cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-dimensional elastostatic Green's functions for general anisotropic solids and generalization of Stroh's formalism

Abstract Explicit solutions for two-dimensional elastostatic Green's functions in general anisotropic solids are obtained by the use of an integral representation technique and a subsequent application of the residue calculus. These solutions lead naturally to the generalization of Stroh's formalism to include the most general class of anisotropic solids.
Surface-Induced Ferroelectric Ice on Pt(111)

Optical sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy and thermal desorption are used to study ice films grown on Pt(111). The strong enhancement of OH stretch resonances with film thickness provides clear evidence for the presence of polar ordering of water molecules in the films. The ordering is induced by the polar anchoring of the first ice monolayer on platinum. It exhibits a characteristic behavior of surface-induced ordering phenomena with a decay length of 30 monolayers.
The effect of delta T /oxidizing temperature minus cooling temperature/ on oxide spallation

Several alloys (one iron base and five nickel base) were cyclically oxidized in a series of tests in which the higher temperature (1100 or 1200 C) of the cycle was fixed at a level to allow ample oxidation in reasonable time and the lower temperature was variable to allow cycle temperature differences of up to 1400 C. For all nickel alloys, as delta T increased the extent of spallation increased. This effect was attributed to thermal expansion mismatches between the oxide and the nickel substrate. The FeCrAl alloy was not sensitive to delta T and resisted spalling at delta T levels to 1400 C. FeCrAl, and the Al2O3 scale which forms on it, have thermal expansion coefficients which are substantially more alike than any of the other oxide-metal combinations tested.
Amphetamine potency varies with dopamine uptake rate across striatal subregions

Amphetamine is a central nervous system psychostimulant with a high potential for abuse. Recent literature has shown that genetic and drug-induced elevations in dopamine transporter (DAT) expression augment the neurochemical and behavioral potency of psychostimulant releasers. However, it remains to be determined if the well-documented differences in DAT levels across striatal regions drive regionally distinct amphetamine effects within individuals. DAT levels and dopamine uptake rates have been shown to follow a gradient in the striatum, with the highest levels in the dorsal regions and lowest levels in the nucleus accumbens shell; thus, we hypothesized that amphetamine potency would follow this gradient. Using fast scan cyclic voltammetry in mouse brain slices, we examined DAT inhibition and changes in exocytotic dopamine release by amphetamine across four striatal regions (dorsal and ventral caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens core and shell). Consistent with our hypothesis, amphetamine effects at the DAT and on release decreased across regions from dorsal to ventral, and both measures of potency were highly correlated with dopamine uptake rates. Separate striatal subregions are involved in different aspects of motivated behaviors, such as goal-directed and habitual behaviors, that become dysregulated by drug abuse, making it critically important to understand regional differences in drug potencies.
Nonoperative Management of Penetrating Injuries to the Abdomen

Contemporary management of penetrating abdominal trauma includes potential nonoperative management in a select group of patients. Patients with hemodynamic instability or peritonitis after penetrating abdominal trauma require immediate laparotomy. Stable, evaluable patients without peritonitis, however, may be selected for a protocol of serial abdominal and laboratory examinations. Cross-sectional imaging is a useful adjunct for trajectory mapping, especially after gunshot wounds. Although many patients may be successfully managed without operation, a subset of patients selected for nonoperative management will develop clinical signs of intra-abdominal injury and required delayed laparotomy. Protocols of selective nonoperative management after penetrating abdominal trauma have been shown to be safe. The desire to avoid the morbidity of nontherapeutic laparotomy, however, must continue to be weighed against the risk of missed intra-abdominal injury and the institutional feasibility of strict adherence to a protocol of serial examinations.
Gastric Polyposis: A Rare Cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia in a Patient With Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension leading to gastric polyposis has rarely been reported. More common gastric manifestations of portal hypertension are portal hypertensive gastropathy and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE). We report a case of a patient in whom portal hypertension manifested as bleeding gastric polyps leading to transfusion-dependent iron deficiency anemia.
Statistical inference for remote sensing-based estimates of net deforestation

Abstract Statistical inference requires expression of an estimate in probabilistic terms, usually in the form of a confidence interval. An approach to constructing confidence intervals for remote sensing-based estimates of net deforestation is illustrated. The approach is based on post-classification methods using two independent forest/non-forest classifications because sufficient numbers of observations of forest/non-forest change were not available for direct classification. Further, the approach uses a model-assisted estimator with information from a traditional error matrix for the forest/non-forest classifications to compensate for bias as the result of classification errors and to estimate variances. Classifications were obtained using a logistic regression model, forest inventory data, and two dates of Landsat imagery, although the approach to inference can be used with multiple classification approaches. For the study area in northeastern Minnesota, USA, overall pixel-level accuracies for the year 2002 and 2007 forest/non-forest classifications were 0.85–0.88, and estimates of proportion net deforestation for the 2002–2007 interval were less in absolute value than 0.015. However, standard errors for the remote sensing-based estimates of net deforestation were on the order of 0.02–0.04, meaning that the estimates were not statistically significantly different from zero. Particular attention is directed to the potentially severe sample size and classification accuracy requirements necessary for estimates of net deforestation to be detected as statistically significantly different from zero.
Inorganic−Organic Hybrid and Composite Resin Materials Using Carboxylate-Alumoxanes as Functionalized Cross-Linking Agents

