cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Proton Transfer in Surface-Induced Dissociation

Elucidating the mechanism of surface induced dissociation (SID) is a long-standing, important problem within mass spectrometry. In a recent work [Ijaz, W.; Gregg, Z.; Barnes, G. L. J. Phys. Chem Lett. 2013, 4, 3935–3939], our atomistic simulations reveal that complexes frequently form following fragmentation. In this work, we focus on the proton motion and mechanism of the initial fragmentation event. We propose and utilize a new definition for classification of events based on proton motion and illustrate that short-time fragmentation events can be either proton driven or energy transfer driven. Our results show that for proton driven fragmentation there is a strong correlation between proton motion and fragmentation. In addition, the mechanism for fragmentation does not depend strongly on collision energy, and one of the most important criteria controlling the proton transfer pathway is distance. We develop and use a kinetic model that describes the lag time between a relevant proton transfer and fragme...
The labor supply effects of child care costs and wages in the presence of subsidies and the earned income tax credit

This paper uses CPS and SIPP data between 1990 and 2004 to examine the effects of child care expenditures and wages on the employment of single mothers. It adds to the literature in this area by incorporating explicit controls for child care subsidies and the EITC into the estimation. Doing so provides an opportunity to examine mothers’ sensitivity to prices and wages net of policies that influence these amounts. Results suggest that lower child care expenditures, higher wages, and more generous subsidy and EITC benefits increase the likelihood of employment. Allowing the impact of child care subsidies and the EITC to vary with expenditures and wages reveals substantial heterogeneity. In particular, the largest labor supply effects of child care subsidies are generated for mothers with higher child care costs, while the largest labor supply effects of the EITC are found for mothers with lower wages.
Diversity of benzyl- and alkylsuccinate synthase genes in hydrocarbon-impacted environments and enrichment cultures.

Hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms play an important role in the natural attenuation of spilled petroleum in a variety of anoxic environments. The role of benzylsuccinate synthase (BSS) in aromat...
Studies on the genetics of biotin-transducing, defective variants of bacteriophage λ

Abstract A collection of λbio transducing particles were isolated and the phage and bacterial extent of their genomes characterized. λbio transducing phages transduce variable amounts of bacterial genome, and have densities that differ from one independent HFT to another. Some of the transducing particles are able to form plaques (λpb), others are not (λdb); the λdbs have phage defects of various extents. The nature of the λdb particles conforms to the structural predictions of the Campbell model. Some of the properties of λbio particles and (λdb) lysogens are described and discussed.
A study of the cystine-containing apolipoprotein of human plasma high density lipoproteins: characterization of cyanogen bromide and tryptic fragments.

Abstract A major protein (or apolipoprotein) constituent has been isolated from human plasma high density lipoproteins and shown to contain two monomeric units covalently linked by a single disulfide bond. The protein is designated apoLP-Gln-II, based on its carboxyl-terminal amino acid. It contains no histidine, arginine or tryptophan and is also devoid of carbohydrate. Amino acid analysis of reduced-aminoethylated apoLP-Gln-II indicates 77 residues and a single methionine per monomeric unit. Two unique cyanogen bromide fragments, CNBr III and IV, have been isolated from the reduced-aminoethylated protein and account for all of the 77 amino acids of the monomer. CNBr IV has 26 residues, a blocked amino-terminus, no isoleucine, one residue of aminoethylcysteine, carboxyl-terminal homoserine and corresponds therefore to the amino-terminal and cystine-containing portion of apoLP-Gln-II. CNBr III has 51 amino acids, including one residue of isoleucine, has carboxyl-terminal glutamine, has no aminoethylcysteine and corresponds to the carboxyl-terminus of apoLP-glutamine-II. CNBr III and IV have each been digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides isolated by a combination of gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Twelve tryptic fragments accounted for the 77 amino acids present in apoLP-Gln-II. This finding and the tryptic fingerprint analysis of reduced aminoethylated apoLP-Gln-II indicate that apoLP-Gln-II must contain two identical or very nearly identical subunits.
Patterns of language acquisition following simultaneous communication with autistic children

Abstract Although the concurrent use of manual signs and spoken words (i.e., simultaneous communication) has emerged as a prominent strategy for teaching language to autistic children, a controlled experimental analysis of the effects of simultaneous communication on language development has yet to be undertaken. We attempted such an analysis by teaching receptive labeling skills to six nonverbal autistic children within the context of simultaneous communication. Training consisted of a combination of prompting, fading, and stimulus rotation, and was evaluated in a multiple-baseline design across three of the children. The results were reliable and replicable across all six children. The data suggest that there are two subgroups of nonverbal children, each of which exhibits a different pattern of language acquisition following simultaneous communication. Specifically, two of the children acquired receptive signing, but not receptive speech; four children acquired both receptive signing and receptive speech. These two outcomes can be predicted on teh basis of a child's verbal imitation skill: children with good verbal imitation skill readily acquire both receptive signing and receptive speech; children with poor verbal imitation skill acquire receptive signing but not receptive speech. These results are discussed with reference to the question of how modality control (i.e., speech versus sign) might influence the development of language in the two subgroups, and how simultaneous communication might differentially affect the emergence of expressive speech in the subgroups.
Probiotics in the Treatment of the Liver Diseases

