cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal association of actigraphy-assessed sleep with physical growth in the first 6 months of life.

Study objectives Suboptimal sleep is associated with obesity and its sequelae in children and adults. However, few studies have examined the association between sleep and physical growth in infants who experience rapid changes in sleep/wake patterns. We examined the longitudinal association of changes in objectively assessed sleep/wake patterns with changes in growth between ages 1 and 6 months. Methods We studied 298 full-term infants in the longitudinal Rise & SHINE cohort study. Changes from 1 and 6 months in nighttime sleep duration, wake after sleep onset (WASO), and number of waking bouts ≥5 min were assessed using ankle actigraphy. Overweight was defined as age- and sex-specific weight for length ≥95th percentile. Generalized estimating equation analyses adjusted for infants' and mothers' characteristics. Results The mean (SD) birth weight was 3.4 (0.4) kg; 48.7% were boys. In multivariable adjusted models, each 1-h increase in nighttime sleep duration between months 1 and 6 was associated with a 26% decrease in the odds of overweight from 1 to 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI, 0.56, 0.98]). Each 1-unit decrease in number of waking bouts was associated with a 16% decrease in the odds of overweight (OR = 0.84; 95% CI [0.72, 0.98]). Changes in WASO were not associated with the odds of overweight. Conclusions Greater increases in nighttime sleep duration and more consolidation of nighttime sleep were associated with lower odds of overweight from 1 to 6 months. Adverse sleep patterns as early as infancy may contribute to excess adiposity.
Scalability of the CWI: Substate Regional Indicators and Composite Indices

This chapter continues to study the question of scalability of the child and youth well-being concepts, indicators, and composite indices posed in Chap. 7. That is, can CWI well-being concepts, indicators, domains of well-being, and composite indices be applied and interpreted at subnational levels? Chapter. 7 addressed this question at the level of the 50 individual US states. This chapter zooms in on regional areas within states, such as counties and groups of counties. Lee et al. (2009) studied this question at the level of six counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara) that comprise the San Francisco Bay Area and for each of the individual counties and made comparisons of the resulting child and youth well-being indices with the corresponding CWI for the state of California. Fu et al. (2009) updated this analysis and extended it to include the county of Los Angeles, California. To illustrate the data limitations and challenges encountered at the substate regional level of analysis of child and youth well-being as well as the potentials of such analyses, this chapter describes and reports a number of findings from those articles/reports, especially from Fu et al. (2009).
Optimum sizing of power grids for IR drop

This paper explores the optimum design of the power grid. A simplified model of the power grid, based on the assumption of uniform current distribution and some approximations, is presented. This model is shown to give the IR drop at the grid center with error less than 0.1% compared to full simulation. In addition, the optimum sizing of power grid lines for minimum IR drop is derived, based on a general version of the model. Applying the optimum sizing, a uniform grid has the minimum IR drop, for uniform current profile. However, for real chip examples where current profiles are non-uniform, the optimum sizing results in 14% reduction in the IR drop at the center compared to uniform sizing.
Combating Impunity: Some Thoughts on the Way Forward

The very fact that an international meeting of experts convenes to consider the issue of impunity for international crimes and serious violations of human rights is itself a measure of changing times. Although some legal obligations to investigate, prosecute, and punish perpetrators or compensate victims already existed,' until the 1990s the issue was not on the agenda of either the human rights community or states. The last ten years has seen a sea change, prompted both by the end of the cold war and by recognition that the seeds of future violations are sown, in part, in the failure to come to terms with past cycles of violations. Accountability is now routinely demanded and assessed by international human rights groups, and anti-impunity measures are no longer seen as simply a question of national choice. The United States now announces that accountability is a mainstay of its foreign policy, especially in situations of transition. The U.S. State Department Country Reports now refer to impunity as a major problem in a number of countries. The Ad-hoc Tribunals on the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda2 have, of course, helped advance the law by signaling, at least in theory, that certain international crimes must be prosecuted. And the creation of an International Criminal Court is finally firmly on the agenda, with a Diplomatic Conference scheduled for 1998 and a series of Preparatory Committee meetings this year. On a national level, courts and legislatures have begun grappling with the issues of impunity and amnesty. Recent amnesty laws in South Africa and
New Metal−Organic Polygons Involving MM Quadruple Bonds: M8(O2CtBu)4(μ-SC4H2-3,4-{CO2}2)6(M = Mo, W)

