cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A method of synthesis of linear time-variant systems†

Abstract A method of synthesis of linear time-variant systems using plane impulse train approximation is presented. This method leads to parallel element configuration. A number of models corresponding to different methods of representation are developed. An illustrative example is worked out.
Correlated hopping model for singlet exciton transport in lightly doped naphthalene crystals

A formalism of correlated lattice random walk is applied to the singlet exciton transport in naphthalene. Ruorescence experiments on excitation migration in naphthalene crystals (C&Is and Cl ODE), lightly doped chemically (anthracene) or isotopically (ClnDH7), over a wide temperature range (2-300 K) are interpreted in terms of a correlated hopping model. The hopping time is found to be of the order of 1 ps. The increase in the overall quenching (supertrapping) efficiency with reduced temperature is interpreted in terms of an increase by one or more orders of magnitude in the parameter of coherency (hopping correlation). The role of the trapping cross section is discussed.
Integrating New Learner Outcomes to a Mechanical Engineering Technology Advanced Machining Course

A description follows of the new subject material and assessment process introduced to an Advanced Machining & NC Programming course for the purpose of improving its manufacturing industry content, thereby meeting our accredited Mechanical Engineering Technology program learner outcomes. The new outcomes introduced to the course include the following concepts: 1. Quality and Statistical Process Control, 2. Teamwork, 3. Economics and Cycle Times, 4. Work Flow and Flexible Manufacturing, and 5. Integrated Design and Manufacturing. This new subject material was assessed by three means: 1. Team performance, 2. Project success and 3. Student post-course evaluations. These outcomes are also discussed in their relationship to criteria put forth in the proposed ABET/TAC 2004–2005 Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Technology Programs.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Existence and uniqueness of solutions to the backward 2D stochastic Navier–Stokes equations

Abstract The backward two-dimensional stochastic Navier–Stokes equations (BSNSEs, for short) with suitable perturbations are studied in this paper, over bounded domains for incompressible fluid flow. A priori estimates for adapted solutions of the BSNSEs are obtained which reveal a pathwise L ∞ ( H ) bound on the solutions. The existence and uniqueness of solutions are proved by using a monotonicity argument for bounded terminal data. The continuity of the adapted solutions with respect to the terminal data is also established.
Mutagenicity of the malondialdehyde oligomerization products 2-(3′-oxo-1′-propenyl)-malondialdehyde and 2,4-dihydroxymethylene-3-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)glutaraldehyde in Salmonella

Abstract Malondialdehyde (MDA), a byproduct of non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation and prostaglandin biosynthesis, has been shown to be a weak frameshift mutagen in Salmonella mutagenicity assays. Because it is a dialdehyde, MDA can undergo self condensation to form polymeric products. It is possible that these condensation products are highly mutagenic and have contributed to previously reported estimates of MDA mutagenicity. We synthesized two major MDA polymerization products, (1) 2-(3′-oxo-1′-propenyl)-malondialdehyde [(MDA) 2 ] and (2) 2,4-dihydroxymethylene-3-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)glutaraldehyde [(MDA) 3 Me 2 ] and tested their mutagenicity in the Salmonella frameshift tester strains hisD3052 and TA94 ( hisD3052 /pKM101). Analysis of the reversion rates revealed both (MDA) 2 and (MDA) 3 Me 2 to be weak mutagens, approximately equipotent to MDA. Although both (MDA) 2 and (MDA) 3 Me 2 are mutagenic, the fact that their formation is thermodynamically unfavorable under physiological conditions suggests they do not contribute significantly to the mutagenicity of MDA solutions.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Electronic Cigarettes: A Scientific Review”

Our article1 reviewed the 5 population-based studies of the relationship between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation available at the time. All 5 revealed less cigarette cessation among smokers who used e-cigarettes than among smokers who did not use e-cigarettes. We pooled these results in a meta-analysis and found significantly less quitting among smokers who used e-cigarettes than smokers who did not use e-cigarettes (odds of quitting, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.50–0.75) Herzig lists possible problems with the studies and so dismisses the overall conclusion. We recognized these limitations in our article. Most important, we recognized that “A limitation of 3 …
Women's stories of their experiences as overweight patients.

Title. Women’s stories of their experiences as overweight patients. Aim. This paper is a report of a study to illuminate the meaning of women’s experiences as overweight patients in their encounters with healthcare services and healthcare providers. Background. Overweight and obesity are increasingly important issues for women’s health internationally. Overweight or obese women may delay or avoid health care if care providers have previously reacted negatively to them based on weight. However, studies focusing on the meaning of women’s experiences as overweight patients and as recipients of healthcare services are lacking. Method. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in the United States of America in 2007 with eight women volunteers who self-identified as being overweight patients. The framework of van Manen’s lifeworld existentials of lived space, lived body, lived time and lived relation-guided reflection for data analysis. Findings. The essence of women’s experiences was a battle to fit into the world of healthcare services. Four major themes were identified. ‘Struggling to fit in’ consisted of trying to fit into limited physical space (examination rooms, equipment), limited time, and limited satisfaction and support in relationships with healthcare providers. ‘Being dismissed’ consisted of demeaning and embarrassing interactions with providers. ‘Feeling not quite human’ involved the stigma of being different because of body size. ‘Refusing to give up’ consisted of persistence in seeking support and advice from professionals despite negative past experiences. Conclusion. Awareness of these findings could reform understanding of women’s experiences as overweight patients and raise the consciousness of nurses worldwide to develop sensitive communication strategies and healthcare environments that support holistic care.
Effect of antibiotics on the physical and biochemical properties of irradiated boll weevil adults (Anthonomus grandis boh.)

