cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, FRS on Vermeer: a figment of the imagination

Translator’s note: In 1710, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek’s daughter sent the attached letter to The Royal Society in London. Over the course of his life, Van Leeuwenhoek had sent 634 letters to the Society, concerning the myriad discoveries he had made using the microscope—of which he was one of the early inventors. He appears to have written the following letter at the time of the events he describes, but not to have mailed it. After his death, his daughter sent it, along with his other papers, to the Society. At that time, the Librarian of the Society filed his letters under the area of scientific inquiry that best characterized them (e.g., protozoa, blood, insects, human tissues, flora, etc.). This letter was filed separately under “miscellany.” It had been read in 1873, at the 150th anniversary of Van Leeuwenhoek’s death. At that time, it was passed on to a corresponding member of the Royal Society, Dr. Seebrun Van Dekker, who translated it from the Old Dutch into modern English. This translation was recently found among Van Dekker’s papers. In 1873, the work of Vermeer was not well known or appreciated, and hence this letter was considered of little interest, other than as exemplifying the breadth of Van Leeuwenhoek’s interests. Given recent heightened interest in the artist (1–7), however, Van Dekker’s great-great granddaughter, Dr. Virginia Thompson, a psychiatrist in New York, asked me to read it and arrange for its publication. I have not corrected the manuscript, but merely present it as it is, with a few minor grammatical alterations as to be smoother to the ears of contemporary English readers.
Quantitative characterization of a nonreacting, supersonic combustor flowfield using unified, laser-induced iodine fluorescence

A calibrated, nonintrusive optical technique, laser-induced iodine fluorescence (LIIF) was used to quantify the steady, compressible flowfield of a nonreacting, supersonic combustor. The combustor was configured with single and staged, transverse-air injection into a supersonic-air freestream behind a rearward-facing step. Pressure, temperature, two-velocity components, and injectant mole fraction were measured with high spatial resolution in the three-dimensional flowfields. These experimental results provide a benchmark set of data for validation of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes being developed to model supersonic combustor flowfields.
Effect of 2,3,7,8 - tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on spermatogenesis and Leydig cell volume in adult rats

Abstract Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alters testicular function; however, its effect on daily sperm production and Leydig cell volume has not been determined in adult rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (300–350 g) received 0, 12.5, 25.0, or 50.0 μg/kg body weight doses of TCDD by a single intraperitoneal injection. The body weight was reduced (P 0.05) to have reduced Leydig cell volume after TCDD treatment, and rats in Exp. 2 revealed a dose-dependent reduction (P
Chemical and biological studies on dihydro-s-triazines. XVII. Modifications of the three-component synthesis favoring the formation of 2-guanidino-4-methylquinazoline byproducts†

A modified three-component reaction of arylamines, cyanoguanidine, and acetone is described, wherein formation of anomalous guanidinoquinazoline byproducts is greatly enhanced at the expense of the normal dihydro-s-triazines. Four new guanidinoquinazolines and four new dihydro-s-triazines were synthesized via this modification, starting from 2,4-, 2,5-, 3,4-, and 3,5-dimethoxyaniline. The guanidinoquinazoline to dihydro-s-triazine ratio was much higher with 3,4- and 3,5-dimethoxyaniline than with 2,4-dimethoxyaniline. 2,5-Dimethoxyaniline gave an unexpectedly low yield of guanidinoquinazoline, apparently because of steric hindrance. The modified three-component synthesis was also examined in detail with 2-naphthylamine.
Influence of diet on cold storage of the predator Perillus bioculatus (F.).

Cold storage of insects is a common practice used when transporting insects or to assist with efforts to increase the size of a colony. However, cold storage affects egg, nymphal and adult survival, fecundity, and egg viability. We evaluated the influence of nutrient source on the response of eggs, nymphs and adults of Perillus bioculatus when exposed to two temperatures most likely to be used for short and extended storage by comparing natural prey-fed insects to artificial diet-fed insects. The results of our study showed that the survival of eggs from either prey-fed or diet-fed insects declined at both 4 and 10°C as the length of storage exceeded one week. The survival of nymphs exposed to cold storage treatment was slightly higher than for eggs, with a similar response to time of storage. Unique to the nymphal stage was the superior performance of diet-fed insects over prey-fed insects. However, of the three developmental stages tested, the best survival was obtained with adults. Our results show that both prey-fed and diet-fed adults were able to withstand cold storage at 10°C for three weeks with very little loss of survival, fecundity or viability of eggs oviposited by those adults. Longer periods of storage resulted in a decline in survival, fecundity and egg viability and that decline was greatest at 4°C. Outcross mating of cold stored adults with adults held at 26°C indicated that adult females were more detrimentally affected by cold storage than males. There were differences in the response of P. bioculatus to cold storage compared to previously reported responses of P. maculiventris. However, the most notable difference is that P. maculiventris did better at almost all parameters than P. bioculatus. Collectively, these results demonstrate a nutrient influence on the response to cold storage at different developmental stages.
Determination of estrogen and androgen receptors in Trichomonas vaginalis and the effects of antihormones

