cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Provisionalization for a single cementable dental implant restoration.

Abstract This article presents a procedure for refining margins of provisional implant crowns. This procedure uses an analog of the implant and abutment. This procedure allows functional and esthetic considerations such as emergence profiles, symmetry, diastemas, embrasures, size, contours, position, angulation, and relation to other teeth to be evaluated. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;81:729-30.)
Cyclicity in Cordilleran orogenic systems

Cordilleran orogenic systems, such as the modern Andes, are long belts of deformation and magmatism that are associated with the subduction of oceanic plates beneath continental ones. Although the oceanic plates have been thought to control the evolution of such systems, a number of processes operating in the upper continental plates have not been fully accounted for. The western American Cordilleras, for example, display a 25–50 million year (Myr) cycle of linked upper-plate processes. In a typical cycle, as the two plates converge and a magmatic arc forms, most of the continental crust shortens by thrusting behind the arc, whereas the lowermost continental lithosphere is shoved beneath the arc — a process that fuels episodic high-flux magmatism in the arc and simultaneously generates dense melt residues. On reaching a critical mass, these residues sink into the mantle, creating space beneath the arc and setting the stage for renewal of the cycle. This alternative model explains key features of Cordilleran systems, such as cyclical trends in the flux and composition of magma supplied to the upper plate, and the foundering of arc roots. Cordilleran orogenic systems are long belts of deformation and magmatism that form when oceanic plates subduct beneath continental ones. Links between processes in the upper continental plate explain key features of Cordilleran systems, such as cyclical trends in the flux and composition of magma supplied to the upper plate.
The current status of esophageal cancer treatment in North America

Cancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) in North America remains a relatively small but challenging clinical problem. It is estimated that, in 2004, 21 000 new esophageal cancers will be diagnosed (of which more than 75% will be in men) and 19 600 deaths from esophageal cancer will occur. In contrast to the Asian experience, adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and GEJ comprise more than half of all esophageal malignancies. Other than surveillance endoscopy in patients with Barrett’s esophagus, there are currently no useful screening techniques for esophageal cancer. The lack of an early detection algorithm determines the distribution of stage at the time of diagnosis: stages 0, I 16%; IIA, IIB 26%; III 26%; IV 32%. Standard staging algorithms currently include computed tomography and sometimes a contrast esophagram. Fewer than 20% of patients undergo endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), and an even lower incidence of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning is evident. Although data for the utility of neoadjuvant therapy before surgery for esophageal cancer are lacking, as many as 50% of resectable patients undergo such therapy. The choice of the method of resection has not changed for more than a decade, with only one-fourth of operations being performed using a transhiatal technique. Current surgical controversies include the extent of en bloc resection, the extent of nodal dissection, the utility of minimally invasive esophagectomy techniques, and hospital and surgeon case volume as a surrogate for quality outcomes. Unlike Asia and Europe, the free market philosophy of medical care in North America leads to widespread distribution and subsequent dilution of cancer care experience. However, it is likely that market forces will begin to encourage the development of centers of excellence for surgical therapy of esophageal cancer. There is a growing interest in treating localized cancers with chemoradiotherapy alone, and the use of EUS and PET for restaging these patients is being investigated. Some investigators believe that esophagectomy may soon be relegated to the role of a salvage operation. New biological agents are currently being evaluated as part of multimodality therapy for esophageal cancer, including radiation-induced release of TNF-alpha, statins, immunotoxins, and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Current free market forces may slow progress in standard cancer care but perhaps will provide opportunities for new and unique treatment methods that otherwise may not be explored in more traditional centers of excellence.
Adhoc-like routing in wired networks with genetic algorithms

Abstract Routing of packets in networks requires that a path be selected either dynamically while the packets are being forwarded, or statically (in advance) as in source routing from a source node to a destination. Quality of service (QoS) driven routing has been proposed using a protocol called the “Cognitive Packet Network” (CPN) which dynamically selects paths through a store and forward packet network so as to provide best effort QoS to route peer-to-peer connections. CPN operates very much as an adhoc protocol within a wired setting, and uses smart packets to select routes based on QoS requirements. We extend the path discovery process in CPN to include a genetic algorithm which can help discover new paths that may not have been discovered by smart packets. We describe how possible routes can “evolve” from prior knowledge, and then be selected based on “fitness” with respect to QoS. We detail the design of the algorithm and of its implementation, and report on resulting QoS measurements.
Materials issues in design and performance of piezoelectric actuators: an overview

Abstract The performance of ceramic actuators is dependent on complex factors, which are divided into three major categories: the properties of the ceramic itself, and coupled issues with the device design and drive technique. These important issues are reviewed from these viewpoints. Optimization of ceramic actuator composition and doping is necessary to enhance the induced strains and to stabilize temperature and external stress dependence. The device design affects considerably its durability and lifetime. Failure detection or “health” monitoring methods of ceramic actuators will increase the reliability remarkably. Regarding drive techniques, pulse drive and a.c. drive require special attention; the vibration overshoot after applying a sharp-rise step/pulse voltage to the actuator causes a large tensile force and a long-term application of a.c. voltage generates considerable heat.
Saltatory thermal denaturation of double-stranded viral RNAs.

