cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Government Guarantees Promote Housing Finance Stability

In the aftermath of the financial crisis, major reforms of the U.S. housing finance system are likely. One of the key issues facing policy makers in this area is whether and to what extent the federal government should maintain its current role in the residential mortgage markets. Since the New Deal, the federal government has guaranteed the primary sources of housing finance in the United States — bank and thrift deposits, and the obligations of the mortgage securitization conduits Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae. The prevailing view of government guarantees is that they increase financial instability because they encourage excessive risk-taking and reduce market discipline. But this perspective fails to explain why such guarantees have been closely correlated with stability in the housing finance system through our nation’s history. Incorporating historical and economic analyses, this Article challenges the conventional wisdom around government guarantees in U.S. housing finance, and argues that these guarantees actually help to promote stability in several important ways: they prevent banking panics, they limit the formation of credit bubbles, and they promote the origination of consumer-friendly loans that are less likely to default. The Article concludes with the new and counterintuitive proposition that the positive stabilizing effects of U.S. mortgage guarantees far outweigh their destabilizing effects, which is why guarantees have been so closely tied to financial stability.
Abstract 94: Mortality Review For The First 400 Patients Enrolled In The Clot Lysis: Evaluation Of Accelerated Resolution Of Intraventricular Hemorrhage Trial (CLEAR III)

Objective: CLEAR III is a Phase III, 500-subject, multicenter, double-blind, randomized study comparing extraventricular drainage (EVD) plus intraventricular recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) vs. EVD plus placebo for treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume <30cc. We compared proximate causes of death in the acute and post-hospitalization phase of the first 400 subjects enrolled. Methods: We reviewed serious adverse event (SAE) reports for 106 events that resulted in death within 1 year follow-up. We recorded clinical and volumetric data including ICH and IVH volumes on diagnostic, stability, and end-of-treatment (EOT) computed tomography (CT) scans. EOT was defined as the CT at 72 hours post administration of last dose of test article. Results: Of the first 400 subjects enrolled, 27% (106) died, 12% (47) within 30 days of symptom onset. Median [iqr] time to death was 41.5 [71] days. Mean age (±SEM) was 64.0(±1.0) years. Proximate cause of death was neurologic in 52.8% (56), followed by respiratory (14.1%; 15), cardiac (10.4%; 11), multi-organ failure (5.7%; 6), infection (3.8%; 4) and unknown (11.3%; 12). Withdrawal of care (WOC) occurred in 46.2% (49); the majority of deaths were neurologic. Median time to death depended on proximate cause (p=0.0005): Neurologic deaths occurred at 25.5 [36] days vs. 67 [102] days for non-neurologic deaths (p=0.0002). WOC led to death 22 [53] days after ICH and cardiac arrest at 27 [25] days. Patients with no WOC and non-neurologic death died at 76 [106.5] days after ICH. After adjusting for diagnostic IVH volume, age and WOC, factors independently associated with early (≤30d) vs. later (>30-365d) death were male gender (p=0.01), lower admission Glasgow coma scale (p=0.02), no pneumonia (p=0.02) and higher EOT IVH volume (trend p=0.06). Conclusion: The CLEAR III mortality rate for the first 400 subjects enrolled remains below literature estimates for severe IVH and is below the pre-specified recruitment suspension threshold of 40%. Approximately half of known causes of death are directly due to neurologic events and occur significantly earlier than non-neurologic causes. Reduction in IVH volume may lower early mortality risk.
Jennifer Scanlon. Bad Girls Go Everywhere: The Life of Helen Gurley Brown

Jennifer Scanlon's Bad Girls Go Everywhere: The Life of Helen Gurley Brown offers a clearly admiring look at the work and world of controversial mass media personality Helen Gurley Brown: author of...
A methodology for making early comparative architecture performance evaluations

Complex and expensive systems' development suffers from a lack of method for making good system-architecture-selection decisions early in the development process. Failure to make a good system-architecture-selection decision increases the risk that a development effort will not meet cost, performance and schedule goals. This research provides a method to mitigate that risk based on the idea that a development can be characterized as the management of uncertainties in a probabilistic experiment. The method developed shows how to estimate the probability that an arbitrary implementation of one system-architecture will perform better than an arbitrary implementation of an alternate system architecture. The analysis technique presented acknowledges that many implementation uncertainties exist at system-architecture-selection time and identifies steps that can be used to characterize these uncertainties. The process by which uncertainty descriptions are combined into architectural performance descriptions is presented. Once all alternative system architecture performance descriptions are developed relative system architecture performance comparisons can be made. After the analysis technique is described, three examples are considered. The first example is a simple three tier web-enabled database application. This small web application is used to illustrate the analysis method and demonstrate some methods for characterizing uncertainties. The next two examples are more complex. These examples expose a broader set of uncertainties and show how to handle cases where large numbers of uncertainties exist. Sections on validation of results follow. The dissertation concludes with a list of future research opportunities in this area.
Occurrence and implications of silicon nitride in enstatite chondrites