Chemically functionalized alumina nanoparticles (carboxylate-alumoxanes) are used as the inorganic component of a new class of inorganic−organic hybrid materials. Lysine- or p-hydroxybenzoic acid-derivatized alumoxanes are readily prepared from the reaction of boehmite, [Al(O)(OH)]n, with the appropriate carboxylic acid. The peripheral organic hydroxides and amines of these carboxylate-alumoxanes either react directly with epoxide resins, such as the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DER 332), to form a hybrid material, or in the presence of an organic resin and hardener system to form a composite material. SEM with associated EDX analysis, and AFM shows a uniform distribution of alumina nanoparticles within the resin matrix. Solid-state 13C and 27Al NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that the carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles are chemically bound to the epoxide resin matrix. The model compounds PhOCH2CH(OH)CH2OPh (1), PhOCH2CH(OH)CH2NHnPr (2), and PhOCH2CH(OH)CH2NHiPr (3) have been prepared to assist in the ...
The Clinical Spectrum of Preeclampsia

Though classically a disease of the near term nullipara, the chameleonlike presentation of preeclampsia makes the diagnosis at times difficult and in most circumstances presumptive. A high index of suspicion is important. Early and frequent prenatal examinations coupled with laboratory parameters should reduce diagnostic error.
A 230-kD basic protein is the major bullous pemphigoid antigen.

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that bullous pemphigoid (BP) antigen, in extracts of cultured human keratinocytes and normal human epidermis, is a 230-kD polypeptide. However, other recent studies have suggested that there is heterogeneity of BP antigen at the molecular level. To demonstrate that this 230-kD polypeptide is the major BP antigen and to further characterize it, we tested multiple BP sera by both immunoprecipitation of extracts of radiolabeled cultured human keratinocytes and immunoblotting of extracts of normal human epidermis. Thirty-six of 37 BP sera immunoprecipitated the 230-kD polypeptide, and 11 of 13 BP sera identified the 230-kD polypeptide by immunoblotting. Eighty-six disease and normal control sera did not bind the 230-kD BP antigen. Immunoprecipitation was a more sensitive assay than was immunoblotting to detect the 230-kD antigen; BP sera that were weak or negative by immunoblotting were strongly positive by immunoprecipitation. To demonstrate that this 230-kD polypeptide shared epitopes, defined by BP sera, with the epidermal basement membrane zone, we showed that BP IgG affinity purified on this polypeptide bound the epidermal basement membrane zone by immunofluorescence. To further characterize the BP antigen and to compare the antigen synthesized by cultured human keratinocytes to the antigen extracted from epidermis, we analyzed the 230-kD BP antigen by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. BP antigen immunoprecipitated from culture extracts or BP antigen identified by immunoblots of epidermal extracts was a single spot on two-dimensional gels, with a pI of about 8. These data indicate that, although other polypeptides are sometimes identified (e.g., a 166 kD band by immunoprecipitation or a 180 kD band on immunoblots), the major BP antigen identified in cultured human keratinocytes is similar to the antigen found in normal human epidermis and is a basic 230-kD polypeptide.
Structural Changes of Cephalopod Rhodopsin and β-Arrestin Measured by FTIR Difference Spectroscopy and Isotope Editing

Invertebrate rhodopsin is the primary photoreceptor found in the eyes of cephalopods. Importantly, unlike vertebrate rhodopsin, invertebrate rhodopsins such as sepia rhodopsin (s-Rh) can be activated by light and then rapidly cycled back to the original state with a second red-shifted photon, thereby facilitating a variety of novel biophysical studies. Additionally, invertebrate rhodopsins can bind to the ubiquitous β-Arrestin2 which is used in regulating signal transduction in many GCPRs. In this study, we used static and time-resolved FTIR difference spectroscopy to investigate the photocycle of s-Rh complexed to β-Arrestin2. In the spectrum of s-Rh alone, difference spectra obtained using two colors to cycle between the ground (rho) and acid meta state show an 11-cis to all-trans photocycle as previously described. Several bands between 1750-1700 cm-1 are assigned using a D2O induced shift to an as yet unknown carboxyl groups. Other large bands are seen especially in the amide I and II regions which indicate significant backbone structural changes. Upon addition of β-Arrestin2, the difference spectrum is altered, especially in the amide I and II regions, reflecting additional structural changes occurring in β-Arrestin2 upon photoactivation. A negative band at 1742 cm-1 was shifted higher in the complex indicating the β-Arrestin2 is perturbing at least one carboxyl group in s-Rh. In order to assign these changes, total 15N isotope labeling of β-Arrestin2 was utilized. Comparison of difference spectra from s-Rh complexes containing unlabelled and 15N labeled β-Arrestin2 reveals ∼ 3 cm-1 downshift of a negative/positive feature at 1668/1655 cm-1 indicating that these bands reflect at least partially conformational changes of the β -arrestin involving α-helical structure. These results offer a promising new tool to investigate the molecular mechanism of β-Arrestin interactions with GCPRs to regulate downstream signaling.
Time mechanics: The modern Geoffrey Chaucer and the medieval Jack Spicer

