cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 6 Educational Wage Premiums and the U.S. Income Distribution: A Survey

Abstract This chapter discusses the large literature and numerous issues regarding education-related differences in income in the U.S. Early analyses of skill-related differences compared the earnings of workers across occupations. The general consensus of these investigations was that skill premiums narrowed substantially between 1900 and 1950. The large increase in the supply of high-school graduates relative to the increased demand for skilled workers is the likely explanation. Following the 1940 Decennial Census, which collected information on educational attainment and on earned income and time worked, empirical analyses concentrated directly on education-related differences in earnings. The human capital revolution of the late 1950s/early 1960s greatly expanded the research on education and income and shifted the focus to wages. The human capital approach modeled income as endogenous and sought to understand the variation in earnings by providing a framework for estimating the returns to education and experience. Recent analyses of education and wages have built on this foundation and have been embedded in a large literature that seeks to document and understand the substantial increase in wage inequality over the last 40 years. The consensus is that increases in the demand for skill are the main culprit, though the reasons for such increases are still an open question. We use census data to document the overall increase in education-related income differences over the past 60 years for several income measures. We also document concomitant changes in enrollment and provide a preliminary analysis suggesting that enrollment has responded to the increase in education–wage premiums. We use NLSY data to document the variation in enrollment patterns for those who attend college and to show how these differences are related to pre-schooling characteristics and to post-schooling earnings. We conclude with a brief discussion of the main issues for future research raised throughout the chapter.
Deciphering groundwater flow systems in Oasis Valley, Nevada, using trace element chemistry, multivariate statistics, and Geographical Information System

The origin of groundwater discharging via evapotranspiration and from springs within Oasis Valley, Nevada, is of concern owing to the close proximity of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and the possible contamination of groundwater as a result of underground nuclear testing. Principal components analysis, cluster analysis, and population partitioning, along with a Geographical Information System, were used to decipher groundwater flow patterns in Oasis Valley, Nevada. These multivariate statistical techniques were applied to the trace element chemistry of groundwater samples collected from 26 springs and wells within Oasis Valley, the NTS, and the Nellis Air Force Range. The results of all statistical analyses showed similar geographical trends in the trace element chemistry of the groundwaters included in this study. Differences are observed between the groundwaters from the NTS and those of Oasis Valley based on the concentrations of the elements Li, Ge, Mo, Rb, Ba, U, and Ru. A concentration gradient is observed from lower concentrations in the NTS to increasing concentrations toward Oasis Valley suggesting groundwater flow in an overall southwestward direction from the NTS. Also, a different trace element signature is observed for the waters collected in the northern and western region of Oasis Valley, suggesting another source of groundwater to this area.
From Bonding to Bridging: Neighborhood Context Effects on Voting Behavior in California

This paper empirically examines the effects of community racial context on voters' preferences for public education in California. In the 2000 General Elections, voters in California were faced with a ballot proposition, Proposition 39, also known as the Smaller Classes, Safer Schools and Financial Accountability Act. I estimate the probability of voting Yes on Proposition 39 given the demographic characteristics of the census tract in which the voter resides using both parametric and semiparametric methods. My results show that preferences for public school spending are higher in communities with extremely low and high levels of racial fractionalization, and are lowest in communities with intermediate levels of fractionalization. I also use an alternative index, ethnic polarization, to capture across-group attitudes and preferences for public education within communities. My empirical results support the theory of a negative relationship between group polarization and support for Proposition 39. I also find that polarization by socioeconomic status or political ideology has a relatively larger negative impact on preferences for public school spending compared to polarization by ethnicity or by group identification to being American.
Some Remarks on Rate-Dependent Plasticity

Summary First, some motivation is provided for the development of a relatively simple rate-dependent theory of plasticity based on an idealized elastic—viscoplastic constitutive model. This idealization includes unloading and allows for suitable definition of plastic strain. Next, within the scope of a purely mechanical theory, a special constitutive response is used to discuss the nature of constitutive restrictions for a finitely deforming rate-dependent material, obtained from an appropriate work inequality. With the help of these restrictions, certain features of the theory are elaborated upon with particular reference to normality and convexity.
Cost-effectiveness of simultaneous resection and RFA versus 2-stage hepatectomy for bilobar colorectal liver metastases.

Background and Objectives The current healthcare climate demands evaluation of treatment modalities in terms of costs and benefits. We compared the cost-effectiveness of two different strategies for bilobar colorectal liver metastases (bCRLM). Methods Patients with bCRLM treated with either resection/RFA or planned 2-stage hepatectomy at our institution between 1999 and 2011 were reviewed. A decision analysis model was populated with treatment probabilities, outcomes, survival, and costs (Medicare payment, 2011 US$). Results Two hundred fourteen patients underwent resection/RFA. Eighty-two patients were treated with planned 2-stage hepatectomy; 26 (32%) patients never completed a 2nd resection. In the 2-stage cohort, 50 patients underwent portal vein embolization (PVE). Overall complication rate and 90-day mortality for resection/RFA was 36% and 3.7%, and for 2-stage hepatectomy (both procedures combined) was 44% and 7.3%, respectively. Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that resection/RFA cost $37,120 for 46.2-month survival, while planned 2-stage resection cost $62,198 for 35.9-month survival. If, hypothetically, all 2-stage patients completed both stages of resection, the per-patient cost was $72,644 for 40.3-month survival. Conclusions Resection/RFA is associated with lower costs and longer survival when compared to 2-stage resection. This 1-stage approach for bCRLM should be viewed as an efficient use of resources for this challenging clinical scenario. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:516–520. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Constructing collective ethnic identities : The case of second generation Asian Indians

