cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Submillimeter Properties of the 1 Ms Chandra Deep Field-North X-Ray Sample

We present submillimeter observations for 135 of the 370 X-ray sources detected in the 1 Ms exposure of the Chandra Deep Field-North. Nine of the X-ray sources are significantly detected in the submillimeter. The error-weighted mean 850 μm flux is significant at 1.21 ± 0.27 mJy. This value shows little dependence on the 2-8 keV flux from 5 × 10-16 to 10-14 ergs cm-2 s-1, but sources with brighter X-ray fluxes than this appear weak in the submillimeter. The ensemble of X-ray sources contribute about 15% of the extragalactic background light at 850 μm. The submillimeter excess is found to be strongest in the optically faint X-ray sources that are also seen at 20 cm, which is consistent with these X-ray sources being obscured and at high redshift (z > 1).
Anthrax in humans in Zimbabwe.

Anthrax in humans is briefly reviewed in the light of recent experience in Zimbabwe. The cutaneous form predominates; the enteric and pulmonary forms are extremely rare. Transmission of the disease is not entirely (as formerly thought), by contact with infected meat - flies have an equally important role in transmission. Cutaneous anthrax is easy to recognise and easy to treat.
Assessment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency methods for identification of hazards to developing organisms, Part I: The reproduction and fertility testing guidelines.

Background Successful reproduction depends on the coordination of many processes, particularly the normal development and subsequent maturation of the sexual organs. The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 mandates that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must protect infants and children from the effects of toxins, including those that affect the reproductive system. Therefore, the Agency finds itself at a critical juncture to make sure that the methods it requires for toxicity testing, the Health Effects Test Guidelines or Series 870 Guidelines, are adequate to determine possible toxicity to children. Methods and Results We found that two testing protocols included in the core guidelines assess toxicological effects on developing animals. This article aims to provide a detailed analysis of the protocols included in the Reproduction and Fertility Effects Test Guideline. An accompanying article assesses the Developmental Toxicity Testing Guideline. We conducted this analysis on the basis of whether the test would yield the information needed to adequately determine risk to infants and children. Conclusions Our analysis concludes that given the limitations inherent in testing for reproduction and fertility effects during development, it is necessary to include a safety factor during risk assessment of chemicals. This action will fulfill the mandate expressed in the FQPA to protect infants and children from environmental hazards.Am. J. Ind. Med. 35:543‐553, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Electrophysiologic and antiarrhythmic effects of oral flecainide in patients with inducible ventricular tachycardia

Flecainide has demonstrated unsurpassed antiarrhythmic activity in patients with stable ventricular arrhythmias, but its effects in those with ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation have not been evaluated. Electrophysiologic and hospital evaluation of oral flecainide therapy (150 to 200 mg every 12 hours for 4 to 6 days) was performed in 15 patients with clinically documented ventricular tachyarrhythmias treated unsuccessfully with an average of 3.7 (range 1 to 10) antiarrhythmic drugs. Plasma flecainide concentrations averaged 769 ng/ml (range 377 to 1,152). Cardiac conduction times increased; AH interval changed by + 29%, HV interval by +42%, PR interval by +25%, QRS duration by +14% (all p Outpatient experience in 10 patients has been generally concordant with in-hospital evaluation at a median of 6.5 months. Flecainide has been well tolerated. Unexpected arrhythmias have included exercise-initiated tachycardia in one patient and slow, hemodynamically stable tachycardia (110 beats/min) in another patient. Oral flecainide is an important antiarrhythmic agent for the management of inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Cardiac conduction times and ventricular refractoriness increase; favorable responses to programmed stimulation are frequent and generally predict outpatient safety and efficacy.
Unilateral renal cystic disease in an adult.

Unilateral renal cystic disease (URCD) is a rare, nonfamilial, nonprogressive, unilateral cystic disorder of the kidney. Very few adults with this condition have been documented [1–4]. We describe a case with a 30 year radiologic follow-up. Absence of a family history of cystic renal disease, benign clinical course through adulthood, and limitation of the process to one kidney distinguish this condition from asymmetric autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).
Thermal conductivity of MWCNT/epoxy composites: The effects of length, alignment and functionalization

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show great promise to improve composite electrical and thermal conductivity due to their exceptional high intrinsic conductance performance. In this research, long multi-walled carbon nanotubes (long-MWCNTs) and its thin sheet of entangled nanotubes were used to make composites to achieve higher electrical and thermal conductivity. Compared to short-MWCNT sheet/epoxy composites, at room temperature, long-MWCNT samples showed improved thermal conductivity up to 55 W/mK. The temperature dependence of thermal conductivity was in agreement with κ ∝ T n ( n = 1.9–2.3) below 150 K and saturated around room temperature due to Umklapp scattering. Samples with the improved CNT degree of alignment by mechanically stretching can enhance the room temperature thermal conductivity to over 100 W/mK. However, functionalization of CNTs to improve the interfacial bonding resulted in damaging the CNT walls and decreasing the electrical and thermal conductivity of the composites.
Sensitivity Analysis Techniques Applied to Jason-1 and Jason-2/OSTM Cross Calibration

