cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Infrared Molar Absorptivity of a Surfactant Adsorbed onto a Solid Substrate over a Wide Range of Surface Concentrations Using Octadecyltrichlorosilane Langmuir−Blodgett Transferred Films

For the first time, we measure the molar absorptivity (in the infrared range) of a surfactant species adsorbed onto a solid substrate, eads. With this measurement, infrared methods can be used to determine the surface coverage of a surfactant adsorbed at an interface. In particular, the absorptivity is measured for the asymmetric −CH− stretch of the −CH2− moiety in the adsorbed molecules using octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) as the model species. A monolayer of OTS is spread onto the air/water interface of a Langmuir balance and compressed to a predetermined surface coverage. The film is then transferred onto the native silicon oxide layer of a silicon substrate using the Langmuir−Blodgett transfer technique, using a transfer ratio of approximately 1, so that the transferred layer's surface coverage is equal to the known coverage of the Langmuir monolayer. The infrared spectra of the transferred films are measured, and the molar absorptivity is calculated for the methylene asymmetric stretch in the region ...
Ellipsoid-based model of structure-response relationships for chiral sculptured thin films

Dielectric versions of helicoidal bianisotropic mediums (HBMs) have been realized recently as chiral sculptured thin films (STFs). With a view to understanding their structure-response relationships, these STFs are modeled as periodically arranged stacks of dielectric ellipsoidal inclusions in air. The inclusions are assumed to be randomly dispersed and similarly oriented in each stack, and the Bruggeman formalism is adopted for local homogenization. The constitutive properties are examined as functions of inclusion shape, volume fraction, and orientation angles. Optical signatures of the modeled thin-film HBM (TFHBM) layers, assumed axially excited, are calculated after solving a boundary value problem. Several conclusions drawn from the calculated spectrums of co- and cross-polarized reflectances and transmittances, true and apparent circular dichroisms, true and apparent linear dichroisms, ellipticity transformation, and optical rotation are presented.
The Teachable Moment Captured: A Framework for Nurse‐led Smoking Cessation Interventions for Parents of Hospitalized Children

This article explores the topic of smoking cessation counseling for parents in the context of pediatric hospitalization. Teachable moments, a widely used concept in the literature, uses three key concepts including perception of risk, emotional response, and self-concept to precipitate change (McBride, Health Education Research, 18 [McBride, 2003], 156-170). The interweaving of these concepts with institutional systems; clinically trained personnel; parental smoking considerations; parent presence; and external supports, or collectively the novel idea of the "capturable moment", may allow for an increased rate of parental smoking cessation. Using these concepts, the authors constructed a hospital model for pediatric nursing efforts in parental smoking cessation. The pilot study built on this framework in February 2010 began enrolling parents of hospitalized pediatric patients into two intervention groups to motivate smoking cessation. Starting in September 2010, new electronic medical record-based systems of identifying parents who smoke were implemented in the hopes of enhancing enrollment numbers and streamlining recruitment. It is hoped that by introducing this process and framework, there will be increased national dialogue related to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, routine screening for SHS exposure, and nursing recognition of teachable moments.
Excretion of Estrogen After the Injection of Estradiol and Estrone into Men with Cirrhosis of the Liver

NUMEROUS observations on laboratory animals (1, 2, 3,), as well as on human subjects (4, 5) have now established the fact that the liver plays a dominant role in the metabolism of estrogens. However, the nature of this function of the liver is not well understood. The data of experiments on human male subjects indicate that, after intramuscular injections of large doses of estrogens, so much of the hormone is lost in the process of intermediate metabolism that relatively small portions are recoverable in the urine. This major loss of estrogenic activity is variously ascribed to mechanisms of destruction, inactivation or conversion by the liver. Thus far the fate of injected estrogens have been observed only in normal male subjects. Heard and Hoffman (4) recovered in the urine of a young man 16.2 mg. estrone and 9.8 mg. of estradiol after the intramuscular administration of 250 mg. of estradiol injected over a period of 8 days.
Analyzing the interaction of design and control—1. A multiobjective framework and application to binary distillation synthesis

Abstract The design of a process determines the properties of variable interaction, disturbance rejection, and set-point tracking which comprise its inherent controllability. Process synthesis usually focuses on optimizing an economic objective without consideration of controllability. This paper outlines and illustrates a systematic procedure for incorporating open-loop steady-state controllability measures within the mathematical programming approach of process synthesis. This approach translates a superstructure of design alternatives into a multiobjective mixed-integer nonlinear (MINLP) optimization problem. With the flowsheet unknown a priori, the formulation requires expressions for the steady-state economic and control objectives in terms of the unknown design variables. Use of the e-constraint method within the framework of the Generalized Benders Decomposition algorithm generates the noninferior solution set. A multiobjective optimization algorithm based on cutting planes determines a best-compromise solution among the various design and control objectives using as trade-off weights the partial derivative information from the noninferior set. The proposed procedure is then applied in binary distillation synthesis to consider multiple objectives for the RV control configuration, to examine different control configurations, and to deal with heat-integrated columns. Closed-loop dynamic simulations compare the responses of columns idenfied in the optimization.
An alternating method for analysis of surface-flawed aircraft structural components

