cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spitzer Surveys of Infrared Excesses of White Dwarfs

IR excesses of white dwarfs (WDs) can be used to diagnose the presence of low-mass companions, planets, and circumstellar dust. Using different combinations of wavelengths and WD temperatures, circumstellar dust at different radial distances can be surveyed. The Spitzer Space Telescope has been used to search for IR excesses of white dwarfs. Two types of circumstellar dust disks have been found: (1) small disks around cool WDs with T_eff 100,000 K. The small dust disks are within the Roche limit, and are commonly accepted to have originated from tidally crushed asteroids. The large dust disks, at tens of AU from the central WDs, have been suggested to be produced by increased collisions among Kuiper Belt-like objects. In this paper, we discuss Spitzer IRAC surveys of small dust disks around cool WDs, a MIPS survey of large dust disks around hot WDs, and an archival Spitzer survey of IR excesses of WDs.
147-P: EXAMINATION OF HLA-B, -DRA AND -DQA1 EXPRESSION LEVELS IN B-LYMPHOBLASTOID CELL LINES (B-LCL) HOMOZYGOUS FOR CONSERVED EXTENDED HAPLOTYPES (CEH)

Aim Gene expression levels are regulated by genetic variants and environmental exposures. HLA gene expression levels have not been analyzed using modern tools. We aimed to initiate a series of experiments to assess the degree of variation and its determinants in classic HLA genes. Methods On 16 IHWG B-LCLs representing common CEHs, we assessed baseline mRNA levels of HLA-B, -DRA and -DQA1 genes by TaqMan assays using GUSB and EIF4EBP2 as the recommended normalizers for B-LCLs. Results We first confirmed the validity of the experimental system by confirming heat-shock-induced changes in HSPA1B expression. CEH13.1 (B13DR7) had the highest expression level at HLA-B, -DRA and -DQA1, while another DRB1 ∗ 07 haplotype CEH44.3 (B44DR7) has consistently low expression of the same genes. The expression levels of DQA1 showed the greatest variation with hundreds-fold differences among expression levels. The cell lines homozygous for DQA1 ∗ 01 (HLA-DRB1 ∗ 01/08/11:01/13/15) had the highest expression levels along with the HLA-B7:DR7 (DR53) haplotype. The other DR7 haplotypes and the rest of the DR53 haplotypes had much lower DQA1 expression together with the DRB1 ∗ 11:02 and B ∗ 08/B ∗ 18-DR3 haplotypes. The DQA1 3′UTR polymorphism (rs1142316) that splits HLA class II haplotypes in evolutionarily related lineages showed a strong correlation with DQA1 expression levels (average ranking were 7.1 for allele C and 14.7 for allele A; Spearman’s P = 0.007). Conclusions The most ancient locus in the HLA class II region shows an extra-ordinary level of variation in its expression that correlates with ancestral class II haplotypic lineages and is likely to be relevant in disease associations These findings have important implications in disease association studies. Genome-wide association studies are currently analyzed at single SNP level or for high-resolution HLA-DRB1 alleles. The few existing markers should be supplemented by more refined joint markers of ancestral lineages to extract further information from such studies.
Hemisensory loss in myasthenia gravis

A 73-year-old white man presents with left-sided ptosis and diplopia in the absence of ophthalmoplegia, with left hemibody paresthesia. He reports intermittent dysphagia and dizziness for 1 month and diarrhoea for 2 months. Serum and electrodiagnostic studies confirmed the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. This case highlights the non-classic presentation of myasthenia gravis in the absence of ophthalmoplegia with a unique unexplained hemisensory deficit.
Lighting the way: Recent insights into the structure and regulation of phototropin blue light receptors.

The phototropins (phots) are light-activated kinases that are critical for plant physiology and the many diverse optogenetic tools that they have inspired. Phototropins combine two blue-light-sensing Light–Oxygen–Voltage (LOV) domains (LOV1 and LOV2) and a C-terminal serine/threonine kinase domain, using the LOV domains to control the catalytic activity of the kinase. While much is known about the structure and photochemistry of the light-perceiving LOV domains, particularly in how activation of the LOV2 domain triggers the unfolding of alpha helices that communicate the light signal to the kinase domain, many questions about phot structure and mechanism remain. Recent studies have made progress addressing these questions by utilizing small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and other biophysical approaches to study multidomain phots from Chlamydomonas and Arabidopsis, leading to models where the domains have an extended linear arrangement, with the regulatory LOV2 domain contacting the kinase domain N-lobe. We discuss this and other advances that have improved structural and mechanistic understanding of phot regulation in this review, along with the challenges that will have to be overcome to obtain high-resolution structural information on these exciting photoreceptors. Such information will be essential to advancing fundamental understanding of plant physiology while enabling engineering efforts at both the whole plant and molecular levels.
Date of Marine Annulus Formation in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and Implications for Retrospective Growth Analyses Using Scales

