cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Grades of Intrinsic Sphincteric Deficiency (ISD) Associated with Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Intrinsic urethral sphincter deficiency (ISD) is a clinical entity that should be suspected in women with stress urinary incontinence. If it is not diagnosed prior to surgery, it poses a significant risk factor for repair failure. We propose a classification of ISD based on videofluorourodynamic (VFUD) and abdominal leak-point pressures. One hundred female patients with stress urinary incontinence due to ISD were included in this study. History and physical examination were performed on all patients. Each patient underwent a standard VFUD study with abdominal leak-point pressure (ALPP) measurement. ISD is classified into subtypes according to VFUDS and ALPP. The findings were then correlated with the clinical presentation, etiology and proposed management. Three types of ISD/SUI were identified. ISD-A, subtle/urodynamic, was present in 32 patients (32%). It is most difficult to diagnose because radiologically the bladder neck is not open at rest, and it is only diagnosed by VFUD. The abdominal leak-point pressure was less than 12 cmH2O. ISD-B was present in 45 patients (45%). This is characterized by a beak-shaped open bladder neck at rest. The abdominal leak-point pressure was less than 90 cmH2O. ISD-C was present in 14 patients (14%). It is characterized by an open, fixed non-functioning urethra (pipe-stem) with high position of the bladder neck. The abdominal leak-point pressure was less than 70 cmH2O. All the three subtypes had proximal urethral closure pressure (PCUP) less than 10 cmH2O. Based on these data, the treatment options may vary from one subtype to another. For ISD-A, initial treatment was medical, with collagen injection being used for the failed cases. For ISD-B a modified pubovaginal sling was used, as it corrects the ISD and the urethral hypermobility at the same time. For ISD-C, urethrolysis and takedown of the previous suspension was required before using a sling. Collagen injections were used in selected cases. This classification identifies different subgroups of ISD, which is important in the diagnosis and management of this condition.
The efficiency of the oxidation of carbon nanofibers with various oxidizing agents

Abstract The oxidation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with various oxidizing agents; 6 M HNO3, KMnO4, RuO4, and a mixture of concentrated H2SO4/HNO3 is studied to determine the reaction conditions that optimizes yield and chemical functionalization. The oxidized nanofibers were examined by scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to characterize the defects caused by oxidation. The amount of acidic sites generated during oxidative treatment was quantified by reacting them with amine terminated octadecane and the subsequent quantification of the products of this grafting process by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The concentrated H2SO4/HNO3 mixture created the maximum number of carboxylic acid groups and the highest amount of defect sites, but had very low yield (∼12%). Six molar of HNO3 generated fewer defect sites and a lower number of –COOH groups, but did exhibit a 70% yield. RuO4 and KMnO4 resulted in similar amounts of overall defect sites, however the yield and amount of –COOH groups for KMnO4 treated CNF were significantly lower than the RuO4 treatment. Overall, oxidation of these CNF with RuO4 provides the best balance of yield and carboxylation.
Instability of a missense suppressor resulting from a duplication of genetic material.

Abstract A number of spontaneously arising suppressor mutations of the trpA36§ mutation (an arginine for glycine replacement in the tryptophan synthetase A protein of Escherichia coli) have been isolated. All map at or near the same genetic locus (linked to argH) as the trpA36 suppressors described by Brody & Yanofsky (1965); they differ from the Brody-Yanofsky suppressor isolates by their slower growth rates in minimal medium, their death following a shift-up from minimal medium to Tryptone, and their failure to segregate Trp− cells. Our experiments suggest that these new suppressed isolates are haploid for the suppressor gene and that the Brody-Yanofsky suppressed strains are partially heterozygous for at least the suppressor locus i.e. (su+/ su−). Transduction of the new suppressors, by phage P1, occasionally yield fast-growing, Tryptoneinsensitive and genetically unstable suppressed clones. This is due to formation of a partial heterozygote analogous to the Brody-Yanofsky suppressors. In one strain the partial heterozygosity included the linked metB, argH and thi loci. Interrupted mating experiments established that both copies of the duplication are integrated within the bacterial chromosome: the segregation patterns of the duplicated markers suggest that the duplications are in tandem and that segregation usually occurs by a single crossover between copies of the duplication, thereby causing elimination of one set of the duplicated genes. The slow growth and sensitivity to enriched media of the haploid suppressor strains may be due to the loss of the wild-type suppressor gene function.
The life cycle of Earleria corachloeae n. sp. (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) with epibiotic hydroids on mid-water shrimp

