cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Criminalization of Young Children and Overrepresentation of Black Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

The American juvenile justice system is characterized by the overrepresentation of youth of color that is particularly acute for Black children even at young ages. Despite policy solutions targeting this problem, the Black-White gap in juvenile justice involvement continues to widen. Using mixed methods, this study examines rates of disproportionality among younger children (under age 12) in the state of California juvenile justice system alongside stakeholder views on the causes of and solutions for overrepresentation. We find that at each stage of the juvenile justice system the overrepresentation of Black youth increases relative to White youth. Consistent with the literature, stakeholders attribute this problem to early phases of the system (i.e., school discipline, arrests) where more discretion is applied. They also suggest that alternatives to formal systems involvement would help to remedy overrepresentation. These findings lend support to minimum age laws that uniformly exclude younger children from the juvenile justice system altogether.
Privatheit im Wandel: Aktuelle Entwicklungs- und Diskussionslinien

Wie eingangs dargelegt, muss sich eine Soziologie des Privaten immer dreifach verorten: theoretisch-konzeptionell, empirisch und gesellschaftsdiagnostisch. Fur Ersteres wurde in Kapitel 2 mit dem wissenssoziologischen Mehr-Ebenen- und Multi-Dimensionen-Modell von Privatheit der Grundstein gelegt, die beiden anderen Verortungen erfolgen in diesem Kapitel (und werden in Kapitel 4 fortgesetzt).
MRI Evaluation of the Normal and Abnormal Endolymphatic Duct in the Pediatric Population: A Comparison with High-Resolution CT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An enlarged vestibular aqueduct is the most commonly reported imaging abnormality in children with sensorineural hearing loss. MR imaging is often used to evaluate pediatric sensorineural hearing loss; however, there are no well-established size criteria on MR imaging to diagnose an enlarged endolymphatic duct. The first purpose of the study was to determine a range of normal endolymphatic duct sizes on MR imaging and compare it with that in high-resolution CT. The second purpose was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging in diagnosing an enlarged endolymphatic duct in patients with an enlarged vestibular aqueduct on CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endolymphatic duct midaperture measurements were analyzed in 52 patients with no history of sensorineural hearing loss. Comparison of CT and MR imaging was made in a second cohort of 41 patients with a normal midaperture width on CT. The sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging were then evaluated in a third cohort of 24 patients with a documented enlarged vestibular aqueduct on CT. RESULTS: In 94 ears, normal endolymphatic duct midaperture measurements ranged from 0 to 0.9 mm on MR imaging. A significant correlation (P CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging measurements of the normal endolymphatic duct are similar to those established for CT. MR imaging is a useful tool for the diagnosis of enlarged vestibular aqueduct.
Improving Healthy Food Choices in Low-Income Settings in the United States Using Behavioral Economic-Based Adaptations to Choice Architecture.

Low diet quality is a significant public health problem in the United States, especially among low-income populations. The food environment influences dietary choices. When applied to eating behavior, behavioral economics (BE) recognizes that decision biases instigated by a food environment saturated with unhealthy foods may lead people to purchase such foods, even when they possess the necessary information and skills to make healthy dietary choices. Choice architecture, a BE concept that involves modifying the appeal or availability of choices to ‘nudge’ people towards a certain choice, retains freedom of choice but makes unhealthy options less convenient or visible. Choice architecture has been demonstrated to influence food choices in various settings, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and food pantries. These modifications are low-cost and feasible to implement, making them a viable strategy to help ‘nudge’ patrons towards healthier choices in food establishments serving low-income populations, including food pantries and retailers accepting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This narrative review searched, appraised, and underscored the strengths and limitations of extant research studies that used choice architecture adaptations to influence food choices among low-income populations in the United States. Findings from studies in food pantry settings suggest the potential of BE strategies to improve the healthfulness of food choices and dietary intake in low-income populations. In food retail settings, research suggests that BE strategies increase sales of healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables. We identify new areas of research needed to determine if BE-based modifications in low-income settings have sustained impacts on diet quality.
A literature review of severity scores for adults with influenza or community-acquired pneumonia - implications for influenza vaccines and therapeutics

Influenza vaccination and antiviral therapeutics may attenuate disease, decreasing severity of illness in vaccinated and treated persons. Standardized assessment tools, definitions of disease severity, and clinical endpoints would support characterizing the attenuating effects of influenza vaccines and antivirals. We review potential clinical parameters and endpoints that may be useful for ordinal scales evaluating attenuating effects of influenza vaccines and antivirals in hospital-based studies. In studies of influenza and community-acquired pneumonia, common physiologic parameters that predicted outcomes such as mortality, ICU admission, complications, and duration of stay included vital signs (hypotension, tachypnea, fever, hypoxia), laboratory results (blood urea nitrogen, platelets, serum sodium), and radiographic findings of infiltrates or effusions. Ordinal scales based on these parameters may be useful endpoints for evaluating attenuating effects of influenza vaccines and therapeutics. Factors such as clinical and policy relevance, reproducibility, and specificity of measurements should be considered when creating a standardized ordinal scale for assessment.
Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Electrophysiologic Study in the Primary and Secondary ICD Trials

During the last 20 years the utility of electrophysiologic study (EPS) for risk stratification in patients with coronary artery disease has been studied without reaching consensus. During the 1980s this procedure was the mainstay of risk stratification for patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or sudden death.
Abstract WP287: Screening Venous Ultrasound For Asymptomatic Lower Extremities Deep Venous Thrombosis In Acute Stroke Patients: Will It Change Management Strategies?

