cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New onset of restless legs syndrome in pregnancy in a prospective multiracial cohort: Incidence and risk factors.

Objective To determine whether the incidence and risk factors of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in pregnancy differ by race/ethnicity, we estimated relative risks of demographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional factors in association with risk of any incident RLS in pregnancy in a cohort of 2,704 healthy pregnant women without prior RLS. Methods Using data from the multicenter, multiracial National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Growth Studies–Singletons, we examined the incidence of RLS from early pregnancy to near delivery through up to 6 assessments. Multivariable Poisson models with robust variance were applied to estimate relative risks (RRs). Results The cumulative incidence of RLS in pregnancy was 18.1% for all women, 20.3% for White women, 15.4% for Black women, 17.1% for Hispanic women, and 21.1% for Asian women. Among Hispanic women, older age (RR [reference ≤25 years]: 25–35 years, 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–2.16; ≥35 years, 1.58; 95% CI 0.93–2.68), anemia (RR [reference no]: yes, 2.47; 95% CI 1.31–4.64), and greater total skinfolds of the subscapular and triceps sites, independent of body mass index (RR [reference quartile 1]: quartile 5, 2.54; 95% CI 1.30–4.97; p trend = 0.01) were associated with higher risk of RLS, while multiparity was associated with a lower risk (RR [reference nulliparity]: 0.69; 95% CI 0.50–0.96). In Black women, greater skinfolds and waist circumference were associated with higher risk of pregnancy RLS, although the trends were less clear. Conclusions The incidence of RLS in pregnancy was high and differed by race/ethnicity, which is likely accounted for by differences in other risk factors, such as age, parity, and nutritional factors.
Temperature Structure and Mass-Temperature Scatter in Galaxy Clusters

Precision cosmology studies based on wide-field surveys of galaxy clusters benefit from constraints on intrinsic scatter in mass-observable relationships. In principle, two-parameter models combining direct measurements of galaxy-cluster structural variation with mass proxies such as X-ray luminosity and temperature can be used to constrain scatter in the relationship between the mass proxy and the cluster's halo mass and to measure the redshift evolution of that scatter. One candidate for quantifying cluster substructure is the intracluster medium temperature inhomogeneity inferred from X-ray spectral properties, an example of which is T HBR, the ratio of hardband to broadband spectral-fit temperatures. In this paper we test the effectiveness of T HBR as an indicator of scatter in the mass-temperature relation using 118 galaxy clusters simulated with radiative cooling and feedback. We find that, while T HBR is correlated with clusters' departures δln TX from the mean M-T X relation, the effect is modest.
Individual-oocyte transcriptomic analysis shows that genotoxic chemotherapy depletes human primordial follicle reserve in vivo by triggering proapoptotic pathways without growth activation.

Gonadotoxic chemotherapeutics, such as cyclophosphamide, can cause early menopause and infertility in women. Earlier histological studies showed ovarian reserve depletion via severe DNA damage and apoptosis, but others suggested activation of PI3K/PTEN/Akt pathway and follicle 'burn-out' as a cause. Using a human ovarian xenograft model, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing on laser-captured individual primordial follicle oocytes 12 h after a single cyclophosphamide injection to determine the mechanisms of acute follicle loss after gonadotoxic chemotherapy. RNA-sequencing showed 190 differentially expressed genes between the cyclophosphamide- and vehicle-exposed oocytes. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis predicted a significant decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic pro-Akt PECAM1 (p = 2.13E-09), IKBKE (p = 0.0001), and ANGPT1 (p = 0.003), and reduced activation of PI3K/PTEN/Akt after cyclophosphamide. The qRT-PCR and immunostaining confirmed that in primordial follicle oocytes, cyclophosphamide did not change the expressions of Akt (p = 0.9), rpS6 (p = 0.3), Foxo3a (p = 0.12) and anti-apoptotic Bcl2 (p = 0.17), nor affect their phosphorylation status. There was significantly increased DNA damage by I³H2AX (p = 0.0002) and apoptosis by active-caspase-3 (p = 0.0001) staining in the primordial follicles and no change in the growing follicles 12 h after chemotherapy. These data support that the mechanism of acute follicle loss by cyclophosphamide is via apoptosis, rather than growth activation of primordial follicle oocytes in the human ovary.
Efficacy and safety of blepharoptosis repair after incisional glaucoma surgery.

