cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leptinemia and its association with stroke and coronary heart disease in the Jackson Heart Study

Summary Background To examine the association of increased plasma leptin concentration with prevalent stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) and to examine the genetic contributions of leptin to this association in the Jackson Heart Study cohort. Methods A cohort of 5170 participants aged 21–84 years who underwent Exam I during 2000–2004 was analysed. Odds ratios (OR) of prevalent stroke and CHD were calculated using a logistic regression model adjusted for age, smoking, hypertension and waist circumference (WC). Variance component analysis was used to partition the phenotypic variance of leptin into the polygenic and environmental components. Results The prevalence of stroke and CHD was 4·04% and 5·85% in women, and 4·88% and 8·92% in men, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) and WC were highly correlated with leptin both in men and women. In multivariate analysis stratified by sex, leptin was significantly associated with stroke (OR = 1·97, 95% CI = 1·21–3·21) in women after adjustment for age, smoking, systolic blood pressure, BMI and WC (P = 0·0079). No significant association was observed in men. Heritability of sex-, age-adjusted log-transformed leptin for this cohort was 38·0% and 37·8% after further adjustment for WC and hypertension, respectively. In addition, a sibship effect was also found to be significant and explained 12·2% of the total variance of leptin (P = 0·007). Conclusion There is a significant association of leptin with stroke in women, which is partly influenced by the genetic factor. The findings suggest that leptinemia is an independent risk factor for stroke in African American women.
Cross-Functional Integration as a Knowledge Transformation Mechanism: Implications for New Product Development

Abstract The importance of cross-functional integration (CFI) teams involving workers with multiple forms of functional expertise to work on new product development cannot be overemphasized. CFI is an organic structure and it allows the team members' tacit knowledge embedded in individuals to be realized in the new product development team's collective knowledge – a holistic appreciation and understanding about how to achieve new product development goals. Specifically, despite the pivotal role of CFI and knowledge appreciation in new product development teams, scholars appear to have overlooked the integration of individual level factors, team level factors, individual tacit knowledge, and group collective knowledge within the context of achieving the new product development objectives. Adopting knowledge, CFI, and socialization theories, we propose a conceptual framework that stipulates that the factors at the team level (goal congruence, task cohesion, interpersonal cohesion, and transformational leadership) and the qualification of team members (common knowledge, functional expertise, and their positions in the network) influence the effectiveness of tacit-to-collective knowledge transformation.
Production and characterization of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for baboon IgG heavy and light chain epitopes

We have generated a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize baboon IgG epitopes. The reactivity of the MAbs with IgG from other primate species was also examined. Specificity for IgG heavy (H) or light (L) chain epitopes was determined by Western blot analysis. The H chain-specific MAbs were analyzed for IgG subclass specificity and the L chain-specific MAbs for reactivity with baboon IgM and polymeric sIgA. Finally, an ELISA was developed to demonstrate the utility of the MAbs in analysis of humoral immune responses in baboons.
The effects of nurse practitioner cultural competence on Latina patient satisfaction

Purpose: To explore the relationship between degree of cultural competence in nurse practitioners (NPs) and measures of patient satisfaction among Latinas. Data sources: A descriptive correlational design was used to examine the degree of cultural competence in NPs and measures of patient satisfaction among Latinas. A convenience sample of 15 licensed NPs from 11 different clinics in a large southwestern city completed two self-administered questionnaires. A convenience sample of 218 Latina patients completed three self-administered questionnaires available in both English and Spanish. Descriptive statistics and correlations were used to analyze the data. Conclusions: Latina patients reported greater satisfaction with NPs of Latina origin who were certified, had received cultural competence training, could speak Spanish, and had attended master’s level programs. Latina patients were also most satisfied with decreased clinic waiting time. The two NPs with the highest levels of cultural competency scores were non-Latinas. Noticeable differences were found in the amount of cultural competence exhibited by NPs. Implications for practice: The provision of culturally competent care leads to negotiation, mutual exchange of information, increased compliance, and improved patient-provider communication. Similarly, patient satisfaction with care is associated with increased compliance and greater continuity of care. Employers seeking to meet the healthcare demands of a growing Latino population must look at extrinsic values such as NPs’ certification, cultural competence training, education, and ability to speak Spanish.
A class of exact solutions to the force-free, axisymetric, stationary magnetosphere of a Kerr black hole

We analyze the constraint equation giving allowed solutions describing fields and currents in a force-free magnetosphere around a rotating black hole. Utilizing the divergence properties of the energy and angular-momentum fluxes, for physically allowed solutions with nonzero energy and angular momentum extraction, we conclude that poloidal surfaces are independent of the radial coordinate for large values of r. Imposing this requirement and the Znajek regularity condition, we explicitly derive all possible exact solutions admitted by the constraint equation for r independent poloidal surfaces which are given in terms of the electromagnetic angular velocity function \({\Omega = 1/a \sin^2 \theta}\) , where a is the angular momentum per unit mass of the black hole. Further, we show that for the class of solutions we have developed there is no electromagnetic extraction of energy.
Caving, role playing, and staying home: Shopper coping strategies in a negotiated pricing environment

