cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of mobile apps for communication of genetic test results to at-risk family members in a U.S. integrated health system: a qualitative approach from user-testing.

Abstract Objective: To assess the usefulness a mobile based application to send genetic test results to at-risk family members in a U.S. integrated health system. Methods: We conducted semi-structured in-person interviews with members of Kaiser Permanente Washington who had enrolled in a prospective study and received genetic test results. Participants were given the task to use the app and comment on the experience. The moderator asked participants to share perspectives on the usefulness of a mobile based app and their lived experiences of sharing their test results with family members. Results: Fourteen study participants who had undergone genetic testing were interviewed. Four primary themes emerged as relevant to the use of mobile-based apps as a tool for communicating genetic test results to at-risk family members: (i) Participants felt a sense of obligation to share positive test results with relatives; (ii) Participants felt that the advantages of using email were similar to those of the app; (iii) Participants felt that younger individuals would be more comfortable with an app; and, (iv) Participants felt they could use the app independently and in their own time. Conclusion: A mobile based app could be used as a tool to improve cascade screening for pathogenic/likely pathogenic test results. The benefits of such a tool are likely greatest among relatives still at the stage of family planning, as well as among family members with strained relationships. There would be minimal burden on the system to offer a mobile based app as a tool. Public interest summary: It is important that when an individual receives genetic testing they inform their family members of the results so that their relatives may also benefit. However, this is not commonly done. We created a mobile app that would help facilitate this communication between family members. In this study, we talked with patients about how they felt about the mobile app and if they would use it for sending their genetic test results to any family members. We found that most patients would use a mobile app for their younger relatives, such as nieces or nephews, or with family members with whom they have little contact. While a mobile app might not be the best option in all circumstances, we show that it could be offered as an additional tool to help increase the number of relatives who are informed about their need for genetic testing.
Efficient, High-Power D 2 O Laser Oscillator at 385 μm

We have developed a high-power, narrow linewidth D 2 O vapor laser oscillator at 385 μm optically pumped by the 9R(22) CO 2 laser transition for Thomson scattering plasma diagnostics. The submillimeter (SMM) laser requirements for Thomson scattering are a megawatt power level in a pulse length of 150 to 200 ns with a linewidth less than 100 MHz FW at 0.1 maximum [1]. Previous oscillator-amplifier combinations [2] have failed to satisfy the narrow-linewidth requirement because of broad band superradiance from the amplifier. Therefore, we have concentrated our efforts on the development of an efficient high-power oscillator. Our early SMM oscillator designs incorporating a high finesse Fox-Smith mode selector [2] had the required linewidth but were very inefficient in converting CO 2 laser pump energy to SMM laser energy (∼ 0.04%). Since then work has been done to identify the 385 μm D 2 O laser as a stimulated Raman laser [3,4] and we have shown the importance of single mode and frequency tunable CO 2 laser pumping [4,5]. This previous work in combination with SMM oscillator design refinements presented in this report have allowed us to improve the SMM oscillator energy conversion efficiency by over a factor of six (0.26%) at a peak SMM output energy of 90 mJ in pulse lengths between 100 and 150 ns.
A study of the complexes of Hg(II) with polypyridyl ligands by Fluorescence, absorbance Spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The effect of ligand preorganization and relativistic effects on complex stability

Abstract The formation of complexes of Hg(II) with the tetradentate polypyridyl ligands (L) qpy (2,2′:6′, 2′':6′',2′''-quaterpyridine), DPP (2,9-di-2-pyridinyl-1,10-phenanthroline), biphen (2,2′-bi-1,10-phenanthroline), and ebip (diquino[8,7-b:7′,8′-j][1,10]phenanthroline, 8,9-dihydro­), and the tridentate tpy (2,2′:6′,2′'-​terpyridine) is monitored by absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. The pH-dependence studies of fluorescence showed complete quenching of all fluorescence until the spectra of the free non-protonated ligands appeared at pH ≥ 9, attributed to the equilibrium Hg(L)22+ + 2 OH– ⇆Hg(OH)2 + 2 L. The absorbance titrations were carried out between pH 2 and 12 with 10-5 M L and 10-5 M or 5 × 10-6 M Hg(ClO4)2 to give 1:1 or 2:1 L:Hg ratios. These also showed the above hydrolysis of the HgL22+ complexes by hydroxide to give Hg(OH)2 at the higher pH values, but showed other equilibria at lower pH not apparent in the fluorescence titrations. At pH values around 7 a pH dependent equilibrium attributed to formation of the HgL22+ from the HgL2+ complexes was observed: HgL2+ + 2 OH– ⇆Hg(OH)2 + HgL22+. At around pH 2–3 a further equilibrium was observed, assigned to HgL2+ + H+ ⇆HgLH3+. Analysis of all these titrations gave log K1 values with Hg(II) as follows (ionic strength zero, 25 °C): qpy, 18.0; DPP, 18.7; biphen, 20.4; ebip, 21.8, where log β2 values are qpy, 24.0; DPP, 28.0; biphen, 28.6; ebip, 30.8. For the tridentate tpy complexes of Hg(II) log β 2 of 23.3 was obtained, but very little of the HgL2+ complex appeared to be present, with the [Hg(tpy)2]2+ complex plus Hg(OH)2 (aq) dominating. Only an estimate of log K1 ∼ 10.6 for Hg(II)/tpy could be obtained. The effect of increasing preorganization of the ligands along the series qpy
Impact of hospital quality on surgical outcomes in patients with high social vulnerability: Association of textbook outcomes and social vulnerability by hospital quality.

