cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF ADENOSINE ON CEREBRAL METABOLIC RATE FOR O 2 (CMRO 2 ) AND CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW (CBF) IN NEWBORN LAMBS

Previous studies suggest that adenosine released by tissue may mediate local vasodilation and thus couple local flow to the O2 requirements of the tissue. The present experiments examine the relationship between CMRO2 and CBF in newborn lambs during infusion of adenosine. A total of 17 lambs were divided into two groups. In Group I (n=7) intracarotid infusion of adenosine concentrations of 0.06, 0.12, and 0.24 mg/kg/min increased CBF by 35, 114, and 102%, respectively, suggesting that maximal adenosine effects were attained with 0.12 and 0.24 mg/kg/min. In Group II (n=10) CBF and CMRO2 were determined during infusion 0.24 mg/kg/min adenosine. Of these, 5 served as controls, studied unanesthetized (CMRO2=5.02 ml/min/100g), and 5 were studied anesthetized (alpha-chloralose) to reduce CMRO2 to 2.20 ml/min/100g. In the anesthetized group CBF was decreased to 37±3 ml/min/100g compared to the control group (CBF=87±7 ml/min/100g). Adenosine increased CBF by 113% and 80% in the control and anesthetized lambs respectively. Cerebrovascular resistance was 0.84±0.08 and 2.48±0.25 mmHg/ml/min/100g in the control and anesthetized groups respectively and decreased by 56% and 58% during adenosine infusion. In spite of the concentration of adenosine infused, CBF was less in the anesthetized lambs as a function of the level of CMRO2. Since adenosine action on smooth muscle is receptor mediated, these data would suggest that the relationship between CBF and CMRO2 is intact when adenosine receptors may be saturated.
Insulin regulation of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase expression in human hepatocytes: roles of forkhead box O1 and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c.

Bile acid synthesis and pool size increases in diabetes, whereas insulin inhibits bile acid synthesis. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of insulin regulation of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase gene expression in human hepatocytes. Real-time PCR assays showed that physiological concentrations of insulin rapidly stimulated cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) mRNA expression in primary human hepatocytes but inhibited CYP7A1 expression after extended treatment. The insulin-regulated forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) and steroid regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) strongly inhibited hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α trans-activation of the CYP7A1 gene. FoxO1 binds to an insulin response element in the rat CYP7A1 promoter, which is not present in the human CYP7A1 gene. Insulin rapidly phosphorylates and inactivates FoxO1, whereas insulin induces nuclear SREBP-1c expression in human primary hepatocytes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay shows that insulin reduced FoxO1 and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ-coactivator-1α but increased SREBP-1c recruitment to CYP7A1 chromatin. We conclude that insulin has dual effects on human CYP7A1 gene transcription; physiological concentrations of insulin rapidly inhibit FoxO1 activity leading to stimulation of the human CYP7A1 gene, whereas prolonged insulin treatment induces SREBP-1c, which inhibits human CYP7A1 gene transcription. Insulin may play a major role in the regulation of bile acid synthesis and dyslipidemia in diabetes.
Modeling therapies reduce avoidance of bath-time by the institutionalized elderly

Two studies compared participant modeling versus filmed coping peer modeling to reduce behavioral problems with geriatric patients' mandatory whirlpool baths. We report the first applications of modeling treatments to hygiene issues at geriatric nursing homes. Successful results confirmed the worth of both modeling therapies compared to no treatment. Experiment 1 administered modeling therapies in quartets of men and women. Participant modeling improved bath tolerance on behavioral approach measures more than did filmed modeling. However, practical limitations arose when a very scared patient hampered progress by fellow group members. Thus, Experiment 2 tested individual therapy with 48 women. Participant modeling produced significantly more bath tolerance at each time point than filmed modeling which, in turn, surpassed no treatment.
Effects of a music therapy program upon awareness of mood in music, group cohesion, and self-esteem among hospitalized adolescent patients.

Subjects for this study were 13 hospitalized patients given the diagnosis of adjustment reaction to adolescence. The subjects were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental period consisted of 18 1-hour sessions. Subjects in the control group did not attend music therapy activities. Experimental subjects engaged in group discussions concerning moods and emotions in music, expression and identification of body language, story composition to recorded music, and drawing to music. Four types of pre and posttests were administered: agreement on mood or emotion expressed in music as measured by an adjective checklist; sociograms to measure group cohesion; the number of pronouns expressing group feelings ("we, our"); and scores of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Significant differences in favor of experimental subjects were found on the adjective checklist (p = .01) and the group versus personal pronouns (p less than .05). The group cohesion measure approached significance (p = .062).
Production of large numbers of atoms in a selected excited state by laser optical pumping: calcium