This paper examines the role of micro-level social interactions in the construction and maintenance of collective ethnic identity, taking as a case in point collective ethnic identity among the children of Asian Indian immigrants. An extensive ethnographic study of the behavior of first and second generation voluntary organizations reveals that the common public rhetoric claiming the second generation is “stuck between two worlds” bears little resemblance to the identity created as the second generation appropriates and reinterprets the rhetoric of first generation public life to differentiate itself from the immigrant generation. The analysis stresses the overlap of the social processes of collective identity formation and coming of age.
Film Thickness and Asperity Load Formulas for Line-Contact Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication With Provision for Surface Roughness

Three formulas are derived for predicting the central and the minimum film thickness as well as the asperity load ratio in line-contact EHL with provision for surface roughness. These expressions are based on the simultaneous solution to the modified Reynolds equation and surface deformation with consideration of elastic, plastic and elasto-plastic deformation of the surface asperities. The formulas cover a wide range of input and they are of the form f(W, U, G, r, V), where the parameters represented are dimensionless load, speed, material, surface roughness and hardness, respectively. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4005514]
Optical and adhesive properties of dust deposits on solar mirrors and their effects on specular reflectivity and electrodynamic cleaning for mitigating energy-yield loss

Large-scale solar plants are mostly installed in semi-arid and desert areas. In those areas, dust layer buildup on solar collectors becomes a major cause for energy yield loss. Development of transparent electrodynamic screens (EDS) and their applications for self-cleaning operation of solar mirrors are presented with a primary focus on the removal dust particles smaller than 30 µm in diameter while maintaining specular reflection efficiency < 90%. An EDS consists of thin rectangular array of parallel transparent conducting electrodes deposited on a transparent dielectric surface. The electrodes are insulated from each other and are embedded within a thin transparent dielectric film. The electrodes are activated using three-phase high-voltage pulses at low current (< 1 mA/m2 ). The three-phase electric field charges the deposited particles, lifts them form the substrate by electrostatic forces and propels the dust layer off of the collector’s surface by a traveling wave. The cleaning process takes less than 2 minutes; needs energy less than 1 Wh/m2 without requiring any water or manual labor. The reflection efficiency can be restored > 95% of the original clean-mirror efficiency. We briefly present (1) loss of specular reflection efficiency as a function of particle size distribution of deposited dust, and (2) the effects of the electrode design and materials used for minimizing initial loss of specular reflectivity in producing EDS-integrated solar mirrors. Optimization of EDS by using a figure of merit defined by the ratio of dust removal efficiency to the initial loss of specular reflection efficiency is discussed.
Conformational differences between two amyloid β oligomers of similar size and dissimilar toxicity

Several protein conformational disorders (Parkinson and prion diseases) are linked to aberrant folding of proteins into prefibrillar oligomers and amyloid fibrils. Although prefibrillar oligomers are more toxic than their fibrillar counterparts, it is difficult to decouple the origin of their dissimilar toxicity because oligomers and fibrils differ both in terms of structure and size. Here we report the characterization of two oligomers of the 42-residue amyloid β (Aβ42) peptide associated with Alzheimer disease that possess similar size and dissimilar toxicity. We find that Aβ42 spontaneously forms prefibrillar oligomers at Aβ concentrations below 30 μm in the absence of agitation, whereas higher Aβ concentrations lead to rapid formation of fibrils. Interestingly, Aβ prefibrillar oligomers do not convert into fibrils under quiescent assembly conditions but instead convert into a second type of oligomer with size and morphology similar to those of Aβ prefibrillar oligomers. Strikingly, this alternative Aβ oligomer is non-toxic to mammalian cells relative to Aβ monomer. We find that two hydrophobic peptide segments within Aβ (residues 16-22 and 30-42) are more solvent-exposed in the more toxic Aβ oligomer. The less toxic oligomer is devoid of β-sheet structure, insoluble, and non-immunoreactive with oligomer- and fibril-specific antibodies. Moreover, the less toxic oligomer is incapable of disrupting lipid bilayers, in contrast to its more toxic oligomeric counterpart. Our results suggest that the ability of non-fibrillar Aβ oligomers to interact with and disrupt cellular membranes is linked to the degree of solvent exposure of their central and C-terminal hydrophobic peptide segments.
CHANGING CONCEPTS IN THE PATHOGENESIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THYROID CARCINOMA

