cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modern Medicine and the Twentieth Century Decline in Mortality: Evidence on the Impact of Sulfa Drugs

Previous research suggests that medical advances played a negligible role in the large decline in mortality rates during the first half of the twentieth century. This paper, in contrast, presents evidence that sulfa drugs―the first pharmaceuticals effective at treating infectious diseases― were an important cause of U.S. mortality declines after their discovery in the 1930s. Using timeseries and difference-in-difference methods (with infectious diseases unaffected by sulfa drugs as a comparison group), we present evidence on the effects of sulfa drugs on mortality. We find that sulfa drugs led to a 25% decline in maternal mortality, a 13% decline in pneumonia and influenza mortality, and a 52% decline in scarlet fever mortality between 1937 and 1943. Sulfa drugs also widened racial disparities in mortality, suggesting that new medical technology diffuses more rapidly among whites than blacks and consistent with the hypothesis that innovation initially increases inequality across population subgroups.
Aristotle on the Realization of Possibilities in Time

An attentive reader of the Aristotelian corpus can scarcely fail to notice that in certain respects the Stagirite used the modal notions of possibility and necessity in a manner different from our modern ways with them. A case in point is the relation of modality to time. That there is something not quite familiar about the way Aristotle was wont to operate with the concepts of necessity and possibility is already betrayed by his repeated statements to the effect that the past is necessary.’ Natural though such statements sound, the sense of necessity involved here is not a familiar part of the conceptual repertoire of today’s philosophers.
Investment advice on the Internet

There has been a recent explosion of investor interest in buy–sell advice given on the Internet. At the same time, there is an emerging body of research in financial economics on print newsletters and the stock-price effects of buy–sell advice published in the print and electronic media. To test the power of Internet stock advice, this chapter considers ramifications tied to buy–sell announcements made on the Internet by the Motley Fool (TMF). TMF is the best known site on the Internet for investment advice and chat. It has also extended its reach beyond the Internet with regular columns of stock market advice in daily newspapers and a syndicated weekly radio program. The magnitude of stock-price effects tied to TMF buy–sell recommendations on the Internet, particularly TMF small-cap tech stock announcements; suggest that such announcements are at least as newsworthy as the types of second-hand buy–sell recommendations published in the traditional print and electronic media. These results suggest that Internet investors heed and quickly follow the buy–sell advice given on TMF.
SECOND-ORDER THEORY IN ORTHOTROPIC PLATES

The basic equations for the stress analysis of an orthotropic plate are given. These equations take into account bending and membrane stresses. Various methods of solving the basic equations are discussed briefly. One method is discussed more fully, namely, that of using finite-difference equations with simultaneous equations and programmed for a digital computer. This computer program was applied to a selected number of both isotropic and orthotropic plates. Results of tests on small-scale isotropic and orthotropic plates are given. The test results are compared with results obtained from the computer program. The computer program is applied to an orthotropic plate bridge deck to determine the bending and membrane stresses caused by truck loads. Analytic and experimental results are summarized and pertinent conclusions are drawn concerning the appearance and magnitude of membrane stresses in plates.
Optical rotatory dispersion studies—XII: Absolute configurations of eperuic and labdanolic acids

Abstract A comparison of the rotatory dispersion curves of appropriate nor-ketones of the eperuic acid and labdanolic acid series with those of derivatives of onocerin and manool establishes the absolute configuration of these diterpene acids.
Selective upregulation of arterial endothelial nitric oxide synthase in pulmonary hypertension

We have previously demonstrated that arterial, but not venous, vasodilatory responses to endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO)-dependent agonists are enhanced in lungs isolated from rats with chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension. These data suggest that CH is associated with increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity within the pulmonary arterial vasculature. In addition, the correlation of increased pulmonary arterial pressure with selectively enhanced arterial responsiveness to EDNO-mediated agonists suggests that arterial hypertension, rather than hypoxia per se, is a contributing factor in this response. Therefore, we hypothesized that 1) CH selectively upregulates eNOS within the pulmonary arterial vasculature and 2) monocrotaline (MC)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension selectively enhances pulmonary arterial dilation to EDNO-dependent dilators and upregulates arterial eNOS. We examined the responses to the EDNO-dependent dilators arginine vasopressin and ionomycin in U-46619-constricted isolated perfused lungs from control and MC-treated rats. Microvascular pressure was assessed by the double-occlusion technique, allowing calculation of segmental resistances. Lungs from MC-treated rats exhibited augmented arterial dilation to arginine vasopressin compared with control lungs. However, the responses to ionomycin were not different between the two groups. Quantitative immunocytochemistry was used to compare pulmonary eNOS immunoreactivity in vessels from control, CH, and MC-treated rats. eNOS staining was more intense in the arteries of CH and MC-treated rats compared with those of control animals, whereas CH and MC treatment had no effect on eNOS staining in veins. We conclude that pulmonary arterial hypertension, or altered vascular mechanical forces associated with hypertension, may be responsible for the augmented EDNO-dependent arterial dilation and upregulation of arterial eNOS in lungs from CH and MC-treated rats.
The mode of action of fatty alcohols on leaf tissue