INTRODUCTION: Deep venous thromboses in stroke patients are often asymptomatic. There is limited support that screening for asymptomatic lower extremities DVT with venous duplex ultrasound changes clinicians’ management of stroke patients. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the detection of asymptomatic deep venous thrombosis in acute stroke patients would result in changes or intensification of anticoagulation management strategies. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all strokes (ischemic and hemorrhagic), orthopedic surgery, and trauma patients admitted to our Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) between January 2004 and December 2009. We selected out all stroke patients and recorded those as asymptomatic DVT if there was no documentation of signs or symptoms for DVT by the primary provider within 48 hours prior to obtaining a lower extremity venous ultrasound. A change in anticoagulation management was noted if any addition or change to the patient’s admitting anticoagulation intervention. Results: There were 909 patients admitted to our ARU. Of those patients, 78 patients were diagnosed with an asymptomatic lower extremity DVT prior to transfer to the ARU. Strokes patients accounted for 34 (43.5%) of these 78 patients. All of the stroke patients were under the care of a neurology team. A majority of the lower extremity DVT among the stroke patients were considered acute (N=30;88.2%) and 21% (N=7) had bilateral, acute DVT. Most of the stroke patients received DVT prophylaxis on admission (N=26;76.4%). After diagnosis of an acute DVT, clinicians changed their management strategies in 65% of cases, whereas in 23.5% of cases there were no changes. Among the changes in management, 50% of patients (11/22;50%) were started or had an escalation in anticoagulation treatment. Interrupted venal cava filter was placed in 5 patients and serial venous ultrasound surveillance was used for 7 patients. Conclusions: This study shows that the detection of an acute asymptomatic lower extremity DVT in stroke patients resulted in anticoagulation management strategies changes for most stroke patients. It also supports the need to perform screening venous ultrasound on all acute stroke patients.
Liposuction with Local Tumescent Anesthesia and Microcannula Technique

Pure tumescent liposuction is performed entirely under local anesthesia and excludes the use of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Klein described a technique for aspirating adipose tissue entirely under local anesthesia with a dilute solution of lidocaine and epinephrine. The technique provided excellent hemostasis, maintained fluid balance, and eliminated the need for general anesthesia and associated complications. The advantages, pharmacology and technique of local tumescent anesthesia are described.
Erythroid regulatory factors: correlation of detectable titers in vivo and in vitro

Titers of erythroid regulatory factors (ERF), as measured in vivo with a standard erythrocythemic mouse technique, showed a highly significant correlation with those obtained in vitro with a fetal mouse liver cell (FMLC) assay. The results from the assay in vitro were somewhat higher than would be predicted from the assay in vivo. Nevertheless, the FMLC technique has been found to be a valid and useful technique particularly in the study of serum ERF titers.
Two exactly soluble lattice models in three dimensions

As a prelude to what might be expected as forthcoming breakthroughs in finding new approaches toward solving three-dimensional lattice models in the twenty-first century, we review the exact solutions of two lattice models in three dimensions obtained using the conventional combinatorial and transfer matrix approaches.
Social media for informal science learning in China: A case study

This article reports a case study on a popular informal science learning community via social media in China, named GuoKr (meaning “nutshell” in English). Data were collected through a variety of Chinese social media and social networking sites, web-based community portals, and discussion boards. Content analyses and data mining were conducted to investigate how GuoKr successfully attracted and engaged public in informal learning on scientific topics in particular. The study found three key characteristics that contributed to the success of such learning communities: (a) utilizing a variety of social media to empower participants with just-in-time, accidental learning opportunities; (b) daily tweets related to emerging or ongoing social events or hot topics to provide brief but intriguing knowledge “bites”, which often leads to extended readings and related resources; and (c) the integration of social media and traditional face-to-face local events to engage the public in science-related learning and knowledge sharing. Practical and research implications are discussed with suggestions for future research as related to ubiquitous learning communities for informal science learning. https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2014.06.018
Comparative analysis of the manufacturing and consumer use phases of two generations of semiconductors [microprocessors]

The manufacture and use phases have been identified as the two phases in which manufacturers can exert the most direct and immediate influence on environmental performance through design for the environment, operational and management initiatives. This paper presents the results of an analysis comparing two generations of microprocessors: the Pentium/spl reg/Pro and the Pentium/spl reg/4. Similar to previous studies, it examines the manufacture and use stages of the semiconductor and attempts to create an inventory based on life cycle methodology.
Enemy of the state: a state-aware black-box web vulnerability scanner

