cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of cephapirin adsorption to quartz filter sands and dune sands

Batch experiments were performed to investigate cephapirin (a widely used veterinary antibiotic) adsorption on various size sands of low total organic carbon content (0.08–0.36 wt%). In the aqueous concentration range investigated (11–112 μmol/L cephapirin), adsorption to nearly pure quartz filter sands (0.50–3.35 mm diameter) is low. Isotherms are S-shaped and most display a region of minimum adsorption, where decreased adsorption occurs with increasing solution concentration, followed by increased adsorption at higher concentrations. Cephapirin adsorption to quartz-rich, feldspar-bearing dune sands (0.06–0.35 mm diameter), and the smallest quartz filter sand investigated (0.43–0.50 mm), can be described by linear sorption isotherms over the range of concentrations investigated. Distribution coefficients (K d) range from 0.94 to 3.45 L/kg. No systematic relationship exists between grain size and amount of adsorption for any of the sands investigated. Cephapirin adsorption is positively correlated to the feldspar ratio (K-feldspar/(albite + Ca-plagioclase). Feldspar-ratio normalization of distribution coefficients was more effective than organic carbon normalization at reducing variability of K d values in the dune sands investigated.
A State Space Modeling Approach for Time Series Forecasting

A stochastic filtering method is presented for on-line recursive estimation and forecasting of autocorrelated time series. Several state space models for nonseasonal and seasonal time series, which belong to the autoregressive integrated-moving average class, are presented. The Kalman filter is introduced as the recursive data processor for on-line time series forecasting. The estimation problem and initial values determination are discussed, and numerical examples are given. An extension of Brown's adaptive smoothing method for autocorrelated time series through the proposed filtering approach is also presented.
Nondestructive estimation of wood chemical composition of sections of radial wood strips by diffuse reflectance near infrared spectroscopy

The use of calibrated near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for predicting the chemical composition of Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) wood samples is investigated. Seventeen P. taeda radial strips, representing seven different sites were selected and NIR spectra were obtained from the radial longitudinal face of each strip. The spectra were obtained in 12.5 mm sections from pre-determined positions that represented juvenile wood (close to pith), transition wood (zone between juvenile and mature wood), and mature wood (close to bark). For these sections, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin (acid soluble and insoluble), arabinan, galactan, glucan, mannan, and xylan contents were determined by standard analytical chemistry methods. Calibrations were developed for each chemical constituent using the NIR spectra, wood chemistry data and partial least squares (PLS) regression. Relationships were variable with the best results being obtained for cellulose, glucan, xylan, mannan, and lignin. Prediction errors were high and may be a consequence of the diverse origins of the samples in the test set. Further research with a larger number of samples is required to determine if prediction errors can be reduced.
Manufacture and use of a Shack-Hartmann sensor with a multifaceted prism for simultaneous sensing of multiple wavefronts

A new requirement for astronomical adaptive optics is the simultaneous measurement of wavefronts of multiple natural or laser guide stars. We have devised a new implementation of the Shack-Hartmann method to image multiple spot patterns on a single imaging array. An image of the telescope pupil is formed on a multifaceted prism with rings of subapertures. All beacons in the field are then imaged by a camera lens to form the same spot pattern repeated over the detector format. The facets are fly-cut in polycarbonate, tangent to a convex surface. In order to minimize scattering and aid manufacturing, the prism angles are exaggerated, and an index-matching fluid is used to reduce the refracted angles by a factor of 15. Results from lab and telescope tests are presented.
An infrared study of unordered poly‐L‐proline in CaCL2 solutions

Infrared spectra have been obtained of poly-L-proline in aqueous CaCl2 solutions. As the salt concentration is increased, the CO stretching band develops a component at the frequency found in the solid state while the CH2 bending band broadens to higher frequency. Since circular dichroism spectra indicate progressive disordering of the chain with increasing salt concentration, we associate the infrared spectral changes with the same phenomenon. Our interpretation of these changes, particularly in the CH2 bending modes, is that disordering is associated primarily with an increase in the range of accessible Cα–C′ (O) rotation angles rather than with the random introduction of cis imide bonds in the chain.
A scheme for peer-to-peer live streaming with multi-source multicast and forward error correction

In this paper, we propose a scheme for peer-to-peer (P2P) live streaming with multi-source multicast and forward error correction. In our scheme, there is a control topology for membership management, and a multi-source multicast tree for data delivery. The control topology facilitates peers to locate multiple sources for media content, and the multi- source multicast tree make the system adaptive to node churn and packet loss. Simulation results show that the performance of our proposed method is significantly better than that of BitTorrent-Like (BT-Like) systems.
fashion, anti‐fashion, and heteroglossia in urban Senegal

This article focuses on the language of dress among women in urban Senegal and on the social uses of cloth that it entails. Using Bakhtin's notion of heteroglossia as an organizing concept, it examines the social construction of hegemony as manifested in the practice known as sanse, dressing up or dressing well. The social practices of dress and the production and decoration of textiles embody a dialogue between dominant and subordinate or oppositional voices and between what Bakhtin calls centripetal and centrifugal impulses. This dynamic is analyzed in terms of the concepts of anti-language and multiaccentuality. [Senegal, cloth, clothing, heteroglossia, anti-language]
Early intervention for low-birth-weight premature infants: what can we achieve?

