cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF GROWTH HORMONE SECRETORY DEFICIENCY IN RODENT MODELS

Growth hormona (GH) secretory responses to provocative stimulation tests are often blunted in short statured children. The objective of the present study was to evaluate various pituitary factors that may contribute to low GH secretion using rodent models that are hyporesponaive to GH secretagogues. Plasma GH concentrations did not increase above basal values (1.7 ± 0.7 vs 316 ± 89.9 ng/ml) after GHRH and/or GHRP administration in mice lacking pituitary receptors for GH. Plasma GH increased in dwarf rats with defective cAMP second messenger systems; however, concentrations were lower than normal (67 ± 3 ng/ml vs 1396 ± 76 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Stimulated GH secretion in old rats administered GHRH or GHRP was significantly lower than in young rats (393 ± 69 ng/ml vs 1477 ± 111 ng/ml; p < 0.01), whereas plasma GH concentrations were comparable in both age groups administered GHRH and GHRP (1079 ± 106 ng/ml vs 1159 ± 93 ng/ml). Chronic coadministration of GHRH and GHRP to old rats also restored youthful patterns of GH secretion, increased pituitary GH concentrations (7 ± 2 μg/mg vs 51 ± 9 μg/mg; p < 0.001) and increased serum IGF-1 (413 ± 77 ng/ml vs 810 ± 82 ng/ml). These data suggest that blunted responses to provocative GH releasing stimuli result from defects in pituitary receptors, second messengers and/or to inadequate pituitary stimulation; each with different effects on GH secretion. Receptor defects completely blocked and second messenger defects partially blocked GH secretory stimuli, whereas inadequately stimulated pituitaries gave differential responses to GH releasing peptides. Thus, by comparing responses to lone and paired GH secretagogues it may be possible to discern the etiology of GH secretory deficits in certain short statured children. When GH secretory deficiency results from inadequate pituitary stimulation, co-administration of GH secretagogues may restore proper GH secretion as well as increase pituitary GH stores and serum IGF-1 concentrations.
Investigation of electronic structure and associated nuclear quadrupole interaction of adsorbed fluorine atoms on silicon surface

The electronic energy levels and wave functions of fluorine and chlorine atoms adsorbed at the surface of silicon are obtained by the Hartree-Fock procedure applied to clusters simulating the surface structure. Minimising the total energy with respect to the positions of the halogen atoms, the Si-Cl distance in the adsorbed system was found to be in good agreement with that from a recent SEXAFS measurement, there being no corresponding data presently available for fluorine on silicon surface. The calculated19f* nuclear quadrupole coupling constants using the electronic wave functions for SiH3F and the larger cluster Si4H9F, simulating the surface, differed substantially in contrast to the situation for the Si-F distance, indicating that the quadrupole coupling is a more sensitive indicator of the adequacy of the cluster chosen to represent the surface system. Experimental results for the coupling constants are awaited for comparison with theory.
Effect of temperature and environment on crack propagation in graphite

Crack propagation studies were carried out on POCO AXF-5Q and ATJ-S graphite as a function of temperature and environment (for example H2 O, and CO and He). Crack growth rates in both graphites was essentially insensitive to the external environments at all temperatures. A transition from stable to catastrophic crack growth occurred at a particular temperature for each material. A definite effect of crack plane orientation with respect to the ATJ-S graphite billet was observed.
High Expectations: Untenured teacher involvement in school decision‐making

Findings from the current study show that new teacher expectations for involvement in school decision‐making are not being actualized. Based on feedback from elementary and secondary teachers (n=504) in 87 schools, the results show significant differences between actual and preferred levels of participation in 16 areas of school decision‐making. Although their motivation to participate is interpreted as a positive finding, the very high expectations for involvement suggest that new teachers are naive to the realities of school governance. These findings emphasize the need to better equip new teachers for the realities and the challenges of school governance.
Pretreatment REM sleep and subjective sleep quality distinguish depressed psychotherapy remitters and nonremitters

Abstract Background: We compared pretreatment subjective and electroencephalographic sleep measures among depressed patients who remitted with psychotherapy alone and those who did not remit. Methods: Patients were 111 midlife women with recurrent major depressive disorder. Baseline psychiatric ratings and sleep studies were conducted prior to treatment with weekly interpersonal psychotherapy. Remission was defined as a score of ≤7 for 3 consecutive weeks on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Clinical and sleep measures were compared between remitters ( n = 62) and nonremitters ( n = 49) using t tests and random regression. Linear discriminant function analyses were used to categorize remitters and nonremitters on the basis of sleep measures. Results: Treatment nonremitters had significantly worse subjective sleep quality and significantly elevated phasic REM sleep as measured by multivariate and univariate analyses. The linear accumulation of REM activity during sleep occurred at a significantly higher rate in nonremitters than in remitters. Linear discriminant function analyses based on subjective sleep quality and REM activity correctly identified 68.3% of nonremitters and 68.5% of remitters. Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of subjective and REM sleep measures as correlates of short-term psychotherapy treatment response in major depressive disorder. Disturbed sleep may be a physiological indicator of increased limbic and brain stem arousal.
Global Optimization for Mapping Parallel Image Processing Tasks on Distributed Memory Machines

