cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infinitely Complex Machines

Infinite machines (IMs) can do supertasks. A supertask is an infinite series of operations done in some finite time. Whether or not our universe contains any IMs, they are worthy of study as upper bounds on finite machines. We introduce IMs and describe some of their physical and psychological aspects. An accelerating Turing machine (an ATM) is a Turing machine that performs every next operation twice as fast. It can carry out infinitely many operations in finite time. Many ATMs can be connected together to form networks of infinitely powerful agents. A network of ATMs can also be thought of as the control system for an infinitely complex robot. We describe a robot with a dense network of ATMs for its retinas, its brain, and its motor controllers. Such a robot can perform psychological supertasks - it can perceive infinitely detailed objects in all their detail; it can formulate infinite plans; it can make infinitely precise movements. An endless hierarchy of IMs might realize a deep notion of intelligent computing everywhere.
Dispersal in Host–Parasitoid Interactions: Crop Colonization by Pests and Specialist Enemies

Interactions of insect pests and their natural enemies increasingly are being considered from a metapopulation perspective, with focus on movements of individuals among habitat patches (e.g., individual crop fields). Biological control may be undercut in short-lived crops as natural enemies lag behind the pests in colonizing newly created habitat. This hypothesis was tested by assessing parasitism of cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) and alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) larvae at varying distances along transects into newly planted fields of small grains and alfalfa in northern Utah. The rate of parasitism of cereal leaf beetles and alfalfa weevils by their host-specific parasitoids (Tetrastichus julis (Eulophidae) and Bathyplectes curculionis (Ichneumonidae), respectively) was determined for earliest maturing first generation host larvae. Rates of parasitism did not vary significantly with increasing distance into a newly planted field (up to 250–700 m in individual experiments) from the nearest source field from which pest and parasitoid adults may have immigrated. These results indicate strong, rapid dispersal of the parasitoids in pursuing their prey into new habitat. Thus, across the fragmented agricultural landscape of northern Utah, neither the cereal leaf beetle nor the alfalfa weevil initially gained substantial spatial refuge from parasitism by more strongly dispersing than their natural enemies into newly created habitat. Additional studies, including those of colonization of newly planted crops by generalist pests and natural enemies, are called for in assessing these results with a broader perspective.
How generalizable is the inverse relationship between social class and emotion perception

Compared to individuals in lower positions of power, higher-power individuals are theorized to be less motivated to attend to social cues. In support of this theory, previous research has consistently documented negative correlations between social class and emotion perception. Prior studies, however, were limited by the size and diversity of the participant samples as well as the systematicity with which social class and emotion perception were operationalized. Here, we examine the generalizability of prior research across 10,000+ total participants. In an initial modest sample, (n = 179), Study 1 partially replicated past results: emotion identification correlated negativity with subjective social class (β = -0.15, 95% CI = [-0.28,-0.02]) and one of two objective social class measures (participant education β = -0.15, 95% CI = [-0.03,-0.01]). Studies 2-4 followed up on Study 1's mixed results for objective social class in three much larger samples. These results diverged from past literature. In Study 2, complex emotion identification correlated non-significantly with participant education (β = 0.02, p = 0.25; 95% CI = [-0.01, 0.05], n = 2,726), positively with childhood family income (β = 0.03, 95% CI = [0.01,0.06], n = 4,312), and positively with parental education (β = 0.06, 95% CI = [0.04,0.09], n = 4,225). In Study 3, basic emotion identification correlated positively with participant education (β = 0.05, 95% CI = [0.02, 0.09]), n = 2,564). In Study 4, basic emotion discrimination correlated positively with participant education (β = 0.09, 95% CI = [0.05,0.13], n = 2,079), positively with parental education (β = 0.06, 95% CI = [0.02,0.09], n = 3,225), and non-significantly with childhood family income (β = 0.2, 95% CI = [0.01,0.07], n = 3,272). Results remained similar when restricting analyses to U.S.-based participants. Taken together, these findings suggest that previously reported negative correlations between emotion perception and social class may generalize poorly past select samples and/or subjective measures of social class. Data from the three large web-based samples used in Studies 2-4 are available at osf.io/jf7r3 as normative datasets and to support future investigations of these and other research questions.
The Scott County School Board: A Case in Group Dysfunction:

Over the past few years, the Scott County School Board has experienced a number of interpersonal and procedural issues during the conduct of its business. In addition to incivility of communication...
Effect of Pharmaceutical Wastes Usage as Partial Replacement of Cement on the Durability of High-Performance Concrete

