cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preferences for Consumption Streams: Scale Invariance, Correlation Aversion, and Delay Aversion Under Mortality Risk

Lifetime financial decisions often require a decision analyst to elicit a decision maker's preferences for consumption streams. In assessing such preferences, the analyst might look for a set of reasonable conditions to check when selecting a utility form. We provide such a set of conditions and show that they lead to the multiplicative-expo-power (MEP) utility form. Some of our conditions involve trade-offs under certainty and others relate to choices under uncertainty. In the deterministic setting, we invoke increasingness, continuous differentiability, mutual preferential independence, and preferential scale invariance. In the uncertainty setting, we invoke componentwise risk aversion, a utility independence condition, and correlation aversion. We apply the MEP utility in a life-cycle consumption-planning problem under mortality risk. In this context, we find that the correlation-averse MEP utility is more realistic than, and as tractable as, the popular correlation-neutral additive-power and additive-exponential utilities. We show that the correlation-averse decision maker prefers to consume more in life and leave less behind in death. In addition, we demonstrate that the correlation-averse decision maker is more averse to delaying consumption in the face of mortality risk.
A Comprehensive Typology for Program Evaluation

Abstract Chen begins his discussion by challenging the basic formative/ summative dichotomy introduced by Scriven, arguing that it has been confusing. He analyzes Scriven's 1991 paper, “Beyond…” which, he feels, clarifies some of the prior confusions, but creates others. Based on what he sees as limitations in Scriven's dichotomy, Chen offers his own conceptual framework that he argues allows more complete classification of evaluation types. He proposes a typology formed by crossing two evaluation functions (“improvement” and “assessment”) with two program stages (“process” and “outcome”), resulting in four basic types of evaluation that he sees as comprehensive enough to encompass the breadth of evaluations that practitioners encounter, while providing a framework that can accommodate mixed-type evaluations.
Retinoid X receptor expression in skeletal muscle of nondiabetic, obese and type 2 diabetic individuals.

Abstract Retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a nuclear receptor that functions as an obligate heterodimeric partner of peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor (PPAR). Studies have shown that the [alpha ] isoform of RXR and PPAR[gamma ] act synergistically to regulate gene expression and insulin action. The aim of the current study was to compare the expression and regulation of RXR in the primary insulin-sensitive tissue, skeletal muscle, of various degrees of insulin-resistant states including obese type 2 diabetic (T2D), obese nondiabetic (OND), and lean nondiabetic (LND) subjects. Insulin action/resistance was determined by a 3-hour hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic (5.0 to 5.5 mmol/L) clamp. Percutaneous biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle was performed before and after the clamp. RXR[alpha ] mRNA was measured using a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, while protein was determined by Western blotting. All 3 isoforms of RXR, [alpha ], [beta ], and [gamma ], were present in skeletal muscle. Protein expression of RXR isoforms did not differ between groups; RXR [alpha ] mRNA was also similar between groups. Neither RXR [alpha ] mRNA, RXR -[beta ] nor -[gamma ] protein displayed significant relationships with any of the clinical or laboratory parameters measured, including insulin sensitivity. RXR [alpha ] exhibited a negative correlation with free fatty acids levels ( r , [minus ].42, P [lt ] .05). There was also no relationship between RXR [alpha ] and PPAR[gamma ] protein levels. RXR [alpha ] mRNA was unaltered following insulin infusion. We conclude that RXR isoform ([alpha ], [beta ], [gamma ]) expression is not tightly controlled by insulin, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Instead, RXR isoforms are likely constitutive proteins or controlled by other factors.
Deformable bubbles in a free shear layer

The flow in and around three-dimensional deformable bubbles subjected to a non-linear planar free shear layer was simulated using a finite difference/front tracking scheme with the full Navier-Stokes equations including surface tension. This allowed detailed resolution of the flow around and inside the bubble. The bubble size and response time is comparable to the thickness and timescale of the free shear layer and we have investigated increased deformation by systematically lowering surface tension. The interaction between the bubble wake and the shear layer led to complex three-dimensional flows past and within the bubble surface. The resulting hydrodynamic forces and trajectories of the fully resolved bubble simulation could be qualitatively compared with those expected from quasi-steady classical predictions. In general, the quasi-steady drag began to underpredict the actual drag as deformation increased and the quasi-steady lift predicted values of opposite sign to that of the actual lift for very high deformation.
Classical differential geometry solution of the brachistochrone tunnel problem

The Frenet-Serret equations of classical differential geometry are used to describe the quickest descent tunneling path problem. The optimal tunnel is shown to have a constant turn rate with zero torsion and is equivalent to Edelbaum's hypocycloid solution. The solutions are obtained using the maximum principle and singular arc conditions. The optimal curvature is a first-order singular arc and the optimal torsion is a second-order singular arc. Our treatment includes both the normal and the abnormal optimal control problems. Our problem is abnormal for the case where the final speed is zero. Analytical solutions for the optimal time histories are derived for all states and all adjoint states. One of Leitmann's sufficiency field theorems is used to establish optimality of the solutions.
Progestational support of the decidual reaction by topically administered steroids.

