cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SAR reduced pulse sequences.

Abstract Three techniques were considered for reducing the RF (radiofrequency) power deposition in the body while maintaining scan time efficiency: reducing the RF peak amplitude while increasing the pulse width, substituting gradient echoes for spin echoes, and reducing the flip angle of the phase reversal pulse. The use of gradient echoes was found to be the most efficient means to reduce the power delivered to the patient and to obtain rapid data acquisition. The effect upon SAR (specific absorption rate) and SNR (signal-to-nois ratio) was demonstrated on a phantom when the phase reversal pulse was reduced from the standard 180° to 90°. Data in the body indicated a fairly constant SNR down to a refocusing flip angle between 110° and 135°. An initial clinical evaluation was performed at three institutions using the method of reducing the flip angle of the phase reversal pulse. The scan with θ = 120° was rated by readers in a blinded study as having acceptable diagnostic image quality while the 135° scan had comparable image quality to a conventional 90°–180° pulse sequence. The use of reduced phase reversal pulses was seen as an efficient protocol to obtain T1-weighted images at rapid data rates while reducing the power delivered to the body by about 40%.
Visible-NIR imaging polarimetry of painted metal surfaces viewed under a variably cloudy atmosphere

An imaging spectro-polarimeter was used to measure polarization signatures in five visible and near infrared channels (450, 490, 530, 630, 700 nm) from four painted steel plates throughout the day as the solar angle and sky conditions changed. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the influence of variable sky conditions on the observed polarization signatures. Smooth plates exhibited higher degree of polarization than rough plates and black plates generally exhibited higher degree of polarization than tan plates. Changes in cloudiness caused large variations in the polarization, usually reducing the observed degree of polarization.
Parallel wavefront measurements in ultrasound pulse guided digital phase conjugation

Ultrasound pulse guided digital phase conjugation has emerged to realize fluorescence imaging inside random scattering media. Its major limitation is the slow imaging speed, as a new wavefront needs to be measured for each voxel. Therefore 3D or even 2D imaging can be time consuming. For practical applications on biological systems, we need to accelerate the imaging process by orders of magnitude. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate a parallel wavefront measurement scheme towards such a goal. Multiple focused ultrasound pulses of different carrier frequencies can be simultaneously launched inside a scattering medium. Heterodyne interferometry is used to measure all of the wavefronts originating from every sound focus in parallel. We use these wavefronts in sequence to rapidly excite fluorescence at all the voxels defined by the focused ultrasound pulses. In this report, we employed a commercially available sound transducer to generate two sound foci in parallel, doubled the wavefront measurement speed, and reduced the mechanical scanning steps of the sound transducer to half.
Variations in the blood glucose level of crustacea

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of the female reproductive cycle and time of day on the blood glucose of decapod Crustacea has been examined. 2. 2. There is a twofold increase in the blood glucose of crabs as eggs are developed. 3. 3. There is a diurnal cycle in the blood glucose of Uca pugilator . 4. 4. Variations in blood glucose are related to the physiology and ecology of the animal.
The Short-Run Effects of Time-Varying Prices in Competitive Electricity Markets

We analyze the efficiency, distributional, and environmental effects of real-time pricing (RTP) adoption in the short run. Consistent with theory, our simulations of the PJM electricity market show that RTP adoption improves efficiency and compresses the distributions of loads and prices. Adoption increases average load but decreases operating profits with the largest decrease for oil-fired generation (59% when all customers adopt). Consumer surplus and welfare gains are modest (2.5% and 0.24% of the energy bill), and emissions of SO 2 and NO, increase but CO 2 emissions decrease. Approximately 30% of these efficiency gains could be captured by varying flat rates monthly instead of annually. Monthly flat rate adjustment has many of the same effects as RTP adoption, captures more of the deadweight loss than time of use (TOU) rates, and requires no new metering technology.
Microwave processing of WC-Co composities and ferroic titanates

The innovations in microwave processing of ceramics have been dominated to date by serendipitous discovery, because the interaction between such radiation as delivered via available tools and the materials of widely varying properties, sizes, and shapes is so complex that it has defied quantitative analysis. For over 10 years a wide variety of inorganic ceramic and semiconducting materials have been synthesized, sintered, and reacted in our own labs, including microwave hydrothermal synthesis of metals, ferrites, and electroceramic phases. These local results are summarized and used as the reference point for reporting on two different new advances: sintering of WC-Co composite tool bits and other similar objects in under 15 min, while retaining extremely fine microstructures, without any grain growth inhibitors; using reduced TiO2 or Ta2O5 for the synthesis of phases such as BaTiO3, Ba3MgTa2O9, and Pb(Zr.Ti)O3 in a few minutes in a 2.45 GHz field at the astonishing temperatures of 300–700 oC.
Trajectories of acculturation and enculturation in relation to heavy episodic drinking and marijuana use in a sample of Mexican American serious juvenile offenders

This study examines the longitudinal relations of multiple dimensions of acculturation and enculturation to heavy episodic drinking and marijuana use in a sample of 300 male, Mexican-American, serious juvenile offenders. We track trajectories between ages 15 and 20 and also consider the effects of participants' time spent residing in supervised settings during these years. Results showed some (although not entirely consistent) support for the hypothesis that bicultural adaptation is most functional in terms of lowered substance use involvement. The current findings demonstrate the importance of examining these relations longitudinally and among multiple dimensions of acculturation and enculturation, and they call into question simple models that suggest that greater acculturation is associated with greater substance use among Mexican-American adolescents.
Sex differences in asymmetry in the facial expression of emotion.

