cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case-control analysis in resting and evoked inflammatory profiles

Background While case-control differences in inflammation have been reported in several chronic pain conditions, the question of whether Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is also characterized by a heightened pro-inflammatory profile has not been investigated thoroughly. Inflammatory profiles can be evaluated by a number of methods including measuring basal (resting) levels and reactivity following a painful stressor. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate case-control differences in a) resting levels of inflammation and b) impact of experimentally induced pain on inflammatory responsivity. The current study tested the hypothesis that individuals with TMD will show a greater pro-inflammatory profile at rest and following pain induction compared to controls. Exploratory analysis of the associations between inflammation and clinical outcomes were also conducted.
Clinical Outcomes Associated With Once-Daily Ritonavir-Boosted Darunavir Plus Tenofovir/Emtricitabine in HIV-Infected Patients Harboring at Minimum a M184V/I Resistance Mutation

Background: Limited data exist on the use of a boosted protease inhibitor plus <2 active nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors without use of additional classes of antiretroviral (...
β-Glucan and Parasites.

Immunosuppression caused by parasitic infections represents the foremost way by which the parasites overcome or escape the host’s immune response. Glucan is a well-established natural immunomodulator with the ability to significantly improve immune system, from innate immunity to both branches of specific immunity. Our review is focused on the possible role of glucan’s action in antiparasite therapies and vaccine strategies. We concluded that the established action of glucan opens a new window in treatment and protection against parasitic infections.
Multilocus phylogeny of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes species complex and the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry for the rapid identification of dermatophytes

Despite intensive studies of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes species complex, its taxonomy still causes confusion. In this study, more than 70 dermatophytes were analyzed based on nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), D1-D2 domains of nuc 28S rDNA (D1D2), and β-tubulin gene (TUBB) sequences to clarify phylogenetic relationships in the complex. This demonstrated that strains of the complex were divided into three major lineages with high statistical support: (i) T. benhamiae and related species; (ii) T. simii and two related species, T. quinckeanum and T. schoenleinii; and (iii) T. mentagrophytes, T. interdigitale, and related species. The major lineages could be further divided into 18 phylogroups, representing either individual species or phylogenetically distinct groups within species. Among strains of T. benhamiae, African isolates American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 28064 and 28065 formed a phylogenetically distinct phylogroup from their type strain and were considered a distinct species. Strains of T. mentagrophytes were divided into at least four phylogroups based on combined sequence analysis, but some phylogroups showed closer relationships to T. interdigitale, T. equinum, and T. tonsurans when compared by individual genes. This indicates that identifying those species with one gene could lead to incorrect results. For rapid identification of those dermatophytes, each phylogroup was tested by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry using a database with customized reference spectra of each phylogroup. This system was able to identify all the tested strains to species level with higher than 91% accuracy, except for strains of T. interdigitale. The three phylogroups of T. benhamiae were well distinguished from one another with high identification accuracy, whereas phylogroups of T. mentagrophytes were often cross-identified to one another or to T. interdigitale. Further research should improve identification accuracy for some species, but the results suggested that MALDI-TOF MS could be a rapid and efficient identification tool for closely related dermatophytes in the T. mentagrophytes species complex.
A 48-to-12 V Cascaded Resonant Switched-Capacitor Converter for Data Centers with 99% Peak Efficiency and 2500 W/in 3 Power Density

Resonant switched-capacitor (ReSC) converters are promising alternatives for conventional SC and magnetic-based converters, with the potential to achieve simultaneously higher efficiency and higher power density. Since ReSC converters operate in resonant mode, zero current switching (ZCS) occurs naturally and the V-I overlap switching loss is eliminated. To further reduce the switching loss (transistor C oss loss) and improve the light-load efficiency, zero voltage switching (ZVS) is desired. In this work, a ZVS control technique is implemented on a cascaded resonant based intermediate bus converter for 48-to-12 V data center power delivery, on a 720 W hardware prototype. The efficiency is maintained above 97% starting from 3% of the rated load, and has a peak of 99% (including gate drive loss). In addition, the prototype has a very high power density of 2500 W/in3.
When Qualitative Research is Taught Virtually: Drawing on Experiential Design to Build Deeper Knowledge of Qualitative Observation

This essay discusses the EdD Program design and qualitative research course sequence at Drexel University, a private, non-profit institution. This large program admits up to 140 EdD students annually with approximately 100 attending fully online and 40 attending hybrid offerings at the main campus and at a satellite program in Washington, DC. The essay features a qualitative course observation activity designed by Janesick (2011) to be used face-to-face and details how the activity has been adapted for virtual delivery at East Coast University. As a literature review revealed a paucity of published works on teaching observation qualitatively, the authors seek to contribute to the knowledge base with particular emphasis on faculty teaching in an online program. Based upon the East Coast University faculty’s use of this observation activity, students develop increased understanding of the roles of perception and perspective in qualitative observation.
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Water Use Restrictions