Black-box web vulnerability scanners are a popular choice for finding security vulnerabilities in web applications in an automated fashion. These tools operate in a point-and-shootmanner, testing any web application-- regardless of the server-side language--for common security vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, black-box tools suffer from a number of limitations, particularly when interacting with complex applications that have multiple actions that can change the application's state. If a vulnerability analysis tool does not take into account changes in the web application's state, it might overlook vulnerabilities or completely miss entire portions of the web application. We propose a novel way of inferring the web application's internal state machine from the outside--that is, by navigating through the web application, observing differences in output, and incrementally producing a model representing the web application's state. We utilize the inferred state machine to drive a black-box web application vulnerability scanner. Our scanner traverses a web application's state machine to find and fuzz user-input vectors and discover security flaws. We implemented our technique in a prototype crawler and linked it to the fuzzing component from an open-source web vulnerability scanner. We show that our state-aware black-box web vulnerability scanner is able to not only exercise more code of the web application, but also discover vulnerabilities that other vulnerability scanners miss.
Clinical and Behavioral Adaptation to Managed Care: Stepwise Suggestions for Survival

The rapid growth of managed care has left many physicians concerned and often bewildered about the new realities of the day. Essentially, managed care is a euphemism for a different kind of authority, responsibility, and accountability. Under "unmanaged care," authority, responsibility, and accountability were gained from and directed toward the patient. This arrangement has been supplanted by a new system in which the physician derives his authority from and is responsible and accountable to both the patient and the managed care company. The diagnosis of managed care is easy enough. It is a chronic disease; it does not go away. For those who can make the adjustment, managed care will not end careers. Rather, it will require a realignment, an adaptation to the societal mandate for "value." With care, foresight, and professionalism, this realignment can be navigated successfully, and disruption in the lives of pediatricians and patients can be held to a minimum.
Response of carbon fluxes to drought in a coastal plain loblolly pine forest

Full accounting of ecosystem carbon (C) pools and fluxes in coastal plain ecosystems remains less studied compared with upland systems, even though the C stocks in these systems may be up to an order of magnitude higher, making them a potentially important component in regional C cycle. Here, we report C pools and CO2 exchange rates during three hydrologically contrasting years (i.e. 2005‐2007) in a coastal plain loblolly pine plantation in North Carolina, USA. The daily temperatures were similar among the study years and to the long-term (1971‐2000) average, whereas the amount and timing of precipitation differed significantly. Precipitation was the largest in 2005 (147mm above normal), intermediate in 2006 (48mm below) and lowest in 2007 (486mm below normal). The forest was a strong C sink during all years, sequestering 361 � 67 (2005), 835 � 55 (2006) and 724 � 55 (2007)gCm � 2 yr � 1 according to eddy covariance measurements of net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE). The interannual differences in NEE were traced to drought-induced declines in canopy and whole tree hydraulic conductances, which declined with growing precipitation deficit and decreasing soil volumetric water content (VWC). In contrast, the interannual differences were small in gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (ER), both seemingly insensitive to drought. However, the drought sensitivity of GEP was masked by higher leaf area index and higher photosynthetically active radiation during the dry year. Normalizing GEP by these factors enhanced interannual differences, but there were no signs of suppressed GEP at low VWC during any given year. Although ER was very consistent across the 3 years, and not suppressed by low VWC, the total respiratory cost as a fraction of net primary production increased with annual precipitation and the contribution of heterotrophic respiration (Rh) was significantly higher during the wettest year, exceeding new litter inputs by 58%. Although the difference was smaller during the other 2 years (Rh:litterfall ratio was 1.05 in 2006 and 1.10 in 2007), the soils lost about 109gCm � 2 yr � 1 ,
The choking child: What happens before the ambulance arrives?

Objective. To compare pre-EMS intervention (bystander intervention) with EMS intervention (performed by fire department/EMS personnel) in the management of airway foreign bodies in children. Methods. First-responding paramedic run reports for 1994 in the metropolitan area (city and county fire departments) pertaining to acute foreign body airway obstruction in children (aged 0–15 years) were reviewed. Data regarding age, gender, type of foreign body, method by which the airway was cleared, and mode of transportation were extracted. Results. There were 103 runs with an age distribution as follows: 0–11 months 39.8%; 1–5 years 50.5%; and >6 years 9.7%. Fifty-eight (56.3%) involved males and 45 (43.7%) involved females. Eighty-five percent of the airways were cleared before EMS arrival. Thirty-eight percent were self-cleared by the child. The chance of airway clearance before EMS arrival increased with increasing age: 78% of the children aged 0–11 months, 88.5% of the children 1–5 years of age, and 100% of t...
Thorough chemical modification of wood-based lignocellulosic materials in ionic liquids.

