cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamical limits on a lunar origin for tektites

Abstract Theories regarding the origin of tektites are reviewed and it is proposed that the moon is the most likely source for these objects. Detailed calculations show that Whipple's model for the ejection of tektites from the moon makes it possible to reproduce their observed distribution over the earth's surface.
Full-potential self-consistent linearized-augmented-plane-wave method for calculating the electronic structure of molecules and surfaces: O 2 molecule

The linearized-augmented-plane-wave (LAPW) method for thin films is generalized by removing the remaining shape approximation to the potential inside the atomic spheres. A new technique for solving Poisson's equation for a general charge density and potential is described and implemented in the film LAPW method. In the resulting full-potential LAPW method (FLAPW), all contributions to the potential are completely taken into account in the Hamiltonian matrix elements. The accuracy of the method---already well known for clean metal surfaces---is demonstrated for the case of a nearly free (noninteracting) ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ molecule which is a severe test case of the method because of its large anisotropic charge distribution. Detailed comparisons show that the accuracy of the FLAPW results for ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ exceeds that of existing state-of-the-art local-density linear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals (LCAO)-type calculations, and that taking the full potential LAPW results as a reference, the LCAO basis can be improved by adding off-site functions. Thus the full-potential LAPW is a unified method which is ideally suited to test not only molecular adsorption on surfaces, but also the components of the same system separately, i.e., the extreme limits of the molecule and the clean surface.
Family Of Grating Techniques Of Slope And Curvature Measurements For Static And Dynamic Flexure Of Plates

A family of optical methods are developed for the measurement of slope and curvature of flexed plate surfaces. Slope and curvature contour fringes are generated by using gratings as filters in the light path emerging from the flexed surface. General field equations are derived for gratings placed anywhere in the field. Depending upon the pitch and the position and the number of gratings used, a variety of techniques are obtained for the contouring of slopes or curvatures. When a low density grating is used, the resulting shadowgram yields slope contour fringes if it is placed at the real focal plane of the field lens. Otherwise, the shadow gram fringes are not slope contours. However, slope contours can be obtained if a double-exposure technique or a double grating is used to generate the moire fringes. If a grating of sufficiently high frequency is used, the resulting pattern is a curvature pattern, for which a monochromatic light source is needed. A successive plotting method is also proposed for curvature contouring whereby white light and a grating of arbi-trary pitch can be used. The methods are verified by a series of experiments using cantilever beams and clamped circular plates. Applications to a variety of other problems, including flexure wave propagation, are also demonstrated.
Interlanguage Pragmatics in the Zone of Proximal Development.

Abstract Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development (ZPD) has been fruitfully applied in L2 research that examines second and foreign language learning. This paper considers the applicability of the ZPD to interlanguage pragmatics instruction and research. First, the ZPD is defined [Vygotsky, L.S., 1978. Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA], and definitions are queried in light of differences between second language learning/development from the child development context for which the ZPD was developed [Ohta, A.S., 2001a. Second Language Acquisition Processes in the Classroom: Learning Japanese. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ; Ohta, A.S. The zone of proximal development and second language acquisition: Beyond social interaction. In N. Negishi, T. Umino, A. Yoshitomi, (Eds.), Readings in Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Pedagogy in a Japanese Context. John Benjamins, Amsterdam, in press]. Then, three interlanguage pragmatics research studies involving instructional intervention are considered through the framework the ZPD provides. These are [Takahashi, S., 2001. The role of input enhancement in developing pragmatic competence. In: Rose, K.R., Kasper, G. (Eds.), Pragmatics in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 171–199.], a study of explicit/implicit instruction of English biclausal requests; [Samuda, V., 2001. Guiding relationships between form and meaning during task performance: The role of the teacher. In: Bygate, M., Skehan, P., Swain, M. (Eds.), Researching Pedagogic Tasks: Second Language Learning, Teaching and Testing. Longman, New York, pp. 119-140.], a study of the impact of teacher intervention on task-based instruction in English modals; and [Yoshimi, D.R., 2001. Explicit instruction and JFL learner’s use of interactional discourse markers. In: Rose, K.R., Kasper, G. (Eds.), Pragmatics in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 223–244.], which examines the impact of instruction on Japanese conversational storytelling. Analysis suggests how the zone of proximal development impacted the development observed in the three studies and how instructional methods tested did nor did not tap into the potential of the ZPD. The paper concludes with recommendations for researchers and teachers, suggesting how the notion of the ZPD can be used both to better understand pragmatic development and to improve instruction in L2 pragmatics.
Coercive Citation in Academic Publishing

of 45,955 accepted an average of 55.2 articles per journal. By that calculation, the most flagrant offenders may be coercing most of their contribu- tors. However, this calcula- tion does not for variation in the of articles in jour- nals, references article, ciplines. regression analy- ses,
Far-field scattering of random electromagnetic fields from particulate media