Abstract Background We sought to define the impact of high- versus low-quality hospitals on the risk of adverse outcomes among patients undergoing hepatopancreatic surgery relative to social vulnerability. Social vulnerability is an important factor associated with risk of adverse postoperative outcomes. Methods Patients from 2013 to 2017 were identified from the Medicare Inpatient Standard Analytic File. Hospital quality was determined by calculating risk-adjusted probability to achieve a textbook outcome. The Social Vulnerability Index was used to categorize patients. Risk-adjusted probability of mortality, morbidity, and textbook outcome was examined across varying social vulnerability indices stratified by low-, average-, and high-quality hospitals. Results Among 27,000 patients who underwent a pancreatectomy (67%) or hepatectomy (33%%), median patient age was 72 years, 48% were female, and 89% were White; mean Social Vulnerability Index was 49. Risk-adjusted 90-day mortality (odds ratio: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.20–1.59, P = .004) and postoperative complications (odds ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.24, P = .044) were both higher among beneficiaries from the highest social vulnerability counties versus the lowest counties. At low-quality hospitals, patients from the highest vulnerability counties had 70% higher odds of mortality (odds ratio: 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.48, P = .007), 31% higher odds of overall morbidity odds ratio: 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.05–2.63, P = .013), and 19% lower odds of achieving a textbook outcome (odds ratio: 0.81, 95% confidence interval: 0.66–0.99, P = .035)—all of which were markedly worse compared with outcomes achieved at high-quality hospitals. Conclusion Among patients with increased social vulnerability, outcomes were considerably better at high-quality hospitals. Referral of socially vulnerable patients to high-quality hospitals represents an important opportunity to ensure optimal outcomes after complex surgery.
Algorithms for the d -dimensional rigidity matroid of sparse graphs

Let ${\mathcal R}_{d}(G)$ be the d-dimensional rigidity matroid for a graph G=(V,E). Combinatorial characterization of generically rigid graphs is known only for the plane d=2 [11]. Recently Jackson and Jordan [5] derived a min-max formula which determines the rank function in ${\mathcal R}_{d}(G)$ when G is sparse, i.e. has maximum degree at most d + 2 and minimum degree at most d + 1. We present three efficient algorithms for sparse graphs G that (i) detect if E is independent in the rigidity matroid for G, and (ii) construct G using vertex insertions preserving if G is isostatic, and (iii) compute the rank of ${\mathcal R}_{d}(G)$. The algorithms have linear running time assuming that the dimension d is fixed.
Effect of Sow Vitamin D Status at Parturition on the Vitamin D Status of Neonatal Piglets

The plasma concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and vitamin D metabolites were determined in cholecalciferol-treated sows and untreated sows at parturition and their piglets (at birth and at 10 days of age) to determine the relationship between sow vitamin D status and neonatal piglet vitamin D status. At birth, there was a high degree of correlation between sow and piglet plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (r = 0.944), 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (r = 0.895), and 25,26-dihydroxycholecalciferol (r = 0.737). Neonatal piglet plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was low (42.0 +/- 10.2 pg/ml) and was not correlated with maternal plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (r = 0.022). Neonatal plasma calcium and phosphorus were significantly correlated (P less than 0.05) with maternal plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (r = 0.515 and 0.581, respectively). Parenteral cholecalciferol treatment of sows before parturition proved an effective means of supplementing young piglets with cholecalciferol (via the sow's milk) and its more polar metabolites via placental transport. However, it had no significant effect on either the plasma mineral or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D status of the sow or young piglet.
Optimal Trading by a "Large Shareholder" †

A large shareholder who undertakes costly effort to improve a firm’s dividends faces a tradeoff. Selling shares will likely lower the share price (as the market anticipates a reduction in effort), while holding the shares implies a less diversified investment portfolio. Moreover, in a dynamic setting a time -consistency problem emerges: once some shares are sold, the incentive to sell additional shares may increase since the large shareholder is less exposed to the resultant price declines. We analyze a multi -period model for the optimal trading strategy of a large shareholder. We consider the case in which the large shareholder can commit to a trading strategy, and the case in which such commitment is impossible. Absent commitment, the problem is similar to durable goods monopoly: the share price today depends on the shares expected to be sold in the future. We demonstrate that an analog of the “Coase conjecture” holds in the sense that shareholdings ultimately converge to the competitive outcome of efficient diversification. Unlike the standard monopoly setting, however, this outcome is suboptimal in that there is inefficient monitoring. We provide conditions for which convergence to this outcome is gradual, and when it occurs immediately. In the continuous trading approximation, our results produce a simple formula for the equilibrium share price in this setting: the trading strategy of the large shareholder can be ignored, and today’s share price is simply the present value of dividends given constant holdings by the large shareholder, but adjusted by a risk premium that reflects the large shareholder’s (rather than investors’) risk aversion. We demonstrate that our model provides a rational for both IPO underpricing and the use of lockup provisions. Finally, we generalize our results outside the moral hazard framework.
Muscle activation patterns during two types of voluntary single-joint movement.