Homogenous acylation and carbanilation reactions of wood-based lignocellulosic materials have been investigated in ionic liquids. We have found that highly substituted lignocellulosic esters can be obtained under mild conditions (2 h, 70 °C) by reacting wood dissolved in ionic liquids with acetyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, and acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine. In the absence of pyridine, extensive degradation of the wood components was found to occur. Highly substituted carbanilated lignocellulosic material was also obtained in the absence of base in ionic liquid. These chemical modifications were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR, and quantitative 31P NMR of the resulting derivatives. The latter technique permitted the degrees of substitution to be determined, which were found to vary between 81% and 95% for acetylation, benzoylation, and carbanilation, accompanied by similarly high gains in weight percent values. Thermogravimetric measurements showed that the resulting materials ex...
Remark on Jacobson 1999: Crossover as a local constraint ⁄

Binding out of DP includes binding by quantificational possessors as in (1a), and so-called inverse linking as in (1b). What these cases have in common is a quantificational DP embedded within a larger DP in such a way that the quantificational DP can take scope over and bind a pronoun that it does not c-command. This remark evaluates some of the strengths and the weaknesses of the variable-free program in the course of extending the fragment in Jacobson (1999) to handle a more complete range of binding constructions, including those in (1). In particular, I will show in detail how to incorporate Hendriks’ Flexible Types approach to quantifier scope with excellent results, making good on a major promisory note in Jacobson’s variable-free program. One of the main points of interest below concerns the status of weak crossover in a variable-free framework.
Micro-electro-mechanical flapping wing technology for micro air vehicles

Army combat operations have placed a high premium on reconnaissance missions for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) (less than 15 cm in dimension and less than 20 g in mass). One approach for accomplishing this mission is to develop a biologically inspired flapping wing insect that can maneuver into confined areas and possess hovering capabilities. Analysis of insect flight indicates that in addition to the bending excitation (flapping), simultaneous excitation of the twisting degree-of-freedom (pitching) is required to manipulate the control surface adequately. Traditionally, bimorph piezoelectric PZT (Pb(Zr 0.55 Ti 0.45 )O 3 ) actuators have been used in many applications to excite the bending degree-of-freedom. In laminated or layered structures, bend-twist coupling is governed by the existence of at least one anisotropic layer not aligned with the primary plate axes. By adding a layer of off-axis PZT segments to a PZT bimorph actuator, thereby producing a layered structure to be referred to as a functionally- modified bimorph, bend-twist coupling may be introduced to the flexural response of the layered PZT. Furthermore, by selectively charging off-axis layers in specific combinations with the bimorph, the response of the functionally-modified bimorph may be tailored yielding a biaxial actuator to actively control the flapping wing response. The present study presents an experimental investigation of both traditional bimorph and functionally-modified PZT bimorph designs intended for active bend-twist actuation of cm-scale flapping wing devices.
Community variations in population exposure to near-field tsunami hazards as a function of pedestrian travel time to safety

Efforts to characterize population exposure to near-field tsunami threats typically focus on quantifying the number and type of people in tsunami-hazard zones. To develop and prioritize effective risk-reduction strategies, emergency managers also need information on the potential for successful evacuations and how this evacuation potential varies among communities. To improve efforts to properly characterize and differentiate near-field tsunami threats among multiple communities, we assess community variations in population exposure to tsunamis as a function of pedestrian travel time to safety. We focus our efforts on the multiple coastal communities in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties (State of Washington, USA), where a substantial resident and visitor population is threatened by near-field tsunamis related to a potential Cascadia subduction zone earthquake. Anisotropic, path distance modeling is conducted to estimate travel times to safety, and results are merged with various population data, including residents, employees, public venues, and dependent-care facilities. Results suggest that there is substantial variability among communities in the number of people that may have insufficient time to evacuate. Successful evacuations may be possible in some communities assuming slow walking speeds, are plausible in others if travel speeds are increased, and are unlikely in another set of communities given the large distances and short time horizon. Emergency managers can use these results to prioritize the location and determine the most appropriate type of tsunami risk-reduction strategies, such as education and training in areas where evacuations are plausible and vertical-evacuation structures in areas where they are not.
The role of the radiologist in acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Angiography is valuable in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of the patient with acute gastrointestinal bleeding. It should be preceded by endoscopy in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, but in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding, angiography is firmly established as the primary diagnostic modality. Although angiography is less useful in chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, it may show the underlying pathologic lesion. Vasoconstrictive and embolic therapeutic angiographic procedures are particularly valuable in the patient with multiple system disease.
Neutral current neutrino-nucleon scattering