Trichomonas vaginalis, a common genital pathogen, was found to possess both specific estrogen and specific androgen receptors. These 4.3 S macromolecules were proteinaceous in nature. Both metronidazole-resistant and metronidazole-sensitive strains possessed both types of sex hormone-binding proteins. The estrogen receptor binding was competitively inhibited by the antiestrogen tamoxifen citrate, and the androgen binding was competitively inhibited by the antiandrogen cyoctol. The presence of these specific receptors may allow the use of hormonal and antihormonal manipulation in the treatment of infections caused by these organisms.
SU‐C‐110‐01: Strategies for Online Plan Re‐Optimization: Objective Settings and Starting Stage

Purpose: To find the most robust strategies of objective setting and starting stage for online plan re‐optimization, so it can be automatically executed within 1 min while providing high quality adaptive plans. Methods: 10 prostate cancer patients, each with 1 planning‐CT and 5 CBCTs, were retrospectively studied to simulate daily re‐optimization. PTV objectives were (same across plans): D95>100% and Dmax 30% larger than planning‐CT. Conclusions: CT and Deformed‐CT objectives are in general superior to RTOG for OAR sparing. Deformed‐CT objective is more robust when OAR volume significantly increases. Warm‐start has better OAR sparing, but significantly increases total‐MU. Research partially supported by a master research grant from Varian Medical Systems.
Demonstration of lateral asymmetry in G-banded mouse embryo chromosomes

Cells obtained from 10-day mouse embryos were cultured for 3 h in medium containing colcemid. Chromosome preparations were subjected to G-banding in either calcium-magnesium free Hank's solution or the ASG method. From one to several occurrences of lateral asymmetry (unequal banding of sister chromatids) were observed in the majority of karyotypes analyzed.
Critiquing the critics: an approach for the comparative evaluation of critical schemas

Abstract The emergence and persistence of a market requires a broadly accepted framework or schema for the evaluation of product offerings. In many markets, critics play an important role in the elaboration of these schemas. However, sociologists lack a systematic method for comparing critical schemas and consequently lack a systematic method for assessing how critics play their respective roles. In this paper, we propose a method for making such comparisons. This approach gives rise to a role typology, where schemas can be of four types: simple, complex, unpartitioned, and robust. This paper applies this method to the analysis of film reviews appearing in Variety and the New York Times between 1946 and 1982.
Coatings for Automotive Planetary Gearsets

The operating environment in typical automotive planetary gearsets leads to harsh tribological conditions. Relatively low operating speeds combined with low viscosity lubricants hinder the formation of protective oil films. As power density increases, gear surface fatigue (pitting) limits gear life and the life of the transmission as a whole. Coatings have been found to be effective in extending pitting fatigue life of gears. The authors have tested a number of different coatings over the last ten years. Some of them increased gear life by fifteen times in bench tests. The most successful coatings have been hard, ceramic coatings such as B4 C and Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) that smooth the mating surface and improve the lubrication conditions in the contact. Recently CrN, a widely available and affordable coating, has been studied and found to be a good alternative to other coatings.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Electron Distribution in the Nonclassical Bis(dithiolene) Electron Transfer Series [M(CO)2(S2C2Me2)2]0/1-/2- (M = Mo, W): Assessment by Structural, Spectroscopic, and Density Functional Theory Results

The electron-transfer series [M(CO)2(S2C2Me2)2]0/1-/2- (series 2) have been established, and the previously reported series [M(S2C2Me2)3]0/1-/2- (series 3) confirmed, by voltammetry (M = Mo, W). Redox reactions are reversible with EMo > EW, and all members of each series have been isolated. Members of a given series have very similar distorted trigonal prismatic structures; isoelectronic complexes are isostructural. The existence of these series with structurally characterized members facilitates examination of geometric and electronic properties over three consecutive oxidation states. Upon traversing the series in the reducing direction, M−S, S−C, and C−O bond distances increase, and M−C, chelate ring C−C, and νCO values decrease. Density functional calculations identify the electroactive orbital, which is well separated in energy from other orbitals. Trends in bond lengths and vibrational frequencies in a given series are fully accountable in terms of increasing population of this orbital, whose compos...
Distinct Functional Properties of Rab3A and Rab3B in PC12 Neuroendocrine Cells (