The concept that interactions between the gut, the liver, and the immune system play an important role in liver diseases is an old concept that has recently seen a resurgence in interest. Altered intestinal bacterial flora and gut-associated endotoxemia are increasingly recognized as critical components in both nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Probiotics have been proposed in the treatment and prevention of many conditions, including the liver diseases. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. There are many mechanisms by which probiotics enhance intestinal health and influence the gut-liver axis, including modulation of the intestinal microflora, modification of intestinal barrier function, and immunomodulation. The present review summarizes the recent studies highlighting the role of the intestinal microflora in the development of NAFLD and ALD and the potential efficacy of probiotics as a therapeutic strategy for liver diseases.
Mapping of ice layer extent and snow accumulation in the percolation zone of the Greenland ice sheet

The Greenland ice sheet underwent record extensive melt in 2002 and prolonged melt in 2003. The severe melting created a significant and extensive ice layer over the Greenland ice sheet. An innovative approach is developed to detect the ice layer formation using data acquired by the SeaWinds scatterometer on the QuikSCAT satellite. QuikSCAT backscatter together with in situ data from automatic weather stations of the Greenland Climate Network are used to map the extent of ice layer formation. The results reveal areas of extensive ice layer formed by the 2002 melt, which is consistent with the maximum melt extent in 2002. Moreover, during freezing seasons, QuikSCAT data show a linear decrease in backscatter (in decibels or dB) that is related to the amount of snow accumulation in the ice layer formation region. This snow accumulation signature is caused by the attenuation of radar waves in the snow layer, accumulating since the last major melt event, whose thickness appears as an exponential function in relation to the backscatter signature. We use the Greenland Climate Network data to calibrate the QuikSCAT accumulation rate in order to estimate and map snow accumulation. QuikSCAT results capture the extreme snowfall in mid-April 2003, which deposited more than 0.5 m of snow in a day as measured by the automated weather station at the NASA South East site. Large-scale QuikSCAT results show an anomalous increase of snow accumulation over the southeast region of Greenland during the 2002-2003 freezing season.
Diffusion of New Drugs in the Post-TRIPS Era

Abstract We examine the international diffusion of new drugs under the post-TRIPS intellectual property rights regime. Even after controlling for drug characteristics and variation in national health expenditure, we find substantial differences across countries in the probability of a drug being commercially available, lowest in countries such as Brazil, China and India with historically weak patent protection. Notwithstanding obligations now in force under the TRIPS Agreement to provide patent protection for pharmaceutical products, sellers of new drugs are much less likely to have market exclusivity in these countries. Conditional upon being launched, a drug is five to 25 times more likely to be generic/multisource in these countries than in, for example, Spain.
Detection of bacterial toxins with monosaccharide arrays

A large number of bacterial toxins, viruses and bacteria target carbohydrate derivatives on the cell surface to attach and gain entry into the cell. We report here the use of a monosaccharide-based array to detect protein toxins. The array-based technique provides the capability to perform simultaneous multianalyte analyses. Arrays of N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) and N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) derivatives were immobilized on the surface of a planar waveguide and were used as receptors for protein toxins. These arrays were probed with fluorescently labeled bacterial cells and protein toxins. While Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) did not bind to either of the monosaccharides, both cholera toxin and tetanus toxin bound to GalNAc and Neu5Ac. The results show that the binding of the toxins to the carbohydrates is density dependent and semi-selective. Both toxins were detectable at 100 ng/ml.
Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome with Chronic Traumatic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Shortly after severe blunt chest trauma, a young man experienced neurological symptoms suggestive of a spinal cord lesion at the lower thoracic level. The symptoms resolved at first, but then recurred 3 years later and progressed slowly. Neurological workup failed to define the cause until a thoracic aortogram showed an aneurysm in the middle portion of the descending aorta in close proximity to a vessel supplying the anterior spinal artery. After the operative repair with precautions taken to avoid further neurological injury, the neurologic deficit resolved partially. Because of the potential for symptomatic spinal cord ischemia resulting from lesions of the aorta, angiographic delineation of the spinal cord blood supply is valuable in planning operative repair.
Characterization of a lipopolysaccharide mediated neutrophilic hepatitis model in Sprague Dawley rats.

