cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of marketing order prorate suspensions on California—Arizona navel oranges

An econometric analysis shows that the late-season suspensions of handler prorates in the Federal marketing order for California-Arizona navel oranges during the 1983 to 1989 seasons increased quantities used fresh and lowered prices for fresh navels. The suspensions also decreased quantities processed which increased prices for processing navels. Because demand is more price inelastic in the higher-priced, fresh-use market than for processing, growers' revenue fell during the suspensions. The suspensions boosted total marketers' and consumers' economic well-being as measured by economic surplus. The size of the suspension effects depends largely on the volumes of navels shipped during the suspension and crop size.
Influence of host age and DNA precursors on intracellular staphylococci.

SummaryBy studying the fate of staphylococci in monocytes maintained in vitro it was established that intracellular survival time of virulent staphylococci is longer in monocytes from newborn rabbits than in monocytes from adult rabbits. Supplementation of the bacterial growth medium and cell maintenance medium with a mixture of deoxynucleosides, deoxynucleotides and MgSO4 resulted in a lengthening of the survival of intracellular staphylococci in phagocytes from adult rabbits. Alterations of survival time were not obtained when the DNA precursors were added to cultures containing cells from newborn animals. Intracellular multiplication of the cocci did not occur under any of the conditions studied. Factors that may be responsible for the differential intracellular survival times of the pathogen, their possible relationship to therapeutic problems and to infections in man have been discussed.
Ethanolamine Exposures of Workers Using Machining Fluids in the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Industry

Abstract Ethanolamines (EAs) are present in machining and grinding fluids and have the potential to act as respiratory irritants and sensitizing agents. EA levels in bulk cutting fluids were determined and compared with information available in the material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and the exposure to EAs of workers in the auto parts manufacturing industry was characterized. Monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and triethanolamine (TEA) were all present in bulk machining fluids at levels ranging from 1 percent to 11 percent, 4 percent to 5 percent, and 0.3 percent to 40 percent, respectively. The MSDSs provided a general guideline to the presence or absence and relative levels of alkanolamines as a class, but were not generally useful as a guide to the presence or relative amount of specific EAs. This was particularly the case with MEA. Air levels of TEA in the personal samples were generally higher for transfer operations and lowest for assembly workers, who do not use machining fluids in the...
Endoscopic subfascial surgery for incompetent perforator veins in patients with active venous ulceration

Background Previously, subfascial ligation of perforator veins to treat venous ulceration in the lower extremities required long skin incisions through diseased skin and subcutaneous tissue. This was known as “the Linton operation.” In 1985, Hauer described an endoscopic technique for ligating incompetent perforator veins; this seminal contribution marked the advent of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS).
Discovery of a Frank-Kasper σ Phase in Sphere-Forming Block Copolymer Melts

Sphere-forming block copolymers are known to self-assemble into body-centered cubic crystals near the order-disorder transition temperature. Small-angle x-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy experiments on diblock and tetrablock copolymer melts have revealed an equilibrium phase characterized by a large tetragonal unit cell containing 30 microphase-separated spheres. This structure, referred to as the sigma (σ) phase by Frank and Kasper more than 50 years ago, nucleates and grows from the body-centered cubic phase similar to its occurrence in metal alloys and is a crystal approximant to dodecagonal quasicrystals. Formation of the σ phase in undiluted linear block copolymers (and certain branched dendrimers) appears to be mediated by macromolecular packing frustration, an entropic contribution to the interparticle interactions that control the sphere-packing geometry.
A study of two finite strain plasticity models: An internal time theory using Mandel's director concept, and a general isotropic/kinematic-hardening theory

Abstract Using Mandel's director concept, the internal time theory for small deformation deviatoric plasticity (as given by Valanis and by Watanabe and Atluri) is extended to the case of finite elastoplasticity. The introduction of the material director triad together with an isoclinic configuration makes possible an integral representation of the induced stress tensor in terms of the deformation history [referred to the relaxed intermediate configuration.] For a class of deformations in which elastic strains are small, this leads to rate-type constitutive equations similar to those in the small deformation theory. The model retains the characteristics of the original internal time theory, such as the existence of a von Mises type of yield surface that undergoes translation (nonlinear kinematic hardening), as well as uniform expansion in the stress space, and of the normality of the tensor of plastic rate of deformation to the yield hypersurface. In modelling finite uniaxial compression and finite torsion test data, the present internal time theory is found to lead to results very similar to those from a phenomenological theory with a priori postulated evolution equation for an arbitrary objective rate (say, the Jaumann rate) of the back stress using the general representation for the symmetric tensor function. This latter phenomenological theory is a slight modification of the one proposed earlier by Reed and Atluri and accounts for large plastic rotations in finite strain deformations. Both models are shown (1) to lead to nonoscillatory shear stresses for all magnitudes of shear in a simple shear deformation, (2) to predict the correct magnitude (as found in experiments) of axial stresses/strains in a finite-strain torsion test, and (3) to correctly model the experimentally noted differences in the von Mises equivalent Cauchy stress (or J 2 ) values in uniaxial compression test and torsion test, respectively, at large values of equivalent strains. Both these models may be interpreted as theories wherein arbitrary, say, the Jaumann rates of Cauchy stress and Cauchy back stress are represented as objective functions of an appropriate number of different types of internal variables. The present results (1) indicate that concerns about “appropriate stress rates” in current literature are vacuous, (2) point to the need for a deeper understanding of the underlying micromechanics of finite strain plasticity and the need for appropriate additional internal variables that may be necessary to model the test data properly, and (3) indicate that the “plastic-spin” is not an indispensible internal variable to correctly predict not only the nonoscillatory shear stress but also the correct magnitude of axial strain in a finite torsion test.
Principal component analysis of fast-folding λ-repressor mutants