Abstract This paper reports an experimental study of the influence of ash produced from incinerated hospital wastes used as partial substitute for Portland cement (PC) on the mechanical properties and durability of high performance concretes. The analysis of the experimental results on concrete at 10% content of ash resulting from incineration of pharmaceutical wastes with a fineness modulus of 8000 cm2/g, in a chloride environment, showed that it contributes positively to the perfection of its mechanical characteristics, its durability with respect to migration of chloride ions and oxygen permeability. On the basis of the experiments performed, it can be concluded that the ash is suitable for formulation of high performance concretes (HPC) and their properties are significantly better compared to the reference concrete (RC). This paper points out the directions for the proper uses of ash of pharmaceutical wastes in concrete.
Dual-Polarized Aperture-Coupled Hybrid-Fed Microstrip Patch Antenna for MPAR Application

A high-performance dual-polarized aperture-coupled hybrid-fed microstrip patch antenna for multifunction application is designed. Input isolation better than 52 dB and cross-polarization level lower than -31 dB are achieved, and simulation results are presented. The embedded element pattern of the designed element is simulated and used for calculating the MPAR-sized cylindrical array antenna radiation pattern, and the results for both co- and cross-polarizations are presented.
The Inside View: Using the Enron E-mail Archive to Understand Corporate Political Attention

For decades, scholars have debated the role of corporations in American politics. To date, they have relied on either interviews or publicly disclosed spending and lobbying reports. This article presents new methods and data that enable us to consider the internal processes of corporate political attention instead. Aided by automated content analysis, this article uses more than 250,000 internal e-mails from Enron to observe its political attention between 1999 and 2002. These e-mails depict Enron's employees as focused on monitoring and formally participating in political processes, including bureaucratic processes. Only a small fraction of their political attention focused on elections.
Exposures to the environmental contaminants pentachlorophenol and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane increase production of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐1β, in human immune cells

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are organochlorine environmental contaminants found in human blood at very significant levels (as high as 5 μm for PCP and 260 nm for DDT). Cancers of the blood (lymphoma and myeloma) and kidney as well as others have been associated with exposure to these contaminants. Interleukin (IL)-1β is a proinflammatory cytokine and is involved in stimulating cell proliferation. High levels of IL-1β are associated with inflammatory diseases and tumor progression. Previous studies showed that PCP and DDT at certain concentrations were able to stimulate secretion of IL-1β. This study shows that the increased secretion of IL-1β seen with both contaminants is due to compound-induced increases in the production of this cytokine. Increased production began within 6 hours of exposure to PCP and continued to increase up to 24 hours. DDT-induced stimulation of IL-1β appeared to be maximal after 6 hours of exposure and then diminished by 24 hours. The increases seen in IL-1β production stimulated by PCP appear to be at least partially due to compound-induced increases in IL-1β mRNA. Although DDT caused increased production of IL-1β, it did not appear to cause consistent increases in its mRNA. PCP- and DDT-induced increases in IL-1β production were dependent primarily on the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. These results indicate that both PCP and DDT are able to increase IL-1β production in a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent manner, which may have the potential to influence chronic inflammation.
Dynamic neural network approach to targeted balance assessment of individuals with and without neurological disease during non-steady-state locomotion

Clinical balance assessments often rely on functional tasks as a proxy for balance (e.g., Timed Up and Go). In contrast, analyses of balance in research settings incorporate quantitative biomechanical measurements (e.g., whole-body angular momentum, H) using motion capture techniques. Fully instrumenting patients in the clinic is not feasible, and thus it is desirable to estimate biomechanical quantities related to balance from measurements taken from a subset of the body segments. Machine learning algorithms are well-suited for this type of low- to high-dimensional mapping. Thus, our goal was to develop and test an artificial neural network that to predict segment contributions to whole-body angular momentum from linear acceleration and angular velocity signals (i.e., those typically available to wearable inertial measurement units, IMUs) taken from a sparse set of body segments. Optical motion capture data were collected from five able-bodied individuals and five individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) walking on a non-steady-state locomotor circuit comprising stairs, ramps and changes of direction. Motion data were used to calculate angular momentum (i.e., “gold standard” output data) and body-segment linear acceleration and angular velocity data from local reference frames at the wrists, ankles and neck (i.e., network input). A dynamic nonlinear autoregressive neural network was trained using the able-bodied data (pooled across subjects). The neural network was tested on data from individuals with PD with noise added to simulate real-world IMU data. Correlation coefficients of the predicted segment contributions to whole-body angular momentum with the gold standard data were 0.989 for able-bodied individuals and 0.987 for individuals with PD. Mean RMS errors were between 2 and 7% peak signal magnitude for all body segments during completion of the locomotor circuits. Our results suggest that estimating segment contributions to angular momentum from mechanical signals (linear acceleration, angular velocity) from a sparse set of body segments is a feasible method for assessing coordination of balance—even using a network trained on able-bodied data to assess individuals with neurological disease. These targeted estimates of segmental momenta could potentially be delivered to clinicians using a sparse sensor set (and likely in real-time) in order to enhance balance rehabilitation of people with PD.
Ultrasonic Field Reconstruction from Optical Interferometric Measurements

