cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the sample variance of linear statistics derived from mixing sequences

In a sample X1,…,XN, independently and identically distributed with distribution F, a linear statistic T=(1/N)∑Ni=1Ti can be defined, where Ti=o(Xi), and o(·) is some function. For this statistics, a ‘natural’ nonparametric variance estimator is the sample variance (1/N)∑Ni=1(Ti−T)2, the denominator N−1 often being used instead of N. However, if the sample is stationary but weakly dependent, the same estimator would not work, since it fails to take into account the covariances among the Ti's. Moreover, in many time series problems, the objective is to estimate a parameter of the Mth dimensional marginal, and not just of the first-dimensional marginal distribution. Thus, the linear statistic in this case must be of the form T(X1,…,XN)=(1/(N−M+1))∑N−M+1i=1Ti, where Ti=oM(Xi,…,Xi+M−1), and oM(·) is now a function of a whole block of observations. In the present report, we formulate the nonparametric variance estimator corresponding to a sample variance of the linear statistic T(X1,…,XN). The proposed estimator depends on a design parameter b that tends to infinity as the sample size N increases. The optimal rate at which b should tend to infinity is found that minimizes the asymptotic order of the Mean Squared Error in estimation. Special emphasis is given to the case where M tends to infinity as well as N, in which case a general version of the linear statistic is introduced that estimates a parameter of the whole (infinite-dimensional) joint distribution of the sequence {Xn,n∈Z}.
Joint optimization of source beamformer and relay coefficients using MSE criterion

The joint optimization of source beamformer and distributed relay coefficients is considered for a cooperative network that uses the output mean-square error (MSE) as the performance metric. Two methods are proposed for solving this nonconvex optimization problem. The first approach iteratively optimizes the source beamformer and relay coefficients, whereas the second method optimizes the relay coefficients keeping the source beamformer as the maximum-ratio-transmitter (MRT). Both approaches are reformulated as relaxed semidefinite programming problems. The optimality of MRT is proven analytically under some conditions. The superiority of the proposed methods is verified using numerical examples.
Reviews of "LISPcraft by Robert Wilensky", W. W. Norton & Company Inc, 1984.

Traditionally, LISP has been the language for AI researchers, It has a number of unique features for the kind of programming that AI demands. However, till recently its use in the industry was restricted because the language is not standardized and many variations of the language exists. The MACLISP and INTERLISP versions were extensively used in earlier AI work. With the increasing popularity of the UNIX operating system, FranzLISP is currently being used in a number of projects.
YTTERBIUM(III) TRIFLUOROMETHANESULFONATE CATALYZED SOLID PHASE AZA DIELS-ALDER REACTION AND SUBSEQUENT FACILE ADDUCT RELEASE

Abstract Ytterbium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate has been demonstrated to catalyze the solid phase aza Diels-Alder reaction of an aldehyde, a diene, and immobilized benzylamine. The [4+2] adducts were cleaved from solid support efficiently using a ‘trace-less’ release methodology. The piperidine derivatives were obtained in excellent to reasonable yields with high levels of purity.
Gasdynamics in the LINER Galaxy NGC 5005: Episodic Fueling of a Nuclear Disk

We report high-resolution CO(1¨0) observations in the central 6 kpc (1@) of the LINER galaxy NGC 5005 with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory millimeter array. Molecular gas is distributed in three componentsa ring at a radius of about 3 kpc, a strong central condensation, and a stream to the northwest of the nucleus but inside the 3 kpc ring. The ring shows systematic noncircular motions, with apparent inward velocities of D50 km s~1 on the minor axis. The central condensation is a disk of D1 kpc radius with a central depression of D50 pc radius. This disk has a molecular gas mass of D2 ) 109 it shows a steep velocity gradient and a velocity range (D750 km s~1) 30% larger than the velocity M _ ; width of the rest of the galaxy. The stream between the 3 kpc ring and the nuclear disk lies on a straight dust lane seen in the optical. If this material moves in the plane of the galaxy, it lies at a radius of D1 kpc but has a velocity oUset by up to D150 km s~1 from galactic rotation. We suggest that an optically inconspicuous stellar bar lying within the 3 kpc ring can explain the observed gasdynamics. This bar is expected to connect the nuclear disk and the ring along the position angle of the northwest stream. A position-velocity cut in this direction reveals features that match the characteristic motions of gas in a barred potential. Our model indicates that gas in the northwest stream is on an orbit at the bars x 1 leading edge; it is falling into the nucleus with a large noncircular velocity and will eventually contribute D2 ) 108 to the nuclear disk. If most of this material merges with the disk on its —rst passage of M _ pericenter, the gas accretion rate during the collision will be D50 yr~1. We associate the disk with M _ an inner 2:1 Lindblad resonance and attribute its large line width to favorably oriented elliptical orbits rather than (necessarily) to a large central mass. The 3 kpc ring is likely an inner 4:1 Lindblad resonance ringor a pair of tightly wound spiral armsarising at the bar ends. Both scenarios can explain the apparent noncircular motions in the ring. The high rate of bar-driven in—ow and the irregular appear- ance of the northwest stream suggest that a major fueling event is in progress in NGC 5005. Such epi- sodic (rather than continuous) gas supply can regulate the triggering of starburst and accretion activity in galactic nuclei. Subject headings: galaxies: activegalaxies: ISMgalaxies: kinematics and dynamics ¨ galaxies: spiralgalaxies: starburst
Use of perforated elements of the lining in furnaces with internal recuperation of heat