Jack Spicer was an important mid-twentieth-century poet, part of the ‘Berkeley Renaissance’ during the 1950s. He studied at the University of California, Berkeley, completing coursework for a PhD in Old English and Old Norse, specializing in linguistics and philology, largely under Arthur Brodeur. His mature poetics featured ideas about ‘dictation’ and ‘serial poetry,’ with works that respond to medieval themes and languages. A closer look at Spicer’s handling of medieval sources – beginning with a previously unpublished short story and proceeding to an early play, both of which comically engage with Chaucer – shows how, for Spicer, tradition must be reimagined in contemporary language, as well as being an entity that itself continues to find new life through a poet’s words. Spicer’s process in turn illuminates Chaucer’s own approach to working with and updating source material, most notably in Troilus and Criseyde.
Effect of Fiber Orientation and Sample Geometry on the Effective Thermal Conductivity of a Uniaxial Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Glass Matrix Composite

From solutions for the thermal conductivity of anisotropic solids, it is pre dicted that the effect of fiber angle on the thermal conductivity of uniaxial fiber-reinforced composites is a function ...
Technology as a vehicle for integrating communication and teamworking skills in engineering curricula

In this article, we provide a partial answer to the question “How can engineering curricula accommodate the many demands for reform?” Drawing on experiences redesigning the civil engineering curriculum at Colorado State University, we explore the use of Web-based instructional tools to enhance students' ability to work in groups and communicate effectively. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 6: 245–254, 1998
Diary study of substance use and unsafe sex among adolescents with substance use disorders.

Abstract Purpose This study tested event-level associations between substance use and condom use, as well as potential covariates, among adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs). Methods A total of 134 adolescents (age, 15–21 y), 72% with SUDs, participated in telephone diary data collection of sexual events over a 6-week period. Effects on condom use of event-level substance use, partner type, salience of costs associated with unprotected sex, and subject-level SUD and sensation-seeking were tested in random intercept logistic regression models. A total of 637 sexual events were available for analysis. Results Event-level alcohol and drug use as well as subject-level SUD and sensation-seeking were not associated with condom use in multivariate models. However, all other event-level measures were significant, including an interaction between partner type and salience of preventing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The importance of preventing AIDS was associated only with condom use with regular partners. Prevention of pregnancy was associated with condom use independent of partner type. Conclusions As in other event-level studies, substance use was not related to condom use in our study. Novel results in our study showed that the salience of preventing negative outcomes is a significant predictor of condom use even in the context of event-level substance use and partner type. These results suggest that prevention efforts for substance-using youth should not focus on preventing substance use as a way to prevent unsafe sex, but should emphasize the potential costs of unsafe sex even with known partners.
Reactions of alkali metal derivatives of metal carbonyls X. The nature of the product from the reaction between sodium tetracarbonylcobaltate(−1) and trimethylcyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate☆

Abstract Trimethylcyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate reacts with NaCo(CO) 4 in tetrahydrofuran solution to form yellow crystalline (CH 3 ) 3 C 3 COCo(CO) 3 . The NMR chemical shifts of the methyl protons support formulation of this complex as a keto-π-cyclobutenyl derivative rather than a cyclopropenylcarbonyl derivative.
Design of sandwich structures under contact loading

The problem of contact loading of sandwich beams is considered, in which the load is applied by means of an indentor. Examples of loading of this type are the common three-point bend test used to determine the strength properties and failure modes, as well as accidental impact problems. It is known that the stress and strain distributions in sandwich beams under relatively concentrated loading are complex, with significant stress concentrations adjacent to the loading not predicted by simpler structural theories. The approach taken here is to use the elasticity solution of Pagano and Srinivas and Rao for surface traction loading of a layered, orthotropic simply supported body, and to vary the pressure distribution iteratively to achieve the best fit between the calculated surface displacements and the indentor profile. Results are given for an orthotropic half-space, where the exact solution is known, as well as for typical sandwich beams with carbon/epoxy faces and foam cores. Comparisons with strains obtained experimentally using embedded strain gages show excellent agreement.
Adequacy of Visually Classified Particle Count Statistics From Regional Stream Habitat Surveys

