cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of chronic arthritis and other rheumatic condition-related ambulatory care visits, united states, 1997.

Abstract PURPOSE: To characterize ambulatory medical care visits among persons with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, the leading cause of disability. METHODS: The 1997 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) collect annual data on the utilization of ambulatory medical services provided by non-federal office-based physicians and hospital outpatient and emergency departments. Arthritis-related visits were defined using a predetermined set of ICD9-CM diagnostic codes developed by an expert panel and designed to include all potential diagnoses for arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Visits related to acute conditions such as injuries were not included. National estimates and rates of arthritis-related ambulatory care visits were calculated by age, race, and sex groups. RESULTS: In 1997, there were an estimated 959.3 million ambulatory care visits, of which over 38 million (4.0%) were related to arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. Arthritis-related visits were more likely to be made by females (65.4%), white persons (82.2%), non-Hispanic persons (72.7%) and persons aged 25–64 years (61.9%). More than one-third of arthritis-related visits were for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and unspecified myalgia/myositis. About half (50.2%) of the office visits for arthritis were made to general/family physicians or internists, while an additional 16.2% were to rheumatologists. Counseling or education related to exercise, diet/nutrition and injury prevention were provided at 18.9%, 9.2% and 2.2% of office and outpatient department visits respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are common conditions associated with ambulatory medical care. These results suggest missed opportunities for counseling patients regarding public health prevention messages for arthritis, including increasing moderate physical activity, weight management and injury prevention.
Calculating Casimir Energies in Renormalizable Quantum Field Theory

Quantum vacuum energy has been known to have observable consequences since 1948 when Casimir calculated the force of attraction between parallel uncharged plates, a phenomenon confirmed experimentally with ever increasing precision. Casimir himself suggested that a similar attractive self-stress existed for a conducting spherical shell, but Boyer obtained a repulsive stress. Other geometries and higher dimensions have been considered over the years. Local effects, and divergences associated with surfaces and edges were studied by several authors. Quite recently, Graham et al. have reexamined such calculations, using conventional techniques of perturbative quantum field theory to remove divergences, and have suggested that previous self-stress results may be suspect. Here we show that the examples considered in their work are misleading; in particular, it is well known that in two space dimensions a circular boundary has a divergence in the Casimir energy for massless fields, while for general spatial dimension D not equal to an even integer the corresponding Casimir energy arising from massless fields interior and exterior to a hyperspherical shell is finite. It has also long been recognized that the Casimir energy for massive fields is divergent for curved boundaries. These conclusions are reinforced by a calculation of the relevant leading Feynman diagram in D and in three dimensions. There is therefore no doubt of the validity of the conventional finite Casimir calculations.
Heritability of resistance to foliar late blight in a diploid hybrid potato population of Solanum phureja×Solanum stenotomum

The emergence of new races of Phytophthora infestans has necessitated the search for additional sources of potato germplasm with resistance to late blight. This study examined 281 clones, derived from 72 families of a diploid random-mated hybrid population of Solanum phureja × Solanum stenotomum. The clones were evaluated in a replicated field trial for 2 years with the control cultivar 'Atlantic' in Pennsylvania. USA. The P. infestans US-8 A2 mating type culture was used to inoculate spreader rows of susceptible S. tuberosum cv. 'Russet Burbank'. Percent defoliation caused by the late blight fungus was estimated visually in each plot three times near the end of the growing season. Area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was estimated and showed that late blight was more severe in 1997 than in 1996. Genetic differences among clones and significant, but small, clone-environment interaction were detected for AUDPC. Broad-sense and narrow-sense heritability estimates, over years, were 0.79 ± 0.05 (P = 0.05) and 0.78 ± 0.29. respectively. Seventy-five percent of the diploid clones had a significantly lower mean AUDPC than Atlantic. These results support the idea that this diploid population is worthy of use in breeding for late blight resistance in tetraploid potato cultivars.
Combined Quantum Mechanical and Molecular Mechanics Studies of the Electron-Transfer Reactions Involving Carbon Tetrachloride in Solution

The reductive dechlorination of carbon tetrachloride, CCl4, by a concerted electron transfer-bond breaking mechanism was studied using combined high level quantum mechanical and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach. The free energy activation barriers for the first electron-transfer step were determined from the dissociation profiles of CCl4 and •CCl4- complexes in aqueous phase using hybrid-free energy QM/MM methodologies. Both density functional and coupled cluster perturbative triples (CCSD(T)) versions of QM/MM methods were investigated. The impact of the implicit solvent description based on continuum (COSMO) solvent models was also analyzed. QM/MM calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ/SPCE level of theory predict that the activation barriers vary from 0.7 to 35.2 kcal/mol for −2.32 and 0.93 V reduction potentials respectively. Good agreement with experimental data for oxide-free iron electrodes (−0.6 to −1.2 V reduction potentials) is observed indicating that the measured activation barriers are c...
Agronomic performance and heterosis of specialty grain sorghum hybrids with a black pericarp

