cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hispanic Ethnicity and Language Barriers on Appendiceal Perforation Rates and Imaging in Children

Objective To determine the association between Hispanic ethnicity and limited English proficiency (LEP) and the rates of appendiceal perforation and advanced radiologic imaging (computed tomography and ultrasound) in children with abdominal pain. Study design We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study of children aged 3-18 years presenting with abdominal pain concerning for appendicitis between March 2009 and April 2010 at 10 tertiary care pediatric emergency departments in the US. Appendiceal perforation and advanced imaging rates were compared between ethnic and language proficiency groups using simple and multivariate regression models. Results Of 2590 patients enrolled, 1001 (38%) had appendicitis, including 36% of non-Hispanics and 44% of Hispanics. In multivariate modeling, Hispanics with LEP had a significantly greater odds of appendiceal perforation (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.20-1.74). Hispanics with LEP with appendiceal perforation of moderate clinical severity were less likely to undergo advanced imaging compared with English-speaking non-Hispanics (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.95). Conclusion Hispanic ethnicity with LEP is an important risk factor for appendiceal perforation in pediatric patients brought to the emergency department with possible appendicitis. Among patients with moderate clinical severity, Hispanic ethnicity with LEP appears to be associated with lower imaging rates. This effect of English proficiency and Hispanic ethnicity warrants further investigation to understand and overcome barriers, which may lead to increased appendiceal perforation rates and differential diagnostic evaluation.
Thermodynamics and phase diagram of multilayer krypton on graphite

We have studied the growth of the first three layers of krypton on graphite using high-resolution vapor-pressure isotherms at temperatures near the low-temperature layering critical points. Well below the critical temperatures the isotherms are consistent with a simple stacking of ordered hexagonal layers. At higher temperatures, there is a two-transition sequence in the second layer with a condensation transition followed by a weak anomaly which probably indicates breaking of the symmetry associated with the two degenerate ways of stacking hexagonal layers. This weak transition persists above the second-layer critical point. We analyze the isotherm shapes and find that the critical behavior weakens appreciably with layer number. Even at two layers, the critical behavior appears to deviate from the two-dimensional Ising model.
Stakeholders As Coaches: An Experiential Method For Teaching Environmental Regulatory Negotiation

The author presents a teaching method that uses stakeholders as coaches of management students and professionals who wish to learn about the regulatory negotiation process used to make federal environmental rules. This experiential approach, which includes stakeholder briefings of teams who then role-play a regulatory negotiation, is an engaging way for participants to learn how to manage complex situations and negotiate with multiple parties. It has the additional benefit of helping stakeholders step back from the table to gain new perspectives about the content and process of the environmental negotiation in which they have been involved.
Direct effects of hydralazine on cardiac contractile function, haemodynamics, and myocardial energetics in isolated myocardium.

The direct cardiac effects of hydralazine were studied in isolated working rat heart, isolated cat right ventricular papillary muscle, and isolated rabbit right atrium. The haemodynamics, myocardial energetics, and contractility of isolated hearts were measured at hydralazine concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 10 and 100 μmol·litre−1. Coronary flow was significantly increased (≥21%, p<0.01) in paced (325 beats·min−1) rat hearts at ≥0.5 μmol·litre−1 hydralazine and in spontaneously beating hearts (≥37%; p<0.05) at ≥1.0 μmol·litre−1 hydralazine. The increases in coronary flow occurred without significant increases in heart rate, contractility (dP/dtmax), or coronary perfusion pressure. Myocardial oxygen consumption was not significantly changed at any hydralazine concentration in spontaneously beating hearts and was unaltered in paced hearts except for a small significant increase (9.8%) at 10 μmol·litre−1. A negative inotropic effect was apparent at 100 μmol·litre−1 hydralazine as indicated by a significant reduction of dP/dtmax (paced and non-paced hearts), peak aortic flow rate (non-paced), and maximum left ventricular pressure (paced). In isolated cat papillary muscles and rabbit right atria, cumulative hydralazine log dose-response curves (0.1-1000 μmol·litre−1) were obtained. A positive inotropic effect that could be abolished by beta adrenergic blockade was produced in papillary muscles only at concentrations ≥ 100 μmol·litre−1. A dose dependent negative chronotropic effect occurred at hydralazine concentrations ≥10 μmol·litre−1 in isolated rabbit atria. Thus hydralazine mediated increases in coronary flow may occur at therapeutic concentrations in the absence of an increase in coronary perfusion pressure or myocardial oxygen demand. Hydralazine did not induce direct positive inotropic or chronotropic effects at concentrations obtained clinically. At supratherapeutic drug concentrations species specific inotropic and chronotropic effects were apparent.
Amphipathic Helix-Dependent Localization of NS5A Mediates Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication

We identified an N-terminal amphipathic helix (AH) in one of hepatitis C virus (HCV)'s nonstructural proteins, NS5A. This AH is necessary and sufficient for membrane localization and is conserved across isolates. Genetically disrupting the AH impairs HCV replication. Moreover, an AH peptide-mimic inhibits the membrane association of NS5A in a dose-dependent manner. These results have exciting implications for the HCV life cycle and novel antiviral strategies.
Comparative study of extraction of material parameters from THz time-domain spectroscopy performed in reflection and in transmission

We model and compare the uncertainties of the refractive index and the coefficient of absorption of materials in the far-infrared, determined from THz time-domain spectroscopy performed in reflection and in transmission. Our study is experimentally validated. We give rules to select the most appropriate experimental technique regarding studied samples.
Universal versus selective gestational diabetes screening: Application of 1997 American Diabetes Association recommendations

Abstract Objective: We sought to evaluate the impact of the 1997 American Diabetes Association gestational diabetes mellitus screening guidelines applied to a universally screened population. Study Design: A retrospective analysis of 18,504 women universally screened for gestational diabetes mellitus at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 1997, was performed. Diabetic screening consisted of plasma glucose determination 1 hour after a 50-g oral glucose challenge. Diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus was based on National Diabetes Data Group criteria. Results: Of 564 cases of gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosed during the study period, 17 (3.0%) would have been missed under the 1997 American Diabetes Association selective screening guidelines while exempting only 10% of this predominantly white population from screening. Screening only women ≥25 years old would have detected 90.4% of gestational diabetes mellitus cases, whereas the addition of the remaining 3 screening criteria combined would have detected only an additional 6.6% of cases. Conclusions: The proportion of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus that would remain undiagnosed under the 1997 American Diabetes Association screening guidelines would be relatively small in our population. However, implementation of these guidelines would decrease the number of screens by only 10% while adding significant complexity to the screening process. Youth appears to be the most significant protective factor for gestational diabetes mellitus in our population. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:798-802.)
Study of out-of-plane elastic properties of PMDA-ODA and BPDA-PDA polyimide thin films

Abstract The out-of-plane elastic moduli of two polyimides, such as Poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene pyromellitimide) (PMDA-ODA) with flexible chains and poly(p-phenylene biphenyl tetracarboximide) (BPDA-PDA) with rigid-rod-like chains, ranging from 4 to 20 μm have been investigated using a precision capacitance dilatometry with a loading–unloading technique. It is found that the elastic moduli of both polyimides in the out-of-plane direction are smaller than in the in-plane direction and they are dependent on the film thickness. In addition, PMDA-ODA is less anisotropic than BPDA-PDA. It indicates that the anisotropy in modulus is dependent on the molecular structure of polyimide. Experimental results show that the out-of-plane elastic modulus is correlated to the in-plane molecular orientation and the main chain structure of polyimide.
Fundamental yet simplified model for liquefaction instability

A fundamental procedure is proposed for the identification of liquefaction in saturated soils based on the instability in the material's microstructure. The disturbed state concept (DSC) provides a unified constitutive model for the characterization of entire stress–strain behaviour under cyclic loading, and the values of disturbance at threshold states in the deforming microstructure provides the basis for the identification of liquefaction. The procedure is verified with respect to laboratory behaviour of two sands, saturated Ottawa and Reid Bedford. A mathematical analysis of the DSC constitutive matrix is also performed. Procedures for the application of the DSC for simplified analysis and design, and in finite element procedures are presented. It is believed that the proposed model can provide a fundamental yet simplified procedure for liquefaction analysis, and as a result, it is considered to be an improvement over the available empirical and energy-based procedures. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nutrient and water availability alter belowground patterns of biomass allocation, carbon partitioning, and ectomycorrhizal abundance in Betula nigra

In managed settings, seedlings are often fertilized with the objective of enhancing establishment, growth, and survival. However, responses of seedlings to fertilization can increase their susceptibility to abiotic stresses such as drought. Seedlings acclimate to variation in soil resources by reallocating carbon among different physiological processes and compartments, such as above versus belowground growth, secondary metabolism, and support of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF). We examined the effects of nutrient and water availability on carbon allocation to above and belowground growth of river birch (Betula nigra), as well as partitioning among root sugars, starch, phenolics, lignin, and EMF abundance. As nutrient availability increased, total plant biomass and total leaf area increased, while percent root biomass decreased. Root sugars, total root phenolics and EMF abundance responded quadratically to nutrient availability, being lowest at intermediate fertility levels. Decreased water availability reduced total leaf area and root phenolics relative to well-watered controls. No interactions between nutrient and water availability treatments were detected, which may have been due to the moderate degree of drought stress imposed in the low water treatment. Our results indicate that nutrient and water availability significantly alter patterns of carbon allocation and partitioning in roots of Betula nigra seedlings. The potential effects of these responses on stress tolerance are discussed.
Professional economic forecasts: Are they worth their costs?