Abstract 1. 1. Tests were conducted to establish the effects of antibiotic combinations on the longevity of boll weevils sterilized by irradiation. 2. 2. Mortality was reduced 60 and 12% at day 5 and day 10 post-irradiation, respectively, when fed antibiotic combinations in the diet 5 days prior to irradiation. 3. 3. Insect feeding was reduced 75% over the 10-day post-irradiation period. 4. 4. Protein and lipid digestion (wt-wt) was reduced 59 and 29%, respectively, over the same period. 5. 5. Longevity can be extended from day 5 to day 10 by maintaining a bacteria-free insect. 6. 6. The growth rate of common bacteria on the insect diet shows a rapid growth followed by a rapid decline to a stationary level within hours.
Black bile of melancholy or gallstones of biliary colics: historical perspectives on cholelithiasis.

Barely 130 years after its first description, cholecystectomies are among the most commonly performed surgeries in the USA. The success of this operation with subsequent technical improvements, such as laparoscopic approaches, caused a paradigm shift in the management of gallstone disease. However, symptoms persist in 10–40 % of successfully operated patients. Reviewing monographs, textbooks, and articles published during the last 300 years, several important factors emerge as likely contributors to limited or poor treatment responses. Early on, clinicians recognized that cholelithiasis is quite common and thus often an incidental finding, especially if patients present with vague or atypical symptoms. Consistent with these observations, patients with such atypical symptoms are less likely to benefit from cholecystectomy. Similarly, lasting improvements are more reliably seen in patients with symptoms of presumed biliary origin and documented gallstones compared to individuals without stones, an important point in view of increasing rates of surgery for biliary dyskinesia. While cholelithiasis can cause serious complications, the overall incidence of clinically relevant problems is so low that prophylactic cholecystectomy cannot be justified. This conclusion corresponds to epidemiologic data showing that the rise in elective cholecystectomies decreased hospitalizations due to gallstone disease, but was associated with a higher volume of postoperative complications, ultimately resulting in stable combined mortality due to gallstone disease and its treatment. These trends highlight the tremendous gains in managing gallstone disease, while at the same time reminding us that the tightening rather than expanding indications for cholecystectomy may improve outcomes.
Process Modeling of Composite Materials: Residual Stress Development during Cure. Part II. Experimental Validation

In a companion paper [1] a process model was developed for investigation of residual stress development during autoclave or hot press processing of thermosetting polymer matrix composites. Several ...
Concept Versus Expository Method of Teaching Family Relationships

Experimental comparison was made of the effect of the concept and expository methods of teaching family relationships on the acquisition, transfer, and retention of knowledge of college students enrolled in a family relationships course. One-half of the sections of the course were taught during the fall semester and the remaining half were taught the following spring semester. Subjects included sophomores, juniors, and seniors, both male and female. Teaching procedures for both expository and conceptual methods were developed jointly by the investigators. Learning experiences were organized for both teaching methods about four concepts: (1) respect, (2) empathy, (3) communication, and (4) love. A pretest measured the students' entering knowledge of the concepts. Two posttests were used, one to measure concept acquisition and retention, and the other to measure transfer of knowledge. A 2 × 2 × 2 (method × teacher × semester) analysis of covariance procedure with the pretest as a covariate and a comparable analysis of variance procedure were used to analyze the data. Compared with students in the expository classes, students taught by the conceptual method were not significantly different in test scores for concept attainment, transfer, or retention of knowledge.
Hyperfine Structure in Europium Metal

M\"ossbauer resonance experiments were performed on europium metal, using the 21.7-keV gamma ray in ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{151}$. The N\'eel point of 87\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K was confirmed. Above this temperature a single line was observed and attributed to paramagnetic relaxation. At 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K a six-line spectrum was found. Analysis yielded a spin of $\frac{7}{2}$ and a moment of +2.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 nm for the 21.7 keV excited state, an internal field of 264\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}8 kG, and an isomeric chemical shift of -0.81\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 cm/sec, relative to ${\mathrm{Eu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. This is consistent with an electronic level $4{f}^{7}6{s}^{2}$, $^{8}S_{\frac{7}{2}}$ for the europium atom. The effect of nuclear deformation on isomeric chemical shifts is considered, and it is concluded that ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{151}$, with a moderately deformed ground state, has a less deformed excited state at 21.7 keV.
Slow massive transformation in Fe and FeNi alloys

