cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HYPERFINE STRUCTURE OF THE METASTABLE $sup 3$P$sub 2$ STATE OF Cd$sup 111$ AND Cd$sup 11$$sup 3$

The hyperfine intervals of ${\mathrm{Cd}}^{111}$ and ${\mathrm{Cd}}^{113}$ ($5s, 5p, ^{3}P_{2}$) are $\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{111}(F=\frac{5}{2}, F=\frac{3}{2})=(8232.341\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002)$ Mc/sec; $\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{113}(F=\frac{5}{2}, F=\frac{3}{2})=(8611.586\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004)$ Mc/sec. The measured hyperfine anomaly is (0.0016\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0003)%.
Optimization and Variants of Quantile-Based Methods for Bias Corrections of Statistically Downscaled Precipitation Data

AbstractNew optimization and variants of quantile-based methods are developed for bias corrections of monthly and daily general circulation model (GCM)-based statistically downscaled precipitation ...
HMGA2-mediated tumorigenesis through angiogenesis in leiomyoma

Objective To study the role of HMGA2 in promoting angiogenesis in uterine leiomyoma (LM). Design This study involved evaluation of vessel density and angiogenic factors in leiomyomas with HMGA2 overexpression; examining angiogenic factor expression and AKT signaling in myometrial (MM) and leiomyoma cells by introducing HMGA2 overexpression in vitro; and exploring vessel formation induced by HMGA2 overexpression both in vitro and in vivo. Setting University research laboratory. Patients None. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures include vessel density in leiomyomas with HMGA2 (HMGA2-LM) or MED12 (MED12-LM) alteration; angiogenic factor expression in primary leiomyoma and in vitro cell line model; and vessel formation in leiomyoma cells with HMGA2 overexpression in vitro and in vivo. Results Angiogenic factors and receptors were significantly upregulated at mRNA and protein levels in HMGA2-LM. Specifically, HMGA2-LM exhibited increased expression of VEGFA, EGF, bFGF, TGFα, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 compared to MED12-LM and myometrium. Overexpression of HMGA2 in MM and LM cell lines resulted in increased secretion of angiogenesis-associated factors. Secreted factors promoted human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, tube formation, and wound healing. HMGA2 overexpression upregulated IGF2BP2 and pAKT, and silencing the IGF2BP2 gene reduced pAKT levels and reduced HUVEC migration. Myometrial cells with stable HMGA2 overexpression exhibited increased colony formation and cell growth in vitro and formed xenografts with increased blood vessels. Conclusions HMGA2-LM have a high vasculature density, which likely contributes to tumor growth and disease burden of this leiomyoma subtype. HMGA2 plays an important role in angiogenesis and the involvement of IGF2BP2-mediated pAKT activity in angiogenesis, which provides a potential novel target for therapy for this subtype of LM.
Efficacy and Survival after Palliative Radiotherapy for Malignant Pulmonary Obstruction.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of palliative radiotherapy (PRT) for patients with pulmonary obstruction from advanced malignancy and identify factors associat...
Spatial Analysis of Religious Community: An Integrated Approach to Barbados Quakerism, 1655–1780

Even without excavation, perspectives from archaeology prove useful in extending what is known from the documentary record. In particular, the use of geographic information system (GIS) analysis combined with historical maps and other data can show patterns in the physical landscape that relate to the social landscape and cultural and historical trends. Considering its size and the historical interest it has sparked, remarkably few physical or documentary traces of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Barbados survive. The group has excited a great deal of modern comment due to the coexistence of Quaker ideals of equality and Caribbean slavery, but broader trends in the development of this important community remain obscure. Here, a combination of historical maps, archaeological observations, GIS techniques, high-resolution satellite imagery, and other historical data are brought to bear on the distribution of Quaker sites on the landscape in order to reveal aspects of religious community formation and change.
Individual- and Community-Level Factors Associated With Detectable and Elevated Blood Lead Levels in US Children: Results From a National Clinical Laboratory.