Purpose:There is an increased risk for development of blepharoptosis after incisional glaucoma surgery. Data on safety and efficacy of ptosis repair in this group of patients in limited. The goal o...
Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics with the weighted ensemble method: a hybrid method improves thermodynamics and kinetics sampling

Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) is a well-established enhanced sampling method for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that effectively samples the potential energy landscape of the system by adding a boost potential, which smoothens the surface and lowers energy barriers between states. Although equilibrium properties can be recovered exactly in principle, GaMD is unable to give time-dependent properties such as kinetics directly. On the other hand, the weighted ensemble (WE) method can efficiently sample transitions between states with its many weighted trajectories, which directly yield rates and pathways. However, the performance of the WE method (i.e., convergence and efficiency) depends heavily on its initial conditions or initial sampling of the potential energy landscape. Hence, we have developed a hybrid method that combines the two methods, wherein GaMD is first used to sample the potential energy landscape of the system, and the WE method is subsequently used to further sample the potential energy landscape and kinetic properties of interest. We show that the hybrid method can sample both thermodynamic and kinetic properties more accurately and quickly compared to using either method alone.
Sampling Distributions Associated with Spatial Autocorrelation

A sampling distribution is the frequency distribution of some statistic constructed by taking all possible samples of a given size from a parent population. Sampling distributions of general interest most often are for model parameter estimates, means, variances, and correlation coefficients. All of these distributions are affected by nonzero spatial autocorrelation. Sampling distributions of particular interest in spatial analysis are those for MC, GR, and ρ, the autocorrelation parameter of a spatial autoregressive model. The key to establishing a sampling distribution is stipulating what constitutes a sample. Sampling distributions can be explored through use of simulation techniques, resampling procedures, and algebraic analysis.
Analyst Forecasts and Stock Returns

This study seeks to determine the relation between stock returns and analyst forecast properties, specifically, the dispersion and error of annual earnings forecasts. The results of portfolio sorts, Fama-MacBeth cross-sectional regression models, and Fama and French (1993) factor models indicate firms with low dispersion or error outperform firms with high dispersion or error. Robustness tests show the results are not explained by liquidity, momentum, industry, post-earnings announcement drift, or traditional risk measures. An investment strategy based on forecast properties is shown to produce zero-cost returns of 13% per year, yielding positive returns in all 19 years using an error measure. The results are not attributable to several potential theories. Risk-related theories are eliminated as firms with low dispersion or error ("transparent") outperform firms with high dispersion or error ("opaque"). This remains true even after controlling for volatility measures. Behavioral theories based on optimism are also eliminated as optimistic forecasts only explain a small part of the results. Finally, the results are not related to contrarian-value strategies as the transparent firms outperform in both up and down markets.
A systematic review of validated methods for identifying ventricular arrhythmias using administrative and claims data.

Background Drug-induced pro-arrhythmia is a serious and unexpected event. Large administrative and claims databases can potentially identify drugs or interactions leading to cardiac arrhythmias. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the evidence supporting the validity of algorithms or codes to identify ventricular arrhythmias using administrative and claims data. Methods A search of MEDLINE database is supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies of key relevant articles. We selected all studies in which an administrative and claims data algorithm or code was validated against a medical record. We report the positive predictive value (PPV) for ICD-9 codes compared to medical records. Results Our search strategy yielded 664 studies, of which only seven met our eligibility criteria. Two additional studies were identified by peer reviewers. The most commonly included databases were Medicare and Medicaid, and the most commonly evaluated ICD-9 codes were 426.x and 427.x. The individual use of ICD-9 codes 427.x yielded a high PPV (78%–100%). The highest PPV was seen when both ICD-9 codes 427.x and 798.x were used (92%). The same codes yielded the highest PPV when found in the principal diagnosis position (100%). Conclusions The use of ICD-9 codes 427.x, alone or in combination with code 798.x, in the principal position is appropriate for the identification of ventricular arrhythmias in administrative and claims databases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economic Shape of Trapezoidal Open Channel Sections with Freeboard

It can be proved mathematically that the maximum flow by the Manning formula is an open channel of trapezoidal cross section of fixed side slopes and with a fixed freeboard occurs r=(5/2)fx/q, in which r = the hydraulic radius of the wetted section; x = the bottom width of channel section; and q=2L-W, the difference between the total length of the side slopes, 2L, and the top width, W, of the excavated section; and f, herein called freeboard, is the vertical distance between the present or undisturbed ground surface and the proposed water surface in the finished channel. It is assumed to be below the original ground surface.
Gender bias in the measurement of peer victimization: An application of item response theory

There continues to be great debate regarding the conceptualization and measurement of peer victimization, particularly with respect to gender differences in children's victimization experiences. We employed traditional and modern psychometric methods (e.g., item response theory) to evaluate a 10-item youth-report measure of peer victimization (e.g., threatening, spreading rumors/lies, and cyberbullying) among 17,198 students in Grades 6-12. A two-factor model that differentiated between direct and indirect victimization subtypes best characterized students' experiences and substantially reduced the potential for gender-based measurement bias. Implications for the gender-sensitive assessment of peer victimization are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 9999:1-11, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Immunochemical Assays in Pesticide Analysis