A large number of glass shrimp, Pasiphaea pacifica Rathburn 1902, were collected in a Tucker trawl aboard the R/V Point Sur in Monterey Bay, California during November 2006. Upon inspection, the shrimp were found to be harboring several symbionts, including a hydroid colony (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) of unknown affinity. Shrimp-bearing hydroids were returned to the laboratory, and the hydroids were removed for culturing. After medusae were liberated and grown to maturity, it was determined that they belonged to the genus Earleria; however, their description did not match those of previously described members of the genus. Hydroid colonies for other species of Earleria are unknown. Earleria corachloeae n. sp. is described herein based on field-collected hydroid colonies, and both laboratory-raised and field-collected medusae.
CXCR4 mediates the proliferation of glioblastoma progenitor cells

Increasing evidence points to a fundamental role for cancer stem cells (CSC) in the initiation and propagation of many tumors. As such, in the context of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the development of treatment strategies specifically targeted towards CSC-like populations may hold significant therapeutic promise. To this end, we now report that the cell surface chemokine receptor, CXCR4, a known mediator of cancer cell proliferation and invasion, is overexpressed in primary glioblastoma progenitor cells versus corresponding differentiated tumor cells. Furthermore, administration of CXCL12, the only known ligand for CXCR4, stimulates a specific and significant proliferative response in progenitors but not differentiated tumor cells. Taken together, these results implicate an important role for the CXCR4 signaling mechanism in glioma CSC biology and point to the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway in patients with GBM.
Progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system

The child with a deteriorating course is a regular if not common clinical problem for the child neurologist. An apparent plateau in the course can often be confusing if the focus is limited to the current visit. With the explosion of information and understanding of molecular genetics, failure to recognize the presence of a degenerative disease may have significant consequences for the family of the patient and possibly the patient as well.
High-yield synthesis of monodisperse dumbbell-shaped polymer nanoparticles.

We describe a method for producing highly monodisperse dumbbell-shaped polymer nanoparticles with dimensions on the order of a few hundred nanometers in extremely high yields. Our technique is based on seeded polymerization, where suspended core−shell particles (linear polystyrene core with polystyrene-co-trimethoxysilylpropylacrylate shell) are used as seeds. When an aqueous suspension of seed particles is mixed with monomer solution, the core−shell particles display dramatic changes in their morphology. Subsequent heating drives the polymerization of monomer, resulting in the formation of dumbbell-shaped particles. The relative sizes of the two lobes can be controlled by varying the relative volume of the monomer with respect to the seed particle. These particles are well-suited for future studies of the assembly of photonic crystals of anisotropic particles.
Nickel(IV) dimethylglyoxime

Abstract The red solutions of nickel dimethylglyoxmie in strongly basic solution have been studied by electrochemical, spectrophotometric and magnetic methods. It is concluded that the red complex is a species of Ni(IV). A controlled potential coulometric method for the analysis of nickel is also presented.
Rahnella aquatilis Bacteremia from a Suspected Urinary Source

A 76-year-old male with prostatic hyperplasia presented with acute pyelonephritis. Blood cultures yielded Rahnella aquatilis. Treatment with intravenous followed by oral levofloxacin resulted in cure. Important characteristics of this organism include its biochemical similarities to Enterobacter agglomerans, its apparent ability to cause bacteremia from a renal focus, and its response to quinolone therapy.
Trends in the Lake Superior Water Budget Since 1948: A Weakening Seasonal Cycle

Abstract An analysis of Lake Superior water levels from 1948–1999 reveals that the seasonal cycle has decreased in amplitude by 20% (from 40 cm to 32 cm). This change is manifested as a downward trend in summer and autumn lake levels (when levels are typically highest) accompanied by roughly no change in winter and spring lake levels (and an overall 4-cm drop in annual mean levels). The decreased rates of seasonal rise and fall in lake level over the 51-year interval reflect a large decrease in the net monthly influx of water during the late spring (up to –1,360 m 3 /s) coupled with a nearly compensating increase in net influx during late autumn (up to +1,100 m 3 /s). Analysis of the Lake Superior water budget indicates that these changes are primarily the result of trends in runoff and over-lake precipitation. A systematic decrease in outflow through the St. Marys River is also evident during July-December (in association with the lower lake levels), as well as a moderate shift in the seasonal pattern of lake evaporation (but not the annual mean). The observed water budget trends are primarily related to variations in climate, rather than lake regulation. Land surface effects are also important, as suggested by a 20% increase in annual mean evapotranspiration during the 51-year interval and large changes in monthly storage (e.g., snowmelt, groundwater, etc.). Significant uncertainties are present in the calculated water budget, and it is suggested that a likely source of error is in measured precipitation and (especially) runoff.
Democratic legitimacy in the European Union: Fulfilling the institutional logic