This interpretive study reveals specific behaviors that shoppers enact in order to cope with the tensions they experience in an environment where negotiated pricing is the expected norm. Consumers experience inner conflict, or tension, when they feel that a pleasant shopping experience may only be attained at the risk of a poor financial outcome. These tensions, derived from 34 depth interviews with auto shoppers, include “truth versus deception,” “self-presentation versus testing the limits,” and “reciprocation versus looking out for number one.” Some coping strategies emanating from these tensions include using analogies, role playing, and bringing one's own audience. Implications for academicians and retailers are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cyclin E deregulation is an early event in the development of breast cancer

Cyclin E has been shown to be overexpressed in some human breast cancers, however, data to support deregulation of cyclin E as an early event in human mammary tumor development is lacking. We analyzed surgical specimens from 183 patients with breast carcinomas and evaluated cyclin E expression in areas of invasive carcinoma, adjacent carcinoma in situ (CIS), and non-neoplastic breast parenchyma. Overexpression of cyclin E was seen in one-third of invasive carcinoma samples, one-third of the CIS component and nearly half of the non-neoplastic breast epithelial cells adjacent to carcinoma (44% vs. 33%, P ≤ 0.05). Nuclear labeling for cyclin E was highly concordant between areas of in invasive carcinoma, CIS and non-neoplastic breast epithelial cells from the same patient (P < 0.0001). Localization of cyclin E to the cytoplasm was seen in a small proportion of tumor samples. Our findings suggest that cyclin E deregulation is an early event in the progression from histologically benign mammary epithelial cells to invasive carcinoma and occurs through both overexpression and altered cellular localization.
Synthesis and characterization of thermoresponsive polyamidoamine-polyethylene glycol-poly(D,L-lactide) core-shell nanoparticles.

Abstract This work describes the synthesis and characterization of novel thermoresponsive highly branched polyamidoamine–polyethylene glycol–poly( d , l -lactide) (PAMAM–PEG–PDLLA) core–shell nanoparticles. A series of dendritic PEG–PDLLA nanoparticles were synthesized through conjugation of PEG of various chain lengths (1500, 6000 and 12,000 g mol−1) to polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer G3.0 and subsequent ring-opening polymerization of DLLA. The ninhydrin assay, 1H NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the structure and compositions of dendritic PEG–PDLLA nanoparticles. The sol–gel phase transition of aqueous dendritic PEG–PDLLA solutions was measured using UV–visual spectroscopy. According to our results dendritic PEG–PDLLA nanoparticles in aqueous solution can self-assemble into sub-micron/micron aggregates, the size of which is dependent on temperature and PEG–PDLLA chain length. Further, dendritic PEG–PDLLA solutions exhibit a sol–gel phase transition with increasing temperature. The constructed dendritic PEG–PDLLA nanoparticles possessed high cytocompatibility, which was significantly improved compared with PAMAM dendrimers. The potential of dendritic PEG–PDLLA nanoparticles for encapsulation of water-insoluble drugs such as camptothecin was demonstrated. The dendritic PEG–PDLLA nanoparticles we developed offer greater structural flexibility and provide a novel nanostructured thermoresponsive carrier for drug delivery.
Real-time and robust grasping detection

Depth-based gesture cameras provide a promising and novel way to interface with computers. Nevertheless, this type of interaction remains challenging due to the complexity of finger interactions and the under large viewpoint variations. Existing middleware such as Intel Perceptual Computing SDK (PCSDK) or SoftKinetic IISU can provide abundant hand tracking and gesture information. However, the data is too noisy (Fig. 1, left) for consistent and reliable use in our application. In this work, we present a filtering approach that combines several features from PCSDK to achieve more stable hand openness and supports grasping interactions in virtual environments. Support vector machine (SVM), a machine learning method, is used to achieve better accuracy in a single frame, and Markov Random Field (MRF), a probability theory, is used to stabilize and smooth the sequential output. Our experimental results verify the effectiveness and the robustness of our method.
Expanding the Psychological Imagination in Pastoral Theology: Using Novels to Better Understand Underrepresented Persons and Groups

This essay argues for the effectiveness of using novels to develop a more sophisticated pastoral imagination by discussing the unique contributions the novel can make to pastoral care and using Toni Morrison’s (1998) novel Paradise to demonstrate the power of the novel to expand the author’s own pastoral imagination. Themes the novel raises include the contextual nature of human experience; the value of cultural theories for deeper and more penetrating analyses of human experience than those provided by psychological theories alone; and the resources available among victims of oppression and abuse for communal healing. The essay concludes with a discussion of the lessons that novels and, in particular, Morrison’s Paradise, have to teach pastoral theologians.
High availability and reliability in the itanium processor