The designs of shaped refractory parts developed are distinguished by simplicity, technological effectiveness, standardization, and reliability in use of them for laying of perforated roofs and walls. Taking into consideration the operating effectiveness of furnaces with internal recuperation of heat, which provide a reduction in fuel consumption and economy in refractories, it is desirable to broaden the production of shaped parts, which will promote wider introduction into industry of these promising furnaces with internal recuperation of heat.
Studies on the Mechanism of the Anti-Melanoma Effect of Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid (Pic) II. Decreased Growth of B-16 Melanoma from Prior Exposure to the Tumor. Abrogation of this Response by Pic

Prior exposure of C-57 black mice to B-16 malignant melanoma inhibits the growth of subsequent B-16 melanoma implants. Presumably this inhibition is based on an immunologic mechanism. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PIC), given during the immunization period, abrogated the anti-tumor response. The experiments failed to support the hypothesis that the anti-melanoma effect of PIC is mediated by an immune response.
The slice map problem and approximation properties

We show that a σ-weakly closed subspace J of the bounded operators BH on an infinite dimensional Hilbert space H has Property Sσ (the Fubini product (LT)=L⊗ for all σ-weakly closed subspaces T⊂B(H)) if and only if J satisfies a certain approximation property, which we call the σ-weak approximation property. The σ-weak approximation property is implied by (but does not imply) the (weak-∗) completely bounded approximation property. Moreover, if J has the σ-weak approximation property, then the predual J∗ has the approximation property for Banach spaces. We also prove analagous results for Property S (and variations of Property S) for C∗-algebras. As an application of our characterization of subspaces with Property Sσ, we show that the reflexive algebra tensor product formula alg L1⊗ alg L2 = alg(L1 ⊗ L2) is not always valid. In fact, we show that for each of the types II1, II∞, and IIIλ (0 ⩽ λ ⩽ 1), there is a separably acting factor M = alg L1 of that type and a reflexive algebra A = alg L2 such that alg L1⊗ alg L2 is strictly contained in alg(L1 ⊗ L2).
Radiation by a dipole antenna on the axis of a circular hole in a metallic plane covered by DPS and DNG oblate spheroidal lenses

A circular hole in a metal plane is covered by oblate spheroidal lenses of equal dimensions that are anti-isorefractive to each other and located on opposite sides of the hole. The structure is surrounded by free space and illuminated by an electric dipole located on the axis of symmetry of the structure and axially oriented. The exact solution to the boundary-value problem is obtained as infinite series of oblate spheroidal wavefunctions, in the phasor domain.
Reporting of cancer of the lung, liver and uterus.

Copies of death certificates were obtained in a large epidemiologic study carried out in 25 states. When cancer was mentioned on a certificate, inquiry was made of the physician concerning primary site of cancer and basis of diagnosis. Information from the physician indicated that death certificate reporting of primary cancer of the lung is fairly reliable but that this disease may be somewhat under-reported as a cause of death. The authors conclude that death certificates are unreliable as a source of information on deaths from primary cancer of the liver. On death certificates uterine cancer often is unspecified as to cervix or corpus. In about 67% of these cases cancer arose in the cervix uteri and in about 33% it arose in the corpus uteri.
Preface: From Policy and Strategic Positioning to Academic Support Programs

For 20 years, the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education has published graduation rates for African Americans in higher education. Between 2004 and 2010, 43% of all African American students in U.S....
Individualized developmental care for high risk newborns in the NICU: A practice guideline

The newborn infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is cared for with highly advanced medical technology, but the incidence of disability and neurodevelopmental problems among survivors remains high and problematic. Preterm birth disrupts the developmental progression of brain structures and affects development of the sensory systems. The Synactive Theory of Development provides a framework to conceptualize the organization of the neurobehavioral capabilities in the early development of the fetus, newborn and young infant. The infant's ability to regulate and control behavior emerges through continued interaction with the environment and is expressed through five systems: autonomic/physiology, motor, state, attention/interaction and self-regulation. In the healthy full term newborn the five subsystems are mature, integrated, synchronized and managed smoothly. The less mature, healthy or sick preterm newborn may be unable or partially able to manage environmental inputs, demonstrating over-reactive responses and poor tolerance from even minimal input. Loss of control and stress responses become frequent unless the environment and caregivers work to read the infants' messages and thresholds for sensitivity and adjust care and handling and the environment based on the infant's behavioral communications. The Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) is a comprehensive program which includes a behavioral observation methodology and creation of individual family centered developmental caregiving support of the infant's own developmental goals. The NIDCAP approach seeks to support the infant's stabilization and organization of the autonomic, motor, and state systems at each level of maturation, while minimizing stressful events.
Electron Self-Exchange Dynamics of an Iron Bipyridine Complex Redox Polyether Hybrid in Its Room Temperature Melt

