cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between COMLEX and USMLE scores among osteopathic medical students who take both examinations.

Background and Purpose: The relationship between osteopathic (COMLEX) and allopathic (USMLE) exam scores in not well described. We sought to describe the relationship between COMLEX and USMLE scores for osteopathic medical students who reported scores for both exams during application to internal medicine residency. Methods: Cross sectional study of 588 matched USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 scores and 241 matched Step 2 scores. Means, standard deviations, and pairwise correlations for matched scores were calculated. Results: USMLE and COMLEX paired scores resulted in a Pearson's correlation of 0.85 for Step 1 scores and 0.79 for Step 2 scores. COMLEX means were 560 and 561 for Level 1 and 2 and USMLE means were 209 and 215 for Step 1 and 2. Conclusions: USMLE and COMLEX scores are strongly related for internal medicine residency applicants who took both exams. Our sample performed approximately 0.8 standard deviation higher that the national COMLEX means on both Level 1 and 2 but at the national mean on USMLE Step ...
Mortality Risk Among Recent-Onset Injection Drug Users in Five U.S. Cities

To quantify the risk of death among recent-onset (< 5 years) injection drug users, we enrolled 2089 injection drug users (IDUs) age <or= 35 years (minimum age = 18 years) between 1997 and 1999. Median age was 24 years, 62.4% were male, 54.5% were non-Hispanic White, mean duration of injecting was 3 years, and 45.4% injected daily within the prior 6 months. Using the National Death Index, we identified 68 deaths over a follow-up period through December 2002 with a mortality rate of 7.10/1000 person years. Using age-, sex-, and race-adjusted data to the census and mortality, we calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) over time. The adjusted SMR (with national data as the reference) for IDUs was 3.66 for 1997, which increased to 9.78 by 1998, decreased slightly to 7.08 by 1999, and continuously declined to 2.54 by 2002. These data confirm considerable excess mortality among recent onset injection drug users compared to non-IDU peers in the general population and indicate need for interventions such as increased quality and accessibility to drug abuse** treatment and overdose prevention to prevent premature death among young IDUs.
A study of the potential teratogenic effects of pentachloronitrobenzene in rats.

Abstract Pregnant Charles River CD strain albino rats received daily oral doses of 8, 20, 50, or 125 mg pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB)/kg on Days 6–15 of gestation. Three control groups were also used: a negative control group which received no treatment, a vehicle control group receiving corn oil, and a positive control group which received chlorcyclizine HCL. Treatment with PCNB had no apparent effect on reproductive parameters such as the number and position of implantations, incidence of dead and/or resorbed fetuses, viable litter size, fetal sex ratios, and birth weights. Detailed gross, visceral, and skeletal examinations were performed on fetuses removed from dams on Day 20 of gestation. The number and type of external, soft tissue and skeletal malformations and variations detected in PCNB groups did not differ significantly from those found in negative and vehicle controls. Under the conditions of the present study, PCNB when administered in daily oral doses of up to 125 mg/kg during the period of differentiation and organogenesis, is not embryolethal nor teratogenic in the rat.
The myth of vicarious liability: Impact on barriers to nurse-midwifery practice

Lack of understanding of the legal concept of vicarious liability may underlie certain barriers to nurse-midwifery practice. Malpractice insurance surcharges, denial or restrictive limitation of clinical privileges, and physician “supervision” requirements may all be premised, at least in part, upon an assumption that physicians who work with, and hospitals that grant clinical privileges to, nurse-midwives will automatically be liable for any negligent actions or omissions of CNMs. This article examines the basis for such assumptions and, based upon research into the current case law on this subject, concludes that popular assumptions regarding physician/CNM or hospital/CNM vicarious liability are unfounded. According to the author's research, no reported cases exist to support that assumption. Vicarious liability arises from the relationship between two parties and is imposed solely on the basis of the relationship. An employer is almost always vicariously liable for the negligent actions or omissions of his employee. If a nurse-midwife is the bona fide employee of a hospital or physician, the latter will most likely be subject to vicarious liability. Absent of any employment relationship, however, such liability will not necessarily be imposed. Rather, the result will vary depending upon the facts of each case, and each professional's relative degree of fault would be determined upon the basis of his or her own actions. Hospital liability for nonemployee nurse-midwives who hold clinical privileges should be no different from hospital liability for physician members of its medical staff—that is, in most cases the hospital will not be vicariously liable for the negligence of its nonemployee staff, but will be directly liable for its own negligence if it failed to credential or monitor the performance of its staff members properly. A malpractice surcharge case, and the insurance principles and data that may be derived from that case, are also discussed.
Blockade of a symphatetic nervous system reflex by diphenylhydantoin