The mode of action of a mixture of C8 and C10 fatty alcohols, formulated in polyoxyethyelene (20) sorbitan mono-oleate (SMO) and used as an emulsion (FAE) to inhibit axillary bud (sucker) growth in tobacco production, was studied using infrared spectroscopy (NIR), photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), electrical resistance, and the ability of treated cells to reverse plasmolysis on leaf tissues fromNicotiana tabacum L. and other dicotyledonous species. NIR spectra showed that isolated cuticles were affected optically when treated with FAE, but did not dissolve. PAS absorbances in the UV of isolated cuticles and of epidermal peels were similar and showed that cuticles were homogeneous, unilamellar structures. In intact leaf segments, it was possible, over time using PAS absorbances in the visible region, to separate absorbance of the surface components (cuticle) from the absorption of chlorophyll and other subsurface components and to monitor the penetration by FAE into the leaf. Penetration of the FAE to the subcuticular cells took approximately 2 h. Electrical resistance measurements of FAE-treated isolated midveins of tobacco leaves decreased with time, indicating that the plasma membranes of the cells became leaky. The effect of FAE on plasma membranes of cells was confirmed withElodea sp. where leaf cells after treatment with 1 and 5% FAE lost the ability with time to plasmolyze upon exposure to a 10% solution of Ca(NO3)2. The results of the various studies were interpreted to mean that at the labeled concentration (4–5%) for use in the control of axillary bud growth on decapitated tobacco, FAE passed through the cuticle without disrupting it. However, the plasma membranes of the subtending cells were altered so that, in time, bud tissues desiccated (appeared burned) and growth of the sucker was controlled.
Real-time moving object recognition and tracking using computation offloading

Mobile robots are widely used for computation-intensive tasks such as surveillance, moving object recognition and tracking. Existing studies perform the computation entirely on robot processors or on dedicated servers. The robot processors are limited by their computation capability; real-time performance may not be achieved. Even though servers can perform tasks faster, the communication time between robots and servers is affected by variations in wireless bandwidths. In this paper, we present a system for realtime moving object recognition and tracking using computation offloading. Offloading migrates computation to servers to reduce the computation time on the robots. However, the migration consumes additional time, referred as communication time in this paper. The communication time is dependent on data size exchanged and the available wireless bandwidth. We estimate the computation and communication needed for the tasks and choose to execute them on robot processors or servers to minimize the total execution time, in order to satisfy real-time constraints.
Development of the severity of violence against women scales

In response to the need for more sensitive assessment instruments, scales were developed applicable to the evaluation of male violence against women. Two versions of the Severity of Violence Against Women Scale (SVAWS) were developed. On 10-point scales, college females (N = 707) rated how serious, aggressive, abusive, violent, and threatening it would be if a man carried out each of 46 acts with a woman. The mean of each act across ratings was calculated and submitted to factor analysis. Nine factors represented symbolic violence: threats of mild, moderate, and serious violence; actual mild, minor, moderate, and serious violence; and sexual violence. Community women (N = 208) rated the acts on seriousness, aggressiveness, and abusiveness. All factors were unidimensional. Second-order factor analysis confirmed the existence of two broader dimensions representing physically threatening acts and actual violence. Ratings of the amount of physical and emotional harm provided the weightings for future research with student (SVAWS-S) and adult (SVAWS) samples.
Time course of neuropathology in the spinal cord of G86R superoxide dismutase transgenic mice.

Transgenic mice with a G86R mutation in the mouse superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) gene, which corresponds to a mutation observed in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), display progressive motor dysfunction leading to paralysis and premature death. In endstage SOD-1 transgenic mice, there is marked loss of spinal motor neurons and interneurons, accumulation of phosphorylated neurofilament inclusions, and reactive astrocytosis. The present study details the time course and ultrastructural appearance of these pathologic changes and correlates the timing of these events with the behavioral symptoms. There is no significant reduction in the number of total neurons, motor neurons, or interneurons in the ventral spinal cord of presymptomatic mice, as compared to age-matched control mice. In contrast, there is a significant reduction in the number of total neurons (−23.5%), motor neurons (-28.9%), and interneurons (-23.5%) in symptomatic SOD-1 transgenic mice. This neuron loss correlates temporally with the onset of reactive astrocytosis and the appearance of phosphorylated neurofilament inclusions. The identical timing of motor neuron and interneuron degeneration in this model of ALS strongly suggests that degeneration in the spinal cord of patients with ALS is not specifically directed at motor neurons, but rather more generally at several populations of neurons in the spinal cord. In addition, the late onset and rapid progression of neuron loss suggest that a toxic property is accumulating while the SOD-1 transgenic mice are presymptomatic, and that this toxic property must reach a threshold level before the onset of neuronal degeneration. J. Comp. Neurol. 391:64–77, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Influence of selector technology on heavy metal removal by activated sludge: Secondary effects of selector technology

