cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations between genomic merit for daughter pregnancy rate of Holstein cows and metabolites postpartum and estrus characteristics.

ABSTRACT Genetic selection of Holstein cattle in the past 2 decades has seen an increased attention to fertility traits. Our hypotheses were that genomic merit for daughter pregnancy rate (GDPR) is positively associated with metabolic responses, hazard of estrus, and estrus characteristics. Pregnant heifers (n = 821) from one herd that were genotyped within 2 mo of birth (Clarifide, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) were fitted with automated monitoring devices (SCR Inc., Netanya, Israel) −21 ± 14 d relative to calving. Estrus characteristics recorded from calving to 62 d postpartum were evaluated. Blood samples were collected weekly from a subsample (n = 499) of cows, from 7 to 28 d postpartum, for determination of insulin-like growth factor-1, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acids. Cows received artificial insemination or embryo transfer following detected estrus and those not detected in estrus were submitted to an ovulation synchronization protocol starting at 75 d in milk. Linear and quadratic associations between GDPR and outcomes were analyzed, but when appropriate, results are presented according to GDPR quartile (Q1 = −1.8 to 0.8; Q2 = 0.9 to 1.7; Q3 = 1.8 to 2.5; Q4 = 2.6 to 5.9) based on the parameter estimates of the multivariable models. Genomic merit for daughter pregnancy rate was positively associated with insulin-like growth factor-1 (Q1 = 24.3 ± 0.2; Q2 = 26.8 ± 0.2; Q3 = 28.2 ± 0.2; Q4 = 30.6 ± 0.3 ng/mL) and glucose (Q1 = 67.0 ± 0.1; Q2 = 69.1 ± 0.2; Q3 = 69.6 ± 0.2; Q4 = 70.8 ± 0.2 mg/dL) concentrations, but GDPR was negatively associated with nonesterified fatty acid concentration (Q1 = 281.2 ± 4.9; Q2 = 262.0 ± 5.9; Q3 = 239.3 ± 5.0; Q4 = 221.6 ± 4.7 μmol/L). A positive association was observed between GDPR and hazard of estrus [adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval = 1.16 (1.06, 1.28)] and number of estrus events (Q1 = 0.50 ± 0.03; Q2 = 0.62 ± 0.04; Q3 = 0.74 ± 0.05; Q4 = 0.86 ± 0.06) within 62 d postpartum, duration of estrus (Q1 = 14.10 ± 0.04; Q2 = 14.48 ± 0.04; Q3 = 14.67 ± 0.04; Q4 = 14.98 ± 0.04 h), probability of activity peak (0 = no estrus, 100 = maximum activity) ≥86 (Q1 = 0.80 ± 0.03; Q2 = 0.83 ± 0.02; Q3 = 0.83 ± 0.03; Q4 = 0.85 ± 0.2), and probability of heat index ≥86 (Q1 = 0.77 ± 0.04; Q2 = 0.81 ± 0.05; Q3 = 0.83 ± 0.03; Q4 = 0.86 ± 0.03). Conversely, GDPR was negatively associated with rumination nadir at estrus (Q1 = −35.5 ± 0.1; Q2 = −37.0 ± 0.1; Q3 = −38.0 ± 0.1; Q4 = −39.6 ± 0.1 min). We detected a positive association between GDPR and hazard of pregnancy (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.19). Selection for GDPR may improve the hormonal and metabolic status of cows postpartum, leading to earlier resumption of cyclicity, and may improve detection of estrus in commercial herds because it was positively associated with estrus characteristics.
Usefulness of the measurement of neurite outgrowth of primary sensory neurons to study cancer-related painful complications.

Abstract Abnormal outgrowth of sensory nerves is one of the important contributors to pain associated with cancer and its treatments. Primary neuronal cultures derived from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) have been widely used to study pain-associated signal transduction and electrical activity of sensory nerves. However, there are only a few studies using primary DRG neuronal culture to investigate neurite outgrowth alterations due to underlying cancer-related factors and chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, primary DRG sensory neurons derived from mouse, non-human primate, and human were established in serum and growth factor-free conditions. A bovine serum albumin gradient centrifugation method improved the separation of sensory neurons from satellite cells. The purified DRG neurons were able to maintain their heterogeneous subpopulations, and displayed an increase in neurite growth when exposed to cancer-derived conditioned medium, while they showed a reduction in neurite length when treated with a neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agent. Additionally, a semi-automated quantification method was developed to measure neurite length in an accurate and time-efficient manner. Finally, these exogenous factors altered the gene expression patterns of murine primary sensory neurons, which are related to nerve growth, and neuro-inflammatory pain and nociceptor development. Together, the primary DRG neuronal culture in combination with a semi-automated quantification method can be a useful tool for further understanding the impact of exogenous factors on the growth of sensory nerve fibers and gene expression changes in sensory neurons.
The Impact of Dividing the Flexor Tendon Pulleys on Tendon Excursion and Work of Flexion in a Cadaveric Model

