cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical utility of factor V leiden (R506Q) testing for the diagnosis and management of thromboembolic disorders.

Abstract Objective.—To review the current state of the art regarding the role of the clinical laboratory in diagnostic testing for the factor V Leiden (FVL) thrombophilic mutation (and other protein C resistance disorders), and to generate, through literature reviews and opinions of recognized thought-leaders, expert consensus recommendations on methodology and diagnostic, prognostic, and management issues pertaining to clinical FVL testing. Data Sources, Extraction, and Synthesis.—An initial thorough review of the medical literature and of current best clinical practices by a panel of 4 experts followed by a consensus conference review, editing, and ultimate approval by the majority of a panel of 28 additional coagulation laboratory experts. Conclusions.—Consensus recommendations were generated for topics of direct clinical relevance, including (1) defining those patients (and family members) who should (and should not) be tested for FVL; (2) defining the preferred FVL laboratory testing methods; and (3)...
Understanding Soil Time

Efforts to maintain soils in a sustainable manner are complicated by interactions among soil components that respond to perturbation at vastly different rates.
Carbamyl phosphate: glucose phosphotransferase activity of hepatic microsomal glucose 6-phosphatase at physiological pH.

Abstract Evidence is presented indicating that classical hepatic microsomal D-glucose 6-phosphate phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.9) possesses potent carbamyl phosphate: glucose phosphotransferase activity. Unlike phosphotransferase activity of this enzyme observed with nucleotides, phosphoenolpyruvate, or to a less pronounced extent inorganic pyrophosphate as phosphoryl donors, activity with carbamyl phosphate remains high even at pH 7.0 and 7.5. For example, at the latter pH in the presence of deoxycholate glucose 6-phosphate production with 10 mM carbamyl phosphate and 180 mM D-glucose is approximately double the rate of hydrolysis of 10 mM glucose 6-phosphate. A physiologically significant synthetic role for this phosphotransferase is suggested.
High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ε-(γ-glutamyl)lysine and mono- and bis-γ-glutamyl derivatives of putrescine and spermidine

A sensitive, simple, and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is reported for the determination of epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine and certain gamma-glutamylpolyamines in selected fractions from ion-exchange chromatograms of protein digests. The method involves pre-column derivatization of the gamma-glutamylamine conjugates with o-phthalaldehyde, linear-gradient reversed-phase HPLC separation, and fluorimetric detection. The gradient used was designed to provide a means of avoiding a desalting step, while maintaining proper chromatographic performance. gamma-Glutamylamines in amounts from 0.1 to 1 nmol display linear concentration-response relationships. The detection limits are approximately 10 and 200 pmol per mg of protein for the gamma-glutamylpolyamines and for epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine, respectively. The use of the method is exemplified by an analysis of the epidermal cell envelope from the skin of a newborn mouse.
SU-E-J-239: IMRT Planning of Prostate Cancer for a MRI-Linac Based On MRI Only

Purpose: : To investigate dosimetric differences between MRI- and CT-based IMRT planning for prostate cancer, the impact of a magnetic field in a MRI-Linac, and to explore the feasibility of IMRT planning based on MRI alone. Methods: IMRT plans were generated based on CT and MRI images acquired on two representative prostate-cancer patients using clinical dose volume constraints. A research planning system (Monaco, Elekta), which employs a Monte Carlo dose engine and includes a perpendicular magnetic field of 1.5T from an MRI-Linac, was used. Bulk electron density assignments based on organ-specific values from ICRU 46 were used to convert MRI (T2) to pseudo CT. With the same beam configuration as in the original CT plan, 5 additional plans were generated based on CT or MRI, with or without optimization (i.e., just recalculation) and with or without the magnetic field. The plan quality in terms of commonly used dose volume (DV) parameters for all plans was compared. The statistical uncertainty on dose was < 1%. Results: For plans with the same contour set but without re-optimization, the DV parameters were different from those for the original CT plan, mostly less than 5% with a few exceptions. These differences were reduced to mostly less than 3% when the plans were re-optimized. For plans with contours from MRI, the differences in the DV parameters varied depending on the difference in the contours as compared to CT. For the optimized plans with contours from MR, the differences for PTV were less than 3%. Conclusion: The prostate IMRT plans based on MRI-only for a MR-Linac were practically similar as compared to the CT plan under the same beam and optimization configuration if the difference on the structure delineation is excluded, indicating the feasibility of using MRI-only for prostate IMRT.
Water quality changes in relation to Diptera community patterns and diversity measured at an organic effluent impacted stream in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract Impact of abattoir effluents (characterized by intestinal and stomach contents of slaughtered animals, ashes from roasted animals and blood stains) on water quality, distribution and abundance of Diptera were investigated in an urban stream, River Orogodo, Southern Nigeria, from July 2003 to June 2004. Water quality changes indicated significant differences (p
Improving high temperature heat capture for power generation in gasification plants