Specialty food markets are continually interested in food grains with unique attributes and qualities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relative effects of genotype and environment on the agronomic performance of six black grain sorghum hybrids developed to produce high concentrations of total phenols, condensed tannins and 3-deoxyanthocyanin. These hybrids and a commercial grain sorghum check were evaluated in six Texas environments (three locations and two years). Significant effects due to genotype and environment were detected. Interaction between genotype and environment were also detected but they were smaller in magnitude than the main effects. Compared to the commercial check, the black sorghum hybrids had significantly higher concentrations of phenols, tannins and 3-deoxyanthocyanins across all environments but the grain yield of the best hybrid was only 78 % that of the commercial check. Heterosis for grain yield was detected but phenol, tannin and 3-deoxyanthocyanin concentration did not express high parent heterosis. The results indicate that higher yield is possible in black sorghum hybrids and selection should be effective in improving concentrations of phenols, tannins and 3-deoxyanthocyanin.
Quantitative Analyses of the Seven Isomeric 3,4- and 3,6-Dimethylcyclohexenes by Gas Chromatography

Quantitative analyses of mixtures of the seven isomeric 3,4- and 3,6-dimethylcyclohexenes have been achieved by gas chromatography. Correlations of structure and absolute stereochemistry with elution order have been made rigorously with the aid of authentic optically active samples all derived from (3R)-methylcyclohexanone.
Altered left ventricular-arterial coupling precedes pump dysfunction in early heart failure.

The objective of this study was to define alterations in ventricular–arterial (V-A) coupling early in the development of tachycardia-induced heart failure (HF). Although HF is characterized by impaired V-A coupling, the temporal relationship of these derangements to overt left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is unknown. Six anesthetized dogs instrumented with LV manometers and piezoelectric crystals were studied before and after 24 h of rapid ventricular pacing (RVP). V-A coupling was indexed by the ratio between the end-systolic pressure–volume relation slope (endsystolic elastance, EES) and effective arterial elastance (EA), and mechanical efficiency by the ratio of stroke work (SW) to pressure–volume area (PVA). After RVP, there was no significant depression of LV function, but EA and total peripheral resistance (RT) were increased (P < 0.05), indicating increased arterial load. After RVP, EES/EA and SW/PVA were maintained during unstressed conditions, but upon changes in load induced by phenylephrine, EES/EA declined more precipitously with equivalent increases in RT (slope EES/EA–RT relation −16.7 ± 4.6 vs −5.8 ± 4.0 ml/mmHg·min, P < 0.025). Furthermore, after RVP there was significant (P < 0.05) blunting of dobutamine-induced augmentation of EES, EES/EA, and SW/PVA. Thus, after RVP there was a distinct loss of V-A coupling reserve during afterload and catecholamine stress. V-A coupling defects occur early in the development of tachycardia-induced HF prior to significant pump dysfunction, and are manifested primarily during hemodynamic and inotropic stress.
An Improved Model for the Extraction of Multivalent Metals in Winsor II Microemulsion Systems

Abstract Our earlier paper described a liquid-liquid extraction process for metal ions using a Winsor I1 microemulsion system (I). A Winsor I1 system is a biphasic system in which a water-in-oil microemulsion exists in equilibrium with a lower predominately aqueous phase (2). Complete details of the system, the experiments, and the modeling efforts have been given in our earlier work (1). Hence, to avoid redundancy, only the salient features are discussed here as a prelude to dealing with the extension of the model.
THE WEAK INTERACTION: ITS HISTORY AND IMPACT ON PHYSICS

It is a pleasure and an honor for me to give this lecture in honor of Oscar Klein who made major contributions to field theory, quantum electrodynamics and particle physics, including weak interactions. He was the first one to observe that the μ decay and the β decay could be described by the same interaction with the same coupling constant; this led to the discovery of the Universal Fermi Interaction. Perhaps I should begin my discussion of the history of weak interactions by separating it into three periods: (1) Classical Period, 1898–1949. (2) Transition Period, 1949–1956. (3) Modern Period, 1956–.
Accurate anomaly detection through parallelism

In this article we discuss the design and implementation of a real-time parallel anomaly detection system. The key idea is to use multiple existing anomaly detection algorithms in parallel on thousands of network traffic subclasses, which not only enables us to detect hidden anomalies but also to increase the accuracy of the system. The main challenge then is the management and aggregation of the vast amount of data generated. We propose a novel aggregation process that uses the internal continuous anomaly metrics used by the algorithms to output a single system-wide anomaly metric. The evaluation on real-world attack traces shows a lower false positive rate and false negative rate than any individual anomaly detection algorithm.
A depth study of the evaluation requirement

(1966). A depth study of the evaluation requirement. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 5, Title 1, pp. 121-133.
WikiGateway: a library for interoperability and accelerated wiki development