Abstract The responses to bilateral carotid occlusion were determined in Dial-urethane anaesthetized cats before and after the administration of diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin ® ). Five milligrams of diphenylhydantoin per kilogram reduced the reflex-induced tachycardia. Ten or 20 mg/kg of diphenylhydantoin per kilogram, reduced the hypertensive responses as well as the tachycardia. In this regard 20 mg/kg was no more effective than 10 mg/kg, although the larger dose did produce greater cardiovascular depression of basal values. Diphenylhydantoin did not reduce the sensitivity of the heart or vasculature to activation by alpha or beta receptor stimulation with norepinephrine or isoproterenol. These data indicate that diphenylhydantoin suppresses the sympathetic nervous system response to a carotid occlusion challenge by an action on neural substrates.
Positive linear growth and bone responses to growth hormone treatment in children with types III and IV osteogenesis imperfecta: High predictive value of the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen

Extreme short stature is a cardinal feature of severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), types III and IV. We conducted a treatment trial of growth hormone in children with OI and followed linear growth velocity, bone metabolism markers, histomorphometrics, and vertebral bone density. Twenty-six children with types III and IV OI, ages 4.5-12 years, were treated with recombinant growth hormone (rGH), 0.1-0.2 IU/kg per day for 6 days/week, for at least 1 year. Length, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3), bone metabolic markers, and vertebral bone density by DXA were evaluated at 6-month intervals. An iliac crest biopsy was obtained at baseline and 12 months. Approximately one-half of the treated OI children sustained a 50% or more increase in linear growth over their baseline growth rate. Most responders (10 of 14) had moderate type IV OI. All participants had positive IGF-I, IGFBP-3, osteocalcin, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase responses. Only the linear growth responders had a significant increase in vertebral DXA z-score and a significant decrease in long bone fractures. After 1 year of treatment, responders' iliac crest biopsy showed significant increases in cancellous bone volume, trabecular number, and bone formation rate. Responders were distinguished from nonresponders by higher baseline carboxyterminal propeptide (PICP) values (p < 0.05), suggesting they have an intrinsically higher capacity for collagen production. The results show that growth hormone can cause a sustained increase in the linear growth rate of children with OI, despite the abnormal collagen in their bone matrix. In the first year of treatment, growth responders achieve increased bone formation rate and density, and decreased fracture rates. The baseline plasma concentration of PICP was an excellent predictor of positive response.
Emission-line strengths and the chemical compositions of quasi-stellar objects

Estimates of emission-line strengths in 160 QSOs are listed. They are used, together with those for 60 objects published earlier, to compile a table of rest-frame equivalent widths for a composite QSO containing 28 lines seen in objects with z from 0.06 to 3.53. Models are computed for matter partially filling a spherical volume, ionized by ultraviolet flux from a central object and optically thick with absorption from heavy elements taken into account. Constant temperature and density are taken for the He II region, where most of the important lines are emitted. Allowance is made for lower and higher temperatures in the H I and He III regions. Emergent emission-line equivalent widths are computed and compared with the observations. An abnormally low helium abundance is not needed to achieve a fit, since the only anomalously weak line is He II 4686 A whose upper level may be depopulated by stimulated emission of He II 1215 A caused by very strong L-alpha 1216 A flux.
Temperature-programmed study of the oxidation of palladium/alumina catalysts and their lanthanum modification

Abstract Chemical modification with lanthana has previously been found to improve the performance of palladium-based three-way catalysts. In this work, the solid-state oxidation and oxide decomposition behavior of Pd/γ-Al2O3 and Pd/(La2O3/γ-Al2O3) catalysts of varying metal loadings have been assessed using temperature-programmed analysis. For Pd/Al2O3 catalysts with low metal concentrations (⩽= 1 wt.-% Pd), the oxygen consumed during TPO (temperature-programmed oxidation) was significantly in excess of that expected from an O/Pd ratio of one, which suggests the formation of a highly dispersed, oxygen-rich Pd/Al2O3 species. For Pd/Al2O3 catalysts of high metal loading (>=5 wt.-% Pd), there were two oxidation peaks in the TPO spectrum. The one at high temperature, which attenuated with lanthanum addition, is thought to be due to the oxidation of Pd/Al2O3 species of lower dispersion with an O/Pd ratio similar to that of PdO; this species may be an alumina-perturbed state of crystalline PdO. The other peak was assigned to the bulk oxidation of palladium particles. TPO revealed that lanthanum promoted the oxidation of palladium. Lanthanum modification impeded the formation of the highly dispersed, oxygen-rich Pd/Al2O3 species when the palladium concentration was low. Instead, there was TPO evidence for the presence of a new oxidation mode of the metal which was assigned to oxidation of a species comprising a Pd-La2O3 interaction of undetermined character. Oxygen TPD (temperature-programmed desorption) spectra also manifested a new feature upon lanthanum promotion of catalysts of high palladium concentration, which may indicate the presence of a Pd-La2O3 interaction, as well. Hydrothermal aging in steam at 1000° C for 16 h had little effect on the solid-state oxidation processes in lanthanum-free catalysts of low palladium concentration. Metal coalescence appeared to have been modest upon steaming of these catalysts, as indicated by the limited decrease in the oxygen uptake during the formation of the highly dispersed, oxygen-rich Pd/Al2O3 species. Thermal treatment brought about more drastic changes in the TPO profile of catalysts of low palladium concentration when lanthanum was present.
Impact of multiple tissue layers on an implantable LC sensor