Abstract As part of the gasification process, hot syngas is cooled to low temperatures for gas cleaning by generating high pressure steam in a radiant heat exchanger. The steam, in turn, is used to generate electric power. However, the very large temperature difference that exists between the syngas and generated high pressure steam results in significant losses during the heat transfer process. These losses can be reduced, and hence the overall plant efficiency improved, by choosing materials and working fluids that reduce the temperature difference in the syngas heat exchanger. A set of alternatives to high pressure steam is liquid metals or molten salts. These liquids can be kept at a pressure equal to the syngas pressure, reducing the tensile hoop stress in the heat exchanger tubes. Since the strength of steel decreases with temperature, reducing the hoop stress allows tubes (and the liquids inside them) to reach higher temperatures. The liquid metals or molten salt can then be used in a secondary heat transfer loop to transfer heat to a steam generator. This paper describes a cost-effective radiant heat exchanger that can be used to transfer heat from high temperature syngas to these alternative heat transfer fluids, and also quantifies the increase in overall IGCC plant efficiency by doing so. A capital cost assessment shows a small payback time and improved revenue is achieved by using this technology, making this a realistic option for gasification processes.
Understanding School Counseling Internships from a Communities of Practice Framework.

School counseling interns are on the boundary of communities of practice. This study explored how school counselors develop competence during internship experiences by analyzing an online dialogue taking place among a small group of interns. Feelings of being on the boundary intensified with unsatisfactory supervisor-intern relationships (lack of mutuality of engagement) or when interns experienced a sense of powerlessness to effect change at their internship placements (negotiating their repertoire). As boundary dwellers, interns turned to peers to make sense of their experiences (accountability to the joint enterprise). Implications include the importance of the supervisor-intern relationship and the relationships among internship peers.
Lossy Raw Data Compression in Computed Tomography with Noise Shaping to Control Image Effects

The data rate requirements for raw data transmission through the slip ring of a CT scanner can be quite challenging. While lossy compression can offer a significant reduction in data set size, it introduces errors to the measurements. The design and evaluation of compression methods need to take into account the nature of the sinogram. In this paper, we present two compression noise shaping methods for fixed rate lossy compression of CT raw data that achieve a lower error level in the center region of the reconstructed image: error feedback filters and sub-band coding with bit allocation.
An ultra-thin midgap gate FDSOI MOSFET

Abstract This work describes an ultra-thin fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) MOS transistor design, which uses a midgap workfunction metal gate and lightly doped channel to set the threshold voltages ( V th ) of both nMOSFETs and pMOSFETs symmetrically at 0.3 V for ultra-low voltage applications. In contrast to conventional FDSOI devices, the threshold voltage sensitivity for this FDSOI device displays excellent immunity to variations in SOI film thickness and channel doping density. We find a 1% variation for a 25% variation in SOI film thickness centered at 10 nm or a 50% channel doping variation centered at 1×10 15 cm −3 . Such a device is very suitable for ultra-low voltage applications.
Slavery at Different Times and Places

THE TITLE OF THE SESSION at which these papers were originally presented, "Looking at Slavery from Broader Perspectives," can refer to at least three different issues. First, slavery has been one of the most ubiquitous of human institutions, and has existed in many places. It has been present in societies dominated by all major religions and ideologies, and had legally lasted in some places into the second half of the twentieth century-if not more informally in places until the present day. Although there are important differences in its economic and legal basis, certain characteristics regarding who could be enslaved or who could be bought and sold had important similarities, and the study of these differences and similarities provides a useful basis for numerous comparative studies related to the understanding of human behavior and social institutions. Second, slavery, when it existed, should not be examined in isolation from other institutions and happenings at that or other times. Thus it is important to trace the various linkages of slavery with the nonslave aspects of different societies. Third, related to the second, the previously sharp line between slavery as the evil and other labor and social systems that are therefore seen as quite different, and thus somehow more acceptable, has now become blurred, pointing to the usefulness of more detailed comparisons of the legalities and actualities of various types of social and labor institutions.' One basic problem that must be dealt with is the precise definition of slavery and, correspondingly, of nonslavery. Definitions are generally a rather dull topic, but, in the case of slavery, they have been central to the understanding of nonslavery or freedom. Any specific definition of slavery has legal, cultural, political, and economic aspects, and it is often hard to know exactly where to draw the line among labor institutions as well as between legal slavery and the use of slavery as a metaphor for any form of human poverty and domination. If slavery is regarded as a unique mode of control of individuals, this would seem to make all nonslavery appear as freedom and, therefore, to be regarded as a progressive and desirable development. If however, slavery is regarded as only one part, or one end, of a spectrum of controls, then some would argue that this makes slavery seem less evil and more benign than it was, compared to other forms of social control. The many past and present uses of the analogy of slavery in describing social and labor systems suggests that few, if any, of slavery's controls are by themselves
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor angioedema of the intestine: a case report and review of the literature