Fish scales have increasingly been used to quantify annual and seasonal growth trends and in efforts to relate growth to environmental conditions. Understanding the timing of formation of an annulus (a group of narrowly spaced circuli) is critical when assessing the influence of marine ecosystem conditions on seasonal growth patterns of Atlantic salmon, yet the literature does not provide consistent answers regarding the timing or drivers of marine annulus formation. This study demonstrates a novel method for estimating stock-specific annulus formation timing based on marked individuals with known emigration and return/recovery dates. An equation was applied to estimate the date of annulus completion for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using known dates, number of circuli after the most recent annulus and marine circulus deposition rate. Five marine circulus deposition rate scenarios were tested, some of which accounted for individual, seasonal and age-related variability and others which use previously published marine circulus deposition rates. Based on these results, an argument is presented to reconsider the practice of assigning annulus formation dates to winter solstice in favour of dates estimated by a scenario that accounts for individual, seasonal and age-related variation in circulus deposition. This scenario suggests that annulus formation occurs between mid-February and late March. In this case, the annulus would be formed during the coldest part of the year in the primary overwintering area for North American Atlantic salmon.
Mental Health and Prenatal Bonding in Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence for Heightened Risk Compared With a Prepandemic Sample

We compared 572 pregnant women (319 first-time mothers) surveyed in spring 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns in the United States, with 99 pregnant women (all first-time mothers) su...
The effect of substrate amplitude and wavelength on gravity-driven film flow inside an inclined corrugated pipe

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the effect of substrate amplitude and wavelength on gravity-driven film flow inside an inclined corrugated pipe. Nine different geometries were examined, with substrate amplitude and wavelength varied independently. A statically deformed free surface occurred for all conditions. The amplitude of the statically deformed free surface depended on substrate amplitude and wavelength, with phase shift unaffected by changes in substrate geometry for many conditions under investigation. Fluctuations in free surface elevation were enhanced at low substrate amplitude and intermediate substrate wavelength. Notable reductions in transient free surface behavior were observed for conditions that resulted in a positive phase shift. Transient free surface behavior developed into periodic traveling waves without applied external forcing. Frequency selection for traveling waves was strong, and traveling waves were detected for a majority of the conditions examined. The frequency, phase velocity, and wavelength of the traveling waves showed a potential dependence on substrate geometry; however, there were ranges of substrate amplitude and wavelength for which traveling wave characteristics remained unaffected by changes in substrate geometry. An examination of the amplitude of the statically deformed free surface and transient free surface fluctuations revealed that waviness is a potentially suitable method for combining the effects of substrate amplitude and wavelength on film flow in corrugated pipes. The comparison of amplitudes highlighted a possible link between the statically deformed free surface and the emergence of transient behavior and traveling waves. Length scales proposed in our original work showed promise for characterizing some results.
Confidentiality and the BSW Field Work Placement Process

Abstract During the field work placement process, the Field Director deals with a variety of professional issues. Among these is the professional tradition of confidentiality. A nationwide study was undertaken to gather data about how BSW Field Work Directors actually handled personal information on students during the field work placement process. The results reveal a continuum of practices: The majority of directors have no definite policy; rather, they treat each situation individually, attempting to balance the rights of the students, the liabilities of the agencies and responsibilities to the clients.
Chylous ascites; report of a case with recovery and survival after fourteen years.