Immunochemical assays (immunoassays, IAs) are biochemical assays which work according to the law of mass action. They are based on the recognition of an antigen (Ag) or a hapten by antibodies (Abs). Abs are serum glycoproteins of the immunoglobulin (Ig) class and are produced by the vertebrate immune system against foreign material of high molecular mass. The result of the binding reaction between the Ab and an analyte is usually made visible by means of enzymatic, chemiluminescent, fluorescent or radioactive markers. According to the label used IAs can be classified into enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), radioimmunoassays (RIAs), fluorescence immunoassays (FIAs) or chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIAs). The measuring range of most IAs for pesticides is in the parts per trillion to lower parts per billion range. A lot of samples can be analyzed within a short time, while only low sample volumes are necessary. In many cases (water, some liquid food samples) no extraction step and no cleanup are necessary. Not all assays are completely specific to one single compound. Cross-reactivities of the Abs with haptens similar to the analyte can be observed. In some cases, matrix effects may occur, especially with soil or colored food extracts. Therefore, validation of the assays for the matrix of interest should be carried out. As IAs are usually targeted at a single analyte or a group of analytes, multianalyte approaches using Ab arrays or a combination of immunochemical techniques with liquid chromatography (LC) are pursued.
Ovule and Embryo Ontogenesis in Bombacopsis glabra (Pasq.) A. Robyns

Ontogeny of the ovule and development of the embryo in Bombacopsis glabra (Pasq.) A. Robyns were examined. The ovule is bitegmic, crassinucellate, and anatropous. The exostome is eccentric relative to the endostome; stornata occur on the outer integument. The single archesporial cell functions directly as the megaspore mother cell. The embryo-sac is bisporic. The organization of the nuclei in the mature embryo-sac is normal. The antipodal cells disintegrate soon after formation. Double fertilization takes place; the zygote undergoes a long period of dormancy, but the primary endosperm nucleus divides immediately to produce first a nuclear-type, later a cellulartype endosperm. The zygote is of the caryophyllad type* Adventive embryos arise from single cells of the nucellus in the vicinity of the micropyle, and develop faster than the sexually produced embryo; this leads to apomictic reproduction.
Warm beating heart with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest: a technique for an unclampable aorta with aortic valve regurgitation.

transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2012;14:485-7. 3. Unbehaun A, Pasic M, Dreysse S, Buz S, Kukucka M, Hetzer R, Drews T. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation and hybrid coronary artery revascularization— time to combine them. Innovations. 2011;6:395-8. 4. Walther T, Dewey T, Borger MA, Kempfert J, Linke A, Becht R, et al. Transapical aortic valve implantation: step by step. Ann Thorac Surg. 2009;87:276-83.
Luminescent "Crystalline" Particles: An Organized Subcellular Bioluminescent System

A new type of intracellular biological particle which is functional in light emission has been discovered and isolated. As seen with the electron microscope it resembles a crystal; moreover, its high degree of birefringence suggests crystallinity. Isolated particles can be caused to emit a luminescent flash that resembles the flash emitted by the dinoflagellate, Gonyaulax polyedra. The particles are referred to as "scintillons".
The reduction of graph families closed under contraction

Abstract Let S be a family of graphs. Suppose there is a nontrivial graph H such that for any supergraph G of H , G is in S if and only if the contraction G / H is in S . Examples of such an S : graphs with a spanning closed trail; graphs with at least k edge-disjoint spanning trees; and k -edge-connected graphs ( k fixed). We give a reduction method using contractions to find when a given graph is in S and to study its structure if it is not in S . This reduction method generalizes known special cases.
Effect of operating parameters on the hygro–thermal stresses in proton exchange membranes of fuel cells

Abstract A full three-dimensional, nonisothermal computational fluid dynamics model of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell with straight flow field channels has been developed to simulate the hygro and thermal stresses in polymer membrane, which are occurring in the cell during operation. The behavior of the membrane during the operation of a unit cell has been studied and investigated. This comprehensive model accounts for the major transport phenomena in a PEM fuel cell: convective and diffusive heat and mass transfer, electrode kinetics, transport and phase change mechanism of water, and potential fields. The model is shown to be able to realize the many interacting, complex electrochemical, transport phenomena, and stresses distribution that cannot be studied experimentally. This model is used to study the effect of operating parameters on fuel cell performance and hygro–thermal stresses in polymer membrane. Detailed analyses of the fuel cell performance under various operating conditions have been conducted and examined. The analysis helped identifying critical parameters and shed insight into the physical mechanisms leading to a fuel cell performance under various operating conditions.
The sucrose synthase - 1 promoter from Citrus sinensis directs expression of the β - glucuronidase reporter gene in phloem tissue and in response to wounding in transgenic plants