Abstract The purpose of this research is to compare the ability of metal removal between an aerobic selector activated sludge system and a conventional CSTR system. Metal biosorption by sludge harvested from experimental systems was determined by a series of batch experiments. Heavy metals studied in this research were zinc, cadmium and nickel. Results of experimental data revealed that metal biosorption by activated sludge was rapid; about 70% of the soluble metals in solution was removed during the first 30 min. The sorption isotherm showed that at metal equilibrium concentrations greater than 0.05 mg/l, the selector sludge had significantly higher sorption capacity than did the CSTR sludge. Metal biosorption behavior closely followed a Freudlich isotherm model for equilibrium concentrations above 0.05 mg/l. Results of the Freundlich model suggested that the adsorption capacity of sludge from the aerobic selector was significantly higher than that of the CSTR system.
Nitric oxide-releasing xerogel-based fiber-optic pH sensors.

A xerogel-based optical pH sensor capable of releasing low levels of nitric oxide (NO) and measuring changes in solution pH is reported. Through simple dip-coating procedures, aminoalkoxysilane-based xerogel films modified with N-diazeniumdiolate NO donor precursors and the fluorescent pH indicator seminaphthorhodamine-1 carboxylate (SNARF-1) were sequentially deposited onto optical fibers. The resulting sensors were characterized by fast and linear response to pH throughout the physiological range (pH 7.0−7.8). Real-time chemiluminescence measurements confirmed that the presence of the overlying SNARF-1-containing TMOS layer did not have an inhibitory effect on N-diazeniumdiolate formation or NO release, and the NO-releasing coatings were capable of maintaining NO fluxes >0.4 pmol/cm2 s up to 16 h. In vitro blood compatibility studies using porcine platelets confirmed the expected thromboresistivity of the NO-releasing xerogel coatings.
The effect of antioxidant-deficiency on phospholipid composition in the chick brain.

— A significant increase in arachidonate was noted in the total phospholipids of brain of chicks with nutritional antioxidant-deficiency and encephalomalacia. After thin-layer chromatography of the brain lipids, this increase in arachidonate was found to be restricted to the phosphatidyl serine fraction. Significant decreases in docosahexaenoate and docosapentaenoate were noted in the phosphatidyl ethanolamine fraction. The changes in fatty acid composition of phospholipids in chick brain are comparable to those previously observed in phospholipids of skeletal muscle, liver and testes of the rat.
The Counterarc to MS 1512–cB58 and a Companion Galaxy*

We present near-infrared spectra of "A2," the primary counterarc to the gravitationally lensed galaxy MS 1512-cB58. The spectra show redshifted Hα, [N II], [O III], and Hβ at z = 2.729 ± 0.001. We observe the same Hα/[O III] ratio as cB58, which together with the redshift confirms that A2 is indeed another image of a single background galaxy. Published lensing reconstruction reports that A2 is a magnification of the entire source, while cB58 is an image of only a part. At marginal significance, A2 shows higher line-to-continuum ratios than cB58 (by a factor of ~2), suggesting a nonuniform ratio of young to old stars across the galaxy. We observe a second emission-line source in the slit. This object, "W5," is predicted to be a lensed image of another galaxy at a redshift similar to cB58. W5 is blueshifted from cB58 by ~400 km s-1 and has a significantly lower Hα/[O III] ratio, confirming that it is an image of a different background galaxy in a group with cB58. The Hα emission line in W5 implies a star formation rate of 6 M☉ yr-1 (H0 = 70 km s-1 Mpc-1, ΩM = 0.3,ΩΛ = 0.7), after correcting for lensing magnification.
A comparison of attentional and control shift models of the performance of concurrent tasks.

Abstract A concurrent verbal task was superimposed upon the performance of a practiced bimanual motor skill by right-handed S s. Addition of the verbal task did not increase the total number of errors; however, a significant interaction between hands and conditions was observed. The right hand made significantly more errors under the verbal condition, while the left hand made non-significantly fewer errors under that condition. These findings were interpreted as supporting an attentional model rather than a model which proposes that addition of the verbal task causes control of the right hand to shift to the non-verbal right hemisphere.
Correcting for artifacts in complex aqueous solutions when using the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)- 5-(and -6)carboxyfluorescein.

Abstract The pH-sensitive fluorescent indicator dye 2′,7′-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and -6)carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) is routinely used to measure intracellular pH within cells. Surprisingly, no studies have been performed to see if various solution parameters modulate the fluorescence intensity of BCECF even though viscosity artifacts have been reported for particular Ca 2+ selective dyes. In this report we demonstrate that even minor increases in the concentration of a number of different agents significantly decrease the excitation fluorescence intensity at two wavelengths routinely used to determine solution pH. Solution viscosity was varied using a number of different agents including glycerol, sucrose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and methylcellulose. In general, there was a detectable and significant decrease in the maximum fluorescence excitation ratio as the viscosity was increased, although the effect was more dramatic with Newtonian solutions than with non-Newtonian solutions. This same general effect was seen at pH 6.5, 7.0, and 7.3, a range of pH levels where BCECF is found to be particularly sensitive. To correct for these artifactually low values we used different combinations of excitation wavelengths to determine which could be used to accurately measure pH while minimizing the artifact. Choosing excitation wavelengths so that excitation ratios were collected at 470 and 435 nm allowed a significant signal to quantitatively measure pH while the artifact was nearly abolished.
Controlled interaction: Strategies for using virtual reality to study perception