Purpose The A2 and A4 pulleys of the flexor tendon system have traditionally been considered critical components of efficient digital flexion. This dogma has recently been challenged. Using fresh human cadaveric hands and a model to measure force and excursion, we sought to clarify the clinical importance of releasing different pulleys. Methods Combinations of A1, A2, and A4 pulleys were released on the index, middle, ring, and little fingers of fresh, cadaveric hands. The excursion was measured as the distance the tendon was pulled by the motor to achieve palm touchdown. The force applied by the motor was constant (25 N); work was derived from the product of force and excursion (distance). The change in excursion and work needed to achieve palm touchdown before and after pulley release was measured. Excursion varies among digits and specimens at baseline; therefore, the percentage change from the intact state was used to compare groups. We compared A2 versus A1, A4 versus A1, A4 versus A2, A1 + A2 versus A2, and A1 + A4 versus A4. Results Isolated A2 or A4 release had the greatest individual impact on the excursion (4.77% ± 1.52% and 3.88% ± 1.93%, respectively). When A1 was released with A2 (9.90% ± 2.52%), the additional impact on the excursion was significant; however, when A1 was released with A4 (2.63% ± 2.81%), the impact was marginal. No clinically or statistically significant change in the work of flexion was detected. Conclusions A1 release was clinically significant when added to A2 release but not when added to A4 release. Sacrifice of the A2 and A4 pulleys resulted in a statistically significant, but clinically negligible, difference in flexor tendon excursion. These data suggest that the A1 pulley should be preserved when other proximal pulley components are likely to be compromised. These data also add further support to the concept that the A2 pulley or the A4 pulley can be released as needed for optimal tenorrhaphy. Clinical relevance During flexor tendon repair, the length of contiguous pulley release may have more impact on final tendon excursion than which specific pulleys are released.
Police Exposures and the Health and Well-being of Black Youth in the US: A Systematic Review.

Importance Black youth in the US experience disproportionate contact with police even when accounting for criminal or delinquent behavior, which some experts say is fueled by racism and discrimination. While the literature supports the link between racism and adverse health outcomes, less is known about the impact of policing on the well-being of Black youth. Objective To systematically review the literature describing the association between police exposure and health outcomes for Black youth 26 years and younger. Evidence Review A search of PubMed, Embase, Criminal Justice Abstracts, PsycInfo, and Web of Science was conducted. Eligible studies included original peer-reviewed research published from 1980 to December 2020, with a participant population of Black youth, a focus on police exposure, and health as the outcome. Additional articles were identified by hand-searching reference lists of included studies. Data extraction was performed, followed by critical appraisal of all included studies using a convergent segregated approach in which quantitative and qualitative studies were synthesized separately followed by an overarching synthesis across methods. Findings A total of 16 quantitative studies including 19 493 participants were included in the review and demonstrated an association between police exposure and adverse mental health, sexual risk behaviors, and substance use. A total of 13 qualitative studies including 461 participants were included in the review, which corroborated and contextualized the quantitative evidence and provided additional health outcomes, such as fear for life or hopelessness. Conclusions and Relevance Evidence shows that police exposures are associated with adverse health outcomes for Black youth. Clinicians, scientists, public health practitioners, and policy makers can partner with local governments to enact reforms that mitigate the health impact of policing on youth.
Aggregation of Ordinal Judgements Based on Condorcet’s Majority Rule

This paper deals with the aggregation of ordinal judgements using Condorcet’s majority rule. Since this rule achieves not necessarily a transitive relation, some authors formulate appropriate constraints to avoid this disadvantage. But also certain distance functions assigning appropriate dissimilarity values to pairs of relations lead to the majority rule with constraints. In comparison with Borda’s scoring method, which directly generates an aggregation being a complete preorder, the results are sometimes different.
Risk, Financing and the Optimal Number of Suppliers

Should firms in developed economies work with more or fewer suppliers than firms in developing economies? More generally, how does the number of suppliers for a firm depend on the firm’s economic environment? To answer these questions we identify several economic and business factors that might affect the number of suppliers (and that separate developed and developing economies): supply risk, fixed costs of working with suppliers, and access to financing (particularly trade-credit financing).
Mutual Exclusion Between Neighboring Nodes in a Tree That Stabilizes Using Read/Write Atomicity

Our purpose in this paper is to propose a new protocol that can ensure mutual exclusion between neighboring nodes in a tree structured distributed system, i.e., under the given protocol no two neighboring nodes can execute their critical sections concurrently. This protocol can be used to run a serial model self stabilizing algorithm in a distributed environment that accepts as atomic operations only send a message, receive a message an update a state. Unlike the scheme in [1], our protocol does not use time-stamps (which are basically unbounded integers); our algorithm uses only bounded integers (actually, the integers can assume values only 0, 1, 2 and 3) and can be easily implemented.
Marine Bioacoustics: Back to the Future