Summary A case of chylous ascites is presented in a Negro infant whose abdominal enlargement was first observed by the parent at the age of 2 months. Therapy consisted of periodic abdominal paracentesis for removal of fluid, Olac formula, parenteral fluids, and oral vitamins. The chylous ascites gradually but completely disappeared clinically by the end of the first year of life. Approximately fourteen years after treatment the child is normal and shows no evidence whatsoever of the old infantile complaint. The exact mechanism of the condition in this case was not determined but represented a probable congenital anomaly or birth injury involving the abdominal lymphatic system. General aspects of etiology and therapy are discussed.
A Consumer Complaint Framework with Resulting Strategies

Introduces a framework for conceptualizing consumers′ complaints about different service attributes. Depending on where different attributes are found in the complaint intensity outcome grid, different strategies are suggested. The strategies range from a very aggressive immediate‐focus strategy to a very passive continue‐on‐present‐course strategy. Uses student complaint data to demonstrate the value of the framework.
A methodology for the validation of temperature profiles from hyperspectral infrared sounders using GPS radio occultation: Experience with AIRS and COSMIC

This paper presents a methodology for the validation of vertical temperature profile retrievals from infrared and microwave sounders by intercomparison with Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) profiles matched in time and space. GPS RO provides an estimate of atmospheric temperature with a traceable path to absolute standards and well-characterized structural uncertainty. While the radiosonde network is a longstanding validation reference for sounder temperature profile retrievals, GPS RO has the advantage of homogeneous global coverage that is unbiased toward land or ocean and has the potential of high absolute accuracy in the upper troposphere to middle stratosphere where little water vapor is present. The polar orbiting sounders utilize cross-track scanning in highly repeatable Sun-synchronous orbits, while GPS RO is characterized by pseudorandom sampling in time and space. A comparison approach is described which minimizes sampling uncertainties. The impact of including the horizontal averaging inherent in the RO measurements on the statistical validation is shown. In order to demonstrate the method, bias and RMS vertical profiles have been created for global latitude zones for a range of time intervals using NASA Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) Level 2 products compared to dry temperature measurements made by the U.S./Taiwan Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) network. The bias and RMS error profiles are shown to depend strongly on the vertical averaging applied to the difference profiles but are relatively insensitive to horizontal and temporal mismatch.
Postoperative futility: a clinical algorithm for setting limits.

This is the sixth in a series of articles on ethics, professional governance and the law that BJS will run through the remainder of 2001.
Fast and robust face recognition via parallelized l1 minimization

Many classic and contemporary face recognition algorithms work well on public data sets, but degrade sharply when they are used in a real recognition system. A major cause of this is the difficulty of simultaneously handling variations in illumination, image misalignment, and occlusion in the test image; while in some applications the gallery images can be well controlled, the test images are only loosely controlled. This thesis describes a conceptually simple but computationally intense face recognition system that achieves a high degree of robustness and stability to illumination variation, image misalignment, and partial occlusion, along with optimized parallel implementations. First, well registered training images taken under many illumination directions are captured using a novel projector-based acquisition system. The recognition system then uses tools from sparse representation to align a test face image to a set of frontal training images. To better handle severe occlusions, an extension to the algorithm is described that makes use of the knowledge that occluded pixels tend to be spatially correlated. Due to the use of multiple face images as features and the non-smooth nature of the optimization problems, these techniques have far greater computational requirements than techniques that extract low-dimensional features. Several custom e 1 solvers are presented that achieve faster convergence on face data than general solvers. Optimized implementations for modern parallel computing architectures are investigated in order to build a system capable of performing highly accurate and robust recognition while remaining fast enough for use in access control systems. Optimized parallel implementations for contemporary CPU and GPU hardware are demonstrated to achieve near real-time face recognition for access control applications with hundreds of gallery users.
In-Flight Thermal Performance of the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) Instrument

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) instrument is NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's first application of Loop Heat Pipe technology that provides selectable/stable temperature levels for the lasers and other electronics over a widely varying mission environment. GLAS was successfully launched as the sole science instrument aboard the Ice, Clouds, and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) from Vandenberg AFB at 4:45pm PST on January 12, 2003. After SC commissioning, the LHPs started easily and have provided selectable and stable temperatures for the lasers and other electronics. This paper discusses the thermal development background and testing, along with details of early flight thermal performance data.
Experiments in intraocular hydrodynamics: IV. The IOP sensitivity of the anterior chamber appearance time of intra-arterially injected fluorescein

The change in IOP induced artificially by injection of fluid into, or withdrawal from, the aqueous, and expressed as percent of the initial IOP, is found to be a straight-line function of the logarithm of the time of pupillary appearance of fluorescein injected into the internal maxillary artery.
Intelligibility enhancement of noise-corrupted speech based on formant tracking involving prefiltering