Low-birth-weight (LBW) premature infants are at increased risk for abnormal development. It is unclear whether intervention programs designed to prevent the disabilities in preterm children are efficacious. This paper reviews the settings in which interventions take place (e.g. nursery, home) and to whom they are directed (e.g. infant, parent). One intervention program, the Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP) is reviewed in detail. The IHDP was a multisite randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of combining developmental and support services along with paediatric follow-up to reduce the developmental problems seen among LBW preterm infants. Results from all studies suggest that preventive developmental interventions for LBW, premature infants have thus far demonstrated only modest success. Future research endeavours should investigate the type, duration, critical age onset, and intensity of the intervention as well as which subgroups of LBW infants most benefit from such programs.
Synthesis and characterization of oxomolybdate clusters containing co-ordinatively bound diazenido units. The crystal and molecular structure of the octanuclear oxomolybdate (NHEt3)2(NBu4)2[Mo8O20(NNPh)6]

Treatment of α-(NR4)4[Mo8O26] with an excess of phenylhdrazine in ethanol and fractional crystallization yielded a tetranuclear species, [Mo4O8(OEt)2(NNph)4]2–, with bridging ethoxy groups, and an octanuclear complex, [Mo8O20(NNPh)6]4–, structurally related to the α-[Mo8O26]4– precursor, as determined by X-ray crystallography; the structure of the Mo8 precursor is reported.
Data Formats for Elementary Gas Phase Kinetics, Part 3: Reaction Classification

A method denoted InChI-ER has been developed to describe and identify elementary reactions in a standard computer-readable notation by extending the IUPAC International Chemical Identifier (InChI) formalism. Five additional hierarchical InChI-ER layers were developed: Reaction Formula [/v], Reaction Connectivity [/r], Transition State Connectivity [/z], Reaction Class [/k], and Chemical Sites [/w]. These layers, which were developed in a conceptually similar and extensible manner to basic InChI layers, are optional and do not interfere with existing InChI specifications. All five of the layers were described in the preceding article of this series, “Data Formats for Elementary Gas Phase Kinetics, Part 2: Unique Representations of Reactions.” In this work, we provide a more detailed description of the Reaction Class and Chemical Sites layers in the context of reaction classification, giving significantly more extensive examples and discussion. We also provide an illustrated example of the application of the layers, pertaining to reactions in a large hydrocarbon combustion mechanism; the full mechanism is included in the supplementary information of this work.
Supporting similarity queries in MARS

To address the emerging needs of applications that require access to and retrieval of multimedia objects, we are developing the Multimedia Analysis and Retrieval System (MARS) in our group at the University of Illinois [13]. In this paper, we concentrate on the retrieval subsystem of MARS and its support for content-based queries over image databases. Content-based retrieval techniques have been extensively studied for textual documents in the area of automatic information retrieval [24, 21. This paper describes how these techniques can be adapted for ranked retried over image databases. Specifically, we discuss the ranking and retrieval algorithms developed in MARS based on the Boolean retrievaI model and describe the results of our experiments that demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed model for image retrieval.
Recurrence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cryptogenic cirrhosis following orthotopic liver transplantation in the context of the metabolic syndrome.

Background: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) are increasing indications for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The aim of this study is to describe our outcomes and delineate predictors of recurrence of NASH and CC after OLT. Methods: This is a retrospective study from 1996 to 2008. Donor and recipient demographics, metabolic profile, insulin and steroid intake, immunosuppression regimen, operative factors, outcomes, and pathologies were reviewed. Fisher's exact test, Cox regression models, and Kaplan-Meier plots were used. Results: A total of 83 patients were included. Recurrence occurred in 20 patients. Thirty-four percent of the patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) had recurrence of NASH or CC compared with 13% of the patients without MS (p = 0.05). Recurrence also occurred in 32% of the patients with hypertension (HTN) vs. 12% in those without HTN (p = 0.05). Thirty-seven percent of those on insulin had recurrence vs. 6% of those not on insulin (p = 0.05). Five-yr survival probability for patients with MS, HTN, and insulin use was 52%, 61%, and 58%, respectively. Conclusions: Higher recurrence of NASH and CC was associated with presence of MS, HTN and insulin use. Recurrence should be further evaluated in larger studies, with special emphasis on management of MS and prevention strategies.
Myc stabilization in response to estrogen and phospholipase D in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Estrogen, which has been strongly implicated in breast cancer, suppresses apoptosis in estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Phospholipase D (PLD), which is commonly elevated in ER negative breast cancer cells, also suppresses apoptosis. Survival signals generated by both estrogen and PLD are dependent upon elevated Myc expression. We report here that estrogen- and PLD-induced increases in Myc expression are due to reduced turnover of Myc protein. Estrogen and PLD suppressed phosphorylation of Myc at Thr58 - a site that targets Myc for degradation by the proteasome. The data provide a mechanism for elevated Myc expression in hormone-dependent and hormone-independent breast cancer.
The Kinetic Mechanism of Formation of the Bacteriophage T4 DNA Polymerase Sliding Clamp

