cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Court Deference to State Legislatures in Redistricting After Perry v. Perez

Abstract This article analyzes the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Perry v. Perez in the context of competing precedents, surveys post-Perry redistricting cases, and considers Perry's implications for the future. Part II examines Perry in light of competing precedents. Part III analyzes cases that considered how Perry applies in other situations. Part IV discusses “expressions of state policy” considered by the courts in impasse and other situations.
Finding Dense Clusters via "Low Rank + Sparse" Decomposition

Finding "densely connected clusters" in a graph is in general an important and well studied problem in the literature. It has various applications in pattern recognition, social networking and data mining. Recently, Ames and Vavasis have suggested a novel method for finding cliques in a graph by using convex optimization over the adjacency matrix of the graph. Also, there has been recent advances in decomposing a given matrix into its "low rank" and "sparse" components. In this paper, inspired by these results, we view "densely connected clusters" as imperfect cliques, where imperfections correspond missing edges, which are relatively sparse. We analyze the problem in a probabilistic setting and aim to detect disjointly planted clusters. Our main result basically suggests that, one can find dense clusters in a graph, as long as the clusters are sufficiently large. We conclude by discussing possible extensions and future research directions.
Improvement of Flavor and Viscosity in Hot and Cold Break Tomato Juice and Sauce by Peel Removal

Tomatoes are typically not peeled before being made into juice but the peels contain enzymes that affect the odor, flavor, and viscosity of the juice. The peels are removed in the finisher, but their presence during the break process may affect quality. Juice was processed from peeled and unpeeled tomatoes using hot or cold break. The juices were pasteurized by high temperature short time (HTST), low temperature long time (LTLT), or with a retort. The control samples were treated with 10% calcium chloride to stop enzymatic activity in the juice. Sauce was made from juice and the tomato products were analyzed for volatiles, color, viscosity, and by sensory. Cold break juice made with peel contained higher levels of some lipoxygenase-, carotenoid-, and amino acid-derived volatiles, than the juice made without peel. Because of the lack of enzyme activity, hot break juices had lower levels of these volatiles and there was no significant difference between hot break juices made with and without peel. CaCl2 -treated and HTST juice had higher levels of most of the volatiles than LTLT, including the lipoxygenase-derived volatiles. The presence of peel produced a significant decrease in the viscosity of the cold break juice and sauce. There was no significant difference in the hue angle, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and vitamin C for most of the treatments. The texture, flavor, and overall liking of cold break juice made without peel were preferred over cold break juice made with peel whereas the color was less preferred. Between the sauces no significant differences in preference were obtained.
Single and Coincident Intragenic Mutations Attributable to Gene Conversion in a Human Cell Line

Two polymorphic sites are located within the heterozygous TK1 locus in the human lymphoblastoid cell line TK6: an inactivating frameshift in exon 4 of the nonfunctional allele and a phenotypically silent frameshift in exon 7 of the functional allele. Through the use of these intragenic polymorphisms and microsatellite markers that flank TK1, we demonstrate that partial gene conversion accounts for 3/75 (0.04) spontaneous and 9/163 (0.06) X-ray-induced TK1(-) mutants, thus comprising a significant component of forward mutations at this locus. In all cases, the conversion tract is <1 cM, rendering double exchange a remote alternate explanation for these results. Sequence analysis of full length TK1 cDNA provides rigorous exclusion of deletion events as a mechanism for generation of these allelotypes. Detailed examination of allelotypes in TK1(-) mutants identified two mechanisms for the generation of coincident sequence alterations that sometimes accompanied gene conversions. Mutations within the conversion tract were attributed to either error-prone gap filling synthesis during recombinational repair or mismatch repair within a heteroduplex region following branch migration. These findings suggest that a proportion of point mutations may not be targeted to sites of DNA base damage, but rather may arise as secondary consequences from the repair of DNA strand breaks.
Hijacked by Utopia: American Nikkei in Manchuria

(1997). Hijacked by Utopia: American Nikkei in Manchuria. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 1-44.
Structural Studies of Synthetic Peptide Fragments Derived from the HIV-1 Vpr Protein

Vpr, one of the accessory gene products of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) genome, exhibits diverse biological characteristics. Vpr functions as a transcriptional activator of HIV and heterologous promoters. It is capable of arresting cells in cell cycle progression and plays a crucial role in the infection of macrophages. Despite the wealth of information available on the biological aspects of Vpr, the structure of Vpr remains poorly understood. To gain insight into the structure-function relationship of Vpr, peptides corresponding to putative helical regions of Vpr were synthesized and their structures determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The CD studies confirmed the predicted helical structures of these peptides. Based on the data, a hypothetical model for the structure of Vpr was proposed which displays an anti-parallel alpha-helix core structure reminiscent of a helix-loop-helix motif. These findings are consistent with the results from mutational studies of Vpr and provide a plausible structural basis to further investigate the multiple functions of Vpr as a viral protein.
Cookies, Candy, and Coke: Examining State Sugar-Sweetened-Beverage Tax Policy from a Multiple Streams Approach

