cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demand for Medigap insurance by the elderly: a micro-simulation analysis

In this paper, a micro-simulation model is developed to explain and estimate the optimum Medigap insurance coverage for elderly with different levels of insurance premium subsidy. The Medigap risk exposure is estimated from the 1977 National Medical Care Expenditure Utilization Survey, utilizing the gamma distribution. The theory of expected utility maximization is assumed and the model for health insurance demand is operationalized for hypothetical parameters for risk aversion, the price elasticity of demand, the loading fee and the subsidy. With the risk-aversion parameter at 0.0005, the price elasticity of medical-care demand at –0.5, loading costs at 9%, without any subsidy, the optimal Medigap coinsurance rate is 0.78; and with a premium subsidy of 60%, the co-insurance rate falls to 12%. The hypothetical price elasticity of demand for Medigap insurance is estimated to be between –0.44 and –1.02. More than half of the increase in medical expenditure resulting from an increase in premium subsidy from ...
High-dose chemo/radiotherapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation for poor-risk advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease during first partial or complete remission.

Abstract Complete remission rates of 70-90% can be achieved following combination chemotherapy for patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease (HD). Patients who present with unfavorable poor prognostic factors, however, have a 5-year disease-free survival of only 40-50%. In an attempt to improve the prognosis of 20 patients with poor-risk advanced-stage HD, we evaluated the role of early high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous bone marrow/stem cell transplantation (ASCT) during the first complete or partial remission (CR/PR). Patients were eligible for ASCT if they either achieved a PR (defined as > 50% regression) (six patients), or achieved a CR (14 patients) but had presented with three or more of the following unfavorable features: stage IV disease with bone marrow involvement or > or = 2 extranodal sites of involvement; bulky mass > 10 cm or bulky mediastinal mass > 1/3 of mediastina/thoracic ratio; B symptoms; and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. The study included 11 men (55%) and 9 women (45%). The median age was 37 years (range 20-57). Seventeen patients (85%) had stage IV disease; 14 (70%) had B symptoms; 13 (65%) had bulky mass > 10 cm; 14 (70%) had > or = 2 extra nodal sites involvement; and eight patients (40%) had elevated LDH levels. All patients were treated with standard four or 7-8 drug combination chemotherapy regimens until they achieved maximal response prior to ASCT with a median of six cycles (range 4-11). Six patients also received involved field radiotherapy to residual bulky mass > 5 cm or bony lesions before ASCT. The median time from diagnosis to ASCT was 8.6 months (range 5.5-18.9). Preparative regimens consisted of fractionated total body irradiation (FTBI) 1200 cGy in combination with etoposide 60 mg/kg and cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg in all patients except one who had borderline pulmonary function and received lomustine 15 mg/kg instead of FTBI. All patients engrafted and there was no transplant-related mortality. One patient developed congestive cardiomyopathy at 4 years post-ASCT. All patients remain alive and in remission at a median follow-up of 42.8 months (range, 13.2-149.2). These preliminary results suggest that HDT and ASCT can be performed safely during first CR/PR in selected patients with advanced-stage HD who have an unfavorable prognosis. Further randomized studies comparing HDT and ASCT during first CR with conventional chemotherapy and ASCT at relapse in poor-risk advanced-stage HD should be conducted. The prognostic factors and risk groups described recently by an international prognostic study can be used to identify high-risk patients who may be candidates for more intensive therapy. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 1999;5(5):292-8.
Parathyroid carcinoma. A study of 70 cases

Seventy cases of carcinoma of the parathyroid collected over a 40-year period are analyzed. The average age of the patients was 44.3 years, and there was no sex predominance. The most common presenting signs and symptoms were bone disease, a palpable neck mass, and renal stones. The initial serum calcium value averaged 15.2 mg/100 ml. The most important histologic features were mitoses and fibrous bands. Local recurrence occurred in 30% of the cases. Metastatic spread, which occurred in 30% of the cases, was usually late and to regional lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and bone. Less than half the patients died of the disease within 5 years.
Role of convection in redistributing formaldehyde to the upper troposphere over North America and the North Atlantic during the summer 2004 INTEX campaign

Measurements of CH2O from a tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDLAS) were acquired onboard the NASA DC-8 during the summer 2004 INTEX-NA (Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment - North America) campaign to test our understanding of convection and production mechanisms in the upper troposphere (UT, 6-12-km) over continental North America and the North Atlantic Ocean. Point-by-point comparisons with box model calculations, when MHP (CH3OOH) measurements were available for model constraint, resulted in a median CH2O measurement/model ratio of 0.91 in the UT. Multiple tracers were used to arrive at a set of UT CH2O background and perturbed air mass periods, and 46% of the TDLAS measurements fell within the latter category. At least 66% to 73% of these elevated UT observations were caused by enhanced production from CH2O precursors rather than direct transport of CH2O from the boundary layer. This distinction is important, since the effects from the former can last for over a week or more compared to one day or less in the case of convective transport of CH2O itself. In general, production of CH2O from CH4 was found to be the dominant source term, even in perturbed air masses. This was followed by production from MHP, methanol, PAN type compounds, and ketones, in descending order of their contribution. In the presence of elevated NO from lightning and potentially from the stratosphere, there was a definite trend in the CH2O discrepancy, which for the highest NO mixing ratios produced a median CH2O measurement/model ratio of 3.9 in the 10-12-km range. Discrepancies in CH2O and HO2 in the UT with NO were highly correlated and this provided further information as to the possible mechanism(s) responsible. These discrepancies with NO are consistent with additional production sources of both gases involving CH3O2 + NO reactions, most likely caused by unmeasured hydrocarbons.
IBM computer usability satisfaction questionnaires: psychometric evaluation and instructions for use