Visceral angioedema is a rare complication of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use. To date, 15 cases have been reported in the literature. Common presentation is that of a middle-aged woman with abdominal pain, emesis, and diarrhea who has recently begun taking an ACE inhibitor. Signs include leukocytosis, ascites, and edematous small bowel seen on computed tomography. Diagnosis is elusive, and frequently invasive procedures, including surgery, are pursued. These can be avoided if the astute physician recognizes the association and withdraws the offending medication. We present the typical diagnostic dilemma faced in the evaluation of a patient with ACE inhibitor angioedema of the intestine, and review the current available literature.
Effect of Delayed Intervention with ACE-inhibitor Therapy on Myocyte Hypertrophy and Growth of the Cardiac Interstitium in the Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction ☆

The effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor therapy in attenuating ventricular remodeling when initiated immediately following myocardial damage is clearly established. Less information, however, is available on the impact of late therapy on the remodeling process, especially its influence on the cellular components of these structural changes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of converting enzyme inhibitor therapy commenced 28 days following infarction in the rat on changes in cardiac myocyte dimension and the interstitium. At 28 days following infarction, myocyte cell length (153.9±7.3v131.1±5.9μm,P=0.0002) and cell volume in the free wall of the left ventricle (38.5±5.0×103v31.4±3.1×103,P=0.009) had increased compared with sham-operated rats. Similar changes were noted in the septum and right ventricle. Captopril therapy administered between 28 and 56 days attenuated a further increase in cell length noted in an untreated group in the left ventricle (153.5±15.3v167.3±13.7μm,P=0.02), right ventricle (153.8±20.5v173.8±2.3μm,P=0.01) and septum (158.0±20.2v179.1±16.6μm,P=0.004). There was an increase in hydroxyproline content in the right ventricle and a similar trend in the left ventricle in the untreated myocardial infarction groups. These changes were not altered by captopril therapy. In summary, even late therapy with captopril attenuates progressive myocyte remodeling, which may contribute to the ability of ACE-inhibitor therapy to slow progressive chamber enlargement following infarction.
Combination of Ex Vivo Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping and Methylene Blue-Assisted Lymph Node Dissection in Gastric Cancer: A Prospective and Randomized Study

Background Exact lymph node (LN) staging is crucial for prognosis estimation and treatment stratification in gastric cancer. Recently, a new concept for improving LN harvest and the accuracy of LN staging was introduced. It combines methylene blue-assisted lymph node dissection (MBLND) with a new ex vivo sentinel lymph node (evSLN) mapping technique. The purpose of this study was to investigate these techniques in a prospective and randomized manner.
Poly(glycerol sebacate) films prevent postoperative adhesions and allow laparoscopic placement.

Background The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of poly(glycerol) sebacate (PGS) films for the prevention of visceroparietal peritoneal (VP) adhesions and demonstrate the ease of laparoscopic PGS film placement. Peritoneal adhesions occur in nearly 95% of all abdominal operations. VP adhesions can cause serious postoperative complications. The interposition of a barrier between damaged peritoneal areas during re-epithelialization has been shown to prevent adhesion formation. Current barrier products have serious drawbacks, including poor degradability, variable efficacy, and difficult handling characteristics. Methods The efficacy of PGS films to prevent VP adhesions was evaluated in a rat peritoneal adhesion model. The animals were evaluated for the presence of VP adhesions at 3, 5, and 8 weeks. The laparoscopic applicability of PGS films was demonstrated by placement into a juvenile porcine abdomen using standard laparoscopic equipment and techniques. Results A statistically significant 94% reduction in VP adhesion formation rate was observed between control animals (75%) and animals with a PGS film barrier (4.8%). PGS films were easily placed in the juvenile porcine abdomen and could be readily repositioned without material loss or tissue damage. Conclusion PGS films possess a unique combination of properties, including biocompatibility, resorbability, and ease of handling. PGS barrier films were shown to be efficacious in reducing VP adhesions in the rat model. They also can be placed using standard laparoscopic techniques. These promising results suggest that PGS films will be effective barriers to adhesion formation for patients undergoing open and laparoscopic abdominal operations.
Smoking habits and smoking cessation among North Carolina nurses.