Several studies have investigated the role of neutrophils during endotoxin-mediated liver injury, yet the precise mechanism for endotoxin-mediated hepatic neutrophil transmigration is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to establish a reliable lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated necro-hepatitis model to investigate the mechanisms of hepatic neutrophil infiltration following LPS administration. Male Sprague Dawley rats were administered a single (5 or 10 mg kg−1, i.v.) or repeated injection of LPS (10 mg kg−1, i.v., 24 h apart) with appropriate controls (i.v. saline) and were killed at various time points following LPS injection. Significant hematologic changes included neutrophilia, elevation of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and toxic changes in neutrophils. Biochemical changes were observed in several liver (aspartate aminotransferase AST, gamma glutamyl transferase GGT) and kidney (blood urea nitrogen BUN) associated parameters generally at the earliest time points. Histopathology revealed a time-dependent neutrophil and mononuclear infiltration around the periportal areas in the single dose study and multifocal midzonal coagulative necrosis in the repeated dose study. The neutrophil adhesion molecule, CD 11b was up-regulated in single and repeat dose studies. Based on these studies, a reliable LPS-mediated hepatitis model with necrosis was developed by intravenous administration of LPS in a repeat dose fashion. Midzonal hepatic necrosis, peripheral neutrophilia, hepatic neutrophil infiltration and up-regulation of CD11b were the most significant and consistent markers of LPS mediated effects in this model. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Case Report: A case of hypertrophic lupus erythematosus with negative CD123 staining and absence of transepidermal elimination of elastin

We report the case of a 49-year-old male with clinical and histological findings consistent with hypertrophic lupus erythematosus (HLE). HLE must be clinically and histologically differentiated from keratoacanthoma, hypertrophic lichen planus, squamous cell carcinoma and plaque type psoriasis. CD123 positivity and transepidermal elimination of elastin have recently been reported as tools to distinguish HLE. Interestingly, in this case, biopsies of two separate lesions failed to reveal these two features. The etiology of this discrepancy is unknown and further studies are needed to clarify the utility of CD123 positivity and transepidermal elimination of elastin in the diagnosis of hypertrophic lupus erythematosus.
Announcing intent: the aggressive state of musth in African elephants

Predictions derived from game theory suggest that animals should not signal their intentions during conflict situations. However, during the period of musth, male elephants,Loxodonta africana, announce a state of heightened aggression with signals that are unbluffable. Since smaller musth males in poor condition are able to dominate larger, normally higher-ranking, non-musth males in good condition, musth provides a useful system with which to examine the possibility of honest signalling of motivation, rather than of fighting ability. Despite the highly aggressive state of males in musth, escalated contests are extremely rare. The behaviour of musth and non-musth males suggests that opponents are able to estimate their often rapidly changing roles in the asymmetries with relative accuracy. Since, unlike most other rutting mammals, elephants have asynchronous sexually active periods, resource value varies both with age and the fluctuating sexual state of a particular individual. It is suggested that musth may be a case where information about resource value is conveyed.
Scanning electric field sensing for semiconductor dopant profiling

Abstract Electric field sensitive scanning probe microscopes (SPMs) can image the electronic properties of a semiconductor through an insulating layer—making the techniques well suited to extract underlying substrate dopant densities. A standard atomic force microscope (AFM) can be used to sense electric field by measuring the electrostatic response of a vibrating cantilever. We have constructed an inexpensive accessory to a commercial AFM to simultaneously acquire images of the spatial variations in substrate doping along with accurate topographic images. Our electric field images have a spatial resolution of 1 μm. In addition, we show explicitly how a simple parallel plate model can be used to extract the magnitude of lateral changes in dopant density from the electric field images. For a substrate doping density of 1×1016 cm−3 we can discern resistivity changes of ∼1 Ω cm.
Microleverage DETF Aluminum Nitride resonating accelerometer

In this work, we present a novel microleverage Double Ended Tuning Fork (DETF) resonant accelerometer made of thin film piezoelectric Aluminum Nitride (AlN). The development and characterization of this novel design is discussed through a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and experimentally demonstrated. The entire accelerometer structure is made of 2 μm of highly c-axis oriented piezoelectric AlN with 100 nm platinum as top and bottom electrode. The preliminary characterization of the accelerometer was performed in a vacuum chamber at a pressure of 4 Torr and achieved a sensitivity of 18.1 Hz/g (i.e. 54 ppm/g) along the sensing axis and 0.1 Hz/g along the cross axis.
Distributed Shared Arrays: An Integration of Message Passing and Multithreading on SMP Clusters

This paper presents a Distributed Shared Array runtime system to support Java-compliant multithreaded programming on clusters of symmetric multiprocessors (SMPs). As a hybrid of message passing and shared address space programming models, the DSA programming model allows programmers to explicitly control data distribution so as to take advantage of the deep memory hierarchy, while relieving them from error-prone orchestration of communication and synchronization at run-time. The DSA system is developed as an integral component of mobility support middleware for grid computing so that DSA-based virtual machines can be reconfigured to adapt to the varying resource supplies or demand over the course of a computation. The DSA runtime system also features a directory-based cache coherence protocol in support of replication of user-defined sharing granularity and a communication proxy mechanism for reducing network contention. We demonstrate the programmability of the model in a number of parallel applications and evaluate its performance on a cluster of SMP servers, in particular, the impact of the coherence granularity.
Generalized Shift-Invariant Systems