This article describes recent research in subjective usability measurement at IBM, focused on evaluating the psychometric properties of questionnaires designed for use in scenario‐based usability evaluation. The questionnaires address evaluation at both a global overall system level and at a more detailed scenario level. The primary goals of this article are to (a) discuss the psychometric characteristics of IBM questionnaires that measure user satisfaction with computer system usability, and (b) provide the questionnaires, with administration and scoring instructions. For scenario‐level measurement, the 3‐item After‐Scenario Questionnaire (ASQ) has excellent internal consistency, with coefficient alphas across a set of scenarios ranging from .90 to .96. For more global assessment, the Post‐Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) also has excellent internal consistency, with an overall coefficient alpha of .97. Preliminary principal factor analysis of 48 PSSUQ questionnaires suggested the presence of...
Partitioning and Transport of 210Pb in Lake Michigan

The efficiency of removal of particle associated metals in the water column is dependent on the extent of partitioning with the solid phase and particle fluxes. In order to determine what biogeochemical factors control particle-mediated transport of reactive metals in Lake Michigan, 210Pb activities in dissolved and size-fractioned particulate phases were examined as a function of season and depth at an offshore station. Suspended particles were collected using a large-volume centrifugation system, while settling particles were collected with sedimentation traps. Hypolimnetic 210Pb distribution coefficients (Kas) calculated for suspended material collected April–December 1982 vary by less than a factor of six. Higher variability occurs for log Kd values of the 111–21 μm fraction (4.8–6.0), while the finer particles (6–1 μm), making up a larger contribution to the total mass, have log Kd values that are less variable and higher in magnitude (6.1–6.7). In the epilimnion, log Kd ranges are similar to those of the hypolimnion, except during A ugust. During this period of calcite precipitation, Kd values are one and two orders of magnitude greater at 10 m than at deeper depths for the 6–1 (μm and 111–21 μm fractions, respectively. Partitioning of 210Pb to 6–1 μm particles in trapped material is similar to that of their suspended counterpart; trapped 111–21 μm particles have higher Kd values than suspended 111–21 μm particles. The particle size relationship of 210Pb activity measured in trapped material indicates that the processing and packaging of 210Pb-associated particles by zoo-plankton results in enriched activities in the larger fecal material. Despite changes in the composition and morphology of sedimenting particles, the total mass distribution coefficients of 210Pb remain fairly constant, varying by less than a factor of six. The major factor influencing the seasonal variability of 210Pb removal is the particulate mass flux
SPIRAL DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS IN THE STEM AND INFLORESCENCE OF LILIUM TIGRINUM

A B S T R A C T Extensive correlations in spirality were observed among vegetative and floral organs in Lilium tigrinum Ker. Organs involved were vegetative leaves, bracts, and bracteoles. These correlations varied in their degree of constancy depending upon the organs involved. The mature inflorescences of L. tigrinum appeared to fit the common definition of a raceme. In 67.3%o of t.he flowers at node 3 on the raceme, the bract-bracteole spirals reversed the spiral of vegetative leaves on the stem. These reversals resembled those observed on essentially eymose inflorescences of certain members of the Caryophyllaceae. Cymose branching was found to be an invariable feature of the inflorescence of L. tigrinum when secondary flowers appear. The apparentlv indeterminate tips of inflorescence main axes were interpreted as exhibiting stages in progression from a basically determinate (cymose) inflorescence. It was concluided that the ancestors of L. tigrinum had welldeveloped cymose branching patterns in the inflorescence. Reversal of stem spirals by the bractbracteole spirals at the apices of many inflorescences was considered to be the resuilt of complete uitilization of the inflorescence meristem. Explanations for those reversals were provided by the field theory and by the theory of the first available space.
Neuropsychological tests' norms above age 55: COWAT, BNT, MAE token, WRAT-R reading, AMNART, STROOP, TMT, and JLO

Abstract Age- (> 55 years) and education-based norms are presented for eight neuropsychological tests: COWAT, BNT, MAE Token, WRAT-R Reading, AMNART, STROOP, TMT, and JLO. These data were obtained via several research projects that are known collectively as Mayo's Older Americans Normative Studies (MOANS). While this normative information should prove useful for each test, the fact that these norms were simultaneously obtained from the same reference group should promote accuracy in the comparison of any person's performance on one test against his or her functioning on any other tests with MOANS norms. Finally, the unique features of this MOANS sample are reviewed. These features must be kept in mind when these norms are applied in any specific clinical or research setting.
The effects of sexual abuse as a child on the risk of mothers physically abusing their children: A path analysis using systems theory

