cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disease based spectrum bias in referred samples and the relationship between type a behavior and coronary artery disease

Using referred samples to study predictors of disease produces statistical problems that reduce the likelihood of obtaining statistically significant results even when a substantial relationship is present between a risk factor and a disease. The present paper refers to these problems as disease based spectrum (DBS) bias. DBS bias is present when subjects are directed into or excluded from the study sample according to their disease status. For example, healthy individuals are excluded from and diseased individuals are directed into referred samples. Therefore, DBS bias is present in referred samples. Examples from the literature on Type A behavior and coronary artery disease (CAD) are presented to illustrate how DBS bias reduces statistical associations. The results of the current research indicate DBS bias has reduced the association between Type A behavior and CAD in a number of studies reported in recent years. In addition, the present article discusses techniques for assessing and controlling for DBS bias.
African-american mortality at older ages: Results of a matching study

In this paper we investigate the quality of age reporting on death certificates of elderly African-Americans. We link a sample of death certificates of persons age 65+ in 1985 to records for the same individuals in U.S. censuses of 1900, 1910, and 1920 and to records of the Social Security Administration. The ages at death reported on death certificates are too young on average. Errors are greater for women than for men. Despite systematic underreporting of age at death, too many deaths are registered at ages 95+. This excess reflects an age distribution of deaths that declines steeply with age, so that the base for upward transfers into an age category is much larger than the base for transfers downward and out. When corrected ages at death are used to estimate age-specific death rates, African-American mortality rates increase substantially above age 85 and the racial “crossover” in mortality disappears. Uncertainty about white rates at ages 95+, however, prevents a decisive racial comparison at the very oldest ages.
Mechanistic Understanding of an Altered Fidelity Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Reverse Transcriptase Mutation, V148I, Identified in a Pig-tailed Macaque

We have recently reported that the reverse transcriptase (RT) of SIVMNE 170 (170), which is a representative viral clone of the late symptomatic phase of infection with the parental strain, SIVMNE CL8 (CL8), has a largely increased fidelity, compared with the CL8 RT. In the present study, we analyzed the mechanistic alterations of the high fidelity 170 RT variant. First, we found that among several 170 RT mutations, only one, V148I, is solely responsible for the fidelity increase over the CL8 RT. This V148I mutation lies near the Gln-151 residue that we recently found is important to the low fidelity of RT and the binding of incoming dNTPs. Second, we compared dNTP binding affinity (K d) and catalysis (k pol) of the CL8 RT and the CL8-V148I RT using pre-steady state kinetic analysis. In this experiment, the high fidelity CL8-V148I RT has largely decreased binding to both correct and incorrect dNTP without altering k pol. The fidelity increase imparted by the V148I mutation is likely because of the major reduction seen in RT binding to dNTPs. This parallels our findings with the Q151N mutant. Third, site-directed mutagenesis targeting amino acid residue 148 has revealed that a valine amino acid at this position is essential to RT infidelity. Based on these findings, we discuss possible structural impacts of residue 148 (and mutations at this site) on the interaction of RT with incoming dNTPs and infer how alterations in these properties may relate to viral replication and fitness.
Computer graphics techniques and computer-generated movies

Abstract The JPL Computer Graphics Laboratory (CGL) has been using advanced computer graphics for more than ten years to simulate space missions and related activities. Applications have ranged from basic computer graphics used interactively to allow engineers to study problems, to sophisticated color graphics used to simulate missions and produce realistic animations and stills for use by NASA and the scientific press. In addition, the CGL did the computer animation for “Cosmos”, a series of general science programs done for Public Television in the United States by Carl Sagan and shown world-wide. The CGL recently completed the computer animation for “The Mechanical Universe”, a series of fifty-two half-hour elementary physics lectures, led by Professor David Goodstein of the California Institute of Technology, and now being shown on Public Television in the US. For this series, the CGL produced more than seven hours of computer animation, averaging approximately eight minutes and thirty seconds of computer animation per half-hour program. Our aim at the JPL Computer Graphics Laboratory (CGL) is the realistic depiction of physical phenomena, that is, we deal primarily in “science education” rather than in scientific research. Of course, our attempts to render physical events realistically often require the development of new capabilities through research or technology advances, but those advances are not our primary goal.
The One-Month Temporal Stability of Children's Self-Reported Hand Preferences

An investigation was conducted of the one-month temporal stability of the Raczkowski, Kalat, & Nebes (1974) item pool for measuring self-reported hand preference. The subjects were 267 children, ra...
FAMILY POLICY IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE: THE CONNECTICUT AGENDA

