cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface Damage During Kev Ion Irradiation: Results of Computer Simulations

Several studies have shown that the surface morphology can be smoother during simultaneous ion bombardment and growth than during growth alone, however, the atomistic mechanism responsible for the smoothing effect has been difficult to determine. We have developed Monte Carlo simulations of growth and defect diffusion to model the interaction between growth atoms and ion-induced defects and to present a simple atomistic mechanism that describes the effects of low-energy ion bombardment during ion-assisted growth of germanium. Measurements of ion-induced point defect production indicate that a large number of defects exist only temporarily on the surface at typical growth temperatures, because the defects have sufficient mobility to recombine and annihilate. We propose that this ion-induced transient defect population plays a significant role in modifying the dynamic surface morphology. the simulations support a surface smoothing mechanism that involves the destabilization of adatom islands by the transient ion-induced defects. the optimum simulated steady-state surface morphology can be achieved with ion-induced defect production rates less than or equal to 10 defects/ion. We find that low-energy ion bombardment during growth effectively lowers the temperature at which step-flow growth can be achieved.
What lurks in the mind of someone with dysphagia

Submitted are editorial comments and implications of the above-captioned research manuscript This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Is It Time to Employ a Measure of Visit-to-Visit Variability in Clinical Practice?

See related article, pp 461–468 Variability is an intrinsic property of blood pressure (BP), being noted during short-term scrutiny (beat-to-beat variability), during a 24-hour period (circadian rhythm), and over longer periods of observation (visit-to-visit [VVV] variability). In clinical practice, variability has traditionally been seen as an impediment to diagnosis of hypertension and accurate assessment of the role of usual BP as a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Guidelines have focused on standardizing the methods for measurement of BP as a means to minimize systematic error and on averaging the readings within and across visits to reduce random error. Given the established importance of usual BP as a predictor of CVD risk, this makes good sense albeit implementation of recommendations for accurate measurement of BP in routine clinical practice is a formidable challenge. A variety of factors are known to be associated with greater VVV variability in BP, including older age, female sex, higher levels of BP, diabetes mellitus, subclinical CVD, stroke, coronary heart disease, and renal disease.1 Increased BP variability is a prominent feature in patients with comorbid conditions, especially those with chronic kidney disease.1 Although at least one report linking variability in BP to CVD was published in 1983 and another in 1997, it has only been in the recent past that VVV has been widely recognized as a potentially useful attribute in estimating CVD risk. Rothwell’s seminal 2010 publications detailing the role of VVV as a predictor of stroke, independent of mean arterial BP,1 and a concurrent report by Hansen et al2 that identified BP variability during 24-hour monitoring of BP as an independent predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality set the stage for what has become an increasingly active area of investigation. Subsequent reports have generally supported the role of VVV as an …
Cost-effectiveness analysis of consolidation with brentuximab vedotin for high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND In a recent randomized, placebo-controlled trial, consolidation treatment with brentuximab vedotin (BV) decreased the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) progression after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). However, the impact of BV consolidation on overall survival, quality of life, and health care costs remain unclear. METHODS A Markov decision-analytic model was constructed to measure the costs and clinical outcomes for BV consolidation therapy compared with active surveillance in a cohort of patients aged 33 years who were at risk for HL relapse after ASCT. Life-time costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for each post-ASCT strategy. RESULTS After quality-of-life adjustments and standard discounting, upfront BV consolidation was associated with an improvement of 1.07 QALYs compared with active surveillance plus BV as salvage. However, the strategy of BV consolidation led to significantly higher health care costs ($378,832 vs $219,761), resulting in an ICER for BV consolidation compared with active surveillance of $148,664/QALY. If indication-specific pricing was implemented, then the model-estimated BV price reductions of 18% to 38% for the consolidative setting would translate into ICERs of $100,000 and $50,000 per QALY, respectively. These findings were consistent on 1-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS BV as consolidation therapy under current US pricing is unlikely to be cost effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY. However, indication-specific price reductions for the consolidative setting could reduce ICERs to widely acceptable values. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2017;123:3763–3771. © 2017 American Cancer Society
Reconstruction of the Flexor Retinaculum

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition treated by carpal tunnel release (CTR), which is the division of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL). Concerns have arisen regarding increased carpal canal volume and possibly decreased grip strength (due to flexor tendon bowstringing) after surgery, and several authors have described different techniques of reconstruction of the TCL over the years. This chapter examines the data supporting and against flexor retinaculum reconstruction after CTR and the surgical techniques of TCL reconstruction. It appears that the available evidence for reconstruction of the transverse ligament following carpal tunnel release is limited and that many of the theoretical problems may not translate clinically. Reconstruction of the TCL does not seem to adversely affect the improvement in paresthesia after surgery. Some studies do support a quicker recovery in the short-term postoperative period with TCL reconstruction, but its overall benefit to functional outcome in the long-term remains largely unproven.
Interim correlated rationalizability in infinite games

