County is a package of interbedded marine carbonates and siliciclastics deposited on a broad subsiding carbonate platform. Seven major microfacies are recognized: terrigenous siltstone, dolomitized micrite, pelmicrite, biopelmicrite, quartzose pelmicrite, oosparite, and oomicrite. These microfacies characterize three major paleoenvironments: supratidal, intertidal, and shallow subtidal. Four major diagenetic realms are noted: the low supratidal flat containing evaporites and dolomite; the meteoric zone containing blocky calcite spar; the shallow marine phreatic zone with marine cement and micritized fossil fragments; and the burial zone containing mature stylolites. The Denmar Formation represents a sequence of alternating low-energy, shallowing-upward pelmicrite-mudstone and higher energy, shallowing-upward oosparite-grainstone shelf cycles. The pelmicrite-mudstone cycles are mainly composed of intertidal and supratidal sediment. The oosparite-grainstone cycles are mainly composed of low and higher energy subtidal sediments. Diagenesis occurred in both the marine and meteoric zones. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of east-central West Virginia during deposition of the Denmar is attempted. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1449------------
Determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent factors (TEFs): support for the use of the in vitro AHH induction assay

The in vitro induction of the cytochrome P1-450-dependent monooxygenases, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) or ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) by 2,3,7,8-TCDD and related toxic halogenated aryl hydrocarbons in rat hepatoma H-4-II E cells has been developed as a short term quantitative bioassay for these toxic chemicals. There was a linear correlation between the -log EC50 (in vitro) AHH induction vs the -log ED50 (in vivo) for body weight loss, thymic atrophy, hepatic AHH and EROD induction in the rat for several polychlorinated biphenyl, dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran congeners and mixtures. These data clearly support the utility of the in vitro AHH induction assay as a short term test system for quantitating the “toxic or 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents” in an extract containing toxic halogenated aromatics. The bioassay method is rapid, relatively accurate and much more cost effective than conventional analytical methods such as gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry from which it is difficult to determine the levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents in specific analytes.