The double-stranded RNAs from bacteriophage phi6 and the replicative form of mengovirus denature upon heating in a series of abrupt steps which resemble the subtransitions (thermalites) observed within the high resolution profiles of small, naturally occurring DNA molecules. Such RNA thermalites are approximately an order of magnitude narrower than typical thermal subtransitions of nominally single-stranded RNA. We conclude that the same features of nucleotide sequence that give rise to cooperative denaturation in DNA genomes are to be found also in RNA genomes. Thus, high resolution thermal denaturation profiles are useful for characterizing double-stranded RNA molecules as well as native DNA in the size range of common viruses. A medium containing dimethylsulfoxide was required to lower the Tm of the RNA samples to a satisfactory temperature range. For double-stranded RNA in 50% dimethylsulfoxide, the dependence of Tm on G . C composition was greater than that of DNA in the same medium and also greater than that of double-stranded RNA in an aqueous medium. The fact that RNA thermalites are broader than DNA thermalites and that the melting temperature of double-stranded RNA has a greater dependence on base composition than that of DNA, indicates that at least one of the thermodynamic parameters for double helix formation in RNA is different from that in DNA.
A critical examination of the thermodynamics of water adsorption on actinide oxide surfaces

Abstract The reversible adsorption of water from actinide oxide surfaces is examined from several viewpoints in this article. A reinterpretation and critical look at the previously published thermodynamic values for desorption of water from PuO 2 [J. Phys. Chem. 77 (1973) 581] are reexamined in light of more recent mathematical treatments of thermal desorption data from high surface area materials. In addition, the time and temperature dependent process of water adsorption/desorption in closed system experiments is examined using chemical kinetics modeling. A simple experimental method and mathematical treatment of determining adsorption enthalpies based upon a closed system is also described. The desorption enthalpy for reversibly adsorbed water from PuO 2 is determined to be a function of adsorbate coverage with values ranging from 51 to 44 kJ mol −1 for coverages of one to several monolayers (MLs). Consistent desorption enthalpy values are obtained using either approach thus highlighting the importance of proper interpretation of adsorption parameters determined from high surface area powders. Reversible adsorption/desorption equilibrium of water with actinide oxide materials is discussed from the practical standpoint of storage and subsequent pressurization of containers. These results obtained from PuO 2 surfaces are consistent with desorption enthalpies of water from a low surface area UO 2 that has been measured using ultra-high vacuum thermal desorption mass spectroscopy to be 42.2 kJ mol −1 .
Body movements during sleep after sleep loss.

Following 4 baseline nights, 7 Ss were deprived of REM sleep for 3 nights and 7 were deprived of stage 4 sleep. Both groups were then deprived of total sleep for 1 night and then allowed 2 nights of uninterrupted recovery sleep. Compared to baseline nights, on the first recovery night the number of body movements was significantly reduced in all sleep stages and for total sleep. On the second recovery night, the number of movements was back to baseline level. The increased amount of slow-wave sleep (stages 3 and 4) during recovery sleep was not the primary reason for the reduced body motility.
A method of resuspending small vesicles separated from suspension by protamine aggregation and centrifugation.

The technique of separating small vesicles from suspension by aggregation with protamine or polylysine, followed by either filtration or centrifugation has proved a very useful one. This is because the minimum times necessary to separate vesicles from the suspending medium are quite short (15 to 30 s) and the separation is almost complete (over 98% in the cases tested). The primary limitation of this technique, until now, has been that it could only be used for a terminal assay, because the aggregates produced could not be easily disaggregated. It has been found that after aggregation of vesicles by protamine and their separation from suspension by low-speed centrifugation, the addition of an excess of heparin over protamine, followed by vortexing or homogenizing the pellet in fresh medium, satisfactorily disaggregates the vesicles. This process has been tested with phospholipid vesicles and proteoliposomes and with vesicles from inner mitochondrial membrane, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and red blood cell membrane, producing satisfactory resuspensions in all cases tested. Leakage of [14C]sucrose or 86Rb+ from phospholipid vesicles was not found to be significantly more rapid from protamine-heparin-treated vesicles, than from similar vesicles treated with protamine alone or from untreated control vesicles. Good separation of the resuspended vesicles from the remaining protamine and heparin was obtained with phospholipid vesicles and proteoliposomes using a gel filtration technique. Most of the protamine and heparin could be removed from the vesicles made of natural biological membrane using a combination of ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. It was found possible to use this aggregation-centrifugation-disaggregation technique to increase the concentration of cytochrome oxidase vesicles without significantly decreasing the respiratory control ratio for these vesicles below that of a control which was only vortexed.
THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MULTILAYERED STRUCTURES ASSOCIATED WITH FLAGELLAR BASES IN MOTILE CELLS OF TRENTEPOHLIA AUREA1