Abstract In a Bayesian game, assume that the type space is a complete, separable metric space, the action space is a compact metric space, and the payoff functions are continuous. We show that the iterative and fixed-point definitions of interim correlated rationalizability (ICR) coincide, and ICR is non-empty-valued and upper hemicontinuous. This extends the finite-game results of Dekel et al. (2007), who introduced ICR. Our result applies, for instance, to discounted infinite-horizon dynamic games.
Supervised Learning Applied to Air Traffic Trajectory Classification

Given the recent increase of interest in introducing new vehicle types and missions into the National Airspace System, a transition towards a more autonomous air traffic control system is required in order to enable and handle increased density and complexity. This paper presents an exploratory effort of the needed autonomous capabilities by exploring supervised learning techniques in the context of aircraft trajectories. In particular, it focuses on the application of machine learning algorithms and neural network models to a runway recognition trajectory-classification study. It investigates the applicability and effectiveness of various classifiers using datasets containing trajectory records for a month of air traffic. A feature importance and sensitivity analysis are conducted to challenge the chosen time-based datasets and the ten selected features. The study demonstrates that classification accuracy levels of 90% and above can be reached in less than 40 seconds of training for most machine learning classifiers when one track data point, described by the ten selected features at a particular time step, per trajectory is used as input. It also shows that neural network models can achieve similar accuracy levels but at higher training time costs.
Practical Aspects of Statistical Postprocessing

Abstract Many readers of this text may be developing improved postprocessing algorithms with the goal of having them used regularly, such as for the daily adjustment of real-time weather guidance produced by an operational weather prediction facility. This chapter discusses some of the practical aspects involved with the development and technology transition of advanced postprocessing algorithms. Topics will include challenges involved with the preparation of high-quality training data sets and possible compromises one may wish to consider in an environment where the training data is limited. The chapter will also provide a case study and suggest some changes that the postprocessing community can institute to more rapidly move advanced methodologies from research into regular operational use.
In Vivo Verification of the Intravascular BOLD Effect

There has been much controversy over the brain/vein debate in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Low resolution studies create a broad pattern of signal enhancement upon brain activation which could be from brain or blurred vessels. Our goal is to validate the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) model and its mechanisms in relation to blood flow and susceptibility changes. We investigate the visibility of small vessels in the brain using high spatial resolution. Flow-compensated sequences are used to obtain susceptibility information and velocity-encoded sequences to measure velocities.
Integrated Design and Production Systems for Strategic Production

The theme of the conference is how to increase the Productivity of Production systems by application of Integrated Production System concepts. The control of the system at several levels is especially important in this.
ITINERARIOS Y CONFLICTOS DE LOS ESTUDIOS DE GÉNERO EN CHILE

El presente trabajo aborda los itinerarios y conflictos en el desarrollo de los Estudios de Genero (EG) en el Chile posdictadura, reconociendo sus deudas con el quehacer que diversas ONG�s especializadas en problematicas relativas a los derechos de las mujeres concretaron en los anos �80. Nuestro objetivo central se dirige a reflexionar sobre las politicas y estrategias utilizadas por las diversas unidades academicas y centros de investigacion para incorporar las perspectivas de genero en tanto componente transversal/interdisciplinario o disciplinario/autonomo en los programas de investigacion y en los curricula formativos. Asimismo se tiene presente la evaluacion que los equipos de academicas y academicos formulan en el proceso de legitimacion de su quehacer dentro de las instituciones a las que pertenecen, como contexto necesario para analizar las posibilidades de cooperacion a traves de la Red de Estudios de Genero de las Universidades Chilenas.
Crystal Structure Studies of Isopoly and Heteropoly Oxometalates. Structure of the Paradodecatungstate Molecule and Its Environment in Crystals

A brief summary is presented of the role of crystal structure analysis in the study of polyoxometalates of Mo and W. The results of a neutron diffraction analysis of ammonium paradodecatungstate tetrahydrate, (NH4)10[H2W12O42].4H2O are described. Aside from the previously reported location of the two nonlabile H atoms at the center of the molecule, the arrangement of the ammonium ions around the paratungstate molecule (with H atom positions revealed) is examined. One NH4 group occupies a prominent cleft in the [H2W12O42]10- polyanion, firmly attached opposite the 2 molecular H atoms by 4 N-H-0 hydrogen bonds. One third of time 34 N-H-0 bonds are divided, and the N-H donor sharing 2 molecular or water oxygen atoms (“three-center bonds”). The published structures of seven other paratungstate compounds show that in every compound the molecular cleft is occupied by cations [(NH4)+ or Na+] or water molecules (H2O or NaH2O). It is suggested that the paradodecatungstate polyanion, which is not stable in nonaqueous solvents, is stabilized by the presence of a closely associated cation or water molecule fastened in its structural cleft by ionic or hydrogen bonds.
CRRT Program Development