The Itanium Processor is the first implementation of the Intel IA-64 architecture. Designed for the high-end server market segment, the processor is equipped with many advanced RAS (reliability, availability, and serviceability) features to maximize system reliability and availability.
An embedded systems course and course sequence

Recently, the University of Alabama Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering adopted curricular changes to incorporate embedded systems into its computer engineering core course sequence. One of the major changes implemented was the creation of a senior lecture/laboratory combination specifically dedicated to embedded systems. This paper describes the specific lecture and laboratory content of this senior-level course and how this course fits within the new curriculum a The University of Alabama.
2,4-Trans-4,5-trans-4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid and cis-5-hydroxypipecolic acid from leaves of Calliandra angustifolia and sap of C. Confusa

Abstract 2,4- Trans -4,5- trans -4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid and cis -5-hydroxypipecolic acid have been isolated from the leaves of Calliandra angustifolia and the sap of C. confusa . Distribution of these and other non-protein amino acids is discussed.
Measurements of atomic level widths in thulium: Effect on the measurement of neutrino mass from tritium beta decay spectra

Measurements have been made with curved crystal x-ray spectrometers of the natural line widths of the L/sub 1/M/sub 2/ (GAMMA = 12.1 +- 2 eV), L/sub 1/M/sub 3/ (GAMMA = 12.7 +- 1 eV), and M/sub 1/N/sub 3/ (GAMMA = 19 +- 3 eV) atomic transitions in Tm. These results are combined with published results to determine M/sub 1/, M/sub 2/, and M/sub 3/ internal conversion line widths for /sup 169/Tm. These lines have been used in the calibration of a beta spectrometer for recent measurements of the electron antineutrino mass from the tritium beta decay spectrum. A reanalysis of these results suggests that there is no conclusive evidence for a finite mass for the electron antineutrino.
Differential inhibition by plastoquinone analogues of photoreduction of cytochrome b-559 in chloroplasts

Abstract The high-potential form of cytochrome b -559 ( b -559 HP) is closely linked to the oxygenic photosystem (photosystem II) but its relation to other redox components of the photosynthetic apparatus, including plastoquinone, is still obscure. We investigated the photoreduction of cytochrome b -559 HP by isolated chloroplasts in the presence of 3 antagonists of plastoquinone, of which, DBMIB (dibromothymoquinone) and DNP-INT (dinitrophenyl ether of iodonitrothymol) are known to inhibit the oxidation of the plastoquinone pool (PQ) by the FeS-cytochrome ƒ/ b 6 complex and one, UHDBT (5- n -undecyl-6-hydroxy-4,7-dioxobenzothiazole) is known to inhibit the reduction of PQ by Q B .Q B is a protein-bound plastoquinone that serves as a two-electron gate for the reduction of PQ. We found that DBMIB and DNP-INT did not inhibit but low concentrations of UHDBT severely inhibited the photoreduction of cytochrome b -559 HP. These results suggest that the electron donor for the reduction of cytochrome b -559 HP was either Q B or a portion of the PQ pool that was oxidized by a new pathway free of binding sites for DBMIB and DNP-INT.
The Kallawaya healers of the Andes

Abstract In 1996, we interviewed several Kallawaya healers in La Paz, Bolivia. The Kallawaya tradition is several hundred years old and interweaves the maintenance of health, the treatment of sickness, the fostering of spirituality, and the facilitation of social and environmental relationships. Using a 12‐facet model for our interviews, we concluded that the goal of the Kallawaya model is to live in harmony with nature, one's community, and oneself. Sickness is conceptualized as dissonance with this relationship. Treatment, both herbal and spiritual, is conducted in ways to restore this balance.
“Medical Discourse” in Anthropological Context: Views of Language and Power

Editor's Note: Just a year ago, in MAQ 2(2), we published a set of articles by authors who in one way or another used the concept of "discourse" in their analysis. In my introduction to that issue I promised some time in the future to publish a review article on the subject by a linguistic anthropologist. From my own reading of people like Shuy, Cassell, Labov, Cicourel, and Foucault, it was obvious that though these authors were all analyzing some form of "discourse, " the purposes and methods of their work were sufficiently different to make me wonder if there was any common ground among them and whether some fruitful research ideas, theoretical and/or applied, might not emerge from considering them comparatively (along with other relevant authors and trends). This notion led me to ask Joel Kuipers if he would consider preparing such a review. I picked Joel, a Yale-trained linguistic anthropologist, for the task because I knew that his work on recorded texts of Weyewa healing rituals was leading him to think more broadly and deeply about medical discourse. I commend and thank him for the following article, which I think many willfind useful.
2D/3D Oxide/Oxide Ceramic Matrix Composites Life Prediction Methods: Virtual Characterization of Mechanical Properties, and Virtual Testing of Structural Component