A new alternating method for the analysis of a quarter-elliptical corner crack is developed. The completely general analytical solution for an embedded elliptical crack in an infinite solid, subject to arbitrary crack-face tractions, is implemented in the present alternating method. The present finite element alternating method results in an inexpensive procedure for the routine evaluation of accurate stress intensity factors for flawed structural components. The present alternating method is applied to the analyses of various shapes of quarterelliptical corner cracks: 1) in a brick subject to remote tension, 2) emanating from a hole in finite-thickness plates subject to remote tension as well as bearing pressure; and 3) emanating from a pin hole in aircraft attachment lugs subject to simulated pin loading. The results for problems 1 and 2 are compared with those available in literature, for problem 3 the stress intensity factors and their parametric variations for the corner cracks of various shapes are presented.
A temperature and rate-dependent micromechanical model of molybdenum under neutron irradiation

Abstract In this paper we present a micromechanics-based model for neutron-irradiated single and polycrystalline BCC molybdenum which is capable of representing not only the effects of radiation hardening, yield drop and non-zero stress offset from the unirradiated stress–strain curves, but also the unique “radiation softening” effect observed in Mo at low to intermediate homologous temperatures (0.05 ⩽ T / T m ⩽ 0.2) ( Li et al., 2008 ) and low radiation doses. Specifically, a single smooth viscoplastic potential has been developed in which the critical resolved shear stress is decomposed into thermal and athermal components that overcome short range and long range barriers, respectively. The evolution of the athermal part is dependent on dislocation and defect densities, whereas the thermal part is modeled to be a function of temperature only. Impediment of dislocation motion due to defects results in hardening while defect annihilation due to dislocation motion accounts for yield drop and stress offset. Radiation softening is explained by invoking a critical temperature ( T c ), with increase in radiation dose below which the thermal part of the flow stress undergoes a reduction due to increase in mobile point defects in the dislocation core area, whereas the athermal part increases. Beyond the critical temperature, however, thermal activation is sufficient for dislocation motion and the thermal component disappears. We argue that for low radiation doses, this critical temperature decreases with increase in radiation dose, resulting in a temperature range over which the flow stress actually drops below its value corresponding to the unirradiated condition. Polycrystalline response has been simulated based on a Taylor type homogenization scheme. The model is validated with experimental data for a range of temperatures and strain rates with increasing radiation dose.
Strain-controlled fatigue life and modeling of conduit polymers

Strain-controlled fatigue lives of conduit polymers, viz., nylon 6, polypropylene (PP) and calcium carbonate filled black colored polypropylene (PP-blk) were studied. Thermal and mechanical analyses were conducted before fatigue tests. Thermal characteristics, such as the degree of molecular degradation, glass transition temperatures, and melting points were determined. Tensile strength, elastic modulus, and Poisson’s ratio were obtained from tests under quasi-static loading. Fatigue lives were measured under different displacement ranges and temperature conditions. Four different temperatures were selected to represent low (−40 °C), room (25 °C), and high (65 and 125 °C) temperature conditions. Hysteretic heating was found to be significantly operative in PP specimens. By optimizing the previously developed unified strain model [1], strain fatigue lives were predicted based on the studied materials.
Language Police Running Amok

In this article I critique Kathleen Slaney and Michael Maraun’s (2005) addition to the ongoing philosophical charge that neuroscientific writing often transgresses the bounds of sense. While they sometimes suggest a minimal, cautious thesis–that certain usage can generate confusion and in some cases has–they also bandy about charges of meaninglessness, conceptual confusion, and nonsense freely. These charges rest on the premise that terms have specific correct usages that correspond with Slaney and Maraun’s sense of everyday linguistic practice. I challenge this premise. I argue that they have not shown that there are such specific correct usages; and, further, that even if they had, they fail to justify that their definitions are the correct ones.
Theory of hydrophobic interactions.