Abstract Principal component (PC) analysis is carried out on 10 ns simulations of four fast-folding mutants of the λ 6–85 -repressor fragment near the native structure. The range of motion along the largest two PCs is seen to be greater for the faster folding mutants in the group. Dynamics along the largest PC and the free energy profile resemble those for Brownian dynamics, the former apparently more than thus far found for other proteins over similar times. These measures, however, do not easily distinguish Brownian from subdiffusive dynamics, which is suggested by the PC eigenvalue distribution.
Morse–Smale theory for flows on covering spaces of compact manifolds

For a dynamical system X on a compact differentiable manifold M and for the dynamical system X(ρ) induced from X by a covering map \({\rho \, : \, \widetilde{M}\, \rightarrow \, M}\), we develop algebraic topology methods for estimating the lower bounds on the number of codimension-1 surfaces (i.e., on the number of index-1 equilibria of flows and their stable manifolds) on the boundary of regions of stability on \({\widetilde{M}}\). We also develop methods for estimating the number of equilibria on the boundaries of stability regions of noncompact manifolds with very general assumptions. Our methods allow us to obtain results for noncompact manifolds in cases when Morse–Smale approach does not work.
Rotational malreduction of the syndesmosis: reliability and accuracy of computed tomography measurement methods.

Background:Computed tomography (CT)-based indices may be superior to plain radiographs in determining the adequacy of reduction following operative fixation of the syndesmosis in unstable ankle fra...
Effects of early rearing conditions on cognitive performance in prepubescent male and female rats

The interactions between a mother and her offspring during early postnatal life impact cognitive development in altricial species. The current study examined the influence of postnatal rearing conditions on subsequent cognitive functioning in male and female Long-Evans rats prior to puberty. Maternal conditions were manipulated by repeated separations of rat pups from their dams on postnatal days 2 though 14. In the early handling condition, pups were removed from mothers briefly for 15min daily, while in the maternal separation condition pups were separated from their mothers for 180min daily. Offspring from handled or separated litters were evaluated prior to puberty between days 25-36 of life on a battery of cognitive tasks that assessed several types of memory. Male rats separated from mothers for 180min were impaired in their non-spatial and spatial memory compared to early-handled males as indicated by their performance on an object recognition task, a Y-maze task, and reference and working memory versions of the water maze task. In contrast, maternally-separated females were not impaired, and in some cases performed better on memory tasks, compared to early-handled females. Results indicate that the biological sex of offspring moderated the effects of maternal conditions on diverse cognitive tasks. Because sex differences were evident prior to puberty, gonadal hormones likely had a limited influence on cognition. Although the bases for sex differences in the cognitive response to rearing conditions are unknown, disparities in maternal attentiveness directed toward male and female offspring may play a role.
THE MEASUREMENT OF THE DIAMETERS OF ERYTHROCYTES. —VIII. THE DIAMETER IN HYPOTONIC PLASMA

1. The mean diameter of rabbit erythrocytes immersed in hypotonic plasma is measured by diffractometric methods, and the results show that the diameter decreases about 8 per cent. as the cell-volume increases about 45 per cent., after which lysis results. 2. This figure is smaller than that obtained in earlier experiments (which show about 14 per cent. decrease as a maximum), but the higher figure previously obtained is probably due to unavoidable, or at least very small, errors associated with the photographic method of measuring red-cell diameter.
Burning down the house: cellular actions during pyroptosis.