The impact of multiple tissue layers in a biotelemetry link consisting of a single loop antenna and an implantable LC sensor is investigated through simulation and measurements. The shift in resonant frequency due to the dispersive media encapsulating the sensor is analyzed. It is seen that the resonant frequency is strongly affected by the properties of the first layer, whereas additional layers prove to have little to no effect. Further, the capacitance values as well as the type of capacitor play a dominant role on the shift in the resonant frequency. It is demonstrated that smaller capacitance values would be required for determining the properties of the tissue region in which the sensor is embedded. The complexity of the multiple tissue layers is shown to be important in determining specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. An experimental validation has been done by immersing a LC sensor in single and multiple dispersive regions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 783–787, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23216
Localization of an effective fibrin beta-chain polymerization site: implications for the polymerization mechanism.

To examine whether fibrin N-terminal Aα 17−23 and Bβ 15−25 may contain high-affinity polymerization sites, GPRVVER and GHRPLDKKREE analogs were prepared, and their abilities to inhibit fibrin monomers from repolymerizing were compared in turbidity and clottability assays. Within Aα 17−23, GPR is the most active site (IC30 of 0.95−1.36 mM). Its extension into GPRVVER (IC30 of 1.75−2.3 mM) reduced activity. Within Bβ 15−25, acyl-DKKREE (IC30 of 0.30−0.53 mM) can account for GHRPLDKKREE activity (IC30 of 0.33−0.44 mM). Comparison of the assays showed that calcium, whose presence induces thick fibrin fibers, elicited a higher turbidity than clottability inhibition. Similarly, the lateral-association-promoting GHRP (IC30 of 1.25−1.43 mM) gave a high turbidity vs clottability inhibition ratio (137%). In contrast, low ratios were found for the linear-association-initiating GPR (73%) and for acyl-DKKREE (34%). Structure−activity correlation showed that fibrinogen-like acyl-GPRP and acyl-GHRP could inhibit D·E ass...
Measurements and modeling of resolved laser radiometry in the maritime environment

A model for predicting the radiometry for a resolved laser beam due to scattering in the maritime atmosphere, has been developed by the Electro-Optics group in the Atmospheric Propagation Branch at SPAWAR Systems Center, Pacific. The model predicts the power received at a sensor using local meteorological measurements of the current atmospheric conditions. Field experiments conducted in San Diego, CA were used to validate the predictions of the model. Radiometric calibrations of a CCD camera provided power measurements of a resolved laser to be taken from various senor-laser beam orientations. The performance of the laser scattering model is assessed from the field measurements.
Education-Specific normative data on common neuropsy-chological indices for individuals older than 75 Years

Abstract Few norms are available to judge the performance of the very elderly individual on widely used neuropsychological tests. Similarly, little information is available to adjust for educational history, a factor that has been consistently shown to impact performance on neuropsychological tests. The current study presents both age- and education-specific normative information on commonly used neuropsychological tests for individuals older than age 75 years and with educational levels ranging from 4th grade to college education. Participants were 101 independently living, active drivers who were recruited from a cohort of community-residing elderly adults. The mean performances of individuals with 12 or more years of education in the current study were comparable to norms available in the literature. However, the mean performances of those with less than 12 years education were significantly poorer than their better educated counterparts. These data confirm the well-established relation between cogniti...
Subdivision surfaces for procedural design of imprint rolls

We discuss the use of subdivision surfaces in the procedural design of imprint rolls for use in the roller imprinting process. Roller imprinting is being developed for the fabrication of microfluidic devices in polymer substrates. Imprint rolls are modeled using Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces, and are procedurally designed based on feedback from finite-element simulations of the imprinting process. Microfluidic devices exhibit repeating patterns, and can be modeled using a small set of unique entities (or tiles). Imprint rolls are also modeled as a sum of tiles, and rolls are designed by studying the imprinting behavior of clusters of tiles corresponding to the repeating patterns seen in the device. This approach reduces the roll complexity and analysis time. The rolls need to be described in a sufficiently flexible format for the tile-based analysis to be effective. Conventional model representations are too cumbersome for piecewise iterative refinement as they require the manipulation of a large number of variables to modify surface features while preserving continuity. Subdivision surfaces, on the other hand, are naturally continuous and can be modified by manipulating a small number of variables. The ability to apply rule-based, arbitrary refinement on subdivision surfaces makes them especially suitable. The procedural modeling methodology and the subdivision design representation enable the integrated design, analysis, and manufacturing of imprint rolls, and has proven effective in decreasing the design-to-manufacture time of novel microfluidic technology.
Design sensitivities in problems involving material and geometric nonlinearities

