cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Copper Fixed-Point Measurements for Radiation Thermometry at National Research Council

Due to its high transition temperature relative to other fixed points defined in the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) and its relatively low cost compared to silver and gold, copper is often chosen as the fixed point used to define the ITS-90 above 1235 K at national measurement institutes. Measurement of the copper freezing point can be done in a variety of furnaces. Although there are a large number of copper fixed-point designs, we expect the freezing temperatures to be the same. The difference between realizing different sized fixed points and the use of different furnaces in which to realize them is explored here. A traditional, large aperture fixed-point containing over 600 g of copper is compared to a hybrid-type fixed point containing only 15 g of copper and a commercial fixed point. Three types of furnaces including a heat-pipe furnace, a compact furnace, and a high-temperature blackbody were used to realize the copper freezing point. Between the fixed-point types, only the length of the plateau differed. However, a significant difference was found between the freezing temperatures determined in the different furnaces, and this difference was independent of cell type.
Collision-induced dissociation of Ti+n (n=2-22) with Xe : bond energies, geometric structures, and dissociation pathways

The kinetic energy dependence of the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of Ti+n (n=2–22) with Xe is studied by using a guided ion beam mass spectrometer. Examination of the CID cross section behavior over a broad collision energy range demonstrates that Ti+n clusters dissociate exclusively by sequential loss of Ti atoms. Bond energies of ionic titanium clusters, D0(Ti+n−1–Ti), are determined from measurements of the CID thresholds. D0(Ti+n−1–Ti) are found to change significantly as a function of cluster size, with local maxima at n=7, 13, and 19. This pattern of highly stable cluster ions suggests that titanium cluster ions favor icosahedral structures.
Correlations for Natural Convection Between Heated Vertical Plates

This paper presents the numerical results of natural convective flows between two vertical, parallel plates within a large enclosure. A parametric study has been conducted for various Prandtl numbers and channel aspect ratios. The results are in good agreement with the reported results in the literature for air for large aspect ratios. However, for small aspect ratios, the present numerical results do not agree with the correlations given in the literature. The discrepancy is due to the fact that the published results were obtained for channels where the diffusion of thermal energy in the vertical direction is negligible. The results obtained in this paper indicate that vertical conduction should be considered for channel aspect ratios less than 10 for Pr = 0.7. Correlations are presented to predict the maximum temperature and the average Nusselt number on the plate as explicit functions of the channel Rayleigh number and the channel aspect ratio for air. The plate temperature is a weak function of Prandtl number for Prandtl numbers greater than 0.7, if the channel Rayleigh number is chosen as the correlating parameter. For Prandtl numbers less than 0.1, the plate temperature is a function of channel Rayleigh number and the Prandtl number.more » A correlation for maximum temperature on the plate is presented to include the Prandtl number effect for large aspect ratio channels.« less
Suicidal hanging. An association with the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

This study of two victims of suicidal hanging describes a previously unknown association between near-fatal hanging and the adult respiratory distress syndrome. We report on the pathophysiologic results of this pulmonary complication and the implications of this finding regarding the treatment of these patients. Language: en
Mechanism of Li+/electron conductivity in rutile and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles

Concurrent Li ion and electron conductivity in rutile and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles was studied using multiscale simulations. We show that charge transport in titania nanoparticles is determined by the competition of charge redistribution toward the particle boundaries and constant Li+ and electron fluxes. In nanoparticles smaller than the Debye length, the constant flux prevails and the conductivity has a dual ionic and electronic character, while for larger nanoparticles conductivity becomes predominately ionic. Simulations revealed that the temperature dependence of Li ion conductivity in anatase is very weak, while in rutile the conductivity decreases with temperature in small nanoparticles and increases in large nanoparticles.
Evidential reasoning based on interval-based Bayesian belief networks

We have developed interval-based Bayesian belief networks and used them in a medical image recognition system to identify brain anatomy in a set of multi-modality images. Head images from the multi-modalities of x-ray CT, proton density MR, and T2-weighted MR are used in the proposed medical image recognition system. To incorporate the capability of handling uncertainty in the medical image recognition system, we use interval-based probability to represent incomplete information and uncertain evidence and the interval-based Bayesian belief networks to provide the framework for evidence accumulation and spatial reasoning. In evidence accumulation, the regional information extracted from the CT and MR images is converted to evidence in the form of probability intervals and organized in a hierarchical structure. The evidence is integrated by the belief networks. In spatial reasoning, the knowledge of spatial relationships among objects is organized in hierarchical structure with pairwise spatial relationships. The interval-based Bayesian belief networks and a prediction box are combined to hypothesize the potential location and likelihood of the target object. In the proposed medical image system, the use of the interval-based Bayesian belief networks provides flexibility for representing and handling uncertain evidence and reduces the distraction in defining point probabilities for the domain knowledge. It also allows the proposed recognition system to perform reasoning efficiently and identify brain anatomy effectively.
Heroin Addicts and Nonaddicted Brothers