An experiment is described in which large numbers ( approximately 1016) of calcium atoms are placed in the 4s4p 3P metastable level by optical pumping with a tunable dye laser and then studied spectroscopically. Equations governing the degree of excitation by the laser are derived. Predictions of the theory are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results. In particular, at low optical depths produced by 1015 ground state atoms cm-2 the dye laser raises approximately 50% of the calcium atoms into the metastable state. At higher optical depths associated with 1017 ground state atoms cm-2 the number of excited states is limited only by the laser energy and line width. For the dye laser used the largest number of metastables produced was approximately 1016. The absorption spectra of the 4s4p 2P level is seen out to 4s4p 3P to 4s22d 3D. The relaxation rate between the excited state fine structure is studied directly with an optically delayed dye laser continuum. Other applications of this technique of producing large numbers of excited states are briefly discussed.
Work in progress — An innovative design of a Master in Computer Science program

Master in Computer Science programs (MS-CS) are critically important in producing competitive IT professionals and preparing students for doctorate research. A major challenge is how to integrate the latest computing technologies into MS-CS programs without compromising the computer science foundation education. This paper shares Pace University's study and experience in renovating its MS-CS program to address this challenge. The study started with the identification of the most important progress in computing over the past decade and its relationship with the fundamental computer science concepts and theory. In particular Internet and web technologies, cloud computing, mobile computing, and Internet/web security are analyzed. Based on this theoretical analysis Pace University's MS-CS program was revised into a 30-credit program with a 12-credit program core for comprehensive theoretical foundation, 12-credit concentrations for in-depth study in selected technology areas, and three 6-credit capstone options for knowledge integration and application as well as life-long learning.
Level of multinationality as an explanation for post-announcement drift

Abstract This study tests whether the observed patterns in stock returns after quarterly earnings announcements are related to the level of multinationality, a variable used to proxy for earnings predictability. Our findings show that the level-of-multinationality variable is negatively correlated with the observed post-announcement abnormal returns. The findings suggest that the level of multinationality as a proxy for earnings predictability underlies the predictability of stock returns after earnings announcements.
Thermal Annealing Behavior Of Hydrogen-Free Amorphous Silicon And Germanium

Recent work has demonstrated that the infrared properties (refractive index and absorption) of amorphous silicon and germanium prepared by ion implantation depend upon the low temperature thermal annealing history (1500C<T<6000C). This thermal relaxation phenomenon is the subject of this review. The data suggest the change in refractive index is caused by a structural reorganization of a continuous random network but that changes in absorption and spin density are chiefly caused by the annealing of defects within the amorphous structure.
Data-driven modeling approaches for predicting outcomes following traumatic brain injury

Results: Mortality was 14% (76 patients). Increases in pressures were associated with small but statistically significant decreases in HR complexity; associations between RR and HR complexity were not significant (Table 1). Decreased HR complexity remained a significant explanatory variable in logistic regression, after incorporating ventilator parameters (Table 2). Conclusions: 1. Pressure, but not rate, of mechanical ventilation may be important in interpreting integer HR complexity.
Highest isotope count does not predict sentinel node positivity in all breast cancer patients.

Background: Radioisotope mapping is an essential technical component of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, and most authors define isotope success by an arbitrary threshold SLN-to-background ratio. Few studies have examined the degree to which the relative level of SLN counts correlates with the presence of metastasis. Having removed the SLN with the highest counts, how far should the surgeon persist in removing additional SLN which contain much lower levels of isotope?
Conversion Furlow palatoplasty: salvage of speech after straight-line palatoplasty and "incomplete intravelar veloplasty"

Introduction: The straight-line palatoplasty with intravelar veloplasty (IWP) is one option for cleft palate repair. However, not all IVVPs are performed uniformly. Many IVVPs only address the medialmost portion of the levator muscle, an "incomplete IVVP," failing to completely dissect and adequately transpose the entire levator muscle, "complete IWP." We believe that for optimal speech results, IVVPs should completely mobilize and posteriorly displace the levator. We propose that a conversion Furlow palatoplasty performed with a "complete IVVP" will correct postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and alleviate the need for pharyngoplasty. Methods: Nineteen patients with postoperative VPI, having had prior straight-line palatoplasty and reported "IWP," underwent conversion Furlow palatoplasty. Those with a pre-and postoperative Pittsburgh Weighted Speech Scale (PWSS) value and no other history of palatal surgeries were included in this study. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results: Patients' median age was 5.5 years (range, 4-15 years), with 13 males and 7 females. The median preoperative PWSS score was 11.00 (range, 3-24.5), and the median postoperative was 1.00 (range, 0-5) (P < 0.001). All subcategories of the PWSS were also improved. Eight children had a preoperative fistula, and all were successfully corrected. At the time of conversion Furlow palatoplasty, all patients demonstrated no evidence of previous IVVP as the levator muscle was found to be scarred to the posterior edge of the hard palate. Conclusion: The conversion Furlow palatoplasty can be used to significantly improve VPI and salvage speech after a straight-line palatoplasty with an "incomplete IVVP." Patients with postoperative VPI should first be considered for conversion Furlow palatoplasty performed with a "complete IWP" prior to progressing to pharyngoplasty.
Programming with generators

