cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circumnuclear media of quiescent supermassive black holes

We calculate steady-state, one-dimensional hydrodynamic profiles of hot gas in slowly accreting ("quiescent") galactic nuclei for a range of central black hole masses $M_{\bullet}$, parametrized gas heating rates, and observationally-motivated stellar density profiles. Mass is supplied to the circumnuclear medium by stellar winds, while energy is injected primarily by stellar winds, supernovae, and black hole feedback. Analytic estimates are derived for the stagnation radius (where the radial velocity of the gas passes through zero) and the large scale gas inflow rate, $\dot{M}$, as a function of $M_{\bullet}$ and the gas heating efficiency, the latter being related to the star-formation history. We assess the conditions under which radiative instabilities develop in the hydrostatic region near the stagnation radius, both in the case of a single burst of star formation and for the average star formation history predicted by cosmological simulations. By combining a sample of measured nuclear X-ray luminosities, $L_x$, of nearby quiescent galactic nuclei with our results for $\dot{M}(M_{\bullet})$ we address whether the nuclei are consistent with accreting in a steady-state, thermally-stable manner for radiative efficiencies predicted for radiatively inefficiency accretion flows. We find thermally-stable accretion cannot explain the short average growth times of low mass black holes in the local Universe, which must instead result from gas being fed in from large radii, due either to gas inflows or thermal instabilities acting on larger, galactic scales. Our results have implications for attempts to constrain the occupation fraction of SMBHs in low mass galaxies using the mean $L_x-M_{\bullet}$ correlation, as well as the predicted diversity of the circumnuclear densities encountered by relativistic outflows from tidal disruption events.
Asymmetric syncytial expression of GLUT9 splice variants in human term placenta and alterations in diabetic pregnancies

Glucose transport from the maternal to fetal side of the placenta is critical for fetal growth and development due to the absence of fetal gluconeogenesis. Human GLUT9, existing as 2 isoforms, is a novel member of the transporter family. This study investigated the localization and relative expression levels of these isoforms in the human term placenta from both control and diabetic patients. Placenta samples were collected from normal pregnancies and those complicated by maternal diabetes (White classifications A1, A2, and B). Antibodies specific for the different isoforms were used to detect expression. Both forms of the protein are expressed in syncytiotrophoblast cells. Subcellular fractionation revealed an asymmetrical expression pattern with GLUT9a on basal membranes, whereas GLUT9b localizes to microvillus membranes. Expression of both isoforms is significantly increased in placental tissue from diabetic pregnancies. Altered expression of GLUT9 in the placenta may play a role in the fetal pathophysiology associated with diabetes-complicated pregnancies.
Temperature perception on the hand during static versus dynamic contact with a surface.

Innocuous cooling or heating of the forearm can evoke nociceptive sensations, such as burning, stinging, and pricking (low-threshold thermal nociception, LTN), that are inhibited by dynamic contact. In the present study, I investigated whether LTN can also be perceived on the hand, and if so, whether it is normally suppressed by active touching. Innocuous cold (28°, 25°, and 18°C) and warm (38°, 40°, and 43°C) temperatures were delivered to the distal metacarpal pads and intermediate and distal phalanges of the fingers via a handgrip thermode that subjects either statically held or actively grasped. The same temperatures were delivered to the forearm via another thermode that either rested on the arm or was touched to the arm. Subjects rated the intensity of thermal (warmth, cold) and nociceptive (e.g., burning) sensations and indicated the qualities of sensation experienced. The results showed that LTN can be perceived on the hand, although less frequently and less intensely than on the forearm. Dynamic contact inhibited nociceptive and thermal sensations on the hand, although less strongly than on the forearm. These findings indicate that temperature perception on the hand is attenuated and its quality is changed when thermal stimulation is accompanied by dynamic tactile stimulation, as it is during haptic exploration.
Idiopathic ischemic infarction of the brain stem in children

Three cases of idiopathic brain-stem infarction are added to the literature on 12 children. There is no age predilection, and the youngest case is 3 years old. However, there is a striking male preponderance of 13:2. The residual neurological deficit covers the range of normal to quadriparesis. Laboratory studies investigating hypercoagulopathy, platelet dysfunction and atrial septal defect may provide an etiology for some cases in the future.
Performance of concurrent tasks: a psychophysiological analysis of the reciprocity of information-processing resources

The resources allocated to a primary and secondary task are reciprocal. Subjects performed a tracking task in which the discrete displacements of the tracking cursor could be used to elicit event-related brain potentials. As the resource demands of the tracking task were increased, potentials elicited by the task-defined events increased in amplitude, whereas those elicited by secondary task auditory stimuli decreased.
Uncertainty and the convenience yield in crude oil price backwardations