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a complex procedural therapy provided to patients for management of acute kidney injury (AKI). The delivery of CRRT requires significant organizational planning, considerations, and coordination of care. The care of these complex patients necessitates an interdisciplinary team approach. The decision to embark on implementing a CRRT program is not limited to deciding about machinery and staff, but encompasses all facets of the delivering the therapy. All processes, big and small, need to be adequately addressed and described prior to implementation. Successful implementation of a CRRT program requires early initiated planning, continuous assessment, and ongoing evaluation of the processes.
Analysis and Data Problems in Relation to Numerical Prediction

Instantaneous height tendencies computed from different analyses of the same 500-mb chart illustrate that discrepancies in analysis or observations can have a serious effect on the accuracy of numerical forecasts. The present status of the Northern-Hemisphere aerological network is reviewed, stressing the inhomogeneity of the radiosonde network, the need for observations in fringe areas surrounding the present dense networks, and the desirability of more radio-wind stations. The suggestion is made that machine prognoses incorporating variations of fictitious observations could be used to evaluate the improvements needed and the desirability of setting up new aerological stations in particular locations.
Secure Multi-Party Computation

Secure multi-party computation (SMC) is an emerging topic which has been drawing growing attention during recent decades. There are many examples which show importance of SMC constructions in practice, such as privacy-preserving decision making and machine learning, auctions, private set intersection, and others. In this tutorial, we provide a comprehensive coverage of SMC techniques, starting from precise definitions and fundamental techniques. Consequently, a significant portion of the tutorial focuses on recent advances in general SMC constructions. We cover garbled circuit evaluation (GCE) and linear secret sharing (LSS) which are commonly used for secure two-party and multi-party computation, respectively. The coverage includes both standard adversarial models: semi-honest and malicious. For GCE, we start with the original Yao's garbled circuits construction [30] for semi-honest adversaries and consequently cover its recent optimizations such as the "free XOR,'' the garbled row reduction, the half-gates optimization, and the use of AES NI techniques. We follow with a discussion of techniques for making GCE resilient to malicious behavior, which includes the cut-and-choose approach and additional techniques to deter known attacks in the presence of malicious participants. In addition, we include the-state-of-the-art protocols for oblivious transfer (OT) and OT extension in the presence of semi-honest and malicious users. For LSS, we start from standard solutions for the semi-honest adversarial model including [5, 28] and consequently move to recent efficient constructions for semi-honest and malicious adversarial models. The coverage includes different types of corruption thresholds (with and without honest majority), which imply different guarantees with respect to abort.
‘Remanika’: A short duration rice for Kuttanad, Kerala

A traditional rice variety (MO 1) and three popular high yielding varieties of Kuttanad (MO 4, MO 5 and MO 6) were subjected to varying doses of gamma irradiation (10, 20 and 30 KR) in 1984 to induce mutagenesis. Our objective was to evolve mutants with high yield potential and quality, besides possessing better plant type; and selections were made accordingly. In particular, the advanced cultures were evaluated for yield, after the M6 generation. Culture M 20-19-4 (a mutant of MO 1, IET 13980) was found to be promising and it was released as ‘Remanika’ (MO 15) in 1998.
Fatigue Cycling of Electrical Interconnects Dispensed on Flexible Substrate

Abstract In the presented work, electrical traces were directly printed on 2 mil thick polyimide flexible substrate by a dispenser system using two different silver pastes, SW 1400 paste from Asahi...
Soil carbon pools of six ecological regions of the United States

Mineralisable soil organic carbon (SOC) pools vary with ecosystem type in response to changes in climate, vegetation and soil properties. Understanding the effect of climate and soil factors on SOC pools is critical for predicting change over time. Surface soil samples from six ecoregions of the United States were analyzed for permanganate oxidizable C (KMnO4-C) and mineralizable C pools. Variations of SOC ranged from 7.9 mg g−1 (Florida site) to 325 mg g−1 (Hawaii site). Mineralisable C pools and KMnO4-C were highest in soils from the Hawaii site. Mean annual precipitation explains SOC and resistant C pool variations. Clay content was related to mineralisable active C pools and bacterial abundance. Mean annual precipitation and clay content are potential variables for predicting changes in SOC pools at large spatial scales.
Benefits and Applications of Guided Cognition Design