Interest in phloem-specific promoters for the engineering of transgenic plants has been increasing in recent years. In this study we isolated two similar, but distinct, alleles of the Citrus sinensis sucrose synthase-1 promoter (CsSUS1p) and inserted them upstream of the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene to test their ability to drive expression in the phloem of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum. Although both promoter variants were capable of conferring localized GUS expression in the phloem, the CsSUS1p-2 allele also generated a significant level of expression in non-target tissues. Unexpectedly, GUS expression was also instigated in a minority of CsSUS1p::GUS lines in response to wounding in the leaves of transgenic Arabidopsis. Deletion analysis of the CsSUS1p suggested that a fragment comprising nucleotides −410 to −268 relative to the translational start site contained elements required for phloem-specific expression while nucleotides −268 to −103 contained elements necessary for wound-specific expression. Interestingly, the main difference between the two CsSUS1p alleles was the presence of a 94-bp insertion in allele 2. Fusion of this indel to a minimal promoter and GUS reporter gene indicated that it contained stamen and carpel-specific enhancer elements. This finding of highly specific and separable regulatory units within the CsSUS1p suggests that this promoter may have a potential application in the generation of constructs for the use in the development of transgenic plants resistant to a wide variety of target pests.
Replication of Viral RNA: RNA Synthetase from Escherichia coli Infected with Phage MS2 or Qβ

An RNA synthetase is formed in Escherichia coli after infection with bacteriophages containing RNA. Specific annealing techniques revealed that, from the very outset of the reaction in vitro, the partially purified enzyme-template complex synthesizes parental-type plus strands, namely, MS2-RNA when isolated from cells infected with MS2 phage and Q β -RNA in the case of cells infected with Q β phage. This is in contrast to the situation found with Q β replicase primed with Q β -RNA, where the initial product is the complementary strand.
Regulation of hepatic fatty acid synthetase in the obese-hyperglycemic mutant mouse

Abstract Regulation of fatty acid synthetase has been studied in the obese-hyperglycemic mouse and compared with regulation in non obese, littermate control animals. The mechanisms underlying the regulatory changes were defined by immunochemical techniques. Several major conclusions are justified from the data obtained: (1) Although the hepatic specific activity of fatty acid synthetase is higher in obese than in non obese animals pair-fed chow, no difference in hepatic activities is apparent in animals pair-fed the fat-free diet; (2) The higher enzymatic activity in obese animals fed chow is related to a higher content of enzyme, and this higher content is associated with a higher rate of enzyme synthesis; (3) The decrease in hepatic synthetase activity with starvation is distinctly more striking in non obese than in obese animals, and the changes in activity reflect changes in content of enzyme; (4) With starvation there is a decrease in synthesis of enzyme in obese and non obese animals, but only in non obese animals is there also a marked increase in the rate of synthetase degradation ( t 1 2 = 24 h during starvation, t 1 2 = 76 h during normal feeding); (5) Refeeding starved mice a fat-free diet results in a more striking increase in hepatic synthetase activity in non obese than in obese animals; and (6) Administration of triiodothyronine causes a more marked increase in hepatic synthetase activity in non obese than in obese animals. The data thus define a variety of differences in regulation of hepatic fatty acid synthetase in mutant and normal animals. The roles of enzyme synthesis and degradation in the etiology of these differences are defined, and possible mechanisms underlying regulation of synthetase synthesis and degradation in normal mammalian liver are suggested by the observations.
2-Deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranose: Hydroxymethyl Group Conformation and Substituent Effects on Molecular Structure, Ring Geometry, and NMR Spin−Spin Coupling Constants from Quantum Chemical Calculations

The effect of hydroxymethyl conformation (gg, gt, and tg rotamers about the C4−C5 bond) on the conformational energies and structural parameters (bond lengths, bond angles, bond torsions) of the 10 envelope forms of the biologically relevant aldopentofuranose, 2-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranose (2-deoxy-d-ribofuranose) 2, has been investigated by ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the HF/6-31G* level of theory. C4−C5 bond rotation induces significant changes in the conformational energy profile of 2 (2gt and 2tg exhibit one global energy minimum, whereas 2gg exhibits two nearly equivalent energy minima), and structural changes, especially those in bond lengths, are consistent with predictions based on previously reported vicinal, 1,3- and 1,4-oxygen lone pair effects. HF/6-31G*-optimized envelope geometries of 2gg were re-optimized using density functional theory (DFT, B3LYP/6-31G*), and the resulting structures were used in DFT calculations of NMR spin−spin coupling constants involving 13C (i.e.,...
The role of adipose tissue in mediating the beneficial effects of dietary fish oil

Fish oil improves several features of metabolic syndrome such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Fish oil may mediate some of its beneficial effects by modulating the storage and/or secretory functions of adipose tissue. The storage of triglycerides in adipose tissue is regulated by the availability of free fatty acids as well as the degree of lipolysis in adipose tissue. Fish oil has been shown to reduce lipolysis in several studies indicating improved triglyceride storage. Importantly, adipose tissue secretes a variety of adipokines and fish oil feeding is associated with remarkable changes in the plasma levels of two key adipokines, adiponectin and leptin. Much attention has been focused on the contribution of adiponectin in fish oil mediated improvements in metabolic syndrome. However, emerging evidence also indicates a role of leptin in modulating the components of the metabolic syndrome upon fish oil feeding. In addition to improving the storage and secretory functions of adipose tissue, fish oil, and the n-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, has been shown to reduce inflammation in adipose tissue. These effects may be in part a result of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ or inhibition of toll-like receptor 4. Thus, there is compelling evidence that fish oil mediates its beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome by improving adipose tissue storage and secretory functions and by reducing inflammation.
Angular Distribution of Fission Fragments from the Yb 170 Compound Nucleus Excited to 107 MeV