The derivatization of metal-tris(2,2`-bipyridine) complexes with oligo(ethylene glycol) tails produces ionically-conductive room-temperature melts in which appreciable concentrations of lithium electrolytes dissolve. Charge transport rates in these redox polyether hybrids, in the undiluted state, have been investigated using microelectrode solid state voltammetry. In the ligand bby(CO{sub 2}MPEG350){sub 2}, MPEG350 is -(CH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}O){sub 7}CH{sub 3}. The apparent diffusion coefficient, D{sub APP}, for the oxidation of [Fe(bpy(CO{sub 2}MPEG350){sub 2}){sub 3}](ClO{sub 4}){sub 2} is ca. 10{sup 3} larger than that for [CO(bpy(CO{sub 2}MPEG350){sub 2}){sub 3}](ClO{sub 4}){sub 2}. This difference is ascribed to transport dominated in the former by electron self-exchange reactions between adjacent Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes. The very slow physical self-diffusivity in these metal complex melts, measured by the Co(III/II) reaction, provides an opportunity to assess the effect of electron donor/acceptor concentration on electron self-exchange dynamics in a semisolid matrix. Various models have been described for the site concentration dependency of charge transport in redox polymers, including ion association, electron migration, and percolation. This study examines the effects of changing redox site concentration on D{sub APP} by diluting [Fe(bpy(CO{sub 2}MPEG350){sub 2}){sub 3}](ClO{sub 4}){sub 2} isostructurally with the analogous Co and Ni complexes, and interprets the results in the context of the previousmore » models. 31 refs., 6 figs.« less
A spectrophotometric atlas of white dwarfs compiled from the IUE archives

This study will result in a homogeneous photometric set of ultraviolet energy distributions for a large number of white Dwarfs The resulting atlas should prove to be very useful to the astronomical community. Also the statistical study of the mass distribution and the luminosity function of white dwarfs using this ultraviolet data will be a valuable compliment to the similar studies which have been done in the optical wavelengths.
Loratadine exerts estrogen-like effects and disrupts penile development in the mouse.

Purpose: Hypospadias is a developmental anomaly of the penis and urethra that can be steroid mediated. It is characterized by a urethral opening occurring below the normal location at the tip of the penis. The link between loratadine, the active ingredient in a common over-the-counter antihistamine, and hypospadias, the most common congenital abnormality, has been the subject of controversy. We examined the effect of in utero exposure to an over-the-counter loratadine syrup on urethral development, and expression of androgen and estrogen receptors. Materials and Methods: We orally gavaged pregnant dams with the equivalent of a daily dose of loratadine syrup, with 3 times that dose or with a corn oil gavage control from GD 12 through GD 17. Using gross and histological assessment and 3D reconstruction, we looked for urethral abnormalities in fetal GTs at E 19. We also used real-time quantitative PCR to characterize the expression levels of steroid receptor mRNA in the GT at E 19, a critical stage for completion of urethral and penile development in this species. Results: Loratadine syrup disrupted normal urethral development in the mouse, based on gross morphology and histological assessment, and also disrupted steroid receptor expression, producing an expression profile similar to that resulting from in utero exposure to ethinyl estradiol. Conclusions: In utero exposure to over-the-counter loratadine syrup can result in hypospadias in this model, and creates changes in the steroid receptor mRNA expression profile similar to those elicited by a synthetic estrogen.
Order and Disorder: The Role of Extracellular Matrix in Epithelial Cancer

The central problem in cancer biology is to understand why tumor cells continue to survive and proliferate in situations where normal cells would arrest growth or apoptose. Although previous approaches have characterized cancer cells as autonomous entities and focused on the genetic mutations that contribute to tumor function, it is becoming increasingly clear that such models ignore the many ways in which cells interact with, and are regulated by, their surroundings. A different approach is to view cancer as a breakdown of the structural principles by which cells are organized within a tissue. In this review, we will provide some theoretical background for this approach, and describe some of our investigations in which we have found that either alterations in the microenvironment or altered perception of the microenvironment can cause normal cells to adopt tumorigenic behaviors. We will present an overview of the critical components of the cellular microenvironment, focusing on the large macromolecules that comprise the extracellular matrix (ECM). Then, we will summarize the large variety of cell surface adhesion molecules that sense and respond to the ECM and to neighboring cells. Finally, we will describe some of our recent investigations, in which we have used transgenic mice and a three dimensional (3D) cell culture assay to model the cell–ECM and cell–cell interactions that function to create mammary epithelial tissue. These experiments have helped define some of the molecular mechanisms by which mammary cells sense and respond to their microenvironment, how perturbations of those mechanisms can lead to breast tumors, and how reversal of those perturbations may be an approach to reverting early stage cancers.
Simultaneous Equations Bias in Disaggregated Econometric Models

