cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximal words in sequence comparisons based on subword composition

Measures of sequence similarity and distance based more or less explicitly on subword composition are attracting an increasing interest driven by intensive applications such as massive document classification and genome-wide molecular taxonomy. A uniform character of such measures is in some underlying notion of relative compressibility, whereby two similar sequences are expected to share a larger number of common substrings than two distant ones. This paper reviews some of the approaches to sequence comparison based on subword composition and suggests that their common denominator may ultimately reside in special classes of subwords, the nature of which resonates in interesting ways with the structure of popular subword trees and graphs.
Role of IgA versus IgG in the Control of Influenza Viral Infection in the Murine Respiratory Tract

The roles of IgG and secretory IgA in the protection of the respiratory tract (RT) against influenza infection remain unclear. Passive immunization with Ab doses resulting in serum IgG anti-influenza virus Ab titers far in excess of those observed in immune mice has compounded the problem. We compared the effects of i.v. anti-influenza virus IgG and i.v. anti-influenza virus polymeric IgA (pIgA) mAb administered in amounts designed to replicate murine convalescent serum or nasal Ab titers, respectively. A serum anti-influenza virus IgG titer 2.5 times the normal convalescent serum anti-influenza virus IgG titer was required for detectible Ab transudation into nasal secretions, and a serum IgG titer 7 times normal was needed to lower nasal viral shedding by 98%. Anti-influenza virus pIgA at a nasal Ab titer comparable to that seen in convalescent mice eliminated nasal viral shedding. The RT of influenza-infected pIgA- or IgG-protected mice were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Only pIgA was found to prevent virally induced pathology in the upper RT, suggesting that IgG did not prevent viral infection of the nose, but neutralized newly replicated virus after infection had been initiated. In contrast, IgG, but not pIgA, was found to prevent viral pathology in the murine lung. Our results help to resolve the controversy of IgA- vs IgG-mediated protection of the RT; both Abs are important, with plasma IgG Ab serving as the back-up for secretory IgA-mediated protection in the nasal compartment, and IgG being the dominant Ab in protection of the lung.
Characterizing binary matroids with no P 9 -minor

In this paper, we give a complete characterization of binary matroids with no P 9 -minor. A 3-connected binary matroid M has no P 9 -minor if and only if M is a 3-connected regular matroid, a binary spike with rank at least four, one of the internally 4-connected non-regular minors of a special 16-element matroid Y 16 , or a matroid obtained by 3-summing copies of the Fano matroid to a 3-connected cographic matroid M * ( K 3 , n ) , M * ( K 3 , n ' ) , M * ( K 3 , n ? ) , or M * ( K 3 , n ? ) ( n ? 2 ). Here the simple graphs K 3 , n ' , K 3 , n ? , and K 3 , n ? are obtained from K 3 , n by adding one, two, or three edges in the color class of size three, respectively.
Clenbuterol Induces Hypertrophy of the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle and Heart in the Rat With Molecular and Phenotypic Changes

Background Skeletal muscle assistance of the circulation for patients in end-stage heart failure requires electrical training of the latissimus dorsi flap to produce fatigue resistance. This process of electrical transformation and the development of postmobilization atrophy results in a profound loss in peak power generated. The β2-adrenoceptor agonist clenbuterol was used to investigate its potential to selectively induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy, particularly the latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM), independent of adverse effects on cardiac muscle. Methods and Results Forty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and used in this study. Clenbuterol 2 μg · g body wt−1 · d−1 was administered subcutaneously for a period of either 5 weeks (group A) or 2 weeks (group A1). Groups B and B1 (controls) were injected with 0.5 mL normal saline once daily. At the end of the experimental period, all rats were weighed and terminally anesthetized for removal of the left LDM, left gastrocnemius-plantar...
Political Partisanship and the Military Ethic in America

The article addresses the results of a recently published survey on civil-military relations that revealed a close affiliation between the officer corps and the Republican Party. Based largely on t...
Photo-luminescent quantum dots used for security identification

Information retrieval is critical in security technologies such as those for status identification and documentation authentication. Ideally, coding materials should be difficult to locate, impossible to counterfeit, and easy to process. This presentation addresses a novel information retrieval technology with these ideal features of its coding materials: the photo-luminescent (PL) quantum-dots (QD) synthesized via wet-chemistry approaches. As compared to traditional PL materials, they exhibit emission with narrower full width at half maximum, greater brightness, and higher photo-stability; also, their PL wavelength can be easily and accurately tuned via their size, structure, and composition. Due to such a feasible tune-ability, mainly, QDs have demonstrated enormous potential applications in security and defense. When QDs are excited, they can provide coded information with their PL wavelength and intensity. If the coding wavelengths from the QD PL are designed as the Fraunhofer lines, i.e. black lines in solar spectrum, the retrieval system can extract the useful information even under sunshine covering areas. Multi-photon excitation (MPE) technologies can further extend applications of QDs to multi-layer information extraction. For an info-label of 2-millimeter in depth, a MPE system with the depth resolution less than one micro-meter can thus achieve 2 GB resolutions, when a coding material exhibiting 6 PL wavelengths with 10 intensity levels. In general, transparent thin-film coating of QDs can be applied to various substrates, such as documents, fingernails, and military helmets and vehicles. Moreover, QD based security information can be easily destroyed by preset expiration in the presence of timing agents.
Regulation of transforming growth factor. beta. 1 gene expression by the product of the retinoblastoma-susceptibility gene

