cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COIN Flips: Counterinsurgency Theory and American IR

This chapter examines the recent rehabilitation of counterinsurgency doctrine, especially as conducted by third-party interveners such as the USA. The advent of the refurbished US Army/Marine Corps Counter-insurgency Manual in 2007, a volume with a painstakingly scholarly self-presentation, is the focal point. This chapter is concerned with the dubious yet recurrent bases of the doctrinal justifications driving recent US interventions. The Vietnam War unsurprisingly persists as the crucial case for American scholars and policy makers who have toiled mightily to reconstrue the history of counterinsurgency there as an unacknowledged success, which has become the standard account in American international relations scholarship. The chapter examines this ominous development and its implications.
Reconfigurable Hardware Accelerators for Power Transmission System Computation

This chapter reviews designs and prototypes of reconfigurable hardware implemented on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to speedup ubiquitous linear algebra subroutines used in system security analysis. The grid operators use Energy Management System (EMS) software to analyze system security to assure normal operating state. EMS consists of three main computations: 1) state estimation, 2) contingency analysis, and 3) optimal power flow. These computations involve sparse linear algebra algorithms such as matrix orthogonal (QR) decomposition, Lower-Upper (LU) decomposition and matrix multiplication. Currently, EMS computations are performed on a general-purpose processor system. A benchmark study of several state-of-the-art sparse linear solver packages running on these systems reveals inefficient utilization of the floating-point computational throughput. A custom hardware sparse linear solver that maximizes floating-point hardware utilization based on pipeline architecture and efficient data caching offers an alternative. A prototype on reconfigurable hardware demonstrated that despite more than an order of magnitude deficit in clock speed as compared to general purpose processor based systems, a specialized sparse LU hardware running on FPGA is capable of an order of magnitude speedup relative to these systems for power system Jacobian matrix sparse LU decomposition. Performance analysis of sparse QR decomposition hardware showed a similar potential speedup over general-purpose processors.
Influence of an anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody on cytokine levels in patients with sepsis

OBJECTIVES To determine the safety, pharmacokinetics, and activity of an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha monoclonal antibody in severe sepsis. DESIGN Open-label, prospective, phase II multicenter trial with escalating doses of a murine monoclonal antibody (CB0006). SETTING Twelve academic medical center intensive care units in the United States and Europe. PATIENTS Eighty patients with severe sepsis or septic shock who received standard supportive care and antimicrobial therapy in addition to the anti-TNF antibody. INTERVENTIONS Patients were treated intravenously with one of four dosing regimens with CB0006: 0.1 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg or two doses of 1 mg/kg 24 hrs apart. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The murine monoclonal anti-TNF antibody was well tolerated despite the development of anti-murine antibodies in 98% of patients. No survival benefit was found for the total study population, but patients with increased circulating TNF concentrations at study entry appeared to benefit by the high dose anti-TNF antibody treatment. Increased interleukin (IL)-6 levels predicted a fatal outcome (p = .003), but TNF levels were not found to be a prognostic indicator. TNF levels were higher (206.7 +/- 60.7 vs. 85.9 +/- 26.1 pg/mL; p < .001) and outcome was poor (41% vs. 71% survival; p = .007) in patients who were in shock at study entry when compared with septic patients not in shock. CONCLUSIONS The murine anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody CB0006 has proven to be safe in this clinical trial and may prove to be useful in septic patients with increased circulating TNF concentrations. Further studies are needed to determine efficacy and the ultimate clinical utility of this immunotherapeutic agent in sepsis.
Continuum Mechanics, Art and Structures

The publication of Isaac Newton’s Principia in the late seventeenth century paved the way for dramatic developments in the eighteenth century. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, scientists were prepared to take on the challenge of the mechanics of three-dimensional deformable bodies. Theories governing the mechanics of fluids, solids, and the diffusion of heat were formulated using the newly developed platform called continuum mechanics. By the middle of the nineteenth century, the concepts of classical mechanics had reached a degree of maturity. It was left for the Impressionist artists of the latter third of the century to push art in a direction that could be said to have been the prelude to moving beyond the bounds of continuum mechanics. At the same time, engineers began using the new-found theoretical models to develop a field of mechanics termed structural mechanics.
Food, Energy, and Climate Change