Under threat of pathogen invasion, timely initiation of inflammation is a critical first step in generating a protective immune response. One major obstacle for the immune system is discriminating pathogenic microbes from non-pathogenic microbiota. Some members of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLR) family of pattern recognition receptors accomplish this distinction based on localization—typically, only pathogens deliver NLR ligands into the cytosol, where these receptors are localized. Ultimately, these NLRs initiate assembly of an inflammasome complex that activates the proteases caspase-1 and caspase-11. These caspases were originally identified for their role in IL-1β processing and release but are now known to direct additional important cellular processes during infection, inflammatory disorders, and response to injury. In this brief review, we enumerate these emerging pathways (Figure 1) and highlight their roles in disease. Figure 1 Effector mechanisms of pyroptosis. IL-1β and IL-18 The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were the earliest studied caspase-1 substrates. IL-1β directs diverse processes, including extravasation, cell proliferation and differentiation, cytokine secretion, angiogenesis, wound healing, and pyrexia [1]. IL-18 is best known for stimulating NK and T cells to secrete IFN-γ, another broad-activity cytokine. Production of these potent cytokines is tightly regulated: expression requires NF-κB signaling, biological activity requires cleavage of a pro-domain by caspase-1, and secretion is also directed by caspase-1 [1]. Mice unable to signal via IL-1β and IL-18 are more susceptible to several diverse pathogens, including Shigella, Salmonella, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and influenza virus [1]. However, caspase-1−/− mice are more susceptible to some infections than IL-1β−/−IL-18−/− mice [2], underscoring the importance of additional caspase-1 substrates that alter the immune response.
Support vector machine regression model of CBM content and application

In order to quantitatively predictive the content of the coalbed methane (CBM), we make use of the known parameters of the core tests data to establish the support vector machine regression model between the core data and coal-bed methane content. The model is based on the small sample size theory. Using the model, we can predict the volume of gas content. We choose the coal seam thickness, coal vitrinite reflectance value and coal ash 3 parameters as input feature vectors, and coal-bed methane content as the output vector of support vector machine regression prediction model. Application of the proposed model in Binchang mining shows that the prediction error between the measured results and prediction are small and meet the accuracy requirements.
Structures of Unfeeling: Mysterious Skin

To talk about affective tendencies is almost always to talk about intensities, and behind that linkage is a relation to melodrama, that modality of performance that attaches feeling states to their gestural inflation in bodily performance. In contrast, Raymond Williams’ model of the structure of feeling places the historical present and the affective present in a space of affective residue that constitutes what is shared among strangers beneath the surface of manifested life. “Structures of Unfeeling: Mysterious Skin” reads with Scott Heim’s novel and Gregg Araki's film to think about how to think about the structural, historical, and affective overdeterminations of underperformed emotion, tracking the emergence of a cultural style that appears as reticent action, a spatialized suspension of relational clarity that signifies a subtracted response to the urgencies of the moment (the historical moment, the sexual moment, the intimate moment, the moment where survival time is being apprehended, absorbed, and encountered).
Mass spectral confirmation of Ochratoxin A

The ochratoxins are toxic metabolites produced by fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium. Ochratoxin A (primarily a nephrotoxin) is the most potent of these toxins and is frequently found as a contaminant in agricultural commodities.
The Systolic Blood Pressure Difference Between Arms and Cardiovascular Disease in the Framingham Heart Study

Abstract Background An increased interarm systolic blood pressure difference is an easily determined physical examination finding. The relationship between interarm systolic blood pressure difference and risk of future cardiovascular disease is uncertain. We described the prevalence and risk factor correlates of interarm systolic blood pressure difference in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) original and offspring cohorts and examined the association between interarm systolic blood pressure difference and incident cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Methods An increased interarm systolic blood pressure difference was defined as ≥10 mm Hg using the average of initial and repeat blood pressure measurements obtained in both arms. Participants were followed through 2010 for incident cardiovascular disease events. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to investigate the effect of interarm systolic blood pressure difference on incident cardiovascular disease. Results We examined 3390 (56.3% female) participants aged 40 years and older, free of cardiovascular disease at baseline, mean age of 61.1 years, who attended a FHS examination between 1991 and 1994 (original cohort) and from 1995 to 1998 (offspring cohort). The mean absolute interarm systolic blood pressure difference was 4.6 mm Hg (range 0-78). Increased interarm systolic blood pressure difference was present in 317 (9.4%) participants. The median follow-up time was 13.3 years, during which time 598 participants (17.6%) experienced a first cardiovascular event, including 83 (26.2%) participants with interarm systolic blood pressure difference ≥10 mm Hg. Compared with those with normal interarm systolic blood pressure difference, participants with an elevated interarm systolic blood pressure difference were older (63.0 years vs 60.9 years), had a greater prevalence of diabetes mellitus (13.3% vs 7.5%,), higher systolic blood pressure (136.3 mm Hg vs 129.3 mm Hg), and a higher total cholesterol level (212.1 mg/dL vs 206.5 mg/dL). Interarm systolic blood pressure difference was associated with a significantly increased hazard of incident cardiovascular events in the multivariable adjusted model (hazard ratio 1.38; 95% CI, 1.09-1.75). For each 1-SD-unit increase in absolute interarm systolic blood pressure difference, the hazard ratio for incident cardiovascular events was 1.07 (95% CI, 1.00-1.14) in the fully adjusted model. There was no such association with mortality (hazard ratio 1.02; 95% CI 0.76-1.38). Conclusions In this community-based cohort, an interarm systolic blood pressure difference is common and associated with a significant increased risk for future cardiovascular events, even when the absolute difference in arm systolic blood pressure is modest. These findings support research to expand clinical use of this simple measurement.
Versuche zur Herstellung von Di-und Trinitroepoxiden über Di-und Trinitro-alkylchlorhydrine