Abstract Objective The potential path from sexual abuse as a child to the current risk of physical abuse by mothers was assessed. Ontogenic variables including the experience of the parent's sexual abuse as a child and current depression or substance abuse were expected to have a greater impact on the risk of child abuse than microsystem and exosystem variables such as family functioning, domestic violence, income, community safety, and social support. Method A path analysis using secondary data was conducted to examine these systemic impacts. The sample consisted of 265 women, the majority of whom were African-American with a high school education or GED. The majority of these women were employed, lower socio-economic status, and over 50% of the sample had never been married. Results Sexual abuse as a child was found to impact maternal depression. Maternal depression and locus of control impacted risk of physical abuse. These two variables accounted for 22% of the variance in the dependent variable. Conclusion These findings indicate that it may not be the experience of sexual abuse itself that has an impact on a mother's risk of physical abuse, but rather whether she is able to resolve that trauma. Her locus of control appears to be important in this resolution. The majority of these women were low-income, urban African-American women; it may be important to focus on locus of control for this population.
Some genetic traits in Solomon island populations. I. Introduction: people and habitats.

To introduce a set of genetic studies among Solomon Islanders, four tribal groups on Bougainville and Malaita Islands are described. They were observed in 1966 and 1968 by social anthropologists and biomedical scientists from Harvard University. The groups varied in habitat and way of life from fishermen living on artificial islets in a saltwater lagoon (the Lau, on Malaita) to shifting agriculturists (the Nasioi, on Bougainville, and the Kwaio and Baegu, on Malaita). The Nasioi were darker than the Malaitans and spoke a non-Austronesian rather than a Melanesian language; they were also more Westernized. Coverage of residents in designated hamlets ranged from 78% to over 95%. In all, 1,626 persons were studied: 256 Nasioi, 443 Kwaio, 442 Lau, and 485 Baegu. Genetic differences have been found between the Nasioi and the Malaitans, and between the Lau and the other Malaitans.
A methodology to evaluate the aging impact on flip-flops performance

The impact of aging effects, in terms of circuit performance and reliability, is one of the new recent challenges in VLSI design targeting the most advanced CMOS technologies. This work proposes an effective methodology to aging analysis in flip-flops. The estimation method proposed previously for combinational logic gates is exploited and improved herein to address such sequential gates. Three different conventional static flip-flops have been used as case studies to demonstrate and validate the proposed methodology.
External Shocks and Inflation in Developing Countries Under a Real Exchange Rate Rule

This paper shows that the response of inflation to external shocks is very different when the authorities target the real exchange rate than when they follow a fixed exchange rate or a preannounced crawling peg. Specifically, shocks that would have no effect on the steady-state inflation rate under a fixed exchange rate are either inflationary or deflationary under a real exchange rate rule. Moreover, irrespective of the degree of capital mobility, the authorities will find it difficult to mitigate the destabilizing effects of real shocks on the price level by using monetary policy, except possibly in the very short run.
Evaluation of Local Preparedness for Influenza Pandemic in Taiwan

Background: Asia countries have been most affected by H5N1 influenza since 2003, and would be possibly the first to face the next pandemic. Taiwan, situated in Asia, has formulated the strategic plan for pandemic influenza. But according to SARS experience, the implementation of the local governments will be the crucial element. Methods: Twenty-five local governments were asked to complete their preparedness and response plan by 2004. In 2005, we evaluated those plans with 4 indicators, including cross-sectoral coordination, surveillance, medical resources mobilization, and personal protective equipments (PPE) management. In 2006, an exercise assuming a cluster of H5N1 cases occurred in their prefectures was conducted to examine their implementations. An expert committee was organized to observe the performances Results: The average score of evaluation was 78%. The governments in central area got highest scores which seems to be consistent with their performance during SARS outbreak wherein the impact were minimized. All scored high in cross-sectoral coordination. 92% of them were familiar with surveillance system. Although the Material Information System controls the stockpile and usage of PPE was developed after SARS epidemic, only 56% could utilize efficiently. The major gap was in medical resource mobilization. Only 52% local governments could totally grasp the healthcare workers, ambulances, medical equipments, alternative medical facilities and funeral capacity. Fourteen governments attended the exercise all could run the mechanism smoothly and conduct early containment, but outsourcing was needed for larger clusters. Conclusion: Most local governments in Taiwan had included essential elements in their plans, but the executive and technical procedures have to be further practiced and promoted continually. Evaluation, exercise and then comparison among peers can facilitate the revision of the plans and better practice. We conclude that these processes are valid to improve the overall preparedness.
O—H Absorption in Chelate Compounds