Abstract: Streamlined sampling procedures must be used to achieve a sufficient sample size with limited resources in studies undertaken to evaluate habitat status and potential management-related habitat degradation at a regional scale. At the same time, these sampling procedures must achieve sufficient precision to answer science and policy-relevant questions with an acceptable and statistically quantifiable level of uncertainty. In this paper, we examine precision and sources of error in streambed substrate characterization using data from the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which uses a modified “pebble count” method in which particle sizes are visually estimated rather than measured. While the coarse (2ϕ) size classes used in EMAP have little effect on the precision of estimated geometric mean (Dgm) or median (D50) particle diameter, variable classification bias among observers can contribute as much as 0.3ϕ, or about 15-20%, to the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of Dgm or D50 estimates. Dgm and D50 estimates based on EMAP data are nearly equal when fine sediments (<2 mm) are excluded, but otherwise can differ by up to a factor of 2 or more, with Dgm < D50 for gravel-bed streams. The RMSE of reach-scale particle size estimates based on visually classified particle count data from EMAP surveys, including variability associated with reoccupying unmarked sample reaches during revisits, is up to five to seven times higher than that reported for traditional measured pebble counts by multiple observers at a plot scale. Nonetheless, a variance partitioning analysis shows that the ratio of among site to revisit variance for several EMAP substrate metrics exceeds 8 for many potential regions of interest, suggesting that the data have adequate precision to be useful in regional assessments of channel morphology, habitat quality, or ecological condition.
A note on many·one reducibility

In this note we partly answer a question left open in [1, p. 52] by proving the following theorem. Theorem. Suppose p 0 ≧2, ω n +1 · p 0 ≦ σ ω n +1 ( p 0 +1). Then W ( σ ) is uniformly many-one reducible to W ( τ ) for τ ≧( ω n +1 · p 0 )+1. To prove this theorem we need only show that there is a recursive function f ( e ) such that if ∣ e ∣ σ , then ∣ f ( e ) ω n +1 · p 0 )+1, while if ∣ e ∣ ≮ σ , f ( e )∉ W . (For the notations see [2].)
An Exploration of Paganism: Aging Women Embracing the Divine Feminine

In this study I explore how a specific spiritual orientation of select women shapes the social meaning and process of their aging. The central question of this research revolves around how older women who identify as Pagan experience growing older, and how that spiritual identity and practice characterizes their understanding of aging. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and explore the meaning of life and aging for women identifying as Pagan. Three major emergent themes within the data demonstrate the interconnectedness between acceptance of self through aging, empowerment through spirituality, and nature as a source of the sacred. These women were able to embed their experiences of aging within a unique and specific cultural framework, a spiritual and foundational framework cultivating their authenticity, spiritual strength, and deep connection with nature. Collectively, these findings highlight a potentially unique and relatively unexplored point on the continuum of study within spirit...
The pen is mightier than the “koboko”: A critical analysis of the Amakiri case in Nigeria

Abstract This paper is an analysis of public reactions to the Amakiri incident, a 1973 show of authoritarian power during which military authorities in Nigeria arbitrarily picked up journalist Minere Amakiri from his lunch table, shaved his head and beard, dealt him 24 strokes of the “koboko” whip across the bare back, and imprisoned him for 27 hours in an unused restroom in the Government House. The result of the study shows that the public—including the press, other professional associations and organizations, students, and the common person—vehemently condemned the government action. The paper's main conclusions are the following: First, press and public opposition of the government action partially accounts for why such an action has never again been taken by the state against a journalist in Nigeria. Second, public opposition of unpopular government policies and actions against the press is one of the bulwarks for freedom of expression in Nigeria and can ensure freedom of the press even more than can...
A new subspecies and new combinations in Comarostaphylis (Ericaceae)

Comarostaphylis spinulosa subsp.glandulifera is described from the mountains of Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico. Four new combinations inComarostaphylis are also made:C. arbutoides subsp.costaricensis, C. discolor subsp.rupestris, C. polifolia subsp.minor, andC. spinulosa.Arctostaphylos glabrata, A. rupestris, andA. spinulosa are lectotypified and the status ofC. polifolia is discussed.
Magnetic-based multi-layer microparticles for endothelial progenitor cell isolation, enrichment, and detachment

Although endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are useful in many applications including cell-based therapies, their use is still limited due to issues associated with cell culture techniques like a low isolation efficiency, use of harmful proteolytic enzymes in cell cultures, and difficulty in ex vivo expansion. Here, we report a tool to simultaneously isolate, enrich, and detach EPCs without the use of harmful chemicals. In particular, we developed magnetic-based multi-layer microparticles (MLMPs) that (1) magnetically isolate EPCs via anti-CD34 antibodies to avoid the use of Ficoll and harsh shear forces; (2) provide a 3D surface for cell attachment and growth; (3) produce sequential releases of growth factors (GFs) to enrich ex vivo expansion of cells; and (4) detach cells without using trypsin. MLMPs were successful in isolating EPCs from a cell suspension and provided a sequential release of GFs for EPC proliferation and differentiation. The cell enrichment profiles indicated steady cell growth on MLMPs in comparison to commercial Cytodex3 microbeads. Further, the cells were detached from MLMPs by lowering the temperature below 32 °C. Results indicate that the MLMPs have potential to be an effective tool towards efficient cell isolation, fast expansion, and non-chemical detachment.
An application of the method of contractor directions to nonlinear programming