Silicon nitride Si3N4, has previously been observed to be a common constituent of acid residues of Qingzhen (EH3) and Indarch (EH4). Ion probe analysis of the Si, N and C isotopic compositions of individual Si3N4 grains from Qingzhen and Indarch acid residues suggest most, if not all, grains are Solar System in origin. A few grains have isotopically anomalous C but this is probably due to small presolar SiC grains adhering to them. In situ observations of the Si3N4 in Qingzhen show that it is only present within, and probably exsolved from, host phases which contain elemental Si in solid solution. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that the Si3N4 probably formed during metamorphism and not in the nebula. Thermodynamic calculations also show that sinoite (Si2N2O) and not Si3N4 should be the stable phase during metamorphism. It appears that kinetic factors must have inhibited the formation if sinoite in Qimgzhen and Indarch.
A Review of “Pastoral Capitalism: A History of Suburban Corporate Landscapes”

The article reviews the book "Pastoral Capitalism: A History of Suburban Corporate Landscapes," by Louise A. Mozingo.
National Security and Double Government

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I. INTRODUCTION II. THE TRUMANITE NETWORK Origins Operation Threat Exaggeration Secrecy Conformism III. THE SOURCES OF MADISONIAN ILLUSION IV. THE REALITY OF MADISONIAN WEAKNESS The Judiciary The Congress The Presidency A Case Study: NSA Surveillance V. PLAUSIBLE ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS FOR POLICY CONTINUITY The Rational Actor Model The Government Politics Model The Organizational Behavior Model The Network Model Conclusion: The Myth of Alternative Competing Hypotheses VI. IS REFORM POSSIBLE? CHECKS, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS Strengthening systemic checks Government cultivation of civic virtue VII. CONCLUSION INDEX
Gnathostomulida (Unsegmented Marine Worms)

First described in 1956, Gnathostomulida is a phylum of microscopic, free-living, unsegmented and hermaphroditic marine worms. Uniquely distinguished by a monociliated epidermis (that is, a body surface where each cell carries only one cilium) and possession of complex cuticular mouthparts consisting of paired jaws and an unpaired basal plate, they are most likely related to Rotifera, Acanthocephala and Micrognathozoa. There are two orders, Filospermoidea (with a pointed anterior devoid of compound sensory bristles; without a bursa copulatrix; and filiform sperm, with one flagellum) and Bursovaginoidea (with a rounded anterior with compound sensory bristles; with a bursa; and rounded or cone-shaped sperm, aflagellate). Approximately 100 species have been recorded to date, of which many are with global or circumtropical distribution. Gnathostomulids may numerically dominate the invertebrate meiobenthos in detritus-rich, sulfide-rich and oxygen-poor shallow sandy bottoms (0–25 m, rarely to 400 m) where they typically occur, seemingly feeding on microbes that they scrape off sand grains. Key Concepts: Gnathostomulida is a small phylum of microscopic, free-living, unsegmented and hermaphroditic marine worms. Gnathostomulids are unique among animals in having an entirely monociliated epidermis. Gnathostomulids have complex cuticular mouthparts consisting of paired jaws and an unpaired basal plate. Gnathostomulids are most likely related to Rotifera, Acanthocephala and Micrognathozoa, with which they can be united in the superphylum Gnathozoa. Gnathostomulids typically occur interstitially in detritus- and sulfide-rich but oxygen-poor shallow sandy bottoms. Keywords: marine; interstitial; meiobenthos; pseudocoelomate; worms; monociliated epidermis; Rotifera; Acanthocephala; Micrognathozoa
Microbiology and Immunology: Parent and (Adult) Offspring

One of the major forces, if not the major force, that propelled the evolution and growth of microbiology as a scientific discipline has been and remains the effort to understand and to alleviate disease related to the incursion of “foreign” microorganisms into humans, domestic animals, and crops. The concern about disease has been a real presence in all of recorded history; long before the microbial and viral role in infection was discerned, Girolamo Fracastoro (1478–1553)—forgotten or, at best, neglected—described contagion as an infection that was transmitted from one individual to another. Indeed, he listed three forms of contagion—contact, fomites, and airborne—omitting only disease agents carried by insect vectors but postulating a form of seed or “germ” as the vehicle responsible for transmission. Parenthetically, Fracastoro coined the term “syphilis” in a poem describing the clinical manifestations of this disease.
Genotype at a major locus with large effects on apolipoprotein B levels predicts familial combined hyperlipidemia.

A sample enriched for familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) was examined for evidence of an association between genotype at an apolipoprotein B (apoB) elevating locus defined by complex segregation analysis and FCHL. Complex segregation analysis detected a locus with a large effect on plasma apoB levels and was used to compute the most probable genotype of family members. None of the 35 normolipidemic adults carried a copy of the allele associated with elevated apoB levels, yet 58% of the 109 adults with FCHL carried 1 (29%) or 2 (28%) copies. Two of 28 (7%) normal children had 1 copy of this allele and none had 2 copies, while 88 of 182 (48%) children with FCHL had 1 (26%) or 2 (22%) copies. Further, 4l of 48 (85%) individuals classified as having hyperapobetalipoproteinemia did not carry a copy of this “elevated apoB” allele. Therefore, the presence of the allele associated with elevation of apoB level is highly predictive of FCHL and this association cannot be explained solely by the presence of elevated apoB levels in FCHL, suggesting that the locus controlling apoB levels may play an etiologic role in FCHL. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Suicide and Impossible Worlds An Empirical Investigation of Worlds Theory