Rab3A and Rab3B are highly homologous monomeric GTPases that are putative regulators of exocytosis in those tissues in which they are expressed. We have characterized and directly compared the targeting and functional properties of these isoforms in PC12 neuroendocrine cells. Rab3A and Rab3B both targeted to norepinephrine (NE)-containing large dense core vesicles (LDCVs) when stably expressed in PC12 cells, as determined by immunofluorescence and membrane fractionation. Both Rab3 isoforms also bound to recombinant rabphilin-3A in a GTP-dependent manner. The membrane association of rabphilin-3A was modestly enhanced in Rab3B-expressing PC12 cells relative to Rab3A-overexpressing cells. In addition, overexpression of Rab3A modestly inhibited Ca2+-evoked NE release, whereas Rab3B and a GTP binding mutant (Rab3B N135I) markedly stimulated the efficiency of [3H]NE secretion by PC12 cells (i.e. secretion normalized to total cell radioactivity). Expression of Rab3B and Rab3B N135I increased not only the efficiency of NE secretion but also the accumulation of [3H]NE into LDCVs (i.e. the secretory cargo available for secretion). Neither of these effects was attributable to changes in the numbers of LDCVs nor the docking of LDCVs at the plasma membrane. Our results indicate that Rab3A and Rab3B have similar membrane targeting properties and are capable of interacting with the same putative downstream effector; i.e. rabphilin-3A. However, these isoforms are functionally distinct monomeric GTPases with Rab3B stimulating a late step in Ca2+-evoked secretion when expressed in PC12 cells.
An extension of bayesian measure of information to regression

This paper extends Lindley's measure of average information to the linear model, E(Y∣s) = Xs. An expression which quantifies the average amount of information provided by the nxl vector of observations Y about the pxl vector of coefficient parameters s will be derived. The effect of the structure of the regressor matrix, X, on the information measure is discussed. An information theoretic optimal design is characterized. Some applications are suggested.
Powder synthesis and electrical, dielectric spectroscopic characterization of rare earth disilicates (D-Er2Si2O7): Transistor scaling-22 nm or beyond

Abstract Rare earth disilicates are now a day's being analyzed as a dielectric layer for transistor scaling for the advanced 22 nm regime or beyond. So to explore these materials, the polymorphic powdered Er2Si2O7 (D phase) is synthesized by solid state double sintering method to study its characteristics. Structural characterization has been performed by X-ray diffraction. SEM and EDX results shows the rods like morphology of particles and composition. The dc electrical properties are evaluated by two probe method as a function of temperature. The dielectric spectroscopic measurements of D-Er2Si2O7 are performed in the temperature range 300–420 K and frequency range 1 kHz to 1 MHz. The dc electrical transport phenomenon is analyzed using Mott’s variable-range hopping approach. The ac conductivity σac(ω) is obtained through the dielectric spectroscopic measurements.
Rotational Energy Transfer in Direct Inelastic Surface Scattering: NO on Ag(111)

Rotational state distributions for NO scattered from Ag(111) have been measured over the incident kinetic energy range of 0.1 to 1.7 eV with use of rotationally cold molecular beam and laser-induced-fluorescence detection. The measured distributions divide into two parts: a low rotational state portion ($J\ensuremath{\lesssim}20.5$) which is described by a Boltzmann distribution and a high-$J$ portion which shows a broad structure tentatively interpreted as resulting from a rotational rainbow.
Effect of Ionizing Radiations on Resting Conidia of Aspergillus flavus

SUMMARY— Conidia of Aspergillus flavors were exposed to the gamma radiation of Cobalt-60 and to 1 Mev electrons generated in a resonance transformer accelerator. When the spores were irradiated in water there was a linear relationship between radiation dose and logarithmic survival of the spores, with a D value equal to 38 Krad for both the gamma rays and the electrons. In the absence of surrounding water the resistance of the spores to radiation was higher than in the presence of water and the dose-survival curve was not linear. There was no appreciable pH effect in the range of 3 to 7 on the radiation resistance of the spores. When the spores were irradiated in dextrose solution a small increase in their radiation resistance was observed as the sugar concentration was raised from 0 to 40%.
Influence of ENSO on Pacific Decadal Variability: An Analysis Based on the NCEP Climate Forecast System

AbstractThe influence of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on Pacific decadal variability (PDV) is investigated by comparing two 500-yr simulations with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System coupled model. One simulation is a no-ENSO run, in which model daily sea surface temperature (SST) in the tropical Pacific Ocean is relaxed to the observed climatology. The other simulation is a fully coupled run and retains ENSO variability. The PDV considered in this study is the first two empirical orthogonal functions of monthly SST anomalies in the North Pacific: the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO). The PDO in the no-ENSO run can be clearly identified. Without ENSO, the PDO displays relatively higher variance at the decadal time scale and no spectral peak at the interannual time scale. In the ENSO run, the PDO variability increases slightly. ENSO not only enhances the variability of the PDO at the interannual time scale, ...
Capillary and surface effects in the formation of nanosharp tungsten tips by electropolishing.