SUMMARY An ultrastructural study of motile cell development in the green alga Trentepohlia aurea has revealed the presence of multilayered structures (MLS) associated With flagellar bases. These MLS are ultrastructurally similar to MLS described in pteridophyte and bryophyte sperm and in the zoospore of the green algae Coleochaete and Klebsormidium. However, 2 MLS are found in each biflagellate motile cell of T. aurea, while other previously described MLS occur singly in biflagellate motile cells. In addition, the MLS of T. aurea consist of fewer microtubules and are structurally simpler than most other MLS described. The MLS of Trentepohlia may represent a stage in the evolutionary development of the MLS of land plants. The presence or absence of the MLS in motile cells of green algae may be a useful character in phylogenetic studies.
Effect of transplantation site and αL3T4 treatment on survival of rat, hamster, and rabbit islet xenografts in mice

Rat, hamster, and rabbit islets were transplanted into diabetic C57BL/B6 mice. The effect on islet xenograft survival of low-temperature culture of the donor islets, alpha L3T4 treatment of the recipients for seven days, and transplantation of the grafts either in the renal capsule or in the liver via the portal vein was determined. Renal capsule transplants of control rat, hamster, and rabbit islets cultured at 37 degrees C for one day produced normoglycemia in the recipients, with the mean survival time (MST) of the grafts ranging from 14 to 19 days. Low temperature culture alone did not produce a significant increase in the survival time. Treatment of the recipients with alpha L3T4 produced a marked prolongation of xenograft survival for all three species receiving renal subcapsular transplants of control or low temperature cultured islets. The range of MST* was from 34 to 46 days. The intrahepatic site produced an even further prolongation of the survival of concordant rat islet xenografts treated in this manner, with 60% of the recipients still normoglycemic at 100 days after transplantation. This enhancing effect of the intrahepatic site on survival did not occur with the discordant xenografts of hamster and rabbit islets.
Rural health care ethics: is there a literature?

To better understand the available publications addressing ethical issues in rural health care we sought to identify the ethics literature that specifically focuses on rural America. We wanted to determine the extent to which the rural ethics literature was distributed between general commentaries, descriptive summaries of research, and original research publications. We identified 55 publications that specifically and substantively addressed rural health care ethics, published between 1966 and 2004. Only 7 (13%) of these publications were original research articles while (12) 22% were descriptive summaries of research and 36 (65%) were general commentaries. The majority of publications examined (55%) were clinically focused while 27% addressed organizational ethics and 18% addressed ethical ramifications of rural health care policy at a national or community level. Our findings indicate that there are a limited number of publications focusing on rural health care ethics, suggesting a need for scholars an...
A zero-one goal programming algorithm using partitioning and constraint aggregation

This paper offers a new approach to the solution of zero-one goal-programming problems. The number of non-zero variables required to satisfy a constraint completely is used to identify the priority levels that can be completely achieved, and also determine redundant constraints and invariant decision-variables. The priority levels that are so identified form the basis for a subprogramme of completely achievable constraints. These constraints are aggregated to form a single constraint, and a set of necessary and sufficient conditions are developed to generate the optimal solution. The algorithm has been coded in Pascal and compared with the Lee and Morris algorithm. The virtual CPU time required to solve those problems tested was less than 10 per cent of that required by the Lee and Morris algorithm. The algorithm may also be useful in solving other types of zero-one formulations.
Poliovirus infection induces the co-localization of cellular protein SRp20 with TIA-1, a cytoplasmic stress granule protein

Different types of environmental stress cause mammalian cells to form cytoplasmic foci, termed stress granules, which contain mRNPs that are translationally silenced. These foci are transient and dynamic, and contain components of the cellular translation machinery as well as certain mRNAs and RNA binding proteins. Stress granules are known to be induced by conditions such as hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and oxidative stress, and a number of cellular factors have been identified that are commonly associated with these foci. More recently it was discovered that poliovirus infection also induces the formation of stress granules, although these cytoplasmic foci appear to be somewhat compositionally unique. Work described here examined the punctate pattern of SRp20 (a host cell mRNA splicing protein) localization in the cytoplasm of poliovirus-infected cells, demonstrating the partial co-localization of SRp20 with the stress granule marker protein TIA-1. We determined that SRp20 does not co-localize with TIA-1, however, under conditions of oxidative stress, indicating that the close association of these two proteins during poliovirus infection is not representative of a general response to cellular stress. We confirmed that the expression of a dominant negative version of TIA-1 (TIA-1-PRD) results in the dissociation of stress granules. Finally, we demonstrated that expression of wild type TIA-1 or dominant negative TIA-1-PRD in cells during poliovirus infection does not dramatically affect viral translation. Taken together, these studies provide a new example of the unique cytoplasmic foci that form during poliovirus infection.
Electron-Neutrino Angular Correlation in The Beta Decay of Neon-23

A study was made of the angular correlation coefficient in the decay of Ne/sup 23/. The experimental result, lambda = -0 37 plus or minus 0.04, indicates that the axial-vector interaction is dominant in the Gamow-Teller type of decay. (J.H.M.)
ELECTROMAGNETIC FORM FACTORS FOR ARBITRARY SPIN.