The reactions between M 2 (O 2 C t Bu) 4 , where M = Mo or W, and thienyl-3,4-dicarboxylic acid (0.5-1.5 equiv) in toluene proceed via a series of detectable intermediates to the compounds M8(02CtBu) 4 (μ-SC 4 H 2 -3,4-{CO 2 } 2 )6, which are isolated as air-sensitive yellow (M = Mo) or red (M = W) powders and show parent molecular ions in their mass spectra (MALDI). The structure of the molybdenum complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and shown to contain an unusual M 8 polygon involving four Mo 2 quadruply bonded units linked via the agency of the six 3,4-thienylcarboxylate groups. The structure has crystallographically imposed S 4 symmetry and may be described in terms of a highly distorted tetrahedron of Mo 2 units or a bisphenoid in which two Mo 2 units are linked by a thienyldicarboxylate such that intramolecular Mo 2 ...O bonding is present, while the other thienylcarboxylate bridges merely serve to link these two [Mo 2 ]...[Mo 2 ] units together. The color of the compounds arises from intense M 2 δ-to-thienyl π* transitions and, in THF, the complexes are redox-active and show four successive quasi-reversible oxidation waves. The [M 8 ] + radical cations, generated by one-electron oxidation with AgPF 6 , are shown to be valence-trapped (class II) by UV-vis-near-IR and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. These results are supported by the electronic structure calculations on model compounds M 8 (O 2 CH) 4 (μ-SC 4 H 2 -3,4-{CO}) 2 ) 6 employing density functional theory that reveal only a small splitting of the M 2 6 manifold via mixing with the 3,4-thienylcarboxylate π system.
Chemical properties of upland forest soils in the Catskills region

The Catskills forest provides a valuable array of ecosystem services for local and regional populations, including the provision of forest products, wildlife habitats, and high-quality water. These services depend on chemical and biological processes that occur in forest soils. In 2011, we sampled soils in 25 headwater catchments in the Catskills region to quantify the pools of soil nutrients and examine the variation in soil properties in the region. The average soil depth in the 50 excavated pits was 56.6 cm. Average soil mass was 205 kg/m(2). The pools of soil carbon and nitrogen averaged 58.5 and 3.95 Mg/ha, respectively. The thin organic horizons accounted for less than 1% of soil mass, but included 14% of the soil carbon and 11% of soil nitrogen. Catskills forest soils are highly acidic, with mean pH ranging between 3.9 and 4.75. Base saturation was high (>60%) in organic horizons and low (12-31%) in mineral soils. The pool of exchangeable calcium is approximately equivalent to 20 years of calcium export from headwater streams, raising concerns regarding the ability of these catchments to maintain current stream calcium concentrations. The data and samples collected in this study provide a baseline for future soil monitoring in the region.
[NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Paper 4:] Technical communications in aerospace: An analysis of the practices reported by US and European aerospace engineers and scientists

Two pilot studies were conducted that investigated the technical communications practices of U.S. and European aerospace engineers and scientists. Both studies had the same five objectives: (1) solicit opinions regarding the importance of technical communications; (2) determine the use and production of technical communications; (3) seek views about the appropriate content of an undergraduate course in technical communications; (4) determine use of libraries, information centers, and online database; (5) determine use and importance of computer and information technology to them. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to randomly selected aerospace engineers and scientists, with a slightly modified version sent to European colleagues. Their responses to selected questions are presented in this paper.
Chapter 20 Engineering sustainable urban infrastructure

Publisher Summary This chapter describes engineering processes and urban planning strategies that can be applied to improve the sustainability of urban infrastructure, where urban infrastructure refers to the engineered structures that provide energy, water, sanitation, housing, and transport (of materials, humans and information) within an urban area. It is suggested that urban systems studies must integrate the energy, water, sewage, construction, industrial production, information, and health care sectors within a city, as well as address impacts on the whole environment, including water, air, land, and bio resources. Sustainable infrastructure engineering requires addressing technical feasibility of new and innovative technologies in the context of environmental, ecosystem and socioeconomic metrics for sustainability. Engineering evaluations, along with economic analysis and suitable public policy implementation have been shown to lead to success in developing sustainable urban infrastructure in a few cities, worldwide. The challenge lies in understanding these linkages, learning from past experiences and developing a consistent framework for future sustainable urban infrastructure engineering.
QU Carinae: Type Ia supernova in the making?