Durch Addition von Nitroform bzw. 1,1-Dinitroathan an Chlormethylvinylketon, 2-Chloracrylsauremethylester bzw. 2-Chloracrolein wurden. Di-und Trinitrochlorketone,-ester und-aldehyde erhalten, die durch Reduktion mit NaBH4 Di-bzw. Trinitrochlorhydrine ergaben. Nur 1-Chlor-5,5-dinitro-hexanol-(2) ergab bei Behandlung mit Alkalien ein Epoxid, das 5,5-Dinitrohexen-1-oxid. Aus 1-Chlor-5,5,5-trinitropentanol-(2) entstand unter Abspaltung eines Nitritions und Cyclisierung 5-Chlormethyl-2,2-dinitrotetrahydrofuran.
Inactivation kinetics of Vibrio vulnificus in phosphate-buffered saline at different freezing and storage temperatures and times.

UNLABELLED Vibrio vulnificus (Vv) is a pathogen that can be found in raw oysters. Freezing can reduce Vv and increase the shelf life of oysters. The objective of this study was to develop predictive inactivation kinetic models for pure cultures of Vv at different frozen storage temperatures and times. Vv was diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to obtain about 10(7) CFU/mL. Samples were frozen at -10, -35, and -80 °C (different freezing rates), and stored at different temperatures. Survival of Vv was followed after freezing and storage at -10 °C (0, 3, 6, and 9 d) and at -35 and -80 °C (every week for 6 wk). For every treatment, time-temperature data was obtained using thermocouples in blank vials. Predictive models were developed using first-order, Weibull and Peleg inactivation kinetics. Different freezing temperatures did not significantly (α = 0.05) affect survival of Vv immediately after freezing. The combined effect of freezing and 1 wk frozen storage resulted in 1.5, 2.6, and 4.9 log10 reductions for samples stored at -80, -35, and -10 °C, respectively. Storage temperature was the critical parameter in survival of Vv. A modified Weibull model successfully predicted Vv survival during frozen storage: log10 Nt = log 10No - 1.22 - ([t/10{-1.163-0.0466T}][0.00025T(2) + 0.049325]). N(o) and N(t) are initial and time t (d) survival counts, T is frozen storage temperature, Celsius degree. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Vibrio vulnificus can be inactivated by freezing. Models to predict survival of V. vulnificus at different freezing temperatures and times were developed. This is the first step towards the prediction of V. vulnificus related safety of frozen oysters.
Numerical simulation of the plasma double layer

A one-dimensional particle-in-cell computer simulation is used to model the formation of an electrostatic double layer. The conditions for the onset of the layer formation are explored and a relation between the length of the layer and the electrostatic potential difference across is found.
A hardware-independent virtual reality development system

Simulating virtual reality (VR) hardware allows programs to be written in a desktop environment without constant use of limited VR resources. Rather than shifting constantly between VR and workstation environments, developers at the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) wanted to be able to test VR applications on the normal workstation console. We therefore created a software simulator for VR development. It simulates various VR system features with an interface that runs on an ordinary workstation. The simulator is implemented as part of the CAVE library, the programming library originally written to support the CAVE hardware. It can, however, be used to develop applications for several VR systems, including ImmersaDesks and head-coupled displays. The library itself has been designed so that use of the simulator or any supported hardware is entirely transparent to application code.
Systematic Comparison of Fractionation Methods for In-depth Analysis of Plasma Proteomes

Discovery and validation of plasma biomarkers are quite challenging because of the high complexity and wide dynamic range of the plasma proteome. Current plasma protein profiling strategies usually use major protein immunodepletion and nanoLC-MS/MS as the first and final analytical steps, respectively, but additional fractionation is needed to detect and quantify low-abundance disease biomarkers. In this study, the performances of 1-D SDS-PAGE, peptide isoelectrofocusing, and peptide high pH reverse-phase chromatography for fractionation of immunodepleted human plasma were systematically compared by evaluating protein coverage, peptide resolution, and capacity to detect known low-abundance proteins. Trade-offs between increasing the number of fractions to improve proteome coverage and resulting decreases in throughput also were assessed. High pH reverse-phase HPLC exhibited the highest peptide resolution and yielded the best depth of analysis with detection of the largest number of known low-abundance proteins for a given level of fractionation. Another advantage of using high pH reverse-phase fractionation rather than 1-D SDS gels is that all fractionation steps except for abundant protein depletion occur at the peptide level, making this strategy more compatible with quantitative biomarker validation methods such as stable isotope dilution multiple reaction monitoring.
DNA polymerase β expression differences in selected human tumors and cell lines