Abstract Steroids, impregnated into hemicylindrical rods formed of Silastic, were applied topically as intraluminal implants into pseudopregnant rats. Progesterone and Provera (2 mg/implant and 0.5 mg/implant respectively) administered in this manner on the 4th day of pseudopregnancy effectively supported the decidual reaction in ovariectomized animals. 5α-Pregnane-3,20-dione, in the range of 0.5 to 25 mg, similarly administered, was ineffective. Allopregnanedione does not appear to be the primary progestational hormone in the decidual reaction.
A critical analysis of the "innovators dilemma" : why should new technologies cause great firms to fail

The disruptive innovation (DI) theory developed by Clayton Christensen has been one of the most influential management concepts in recent years, being required reading at such prominent companies as Microsoft, AT&T and Cisco Systems. In this paper we describe the disruptive innovation process and analyze the underlying assumptions of both the theory and of its practice implications. We argue that there is much misunderstanding in the business world as to the exact meaning of the theory and a clear need for greater clarity on when it arises and what firms can do about it. In particular, we find that the theory makes implicit assumptions about the availability of information that may be hard to sustain in most circumstances. Our analysis gives rise to the conclusion that the standard models of management control cannot fully explain why disruptive innovations should necessarily cause well-run firms to fail, while at the same time startups are able to succeed. That leaves two possibilities: that the process is invalid as a descriptive phenomenon, or alternatively, that some other force is driving the DI phenomenon. It is the second possibility that we focus on in this paper, developing a model based on Prospect Theory that more fully explains why managers at large firms would react differently to a DI than those at startups. Better understanding the assumptions underlying DI theory and its practice implications is critical for those whose responsibility it is to develop the firm�s strategic control systems, in particular, to management accountants.
Insulin resistance contributes to aberrant stress responses in the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

We previously reported aberrant stress responses and impaired glucose tolerance in transgenic Tg2576 mice, a model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we report that by 8 months of age, Tg2576 mice had lower basal serum insulin concentrations and exhibited a delayed insulin-induced reduction in blood glucose levels relative to wild-type mice. However, the basal levels of blood glucose and percent glycosylated hemoglobin (%HbA1c) were similar between the two groups of mice. While the basal levels of serum corticosterone were similar between Tg2576 and wild-type mice, an overnight fasting caused a greater rise in serum corticosterone levels and an excessive reduction in serum insulin concentrations in the transgenics. At 9 months of age, we began administering Tg2576 mice rosiglitazone, an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ that increases peripheral insulin sensitivity, and after 6 weeks of administration the Tg2576 mice had the same response to insulin and increase in serum corticosterone levels after an overnight fast as did wild-type mice. By 13 months of age, untreated Tg2576 mice had become hyperinsulinemic, in contrast to Tg2576 mice administered rosiglitazone for 4 months where the serum insulin concentrations were maintained at levels observed in wild-type mice. These results provide evidence for a relationship between insulin resistance, impaired regulation of insulin and glucose levels, and aberrant stress responses in Tg2576 mice.
Succinyl-CoA: 3-Ketoacid-CoA transferase (CoA transferase) deficiency, a new cause of keto-acidosis in infancy

In an infant with a unique form of persistent ketonemia and severe intermittent keto-acidosis, studies of post mortem brain, muscle and kidney tissue demonstrated the absence of CoA transferase, a critical enzyme in ketone metabolism. Other enzymes of glucose and ketone metabolism were present in both post mortem tissues and skin fibroblasts from this patient. The tissue culture fibroblasts in addition to having no CoA transferase activity, demonstrated an altered carbohydrate metabolism compared to that of normal cells. When initially harvested, these cells utilized glucose at a rate significantly less than that of controls (125 vs 680 mμM/mg/hr). However, after incubation of 2.5 mM glucose for 18 hours, glucose uptake by patient's cell increased 20 fold (2560 mμM/mg/hr) whereas, that by control cells remained constant (680 ± 90). Concomitant with this increase, glucose-6-14C oxidation to 14CO2 in patient's fibroblasts rose from 8 to 2261 μμM/mg/hr, while that in control cells remained constant (485 ± 175). This increase in glucose utilization was not due to new enzyme formation since incubation with puromycin had no effect. Mixing experiments demonstrated no transfer of permeable inhibitors or activating substances. These data indicate that the absence of CoA transferase was the probable cause of the keto-acidosis in this infant and of the abnormal glucose metabolism in the fibroblasts suggesting a regulatory role for this enzyme in peripheral tissue glycolysis.
Trends in Sustainable Design Centered Manufacturing