In 1987 the Connecticut General Assembly made the first attempt in the nation's history to pass a comprehensive family policy. A total of 16 of 26 proposed bills were approved at a total cost of nearly $35 million. Included in the package was aparental and medical leave bill for state employees, a pilot program for displaced homemakers, and a bill to improve access to child day care. This study emphasizes the importance of strong party leadership, the need for comprehensive proposals that appeal to a variety of constituencies, and the importance of the right political and economic timing in enacting family-oriented legislation.
Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents with OCD: A Review and Recommendations for Treatment

ABSTRACT Objective To critically review the published literature on cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents. Method The psychiatric and psychological literature was systematically searched for “studies” applying cognitive-behavioral principles to children and adolescents with OCD. Results Thirty-two investigations, most of them single case reports, were identified. Despite manifold differences in terminology and theoretical framework, all but one showed some benefit for cognitive-behavioral interventions. Graded exposure and response prevention form the core of treatment; anxiety management training and OCD-specific family interventions may play an adjunctive role. Poor compliance, inadequately documented and inconsistently applied treatment, and lack of exportability were recurrent problems. Conclusions Abundant clinical and emerging empirical evidence suggest that cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy, is an effective treatment for OCD in children and adolescents. Future research in this area will need to focus on comparisons of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy to other treatments, on component analyses, and on the application of exportable protocol-driven treatments to divergent patient populations.
The Long and Bumpy Road to Glass-Steagall Reform: A Historical and Evolutionary Analysis of Banking Legislation

This paper focuses on understanding the role of interest groups and markets in influencing regulatory change. To that end, it first identities the interest groups surrounding the creation of legislation that separated commercial and investment banking in the 1930s and then identifies the interest groups involved in the more recent attempts to repeal the separation. Careful attention is also given to developments in the private market that affect the legislative process. This particular case study finds that existing orthodox economic and political science literature gives too much credit to interest groups and not enough credit to private market developments when analyzing policy development and reform.
KINETICS AND MECHANISTIC ASPECTS OF THE HYDROLYSIS REACTION OF CYCLIC PHOSPHONODITHOITES

Abstract The hydrolysis of the cyclic phosphonodithioite C6H5 P(SCH(CO2CH2CH3CH(CO2CH2CH3)S) in aqueous acetonitrile follows a rate law that is first order in the concentration of C6H5 P(SCH(CO2CH2CH3)CH(CO2CH2CH3)S), and independent of the water concentration. The values of Ea , ΔH* and ΔS* are 10.4 k cal mol−1, 9.6 k cal mol−1 and -45 cal mol−1 respectively. The isotope effect for D2O as compared to H2O is 2.5. A mechanism is proposed whereby a pre-equilibrium is established between the phosphonodithioite and water, with a subsequent proton transfer from water to the tricoordinate phosphorus occurring in a subsequent step. The slow step involves hydrolytic cleavage of the first phosphorus-sulfur bond. The compound 2-nitro-5-thiocyanatobenzoic acid is used to provide supporting evidence for the formation of an intermediate thiol.
Electric-field effect in ultrathin films near the superconductor-insulator transition

The effect of an electric field on the conductance of ultrathin films of metals deposited on substrates coated with a thin layer of amorphous Ge was investigated. A contribution to the conductance modulation symmetric with respect to the polarity of the applied electric field was found in regimes in which there was no sign of glassy behavior. For films with thicknesses that put them on the insulating side of the superconductor-insulator transition, the conductance increased with electric field, whereas for films that were becoming superconducting it decreased. Application of magnetic fields to the latter, which reduce the transition temperature and ultimately quench superconductivity, changed the sign of the reponse of the conductance to electric field back to that found for insulators. We propose that this symmetric response to capacitive charging is a consequence of changes in the conductance of the $a\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Ge}$ layer, and is not a fundamental property of the physics of the superconductor-insulator transition as previously suggested.
The roles of outcome satisfaction and comparison alternatives in envy

We examined the perception of envy using an approach patterned after Thibaut & Kelley's (1959) analysis of outcome evaluations. Subjects read scenarios about a hypothetical target person who had experienced an apparent setback. The target person was described as either satisfied or dissatisfied with this outcome by virtue of it either matching or falling short of expectations (comparison level). In addition, the target person was shown to have either enjoyed a recent success or to have suffered a recent failure in an alternative domain. Finally, the target person encountered a comparison person who had either suffered a similar setback or who had experienced a success in the same domain. Subjects rated how envious they would feel if, hypothetically, they were the target person depicted in the story. As predicted, subjects gave more intense ratings of envy in reaction to the advantaged comparison person when the target person was dissatisfied (outcomes below comparison level) compared to when the target person was satisfied (outcomes matching comparison level). Furthermore, subjects expressed more envy when the target person had experienced a failure in an alternative domain compared to when the target person had experienced a success in an alternative domain. Some theoretical implications of the results are discussed. No doubt there are few positions in life that do not throw together some persons who are there by virtue of failure and other persons who are there by virtue of success. In this sense, the dead are sorted but not segregated, and continue to walk among the living. (Goffman, 1952, p. 463)
Exceptional ion rejection ability of directional solvent for non-membrane desalination