A long-standing question in cancer biology has been the extent to which DNA repair may be altered during the process of carcinogenesis. We have shown recently that DNA polymerase beta (beta-pol) provides a rate-determining function during in vitro repair of abasic sites by one of the mammalian DNA base excision repair pathways. Therefore, altered expression of beta-pol during carcinogenesis could alter base excision repair and, consequently, be critical to the integrity of the mammalian genome. We examined the expression of beta-pol in several cell lines and human adenocarcinomas using a quantitative immunoblotting method. In cell lines from normal breast or colon, the level of beta-pol was approximately 1 ng/mg cell extract, whereas in all of the breast and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines tested, a higher level of beta-pol was observed. In tissue samples, colon adenocarcinomas had a higher level of beta-pol than adjacent normal mucosa. Breast adenocarcinomas exhibited a wide range of beta-pol expression: one tumor had a much higher level of beta-pol (286 ng/mg cell extract) than adjacent normal breast tissue, whereas another tumor had the same level of beta-pol as adjacent normal tissue. Differences in beta-pol expression level, from normal to elevated, were also observed with prostate adenocarcinomas. All kidney adenocarcinomas tested had a slightly lower beta-pol level than adjacent normal tissue. This study reveals that the base excision repair enzyme DNA polymerase beta is up-regulated in some types of adenocarcinomas and cell lines, but not in others.
IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR IMPLANTATION AND DEGREE OF LEFT VENTRICULAR SCARRING PREDICT SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE ISCHEMIC CARDIOMYOPATHY

Methods Patients (n = 337) with ≥ 70% disease in ≥1 epicardial coronary artery (77% men, median age 66 years, median LV ejection fraction [EF] of 22 %) undergoing CMR (Siemens 1.5-T scanner, Erlangen, Germany) between 2003-2007 were studied. CMR evaluation included long and short axis assessment of LV function on steady state free precession cine images along with assessment of myocardial scar (on inversion recovery DHE-CMR sequence ~ 10-20 minutes after injection of 0.2 mmol/ kg of Gadolinium dimeglumine). Scar was identified as regions of interest > 2 SD above normal myocardium. LV scar was categorized based on mean scar % and transmural extent (0 = none, 1 = 1-25%, 2 = 26-50%, 3 = 51-75%, and 4 = > 75%). Total scar score was determined from the summed scar score of 17 segments per patient divided by 17. 94 patients underwent subsequent ICD implantation. The composite end-point was cardiac transplantation and all-cause mortality. Results: Over a follow-up of up to 8 years, there were 107 events (102 deaths, 5 cardiac transplantations). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to select the optimum threshold of mean scar % ≥ 33%, total scar score ≥ 2.3 to predict death/transplantation. On multivariate variate analysis, only age, total scar score, diabetes, gender, and ICD implantation were independent predictors of mortality/transplantation (Table 1). ICD
Audiometric Gelle Test with a New Transducer

The audiometric Gelle Test was administered to 10 young adults with normal hearing. Threshold measurements were obtained by air and bone conduction using ±40 cm H2O pressure at 250, 500, 750, and 1...
Third-sound study of a layered superfluid film

Isothermal scans of third-sound velocity as a function of {sup 4}He coverage on graphite exhibit pronounced dips integral layer periodicity. The minimum {sup 4}He coverage on graphite needed to support third sound is nearly three layers. The heat-capacity isotherm exhibits minima at layer completion but there is no noticeable feature related to the onset of superfluidity. High-resolution adsorption isotherms below 1 K show that {sup 4}He film grows layer by layer through at least seven layers.
Classical amplitude squeezing for precision measurements.

In analogy to squeezing of light, noise in a classical oscillator can be squeezed to reduce amplitude uncertainty. While this can be achieved to some extent in a harmonic oscillator parametrically driven at 2ω 0 , true amplitude squeezing is possible in anharmonic oscillators, either by driving at 2ω 0 or allowing amplitude-dependent dephasing. These techniques can reduce the uncertainty in measurements of the frequency of an oscillator; for example, the thermal uncertainty in the relativistic frequency shift in single ion mass spectroscopy can be reduced by more than a factor of 5
Eimeria tenella: Cecal contraction in infected chickens

Abstract The muscle of ceca from chickens infected with Eimeria tenella had an increased amplitude of contraction when compared to the cecal muscle of uninfected control chickens. The increased amplitude was significant ( P ⩽ 0.05) at 5 days postinoculation (PI) and became nonsignificant at 7 days PI. The amplitude also increased with the severity of the infection. The sensitivity of the muscle from infected ceca to acetylcholine (ACH) was greater than the control. Infection by different strains of E. tenella also increased the sensitivity of the cecal muscle to ACH when compared to the uninfected control. The rate of spontaneous contractions was not different in any group or treatment. The wet weight of infected ceca increased with days PI and severity of infection.
More than a century of bathymetric observations and present-day shallow sediment characterization in Belfast Bay, Maine, USA: implications for pockmark field longevity