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) isoforms inhibit the growth of many cell types and block progression of the cell cycle by inhibiting events in late G1 phase. The retinoblastoma gene product, RB, also has properties of a cell-cycle regulatory factor. It remains underphosphorylated in the presence of TGF-beta and has been shown to repress the activity of the c-fos promoter, resulting in inhibition of transit through the cell cycle. These observations led us to examine effects of human RB on the expression of the human TGF-beta 1 gene. Using chimeric TGF-beta 1 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene constructs, we show that RB induces TGF-beta 1 gene expression in CCL-64 mink lung epithelial cells and A-549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells but represses its expression in NIH 3T3 and AKR-2B mouse cells. Several sequences homologous to the c-fos RB control element were identified in the TGF-beta 1 promoter. These results demonstrate that human RB can regulate TGF-beta 1 gene expression negatively or positively depending on the cell type.
Modulation of the Estradiol-Induced Luteinizing Hormone Surge by Progesterone or Antiestrogens: Effects on Pituitary Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors*

The present study examined the question of whether modulation of estradiol-induced LH surges by progesterone or antiestrogens in the immature rat might be related to changes in the concentration of pituitary GnRH receptors (GnRH-R). Rats (28 days old) that received estradiol implants at 0900 h had LH surges approximately 32 h later. Administration of progesterone or nafoxidine (U-11,100 A; l-(2-[P-(3,4-dihydro-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1-naphthyl)phenoxy] py rrolidine hydrochloride) concomitantly with estradiol led to blockade of these LH surges (progesterone or nafoxidine inhibition), while progesterone treatment 24 h after estradiol brought about premature and enhanced LH release (progesterone facilitation). GnRH-R-binding capacity was determined by saturation analysis in homogenates of single pituitaries from immature rats treated with estradiol and progesterone or nafoxidine and controls treated only with estradiol using [125I]iodo-(D-Ala6,Des- Glylo)GnRH ethylamide. The affinity of GnRH-R for this analog ra...
Proteome and system ontology of hemorrhagic shock: Exploring early constitutive changes in postshock mesenteric lymph

Background Postshock mesenteric lymph (PSML) is the mechanistic link between splanchnic ischemia reperfusion (IR) and remote organ injury. We hypothesize that an unbiased inspection of the proteome of PSML will reveal previously unrecognized aberrations in systems biology provoked by hemorrhage-induced mesenteric IR injury in vivo. Methods Shock was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by controlled hemorrhage, and the mesenteric duct was cannulated for lymph collection. Preshock and postshock lymph were collected for differential in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE)-based proteomics. Proteins that increased or decreased in relative concentration ≥1.5-fold were selected for trypsin digestion and analysis by mass spectrometry (MS). Results Evidence of tissue injury was detected by an increase in cell/tissue proteins in PSML. Components of coagulation were depleted, whereas products of hemolysis were increased. Haptoglobin was decreased, which supports an early postshock hemolytic process. Interestingly, several protective protease inhibitors were decreased in PSML. The unexpected findings were an increase in α-enolase (a key glycolitic enzyme and cell-surface plasminogen binding receptor, +2.4-fold change) and increased major urinary protein (MUP, a sex-specific lipid-binding protein, +17.1-fold change) in PSML. Conclusion A proteomic evaluation of PSML revealed evidence of several shock-associated processes: protein release from tissue injury, depletion of coagulation factors and evidence of hemolysis, depletion of protective protease inhibitors, and an increase in abundance of lipid carriers. These results suggest that constitutive changes in the proteome of PSML may provide novel insights into the complex pathophysiology of postshock systems biology.
Using Behavioral Theories to Design Abstinence Programs

Abstract If adolescents abstain from sex, or delay having sex, the risk of pregnancy is essentially zero, and the sexual transmission of a communicable disease is diminished substantially. Whatever other, nonpublic health reasons one may have for preferring abstinence as an approach to the prevention of teen pregnancy, the potential for a sizable reduction in rates of adolescent pregnancy supports abstinence as a reasonable strategy. The issue of abstinence as an approach has less to do with the desirability of the goal than with figuring out successful ways to persuade adolescents to comply. While numerous abstinence programs have been implemented, no “silver-bullet” strategies have been identified to date. Abstinence interventions (like most efforts to prevent teen pregnancy) are usually ad hoc, implemented opportunistically, or designed on the basis of a personal hunch. Few programs have been evaluated, and among those with evaluations, most have shown very little effect on the timing of sexual debut. When effects are found, they have been fairly small, with teens delaying sex for a matter of months, when the goal is to delay sex for years. While hunches and experience in the field provide useful insights, it is time to be more systematic in developing new intervention approaches and incorporating research knowledge and theory. This paper highlights scientific evidence regarding the factors most likely to influence the onset of sexual activity during adolescence and examines program strategies with the greatest potential to affect adolescent sexual behavior given research findings. The importance of rigorous evaluations, and suggestions for strengthening the evaluation of abstinence- focused interventions and adolescent pregnancy prevention programs in general, is discussed.
The cellular code for mammalian thermosensation