Progressive failure analysis (PFA) method was employed to investigate the material and sub-element performances made of Alumina/Alumina (N720/A) ceramic matrix composites (CMC). A numerical material characterization was performed to derive the composite constituent properties based on the tested in-plane tensile and compressive properties of the 2D CMC. The derived constituent properties were then applied to the simulations of the 2D composite other properties including in-plane shear, inter-laminar shear and tension, in-plane bending and biaxial tension. The 3D composite in-plane and inter-laminar tensile behaviors were also predicted using the constituent properties. Finally, the simulation procedure was applied to the life prediction of a sub-element fabricated from the 2D N720/A CMC. The simulation results agreed well with the Siemens test data, which indicates the constituent properties can account for their realistic behaviors in the N720/A CMC. In addition, simulations also provided detailed information of stress fields, damage development and failure mechanisms involved in each specimen.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Studies in silicate cements: The effects of mechanical mixing on physical properties

Abstract 1. Except for results at 21 °C., mechanical mixing caused a reduction in the amount of powder required to produce standard consistency of the material. 2. Mechanical mixing of silicate causes a temperature rise in the material, believed to be mainly due to an exothermic chemical reaction, but also partly caused by frictional heating of the material. 3. The relative humidity has negligible effect on setting time and consistency, if precaution is taken to store the materials without exposure to air. 4. Mechanical mixing has little effect on compressive strength and solubility of the material, except at those temperatures where the consistency of the material was considerably reduced.
A Mobile Robot System for Remote Measurements of Ammonia Vapor in the Atmosphere

In recent years there has been growing evidence that Mars once had a warm, wet environment that was capable of supporting life. This leads to questions as to whether life ever arose on the planet. Space agencies are actively supporting projects to answer this question. As part of that effort, this paper proposes a robotic system to rapidly scan large areas of the Martian surface for specific biogenic gases in the atmosphere. The long-term goal of the project is to develop a system that can locate local emissions of water vapor and biogases on Mars. The paper presents preliminary proof of concept experiments for a practical robotic measurement system to search for biogenic gases on Mars. In this work, an open path spectrometer to measure the biogenic gas ammonia was developed and deployed on a rover. Initial tests in an outdoor setting indicate that the system is effective in measuring ammonia. Difficulties in taking measurements outdoors include compensating for wind gusts and changes in ambient lighting. The paper proposes improvements in the current system that will compensate for current limitations and allow measurements to be taken over longer distances.
The choice of ply operator in fuzzy intelligent systems

Abstract When fuzzy modus ponens is used in a fuzzy intelligent reasoning system, the choice of ply (implication) operator is crucial. Different operators may endow the system with different characteristics, especially in situations with great uncertainty. The system may not provide the required expertise with some of the operators. Eleven operators have been classified into three categories and their properties studied. Modus ponens generating functions provide the value for the consequent. A minimal set of desired properties for the ply operator are detailed. Theoretical performance is compared with practical performance in the Fess system. Some comments on results from a related empirical study are provided. A framework for choosing a ply operator is given with justifications.
Heat transfer correlations for laminar flows within a mechanical seal chamber

Abstract Numerical investigation of conjugate heat transfer associated with laminar flow within the chamber of a mechanical seal is presented. It involves simultaneous solution of the Navier–Stokes and energy equations. The computational model takes into account the temperature distribution within the rotating and stationary rings. A series of simulation results are presented for predicting the performance of a mechanical seal assuming that the flow in the seal chamber remains laminar. Expressions are developed for predicting the convective heat transfer coefficient on the outer surfaces of the seal rings exposed to the process fluid in the seal chamber.
Visual Anthropology and Development: Video as Critique, Praxis and Process

Video has been used as a critical tool in participatory research in water, sanitation, agriculture and micro-finance projects in Egypt and Pakistan. Rural communities inhibited by perceptions of inferiority, lack of access to literacy, infrastructure and public services, have had difficulty in reacting to “messages” or innovations purveyed by development agencies. This article evaluates the impacts and successes of video in development communications: confidence-building among rural women, involvement of communities in planning new infrastructure, re-design of projects to suit rural environments and investment by rural households in technical innovations without recourse to aid.
Characterization of Cd1−xMgxTe film and plasma diagnostic studies by optical emission spectroscopy during sputtering

Cd1−xMgxTe is an attractive II–VI semiconductor alloy candidate for obtaining energy gaps wider than 1.5 eV of CdTe needed for the top junction absorber layer in a polycrystalline thin-film tandem solar cell. We have shown that these alloy films can easily be prepared by sputtering, however, the sputtering rate is substantially lower than for CdTe and the attainable cell performance has been poor, both before and after activation treatments with chlorine-containing vapors. In this work we have applied optical emission spectroscopy (OES) using selected peaks of ArII, CdII, MgI, TeII and correlated the results with crystallographic and morphological characteristics of the deposited films. Results were obtained as a function of rf sputter power and sputter gas pressure.
Real-Time Super Selective Venous Sampling in Remedial Parathyroid Surgery