The goal of this article is to shed some light on the conditions necessary for state legislatures to pass sugar-sweetened-beverage (SSB) tax legislation for state revenue purposes, using a modified version of Kingdon’s multiple streams framework. In turn, this study also tests the strength of the multiple streams model in explaining outcomes for public revenue bills. Using a comparative case study approach, this analysis examines the conditions surrounding SSB tax bills proposed in Colorado and Kansas in 2010, the last year a state SSB tax bill passed. Findings suggest that tax design, policy framing, and partisan politics are variables that influenced the outcomes of the Colorado and Kansas SSB bills. In addition, the modified multiple streams framework was valuable in identifying broader conditions significant to the outcome of revenue bills, such as the severity and magnitude of the budget gaps and packaging of revenue bills.
Reliability analysis of rigid-plastic structures by the static approach☆

Abstract Despite the inherent advantage of providing an upper bound on the system failure probability, Pf, methods for the reliability analysis of rigid-plastic structures based on the static theorem of plastic analysis have received very limited attention compared to those using kinematic theorems. The static approach is studied from different viewpoints in this paper, with particular attention given to its relationship to the kinematic approach. A search strategy based on mathematical programming is developed to minimize the upper bound for Pf. Many properties of this bound observed from numerical examples are readily explained in the basic variable space and the redundant force space. Guidelines for selecting the best set of redundant forces and the best starting points for searching are proposed. Of special interest are the equivalence of redundant force sets, and the use of multiple redundant sets.
P02.81. Symptom management with massage in postoperative colorectal patients: a randomized controlled trial

Methods A randomized-controlled trial was designed for colorectal abdominal surgery patients. Patients were randomized to either receive a 20 minute massage on POD 1 and 2, 20 minutes of ambulation, or a visit by the massage therapist (no massage). Baseline physiologic data (HR, SBP/DBP, RR) were collected 30 minutes prior to and after either intervention. A standardized assessment of patient perception of pain, tension, anxiety, satisfaction with overall care, and relaxation level utilizing a visual analog scale (10 point Likert scale) was obtained before and after the intervention. The IRB approved study was powered to detect a difference at the 80% level. Repeated measures models were used to compare the symptom scores at different time points. T-tests were used to compare same day pre-post intervention changes.
Metadiscursive regime and register formation on Aymara radio

This paper examines the links between language use, speakers and institutional authority at the oldest Aymara-language radio station in Bolivia. The station’s Aymara language department develops and approves scripts and monitors programming, identifying Spanish loan words – “aberrations” – and replacing them with Aymara neologisms. In the context of indigenous political resurgence in Bolivia, language has become a metonym for the indigenous nation, another terrain for decolonization and personal transformation. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and discourse analysis of a broadcast of the program Aymara Language, I argue that the metadiscursive regime operating at the station plays a role in consolidating a distinct register of Aymara and its elusive model speaker.
Ranked Items Auctions and Online Advertisement

We study auctions for a set of commonly-ranked items where each buyer has unit demand. This setting has promising applications in areas such as keyword auctions in the search engine advertising industry, the sale of quality-ranked raw materials, etc. An auction mechanism suitable for this setting is the simultaneous pooled auction (SPA), where each bidder simultaneously submits a single bid and is allocated an object based on the rank of his bid among all the bids. We study how to improve the seller's expected revenue by enforcing a reserve price in an SPA. We find that the use of an appropriate reserve price may significantly increase the seller's revenue, especially when the number of items for sale is relatively large compared to the number of participating bidders. One inherent problem in the SPA is that some bidders may incur ex post losses; that is, they pay more than what they value the received objects. We propose a tailored VCG mechanism that generates the same expected revenue as the SPA does, while bidders do not incur any ex post loss. We also discuss the potential applications of this research to keyword auctions.
Rocket-Borne Cryogenically Cooled Field-Widened Interferometer For The 2 To 8µm Spectral Region