Mammalian somatosenory neurons respond to thermal stimuli and allow animals to reliably discriminate hot from cold and to select their preferred environments. Previously, we generated mice that are completely insensitive to temperatures from noxious cold to painful heat (−5 to 55°C) by ablating several different classes of nociceptor early in development. In the present study, we have adopted a selective ablation strategy in adult mice to study this phenotype and have demonstrated that separate populations of molecularly defined neurons respond to hot and cold. TRPV1-expressing neurons are responsible for all behavioral responses to temperatures between 40 and 50°C, whereas TRPM8 neurons are required for cold aversion. We also show that more extreme cold and heat activate additional populations of nociceptors, including cells expressing Mrgprd. Therefore, although eliminating Mrgprd neurons alone does not affect behavioral responses to temperature, when combined with ablation of TRPV1 or TRPM8 cells, it significantly decreases responses to extreme heat and cold, respectively. Ablation of TRPM8 neurons distorts responses to preferred temperatures, suggesting that the pleasant thermal sensation of warmth may in fact just reflect reduced aversive input from TRPM8 and TRPV1 neurons. As predicted by this hypothesis, mice lacking both classes of thermosensor exhibited neither aversive nor attractive responses to temperatures between 10 and 50°C. Our results provide a simple cellular basis for mammalian thermosensation whereby two molecularly defined classes of sensory neurons detect and encode both attractive and aversive cues.
Automated speech recognition for spreadsheet tasks: performance effects for experts and novices

The performance of spreadsheet users was compared for two modes of input to the computer, keyboard and automated speech recognition (ASR). Subjects from both an expert group and a novice group were also classified by decision style. Dependent measures were task completion time, accuracy, keystroke count, correction count, and user confidence. Results for a speaker‐dependent, discrete‐word recognizer showed that, for both simple data input and more complex analytical spreadsheet tasks, neither the experts nor the novices performed more effectively using ASR. However, both groups expressed the desirability of having speech input as an option for desktop computing.
Calculation of 3-D Temperature Distribution in Film-Cooled Flat Plates Using 2-D Empirical Correlations for Film-Cooling Effectiveness and Heat Transfer Augmentation

In existing gas turbine heat transfer literature there are several correlations developed for the spanwise-averaged film-cooling effectiveness and heat transfer augmentation for inline injection on flat plates. More accurate and detailed prediction of film-cooling performance, particularly 3-D metal temperatures are needed for design purposes. 2-D correlations where effectiveness and heat transfer augmentation are functions of streamwise and spanwise directions would help to satisfy this need. Based on this fact, the current study extends the spanwise-averaged correlations into 2-D correlations by using a Gaussian distribution in the transverse direction. The correlations are obtained using limited spanwise data and more available spanwise-averaged data and existing spanwise-averaged correlations for a single row of holes with inline injection. These correlations presented in this paper are functions of different flow parameters such as mass flow ratio M, density ratio DR, transverse pitch P/D, and inline injection angle α, with ranges of M:0.2–2.5, DR: 1.2,1.5,1.8, P/D: 2, 3,5, α: 30, 60, 90 degrees. The developed correlations match existing spanwise-averaged correlations when averaged. These correlations are used to calculate solid flat plate temperatures for two well-documented cases of film-cooled flat plates. Spanwise variations in the metal temperature were calculated to be between 5–6K for a temperature difference of 40K and between 20–30K for a temperature difference of 250K, significant for design purposes. The study also contains the comparison of solid temperatures for conjugate and non-conjugate heat transfer cases using a Reduced Order Film Model (ROFM) which is implemented in a loosely coupled conjugate heat transfer technique called Iterative Conjugate Heat Transfer (ICHT)).The differences between conjugate and non conjugate simulations are about 6K or 2% of the local temperature for low temperature study and about 20K or 5% for high temperature study. The study showed that the difference between conjugate and non-conjugate solutions increases as the temperature levels increase. These differences are quite important and should be taken into account during design of turbine blades.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Closing of Surface Flaws Under Compressive Loading

The plane elastic deformation of a notched half-plane which is compressed by a flat rigid surface is investigated. The stress and displacement fields of this notched halfplane are felt to be representative of the conditions occurring in the neighborhood of a flaw on the surface of a compressed circular O-ring. O-rings are often installed as environmental seals in electronic components, and the results of this analysis indicate that minor surface flaws do not threaten the integrity of O-ring seals under normal installation conditions. Compressing the O-ring reduces the notch surface opening and pushes the notch surface toward the rigid compressing plate. Both of these effects reduce the notch void volume and the possibility of seal leakage.
Skeletons of terrestrial cetaceans and the relationship of whales to artiodactyls