The angular distribution of the fission products formed in the reaction of 126-MeV ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ ions with ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{158}$ and 137-MeV ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ ions with ${\mathrm{Sm}}^{154}$, both of which give ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{170}$ compound nuclei at an excitation of 107 MeV, have been measured. It is found that the angular distribution in the ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$-ion entrance channel is proportional to $\frac{1}{sin\ensuremath{\theta}}$ from about 25 to 155\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the center-of-mass system, while the corresponding range is about 15 to 165\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for the ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$-ion entrance channel. The total fission cross sections are 20 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2 and 39 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 4 mb for the two entrance channels, respectively.
Time and communal life, an applied phenomenology

Every morning, with six-wheeled precision, at the same hour, at the same minute, we wake up, millions of us at once. At the very same hour, millions like one, we begin our work, and millions like one, we finish it. United into a single body with a million hands, at the very same second, designated by the Tables, we carry the spoons to our mouths; at the same second we all go out to walk, go to the auditorium, to the halls for the Taylor exercises, and then to bed. (Zamiatin, 1924) I The rise of industrial capitalism as a mode of production is inextricably linked with the rationalization of time, legitimized under a rhetoric of progress. In the rational structuring of work situations, and in the constitution in personal consciousness of a disciplined and ascetic "inner clock," diachronic?that is, linear?time has permeated the established order. But in a curious way, history as progress becomes subsumed in an
Retrograde aortography under hypothermia in infancy and early childhood.

Abstract Retrograde aortography under modest hypothermia has been employed in the definitive diagnostic investigation of 27 infants and young children with various congenital cardiovascular malformations. The procedure was most helpful in the study of coarctation of the aorta and in differentiating patent ductus arteriosus or aorticopulmonary fenestration from intracardiac left-to-right shunts which were flooding the lungs. Current experience suggests that hypothermia improves the technical quality of the result by reducing cardiac output and arterial blood flow. The smooth and uneventful character of the procedure and the paucity of untoward effects specifically attributable to it suggest that hypothermia under the conditions described may enhance its safety.
On First Looking into Kutcher's "Contested Medicine": Ethical Tensions in Clinical Research

Contested Medicine examines the experiments done at the University of Cincinnati by Eugene Saenger and his colleagues during the 1960s, a time of great fear that the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union would become a hot war using nuclear weapons. These studies were to provide the Department of Defense information relevant to the consequences of exposure of military personnel to ionizing radiation in such circumstances. Kutcher, a radiation physicist turned historian of science, is especially well prepared to put these studies into the context of the evolving bioethics of the time. He reviews the essential ethical reviews, beginning with the Nuremberg Code and extending to those of the Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments appointed by President Clinton. These evolving ethical standards provide a cautionary note to today's methods of clinical experimentation in search of proper evidence-based medicine. There has been an ascendance of the priority of patient rights over societal good except in increasingly limited special circumstances. Some of what was considered good and necessary science in the 1960s and 1970s is no longer considered proper. Similarly, future ethical norms may well find current trial methodology to be flawed.
Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions Do Not Modify Cardiac Function of Premature Infants with "Very Low Hematocrits"

Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions Do Not Modify Cardiac Function of Premature Infants with "Very Low Hematocrits"
A novel cell design for simplifying SOFC system

A novel design for the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has been proposed. By attaching palladium and gold electrodes on the same face of BaCe0.8Gd0.2O3−α electrolyte and feeding a mixture of CH4 and O2 (CH4:O2 mole ratio = 2:1) to the cell at 950 °C, an electric power could be generated from the cell. The main advantages are that the ohmic resistance of the cell decreased with reducing distance between the two electrodes and that some unit cells were connected in series and parallel with one another on the same electrolyte.
Kapitza conductance of silicon–amorphous polyethylene interfaces by molecular dynamics simulations

We use nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation to elucidate the interfacial thermal conductance between single-crystal silicon and amorphous polyethylene. In particular, we investigate the role of solid stiffness and the bonding strength across the interface on the interfacial thermal conductance. Simulations of interfacial scattering of individual phonon wave packets indicate that neither diffuse mismatch model nor acoustic mismatch model describes the interfacial scattering process quantitatively. In general, transmission coefficients for longitudinal phonons are significantly higher than those for transverse phonons. We also observe that anharmonic processes can be important for interfacial conductance.
Stewardship decisions among internal medicine residents: responses to common challenges using vignettes.