IT is well known that many benzenoid compounds containing a COOH- or OH-group ortho to another group capable of forming an internal hydrogen bond do not exhibit the normal OH-band found in simple unassociated hydroxylic bodies. The nature of the OH-absorption in intramolecularly bonded substances has never been clearly demonstrated, although some isolated examples of interest have been given1–5. It is the purpose of the present communication to provide general ideas regarding the OH-absorption of some chelate bodies, based on new data, and also to point out a certain similarity with the double COOH- ring found in associated acids.
Subdural empyema secondary to odontogenic masticator space abscess: detection by indium-111-labeled white cell scan

Subdural empyema (SDE) is an extremely rare but serious complication of dental infection. A case is presented in which dental infection was complicated by a masticator space abscess and eventually led to a SDE. This report illustrates a rare sequence of events leading to SDE and its serendipitous detection by indium-111-labeled leucocyte scan.
Use of Sonar in Harbor defense and amphibious landing operations

During World War II, harbors were guarded against sneak attacks by enemy submarines by a device known as Herald. To install, operate, and maintain equipment sufficiently simple for use at frontier bases required considerable development, including such engineering problems as submerged installations, remote controls, and operating adjustments. Ultrasonic devices also were developed, for use in establishing beachheads under darkness, each unit of which contained its own power device and method of self-destruction.
Quantum statistics of the decay of a Raman soliton.

Recent studies of soliton formation in a Raman amplifier by a \ensuremath{\pi} phase shift have shown that the soliton will decay if the input Stokes beam is off resonance. Initial experiments indicated that this soliton decay is related to frequency shifts of the input Stokes beam that result from quantum fluctuations. In this paper we use the quantum statistics of the Raman spectral fluctuations to compare the predicted decay statistics of the soliton decay with the experimentally measured distribution. We find that, as conjectured, the soliton decay is directly related to the statistics of the initiating quantum fluctuations.
Hyperdiploidy including trisomy 8 in a cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma

Cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma (CPDN), a rare, cystic, renal lesion of childhood, has not been previously karyotyped. It is distinguished histologically from multilocular renal cyst by the presence of blastemal cells, and from Wilms' tumor by lack of expansile, solid growth and by indolent clinical behavior. In the present case, ten of 20 analyzed cells from a 3-week culture obtained from the tumor had a clonal, hyperdiploid karyotype. The modal chromosome number was 51, with chromosomes 8, 12, 17, 19, and 20 usually being present in three copies. Trisomy 8 was present in every hyperdiploid cell examined. A normal 46,XY constitutional karyotype was also observed. In degree and significance, the hyperdiploidy of CPDN is thus distinct from that reported in the prognostically unfavorable, anaplastic Wilms' tumor, where the DNA index is typically near-tetraploid. Trisomy 8, as a constitutional mosaicism, has been previously reported in children with bilateral CPDN and/or undifferentiated sarcomas, although none of their tumors were karyotyped. The present findings support a neoplastic nature for CPDN, while emphasizing its pathogenetic distinctiveness from Wilms' tumor, and provide further evidence for significance of trisomy 8 in the pathobiology of this tumor.
Labeling of creatine phosphokinase without loss of enzyme activity

Summary Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) loses enzyme activity after direct iodination by the chloramine-T, thallic trichloride and lactoperoxidase methods. Radioiodination of CPK without loss of enzyme activity can be achieved by Bolton-Hunter reagent which conjugates at the N-terminal or ɛ-lysyl NH2 group of the protein.
A kinetic and isotope effect investigation of the urease-catalyzed hydrolysis of hydroxyurea.

The urease-catalyzed hydrolysis of hydroxyurea is known to exhibit biphasic kinetics, showing a rapid burst phase followed by a slow plateau phase. Kinetic isotope effects for both phases of this reaction were measured at pH 6.0 and 25 °C. The observed nitrogen isotope effects for the ammonia leaving group [15(V/K)NH3] were 1.0016 ± 0.0005 during the burst phase and 1.0019 ± 0.0007 during the plateau phase, while those for the hydroxylamine leaving group [15(V/K)NH2OH] were 1.0013 ± 0.0005 for the burst phase and 1.0022 ± 0.0003 for the plateau phase. These isotope effects are consistent with a rate-determining step that occurs prior to breaking either of the two possible C−N bonds. The observed carbonyl carbon isotope effects [13(V/K)] were 1.0135 ± 0.0003 during the burst phase and 1.0178 ± 0.0003 during the plateau phase. The similarity of the magnitude of the carbon isotope effects argues for formation of a common intermediate during both phases.
Advances in pattern formation: Signaling and transcription.