Mechanisms and timescales responsible for pockmark formation and maintenance remain uncertain, especially in areas lacking extensive thermogenic fluid deposits (e.g., previously glaciated estuaries). This study characterizes seafloor activity in the Belfast Bay, Maine nearshore pockmark field using (1) three swath bathymetry datasets collected between 1999 and 2008, complemented by analyses of shallow box-core samples for radionuclide activity and undrained shear strength, and (2) historical bathymetric data (report and smooth sheets from 1872, 1947, 1948). In addition, because repeat swath bathymetry surveys are an emerging data source, we present a selected literature review of recent studies using such datasets for seafloor change analysis. This study is the first to apply the method to a pockmark field, and characterizes macro-scale (>5 m) evolution of tens of square kilometers of highly irregular seafloor. Presence/absence analysis yielded no change in pockmark frequency or distribution over a 9-year period (1999–2008). In that time pockmarks did not detectably enlarge, truncate, elongate, or combine. Historical data indicate that pockmark chains already existed in the 19th century. Despite the lack of macroscopic changes in the field, near-bed undrained shear-strength values of less than 7 kPa and scattered downcore 137Cs signatures indicate a highly disturbed setting. Integrating these findings with independent geophysical and geochemical observations made in the pockmark field, it can be concluded that (1) large-scale sediment resuspension and dispersion related to pockmark formation and failure do not occur frequently within this field, and (2) pockmarks can persevere in a dynamic estuarine setting that exhibits minimal modern fluid venting. Although pockmarks are conventionally thought to be long-lived features maintained by a combination of fluid venting and minimal sediment accumulation, this suggests that other mechanisms may be equally active in maintaining such irregular seafloor morphology. One such mechanism could be upwelling within pockmarks induced by near-bed currents.
Changes in incidence of diabetes in U.S. adults, 1997-2003.

Background The incidence of self-reported diagnosed diabetes may be increasing because of recent changes in the diagnostic criteria for diabetes, enhanced case detection, and a true increase in disease incidence. These factors may also be changing the characteristics of newly diagnosed cases. Therefore, we examined recent trends in the incidence of diagnosed diabetes, changes to the characteristics of incident cases, and factors associated with incidence. Methods First, National Health Interview Survey data for 1997 to 2003 were used to examine 7-year trends in the incidence of diagnosed diabetes among U.S. adults aged 18 to 79 years. Second, among 1997–1998 and 2002–2003 incident cases, differences in sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, and indicators of health status were examined. Lastly, multivariate-adjusted incidence from multiple logistic regression of 2001–2003 survey data were derived. Results From 1997 to 2003, the incidence of diagnosed diabetes increased 41% from 4.9 to 6.9 per 1000 population ( p p p p =0.03) in 2002–2003 versus 1997–1998 incident cases. Multivariate-adjusted incidence increased with age and BMI category, and decreased with education level ( p Conclusions Obesity was a major factor in the recent increase of newly diagnosed diabetes. Lifestyle interventions that reduce or prevent the prevalence of obesity among persons at risk for diabetes are needed to halt the increasing incidence of diabetes.
Replies to commentators on A Virtue Epistemology (Oxford University Press, 2007)

Paul Boghossian discusses critically my account of intuition as a source of epistemic status. Stewart Cohen takes up my views on skepticism, on dreams, and on epistemic competence and competences and their relation to human knowledge. Hilary Kornblith focuses on my animal/reflective distinction, and, along with Cohen, on my comparison between how dreams might mislead us and how other bad epistemic contexts can do so. In this paper I offer replies to my three critics.
Strength of Porcine Carotid Arteries As a Function of Strain Rate and Storage Time

The ultimate strength of collagenous blood vessels is important for clinical problems of trauma and plaque rupture. Trauma related to motor vehicle accidents can create strain rates of 100 mm/s. Cyclic fatigue tests may also require high frequencies that may affect the strength properties of the soft tissue. The yield points and ultimate strengths depend on the unfolding of collagen molecules, collagen crosslinks, and the fiber-matrix bonding this composite structure. The non-linear behavior of animal soft tissues makes the determination of a plastic yield point difficult to distinguish. The lack of sources restricts the amount of primary data regarding ultimate strength, strain, frequency dependence, and harvest time dependence. Nonetheless, the mechanics surrounding plaque cap rupture demand measurements of all these parameters.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Analysis of Reaction Kinetics of End-Functionalized Polymers at a PS/P2VP Interface by DSIMS