Many parallel algorithms and library routines for computer vision and image processing (CVIP) tasks on distributed-memory multiprocessors are available. The typical image distribution may use column, row, and block based mapping. Integrating a set of library routines for a CVIP application requires a global optimization to determine the data mapping of individual tasks by considering inter-task communication. The main difficulty in deriving the optimal image data distribution for each task is that CVIP task computation may involve loops, and the number of processors available and the size of the input image may vary at the run time. In this paper, a CVIP application is modeled using a task chain with imperfectly nested loops, specified by conventional visual languages such asKhorosandExplorer. A mapping algorithm is proposed that optimizes the average run-time performance for CVIP applications with nested loops by considering the data redistribution overheads and possible run-time parameter variations. A taxonomy of CVIP operations is provided and used for further reducing the complexity of the algorithm. Experimental results on both low-level image processing and high-level computer vision applications are presented to validate this approach.
Automatic integration of drug indications from multiple health resources

Drug indication refers to what disease(s) a drug may treat -- a type of information that is frequently sought by biomedical researchers, health care professionals and the general public. Although such information may be available online, it is often challenging for non-experts to glean unbiased reliable information from multiple websites of various quality. In addition, most drug indication information is only available in free text as opposed to structured format, thus making it difficult for further automatic analysis by computers. In response, we herein focus on automatically extracting and integrating drug indication information from multiple resources such as DailyMed and MeSH Scope notes. We select trustworthy resources of drug/disease relationships and apply state-of-the-art relationship extraction methods, customized to improve recall and perform ellipsis and anaphora resolution. As a result, 7,670 unique TREATS relationships between 4,666 drugs and 1,293 diseases are integrated from 4 different sources with an estimated overall correctness of 77% and specificity of 84%.
Enynones in organic synthesis. III. A novel synthesis of phenols

Abstract Enynones are converted to phenols by an acid catalyzed process which can be controlled to give either of two regioisomeric series of products.
Effects of vitamin A deficiency on [3H]retinoid binding to cellular retinoid-binding proteins in rabbit cornea and conjunctiva.

[ 3 H]Retinol binding to cellular retinol-binding protein was markedly decreased in corneal and conjunctival epithelia of vitamin A-deficient as compared with normal or control rabbits, indicating that as these epithelia become keratinized there is a significant biochemical change involving a protein which may play a role in mediating the function of vitamin A. Although [ 3 H]retinoic acid binding to cellular retinoic acid-binding protein was very low in corneal epithelium and undetectable in conjunctival epithelium from normal rabbits, such binding was increased in corneal epithelium and present in detectable amount in conjunctival epithelium from vitamin A-deficient rabbits.
Proton and electron transfer during the reduction of molecular oxygen by fully reduced cytochrome c oxidase: a flow-flash investigation using optical multichannel detection.

Proton and electron transfer events during the reaction of solubilized fully reduced bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase with molecular oxygen were investigated using the flow-flash technique. Time-resolved spectral changes resulting from ligand binding and electron transfer events were detected simultaneously with pH changes in the bulk. The kinetics and spectral changes in the visible region (450-750 nm) were probed by optical multichannel detection, allowing high spectral resolution on time scales from 50 ns to 50 ms. Experiments were carried out in the presence and absence of pH-sensitive dyes (carboxyfluorescein at pH 6.5, phenol red at pH 7.5, and m-cresol purple at pH 8.5) which permitted separation of spectral changes due to proton transfer from those caused by ligand binding and electron transfer. The transient spectra recorded in the absence of dye were analyzed by singular-value decomposition and multiexponential fitting. Five apparent lifetimes (0.93 microseconds, 10 microseconds, 36 microseconds, 90 microseconds, and 1.3 ms at pH 7.5) could consistently be distinguished and provided a basis for a reaction mechanism consistent with our most recent kinetic model [Sucheta, A., Szundi, I., and Einarsdottir, O. (1999) Biochemistry 37, 17905-17914]. The dye response indicated that proton uptake occurred concurrently with the two slowest electron transfer steps, in agreement with previous results based on single-wavelength detection [Hallen, S., and Nilsson, T. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 11853-11859]. The stoichiometry of the proton uptake reactions was approximately 1.3 +/- 0.3, 1.4 +/- 0.3, and 1.6 +/- 0.5 protons per enzyme at pH 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5, respectively. The electron transfer between heme a and CuA was limited by proton uptake on a 90 microseconds time scale. We have established the lower limit of the true rate constant for the electron transfer between CuA and heme a to be approximately 2 x 10(5) s-1.
Microgrid protection using communication-assisted digital relays