Acousto-optical measurement inside transparent media is a well known non invasive method for acoustic fields probing. The optical index variations induced by acoustic wave propagation in a liquid or transparent solid can be detected using several techniques: optical deflection, diffraction methods, etc ... Last year, X. Jia, G. Quentin and Laszlo Adler [1] described the ability of a interferometric detection technique to provide local and quantitative measurements of pressure fields in water as well as dilatational fields inside transparent solids. This method combines the acousto-optical effect with heterodyne interferometry. It measures the phase shift of a laser beam passing through an ultrasonic wave. The interferometric detection provides a local measurement and is sensitive not only to the amplitude but also to the phase of the acoustic wave. Finite amplitude waves in liquid, [1], bulk waves in solids [1] as well as guided waves (Rayleigh waves [2], Lamb waves [3] and Interface waves[4]) has been successfully detected using this method.
A reconstructed discontinuous Galerkin method for compressible flows in Lagrangian formulation

Abstract A high-order accurate reconstructed discontinuous Galerkin (rDG) method is developed for solving two-dimensional hydrodynamic problems in cell-centered updated Lagrangian formulation. This method is the Lagrangian limit of the unsplit rDG-ALE formulation, and is obtained by assuming the equality of the grid velocity to the fluid velocity only at cell boundaries. The conservative variables and the Taylor basis defined on the time-dependent moving mesh, provide the piece-wise polynomial expansion in the updated Lagrangian formulation. A multi-directional nodal Riemann solver is implemented for computing the grid velocity at the vertices and the numerical flux at the cell boundaries. A characteristic limiting procedure is extended from the primitive variable version to the conservative variable version, and its performance is compared with the limiter on physical variables. A number of benchmark test cases are conducted to assess the accuracy, robustness, and non-oscillatory property of the DG(P0), DG(P1) and rDG(P1P2) methods. The numerical experiments demonstrate that the developed rDG method is able to attain the designed order of accuracy and the characteristic limiting procedure outperforms the limiter on physical variables in terms of the monotonicity and symmetry preservation for shock problems.
'Bundle busters': who is at risk of exceeding the target payment and can they be optimized?

AIMS The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative has identified pathways for improving the value of care. However, patient-specific modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors may increase costs beyond the target payment. We sought to identify risk factors for exceeding our institution's target payment, the so-called 'bundle busters'. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using our data warehouse and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data we identified all 412 patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty and qualified for our institution's BPCI model, between July 2015 and May 2017. Episodes where CMS payments exceeded the target payment were considered 'busters' (n = 123). Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated using a modified Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS An increased risk of exceeding the target payment was significantly associated with increasing age (adjusted RR 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.06) and body mass index (adjusted RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.003 to 1.06). Eight comorbid risk factors were also identified (all p < 0.05), only two of which were considered to be potentially modifiable (diabetes with complications and preoperative anaemia). An American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status classification system (ASA) score ≥ 3 (adjusted RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.67 to 3.18) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 3 (adjusted RR 1.94, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.60) were risk factors for bundle busting. CONCLUSION Non-modifiable preoperative risk factors can increase costs and exceed the target payment. Future bundled payment models should incorporate the stratification of risk. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B(7 Supple C):64-69.
Deliberating What is Important: A Parsesciencing Inquiry:

Deliberating what is important, as a universal humanuniverse living experience, was investigated using the Parsesciencing mode of inquiry. Ten historians engaged in discussion to answer the questio...
A Reinforcement Learning Based System for Minimizing Cloud Storage Service Cost

Currently, many web applications are deployed on cloud storage service provided by cloud service providers (CSPs). A CSP offers different types of storage including hot, cold and archive storage and sets unit prices for these different types, which vary substantially. By properly assigning the data files of a web application to different types of storage based on their usage profiles and the CSP’s pricing policy, a cloud customer potentially can achieve substantial cost savings and minimize the payment to the CSP. However, no previous research handles this problem. Towards this goal, we present a Markov Decision Process formulation for the cost minimization problem, and then develop a reinforcement learning based approach to effectively solve the problem, which changes the type of storage of each data file periodically to minimize money cost in long term. We then propose a method to aggregate concurrently requested data files to further reduce the cloud storage service payment for a web application. Our experiments with Wikipedia traces show the effectiveness of the proposed methods for minimizing cloud customer cost in comparison with other methods.
Effect of Lumbar Medial Branch Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation on Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