Abstract This study examines why firms hold stocks of crude oil, particularly during price backwardations when spot prices exceed prices for forward delivery. Using a stochastic control model, this paper shows that the equilibrium value of inventories contains: the conventional Hotelling principle; the convenience yield from the classical theory of storage; and an option value related to price uncertainty. Our empirical results suggest that a convenience yield and risk premium are important elements of crude oil price backwardations.
Publish or Perish: A Limited Author Analysis of ICA and NCA Journals

The study reported in this article investigated some of the communication discipline's publication conventions to provide information that can shape hiring, promotion, and/or tenure practices, particularly at highly research-oriented universities. The study investigates 349 research articles by 125 authors published in eight International Communication Association (ICA) and National Communication Association (NCA) journals between January 1999 and June 2004. The analyses focus on authors, their gender, academic rank, and university affiliations. Results show that full professors have significantly higher rates of productivity than either associate or assistant professors, even though assistant professors as a group are associated with the most manuscripts. The study reveals a short list (n = 12) of universities whose faculty and/or alumni have published more than their peers and those scholars' preferred publication outlets; recognizes especially productive scholars by academic rank (n = 11); and presents data that indicate a potential trend towards dissolving gender differences.
Success of repeat ERCP by the same endoscopist

Abstract Background: The success rate of repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) by the same endoscopist after a failed initial attempt is unknown. It has been suggested that a repeat examination at a tertiary referral center be performed after an unsuccessful attempt. Our aim was to determine the success rate of repeat ERCP at a different endoscopic session by the same endoscopist and the outcomes among patients with a failed index procedure. Methods: A review of 500 consecutive ERCP procedures was performed at a teaching institution. Results: The overall initial success rate for cannulation of the duct of interest was 90.8% at index endoscopy. Endoscopy was repeated after 51% unsuccessful procedures, and access to the desired duct was achieved in 87.5% of repeat attempts. A needle knife was used in 21% instances, and its use facilitated cannulation of the duct of interest in 80%. No complications occurred with repeat ERCP. Of the 3 patients who underwent failed repeated ERCP, 1 was not available for the follow-up study, 1 had metastatic cancer, and the other had pancreas divisum. The outcomes among patients who did not undergo repeat ERCP included malignant disease diagnosed with other imaging techniques (35% of patients) and no further admissions or emergency room visits for suspected pancreaticobiliary symptoms (39% of patients). Conclusions: Repeat ERCP by the same endoscopist yields an 87.5% success rate. This leads to an overall success rate of 95%. (Gastrointest Endosc 1999;49:58-61.)
Lessons From Iris: Perspectives on Aging

In his book Elegy for Iris, John Bayley (2000) describes his life with his wife, Iris Murdoch, a successful author. In this article, the authors relate the life experiences of John and Iris to the relevant literature on lifespan development. Iris’s symptoms of Alzheimer disease and deteriorating brain function are described, and the personal experiences of Bayley and the article’s first author set the stage to suggest the importance of psychoeducation for family members and caregivers. Psychoeducation is suggested as a way to inform and support family members and caretakers who are also affected by Alzheimer disease.PERSPECTIVES is a special feature included in this issue of the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health that provides mental health professionals with an opportunity to discuss their positions on a variety of creativity-related topics.In this article, Mike Healey, a doctoral student, and Sue Renes, associate professor, share their perspectives on aging and the effects of Alzheimer disease. They...
Design guide for testing type-B packaging

The U.S. Department of Energy-Albuquerque Operations Office (DOE-ALO), Office of National Defense Programs (ONDP) is responsible for evaluating and certifying type-B radioactive material packaging. This packaging is used for nuclear components and special assemblies associated with the nuclear explosive and weapon safety program under the direction and supervision of ONDP. This evaluation and certification process is conducted according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Specification Authorized Type B packages in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 178, Sec. 178.416 (49 CFR 178.416). This section states that each type-B package must be designed and constructed to meet the requirements in 10 CFR 71. Water spray tests and immersion tests [0.9 m (3 ft) and 15 m (50 ft)] are used in part to ensure that these requirements are satisfied.
Evaluating cytotoxicity and cellular uptake from the presence of variously processed TiO2 nanostructured morphologies.

We evaluated the cytotoxicity of various morphological classes of TiO2 nanostructures (including 0-D nanoparticles, 1-D nanorods, and 3-D assemblies) toward living cells. These TiO2 nanostructures were modified with fluorescent dye molecules, mediated via a dopamine linkage, in order to facilitate a confocal study of their internalization. Specifically, we noted that both TiO2 1-D nanorods and 0-D nanoparticles could internalize into cells after 24 h of incubation time. However, only incubation with TiO2 1-D nanorods and 3-D micrometer-scale sea urchin-like assemblies at concentrations of up to 125 μg/mL yielded data suggestive of cell viabilities of close to 100%. Moreover, upon irradiation with UV light for periods of a few minutes at energy densities of up to 1 J/cm2, we observed up to 60% mortality rates, indicative of the cytotoxic potential of photoirradiated TiO2 nanostructures due to the generation of reactive oxygen species.
Total lymphoid and local joint irradiation in the treatment of adjuvant arthritis.