The recently demonstrated directional solvent extraction (DSE) is promising for very low temperature, membrane-free water desalination. In this paper, we combine atomistic simulations and experimental validation to demonstrate that the currently used directional solvent, decanoic acid, can reject all major salt ions in seawater, with very high rejection rates. The salinities of the DSE recovered water show that ion rejection rates are ∼98%–99%—similar to those of the best reverse osmosis membranes. Our test also shows that the DSE process can desalt seawater to produce fresh water that meets drinking water standards.
Is the New Software Engineering Curriculum Agile

As the last standardization effort was done in 2004, the software engineering curriculum is currently being revised. Haven't we reached the point where agile development should be part of all software engineering curricula? And if so, shouldn't new curriculum standards ensure that it is? Thus, the answer to the question in the title of this article can be affirmative even if the computer science standards committee is absent-minded. Instructors can follow the initial call of the standard for projects by student teams while using an agile process, which is the most natural match. As long as you review both plan-and-document and agile processes in lecture, students can become familiar with both sets of terms and concepts. The more demanding outcomes can be met by the project as well, provided you look to the deeper meaning behind the plan-and-document terms to see where agile can fit.
Spectral optical constants of soots from polarized angular reflectance measurements.

The optical constants of carbonaceous materials derived from different types of fuel were determined by a polarized ratio reflectance technique over a spectral range of 0.5–0.75 μm and variable incident angles to compare the relative influence of composition independent of particle size and size distribution. Optical properties of soots from acetylene, propane, and kerosene fuels and from a carbon black were measured in the 0.5–0.75-μm spectral range and the spectral optical constants calculated. Differences in optical constants were observed for soots derived from different types of fuel and for soots derived from the same type fuel when volatile adsorbed species were removed by exposure to vacuum.
A ferric iron equivalent of hematolite from Sterling Hill, New Jersey and Långban, Sweden

An unnamed Fe3+ analogue of hematolite is described from Sterling Hill, New Jersey and Langban, Sweden. Eight microprobe analyses are in good agreement with ratios derived from a prior analysis which yielded: Al2O3 0.24, Fe2O3 10.85, MgO 10.61, MnO 41.76, As2O3 6.65, As2O5 15.29, H2O 13.23 (rem. = 1.63), sum = 100.26 %. Single-crystal study indicated that this compound is hexagonal with a = 8.28 A, but the value of c could not be well-defined due to complex polytypism giving rise to diffuse and poorly resolved reflections along c*. In one case, a value of c = 72.69 A was dominant. All values that could be determined were multiples of approximately 12 A. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are: 2.400(100), 1.563(100), 6.09(80), 3.42(50), and 5.13(50). This compound is dark red and occurs as platy hexagonal crystals in clusters associated with a wide variety of species in varied assemblages. It remains unnamed because of the ambiguity arising from polytypism.
Left ventricular wall motion abnormalities in Kawasaki's disease

Abstract Two-dimensional (2DE) and M-mode echocardiographic examinations were reviewed for 21 patients with Kawasaki's disease. Cardiac catheterization including coronary angiography was performed in 14 patients. 2DE detected regional myocardial contraction deficits in four patients later proven to have coronary disease. Coronary aneurysms were detected by echocardiography in two of four patients with proven coronary lesions. Although a minor pericardial effusion was detected in two patients and an increased left ventricular (LV) cavity dimension was found in one patient, M-mode function studies were not helpful for detection of cardiac involvement. ECG and chest x-ray examination were also noncontributory. We conclude that 2DE detection of LV wall contraction abnormalities may be a sensitive method for detecting cardiac involvement in Kawasaki's disease. 2DE may be better for assessing LV contraction than for imaging aneurysms in Kawasaki patients.
A sample preparation protocol for quantification of radiolabeled nucleoside incorporation into DNA by accelerator mass spectrometry