DNA replication in bacteriophage T4 requires the assembly of a structure called the “sliding clamp” near the 3′ end of the DNA strand that is to be extended. This structure is a trimer ring of the T4 gene 45 product (gp45) and serves to regulate the processivity of the DNA polymerase within the T4 DNA replication system. The placement of this ring is performed by an ATPase complex of the products of T4 genes 44 and 62 (gp44/62) that consists of four gp44 subunits and one gp62 subunit. In an effort to understand the role of ATP hydrolysis in processes occurring during the formation of the phage T4 DNA sliding clamp, we have performed direct substrate and product binding experiments and steady-state and presteady kinetic experiments on the gp44/62-gp45 system. Substrate (ATP) and product (ADP) binding studies show that the gp44/62 complex binds 4(±1) ATP molecules with aKdof 34(±12) μM, and 3.7(±0.3) ADP molecules with aKdof 14(±7) μM. The binding of the other reaction product (inorganic orthophosphate) could not be detected. Presteady-state kinetic analysis of ATP hydrolysis during the sliding-clamp-loading process indicates a biphasic progress curve, consisting of an initial rapid “burst” phase with an amplitude of four ATP molecules per gp44/62 complex and a rate of 15 s−1, followed by a second slower phase corresponding to the steady-state rate of ATP hydrolysis by this complex. The rate of the burst phase is kinetically consistent with the previously observed rate of T4 DNA polymerase holoenzyme formation. The burst amplitude depends solely on the concentration of gp44/62 ATP binding sites present. These results suggest that the formation of a single T4 sliding clamp requires the hydrolysis of four ATP molecules by one gp44/62 complex in a process requiring 0.5 to 1 second. A model describing the clamp-loading process is discussed in the context of these results.
Quantitation of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever viral DNA by competitive polymerase chain reaction.

A single-step, competitive polymerase chain reaction technique was developed to quantitate sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) viral DNA. The assay employed coamplification of a fixed quantity of target DNA with graded amounts of a competitor, generated by truncation of the target sequence lying between the 2 primer binding sites. The assay yielded a linear response (r 5 0.98) for DNA measurement within the range of 30-300,000 copies. Amplification efficiency analysis by coamplification of target and competitor in equal copy numbers for various numbers of cycles showed that the relative abundance of the coamplified products remained constant with increasing cycle numbers up to 40. Reproducibility was assessed by repetitively assaying a set of blind-coded samples from a variety of animals and tissues. Results indicated that the assay is reliable and reproducible for quantitation of SA-MCF viral DNA in samples from asymptomatically infected sheep and from animals with clinical SA-MCF. Sheep-associated (SA) malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is 1 of the 2 major epidemiologic types of the frequently fatal disease syndrome of certain ruminant species known as MCF. 11,12 Although indistinguishable clinically or histopathologically, the 2 types are sepa- rated by an epidemiologic feature: the predominant carrier ruminant species in which the virus survives in nature. The causative agent of the SA entity exists as a subclinical infection in domestic sheep and in a num- ber of exotic sheep species. This agent, however, has never been propagated in vitro. The analogous agent that is resident in wildebeest, known as alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AHV-1), can be readily propagated in vitro and is relatively well characterized. 2,12,13 It is clas- sified within the herpes subfamily Gammaherpesviri- nae. 14 The fact that the SA agent has never been suc- cessfully propagated has hampered studies into the eti- ology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of this agent. It has nonetheless been named ovine herpesvirus 2 (OHV-2), based on limited base sequence comparison with AHV-1. 3,14 Recent improvements in methods for detection of the genomic DNA of the SA virus have provided for improved accuracy in diagnosis of clini- cal MCF and enabled studies that are beginning to
The Role of External Influences on Organizational Information Security Practices: An Institutional Perspective

This paper describes the initial findings of a case study intended to identify important organizational catalysts and impediments to implementing and using security technologies and security policies. The study focuses on how institutional forces shaped and motivated managers and employees at different levels in different ways. We found that low priority of security technology investments and internal policy development to top management is likely the main reason for organizational inertia that leads to insecurity. Two types of institutional forces seem to be the most effective mechanisms for breaking the inertia: coercive forces exerted by regulatory agencies and the normative forces exerted through the influences of professionalism and professional networks. The case shows that with respect to security technologies and policies, regulatory forces, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, are much more powerful drivers for change within the organization as compared to normative influence which disproportionately affects IT personnel rather than top level executives.
A non‐reflecting layer method for non‐linear wave‐type equations on unbounded domains with applications to shape memory alloy rods