This paper illustrates a new manufacturing capability which is driven by design and sustainability. Several objectified design cases by using or waiting the new insertion of manufacturing technologies have been discussed. The cases of the leading products or systems in the world include Kazuo Kawasaki eyeglasses, Mac ibook, Boeing 787-8, integrated circuit, plasmafication, and information based medicine. The research also forecasts the value increased the activities of design centered manufacturing. After defining the scope of sustainability, an analysis of a strategy of a sustainable organization is also included. The research results predict that the competitive advantages of new products come not only from the advanced manufacturing technologies but also from a sustainable design centered manufacturing approach.
The three-level scaling approach with application to the Purdue University Multi-Dimensional Integral Test Assembly (PUMA)

Abstract The three-level scaling approach was developed for the scientific design of an integral test facility and then it was applied to the design of the scaled facility known as the Purdue University Multi-Dimensional Integral Test Assembly (PUMA). The NRC Technical Program Group for severe accident scaling developed the conceptual framework for this scaling methodology. The present scaling method consists of the integral system scaling, whose components comprise the first two levels, and the phenomenological scaling constitutes the third level of scaling. More specifically, the scaling is considered as follows: (1) the integral response function scaling, (2) control volume and boundary flow scaling, and (3) local phenomena scaling. The first two levels are termed the top-down approach while the third level is the bottom-up approach. This scheme provides a scaling methodology that is practical and yields technically justifiable results. It ensures that both the steady state and dynamic conditions are simulated within each component, and also scales the inter-component mass and energy flows as well as the mass and energy inventories within each component.
Ab initio Gene Identification in Metagenomic Sequences

We describe an algorithm for gene identification in DNA sequences derived from shotgun sequencing of microbial communities. Accurate ab initio gene prediction in a short nucleotide sequence of anonymous origin is hampered by uncertainty in model parameters. While several machine learning approaches could be proposed to bypass this difficulty, one effective method is to estimate parameters from dependencies, formed in evolution, between frequencies of oligonucleotides in protein-coding regions and genome nucleotide composition. Original version of the method was proposed in 1999 and has been used since for (i) reconstructing codon frequency vector needed for gene finding in viral genomes and (ii) initializing parameters of self-training gene finding algorithms. With advent of new prokaryotic genomes en masse it became possible to enhance the original approach by using direct polynomial and logistic approximations of oligonucleotide frequencies, as well as by separating models for bacteria and archaea. These advances have increased the accuracy of model reconstruction and, subsequently, gene prediction. We describe the refined method and assess its accuracy on known prokaryotic genomes split into short sequences. Also, we show that as a result of application of the new method, several thousands of new genes could be added to existing annotations of several human and mouse gut metagenomes.
Transparent air filter for high-efficiency PM2.5 capture

Particulate matter pollution is a public health concern in industrialized and urban areas. Here, the authors control the surface chemistry and microstructure of filtration materials to fabricate effective and transparent air filters for the capture of PM2.5 pollutants.
Where next for the endoscope

The concept of examining the body's interior and its organs dates back to ancient times. The roots of modern endoscopy lie in early nineteenth century Europe, and the intervening centuries have seen a steady evolution of devices and techniques. Nowadays, a wide variety of urinary tract disorders are successfully managed in a minimally invasive manner thanks to the endoscope and related technologies. Distal-sensor, 'digital', endoscopes have the potential to revolutionize the field, and change the way in which we use and think about endoscopy. Virtual endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and a range of other techniques derived from physics and molecular biology all promise great improvements in visualization of the urinary tract and other urologic structures. Ultimately, the continued improvement of these minimally invasive technologies will enhance the quality of care that we can offer our patients.
The Experimental Evidence for Subjective Referral of a Sensory Experience Backwards in Time: Reply to P. S. Churchland

Our experimental investigations of cerebral neuronal activities that might uniquely be part of the processes that elicit a conscious sensory experience, produced evidence for the hypothesis that two remarkable temporal factors govern this kind of mind-brain relationship (see Libet 1973, 1978a; Libet et al. 1979). (1) There is a substantial delay before cerebral activities, initiated by a sensory stimulus, achieve “neuronal adequacy” for eliciting any resulting conscious sensory experience. For stimuli close to the threshold level for sensation the delay would average approximately 500 msec; for stronger stimuli this delay could be reduced, possibly to as little as 100 msec. The response in question is the introspective awareness of a localized somatic sensation elicited by the stimulus, as reported by the subject. It is in the category of a subjective “raw feel” (e.g., Feigl 1960), as distinct from behavioral responses to a stimulus that could reflect a form of detection that may be unaccompanied by a conscious, subjective experience (Libet 1965). (2) After neuronal adequacy is achieved, the subjective timing of the experience is (automatically) referred backwards in time, utilizing a “timing signal” in the form of the initial response of cerebral cortex to the sensory stimulus. This initial response is represented by the primary evoked potential, an electrophysiological response recordable at the primary sensory cortical area that receives the earliest (as well as the most localized) neural message, within 10 to 20 msec after the peripheral sensory nerve fibers are excited by the stimulus. The experience would thus be “antedated”, and its timing would appear to the subject to occur without the actual substantial delay required before neuronal adequacy for eliciting the experience is achieved.
Improving mouth guards