Abstract Importance Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a denervation therapy commonly performed for pain of facet etiology. Degenerative spondylolisthesis may be a co-existing condition; yet the effect of RFA on advancing listhesis is unknown. Objective To test the hypothesis that RFA of painful facets in the setting of spondylolisthesis may contribute to advancement of further degenerative spondylolisthesis. Design Retrospective and prospective, observational study conducted at a single academic center among 15 participants with pre-existing degenerative Grade I or Grade II spondylolisthesis undergoing lumbar RFA encompassing spondylolisthesis level and followed with post-RFA imaging at 12 months and beyond to measure percent change in spondylolisthesis. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the percent advancement of spondylolisthesis per year measured on post-RFA lateral lumbar spine imaging compared to non-intervention baseline advancement of 2.6% per limited observational studies. Results Among the 15 participants enrolled, 14 completed the study (median age 66; 64.3% women; median BMI 33.5; mean follow-up time 23.9 months). The mean advancement of spondylolisthesis per year after RFA was 1.30% (95% CI −0.14 to 2.78%), with 9/14 below 1.25%. Conclusion and Relevance Among patients with lumbar pain originating from facets in the setting of degenerative spondylolisthesis who underwent lumbar RFA, the observed advancement of spondylolisthesis is clinically similar to the baseline of 2.6% per year change. The study findings did not find a destabilizing effect of lumbar RFA in advancing spondylolisthesis in this patient population.
The Right to Effective Assistance of Capital Postconviction Counsel: Constitutional Implications of Statutory Grants of Capital Counsel

The problem of incompetent counsel in capital cases is hardly a secret. Much of the attention, however, has focused on incompetent capital trial counsel. This article, by contrast, addresses the problem of incompetent capital counsel at the state and federal postconviction levels. Like the trial and direct review phases, the capital postconviction phase is critical to an accurate and reliable determination of guilt and death-eligibility. Thus, competent counsel is just as necessary during capital postconviction proceedings as it is during capital trial and direct review proceedings. The Supreme Court, however, has made clear that there is no constitutional right to postconviction counsel, even for capital inmates. It has also ruled that since there is no constitutional right to postconviction counsel, there is no constitutional right to the effective assistance of such counsel. As a result, capital inmates receive the full impact of any errors committed by postconviction counsel. Despite these rulings, approximately eighty percent of the death states, as well as the federal government, provide a mandatory right to capital postconviction counsel as a matter of statutory grace. Thus, rather than asking whether the government must provide capital postconviction counsel, this article explores whether, and the extent to which, the government's voluntary decision to provide capital postconviction counsel triggers a constitutional obligation to provide effective assistance of counsel. This article argues that the government's decision to provide counsel triggers a due process-based obligation to make that right meaningful. And the right to counsel - even statutorily-granted counsel - is meaningful only when it is accompanied by a guarantee of effective assistance. Because of federalism concerns relevant in the postconviction context, the effectiveness guarantee is different from the traditional guarantee associated with trial and appellate counsel. Rather than requiring a post-performance examination of counsel's conduct, the postconviction effectiveness guarantee requires compliance with demanding competency standards and the completion of a review of counsel's actual performance during the postconviction proceeding itself. This definition of effectiveness, while imperfect, nicely balances the government's interests in avoiding delay and achieving finality with the capital inmate's interests in receiving competent assistance. It will not guarantee competent performance in each and every case, but it will increase the likelihood of competent performance and decrease the likelihood that inmates will have to bear the burden of attorney error.
Romance interracial, liminalidad y heroicidad española en series de televisión policíacas del siglo XXI

Desde hace una decada, la television espanola tanto publica como privada ha presenciado la emergencia de series de television ambientadas en el norte de Africa o en una Andalucia orientalizada. Est...
An organizational initiative to assess and improve well-being in advanced practice providers

Abstract Background Healthcare systems must understand the unique needs and challenges advanced practice providers. The purpose of this project was to conduct a professional fulfillment and burnout (PF/B) survey to APPs and then implement a health system wide support structure. Methods A survey of 270 APPs in one system was conducted to evaluate PF/B and intent to leave their position. The findings were used to develop an improvement model to address the organizational culture of wellness, practice environment, and personal resilience. Results Results revealed that personal/organizational values alignment, self-compassion, sleep-related impairment, meaningfulness of clinical work, perceived appreciation, perceived negative electronic health record experience, control over schedule, satisfaction with clinical practice, and professional development time were statistically significant findings related to PF/B and intent to leave. Conclusion Attention to APP PF/B fulfillment at the health system level is essential to create an organization-wide improvement strategic plan that is effective.
Abstract 11025: Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Among Black and White Women With Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast

Background: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast represents 15-20% of new breast cancer diagnoses in the United States annually and the incidence has been escalating since the 1970s. Long-term competing risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, as well as racial differences in outcomes among US women with DCIS are unknown. Methods: Case data from the years 1978-2010 was abstracted using SEER*Stat software available through the National Cancer Institute from the 2010 SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Reports) registries. We evaluated CVD, breast cancer, and all-cause mortality using cumulative incidence rates and hazard ratios (HRs). Results: A total of 12,173 deaths were observed over a median follow up time of 9.2 years with 33% of deaths due to CVD and 8% due to breast cancer. The cumulative incidences of CVD death at 5, 10, and 20 years of follow up were 2.0% (95% CI 1.8-2.1), 5.1% (CI 4.9-5.3), and 13.2% (CI 12.8-13.7), respectively. The highest incidence of CVD mortality were found in women diagnosed with DCIS between 1978-1983 with 5, 10, and 20 year incidence of 5.0% (CI 3.9-6.1), 10.2% (CI 8.6-11.7), and 21.1% (CI 19.0-23.2), respectively. When stratifying by age at diagnosis, cumulative incidences of CVD death were highest among women diagnosed at age ≥ 70. Compared to white women, black women tended to have higher risk of death, especially among women diagnosed at young age; for those aged 40-49 at diagnosis, the HR for CVD mortality was 9.83 (95% CI 4.56-21.17). Conclusions: Among women diagnosed with DCIS, the risk of dying from CVD was greater than breast cancer at 20 years, with the incidence of CVD most pronounced among women diagnosed in an earlier treatment era (1978-1983) and older age. Black women had greater risks of dying from CVD compared to white women for all years, with this disparity decreasing with advanced age.
A review of eight unusual pediatric skin and soft-tissue lesions: Diagnosis, workup, and treatment

The spectrum of clinical presentations in pediatric skin and soft-tissue lesions often makes diagnosis challenging. Delays in diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be life threatening, and they can subject patients to more complicated reconstruction. This retrospective case series reviews the presentation, management, and current literature on eight pediatric skin and soft-tissue lesions. For rare lesions and those with unclear pathology, a multidisciplinary approach is strongly advocated for optimal management.
Using filters for chaotic synchronization for communications

There have been many proposals recently to use synchronized chaotic systems for communications, but the problems of actually sending chaotic signals in a noisy environment, altering the spectral properties of chaos, and resisting unmasking have yet to be solved. In this work, it is shown that a chaotic carrier signal may be filtered and transmitted to a receiver where the carrier signal is reconstructed by a process that does not involve any inversions. This technique allows (1) engineering of the spectral properties of the chaotic signal (2) communications via chaotic carrier in the presence of noise (3) the separation of multiple information-carrying chaotic signals with overlapping frequency spectra.
Molecular Imaging of Mesothelioma with 99mTc-ECG and 68Ga-ECG

We have developed ethylenedicysteine-glucosamine (ECG) as an alternative to 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) for cancer imaging. ECG localizes in the nuclear components of cells via the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. This study was to evaluate the feasibility of imaging mesothelioma with 99mTc-ECG and 68Ga-ECG. ECG was synthesized from thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-amino-D-glucopyranose, followed by reduction in sodium and liquid ammonia to yield ECG (52&#x25;). ECG was chelated with 99mTc/tin (II) and 68Ga/69Ga chloride for in vitro and in vivo studies in mesothelioma. The highest tumor uptake of 99mTc-ECG is 0.47 at 30&#x2009;min post injection, and declined to 0.08 at 240&#x2009;min post injection. Tumor uptake (&#x25;ID/g), tumor/lung, tumor/blood, and tumor/muscle count density ratios for 99mTc-ECG (30&#x2013;240&#x2009;min) were 0.47±0.06 to 0.08±0.01; 0.71±0.07 to 0.85±0.04; 0.47±0.03 to 0.51±0.01, and 3.49±0.24 to 5.06±0.25; for 68Ga-ECG (15&#x2013;60&#x2009;min) were 0.70±0.06 to 0.92±0.08; 0.64±0.05 to 1.15±0.08; 0.42±0.03 to 0.67±0.07, and 3.84±0.52 to 7.00±1.42; for 18F-FDG (30&#x2013;180&#x2009;min) were 1.86±0.22 to 1.38±0.35; 3.18±0.44 to 2.92±0.34, 4.19±0.44 to 19.41±2.05 and 5.75±2.55 to 3.33±0.65, respectively. Tumor could be clearly visualized with 99mTc-ECG and 68Ga-ECG in mesothelioma-bearing rats. 99mTc-ECG and 68Ga-ECG showed increased uptake in mesothelioma, suggesting they may be useful in diagnosing mesothelioma and also monitoring therapeutic response.
Bases of the nucleic acid of fowlpox virus and host deoxyribonucleic acid.