In an article which appeared in this review, we have presented a statistical analysis of the relationship between water use restrictions and urban water use in Perth, Western Australia. The results of our study allow us to predict probable water use with and without water use restrictions. The purpose of this investigation is to extend our initial inquiry, and to determine the benefits and costs of imposing water use restrictions in Perth. We conduct our analysis by using data for the years 1975-1976.
HPV and HPV Vaccination Knowledge and Attitudes Among Medical Students in Alabama

In addition to being the most common sexually transmitted infection, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with six types of cancer in men and women. The HPV vaccine provides long-lasting, effective protection from high-risk HPV infection, thus serving as a means of cancer prevention. An effective healthcare provider recommendation is well-established as the most significant influence on HPV vaccine uptake, and, as emerging providers, it is critical that medical students receive comprehensive training in this area. However, the type and extent of such training for current medical students in the USA is unclear. An online survey assessing HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and vaccine status was distributed to all medical students at an Alabama university. Scales were developed to assess composite HPV and HPV knowledge scores and HPV vaccination intentions. Of those age-eligible, 32.1% reported completion of the HPV vaccine series while 15.2% reported partial completion. Knowledge of both HPV and HPV vaccination significantly increased with program year (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0069, respectively); however, there were knowledge gaps across all years regarding HPV-associated cancers. Attitudes and intentions showed a similar association, with more advanced students demonstrating more positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination (p = 0.0003). There is a need within the current curriculum to include more education and training on HPV, HPV vaccination, and counseling—particularly for students in the first 2 years of their program. Implementation of a classroom module or interactive workshop would likely improve knowledge and attitudes, better preparing students for their future role as potential immunizers.
Choosing the Less Convenient Way to Vote: An Anomaly in Vote by Mail Elections:

Nearly two-thirds of persons who receive an unsolicited ballot in the mail before Election Day choose to return their ballot in person, rather than through the less costly and more convenient U.S. ...
A diamondoid net sustained by halogen bonds: Employing a cyclobutane to generate a tetrahedral architecture

A halogen-bonded eight-fold interpenetrated diamondoid net was constructed employing a node generated in the solid state. Specifically, co-crystallization of a tetrahedral-like tecton, rctt-tetrakis(4-pyridyl)cyclobutane (4,4′-TPCB), combined with a rigid halogen-bond donor, 1,4-diiodoperchlorobenzene, achieved a diamondoid architecture. In the co-crystal, 4,4′-TPCB is found to form three types of linkages based on one cis- and two trans-orientations enabled by the intrinsic rctt-stereochemisty of the central cyclobutane ring. Thus, 4,4′-TPCB is able to adapt to the constraints of the diamondoid net owing to the flexibility of the pendant 4-pyridyl groups.
Digital innovation and international business

Digitisation has opened up powerful new ways for multinational enterprises (MNEs) to connect with global markets, resources and partners and to pursue innovation in foreign markets. While the uniqu...
Integrated pricing mechanism for combined electric and heat systems considering heat time delays.

Combined electric and heat systems can significantly improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emission by making use of complementary properties of electricity and heat. However, many current papers on the energy market mechanism do not consider the heating price, while some do not address the challenges of heat time delays on prices, which may impede the benefits of system operators as well as users. Therefore, in this paper, we extend the electric local marginal price (LMP) to the integrated LMP (ILMP) for electricity and heat in combined electric and heat systems considering heat time delays and network constraints. The results of case studies demonstrate the proposed mechanism can provide fair electricity and heat prices which can reflect generation cost, power loss, network congestion, and time delays.
Decline In New Starts Of Psychotropic Medications During The COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 interrupted delivery of mental health care in the US. During the initial course of the COVID-19 pandemic new starts of antidepressants declined by 7.5 percent, anxiolytics by 5.6 percent, ...
Response of Weeds and Herbicides Under No-Tillage Conditions

The acceptance of no-tillage production of agricultural crops has been dependent on the development of herbicides for providing suitable weed control. Although cultivation is not always impossible in no-tillage production, it is rarely a viable weed control alternative. This places an increased demand on the herbicide to provide consistent, season-long control.
Chemical and mechanical properties of redox polymer-modified electrodes: Part II. Redox thermodynamics of plasma-polymerized vinylferrocene electrodes

Abstract The thermodynamics of thin films ( 400 nm) shows that significant physical damage can occur during electrolysis. These and related observations suggest that the super-Nersntian behavior may be related to stress induced by the forced incorporation of the anion of the supporting electrolyte, as is required to maintain electroneutrality within the films. A mechanical/electrochemical model is employed to explain the origin of the excess free energy required to convert ferrocene sites to ferrocenium sites within the PPVF films.
Imaging gene expression and signal transduction pathway activity