Childhood and adult life experiences of 50 heroin addicts are compared with those of their nonaddicted brothers. The sibling pairs came from large families with a median of six children; 45 pairs came from Mexican-American families. The median age of both addicts and brothers was 39. One-third of both addicts and brothers lost a parent before age 16. The addicts showed early deviant behavior preceding heroin use in contrast to the socially conforming behavior of the brothers. Noteworthy discrepancies appeared in the retrospective explanations offered by the addicts and the brothers of conditions leading to addiction in one and abstinence in the other. The addicts attributed the addiction versus abstinence primarily to association with different peer groups; the brothers cited this difference, but also frequently cited personality differences and other differences, thus giving more complex explanations. As adults the addicts showed gross social impairment on dimensions of employment, criminal record, marit...
Impact of different land uses on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in coastal stream sediments

Abstract PAHs are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that can cause adverse health and ecological effects. In the present study, we examined the impact of land use on the concentration and composition of PAHs in 28 coastal stream sediments on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. In densely populated urban areas, the concentration range of total PAHs in the stream sediments affected by mixed residential and industrial activities (RI) are 0.40–9.05 ppm, which is significantly higher than the 0.36–4.21 ppm detected in the stream sediments affected predominantly by urban residential land uses (UR). The stream sediments affected by agricultural activities (AG) reported a concentration range of 0.09–2.14 ppm, which is lower than those of the RI and UR stream sediments. The molecular weight of PAH is a factor, as only high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs were significantly affected by land uses (ANOVA P = 0.009). Correlation analysis showed that only in the UR stream sediments were significant correlations observed between PAH concentration and two anthropogenic indicators: population density ( r = 0.57, P = 0.027) and vehicle density ( r = 0.55, P = 0.034). The fractional concentrations of PAHs were analyzed by using PCA analysis, which led to the separate clustering of the RI and AG stream sediments and suggest distinct PAH sources between the two land uses. Two PAH source indicators, including Ant/(Ant + Phe) and Fl/(Fl + Py), indicates that PAHs sources in the RI stream sediments are most likely of petroleum origin, while PAHs in the UR and AG stream sediments most likely came from combustion activities. In addition, the concentration and relative potency of carcinogenic PAHs in the coastal stream sediments exhibited similar patterns as the total PAH concentration with respect to land uses.
The morphogenesis of wormian bones: a study of craniosynostosis and purposeful cranial deformation.

Wormian bones are accessory bones that occur within cranial suture and fontanelles, most commonly within the posterior sutures. They occur more frequently in disorders that have reduced cranial ossification, hypotonia or decreased movement, thereby resulting in deformational brachycephaly. The frequency and location of wormian bones varies with the type and severity of cranial deformation practiced by ancient cultures. We considered the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of wormian bones may be due to environmental variations in dural strain within open sutures and fontanelles. In order to explore this further, we measured the cephalic index (CI) in 20 purposefully deformed pre-Columbian skulls: 10 from Chichen Itza, Mexico, and 10 from Ancon, Peru, as well as 20 anatomically normal skulls used for medical school anatomy classes. We tested for a direct correlation between the CI and the number of wormian bones in skulls with varying degrees of brachycephalic cranial deformation and found no significant correlation. When the CI was grouped into three categories (normal (CI 93)) there was a trend toward increasing number of wormian bones as the skull became more brachycephalic (P = 0.039). A second part or our study tabulated the frequency and location of large wormian bones (greater than 1 cm) in 3-dimentional computerized tomography (3D-CT) scans from 207 cases of craniosynostosis and compared these data with published data on 485 normal dry skulls from a manuscript on wormian bones by Parker in 1905. Among cases of craniosynostosis, large wormian bones were significantly more frequent (117 out of 207 3D-CT scans) than in dry skulls (131 out of 485). There was a 3.5 greater odds of developing a wormian bone with premature suture closure (P < 0.001). Midline synostosis, specifically metopic or sagittal synostosis, has more wormian bones in the midline, whereas unilateral lambdoidal or coronal synostosis more often had wormian bones on the contralateral side. Taken together, these data suggest that wormian bones may arise as a consequence of mechanical factors that spread sutures apart and affect dural strain within sutures and fontanelles.
Tree embeddings for two-edge-connected network design