It may appear unusual to have a contribution on neutrino scattering at a school devoted to electromagnetic probes, as the neutrino has no known electromagnetic couplings. However, as a means to examine the hidden flavor currents in the nucleon, the recent results observed for the spin structure function of the nucleon have focused attention on the nucleon`s neutral weak currents (NWC). When an electromagnetic probe is scattered elastically from a nucleon, the NWC interactions are observable only through the detection of very small (> 10{sup {minus}6}) parity-violating processes. In the case of neutrino scattering, the NWC is the dominant coupling. In what follows it will be shown how the nucleon`s vector and axial vector form factors arising from strange quark currents can be measured via neutrino elastic scattering. Preliminary results from the Large Scintillation Neutrino Detector (LSND) at LAMPF will be presented as well as a recent analysis of an earlier experiment (E734) carried out at Brookhaven.
ACCELERATION OF PLANT GROWTH THROUGH SEED TREATMENT WITH BRASSINS

Treating barley seeds with brassins in methylene chloride before planting, accelerated plant growth in the greenhouse and growth chamber. A biologically active consituent of brassins is the steroid, brassinolide [2a, 3a, 22(R), 23(R)-tetrahydroxy-24(S)-methyl-,8-homo-7-oxa-5acholestan-6-one]. Plants from the treated seeds attained full leaf development sooner than did plants from untreated seeds. Both leaf and tiller growth was accelerated, provided that an adequate amount of radiant energy was maintained. Brassin treatment reduced the phenotypic variability of the seedlings. THE LIPID COMPLEX, brassins, obtained from rape (Brassica napus L.) pollen, has unique growth-stimulating properties (Mitchell et al., 1970; Mitchell and Gregory, 1972). This complex contains several lipids, including glucosyl esters of fatty acids, that have been inactive in the bean second internode bioassay used in brassin studies (Mandava and Mitchell, 1972; Grove et al., 1978; Mitchell and Livingston, 1968). A novel steroidal lactone, brassinolide [2a, 3a, 22(R), 23(R)-tetrahydroxy-24(S)methyl-,8-homo-7-oxa-5a-cholestan-6-one] has been identified as a biologically active constituent in brassins, and is present at a level of approximately 100 ppb in rape pollen (Grove et al., 1979). Brassins seem to function endogenously in connection with the sexual reproduction of rape plants by influencing seed growth and subsequently enhancing the overall plant growth (Mitchell and Gregory, 1972). Thus brassins may enhance the growth potential of plants, particularly those that grow more slowly in a plant population (Mitchell and Gregory, 1972). Brassins accelerated overall growth when applied near the terminal meristems of bean and elm seedlings at an early stage of growth, and we suggested that this response was due to an acceleration of metabolic activity in the meristematic zones (Mitchell and Gregory,
Mammoths and man

Paleoecology of Beringia. Edited By David M. Hopkins et al. Academic Press: 1983. Pp.489. $37, £24.60.
Secondary reconstruction of an ileal reservoir in patients with failed straight ileoanal pull-through: report of two cases.

The ileoanal reservoir is a widely accepted option for the treatment of mucosal ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. Function of an ileoanal anastomosis without the reservoir may be unacceptable. The aim of this study was to assess the technical feasibility of conversion of a straight ileoanal anastomosis to an ileoanal reservoir anastomosis. Two patients underwent straight ileoanal anastomosis and then underwent subsequent conversion to an ileoanal reservoir anastomosis. A 16-year-old girl with mucosal ulcerative colitis and a 38-year-old woman with familial adenomatous polyposis presented with 20–25 bowel movements per day and severe diarrheal-related symptoms within 11 months of ileoanal anastomosis. In each case, the anastomosis was reversed and an ileal Jpouch was fashioned and anastomosed to the dentate line; there was no postoperative morbidity. The 38-year-old patient reported 4–5 bowel movements per day without the need for any medication at 1–8 months after ileostomy closure. The 16-year-old patient is waiting ileostomy closure. In conclusion, it is technically possible to convert a straight ileoanal anastomosis to an ileoanal reservoir anastomosis with expectations of improvement in function.
DNA and protein synthesis in developing rat pancreas.

Top of pageAbstract ABSTRACT: To define developmental patterns, we determined the rate of protein and DNA synthesis in rat pancreas at birth, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 days, 2 months, 3 months, and in adults. Fragments of freshly minced pancreas were incubated with [3H]-thymidine and [14C]-leucine and the DNA and protein synthesis rates were measured. We found that 1) DNA content was lowest at birth, rose through day 3, plateaued at about 8 mg/g wet weight through day 14, then slowly decreased to the adult value of about 5 mg/g at 2 months; 2) protein content, although high at birth, decreased rapidly to a value of 80 mg/g at day 3 and slowly rose to the adult value of 160 mg/g; 3) protein synthesis, low at birth, rapidly increased to about five times the adult value by day 3, and remained elevated for the 1st month; 4) DNA synthesis was 15 times the adult rate at birth, increased to 30 times at 3 days of age, then declined slowly in an exponential fashion to the adult value. We conclude that the pancreas at birth is poised biosynthetically to undergo a rapid hyperplastic and hypertrophic response, and this process reaches a maximal rate at about 3 days of age.
Ligand and substituent effects in methane activation by mercury(II) complexes