Abstract An earlier theoretical approach to the hydrophobic interaction, based on statistical mechanical treatments of models for liquid water and for aqueous solutions of hydrocarbons, is summarized here. Experimental verification of the theoretical thermodynamic parameters for hydrophobic interactions, and applications of the theory to some aspects of protein structure, are presented.
Parent-reported use of assisted reproduction technology, infertility, and incidence of autism spectrum disorders

Abstract In this study, we explored the relationship between the rise in the incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the rise in the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), and the role of infertility. We compared the incidence of ASD in children conceived with and without the use of ART. We also considered the incidence of ASD in children whose parents reported issues of infertility. Ninety families completed a confidential questionnaire and reported use of ART, ASD diagnoses of their children, infertility, parent age at time of conception, socioeconomic status, and other variables. We obtained information for a total of 163 children. Findings indicate that there is not a significant difference in the incidence of ASD diagnoses among participants who used ART compared to those that did not. Additionally, infertility was not found to be associated with increased rates of ASD diagnoses. Limitations include small sample sizes and reliance on parent report. Implications are discussed.
AN INTEGRATED SYSTEMS MODEL FOR HEAVY ION DRIVERS

A source-to-target computer model for an induction linac driver for heavy ion fusion has been developed and used to define a reference case driver that meets the requirements of one current target design. Key features of the model are discussed, and the design parameters of the reference case design are described. Examples of the systems analyses leading to the point design are given, and directions for future work are noted.
Acoustical Phonon Spectra of Biological Polymers

ALTHOUGH much has been done in an attempt to understand the kinetics of biological processes in terms of their molecular motions1–4, it appears that until now no one has attempted to calculate or measure the proper (normal) modes of motion of helical biological polymers. We think it might help understanding of the mechanism of biological processes (such as the enzyme action of certain proteins or the replication of nucleic acids) if it were possible both to measure and to calculate the proper modes of motion of the polymers themselves since these motions may play an important part in biological processes. This communication presents a very simple calculation of the phonon dispersion of the acoustical modes of the Pauling α-helix in the harmonic approximation. The excitation of the higher (anharmonic) levels of this mode almost certainly leads to the well known helix ⇌ coil transition5.
PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS ARE REALLY, REALLY NOT PUBLIC GOODS: Charitable contributions and impure altruism

: * This paper applies the censored regression model under several distributional assumptions to data on charitable giving to public radio stations. The authors show that charitable contributions are positively affected by the level of use of a pure public good. Wing this factor into account they additionally show thd contributions to public radio do not support the public good hypothesis, but rather donors behave as impure altruists.
Dimensions of outcome expectancy in the evaluation of school-based interventions

Abstract A total of 180 subjects equally divided by grade (second, fifth, college freshmen) and sex participated in the study investigating the dimensions of outcome expectancy (i.e., school achievement, peer relations, teacher relations, personal satisfaction, negative side effects) that clients use in evaluating a potential school-based treatment intervention. Outcome expectancy emerged as a complex construct that was strongly affected by the intervention being evaluated and interindividual differences among the raters. In general, the subjects rated interventions associated with out-of-class placement most negatively, and older subjects, as well as males, tended to exhibit more pessimistic expectancies for the interventions. These findings, however, were dependent on the intervention and outcome expectancy dimension being evaluated. Given the linkages between outcome expectancies and treatment efficacy, it will be useful for school psychologists to consider the client's outcome expectancies along multiple dimensions when planning interventions.
Density Diagnostics of Coronal Mass Ejection Cores with the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly

In this Letter, we investigate the application of the intensity ratio from pairs of narrow-band images from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory, the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Imager (EUVI) on board the Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation, and the EUV Imaging Telescope (EIT) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, to density diagnostics of optically thin plasmas. By inspecting the filtered spectra allowed by each instrument's effective area, we find that ratios between AIA images in the 171 A and 193 A channels can be used to determine the plasma electron density at transition region temperatures. This diagnostic potential is due to a pair of O V transitions which dominate the effective spectra of these two channels at temperatures around ≈2.5-3.0 × 10{sup 5} K. The temperature and electron density ranges where the 171/193 ratio is density sensitive are relevant for the cores of accelerating coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the inner solar corona. We discuss how AIA series of images can be used for simultaneous temperature and density diagnostics of CME cores.
Adsorption equilibria of butyl- and amylbenzene on monolithic silica-based columns.

Abstract The adsorption isotherms of butyl- and amylbenzene on silica monolithic columns were measured by frontal analysis. The external, internal and total porosities of these columns were determined by inverse size-exclusion chromatography. The adsorption isotherms are concave upward in the entire concentration range investigated. They were fitted to the anti-Langmuir model, an unusual model in liquid–solid and liquid–liquid phase equilibria. Band profiles under overloaded conditions were recorded. They were in good agreement with the profiles calculated using the lumped pore diffusion model of chromatography and these adsorption isotherms.
Distribution of Extracellular Glutamate in the Neuropil of Hippocampus