A countable collection $X$ of functions in $L_2(\mbox{\footnotesize\bf R})$ is said to be a Bessel system if the associated analysis operator $$ \txs{X}:L_2(\mbox{\smallbf R}^d)\to \ell_2(X) : f\mapsto (\inpro{f,x})_{x\in X} $$ is well-defined and bounded. A Bessel system is a fundamental frame if $\txs{X}$ is injective and its range is closed. This paper considers the above two properties for a generalized shift-invariant system $X$. By definition, such a system has the form $$ X=\bigcup_{j\in J} Y_j, $$ where each $Y_j$ is a shift-invariant system (i.e., is comprised of lattice translates of some function(s)) and $J$ is a countable (or finite) index set. The definition is general enough to include wavelet systems, shift-invariant systems, Gabor systems, and many variations of wavelet systems such as quasi-affine ones and nonstationary ones. The main theme of this paper is the “fiberization” of $\txs{X}$, which allows one to study the frame and Bessel properties of $X$ via the spectral properties of a collection of finite-order Hermitian nonnegative matrices.
Bipartite bihypergraphs: A survey and new results

Let H^0 and H^1 be hypergraphs with the same vertex-set V. The ordered pair H=(H^0,H^1) is called a bihypergraph. A set S@?V is stable in H^i if S contains no hyperedges of H^i, i=0,1. A bihypergraph H=(H^0,H^1) is called bipartite if there exists an ordered partition S^0@?S^1=V(H) such that the set S^i is stable in H^i for i=0,1. In Section 1, we survey numerous applications of bipartite bihypergraphs. In Section 3, we show that recognizing bipartite bihypergraphs within classes of k-complete bihypergraphs can be done in polynomial time. A bihypergraph H=(H^0,H^1) is called k-complete, k>=0, if each k-subset of V(H) contains a hyperedge of H, i.e., a hyperedge of H^0 or H^1. Moreover, we can construct all bipartitions of a k-complete bihypergraph, if any, in polynomial time. A bihypergraph H=(H^0,H^1) is called strongly bipartite if each maximal stable set of H^0 is a transversal of H^1. We show that recognizing strongly bipartite bihypergraphs (H^0,H^1) is a co-NP-complete problem even in the case where H^0 is a graph and H^1 has exactly one hyperedge. Some examples of strongly bipartite bihypergraphs are given.
Gas separations using non-hexafluorophosphate [PF6]− anion supported ionic liquid membranes

Abstract Previously, we reported on using Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) in place of traditional solvents for supported liquid membranes to take advantage of their unique properties. This previous work used RTILs with the hexafluorophosphate [PF 6 ] − anion. However, the [PF 6 ] − anion in the presence of water can break down into HF. In the current work, we studied RTIL-membranes made from the following water stable anions: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide [Tf 2 N] − , trifluoromethanesulfone [CF 3 SO 3 ] − , chloride [Cl] − , and dicyanamide [dca] − . We report CO 2 permeabilities of 350 barrers (for [Cl] − ) to 1000 barrers (for [Tf 2 N] − ) combined with CO 2 /N 2 ideal selectivities of 15 (for [Cl] − ) to 61 (for [dca] − ). Note that these permeability/selectivities place RTIL-membranes above the upper-bound in a CO 2 /N 2 Robeson plot of representative polymers. The CO 2 /CH 4 ideal selectivities range from 4 (for [Cl] − ) to 20 (for [dca] − ), thereby placing the [dca]-membrane above the upper-bound for the CO 2 /CH 4 Robeson plot.
Parallax bar height measurements from Large Format Camera photography

The accuracy of heighting from Large Format Camera (LFC) stereo-photographs of the New England area was evaluated using a conventional mirror stereoscope equipped with × 6 binocular eyepieces and a precision parallax bar. It was discovered that a large differential ω had to be removed before acceptable height results could be obtained. Enlarged portions of the LFC photographs covering city areas of Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island could be used to produce accurate height results. It was concluded that analogue mapping from LFC photography using simple instruments could be economically carried out at a scale of 1:100000 or smaller, with a contour interval of 100 m to 120 m.
A simplified application of the Andersen sampler to the study of airborne fungus particles.

Abstract An application of the Andersen sampler to the study of potentially allergenic, culturable, airborne fungus particles is described. For this purpose, a highly modified technique with a single culture plate beneath stage 6 (S 6 arrangement) was evaluated and found to produce a "telescoped" collection qualitatively comparable with growth obtained by conventional 6 plate arrays. The S 6 arrangement also appeared to yield quantitatively valid results if optimally short sampling periods were chosen. Up to 3 per cent of particles, capable of growth on the media used, were noted to bypass the S 6 plate after entering the intake orifice; however, these losses were not necessarily related to particle size. Significant impaction of particles upon sampler hardware was not suggested, and withdrawal of plates from the upper stages appeared to obviate adventitious deposition at those points. Increased particle recoveries were obtained when the sampler was made wind oriented, with the advantages being shown most clearly for genera having relatively large spores. Qualitative comparisons between collections made simultaneously by the open-culture plate method and by the wind-oriented Andersen sampler confirmed the latter's major theoretical advantage in recovering small-spored genera.
Effect of Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles on Reproduction and Liver Fat Accumulation in Laying Hens

