cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can facility-based delivery boost infant vaccinations? The long-term effect of facility delivery in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background In the developing world, facility-based delivery has been linked to improved outcomes for both mothers and babies in the period immediately surrounding birth. Facility-based delivery has also been linked to an increased likelihood of childhood immunisation in at least one sub-Saharan African nation, even when factors associated with facility-based delivery and immunisation are controlled. We sought to determine if such an association held true when looking across all of sub-Saharan Africa and controlling for economic development indicators as well. Methods We collected publicly available, country-specific data from WHO, the UN, Demographic and Health Surveys, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund for all nations of sub-Saharan Africa and entered them into an Excel spreadsheet. Data were imported into Stata 11·0 for analysis. Correlation coefficients were calculated, and regression analysis was done to determine the relation between facility-based delivery and immunisation status in sub-Saharan Africa. A p value of 0·10 was considered significant. Findings Facility-based delivery rates were significantly associated with the percentage of children younger than 1 years who were fully vaccinated (Pearson R 0·32, p=0·060) and vaccinated with BCG immunisation (0·44, p=0·002), but not with other immunisations. When looking at predictors of full vaccination in a multivariate regression model, facility-based delivery was associated with full vaccination (p Interpretation Facility-based delivery is associated with increased likelihood of BCG immunisation and full immunisation for children younger than 1 year in sub-Saharan Africa. This relation is robust enough to remain even after controlling for economic and social indicators that might be linked to both. These results suggest that the benefits of facility-based delivery go beyond the immediate survival benefit for mothers and their babies, and might serve as a gateway to further interactions with the health-care system. Funding None.
Residual Stress Effects in Doped Barium Strontium Titanate Thin Films

Barium strontium titanate (Ba x Sr 1 - x TiO 3 ; BST) thin films are the principal materials of interest for microwave antenna design, primarily because of their low loss, high dielectric constant, and large tunability. The effects of acceptor (Mg) doping, added to further tune film properties, on the BST thin films were investigated in parallel to the annealing temperature. Films were deposited on MgO single-crystal substrates using metallorganic solution deposition. Residual stress, known to have a drastic effect on the mechanical, electrical, and dielectric properties, becomes of particular importance in thin-film materials, where the residual stress can be several orders of magnitude higher. The residual stress in the films was measured in three ways (reflective curvature, nanoindentation, and glancing angle X-ray diffraction). Measured stresses (as high as 2 Gpa) were tunable by varying the dopant concentration and annealing temperature. The results from all three stress measurement techniques showed that the films had a highly compressive stress at the interface that transitioned to a significantly lower, but still nonzero, stress at the top surface (∼200 nm) as theory would suggest. In this paper, we evaluate and report the effects of residual stress on acceptor-doped BST as a function of postdeposition annealing conditions.
Allergen-specific IgG and IgA in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a model of experimental feline asthma

Allergic asthma, a Th2 cell driven response to inhaled allergens, has classically been thought of as predominantly mediated by IgE antibodies. To investigate the role of other immunoglobulin classes (e.g., IgG and IgA) in the immunopathogenesis of allergic asthma, levels of these allergen-specific immunoglobulins were measured in serum and mucosal fluids. Bermuda grass allergen (BGA)-specific IgG and IgA ELISAs in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were developed and optimized in an experimental model of BGA-induced feline asthma. Levels of BGA-specific IgG and IgA significantly increased over time in serum and BALF after allergen sensitization. Additionally, these elevated levels of BGA-specific IgG and IgA were seen in conjunction with the development of an asthmatic phenotype indicated by positive intradermal skin tests, enhanced airways hyperreactivity, and increased eosinophil percentages in the BALF.
Visitation Arrangements for Impaired Parents

Forensic mental health professionals are frequently asked to evaluate the parenting skills of divorcing parents because the court seeks help in determining the custody, visitation, and parenting time arrangements for the children. When one of the parents is impaired, the court wants to know the way to help the children have a good relationship with that parent and keep the children safe. There is little empirical research to answer such questions. In this article, the authors describe their methodology for providing useful clinical information to the court to help guide their decisions regarding visitation with impaired parents.
Packet erasure coding with random access to reduce losses of delay sensitive multislot messages

Many commercial and military systems use some form of random access. ALOHA type protocols are particularly useful for multicast traffic and have low complexity; however, they suffer from low capacity and large loss probabilities. The inclusion of packet level erasure coding in single channel ALOHA protocols is a new area. This paper demonstrates a novel combination of a medium access layer tailored to and used with packet level erasure coding; this new protocol not only reduces message loss, but also decreases delays of multislot messages. It is shown how packet level erasure coding can be used with a tailored random access protocol to render multislot messages more robust against collisions. This resilience to collisions is shown to hold both when limited feedback and no feedback are available. Despite the increased utilization of the collision channel with the additional traffic produced by the erasure code, it is demonstrated to result in a significant decrease in the probability of loss of multislot and single slot messages. The tradeoffs between message loss probability and delays are shown for a range of medium access transmission designs used in conjunction with the erasure coding.
The extreme programming bandwagon: revolution or just revolting?