Abstract This chapter summarizes benefits of Guided Cognition design and identifies applications of Guided Cognition design. A major benefit is that Guided Cognition homework facilitates learning for students of various abilities. Results from several of our experiments are assembled in a table that clearly shows two things. One is that students of low, average, and advanced ability can all benefit from questions that have been enriched by having cognitive events embedded into them. A second and very important observation is that the students who have Guided Cognition-designed homework questions perform nearly as well, or as well, as students who are at a higher ability level but who have had Traditional homework questions. In other words, Guided Cognition homework provides enough of a performance boost so that average-ability students' quiz performance can look similar to that of advanced-ability students who have completed Traditional homework, and so that lower-ability students' quiz performance can look similar to that of average-ability students who have completed Traditional homework. In this chapter, we discuss the generality of Guided Cognition design, and we also list implications for instructional design.
Dynamic multiscale spatiotemporal models for multivariate Gaussian data

Abstract We propose a novel class of multiscale spatiotemporal models for multivariate Gaussian data. First, we decompose the multivariate data and the underlying latent process with a novel multivariate multiscale decomposition. This decomposition results in multiscale coefficient matrices with elements that are multiscale approximations of spatial directional derivatives. We then assume that the associated latent multiscale coefficient matrices evolve through time with matrix-variate state-space equations. We allow for different speeds of change through time for each latent multiscale coefficient matrix, which induces distinct spatiotemporal dynamics for the mean process in different regions at multiple spatial scales of resolution. This flexible model framework allows for both stationary and nonstationary latent multiscale spatiotemporal processes. Further, we develop a singular matrix-variate forward filter backward sampler for efficient posterior exploration. Importantly for practical purposes, our proposed multiscale spatiotemporal algorithm scales linearly with dataset size and is fully parallelizable. To illustrate the usefulness and flexibility of our dynamic multivariate multiscale framework, we present an application to the spatiotemporal NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis-I dataset on stratospheric temperatures over North America from 1951 to 2016. Our analysis indicates substantial long-term trends in stratospheric temperatures.
Abstract 15866: The Utility of Extended Electrocardiographic Monitoring for Detecting Atrial Fibrillation in Cryptogenic Stroke in the African-american Population

Introduction: Cryptogenic stroke comprises about 25% of all ischemic strokes. Depending on modality and duration of ECG monitoring, subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) is detectable in 2.7-30% of ...
Evolution of the stroke paradigm: A review of delayed recanalization:

While the time window for reperfusion after ischemic stroke continues to increase, many patients are not candidates for reperfusion under current guidelines that allow for reperfusion within 24 h a...
North Korea, missile defense, and U.S.-China security dilemma

This article examines the relationship between US missile defense and the US-China security dilemma dynamics by developing the concept of diffuse signaling involving the Korean peninsula. We argue ...
Changes in serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in bulls undergoing scrotal insulation.

Abstract While changes in semen quality after heat stress are well characterized in the bull, changes in endocrine function have not been critically evaluated. It was hypothesized here that scrotal insulation results in alterations in Sertoli cell and Leydig cell function, as measured by changes in serum testosterone and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration. Scrotal insulation bags were placed in 10 bulls for 8 d. Blood was collected on days -22 and -2, and weekly from days 5 to 96 (day 0 = first day of scrotal insulation) for measurement of serum concentration of AMH and testosterone using ELISA. The concentration of AMH decreased on day 5, followed by an increase on day 54 (P = 0.014). When AMH concentration was normalized to pre-insulation values, the percent increase in serum concentration of AMH was significant between days 26 and 54, with another peak at 75 d (P = 0.031). The serum concentration of testosterone (P = 0.0001) and the percentage of change in testosterone concentration (P
Fishermen, markets, and population diversity

Fishing impacts biodiversity on multiple levels, potentially resulting in unintended feedbacks to the economic performance of the fishery over time. For example, targeting observable traits within a population can impact genetic diversity and targeting valuable species can impact biodiversity at the ecosystem level. The bioeconomic literature, however, has given little attention to the effect of fishing on population diversity, even though population diversity contributes to ecosystem services and estimates of population extinction rates are three orders of magnitude higher than species extinction rates. Here we develop a stochastic bioeconomic model that links the harvest of multiple salmon populations in a single commercial fishery to the trajectory of population diversity in a salmon stock complex. We parameterize our model with biological and economic data from the Copper River Chinook salmon fishery. We show that markets can incentivize the degradation of population diversity, reducing infra-marginal fishery rents, and increasing variability in economic returns. We also show that second-best management can conserve population diversity and improve welfare. Furthermore, depending on fishermen׳s time preferences, this management strategy is potentially self-financing.
Forced-flow electrophoretic filtration of clay suspensions

Abstract Separation of suspended bentonite particles has been studied by forced-flow electrophoresis. Essentially, it entails filtration of clay through a membrane filter in a d.-c. electric field. The experimental data have been found to obey the established Sperry or Carman filtration equation, provided it is modified to account for the effect of electroosmosis through the filter medium and the filter cake. In addition, the electric field of proper polarity causes electrophoretic removal of clay particles from the filtering surface. As a result, for any given rate of filtration there is a critical voltage at/or above which all filter cake build-up is prevented and the filtration rate through the cell remains essentially constant. Electrophoretic filtration of colloids is most efficient at this critical voltage.
A PQ framework for reconstructions of common ancestors and phylogeny

