cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A characterization study of a hydroxylated polycrystalline tin oxide surface

In this study Auger electron spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) have been used to examine a polycrystalline tin oxide surface before and after annealing in vacuum at 500 C. Features due to surface hydroxyl groups are present in both the ESCA and ESD spectra, and ESD shows that several chemical states of hydrogen are present. Annealing at 500 C causes a large reduction in the surface hydrogen concentration but not complete removal.
Accurate DC Conductivity for Hopping Conduction within the Continuous Time Random Walk Approach

The continuous time random walk approach for hopping conduction in disordered systems is modified to obtain accurate DC conductivity values over a wide range of hopping site densities. The modification involves eliminating a small fraction of particularly isolated hopping sites from the determination of the waiting-time distribution for hopping. The elimination of these sites does not correspond to a pure truncation in the transition rate spectrum, bur rather a truncation only in the distribution of contributing near-neighbor hopping distances. For a cutoff distance corresponding to the percolation radius r(p), the DC conductivity is within about 1 order of magnitude of percolation-based models and simulation results over a moderate range of hopping site densities. For a slightly larger cutoff distance of 1.15r(p), the DC conductivity is in excellent agreement with the percolation-based theory over a wide range of hopping densities. The introduction of the near-neighbor cutoff does not influence the high-frequency conductivity, where the full CTRW provides an excellent description of the conductivity. Hence, the present simple modification permits an accurate and full interrogation of the frequency-dependent conductivity within a single conceptual framework.
Comparison of fentanyl versus meperidine for analgesia in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy.

This study compared the safety and efficacy of fentanyl and meperidine for analgesia in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy. In a double-blind, randomized trial, 24 patients (11 males) received either fentanyl (1 μg/kg) or meperidine (1 mg/kg). These analgesics were administered in unmarked syringes by an investigator who did not participate in the procedure or in the evaluation of the patient's sedation. There were 17 Caucasians and 7 African-Americans whose mean age was 10.4 ± 4.4 years. Thirteen patients received meperidine and 11 received fentanyl. Midazolam was given to all patients as needed to provide sufficient sedation for the procedure. Study subjects underwent EGD (n=17) or colonoscopy (n=7). There were no differences as assessed by patient, endoscopist, or assistant for tolerance, discomfort, procedure ease, recovery time, complications, heart rate, blood pressure, or oxygen saturation. We conclude that meperidine and fentanyl are equally effective in providing analgesia for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Giant pancreatic tumor with clinical characteristics of insulinoma but without common pathologic features

Objective: To report a case of a large pancreatic tumor that had clinical characteristics of an insulinoma without classic pathologic features.Methods: We describe a 58-year-old woman who presented with a 3-month history of symptomatic hypoglycemic episodes, which were characterized by confusion. The laboratory, imaging, and pathologic findings are summarized, the current literature on giant insulinomas is reviewed, and the distinction between clinical and pathologic diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors is discussed.Results: The biochemical diagnosis of insulinoma was established with concomitant low fasting blood glucose concentrations and inappropriately high insulin levels. An abdominal computed tomographic scan revealed a mass (10 by 11.7 by 9.7 cm) in the head and body of the pancreas, which was resected. Pathologic examination revealed a massive neuroendocrine tumor (13.5 by 11 by 8 cm) without immunohistochemical evidence of insulin expression. Nevertheless, tumor resection resulted in decreased bloo...
Screening of Alkali-Promoted Vapor-Phase-Synthesized Molybdenum Sulfide Catalysts for the Production of Alcohols from Synthesis Gas

A series of molybdenum sulfide catalysts has been prepared using vapor-phase decomposition of molybdenum hexacarbonyl in an atmosphere of hydrogen sulfide. The effect of the decomposition conditions on the properties of the molybdenum sulfides formed has been studied over a temperature range of 300−900 °C. These materials, when promoted with alkali, have been found to have a high activity for the production of alcohols from synthesis gas. The effects of the catalyst preparation temperature (i.e., decomposition temperature) and reaction conditions (temperature, flow rate) have been studied, as well as the effect of the type and concentration of the alkali promoter. In all cases, the alcohols formed are primarily straight-chain, terminal −OH compounds. The variations in preparation procedure have only small effects on the conversion and the selectivity to higher alcohols. Increasing the reactant flow rate increases the selectivity to methanol at the expense of the hydrocarbons and the higher-molecular-weigh...
731-2 Angiographic and Clinical Follow-up After Internal Mammary Artery Graft Angioplasty: A 9-Year Experience