Abstract A general protocol is described for measuring the incorporation of radiocarbon-labeled 2′-deoxynucleosides into DNA using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). This technology provides attomole (10 −18 mol) sensitivity, with detection limits for DNA analysis in the range of one 14 C atom per 10 11 –10 12 total carbons. In practice this corresponds to approximately 1 labeled nucleoside per 10 11 normal bases. A key aspect of the method is the use of precautions aimed at prevention of artifactual DNA oxidation during the sample preparation by the use of antioxidants and chaotropic salts during the DNA isolation. In principle, any type of appropriately labeled nucleoside derivative can be studied using the described protocol, provided that there is incorporation of the deoxynucleoside into DNA. We demonstrated this protocol using MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and a mouse model for mammary carcinoma, which we dosed with 14 C-labeled 2′-deoxyguanosine (dG) and 14 C-labeled 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). The nucleoside 8-oxodG is a ubiquitous compound that forms in cells by the reaction of dG with reactive oxygen species which has been associated with numerous disease, carcinogenesis and aging. DNA from cells treated with 14 C-labeled nucleosides was isolated and prepared for analysis by AMS in order to measure the DNA-bound radioactivity. The method allows the generation of reliable and sufficient yields of pure DNA from human cells and animal tissues for analysis of radiocarbon levels. Ultimately, this protocol will be applied to understanding the role of modified nucleoside incorporation into DNA in cancer initiation and progression, but could also be used to study any DNA metabolism process where 14 C-labeled nucleosides are used.
Inhibition of polynucleotide phosphorylase by degraded ribonucleic acid: its reversal by various agents.

STUDIES in this Laboratory have shown that non-dialysable commercial yeast ribonucleic acid and alkaline degraded polyadenylic acid strongly inhibit the polymerization of polyadenylic acid by polynucleotide phosphorylase from M. lysodeikticus1. Substantial inhibition also occurs with ribonucleic acid from B. subtilis partially digested with ribonuclease. The reaction of the inhibitor with the enzyme preparation is slow and may require up to 30 min. for completion. If the substrate, adenosine diphosphate, is added simultaneously with the ribonucleic acid the rate and extent of inhibition is reduced considerably. Concentrations of yeast ribonucleic acid as low as 10−7 M (phosphate) can give up to 100 per cent inhibition of synthesis of polyadenylic acid. However, in the presence of these inhibitors the rate of polymerization is autocatalytic and shows a significant lag, the extent of which depends upon the inhibitor concentration. Both the inhibition and the autocatalytic character of the rate-curve can be reduced or abolished by the addition of acridine orange, a B. subtilis ribonucleic acid preparation, or polyadenylic acid (Fig. 1).
Empirical choice of sampling procedures for optimal research design in the longitudinal study of primate behavior

A method is suggested to evaluate on an empirical basis sampling plans for the longitudinal study of primate behavior in those very common situations in which the mathematical structure of behavior is unknown. The method is based on a randomization procedure applied to a pilot sample of the behavior organized so that cost of implementation of a sampling plan can be evaluated vis a vis the sampling error intrinsic to the plan.
Effects of two surfactant series on the absorption and translocation of ¹⁴C-glyphosate in sicklepod and prickly sida

The weed species, prickly sida (Sida spinosa L.) and sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia L.), were treated with ¹⁴C-glyphosate alone and formulated with different polyethlylane oxide (PEO) surfactants in tallow amine ethoxylate and non-ionic alkoxylate series to determine the amount of ¹⁴C-glyphosate absorption and translocation. The surface tension, contact angle, and ¹⁴C-glyphosate distribution were significantly affected by both the presence of different waxes on the plants and by the addition of surfactants to the glyphosate. The surface and contact angle values of the surfactants, with and without glyphosate, showed a significant increase as the PEO number increased in both surfactant series. A higher absorption of the ¹⁴C-glyphosate was recorded for S. spinosa compared with S. obtusifolia. The absorption and translocation of the ¹⁴C-glyphosate increased with the increase in the PEO number of tallow amine ethoxylate. In the case of the non-ionic alkoxylate surfactant series, an increase in the absorption of ¹⁴C-glyphosate was recorded when the surface tension and contact angle values decreased. There was no significant difference in the translocation values obtained in the two species after the addition of the surfactants. The amount of ¹⁴C-glyphosate absorbed by the treated leaf was significantly higher in the case of S. spinosa compared with S. obtusifolia. A linear relationship was observed with the physical properties, ¹⁴C absorption, and the efficacy of glyphosate with the addition of the non-ionic alkoxylate surfactant series. The percentage control was higher with the higher PEO surfactant in the tallow amine ethoxylate surfactant series and with the lower PEO surfactant in the non-ionic alkoxylate surfactant series as the two series are chemically different.
Dependent and gaussian erasure networks

Prcviously in 111 we used crasurc networks to modcl ad-hoc nctworks and cxplorcd the capacity relationship between a network with erasures and its underlying network without crasurcs. We showed the capacity relationship C = 6C' for several discrete memoryless networks, where (Y = 1 - Q is the probability of i.i.d. erasures, e is the erasure network capacity, and C: is the underlying network capacity. Wc now extend these results to Gaussian channels and to arbitrary discrete memory- less networks with dependent links. I. INTRODUCTION Consider an ad-hoc network in which node movement, signal blockage, fading, or other factors cause links between nodes to be crcatcd and dcstroycd. Altcmativcly considcr a packct loss nct- work in which packcts arc droppcd duc to various rcasons, such as queue bul'rer overflows. We model these link and packet losses as crasurcs, and wc arc intcrcstcd in the cffcct of thcsc dynamic aspccts on networ! capacity. To explore this erfect we compare the network capacity C with crasurcs to its undcrlying nctwork capacity C with- out crasurcs.
Citizens, Knowledge, and the Information Environment