Mouth guards and materials were tested to provide information for a more protective yet more comfortable product. Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer materials varying in thickness and stiffness were tested for their mechanical, thermal, and water-absorption properties. Thickness was measured before and after fabrication of the mouth guard. During fabrication, thicknesses decreased from 25% to 50% for the custom-fabricated mouth guards and 70% to 99% for the mouth-formed (boil-and-bite), off-the-shelf, over-the-counter mouth guards. The thicker the material is, the greater the resulting energy absorption is. It is therefore essential that the thickness in the occlusal portion of the mouth guard remain optimal after fabrication. A mouth guard with a stiffer insert, which softens at a higher temperature in the occlusal portion, is proposed as a more protective mouth guard.
Cryptococcus meningitis in a child successfully treated with amphotericin B, with a review of the pediatric literature

Summary A case of cryptococcal meningitis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis is reported. The treatment of the disease with amphotericin B is discussed; the drug was effective and well tolerated. A review of cryptococcosis in the pediatricage group from the world literature is presented and the differences in the clinical manifestations of the disease in the neonate and the older child are stressed. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of congenital cryptococcal meningitis. In the pediatric age group, patients with histoplasmosis, moniliasis, Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, sarcoidosis, and tuberculosis manifesting meningeal symptoms should be watched for superimposed cryptococcal infection. The almost 100 per cent mortality rate of the 23 cases reviewed before the use of amphotericin B stresses the paramount role the drug plays in the management and treatment of this fungal disease.
Weight and distance structure of Nordstrom-Robinson quadratic code

The representation of the Nordstrom-Robinson optimum quadratic (15, 8) code in terms of polynomials over GF(2) (i.e.,, linear cyclic codes) leads to a nonheuristic proof of the distance properties of this code. In this paper it is shown that the weight and distance structures can be treated analogously and that the minimum distance and weight are 5. The analysis of this mechanism may be an essential step in the discovery of an entire class of nonlinear double error correcting codes.
Graphene nano-ribbon electronics

We have fabricated graphene nano-ribbon field-effect transistor devices and investigated their electrical properties as a function of ribbon width. Our experiments show that the resistivity of a ribbon increases as its width decreases, indicating the impact of edge states. Analysis of temperature-dependent measurements suggests a finite quantum confinement gap opening in narrow ribbons. The electrical current noise of the graphene ribbon devices at low frequency is found to be dominated by the 1/f noise.
Alcohol-induced defects in hepatic transcytosis may be explained by impaired dynein function

Alcoholic liver disease has been clinically well described, but the molecular mechanisms leading to hepatotoxicity have not been fully elucidated. Previously, we determined that microtubules are hyperacetylated and more stable in ethanol-treated WIF-B cells, VL-17A cells, liver slices, and in livers from ethanol-fed rats. From our recent studies, we believe that these modifications can explain alcohol-induced defects in microtubule motor-dependent protein trafficking including nuclear translocation of a subset of transcription factors. Since cytoplasmic dynein/dynactin is known to mediate both microtubule-dependent translocation and basolateral to apical/canalicular transcytosis, we predicted that transcytosis is impaired in ethanol-treated hepatic cells. We monitored transcytosis of three classes of newly synthesized canalicular proteins in polarized, hepatic WIF-B cells, an emerging model system for the study of liver disease. As predicted, canalicular delivery of all proteins tested was impaired in ethanol-treated cells. Unlike in control cells, transcytosing proteins were observed in discrete sub-canalicular puncta en route to the canalicular surface that aligned along acetylated microtubules. We further determined that the stalled transcytosing proteins colocalized with dynein/dynactin in treated cells. No changes in vesicle association were observed for either dynein or dynactin in ethanol-treated cells, but significantly enhanced dynein binding to microtubules was observed. From these results, we propose that enhanced dynein binding to microtubules in ethanol-treated cells leads to decreased motor processivity resulting in vesicle stalling and in impaired canalicular delivery. Our studies also importantly indicate that modulating cellular acetylation levels with clinically tolerated deacetylase agonists may be a novel therapeutic strategy for treating alcoholic liver disease.
Measurement of magnetization of an obliquely deposited film by using 3-dimensional vector VSM

An obliquely deposited film was experimentally analyzed using a three-dimensional vector vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Since the M-H loops of the magnetization components orthogonal to the applied field change their signs when the applied field direction crosses the easy or hard direction, detailed information about the magnetic anisotropy can be obtained from the behaviour of the magnetization components. Analysis reveals that the system does not have simple uniaxial anisotropy, but has both oblique uniaxial anisotropy and shape anisotropy. >
Progress report on scattering layer observations in the Atlantic Ocean