Background: Stewardship is an important aspect of medical care to which little formal attention is paid during training. Purpose: The goal is to evaluate stewardship practices of internal medicine residents and the relationship of resident refusal to provide requested nonindicated care with levels of confidence and bother. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of residents in one training program, containing four hypothetical clinical scenarios asking residents whether they would provide nonindicated tests and treatments, and to report confidence in the decision and bother. Results: Sixty-seven of 105 residents completed the survey. Most residents prescribed a requested brand-name expensive medication when a generic was available and hospitalized a patient with no expected clinical benefit, but few were willing to repeat imaging for quicker availability or perform an unnecessary diagnostic evaluation. Residents ordering nonindicated tests and treatments reported lower confidence in their decision and more bothe...
Developmental Regulation of β-Galactoside α2,6-Sialyltransferase in Small Intestine Epithelium

A striking biochemical alteration to the epithelium of the small intestine upon weaning is the loss of microvillar sialic acids. Antibody and cDNA probes to the beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase (SiaT-1, EC 2.4.99.1) were used to characterize the expression of this sialyltransferase in the small intestine of suckling rats. SiaT-1 mRNA and protein in the intestinal epithelium are rapidly lost upon weaning, in agreement with the loss of mucosal sialic acids and general sialyltransferase activity. Developmental repression of SiaT-1 is manifested in a proximal to distal gradient; SiaT-1 mRNA and protein are lost first from the duodenum and persist the longest in the ileum. We have previously documented that SiaT-1 gene expression can be transcriptionally initiated from a number of distinct tissue-specific promoter regions. Here, by criteria of mRNA mobility on agarose gels, primer extension analysis, and differential Northern hybridization, we show that the promoter previously considered to be liver-specific is operative in SiaT-1 expression in the small intestine of suckling animals. Comparison of this SiaT-1 promoter region with promoter regions of other genes exhibiting dual intestine-hepatic tissue specificity revealed a number of striking sequence similarities. Regulatory implications and consequences of small intestinal SiaT-1 expression in suckling but not in weaned animals are discussed.
Atomic Oxygen Plasma Effects on Cvd Deposited Diamond-Like Carbon Films

CVD deposited diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have been studied for possible use as a secondary standard for Low Earth Orbit materials degradation. Samples of various thicknesses have been exposed to a simulated Low Earth Orbit atomic oxygen (AO) environment using a plasma asher. Mass loss measurements indicate that DLC degrades at a rate of 0.7 mg/hr which is two to three times the rate of currently used Kapton samples which degrade at a rate of.3 mg/hr. Thickness measurements show that DLC thins at a rate of 77 Angstroms/min. Since DLC is not as susceptible to environmental factors such as moisture absorption, it could potentially provide more accurate measurements of AO fluence on short space flights. Adhesion of DLC films to both fused silica and crystalline silicon substrates has been studied under thermal cycling conditions. Film adhesion to fused silica can be enhanced by sputtering a thin layer of silicon dioxide onto the substrate prior to deposition. In addition to the above, the index of refraction and extinction coefficient of various thicknesses of DLC films has been characterized by Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry.
Illuminating the near‐sonic rupture velocities of the intracontinental Kokoxili Mw 7.8 and Denali fault Mw 7.9 strike‐slip earthquakes with global P wave back projection imaging

[1] The Denali and Kokoxili strike-slip earthquakes are two of the longest recent intracontinental ruptures. Previous studies report a range of rupture velocities. Here we image these earthquakes by reverse time migration of the intermediate-frequency P wave train recorded by global broadband seismometers. This technique permits a relatively direct measure of rupture velocity (speed and direction) as constrained by the radiated seismic energy, free from restrictive assumptions or rupture speed bounds placed on the solution. We compare our results with published seismic, GPS displacement, and surface slip inversion results. Both ruptures were initially subshear and transitioned over a distance no longer than 40 km to supershear speeds close to the P wave speed of ∼5.6 km/s. We investigate the accuracy of our results with synthetic data and experiment with using different imaging parameters and seismic subnetworks. These tests allow us to rule out the possibility of subshear speeds along the supershear segments. Although we cannot exclude supershear speeds of 4.5–6.5 km/s, our most reliable rupture velocities of ∼5.6 km/s are close to the local P wave speeds. We hypothesize that these intracontinental faults have weak shear strengths or high breakdown slips or crustal rigidities and experience at least moderate slip or slip rate weakening. Our observations and previous published results lead us to speculate that very long, surface-extending faults with general homogeneity in prestress and fault strength, together with smaller adjacent fault segments to provide triggering, may be necessary ingredients for the sub-Rayleigh to supershear rupture speed transition in strike-slip earthquakes.
Spindle disappearance and chromosome behavior after partial-embryo irradiation in Cecidomyiidae (Diptera)