Importance No safe level of exposure to lead has been identified. Objective To evaluate individual- and community-level factors associated with detectable and elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children. Design, setting, and participants This cross-sectional, retrospective study analyzed deidentified results from blood lead tests performed at a large clinical laboratory from October 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020. Participants were 1 141 441 children younger than 6 years living in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia who underwent blood lead testing during the study period. Children who underwent lead testing of unknown source and those with elevated BLLs who received capillary blood lead testing without confirmatory venous testing were excluded. Exposures Individual demographic categories included sex, age, and insurance type; community-level demographic categories included pre-1950s housing, poverty, predominant race and ethnicity, and geographical regions. Main outcomes and measures Proportions of children with detectable (≥1.0 μg/dL) and elevated (≥5.0 μg/dL) BLLs, by exposure category. Results Of the 1 141 441 children (586 703 boys [51.4%]; mean [SD] age, 2.3 [1.4] years) in the study, more than half of the children tested (576 092 [50.5%; 95% CI, 50.4%-50.6%]) had detectable BLLs, and 21 172 children (1.9% [95% CI, 1.8%-1.9%]) had BLLs of 5.0 μg/dL or more. In multivariable analyses, children with public insurance had greater odds of having detectable BLLs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.01 [95% CI, 1.99-2.04]) and elevated BLLs (AOR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.04-1.12]). The proportion of children with detectable and elevated BLLs increased significantly for progressive pre-1950s housing and poverty quintiles (P Conclusions and relevance This study suggests that, despite progress in reducing pediatric lead exposure, substantial individual- and community-level disparities persist.
Results of a Multi-Institutional Phase II Clinical Trial for 4DCT-Ventilation Functional Avoidance Thoracic Radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose Radiation pneumonitis remains a major limitation in the radiotherapy treatment of lung cancer patients. Functional avoidance radiotherapy uses functional imaging to reduce pulmonary toxicity by designing radiotherapy plans that reduce doses to functional regions of the lung. Lung functional imaging has been developed that uses 4DCT imaging to calculating 4DCT-based lung ventilation (4DCT-ventilation). A phase II, multi-center, study was initiated to evaluate 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance radiotherapy. The study hypothesis was that functional avoidance radiotherapy could reduce the rate of ≥ grade 2 radiation pneumonitis to 12% compared to a 25% historical rate; with the trial being positive if ≤ 16.4% of patients experienced ≥ grade 2 pneumonitis. Materials and Methods Lung cancer patients receiving curative-intent radiotherapy (prescription doses of 45-75 Gy) and chemotherapy were accrued. Patient 4DCTs were used to generate 4DCT-ventilation images. The 4DCT-ventilation images were used to generate functional avoidance plans that reduced doses to functional portions of the lung while delivering the prescribed tumor dose. Pneumonitis was evaluated by a clinician at 3, 6, and 12 months post radiotherapy. Results Sixty-seven evaluable patients were accrued between April, 2015 and December, 2019. The median prescription dose was 60 Gy (range 45–66 Gy) delivered in 30 fractions (range 15–33 fractions). The average reduction in functional volume of lung receiving ≥20 Gy with functional avoidance was 3.5% (range 0 to 12.8%). Median follow-up was 312 days. The rate of ≥ grade 2 radiation pneumonitis was 14.9% (10/67 patients, 95% CI 24.0%), meeting the phase II criteria. Conclusion 4DCT-ventilation offers an imaging modality that is convenient and provides functional imaging without an extra procedure necessary. Our study reports on the first multi-center study of 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance radiotherapy with data showing that the trial met phase II criteria and that evaluation in a phase III study is warranted.
Anorexia nervosa, seasonality, and polyunsaturated fatty acids

Anorexia nervosa is a serious neurobehavioral disorder marked by semistarvation, extreme fear of weight gain, frequently hyperactivity, and low body temperature. The etiology remains unknown. We present a speculation that a primary causative factor is that polyunsaturated fatty acids are skewed to prevent oxidative damage in phospholipid membranes. This causes a change in the trade off of oxidation protection vs homeoviscous adaptation to lower temperatures, which sets off a metabolic cascade that leads to the rogue state of anorexia nervosa.
Organizing Against the Neo-Liberal Privatization of Education In South Los Angeles: Reflections On the Transformative Potential of Grassroots Research

This auto/ethnographic study narrates how members of the Association of Raza Educators (ARE), a grassroots teacher-led organization, came together in undertaking action-research within what eventually became a stalled campaign to defend South Los Angeles Elementary from corporate takeover. Most of the work within the campaign involved action-research, including what I term organic popular education. In this paper I analyze the ways in which action-research functions as public pedagogy, further arguing for studies conducted from the vantage point of people immersed in grassroots organizations.
High current nanosecond pulse generator

A simple circuit that can generate current pulses with amplitudes ranging from 100 mA to 5 A and with pulse widths varying from 2 ns to 10 ns, is constructed. It is noted that this current pulser is ideal for driving low impedance loads under 10 Omega and uses only low-voltage power supplies. Current pulses are formed using a shunt-series type step recovery (charge storage) diode circuit in conjunction with several power MOSFETs. A unique biasing scheme has been used to store charge on the step recovery diodes, which eliminates the DC bias current normally used in this configuration. >
Logic and Psychology