Acute and long-term efficacy of internal mammary artery (IMA) graft angioplasty has been limited to isolated ease reports and small patient series with limited angiographic follow-up. Over a 9-year period, 68 consecutive patients (74% male; median age: 61 yrs) underwent PTCA of IMA stenoses. In 59 patients, the lesion was located at the distal anastomosis, while in 9 patients, the lesion was located in the body of the graft. Median graft age was 9 months. The procedural success rate was 88%. The unsuccessful procedures were due to: inability to cross with wire/device due to excessive vessel tortuosity (5), major dissection (2), and inability to dilate (1). No patient experienced an in-hospital re-occlusion, distal embolization or CABG. Angiographic follow-up was obtained in 78% of successful procedures at a mean interval of 8 months. Restenosis (g50% luminal diameter narrowing) occurred in 9 patients (19%). A sub-analysis by lesion site revealed a restenosis rate of 15% (6/40) at the distal anastomosis and 43% (3/7) in the body of the graft. At a mean clinical follow-up of 14 months, 76% of patients had Class I or II angina, and event-free survival was 86%. Conclusion Angioplasty of IMA grafts is associated with excellent acute and long-term outcome. The restenosis rate of IMA anastomotic lesions appears to be lower than either native arteries or saphenous vein grafts.
The sciences converge to fight cancer

The Physical Sciences–Oncology Centers in the US bring together scientists from all backgrounds to tackle some of the most important questions in cancer research.
Newborn's fibrinolytic mechanism: Components and plasmin generation

Plasminogen activity and antigen, tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity and antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity, and plasmin generation rates were determined in 32 normal newborn plasmas and 25 normal adult plasmas. The newborns showed reduced levels of plasminogen activity and antigen and tPA antigen, and activity, normal levels of PAI activity, and slower plasmin generation rates. The slower generation was shown to be due to the hypoplasminogenemia. The in vitro plasmin generation studies also showed that the newborn needed 11 times the usual concentration of urokinase and 5 times the usual concentration of tPA to achieve the minimal activation rate of the adult.
Stochastic estimation of firm technology, inefficiency, and productivity growth using shadow cost and distance functions

It is well-known that a firm's technology, allocative efficiency, technical efficiency, and productivity growth can be estimated using a shadow cost system, comprised of a shadow cost function and its share equations, whose arguments are outputs and shadow input prices (prices internal to the firm). We provide a dual characterization to estimate these measures using a shadow distance system. This system is comprised of a shadow distance function, expressed in terms of shadow input quantities and output quantities, plus the first-order conditions from the cost-minimization problem. An advantage of the distance system over the cost system is that we obtain direct estimates of input inefficiency with the former, but indirect estimates with the latter. We also show how to express cost function derivatives in terms of distance function derivatives, which allows calculation of returns to scale and price elasticities of demand from the estimated distance system. Using panel data on US electric utilities, we estimate both systems and find a strong similarity between their associated measures.
Obtaining precise parameter estimates for nonlinear catalytic rate models

A method is reviewed which allows data points to be chosen in such a fashion that precise estimates of the parameters in nonlinear reaction rate models can be obtained. This method allows each future data point to be selected such that the confidence region of the estimated parameters is smaller with it than with any other possible data point within the region of experimentation. This procedure is applied for Hougen-Watson models with hypothetical experimental data which were generated with the guidance of an example from the current chemical engineering literature. It is found that, for the same number of data points, the parameters in the model can be estimated eighteen times more precisely by using this suggested experimental design than by another commonly used design. Confidence regions are presented for the parameters of the Hougen-Watson models with two types of designs. It is found that the positions of the data points in the well-designed experiments are more sensitive to the functional form of the model than to the current estimates of the magnitudes of the parameter values.
Bimodal model of slurry viscosity with application to coal-slurries. Part 1. Theory and experiment

The rheological behavior of stable slurries is shown to be characterized by a bimodal model that represents a slurry as made up of a coarse fraction and a colloidal size fine fraction. According to the model, the two fractions behave independently of each other, and the non-Newtonian behavior of the viscosity is solely caused by the colloidal fraction, while the coarse fraction increases the viscosity level through hydrodynamic interactions. Data from experiments run with colloidal coal particles of about 2–3 µm average size dispersed in water show the viscosity of these colloidal suspensions to exhibit a highly shearrate-dependent behavior and, in the high shear limit, to match very closely the viscosity of suspensions of uniform size rigid spheres although the coal volume fraction must be determined semi-empirically. Different amounts of coarse coal particles are added to the colloidal suspension and the viscosity of the truly bimodal slurries measured as a function of shear rate. In agreement with the bimodal model, the measured shear viscosities show the coarse fraction to behave independently of the colloidal fraction and its contribution to the viscosity rise to be independent of the shear rate. It is shown that the shear rate exerted on the colloidal fraction is higher than that applied by the viscometer as a result of hydrodynamic interactions between the coarse particles, and that it is this effective higher shear rate which is necessary to apply in the correlations. For determining the coal volume fraction a relatively simple and quite accurate measurement technique is developed for determining the density and void fraction of coarse porous particles; the technique directly relates volume fraction to mass fraction.
TH-A-213CD-07: Feasibility of Direct L-Shell Fluorescence Imaging of Gold Nanoparticles Using a Benchtop X-Ray Source