A sensitivity analysis is performed on the level-2 algorithms for the Jason-2/Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM). This analysis quantifies how inaccuracies in the fundamental measurements impact the overall sea-surface-height measurements. The analysis is applied to examine the various biases between OSTM and Jason-1 during their formation-flying phase. We further investigate data from the formation-flying phase by analyzing a statistical artifact that manifests itself as an apparent scale error in differences of the 1-Hz ionospheric corrections from the two missions.
Mandatory auditor rotation and retention: impact on market share

Purpose – To explore the effects of mandatory auditor rotation and retention on the long‐term market shares of the accounting firms that audit the members of the Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500.Design/methodology/approach – A Markov model is constructed that depicts the movements of S&P 500 firms in the period 1995 to 1999 among Big 5 accounting firms. Auditor rotation and retention are reflected in the transition probabilities. The impacts of mandatory auditor rotation and retention policies are evaluated by examining the state probabilities after two, five, and nine years.Findings – The paper finds that mandatory auditor rotation will have substantial effects on long‐term market shares, whereas mandatory auditor retention will have very small effects. It shows that a firm's ability to attract new clients, as opposed to retaining current clients, will be the primary factor in determining the firm's long‐term market share under mandatory auditor rotation.Research limitations/implications – The paper assumes...
Thenar eminence quantitative sensory testing in the diagnosis of proximal median nerve compression.

Abstract Diagnosis of proximal median nerve compression (PMNC) remains a clinical challenge. The authors hypothesized that measurement of the sensibility of the thenar eminence might identify PMNC by demonstrating abnormal function in the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. This hypothesis was evaluated by means of quantitative sensory testing of the thenar eminence in 33 healthy volunteers, 14 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, and 35 patients with PMNC. The cutaneous pressure thresholds for one-point static touch (1PS) and two-point static touch (2PS) were measured with the Pressure-specified Sensory Device (Sensory Management Services, Baltimore, Maryland). There was no significant difference in thenar eminence sensibility between the healthy volunteers and the patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. In contrast, patients with PMNC had higher cutaneous pressure thresholds for 1PS (p
Radiation-induced hydrogen fluoride formation in fluorine-containing ethanes and ethenes

Several fluorine-containing ethanes (monofluoro, 1,1-difluoro, 1,1,1-trifluoro, 1,1,2-trifluoro, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro, and pentafluoro) and ethenes (1,1-difluoro and trifluoro) form hydrogen fluoride when irradiated with gamma rays in the gas phase at 25°C. Hydrogen fluoride is apparently formed from fluoroethanes by a mechanism which involves formation of an intermediate semiion pair. We observed identical HF yields both in the absence and presence of molecular oxygen, except for monofluoroethane. A reduction of G(HF) with increasing sample pressure, for example, of 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, indicates that collisional stabilization of excited fluoroethane molecules competes with the process of HF elimination. High G values for HF and CO2 in mixtures of CF2CFH and O2 reveal the occurrence of a chain reaction.
A study of the fatigue behavior of fiber reinforced nylons

A phenomenological model combining a Weibull distribution function with a kinetic equation for flaw growth has been used to describe the static tensile strengths and fatigue lives of short graphite-fiber reinforced nylon 66 materials. A simple Weibull function of the form described the distribution of static strengths. The scale factor varies with the annealing treatment and, in general, is a function of environmental variables. The cumulative distribution of breaking times in fatigue can be characterized by a translated three parameter Weibull function The average time to break (which is related to the time scale factor ), appears to be a function of the flaw growth rate. The distribution equation has been found to predict the number of half cycle failures and is thus a valid model for the proof testing of large populations. An electrical resistivity method was developed to measure flaw growth rates in prenotched cantilever beams. Experimental data fit the following equation: ln (Δa/Δn) = −88.88 + (12.46 ± 5.68) ln (Keff)max. The correlation coefficient was 0.81. From curve fitting of fatigue data it appeared that flaw growth rate varied with the ninth power of flaw length (Δa/Δn) = Ma9. The direct measure of flaw growth rate using electrical resistance gave Δa/Δn = Ma6.23±2.84 with 90 percent confidence. The two measurements overlap within the 90 percent confidence bands, but predictions of fatigue life using the flaw propagation data were not good. Scanning electron microscope studies showed that specimens with a short fatigue life have glassy, fibrillated fracture surfaces while specimens with a long fatigue life exhibit a high degree of ductility in portions of the fracture surface. These differences are traced to differences in the size and shape of flaws.
Fluorescence studies of internal rotation in apohemoglobin α-chains