1. Currently available data on chromosome elimination in Cecidomyiidae are still inadequate to support any definite conclusions regarding its immediate causes. It seems that some evidence on the mechanism of elimination could be obtained from observation of the behavior of E chromosomes in complete absence of spindle. To bring about such absence of spindle, ultraviolet microbeams would appear promising, since they have already been used to destroy spindles in cells of other organisms. 2. For irradiation the embryos of Rhabdophaga batatasWalsh were chosen. It was established that in this species 2 S+E=40 and 2 S (for female)=8. Elimination of 30-odd chromosomes regularly occurs in the fifth cleavage. Embryos were irradiated with 8μ and 16μ heterochromatic ultraviolet microbeams not only in this fifth cleavage but also in the fourth, in which elimination was never observed. The irradiated regions were small parts of somatic cytoplasm or small parts of germ cells. 3. The effects of irradiation were multifold: complete degeneration of nuclei in the vicinity of irradiated cytoplasm; disappearance of spindle and formation of quasi-rosettes; multipolar mitosis. The polar substance present in germ cells was often severely damaged and fragmented. All these effects are evidently indirect. 4. In mitoses thus deprived of spindles, the separation of chromosomes into daughter chromatids was suppressed but some of their active movements persisted. All chromosomes were gathered into a quasirosette, which afterwards divided into two quasi-rosettes. The daughter quasi-rosettes moved apart and formed telophase nuclei. In both irradiated divisions (fourth and fifth) E chromosomes behaved in exactly the same manner as S chromosomes; they showed the same kind of peculiar movement and were incorporated into telophase nuclei. Suppression of elimination of E chromosomes in the fifth division can be regarded as one more indirect effect of irradiation to be added to the list above. 5. These results show that elimination of E chromosomes does not result from failures in chromosomal spindle fibers or from intrinsic morphological defects in the centromeres. The fact that elimination can be suppressed by indirect action of ultraviolet light strongly supports the assumption that elimination occurs because of chemical changes in adjacent cytoplasm that are injurious to the centromeres of E chromosomes. Most probably the indirect action of ultraviolet interferes with the production of some substance that is normally injurious to the centromeres in the fifth division. 6. Since in Cecidomyiidae the general features of the metabolism are known to be stable up to the mid-blastoderm stage, it would appear that the chemical changes involved in elimination cleavage are probably quite specific.
Mouse skin cells resistant to terminal differentiation associated with initiation of carcinogenesis

In chemical carcinogenesis, initiation is defined as the exposure of a tissue, generally mouse skin, to a limited dose of carcinogen which by itself does not induce tumours1. Subsequent treatments, usually by tumour promoters, are required to allow expression of initiation. In the absence of further treatment, the initiated cells are not recognizable by any known biochemical or biological criteria and the tissue itself functions normally. Much research has centred on elucidating the mechanism of initiation1–3. It seems likely that initiation involves a genetic change in the target cell as its expression after tumour promotion is a permanent characteristic of the tissue, even if many cell generations have elapsed between initiation and promotion4. Studies on tissues from patients with familial polyposis coli suggest that the occurrence of initiated cells in these individuals is due to an autosomal dominant gene5. Few studies have actually attempted to define the biological nature of the initiating alteration itself. We report here that cells resistant to terminal differentiation can be readily isolated from skin of BALB/c mice exposed to an initiating dose of carcinogen in vivo but not from control mouse skin. Also, we found that one strain of mouse (SENCAR) might contain a preexisting population of cells resistant to differentiation, and possibly initiated for tumorigenesis.
Newton-like methods with monotone convergence for solving nonlinear operator equations

On generalise les conditions invariantes affines pour la convergence monotone de la methode de Newton a une grande classe de methodes de type Newton
The use of silver nylon in preventing surgical site infections following colon and rectal surgery.

BACKGROUND:Patients who undergo colorectal surgery have up to a 30% chance of developing a surgical site infection postoperatively. Silverlon is a silver nylon dressing designed to prevent surgical site infections, but only anecdotal evidence has previously supported its efficacy.OBJECTIVE:The aim o
Moral Panics and Urban Growth Machines: Official Reactions to Graffiti in New York City, 1990-2005

This paper analyzes the official response to graffiti writing in New York City throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century. Drawing from a variety of documents, such as newspaper articles, political press releases, internal memos and government reports, I show that the city’s reaction to graffiti constitutes a moral panic and that the significance of this response can be discerned when interpreted in the context of theoretical insights developed by urban sociologists. On this basis, I argue that moral panics, or at least a sub-set of panics, may be central to negotiating the social conflict that accompanies the ways in which (urban) space will be put to use.
Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer: current concepts☆