Molecular imaging is a new field of study that develops the technology to image disease on a cellular or genetic level rather than on a gross anatomical level. The ability to non-invasively monitor different cellular molecular-genetic processes in vivo is the goal of molecular imaging. The pace of progress in this field is encouraging, particularly in the imaging of gene expression. Recent advances in molecular biology have revealed the genetic sequences and genetic mutations that cause diseases including cancer, functional activities of many genes and proteins, as well as the functional properties of various cellular receptors and their ligands. These discoveries improved our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of various diseases that lead to the burst of novel genetically based therapies. These discoveries are now being extended into radiologic sciences aiming at non-invasive visualization of the molecular-genetic processes involved in various diseases, non-invasive monitoring of responses to therapy on a molecular level, and to assess the effectiveness of gene transfer and expression in novel gene therapy protocols.
Rationale and Changing the Charitable Deduction

There are two principal rationales for the charitable deduction. Depending upon choice of rationale, some tax reform changes are suggested and others are not. A base measurement rationale suggests eliminating the deduction for unrealized appreciation, keeping the benefit as a deduction and not a credit, not adopting caps or a nonitemizer deduction, and protecting the tax base by narrowing the class of organizations eligible to receive deductible contributions. A subsidy rationale, depending upon which strand is emphasized, might favor a more equitable tax benefit in the form of a credit or through caps or a nonitemizer deduction, and could lead to preferring some organizations over others. Both rationales are consistent with placing a floor under the deduction, and narrowing its scope. Present law presents a confusing mix of policies and priorities. Tax reform presents an opportunity to reconsider the role of the charitable deduction in the tax system and to act accordingly.
Multidimensional Data and Model Uncertainties in Comparing Heterogeneous Benefits of Distributed Transportation Projects

AbstractInvestments in transportation projects are typically justified by diverse potential benefits, including safety, environmental, energy savings, congestion mitigation, and others. There is a need for such benefits to be comparable early in transportation programming, to allocate scarce resources to preliminary engineering. This paper discusses quantitative methods to aid in prioritizing locations of future highway projects. The paper adopts 15 quantitative metrics including crash rate, emergency route access, environmental issues, level of service (LOS), volume-to-capacity ratio, traffic flow, intermodal access, heavy truck usage, unemployment rate, right-of-way use, use of alternative transportation modes, bridge sufficiency rating, and cost effectiveness. This effort contributes to real-world transportation programming and priority setting via analysis of the crash avoidance and other benefits and costs that are expected before project designs are available. The innovation of this paper is in two ...
Energy-sensing and signaling by AMP-activated protein kinase in skeletal muscle

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is emerging as an important energy-sensing/signaling system in skeletal muscle. This kinase is activated allosterically by 5′-AMP and inhibited allosterically by...
Fate and distribution of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine in mice at a human dietary equivalent dose.

Abstract 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) is a heterocyclic amine rodent carcinogen that is found at the ppb level in cooked meat. Most laboratory studies are at 104–107-fold greater concentrations than actual ingested human doses. We report the first study of the bioavailability and fate of this heterocyclic amine at a human dietary equivalent dose using the high sensitivity offered by accelerator mass spectrometry. [2-14C]PhIP was administered to C57BL/6 male mice (41 ng/kg) by gavage. Tissues and excreta were collected over the subsequent 96 h. One hundred % of the administered dose was excreted in urine (90%) and feces (10%) over the length of the study. Absorption of the radiocarbon-tagged PhIP from the gastrointestinal tract was rapid, with radiocarbon levels peaking in the whole blood and urine within 1 h of exposure. Fecal 14C levels peaked at 12 h. Tissue levels peaked by 3 h with the highest concentrations of radiolabel in the intestine, stomach, and liver, followed by the the kidney, pancreas, lung, and spleen. Low levels of 14C from PhIP (0.01–0.04% of the administered dose) could be detected in the tissues 48–96 h after exposure, possibly due to covalent binding to protein or DNA. The calculated half-life of PhIP at this dose was 1.14 h. This study is the first example of how accelerator mass spectrometry can be used to gather biological information about carcinogenic compounds at environmental levels of exposure.
Advanced space photovoltaic technology: applications to telecommunication systems