Abstract The subject of this paper is the determination of design sensitivity coefficients (DSCs) for linear (elasticity) and nonlinear (both material and geometric) problems in solid mechanics. DSCs here refer to rates of change of response variables such as displacements or stresses in a deforming solid body, with respect to parameters (called design variables) that control the initial, undeformed shape of the body. In nonlinear problems, these DSCs are history dependent. The direct differentiation approach (DDA) of the relevant derivative boundary element method (DBEM) formulation is employed here to obtain the DSCs. Modelling of sharp corners on the boundary of a body is given special attention here. Numerical results are presented for illustrative examples. The numerically obtained sensitivities, even for stresses on the boundary of a body, are shown, in general, to be very accurate. Typically, it is difficult to obtain DSCs for boundary stresses accurately by other methods—yet they are very useful for optimal shape design of bodies. Ongoing research is currently focused on numerical calculation of DSCs for large deformation problems and use of these DSCs in process optimization. An important future application area of this work is optimal design of manufacturing processes such as extrusion or forging.
Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: morbidity in a series of 206 patients

Abstract Objectives To review the complications associated with 206 holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) procedures. HoLEP is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of HoLEPs performed from April 1, 1999 to October 1, 2001. Patients with previous diagnoses of prostate carcinoma or who had undergone HoLEP after admission for unrelated problems were excluded. Demographic, intraoperative, and immediate postoperative data were recorded to determine the incidence of complications. Patients were also contacted by telephone or mailed surveys for documentation of longer term complications. Results The mean age and procedure time was 70.5 years (range 45 to 91) and 133.6 minutes (range 25 to 473), respectively. The mean specimen weight was 68.2 g (range 3 to 376), with 20 (9.7%) of 206 patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. The mean hospital stay was 1.1 days, with 86.9% of patients discharged after an overnight stay without a catheter. Two patients required postoperative transfusions (1.0%). No deaths, major complications (myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism), or transurethral resection syndrome episodes occurred. Intraoperative complications consisted of three capsular perforations (1.5%), one bladder neck false passage (0.5%), four incomplete morcellations (1.9%), and four minor bladder mucosal morcellation injuries (1.9%). Of 206 patients, 173 (84.0%) provided follow-up data (mean 19.0 ± 8.4 months), allowing documentation of longer term complications, including five clot retention episodes (2.4%), five urethral strictures (2.4%), eight bladder neck contractures (3.9%), and 16 patients requiring re-catheterization (7.8%). Conclusions HoLEP can be performed with minimal complication risks and blood loss. Patients can expect an overnight hospital stay and discharge without an indwelling catheter.
Identification of optimal bands in the 3- to 5-μm region for lightweight airborne mine detection (LAMD) system

This paper identifies the optimal bands in the 3 to 5 micron region for surface mines for the lightweight airborne detection (LAMBD) sysem. Specifically, this paper focuses on the analysis to identify the optimum bands in the 3 to 5 micron region which can be used in a filter wheel implementation in an attempt to add the multi-band capabilities to enhance the detection performance for various background, times of day, while lessening the weight/size/power problem in a lightweight airborne mine detection (LAMBD) system. The analysis includes the hyperspectral signatures of various mines and backgrounds, the contrast between mines and backgrounds for various spectral regions, different times of day, and differential heights simulating sensor airborne scenarios. This paper uses data collected with a Design and Prototypes Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer (D&P) mounted 3m above the ground on the Mobile Sensor Platform (MSP) at a temperate test site. The total number of signatures used was 1000 for mines and 1000 for backgrounds.
Transcrystalline morphology in adhesion

Abstract The formation of transcrystalline morphology of nylon 12 and its effect on the tensile bond strength were examined for a steel/nylon 12/steel cross-lap-joint. A temperature gradient is necessary for the growth of the transcrystalline region to help generate heterogeneous nucleation in a specimen, however, the high surface-energy of the crystallizing substrate is not necessary. The transcrystalline morphology itself contributes very little to the improvement of the tensile bond strength. This bond strength increases with the degree of crystallinity of the adhesive when the interfacial bond failure occurs. The increase in the crystallinity causes an improvement in the resistance to fracture of the adhesive such as is shown by the yield strength.
Acoustical Image Reconstruction Algorithms: Structure, Performance, Sensitivity, And Limitation

The objective of this paper is to utilize the vector space methods to illustrate the fundamental structure of the reconstruction algorithms for linear acoustical imaging systems. In this paper, continuous, discrete, and partial discrete models and the asso-ciated optimal algorithms are presented. In addition, the commonalities and differences of these algorithms and the sensitivity and performance parameters are discussed.
Synthesis of phthalimidines. Acid-catalyzed cyclodehydration versus cyclodeamination of γ-hydroxyamides obtained from dilithio-N-substituted benzamides and ketones