The European Union's delicate institutional balance between intergovern‐mentalism and supranationalism has been the source of both the EU's successes and its problems. This balance is under scrutin...
Cognitions, Coping, and Social Environment Predict Adjustment to Pain in Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract The current study examined the utility of a biopsychosocial model of chronic pain, and the associations between specific pain-related beliefs, coping, and social support and both mental health and pain interference, in persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and pain. A total of 157 patients completed surveys assessing physical and psychological functioning, as well as psychosocial, demographic, and injury-related variables. Greater catastrophizing and pain-related beliefs (eg, the belief that pain signals damage) were related with increased pain interference and poorer mental health, while coping styles (eg, resting, asking for assistance) were related only with pain interference. Alternatively, greater perceived social support was related with better mental health. The findings are consistent with a biopsychosocial model, implicating the need to consider the impact of process and clinical variables on adjustment to chronic pain in persons with SCI. Perspective This article identifies several psychosocial variables, including coping, catastrophizing, pain-related beliefs, and social support that are related to adjustment in persons with SCI and pain. These results have implications for interventions designed to treat pain interference in persons with SCI.
The effects of α‐amanitin and cordycepin on vitellogenin synthesis by mosquito fat body

Vitellogenin synthesis by mosquito (Aedes aegypti) fat body is stimulated by incubation with ecdysterone. α-amanitin and cordycepin prevent the response to ecdysterone. These results support the hypothesis that ecdysterone regulates vitellogenin synthesis at the transcriptional level.
Impacts of leisure activity noise levels on safety procedures and policy in the industrial environment

Abstract Prior research has concentrated on noise levels in the workplace. However, people who work in noisy environments might also have noisy leisure activities which could contribute to hearing loss or interfere with recovery time. This study investigated work and leisure noise levels experienced by workers in a manufacturing plant. Workers were surveyed to determine leisure activities and use of hearing protection. Measurements were taken to compare noise levels of the leisure activities with those in the workplace. Noise levels of the leisure activities had a mean of 99 dB with a standard deviation of 8 dB, while the mean for the noise levels in the work place was 89 dB with a standard deviation of 8 dB. Although workers are required to wear hearing protection when exposed to occupational noise levels above 85 dB, only 36% of the survey respondents wear hearing protection in the leisure environment. Since the cost of hearing loss is frequently borne by organizations, even though some of loss might be attributable to leisure activities, it is prudent for facility engineers and plant managers to provide educational information emphasizing noise levels and associated risks for specific leisure activities, as well as to provide protection to employees for leisure use.
Ethnographic studies of social causation: observing conjunctures of action sequences in particular settings

While the importance of ethnographic research for causal understanding is widely recognized, the logic of this argument has not been well articulated. The purpose of this paper is to specify the conditions under which direct field observations become essential for causal studies. It is argued in this paper that the concept of “human causation” is fundamental for understanding the causal relevance of ethnographic research. Specifically, ethnographic methods are most suited for observing conjunctures of action sequences in particular social settings. In causally fixed settings, ethnographers focus on the recurrent causal pathways leading to a predictable outcome; and in causally open settings, ethnographers study the critical junctures in and important conjunctures of contingent sequences of events that give rise to unpredictable outcomes. In both instances, the immersion of the researcher into the setting to observe the unfolding of the events being studied plays a key role in uncovering and understanding the underlying causal processes. The limitations of ethnographic methods for causal studies are also discussed in the paper.
Nasal inhalation challenge studies with sidestream tobacco smoke.

Abstract Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is associated with rhinitis symptoms (i.e., runny nose and congestion) in some people. In an effort to better understand these symptoms, we recruited 18 historically ETS-sensitive subjects from the community and exposed them for 15 min to clean air and for 15 min to sidestream tobacco smoke (STS, 45 ppm carbon monoxide). Symptoms were recorded (0 = absent, 5 = severe), and posterior rhinomanometry was performed. There were significant changes in rhinitis symptoms (1.3 ± 0.4 pre- versus 6.1 ± 0.5 post-STS, p < .05); nasal airway resistance (2.86 ± 0.2 pre- versus 4.49 ± 0.6 post-STS, p < .05), and maximum inspiratory flow (2.74 ± 0.3 pre- versus 2.14 ± 0.3 post-STS, p < .05). A spectrum of individual responsiveness to ETS was observed, and nasal resistance increased from 0% to 265%. Increased nasal resistance occurred primarily at the upstream or flow-limiting segment of the nasal airway.
Characterization of human cardiac Na+ channel mutations in the congenital long QT syndrome

The congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disorder characterized by a prolonged cardiac action potential. This delay in cellular repolarization can lead to potentially fatal arrhythmias. One form of LQTS (LQT3) has been linked to the human cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel gene (SCN5A). Three distinct mutations have been identified in the sodium channel gene. The biophysical and functional characteristics of each of these mutant channels were determined by heterologous expression of a recombinant human heart sodium channel in a mammalian cell line. Each mutation caused a sustained, non-inactivating sodium current amounting to a few percent of the peak inward sodium current, observable during long (> 50 msec) depolarizations. The voltage dependence and rate of inactivation were altered, and the rate of recovery from inactivation was changed compared with wild-type channels. These mutations in diverse regions of the ion channel protein, all produced a common defect in channel gating that can cause the long QT phenotype. The sustained inward current caused by these mutations will prolong the action potential. Furthermore, they may create conditions that promote arrhythmias due to prolonged depolarization and the altered recovery from inactivation. These results provide insights for successful intervention in the disease.
The effects of sloped surfaces on locomotion: A kinematic and kinetic analysis