Microgrids have been proposed as a way of integrating large numbers of distributed renewable energy sources with distribution systems. One problem with microgrid implementation is designing a proper protection scheme. It has been shown that traditional protection schemes will not work successfully. In this paper a protection scheme using digital relays with a communication network is proposed for the protection of the microgrid system. The increased reliability of adding an additional line to form a loop structure is explored. Also a novel method for modeling high impedance faults is demonstrated to show how the protection scheme can protect against them. This protection scheme is simulated on a realistic distribution system containing a high penetration of inverter connected Distributed Generation (DG) sources operating as a microgrid. In all possible cases of operation the primary and secondary relays performed their intended functions including the detection of high impedance faults. This system is simulated using Matlab Simulink's SimPowerSystems toolbox to establish the claims made in this paper.
Mechanical, water uptake and permeability properties of crosslinked chitosan glutamate and alginate films

Abstract Films of chitosan glutamate and sodium alginate were obtained by a casting/solvent evaporation method, and crosslinked with their counterions, tripolyphosphate (TPP) and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ), respectively. The crosslinked films were characterized with respect to the mechanical properties in the dry and wet state, water vapor transmission, water uptake in different media and permeability to model drugs. The crosslinked films were water-insoluble but permeable to water vapor. The water vapor transmission rate of chitosan films linearly decreased with increasing concentration of crosslinking agent. An optimum crosslinking agent concentration was found with alginate. Wet alginate films had lower puncture strength and higher elongation values when compared with dry films the mechanical properties were a function of the CaCl 2 concentration. In acidic medium, the swelling of the alginate films was independent of the CaCl 2 concentration. The permeability to chlorpheniramine maleate and guaifenesin varied with pH and CaCl 2 concentration. Chitosan films showed swelling and permeability characteristics, which were dependent on pH and on the concentration of the crosslinking agent. Diffusion of chlorpheniramine maleate through chitosan films increased with increasing concentration of glycerin.
Allergic rhinitis and its effect on sleep, fatigue, and daytime somnolence.

Objective To examine the adverse effects of sleep impairment on the quality of life of patients with the disorder and how these effects can be treated with therapies targeted at the underlying problems that influence sleep. Data Sources Medline and Ovid search for sleep and rhinitis. Study Selection All literature on this topic were reviewed, and, if significant, were incorporated into this review. Results Intranasal corticosteroids used as treatment for allergic rhinitis have been shown to reduce the nasal congestion characteristic of the disorder. Data on sleep-related end points from clinical trials on intranasal corticosteroids also reveal that the treatment's effectiveness in alleviating nasal congestion leads to better sleep, reduced daytime somnolence, and improved quality of life. Conclusion Further research, specifically using sleep measurements as primary end points, is needed to definitively show that intranasal corticosteroids reduce nasal congestion, thereby improving sleep and, consequently, quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis. These future trials will serve to identify the most effective therapies that target the adverse effects of sleep impairment in this disorder.
Logarithmic Sobolev Inequalities on Path Spaces Over Riemannian Manifolds

Let W o(M) be the space of paths of unit time length on a connected, complete Riemannian manifold M such that γ(0) =o, a fixed point on M, and ν the Wiener measure on W o(M) (the law of Brownian motion on M starting at o).If the Ricci curvature is bounded by c, then the following logarithmic Sobolev inequality holds:
Processing method and process modeling of large aperture transparent magnesium aluminate spinel domes

Polycrystalline spinel serves as an alternative to materials such as sapphire and magnesium fluoride that are currently being used in electromagnetic window applications such as missile domes, where high strength, high hardness and high transmittance in the visible and infrared spectra are required. The cubic crystal lattice of spinel imparts an isotropy to the bulk optical property, which eliminates optical distortion due to birefringence that occurs in sapphire and other non-cubic materials. The current study is to find a reliable manufacturing process to produce large magnesium aluminate spinel domes from powder consolidation efficiently. A binder-less dry ball milling process was used to deflocculate the spinel powder to increase its fluidity in an effort to ease the shape-forming. Dry ball milling time trials were conducted at several intervals to determine the appropriate level of time required to break up both the hard and soft agglomerates associated with the virgin spinel powder. The common problems encountered in dry powder shape-forming are crack growth and delamination of the green body during cold isostatic pressing (CIPing). The cracking and the delamination are due to the buildup of stress gradients on the green body that are created by the frictional force between the powder and the die wall or mold wall. To understand the stresses during the CIPing process, a finite element analysis of stresses on the green body was conducted. The simulation was used to evaluate the effect of die tooling and process characteristics on the development of stress gradients in the green body dome. Additionally, the effect of friction between the die wall and powder was examined by the simulation. It was found that by mitigating the frictional forces, cracking and delamination on the green body could be eliminated. A stepped-pressure CIPing technique was developed to reduce stress gradient build-up during CIPing. Also, oleic acid lubricant was applied to the die wall to reduce the wall friction between the powder and the die itself. As a result of these two above-mentioned methods, it was demonstrated that it is possible to consolidate a binder-free powder into large defect-free domes.
Comparing Mentor and Mentee Perspectives in a Research-Based Undergraduate Mentoring Program