The history of the interrelationship between logic and the biological sciences (including psychology), if it were to be traced from Aristotle to Wundt, and from Wundt to Piaget, would manifest a remarkable conceptual transformation. This transformation, however, appertains more to the contents of logic itself rather than to its basic relationship to the natural sciences. The essential objective, throughout, has remained the same: If the physical sciences, given their quantitative nature, have been able to engage the services of mathematical analysis, then the biological sciences, given their qualitative framework, have more appropriately sought to engage the methods of logical analysis. For logic necessarily possesses two essential traits which render it a proper instrument for cognitive psychology as well as comparative biology. Firstly, it consists of a system of qualitative schemata, in contrast to the quantitative atomism of the statistical methods; and secondly, it is susceptible of a high degree of precision, relative to the inexactness of the method of simple description. Thus logic, combining the merits of both the morphological and the mathematical analyses, permits psychology to pursue its objectives without methodological compromise: Namely, the description and explanation of psychological phenomena (cognitive, emotive, and adaptive), with a reasonable degree of precision, with reference to a set of psychological structures and operations. In this chapter, we shall first examine the theoretical relationship between logic and psychology, and subsequently describe the special system of logical analysis employed in genetic psychology (especially the School of Geneva).
Norm perception and communication for vasovagal symptoms in blood donation

Background Blood is a valuable resource, but most people do not donate. One deterrent to blood donation is the anticipation of vasovagal symptoms (e.g., dizziness, nausea, and fainting), despite the fact that such symptoms typically affect a small proportion of donors. The current research examined norm perceptions regarding vasovagal symptom experiences and used a message-framing paradigm to communicate accurate norm information and increase future donation intentions. Study Design and Methods Three studies were conducted using young adult samples. In Study 1, donors and nondonors estimated the percentage of people who experience vasovagal symptoms. In Studies 2 and 3, nondonors and donors (respectively) were provided with accurate, positively framed, or negatively framed norm messages and indicated their intentions to donate. Results In Study 1 we found that participants vastly overestimated how normative it was to experience vasovagal symptoms and this overestimation was stronger among nondonors. In Studies 2 and 3, we showed that positively framed normative messages (“90% of donors do not experience vasovagal symptoms”) were generally more influential than negatively framed messages (“10% of donors do experience vasovagal symptoms”), except among past donors who had unfavorable donation experiences. Conclusion These findings suggest that targeting and correcting norm perception may be a critical step toward improving blood donation rates.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prophylactic versus Pre-emptive Strategies for Preventing Cytomegalovirus Infection in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Background: In kidney transplant (KT) recipients, CMV infection poses significant morbidity and mortality. Both prophylactic and pre-emptive approaches for preventing CMV infection have been utilized. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of routine prophylaxis vs . pre-emptive treatment for preventing CMV disease after KT. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of routine prophylaxis vs . pre-emptive treatment for preventing CMV disease after KT. Combining 4 comprehensive search terms (CMV, renal transplant, prophylaxis, pre-emptive); we searched PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register from inception through January 2011. We also evaluated studies referenced in review articles and abstracts from meetings of major nephrology and transplant societies (2009–2011). Two authors independently extracted data and assessed methodological criteria. The primary outcome was the pooled estimate of the odds ratio (OR) of developing CMV infection. Secondary outcomes included OR of acute rejection, OR of graft loss and OR of death within first year of KT. Comprehensive Meta-analysis V2 software was used for data analysis. Results: Analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials (991 patients; ganciclovir=5, valganciclovir=4) with CMV infection as an outcome revealed the OR of CMV infection to be 0.34 (95% CI: 0.25–0.46, p=0.008) for the prophylactic vs . the pre-emptive groups. The OR of acute rejection (7 studies; 1358 patients) was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.41–0.67, p=0.001) with prophylactic approach compared to pre-emptive treatment; graft loss (7 studies; OR 0.52 [95% CI: 0.34–1.12, p=0.32] and mortality (6 studies; OR 0.84 [95% CI: 0.62–1.23, p=0.23]) were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: Prophylactic approach is superior to pre-emptive approach in preventing CMV infection within the first year of kidney transplant. The risk of developing acute rejection is also lower with prophylactic approach in the first year of transplant but there is no significant difference in graft loss or mortality with either approach.
Stability robustness relations for combined H ∞ /LQG control

Sufficient conditions are derived in a probabilistic framework to determine sets of closed-loop stabilized matrix perturbations for controllers that satisfy an H∞ constraint while minimizing an LQG performance index.
Discovery of cancer drug targets by CRISPR-Cas9 screening of protein domains

CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology holds great promise for discovering therapeutic targets in cancer and other diseases. Current screening strategies target CRISPR-Cas9-induced mutations to the 5' exons of candidate genes, but this approach often produces in-frame variants that retain functionality, which can obscure even strong genetic dependencies. Here we overcome this limitation by targeting CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis to exons encoding functional protein domains. This generates a higher proportion of null mutations and substantially increases the potency of negative selection. We also show that the magnitude of negative selection can be used to infer the functional importance of individual protein domains of interest. A screen of 192 chromatin regulatory domains in murine acute myeloid leukemia cells identifies six known drug targets and 19 additional dependencies. A broader application of this approach may allow comprehensive identification of protein domains that sustain cancer cells and are suitable for drug targeting.
Incidence and clinical significance of morphologically benign-appearing endometrial cells in patients age 40 years or older: the impact of the 2001 Bethesda System.