The authors describe a technique for digitally processing a noise-corrupted speech signal in a manner designed to enhance its intelligibility. The technique is based on exacting speech features important for intelligibility and using these features to adaptively control algorithms that process the corrupted speech signal. The proposed technique is based on a novel processing algorithm for the estimation of formant frequencies. This technique involves prefiltering to emphasize each of the formants prior to applying linear prediction. Quantitative tests and preliminary listening tests indicate that the novel formant tracking technique offers some promise of improving the intelligibility enhancement capabilities over earlier methods. >
Aleutian basin oceanic crust

Abstract We present two-dimensional P-wave velocity structure along two wide-angle ocean bottom seismometer profiles from the Aleutian basin in the Bering Sea. The basement here is commonly considered to be trapped oceanic crust, yet there is a change in orientation of magnetic lineations and gravity features within the basin that might reflect later processes. Line 1 extends ∼ 225 km from southwest to northeast, while Line 2 extends ∼ 225 km from northwest to southeast and crosses the observed change in magnetic lineation orientation. Velocities of the sediment layer increase from 2.0 km/s at the seafloor to 3.0–3.4 km/s just above basement, crustal velocities increase from 5.1–5.6 km/s at the top of basement to 7.0–7.1 km/s at the base of the crust, and upper mantle velocities are 8.1–8.2 km/s. Average sediment thickness is 3.8–3.9 km for both profiles. Crustal thickness varies from 6.2 to 9.6 km, with average thickness of 7.2 km on Line 1 and 8.8 km on Line 2. There is no clear change in crustal structure associated with a change in orientation of magnetic lineations and gravity features. The velocity structure is consistent with that of normal or thickened oceanic crust. The observed increase in crustal thickness from west to east is interpreted as reflecting an increase in melt supply during crustal formation.
Resistance Exercise Attenuates High-Fructose, High-Fat-Induced Postprandial Lipemia

Introduction: Meals rich in both fructose and fat are commonly consumed by many Americans, especially young men, which can produce a significant postprandial lipemic response. Increasing evidence suggests that aerobic exercise can attenuate the postprandial increase in plasma triacylglycerols (TAGs) in response to a high-fat or a high-fructose meal. However, it is unknown if resistance exercise can dampen the postprandial lipemic response to a meal rich in both fructose and fat. Methods: Eight apparently healthy men (Mean ± SEM; age = 27 ± 2 years) participated in a crossover study to examine the effects of acute resistance exercise on next-day postprandial lipemia resulting from a high-fructose, high-fat meal. Participants completed three separate two-day conditions in a random order: (1) EX-COMP: a full-body weightlifting workout with the provision of additional kilocalories to compensate for the estimated net energy cost of exercise on day 1, followed by the consumption of a high-fructose, high-fat liquid test meal the next morning (day 2) (~600 kcal) and the determination of the plasma glucose, lactate, insulin, and TAG responses during a six-hour postprandial period; (2) EX-DEF: same condition as EX-COMP but without exercise energy compensation on day 1; and (3) CON: no exercise control. Results: The six-hour postprandial plasma insulin and lactate responses did not differ between conditions. However, the postprandial plasma TAG concentrations were 16.5% and 24.4% lower for EX-COMP (551.0 ± 80.5 mg/dL × 360 minutes) and EX-DEF (499.4 ± 73.5 mg/dL × 360 minutes), respectively, compared to CON (660.2 ± 95.0 mg/dL × 360 minutes) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: A single resistance exercise bout, performed ~15 hours prior to a high-fructose, high-fat meal, attenuated the postprandial TAG response, as compared to a no-exercise control condition, in healthy, resistance-trained men.
Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase. Mechanism-based inhibition by diene analogues of isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) catalyzes the interconversion of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). This is an essential step in the mevalonate entry into the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The isomerization catalyzed by type I IDI involves protonation of the carbon-carbon double bond in IPP or DMAPP to form a tertiary carbocation, followed by deprotonation. Diene analogues for DMAPP (E-2-OPP and Z-2-OPP) and IPP (4-OPP) were synthesized and found to be potent active-site-directed irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme. X-ray analysis of the E.I complex between Escherichia coli IDI and 4-OPP reveals the presence of two isomers that differ in the stereochemistry of the newly formed C3-C4 double bond in the hydrocarbon chain of the inhibitor. In both adducts C5 of the inhibitor is joined to the sulfur of C67. In these structures the methyl group formed upon protonation of the diene moiety in 4-OPP is located near E116, implicating that residue in the protonation step.
Capsule Commentary on Choi et al., Primary Care Careers Among Recent Graduates of Research-Intensive Private and Public Medical Schools