At the University of Colorado Boulder (CU), a research-based undergraduate mentoring program is now in its second year of implementation. The program, Your Own Undergraduate Research Experience (YOU’RE@CU) has three main goals: improve the retention rate of diverse groups in undergraduate engineering, build undergraduate interest in engineering research, and prepare graduate students to take on leadership roles in either academia or industry-based research careers. In YOU’RE@CU, undergraduate students are paired with a graduate mentor and work in the graduate student’s lab several hours a week. Undergraduate mentees enroll in a one-credit seminar course focusing on research and graduate school opportunities, and are assessed via pre- and post-surveys to gauge their excitement and interest in engineering. The undergraduates also respond to biweekly qualitative reflective questions while participating in the program. Graduate mentors complete several reflective questions about their experiences and are required to complete pre- and post-assessments.Adopting a person-centered, case study approach, this paper focuses on two telling examples of research-based mentoring relationships in the YOU’RE@CU program. Given identical mentor training through YOU’RE@CU, two graduate students start the Spring 2012 semester by meeting with their mentees to launch a research project. By examining application, pre-survey, reflective questions, and post-survey responses from these four participants, the differences in the trajectory of the two paired mentoring relationships can be clearly seen over the course of one semester. This close examination of two disparate mentoring relationships is instructive in understanding the subtle details that create either a positive learning environment or an uncomfortable lab situation for young engineers, and assists program administrators in making improvements in subsequent years.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Isolated Polyarticular Septic Arthritis: An Atypical Presentation of Meningococcal Infection

We are presenting a case of a 19-year-old college student with sudden-onset, asymmetric polyarticular arthritis with Neisseria meningitidis 10 days after an acute upper respiratory infection consisting of fevers, chills, pharyngitis, and productive cough. Primary meningococcal septic arthritis is a rare entity. A majority of these cases present in a monoarticular fashion. The synovial fluid findings, although compatible with inflammatory arthritis, are not typical of septic arthritis. This entity, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of septic arthritis of large joints, especially since N. meningitiditis does not grow well on routine culture media. A literature review on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of primary meningococcal septic arthritis is presented.
Heat dissipation from silicon chips in a vertical plate, elevated pressure cold wall system

The heat dissipation effects of elevated pressure and cold gas temperature on vertically configured module mounted and free hanging chips were examined. It was found that with both types of chips, the thermal resistance (temperature rise x area/power) varies linearly with pressure in a log-log plot. A free hanging chip exhibits a (-1/3) power dependency on pressure while the module mounted chip exhibits a (-1/5) power dependency on pressure. The thermal resistance of the module mounted chip also appears to exhibit a dependency on gas temperature, but not on the difference in temperature between the chip and cold gas. The thermal resistance of the module mounted chip is some 5x lower than that of the free hanging chip, demonstrating that the module acts to a degree as a thermal expander. The efficiency is less than 20% based on the fact that the module area is some 30x greater than the chip area. For the module mounted chip, and a combination of a liquid nitrogen gas temperature and 1500 psi ambient atmosphere pressure, > 30 W/chip (0.180 in. × 0.180 in.) (0.46 cm × 0.46 cm), can be dissipated with a temperature rise to 85°C. This translates to a heat dissipation capability of more than 900 W/in2.
Discrete real time flows with quasi-discrete spectra and algebras generated by exp q(t)

These notes (essentially unedited) were sent to W. Parry in 1964. The first two parts are complete and in a letter to Parry at that time Hahn indicated his intention to publish them. Evidently he did not manage to do this. The remainder of these notes represents an attempt to establish a theory of quasidiscrete spectra for discrete one-parameter flows. Hahn indicates the gaps and in a following note Parry clarifies his theory. The first part of these notes presents a characteristic example of a discrete one-parameter flow with quasidiscrete spectrum. Ergodicity, minimality and distality are established. The second part examines the Banach algebra of functions onR generated by {expq(t): q a real polynomial of degree <n+1} and shows that the shift isometries arise from a discrete one-parameter flow on its maximal ideal space Λ n and that ifn is finite this flow is isomorphic to the example examined in the first part.
dbVOR: a database system for importing pedigree, phenotype and genotype data and exporting selected subsets

When studying the genetics of a human trait, we typically have to manage both genome-wide and targeted genotype data. There can be overlap of both people and markers from different genotyping experiments; the overlap can introduce several kinds of problems. Most times the overlapping genotypes are the same, but sometimes they are different. Occasionally, the lab will return genotypes using a different allele labeling scheme (for example 1/2 vs A/C). Sometimes, the genotype for a person/marker index is unreliable or missing. Further, over time some markers are merged and bad samples are re-run under a different sample name. We need a consistent picture of the subset of data we have chosen to work with even though there might possibly be conflicting measurements from multiple data sources. We have developed the dbVOR database, which is designed to hold data efficiently for both genome-wide and targeted experiments. The data are indexed for fast retrieval by person and marker. In addition, we store pedigree and phenotype data for our subjects. The dbVOR database allows us to select subsets of the data by several different criteria and to merge their results into a coherent and consistent whole. Data may be filtered by: family, person, trait value, markers, chromosomes, and chromosome ranges. The results can be presented in columnar, Mega2, or PLINK format. dbVOR serves our needs well. It is freely available from https://watson.hgen.pitt.edu/register . Documentation for dbVOR can be found at https://watson.hgen.pitt.edu/register/docs/dbvor.html .
Kainate-stimulated Zn2+ uptake labels cortical neurons with Ca2+-permeable AMPA/kainate channels.