A covariant expansion of the matrix elements of the electromagnetic current is given for any spin. The invariant functions are connected with time-ordered products by an asymptotic condition for a (2s+1)-component interpolating field. They are free of kinematical singularities. The interpretation for low-momentum transfer leads to the usual multipole expansion of the charge and the magnetic density.
Silver Staining of Alzheimer's Disease

Sliver stain of olfactory bulb tissue section in a 74 year old male with a clinical history of Alzheimer’s, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia. A. A 10X magnification for the area containing the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) (astercs). B. A 20X of the same area showing neurofibrillary tangles (arrow) and neuropil threads (double arrow). The autopsy showed definite Alzheimer’s disease (C on CERAD scale). Neuritic plaques identified in inferior parietal and parahippocampal areas from this patient. There were moderate tangles in peristriate and frontal cortex, and neuropil threads were prominent in mesial temporal structures and frontal cortex.
The closure of the generalised eigenspace of a class of infinitesimal generators

In this paper we study the fine geometric structure of a class of strongly continuous semigroups that satisfy the following property: the resolvent of the infinitesimal generator can be represented as the quotient of entire functions of finite exponential type. This class includes the solution map for functional differential equations and certain partial differential equations. In particular, we present necessary and sufficient conditions for one-to-oneness of the solution map and for completeness of the system of generalised eigenfunctions of the generator.
A Resource Perspective of Global Dynamic Capabilities

Global dynamic capabilities is used to integrate resource- and market-based views of the firm to enhance understanding of a firm's power in international business relationships. Regression is used to model resource- and market-based assets influencing power in international relationships, with a sample of distributors from Canada, Chile, Great Britain, and the Philippines. Results indicate that asset specificity, predictability and market knowledge gap influence a distributor's power. Implications are presented.
GISTARS: Elements of GIS on elementary computers 1

Abstract Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology has had its genesis in the sophisticated computational context of research laboratories and commerical computing. Proprietary packages and a plethora of peripherals present problems in propagating GIS technology, both in developing countries and in conventional classroom settings. GISTARS (Geographic Information STARter System) is a training package developed under the auspices of the Office for Remote Sensing of Earth Resources at Penn State University by the author with support from USAID/India to promte interest in and understanding of GIS technology. It runs on generic PC‐compatible microcomputers having one or more diskette drives and a CGA card. A simple analog overlay device has been developed for converting source maps to digital form, so that training can be conducted without an electric digitizer. Documentation/tutorials are self‐contained. The software in executable form is non‐proprietary and may be freely copied and redistributed. It ha...
In vivo performance of a multiparticulate matrix, controlled-release theophylline preparation

AbstractAn experimental multiparticulate matrix sustained-release theophylline preparation was evaluated in vivo, in comparison with Neulin-SR®. Twelve healthy volunteers participated in the study, conducted according to a randomized, two-way cross-over study design. The preparations were compared using the pharmacokinetic parameters, peak serum concentration (Cmax), total area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC0-00), time to reach peak serum concentration (Tmax), and time for 50% dose absorption in vivo (T50%). A statistically significant difference was observed in the Tmax and T50% values (p < 0.05) but not in the logarithmic transformed values of Cmax and AUC0-00. These findings indicate that the two preparation are comparable in the extent but differ in the rate of obsorption, with the experimental preparation being more sustained. In addition, the elemination rate constant (Ke), elimination half-life (t1/2), and apparent volume of distribution (Vd) of the drug were calculated. There was no...
Radial gradients and anisotropies of cosmic rays in the interplanetary medium

Approximate equations which describe the behavior of cosmic rays in the interplanetary medium under suitable conditions are used to make comparisons between observations and theoretical predictions of radial gradients and radial anisotropies. In the high energy region there appear to be no inconsistencies between theory and observations. In the low energy region it is shown that theoretical predictions of the radial anisotropy expected from large radial gradients of the intensity are not inconsistent with observed radial anisotropies. However, in the latter case there are other inconsistencies, which suggest that some aspects of the observations or of the theory (or both) are unsatisfactory.
The structure of the cations from 2– and 4-pyridones and related pyridines †‡

An infrared spectral investigation of 2– and 4-pyridone hexachloroantimonates and hexachlorostannates is reported. Protonation of these pyridones occurs on oxygen to form the 2- and 4-hydroxypyridinium ions, as witnessed by the presence of both OH and NH stretching bands. Aromatic ring and skeletal frequencies in these cations correlated very well with those found in other 2– and 4-substituted pyridinium hexachloroantimonates included in this study.
Importance of ray pathlengths when measuring objects in maximum intensity projection images