Previous findings from studies of demanding tasks in humans and slope walking in quadrupeds suggest that human slope walking may require specialized neural control strategies. The goal of this investigation was to gain insight into these strategies by quantifying lower limb kinematics and kinetics during up- and downslope walking. Nine healthy volunteers walked at a self-selected speed on an instrumented ramp at each of five grades (-39%, -15%, 0%, +15%, +39%; or -21 degrees, -8.5 degrees, 0 degrees, +8.5 degrees, +21 degrees, respectively). For each subject, the selected speed was maintained at all grades to minimize the effect of speed on gait dynamics. Points of interest were identified in the kinematic and kinetic outcome measures and compared across grades; a significant grade effect was found for all points except the magnitude of the peak hip extensor moment during late stance. Kinematic postural changes were consistent with the need to raise the limb for toe clearance and heel strike and to lift the body during upslope walking, and to control the descent of the body during downslope walking. The support moment increased significantly during both upslope and downslope walking compared to level: the increases were predominantly due to the increasing hip extensor moment during upslope walking, and to the increasing knee extensor moment during downslope walking. In addition, the hip and knee joint moment patterns showed significant differences from the patterns observed during level walking. This non-uniform distribution of joint moment increases during up- and downslope walking compared to level walking suggests that these three tasks are not governed by the same control strategy.
Microvascular Decompression vs. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Typical Trigeminal Neuralgia: Preliminary Findings

Background: Patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia were treated by one neurosurgeon with either microvascular decompression (MVD) or Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) and were pro
Chronic morphine administration alters epinephrine uptake in rat adrenal storage vesicles.

Abstract Chronic administration of morphine in rats altered the kinetics of epinephrine uptake into adrenal medullary storage vesicles measured in vitro . In controls, the Michaelis constant for epinephrine was 50.5 ± 2.9 μ m and maximal uptake was 16.5 ± 0.9 nmol/100 μ g of endogenous catecholamines; after chronic morphine, the Michaelis constant was 92.2 ± 7.5 μ m and maximal uptake was 21.1 ± l .6 nmol/100 μ g of endogenous catecholamines. These data suggest that morphine alters the storage vesicle membrane transport system as well as affecting intravesicular binding of amines.
Developing a lexicon for the flavor description of French cheeses

General lexicons have been developed to describe the flavor of cheese; however, no terminology was found that describes specifically the flavor of French cheese. The objective of this study was to determine a general lexicon for French cheese. Five highly trained descriptive sensory panelists characterized the flavors of a wide variety (n = 43) of natural French cheeses. Cheeses selected for testing varied in milk source, regional origin, processing method, and maturation time. After reviewing previously published terminology for cheese, the panelists established terminology for aroma and flavor attributes. The 31 attributes that were needed to completely describe the 43 cheeses can be classified into seven categories: fundamental tastes, dairy aromatics, fatty acid/animal, musty/fungal, aged/fermented, mouthfeelings, and other aromatics. Many of these terms were found in published general cheese lexicons, but some are new attributes specific to French cheese.
An automated column chromatographic procedure for the fluorometric determination of mixtures of hexoses

Abstract A procedure has been described which permits continuous automated fluorometric determination of mixtures of hexoses, particularly galactose and mannose, in effluents of Dowex 1 borate columns. The procedure involves the measurement of the fluorescent derivatives produced by reactions of 5-hydroxytetralone-1 with hexoses in concentrated sulfuric acid. The high sensitivity of the fluorometric method permits determination of quantities of hexoses of less than 20 μg.
A simple approach to system modeling

Abstract This paper describes an approach to system modeling based on heuristic mean value analysis. The virtues of the approach are conceptual simplicity and computational efficiency. The approach can be applied to a large variety of systems, and can handle features such as resource constraints, tightly and loosely coupled multiprocessors, distributed processing, and certain types of CPU priorities. Extensive validation results are presented, including truly predictive situations. The paper is intended primarily as a tutorial on the method and its applications, rather than as an exposition of research results.
Assesing the feasibility for a poroelastic reconstruction algorithm in MR elastography