On montre que les transformations massives peuvent etre classees en deux groupes: transformation massive rapide et transformation massive lente. Une transformation massive lente est possible quand la reaction a lieu pres de l'equilibre local. La largeur du produit de transformation massive lente varie avec la composition et la vitesse de refroidissement
An adaptive global-local approach to modeling functionally graded materials

Abstract One of the main difficulties in the computational analysis of functionally graded materials (FGMs) is that any attempt to explicitly model the details of the material microstructure leads to an unmanageable number of degrees of freedom. This has led to the use of averaging techniques that seek to characterize the overall behavior of the FGM by using homogenization or averaging techniques, effectively smearing out the fine-scale material information. The resulting homogenized material model is computationally simpler, but its accuracy is usually not known. We present an adaptive global–local approach to the analysis of linearly elastic FGMs in which the modeling error resulting from the use of averaging techniques is estimated and controlled in a systematic manner. The procedure does not require knowledge of the exact “fine-scale” solution. If the estimated modeling error in a region exceeds a preset tolerance, the material model is refined by employing a local model that takes into account the fine-scale microstructure in that region. The boundary conditions for the local model are derived from the (global) homogenized model. The error estimation procedure and the adaptive algorithm are discussed and representative numerical experiments are presented.
An Inquiry into the Green Disciplining of Capital

‘Following the money’ has become a popular strategy for many NGOs trying to change corporate and institutional practice. Individual shareholders, pension funds, banks, and other investors capitalize projects that cause ecological degradation or social injustice. Pressuring shareholders to divest, invest responsibly, or encourage executives to alter undesirable practices has become de rigueur for civil-society groups working for social change. Such strategies produce value or norm change, greater accountability, activist networks across national boundaries, and improvements in environmental management. Disinvestment helped bring down apartheid in South Africa. But how far can these ‘disciplining’ strategies go in terms of significantly ameliorating ecological destruction and violations of human rights? I explore this question using the case study of the campaign by Friends of the Earth against the operations of Freeport – McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. in Irian Jaya (West Papua).
Justifying Conclusions in Naturalistic Evaluations.

Abstract Use of an interpretive perspective in naturalistic inquiry is one way to reconcile assumptions and practice in naturalistic evaluations, particularly concerning the justification of evaluation conclusions. In this paper I conclude that naturalistic evaluation based on an interpretive perspective cannot appeal to external methodological criteria, like trustworthiness criteria, for protection against bias in reaching evaluation conclusions. I suggest that claims for evaluation conclusions depend on the evaluator as interpreter — using his or her skills of persuasion and analysis to mediate among perspectives, selected evidence and claims for conclusions.
Infective endocarditis caused by Neisseria flavescens

Neisseria flavescens is a rare cause of human disease. This is the first reported case of endocarditis caused by N. flavescens. The organism produced beta-lactamase, and penicillin therapy failed to cure the infection. Therapy with cefotaxime, to which the organism was highly sensitive, led to a complete and uneventful recovery.
Rac1 modification by an electrophilic 15-deoxy Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 analog

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are important for maintaining vascular homeostasis. Dysfunction of ECs contributes to cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, and can impair the healing process during vascular injury. An important mediator of EC response to stress is the GTPase Rac1. Rac1 responds to extracellular signals and is involved in cytoskeletal rearrangement, reactive oxygen species generation and cell cycle progression. Rac1 interacts with effector proteins to elicit EC spreading and formation of cell-to-cell junctions. Rac1 activity has recently been shown to be modulated by glutathiolation or S-nitrosation via an active site cysteine residue. However, it is not known whether other redox signaling compounds can modulate Rac1 activity. An important redox signaling mediator is the electrophilic lipid, 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2). This compound is a downstream product of cyclooxygenase and forms covalent adducts with specific cysteine residues, and induces cellular signaling in a pleiotropic manner. In this study, we demonstrate that a biotin-tagged analog of 15d-PGJ2 (bt-15d-PGJ2) forms an adduct with Rac1 in vitro at the C157 residue, and an additional adduct was detected on the tryptic peptide associated with C178. Rac1 modification in addition to modulation of Rac1 activity by bt-15d-PGJ2 was observed in cultured ECs. In addition, decreased EC migration and cell spreading were observed in response to the electrophile. These results demonstrate for the first time that Rac1 is a target for 15d-PGJ2 in ECs, and suggest that Rac1 modification by electrophiles such as 15d-PGJ2 may alter redox signaling and EC function.
High Catalytic Rates for Hydrogen Production Using Nickel Electrocatalysts with Seven-Membered Cyclic Diphosphine Ligands Containing One Pendant Amine