Abstract Two measures of facial asymmetry (preferred eye winking and eyebrow raising facility) were taken for 255 subjects. As predicted, males displayed significantly greater left-side facial asymmetry than did females, although the sex differences were not great. The findings lend support to prior research suggesting hemispheric asymmetry in the control of emotional expression.
Effect of plate preincubation on Bacillus stearothermophilus disc assay zone diameters.

Abstract Effect of plate preincubation on the Bacillus stearothermophilus disc assay zone size was studied. Each of three raw milk samples were subdivided and treated with five levels of US Pharmacopeial reference standard penicillin G. Freshly prepared, 2.5- and 5-d old seeded disc assay culture plates were preincubated at 64°C for 0 (control), 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120min prior to placement of discs on the medium surface. Plate age did not have a significant effect on the size of the zone diameter. Following 20 and 40min of plate preincubation, zone diameters were in some, but not all, cases significantly different from the control. Plate preincubation of 60min or greater always significantly decreased zone diameter. Routine preincubation of B. stearothermophilus plates is not recommended. In situations where time is a critical factor, plates should be preincubated no longer than 40min.
Effective Targeted Gene Knockdown in Mammalian Cells Using the piggyBac Transposase-based Delivery System

Nonviral gene delivery systems are rapidly becoming a desirable and applicable method to overexpress genes in various types of cells. We have recently developed a piggyBac transposase-based, helper-independent and self-inactivating delivery system (pmGENIE-3) capable of high-efficiency transfection of mammalian cells including human cells. In the following study, we have assessed the potential of this delivery system to drive the expression of short hairpin RNAs to knock down genes in human cells. Two independent pmGENIE-3 vectors were developed to specifically target knockdown of an endogenous gene, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), in telomerase-positive human immortalized cell lines. As compared with a transposase-deficient vector, pmGENIE-3 showed significantly improved short-term transfection efficiency (~4-fold enhancement, 48 hours posttransfection) and long-term integration efficiency (~5-fold enhancement) following antibiotic selection. We detected a significant reduction of both TERT expression and telomerase activity in both HEK293 and MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells transfected with two pmGENIE-3 construct targeting distinct regions of TERT. Importantly, this knockdown of expression was sufficient to abrogate telomerase function since telomeres were significantly shortened (3–4 Kb, P < 0.001) in both TERT-targeted cell lines following antibiotic selection of stable integrants. Together, these data show the capacity of the piggyBac nonviral delivery system to stably knockdown gene expression in mammalian cells and indicate the potential to develop novel tumor-targeting therapies.
High-fat diet induces increased tissue expression of TNF-α

In several strains of genetically obese and insulin resistant rodents, adipose tissue over expresses mRNA for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Our purpose was to determine whether tissue expression of TNF-alpha protein is elevated in rats that are made obese and insulin resistant by administration of a high-fat diet. Young Wistar rats weighing approximately 50 g were fed for 39 days with either normal rat chow (12.4% fat) or a high-fat diet (50% fat). After 33 days, glucose tolerance was assessed and after 39 days, insulin-stimulated transport of [3H]-2-deoxyglucose was assessed in isolated strips of soleus muscle. Rats on the high-fat diet consumed slightly fewer calories but became obese, displaying significant approximately 2-fold increases in the mass of both visceral and subcutaneous fat depots. High-fat feeding also caused a moderate degree of insulin resistance. Fasting serum insulin was significantly increased, as were insulin and glucose concentrations following glucose loading. In isolated strips of soleus muscle, the high-fat diet produced a trend toward a 33% decrease in the insulin-stimulated component of glucose transport (p=0.064). Western analysis of muscle, liver and fat revealed two forms of TNF-alpha, a soluble 17 Kd form (sTNF-alpha) and a 26 Kd membrane form (mTNF-alpha). Both sTNF-alpha and mTNF-alpha were relatively abundant in fat; whereas sTNF-alpha was the predominant form present in muscle and liver. High-fat feeding caused a significant 2-fold increase in muscle sTNF-alpha, along with a trend toward a 54% increase in visceral fat sTNF-alpha (p=0.055). TNF-alpha was undetectable in serum. We conclude that muscle over expression of TNF-alpha occurs during the development of diet-induced obesity and may, in part cause insulin resistance by an autocrine mechanism.
A new approach to the identification of model structure