Key Words: Wingless, Pair-Rule, FGF, Regeneration, Extracellular Matrix The 49th annual Drosophila research conference was held in the sunny confines of San Diego. As usual, large numbers of Drosophila scientists working in fields as different as immunology and evolution descended on the venue. The meeting showed that the fly community is still vibrant and diverse even with the funding crunch at the NIH and the renewed rumors that Drosophila may have outlived its usefulness. This short review will focus on one session of platform presentations detailing the recent advances in the field of pattern formation. This session offered a variety of topics reviewing the formation of pattern in various tissues through diverse mechanisms. I will focus on early embryonic patterning through pair-rule genes, specificity of FGF signaling, and tissue regeneration.
Formal verification of PowerPC arrays using symbolic trajectory evaluation

Verifying memory arrays such as on-chip caches and register files is a difficult part of designing a microprocessor. Current tools cannot verify the equivalence of the arrays to their behavioral or RTL models, nor their correct functioning at the transistor level. It is infeasible to run the number of simulation cycles required, and most formal verification tools break down due to the enormous number of state-holding elements in the arrays. The formal method of symbolic trajectory evaluation (STE) appears to offer a solution, however, STE verifies that a circuit satisfies a formula in a carefully restricted temporal logic. For arrays, it requires only a number of variables approximately logarithmic in the number of memory locations. The circuit is modeled at the switch level, so the verification is done on the actual design. We have used STE to verify two arrays from PowerPC microprocessors: a register file, and a data cache tag unit. The tag unit contains over 12,000 latches. We believe it is the largest circuit to have been formally verified, without abstracting away significant detail, in the industry. We also describe an automated technique for identifying state-holding elements in the arrays, a technique which should greatly assist the widespread application of STE.
Dextran Localization and Retention in Normal and X-Ray Irradiated Rabbits*

Intravenous saline or dextran had no influence upon the effects produced by 500 r acute whole body x-irradiation in rabbits. The irradiation caused a post-irradiation shock-like syndrome in rabbits and minor histopathological changes in the liver. Neither saline nor dextran affected the fatal termination of the syndrome. In rabbits, 500 r x-irradiation was not a noxious stress of sufficient magnitude to impair metabolic or excretory functions of organs and alter dextran storage in tissues examined sixty days later. When examined sixty days post-irradiation, there was no significant difference in tissue storage or distribution of dextran between irradiated and nonirradiated animals. The intensity of dextran storage within rabbit organs was directly proportional to dosage and inversely proportional to the time after injection in those organs examined prior to the sixty day sacrifice interval. Irradiation did not affect storage either qualitatively or quantitatively.
Earthquake spectra and near-source attenuation in the Cascadia subduction zone

f � 1 for slow events and as f � 2 for fast earthquakes. We show that at least in Cascadia, wave propagation effects likely control spectral decay rates above � 2 Hz. We use seismograms from multiple small-aperture arrays to estimate the spectral decay rates of near-source spectra of 37 small ‘events’ and find strong correlation between source location and decay rate. The decay rates (1) vary overall by an amount in excess of that inferred to distinguish slow sources from fast earthquakes, (2) are indistinguishable for sources separated by a few tens of km or less, and (3) separate into two populations that correlate with propagation through and outside a low-velocity zone imaged tomographically. We find that some events repeat, as is characteristic of low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs), but have spectra similar to those of non-repeating earthquakes. We also find no correlation between spectral decay rates and rates of ambient tremor activity. These results suggest that earthquakes near the plate boundary, at least in Cascadia, do not distinctly separate into ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ classes, and correctly accounting for propagation effects is necessary to characterize sources.
Plasma membrane regeneration and membrane dynamics of the myxomyceteBadhamia utricularis: Colloidal gold uptake and cytochemical staining studies

Plasmodia of the myxomyceteBadhamia utricularis were allowed to incorporate colloidal gold particles for varying periods of time. After fixation and sectioning they were examined by transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the intracellular position of the uptake marker. Some sections were treated with phosphotungstic acid-chromic acid which stained the plasma membrane, as well as vesicular, secondary lysosomal, and autolysosomal membranes. Some plasmodia that had taken up gold particles were injured, and sections of the resulting cytoplasmic droplets were examined to determine the involvement of various membrane bound compartments in the process of plasma membrane regeneration. Endocytotic vesicles and secondary lysosomes were found to be the major identifiable contributors to the new plasma membrane, which was stained by the phosphotungstic acid-chromic acid procedure. The internal vacuolar spaces of cytoplasmic droplets were shown to be bounded by phosphotungstic acid-chromic acid positive membranes that appeared to be formed in the same manner as the new plasma membrane.
Benzene C−H Bond Activation in Carboxylic Acids Catalyzed by O-Donor Iridium(III) Complexes: An Experimental and Density Functional Study