America and Europe are currently using about 17% of their total energy for their food systems. About 6% is used directly for agricultural production. In developing countries, the amount of energy used in the food system ranges from 30 to 60%. More fossil energy will be expended in the future as we try to feed the expanding world population. As most of the arable cropland in the world is already in production, the only way to increase crop yields will be to use more fossil fuel in intensive management systems. Climatic changes in the future will probably alter the relationship of energy and land use in world food production. The increased burning of fossil fuels together with the trend to remove forests and other vegetation for fuel, agriculture, housing and highways will be responsible for the rising level of atmospheric CO2. The projection is that the CO2 level in the atmosphere will about double by the middle of the next century. For North America estimates are that the temperature will rise about 2° C and rainfall in certain regions will decline 10%. These climatic changes will reduce wheat and corn yields from 10–25%. Forest growth should also be reduced. Contributing to reduced yields will be more severe pest problems, particularly insect pests caused by the warmer temperatures. By fertilization the increased CO2 level should increase the growth rate of plants. Unfortunately, this fertilization probably will be more than offset by the reduced plant growth rate due to high temperatures, low moisture, and increased pest damage. As a result, the increased levels of CO2 will probably reduce food and forestry production in North America.
Neurosurgical Device-Related Infections

In this review article, we discuss the epidemiology, microbiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infections associated with cerebrospinal fluid shunts, cerebrospinal fluid drains, and deep brain stimulators. We also briefly discuss prevention strategies with appropriate antibiotics, devices, and operating room practices to decrease the risk of these infections.
Management of Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury.

This review provides an updated summary of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) to guide clinicians in its early diagnosis and prevention and treatment of stroke associated with such injury. Untreated BCVI causes stroke in 10–40% of patients, but more than half will not present with stroke symptoms initially. Risk of stroke is highest in the first 7 days, with a peak in the first 24 h. Computed tomography (CT) angiography is currently the screening modality of choice, although digital subtraction angiography may still be required in some cases. Antithrombotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment and has proven safety in trauma patients. In carefully selected patients, endovascular intervention may also be beneficial. BCVI is a potentially preventable cause of stroke. A high index of suspicion is needed as emergent screening during initial evaluation can provide a window for stroke prevention. Screening all patients with injuries that would otherwise prompt CT scans of the neck or chest is recommended. Treatment is guided by grade of injury. Early treatment with antithrombotics has been shown to be both effective and safe.
Academic achievement in children with chronic kidney disease: a report from the CKiD cohort

There are limited data to describe academic achievement outcomes for children with mild to moderate pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of low academic achievement in patients with mild to moderate CKD. Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Second Edition, Abbreviated (WIAT-II-A) data were collected at entry into the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study. Achievement in basic reading, spelling, mathematics, and total achievement was evaluated with a focus on the effects of comorbid CKD-related variables, neurocognitive, and school-based characteristics on academic achievement. WIAT-II-A data were available for 319 children in the CKiD cohort. Low total academic achievement was present in 34% percent of the sample. There was no significant effect of CKD-related medical variables on academic achievement. Mathematics had the lowest distribution of achievement scores. In univariate models, low achievement was significantly related to days of missed school (p = 0.006) and presence of individualized education plan (p < 0.0001). Low academic achievement was seen in over one-third of children with CKD, with the most difficulty observed in the domain of mathematics. Providers and educators should monitor for academic difficulties in this population in order to facilitate early educational assistance and promote positive educational outcomes.
Becoming a Distinguished Critical Criminology Scholar, the 1960s and 1970s

This chapter highlights key writings of the 60s and 70s—not a linear development that formal writing often imposes on us, but a constant engagement with the past, present, and an eye toward the future. Time was nonlinear for Richard, for his present always drew from his aspirations toward the future tempered by his past understandings. This chapter notes key works and some of the prominent critiques. We see transitions in the later 60s in his embracing conflict and labeling analysis, toward Marxist analysis, first an instrumental version, then a more structural, then, to a religious socialism form near in the late 70s. We also note his ongoing interest in photography and self-discovery manifest in his writings.
Making the invisible visible: Implementing an implicit bias activity in nursing education

Abstract Background Implicit bias (IB) is a pervasive phenomenon that negatively impacts health outcomes. IB is unconscious bias that operates at a level in which the individual is not aware of its existence. There is no requirement to include IB content in nursing education. Purpose We sought to raise awareness of IB and its influence on health outcomes and support a discussion on ways to mitigate the impact of IB. Methods Through preparatory and interactive activities, students became familiar with IB and its effects on health outcomes, completed a self-assessment using the Implicit Association Test, and engaged in a faculty-facilitated discussion. This activity was implemented at four institutions in the United States and included 110 students at the BSN, MSN and DNP levels. Results The activity received positive evaluations. A majority of students reported the preparatory learning activities were helpful, increased awareness of their biases and felt recognition of their IB would be helpful in managing their nursing care. Student narratives are also described in this report. Conclusions Inclusion of IB content in nursing education is acceptable to students and faculty. The content is best included at multiple points in the course of study.
Impacts of catalyst nanolayers on water permeation and swelling of polymer electrolyte membranes