Immersive virtual reality systems employing head-mounted displays offer great promise for the investigation of perception and action, but there are well-documented limitations to most virtual reality systems. In the present article, we suggest strategies for studying perception/action interactions that try to depend on both scale-invariant metrics (such as power function exponents) and careful consideration of the requirements of the interactions under investigation. New data concerning the effect of pincushion distortion on the perception of surface orientation are presented, as well as data documenting the perception of dynamic distortions associated with head movements with uncorrected optics. A review of several successful uses of virtual reality to study the interaction of perception and action emphasizes scale-free analysis strategies that can achieve theoretical goals while minimizing assumptions about the accuracy of virtual simulations.
A Retrospective Study of Feline Pancytopenia

To better define the incidence and causes of feline pancytopenia we reviewed cases of pancytopenia submitted to the University of Minnesota, Veterinary Teaching Hospital over an 18-month period. Pancytopenia was defined as a combination of anaemia (packed cell volume < 26%), neutropenia (segmented neutrophils < 3000/μl), and thrombocytopenia (platelet counts < 200 000/μl). Of 2011 complete blood counts reviewed, pancytopenia was detected in 56 (2.8%). Associated clinical disorders included drug-associated disorders (n = 9) infectious diseases (n= 14) immune-mediated haematological diseases (n= 3), chronic renal failure (n = 3), idiopathic aplastic anaemia (n= 3), and other causes (n= 5). Results of this study indicate that feline pancytopenia has multiple causes and that the prognosis is dependent on the cause of the pancytopenia. Differentiation of the various causes of pancytopenia requires a systematic approach that includes evaluation of infectious, drug-induced, and immune-mediated causes, and examination of bone marrow.
Chemoreception of amino acids by female fourth‐ and sixth‐instar larvae of the spruce budworm

An electrophysiological approach was used to record the responses of maxillary styloconic sensilla of fourth- and sixth-instar larvae of the spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana to 14 amino acids. One cell in the lateral styloconic sensillum was identified as an amino acid-sensitive neuron. All of the amino acids tested, except I-proline and 1-arginine, were detected by this cell. Arginine did not evoke a response from either the medial or lateral styloconic sensilla. Proline evoked responses from a cell in the medial styloconic sensillum. It is known from previous behavioural work that 1-proline is a phagostimulant and 1-valine inhibits feeding in Choristoneura; we thus further characterized the responses to these two amino acids. For both instars, I-proline was detected as low as 0.001 mmol/l and the maximal response was at 50 mmol/l. Stimulation of fourth- and sixth-instar larvae with 1-valine showed that the maximum firing frequency was obtained at 1 mmol/l. Above and below this concentration, firing frequency decreases. Sensory responses to the amino acids stimuli did not correlate with known behavioral responses to similar stimuli.
Regulation of metabolism by a neuroendocrine FGF signaling pathway

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hepatokine that during fasting (in the absence of insulin and dietary nutrients) plays an important role in the adaptive response to starvation. However, in the setting of obesity and nutrient excess, FGF21 has potent pharmacologic effects that include weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity due in large part to FGF21’s ability to mount a robust thermogenic response. FGF21 is also a target gene of PPARα and PPARγ agonists, and mediates many of the effects of these agonists in liver and adipose tissue. Although these effects make FGF21 an attractive therapeutic target for obesity, FGF21 also inhibits growth, causes bone loss, and suppresses female reproduction. Interestingly, many of the pharmacologic effects seen in obese mice are also part of the adaptive physiologic response seen in starvation. To understand the anatomical sites of FGF21 action, we have generated whole-body and tissue-selective knockouts of β-Klotho, the co-receptor believed to be required for FGF21 signaling. All of the known effects of FGF21 are lost in β-Klotho knockout mice. Selective elimination of β-Klotho in a number of different tissues, including adipose, liver, and particularly in the CNS has revealed the existence of a complex peripheral and neural endocrine circuit, which coordinates the diverse physiologic and pharmacologic actions of FGF21.
Computational Investigation of Wave Packet Scattering in the Complex Plane: Propagation on a Grid.