It is important to understand any process that affects medical data. Once the data has changed from its original form, one must consider the possiblity that the information contained in the data has also changed. In general, false negative and false positive diagnoses caused by this post-processing must be minimized. Medical imaging is one area in which post-processing is commonly performed, but often there is little or no discussion of how these algorithms affect the data. This study uncovers some interesting properties of maximum intensity projection (MIP) algorithms that are commonly used in the post-processing of magnetic resonance angiographic data. Of particular interst to clinicians is the appearance of the width of vessels and the extent of malformations such as aneurysms. This study will show how MIP algorithms interact with the shape of the object being projected. MIPs can make objects appear thinner in the projection than in the original data set and also alter the shape of the profile of the object seen in the original data. These effects have consequences for width measuring algorithms which will be discussed. In addition to the computer generated model, a static MR phantom was imaged. The phantom verified that Equation (1) predicts the projection plane intensities well (r=.98) for a constant-intensity object.
The reduction of plutonium(V) by aquatic sediments

Abstract The reduction of plutonium (V) to the (III) or (IV) state proceeds very slowly in distilled water or filtered natural waters, but rapidly in the presence of natural sediments. The reaction rate is nearly first-order and is proportional to sediment concentration. Fresh or heat-dried (105°C) sediments mediated a rapid reduction reaction but ashed (500°C) sediments, silica, kaolin, alumina and goethite mediated much slower rates. Rare earths strongly inhibit the reduction; the affinity (inhibition) constant of neodymium for the reducing site is 4·5 × 10 7 M −1 , whereas the affinity of neodymium for rare-earth binding sites is 5·0 × 10 5 M −1 . Some hours of pre-equilibration of sediment and liquid phase are necessary to achieve constant reduction rates.
Phylogenetic relationships within the coral crab genus Carpilius (Brachyura, Xanthoidea, Carpiliidae) and of the Carpiliidae to other xanthoid crab families based on molecular sequence data.

The coral crab genus Carpilius currently includes three widely distributed species that inhabit tropical coral reefs and adjacent waters. The relationship of Carpilius to other xanthoid crabs is unknown. Previously, carcinologists considered Carpilius to be allied with crabs of the family Xanthidae (e.g., Euryozius, Liagore, and Liomera), however, recent workers have considered it to be a monotypic genus within its own family, Carpiliidae. Mitochondrial 12S- and 16S-rDNA gene fragments confirm the monophyly and distinct status of the family Carpiliidae. Within the genus Carpilius, the Caribbean species C. corallinus is basal to the two Pacific species C. maculatus and C. convexus. The Pacific species are sister taxa, despite the greater morphological resemblance of C. corallinus to the Pacific C. convexus. The relationship of the Carpiliidae (Carpilius) to other xanthoid crabs is investigated, and results of a preliminary analysis of higher xanthoid relationships did not resolve the relationships of Carpiliidae, "Xanthidae," Menippidae, Trapeziidae, and Ocypodidae to one another. A Menippidae and Carpilius relationship could not be rejected, although a Liomera, Liagore, and Carpilius relationship was.
Cuticular Hydrocarbons as a Tool Supporting Recognition of Gryllotalpa tali and G. marismortui (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) as distinct species in Israel

Abstract Museum specimens of two species of mole crickets, Gryllotalpa tali Broza and Gryllotalpa marismortui Broza, from Israel were washed with pentane to remove cuticular hydrocarbons still remaining on the cuticle. The hydrocarbons were separated by gas chromatography into 116 peaks. The two species qualitatively had the same hydrocarbon compounds on the cuticle, but there were consistent quantitative differences in amounts of the different hydrocarbons. Canonical discrimination analysis separated G. marismortui, which lives at the edge of springs near the shoreline of the Dead Sea from G. tali. The G. tali crickets were collected from different regions of Israel, and clustered into three separate groups. One group was composed of individuals from type locality and adjacent places in northern Israel. The second group was composed of individuals from a population within Jericho and East Jerusalem; this population geographically borders the Dead Sea, the habitat of G. marismortui. The third group was fr...
Stochastic and minimum regret formulations for transmission network expansion planning under uncertainties

After deregulation of the Power sector, uncertainty has increased considerably. Vertically integrated utilities were unbundled into independent generation, transmission and distribution companies. Transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) is now performed independent from generation planning. In this environment TNEP must include uncertainties of the generation sector as well as its own. Uncertainty in generation costs affecting optimal dispatch and uncertainty in demand loads are captured through composite scenarios. Probabilities are assigned to different scenarios. The effects of these uncertainties are transferred to the objective function in terms of total costs, which include: generation (dispatch), transmission expansion and load curtailment costs. Two formulations are presented: stochastic and minimum regret. The stochastic formulation seeks a design with minimum expected cost. The minimum regret formulation seeks a design with robust performance in terms of variance of the operational costs. Results for a test problem and a potential application to a real system are presented.
Evaluating healthcare process improvement for patient callbacks