Variable Na i absorption lines have been reported in a number of Type Ia supernovae (SNeIa). The presence of this circumstellar material suggests that cataclysmic variables (CVs) with a giant donor star may be the progenitors of these SNeIa. We present echelle spectra of the CV QU Carinae which strengthen the connection between CVs of the V Sge class, the accretion wind evolution scenario, variable wind features, variable Na i absorption and SNeIa. This thread not only provides insight into the spectral peculiarities of QU Car, but also links SNeIa as a class with their parent systems.
Comparing the effects of massed and distributed practice on skill acquisition for children with autism

We replicated and extended the findings of Haq and Kodak (2015) by evaluating the efficiency of massed and distributed practice for teaching tacts and textual and intraverbal behavior to 3 children with autism. Massed practice included all practice opportunities conducted on 1 day during each week, and distributed practice included practice opportunities conducted across several days during the week. The results indicated that distributed practice was more efficient for all participants. Suggested areas for future research and implications for practice are discussed.
Managing Patient Stress in Pediatric Radiology

Background Research has shown that short-and long-term effects can result from stressful or invasive medical procedures performed on children in the radiology department. Short-term effects for the pediatric patient include pain, anxiety, crying, and lack of cooperation. The patient's parents also may experience short-term effects, including elevated anxiety and increased heart rate and blood pressure. Potential long-term effects include post-traumatic stress syndrome; fear; changes in pain perception and coping effectiveness; avoidance of medical care; and trypanophobia. Objective To identify common sources of stress in pediatric radiology, investigate short-and long-term effects of stressful and invasive medical procedures in pediatric patients, and compare different strategies used in radiology departments to minimize stress in pediatric patients. Methods Searches were conducted using specific databases to locate literature related to stress in pediatric radiology. Articles were included that addressed at least 1 of the following topics: common sources of stress in the pediatric radiology department, the short-or long-term effects of a stressful and invasive medical procedure, or a stress-minimizing strategy used in a pediatric medical environment. Conclusion Consistency of care can be improved among the different radiology modalities by providing similar and effective strategies to minimize stress, including interventions such as parental involvement, preprocedural preparation, distraction, sedation, use of a child-life specialist, hypnosis, protecting the child's privacy, and positive reinforcement. Future research is needed to identify additional ways to improve the consistency for care of pediatric patients in the radiology department and to investigate stress management in areas such as pediatric vascular interventional radiology, cardiac catheterization, emergency/trauma imaging, and gastrointestinal procedures.
Design of finite word length FIR digital filter using a parallel genetic algorithm

The application of a parallel genetic algorithm implemented with a Hypercube computer to design optimal finite-wordlength finite-impulse-response digital filters is described. Two examples of this application to the design of a Chebyshev low-pass digital filter are given. One example, describing a filter with a length of 40 coefficients and 10-b wordlength, is used for comparison to a previously reported identical design problem which was solved with a general-purpose integer programming algorithm. This comparison reveals that the genetic algorithm produces a better Chebyshev approximation to the desired frequency response. The second example describes the results of the application of the genetic algorithm to the design of a high-order filter developed for the processing of seismic signals. The characteristics of this second filter with 140 coefficients and a 16-b wordlength are compared to those obtained by a rounded-off method. >
Phosphorylation of Rabies Virus Nucleoprotein Regulates Viral RNA Transcription and Replication by Modulating Leader RNA Encapsidation

One of the major structural differences between rabies virus and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is that the nucleoprotein (N) is the major phosphoprotein and the nominal phosphoprotein (P) is less phosphorylated in rabies virus, whereas P is the major phosphoprotein and N is not phosphorylated in VSV. We investigated the function of phosphorylation of rabies virus N after dephosphorylation of N with alkaline phosphatase or after changing the phosphorylated serine at position 389 to alanine by site-directed mutagenesis. The unphosphorylated N, in comparison to the phosphorylated N, was studied for its abilities to encapsidate rabies virus leader RNA and to support transcription and replication of a rabies virus minigenome. We found that unphosphorylated N binds more strongly to leader RNA than the phosphorylated N; however, the rates of transcription and replication of the rabies virus minigenome were significantly lower with the unphosphorylated N than with the phosphorylated N. This indicates that the phosphorylation of rabies virus N plays an important role in the regulation of rabies virus transcription and replication, probably via modulation of leader RNA encapsidation.
Test scripting — An alternative approach to realtime instrument control

In many test applications involving high speed digital data buses, the time required to receive data from a Unit Under Test (UUT), process that data, and provide a response to the UUT may be small enough to preclude use of the computer controlling the overall test system, even if the nature of that data processing is not very complex. In these situations, Test Program Set (TPS) developers can use local computing power that is embedded in a particular test instrument. However, developing test programs to run on this embedded computing power can be difficult and involve purchasing additional software tools beyond what is provided with the test system. In addition, the embedded computer program does not run independently, but rather in tandem with and under the control of, the test program running on the test system computer. So, in addition to developing the algorithms to receive, process, and transmit data, the TPS developer must also provide the framework by which the overall test program can control these operations. The solution proposed in this paper helps simplify the TPS development effort by; 1) providing a simple scripting language that TPS developers can use to create test scripts that execute on the test instrumentation, 2) providing them with tools to code and compile those test scripts, 3) providing the necessary framework for them to allow the overall test program to control the operation of the test scripts, and relieving the TPS developers of that burden, and 4) providing an alternative to them having to purchase expensive, real-time programming tools. This paper identifies test applications where test scripting may be used effectively in reducing overall TPS development time, lists basic features of a test scripting language, describes the capabilities needed of the accompanying tool set, and how the test scripts would be developed and integrated into a TPS. The paper also includes a practical example of a test script used to dynamically modify data as part of a Fibre Channel based test application.
Onset of double helical structure in small-sized homoleptic gold thiolate clusters.