BACKGROUND The 2001 Bethesda System (TBS 2001) introduced a new diagnostic category—normal endometrial cells in women age 40 years or older (EM ≥ 40). The objective of the current study was to determine whether there was any significant increase in the frequency with which this diagnosis was reported after the implementation of TBS 2001 and the clinical significance of this diagnosis. METHODS All women who had a Papanicolaou (Pap) test and a diagnosis of EM ≥ 40 between January 1999 to December 2003 were identified. Follow-up included repeat Pap tests and/or surgical pathology. TBS 2001 was implemented on January 1, 2002. RESULTS In total, 556 Pap tests with a diagnosis of EM ≥ 40 were identified, accounting for 0.52% of the 106,204 Pap tests evaluated during the study period. The incidence of EM ≥ 40 before and after implementation of the new TBS was 0.47% and 0.61%, respectively, and showed a statistically significant difference. One hundred four patients (19%) underwent endometrial tissue sampling, including 22 patients who underwent hysterectomy (4%) and 82 patients who underwent endometrial biopsy (15%). Overall, 1 patient (2%) had significant endometrial pathology, namely, complex endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. CONCLUSIONS A significant increase in the incidence of EM ≥ 40 was observed with the implementation of TBS 2001. However, there was no difference in the proportion of patients that underwent endometrial tissue sampling. In addition, the incidence of clinically significant endometrial lesions associated with such a diagnosis was very low. The authors recommend that women with benign endometrial cells on Pap tests in women age 40 years or older should undergo endometrial biopsy only when additional clinical indicators are identified. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Quantitative glass paper chromatography: phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin

A rapid chromatographic procedure was developed for the separation of sphingomyelin, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl inositol, and free fatty acids on glass paper coated with sodium silicate. In addition, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin were determined quantitatively by densitometry of the charred chromatogram, which was obtained by spraying the developed chromatogram with sulfuric acid and heating in an oven. The separation of phosphatides on sodium silicate-treated glass paper is more rapid than on silicic acid-impregnated paper, and the former is simpler to prepare. Preliminary application of this quantitative technique to human serum indicates that it may have a wide adaptability for the determination of phospholipids in natural products.
Ab Initio Evaluation of Plasmon Lifetimes in the Alkali Metals

The anomalous plasmon linewidth dispersion (PLD) measured in K by vom Felde, Sprosser-Prou, and Fink (Phys. Rev. B 40, 10181 (1989)), has been attributed to strong dynamical electron-electron correlations. On the basis of ab initio response calculations, and detailed comparison with experiment, we show that the PLD of K is, in fact, dominated by decay into particle-hole excitations involving empty states of d-symmetry. For Li, we shed new light on the physics of the PLD. Our all-electron results illustrate the importance of ab initio methods for the study of electronic excitations.
Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Developing Countries

Iron deficiency and anemia are major public health concerns throughout the world and are of special concern in many developing countries where the incidence and severity of anemia in certain populations is very high. Pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and young children are especially vulnerable to iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) because of increased iron needs during growth and pregnancy, and iron losses during menstruation and childbirth. The most commonly used indicator of IDA in many resource-poor settings is hemoglobin; however, since anemia can be caused by factors other than iron deficiency, it is recommended that measurement of hemoglobin be combined with a more specific measure of iron status such as ferritin to determine whether the anemia is due to iron deficiency. IDA, especially severe anemia (hemoglobin < 7 g/dl), can influence outcomes in both the mother and her child, including maternal mortality, birth weight, cognition in both the mother and her child, and infant development, among other outcomes. Strategies to improve iron status and reduce the burden of anemia include iron supplementation, staple food fortification, dietary diversification and modification, and public health measures, such as control and prevention of parasitic diseases, which can cause anemia. Although some anemia prevention strategies have proven successful, iron deficiency and anemia continue to impose a considerable public health burden on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and children. Further research and commitment by all stakeholders involved in public health are necessary to better understand how to prevent and control iron deficiency and anemia, especially in settings where anemia is widespread and very severe.
In vivo capture and label-free detection of early metastatic cells

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death for women, with mortality resulting from metastasis. Metastases are often detected once tumour cells affect the function of solid organs, with a high disease burden limiting effective treatment. Here we report a method for the early detection of metastasis using an implanted scaffold to recruit and capture metastatic cells in vivo, which achieves high cell densities and reduces the tumour burden within solid organs 10-fold. Recruitment is associated with infiltration of immune cells, which include Gr1(hi)CD11b(+) cells. We identify metastatic cells in the scaffold through a label-free detection system using inverse spectroscopic optical coherence tomography, which identifies changes to nanoscale tissue architecture associated with the presence of tumour cells. For patients at risk of recurrence, scaffold implantation following completion of primary therapy has the potential to identify metastatic disease at the earliest stage, enabling initiation of therapy while the disease burden is low.
Standard Estimation, Standard Tightness, and Benchmarking: A Method with an Application to Nursing Services