with the language of econometrics, agents may be said to take prices as "exogenously given", which suggests that prices are econometrically exogenous in individual behavioural equations. This involves semantic confusion between different meanings of the word "exogenous". Simultaneity problems cannot generally be dispelled by working with disaggregated data. In particular, nothing is gained by disaggregating the dependent variable in a regression equation if the "micro" and "macro" equations use the same regressors. However, there may be substantial gains from disaggregation of the regressors. In the theory of competitive markets agents act as if they do not affect equilibrium market prices. By analogy with the language of econometrics, agents may be said to take prices as "exogenously given". Having thus stated the price-taking assumption, it may seem that prices are econometrically exogenous in behavioural equations for individual agents, such as labour demand curves.' This involves semantic confusion between two different meanings of the word "exogenous". For example, even if each buyer has a negligible influence on the market price, there may still be an important correlation between the price and the disturbance in an individual demand equation, so that treating price as econometrically exogenous gives biased coefficient estimates. The price-taking assumption has been used to justify OLS estimates of import demand functions for small countries. Leamer and Stern (1970) pointed out that the estimated slope in an import demand function is generally an average of the slopes of the demand and supply functions for imports, but
Is correction for lung density in radiotherapy treatment planning necessary

Abstract From 1978-981 a series of 30 patients with cancer of the esophagus were treated at the National Cancer Institute. Each of these patients had a CT scan of the chest taken in the treatment position, but prior to any treatment being given. Using these scans a retrospective analysis of the effect of lung density on delivered dose was performed. This indicated that failure to correct for tissue inhomogeneity results in a much higher dose being delivered than is prescribed. This effect is dependent on the energy of the beam being used for treatment, it may exceed 30% for 60Co. It also showed that there is wide patient to patient variation in lung density and that this variation is nonrandomly distributed. The average lung density in his group of patients was 0.21 compared to the standard estimate of 0.35 but some had densities substantially lower than this, these being the patients with the largest lung volumes. This variability acts to further increase the discrepancy between prescribed and delivered dose even in a very homogeneous group of patients being treated under identical conditions for the same malignancy. The implications of this for future clinical trials in thoracic malignancies are discussed.
Interracial marriage: data for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

Our knowledge of interracial marriage in the United States is fragmentary, inadequate and fraught with contradictions. A major methodological finding of this study, discovered by a comparison of statistical records for Philadelphia (1960-1962 and 1965-1966) with marriage license applications, is that there has been a 32 percent error in reporting mixed race cases. The full significance of this as regards existing data can only be conjectured at present. In Pennsylvania, it would seem, areas of high concentration of nonwhites show the lowest intermarriage rates. In the state, excluding Philadelphia, about 3 out of 4 mixed marriages involve nonwhite males; in Philadelphia, the figure is 52 percent. To some extent nonresidents seem to be attracted to Philadelphia for their intermarriages; but, on the other hand, a considerable number of the 84 percent who are residents declare to having the same address. As measured by the interval from application to performance of the ceremony, they do not marry in haste, nor do they show a strong urge to use their license elsewhere in the state. There is no remarkable age disparity for these couples. They do marry somewhat later—about 2 years later for those who are entering upon their first (primary) marriage; and a large proportion of the couples show a prior divorce experience. These data for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania disclose a tendency, noticed also in other studies, for the rate of such marriages to increase, so that now about 2 percent of Philadelphia and nearly 5 percent of Pennsylvania nonwhites are marrying interracially.
Stomatal behavior of potatoes under nonlimiting soil water conditions

Field studies were conducted to examine the relative effects of net irradiance (Rn), air vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and leaf water potential (Ψ1), on leaf conductance, (C1) of well-watered potatoes. Conductances of sunlit, surface-layer leaves for the cultivars Russet Burbank, Kennebec and Lemhi Russet were positively correlated with Rn (r2=0.79, 0.83 and 0.62, respectively) for Rn between 100 and 650 Wm-2. Leaf conductance (cm s-1) for all three cultivars was described by the linear relation: C1=0.871 +0.0028 Rn (r2=0.73). Mean C1 for a full Russet Burbank canopy, comprised of measurements from both sunlit and shaded leaves, was also linearly related to Rn. Although VPD and Ψ1 were significantly correlated with C1 (r2=0.44 and 0.46, respectively), the results of multiple regression analysis showed that they had no additional effect on C1 beyond that attributed to Rn. These results indicate that potato leaf conductance is primarily related to irradiance under nonlimiting soil water conditions.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for the multivariate bootstrap of the mean

Abstract We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the bootstrap central limit theorem (CLT) for R d valued random vectors to hold both almost surely and in probability. We allow the bootstrap sample mean to be normalized using affine transformations. We show that for the bootstrap CLT to hold almost surely, it is necessary and sufficient that E ‖ X ‖2 L (X) be in Domain of Normal Attraction of a d-variate Normal Law. For the bootstrap CLT to hold in probability it is necessary and sufficient that L (X) be in Generalized Domain of Attraction of the standard d-variate Normal Law.
To have and to hold: Codependency as a mediator or moderator of the relationship between substance abuse in the family of origin and adult-offspring medical problems