Background: Suicide has a devastating impact on both survivors and society, and many obstacles to improving prevention efforts stem from our inadequate understanding of suicidality. A potential source of this shortcoming is that the majority of empirical studies focus only on a single specified etiology of suicide. Aims: To address this limitation, we present a further promising way to understand the suicidal state. We do so (1) by providing a brief review of something known as worlds theory (Bergner, 2006), and (b) by presenting the results of a study exploring the relationship between a person’s taking it that his or her world is impossible/nonviable and his or her suicidal state. Methods: In this research, participants were asked to assess the perceived levels of world viability (vs. impossibility/nonviability) of 12 actual persons depicted in clinical vignettes. Results: As predicted, participants judged the worlds of suicidal committers significantly more nonviable than those of suicide attempters, a...
Energy requirements during pregnancy based on total energy expenditure and energy deposition

Background Energy requirements during pregnancy remain controversial because of uncertainties regarding maternal fat deposition and reductions in physical activity. Objective This study was designed to estimate the energy requirements of healthy underweight, normal-weight, and overweight pregnant women and to explore energetic adaptations to pregnancy. Design The energy requirements of 63 women [17 with a low body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)), 34 with a normal BMI, and 12 with a high BMI] were estimated at 0, 9, 22, and 36 wk of pregnancy and at 27 wk postpartum. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was measured by calorimetry, total energy expenditure (TEE) by doubly labeled water, and activity energy expenditure (AEE) as TEE - BMR. Energy deposition was calculated from changes in body protein and fat. Energy requirements equaled the sum of TEE and energy deposition. Results BMR increased gradually throughout pregnancy at a mean (+/-SD) rate of 10.7 +/- 5.4 kcal/gestational week, whereas TEE increased by 5.2 +/- 12.8 kcal/gestational week, which indicated a slight decrease in AEE. Energy costs of pregnancy depended on BMI group. Although total protein deposition did not differ significantly by BMI group (mean for the 3 groups: 611 g protein), FM deposition did (5.3, 4.6, and 8.4 kg FM in the low-, normal-, and high-BMI groups; P = 0.02). Thus, energy costs differed significantly by BMI group (P = 0.02). In the normal-BMI group, energy requirements increased negligibly in the first trimester, by 350 kcal/d in the second trimester, and by 500 kcal/d in the third trimester. Conclusion Extra energy intake is required by healthy pregnant women to support adequate gestational weight gain and increases in BMR, which are not totally offset by reductions in AEE.
Effects of estradiol and progesterone on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-immunoreactive neuronal system of the anestrous ewe.

The effects of treatment with estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) on the neuronal system for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) of the ovariectomized ewe during the non-breding season were examined using immunocytochemical and radioimmunoassay analyses. The majority of GnRH-immunoreactive cell bodies are located in the medial preoptic area (POA). Clusters of labelled cell bodies also are found in the septum and anterior hypothalamus. GnRH fibers projected from the medial POA to a dense fiber plexus in the median eminence (ME). For ewes treated with E2, the percentage of GnRH cell bodies that were multipolar was approximately twice that for ewes not treated with E2 (P < 0.05). The intensity of immunocytochemical staining in the GnRH cell body, and the incidence of fiber branching close to the cell body also were significantly greater for ewes treated with E2 (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The intensity for staining of GnRH in the ME appeared to be greater for ewes not treated with steroid, and this was reflected by a greater density of GnRH fibers in ewes not treated with steroid (P < 0.05). The mass of GnRH in the ME of the ewes not treated with E2 was approximately twice that for E2-treated ewes; however, there was little difference in the total contents of GnRH in the hypothalamus and POA between E2 and non-E2-treated ewes. Treatment with P4 had little effect on the mass of GnRH and density of GnRH fibers within the hypothalamus or ME, but caused a marked decrease in the content of GnRH in the POA relative to that for the E2- and non-E2-treated ewes (P < 0.02). These results provide evidence that during seasonal anestrus: (1) GnRH is synthesized despite the presence of a concentration of E2 in blood that markedly suppresses the secretion of luteinizing hormone; and (2) treatment with E2 or P4 may affect the rates of synthesis, axonal transport and/or release of GnRH.
Post-therapy changes in PSA as an outcome measure in prostate cancer clinical trials

To the investigator and clinician, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level is a seemingly perfect outcome measure because it is easily assessable, quantitative, reproducible, and inexpensive. Whether post-therapy decline in PSA reflects true clinical benefit, and whether post-therapy declines can be used as an intermediate endpoint for accelerated drug approval is still open to question. At present, no drug has been approved strictly on the basis of a post-treatment decline in PSA, as it is unproven that such PSA changes are surrogates for true clinical benefits. Post-therapy PSA changes have been associated with improved survival in patients with castrate metastatic disease. The role of PSA changes as potential surrogates of clinical benefit have only been explored to a limited degree because to date, only two prospective randomized trials showing a survival benefit have been reported. Such trials are necessary, but not a sufficient pre-requisite to explore the potential role of any outcome measure as an intermediate endpoint. The clear demonstration that a post-therapy PSA change can account for all of the treatment effects seen is not yet available. A cytotoxic drug that does not produce any PSA decline is unlikely to be effective, but the converse is not always true because not all PSA rises represent a treatment failure. It is important to recognize that there are a range of clinical benefits to patients that can improve the quality and possibly the duration of survival, independent of PSA.
Salinity tolerance and sodium balance in the prawn Palaemonetes pugio holthuis, in relation to other Palaemonetes spp.