AbstractA liquid nitrogen cooled rocketborne near infrared interferometer spectrometer has beendeveloped using compensating wedge prisms to achieve a wide field -of -view and using a gas -lubricated bearing slide for the movable mirror carriage to maintain stable precision align-ment and scanning speeds of 1 second /scan. A nickel manganese iron alloy has been developedwhich has very nearly the same thermal physical properties of calcium flouride, thus rigidmounting of the calcium flouride is possible which reduces the possibility of fracture oncool down and assures optical alignment after the instrument is subjected to the severe vib-ration of the rocket flight. An entendue of 0.67 cm2 sr has been achieved and the bearingsmoothness stiffness and control are sufficient to yield a resolution of at least 2 cm-1.liquid helium cooled bismuth doped silicon detector is used providing a NESR of 1.5 x 10 12watt cm -2 sr -1 at 5 um when operating at a scan time of 1.3 seconds.IntroductionThe extraordinary throughput capability of the Michelson interferometer has revolutionizedinfrared spectrometry. However, the care required to operate a Michelson interferometer inthe laboratory is well known by those who have faced the task of achieving the optical align-ment requisite for success. This problem is compounded when the optical components becomeextremely massive and the length of travel for the translating mirror is increased by anorder of magnitude. Add to these requirements the necessity of cooling to liquid nitrogentemperatures and the hostile vibration environment of a rocket or aircraft and the task be-comes challenging indeed. Utah State University has developed a cryogenic infrared interfer-ometer spectrometer with field -of -view compensation. It operates at 77° K and has withstoodthe vibration environment of a sounding rocket flight which experienced 20 g sustained axialacceleration with 5 g random vibration. The specifications that were achieved for thisinterferometer are listed in Table 1. This paper is a report of the successful achievementof this instrument.Table 1. Specifications of USU Near IR Interferometer Spectrometer System.FunctionFree Spectral Range:Resolution:Scanning Speed:Field of View:Modulation:Optics:Bearing:
Competition in the Best of Cities : Agonism and Aristotle's Politics

By examining his account of individual virtues, making inferences from his analyses of flawed cities, and teasing out the tacit assumptions behind claims about the nature of political activity, I argue that Aristotle thinks of competition as being a political ideal rather than as an inevitable corruption of civic life. Virtuous citizens compete for civic honor through traditional "competitive outlays" and contend against one another for prestigious offices in the city. Moreover, I argue that the very structure of political deliberation is competitive. It is through a "vis-a-vis" competition among proposals that a winning policy is adopted, and the speakers who offer these proposals are themselves involved in a competition for political influence.
Mesenchymal-epithelial interactions in the bladder

During bladder development, undifferentiated mesenchymal and epithelial cells undergo an orderly sequence of differentiation defined by the expression of smooth-muscle (α-actin, myosin, vinculin, desmin, vimentin, and laminin) and epithelial (cytokeratins 5, 7, 8, 14, 18 and 19) protein markers. This process requires mesenchymal-epithelial interactions with bladder epithelium (urothelium) necessary for the differentiation of bladder smooth muscle. Peptide growth factors such as keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and transforming growth factors (TGF) α and β are likely candidates as mediators of these mesenchymal-epithelial interactions. Transcripts for KGF, TGF α, and TGF β are regulated during bladder development and during smooth-muscle hypertrophy secondary to bladder-outlet obstruction. Finally, two experimental bladder models — (1) partial outlet obstruction and (2) regeneration of bladder smooth muscle into an acellular tissue matrix — are described in the context of mesenchymal-epithelial interactions in the bladder.
Nesting biology of the arboreal fungus-growing ant Cyphomyrmex cornutus and behavioral interactions with the social-parasitic ant Megalomyrmex mondabora

We describe the extraordinary nesting habits of the fungus-growing ant Cyphomyrmex cornutus (Formicidae, Myrmicinae, Attini) and the natural history of Megalomyrmex mondabora (Formicidae, Myrmicinae, Solenopsidini), a social parasite that inhabits nests of C. cornutus and other small attine ants. The study was carried out at two sites on the Atlantic slope of Costa Rica. The C. cornutus nest is an oblong mass of accreted soil, attached to or suspended from low vegetation in wet forest understory. Less than a fourth of the nest volume has chambers and is inhabited by C. cornutus; the remainder is a semi-solid mass of accreted soil often housing a variety of arthropods, including other unspecialized commensal ant species. Five C. cornutus colonies examined were parasitized by M. mondabora. Colonies of M. mondabora inhabited chambers very near those of the host. In laboratory observations, M. mondabora and C. cornutus workers interacted with little aggression despite the consumption of C. cornutus larvae and fungi by M. mondabora. During most interactions, C. cornutus workers responded submissively, whereas M. mondabora appeared indifferent or nonresponsive. Megalomyrmex mondabora parasitizes several other attine species (Cyphomyrmex costatus, Cyphomyrmex salvini, and Apterostigma goniodes), and it appears therefore a relatively unspecialized social parasite with broad attine hostassociation. The size of M. mondabora workers vary with host species, suggesting M. mondabora sensu lato comprises either cryptic species or the host environment affects worker size.
Purine salvage by Tritrichomonas foetus.