Abstract : The overall goal of this project has been to provide advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral investigators with a broad understanding of ocean acoustics as well as the techniques used to study the ecology of marine animals in situ. A secondary goal of the project is to provide a setting for developing and testing new technologies. In this manner, it serves as a research magnet, attracting leading scientists to conduct their own research in a creative teaching and learning environment that catalyzes interactions across the various disciplines associated with Bioacoustical Oceanography. The specific objective of this research is to provide students with a broad understanding of the acoustic techniques used to study the distribution and behavior of marine animals in the context of their physical/chemical/biological environment. Highlighted activities conducted over the 5 years of our grant include the following: (1) three zooplankton acoustics cruises to Saanich Inlet, BC, Canada, to demonstrate how the forward problem can be used to groundtruth acoustic data, and how survey data can be interpolated to generate 3-D assessments of zooplankton distributions; (2) experimental study in Saanich Inlet to test the hypothesis that strobe lights on a MOCNESS sampling system reduces or eliminates net avoidance by euphausiids; (3) field trials along the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island to test a new, multi-frequency echo sounder developed for use with Wave Gliders; (4) a fisheries acoustics cruise to demonstrate the methods used for conducting marine predator-prey studies using acoustics to define prey fields; (5) a passive acoustics exercise at Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island to calibrate its hydrophone array and evaluate its performance in localizing and tracking orcas; and; (6) a passive acoustics exercise along the Kohala Coast in which three Wave Gliders were deployed with hydrophones to localize and track vocalizing humpback whales.
Shaking Out the Welcome Mat for an Enduring Latcrit Social Movement

I have come away with some favorites in this cluster of essays, many of which spoke to my heart and not just my head. Not able to attend the 14 annual LatCrit Conference, I am privileged to comment on these essays, which include the writings of young scholars who were at their first ever LatCrit conference. The theme of the conference, Outsiders on the Inside, acknowledged the significance of the historic 2008 election of Barack Obama. For those who identify as progressives, Obama’s election and the hopes for his success as the first person of color to hold the office of President of the United States seemed like a dream fulfilled. Did it really happen? Had the nation really overcome race in the election? Was this the fulfillment of the rainbow of dreams and hopes of historically marginalized groups of seeing the benefits of the legacy of the civil rights movement, affirmative action, women’s and queers’ rights, or even cutting edge “critical theory” taking its place alongside mainstream scholarship? Or could we attribute Obama’s election only partially to these social movements, but more to the voters being fed up with the past administration’s illegitimate corporate sponsored “war on terror,” and economic agendas? The other part of the conference theme was titled “The New American Regime.” The phrase is provocative. What makes a change in an administration’s regime? Where is the power and who really holds it? Is it
Microwave ablation at 915 MHz vs 2.45 GHz: A theoretical and experimental investigation.

Purpose: The relationship between microwave ablation system operating frequency and ablation performance is not currently well understood. The objective of this study was to comparatively assess the differences in microwave ablation at 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz. Methods: Analytical expressions for electromagnetic radiation from point sources were used to compare power deposition at the two frequencies of interest. A 3D electromagnetic-thermal bioheat transfer solver was implemented with the finite element method to characterize power deposition and thermal ablation with asymmetrical insulated dipole antennas (single-antenna and dual-antenna synchronous arrays). Simulation results were validated against experiments in ex vivo tissue. Results: Theoretical, computational, and experimental results indicated greater power deposition and larger diameter ablation zones when using a single insulated microwave antenna at 2.45 GHz; experimentally, 32 ± 4.1 mm and 36.3 ± 1.0 mm for 5 and 10 min, respectively, at 2.45 GHz, compared to 24 ± 1.7 mm and 29.5 ± 0.6 mm at 915 MHz, with 30 W forward power at the antenna input port. In experiments, faster heating was observed at locations 5 mm (0.91 vs 0.49 °C/s) and 10 mm (0.28 vs 0.15 °C/s) from the antenna operating at 2.45 GHz. Larger ablation zones were observed with dual-antenna arraysmore » at 2.45 GHz; however, the differences were less pronounced than for single antennas. Conclusions: Single- and dual-antenna arrays systems operating at 2.45 GHz yield larger ablation zone due to greater power deposition in proximity to the antenna, as well as greater role of thermal conduction.« less
FM-CW radar performance in a lossy layered medium

Abstract FM-CW radar is capable of detecting subsurface anomalies by using linear sweep frequency transmission of a periodically repetitive continuous FM signal. Due to the continuous-wave nature, the peak power of the FM-CW radar is usually in the range of hundreds of milliwatts. In cases where high resolution is necessary, the FM-CW radar is preferred because of the simple hardware structure and the availability of low-power components. The distance from the antenna to an anomaly can be determined by FM-CW radar in lossless media. In this paper, we present both analytical and numerical methods for modelling FM-CW radar performance in lossless and lossy layered formations for 1D and 2D cases. The FM-CW operating frequency is set in the range of 1–2 GHz, and the sweep periods are 10 ms and 2 ms, respectively. An inversion formulation is discussed to invert the distance and dielectric constant simultaneously from the spectrum of the received signal by using FFT and the `range equation'. The spatial resolution is about one-third of the center wavelength and the depth of penetration is about 4 m in a medium having a conductivity less than 1 mS/m. The FM-CW radar technique cannot be used in a lossy medium having conductivity more than 30 mS/m. The spectrum and images of multilayer formations is also studied.
A comparison of the amino-acid compositions of pork, rabbit, beef, and lamb tropomyosins