Various international efforts are underway to catalog the genomic similarities and variations in the human population. Some key discoveries such as inversions and transpositions within the members of the species have also been made over the years. The task of constructing a phylogeny tree of the members of the same species, given this knowledge and data, is an important problem. In this context, a key observation is that the “distance” between two members, or member and ancestor, within the species is small. In this paper, we pose the tree reconstruction problem exploiting some of these peculiarities. The central idea of the paper is based on the notion of minimal consensus PQ tree T of sequences introduced in [29]. We use a modified PQ structure (termed oPQ) and show that both the number and size of each T is $\mathcal{O}(1)$. We further show that the tree reconstruction problem is statistically well-defined (Theorem [7]) and give a simple scheme to construct the phylogeny tree and the common ancestors. Our preliminary experiments with simulated data look very promising.
Supporting Full-Text Information Retrieval with a Persistent Object Store

Full-text information retrieval systems have unusual and challenging data management requirements. Attempts have been made to satisfy these requirements using traditional (e.g., relational) database management systems. Those attempts, however, have produced rather discouraging results. Instead, information retrieval systems typically use custom data management facilities that require significant development effort and usually do not provide all of the services available from a standard database management system. Advanced data management systems, such as object-oriented database management systems and persistent object stores, offer a reasonable alternative to the two previous approaches. We have taken an existing information retrieval system (INQUERY) and substituted a persistent object store (Mneme) for the portion of the custom data management system that manages an inverted file index. The result is an improvement in performance and significant opportunities for the information retrieval system to take advantage of the standard data management services provided by the persistent object store. We describe our implementation, present performance results on a variety of document collections, and discuss the advantages of using a persistent object store to support information retrieval.
Biomechanical basis for the CRABI and Hybrid III child dummies

A family of adult and child size dummies was developed under the direction of two task groups of the SAE Mechanical Human Simulation Subcommittee of the Human Biomechanics and Simulation Standards Committee. These new child size dummies represent fiftieth percentile children who are 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 3 years, and 6 years old. The sizes and total body weights of the dummies were based on detailed anthropometry studies of children of these ages. The techniques used to establish the segment masses and the resulting design goals are detailed. Appropriate impact response requirements were scaled from the biofidelity response requirements of the Hybrid III, taking into account the differences in size, mass and elastic modulus of bone between adults and children. The techniques used to establish the biomechanical impact response requirements for the child dummies are discussed and the resulting biomechanical impact response requirements are given.
An online predictive control framework for designing self-managing computing systems

This paper describes a control-theoretic framework to design self-managing computing systems that continually optimize their quality-of-service (QoS) in response to changing computing demands and environmental conditions. A predictive control technique is used to tune the performance of individual system components based on their forecast behavior over a look-ahead horizon. As a specific application of this control technique, the power consumed by a single computer processing a time-varying workload is minimized. The proposed method can also be extended to a distributed setting where a global controller manages inter-component interactions such that system-wide QoS requirements are satisfied.
Child and Adolescent Emergency Psychiatry: A Review of Recent Developments

Child and adolescent emergency psychiatry is an important but often isolated field. Borrowing from or integrating with emergency psychiatry, emergency medicine, and pediatric emergency medicine, this field has struggled to develop a robust research agenda. Despite these challenges, the past several years have seen many significant developments. Paralleling adult research, extensive medical screening and clearance for children and adolescents is now shown to be unproductive. Bullying, especially online bullying, and targeting of sexual minority youth are increasingly recognized as a risk for suicide and amenable to assessment in the emergency setting. Research continues to point to firearm access as a major risk factor for suicide despite unusual legal challenges in assessing for access. Finally, while dedicated pediatric psychiatric emergency services remain a gold standard, new alternatives are being identified to provide access to specialized expertise for other settings.
Reliability-weighted Acoustic Model Adaptation Using Crowd Sourced Transcriptions

This paper focuses on adaptation of acoustic models using speech transcribed by multiple noisy experts. A simple approach involves combining multiple transcripts using word frequency based Recognizer Output Voting Error Reduction (ROVER) followed by adaptation using the combined transcripts. But this assumes that the transcripts being combined are equally reliable. To overcome this assumption, we use two sets of scores to estimate this reliability. The first set is based on answers to some questions given by the transcribers. The second set is derived in an unsupervised way using the word frequency based ROVER transcripts and baseline acoustic models. The overall confidence is a convex combination of these scores and is used to perform a confidence weighted fusion. We adapt the baseline acoustic models using these combined transcripts. Recognition results for a Mexican Spanish ASR system show an absolute improvement of 0.5% in word error rate and 0.9% in sentence error rate.
Correlation Between Quantitative Fit Factors and Workplace Protection Factors Measured in Actual Workplace Environments at a Steel Foundry