The time-dependent scattering of a wave packet from a Gaussian barrier is investigated computationally in the complex z-plane. The initial wave packet and the potential energy are obtained through analytic continuation from functions specified on the real-axis. The wave packet is then propagated on the two-dimensional grid. For a low initial wave packet energy, the time evolution is followed by plotting the following functions: |ψ(z,t)|, real(ψ(z,t)), and the quantum momentum function (QMF), p(z,t). In the reflected packet, an important role is played by ripples (quasi-nodes) forming above the real axis. As these quasi-nodes move down across the real axis, they are 'detected' as 'interference oscillations' in the density. In contrast, the component of the packet below the real axis makes a significant contribution to the transmitted packet. Vector maps of the QMF show hyperbolic flow around quasi-nodes and counterclockwise circular flow around transient stagnation points, where the QMF vanishes. However, when the Polya vector field (defined by P(z,t) = p*(z,t)) is plotted, circular counterclockwise flow is obtained near the quasi-nodes. The real and imaginary parts of the quantum action function S(z,t) are plotted and the vorticity, defined by the curl of the Polya field, is used to pinpoint regions of nonanalyticity in the QMF.
Evaluation of Truck Crashes Using a GIS-Based Crash Referencing and Analysis System:

Computerized crash analysis systems in which crash data, roadway inventory data, and traffic operations data can be merged are used in many states and municipalities to identify problem locations and assess the effectiveness of implemented countermeasures. By integrating this traditional system with a geographic information system (GIS), which offers spatial referencing capabilities and graphical displays, a more effective crash analysis program can be realized. In a recent FHWA-sponsored study, a crash referencing and analysis system within a GIS was developed within the Highway Safety Information System (HSIS) of the state of North Carolina for the area of Wake County. The system provides the functions needed to edit both tabular and spatial crash and roadway data as well as to perform crash analyses related to intersections, roadway segments, and special highway features, such as bridges. The second phase of the project was undertaken to illustrate the advantages of a GIS-based crash analysis system. T...
Prevalence of coagulation abnormalities associated with intrauterine fetal death

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with abnormal coagulation in the setting of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD).
Vacuum tunneling spectroscopy of thin film and bulk polycrystalline superconductors

Abstract The “squeezable junction” method of Moreland and Hansma has been applied to study the superconducting energy gap of co-sputtered MoRe films and of arc melted and annealed polycrystals of LiTi 2 O 4 , with T c = 11.3 K. The energy gap of LiTi 2 O 4 is determined to be 1.95 ± 0.03 mV corresponding to 2Δ k B T> c = 4.00 ± 0.06, making this metal a strong coupling superconductor.
Three-year effect of unfilled resin dilution on water sorption of a light-cured microfill and hybrid composite resin

This in vitro study compared water sorption for various intervals over a 3-year period for visible light-cured microfill and hybrid composite resin with and without unfilled resin dilutions. Statistically significant sorption increases were evident for the 960-day interval for certain dilutions. At 3 years the microfill control revealed a 0.72% relative water sorption increase and its various dilutions 1.92% to 2.36%. By comparison, the hybrid control exhibited an increase of 0.4% and its dilutions were 0.72% to 0.98%.
Quasi-periodic forcing: is it relevant in biological oscillation?

In this paper we attempt to give an affirmative answer to the title question. In addition, we present results showing that nonlinear oscillators forced at two incommensurate frequencies can exhibit a variety of novel dynamical phenomena, including two-frequency quasi- periodicity, three-frequency quasi-periodicity, chaos and in particular, strange nonchaotic attractors.
Stability and Bifurcation Analysis of Periodic Motions in a Periodically Forced Duffing Oscillator

In this paper, the analytical, approximate solutions of period-1 motions in the nonlinear damping, periodically forced, Duffing oscillator is obtained. The corresponding stability and bifurcation analysis of the HB2 approximate solution of period-1 motions in the forced Duffing oscillator is carried out. Numerical illustrations of period-1 motions are presented.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Anomalous mutagenicity profile of cyclohexanone oxime in bacteria: cell survival in background lawns.

Abstract The basis for the observed mutagenicity of cyclohexanone oxime in the presence of hamster liver S9 in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1535, but not in TA100, was explored. While the chemical had no effect on the appearance of the background lawn in either strain, it did cause a reduction in mutant colony counts in strain TA100, raising the possibility of selective toxicity to this strain. Viability of the two strains was determined directly by titering the cells in background lawns over a 3 day period. In order to do this, cells embedded in top agar overlays were released by extruding agar plugs through small holes in the bottoms of centrifuge tubes, followed by vigorous vortexing. Viable cell counts in background lawns of strain TA100, but not strain TA1535, were greatly reduced in the presence of cyclohexanone oxime. Most of the loss of viable TA100 cells occurred on days 2 and 3 following plating, after the cells had exhausted the histidine in the medium and stopped growing. Therefore, the observed loss of background lawn viable cells is unlikely to be the cause of the non-mutagenicity of cyclohexanone in strain TA100. Analysis of reversion spectra showed that cyclohexanone oxime-induced C→T transitions in the second position of the CCC triplet at the his mutation site in strain TA1535, but had no significant effect on any transition or transversion in strain TA100.
Genomewide association studies--illuminating biologic pathways.