Abstract Two experiments were conducted with Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens to determine the nutritional value of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDG/S) with respect to various production and liver characteristics. Adding 5% DDG/S to a wheat-based ration in Experiment 1 tended to improve egg production and adding the same level to either corn or wheat-based rations in Experiment 2 significantly (P Including 10% DDG/S in a wheat-based ration in Experiment 1 significantly reduced rate of egg production below that obtained with a 5% level of DDG/S. Adding 0.025% l -lysine to the diet with 10% DDG/S increased rate of egg production to a level equivalent to that obtained with 5% DDG/S. The apparent response to lysine was obtained with a basal ration calculated to contain 0.73% lysine, which is considerably in excess of the National Research Council recommendation. In both experiments, adding DDG/S tended to reduce liver fat accumulation, but the differences were not statistically significant. On the other hand, hens fed a corn ration had significantly more liver fat than hens fed wheat rations with 2.5% or more of DDG/S in Experiment 1. Likewise in Experiment 2, hens fed the basal corn ration had significantly more liver fat than hens fed wheat containing diets. The greater liver fat accumulation resulted both from an enlarged liver and in increased percent fat of the dry matter. Liver fat accumulation was not significantly increased by feeding a wheat diet made isocaloric with the corn diet by adding fat. Therefore, the increased liver fat accumulation associated with corn was not explained by its higher energy content.
Radiographic features of appendiceal colic in children

The concept of appendiceal colic was introduced in 1980 to explain the common problem of recurrent crampy abdominal pain (RAP) in children. Children with appendiceal colic often have inspissated casts of stool as foreign bodies of the appendix. The radiographic findings of 115 children operated upon for appendiceal colic have been reviewed. The radiographic features of this syndrome have included: filling defects of the appendix (83% incidence of inspissated casts of stool within the appendix); partial filling of the appendix (44% incidence of fecal casts); retained barium behind 72 h (92% incidence of fecal casts blocking egress of barium); non-visualization of the appendix (42% incidence of fecal casts); and distention of the appendix (100% incidence of fecal casts). The correlation of radiographic and operative findings will be presented. A rational approach to the radiographic workup of a child with RAP will be presented.
Letrozole for ovulation induction and fertility preservation by embryo cryopreservation in young women with endometrial carcinoma.

Objective To reduce estrogen exposure in women with endometrial cancer undergoing in vitro fertilization using an aromatase inhibitor. Design Prospective case series. Setting Academic center for reproductive medicine. Patient(s) Endometrial carcinoma patients presenting for fertility preservation or fresh embryo transfer to gestational carrier. Intervention(s) Four patients with endometroid carcinoma underwent five IVF cycles for immediate or delayed embryo transfer to gestational carriers before or after staging and definitive surgery. To prevent surge in E 2 levels, letrozole was started 2 days before gonadotropin administration and then given concomitantly. Embryos were either cryopreserved for fertility preservation or transfered freshly to a surrogate. Main Outcome Measure(s) Peak E 2 level during stimulation, pregnancy in a gestational carrier. Result(s) Peak E 2 level during stimulation was 386.67 ± 102.93 pg/mL. A mean of 7 ± 2.85 oocytes were retrieved, resulting in 4.8 ± 1.76 embryos per cycle. In one patient, two embryos were transfered to a surrogate, resulting in a triplet pregnancy. The delivery occurred at 31 weeks and the infants did not show any congenital or developmental abnormalities. Three patients had their embryos cryopreserved for future use. Conclusion(s) The use of letrozole and gonadotropins is associated with lower E 2 levels compared with standard stimulation cycles in endometrial carcinoma patients. Combination of this approach with surrogacy may enable these young women to preserve their fertility.
Delayed maturity, group fission and the limits of group size in female Cape ground squirrels (Sciuridae: Xerus inauris )

Female Cape ground squirrels Xerus inauris live in matrilineal kin groups in which the number of reproductive positions is limited to three females. Field observations on a population in Namibia revealed that the mechanisms by which group size was limited were reproductive suppression and group fission. Sub-adult females attained sexual maturity at 8 months of age when only a single adult female was present in their social group, whereas sub-adult females in groups with more than one adult female matured at 12 months of age. Social groups with more than three breeding females subsequently split into smaller groups. Several hypotheses for limiting group size were considered. There was no evidence of higher ectoparasite loads on females in larger groups, nor was survival of adult females affected by group size. Although adult females have lower body masses and higher mortality during the winter when food is more scarce, feeding competition alone does not seem to limit group size. Groups that split continued to overlap in their feeding ranges and there was no seasonal difference in juvenile survival. However, juvenile survival was affected by group size. The greatest cost of being in a larger group was lower juvenile survival. Larger groups use larger feeding ranges, and because squirrels return to their sleeping burrow when threatened, not just to the nearest refuge, slower juveniles have greater exposure to predators. Thus, although competition for food resources may be important, predation seems to be a major constraint on female group size as well as the primary selective force leading to female group formation.
Breastfeeding intention and outcome: a test of the theory of planned behavior.