Most models of environmental systems are based on sets of differential equations. The paper investigates the problem of identifying the number and form of appropriately parameterized terms in such continuous-time state-space models, a problem referred to as model structure identification. Filtering theory (recursive estimation) is used as an approach to the solution of this problem. Central to this approach is the notion that the patterns of the (posterior) trajectories of the model's parameters, when contrasted with the prior assumptions about their expected variability, will yield insights into the adequacy, or otherwise, of a candidate model's structure. The particular algorithm employed herein is based upon an analysis of Ljung (1979), who proposed a significant modification of the conventional extended Kalman filter wherein the elements of the Kalman gain matrix may be estimated directly as unknown parameters of an innovations process representation of the system's behaviour. Whereas Ljung's filter was designed for an entirely discrete-time system, the present version of the filter has been derived for a system with continuous-time dynamics and discretetime observations. Using time series data from the River Cam, the paper presents a case study in identifying a sequence of three candidate model structures for describing the assimilation and generation of easily degradable organic matter. The trajectories of recursive estimates for the elements of the gain matrix provide informative insights into, and better defined evidence of, the failure of an inadequate model structure.
Thermoscopes, thermometers, and the foundations of measurement

Psychologists debate whether mental attributes can be quantified or whether they admit only qualitative comparisons of more and less. Their disagreement is not merely terminological, for it bears upon the permissibility of various statistical techniques. This article contributes to the discussion in two stages. First it explains how temperature, which was originally a qualitative concept, came to occupy its position as an unquestionably quantitative concept (§§1–4). Specifically, it lays out the circumstances in which thermometers, which register quantitative (or cardinal) differences, became distinguishable from thermoscopes, which register merely qualitative (or ordinal) differences. I argue that this distinction became possible thanks to the work of Joseph Black, ca. 1760. Second, the article contends that the model implicit in temperature’s quantitative status offers a better way for thinking about the quantitative status of mental attributes than models from measurement theory (§§5–6).
Synthesis and Degradation of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in the Rat Uterus

Intravenous administration of 5 μg of estradiol or intrauterine application of 5 Mmoles of NADP+ in single or multiple doses increased the level of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity (D-glucose-6-phosphate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49) in the uterus of the ovariectomized mature rat. Enzyme levels were increased 3.5-fold after 36 hr by a single injection of estradiol and 8-fold after 3 days by multiple doses of estradiol. Single or multiple applications of NADP+ resulted in a 2.4-fold increase. During the periods of decreasing enzyme activity following the above 4 treatments, the rate constants of enzyme synthesis (ks) and enzyme degradation (kd) were estimated as described by Segal and Kim (Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 50: 912, 1963). The basal rate of synthesis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the ovariectomized mature rat uterus was 0.0020 units/uterus X hr-1 and the rate of degradation was 0.014 hr-1 (t½ = 50 hr). These values were found to be independent of the treatment used to perturb ...
B-chromosome systems in the pocket mouse, Perognathus baileyi: meiosis and C-band studies.

The heterochromatin characteristics and meiotic behavior of the B-chromosome system of the pocket mouse, Perognathus baileyi, are described. B-chromosomes are associated both with a meiotic accumulation mechanism and with an increase in average chiasma frequency in the A-chromosome set in males. Three morphological classes of B-chromosomes are recognizable, and the mechanisms of origin of each are discussed.
Orientation of carbon fiber precursors from 1‐butyl‐3‐metylimidazoluim chloride cellulose solutions

Cellulose/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) solutions were wet spun at varied concentrations, temperatures and draw down ratios using a semi-hyperbolically converging die to produce fibers that were highly oriented and highly crystalline. The orientation number (NOR) and the Herman's orientation factor (fH) were compared with the fiber crystallinity. The analysis of the results indicates that the spinning parameters had a significant effect on the fiber properties, especially the orientation factor as well as the orientation number. Therefore, to spin cellulose fibers that would be suitable for carbon fiber precursors, the spinning parameters are a high concentration solution at approximately 90°C and at a medium draw ratio. This would yield fibers with a high orientation number. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Effect of estradiol on mouse uterine epithelial cell transepithelial resistance (TER).

Problem: The effects of estradiol on epithelial cell function in the uterus may either be direct or indirect through the paracrine effects of underlying stromal cells. The aim of this study was to test whether estradiol-17β (E2) acts directly to regulate uterine epithelial cell monolayer integrity. Methods of Study: Mouse uterine epithelial cells were isolated and grown on cell culture inserts to form confluent, polarized monolayers, as indicated by the development of high transepithelial resistance (TER). Results: When polarized epithelial cells were treated with E2, TER was significantly decreased within 24 hr of exposure. Epithelial cells remained hormonally responsive in culture for at least 10 days. In contrast to estradiol, incubation with progesterone, cortisol, aldosterone, and DHT had no effect on uterine epithelial cell TER. The ability of E2 to decrease TER was inhibited following co-incubation with ICI 182,780, a pure estrogen receptor antagonist. To further investigate the mechanism involved in estradiol-induced decreases in TER, we tested the effect of TAPI-0, an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases. Our findings indicate that TAPI-0 reversed the inhibitory effect of E2 on TER. Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that epithelial monolayer integrity is directly influenced by E2 and ER mediated. Further, it suggests that the mechanism through which estradiol decreases TER is mediated by matrix metalloproteinases.
Saccharin preference and aversion as a function of irradiation and supplier in the albino rat