Reactions to produce graft copolymers at polymer interfaces during extruder mixing are important for controlling dispersed phase size by retarding droplet coalescence and reducing interfacial tension while reinforcing the polymer interface. Such reactions are investigated at various temperatures in a model bilayer film system consisting of amine end-functional deuterated polystyrene (dPS-NH 2 ) in PS and anhydride end-functional poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP-ah) in P2VP. The interfacial excess (z*) of block copolymer formed by the reaction of dPS-NH 2 and P2VP-ah at the interface is determined by detecting the 2 H - ion using dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (DSIMS). The reaction kinetics is analyzed using a model based on a reaction-controlled mechanism for various reaction temperatures and molecular weights (M n ) of the end-functional chains. At low initial volume fractions Φ 0 (∼0.01) of dPS-NH 2 and P2VP-ah, such that the normalized interface excess (z*/R g ) < 1 and the blocks are unstretched, the forward reaction rate constant (k + ) decreases as M n -0.70 , in rough agreement with predictions of the model (k + ∼ M n -0.55 ) for this regime. The reaction is thermally activated with an activation enthalpy (∼160 kJ/mol) that is independent of M n . The interfacial reaction, which is carried out under high-vacuum conditions so that any water produced by reaction would be efficiently removed, is reversible with an equilibrium constant K rxn that has an enthalpy of reaction of -55 kJ/mol. This result means that the interface reaction does not proceed to form the cyclic imide, but likely stops at the amic acid.
Burns as child abuse: risk factors and legal issues in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.

The purpose of this study were to describe risk factors for child abuse from burns and examine prosecution and conviction rates after case discussions at a multidisciplinary conference Retrospective cohort study of all pediatric burns admitted between 2001 and 2006 was performed. Registry data on age, sex, mechanism, location, and size of burn were recorded. Registry data were verified against nursing documentation for accuracy. All cases were reviewed at the multidisciplinary "care conference" to gather insight from various perspectives to make a final determination of abuse or neglect. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with child abuse. Prosecution rates were determined by contacting child protective services and district attorney's offices. A total of 457 children were included in the analysis. Most of the children were boys (70%) and were of Hispanic origin (57%), with 30% white and 10% black. Hundred cases were suspicious for abuse after review at care conference. Younger age was a significant risk factor (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.65-0.82), with the mean age of abused children being 1 (3/4) years compared with 5 (1/2) years for accidental injuries. Girls were at higher risk for abuse (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.06-2.91).Torso injuries were significantly more common in abused children, an unusual finding possibly reflecting a different abuse pattern in infants compared with toddlers. Suspected abuse resulted in longer hospital stays (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07). Prosecution rates and conviction rates in the authors region are low, at only 26 and 11% of suspicious cases, respectively. Young age and female sex were positively correlated with child abuse. Prosecution and conviction rates are remarkably low, despite using a multidisciplinary care conference to review all cases and obtaining early involvement of child protective services and law enforcement. Language: en
Medicare managed care and primary care quality: examining racial/ethnic effects across states

The study assesses the role of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in providing quality primary care in comparison to FFS Medicare in three states, New York, California, Florida, across three racial ethnic groups. The performance is measured in terms of providing better quality primary care, as defined by lowering the risks of preventable hospital admissions. Using 2004 hospital discharge data (HCUP-SID) of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for three states, a multivariate cross sectional design is used with individual admission as the unit of analysis. The study found that MA plans were associated with lower preventable hospitalizations relative to marker admissions. The benefit also spilled over to different racial and ethnic subgroups and in some states, e.g. CA and FL, MA enrollment was associated with significantly lower odds of minority admissions than of white admissions. These results may indicate a potentially favorable role of MA plans in attenuating racial/ethnic inequalities in primary care in some states.
CHIANTI?An Atomic Database for Emission Lines. X. Spectral Atlas of a Cold Feature Observed with Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer

In this work, we report on a cold, bright portion of an active region observed by the Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer. The emitting plasma was very bright at transition region temperatures, and the intensities of lines of ions formed between 105 and 106 K were enhanced over normal values. The data set constitutes an excellent laboratory where the emission of transition region ions can be tested. We first determine the thermal structure of the observed plasma, and then we use it (1) to develop a spectral atlas, and (2) to assess the quality of CHIANTI atomic data by comparing predicted emissivities with observed intensities. We identify several lines never observed before in solar spectra, and find an overall very good agreement between CHIANTI-predicted emissivities and observations.
Structures and Properties of Gamma-Tial Alloys Containing Interstitial Elements

This paper reports on the effects of carbon, nitrogen, boron, and oxygen on the microstructure and properties of gamma-TiAl alloys. It has been found that nitrogen and boron are capable of altering the solidification structure, whereas the others are not. The additions of >1 at.% B or 0.5 at.% N changed the cast structure from columnar to equiaxed with fine grain sizes. As a result, the strength has been significantly increased. Additional results on phase and structural stabilities will be presented.
A TID and SEE Radiation-Hardened, Wideband, Low-Noise Amplifier