The software development field is constantly advancing; all programmers know that and most of us embrace it. Indeed, proponents of extreme programming (XP) must embrace change vehemently. While the paper's title suggests cynicism, thus leading to possible confusion over its thesis, the author likes the software industry's evolution and maturation. Still, he is concerned about some aspects of the new agile methodologies. He concludes that there are a multitude of development scenarios where agile approaches can excel, but at least an equal number where it is destined to fail. For example, XP's proponents openly admit that XP does not tend itself to mission- or safety-critical applications, and large teams will find the oral communication mechanism difficult to implement. The key here is to know your options and understand when you should use one over another.
Choline in the Treatment of Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder: Clinical and Neurochemical Findings in Lithium-Treated Patients

This study examined choline augmentation of lithium for rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Choline bitartrate was given openly to 6 consecutive lithium-treated outpatients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Five patients also underwent brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Five of 6 rapid-cycling patients had a substantial reduction in manic symptoms, and 4 patients had a marked reduction in all mood symptoms during choline therapy. The patients who responded to choline all exhibited a substantial rise in the basal ganglia concentration of choline-containing compounds. Choline was well tolerated in all cases. Choline, in the presence of lithium, was a safe and effective treatment for 4 of 6 rapid-cycling patients in our series. A hypothesis is suggested to explain both lithium refractoriness in patients with bipolar disorder and the action of choline in mania, which involves the interaction between phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine second-messenger systems.
Quark mass formulae and the number of quark flavors

Abstract Possible quark mass formulae are discussed for an arbitrary number of quark flavors in a grand unified O(10) model, as well as in an ambidextrous model supplemented by additional discrete and/or global symmetries.
Assessing Transition: An Inquiry Concerning Decision Making.

The transition of Roy Seiver, a young adult with moderate to severe handicapping conditions, was assessed using interpretive naturalistic inquiry procedures (Guba, 1981; Lincoln & Guba, 1985). A series of structured and unstructured interviews with immediate family and service delivery personnel, as well as observations of Roy's home, community, and employment settings, revealed dilemmas related to decision making and comprehensive planning. Decision making was influenced by the personal and cultural values of the participants, was based on the services available, and reflected a lack of informed choices. Personal and cultural values also affected the planning process in the form of miscommunication compounded by confusion over role responsibilities. Implications of the case study's findings for the transition process and its relevant assessment are discussed.
Testing of homogeneity of diagonal blocks with blockwise independence

In this paper the likelihood ratio test criterion for testing the equality of block covariance matrices for the multivariate multisamplesphericity model has been derived. The distribution of the test statistic, its moments and percentage points are also given.
Visual prompting in a paired-associates mediation paradigm

Two experiments using 105 fifth-grade children were designed to determine the effects of presentation of various types of prompts on the test list of a paired-associate mediation paradigm, BC-AB-AC. Picture prompts presented with some pairs during the anticipation interval to elicit appropriate mediators facilitated performance, but only for those pairs where the prompts were given. Performance for the unprompted pairs was similar to that of a group given no prompts or random shapes as prompts. Presentation of picture prompts designed to elicit inappropriate mediators also facilitated performance for the pairs so prompted, but for the remaining unprompted pairs performance was similar to that of a control group, BC-AD-AC. Since an inappropriate prompt was produced by re-pairing an appropriate mediator from an unprompted pair, it was concluded that the prompt was “captured” by the pair with which it was presented and the additional distinctiveness of the pictures facilitated performance for these pairs. As a result, however, the mediator became unavailable to the pair it originally served to mediate.
Muscarinic receptor antagonism causes a functional alteration in nucleus accumbens μ-opiate-mediated feeding behavior

Intra-nucleus accumbens (Acb) infusion of cholinergic muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine (10 microg/0.5 microl), markedly reduced fat intake elicited by intra-Acb treatment of the mu-opioid receptor agonist, DAMGO, with 30 min and 4h pretreatment intervals. Intra-Acb scopolamine infusions also reduced food intake in food-deprived rats, but not water intake in water-deprived rats. Hence, Acb muscarinic manipulations exhibit some specificity for feeding, perhaps via interactions with the striatal opioid system.
Imaging mechanical properties of hepatic tissue by magnetic resonance elastography