Most economic forecast evaluations dating back 20 years show that professional forecasters add little to the forecasts generated by the simplest of models. Using various types of forecast error criteria, these evaluations usually conclude that the professional forecasts are little better than the no-change or ARIM A type forecast. It is our contention that this conclusion is mistaken because the conventional error criteria may not capture why forecasts are ma& or how they are used. Using forecast directional accuracy, the criterion which has been found to be highly correlated with profits in an interest rate setting, we find that professional GNP forecasts dominate the cheaper alternatives. Moreover, there appears to be no systematic relationship between this preferred criterion and the error measures used in previous studies.
Intestinal cell proliferation during fractionated abdominal irradiation

Abstract In the mouse, at normal steady state of cell proliferation, the compensatory proliferative response to intestinal irradiation is such that when radiation exposures totalling 1,000 R are concentrated over the first few days of the week, summated proliferative activity for the entire week is near control levels. Symmetrically distributed exposures over a five-day treatment week (200 R daily, and especially 333 R on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) result in depressed levels of overall weekly proliferation. In these instances, the weekend break is particularly crucial. Similar results were obtained when the one-week measurement period was inserted between the third and fifth week of abdominal therapy, except in this instance, 200 R per day did not result in sub-control levels of proliferation, whereas 333 R on M, W and F, continued to do so. The intestine seems able to maintain its barrier epithelium for extended periods of diminished cell input, provided such is not too severe and that it stems from d...
Dependence-induced increases in ethanol self-administration in mice are blocked by the CRF1 receptor antagonist antalarmin and by CRF1 receptor knockout

Models of dependence-induced increases in ethanol self-administration will be critical in increasing our understanding of the processes of addiction and relapse, underlying mechanisms, and potential therapeutics. One system that has received considerable attention recently is the CRF1 system that may mediate the link between anxiety states and relapse drinking. C57BL/6J mice were trained to lever press for ethanol, were made dependent and then were allowed to self-administer ethanol following a period of abstinence. The effect of the CRF1 antagonist, antalarmin, was examined on this abstinence-induced self-administration in a separate group of mice. Finally, dependence-induced changes in ethanol self-administration were examined in CRF1 knockout and wild type mice. The results indicated that ethanol self-administration was increased following the induction of dependence, but only after a period of abstinence. This increase in ethanol self-administration was blocked by antalarmin. Furthermore, CRF1 knockout mice did not display this increased ethanol self-administration following dependence and abstinence. These studies, using both a pharmacological and genetic approach, support a critical role for the CRF1 system in ethanol self-administration following dependence. In addition, a model is presented that may be useful for studies examining underlying mechanisms of the ethanol addiction process as well as for testing potential therapeutics.
Breakage of suture material leading to fascial dehiscence

Background: Fascial dehiscence is a feared complication associated with abdominal sur- gery. This case evaluates a case of dehiscence caused by breakage of the fascial stitch. Case: A 60-year-old woman (G2P1011) underwent abdominal myomectomy. During the closure of the fascia, a single knot within the segment of suture was noted. The knot was then loosened and untied. Thirty hours later, fascial dehiscence was noted secondary to breakage of the suture material at approximately the area where the knot had been noted earlier in the suture. The fascia was closed again and the patient had an unremarkable postoperative course. We could not find a mention in the package insert or the medical literature regarding how a knot could undermine the suture strength. We obtained a new suture and tied a single knot, which was then loosened. The suture was photographed and compared to a control. Conclusions: There is no way to necessarily attribute the compromise in the suture to this event. However, this case report warrants further research to better define all events that could compro- mise the integrity of suture material.
Identification of the molecular basis for phosphorylase hypersensitivity in cultured diabetic cardiomyocytes.

The focus of this study was to identify the molecular basis for the hypersensitive response of glycogen phosphorylase activation to epinephrine stimulation in alloxan diabetic-derived cardiomyocytes. Cyclic AMP levels were found not to be significantly different between normal and diabetic-derived cells while cGMP concentrations were found consistently to be significantly lower in diabetic-derived cells than in normal cells. Treatment with cyclic GMP analogues did not affect phosphorylase activation by epinephrine in normal cardiomyocytes whereas, IBMX, a nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, had a significant effect on basal and agonist-stimulated phosphorylase activity in both normal and diabetic-derived cardiomyocytes. Differences in the time course for the rate of decay of phosphorylasea from agonist-stimulated to basal levels were observed between normal and diabetic cells. After 3 h in primary culture, phosphorylasea activity returned to basal levels more quickly in normal than in diabetic-derived cells while after 24 h in culture, the time for phosphorylasea decay was not significantly different between normal and diabetic myocytes and was longer than the 3 h response. After 3 h in primary culture, no significant difference in phosphorylase kinase activity was observed between normal and diabetic-derived cells exposed to epinephrine whereas, after 24 h in culture, phosphorylase kinase activity was significantly decreased in diabetic cells under basal and agonist-stimulated conditions. These data collectively suggest that the hypersensitive response of glycogen phosphorylase to epinephrine stimulation in diabetic-derived cardiomyocytes is not due to a defect present at the level of phosphorylase kinase but may, in part, result from an alteration in cardiac phosphodiesterase activity resulting from diminished intracellular cyclic GMP concentrations.
Guest Editorial: Advanced and Distributed Simulation