Skeptics have questioned the value of genomewide association studies. Dr. Joel Hirschhorn writes that the main goal of these studies is not prediction of individual risk but rather discovery of biologic pathways underlying polygenic diseases and traits.
Autodetachment spectroscopy of a molecular anion using a diode laser

Autodetachment spectroscopy, a technique for studying molecular anions, has been applied to the past using color-center lasers or visible dye lasers. In the present work, the technique has been extended to employ a relatively weak diode laser. Laser radiation drives an infrared vibrational-rotational transition in the molecular anion NH-. The vibrationally excited anion autodetaches, and the resulting fast neutral is detected. The P1 (6.5, e- > e) transition in the fundamental (1 < -0) band of NH- has been observed near 2806 cm-1 with a signal to noise ratio of 15:1 with a 30-s averaging time. The present experiment has fewer than 500 ions of a single quantum state in the apparatus at once, interacting with 5 microwatts of laser power. Future instrumental improvements can yield orders of magnitude improvement in sensitivity.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Synthesis, solid-state crystal structure, and reactivity of a monomeric copper(I) anilido complex.

Synthesis and isolation of the Cu(I) amido complex (dtbpe)Cu(NHPh) (dtbpe = 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane) is accomplished upon reaction of [(dtbpe)Cu(μ-Cl)]2 with LiNHPh. The anilido complex has been fully characterized by IR spectroscopy and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Salient features of the solid-state structure include an amido orientation that allows π-interaction of the nitrogen-based lone pair with both the empty copper p-orbital and the π*-system of the phenyl substituent. A solid-state X-ray diffraction study of [(dtbpe)Cu(NH2Ph)][BF4] has allowed a direct comparison of the structural features upon conversion of the amine ligand to an amido. The reactivity of the amido ligand of (dtbpe)Cu(NHPh) is consistent with nucleophilic character. For example, the formation of Ph3CNHPh is observed upon treatment with [Ph3C][BF4], and reaction at room temperature with EtX (X = Br or I) yields N-ethylaniline. The reactivity of (dtbpe)Cu(NHPh) is...
PRACTICAL ISSUES IN LARGE‐SCALE HIGH‐STAKES COMPUTERIZED ADAPTIVE TESTING

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT), while well-grounded in psychometric theory, has had few large-scale applications for high-stakes, secure tests in the past. This is now changing as the cost of computing has declined rapidly. As is always true at such junctures where theory is translated into practice, many practical issues arise that must now be addressed. This paper discusses a number of such issues and sketches out potential problems and potential solutions. Our purpose is to encourage further development of solutions to the issues presented as well as other practical issues facing measurement professionals involved with the implementation of adaptive testing.
Is It Time To Retire the Hybrid Atomic Orbital

A rationale for the removal of the hybrid atomic orbital from the chemistry curriculum is examined. Although the hybrid atomic orbital model does not accurately predict spectroscopic energies, many chemical educators continue to use and teach the model despite the confusion it can cause for students. Three arguments for retaining the model in the chemical curriculum are presented. These arguments are then refuted and methods for teaching chemistry without invoking the hybrid atomic orbital model are presented to show how the model can be removed from the chemistry curriculum with little negative effect.
Abstract 3571: Inhibition of Cdk9 blocks ligand induced phosphorylation of Estrogen receptor alpha at Ser294.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC In response to ligand binding, the estrogen receptor (ER, alpha isoform) becomes phosphorylated on several serines including Ser294 and Ser118 to initiate an estrogenic transcriptional program that has been well studied. On the other hand, growth factor stimulation of ER also promotes serine phosphorylation at several sites including Ser305 and Ser118, but not Ser294, to drive a transcriptional program different from that induced by estrogenic ligands. Our previous work demonstrated that following estrogen or tamoxifen stimulation, cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) mediated phosphorylation of the ER hinge region at Ser294 was essential for full transcriptional activation of ER. Current studies, using a recently developed rabbit monoclonal antibody to phospho-Ser294 ER, show that the Cdk9 inhibitor SCH727956/Dinaciclib, now in phase II clinical trials, completely prevents Ser294 phosphorlyation induced by estrogen stimulation of MCF-7 cells without influencing phospho-Ser118 formation which remains robust. Immunoprecipitation of ER from MCF-7 cells following estrogen treatment results in the co-immunoprecipitaton of cdk9. Further SCH727965/Dinaciclib has no influence upon epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced ER phosphorylation at Ser305, consistent with previous studies linking phospho-Ser305 formation to the activated kinases PKA and PAK. Ongoing studies evaluating siRNA induced knockdown of Cdk9 in MCF-7 cells followed by estrogen and/or EGF stimulation are designed to confirm the specific role of Cdk9 in mediating ligand-induced ER phosphorylation at Ser294. As Cdk9 is essential to promote transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II, the Ser294 specific recruitment of Cdk9 to ER following ligand stimulation offers rationale for the clinical use of Cdk9 inhibitors such as SCH727965/Dinaciclib in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancers. In particular, for those ER-positive breast cancers responsive to endocrine therapy the combined use of a Cdk9 inhibitor with antiestrogenic therapy is likely to prove clinically beneficial. Citation Format: Gary K. Scott, Ravneet Kaur, Daniel Rothschild, C. C. Benz. Inhibition of Cdk9 blocks ligand induced phosphorylation of Estrogen receptor alpha at Ser294. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3571. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3571
Dressed-state analysis of three-level quantum-jump experiments.