Gottlieb, Gerald L. Muscle activation patterns during two types of voluntary single-joint movement. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 1860–1867, 1998. We examined the systematic variations in the EMG patterns d...
The a.c. conductivity of variable range hopping systems such as amorphous semiconductors

Abstract A new theory for the frequency-dependent conductivity of variable range hopping (VRH) systems is presented. The physical basis of the theory is that local relaxation processes dominate at high frequencies, non-local processes at low frequencies. The loss peak in the imaginary part of the dielectric constant represents the onset of percolation, defining approximately the boundary between these two regimes. At high frequencies, the pair approximation is modified to allow the density of contributing pairs to be frequency dependent. At lower frequencies, a cluster expansion consistent with percolation theory is used to calculate σ(ω). The relaxation times of clusters of impedances are strongly enhanced through the necessity to transport a large amount of charge over large distances. The theory gives the correct analytical expressions for the frequency and the temperature dependence of σ(ω) in every frequency regime, and the pair approximation joins smoothly on to the low-frequency results at the loss...
Low-frequency dynamics in cooperative Jahn-Teller systems

We present a detailed study of the low-frequency dynamics of systems undergoing strain-induced cooperative Jahn-Teller transitions. Exact expressions relating the phonon susceptibilities to the electronic susceptibilities are given. The phonon and the electron response functions are calculated explicitly when the mean-field static correlation functions are used. In the limit that the decay rate of electronic fluctuations is much slower than the phonon frequency, we find that $\frac{{{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}}_{\mathrm{QQ}}(\ensuremath{\omega})}{\ensuremath{\omega}}$ and $\frac{{{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}}_{\mathrm{OO}}(\ensuremath{\omega})}{\ensuremath{\omega}}$ have a central peak. As the temperature is lowered toward the structural-phase-transition temperature the width of the central peak approaches zero and the central-peak intensity diverges for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}=0$. In the opposite limit we obtained the mean-field expressions for the phonon dispersion relation, the sound velocity, the elastic constant, and the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient. We also found a relation connecting the width of the central peak to the attenuation coefficient. In the fast-relaxation regime an explicit calculation of the response functions is possible using the exact static correlation functions. From this calculation we obtain the phonon dispersion relation, the sound velocity, the elastic constant, and the attenuation coefficient in terms of the exact static electronic susceptibilities. Our expression for the elastic constant reduces in the mean-field approximation to the result derived before by several authors. A calculation of the linewidths of the crystal-field manifolds is also given. In addition we comment on the asymptotic behavior near the critical point and the connection between our findings and the results of recent studies of elastic phase transitions which were obtained using renormalization-group techniques.
Interaction between the immunoglobulin heavy chain 3’ regulatory region and the IgH transcription unit during B cell differentiation

The immunoglobulin heavy (Igh) chain locus is subject to precisely regulated processes, such as variable region gene formation through recombination of variable (VH), diversity (DH), and joining (JH) segments, class switching and somatic hypermutation. The 3’ regulatory region (3’ RR) is a key regulator of the Igh locus, and, as revealed by deletions in mouse plasma cell lines and mice, is required for IgH expression as well as class switching. One of the mechanisms by which the 3’ RR regulates its targets is through long-range physical interactions. Such interactions between elements of the 3’ RR and a target site in the IgH transcription unit have been detected in plasma cells, and in resting and switching B cells, where they have been associated with IgH expression and class switching, respectively. Here, we report that lentiviral shRNA knockdown of transcription factors, CTCF, Oct-2, or OBF-1/OCA-B, had no discernible defects in loop formation or H chain expression in plasma cells. JH-3’ RR interactions in pre-B cell lines were specifically associated with IgH expression. JH-3’ RR interactions were not detected in either Pax5-deficient or RAG-deficient pro-B cells, but were apparent in an Abelson-derived pro-B cell line. These observations imply that the 3’ RR has different loop interactions with target Igh sequences at different stages of B cell development and Igh regulation.
Design aids for VLSI: The Berkeley perspective

Computer aids for integrated circuit (IC) design have been an integral part of the Berkeley IC program since its inception in the early 1960's. While our initial work concentrated on the development of simulation programs, such as SPICE2 and SPLICE, we are currently developing an integrated design system for VLSI circuits. The system is based on 1) the use of dedicated design stations, connected among themselves and to peripheral equipment via a high-speed computer network, and 2) a portable operating system framework for the integration of a set of design programs. This paper describes our ongoing research in the area of layout design and verification, simulation, synthesis, and optimization for VLSI design.
Random Walk Analysis in Antagonistic Stochastic Games