This special issue on Advanced and Distributed Simulation features four articles extended from papers previously published at the 22nd ACM/IEEE/SCS Workshop on Principles of Advanced and Distributed Simulation (PADS 2008). The original papers are all candidates for the Best Paper Award at the conference. The paper by Nicol and Schear actually won the Best Paper Award. As a common practice, all articles in this issue have been extended significantly from the original papers and have undergone rigorous peer reviews and necessary revisions. These four articles cover a variety of advanced simulation and modeling techniques and applications, with topics ranging from distributed simulation time management, wireless simulation, to analytical models, and peer-to-peer gaming applications. This diversity reflects the growing importance of simulation and modeling in facilitating understanding of the increasingly complex systems that we have to deal with nowadays. The article by Pan, Turner, Cai, and Li addresses a well-known performance issue in conservatively synchronized parallel simulation—in this case, in the time management of distributed simulations using the High-Level Architecture (HLA). The proposed hybrid approach combines the traditional synchronous methods, which may suffer from performance problems caused by bottlenecks formed by HLA federates with slow time advancement, and the asynchronous methods, which may run into the "time creep" problem in the presence of small lookahead. The proposed hybrid approach promises better perfor-
The effect of local recurrence on survival time in adult high-grade soft tissue sarcomas

Data gathered on 262 adults with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma, operated on at the same institution for curative intent, were used to study formally, and to quantitate for the first time, the relationship between local recurrence of the tumor and survival time. Using Cox's proportional hazards model with a time-dependent covariate representing the local recurrence of the tumor, it was found that local recurrence is significantly associated with a shorter survival time (estimated relative risk (relative hazard) = 2.5, p less than 0.0001). The estimated 5 yr survival rate and median survival time for patients without a local recurrence were 44% and 42 months, respectively, while the corresponding figures for patients with a local recurrence were only 26% and 28 months. Hence, a local recurrence resulted in a relative decline in the estimated 5 yr survival rate of 41%. This strong relationship continued to hold even after adjusting for several other important, time-independent prognostic variables (stage, type of surgery, type of resection, signs of sarcomatous skin invasion, and presence of postoperative fever) in a multivariable analysis. Local control of high-grade soft tissue sarcomas is vitally important for successful management of these patients.
Modeling of optimal investment in science and technology

Abstract The latest achievements in science and technology lead to the development of new and more productive capital that can essentially increase a company’s profit. On the other hand, companies should invest not only in the productive capital, but also in science and technology. The optimal control of an economic system that divides its output among the production of consumption goods, the accumulation of new capital, and the contribution to science and technology is considered. The model is expressed as nonlinear integral equations with unknowns in the integrands and lower limits of integration. An optimization problem for the profit maximization is suggested. The necessary condition for an extremum and the second variation of the functional are derived. The structure of optimal solutions is analyzed. Interpretation of all results is provided.
Cerebral hemispheric mechanisms linking ambiguous word meaning retrieval and creativity.

Abstract The deferral of ambiguity resolution has been thought to be an important component of creativity. The time course of priming of dominant and subordinate meanings of ambiguous words was investigated using a divided visual field priming paradigm with subjects that varied on a measure of creativity. The Wallach–Kogan similarities subtest was used to group 72 subjects into three levels of verbal creativity to compare their performance on the ambiguity resolution task (Burgess & Simpson, 1988a). Results suggest that both the left and right hemispheres contribute to the maintenance of multiple word meanings in highly creative subjects, while less creative subjects show sustained subordinate priming only in the right hemisphere or no sustained subordinate priming. These results support an interactive, collaborative theory of verbal creativity (Bogen & Bogen, 1969) and suggest that there are important individual differences that expand on the basic time course model of hemispheric processing (Burgess & Simpson, 1988a).
The effects of a critical television viewing curriculum on the behavior and viewing skills of emotionally disturbed adolescents in residential treatment

This study investigated the effects of training critical TV viewing skills on the subsequent attitudes and behaviors of emotionally disturbed adolescents in residential treatment. In order to test these effects, 48 institutionalized adolescents ranging from 12–18 in age, served as subjects. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Pre- and posttests utilized three measures of television knowledge and attitudes. Eighteen variables comprising three dependent measures were analyzed utilizing a 2 × 2 split-plots design. Training in the technical aspects of viewing proved successful in reducing susceptibility to the negative effects of the medium and provided skills that were effective in dealing with generalized aggressive behavor.
Knowledge of Computer Ethics: Its Relationship to Computer Attitude and Sociomoral Reasoning.