Causal modeling was used to test the hypotheses of the theory of planned behavior for the prediction of prenatal breastfeeding intentions and postpartum breastfeeding outcomes with 135 childbearing women. In support of the theory, prenatal breastfeeding attitudes and perceived behavioral control predicted breastfeeding intentions (R2 = .23); however, the subjective norm variable failed to meet statistical criteria for model entry. Breastfeeding intentions weakly predicted duration of breastfeeding up to 6 weeks postpartum (R2 = .04). No additional empirically suggested prenatal and postpartum variables increased the explanatory power of the model in predicting breastfeeding intentions and duration. Implications for practice and research are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 20: 51–59, 1997
Fabrication and characterization of heparin functionalized membrane-mimetic assemblies.

Abstract A membrane-mimetic assembly incorporating surface bound heparin was fabricated as a system to improve the hemocompatibility of blood-contacting devices. As a model system, heparin was chemically modified by end-point conjugation to biotin and immobilized onto membrane-mimetic thin films via biotin–streptavidin interactions. Heparin surface density, determined by radiochemical titration, confirmed that surface density was directly related to the molar concentration of biotinylated lipid within the assembled membrane-mimetic film. The capacity of surface bound heparin to promote ATIII-mediated thrombin inactivation was investigated in a parallel plate flow chamber under simulated venous and arterial wall shear rates of 50 and 500 s −1 , respectively. Significantly, we observed that the rate of thrombin inactivation approached a maximum at a heparin surface concentration greater than 4.4 pmol/cm 2 (61 ng/cm 2 ). In the process, mass transport limited regimes were identified for heparin potentiated thrombin inactivation under both simulated venous and arterial conditions.
A smartphone-supported weight loss program: design of the ENGAGED randomized controlled trial

Obesity remains a major public health challenge, demanding cost-effective and scalable weight management programs. Delivering key treatment components via mobile technology offers a potential way to reduce expensive in-person contact, thereby lowering the cost and burden of intensive weight loss programs. The ENGAGED study is a theory-guided, randomized controlled trial designed to examine the feasibility and efficacy of an abbreviated smartphone-supported weight loss program. Ninety-six obese adults (BMI 30–39.9 kg/m2) will be randomized to one of three treatment conditions: (1) standard behavioral weight loss (STND), (2) technology-supported behavioral weight loss (TECH); or (3) self-guided behavioral weight loss (SELF). All groups will aim to achieve a 7% weight loss goal by reducing calorie and fat intake and progressively increasing moderate intensity physical activity to 175 minutes/week. STND and TECH will attend 8 group sessions and receive regular coaching calls during the first 6 months of the intervention; SELF will receive the Group Lifestyle Balance Program DVD’s and will not receive coaching calls. During months 1–6, TECH will use a specially designed smartphone application to monitor dietary intake, body weight, and objectively measured physical activity (obtained from a Blue-tooth enabled accelerometer). STND and SELF will self-monitor on paper diaries. Linear mixed modeling will be used to examine group differences on weight loss at months 3, 6, and 12. Self-monitoring adherence and diet and activity goal attainment will be tested as mediators. ENGAGED is an innovative weight loss intervention that integrates theory with emerging mobile technologies. We hypothesize that TECH, as compared to STND and SELF, will result in greater weight loss by virtue of improved behavioral adherence and goal achievement. NCT01051713
Optimum control of grid connected interior permanent magnet wind turbine generator

Permanent magnet synchronous generator is widely used in wind turbine applications because of its high efficiency and lower maintenance. Interior permanent magnet machine has the advantage of using both reluctance torque due to saliency and common magnetic torque. In this paper a grid connected IPM generator is studied as a variable speed wind turbine. Maximum power point tracking strategy beside loss minimization of is applied to get maximum power from the wind speed. The controller part of machine side converter and grid side converter is designed and explained in details. Besides a pitch angle control is added to protect the generator from over speeding. Simulation results prove the performance of variable speed operation under and above rated wind speed.
Improved intermolecular force field for crystalline hydrocarbons containing four- or three-coordinated carbon

Abstract A new intermolecular force field of the (exp-6-1) type was derived from observed hydrocarbon crystal structures selected from a comprehensive set of 134 molecules with 5–16 carbon atoms, and eight observed heats of sublimation. Carbon atoms with four bonds, C(4), and those with three bonds, C(3), were assigned separate parameters. Wavefunctions were calculated for each molecule and the molecular electric potential was modelled with net atomic charges. Methylene bisector or ring center site charges were added as necessary to fit the molecular electric potential. Each crystal structure was relaxed by energy minimization; for 101 of the structures the force field predicted changes in unit cell edge lengths less than 3%. The remaining 33 crystal structures, while otherwise meeting data quality criteria, showed predicted unit cell edge length changes greater than 3% and were not included in the training set.
Adolescent Cancer Survivors: Psychosocial and Familial Adaptation