Low-lying isomers of homoleptic gold thiolate clusters (AuSR)N (N = 6−12) are studied by using a global-minimum search method. Besides previously known zigzag crown structures for (AuSR)N (N = 6−12) and catenane structures for (AuSR)N (N = 10, 12), onset of a new structural family of double helical structures in small-sized gold thiolate clusters and the separate-ring structures in larger clusters is revealed. At N = 6−9, the double helical structures are predicted to be the global minima. The onset of double helical structures suggests a new folding way for flexible gold thiolate clusters. The simulated UV−vis spectra and XRD patterns for all low-lying clusters are ready to compare with future experiments.
Selective expression of type I and type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in subcellular fractions of concanavalin A-stimulated rat thymocytes

Abstract Total protein kinase activity and the expression of the type I and type II cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinases were studied in subcellular fractions of rat thymocytes and the effect of concanavalin A treatment on protein kinase activity was assessed. At a concentration of 100 μ/ml of concanavalin A a marked decline of total nuclear protein kinase activity occurred which lasted approximately 20 to 90 min. Concomitantly, a twofold increase of total protein kinase activity in the 900 g supernatant fraction was observed which lasted from 5 to 30 min. Studies using the heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor revealed that the concanavalin A-mediated activity changes were primarily due to changes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, whereas cAMP-independent protein kinase activity remained unchanged. Analysis of the type I and type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme pattern before and after concanavalin A treatment revealed a selective change of the relative expression of isozyme activities. Whereas type I protein kinase was the major nuclear isozyme before concanavalin A treatment, nuclear type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase increased markedly with a concomitant loss of type I isozyme expression. In the 900 g supernatant fraction, containing primarily the type II isozyme in unstimulated cells, concanavalin A treatment caused an increase of the expression of the type I isozyme. The concanavalin A-mediated relative changes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme expression were confirmed by photoaffinity labeling of the regulatory subunits R I and R II before and after concanavalin A stimulation. The intracellular concanavalin A-mediated isozyme changes were time dependent, exhibiting maximal effects about 20 min after concanavalin A addition. These results indicate that selective regulation of intracellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme expression may be a mechanism related to isozyme-specific phosphorylation of specific intracellular substrates in concanavalin A-activated thymocytes.
PREVALENCE OF Dictyocaulus viviparus INFECTION IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK IN TETON COUNTY, WYOMING*

Dictyocaulus viviparus infections in Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis of Teton County were surveyed by fecal analyses during spring, summer and winter and by fecal analyses and necropsies during fall hunting seasons, 1968–1973. Prevalence of the lungworms was relatively high: 32–70% during the spring; slightly lower, 30–47%, during the summer; 21–39% in the fall; and declined to the annual low of 8–19% during the winter. Conversely, elk summering on Big Game Ridge showed an increase in prevalence of D. viviparus from 1969 to 1973. Decreases in prevalence of lungworms were noted on the National Elk Refuge at Jackson after management changes were effected in 1971.
Characterization of pedicel, paper, and larval silk from nest of Polistes annularis (L.)

The pedicel, nest paper, and larval silk ofPolistes annularis nests were analyzed by high-resolution solid-state [13C]NMR. The pedicel was found to have a high nitrogen content (11%), and the NMR spectra indicated that it is a mixture of carbohydrate and protein. The pedicel protein has an amino acid composition that is very rich in glycine, alanine, serine, and proline (67% of identified residues), similar to that of some insect silks. Solid-state [13C]NMR indicated that the nest paper is composed predominantly of cellulose. Silk, spun by matureP. annularis larvae, was shown by [13C] NMR and amino acid analysis to be a protein very high in serine and alanine (53%), but the amino acid composition is distinct from that of the pedicel protein.
Family Fortunes in the Song-Yuan Transition: Academies and Chinese Elite Strategies for Success

The founding of academies was a strategy that enabled some Chinese elite families to retain their status through the Song-Yuan transition and beyond. Family academies provided both educational and professional opportunities. The Yuan government rewarded support of education by appointing a family member as academy headmaster, an unranked post that often led to local or regional educational offices. After the restoration of the examination system in 1315, the descendants of the academy founders benefited from family academy education in the competition for examination degrees.
Evaluation of the pediatric surgical matching program by the directors of pediatric surgical training programs.