An earlier method of preparation of γ-hydroxyamides from N-substituted benzamides and ketones or aldehydes by means of n-butyllithium was improved and extended. The γ-hydroxyamides were found to undergo cyclodehydration to form γ-lactams with relatively strong acids, but cyclodeamination formed γ-lactones with relatively weak acids; the γ-lactams are substituted phthalimidines. The predominant course of cyclization was dependent also on the structure of the γ-hydroxyamide. Certain γ-hydroxyamides afforded phthalimidines with cold, concentrated sulfuric acid whereas certain others yielded γ-lactones with this acid. The latter γ-hydroxyamides, however, produced phthalimidines with the stronger acid, perchloric acid. The cyclodehydration reaction furnished a convenient and, apparently, quite general method for the synthesis of 2,3,3-trisubstituted or 2,3-disubstituted phthalimidines. Mechanisms are considered.
METHODS TO DETERMINE OPTIMUM FACTOR LEVELS FOR MULTIPLE RESPONSES IN DESIGNED EXPERIMENTATION

In the area of statistically designed experimentation, it is often difficult to determine optimum factor levels when multiple responses are being considered. In particular, Allison Transmission encountered difficulties in a gear hardening experiment. Th..
On option values in environmental and resource economics

Abstract Global warming, alterations of ecosystems, and sunk investments all imply irreversible changes with uncertain future costs and benefits. The Arrow–Fisher–Hanemann–Henry quasi-option value and the Dixit–Pindyck option value both measure how irreversibility and uncertainty change the value of preserving an ecosystem or postponing an investment. This paper shows the precise relation between the two option values and explains that the quasi-option value captures the value of learning conditional on preservation, whereas the Dixit–Pindyck option value captures the net value of preservation under learning. We show how either of the two concepts alters the common net present value decision rule. We illustrate similarities, differences, and the decision rules in two instructive examples.
CATALYST: planning layer directives for effective design closure

For the last several technology generations, VLSI designs in new technology nodes have had to confront the challenges associated with reduced scaling in wire delays. The solution from industrial back-end-of-line process has been to add more and more thick metal layers to the wiring stacks. However, existing physical synthesis tools are usually not effective in handling these new thick layers for design closure. To fully leverage these degrees of freedom, it is essential for the design flow to provide better communication among the timer, the router, and different optimization engines. This work proposes a new algorithm, CATALYST, to perform congestion- and timing-aware layer directive assignment. Our flow balances routing resources among metal stacks so that designs benefit from the availability of thick metal layers by achieving improved timing and buffer usage reduction while maintaining routability. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome causing blindness in a child

Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome, the result of a mutation in the gene encoding tumor protein p63, causes ocular surface disease. It is typically progressive, with vision loss in adulthood. We present a case of severe corneal disease, glaucoma, and blindness related to ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome in a 3-year-old female patient.
Nitrogen-Use Dynamics in Switchgrass Grown for Biomass

This work examines N use by switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). A study was conducted on two well-established ‘Cave-in-Rock’ switchgrass stands in Blacksburg (37° 11′ N, 80° 25′ W) and Orange (38° 13′ N, 78° 07′ W) Virginia, USA. Plots were fertilized in 2001 (year 1) with 0, 90, 180, or 270 kg N per hectare. No additional N was applied in 2002 (year 2) and 2003 (year 3), and biomass was harvested in July and November for years 2 and 3 (but only in November of year 1). Root and soil samples were collected in May, July, September, and November each year and analyzed for N. Nitrogen fertilization did not increase yields in 2001 (year 1), but it did provide residual benefits in 2002 (year 2) and 2003 (year 3). Root-N levels at 15 cm depth increased with fertilization, fluctuated seasonally between roots and shoots, and root-N was reduced over the course of the study. With two harvests per year, about 100 kg N hectare per year were removed in biomass, even in plots with no N added—suggesting N already present in the soils (at 15 cm depth) contributed to yields; but the soil mineral-N pools were reduced by the end of year 3. Nitrogen-use efficiency, apparent N recovery, and partial factor productivity were reduced with higher N applications. The data support the notion that biomass production can be achieved with minimal N inputs, but stands must be managed to maintain that N reserve over the long term. There is also a need to quantify the N pool to depths greater than 15 cm in other agro-ecoregions.
Rapid and conservative ablation and modification of enamel, dentin, and alveolar bone using a high repetition rate transverse excited atmospheric pressure CO[sub 2] laser operating at λ=9.3 μm

Transverse excited atmospheric pressure TEA CO2 lasers tuned to the strong mineral absorption of hydroxyapatite near =9m are well suited for the efficient ablation of dental hard tissues if the laser pulse is stretched to greater than 5t o 10s to avoid plasma shielding phenomena. Such CO2 lasers are capable of oper- ating at high repetition rates for the rapid removal of dental hard tissues. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that stretched =9.3-m TEA CO2 laser pulses can produce lateral inci- sions in enamel, dentin, and alveolar bone for dental restorations and implants at repetition rates as high as 400 Hz without peripheral ther- mal damage. The single pulse ablation rates through enamel, dentin, and bone were determined for incident fluence ranging from 1 to 160 J/cm 2 for laser pulses from 5t o 18s in duration. Lateral incisions were produced in hard tissue samples using a computer- controlled scanning stage and water spray, and the crater morphology and chemical composition were measured using optical microscopy and high-resolution synchrotron radiation infrared spectromicroscopy. The residual energy remaining in tooth samples was measured to be 30 to 40% for enamel and 20 to 30% for dentin without water cool- ing, under optimum irradiation intensities, significantly lower than for longer CO2 laser pulses. The transmission through 2-m length 300-, 500-, 750-, and 1000-m silica hollow waveguides was measured and 80% transmission was achieved with 40 mJ per pulse. These re- sults suggest that high repetition rate TEA CO2 laser systems operating at =9.3 m with pulse durations of 10 to 20 s are well suited for dental applications. © 2006 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. DOI: 10.1117/1.2401151
Analyzing titers of antibodies against bacterial and viral antigens, and bacterial toxoids in the intravenous immunoglobulins utilized in Taiwan.