A 1987 questionnaire survey of a 1% random sample (n = 356) of registered nurses in North Carolina provided data on the smoking habits and smoking cessation. Fifty-six percent were never smokers; 19% were current smokers. Among the ever smokers, 31% had quit smoking for at least one year. Twenty-two percent of the former smokers had smoked less than 5 years and 39% less than 10 years before quitting. Anecdotal notes from never smokers suggested that their major deterrent to smoking was their own parents smoking. Concerns about the addictive smoking behavior and health effects of smoking observed in their parents as well as concerns about potential health risks to themselves deterred them from smoking. Concerns about the adverse consequences of smoking was the most influential factor influencing smoking cessaticn and reduction of cigarette smoking. Friends' and family's encouragement to stop smoking was the most influential external factor motivating nurses to quit or reduce cigarette consumption. Fifty-se...
Corn plant sensing using real-time stereo vision

Though some two-dimensional (2D) machine vision–based systems for early-growth-stage corn plant sensing exist, some of their shortcomings are difficult to overcome. The greatest challenge comes from separating individual corn plants with overlapped plant canopies. With 2D machine vision, variation in outdoor lighting conditions and weeds in the background also pose difficulties in corn plant identification. Adding the depth dimension has the potential to improve the performance of such a sensing system. A new corn plant sensing system using a real-time stereo vision system was investigated in this research. Top-view depth images of corn plant canopy were acquired. By processing the depth images, the algorithm effectively updated the plant skeleton structures and finally recognized individual corn plants and detected their center positions. The stereo vision system was tested over corn plants of V2–V3 growth stages in both laboratory and field conditions. Experimental results showed that the stereo vision system was capable of detecting both separated and overlapped corn plants. During the field test, 96.7p of the corn plants were correctly detected, and plant center positions were estimated with maximum distance errors of 5 and 1 cm for 74.6p and 62.3p of detections, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MBO and R&D productivity: Revisiting the system's dynamics

Examines an earlier system dynamics simulation of management-by-objectives (MBO) in an R&D setting performed by Poziomek, Rice, and Anderson (1977), and suggests an alternative approach to MBO which stresses the nonevaluative contributions an MBO system can make to the researcher. The results of applying this alternative approach to MBO to a simulated R&D setting results in a substantial increase in productivity and the maintenance of social harmony within the group.
Mining intrusion detection alarms for actionable knowledge

In response to attacks against enterprise networks, administrators increasingly deploy intrusion detection systems. These systems monitor hosts, networks, and other resources for signs of security violations. The use of intrusion detection has given rise to another difficult problem, namely the handling of a generally large number of alarms. In this paper, we mine historical alarms to learn how future alarms can be handled more efficiently. First, we investigate episode rules with respect to their suitability in this approach. We report the difficulties encountered and the unexpected insights gained. In addition, we introduce a new conceptual clustering technique, and use it in extensive experiments with real-world data to show that intrusion detection alarms can be handled efficiently by using previously mined knowledge.
CNS cell groups projecting to pancreatic parasympathetic preganglionic neurons

The CNS cell groups that project to the pancreatic parasympathetic preganglionic neurons were identified by the viral retrograde transneuronal labeling method. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) was injected into the pancreas of C8 spinal rats and after 6 days survival, the animals were perfused and their brains processed for immunohistochemical detection of PRV. Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons of the dorsal vagal nucleus were retrogradely labeled with PRV. Several CNS cell groups consistently contained transneuronally labeled neurons. In the medulla oblongata, labeled neurons were found in the nucleus tractus solitarius, area postrema, paratrigeminal nucleus, lateral paragigantocellular reticular nucleus, raphe pallidus and obscurus nuclei, C3 region and scattered cells in the ventral medullary reticular formation. In the pons, the A5 cell group, Barrington's nucleus and the subcoeruleus region contained labeled neurons. Only an occasional labeled cell was identified in the parabrachial nucleus. In the midbrain, almost no labeling was found except for an occasional neuron in the central gray matter. In the diencephalon, labeling was found in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) as well as in the lateral hypothalamic nucleus at two levels (one at the level of the PVN and the other at the level of the subthalamic nucleus). In addition, the perifornical and dorsal hypothalamic nuclei contained labeled neurons. A few cells were found in the peripheral part of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. No labeling was seen in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. In the telencephalon, the central amygdaloid nucleus and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis were labeled.
Top U.S. cities see dramatic increase in small‐scale flooding due to sea level rise

Small-scale flooding—called nuisance flooding—has increased between 300% and 925% around the United States since the 1960s because of rising sea levels around the world, says a new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Omega-3 fatty acids in sickle cell anemia.

To the editor: A study done a decade ago found that treatment of sickle cell anemia with ω-3 fatty acids reduced the frequency of pain episodes from 7.8 to 3.8 per year ( P < .01).[1][1] However, only 10 patients completed that study, and the finding received scant attention. A more recent study
Crosstalk mitigation in DMT VDSL with impulse noise