Knowledge of computer ethics and its relationship to attitude toward computers and sociomoral reasoning was examined in a sample of sixty junior-high students. A measure of computer ethics was empi...
A study of the impact of information technology on firm performance: a flexible production function approach

Most previous studies of the impact of information technology (IT) on firm performance have relied on the Cobb–Douglas production function, which makes unrealistic assumptions. These include assuming that (1) the scale elasticity, i.e. returns to scale, is constant throughout the entire output range; (2) the elasticity of substitution between inputs is one, whereas it can be anywhere from zero to infinity in practice; and (3) there are no complex interrelationships between inputs, i.e. no squared or product terms. The translog production function (used in two previous studies) does not make these assumptions and is therefore more accurate. However, the two previous studies found no significant difference between the two. This research has extended previous work on the impact of IT investments by providing more accurate results in some areas and new findings in others. IT's importance is shown to be much greater than previously thought. The translog function is used to demonstrate that the productivity paradox does not hold (i.e. both IT labor and capital indeed have a significant impact on firm revenues), but with considerably different results, i.e. the impact of IT is markedly more significant than that obtained from the Cobb–Douglas. Another interesting finding is that of scale elasticity. Our results show that this is less than 1, implying decreasing returns to scale of output. Finally, the substitutability between inputs was determined, which is not possible with the Cobb–Douglas. It was found that the partial elasticities of substitution for IT labor with IT capital and non-IT labor were quite substantial.
An operational calculus for the euclidean motion group with applications in robotics and polymer science

In this article we develop analytical and computational tools arising from harmonic analysis on the motion group of three-dimensional Euclidean space. We demonstrate these tools in the context of applications in robotics and polymer science. To this end, we review the theory of unitary representations of the motion group of three dimensional Euclidean space. The matrix elements of the irreducible unitary representations are calculated and the Fourier transform of functions on the motion group is defined. New symmetry and operational properties of the Fourier transform are derived. A technique for the solution of convolution equations arising in robotics is presented and the corresponding regularized problem is solved explicity for particular functions. A partial differential equation from polymer science is shown to be solvable using the operational properties of the Euclidean-group Fourier transform.
Racial disparities in childhood asthma in the United States: evidence from the National Health Interview Survey, 1997 to 2003.

OBJECTIVE. To examine differences in asthma prevalence and emergency department (ED) visits for asthma between non-Hispanic black and white children, and factors that might explain those differences, in a large, nationally representative sample covering the period 1997 to 2003. METHODS. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses (with logit and multinomial logit methods) were conducted with a sample consisting of all non-Hispanic black and white children ( RESULTS. Being black was associated with a greater likelihood of currently having asthma and with a greater likelihood of having gone to the ED for asthma treatment in the past 1 year. Elevated asthma risks for black children were robust after controlling for a host of child and family characteristics that might explain them. CONCLUSIONS. Black children are more likely to have asthma and to experience ED visits for asthma, compared with otherwise comparable white children, and these racial disparities cannot be explained by differences in measurable child or family characteristics. These results suggest that racial disparities in asthma continue to pose risks for black children, and they point to the need for additional research into potential explanations and remedies.
An introduction to the ASPAN pain and comfort clinical guideline.

THE JOINT COMMISSION on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) mandates that all individuals have the right to effective pain/symptom management, and this mandate should be a part of basic clinical nursing care. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ; formerly the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research [AHCPR]) also states that institutions have the responsibility for pain management and that this responsibility begins with the affirmation that patients should have access to the best level of pain relief that may be provided safely. Despite the availability of effective analgesics and new technologies for drug administration, studies continue to find suboptimal pain management. Health care professionals underestimate pain when performing clinical assessments, and this pain assessment is difficult because of the complex interactions between patient and practitioner. A lack of understanding about basic pain management concepts continues despite more recent efforts to improve nurses’ knowledge of pain management. Inadequate education of nurses in the area of pain concepts fails to prepare them to assess and control postoperative pain effectively.
Emerging economies' multinationals: Current status and future prospects

Abstract Over the past two decades more emerging/developing economies have become home to a rising number of multinational corporations. Now that a majority share of the world's gdp has begun to be supplied by today's non-industrialised nations, with the expectation of more to come in the decades ahead, it is important to have a better understanding of the current facts and figures surrounding these ‘emerging’ multinationals. This is the main objective of this study, which has the additional aim of analysing the future prospects of these companies as they compete with their First World counterparts. Its main conclusions are that, presently, there is a rather small number of home nations and a limited number of multinationals domiciled therein; relatively more advanced emerging economies have produced larger, publicly listed, globally oriented enterprises; and the future prospects of such firms will be greatly influenced by major economic and political reforms to be undertaken by their respective home gove...
Modeling Passive Dispersal through a Large Estuarine System to Evaluate Marine Reserve Network Connections