Abstract The molecular dynamics of the apo α-chain of human hemoglobin have been examined using three different fluorescent probes, as well as by circular dichroism. All of these criteria are consistent with a significant loss of organized structure and molecular rigidity for the apo derivative. The apo α-chain thus contrasts with the apo β-chain, which retains considerable rigidity and organized structure.
“They Themselves Contribute to Their Misery by Their Sloth”: The Justification of Slavery in Eighteenth-Century French Travel Narratives

In 1677, France took the slave trading island of Goree located off the coast of Senegal from the Dutch and, less than a decade later, drafted Le Code Noir (1685) to formally provide regulations for slave owning practices. This document—created in response to the rapid expansion of the slave economy in French Caribbean possessions made possible by France's position in West Africa—marked the beginning of French involvement in the slave trade. The comparison of French travel narratives written before and after Le Code Noir, shows that, although the descriptions of Sub-Saharan Africa tended to be universally derogatory and Eurocentric, it was not until France became deeply involved in the slave trade that the specific characterization of Africans as lazy emerged. By correlating published descriptions of African laziness with France's growing participation in the slave trade, this paper argues that these portrayals were used to justify slavery to a French public far removed from Africa, Africans, and the ugly ...
Apparatus for the high temperature measurement of the Seebeck coefficient in thermoelectric materials

The Seebeck coefficient is a physical parameter routinely measured to identify the potential thermoelectric performance of a material. However, researchers employ a variety of techniques, conditions, and probe arrangements to measure the Seebeck coefficient, resulting in conflicting materials data. To compare and evaluate these methodologies, and to identify optimal Seebeck coefficient measurement protocols, we have developed an improved experimental apparatus to measure the Seebeck coefficient under multiple conditions and probe arrangements (300 K–1200 K). This paper will describe in detail the apparatus design and instrumentation, including a discussion of its capabilities and accuracy as measured through representative diagnostics. In addition, this paper will emphasize the techniques required to effectively manage uncertainty in high temperature Seebeck coefficient measurements.
Suppression of phage nonsense and temperature-sensitive mutants by an suA mutant E. coli

BECKWITH and Scaife1,2 showed that the suppressor allele suA of Escherichia coli does not suppress nonsense codons in the lactose operon, but does relieve the polarity effect of UAG, UAA and possibly frameshift mutations. It is shown here that suA E. coli strongly suppresses phage T4 amber mutations and weakly suppresses phage T4 temperature-sensitive and amber mutations. Suppression of the inhibitory effect of chloramphenicol on phage T4 growth by suA was also shown. In addition, amber mutants of phage T7 were observed to be suppressed by suA. These results suggest that suA in addition to suppressing polarity in E. coli also increases translational ambiguity in T4 and T7-infected cells, especially for the amber codon.
Frequency, severity, clinical course, and correlates of fatigue in 372 patients during 5 weeks of radiotherapy for cancer.

BACKGROUND Patients often describe fatigue as the most distressing of the symptoms they experienced during their cancer treatment. Fatigue may increase from initial levels experienced during cancer treatment with the addition of radiotherapy (RT). METHODS Three hundred seventy-two patients completed a Symptom Inventory at the initiation of RT and weekly for 4 weeks thereafter. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate differences in fatigue at baseline by demographics and diagnosis. Changes over the course of treatment were evaluated by repeated-measures analysis of variance and Student t tests for paired data. The effect of diagnosis, age, gender, and previous treatment on fatigue was investigated by linear and hierarchical regression. RESULTS Fifty-seven percent of patients reported some degree of fatigue at the initiation of RT. The proportion increased to 76% by Week 3 and then to 78% at Week 5. Eighty-four percent of patients with initial fatigue remained fatigued throughout the 5-week course. Of the 160 patients without initial fatigue, 70% subsequently developed it. By Week 5, only 13% of patients had never reported any fatigue. Severity was found to be related to diagnosis, with patients with prostate carcinoma reporting the least severe fatigue and patients with lung, alimentary, and head and neck carcinoma reporting the most severe fatigue. Neither gender, age, nor total dose of RT predicted significant variance in severity. CONCLUSIONS Fatigue was a common adverse effect of RT for cancer, reported by more than three-fourths of patients by the third to fifth weeks of treatment. Cancer diagnosis was the only factor found to be significantly related to variation in fatigue severity. Additional studies should be devised to identify other underlying causes of RT-related fatigue. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Dairy Consumption, Blood Pressure, and Risk of Hypertension: An Evidence-Based Review of Recent Literature

Hypertension is a major risk factor for development of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and end-stage renal disease. In a systematic review of the evidence published from 2004 to 2009, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) concluded there was moderate evidence of an inverse relationship between the intake of milk and milk products (dairy) and blood pressure. This review synthesizes results from studies published over the past year on the relationship between dairy intake, blood pressure, and hypertension risk. The influence of dairy micronutrients including calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and phosphorous on blood pressure and incident hypertension is examined. Emerging research on bioactive dairy peptides is also reviewed. Lastly, recent evidence on effects of dairy fat content on blood pressure and hypertension risk, and the impact of inclusion of low-fat dairy in dietary patterns is also investigated.
Recalling Space and Time

In a narrative format that combines experimental results, theory, and personal experience, Hasselmo discusses his quantitative model of the brain mechanisms for encoding and remembering our experiences.
STEROID THERAPY OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS BASED ON IMMUNOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS.

Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus were treated continuously with large doses of glucocorticoids until the immunologic abnormalities had returned to normal, irrespective of prior relief from subjective complaints. Thereafter, prolonged intermittent steroid therapy with large doses was used, guided by immunologic data and continued for at least two years. With this therapy immunosuppression was maintained and the disease controlled. Side-effects were minimal. Loss of renal function markedly improved under this therapy even in advanced cases.
Mixed Conventional and Desmoplastic Infantile Ganglioglioma: an Autopsied Case with 6-Year Follow-Up

We describe a case of desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma (DIG) arising in the ventral diencephalon of a 3-1/2-month-old boy. On biopsy, the tumor featured a desmoplastic, S-100 protein and GFAP immunoreactive stromal element, as well as a variable spectrum of ganglion cells. Electron microscopy demonstrated astrocytes, and morphologically fibroblasts, as well as neurons containing 120-nm dense core granules. In addition, tubular structures composed of tightly apposed cells with features of astrocytes and of Schwann-like cells were also noted. Devoid of fibroblasts, the tubular structures were surrounded by a single basal lamina. At autopsy 6 years later, the multinodular, cystic mass had replaced the diencephalon, extended into both temporal lobes as well as the optic nerves, and showed marked leptomeningeal involvement. Microscopically, superficial portions of the tumor consisted of typical DIG, whereas deep, nondesmoplastic portions exhibited pattern variation ranging from pilocytic astrocytoma to ganglioglioma and gangliocytoma. There was also a minor element of small, ‘primitive-appearing’ neuroepithelial cells. Dysplastic ganglion cells variously reactive for neurofilament protein and synaptophysin were present throughout the tumor. Our study not only confirms DIG as a variant of ganglioglioma, one capable of slow growth, infiltration, and fatal progression but suggests that its differentiating potential includes elements of both the central and peripheral nervous systems. If so, their derivation may be from multipotential cells of the neural plate.
The Need for Control/Comparison Studies in Establishing Diagnostic Indicators: Prader-Willi Syndrome as a Case in Point.

Typical assessment profiles for students with different diagnostic labels are often determined without the use of comparison groups. This practice often leads to misconceptions that certain characteristics are unique to individuals with that label. This, in turn, could lead to inappropriate diagnostic decisions and possible mislabeling. To illustrate this point, we compared the psychometric characteristics of a sample of individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome with those of a control group of individuals without Prader-Willi syndrome who had similar attributes. These characteristics have been considered to be unique to Prader-Willi syndrome. Results indicated that the cognitive, behavioral, and educational characteristics that have been reported for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome were documented but were not unique to the syndrome. The importance of using comparison groups when establishing diagnostic criteria is discussed, using these results as an example.
Temporal-spatial expression of E-cadherin and FGF-2 in neural crest derived fusing cranial sutures

Abstract Introduction: Understanding cranial suture developmental biology is important in elucidating the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis. Although recent studies in cranial suture biology have focused on growth factors and transcription factors, few have investigated adhesion molecules and the role they may play in cell migration and bone formation. Methods: RNA were extracted from posterior frontal (PF) fusing suture complexes from mice at serial time-points (p1, p3, p5, p7, p9, p11, p13, p15, p25 and p35) and were used to generate cDNA for microarray and quantitative real-time (qRT) PCR analysis. We performed a focused analysis of cell adhesion molecules. In addition, time-matched calvaria were analyzed for morphometric analysis, H&E staining, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Our microarray data revealed an over 4 fold increase in expression of E-cadherin, a cell-cell adhesion molecule and an osteoblast differentiation marker, in the PF sutures, compared to that of SAG suture during fusion. This differential expression was confirmed by qRT PCR. Expression of E-cahderin was preceded by an increased expression of FGF-2 two days earlier. FGF-2 stimulation is known to promote skeletogenic differentiaion of premigratory neural crest cells (NCC) and increase E-cadherin expression in osteoblasts. Immunohistochemistry reveals an increase expression of E-cadherin in PF suture at the osteogenic fronts during fusion in areas of cell gathering. Conclusions: Here we describe E-cadherin and FGF-2 temporal-spatial expression pattern in the neural crest derived fusing PF suture. This may add insight into the role cadherins may play in syndromic forms of craniosynostosis associated with FGFR gain-of-function mutations.
Evidence for alterations of synaptic inputs to sacral spinal reflex circuits after spinal cord transection in the cat