Adolescent cancer survivors were compared with nondiseased control subjects on measures of adaptation, coping, body image, sexual adjustment, psychopathology, and family functioning. Cancer survivors reported no major difficulties in social competence, overall coping, and family communication. Although their school teachers reported no symptoms of psychopathology, the cancer survivors did report body image disturbances and adjustment difficulties. Further, the surviving adolescents were eager to present themselves favorably. Compared with nondiseased control families, families of survivors were characterized as somewhat inflexible. Implications for clinical practice include the careful monitoring of youth who have survived cancer as well as sensitivity to underlying concerns that the survivors and their families may avoid.
Reviews and comments on alcohol research

This section of the journal is designed to provide readers with reviews of recent literature, and to stimulate research on questions that are important in the treatment and prevention of alcohol addiction. Research can provide insight into the causes of alcohol abuse and addiction, as well as answers to questions concerning the biomedical and psychological consequences of alcohol consumption. The ideas and critique expressed in this department are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, editorial board, or publisher of Alcohol. Reference to the original articles is recommended before quoting any of this material in scientific publications.
Hypoxic Events in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, during the Summer of 2001

Bottom water hypoxic events were observed in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island during the summer of 2001 using a towed sensor, vertical casts at fixed stations, and continuous monitoring buoys. This combination of approaches allowed for both extensive spatial and temporal sampling. Oxygen concentrations below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acute hypoxia criterion of 2.3 mg l−1 were observed in the northern parts of Narragansett Bay, including the Providence River. We estimate 39% of the area of the Providence River was affected by acute hypoxia between July and September 2001. All other regions experienced only small areas of acute hypoxia (<5%), and no acute hypoxia was observed from Quonset Point south. The area encompassing oxygen concentrations below the EPA chronic hypoxia criterion of 4.8 mg l−1 was much more extensive in the upper half of Narragansett Bay, sometimes covering the majority of the region, though it is unclear whether exposure to concentrations below this criterion persisted long enough to significantly affect marine species in these areas. Vertical profiles of dissolved oxygen typically exhibited a mid water oxygen minimum near the pycnocline, followed by a slight increase in oxygen with depth. The surface waters above the pycnocline were typically supersaturated with oxygen. The northern portions of the Bay where the most extensive hypoxia was observed corresponded to the regions with both the greatest thermohaline stratification, the highest nutrient inputs, and the highest primary productivity.
Code Decompression Unit Design for VLIW Embedded Processors

Code size "bloating" in embedded very long instruction word (VLIW) processors is a major concern for embedded systems since memory is one of the most restricted resources. In this paper, we describe a code compression algorithm based on arithmetic coding, discuss how to design decompression architecture, and illustrate the tradeoffs between compression ratio and decompression overhead, by using different probability models. Experimental results for a VLIW embedded processor TMS320C6x show that compression ratios between 67% and 80% can be achieved, depending on the probability models used. A precache decompression unit design is implemented in TSMC 0.25 mum and a test chip is fabricated.
Race, Wrongful Conviction & Exoneration

Race, Wrongful Conviction & Exoneration is a sociological examination of the “sociology of punishment” that is a major problem in criminological research but almost entirely ignored by sociologists who study and research issues related to crime. We argue that although legal scholars have done the bulk of research on exoneration they have not addressed the relationship of race to exoneration. This paper examines the risk that race produces for wrongful conviction and ultimately for exoneration. Additionally, we note the importance of the racial composition of the crime -African American men accused of raping White women - on wrongful convictions and exonerations.
Transpassive dissolution of mild steel in NaNO3 electrolytes

A study has been made of the transpassive dissolution of mild steel in sodium nitrate solution over a range of current densities from 2 to 100 A cm−2. The dissolution current efficiency and the anode potential free from the electrolyte IR component were measured in a flow cell; optical and scanning electron microscopy were then used to examine the sample surfaces after the dissolution tests. The results show that during the early stage of transpassive dissolution, the mild steel is covered with a compact, electronically conductive Fe3O4 film, and the current is consumed mainly in oxygen generation on the film/electrolyte interface. With increasing anode potential and current density, this film is gradually broken and the underlying metal surface becomes exposed to the electrolyte. At this stage, iron dissolution begins at a high rate. The film rupturing process is strongly dependent on nitrate concentration; the higher this is, the lower is the current density required to rupture the film.
The Doctor(s) in House: An Analysis of the Evolution of the Television Doctor-Hero