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of a modified phase-contrast MRI technique (MR Elastography) for quantitatively assessing the mechanical properties of hepatic tissues by imaging propagating acoustic shear waves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both phantom and human studies were performed to develop and optimize a practical imaging protocol by visualizing and investigating the diffraction field of shear waves generated from pneumatic longitudinal drivers. The effects of interposed ribs in a transcostal approach were also investigated. A gradient echo MRE pulse sequence was adapted for shear wave imaging in the liver during suspended respiration, and then tested to measure hepatic shear stiffness in 13 healthy volunteers and 1 patient with chronic liver disease to determine the potential of non-invasively detecting liver fibrosis. RESULTS: Phantom studies demonstrate that longitudinal waves generated by the driver are mode-converted to shear waves in a distribution governed by diffraction principles. The transcostal approach was determined to be the most effective method for generating shear waves in human studies. Hepatic stiffness measurements in the 13 normal volunteers demonstrated a mean value of 2.0±0.2kPa. The shear stiffness measurement in the patient was much higher at 8.5kPa. CONCLUSION: MR Elastography of the liver shows promise as a method to non-invasively detect and characterize diffuse liver disease, potentially reducing the need for biopsy to diagnose hepatic fibrosis.
Ageism and Ageist Language Across the Life Span: Intimate Relationships and Non-intimate Interactions

The possible effects of ageist language and ageism on the structure and function of intimate and non-intimate relationships have received significant attention from social scientists. Recent research grounded in communication accommodation theory (Giles, Mulac, Bradac, & Johnson, 1987), the communication predicament model of ageing (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci, & Henwood, 1986), the communication enhancement model of ageing (Ryan, Meredith, MacLean, & Orange, 1995), and ageing and stereotype research byHummert (1994)and colleagues (Hummert & Mazloff, 2001; Hummert, Shaner, & Garstka, 1995) point toward the numerous consequences of both negative and positive attitudes toward ageing. Focusing specifically on health care settings, this article reviews recent theoretical positions and empirical findings that link ageist language and ageism to these positive and negative social consequences, and offers pragmatic suggestions and directions for future research.
Age differentially influences estrogen receptor α (ERα) and estrogen receptor β (ERβ) gene expression in specific regions of the rat brain

Abstract Estradiol's ability to influence neurochemical events that are critical to female reproductive cyclicity and behavior decreases with age. We tested the hypothesis that decreases in estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and/or ERβ mRNA explain the brain's declining responsiveness to estradiol. We assessed ERα and ERβ mRNA levels in intact and ovariectomized estradiol-treated rats. ERβ mRNA was detected in several brain regions and decreased by middle-age in the cerebral cortex and supraoptic nucleus of estradiol-treated rats. ERβ mRNA levels exhibited a diurnal rhythm in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of young and middle-aged rats and this rhythm was blunted in old rats. We examined ERα mRNA in the periventricular preoptic, medial preoptic, ventromedial and arcuate nuclei, and it was decreased only in the periventricular preoptic nucleus of the old rats. In summary, the expression of ERα and ERβ mRNAs is differentially modulated in the aging brain and changes are region specific.
Asp 46 can substitute for Asp 96 as the Schiff base proton donor in bacteriorhodopsin

Bacteriorhodopsin functions as a light-driven proton pump in the purple membrane of Halobacterium salinarium. A variety of studies have established that a proton is transferred over an approximately 10 A distance from Asp 96 to the retinylidene Schiff base during the M --> N transition of the bR photocycle. In order to further explore the mechanism of this Schiff base reprotonation, we compared the properties of the double mutant Thr 46 --> Asp/Asp 96 --> Asn (T46D/D96N), the single mutants Asp 96 --> Asn (D96N) and Thr 46 --> Asp (T46D), and wild-type bR. In contrast to D96N, which exhibits a very slow M decay, T46D/D96N has an M decay close to that of wild-type bR. FTIR difference spectroscopy detects bands in the carboxyl and carboxylate stretch region of T46D/D96N consistent with the deprotonation of Asp 46 during the M --> N transition. In addition, bands associated with structural changes of Asn 96 in the mutant D96N are absent in T46D/D96N. Resonance Raman spectroscopy provides evidence that both T46D/D96N and T46D have a long-lived N-like species in their photocycles. These data demonstrate that Asp 46 can substitute for Asp 96 as the proton donor group in the reprotonation pathway of the Schiff base during the M --> N transition. However, N decay is delayed in comparison to wild-type bR. This may be due to a partial block in the proton pathway leading from the cytoplasmic medium to Asp 46.
Dipyridamole in the treatment of angina pectoris: a meta-analysis