Observations with a Fathometer have shown the wide occurrence of a layer of scatterers of supersonic sound in the daytime in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico at a depth of 150–250 fathoms. Other subsidiary layers are also recorded. The main layer exhibits diurnal migration in depth whose similarity to the behavior of plankton suggests a planktonic control. The behavior of the layer under various conditions, alternative hypotheses on the nature of the scatterers, and preliminary experiments to test the theory of planktonlc control are discussed.
Hole concentration, Hall number, and disorder in compensation doped NdBa2Cu3Oy

Abstract The compensation doped systems Nd (1+x)−c Ca c Ba 2−x Cu 3 O y and Nd 1+x Ba 2−x Cu 3−z Zn z O y are studied to elucidate both the dependence of T c on the Cu O plane hole concentration and the effect of disorder on the planes. Nd substitution for Ba reduces T c and the plane holes. Ca substitution compensates for Nd, raising T c and the plane holes. Zn has a small effect on the hole concentration. More importantly, Zn causes disorder on the Cu O planes, suppressing T c . The choice of these Nd systems is very important, because, contrary to the YBa 2 Cu 3−x Zn x O y based systems, the Hall number can be unambiguously interpreted and is in good agreement with the plane hole concentration derived from chemical analysis and the method of Tokura et al. for dividing the total holes into mobile plane holes and local chain holes.
Management of Biliary Strictures Due to Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Injury to the extrahepatic bile ducts during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a cause of serious long-term patient morbidity. In order to identify management strategies and outcome, we undertook a retrospective review and analysis of patients referred to the Department of Surgery and the Division of Gastroenterology for management of bile duct strictures due to injury at LC. Eighteen patients (15 women, 3 men) with a mean age of 41 years were identified over a 4-year period. Six patients had injuries identified at LC. Ten patients had previously undergone an attempt at operative repair (8 end-to-end anastomoses, 1 choledochoduodenostomy, 1 cystic duct jejunostomy). There were 5 Bismuth Grade I strictures, 6 Grade II, 2 Grade III and 5 Grade IV. Ten patients were managed nonoperatively with stents placed by radiologic or endoscopic techniques. Four patients were managed with operation alone (2 choledochojejunostomy, 1 hepaticojejunostomy, and 1 external T-tube drainage) and 4 patients with a combined endoscopic and operative approach (all 4 with hepaticojejunostomy after initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography management). Bile duct strictures due to LC are frequently located in the proximal bile ducts (Bismuth II-IV) and are technically difficult to repair. In the majority of cases, injuries are unrecognized at LC. Both immediate and delayed repair attempts prior to referral were frequently unsuccessful. Many bile duct strictures can be managed successfully in the early postoperative period with endoscopic and radiologic stenting techniques. Strictures which cannot be managed nonoperatively are repaired with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Captions versus transcripts for online video content

Captions provide deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) users access to the audio component of web videos and television. While hearing consumers can watch and listen simultaneously, the transformation of audio to text requires deaf viewers to watch two simultaneous visual streams: the video and the textual representation of the audio. This can be a problem when the video has a lot of text or the content is dense, e.g., in Massively Open Online Courses. We explore the effect of providing caption history on users' ability to follow captions and be more engaged. We compare traditional on-video captions that display a few words at a time to off-video transcripts that can display many more words at once, and investigate the trade off of requiring more effort to switch between the transcript and visuals versus being able to review more content history. We find significant difference in users' preferences for viewing video with on-screen captions over off-screen transcripts in terms of readability, but no significant difference in users' preferences in following and understanding the video and narration content. We attribute this to viewers' perceived understanding significantly improving when using transcripts over captions, even if they were less easy to track. We then discuss the implications of these results for on-line education, and conclude with an overview of potential methods for combining the benefits of both onscreen captions and transcripts.
The Group Context of Delinquent Behavior

Cumulative empirical evidence suggests that the majority of offenses for which juveniles are apprehended involved more than one offender. Evidence supporting this claim has generally been interpreted as support for the theoretical assertion that “delinquency is predominantly a group phenomenon.” However, most of the studies reported in the literature are based exclusively on official records (either police or juvenile court records), and thus the question arises whether the proportion of offenses committed by groups would also be high if other sources of data were utilized. This paper reports the results of a study of “self-reported” delinquent behavior with specific emphasis on the extent to which offenses that individuals report having committed took place in a “group context.” The relationship between “group violation rates” (proportion of self-reported offenses that were committed in a group context) and other characteristics of offenses are examined. An analysis is made of the relationships between group violation rates, seriousness of offense, frequency of violation, frequency of arrest, and arrest rates.
Preinduction cervical ripening with commercially available prostaglandin E2 gel: A randomized, double-blind comparison with a hospital-compound preparation☆