The expression for the spectral degree of coherence of a far field scattered from a collection of particles, in the polar spherical coordinate system, is derived. Such an expression may be reduced to the one in the Cartesian coordinate system in the special case when the two points considered are in the same radial direction.
Purification and structural characterization of porcine L-threonine dehydrogenase

Abstract L-Threonine dehydrogenase was purified 10,000-fold to a specific activity ∼300 μmol · min −1 · mg −1 protein from porcine liver mitochondria. Purification to apparent homogeneity was achieved by sequential chromatography on DEAE Sepharose FF, Affi-Gel Blue, Sephacryl S-200, Matrex Gel Red A, and Matrex Gel Green A. The subunit molecular mass was estimated as 37 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, while an apparent native molecular mass of 73 kDa was shown by gel filtration chromatography, suggesting a dimeric structure. The purified enzyme was subjected to proteolytic degradation and the resulting peptides were isolated exclusively by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Approximately 70% of the total sequence was obtained and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the intact polypeptide chain was thus tentatively extended to residue 40.
Japanese‐American trade: The roots of misunderstanding

Abstract The perception of economic reality flowing from the respective world views of the Japanese and American business communities creates the political reality to which politics must respond. A comparative examination of samples drawn from the Wall Street Journal and the Japan Economic Journal reveals that the efforts of Japanese and American officials to resolve current trade issues are frustrated by a lack of correspondence with regard to fundamental assumptions about the locus of the problems. The two sides use two different frameworks which embody two entirely different sets of parameters defining acceptable policy responses. The incongruence leads to a mutual underevaluation of the political costs and risks associated with the preferred responses of the other party.
Physical parameter distribution patterns in bottom sediments of the lower Chesapeake Bay Estuary, Virginia

ABSTRACT Bottom sediments within the lower Chesapeake Bay between the Potomac River and the Atlantic Ocean were analyzed for mud content, sand texture, organic content, and color. Parmetric distribution patterns indicate a complex dispersal model, in which sediments are derived from multiple sources. The bay region between the Potomac and York Rivers appears to be an effective mud trap, with the central basin constituting a uniformly-colored mud depocenter, while the marginal zones are composed of multicolored residual sand deposits. The baymouth sector south of the York River is a multicolored sand province that constitutes an effective mud-bypass area. A regional belt of highly organic sediments occurs throughout the lower bay which reflects a zone of high benthonic shell concentrations. San textures suggest a composite fabric of modern equilibrium sediments, and palimpsest sediments that reflect an earlier hydraulic regime. The palimpsest sediments may represent Pleistocene fluvial deposits of the ancestral Susquehanna drainage system, and early Holocene paralic deposits generated during the bay's inundation.
Capabilities of a Toroid-Amplifier System for Magnetic Measurement of Current in Biological Tissue

Bioelectric current in one-dimensional tissues can be measured by using a room temperature amplifier and a wire-wound, ferrite-core toroid to detect the associated biomagnetic field. In this paper, the capabilities of such a toroid-amplifier system are discussed, with emphasis placed on the signal-to-noise ratio and the spatial resolution of the toroid. Use of this system for measuring current is studied in detail for cardiac and skeletal muscle, and myelinated and nonmyelinated nerve axons. Finally, factors affecting the sensitivity of openable toroids are considered.
A functional approach to enterprise-based engineering integration

Abstract Engineering activities, as envisioned in this paper, consist of product specification, process engineering (review and feedback), and finally production (planning, control, and execution of the process and product entity being designed). As “enterprises grow and become geographically separate,” these activities need to be coordinated in new ways. This paper illustrates the requirements of information models and presents an integration approach that is evolving where product (design), process, and production engineers are able to simultaneously interact with each other regardless of time, location, and organizational barriers. These information models are necessary but not limited to engineering activity integration so that product quality will be high and cost will be low. The dynamics of the engineering process will be illustrated using these models.
Diarrhea, clostridium difficile, and intestinal inflammation in residents of a long-term care facility.