The group Steiner problem is a classical network design problem where we are given a graph and a collection of groups of vertices, and want to build a min-cost subgraph that connects the root vertex to at least one vertex from each group. What if we wanted to build a subgraph that two-edge-connects the root to each group---that is, for every group g ⊆ V, the subgraph should contain two edge-disjoint paths from the root to some vertex in g? What if we wanted the two edge-disjoint paths to end up at distinct vertices in the group, so that the loss of a single member of the group would not destroy connectivity?In this paper, we investigate tree-embedding techniques that can be used to solve these and other 2-edge-connected network design problems. We illustrate the potential of these techniques by giving poly-logarithmic approximation algorithms for two-edge-connected versions of the group Steiner, connected facility location, buy-at-bulk, and the k-MST problems.
Saldos del criollismo: el Teatro de virtudes políticas de Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora a la luz de la historiografía de Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxóchitl

En 1680, don Tomas Antonio de la Cerda, Conde de Paredes, Marques de la Laguna y recien nombrado Virrey de la Nueva Espana, llego a la Ciudad de Mexico tras haber realizado una serie de visitas pro...
Mechanism of Reduction of Primary Alkyl Radicals by SmI2−HMPA

The measured value of E°(SmI2+−HMPA − SmI2−HMPA) was used in combination with literature values for the E° of primary radicals to estimate the bimolecular rate constant for an outer-sphere electron transfer (ET). Comparison with the experimentally measured rate constant is consistent with an outer-sphere ET.
Seismologists to map the mantle

A. Dziewonski and J. Woodhouse of Harvard University have developed new seismic models of the earth's mantle, according to a recent report. The calculations are the results of attempts to obtain three-dimensional seismic structures of the mantle. The formulations are mathematical fits to seismic data, essentially with no major initial assumptions as to mantle structure. That the model has features that correlate with known crustal and mantle properties has been reassuring. The report quotes Woodhouse, “This makes other patterns discovered in this study highly believable” (Research and Development, May 1984). A first finding of the model is related to the homogeneity question of the upper and lower mantle regions. Dziewonski said, “…at this point our maps show little continuity between the upper and lower mantles.” Other findings of the new models involve the roots of continental structures, which in South America and Africa extend into the transition zone to depths of about 600 km.
Viscosity of n-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ionic liquids saturated with compressed CO2

Abstract The viscosity of imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) saturated with gaseous, liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) was measured by a high-pressure viscometer at three different temperatures (25, 50, and 70 °C). The high-pressure viscosity of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ([EMIm]), 1-n-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium ([HMIm]), and 1-n-decyl-3-methylimidazolium ([DMIm]) cations with a common anion, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([Tf2N]), saturated with CO2 was measured up to a maximum of 287 bar. As CO2 pressure is increased the viscosity of the IL mixture dramatically decreases. While, the ambient pressure viscosity of 1-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium [Tf2N] ILs increases significantly with increasing chain length, the viscosity of all the CO2-saturated ILs becomes very similar at high CO2 pressures. From previous vapor–liquid equilibrium data, the viscosity with concentration was determined and found to be the primary factor to describe the fractional viscosity reduction. Several predictive and correlative methods were investigated for the mixture viscosity given pure component properties and include arithmetic mixing rules, the Irving (Predictive Arrhenius) model, Grunberg equation, etc. The modified Grunberg model with one adjustable parameter provided an adequate fit to the data.
MP29-02: a breakthrough for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) can be challenging to treat. For many patients, current therapies (including multiple therapies) provide insufficient symptom relief. There is, therefore, a clear unmet medical need for a new and more effective AR treatment option. MP29-02 (Dymista) is a novel intranasal formulation of azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate in an advanced delivery system. Areas covered: The goal of this article is to review all MP29-02 clinical data currently published with a view to establish its potential to fill the current unmet medical need in AR. Relevant articles and abstracts were reviewed from PUBMED and conference proceedings. Expert opinion: MP29-02 represents a breakthrough in AR management for the following reasons: i) MP29-02 has been extensively studied in comparison to first-line therapies in both seasonal AR (SAR) patients and in those with chronic rhinitis (i.e., perennial allergic rhinitis [PAR] and nonallergic (vasomotor) rhinitis) in one of the largest...
Mem squared error estimation in finite populations under nonlinear models

Four estimators of the prediction mean squared error (MSB) of an estimated finite population total for a zero-one characteristic are examined. The characteristic associated with each population unit is modeled as the realization of a Bernoulli random variable whose expected value is a nonlinear function of a parameter vector and a set of known auxiliary variables. To compare the estimators, a simulation study is conducted using a population of hospitals. The MSB estimator Implied by the form of the assumed model underestimates the mean squared error in each of the cases studied and produces confidence lntervals with less than the nominal coverage probabilities. Of the three alternative MSE estimators presented, a linear approximation to the jackknife produces the best results and improves upon the model-specific estimator.
Effect of gamma-irradiation on the foaming behavior of ethylene-co-octene polymers