For nearly two decades, most NASA and commercial space power systems were typically in the 1 to 2 kilowatt range. Now, however, the demand for more power per unit mass and area of satellite solar arrays is rising dramatically, driven entirely by the telecommunications industry and some US Military applications. Commercial satellites with power system capabilities exceeding 10 kilowatts have already been launched, and hundreds more are in the planning stages. At the same time, however, NASA mission programs are striving for smaller, more specialized spacecraft which can still achieve complex mission objectives, but at lower total mission cost. These apparently divergent sets of requirements are surprisingly synergistic: both place a high priority on developing power systems with high efficiency, low mass and long life in the space environment. Key elements of the near term NASA advanced technology program include (1) development and eventual commercial production of multibandgap (MBG) solar cells with air mass zero (AM0) efficiencies approaching 30%; and (2) commercial availability of a night qualified concentrator solar array with superior lifetime and lower cost than conventional planar solar arrays. For the far term, the program is focussed on development of ultra lightweight, thin film solar arrays. The potential impact of all these technologies on telecommunication satellites is discussed.
Gadamer’s Logic of Question and Answer and the Difference Between the History of Philosophy and the History of Ideas

The key difference between the history of ideas and the history of philosophy is that philosophers always consider their historical studies as potentially contributing to contemporary philosophical practice. Such presentism risks anachronistic readings of texts, but a too narrow focus on the historical context of the text risks limiting its ability to contribute to contemporary philosophizing. The current discussion of the history of philosophy focus entirely on how to understand, and what we can learn from, a philosopher’s claims and arguments. Hans-Georg Gadamer offers a different focus, arguing instead that it is the questions that the text answers that generate insights for contemporary philosophical practice. His focus on questions cuts across the standard ways of thinking about the relation between the history of philosophy and the history of ideas and provides novel answers to some central issues in the philosophy of history, for example how to best articulate a principle of charity.
Extreme precipitation to increase by nearly 50% by end of century

As the atmosphere warms, the air will hold more water. This change, researchers expect, will cause extreme precipitation events to become both stronger and more frequent. A rainfall event that is now considered a 50-year storm will become more common over the course of the current century. How exactly extreme precipitation events will change, including their regional and seasonal variability, is the focus of much ongoing research.
The ANA profile: quality and cost-effective laboratory utilization.

The ANA Profile was introduced in 1981 and computerized in 1984 as a means of facilitating follow-up testing for specific antibodies (anti-nDNA, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-La/SS-B) in sera found to contain antinuclear antibodies (ANA). A second purpose was to avoid unnecessary specific antibody testing on negative or low-titer sera. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of the computerized ANA Profile reporting system in accomplishing these purposes. The authors compared ordering practices during two two-week periods, one in 1984 and a second in 1988, and found that follow-up testing on positive sera had improved from 27 % to 70 % with a reduction in unnecessary specific-antibody testing of ANA-negative or low-titer sera from 11% to 1.6%. In 1988 dollars, the annual savings from eliminating unnecessary testing was calculated to be $12,000. The ANA Profile has been partially successful in accomplishing the purposes for which it was introduced.
Improvement of computerized mass detection on mammograms: Fusion of two-view information

Recent clinical studies have proved that computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems are helpful for improving lesion detection by radiologists in mammography. However, these systems would be more useful if the false-positive rate is reduced. Current CAD systems generally detect and characterize suspicious abnormal structures in individual mammographic images. Clinical experiences by radiologists indicate that screening with two mammographic views improves the detection accuracy of abnormalities in the breast. It is expected that the fusion of information from different mammographic views will improve the performance of CAD systems. We are developing a two-view matching method that utilizes the geometric locations, and morphological and textural features to correlate objects detected in two different views using a prescreening program. First, a geometrical model is used to predict the search region for an object in a second view from its location in the first view. The distance between the object and the nipple is used to define the search area. After pairing the objects in two views, textural and morphological characteristics of the paired objects are merged and similarity measures are defined. Linear discriminant analysis is then employed to classify each object pair as a true or false mass pair. The resulting object correspondence score is combined with its one-view detection score using a fusion scheme. The fusion information was found to improve the lesion detectability and reduce the number of FPs. In a preliminary study, we used a data set of 169 pairs of cranio-caudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) view mammograms. For the detection of malignant masses on current mammograms, the film-based detection sensitivity was found to improve from 62% with a one-view detection scheme to 73% with the new two-view scheme, at a false-positive rate of 1 FP/image. The corresponding cased-based detection sensitivity improved from 77% to 91%.
Beamforming approach to phase-amplitude modulation analysis of multi-channel EEG

Phase-amplitude modulation is a form of cross frequency coupling where the phase of one frequency influences the amplitude of another higher frequency. It has been observed in neurophysiological recordings during sensory, motor, and cognitive tasks, as well as during general anesthesia. In this paper, we describe a novel beamforming procedure to improve estimation of phase-amplitude modulation. We apply this method to 64-channel EEG data recorded during propofol general anesthesia. The method improves the sensitivity of phase-amplitude analyses, and can be applied to a variety of multi-channel neuroscience data where phase-amplitude modulation is present.
Evaluation of biological seed treatments in combination with management practices for the control of Fusarium dry rot of potato