Abstract This article deals with two “antagonistic random processes” that are intended to model classes of completely noncooperative games occurring in economics, engineering, natural sciences, and warfare. In terms of game theory, these processes can represent two players with opposite interests. The actions of the players are manifested by a series of strikes of random magnitudes imposed onto the opposite side and rendered at random times. Each of the assaults is aimed to inflict damage to vital areas. In contrast with some strictly antagonistic games where a game ends with one single successful hit, in the current setting, each side (player) can endure multiple strikes before perishing. Each player has a fixed cumulative threshold of tolerance which represents how much damage he can endure before succumbing. Each player will try to defeat the adversary at his earliest opportunity, and the time when one of them collapses is referred to as the “ruin time”. We predict the ruin time of each player, and the...
Sensitivity of Watermelon Cultigens to Ambient Ozone in North Carolina.

Holmes, G. J., and Schultheis, J. R. 2003. Sensitivity of watermelon cultigens to ambient ozone in North Carolina. Plant Dis. 87:428-434. Foliar ozone (O3) injury is common on watermelon grown in eastern North Carolina. During the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons, 93 cultivars and breeding lines (i.e., cultigens) were evaluated for foliar injury caused by ambient levels of O3. One tetraploid, 42 diploid, and 50 triploid cultigens were evaluated. Injury developed on all cultigens in both years, but severity of injury varied among cultigens and between years. Visible foliar injury (percent surface area necrotic or chlorotic) was rated 1 week after the first harvest in both years. Mean injury for all cultigens was 39% in 2000 (range = 16 to 66%) and 20% in 2001 (range = 2.5 to 60%). This corresponded to greater mean seasonal O3 levels (12-h [0900 to 2100 h EST] mean daily O3 concentration between early May and mid-June) in 2000 (58 ppb) than in 2001 (52 ppb). Triploid cultigens were less sensitive to injury than diploid cultigens. Mean injury for all triploids was 31% in 2000 and 16% in 2001, whereas injury for diploids was 47% in 2000 and 25% in 2001. Injury level was consistently negatively correlated with average number of days between transplanting and harvest. Correlations between injury level and yield, fruit size, fruit shape, and fruit sweetness were inconsistent between years and/or insignificant. O3 tolerance in watermelon cultivars should receive increased attention in watermelon breeding programs and in cultivar selection in areas of high O3 pollution.
Colorstock, SScolor, Ratón

Summary: Interactive examination of RNA multiple alignments for covariant mutations is a useful step in non-coding RNA sequence analysis. We present three parallel implementations of an RNA visualization metaphor: Colorstock, a command-line script using ANSI terminal color; SScolor, a Perl script that generates static HTML pages; and Raton, an AJAX web application generating dynamic HTML. Each tool can be used to color RNA alignments by secondary structure and to visually highlight compensatory mutations in stems. Availability: All source code is freely available under the GPL. The source code can be downloaded and a prototype of Raton can be accessed at http://biowiki.org/RnaAlignmentViewers Contact: [email protected]
Cognitive dimensions of orthographic stimuli affect occipitotemporal dynamics

Previous research documented letter-string specific cortices in the ventral visual stream near the left occipitotemporal junction (i.e., anterior fusiform gyrus). These neural areas potentially code the perceptual elements comprising orthographic stimuli, and thus function as feature detectors in high-level vision. While abundant evidence supports this region’s role in detecting isomorphic perceptual features, any influence cognitive dimensions (e.g., the lexicality of letter-strings) may play in modulating this area’s processing remains an open question. To investigate this, we examined the spatiotemporal dynamics of high-density magnetoencephalographic signals, recorded as subjects completed a rhyme-judgment task on stimuli varying in the cognitive property of lexicality. Our data demonstrate that the time course of occipitotemporal cortices discriminates cognitive attributes of orthographic stimuli. The dynamics in this brain region may indicate interactive processes unfolding later in the time course, when more anterior fronto-temporal circuits are activated by semantic correlates of real words.
The diurnal and nocturnal effects of travoprost in normal-tension glaucoma

PURPOSE To determine the diurnal and nocturnal effects of travoprost with sofZia(®) (Travatan Z(®) [TZ]) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS Twenty-seven subjects with NTG were admitted to an inpatient sleep laboratory for three 24-hour sessions monitoring IOP, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate every 2 hours in the habitual position (diurnal period: upright; nocturnal period: supine). Baseline IOP and OPP levels were compared to those during active treatment with TZ and 3 days after stopping the medication. OPP was calculated as 2/3 [diastolic BP + 1/3 (systolic BP - diastolic BP)] - IOP. RESULTS TZ significantly reduced the mean diurnal and nocturnal IOP levels compared to baseline at all time points. During treatment, mean IOP decreased from 17.1±3.4 to 14.7±3.0 mmHg during the diurnal period (P<0.01) and from 19.9±3.6 to 18.8±3.5 mmHg during the nocturnal period (P<0.01). Once treatment was discontinued, mean IOP remained at levels significantly less than baseline during both the diurnal (15.6±3.2 mmHg) and nocturnal (18.7±3.7 mmHg) periods. Mean OPP was not significantly changed with treatment during either period. CONCLUSION In this population of NTG patients, TZ significantly lowers IOP at all time points throughout the diurnal and nocturnal periods. The treatment effect on IOP endures for up to 3 days after the last dose. Treatment did not significantly improve OPP.
The Prenatal Care at School Program.