Abstract 1. 1. The amino-acid composition of pork tropomyosin was determined and compared with those of the rabbit, beef, and lamb proteins, which were similarly purified and analysed under the same conditions. 2. 2. Although some significant differences between species were observed, no systematic trends in such differences were apparent. 3. 3. Pork tropomyosin had an amino-acid composition very similar to that of the other species.
Experimental Ablation Rates in a Turbulent Boundary Layer

An exploratory experimental program on the ablation of graphite, a combustible sublimator, is reported which verifies an analysis of turbulent ablation rates previously developed. A blowdown system was employed using a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen as the working gas. The use of a high percentage of oxygen enabled the simulation of re-entry ablation conditions. Ablation rates were predicted within 30 per cent with no adjustment of empirical constants derived from incompressible turbulent skin-friction experiments. The predictions were consistently high. Temperature of the reacting surface, determined by means of a radiamatic pyrometer, was predicted within 10 per cent. The analysis can be applied to a wide variety of ablation materials including those which go through a liquid phase, provided proper account is taken of the chemistry, and provided the simplifying assumptions are valid.
Molecular Determinants of GPCR-G Protein Complex Formation

The G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family is comprised of ubiquitous, membrane-bound proteins that are highly conserved in structure, yet varied in their cognate ligand. This allows for regulation of a variety of physiological processes ranging from cardiac contractility and neurotransmission to olfaction and vision. Signaling events downstream of activated GPCRs are initiated through a conserved mechanism of receptor-mediated nucleotide exchange of GDP for GTP in their intracellular binding partner, the heterotrimeric G protein (Gαβγ). While much is known about GPCR and Gαβγ function, few details have emerged regarding the mechanism of GPCR-Gαβγ complex formation during signaling initiation because of the intrinsic instability of such complexes both in vivo and in vitro in the presence of detergent micelles. To overcome this limitation, we examined the utility of a range of membrane mimetics for stabilizing GPCR-Gαβγ complexes using the model system pair rhodopsin-transducin responsible for visual transduction. This system was chosen for its spectroscopic properties that can be easily followed as a measure of complex stability. Our results support the dependence of GPCR-Gαβγ complex formation on membrane morphology and nonspecific electrostatic interactions between membrane components and membrane protein binding molecules.
On the Incommensurability of Theories

The commensurability of two theories can be defined (relative to a given set of questions) as the ratio of the total information of their shared answers to the total information of the answers yielded by the two theories combined. Answers should be understood here as model consequences (in the sense of the author’s earlier papers), not deductive consequences. This definition is relative to a given model of the joint language of the theories, but can be generalized to sets of models. It turns out to capture also the idea of incommensurability as conceptual alienation. Incommensurability so defined does not imply incomparability.
Exact analytical solution for the vector electromagnetic field of Gaussian, flattened Gaussian, and annular Gaussian laser modes

The exact vector integral solution for all the electromagnetic field components of a general flattened Gaussian laser mode is derived by using the angular spectrum method. This solution includes the pure and annular Gaussian modes as special cases. The integrals are of the form of Gegenbauer's finite integral and are computed analytically for each case, yielding fields satisfying the Maxwell equations exactly in the form of quickly converging Fourier-Gegenbauer series.
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION MEASUREMENT OF RESIDUAL STRESSES IN FRICTION STIR PROCESSED NANOCOMPOSITE SURFACE LAYER

Friction stir processing (FSP) was successfully used to stir and mix nano-sized Al2O3 particles into a Al6061-T6 aluminum plate to form a nanocomposite layer up to 3 mm thick. This nanocomposite surface has demonstrated significantly improved surface hardness, yield strength, and wear-resistance without sacrificing the substrate ductility and conductivity. Neutron diffraction analysis was conducted to determine the residual stress distribution in the nanocomposite surface layer. For comparison, the residual stress of the aluminum surface that was processed similarly but had no particle involved was also measured. Results showed that the macro-level residual stresses in the FSP zone without particles are low due to the annealing effect induced by the long heating time and large heat input. The macro-level residual stresses in the FSP-processed Al-Al2O3 nanocomposite zone are tensile up to 100 MPa in all three directions. The details of the results will be further discussed in the paper.
Preparation of YBa2Cu3Ox superconducting thin films via combustion chemical vapor deposition

Abstract YBa2Cu3Ox (YBCO) thin films were prepared by combustion chemical vapor deposition. As-deposited films on single-crystal (100) MgO substrates showed highly oriented c-axis up-growth and displayed the onset of a superconducting transition at 84 K with zero resistance obtained at 78 K after annealing in pure oxygen. Pole figures of the YBCO films on (100) MgO showed two in-plane alignment orientations of the film with respect to the substrate. The YBCO [100] and [110] were aligned with the MgO [100]. YBCO films were also deposited on roll-textured polycrystalline silver at temperatures between 1120–1220 K and displayed c axis up-growth. The rolling texture of silver was not strong enough to induce detectable in-plane preferential growth of the YBCO. Metal nitrate salt solution compositions differed from oxide film compositions. To obtain a film composition of near 1:2:3 on MgO, a solution composition of 1:1:0.9 was necessary.
The Paradigm Root in Hebrew