In a democracy, knowledge is power. Research explaining the determinants of knowledge focuses on unchanging demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. This study combines data on the public’s knowledge of nearly 50 political issues with media coverage of those topics. In a two-part analysis, we demonstrate how education, the strongest and most consistent predictor of political knowledge, has a more nuanced connection to learning than is commonly recognized. Sometimes education is positively related to knowledge. In other instances its effect is negligible. A substantial part of the variation in the education-knowledge relationship is due to the amount of information available in the mass media. This study is among the first to distinguish the short-term, aggregate-level influences on political knowledge from the largely static individual-level predictors and to empirically demonstrate the importance of the information environment.
Screening for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Liver Disease

Although some professional societies recommend routine screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients, the strength of evidence supporting these recommendations is unclear. This...
Evaluation of plasma muscle enzyme activity as an indicator of lesion characteristics and prognosis in horses undergoing celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal pain

In horses undergoing celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal pain, identification of variables correlating with lesion severity and location, and survival provide veterinarians and owners with information that aids in making informed decisions regarding appropriate treatment. Muscle enzyme activity is often increased in horses undergoing celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal pain and it is not known if muscle enzyme activity increase is specific to lesion type or impacts prognosis for survival. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of pre-operative increase in muscle enzyme activities with intestinal lesion characteristics, specifically lesion location (large versus small intestine) and whether it was strangulating versus nonstrangulating, and case survival in horses undergoing celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal pain. Records of 241 horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy for colic were reviewed retrospectively. Evaluation of preoperative plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities, fibrinogen and glucose concentrations, and hematocrit (HCT) and their association with gastrointestinal lesion characteristics and survival was performed. Pre-operative increase in plasma CK and AST activity, and HCT and decrease in plasma bilirubin concentration were significantly associated with presence of lesions resulting in intestinal ischemia. Increase in plasma CK activity and HCT were significantly associated with a decreased probability of survival to hospital discharge. Plasma GGT and SDH activity, and glucose and fibrinogen concentration were not significantly associated with survival or severity of disease in multivariate analysis. Plasma muscle enyzme activity may be useful as a prognostic indicator in equine colic cases. Given that increases in plasma CK and AST activity were significantly associated with nonsurvival and the presence of intestinal ischemia, preoperative increase in these enzyme activities could assist in identification of disease severity and prognosis of horses undergoing celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal pain. Further study is indicated to elucidate the etiology of increased muscle enzyme activity in horses with surgical colic disease observed in this preliminary study.
Mobile air monitoring data-processing strategies and effects on spatial air pollution trends

Abstract. The collection of real-time air quality measurements while in motion (i.e., mobile monitoring) is currently conducted worldwide to evaluate in situ emissions, local air quality trends, and air pollutant exposure. This measurement strategy pushes the limits of traditional data analysis with complex second-by-second multipollutant data varying as a function of time and location. Data reduction and filtering techniques are often applied to deduce trends, such as pollutant spatial gradients downwind of a highway. However, rarely do mobile monitoring studies report the sensitivity of their results to the chosen data-processing approaches. The study being reported here utilized 40 h (> 140 000 observations) of mobile monitoring data collected on a roadway network in central North Carolina to explore common data-processing strategies including local emission plume detection, background estimation, and averaging techniques for spatial trend analyses. One-second time resolution measurements of ultrafine particles (UFPs), black carbon (BC), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were collected on 12 unique driving routes that were each sampled repeatedly. The route with the highest number of repetitions was used to compare local exhaust plume detection and averaging methods. Analyses demonstrate that the multiple local exhaust plume detection strategies reported produce generally similar results and that utilizing a median of measurements taken within a specified route segment (as opposed to a mean) may be sufficient to avoid bias in near-source spatial trends. A time-series-based method of estimating background concentrations was shown to produce similar but slightly lower estimates than a location-based method. For the complete data set the estimated contributions of the background to the mean pollutant concentrations were as follows: BC (15%), UFPs (26%), CO (41%), PM2.5-10 (45%), NO2 (57%), PM10 (60%), PM2.5 (68%). Lastly, while temporal smoothing (e.g., 5 s averages) results in weak pair-wise correlation and the blurring of spatial trends, spatial averaging (e.g., 10 m) is demonstrated to increase correlation and refine spatial trends.
Onset of self-assembly