Implementing constitutive relations that accurately describe the mechanical behavior of biological tissues in vivo is integral to the success of any model-based elastographic reconstruction technique, and the diagnostic value of the recovered images. Recently, poroelastic theory has been used to model tissue and other materials comprised of two distinct phases. Current linearly elastic techniques are not capable of fully describing the complex mechanical behavior of fluid-saturated tissues because they consider only a single solid phase, neglecting the influence of extracellular fluid. In an attempt to model the deformation of biological tissues more effectively in vivo by employing constitutive relations which are more representative of tissue structure and physiology, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element reconstruction algorithm has been developed based on the equations of dynamic poroelasticity. The algorithm operates on a single domain of O(10 3 ) nodes. The performance of the algorithm was tested using simulated data. The results suggest that the technique is capable of recovering accurate distributions of the underlying mechanical properties of the solid matrix as well as the time-harmonic pressure field resulting from tissue vibration.
Insights into the Differences between the A- and B-Type Nuclear Lamins

IntroductionEarly electron microscopic studies of the structure of the nucleus in vertebrate cells identiﬁed anelectron dense layer, the ﬁbrous lamina (Fawcett 1966) or zonula nucleum limitans (Patrizi and Poger,1967),underlyingtheinnernuclearmembrane.Biochemicalsubfractionationofisolatedratlivernucleiproduced a pore complex-lamina fraction containing nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) (Aaronson andBlobel, 1975; Dwyer and Blobel, 1976) linked together by a submembranous network structure cor-respondingtotheregionidentiﬁedbymicroscopy(DwyerandBlobel,1976).Furthercharacterizationofthis substructure by SDS-PAGE revealed that it contained three major and several minor proteins(Dwyer and Blobel,1976; Gerace et al.,1978). The three major proteins subsequently were shown tobeimmunologically related and were named lamins A, B and C according to their migration in SDS gels(70-kD, 67-kD and 60-kD, respectively(Gerace and Blobel,1980; Gerace et al.,1978). cDNAcloning andsequencing of the mRNAs for each lamin isoform along with biochemical analyses of puriﬁed proteinsand electron microscopyof Xenopus oocyte nuclearenvelopes led tothe classiﬁcation of lamins as typeV intermediate ﬁlament proteins (Aebi et al., 1986; Fisher et al., 1986; Goldman et al., 1986; McKeonet al., 1986). Lamins are categorized into two types, A and B, based on biochemical and sequencecharacteristics. The lamin genes are restricted to metazoans (Melcer et al., 2007), with lower phylahaving one B-type gene and higher organisms possessing at least one gene of each type. Invertebrateshave only a single B-type lamin gene, with some exceptions such as Drosophila, which has one B-type(lamin Dm0) and one A-type lamin (lamin C) gene. Most vertebrates have one A-type lamin and twoB-typelamingenesexceptforXenopus,whichhasthreeB-typegenes(Stick,1994).Inmammaliancells,four A-type laminproteins are produced from LMNA byalternative splicing: the predominant isoformslamin A (LA) and lamin C (LC) (Lin and Worman,1993), a minor isoform LA
Effects of Texture Modification on Bearing RCF Life

Highly localized tribological contacts can modify the surface texture of rolling element bearing surfaces. The evolution of the surface texture generates modified subsurface stress fields within the contact and subsequently may alter the bearing rolling contact fatigue (RCF) life. In this present study, relationships between bearing surface topography and subsurface stress states are examined for their effects on bearing RCF life in the limiting case of boundary or dry contact. Results show that seemingly minor changes to surface topography may influence the stress distribution enough to affect RCF life under heavily loaded conditions.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Flow Characteristics of Soybean Constituents Controlled by Ratio of Total to Imbibed Water

The objective was to quantify the relationship between water imbibing capacity of soybean components and their rheological characteristics in suspension. These components were: full fat soy flour, desludged full fat soy flour, defatted soy flour, soybean cell wall material and soybean sodium proteinate. It was found that the relationship between the ratio of the total to imbibed water (T/I) and consistency coefficient for all components at all concentrations could be expressed by a single curve. Flow behavior index vs T/I for all components also showed a single curve. A plot of apparent viscosity against T/I at the maximum shear rate showed that the data for all components at all concentrations fell on the same curve at a given shear rate.
Researcher judgment and study design: challenges of using administrative data.

Background Questions have been raised about methods of studies finding substantial undercounting of workplace injuries and illnesses by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and workers' compensation agencies. A more recent study of Minnesota concluded that the BLS survey captures 84–90% of workers' compensation cases. Methods We examined the sensitivity of findings in two studies to alternate sample definitions and study assumptions. Results Applying alternate sample construction rules to the earlier study increased estimated BLS reporting rates from 68% to 77%, assuming source independence. Applying alternate assumptions to the more recent Minnesota study reduced its high estimate of BLS reporting from 90% to 53–64%. Conclusions Studies linking administrative data from different sources require substantial judgment in constructing research datasets and choosing analytic methods. Moreover, different sample construction rules lead to different results. This suggests that sensitivity analysis should be carried out when alternatives cannot be ruled out. In this case, sensitivity analysis supports the hypothesis of substantial underreporting. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:37–41, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Distorted wave effects in proton inelastic scattering