Abstract Polymer electrolyte membranes with catalyst layers are the most crucial components of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer cells and fuel cells. Their water permeation and swelling behavior significantly impact the proton transport and performance in energy conversion devices. In this study, water permeations and swelling properties of Nafion membranes with different platinum (Pt) nanolayers under different conditions are investigated. Visualization results demonstrate the entire swelling process of Pt-coated Nafion membranes and reveal water transport in Nafion membranes and breakage of the Pt nanolayer. The water permeation of Nafion membranes with a 17 nm Pt nanolayer coating reduces from 40 to less than 20 μmol min−1 cm−2 at 80 °C and 70 kPa differential pressure. The water permeation of Nafion membranes with a 36 nm Pt coating is slightly lower than one with a 17 nm Pt coating due to higher transport resistance through the thicker Pt nanolayer and smaller cracks on the Pt nanolayer. Nevertheless, the water permeation of Nafion membranes with Pt nanolayers is still in a good range for proton transport applications, demonstrating the feasibility of Pt or other metal coating on Nafion membranes as catalysts or substrates in PEM-based energy devices.
Social responsiveness and language use associated with an enhanced PRT approach for young children with ASD: Results from a pilot RCT of the PRISM model

Abstract Background Vulnerabilities in social motivation among children with ASD constrain attention and responsiveness to parents and other social partners. When this limited social responsiveness remains uncorrected, it is hypothesized to restrict the quality and quantity of social learning opportunities and ultimately yield negative long-term effects on development. Early intervention efforts that target social motivation may hold promise for correcting this detrimental chain of events. Method The current pilot RCT examined changes in participant social responsiveness and language use in a trial of 21 young children with ASD who were randomly assigned to treatment or waitlist control groups. Treatment participants received a mean of 6.81 h/week of an enhanced Pivotal Response Intervention for Social Motivation (PRISM) treatment model for six months. Data on social responsiveness to parent bids and expressive language (number of total words, number of different words, mean length of utterance in words) were obtained from behaviorally coding and analyzing video-recorded parent-child play sessions. Results Results indicated that young children who participated in the PRISM treatment model demonstrated significant pre-post improvements in social responsiveness and mean length of utterances. Participants in the waitlist condition experienced negligible improvements. Participants who are minimally verbal appear to experience greater gains as a result of the PRISM model. Additionally, initial levels of social responsiveness with parents appear to be predictive of subsequent language use at post-intervention among minimally verbal participants. Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence for the importance of using early intervention paradigms that explicitly target social motivation and responsiveness in young children with ASD. Results also suggest that initial social responsiveness to parents may serve as an important predictor of treatment response.
Green spaces and heterogeneous social groups in the U.S.

Abstract To advance environmental justice in communities, this paper analyzed the way the attributes of green spaces have been defined and evaluated in the literature. We identified and examined 72 peer reviewed journal articles published between 2000 and 2018, which explored green spaces and social groups in the U.S. To report findings systematically, we collected indicators used in the articles and assessed which attributes of green spaces the indicators represent. We found that most articles focused on access more than other attributes (such as ecological benefits, visual and esthetic values, amenities, sociability, and safety). This finding was more salient in the articles that examined green spaces together with race and ethnicity, income class, or age group. The articles that considered green space attributes with gender focused more on evaluating safety, sociability, and amenity. For inclusive planning, design, and management of green spaces and parks, urban planners and park managers must pay attention to diverse attributes to which different social groups are sensitive.
Study of the effect of edaravone on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α in Rat brain of cerebral ischemia reperfusion

Objective To study the effect the edaravone on the expressions of ICAM-1,TNF-α after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion in male rats.Methods 45 male SD rats were selected and randomly assigned into 3 groups:sham operation group(SO),ischemia reperfusion group(I/R),and edaravone treatment group(ED),each group had 15 rats.The expression of ICAM-1,TNF-α were checked by immunohistochemistry.All data in the groups were analyzed with t test.Results The expression of ICAM-1 and TNF-α in the I/R group and ED group were higher than the SO group(t=21.919,27.758,26.576,17.395,32.821,43.021,14.195,31.828,21.201,10.195,25.768,17.900,all P＜0.05)at reperfusion 3 hours,6 hours,and 12 hours.The expression of ICAM-1 and TNF-α in the I/R group were higher than the ED group(t=9.623,13.845,7.201,11.313,all P＜0.05)at reperfusion 3 hours and 6 hours.Conclusion Edaravone may exert the neuroprotective effect against the cerebral ischemia in rats by decreasing the expression of ICAM-1 and inhibiting the activation of TNF-α.This process could inhibit free radical generation. Key words: Hypoxia-ischemia,brain; Reperfusion injury; Intercellular adhesion molecule-1; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Rats; Edaravone
Radiomic analysis identifies tumor subtypes associated with distinct molecular and microenvironmental factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Purpose To identify whether radiomic features from pre-treatment computed tomography (CT) scans can predict molecular differences between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Methods 77 patients from the TCIA with HNSCC had imaging suitable for analysis. Radiomic features were extracted and unsupervised consensus clustering was performed to identify subtypes. Genomic data was extracted from the matched patients in the TCGA database. We explored relationships between radiomic features and molecular profiles of tumors, including the tumor immune microenvironment. A machine learning method was used to build a model predictive of CD8 + T-cells. An independent cohort of 83 HNSCC patients was used to validate the radiomic clusters. Results We initially extracted 104 two-dimensional radiomic features, and after feature stability tests and removal of volume dependent features, reduced this to 67 features for subsequent analysis. Consensus clustering based on these features resulted in two distinct clusters. The radiomic clusters differed by primary tumor subsite (p = 0.0096), HPV status (p = 0.0127), methylation-based clustering results (p = 0.0025), and tumor immune microenvironment. A random forest model using radiomic features predicted CD8 + T-cells independent of HPV status with R2 = 0.30 (p Conclusion Radiomic analysis can identify biologic features of tumors such as HPV status and T-cell infiltration and may be able to provide other information in the near future to help with patient stratification.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, original antigenic sin, and antibody-dependent enhancement: menage a trois