Abstract 1. 1. Determined lethal limits (96-hr LD 50 , values) for Palaemonetes pugio adults are 0.5 and 44‰; for larvae (first zoeae), 16 and 46‰ 2. 2. The concentration of blood sodium remains relatively constant over the salinity range 1–40‰ 3. 3. In relation to other species of Palaemonetes , it is suggested that P. pugio represents an intermediate stage in transition from salt to fresh water, the species being tolerant of very low salinity and able to regulate blood sodium over a wide range as adults, but requiring brackish to marine water as recently hatched larvae.
Aggression increase and water competition decrease in squirrel monkeys given physostigmine injections.

Six adult squirrel monkeys (Samiri sciureus) were tested in pairs for social dominance in a water competition task. Dominance was defined by two methods: (1) number and direction of aggressive responses, and (2) successful water competition as assessed by latency to the water bottle, latency to accumulate 15 seconds of drinking, and total drinking duration. Monkeys were assigned to pairs on a “round robin” basis so that each monkey was paired with all other monkeys under control, saline, and three levels of physostigmine sulfate (6.25, 12.5, and 25.0 μg./kg.). Under drug conditions only one member of each pair was drugged. The 12.5 μg./kg. dose of physostigmine resulted in a significant increase in aggressive responses. Both drinking duration and general motor activity decreased with increasing dose level of drug. It was also noted that the non-drugged partners of drugged monkeys accumulated 15 seconds of drinking faster and drank more at the 25 and 12.5 μg./kg. dose levels than under control and saline conditions. Physostigmine resulted in an increase in one measure of social dominance and a decrease in the other.
Calculation and application of clinopyroxene-garnet-plagioclase-quartz geobarometers

Recently published thermodynamic and experimental data in a variety of chemical systems have been evaluated to derive Gibbs free energies for hedenbergite and pyrope. These were used to calculate the geobarometric equilibria Hedenbergite+Anorthite=Grossular+Almandine +Quartz: “HD barometer”, Diopside+Anorthite=Grossular+Pyrope+Quartz: “DI barometer”. We have compared the pressures obtained from these equilibria for garnet-clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene-plagioclasequartz assemblages with the geobarometer Ferrosilite+Anorthite=Almandine+Grossular+Quartz: “FS barometer”. Pressures calculated for 68 samples containing the above assemblage from a variety of high grade metamorphic terranes indicate that, in general, the HD and DI barometers yield values that are in good agreement with the FS barometer, and that the three barometers are generally consistent with constraints from aluminosilicate occurrences. However, in some samples the HD barometer yields pressures up to 2 kbar greater than constraints imposed by the presence of an aluminosilicate phase. Relative to the FS barometer, the HD barometer overestimates pressure by an average of 0.2±1.0 (1σ) kbar and the DI barometer underestimates pressure by an average of 0.6±1.6 (1σ) kbar. The pressure discrepancies for the HD and DI barometers are likely to be a result of imprecision in thermodynamic data and activity models for silicates, and not a result of resetting of the clinopyroxene equilibria. The relative imprecision of the DI barometer relative to the FS barometer results from overestimates of pressure by the DI and FS barometers in Fe-rich and Mg-rich systems, respectively. Application of the HD and DI barometers to high grade Cpx-Gt-Pg-Qz assemblages yields pressures that are generally consistent with other petrologic constraints and geobarometers. It is concluded that the HD and DI barometers can place reasonable constraints on pressure (±1 kbar relative to the FS barometer) if not extrapolated to mineral assemblages whose compositions are extremely far removed from the end member system for which the barometers were calibrated.
Hsp110 and Grp170, members of the Hsp70 superfamily, bind to scavenger receptor-A and scavenger receptor expressed by endothelial cells-I.

Heat shock protein 110 (hsp110) and glucose-regulated protein (grp170) act as anti-cancer vaccines when complexed to tumor antigens by heat shock. It has been proposed that receptors on antigen-presenting cells contribute to HSP-mediated immune responses. Here, we show that hsp110 binds in a receptor-mediated manner to RAW264.7 macrophages, as does grp170. This hsp110/grp170 binding is inhibited by scavenger receptor ligands, suggesting a role for scavenger receptors as binding structures. We examined scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) and scavenger receptor expressed by endothelial cells-I (SREC-I). We show that hsp110/grp170 binds to both SR-A- and SREC-I-expressing CHO cells in a saturable manner and scavenger receptor ligands inhibit binding. Hsp110 also saturably binds mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (bmDC) and is inhibited by scavenger receptor ligands. When an hsp110-rat neu (intracellular domain) heat shock complex vaccine is used to pulse mouse bmDC in vitro, an induction of IFN-γ secretion is observed by CD8+ T lymphocytes isolated from vaccine-immunized mice. This immune response is inhibited by the application of scavenger receptor ligands to bmDC. Thus, SR-A and SREC-I appear to contribute to the binding of hsp110 and grp170 on APC. Scavenger receptors, in general, contribute to the cross-presentation of hsp110-chaperoned protein antigen.
Evidence for the local production and utilization of immune reactants in rheumatoid arthritis