Modern members of the mammalian order Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are obligate aquatic swimmers that are highly distinctive in morphology, lacking hair and hind limbs, and having flippers, flukes, and a streamlined body. Eocene fossils document much of cetaceans' land-to-water transition, but, until now, the most primitive representative for which a skeleton was known was clearly amphibious and lived in coastal environments. Here we report on the skeletons of two early Eocene pakicetid cetaceans, the fox-sized Ichthyolestes pinfoldi, and the wolf-sized Pakicetus attocki. Their skeletons also elucidate the relationships of cetaceans to other mammals. Morphological cladistic analyses have shown cetaceans to be most closely related to one or more mesonychians, a group of extinct, archaic ungulates, but molecular analyses have indicated that they are the sister group to hippopotamids. Our cladistic analysis indicates that cetaceans are more closely related to artiodactyls than to any mesonychian. Cetaceans are not the sister group to (any) mesonychians, nor to hippopotamids. Our analysis stops short of identifying any particular artiodactyl family as the cetacean sister group and supports monophyly of artiodactyls.
Low-temperature anomalies in the specific heat of PrOs 4 Sb 12

The electronic specific heat of ${\text{PrOs}}_{4}{\text{Sb}}_{12}$ was measured on different single crystals at temperatures down to 40 mK using a relaxation method. All investigated crystals exhibited a broad shoulder in specific heat near 0.4 K. This anomaly seems to be related to that found previously in Sb nuclear quadrupolar resonance study and possibly in lower critical-field and penetration-depth measurements. The onset of the specific-heat anomaly shows no response to magnetic fields as large as 0.2 T. These results imply a modification of superconducting properties (and normal-state properties) rather than appearance of a new superconducting phase at low temperatures. Our measurement detects low-temperature nuclear specific heat, which we suggest might be due to nuclear quadrupolar specific heat of Pr atoms, frozen in off-center positions.
Yang-Mills gauge invariance on a space of Bose and Fermi coordinates

A complete formalism is developed for imposing Yang-Mills gauge invariance induced by general coordinate transformations on superspace (i.e., a space containing both commuting and anticommuting coordinates). The appropriate group is the graded pseudo-Lie group of real, general linear transformations on superspace analogous to the role played by GL(4,$R$) in general relativity. The construction of derivatives which transform covariantly under this group forces the introduction of a connection. In the usual gauge theories the connection is just the vector potential, whereas here we expect it to be a function of all the dynamical fields. In this purely affine theory, field strengths and our proposed equations of motion for them result in a self-sourced theory involving only the connection. However, we find that there exist solutions which permit us to define a metric for which an inverse does not exist. These solutions are associated with a spontaneous symmetry breakdown of the vacuum which yields only the Lorentz metric and with no restriction on the internal-symmetry group. This spontaneous symmetry breaking introduces a parameter with the dimensions of ${(\mathrm{mass})}^{2}$.
Multiphase continuum theory of dopant redistribution across aerosol-laden laminar nonisothermal boundary layers

The incorporation of desired “dopant” elements (or compounds) in deposited materials is influenced by coupled transport phenomena and cannot be predicted based on chemical thermodynamics alone. As an important example, we consider the deposition of doped glass for use as optical waveguides. In this technology, combustion products heavily laden with SiO2-rich submicron droplets are passed over a slowly rotating surface which thermophoretically captures the microdroplets. The dopant (e.g. GeO2, P2O5, B2O3 content of these microdroplets, which dictates the local refractive index distribution within the ultimate waveguide product, must be carefully controlled and it is necessary to understand these processes theoretically. This paper systematically developes a fully coupled, pseudo-single-phase laminar boundary layer theory capable of predicting deposit compositions as a function of the feedstream loading of silicon precursor and the dopant (here Ge precursor), as well as the substrate temperature. It is shown that it is not permissible to neglect the effects of silica particle mass loading or even the heat of GeO2 condensation. The principal assumptions, defensible under typical optical waveguide deposition process conditions, are that the silica-rich microdroplets are in local dynamic, thermal and chemical equilibrium with the prevailing high-temperature vapor mixture, through which they drift primarily as a result of (particle size insensitive) thermophoresis. As a by-product of the physicochemical—mathematical model and calculations the structure of the dopant vapor boundary layer is obtained, and hence the decisive ratio of the dopant vapor number density established at the wall to that in the equilibrium mainstream. The capability of predicting both the rate of glass microparticle deposition and deposit composition (e.g. the dopant/Si element ratio) for each feed condition and wall/combustion gas temperature ratio should provide a valuable insight into the optimization and improvement of such processes. Moreover, while illustrated here for the case of a single dopant (e.g. Ge), the methods are readily extended to multi-element deposition from mist-laden gases.
How Academic Achievement, Attitudes, and Behaviors Relate to the Course of Substance Use During Adolescence: A 6-Year, Multiwave National Longitudinal Study