Abstract The anaerobic protozoon Tritrichomonas foetus was found incapable of de novo purine synthesis by its failure to incorporate radiolabeled glycine or formate into the nucleotide pool. It had, on the other hand, high activities in incorporating adenine, hypoxanthine or inosine. Radiolabel pulse-chase experiments indicated that adenine, hypoxanthine and inosine all entered the pool through conversion to IMP. The parasite contained hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase, adenine deaminase and inosine phosphorylase, but no adenine phosphoribosyl transferase, inosine kinase or inosine phosphotransferase activity. Adenine and inosine had to be converted to hypoxanthine before incorporation. Adenosine was also rapidly converted to hypoxanthine in T. foetus cell-free extracts, but the presence of adenosine kinase in the parasite allowed some conversion of adenosine directly to AMP. Guanine and xanthine were directly incorporated into GMP and XMP, probably due to the guanine and xanthine phosphoribosyl transferase. There were also strong enzyme activities which convert guanosine to guanine and guanine to xanthine. A guanosine phosphotransferase was found in the 10 5 × g sedimentable fraction of T. foetus , and was capable of converting some guanosine to GMP. This network of T. foetus purine salvage suggests the importance of hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyl transferase activities in the parasite.
Patient sex and quality of ED care for patients with myocardial infarction.

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to assess the quality of care between male and female emergency department (ED) patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods A 2-year retrospective cohort study of 2215 patients with AMI presenting immediately to 5 EDs from July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2002 was conducted. Data on patient characteristics, clinical presentation, and ED processes of care were obtained from chart and electrocardiogram reviews. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the independent association between sex and the ED administration of aspirin, β -blockers, and reperfusion therapy to eligible patients with AMI. Results There were 849 women and 1366 men in the study. Female patients were older than male patients (74.3 years for women vs 66.8 years for men, P P β -blockers (51.7% of women vs 61.4% of men, P P β -blockers (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.82-1.04), or reperfusion therapy (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.89-1.09). In models adjusting for additional demographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics, there remained no association between sex and the processes of care. Conclusion Women with AMI treated in the ED have a lower likelihood of receiving aspirin, β -blocker, and reperfusion therapy. However, this association appears to be explained by the age difference between men and women with AMI. Although there are no apparent sex disparities in care, ED AMI management remains suboptimal for both sexes.
III–V semiconductors on Si substrates: New directions for heterojunction electronics

Abstract Excellent device performance at both d.c. and microwave frequencies has recently been obtained from GaAs based devices grown on Si substrates. In GaAs MESFETs on Si, current gain cutoff frequencies and maximum oscillation frequencies of f T = 13.3 GHz and f max = 30 GHz have been obtained for 1.2 μm devices, which is nearly identical to the performance achieved in GaAs on GaAs technology for both direct implant and epitaxial technology. For heterojunction bipolar transistors, current gain cutoff frequencies and maximum oscillation frequencies of f T = 30 GHz and f max = 11.3 GHz have been obtained for emitter dimensions of 4 × 20 μm 2 . These results compare with the best reported HBT on GaAs substrates of f T = 40 GHz and f max = 26 GHz with much smaller geometry. Given the performance already demonstrated in AaAs on Si devices and the advantages afforded by this technology, the growth of III–Vs on Si promises to play an important role in the future of heterojunction electronics.
Design, Modeling, and Simulation of a Piezo-MEMS Articulating Arm

Microscale actuators have been a subject of high interest in the past few years, especially for active structural control on the micro and nano scales. This includes manipulation of microparticles, two dimensional RF switching, on-chip electrical probing, and strain sensors. Previous developments for micro-actuators exhibit deflection in the vertical direction (both positive and negative). This paper presents a novel design for a cantilever piezoelectric microactuator. The design proposed is capable of actuation in the vertical as well as the horizontal direction by having a trapezoidal cross-section. This cross-section allows for the deposition of electrodes (platinum) onto sloped sidewalls, resulting in added degrees of freedom. The actuators are fabricated from link sections of traditional piezoelectric materials such as lead titanate zirconate (PZT). Currently, only single link actuators have been investigated. For the double link actuator, two sections will be connected by a joint consisting of silicon nitride, allowing for the independent actuation in the X, Y, and Z axes of each section for each specific cantilever beam. Through the utilization of voltage as the drive for the actuation, it is possible to counteract lingering oscillations in the beam resulting from initial motion. Control for this microactuator is comparable to rigid robotic structures, taking into account the modeled behavior of piezoelectric materials as well as the bending model of a trapezoidal cantilever beam. The research and development for this paper will include design, as well as dynamic modeling and simulation of a piezo-MEMS robot arm. Fabrication consists of a series of spin-casting and annealing steps to create the piezoelectric films, the polarity of which is determined by a poling process subsequent to fabrication. Conducting materials are deposited both before the PZT (bottom electrode) and after (top and sidewall electrodes), while their thicknesses will be minimalized in order to not adversely affect the beam stiffness of the piezoelectric links.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Levator ani defect status and lower urinary tract symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse

Among women with pelvic organ prolapse, compare rates of lower urinary tract symptoms by levator ani defect (LAD) status. Urinary incontinence and obstructive voiding are analyzed among 151 women with prolapse whose LAD status was determined with magnetic resonance imaging. Women with major LAD are less likely to experience stress incontinence when “coughing, laughing, or sneezing” (odds ratio (OR) 0.27) and when “twisting, reaching, lifting, or bending over” (OR 0.26) than women with normal muscles. They are less likely to have obstructive symptoms characterized by assuming an “unusual toileting position” or “changing positions…to start or complete urination” (OR 0.27). Women with minor LAD are more likely to experience stress incontinence with exercise (OR 3.1) and urge incontinence (OR 4.0) than those with normal muscles. Lower urinary tract symptoms are less common among women with prolapse and major levator ani defects and more common among those with minor defects.
Basic study of ℜ-semigroups and their homomorphisms

In this paper we study ℜ-semigroups from the standpoint of their homomorphisms into the semigroup IR of positive real numbers under addition. Every ℜ+-semigroup S is isomorphic with a subdirect product of a structure group G and a semigroup of positive real numbers. It is determined by G and a positive real valued function cp on G. We also study the semigroup Hom(S,T) of homomorphisms of an ℜ-semigroup S into another ℜ-semigroup T. Each element of Hom(S,T) can be described in terms of an element of Hom(S,IR+) and an element of Hom(S,H) where H is a structure group of T.
Permeability and interaction of Ca2+ with cGMP-gated ion channels differ in retinal rod and cone photoreceptors

We studied the ionic permeability of cGMP-dependent currents in membrane patches detached from the outer segment of retinal cone and rod photoreceptors. Reversal potentials measured in membranes exposed to symmetric Na+ but with varying cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations reveal that the permeability ratio, PCa/PNa, is higher in the cGMP-gated channels of cones (7.6 +/- 0.8) than in those of rods (3.1 +/- 1.0). Ca2+ blocks both channels in a voltage-dependent manner. At any Ca2+ concentration, the channel block is maximal near the ionic reversal potential. The maximal block is essentially identical in channels of cones and rods with respect to its extent and voltage and Ca2+ dependence. The Ca2+ block is relieved by voltage, but the features of this relief differ markedly between rods and cones. Whereas the Boltzmann distribution function describes the relief of block by hyperpolarizing voltages, any given voltage is more effective in relieving the Ca2+ block in cones than in rods. Similarly, depolarizing voltages more effectively relieve Ca2+ block in cones than in rods. Our results suggest that channels contain two binding sites for Ca2+, one of which is similar in the two receptor types. The second site either interacts more strongly with Ca2+ than the first one or it is located differently in the membrane, so as to be less sensitive to membrane voltage. The channels in rods and cones differ in the features of this second site. The difference in Ca2+ permeability between the channels is likely to result in light-dependent changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration that are larger and faster in cones than in rods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Interaction of concanavalin A with differentiated and undifferentiated murine neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract Tritium-labeled acetyl-concanavalin A ( 3 H-Con A) was used to study its kinetics of binding at 0 °C to murine neuroblastoma cells (clone neuro 2-A) grown in the differentiated (monolayer) and Undifferentiated (spinner) states. The binding of 3 H-Con A to both cell types gives sigmoidal saturation curves, suggesting positively cooperative binding of the lectin. The Hill coefficient is 1.75 for differentiated and 1.36 for Undifferentiated cells. The maximal number of 3 H-Con A molecules bound per cell is 2.3 × 10 7 and 3.4 × 10 7 for differentiated and Undifferentiated cells, respectively, and the apparent rate constants for formation of the lectin-cell complex are 6.13 × 10 2 , m −1 , s −1 for the Undifferentiated and 6.68 × 10 2 , m −1 , s −1 for the differentiated cells. The lectin bound to spinner cells does not dissociate spontaneously to any measurable extent over a 60-min period at 0 or 37 °C, but the lectin-cell complex dissociates rapidly after addition of α-methyl- d -mannopyranoside. At 37 °C, this sugar causes virtually complete dissociation of the cell-lectin complex within 30 min. The 3 H-Con A dissociated from spinner cells is indistinguishable from the original 3 H-Con A by sodium dodecyl sulfate-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration through Bio-Gels P-30 and P-100, and specific binding to spinner cells. Both the original and the dissociated 3 H-Con A are dimers at pH 7.4. The sugar-induced dissociation of the labeled lectin from spinner cells is not accompanied by shedding or inactivation of the lectin binding sites of the cell surface.
A rare case of a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma of the pulmonary valve diagnosed by echocardiography

Primary cardiac tumors are rare. The majority of primary tumors of the heart are benign with papillary fibroelastomas being the third most common after myxomas and lipomas respectively. Papillary fibroelastomas represent the most common valvular tumor of the heart. Although benign, papillary fibroelastomas have the potential to cause turbulent flow, thrombus formation, and severe cerebral or coronary embolic disease. The majority of fibroelastomas have been described on the left side of the heart involving the aortic and mitral valves. We present a rare case of a papillary fibroelastoma occurring on the pulmonic valve.
The flow and fracture of unidirectional