A wealth of knowledge regarding the molecular causation of thyroid carcinoma has been accumulated over the past five years. This information has already had a significant impact on the management of some forms of thyroid carcinoma. The challenge during the next 10 years will be to incorporate newly acquired information into diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to thyroid carcinoma and to coordinate use of this information with time-tested approaches to further decrease morbidity and mortality from thyroid carcinoma.
Presidential inaugurals: The modernization of a genre

Campbell and Jamieson (1990) point to the unification of the nation and the veneration of traditional values as the most fundamental elements that distinguish presidential inaugural addresses as a rhetorical genre. A content analysis of unification and veneration themes in the fifty‐two inaugural addresses, 1789–1993, documents the modernization of the genre. Over the course of two centuries, presidents have made increasing use of the inaugural for purposes of unification and veneration, thereby progressively using the address as an instrument of governance as well as a rite of passage.
From the editors: A new vision for JERIC

As the new Editors-in-Chief, we outline our vision for building JERIC to become the premier journal in computing education. Doing so will require authors who submit high-quality articles--their lbest stuffr, reviewers who provide the feedback and guidance to ensure that each article embodies a scholarly approach to teaching and learning while being of practical use to the computing educator, and readers who read the articles, critically evaluate and discuss the findings with others, and adapt, adopt, and evaluate these findings in their own classrooms.
Microcrack formation in plasma sprayed thermal barrier coatings

Air plasma sprayed ZrO2–8wt%Y2O3 thermal barrier coatings were deposited under tightly controlled conditions. The lengths and orientations of the horizontal cracks and vertical cracks in these coatings were characterized in detail, and process/structure maps of the crack distribution as a function of particle and substrate states were constructed. A fully coupled thermo-mechanical finite element model was used to study the buildup of stresses during splat solidification, and to understand the effect of deposition conditions on crack formation during plasma spray deposition. The model also showed that surface roughness plays a key role in determining the magnitude of maximum stresses, and that only roughness features on the scale of splat thickness are important in providing locations of maximum stress concentration.
The changing impact of viability during the presidential primary season

Abstract Research in the area of presidential primaries has consistently shown that nomination campaigns are dynamic and that viability is a major determinant of citizens' preferences among candidates. Most previous studies, however, have not incorporated both of these phenomena; they have employed models for only one point in time or they have excluded viability as an explanatory variable. In this research, we test a model of candidate preference to compare the influence of viability and other factors during three phases of the campaign. The results indicate that, the impact of viability increases as candidates' viability becomes more clear and decreases as the campaign progresses.
A quantitative analysis of the effects of 5′ junction and TACTAAC box mutants and mutant combinations on yeast mRNA splicing

Abstract We have introduced four point mutations into the 5′ junction (GTATGT) and TACTAAC box of a yeast intron-containing gene coding for beta-galactosidase. To analyze quantitatively mutant combinations, we deliberately avoided nucleotides adjacent to the sites of cleavage (GTATGT) and lariat formation (TACTAAC) and chose positions with expected weak effects on splicing. All four mutants do not affect, or only marginally affect, gene expression. The levels of precursor RNA and intermediates indicate, however, that splicing efficiency is affected in all cases; the first stage of splicing, 5′ cleavage and lariat formation, is reduced two to 15-fold in these four mutants. The mutants were combined to generate compensatory and noncompensatory double mutant combinations. No evidence for a specific base-pairing interaction between the 5′ junction and TACTAAC box could be obtained. The results suggest that all conserved positions in the 5′ junction and TACTAAC box play a role in splicing efficiency.
Ovariohysterectomy in Six Mares

Six mares had ovariohysterectomy performed for chronic pyometra associated with cervical abnormalities, uterine neoplasia, or removal of a macerated fetus. Ovariohysterectomy was performed through a ventral midline incision with access to the ovarian and uterine vessels aided by traction on the uterus and retraction of abdominal viscera. Abdominal pain, the most common complication after surgery, occurred in four mares but resolved within 36 hours. Peritonitis occurred in two mares; one mare was subsequently euthanatized. Other complications that resolved with treatment included infection of the uterine stump (two mares), abdominal hemorrhage (one mare), diarrhea (one mare), and incisional infection (one mare). Complications after surgery can be reduced by removing as much of the uterus as possible, minimizing peritoneal contamination with uterine contents, and providing a secure closure of the caudal reproductive tract.
Fluorescence assay for per-cell estimation of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities in keratinocyte suspensions and cultures

Abstract An assay was characterized that facilitated per-cell estimation of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase activities in whole-cell suspensions and cultures of murine epidermal keratinocytes (MEKs). 7-Ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (7-ECD), 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (7-ERD), and 7-pentoxyresorufin O-deethylase (7-PRD) activities were monitored by fluorescent detection of their products. MEKs were made permeable by a freeze-thaw cycle, and xenobiotic metabolism occurred in situ. Analyses of cultured MEKs were made with the cells attached to the culture dishes. Product formation was proportional with MEK cell number and assay time and was dependent upon a NADPH-generating system. The three monooxygenase activities were inhibited to various degrees, in a dose-dependent manner, by the P-450 inhibitors α-naphthoflavone and metyrapone. The number of MEKs obtained from a single mouse was sufficient for multiple analyses. The assay was also used to determine monooxygenase activities in whole-cell suspensions of rat hepatocytes. Consitutive per hepatocyte 7-ECD, 7-PRD, and 7-ERD activities were 357-, 96-, and 1926-fold greater, respectively, than the activities measured in suspensions of dorsal MEKs.
Extinction properties of a premixed laminar flame in oblique stagnation flow in the region of the stagnation point