Introduction Long-term care facilities (LTCF) residents have been estimated to have the highest incidence of diarrheal illness among adults living in the developed world. This study describes undiagnosed diarrhea, intestinal inflammation, and Clostridium difficile colonization in a LTC population and explores whether these are associated with functional decline, as defined by weight loss or a change in cognitive or ADL status. Methods An observational study of a convenience sampling of residents in a 180-bed LTCF was obtained; evaluation of stool and medical records was done. Stool specimens were evaluated for consistency, gross blood, inflammation (via quantitative fecal lactoferrin, IBD-SCAN), and C difficile (via PCR for gdh). SPSS and STATA were used and significance was set at P Results There were 46 stools collected; 13 of the subjects were male, 28 were older than 65 years, and 35 were prescribed 5 to 15 medications. Twenty-six of the 46 stools collected had elevated quantitative fecal lactoferrin levels. Although only 5 subjects were reported to have diarrhea (4 with elevated lactoferrin), 28 stool specimens were observed to be liquid or semi-solid (19 with elevated lactoferrin), and these liquid/ semisolid stools were significantly correlated with lactoferrin positivity (P = .017). In analysis of functional status, there was no statistically significant association between change in ADL (n = 17) or cognitive status (n = 5) and elevated lactoferrin. However, all 3 subjects who had significant weight loss had elevated lactoferrin, although the mean fecal lactoferrin was not statistically different from those without weight loss. Of the 2 samples with C difficile, both were liquid and, when compared with all other liquid stools (n = 22), the mean lactoferrin was statistically higher (134.1 versus 28.8 μg/mL, P = .008). These 2 subjects had neither weight loss nor change in cognitive status, but 1 had a change in ADL status. Discussion and conclusions Diarrhea in LTCF residents is underdiagnosed. Diarrhea and the presence of C difficile in the stool are associated with intestinal inflammation, as detected by fecal lactoferrin. With our small numbers, we were not able to identify a specific link; however, we were able to identify a correlation between weight loss and intestinal inflammation, but, with just 2 samples, not C difficile colonization. This relationship highlights the importance of larger studies to further examine the rate of diarrhea in LTCF; the effect of diarrhea and intestinal inflammation on weight loss; and the interaction of C difficile colonization with weight loss, malnutrition, and functional decline.
The Effect of the Cover and Reflective Properties of a Four-Sided Atrium on the Behaviour of Light

From a natural lighting standpoint, the atrium envelope acts as a filter between the outdoor environment, the atrium light well and the spaces around it. On its passage through the atrium cover, a portion of the incoming daylight is directed towards the adjacent rooms and the other is inter-reflected between the atrium surfaces and channeled downward towards the lower floors. The amount of daylight reaching the adjacent spaces depends largely on how much light is transmitted from the outside, the size of opening within the atrium walls and the inter-reflection capability of the atrium. In this study we have examined the effect of roof configuration and the reflective properties of the atrium intermediate boundaries on the behaviour of light along the atrium walls. The investigation was limited to a top-lit atrium and results indicate that the reflective characteristics of the atrium walls can significantly affect the intensity that reaches the lower levels of the atrium. Floor reflectance has a significan...
Photovoltaic module quality in the Kenyan solar home systems market

As one of the largest unsubsidized markets for solar home systems (SHSs) in the world, Kenya represents a promising model for rural electrification based on private purchases of clean decentralized photovoltaic technologies. Small amorphous-silicon modules dominate the market and most brands provide high quality and affordable service. Product quality varies widely, however, and the public has limited capacity to distinguish among competing brands. This imposes direct hardships on households with the misfortune to purchase low-quality equipment, and it constrains sales as some customers refrain from purchasing solar equipment due to the associated performance uncertainty. This article analyzes market failure associated with photovoltaic module quality in the Kenyan SHS market and develops strategies to address the problemFemphasizing that similar quality problems may exist for other SHS components and in other markets. The principal conclusion is that domestic product testing with public disclosure represents an inexpensive low-risk strategy, but it may prove inadequate. Mandatory product quality standards based on international testing regimes (e.g. IEC standards), augmented with a basic domestic testing option, would provide stronger assurance, but the risks associated with this intervention suggest caution. An emerging multilateral SHS market support effort (PVMTI) should ensure quality for the credit-based sales it promotes in Kenya; however, the long-term impact of this approach is not yet clear and it is unlikely to address quality problems associated with the existing unsubsidized sales-based markets for SHSs. Finally, fee-for-service models would decisively address quality problems, but launching this model in the Kenyan market would likely require large subsidies. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Time-Share SKED acquisition of analog data: Blood pressure and heart rate

A computer program records, within the framework of the SKED minicomputer operating system, blood pressure and heart rate data in behavioral experiments. By repetitive (500-Hz) analog-to-digital conversions of a blood pressure waveform, the program finds and stores successive-beat systolic and diastolic pressures, and intersystolic intervals. SKED initiates and terminates blood pressure recording periods, and controls all experimental procedures. The program is currently operational, servicing four independent stations simultaneously, with sufficient computer operating time remaining to service low-priority background programs.
Postfire changes in forest carbon storage over a 300‐year chronosequence of Pinus contorta‐dominated forests