Reported values of extracellular glutamate concentrations in the resting state depend on the method of measurement and vary ∼1000-fold. As glutamate levels in the micromolar range can cause receptor desensitization and excitotoxicity, and thus affect neuronal excitability, an accurate determination of ambient glutamate is important. Part of the variability of previous measurements may have resulted from the sampling of glutamate in different extracellular compartments, e.g., synaptic versus extrasynaptic volumes. A steep concentration gradient of glutamate between these two compartments could be maintained, for example, by high densities of glutamate transporters arrayed at the edges of synapses. We have used two photon laser scanning microscopy and electrophysiology to investigate whether extracellular glutamate is compartmentalized in acute hippocampal slices. Pharmacological blockade of NMDARs had no effect on Ca2+ transients generated in dendritic shafts or spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons by depolarization, suggesting that ambient glutamate is too low to activate a significant number of NMDARs. Furthermore, blockade of transporters did not flood the synapse with glutamate, indicating that synaptic NMDARs are not protected from high concentrations of extrasynaptic glutamate. We suggest that, in the CA1 region of hippocampus, glutamate transporters do not create a privileged space within the synapse but rather keep ambient glutamate at very low levels throughout the neuropil.
Linac radiosurgery for skull base meningiomas.

Introduction. Skull base meningiomas present a difficult surgical challenge because of the high potential morbidity of radical surgical extirpation and their low potential for incapacitating symptomatology. The focal character of meningiomas makes stereotactic radiosurgery an attractive adjuvant treatment modality to resection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the local control rates and complications in 56 patients with base of skull meningiomas undergoing radiosurgery. Methods. Patients underwent radiosurgery using the dedicated stereotactic linear accelerator at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Minimal peripheral doses of radiosurgery ranged from 12 to 18.5 Gy (mean 15 Gy). Doses were designed to conform to the frequently irregular tumor volumes using the X-Knife treatment planning system. Multiple isocenters were used when required to increase conformality of dose. For 36 patients (64%), radiosurgery was used as an adjunct to surgery; for 20 patients (36%) it was the primary treatment. Results. Median followup was five years. Nineteen patients (34%) were improved clinically at follow-up; 32 (57%) were unchanged; and 5 patients (9%) developed new or worsened neurologic deficits. Serial imaging studies after radiosurgery showed a reduction in tumor volume in 23 patients (41%); 30 (54%) showed stable disease; 3 patients (5%) had tumors which increased in size (2 being outside the radiosurgery treatment site). The actuarial freedom from progression rate (defined as further tumor growth) was thus 95%, with a median imaging follow-up of 26 months (range, 6–66 months). Although further follow-up is necessary, the results of this series clearly demonstrate that these lesions are feasible for treatment by modern radiosurgical techniques. Linac radiosurgery can stabilize skull base meningiomas, with decreased or unchanged tumor volumes on radiologic follow-up in approximately 95% of patients. Radiosurgery is a low-morbidity, effective technique as adjunct and sometimes primary treatment of small to moderate-sized meningiomas of the skull base.
Measurement of Transverse Relaxation Times and Content Ratio of23Na in Phantoms Simulating Biological Systems by Use of Multiple-Quantum Filtering

Abstract Sodium in most biological systems relaxes biexponentially and generates a multiple-quantum signal. In a multiple-quantum filtering sequence, the sodium contributing to the multiple-quantum signal is in single-quantum coherences during the preparation and acquisition times, while it is in multiple-quantum coherences during the evolution time. In contrast to the biexponential relaxation of single-quantum coherences, double- and triple-quantum coherences relax monoexponentially during the evolution time with fast and slow transverse relaxation rates, respectively. This unique feature of multiple-quantum filtering is exploited to measure the transverse relaxation rates of phantoms simulating intracellular and extracellular sodium by analyzing the double- and triple-quantum signals acquired at various evolution times. As a byproduct, the relative ratio of multiple-quantum signals derived from intracellular and extracellular sodium can also be simultaneously determined. This technique may enable the distinction between intracellular and extracellular sodium content in biological systems without using potentially toxic shift reagents.
Quantitative Interfacial Energy Measurements of Adhesion-Promoted Thin Copper Films by Supercritical Fluid Deposition on Barrier Layers

A fivefold increase in adhesion energy is observed for poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) modified Cu/TaN interfaces in which the thin copper films are deposited by the hydrogen assisted reduction of bis(2,2,7-trimethyloctane-3,5-dionato) copper in supercritical carbon dioxide. The PAA adhesion layer is sacrificial at the reaction conditions used, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has shown that the Cu/TaN interface is free of contamination following deposition. The resulting average interfacial adhesion energy is just above 5 J/m2, which meets adhesion requirements for integration in Cu interconnects. The adhesion measurements are performed with a custom built four-point bend fracture mechanics testing system. Comparison of the copper film thickness to the measured adhesion energy indicated that there is no effect on the adhesion energy as the film thickness changes.
Model Uncertainty in a Mesoscale Ensemble Prediction System: Stochastic versus Multiphysics Representations