A series of Ni-based electrocatalysts, [Ni(7PPh2NC6H4X)2](BF4)2, featuring seven-membered cyclic diphosphine ligands incorporating a single amine base, 1-para-X-phenyl-3,6-triphenyl-1-aza-3,6-diphosphacycloheptane (7PPh2NC6H4X, where X = OMe, Me, Br, Cl, or CF3), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffraction studies have established that the [Ni(7PPh2NC6H4X)2]2+ complexes have a square planar geometry, with bonds to four phosphorus atoms of the two bidentate diphosphine ligands. Each of the complexes is an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen production at the potential of the Ni(II/I) couple, with turnover frequencies ranging from 2400 to 27 000 s–1 with [(DMF)H]+ in acetonitrile. Addition of water (up to 1.0 M) accelerates the catalysis, giving turnover frequencies ranging from 4100 to 96 000 s–1. Computational studies carried out on the [Ni(7PPh2NC6H4X)2]2+ family indicate the catalytic rates reach a maximum when the electron-donating character of X results in the pKa of the Ni(I) proton...
Optical Control of Electrons During Electron Transfer

The dynamics of electron transfer reactions in solution can be controlled with the use of a sequence of femtosecond laser pulses. In the charge transfer to solvent (CTTS) reaction of sodide (Na−) in tetrahydrofuran, an initial light pulse launched the CTTS reaction, ejecting an electron into either an immediate or a solvent-separated Na0:solvated electron contact pair. A second pulse was used to excite the electrons in the contact pairs, and a third pulse monitored the amount of Na− produced through the back electron transfer. Excitation of the electrons in immediate contact pairs shut off the back electron transfer, whereas excitation of the electrons in solvent-separated pairs both enhanced and hindered the back electron transfer.
A restricted class of exact eigenstates of the pairing-force Hamiltonian

The existence of a restricted class of eigenstates of the pairing-force hamiltonian that contains N pairs of particles and which are natural generalizations of those states containing one pair is shown by using a method that is easier than direct diagonalization of the hamiltonian. (D.C.W.)
Signal sequence mutations disrupt feedback between secretion of an exported protein and its synthesis in E. coli

Recent studies in a eukaryotic system indicate that a block in secretion can lead to a block in the translation of secretory proteins1. This feedback on protein synthesis is thought to be a result of an interaction of the signal recognition particle with the signal sequences of nascent proteins. Genetic studies in the prokaryote Escherichia coli suggest that a complex secretion machinery2–6 and a similar feedback mechanism7 exist. In addition, mutations affecting two genes, secA and secC, thought to encode components of the bacterial secretion machinery, selectively interfere with the synthesis of exported proteins. This selective interference with translation may be a result of recognition by the secretion machinery of signal sequences. If so, alteration of the signal sequence of a particular protein by mutation should eliminate the block in synthesis for that protein. We show here that signal sequence mutants for an exported protein, maltose binding protein, prevent the block in synthesis of this protein in a secA mutant.
Renal involvement in the immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) disorder

Immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) disorder is an autoimmune disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor. These mutations affect the normal function of circulating regulatory T cells. IPEX is characterized by profound immune dysregulation leading to dermatitis, enteropathy, multiple endocrinopathies and failure to thrive. Different forms of renal injury have also been noted in these patients but these have been described to a very limited extent. Three patients with IPEX with characteristic renal findings and mutations in FOXP3, including one novel mutation, are described. Case presentations are followed by a review of the renal manifestations noted in IPEX and the range of therapeutic options for this disorder. We recommend that IPEX be considered in the differential diagnosis of young children who present with signs of immune dysregulation with a concomitant renal biopsy demonstrating immune complex deposition in a membranous-like pattern and/or interstitial nephritis.
Determination of nonstationary temperature fields and stress state in bidirectionally tapered shells of revolution

A procedure is developed for determination of the nonstationary temperature fields in shells of revolution, which are tapered in two directions and subjected to nonaxisymmetric convective heat exchange with the surrounding medium. In that case, two approaches are used: the first approach is based on use of finite differences in the meridional and circumferential directions, while in the second, the method of integral relationships is employed around the circumference, and finite differences in the meridional direction. In both approaches, power polynomials are used for the thickness variable, and an explicit difference scheme for time. The thermoelastic stress state is determined using the Kirchhoff-Love hypothesis. The method of integral relationships is used in the circumferential direction, and the method of discrete orthogonalization in the meridional direction. Results of numerical investigations are presented.
Low CO content hydrogen production from bio-ethanol using a combined plasma reforming-catalytic water gas shift reactor