A warming climate may increase the frequency and severity of stand-replacing wildfires, reducing carbon (C) storage in forest ecosystems. Understanding the variability of postfire C cycling on heterogeneous landscapes is critical for predicting changes in C storage with more frequent disturbance. We measured C pools and fluxes for 77 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud var. latifolia Engelm.) stands in and around Yellowstone National Park (YNP) along a 300-year chronosequence to examine how quickly forest C pools recover after a stand-replacing fire, their variability through time across a complex landscape, and the role of stand structure in this variability. Carbon accumulation after fire was rapid relative to the historical mean fire interval of 150–300 years, recovering nearly 80% of prefire C in 50 years and 90% within 100 years. Net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) declined monotonically, from 160 g C·m−2·yr−1 at age 12 to 5 g C·m−2·yr−1 at age 250, but was never negative after disturbance....
Growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene polymorphism and Prader-Willi syndrome.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genomic imprinting disorder due to loss of paternally expressed genes in the 15q11-q13 region and characterized by hypotonia, a poor suck, failure to thrive, hypogonadism/hypogenitalism, growth hormone deficiency, learning and behavioral problems and hyperphagia leading to early childhood obesity. Growth hormone acts as a ligand for the growth hormone receptor (GHR) coded by a gene polymorphic for an exon-3 deletion (d3) seen in about 50% of Caucasians and associated with an increased response to growth hormone (GH) therapy. We examined 69 individuals with PWS (average age ± SD = 20.1 ± 12.8y). The GHR allele distribution in our PWS subjects was similar to reported data in the literature with no gender or PWS genetic subtype differences. A negative correlation was found with age for height standard deviational scores and a positive correlation with age for weight and BMI for non-GH treated PWS subjects. Adjusting for effects of age and gender, individuals with PWS and the d3/d3 allele showed a significant increase in BMI compared with those having the full length (fl) allele. In addition, 12 infants and children with PWS were examined when growth and GH data were available before and during GH treatment. A significant increase in growth rate (1.7 times) was noted in the presence of the d3 allele (fl/fl=0.87cm/month; fl/d3 or d3/d3=1.5 cm/month; p < 0.05). The presence of the d3 allele and its impact on growth and medical care of individuals with PWS while on GH therapy should be further investigated.
Simultaneous Self-Association and Diffusion of Phenol in Isooctane

The impact of self-association on mass transport was studied. The model system chosen was the diffusion of phenol through an immobilized layer of isooctane. In the theoretical development, self-associated phenol contributed to diffusion, with the fluxes being interdependent because of the self-association equilibrium. Predictions from theory were then compared with experimental results. It was shown that self-association can significantly affect flux of diffusing species.
Characterization of sodium-dependent, high-affinity serotonin uptake in rat spinal cord synaptosomes

Abstract Synaptosomal accumulation of [ 3 H]serotonin was used to determine if the rat spinal cord possesses a high-affinity neuronal uptake system for serotonin. Two temperature-dependent accumulation processes were found, one sodium-dependent, the second sodium-independent. Sodium-dependent [ 3 H]serotonin accumulation was linear with sodium concentrations up to 143 mM, was associated with the purified synaptosomal fraction (P 2 B), and decreased 76% by osmotic lysis, 88% by sonication, and 96% by 0.1% Triton X-100. Drug inhibition studies demonstrated fluoxetine to be the most potent inhibitor of this system (IC 50 0.075 μM) while desipramine (IC 5O 0.43 μM) and nomifensine (IC 50 0.95 μM) were less potent. Kinetic analysis revealed that sodium-dependent accumulation in purified synaptosomes was saturable at low [ 3 H]serotonin concentrations ( K u = 50nM, V max = 4pmol/mg protein/min ). Sodium-independent [ 3 H]5-HT accumulation was substantially less sensitive to fluoxetine, desipramine and nomifensine. While sodium-independent accumulation was not significantly affected by osmotic lysis, it was markedly increased by prior sonication of tissue. Also, in contrast to sodium-dependent accumulation, sodium-independent accumulation was evenly distributed in all tissue fractions, and was not saturable at low [ 3 H]serotonin concentrations. It is concluded that sodium-dependent [ 3 H]serotonin accumulation reflects uptake into spinal serotonergic nerve terminals while sodium-independent accumulation probably reflects a temperature-sensitive binding to membrane fragments. Comparison to brain uptake of serotonin and the necessity for using 37 °C sodium-free blanks rather than 0 °C blanks in spinal cord homogenates is discussed.
A double-blind, multicenter trial comparing duloxetine with placebo in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients with or without major depressive disorder.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of duloxetine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in subjects with primary fibromyalgia, with or without current major depressive disorder. Methods This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 18 outpatient research centers in the US. A total of 207 subjects meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for primary fibromyalgia were enrolled (89% female, 87% white, mean age 49 years, 38% with current major depressive disorder). After single-blind placebo treatment for 1 week, subjects were randomly assigned to receive duloxetine 60 mg twice a day (n = 104) or placebo (n = 103) for 12 weeks. Co–primary outcome measures were the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) total score (score range 0–80, with 0 indicating no impact) and FIQ pain score (score range 0–10). Secondary outcome measures included mean tender point pain threshold, number of tender points, FIQ fatigue, tiredness on awakening, and stiffness scores, Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-Severity) scale, Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-Improvement) scale, Brief Pain Inventory (short form), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36, Quality of Life in Depression Scale, and Sheehan Disability Scale. Results Compared with placebo-treated subjects, duloxetine-treated subjects improved significantly more (P = 0.027) on the FIQ total score, with a treatment difference of −5.53 (95% confidence interval −10.43, −0.63), but not significantly more on the FIQ pain score (P = 0.130). Compared with placebo-treated subjects, duloxetine-treated subjects had significantly greater reductions in Brief Pain Inventory average pain severity score (P = 0.008), Brief Pain Inventory average interference from pain score (P = 0.004), number of tender points (P = 0.002), and FIQ stiffness score (P = 0.048), and had significantly greater improvement in mean tender point pain threshold (P = 0.002), CGI-Severity (P = 0.048), PGI-Improvement (P = 0.033), and several quality-of-life measures. Duloxetine treatment improved fibromyalgia symptoms and pain severity regardless of baseline status of major depressive disorder. Compared with placebo-treated female subjects (n = 92), duloxetine-treated female subjects (n = 92) demonstrated significantly greater improvement on most efficacy measures, while duloxetine-treated male subjects (n = 12) failed to improve significantly on any efficacy measure. The treatment effect on significant pain reduction in female subjects was independent of the effect on mood or anxiety. Duloxetine was safely administered and well tolerated. Conclusion In this randomized, controlled, 12-week trial (with a 1-week placebo lead-in phase), duloxetine was an effective and safe treatment for many of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia in subjects with or without major depressive disorder, particularly for women, who had significant improvement across most outcome measures.
The Trach Care closed tracheal suction system: a new medical device to permit tracheal suctioning without interruption of ventilatory assistance.