School absenteeism and poor compliance with prenatal appointments are concerns for pregnant teens. The Prenatal Care at School (PAS) program is a new model of prenatal care involving local health care providers and school personnel to reduce the need for students to leave school for prenatal care. The program combines prenatal care and education designed specifically for adolescents. Twenty-eight girls attended PAS in the fall of 2010. Program evaluation results showed a 14.2% increase in school attendance among students enrolled compared to peers enrolled the previous year, a 5.7% increase over a local teen clinic's attendance to their group prenatal care program, and a 42% increase in pregnancy and childbirth knowledge. Satisfaction surveys indicated that participants all believed that PAS helped prepare them for labor and delivery and 92% felt encouraged to stay in school. This pilot program benefited pregnant teens by increasing school educational time, improving preparation for labor and delivery, and increasing participation with prenatal care.
A freeze-fracture study of bullfrog gastric oxyntic cells.

The freeze-etch technique has been useful in determining the three-dimensional architecture of gastric oxyntic cells. The apical cell surface has been found to possess cytoplasmic extensions in several configurations: regular microvilli flattened lingulae and a combination of lingular processes with microvillar extensions. The predominant form of the intracellular smooth membrane system is tubular. The membranous tubules frequently terminate in bulbous regions and the term “bulbotubule” is suggested. Inspection of the membrane fracture faces has provided evidence consistent with the hypothesis that the inner luminal surface of the tubules is structurally analogous to the outer surface of the apical plasma membrane.
Reduction of intrinsic contractile reserves of the left ventricle by Escherichia coli endotoxin shock in guinea-pigs.

To test the hypothesis that cardiodynamic responses during endotoxemia are limited by intrinsic myocardial dysfunction, we studied contractile properties of isovolumic left ventricular (LV) preparations isolated from E. coli endotoxin-shocked guinea pigs. Compared to control hearts, shock hearts developed significantly lower LV systolic pressures (54±7 v. 84±2 mmHg; P P /d t max ; 886±106 v. 1246±39 mmHg/s; P P /d t max ; 702±98 v. 1103±26 mmHg/s; P 2+ concentration. These findings suggest that endotoxin pathogenesis encompasses a decrease in intrinsic contractile reserves of the left ventricle, and that the resulting changes in myocardial contractile mechanisms may underlie cardiac involvement in endotoxin shock syndromes.
Credit versus monetary theories of macroeconomic fluctuations

It has been demonstrated that the credit theory proposition that a decrease in the supply of credit causes a decrease in aggregate demand is true only if the decrease in the supply of credit occurred for the purpose of holding additional real money balances. It has also been shown that many of the arguments put forth in favor of the credit theory are neither necessary nor sufficient for it to hold.
Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Research on Children and Adolescents

Please approve the following synopsis as it will appear in the table of contents: Psychiatric research on children and adolescents is ethically justified by the need to reduce the burden that mental illnesses place on young people, their families, and society. Such research must be conducted with careful attention to the ethical principles of beneficence, justice, and respect for persons. Child and adolescent psychiatrists who collaborate on research trials or advise patients and families about research participation should consider nine domains when evaluating the ethical acceptability of particular protocols. These domains include scientific merit and design; expertise, commitment, and integrity; risks and benefits; confidentiality; participant selection and recruitment; informed consent and decisional capacity; incentives; institution and peer/professional review; and data presentation. Special ethical issues in child and adolescent psychiatry research concern the use of randomized, controlled treatment trials; the informed consent process for research involving adolescents; the therapeutic misconception; and conflicts of interest in physician referrals.
Semiconductor-neutron detectors utilizing radioactive decay

Abstract A new method for measuring neutron fluences has been developed which consists of detecting induced-electrical changes due to self-ionization from radioactive decay in neutron-irradiated semiconductors. Detectors utilizing these phenomena would be operative following an exposure to a neutron environment. Effects associated with radiation damage can be minimized by annealing the detectors before measuring electrical changes associated with radioactive decay. Neutron spectroscopy can be performed by using materials with different neutron-reaction cross sections. Detectors can be either homogeneous devices or junction devices and can be operated in modes to detect either individual pulses (radioactive decays) or integrated-pulse effects. Particular emphasis is given to detectors which are homogeneous devices operating in the pulse-integrating (induced conductivity) mode. High-resistivity semiconductors with large mobility-lifetime products are ideally suited for such detectors. This particular mode of operation has been demonstrated using CdS detectors exposed to fast-neutron fluences varying from 10 11 –10 17 neutrons/cm 2 .
Demonstrating Personality Scale Validation Procedures.