Purpose: To test the feasibility of benchtop direct fluorescenceimaging of small objects loaded with low concentration of goldnanoparticles (GNPs) using gold L‐shell fluorescence x‐rays for pre‐clinical in‐vivo imaging.Methods: 1‐cm diameter cylindrical plastic tubes containing saline solutions and GNPs at 2%, 0%, and 0.5% (by weight), were placed in a vertically stacked geometry and irradiated using a pencil‐beam of 40 kVp x‐rays. A Si‐PIN detector, placed at 90° with respect to the beam axis such that it had a view along the longitudinal axes of the tubes, captured the spectrum of scattered and gold L‐shell fluorescencephotons from the cylinders. Keeping the detector and source positions fixed, the distance from the source to the point of interrogation was kept constant by translation of the stack of tubes vertically and horizontally in steps of 2.5 mm until all tubes were imaged. The resulting goldfluorescence signals were extracted and used to generate a rudimentary 2‐D direct fluorescenceimage of the tubes. Results:Gold La and Ls fluorescence signals (9.7 and 11.4 keV) were detected with very high signal‐to‐background ratios (up to a factor of 3). The direct 2‐D fluorescenceimagereconstructed from the experimental geometry accurately showed the positions of each tube and relative GNP concentrations. The relative signal strength from each tube had a linear correlation with GNP concentration. The current results were extrapolated to a GNP detection limit on the order of parts‐per‐million. Conclusions: 2‐D fluorescenceimaging of GNP location and concentration within small objects can be accomplished by detection of gold L‐shell fluorescence x‐rays. The current benchtop experimental setup can be easily adapted for in‐/ex‐vivo imaging. After further optimization, this setup can be used to image intra‐tumoral distribution of GNPs in vivo during pre‐clinical animal studies. Supported by NIH/NCI grant 1R01CA155446. Supported by NIH/NCI grant 1R01CA155446
Teacher Induction—Implications for Physical Education Teacher Development and Retention

Data show that 46% of all teachers in public schools will leave the profession within their first 5 years of teaching (Ingersoll, 2003). These data refer to teachers from all disciplines including physical education. To address these problems school districts have developed teacher induction programs that show promising results. Our literature search revealed a range of teacher induction studies based on the general population of teachers, but limited information exists specific to physical education teacher induction programs. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to examine major issues surrounding teacher shortages and retention, to illustrate how school districts have addressed these problems through teacher induction programs, and to determine implications for the field of physical education. In addition, recommendations are provided for bridging physical education teaching licensure programs with teacher induction.
Talking in the Zooniverse: A collaborative tool for citizen scientists

Researchers in fields as diverse as astrophysics, ecology and papyrology face a commom problem: as the size and complexity of digital datasets increases dramatically, new strategies in computational thinking are needed to transform data into knowledge, Virtual Citizen Science (VCS) a form of collaborative research involving the general public as volunteers in online reporting or analysis of data. [1], has proven to be one successful approach to solving this Big Data problem. In particular, the Zooniverse.org platform for citizen science has provided a unique crowdsourcing solution for these challenges across, a wide range of disciplines by harnessing the visual processing capabilities. of over a million volunteers and asking them to make observations. on data sets of complex objects presented in online interfaces.
Syntheses and Characterizations of Alkyl- and Amidotin Porphyrin Complexes: Molecular Structure of trans-Bis(phenylacetylido)(meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato)tin(IV)

Treatment of (TTP)SnCl2 (TTP = meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato dianion) with an excess of lithium amides (LiNHPh, LiNPh2, o-C6H4(NHLi)2) affords the metathesis products (TTP)Sn(NHPh)2 (1), (TTP)Sn(NPh2)2 (2), and (TTP)Sn(o-C6H4(NH)2) (3). Ligand exchanges of 1 with p-toluidine and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroaniline afford the complexes (TTP)Sn(p-NHC6H4Me)2 (4) and (TTP)Sn(NHC6F4H)2 (5), respectively. Treatment of (TTP)SnCl2 with the bulky lithium (2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)amide or with PhNLiNLiPh does not form the corresponding amido or azobenzene complexes but produces the reduced product (TTP)Sn. In addition, the reaction of (TTP)Sn(NHPh)2 with PhHN−NHPh results in the production of (TTP)Sn, azobenzene, and aniline. The diethyl complex (TTP)SnEt2 (6) can be prepared via the reaction of (TTP)SnCl2 with 1 equiv of ZnEt2. The dineopentyl complex (TTP)Sn(CH2CMe3)2 (7) can be detected in the reaction of (TTP)SnCl2 with neopentyllithium. The methyl derivatives cis-(TTP)SnMe2 (8) and (TTP)SnMeBr (9) can be obtained b...
DIVISION OF BIOPHYSICS: CELL STRUCTURE AND RADIOSENSITIVITY*