In grammars of Hebrew, a variety of different roots have been used in order to illustrate the verbal paradigms. The reasons for choosing one root over another are worthy of examination, and ultimately such an exercise leads to the question of which root is ideal for this purpose. In fact, no one root is ideal, and the choice of paradigm root is ultimately connected with the goals of the individual authors.
Direct Determination of Anionic Surfactants Using Ion Chromatography

Abstract A method for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of surfactants in solution via ion chromatography has been developed. This method has the capability of separating linear alkyl anionic surfactants which differ by as little as two carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. In addition, the method can differentiate between surfactants of the same chain length which differ only in the chemical nature of the anionic head group. The ion chromatographic method is much simpler and more accurate than previous techniques of determining surfactant concentration which relied on detecting changes in secondary properties, such as surface tension. The method is also highly flexible and should be applicable to a wide variety of ionic and nonionic surfactants. Use of ion chromatography will greatly simplify studies of surfactant behavior.
Linear operators and vector measures

This paper is a continuation of a study of operators on function spaces initiated by the authors in [2] and [3]. The operators are studied in terms of their representing measures. In w 2 a characterization of compact operators is obtained using recent results of Brooks [1]. In w 3 factorization and characterization theorems for p-dominated and absolutely p-summing maps are given. The factorization results are motivated by Pietsch's work [5]. The general setting is as follows. Each of E and F is a B-space (= Banach space), H is a compact Hausdorff space and C(H, E) is the B-space (sup norm) of all continuous E-valued defined on H. We shall be interested in operators (= continuous linear transformations) L: C(H,E)--~F and representing measures m: Z---~B(E, F**), where B(E, F**) is the B-space of all operators from E into the bidual of E and E is the Borel o--algebra of subsets of H. A finitely additive set function m: Z--~B(E, F**) is called a representing measure if m has finite semivariation and Imz[ (= to ta l variation of the adjoint measure) is a regular Borel measure for each z~F~ (=closed unit ball in F*). The Riesz Representation Theorem in this setting asserts that to each operator L: C(H, E)---~F there corresponds a unique representing measure m: E--~B(E, F**) so that L(f)=~nfdm and IILII =~(H), where ffz denotes the semivariation; this association is denoted by L,,--.m. The reader may consult Brooks and Lewis [3] for a detailed discussion of this setting. In particular, CA will be the characteristic function of a set A, S(Z) will denote the scalar valued simple functions over Z, and U(Z) will be the uniform closure of S(E); the spaces SE(2~ ) and Ue(2~) are defined analogously for E-valued functions. The reader should note that if m~-~,L, then m(A)x=L**(r ). Also, we shall say that a representing measure m is strongly bounded (s-bounded) if rh(Ai)---~0 for a disjoint sequence (Ai)c S. The first named author acknowledges support of the National Science Foundation during the preparation of this paper.
REGIONAL SCALE STRESSOR-RESPONSE MODELS IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract: A systematic method for identification and estimation of regional scale stressor-response models in aquatic ecosystems will be useful in monitoring and assessment of aquatic resources, determination of regional nutrient criteria and for increased understanding of the differences between regions. The model response variable is chlorophyll a, a measure of algal density, while the stressors include nutrient concentrations from the USEPA Nutrient Criteria Database (NCD) for lakes/ponds and reservoirs of the continental United States. The NCD has observations for both stressors and biological responses determined using methods that are not consistently available at the continental scale. To link multiple environmental stressors to biological responses and quantify uncertainty in model predictions, we take a multilevel modeling approach to the estimation of a linear model for prediction of log Chlorophyll a using predictors log TP and log TN. The multilevel modeling approach allows us to adjust the impact of covariates at all levels (observation, higher level groups) for the simultaneous operation of contextual and individual variability in the outcome. Here, we wish to allow separate regression coefficients for inference regarding similarities and differences between each of 14 ecoregions, and between the two water-body types, lakes/ponds and reservoirs. We are also interested in the nuisance effects of the categorical variables indicating the type of nitrogen measurements (three levels) and the type of chlorophyll a measurements (four levels) used. Model-based determination of nutrient criteria points to an apparent incompatibility of criteria developed for nutrient stressors and eutrophication responses using current Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance.
The spread of 'Post Abortion Syndrome' as social diagnosis.

This paper examines the content of Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS) claims, the social actors involved and how this social diagnosis bypassed professional dissent and diffused into public policy in the United States. Previous works on the spread of PAS focus on almost exclusively on anti-abortion think tanks and policymakers. Missing from these analyses, however, is an emphasis on the grassroots-level actions undertaken by evangelical crisis pregnancy center (CPC) activists in introducing and circulating PAS claims. The CPC movement introduced PAS claims and provided the fodder for anti-abortion think tanks to construct evidence of pro-life claims. Despite dissent from health professionals and academic researchers, CPC PAS claims successfully diffused into federal and state abortion policy. I draw upon Brown et al.'s social diagnosis framework and Armstrong's five-stage model of diagnosis development to frame this account.
Anisotropy of RKKY coupling strength in Dy/Y superlattices (abstract)