Immunoglobulins, including rheumatoid factors, are produced by the rheumatoid synovial membrane. A significant contribution of the synovial membrane to the total IgG and IgM detected in the synovial fluid has been documented. The present study was designed to examine the contribution of the synovial membrane to the rheumatoid factors detected in the synovial fluid. Analysis of the data demonstrated that the synovial membrane was the source of a significant component of the total synovial fluid IgA rheumatoid factor and IgM rheumatoid factor. While some fluids possessed extremely elevated concentrations of the IgG rheumatoid factor, the data suggested that IgG rheumatoid factor was preferentially reduced, relative to total IgG, by the rheumatoid inflammatory process. These observations suggest a potentially important role for IgG rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid synovitis.
Simulations of dislocation mobility in magnesium from first principles

Abstract The strength and ductility of metals are governed by the motion of dislocations, which is quantified by the Peierls stress (σp). We use orbital-free density functional theory (OFDFT) to characterize the motion of 1 3 〈 1 1 2 ¯ 0 〉 dislocations on the basal { 0 0 0 1 } and prismatic { 1 1 ¯ 0 0 } planes in hexagonal-close-packed magnesium (Mg) in order to understand its deformation mechanisms. We predict σp values of edge dislocations on the basal and prismatic planes to be 0.6 and 35.4 MPa, respectively. The presence of stable stacking faults only on the basal plane produces partial dislocation splitting, which significantly lowers σp for basal dislocations. Our atomic scale simulations reveal that dislocation mobility is strongly correlated with the number of core atoms moving collectively. OFDFT σp results are in excellent agreement with experiments (∼0.5 and 39.2 MPa), further validating OFDFT as an independent and predictive tool for simulating plastic behavior in main group metals at the mesoscale with first principles’ accuracy.
Review and test of chilldown methods for space-based cryogenic tanks

The literature for tank chilldown methods applicable to cryogenic tankage in the zero gravity environment of earth orbit is reviewed. One method is selected for demonstration in a ground based test. The method selected for investigation was the charge-hold-vent method which uses repeated injection of liquid slugs, followed by a hold to allow complete vaporization of the liquid and a vent of the tank to space vacuum to cool tankage to the desired temperature. The test was conducted on a 175 cubic foot, 2219 aluminum walled tank weighing 329 pounds, which was previously outfitted with spray systems to test nonvented fill technologies. To minimize hardware changes, a simple control-by-pressure scheme was implemented to control injected liquid quantities. The tank cooled from 440 R sufficiently in six charge-hold-vent cycles to allow a complete nonvented fill of the test tank. Liquid hydrogen consumed in the process is estimated at 32 pounds.
Determining gravitational radiation from Newtonian self-gravitating systems

Quadrupole gravitational radiation formulas are tested and compared in a calculation of rotating stellar core collapse. While the standard quadrupole formula (SQF) allows an economical calculation of the waveform in postlinear gravity, it has several shortcomings that become apparent in a finite difference (FD) calculation. These shortcomings are related to the large-moment arm of the quadrupole moment and the two (numerical) time derivatives that separate it from the waveform. These shortcomings lead to high-frequency noise in the SQF waveform. Several alternatives to the SQF are developed. Each is mathematically equivalent to the SQF and applicable to self-gravitating sources. For FD calculations, the new quadrupole formulas are all superior to the SQF and capable of producing waveforms free of the high-frequency noise characteristics of its use.
A Continuum of Nation-State Resiliency to Watershed Terrorist Events:

This article is a qualitative analysis of nation-state population “resiliency” to several spectacular and/or highly symbolic terrorist assaults that were watershed events. It draws heavily from qua...
Excess Dietary Chloride Depresses Eggshell Quality

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of dietary monovalent electrolytes on egg production by Single Comb White Leghorn hens. Diets containing nutritionally adequate or excessive levels of sodium, potassium, or chloride were provided to hens during the first year of egg production from 206 to 233, 331 to 360, and 465 to 490 days of age. Hens were randomly assigned to treatment at each age. Egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg weight, and albumen height (Haugh units) were not affected by electrolytes. Eggshell strength and eggshell thickness, however, were significantly decreased by excess chloride in each age group, the extent of the decrease being similar at each age. We conclude that dietary chloride is an important nutritional variable affecting eggshell quality.
Waterjet Amendment for Remediation of Contaminated Sediments using Absorptive and Dechlorinating Compounds in Compromised Waterways