This study by Choi et al.1 investigated graduates of research intensive and non-research intensive allopathic medical schools to see if there was a difference in the proportion choosing primary care. They found that the answer depended on whether the schools were public or private. Graduates of private, research intensive medical schools were less likely to choose primary care (24 % vs. 33 %) or family medicine residencies (6 % vs. 2 %) than private non-research intensive schools. There was no difference among public medical schools, where 36 % were primary care practitioners and 7–10 % chose family medicine residencies. The authors conclude that research intensive private medical schools should be more actively promoting primary care careers. The reported associations may have been confounded by a couple of factors. First, students may choose to attend research intensive medical schools because they are interested in research. It would have been helpful if the authors looked at the proportion of graduates who pursued research careers. If private research-intensive medical schools are producing a disproportionate number of researchers, then it can be argued they are succeeding in an important function. A second confounder could be that there are no differences in application rates from lower ranked schools for non-primary care positions, just lower rates of successfully matching these programs. This is suggested by a 2010 study found that higher ranked school graduates had a higher match rate than those from lower-ranked programs into “higher-income, controllable lifestyle specialties.”2 There are a number of important roles for our healthcare system. Academic medical centers focus on three primary missions: patient care, medical education and research. Research intensive medical schools focus a great deal of energy (and talent) on research. It may not be inappropriate that they select students who express greater interest (and potential) for research and then expose them to a more intense research curriculum and a faculty heavily invested in research. The consequences of such a process may produce fewer students choosing to do primary care. The issue of workforce development is important. There is a large, robust literature on the failings of the US healthcare system.3 We are producing a generation of proceduralists. There are a number of reasons why this may be so. Prestige, remuneration, career satisfaction, lifestyle, opportunities for academic advancement and research may all help shape the workforce.4,5 If the goal is to increase the number of graduates choosing careers in primary care, there are more powerful forces at play than the orientation of specific medical schools.
Quasi-linear optical pulses in strongly dispersion-managed transmission systems

A unified analytical description of the evolution of quasi-linear optical pulses and solitons in strongly dispersion-managed transmission systems is developed. Asymptotic analysis of the nonlocal equation that describes the averaged dynamics of a dispersion-managed system shows that the nonlinearity decreases for large map strength s, as Olog s/s. The spectral intensity is found to be an invariant of the propagation, which allows the phase shift to be computed. These findings provide a clear description of pulse propagation in the quasi-linear regime, which is characterized by much lower energies than those required for stable dispersion-managed soliton transmission with the same dispersion map.
An autoradiographic determination of the efferent projections of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus

The efferent projections of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) have been investigated by the use of the anterograde autoradiographic technique. The majority of the fiber connections from SCN are to hypothalamic nuclei. The dorsal and periventricular parvocellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the medial part of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus receive dense fiber projections. Also, fibers about the medial parvocellular division of PVN. Many descending fibers course into the retrochiasmatic area and pass to the ventral and medial borders of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, as well as through the central zone of this nucleus. A few fibers at the lateral border of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus sweep dorsomedially into the posterior hypothalamic area and midbrain central gray. The major extrahypothalamic projection is to the periventricular thalamic nucleus.
The Catalytic Efficacy of Co(salen)(AL) in O2 Oxidation Reactions in CO2-Expanded Solvent Media: Axial Ligand Dependence and Substrate Selectivity

This work correlates the basicity of various axial ligands (AL), including triethylamine, methylimidazole, pyridine, acetonitrile or water, with the efficacy of catalytic oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol by Co(salen)(AL) in CO2-expanded methylene chloride. Further, Co(salen)(AL)O2 abstracts hydrogen atoms from substrates of high to intermediate reactivity (BDECH ≤~90 kcal/mol).
Potentiation of Cocaine‐Mediated Hepatotoxicity by Acute and Chronic Ethanol