Abstract Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) manufactured from human plasma contains IgG as the primary ingredient, and is used for indications such as immunodeficiency syndrome. Available IVIGs in Taiwan are either manufactured from Taiwanese or North American plasma. The effectiveness of the national immunization program of Taiwan can be evaluated by analyzing and comparing IVIG antibody titers that are induced through the corresponding vaccines (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, measles, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and varicella). Both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the in vitro neutralization test demonstrated that all IVIGs provide adequate clinical protection against diphtheria and tetanus toxins. ELISA results further revealed that plasma of Taiwanese subjects contains higher levels of pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin antibodies, when compared to foreign IVIGs. This may be related to the later adoption of acellular pertussis vaccine in Taiwan. Antibodies titers against measles, rubella, hepatitis A, and varicella-zoster virus were otherwise low. Low titers of hepatitis B surface antigen antibodies are present in Taiwanese plasma IVIG, indicating immune memory decline or loss. In conclusion, our results show that Taiwanese IVIG contains varying titers of vaccine-induced antibodies, and serves as a guide for future amendments to Taiwan's immunization program.
Photoemission from adenine crystal: Solvation of a pre-ionizing state

Abstract Photoemission studies of adenine microcrystals in the presence of traces of water yield two distinct values of the ionization energy, I c =6.2 and 7.1 eV, each of which has been observed separately in different laboratories. We ascribe these results respectively to photoemission from “wet” and “dry” sites on the crystal surface. The 0.9 eV lowering of I c is attributed to the solvation of the pre-ionizing state. The solvation energy must be in place before the electron leaves and it is argued that the photoemission event takes about 5×10 −13 s.
Three highly odorous metabolites from an actinomycete: 2-Isopropyl-3-methoxy-pyrazine, methylisoborneol, and geosmin

The highly odorous metabolites isopropylmethoxypyrazine, methylisoborneol, and geosmin were identified from aStreptomyces sp. Their role in the odor pollution of water is discussed. 2-Isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine has not been reported previously from actinomycetes.
Repair deficiency in a bacterial mutant defective in DNA polymerase.

Abstract The effect of ultraviolet irradiation (UV) has been studied in Escherichia coli K12 strain W3110 pol+, and in its derivative, W3110 polA1, which lacks appreciable DNA-polymerase activity in extracts. The “polymeraseless” derivative appears to be deficient in some step in the excision-repair process, although not totally lacking in repair capacity, since: (1) It is more UV sensitive than the parent strain, yet less UV sensitive than an excision-deficient K12 strain, AB2500; (2) It exhibits a lower single-strand DNA molecular weight than the parent strain during the growth period following UV irradiation.
Causally Coordinated Snapshot Isolation for Geographically Replicated Data

We propose a Snapshot Isolation based transaction execution and consistency model, referred to as causally coordinated snapshot isolation, for geographically replicated data. The data replication is managed through asynchronous update propagation. Our approach provides snapshot-isolation model over multiple sites and ensures causal ordering of transactions. We present here an efficient protocol for precisely capturing the causal data dependencies of transactions and ensuring the causal ordering based on these dependencies when applying transactions' updates at remote sites. Through experimental evaluations, we demonstrate the benefit of this protocol over an alternative approach for providing causal consistency for georeplicated data. We further extend this model to support session consistency guarantees such as read-your-writes and monotonic reads. Additionally, we provide a notion of group-session where a group of users are involved in a collaborative session. We provide various group-session consistency guarantees for users collaborating in a group. We present the mechanisms for providing these session consistency guarantees and evaluate their performance.
Evaluation of Voting with Form Dropout Techniques for Ballot Vote Counting

Vote counting accuracy has become a well-known issue in the vote collection process. Digital image processing techniques can be incorporated in the analysis of printed election ballots. Current image processing techniques in the vote collection process are heavily dependent on the anticipated, geometric positioning of the vote. These techniques don't account for markings made outside of the requested field of input. Using various form dropout techniques, however, every mark on the form can be extracted and used by the machine to make an intelligent decision. Most methods will still miss a few marks and result in a few false alarms. This paper explores methods of voting between the results of the different mark extraction methods to improve recognition. To provide diversity a simple image subtraction technique is paired with a distance transform and a morphology based algorithm. The result has a higher detection rate and a lower false alarm rate.
‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grape anthocyanin increased by soil conservation practices