Abstract Ethylene-co-octene polymers containing different branching levels were irradiated in air and under vacuum at 25, 50 and 100 kGy. Gel fraction measurements, thermal analysis and rheology were used to assess the effect of the treatment on polymer structure modifications. The copolymer with 24 wt% octene was shown to be more sensitive to gamma rays and degradation was observed in some cases. Cross-linking in the amorphous phase also occurred as a consequence of irradiation and affected the foaming behavior of these materials.
Effects of crop rotation and fertilization on catalase activity in a soil of the southeastern United States

Catalase activity of a loamy sand under a 3-year crop rotation in the southeastern U.S.A. was monitored. Corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were the summer crops in the rotation. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was planted after corn, and soybean was followed by a winter fallow period. Cotton was followed by a mixture of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum Gibelli & Belli) which was eventually plow-incorporated as a green manure. Highest mean catalase activities were recorded in soil under the wheat, soybean, and winter legume crops; lowest activities were found in soil bearing corn and cotton, and during the winter fallow period. The fertilization regime influenced soil catalase activity independently of the crop. Soil deficient in any of the major elements showed low enzyme activity. Highest activity was found in soil fertilized with P and K, and with N supplied by a winter legume crop. Addition of supplementary mineral nitrogen to this regime reduced catalase activity. Elimination of the winter legume crop from an otherwise complete fertilization regime resulted in a drastic reduction in enzyme activity. In soil receiving a complete fertilization regime there was a close correlation between soil catalase and xylanase activities. A similar correlation between these two enzymes was not found in soil receiving incomplete fertilization.
Environmental Justice and Environmental Equity in Tourism: Missing Links to Sustainability

This paper argues for incorporating an environmental justice framework into sustainable tourism and ecotourism. Such a framework provides important directions and guidance for addressing injustices related to human–environmental relationships, particularly with respect to disadvantaged, low-income and minority communities. Issue areas include environmental equity, environmental discrimination and environmental racism. Drawing from the environmental justice literature, this paper first clarifies key concepts associated with environmental justice. This is followed by an examination of issues in tourism development that clearly relate to environmental justice (even though the term itself may not have been used). An analytical framework for addressing environmental justice and equity in tourism studies is proposed, incorporating environmental justice concepts and dimensions of procedural and distributive justice. Several theoretical areas that offer potential for developing this bridge between tourism and env...
The Coordinates of Truth

The scientific method has driven conceptual inquiry for centuries and still forms the basis of scientific investigation. Yet, the hypothesis-based research paradigm itself has received scant attention recently. Here, I propose an alternative model for this paradigm, based on decision, information, and game theory. Analysis of biomedical research efforts with this model may provide a framework for predicting their likely contributions to knowledge, assessing their impact on human health, and managing research priorities.
Serum Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) elevation correlates with asthma symptoms and reduced FEV1 in an outpatient screening population

Abstract Rationale Current research indicates that eosinophil mediators, such as the eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), are not only a common feature of the asthmatic lung, but are also increased in acute exacerbations and may be predictive of clinical course. We seek to identify if a correlation exists between serum ECP and asthma symptoms. Methods Subjects were selected from individuals who volunteered to be screened for allergies by a serum Phadiatop Test. Each participant completed an asthma symptom questionnaire, identifying if they at any time had experienced wheezing, persistent cough, chest tightness, nighttime symptoms and/or shortness of breath. Mean ECP levels were compared on 125 individuals, between the affirmative and negative symptom groups using a student t test for each individual asthma symptom. Pulmonary function tests were also performed on 43 individuals. Results Although not statistically significant (p values 0.67, 0.32. 0.28, 0.25, and 0.11 respectively for each of the above symptoms), the mean ECP values were consistently higher in those patients reporting asthma symptoms, than those who did not. Additionally, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) was compared to ECP in 43 individuals, demonstrating a mean ECP slightly higher (p=0.89) in those individuals with FEV1 Conclusion Based on the data from this study, more research on the correlation of serum ECP and asthma symptoms and pulmonary function is needed. With a larger population sample, including controls, there may be a better basis for establishing a link between serum ECP and asthma symptoms.
Testing and analysis of a 6-m steel truss/composite skin hybrid ship hull model

A hybrid ship hull made of a steel truss and composite sandwich skins was investigated experimentally and numerically. A 6-m model was tested under hogging loads, after having previous been subjected to sagging loads. All loads were introduced as shear through brackets welded to bulkheads. The model was loaded to the design load, at which point there was plastic yielding of the steel truss. However, there was no indication of failure in any of the composite sandwich panels, nor in the adhesive bonds between the panels and the steel truss. The steel truss started to yield at lower strains than expected, a fact which was elucidated by manufacturing and testing subcomponents of the steel truss. Nonlinear elastic-plastic finite element analyses were performed on the complete hull. Results from the numerical analyses were compared with data from both sagging and hogging tests and good correlation was found.
The fibronectin attachment protein of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) mediates antitumor activity.