Background Shortly after its emergence in December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the seventh member of the Coronaviridae family of viruses that causes disease in humans. The problem Despite the established role of molecular diagnostics, COVID-19 serodiagnosis remains a poorly discovered and enigmatic area. Although there are numerous commercial serological products available globally, there is a severe paucity of high-quality peer-reviewed literature on their true performance characteristics. That being said, publications including in-house developed serological tests started to shed light on the kinetics of the humoral response. Summary In spite of intense focus of assessing the performance characteristics of the commercially-available kits, the main issue remains rather invisible, that is, lack of solid science behind COVID-19 serology its clinical usefulness thereof. This short review summarizes the key points as to why COVID-19 is not jest ready to fly. Purpose of review Despite having been mentioned as a testing option, COVID-19 serology has significant shortcomings that needs discussing. This short review is meant to shed light on one of those aspects.
Comments on “Spectroscopic and volumetric study of binary liquid mixtures containing ethyl -4‑hydroxy benzoate and alkanols”

Abstract A polemic is given regarding the published volumetric properties given in the recent paper by Nagarjuna and Babu. The authors calculated partial molar volumes of the individual mixture components are found to violate standard thermodynamic relationships and are inconsistent with the excess molar volumes reported in the published paper.
Vascular Pruning on CT and Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in the Framingham Heart Study.

Background Pulmonary vascular disease is associated with poor outcomes in individuals affected by interstitial lung disease. The pulmonary vessels can be quantified with noninvasive imaging, but whether radiographic indicators of vasculopathy are associated with early interstitial changes is not known. Research Question Are pulmonary vascular volumes, quantified from CT scans, associated with interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) in a community-based sample with a low burden of lung disease? Study Design and Methods In 2,386 participants of the Framingham Heart Study, we used CT imaging to calculate pulmonary vascular volumes, including the small vessel fraction (a surrogate of vascular pruning). We constructed multivariable logistic regression models to investigate associations of vascular volumes with ILA, progression of ILA, and restrictive pattern on spirometry. In secondary analyses, we additionally adjusted for diffusing capacity and emphysema, and performed a sensitivity analysis restricted to participants with normal FVC and diffusing capacity. Results In adjusted models, we found that lower pulmonary vascular volumes on CT were associated with greater odds of ILA, antecedent ILA progression, and restrictive pattern on spirometry. For example, each SD lower small vessel fraction was associated with 1.81-fold greater odds of ILA (95% CI, 1.41-2.31; P Interpretation In this cohort of community-dwelling adults not selected on the basis of lung disease, more severe vascular pruning on CT was associated with greater odds of ILA, ILA progression, and restrictive pattern on spirometry. Pruning on CT may be an indicator of early pulmonary vasculopathy associated with interstitial lung disease.
The Midrashic Career of the Confession of Judah (Genesis XXXVIII 26)

L'A. se propose de mettre en valeur la tournure midrashique que prend la confession de Juda en Genese 38:26. Cet article propose la deuxieme partie de son travail ou il etudie la methode midrashique rabbinique pour la comparer a celle employee dans la pericope en question. C'est l'occasion aussi d'aligner un certain nombre de midrashs rabbiniques a propos de ce verset mysterieux pour tenter d'en decripter le sens et en donner une interpretation univoque : Juda reconnait s'etre servi de sa belle-fille Tamar avec laquelle il s'est prostitue et qu'il a mise enceinte
The Cambridge History of War

Volume II of The Cambridge History of War covers what in Europe is commonly called 'the Middle Ages'. It includes all of the well-known themes of European warfare, from the migrations of the Germanic peoples and the Vikings through the Reconquista, the Crusades and the age of chivalry, to the development of state-controlled gunpowder-wielding armies and the urban militias of the later middle ages; yet its scope is world-wide, ranging across Eurasia and the Americas to trace the interregional connections formed by the great Arab conquests and the expansion of Islam, the migrations of horse nomads such as the Avars and the Turks, the formation of the vast Mongol Empire, and the spread of new technologies – including gunpowder and the earliest firearms – by land and sea.
Household Macronutrient Prices and Livestock Health in Western Kenya