A meta-analysis was performed to reevaluate the efficacy of dipyridamole for prophylaxis of angina pectoris. We found 10 articles that reported 11 randomized control trials published between 1960 and 1970. Three trials found a statistically significant benefit for the drug vs placebo, four showed a positive trend, two found no difference, and two showed a slight trend favoring placebo. When the results of all 11 trials were combined, two different statistical methods showed a statistically significant benefit from the drug. These combined results must be interpreted cautiously because of excluded patients and other methodologic variations in the studies, as well as evidence from other studies that dipyridamole may aggravate angina. Nevertheless, we conclude that there is some evidence for efficacy of the drug and believe the question should be restudied in larger and better-designed trials.
New anti‐tumor agents. 2. Benzopyranylamine compounds

Pyrrolidine, morpholine and piperidine derived Mannich bases of types 1–3 react with acetone, propionaldehyde and butyraldehyde to form 2-methyl and 3-methylbenzopyrans of types 4–8. Hydrolysis of these benzopyrans yields alcoholic benzopyrans which readily condense with a variety of amine, aniline and hydrazine derivatives to form diverse isomeric benzopyrans of types of 9 and 10. The benzopyrans 4–9 which contain a 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl ring are active anti-tumor agents, particularly against human breast, CNS and colon cancer cell lines, total growth inhibition of these tumors often occurring in vitro at concentrations as low as 10−5-10−6 moles/1. Because of their in vitro activities and unusual structures a number of these benzopyrans have been selected for in vivo Xenograft testing against breast and other susceptible human cancers.
On the symmetry and coaxiality of pertinent stretch and stress tensors during non-proportional loading at finite plastic strain

A nonlinear continuum theory based in the foundations of rational mechanics and equally based in a generality of experiments in which a laboratory discovered internal constraint trace V=3 in the domain of finite plastic strain replaces that of incompressibility,IIIv=1, has been described in a series of earlier papers by Bell. In continuum theory and in experiment, in the presence of the internal constraint trace V=3, measured rigid body rotation at finite plastic strain is minuscule, simple shear is inadmissible, and the predicted significant decrease in volume with increasing plastic strain agrees with experiment. For proportional loading paths, the symmetry and coaxiality of the left Cauchy-Green stretch tensor V and the Bell stress tensor σ has been shown earlier in both continuum theory and continuum experiment to be both symmetric and coaxial and thus to commute, σV=Vσ. In the present paper the same symmetry, coaxiality, and commutation are shown to extend in both general theory and general experiment to non-proportional loading paths.
Investigation of radiation-induced photodarkening in passive erbium-, ytterbium-, and Yb/Er co-doped optical fibers

The deployment of optical fibers in adverse radiation environments, such as those encountered in a low-Earth-orbit space setting, makes critical the development of an understanding of the effect of large accumulated ionizing-radiation doses on optical components and systems. In particular, gamma radiation is known to considerably affect the performance of optical components by inducing absorbing centers in the materials. Such radiation is present both as primary background radiation and as secondary radiation induced by proton collisions with space-craft material. This paper examines the effects of gamma radiation on erbium-, ytterbium-, and Yb/Er co-doped optical fibers by exposing a suite of such fibers to radiation from a Co-60 source over long periods of time while monitoring the temporal and spectral decrease in transmittance of a reference signal. For same total doses, results show increased photodarkening in erbium-doped fibers relative to ytterbium-doped fibers, as well as significant radiation resistance of the co-doped fibers over wavelengths of 1.0 - 1.6 microns. All three types of fibers were seen to exhibit dose-rate dependences.
The long-run consequences of minimum wage regulation in a monetary economy☆

Abstract This paper investigates the long-run implications of minimum wage regulation on the growth process with monetary repercussions. The paper shows, among other results, that if the minimum wage floor (MWF) is sufficiently low, then the qualitative behavior of the dynamic path is similar to the case of full employment in which the steady state is a saddle point, and that if the MWF is sufficiently high, the economy decays all the way toward the origin.
Does a continuous measure of handedness predict reading processes and reading-related skills across the lifespan?

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between handedness, reading skills, and reading-related cognitive processes. Although lateralised differences in brain functioning are well known, research regarding handedness, specific reading skills, and reading-related cognitive processes is ambiguous at best because handedness is often measured as a dichotomous variable rather than a continuous variable. This methodological difference contributes to the diverse research findings, therefore the present investigation addressed these methodological limitations. A large normative sample of up to 1383 participants who ranged in age from 4 to 80 completed the Woodcock Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery-Revised (Woodcock & Johnson, 1989a, 1989b) or the Woodcock Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery-Third Edition (Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001) in combination with the Dean Woodcock Sensory Motor Battery (Dean & Woodcock, 2003) lateral preference scale, a continuous measure of handedness. Polyno...
ATP-Dependent Interactions between Escherichia coli Min Proteins and the Phospholipid Membrane In Vitro