Studies were designed to correlate the structural changes induced by ionizing radiation with functional events on a subcellular level. The results obtained so far provide the following evidence: the radiation injury to cells in interphase is mediated through the membrane system; the great radiosensitivity of lymphocytes may be explained by the paucity of cytoplasmic organelles, particularly mitochondria; the integrity of the membrane system, including mitochondria, is a critical factor in cellular radiosensitivity; interphase or acute cell death is explained by injury inflicted on the limiting plasma membranes; differential radiosensitivity between various cell types may be explained by the difference in cytoplasmic composition in respect to the quality and quantity of the membrane system including mitochondria; and displacement of intracellular enzyme systems is an underlying mechanism of radiation effects. (auth)
Determination of 7-methylguanosine-containing 5'-termini of messenger ribonucleic acid by NaB[3H]4 labeling and high-performance liquid anion-exchange chromatography.

Abstract A method is described for the determination of 5′-terminal methylated (cap) structures in unlabeled mRNA based on oxidation with NaIO 4 , reduction with NaB[ 3 H] 4 , cleavage with P 1 nuclease, and separation on a strong anion-exchange resin by high-performance liquid chromatography (hplc). Model compounds (cap 1 dinucleotides) were used to show that no structural alteration other than cleavage of the ribose ring of 7-methylguanosine occurred under the conditions used for oxidation and reduction. It was shown that the enzyme tobacco acid pyrophosphatase could be used to cleave cap dinucleotides containing unmodified or ring-opened ribose moieties and could also be used to release [ 3 H]pm 7 G′ from NaB[ 3 H] 4 -labeled rabbit globin mRNA. All five known cap 1 dinucleotides were resolved by hplc. The cap of rabbit globin mRNA was identified as m 7 Gpppm 6 Am, in agreement with other methods of determination.
Groupwise density and the cofinality of the infinite symmetric group

We study the relationship between the cofinality \(c(Sym(\omega))\) of the infinite symmetric group and the cardinal invariants \(\frak{u}\) and \(\frak{g}\). In particular, we prove the following two results. Theorem 0.1It is consistent with ZFC that there exists a simple $P_{\omega_{1}}$-point and that $c(Sym(\omega)) = \omega_{2} = 2^{\omega}$. Theorem 0.2If there exist both a simple $P_{\omega_{1}}$-point and a $P_{\omega_{2}}$-point, then $c(Sym(\omega)) = \omega_{1}$.
Criteria for Yielding or Failure of Cellular Materials

Sandwich structures are used extensively in marine structures and other applications. Cellular materials such as foams, honeycomb, and balsa wood used as core materials in sandwich structures are s...
Pulmonary Vascular Effects of Prolonged Estrogen Receptor Blockade on the Response to Birth-Related Stimuli in Fetal Lambs

Pulmonary Vascular Effects of Prolonged Estrogen Receptor Blockade on the Response to Birth-Related Stimuli in Fetal Lambs
Occurrence, chemistry and application of betanin

Abstract Anthocyanins and betalaines are mutually exclusive in plants. The chief red pigment of beetroot is betanin. Its extraction gives low yield and a large proportion of sugar. This may be removed by aerobic fermentation. The chemistry of betanin and the synthesis of betanidin are described. Betanin is stable between pH 3·0 and 7·0; outside this range there are appreciable losses. Heating can also change the red to light brown. The presence of air and light accelerates degradation. Water also aids degradation, suggesting its use in foodstuffs of low moisture content.
Protein and energy tolerance by stressed geriatric patients

Abstract Nutritional support of stressed geriatric patients remains empiric and has classically been limited by tolerance. Although the hypermetabolic response is known to increase protein and calorie demands, tolerance to increased loads of delivered nutrients in older patients has been questioned. We compared tolerance to nutrient delivery and nitrogen metabolism in 38 stressed surgical patients over age 65 to 38 Injury Severity Score or disease matched younger controls. Twenty-seven of the 31 geriatric patients (87%) who maintained normal renal function (serum creatinine 30) while receiving 1.5 to 2.0 g of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight compared to only 21% of controls. This phenomenon led to inaccuracies in 17% of geriatric nitrogen balance studies because of unaccounted for serum accumulation of urea nitrogen (compared to only 6% in the control group). When calculated protein requirements were administered to the geriatric group, the mean nitrogen balance was −1.6. Resting energy expenditure as measured by indirect calorimetry demonstrated a strong correlation between actual calorie expenditures and calculated needs based on the Harris-Benedict basal energy expenditure (BEE) multiplied by an activity factor of 1.2 and a stress factor of 1.75 for trauma (r = 0.86, P
Quantitative detection of rapid motions in spectrin by NMR.