Cocaine has been associated with hepatotoxicities in man and is a potent hepatotoxin in mice. The theorized toxic metabolite of cocaine is thought to be generated by a multistep pathway mediated primarily by cytochrome P-450. Ethanol, whether administered acutely or chronically, is known to have diverse effects on numerous hepatocellular biochemical pathways. The present study was designed to characterize not only the effects of acute and chronic ethanol on cocaine-mediated hepatotoxicity but also on the hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) in an attempt to correlate depletions of GSH with changes in toxicity. Male and female mice were administered an acute 50 mg/kg dose of cocaine either 1 hr after an acute 3 g/kg dose of ethanol, or after 5 days of consuming an ethanol-containing liquid diet. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was measured in blood collected 24 hr after the acute cocaine dose. In addition, hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and cytochrome P-450 content were measured at the point in the pretreatment where cocaine was administered. The results of this study indicate that both acute and chronic ethanol pretreatment can markedly enhance the hepatotoxicity of cocaine in both male and female mice and that the enhancement is significantly greater after chronic ethanol pretreatment. Hepatic GSH was slightly decreased 1 hr after an acute dose of ethanol and significantly decreased after chronic ethanol consumption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Simulation and Analysis of Perceptual-Motor Skill Training

This paper examines the application of order-or-processing networks to the simulation of performance of a complex skill, the copying of high-speed Morse code. A sequence of processing stages and memory buffers is described that is presumed, on the basis of earlier work, to represent the task. Two models of this sequence, distinguished by their assumptions regarding concurrent processing of characters, are also presented. Simulations were run on these models to find the parameters that yielded the best fit to performance data from 19 students undergoing the early stages of military Morse code training. The implications of the results to an analysis of early performance and the potential benefits of applying the same technique to data obtained from students late in training are discussed.
Relative frequency of teeth needing conventional and surgical endodontic treatment in patients treated at a graduate endodontic clinic--a Penn Endo database study.

Objective The objective of this study was to identify the most commonly retreated tooth at a postgraduate endodontics program and to compare this result with teeth requiring primary root canal treatment as well as those that required further surgical endodontic treatment. Study design The study population consisted of 6,894 patients treated between 2000 and 2005 by endodontic postgraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Data regarding tooth type and endodontic treatment rendered were obtained from the Penn Endo database. Results Initial root canal treatment was most commonly done on mandibular molars. Anterior teeth were 1.411 times more likely to undergo NSRT than molars. Maxillary molars were 1.048 times more likely to undergo conventional retreatment than mandibular molars. Maxillary anterior teeth were 3.032 times more likely than mandibular molars to undergo surgical treatment. Conclusions Mandibular molars may most commonly receive initial root canal treatment but it is the anterior teeth that are more likely to undergo surgical and nonsurgical retreatment. Maxillary molars are more likely to receive surgical intervention than mandibular molars. These data call for further investigation into the reasons for such discrepancy.
Large values of character sums

Abstract The occurrence of large values for the sums S(χ, x) = Σn ≤x χ(n), where χ is a primitive character (mod q), is investigated. It is shown that the Polya-Vinogradov bound O(√qlog q) for S(χ, x) is attained only very rarely, and a more precise bound that depends on rational approximations to x q is given. Moreover, improved values for the constant in the Polya-Vinogradov inequality are obtained.
Low-rate ultrasonic communication axially along a cylindrical pipe

Single layered acoustic-electric channels have been used in the recent past to send power and data through metallic barriers. Multi-layered acoustic-electric channels, as well as those formed along a structure, which are highly attenuative and non-reverberant, could have potential applications in aerospace, nuclear, and oil industries, among others. This work considers data transmission along the length of a cylindrical pipe both when in air and when filled and immersed in water. To combat the effects of frequency selectivity and address the available power constraints, a simple modulation scheme using non-coherent demodulation is employed for data transmission-Chirp-On-Off Keying (Chirp-OOK). The wideband nature of the chirp waveform provides resilience against nulls in the channel response while making it possible to implement a simple non-coherent detector. A test data link is assembled using an arbitrary waveform signal generator to generate the chirp signal which is then applied to the transmit transducer, a demodulator circuit followed by a computer controlled digitizer is used to capture the signal from the receive transducer, and final processing and bit-decoding are done via the computer. Successful data transmission is achieved across the 4.8 m length of pipe (in air and water) for a data rate of 100 bps using less than 10 mW of transmit power. Monte-Carlo simulation results suggest that the bit error rate performance of the scheme matches quite closely with the theoretical results.
The evaluation of polycythemic newborns: efficacy of partial exchange transfusion