AbstractA multiphysics and a stochastic kinetic-energy backscatter scheme are employed to represent model uncertainty in a mesoscale ensemble prediction system using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Both model-error schemes lead to significant improvements over the control ensemble system that is simply a downscaled global ensemble forecast with the same physics for each ensemble member. The improvements are evident in verification against both observations and analyses, but different in some details. Overall the stochastic kinetic-energy backscatter scheme outperforms the multiphysics scheme, except near the surface. Best results are obtained when both schemes are used simultaneously, indicating that the model error can best be captured by a combination of multiple schemes.
Provably-Good Distributed Algorithm for Constrained Multi-Robot Task Assignment for Grouped Tasks

In this paper, we present provably-good distributed task assignment algorithms for a heterogeneous multi-robot system, in which the tasks form disjoint groups and there are constraints on the number of tasks a robot can do (both within the overall mission and within each task group). Each robot obtains a payoff (or incurs a cost) for each task and the overall objective for task allocation is to maximize (minimize) the total payoff (cost) of the robots. In general, existing algorithms for task allocation either assume that tasks are independent or do not provide performance guarantee for the situation, in which task constraints exist. We present a distributed algorithm to provide an almost optimal solution for our problem. The key aspect of our distributed algorithm is that the overall objective is (almost) maximized by each robot maximizing its own objective iteratively (using a modified payoff function based on an auxiliary variable, called price of a task) . Our distributed algorithm is polynomial in the number of tasks, as well as the number of robots.
Total absence of colony-stimulating factor 1 in the macrophage-deficient osteopetrotic (op/op) mouse.

Abstract Osteopetrotic (op/op) mutant mice suffer from congenital osteopetrosis due to a severe deficiency of osteoclasts. Furthermore, the total number of mononuclear phagocytes is extremely low in affected mice. Serum, 11 tissues, and different cell and organ conditioned media from op/op mice were shown to be devoid of biologically active colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), whereas all of these preparations from littermate control +/+ and +/op mice contained the growth factor. The deficiency was specific for CSF-1 in that serum or conditioned media from op/op mice possessed elevated levels of at least three other macrophage growth factors. Partial correction of the op/op defect was observed following intraperitoneal implantation of diffusion chambers containing L929 cells, which in culture produce CSF-1 as their sole macrophage growth factor. No rearrangement of the CSF-1 gene in op/op mice was detected by Southern analysis. However, in contrast to control lung fibroblasts, which contained 4.6- and 2.3-kilobase CSF-1 mRNAs, only the 4.6-kilobase species was detected in op/op cells. An alteration in the CSF-1 gene is strongly implicated as the primary defect in op/op mice because they do not contain detectable CSF-1, their defect is correctable by administration of CSF-1, the op locus and the CSF-1 gene map within the same region of mouse chromosome 3, their CSF-1 mRNA biosynthesis is altered, and the op/op phenotype is consistent with the phenotype expected in a CSF-1 deficient mouse.
Octadecenoic Fattv Acids and their Association with Hemolysis in Malaria

SYNOPSIS. Octadecenoic fatty acids have been implicated in prehemolytic and hemolytic phenomena associated with malaria. Oleic [18:1 (n-9)] and cis-vaccenic [18:1 (n-7)] acids were found and quantified in the major neutral and phospholipids of the erythrocytes and plasmas of normal and Plasmodium lophurae-infected ducks, and in the parasite itself. The octadecenoic fatty acids were elevated over normal values in the major phospholipid classes of infected erythrocytes, in the erythrocyte-specific alkoxy phosphatidylethanolamine of infected erythrocytes, and in the plasma unesterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, cholesterol esters and phosphatidylcholine of infected ducklings. Oleic acid was the major fatty acid of P. lophurae (33% total lipid fatty acids). Theoretical considerations of octadecenoic fatty acid modifications of erythrocyte membrane structure and function in malaria are discussed.
Lump-Pass Welding Simulation Technology Development for Shipbuilding Applications

A lump-pass welding simulation technology was developed for shipbuilding and ship repair applications based on Battelle and Caterpillar developed VFT™ weld modeling software. To develop this technology, we reanalyzed a 3D multi-pass model that was originally used in the NIST project where VFT™ was developed. In this model, good agreement was achieved between the moving arc simulation and the experimental data. By reanalyzing this model using lump-pass technology, the heat input calculation method was developed. To further establish the efficiency of the lump-pass technology, we performed analyses on a structural configuration common to the maritime industry. The structure consisted of many longitudinal and transverse stiffeners that were welded vertically at stiffener interface locations and welded horizontally to a one-inch thick base plate. These welds included numerous multi-pass tee and butt joints. For verifying the accuracy of the lump-pass weld simulation technology, an actual structural mock-up was built with FCAW and SMAW processes. Additionally, we performed a detailed moving arc solution to compare with the lump-pass solution of the same weld sequence to further evaluate the efficacy of the lump-pass approach. The simulation results show that the lump-pass approach is suitable for predicting weld-induced distortion in ship fabrication.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Sexing potential of fragmentary and pathological metacarpals.