A yielding criterion, based upon calculated internal stress distributions, was developed for composite materials under various externally applied biaxial tension loadings. The stress distributions were computed using the finite element technique; the criterion showed that the yield strength of the composite is significantly higher than the transverse uniaxial yield strength for a wide range of biaxial loadings. Limited amounts of preliminary data were generated (using the hydraulic bulge test to develop biaxial stress loadings) to validate the analytical yielding criterion. The data obtained showed better agreement with the new yielding criterion than they did with the existing Hill Criterion.
The Cytogenetics of Procecidochares. I. The Mitotic and Polytene Chromosomes of the Pamakani Fly, P. Utilis Stone (Tephritidae-Diptera)

SUMMARYThe female karyotype of P. utilis (2 n=12) consists of 5 pairs of metacentric and submetacentric autosomes, and metacentric X and submetacentric Y sex chromosomes. A detailed map of the 5 polytene chromosomes visible in the salivary gland is presented. The missing 6th polytene probably represents the sex chromosomes which appear to be largely heterochromatic at mitosis. A single short inversion has also been observed in the unpaired region of the 4th chromosome. All polytene chromosomes of the salivary gland have regions in which the homologues do not pair. Heterozygous puffing behavior of the bands is frequently observed within these regions. It is suggested that these unpaired portions, if present in meiotic chromosomes, may affect the frequency of crossing over.
Cesium chloride: preventive medicine for radioactive cesium exposure?

Cesium is produced in high yield fission of uranium and plutonium. Radioactive cesium needles are a radiation hazard for radiotherapists. In this age of nuclear reactors, i.e. Chernobyl, radioactive cesium exposure may be a growing problem. Furthermore, there are numerous therapeutic potentials for cesium therapy, i.e. cancer, depression and schizophrenia. We explored the clearance of cesium in man and found that an oral dose of 50 mg maintains elevated blood cesium levels for 80 days. Cesium is accumulated mainly in the red blood cell fraction. Larger doses (6-9 grams) produce no observed harmful effects and maintain elevated blood levels of cesium for more than a year. Our data suggests there is a threshold of maximum cesium saturation in blood; if maintained, any additional cesium exposure, i.e. radioactive cesium, would be excreted at a more rapid rate. It is probable that large cesium doses can protect against radiation toxicity by blocking sites on red blood cells and thereby result in increased excretion and clearance of the radioactive forms of cesium. This hypothesis should be easily testable in laboratory animals.
Change of measures for Markov chains and the LlogL theorem for branching processes

Let P(.,.) be a probability transition function on a measurable space ( M,boldM) . Let V(.) be a strictly positive eigenfunction of P with eigenvalue ρ>0. Let P˜ (x,dy)≡V (y)P(x,dy)ρ V(x). Then P˜ (.,.) is also a transition function. Let Px and P˜ x denote respectively the probability distribution of a Markov chain { X j} 0 ∞ with X0=x and transition functions P and P˜ . Conditions for P˜ x to be dominated by Px or to be singular with respect to Px are given in terms of the martingale sequence W n ≡V(X n)/ρ n and its limit. This is applied to establish an LlogL theorem for supercritical branching processes with an arbitrary type space.
Use of Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami kinetics in recrystallization of metals and crystallization of metallic glasses

Abstract The Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (KJMA) relation does not compensate for simultaneous recovery that occurs during recrystallization, and KJMA plots for recrystallization in cold-worked metals frequently show severe negative curvature. However, reasonably linear KJMA behavior does occur in recrystallization of some metals and in crystallization of metallic glasses, but considerable variation occurs in the slopes of KJMA plots. This evidence suggests that linear KJMA behavior may occur during recrystallization in metals when either a deformed matrix decays to an effectively constant state of recovery or the recovery rate decreases at a constant rate. Linear behavior also may occur during crystallization when the amorphous matrix remains in an essentially constant state of disorder. Analysis of factors that may contribute to this variation indicates that linear KJMA plots may not be indicative of truly linear kinetic behavior. Therefore, caution should be exercised in the use and interpretation of KJMA plots.
What Constitutes a Good and Bad Death?: Perspectives of Homeless Older Adults

This qualitative study explored perspectives toward a good or bad death among 21 older homeless adults residing in transitional housing. Using grounded theory approach, the themes for a good death were (a) dying peacefully; (b) not suffering; (c) experiencing spiritual connection; and (d) making amends with significant others. Themes for a bad death were (a) experiencing death by accident or violence; (b) prolonging life with life supports; (c) becoming dependent while entering a dying trajectory; and (d) dying alone. Healthcare professionals need to develop approaches for end-of-life care grounded in understanding unique needs of older homeless adults.
Defensive anointing: extended chemical phenotype and unorthodox ecology