Purpose The receptor responsible for the attachment of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) to fibronectin, fibronectin attachment protein (FAP), has been cloned. Studies targeting FAP as an inducer of immunity in mycobacterial infections suggest that FAP is a highly immunogenic protein. In light of these findings and the need to find effective alternatives to BCG treatment for bladder cancer, we tested the ability of FAP to induce antitumor activity.
Trauma and ADHD – Association or Diagnostic Confusion? A Clinical Perspective

In recent years, a growing body of research has developed to examine the relationship between exposure to traumatic events in childhood and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; Daud and Rydelius, 2009; Famularo et al., 1996; Ford et al., 2000; Lipschitz, Morgan and Southwick, 2002; McLeer et al., 1998; Cuffe, McCullough and Pumariega, 1994; Husain, Allwood and Bell, 2008). It is not surprising that these two areas are being evaluated, as cognitive and emotional disruptions that occur in response to trauma, such as difficulty concentrating, dysregulated affect, irritability, and hyperarousal, either overlap with ADHD symptomatology or exasperate it (Barkley, Grodzinsky and DuPaul, 1992; Daud and Rydelius, 2009; De Bellis, 2001; Ford et al., 2000; Jennings et al., 1997). From an epidemiological perspective, trauma exposure and ADHD are pervasive in childhood. Up to half of children in community samples, as well as two-thirds of children in psychiatric samples, have witnessed or experienced trauma...
SU-GG-J-142: Patient Scatter Analysis for A New Generation of Portal Imaging Sensors Based On Thin-Film Cadmium Telluride

Purpose: An X‐ray detector using a layer of polycrystallineCadmium Telluride (CdTe) in combination with metal plate, serving as a converter of incoming x‐rays into electrons, is investigated for therapeutic radiation oncology imaging. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we performed a theoretical analysis of the spatial frequency dependent detective quantum efficiency (DQE) for this detector system. A range of optimal parameters were obtained for this new generation of megavoltage detectors using thin film one of which is the consideration of the influence of patient scatter, a significant component of the realistic detector input on the image quality. Method and Materials: We examined several choices of metal plate for the thin‐film CdTe detector under 6 MV x‐ray beam of Elekta Precise Linac by Monte Carlo simulations, using MCNP5 software package. Introduction of scatter degrades the image quality by adding noise to both the signal and its variance. We evaluated the effect of patient scatter in terms of loss in the image contrast (C), corresponding to signal reduction component, and loss in differential signal‐to‐noise ratio (DSNR), reflecting increase in signal variance. Results: The contrast and differential signal‐to‐noise ratio losses have been modeled for a range of thin film CdTe thicknesses, as well as several combinations of metal plate materials of varying thickness. We found that the thicker metal plate of denser material, such as tungsten, helps reducing the effect of patient scatter, decreasing losses in both parameters. Additionally, increase in CdTe sensor thickness also improves the image quality. Conclusion: Relatively small targeted thickness of polycrystalline CdTe sensor layer, in the range of 10 to 600 microns, makes it more susceptible to the influence of patient scatter. Addition of metal plate to the detector not only enhances its DQE due to energy absorption, but also facilitates reduction of noise due to patient scatter.
2D difference gel electrophoresis of prepubertal and pubertal rat mammary gland proteomes.

Rat mammary gland proteomes at day 21 (prepubertal) and day 50 (late puberty) were compared by 2D difference gel electrophoresis. Two-hundred fifty-one spots were significantly different (p < 0.05)...
Administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone to pregnant rats inhibits postpartum sexual behavior.

Abstract Administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) can both facilitate sexual behavior in estrogen-primed, ovarietomized rats and induce numerous antifertility effects in pregnant rats. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of GnRH treatment on 1) sexual behavior of rats during late pregnancy and at postpartum and 2) plasma levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and progesterone (P), two hormones implicated in the regulation of sexual behavior during pregnancy. Rats were given either 4 μg or 12 μg GnRH or no treatment on day 18 of pregnancy. On days 18(4 hr posttreatment) and 19 of pregnancy, the day of parturition and the day following parturition, each rat was tested for lordosis response to male mounts and subsequently bled from the jugular vein for determination of plasma DHT and P levels by radioimmunoassay. Both doses of GnRH significantly inhibited lordosis at postpartum estrus and failed to induce lordosis on days 18 and 19 of pregnancy and the day following parturition. DHT was suppressed on day 19 and at postpartum; P was elevated on the day following parturition. Our data demonstrate that as little as 4 μg GnRH can induce postpartum “behavioral antifertility” effects without apparent detriment to the pregnancy.
Who’s the Party of the People? Economic Populism and the U.S. Public’s Beliefs About Political Parties