Abstract Bio-ethanol reforming was studied using a plasma-catalytic reactor for hydrogen production at low temperature and atmospheric pressure without diluent gas or external heating. The plasma applied was a DC pulse discharge (corona) plasma. The water gas shift (WGS) catalyst was put just below the cathode electrode. The discharge generated heat was effectively used for feed vaporization and the WGS reaction. The large amounts of CO (∼30%) in the H 2 rich gas formed in plasma reforming of ethanol (H 2 O/ethanol = 6) was successfully reduced to ∼0.8% when a Pt/TiO 2 and Pt–Re/TiO 2 stacked bed were used for in situ WGS catalysis with a gas hourly space velocity up to 12,000 cm 3 g −1 h −1 . The resultant gases contain ∼73% H 2 and ∼23% CO 2 , with small amounts of CO, CH 4 , and C 2 H 6 , that is suitable for H 2 fuel cell use after residual CO removal. Stability tests with daily startup–shutdown showed both plasma and catalyst are stable. The plasma-catalytic system is promising for low CO content H 2 production, and could be extended to other applications.
Is computer science science

Computer science meets every criterion for being a science, but it has a self-inflicted credibility problem.
Organization of DNA into foci during replication

In metazoan cells, DNA replication during the S phase of the cell cycle takes place at discrete locations within the nucleus. These sites, or foci, appear to participate in clustering many replicons together and synchronously regulating the activation of these replicon units. Consistent with this role. many replication proteins have been observed to attach to foci during the S phase of the cell cycle. Recently, cell-free replication extracts have been used both to characterize the events that are involved in either the formation of these sites or in the regulation of foci assembly, and to purify candidate proteins which may be integral core structural proteins responsible for forming foci. These advances provide a foundation for investigating foci structure and function at a biochemical level.
Looking at a Gaussian process through a window

Abstract We show that an observer recording only the presence or absence of a Gaussian process in a window can reconstruct its correlation function.
The Old Story No Longer Fits

Accidents, illnesses, disabilities can change a person's life in an instant. As a chaplain, as a pastor, it is humbling to sit with that person who must now work to reprioritize their life, reform their relationships, re-author their stories. How can I help them?
On the galton-watson branching process: application of a method of moments and recursive determination for certain distributions

The Galton-Watson branching process is investigated for certain distributions including members of the Poisson, binomial, geometric, and uniform families. Use of moments and application of the Pearson system of frequency distributions are considered. In addition, recursive determination of exact probability distributions is studied.
Low temperature catalytic NO oxidation over microporous materials

Abstract It is shown that NO oxidation is catalyzed by chabazite zeolites in the proton (H+), sodium (Na+) and siliceous forms, by microporous carbons and by the metal-organic framework (MOF) material Basolite A100® at temperatures between 298 K and 423 K. Reaction orders at low conversion for NO and O2 are 2 and 1, as observed for the gas-phase reaction. At higher conversion and low temperatures, the rate decreases because of the presence of various NxOy species within the pores of the materials. Catalytic rates decrease with increasing temperature and yield negative apparent activation energies (−24.9 to −37.5 kJ mol−1). The catalytic properties of the samples are attributed to their ability to stabilize a [N2O4]‡ transition state within the micropores through van der Waals forces. Na-SSZ-13 samples exhibit faster catalytic rates than siliceous chabazite due to the additional presence of electrostatic forces stabilizing the transition state. An enhancement of catalytic rates on H-SSZ-13 is also observed but is the result of more complex interactions due to the formation of NO+ and NO 3 - in the zeolite pores that can also stabilize the [N2O4]‡.
Influence of Non‐Stoichiometry on the Structure and Properties of Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 Microwave Dielectrics: II. Compositional Variations in Pure BZN

The formation of non-stoichiometric cubic perovskite solid solutions based on BaZn1/3Nb2/3O3 (BZN) was examined along 10 different directions in the BaO–ZnO–Nb2O5 ternary system. Limited ranges of non-stoichiometry were observed along several pseudo-binaries and the BZN structure can accommodate a variety of different types of defects. Although the deviations from stoichiometry are quite small, typically ∼1 mole%, they induce large changes in the extent and stability of the 1:2 B-site ordering, the sintering and microstructure, and the dielectric loss properties. The highest Q×fs (∼110 000 at 8 GHz) in the system, which coincide with the highest degree of order, were located in two regions along the BZN–Ba5Nb4O15 and BZN–BaNb2O6 lines. The results of this study provide an explanation for the large variations in crystal structure and Q×fs previously reported for BZN and other related systems (e.g., Ba(Zn1/3Ta2/3)O3), and demonstrate that non-stoichiometric starting compositions provide a route to the highest Q values.
Prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy in patients with hereditary antithrombin deficiency.