Albino rats from different suppliers were differentially affected in subsequent aversion for .1% saccharin solution following 204 R of whole-body X-irradiation. Sprague-Dawley (S-D) Ss drank less saccharin without treatment and slightly more after treatment than Blue Spruce (BS) animals. Nonirradiated S-D animals preferred distilled H2O to saccharin over eight test days and BS controls evinced only a slight preference for saccharin. This raises the question as to whether saccharin is actually a primary re in forcer for the rat.
Isolation and Identification of Mycobacterium peregrinum from the Pacific White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei

Abstract Mycobacterium peregrinum was isolated from multifocal, melanized nodular lesions in the carapace of the cultured marine shrimp Penaeus vannamei. This is the first identification of this species of Mycobacterium in shrimp. The lesions appeared to be the result of opportunistic infections in otherwise healthy animals. The presence of M. peregrinum in cultured shrimp has a direct negative impact on the marketability of shrimp because it causes obvious black lesions. The potential for accidental infections of shrimp farm or packing plant workers from handling infected shrimp is of concern since nodular skin lesions induced by the bacterium are difficult to treat.
Determination of the quark and gluon moments of the nucleon

The $n=2, 4, 6$ moments of the nucleon structure function ${F}_{2}$ were evaluated from muon and electron deep-inelastic scattering measurements on hydrogen and deuterium done at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and Fermilab. From these moments the quark and gluon content of the nucleon was determined by application of the theory of asymptotic freedom. With the values ${0.25}_{+0.10}^{\ensuremath{-}0.11}$ for $R=\frac{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{L}}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{T}}$, the scale parameter of the theory was determined to be $\ensuremath{\Lambda}=600\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}80$ MeV.
Obesity disparities among disadvantaged men: National adult male inmate prevalence pooled with non-incarcerated estimates, United States, 2002–2004

Obesity prevalence among inmates in the United States is unknown. Since incarceration disproportionately affects minorities, excluding inmates from surveys may bias national obesity estimates. Including inmates may also help explain racial obesity disparities among men. This descriptive study summarizes obesity prevalence among US male inmates and analyzes the effect of incarceration on national prevalence estimates. Data for male inmates came from the 2002 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails and the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities. Data for the non-incarcerated US adult male population came from the 2004 National Health Interview Survey. Self-reported weight and height data were analyzed from men aged 25-59 years for all surveys (obesity equaled BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m(2)). Pooled inmate obesity prevalence was less than non-incarcerated estimates across all race/ethnic-education subgroups. However, unlike non-incarcerated estimates, inmates had obesity disparities between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites. Merging inmate and non-incarcerated estimates lowered obesity prevalence among men aged 25-39 with lower education levels. Merged estimates showed a positive obesity gradient within Whites by education. This study indicates that the exclusion of inmates from national obesity estimates leads to overestimates in obesity prevalence, particularly for low SES White and Black men.
The significance of post-irradiation growth in regenerating limb and tail blastemas of Amblystoma larvae.

Regenerative growth was studied in limbs and tails exposed to x-radiation. Significant increases in size were observed following irradiation. Growth eventually ceased in irradiated regenerates and involution set in progressively to claim most of the tissue distal to the amputation plane. This growth was accomplished in spite of severe curtailment of DNA synthesis. On a relative basis the amount of growth was independent of the post-amputation age of the regenerate at time of exposure to x-rays. Growth following irradiation showed some dose dependency, but this did not become manifested until after an appreciable time-lag. It was concluded that at any given moment in the history of the salamander limb or tail there are sufficient numbers of cells capable of forming a blastema without their first having to pass though a phase of high radio-sensitivity and that these cells are sufficient to account for the aggregation or enlargement of a blastema, independently of normal proliferation.
A HIGH-VOLUME SMALL CUTPOINT VIRTUAL IMPACTOR FOR SEPARATION OF ATMOSPHERIC PARTICULATE FROM GASEOUS POLLUTANTS