WikiGateway is an open-source suite of tools for automated interaction with wikis:• Python and Perl modules with functions like getPage, putPage, getRecentChanges, and more.• A mechanism to add DAV, Atom, or XMLRPC capabilities to any supported wiki server.• A command-line tool with functionality similar to the Perl and Python modules.• Demo applications built on top of these tools include a wiki copy command, a spam-cleaning bot, and a tool to recursively upload text files inside a directory structure as wiki pages.All WikiGateway tools are compatible with a number of different wiki engines. Developers can use WikiGateway to hide the differences between wiki engines and build applications which interoperate with many different wiki engines.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): overview, treatment, and prevention strategies

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common diseases of childhood. Virtually all children have been exposed to this virus by age two. RSV causes common cold symptoms in most patients. In vulnerable children, RSV can progress to bronchiolitis and/or pneumonia with an increased chance of significant morbidity or death. The nature of the virus and mode of infection protects it from the human immune system. Treatment for RSV is largely supportive. Key elements of treatment are maintenance of hydration, and oxygenation, as well as keeping the airways clear of mucus. Prevention of RSV in vulnerable infants is important because of the increased morbidity and mortality. A modest effort spent identifying vulnerable infants, educating the parents about RSV and its prevention, and providing immunoprophylaxis to those who qualify for it, increases the chances that these vulnerable children get through the first several years of life without RSV bronchiolitis.
The effect of steroids and lactone derivatives on hypophyseal gonadotrophin content.

THE search for exogenously administered agents which will control pituitary gonadotrophic function has revealed that inhibition may be produced by estrogens, androgens and progesterone when large doses are given. Mild stimulation may result from administering small amounts of some of these steroids. Clinical application of these agents in instances where pituitary suppression or stimulation is desired is limited by their marked sex hormone effects. For example, it would be ideal to cut off pituitary stimulation to the ovary in endometriosis or premature puberty. However, (1) estrogens cannot be used because amounts large enough to suppress pituitary gonadotrophins aggravate these conditions; (2) androgens are limited in usefulness by their virilizing effects; and (3) the dosage of progesterone is too large to be practicable. No potent hypophyseal stimulator is known. Therefore, a number of substances unlikely to exhibit marked estrogenic or androgenic activity were screened to determine their ability to d...
Anti-depressant prescribing patterns for prison inmates with depressive disorders.

Background: Although prison inmates are reported to exhibit elevated rates of depressive disorders, little is known about anti-depressant prescribing patterns in correctional institutions. Methods: The study population consisted of 5305 Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) inmates who were diagnosed with one of three depressive disorders: major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder (excluding those with manic episodes only). Information on medical conditions, sociodemographic factors, and pharmacotherapy was obtained from an institution-wide medical information system. Results: In 1998, 78.2% of all inmates diagnosed with depressive disorders were treated with antidepressant medication. Of these, 47.3% were treated exclusively with tricyclic anti-depressants (TCA); 30.9% were treated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI); and 21.8% were not treated with any form of anti-depressant medication. Prescribing patterns varied substantially according to a number of sociodemographic factors under study. Limitations: Because the present study relied on retrospective, clinical data, the investigators had limited ability to assess: specific symptomatology for each diagnosed depressive condition under study; socio-economic status, pre-incarceration access to health care; and the overall reliability and validity of the data. Conclusion: The proportion of prison inmates with depressive disorders who receive appropriate medication management is substantially higher than that reported among similarly diagnosed nonincarcerated samples. It will be important, however, for future investigators to examine the sources of sociodemographic variation in treatment patterns found in the present study.
Antibiotic Therapy of Streptococcal Infections in Monkeys

SummaryIntravenous inoculation with the T14 strain of Group A hemolytic streptococci caused lethal infection in 13 of 15 rhesus monkeys. Daily intragastric administration of 50 mg/kg in 2 divided doses of phenethicillin, lincomycin, triacetyloleandomycin, erythromycin estolate, and erythromycin ethylsuccinate was followed by mortalities in 1 of 8, 1 of 8, 3 of 15, 5 of 11, and 7 of 11, respectively.
Numerical modeling of earth structures : Some things to consider

Numerical modeling of earth structures has increased dramatically in geotechnical engineering design practice in recent years. This popularity coincides with the widespread availability of powerful new computer codes. Complex problems can now be analyzed in ways not thought possible 5 years ago. Whether this proliferation of analyses is a healthy trend that is improving the quality of design services is addressed. The purpose of this study is to pause and consider several analytical exercises for recent projects—some successful, some not—and examine the factors that most strongly influence the quality of analytical predictions.
Reconstitution and regulation of an epithelial chloride channel.