Abstract Previous high resolution proton NMR data on human erythrocyte spectrin molecules has indicated the existence of regions exhibiting rapid internal motions within the intact molecules [L. W.-M. Fung, H.-Z. Lu, R. P. Hjelm, jr, M. E. Johnson, FEBS Lett., 197, 234 (1986)]. We have extended the studies by developing quantitative NMR methods to determine the fraction of spectrin protons exhibiting rapid internal motions, in both the isolated molecule and within the spectrin-actin network. Using both one-pulse and spin echo pulse sequences, we find that the fraction of the protons in rapid motion is about 15 % of the total protons in the spectrin molecule at 37 °C in phosphate buffer with 150 mM NaCl at pH 7.4. Quantitative information on these rapid motions will be important in understanding the structural, mechanical and functional properties of spectrin molecules, as well as in understanding filamentous protein structures in general.
Effects of an external force on levitation of a magnet over a superconductor

With the help of an external force the stable levitation range of a magnet over a superconductor can be increased. In the experiments discussed here the external force is supplied by a bar magnet kept 4.5 cm above the superconductor sample.
Evaluation of a Stochastic Dynamic Replacement and Insemination Model for Dairy Cattle

An approach to evaluating results from a stochastic, dynamic model for insemination and replacement of dairy cattle was devised using sensitivity and behavioral analyses. Sensitivity analysis was defined as the quantification of the various outputs resulting from uncertain price and production inputs. Behavioral analysis determined how outputs changed when model specifications were changed. The variation in outputs that were identified by sensitivity analysis was used as an objective measure to assess variation caused by behavioral analysis scenarios. A contemporary model was modified, and a base run was defined using Florida values for input variables. The model specifications that were varied were decision horizon, number of milk production levels, and number of days open classes. Effects of including seasonality of milk production, milk price, and conception rate were examined. The necessary decision horizon was shorter than other works would suggest. Optimal policies were influenced greatly by the number of days open classes, but not by the number of milk production levels. Removal of seasonality of milk production and conception rate resulted in meaningful changes in seasonal patterns of all outputs measured. Our results suggest that model specifications could affect results and should be evaluated objectively when models are being developed.
Life History of an Exotic Soft Scale Insect Phalacrococcus howertoni (Hemiptera: Coccidae) Found in Florida

ABSTRACT We investigated the life history of an exotic soft scale insect, Phalacrococcus howertoni Hodges and Hodgson that damages croton and several other economically important ornamental and fruit plants in Florida. There was no difference in the development, survival, and reproduction of this scale insect species when reared either on croton or on buttonwood at 27 ± 1°C, 12:12 (L:D) h and 65% R. H. The scale insect practiced ovoviviparity. We observed that eggs that came out from vulva hatched to first instars immediately. Newly hatched nymphs had a tendency stay underneath the female body for somewhat less than approximately 24 h and then disperse throughout the leaf area for feeding. Females went through 3 immature stages (first, second, and third-instar) prior to becoming adults, while males had 4 immature stages (first, second, third (‘pre-pupa’), and fourth instar (‘pupa’)). Survival in the first instars was the lowest (50.0–50.9%), while the survivorship of the other instars was as follows: seco...
National Wind Hazards Reduction Program

Recent events such as Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki have shown that wind-related disasters occur in the United States with consequences much more far-reaching and severe than expected. During this International Decade for Natural Disaster Mitigation, (1991–2000), the U.S. wind engineering community is calling for the establishment of a wind hazards reduction program analogous in function to the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. This proposed wind hazards program would provide badly needed leadership in improving our understanding of wind-induced structural behavior, in improving codes of practice, in providing advanced methods for evaluating and predicting wind loadings, and in providing an impetus to structural engineers to develop new technologies for improving structural performance. In the present paper, the need for such a program is discussed, and its organization and goals are outlined.
Coated pits and coated vesicles — sorting it all out

Clathrin-coated structures are involved in the first steps of membrane vesiculation which lead to receptor sorting and directed traffic. This review focuses on our current understanding of clathrin and its associated proteins, the major components of the coat. Recent experiments provide new insights into the interactions between these proteins.
Serotonin and thromboxane A2 stimulate platelet-derived microparticle-induced smooth muscle cell proliferation