Background Remedial cervical exploration for persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism can be technically difficult, but is expedited by accurate preoperative localization. We investigated the use of real-time super selective venous sampling (sSVS) in the setting of negative noninvasive imaging modalities. Study Design We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective database incorporating real-time sSVS in a tertiary academic medical center. Between September 2001 and April 2014, 3,643 patients were referred for surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. Of these, 31 represented remedial patients who had undergone one (n = 28) or more (n = 3) earlier cervical explorations and had noninformative, noninvasive preoperative localization studies. Results We extended the use of the rapid parathyroid hormone assay in the interventional radiology suite, generating near real-time data facilitating onsite venous localization by a dedicated interventional radiologist. The predictive value of real-time sSVS localization was investigated. Overall, sSVS correctly predicted the localization of the affected gland in 89% of cases. Of 31 patients who underwent sSVS, a significant rapid parathyroid hormone gradient was identified in 28 (90%), localizing specific venous drainage of a culprit gland. All patients underwent subsequent surgery and were biochemically cured, with the exception of one who had metastatic parathyroid carcinoma. Three patients with negative sSVS were also explored and cured. Conclusions Preoperative parathyroid localization is of paramount importance in remedial cervical explorations. Real-time sSVS is a sensitive localization technique for patients with persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism, when traditional noninvasive imaging studies fail. These results validate the utility and benefit of real-time sSVS in guiding remedial parathyroid surgery.
Finite-size scaling at first-order phase transitions

Using thermodynamic fluctuation theory, we study the finite-size rounding of anomalies occurring at first-order phase transitions of the corresponding infinite system. Explicit expressions for thermodynamic functions are derived both for "symmetric transitions" (such as the jump of the spontaneous magnetization in the Ising model from $+{M}_{\mathrm{sp}}$ to $\ensuremath{-}{M}_{\mathrm{sp}}$ as the field changes from ${0}^{+}$ to ${0}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) as well as for asymmetric cases, but restricting attention to (hyper)cubic system shapes. As an explicit example for the usefulness of these considerations in Monte Carlo simulations where it may be a problem to (i) locate a phase transition and (ii) distinguish first-order from second-order transitions, we present numerical results for the two-dimensional nearest-neighbor Ising ferromagnet in a field, both below the critical temperature ${T}_{c}$ and at ${T}_{c}$. The numerical results are found to be in very good agreement with the phenomenological theory and it is shown that one may extract the magnitudes of jumps occurring at first-order phase transitions in a well-defined and accurate way.
Microcomputed tomography colonography for polyp detection in an in vivo mouse tumor model

This study was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of negative contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography (microCT) colonography for the noninvasive detection of colonic tumors in living mice. After colonic preparation, 20 anesthetized congenic mice were scanned with high-resolution microCT. Images were displayed by using commercial visualization software and interpreted by two gastrointestinal radiologists, who were unaware of tumor prevalence and findings at gross pathology. Two-dimensional multiplanar images were assessed by using a five-point scale to distinguish colonic tumors (polyps) from fecal pellets (5 = definitely a tumor, 4 = probably a tumor, 3 = indeterminate, 2 = probably not a tumor, 1 = definitely not a tumor). Gross pathologic evaluation of excised mouse colons served as the reference standard. Data analysis included dichotomizing results, with 1–2 indicating no tumor and 3–5 indicating tumor and also receiver operator characteristic curve analysis with area under the curve for threshold-independent assessment. A total of 41 colonic polyps in 18 of the 20 mice were identified at gross examination on necropsy, of which 30 measured 2–5 mm and 11 measured 2 mm was 93.3% (56/60). The pooled per-mouse sensitivity for polyps >2 mm was 97.1% (33/34). Pooled specificity for distinguishing fecal pellets from tumor was 98.5% (65/66). The combined area under the curve from receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was 0.810 ± 0.038 (95% confidence interval, 0.730–0.890). These findings indicate that accurate noninvasive longitudinal monitoring of colon tumor progression or response to various therapies is now technically feasible in live mice by using this microCT colonography method.
Preparation of Macroporous Metal Films from Colloidal Crystals