Abstract In a previous survey of successful candidates (SC) and unsuccessful candidates (USC) to the pediatric surgery matching program (PSMP), significant discriminating factors associated with SC included previous participation in basic science research, number of publications, number of national presentations, and contact with and letters of recommendation from well-known pediatric surgeons. The purpose of this study was to determine the selection criteria used by directors of the pediatric surgery training programs (PSTP) in choosing residents for the PSMP. A two-part survey of the PSMP was completed by directors of the PSTP (n = 24) to identify the factors (n = 31) that most influence their selection process when choosing a resident, and to help clarify questions (n = 11) posed by the candidates during the first survey. In part I, each factor was scored on a modified Likert Scale, from most (1) to least (5) important in evaluating candidates for training positions, and were ranked according to the mean score. Based on our previous survey, but blinded to the PSTP director respondents, these same factors were divided into groups that, in our first survey, did and did not discriminate between SC and USC for the PSMP, and will be referred to as "discriminating factors" (DF, n=7) and "non-discriminating factors" (NDF, n=8), respectively. Also, a series of questions dealt with subjective factors of the candidates, not previously analyzed in our original survey, and will be referred to as "program directors' factors" (PDF, n=16). The three groups (DF, NDF, PDF) were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The five most important factors to the PSTP directors were (1) works well with people (1.24), (2) personal interview (1.33), (3) telephone conversations with other pediatric surgeons (1.4), (4) interviews with other faculty (1.48), and (5) personality (1.5). PDF (mean score, 2.13) were considered most important, followed by DF (2.66) and NDF (3.16). These groups are significantly different by ANOVA (F = 4.16, P = .02) and the Kruskal-Wallis test (H = 6.516, P = .04). Most directors supported mandatory participation in the matching process and were opposed to centralized interviews. Almost all believed that the current system provides accurate information about the candidates, but that qualified candidates often went unmatched. Sixty percent favored an increase in the number of training programs. The PSMP now has been analyzed from both the candidates' and PSTP directors' points of view. The results of this survey of the PSMP by the PSTP directors confirm our previous survey's results with respect to objective factors that distinguish between SC and USC in the PSMP. However, subjective PDF were considered the most important factors in evaluating a candidate; this emphasizes the personal intangible characteristics of the candidates and assumes stellar academic and technical abilities.
Use of a twin dataset to identify AMD-related visual patterns controlled by genetic factors

The mapping of genotype to the phenotype of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is expected to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease in a near future. In this study, we focused on the first step to discover this mapping: we identified visual patterns related to AMD which seem to be controlled by genetic factors, without explicitly relating them to the genes. For this purpose, we used a dataset of eye fundus photographs from 74 twin pairs, either monozygotic twins, who have the same genotype, or dizygotic twins, whose genes responsible for AMD are less likely to be identical. If we are able to differentiate monozygotic twins from dizygotic twins, based on a given visual pattern, then this pattern is likely to be controlled by genetic factors. The main visible consequence of AMD is the apparition of drusen between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch's membrane. We developed two automated drusen detectors based on the wavelet transform: a shape-based detector for hard drusen, and a texture- and color- based detector for soft drusen. Forty visual features were evaluated at the location of the automatically detected drusen. These features characterize the texture, the shape, the color, the spatial distribution, or the amount of drusen. A distance measure between twin pairs was defined for each visual feature; a smaller distance should be measured between monozygotic twins for visual features controlled by genetic factors. The predictions of several visual features (75.7% accuracy) are comparable or better than the predictions of human experts.
Clinical importance of recently discovered gene variants in colon cancer recurrence and prognosis

SUMMARY Colorectal cancer survival has increased over the past few years, mainly due to the advances in the metastatic setting. Nonetheless, in the adjuvant scenario, minor improvements have been made, as the tumor's anatomopathological features remain to be most important factors for predicting the risk of recurrence and the prognosis. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, progression, invasion and metastasis development, have laid the groundwork for the search of genetic biomarkers that can help identify patients at a higher risk of recurrence. Common germline variants in genes within molecular pathways responsible for cancer development and progression have proven to influence the probability of relapse and the patient's prognosis. Here, we systematically review the relevance of genetic variants as prognostic biomarkers in colorectal carcinoma.
Palette-based photo recoloring