The DC electropolishing process has been applied to the sharpening of tungsten wires in 2 M KOH aqueous solution. Necking of tungsten anodes takes place in the vicinity of the electrolyte−air interface. This results in the creation of two separate wire parts with nanosharp tips. Using image analysis, we demonstrate that the products of electrochemical reactions on the wire surface form a film with distinguishable properties. Experimental estimates of the film density and interfacial tension show that the film is approximately 32 kg/m3 denser than the surrounding electrolyte and that its interfacial tension is approximately σ ≈ 0.2 mN/m. Using these estimates, we show that the film flow is predominantly driven by capillary forces. We hypothesize that the wire necking is caused by a bidirectional film flow originated from Plateau−Rayleigh instability and inherent to cylindrical films and jets.
Dobutamine technetium-99m tetrofosmin SPECT imaging for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with limited exercise capacity

Background Technetium-99m tetrofosmin single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging is increasingly used in conjunction with exercise and vasodilator stress test as a means of evaluating coronary artery disease (CAD). Dobutamine stress test is an alternative in patients with limited exercise capacity. This study assessed the accuracy of dobutamine-atropine stress tetrofosmin SPECT as a means of diagnosing and localizing CAD.
The theory of melting in heteropolymers. II. Correlated chains

Equations are derived for the calculation of the ground-state melting curves for polynucleotide sequences with correlation between the nearest neighbors. The case of arbitrary correlated sequences is also considered. The effect of correlations in the sequence on the width and on the intrinsic fine structure of melting curves is discussed.
Mechanical circulatory support after heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) may be used for severe graft failure after heart transplantation, but the degree to which it is lifesaving is uncertain. METHODS: Between June 1990 and December 2009, 53 patients after 1417 heart transplants (3.7%) required post-transplant MCS for acute rejection (n= 17), biventricular failure (n= 16), right ventricular failure (n= 16), left ventricular failure (n= 1), or respiratory failure (n= 3). Although support was occasionally instituted remotely post-transplant (5 > 1 year), in 39 (73%) instances it was required within 1 week. Initial mode of support was extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 43 patients (81%), biventricular assist device in 4 (7.5%), and right ventricular assist device in 6 (11%). RESULTS: Risk of requiring respiratory support was highest in those with restrictive cardiomyopathy as indication for transplant, women, and those with elevated pulmonary pressure or renal failure. Complications of support, which increased progressively with its duration, included stroke in two patients (3.8%), infection in two (3.8%), and reoperation for bleeding (seven instances) in four (7.0%). Nineteen patients (36%) recovered and were removed from support, five (9.4%) underwent retransplantation (four after biventricular failure and one after acute rejection), and 29 died while on support (55%). Overall survival after initiating support was 94%, 83%, 66%, and 43% at 1, 3, 7, and 30 days, respectively. Patients requiring support for biventricular failure had better survival than those having acute rejection or other indications (P= 0.03). Survival after retransplantation or removal from support following recovery was 88% at 1 year and 61% at 10 years. CONCLUSION: Severe refractory heart failure after transplantation is a rare catastrophic event for which MCS offers the possibility of recovery or bridge to retransplantation, particularly for patients with biventricular failure in the absence of rejection. Early retransplantation should be considered in patients who show no evidence of graft recovery on MCS.
Evidence-based Implementation of Free Phenytoin Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Background: The majority of laboratories measure total phenytoin concentration for therapeutic drug monitoring. However, there are substantial interindividual variations in free phenytoin concentrations, the pharmacologically active component. Methods: We describe the process and data used to implement monitoring of free phenytoin only in an urban medical center. Over a 6-week period, total and free phenytoin concentrations were measured, clinical charts reviewed, and indications for alterations in the percentage of free phenytoin fraction were determined. Results: Of the 189 phenytoin requests from 139 patients, 136 data points were analyzed. Free phenytoin concentrations were 6.8–35.3%, with 50% outside the expected range of 8–12%. Clinical indications likely responsible for variations were hypoalbuminemia, drug interactions, uremia, pregnancy, and age. Overall, 30% of patients demonstrated a discrepancy between therapeutic, subtherapeutic, or supratherapeutic concentrations between free and total phenytoin concentrations. The largest discordance (53%) occurred in the patient group with free phenytoin 12%. Conclusions: This study supports previous clinical findings that monitoring total phenytoin is not as reliable as free phenytoin as a clinical indicator for therapeutic and nontherapeutic concentrations. Thus, we recommend that therapeutic monitoring should use free phenytoin concentrations only.
COBRA: a 100-MOPS single-chip programmable and expandable FFT

This paper presents an optimized column fast Fourier transform (FFT) architecture, which utilizes bit-serial arithmetic and dynamic reconfiguration to achieve a complete overlap between computation and communication. As a result, for a clock rate of 40 MHz, the system can compute a 24-b precision 1K point complex FFT transform in 9.2 /spl mu/s, far surpassing the performance of any existing FFT systems.
Future seascapes, fishing, and fish farming

The depletion of many marine fisheries has created a new impetus to expand seafood production through fish farming, or aquaculture. Marine aquaculture, especially of salmon and shrimp, has grown considerably in the past two decades, and aquaculturists are also beginning to farm other marine species. Production data for salmon and shrimp indicate that farming supplements, rather than substitutes for fishing. Since most farmed marine fish are carnivores, farming them relies on the capture of finite supplies of wild fish for use in fish feeds. As aquaculture is not substituting for wild fisheries, heavy dependence on wild fish inputs is a concern as marine aquaculture grows. Other likely impacts include escapes of farmed fish and large-scale waste discharges from fish farms. A viable future for marine ecosystems will require incorporation of ecological perspectives into polices that integrate fishing, aquaculture, and conservation.
Crustal evolution across the southern Appalachians: Initial results from the SESAME broadband array