Some observers of American politics have argued that Republicans have redrawn the social class basis of the parties by displacing the Democrats as the party of the common person. While others have addressed the argument by implication, we address the phenomenon itself. That is, we examine whether the populist rhetoric used by conservatives has reshaped the American public’s perceptions about the social class basis of American political parties. To this end, we used NES data and created novel survey questions for examining the class-based images of the parties. We examine whether the public holds populist images of the Republican Party and whether the working class and evangelical Christians are especially likely to hold this belief. Contrary to this argument, most Americans view the Democrats as the party of the people. Furthermore, working class and evangelical Christians are no less likely to hold this belief.
Modulated Piezoreflectance in Semiconductors

The direct gaps of Ge, GaAs, GaSb, InP, ZnS, CdTe, CdSe, CdS, and ZnO have been measured using the piezoreflectance technique. Thin single crystals of these materials were mounted on lead-zirconate-lead-titanate piezoelectric transducers and cooled to 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Measurements were performed with the stress applied along the [100] and [111] crystallographic directions of the cubic materials and along the [0001] and [$11\overline{2}0$] directions of the hexagonal materials. The shear deformation potentials $b$ and $d$ of the highest valence-band state of the cubic materials were determined from the ratio of the intensity of the light polarized parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the stress and the known values of the hydrostatic deformation potentials. The results show a continuous increase of the ratio $\frac{d}{b}$ from the covalent materials Ge and Si to the partially ionic III-V and II-VI compounds. A simple point-ion model is proposed to explain the increase in the ratio $\frac{d}{b}$ with increasing ionicity for the cubic materials. For the wurtzite materials, similar measurements yield ratios of shear to hydrostatic deformation potentials. Information about the stress-exchange splittings and the corresponding exchange-interaction constant is also obtained.
Head, neck, and facial injuries as markers of domestic violence in women.

Purpose: The diagnosis of domestic violence (DV) is difficult because of a lack of clearly defined signs and symptoms. The goal of this study was to confirm and refine the role of head, neck, and face (HNF) injuries as markers of DV. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study design and a sample of female trauma patients treated in an inner-city hospital emergency room (Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA) were used. The predictor study variable was injury location (HNF or other location). The outcome variable was traumatic origin (DV or other cause). A victim of DV was defined as a patient who gave a history of being injured by her spouse or sexual partner. Other data included age, nature of the injury (blunt or penetrating), and injury severity score (ISS). Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression statistical analyses were performed. Results: The sample consisted of 100 injured women, with a mean age of 40 ± 16.3 years and a mean ISS of 3.3 ± 3.0. Thirty-four women were victims of DV. The mean age of the DV victims was 32.5 ± 7.3 years, compared with a mean age of 43.9 ± 18.2 year in the other-causes group (P = .001). The mean ISS for the DV victims was 3.4 ± 3.0, and the mean ISS for the other-causes group was 3.2 ± 3.0 (P = .65). DV victims were 7.5 (2.5 < RR < 22.9) times more likely to have HNF injuries than other trauma patients (P < .001), Age was associated with cause and location of injury. After controlling for age, location remained statistically associated with cause (P = .0002). Sensitivity and specificity of HNF injuries and DV were 91% and 59%, respectively. Conclusions: The data suggest that although HNF injuries and age were sensitive predictors of DV, they remain poor in their specificity as markers.
Anatomy of a Municipal Triumph: New York City's Upsurge in Life Expectancy.

Over the period 1990–2010, the increase in life expectancy for males in New York City was 6.0 years greater than for males in the United States. The female relative gain was 3.9 years. Male relative gains were larger because of extremely rapid reductions in mortality from HIV/AIDS and homicide, declines that reflect effective municipal policies and programs. Declines in drug- and alcohol-related deaths also played a significant role in New York City's advance, but every major cause of death contributed to its relative improvement. By 2010, New York City had a life expectancy that was 1.9 years greater than that of the US. This difference is attributable to the high representation of immigrants in New York's population. Immigrants to New York City, and to the United States, have life expectancies that are among the highest in the world. The fact that 38 percent of New York's population consists of immigrants, compared to only 14 percent in the United States, accounts for New York's exceptional standing in life expectancy in 2010. In fact, US-born New Yorkers have a life expectancy below that of the United States itself.
Circadian rhythm of PGE2, PGF2α and 6-keto-PGF1α urinary excretion in healthy women

Circadian rhythms of urinary prostaglandins: PGE2, PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha excretion were estimated by radioimmunoassay in ten healthy women aged 22-47. The correlation of prostaglandin excretion with cortisol, sodium and potassium levels was evaluated. All estimated prostaglandins had a characteristic rhythm of urinary excretion with higher levels during the day time than at night. Thus the day-night rhythm of each prostaglandin may depend on the same metabolic factors which regulate their renal synthesis. This may be important in the proper interpretation of prostaglandin behaviour in different pathological conditions.
The Impact of Early Corticosteroid Withdrawal on Graft Survival in Liver Transplant Recipients