Image editing applications offer a wide array of tools for color manipulation. Some of these tools are easy to understand but offer a limited range of expressiveness. Other more powerful tools are time consuming for experts and inscrutable to novices. Researchers have described a variety of more sophisticated methods but these are typically not interactive, which is crucial for creative exploration. This paper introduces a simple, intuitive and interactive tool that allows non-experts to recolor an image by editing a color palette. This system is comprised of several components: a GUI that is easy to learn and understand, an efficient algorithm for creating a color palette from an image, and a novel color transfer algorithm that recolors the image based on a user-modified palette. We evaluate our approach via a user study, showing that it is faster and easier to use than two alternatives, and allows untrained users to achieve results comparable to those of experts using professional software.
Electrically and mechanically induced macroscopic body couple, a newly recognized phenomenon of electromechanical interaction

Microscopically, when the molecules of certain materials are under the influence of external stimuli such as mechanical and electrical forces, several processes can happen. In particular, the centers of charge of the positive and negative ions of a molecule may displace with respect to each other. This notion leads to the macroscopic concept of polarization which has been exploited in the classical studies of piezo-electric and ferroelectric materials. In addition, the ions of the molecule may also rotate angularly relative to one another. Here an entirely new macroscopic concept of body couple which differs from the classical concept is introduced. It is show that the simplest representations of the proposed constitutive relations lead to an equation within the context of the classical bending theory of thin plates whose solution is in remarkable agreement with recent experimental results concerning the bending of thin virgin ferroelectric ceramic discs under the action of small d.c. voltages. These experimental results cannot be explained by the classical notion of polarization. Therefore, the concept of macroscopic body couple introduced here is a fundamental feature which must be taken into account in the considerations of electromechanical interactions.
Structured targets and the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal effect

The Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal effect is the suppression of Bethe-Heitler radiation caused by multiple scattering in the target medium. In this paper, the quantum treatment given earlier for finite but homogeneous targets is extended to structured targets. It is shown that radiators composed of separated plates or of a medium with a varying radiation length can exhibit coherence maxima and minima in their photon spectra.
The financing of social protection in Europe: achieving the impossible?

Alarming messages are regularly launched into the public arena concerning the financing situation of the European Welfare States, and in particular their capacity to continue financing public pension schemes. Titles like: Sprengen Pensionslasten die Staatskasse? (Are pensions liabilities going to explode the State Treasuries?) are illustrative of the general trend. Depending on the source of such messages, their degree of reliability and credibility varies. Given the tremendous economic and political interests which are at stake, social protection has become a battlefield between different political ideologies and between public and private providers of social protection or private insurance. Financial data are a central element in this debate.All experts involved with social protection issues are bound to recognise that the future financing of social protection gives rise to serious problems, due to factors which include the excessively low level of economic growth, the unfavourable employment situation,...
Submicron lines in thin metal films micromachined by an ultrafast laser oscillator

Summary form only given. We demonstrate submicron micromachining with an ultrafast laser oscillator for the first time. The laser used was a 100-fs Ti:sapphire laser with an output power of 0.35 W operating at 89 MHz. A Faraday isolator was used to reject any backreflection from the work piece. A wave plate and polarizer combination was used to vary the laser power incident on target.
Predictors of academic motivation in first grade among children born to low-income adolescent mothers

Abstract The central question addressed in this study was: What factors are associated with individual differences in academic motivation among first-grade students who were born to low-income adolescent mothers? Data from a 7-year longitudinal study were used to address the question. First-grade teachers assessed academic motivation for 89 children at the end of the school year. We tested a model that children’s experiences in the home prior to school entry influence the developmental trajectories of the children; experiences in the home are likely to influence the cognitive abilities children have when they enter school. More competent children are likely to be more successful on school-related tasks, which in turn, should influence level of motivation in the early elementary grades. The results of a path analysis were consistent with this model. Parenting practices and quality of the home environment during the early childhood period were predictive of children’s receptive language skills at age 4.5 years and achievement in the fall semester of first grade; achievement test scores were, in turn, predictive of academic motivation at the end of first grade. We also expected parental support for achievement after school entry to be related to individual differences in academic motivation, but this hypothesis was not supported.
Medication-induced exacerbation of neuropathy in Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

Toxin or medication-induced worsening of preexisting peripheral neuropathy is a generally accepted but not well-studied phenomenon in humans. Drug-induced exacerbation of Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) neuropathy is a common concern; a list of potential drugs to avoid is maintained by the CMT Association but with limited direct evidence or advice on relative risk. An extensive literature search for reported cases of drug effects in CMT patients found the vast majority concerned excessive vincristine toxicity in patients with undiagnosed demyelinating forms of CMT, many after 1 or 2 doses. The CMT North American database was also queried for all drug-related effects. All but one drug cited as worsening neuropathy was present on a compiled inclusive list. These results and other available evidence were used to develop a revised risk stratified list for CMT patients and clinicians to consult prior to discussing risk to benefit ratios and making treatment decisions.
Synthesis of β-CIT-BAT, a potential technetium-99m imaging ligand for dopamine transporter