Abstract The endogenous cation, Zn2+, is synaptically released and may trigger neurodegeneration after permeating through NMDA channels, voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCC), or Ca2+ permeable AMPA/kainate channels (Ca-A/K). Neurons expressing Ca-A/K can be identified by a histochemical stain based upon kainate-stimulated Co2+ uptake (Co2+(+) neurons). The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a similar approach could be employed to visualize agonist-stimulated intracellular Zn2+ accumulation, and, thus, to test the hypothesis that Ca-A/K permit particularly rapid Zn2+ flux. Substituting Zn2+ for Co2+ during agonist-stimulated uptake, followed by Timm's sulfide–silver staining to visualize intracellular Zn2+, resulted in distinct labeling of a subpopulation of cortical neurons (Zn2+(+) neurons) closely resembling Co2+(+) neurons, suggesting that, like Co2+, Zn2+ may permeate Ca-A/K with particular rapidity. Neither NMDA nor high K+ triggered comparable Zn2+ accumulation, indicating substantially greater permeation through Ca-A/K than through NMDA channels or VSCC. Both fluorescence studies of intracellular Zn2+ accumulation and double staining studies (using SMI-32 and anti-glutamate decarboxylase antibodies, both markers of cortical neuronal subsets), support the contention that Zn2+ and Co2+ labeling identify a common set of neurons characterized by expression of AMPA/kainate channels directly permeable to Zn2+ and Co2+ as well as Ca2+. Furthermore, the preferential destruction of Zn2+(+) neurons (like Co2+(+) neurons) after brief kainate exposures in the presence of lower, more physiologic concentrations of Zn2+ suggests that Zn2+ permeation through Ca-A/K could contribute to selective neurodegeneration in disease. Finally, the study provides a novel and potentially advantageous histochemical approach for kainate-stimulated Co2+ or Zn2+ uptake labeling, using a room temperature technique (Timm's staining) rather than the usual hot AgNO3 development of the Co2+ stain.
City Population Size Is Associated with Examinee Outcomes on the American Board of Pediatrics Certifying Examination

Objective. The purpose of this article is to evaluate American Board of Pediatrics Certifying Examination performance based on city population, hypothesizing that larger cities are associated with higher exam performance. Methods. Pediatric residency programs were retrospectively evaluated from 2010 to 2012. The associated city populations were found using census data. Simple linear regression was performed for continuous variables, and χ2 tests were performed for categorical variables, using α = .05. Results. For 188 programs, the median pass rate was 79.5% (interquartile range = 69% to 90%). Regression showed that city size explains program size (P < .001). Examinees from larger cities had a higher pass rates than examinees from smaller cities, and examinees who are in cities that share residency programs had a higher pass rate than examinees from solo city programs (both P < .05). Conclusions. City size is associated with examinee performance on the American Board of Pediatrics Certifying Examination. ...
Restriction of Starch Granule Swelling by Iodine During Heating

ABSTRACT Differences in the degree of starch granule swelling and granule morphology are shown as a function of iodine concentration during heating. The observations reveal a restriction and delay in wheat and corn starch swelling in presence of iodine (0.02%) and a lack of swelling at higher iodine concentration (0.2%). The presence of iodine during heating did not influence waxy corn starch granule swelling, even at the higher concentration. A delay in the increase in paste viscosity during heating was observed, and gel formation was precluded after cooling at the higher iodine concentration. Waxy corn starch pastes formed a weak gel even at the higher iodine concentration. Spectrophotometric analyses showed that polymers leach into the solution when heated in the presence of 0.02% iodine, while no leaching was observed at 0.2% iodine concentration. Furthermore, the length and the amount of polymers leaching from normal corn were different from that observed for wheat starch. Thermal analyses reveal a s...
Activity of dalbavancin against Bacillus anthracis in vitro and in a mouse inhalation anthrax model.