Many new medical devices have been introduced into the market over the last two decades with the aim of improving medical care. Recently, a new device, Trach Care’”, has been introduced by Ballard Medical Products. device has been designed to allow endotracheal suctioning of intubated patients on ventilatory support without having to disconnect the patient from the ventilator.‘The Trach Care’” device has three major components. The T-piece is the component nearest the patient. It has a limb for connection to the endotracheal tube or tracheos-torny, a limb for connection to the ventilator, and a limb for introduction of the catheter. The remaining limb is covered by a plastic cap. On the limb through which the catheter is introduced, there is a port for infection of irrigation fluid. The second component is the catheter with its protective sheath. The third component, a control valve, is connected to the opposite end of the catheter and sheath. Opposite the insertion of the catheter on the control valve there is a port for connection to the wall suction tubing. When the control valve is opened, the vacuum from the wall suction tubing is applied to the catheter. The control valve may be locked in the “off position. When the Trach Care™ device is placed into the ventilator circuit, the trachea can be suctioned without interruption of ventilatory support.
Broad Ranges of Affinity and Specificity of Anti-Histone Antibodies Revealed by a Quantitative Peptide Immunoprecipitation Assay

Antibodies directed against histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are critical tools in epigenetics research, particularly in the widely used chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments. However, a lack of quantitative methods for characterizing such antibodies has been a major bottleneck in accurate and reproducible analysis of histone modifications. Here, we report a simple and sensitive method for quantitatively characterizing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for histone PTMs in a ChIP-like format. Importantly, it determines the apparent dissociation constants for the interactions of an antibody with peptides harboring cognate or off-target PTMs. Analyses of commercial antibodies revealed large ranges of affinity, specificity and binding capacity as well as substantial lot-to-lot variations, suggesting the importance of quantitatively characterizing each antibody intended to be used in ChIP experiments and optimizing experimental conditions accordingly. Furthermore, using this method, we identified additional factors potentially affecting the interpretation of ChIP experiments.
Patterns in nursing home medication errors: disproportionality analysis as a novel method to identify quality improvement opportunities.

SUMMARY Purpose To explore the use of disproportionality analysis of medication error data as a novel method to identify relationships that might not be obvious through traditional analyses. This approach can supplement descriptive data and target quality improvement efforts. Methods Data came from the Medication Error Quality Initiative (MEQI) individual event reporting system. Participants were North Carolina nursing homes who submitted incident reports to the Web-based MEQI data repository during the 2006 and 2007 reporting years. Data from 206 nursing homes were summarized descriptively and then disproportionality analysis was applied. Associations between medication type and possible causes at the state level were explored. A single nursing home was selected to illustrate how the method might inform quality improvement at the facility level. Disproportionality analysis of drug errors in this home was compared with benchmarking. Results Statewide, 59 drug-cause pairs met the disproportionality signal and 11 occurred in 10 or more reports. Among these, warfarin was co-reported with communication errors; esomeprazole, risperidone, and nitrofurantoin were disproportionately associated with transcription error; and oxycodone and morphine were disproportionately reported with name confusion. Facility-level analyses illustrate how descriptive frequencies and disproportionality analysis are complementary, but also identify different safety targets. Conclusions Exploratory analysis tools can help identify medication error types that occur at disproportionate rates. Candidate associations might be used to target patient safety work, although further evaluation is needed to determine the value of this information. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction stresses of edge dislocations with obstacles in a discrete crystal model