Abstract Two problems are investigated in this work. The first is the determination of premixed laminar flame extinction for general Lewis numbers in an inviscid, steady, two-dimensional normal stagnation flow utilizing a finite element approach. This problem has been investigated previously via the Runge-Kutta method. Results obtained from the finite element approach agreed closely with those stated in the literature. It was found that the finite element method applied to this type of combustion problem was able to capture the steep temperature rise and resolve the reaction zone. Premixed laminar flame extinction in inviscid, steady, oblique two-dimensional stagnation flow in the region of the stagnation point is investigated next. (The formulation of the first problem also applies only to the stagnation region.) This study is via a finite element formulation, and is for general Lewis numbers. Use of the oblique stagnation flow field incorporates the effects of shear as well as extension into the strain field which would be experienced by the flame. It was found that except in the case of Lewis number unity, the effect of shear was to shift the reaction region closer to the wall. A parameter study is performed, and various cases are discussed in detail.
Responsibility and Consent: The Libertarian's Problems with Freedom of Contract

Libertarians believe certain things about rights and responsibilities, about when one person is to be held responsible for invading the rights of another. Libertarians also believe certain things about consent, about when someone should be held to a contract he has entered into. What they don't realize is that the first set of beliefs doesn't mix well with the second set of beliefs—that their intuitions about rights and responsibilities quite simply don't square with their intuitions about consent. Or so I shall be trying to show in this essay.
Use of Pharmacotherapies for Smoking Cessation: Analysis of Pregnant and Postpartum Medicaid Enrollees

Background The Affordable Care Act requires state Medicaid programs to cover pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation without cost sharing for pregnant women. Little is known about use of these pharmacotherapies among Medicaid-enrolled women. Purpose To describe the prevalence of prescription fills for smoking-cessation pharmacotherapies during pregnancy and postpartum among Medicaid-enrolled women and to examine whether certain pregnancy complications or copayments are associated with prescription fills. Methods Insurance claims data for women enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan in Maryland and who used tobacco during pregnancy from 2003 to 2010 were obtained (N=4,709) and analyzed in 2014. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the prevalence of smoking-cessation pharmacotherapy use during pregnancy and postpartum. Generalized estimating equations were employed to examine the relationship of pregnancy complications and copayments with prescription fills of smoking-cessation pharmacotherapies during pregnancy and postpartum. Results Few women filled any prescription for a smoking-cessation pharmacotherapy during pregnancy or postpartum (2.6% and 2.0%, respectively). Having any smoking-related pregnancy complication was positively associated with filling a smoking-cessation pharmacotherapy prescription during pregnancy (OR=1.69, 95% CI=1.08, 2.65) but not postpartum. Copayments were associated with significantly decreased odds of filling any prescription for smoking-cessation pharmacotherapies in the postpartum period (OR=0.38, 95% CI=0.22, 0.66). Conclusions Smoking-related pregnancy complications and substance use are predictive of filling a prescription for pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation during pregnancy. Low use of pharmacotherapies during pregnancy is consistent with clinical guidelines; however, low use postpartum suggests an unmet need for cessation aids in Medicaid populations.
A meso-level conceptualization of CEO celebrity effectiveness ☆

Abstract The concept of celebrity has the potential to expand traditional views of leadership by suggesting that, with the aid of the media, firms and CEOs can surpass their peers and develop marketable personas of their own. However, the research, to date, has focused on the emergence of CEO celebrity, rather than the critical question of how CEOs translate their celebrity into personal and firm-related success. The present paper addresses this issue by articulating a meso-level conceptualization focused on the role of CEO political skill in the conversion of celebrity to reputation and performance at the individual and firm levels of analysis. Implications of the proposed conceptualization and directions for future research are discussed.
Syntactic Prominence Effects On Discourse Processes

Abstract We propose that the meaning of a text is determined in part by syntactic structures that affect the relative prominence given to the concepts in the text. This proposal was tested in four experiments; the data showed that concepts placed in syntactically prominent positions have increased accessibility in short-term memory during reading and also increased accessibility later in long-term memory. We speculate on how such effects might be understood in terms of current theories of text processing and memory retrieval.
Multi-institutional Validation of Vasectomy Reversal Predictor