This paper presents a new method for estimating standards. Prior accounting research suggests the need for flexibility in setting standards in order to allow managers to make trade-offs between efficiency and attainability, and also between inputs with different relative prices to minimize cost. Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis (SDEA) is adapted to introduce flexibility in setting standards and deriving mix and yield variances relative to comparative data from historical records or from other organizations. This approach to relative performance evaluation and benchmarking has practical appeal since industry level data is increasingly being shared as, for example, in the health care sector. Hospital nursing cost data are used to illustrate this approach.
An Evaluation of the Effects of Jail Diversion and Reentry for Mentally Ill Offenders

Jewish Family Services (JFS) is a nonprofit agency that assists mentally ill offenders in southern New Jersey. In an effort to steer misdemeanants to treatment rather than jail or probation, JFS established agreements with police to provide pre- and postbooking diversion for misdemeanants whose offenses appear to be a product of mental illness. JFS also participates in reentry planning services for incarcerated mentally ill offenders who are serving county jail sentences. Data were collected for cases involving clients who were diverted or participated in reentry and people who were referred to JFS and either were ineligible for reasons other than criminal offense type or drug and alcohol addiction or were eligible but unable to be contacted by JFS. Treatment participants remained in the community before being incarcerated for an average of 218 days longer than the members of the comparison group, and this difference remained statistically significant when controlling for other relevant variables.
Professor M. Gazi Yaşargil: an appreciation by a former apprentice.

An appreciation of Professor M. Gazi Yasargil is presented as part of the celebration of his selection as Neurosurgery's Man of the Century. The early history of microneurosurgery and the immense contribution of Yasargil to the development of this methodology are reviewed. The impact of Professor Yasargil on the development of specific operations and instruments is an important aspect of his role in creating this change in neurosurgery. Without trying to predict what history will remember, it is safe to say that every neurosurgical procedure performed today has been affected by Yasargil's efforts. In the broadest way possible, he has dramatically changed for the better how neurosurgery is "thought, taught, and performed."
Response of primary leptomeningeal melanoma to intrathecal recombinant interleukin-2: A case report

BACKGROUND Primary leptomeningeal melanomas are rare tumors that originate in the leptomeninges and are associated with a poor prognosis and no response to radiation and chemotherapy. These tumors rarely metastasize outside the central nervous system. Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) is a cytokine that activates natural killer cells and lymphokine-activated killer cells, augments their antitumor effects, and recruits and activates cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We hypothesized that rIL-2 may prolong disease free survival in a patient with primary leptomeningeal melanoma. METHODS The patient was treated with intrathecal rIL-2 via lumbar puncture daily for 5 days, then weekly for 5 weeks. To investigate whether rIL-2 induced a favorable clinical response, the following parameters were monitored: survival, neurologic status, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, visual fields, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine. RESULTS The patient is still alive and disease free 15 months after receiving rIL-2, and his neurologic status remains unchanged. The CSF glucose concentration, undetectable prior to therapy, has become normal. Repeated cytologic examinations of CSF were negative for malignant cells. The visual field examinations have remained unchanged. MRI scans of the lumbosacral spine have shown the development of arachnoiditis, but no recurrence of the mass lesion. CONCLUSIONS The tumor response in this patient, as measured by remarkable disease free survival and normalization of the CSF glucose concentration, illustrates the potential benefits of intrathecal rIL-2 in the treatment of patients with this otherwise rapidly fatal disease. Cancer 1996; 77:1544-50.
Concluding remarks: social work practice in the quiet "devolution revolution".

In the foreword to Martin Rein's seminal text entitled Social Policy: Issues of Choice and Change (1970), Richard Titmuss harkened the essence of social policy when he stated: A social scientist is...
Reactivity of O-methylated Illinois No. 6 coal towards alkyllithiums/methyl iodide

An O-methylated Illinois No. 6 vitrain was treated repeatedly with a series of C-H indicator bases of known pKa and quenched with 13,14C-methyl iodide. The extent of 14CH3 incorporation depended strongly upon base strength, increasing in the order 9-phenylfluorenyllithium < fluorenyllithium < trityllithium. A significant number of methyl groups (0.7–1.2100 coal carbons) were introduced with fluorenyllithium and trityllithium as the base. Additional methyl groups were added upon a second and third treatment with base and alkylating agent. After three treatments, the number of added methyl groups had doubled. The extent of base reagent incorporation was established by parallel experiments using 14C-enriched bases. CP/MAS 13C n.m.r. of the first coal alkylation product using trityllithium and 13C-enriched methyl iodide was consistent with predominantly C-alkylation. From these results, a unified picture for coal structure emerges which contains a distribution of reactive C-H sites, distinguishable on the basis of their acid-base properties. Possible reactive sub-structures are considered.
Therapeutic uses of animal biles in traditional Chinese medicine: An ethnopharmacological, biophysical chemical and medicinal review