Tagging of objects produced by generators is a simple mechanism for the synchronization of generators. Such tagging is proposed as a reliable software design technique for problems based on data streams. It is used to develop programs for two-way merge and file update.
Guide to the Ethics of Ex Parte Communications

Ex parte communications can become an administrative quagmire for anyone trying to deal with tribunals that regulate business matters. These communications involve contact between a decision maker and one party outside the presence of another, interested party. At a time when codes of ethics are enacted to make corporate financial officers and boards of directors more accountable to their stockholders, and thus, to restore the confidence of the investing public, it appears most important that administrative judges and hearing officers adhere strictly to their own Codes of Conduct. This article defines and explains ex parte contacts and consequent problems that might arise during administrative appeals. It is not the author’s intent to present the law of any specific jurisdiction, but to present a general overview of typical state law in the United States, a market of interest to many entrepreneurs and exporters worldwide.
Unemployment, trickle down effects and regional income disparities

Abstract This paper develops a two-region, specific-factor model in the presence of unemployment. The model is used to examine the long-run implications of factor accumulation for total employment, absolute and per capita income in both regions. It is demonstrated that specific factor accumulation may lead to increased income inequalities in an unemployment-plagued economy. However, total employment in the nation increases, so long as production in the first region is relatively capital intensive. Moreover, specific factor accumulation has no impact on interregional per capita income distribution.
On Cyclostationarity Based Spectrum Sensing Under Uncertain Gaussian Noise

Detection of cyclostationary primary user (PU) signals in colored Gaussian noise for cognitive radio systems is considered based on looking for single or multiple cycle frequencies at single or multiple time lags in the cyclic autocorrelation function (CAF) of the noisy PU signal. We explicitly exploit the knowledge that under the null hypothesis of PU signal absent, the measurements originate from possible colored Gaussian noise with unknown correlation function. Our formulation allows us to simplify the spectrum sensing detector and obviates the need for estimating an unwieldy covariance matrix needed in some prior works. We consider both single and multiple antenna receivers, and both nonconjugate and conjugate CAFs. A performance analysis of the proposed detector is carried out. Supporting simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approaches and to compare them with some existing approaches. Our proposed approaches are computationally cheaper than the Dandawate-Giannakis and related approaches while having quite similar detection performance for a given false alarm rate.
Fe3O4 precipitation in magnetotactic bacteria

Abstract Using Mossbauer resonance spectroscopy of 57Fe, we have determined the nature and distribution of major iron compounds in the magnetotactic bacterium Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum. In addition to magnetite (Fe3O4), cells contained a low-density hydrous ferric oxide, a high-density hydrous ferric oxide (ferrihydrite), and ferrous iron. Analysis at different temperatures of whole cells harvested early and late in growth, of mutant cells unable to synthesize magnetite, and of cell fractions enriched in 57Fe indicated that Fe3O4 precipitation resulted from partial reduction of the high-density hydrous ferric oxide precursor.
Pamidronate decreases tumor‐induced osteoclastogenesis in osteopetrotic mice

Abstract Recent studies indicate that the bisphosphonate pamidronate reduces skeletal complications caused by tumor osteolysis. In this investigation, the cellular mechanism through which pamidronate affects tumor-induced osteoclastogenesis is studied in osteopetrotic mice. A unique animal model is employed which studies the effect of pamidronate on a tumor (2472 sarcoma) which induces osteoclastogenesis in osteoclast-deficient mice ( op/op ). This model provides opportunity to specifically study effects on osteoclast formation and findings suggest that pamidronate decreases the number of osteoclasts at sites of 2472 tumor by decreasing the number of osteoclast precursor cells at the level of myeloid precursors.
Nourishment level affects caste-related gene expression in Polistes wasps

Social insects exhibit striking phenotypic plasticity in the form of distinct reproductive (queen) and non-reproductive (worker) castes, which are typically driven by differences in the environment during early development. Nutritional environment and nourishment during development has been shown to be broadly associated with caste determination across social insect taxa such as bees, wasps, and termites. In primitively social insects such as Polistes paper wasps, caste remains flexible throughout adulthood, but there is evidence that nourishment inequalities can bias caste development with workers receiving limited nourishment compared to queens. Dominance and vibrational signaling are behaviors that have also been linked to caste differences in paper wasps, suggesting that a combination of nourishment and social factors may drive caste determination. To better understand the molecular basis of nutritional effects on caste determination, we used RNA-sequencing to investigate the gene expression changes in response to proteinaceous nourishment deprivation in Polistes metricus larvae. We identified 285 nourishment-responsive transcripts, many of which are related to lipid metabolism and oxidation-reduction activity. Via comparisons to previously identified caste-related genes, we found that nourishment restriction only partially biased wasp gene expression patterns toward worker caste-like traits, which supports the notion that nourishment, in conjunction with social environment, is a determinant of developmental caste bias. In addition, we conducted cross-species comparisons of nourishment-responsive genes, and uncovered largely lineage-specific gene expression changes, suggesting few shared nourishment-responsive genes across taxa. Overall, the results from this study highlight the complex and multifactorial nature of environmental effects on the gene expression patterns underlying plastic phenotypes.
LPS induces CD40 gene expression through the activation of NF-κB and STAT-1α in macrophages and microglia