Quantitative electron microscopy was used to study potential alterations in the synaptic inputs to HRP-labeled preganglionic neurons (PGNs) in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN) and to motoneurons (MNs) in Onuf's nucleus (ON) after short (4 days)- or longterm (10-11 weeks) spinal transection as compared to normal controls. Transection resulted in an apparent reorganization and replacement of synaptic input to ON MNs whereas chronic denervation of PGNs in the SPN was observed. These synaptic alterations may play a role in the changes in the eliminative reflexes (e.g., bladder-sphincter dyssynergia, induction of cutaneously elicited elimination) that are observed after spinal cord lesions.
FACILE AND EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF ISOLONGIFOLENONE

(2008). FACILE AND EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF ISOLONGIFOLENONE. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 405-410.
Efficient optimization of space trusses

Abstract An efficient and robust algorithm is developed for minimum weight design of space trusses with fixed geometry employing the general geometric programming (GGP) technique. The nonlinear programming (NLP) problem is formulated based on the virtual work method of structural analysis. The objective function is linear, subjected to linear size and stress constraints and nonlinear displacement constraints. Based on an arbitrary starting point, the signomials are condensed into posynomials and subsequently into monomials. Next, the monomials are linearized through logarithmic transformation. The resulting linear programming (LP) problem is solved iteratively using a dual simplex algorithm until the optimal feasible solution eventually coincides with a local optimum of the approximated problem. This solution point is then used to formulate a new approximated problem and the same procedure is automatically repeated until the solution of the original problem is found. Five examples are presented to illustrate the application of the algorithm presented in this paper.
Incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1985–2000

Background: Epidemiologic data for multiple sclerosis (MS) in Olmsted County, MN, have been recorded for almost 100 years and have indicated that the increasing prevalence rate was likely due in part to an increasing incidence rate. Methods: All cases of MS diagnosed from 1985 to 2000 were identified using the centralized diagnostic index at the Mayo Clinic and the Rochester Epidemiology Program Project, a shared database of all medical practitioners in the county. Patients were required to have established residency at least 1 year prior to diagnosis of MS. Results were also age- and sex-adjusted to control for shifts in the population structure. Results: The raw prevalence of MS was determined to be 177 per 100,000 on December 1, 2000, and the raw incidence rate was 7.5 per 100,000 person-years at risk from 1985 to 2000. Conclusions: After age and sex adjustment to a common population, these prevalence and incidence rates of MS appear to have been stable rather than increasing over the past 20 years.
Timing of adjuvant chemotherapy initiation after surgery for stage III colon cancer

BACKGROUND. An important advance in medical oncology has been the use of adjuvant chemotherapy for lymph node-positive colon cancer. However, to the authors' knowledge, the effect of the interval between surgery and the initiation of chemotherapy on survival has not been investigated. METHODS. The authors analyzed predictors and outcomes of time intervals to treatment after surgery among patients older than 65 years who were diagnosed with stage III colon cancer between 1992 and 1999 using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to model predictors of delay, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the impact of treatment timing on survival. RESULTS. Among 4382 patients with colon cancer, 1122 patients (26%) began adjuvant chemotherapy within 1 month, 2391 patients (55%) began adjuvant chemotherapy in 1 to 2 months, 454 patients (10%) began adjuvant chemotherapy in 2 to 3 months, and 415 patients (9%) began adjuvant chemotherapy ≥3 months after surgery. Intervals of ≥3 months (delay) were associated with older age, increased comorbid conditions, well/moderately differentiated grade, and being unmarried. Colon cancer-specific mortality was associated with a delay in the initiation of chemotherapy (hazards ratio [HR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.15–1.92), advanced age, increased comorbidity, poorly differentiated tumor grade, the presence of ≥4 positive lymph nodes, and undergoing surgery in a nonteaching hospital. All-cause mortality was associated with intervals >2 months between surgery and chemotherapy (2 to 3 months: HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.15–1.74; ≥3 months: HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.31–1.99) compared with <1 month. CONCLUSIONS. In the older population that was studied, only 9% of patients initiated adjuvant chemotherapy >3 months after the date of curative surgery. However, delay in initiation was associated with both cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. Determining whether these results were because of chemotherapy timing or other associated factors will require further study. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Heavy fermions: Dimensions are critical

Results from a cubic heavy-fermion compound provide a new perspective on quantum criticality in these types of material.
Self-consistent model of a direct-current glow discharge: Treatment of fast electrons.