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, can produce fatal disease when it is inhaled or ingested by humans. Dalbavancin, a novel, semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide, has potent activity, greater than that of vancomycin, against Gram-positive bacteria and a half-life in humans that supports once-weekly dosing. Dalbavancin demonstrated potent in vitro activity against B. anthracis (MIC range, ≤0.03 to 0.5 mg/liter; MIC50 and MIC90, 0.06 and 0.25 mg/liter, respectively), which led us to test its efficacy in a murine inhalation anthrax model. The peak concentrations of dalbavancin in mouse plasma after the administration of single intraperitoneal doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg of body weight were 15 and 71 mg/kg, respectively. At 20 mg/kg, the dalbavancin activity was detectable for 6 days after administration (terminal half-life, 53 h), indicating that long intervals between doses were feasible. The mice were challenged with 50 to 100 times the median lethal dose of the Ames strain of B. anthracis, an inoculum that kills untreated animals within 4 days. The efficacy of dalbavancin was 80 to 100%, as determined by the rate of survival at 42 days, when treatment was initiated 24 h postchallenge with regimens of 15 to 120 mg/kg every 36 h (q36h) or 30 to 240 mg/kg every 72 h (q72h). A regimen of ciprofloxacin known to protect 100% of animals was tested in parallel. Delayed dalbavancin treatment (beginning 36 or 48 h postchallenge) with 60 mg/kg q36h or 120 mg/kg q72h still provided 70 to 100% survival. The low MICs and long duration of efficacy in vivo suggest that dalbavancin may have potential as an alternative treatment or for the prophylaxis of B. anthracis infections.
Voice communication benefits from RNAV/RNP in en route and terminal environments

As part of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's NextGen implementation plan, the employment of area navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures is a key near to midterm initiative. RNAV and RNP allow for more optimal utilization of available airspace and enable more efficient, precise, and predictable routes. Over the last several years, researchers have identified significant quantitative benefits primarily related to aircraft operators, including reduction in miles flown, fuel consumed, and improvements in scheduling. However, metrics have not been developed to quantitatively assess the impacts that RNAV/RNP implementations have on air traffic controllers. This paper provides an approach to determine en route and terminal area voice communication benefits by utilizing communication event detection algorithms on historical audio and radar track data. The MITRE Corporation's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) leveraged Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and phoneme-based audio retrieval technologies - adapted to Air Traffic Control (ATC) phraseology - in order to automate the processing of controller to pilot audio data. The methodology and tools developed will allow one to process both audio and radar track data for the purposes of identifying voice communication benefits due to the implementation of RNAV/RNP procedures.
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery for the treatment of esophageal strictures refractory to medical therapy.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery for the treatment of esophageal strictures refractory to medical therapy
Photophysical studies of ultrathin films : Characterization of PS and PMMA on fused Quartz by fluorescence spectroscopy of pyrene and (4-(1-pyrenyl)butyl)trimethylammonium bromide

Ultrathin films of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) coated on fused quartz plates (or slides) by dip coating are examined by using fluorescence spectroscopy. Cations of the pyrene derivative (4-(1-pyrenyl)butyl)trimethylammonium bromide (PBN) are adsorbed onto the quartz slides from aqueous solutions. The rate of dynamic quenching and prompt quenchingby O 2 of the PBN fluorescence on the slide in the presence of PMMA and PS films at varying degrees of coverage indicates that, at low coverage, PS films are patchy While PMMA films are continuous. These results are in agreement with published data from AFM studies of similar systems. The fluorescence of pyrene dissolved in ultrathin films on quartz and on hydrophobic (surface derivatized) quartz slides is also examined. As revealed by the trend in pyrene III/I and average fluorescence decay time with coverage, a fraction of the pyrene molecules in PS films diffuse to the polar quartz surface, where they become adsorbed. PMMA, on the other hand, blocks access of pyrene to adsorption sites on the quartz surface presumably by an interaction between carbonyl groups and quartz surface hydroxyls. This fluorescence technique thus provides additional information to AFM in the penetration of reactive species, such as O 2 , to the silica-polymer interface and in the polymer-mediated interaction of molecular dopants, such as pyrene, with the silica surface.
Integrating photocatalysis and membrane technologies for water treatment.

: Removal of organic contaminants in water may sometimes be more easily achieved with a pair rather than with a single unit operation. We explore here the combination of an ambient temperature, chemical oxidation photocatalysis (PC) process with physical separation via a membrane operation, microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), or reverse osmosis (RO) using both a conceptual statement and a literature review format. Four configurations are noted and discussed here: (1) PC + MF for catalyst slurry recycle, (2) PC + UF for catalyst slurry and (polymer) reactant recycle, (3) immobilized PC and UF/RO for reactant recycle, and (4) immobilized PC on UF/RO membrane for membrane self-cleaning. Although the literature review is encouraging with respect to plausibility, the paucity of examples indicates a need for substantial effort to fully exploit the suggested possibilities for process development.
World-sheet anomalies and loop geometry

Abstract Perturbative and global world-sheet anomalies are discussed in terms of an infinite dimensional geometry which generalizes the finite dimensional geometry of spin structures. This geometrical structure is related to the Dirac-Ramond operator and provides an insight into the symmetries of string theory.
Respecialization as a School Psychologist: Education, Training, and Supervision for School Practice.