Abstract Randall, Charles C. (University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson), Lanelle G. Gafford, and Robert W. Darlington. Bases of the nucleic acid of fowlpox virus and host deoxyribonucleic acid. J. Bacteriol. 83:1037–1041. 1962.—The nucleic acid of fowlpox virus obtained from purified inclusions was identified as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The base ratios determined on whole virus and on isolated DNA were practically identical. The molar ratios of purines to pyrimidines were approximately unity. The ratio of adenine plus thymine to guanine plus cytosine was 1.8. The base ratios of DNA obtained from chick red cells were approximately the same as other animal DNA preparations reported in the literature. It is of interest that the molar proportions of host DNA are significantly different from viral DNA.
The Cyclical Component of US Asset Returns

We show that equity returns, the term spread, and excess returns on a broad range of assets are positively correlated with future economic growth. The common tendency for excess returns to lead the business cycle suggests a macroeconomic factor in the cyclical behavior of asset returns and the equity premium in particular. We construct an exchange economy that illustrates how this might work. Its important ingredients are recursive preferences, stochastic volatility in consumption growth, and dynamic interaction between volatility and growth.
Erectile dysfunction precedes coronary artery endothelial dysfunction in rats fed a high-fat, high-sucrose, Western pattern diet.

Introduction It is suggested that erectile dysfunction (ED) may be an early risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Self-aligned RESURF to LOCOS region LDMOS characterization shows excellent R/sub sp/ vs BV performance

This paper discusses modeling and experimental development of self-aligned RESURF 60 V rated LDMOS power MOSFETs. The goals of this work were to provide state-of-the-art BV vs. R/sub sp/ performance RESURF devices using existing fabrication techniques capable of high current conduction. The devices were fabricated in a production environment with an additional RESURF implant added to the process. Best performance reported is BV=69 V, and R/sub sp/=0.82 m/spl Omega/ cm/sup 2/ @V/sub gs/=15 V which is the best to our knowledge in this voltage range. Large (18 m/spl Omega/) devices were demonstrated with linear performance up to 60 and 100 A @V/sub gs/=10 V and 15 V respectively. Thick third level metal was used to reduce surface interconnect debiasing.
Role of sulfated O-linked glycoproteins in zymogen granule formation.

Packaging of proteins into regulated secretory granules is mediated by the mildly acidic pH of the trans Golgi network and immature secretory granules. This need for an acidic pH indicates that ionic interactions are important. The mouse pancreatic acinar cell contains four major sulfated glycoproteins, including the zymogen granule structural component Muclin. I tested the hypothesis that sulfation and the O-linked glycosylation to which the sulfates are attached are required for normal formation of zymogen granules in the exocrine pancreas. Post-translational processing was perturbed with two chemicals: sodium chlorate was used to inhibit sulfation and benzyl-N-acetyl-α-galactosaminide was used to inhibit O-linked oligosaccharide elongation. Both chemicals resulted in the accumulation in the Golgi region of the cell of large vacuoles that appear to be immature secretory granules, and the effect was much more extensive with benzyl-N-acetyl-α-galactosaminide than chlorate. Both chemical treatments inhibited basal secretion at prolonged chase times, and again benzyl-N-acetyl-α-galactosaminide had a greater effect than chlorate. In addition, benzyl-N-acetyl-α-galactosaminide, but not chlorate, totally inhibited stimulated secretion of newly synthesized proteins. These data provide evidence for a role of sulfated O-linked glycoproteins in protein condensation and maturation of zymogen granules. Under maximal inhibition of O-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis, anterograde post-Golgi traffic in the regulated pathway is almost totally shut down, demonstrating the importance of these post-translational modifications in progression of secretory proteins through the regulated pathway and normal granule formation in the pancreatic acinar cell.
Harmonic analysis of binaural interaction potentials

A general response model is proposed which suggests that low frequency tones in masking noise may be a useful test stimulus to differentiate between binaural interaction (BI) responses from various superior olivary complex cell types. The model consists of an element acting on input signals from the cochlear nucleus (CN). For each element the output consists of spontaneous rate (SR), weights A and B (positive for excitation, negative for inhibition) and C (positive for facilitation, negative for occlusion). The response of this model to the application of an acoustic stimulus consisting of a single tone plus an additive background noise to produce input stimuli is considered. It is shown that the magnitude of the 2nd harmonic in the response, according to the model, is proportional to the degree of facilitation or occlusion. >
Impact of laser-contaminant interaction on the performance of the protective capping layer of 1 ω high-reflection mirror coatings.

High dielectric constant multilayer coatings are commonly used on high-reflection mirrors for high-peak-power laser systems because of their high laser-damage resistance. However, surface contaminants often lead to damage upon laser exposure, thus limiting the mirror's lifetime and performance. One plausible approach to improve the overall mirror resistance against laser damage, including that induced by laser-contaminant coupling, is to coat the multilayers with a thin protective capping (absentee) layer on top of the multilayer coatings. An understanding of the underlying mechanism by which laser-particle interaction leads to capping layer damage is important for the rational design and selection of capping materials of high-reflection multilayer coatings. In this paper, we examine the responses of two candidate capping layer materials, made of SiO2 and Al2O3, over silica-hafnia multilayer coatings. These are exposed to a single oblique shot of a 1053 nm laser beam (fluence ∼10 J/cm2, pulse length 14 ns), in the presence of Ti particles on the surface. We find that the two capping layers show markedly different responses to the laser-particle interaction. The Al2O3 cap layer exhibits severe damage, with the capping layer becoming completely delaminated at the particle locations. The SiO2 capping layer, on the other hand, is only mildly modified by a shallow depression. Combining the observations with optical modeling and thermal/mechanical calculations, we argue that a high-temperature thermal field from plasma generated by the laser-particle interaction above a critical fluence is responsible for the surface modification of each capping layer. The great difference in damage behavior is mainly attributed to the large disparity in the thermal expansion coefficient of the two capping materials, with that of Al2O3 layer being about 15 times greater than that of SiO2.
Impact of Heart Disease on Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Women