Recent experiments with single atomic ions isolated in electromagnetic traps have demonstrated abrupt changes in observed fluorescence intensities, which have been interpreted as evidence for quantum jumps as the atom changes energy levels. This presents the seeming paradox of discontinuously changing observables from a system whose dynamical evolution is governed by the continuous optical Bloch equations. In this paper I present an analysis of the dynamics of a model three-level atom interacting with two laser fields in terms of the dressed states of the atom-laser system. These dressed states are eigenstates of a Hamiltonian which includes laser-atom interactions, and thus they simplify the discussion of the time evolution of the combined laser-atom system. This dressed-state description is particularly useful in the regime in which both laser intensities are strong enough to saturate their respective transitions. I calculate the radiative lifetimes of the different species of dressed states and the branching ratios for decay to other dressed states, and demonstrate the consequences of these quantities for the observed fluorescence pattern. The calculated duration of bright and dark periods shows a pronounced dependence on the detunings of the lasers.
A fracture criterion for finitely deforming crystalline solids—The dynamic fracture of single crystals

The major objective of this work has been to develop, within a continuum framework, a microstructurally-based computational theory to investigate dynamic failure in metals. To model the nucleation and propagation of failure surfaces at the microstructural scale, under large deformations and dynamic loading conditions, general finite-deformation theory, as relating to the decomposition of the deformation gradient, was tailored to monitor displacement incompatibilities and fracture in crystalline solids subjected to large deformations. Based on this proposed decomposition, a general fracture criterion for finitely deforming crystals, using the integral law of incompatibility, was developed. The analyses indicate that this newly proposed fracture formulation and criterion can be validated with experimental results, and can be used to accurately predict brittle and ductile failure modes for the large deformation of single crystals. As part of the newly proposed decomposition of the deformation gradient, sub-problems can also be solved for lattice distortions, such as twinning and geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) densities. Accordingly, the interactions of GND densities with cracks were investigated for single crystals. GND densities were shown to form as loops for stationary crack tips, but no loops formed for propagating cracks.
Frequency response of multi‐phase segmented k‐space phase‐contrast

A theoretical analysis of the temporal frequency response of multi-phase segmented k-space phase-contrast was developed. This includes the effects of both segment duration and the number of cardiac phases that are reconstructed. An increase in the number of views per segment and the corresponding increase in segment duration results in an increased smoothing or low-pass filtering of the time-resolved flow waveform. Reconstruction of all intermediate cardiac phases makes the Nyquist sampling frequency independent of the number of views per segment. This analysis was verified experimentally using a multi-phase phase-contrast segmented k-space MR pulse sequence. This sequence reconstructs all intermediate cardiac phases and uses fractional segments at the end of the cardiac cycle if an entire segment does not fit. The use of fractional segments increases the portion of the cardiac cycle over which data are acquired.
Multiplicity of Effectors of the Cardioprotective Agent, Diazoxide

Diazoxide has been identified over the past 50years to have a number of physiological effects, including lowering the blood pressure and rectifying hypoglycemia. Today it is used clinically to treat these conditions. More recently, another important mode of action emerged: diazoxide has powerful protective properties against cardiac ischemia. The heart has intrinsic protective mechanisms against ischemia injury; one of which is ischemic preconditioning. Diazoxide mimics ischemic preconditioning. The purpose of this treatise is to review the literature in an attempt to identify the many effectors of diazoxide and discuss how they may contribute to diazoxide's cardioprotective properties. Particular emphasis is placed on the concentration ranges in which diazoxide affects its different targets and how this compares with the concentrations commonly used to study cardioprotection. It is concluded that diazoxide may have several potential effectors that may potentially contribute to cardioprotection, including KATP channels in the pancreas, smooth muscle, endothelium, neurons and the mitochondrial inner membrane. Diazoxide may also affect other ion channels and ATPases and may directly regulate mitochondrial energetics. It is possible that the success of diazoxide lies in this promiscuity and that the compound acts to rebalance multiple physiological processes during cardiac ischemia.
Grid orientation and capillary pressure effects in the simulation of water injection into depleted vapor zones

Abstract The spatial orientation of finite difference computational grids can strongly influence numerical simulations of water injection into vapor zones. Robust numerical behavior is seen in two-dimensional areal models, while extreme sensitivity to grid orientation is found in vertical sections. Mathematical analysis of finite difference approximations provides insight into the nature and strength of grid effects and leads to the concept of “effective grid capillary pressure”. The paper concludes with recommendations for how to avoid numerical pitfalls and achieve realistic results in the simulation of water injection into depleted vapor zones.
The describing functions for a constrained-range integration process with bang-bang input and dead zone