We have formulated a theory of self-assembly based on the notion of local gauge invariance at the mesoscale. Local gauge invariance at the mesoscale generates the required long-range entropic forces responsible for self-assembly in binary systems. Our theory was applied to study the onset of mesostructure formation above a critical temperature in estane, a diblock copolymer. We used diagrammatic methods to transcend the Gaussian approximation and obtain a correlation length {xi}{approximately}(c{minus}c{sup {asterisk}}){sup {minus}{gamma}}, where c{sup {asterisk}} is the minimum concentration below which self-assembly is impossible, c is the current concentration, and {gamma} was found numerically to be fairly close to 2/3. The renormalized diffusion constant vanishes as the critical concentration is approached, indicating the occurrence of critical slowing down, while the correlation function remains finite at the transition point. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
RF Power System for the Separated-Orbit Cyclotron Experiment

The SOCE is designed with 11 radio frequency cavities (injector - 3, buncher - 2, SOC - 6), each requiring up to 15 kW of rf drive power under full beam loading. A separate three-stage power amplifier unit using an Eimac 4CW25, 000A tetrode as the final amplifier is provided for each cavity. Each unit is provided with automatic servo tuning, and with precise phase and amplitude regulation. A master signal generator supplies a common 50-MHz drive signal, which also serves as the phase reference. Although requirements vary from one cavity to another, all power amplifier units are identical and connected to a single set of dc power supplies and controls. The components were designed conservatively so that the rf system could be operated at greatly increased power levels for high intensity beam studies, with only the addition of an auxiliary dc plate power supply. Most of the design features in the SOCE's multiple-amplifier radio frequency system will be directly applicable to later SOC-type accelerators, even for a much higher total rf power requirement.
Seedbeds of insurgency Structure and dynamics in the Egyptian Islamist insurgency, 1986–99

Studies of insurgency and collective action are divided between structural and dynamic explanations. Structural theories address the presence of insurgency while dynamic theories focus on the frequency of insurgent actions. Yet prior studies often treat these arguments additively, leaving unclear how structural and dynamic processes affect these different aspects of insurgency. This study addresses this division by using zero-inflated negative binomial regression to examine in a single equation both the presence and the count of Islamist insurgency in Egyptian governorates between 1986 and 1999. We test political economy, moral economy, and cultural clash explanations of the presence of insurgency alongside political dynamics arguments about repression and exclusion to explain the count of attacks. Looking at the structural side of this equation, we find that communities with high rates of poverty, child mortality, cultural conservatism in terms of low contraceptive prevalence, and greater urban density a...
Dynamics of energy transport in ternary molecular solids. I. Naphthalene steady state fluorescence

Abstract Energy transport experiments were conducted at liquid helium temperatures on ternary single crystals (host/guest/ supertrap, i.e. C10H8/C10D8/betamethylnaphthalene-d10) at guest concentrations of 50—99% and very low (about 10−5) supertrap concentrations. The relative supertrap to guest steady-state fluorescence gives a measure of the exciton percolation probability (migration to the supertrap). The onset of efficient transport is observed at about 85% C10H8 compared to about 50% at higher supertrap concentrations bearing our the kinetic nature of the transport (e.g. dynamic percolation). The wealth of data are well fitted by an effectively two-dimensional percolation formalism containing a single parameter of “coherency”, i.e. an exciton mean free path (in nearest neighbor lattice units), extrapolated to the pure crystal (naphthalene). Our result gives about 102 or more correlated hoppings (retaining directional memory) and is consistent with linewidth information and with time-resolved studies.
Privacy in Pervasive Computing and Open Issues

Privacy appears as a major issue for pervasive computing applications. Several models have been proposed to address privacy challenges. Successful design requires awareness of the technology's users and that their desires and concerns are understood. This is difficult as few empirical researches exist about potential pervasive users that designers can use. Complicating design further is the fact that pervasive systems are typically embedded or invisible, making it difficult for users to know when these devices are present and collecting data. As users have a limited understanding of the technology several privacy, design, and safety issues are raised. This paper discusses how privacy might be preserved in a pervasive computing environment. It presents some research developments in these areas to address privacy concerns. Open issues and challenges are also examined
Nonlinear polarization coupling and its application to high resolution distributed fiber sensing

A technique for time-resolved, high-resolution distributed pressure sensing utilizing nonlinearly induced birefringence and polarization coupling in optical fibers is proposed. A theory of cross-interaction between two counterpropagating waves which agrees well with numerical simulations is presented. By measuring the relative power of the two principal polarizations of a probe wave at the fiber output, distribution of the linear birefringence along the fiber can be calculated, providing a convenient fiber optic sensor. The proposed sensor uses ultrashort pulses from mode-locked lasers and thus inherently possesses high spatial resolution and simplicity of the sensing head, in addition to the general features shared by all fiber sensors. >
Measuring Staff Turnover in Nursing Homes