Forty-four different animal biles obtained from both invertebrates and vertebrates (including human bile) have been used for centuries for a host of maladies in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) beginning with dog, ox and common carp biles approximately in the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046-256 BCE). Overall, different animal biles were prescribed principally for the treatment of liver, biliary, skin (including burns), gynecological and heart diseases, as well as diseases of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and throat. We present an informed opinion of the clinical efficacy of the medicinal uses of the different animal biles based on their presently known principal chemical components which are mostly steroidal detergent-like molecules and the membrane lipids such as unesterified cholesterol and mixed phosphatidylcholines and sometimes sphingomyelin, as well as containing lipopigments derived from heme principally bilirubin glucuronides. All of the available information on the ethnopharmacological uses of biles in TCM were collated from the rich collection of ancient Chinese books on materia medica held in libraries in China and United States and the composition of various animal biles was based on rigorous separatory and advanced chemical identification techniques published since the mid-20(th) century collected via library (Harvard's Countway Library) and electronic searches (PubMed and Google Scholar). Our analysis of ethnomedical data and information on biliary chemistry shows that specific bile salts, as well as the common bile pigment bilirubin and its glucuronides plus the minor components of bile such as vitamins A, D, E, K, as well as melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) are salutary in improving liver function, dissolving gallstones, inhibiting bacterial and viral multiplication, promoting cardiac chronotropsim, as well as exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-oxidant, sedative, anti-convulsive, anti-allergic, anti-congestive, anti-diabetic and anti-spasmodic effects. Pig, wild boar and human biles diluted with alcohol were shown to form an artificial skin for burns and wounds one thousand years ago in the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE). Although various animal biles exhibit several generic effects in common, a number of biles appear to be advantageous for specific therapeutic indications. We attempt to understand these effects based on the pharmacology of individual components of bile as well as attempting to identify a variety of future research needs.
An expository note on individual risk without aggregate uncertainty

Abstract In economies where agents bear some risk, the analysis would often be facilitated by the assumption that the risks are i.i.d. and disappear in the aggregate. A formal appeal to the law of large numbers requires the consideration of a sequence of finite economies. In an economy with a continuum of agents there are countable families of sets for which it is impossible for a law of large numbers to be valid. With countably many agents and a finitely additive measure, independence is compatible with the law of large numbers.
Optimal extraction with grade variation and endogenous reserves

Abstract This paper describes and analyzes a simple model of a competitive firm engaged in non-petroleum resource extraction. It allows for grade variation within a mineral deposit, treats as endogenous the determination of reserves and distinguishes between ore throughput and metal output. The central result is a characterization of the optimal intertemporal extraction profile. A numerical example illustrates the main principle of quality selection.
Higher-order truths about chmess

Abstract Many projects in contemporary philosophy are artifactual puzzles of no abiding significance, but it is treacherously easy for graduate students to be lured into devoting their careers to them, so advice is proffered on how to avoid this trap.
Physician to the World: The Life of General William C. Gorgas

The reader who likes to look behind the facts will find the section on the history of charitable and philanthropic giving fascinating reading. Here the picture swings from early Egyptian times through the. Chinese, Greek, and Roman concepts of charity to the early English "statute of charitable uses" of 1601, thence into the changing patterns of modern giving. This excellent book also furnishes practical information and guidance on the problems faced by each type of giver. KENNETH DEWITT WIDDEMER
Coarctation of the Pulmonary Artery

CONCLUSIONS Coarctation of the pulmonary artery and branches is now a well recognized clinical entity. Ten cases are added to published reports. The occurrence of associated congenital cardiovascular anomalies are frequent. The presence of a continuous or an ejection systolic murmur at the base well heard over both axilla with a loud pulmonic component of the second sound, right ventricular hypertrophy and diminished pulmonary vascular markings suggest the diagnosis. Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The condition is amenable to surgical correction.
Biologically inspired grasp planning using only orthogonal approach angles

One approach to robotic grasping is to compute hand configurations, including contact locations, which would maximize a variety of measures of grasp quality. There is evidence that human-guided robotic grasps exhibit orthogonality of the wrist as a key feature. Orthogonality of the hand to the object frame or surfaces is often included in state-of-the art grasp synthesis algorithms, but here we present a systematic study of the efficacy of orthogonality alone. The orthogonality-alone planner works with a surprisingly good success rate on a variety of physical objects using only a single exposure from a depth camera and no object models whatsoever. Principal axes of an object are identified from the point cloud, the approach angle is determined from the second principal axis, and the orientation of the hand is vertical from the first axis. When this technique is applied to 19 novel objects presented in front of a physical robot, utilizing automatic object segmentation, the grasp success rate is 98.4%.
Periodic and Aperiodic Variability in the Molecular Cloud ρ Ophiuchus