Proper placement of the division apparatus in Escherichia coli requires pole-to-pole oscillation of the MinC division inhibitor. MinC dynamics involves a membrane association-dissociation cycle that is driven by the activities of the MinD ATPase and the MinE topological specificity factor, which themselves undergo coupled oscillatory localization cycles. To understand the biochemical mechanisms underlying Min protein dynamics, we studied the interactions of purified Min proteins with phospholipid vesicles and the role of ATP in these interactions. We show that (i) the ATP-bound form of MinD (MinD.ATP) readily associates with phospholipid vesicles in the presence of Mg2+, whereas the ADP-bound form (MinD.ADP) does not; (ii) MinD.ATP binds membrane in a self-enhancing fashion; (iii) both MinC and MinE can be recruited to MinD.ATP-decorated vesicles; (iv) MinE stimulates dissociation of MinD.ATP from the membrane in a process requiring hydrolysis of the nucleotide; and (v) MinE stimulates dissociation of MinC from MinD.ATP-membrane complexes, even when ATP hydrolysis is blocked. The results support and extend recent work by Z. Hu et al. (Z. Hu, E. P. Gogol, and J. Lutkenhaus, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:6761-6766, 2002) and support models of protein oscillation wherein MinE induces Min protein dynamics by stimulating the conversion of the membrane-bound form of MinD (MinD.ATP) to the cytoplasmic form (MinD.ADP). The results also indicate that MinE-stimulated dissociation of MinC from the MinC-MinD.ATP-membrane complex can, and may, occur prior to hydrolysis of the nucleotide.
A microfluidic chip integrating DNA extraction and real-time PCR for the detection of bacteria in saliva

A microfluidic chip integrating DNA extraction, amplification, and detection for the identification of bacteria in saliva is described. The chip design integrated a monolithic aluminum oxide membrane (AOM) for DNA extraction with seven parallel reaction wells for real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) amplification of the extracted DNA. Samples were first heated to lyse target organisms and then added to the chip and filtered through the nanoporous AOM to extract the DNA. PCR reagents were added to each of the wells and the chip was thermocycled. Identification of Streptococcus mutans in a saliva sample is demonstrated along with the detection of 300 fg (100–125 copies) of both methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) genomic DNA (gDNA) spiked into a saliva sample. Multiple target species and strains of bacteria can be simultaneously identified in the same sample by varying the primers and probes used in each of the seven reaction wells. In initial tests, as little as 30 fg (8–12 copies) of MSSA gDNA in buffer has been successfully amplified and detected with this device.
Synthesis and evaluation of polytriethanolamine monooleates for oil-based muds

New emulsifiers were developed by esterification of polytriethanolamine based on the dimerization and trimerization of triethanolamine. The dimer and trimer were esterified with oleic acid to prepare monoesters of di-triethanolamine and tri-triethanolamine. The synthesized esters were evaluated as water-in-oil emulsifiers in oil-based muds, which are the circulating fluids used in rotary drilling to perform various functions required in the drilling operation, such as control of density, flow, and filtration properties. The dimer and trimer of triethanolamine were also esterified with hydrolyzed cottonseed oil, and the resulting esters were evaluated as commercial emulsifiers for oil-base muds.
Development of a chip-integrated micro cooling device

Abstract An experimental/computation investigation was carried out to develop a MEMS-based micro cooling device to provide direct cooling to high heat flux electronics and MEMS devices. This device uses the electrohydrodynamic principles to pump and form an ultra thin film over a heated surface that requires cooling. The important part is played by applying an electric field to a set of interdigitated inclined electrodes to pump and form a thin film and to remove heat by thin film evaporation process. The dimension of the active electrode area of the device was 32×32 mm 2 . The electrodes were separated by a distance of 20 μm at the bottom and 60 μm at the top. The electrodes were connected to a single common electrode at the top and bottom. Static pumping pressure and heat transfer experiments were performed using 3M's HFE-7100 thermal fluid manufactured by the 3M Corporation. Due to the small gap between electrodes (20 μm) all experiments were performed inside a class 100 cleanroom. Cooling rates of 35 W/cm 2 were obtained at a superheat of 19 °C.
Biology and Host Specificity of Chrysomela rossia, a Candidate for the Biological Control of Dalmatian Toadflax, Linaria dalmatica

Chrysomela rossia Illiger, a univoltine chrysomelid defoliator of Linaria genistifolia (L.) Mill., its only recorded host, appeared to be a promising biocontrol agent for Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria genistifolia dalmatica (L.) Maire and Petitmengin in the United States. In the laboratory, however, C. rossia fed on a wide range of plants and developed to the adult stage on the economically important plants Mentha piperita L. and Antirrhinum majus L. Therefore, C. rossia should not be introduced into the United States.
PUTTING EXTROSPECTION TO REST