Abstract The direct-interaction differential cross section for the inelastic scattering of protons on complex nuclei is determined in the distorted wave Born approximation. The incoming and going wave functions are assumed to have the simple, analytical form originally suggested by McCarthy and Pursey, and are designed to simulate the distortion effects of the nuclear optical potential. These wave functions include a focus term, which is quite strong for protons, and which is capable of reproducing the observed shape of the differential cross section at intermediate and back angles. The amplitude of the focus term is assumed to have a Gaussian distribution about the focal point as centre. A check against experiment is made for a number of intermediate-weight nuclei and carbon, at medium energies. Good results are obtained except for the forward scattering region. A comparison between the parameters of this theory and those which can be determined from optical model wave functions is also included. A more complete analysis and discussion of the interpretation of these parameters and their dependence on the optical model parameters will follow in a second paper.
Projection Photolithography For Microwave LSI-IC Applications

Projection printing techniques have been developed and applied to the fabrication of fine pattern microwave integrated circuits. This paper deals with details of the applied projection printing tech-nologies through utilization of a commercially available projection printing system with magnification of 1/2. Results are reported for minimum pattern widths of the order of 1 to 2 microns produced in both positive and negative photoresist films on Si02 and metallic substrates. Of particular concern are processing problems peculiar to the reduction projection method as it relates to the fabrication of integrated circuit structures.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transcatheter occlusion of native persistent ductus arteriosus using conventional Gianturco coils.

Abstract Our short-term results suggests that transcatheter closure of PDA with the Gianturco coil is safe and efficacious. However, caution should be exercised in their use in small children who require multiple coils in view of the potential complication of left pulmonary artery stenosis.
An evaluation of the grain-boundary sliding contribution to creep deformation in polycrystalline alumina

The occurrence of grain-boundary sliding during creep in fine grained alumina was examined by inscribing marker lines on the tensile surfaces of specimens, prior to testing in four-point bending mode. There was considerable microstructural evidence for the occurrence of grainboundary sliding and grain rotation during creep deformation. Experimental measurements of the offsets in the marker lines at grain boundaries reveal that the grain-boundary sliding contribution to the total strain during creep deformation is 70 ± 6.2%. The extensive grain boundary sliding observed, together with the other mechanical properties, suggests that polycrystalline alumina exhibits superplastic characteristics. Several possible rate controlling mechanisms are examined critically in light of the present results and it is concluded that creep occurs either by an independent grain-boundary sliding mechanism or by an interface controlled diffusion mechanism.
Using Relational-Cultural Theory to Conceptualize Couple Interventions in the Treatment of Sex Addiction

ABSTRACT Sex addictions have become an increasing concern since the growth of the sex industry, sex in advertising, and the ease of Internet access to sex. This article uses the foundational principles of Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) to conceptualize sexual addiction and its relational impact. Particular attention is paid to the principles of connection, mutuality, authenticity, power, and culture. In closing, the author offers some creative interventions for relational transformation for affected couples in order to move from a state of disconnection towards mutuality, growth, and connection.
Oil prices and competitiveness: time series evidence from six oil‐producing countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the potential loss of competitiveness due to higher oil prices through the monetary channel in a group of six oil producing countries.Design/methodology/approach – A dynamic time series methodology, Dynamic Simultaneous Equations, is applied to Vector Autoregressive Moving Average model with exogenous variables.Findings – Mixed evidence was found of loss of competitiveness due to high oil prices in the sample.Practical implications – Findings are useful both for academic researchers in international finance or development economics. Policy makers will find the results useful for implementing stabilization or neutralization policies.Originality/value – The empirical work extends earlier research in several directions including extension to six oil‐producing countries, use of data over the flexible exchange rate period, and a more suitable technique, which estimates the model in a dynamic setting.
Determinants of Nonprofits' Taxable Activities

Although nonprofit is often considered to be synonymous with tax-exempt, many nonprofit organizations earn revenues from unrelated taxable activities, and on average these taxable activities generate $1.5 million in revenues. Policymakers have expressed concern that the pursuit of unrelated taxable revenues can distract a nonprofit from its primary charitable mission. Our results show that nonprofits earn taxable revenues when the taxable activities produce a relatively higher return, the nonprofit itself is experiencing lower profitability, and donor aversion is lower. These results suggest that nonprofits will pursue specific types of unrelated taxable activities, and then only under certain circumstances, reducing concerns over mission drift caused by widespread nonprofit expansion into taxable markets.
Age-related differences in how children with ADHD understand their condition: Biological or psychological causality?