Mathematical models of dc glow discharges sustained by electrons emitted by the cathode and accelerated into the cathode fall must take into account the highly nonequilibrium nature of these fast electrons. However, the electric field profile through the discharge is determined mainly by the distribution of ions and slow electrons. In this paper we explore three methods to account for fast, nonequilibrium electrons: the single-beam method, the multibeam method, and particle (Monte Carlo) simulations. Ions and cold electrons are treated using equations of change assuming collisionally dominated motion (i.e., drift and diffusion), and the self-consistent electric field is determined by solving these equations simultaneously with Poisson's equation. Creation rates for ions and slow electrons are obtained from the fast-electron models. Simulation results indicate that, although the single-beam model is qualitatively correct, it is hampered by its sensitivity to assumptions in the numerical approach, and its tendency to predict negative voltage-current characteristics at low pressures and high voltages, which are not evident in results from the higher-order multibeam model. Although an improvement over the single-beam model, comparison with experimental optical-emission measurements reveals that the multibeam model predicts excitation profiles that extend too far into the discharge. Accurate comparisons are possible with particle simulations, which incorporate angular scattering of fast electrons.
Studies on the susceptibility of 150 consecutive clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to tobramycin, gentamicin, colistin, carbenicillin, and five other antimicrobials.

Abstract The in vitro susceptibilities of 150 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the aminoglycoside tobramycin and eight other antimicrobials were evaluated. The Food and Drug Administration standardized disk diffusion method showed that tobramycin inhibited 100% of the 150 isolates with gentamicin inhibiting only 90.7%. The difference between colistin (97.3%) and tobramycin was less marked. Carbenicillin (87.3%) was found to be slightly less active than gentamicin. Only a small percentage of the isolates were inhibited by the other drugs used. By using a minimal inhibitory concentration of 4 μg/ml in brain heart infusion broth as the level of susceptibility, it was found that only three of the isolates showed resistance to tobramycin, whereas 20 of the isolates were resistant to gentamicin. Approximately half of the isolates were inhibited by 0.5 μg/ml or less of tobramycin, whereas 1.5 μg of gentamicin per ml was required to inhibit 50% of susceptible strains.
Observation of a free rotation transient in hot stilbene vapor

Abstract The fluorescence anisotropy decay of collision-free trans-stilbene vapor at 463 K has been measured with 5 ps time resolution using fluorescence up-conversion. The anisotropy measured with 302 nm excitation shows a pulsewidth-limited decay attributed to free rotation followed by a constant value at longer times. The long-time anisotropy of 0.069 is close to the theoretical regular rotor value of 0.074, indicating minimal vibration-rotation energy transfer on a time scale of ≈ 50 ps. Comparison with the longtime anisotropies previously observed using shorter excitation wavelengths indicates that the rotational motion becomes more nearly statistical with increasing excess vibrational energy.
Exploratory Learning, Innovative Capacity, and Managerial Oversight

When adaptation requires innovation, or the creation of variety, exploration is crucial. High levels of exploration thus imply variance-seeking rather than mean-seeking learning processes. In a study of 56 new business development projects, given high exploration, organizational learning was more effective when the projects operated with autonomy with respect to goals and supervision. As degree of exploration decreased, better results were associated with less autonomy on both counts. This contingent effect persisted even when I controlled for the emergence of deftness and comprehension.
Characterization of lesion formation and bubble activities during high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation using temperature-derived parameters

Abstract Successful high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) thermal tissue ablation relies on accurate information of the tissue temperature and tissue status. Often temperature measurements are used to predict and monitor the ablation process. In this study, we conducted HIFU ablation experiments with ex vivo porcine myocardium tissue specimens to identify changes in temperature associated with tissue coagulation and bubble/cavity formation. Using infrared (IR) thermography and synchronized bright-field imaging with HIFU applied near the tissue surface, parameters derived from the spatiotemporal evolution of temperature were correlated with HIFU-induced lesion formation and overheating, of which the latter typically results in cavity generation and/or tissue dehydration. Emissivity of porcine myocardium was first measured to be 0.857 ± 0.006 (n = 3). HIFU outcomes were classified into non-ablative, normal lesion, and overheated lesion. A marked increase in the rate of temperature change during HIFU application was observed with lesion formation. A criterion using the maximum normalized second time derivative of temperature change provided 99.1% accuracy for lesion identification with a 0.05 s−1 threshold. Asymmetric temperature distribution on the tissue surface was observed to correlate with overheating and/or bubble generation. A criterion using the maximum displacement of the spatial location of the peak temperature provided 90.9% accuracy to identify overheated lesion with a 0.16 mm threshold. Spatiotemporal evolution of temperature obtained using IR imaging allowed determination of the critical cumulative equivalent minutes at 43 °C (CEM43) for lesion formation to be 170 min. Similar temperature characteristics indicative of lesion formation and overheating were identified for subsurface HIFU ablation. These results suggest that parameters derived from temperature changes during HIFU application are associated with irreversible changes in tissue and may provide useful information for monitoring HIFU treatment.
Computational-Based Approach to Estimating Travel Demand in Large-Scale Microscopic Traffic Simulation Models