CD40 is expressed on various immune cells, including macrophages and microglia. Aberrant expression of CD40 is associated with autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Interaction of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) with the Gram-negative bacteria endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) results in the induction of an array of immune response genes. In this study, we describe that LPS is a strong inducer of CD40 expression in macrophages and microglia, which occurs at the transcriptional level and involves the activation of the transcription factors nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1α (STAT-1α). LPS-induced CD40 expression involves the endogenous production of the cytokine interferon-beta (IFN-β), which contributes to CD40 expression by the activation of STAT-1α. Blocking IFN-β–induced activation of STAT-1α by IFN-β–neutralizing antibody reduces LPS-induced CD40 gene expression. Furthermore, LPS induces acetylation and phosphorylation of histones H3 and H4 and the recruitment of NF-κB, STAT-1α, and RNA polymerase II on the CD40 promoter in vivo in a time-dependent manner, all events important for CD40 gene transcription. These results indicate that both LPS-induced NF-κB activation and endogenous production of IFN-β that subsequently induces STAT-1α activation play critical roles in the transcriptional activation of the CD40 gene by LPS.
Sampling Designs and Estimators for Monitoring Vehicle Characteristics Under Limited Inspection Capacity

Estimating characteristics of motor vehicles and their occupants based on sampling a small portion of vehicles on the road is inherently a statistical problem. The problem has two components: construction of an efficient sampling design and application of an appropriate estimator to collected data. Constructing the sampling design should involve optimal utilization of limited resources to maximize information collected. The selected estimator should provide the most precise and accurate estimate of the characteristic of interest. Four sampling designs and two estimators for determining the proportion of vehicles with a particular characteristic are compared. A simulation example comparing these designs and estimators is provided. The illustration is based on a hypothetical road network typical of the primary transportation system in a metropolitan area of 500,000 to 1 million persons. Some suggestions for choosing appropriate sampling designs and estimators for other vehicle categorization problems are pr...
Influence of microwave irradiation on the intraparticle diffusion of an insulin variant in reversed-phase liquid chromatography under linear conditions.

Abstract The influence of microwave irradiation on the mass transfer kinetics of an insulin variant in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) was investigated. The elution band profiles of insulin were obtained by the pulse-response method, under linear conditions. The RPLC column was placed in a microwave oven and the incremental change in the temperature of the column effluent stream at various microwave energies and mobile phase flow rates were measured. The microwave energy dissipated in the column was set at 15 and 30 W and the mobile phase flow rate was varied from 1.0 to 2.5 mL/min at a mobile phase composition of acetonitrile, water, and trifloroacetic acid (31:69:0.1, v/v/v). The experimental data were analyzed using the conventional method of moment analysis and the lumped pore diffusion model. Regardless of mobile flow rates, the effluent temperatures measured at 15 and 30 W microwave power input were 25 ± 1 and 30 ± 1 °C, respectively. The effect of microwave irradiation on the mass transfer of the variant insulin was determined by comparing the band profiles obtained under the same experimental conditions, at the same column temperature, with and without irradiation. The calculated intraparticle diffusion coefficient, De, at 30 W (30 ± 1 °C) microwave irradiation was ca. 20% higher than without irradiation at 30 ± 1 °C. These preliminary results suggest that microwave irradiation may have a significant influence on the intraparticle diffusion of insulin in RPLC.
The involvement of the cytoskeleton during antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)

Abstract The mechanism of initiation of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was analyzed using a model system consisting of sensitized chicken red blood cells (ChRBC) as targets and non-immunized Balb/c mouse splenocytes as effectors. Using a 51 Cr release assay in parallel with electron and light microscopic observations, we were able to correlate the binding of target cells to effector cells with the subsequent lysis of the target cells. Untreated splenocytes are capable of binding and lysing a substantial number of target cells in the presence of anti-ChRBC. Splenocytes pretreated with the microfilament disrupting drug, cytochalasin D, display a significant reduction in their ability to bind and kill target cells. In contrast, splenocytes incubated with colchicine, a drug that disrupts microtubules, are slightly stimulated in both their binding and lysis of ChRBC. Our data suggest that microfilaments (but not necessarily microtubules) play an important role in the initial recognition and binding steps between effector and target cells which are prerequisite conditions for target killing in this ADCC sysytem.
Histological and steroidogenic changes in dominant ovarian follicles during oestradiol-induced atresia in heifers.