Understanding food insecurity issues is in part contingent on understanding food consumption and its costs. We develop estimates of protein, lipid, and carbohydrate macronutrient consumption from household food consumption in western Kenya. We then calculate the shadow price per gram of macronutrient consumption as a share-weighted expense-consumption ratio. Using household bovine, goat, and sheep livestock health observations linked to each household, we analyze the association between livestock illness and macronutrient prices. We find that on average carbohydrates have a 75% budget share, with protein at 14% and lipids at 11%. Average macronutrient shadow prices are 0.0936 Ksh/g for carbohydrates, 0.4373 Ksh/g for protein, and 0.5938 Ksh/g for lipids. Average village-level livestock illness occurrences have significant effects on macronutrient shadow prices. Increasing average bovine illness at the village level by one additional case results in a marginal increase of the shadow prices of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates by 0.11, 0.12, and 0.03 (Ksh/g), respectively. Associated marginal impacts of sheep illness occurrence on protein, lipid, and carbohydrate shadow prices (Ksh/g) are 0.1405, 0.182, and 0.0455, respectively. This exploratory analysis provides empirical evidence that livestock illness is associated with increased macronutrient shadow prices, and hence the costs of available energy consumption. These results help guide policy instruments focused on market forces of nutrient consumption and its relationship with livestock health in undernourished areas with smallholder farming systems.
Tobacco Use Status as a Function of Transgender Identity: The Mediating Role of Psychological Distress

Aim:The current study examined differences between individuals identifying as transgender and people identifying as cisgender in terms of (1) psychological distress (eg, anxiety, depression, and su...
Thermal injury induces early blood vessel occlusion in a porcine model of brass comb burn.

Burn wound progression is an important determinant of patient morbidity and mortality after injury. In this study, we used the brass comb contact burn to determine burn wound vertical injury progression with a focus on blood vessel occlusion and endothelial cell death. Class A 3-month-old Yorkshire pigs received a brass comb contact burn. Burn wounds were sampled at 0, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, and 24 h. Hematoxylin Phloxin Saffron staining and vimentin immunostaining were performed to determine the depth of blood vessel occlusion and endothelial cell death, respectively. The depth of blood vessel occlusion increased by 30 min (p 0.05). The depth of endothelial cell death risen to a plateau at 30 min (p < 0.005) to 2 h and then peaked at 24 h (p < 0.03). We observed a progression of blood vessel occlusion and vascular endothelial cell death from the middle of the dermis to the hypodermis within 2 h to 4 h after the initial injury, namely a progression from a second-degree (partial thickness) to third-degree (full thickness) burn. These data suggest that therapeutic interventions during this time window may provide a better outcome by reducing or preventing vertical progression of blood vascular occlusion or endothelial cell death.
Venous thromboembolism in lung transplant recipients real world experience from a high volume center

BACKGROUND Venous thromboembolism (VTE) post lung transplantation is common and has been associated with worse post transplant survival . We report a comprehensive single center review of VTE incidence in the first post transplant year, investigate modifiable risk factors and assess impact on short term outcomes. METHODS Retrospective review of all lung transplant recipients between August 2016 to 2018 at Temple University Hospital. Patients were followed for 1 year post transplant. All patients were screened for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) within the first 2 weeks with a venous duplex study. Pre transplant, intra operative, post operative variables, and peri-operative practice patterns were compared between VTE positive and VTE negative groups. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify risk factors for early VTE (VTE within 30 days after transplant). RESULTS A total of 235 patients were included in the study, 58 patients (24.7%) developed a VTE in the first post transplant year. Median time to diagnosis was 17 days. Of the patients with VTE, 76% had an isolated DVT, 13.5 % had an isolated pulmonary embolism (PE), and 10.3% had concomitant DVT and PE. In a multivariate logistic regression model, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (OR 1.93 p = 0.015) and interruption of VTE prophylaxis (OR 4.42 p CONCLUSION VTE post lung transplant is common despite the use of prophylactic anticoagulation . CPB use and interruption of DVT prophylaxis are risk factors for early post transplant VTE. Measures to ensure consistent and uninterrupted prophylaxis may help decrease VTE incidence after lung transplantation.
Enoyl coenzyme A hydratase (crotonase). Enhancement of the rate of hydration of crotonylpantetheine by coenzyme A and related compounds.