Abstract Interaction stresses of edge dislocations with obstacles are analyzed. Each dislocation with its obstacle is considered in a Rosenstock-Newell lattice instead of in an elastic continuum as is customary. Analysis of the force-balance equations of this lattice is used avoiding interaction strain energy concepts for interaction stress determination. Obstacles considered are: (a) another edge dislocation (with like or opposite sign), (b) fixed and free surfaces, (c) elastic inclusion, (d) elastic inhomogeneity. The purpose of this work is to determine the effect of the assumption of a discrete as opposed to a continuum structure. The agreement between the discrete and equivalent continuum theory is, in general, surprisingly good even for very close interactions. New types of behavior found in the discrete analysis which have no continuum counterparts include the following: (1) The discrete dislocation has a non-zero width which changes with interaction geometry. The dislocation widens when the rate of change of interaction stress with decreasing slip plane obstacle distance is negative. When the rate of change is positive the dislocation is found to narrow. (2) The discrete theory allows interaction stress calculations which include the Peierls stress. (3) A critical separation distance between two dislocations of opposite sign on the same slip plane exists where only the critical shear stress for the perfect lattice would prevent their mutual annihilation. This differs little from the dislocation vs. free surface interaction. (4) For a dislocation versus a similar dislocation on the same slip plane a certain separation distance is found that cannot be minimized by a uniform shear stress less than the critical shear stress for the perfect lattice.
Trace Fission Product Ratios for Nuclear Forensics Attribution of Weapons-Grade Plutonium from Fast and Thermal Reactors

The growing concern about nuclear terrorism threats has enhanced the need to develop fast and accurate nuclear forensics analysis techniques for nuclear material source attribution and to create a credible nuclear deterrence. Plutonium produced as a by-product in nuclear reactor fuel, especially in fuel discharged at low burn-up (1 to 2 MWd/kg), is potentially weapons usable material. In the event of plutonium interdiction from a smuggling act, its origin has to be established through nuclear forensics attribution methods before any response is initiated against this malicious act. The characteristics of separated plutonium from discharged reactor fuel and the associated fission product traces depend on factors such as the reactor type (thermal or fast reactor), fuel burn-up, irradiation history, and the chemical process used to separate plutonium. A new methodology of using trace fission product to plutonium ratios for nuclear forensics attribution of plutonium to the type of reactor used for its product...
Electron microscopy of serial sections of the murine glomerular mesangium.

An electron microscopic study of serial and/or closely spaced step sections of the murine glomerular mesangium is reported. Photomicrographs were obtained from sections which extended through mesangial cells from one side to the other. These cells are separated from the capillary by matrix as well as overlying endothelial cells and from the epithelium by matrix and basement membrane. The observations clearly demonstrate the presence of a “third” type of cell within the murine mesangium which is separate and distinct from endothelium and epithelium.
Identification of single chain antibodies to breast cancer stem cells using phage display

Recent evidence suggests that most malignancies are driven by "cancer stem cells" sharing the signature characteristics of adult stem cells: the ability to self renew and to differentiate. Furthermore these cells are thought to be quiescent, infrequently dividing cells with a natural resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. These studies theorize that therapies, which effectively treat the majority of tumor cells but 'miss' the stem cell population, will fail, while therapies directed at stern cells can potentially eradicate tumors. In breast cancer, researchers have isolated 'breast cancer stem cells' capable of recreating the tumor in vivo and in vitro. Generated new tumors contained both additional numbers of cancer stem cells and diverse mixed populations of cells present in the initial tumor, supporting the intriguing self-renewal and differentiation characteristics. In the present study, an antibody phage library has been used to search for phage displayed-single chain antibodies (scFv) with selective affinity to specific targets on breast cancer stem cells. We demonstrate evidence of two clones binding specifically to a cancer stem cell population isolated from the SUMl59 breast cancer cell line. These clones had selective affinity for cancer stem cells and they were able to select cancer stem cells among a large population of non-stem cancer cells in paraffin-embedded sections. The applicability of these clones to paraffin sections and frozen tissue specimens made them good candidates to be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers in breast cancer patient samples taking into consideration the cancer stern cell concept in tumor biology.
Human Platelets Damage Aspergillus fumigatus Hyphae and May Supplement Killing by Neutrophils