Abstract Background There has been increased interest in recent years in reducing or eliminating steroids from the immunosuppression regimen of transplant recipients to reduce adverse effects associated with their use. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between early versus late steroid withdrawal after liver transplant to determine the optimal duration of steroid use in this population. Methods This large-scale, retrospective analysis of liver transplants occurred at our institution between 2000 and 2009. Patients were excluded if they were 1 year. The early steroid withdrawal group had steroids eliminated by 3 months posttransplant; late steroid withdrawal patients had steroids withdrawn between 3 and 12 months posttransplant. Results A total of 586 liver transplants occurred during the study period; 330 patients were included in the analysis. Graft survival was significantly lower in the early steroid withdrawal group. There was no difference in patient survival or overall acute rejection. However, the late steroid withdrawal group had a significantly higher rate of early acute rejection episodes. There was no difference with regard to new-onset diabetes after transplant, hyperlipidemia, or cardiovascular events between groups. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that late corticosteroid withdrawal is associated with better long-term graft survival without increasing the rates of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or cardiovascular events in liver transplant recipients. A prospective study is warranted to confirm these findings.
Expression of myc, fos and Ha-ras associated with chemically induced cell proliferation in the rat liver.

. Events secondary to induced cell proliferation may play a role in the carcinogenic process. These studies investigated the expression of genes associated with growth control in response to two types of cell proliferation stimuli in the livers of male F344 rats. Regenerative hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy or a single dose of carbon tetrachloride, and mitogenic liver hyperplasia induced by a single dose of pheno-barbital or WY-14,643 were assessed by thymidine incorporation and quantitative autoradiography. The expression of myc, fos, and Ha-ras was evaluated by Northern blot analysis of liver derived poly(A)+ mRNA from these same animals. After each treatment, the level of hepatocyte proliferation (labelling index 4–32%) was observed to peak between 24 and 48 h and return to control values by 8 days. In every case, a peak in myc expression was seen between 0.5 and 18 h depending on the proliferative stimulus treatment. A large peak infos expression was seen at 0.5–2 h but only with the cytotoxic and regenerative proliferative treatments partial hepatectomy or carbon tetrachloride. A broad peak in Ha-ras expression was observed 12 to 36 h after each treatment. These data demonstrate transient expression of these genes following the synchronous induction of hepatocyte proliferation. The increased expression offos upon treatment with cytotoxicants, but not mitogens, suggests different modes of growth regulation that may be important in understanding the induction of cell proliferation by these two types of agents.
Supervisory Problems in Decision Making

Summary This study reports the results of the interaction of 154 pairs of first and second line supervisors who were used as subjects in a Multiple Role Playing episode that involved the foreman's handling of a possible violation of a safety regulation by a repairman. The decision making process and the problems encountered by the foremen in the situation were investigated. The reactions of the repairmen to the decisions and to the way he was dealt with by the foremen were related to the foreman's actions. When confronted with a situation involving a possible viola- tion of a safety regulation, the majority of the foremen (75%,) used the “judicial” approach of discussing the possible viola- tion. The objective of these foremen seemed to be the establish- ment of guilt or innocence, without regard for the possible consequences of such action. On the surface it appears, the initial decision to discuss or not to discuss the possible violation was not the determining factor for success in gaining the more basic objective (i.e. a safer worker). Either decision resulted in approximately 70 per cent success, but further analysis of the consequences of discussing the possible violation indicated that the foremen pursuing the judicial path created additional problems for himself and the repairman. In someinstances, he motivated the repairman to lie, deny the Violation, and in other situations where the repairmen did admit the violation the foremen were put in a position of having to lay off the worker, which they did very infrequently, or to let the person off and expose themselves to being accused of discriminating. In a majority of cases (69.5 per cent), the repairmen ex- pressed the opinion that they would be safer workers and that their respect for their foremen had increased as a result of the interaction and decision during the role playing. Respect and safety were significantly related but respect and dominance of conversation by foreman or repairman were not. The experi- mental findings form an outline of aids to supervision in dealing with the possible violation situations.
Improved one-shot learning for feedforward associative memories with application to composite pattern association

The local identical index (LII) associative memory (AM) proposed by the authors in a previous paper is a one-shot feedforward structure designed to exhibit no spurious attractors. In this paper we relax the latter design constraint in exchange for enlarged basins of attraction and we develop a family of modified LII AM networks that exhibit improved performance, particularly in memorizing highly correlated patterns. The new algorithm meets the requirement of no spurious attractors only in a local sense. Finally, we show that the modified LII family of networks can accommodate composite patterns of any size by storing (memorizing) only the basic (prime) prototype patterns. The latter property translates to low learning complexity and a simple network structure with significant memory savings. Simulation studies and comparisons illustrate and support the the optical developments.
Mixing by resonant acoustic driving in a closed chamber