We have used a monoclonal antibody (MAb E12), one of several such antibodies raised against theophylline-treated Necturus gallbladder epithelial cells, to isolate a chloride channel protein by the use of an immunoaffinity column and FPLC. This protein (Mr 219,000) has been reconstituted into a planar lipid bilayer, where it behaves as a chloride-selective channel (PCl/PNa = 20.2; PNa/PK = 1) whose unit conductance is 62.4 ± 4.6 pS. Antibody added to the trans side (there is no effect from the cis side) causes channel open probability to drop to virtually zero, but has no effect on the conductance or the selectivity of single channels. To test the role of phosphorylation in the activity of the native channel, we studied the effects of the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) on intact gallbladders, and showed that channels opened by theophylline treatment and closed by antibody are reopened reversibly by OA (0.01–1.0 μM). Addition of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP-2A) to the cis side of a bilayer containing reconstituted chloride channels caused closure of the channels after a delay, and subsequent addition of ATP and the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) caused immediate reopening. These data indicate that (a) this chloride channel protein inserts in a directed way into the bilayer such that the cis side is ‘intracellular’, (b) the purified channel protein is phosphorylated, and (c) gating from the cellular side is controlled by the direct phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the channel protein.
Chemical communication during swarm emigration in the social wasp Polybia sericea (Olivier)

Abstract Communication during swarming was studied in the social wasp Polybia sericea in Brazil. After the adult population (swarm) evacuates following destruction of the nest, it forms a temporary (0.5- to 2-day) cluster on nearby vegetation and then emigrates to a new nest site. During both phases many adults drag the gaster over leaves and other substrates around the cluster and along the emigration route. The odour left on these objects is identical to that of the copious secretion of an exocrine gland opening at the base of the fifth (penultimate) sternite of the gaster. Following emigration the deposit of secretion in many individuals is depleted and shows signs of disturbance. Experimental evidence is presented to show that the swarm, if chased from its cluster site, reorients to it by means of the scent marks alone. It is further demonstrated that the swarm is guided to its new nest site by the trail of scent marks along the emigration route.
Mean Monthly North American Anticyclone Frequencies, 1950-79

Abstract Monthly North American anticyclone climatology for the period 1950-79 is examined. Preferred tracks are evident for each of the 12 calendar months, and three general types can be recognized. The winter pattern is oriented southeastward from northwestern Canada into the contiguous United States; the spring pattern is similar but is displaced eastward, extending southward across western Hudson Bay into the Great Lakes area. The summer pattern develops abruptly in July and has a more zonal orientation east-southeastward from British Columbia along the U.S.-Canadian border. The monthly total of individual anticyclone paths in the study area declined significantly through the period.
Mating type determination in stock 51, syngen 4 of Paramecium aurelia grown axenic culture.

SYNOPSIS. The use of axenic medium permits the study of mating type determination in stock 51 (sensitive) of syngen 4 of Paramecium aurelia. A high frequency of cytoplasmically bridged pairs was correlated with a high frequency of change of mating type following conjugation in axenic medium. The direction of change was predominantly from mating type VII to mating type VIII, suggesting a dominance of type VIII cytoplasm in the clones arising from a mixed cytoplasmic ancestry. No significant effect of either lower temperature or of NaX3 upon the pattern of mating type determination was found. The high frequency of cytoplasmic bridges between conjugants led to the formation of many double or higher multiplex clones.
Isospin dependence of second-order pion-nucleus optical potential

A universal form for the dependence of the second-order pion-nuclear optical potential on the nuclear and pionic isospin and on the densities $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\rho}$ is derived, where $\ensuremath{\rho}$ is the total density and $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\rho}$ is the valence neutron density. The result is characterized by five complex parameters for each partial wave channel contributing to the optical potential. Our result applies to scattering in the vicinity of the (3,3) resonance, and the parameters may be most cleanly determined phenomenologically by applying the theory to elastic, and single- and double-charge-exchange data for medium to heavy weight $J=0$, spherical nuclei. The relationship between the parameters and a microscopic cluster decomposition of the optical potential is explored. The parameters are calculated theoretically for selected second-order processes to obtian a first orientation to the magnitude of the terms. The results show, in particular, that large contributions to double charge exchange arise from nonanalog intermediate nuclear states and that these contributions have a characteristic isospin dependence which is different from that found in the simple models previously studied.
Predictive accuracy of 29-comorbidity index for in-hospital deaths in US adult hospitalizations with a diagnosis of venous thromboembolism.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a significant source of mortality and morbidity worldwide. By analyzing data of the 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), we evaluated the predictive accuracy of the AHRQ’s 29-comorbidity index with in-hospital death among US adult hospitalizations with a diagnosis of VTE.
Big data, situated people: humane approaches to communication design

In his 2005 book Ambient Findability, Peter Morville argued that what we find changes who we become. In 2012 and beyond---in an information environment of filter bubbles, contextual advertising, and friend-of-friend chains that push ordinary folks well beyond the Dunbar number---perhaps Morville is in need of some updating: what finds us changes who we become.
Taste dimensions of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in a food system: role of glutamate in young American subjects