Neutropenia is considered a significant risk factor for invasive aspergillosis but is almost always associated with concurrent thrombocytopenia. Studies determined that platelets, like neutrophils, attached to cell walls of the invasive hyphal form of Aspergillus fumigatus. Organisms were damaged as shown by loss of cell wall integrity in scanning laser confocal microscopy and release of defined hyphal surface glycoproteins. Rapid expression appearance of surface antigen CD63 and release of markers of platelet degranulation confirmed activation during attachment to hyphae. Optimal platelet activation required opsonization of hyphae with fresh or heat-inactivated whole plasma. These effects of opsonization with whole plasma could not be duplicated by pooled human serum, immunoglobulin G, or fibrinogen, whether used separately or combined. Thus, platelets in the presence of whole plasma have the potential to play an important role in normal host defenses against invasive aspergillosis.
Sensory Axon Regeneration: A Review from an in vivo Imaging Perspective

Injured primary sensory axons fail to regenerate into the spinal cord, leading to chronic pain and permanent sensory loss. Re-entry is prevented at the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ), the CNS-PNS interface. Why axons stop or turn around at the DREZ has generally been attributed to growth-repellent molecules associated with astrocytes and oligodendrocytes/myelin. The available evidence challenges the contention that these inhibitory molecules are the critical determinant of regeneration failure. Recent imaging studies that directly monitored axons arriving at the DREZ in living animals raise the intriguing possibility that axons stop primarily because they are stabilized by forming presynaptic terminals on non-neuronal cells that are neither astrocytes nor oligodendrocytes. These observations revitalized the idea raised many years ago but virtually forgotten, that axons stop by forming synapses at the DREZ.
Ion-Beam Assist Nano-Texturing of Films

We present an ion-beam based fabrication method for growth of single-crystal-like films that does not utilize epitaxy on single crystal substrates. We use ion-beam assisted texturing to obtain biaxial crystalline alignment in a film. This ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD) texturing can be done on arbitrary, but smooth substrates, including flexible polycrystalline metal tapes. With IBAD texturing of MgO and subsequent homoepitaxial growth we have demonstrated an in-plane mosaic spread FWHM as low as 2° and out-of-plane alignment of 1°. The deposition system we use includes reel-to-reel tape transport for a linear transport of substrate materials through the deposition zones. This allows for high-throughput experimentation via a linear combinatorial experimental design.
Correct short time propagator for Feynman path integration by power series expansion in Δt

Abstract The most commonly used short time propagator in a discretized Feynman path integral (and also several more sophisticated “improved” ones) is not correct through first order in the time increment Δ t . The correct result for the phase (i.e. the action) of the short time propagator is developed in this paper as a power series in Δ t , explicit expressions being given for the terms of order Δ t −1 , Δ t , and Δ t 3 . Test applications to the standard harmonic oscillator and also to a double well potential (typical for intramolecular H-atom transfer) show the first-order propagator (i.e. the correct result through order Δ t ) to be a significant improvement over previous ones; inclusion of the third-order term gives considerable additional improvement (i.e. faster convergence).
Cardiac Transplant Vasculopathy

Study objective: Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains the major factor limiting long-term survival after heart transplantation. The purpose of this article is to review for the nontransplant physician the concept of CAV as a disease entity after heart transplantation. Design: A MEDLINE search from 1985 to 1999 was performed. Data on cardiac transplant vasculopathy were divided into pathology, pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Results: CAV manifests as a unique and unusually aggressive form of coronary artery disease that differs from traditional atherosclerosis. It is believed to be caused by immunologic mechanisms that combine with nonimmunologic factors to cause endothelial injury, resulting in smooth muscle proliferation and intimal thickening. This intimal hyperplasia leads to coronary obstruction, which ultimately results in allograft failure. Diagnosis of CAV can be difficult because transplant recipients have denervated hearts and rarely present with chest pain. Various noninvasive screening methods have not proved reliable. Therefore, most transplant centers perform periodic coronary angiography for routine CAV surveillance. Treatment of CAV involves modification of risk factors and the use of pharmacologic agents that alter vascular physiology. Revascularization procedures continue to play a role as palliative therapy, but are limited in their effectiveness by the diffuse nature of this disease. Conclusion: Cardiac transplant vasculopathy continues to play a major dilemma regarding posttransplant care. Further research is needed to develop successful preventive and therapeutic strategies that may alter the course of this disease. (CHEST 2000; 118:1792‐1800)
Desegregating HRM: A Review and Synthesis of Micro and Macro Human Resource Management Research

Since the early 1980s the field of HRM has seen the independent evolution of two independent subfields (strategic and functional), which we believe is dysfunctional to the field as a whole. We propose a typology of HRM research based on two dimensions: level of analysis (individual/group or organization) and number of practices (single or multiple). We use this framework to review the recent research in each of the four subareas. We argue that while significant progress has been made within each area, the potential for greater gains exists by looking across each area. Toward this end we suggest some future research directions based on a more integrative view of HRM. We believe that both areas can contribute significantly to each other resulting in a more profound impact on the field of HRM than each can contribute independently.
Intravascular extension of an osteosarcoma of the pubic bone into periprostatic venous plexus