Abstract The apparent rate of hydration of crotonylpantetheine is stimulated by coenzyme A, a finding in accord with earlier observations. Other compounds, such as ADP, ATP, and acetyl-CoA act in a similar manner. The action of coenzyme A was interpreted earlier to be the result of the "thioltranscrotonylation" activity of crotonase. It was presumed that crotonase catalyzed the transfer of the crotonyl moiety of crotonylpantetheine to coenzyme A and the resulting crotonyl coenzyme A was rapidly hydrated. Reaction of crotonylpantetheine and crotonase with either coenzyme A or acetyl coenzyme A has been found to give only β-hydroxybutyryl-pantetheine and neither crotonyl- nor β-hydroxybutyryl coenzyme A. These observations indicate that crotonase lacks a thioltranscrotonylation activity. The stimulation of the rate of hydration of crotonylpantetheine by coenzyme A and similar compounds appears to occur because of an increased affinity of the enzyme for crotonylpantetheine in the presence of these compounds. It has also been found that the thiol groups in the enzyme, which were postulated to be involved in its thioltranscrotonylation activity as well as hydrase activity, are not essential for the catalytic action of crotonase.
Controlling emergent ferromagnetism at oxide interfaces

The stabilization of interfacial ferromagnetism in manganite based complex oxide heterostructures is among the most promising examples of emergent magnetic phenomena.[1] However, the origins and underlying physics of these interfaces are not yet well understood and numerous surprising behaviors have been reported. In heterostructures composed of the antiferromagnetic insulator CaMnO 3 (CMO) and the paramagnetic metal CaRuO 3 (CRO), a strong dependence of the ferromag-netism on factors such as the conductivity of the paramagnetic layer or the thickness of the layers making up the heterostructure has been observed.[2-3] Such behaviors suggest new methods of tuning the magnetic properties of these interfaces, including using electric field to modulate the conductivity at the interface.
The Effect of Particulate Debris on the Insulation Integrity of SSC Coils During Molding and Collaring

In order to simulate the effect of accindentally introduced debris on SSC coil insulation integrity, models consisting of two pieces of insulated SSC cable have been loaded in an hydraulic press after introducing foreign particles between the layers. The tests were originally suggested by R. Palmer of the SSC Laboratory. A high voltage (2 Kv) was continually applied between the two cables and the load gradually increased until an electrical short occurred. The high voltage was used as an easy method of detecting insulation punctures and to continue the general type of testing begun at Brookhaven by J. Skaritka, now at the SSC Laboratory, and continued at Fermilab by F. Markley and presented at last year’s session of the Conference. A range of particles of different size, shape, and hardness were used, and both conducting and insulating particles were included. Fine wires were also used.
A geochemical clock in earliest Paleogene pelagic carbonates based on the impact-induced Os isotope excursion at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary

[1] An impact-induced osmium (Os) isotope excursion provides a unique means of assessing the completeness of marine Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary sections, and surmounting challenges associated with constraining the time scale of the Earth system recovery from this extreme perturbation. A model of the recovery of seawater187Os/188Os following the impact event allows independent estimates of the time elapsed since the impact, which can be directly compared to time estimates derived from biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and cyclostratigraphy. This approach is tested using data from three deep ocean sites cored by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). Data from ODP 1262B (South Atlantic) and ODP 690C (Southern Ocean) display the expected 187Os/188Os minimum very close to the biostratigraphically defined K-Pg boundary and yield Os-based accumulation rate estimates similar to those obtained from magnetostratigraphy and orbital tuning. In contrast, the187Os/188Os minimum in ODP 1209C (Western Pacific) occurs ≈9 cm below the K-Pg boundary. Low Os concentrations throughout the boundary interval and an implausibly rapid recovery to higher, pre-impact187Os/188Os ratios provide strong evidence for a previously unrecognized gap in the K-Pg interval of Site 1209. Results presented here provide strong empirical evidence that Os isotope data are uniquely valuable in assessing the completeness and accumulation rates of earliest Paleogene sediments from the deep sea. They are of broad interest because they have implications for astronomical tuning of the geologic time scale and illustrate that whole ocean geochemical perturbations can provide an alternative to biostratigraphy for correlation and timekeeping during abrupt biotic events.
Abstract P265: Neighborhood Environments and Weight Change Among Individuals Participating in a Weight Loss Intervention