Abstract Introduction At the sites of vascular injury, activated and aggregating platelets release small vesiculated structures called platelet microparticles (PMPs). Apart from PMPs they also release several vasoactive mediators including serotonin and thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ). PMPs, serotonin, and TXA 2 have been shown to stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Thus, this study is designed to examine the interaction between PMPs and serotonin or TXA 2 in inducing rabbit VSMC proliferation. Methods Growth-arrested rabbit SMCs were incubated in serum-free medium with different concentrations of PMPs with or without serotonin or TXA 2 . VSMC proliferation was examined by increase in incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine into DNA and by increase in cell number. Results PMPs stimulated DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner; up to an added concentration of 30 μg/ml (1489±90%) they stimulated SMC proliferation in a logarithmic fashion. Serotonin at 50 μM (345±21%) and TXA 2 at 7.5 μM (900±36%) had their maximal effect. When added together, PMPs (10 μg/ml) and serotonin (5 μM), synergistically induced DNA synthesis (581±36% and 211±11% when added alone and 1201±95% when added together), whereas PMPs (10 μg/ml) and TXA 2 (5 μM) additively induced DNA synthesis (581±36% and 781±56% when added alone and 1262±115% when added together). These increases in DNA synthesis were paralleled by increase in cell number. Conclusion PMPs, serotonin, and TXA 2 are mitogenic to SMC, and function as amplification factors to each other, suggesting that inhibition of neointimal proliferation after vascular injury may require the combined use of multiple growth factor inhibitors to simultaneously block several critical cellular activation pathways.
Burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Medicare beneficiaries residing in long-term care facilities.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. COPD increases health care resource utilization and spending and adversely affects quality of life. Data from the clinical and economic outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries with COPD who reside in long-term care (LTC) facilities are limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and economic outcomes associated with COPD in Medicare beneficiaries residing in LTC facilities. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from MarketScan Medicaid, a large US administrative claims database containing data on Medicaid programs in 8 states. The study cohort comprised LTC facility residents aged ≥60 years who had a diagnosis of COPD. Eligible patients also had a prescription filled between January 1, 2003, and June 30, 2005, for one of the following COPD treatments: fluticasone propionate + salmeterol xinafoate, tiotropium bromide, ipratropium bromide, or ipratropium bromide + albuterol sulfate. The date of the first prescription fill was considered the index date. Measures of health care resource utilization included COPD-related and all-cause hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. Cost analysis outcomes included COPD-related and all-cause inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, LTC, and total costs during the 12-month postindex period. Results: Data from 3037 patients were included (63.0% women; 82.2% white; mean [SD] age, 78.1 [10.0] years). A total of 43.3% of patients had ≥1 hospitalization; 90.0%, ≥1 ED visit. With the exception of age <70 years, age was associated with all-cause hospitalization (age 70–<75 years, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.31 [95% CI, 1.03–1.68]; age 75–<80 years, HR = 1.40 [95% CI, 1.11–1.78]; age ≥80 years, HR = 1.48 [95% CI, 1.19–1.85]). Age was not associated with COPD-related hospitalization, all-cause ED visits, or COPD-related ED visits. The risk for all-cause hospitalization in white patients was significantly lower compared with that in nonwhite patients (HR = 0.79 [95% CI, 0.69–0.91]). Patients with comorbid asthma had a higher risk for a COPD-related ED visit (HR = 1.34 [95% CI, 1.08–1.66]) than did patients without asthma. Preindex all-cause hospitalization was associated with COPD-related hospitalization (HR = 1.78 [95% CI, 1.49–2.14]) and all-cause hospitalization (HR = 2.05 [95% CI, 1.932.19]). Twelve-month COPD-related and all-cause direct expenditures per beneficiary were US $7391 and $48,183. In COPD-related and all-cause estimates, mean (SD) LTC costs were the largest cost components ($5629 [$12,562] and $32,966 [$14,871], respectively), followed by pharmacy costs ($956 [$957] and $5565 [$3873]), inpatient costs ($466 [$3393] and $6436 [$22,603]), and outpatient costs ($341 [$1793] and $3216 [$6458]). Conclusion: This study found that the utilization of health care resources and economic burden of LTC residents with COPD were primarily due to LTC, pharmacy, and inpatient costs.
Gender effects in negotiation: Constituent surveilance and contentious behavior

Abstract This experiment examined the influence of constituent surveillance, constituent gender, and negotiator gender on negotiation behavior and outcome. (Constituents are the people represented by negotiators.) Surveillance by a male constituent made negotiators more contentious and produced relatively unequal final outcomes. Surveillance by a female constituent made negotiators less contentious and resulted in relatively equal final outcomes. These findings can be interpreted as negotiator efforts to impress a constituent who is watching by acting in accordance with sex-role stereotypes about how he or she would expect them to behave. In the absence of constituent surveillance, there was more contentious behavior with female than with male constituents, regardless of the sex of the negotiator. This suggests the existence of a unisex “chivalry” norm, involving greater concern for female than male outcomes. Male and female negotiators did not differ in behavior or outcome and did not react differently to constituent surveillance.
Determination of hydralazine and its metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Metabolism of the vasodilator hydralazine was investigated by in vivo and in vitro studies. Standards to identify metabolic products were synthesized. Determination and quantification of hydralazine and its metabolites were accomplished by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A deuterium-labeled internal standard was used for quantification. 14C-labeled internal standards were synthesized and used to demonstrate recoveries from the biological samples.
Further observations of psychological factors involved in CNV genesis.