Abstract The synthesis of an N 2 S 2 conjugated BAT phenyltropane ligand is described. This agent can be further used to incorporate technetium-99m to form a neutral complex for SPECT imaging of the dopamine transporter.
III. Kantian intuitions

By way of a reply to Charles Parsons's paper in the Nagel Festschrift, Kant's notion of intuition (Anschauung) is examined. It is argued that for Kant the immediate relation which an intuition has to its object is a mere corollary to its singularity. It does not presuppose (as Parsons suggests) any presence of the object to the mind. This is shown, e.g., by the Prolegomena § 8, where the objects of intuitions a priori are denied by Kant to be so present. They yield knowledge, not in virtue of their immediacy but in virtue of their ideality.
Predictors of Influenza Vaccination in HIV-Infected Patients in the United States, 1990-2002

Background. Although annual influenza vaccination of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients has been recommended in the United States since the early 1990s, vaccine coverage in this population is reported to be low. The objectives of the present study were to assess trends in influenza vaccination coverage in HIV-infected patients and to determine predictors of influenza vaccination.Methods. We analyzed data from the medical records of 51,021 HIV-infected patients from 10 US cities observed in a longitudinal cohort study between 1990 and 2002. Using multivariate logistic regression, we determined predictors of influenza vaccination for both the pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and HAART eras.Results. Vaccination coverage increased from 28.5% in the 1990 to 41.6% in the 2002 influenza season. Vaccine coverage increased with increasing age and frequency of medical visits. In the HAART era, persons prescribed antiretroviral therapy were more likely and those with higher viral loads and lower CD4 T cell counts were less likely to have received influenza vaccine.Conclusions. Although influenza vaccination coverage in this population has increased in recent years, it is well below the Healthy People 2010 target of 60%. Efforts should be undertaken to increase influenza vaccination in HIV-infected persons.
Kosmotropes Form the Basis of Protein-Resistant Surfaces

This paper presents a hypothesis relating the exclusion of a molecule (solute) from the surface of a protein in aqueous solution with the ability of that molecule to render surfaces “protein-resistant”, that is, resistant to the adsorption of proteins from aqueous buffer. While few current data test this hypothesis, it does suggest that surfaces presenting groups derived from certain osmolytesmolecules synthesized by cells to relieve osmotic stresswill be protein-resistant. These predictions were tested by constructing protein-resistant, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) based on the osmolytes betaine and taurine. Examination of data from the literature also revealed that most of the known protein-resistant surfaces are based on displays of kosmotropesmolecules that stabilize the native structure of proteins. The connection between protein resistance, kosmotropicity, and biological function as an osmolyte may illuminate all three properties.
Statistical models for causation: what inferential leverage do they provide?

Experiments offer more reliable evidence on causation than observational studies, which is not to gainsay the contribution to knowledge from observation. Experiments should be analyzed as experiments, not as observational studies. A simple comparison of rates might be just the right tool, with little value added by “sophisticated” models. This article discusses current models for causation, as applied to experimental and observational data. The intention-totreat principle and the effect of treatment on the treated will also be discussed. Flaws in perprotocol and treatment-received estimates will be demonstrated.
Photochemical Generation of Dihydrogen Complexes of Chromium and Tungsten

Photolysis of solutions of M(CO)6 (M = Cr, W) at low temperature in the presence of hydrogen gas affords Cr(CO)5(H2) (1) and W(CO)5(H2) (2). Complexes 1 and 2 are characterized as dihydrogen complexes based on short T1 values for the hydride resonances and the observation of a large HD coupling in the HD derivatives. Irradiation of a phosphine-substituted derivative (PMe3)Cr(CO)5 in the presence of hydrogen gas gave similar results. Thus cis-(PMe3)Cr(CO)4(H2) (3) and trans-(PMe3)Cr(CO)4(H2) (4) were prepared and characterized by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy. When the photolysis reactions were carried out in methylene chloride, solvent binding competitive with hydrogen binding was observed. This was not observed in less coordinating solvents such as alkanes. Subsequent displacement of solvent by H2 leads to the dihydrogen complexes. Complexes 1 and 2 are moderately acidic, with deprotonation effected by mild bases.
Tigecycline-related pancreatitis: a review of spontaneous adverse event reports.