Histological and steroidogenic changes within dominant ovarian follicles (DFs) undergoing atresia following systemic administration of oestradiol benzoate (ODB) were characterized in beef heifers. At 5.6+/-0.1 days after the onset of oestrus, heifers received 1 mg ODB i.m./500 kg body weight (ODB; n=15) or served as controls (n=15). Timing of treatment initiation was designated as hour (h) 0 on day (d) 0, and coincided with the presence of the DF of the first follicular wave (DF1). Within treatments, the DF1 was collected following ovariectomy in four animals at h 12, h 36 or after ultrasonic detection of a new wave (NW) of ovarian follicular development. In heifers of the NW groups (n=7 per treatment), blood samples were collected at intervals of 20 min for 12 h beginning at h-12, 0, 24 and 48 to characterize circulating LH patterns. Administration of ODB suppressed (P 0.1) among treatments. A prominent characteristic of oestradiol-induced atresia of the DF1 of the oestrous cycle in heifers was a loss in oestrogenic function associated with reduced LH support. However, the timing of new follicular development may be influenced by a factor(s) other than the status of the DF undergoing oestradiol-induced atresia.
Relationships of Instructors' Personalities with Total Quality Management Practice in the University Classroom

Summay.-This research examined the relationships of instructors' personalities, as measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, with Total Quality Management practice in h e classcoom. Total Quality Management practices in the classroom environment were separated into two dimensions, activities that Focus on the student as a customer and activities facilitating continuous improvement in course content and delivery. Hypotheses were developed that define the relationship of Total Quality Management practices with aspects of the persondty inventory. These relationships were assessed for a sample of 130 university professors. The resdts of staustical tests indicate chat the Extraversion, Feeling, and Judgment personality preferences may be associated with the cquabty dimension of customer focus, while the Intuitive personality preference may be associated with the qualtty dimension of continuous improvement. In conclusion, implications for educators are discussed.
Dynamic Tear Test Definition of the Temperature Transition From Linear Elastic to Gross Strain Fracture Conditions

Abstract : Transition temperature concepts for fracture-safe design have been based on the relatively narrow temperature range evidenced by the fracture-mode transition from plane strain to plane stress. Fracture mechanics theory has suggested that large increases of section size should provide sufficient mechanical constraint for retention of plane strain conditions through the transition temperature range. Recent investigations based on dynamic tear (DT) tests of thick-section reactor-grade steels (A-533 B) have provided clear evidence that the plane strain to plane stress transition is not eliminated. The DT test, as conducted using a small specimen, defines the temperature range of transition from linear elastic to gross strain mechanical conditions of fracture and, therefore, the required analytical treatment for flaw size-stress calculations. Fracture mechanics concepts are brought into consonance with transition temperature concepts of long standing, and the importance of considering fracture initiation in terms of limiting dynamic toughness values is emphasized. (Author)
CAN AN OBSERVATIONAL FIELD MODEL ENHANCE CRITICAL THINKING AND GENERALIST PRACTICE SKILLS

This article examines how a baccalaureate program initiated an introductory field experience in an attempt to improve 2 frequently identified impediments to quality field experiences, namely the lack of a complete generalist practice experience and the lack of opportunities for integration of theory into practice. The key components to this alternative model include providing an observation-focused, faculty-guided, 75-hour on-site experience at selected social service agencies; use of shadowing and group student learning; and the use of a tool to record observations and develop critical thinking skills. An overview of the curriculum for this pilot project is provided with examples of how both critical thinking skills and richer integration of full generalist practice were achieved.
Low frequency fiber optic accelerometer for civil structural health monitoring

This article describes the development of a fiber optic accelerometer based on Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG). The accelerometer, designed for the structural health monitoring of bridges, utilizes a lumped mass attached to a stretched FBG. Acceleration is measured by the FBG in response to the vibration of the fiber optic mass system. The wavelength shift of FBG is proportional to the change in acceleration, and the gauge factor pertains to the shift in wavelength as a function of acceleration. The accelerometer was first evaluated in laboratory settings and then employed in a demonstration project for condition assessment of a bridge. Laboratory experiments included a series of low frequency low amplitude sinusoidal excitation tests to evaluate the sensitivity and frequency resolution of the proposed sensor. Two series of multiplexed FBG accelerometers were utilized to assess the dynamic properties of a bridge under ambient vibration conditions. The Frequency Domain Decomposition method was employed to identify the mode shapes and natural frequencies of the bridge. Results were compared with the data acquired from the conventional accelerometers.
Pregnancy-associated mortality review: the Florida experience

At the beginning of the 20th century, maternal mortality was a leading cause of death for women of reproductive age in the United States. Obstetrical care was not standardized, and there was a lack of universal systems for monitoring maternal deaths. Public health efforts of surveillance, along with advances in medicine and sanitation, resulted in a significant decrease in maternal deaths by the early 1980s. Today, maternal death is considered to be a rare event; however, the rates of maternal mortality have not improved in almost 3 decades. There is growing evidence that many maternal deaths can still be prevented through enhanced surveillance that influences improvements in overall health and delivery of care. This paper describes the experience of establishing and maintaining a pregnancy-associated mortality surveillance system in Florida. Emphasis is placed on the process and importance of a statewide review and the value of engagement with the medical community.
Simple atomic model and its associated wave function