Purpose: In this study the levels of staff turnover reported in the nursing home literature (1990–2003) are reviewed, as well as the definitions of turnover used in these prior studies. With the use of primary data collected from 354 facilities, the study addresses the various degrees of bias that result, depending on how staff turnover is defined in nursing homes. Design and Methods: Data came from a survey mailed to administrators of 526 nursing homes during March 2003. Facilities were located in four states: Missouri, Texas, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Three hundred and fifty-four responses were received, giving a response rate of 67%. Results: The 1-year turnover rates identified in these facilities were 119%, 89%, 87%, 57%, and 48%, for nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, administrators, and directors of nursing, respectively. However, findings show that the definition of turnover used could influence the relative difference between these reported rates by as much as 47%. Implications: As a result of measurement error, turnover rates may be misrepresented in prior studies. On the basis of the results of this investigation, several recommendations are made for future data-collection initiatives that will eliminate some of this measurement error.
Multiple lead appendoliths following ingestion of lead shot: Time course and removal by laporoscopic appendectomy

Systemic lead poisoning may occur from ingested lead foreign bodies. Rarely, these may cause a retained appendolith. The risks of lead toxicity from these appendoliths, the time course of retention in the appendix, the rapidity of inhibition of heme synthesis, and the best approach to removal remain controversial. Fourteen days post-ingestion of a "handful" of lead shot, a 15-year-old male was admitted for elevated lead level; an x-ray showed aggregation of many pellets in the teen's appendix. A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed; examination of the removed appendix revealed greater than 50 retained pellets. An abdominal film obtained post-procedure showed removal of all but three of the pellets. Results from admission blood work found a blood lead level of 41 mcg/dL and free erythrocyte porphyrin (FEP) level of 114 μmol/mol heme (reference normal <70). After a short recovery the patient was discharged on succimer chelation therapy and on follow up, his lead level was <5 mcg/dL.
A Failure to Deliver: Municipal Poverty and the Provision of Public Services in Imperial São Paulo, Brazil 1822–1889

Municipalities in imperial Brazil were required by law to provide a substantial range of public services to their communities, yet the structure of the tax code allocated meager fiscal resources to...
Characteristics of a depletion-type IGFET

Recently, the depletion-type IGFET became widely used as a load device in logic circuits. The purpose of this correspondence is to present a development of the current-voltage characteristic of a depletion-type IGFET based on the assumption that the non-linear semiconductor capacitance can be replaced by a constant average capacitance. This approximation is justified in light of the theoretical and experimental results obtained by many authors [1]-[4], indicating that the exact form of the semiconductor capacitance has little effect on the dc characteristics of a field-effect device.
Gender, Depression, and Body Image in Early Adolescents

As clinicians and researchers have begun to document the prevalence of depressive symptomatology among children and adolescents, efforts are being undertaken to identify correlates, and possible de...
Influence of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy on autoantibody titres to BP Ag1 and BP Ag2 in patients with bullous pemphigoid

Background Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a subepidermal autoimmune blistering disease, which is characterized by blisters on the skin. Autoantibodies to components of the basement membrane zone are usually observed in the sera of patients with BP. Autoantibodies to the bullous pemphigoid antigens (BP Ag1, 230-kDa desmoplakin protein, and BP Ag2, 180-kDa hemidesmosomal protein) are present in the sera of BP patients. Objective The objective of this study was to report the influence of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy on autoantibody titres to BP Ag1 and BP Ag2. Methods In this prospective study, we measured autoantibody titres to both BP Ag1 and BP Ag2, in 10 patients with severe BP, over a period of 18 consecutive months on each patient, using an immunoblot assay. Results Prior to the initiation of IVIg therapy, the sera of nine patients demonstrated the presence of high autoantibody titres to both BP Ag1 and BP Ag2. One patient had autoantibodies to BP Ag1 only. A statistically significant decline in the autoantibody titres to both BP Ag1 and BP Ag2 was observed after 3 months of receiving the first cycle of IVIg therapy. This gradual decline in autoantibody titres continued until patients were observed to have non-detectable titres to BP Ag1 after 11 months and to BP Ag2 after 10 months of receiving IVIg therapy. Once patients achieved non-detectable titres, these patients were considered to be in a serological remission. This serological remission was sustained for an additional 7 months of observation. Conclusion Autoantibody titres to BP Ag1 and BP Ag2 can be used to monitor the serological response to treatment in patients with BP. Patients with severe BP who are treated with IVIg therapy, as described in our protocol, achieve a long-term serological remission.
Diagnostics and robust estimation when tranforming the regression model and the response