A technique is described for demonstrating personality scale validation techniques to students in introductory psychology classes. This technique promotes a better grasp of the principles of test validation, as evidenced by better class discussion, better written reports, and improved examination grades. Introducing practical applications before presenting theoretical constructs is an effective approach to the teaching of personality scale validation techniques.
CONSTRAINTS TO THE FULFILLMENT OF RESIDENTIAL PREFERENCES AMONG TEXAS HOMEBUYERS

A 1983 survey of Texas homebuyers reveals a high degree of mismatch between their preferred and actual residences. Analysis indicates that the logit of fulfilling residential preference is largely determined by the type of area preferred and the occupation and age of the homebuyer. Mismatch is most common among homebuyers preferring a suburban location, less so for those preferring nonmetropolitan residences, and lowest among people preferring central cities. Occupation as a social structural variable also affects homebuyers ’ chance of fulfilling residential preference. Professionals are more likely to fulfill their residential preferences than persons in other occupations. Finally, younger persons suffer a higher degree of residential mismatch than older persons.
Treatment with a Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor Improves Survival in Mice with a Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Mutation

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a progeroid syndrome characterized by multiple aging-like disease phenotypes. We recently reported that a protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) improved several disease phenotypes in mice with a HGPS mutation (Lmna(HG/+)). Here, we investigated the impact of an FTI on the survival of Lmna(HG/+) mice. The FTI significantly improved the survival of both male and female Lmna(HG/+) mice. Treatment with the FTI also improved body weight curves and reduced the number of spontaneous rib fractures. This study provides further evidence for a beneficial effect of an FTI in HGPS.
Rumpling of CVD (Ni,Pt)Al diffusion coatings under intermediate temperature cycling

Abstract The development of surface undulations during cyclic oxidation of diffusion (Ni,Pt)Al coatings on second generation nickel-base superalloys, the phenomenon of “rumpling,” represents one of the major forms of coating degradation during service at high temperatures. Previous studies of the phenomenon have invariably involved cycling between a high temperature, typically 1150 °C, and room temperature, or close to it (~ 50–100 °C). In this work, we show that most of the rumpling occurs on thermal cycling in a narrow temperature range between 1150 °C and a lower temperature of about 1000 °C. Furthermore, there is little difference in the rumpling amplitude when the lower temperature is reduced below 1000 °C, even down to room temperature, suggesting that the mechanisms responsible for rumpling operate principally at temperatures above 1000 °C. These results have important implications for the viability of various mechanisms proposed for rumpling as well as for life prediction models.
Increased COPD among HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative veterans.

Background Limited data prior to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) suggested the possibility of an increased risk of COPD among those persons with HIV infection. We sought to determine whether HIV infection is associated with increased prevalence of COPD in the era of HAART. Methods Prospective observational study of 1,014 HIV-positive and 713 HIV-negative men who were enrolled in the Veterans Aging Cohort 5 Site Study. COPD was determined by patient self-report and International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9), diagnostic codes. Cigarette smoking and injection drug use (IDU) were determined by self-report, and alcohol abuse was determined by ICD-9 diagnostic codes. Laboratory and pharmacy data were obtained from electronic medical records. Results The prevalence of COPD as determined by ICD-9 codes was 10% in HIV-positive subjects and 9% in HIV-negative subjects (p = 0.4), and as determined by patient self-report was 15% and 12%, respectively (p = 0.04). After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, pack-years of smoking, IDU, and alcohol abuse, HIV infection was an independent risk factor for COPD. HIV-infected subjects were approximately 50 to 60% more likely to have COPD than HIV-negative subjects (by ICD-9 codes: odds ratio [OR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 2.13; p=0.04 ; by patient self-report: OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.18; p=0.005). Conclusions HIV infection was an independent risk factor for COPD, when determined either by ICD-9 codes or patient self-report. Health-care providers should be aware of the increased likelihood of COPD among their HIV-positive patients. The possibility that HIV infection increases susceptibility to and/or accelerates COPD deserves further investigation and has implications regarding the pathogenesis of COPD.
Abiotic, biotic, and in-between

In our search for the definition of life that will be relevant for astrobiology, we consider various entities that have some but not all of their features in common with the fully developed functioning life. We name these entities "life forms". Examples include viruses, spores, and partners in syntrophy (metabolically interdependent relationships). We introduce meaningful categories into which these life forms fit, and offer a definition of life in which they are included. Our suggested working definition of life is that life is a chemical phenomenon which occurs in space and time as a succession of life forms which combined have a potential to metabolize, reproduce, interact with the environment, including other life forms, and are the subject to natural selection.
Monte Carlo simulation of phonon transport in UO2 single crystals