Past studies have found little or no correlation between workplace protection factors (WPFs) and quantitative fit factors (FFs). This study investigated the effect of good- and poor-fitting half-facepiece, air-purifying respirators on protection in actual workplace environments at a steel foundry and the correlation between WPFs and FFs. Fifteen burners and welders, who wore respirators voluntarily, and chippers participated in this study. Each subject was fit-tested with two respirator models each with three sizes, for a total of six fit-tests. Models and sizes were assigned this way to provide a wide range of FFs among study participants. Each worker donned the respirator twice per day (at the beginning of the shift and following the lunch break) for 2 days. Quantitative FFs were first obtained for each donning using the PortaCount Plus™ in a separate room. Without redonning the respirators, workers performed normal work for 1 to 2 hours, and WPFs were measured by collecting ambient and in-facepiece sam...
Market conditions, risk, and real estate portfolio returns: Some empirical evidence

This research examined the return behavior of a portfolio of American and New York Stock Exchange real estate firms. A dummy variable procedure was used to test for excess return and/or change in risk behavior across market conditions. The findings were as follows. First, no excess return was found for any model specification. Second, no changes in beta were found using the benchmark approach. The beta shifted when an up market was defined as a nonrecessionary period; the beta behaved procyclically. However, the subperiod tests indicated that effect was transitory and period specific.
Some behavioral studies of simian virus 40 (SV 40).

We have examined a non-lytic system (3T3) in which cells infected with the oncogenic virus SV40 do not support significant independent viral DNA replication. The infected 3T3 cells have two, rather different, possible fates. They may be only transiently infected, losing their SV40 T antigen and all other signs of viral presence in three or four generations, or they may become transformed, with the acquisition of SV40 T antigen synthesis as a heritable characteristic and the apparent integration of the SV40 genome in the cells. It appears that it is the occurrence of this process of integration that converts transient non-lytic infection to viral transformation. Utilizing interferon to study the expression of SV40 genetic material in transiently infected and transformed cells, we have provided indirect evidence to support the hypothesis that integration is the physical linkage of SV40 and host cell DNA in such a manner that transcription of m-RNA occurs without interruption across the point of junction. Studies with interferon and the adenovirus-SV40 hybrid virus E46+ support this interpretation. In cells infected with E46+ (in which the covalent linkage of SV40 and adenovirus DNA has been demonstrated) SV40 T antigen synthesis lost the interferon sensitivity characteristic of SV40 virus and acquired a relative interferon resistance indistinguishable from that of the adenovirus to whose DNA the SV40 DNA is linked. In cells simultaneously infected with non-hybrid adenoviruses and SV40, both SV40 and adenovirus T antigens were synthesized, but the SV40 T antigen synthesis exhibited its characteristic sensitivity to interferon. It is predicted that host-viral hybrid m-RNA molecules are synthesized in the SV40 transformed 3T3 cells and that adenovirus-SV40 hybrid m-RNA molecules are synthesized in cells infected with the adenovirusSV40 hybrid virus E46+.
A Micro-Perfusion System for the Fluorescence-Based Monitoring of Physiological Responses to High Hydrostatic Pressures

Hydrostatic pressures of 102 to 103 atm affect a range of cellular processes, including motility, cell division, nutrient uptake, fermentation, translation and transcription, protein synthesis, and ultimately viability. In order to perform the real time monitoring of pressure effects, we present a micro-perfusion system designed for spectroscopic measurements on cellular systems under high pressure. The system consists of an optically-compatible pressure chamber and interchangeable fluid reservoirs. Perfusion is achieved using a dual pressure-generator configuration, where one positive-displacement generator is compressed while the other is retracted, thus maintaining a pressurized volume while achieving fluid flow. Control over perfusion rates (typically in the 10 μl/s range) and the ability to change between fluid reservoirs while under pressure (up to 600 atm) are demonstrated. Next, the system is used for the time-gated, spectral monitoring of endogenous NADH fluorescence under pressure. Spectrofluorimetric measurements utilize a nitrogen-discharge laser for sub-nanosecond pulse width, 337-nm wavelength excitation, and an intensified CCD coupled to a spectrograph for nanosecond-gated spectral detection. Because emission from NADH is routinely used at ambient pressure for monitoring mitochondrial function, we validate the system by observing the pressurized response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) to mitochondrial functional modifiers (e.g., cyanide). Because the system is compatible with both spectroscopy and sub-cellular resolution microscopy imaging, the system represents a robust tool for investigating the biophysical effects of pressure on cellular systems.
Implications of Subdividing Marital Status: Are Unmarried Mothers with Partners Different from Unmarried Mothers without Partners? An Exploratory Analysis