Jordi Fernandez has recently responded to my objection that his ‘extrospectionist’ account of self knowledge posits necessary and sufficient conditions for introspective justification which are neither necessary nor sufficient. I show that my criticisms survive his response unscathed.
Scaling of normal glow discharge towards 1μm: Microplasma discharges in high pressure gases

Atmospheric pressure micro-plasmas are uniquely characterized by their very high energy densities and also by their small discharge sizes. These properties allow for unique applications such as chemical reactors and light sources [1]. We have investigated the operational characteristics of microplasmas at higher energy densities and smaller sizes by operating micro-plasma configurations at high pressure conditions. We have been able to operate a stable non-thermal discharge at pressures up to 270 psi in high pressure Nitrogen & Helium. We studied the discharge and analyzed its variation with changes in current & pressure. The discharge was analyzed by microscopic visualization and data from the images has been processed to measure the current density & estimate particle density. By increasing the pressure beyond 200 psi and by minimizing the discharge current required for sustaining the plasma, we have been able to achieve discharge sizes of less than 10 µm in Nitrogen (see Fig.l) and as small as 20 um in Helium. Optical emission spectroscopic studies were used to measure gas temperature and vibrational temperature using the N 2 2nd positive system [2]. The temperature and current density measurements are used to estimate normalized current densities. Results obtained after introducing the corrected pressure based on the gas temperature are close to the expected values of 400-500 µA /cm^2 Torr2 for low pressure normal glow discharges in N 2 [3]. The research presents further validation of the general operational characteristics of micro-plasmas being pressure scaled versions of normal glow discharges [4]. Attained energy densities are ten to twenty times higher than in atmospheric pressure micro-plasmas. Discharge sizes are also significantly smaller, decreasing with increasing pressure, but the scaling is not 'pd' due to the increase in gas temperature with pressure.
Low Complexity Spatio-Temporal Key Frame Encoding for Wyner-Ziv Video Coding

In most Wyner-Ziv video coding approaches, the temporal correlation of key frames is not exploited since they are simply intra encoded and decoded. In this paper, using the previously decoded key frame as the side information for the key frame to be decoded, we propose new methods of coding key frames in order to improve the rate distortion performance. These schemes which are based on switching between intra mode and Wyner-Ziv mode for a given block or a given frequency band attempt to make use of both spatial and temporal correlation of key frames while satisfying the low complexity encoding requirement of Distributed Video Coding (DVC). Simulation results show that using the proposed methods, one can achieve up to 5 dB improvement over conventional intra coding for relatively low motion sequences and up to 1.3 dB improvement for relatively high motion sequences.
A simple algorithm improves mass accuracy to 50-100 ppm for delayed extraction linear matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A simple mathematical technique for improving mass calibration accuracy of linear delayed extraction matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DE MALDI-TOFMS) spectra is presented. The method involves fitting a parabola to a plot of Δm vs. mass data where Δm is the difference between the theoretical mass of calibrants and the mass obtained from a linear relationship between the square root of m/z and ion time of flight. The quadratic equation that describes the parabola is then used to correct the mass of unknowns by subtracting the deviation predicted by the quadratic equation from measured data. By subtracting the value of the parabola at each mass from the calibrated data, the accuracy of mass data points can be improved by factors of 10 or more. This method produces highly similar results whether or not initial ion velocity is accounted for in the calibration equation; consequently, there is no need to depend on that uncertain parameter when using the quadratic correction. This method can be used to correct the internally calibrated masses of protein digest peaks. The effect of nitrocellulose as a matrix additive is also briefly discussed, and it is shown that using nitrocellulose as an additive to the α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (αCHCA) matrix does not significantly change initial ion velocity but does change the average position of ions relative to the sample electrode at the instant the extraction voltage is applied. Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ON THE NATURE OF THE OPSONIC SUBSTANCES OBNORMAL SERA

Our experiments show that the albumen fraction, or end-piece, obtained by the dialysis of normal guinea pig serum possesses definite opsonic action. This action is often almost equal to that residing in the unfractionated alexin. It is evident, however, only if the reaction maintained during the experiments approximates that of the original serum. By the addition of small quantities of a weak sodium hydrate solution to the dialyzed serum we have been able to bring back opsonic action which was not evident in the same end-piece if simply rendered isotonic. Although our attention was called to the question of reaction by the work of Bronfenbrenner and Noguchi, like Liefmann, we have been unable to reactivate the hemolytic function of end-piece by alteration of reaction. Our experiments suggest that the opsonic action of the albumen fraction is enhanced by preliminary sensitization of the bacteria with heated normal serum and by persensitization of such bacteria with the globulin fraction. However, we cannot be positive of this, since the slight differences of phagocytic counts upon which such an opinion can be based, fall within the limits of what we consider our experimental error. The fact that the albumen fraction can exert opsonic activity upon bacteria but cannot hemolyze blood cells seems to us particularly interesting in the light of the fact that alexin can be absorbed by unsensitized bacteria but not by similarly untreated blood cells. The literature upon the relation of the alexin fractions to bacteria and the bactericidal effect is confusing in that contradictory results have been obtained by other workers. We are studying this phase of the problem with particular attention to the alkalinity or acidity under which the reactions are carried out. We think that our experiments do not point to a differentiation of normal opsonin from alexin, but we believe they indicate that the so called end-piece can enter to a slight extent into non-specific relationship with unsensitized bacteria, and it is therefore active, whereas it cannot enter into a similar relation to unsensitized cells. This conception, however, is tentatively made, since we are studying further the non-specific absorption of alexin or complement by unsensitized bacteria.
Positive Feedback in Cardioprotection Can More Mechanism Lead to Translation