In this paper a new technique is introduced and applied in solving one-dimensional linear and non-linear wave-type equations on an unbounded spatial domain. This new technique referred to as the non-reflecting layer method (NRLM) extends the computational domain with an artificial layer on which a one-way wave equation is solved. The method will be applied to compute stress waves in long rods consisting of NiTi shape memory alloy material subjected to impact loading and undergoing detwinning and pseudo-elastic material responses. The NRLM has been tested on model problems and it has been found that the computed solutions agree well with the exact solutions, i.e. normalized error levels are in ranges acceptable for engineering computations.
A dorsolateral prefrontal cortex semi-automatic segmenter

Structural, functional, and clinical studies in schizophr enia have, for several decades, consistently implicateddysfunction of the prefrontal cortex in the etiology of the disease. Functional and structural imaging stud-ies, combined with clinical, psychometric, and genetic analyses in schizophrenia have conrmed the key rolesplayed by the prefrontal cortex and closely linked prefrontal system structures such as the striatum, amyg-dala, mediodorsal thalamus, substantia nigra-ventral tegmental area, and anterior cingulate cortices. The nodalstructure of the prefrontal system circuit is the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), or Brodmann area 46,which also appears to be the most commonly studied and cited brain area with respect to schizophrenia.
Predation on endemic Hawaiian land snails by the invasive snail Oxychilus alliarius

The native land snails of the Hawaiian Islands have suffered numerous extinctions and continue to decline rapidly. A leading cause of these extinctions has been the impact of non-native predators. Oxychilus alliarius is a European predatory snail that has been in Hawaii since at least 1937 and has become one of the most abundant invasive snails in the islands. It is a facultative carnivore and will also consume non-animal food. However, this species has been mostly ignored as a threat and the majority of conservation attention has been focused on Euglandina rosea, the Rosy Wolf Snail. Here we report predation by O. alliarius on two rare and endemic Hawaiian snail species: Kaala subrutila (Helicarionidae) and Pleuropoma cf. sandwichiensis (Helicinidae). The wide distribution of O. alliarius in Hawaii, its high abundance, and now compelling evidence that it preys on native (and probably endangered) snails, indicate that it could be a much greater threat than previously thought.
Commercial application of marker- and gene-assisted selection in livestock: Strategies and lessons

During the past few decades, advances in molecular genetics have led to the identification of multiple genes or genetic markers associated with genes that affect traits of interest in livestock, including genes for single-gene traits and QTL or genomic regions that affect quantitative traits. This has provided opportunities to enhance response to selection, in particular for traits that are difficult to improve by conventional selection (low heritability or traits for which measurement of phenotype is difficult, expensive, only possible late in life, or not possible on selection candidates). Examples of genetic tests that are available to or used in industry programs are documented and classified into causative mutations (direct markers), linked markers in population-wide linkage disequilibrium with the QTL (LD markers), and linked markers in population-wide equilibrium with the QTL (LE markers). In general, although molecular genetic information has been used in industry programs for several decades and is growing, the extent of use has not lived up to initial expectations. Most applications to date have been integrated in existing programs on an ad hoc basis. Direct markers are preferred for effective implementation of marker-assisted selection, followed by LD and LE markers, the latter requiring within-family analysis and selection. Ease of application and potential for extra-genetic gain is greatest for direct markers, followed by LD markers, but is antagonistic to ease of detection, which is greatest for LE markers. Although the success of these applications is difficult to assess, several have been hampered by logistical requirements, which are substantial, in particular for LE markers. Opportunities for the use of molecular information exist, but their successful implementation requires a comprehensive integrated strategy that is closely aligned with business goals. The current attitude toward marker-assisted selection is therefore one of cautious optimism.
Local false discovery rate estimation using feature reliability in LC/MS metabolomics data

False discovery rate (FDR) control is an important tool of statistical inference in feature selection. In mass spectrometry-based metabolomics data, features can be measured at different levels of reliability and false features are often detected in untargeted metabolite profiling as chemical and/or bioinformatics noise. The traditional false discovery rate methods treat all features equally, which can cause substantial loss of statistical power to detect differentially expressed features. We propose a reliability index for mass spectrometry-based metabolomics data with repeated measurements, which is quantified using a composite measure. We then present a new method to estimate the local false discovery rate (lfdr) that incorporates feature reliability. In simulations, our proposed method achieved better balance between sensitivity and controlling false discovery, as compared to traditional lfdr estimation. We applied our method to a real metabolomics dataset and were able to detect more differentially expressed metabolites that were biologically meaningful.
Waxy degeneration of muscle in venom intoxication