tudy Objective To provide clinicians with an understanding of the comparative occurrence of tigecycline and pancreatitis, and to provide any clinically relevant characteristics that may be useful in identifying the patients at risk. Design Retrospective cohort study. Data Source Spontaneous reports in the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database generated between January 1997 and December 2010. Patients Sixty-two patients who experienced pancreatitis while receiving tigecycline therapy. Measurements and Main Results Disproportionality analysis with Bayesian correction methodology was used to compare tigecycline with all other agents listed in the AERS. Disproportionality analysis uses an adverse event relative reporting ratio (RRR) to compare the occurrence of a specific adverse event with an index drug of interest to the occurrence of the same adverse event with similar agents or with all other FDA-approved prescription drugs. The value was considered meaningful if the 5th percentile of the distribution of the RRR (RRR05) was 2 or greater. Our review identified 62 potential cases of tigecyline-related pancreatitis. An RRR05 score of 10.4, 10.38, and 2.87 was determined for tigecycline-related pancreatitis compared with all other agents, systemic antibiotics, and select tetracyclines listed in the AERS, respectively. In addition, a sex-based RRR05 score was higher in women versus men (14.432 vs 3.125) when tigecycline was compared with all agents in the AERS. Conclusion Our analysis suggests a quantitative signal between tigecycline use and pancreatitis; however, given the limitations of our study, a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be inferred. Thus, additional rigorous scientific analyses are warranted to explore these findings.
The relation of some steroid hormones to beta-glucuronidase activity.

RENEWED interest in the physiological function of the enzyme (β-glucuronidase was initiated by the report of Fishman (1940) that the feeding of glucuronidogenic substances to mice and dogs effected an increase in the β-glucuronidase activity of liver, kidney and spleen, while the enzyme concentration of the sex organs remained unchanged. However, the administration of estrogens to ovariectomized mice caused an increase in β-glucuronidase only in the uterus and possibly the vagina and conversely, ovariectomy resulted in a marked decrease in uterine β-glucuronidase activity (Fishman and Fishman, 1944; Fishman, 1947). It was concluded from these observations that β-glucuronidase catalyzes the synthesis of glucuronides in vivo and that the observed increases in enzyme activity represented an enzyme adaptation phenomenon in response to the presence of increased substrate. Fishman (1947) further postulated that β-glucuronidase plays a fundamental role in the physiological action of estrogenic hormones and that ...
The structure of an insect chymotrypsin

The South American imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), without natural enemies in the United States, widely infests the southern United States, causing more than a half billion dollars in health and agriculture-related damage annually in Texas alone. Fire ants are resistant to most insecticides, so control will require a more fundamental understanding of their biochemistry and metabolism leading to the design of selective, ecologically safe insecticides. The 4th instar larvae play a crucial role in the nutrition of the colony by secreting proteinases (especially chymotrypsin) which digest food products for the entire colony. The first structure of an ant proteolytic enzyme, fire ant chymotrypsin, was determined to atomic resolution (1.7 A). A structural comparison of the ant and mammalian structures confirms the "universality" of the serine proteinase motif and reveals a difference at residues 147-148, which are proteolytically removed in the bovine enzyme but are firmly intact in the ant chymotrypsin, suggesting a different activation mechanism for the latter. Likewise, the absence of the covalently attached propeptide domain (1-15) further suggests an uncharacteristic activation mechanism. The presence of Gly189 in the S1 site is an atypical feature of this chymotrypsin and is comparable only to human leukocyte elastase, hornet chymotrypsin and fiddler crab collagenase. Binding studies confirm the chymotrypsin nature of this novel enzyme.
MSR 2012 keynote: Software analytics in practice — Approaches and experiences

Summary form only given. A list of the plenary sessions speakers and tracks is given. Following that are abstracts for all full papers published on the original conference proceedings CD.
Study of gamma-ray detector performance of Cd1-xZnxTe crystal treated by different etchants

Radiation detectors have been fabricated from Cd1-xZnxTe crystals and their performance has been studied with respect their Cd1-xZnxTe surface preparation. Energy resolution, leakage current, resistivity, ohmicity as well as surface roughness of the detectors were measured and compared for various chemical treatments. Etching in lactic acid has been found to lead to better ohmic contract, a rougher surface and higher leakage current. Bromine is effective in removing the damaged layer and when added to 20 percent lactic acid in ethylene glycol leads to a lower leakage current and consequently a better energy resolution. The best detector performance was obtained with a two step treatment consisting of a standard etchant (5 percent Br in methanol) followed by 2 percent Br in'20 percent lactic acid in ethylene glycol'. The results clearly demonstrate the important of surface chemical treatments in the fabrication of Cd1-xZnxTe radiation detectors.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.