Crosstalk and impulse noise are two principal sources of degradation in very-high-rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) transmission systems. The traditional single-user data detector for such systems merges crosstalk into the background noise, which is assumed to be white and Gaussian. Recent research has explored the nature of crosstalk signals and shown the potential benefits of multiuser detection (MUD) for VDSL signals with strong crosstalkers. Impulse noise is one of the most difficult transmission impairments to suppress, and is poorly characterized and understood as well. In DSL transmission, impulse noise is typically combated with interleaved forward-error correction (FEC). However, recent data indicate that a significant minority of impulse-noise events are longer than the maximum error-correcting capacities of the default interleaved FEC provided within current ANSI standards. Thus, it is of interest to consider signal processing methods that can jointly mitigate crosstalk and impulse noise. In this paper, we explore such a technique based on a recently developed robust M-detector structure for MUD in non-Gaussian ambient noise.
Development and survival of thoracic motoneurons and hindlimb musculature following transplantation of the thoracic neural tube to the lumbar region in the chick embryo: Functional aspects

Thoracic spinal cord transplanted to the lumbar region at the time of neural tube closure in the chick embryo survives and initially differentiates normally similar to in situ thoracic cord. Normal numbers of motoneurons are produced that innervate the host hindlimb musculature. In control thoracic cord approximately 70% of the motoneurons are lost by normal cell death between embryonic day (E) 6 and E11-E12. By contrast, the transplanted thoracic cord loses only about 30% of the motoneurons during this period. Transplantation of one hindlimb to the thoracic region also reduces the normal loss of in situ thoracic motoneurons. We conclude that some factor(s) associated with the increased target size provided by the hindlimbs promotes the survival of thoracic motoneurons. In contrast, by E16-E18 motoneuron numbers in the thoracic transplants decrease to below control levels. Dorsal root ganglion cells in the transplant were also initially increased (on E8) but later decreased to below control values. Hindlimb muscles innervated by thoracic motoneurons in the transplant also differentiated normally up to E10 to E12. Myotube size and numbers, muscle size and myotube types (fast versus slow) all developed normally in several thoracically-innervated hindlimb muscles. However, beginning on E14 myotube numbers and muscle size were markedly decreased resulting in muscle atrophy. Injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the thoracic transplants labelled neurons in the host spinal cord and brainstem rostral to the transplant thereby indicating an anatomical continuity between host and transplant neural tube. Injections of HRP into specific thoracically innervated hindlimb muscles on E8 labelled distinct pools of motoneurons in the transplants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Large Eddy Simulation Investigation of Flow and Heat Transfer in a Channel With Dimples and Protrusions

Large eddy simulation calculations are conducted for flow in a channel with dimples and protrusions on opposite walls with both surfaces heated at three Reynolds numbers, Re H =220, 940, and 9300, ranging from laminar, weakly turbulent, to fully turbulent, respectively. Turbulence generated by the separated shear layer in the dimple and along the downstream rim of the dimple is primarily responsible for heat transfer augmentation on the dimple surface. On the other hand, augmentation on the protrusion surface is mostly driven by flow impingement and flow acceleration between protrusions, while the turbulence generated in the wake has a secondary effect. Heat transfer augmentation ratios of 0.99 at Re H = 220,2.9 at Re H =940, and 2.5 at Re H = 9300 are obtained. Both skin friction and form losses contribute to pressure drop in the channel. Form losses increase from 45% to 80% with increasing Reynolds number. Friction coefficient augmentation ratios of 1.67, 4.82, and 6.37 are obtained at Re H = 220, 940, and 9300, respectively. Based on the geometry studied, it is found that dimples and protrusions may not be viable heat transfer augmentation surfaces when the flow is steady and laminar.
Probing nucleon strangeness using vector meson dominance

Abstract Calculations for N ( π , e + e − ) N reactions are reported to motivate measurements of the nucleon time-like form factors in the φ meson mass region. Using vector meson dominance and a field theoretical model which describes pion photoproduction data, crossing predictions for N ( π , e + e − ) N are detailed exhibiting dramatic, several order of magnitude enhancements from φN coupling in the nucleon form factors. These narrow, dual peaked resonances provide a novel experimental signature for OZI violation and the related strangeness content of the nucleon. A low energy analysis of the limited p ( γ , φ ) p data is also presented using a similar dynamic model and φN coupling.
Effect of Restricting Dietary Protein on the Progression of Renal Failure in Patients with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus K. ZELLER, E. WHITTAKER, L. SULLIVAN, P. RASKIN, H.R. JACOBSON N Engl J Med 324:78-84, 1991

This report compares the progression of renal failure in type-I diabetic patients fed either a low or a normal protein diet. In a prospective, randomized, controlled fashion, 47 adult patients were placed either on a 0.6 g/ kg daily protein intake (study) or a greater than 1.0 g/ kg (control) daily protein intake. Dietary phosphorus was maintained between 0.5 and 1.0 g for study patients and greater than 1.0 g for control patients. Renal function was monitored by iothalamate and creatinine clearance measurements at 3- to 6-month intervals. Patients were studied for periods up to 46 months (mean 34.7 months). Study patients had a slower deterioration of renal function with clearance decreasing at 25 to 40% the rate observed in control patients. Proteinuria was reduced by 45% in the study group when compared to the control group (2.9 g/dL vs 5.4 g/dL). The authors conclude that a protein-phosphorus-restricted diet can slow progression of renal failure in diabetic patients.
Characterization of a fused iron catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis by in situ laser Raman spectroscopy