The Monte Carlo (MC) method is applied to solve the Boltzmann transport equation for phonons in uranium dioxide single crystals, with the objective of understanding thermal transport in this material at the mesoscale. The overall solution scheme tracks the phonon density as it evolves in space and time due to phonon drift and phonon–phonon scattering by normal and Umklapp processes. Unlike most previous works on solving the Boltzmann transport equation for phonons by the MC technique, our scheme for calculating phonon lifetime, based on normal and Umklapp scattering, eliminates the need for using many fitting parameters. Instead, the Gruneisen parameter, which is a well-characterized material property, is the only parameter of the problem. The results elucidate the simulation domain size over which the computed conductivity is size dependent; this helps to determine the minimum domain size required to simulate bulk thermal transport and hence calculate the thermal conductivity. The latter is computed over the temperature range 300–1000 K. The computed conductivity values are in good agreement with the previously published experimental and molecular dynamics simulation results.
The nitrogen-phosphorus detector and its applications in gas chromatography

Abstract A new detector for gas chromatography is described. This stable detector is extremely sensitive to nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing compounds and is highly selective, having much less response to hydrocarbons, chlorine- and sulfur- containing compounds. The device uses an electrically heated novel alkali metal salt and a conventional flame ionization detector jet and block assembly. Ionization of the compounds occurs in a low-temperature plasma rather than a flame. The unique properties of this design allow detection of nitrogen-containing compounds without HCN bonding, such as underivatized bartiturates. The detector has a linear dynamic working range of greater than 10 4 for both nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. The minimum detectable level is improved by using 8% hydrogen-in-helium in place of hydrogen. The device has widespread application in drug screening and pesticide analysis, where many samples can be analyzed without prior clean-up
Effect of Metal Design and Technique on the Marginal Characteristics of the Collarless Metal-Ceramic Restoration.

Abstract This investigation examined the marginal characteristics of the collarless metal ceramic restoration made with two commonly used direct-lift techniques: (1) a porcelain/wax paste and (2) a porcelain/liquid slurry. The metal copings touched the shoulder in half of the groups and were left 0.5 mm short in the other half to comprise the four experimental groups. Marginal seal was evaluated at facial and lingual surfaces on embedded and sectioned specimens for each group. Photo negatives were made of each specimen and projected at a constant magnification so that tracings could be made of the space between the die shoulder and corresponding porcelain. Composite surface measurements were made for each sample with a Zeiss Interactive Digital Analysis System instrument to evaluate porcelain adaptation to the shoulder. The porcelain/liquid groups demonstrated significantly smaller ( p ≤ 0.05) facial marginal openings than the porcelain/wax groups. The group made with the porcelain/liquid technique with the metal on the die shoulder produced the most consistent overall results. The porcelain/liquid group with the metal off the shoulder had a statistically larger ( p ≤ 0.05) mean marginal opening from the external margin to a point 0.75 mm to the interior than both techniques with the metal on the shoulder. Lingual marginal adaptation did not vary with each of the four experimental groups.
History of Impactors—The First 110 Years

This history of impactors detailed in this article covers the time span from 1860 to 1970. The origin of the inertial impactor was in the time period from 1860 to 1870, and the very first impactors were essentially the same as they are today—a jet of particle-laden air impinging on a plate. Impactors have a history of going through spurts of development. In the 1800s, impactors allowed researchers for the very first time to quickly collect particles and inspect them under a microscope to study the relationship between dust and disease. This was an exciting time for researchers, and these early impactors were used extensively. The next spurt of development was about 1920, when impactors were rediscovered in the form of konimeters, dust counters, and impingers, which were considerably more advanced than the impactors of the 1800s and were used extensively for determining the dust concentrations to which industrial workers were exposed. These instruments were used in different forms until the mid 1940s when ...
A Continuous Monitoring System for Strong Acidity in Aerosols

Inhalation of acid aerosols is believed to be a major source of respiratory ailments. A fully automated instrument that can measure acidity levels meaningful to real situations is described. A 5−10 L/min sampling rate is used. First, coarse particles are removed by a cyclone, followed by the removal of acid and basic gases with a parallel plate wet denuder. Aerosols are then collected with a vapor condensation aerosol collection system (VCACS). The VCACS provides an aqueous liquid effluent in which all soluble constituents are present in the dissolved form and the undissolved material remains suspended. The effluent is concentrated sequentially on a cation exchanger and an anion exchanger, which respectively constitute the injection loops of cation and anion analysis subsystems. In the first system, non-H+-cations (primarily NH4+) are conductometrically determined as the corresponding hydroxide by elution with a strong acid plug and conductivity suppression with a hydroxide-form anion exchanger. In the se...
An abstract model of database concurrency control algorithms

An abstract model of concurrency control algorithms is presented. The model facilitates implementation-independent descriptions of various algorithms, allowing them to be specified in terms of the information that they require, the conditions under which blocking or restarts are called for, and the manner in which requests are processed. The model also facilitates comparisons of the relative storage and CPU overheads of various algorithms based on their descriptions. Results are given for single-site versions of two-phase locking, basic timestamp ordering, and serial validation. Extensions which will allow comparisons of multiple version and distributed algorithms are discussed as well.
Speculation—How to save democracy