Purpose: Some urologists who perform vasectomy reversals are not experienced with performing VE. A model to preoperatively identify patients who may require referral to an experienced VE surgeon was created (www.uroengineering.com). We tested the model at multiple institutions.Materials and Methods: The model had previously been designed in 483 patients who underwent vasectomy reversal at 1 institution (100% sensitive and 59% specific for predicting the need for VE). It was based on time since vasectomy and patient age. We tested it prospectively in 33 patients and retrospectively in a total of 312 at 6 other institutions. The predictive accuracy of the model was compared to using a simple duration from vasectomy cutoff alone, as is used in clinical practice.Results: The model had 84% sensitivity and 58% specificity for detecting the need for VE in a total of 345 patients at 7 institutions. If using only a duration from vasectomy cutoff of 10 years to predict the need for VE, sensitivity was only 69%. At ...
Facile electron-beam lithography technique for irregular and fragile substrates

A facile technique is presented which enables high-resolution electron beam lithography on irregularly-shaped, non-planar or fragile substrates such as the edges of a silicon chip, thin and narrow suspended beams and bridges, or small cylindrical wires. The method involves a spin-free dry-transfer of pre-formed uniform-thickness polymethyl methacrylate, followed by conventional electron beam writing, metal deposition, and lift-off. High-resolution patterning is demonstrated for challenging target substrates. The technique should find broad application in micro- and nano-technology research arenas.
Benign Paroxysmal Torticollis Presenting as "Seizures" in Infancy

Past medical history was unremarkable. There was no family history of epilepsy or other paroxysmal disorders. Upon admission, the patient was noted to be alert and developmentally appropriate for age. Head circumference was 40.5 cm (50%). Results of general physical and neurologic examinations were normal. Laboratory evaluations included serum electrolytes, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, and blood
Genome-wide chromatin footprinting reveals changes in replication origin architecture induced by pre-RC assembly

Start sites of DNA replication are marked by the origin recognition complex (ORC), which coordinates Mcm2–7 helicase loading to form the prereplicative complex (pre-RC). Although pre-RC assembly is well characterized in vitro, the process is poorly understood within the local chromatin environment surrounding replication origins. To reveal how the chromatin architecture modulates origin selection and activation, we “footprinted” nucleosomes, transcription factors, and replication proteins at multiple points during the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle. Our nucleotide-resolution protein occupancy profiles resolved a precise ORC-dependent footprint at 269 origins in G2. A separate class of inefficient origins exhibited protein occupancy only in G1, suggesting that stable ORC chromatin association in G2 is a determinant of origin efficiency. G1 nucleosome remodeling concomitant with pre-RC assembly expanded the origin nucleosome-free region and enhanced activation efficiency. Finally, the local chromatin environment restricts the loading of the Mcm2–7 double hexamer either upstream of or downstream from the ARS consensus sequence (ACS).
Single-crystal analysis of mixed (Ln/TbPO4) orthophosphates

Structural investigations of the mixed lanthanide orthophosphates have been carried out by means of three-dimensional single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. Each mixed orthophosphate compound crystallized in the tetragonal space group I4{sub 1}/amd (D{sub 4h}{sup 19}, No. 141) (Z = 4) with lattice constants of a = 6.9449(9), 6.9647(7), 6.8003(8) and c = 6.0680(18), 6.0900(6), 5.9638(6) for 1:1 (Gd/Tb)PO{sub 4}, 3:1 (Gd/Tb)PO{sub 4}, and 9:1 (Lu/Tb)PO{sub 4}, respectively. The final least-squares full-matrix refinements, based on 313, 310, and 283 unique reflections, yielded R-values equal to 0.023, 0.017, and 0.030, respectively. The lanthanide ions are eight-coordinated to oxygen atoms, and the resulting polyhedra are best described as two orthogonal interpenetrating tetrahedra, bis-bisphenoidal (D{sub 2d}) geometry. Important bond distances and angles, crystal data and parameters, as well as optical and X-ray fluorescnece analyses are presented.
Superconductivity in thin films and small particles

Abstract Changes in the superconducting transition temperature of thin films are described. Included is a discussion of T c changes in “soft metal” films, and finally the lowered T c in near monolayer disordered films is also considered. Factors which influence superconductivity in the various cases, such as the phonon spectrum, the density of states, and the metal-insulator boundary, are discussed.
A comparative study of the embryological development of the median cord in hemiptera.

Median cord development is uniform in six families of Hemiptera and five non-hemipterans. The median cord arises independently from the lateral cords and is histologically distinguishable from the latter throughout development. Intrasegmentally, median cord nuclei possess prominent nucleoli and many small chromatin granules surrounded by clear nuclear sap. This region forms what appear to be glial elements at the midline of the neuropile. Intersegmentally, a spherical clump of eight to twelve large nuclei develops surrounded by dark-staining granular cytoplasm. Each intersegmental clump migrates anteriorly into the preceding ganglionic region but degenerates soon after katatrepsis.
Association between diabetes control and visits to a multidisciplinary pediatric diabetes clinic.