The importance of larval dispersal to the performance of marine reserve networks is widely recognized. We characterized patterns of passive dispersal in the eastern basin of the Strait of Juan, de Fuca, Washington, and interpreted the results in the context of marine reserve network connectivity. We used a surface current model to describe the dispersal of passive particles released from 16 sites over periods of 4 and 30 d in the spring of three consecutive years. We then used this approximation to infer the extent to which existing marine reseves and protected areas established on an ad hoc basis are likely to function as a network connected via larval exchange. Dispersal patterns varied substantially between release sites. Release site location accounted for the greatest amount of variation in dispersal distance, exceeding variation due to year, month, or tidal phase. After 30 d, dispersal distance and variance combined to describe three groups of release sites: those characterized by short distance, low variance dispersal; those characterized by long distance, low variance dispersal; and those characterized by intermediate to long distance, high variance dispersal. We suggest that sites within this third group are likely to make the strongest contributions to network connectivity in this system. Our findings underscore the importance of using both dispersal distance and variance estimates to model connectivity between sites and suggest that the performance of ad hoc collections of protected sites can be enhanced through the establishment of additional protected sites chosen to fill critical gaps in existing networks.
Phase Equilibria and Structural Species in NdCl3–NaCl, NdCl3–CaCl2, PrCl3–NaCl, and PrCl3–CaCl2 Systems

This paper reports that equilibrium phase diagrams for the systems NdCl[sub 3]---CaCl[sub 2] and NdCl[sub 3]---NaCl were determined by differential thermal analysis. A simple eutectic was observed at 59 [plus minus] 1 mol% CaCl[sub 2] and 600[degrees] [plus minus] 2 [degrees]C in the NdCl[sub 3]---CaCl[sub 2] system. A compound NaCl [center dot] 3NdCl[sub 3] which melts incongruently at 545[degrees] [plus minus] 5[degrees]C to NdCl[sub 3] and a liquid containing approximately 47 mol% NaCl, and a eutectic at 68 mol% NaCl and 439[degrees] [plus minus] 2[degrees]C were found in the NdCl[sub 3]---NaCl system. On the basis of agreements between the activities calculated by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation and Temkin's model using the present data for the NdCl[sub 3]---CaCl[sub 2] system and the literature data for the PrCl[sub 3]---CaCl[sub 2] system, the melts in the former system consist of Nd[sup 3+], Ca[sup 2+], and Cl[sup [minus]] ions and in the latter system of Pr[sup 3+], Ca[sup 2+], and Cl[sup [minus]] ions. The above approach indicates the presence of Na[sup +], Cl[sup [minus]], and NdCl[sub 4][sup [minus]] in the NdCl[sub 3]-rich melts in the NdCl[sub 3]--NaCl system.
A seismic landslide susceptibility rating of geologic units based on analysis of characteristics of landslides triggered by the 17 January, 1994 Northridge, California earthquake

Abstract One of the most significant effects of the 17 January, 1994 Northridge, California earthquake (M=6.7) was the triggering of thousands of landslides over a broad area. Some of these landslides damaged and destroyed homes and other structures, blocked roads, disrupted pipelines, and caused other serious damage. Analysis of the distribution and characteristics of these landslides is important in understanding what areas may be susceptible to landsliding in future earthquakes. We analyzed the frequency, distribution, and geometries of triggered landslides in the Santa Susana 7.5′ quadrangle, an area of intense seismic landslide activity near the earthquake epicenter. Landslides occurred primarily in young (Late Miocene through Pleistocene) uncemented or very weakly cemented sediment that has been repeatedly folded, faulted, and uplifted in the past 1.5 million years. The most common types of landslide triggered by the earthquake were highly disrupted, shallow falls and slides of rock and debris. Far less numerous were deeper, more coherent slumps and block slides, primarily occurring in more cohesive or competent materials. The landslides in the Santa Susana quadrangle were divided into two samples: single landslides (1502) and landslide complexes (60), which involved multiple coalescing failures of surficial material. We described landslide morphologies by computing simple morphometric parameters (area, length, width, aspect ratio, slope angle). To quantify and rank the relative susceptibility of each geologic unit to seismic landsliding, we calculated two indices: (1) the susceptibility index, which is the ratio (given as a percentage) of the area covered by landslide sources within a geologic unit to the total outcrop area of that unit; and (2) the frequency index [given in landslides per square kilometer (ls/km2)], which is the total number of landslides within each geologic unit divided by the outcrop area of that unit. Susceptibility categories include very high (>2.5% landslide area or >30 ls/km2), high (1.0–2.5% landslide area or 10–30 ls/km2), moderate (0.5–1.0% landslide area or 3–10 ls/km2), and low (
A meta-modeling simulation of structure abandonment timing decisions