Abstract Seed-borne diseases of potato represent a significant constraint to potato production in the US. The use of an effective fungicide in combination with good management practices during cutting and storage, prior to planting, is essential to reducing disease. The efficacy of two biocontrol agents ( Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum ), and a commercially formulated mixture of the chemicals fludioxonil plus mancozeb, applied as seed treatments in combination with different management practices, were evaluated over two years for the control of seed piece decay and sprout rot caused by Fusarium sambucinum . Treatments were made 10 days prior to planting and at planting, and tubers were re-stored at either 18 °C and 95% RH with forced air ventilation at 5950 l min −1 (optimal conditions), at 25 °C in the dark without ventilation (sub-optimal), or not stored at all prior to planting. Seed piece and sprout health were evaluated in vitro and agronomic impacts evaluated in field experiments. Results showed that the biological control agents B. subtilis and T. harzianum provided good control of sprout rot and seed piece decay caused by F. sambucinum , when seed was re-stored under optimal conditions or not re-stored at all. Under optimal conditions, treatment with B. subtilis reduced sprout rot and seed piece decay on average by 66% and 84%, respectively. Treatment with T. harzianum reduced sprout rot and seed piece decay on average by 70% and 81%, respectively. Treatment with fludioxonil + mancozeb reduced sprout rot and seed piece decay under both re-storage regimes. Under optimal conditions, disease incidence and severity was reduced on average by 81% and 97%, respectively. Neither biological control agent reduced seed piece decay incidence under either re-storage regime compared to the untreated controls.
The Patient Health Questionnaire-2: validity of a two-item depression screener.

Background. A number of self-administered questionnaires are available for assessing depression severity, including the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9). Because even briefer measures might be desirable for use in busy clinical settings or as part of comprehensive health
Identification of some volatile compounds from strawberry flowers

Abstract Volatile compounds from strawberry flowers were entrained in air, trapped on Tenax, and eluted with solvent. Headspace components were analysed by GC and GC-MS and included aromatic compounds not detected in strawberry leaf headspace.
Effects of social values, effort training, and goal structure on task persistence.

Abstract A study to examine how learned industriousness, social values, and cooperative-versus-competitive goal structures interact to influence task persistence was carried out. The relative strengths of college students' cooperativeness, individualism, and competitiveness were assessed with an experimental game. The students later solved easy or difficult problems involving mathematics and perceptual discriminations. Next, the generalized effects of this effort training were tested by measuring persistence on a difficult anagram task with either a cooperative or competitive goal structure. Cooperators showed greater generalized persistence with the cooperative task, and Individualists showed greater generalized persistence with the competitive task. Competitors showed equivalent generalization of effort to both tasks. These results suggest that learned industriousness provides a dynamic mechanism through which rewarded effort is channeled into goal-oriented behavior.
Cisplatin in cancer therapy: molecular mechanisms of action

Cisplatin, cisplatinum, or cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II), is a well-known chemotherapeutic drug. It has been used for treatment of numerous human cancers including bladder, head and neck, lung, ovarian, and testicular cancers. It is effective against various types of cancers, including carcinomas, germ cell tumors, lymphomas, and sarcomas. Its mode of action has been linked to its ability to crosslink with the purine bases on the DNA; interfering with DNA repair mechanisms, causing DNA damage, and subsequently inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. However, because of drug resistance and numerous undesirable side effects such as severe kidney problems, allergic reactions, decrease immunity to infections, gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhage, and hearing loss especially in younger patients, other platinum-containing anti-cancer drugs such as carboplatin, oxaliplatin and others, have also been used. Furthermore, combination therapies of cisplatin with other drugs have been highly considered to overcome drug-resistance and reduce toxicity. This comprehensive review highlights the physicochemical properties of cisplatin and related platinum-based drugs, and discusses its uses (either alone or in combination with other drugs) for the treatment of various human cancers. A special attention is paid to its molecular mechanisms of action, and its undesirable side effects.
Waterlogging Stress and Ethylene Production in the Dune Slack Plant, Scirpus americanus