Introduction: Studies have shown that neighborhood factors (e.g., socioeconomic disadvantage, food sources) have been associated with weight. However, neighborhood factors are often overlooked in weight loss interventions, and few studies examine the influence of neighborhoods on weight change. We examined the neighborhood environment and its association with weight change in a 12-mo. weight loss intervention. Hypothesis: Individuals who live in obesogenic neighborhood environments (e.g., low income, absence of grocery stores) would be less likely to lose weight over time compared to those who live in healthy environments. Methods: This analysis included data on body weight assessed at 0 and 6 mos and calculated as percent change. Residential address at baseline was geocoded using ArcGIS software and assigned the appropriate census tract. Key neighborhood measures included grocery store and restaurant density, proportion Black and low income, and an index of neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage. We tested differences in mean weight changes across the various neighborhood factors. Results: The sample (N=127) was 91% female, 80% White, mean age 51 years, and mean BMI 34. The mean percentage weight loss was 8.8% ±6%. Participants tended to live in neighborhoods that were predominately White, middle to high education, and low poverty. The proportion of Black residents in the neighborhood was the only neighborhood factor significantly associated with weight change. Neighborhoods with the lowest proportion of Black residents had the highest density of grocery stores and restaurants, were the highest income and had the lowest socioeconomic disadvantage score (see table below). Conclusion: Our findings are preliminary; however, they suggest future interventions need to address neighborhood factors to better understand how to improve weight loss for all population groups. This study should be replicated in a larger cohort with representation of individuals from various neighborhood types.
Functional CD95 ligand and CD95 death-inducing signaling complex in activation-induced cell death and doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in leukemic T cells

Activation-induced cell death (AICD) in T cells is mediated by CD95 ligand (CD95L)/receptor interaction, which has also been implicated in apoptosis induction by some anticancer agents. In this article we show that both anti-CD3-triggering (AICD) and doxorubicin treatment led to the production of a functionally active CD95L in the CD3+/T-cell receptor-positive (TCR+) T leukemia cell line H9. CD95L-expressing H9 cells killed CD95-sensitive J16 or CEM target cells, but not CD95-resistant CEM or J16 cells overexpressing dominant negative FADD (J16/FADD-DN). By immunoprecipitation, CD95L was physically bound to CD95, suggesting that AICD and doxorubicin-induced apoptosis involve CD95L-mediated CD95 aggregation, thereby triggering the CD95 death pathway. CD95 aggregation was associated with the recruitment of FADD and caspase-8 to the CD95 receptor to form the CD95 death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), resulting in caspase-8 activation and cleavage of the effector caspase-3 and PARP. Blocking of the CD95L/receptor interaction by antagonistic antibodies to CD95 or to CD95L also blocked AICD and inhibited the early phase of doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, though cell death induced by doxorubicin eventually proceeded in a CD95-independent manner. These findings may explain some conflicting data on the role of death receptor systems in drug-induced apoptosis. Thus, in cells with an inducible CD95 receptor/ligand system, drug-induced apoptosis may be mediated by CD95L-initiated DISC formation and activation of downstream effector programs similar to AICD in T cells. (Blood. 2000;95:301-308)
Neurogenetics and Behavior Related to Higher Brain Functions

The sections in this article are: 1 Higher Brain Functions and Genotype: Correlated Variations 1.1 Intelligence 1.2 Personality and Temperament 1.3 General Comment 2 Genetic Basis of Variation in Nervous System 2.1 Structure and Organization of DNA: Starting Point 2.2 Modes of Variation in DNA Structure 2.3 Genome Within Nervous System 3 Genome and Determination of Behavior 3.1 Conservation and Change in Evolution 3.2 Inbred Strains and Selected Breeding 3.3 Sexual Hormones and Dimorphic Brain Organization 3.4 Variations in Single or Small Numbers of Genes 3.5 Neurological Mutants in Experimental Animals 3.6 Heritable Disorders in Humans 4 Summary
The impact of polarization-mode dispersion on four-wave wave mixing in WDM systems

The impact of polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) on four-wave mixing (FWM) is evaluated. A simple model is developed from the FWM transfer function on polarization states of the signals. The implications of the results on the orthogonal polarization launch scheme for WDM systems are also investigated.
A Note on Base Change, Identities Involving τ(n), and a Congruence of Ramanujan

We use the theory of quadratic base change to derive some new identities involving the Ramanujan τ-function, and show how the Ramanujan congruence τ(n) ≡ σ 11(n) (mod 691) follows.
Reaction of the oligomeric forms of MOPC 167 IgA with antigen and a circular dichroism study of the binding of pneumococcal C substance by monomer IgA

Abstract The roles of multivalence and conformational change in the reactions of the various oligomeric forms of MOPC 167 IgA with phosphorylcholine-containing antigens were studied. The oligomeric forms of MOPC 167 IgA were separated by affinity chromatography with gradient elution. There was a linear relationship between the size of the oligomer and the hapten concentration required for its elution from the column. In precipitation experiments, the dimer and tetramer forms gave very similar behaviour with pneumococcal C substance, but the tetramer required more than twice as much hapten for inhibition of precipitation. In a passive hemagglutination system, the activities of monomer, dimer and tetramer were in the proportions 1:8:128. In reverse radial immunodiffusion tests, the dimer was twice as active as the tetramer. Therefore the multivalence of the oligomeric forms of IgA confers only modest increases in overall binding affinity. When pneumococcal C substance was added to monomer MOPC 167 IgA no change was detected in the C.D. spectrum in either the aromatic or far u.v. regions. A small change attributable to a tyrosine residue occurred when phosphorylcholine was added. The same results were obtained with MOPC 167 Fab, hence no conformational change in Fc chromophores was triggered by combination with antigen.
Intersections of Schubert Varieties