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the development of an alternative technology to sample separately the gas and particulate phases of atmospheric pollutants. The key feature of this technique is the utilization of a slit nozzle virtual impactor with a small 50% cutpoint (0.1 µm) to sample atmospheric pollutants at high flow rates (225 LPM). In contrast to the diffusion denuder/filter pack and impactor/filter pack techniques, which collect gas and particulate phases sequentially, the two phases are separated in a virtual impactor and collected independently, to eliminate sampling artifacts. The virtual impactor has been characterized in laboratory studies using fluorescent monodisperse aerosols, and in field studies by comparing its performance to the performance of a collocated dichotomous sampler. The results indicate that the minor flow (consisting of particles in the range 0.1 < dp < 2.5 µ m) flow of the virtual impactor contained on the average 80% of the total ambient fine mass. In addition, particle los...
The influence of a spatiotemporal 3D environment on endothelial cell differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Current EC differentiation protocols are inefficient, and the phenotypes of the differentiated ECs are only briefly stable, which significantly inhibits their utility for basic science research. Here, a remarkably more efficient hiPSC-EC differentiation protocol that incorporates a three-dimensional (3D) fibrin scaffold is presented. With this protocol, up to 45% of the differentiated hiPSCs assumed an EC phenotype, and after purification, greater than 95% of the cells displayed the EC phenotype (based on CD31 expression). The hiPSC-ECs continued to display EC characteristics for 4 weeks in vitro. Gene and protein expression levels of CD31, CD144 and von Willebrand factor-8 (vWF-8) were significantly up-regulated in differentiated hiPSC-ECs. hiPSC-ECs also have biological function to up-take Dil-conjugated acetylated LDL (Dil-ac-LDL) and form tubular structures on Matrigel. Collectively, these data demonstrate that a 3D differentiation protocol can efficiently generate ECs from hiPSCs and, furthermore, the differentiated hiPSC-ECs are functional and can maintain EC fate up to 4 weeks in vitro.
NKT cells at the maternal-fetal interface.

Establishment of the maternal-fetal interface is characterized by the influx of maternal NK cells, macrophages, and T cells into the decidua. Although a great deal has been learned about the function of NK cells in the decidua, comparatively little is known of decidual T cell function. NKT cells are an unusual T cell subset capable of producing both Th1-like and Th2-like cytokines. Unlike conventional αβ T cells that recognize peptides in the context of MHC molecules, NKT cells recognize glycolipids presented by the MHC class I-like molecule, CD1d. Recent reports have demonstrated that NKT cells and CD1d are present at the maternal-fetal interface. Moreover, activation of NKT cells can have dramatic effects on pregnancy. In this article, we will review basic aspects of NKT cell biology and summarize the recent literature on NKT cells at the maternal-fetal interface.
Simultaneous energy harvesting and vibration control of structures with tuned mass dampers

The vibrations of the tall buildings are serious concerns to both engineers and architects for the protection of the safety of the structure and occupant comfort. In order to mitigate the vibration...
The Political Power of Film: Traffic's Impact on Drug Policy Debates

This interdisciplinary study advances film effects and policy research by combining multiple methodologies to assess how a film may affect policy debates. Investigating Traffic's effect on press and Congressional drug policy debates, this article illustrates how Traffic was used to push for or against legislation, to reframe the drug policy debate, and to provide symbolic attention to drug-related issues. A framing analysis shows that Traffic framed news coverage of drug abuse, and a discursive analysis illustrates how and why this occurred. Ultimately, this article suggests blockbuster films cloaked in realism, elite attention, and news coverage may shift policy debates in media spheres. It also illustrates the potentials for multimethod research strategies to reveal hegemony at work and flaws in journalistic practices.
Melanoma metastatic to the colon: Case series and review of the literature with outcome analysis

PURPOSE: Symptomatic melanoma of the colon is rare. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, presenting signs and symptoms, and survival correlation. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients treated in Mayo Clinic facilities from 1960 to 2000 for primary and metastatic melanoma. We identified 24 patients with metastatic melanoma to the colon. RESULTS: There were 24 patients (14 males) with an average age of 60.4 years at the time of metastatic involvement. The interval time between diagnosis of the primary and metastatic disease to the colon was 7.47 years. The most common presentation was bleeding. Colonoscopy was used in 11 patients and diagnostic in 9. Eighteen patients underwent resection, and seven patients had positive nodes. The average time until death after operation was 27.5 months (range, 30 days to 65 months). Nonoperative candidates died within 7.8 months after diagnosis. One-year and five-year survival for resected patients were 37 and 21 percent, respectively. Patients with negative nodes had an average survival time of 34.7 months compared with 20.4 months in patients with positive nodes. Perforation and bowel obstruction directly correlated with poor survival, with an average life expectancy of ten months (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic melanoma of the colon is rare. Segmental resection is justified and can be successfully completed in 95 percent of patients who undergo attempted resection. Survival of less than ten months is most accurately predicted by signs and symptoms of obstruction or perforation at presentation (P = 0.03).
Is midtrimester vitamin D status associated with spontaneous preterm birth and preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to evaluate whether midtrimester maternal vitamin D is associated with preeclampsia < 37 weeks or spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) < 35 weeks. STUDY DESIGN Nested case-control comprising two case subsets: (1) 100 women with preeclampsia < 37 weeks and (2) 100 women with SPB < 35 weeks. Controls consisted of 200 women delivered between 39 and 40 weeks. Stored maternal serum obtained between 15 and 21 weeks was tested for total 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH D) levels using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Mean 25-OH D levels and prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25-OH D < 30 ng/mL) and deficiency (25-OH D < 15 ng/mL) were compared. RESULTS In this study, 89 preeclampsia, 90 SPTB cases, and 177 controls had valid measurements. Mean midtrimester vitamin D was not significantly different between women with preeclampsia (27.4 ng/mL ± 14.4) and controls (28.6 ± 12.6) (p = 0.46), or SPTB (28.8 ± 13.2) and controls (p = 0.92). After adjusting for potential cofounders, neither vitamin D insufficiency (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-2.0) nor deficiency (adjusted OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.7-3.0) was significantly associated with preeclampsia. Likewise, SPTB was not significantly associated with either vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (adjusted OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-1.4, adjusted OR, 1.3 or 95% CI, 0.6-3.0, respectively). CONCLUSION Midtrimester maternal vitamin D was not significantly associated with preeclampsia < 37 weeks or SPTB < 35 weeks.
The Palm IAT: A portable version of the implicit association task