In connection with the discussion by Beneke1 and Wells2 of waxy degeneration of muscle occurring in anaphylactic poisoning, and especially in view of Beneke's reference to the action of “brasilianischen Schlangengift” (Crotalus terrificus) the following notes on waxy degeneration in the rabbit following the intravenous injection of the venom of Crotalus adamanteus may be of interest.In the course of three series3 of experiments on a total of about 45 rabbits it was noted that the intravenous injection of venom was followed in three instances by waxy degeneration so wellmarked as to be evident macroscopically. In two of the animals, attention was called to the lesion by the presence of pale opaque focal area in the psoas mucsle. Microscopical examination of these areas showed that the muscle fibers were irregular in shape, had lost their nuclei and striation and presented the typical hyaline appearance of Zenker's degeneration as it occurs in man. In these animals the adjacent tissue showed no hemorrhage, ...
High-Resolution Electron Microscopy of Interfaces In Ain - Braze Metal Alloy Systems

The microstructural aspects of active brazing of AIN with a Ag-Cu-Ti alloy have been investigated. A series of reaction product layers are formed. TiN is produced in contact with the polycrystalline, bulk AIN. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and microdiffraction demonstrate that some of the TiN grains at the interface display specific orientation relationships with respect to the adjoining AIN crystallites. As has sometimes been observed in studies of epitaxy in other systems, these relationships are not necessarily those that provide the minimum geometrical mismatch between one or more sets of lattice planes. Farther from the substrate, an fl-type nitride phase with composition (Ti,Cu,Al)6N occurs as a reaction product. High-resolution images confirm the absence of amorphous or crystalline intervening phases at the TiN-ŋ interface and at ŋ grain boundaries.
CMUTs with high-K atomic layer deposition dielectric material insulation layer.

Use of high-κ dielectric, atomic layer deposition (ALD) materials as an insulation layer material for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) is investigated. The effect of insulation layer material and thickness on CMUT performance is evaluated using a simple parallel plate model. The model shows that both high dielectric constant and the electrical breakdown strength are important for the dielectric material, and significant performance improvement can be achieved, especially as the vacuum gap thickness is reduced. In particular, ALD hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ) is evaluated and used as an improvement over plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) silicon nitride (Si x N y ) for CMUTs fabricated by a low-temperature, complementary metal oxide semiconductor transistor-compatible, sacrificial release method. Relevant properties of ALD HfO 2 such as dielectric constant and breakdown strength are characterized to further guide CMUT design. Experiments are performed on parallel fabricated test CMUTs with 50-nm gap and 16.5-MHz center frequency to measure and compare pressure output and receive sensitivity for 200-nm PECVD Si x N y and 100-nm HfO 2 insulation layers. Results for this particular design show a 6-dB improvement in receiver output with the collapse voltage reduced by one-half; while in transmit mode, half the input voltage is needed to achieve the same maximum output pressure.
Ambulatory arrhythmia monitoring in pregnant patients with palpitations.

Objective To assess the frequency of rhythm disturbances (RDs) obtained following placement of a Holter monitor or an event loop recorder (ERT) in patients referred to cardiologists. Study Design Ninety-six gravidas were referred to the cardiology clinic for palpitations, syncope, or dizziness and had Holter monitoring or ERT after a baseline electroencephalogram. Arrhythmias were classified by severity. Results Gestational age at referral was 22.6 weeks ± 8.3 days. Sixty-five patients had ERTs performed, and 19 had Holter monitors. Seventy-six percent had benign arrhythmias. In our ERT cohort, history of arrhythmias showed a fourfold increase in serious RD during gestation (odds ratio [OR] 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 20.3, p = 0.01); obesity (body mass index >30) had a fourfold increased risk (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 1, p = 0.03). Serious RD did not result in greater chance of cesarean delivery or induction of labor, or a newborn with arrhythmias. Conclusion Most pregnant women with palpitations have benign arrhythmias. ERT appears to be a better method of diagnosis in pregnant women.
Atom transfer radical polymerization preparation and photophysical properties of polypyridylruthenium derivatized polystyrenes.

A ruthenium containing polymer featuring a short carbonyl-amino-methylene linker has been prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polymer was derived from ATRP of the N-hydroxy...
Antibody and Antigen Detection for the Immunodiagnosis of Tuberculosis: Why Not? What More is Needed? Where Do We Stand Today?