OBJECTIVE The aims of the study reported here were to provide data from six pregnant subjects who were enrolled in a clinical trial of antithrombin (AT) concentrate, discuss other published case series and case reports, and provide general guidance for the use of AT concentrate for inherited AT deficiency in pregnancy. METHODS In the late 1980s, 31 AT-deficient subjects were enrolled in a prospective treatment trial of the plasma-derived AT concentrate Thrombate III®. Herein, newly available treatment data about the six pregnant subjects in the trial is tabulated and summarized. RESULTS All six experienced venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy, were dosed according to a weight-based protocol, and were treated concomitantly with anticoagulation. Loading doses of AT concentrate of 54-62 units/kg were followed by maintenance doses of 50%-100% of the loading dose for 3-10 days. At the time of labor, loading doses of 46-50 units/kg were followed by maintenance doses of 50%-75% of the loading dose for 5-7 days. None of the six experienced recurrent thrombosis while receiving treatment with AT concentrate. CONCLUSION Currently we suggest that women with AT deficiency who are pregnant or postpartum and have a personal history of VTE or current VTE receive AT concentrates.
Multiscale methods for engineering double negative metamaterials

The approach taken here solves the Maxwell equations inside metamaterial crystals directly and explicitly with no approximations made. The Bloch wave solution and dispersion relation is given by a power series in the ratio between wave number and period. Each term is iteratively defined by the solution of an auxiliary problem depending on the configuration and shapes of the scatterers. The leading order term in the power series for the dispersion relation is given by the complex effective index of refraction. The effective properties and their resonance frequencies depend explicitly on the shape of the scatterers. Double negative behavior is explicitly controlled by the location of resonance frequencies related to spectra intrinsic to the geometric configuration of the multi-phase inclusions. This provides for the rational shape design of inclusions for control of double negative behavior across prescribed frequency ranges.
Extracting Logic Circuit Structure from Conjunctive Normal Form Descriptions

Boolean satisfiability is seeing increasing use as a decision procedure in electronic design automation (EDA) and other domains. Most applications encode their domain specific constraints in conjunctive normal form (CNF), which is accepted as input by most efficient contemporary SAT solvers (Moskewicz et al., 2001). However, such translation may have information loss. For example, when a circuit is encoded into CNF, structural information such as gate orientation, logic paths, signal observability, etc. is lost. However, recent research (Li, 2000) shows that a substantial amount of the lost information can be restored in circuit form. This paper presents an efficient algorithm (CNF2CKT) for extracting circuit information from CNF instances. CNF2CKT is optimal in the sense that it extracts a maximum acyclic combinational circuit from any given CNF using the logic gates pre-specified in a library. The extracted circuit structure is valuable in various ways, particularly when the CNF is not encoded from the circuit, or the circuit description is not readily available. As an example, we show that the extracted circuit structure can be used to derive circuit observability don't cares (Bartlett et al., 1988) for speeding up CNF-SAT (Fu et al., 2005)
How Gaussian radial basis functions work

The learning associated with radial basis function networks is investigated. The author examines the method of gradient descent for learning the weights and discusses the nature of the learning process. The results obtained explain why the networks learn and the nonuniform convergence for different frequencies. It is also found that the choice of Gaussians as the basis functions may not be effective in dealing with the high-frequency components of a complicated mapping due to excessively slow convergence. Computer simulation is used to show that some simple choice of a basis function can yield much better results. >
Molecular Variation at the vermilion Locus in Geographically Diverse Populations of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans

We surveyed nucleotide variation at vermilion in population samples of Drosophila melanogaster from Africa, Asia and the Americas to test the hypothesis that the vermilion gene was a target of balancing selection and to improve our understanding of geographic differentiation. Patterns of polymorphism and divergence showed no evidence for non-neutral evolution. However, the frequency spectrum of polymorphic sites in some non-African samples departed from the neutral equilibrium expectation. Furthermore, there were high levels of linkage disequilibrium in non-African samples, despite apparently high rates of crossing over in the vermilion region. In the absence of comparable data from other loci in these same population samples, we cannot determine whether the unusual patterns of variation at vermilion reflect demographic as opposed to locus-specific events. We found surprisingly high levels of differentiation at vermilion between U.S. and Congo samples of D. simulans. In light of previously published allozyme and mtDNA data that provided no evidence for significant differentiation between African and non-African D. simulans populations, the vermilion data raise the possibility that both mtDNA and allozymes have been influenced by selection.
Child Labor in Transition in Vietnam

Vietnam experienced a dramatic decline in child labor during the 1990s. The authors explore this decline in detail and document the heterogeneity across households in both levels of child labor and in the incidence of this decline in child labor. The authors find a strong correlation between living standards improvements and child labor so that much of the variation in declines in child labor can be explained by variation in living standards improvements. Ethnic minority children and the children of recent migrants appear to remain particularly vulnerable even by the late 1990s. Children of all ethnicities in the Central Highlands appear to have missed many of the improvements in the 1990s, while children in the rural Mekong and in Provincial Towns have experienced the largest declines in child labor. The results suggest embedding efforts against child labor within an overall antipoverty program. The authors find that the opening or closing of household enterprises seems to be associated with increases in child labor. So attention should be devoted to the activities of children in the government's current program to stimulate nonfarm enterprises.
On the Surface Potentials of Unimolecular Films of Ergosterol. The Photochemical Formation of Vitamin D