terminantal varieties. The exact characterization of these intersections isstill unknown. In this context, it is desirable to obtain a description of theprimary decomposition of a sum of ladder-determinantal ideals. As a firststep towards this goal we consider the simplest ladders, namely the onesthat are rectangular. Thus, the objective of this article is to establish anideal-theoretic intersection recipe for a pair of determinantal-type Schu-bert varieties. The result may be thought of as an analogue of the Pieriformula see 3 , 10 . Our methods of investigation are algebraic-combi- wx w x.natorial in nature, akin to the ones in 7 .wxIn order to avoid technicalities and cumbersome notation, we restricthere to explaining a corollary of Theorem 4 of this article. This corollary is
Community involvement and socialization among individuals with mental retardation.

Abstract Mental retardation, a condition characterized by significantly lower than average intellectual ability and adaptive behavior deficits, currently affects between 2% and 3% of the population. Individuals with mental retardation experience many difficulties throughout their lives, with one such difficulty being that they have few opportunities for community involvement and often have few social relationships. To determine if increased community involvement and increased socialization are among the most common desires expressed by individuals with mental retardation, we conducted a study examining pre-existing data of 1348 individuals. The study focused on specific desires expressed by individuals with mental retardation—including, but not limited to, increased community involvement and increased socialization. Although these individuals expressed a wide variety of desires, they expressed a desire for increased community involvement most frequently. Individuals also frequently expressed a desire for increased socialization, change of residence, work-related changes, increased personal belongings, and increased personal activities. We discuss the importance of community involvement and socialization, the link between the two, interactions that could potentially exist among other expressed desires, and ways of increasing community involvement while addressing other desires that individuals with mental retardation expressed.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DURATION AND ECONOMIC DEPRECIATION: A NOTE

This note derives an expression for duration in terms of the economic depreciation of a capital budgeting project or financial instrument. By showing how the decline in the value of an asset or liability influences duration, additional insight into the characteristics of this measure is obtained. The new formula shows that duration equals a standard value, which is adjusted for depreciation or appreciation.
SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY OF ETHANETHIOLATE AND N-OCTADECANETHIOLATE MONOLAYERS SPONTANEOUSLY ADSORBED AT GOLD SURFACES

Monolayer films from ethanethiol (ET) and n-octadecanethiol (OT) spontaneously adsorbed onto epitaxially grown Au(111) films on mica were examined by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The resulting atomically resolved images are the first reported for gold-adsorbed organothiolate molecules and reveal the packing arrangement of the overlayer. Tunneling is presumed to occur between the microscope tip and the gold-bound sulfur of the n-alkanethiolate head group. For both the ET and QT monolayers, an image that corresponds to a hxagonally packed array of adsorbates with respective nearest-neighbor and next-neighbor spacings of 0.50±0.02 and 0.87±0.04 nm was observed
On-line computer rejection of EEG artifact☆

Abstract Simple, on-line, frequency domain procedures to detect non-continuous artifact in the waking EEG are presented. Individual algorithms detect head and body movements, large muscle potentials and eye-movement potentials. These algorithms are implemented as program modules in an interactive, real-time, spectral and transient analysis and display system, ADIEEG, described elsewhere. The system's performance in detecting artifact-contaminated EEG in 35 normal and abnormal, 3 min, 8-channel recordings was compared with that of the consensus of three expert scorers. The system correctly detected 65% of the artifact events identified by the consensus of expert scorers. Twenty-seven percent of the detections made by the system were of events that had not been marked by any of the three scorers. This performance was not statistically different from the average of the individual scorers vs. the consensus. The largest number of false detections were of intermittent, high-amplitude events of cortical origin which did not occur during the supervised calibration period.
Unveiling the Veil: Gendered Discourses and the (In)Visibility of the Female Body in France

Much of the discussion that surrounded the question of the veil in France following the 1989 in-famous affaire du foulard, has been couched in terms of restricting binaries: secularism-Islam, Us-Th...
Autobiographical remembering and self-composing

Abstract A interpretive synopsis based on our empirical research and theoretical perspectives on autobiographical remembering and self-composing is presented. Conceptual links are made among Kelly's notions of personal constructs, autobiographical remembering, and self. The influences of attitudes on remembering personally significant information, either by oneself or with others, are emphasized. The possible functions of autobiographical remembering are explored through an ecological perspective. Two functions are identified: a coherence or unity function and an interpersonal function. A sense of coherence is achieved in (re)constructive or productive remembering; intimacies are established and maintained in productive interactions. It is proposed that a sense of self can be instantaneously experienced directly through an improvisational process of self-composition in autobiographical remembering and interacting.