Many animals acquire substances on their integument from heterospecifics through anointing. In active or self-anointing, animals rub against scent sources or they apply them by appendage or mouth. In passive anointing, animals adsorb emitted chemicals. Most investigators suggest that chemicals appropriated via anointing deter predators, ectoparasites, and/or microbial pathogens. Similarly, nesting birds and brood parasites of social insects acquire chemicals from and reside unmolested near or within insect colonies. The acquisition through anointing of chemicals that deter predators, ectoparasites, microbial pathogens, and other offenders, i.e. defensive anointing, constitutes an “extended phenotype”: the genetic machinery by which defensive compounds are synthesized does not reside with the anointing organisms, but the sensory mechanisms and/or behavioral tendencies by which chemicals are appropriated from heterospecifics do. The ecological relationships between anointing organisms and “chemical donors,” and between ”chemical donors” and those responding to chemicals appropriated via anointing, may be unorthodox. Interactions between anointing organisms and chemical donors typically entail abrasive contact with or other damage to the latter. These encounters sometimes are evidenced by telltale marks on chemical donors or by chemicals deposited on the integument of anointing organisms. The organisms furnishing chemicals and those affected by them may not interact, and they may even occupy different habitats, because mobile anointing organisms are the medium by which chemicals are disseminated. Thus, in allelochemical studies where anointing is involved, species can be tested, with ecological legitimacy, using chemicals from organisms they might fail to interact with in nature. Practical implications of anointing stem from its potential importance in conservation and captive management, where consideration is given to the protection that animals derive by accessing topically acquired chemicals from heterospecifics.
Magnetic circular dichroism of the 3B3μ ← 1 Ag excitation in pyrazine☆

Abstract The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of the lowest lying singlet—triplet transition of pyrazine is reported. The experimental data are in accord with theoretical predictions based upon the assumption of Hund's case (b) coupling in the 3B3u state.
Automatic evaluation of credibility on the Web

A system to automatically assess credibility of web sites is described. The system uses information about credentials, advertisements, and web design to produce a credibility measure. The system was tested on several web sites in the medical domain. It selected the same three domains as most credible as did two manual rankings from the Wall Street Journal and a Stanford University research study.
Recent results from three-dimensional quantum reactive scattering theory

Results from recent three-dimensional natural coordinate reactive scattering calculations are presented. Extensions of the scattering method of Wyatt to systems with nonlinear intermediates are discussed. Rate constants for the reaction H + H2 (v = 1) at 300 K are presented and compared with classical trajectory calculations and with experiment. The quantum results are in reasonable agreement with experiment, but the classical results greatly underestimate the reaction rate. Total cross sections and relative rate constants are presented for the F + H2 (v = 0) reaction and compared with classical results and experiment. Total cross sections for the H + O2 reaction are presented that demonstrate the enhancement of reaction caused by reagent vibrational energy.
7194 Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomies: are they being done in time in developing country?

Background and Aims: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or percutaneousendoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) is considered in patients whorequire prolonged enteral feeding for more than 30 days, and is done moresafely and less expensively than surgical gastrostomy. Increasing numberof patients are being referred for PEG placement in South Korea, but PEGis still delayed and not considered because of refusing by patients andignoring by the physician and surgeons. The aim of our study is to evaluatethe success rate and complications of PEG, and to measure the intervalfrom the onset of indication for enteral feeding to PEG or PEJ placement. Materials and Methods: On 53 patients, 66 PEGs and 4 PEJs were performed by pull-through method. In PEJ placement, jejunal tube was introduced by graping with forceps inserted in endoscope channel through PEG catheter. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent PEG or PEJ placement was performed. Results: In demographics, mean age was 61 years (4-68 years) and 36 patients (68%) were male. PEGs were performed in patients with neurologic dysphagia (n=43), esophageal cancers (n=5), oropharyngeal cancers (n=2), cancer cachexia (n=1), aerophagia (n=1) and mandibular fracture (n=1). PEJs were performed in patients with pyloric obstructions by gastric cancers (n=3) and mediastinitis by esophageal perforation (n=1). All procedures were done successfully without failure. PEG or PEJ was performed in 183 days (7 days-82 months) after onset of indication for enteral feeding. There were major complications in 4 procedures (5.7%) including arterial bleeding on gastric wall (n=1) and wound infections (n=3), and there were minor complications in 15 procedures (25.7%) including PEG dislodge or self-extraction by patients (n=13), minor GI bleeding (n=2), diarrhea (n=2), pain requiring analgesics (n=2) and fever (n=1). Follow-up was possible in 49 patients and mean follow-up was 113 days (26-331 days). There were 4 deaths during follow-up and there was no procedure-related mortality. Three PEGs and 1 PEJ were removed electively for improved oral intake. Conclusions: PEG or PEJ placement is easy, safe and effective method to provide long-term enteral feeding, but is not been doing in time even though in the indication for enteral feeding. More expension of indication for PEG or PEJ should be considered in developing countries.
Successful use of octreotide as a chemoprotectant for prevention of PEG-asparaginase-induced pancreatitis.