Abstract An offshore oil and gas structure will be decommissioned and removed from service at the end of its productive life, depending upon operator preferences, legislative requirements, and strategic opportunities. The basic aim of decommissioning is to render all wells permanently safe and remove most, if not all, surface/seabed signs of production activity. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the timing decisions associated with abandoning offshore oil and gas structures. Three models are developed, ranging from a production-based forecast to a risked, net present value approach. Functions that describe how the age of the structure upon abandonment is related to system parameters is constructed using a meta-modeling simulation and illustrated on a generic field development scenario.
Cognitive and Neural Development of Individuated Self-Representation in Children

Processing the self-relevance of information facilitates recall. Similarly, processing close-other-related information facilitates recall to a lesser degree than processing self-relevant information. This memory advantage may be viewed as an index of the degree to which the representation of self is differentiated from representations of close others. To test developmental hypotheses concerning the self, this study examined the relation of memory for self- and mother-referentially processed information in participants age 7–13 years (Experiment 1: N = 37; Experiment 2: N = 14). Memory for words encoded with reference to oneself increases with age, relative to memory for words encoded with reference to one’s mother. When used as an individual difference measure, the difference in self versus mother memory correlates with regions of the rostral anterior cingulate associated with affective salience.
Genome-wide scan of African-American and white families for linkage to myopia.

Purpose To identify myopia susceptibility genes influencing common myopia in 94 African-American and 36 White families. Design A prospective study of families with myopia consisting of a minimum of two individuals affected with myopia. Methods Extended families consisting of at least two siblings affected with myopia were ascertained. A genome-wide linkage scan using 387 markers was conducted by the Center for Inherited Disease Research. Linkage analyses were conducted with parametric and nonparametric methods. Model-free linkage analysis was performed maximizing over penetrance and over dominance (that is, fitting a wide range of both dominant and recessive models). Results Under the model-free analysis, the maximum two point heterogeneity logarithm of the odds score (MALOD) was 2.87 at D6S1009 in the White cohort and the maximum multipoint MALOD was 2.42 at D12S373-D12S1042 in the same cohort. The nonparametric linkage (NPL) maximum multipoint at D6S1035 had a P value of .005. An overall multipoint NPL score was obtained by combining NPL scores from both populations. The highest combined NPL score was observed at D20S478 with a significant P value of .008. Suggestive evidence of linkage in the White cohort mapped to a previously mapped locus on chromosome 11 at D11S1981 (NPL = 2.14; P = .02). Conclusions Suggestive evidence of linkage to myopia in both African Americans and Whites was seen on chromosome 20 and became more significant when the scores were combined for both groups. The locus on chromosome 11 independently confirms a report by Hammond and associates mapping a myopia quantitative trait locus to this region.
Electronic decoherence in condensed phases

Abstract The impact of electronic decoherence on electronic dynamics, and electron transfer (ET) reactions in particular, in condensed phase environments is discussed. Analytical expressions are considered for a common model system in which ET occurs between relatively displaced harmonic surfaces. We identify a relationship in the semi-classical Marcus limit between electronic decoherence and the Wigner distribution of nuclear configurations. Generalization to more complex surfaces is discussed. Additionally, we discuss electronic decoherence for ET via so-called bridge sites in materials, for both direct (superexchange) mechanisms and sequential mechanisms of ET. Quantitative simulation studies of factors affecting characteristic decoherence times for ET in solution are also presented and discussed.
Murine Gamma Herpesvirus 68 Hijacks MAVS and IKKβ to Abrogate NFκB Activation and Antiviral Cytokine Production

Upon viral infection, mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein serves as a key adaptor to promote cytokine production. We report here that murine gamma herpesvirus 68 (γHV68), a model virus for oncogenic human gamma herpesviruses, subverts cytokine production via the MAVS adaptor. During early infection, γHV68 hijacks MAVS and IKKβ to induce the site-specific phosphorylation of RelA, a crucial subunit of the transcriptionally active NFκB dimer, which primes RelA for the proteasome-mediated degradation. As such, γHV68 efficiently abrogated NFκB activation and cytokine gene expression. Conversely, uncoupling RelA degradation from γHV68 infection promoted NFκB activation and elevated cytokine production. Loss of MAVS increased cytokine production and immune cell infiltration in the lungs of γHV68-infected mice. Moreover, exogenous expression of the phosphorylation- and degradation-resistant RelA variant restored γHV68-induced cytokine production. Our findings uncover an intricate strategy whereby signaling via the upstream MAVS adaptor is intercepted by a pathogen to nullify the immediate downstream effector, RelA, of the innate immune pathway.
THE USES OF REMINISCENCE IN OLDER ADULTHOOD

Findings from previous research on the benefits of reminiscence and life review in the aging process have been inconclusive. This may be due in part to a lack of clarity with regard to the particular type of reminiscence being investigated. The study reported in this article attempted to bring some clarity to the phenomenon of reminiscence by identifying and differentiating its various uses or functions. A 17‐item Uses of Reminiscence scale was administered to 288 older adults as part of the Georgia Centenarian Study. A factor analysis of the data revealed three distinct uses of reminiscence: “therapeutic,” “informative,” and “enjoyment.” Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Is the quality of the patient-provider relationship associated with better adherence and health outcomes for patients with HIV?