The mechanism of the photochemical conversion ergosterol into vitamin D is not known, but two interesting views, supported by experimental evidence, have been offered in explanation. While both theories suggest that vitamin D is formed as a result of an isomeric change in the ergosterol molecule they differ considerably in that the active product of irradiation is assumed to be a ketone and an alcohol respectively. The arguments in favour of the ketone formation are dependent on the lability of the hydrogen atoms of the secondary alcohol group. An intra-or inter-molecular dehydrogenation is supposed to occur resulting in the formation of ketones with two or three double bonds of which the former is isomeric with ergosterol. Rosenheim and Adam have suggested the above mechanism in view of the similarity of the force-area characteristics, also theposition of the absorption maxima of oxycholesteriline and a potent vitamin D preparation.
Why Do Some Men Misperceive Women's Sexual Intentions More Frequently Than Others Do? An Application of the Confluence Model

Although many researchers have documented men's tendency to misperceive women's friendliness as a sign of sexual interest, few have examined individual differences in men's attitudes and past experiences that might predict their likelihood of making these types of misjudgments. We applied an expanded version of Malamuth, Sockloskie, Koss, and Tanaka's (1991) Confluence model to predict frequency of misperception of women's sexual intent with a sample of 356 male college students. Using structural equation modeling, hostile masculinity, impersonal sex, and drinking in dating and sexual situations predicted men's frequency of misperception. Furthermore, the more risk factors men possessed, the more times they misperceived women's sexual intentions. Suggestions are made for theory development and future research incorporating situational as well as personality measures in longitudinal studies.
The Bax subfamily of Bcl2-related proteins is essential for apoptotic signal transduction by c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase.

Targeted gene disruption studies have established that the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is required for stress-induced release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and apoptosis. Here we demonstrate that activated JNK is sufficient to induce rapid cytochrome c release and apoptosis. However, activated JNK fails to cause death in cells deficient of members of the Bax subfamily of proapoptotic Bcl2-related proteins. Furthermore, exposure to stress fails to activate Bax, cause cytochrome c release, and induce death in JNK-deficient cells. These data demonstrate that proapoptotic members of the Bax protein subfamily are essential for JNK-dependent apoptosis.
A comparative analysis of information acquisition mechanisms for discrete resource allocation

Discrete resource allocation problems (RAPs) deal with making decisions that result in an optimal deployment of indivisible scarce resources among a group of agents so as to achieve the maximum aggregate utility. One prerequisite for solving the discrete RAP is that the decision maker be cognizant of the individual utility functions for the agents involved. When an agent's preference information is not available, the decision maker needs to gather such information through an inquiry process. The information acquisition process entails its own costs such as communication costs and computation costs. In this paper, three different information inference mechanisms merging, ranking, and entropy - are proposed and compared for the information acquisition process in the discrete RAP. It is found that the merging mechanism results in the least computation costs for the decision maker while the entropy mechanism incurs the least communication costs.
Network Aspects of the Fermilab Control System

The control system of the Fermi National Accelerator is a heavily computerized network of distributed processors. One part of the control system includes a multidrop network of eleven Lockheed MAC-16 processors, a Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-ll computer, a Xerox 530, and a Control Data 6600 system. These computers exchange information using serial hardware and dedicated cable buses. This paper attempts to explain the individual functions of the central processing units in this network, describes the message protocols for computer communications, and deduces design guidelines for future distributed processing control systems.
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ALLOZYME FREQUENCIES AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS IN GAILLARDIA PULCHELLA (COMPOSITAE)

Selection favoring different alleles in different environments frequently has been suggested as an explanation for allozyme variation within and among populations. This hypothesis predicts that allozyme frequencies will be correlated with environmental vari- ables. Previous studies on allozyme frequency-environment covariation in plants often have relied on qualitative assessments of the environment and have emphasized highly autoga- mous species. We have examined allozyme frequency-soil associations in Gaillardia pul- chella, an obligately outcrossed annual plant, by regressing the frequencies of 15 common allozymes representing six polymorphic enzyme loci on principal components from a set of 20 quantitative soil variables. Fifty-one populations, representing four taxonomic varieties, were included in the analysis. Among the 26 populations representing the var. pulchella, allozymes Adh-2f and Pgm-lc were significantly associated with a block of highly inter- correlated soil characteristics which serve to discriminate between soils derived from cal- careous vs. non-calcareous rock types. This geographically complex pattern of allozyme frequency-soil covariation is not likely to be spurious and, thus, indicates the presence of adaptively differentiated soil races, or ecotypes. However, these results are not sufficient to conclude that the allozyme frequency divergence between ecotypes was mediated by selec- tion, either directly or through genetic hitchhiking. The pattern of allozyme frequency-soil covariation within var. pulchella was not found among the other taxonomic varieties. Pat- terns of genotype-environment covariation often may be recognizable only within geograph- ically or environmentally restricted groups of populations because of the confounding in- fluences of other environmental variables.
In Vivo Uptake of Radiolabeled MDA2, an Oxidation-Specific Monoclonal Antibody, Provides an Accurate Measure of Atherosclerotic Lesions Rich in Oxidized LDL and Is Highly Sensitive to Their Regression