A simple atomic model, with features characteristic of the screening-theory approach, is constructed and provides simple analytic trial wave functions ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{t}$ which describe the motion of the inner electrons particularly well. Basing our model on the energy-extremum principle, in contrast to a semiempirical or phenomenological approach, we can judge improvements in the model in a consistent manner. The single-particle orbitals from which ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{t}$ is constructed are taken to be orthogonal hydrogenlike functions with effective nuclear charges ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{Z}}_{l}$ which depend on the quantum number $l$; the ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{Z}}_{l}$ serve as variational parameters. By a succession of reasonably good upper bounds the evaluation of the expectation value of the $\frac{1}{{r}_{\mathrm{ij}}}$ interelectronic terms is reduced to trivial algebraic expressions involving only the occupation number of electrons for each of the ($n,l$) subshells; no numerical work is necessary to determine the energy-optimized set of ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{Z}}_{l}$ With the resulting ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{t}$, which is most appropriate for closed-shell atoms, a variety of atomic entities can be obtained directly in analytic form. This model is considered physically more realistic than the Thomas-Fermi model, yielding results of greater accuracy in general. (For large $Z$, the results obtained yield the usual Thomas-Fermi scaling laws.) Much more importantly, these wave functions will be shown elsewhere to be very useful in exploratory analytic studies to judge the effectiveness of variational techniques in the evaluation of the expectation values of various atomic operators. Also, a straightforward adaptation of the present approach will be shown elsewhere to provide a much better understanding of atomic structure in the presence of the intense magnetic fields characteristic of pulsars, a regime in which studies of the heavier atoms have been limited to a statistical Thomas-Fermi-like approach.
On the structure and replication of influenza virus.

Abstract Influenza virus PR8 has been purified from the allantoic fluid of infected chick embryos and from tissue culture medium. Preliminary characterization indicates that the virus contains at least two major proteins and several RNA components with sedimentation coefficients ( S 20, w ) ranging from about 9 to 18 s. Synthesis of virus-specific RNA in influenza virus-infected chick embryo cells has been demonstrated under conditions where cell RNA synthesis is suppressed by actinomycin D. In addition to the single-stranded viral RNA components, a smaller fraction of virus-specific double-stranded RNA is labeled with [ 3 H]-uridine in the presence of actinomycin D. This RNA has been purified after incubation of the RNA from infected cells with RNase. It has an approximate sedimentation coefficient of 8 to 10 s, shows a sharp thermal transition and has a lower buoyant density in cesium sulfate than single-stranded influenza virus RNA. Preliminary evidence indicates that the double-stranded RNA may be an intermediate in viral RNA synthesis.
Copper bioavailability to marine bivalves and shrimp: Relationship to cupric ion activity

Abstract Studies were performed to determine the effects of dissolved substances present in natural seawater and sediment on the bioavailability of added Cu +2 . Whole clams Macoma inquinata and shrimp, Pandalus danae , were exposed to four concentrations of Cu in a flow-through seawater system. Bioaccumulation of Cu was reduced in shrimp, Pandalus danae , clams, M. inquinata , and excised clam gills, Protothaca staminea , exposed to an aged, compared with an unaged, Cu-seawater solution. This is thought to be due to slow complexation of the Cu by dissolved substances present in natural seawater. In a static system, with added sediment, more than 50% of the added Cu +2 became bound to the organic fraction of the sediment and was unavailable to suspension feeding clams, Protothaca staminea . In contrast, deposit feeding clams, Macoma inquinata , placed in the sediment approximately doubled in Cu body burden within two months. Complexed Cu appears to be less bioavailable than ionic Cu and hence measurements of ionic and weakly complexed Cu by differential pulse anodic stripping voltametry provide a better prediction of bioavailable Cu than conventional measurements of total Cu-seawater concentrations.
A study of low pH-induced refolding of Env of avian sarcoma and leukosis virus into a six-helix bundle.