Self-report data regarding alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use were collected biennially from ages 14 to 20 in a nationally representative panel sample of adolescents (N=1,897) from the Monitoring the Future study. Growth curve analyses were performed using hierarchical linear modeling to consider psychosocial background, motivation and school attitudes, and parental and peer influences at age 14 as predictors of concurrent substance use and change in substance use. Results indicated that school misbehavior and peer encouragement of misbehavior were positively associated with substance use at age 14 and with increased use over time; school bonding, school interest, school effort, academic achievement, and parental help with school were negatively associated. The protective effects of positive school attitudes and perceptions of high status connected to academics were stronger for low-achieving compared with high-achieving youth. Implications for a developmental perspective on substance use etiology and prevention are discussed.
Planning with multiple objectives

Abstract Planning any task that is characterised by the presence of multiple objectives presents the decision maker with a set of special considerations which are not present in the case of decision making with one unique objective. The paper outlines the stages in the formulation of a dynamic multiple-objective objective function and introduces the criterion complex as a decision making construct particularly suited to formulating and solving problems with multiple objectives. The paper then considers some of the mathematical properties of the alternative formulations of criterion complex.
Analysis of steric hindrance reduction in pulsed protein ultrafiltration

Abstract This study analyzes the effect of transmembrane pressure pulsing on transient steric hindrance for BSA ultrafiltration in an unstirred batch cell using 100,000 MWCO cellulosic membranes. Studies were performed with fresh membranes and membranes preadsorbed with 0.1% IgG for 0.5, 2.25 and 26 hours. The Kedem-Katchalsky model was used to determine the apparent sieving coefficients and estimate the wall concentrations. Hindered transport theory was used to estimate the resulting apparent pore size of the membranes for pulsed and nonpulsed cases. The apparent pore size was increased by 8% when pulsing was used in conjunction with fresh membranes. The intrinsic sieving coefficients were increased by 33% during pulsing. Pulsing also substantially increased the apparent pore size and the initial sieving coefficients for the IgG preadsorbed membrane cases. Based on the initial time data for the IgG preadsorbed membrane cases, it was determined that the presence of IgG on the membranes could affect the concentration of BSA in the permeate. It was also found that transmembrane pressure pulsing could partially eliminate this resistance to BSA permeability.
An Examination of Rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex Function and Neurochemistry in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

The anterior cingulate cortex is implicated in the neurobiology of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). However, few studies have examined functional and neurochemical abnormalities specifically in the rostral subdivision of the ACC (rACC) in OCD patients. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during an emotional counting Stroop task and single-voxel J-resolved proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the rACC to examine the function and neurochemistry of the rACC in individuals with OCD and comparison individuals without OCD. Between-group differences in rACC activation and glutamine/glutamate ratio (Gln/Glu), Glu, and Gln levels, as well as associations between rACC activation, Gln/Glu, Glu, Gln, behavioral, and clinical measures were examined using linear regression. In a sample of 30 participants with OCD and 29 age- and sex-matched participants without OCD, participants with OCD displayed significantly reduced rACC deactivation compared with those without OCD in response to OCD-specific words versus neutral words on the emotional counting Stroop task. However, Gln/Glu, Glu, and Gln in the rACC did not differ between groups nor was there an association between reduced rACC deactivation and Gln/Glu, Glu, or Gln in the OCD group. Taken together, these findings strengthen the evidence for rACC dysfunction in OCD, but weigh against an underlying association with abnormal rACC glutamatergic neurotransmission.
Transforming a bare PC application to run on an ARM device

Bare machine applications currently run on x86-based CPUs without any operating system or kernel support. Their low overhead makes them especially suited for mobile devices and pervasive computing. As an initial step towards running bare applications on mobile devices, we transform an x86-based bare PC graphics application to run on an ARM device. We first identify key differences between the x86 and ARM architectures relevant to the transformation. We then describe a methodology to transform the x86-based bare graphics application to run on the ARM architecture. We also present timing measurements when drawing graphics functions using the same bare application on an x86 bare PC, ARM development board, DOSBox emulator, and QEMU-VM simulator. This work provides insight into designing future bare machine applications that can run on a variety of mobile and pervasive devices with minimal code changes.
The thermodynamic and electrical properties of mercury vapor at pressures below atmospheric and high temperatures

Abstract The thermodynamic properties and electrical conductivity of mercury vapor have been calculated for temperatures between 1000°K and 15,000°K and pressures between atmospheric and 10−4 atm. The thermodynamic properties were determined by the methods of statistical mechanics. Account has been taken of the lowering of the ionization potential due to local electric fields and the number of terms employed in the electronic partition function has been limited in accordance with the theory of Ecker and Weizel. The electrical conductivity was computed on the basis of “free path” kinetic theory. It is shown that in the presence of a magnetic field the conductivity has directional properties. For a field of 10,000 G the change in conductivity is illustrated for a particular case.
Crystallographic studies of some transuranic trihalides: 239PuCl3, 244CmBr3, 249BkBr3 and 249CfBr3☆