Cette etude aborde successivement la detection des anticorps contre les antigenes mycobacteriens, la detection de l'antigene mycobacterien dans les echantillons cliniques et fait le point sur la situation des techniques immunodiagnostiques basees sur la detection de l'antigene ou de l'anticorps
The Changing Hospital Sector in Washington, D.C.: Implications for the Poor

This case study examined the District of Columbia's 11 acute-care, short-term, nonmilitary hospitals, how they are being affected by market change, and what this means for the city's poor. Information came from interviews with hospital executives and others, hospital association filings, and literature review. The District has a high level of uninsured residents, at 19% about three points above the US average, despite high average incomes and a large Medicaid program. Fully a quarter of the population is below the poverty line, almost double the national average. DC hospitals are overbedded relative to the nation at large, even allowing for their serving a share of suburban residents. The hospitals face increasing fiscal pressure from private market competition, despite the predominance in the DC area of relatively lightly managed care, as well as from public cutbacks. In response, hospitals have cut expenditures through downsizing and operating efficiencies and raised revenue by finding market niches. Hospital responsiveness to market signals is generally good for insured buyers of care, who get better value. It is, however, threatening to the uninsured, as funds to subsidize uncompensated care are squeezed. Uncompensated acute care (including bad debt as well as charity) has already declined over 12% in real terms between 1991 and 1996 and has become more concentrated at quasi-public DC General and three other top safety net hospitals. The burden of charity is thus unevenly distributed, and theoretical legal obligations of charity care are very hard to enforce. The current approach does not provide incentives to hospitals to serve individual patients nor to operate cost effectively, and non-hospital care has little safety net support. Thus far, all 11 hospitals have survived. Only one merger has occurred, very recently, joining the city's biggest hospital with a Maryland system. Large realignments in the sector are expected, including merger or closure(s) of hospitals, and could occur rapidly. The report concludes that the city should establish policy on the uininsured before any crisis in access to care, so as to guide market development and level the currently uneven playing field.
The future of gastroenterology--the next 25 years.

Gastroenterology frequently has been considered a backward, undeveloped specialty of clinical medicine, albeit one that deals with many and frequently occurring diseases and has many interested practitioners. In the past few years increasing numbers of young basic medical scientists have turned with keen interest to this almost virgin clinical field and have brought with them the techniques of their respective disciplines. Research in gastroenterology, which has lagged until now, is also receiving increasing pecuniary support. One can predict that in the next 25 years the development of scientific knowledge of the gastrointestinal tract and of diagnosis and therapeutic measures will move on apace.
Histogram of Oriented Phase (HOP): A New Descriptor Based on Phase Congruency

In this paper we present a low level image descriptor called Histogram of Oriented Phase based on phase congruency concept and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Since the phase of the signal conveys more information regarding signal structure than the magnitude, the proposed descriptor can precisely identify and localize image features over the gradient based techniques, especially in the regions affected by illumination changes. The proposed features can be formed by extracting the phase congruency information for each pixel in the image with respect to its neighborhood. Histograms of the phase congruency values of the local regions in the image are computed with respect to its orientation. These histograms are concatenated to construct the Histogram of Oriented Phase (HOP) features. The dimensionality of HOP features is reduced using PCA algorithm to form HOP-PCA descriptor. The dimensionless quantity of the phase congruency leads the HOP-PCA descriptor to be more robust to the image scale variations as well as contrast and illumination changes. Several experiments were performed using INRIA and DaimlerChrysler datasets to evaluate the performance of the HOP-PCA descriptor. The experimental results show that the proposed descriptor has better detection performance and less error rates than a set of the state of the art feature extraction methodologies.
Idoneidad de los rankings universitarios

Rankings are part of the higher education system since they act on the expectations of users and the response of institutions. Their influence may even modify or interfere in the prevailing model of university in a society. Besides the public or private condition of the issuing agents, what is determinant is that they should be based on criteria and methodologies acknowledged by the respective academic communities, they should be independent and impartial, and they should use a plurality of criteria and quantifiable data. Prestige or reputation may result in unreliable describers of quality or excellence if they are not integrated with a number of other evaluation criteria.
Protein Kinase A: A Master Kinase of Granulosa Cell Differentiation

Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) transduces the signal that drives differentiation of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs). An unresolved question is whether PKA is sufficient to initiate the complex program of GC responses to FSH. We compared signaling pathways and gene expression profiles of GCs stimulated with FSH or expressing PKA-CQR, a constitutively active mutant of PKA. Both FSH and PKA-CQR stimulated the phosphorylation of proteins known to be involved in GC differentiation including CREB, s-catenin, AKT, p42/44 MAPK, GAB2, GSK-3s, FOXO1, and YAP. In contrast, FSH stimulated the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase but PKA-CQR did not. Microarray analysis revealed that 85% of transcripts that were up-regulated by FSH were increased to a comparable extent by PKA-CQR and of the transcripts that were down-regulated by FSH, 76% were also down-regulated by PKA-CQR. Transcripts regulated similarly by FSH and PKA-CQR are involved in steroidogenesis and differentiation, while transcripts more robustly up-regulated by PKA-CQR are involved in ovulation. Thus, PKA, under the conditions of our experimental approach appears to function as a master upstream kinase that is sufficient to initiate the complex pattern of intracellular signaling pathway and gene expression profiles that accompany GC differentiation.
Reliability evaluation technology research for smart meters software