Abstract Substantial evidence suggests that young children reason about illnesses using biological causal principles and that, with increasing age, children provide more explicit accounts of mechanisms underlying different conditions. To investigate these claims, sixteen 7–8 year-old children and sixteen 11–12 year-old children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) completed an open-ended interview about the etiology and treatment of ADHD, aggressive behavior, and colds. Younger children used either biological or psychological principles to explain ADHD, while older children used biological causality or integrated biological and psychological principles into explanations. Children at both ages used biological causality to explain colds, and intentional, psychological causality to explain aggression. Older children provided more complex accounts of the mechanisms underlying conditions. The findings suggest that school-aged children utilize principles spanning different domains to explain conditions with physical and behavioral symptoms. Implications for domain-specific accounts of cognitive development and for the care of children with ADHD are discussed.
On the reality of positive fluorine

Abstract Recent experimental data are not consistent with the postulate of a positively polarized fluorine for compounds such as hypofluorites.
Some New Synthetic Estrogens.

In the course of an investigation on the alkylation of α: α-diphenylacetophenone (1) a series of compounds was obtained which, in view of their structural relationship to triphenylethylene, appeared to be of interest as potential estrogens. Table 1 presents the result of the provisional tests for estrogenic activity. Assays were carried out according to standard. procedures.
Low level postnatal methylmercury exposure in vivo alters developmental forms of short-term synaptic plasticity in the visual cortex of rat.

Methylmercury (MeHg) has been previously shown to affect neurotransmitter release. Short-term synaptic plasticity (STP) is primarily related to changes in the probability of neurotransmitter release. To determine if MeHg affects STP development, we examined STP forms in the visual cortex of rat following in vivo MeHg exposure. Neonatal rats received 0 (0.9% NaCl), 0.75 or 1.5 mg/kg/day MeHg subcutaneously for 15 or 30 days beginning on postnatal day 5, after which visual cortical slices were prepared for field potential recordings. In slices prepared from rats treated with vehicle, field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) evoked by paired-pulse stimulation at 20-200 ms inter-stimulus intervals showed a depression (PPD) of the second fEPSP (fEPSP2). PPD was also seen in slices prepared from rats after 15 day treatment with 0.75 or 1.5 mg/kg/day MeHg. However, longer duration treatment (30 days) with either dose of MeHg resulted in paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) of fEPSP2 in the majority of slices examined. PPF remained observable in slices prepared from animals in which MeHg exposure had been terminated for 30 days after completion of the initial 30 day MeHg treatment, whereas slices from control animals still showed PPD. MeHg did not cause any frequency- or region-preferential effect on STP.more » Manipulations of [Ca{sup 2+}]{sub e} or application of the GABA{sub A} receptor antagonist bicuculline could alter the strength and polarity of MeHg-induced changes in STP. Thus, these data suggest that low level postnatal MeHg exposure interferes with the developmental transformation of STP in the visual cortex, which is a long-lasting effect.« less
Small-Angle Inelastic Scattering of Electrons in Helium, Hydrogen and Mercury

The inelastic scattering of electrons by helium, hydrogen and mercury is measured for angles very close to the forward direction, ranging from 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 15\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} scattering. Those electrons are studied which have suffered losses of 21.1 volts, 12.6 volts and 6.7 volts, respectively, for the three gases. The initial energies range from 100 to 300 volts. The scattering per unit solid angle is found to reach a maximum at a fairly small angle and then decrease to a lower value at zero angle. The position of the maximum is a function of energy and not of momentum as predicted by the Born theory.
MODEL SELECTION, CONFIDENCE AND SCALING IN PREDICTING CHAOTIC TIME-SERIES

Assuming a good embedding and additive noise, the traditional approach to time-series embedding prediction has been to predict pointwise by (usually linear) regression of the k-nearest neighbors; no good mathematics has been previously developed to appropriately select the model (where to truncate Taylor's series) to balance the conflict between noise fluctuations of a small k, and large k data needs of fitting many parameters of a high ordered model. We present a systematic approach to: (1) select the statistically significant neighborhood for a fixed (usually linear) model, (2) give an unbiased estimate of predicted mean response together with a statement of quality of the prediction in terms of confidence bands.
Paleoclimates and the emergence of fortifications in the tropical Pacific islands

Paleoclimatic data from the tropical Pacific islands are compared to archaeological evidence for fortification construction in the Holocene. The results suggest that in some regions, people constructed more fortifications during periods that match the chronology for the Little Ice Age (AD 1450-1850) in the Northern Hemisphere. Periods of storminess and drought associated with the El Nino Southern Oscillation have less temporal correlation with the emergence of fortifications in the Pacific, but significant spatial correlation with the most severe conditions associated with this cycle. These temporal and spatial correlations require additional study to investigate possible causal relationships.
The multiple origins of cooperativity in binding to multi-site lattices