Objective To determine if there is a relationship between diabetes outcome as measured by HbA1C and the number of multidisciplinary clinic visits per year in children and youth with diabetes. Research design and methods The number of clinic visits per year, the mean HbA1C (by DCA 2000, Miles, Tarrytown, NY), type of insurance, parental marital status, parental age, maximal parental grade level achieved, family income, self-identified race, and scores on adherence and knowledge tests were compared for 1995 in 360 patients with a mean age of 11.6 +/- 4.8 years (1-2 visits, 85 patients; 3-4 visits, 275 patients), for 1996 in 412 patients with a mean age of 11.6 +/- 4.7 years (1-2 visits, 115 patients; 3-4 visits, 297 patients), and for 1997 in 442 patients with a mean age of 11.8 +/- 4.9 years (1-2 visits, 126 patients; 3-4 visits, 332 patients). Results There was a significant difference in the mean HbA1C levels between subjects with 1 to 2 visits versus 3 to 4 visits during the 3 years of this study. In 1995, the mean HbA1C was 9.0 +/- 2.0% for subjects with 1 to 2 visits and 8.3 +/- 1.6% for subjects with 3 to 4 visits. In 1996, the mean HbA1C was 9.3 +/- 2.0% for subjects with 1 to 2 visits and 8.4 +/- 1.6% in those with 3 to 4 visits, whereas in 1997, the mean HbA1C was 9.1 +/- 1.9% with 1 to 2 visits and 8.3 +/- 1.5% with 3 to 4 visits. There was a significant difference in the number of visits by the age of the subject. The mean age of patients with 1 to 2 visits was 13.6 +/- 4.5 years; it was 10.8 +/- 4.6 years with 3 to 4 visits. However, for age groups /=13 years, there was still a difference between HbA1C levels for subjects with 1 to 2 visits compared with 3 to 4 visits (8.9 +/- 1.7% versus 8.1 +/- 1.3%, respectively). The only patient/family characteristic that had an association with number of visits was the marital status of the parents. Children from single-parent households had fewer visits. There was no association between health insurance status and number of visits and there was no difference between the number of visits and the mean scores on tests of adherence or knowledge. Multivariate analysis showed that the number of visits was a significant predictor of HbA1C even after controlling for age, duration of diabetes, and scores on adherence and knowledge tests. Conclusions The finding that subjects with more frequent visits to a multidisciplinary diabetes clinic had lower HbA1C levels during the 3 years of this study suggests that strategies should be developed to promote adherence with quarterly visits, particularly targeted to children from single-parent households and to teens.
Prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting : controversies in the use of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine subtype 3 receptor antagonists

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continues to be a "big little problem" despite recent advances in anesthesia. Because of an increased interest in, and the abundant publications on this topic, guidelines for the management of PONV were published in 2003. Several key but controversial issues regarding PONV prophylaxis were left unaddressed, however. These included whether clinical differences exist between the 5-hydroxytryptamine subtype 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists, concern over optimal dosage and timing of administration, optimal 5-HT3 receptor antagonist combination therapy, and whether rescue therapy is effective after prior administration of the same or a different 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. The application of these antiemetics in clinical practice has raised questions regarding the role of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in the treatment of postdischarge nausea and vomiting and opioid-induced nausea and vomiting. A brief overview of the incidence, risk factors and current management recommendations for PONV and current controversies with special emphasis on the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, is discussed.
Automatic vehicle classification system using range sensor

This paper presents an automatic vehicle classification system based upon laser intensity images obtained from range sensors (called AVCSLII). Current systems that utilize loop detectors, video cameras, and range sensors have deficiencies. The loop detectors have high failure rates due to pavement failures and poor maintenance. Video based systems and range sensors do not perform well in deteriorated atmospheric conditions (such as rain and fog). The developed generations of image based range sensors offer the promise of sensors that are less sensitive to deteriorated environmental conditions. AVCSLII system extracts features of laser intensity images, produced by laser sensory units. These features are used to train a neural network (NN). The AVCSLII system recalls its trained NN for classification of vehicles. This technique outperforms loop detectors, video cameras, and range data techniques in deteriorated environmental conditions.
Inactivation of bovine thrombin by water-soluble carbodiimides: The essential carboxyl group has a pKa of 5.51

Bovine thrombin is rapidly and completely (>99%) inactivated by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) in a pseudo-first-order process. A plot of the pseudo-first-order rate constant for inactivation by 20 mM EDC at different pH values from pH 4.0 to 7.7 at 25°C shows that inactivation is critically dependent on the protonated form of an acidic side chain with a pK a of 5.51. Significant protection against inactivation is provided by the competitive inhibitor dansyl-L-arginine N-(3-ethyl-1,5-pentanediyl)amide, suggesting that the essential carboxyl group may be involved in substrate binding. 1-Ethyl-3-(4-azonia-4, 4-dimethylpentyl)carbodiimide (EAC) inactivates thrombin much more rapidly than EDC under the same conditions.
Maximal normal sets of n-planes inR2n

Abstract Y.C. Wong and K.P. Mok have introduced the notion of normal sets of n -planes inR 2 n . We show that every maximal set defined by a subspace of nonsingular n × n matrices is indeed a maximal isoclinic set. We also resolve a conjecture of Wong-Mok that every maximal subspace of scalar multiples of orthogonal n × n matrices is also maximal as a subspace of nonsingular matrices.
Flexible Consumer Demand Functions and Linear Estimation: Reply