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) uses reaction times to measure implicit linkages among concepts or between concepts and attributes. The Palm IAT is a simplified version of the IAT that runs on Palm Pilot or Handspring Visor personal digital assistant devices. The Palm IAT is portable, provides precise measurement, and allows for efficient data collection inside or outside the laboratory. Three studies were conducted to assess its practical usefulness. Study 1 (N = 12) replicated a previous demonstration of more favorable implicit associations for flowers than for insects. Study 2 (N = 9) found individual differences in linking the self-concept to characteristics of agency and communion. Study 3 (N = 23) found individual differences in linking the self-concept to characteristics of boldness and friendliness. Reliability of the Palm IAT is similar to reliability of the original desktop computer version. Using the Palm IAT, one can study hard-to-reach populations in unusual settings.
Composition–temperature–partial pressures data for Cd0.8Zn0.2Te by optical absorption measurements

Known weights of Cd, Zn and Te were reacted in silica optical cells of known volume and the partial pressure of Te2 and Zn between 485 and 1160 C were determined by measuring the optical density of the vapor in the ultra-violet to visible range. The composition of the condensed phase or phases was calculated from the original weights and the amount of material in the vapor phase. The corresponding composition - temperature - partial pressures, x(sub Te)-T-P(sub Te2), data, including five Te-rich solidus points, were established. The solubility range for the Te-rich Cd(sub 0.8)Zn(sub 0.2)Te(s) is similar to that of CdTe(s) with x(sub Te) = 0.50005 at 809 C and an estimated maximum solubility of x(sub Te) = 0.50012 at about 1000 C. The partial pressure of Cd and Te(sub 2) measured over the Cd(sub 0.8)Zn(sub 0.2)Te melt at 1140 C were about 1.55 and 0.02 atm, respectively, and the corresponding P(Sub Zn) was estimated to be 0.05 atm. It was recommended that a Cd reservoir maintaining at 800 to 820 C should be used during directional solidification of Cd(sub o.8)Zn(sub 0.2)Te to prevent the preferential loss of Cd to the vapor phase.
Channels projection operators and Pauli principle

Abstract The problem of constructing projection operators in the antisymmetrized case is now considered. We use the definition of elementary nonhermitian idempotent operators which we call projectors (1). The nonexistence of these operators implies a functional dependence between the states expressing the channels such that these channels do not look like physical channels. In a special case the coupled equations for the amplitudes are written down.
Time lag versus stability

By employing Lyapunov functions and the theory of differential inequalities in the context of a suitable minimal class of functions, sufficient conditions are given for stability of functional differential systems. It is shown that the dominant diagonal property of a matrix provides a suitable mechanism to resolve "time-lag vs. stability" problem.
Automatic Formulation of Models for Simulation of the Dynamic Performance of Electronically Commutated DC Machines

This paper presents a numerical analysis model by which one can analyze and predict the sustained steady state dynamic performance of electronically commutated dc machines of the stationary and rotating armature types during normal operation, as well as under sustained fault conditions. The machine models used here are suited for such steady state dynamic performance. The reason these authors refer to the present modeling approach as a "steady state dynamic" analysis method is that electronic switching is continuously taking place throughout the normal operation, hence network modeling must be on an instantaneous basis. Thus time domain models are required as will be described below. An automatic formulation of the state equations, an explicit integration routine, and control logic needed to impose electronic switching and/or fault conditions were used in the dynamic simulation program. The general modeling description and its verification, using as an example a stationary armature electronically commutated dc machine system, are included for verification of the validity of the modeling approach. The modeling techniques of the dynamic simulation program were then applied to an example rotating armature electronically commutated dc machine system of the type used in modern brushless systems for field excitation of large turbine generators.
The first two years of IMAGE

The Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) is the first satellite mission that is dedicated to imaging the Earth’s magnetosphere. Using advanced multispectral imaging techniques along with omnidirectional radio sounding, IMAGE has provided the first glimpses into the global structure and behavior of plasmas in the inner magnetosphere. Scientific results from the two-year prime mission include the confirmation of the theory of plasmaspheric tails and the discovery of several new and unpredicted features of the plasmasphere. Neutral-atom imaging has shown how the ring current develops during magnetic storms and how ionospheric ions are injected into the ring current during substorms. The first global imaging of proton auroras has allowed the identification of the ionospheric footprint of the polar cusp and its response to changes in the interplanetary magnetic field. Detached subauroral proton arcs have been found to appear in the afternoon sector following south-north and east-west rotations of the IMF. Low-energy neutral atom imaging has shown global-scale ionospheric outflow to be an immediate response to solar-wind pressure pulses. Such imaging has also provided the first measurements of solar wind and interstellar neutral atoms from inside the magnetosphere. Radio sounding has revealed the internal structure of the plasmasphere and identified plasma cavities as the source of kilometric continuum radiation. These and numerous other scientific results now set the stage for the extended mission of IMAGE in which the imaging perspective will change markedly owing to orbital evolution while the magnetospheric environment undergoes a transition from solar maximum toward solar minimum.
Micromanipulation of cleaved embryos cultured in protein-free medium: a mouse model for assisted hatching.

A mouse model for studying anomalies of human embryonic hatching following micromanipulation is proposed. Initiation and completion of mouse blastocyst hatching was severely impaired (34/292; 12% and 28/292; 10%, respectively) with protein deprivation, resembling the situation in human in vitro fertilization. Hatching ability was restored when an artificial gap was introduced in the zona pellucida by micromanipulation at the cleaved embryo stage. This enabled 77% (285/371) and 36% (134/371) of the embryos to initiate and complete hatching in protein-free medium. No differences were found in overall cell counts between the two groups of embryos. Transfer of micromanipulated blastocysts to pseudopregnant females resulted in development of healthy fetuses. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Montana's Indian Education for All: Applying Multicultural Education Theory.

Montana's constitutional commitment to the cultural heritages of American Indians exemplifies the practical application of multicultural education. In this article, the authors explore the goals and evolution of Indian Education for All within a multicultural education framework, and discuss how educators are best prepared to implement this transformative educational policy.
Nicotine may reinforce intravenous drug-taking behavior in drug users: reply to R. Dar and H. Frenk (2005)

This letter is in reply to the letter of R. Dar and H. Frenk (2005), which criticized our paper, “Nicotine Serves as a Robust Reinforcer of Intravenous Drug-Taking Behavior in Human Cigarette Smokers” (Harvey et al. 2004). As described below, Dar and Frenk’s criticism appears to flow from a misunderstanding of the methodology and a misrepresentation of our results. One criticism is that the study used a small sample size. In fact, the sample size is typical for studies using a rigorous within-subject experimental design. Such a design is accepted as state-of-the-art by the US Food and Drug Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the World Health Organization, as has been discussed elsewhere (Ator and Griffiths 2003; Balster and Bigelow 2003). Rather than depending on a large N “to give the principle of randomization, or simply randomness, a chance to ‘work’” (Kerlinger 1973, p. 128), this design gains sensitivity by reducing between-group variability, allowing an effect to be observed with fewer subjects (Gliner et al. 2002). The fact that significant effects were clearly demonstrated in the study attests to the statistical power of the design as well as the strength of the effects. Another criticism, which Dar and Frenk consider more important, relates to the subjects’ history of occasional drug use prior to the study. Except for one subject who reported no history of illicit drug use, the research volunteers in our study were cigarette smokers who reported occasional use of an illicit drug over the past 10 years and, in five of eight subjects, recent use of alcohol and marijuana (within 2 weeks of the study). However, these subjects did not meet DSM-IV criteria (American Psychiatric Association 2000) for substance abuse or substance dependence for any drugs other than nicotine. Had they met these criteria for other drugs, they likely would have been placed in one of a number of treatment studies for cocaine or heroin dependence rather than the nicotine study. It is true that in our study the subjects’ history of occasional drug use might make them different from a certain percentage of the general population who had never used alcohol or illicit drugs over the past 10 years. However, a large percentage of the US population has a history of using illicit drugs and alcohol. For example, in the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46% of individuals over the age of 12 reported lifetime use of any illicit drug and 40% reported lifetime use of marijuana (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2002). To this extent, a conservative interpretation of our results would still indicate that they are representative of a large portion of the population who have some history of occasional drug use, including alcohol and marijuana, but are not drug-dependent. This revised version was published online in February 2005 with corrections to the reference by R. Dar and H. Frenk.
“Doing it quickly”: use of a generic Web application platform for the rapid deployment of new services

With the Web sweeping through every aspect of campus services, how do you quickly deliver complex services without reinventing the wheel each time? The ability to quickly create support processes allows development staff to be more productive, and provides better service to clients. The use of collaborative development methodologies have been shown to be effective in the delivery of high customer satisfaction, fast prototyping of new services, and rapid deployment of operational processes. Discusses the aspects and benefits of rapidly developing and implementing Web‐based services with limited resources, and our success with tools that support collaborative development.
On the scale analysis of traveling planetary waves