We have developed a radiation-hardened, highly linear, wideband, low-noise amplifier (LNA) with programmable gain to serve as the front-end of a plasma-wave instrument for satellite-based electric-field measurements of very low frequency (VLF) phenomena in the Van Allen radiation belts. Fabricated in a commercial 0.25-mum silicon-germanium BiCMOS process, this ASIC leverages radiation-hardness-by-design techniques at the topological, implementation, and layout levels to maintain 75-dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) over nearly four decades of frequency, from 100 Hz to 1 MHz, for both proton and gamma-ray total ionizing dose (TID) exposures up to 1000 krad(Si). Single-event effect (SEE) testing via pulsed laser confirms negligible latchup sensitivity and suppression of single-event transients (SETs) at the output for beam energy LET equivalents in excess of 100MeV-cm2 /mg in even the most sensitive regions of the die
The effect of programming team structures on programming tasks

The literature recognizes two group structures for managing programming projects: Baker's chief programmer team and Weinberg's egoless team. Although each structure's success in project management can be demonstrated, this success is clearly dependent on the type of programming task undertaken. Here, for the purposes of comparison, a third project organization which lies between the other two in its communication patterns and dissemination of decision-making authority is presented. Recommendations are given for selecting one of the three team organizations depending on the task to be performed.
The human rights effects of world bank structural adjustment, 1981-2000

Does the implementation of a World Bank structural adjustment agreement (SAA) increase or decrease government respect for human rights? Neoliberal theory suggests that SAAs improve economic performance, generating better human rights practices. Critics contend that the implementation of structural adjustment conditions causes hardships and higher levels of domestic conflict, increasing the likelihood that regimes will use repression. Bivariate probit models are used to account for World Bank loan selection criteria when estimating the human rights consequences of structural adjustment. Using a global, comparative analysis for the 1981‐2000 period, we examine the effects of structural adjustment on government respect for citizens’ rights to freedom from torture, political imprisonment, extra-judicial killing, and disappearances. The findings show that World Bank SAAs worsen government respect for physical integrity rights. World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) structural adjustment conditions require loan recipient governments to rapidly liberalize their economies. According to previous research, these economic changes often cause at least shortterm hardships for the poorest people in less developed countries. The Bank and IMF justify the loan conditions as necessary stimuli for economic development. However, research has shown that implementation of structural adjustment conditions actually has a negative effect on economic growth (Przeworski and Vreeland 2000; Vreeland 2003). While there has been less research on the human rights effects of structural adjustment conditions, most studies agree that the imposition of structural adjustment agreements (SAAs) on less developed countries worsens government human rights practices (Pion-Berlin 1984; McLaren 1988; Franklin 1997; Camp Keith and Poe 2000). This study focuses on the effects of structural adjustment conditions on the extent to which governments protect their citizens from extra-judicial killing, torture, disappearances, and political imprisonment.
Double‐Layer Capacitance in a Dual Lithium Ion Insertion Cell

The addition of double‐layer capacitance into a mathematical model of a dual lithium ion insertion cell is investigated. Double‐layer capacitance is introduced in both the negative electrode and the positive electrode. For the purposes of this paper, a |propylene carbonate + 1 M cell is used for the collection of simulation results. Simulation results on the effect of short‐time pulses passed through the cell are presented. Differences in the transient potential response in the negative and positive electrodes at short times are compared in cells with and without double‐layer capacitance using both linear and Butler‐Volmer kinetics. Comparisons are made between an electrode with a resistive film and one without and between situations with small and large rates of change of the open‐circuit potential with state of charge. A simpler resistive‐capacitive model is developed which clarifies many features of the modified behavior due to the capacitance but without simultaneously dealing with the discharge of the active material and concentration gradients. © 1999 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.
An example of the estimation and display of a smoothly varying function of time and space: the incidence of the disease mumps

We consider any quantity which varies as a smooth function of space and time but is measured as the average value over a region in space-time. As a particular example, we consider the incidence rate of the disease mumps; the reported data are given on a state-by-month basis (for the period 1968–1988). By using animation techniques together with various smoothing methods we make a sequence of successively smoother dynamic maps which enable us to see the development of the disease in both space and time dimensions. We find that a smooth function (of the incidence rates) is the best way to convey the behavior of the spread of the disease. We consider various scaling techniques, ways to smooth the data, ways to estimate a smooth function of the incidence rates, and how to choose an appropriate color scale. This article also includes the description of algorithms to produce this kind of animation and a detailed description of the example concerning mumps disease in the United States. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A 2-path bandpass sigma-delta modulator utilizing blue-noise path selection

We present a pseudo-two-path bandpass sigma-delta (/spl Sigma//spl Delta/) modulator design that improves upon current designs by completely suppressing the mirror image in the input signal band. The proposed /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator structure introduces a resonator consisting of four total paths that are selected in a blue-noise manner, which serves to spread the mirror image caused from path mismatch across the entire signal bandwidth. A specific example of a two-path modulator utilizing a modulator based on a pseudo-two-path structure with blue-noise randomized capacitor path selection is described. The proposed design improves SFDR performance over traditional pseudo-two-path designs. Additionally, it is shown that the proposed structure demonstrates SNR improvement over a wide range of practical oversampling ratios. Behavioral simulations of this design show improvements to the SFDR of up to 21 dB and SNR up to 7.9 dB from previous two-path techniques.