The use of metacarpal dimensions for determining skeletal sex is investigated. Previous studies on sexual dimorphism in the metacarpals (Scheuer and Elkington (1993); J. Forensic Sci. 38:769-778; Falsetti (1995); J. Forensic Sci. 40:774-776; Smith (1996); J. Forensic Sci. 41:469-477) used multiple variables, which limits the application potential of the methodology. Using six measurements for each metacarpal, I generated 35 linear discrimi- nant functions based on expected taphonomic or pathological preservation scenarios. The number of variables per function ranged from 2-5. Normal, jackknifed, and cross-validation classification matrices indicated a sex predic- tion accuracy in the 79-85% range. MC4 produced the most consistent functions. Overall accuracy in the validation samples ranged from 75-90%. ANOVA and MANOVA analyses indicated that population effects are insignifi- cant, which may allow for the application of the functions without knowledge of the ancestral background of the individual. This, combined with the variety of preservation scenarios considered, provides accurate sex estimators for incomplete individuals. However, the population specificity of the insignifi- cant population group effects remains untested. Am J Phys Anthropol 109:245-252, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The metabolic clearance rate and the production rate of estradiol in sexually immature and adult female rhesus monkeys.

The blood MCR of estradiol (MCRE2) was measured in 34 experiments with 10 adult (4.7–8.2 kg) and 13 prepubertal (1.8–3.0 kg; 13–23 months old) female rhesus monkeys using the constant infusion technique. Twenty-six of the studies were performed using an adult and an immature animal simultaneously. Twenty-four of the studies were performed in pentobarbital-anesthetized animals, while the remainder used conscious animals restrained in primate chairs.The blood MCRE2 in the adult female was 167.5 ± 9.5 liters/day (mean ± SE; n = 14) or 27.5 ± 1.4 liters/day·kg BW, and was not altered by anesthesia, stage of the menstrual cycle, amenorrhea of more than 60 days duration, or the site of origin of the blood used to calculate the MCR (radial artery, femoral artery, femoral vein, or saphenous vein). While the absolute MCRE2 in the immature animal (either anesthetized or conscious) was less than that in the adult, when corrected for body weight, the relative MCRE2 (in liters per day/kg BW) of the conscious immature ...
Rat Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase II Messenger RNA Is Present in Duodenal Crypt and Villus Cells

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Rats produce two messenger RNA (mRNA) isoforms encoding intestinal alkaline phosphatase that are regulated differentially by fat feeding but whose tissue distribution is not known. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of these isoforms along the crypt/villus axis during fat feeding. METHODS: Nucleotide probes and polyclonal antibodies unique for each isoform were used for in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: mRNAs encoding isoforms I and II were distributed along the entire villus. The mRNA content of isoform II was more abundant. Quantitative grain counts showed that mRNA abundance of each isoform in the upper third of the villus was significantly (40%-65%) lower than in the remaining villus in the fasting duodenum. After fat feeding, the mRNA content of both isoforms increased over the villus. Five hours after feeding, the content of the mRNA encoding only isoform II was increased in the upper third of the villus relative to the rest of the villus. Only the mRNA encoding isoform II was found in the crypt cells. However, no immunoreactive enzyme was present in the crypt cells. CONCLUSIONS: The spatial expression of the two rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoforms is regulated differently in response to fat feeding. (Gastroenterology 1997 Feb;112(2):376-86)
Transgene-mediated enkephalin release enhances the effect of morphine and evades tolerance to produce a sustained antiallodynic effect in neuropathic pain.

Abstract We examined the pharmacologic characteristics of herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector-mediated expression of proenkephalin in the dorsal root ganglion in a rodent model of neuropathic pain. We found that: (i) vector-mediated enkephalin produced an antiallodynic effect that was reversed by naloxone; (ii) vector-mediated enkephalin production in animals with spinal nerve ligation prevented the induction of c-fos expression in second order sensory neurons in the dorsal horn of spinal cord; (iii) the effect of vector-mediated enkephalin enhanced the effect of morphine, reducing the ED 50 of morphine 10-fold; (iv) animals did not develop tolerance to the continued production of vector-mediated enkephalin over a period of several weeks; and, (v) vector transduction continued to provide an analgesic effect despite the induction of tolerance to morphine. This is the first demonstration of gene transfer to provide an analgesic effect in neuropathic pain. The pharmacologic analysis demonstrates that transgene-mediated expression and local release of opioid peptides produce some effects that are distinct from peptide analogues delivered pharmacologically.
Evaluating Multigauge Architectures for Computer Vision