Objective To determine the analytic advantages obtained from separating unmarried mothers with partners from unmarried mothers without partners when assessing risk of adverse birth outcomes. Methods Data were obtained from Listening to Mothers II, a national survey of women’s childbearing experiences. Marital status was asked with three choices: married (71%), unmarried with partner (24%), and unmarried without partner (5%). Demographic differences between the three marital status groups were compared using χ2 tests. Multiple logistic regressions, controlling for age, education, race/ethnicity, and parity, tested for associations between birth outcomes (birth weight and gestational age) and marital status. Results Unmarried mothers with partners and without partners were similar in age, education, and parity. Unmarried mothers without partners delivered by cesarean more often (39%) and were more likely to have a doctor as birth attendant (99%) than unmarried mothers with partners. The multiple logistic regressions indicated that, compared to married mothers, unmarried mothers with partners had the same risk of premature infants, while unmarried mothers without partners had greater risk. Unmarried first-time mothers with partners had over twice the risk of premature infants (OR = 2.71; 1.07–6.85) and unmarried mothers without partners had over 5 times the risk (OR = 5.64; 1.68–18.92) when compared to married first-time mothers. Conclusions Mothers without partners were at higher risk than unmarried mothers with partners indicating a gradient of risk. Future data collection on marital status should consider distinguishing between unmarried mothers with and without partners.
Theoretical investigations of the four‐electrode crevasse detector

Analyses based on general electromagnetic field equations were undertaken, but these proved tractable only for rather simple cases not extending to the presence of a cavity. After a study indicated magnetic induction effects to be negligible, analysis of the electrostatic field led to an expression for the potential at any point in a field, with allowance for the presence of a spherical or cylindrical cavity. A numerical solution of the Laplace equation afforded another technique, using the Southwell relaxation method. A third approach was to model the problem in a plane using conducting paper to obtain an analog solution. The analog technique was found to be the most expeditious one, and it is flexible as to the shape of the cavity cross-section. Specimen curves and tables given in the paper are expected to be useful in further studies.
Ritual Vicissitudes: The Uncertainties of Singaporean Suicide Rites

In this article, I examine how Singaporean Chinese families and funeral professionals work together to ritually manage the meaning and consequences of a death by suicide. While the now dated literature on Chinese mortuary practice emphasizes the formality and rigidity of death rituals, during fieldwork I noted many moments of confusion within ritual, moments of innovation, when relatives broke away from the already uncertain ritual script, and moments of deceit, when relatives conspired with funeral directors to hide the reason for a death. Through an examination of three funerals for suicide victims, including two cases in which the fact that the death was a suicide was hidden, I suggest that a focus on moments of confusion and of innovation paradoxically better captures the dynamism and efficacy of Chinese funeral rituals: here indeterminacy is indispensable to ritual form.
Amphiphilic poly(phenyleneethynylene)s can mimic antimicrobial peptide membrane disordering effect by membrane insertion

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a class of peptides that are innate to various organisms and function as a defense agent against harmful microorganisms by means of membrane disordering. Characteristic chemical and structural properties of AMPs allow selective interaction and subsequent disruption of invaders' cell membranes. Polymers based on m-phenylene ethynylenes (mPE) were designed and synthesized to mimic the amphiphilic, cationic, and rigid structure of AMPs and were found to be good mimics of AMPs in terms of their high potency toward microbes and low hemolytic activities. Using a Langmuir monolayer insertion assay, two mPEs are found to readily insert into anionic model bacterial membranes but to differ in the degree of selectivity between bacterial and mammalian erythrocyte model membranes. Comparison of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) data before and after the insertion of mPE clearly indicates that the insertion of mPE disrupts lipid packing, altering the tilt of the lipid tail. X-ray reflectivity (XR) measurements of the lipid/mPE system demonstrate that mPE molecules insert through the headgroup region and partially into the tail group region, thus accounting for the observed disordering of tail packing. This study demonstrates that mPEs can mimic AMP's membrane disordering.
Reticulatacin: A new bioactive acetogenin from Annona reticulata (Annonaceae)

Abstract A new bioactive monotetrahydrofuran acetogenin, reticulatacin, containing 37 carbons, has been isolated from a 95% EtOH extract of the bark of A. reticulata by directing the fractionation with brine shrimp lethality. Another previously reported highly potent antitumor, adjacent ring bistetrahydrofuran acetogenin, bullatacin, has also been isolated in large quantity. Two known diterpenes, (−)-kau-16-en-19-oic acid and methyl 16β,17-dihydro-(−)-kauran-19-oate and a known alkaloid, liriodenine, have also been isolated. Some of these compounds showed selective cytotoxic activities for certain human tumor cell lines.
Effect of ATP synthesis promoters on postischemic myocardial recovery