Smart meters software is an important basis for realizing the functions of the intelligent electric energy meter measurement, data storage, event recording, communication, display, charge control and step price. By studying the software reliability evaluation technology and the hierarchical analysis model, this paper proposed the intelligent electric energy meter reliability evaluation system based on the analytic hierarchy process. Two schemes are proposed, one is used to analyze and evaluate the performance comparison among different functions in the same meter, and the other is to compare the different meters of different manufacturers. In this system, the performance of different types of smart meter software and different modules in the same smart meter can be analyzed quantitatively by combining the two schemes.
Three facets of scientific discovery

Scientific discovery is a complex process, and in this paper we consider three of its many facets - discovering laws of qualitative structure, finding quantitative relations between variables, and formulating sfructural models of reactions. We describe three discovery systems - GLAUBER, BACON, and DALTON - that address these three aspects of the scientific process. GLAUBER forms classes of objects based on regularities in qualitative data, and states abstract laws in terms of these classes. BACON includes heuristics for finding numerical laws, for postulating intrinsic properties, and for noting common divisors. DALTON formulates molecular models that account for observed reactions, taking advantage of theoretical assumptions to direct its search if they are available. We show how each of the programs is capable of rediscovering laws or models that were found in the early days of chemistry. Finally, we consider some possble interactions between these systems, and the need for an integrated theory of discovery.
Attachment of Salmonella typhimurium to skins of Turkey that had been defeathered through three different systems : scanning electron microscopic examination

Attachment of Salmonella typhimurium to the skin of turkeys that had been processed through three different defeathering systems (conventional, kosher, and steam-spray) was examined at varying incubation times (10~60 min) using scanning electron microscopy. The extent of attachment varied with the type of defeathering method and increased with incubation time. Conventional and kosher skins showed slow rate of attachment, whereas steam-spray skin allowed a sharp increase of attachment, due to the collagenous connective tissue of dermis exposed during processing. Exposed dermis in kosher skin revealed the very adhesive properties of dermis. Attachment fibrils appeared as incubation time increased. Cells on steam-spray skin produced a considerable amount of long, thin fibrils connecting them to each other and to the skin after 30 min of incubation. While a few thick and short attachment fibrils were observed in conventional skin, no fibrils were detected in kosher skin. The high number of attached cells and the greatest amount of fibril formation on the surface of steam-spray skin suggest the positive relationship between bacterial attachment and fibril formation. Depressions produced by attached cells were observed in conventional skin surface, but not in kosher skin, probably due to the fatty and pliable properties of conventional skin. Pits, observed only on the surface of steam-spray skin, reflected the weak property of basal membrane covering the dermis. The above results suggest that exposing dermis is undesirable for reducing bacterial attachment during poultry processing.
Treatment of Anti-DPPX-Encephalitis Refractory to Corticosteroids, Plasma Exchange and Rituximab (P2.163)

Objective: To describe a case of anti-DPPX encephalitis refractory to steroids, plasma exchange and rituximab. Background:Anti-DPPX encephalitis is an autoimmune encephalitis which presents with progressive encephalopathy, rigidity, and myoclonus as well as autonomic instability, GI dysmotility, and progressive weight loss. Successful treatment of anti-DPPX encephalitis with intravenous steroids, plasma exchange and rituximab has been previously described. Methods: Report of a case. Results: A 41yo obese man presented with 1 year of depression, 150lb weight loss, progressive short-term memory loss, diffuse myoclonus with hyperekplexia, truncal ataxia, appendicular rigidity, periodic limb movements in sleep, supraventricular tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Evaluation for malignancy and infectious etiologies were negative. A CSF autoimmune encephalitis panel was positive for anti-DPPX antibodies. He had been previously treated with 1g IV methylprednisolone with clinical worsening. He was then treated with a cycle of plasma exchange with mild improvement in myoclonus and short-term memory. However, his weight loss, truncal ataxia, and dysautonomia persisted. He was then treated with 2 doses of rituximab. Within a month he had clinical deterioration with further weight loss and progression of his short-term memory loss, hyperekplexia, and dysautonomia. A second cycle of plasma exchange was completed resulting in some temporary beneficial effects, but no dramatic improvement. Two weeks later, he was noted to have continued weight loss and persistent symptoms. A percutaneous gastric tube was placed for initiation of tube feeds. He was then started on cyclophosphamide 750mg/m2 with concomitant IV immunoglobulin 1g/kg monthly infusions. Following the 3rd treatment cycle his appetite increased with resultant 10lbs weight gain and had improvement in short-term memory, depression, myoclonus, appendicular rigidity, and autonomic instability. Conclusions: Anti-DPPX encephalitis can be refractory to many first line immunotherapies. Rapid escalation or changes in therapies is warranted in the setting of continued progressive symptoms including weight loss. Disclosure: Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Goodman has received personal compensation for activities with Acorda Therapeutics, Biogen Idec, EMD-Serono, Genzyme-Sanofi, GW Pharma, Novartis, Purdue, and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. McKeon has received research support from Medimmune. Dr. Samkoff has nothing to disclose.
The Risk of Venous Thromboembolism Following Hospitalization in Medical Patients without Cancer.