We are grateful to Wohlgenant for pointing out that the approximation of utility by real income requires that the underlying (flexible) utility function be homothetic. Indeed Diewert's proof of correspondence between utility changes and real income changes (as measured by superlative index numbers) relies on homotheticity. We thus concur with Wohlgenant that the three functional forms proposed by us are best regarded as statistical demand functions integrable into an arbitrary neoclassical utility function only at some base point. However, it is not clear that this is the reason for "implausible" expenditure elasticities obtained in the TL model as we move from sample means. This functional form (and the other two used in the study) provide a flexible approximation to some true consumption-expenditure relationship. It is unlikely to give reasonable estimates of elasticities at expenditure levels which are less than half the mean or nearly twice as high. What is interesting is that elasticities for all the food grains decline as expenditure levels rise.
Organomercurials I. Free radical chain mechanisms in the reductive elimination of dialkylmercury in carbon tetrachloride

Abstract Dialkylmercury compounds RHgR 1 undergo facile reductive elimination of olefins in carbon tetrachloride solutions. Quantitative material balance shows that isobutylene is lost from isobutylneopentylmercury together with metallic mercury, neopentyle chloride and chloroform. A similar reductive elimination is observed with mercuracycloheptane. The reactions can be induced photochemically or thermally with peroxides, and they can be inhibited by galvinoxyl or phenols. The free radical chain process is dissected into several discrete steps, involving (a) β-hydrogen atom abstraction from RHgR 1 by trichloromethyl radical, followed by (b and c) the elimination and fragmentation of alkylmercury radical and the subsequent (d) chain transfer with CCl 4 . Specific deuterium labellings of di-n-heptylmercury with β, β 1 -d 2 and β, β 1 -d 2 allow a measurement of the β-hydrogen involvement in the rate-limiting process. A substantial kinetic isotope effect (k H /k D  4.9 ± 0.1) is observed. Competition studies provide the first evidence of the activation of β-hydrogens in metal alkyls to homolytic abstraction. The origin of β-hydrogen activation is discussed relative to the formation of reactive intermediates including β-mercuraalkyl radicals and alkylmercury(I) species.
Adsorption and structural properties of ordered mesoporous carbons synthesized by soft-templating in the presence of boric acid and tetraethyl orthosilicate

Boron-containing mesoporous carbon materials were prepared using resorcinol and formaldehyde as carbon precursors, boric acid as a boron precursor and poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer (Pluronic F127) as a soft template. Another series of boron-containing samples was prepared by using the same chemicals in the presence of tetraethyl orthosilicate. Nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, NH3 temperature programmed desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the resulting boron-carbon materials possessed acidic sites, high surface area ranging from 1047 to 1400 m2 g−1, large mesopores of about 10 nm, uniform pore size distribution, and high boron content (1.5–1.8%).
The Kalimah In the Kaleidophone: Ranges of Multivocallty in Bangladeshi Muslim's Discourses

Bengali Muslims have long debated the place of religion, ideology, literary heritage, ethnicity, and various nationalisms in their identity. Contemporary identity ferment is exemplified in each of five examples of discourse explored herein. Replaying these voices "kaleidophonically" uncovers the vital, resistant, "fundamentally liberating" character of multivocality in Bengali Muslims' discourse, particularly in codeswitching, reported speech, and pronoun play. Although each of the voices acknowledges the kalimah of Islam, their multivocality belies simple formulations of identity. The translinguistics of Bakhtin informs the analysis of how linguistic play works to reconstitute what it is to be Bengali and Muslim.
Effect of different methods of exposure to cyproterone acetate on mortality in chick embryos.

33-h chick embryos exposed to 0.25 mg or 0.50 mg cyproterone acetate injected into the yolk sac showed a significantly lower mortality rate than embryos receiving the same dosage applied directly onto the developing blastodisc.
Comparing simulated alternatives using a distribution-free statistic with blocking by random number stream

When comparing system alternatives, simulationists will often use analysis of variance, a parametric statistical procedure. Using an example in which three different M/M/s queuing system con figurations are simulated, the authors demonstrate the impor tance of using the common random number streams as blocks. In addition, Friedman's Two-way Analysis of Variance by Ranks test, a distribution-free statistical procedure, is used to analyze the output.
Temporal recognition of sperm autoantigens by IgM and IgG autoantibodies after vasectomy and vasovasostomy