An application of the method of contractor directions to nonlinear programming in Banach spaces is presented. The main objective is to show that milder conditions can be imposed on nonlinear equality constraints. A generalization of Lusternik's theorem is included.
Quality of urban life & environmental sustainability studies: Future linkage opportunities

Abstract Throughout much of the world, cities are growing at an unprecedented rate presenting major challenges for national and local governmental officials. Not only must they cope with growing populations and an expanding infrastructure to accommodate growth, governments have to satisfy the changing needs of their existing populations. The challenge is particularly formidable for policy makers and planners. Research that addresses the quality of life (QOL) of urban residents can be helpful in meeting this challenge. In particular, research that measures and monitors the quality of urban life (QOUL) can inform policy makers and planners. Such research can also examine the culture of sustainability among urban residents, an increasingly important concept in the planning and management of cities. This paper offers operational definitions of QOL and QOUL. It then briefly reviews QOUL studies conducted in selected world cities during the past decade. Next, several types of measures are described as well as the conceptual models used to test relationships between the measures. Finally, measures covering the culture of sustainability among urban residents are suggested as part of QOUL studies. Such studies can be instrumental in the development of City Prosperity Indexes.
Local reconfiguration for simultaneous coverage and tracking in a large scale camera network

We present a distributed camera control algorithm that can be used for the monitoring of large regions using a network of PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) cameras. The proposed strategy would allow for continuous target tracking at a high resolution, while still maintaining coverage over the entire monitored region at the highest possible resolution. Our algorithm requires only a local exchange of information, is quick to converge and ensures longer periods of stability between successive reconfiguration steps. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm in simulation and demonstrate that local reconfiguration is sufficient for maintaining an acceptable coverage of target and non-target points.
Resolving the Attraction-Production Dilemma in Artificial Reef Research: Some Yeas and Nays

Abstract Several positive steps have been taken by the fisheries research community toward resolving the attraction-production issue associated with artificial reef management and research as described in Fisheries [22(4)]. Among these are facilitated communication and interaction among scientists on an international level, the adoption of comparable research methodologies, and application of sophisticated data analysis techniques. However, improvements need to be made in areas such as recognition of biases and improved applications of logic, models, and theory. Moreover, there needs to be broader application of artificial reefs in fisheries management. Resolving the issue requires resourcefulness and cooperation among fisheries professionals, especially in view of the limited financial resources projected to be available.
Effect of Ethanol and Chlorpromazine on Transhepatic Transport and Biliary Secretion of Horseradish Peroxidase

In order to demonstrate the effect to the acute administration of ethanol and chlorpromazine (CPZ) on bile flow and transhepatic transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into bile, male rats were administered either 5 gm per kg ethanol intragastrically (E-rats) or 3 mg per kg CPZ intraperitoneally (CPZ rats). Control rats (C-rats) received saline. Two hours after ethanol feeding or 90 min after CPZ injection HRP was injected into the portal vein, and bile samples were collected at 1 0-min intervals for 2 hr. Tissue samples were removed at 1,10, 60, and 120 min to study HRP transport using electron microscopic cytochemical localization. Bile flow was reduced (p < 0.001) both in E- and CPZ-rats compared to C-rats. In E-rats HRP secretion was significantly decreased at 30 and 40 min post-HRP injection (p < 0.05) and the peak rate of HRP secretion was delayed by 10 min compared to C-rats. Uptake and transhepatic transport of HRP were similar to controls. These results suggest that bile secretion and flow were impaired by ethanol. CPZ inhibited secretion of HRP significantly (p < 0.001) during the first hr after HRP injection and by 25% after 2 hr. In CPZ rats studied cytochemically HRP reaction product decreased in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes 10 min after HRP injection (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that acute CPZ administration caused an inhibition of the uptake of HRP as well as secretion and bile flow.
The relationship between proton pump inhibitor adherence and fracture risk in the elderly

Studies suggest that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be associated with an increased risk of fracture. However, the role of medication adherence in this association is not fully understood. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine the relationship between PPI use/adherence and fracture risk among elderly subjects by combining administrative pharmacy claims data, survey data, and Medicare data. The study cohort included 1,604 PPI users and 23,672 nonusers who were enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly program. PPI adherence was measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC). Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of PPI use/adherence for fracture risk while controlling for demographics, comorbidity, body mass index, smoking, and non-PPI medication use. The overall incidence of any fracture per 100 person-years was 8.7 for PPI users and 5.0 for nonusers. A gradient in fracture risk according to PPI adherence was observed. Relative to nonusers, fracture HRs associated with the highest (PDC ≥ 0.80), intermediate (PDC 0.40–0.79), and lowest (PDC <0.40) adherence levels were 1.46 (p < 0.0001), 1.30 (p = 0.02), and 0.95 (p = 0.75), respectively. In addition, the fracture risk of PPI use was significant for hip (HR = 1.32, p = 0.04) and vertebral (HR = 1.69, p = 0.0005) fractures, and risk was similar between major osteoporotic and other fractures. These results provide further evidence that PPI use may increase fracture risk in the elderly and highlight the need for clinicians to periodically reassess elderly patients’ individualized needs for ongoing PPI therapy, while weighing potential risks and benefits.
Generation, stabilization, and amplification of subpicosecond pulses