Abstract Background: Heparin therapy is recommended for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical patients. This recommendation is based on studies demonstrating the efficacy of heparin in preventing surrogate endpoints such as positive venograms or vascular ultrasounds in patients without symptoms or signs of VTE. The efficacy of low-dose heparin prophylaxis in preventing clinical VTE in hospitalized general medical patients remains uncertain. Short-term studies suggest that up to 15% of such patients experience subclinical thrombosis during or shortly after hospital admission. Objective: To quantify the incidence of clinically significant events, we determined the rate of readmission for acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients without cancer discharged from an medical inpatient stay. Methods: The study was performed using nation-wide DVA administrative and inpatient pharmacy databases. The source population was all male patients without a diagnosis of cancer admitted to any DVA medical service between April 1, 2002 and September 30, 2005. To qualify, the index medical admission (IMA) had to be longer than 3 days and not preceded by a surgical admission. Using ICD-9 codes for VTE and postphlebitic syndrome, subjects were categorized as follows: no history of VTE (noVTE), a history of prior VTE (pVTE) and an IMA of acute VTE (aVTE). Annualized rates of subsequent readmission for VTE were determined in each of these groups by life-table analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to derive hazard ratios (HR). Results: The final cohort consisted of 206,290 subjects of whom 0.36% had a subsequent readmission for VTE. The rates of VTE in the first year following IMA were 7.15%, 2.13% and 0.30% for aVTE, pVTE and noVTE groups respectively. Age adjusted Cox proportional models demonstrated a HR of 24.3 (95%CI 20.6, 28.8) for the aVTE and 7.7 (95%CI 5.9, 10.0) for the pVTE compared to the noVTE group. In the noVTE group, 25% of patients received warfarin or therapeutic heparin, 11% received only heparin prophylaxis and 64% received no anticoagulant therapy at any time during the IMA, with readmission for VTE occurred in 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.2% of patients in these subgroups respectively. Conclusions: Despite high rates of sub-clinical VTE in clinical trials enrolling patients admitted to medical services, we found that only 0.36% of patients are readmitted to hospital for VTE following discharge. An exception appears to be patients with a history of VTE who have considerably higher rates (2.13%). The rate of readmission for VTE in patients with an index admission for VTE (7.15%) is within the expected range, and consistent with other published reports. Despite the low utilization rates of heparin prophylaxis in patients without prior VTE, readmission with clinically apparent VTE is distinctly uncommon. These results support the argument claiming that prophylaxis may be unnecessary in the majority of medical patients without known malignancy or prior VTE.
La Historia de Cataluña y de la Corona de Aragón en la trajectòria intel·lectual de Víctor Balaguer

Estudi de l’obra Historia de Cataluna y de la Corona de Aragon(1860-64), de Victor Balaguer i Cirera (1824-1864), en el conjunt de la sevatrajectoria intel·lectual, plantejat a partir de tres grans eixos: la delimitacio dela seva proposta ideologica enmig d’una obra escrita molt extensa; la valoraciode les influencies rebudes en l’ambit de la historia; i l’analisi de la sevaevolucio intel·lectual a traves del temps, amb el fil conductor de la seva producciohistoriografica.
Abstract MP035: The Clinical Epidemiology of Fatigue in Newly Diagnosed Heart Failure

Introduction: Fatigue is a common and distressing, but poorly understood symptom among patients with heart failure (HF). The underlying mechanisms of fatigue in HF have not been clearly elucidated,...
Addressing the Challenges of Using Ferromagnetic Electrodes in Molecular Devices

Ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes chemically anchored with thiol functionalized molecules can yield novel molecular spintronics devices (MSDs). However, significant challenges lie in developing commercially viable MSD fabrication approach utilizing FM electrodes. A practical MSD fabrication approach should consider FM electrodes’ susceptibility to oxidation, chemical etching, and stress induced deformations during fabrication and usage. This paper will discuss NiFe, an alloy used in the present day memory devices and high-temperature engineering applications, as a candidate for FM electrode and for the fabrication of MSDs. Our spectroscopic reflectance studies show that NiFe starts oxidizing aggressively beyond ~90 °C. The NiFe surfaces, aged for several months or heated for several minutes below ~90 °C, were suitable for chemical bonding with the thiol-functionalized molecules. NiFe also demonstrated excellent etching resistance in widely used dichloromethane solvent for dissolving molecular device elements. NiFe also reduced the mechanical stress induced deformities in other FM metals like cobalt. This paper also discusses the successful utilization of NiFe electrodes in the magnetic tunnel junction based molecular device fabrication approach. This research is expected to address the knowledge gap blocking the experimental development of FM based MSDs.