In this study the effects of resonant acoustic oscillations on gas phase mixing in a rectangular cavity without mean flow are investigated. The primary purpose of this research is to provide insight into how acoustic amplitude, acoustic mode, and acoustic streaming influence the gas phase mixing rate inside the cavity. Experimental results show significant enhancement of mixing rate due to the presence of acoustics in the mixing chamber. Increased acoustic pressure amplitudes in the chamber were shown to increase the mixing rate. The dependence of mixing rate upon the mode of acoustic excitation was found to be highly complex. Acoustic streaming observed and measured in the cavity appears to have a significant influence upon mixing rate.
Severe rectal haemorrhage after treatment for faecal incontinence

Bulking agent injected submucosally is an alternative effective treatment for faecal incontinence in elderly patients who fail conservative measures. Since most elderly patients are on antiplatelet therapy and are sometimes unaware of their medication, this can lead to serious complications.
The Aspirin Resistance Controversy Clinical Entity or Platelet Heterogeneity

In acute coronary syndromes, rupture or fissuring of the atherosclerotic plaque exposes the subendothelium and lipid core, which leads to platelet adhesion and activation. Although the most commonly used inhibitor of this process is aspirin, information about its limitations has grown over the past decade. Because the absolute risk of recurrent vascular events among patients treated with aspirin remains relatively high (8% to 18% after 2 years),1 a concept known as “aspirin resistance” has flourished. Aspirin resistance has been defined both as a clinical entity (thrombotic event while taking aspirin) and by a myriad of altered biomarkers and enhanced platelet function testing. Although many embrace this concept, others believe that aspirin resistance may reflect treatment failure rather than “resistance” to aspirin.2 Article p 2888 Aspirin-related compounds are among the oldest known medicinal substances, with stone tablets documenting the use of willow leaf (a source of salicylic acid) dating back to the Sumerian period.3 Controversy surrounding the use of aspirin can be traced back to the Greek empire, when Hippocrates was a proponent of willow bark for pain, whereas Dioscorides preferred coriander.4 We will never know whether Dioscorides was merely resistant to the beneficial properties of aspirin because thousands of years later we are still trying to understand and define the individual variability seen with its use. The antithrombotic properties of aspirin were first reported in the Mississippi Valley Medical Journal in 1953, and, in the half century since, the benefits of aspirin’s platelet inhibitory properties have been documented in thousands of patients. Clinical trials have demonstrated that aspirin is effective for both primary and secondary prevention of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death, as well as in the acute treatment of unstable coronary disease and stroke.5,6 However, the potential impact of aspirin resistance is great, …
Requirements for the catalytic cycle of the N-ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor (NSF).

Abstract The N-ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor (NSF) was one of the initial members of the ATPases Associated with various cellular Activities Plus (AAA+) family. In this review, we discuss what is known about the mechanism of NSF action and how that relates to the mechanisms of other AAA+ proteins. Like other family members, NSF binds to a protein complex (i.e., SNAP–SNARE complex) and utilizes ATP hydrolysis to affect the conformations of that complex. SNAP–SNARE complex disassembly is essential for SNARE recycling and sustained membrane trafficking. NSF is a homo-hexamer; each protomer is composed of an N-terminal domain, NSF-N, and two adjacent AAA-domains, NSF-D1 and NSF-D2. Mutagenesis analysis has established specific roles for many of the structural elements of NSF-D1, the catalytic ATPase domain, and NSF-N, the SNAP–SNARE binding domain. Hydrodynamic analysis of NSF, labeled with (Ni2+-NTA)2-Cy3, detected conformational differences in NSF, in which the ATP-bound conformation appears more compact than the ADP-bound form. This indicates that NSF undergoes significant conformational changes as it progresses through its ATP-hydrolysis cycle. Incorporating these data, we propose a sequential mechanism by which NSF uses NSF-N and NSF-D1 to disassemble SNAP–SNARE complexes. We also illustrate how analytical centrifugation might be used to study other AAA+ proteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: AAA ATPases: structure and function.
The role of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala in the pathway between the amygdala and the midbrain periaqueductal gray in the rat.

Abstract We electrophysiologically examined the connection between the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) and the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and examined the role of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CNA) in this pathway. Train electrical stimulation of the BLA excited 21% ( 7 33 ) and inhibited 27% ( 9 33 ) of the cells recorded in the PAG. Chemical stimulation of the BLA excited 23% ( 13 56 ) and inhibited 16% (9/56) of the cells recorded in the PAG. Injection of lidocaine into the CNA by itself had no effect on PAG cells (n = 9) or on blood pressure but blocked the effect of BLA stimulation on PAG neurons in 78% of the cells recorded. It was concluded that: (1) PAG cells respond to BLA stimulation; (2) the majority of these cells are located in the dorsolateral and lateral columns of the PAG; and (3) the CNA modulates a majority of the activities of the BLA in the PAG.