Professional psychology is facing a looming crisis. On one hand, there is an oversupply of clinical psychologists—a group generally facing decreasing salaries and growing competition. On the other hand, there is a shortage of school psychologists—a group experiencing increasing salaries and expanded role opportunities. Unfortunately, though, educators and practitioners have not fully addressed the issue of respecialization. In a basic way, just as a physician who changes specialties pursues rigorous, 3-year residency training, so psychologists interested in changing specialties should complete appropriate respecialization. This article explores the issues, controversies, and dynamics involved with respecialization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 473–480, 2004.
TH-C-T-6C-06: Feasibility of Dynamic Feathering for Field Junctions

Purpose: Patients are not perfectly immobilized and there is always some movement during treatments. Field junctions are typically shifted several times during the course of treatment to ensure that the effects of imperfect junctions and patient motion are minimized. We have evaluated a dynamic feathering scheme that reduces daily hot and cold spots at field junctions, and may eliminate the need for junction shifting in the future. Method and Materials: Five craniospinal patients were planned using both conventional and dynamic feathering techniques. Using conventional feathering, the inferior border of the cranial fields were moved after each set of 5 fractions by increasing the inferior borders by 1 cm and closing the spine field by 1 cm. In the second plan we simulated an automated feathering technique in which the cranial fields opened dynamically and the spine field closed at the same rate, thus using one set of beams for the entire treatment. Patient motion of up to 5 mm was simulated and the dose distributions were analyzed. Film verification was performed to verify dose distributions. Results: Comparison between the conventional and dynamic feathering plans show a slight advantage to automatic feathering. However, in conventional cases where 5 mm overlap is simulated, hotspots of 51%–63% were observed, but these were reduced to 33% using dynamic plans. Besides, only 44% of the prescribed dose covered the spinal cord at the junction for the conventional plan while 89% for the dynamic plan if 5 mm of gap was simulated. Conclusion: Dynamic feathering yields better dose homogeneity and reduces the effects of overlapping or over‐gapping field matches on a daily basis. This technique requires only a single plan, which reduces the workload on the physicists, dosimetrists, and therapists. In our continuation of this work we are investigating automated dynamic feathering on our linac.
Misconceptions about the mechanical advantages of intramedullary devices for treatment of proximal femur fractures.

Implant options for internal fixation of extracapsu-lar proximal femur fractures include extramedullary and intramedullary devices (plates vs. nails) with different neck-shaft angles, most commonly...
Broadening of ultra-short optical pulses in moderate to strong turbulence

In this paper an analytic expression governing the two-frequency mutual coherence function (MCF) for a Gaussian beam wave is developed for moderate to strong fluctuations. Using a temporal moments approach combined with this new expression for the MCF, expressions governing pulse statistics (delay and broadening) are developed. These general analytic results are compared with previous results in special cases.
A novel GPU implementation of eigenanalysis for risk management

Portfolio risk is commonly defined as the standard deviation of its return. The empirical correlation matrix of asset returns in a portfolio has its intrinsic noise component. This noise is filtered for more robust performance. Eigendecomposition is a widely used method for noise filtering. Jacobi algorithm has been a popular eigensolver technique due to its stability. We present an efficient GPU implementation of parallel Jacobi eigensolver for noise filtering of empirical correlation matrix of asset returns for portfolio risk management. The computational efficiency of the proposed implementation is about 34% better than our most recent study for an investment portfolio of 1024 assets.
Appropriately Using People Merely as a Means

There has been a great deal of philosophical discussion about using people, using people intentionally, using people as a means to some end, and using people merely (or just, or only) as a means to some end. In this paper, I defend the following claim about using people: NOT ALWAYS WRONG: using people—even merely as a means—is not always (prima facie or pro tanto or all-things-considered) morally objectionable. Having defended that claim, I suggest that the following claim is also correct: NO ONE FEATURE: when it is morally objectionable to use people (either as a means or merely as a means), this is for many different kinds of reasons—there is no one wrong-making feature that every morally objectionable using has in common. After discussing these claims, I use them to present and motivate what I call the “precaution” theory of norms against using people. I conclude by considering a few cases from the criminal law context—cases that are naturally described as using people—to assess the moral appropriateness of this kind of use in these cases, and to demonstrate how the theory applies to the real world.
Non-fearful panic disorder: panic attacks without fear.

Abstract Twelve of 38 cardiology patients with chest pain and current panic disorder reported that during their last major panic attack they did not experience intense fear, nor did they experience fear of dying, fear of loss of control or fear of going crazy. Using the DSM-III(R) criteria, they were diagnosed as non-fearful panic disorder (NFPD), and contrasted with the other 26 S s on several descriptive and self-report measures. The NFPD group reported significantly fewer phobias but was no different on reports of depression and several panic attack variables. The NFPD group scored lower on only three of 18 self-report scales. These results suggest that the DSM-III(R) defined NFPD S s resemble those who report the subjective experience of anxiety during their attacks.
The oxidation-reduction potentials and rates of oxidation of the cytochromes of Nitrobacter agilis

Abstract Nitrobacter agilis contains at least five cytochromes. These include cytochrome c ( E m7.0 + 274 mV), cytochrome a ( E m7.0 + 240 mV), cytochrome a 3 ( E m7.0 + 400 mV) and two cytochromes ( E m7.0 + 352 mV and E m7.0 + 100 mV) with an absorbance band at 590 nm which is usually attributed to cytochrome a 1 . Although all of these cytochromes are rapidly oxidized when oxygen is added to an anaerobic suspension of cell-free extracts, the terminal oxidase is cytochrome a 3 . The properties of the cytochromes designated a and a 3 are similar to those of mitochondrial cytochromes a and a 3 .
Acute renal infarction