Given the rising cost of healthcare, improving the service quality provided in the healthcare field is critical to the continued success of healthcare providers. This study analyses the service quality and standards of the healthcare industry, specifically the communication or callbacks made to the patients regarding medical information in an independent healthcare facility in the USA. Communication with patients regarding medical information is essential in providing the high level of quality expected in a provider–patient healthcare relationship. Timeliness in relaying information and responding to a patient’s request is often the most important concern to the patient and integral in maintaining the expectation of service quality in the patient–provider relationship. The PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) method provides structure within the analysis of the nurse callback process. This case study illustrates the viability of process improvement within a highly regulated service-orientated industry.
A Description of Formica Parcipappa, a New Ant from Idaho (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Head, excluding mandibles, only slightly longer than broad, broadest between upper third of compound eyes, sides slightly convex, occipital angles somewhat rounded, median portion of occipital border only slightly concave. Median lobe of clypeus moderately and broadly convex when viewed laterally, projecting anteriorly rather abruptly from its lateral portions. Clypeal impression distinct, rather deep and angular. Clypeal carina feeble. Frontal area triangular, broader than long. Frontal lobes short, subparallel, acutely pointed anteriorly. Frontal furrow faint, extending about two-thirds the distance from frontal area to median ocellus. Compound eyes oval, convex, anterior border extending slightly in front of median portion of the side of the head. Mandibles 7-toothed, stout, very convex. Antennal scapes rather stout, gradually thickened from base to apex, slightly curved, distinctly surpassing posterior corners of the head by about one-fifth their length. Funicular segments longer than broad, segments 1-4 increase in breadth from base to apex, segments 5-10 cylindrical, slightly thicker than preceding segments, ultimate segment longer than penultimate, nearly as long as the combined lengths of the two preceding segments and tapering apically.
Non-initiation and early discontinuation of adjuvant trastuzumab in women with localized HER2-positive breast cancer

One year of trastuzumab therapy is recommended for women with HER2-positive breast cancer ≥1.0 cm in size to increase survival and is considered for women with tumors 0.5–0.9 cm in size. We analyzed compliance with trastuzumab among women with HER2-positive breast cancer in a prospective cohort study. Of 1145 recruited patients with breast cancer, 152 were HER2-positive (13.2 %), of whom 126 had tumors ≥1.0 cm; 110/126 (87.3 %) of these initiated trastuzumab. Non-receipt was associated with older age, better prognosis tumors, and with non-receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy. Of the 110 who initiated treatment, 18 (15 %) did not complete treatment, 15 (83 %) of them because of cardiotoxicity. Of 20 women with tumors 0.5–0.9 cm, 5 (25 %) initiated trastuzumab. Compliance with trastuzumab was very high among those with HER2-positive breast cancer, as was the completion of the recommended therapy.
Gauss-seidel method for least-distance problems

In this paper, we reformulate the least-distance problems with bounded inequality constraints as an unconstrained convex minimization problem, which is equivalent to a system of piecewise linear equationsA(a+A T y) c d =b. The proposed Gauss-Seidel method for solving the problems is easy to implement and behaves very well when the number of rows ofA is much less than the number of columns ofA. Moreover, we prove that the Gauss-Seidel method has a linear convergence rate.
Improving the reliability of event-based laboratory tests of prospective memory.

Laboratory tests of event-based prospective memory (ProM) require participants to perform actions in response to infrequent cues in a background task. We conducted three experiments to assess and improve the reliability of this popular procedure. In Experiment 1, we tested college students on 2 separate days and found that the alternate-forms reliability of ProM accuracy was quite low (r = .31), although general knowledge accuracy was more reliable (r= .89). In Experiment 2, a statistically significant difference in reliability emerged between conditions with a low (n = 6) versus a high (n = 30) number of ProM targets. Finally, lower ProM accuracy increased reliability in Experiment 3. Adopting these straightforward changes may enhance the search for individual differences in ProM.
Initial IVF-ET experience with assisted hatching performed 3 days after retrieval followed by day 5 embryo transfer.

Abstract Objective: To report our initial IVF-ET experience combining assisted hatching performed 3 days after oocyte retrieval with day 5 embryo transfer (ET). Design: Retrospective review of 110 consecutive IVF cycles not involving donor oocytes, including 16 cycles that involved assisted hatching performed 3 days after oocyte retrieval in combination with day 5 ET. Setting: Academic teaching hospital IVF center. Patient(s): Eighty-six consecutive IVF patients undergoing ET. Intervention(s): Assisted hatching using acid Tyrode's solution performed 3 days after oocyte retrieval in selected cases in combination with day 3 or 5 ETs. Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical pregnancy rate per ET. Result(s): Of the 16 women undergoing day 5 ET following day 3 assisted hatching, 14 had a clinical pregnancy. These included 11 ongoing/delivered singletons and 2 ongoing/delivered twin pregnancies, neither of which was monochorionic. These clinical and ongoing/delivered pregnancy rates compared very favorably with those of 54% and 46%, respectively, for the 35 patients undergoing day 5 ETs without assisted hatching, even though the latter group appeared to be better IVF candidates based on the prognostic factors commonly used to predict success. Conclusion(s): Our experience suggests that day 3 assisted hatching followed by day 5 ET may be a useful combination in selected patients. Although not seen in our small series, an increased risk of monochorionic pregnancies remains a theoretical concern when such a combination is used, since both assisted hatching and blastocyst transfers have been independently linked to an increased risk in some reports.
Pharmacological characterization of perifornical hypothalamic β-adrenergic receptors mediating feeding inhibition in the rat