l-asparaginase is an aminohydrolase that deprives leukemia cells of l-asparagine required for protein synthesis. Although studies in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have shown that the addition of l-asparaginase improved the overall remission rate, life-threatening acute pancreatitis has occurred in 0.5-4% of patients. We describe the first adult case report, to our knowledge, of the successful use of octreotide as a chemoprotectant for the prevention of recurrent pegylated asparaginase (PEG-ASP)-induced pancreatitis in a 21-year-old man with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After recurrent PEG-ASP administration during induction chemotherapy, he developed necrotizing pancreatitis, confirmed by abdominal computed tomography, and further asparaginase therapy was withheld. Currently, there are no specific treatment recommendations for the management of asparaginase-induced pancreatitis other than drug discontinuation. After disease relapse, a pediatric PEG-ASP-containing regimen was initiated, and PEG-ASP therapy was resumed due to its potential clinical benefit. Octreotide 100 μg subcutaneously 3 times/day, utilized as a chemoprotectant, was found to prevent pancreatitis recurrence. The patient completed therapy and was able to receive a bone marrow transplant without further complications from PEG-ASP therapy. Based on this patient's experience, we believe it is reasonable to reincorporate PEG-ASP after an episode of pancreatitis with use of octreotide as a chemoprotectant; however, this conclusion will need to be substantiated in a randomized clinical trial with a larger group of patients.
Field-scale rotary kiln incineration of batch loaded toluene/sorbent. I. Data analysis and bed motion considerations

Abstract In this study, a field-scale rotary kiln incinerator was used for experiments on the processing of toluene contaminated sorbent contained in plastic pa
An attempt to evaluate the role of hearing in the social play of juvenile rats

In one experiment, we attempted to evaluate the role of hearing in juvenile play by inducing deafness in young rats using a single subcutaneous injection of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) and kanamycin as described by Bryant et al. (1984). This treatment did not affect play, nor did a regimen of multiple injections. However, evaluation of auditory responsiveness indicated that these manipulations did not produce clear deafness. We then attempted to produce deafness using the AOAA/kanamycin injection in much younger rats and found the treatment to be lethal, a result that was due to the AOAA rather than the kanamycin. The AOAA dosage was then reduced to the minimal dose that Bryant had found to yield cochlear damage in guinea pigs, but our evaluation of acoustic startle indicated that auditory competence was not reduced in our rats. Clearly, this technique does not appear useful for producing deafness in rats, and the role of hearing in play remains to be adequately evaluated.
Bridge-Mediated Electron Transfer and Multiple Reaction Coordinates

In the case of superexchange tunneling, sensitivity of the tunneling gap (A) to progress along the thermal et reaction coordinate (including molecular as well as solvent contributions) has been formulated in terms of a general linear response framework, which is used to express the correlation between linearly independent reaction coordinates for distinct et steps. When the tunneling gap is relatively small (i.e., of the order of magnitude of reorganization energies), the corresponding sensitivity of the donor (D)/acceptor (A) coupling (H D A ) and its distance dependence (decay coefficient β) may be significant. The magnitude of Δ at the thermal et transition state has been compared with other reference values obtainable from optical or thermodynamic data. The initial state at equilibrium yields an upper bound for Δ, and so also does the equilibrium free energy change for charge injection onto the bridge in cases of et processes which are only moderately exothermic. The in vacuo value of A may constitute either an upper or lower bound, depending on the nature of the et process ( charge separation or charge shift) and the details of the relevant reorganization energies.
Pattern–mixture and selection models for analysing longitudinal data with monotone missing patterns

Summary. We examine three pattern-mixture models for making inference about parameters of the distribution of an outcome of interest Y that is to be measured at the end of a longitudinal study when this outcome is missing in some subjects. We show that these pattern-mixture models also have an interpretation as selection models. Because these models make unverifiable assumptions, we recommend that inference about the distribution of Y be repeated under a range of plausible assumptions. We argue that, of the three models considered, only one admits a parameterization that facilitates the examination of departures from the assumption of sequential ignorability. The three models are nonparametric in the sense that they do not impose restrictions on the class of observed data distributions. Owing to the curse of dimensionality, the assumptions that are encoded in these models are sufficient for identification but not for inference. We describe additional flexible and easily interpretable assumptions under which it is possible to construct estimators that are well behaved with moderate sample sizes. These assumptions define semiparametric models for the distribution of the observed data. We describe a class of estimators which, up to asymptotic equivalence, comprise all the consistent and asymptotically normal estimators of the parameters of interest under the postulated semiparametric models. We illustrate our methods with the analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial of contracepting women.