Abstract Single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods were used to refine the structures of PuCl3, CmBr3, and CfBr3. In PuCl3 (UCl3-type) the Pu ion has nine Cl-ion neighbors, three at 2·919(1) A and six at 2·886(1) A. A radius of 0·995 A was derived for the six-coordinated Pu3+ ion. In CmBr3 (PuBr3-type) the eight-coordinated Cm ion has two Br ions at 2·865(6) A, four at 2·983(4) A, and two at 3·137(4) A. Californium tribromide was shown to crystallize in both the AlCl3- and FeCl3-type structures. In the former type, the Cf ion is six coordinated and the three independent CfBr bond lenghts are 2·795(9) A, 2·827(11) A and 2·828(8) A. Berkelium tribromide was prepared and shown by powder X-ray diffraction to exhibit the AlCl3-, PuBr3-, and possibly FeCl3-type structures. The new findings on CfBr3 and BkBr3 were used to produce a more complete description of the structural relationships among the lanthanide and actinide tribromides.
IDENTIFICATION OF AN ACTIVATING MUTATION IN CARRIER FEMALES AND CHILDREN PRIOR TO ONSET OF SYMPTOMS IN FAMILIAL MALE PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY.† 515

IDENTIFICATION OF AN ACTIVATING MUTATION IN CARRIER FEMALES AND CHILDREN PRIOR TO ONSET OF SYMPTOMS IN FAMILIAL MALE PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY. † 515
Hydrophobicity of Nanostructured Films Characterized by a Quartz Crystal Microbalance

The hydrophobicity of two types of nanostructured polymer films were fabricated and characterized with a novel quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique to investigate their static and dynamic hydrophobic properties. The nanofibrous films of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), PMMA/Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Polyacrylonitril (PAN) were prepared with an electrospinning process and a PMMA film with nanoscale roughness was fabricated using nanoimprint lithography (NIL) technique. Significantly different static and dynamic hydrophobicities (wettability) were found among these films and the correlation between hydrophobicity and the mechanical impedance of QCM to these films were developed both experimentally and theoretically. It was shown that QCM is capable of quantitatively characterizing the hydrophobicity of these nanostructured polymer surfaces. For nanofibrous films, the double layers — a viscoelastic nanofiber film and a liquid layer result in a nonlinear combination of mechanical impedances of QCM. To simplify the analysis, an apparent viscosity was introduced in the analysis to take into account the interactions between liquid and polymer surfaces. For NIL PMMA film, the hydrophobicity was altered by coating nano-roughened surface with a Teflon layer. The reduction in the mechanical impedance of QCM clearly demonstrates the enhancement of hydrophobicity. The experimental results showed that the hydrophobic surface lead to a small mechanical impedance while the hydrophilic surface resulted in a large mechanical impedance of QCM.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Turn-key Raman lidar for profiling atmospheric water vapor, clouds, and aerosols

We describe an operational, self-contained, fully autonomous Raman lidar system that has been developed for unattended, around-the-clock atmospheric profiling of water vapor, aerosols, and clouds. During a 1996 three-week intensive observational period, the system operated during all periods of good weather (339 out of 504 h), including one continuous five-day period. The system is based on a dual-field-of-view design that provides excellent daytime capability without sacrificing nighttime performance. It is fully computer automated and runs unattended following a simple, brief (~5-min) start-up period. We discuss the theory and design of the system and present detailed analyses of the derivation of water-vapor profiles from the lidar measurements.
An evidence-based approach to urodynamic testing

for this article http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2014.07.074 available at http://jurology.com/ Editorial Comment: This is a well constructed article that is almost a point/counterpoint, since the answer seems to be, maybe, but what can we use it for? The article very nicely reviews published studies discussing the pros and cons of NGF as a potential biomarker. The bottom line is that while the evidence for increased urinary NGF in OAB appears convincing, many questions remain about specificity, sensitivity, cost and time effectiveness. NGF urinary levels have been reported to be increased in bladder pain syndrome, idiopathic and neurogenic detrusor overactivity, bladder hypersensitivity and bladder outflow obstruction. Although increased levels do appear to decrease after successful treatments, at least in some reports regarding antimuscarinic and botulinum toxin therapy, one has to wonder if there is any other real practical use, other than one facet of monitoring response to treatment, since the diagnosis of overactive bladder relies on symptoms. If someone has urgency and frequency, with or without urgency incontinence, that individual would appear to fit in the category of the overactive bladder symptom syndrome whether or not urinary NGF levels are elevated. The true value of studies regarding the physiology of NGF may be the information they provide regarding various signaling mechanisms involved in the sensory or motor changes that occur in bladder function in various types of pathologies. Alan J. Wein, MD, PhD (hon) Suggested Reading Lee SR, Hong CH, Choi YD et al: Increased urinary nerve growth factor as a predictor of persistent detrusor overactivity after bladder outlet obstruction relief in a rat model. J Urol 2010; 183: 2440. Giannantoni A, Di Stasi SM, Nardicchi V et al: Botulinum-A toxin injections into the detrusor muscle decrease nerve growth factor bladder tissue levels in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. J Urol 2006; 175: 2341. Antunes-Lopes T, Pinto R, Barros SC et al: Urinary neurotrophic factors in healthy individuals and patients with overactive bladder. J Urol 2013; 189: 359. Liu HT and Kuo HC: Urinary nerve growth factor level could be a potential biomarker for diagnosis of overactive bladder. J Urol 2008; 179: 2270.
Activity of Thiolsubtilisin in Organic Solvents