In a well-known study, BURUER (1958) analyzed the importance of the major terms in the vorticity equation, with particular attention to the planetary waves of greatest scale. He concluded that the vorticity equation becomes simply a “balance equation” equivalent to the geostrophic approximation for the largest-scale waves. The purpose of this note is to show that the vorticity equation does retain some useful predictive and diagnostic properties when applied to planetary waves. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1965.tb00216.x
A Refinement of the Radon Transform and Its Inverse

The Radon transform of a function is defined as an integration over planes whose normals vary over the entire unit sphere. The space is actually covered twice because the distance of the plane from the origin is allowed to be positive or negative. The usual inverse transform requires knowledge of the transform evaluated over the entire sphere. However, we shall show that only the transform over a hemisphere, which can consist of disconnected parts, is required to reconstruct the original function . Thus the redundancy of the double-covering is removed and only one-half of the transform is needed to recover the original function. In essence we have introduced optical coordinates. We then consider function f(x) obtained by applying the inverse Radon transform to an arbitrary function which has the same arguments as the Radon transform but is not, in general, a Radon transform. On applying the Radon transform to f(x) we find that only part of the arbitrary function, to which the inverse was applied, is reproduced. Thus the Radon transform has a left inverse but not a right inverse. However, by restricting the range of variables in the transform space, a right and left inverse can be obtained which are the same. Finally, we give Parseval’s theorem in terms of the refined Radon transform. Though we modify the older proofs for obtaining the Radon transform and its inverse, for the sake of a self-contained paper we also use new elementary proofs based on relations which we have derived between one­-dimensional and three-dimensional delta functions. We expect that our result will have consequences in tomography and other applications. We ourselves will use the result to obtain the exact fields for the scalar three-dimensional wave equation and Maxwell’s equations from fields in the wave zone, and, conversely, fields in the wave zone from the exact causal fields. In fact, the principal reason for our writing the present paper is to cast the Radon transform and its inverse in a form suitable for these applications. Though we shall prove our result for the three-dimensional case only, the proof for the general case can be inferred from our proof.
Increased vascular beta2-adrenoceptor responsiveness in autonomic dysfunction

Responsiveness to the vasopressor, vasodepressor and chronotropic effects of several sympathomimetic amines was assessed in 12 patients with severe autonomic dysfunction and in 8 age-matched control subjects. The patients with autonomic dysfunction showed a profound increase in responsiveness to both isoproterenol and phenylephrine as compared with control subjects. The mean bolus dose of isoproterenol required to increase heart rate by 25 beats/min was 0.9 + 0.2 microgram in the patients and 5.4 + 2.1 micrograms in the control subjects. The dose of isoproterenol required to reduce mean blood pressure by 25 mm Hg was 0.3 + 0.2 and 5.2 + 1.8 micrograms, respectively. Thus, although there is a 6-fold increase in responsiveness to the chronotropic effect of isoproterenol in autonomic dysfunction, the responsiveness to the drug's depressor effect is increased 17-fold. This enhanced depressor sensitivity is quite marked, even with oral beta-adrenoceptor agonists. Beta-adrenoceptor agonists must be used with caution in conditions associated with autonomic dysfunction if dangerous hypotension is to be avoided.
Women, Stress, and Participation in Possession Cults: A Reexamination of the Calcium Deficiency Hypothesis

Kehoe and Giletti (1981) have argued that the preponderance of women as patients in curing ceremonies is best explained by a variety of dietary inadequacies, particularly by a deficiency of calcium, resulting in tetany, convulsions, hallucinations, and other disorders that could easily foster a belief that such individuals are possessed. They also discount the likelihood that psychological and social stress play a meaningful role in the manifestation of such symptoms. In this article we accept the probable influence of calcium levels on the manifestation of certain possession symptoms but argue that stress, with its attendant changes in epinephrine and glucocorticoid levels, significantly reduces the body's ability to retain calcium, irrespective of diet. Indeed, we maintain that the stress model, which emphasizes the role of physiological, psychological, and sociocultural variables, can better account for many of the ethnographic examples cited by Kehoe and Giletti than can their own explanations.
Direct Quadratic Spectrum Estimation with Irregularly Spaced Data

The Direct Quadratic Spectrum Estimation (DQSE) method was defined in Marquardt and Acuff, 1982. Some of the theoretical properties of DQSE were explored. The method was illustrated with several numerical examples. The DQSE method is versatile in handling data that have irregular spacing or missing values; the method is computationally stable, is robust to isolated outlier observations in irregularly spaced data, is capable of fine frequency resolution, makes maximum use of all available data, and is easy to implement on a computer. Moreover, DQSE, coupled with irregularly spaced data, can provide a powerful diagnostic tool because irregularly spaced data are inherently resistant to aliasing problems that often are a limitation with equally spaced data.