Temporal patterns of IgM and IgG autoantibodies to sperm proteins were studied by western blot analysis at intervals after bilateral vasectomy, vasectomy followed one month later by vasovasostomy, or sham operations. Responses were detected to eight major autoantigens at 21-23, 36, 41, 51, 57, 63, 68-71 and 75-83 kDa, by study of staining patterns of sequential serum samples from individual animals and by analysis of the incidence of reaction to each protein. The four lower molecular weight antigens (21-23, 36, 41 and 51 kDa) provoked mainly IgG responses. The strongly stained set of higher molecular weight antigens (57, 63, 68-71 and 75-83 kDa) tended to show more clearly defined temporal patterns of IgM followed by IgG response, including a high incidence of IgM antibody at the 2-week interval. Three of the larger peptides (57, 63 and 68-71 kDa) appeared highly immunogenic, since some reactions were detected even in sham-operated rats. The classical patterns of IgM and IgG antibody responses to the majority of the dominant sperm autoantigens are in accord with the hypothesis that vasectomy mimics immunization with spermatozoa. The high incidence of IgM antibodies in the earliest sample, taken 2 weeks after vasectomy, suggests that the initial immunizing event takes place within about a week after the operation. Vasovasostomy did not bring about a decrease in antisperm antibodies. Instead, some animals demonstrated an increased reaction to certain antigens after reversal of vasectomy, even though the vasovasostomies were anatomically successful.
Analysis of hematopoietic and lymphopoietic tissue during a regenerative aplastic crisis induced by avian retrovirus MAV-2(O).

Abstract Infection of 10-day-old chickens with an avian osteopetrosis virus resulted in a severe regenerative aplastic crisis. Hematopoietic and lymphopoietic tissues of chickens infected with myeloblastosis-associated virus (of subgroup B, inducing osteopetrosis, MAV-2(O)) were analyzed for integrated and unintegrated viral DNA sequences, cell population shifts, weight changes, and morphological alterations. By 6 days postinfection (p.i.), DNA from bone marrow cells and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) contained between 0.50 and 0.70 copies of viral DNA per haploid genome. Erythrocytes and splenic leukocytes contained less than 0.10 copies/haploid genome. Granulocytes and precursor mesomyelocytes were absent from bone marrow, but numbers of erythrocytes, erythroblasts, and reticulocytes were normal. By 9 days p.i., bone marrow was severely hypoplastic and both granulopoietic and erythropoietic colonies were depleted. By 12 days p.i., erythrocytes and granulocytes were maximally depressed in peripheral blood and the amount of integrated virus in bone marrow and PBL decreased to less than 0.20 copies/haploid genome. In contrast, erythrocytes contained integrated viral DNA of up to 0.30 copies/haploid genome, indicating infection of erythroctye precursors. At 18 days p.i., viral DNA was detected only in erythrocytes. Unintegrated viral DNA was not detected in any organs. Anemia was accompanied by splenomegaly and erythrophagocytosis. Viral DNA was never detected in thymus or bursa. Differential counting and flow cytometry of cells from bursa, thymus, and spleen, and of blood lymphocytes did not detect significant population shifts. These results suggest that MAV-2(0) infection of immuno-competent chickens occurs primarily in myelopoietic tissues, and tissues are selectiv ely infected.
Diaphyseal Non-union in the Distal Phalanx of a Child

Non-union after finger fracture is an infrequent complication. Although well described in adults, there are few reported cases in children. We describe a 6 year-old boy who presented with a non-union of the diaphysis of the distal phalanx three years after a finger tip crush injury.
Spleen necrosis virus-based vector delivery of anti-HIV-1 genes potently protects human hematopoietic cells from HIV-1 infection

Abstract In this study, we report on the efficacy of using a spleen necrosis virus (SNV)-based vector delivery system to block human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) replication in human hematopoietic cells. These efforts were directed towards the development of human immune system cell resistance to HIV-1 infection, based on the strategy of “intracellular immunization” via generation of a series of anti-HIV-1 therapeutic constructs carrying scFvs, single-chain variable fragments, against HIV-1 integrase and reverse transcriptase in combination with the trans-dominant mutant of HIV-1 Rev, RevM10. The efficiency of the anti-HIV-1 constructs were tested in viral challenge assays with different doses of HIV-1 NL4-3, Bal, 89.6 and R7-GFP strains. These experiments demonstrated the reduction of HIV-1 replication by these retroviral vector constructs in a range of 4- to 10-fold in CD4+ T-lymphocytes, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and primary human macrophages. We observed selective efficiency of SNV-based therapeutics in H9, C8166 and Jurkat T-lymphocytic cell lines, demonstrating the most efficient inhibition of HIV-1 replication in Jurkat T-cells. Thus, these data are the first demonstration of the ability of SNV-based retroviral vectors with select transgenes, which may have certain molecular advantages over other retroviral vector systems, to combat HIV-1 replication in human hematopoietic cells and support the potential for using SNV-expressed constructs in anti-HIV-1 molecular therapeutics.
Demonstration of low-noise phase-sensitive amplification and multicasting

We review the recent advances in ultra-low noise optical amplification and frequency multicasting relying on two-and four-mode parametric phase-sensitive processes, respectively. Their potential applications in future optical communications and real-time signal processing are discussed.
Image-degradation mechanisms in photorefractive amplifiers

The process of high-gain image amplification in photorefractive crystals is investigated. We show that in the regime of large energy transfer, the spatially nonuniform depletion of the pump wave results in the introduction of distortions into the amplified output image. This distortion mechanism and its dependence on the characteristics of the image to be amplified are described theoretically through numerical solutions of the coupled-wave equations for image-bearing beams. The numerical results are then checked experimentally in photorefractive BaTiO3.