Template-directed syntheses have been broadly applied to the creation of both mesoand macroporous ceramics1-4 and polymers.5 The extension of such methods to metals is of particular interest. Monolithic metals containing large internal surface areas could be used in numerous applications, ranging from electrochemical sensors6 to catalytic converters.7 Moreover, recent work on lithographically prepared metallodielectric structures suggests metals with well-ordered porous networks would exhibit interesting photonic properties.8 The adaptation of template methods to the formation of porous metals has been relatively limited.9-12 Lyotropic liquid crystalline12 and anodic alumina10 have been used as templates to produce mesoporous (voids 50 nm) and high void volume porous films have not yet been reported. In this work we describe a strategy for extending the general methodology of template-directed synthesis to the formation of porous metals. These samples are three-dimensional highly ordered, free-standing macroporous metal films with interconnected spherical voids (200-400 nm). We use as templates single-crystal colloidal multilayers made by a vertical deposition technique.13 The uniform deposition of metals into colloidal arrays is challenging for several reasons. Existing examples of metal deposition into lyotropic liquid crystal12 and anodic alumina10 templates exploit flat and conductive surfaces to catalyze metal formation. Such surfaces are not available in the interstitial regions of colloidal crystals which are narrow and relatively inaccessible. Also, these templates as made are relatively fragile and easily disrupted by agitation or gas evolution during deposition. To overcome these obstacles, a metal nanocrystal catalyzed electroless deposition technique14,15 has been developed. First, colloidal silica is coated with a coupling agent,16 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (3-MPTMS), which leaves a
Possible involvement of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-acetic acid as a sclerotization agent in the American cockroach

Abstract Two-dimensional paper chromatography with intermittent betaglucosidase treatment has revealed the presence of naturally occurring phenolic glucosides in Periplaneta americana. The injection of 2-14C-dopamine results in the labelling of at least two of these compounds. High-voltage electrophoretic analysis of these two components at pH 8·5 shows that one of these is neutral, while the other is acidic. The neutral compound appears to be N-acetyldopamine. The acid compound remains unidentified, although it appears to have properties similar to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. Injections of 14C-carbinol noradrenaline do not yield metabolites with identical patterns which seems to preclude the possibility of the natural components being beta hydroxylated. The significance of these studies in the overall analysis of cuticular tanning is discussed.
Children in foster care: factors influencing outpatient mental health service use.

Abstract Objective: To determine factors influencing outpatient mental health service use by children in foster care. Method: Detailed survey and administrative data were collected on 480 children who entered long-term foster care in San Diego County from May 1990 through October 1991. These data were linked with claims data from Medicaid and San Diego County Mental Health Services information systems. A Poisson regression model was used to determine whether the following factors influenced outpatient mental health service use: age, race/ethnicity, gender, maltreatment history, placement pattern, and behavioral problems as measured by the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results: Except for maltreatment history, all independent variables included in the multivariate regression model were statistically significant. The total number of outpatient mental health visits increased with age, male gender, and non-relative foster placements. Relative to Caucasians, visits were lower for Latinos, and Asian/Others, but comparable for African-Americans. Concerning maltreatment history, differences were only found in one category; children experiencing caretaker absence received fewer visits compared to children who did not experience caretaker absence. Children with CBCL Total Problem Scale T-scores of 60 or greater had significantly more visits than those with a score less than 60. Conclusions: Both clinical and non-clinical factors influence outpatient mental health service use by foster children. Limitations imposed by gender, race/ethnicity, and placement setting need to be addressed by child welfare policies. These finding suggest that guidelines are needed to systematically link children in foster care with behavioral problems to appropriate services.
Macro information environment change and the quality of management earnings forecasts

The 1990s were characterized by substantial increases in the performance of and investor reliance on financial analysts. Because managers possess superior private information and issue forecasts to align investors’ expectations with their own, we predict that managers increased the quality of their earnings forecasts during the 1990s in order to keep pace with the improved forward-looking information provided by financial analysts, upon which investors increasingly relied. Using a sample of 2,437 management earnings forecasts, we document an increase in management earnings forecast precision, management earnings forecast accuracy, and managers’ tendency to explain earnings forecasts in 1993–1996 relative to 1983–1986. Given that these forecast characteristics are linked to greater informativeness and credibility, we also document that the information content of management earnings forecasts, as measured by the strength of share price responses to forecast news, increased in 1993–1996 relative to 1983–1986. As expected, the increased information content of management forecasts primarily occurred for firms covered by financial analysts.
On the Canny edge detector

Abstract The Canny edge detector is widely used in computer vision to locate sharp intensity changes and to find object boundaries in an image. The Canny edge detector classifies a pixel as an edge if the gradient magnitude of the pixel is larger than those of pixels at both its sides in the direction of maximum intensity change. In this paper we will show that defining edges in this manner causes some obvious edges to be missed. We will also show how to revise the Canny edge detector to improve its detection accuracy.
Cardiac Recovery and Survival After Neonatal Myocardial Infarction

Management of cardiogenic shock following neonatal myocardial infarction (MI) has received little attention in the literature. Advances in medical support have been pharmacologic in nature, yet the outcome remains dismal. We report the course of a neonate after MI. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was utilized for hemodynamic support during the immediate post-MI period. The patient initially was in massive cardiogenic shock, but her myocardial function recovered completely. She has a normal neurodevelopmental outcome at 22 months of age.
Temporal and spatial variations in nitrogen transformations in deciduous forest ecosystems along an urban–rural gradient