Abstract OKIYAMA, A. AND G. K. BEAUCHAMP. Taste dimensions of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in a food system: role of glutamate in young American subjects. PHYSIOL BEHAV 65 (1) 177–181, 1998.—Freshly cooked chicken broth was prepared with several concentrations (0.06–0.32 M) of added NaCl. In the first study, subjects were presented with pairs of samples, each having the same concentration of NaCl (salt) but one of which contained 0.01 M monosodium glutamate (MSG). The subjects preferred the sample with added MSG when the salt levels were low to moderate. The next two studies were designed to determine the relative role of the added sodium and glutamate in MSG in enhancing palatability. In the second study, NaCl was added in amounts equivalent to the sodium in 0.01 M MSG to one of the two samples. Subjects preferred the one with more salt at the low salt level indicating that the added sodium played a role in enhancing palatability. In the last study, the concentration of sodium was held constant in the soups but the glutamate was varied by adding 0.01 M MSG to one sample and 0.01 M NaCl to the other. Subjects preferred the sample with added glutamate to the one without, at the moderate salt concentrations, demonstrating a role for glutamate alone in enhancing palatability. These studies, in sum, demonstrate that MSG increases palatability of salted soups and that both the sodium and the glutamate independently contribute to this enhancement.
Nucleation and growth phenomena in chemically vapor-deposited diamond coatings

Abstract The deposition of crystalline diamond coatings by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the main subject of this paper. The plasma is excited in a hydrogen-rich methane and hydrogen mixture with a substrate temperature of approximately 1000 °C. High chemical reactivity of the plasma limits the application of the CVD process to certain substrates. Autoepitaxy of diamond on diamond substrates has already been demonstrated, but nucleation of diamond on non-diamond substrates creates many conceptual and practical problems. Experimental observations of the nucleation of diamond on various substrates are presented and discussed. Several phenomena are connected with the growth mechanism of diamond: competition in nucleation between diamond and graphite, surface activity of the species, adsorption and desorption of hydrogen on the diamond surface and surface reconstruction. In turn, a collective interaction between the plasma, the growing surface and the bulk substrate is expected to be responsible for the observed maximum growth rate at approximately 1000 °C and the narrowing of the other process parameters. These delicately balanced interactions provide conditions for growing relatively perfect crystalline diamond films. The other issue is how to achieve a high growth rate of diamond. One approach is by a catalytic growth mechanism in which an intermediary role is played by some atoms such as boron, silicon, titanium and others. Growth of diamond films on titanium substrates may reach rates of up to 20 μm h-1.
Topological symmetry breakdown and quark confinement

Abstract The manner by which topological symmetry breakdown leads to confinement in a non-Abelian gauge theory is discussed.
Beweis selektiver Sekretion durch die Tubulusepithelien der Niere

Die Frage, ob die hohe, dem Harnstoff vergleichbare Konzentrierung mancher Farbstoffe durch die Niere auf Sekretion der Farbe oder auf Ruckresorption von Wasser beruht, wird durch neue Beobachtungen zu beantworten versucht. Es wird erstens gezeigt, das die Wand der Harnkanalchen in der aglomerularen Niere von Lophius piscatorius aus einem in die Blutbahn injizierten Gemisch von Cyanol und Phenolrot allein das Phenolrot herausholt, und das dessen Anreicherung im Harn kaum anders als durch die Annahme eines sekretorischen Transports erklart werden kann. Zweitens wird dieser sekretorische Transport an der isolierten Froschniere so bewiesen, das bei gleichzeitiger Zuleitung desselben Gemisches von Cyanol und Phenolrot von der Aorta und von der Vena portae renalis aus ein Harn abgeschieden wird, der weit mehr Phenolrot enthalt als Cyanol; dies kann nicht durch Ruckresorption erklart werden. Wie Phenolrot verhalten sich auch einige lipoidlosliche Sulfosaurefarbstoffe.
Magnetic field-induced martensitic phase transformation in magnetic shape memory alloys: Modeling and experiments

Abstract In this work, a continuum based model of the magnetic field induced phase transformation (FIPT) for magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMA) is developed. Hysteretic material behaviors are considered through the introduction of internal state variables. A Gibbs free energy is proposed using group invariant theory and the coupled constitutive equations are derived in a thermodynamically consistent way. An experimental procedure of FIPT in NiMnCoIn MSMA single crystals, which can operate under high blocking stress, is described. The model is then reduced to a 1-D form and the material parameter identification from the experimental results is discussed. Model predictions of magneto-thermo-mechanical loading conditions are presented and compared to experiments.
Fourier series based finite element analysis of tube hydroforming—Generalized plane strain model