We have investigated the dependence of magnetic coupling strength on growth direction in superlattices made from alternating layers of Dy and Y metals. Using new molecular‐beam epitaxy techniques, we have succeeded in growing high‐quality single‐crystal materials with structural coherence lengths >500 A and with the growth direction oriented along a, b, or c crystallographic axes by choice. In earlier work, we showed that, in c‐axis samples, Dy layers order coherently via RKKY‐like interactions propagated through Y layers up to about 150 A thick. Here we report neutron scattering data which show that Dy layers in b‐axis samples fail to couple coherently even when the Y spacer layers are as thin as 26 A. This observation can be explained in a semiquantitative way in terms of the anisotropy of the q‐dependent susceptibility of Y, which exhibits a peak that is sharp in the c* direction but broad along a* and b*. As a result, the conduction‐electron mediated exchange coupling through the Y layer is long range...
New tighter polynomial length formulations for the asymmetric traveling salesman problem with and without precedence constraints

We propose a new formulation for the asymmetric traveling salesman problem, with and without precedence relationships, which employs a polynomial number of subtour elimination constraints that imply an exponential subset of certain relaxed Dantzig-Fulkerson-Johnson subtour constraints. Promising computational results are presented, particularly in the presence of precedence constraints.
Preoperative PSA velocity and doubling time do not predict adverse pathologic features or biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Objectives. To improve the accuracy of predicting pathologic stage and biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP), we sought to determine whether preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity and doubling time predict adverse pathologic features or biochemical recurrence following RP. We also sought to determine if there were racial differences in preoperative PSA velocity and doubling time. Methods. A total of 331 patients underwent RP at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center between November 1991 and March 2000. Of these patients, 86 had two or more preoperative PSA values that were at least 12 months apart. Patients were analyzed to determine whether preoperative PSA velocity or doubling time was predictive of adverse pathologic features, including positive surgical margins, capsular penetration, seminal vesicle invasion, or biochemical recurrence. Additionally, PSA velocity and doubling time were compared among white, black, Hispanic, and Asian men. Results. Preoperative PSA velocity and doubling time were not predictive of positive surgical margins, capsular penetration, or seminal vesicle invasion (P >0.30). In addition, there was no association between PSA velocity or doubling time and pathologic stage or surgical Gleason score (P >0.36). Preoperative PSA velocity (P = 0.581) and doubling time (P = 0.528) were not predictors of biochemical recurrence following RP. There were no racial differences in preoperative PSA velocity (P = 0.715) or doubling time (P = 0.662). Conclusions. Neither preoperative PSA velocity nor doubling time was a predictor of adverse pathologic findings or biochemical recurrence after RP. In addition, there was no difference in PSA velocity or doubling time between the races studied.
Crystallographic and luminescence studies of ammonium and water adducts of anthraquinone fluorophores

Fluorescence and X-ray crystallographic results for ammonium adducts of an anthraquinone-containing polyether macrocycle, 1,8-oxybis(ethyleneoxyethyleneoxy)-anthracene-9,10-dione (1), and an open-chain fluorinated analogue are presented. The crystal structure of a pseudo-polymorph of a hydrate of compound 1 is also presented. [1 2·NH4]PF6·MeOH (2), triclinic, P-1, a=10.5948(13), b=14.903(2), c=15.918(2), α=71.260(3), β=82.063(2), γ=69.258(2), Z=2, 5250 reflections [I≥2σ(I)], R1=0.0487, wR2=0.1190, 173(2) K; 1 4 ·H2O, Triclinic, P-1, a=12.0084(8) b=13.8050(9) c=23.8027(16), α=106.068(1), β=98.281(1), γ=90.047(1), Z=8, 8402 reflections [I≥2σ(I)], R1=0.0488, wR2=0.1086, 100(2) K. Different anti and gauche ring conformations are observed for macrocycles with and without guests complexed within the polyether ring.
On a pedestal: from renaissance chopines to baroque heels

This book forms part of the material from the exhibition On a Pedestal: From Renaissance Chopines to Baroque Heels held at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto between 19 November 2009 and 20 September ...
Transformation of Manganese Acyls (CO)5MnC(O)CH2R (R = H, CH3, OCH3) into Their Siloxyvinyl Derivatives (CO)5MnC(OSiEt3)CHR with Triethylsilane. An Approach to Double Carbonylation of Manganese Alkyl Complexes (CO)5MnCH2R

Treatment of the manganese acyl complexes (CO)5MnC(O)CH2R [R = H (1a), CH3 (1b), OCH3 (1c)] with triethylsilane gave stable α-triethylsiloxyvinyl compounds (Z)-(CO)5MnC(OSiEt3)CHR (3a−c). Carbonyla...
Atomic-force and fluorescence microscopy of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of L -α-dimyristoylphosphatidic acid