The medical drama and its central character, the doctor-hero have been a mainstay of popular television. House M.D. offers a new (and problematic) iteration of the doctor-hero. House eschews the generic conventions of the “television doctor” by being neither the idealized television doctor of the past, nor the more recent competent but often fallible physicians in entertainment texts. Instead, his character is a fragmented text which privileges the biomedical over the personal or emotional with the ultimate goal of scientifically uncovering and resolving instances of disease. This article examines the implicit and explicit messages in House M.D. and critically analyzes both the show and its lead character in relation to the traditional medical drama genre that highlights the “doctor-hero” as the central character. While at first House seems to completely violate narrative and generic norms, ultimately the program provides a new form that reinforces the presence of the doctor-hero, but highlights House’s character as the central figure who is personally and interpersonally problematic but biomedically effective.
Effect of defects on phonons and the effective spin-spin interactions of an ultracold Penning-trap quantum simulator

We generalize the analysis of the normal modes for a rotating ionic Coulomb crystal in a Penning trap to allow for inhomogeneities in the system. Our formal developments are completely general, but we choose to examine a crystal of Be${}^{+}$ ions with BeH${}^{+}$ defects to compare with current experimental efforts. We examine the classical phonon modes (both transverse and planar) and we determine the effective spin-spin interactions when the system is driven by an axial spin-dependent optical dipole force. We examine situations with up to approximately 15% defects. We find that most properties are not strongly influenced by the defects, indicating that the presence of a small number of defects will not significantly affect experiments.
Anisotropy in the angular broadening of Sagittarius A* at the Galactic center

We present the results of a lambda = 20 cm (VLA) squared observation of the compact Galactic center radio source Sgr A(*). The scatter-broadened image is elongated in the east-west direction, with an axial ratio of 0.56 +/- 0.22 and a position angle of 82 deg +/- 1.8 deg. A similar shape and orientation has been found previously at shorter wavelengths using Very Long Base Interferometry (VLBI) and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). Both the major and minor axes follow the lambda squared law appropriate for scattering by turbulence in the intervening medium. We argue that the scattering occurs in thin ionized surface layers of molecular clouds lying in the central 100 pc of the Galaxy. The ionized regions are characterized by electron densities of 10(exp 4)/cu cm and milligauss magnetic field strengths, and are responsible for the diffuse free-free emission and the Faraday rotation in the region.
Gas-phase equilibria of isotopic lithium systems II. Lithium and hydrogen

Abstract Gas-phase equilibria of the isotopic lithium and hydrogen systems are considered here. In addition to calculation of the equilibrium constants, the thermodynamic functions for the isotopic lithium hydride molecules ( 6 Li 1 H, 6 Li 2 H, 6 Li 3 H, 7 Li 1 H, 7 Li 2 H, and 7 Li 3 H) are computed for temperatures to 2000 K.
The successful return of the low temperature platform facility (LTPF) to space

The Low Temperature Platform Facility (LTPF) flew on STS-87 from November 19 to December 5, 1997 as part of the fourth United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-4). During this flight, the LTPF contained the Confined Helium eXperiment (CHeX). The CHeX mission was a success because the LTPF functioned as expected, and the LTPF dewar provided a stable, long lived cooling source for the CHeX instrument. The LTPF is a NASA/JPL facility that is designed to accommodate space shuttle based science experiments or instruments that need cryogenic temperatures near 2 K. The LTPF had flown two times prior to this most recent flight: in 1984 as the Superfluid Helium Experiment on Space Lab-2 and in 1992 as the Lambda Point Experiment (LPE) on USMP-1. The facility has been substantially upgraded between every flight. For the CHeX mission, the improvements to the facility were driven by the need to meet updated Space Shuttle requirements and by the desire to increase the scientific return from the mission. These improvements involved changes to both the cryostat and the facility electronics. We report on the flight performance of the LTPF during the most recent mission (CHeX) and on some of the lessons learned while preparing for this mission.
Application of the median method to the determination of kinetic constants for competitive enzyme inhibition

A procedure was developed to determine kinetic constants for competitive inhibition (Km, Ki, Vmax) by the median method. Simulated experiments were used to compare the accuracy and precision of kinetic constants determined by the median method with unweighted and weighted least-squares analysis. The median method was superior to unweighted least-squares analysis. The weighted least-squares method was superior to the median method when the error was normally distributed but the median method was superior when two or more outliers were present. The dependence of the accuracy and precision of kinetic constants obtained by the median method on several experimentally important parameters, including the number of experimental points, the number and range of substrate concentrations, and the number and range of inhibitor concentrations, was determined.
Minimax non-redundant channel coding for vector quantization

The distortion of a vector-quantized image due to channel noise can be alleviated significantly without any redundant control bits by judicious assignment of binary codes to the codevectors. The authors consider the index assignment problem and adopt a minimax design criterion instead of the usual mean squared measure. The problem is related to the classical quadratic assignment problem and is found to be NP-hard. An effective, heuristic, polynomial-time algorithm is presented for computing approximate solutions. Simulation demonstrates that with the minimax criterion the worst-case performance is significantly improved while the average performance is only slightly degraded. >