Abstract In situ laser Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize an alkali-promoted fused iron catalyst. Studies with adsorbed H2 and CO revealed the presence of FeH and FeC bonds. Bands for adsorbed CO were also detected, indicating adsorption on Fe° and Fen+ sites. Coexistence of Fe° Fe -carbide and Fe-oxide phases at the surface is proposed.
Is there a role for everolimus in the treatment of RA

The past decade has seen remarkable advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Although this is good news for the majority of patients, one consequence is that the environment for the development of new drugs has become difficult as a result of high expectations for efficacy. Nevertheless, there remains a subgroup of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are not candidates for treatment with the newer biologic agents and in whom oral DMARDs have certain advantages. A recent report by Bruyn et al. suggests that the proliferation-signal inhibitor everolimus could have unique properties, in addition to a convenient once-daily oral dosing schedule, that might fit this niche in the therapeutic armamentarium. Further studies are required, however, to confirm the disease-modifying effects and adverse event profile of this drug.
Functional reorganization of spatial transformations after a parietal lesion

Background: Mental spatial transformations are ubiquitous and necessary for everyday spatial cognition, such as packing luggage into a car or repairing a broken vase. The posterior parietal cortex is known to be involved in performing such transformations. Objective: To measure reorganization after lesioning of posterior parietal cortex areas subserving spatial transformation. Method: Brain activity in a patient who underwent a resection of right parietal cortex to manage intractable epilepsy was measured using fMRI while he performed a set of spatial transformation tasks. These data were compared with data from a group of healthy control subjects. Results: During spatial transformations, activity in the regions overlapping the resection was reduced in the patient compared with control subjects, but activity in the contralateral cortex was greater than that of control subjects. Conclusions: After a lesion the left hemisphere can adopt components of spatial reasoning normally subserved by the right hemisphere. This converges with evidence that components of language processing normally subserved by the left hemisphere can be taken over by the right hemisphere, suggesting that plasticity of function in the adult human cortex is a general characteristic.
Stability Behavior of Model Reference Adaptive Control Methods in Presence of Aircraft Structural Damage

Any classical control design starts by first satisfying stability and then looking towards satisfying transient requirements. Similarly, a Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) Method should start with a stability analysis. Lyapunov function analysis is first used to justify the stability of the adaptive scheme. Next, a numerical study is conducted to predict the stability behavior of three different MRAC methods in the presence of large unanticipated changes in the dynamics of an aircraft. The Model reference adaptive control methods studied are: Method:1, an adaptive gain method; Method:2, a Neural Network (NN) approximation technique; and, Method:3, a linear approximation technique. For comparison purposes, the aircraft is assumed to have Linear Time Invariant, LTI dynamics. Each algorithm is given full state feedback, an inaccurate reference model and a poor Linear Quadratic Regulator, LQR design for the true plant. It is seen that when the LQR stabilizes the true plant, the three algorithms all achieve the same steady state error to a step command. Numerical results predict the different types of stability behavior that the algorithms provide. It is seen that the Methods: 2 and 3 can only provide a bounded stability, whereas Method: 1 can provide an asymptotic stability. A robust static controller can satisfy stability, but a robust static controller that accommodates variations in plant dynamics might not always be able to match transient requirements as expected. Although there may be no analytical guarantee from adaptive controllers of transient performance, one might look at anecdotal performances.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Inexpensive Large-Aperture Interferometer

The concept of an inexpensive large aperture high quality interferometer using a low-resolution holographic corrector plate is defined in theory and experiment. Examples are given of various interferometers that may be constructed using the principle of the holographic corrector plate in combination with a read-out device and a computer to provide contrast enhancement and correction of residual fringe aberrations.
Intuition and Relevance

The problem of the relevance of the analytical products of management science for the manager whose decision making is largely intuitive is discussed. A definition of intuitive behavior is proposed based on the willingness of the manager to use a particular verbalization of his decision process as a basis for delegating the decision to a particular recipient. The possibility of involving the manager in a series of experiments aimed at enhancing this willingness to delegate is suggested. Effective intuitive behavior is taken to be characteristic of both experienced managers and experienced scientists. Some hypotheses concerning the process of developing the intuitive abilities of inexperienced persons are raised.
Abelian Intertwining Algebras and Modules Related to Rational Lattices

Abstract It is proved that the abelian intertwining algebra constructed from a rational lattice is rational with respect to certain data. A related conjecture of Huang on rational vertex operator algebras is proved as well.
Ignition of Oscillatory Counterflowing Nonpremixed Hydrogen against Heated Air