Human psychological factors involved in genesis of contingent or conative negative variation using EEG activity measurements
All-optical logic gates with bacteriorhodopsin films

We demonstrate an all-optical switch using molecular states in a bacteriorhodopsin (bR) thin film. All-optical logic gates are implemented with wild-type and chemically stabilized films of bacteriorhodopsin using a two-color backward degenerate four-wave mixing geometry. The films are observed to be stable over a period of four years. The sensitivity of each bR film is markedly different due to the large differences in the saturation intensity which can be controlled by different means. Red light is used to form a grating due to the B to M transition and blue light is used to form a grating due to the fast photochemical transition from M to B. Each of the two wavelengths in the experimental system acts as an input to the all-optical gate and the phase conjugate signal beam bears the output of the gate.
Spatial dimension as an expansion parameter in quantum mechanics.

For quantum-mechanical problems defined at arbitrary values of the spatial dimension D, dramatic simplifications occur for special values of D. These provide the basis for new expansions which are quite accurate in cases where more traditional expansions fail. This high accuracy originates in the fact that no dynamical parameters are modified, making the essential features of the solutions to the approximate problem the same as in the problem of interest. For example, the wave functions in the special dimensions have the same asymptotic properties and satisfy the same cusp conditions as the true wave function in the dimension of interest. We show how to identify those dimensions which may be useful and illustrate the expansion using the Yukawa potential and some anharmonic oscillators as examples. In the Yukawa problem, the leading correction to the energy in this expansion yields accuracy equal to second order in the usual perturbation theory and to sixth order in the 1/D series. For the oscillator problems, the accuracy of the zero-order wave function and first-order energy are nearly independent of the strength of the anharmonicity. The expansion is only developed for ground states but we conclude with a discussion of the special dimensions associated with excited states.
Apo‐10′‐violaxanthal, a New Carotenoid from Valencia Orange Peels

SUMMARY— A new 5,6-epoxide carotenoid aldehyde, apo-10′-violaxanthal, was isolated from Valencia orange peels.
Production Validation of Agile Machining Fixture: A Machine-Automated Reconfigurable Tooling

Agile machining fixture is a machine-automated reconfigurable tooling first introduced in 2003. The fixture is reconfigurable and programmable on a CNC machine. To evaluate its viability in production, the agile machining fixture is reconfigured from one machining operation to another for showing its flexibility to processing needs. The fixture is further tested and validated in a low volume production environment to address various challenges in product designs, machine conditions and process details. The good dimensional quality of the production parts machined in this study confirms that the agile machining fixture can perform as well as conventional ones on a regular CNC machine and thus deserves the consideration for future production implementation.Copyright © 2007 by General Motors Corporation
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting determination of antibody response to major component proteins of soybeans in patients with soy protein intolerance.

To evaluate the role of food-specific antibody response to soy protein and its fractions in patients with soy protein intolerance, allergen-specific IgG and IgE to these proteins were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAS) and immunoblotting. A crude soy extract and the 7S, 11S, and whey fractions were isolated from commercial defatted soy flakes. Of 23 patients who underwent standardized soy challenges, seven were positive. The ELISA results showed no statistically different responses between the challenge-positive and challenge-negative groups in IgG or IgE specific to either the crude soy extract or the 7S, 11S, and whey fractions (p greater than .3 for all variables). In comparing the soy-positive patients, the level of IgE specific for 7S and 11S was significantly different compared with whey; the level of IgE specific for crude soy extract and 7S was significantly different compared with whey. The immunoblots reveal that IgG and IgE are present in varying amounts to multiple fractions of the soy protein. The study does not provide evidence for a pathogenic role of serum food-specific antibodies in soy protein intolerance.
A 2.5mW 900MHz Receiver Employing Multiband Feedback with Bias Current Reuse

A down-conversion receiver that employs a merged IF-amplifier and mixer is described. Down-converted signal at IF is fed back into the mixer transconductor for further amplification. The receiver operates at a nominal supply voltage of 1.2 V with a current requirement of 2.1 mA and provides a peak conversion-gain of 55 dB. The SSB noise figure is 13 dB at an IF of 1 MHz and 9.8 dB at an IF of 4 MHz. The receiver is implemented in a 0.13-mum CMOS process, with a core area of less than 0.1 mm2.
Designing and facilitating learning communities in immersive virtual environments

Immersive virtual environments (IVEs) hold a lot of promise to support and enhance student online learning communities, due to their ability to deliver on several key web 2.0 trends: global synchronous interaction and collaboration, rich multi-sensory experience and expression, elaborate design capabilities, etc. Although these features afford educational experiences that other environments cannot, great care must be taken with regards to the design and development of learning communities. In this paper, we propose five strategies to help teachers to create and sustain a fruitful learning community in IVEs. These strategies are grounded in the following three resources: 1) research data; 2) a professional interview; 3) a review of empirical literature. We use these three diverse resources to provide a well-rounded view of educator and student perspectives and needs. Based on the findings, design and development applications are offered.
ER sliding dynamics and ER–mitochondrial contacts occur on acetylated microtubules