We have obtained fluorescence and atomic-force-microscopy images of the liquid and solid phases of Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of [ital L]-[alpha]-dimyristoylphosphatidic acid, some containing [similar to]1 mol % of [ital L]-[alpha]-phosphatidylethanolamine-[ital N]-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole. The fluorescence microscopy images are similar to those of monolayers at the air-water interface, but slight differences indicate that changes occur in the monolayers as a result of the deposition process. The atomic-force-microscopy images show the clean glass substrates to be very much rougher than when the monolayers are deposited on them. We propose that a water layer provides a smooth surface on which the Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers rest. We measured a [similar to]25-A height difference between the liquid and solid phase region, one explanation being that the alkyl chains of the molecule are standing up in the solid phase and lying down in the liquid phase. This result is consistent with the fluorescence and atomic-force-microscopy images which show an increase in the amount of solid phase domains as a result of the deposition process. Further, the atomic-force-microscopy images of the monolayers show features which have not been described before and which could not be attributed to the presence of the dye. Finally, we showed that if the Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers aremore » not stored in a humid environment, they begin to collapse into multilayers.« less
Effects of lovastatin (mevinolin) on sterol levels and on activity of azoles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The hypocholesterolemic drug lovastatin (mevinolin) was found to be very effective in lowering the sterol levels of the wild-type yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lovastatin dramatically decreased the steryl ester content from 2.62 to 0.8 micrograms/mg (dry weight), whereas the free sterol content decreased only from 2.79 to 2.24 micrograms/mg (dry weight) when lovastatin was present in the medium at 10 micrograms/ml. At higher concentrations (100 micrograms/ml), lovastatin nearly abolished the accumulation of steryl esters and decreased the free sterol concentration to less than 1.3 micrograms/mg (dry weight). As a result of the lowered sterol levels, proportional amounts of exogenous sterol were taken up from the medium during aerobic, respiratory conditions. Nearly all of the exogenous sterol taken up was partitioned into the free sterol fraction. The inhibition of sterol esterification in the presence of lovastatin was dependent on heme synthesis. The result of these combined effects caused the MICs of three azole antifungal drugs (ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and miconazole) to be lowered from 6- to 32-fold when lovastatin was present in the medium at 10 micrograms/ml.
Automatic activation of phonological information in reading: Evidence from the semantic relatedness decision task

A semantic relatedness decision task was used to investigate whether phonological recoding occurs automatically and whether it mediates lexical access in visual word recognition and reading. In this task, subjects read a pair of words and decided whether they were related or unrelated in meaning. In Experiment 1, unrelated word-homophone pairs (e.g., LION-BARE) and their visual controls (e.g., LION-BEAN) as well as related word pairs (e.g., FISH-NET) were presented. Homophone pairs were more likely to be judged as related or more slowly rejected as unrelated than their control pairs, suggesting phonological access of word meanings. In Experiment 2, word-pseudohomophone pairs (e.g., TABLE-CHARE) and their visual controls (e.g., TABLE-CHARK) as well as related and unrelated word pairs were presented. Pseudohomophone pairs were more likely to be judged as related or more slowly rejected as unrelated than their control pairs, again suggesting automatic phonological recoding in reading.
Transcriptional response of human microglial cells to interferon-γ

Microglia, the resident macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS), play a pivotal role in innate and adaptive immune responses in the brain. The immune functions of microglia are regulated by cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-gamma, which is a major mediator of macrophage activation. We describe the transcriptional profile of human fetal microglial cells at 1, 6, and 24 h after IFN-gamma treatment. The results show a change in the expression of 405 genes including transcriptionally induced chemokines, IFN-gamma signaling factors, and major histocompatibility complex genes. Our results demonstrate that activation of microglia by IFN-gamma induces proinflammatory T-lymphocyte-related chemokine genes as well as genes involved in antigen presentation. As a result, signals for T-cell infiltration and antigen presentation are produced to allow for microglia-T-cell interactions that likely contribute to defense against invading pathogens. In sum, our results provide a foundation for the molecular mechanisms of the microglial response to IFN-gamma-a key to understanding cell-mediated immunity of the CNS.
Teaching Random Assignment: A Classroom Demonstration Using a Deck of Playing Cards

Despite its apparent simplicity, random assignment is an abstract concept for many students. This article describes a classroom demonstration that uses a standard deck of playing cards. In small gr...
Analysis of longitudinal health-related quality of life data with terminal events

Longitudinal health-related quality of life data arise naturally from studies of progressive and neurodegenerative diseases. In such studies, patients’ mental and physical conditions are measured over their follow-up periods and the resulting data are often complicated by subject-specific measurement times and possible terminal events associated with outcome variables. Motivated by the “Predictor’s Cohort” study on patients with advanced Alzheimer disease, we propose in this paper a semiparametric modeling approach to longitudinal health-related quality of life data. It builds upon and extends some recent developments for longitudinal data with irregular observation times. The new approach handles possibly dependent terminal events. It allows one to examine time-dependent covariate effects on the evolution of outcome variable and to assess nonparametrically change of outcome measurement that is due to factors not incorporated in the covariates. The usual large-sample properties for parameter estimation are established. In particular, it is shown that relevant parameter estimators are asymptotically normal and the asymptotic variances can be estimated consistently by the simple plug-in method. A general procedure for testing a specific parametric form in the nonparametric component is also developed. Simulation studies show that the proposed approach performs well for practical settings. The method is applied to the motivating example.
Multipole expansion in quadrupolar devices comprised of planar electrode arrays