Abstract Effects of sinusoidal velocity oscillation on the ignition of nonpremixed counterflowing hydrogen against heated air were computationally investigated with detailed descriptions of chemistry and transport. Results show that ignition basically behaves quasi-steadily for low frequency oscillations in that transient ignition occurs once the instantaneous strain rate falls below the steady-state ignition strain rate. For ignitable systems subjected to high frequency oscillations, increasingly larger amplitudes are needed to effect ignition as the frequency increases. In particular, for sufficiently rapid oscillations the system may not have enough time to be ignited before the flow condition again becomes unfavorable for ignition, and as such with increasing frequency a system can persist beyond the regime in which steady-state solutions do not exist. Furthermore, the ignitability of the system for a given frequency of oscillation was found to depend on whether the excursion time over the favourable ...
Optimal skin prick wheal size for diagnosis of cat allergy

Background The skin prick test is the diagnostic procedure of choice for determination of immediate hypersensitivity. A wheal diameter of 3 mm or larger is generally accepted as the cutoff for a positive test result, although the validity of this assumption has not been rigorously demonstrated. Objective To determine the skin prick wheal size that best identifies clinical allergy to cat. Methods Forty-five patients referred for evaluation of rhinoconjunctivitis underwent determination of atopic status by skin testing using the Greer Dermapik device and a combination of other modalities, including history, in vitro determination of specific IgE level, and nasal challenge with standardized cat pelt extract. Parameters evaluated before and after nasal challenge included symptom score and nasal lavage tryptase and prostaglandin D 2 (PGD 2 ) levels. Results The widely accepted 3-mm wheal for a positive skin test result to cat is highly sensitive but only moderately specific for diagnosis of cat allergy as evaluated by history, specific IgE level, postchallenge symptom score, and tryptase and PGD 2 levels. Optimal cutoffs for a positive skin test result to cat based on receiver operating characteristic analysis and 95% positive predictive value were 5.5 mm or greater for each of these parameters. When a true-positive result for cat allergy was defined as a combination of positive history, specific IgE level, postchallenge symptom score, and tryptase and PGD 2 levels and a true-negative result as all of these parameters being negative, a 6-mm cutoff was able to distinguish cat allergic from cat nonallergic individuals. Conclusion In a potentially allergic population undergoing skin prick testing with the Greer Dermapik using standardized extracts, a 3-mm skin prick wheal will overestimate the presence of cat allergy. A 6-mm wheal appears to distinguish those individuals who are cat allergic from those who are not.
ACCULTURATION AND FATHER ENGAGEMENT WITH INFANTS AMONG CHINESEAND MEXICAN-ORIGIN IMMIGRANT FATHERS

Using a sample of resident fathers (i.e., fathers who co-reside with children) in the 9-month Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Birth Cohort (ECLSB), this study examined how acculturation is associated with father engagement with infants for Chinese and Mexican immigrant fathers. When a variety of individual and demographic characteristics were controlled for, results from Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models indicate that U.S. citizenship is negatively associated with warmth for Chinese fathers and that English language use is positively associated with physical care and nurturing activities for Mexican fathers. Findings suggest that some dimensions of acculturation shape parenting across different groups and are a predictor of resident men’s involvement with their young children.
Lanthanum(III) chloroaluminate and chlorogallate complexes with toluene and hexamethylbenzene: The effect of arene methylation on the structure

Abstract Two new lanthanum(III) chloroaluminate complexes with neutral arenes, [La(η 6 -C 6 H 5 Me)(AlCl 4 ) 3 ] ( 1 ) and [La(η 6 -C 6 Me 6 )(AlCl 4 ) 3 ]·1/2C 6 H 6 ( 2 ), as well as the first lanthanide chlorogallate complex [La(η 6 -C 6 Me 6 )(GaCl 4 ) 3 ]·1/2C 6 H 6 ( 3 ) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The coordination polyhedron around the central lanthanum ion in 1 – 3 is a distorted pentagonal bipyramid formed by six Cl-atoms and an η 6 -bound arene. In contrast to the mononuclear complex 1 with toluene, 2 and 3 form dimers in the solid state via π–π stacking interactions of the coordinated hexamethylbenzene ligands with a sandwiched benzene molecule. Such dimerization has not been seen in the crystal structures of other known lanthanide chloroaluminate π-complexes, including those with C 6 Me 6 . The reasons for the dimer formation in the lanthanum(III)–hexamethylbenzene–benzene systems are discussed based on DFT calculations and 1 H NMR experiments.
Monitoring temporal changes in the specificity of an oral HIV test: a novel application for use in postmarketing surveillance.