Despite advances in chemotherapy and surgical technique, patients with pancreatic cancer often succumb to local recurrence or metastatic spread. The need for new therapeutic strategies for this disease coupled with a better understanding of basic immunology have led to the development of novel anti-tumor vaccines. This review focuses on the historical development of tumor vaccines emphasizing the identification of potential pancreatic tumor antigens. The role of both B-cell and T-cell responses in tumor rejection will be reviewed. Methods for antigen presentation, including peptides, recombinant viral and bacterial vectors, dendritic cells, and whole cell approaches will be discussed. The use of immune adjuvants and improved methods of vaccine delivery will also be explored. The full potential for the immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer awaits the results of early phase clinical trials. The development of pancreatic cancer vaccines represents a useful paradigm for the translation of basic research into the clinical arena.
Citric acid production by Aspergillus niger ATCC 9142 from a treated ethanol fermentation co‐product using solid‐state fermentation

Aims: To investigate the ability of the citric acid-producing strain Aspergillus niger ATCC 9142 to utilize the ethanol fermentation co-product corn distillers dried grains with solubles for citric acid production following various treatments. Methods and Results: The ability of A. niger ATCC 9142 to produce citric acid and biomass on the grains was examined using an enzyme assay and a gravimetric method, respectively. Fungal citric acid production after 240 h was higher on untreated grains than on autoclaved grains or acid-hydrolysed grains. Fungal biomass production was enhanced after autoclaving and acid-hydrolysis of the grains. Phosphate supplementation to the grains slightly stimulated citric acid production while methanol addition decreased its synthesis. Using the phosphate-supplemented grains, the optimal incubation temperature, initial moisture content of the grains and the length of fermentation time for ATCC 9142 citric acid production were determined to be 25°C, 82% and 240 h, respectively. Conclusions: A. niger ATCC 9142 synthesized citric acid on corn distillers dried grains with solubles. The phosphate-treated grains increased citric acid production by the strain. Significance and Impact of the Study: The ethanol fermentation co-product corn distillers dried grains with solubles could be useful commercially as a substrate for A. niger citric acid production.
Prison Reform in a Federalist Democracy

Politicians are responding to perceptions of a primitive, bloodthirsty electorate by advancing proposals for harsher and more austere prisons. However, studies show the public to be decidedly optimistic about the prospects for change during incarceration, particularly as a result of hard work and self-discipline. In this context, long-term inmates pose the biggest challenge for correctional administrators. A “career-planning” model, centered around notions of advancement, progression, continuity, choice, and achievement, is advocated. Six essential elements of “career planning” for inmates are proposed.
Localization model for cochlear implants

Normal hearing persons are able to localize the direction of sounds better using both ears than when listening with only one ear. Localization ability is dependent on auditory system perception of interaural differences in time, intensity, and phase. Interaural timing differences (ITDs) provide information for locating direction of low and mid frequency sounds, while interaural level differences (ILDs), which occur because of the horizontal plane shadowing effect of the head, provide information for locating direction of higher frequency sounds. The head related transfer function (HRTF) contains characteristic information important for acoustic localization. Models based on HRTFs take into account head shadow, torso, and pinna effects, and their impact on interaural frequency, level, and timing differences. Cochlear implants (CIs) have proven a successful treatment for persons with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss. A problem is that only some ITD and ILD cues are maintained with CI sound processing, and the microphone position alters the acoustic cues. The relative impact of differences in physical cues received by the auditory system with bilateral CIs versus differences in the ability of the damaged auditory nervous system to process bilateral inputs is not yet clear. The model presented in this paper was constructed as a step toward answering this question, and is intended to serve as a tool for future development of more optimal signal processing algorithms that may provide better localization ability for persons with bilateral CIs.
Implementing an Online Writing Assessment Strategy for Gerontology

Assessment of student learning is a growing concern for programs in gerontology. This report focuses on the conception, design, funding, and implementation of an innovative online workshop to assess and improve writing skills of students enrolled in distance-learning gerontology classes. The approach is multidisciplinary and involves a collaboration of faculty, adjunct instructors, alumni, graduate students, the student government association, and the local chapter of Sigma Phi Omega.
Energy Release Rates and Related Balance Laws in Linear Elastic Defect Mechanics

A simple and direct derivation of certain balance (or conservation) laws for linear dynamic elasticity is presented including nonhomogeneities, thermal effects, anisotropy, and body forces. Additionally, the connection between the balance laws and energy release rates for defect motions is established.
Magnetic-Circuit Units as Adopted by the I. E. C.

The decisions of the International Electrotechnical Commission (I. E. C.) at Oslo in July 1930, with respect to international magnetic units and unit names, are briefly reviewed. So far as concerns the c. g. s. magnetic units, the decisions appear likely to meet with general favor; but the series is incomplete and might advantageously be supplemented by at least one name? that for the c. g. s. unit of reluctance. The series of units in the practical or volt-ampere-ohm system is also incomplete; but apparently cannot be completed satisfactorily without first deciding two questions: (a) whether the system should be rationalised and (b) whether the m. k. s. or the c. g. s. s. system should be endorsed. It is recommended that these questions be left for the present undecided, until they have been widely discussed, and illustrative literature developed in aid of international decision.