Abstract Ion trap mass analyzers made using arrays of independent electrodes allow unprecedented control and variability of electric field shapes. We present a method to select and implement specific values for higher-order multipoles, which are known to affect ion trapping and mass analysis in quadrupole ion traps. Electrode arrays are amenable to microfabrication techniques, hence this method can be used to improve performance in miniaturized ion trap mass spectrometers. With ion traps made using two opposing electrode array plates, both even- and odd-order multipoles can be independently adjusted.
Learning the dependency structure of highway networks for traffic forecast

Forecasting road traffic conditions requires an accurate knowledge of the spatio-temporal dependencies of traffic flow in transportation networks. In this article, a Bayesian network framework is introduced to model the correlation structure of highway networks in the context of traffic forecast. We formulate the dependency learning problem as an optimization problem and propose an efficient algorithm to identify the inclusion-optimal dependency structure of the network given historical observations. The optimal dependency structure learned by the proposed algorithm is evaluated on benchmark tests to show its robustness to measurement uncertainties and on field data from the Mobile Millennium traffic estimation system to show its applicability in an operational setting.
Holonomic constraint contributions to free energy differences from thermodynamic integration molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract A method is presented for the evaluation of holonomic constraint contributions to free energy differences obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. The method is used with the thermodynamic integration technique in which analytical derivatives of the Hamiltonian are evaluated. The free energy contributions are shown to be easily derived from the constraint forces that can be evaluated from the SHAKE coordinate corrections. The problem of poor statistical accuracy associated with the creation or annihilation of atoms can be treated using a sprouting/desprouting technique, in which it is essential to be able to evaluate constraint contributions to free energy differences. This is illustrated for the mutation of ethanol to ethane in aqueous solution and in vacuo. For this system, experimental free energies of hydration are compared with the calculated values using different sprouting/desprouting protocols.
PREPARATION OF ENRICHED FRACTIONS OF α-LACTALBUMIN AND β-LACTOGLOBULIN FROM CHEESE WHEY USING CARBON DIOXIDE

A new process for preparing enriched fractions of α-lactalbumin (α-La) and β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) from whey protein concentrate was developed. To prepare the fractions, solutions containing from 7% (w/w) to 25% (w/w) whey protein concentrate (WPC75) were sparged with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in a batch reactor. The effects of pressure, temperature, concentration, and residence time on the distribution of the individual whey proteins in each fraction were investigated. Best results were obtained for 7% (w/w) WPC75 solutions, at reactor fill pressures of 4140 kPa and 5520 kPa, temperature of 64C and reactor residence time of 10 min. Gel electrophoresis of unpurified enriched samples showed that recovery of α-La was approximately 55% and that of β-Lg was 78%. The resulting fractions have a pH of 6.0 and contain no added salts.
Personality correlates of eating attitudes in a nonclinical sample

Few studies have investigated the relationship between eating history, attitudes and/or behaviors, and personality in nonclinical populations. This is a report of a serendipitous finding with 122 female undergraduates and a partial replication of that study with 40 older college females. Multiple regression analyses were carried out with the Restraint Scale, Eating Attitudes Test, and self-report of weight history used as predictors of personality. The Jackson Personality Research Form scales were found to have significant relationships, modest in size but large in number of scales affected, with eating history and/or lifestyle. This suggests an overlooked connection between eating behaviors and personality in normal as well as clinically impaired females.
Biosynthesis of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

HUMAN chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone normally secreted by trophoblastic cells of the placenta during pregnancy. Trophoblastic tumors and some nontrophoblastic tumors also secrete hCG and/or its α- or β-subunit. This review emphasizes a number of aspects, some controversial, of hCG biosynthesis and secretion that have received intense investigation in recent years. Many of the studies have utilized hCG-secreting malignant cell lines derived from trophoblastic and nontrophoblastic tumors. The prohormone mechanism for hCG biosynthesis has lost favor in light of recent molecular biological studies which demonstrate that the α- and β-subunits are synthesized separately. The nascent α- and β-subunits of hCG are glycosylated by en bloc attachment of high-mannose complex-type oligosaccharides to two asparagine residues of each subunit. After excess mannose and glucose residues are trimmed from the intermediates, peripheral monosaccharides (N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, N-acetylneuraminic...
Alternative dispute resolution and organizational incentives in the U.S. forest service

In 1989, the U.S. Forest Service revised its administrative appeal regulation, placing explicit emphasis on negotiations between Forest Service officers and appellants. This article examines why it would be in the interests of a large federal bureaucracy to formally endorse negotiation, a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process, through codified regulation. The article begins to fill a gap in the dispute resolution literature by analyzing the role of organizational interests in ADR processes. Examining the U.S. Forest Service's use of ADR to resolve forest plan appeals in the middle to late 1980s shows that the agency was able to protect timber harvesting—a central organizational interest referred to as core technology—through a variety of strategies. The article concludes by addressing the possible evolution in the Forest Service's core technology and the implications of this evolution for the future of ADR in the Forest Service.