The fusion protein of avian sarcoma and leukosis virus is likely to fold into a six-helix bundle as part of its final configuration. A peptide, R99, inhibits fusion, probably by binding into the grooves of the triple-stranded coiled coil that becomes the central core of the six-helix bundle. The stages at which the envelope protein (Env) of avian sarcoma and leukosis virus subgroup A folds into a bundle during low pH-induced fusion were determined. Effector cells expressing Env were bound to target cells expressing the cognate receptor Tva, and intermediates of fusion were created. R99 was added and the extent of fusion inhibition was used to distinguish between a prebundle state with exposed grooves and a state in which the grooves were no longer exposed. The native conformation of Env was not sensitive to R99. But adding a soluble form of Tva to effector cells conferred sensitivity. Acidic pH applied at low temperature created an intermediate state of local hemifusion. Surprisingly, R99 caused these locally hemifused membranes to separate. This indicates that the grooves of Env were still exposed, that prebundle configurations of Env stabilized hemifused states, and that binding of R99 altered the conformation of Env. In the presence of an inhibitory lipid that blocks fusion before hemifusion, applying low pH at 37°C created an intermediate in which R99 was without effect. This suggests that the six-helix bundle can form before hemifusion and that subsequent conformational changes, such as formation of the trimeric hairpin, are responsible for pore formation and/or growth.
Evaluation of global sequence comparison and one-to-one FASTA local alignment in regulatory allergenicity assessment of transgenic proteins in food crops

To address the high false positive rate using >35% identity over 80 amino acids in the regulatory assessment of transgenic proteins for potential allergenicity and the change of E-value with database size, the Needleman-Wunsch global sequence alignment and a one-to-one (1:1) local FASTA search (one protein in the target database at a time) using FASTA were evaluated by comparing proteins randomly selected from Arabidopsis, rice, corn, and soybean with known allergens in a peer-reviewed allergen database (http://www.allergenonline.org/). Compared with the approach of searching >35%/80aa+, the false positive rate measured by specificity rate for identification of true allergens was reduced by a 1:1 global sequence alignment with a cut-off threshold of ≧30% identity and a 1:1 FASTA local alignment with a cut-off E-value of ≦1.0E-09 while maintaining the same sensitivity. Hence, a 1:1 sequence comparison, especially using the FASTA local alignment tool with a biological relevant E-value of 1.0E-09 as a threshold, is recommended for the regulatory assessment of sequence identities between transgenic proteins in food crops and known allergens.
Somatic growth trajectory in the fetus with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Fetal growth abnormalities in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) have been documented primarily by birth measurements. Fetal growth trajectory has not been described. We hypothesized that fetal growth trajectory declines across late gestation in this population. Infants with a prenatal diagnosis of HLHS and no history of prematurity or a genetic syndrome were identified. Fetal ultrasound measurements and birth anthropometrics were obtained from clinical records. z-Scores for estimated fetal weight (EFWz) and birth weight (BWTz) were compared. BWTz for three neonatal standards were compared. Paired fetal and neonatal data were identified in 33 cases of HLHS. Mean gestational age at ultrasound and birth were 27 and 38 wk, respectively. BWTz was lower than EFWz by a mean of 0.82 (SD: 0.72, P 0.5. Umbilical artery (UA) Doppler found no evidence of significant placental insufficiency. Modest differences in BWTz were seen across BWT standards in this cohort. The majority of fetuses with HLHS demonstrate decreased growth velocity during later pregnancy, suggesting growth abnormalities manifest in utero. The potential relationship to future clinical outcomes warrants further study.
Fine structure in electron channelling patterns

SUMMARY Electron channelling patterns contain information from high index planes lying in the first order Laue zone. These lines are prominent in the area immediately surrounding low index poles, and can be indexed using procedures similar to those used for convergent beam electron diffraction. They reflect the lattice symmetry more clearly than the overall channelling pattern, and their exact geometry is sensitive to both lattice parameter and accelerating potential. They should also be sensitive to elastic strain.
Peak positions and shapes in neutron pair correlation functions from powders of highly anisotropic crystals

The effect of the powder average on the peak shapes and positions in neutron pair distribution functions of polycrystalline materials is examined. It is shown that for highly anisotropic crystals, the powder average leads to shifts in peak positions and to non-Gaussian peak shapes. The peak shifts can be as large as several percent of the lattice spacing.
THE EFFECT OF ELEVATED TEMPERATURE AND ENVIRONMENT ON THE FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo–0·1Si

Abstract Renewed interest in utilizing titanium at elevated temperature has led to the development of creep resistant near α-alloys. Present work is concerned with the fatigue crack growth characteristics of one such alloy, Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo–0·1Si, as a function of temperature, environment, and processing history. Increasing crack growth rates were observed in the order, vacuum (298K), vacuum (811K), air (298K), and air (811K). An empirical expression based upon crack opening displacement considerations was found to fit the crack growth data in all but the air (811K) test. The pronounced increase in growth rates in air at 811K, particularly at low ΔK, was caused by oxidation, whereas the increase in growth rates at 811K in vacuum was the result of a decrease in modulus. Processing variables and test frequency had little effect on crack growth rates.
Improved Binary Decision Diagram Constraint Propagation for Satisfiability Problems