AbstractThe increased interest in the development and application of large-scale or regional microsimulation transportation models has brought to the forefront the challenges associated with estimating the dynamic demand information needed to run such models. This paper develops a computational-based approach for estimating or adjusting dynamic origin–destination matrices for regional microsimulation models on the basis of hourly traffic counts. The proposed approach, while based on genetic algorithms (GA), includes a special module, called Plan Analyzer, to guide the search process in an intelligent way. This results in a customized algorithm for the problem that can be regarded as an example of a guided genetic algorithm (GGA). To cut down on execution time, a distributed implementation of the algorithm is adopted, and several software design procedures are developed to deal with the demanding memory requirements of the problem. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm, the Transportation Analy...
Enhancing family engagement in interventions for mental health problems in youth

Much progress has been made in helping families improve their relationships and provide effective environments for their children. However, an ongoing challenge in implementing these practices is to actively engage families in interventions for youth. Most effective treatments for youth require some level of caregiver involvement. Research has identified many barriers that prevent families from seeking services for their child and/or from fully participating in these services. Fortunately, a growing literature has now emerged about the necessary ingredients for fostering family participation in psychosocial services. The purpose of this article is to build off the work of Affronti and Levison-Johnson (2009) by describing specific methods for promoting initial and sustained parent motivation in residential care service delivery.
Spinal cord injury with unilateral versus bilateral primary hemorrhage — Effects of glibenclamide

In spinal cord injury (SCI), block of Sur1-regulated NC(Ca-ATP) channels by glibenclamide protects penumbral capillaries from delayed fragmentation, resulting in reduced secondary hemorrhage, smaller lesions and better neurological function. All published experiments demonstrating a beneficial effect of glibenclamide in rat models of SCI have used a cervical hemicord impact calibrated to produce primary hemorrhage located exclusively ipsilateral to the site of impact. Here, we tested the hypothesis that glibenclamide also would be protective in a model with more extensive, bilateral primary hemorrhage. We studied the effect of glibenclamide in 2 rat cervical hemicord contusion models with identical impact force (10 g, 25 mm), one with the impactor positioned laterally to yield unilateral primary hemorrhage (UPH), and the other with the impactor positioned more medially, yielding larger, bilateral primary hemorrhages (BPH) and 6-week lesion volumes that were 45% larger. Functional outcome measures included: modified (unilateral) Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores, angled plane performance, and rearing times. In the UPH model, the effects of glibenclamide were similar to previous observations, including a functional benefit as early as 24h after injury and 6-week lesion volumes that were 57% smaller than controls. In the BPH model, glibenclamide exerted a significant benefit over controls, but the functional benefit was smaller than in the UPH model and 6-week lesion volumes were 33% smaller than controls. We conclude that glibenclamide is beneficial in different models of cervical SCI, with the magnitude of the benefit depending on the magnitude and extent of primary hemorrhage.
Commodities, brands, love and kula Comparative notes on value creation In honor of Nancy Munn

Can Marcel Mauss's insights into the relations between persons and things help make sense of the nature of branded commodities and the operation of long distance commodity chains? Can these insights, when coupled with Marxist critiques of fetishism and labor exploitation, underwrite a politics of value that mobilizes the practices of knowing consumers? This article reconsiders gift giving in order to understand how brands operate as media of exchange between companies and consumers. It compares the rhetoric of brand stewardship in current business literature with Nancy Munn's account of the exchange of Gawan canoes for kitomu, a category of kula shells over which owners exercise proprietary rights. In so doing, the article develops a framework for comparing processes of value creation and circulation that substitutes a series of partial analogues for a monolithic opposition between gifts and commodities. It concludes by taking up the question of a politics of ethical consumption, and the crucial role of k...
THE CORRELATION OF CERTAIN PHENOMENA OCCURRING DURING THE GROWTH OF PNEUMOCOCCUS

The growth of a culture of pneumococcus was followed together with the time relations of some of the phenomena incident thereto. There were, roughly speaking, three periods of growth: first, the period of maximum rate, or logarithmic period; second, a brief stationary period; and third, the period of decline, during which actual death of individual organisms in the culture occurred. It has been pointed out that the usual preliminary latent period was avoided by the use of relatively large inoculum, obtained from a culture which was itself in the logarithmic period of growth. During the height of growth activity of the culture certain changes in the substrate became demonstrable. Between the 7th and 10th hours the reaction of the medium was changed by the production of acid and the soluble specific substance was detected. At a somewhat later time in the logarithmic period of the culture peroxide was demonstrable and, simultaneously with the appearance of this substance, the substrate acquired the ability to change catalase-free crystalline hemoglobin to methemoglobin. Moreover, changes then occurred in the cultural fluid, such that, after the removal of the parent organisms by filtration, it no longer supported growth when seeded with either the pneumococcus or staphylococcus. These changes occurred early in the logarithmic period of growth of the culture.
Vitamin E Uptake into the Brain and 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine Toxicity