Binding events involving the reversible association of ligands with polymeric lattices of binding sites are common in biology and frequently exhibit significant cooperativity in binding. Positive and negative cooperativity in binding may be detected by characteristic changes in binding curves for multiple binding, compared to the binding expected for simple, independent binding events that are based on combinatorial considerations only. Cooperativity arises from ligand-dependent interactions distinct from binding per se. Ligand-dependent nearest neighbor interactions may be of two types referred to as ligand-lattice (which can only occur if a bound ligand is unneighbored) and ligand-ligand (which can occur if two or more bound ligands are adjacent). The molecular mechanisms underlying these two sources of cooperativity are not the same. Identical cooperative binding curves may be produced by changes from unity in parameters representing either one or both of these interaction types. Positive cooperativity may equally result from destabilizing ligand-lattice interactions that disfavor initial, unneighbored binding, stabilizing ligand-ligand interactions that favor subsequent, neighbored binding, or both. The structural origins of these are different, and cooperativity may emerge from multiple structural interactions.
The reaction of dimethyl (2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl) sulfonium salts with tryptophan ethyl ester

Abstract Reaction of the water-soluble reporter group, dimethyl (2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)-sulfonium bromide, with l -tryptophan ethyl ester in aqueous solutions at pH 4.7 produces two diastereomeric monosubstitution products derived from alkylation of position 3 of the indole nucleus, followed by cyclization through the nucleophilic α-amino group. Comparison of these products with those formed during reaction of 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide with tryptophan ethyl ester shows that they appear in the same characteristic ratio, 1.4:1. However, the monosubstitution products are formed in nearly quantitative yield when tryptophan ethyl ester is treated with an equimolar quantity of the sulfonium reagent, so that significantly less of the by-products are formed than in the case of the hydroxynitrobenzyl bromide. These findings confirm the applicability of dimethyl(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl) sulfonium salts in introducing the 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl reporter grouping into the indole nucleus of tryptophyl residues in proteins.
Performance and storage integrity of dried blood spots for PCB, BFR and pesticide measurements.

Abstract Dried blood spots (DBSs) can provide accurate and valuable estimates of exposure to environmental toxicants, and the use of information derived from archived newborn DBSs has enormous potential to open up new research on the impacts of early chemical exposure on disease. Broad application of DBS for the purpose of quantitative exposure estimation requires robust and validated methods. This study investigates the suitability of DBS analyses for population studies of exposure to three chemical groups: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and chlorinated pesticides. It examines background (matrix) contamination, recovery and extraction variability, sensitivity, and storage stability. DBS samples prepared using 50 μL of adult blood were analyzed by GC/MS, and method performance was confirmed by using certified materials and paired DBS-blood samples from six volunteers. Several of the target compounds and their degradation products have not been previously measured in DBSs. All target compounds were detected in DBS samples collected from the volunteers. Sample DBS cards showed background contamination of several compounds. When stored at room temperature, target compounds, excluding PBDEs, were stable for up to one month. When refrigerated or frozen, stability was acceptable for all compounds up to one year, and multiyear storage appears acceptable at colder (e.g., − 80 °C) temperatures. Multicompartment models may be used to estimate or correct for storage losses. Considering concentrations of contaminants for adults and children reported in the literature, and experimental values of detection limits and background contamination, DBS samples are suitable for quantifying exposures to many PCBs, BFRs and persistent pesticides.
Prenatal Ultrasonographic Findings After One Test Showing Elevated Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels

An elevation in the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) level during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of pregnancy complications (i.e., intrauterine growth retardation, premature labor or delivery, preeclampsia, fetal demise, etc.) and fetal structural anomalies. Ultrasound has been shown to be a useful tool in the identification and subsequent management of patients affected by these complications. At our facility, we routinely evaluate patients after one test reveals an elevated MSAFP level. Our findings support the concept of performing the ultrasonographic evaluation after the first finding of elevated MSAFP, and of using an MSAFP cutoff of >2.0 multiples of the median (MOM), rather than >2.5 MOM.
PtSi Hexagonal Detector Focal Plane Arrays

We demonstrate that it is straightforward to fabricate a mosaic array of hexagonal detectors within the framework of existing design rules and fabrication technology. As an example, we have fabricated an 8x8 array of hexagonal detectors with a very high fill factor using a PtSi technology. This is believed to be the first time that such an array has actually been fabricated. Design and fabrication highlights are discussed. A brief summary of performance advantages and algorithm implications that result from the use of the hexagonal configuration is given along with a possible system configuration. Plans for the design and testing of a 64x64 array of hexagonal detectors and corresponding readout chip are presented.
Zero Sidelobe Aperiodic Codes via Additive-Multiplicative Mismatched Filtering

This paper proposes novel nonlinear mismatched filters for classes of aperiodic codes. They are constructed by combining one or more matched filter outputs additively and multiplicatively. The final output has just the mainlobe and zero sidelobes. The proposed mismatched filters do not widen the mainlobe and incur little additional delay. When combined with subchip encoding, which is proposed in this paper as an alternative to the regular sinusoidal chip, the mainlobe width is reduced. This improves range resolution in radar applications and timing and synchronization precision in communications applications.