This article has the form of a political pamphlet. It takes the suggestion of weighted voting—a ‘partly-baked’ idea from the author's article in the last issue—and attempts to ‘bake it’ somewhat.
Acclimation and Attitudes: “Newcomer” Justices and Precedent Conformance on the Supreme Court

Do newly appointed justices experience acclimation effects upon their ascent to the Supreme Court? We contend that acclimation is a process, as justices’ conformation to the doctrine of stare decisis is partly a function of tenure length. We find that precedent conformance is inversely related to tenure, with newcomers following legal precedents at rates significantly greater than more tenured colleagues; however, justices slowly but surely surrender to relatively unfettered judicial power at the Supreme Court, as attitudes increasingly dominate decisionmaking. While votes adhering to precedent are more prevalent for newcomers, all justices are overwhelmingly influenced by their own ideologies, confirming the inability of the legal model to influence or explain this aspect of judicial behavior. Our results also indicate that the proclivity of prior research to specify an express period of acclimation may be flawed. Instead, acclimation is a dynamic process, ever evolving over justices’ entire duration of ...
Morphine inhibition of parabrachial taste units reversed by naloxone

Abstract Evoked responses of gustatory parabrachial units were selectively inhibited following jugular administration of morphine (net dose 5 mg/kg). This morphine-induced depression of activity was readily reversed following intravenous administration of naloxone (net dose 1 mg/kg). Evoked responses of tactile sensitive trigeminal units were unaffected by systemically administered morphine. The results suggest that morphine may be selectively modulating the perception of taste by altering the sensitivity of gustatory parabrachial units. This observation may account for the altered feeding patterns demonstrated by morphine-treated animals.
Are "carve outs" in or out?

HEALTH CARVE OUTS ARE segments of insurance risk—defined by service or disease—that are isolated from overall insurance risk and covered in a separate contract between the payer (insurer or employer) and the carve-out vendor. In today’s world mental health carve outs are delegated to specialized vendors known as managed behavioral health care organizations (MBHOs). Examples of MBHOs are Magellan Health Service, ValueOptions, United Behavioral Health, PacifiCare Behavioral Health, and Cigna Behavioral Health. The main reason that these companies have expanded is that they boost savings of about 20% for purchasers of their services compared to those that keep mental health and substance abuse “carved in” to a general medical insurance package. They accomplish this savings mainly by reducing inpatient hospitalization, limiting total outpatient visits while at the same time improving access, and by paying providers and facilities less. It is hard to come up with an exact figure, but somewhere between 110 and 180 million Americans are insured by MBHOs. The three largest companies control over half of all those insured. As managed care has become more of a commodity, MBHOs have tried to expand by entering new markets. Specifically, they have moved from the private sector to the public sector. There is also evidence that carving out mental health care causes decreased absenteeism, increases in work performance, and decreased use of medical services (Rosenheck et al., 1999)1. The biggest problem with MBHOs is that by their very nature they promote non-integrated care. Imagine a female adolescent with anorexia nervosa. She has had multiple psychiatric inpatient admissions and secondary to low blood sugar and low blood pressure she faints and injures her head. She is admitted to a pediatric ICU for observation and once stabilized the doctor wants her transferred to a specialized eating disorders unit. Her mental health carve out says she is out of days. Another insurance company is telling the doctor in the pediatric ICU that the patient no longer needs that level of medical treatment. The medical insurance company and the mental health insurance company attempt to “coordinate benefits” and provide a “continuum of care”, but in reality nothing of the sort happens. Each company has separate incentives to deny care or in this case state that the problem belongs to the other company. Usually, a patient like this is discharged from the ICU to home where she further deteriorates. She is readmitted to the ICU and after endless phone calls and letters from lawyers the medical insurance company realizes that they should pay for the specialty eating disorder treatment because it will cost less money than repeated ICU admissions. Organized medicine believes that these “carve outs” don’t make sense and decided to act. The American Medical Association adopted the following resolution in the year 2000:
Implications of the VEGA balloon results from Venus atmospheric dynamics

Abstract The VEGA Venus Balloon Mission returned data on the themodynamic state of the atmosphere together with wind and cloud information. In this invited paper we review possible explanations for three aspects of the data: 1) the large amplitude atmospheric vertical winds encountered by the VEGA balloons; 2) the observed 6.5 K temperature difference consistently measured between the two VEGA balloons; and 3) the apparent influence of surface topography on atmospheric motions seen by the VEGA-2 balloon as it flew over the mountainous terrain known as Aphrodite.
Regulation of mammalian asparagine synthetase by adenine nucleotides.

Initial velocity kinetic data indicate that ADP and AMP are inhibitors of mammalian liver asparagine synthetase. The non-product nucleotide ADP is a much more potent inhibitor than AMP, although both apparently compete for the same site. This modifier site, however, does not overlap spatially with the substrate site for ATP. Both ADP and AMP are Vmax inhibitors, but ADP also raises the Km for ATP. Adenylate energy charge, calculated at various levels of ATP and ADP show typical correlations with activity, but with AMP these correlations are weak and atypical.