A sync-pumped cw dye laser system has been used to produce subpicosecond pulses. Pulses as short as 0.7 ps, assuming a single-sided exponential pulse shape, were observed. A set of experiments was performed to investigate the origin and effects of noise in the sync-pumped system. A digital and an analog feedback loop have been designed to optimize the pulse width. The noise has been lowered by 10 dB for frequencies up to 10 kHz; long-term drift is also controlled by this method. A four-stage dye laser amplifier, pumped by a Nd:YAG laser which operates at a 10-Hz repetition rate, is synchronized electronically to the dye-laser picosecond pulses. A gain of 3×106 has been achieved.
International Barter and Countertrade: An Exploratory Study

Based on information supplied by corporations currently using barter and countertrade in international exchange, this paper examines the products traded, the markets involved, and the organizational arrangements for handling such transactions. Executives’ opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of barter/countertrade in the international marketing process are summarized, and the marketing implications of these trading approaches are discussed.
Comparison of esophageal screen findings on videofluoroscopy with full esophagram results

Background. Videofluoroscopic swallowing stud- ies do not routinely obtain images of the esophagus. We incor- porated a single esophageal screening swallow into our videofluoroscopic swallowing study protocol. The purpose of this study was to compare findings from ''esophageal screen- ing'' with the results of full esophagram. Methods. Patients undergoing videofluoroscopic swallow- ing studies with an esophageal screen followed by full esopha- gram between January 1, 2009, and October 1, 2009, were retrospectively reviewed. Comparison of esophageal screening and esophagram results were undertaken, with esophagram used as the gold standard. Results. Seventy-four patients underwent esophageal screening and esophagram. Sensitivity of esophageal screen- ing is 63% (CI 50%-73%); specificity is 100% (CI 39%-100%). Positive and negative predictive values of esophageal screen- ing were 100% and 13%, respectively. Conclusions. Esophageal screening identified 44/70 (63%) patients with esophageal disease. Esophageal screening is a simple tool that may guide further esophageal investigation. The sensitivity of esophageal screening is limited (63%). If clin- ical suspicion is high, formal esophagram should be consid- ered. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 34: 264-269,
Thapsigargin-resistant intracellular calcium pumps. Role in calcium pool function and growth of thapsigargin-resistant cells.

Exposure of cells to the intracellular Ca2+ pump blocker, thapsigargin (TG), results in emptying of Ca2+ pools and termination of cell proliferation (Short, A. D., Bian, J., Ghosh, T. K., Waldron, R. T., Rybak, S. L., and Gill, D. L. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 4986-4990). DC-3F Chinese hamster lung cells were made resistant to TG by long-term stepwise exposure to increasing TG concentrations in culture (Gutheil, J. C., Hart, S. R., Belani, C. P., Melera, P. W., and Hussain, A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 7976-7981). Since these cells (DC-3F/TG2) grow in the presence of TG, it was important to ascertain what Ca2+ pool function they retain. TG-resistant DC-3F/TG2 cells cultured with 2 microM TG had a doubling time (24 h) not significantly different from the parent DC-3F cells without TG. Analysis of TG-induced inhibition of 45Ca2+ uptake into permeabilized parent DC-3F cells revealed two distinct Ca2+ pump activities with 20,000-fold different sensitivities to TG; the IC50 values for TG were 200 pM and 4 microM, representing 80% and 20% of total pumping activity, respectively. Total pump activity in parent DC-3F and resistant DC-3F/TG2 cells was similar (0.23 +/- 0.10 and 0.18 +/- 0.08 nmol of Ca2+/10(6) cells, respectively). In DC-3F/TG2 cells, up to 100 nM TG had no effect on Ca2+ pumping; however, almost all pumping was blocked at higher TG concentrations with an IC50 of 5 microM. In both cell types, each Ca2+ pump activity (regardless of TG sensitivity) had high Ca2+ affinity (Km values congruent to 0.1 microM) and similar ATP dependence and vanadate sensitivity. In DC-3F cells, the TG-sensitive Ca2+ pool was releasable with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) or GTP and was oxalate-permeable; the TG-insensitive pool in these cells was not InsP3-releasable. GTP-induced Ca2+ uptake in the presence of oxalate indicated Ca2+ transfer between distinct pools in the DC-3F cells. In resistant DC-3F/TG2 cells, almost 50% of total TG-insensitive Ca2+ accumulation was releasable with InsP3; unlike the parent cells, this pool was not oxalate-permeable, and GTP induced no Ca2+ transfer between pools in the presence of oxalate. Thus, whereas InsP3 releases Ca2+ only from the high TG sensitivity Ca2+ pumping pool in parent DC-3F cells, in resistant DC-3F/TG2 cells the TG-resistant Ca2+ pumping pool now contains functional InsP3 receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Malignant myoepithelioma of the parotid gland.