Total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) with 3,400 rads delivered in 17 divided doses, 600 rads at local paw irradiation in 3 divided doses, or both TLI and local irradiation were used to treat Lewis rats with adjuvant arthritis. Either TLI alone or local paw irradiation modestly reduced the severity of arthritis compared to a control group (P < 0.05). TLI treated animals had more initial suppression of inflammation. Adjuvant rats treated with a combination of both TLI and local paw irradiation had a profound and long lasting reduction in inflammation and permanent arthritis (P < 0.001).
Exploring Lightning Jump Characteristics

This study is concerned with the characteristics of storms exhibiting an abrupt temporal increase in the total lightning flash rate (i.e., lightning jump, LJ). An automated storm tracking method is used to identify storm "clusters" and total lightning activity from three different lightning detection systems over Oklahoma, northern Alabama and Washington, D.C. On average and for different employed thresholds, the clusters that encompass at least one LJ (LJ1) last longer, relate to higher Maximum Expected Size of Hail, Vertical Integrated Liquid and lightning flash rates (area-normalized) than the clusters that did not exhibit any LJ (LJ0). The respective mean values for LJ1 (LJ0) clusters are 80 min (35 min), 14 mm (8 mm), 25 kg per square meter (18 kg per square meter) and 0.05 flash per min per square kilometer (0.01 flash per min per square kilometer). Furthermore, the LJ1 clusters are also characterized by slower decaying autocorrelation functions, a result that implies a less "random" behavior in the temporal flash rate evolution. In addition, the temporal occurrence of the last LJ provides an estimate of the time remaining to the storm's dissipation. Depending of the LJ strength (i.e., varying thresholds), these values typically range between 20-60 min, with stronger jumps indicating more time until storm decay. This study's results support the hypothesis that the LJ is a proxy for the storm's kinematic and microphysical state rather than a coincidental value.
Highly Adsorptive, MOF‐Functionalized Nonwoven Fiber Mats for Hazardous Gas Capture Enabled by Atomic Layer Deposition

Abstract : While metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show great potential for gas adsorption and storage, their powder form limits deployment opportunities. Integration of MOFs on polymeric fibrous scaffolds will enable new applications in gas adsorption, membrane separation, catalysis, and toxic gas sensing. Here, we demonstrate a new synthesis route for growing MOFs on fibrous materials that achieves high MOF loadings, large surface areas and high adsorptive capacities. We find that a nanoscale coating of Al2O3 formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the surface of nonwoven fiber mats facilitates nucleation of MOFs on the fibers throughout the mat. Functionality of MOFs is fully maintained after integration, and MOF crystals are well attached to the fibers. Breakthrough tests for HKUST-1 MOFs [Cu3(BTC)2] on ALD-coated polypropylene fibers reveal NH3 dynamic loadings up to 5.93 0.20 mol/kg (MOF+fiber). Most importantly, this synthetic approach is generally applicable to a wide range of polymer fibers (e. g., PP, PET, cotton) and MOFs (e.g., HKUST-1, MOF-74, and UiO-66).
On two invariants of divisorial valuations at infinity

The two-dimensional case of the famous Jacobian conjecture of O.-H. Keller asserts that every unramified polynomial self-map of an affine plane is invertible. Many geometric approaches to this conjecture involve divisorial valuations of the field \({\mathbb{C}}(x,y)\), centered outside of the affine plane. Two integer invariants of these valuations naturally appear in this context. In this paper we study these invariants using combinatorics of weighted graphs. In particular, we prove that whenever both invariants are fixed, the corresponding valuations form a finite number of families up to plane automorphisms.
Evidence for Mogi doughnut behavior in seismicity preceding small earthquakes in southern California

[1] We examine the average space-time behavior of seismicity preceding M 2–5 earthquakes in southern California from 1981 to 2005 using a high-resolution catalog and identify regions of enhanced activity in a 1-day period preceding larger earthquakes at distances comparable to their predicted source radii. The difference in precursory behavior between large and small earthquakes is subtle but statistically significant when averaged over many earthquakes, and it has similarities to the “Mogi doughnut” seismicity pattern observed to occur prior to some M 6 and larger earthquakes. These results indicate that many standard earthquake triggering models do not account for all of the processes involved in earthquake occurrence.
L-glutamate activates peripheral nociceptors