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network is extremely dynamic in animal cells, yet little is known about the mechanism and function of its movements. The most common ER dynamic, termed ER sliding, involves ER tubule extension along stable microtubules (MTs). In this study, we show that ER sliding occurs on nocodazole-resistant MTs that are posttranslationally modified by acetylation. We demonstrate that high MT curvature is a good indicator of MT acetylation and show in live cells that ER sliding occurs predominantly on these curved, acetylated MTs. Furthermore, increasing MT acetylation by drug treatment increases the frequency of ER sliding. One purpose of the ER sliding on modified MT tracts could be to regulate its interorganelle contacts. We find that all mitochondria and many endosomes maintain contact with the ER despite the movements of each. However, mitochondria, but not endosomes, preferentially localize to acetylated MTs. Thus, different ER dynamics may occur on distinct MT populations to establish or maintain contacts with different organelles.
Early propranolol administration to severely injured patients can improve bone marrow dysfunction.

Patients experiencing major trauma develop anemia, and subsequent transfusions are independent risk factors for infection, organ failure, and death.1 Previously, we have shown that bone marrow (BM) dysfunction is common in severely injured trauma patients, and this BM dysfunction is accompanied by persistent elevation of norepinephrine (NE), plasma granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and the prolonged mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) into the peripheral blood.2,3 HPCs include granulocyte-erythrocyte-monocyte-macrophage progenitor cells, blast-forming unit erythroid cells (BFU-E), and colony-forming unit erythroid cells (CFU-E), which are the precursors to red blood cells. Under normal homeostatic conditions, HPCs are found within the BM and participate in erythropoiesis, and there is a reduced number of HPCs in the peripheral blood.4 G-CSF plays a direct role in the release of HPCs from the BM to the peripheral blood, and this G-CSF release is mediated by NE.4 Therefore, the combined exaggerated loss of HPCs from the BM and the suppression of HPC growth in BM after trauma contribute to prolonged BM dysfunction, which manifests as a persistent anemia that can persist for several months.5–7 The sympathetic response to severe traumatic injury is associated with a persistent systemic elevation of epinephrine and NE.2,8–11 This trauma-induced catecholamine surge has been shown to independently predict mortality, especially when there is concomitant head injury.11 In animal models, NE causes a dose-dependent reduction of BM HPC growth both in vitro and in vivo.12,13 In addition, plasma G-CSF levels are significantly elevated after trauma and shock, and this elevation is likely linked to the persistent elevation of NE.3,14 In a rodent model of injury and hemorrhagic shock, the use of propranolol reduced G-CSF and prevented excess HPC mobilization.5,14,15 Propranolol inhibits the action of endogenous catecholamines by competitively binding to all β-adrenergic receptors. Recent studies have demonstrated an association between A-blockade use and improved outcomes after injury.16,17 To date, however, propranolol has not been tested in trauma patients to examine its potential benefit on hematologic outcomes. Therefore, we hypothesize that β-blockade would prevent prolonged HPC mobilization, persistent elevation of G-CSF, and anemia following severe injury. This study examines the effects of propranolol given after injury on BM function.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Elders: The Challenges and Resilience of this Marginalized Group

Current gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) individuals age 65 years and older grew up before the Gay Rights movement. They have learned over many years to hide their identities in order to avoid discrimination and ridicule. Unfortunately, this secrecy has led to the near invisibility of the elder GLBT population and to poor health and service access. This paper reviews what we know about GLBT elders, describes some of the unique strengths they bring to the aging process, and outlines some of the challenges they face. Micro, mezzo, and macro practice implications are suggested.
A renewed power and energy initiative development at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering

The University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering has embarked on a proactive approach to the issues faced by the power and energy industries of an aging workforce, infrastructure degradation, and technology development deficiencies that have evolved somewhat unabated over the past several decades. A renewed power and energy program initiative has been developed with inclusive components to academic and research programs in three key areas: electric power, nuclear, and mining engineering. This inter-disciplinary program, entitled the Power and Energy Initiative, has been developed in close collaboration with industry partners and also supports strong synergies with the School's Mascaro Sustainability Initiative, establishing a foundation for a comprehensive approach to energy and the environment. The Power & Energy Initiative includes renewed program options for undergraduate and graduate students and opportunities for faculty research activities across the School's six departments (i.e., Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science). The Power & Energy Initiative being implemented at the University of Pittsburgh is unique in its combination of electric power, nuclear, and mining engineering, in conjunction with sustainability; and thus provides a strong cross-disciplined level of diversity for student opportunities, faculty research areas, and industry and government participation. A description will be provided of the modernized educational curriculum and research programs that are being developed and implemented for the initiative. An overview will also be given on the unique opportunity that the Pittsburgh region provides for developing a strong industry-academia collaboration that can address the needs of the power and energy industries, and the role that industry has played in the initiative's development.