The use of cardioplegia during surgically induced ischemia greatly reduces myocardial metabolic requirements. However, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion may occur, resulting in poor functional recovery after ischemia. This study investigated if augmentation of intracellular ATP could be achieved by delivering known ATP synthesis promoters (adenosine and/or phosphate) during cardioplegic arrest, and whether this could enhance myocardial functional and metabolic recovery following ischemia. Isolated, perfused rabbit hearts were subjected to 120 min of hypothermic (34 degrees C) cardioplegia-induced ischemia. Controls received St. Thomas cardioplegia (CTL); remaining hearts received cardioplegia containing 200 microM adenosine (ADO), or 25 microM phosphate (PO4), or both ADO and PO4. Following ischemia and reperfusion, recovery of developed pressure (%DP) and postischemic diastolic stiffness was significantly better in adenosine hearts when compared with control or PO4 hearts. To determine if ADO or PO4 minimized depletion of ATP during ischemia or accelerated synthesis of ATP in the postischemic period, nucleotide levels were obtained before, during, and after ischemia. During ischemia, ATP fell equally in all groups, indicating that ADO and PO4 did not alter ischemia-induced depletion of ATP. However, intracellular adenosine was augmented during ischemia in adenosine-treated hearts. Consequently, during reperfusion, ADO and ADO/PO4 hearts had significantly enhanced ATP levels, suggesting that augmenting myocardial adenosine accelerated synthesis of ATP postischemia. The addition of phosphate, a stimulus for ATP synthesis, did not augment postischemic ATP. In fact, the beneficial effect of adenosine may have been decreased when phosphate was added to adenosine. In conclusion, adenosine but not PO4 augments intracellular ATP by allowing better metabolic repletion following ischemia, thereby improving postischemic myocardial functional recovery.
Some observations on the use of multiband spectral reconnaissance for the inventory of wildland resources

Abstract Three types of multiband sensors—multilens photographic systems, optical-mechanical scanners, and certain radar devices—are examined and their respective current capabilities to provide multiband data are reviewed. Information is presented, based on our research results and observations regarding these systems, which may help others to decide whether multiband spectral reconnaissance is, in part or wholly, the solution to their resource inventory problems.
Atypical antipsychotic drugs selectively increase neurotensin efflux in dopamine terminal regions

Typical antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol and chlorpromazine, increase synthesis of the neuropeptide neurotensin (NT) in both the striatum and the nucleus accumbens, whereas atypical antipsychotic drugs, such as clozapine and olanzapine, do so only in the nucleus accumbens. By using in vivo microdialysis, we now report that acute administration of haloperidol, clozapine, or olanzapine failed to alter the release of NT in either the striatum or nucleus accumbens. In contrast, chronic administration of haloperidol for 21 days increased NT release in both the striatum and nucleus accumbens, whereas treatment for 21 days with the atypical antipsychotic drugs, clozapine or olanzapine, increased NT release selectively in the nucleus accumbens. These findings suggest that (i) increased NT mRNA expression and NT tissue concentrations are associated with increases in the extracellular fluid concentrations of the peptide and (ii) atypical antipsychotic drugs may exert their therapeutic effects and produce fewer side effects by virtue of their selectivity in limbic compared with striatal, target neurons.
Genome size determination and coding capacity of Sodalis glossinidius, an enteric symbiont of tsetse flies, as revealed by hybridization to Escherichia coli gene arrays.

Recent molecular characterization of various microbial genomes has revealed differences in genome size and coding capacity between obligate symbionts and intracellular pathogens versus free-living organisms. Multiple symbiotic microorganisms have evolved with tsetse fly, the vector of African trypanosomes, over long evolutionary times. Although these symbionts are indispensable for tsetse fecundity, the biochemical and molecular basis of their functional significance is unknown. Here, we report on the genomic aspects of the secondary symbiont Sodalis glossinidius. The genome size of Sodalis is approximately 2 Mb. Its DNA is subject to extensive methylation and based on some of its conserved gene sequences has an A+T content of only 45%, compared to the typically AT-rich genomes of endosymbionts. Sodalis also harbors an extrachromosomal plasmid about 134 kb in size. We used a novel approach to gain insight into Sodalis genomic contents, i.e., hybridizing its DNA to macroarrays developed for Escherichia coli, a closely related enteric bacterium. In this analysis we detected 1,800 orthologous genes, corresponding to about 85% of the Sodalis genome. The Sodalis genome has apparently retained its genes for DNA replication, transcription, translation, transport, and the biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins, and cofactors. However, many genes involved in energy metabolism and carbon compound assimilation are apparently missing, which may indicate an adaptation to the energy sources available in the only nutrient of the tsetse host, blood. We present gene arrays as a rapid tool for comparative genomics in the absence of whole genome sequence to advance our understanding of closely related bacteria.