This pilot study explored the putative role of codependency as a mediator or moderator of the relationship between substance abuse in the family of origin (SAFO) and offspring medical problems in a counterbalanced multiple-treatment experiment with a heterogenous sample of adult males and females. Codependent attitude and behavior were moderators that attenuated the relationship between SAFO and two measures of acute offspring medical problems, but codependent behavior amplified the relationship between SAFO and chronic medical problems. Challenging replications are called for.
β-Lactam Resistance in Salmonella Strains Isolated from Retail Meats in the United States by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System between 2002 and 2006

Ampicillin-resistant (Ampr) Salmonella enterica isolates (n = 344) representing 32 serotypes isolated from retail meats from 2002 to 2006 were tested for susceptibility to 21 other antimicrobial agents and screened for the presence of five beta-lactamase gene families (blaCMY, blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA, and blaCTX-M) and class 1 integrons. Among the Ampr isolates, 66.9% were resistant to five or more antimicrobials and 4.9% were resistant to 10 or more antimicrobials. Coresistance to other β-lactams was noted for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (55.5%), ceftiofur (50%), cefoxitin (50%), and ceftazidime (24.7%), whereas less than 5% of isolates were resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam (4.9%), cefotaxime (3.5%), ceftriaxone (2%), and aztreonam (1.2%). All isolates were susceptible to cefepime, imipenem, and cefquinome. No Salmonella producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases was found in this study. Approximately 7% of the isolates displayed a typical multidrug-resistant (MDR)-AmpC phenotype, with resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamide, tetracycline, plus resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, and ceftiofur and with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MIC ≥ 4 μg/ml). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results showed that several MDR clones were geographically dispersed in different types of meats throughout the five sampling years. Additionally, 50% of the isolates contained blaCMY, 47% carried blaTEM-1, and 2.6% carried both genes. Only 15% of the isolates harbored class I integrons carrying various combinations of aadA, aadB, and dfrA gene cassettes. The blaCMY, blaTEM, and class 1 integrons were transferable through conjugation and/or transformation. Our findings indicate that a varied spectrum of coresistance traits is present in Ampr Salmonella strains in the meat supply of the United States, with a continued predominance of blaCMY and blaTEM genes in β-lactam-resistant isolates.
Quaternary evolution of Cedar Creek alluvial fan, montana

Abstract Cedar Creek alluvial fan is a textbook example of an alluvial fan because of its fan shape with smooth, concentric contours and excellent symmetry. Similar planimetric shapes have been used to infer uniform fan deposition; however, Cedar Creek alluvial fan is composed of four fan deposits of Quaternary age, Qf1 (oldest) to Qf4 (youngest), indicating that fan deposition was nonuniform in both time and space. Field studies indicate that deposition of Cedar Creek alluvial fan is related to glaciofluvial outwash activity during the Pleistocene and upper-fan entrenchment and lower-fan deposition during the Holocene. Qf1 and Qf2 deposits are sub-horizontally bedded, clast-supported sandy gravels uniformly imbricated upfan. Comparison of soil profiles developed in these deposits to radiogenically-dated chronosequences within the region indicates that Qf1 and Qf2 are correlative with Bull Lake and Pinedale-age deposits, respectively. These relationships are substantiated by physical correlation of Qf1 and Qf2 with Bull Lake and Pinedale moraines, respectively, in the Cedar Creek drainage basin. The sedimentology and timing of Qf1 and Qf2 indicate deposition in high-energy, proglacial, braided streams. Furthermore, the present morphology of Cedar Creek alluvial fan was established largely during aggradation of Qf1 and Qf2 when sediment supply to the fan was sufficient to activate 60% to greater than 90% of the total fan area. During Bull Lake glaciation, the apex of Qf1 deposition formed the apex of Cedar Creek alluvial fan as Qf1 covered more than 90% of the present fan area. During Pinedale glaciation, Qf2 deposition shifted downfan; Qf2 is inset into Qf1 above the intersection point, but below the intersection point it eroded and/or buried Qf1 as it activated as much as 60% of the fan area. Qf3 and Qf4, comprising 21% of the fan area, are inset into Qf2 in the lower fan area. Soil development in Qf3 and Qf4 deposits indicate episodic deposition and entrenchment beginning in early Holocene and continuing to present. A post-glacial decrease in sediment supply to Cedar Creek alluvial fan is indicated by sediment storage within the Cedar Creek drainage basin. Decreased sediment supply to the fan resulted in upper-fan entrenchment of Qf2 and deposition of Qf3 and Qf4 in the lower-fan area.
Early-onset scleral and corneal ectasias following low-dose mitomycin-C-augmented trabeculectomy in a uveitic glaucoma patient.

A case of early-onset sclerolimbal ectasia following low-dose topical mitomycin C application during uveitic glaucoma surgery is reported. Intraoperative and postoperative clinical courses were consis
Synthesis, protonation, and reduction of ruthenium-peroxo complexes with pendent nitrogen bases.