The brain uptake index for vitamin E has not been reported previously. This study examined the possible involvement of altered brain vitamin E uptake as an explanation of alterations in vitamin E levels in the brain following 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration. The brain uptake index of vitamin E was evaluated in control mice and at 1 and 24 h after toxin treatment. Control mice had a brain uptake index of 6.1 +/- 1.2. The toxin induced more than a twofold increase in the vitamin E brain uptake index to 15.2 +/- 6.8 at 1 h after treatment, which returned to control values at 24 h. The dramatic increase in the brain uptake index of vitamin E may explain the increases in vitamin E levels found in some brain regions following MPTP administration.
The α1C‐adrenoceptor in human prostate: cloning, functional expression, and localization to specific prostatic cell types

1. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes urinary obstruction in aging men that frequently requires surgery to relieve the symptoms of urinary retention, nocturia, and micturition. Smooth muscle tone which contributes to the urethral constriction in the enlarged gland appears to be mediated by the alpha 1-adrenoceptors. In this paper, molecular and pharmacological approaches are used to establish the role played by the alpha 1C-adrenoceptor subtype in the prostate. 2. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype(s) expressed in human prostate were investigated by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Northern blot, and in situ hybridization. The alpha 1C subtype was found in both prostate stromal and glandular cells while alpha 1B and alpha 1D subtypes were expressed in glandular cells. High expression levels for alpha 1C were observed in prostate cancer tissues in both stroma and glandular cells. 3. Full length alpha 1C-adrenoceptor cDNA was cloned from human prostate. Stable mammalian cell lines expressing human alpha 1B-, alpha 1C-, and alpha 1D-adrenoceptors were made. Membranes prepared from these cell lines and human prostate were used to evaluate the pharmacological profiles of human alpha 1B-, alpha 1C- and alpha 1D-adrenoceptors in comparison to human prostate. Leverage plot analysis of compound affinities determined by competition for [125I]-I-HEAT binding demonstrated that the alpha 1C subtype is the predominant alpha 1-adrenoceptor in human prostate. 4. The alpha 1-adrenoceptors cause smooth muscle constriction by coupling to IP3 turnover and intracellular Ca2+ release. Using stable cell lines to measure IP3 production in response to noradrenaline, alpha 1C stimulated IP3 production most efficiently, with alpha 1B at an intermediate level, while little IP3 above background could be detected with alpha 1D. These results supported a functional role of the alpha 1C-adrenoceptor on prostate smooth muscle constriction by noradrenaline stimulation.
Immunohistochemical study of idiopathic histiocytosis of the mandible and maxilla.

Recent evidence suggests that the proliferative cells of idiopathic histiocytosis may be derived from Langerhans cells. In this study, antisera to S-100 protein, HLA-DR (la-like) antigen, muramidase, and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin were tested on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from nine cases of idiopathic histiocytosis using an immunoperoxidase technique. Tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein and HLA-DR antigen but negative for muramidase and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin. Mononuclear phagocytes were positive for HLA-DR antigen, muramidase, and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin but negative for S-100 protein. The immunohistochemical staining pattern of the tumor cells in these cases of idiopathic histiocytosis is similar to that seen for normal Langerhans cells. When these results are coupled with electron microscopic and histochemical data, it would appear that the origin of cells in idiopathic histiocytosis is from the Langerhans cell or its precursor. Thus, this condition might be better designated "Langerhans cell disease."
Damage Assessment and Ductility Evaluation of Post Tensioned Beams with Hybrid FRP Tendons

The study presented in this article concentrated on investigating the ductility and characterization of damage in concrete beams post tensioned with hybrid carbon-glass fiber-reinforced polymer (HFRP) composites. The investigation included an approach for design of flexural members with HFRP tendons and characterization of damage, load deformation response, ultimate strength, and failure modes. Direct tensile tests of hybrid FRP rods in a previous study had indicated elastoplastic response, enhanced ductility, and increased strain capacity. In this context, the current study focused on design and fabrication of post tensioned beams using glass or steel rebars for partial prestressing. All the beams were tested in flexure under four-point bending configuration. Results of the study are presented in terms of ductility index and enhanced load-deflection response in comparison with the conventional FRP materials. Damage characterization involved evaluating the specific features of the acoustic emissions for d...
The Intrametropolitan Geography of Poverty and the Nonprofit Sector in Southern California

This article investigates the geographic distribution of nonprofit social service providers across southern California cities in an attempt to see whether they reach people in poverty. Using 1996 Internal Revenue Service data from the National Center on Charitable Statistics, combined with 1990 census data, the authors find that the number of antipoverty nonprofits and their level of expenditure are higher in poorer cities. Nevertheless, given poverty concentration patterns, these activities are insufficient to guarantee equal services to poor persons in the poorest areas compared with those in wealthier cities. Regression analyses indicate that higher levels of nonprofit antipoverty activity are likely to be found in older and centrally located cities with higher socioeconomic status and significant government contribution to the provision of social services. These findings suggest that nonprofits and governments ought to be seen as complements rather than substitutes in efforts to alleviate intrametropo...