A 58-year-old male presented with acute onset left-sided abdominal pain for 1 day. His pain was constant, aching, without any associated nausea or vomiting; his last bowel movement was the prior evening and normal. He denied fevers, chills, loss of appetite, and dysuria. Medical history was significant for hypertension. Physical exam revealed an irregular rhythm, left-sided mid-abdominal tenderness to deep palpation without rebound or guarding, and mild costovertebral-angle tenderness. EKG showed new onset atrial fibrillation. Urinalysis was negative. Subsequent contrast computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis (Fig. 1) revealed the diagnosis. Fig. 1 Contrast computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis The computed tomography image demonstrated multiple areas within the left kidney that did not enhance with contrast, which is consistent with acute renal infarction. The patient was anticoagulated with intravenous heparin, maintaining normal renal function through discharge. Renal infarction is a rare disorder typically affecting patients after the age of 60. Patients will often present with abdominal pain, hematuria, fever, nausea, vomiting, and/or oliguria and may have a history of atrial fibrillation. Laboratory findings can show hematuria on urinalysis and leukocytosis, elevated creatinine, and a markedly elevated LDH on serum analysis. Differential diagnosis includes diverticular disease, aortic aneurysm, gynecological disorder, and appendicitis. While renal angiography is the gold standard, CT abdomen with contrast is considered diagnostic for renal infarction. Standard and Doppler ultrasound, to date, is of limited value, though recent studies suggest a possible role for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography [1]. Late diagnosis does not preclude normal renal function.
The effects of in vivo antibiotics on neutrophil (PMN) activity in rabbits with peritonitis

Antibiotics play an important role in helping the host fight infection; however, the direct cellular effect of antibiotics on polymorphonuclear cells remains undefined. Adherence, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and superoxide anion production are important steps in the cascade of events initiated by the polymorphonucleocyte in bacterial killing. Previous studies have shown inhibition as well as stimulation of neutrophil antibacterial therapy by antibiotics. Peritoneal and blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) respond differently to peritonitis and to external agents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of in vivo clindamycin and netilmicin on infected rabbit peritoneal and blood polymorphonuclear adhesiveness, phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and superoxide anion production. Peritoneal and blood PMNs were obtained from rabbits which had undergone appendiceal devascularization 18 hr earlier: antibiotics were administered intramuscularly 1 hr prior to appendectomy and every 8 hr postoperatively for 5 days; these PMNs were compared to infected rabbits which did not receive antibiotics. Clindamycin and netilmicin in vivo cause significant inhibition of phagocytosis, peritoneal adhesiveness, and, when used in combination, blood adhesiveness and peritoneal superoxide anion production. No effects were seen on chemotaxis. Based on this data we conclude that antibiotics, while vitally important in fighting infections, may in and of themselves be agents of immunosuppression at the cellular level.
Synthesis of bis-γ-butyrolactones containing conformationally constrained (S)- and (R)-diacylglycerol structures

The synthesis of two sets of rigid diacylglycerol (DAG) analogues with either the (S)-DAG or (R)-DAG enantiomer embedded into a bis-γ-butyrolactone template was accomplished stereoselectively from di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-apiose. The key step in both syntheses was the assemblage of the bicyclic perhydrofuro[3,4-b]furan ring system via a radical exo-dig intramolecular cyclization. A lipophilic undecanyl alkyl chain attached at C-3 of the fully assembled perhydrofuro[3,4-b]furan-2,4-dione (bis-γ-butyrolactone) template can adopt two orientations with the one directed away from the concave face of the bicyclic system favored by a 4 to 1 ratio in each case. Evaluation of the final target pairs of enantiomers as PK-Cα ligands revealed that the template containing an embedded (R)-DAG structure was more effective. The difference in binding affinity was also modulated by the direction of the alkyl chain.
Diagnosing phosphorus deficiency in irrigated durum wheat using basal stem phosphate tissue analysis

Abstract The occurrence of phosphorus (P) deficiencies in small grain crops are normally predicted through the use of preplant soil analysis and verified by tissue analysis for total ? often at the beginning of reproductive growth. Few studies have addressed the potential use of tissue phosphate (PO4‐P) tests to characterize the ? status of grain crops during early vegetative growth which could allow for correction of ? deficiency in irrigated production systems during the current season. Three field experiments were conducted in southeastern Arizona from 1986–89 to examine the effects of ? applications, and residual soil ? on tissue phosphate (PO4‐P) concentrations and yield of irrigated durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum cv. Aldura). Fertilizer ? additions resulted in significant increases in basal stem and leaf tissue PO4‐P concentrations at GS 2, 6 and 10. Fertilizer ? applications of up to 40 kg P/ha increased extractable ? levels in the soil by 82% at the beginning of the next growing seaso...