Abstract Ecosystem processes such as N transformations have seldom been studied in urban and suburban areas. Here we report the temporal and spatial variations in soil N measured continuously over 16 months in remnant forests dominated by northern red oak ( Quercus rubra L.) along a 130 km urban–rural transect in the New York City metropolitan area. Urban, suburban and rural forests all exhibited clear seasonal patterns in soil N concentrations and transformation rates. Concentrations of extractable inorganic N were highest in early spring, while net N mineralization and nitrification rates were highest in summer. Peak N mineralization and nitrification in urban stands tended to occur a month earlier than in rural stands. Daily net N mineralization rates averaged 4.45 mg N kg −1 soil organic matter (SOM) in urban stands, 3.51 in suburban stands, and 2.49 in rural stands. In urban and suburban forests, between 23.2–73.8% of the annual net N mineralized was nitrified, but in rural forests, net nitrification was mostly below the detection limit. Annual net N mineralization rates, expressed on an areal basis (to a depth of 7.5 cm), averaged 11.6 g m −2 in urban forests, 11.3 g m −2 in suburban sites, and 7.3 g m −2 in rural forests. N returns in oak litter fall were 2.15, 1.32, and 1.81 g m −2 in urban, suburban, and rural stands, respectively. The elevated N transformation rates and nitrate production, in combination with possible pollution constraints on tree growth in urban environments, raises concern that these urban and suburban forests may be approaching an N saturated status.
Pulmonary Emboli in Transit

An 87-year-old female with history of breast, lung and vulvar cancer was resuscitated after cardiac arrest. Lower extremity Doppler ultrasound revealed deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Echocardiography showed globular interconnected freely moving masses of varying sizes in the right atrium (like “strings of popcorns”), some of which were protruding into the right ventricle (Fig. ​(Fig.1).1). Similar masses were seen in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins (Fig. ​(Fig.2).2). These masses were thought to be DVT fragments travelling centrally (emboli in transit). The patient received anticoagulation therapy with unfractionated heparin but could not receive systemic thrombolytic therapy due to metastatic brain lesions and expired despite supportive measures. Figure 1. Echocardiography showing globular interconnected freely moving masses of varying sizes in the right atrium. Figure 2. Echocardiography showing smilar masses in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins. Among patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), right heart thromboemboli are found in more hemodynamically compromised patients.1 They are also a marker of worse prognosis in initially stable patients treated with heparin alone.1 The mortality rate for emboli in transit may reach 50 %.2 It is estimated that 33 % of emboli in transit initially detected by echocardiography will proceed to full pulmonary embolism within 24 hours.3 PE in transit should be treated with pharmacologic or mechanical thrombolysis if the patient is hemodynamically unstable. If hemodynamically stable, patients are frequently treated with heparin; however, consideration of thrombolysis should be entertained.
STAGE SIX AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD 1

1 This article, based on an address prepared for delivery at the REA International Convention in Toronto, represents part of the concluding chapter of the author's forthcoming book, Meaning and Trust: The Developmental Dynamics of Faith (New York: Harper and Row, 1981). It is presented here by gracious permission of the publisher
Solidification structures in submicron spheres of iron-nickel: Experimental observations

Abstract Alloys of 0, 30, 40 and 50 at.% nickel in iron have been processed in vacuum by electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHD) to produce submicron droplets. The as-solidified spheres are studied to determine which of several solidification phases has appeared. Field-emission scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is used to determine the microstructure, composition and crystal structure of the 10–150 run diameter spheres. It is believed that homogeneous nucleation must be the predominant nucleation mechanism in EHD droplets during free flight. The alternative crystallization phase, b.c.c., in the Fe-Ni alloy system, is found in 30 and 40 at.% Ni alloys but not in the 50 at.% Ni alloy. A new hexagonal crystal structure of Fe-50 at.% Ni is discovered. Furthermore, the smallest spheres of each alloy ( Acta metall. 36 , 2537 (1988)], based on classical nucleation theory which predict the conditions under which alternative crystallization phases may appear.
Piston dispersive shock wave problem.