To determine whether labeled antibodies against oxidized LDL (OxLDL) offer advantages for quantifying atherosclerosis, we compared in vivo aortic uptake of (125)I-labeled MDA2, a monoclonal antibody against malondialdehyde-lysine epitopes), atherosclerotic surface area, and aortic weight in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic and New Zealand White rabbits and in low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLR(-/-)) and apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Absolute and specific uptakes of (125)I-MDA2 were significantly greater in plaque than in normal aortas. Uptake of (125)I-MDA2 significantly correlated with aortic weight and percent atherosclerotic surface area in rabbits and mice. To assess whether (125)I-MDA2 uptake reflects changes in lesion content of OxLDL, in a separate study, extensive atherosclerosis was induced in 4 groups of LDLR(-/-) mice by feeding them a high fat/cholesterol diet for 6 months. A baseline group was euthanized at this time. The remaining groups were fed "regression" diets (chow or chow+1% vitamin E+0.05% vitamin C) or the high fat/cholesterol diet for 6 more months. When atherosclerosis was measured as percent surface area or aortic weight, there was strong progression in the high fat/cholesterol group, moderate progression in the chow group, and no progression in the chow+vitamin E+vitamin C group compared with the baseline group. The (125)I-MDA2 method also yielded a significant increase in atherosclerosis in the high fat/cholesterol group but significant decreases in the chow and chow+vitamin E+vitamin C groups. Immunocytochemistry showed fewer oxidation-specific epitopes in lesions from the chow and chow+vitamin E+vitamin C groups. Thus, the uptake of (125)I-MDA2 correlates well with traditional measures of atherosclerosis but also reflects reduced plaque OxLDL content after hypocholesterolemic intervention.
Photomixing Experiments with a Ruby Optical Maser and a Traveling-Wave Microwave Phototube

A standard oxide-cathode S-band traveling-wave tube has been used as an improvised microwave phototube to study the coherent light output from a ruby optical maser (laser). The laser’s output consists of simultaneous, discrete optical components separated by the mode interval of 600 Mc/s between axial modes in the 12.5 cm laser rod. These components heterodyne in the TWT cathode to produce easily observed microwave outputs within the TWT bandwidth, corresponding to photobeats between third-through seventh-nearest-neighbor axial modes. This technique is a powerful tool for the study of optical masers, and also has important implications for communications via microwave-modulated light.
The Lesbian Community and FTM Transsexuals: Détente in the Butch/FTM Borderlands

In 1998, Dr. Jacob Hale wrote about a “borderland” between butch lesbian identity and FTM masculinity, suggesting a “demilitarized zone”. While the intervening years have brought no “demilitarized zone”, the border may not have a long future. Converging trends in identity among the younger generation in their teens and twenties suggest this, such as changing meanings of ‘lesbian’ and ‘FTM’, blending of sexuality and gender, and understanding these as personal, rather than identity, differences. The socio-historical circumstances that gave power to anti-trans feminist attitudes and trans rejection of lesbian identity are disappearing. This is not to say that we are ‘post-lesbian’ or ‘post-transsexual’, but the tension between identities, the need to distinguish clearly between them, and the arguments about who is ‘really’ lesbian or ‘really’ FTM may be of supreme unimportance to the next generation.
Optimizing compression: Comparing eccentric plate holes and external tensioning devices.

Abstract Objective Elimination of interfragmentary motion in fracture fixation using plates to impart compression and promote primary bone healing through absolute stability has been well described as a reliable and successful method to treat simple transverse and short oblique fracture morphologies. Our hypothesis is that dynamic compression plating augmented by external compression techniques would produce and maintain a significantly greater amount of compression than using the plate alone. Methods Simple transverse diayphyseal fractures were simulated in nine 4th generation composite bone models. A load cell was placed within the transverse fracture osteotomy and stabilized and compressed using either eccentric screw placement in a dynamic compression plate alone or augmented with an opposite segment Verbrugge clamp or articulated tensioning device (ATD) compressing using a screw outside of the plate. Dynamic plate compression was evaluated independently and in conjunction with the external compression techniques. Statistical analyses were carried out using a linear mixed effects model and pairwise comparisons between conditions with a significance set at a P -value Results Both of the external compression techniques (Verbrugge and ATD) achieved significantly higher compression than the plate compression technique alone with 78% ( P P P = 0.215) and by 22%, after removal of the ATD device ( P = 0.038). For both techniques, adding additional screws in eccentric (load) position further increases compression. Conclusion Plate compression is a reliable method for inducing compression across transverse and short oblique fractures. Augmenting plate compression technique with external compression techniques (Verbrugge clamp or ATD) allows for a significantly greater compressive load to be achieved. Compression lost after removal of the external compression device indicates that the maximal compression attainable across a fracture may not be reliably maintained with standard dynamic compression plating techniques.