The chemosensitivity of nociceptive afferents has been investigated using the isolated spinal-cord-tail preparation of the neonatal rat.l-glutamate applied to exposed rat tail skin stimulated nociceptive reflexes (ED50=136 μM). The action ofl-glutamate was selective, since other constitutivel-amino acids ord-glutamate were inactive at a concentration of 10 mM. The known algogens bradykinin, acetylcholine, serotonin and potassium ions also stimulated nociceptive reflexes. Histamine (1 mM) and substance P (0.1 mM) had no observable effect.l-glutamate, which is released from macrophages, could therefore contribute to inflammation-related nociception by stimulation of cutaneous nociceptive nerve endings.
Characterization of the annealed (0001) surface of sapphire (α-al2o3) and interaction with silver by reflection electron microscopy and scanning reflection electron microscopy

Annealed (0001) surfaces of single-crystal sapphire (alpha-Al2O3) rod have been studied in the electron microscope using reflection electron microscopy (REM), scanning reflection electron microscopy (SREM), and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED). Annealed surfaces of (0001) sapphire are vicinal and characterized by close-packed (0001)-oriented terraces separated by faceted multiple-height steps, with edges parallel to energetically preferred low-index directions (less than 1010 greater than and less than 1120 greater than). These structural features are not seen on cleaved surfaces or polished surfaces treated at temperatures less than 1,250 degrees C. Oxygen-annealing produces clean surfaces which prove useful for investigating the interaction of deposited metals with the (0001) sapphire. Both REM and SREM (with microdiffraction spots) techniques have been used to observe fine structure of flat Ag islands on the scale of 1-100 nm on the (0001)-oriented terraces as well as aggregations at the steps. A preliminary result on interaction with Cu is also included.
The New Varieties under Dryland Conditions: Mexican Wheats in Tunisia

The new wheats in the dryland conditions of Tunisia are being grown with limited success on large‐scale mechanized farms. Achieving yield potentials depends on careful control of plant growth. If this is not done, traditional varieties outyield the new wheats.
Affect and loneliness among centenarians and the oldest old: The role of individual and social resources

Objectives: Affect and loneliness are important indicators of mental health and well-being in older adulthood and are linked to significant outcomes including physical health and mortality. Given a large focus on young–old adults within gerontological research, the primary aim of this study was to examine the ability of individual and social resources in predicting affect and loneliness within a sample of oldest-old individuals including centenarians, an understudied population. Methods: Participants were assessed during the most recent cross-sectional data collection of the Georgia Centenarian Study. The eligible sample included 55 octogenarians (M = 83.70 years, SD = 2.68; range = 81–90) and 77 centenarians (M = 99.78 years, SD = 1.64; range = 98–109). Subjects scored 17 or greater on the Mini-Mental Status Exam and completed mental health assessments. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation of affect and loneliness with demographic characteristics, physical and ...
Structural requirements for biological activity of glucagon-like peptide-I.

Glucagon-like peptide-I (GLP-I) is encoded together with glucagon by the glucagon gene and is related in its structure to the glucagon-secretin family of peptides. Three of the predicted forms of the peptide, a 37-residue long GLP-I(1–37), a 31-residue GLP-I(7–37) and a 30-residue GLP-I(7–36) amide as well as three analogs des [Gly37, Arg36] GLP-I(7–37), des [Gly37, Arg36, Gly35] GLP-I(7–37) and des [His7] GLP-I(7–37) were synthesized by the stepwise solid phase method. These synthetic peptides were used to define the structural domains required for the binding of GLP-I to the pancreatic beta cell. The competitive binding experiments showed that both the amino and carboxyl terminal domains of the molecule contribute to GLP-I binding. In these experiments glucagon, another peptide that stimulates insulin secretion, was a weak full agonist of GLP-I binding. Results from these studies provide further characterization of the physiological role of this new peptide.
Fabrication of drop-cast aluminum cores.

Description d'une technique efficace qui fournit au dentiste sans equipement de coulee centrifuge et sans four un substitut pour le noyau en resine composite
Risk of Disease Progression in Patients with Moderate Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis: Implications of Tobacco Use and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy

Background Because of improved medical therapy in contemporary practice, some have advocated that, most if not, all patients with asymptomatic carotid disease should be managed medically without intervention. Disease progression in this patient population is not well established, and data describing risk factors for disease progression in patients with moderate asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ASCAS) are lacking. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for disease progression in this patient population. Methods All patients presenting to a tertiary center between January 2005 and May 2012 with moderate (50–69%) ASCAS as determined by carotid artery duplex were included. Outcomes including disease progression to severe stenosis (≥70%), incidence of symptoms, need for operative intervention, and all-cause mortality were recorded. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors for disease progression. Results A total of 282 carotid arteries in 258 patients with moderate ASCAS were identified from 1555 carotid duplex scans over the 7.5-year study period (mean age: 70.6 ± 0.55 years, 52% male). Mean follow-up time was 2.6 ± 0.10 years. Overall, disease progression to severe stenosis occurred in 25.2% ( n = 71) and followed a linear trend. The incidence of symptoms including ipsilateral stroke (2.13%, n = 6) and transient ischemic attack (0.71%; n = 2) was low. Carotid endarterectomy was performed in 15.3% ( n = 43) of patients, all with severe disease. Carotid stenting was performed in 3.90% ( n = 11) patients. Risk of progression was higher in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–3.15; P = 0.02) and smokers (HR 1.85, 95% CI 0.96–3.55; P = 0.05). Age, gender (women), hypertension, statin use, and aspirin use were not significant predictors of progression to severe stenosis. There was a nonsignificant trend toward increased mortality in patients who progressed compared with those who did not (HR 3.39, 95% CI 0.91–12.6; P = 0.07). Conclusions In our study, one-quarter of patients with moderate ASCAS progressed to severe disease, although the majority remained asymptomatic. Smoking and dual antiplatelet therapy are independent risk factors for disease progression. Patients with identifiable risk factors may warrant more careful follow-up.
The ER Incident