Cyclopentadienyl and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) complexes have been synthesized with cyclic (RPCH2NR′CH2)2 ligands, with the goal of using these [CpR′′Ru(PR2NR′2)]+ complexes for catalytic O2 reduction to H2O (R = t-butyl, phenyl; R′ = benzyl, phenyl; R″ = methyl, H). In each compound, the Ru is coordinated to the two phosphines, positioning the amines of the ligand in the second coordination sphere where they may act as proton relays to a bound dioxygen ligand. The phosphine, amine, and cyclopentadienyl substituents have been systematically varied in order to understand the effects of each of these parameters on the properties of the complexes. These CpR″Ru(PR2NR′2)+ complexes react with O2 to form η2-peroxo complexes, which have been characterized by NMR, IR, and X-ray crystallography. The peak reduction potentials of the O2 ligated complexes have been shown by cyclic voltammetry to vary as much as 0.1 V upon varying the phosphine and amine. In the presence of acid, protonation of these c...
Predicting dispersion in porous media

We present a fundamental theory of solute dispersion in porous using (i) critical path analysis and cluster statistics of percolation theory far from the percolation threshold and (ii) the tortuosity and structure of large clusters near the percolation threshold. We use the simplest possible model of porous media, with a single length scale of heterogeneity in which the statistics of local conductances are uncorrelated. This combination of percolation-based techniques allows comprehensive investigation and predictions concerning the process of dispersion. Our predictions, which ignore molecular diffusion and make minimal use of unknown parameters, account for results obtained in a comprehensive set of nearly 1100 experiments performed on systems ranging in size from centimeters to 100 km. The success of our simple treatment overturns many existing notions about transport in porous media, such as (1) multiscale heterogeneity must be accounted for in predictions (single scale is sufficient), (2) geologic correlations are of great importance (the randomness of percolation theory is more appropriate for prediction than the most complicated models in other frameworks), (3) geologic complexity is more important than statistical physics (exactly the reverse), (4) knowledge of the subsurface is more important than knowledge of the initial conditions of the plume (the latter is critical, the former may be virtually irrelevant), (5) diffusion is dominant over advection (diffusion appears seldom to be relevant at all), (6) fracture networks are fundamentally different, and more complex, than porous media (the two are mostly equivalent), (7) the fractal structure of the medium is relevant to power-law behavior of the dispersion (in fact, at short times it is the heterogeneity of the medium, while at long times it is the fractal structure of the critical paths), and (8) there is a relation between an increase in dispersion with scale and a similar increase in the hydraulic conductivity (in fact the present model is consistent with both a diminishing hydraulic conductivity and a diminishing solute velocity with increasing spatial scale). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 16,43–55, 2010
Breast cancer: risk factors, screening, and prevention.

Objectives: To provide a review of the major and minor risk factors for the development of breast cancer and the options for prevention and treatment in women at high risk for breast cancer. Data Sources: Clinical and research articles and textbooks. Conclusions: Breast cancer is the leading cancer found in women in the United States. For high-risk women, understanding their risk, appropriate screening recommendations, and possible prevention strategies is paramount Implications for Nursing Practice: Through education and psychosocial support, the nurse can assist with decision-making regarding risk reduction and current prevention and treatment options.
Proper orthogonal decomposition of two vertical profiles of full-scale nonstationary downburst wind speeds[lzcl]

Abstract The paper proposes a novel analysis framework for nonstationary wind speeds, from which accumulated results can potentially lead to or enhance empirical nonstationary wind speed models such as the hybrid one for downbursts in (Eng. Struct. 26 (2004) 619). This framework is motivated by the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique and consists of four major steps: separation, POD, approximation and property inference. In the first step, the original wind speed time histories are separated into their time-varying mean speeds and fluctuating speeds through wavelet shrinkage, which is a promising new tool for smoothing; fluctuating speeds are further expressed as the product of their time-varying standard deviations and normalized fluctuating speeds with unit variance. In the second step, the POD is applied to the time-varying means, standard deviations and normalized fluctuation. In the third step, by properly selecting the number of retained modes, the original time series can be approximated to a numerical model. Finally, wind properties such as velocity vertical profiles and turbulence vertical profiles can be calculated from the model. The POD employed herein is a specific POD for arbitrary multivariate data representation. The normalized fluctuations are characterized by both their power spectral densities (PSD) and evolutionary power spectral densities (EPSD). The concept of EPSD for nonstationary processes is briefly presented and one EPSD estimator is given. Specifically, the PSD/EPSD of an original process is related to the PSD/EPSD of the principal coordinate process obtained by the POD. This framework is applied to two sets of nonstationary full-scale thunderstorm downburst wind speed time series. Many appealing downburst properties are obtained and the benefit of the POD is demonstrated.
Comparison of optical bioluminescence reporter gene and superparamagnetic iron oxide MR contrast agent as cell markers for noninvasive imaging of cardiac cell transplantation.