Presented are the results of a near-IR photometric survey of 1678 stars in the direction of the ρ Ophiuchus (ρ Oph) star forming region using data from the 2MASS Calibration Database. For each target in this sample, up to 1584 individual J-, H-, and K_s-band photometric measurements with a cadence of ~1 day are obtained over three observing seasons spanning ~2.5 yr; it is the most intensive survey of stars in this region to date. This survey identifies 101 variable stars with ΔK_s-band amplitudes from 0.044 to 2.31 mag and Δ(J − K_s) color amplitudes ranging from 0.053 to 1.47 mag. Of the 72 young ρ Oph star cluster members included in this survey, 79% are variable; in addition, 22 variable stars are identified as candidate members. Based on the temporal behavior of the K_s time-series, the variability is distinguished as either periodic, long time-scale or irregular. This temporal behavior coupled with the behavior of stellar colors is used to assign a dominant variability mechanism. A new period-searching algorithm finds periodic signals in 32 variable stars with periods between 0.49 to 92 days. The chief mechanism driving the periodic variability for 18 stars is rotational modulation of cool starspots while 3 periodically vary due to accretion-induced hot spots. The time-series for six variable stars contains discrete periodic "eclipse-like" features with periods ranging from 3 to 8 days. These features may be asymmetries in the circumstellar disk, potentially sustained or driven by a proto-planet at or near the co-rotation radius. Aperiodic, long time-scale variations in stellar flux are identified in the time-series for 31 variable stars with time-scales ranging from 64 to 790 days. The chief mechanism driving long time-scale variability is variable extinction or mass accretion rates. The majority of the variable stars (40) exhibit sporadic, aperiodic variability over no discernable time-scale. No chief variability mechanism could be identified for these variable stars.
Cervical osteotomies for neurological deformities.

To report our experience and technique for performing cervical osteotomies under the setting of cervical deformity and myelopathy. Patients who underwent cervical osteotomies for CD with myelopathy were identified in a 10 year period from 2000 to 2010. Demographics, surgery type, osteotomy type, operative details, and radiographs were collected for pre-operative and ultimate post-operative time points. Cervical lordosis (CL) and basion plumb line were collected to assess angular and translational corrections. In the study period, a total of 35 patients underwent a cervical osteotomy for fixed cervical deformity with a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy with an average follow-up of 3.4 years (range 1.0–6.3). The cohort was separated into two groups based on the type of surgical approach taken to correct their deformity. Anterior osteotomy with or without posterior instrumentation were performed in 31 patients (Group 1). Pedicle subtraction osteotomies were performed in 4 patients (Group 2). For Group 1, the mean angular correction achieved in this was 27.7° (range 9.0–66.0°) and the mean translational correction was 1.8 cm (range 0.1–2.4 cm). In group 2, the mean angular correction was 48.8° (range 38.4–68.3°) and the mean translational correction was 2.8 cm per PSO (range 0.1–5.6 cm). Similar improvements in pre- and post-operative Neck Disability Index scores were achieved with either osteotomy technique. We present our series of patients with cervical myelopathy and/or radiculopathy and concurrent cervical deformity who were treated with cervical osteotomies. The re-alignment of the spine was a key step in preventing the progression of myelopathy and protecting the spinal cord from the continued injury.
Intracardiac Echocardiographic Imaging of Cardiac Abnormalities, Ischemic Myocardial Dysfunction, and Myocardial Perfusion: Studies With a 10 MHz Ultrasound Catheter

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), an echocardiographic examination from within the heart itself, has been proposed as a new modality for cardiac imaging. A major shortcoming has been the limited depth of field provided by previously available devices. We used 10 MHz catheters for ICE to determine if this lower frequency would allow for greater display of cardiac anatomy. We performed ICE in seven animals; myocardial ischemia was induced in three. With the imaging catheter in the right atrium, all four cardiac chambers and valves could be imaged. Advancing the transducer into the right ventricle allowed for short-axis images of the left ventricle. Coronary perfasion territories and segmental wall motion abnormalities could be observed. We then performed ICE in six patients by advancing the catheter into the right side of the heart percutaneously. Structures of the right side of the heart, the mitral valve, aortic valve, left atrium, and portions of the left ventricle, were visualized. Congenital and acquired abnormalities could be identified. There were no complications. We conclude that ICE with 10F, 10 MHz ultrasound catheters allows for expanded imaging capabilities because of the increased depth of field. With this imaging modality, congenital and acquired abnormalities as well as myocardial ischemia can be detected.
Presidents, Justices, and Deference to Administrative Action