Abstract This paper reports a computational study of methane activation by the HgN and HgF bonds of the Hg II complexes FHgNZ (where NZ is NH 2 , NO 2 , N 3 , NC, NCO, NCS, NO, NS, N 2 H). The present study probes the thermodynamic and kinetic effects of activating ligand (L a ) modification for a given spectator ligand (L s ) and vice versa. The wide range of calculated kinetic and thermodynamic values indicates a degree of sensitivity in methane activation by Hg II complexes to the ligand environment. The trends show that [2 σ + 2 σ ] activation of a methane CH bond by Hg II complexes is thermodynamically favored by a more basic activating ligand and a less basic spectator ligand. The lowest methane activation barriers are observed for an activating ligand with variable denticity (i.e. NO 2 ) that can provide extra stabilization for the methane activation transition state versus the ground state. The implications of the results for experimental Hg II methane conversion catalysts are discussed.
Malignant gliomas: perverting glutamate and ion homeostasis for selective advantage

The malignant transformation of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes or their progenitor cells gives rise to tumors that are collectively called gliomas. Although the vast majority of these tumors are believed to be of astrocytic origin, the actual cell of origin remains unknown. And whereas gliomas present with some genetic alterations in tumor-suppressor genes or oncogenes that are common among cancers, their biology differs significantly from other neoplasms. Most notably, they grow in a confined space defined by the bones of the skull and spinal column, and they spread by active cell migration rather than by passive, humorous spread. Recent research suggests that astrocyte-derived tumors co-opt neurotransmitters, their transporters and ion channels to support their unusual growth and invasive migration.
Shearwaters as ecosystem indicators: Towards fishery-independent metrics of fish abundance in the California Current

Abstract Shearwaters are ideal for monitoring ocean conditions in the California Current because these predators are abundant, conspicuous, and responsive to oceanographic variability. Herein we evaluated black-vented ( Puffinus opisthomelas ), Buller's ( P. bulleri ), flesh-footed ( P. carneipes ), pink-footed ( P. creatopus ), short-tailed ( P. tenuirostris ), and sooty ( P. griseus ) shearwaters as fishery-independent indicators of predatory or prey fish availability. We analyzed four years (1996, 2001, 2005, 2008) of monthly (August–November) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seabird surveys, and United States Geological Survey Pacific Coast Fisheries Database catch, from the California coast to 200 nm offshore. An ordination of shearwater abundance and fish catch revealed that the shearwaters and 11 fish/squid species were significantly correlated with one or more of three principal components, which explained 86% of the variation and revealed distinct species assemblages. We evaluated multiple linear regression models for 19 fisheries using five shearwater metrics: density, aggregation, and behavior (traveling, stationary, feeding), three oceanographic indices, and latitude. Eight of these models had a shearwater metric as the primary predictor. In particular, feeding black-vented shearwater abundance explained 75% of dolphinfish ( Coryphaena hippurus ) longline catch. This research illustrates the utility of shearwaters as ecosystem indicators, with direct application for predicting fishery catch of commercial importance.
Construction-related differences seen in ureteral access sheaths: comparison of reinforced versus nonreinforced ureteral access sheaths.

OBJECTIVES Ureteral access sheaths (UASs) are used to facilitate ureteroscopic procedures. Difficulties with use have been reported. Manufacturers have redesigned these devices to ameliorate these problems, including reinforcement of the sheath wall. This study compared reinforced (RUASs) and nonreinforced UASs (NRUASs) of the same manufacturer to determine whether RUASs expedite ureteroscopy and how relevant the reinforced structure is in terms of overall success. METHODS We prospectively followed up patients undergoing ureteroscopy for urolithiasis with 1 of 2 UASs; the Applied NRUAS and the Applied RUAS. The demographics, operative parameters, and outcomes were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS A total of 98 UASs were used in 68 male and 30 female patients (47 NRUASs and 51 RUASs). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of demographic parameters, operative parameters, or successful sheath deployment. The overall success rate for sheath deployment was 95%. A pre-existing stent was significantly associated with successful deployment (P = .004). The sheath-specific limitations included kinking (NRUASs, 10%) and sheath angulation/deformity (RUASs, 21%). The mean follow-up time was 43.4 months; and 93.9% of the patients had radiologic follow-up. No ureteral strictures were noted. CONCLUSIONS No significant difference was found in the overall success rates between the use of Applied NRUASs and RUASs. The presence of a pre-existing stent was significantly associated with successful sheath deployment. Each UAS design had its own unique limitations, seen with low frequency. Successful sheath use might relate to both the sheath itself and the patient/operative parameters.
Growth of ternary InAlP and InGaP self-assembled quantum dots by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