Abstract In previous paper [Fourier series based finite element analysis of tube hydroforming—An axisymmetric model, Eng. Comput. 23 (7) (2006) 697–728], an axisymmetric analysis of tube hydroforming process was discussed. In the present paper, a generalized plane strain implicit formulation of the cross-sectional expansion of an extruded aluminum tube with pressurized fluid to fill a hydroforming die is presented. The cross-section of the tube is modeled with thin straight and circular segments with constant thickness, and Fourier series are used to approximate nodal displacements. The material of the tube is assumed to obey a rate-independent, elastoplastic model that takes into account work hardening and normal anisotropy. At the tube-die interface, frictional stress is assumed, based on Coulomb friction, to be proportional to the contact pressure whenever relative sliding occurs. The kinematics relationships are derived based on thin shell theory, and the equilibrium equation is derived based on virtual work principle. The axial feed is implemented by imposing either a compressive force or strain in the tube length direction. Frictional boundary condition is introduced into the formulation in the form of a penalty function, which imposes the constraints directly into the tangent stiffness matrix. The Newton-Raphson iterative method is used to incrementally solve the resulting nonlinear equations. Two examples of tube hydroforming problems are solved and numerical predictions of the deformed shape, hydroforming pressure, and deformation strains are compared with experimental and ABAQUS results.
Customers First: Using Process Improvement To Improve Service Quality and Efficiency.

In this article, Larson introduces the basic components of process improvement, through the framework of a specific library‐related project. Process improvement is a defined and systematic methodology for understanding and improving work taks and systems (processes). When properly implemented, it will streamline work processes, improve productivity, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction. In 1995, because of customer complaints, the University of Arizona Library undertook a process improvement project to improve its manual reserve book services. Success would be measured based on the library’s ability to meet customer requirements at the same or lower cost. Staff initially identified two general goals: place materials on reserve in a time frame that met the needs of faculty and students, and improve the quality of service overall. Process improvement methodologies supported a more specific and valid measurement of success than is normally possible, and helped establish a means of continuous data collection and monitoring of the improvements.
Effects of solution chemistry on the dechlorination of 1,2,3-trichloropropane by zero-valent zinc.

The reactivity of zerovalent zinc (ZVZ) toward 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) was evaluated under a variety of solution conditions, including deionized water, groundwater, and artificial groundwater, over a pH range of about 6.5–12. In deionized water, first-order rate constants for TCP disappearance (kobs) exhibit a broad minimum between pH 8 and 10, with increasing kobs observed at lower and higher pH. The similarity between this trend and zinc oxide (ZnO) solubility behavior suggests pH related changes to the ZnO surface layer strongly influence ZVZ reactivity. Values of kobs measured in acidic groundwater are similar to those measured in DI water, whereas values measured in alkaline groundwater are much smaller (>1 order of magnitude at pH values >10). Characterization of the surfaces of ZVZ exposed to deionized water, acidic groundwater, and alkaline groundwater suggests that the slower rates obtained in alkaline groundwater are related to the presence of a morphologically distinct surface film that pa...
Chords of longest circuits in 3-connected graphs

Thomassen conjectured that every longest circuit of a 3-connected graph has a chord. The conjecture is verified in this paper for projective planar graphs with minimum degree at least 4.
The Road Not Taken: Two African-American Girls' Experiences with School Mathematics.

This article is a cross‐case study exploring two young African‐American adolescent girls’ experiences with school mathematics and the impact of the socio‐cultural context upon their motivation and mathematical identity. Based on repeated in‐depth interviews and ethnographic observation of their mathematics classroom, the researcher portrays contrasting pictures of two sixth‐grade African‐American girls who are ironically faced with the same end‐of‐the‐year‐results despite their differing personal and academic profiles. Overall data analysis reveals the profound impact of ethnicity and class, especially the influence of cultural and social capital, upon the girls’ experiences with school mathematics as well as their construction of identities in the discipline. Applying social constructivist approaches to motivation, Ogbu’s theory of involuntary minorities, and cultural reproduction theory, the researcher discusses possible variation and complexity existing in African‐American girls’ experience with school...
Hydrogen bonding Part 30. New IR spectra-structure correlations for tetraethylammonium, tetramethylammonium, and N,N-dimethyl-pyrrolidinium fluoride monohydrates, tetraethylammonium chloride monohydrate, and tetramethylammonium hydroxide dihydrate; evidence for a planar (H2O·F−)2 cluster

Abstract Tetraethylammonium chloride is not dimorphous, as we had once suspected; material recrystallized from hot acetone is identical to that prepared by Loehlin and Kvick by a different route, and contains a planar (H2O·Cl−)2 cluster of C2h symmetry. Since the IR spectra of the water-fluoride cluster in tetraethylammonium and tetramethylammonium fluoride monohydrates are very similar to that of the water-chloride cluster in tetraethylammonium chloride monohydrate, we conclude that these hydrates contain a planar (H2O·F−)2 cluster, rather than the tetrahedral model previously proposed. IR spectra of N,N-dimethylpyrrolidinium fluoride monohydrate and monohydrate-d2, demonstrate that they contain similar clusters. The crystal structure of tetramethylammonium hydroxide dihydrate has recently been reported, which allows a final correlation of the IR spectrum and the structure of this hydrate.
Fuzzy goal programming with nested priorities