This study was designed to characterize pharmacologically the epinephrine-receptive sites, identified in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus, which suppress food consumption in the hungry rat. These sites, studied via direct drug injection into the hypothalamus of freely moving, pargylinepretreated rats with implanted brain cannulae, were sensitive to epinephrine in a dose-dependent, stereochemically specific manner and were also activated by other adrenergic receptor stimulants, with the order of potency being l-epinephrine = l-isoproterenol >dl-salbutamol >dl-terbutaline >l-norepinephrine >l-phenylephrine. The epinephrine-sensitive effects were antagonized by β-adrenergic receptor blockers but not by α-adrenergic blockers. The relative potency of the β-adrenergic antagonists was calculated to be: l-propranolol ⩾ l-alprenolol >dl-butoxamine = l-sotalol = dl-pindolol >l-practolol, with the alpha antagonists phentolamine and tolazoline exhibiting no effect. The receptor antagonism produced by propranolol was stereospecific and reversible by epinephrine. Serotonergic and cholinergic antagonists had little effect. Dopaminergic antagonists, however, were effective in reversing epinephrine's action on feeding. The order of potency of the neuroleptics and structurally related compounds in producing blockade was haloperidol > fluphenazine > chlorpromazine > pimozide > promazine, with the ineffective neuroleptic promethazine and the tricyclic antidepressants imipramine and desipramine having no such effect. These results thus indicate that these hypothalamic epinephrinesensitive sites which inhibit feeding have characteristics expected of classical β-adrenergic receptors, specifically β2 subtype, and that these sites are closely associated with functionally similar dopaminergic receptors.
Purification of heart and liver mitochondrial carnitine acetvltransferase

Heart and liver mitochondrial, as well as liver peroxisomal, carnitine acetyltransferase was purified to apparent homogeneity and some properties, primarily of heart mitochondrial carnitine acetyltransferase, were determined. Hill coefficients for propionyl-CoA are 1.0 for each of the enzymes. The molecular weight of heart mitochondrial carnitine acetyltransferase, determined by SDS-PAGE, is 62,000. It is monomeric in the presence of catalytic amounts of substrate. Polyclonal antibodies against purified rat liver peroxisomal carnitine acetyltransferase precipitate liver and heart mitochondrial and liver peroxisomal carnitine acetyltransferase, but not liver peroxisomal carnitine octanoyltransferase. Liver peroxisomes, mitochondria, and microsomes and heart mitochondria all give multiple bands on Western blotting with the antibody against carnitine acetyltransferase. Major protein bands occur at the molecular weight of carnitine acetyltransferase and at 33 to 35 kDa.
Truly late onset of eating disorders: a study of 11 cases averaging 60 years of age at presentation.

Objective: To study late-onset cases of eating disorders in order to (7) document the occurrence of these cases as truly new onset, even if postmenopausal; (2) to alert clinicians to the category of late-onset eating disorders, especially clinical features and treatment response; (3) to challenge some prevailing assumptions of etiology. Methods: Selection of cases of eating disorders with first onset after age 40 that met DSM-IV criteria, by review of eating disorders admissions to three university hospital programs. Results: Eleven patients, approximately 1% of all cases of eating disorders, had first onset of an eating disorder after age 40 and as late as 77, with an average onset of 56 and clinical presentation at 60 years. They met DSM-1V criteria for all subtypes of eating disorders. In general, concurrent medical and comorbid psychiatric symptoms made recognition and treatment more complex. Discussion: Truly late-onset cases do occur, challenging etiological theories requiring adolescent age of onset, premenopausal endocrine functioning, or adolescent psychodynamic conflicts. Lateoccurring cases, after accurate diagnosis, require an appreciation of psychological themes pertinent to this age group, such as bereavement or unresolved body image issues. Age by itself is no barrier to onset of eating disorders, which may occur whenever self-starvation and/or binge-purge behaviors become entrenched as sustaining behaviors for amelioration of psychodynamic conflicts, mood disorders, or interpersonal distress. 0 1996 by john Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Autocatalytic cure kinetics from DSC measurements: Zero initial cure rate

A new, simplified technique for obtaining the kinetic parameters of an autocatalyzed cure reaction from isothermal DSC measurements is presented. The method is appropriate to reactions that have a zero initial rate and relies solely upon characteristics of the exotherm peak with no assumptions being made about the overall reaction order. This technique is illustrated by obtaining the phenomenological cure kinetics of a commercial epoxy film adhesive. The derived kinetic model reproduces the measured isotherms in their entirety. In addition, the predictive capability of the model is demonstrated by comparison with an independent measurement of the adhesive's low temperature curing behavior. Glass transition temperature measurements are also made on partially cured samples and a good correlation with the degree of cure is found.
Subspecialist scholarship in quality improvement.