In this study, we compared firefly luciferase (Fluc) reporter gene and superparamagnetic iron oxide (Feridex) as cell markers for longitudinal monitoring of cardiomyoblast graft survival using optical bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively. Rats (n = 31) underwent an intramyocardial injection of cardiomyoblasts (2 × 106) labeled with Fluc, Feridex, or no marker (control) or an injection of Feridex alone (75 μg). Afterward, rats were serially imaged with BLI or MRI and killed at different time points for histological analysis. BLI revealed a drastically different cell survival kinetics (half-life = 2.65 days over 6 days) than that revealed by MRI (half-life = 16.8 days over 80 days). Injection of Feridex alone led to prolonged tissue retention of Feridex (≥16 days) and persistent MR signal (≥42 days). Fluc BLI reporter gene imaging is a more accurate gauge of transplanted cell survival as compared to MRI of Feridex-labeled cells.
Small Farms Definition and Policy Research Agenda: Discussion

The paper by Carlin and Crecink lays out quite well the necessity of formulating a definition of a small farm which conforms to the accepted notions as to what constitutes small and which is easily quantifiable for purposes of enumeration and statistical analysis. From the many discussions I have had with various groups, the definition nominally agreed upon by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) closely resembles that adopted by other groups, such as the National Rural Center, and would appear to meet both criteriaalthough there could be potential difficulties in identifying what constitutes a significant portion of family income, especially for operations which in a given census year may have experienced a net loss. Carlin and Crecink also have presented a description of farm families under two alternative definitions: (a) small business as defined by gross sales, and (b) low income. Their discussion reveals an overlap in the number of farms defined as small under both criteria and
The NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory Mission

The orbiting carbon observatory (OCO) is a NASA Earth system science pathfinder (ESSP) mission that is currently under development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). OCO will make global, space-based measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) with the precision, resolution, and coverage needed to characterize regional-scale sources and sinks of this important greenhouse gas. The observatory consists of a dedicated spacecraft bus that carries a single instrument. The bus employs single-string version of orbital sciences corporation (OSC) LEOStar-2 architecture. This 3-axis stabilized bus includes a propulsion system for orbit insertion and maintenance, provides power, points the instrument, receives and processes commands from the ground, and records, stores, and downlinks science and engineering data. The OCO instrument incorporates 3 co-boresighted, high resolution grating spectrometers that will make coincident measurements of reflected sunlight in near- infrared CO2 and molecular oxygen (O2) bands. The instrument was designed and manufactured by Hamilton Sundstrand (Pomona, CA), and then integrated, flight qualified, and calibrated by JPL. It is scheduled for delivery to OSC (Dulles, VA) for integration with the spacecraft bus in the spring of 2008. OCO will be launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base on a dedicated OSC Taurus XL launch vehicle in December 2008. It will fly in formation with the earth observing system afternoon constellation, a group of satellites that files in a 98.8 minute, 705 km altitude, sun-synchronous orbit. This orbit provides coverage of the sunlit hemisphere with a 16-day ground track repeat cycle. OCO will fly ~4 minutes ahead of the EOS Aqua platform, with an ascending nodal crossing time of ~1:26 PM. The OCO science data will be transmitted to the NASA ground network stations in Alaska and Virginia, and then transferred to the OCO ground data system at JPL. There, the CO2 and O2 spectra will be analyzed by the OCO Science Team to provide spatially resolved estimates of the column-averaged CO2 dry air mole fraction, XCO 2. These measurements are expected to improve our understanding of the nature and processes that regulate atmospheric CO2 enabling more reliable forecasts of CO2 buildup and its impact on climate change.
From Soviet modernization to post-Soviet transformation: Understanding marriage and fertility dynamics in Uzbekistan

In this article we analyse the dynamics of marriage and childbearing in Uzbekistan through the prism of the recent socioeconomic and political history of that country. After becoming an independent nation in 1991 Uzbekistan abandoned the Soviet modernization project and aspired to set out on a radically different course of economic social and political development. We argue however that not only independence but also the preceding period of perestroika reforms (1985-91) had a dramatic effect on social conditions and practices and consequently the demographic behaviour of the countrys population. Using data from the 1996 Uzbekistan Demographic and Health Survey we apply event-history analysis to examine changes in the timing of entry into first marriage first and second births over four periods: two periods of pre-perestroika socialism the perestroika years and the period since independence. We investigate the factors that influenced the timing of these events in each of the four periods among Uzbeks the countrys eponymous and largest ethnic group and among Uzbekistans urban population. In general our results point to a dialectic combination of continuity and change in Uzbekistans recent demographic trends which reflect the complex and contradictory nature of broader societal transformations in that and other parts of the former Soviet Union. (authors)
Role of a PH Sensitive Site in Enac Na+ Self-Inhibition

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) is key to the regulation of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure through its action in the aldosterone-sensitive nephron. Inhibition of ENaC by extracellular Na+, referred to as Na+ self-inhibition, likely occurs through an allosteric mechanism of Na+ binding to low affinity sites in the large extracellular regions of ENaC subunits. The effector binding sites and transduction pathways remain unidentified. A recent comparative model of the ENaC α subunit revealed an acidic cleft, analogous to the acidic region observed in the resolved structure of acid sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1). We hypothesized that this cleft and analogous clefts in the and subunits host Na+ effector sites. Mutations of acidic residues in the subunit acidic cleft led us to identify an aspartate on the loop connecting the central palm and β-ball domains that reaches towards the finger domain. We also identified nearby sites on the loop and other structures that affected Na+ self-inhibition. To determine whether these sites were involved in effector coordination, we measured the ability of mutants to change the effector specificity of Na+ self-inhibition, which is Na+ > Li+ >> K+ for wild type mouse ENaC. Mutation of the palm/-ball loop aspartate and several nearby sites weakened Na+ inhibition relative to Li+ and K+ inhibition. We hypothesized that protonating any carboxylate groups involved in Na+ coordination would weaken Na+ binding. Consistent with this, lowering the pH to 4.7 increased ENaC currents and reduced Na+ self-inhibition. Mutation of the palm/β-ball loop aspartate reversed pH activation of ENaC. Our results suggest that an aspartate in the acidic cleft of the subunit may coordinate Na+ for Na+ self-inhibition.
Simple-shear box experiments with floating ice rubble