Abstract This paper proposes a new approach to formulating fuzzy priorities in a goal programming problem. The proposed methodology remedies certain shortcomings of the composite membership function approach discussed in previous works [7, 10]. The principal advantage of the proposed method is that it leads to a formulation in which tradeoffs between goals more closely reflect the decision maker's intentions than in other noninteractive approaches [8, 9, 10, 14], in some of which a fixed hierarchy of goals is assumed.
Histologic findings in recurrent HBV.

Key Concepts: 1 The histopathologic presentation of hepatitis B (HB) infection in liver allografts is generally similar to that seen in the nonallografts. 2 An atypical pattern of recurrent HB, i.e., fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH) occurs in a small number of patients. These patients present with a severe cholestatic syndrome, which may clinically resemble acute or chronic rejection. 3 There are several other possible causes of acute and chronic hepatitis in liver allografts that may need to be considered. 4 Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the liver allograft can easily be confirmed by performing immunohistochemical stains for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg). The expression pattern of these HBV antigens varies and is sometimes helpful in determining whether the liver injury is mainly from the HBV or from other causes in coexistence with the HBV infection. 5 Histological grading of the necroinflammatory activity and staging of the fibrosis should only be applied when the changes are related to the recurrent HB. 6 The pathology of liver transplantation is complex; therefore, clinical correlations remain extremely important in arriving at the final and correct diagnosis. Liver Transpl 12:S50–S53, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Signal detection via spectral theory of large dimensional random matrices

Results on the spectral behavior of random matrices as the dimension increases are applied to the problem of detecting the number of sources impinging on an array of sensors. A common strategy to solve this problem is to estimate the multiplicity of the smallest eigenvalue of the spatial covariance matrix R of the sensed data. Existing approaches rely on the closeness of the noise eigenvalues of sample covariance matrix to each other and, therefore, the sample size has to be quite large when the number of sources is large in order to obtain a good estimate. The theoretical analysis presented focuses on the splitting of the spectrum of sample covariance matrix into noise and signal eigenvalues. It is shown that when the number of sensors is large the number of signals can be estimated with a sample size considerably less than that required by previous approaches. >
Nucleotide sequence of the human γ cytoskeletal actin mRNA: anomalous evolution of vertebrate non-muscle actin genes

Abstract Two distinct, but iso-coding, gamma non-muscle actin cDNAs were isolated from an SV40-transformed human fibroblast library. The complete nucleotide sequence of the human gamma non-muscle actin cDNAs indicates that they may have arisen from polymorphic alleles. By using genomic DNA and cellular RNA transfer blots, we demonstrate that the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the gamma actin mRNA consists of an evolutionarily conserved 5' and more divergent 3' segments. In fact, the conserved segment of the 3' UTR detects a single-copy sequence in the chicken genome and a 20S RNA transcript in chicken non-muscle tissues. The coding regions of these cDNAs were compared with those of other vertebrate non-muscle actin genes. Surprisingly, the percentage of silent base substitutions between the human beta and gamma actin coding regions is anomalously low and indicates greater sequence conservation than would be expected for a gene pair which arose during pre-avian evolution. We discuss gene conversion and recent selective pressure as possible explanations of the apparently anomalous evolution of the gamma non-muscle actin gene.
A nearest neighbor hazard tare estimator for randomly censored data

A nearest-neighbor type estimator of the hazard rate of lifetimes that are randomly right-censored is studied. This estimator is formulated through combining the ideas of the k-nearest neighbor density estimation and of the hazard rate estimation by ratio-form estimators for randomly right-censored data. Under standard conditions mean square consistency, strong consistency and asymptotic normality are established altogether. Comparisons with results in the literature are also remarked.
Cancellation of load regulation in low drop-out regulators

A method for cancelling load regulation, based on level shifting the reference, is proposed. In this architecture, the load current is monitored, sensed, and used to dynamically adapt the effective value of the reference voltage. The proposed architecture reduced a 2.5% load regulation droop to a mere 0.2%, without compromising system stability.
p62dok: A Constitutively Tyrosine-Phosphorylated, GAP-Associated Protein in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Progenitor Cells