Seliskar, D. M. 1988. Waterlogging stress and ethylene production in the dune slack plant, Scirpus americanus.—J. exp. Bot. 39: 1639-1648. The sedge, Scirpus americanus Pers., grows in dune slacks and other freshwater and brackish water wetland communities. When waterlogged in a greenhouse, the concentration of ethylene increased 4-fold in stems of S. americanus plants. This increase was associated with a decrease in plant height and an increase in aerenchyma as exhibited under waterlogged conditions. Endogenous ethylene production in S. americanus was compared to that in another dune slack species, Panicum amarulum, and also to Spartina alterniflora from a salt marsh. These species did not respond by increasing endogenous ethylene upon waterlogging. In the field, a 16 cm rainfall significantly increased the endogenous ethylene production in S. americanus. As the water table subsided the concentration of accumulated ethylene in stem tissue decreased. Exposure of S. americanus to exogenous ethylene inhibited stem extension and increased aerenchyma formation, thus linking ethylene to the morphological characteristics of waterlogged plants of this species. These experiments support the hypothesis that ethylene modulates S. americanus morphology in natural waterlogged environments and may be of importance in adapting this species to life in the wetland environment.
Device properties and polar anchoring of nematic molecules at photodimerized surfaces

A photo-dimerized monolayer (PDML) has been recently developed by us for liquid crystal alignment. Electro-optic properties of a single pixel prototype device with the PDML alignment layer have been measured. Data on the contrast, threshold voltage and slope of the response curve are presented which demonstrate the efficacy of the PDML layer for LCD applications. In addition, the polar anchoring energy was measured for PDML layers differing in the chemical composition. The ability to tune this anchoring energy through chemical modification is demonstrated. It is shown that the anchoring strength is comparable to that obtained for liquid crystal cells using the mechanically rubbed polyimide alignment layer.
Disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001.

CONTEXT: Many pregnancies are unintended, particularly in certain population groups. Determining whether unintended pregnancy rates and disparities in rates between subgroups are changing may help policymakers target reproductive health services to those women most in need. METHODS: To calculate rates of unintended pregnancy and related outcomes, data on pregnancy intendedness from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth were combined with birth, abortion and population data from federal, state and nongovernmental sources. RESULTS: In 2001, 49% of pregnancies in the United States were unintended. The unintended pregnancy rate was 51 per 1,000 women aged 15–44, meaning that 5% of this group had an unintended pregnancy. This level was unchanged from 1994. The rate of unintended pregnancy in 2001 was substantially above average among women aged 18–24, unmarried (particularly cohabiting) women, low-income women, women who had not completed high school and minority women. Between 1994 and 2001, the rate of unintended pregnancy declined among adolescents, college graduates and the wealthiest women, but increased among poor and less educated women. The abortion rate and the proportion of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion among all women declined, while the unintended birth rate increased. Forty-eight percent of unintended conceptions in 2001 occurred during a month when contraceptives were used, compared with 51% in 1994. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed to determine the factors underlying the disparities in unintended pregnancy rates by income and other characteristics. The findings may reflect a need for increased and more effective contraceptive use, particularly among high-risk groups.
Rendezvous procedure for the treatment of bile leaks and injury following segmental hepatectomy

Abstract Background Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a minimally invasive procedure used for the evaluation and management of biliary injuries. At times, ERCP fails and percutaneous modalities may be required. Rendezvous procedures are combined endoscopic and percutaneous techniques that have been used to restore anatomic continuity and biliary drainage in cases where retrograde and/or transhepatic access alone has failed either due to anatomic variation or traumatic injury with biloma formation. Aims To assess if the Rendezvous technique plays a role in establishing biliary continuity in patients with a bile leak after segmental hepatectomy. Methods We herby present a series of 3 patients who had complex bile leaks after segmental liver resection and underwent a combined percutaneous and endoscopic Rendezvous procedure to establish biliary continuity. Results This technique was successful in restoring biliary continuity and avoiding hepaticojejunostomy in 2 of the 3 patients. Conclusion The Rendezvous technique may play a role in establishing biliary continuity in patients with biliary leak secondary to hepatic surgery.
Intrinsic noise characteristics of NbN SQUID's

Thin‐film NbN SQUID’s with granular weak links have been fabricated and their rf I‐V characteristics measured at 23 MHz. Three different temperature variations of the critical currents were observed. A Josephson‐like temperature dependence for those devices with strongly coupled grains and a bulk‐mean‐field‐like dependence for those with the weakest coupled grains were found. An intermediate case where the critical current follows the bulk‐mean‐field theory at low critical currents and switches over to Josephson‐like for larger currents was also observed. The noise properties of these devices were deduced from the measurement of the step rise parameter a. The data were in good agreement with the theory of Kurkijarvi over a wide range of temperature and critical currents for those devices with a bulk‐mean‐field‐like critical current dependence and a low critical current density (∼104 A/cm2). Other devices were in agreement over a much smaller region of temperature and critical current. These devices are rugged, stable, and show very little change in their characteristics after extended storage at room temperature.
Thin-film cliffhanger

Thin films are grown ideally one atomic layer at a time, but atoms can move along and between layers. The model for film growth has now been extended to describe how atoms tumble over 'cliffs' between layers.
Stiffness-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