[1] Receiver functions from the EarthScope Southeastern Suture of the Appalachian Margin Experiment broadband deployment and U.S. Transportable Array were analyzed to constrain average crustal thickness and composition across the southern Appalachians. Low Vp/Vs ratios (1.69–1.72) across the Carolina terrane and parts of the Inner Piedmont indicate that the crust has a felsic average composition. The results are consistent with models of thin-skinned thrusting of Carolina arc fragments over Laurentian basement, whereas arc collision models require significant crustal modification to explain the low Vp/Vs. New crustal thickness estimates provide constraints on the extent of the Blue Ridge crustal root. The present root may be a remnant of a broader structure formed by Alleghanian thrust loading. Root preservation is attributed to Mesozoic heating and thinning of the lower crust beneath outboard terranes, leaving colder Blue Ridge crust largely intact. However, thickened crust (50–55 km) across the region may also be inherited from continental collision during the Proterozoic Grenville orogeny.
Predictive factors for dural tear and cerebrospinal fluid leakage in patients undergoing lumbar surgery.

Object A dural tear resulting in a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a well-known risk of lumbar spinal procedures. The authors hypothesized that the incidence of CSF leakage is higher in cases involving repeated operations and those in which the surgeon performing the surgery is less experienced; however, they postulated that the overall outcome of the patient would not be adversely affected by a dural tear. Methods An institutional review board–approved protocol at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, was initiated in August 2003 to allow prospective comparison of data obtained in patients in whom a CSF leak occurred (Group A) and those in whom no CSF leak occurred (Group B) during lumbar surgery. Basic demographic information, descriptive findings regarding the tear, history of other surgeries, hospital length of stay (LOS), and immediate disposition at the time of discharge were compared between the two groups. Seventy-seven patients were eligible for this study. One patient ...
Analysis of adaptive optics-based telescope arrays in a deep-space inter-planetary optical communications link between Earth and Mars

Abstract Earth-based telescope array receivers employing optical communications have the potential to fulfill the communication needs of technologically sophisticated, deep-space exploration missions. Atmospheric turbulence is the chief restrictive factor in an optical deep-space channel (ODSC). In this paper, investigation and design of adaptive optics (AO) subsystems are presented for the compensation of the coupled effects of optical turbulence and background noise in telescope array receivers. An end-to-end simulation platform for an ODSC between Mars and Earth is implemented, which incorporates pulse-position modulation (PPM), direct-detection receivers, and detectors with the capability of detection of single photon. The extreme conditions of atmospheric turbulence and background noise are also modeled in the analysis. AO subsystems are incorporated at individual telescopes in the array receiver to mitigate the turbulence effects. The performance of array receivers is evaluated in terms of the probability of error and communication throughput. The analysis in this research depicts that in worst-case turbulence and background noise conditions, inclusion of AO systems results in 8.5 dB performance improvement in communication data rates. The performance improvement of 5.6 dB is achievable in moderate channel conditions. Comparison of performance of array receivers with that of a large monolithic telescope shows that incorporation of AO systems is more feasible in arrays comprising telescopes with relatively smaller diameters.
Experimental and Computational Investigation of Altered Mechanical Properties in Myocardium after Hydrogel Injection

The material properties of myocardium are an important determinant of global left ventricular function. Myocardial infarction results in a series of maladaptive geometric alterations which lead to increased stress and risk of heart failure. In vivo studies have demonstrated that material injection can mitigate these changes. More importantly, the material properties of these injectates can be tuned to minimize wall thinning and ventricular dilation. The current investigation combines experimental data and finite element modeling to correlate how injectate mechanics and volume influence myocardial wall stress. Experimentally, mechanics were characterized with biaxial testing and injected hydrogel volumes were measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Injection of hyaluronic acid hydrogel increased the stiffness of the myocardium/hydrogel composite region in an anisotropic manner, significantly increasing the modulus in the longitudinal direction compared to control myocardium. Increased stiffness, in combination with increased volume from hydrogel injection, reduced the global average fiber stress by ~14% and the transmural average by ~26% in the simulations. Additionally, stiffening in an anisotropic manner enhanced the influence of hydrogel treatment in decreasing stress. Overall, this work provides insight on how injectable biomaterials can be used to attenuate wall stress and provides tools to further optimize material properties for therapeutic applications.
Clinical utility of Abbott Precision Xceed Pro® ketone meter in diabetic patients.