Research currently being conducted at Missouri University of Science and Technology involves using a traditionally high pressure water jets in a new and innovative manner to inject adsorptive and dechlorinating amendments at varying depths in contaminated waterways. Previously published works identify Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) and Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) as effective means of remediating contaminated sediments and groundwater. While the investigations of both amendments are within the breath of this project, this paper will focus primarily on the placement technologies and the analysis of PAC. A laboratory testing platform, novel amendment jetting, and nozzle designs were all developed to inject amendments into sediment beds. Analytical testing was conducted to examine the reliability in detecting amendment concentrations in sediments to evaluate distribution. The results obtained from this portion of testing, while not extensive, have yielded an effective delivery mechanism and reliable data acquisition system. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to remediate sites via targeted amendment delivery, while minimizing resuspension, and minimizing damage to benthic biotia.
Alpha-fetoprotein half-life as a predictor of residual testicular tumor. Effect of the analytic strategy on test sensitivity and specificity.

Background. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) serum values after orchiectomy for testicular cancer can be used to predict the residual disease status. However, the optimal strategy for postorchiectomy marker analysis has not been studied. This article evaluated different analytic methods in an effort to identify the approach that provided the greatest sensitivity and specificity for occult residual disease. Methods. Statistical information on the AFP half-life (t1/2) derived from a clinical data set of 24 patients with AFP-secreting clinical Stage A testicular cancer and pathologically defined nodal status was incorporated into a mathematic model of postorchiectomy marker values as a function of residual tumor volume and time. The model was used to test the effect of various analytic strategies on detecting the residual tumor. The clinical data set then was analyzed to measure the effect of different analytic methods on the predictive value of the AFP t1/2. Results. In the model, the AFP t1/2 calculated from a single set of serum measurements obtained from the initial serum t1/2 was a poor predictor of disease status in patients with up to 40% residual tumor volume. Determined by the sequential addition of serum values obtained at normal t1/2 intervals, the AFP t1/2 improved in sensitivity but required up to seven serial values (35 days) to detect an abnormal t1/2 in patients with 10% residual tumor. By contrast, changes in the most recent interval t1/2 relative to the initial calculated t1/2 predicted the disease status in patients with 10% residual tumor after four t1/2 (20 days) and in patients with 1% residual volume after 35 days. Conclusions. The use of this last strategy in the clinical data set improved both the sensitivity and specificity of the AFP t1/2 in predicting residual tumor relative to the other methods.
Ephemeral disturbances have long‐lasting impacts on forest invasion dynamics

Ephemeral disturbances are common in many systems. Often, these brief events are assumed to be a nuisance with little long-term ecological impact. We quantified the impact of the ephemeral forest disturbance caused by gypsy moth canopy defoliation on exotic plant invasion in eight hardwood forests in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, USA. Six years following the gypsy moth disturbance, we were able to predict 59% of the increase in Alliaria petiolata abundance and 42% of the increase in Microstegium vimineum abundance with models incorporating an interaction between disturbance severity and propagule pressure. In addition, we found that the disturbance timing had substantial impacts on the invasion dynamics of Alliaria petiolata. Our results suggest that ephemeral disturbances can have important and long-lasting impacts on plant communities, and highlight the need to account for variations in disturbance characteristics and the role of propagule pressure in determining the disturbance–invas...
The solution of nonlinear finite element equations

An algorithm is described which appears to give an efficient solution of nonlinear finite element equations. It is a quisi-Nowton method, and we compare it with some of the alternatives. Initial tests of its application to both material and geometric nonlinearities are discussed.
Neurologic Manifestations of Essential Thrombocythemia

Excerpt To the editor: I read with interest the recent report (1) on the neurologic manifestations of essential thrombocythemia. From their finding that 21 of 33 patients with essential thrombocyth...
Repeated acquisition of behavioral chains: Effects of methylphenidate and imipramine

Abstract A method involving repeated acquisition of behavioral chains was used to assess the effects of methylphenidate and imipramine in individual animals. Pigeons obtained food for completing a 4-response chain, which was changed from session to session. Learning was defined by the decrease in errors across trials within a session; overall accuracy was measured by total errors per session. For comparison, the drug tests were also conducted under a performance condition, in which the 4-response chain was the same from session to session. In general, both drugs increased total errors per session as a function of dose under both the learning and performance conditions. The error-increasing effect was greater with imipramine than with methylphenidate and was detected at lower doses under the learning condition than under the performance condition. Under the learning condition, the higher doses of both drugs decreased the rate of within-session error reduction. Although neither drug enhanced accuracy at any of the doses tested, the lower doses of methylphenidate slightly decreased total trial time under both the learning and performance conditions.
Correlating Enzyme Activity and Cellular Behavior

A photoactivatable phosphorylation sensor used in conjunction with isoform specific inhibitors of protein kinase C enables the enzyme's activity to be monitored inside cells at specific time points during mitosis. PKCβ was found to be active before, but not after, nuclear envelope breakdown [1].
Transition region behavior in abrupt, forward-biased pn-junctions