This article examines the effect of the relationship between the president and Supreme Court Justices on justices' voting in administrative law cases. I evaluate Cohen and Spitzer's theory that justices tailor the pro- or antideference signal sent to the lower courts based on their relationship with the sitting president. The results show, contrary to the theory of Cohen and Spitzer, that justices' votes in administrative law cases are influenced by the ideology of the president under whom the administrative decisions were made rather than by the ideology of the president in office at the time of the Court's decision.
Role of the tunneling ray in near-critical-angle scattering by a dielectric sphere

The scattering far zone for light transmitted through a sphere following p-1 internal reflections by a family of near-grazing incident rays is subdivided into a lit region and a shadow region. The sharpness of the ray theory transition between the lit and the shadow regions is smoothed in wave theory by radiation shed by electromagnetic surface waves. It is shown that when higher-order terms in the physical optics approximation to the phase of the partial-wave scattering amplitudes are included, the transition between the lit and the shadow regions becomes a two-ray-to-zero-ray transition, called a superweak caustic in analogy to the more familiar scattering caustics and weak scattering caustics. One of the merged rays is a tunneling ray.
Potential for using visual, auditory and olfactory cues to manage foraging behaviour and spatial distribution of rangeland livestock

This paper reviews the literature and reports on the current state of knowledge regarding the potential for managers to use visual (VC), auditory (AC) and olfactory (OC) cues to manage foraging behaviour and spatial distribution of rangeland livestock. We present evidence that free-ranging livestock use these sensory cues to make decisions about foraging, drinking, habitat selection and spatial distribution, and to detect and avoid predators. This knowledge provides managers with opportunities to favourably alter behavioural patterns of rangeland ungulates. Opportunities to use sensory cues to shape livestock spatial distribution patterns arise primarily from the abilities of animals to: (a) learn to respond to cue–consequence associations that enhance their ability to adapt to changing foraging environments on rangelands, (b) generalize learned cue–consequence associations across spatial and temporal foraging scales and (c) influence one another’s behaviour through social learning. Key literature on cue–consequence principles is initially reviewed from fine-scale studies (e.g., controlled studies conducted in mazes, arenas). Applications of cue–consequence principles are then highlighted from literature dealing with field-scale studies (e.g., controlled and observational studies conducted in large pastures or paddocks). We then discuss potential management implications derived from these studies. Finally, we summarize conclusions and recommendations for potential future research directions. The studies reviewed here suggest that VC, AC and OC associated with positive or negative reinforcers can be used to effectively direct livestock towards or away from selected areas. The feasibility of favourably altering grazing pressure on rangelands without having to build expensive, static fences has the potential to provide substantial economic and ecologic advantages.
Hartree Fields of Carbon

A new method of integrating the Hartree equations for the charge distributions of the electrons in an atom is described and the wave functions for the ground state and the first excited state of carbon are tabulated.
Verification and Validation: The West Coast Mainline Railway Upgrade Programme

Verification is the process of establishing compliance between specifications (designs) and lower-level specifications (or designs). Validation is the process of establishing compliance between implemented works and specifications. This article reports on the application of a formal, highly structured verification and validation (V&V) process to the West Coast Mainline (WCML) updating program of the Network Rail in England. The WCML has 641 route miles, 38 tunnels, 10,244 bridges, spans or culverts, and 118 level crossings. The major upgrade, called the WC Programme, updates the operational railway to support the needs of passenger and freight customers, including Virgin Trains who introduced high-speed tilting trains. The author notes that the adoption of formal V&V processes on the complex WC Programme was a significant challenge and some of the initial procedures required modification before the eventual, very effective process was implemented. The author elaborates on the WC process, the problems encountered, the human issues, and the successes. The V&V process captures and integrates the Programme's other initiatives such as risk analysis, safety cases, derogations to standards process, quality assurance, and configuration management. The author concludes that the formal process has resulted in client cost savings, reduced risk, and positive confirmation of compliance with the many and exacting program requirements.
The relationship between motivational processes and career exploration

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to examine the theoretical and empirical relationships between motivational processes, and career exploration beliefs and behavior. In order to test propositions that were derived from a review of the relevant career development and human motivation literatures, an individual differences measure of motivational orientations and a multidimensional measure of exploratory activity and beliefs were administered to 154 undergraduates (mean age = 18.7). A canonical analysis, which included age and gender along with the three motivational orientations, yielded one significant canonical root that accounted for 22% of the variance between canonical composites. This root indicated that the autonomy and control orientations, which are associated with intrinsic and extrinsic sources of motivation, respectively, are positively related to self-exploration and beliefs in the instrumentality of career decision-making exploration. The results were related to theory, research, and practice on the role of motivational processes in career development.