Heterogeneous computing is a technique for achieving high performance by providing a variety of different architectures to meet the needs of systems that are composed of tasks with widely different characteristics. Essential to the construction of heterogeneous systems is an understanding of the match between architecture and software and how that match can be used in deciding how to utilize the available computing resources. We present a theoretical framework, the PCI model, which defines corresponding characteristics of parallel programs and parallel architectures and defines the performance relationship between them in terms of these characteristics. We have encapsulated the concepts of the PCI model into RAW, a simulation environment that facilitates experimentation with the program/architecture relationship in terms of the PCI model. Using RAW, we have applied the PCI model to study the use of processor reconfigurable architectures (a type of heterogeneous system) in the context of computer vision applications. We present experimental results that demonstrate that these architectures perform better than static homogeneous architectures for such applications.
Microstructural effects on surface mechanical properties of ion implanted polymers

©1993 Materials Research Society. The original publication is available at: http://www.mrs.org/
A new approach to understanding racial disparities in prostate cancer treatment.

Abstract Objective: Previous studies addressing racial disparities in treatment for early-stage prostate cancer have focused on the etiology of undertreatment of black men. Our objective was to determine whether racial disparities are attributable to undertreatment, overtreatment, or both. Methods: Using the SEER-Medicare dataset, we identified men 67–84 years-old diagnosed with localized prostate cancer from 1998 to 2007. We stratified men into clinical benefit groups using tumor aggressiveness and life expectancy. Low-benefit was defined as low-risk tumors and life expectancy Results: Of 68,817 men (9.8% black and 90.2% white), 56.2% of black and 66.3% of white men received treatment (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.62–0.69). The percent of low-, intermediate-, and high-benefit men who received treatment was 56.7%, 68.4%, and 79.6%, respectively (P = Conclusion: Racial disparities were largest among men most likely to benefit from treatment. However, a substantial proportion of both black and white men with a low clinical benefit received treatment, indicating a high level of overtreatment.
MULTIPLE DISTINCT COILED-COILS ARE INVOLVED IN DYNAMIN SELF-ASSEMBLY

Dynamin, a 100-kDa GTPase, has been implicated to be involved in synaptic vesicle recycling, receptor-mediated endocytosis, and other membrane sorting processes. Dynamin self-assembles into helical collars around the necks of coated pits and other membrane invaginations and mediates membrane scission. In vitro, dynamin has been reported to exist as dimers, tetramers, ring-shaped oligomers, and helical polymers. In this study we sought to define self-assembly regions in dynamin. Deletion of two closely spaced sequences near the dynamin-1 C terminus abolished self-association as assayed by co-immunoprecipitation and the yeast interaction trap, and reduced the sedimentation coefficient from 7.5 to 4.5 S. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and equilibrium ultracentrifugation of synthetic peptides revealed coiled-coil formation within the C-terminal assembly domain and at a third, centrally located site. Two of the peptides formed tetramers, supporting a role for each in the monomer-tetramer transition and providing novel insight into the organization of the tetramer. Partial deletions of the C-terminal assembly domain reversed the dominant inhibition of endocytosis by dynamin-1 GTPase mutants. Self-association was also observed between different dynamin isoforms. Taken altogether, our results reveal two distinct coiled-coil-containing assembly domains that can recognize other dynamin isoforms and mediate endocytic inhibition. In addition, our data strongly suggests a parallel model for dynamin subunit self-association.
Do the Keynesian monetary transmission mechanisms work in the MENA region

In this article, we empirically examine the operation of the traditional Keynesian interest rate channel of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in five emerging economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and compare it with 14 inflation targeting (IT) emerging market economies (EMEs) using dynamic panel data analysis. Contrary to some existing studies, our empirical results provide no support for the argument that the traditional Keynesian interest rate channel is weak or does not operate effectively in the MENA region: both private consumption and investment in the MENA EMEs are sensitive to movements in real interest rates (although, in the case of private consumption, not independently of the level of financial development). We also find that interest rate elasticities of private consumption and private investment vary significantly with the level of development of the domestic financial market in the MENA EMES comparable to that in IT countries. Finally, our findings suggest that liberalization of the capital account has a significantly positive impact on private sector demand in MENA EMEs similar to that in the IT EMEs.
On a dentition of Polyrhizodus (Chondrichthyes, Petalodontiformes) from the Namurian bear gulch limestone of Montana