Abstract The transition region for abrupt p-n junctions, symmetric and asymmetric, is analyzed in terms of carrier densities at the neutral bulk-space charge region boundaries and the location of these boundaries with respect to the metallurgical junction. The non-equilibrium semiconductor problem is simplified by defining an effective intrinsic carrier concentration and an effective Fermi energy. The relation between the split in the quasi-Fermi levels and applied junction voltage is obtained. Also, density relationships are derived in terms of externally applied junction voltages. A low, high and very high injection formulation results. The transition region width is determined by solving Poisson's equation for a double region problem approximately. MOS concepts such as inversion and depletion are shown to apply to the forward biased junction.
Impact of Hydrodynamic Injection and phiC31 Integrase on Tumor Latency in a Mouse Model of MYC-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Hydrodynamic injection is an effective method for DNA delivery in mouse liver and is being translated to larger animals for possible clinical use. Similarly, QC31 integrase has proven effective in mediating long-term gene therapy in mice when delivered by hydrodynamic injection and is being considered for clinical gene therapy applications. However, chromosomal aberrations have been associated with QC31 integrase expression in tissue culture, leading to questions about safety. Methodology/Principal Findings: To study whether hydrodynamic delivery alone, or in conjunction with delivery of QC31 integrase for long-term transgene expression, could facilitate tumor formation, we used a transgenic mouse model in which sustained induction of the human C-MYC oncogene in the liver was followed by hydrodynamic injection. Without injection, mice had a median tumor latency of 154 days. With hydrodynamic injection of saline alone, the median tumor latency was significantly reduced, to 105 days. The median tumor latency was similar, 106 days, when a luciferase donor plasmid and backbone plasmid without integrase were administered. In contrast, when active or inactive QC31 integrase and donor plasmid were supplied to the mouse liver, the median tumor latency was 153 days, similar to mice receiving no injection. Conclusions/Significance: Our data suggest that QC31 integrase does not facilitate tumor formation in this C-MYC transgenic mouse model. However, in groups lacking QC31 integrase, hydrodynamic injection appeared to contribute to CMYC-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in adult mice. Although it remains to be seen to what extent these findings may be extrapolated to catheter-mediated hydrodynamic delivery in larger species, they suggest that caution should be used during translation of hydrodynamic injection to clinical applications.
Control Theoretical Expression of Quantum Systems And Lower Bound of Finite Horizon Quantum Algorithms

We provide a control theoretical method for a computational lower bound of quantum algorithms based on quantum walks of a finite time horizon. It is shown that given a quantum network, there exists a control theoretical expression of the quantum system and the transition probability of the quantum walk is related to a norm of the associated transfer function.
Brainstem tegmental necrosis and olivary hypoplasia: raising awareness of a rare neuropathologic correlate of congenital apnea.

This case study describes an instance of death in an early term female newborn with congenital apnea in the clinical setting of multiple congenital anomalies (retrognathia, posteriorly rotated ears, camptodactyly, and arthrogryposis) and prenatal history of polyhydramnios. Postmortem neuropathologic findings were significant for tegmental necrosis in the caudal pons and medulla characterized by a coalescence of microcalcifications accompanied by neuronal loss, axonal spheroids, gliosis, and a concomitant hypoplasia of the inferior olives. This report raises awareness of the rare lethal entity of brainstem tegmental necrosis and olivary hypoplasia and its nosological relationship to the Mobius syndrome in the context of differential diagnosis of congenital apnea owing to central respiratory dysfunction.
Effect of uphill running on myocardium T2 in mdx mice

Background Cardiac dysfunction is a major cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In mdx mice, the lack of functional dystrophin localized to the cell membrane leads to increased susceptibility to muscle damage and enhanced muscle degeneration. In this study we examined the effect of an uphill running protocol (Michele et al. Circ Res. 105(10):984-93, 2009) on myocardium transverse relaxation time (T2) in young adult mdx mice (16 weeks).
Do Infants Show a Cortisol Awakening Response

Upon awakening from sleep, combined processes of deactivation of the hippocampus and activation of suprachiasmatic nucleus result in a marked increase in cortisol release from structures within the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. This phenomenon, termed the cortisol awakening response (CAR), has been studied extensively in adults. In the current study, we examine this phenomenon for the first time in infancy. Saliva samples were collected by 32 mothers from themselves and their infants (13 males; 7.8–17.4 months of age) at the infant's AM waking (and 30 min later), and upon waking from the infant's first nap (and 30 min later). In contrast to what has been observed with the CAR in adults, cortisol levels declined from AM waking to 30 min post-waking. Moreover, cortisol levels did not significantly rise or fall following naps. Consistent with prior research, both group-level and dyadic-level analyses showed that cortisol levels for mother–infant dyads were associated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals,Inc. Dev Psychobiol 54: 736–743, 2012.
Greater tolerance of renal medullary cells for a slow increase in osmolality is associated with enhanced expression of HSP70 and other osmoprotective genes.