Yu HE, Agus M, Kellogg MD. Clinical utility of Abbott Precision Xceed Pro® ketone meter in diabetic patients. Background: Diagnosis and management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) often rely on the measurement of urine ketones along with blood glucose, anion gap, and pH. These values, however, do not reliably reflect the severity of ketoacidosis. The Abbott Precision Xceed Pro® meter is an FDA-approved device that quantitatively measures β-hydroxybutyrate (BOH) in whole blood. This study was undertaken to determine whether the ketone meter meets the analytical criteria to aid DKA diagnosis and management in the hospital. Methods: 54 heparinized venous whole blood BOH concentrations from 27 diabetic patients were measured by the Abbott meter, and compared with the plasma BOH concentrations measured with Stanbio reagent (reference method). Measurements were done in the hospital central laboratory. Results: Of the 54 pairs of specimens analyzed, 17 pairs displayed a difference of >15% between the two methods. Nearly all discrepant points occurred when BOH >5 mmol/L (reference method). Linearity evaluation revealed that the meter is not linear from 0.0 to 8.0 mmol/L, contrary to the claim by the manufacturer. Further, we identified acetoacetate, a metabolite commonly present in DKA patients, as a potential interfering substance for the meter BOH measurement. Conclusions: BOH measurements by the Abbott meter up to 3 mmol/L correlate well with the reference method, but become discrepant above that point. While this characteristic may be useful in the diagnosis of DKA, it may not allow clinicians to serially follow the response to therapy in hospitalized DKA patients with BOH values greater than 5 mmol/L (reference method).
A vector-based goodness-of-fit metric for interval-scaled data

With interval-scale data, goodness-of-fit is conceptualized as the degree of dissimilarity between a set of n idealized values and a set of suitably scaled sample scores. Depending on the choice of the idealized values, the dissimilarity statistic, h, can encompass a number of extant statistics (e.g., all probability-plot statistics, and normal model Shapiro-Wilk W and Shapiro-Francia W statistics). In gerneral, however, two other methods of defining the idealized markers can be utilized (i.e., a method based on the mean-value theorem, and a method based on the concept of zonal medians). Evidence is provided that the resulting h statistic is both computationally straightforward and powerful.
Videourodynamic diagnosis of occult genuine stress incontinence in patients with anterior vaginal wall relaxation

Objective To (1) utilize videourodynamics, the gold standard, to assess the prevalence of occult genuine stress incontinence (GSI) among preoperative patients with symptomatic anterior vaginal wall relaxation and (2) identify urodynamic discriminators that might help predict occult GSI. Methods In this prospective study, videourodynamic evaluation was performed on 48 consecutive patients presenting for preoperative urodynamic evaluation of anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Patients with occult GSI were identified by urodynamic testing with and without Gehrung pessary support of the bladder base during stress maneuvers. Variables from the history, physical examination, and videourodynamics were then analyzed. Results The overall incidence of occult GSI was 25% (22.7% in the pelvic organ prolapse [POP] group and 26.9% in the POP-UI group). Patients with occult GSI were not identifiable on history but did have a higher incidence of late first sensation, open bladder neck at rest, and hypermobility on imaging with videourodynamics. Conclusion This study suggests that one quarter of women presenting with anterior wall relaxation with or without incontinence symptoms have occult GSI. Given this high prevalence, preoperative evaluation with urodynamics, possibly videourodynamics, utilizing bladder base support is justified if the data are substantiated in a larger, definitive study. Patients with a late first sensation, open bladder neck, and hypermobility may have a higher incidence of occult GSI.
Flame Broadening Effects on Premixed Turbulent Flame Speed

Abstract Yakhot's turbulent flame speed model is extended to include the effects of scales smaller than the laminar flame thickness (δ). An expression for the turbulent flame speed (ST) as a function of the turbulence intensity (u') and turbulent Reynolds number is derived. Good qualitative and fair quantitative agreement with experiment is obtained. It is found that at moderately high u', the small scales act to increase 5rover a “thin” flame at the same u' and that at very high u' these scales may actually cause a decrease in ST. In agreement with recent experimental observations, it is concluded that the effect of scales smaller than δ are probably significant for most flames at sufficiently high u'. It is argued that the high Reynolds number flames are in some respects simpler than low and intermediate Reynolds number flames because the application of the methods of statistical physics are possible in the former case.
Business Groups as Information Resource: An Investigation of Business Group Affiliation in the Indian Software Services Industry

Although business groups benefit firms when markets fail, does group affiliation continue to be an advantage for firms in deregulated, globally competitive industries? I argue that affiliation allows firms to tap into the knowledge and connections of sister affiliates. This enables them to attract clients from more industries and foreign markets than can unaffiliated firms, and to attain higher international sales. Using data from the Indian software industry, I find support for these hypotheses, but only for 2000-02, when competition increased as a result of new deregulation. These results suggest business groups continue to provide benefits to group-affiliated firms, including information on market opportunities and "reputation signaling" to clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Comparative Performance Evaluation of a Multistory Double Skin Façade Building in Humid Continental Climate