We report the characteristics of ternary InAlP and InGaP self-assembled quantum dots grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The structural and optical properties of these ternary quantum dots are compared with the characteristics of binary InP quantum dots grown under similar conditions. Because these ternary quantum dots have different bandgaps, strain, and composition compared to binary InP quantum dots, the ternary quantum-dot optical and physical properties are markedly different. The quantum-dot structures are grown uncapped (exposed QDs) and capped (embedded QDs) and characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and photoluminescence (PL). InAlP quantum dots have higher densities and smaller sizes and InGaP quantum dots have smaller densities, as compared with InP quantum dots grown under similar conditions. Also, a random and broad size distribution is observed for InGaP quantum dots and the luminescence from InGaP dots is broader than for InP quantum dots.
Vector-valued Intensity Measures Incorporating Spectral Shape For Prediction of Structural Response

Vector-valued ground motion intensity measures (IMs) are developed and considered for efficiently predicting structural response. The primary IM considered consists of spectral acceleration at the first-mode structural period along with a measure of spectral shape which indicates the spectral acceleration value at a second period. For the IM to effectively predict response, this second period must be selected intelligently in order to capture the most relevant spectral shape properties. Two methods for identifying effective periods are proposed and used to investigate IMs for example structures, and an improvement in the efficiency of structural response predictions is shown. A method is presented for predicting the probability distribution of structural response using a vector IM while accounting for the effect of collapses. The ground motion parameter e is also considered as part of a three-parameter vector. It is seen that although the spectral shape parameter increases the efficiency of response predi...
Minor components associated with turnip yellow mosaic virus

Abstract Preparations of turnip yellow mosaic virus purified by differential centrifugation contain three classes of nucleoproteins in addition to the infectious virus particles. Two of these minor components have a higher buoyant density in CsCl and higher sedimentation coefficient than virus particles. They contain degraded (low S) viral RNA and are not significantly labeled when infected leaves are pulsed with 32 P. They appear to be degradation products of the virus particle whose physical properties are attributable in part to increased binding of cations. The error in the molecular weight of TYMV determined by light-scattering, due to maximal contamination with these minor components, was evaluated quantitatively and found to be negligible.
Evidence for a carbonium ion rearrangement in the reaction of triisobutylaluminum and 1,3,3-trimethylcyclopropene

Abstract Formation of acyclic products in the reaction of triisobutylaluminum and 1,3,3- trimethylcyclopropene can reasonably be ascribed to a carbonium ion rearrangement. This suggestion supports the mechanism for carbalumination of alkenes proposed by Eisch.
Lung Endothelin Gene Expression does not Change with Oligohydramnios-Induced Pulmonary Hypoplasia 1626

Lung Endothelin Gene Expression does not Change with Oligohydramnios-Induced Pulmonary Hypoplasia 1626
On-board SPECT for localizing functional targets: A simulation study

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was investigated for imaging on-board radiation therapy machines in order to localize functional and molecular targets. A computer-simulated female NCAT phantom was positioned supine on a flat-top treatment couch. Twenty tumor locations were defined in the upper torso. The eight lung tumors were subject to the effects of respiratory motion. Tumor diameters of 10.8, 14.4, and 21.6 mm were simulated for tumor-to-background ratios of 3:1 and 6:1 that are characteristic of the radiotracer 99mTc-sestamibi. Projection images representing scan times of 4, 8, and 20 min were simulated for an anterior, half-circular trajectory. Images were reconstructed with attenuation correction by ordered-subsets expectation maximization (OSEM) using six subsets and five iterations. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated from ensembles of 25 images. Cross correlation with a noise-free tumor template was used to select the most suspicious tumor location within a 14.4-mm-radius search volume surrounding each tumor, with only that one tumor in each search volume. Localization accuracy was assessed by calculating average distances between measured and true tumor locations. Localization accuracy and CNRs were strongly affected by tumor location relative to the detector trajectory. For example, CNR values near the chest wall were greater by a factor of 3.5 than for tumors near the spine and posterior ribs, a much greater effect than the factor of 1.6 difference in CNR between 6:1 and 3:1 tumor uptakes. Typically, tumors of 6:1 uptake were localized as accurately with 4 min of scan time as tumors of 3:1 uptake that had been imaged for 20 min. Using 4 min scans, 14.4 and 21.6 mm anterior tumors of 6:1 uptake were localized within 2 mm. These results suggest that SPECT, on-board radiation therapy machines, may be a viable modality for localizing certain functional and molecular targets using relatively short scan times.
The Transformation Function in Light of a New Model of the Mind