Excerpt The Uncertainty of Housestaff Disputes about the incident flourished throughout the hospital for months. The personalities of those involved quickly became less important than the race and ...
Further studies on the acid-labile bound phosphoserine of Escherichia coli

Abstract Phosphoserine anhydride has been identified in acid hydrolyzates of crude ammonium sulfate fractions prepared from Escherichia coli . The same product was found in the acid-soluble material obtained by incubating E. coli fractions in alkaline pH buffer solutions. Pretreatment of fractions with EDTA inhibited the latter reaction, and addition of Mn ++ and certain other divalent cations to EDTA-treated fractions restored the release process. Besides phosphoserine anhydride, phosphoserine was found as a product of the degradation of E. coli bound phosphoserine by either acid hydrolysis or by incubating fractions. In both types of hydrolyzates about 45% of the phosphoamino acid was found as phosphoserine and about 55% as phosphoserine anhydride.
Effect of the ratio of maleated polypropylene to organoclay on the structure and properties of TPO-based nanocomposites. Part II: Thermal expansion behavior

Significant reductions in linear thermal expansion coefficients in the flow and transverse directions of injection-molded specimens of thermoplastic polyolefin, or TPO, nanocomposites were achieved by controlling the maleated polypropylene (PP-g-MA)/organoclay ratio. Linear thermal expansion behavior was examined using a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA). The trends in thermal expansion for the nanocomposites are discussed in terms of the morphology of both dispersed clay and elastomer phases by means of transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and atomic force microscopic (AFM) observations and subsequent particle analyses. A higher PP-g-MA/organoclay ratio causes an increase in the aspect ratio of clay particles along the flow direction (FD) and transverse direction (TD) for the injection-molded specimens; however, the aspect ratio along the FD was higher than that along the TD. On the other hand, the aspect ratio of elastomer particles along the FD was much higher than that along the TD. Furthermore, highly elongated elastomer particles along the FD were observed. The combined effect of the mechanical constraint by organoclay and the highly elongated elastomer particles caused at high PP-g-MA contents was responsible for the significant reduction of thermal expansion for these materials.
The effect of concentration and botanical source on the gelation and retrogradation of starch

The changes in shear modulus of pea, wheat, maize and potato starch gels with time, at concentrations between 10 and 40% w/w, were followed. In this range, the cooling of gelatinised dispersions of starch resulted in turbid, elastic gels. The initial rate of development of stiffness of the gels followed the order: pea>maize>wheat>potato, and was related to the amount of amylose solubilised during gelatinisation. The initial gelation was not reversed on heating to 100° C. There was also a long-term increase in gel stiffness, which was thermally reversible. This long-term increase, linked to a crystallisation involving amylopectin, followed the order: pea>potato>maize>wheat. With increasing starch concentration this latter process becomes more important.
Return visit characteristics among patients who leave without being seen from a pediatric ED

Abstract Objectives The primary aim of this study was to evaluate for differences in acuity level and rate of admission on return visit between patients who leave without being seen (LWBS) and those who are initially evaluated by a physician. Our secondary aim was as well as to identify predictors of which LWBS patients will return to the ED with high acuity or require admission. Methods A cross-sectional study using an administrative database at an academic tertiary-care pediatric hospital in the United States from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008 was done. Results There were 3525 patients who LWBS during the study period (1.2% of total ED visits). Of these, 87% were triaged as nonurgent, and 13% as urgent at their initial visit. Two hundred eighty-nine (8%) of LWBS patients returned to the ED within 48 hours. Compared with the population who returned to the ED after previous evaluation, patients who LWBS from their initial visit and returned had significantly lower odds of urgent acuity at time of return visit (odds ratio [OR], 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15-0.32) and of being admitted (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.84). Urgent acuity at initial visit (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.35-6.04) and number of ED visits in last 6 months (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.02-1.52) were significant predictors of admission at return visit among the LWBS population. Conclusions Generally, patients who LWBS from a pediatric ED were unlikely to return for ED care, and those who did were unlikely to either be triaged as urgent or require hospital admission. This study showed that urgent acuity during the initial visit and number of previous ED visits were significant predictors of admission on return. Identification of these predictors may allow a targeted intervention to ensure follow-up of patients who meet these criteria after they LWBS from the pediatric ED.
Alternative Agricultural Programs: Discussion