The piston shock problem is a classical result of shock wave theory. In this work, the analogous dispersive shock wave (DSW) problem for a fluid described by the nonlinear Schrodinger equation is analyzed. Asymptotic solutions are calculated for a piston (step potential) moving with uniform speed into a dispersive fluid at rest. In contrast to the classical case, there is a bifurcation of shock behavior where, for large enough piston velocities, the DSW develops a periodic wave train in its wake with vacuum points and a maximum density that remains fixed as the piston velocity is increased further. These results have application to Bose-Einstein condensates and nonlinear optics.
Polymorphisms in Vitamin D related genes and Risk of Uterine Leiomyomata

Objective To investigate uterine leiomyomata (UL) incidence in relation to polymorphisms in genes involved in vitamin D metabolism and skin pigmentation. Rates of UL are 2–3 times higher in African Americans than in European Americans. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of UL. Design Nested case-control study. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Two thousand two hundred thirty-two premenopausal women first diagnosed with UL confirmed by ultrasound or surgery during 1997–2011 (cases) and 2,432 premenopausal women never diagnosed with UL through 2011 (controls). Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Self-reported UL. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between each polymorphism and UL, controlling for age, geographic region, and ancestry. Result(s) Three of 12 polymorphisms were associated with UL at the nominal significance level: rs4944957 and rs12800438 near DHCR7 and rs6058017 in ASIP. After correction for multiple hypothesis testing, two single nucleotide polymorphisms remained significantly associated with UL (rs12800438 and rs6058017). Compared with the AA genotype for rs12800438 (correlated with higher serum 25[OH]D levels), ORs were 1.09 (95% CI, 0.92, 1.29) and 1.23 (95% CI, 1.03, 1.47) for the GA and GG genotypes, respectively. Compared with the AA genotype for rs6058017 (correlated with lighter skin pigmentation), ORs were 1.01 (95% CI, 0.83, 1.22) and 1.18 (95% CI, 0.97, 1.44) for the GA and GG genotypes, respectively. Conclusion(s) Our data support the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency is involved in UL etiology.
Strong-coupling theory for the multidimensional free optical polaron

A Landau-Pekar variational theory is employed to study the multidimensional free-optical-polaron problem in the strong-coupling regime. The ground-state energy, the effective mass, and the average number of virtual phonons around the electron are obtained in harmonic-oscillator and hydrogenic approximations. It is shown that no simple dimensional scaling relations exist in the hydrogenic approximation.
Dynamics of nanoscale pattern formation of an epitaxial monolayer

Abstract A two-phase monolayer grown on an elastic substrate may form stripes or dots on the scale of nanometers. Sometimes these stripes and dots order into superlattices. This paper reports on a simulation on the basis of a model proposed by the authors recently. The size selection and spatial ordering result from two competing actions: the phase boundary energy tends to coarsen the phases, and the concentration-dependent surface stress tends to refine the phases. A nonlinear diffusion equation couples the concentration field in the epilayer and the stress field in the substrate. The simulation reveals remarkably rich dynamics. An epilayer may evolve into various patterns, suggesting a significant degree of experimental control in growing nanoscale superlattices, just as in growing atomic crystals.
Optimum Optical Density in Spectrophotometry

Equations are developed which give values for the optimum optical densities at which to run spectrophotometric analyses. Calculations made on a range-of-error basis show that the optimum optical density is 0.5553 (27.84 percent transmission); on a probable error basis the optimum optical density is 0.4816 (32.99 percent transmission). However, the precision of measurement is about the same for optical densities from 0.3 to 0.9 (or transmissions from 50 percent to 12.5 percent). The treatment is presumably valid for any type of single-beam spectroscopy in which the receiver (including amplifier) has a limit of precision (dI) which is independent of the size of signal received. Thermopiles and photoelectric cells are in this class. Where the intensity is detected by visual comparison, dI/I is independent of the size of signal, and the treatment is not valid.
Clinical Course of Bark Scorpion Envenomation Managed Without Antivenom

Bark scorpion envenomation is potentially life threatening in children and traditionally treated with antivenom (AV). We sought to describe the clinical course, management, complications and outcome of children with severe scorpion envenomation treated with supportive care during a period when AV was unavailable. A retrospective chart review was performed, all children presenting to a referral hospital between September 1, 2004 and July 31, 2006 with severe scorpion envenomation not receiving AV, were included. A standardized data abstraction form was used to record time of symptom onset, time to healthcare facility (HCF), clinical findings, treatment, complications, and length of stay. Eighty-eight patients were included with mean age of 3.7 years (0.33–12). Mean time to symptom onset was 20 min (0–130) and mean time to HCF was 79 min (10–240). Incidence of clinical manifestations include: neuromuscular agitation, 100 %; opsoclonus, 97 %; hypersalivation, 81 %; tachycardia, 82 %; hypertension, 49 %; vomiting, 38 %; fever, 28 %; respiratory distress, 33 %; and hypoxia, 18 %. Complications included rhabdomyolysis in 18 (20 %) and aspiration in 12 (13 %) patients. Intubation was required in 24 % of patients. The most frequently used agents to control symptoms were benzodiazepines (98 %) followed by opioids (69 %). Intravenous fluids were given to 84 %. Mean length of stay was 29 h (range, 6–73 h). There were no deaths. In addition to the classic findings of neuromuscular hyperactivity, opsoclonus, and hypersalivation, a high incidence of hyperadrenergic findings and respiratory compromise are noted in this series. A significant number of patients required mechanical ventilation. Benzodiazpines and opioids were the most common medications used to control symptoms.