Pregnant women with underlying heart disease (HD) are at increased risk for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. In this study, we sought to identify the risk and risk factors for adverse maternal and fetal events in pregnant women with underlying HD. Pregnant women referred for echocardiogram with known or suspected HD were categorized into those with (1) cardiomyopathy, (2) other HD (congenital, coronary, arrhythmia, or valvular), and (3) no HD. Primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of death, sustained arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and transient ischemic attack/stroke. Secondary outcome was fetal adverse clinical events (FACE), a composite of infant death, prematurity, underweight status, intracranial hemorrhage, and respiratory distress. Of the 173 pregnancies, 37 (21%) had cardiomyopathy, 65 (38%) had other HD, and 68 (39%) had no HD. MACE was higher in pregnancies with cardiomyopathy (p
Temperature-induced unstable-resonator semiconductor lasers

In summary, we have demonstrated that monolithically integrated heater unstable resonator semiconductor lasers can be used to control the transverse modes and to generate good quality output beams. This laser is easy to make and does not suffer from scattering loss as might happen at the interfaces in regrown lens designs, or due to the surface roughness in the case of etched curved mirrors. This effective negative unstable resonator can be tuned by controlling the heating current, and can be useful in studying unstable resonator lasers. Beam steering is observed and it is found that beam position can be moved by controlling temperature gradients across the laser. >
A cell surface receptor mediates extracellular Ca 2+ sensing in guard cells

Extracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(o)) is required for various physiological and developmental processes in animals and plants. In response to varied Ca(2+)(o) levels, plants maintain relatively constant internal Ca(2+) content, suggesting a precise regulatory mechanism for Ca(2+) homeostasis. However, little is known about how plants monitor Ca(2+)(o) status and whether Ca(2+)(o)-sensing receptors exist. The effects of Ca(2+)(o) on guard cells in promoting stomatal closure by inducing increases in the concentration of cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) provide a clue to Ca(2+)(o) sensing. Here we have used a functional screening assay in mammalian cells to isolate an Arabidopsis complementary DNA clone encoding a Ca(2+)-sensing receptor, CAS. CAS is localized to the plasma membrane, exhibits low-affinity/high-capacity Ca(2+) binding, and mediates Ca(2+)(o)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases. CAS is expressed predominantly in the shoot, including guard cells. Repression of CAS disrupts Ca(2+)(o) signalling in guard cells, and impairs bolting (swift upward growth at the transition to seed production) in response to Ca(2+) deficiency, so we conclude that CAS may be a primary transducer of Ca(2+)(o) in plants.
Leaky-mode assisted fluorescence extraction: application to fluorescence enhancement biosensors

Efficient recovery of light emitted by fluorescent molecules by employing photonic structures can result in high signal-to-noise ratio detection for biological applications including DNA microarrays, fluorescence microscopy and single molecule detection. By employing a model system comprised of colloidal quantum dots, we consider the physical basis of the extraction effect as provided by photonic crystals. Devices with different lattice symmetry are fabricated ensuring spectral and spatial coupling of quantum dot emission with leaky eigenmodes and the emission characteristics are studied using angle-resolved and angle-integrated measurements. Comparison with numerical calculations and lifetime measurements reveals that the enhancement occurs via resonant redirection of the emitted radiation. Comparison of various lattices reveals differences in the enhancement factor with a maximum enhancement factor approaching 220. We also demonstrate the first enhanced extraction biosensor that allows for over 20-fold enhancement of the fluorescence signal in detection of the cytokine TNF-α by a fluorescence sandwich immunoassay.
The infrared spectrum and vibrational intensity of gaseous dioxygen difluoride (FOOF)

Abstract A complete absorption spectrum of gaseous dioxygen difluoride (FOOF) was obtained using a very long pathlength, temperature-programmable cell and an FT-IR spectrometer. All six fundamental vibrational frequencies were deduced from three fundamental bands and four binary combination bands. A significant deviation of the v frequency is observed from the matrix studies of solid FOOF. The absolute vibrational intensities of observed bands are reported.
Forecasts of power‐transformed series