In regression analysis, the response is often transformed to remove heteroscedasticity and/or skewness. When a model already exists for the untransformed response, then it can be preserved by applying the same transform to both the model and the response. This methodology, which we call “transform both sides,” has been applied in several recent papers and appears highly useful in practice. When a parametric transformation family such as the power transformations is used, then the transformation can be estimated by maximum likelihood. The maximum likelihood estimator, however, is very sensitive to outliers. In this article, we propose diagnostics to indicate cases influential for the transformation or regression parameters. We also propose a robust bounded-influence estimator similar to the Krasker-Welsch regression estimator:
Abstract 15782: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-causing Mutations in Human Beta-Cardiac Myosin Converter Domain Alter Power Output of Sarcomere Function in Vitro

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects 1 in 500 in the general population and is an important cause of arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. beta-cardiac myosin comprises 1/3 of genetic mutations associated with HCM, while the underlying primary effects of these mutations on the biomechanical function of myosin remain elusive. In particular, the converter domain of myosin has been known to be a hot spot for HCM-causing mutations. However, how alterations in this region affect its ability to transduce small changes in the catalytic domain to the lever arm to accomplish the power stroke is unclear. We hypothesize that these mutations affect the biomechanics of human beta-cardiac myosin in different ways (e.g. changing the spring constant of the elastic element of the motor resulting in altered intrinsic force, changing the duty ratio of the myosin and therefore the ensemble force produced, or altering the stroke size of myosin upon interaction with actin), all of which result in changes in the power output of the myosin power stroke. To date, much important biochemical work has involved use of mouse and other non-human cardiac myosin isoforms, as well as skeletal muscle biopsy studies, but these studies have produced mixed results due to isoform differences and lack of homology in amino acid sequence between species. Here we used a recently reported in vitro system to express human beta-cardiac myosin using an adenoviral based expression in a mouse myoblast cell line, and characterized the molecular effects of severe HCM-causing converter domain mutations, R719W and R723G. We also studied HCM-causing mutations at the same amino acid positions which result in more benign clinical phenotypes (normal life span), R719Q and R723C. Using ATPase and in vitro motility assays, we found that severe HCM mutations caused 10~15% increases in actin gliding velocity, no change in ATPase, and loaded in vitro motility assays showed altered power output, while benign mutations showed no significant differences compared to wild type. These observations support the view of altered power output as the primary effect of HCM mutations. Further analysis at the single molecule level is underway to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying these biomechanical changes.
Early capillary flux homogenization in response to neural activation

This Brief Communication reports early homogenization of capillary network flow during somatosensory activation in the rat cerebral cortex. We used optical coherence tomography and statistical intensity variation analysis for tracing changes in the red blood cell flux over hundreds of capillaries nearly at the same time with 1-s resolution. We observed that while the mean capillary flux exhibited a typical increase during activation, the standard deviation of the capillary flux exhibited an early decrease that happened before the mean flux increase. This network-level data is consistent with the theoretical hypothesis that capillary flow homogenizes during activation to improve oxygen delivery.
Collective intelligence

Computational models of human intelligence almost always take the individual as the fundamental unit of analysis. But is this correct? For instance, if intelligence were primarily a group (or more generally, social network) phenomenon, then we would have to dramatically change how we approach the problem of computational intelligence. To explore this question, the author has built a `socioscope' to track the behavior of groups of humans in great detail and during long periods of time, What he finds is that an amazing amount of human behavior can be accurately modeled by considering only certain sorts of mimicry, non-linguistic social signals, and stimulus-response mechanisms. That is, human intelligence is substantially, and perhaps even largely, a collective, network phenomenon
Umbilical structures in Late Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera

Eight major types of umbilical structures can be identified in trochospirally-coiled, latest Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera. These structures and their variants fall into the broad categories of tegilla and portici. Tegilla have distal secondary apertures formed by the attachment of tegilla to each other or to the perforate wall around the umbilicus. These distal, secondary apertures are absent in portici. The various types of tegilla and portici develop from simple lips in early ontogeny and are fundamentally similar in ultrastructure. Both structures appear to be outgrowths of the chamber wall and are not added secondarilly. Therefore, both types of umbilical plates are simply elaborate apertural lips. Umbilical covers may function as attachmnent surfaces for rhizopodia over the umbilicus while simultaneously permitting free communication between chambers in a whorl. Umbilical structures identify suprageneric groups although convergence is also common. Distinctive portici unite the genera, Praeglobotruncana, Dicarinella, Marginotruncana and Contusotruncana into a monophyletic group. Globotuncanita and Gansserina possess derived forms of portici which show that these are valid taxa and may be closely related. Rugoglobigerina, Rugotruncana and Archaeoglobigerina all carry simple sheet-like tegilla which suggests relationship between these groups. Distinctive elongate tegilla occur in Archaeoglobigerina cretacea and early globotruncanids, although it cannot be determined whether this reflects convergence or genetic affinity. Indeed, tegilla with multiple intralaminal apertures have evolved several times as have sheet-like tegilla and those without intralaminal apertures.