The mechanism of benzene C−H bond activation by [Ir(μ-acac-O,O,C^3)(acac-O,O)(OAc)]_2 (4) and [Ir(μ-acac-O,O,C^3)(acac-O,O)(TFA)]_2 (5) complexes (acac = acetylacetonato, OAc = acetate, and TFA = trifluoroacetate) was studied experimentally and theoretically. Hydrogen−deuterium (H/D) exchange between benzene and CD_(3)COOD solvent catalyzed by 4 (ΔH^‡ = 28.3 ± 1.1 kcal/mol, ΔS^‡ = 3.9 ± 3.0 cal K^(−1) mol^(−1)) results in a monotonic increase of all benzene isotopologues, suggesting that once benzene coordinates to the iridium center, there are multiple H/D exchange events prior to benzene dissociation. B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that this benzene isotopologue pattern is due to a rate-determining step that involves acetate ligand dissociation and benzene coordination, which is then followed by heterolytic C−H bond cleavage to generate an iridium-phenyl intermediate. A synthesized iridium-phenyl intermediate was also shown to be competent for H/D exchange, giving similar rates to the proposed catalytic systems. This mechanism nicely explains why hydroarylation between benzene and alkenes is suppressed in the presence of acetic acid when catalyzed by [Ir(μ-acac-O,O,C^3)(acac-O,O)(acac-C^3)]_2 (3) (Matsumoto et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 7414). Benzene H/D exchange in CF_(3)COOD solvent catalyzed by 5 (ΔH^‡ = 15.3 ± 3.5 kcal/mol, ΔS^‡ = −30.0 ± 5.1 cal K^(−1) mol^(−1)) results in significantly elevated H/D exchange rates and the formation of only a single benzene isotopologue, (C_(6)H_(5)D). DFT calculations show that this is due to a change in the rate-determining step. Now equilibrium between coordinated and uncoordinated benzene precedes a single rate-determining heterolytic C−H bond cleavage step.
Sol-gel-derived alumina-supported copper oxide sorbent for flue gas desulfurization

Nanostructed mesoporous CuO/γ-Al2O3 granular sorbents were prepared by the sol−gel method. Performance of the sol−gel-derived CuO/γ-Al2O3 sorbents for SO2 removal was studied in a fixed-bed adsorption system. SO2 breakthrough curves with a feed stream of air containing 2000 ppm SO2 were measured at different temperatures (300−500 °C) and flow rates (interstitial velocity of 0.25−6.96 cm/s). The optimum sulfation and regeneration temperature on the sol−gel-derived sorbent was found to be 400 °C. The properties of the sol−gel-derived sorbents are compared with a similar sorbent from a commercial source used in the pilot-scale copper oxide flue gas desulfurization process. At high temperatures (>400 °C) the sol−gel-derived CuO sorbents exhibit catalytic properties for converting SO2 to SO3. The crush strength of the sol−gel-derived sorbents is about 5 times that of the commercial sample, while the attrition rate of the former is about 4−10 times smaller than the latter. The SO2 sorption capacity of the sol−g...
A media player causes clinically significant telemetry interference with implantable loop recorders.

The implantable loop recorder is a useful diagnostic tool for intermittent cardiovascular symptoms because it can automatically record arrhythmias as well as a patient-triggered ECG. Media players have been shown to cause telemetry interference with pacemakers. Telemetry interference may be important in patients with implantable loop recorders because capturing a patient-triggered ECG requires a telemetry link between a hand-held activator and the implanted device. The purpose of this study was to determine if a media player causes interference with implantable loop recorders. Fourteen patients with implantable loop recorders underwent evaluation for interference with a 15 GB third generation iPodTM (Apple, Inc.) media player. All patients had the Reveal PlusTM (Medtronic, Inc.) implantable loop recorder. We tested for telemetry interference on the programmer by first establishing a telemetry link with the loop recorder and then, the media player was placed next to it, first turned off and then, on. We evaluated for telemetry interference between the activator and the implanted device by placing the activator over the device (normal use) and the media player next to it, first turned off and then, on. We made 5 attempts to capture a patient-triggered ECG by depressing the activator switch 5 times while the media player was off or on. Telemetry interference on the programmer screen, consisting of either high frequency spikes or blanking of the ECG channel was seen in all patients. Telemetry interference with the activator resulted in failure to capture an event in 7 patients. In one of these patients, a green indicator light on the activator suggested that a patient-triggered event was captured, but loop recorder interrogation did not show a captured event. In the remaining 7 patients, an event was captured and appropriately recognized by the device at least 1 out of 5 times. A media player playing in close proximity to an implanted loop recorder may interfere with capture of a patient-triggered event. Patients should be advised to keep media players away from their implanted loop reorder.
Timing multimodal turn-taking for human-robot cooperation

In human cooperation, the concurrent usage of multiple social modalities such as speech, gesture, and gaze results in robust and efficient communicative acts. Such multimodality in combination with reciprocal intentions supports fluent turn-taking. I hypothesize that human-robot turn-taking can be made more fluent through appropriate timing of multimodal actions. Managing timing includes understanding the impact that timing can have on interactions as well as having a control system that supports the manipulation of such timing. To this end, I propose to develop a computational turn-taking model of the timing and information flow of reciprocal interactions. I also propose to develop an architecture based on the timed Petri net (TPN) for the generation of coordinated multimodal behavior, inside of which the turn-taking model will regulate turn timing and action initiation and interruption in order to seize and yield control. Through user studies in multiple domains, I intend to demonstrate the system's generality and evaluate the system on balance of control, fluency, and task effectiveness.
Cyclic diaryliodonium ions: old mysteries solved andnew applications envisaged