Abstract A partial dentition of Polyrhizodus is described from the Namurian A Bear Gulch Limestone Member, Heath Formation, Big Snowy Group of central Montana. The dentition is interpreted as containing five tooth families in each jaw ramus, with at least three teeth in each family. The dentition is homodont, with teeth decreasing in length as well as numbers of roots in proximal‐distal progression. The teeth conform to those of Polyrhizodus digitatus Leidy, 1857, as well as several other nominal species. The teeth consist of a thin, double‐layered enameloid interdigitating with the underlying osteodentine. Peripheral vascular canals radiate towards the outer surfaces of tooth apexes. Orthodentine is absent. The teeth of Petalodus ohioensis are more derived in that the enameloid is greatly thickened apically and principal vascular canals are limited to vertical rows normal to the cutting edge of the apex.
Modeling Beam-Column Joints in Fragility Assessment of Gravity Load Designed Reinforced Concrete Frames

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures customarily have been designed in regions of low-to-moderate seismicity with little or no consideration of their seismic resistance. The move toward performance-based seismic engineering requires accurate reliability-based structural analysis models of gravity load designed (GLD) RC frames for predicting their behavior under seismic effects and for developing seismic fragilities that can be used as a basis for risk-informed decision-making. This analytical approach requires particular attention to the modeling of beam-column joints, where GLD frames differ significantly from their counterparts in high-seismic areas. This article focuses on modeling shear and bond-slip behavior of beam-column joints for purposes of seismic fragility analysis of GLD RC frames. The joint panel constitutive parameters are defined to replicate the experimental joint shear stress-strain relationships, while the effect of bond-slip is taken into account through a reduced envelope for the...
Donor, Dad, or…? Young Adults with Lesbian Parents’ Experiences with Known Donors

In this exploratory qualitative study of 11 young adults, ages 19-29 years, we examine how young people who were raised by lesbian parents make meaning out of and construct their relationships with known donors. In-depth interviews were conducted to examine how participants defined their family composition, how they perceived the role of their donors in their lives, and how they negotiated their relationships with their donors. Findings indicate that mothers typically chose known donors who were family friends, that the majority of participants always knew who their donors were, and that their contact with donors ranged from minimal to involved. Further, participants perceived their donors in one of three ways: as strictly donors and not members of their family; as extended family members but not as parents; and as fathers. The more limited role of donors in participants' construction of family relationships sheds light on how children raised in lesbian, gay, and bisexual families are contributing to the redefinition and reconstruction of complex kinship arrangements. Our findings hold implications for clinicians who work with lesbian-mother families, and suggest that young adulthood is an important developmental phase during which interest in and contact with the donor may shift, warranting a transfer of responsibility from mother to offspring in terms of managing the donor-child relationship.
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the newborn lamb: response to furosemide.

Summary: Nine newborn lambs between 24 and 48 hr of age were studied before and after infusion of furosemide (2 ing/kg) over 1–2 min. Plasma renin activity (PRA) increased within 8 min after furosemide from a baseline value of 12.6 ± 3.5 ng/ml/hr (mean and SEM) to a level of 24.1 ± 8.6 ng/ml/hr (P < 0.05), and peaked 20 mins after the furosemide infusion at a level of 33.1 ± 8.0 ng/ml/hr. Plasma aldosterone concentration increased from a baseline of 12.2 ± 3.1 to 22.8 ± 9.1 ng/dl 35 min after the furosemide infusion. P < 0.05. There were no changes in plasma sodium or blood hematocrit and minimal changes in blood pressure and plasma protein concentrations during the first 35 min after the furosemide infusion. The results indicate that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system responds promptly to furosemide stimulation despite initially high PRA and aldosterone levels. Speculation: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system responds promptly to stimulation with furosemide in the newborn lamb, despite initially high PRA and aldosterone concentrations. The high renin and aldosterone concentrations characteristic of the newborn could be due to a relative end organ insensitivity to aldosterone or to a renal glomerulotubular immaturity leading to salt wasting.
Fabrication of amorphous silicon materials and solar cells at high temperatures using ECR deposition techniques

Abstract We report on the preparation and properties of a-Si:H films and p-i-n devices produced using a remote-electron-cyclotron-resonance deposition at high temperature are electronic quality, with significantly improved stability compared to standard glow-discharge-deposited films. The bandgap and H content of the films depend critically upon which gas is used as the primary plasma gas. We have also made devices in these new materials, deposited on tin-oxide substrates, and they are also of good quality.
Enhancement of peripheral nerve regeneration by pharmacological activation of the cyclic amp second messenger system

This paper reviews the history of attempts to study peripheral nerve regeneration, focusing upon pharmacologic agents that may prove to be useful clinically. In particular, forskolin is described as a model for such an agent, and its mechanism of action, as a stimulator of the cyclic AMP second messenger system, is described.