In general, search-based solvers have been dominating symbolic solvers according to experimental results reported in the SAT and QBF literature. However, some recent efforts have contributed to close that performance gap. One novel approach involves the use of Binary Decision Diagrams(BDDs) and a simplification routine called BDD constraint propagation. The main idea is to adapt optimizations from search-based solvers in the context of BDDs. In this paper we improve upon the existing BDD constraint propagation procedure. Concretely, for a BDD A and its support set SupportSet(A), we reduce the asymptotic upper bound for the clause BDD pure literal extraction from O(A * SupportSet(A)) to O(n) time and nonclause BDD unit literal extraction from O(A * SupportSet(A)) to O(A) time. We also formulate for the first time the Trivial Falsity, Forced Literal and Universal Reduction rules for BDDs. We show in the experimental section that these improvements allow a BDD-based solver to tackle new families of problems, and outperform state-of-the art solvers in some cases.
Between Large-N and Small-N Analyses: Historical Comparison of Thirty Insurgency Case Studies

The authors study the 30 insurgencies occurring between 1978 and 2008 using four methods crossing the qualitative/quantitative divide. The four approaches are narrative, bivariate comparison, compa...
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN FATAL CHILDHOOD ASTHMA

A review of three recent cases of death due to childhood asthma revealed consistent themes of depression, emotional precipitation of attacks, unsupportive families, and a tendency to deny asthma symptoms. Possible psychosomatic mechanisms are identified as potentially important for the interaction of emotions and asthma.
Optimal timeslot size for synchronous optical burst switching

Traditional Optical Burst Switching (OBS) protocols assume that data bursts arrive at a given node asynchronously and that burst size varies, which causes a relatively inefficient utilization of the outgoing wavelengths. Time-Synchronized Optical Burst Switching (SynOBS) was proposed to overcome this ineffective resource utilization by utilizing a synchronized timeslot-based mechanism in the OBS network. However, while synchronization improves resource utilization over traditional OBS, the system must be carefully designed in order to achieve the best performance possible. This paper investigates the effect of timeslot size on the performance of SynOBS and proposes an analytical framework for approximating the optimal solution, based on the network configuration and input traffic characteristics.
Glucocorticoids and Thiazolidinediones Interfere with Adipocyte-mediated Macrophage Chemotaxis and Recruitment

The link between intra-abdominal adiposity and type II diabetes has been known for decades, and adipose tissue macrophage (ATM)-associated inflammation has recently been linked to insulin resistance. However, the mechanisms associated with ATM recruitment remain ill defined. Herein, we describe in vitro chemotaxis studies, in which adipocyte conditioned medium was used to stimulate macrophage migration. We demonstrate that tumor necrosis factor α and free fatty acids, key inflammatory stimuli involved in obesity-associated autocrine/paracrine inflammatory signaling, stimulate adipocyte expression and secretion of macrophage chemoattractants. Pharmacological studies showed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonists and glucocorticoids potently inhibit adipocyte- induced recruitment of macrophages. This latter effect was mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor, which led to decreased chemokine secretion and expression. In vivo results were quite comparable; treatment of high fat diet-fed mice with dexamethasone prevented ATM accumulation in epididymal fat. This decrease in ATM was most pronounced for the proinflammatory F4/80+, CD11b+, CD11c+ M-1-like ATM subset. Overall, our results elucidate a beneficial function of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ activation and glucocorticoid receptor/glucocorticoids in adipose tissue and indicate that pharmacologic prevention of ATM accumulation could be beneficial.
Versatile objective lens with adjustable correction for different wavelengths and substrate thicknesses for testing optical disks

A typical aspheric singlet used as the objective lens in optical-disk data-storage systems will not work at different wavelengths or with different substrate thicknesses because of spherochromatism. Using two microscope objectives with adjustable collars and a pair of relay lenses, we have constructed a system in which a diffraction-limited spot of any wavelength in the range of 0.4-0.7 mum can be moved by as much as +/-100 mum in both the focusing and tracking directions. We accomplished this by simply moving an aspheric singlet mounted in an off-the-shelf optical head. The system uses the adjustable collars of the microscope objectives to correct for the spherochromatism of the singlet and to accommodate the various thicknesses of the substrates.
Single Channel Enhancement for Speech Recognition

Single channel speech enhancement has been an active field of research for several decades. The majority of research has focused on human perceptions of quality and intelligibility. Nevertheless, such algorithms can be applied directly to the noise-robust speech recognition problem with some success. More gain can be achieved by creating domain-specific solutions that are modeled on the more traditional enhancement algorithms. This paper covers the major pieces necessary for a modern single channel enhancement system suitable for automatic speech recognition.
Physical and Occupational Therapists in Naturalistic Early Childhood Settings: Challenges and Strategies for Training

Traditionally trained in a medical model of disability, physical and occupational therapists are now challenged to provide intervention services in naturalistic early childhood settings. These changes in therapeutic milieu have led to new service delivery models for therapists working with young children and their families. This article describes several new approaches and reviews the limited body of literature examining their efficacy. It offers assessment and intervention strategies that support a normalized approach to intervention. We identify limitations in current training for physical and occupational therapists and make suggestions for augmenting preservice and inservice training to support the recommended practices.