The papers by Meyers, Womack, Johnson, Brandt, and Young (MWJBY) and Blandford are very different in approach. They represent only the "tip of the iceberg" in terms of alternative methods of analysis. Yet they illustrate problems faced in the task of usefully analyzing farm programs and serve to raise three key issues in quantitative assessment of policy proposals. First, income and wealth redistribution (and possibly stabilization) among interest groups is the primary motivation for government intervention, especially in agriculture. Economic analysis needs to address better political dimensions to policy formation and to focus less on outcomes of interest to economists. Second,
A hierarchical test generation methodology for digital circuits

A new hierarchical modeling and test generation technique for digital circuits is presented. First, a high-level circuit model and a bus fault model are introduced—these generalize the classical gate-level circuit model and the single-stuck-line (SSL) fault model. Faults are represented by vectors allowing many faults to be implicitly tested in parallel. This is illustrated in detail for the special case of array circuits using a new high-level representation, called the modified pseudo-sequential model, which allows simultaneous test generation for faults on individual lines of a multiline bus. A test generation algorithm called VPODEM is then developed to generate tests for bus faults in high-level models of arbitrary combinational circuits. VPODEM reduces to standard PODEM if gate-level circuit and fault models are used. This method can be used to generate tests for general circuits in a hierarchical fashion, with both high- and low-level fault types, yielding 100 percent SSL fault coverage with significantly fewer test patterns and less test generation effort than conventional one-level approaches. Experimental results are presented for representative circuits to compare VPODEM to standard PODEM and to random test generation techniques, demonstrating the advantages of the proposed hierarchical approach.
Catalysis of strand exchange by the HSV-1 UL12 and ICP8 proteins: potent ICP8 recombinase activity is revealed upon resection of dsDNA substrate by nuclease.

The replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is associated with a high degree of homologous recombination, which is likely to be mediated, in part, by HSV-1-encoded proteins. We have previously shown that the HSV-1 encoded ICP8 protein and alkaline nuclease UL12 are capable of catalyzing an in vitro strand-exchange reaction. Here, we show, by electron microscopy, that the products of the strand exchange reaction between linear double-stranded DNA and circular single-stranded DNA consist of the expected joint molecule forms: sigma, alpha, and gapped circles. Other exonucleases, such as lambda Red α, which, like UL12, digests 5′-3′, as well as Escherichia coli exonuclease III (ExoIII), which digests 3′-5′, could substitute for UL12 in the strand exchange reaction by providing a resected DNA end. ICP8 generated the same intermediates and strand exchange products when the double-stranded DNA substrate was preresected by any of the nucleases. Using substrates with large regions of non-homology we found that pairing by ICP8 could be initiated from the middle of a DNA molecule and did not require a homologous end. In this reaction, the resection of a DNA end by the nuclease is required to reveal homologous sequences capable of being paired by ICP8. This study further illustrates the complexity of the multi-functional ICP8 protein.
Quasiclassical trajectory investigation of the reaction O( 1D)+H2

A theoretical investigation of the energetics and dynamics of the O(1D)+H2 reaction is reported. Two different valence bond diatomics‐in‐molecules potential energy surfaces were used which differed only in the presence or absence of a small barrier to the C2v approach. The results of quasiclassical trajectory calculations were completely different on the two surfaces and showed that the dynamics of this exothermic reaction are sensitive to features of the surface at large internuclear distances. Reactions were found to occur by two possible mechanisms. In one mechanism, the oxygen atom abstracts a hydrogen atom from the end of the molecule in a direct reaction. Alternatively, the oxygen atom inserts into the H–H bond to form a collision complex which subsequently breaks apart. At all collision energies, the vibrational distribution of products from insertion/decomposition events is statistical while that of abstraction events is centered about v′ = 2. An inversion in the total populations of the levels v′...
Vitamin B6 In Ready-To-Eat Cereals: Analysis By High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Twenty-four ready-to-eat cereals obtained locally were analyzed for their vitamin B6 content by a recently developed high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure. The method uses sulfo-salicylic acid as an extraction agent with subsequent qualitative and quantitative analysis by anion exchange chromatography. All six forms of vitamin B6 plus their metabolite, pyridoxic acid, can be identified and quantified. Spot checks of the results obtained with this method and with a radiometric-microbiological assay give agreement to within 5%. On the other hand, disagreements of up to 38% are found on comparison with the standard AOAC microbiological procedure used by a commercial laboratory. The results indicate no significant variations between boxes within the same lot, but in one-third of the cereals tested, significant variations were found from lot to lot.
Objectifying Anxieties: Scientific Ideologies in Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Lair of the White Worm