This paper focuses on investigation of a multi-story double skin facade system in the humid continental climate of Michigan. The double-skin facade is an architectural phenomenon driven by the aesthetic desire for an all-glass facade which also reduce building energy consumption. In this paper building envelope performance is investigated by modeling energy performance of different design scenarios of a commercial building with double skin facade and compare it with the actual energy consumption. The primary goal of this research is to clarify the state-of-the-art performance of DSFs in hot continental climate, so that designers can assess the value of these building concepts in meeting the design goals for thermal comfort, ventilation, energy efficiency and sustainability. This investigation adopts an analytical approach using dynamic simulation software (Energy Plus/Designbuilder), to understand the performance of single skin facade in comparison with a double skin facade. The results proved that the multi-story facade in humid continental climate had a major impact on enhancing performance and as a result, a reduction in energy usage.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Measuring School Efficiency Using School Production Functions

Measuring the efficiency of public schools in a way that disentangles the efficiency of the school itself (the effective use of administrators, teachers, pedagogical techniques, and so on) from the characteristics of the clients it serves (the students) is difficult but critical to creating performance measures that can be used to identify successful practices, guide school reforms, and reward or sanction school personnel. Although some would argue that raw test scores are, in and of themselves, sufficient to distinguish between good and not-so-good schools, the economic theory of the production of education suggests an alternative approach. According to this view, although test scores provide a measure of school output, assessing school efficiency requires the understanding of the education production function, which captures the process by which the inputs to schooling are translated into outputs.
Some new and known species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Hatschekiidae) parasitic on the branchial lamellae of Japanese actinopterygian fishes belonging to Perciformes, with revision of the known species of the genus

Nine species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 are (re-)described based on specimens recovered from the branchial lamellae of Japanese actinopterygian fishes belonging to Perciformes. They are Hatschekia aulacocephalis sp. nov., H. bicaudata Kabata, 1991, H. cirrhitichthysicola sp. nov., H. crenulata Kabata, 1991, H. curvata Yamaguti & Yamasu, 1959, H. etelisicola Lee, Lee & Boxshall, 2013, H. nemipteri sp. nov., H. pagrosomi Yamaguti, 1939, and H. paracaesioi sp. nov., of which H. curvata is resurrected from the synonymy of H. quadrabdominalis Yu, 1933. Additionally, H. jonesi sp. nov. is herein established for Jones’ (1985) redescription of H. quadrabdominalis .
Some Observations on the Calvo Clause

In the case of the Mexican Union Railway, Ltd., decided in February, 1930, the British-Mexican Claims Commission, set up in accordance with the Convention of November 19,1926, added another stone to the somewhat unsteady structure of decisions on the Calvo Clause. The majority of the Commissioners enthusiastically adopted the considerationsof the United States-Mexican General Claims Commission in the North American Dredging Case, “ not thinking it necessary to repeat them, or possible to express them better.” Even the British Commissioner, Sir John Percival, who dissented, differed from the majority mainly in regard to the application of the opinion in the North American Dredging Case to the case at bar, and was not less cordial in his approval of that opinion.
"All of My Lovers Fit Into This Scale": Sexual Minority Individuals' Responses to Two Novel Measures of Sexual Orientation.

ABSTRACTPrevious qualitative research on traditional measures of sexual orientation raise concerns regarding how well these scales capture sexual minority individuals’ experience of sexuality. The present research focused on the critique of two novel scales developed to better capture the way sexual and gender minority individuals conceptualize sexuality. Participants were 179 sexual minority (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual) individuals who identified as cisgender (n = 122) and transgender (n = 57). Participants first completed the new scales, then provided qualitative responses regarding how well each scale captured their sexuality. The Sexual-Romantic Scale enabled the measurement of sexual and romantic attraction to each sex independently (same-sex and other-sex). Participants resonated with the way the Sexual-Romantic scale disaggregated sexual and romantic attraction. Although cisgender monosexual (lesbian/gay) individuals positively responded to the separation of same- and o...
Pelvic sarcoma causing gynecomastia.

Abstract A case of gynecomastia caused by an estrogen-producing pelvic hemangiopericytoma is documented. (J. Urol., 143: 1008–1009, 1990)
THE DIFFUSION EQUATION

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the concept of diffusion equation. One of the more common partial differential equations of practical interest is that governing diffusion in a homogeneous medium; it arises in many physical, biological, social, and other phenomena. A simple example of such an equation is φt = a2φxx. This chapter explains the one-dimensional diffusion equation with constant coefficients. The problem of heat flow along a thin rod with insulated sides is chosen to explain one-dimensional diffusion equation. However, in complicated multidimensional situations, a conservation law is applied. Some kind of auxiliary data is required to complete a problem statement that involves a partial differential equation.
Training Pathology Residents to Practice 21st Century Medicine A Proposal

Scientific advances, open information access, and evolving health-care economics are disrupting extant models of health-care delivery. Physicians increasingly practice as team members, accountable to payers and patients, with improved efficiency, value, and quality. This change along with a greater focus on population health affects how systems of care are structured and delivered. Pathologists are not immune to these disruptors and, in fact, may be one of the most affected medical specialties. In the coming decades, it is likely that the number of practicing pathologists will decline, requiring each pathologist to serve more and often sicker patients. The demand for increasingly sophisticated yet broader diagnostic skills will continue to grow. This will require pathologists to acquire appropriate professional training and interpersonal skills. Today’s pathology training programs are ill designed to prepare such practitioners. The time to practice for most pathology trainees is typically 5 to 6 years. Ye...
Giant cell myocarditis: dramatic haemodynamic and histologic improvement with immunoSuppressive therapy