For a long time the unusually poor reactivity of cyclic diaryliodonium ions toward nucleophiles remained a mystery. Only very recently has a solution to this puzzle been found, shedding light on the mechanism of aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions of iodonium salts. This article provides an overview of the most important current advances in the field, both theoretical and practical.
Life cycle inventory of HDPE bottle‐based liquid milk packaging systems

This study aims at providing a relatively straightforward methodology to serve as a decision-making tool when more than one packaging solution could be available to a user. It involves a life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis and comparison of three currently available 3.79 l (1 gallon) packaging systems for liquid milk. Two of the primary container types studied use reusable plastic crates (RPCs) for stacking and shipping, while the third type is a heavier duty container that does not require secondary shipping containers. The three primary containers studied are identified as original, cube and stackable throughout this paper. The study shows that the use of RPCs for controlled environment distribution reduces the material requirements of the primary containers and therefore reduces the overall CO2 emissions. It was also found that though the transportation-related emissions varied between the packaging systems for the two end-of-life scenarios considered, it had the lowest overall effect on the CO2 emissions and use of energy. The study concludes that transportation weight limits must be considered as a limiting factor in package design for liquid products, as trailers ‘weigh out’ before they ‘cube out.’ As related to the LCI impacts, this study found that the original and cube container-based packaging systems have better overall per functional unit performance in comparison with the stackable design. It was also noted that scorecards based on the Wal-Mart format do not accurately define the environmental impacts posed by packaging systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Least Bittern Nesting Sites at Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

Relatively little is known about Ixobrychus exilis (Least Bittern) nesting sites. We searched for Least Bittern nests on Reelfoot Lake and nearby Black Bayou Waterfowl Refuge, TN, May-July 2003. We located 8 nests at Reelfoot Lake, where Decodon verticillatus (swamp loosestrife) dominated emergent communities. We also discovered 2 nests at Black Bayou, where Zizaniopsis miliacea (giant cutgrass) dominated emergent communities. D. verticillatus was the dominant plant species within 60 m of most nests. Z. miliacea dominated within 5 m of most nests, and most nests were made of Z. miliacea. We found a nest with 2 white-colored chicks and 2 ochre-colored chicks, which may be the first such instance reported.
Immunogenicity and infectivity of sporozoites of mammalian malaria isolated by density-gradient centrifugation.

SYNOPSIS Sporozoites of rodent and simian malaria (Plasmodium berghei and P. cynomolgi) were purified by centrifugation on a linear Renografin/BSA gradient. This procedure made it possible to process rapidly a large number of infected mosquitoes leading to the recovery of a considerable proportion of sporozoites. Gradient-recovered sporozoites (GRS) freed of most bacteria and mosquito tissue contaminants, retained their infectivity and immunogenicity. Mice repeatedly injected i.v. with irradiated GRS of P. berghei acquired total protection against an otherwise lethal sporozoite challenge. GRS of P. berghei and P. cynomolgi induced antisporozoite (CSP) antibody production in rats.
Comparison of curing agents for epoxidized vegetable oils applied to composites

Interest in polymers from renewable sources, as alternatives to petroleum-based polymers, remains strong; however, their performance must be acceptable. To improve performance of epoxidized vegetable oils (EVO) in composite matrix applications, five amine curing agents were evaluated and compared with an anhydride agent used previously. Curing agents were tested in matrices for composites containing a petroleum-based epoxy resin plus 0% or 30% epoxidized oil from canola (ECO) and soybean (ESO). The two amines with the highest glass transition temperature, determined by differential scanning calorimetry, were selected for characterization by dynamic mechanical analysis; bis (p-aminocyclohexyl) methane (PACM) showed the highest performance. Amine: epoxy ratios 0.6 to 1.6 were then evaluated; ratios of 0.8 and 1.0 showed superior performance. E-glass fiber reinforced composites with PACM/EVO showed thermal and mechanical performance slightly lower than the composites with 0% EVO and comparable with those of the anhydride curing agent. Therefore, ECO or ESO blended with petroleum-based epoxy resins cured with PACM are recommended for its application in E-glass reinforced composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Sensorineural hearing loss alters recovery from short-term adaptation in the C57BL/6 mouse

Several strains of laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) have a pattern of hearing loss which resembles that found in humans. The C57BL/6 strain of mouse has a genetic defect that results in degeneration of the organ of Corti, originating in the basal, high-frequency region and then proceeding apically over time. The end result is a severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) by 14 months of age. In contrast, auditory function of the CBA strain remains normal through its early life span then slowly declines later in life, much like that typified by human presbycusis. The purpose of the present study was to compare ABR (peak 5) forward masking recovery functions in young, normal-hearing CBA and C57BL/6 mice to hearing-impaired C57BL/6 mice. ABR audiograms were obtained prior to collecting the tone-on-tone forward masking data. Masking was defined as a 50% reduction in the P5 component of the ABR, elicited and masked by 12 kHz tone bursts, using masker/probe time delays from 0 to 100 ms. Time constants were computed from an exponential model fit to the recovery functions (masker level vs. time delay). In hearing-impaired animals there was a significant increase in recovery from short-term adaptation as measured by the time constants, as well as a significant latency shift in the P5 component. The effects of SNHL on the recovery of the P5 component from short-term adaptation was comparable to that reported behaviorally for human hearing-impaired listeners and physiologically from the inferior colliculus (IC) of chinchillas suffering permanent threshold shifts.
Disinhibition of RVLM neural circuits and regulation of sympathetic nerve discharge at peak hyperthermia.