Consider a time series transformed by an instantaneous power function of the Box-Cox type. For a wide range of fractional powers, this paper gives the relative bias in original metric forecasts due to use of the simple inverse retransformation when minimum mean squared error (conditional mean) forecasts are optimal. This bias varies widely according to the characteristics of the data. A fast algorithm is given to find this bias, or to find minimum mean squared error forecasts in the original metric. The results depend on the assumption that the forecast errors in the transformed metric are Gaussian. An example using real data is given.
Spectroscopic imaging of the pilocarpine model of human epilepsy suggests that early NAA reduction predicts epilepsy

Reduced hippocampal N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) is commonly observed in patients with advanced, chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). It is unclear, however, whether an NAA deficit is also present during the clinically quiescent latent period that characterizes early TLE. This question has important implications for the use of MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) in the early identification of patients at risk for TLE. To determine whether NAA is diminished during the latent period, we obtained high-resolution (1)H spectroscopic imaging during the latent period of the rat pilocarpine model of human TLE. We used actively detuneable surface reception and volume transmission coils to enhance sensitivity and a semiautomated voxel shifting method to accurately position voxels within the hippocampi. During the latent period, 2 and 7 d following pilocarpine treatment, hippocampal NAA was significantly reduced by 27.5 +/- 6.9% (P < 0.001) and 17.3 +/- 6.9% (P < 0.001) at 2 and 7 d, respectively. Quantitative estimates of neuronal loss at 7 d (2.3 +/- 7.7% reduction; P = 0.58, not significant) demonstrate that the NAA deficit is not due to neuron loss and therefore likely represents metabolic impairment of hippocampal neurons during the latent phase. Therefore, spectroscopic imaging provides an early marker for metabolic dysfunction in this model of TLE.
What Are Models and Why Do We Need Them

Educators and philosophers tout the virtues of the `new' view of theories. Unfortunately, there is no agreed-on name for the new view, but a recently a favored term has been `model based'. I address what a model might be in the context of science education. I am concerned about when and why we need to make the transition from implicit mental models to explicit external models. I explore two theories/models in physics. One draws on misunderstandings of rotating objects. The second concerns concerning density and flotation. I offer two morals: `Models' in physics are often mathematical, and more attention needs to be devoted to integrating mathematics and scienceModels are required in physics when we need an equation in which two variables occur and which is not linearly additive.
Study of the Auger line shape of polyethylene and diamond

The KVV Auger electron line shapes of carbon in polyethylene and diamond have been studied. The spectra were obtained in derivative form by electron beam excitation. They were treated by background subtraction, integration and deconvolution to produce the intrinsic Auger line shape. Electron energy loss spectra provided the response function in the deconvolution procedure. The line shape from polyethylene is compared with spectra from linear alkanes and with a previous spectrum of Kelber et al. Both spectra are compared with the self-convolution of their full valence band densities of states and of their p-projected densities. The experimental spectra could not be understood in terms of existing theories. This is so even when correlation effects are qualitatively taken into account account to the theories of Cini and Sawatzky and Lenselink.
Suicide, Status, and Mobility in Chicago

Data from a study of suicide in Cook County, Illinois, as well as supplementary sources, indicate weaknesses in Henry and Short's consideration of the relationship of social status to the suicide rate in Suticide and Homzicide. Their hypothesis that "high-status categories will have higher suicide rates than low-status categories" is subjected to three basic criticisms: (1) members of high-status categories or persons who are relatively unrestrained do not have the highest suicide rates; (2) distinguishing status data into simply high and low categories obscures important relationships betweenl social status and suicide rate; and (3) status-change is more highly related to suicide rates than is status position. S ince 1954 Henry and Short's Suicide and Homiticide has had a marked influence on suicide research.1 This work is primarily an examination of Durkheimn's anomic type of suicide, since it tests the influence of economic change on the suicide rate. Henry and Short use the so-called "Burns and Mitchell techinique" for measuring the business cycles in the United States (especially from about 1940 to 1950) and the Ayres' Index of Industrial *This paper developed out of research financed by the National Science Foundation (GS-793). An earlier version of the manuscript was read at the 1967 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in San Francisco, California. I am indebted to Warren Breed, Irwin Goffman, Daniel N. Gordon, Derek L. Phillips, and Thomas P. Wilson for their helpful suggestions. 1 Andrew F. Henry and James F. Short, Jr., Suticide and Homnicide (New York: The Free Press of Glencoe, 1954). Suticide anld Homicide is a provocative and closely argued book. What follows is by no means an attempt to discredit its merits. In fact Henry and Short themselves have provided the impetus for our investigations. They write, in a chapter entitled "Some Research Suggestions," that they "used the general positive association between suicide and status .... as the basis of an assumption that persons committing suicide within each gross ascriptive category are recruited from the upper classes of the category. This assumption should be tested by examination of certificates of death by suicide." Our paper is designed to test this assumption by the means sug-