Giant cell myocarditis is a rare entity of unknown aetiology with a rapidly fatal course unresponsive to treatment. We describe below a patient with biopsy-proven gaint cell myocarditis who underwent sustained haemodynamic and histologic improvement with immunoSuppressive therapy. Giant cell myocarditis must be suspected in patients with rapidly progressive heart failure. If the clinical diagnosis is confirmed by the finding of multinucleated cells in the myocardium, institution of immunoSuppressive therapy may be lifesaving.
ALDH7A1 Deficiency and Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy

Researchers at University College and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, and other centers in the UK and Europe investigated the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) by measurement of urinary alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde (a-AASA) concentration and mutational analysis of the ALDH7A1 gene that encodes antiquitin.
GIS in Regional Research

This chapter discusses geographic information systems (GIS) in the context of regional research. The basic principles and components of GIS are first detailed. Next, digital representation considerations and data are discussed. This is followed by illustrative examples of the significance of GIS in supporting regional analysis. In particular, studies that examine growth and evolution, modeling of land use change, spatial cluster identification, wayfinding, and service coverage are reviewed to highlight the ways that GIS is utilized. Observations regarding the future evolution of GIS in regional research are offered, suggesting that spatial analytical methods that support regional science will continue to progress on a course where they are directly integrated in GIS. The reason(s) for this include: the potential to exploit proven properties and derived spatial knowledge; opportunities to address data uncertainty issues in a meaningful way that supports planning and analysis; and prospects to identify and account for scale, unit definition, measure and model/methods biases.
Abstract 273: Levels Of Vcam-1 Are Associated With Flow-mediated Dilation In Healthy African American Adults

Background: Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mediates the adhesion of monocytes to vascular endothelium, which play a role in the development of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Flow-mediation dilation (FMD) is an endothelium-dependent response, which is mediated by nitric oxide and closely related to endothelial function. The purpose of the study was to test whether levels of VCAM-1 were associated the endothelial-dependent (FMD) in normotensive African Americans. Normotensives were studied in order to eliminate the influence of hypertension. Methods and Results: Blood was collected in 22 subjects aged 41-62 yrs with normal blood pressure (125.0 ± 9.1 mmHg) after 12 hr fast. Plasma was obtained by centrifugation within 15 min after collection in 4 degree. A commercially available solid phase sandwich enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay kit was used to detect VCAM-1 levels in plasma. FMD was measured after 5-min cuff occlusion using Doppler ultrasound. The maximum FMD diameters were calculated. In the entire study population, levels of VCAM-1 (556.92 ± 154.20 ng/mL) were negatively correlated with the true peak FMD (FMD: 7.81 ± 2.22 %, r=-0.484, P=0.023). Conclusion: Levels of VCAM-1 were associated with endothelial responsiveness in healthy African Americans with normal blood pressure. These results suggest that the level of VCAM-1 may be a predictive of endothelial dysfunction in the unique healthy populations.
What role for prism adaptation in the rehabilitation of pure neglect dyslexia

Prism adaptation (PA) has been successfully applied in the rehabilitation of spatial neglect, with significant transfer to classic neglect tests and activities of daily living. However, well-controlled studies were unable to replicate these findings, and recent reports suggest that PA may affect selectively visuo-motor symptoms. Here, a patient with pure left neglect dyslexia was tested before, immediately after, and 24 h after PA. Despite a significant adaptation aftereffect adaptation had no effect omissions, substitutions and letter-based errors. PA does not affect pure neglect dyslexia and should therefore be reserved for the rehabilitation of motor-intentional, rather than visual-attentional symptoms.
Construction of Phase Diagrams of Mg-Zn with Selected Rare Earth (R.E) Elements

Rare earth alloys are a relatively new group of materials. Magnesium is the lightest structural metal, which is used in a variety of markets and applications, each one using the unique physical and mechanical properties of the element and its alloys. Addition of RE can refine the grains and weaken the anisotropy to improve its ductility and produce thermally stable precipitates with high melting point (above 620 °C), an improvement over precipitates of the Mg-Zn system. The high temperature strength and creep resistance of Mg alloys, such as ZK60, which is Mg alloyed with other elements often aluminum, zinc, manganese, silicon, copper, rare earths and zirconium, are improved by the addition of various amounts of rare earth elements (i.e. 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt%). The Phase Diagrams and thermodynamic properties of these alloys are necessary for the modeling and development of materials and processes for innovative applications involving rare-earth based materials. However, there are very few known phase diagrams of Mg and magnesium alloys with rare earth elements. In this work we study the construction of the phase diagram of Mg-Zn alloyed with Pr, a light R.E. element, Y, and Er, a heavy R.E. element respectively using the Thermo-Calc [1] commercial software.