Scientific ideologies swirl throughout Stoker’s two most gothic novels, Dracula (1897) and The Lair of the White Worm (1911), and this essay will address those ideologies as literary manifestations of just some of the “weird science” that was permeating late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century Europe. Specifically, the essay examines racial theories, physiognomy, criminology, brain science, and sexology as they appear in Stoker’s two novels. Stoker owned a copy Johann Caspar Lavater’s five-volume edition of Essays on Physiognomy (1789), and declared himself to be a “believer of the science” of physiognomy. The second major “weird science” infecting the gothic works of Stoker is the new field of criminology, or the bourgeois attempt to codify, control, and exterminate criminal elements in the human population. Stoker drew on both Havelock Ellis’s The Criminal, published in 1890, and the Italian Cesare Lombroso’s work, Uomo Delinquente (1876), a book that was available to Stoker in a two volume French translation published as L’Homme Criminel (1895). Stoker derived a number of his passages about the workings of the brain from the theories of the well-known professor of physiology, W. B. Carpenter, founder of the notion of “unconscious cerebration,” a concept developed in his book Principles of Mental Physiology (1874). Finally, Richard von Krafft-Ebing published his pioneering text on sexuality in 1886, Psychopathia Sexualis, with Special Reference to Contrary Sexual Instinct: A Medico-Legal Study, and invented the scientific study of sex. Of a piece with criminology, sexology attempted to categorize and medicalize human behaviors in such a way that all would become clear to the informed and enlightened bourgeois consciousness. As another weirdly scientific effort to “discipline and punish,” sexology sought to transform crime into perversion, and the man or woman suffering from vampiric tendencies became just another case study of sexual deviancy.
X-ray scattering study of two length scales in the critical fluctuations of CuGeO 3

The critical fluctuations of ${\mathrm{CuGeO}}_{3}$ have been measured by synchrotron x-ray scattering, and two length scales are clearly observed. The ratio between the two length scales is found to be significantly different along the a axis, with the a axis along the surface normal direction. We believe that such a directional preference is a clear sign that random surface strains, especially those caused by dislocations, are the origin of the long length scale fluctuations.
Design for analysis: A new strategy to improve the design process

The concept ofdesign for analysis (DA) as a strategy for designing a product or system is studied. DA states that designers should be constrained to work with only those designs which can be analyzed easily and quickly by simple tools. DA imposes some discipline and constraints on the designers. Nevertheless, it is conjectured that this will lead to shorter design times as well as designs that are superior in a number of senses. This paper presents our initial investigation of DA, which aims to determine whether it has potential as a design strategy. First, we refine the definition of DA and pose some hypotheses regarding its impact on the design process. Then we describe five case studies on actual design processes which show that DA could significantly improve the design process. Finally, design steps based on DA are presented. While these results are still preliminary, we propose that DA as a design strategy has the potential of being an important strategic weapon for gaining competitive advantage.
Serum Blood Urea Nitrogen and Serum Albumin on the First Postoperative Day Predict Pancreatic Fistula and Major Complications After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has a high morbidity rate. Previous work has shown that hypoalbuminemia on postoperative day 1 (POD) to be contributory to post-esophagectomy complications. We set out to determine the impact of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and albumin on POD 1 for patients undergoing PD. We examined 446 consecutive patients who underwent PD at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2008. Complications were graded using the Clavien scale. We examined the incidence of complications based on POD 1 albumin <2.5 versus ≥2.5 mg/dl, as well as POD 1 BUN <10 vs. ≥10 g/dL. Patients with a BUN <10 had a significantly decreased risk of any complication (p < 0.001), serious complication (p < 0.001), and pancreatic fistula (p = 0.011). On multivariate analysis, BUN ≥ 10 was the most significant predictor of grade III or above complication (p = 0.0019, hazard ration (HR) = 2.7) and pancreatic fistula (p = 0.016, HR = 2.6). POD 1 albumin <2.5 mg/dl was also an independent predictor of serious complication (p = 0.01, HR = 2.3). Patients with both risk factors had a 31 % chance of developing serious complications and 18.5 % risk of developing pancreatic fistula, while those patients with neither risk factor had a 6.5 and 3.6 % risk, respectively. Serum albumin and BUN on POD 1 are important predictors of perioperative morbidity following PD. These low-cost and easily accessible tests can be used as a prognostic tool to predict adverse surgical outcomes.
Comparing Fuzzy, Probabilistic, and Possibilistic Partitions Using the Earth Mover’s Distance