An imaging method is introduced in which the signal in MR images is affected by the stiffness distribution in the object being imaged. Intravoxel phase dispersion (IVPD) that occurs during MR elastography (MRE) acquisitions decreases the signal in soft regions more than in stiff regions due to changes in shear wave amplitude and wavelength. The IVPD effect is enhanced by lowpass filtering the MR k-space data with a circular Gaussian lowpass filter. A processing method is introduced to take the time series of MRE magnitude images with IVPD and produce a final stiffness-weighted image (SWI) by calculating the minimum signal at each pixel from a small number of temporal samples. The SWI technique is demonstrated in phantom studies as well as in the case of a preserved postmortem breast tissue specimen with a stiff lesion created by focused ultrasound ablation to mimic a breast cancer. When free of significant sources of depth-dependent wave attenuation, interference, and boundary effects, SWI is a simple, fast, qualitative technique that does not require the use of phase unwrapping or inversion algorithms for localizing stiff regions in an object.
Themes of Relational Uncertainty and Interference From Partners in Depression

This article draws on the relational turbulence model to illuminate the dynamics of depression in romantic relationships using a thematic analysis of online discourse. Three content areas of relational uncertainty were apparent: (a) depression uncertainty (questions about physical harm, source of depression, and understanding), (b) self and partner uncertainty (questions about helplessness and identity), and (c) relationship uncertainty (questions about physical intimacy, relationship satisfaction, and the future of the relationship). Three content areas of interference from partners also emerged: (a) daily routines (disruptions to household tasks; finances, work, and school; children and parenting; and family and social life), (b) personal well-being (disruptions to health and safety as well as treatment), and (c) the relationship (disruptions to sexual activity, emotional intimacy, and openness). Relational uncertainty and interference from partners coincided in people's experiences in seven ways. The a...
Spectrophotometric study of molybdophosphoric acid methods for phosphorus using propylene carbonate as extractant

A spectrophotometric study has been made of the solvent extraction of molybdophosphoric acid and its blue reduction product with propylene carbonate from acidic solutions. Molybdophosphoric acid forms an adduct with propylene carbonate which is readily extracted with chloroform. The molar absorptivity of the molybdophosphoric acid in the propylene carbonate-chloroform phase is 22300 1 mole−1 cm−1 at 308 nm. Although experimental conditions for the extraction of the heteroply blue must be more carefully controlled, this extract exhibits a molar absorptivity of 28500 1 mole−1 cm−1 at 790 nm.
Ir vibrational CD in model deoxyoligonucleotides: Observation of the B → Z phase transition and extended coupled oscillator intensity calcuations

The first observation of ir vibrational CD (VCD) in small model DNA molecules is reported. The VCD signals in the 1550-1750-cm-1 spectral region, which originate from coupling of carbonyl stretching modes of the nucleic acid bases, are found to be sensitive to the handedness of the polymer helix. The formalism to calculate VCD intensities of polymers is developed from the exciton model derived earlier by Tinoco [(1963) Radiation Res. 20, 133; (1960) J. Chem. Phys. 33, 1332; (1964) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 86, 297] and Schellman and co-workers [(1975) Biopolymers 14, 173; (1969) J. Phys. Chem. 73, 28]. The resulting equations, which are a direct extension of the dimeric case known as the "coupled oscillator," are used in model calculations of the helical polymers.
Laboratory measurements of materials in extreme conditions: the use of high energy radiation sources for high pressure studies

High energy lasers and pulsed power radiation sources are now being used to study material conditions that have never been explored in the laboratory. Future facilities, like the National Ignition Facility (NIF), designed as a high energy multi-beam laser to achieve thermonuclear ignition of a mm-scale DT-filled target, will offer even more extreme and interesting opportunities. NIF will provide the physics community with a unique tool for the study of high energy density matter at states unreachable by any other laboratory technique. Here we describe how existing lasers and pulsed power devices contribute to investigations of high energy density matter in the areas of material properties and equations of state, augment laboratory shock techniques such as high-speed jets to new regimes, and allow study of extreme conditions found in astrophysical phenomena. We will also describe how such studies are extensible to NIF.
Dimerization constants for phosphoric acid diesters

Abstract Phosphoric acid diesters are found to dimerize in dry chloroform with dimerization constants of 104 to 105 M−1. A correlation between dimerization constants and Hammett sigma values exists.
A reinforcement plus interruption method of eliminating behavioral stereotypy of profoundly retarded persons.