Abstract Cover crops and no-till (mown) systems provide multiple benefits to vineyard soils such as improvements in soil organic matter and reductions in erosion and dust generation. Understanding effects of such practices on grape attributes will contribute to sustainability of the production system. This was a study on the response of grape anthocyanin in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ clone 8 to two rootstocks (420A, low vigor and 110R, high vigor; planted in 1994) and three vineyard floor management regimes: tilled resident vegetation (RV + till), and barley cover crops that were either tilled (CC + till) or mowed (CC + mow) during 2003–2005 (Oakville, CA, USA). Grape anthocyanin composition was analyzed after the second year (2005) of vineyard floor managements. CC + mow (no tillage practice) produced grapes that were smaller in size (124 g for 100 berries) than the CC + till (135 g for 100 berries) and higher in anthocyanin (135.4 mg 100 g −1 ) than both tillage managements (RV + till, 124.7 mg 100 g −1 and CC + till, 122.7 mg 100 g −1 ). Berry anthocyanin was not altered by rootstock. Increase in anthocyanin due to mowing was observed as early as at veraison (first sampling point), which remained higher until harvest. Mowing vineyard floors is a sustainable agricultural practice offering the added benefit of greater pigment accumulation in winegrapes.
Computational Fluid Dynamics and Stent Design

Stents are small, usually metallic tubes that are intended to prop open arteries blocked with atherosclerotic plaques. While stents have been used successfully in recent years, they still suffer from failure due to development of new tissue in stented segment (restenosis). Variations in the failure rates associated with different stent designs have led researchers to investigate the role of near-wall flow patterns. While there is no direct evidence yet, the patterns of flow stagnation as the blood flows past the stent struts may affect the restenosis process. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches are well suited for obtaining detailed information on stent flow patterns. Many CFD simulations make use of a two-dimensional model. The strong dependence of flow stagnation on stent strut spacing has been clearly demonstrated. These results have been employed to interpret the results of in vitro experiments designed to elucidate the mechanisms of restenosis.
In vivo and in vitro studies of plaque type mutants of an RNA virus

Six plaque types all belonging to the same antigenic group (E54) of vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV) were studied for mutational changes in swine and in pig and canine cell cultures. The plaque types differed in virulence, the largest in size being the most virulent and the smallest the least virulent type. Neutralization tests revealed that only animals which showed frank disease developed specific viral antibodies. The inoculated type was generally mixed with other plaque types after recovery from the host. The contaminating new types were not the same for the different plaque type inoculations. Similar changes were observed in the two types of cell cultures. Since all inocula consisted of virus from single cell yields which were clonal in origin, it was concluded that mutational changes occurredin vivo andin vitro. Such mutations, together with the requisite selective forces, could lead to erroneous classification of a variant in regard to virulence.
Germination of phaseolus vulgaris I. Resumption of axis growth.

Growth of the excised axis of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (var. White Marrowfat) begins after a 7-hour incubation in buffer or water at 26°. Growth, as measured by axis elongation or fresh weight increase, is linear for at least 8 hours with a resultant fresh weight increase of approximately 65%. Cell elongation begins 4 or 5 hours prior to cell division and 5 or 6 hours prior to radicle protrusion in the intact seed. The initiation of axis elongation is apparently dependent on synthesis of RNA and protein. Both actinomycin D and puromycin inhibit the initiation of elongation. Actinomycin I) inhibits the incorporation of ATP-8-C 14 into axis RNA and C 14 -leucine into protein, while puromycin inhibits the incorporation of C 14 -leucine into axis protein. The respiratory rate of the axes increases sharply at about the time of initiation of cell elongation. Dinitrophenol initially increases O 2 uptake by the axes, but at the end of 15 hours the rates of O 2 uptake by control or dinitrophenol-treated axes are approximately the same.
Cooperative learning and group contingencies

This paper discusses the similarities and differences between cooperative learning and group contingencies. Cooperative learning refers to any methods in which students work together to help one another learn, while group contingencies refer to rewarding students based on the performance of a group. Research on the achievement effects of cooperative learning finds that these methods are effective primarily when they incorporate group contingencies, when groups are rewarded based on the average of their members' individual learning performances. The use of group contingencies within cooperative learning is hypothesized to motivate students to do a good job of explaining concepts and skills to their groupmates, and elaborated explanation is the principal behavior found to account for achievement gains in cooperative learning.
Urethrorectal Fistula: Transanal, Transsphincteric Approach With Locally Based Pedicle Interposition Flaps