In tests of osmotic tolerance of renal inner medullary cells in tissue culture, osmolality has usually been increased in a single step, whereas in vivo the increase occurs gradually over several ho...
Analysis of Gas Bubble-Liquid Coflow Systems

The performance capability of the 40,000-SHP family (25% mTO criterion) was also calculated for a mode of operation in which the hydrofoil would alternately sprint at speed Vs and then drift at speed VD (hullborne, with its engine virtually idling). Let the fraction of time sprinting be rs, and the fraction of time drifting be TD (rs + TD = 1). The sprint/drift time split depends upon the assumed average speed for the cycle Vavg (assumed to be 20 knots), the sprint speed Vs (variable), and the drift speed VD (assumed to be 10 knots). Equations (2) and (3) become:
Evidence-Based Practice in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education: Single-Subject Design Research

The purpose of this study was to examine the strength of scientific evidence from single-subject research underlying the Division of Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices. From the 1990 to 19...
An economical semi-analytical orbit theory for micro-computer applications

An economical algorithm is presented for predicting the position of a satellite perturbed by drag and zonal harmonics J sub 2 through J sub 4. Simplicity being of the essence, drag is modeled as a secular decay rate in the semi-axis (retarded motion); with the zonal perturbations modeled from a modified version of the Brouwers formulas. The algorithm is developed as: an alternative on-board orbit predictor; a back up propagator requiring low energy consumption; or a ground based propagator for microcomputer applications (e.g., at the foot of an antenna). An O(J sub 2) secular retarded state partial matrix (matrizant) is also given to employ with state estimation. The theory was implemented in BASIC on an inexpensive microcomputer, the program occupying under 8K bytes of memory. Simulated trajectory data and real tracking data are employed to illustrate the theory's ability to accurately accommodate oblateness and drag effects.
The effect of clustering on the Lotka-Volterra model

Abstract Using the Lotka-Volterra model as a reference for an oscillating system, the effects of nonideality, excluded volume and clustering, are investigated. It is found that these two different types of interaction have opposite effects on the stability of the system and that for a range of parameters stable limit cycles can result. Even limited clustering, such as dimer formation, is sufficient to give rise to limit-cycle behavior. Lattice models are also investigated where clustering is treated using the Bethe approximation.
Generation and display of geometric fractals in 3-D

We present some straightforward algorithms for the generation and display in 3-D of fractal shapes. These techniques are very general and particularly adapted to shapes which are much more costly to generate than to display, such as those fractal surfaces defined by iteration of algebraic transformations. In order to deal with the large space and time requirements of calculating these shapes, we introduce a boundary-tracking algorithm particularly adapted for array-processor implementation. The resulting surfaces are then shaded and displayed using z-buffer type algorithms. A new class of displayable geometric objects, with great diversity of form and texture, is introduced by these techniques.
Dosimetric impact of interfraction catheter movement and organ motion on MRI/CT guided HDR interstitial brachytherapy for gynecologic cancer

Abstract Purpose To determine the dosimetric impact of catheter movement for MRI/CT image guided high dose rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) for gynecologic cancers. Materials and methods Ten patients were treated with HDR ISBT. The CTV and organs at risk were contoured using a postimplant MRI and CT. 5 fractions were delivered twice daily on 3 consecutive days. The first fraction was delivered on day 1 (d1), fraction 2–3 on d2 and fraction 4–5 on d3. MRI/CT was acquired prior to the second and fourth fractions. Four scenarios were modeled. (1) The d1 plan was applied to the d2 and d3 CT, using the updated catheter positions. (2) Replanning was performed for d2 and d3. (3) We applied the dwell positions/times from the d2 replan over the d3 CT and compared with a d3 CT replan. (4) Based on daily MRI, target volumes were recontoured and replanned. Dosimetry was analyzed for each plan and compared to the d1 dose distribution. Results (1) When using the d1 plan on the d2 and d3 CT with the updated catheter positions, the mean CTV D90 was reduced from 93.4% on d1 to 89.3% ( p = 0.08) on d2 and to 87.7% ( p = 0.005) on d3. (2) Replanning on d2 and d3 compensated for catheter movement, mean CTV D90 of 95.4% on d2 and 94.6% ( p = 0.36) on d3. (3) When compared to the replan of d2 applied on the d3 CT vs the d3 replan, there was no significant difference in coverage, mean CTV D90 of 90.9% ( p = 0.09). (4) Reoptimization based on daily MRI, significantly improved the CTV coverage for each day. The mean D2 cc for the rectum was significantly higher with model 1 vs model 3 59.1 ± 4.7 vs 60.9 ± 4.8 ( p = 0.04) Gy EQD2. There were no significant differences in D2 cc of bladder and sigmoid between models. Conclusions Interfraction dosimetric changes significantly decreased the CTV coverage of the third day. Rather than replanning on each day, replanning on the day 2 CT before the second or third fraction would give an optimal solution that would compensate for interfraction catheter displacement.
SiC Based Neutron Flux Monitors for Very High Temperature Nuclear Reactors

The Gas Turbine-Modular Helium Reactor (GT-MHR) and the Very-High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR) are next-generation high-temperature reactor types that are being designed to operate under normal conditions with primary coolant outlet temperatures in the range of 850 °C and 1000 °C, respectively. A new type of silicon carbide based diode neutron detector is currently under development in order to monitor the neutron flux in this environment. An important problem, in this context, is the long-time reliability of the diodes under continuous irradiation at high temperatures. In this paper, we discuss a computational methodology to study the accumulation of radiation damage in the detectors as a function of temperature and its influence on the electrical properties.