A number of noteworthy techniques have been put forth recently in different research fields for comparing clusterings. Herein, we introduce a new method for comparing soft (fuzzy, probabilistic, and possibilistic) partitions based on the earth mover's distance (EMD) and the ordered weighted average (OWA). The proposed method is a metric, depending on the ground distance, for all but possibilistic partitions. It is extremely flexible due to its EMD formulation, OWA aggregation, and abstract concept of ground distance. In theory, our method is agnostic to the type (uncertainty) of soft partition, clustering algorithm, and distance measure used in the clustering algorithm(s), and it is applicable to the clustering of both object and relational data. Validation is performed theoretically, experimentally, as well as in terms of computational complexity. Emphasis is placed on the set of possibilistic partitions, specifically noise and coincident clusters, which are important cases that have received little to no attention to date in the comparing clustering literature. Improvements are reported in terms of metric properties and computational complexity over existing extended concordance/discordance (e.g., soft Rand and Jaccard) approaches and improved design and robustness in comparison with existing transportation problem-based approaches.
Sex-role orientation and depressive symptomatology

The incidence of depressive disorders among women in our society is considerably higher than it is for men. Several investigators have suggested that this is due to traditional sex roles and status of women. One way in which this might work is suggested by Seligman's learned helplessness model of depression. Such considerations have led to the present attempt to evaluate the relationships of gender, sex roles, and depression. Forty male and 40 female subjects, recruited from graduate education courses, were given the NIMH-CES Depression Scale and the Bem Sex-Role Inventory. Analysis of covariance for males suggested that Bem M-Scale scores significantly predict depression, higher M scores associated with lower depression scores. For females, both M scores and M × F interaction predicted depression, higher F and lower M scores associated with greater depression. No differences were found between male and female subjects in depression scale scores. Thus, sex role appears a more potent predictor of depression than gender.
Studies on two strains of Aphanomyces laevis found occurring as wound parasites on Crayfish.

During 1937 and 1938 a number of young crayfish (Cambarus Clarkii Girard) which had recently been operated upon in these laboratories 3 died, apparently as the result of infection with a water mould which after isolation was tentatively identified as Aphanomyces laevis De Bary. Since this species is not very clearly defined, and has never been reported as parasitic upon animals, and because of the fact that a severe, recurring epidemic disease of European crayfish is caused by a species of Aphanomyces (A. astaci -magnusi Schikora), which is, however, quite different from A. laevis, the following studies were made to determine more carefully the morphology, development, and taxonomic position of the present fungus. Two strains, A and B, believed to be A. laevis have been isolated, each from a different lot of crayfish. These isolates, although morphologically very similar, show important' physiological differences which are of interest in view of the varying descriptions of A. laevis that have previously been given. The hyphae of both strains are slender and whitish, rather straight, with occasional side branches given off nearly at right
Complex diseases require complex therapies

Understanding disease causes and drug action at the molecular and systems levels could help to identify combinations of drugs that are more effective than individual drugs alone.
Deficient alternative complement pathway activity in newborn sera.

Summary: Neonatal susceptibility to overwhelming bacterial infection is commonly attributed to a relative deficiency in serum opsonic activity. However, few studies have compared the functional capacity of the classical complement pathway with that of the alternative complement pathway in the neonate. The opsonic activity of nine maternal infant serum pairs were studied by determining percent uptake of radiolabeled Escherichia coli Seven mother-infant paired sera were studied using E. coli strains known to be opsonized via the alternative complement pathway: the mean percent uptake of E. coli opsonized in neonatal sera was 16.8%; of those opsonized in maternal sera, 54%; and of those opsonized in control sera, 45% (P < 0.005). Two E. coli strains requiring the classical complement pathway for opsonization were phagocytized equally well in maternal and infant sera of seven mother-infant pairs. Determination of anti-O hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers in six maternal sera for one classical complement pathway activating and one alternative complement pathway strain showed no correlation between percent phagocytosis and HI antibody titer. These data would suggest that serum levels of classical pathway components are probably adequate for opsonization of E. coli via the classical pathway, but that low alternative complement pathway activity in neonatal sera may contribute to the newborn's increased susceptibility to bacterial sepsis. Speculation: There is good evidence that both humoral and cellular deficiencies exist in the inflammatory response of the newborn. The pathogenesis of neonatal E. coli sepsis and meningitis may involve a critical balance between the presence of these immunologic deficiencies and the particular opsonic requirements of the invading organisms. In the adult host, many strains of E. coli are well opsonized by either specific antibody or by activation of the alternative complement pathway. In the neonate, in the absence of transplacentally derived specific antibody, efficient opsonization of these same organisms cannot be accomplished due to low levels of alternative complement pathway activity. Thus, treatment rationale in E. coli sepsis and meningitis may include supplementation with either or both specific antibody and a source of complement activity.
Treatment of HIV-Related Inflammatory Cerebral Cryptococcoma with Adalimumab

Cryptococcomas have been described in AIDS patients in the setting of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. We report the first case of human immunodeficiency virus-related inflammatory cerebral cryptococcoma to be treated with a recombinant human monoclonal tumor necrosis factor antagonist.