Hyperthermia is a potent activator of visceral sympathetic nerve discharge (SND), and the functional integrity of the rostral ventral lateral medulla (RVLM) is critically important for sustaining s...
An acute release of Ca2+ from sequestered intracellular pools is not the primary transduction mechanism causing the initial burst of PRL and TSH secretion induced by TRH in normal rat pituitary cells

Abstract With 1.5 mM [Ca2+]e, 10 nM TRH induced a prompt high-amplitude burst of hormone secretion and an initial high-amplitude [Ca2+]i burst (first phase) followed by a sustained low-amplitude [Ca2+]i increment (second phase) in both tumor-derived GH4C1 and normal adenohypophyseal (AP) cells. With 80% in AP cells. Thapsigargin induced a first-phase rise in [Ca2+]i in AP cells equal to that induced by 10 nM TRH but only 20% as much first-phase hormone secretion. Blocking Ca2+ channels with nifedipine inhibited TRH-induced secretion in AP cells significantly more than in GH4C1 cells. Our data indicate that the TRH-induced first-phase spike in [Ca2+]i from intracellular Ca2+ stores may play a major transduction role in hormone secretion in GH4C1 cells but not in normal AP cells. Transduction mechanisms coupled to Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ channels in the plasmalemma are apparently a much more important component of TRH-induced secretion in normal than in tumor-derived pituitary cells.
A Quality Control System for Curriculum-Based CBI Projects.

Development of a curriculum-based instructional system is a complex process. This process becomes more complicated when the system is developed as a computer-based instruction (CBI) system. Because of the size of the curriculum and the number of people involved in developing these systems they are heavily dependent upon a well planned and organized quality control (QC) system. This article discusses the significance of QC for a curriculum-based CBI program and describes one way to establish a QC system. It explains in detail the stages involved in that system and offers a set of recommendations for its maintenance. The system described in this article evolved in response to needs encountered by developers of a particular curriculum-based CBI project and may be adjusted for effective operation of similar projects.
A general procedure for the preparation of α, β labeled amino acids

The α and β hydrogen exchange reactions catalyzed by pyridoxal have been applied to ten of the common amino acids to prepare α, β deuterated derivatives. The exchange and isolation procedure allows for numerous different samples to be processed in parallel. The deuteration at the α position range from 96 to 99% while the β deuteration levels range from 93 to 97% except for lysine (91%) which exchanges more slowly presumably due to interference of the ϵ-amino group. The standard procedure produces approximately a gram of deuterated product for all samples except tyrosine (0.15 g) with yields from 70 to 85% using only 15 milliliters of 2H2O. The procedure has been scaled up directly to 100 millimoles for the case of alanine with virtually identical deuteration and product yield.
A new species of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) from the Atacama desert of northern Chile

A new species of Bromeliaceae,Tillandsia tragophoba, is described from the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The leaves of this new species are green, essentially glabrous and form a basal tank capable of holding water, quite, unlike the typical gray-leaved, terrestrial or lithophytic bromeliads usually found within the coastal desert province of western South America. A description and illustration are provided, and its relationships discussed.
Isolation of prephenic acid from Neurospora

Abstract 1. 1. Preparation of a triple mutant of Neurospora crassa is described. 2. 2. Culture filtrates of this mutant contain prephenic acid. The latter has been isolated as a crystalline barium salt. 3. 3. Some chemical characteristics of prephenic acid are noted.
A new simple iterative reconstruction algorithm for SPECT transmission measurement

This paper proposes a new iterative reconstruction algorithm for transmission tomography and compares this algorithm with several other methods. The new algorithm is simple and resembles the emission ML-EM algorithm in form. Due to its simplicity, it is easy to implement and fast to compute a new update at each iteration. The algorithm also always guarantees non-negative solutions. Evaluations are performed using simulation studies and real phantom data. Comparisons with other algorithms such as convex, gradient, and logMLEM show that the proposed algorithm is as good as others and performs better in some cases.
Tubular ectasia of the rete testis: An ultrasound diagnosis

Tubular ectasia of the rete testis is a rare benign entity that is often associated with some degree of obstruction at the epididymal level, either post-traumatic or postinfectious in nature. Its characteristic ultrasound findings have been well described in the radiologic literature. We report 6 cases of dilated rete testis diagnosed by ultrasound at our hospital over a 2-year period. Recognition of tubular ectasia by ultrasound, in the appropriate clinical setting, may eliminate unnecessary testicular biopsy or orchiectomy.