To be good at medicine, you need to follow a specific trajectory: excel in high school science, major in pre-med courses in undergraduate school, attend medical school, match into an internal medicine residency, subspecialize, publish, and start a career. This track worked well for me until I
Determination of Biaxial Residual Stresses by a Holographic-Hole Drilling Technique

A technique is described for the rapid determination of residual stresses through the combined use of hole drilling and holographic interferometry. A small diameter blind hole is drilled into a part containing residual stresses and the displacement field caused by localized stress relief is registered using holographic interferometry instead of a strain gage rosette. The optical interference fringe pattern created in the hologram upon release of stress is analyzed by a fringe counting method that allows stresses to be computed quickly. A comparison of stresses determined by the holographic hole drilling technique with different known biaxial residual stresses is shown.
Growth of InAs on GaAs (001) by migration-enhanced epitaxy

Growth of InAs epitaxial layers on GaAs (001 ) by migration-enhanced epitaxy (MEE) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has been studied. Reflection high-energy-electron diffraction (RHEED) patterns were studied, and persistent RHEED intensity oscillations were observed during MEE growth of InAs. The dependence of RHEED oscillation on MEE growth parameters is discussed. InAs layers grown by MEE at low substrate temperature exhibit comparable quality as MBE layers grown at higher substrate temperature.
Wavelet image processing applied to laser beam propagation in polarized optical waveguides

Polarization in optical waveguides is always an aspect of optical loss and consequently impacts device performance. Wavelet image processing allows a means to detect optical signals buried under noise. Orthogonality is an essential element in wavelet bases. There are three primary types of multiresolution bases: orthogonal wavelet bases, semiorthogonal wavelet bases, and biorthogonal wavelet bases. Wavelet image processing will be applied to laser beam propagation in lithium niobate and nonlinear polymer waveguides to achieve detection of signals below noise and a better understanding of polarization as an aspect of device performance.
Matched filtering-based estimation of ground elevation using laser altimetry

The authors present a method for determining the time-of-arrival (TOA) of the ground component of a laser altimetry return signal. The proposed method takes advantage of the fact that the ground component or ground return is approximately Gaussian shaped and occurs at the end of the return signal. In particular, the method exploits the well-known result that the TOA of a known signal in white Gaussian noise can be estimated using matched filtering. An important feature of the method is that it addresses the problem of overlap between ground and vegetation returns. Simulations using synthetic data indicate that the proposed method provides excellent estimates and greatly outperforms a conventional method. It is anticipated that the method will be applicable to laser altimetry applications where the ground return can be assumed to have an approximately known shape.
Calibration and Validation of Immediate Post-Fire Satellite-Derived Data to Three Severity Metrics

Since 2007, the USDA Forest Service’s Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC) has been producing fire severity data within the first 30 to 45 days after wildfire containment (i.e., initial assessments [IA]), for wildfires that occur on USDA Forest Service managed lands, to support post-fire management actions. Satellite image-derived map products are produced using calibrations of the relativized differenced normalized burn ratio (RdNBR) to the Composite Burn Index (CBI), percent change in tree basal area (BA), and percent change in canopy cover (CC). Calibrations for extended assessments (EA) based upon one-year post-fire images have previously been published. Given that RdNBR is sensitive to ash cover, which declines with time since fire, RdNBR values that represent total mortality can be different immediately post fire compared with one year post fire. Therefore, new calibrations are required for IAs. In this manuscript, we describe how we modified the EA calibrations to be used for IAs using an adjustment factor to account for changes in ash cover computed through regression of IA and EA RdNBR values. We evaluate whether the accuracy of IA and EA maps are significantly different using ground measurements of live and dead trees, and CBI taken one year post fire in 11 fires in the Sierra Nevada and northwestern California. We compare differences between error matrices using Z-tests of Kappa statistics and differences between mean plot values in mapped categories using Generalized Linear Models (GLM). We also investigate whether map accuracy is dependent upon plot distance from boundaries delineating mapped categories. The IAs and EAs produced similarly accurate broad-scale estimates of tree mortality. Between IAs and EAs of each severity metric, the Kappa statistics of error matrices were not significantly different (P > 0.674) nor were mean plot values within mapped categories (P > 0.077). Plots 92.3 % of the time, regardless of IA or EA.
Large enhancement of second order non-linear effects in ionic self-assembled multilayer films

Ionic self-assembled multilayer (ISAM) films have been combined with plasmonic nanoparticles to yield composite films with second harmonic conversion efficiencies several hundred times larger than the unmodified ISAM films.