Recently, considerable attention has been devoted to the analysis of high-order systems containing severe nonlinearities separated by linear functions, particularly those using bang-bang or on-off controllers. These have proven to be very satisfactory in the attitude control systems of manned or unmanned spacecraft and satellites. This paper develops describing functions for a particularly complicated multiple nonlinearity: a tri-stable (bang-bang with dead zone) characteristic, followed by a linear integrator with a constrained range of integration. It should be noted that constraining range of integration is not equivalent to simple limiting of an integrator's output. This system of nonlinearities has not previously been treated in the literature, although it is founds for example, in satellite attitude controllers where on-off torques give rise to constrained momentum wheel angular velocities or in guided missile hydraulic actuators with bang-bang power spool and control surface position limits. This frequency-variant nonlinearity has three distinct modes of operation and, therefore, is quite different from the usual single nonlinearity considered for describing function application. The describing function and boundary equation for each mode are derived in the paper, and numerical examples are given. The analytical results were found to agree well with results from an analog computer simulation. These describing functions may be used to size power actuators ands therefores should be very useful for preliminary systems design.
A tale of two wards: political participation and the urban poor in Dhaka city

Background paper for The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2006. Produced in collaboration with Research and Evaluation Division (RED) BRAC.
Factors influencing the absorption spectrum of vertebrate hemoglobin in solution.

Abstract An analysis of common methods of collection and preparation of solutions of hemoglobin shows that a number of techniques and materials produce a modified material, characterized by a relative increase in absorbance at 570 nm in the acidic methemoglobin form. The undesirable conditions include, most importantly, dialysis against distilled water, exposure to a large excess of oxidizing agent, oxidation of an inadequately dialyzed hemoglobin stock solution, failure to remove excess oxidant, exposure even briefly to a pH below 6.0, or freezing of methemoglobin solutions. The effect of 4 M urea on the spectrum of methemoglobin indicates that a common feature of these agents is protein “perturbation”. It is important that a spectrum of methemoglobin be taken at pH 6.0, since the admixture of a small proportion of the alkaline form of methemoglobin mimics this perturbation. The common practice of reporting a methemoglobin spectrum at pH 7.0 or 7.4 is to be discouraged.
In vitro evaluation of contemporary β-lactam drugs tested against viridans group and β-haemolytic streptococci

Streptococci continue to be prevalent causes of mild as well as of serious, life-threatening infections. Furthermore, some species harbor antimicrobial resistances (pneumococcus, viridans gr. streptococci) that compromise effective chemotherapy with beta-lactam drugs or other antimicrobial classes. In this study, the potency and spectrum of 12 beta-lactams was assessed versus 274 contemporary isolates of viridans group and beta-haemolytic streptococci using reference methods. Cefotaxime and ceftriaxone (MIC90s, 0.015 to 2 micrograms/ml, 84 to 100% susceptible) were consistently most potent among the agents tested. Ceftazidime (MIC90s, 0.25 to 8 micrograms/ml) and ticarcillin (MIC90s, 0.5 to > 32 micrograms/ml) were least active among the cephalosporins and penicillins, respectively. When 25% pooled serum was added to the reference test medium, ceftriaxone activity decreased fourfold, and cefotaxime remained highly active. As penicillin/beta-lactam-resistant streptococci with altered penicillin-binding protein target sites become more prevalent, only a few "third-generation" cephems seem to have sustained activity when used alone or possibly with a carefully selected co-drug. Routine testing of these species against beta-lactams and alternative drugs should be encouraged to detect emerging resistance patterns.
A Note on Atrubin's Real-Time Iterative Multiplier

This correspondence presents a new multiplication algorithm for Atrubin's one-dimensional real-time iterative multiplier such that all the cells including the first cell in the array are identical in all respects, for the no-delay case.
A Mapping Strategy for Parallel Processing

This paper presents a mapping strategy for parallel processing using an accurate characterization of the communication overhead. A set of objective functions is formulated to evaluate the optimality of mapping a problem graph onto a system graph. One of them is especially suitable for real-time applications of parallel processing. These objective functions are different from the conventional objective functions in that the edges in the problem graph are weighted and the actual distance rather than the nominal distance for the edges in the system graph is employed. This facilitates a more accurate quantification of the communication overhead. An efficient mapping scheme has been developed for the objective functions, where two levels of assignment optimization procedures are employed: initial assignment and pairwise exchange. The mapping scheme has been tested using the hypercube as a system graph.
Hidden in plain sight: racism in international relations theory

This article addresses the centrality of racism in international relations (IR) theory; specifically, in realism and liberalism, two of the most prominent paradigms of IR. It examines the extent to which these major paradigms of world politics are oriented by racist—primarily, white supremacist—precepts that inhere within their foundational construct, namely, anarchy. I maintain that due to the centrality of anarchy—and other racially infused constructs—within these prominent paradigms, white supremacist precepts are not only nominally associated with the origins of the field, but have an enduring impact on IR theory and influence contemporary theses ranging from neorealist conceptions of the global system to liberal democratic peace claims, and constructivist theses as well.