Myoepithelial cells are a significant component of most types of salivary gland neoplasms. A small but increasing number of case reports have also shown that pure myoepitheliomas form a distinct class of neoplasms with unique histological features. Previously reported cases have been either benign or, at most, locally aggressive. We present here a case of a malignant myoepithelioma of the parotid gland, confirmed by electron microscopy, that was locally aggressive and eventually metastasized. Review of this case and of existing reports indicates that myoepitheliomas exhibit a wide range of biological behavior that seems to correlate with their histological appearance. Cancer 40:3042-3049, 1977.
The evolution of technology for light metals over the last 50 years: Al, Mg, and Li

Author’s Note: This paper has been written in response to a request to review technological progress over the past 50 years on “. . . aluminum, magnesium, recycling, and alkali metals, ranging from key aspects of extractive processing to end product development” in approximately eight printed pages. I hope that I can be excused for failing to compress all that time and all subjects into these pages and the time available for preparation! Accordingly the following is biased toward areas of which I am least ignorant; the result has been an emphasis on aluminum, particularly on how it is produced. That emphasis might anyway be appropriate in view of the membership of the Light Metals Division of TMS. Magnesium receives coverage (and here I have been greatly helped by others through the literature or e-mail correspondence) while lithium, the only alkali metal that I think of as a material, receives brief mention.
Source-Coupled HgCdTe Staring Hybrid Focal Planes For Tactical Applications

AbstractStaring infrared focal plane arrays with epitaxial HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors coupled to surface channel CCD multiplexers have been fabricated and characterized. A source-coupled input circuit with background suppression is utilized. The HgCdTe backside- illuminated detector arrays have bandgaps suitable for operation in either the 3 - 5 or 8 - 12 ym region. Performance characterization of the multiplexer will be given at cryo­ genic temperatures. Charge transfer efficiency, subthreshold transconductance, threshold voltage temperature dependence, and 1/f noise measurements will be presented. These mea­ surements will be compared with ideal models. Characteristics of the hybrid focal plane have been measured in a wide variety of backgrounds. Data will be presented on the noise characteristics, detectivity and noise equivalent temperature difference in backgrounds temperatures suitable for passive thermal imaging.I. IntroductionThe demand for high performance second generation thermal imaging systems has stimulated the development of focal plane arrays with a large number of detectors interfaced with charge transfer devices. There are basically two types of infrared focal planes, monolithic and hybrid. For monolithic focal planes, the multiplexer is fabricated as an integral part of the structure. For hybrid focal planes, photodetector arrays and the silicon CCD multiplexer are two separate entities joined together by using an array bonding technology. In this paper we report the characterization of one type hybrid focal plane using backside-illuminated HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors coupled with a silicon CCD multiplexer. The emphasis will be on its performance in a high background flux tactical environment. In such a structure, as shown in Figure 1, the detector senses incomingincoming radiation, while the multiplexer is used for both low noise integration and read- SC8011208 out of the signal. In Section II, the HgCdTe photodetector array is briefly discussed, while the operation and characterization of the CCD multiplexer are described in Sec­ tion III. Section IV deals with the mechani­ cal interface between the detector array and the multiplexer. Finally, in Section V we present a detailed characterization of the hybrid focal plane including noise, D* and NEAT measurements. Focal planes operating both in the 3 - 5 ym and 8 - 12 ym regions will be discussed.
Global Mapping of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 Reveals Specificity and Plasticity in Lineage Fate Determination of Differentiating CD4+ T Cells

Multipotential naive CD4(+) T cells differentiate into distinct lineages including T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, and inducible T regulatory (iTreg) cells. The remarkable diversity of CD4(+) T cells begs the question whether the observed changes reflect terminal differentiation with heritable epigenetic modifications or plasticity in T cell responses. We generated genome-wide histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) and lysine 27 (H3K27) trimethylation maps in naive, Th1, Th2, Th17, iTreg, and natural Treg (nTreg) cells. We found that although modifications of signature-cytokine genes (Ifng, Il4, and Il17) partially conform to the expectation of lineage commitment, genes encoding transcription factors like Tbx21 exhibit a broad spectrum of epigenetic states, consistent with our demonstration of T-bet and interferon-gamma induction in nTreg cells. Our data suggest an epigenetic mechanism underlying the specificity and plasticity of effector and regulatory T cells and also provide a framework for understanding complexity of CD4(+) T helper cell differentiation.
National walk for epilepsy.