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost of commercially available dinoprostone cervical gel 0.5 mg with a hospital-compounded formulation. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred thirty-four patients undergoing labor induction were randomly assigned to one of two cervical ripening groups. Commercially available dinoprostone gel 0.5 mg or a compounded formulation of 0.5 mg of prostaglandin E 2 gel was administered endocervically. On the basis of cervical scores, gel was reapplied at 6-hour intervals for a maximum of three doses. Physicians managing labor were blinded as to treatment group allocation. RESULTS: Among 134 patients evaluated, 70 were allocated to the commercially available gel and 64 to the compounded gel. No statistically significant differences were noted between the treatment groups with respect to start-to-delivery interval, number of doses, amount of oxytocin, or neonatal adverse outcomes. However, cesarean delivery was performed less frequently in patients in the group receiving the commercially available gel (12.9%) than in the group receiving the compounded gel (28.1%) ( p = 0.03). Because of the higher cesarean delivery rate in the compounded group, use of this formulation was not associated with cost savings. CONCLUSIONS: The two prostaglandin E 2 formulations appeared equivalent with respect to efficacy. An unexplained higher cesarean section rate, however, was associated with the use of the compounded preparation.
Role of subdural electrocorticography in prediction of long-term seizure outcome in epilepsy surgery

Since prediction of long-term seizure outcome using preoperative diagnostic modalities remains suboptimal in epilepsy surgery, we evaluated whether interictal spike frequency measures obtained from extraoperative subdural electrocorticography (ECoG) recording could predict long-term seizure outcome. This study included 61 young patients (age 0.4-23.0 years), who underwent extraoperative ECoG recording prior to cortical resection for alleviation of uncontrolled focal seizures. Patient age, frequency of preoperative seizures, neuroimaging findings, ictal and interictal ECoG measures were preoperatively obtained. The seizure outcome was prospectively measured [follow-up period: 2.5-6.4 years (mean 4.6 years)]. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses determined how well preoperative demographic and diagnostic measures predicted long-term seizure outcome. Following the initial cortical resection, Engel Class I, II, III and IV outcomes were noted in 35, 6, 12 and 7 patients, respectively. One child died due to disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with pseudomonas sepsis 2 days after surgery. Univariate regression analyses revealed that incomplete removal of seizure onset zone, higher interictal spike-frequency in the preserved cortex and incomplete removal of cortical abnormalities on neuroimaging were associated with a greater risk of failing to obtain Class I outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that incomplete removal of seizure onset zone was the only independent predictor of failure to obtain Class I outcome. The goodness of regression model fit and the predictive ability of regression model were greatest in the full regression model incorporating both ictal and interictal measures [R(2) 0.44; Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve: 0.81], slightly smaller in the reduced model incorporating ictal but not interictal measures (R(2) 0.40; Area under the ROC curve: 0.79) and slightly smaller again in the reduced model incorporating interictal but not ictal measures (R(2) 0.27; Area under the ROC curve: 0.77). Seizure onset zone and interictal spike frequency measures on subdural ECoG recording may both be useful in predicting the long-term seizure outcome of epilepsy surgery. Yet, the additive clinical impact of interictal spike frequency measures to predict long-term surgical outcome may be modest in the presence of ictal ECoG and neuroimaging data.
Transverse electroreflectance in semi-insulating silicon and gallium arsenide

Abstract The transverse electroreflectance (TER) spectrum of GaAs is measured over an energy range extending from the fundamental absorption edge to the lambda structure. The TER structure in the vicinity of 3.4eV in Si is also presented. Quantitative measurements of the variation of the spectrum with field have been performed, utilizing the facts that the TER geometry permits the calculation of the value of the electric field, and that the field is essentially uniform in the region of measurement. A detailed investigation of the effect of collision broadening on the electroreflectance response in the one-electron approximation is given, which qualitatively correlates the dependence of peak amplitude, peak location, and number of subsidiary oscillations observed in electroreflectance with the magnitude of the field and collision broadening lifetime. A method of measuring the collision broadening lifetime is applied to the fundamental edge of the GaAs sample used in this experiment. A conformal mapping is presented which enables a calculation of the field at any position in the crystal for the common TER geometries.
Beam-plasma interactions in space experiments - A simulation study

The plasma environment in the vicinity of a spacecraft during the injection of dense electron beams is studied using a two-dimensional, isolated-system electrostatic simulation model. The dependence of the beam stagnation time on the beam width and energy is examined. It is found that the relative size of the beam stagnation time and the ambient-plasma response time determines the environment of the spacecraft. The case of cross-field injection with beam stagnation time greater than plasma response time is discussed in detail. Also, the nature of the beam properties, plasma response, and wave spectra are considered.
Reaction channels in a plasma reactor-laser vaporization source. Formation of carbon clusters and metal-carbon clusters