Background Postmarketing surveillance is routinely conducted to monitor performance of pharmaceuticals and testing devices in the marketplace. However, these surveillance methods are often done retrospectively and, as a result, are not designed to detect issues with performance in real-time. Methods and Findings Using HIV antibody screening test data from New York City STD clinics, we developed a formal, statistical method of prospectively detecting temporal clusters of poor performance of a screening test. From 2005 to 2008, New York City, as well as other states, observed unexpectedly high false-positive (FP) rates in an oral fluid-based rapid test used for screening HIV. We attempted to formally assess whether the performance of this HIV screening test statistically deviated from both local expectation and the manufacturer's claim for the test. Results indicate that there were two significant temporal clusters in the FP rate of the oral HIV test, both of which exceeded the manufacturer's upper limit of the 95% CI for the product. Furthermore, the FP rate of the test varied significantly by both STD clinic and test lot, though not by test operator. Conclusions Continuous monitoring of surveillance data has the benefit of providing information regarding test performance, and if conducted in real-time, it can enable programs to examine reasons for poor test performance in close proximity to the occurrence. Techniques used in this study could be a valuable addition for postmarketing surveillance of test performance and may become particularly important with the increase in rapid testing methods.
Evaluating carbon sequestration efficiency in an ocean circulation model by adjoint sensitivity analysis

[1] We demonstrate the application of the adjoint method to develop three-dimensional maps of carbon sequestration efficiency and mean residence time in an ocean general circulation model. In contrast to perturbation sensitivity experiments, the adjoint approach provides a computationally efficient way to characterize both temporal and spatial variations of sequestration efficiency and residence time for a complete global model domain. Sequestration efficiency (the percentage of carbon injected at a continuous point source that remains in the ocean after an elapsed time), for injections at the base of the main thermocline (� 900 m), is initially lowest in the North Atlantic basin (except for regions of deep convection in the Labrador Sea) relative to the North Pacific. For injection periods of the order of a century or more, however, the model suggests that Pacific injection sites are generally less efficient for a constant rate injection source. The mean residence time (defined as the average period that impulsively injected carbon from a particular point source remains within the ocean) is also evaluated and mapped. This measure also suggests that Atlantic sequestration is more efficient in the long term. Our calculations draw out the dual role of convective mixing, both exposing shallow sequestration sources to the atmosphere and also, in the subpolar Atlantic and Labrador Sea, feeding carbon from shallow injection sources into the deep circulation away from the atmosphere. INDEX TERMS: 1635 Global Change: Oceans (4203); 4532 Oceanography: Physical: General circulation; 4806 Oceanography: Biological and Chemical: Carbon cycling; 3210 Mathematical Geophysics: Modeling; KEYWORDS: adjoint, ocean circulation, carbon sequestration
Effectiveness of an Early Secondary Prevention Program in an Inner-City Elementary School.

The adaptation of an early secondary prevention program to an inner-city elementary school is described. The program utilizes nonprofessional workers as the primary helping agents with maladapting children in kindergarten through third grade classes. The program also involves consultation with classroom teachers and parents and an after-school activity group. A community advisory board helps provide accountability to the community and increased program impact in the community. Evaluation of the program provides support for program effectiveness in improving the adaptation of program children.
Artificial heart for humanoid robot using coiled SMA actuators

Previously, we have presented the design and characterization of artificial heart using cylindrical shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators for humanoids [1]. The robotic heart was primarily designed to pump a blood-like fluid to parts of the robot such as the face to simulate blushing or anger by the use of elastomeric substrates for the transport of fluids. It can also be used for other applications. In this paper, we present an improved design by using high strain coiled SMAs and a novel pumping mechanism that uses sequential actuation to create peristalsis-like motions, and hence pump the fluid. Various placements of actuators will be investigated with respect to the silicone elastomeric body. This new approach provides a better performance in terms of the fluid volume pumped.
A third native one-disulphide intermediate in the folding of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor.

A third native one-disulphide intermediate in the folding of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor
Chromatin template activity during aging in WI38 cells.

Abstract A reduction in the chromatin template activity of WI38 cells of different ages has been demonstrated using (1) the endogenous RNA polymerase of the host cell and (2) exogenously supplied E. coli RNA polymerase. The consistency between these two methods suggests that the reduction in chromatin template activity of these cells is age-associated and may represent changes in gene activity during in vitro aging.
Forgery discovered: Or the perils of circulation in eighteenth‐century England

(1996). Forgery discovered: Or the perils of circulation in eighteenth‐century England. Angelaki: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 113-130.
Populence: Exploring Luxury for the Masses

The authors present a phenomenological investigation of luxury brand consumption patterns as revealed through female consumers' descriptions of their lived experiences with various brands and products. An integrative review of traditional luxury research demonstrates how the meaning of luxury has changed in the contemporary United States. Seventeen in-depth interviews provide insights to update this meaning. The authors offer several theoretical extensions and propose a new luxury paradigm that they refer to as "populence," defined as a category of new luxury goods and services with a wide target audience. An application of these proposed concepts to relevant research domains provides further insights.