Abstract Stereotyped responses have been shown to be eliminated by an overcorrection-reinforcement program. The present study evaluated response-interruption as an alternative to the overcorrection component with seven profoundly retarded adults. During the baseline praise condition, stereotypy occurred during 66% of the observations for the seven profoundly retarded adults but decreased to less than one response per half hour in a mean of two sessions of individual training. In the subsequent class situation, stereotypy was reduced to less than 5% on the first day of class, to less than 1% by the fourth day and less than one stereotypy per hour after the third day. The interruption method seems preferable to postural overcorrection because of its apparent and relative nonaversiveness.
SULFINIC ACIDS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS. 15. CONVENIENT METHODS FOR ESTERIFYING SENSITIVE SULFINIC ACID SALTS1

Abstract In a study of conversions of sensitive sulfinate salts to esters, a trisulfide bissulfinate, [NaO2S(CH2)4S]2S (1), was esterified with trialkyloxonium fluorborates. This procedure (Method A) was better for ethylation than use of ROH-HC1/BF3 (C2H5)2O (Method B). but Method B was better for methylation. Disodium 3-sulfinopropanoate (7) was best dimethylated with CH3OH/BF3 · (C2H5)2O without HCl (Method C). Method B or C gave satisfactory results with sodium p-toluenesulfinate (3), but ROH/BF3 · (C2H5)2O with the free acid was better than either (Method D). p-Tolylsulfonyldiazomethane did not esterify p-toluenesulfinic acid: only the sulfonate was isolated (10, 15–20% yield).
Modeling the response of money and interest rates to monetary policy shocks: a segmented markets approach

This paper models the dynamic response of the nominal interest rate, the money growth rate and the real interest rate to monetary policy shocks. The monetary authority controls the supply of short-term government securities directly, and the short-term nominal interest rate indirectly through open market operations. It sets the nominal interest rate as an exogenous stochastic process, and lets the money growth rate and the real interest rate be determined endogenously. Markets are segmented in the sense that some households are permanently excluded from the market in government securities. The model is able to replicate the persistent decrease in the money growth rate and the persistent increase in the real interest rate which follow an unexpected increase in the nominal interest rate. The size and the persistence of the responses are close to those in the data. Markets segmentation decreases the volatility of the money growth rate, increases the volatility of the real interest rate, and increases the persistence of both processes.
Computational aspects of linear programming Simplex method

Abstract In this paper, the Simplex method is re-examined from the computational view points. Efficient numerical implementation for the Simplex procedure is suggested. Special features of artificial variables, and variables with unrestriction in signs are exploited to reduce the com-putational efforts, and computer memory requirement. The developed Simplex code has been tested on several examples, and its performance has been compared with existing Simplex codes.
Beyond Edge Cities: Job Decentralization and Urban Sprawl

The issues related to the suburbanization of population and the reshaping of the economic landscape in metropolitan areas have drawn much attention during past decades. These issues are important t...
Isometric effects on treadmill exercise response in healthy young men

Abstract This study evaluated the hypothesis that the isometric stress of load carrying augments the dynamic exercise response seen on the treadmill, and estimated the magnitude of this effect on heart rate and blood pressure for several methods of carrying the same load. Thirteen healthy subjects carried 40 lb in the right hand (H), 40 lb on the back (B), 20 lb in each hand (D) and no weight (N) while walking for 3 minutes on the treadmill at a grade of 0 at 1.7 miles/ hour. A statistically significant increase in the rate of rise and peak levels of systolic blood pressure, heart rate, estimated mean blood pressure, the product of estimated mean blood pressure and heart rate and systolic blood pressure-heart rate product was shown when task H was compared with tasks B, D and N. Values for tasks D and B did not differ significantly. The effects of isometric and dynamic exercise combined were greater than those of dynamic exercise alone. An effective technique of load distribution reduced the rate of increase in blood pressure, heart rate and the peak attained during dynamic exercise, thereby suggesting a lower level of myocardial oxygen consumption for a given weight-carrying task. These results can be applied to evaluation of patients with heart disease and estimation of their exercise tolerance.
Two counterexamples related to Baker's approach to the frame problem

Abstract Andrew Baker's approach to reasoning about actions is the most robust circumscriptive approach currently known. Investigation of its applicability to nondeterministic actions reveals that this approach does not allow us to draw some intuitively plausible conclusions. Also, it does not always generate the proper existence of situations axiom. The limitations are traced to an unexpected interference of the axioms encoding observations with the minimization. A modification that avoids the shortcomings is suggested.
EMDataBank.org: unified data resource for CryoEM

Cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction methods are uniquely able to reveal structures of many important macromolecules and macromolecular complexes. EMDataBank.org, a joint effort of the Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe), the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB) and the National Center for Macromolecular Imaging (NCMI), is a global ‘one-stop shop’ resource for deposition and retrieval of cryoEM maps, models and associated metadata. The resource unifies public access to the two major archives containing EM-based structural data: EM Data Bank (EMDB) and Protein Data Bank (PDB), and facilitates use of EM structural data of macromolecules and macromolecular complexes by the wider scientific community.