Characteristic of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is the presence of the chimeric p210(bcr-abl) protein possessing elevated protein tyrosine kinase activity relative to normal c-abl tyrosine kinase. Hematopoietic progenitors isolated from CML patients in the chronic phase contain a constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated protein that migrates at 62 kDa by SDS-PAGE and associates with the p120 ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP). We have purified p62(dok) from a hematopoietic cell line expressing p210(bcr-abl). p62(dok) is a novel protein with features of a signaling molecule. Association of p62(dok) with GAP correlates with its tyrosine phosphorylation. p62(dok) is rapidly tyrosine-phosphorylated upon activation of the c-Kit receptor, implicating it as a component of a signal transduction pathway downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases.
Spinal nerves and their bearing on, salamander phylogeny

Examination of the vertebral columns of representatives of all families of salamanders revealed that, in contrast to the condition found in most other vertebrates, salamander spinal nerves often pass through foramina in the vertebrae. Two kinds of spinal nerve foramina were found: those in the anterior halves of vertebrae, and those in the posterior halves. In addition, many salamanders retain intervertebral nerves. However, within each family or, in a few cases, subfamily there is a characteristic pattern of spinal nerve-vertebral relationships. The first spinal nerve of all salamanders exits through a foramen in the anterior half of the atlas. All more posterior nerves are intervertebral in the families Cryptobranchidae, Hynobiidae and Proteidae. The posterior caudal nerves exit through the posterior halves of the caudal vertebrae in the family Amphiumidae, while in the subfamilies Dicamptodontinae and Rhyacotritoninae all post-sacral nerves exit through the posterior halves of the vertebrae. All but the first three nerves exit through posterior foramina in the family Plethodontidae and the subfamily Ambystomatinae, while all but the first two nerves pass through posterior foramina in the families Salamandridae and Sirenidae. Several fossil salamanders were also examined. These showed that the amphiumid and dicamptodontine-rhyacotritonine nerve patterns had evolved by the Late Cretaceous, and the sirenid pattern had probably evolved by that time. Other Cretaceous genera associated with the Ambystomatoidea still possessed the primitive intervertebral pattern. Using spinal nerve patterns and several other previously described morphological characters, a new hypothesis of the phylogeny of recent and fossil salamanders is presented and compared to earlier proposed phylogenies of the group. A new classification of salamander families is presented.
The signal data base system SDB

The Signal Data Base System (SDB) is a set of facilities for managing a corpus of signal data and the results of operations performed on them. An SDB data base consists of a collection of objects, each of which is associated with a set of properties. SDB provide three levels of data base management services. The most basic level consists of facilities for setting, retrieving and removing properties of individual objects. The second level is concerned with the definition and invocation of property functions for computing properties which are defined procedurally. The third level of SDB is concerned with managing dependency relationships among property values.
Unusual “Stunted” Outbursts in Old Novae and Nova-like Cataclysmic Variables

Outbursts averaging 0.6 mag in amplitude and 10 days in width are described in five old novae and nova-like cataclysmic variables: UU Aqr, Q Cyg, CP Lac, X Ser, and RW Sex. These stars are thought to be high mass transfer rate systems for which the accretion disk is expected to be stable against the thermal instability responsible for dwarf nova outbursts. The widths and spacings of these events are similar to those of dwarf nova eruptions, but the amplitudes are significantly smaller, or "stunted." The outbursts are sometimes accompanied by dips. These dips have amplitudes that are similar to the outbursts' but have shapes that scatter significantly more than the shapes of the outbursts. The outbursts and dips sometimes occur as pairs and are sometimes isolated. We are not able at this time to determine a single common mechanism for this behavior, or even to conclude that some mechanisms are preferred. Rather, we characterize these phenomena with regard to outburst shapes and frequency of occurrence and explore a range of possible causes, including truncated disks, mass transfer modulations, and Z Camelopardalis type behavior. Arguments are assembled for and against such possible mechanisms, and key observations are suggested. It appears unlikely that accretion disk instabilities are the single common cause of these phenomena, and we are left with either a combination of accretion disk and mass transfer events or a situation in which mass transfer events are somehow responsible for all these varied behaviors.
Tackling heterogeneity: the full costs include those of research necessary to support the analyses.

In this issue of Medical Decision Making, Espinoza and others take on an important problem— understanding how heterogeneity can affect estimates of cost-effectiveness—and hence (where employed) how this in turn affects treatment recommendations. They analyze the consequences of assuming homogeneous treatment effects (and hence identical cost-effectiveness measures) in a population that in fact is heterogeneous. Espinoza and others establish a framework for considering how fine to make the granularity in cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA), measuring the incremental benefits from finer and finer granularity and then imposing increasing costs of achieving that granularity in the model. As any good economic model will do, once we have increasing costs and diminishing marginal benefits (both of which are readily present in this situation), we find an optimum solution. In general, the increasing costs in their work arise from costs within a health care system, such as the costs of implementing the intervention in more subgroups. I wish to call attention to what may be a far more important problem: the costs of acquiring the information necessary to carry out the subgroup analyses they discuss. These costs will certainly increase with heterogeneity across additional subgroups and perhaps can swamp the ‘‘implementation costs’’ considered by Espinoza and others.