Abstract A simple-shear box was used to study the shear strength characteristics of floating layers of vertically unconstrained ice rubble comprised of parallelpiped ice blocks. A comparative set of experiments was also performed using floating layers of parallelpiped plastic blocks in order to determine the origin of cohesion in ice rubble. Experiments were also performed using mushy ice. However, the shear-box proved not to be useful for determining the shear testing of mushy ice. The shear strength of a layer of ice rubble was found to depend on normal stress, which in turn was found to depend on rubble thickness, layer porosity, and shear rate. The dependence on shear rate of normal stress and, as a consequence, of shear strength of a layer of floating ice rubble is attributed to the development of freeze-bonds between the ice blocks comprising the rubble layer. It is argued that, at slower shear rates, more and stronger freeze-bonds develop than at higher shear rates, thus enabling the layer to withstand larger normal stresses and, consequently, shear strengths that increase with decreasing shear rates. If the influence of freeze-bonding on normal stress is taken into account, and if a Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is used to characterize shear strength, it is found that a floating layer of ice rubble undergoing continuous-shear deforms as a cohesionless material; or at least as a material with unique cohesive properties.
Interactions between multiple genetic determinants in the 5' UTR and VP1 capsid control pathogenesis of chronic post-viral myopathy caused by coxsackievirus B1.

Abstract Mice infected with coxsackievirus B1 Tucson (CVB1 T ) develop chronic, post-viral myopathy (PVM) with clinical manifestations of hind limb muscle weakness and myositis. The objective of the current study was to establish the genetic basis of myopathogenicity in CVB1 T . Using a reverse genetics approach, full attenuation of PVM could only be achieved by simultaneously mutating four sites located at C706U in the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) and at Y87F, V136A, and T276A in the VP1 capsid. Engineering these four myopathic determinants into an amyopathic CVB1 T variant restored the ability to cause PVM. Moreover, these same four determinants controlled PVM expression in a second strain of mice, indicating that the underlying mechanism is operational in mice of different genetic backgrounds. Modeling studies predict that C706U alters both local and long range pairing in the 5′ UTR, and that VP1 determinants are located on the capsid surface. However, these differences did not affect viral titers, temperature stability, pH stability, or the antibody response to virus. These studies demonstrate that PVM develops from a complex interplay between viral determinants in the 5′ UTR and VP1 capsid and have uncovered intriguing similarities between genetic determinants that cause PVM and those involved in pathogenesis of other enteroviruses.
The Core-Quasiparticle Model For Odd-Odd Nuclei And Applications To Candidates For Gamma-Ray Lasers

A reliable estimate of the properties of isomers that may be viable candidates for a gamma-ray laser requires the use of the most accurate wave functions possible. The majority of models that have been used to estimate the properties of isomers are applicable to only selected regions of the nuclear mass table. In particular, the Bohr-Mottelson model of odd-A and odd-odd nuclei will fail if the even-even core is not strongly deformed or if the deformations are changing strongly as a function of mass. The problem is overcome in a new core-quasiparticle model for odd-odd nuclei; it is a generalization of work by Donau and Frauendorf-'2 for odd-A nuclei. The model introduces the pairing interaction ab initio; the odd-A states are mixtures of particle and hole states. The core may be soft towards deformation or axial asymmetry and may change rapidly as a function of mass. Thus, the model is ideally suited for application to the region of transitional nuclei such as the Te, La, and Os regions.
Parathyroid hormone-sensitive adenyl cyclase in isolated renal tubules.

Tubules were isolated from kidneys of rats after incubation with collagenase and the effect of parathyroid hormone on adenyl cyclase in this tissue was studied. Adenyl cyclase in homogenates of tubules was assayed by measuring conversion of ATP-α-32P to cyclic 3′,5′-AM32P. Incorporating an ATP-regenerating system (phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate kinase) enhanced the sensitivity of the system. Virtually all of the enzyme activity in the renal cortex was found in the tubules. Parathyroid hormone caused rapid activation of the enzyme in tubules from the renal cortex; enzyme activity was directly proportional to the concentration of parathyroid hormone over the range of 0.05 to 5 μg/ml. The effect of parathyroid hormone was much greater with tubules isolated from the renal cortex than with those from the medulla. In contrast, arginine vasopressin activated the enzyme in the medulla but not the cortex. Epinephrine, glucagon and thyrocalcitonin caused an increase in enzyme activity but showed no dose-response ...