Coronary artery disease is becoming an increasingly common cause of heart failure, with ≈65% of heart failure patients in the United States having ischemic heart disease.1 Each year, 635 000 people in the United States experience their first myocardial infarction (MI), with another 280 000 having a recurrent MI.2 This results in 125 664 deaths, with 15% of MI patients dying in the first year.2 Although mortality rates for MI are declining, survivors have an increased risk of death from 1.5% to 15% over the general population due in large part to an estimated 24% of MI patients ultimately developing heart failure.2,3 Thus, there is a clear clinical need to prevent myocardial cell death to reduce mortality due to acute MI, but also to improve long-term outcomes by minimizing subsequent development of heart failure. Coronary heart disease as a whole costs the United States $195.2 billion a year, with the cost expected to double by 2030,2 underscoring the need for the discovery of translatable approaches to prevent ischemic cell death. Article, see p 1268 Ischemia/reperfusion injury causes cell death because of a well-described, albeit very complex, process involving lack of oxygen, calcium overload, disruption of the sarcolemma, ATP depletion, and reactive oxygen species generation.4,5 Almost 3 decades ago, Murry et al6 described the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning, wherein short bouts of ischemia/reperfusion before a prolonged ischemic episode were shown to reduce subsequent infarct size. This observation has since been confirmed in hundreds of laboratories and extended to multiple mammalian species and other organ systems, demonstrating that the innate protective mechanisms activated by brief ischemia/reperfusion are conserved. Moreover, subsequent investigations have shown that pharmacological agents can induce selective arms of the complex physiological response to brief ischemia/reperfusion, reaping some …
ALTERNATIVE PREY AND THE DYNAMICS OF INTRAGUILD PREDATION: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES

A rich body of theoretical literature now exists focused on the three-species module of intraguild predation (IGP), in which a top predator both attacks and competes with an intermediate predator. Simple models of intraguild predation are often unstable, either because one consumer is excluded, or because sustained oscillations emerge from long feedback loops. Yet, many natural IGP systems robustly persist. Standard models of intraguild predation simplify natural systems in crucial ways that could influence persistence; in particular, many empirical IGP systems are embedded in communities with alternative prey species. We briefly review the key conclusions of standard three-species IGP theory, and then present results of theoretical explorations of how alternative prey can influence the persistence and stability of a focal intraguild predation interaction.
Lumped-circuit model extraction for vias in multilayer substrates

Via interconnects in multilayer substrates, such as chip scale packaging, ball grid arrays, multichip modules, and printed circuit boards (PCB) can critically impact system performance. Lumped-circuit models for vias are usually established from their geometries to better understand the physics. This paper presents a procedure to extract these element values from a partial element equivalent circuit type method, denoted by CEMPIE. With a known physics-based circuit prototype, this approach calculates the element values from an extensive circuit net extracted by the CEMPIE method. Via inductances in a PCB power bus, including mutual inductances if multiple vias are present, are extracted in a systematic manner using this approach. A closed-form expression for via self inductance is further derived as a function of power plane dimensions, via diameter, power/ground layer separation, and via location. The expression can be used in practical designs for evaluating via inductance without the necessity of full-wave modeling, and, predicting power-bus impedance as well as effective frequency range of decoupling capacitors.
Access to RNA Encapsidated in the Nucleocapsid of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

The genomic RNA of negative-strand RNA viruses, such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), is completely enwrapped by the nucleocapsid protein (N) in every stage of virus infection. During viral transcription/replication, however, the genomic RNA in the nucleocapsid must be accessible by the virus-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in order to serve as the template for RNA synthesis. With the VSV nucleocapsid and a nucleocapsid-like particle (NLP) produced in Escherichia coli, we have found that the RNA in the VSV nucleocapsid can be removed by RNase A, in contrast to what was previously reported. Removal of the RNA did not disrupt the assembly of the N protein, resulting in an empty capsid. Polyribonucleotides were reencapsidated into the empty NLP, and the crystal structures were determined. The crystal structures revealed variable degrees of association of the N protein with a specific RNA sequence.
Mixed-basis band structure interpolation scheme applied to the rocksalt structure compounds TiC, TIN and TiO