PURPOSE: Patient-centeredness, originally defined as understanding each patient as a unique person, is widely considered the standard for high-quality interpersonal care. The purpose of our study was to examine the association between patient perception of being “known as a person” and receipt of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), adherence to HAART, and health outcomes among patients with HIV.
Concurrent agonist-antagonist administration for the analysis and treatment of drug dependence.

Abstract Two key strategies for the treatment of drug dependence involve the use of agonists to substitute for the abused drug and the use of antagonists to block the reinforcing actions maintaining drug self-administration. A different strategy for the treatment of drug dependence is outlined, comprising the concurrent administration of an agonist and an antagonist. Concurrent administration of an agonist with an antagonist, in the proper ratio, should produce maximal occupancy of receptors and attenuation of the reinforcing actions of the abused drug. The addict would be relatively “insulated” from the reinforcing effects of the abused drug; at the same time the balance of agonist and antagonist effects is predicted to prevent withdrawal symptoms or intoxication resulting from an under- or over-stimulation of drug receptors. Advantages over the use of agonists alone and antagonists alone, and over mixed agonist-antagonist molecules, are discussed. Application of concurrent agonist-antagonist administration to the analysis of mechanisms underlying nondrug reinforcement and to the treatment of disorders involving receptor disregulation is also described.
Effect of behavioral consultation on student and teacher behavior

Abstract This study investigated the effectiveness of behavioral consultation in changing children's and teachers' behaviors in consultation cases that involved children identified by teachers as manifesting symptoms characteristics of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Twenty teachers of inattentive and disruptive students were randomly assigned to behavioral consultation or to a no-treatment control group. Dependent measures administered before and after treatment included behavioral observations of teachers' and students' behavior, teachers' ratings of students on a standardized measure of hyperactivity, and teachers' ratings of target behavior severity. Intervention effects were investigated with analyses of variance. Children who received consultation improved significantly more than students in the control group on the standardized measure of hyperactivity and on ratings of target behavior severity. A marginally significant intervention effect was found for students' behaviors. Analyses of the relationship of teachers' characteristics and consultation outcomes found that teachers with higher teaching self-efficacy, defined as the teacher's perception of his or her ability to bring about positive changes in student learning or behavior, tended to evaluate the consultation less positively. Teachers' evaluations of the consultant were positively correlated with the degree to which teachers implemented plans developed in consultation and with ratings of students' improvement. The results are discussed in relation to the limitations of the study and to their implications for consultation practice and research.
Application of the Nosé−Hoover Chain Algorithm to the Study of Protein Dynamics

We have implemented the Nose−Hoover chain (NHC) method combined with an explicit reversible integrator into the MD module of AMBER (i.e., SANDER) to study the dynamics and the structure of biopolymers. We have implemented both constant temperature (NVT) and constant temperature and pressure (NTP) methods. We have studied the structure and dynamics of the antifreeze protein (AFP) in the gas phase and when solvated by water. Single and multiple chains of thermostats attached to the solute, solvent, and simulation box (in the case of constant-pressure simulations) were examined. The simulation results from constant energy, Berendsen constant temperature and pressure and Nose−Hoover chain NVT and NTP methods indicate all these methods can evolve the system to equilibrium at a comparable rate. The NHC method controls temperature better over the other methods. In particular, separate thermostat chains can eliminate the cold solute−hot solvent problem. For the constant temperature and pressure simulations, the N...
Relation of Ultra-Low Frequency Heart Rate Variability to the Clinical Course of Chronic Aortic Regurgitation

Abstract We examined the relation of the standard deviation of the 5-minute mean RR intervals over 24 hours (SDANN), a measure of ultra-low frequency heart rate variability (HRV) ( We examined the relation of the standard deviation of the 5-minute mean RR intervals over 24 hours (SDANN) and other measures of heart rate variability to progression to aortic valve replacement or sudden death over a mean 8-year follow-up in 50 asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation who had normal left ventricular ejection fraction at rest. With the median SDANN of 145 ms as a partition value, the average annual risk of end-point events in patients with low SDANN was significantly greater than the event rate in patients with high SDANN (11%/year vs 2%/year, p