Two reaction channels have been found when light hydrocarbon gases are introduced into the carrier gas of a plasma reactor coupled with a laser vaporization source employing a metal rod assembly. These involve dehydrogenation to produce pure carbon clusters, and formation of metal-carbon bonds to produce metal-carbon clusters, MmCn−. Using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer system coupled with a laser vaporization plasma source, experiments are conducted to investigate the optimum conditions for selecting the desired reaction channels. Varying the conditions of the plasma reactor results in a striking difference in the species produced as evidenced in the recorded mass spectra. That is, either a pure carbon cluster series or a metal-carbon cluster series MmCn+ (with a magic peak at MgC12+) is obtained. These studies demonstrate an alternative way to produce beams of carbon clusters, and also have led to the further development of a method useful for investigating the properties of metal-carbon clusters.
A Modification of Van Der Waals' Equation

The proposed equation is $(p+\frac{a}{{v}^{2}})(v\ensuremath{-}b)=\frac{\mathrm{RT}}{(1+\frac{{\ensuremath{\psi}}^{2}}{{T}^{2}})}$, where $\ensuremath{\psi}$ is a characteristic temperature. It represents the behavior of C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and other substances more closely and gives better values of the ratio $\frac{{T}_{c}}{{p}_{c}{v}_{c}}$. While the corrective factor is purely arbitrary, it resembles those of certain theoretical equations having a rational basis and also lends itself to mathematical treatment. It is shown that not only the energy but also the specific heat and entropy derived from this equation approach zero values at absolute zero in agreement with conclusions from the researches of Nernst.Theoretical formul\ae{} for specific heat (${c}_{v}$), internal energy and entropy as functions of $T$ and $v$, are derived from thermodynamic laws and the equation of state given above.
A nuclear magnetic resonance study of the interaction of l-epinephrine with phospholipid vesicles

Abstract Proton magnetic resonance has been used to measure the spin-spin relaxation times, T 2 , of dispersions of phospholipid vesicles containing l -epinephrine. A decrease in T 2 , as evidenced by a differential line broadening of the l -epinephrine resonance signals, is observed when the phospholipid is phosphatidylserine but is not observed with phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine. From these results the interaction is concluded to be predominantly ionic, and the stability constant for the l -epinephrine-phosphatidylserine complex has been estimated to be about 1 · 103 M−1, assuming a 1:1 stoichiometry. The differential line broadening pattern also has provided information concerning the motional characteristics of the various groups of l -epinephrine in the complex.
Chlorites in a spectrum of igneous rocks; mineral chemistry and paragenesis

The chlorite data presented are from four igneous complexes covering the compositional spectrum of igneous rocks (gabbro to granite) of orogenic and anorogenic settings. The four igneous complexes are; early orogenic gabbro-diorite-tonalite (D-T) suite, late orogenic granodiorite-adamellite (G-A) suite (both are calc-alkaline suites), high-alumina trondhjemite (TR), and anorogenic peralkaline granite (PGR). Chlorites in these igneous rocks show characteristic compositional fields. The Mg vs Fe plot provides the best discriminant, as data points define three compositionally different groups. Phases in the PGR are Fe-rich, siliceous, interlayered chlorite-smectite (Fe/Mg = 8.6), and differ significantly from those in the calc-alkaline D-T and G-A rocks which are Mg-rich chlorites (Fe/Mg = 0.6–0.8). The X-ray diffraction data for the peralkaline granite samples show superlattice reflections at approximately 31 A (air-dried) and 34 A (ethylene glycollated), thus suggesting the presence of an expandable (smectite-like) component in this interlayered (chlorite-smectite) phyllosilicate phase. Chlorites in the peraluminous TR rocks contain Fe/Mg values intermediate between the other two types (Fe/Mg = 1.3). Tetrahedral Al (AlZ) values are remarkably low (0–0.5) in phyllosilicates in the PGR, but vary from 1.9–2.5 in chlorites from the other suites. Yet, these chlorite groups with their generally low AlZ values are distinct from the more stable (type IIb) metamorphic chlorites. Sedimentary chlorites are somewhat similar, in their low AlZ values and metastable structural type, to chlorites in igneous rocks. In the calc-alkaline rocks, chlorite may have been formed at the expense of both biotite [biotite + 3M + 3H2O = chlorite + A], and calcic amphibole [2 Ca-amphibole + 6H2O + 5O2 + 1.8Al = 1 chlorite + 8SiO2 + A], where M = Fe, Mg, Al, and A = K, Na, Ca. The alteration of alkali amphibole in the peralkaline rocks may have produced interlayered chlorite-smectite via this reaction; [1 Na-amphibole + 7H2O + 2.5O2 + M = 1 chlorite-smectite + A]. The presence of such interlayered chlorite-smectite which typically form at low T (150–200°C) suggests that the region was not affected by any major reheating events, which is consistent with the nature of the feldspars.
Identification of an SCF ubiquitin–ligase complex required for auxin response in Arabidopsis thaliana