Pelvic osteosarcomas are uncommon but aggressive tumors that can invade the vascular system. We report a case of a 33-year-old man who presented with groin pain and was found to have a chondroblastic osteosarcoma invading the periprostatic venous plexus. Meticulous intraoperative exploration of the pelvis is necessary in such cases to resect tumor completely, thereby maximizing local control and preventing embolic complications.
DDE increases the toxicity of parathion to coturnix quail

Abstract Adult male Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix ) were exposed to DDE or chlordane in the diet and subsequently dosed with parathion or paraoxon. Pretreatment with 5 or 50 ppm DDE in the diet for 12 weeks resulted in increased cholinesterase (ChE) activity in plasma, but not in the brain. Dietary concentrations of 5 and 50 ppm DDE caused increased susceptibility of quail that were challenged with parathion or paraoxon. The increased mortality resulting from DDE pretreatment was reflected in brain ChE inhibition. The synergistic action of DDE was apparent after 3 days of exposure to 50 ppm DDE and 1 week of exposure to 5 ppm DDE. Birds exposed for 3 weeks to 5 or 50 ppm DDE retained their DDE-potentiated sensitivity to parathion after 2 weeks on clean diet. Chlordane pretreatment resulted in decreased susceptibility (antagonism) to parathion, but not to paraoxon dosage. Implications of differing responses in ChE and mortality among controls, DDE-, and chlordane-pretreated birds after parathion or paraoxon dosage are discussed.
RHEOLOGICAL AND MIST IGNITION PROPERTIES OF DILUTE POLYMER SOLUTIONS

Abstract A spinning disc atomizer has been used to characterize the mist flammability of Jet A and diesel fuels that contain high molecular weight polymers. The critical disc velocity required to produce significant flame propagation was shown to depend on polymer concentration, molecular weight, solvent viscosity, and polymer degradation. The viscoelastic properties of these same polymer solutions have been characterized by a maximum Darcy viscosity measured from flow in packed tubes. For the polymers discussed in this paper, the maximum Darcy viscosity was independent of the bead size or tube length; however, it was strongly affected by the same variables that affected mist flammability; i.e., polymer concentration, molecular weight, solvent viscosity, and polymer degradation. The critical ignition velocity of dilute polymer solutions is shown to depend on the Darcy viscosity in a similar manner as observed for viscous oils. At low viscosities, the ignition velocity is only slightly affected, but the de...
Plasma membrane appearance of phosphatidylethanolamine in stimulated macrophages.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages were labeled with (1-3H)ethanolamine, and the presence of radioactive (3H)phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) at the plasma membrane was monitored by reacting the cells with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) under nonpenetrating conditions. Macrophages stimulated with either the calcium ionophore A23187 or zymosan demonstrated a larger proportion of radiolabeled PE in the plasma membrane than control, nonstimulated cells. In experiments in which macrophages were labeled with ethanolamine for increasing times, appearance of membrane 3(H)PE was stimulated as early as after 2 hr of labeling. Macrophages labeled for 24 hr, then stimulated and returned to fresh medium still reflected a higher amount of membrane 3(H)PE at 2 hr after the stimulation, suggesting stimulation results in long-term alterations in plasma membrane lipids. Protease-peptone-elicited macrophages, which are not stimulated by zymosan or ionophore, did not exhibit an increase in membrane 3(H)PE upon stimulation. The size of the TNBS-accessible radiolabeled PE pool increased proportionately with a second stimulation; however, a subsequent labeling of the cells with TNBS after brief warming increased the TNBS-accessible pool in control cells only. As shown in previous studies, macrophage stimulation resulted in an increased incorporation of lipid precursors into phospholipid. The mass of plasma membrane Tnp-PE relative to mass ofmore » PE was not increased in ionophore-treated macrophages in contrast to a small (approximately 22%) increase in zymosan-treated cells. These results are suggestive of alterations in lipid synthesis in stimulated macrophages and possible long-term changes in the structure and function of the plasma membrane of macrophages following stimulation.« less
High-speed InP/InGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors

Very-high-performance common-emitter InP/InGaAs single heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) grown by metalorganic molecular beam epitaxy (MOMBE) are reported. They exhibit a maximum oscillation frequency (f/sub T/) of 180 GHz at a current density of 1*10/sup 5/ A/cm/sup 2/. this corresponds to an (R/sub B/C/sub BC/)/sub eff/=f/sub T//(8 pi f/sup 2//sub max/) delay time of 0.12 ps, which is the smallest value every reported for common-emitter InP/InGaAs HBTs. The devices have 11 mu m/sup 2/ total emitter area and exhibit current gain values up to 100 at zero base-collector bias voltage. The breakdown voltage of these devices is high with measured BV/sub CEO/ and BV/sub CEO/ of 8 and 17 V, respectively. >