Abstract A mixed-basis band structure interpolation scheme has been applied to the rocksalt compounds TiC, TiN and TiO by fitting to first-principles calculations. For TiC and TiN, semi-empirical band structures were obtained by adjusting the interpolation parameters to improve the agreement between the calculated bands and data from previous angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The use of the eigenfunctions to plot approximate valence charge densities to illustrate bonding effects is described.
A harmonious note on pitch: Scales of pitch derived from subtractive model of comparison agree with the musical scale

Subjects judged “ratios” and “differences” in pitch between pairs of tones that varied in frequency. Half of the subjects listened to stimuli that ranged from 191 to 844 Hz; the other half received a range that varied from 191 to 3740 Hz. For both ranges, the rank orders of judgments in the two tasks were essentially the same. If subjects actually use ratio and difference operations on the same scale values, the factorial design should yield different rank orders for each task. Instead, it was concluded that subjects use the same comparison operation for both tasks but map the subjective comparisons to overt responses differently for each dependent variable. If the comparison operation is subtraction, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that subjective pitch is a log function of frequency; that is, differences on the musical scale predict both the “ratio” and “difference” judgments. This result may resolve the previous discord between musicians and psychophysical psychologists on the subjective scaling of pitch.
On the brain and personality substrates of psychopathy

Further understanding at neuroscientific and personality levels should considerably advance our ability to deal with individuals that have strong sociopathic tendencies. An analysis of neurodynamic responses to emotional stimuli will eventually be able to detect sociopathic tendencies of the brain. Such information could be used to enhance the options available to individuals at risk without limiting their personal freedoms.
Response of plasma beta-endorphin immunoreactivity to d-amphetamine and placebo in schizophrenic patients

Abstract The response of plasma β-endorphin (ir) to infusions of randomly assigned d -amphetamine (20 mg) and placebo was studied in eight schizophrenic patients. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the response to d -amphetamine and placebo, significant increases in plasma β-endorphin (ir) levels were observed following each infusion. Although heterogeneity in β-endorphin (ir) response was observed, individual differences did not relate to clinical variables such as abnormalities on computed tomography or "process-reactive" distinctions. An excessive β-endorphin response to placebo in schizophrenia is discussed.
Income, housing, and fire injuries: a census tract analysis

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the social and demographic correlates of nonfatal structural fire injury rates for the civilian population for Philadelphia census tracts during 1993-2001. METHODS: The author analyzed 1,563 fire injuries by census tract using the 1990 census (STF 3) and unpublished data from the Office of the Fire Marshal of the Philadelphia Fire Department. Injury rates were calculated per 1,000 residents of a given census tract. Multiple regression was used to determine significant variables in predicting fire injuries in a given census tract over a nine-year period and interaction effects between two of these variables-age of housing and income. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis indicates that older housing (prior to 1940), low income, the prevalence of vacant houses, and the ability to speak English have significant independent effects on fire injury rates in Philadelphia. In addition, the results show a significant interaction between older housing and low income. CONCLUSIONS: Given the finding of very high rates of fire injuries in census tracts that are both low income and have older housing, fire prevention units can take preventative measures. Fire protection devices, especially smoke alarms, should be distributed in the neighborhoods most at risk. Multiple occupancy dwellings should have sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. Laws concerning the maintenance of older rental housing need to be strictly enforced. Vacant houses should be effectively boarded up or renovated for residential use. Fire prevention material should be distributed in a number of languages to meet local needs.
Profiling Women Prisoners: Findings from National Surveys and a California Sample

As the number of women in prison in the United States continues to rise, existing descriptions of this changing population become outmoded. This article summarizes several national surveys of the c...
Analysis of biomarker features from a differential mobility spectrometer for the detection of tuberculosis

In this article, we present an investigation of an approach to extract discriminating features from differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) signals generated from two sets of in vitro samples of headspace that contain volatile organic compounds. The two classes of signals we analyze are a strain of tuberculosis grown in media and the media alone. Our approach first preprocesses the DMS signals to recover a baselined signal and then applies a wavelet transform to obtain localized measures of chemical activity in the detector output. The approach then ranks the wavelet coefficients using a common measure of class separability to identify distinguishing wavelet coefficients. Our analysis indicates that the subsequent ranking can often identify areas of signal devoid of chemical structures and that when discriminating chemical features are identified, the constraints of the wavelet transform as a decompositional tool can result in mismatches between the main lobe of the wavelet basis function and the chemical peak. Techniques to mitigate these effects are also discussed, and considerations are made for how to track features across multiple experiments.