In this paper, we compare the activities of subtilisin and thiolsubtilisin in anhydrous organic solvents and in mixtures of water and miscible organic media. The information obtained indicates that changing from one organic solvent to another does not significantly affect the stability of the transition state for the reaction. Thus, since the transition state is charged, it is likely that the active site of the enzyme is electrostatically protected from bulk solvent. Further, since the activities of subtilisin and thiolsubtilisin are different in the solvents used, it is clear that the active site serine is a catalytically important residue in both water and organic solvents.
Creatinine excretion rates for evaluation of kidney function in children

A protein load protocol for evaluation of kidney function was tested in normal children and pediatric renal patients. An overnight, timed urine collection was used for calculation of the baseline cretinine clearance and creatinine excretion rate. One hour following ingestion of a standardized protein meal (baked chicken), a 2–3 h urine collection was begun. The post-protein meal changes in creatinine clearance showed considerable variation in both the normal children and those with renal disorders. In contrast, the rate of excretion of creatinine was consistently increased in the normal children following the protein meal (73.4±18%; range 48.2%–122.4%). Of 33 renal patients, 14 showed less than a 48% increase in creatinine excretion rate, even though 9 of these children had baseline creatinine clearances within the normal range. These 9 patients have evidence of less than normal quantities of functioning renal tissue. Serial studies over a year on 2 children who presented with acute renal failure showed a progressive increase in creatinine clearance with scant increases in creatinine excretion rate. These studies provide indirect evidence that a less than normal enhancement of the rate of creatinine excretion following a protein load reflects the presence of adaptive glomerular hyperfiltration and hyperperfusion.
Centroid-moment tensor solutions for July–September 1985

Abstract Centroid-moment tensor solutions are presented for 183 earthquakes that occurred during the third quarter of 1985. The solutions are obtained using corrections for aspherical Earth structure.
Healthcare Expenditures for Autism During Times of School Transition: Some Vulnerable Families Fall Behind

This study explores the association between school transition age and healthcare expenditures for children with autism. The paper explores three questions: (1) What is the composition of services overall and paid out-of-pocket and does it differ at transition? (2) Do transition age children have higher total and out-of-pocket health care expenditures than other children with autism? (3) Does the effect of transition differ for vulnerable families who often experience problems accessing care? Pooled data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2000–2009 on children under 21 years of age with autism (n = 337) were used to describe expenditures for services by source of payment and estimate two-part models of total and out-of-pocket expenditures as a function of child transition age (5, 6, 11, 14) and other child and family characteristics. Median total annual expenditures for health care among children with autism are $2,400; median out-of-pocket expenditures are $390. The majority of total expenditures are devoted to outpatient medical services; nearly half of family out-of-pocket spending is devoted to prescription medications. When children are transition age, a larger proportion of both overall and out-of-pocket expenditures go toward ambulatory therapy, while a smaller proportion of out-of-pocket expenditures are devoted to prescription medications compared to children of other ages. Transition age children from vulnerable families experience a drop in expenditures that families with more resources fill through out-of-pocket spending. Findings raise questions about the dimensions of care for children with autism. Schools may be better positioned than health insurance to foster continuity of care.
Effect of Aggregate Size on Attenuation of Rayleigh Surface Waves in Cement-Based Materials