ABSTRACTPurpose: We report preliminary experience with the transsphincteric, transanal surgical approach to correct acquired urethrorectal fistula.Materials and Methods: Five men with an acquired urethrorectal fistula underwent surgical correction. Mean patient age was 56.6 years (range 37 to 72). The etiology was surgical (radical prostatectomy) in 3 cases, traumatic in 1 and idiopathic in 1. All 5 patients had urinary tract infection and pneumaturia, and 3 (60%) had watery stool. Conservative treatments had failed in all cases. The time from the diagnosis of urethrorectal fistula to surgery was 4 weeks to 4 years.Results: Five men underwent excision and closure of a urethrorectal fistula with diverting colostomy. In 4 men (80%) urinary continence subsequently returned with adequate sphincter tone, while in 1 (20%) with perineal trauma and active proctitis the fistula recurred 6 weeks after surgery.Conclusions: Urethrorectal fistulas are rare and surgically challenging. The transsphincteric, transanal su...
Litigation against US tobacco companies

Briefly highlights the history of litigation against tobacco companies in the USA. Introduces the legal issues brought before the courts, the parties involved and the outcome of significant cases. This overview is followed by a guide to relevant legal research tools that are useful for exploring tobacco litigation in depth.
Overcoming the Reluctance to Convey Negative Project Information during an Information Systems Pre-Implementation Review

ABSTRACT: This study investigates conditions under which the presence of an auditor conducting a pre-implementation review increases experienced information systems (IS) professionals' willingness to convey negative project information beyond reporting to senior management. Results of an experiment suggest that the presence of an auditor during the pre-implementation process encourages reporting to an auditor when (1) IS professionals believe their responsibility to report is low, and (2) perceived negative consequences are high and the expectancy that problems will be corrected if reported is low. Further, our results indicate that confidentiality provided by the auditor is particularly important when IS professionals believe their responsibility to report is low. Results of this study have important implications for organizations seeking to reduce risks associated with runaway IT projects by identifying circumstances in which auditors can reduce the information asymmetry between IS professionals and man...
Una visión de conjunto a una de las alternativas educativas más impactante de los últimos años: El aprendizaje cooperativo

. Al menos en nuestro idioma la diferencia conceptual es destacable (Johnson, 1999). Ensenanza cooperativa, o bien, educacion cooperativa es empleada con menos frecuencia, quizas por la necesidad de distanciar conceptualmente esta alternativa educativa de los planteamientos de John Dewey (1859-1952) y Celestin Freinet (1896-1966) –al principio de siglo
The mature portion of Escherichia coli maltose-binding protein (MBP) determines the dependence of MBP on SecB for export.

The product of the secB gene is required for export of a subset of secreted proteins to the outer membrane and periplasm of Escherichia coli. Precursor maltose-binding protein (MBP) accumulates in the cytoplasm of secB-carrying mutants, but export of alkaline phosphatase is only minimally affected by secB mutations. When export of MBP-alkaline phosphatase hybrid proteins was analyzed in wild-type and secB-carrying mutant strains, the first third of mature MBP was sufficient to render export of the hybrid proteins dependent on SecB. Substitution of a signal sequence from a SecB-independent protein had no effect on SecB-dependent export. These findings show that the first third of mature MBP is capable of conferring export incompetence on an otherwise competent protein. Images
Reconceptualizing Multicultural Counseling Universal Healing Conditions in a Culturally Specific Context

Some tension appears to exist in the literature between the emic, or culturally specific, and etic, or universal, approaches to counseling with culturally different clients. Prompted by the lack of clear theoretical models for multicultural counseling, as well as by the inability of specific factors to explain treatment effectiveness in general, we suggest that consideration of the common factors found in psychotherapy and healing across cultures provides a useful way to bridge the gap between culturally specific and universal approaches. We believe that the skeleton of universal healing factors requires the flesh of cultural knowledge, resulting in the formulation of multicultural counseling as universal healing processes taking place in a culturally sensitive context. We propose that this perspective (a) may serve as a framework for unifying the diverse body of multi-cultural counseling literature, (b) has some empirical support, and (c) may be useful in guiding future multicultural research, training, ...
Direct evidence for a critical role of myosin II in budding yeast cytokinesis and the evolvability of new cytokinetic mechanisms in the absence of myosin II.

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an actomyosin-based contractile ring is present during cytokinesis, as occurs in animal cells. However, the precise requirement for this structure dur...
Chlorine Concentration and the Inoculation of Tomato Fruit in Packinghouse Dump Tanks.

ABSTRACT Chlorine concentrations (pH 6 to 7 and 22 to 27°C) that killed arthrospores (spores) of Geotrichum candidum or sporangioles (spores) of Rhizopus stolonifer, causal agents of sour rot and Rhizopus rot, respectively, in moving water within 30 to 45 s did not prevent these pathogens from inoculating wounded tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) in a water flume containing chlorine and spores. Free chlorine concentrations of 20 or 25 mg/liter were lethal to spores of G. candidum within 30 s in most in vitro tests, whereas spores of R. stolonifer were slightly less sensitive. Wounded tomatoes placed in a flume with free chlorine at 30 mg/liter and then exposed to spores for 1 min developed about 50% less decay incidence during storage at 24°C for 6 days than did fruit exposed to spores and water alone. In the absence of chlorine, incidence averaged 57% (range, 15 to 95%) for R. stolonifer and 38% (range, 17 to 58%) for G. candidum. Sporadic sour rot lesions were observed among fruit that had been treated...