SUMMARY. The paper introduces a new model of the mind based on psychoanalytic listening which attends carefully to the distinctions between derivative and nonderivative communication, and the three levels of meaning in messages - manifest, implication and encoded. The model forms a basis for revising Freud's theory of primary and secondary process thinking as well as notions of unconscious communication, experience and information processing. The paper then conceptualises a particular subsystem of the model - the transformation subsystem (TSS). The transformation function safeguards processing which takes place in the deep unconscious system at a high level of perceptiveness and intelligence. The information processed is coated with anxiety and terror, and the transformation function assures that the images involved will not gain direct access to awareness. Displacement and symbolisation are the essential components of this processing system. On this basis, patients are classified as transformers or nontransformers, and factors in this aspect of communicative style are presented. The basic flaw in the human mind to which the transformation function contributes, namely, that information derived from the processing which takes place in the deep unconscious system is not available for conscious adaptation, is identified and discussed. Nonetheless, the transformation function is seen as a safeguard against somatisation, acting out and, more fundamentally, as a modulating factor in the human psyche. The means by which the transformation function safeguards against symptom formation is articulated, as is the means by which the therapist may assist the patient in expressing him or herself in this fashion. The paper concludes with a comparison between Bion's Alpha function theory and the present theory of transformations. Brief mention is made of the dysfunctions in the TSS in schizophrenic patients.
Construction, solidification and internal differentiation of a large felsic arc pluton: Cathedral Peak granodiorite, Sierra Nevada Batholith

The Tuolumne Batholith (TB), Sierra Nevada Batholith (USA), is an archetypal large, zoned arc intrusion ( c . 1200 km 2 ). Previous work proposed that compositional zonation observed in the TB was produced in-situ by inward differentiation of a large magma chamber and/or large-scale, intrachamber magma mixing. Recent geochronology shows that the TB was intruded over 8–9 Ma, making single pulse fractionation or mixing in a magma chamber of TB dimensions unlikely. We examine processes responsible for compositional variation in the Cathedral Peak Granodiorite, which is the largest mapped unit of the TB. New field, geochemical and geochronological work along a roughly contact-perpendicular 5 km transect indicates: (1) magmatic foliation is steeply-dipping (>60°); (2) field evidence for repeated separation of crystals from melt and local magma mixing is observed; (3) U–Pb zircon ages at opposing ends of the transect are indistinguishable within error ( c . 87.5 Ma); (4) bulk composition varies only modestly but trace elements show variable degrees of scatter; (5) eNd(t) and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr(i) have small variation compared with that in the whole TB. Geochemical and isotopic data are compatible with fractionation of major silicates and accessory minerals. However, the geochemical spatial variation, minor isotopic variation and field evidence suggest that fractionation was highly disorganized and also involved mixing with new input magma and remobilization of crystal mush as the pluton solidified. Our observations are consistent with the construction of a large and dynamic magma system within the last c . 1 Ma of TB growth.
Somatic stem cell niche tropism in Wolbachia

Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria found in the reproductive tissue of all major groups of arthropods. They are transmitted vertically from the female hosts to their offspring, in a pattern analogous to mitochondria inheritance. But Wolbachia phylogeny does not parallel that of the host, indicating that horizontal infectious transmission must also occur. Insect parasitoids are considered the most likely vectors, but the mechanism for horizontal transfer is largely unknown. Here we show that newly introduced Wolbachia cross several tissues and infect the germline of the adult Drosophila melanogaster female. Through investigation of bacterial migration patterns during the course of infection, we found that Wolbachia reach the germline through the somatic stem cell niche in the D. melanogaster germarium. In addition, our data suggest that Wolbachia are highly abundant in the somatic stem cell niche of long-term infected hosts, implying that this location may also contribute to efficient vertical transmission. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of an intracellular parasite displaying tropism for a stem cell niche.
The Variation of Composition of 40 : 60 Isoprene-Styrene Copolymers with Conversion

Abstract There is little published work dealing with the emulsion copolymerization of isoprene and styrene. In ascertaining the effect of varying conditions on the emulsion copolymerization of a 40:60 mixture of isoprene and styrene, an approximately equimolecular mixture, it was observed that the initially formed copolymer contained about 80 per cent of styrene. As the reaction was continued to maximum conversion, the styrene content decreased to approximately 60 per cent. These results show that at this monomer ratio styrene enters the copolymer faster than does isoprene. This behavior is similar to that of styrene when copolymerized with acrylonitrile and with vinylidene chloride. The evidence indicates also that the copolymer is not homogeneous with respect to composition.
Synergistic effects of lectins in the interaction of thrombin with human platelets

1. (1) Several lectins have been studied for their effects on the interaction of thrombin with human platelets. Wheat germ agglutinin, concanavalin A and Ricinus communis lectin increased the number of high affinity sites for diisopropylphosphothrombin on washed platelets from 3000 to about 12 000 but the binding affinities were unchanged (Kd approx 4 nM). Two other lectins, Lens culinaris and Bandieria simplicifolia, were without effect. 2. (2) Using formalinized platelets to avoid possible complications of the platelet release reaction, wheat germ agglutinin showed a marked increase (5-fold) in the binding of active thrombin, peanut agglutinin had no effect while Ricinus communis and Bandieria simplicifolia showed marginal increases (2-fold). Thrombin binding was decreased to about one quarter with Lens culinaris, Phaseolus vulgaris and concanavalin A. 3. (3) Wheat germ agglutinin caused a synergistic increase of platelet aggregation at low concentrations of thrombin (12.5 mU/ml) and ADP (1 μM), both in the absence and presence of added fibrinogen, but had no effect on ristocetin-induced aggregation.