The plant hormone auxin regulates diverse aspects of plant growth and development. We report that in Arabidopsis, auxin response is dependent on a ubiquitin-ligase (E3) complex called SCFTIR1. The complex consists of proteins related to yeast Skp1p and Cdc53p called ASK and AtCUL1, respectively, as well as the F-box protein TIR1. Mutations in either ASK1 or TIR1 result in decreased auxin response. Further, overexpression of TIR1 promotes auxin response suggesting that SCFTIR1 is limiting for the response. These results provide new support for a model in which auxin action depends on the regulated proteolysis of repressor proteins.
Automated Audiovisual Depression Analysis

Analysis of observable behavior in depression primarily relies on subjective measures. New computational approaches make possible automated audiovisual measurement of behaviors that humans struggle to quantify (e.g., movement velocity and voice inflection). These tools have the potential to improve screening and diagnosis, identify new behavioral indicators of depression, measure response to clinical intervention, and test clinical theories about underlying mechanisms. Highlights include a study that measured the temporal coordination of vocal tract and facial movements, a study that predicted which adolescents would go on to develop depression based on their voice qualities, and a study that tested the behavioral predictions of clinical theories using automated measures of facial actions and head motion.
Alar base flap and suspending suture: a strategy to restore symmetry to the nasal alar contour in primary cleft-lip rhinoplasty.

Objective: Patients presenting with cleft-lip deformity usually present with a characteristic nasal deformity. We describe the mechanism and contribution of different surgical techniques to restore alar symmetry in primary cleft-lip rhinoplasty. Study Design: We evaluate surgical results using a retrospective, randomized, blinded surgical grading system. We describe a surgical technique designed to restore nasal symmetry in patients undergoing primary cleft-lip rhinoplasty. Patients were selected retrospectively. Methods: A series of patients were identified with nasal asymmetry associated with cleft-lip deformity. All patients underwent cleft-lip repair with concurrent primary cleft-lip rhinoplasty. Patients who underwent alar base flap suspending suture (ABF-SS) were grouped and selected consecutively after a modification in the senior author's surgical technique. A control group was matched for age, sex, and cleft characteristics. Primary rhinoplasty was carried out concurrently for both study groups while undergoing unilateral cleft-lip repair. The control group did not undergo the described ABF-SS technique. All patients were operated on by the same surgeon over a period of 5 years. Surgical outcomes were evaluated by a panel including lay people as well as trained health care workers experienced in the critical evaluation of esthetic results after cleft-lip rhinoplasty. Results: Forty-six records were reviewed of patients undergoing complete unilateral cleft-lip repair. After applying strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, nine patients underwent the described ABF-SS technique. All patients in the preoperative group had a clinically and statistically comparable degree of deformity (P > .05). There was a clinical and statistically significant improvement in nostril size, shape, symmetry, alar base symmetry, and nasal tip/dome symmetry for patients undergoing repair with the described technique compared with the control group. No clinical or statistically significant difference was observed in the scarring scores between groups. Conclusions: Patients presenting with cleft-lip deformity usually present with a characteristic nasal deformity. Execution of the described surgical techniques restores nasal alar symmetry in patients undergoing concurrent primary cleft-lip rhinoplasty.
First report of Aculops lycopersici (Tryon, 1917) (Acari: Eriophyidae) on Pepino in Turkey.

The tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Tryon, 1917) (Acari: Eriophyidae) is reported for the first time on Pepino ( Solanum muricatum Aiton) in Ordu and Samsun provinces in Turkey.
Laparoscopic Single-Site Myomectomy of 11-cm Intramural Myoma

Abstract Study Objective To demonstrate the feasibility of laparoscopic single-incision myomectomy using new technology. Design A step-by-step video demonstrating our technique for accomplishing a laparoscopic single-site myomectomy of a large intramural myoma. Setting Single institution. Interventions Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been shown to have similar outcomes to multiport laparoscopy but with superior cosmetic results [1,2] but has traditionally been associated with an increased learning curve, primarily because of poor ergonomics and instrument collisions, lack of triangulation, and, until recently, inadequate instrumentation. Measurements and Main Results We present a case of laparoscopic single-site myomectomy of an 11-cm intramural myoma. This video was exempt from institutional review board review at our institution. SILS has traditionally been associated with poor ergonomics; however, we found that the articulating Enseal G2 Articulating Tissue Sealer (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Blue Ash, OH) enables completion of complex surgical procedures not traditionally associated with single-site laparoscopy. This video demonstrates our technique to successfully accomplish a single-site laparoscopic myomectomy including the importance of vertical closure with V-Loc (Covidien, New Haven, CT) at the surgical site. Conclusion We found that the articulating Enseal enables a single-incision laparoscopic myomectomy to be performed with only minimal modifications on multiport surgery techniques. We were able to successfully perform a myomectomy on an 11-cm intramural myoma with excellent cosmetic results.