The Epilepsy Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by seizures. Each year, the Foundation hosts the largest annual event supporting people livingwith seizures. Since its inception in 2007, the National Walk for Epilepsy has been the gathering place for thousands of people to share their stories, bring awareness, and raise funds to support the work of the Epilepsy Foundation. On April 11th, 2015, thousands will travel to the nation's capitol in celebration of a dynamic and extraordinary community of individuals, families, and caregivers affected by epilepsy and professionals who work with people with epilepsy. Professionals and families alike will join together to make this an extraordinary event. A family reunion for the epilepsy community, this year, the Walk welcomes the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys. The boys wrote a song for their brother Sammy, who lives with epilepsy, to show him how much they care for him. Their song “Man in Your Corner” will be performed at the National Walk during our Pre-Walk Rally. Professional communities are very involved in the National Walk. The Epilepsy Foundation's Professional Advisory and Scientific Advisory boards build teams, volunteer their time, and raise funds for this special day. The Walk also receives many professionals registering teams as a part of the American Epilepsy Society. Professionals are also involved with such programs as “Ask the Experts.” This program is the highlight of the Walk day each year. The Foundation receives positive feedback each year, which allows patients and families a chance to ask the top epilepsy experts in the country questions about epilepsy, new therapies, and where important information can be found. We are excited to announce that the National Walk is hosted on the same weekend as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the nation's
Sonographic evaluation and diagnosis of postoperative pseudotumor of the back with histologic correlation.

Trauma to the back with ligamentous injury may, rarely, result in the development of a fibrocartilaginous mass and can be clinically mistaken for a neoplastic process.' Only a few cases of posttraumatic pseudotumor of theback have been reported in the literature (n = 14), and all of these have involved the nuchal ligament in the cervical spine. 1 We report a case of pseudotumor of the back involving the posterior interspinous ligament overlying the 12th thoracic vertebral body evaluated with sonography and definitively diagnosed with sonographically guided biopsy.
Can Westgard Quality Control Rules determine the suitability of frozen sperm pellets as a control material for computer assisted semen analyzers

Purpose : To evaluate the drop-to-drop and pellet-to-pellet repeatability and stability of frozen sperm pellets. Methods : Ten pellets were thawed per batch (low and normal concentration) and evaluated by two investigators to establish a quality control chart. Then low and normal concentration pellets were thawed and evaluated daily for 10 days by both investigators. The values for both investigators were averaged and plotted on the chart. Results : The low sperm concentration specimen had a systematic error while the normal sperm concentration specimen had a random error as well as a systematic error. The low sperm concentration specimen violated the warning rule for motility whereas the normal concentration violated the warning rule, the random error rule, and the systematic error rule when applied to motility. Conclusions : Frozen sperm pellets are not acceptable as a daily-use quality control material for semen analysis when using a computer assisted semen analyzer.
Bacterial Contamination on Rubber Picker Fingers Before, During, and After Processing

Numbers of bacteria on rubber picker fingers collected from processing plants for 3 industrial processors were assessed in 3 separate trials for each plant. After 5 d in use, picker fingers were removed from the front, center, and back of an inline picker, including locations to the right and left of the processing line. Assessment indicated that the levels of bacteria present immediately after processing vary widely. Bacterial density on picker finger sections ranged from log(10) cfu = 0 to 5.41 in 2 of the 3 processing plants from which picker fingers were obtained. Higher counts (ranging from log(10) cfu = 3.23 to 7.33) were assessed on picker fingers from a third plant. The effect of location of fingers in the picker machine on bacterial counts was tested in 2 trials at each of 2 processing plants. There was no difference between the counts on fingers collected from the right or left of the picker machine for either plant. There was a difference (P < 0.05) among the counts on fingers collected in the forward direction, from front, center, and exit end, for 1 of the plants. No bacterial growth occurred in samples from new rubber picker fingers obtained from any of the processors. On rubber fingers with initially lower bacterial counts, microbial growth increased when incubated without additional disinfectant treatment. The bacterial population on used fingers incubated for 3 d significantly increased (P < 0.05) above that of bacteria on inline fingers. These results indicate that intervention early in the picking process could enhance sanitation practices and pathogen control.
Topological Insulators and Nematic Phases from Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in 2D Fermi Systems with a Quadratic Band Crossing

We investigate the stability of a quadratic band-crossing point (QBCP) in 2D fermionic systems. At the noninteracting level, we show that a QBCP exists and is topologically stable for a Berry flux $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2\ensuremath{\pi}$ if the point symmetry group has either fourfold or sixfold rotational symmetries. This putative topologically stable free-fermion QBCP is marginally unstable to arbitrarily weak short-range repulsive interactions. We consider both spinless and spin-$1/2$ fermions. Four possible ordered states result: a quantum anomalous Hall phase, a quantum spin Hall phase, a nematic phase, and a nematic-spin-nematic phase.
Patrones de composición familiar y superficie construida para optimizar la asignación de viviendas sociales

This paper states that housing policies have traditionally produced housing types that come from national averages with capacities that are not always suitable to family sizes. If averages were replaced by typologies that would better adapt to family, sizes the results could imply considerable savings in the investments families must make in order to adapt the allocated houses to their families. Most of the times such modifications are carried out informally and without the appropriate technology sine no responsible professionals are available. At the same time, the state could make a better use of its resources if it did not make a certain number of houses larger than required and by making a more rational and satisfactory use of the soil.