This research uses laser ultrasonic techniques to study the effect of aggregate size on the attenuation of Rayleigh surface waves in cement-based materials. The random, multiphase, and heterogeneous nature of cement-based materials causes a high degree of material attenuation in the ultrasonic waves that propagate in these materials. Physically, these attenuation losses are due to a combination of absorption and the scattering losses due to material heterogeneity. Laser ultrasonics is an ideal methodology to measure attenuation in these materials because of its high fidelity, large frequency bandwidth, and absolute, noncontact nature. To investigate the effect of aggregate size on attenuation, this research uses a dual-probe, heterodyne interferometer to experimentally measure attenuation losses (as a function of frequency) in five different material systems (each with a different microstructure). These experimental results show that absorption, not scattering from the aggregate, is the dominant attenuation mechanism present in cement-based materials. As a result, aggregate size does not dominate attenuation.
Current concepts review: heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Immune-type (Type II) heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare but potentially fatal complication that can result from the use of heparin or its derivatives employed to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) after surgery. As such, the onset of HIT creates a therapeutic paradox: VTED prophylaxis that induces systemic thrombosis. Orthopaedic patients often necessitate chemoprophylaxis after surgery because of their particularly high risk for developing VTED, but concomitantly they represent a population at high risk for developing HIT. Although HIT is known to occur after exposure to unfractionated (UFH) or low molecular weight (LMWH) heparin, it can develop with the use of any heparin-derived product. Unfortunately, the orthopaedic patient who develops this incompletely understood disease also ranks amongst the highest in development of its most devastating manifestation, HITmediated arterial thrombosis, which can result in amputation or death.29,74a,108,114 Since it remains unclear exactly how much treatment can alter the natural course of HIT, preventing its onset is paramount. This current concepts review is intended to increase the awareness and highlight the potential severity of HIT, and familiarize the orthopaedic surgeon with the many challenges associated with its diagnosis and treatment.
Identification of patients with postoperative complications who are at risk for failure to rescue.

Importance A minority of patients who experience postoperative complications die (failure to rescue). Understanding the preoperative factors that lead to failure to rescue helps surgeons predict and avoid operative mortality. Objective To provide a mechanism for identifying a high-risk group of patients with postoperative complications who are at a substantially increased risk for failure to rescue. Design, Setting, and Patients Observational study evaluating failure to rescue in patients entered into the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The large sample of surgical patients included in this study underwent a wide range of operations during a 5-year period in more than 200 acute care hospitals. We examined and identified patients at high risk for failure to rescue using propensity stratification. We also developed a risk-scoring system that allowed preoperative identification of patients at the highest risk for failure to rescue. Main Outcomes and Measures Risk-scoring system that predicts failure to rescue. Results Of the 1 956 002 database patients, there were 207 236 patients who developed serious postoperative complications. Deaths occurred in 21 731 patients with serious complications (10.5% failure to rescue). Stratification of patients into quintiles, according to their propensity for developing serious complications, found that 90% of operative deaths occurred in the highest-risk quintile, usually within a week of developing the initial complication. A risk-scoring system for failure to rescue, based on regression-derived variable odds ratios, predicted patients in the highest-risk quintile with good predictive accuracy. Only 31.8% of failure-to-rescue patients had a single postoperative complication. Perioperative deaths increased exponentially as the number of complications per patient increased. Patients with complications who had surgical residents involved in their care had reduced rates of failure to rescue compared with patients without resident involvement. Conclusions and Relevance Twenty percent of high-risk patients account for 90% of failure to rescue (Pareto principle). More than two-thirds of patients with failure to rescue have multiple complications. On average, a few days elapse before death following a complication. A risk-scoring system based on preoperative variables predicts patients in the highest-risk category of failure to rescue with good accuracy. In high-risk patients who develop complications, our results suggest that early intervention, preferably in a high-level intensive care facility with a surgical training program, offers the best chance to reduce failure-to-rescue rates.
The Influence of Different Styles of Textbook Use on Instructional Validity of Standardized Tests.

Many believe that in elementary-school mathematics, there is a national curriculum that guides the development of both textbooks and tests. Those who accept this position assume that the commonly used standardized tests of elementary school mathematics may be used interchangeably because the tests are so similar in content. Furthermore, when teachers rely on textbooks in deciding what to teach, they provide an opportunity for students to learn the content covered on standardized tests. Our previous content analyses of textbooks and tests of fourth-grade mathematics challenged the concept of a national curriculum (Freeman, Kuhs, Porter, Floden, Schmidt, & Schwille, in press). Using a three dimensional taxonomy, we found that relatively few topics were consistently emphasized across four textbooks and five tests of fourth-grade mathematics. In fact, only six specific topics were emphasized in all of these sources (e.g., pictorial models of a fraction). All other topics typically attributed to the fourth-grade mathematics curriculum were covered in some textbooks or standardized tests, but not in others. These analyses also provided evidence that the match in content covered was better for some textbook-test pairs than for others. For example, the proportion of tested topics covered by at least one problem in a book varied from 52.8% to 86.8% for different pairs of textbooks and tests. For even the best matched textbook-test pair, less than 50% of the topics on the test were covered by the equivalent of one lesson in the textbook. Collectively, these results highlight the need to examine the degree to which teacher reliance on textbooks ensures that students will deal with content that is covered on standardized achievement tests. The results to date indicate that student level of preparation varies as a function of the particular textbook and test the teacher has been asked to use. This study investigates the degree to which the match in textbook-test content varies as a function of how a teacher uses the book.
Absence of functional collateral sprouting of mechanoreceptor axons into denervated areas of mammalian skin.

Abstract Recordings made from individual type I cutaneous mechanoreceptors before and up to 9 months after neurectomy showed that surrounding, intact, low-threshold mechanoreceptive nerve fibers did not sprout to functionally innervate the denervated area of skin.