Objectives. To evaluate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of symptomatic and asymptomatic polycythemic neonates performed partial exchange transfusion (PET) and to determine the time of resolution of symptoms and effect of PET on short-term morbidity.Methods. This prospective cohort study was conducted with symptomatic (hematocrit; Hct >65% plus a clinical symptom) and asymptomatic (Hct level >70% without any symptoms) neonates who underwent PET due to polycythemia.Results. Among the patients performed PET, 43 (69.3%) were symptomatic and 19 (30.7%) asymptomatic. Persistent pulmonary hypertension and minor problems like hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and thrombocytopenia improved in all patients within 24 h, 2.5 ± 1.0, 3.1 ± 1.4, 56.2 ± 16.9, and 53.5 ± 10.5 h, respectively, after PET (in except one symptomatic neonate with hypoglycemia). In symptomatic group, in three patients with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) prior to PET stage IIa NEC developed. No other clinic...
TERRORISM, POLITICS, AND PUNISHMENT: A TEST OF STRUCTURAL‐CONTEXTUAL THEORY AND THE “LIBERATION HYPOTHESIS”*

The sentencing literature generally has been characterized by an inability to explain Significant amounts of the variance in sentencing outcomes. Two major theoretical explanations have addressed this issue: structural-contextual theory and the “liberation hypothesis.” Structural-contextual theory suggests that the components of the justice system traditionally work somewhat independently of one another. This theory suggests that variance explained in sentence outcomes will increase appreciably when components function with greater interdependence—a so-called “tightening” or “coupling” effect. Such tightening supposedly takes place when particular cases are given high priority for investigation and prosecution. An example of this situation might be domestic terrorism. The liberation hypothesis suggests that the greater the severity of an offense, the less likely judges or juries will feel free to follow their own sentiments regarding guilt and punishment. As a consequence, the ability of legal variables to predict variation in sentence length will be greater as crime severity increases. This study compares a sample of officially designated terrorists matched with nonterrorists convicted of the same federal offenses. OLS regression and structural equation modeling procedures are used to compare the levels of explained variance for the two groups. The results indicate strong support for the basic premises of both theories. Explained variance for the terrorist sample is more than four times greater than the explained variance for the nonterrorist sample. Further analysis shows that explained variance is highest for terrorists who have committed a high-severity offense and lowest for nonterrorists who have committed a low-severity offense. The subsequent addition of other predictor variables available only for the terrorist sample further increases the explained variance and provides additional support for the liberation hypothesis.
Purpose clauses in Japanese

Abstract Japanese purposive expressions with formatives tameni and yooni are analyzed as purpose clauses in this paper. These constructions partake in what is commonly referred to as “null operator movement”. We establish this claim by demonstrating that purposeclauses exhibit lack of Subjacency effects, Reconstruction effects, and Weak Crossover effects, and the possibility of resumptive pronouns. Since these characteristics are similar to those found in thematic topicalization, relative clauses, tough, comparative and cleft constructions in Japanese, which are regarded as the null operator constructions, we claim that the purpose clause constructions, too, fall under the null operator constructions in Japanese.
The effect of dihydrotestosterone and culture conditions on proliferation of the human prostatic cancer cell line LNCaP.

Abstract Cell density, nutritional state, and serum factors modify the growth response of LNCaP human prostatic cancer cells to dihydrotestosterone. Evaluation of growth response to dihydrotestosterone requires logarithmic transformation of cell count or thymidine incorporation data. Under conditions of dose response, growth increases with cell density but no significant interaction of dihydrotestosterone with cell density was found under optimal culture conditions. The frequency of media change was a significant factor in modulating dose response. When cells from cultures maintained at different feeding periods were plated at different cell densities of (trypan blue) viable cells, significant effects of plating density on dihydrotestosterone response were found. Dihydrotestosterone protects cells under the adverse effects of media deprivation. Under the extreme adverse effects of serum deprivation, cells respond to dihydrotestosterone even under conditions of increasing cell loss. The effects of dihydrotestosterone on final cell density were significant. In the absence of serum, the elongated cells of LNCaP assume a round shape, but many remain adherent to the culture dish and can be restored to normal morphology by serum. A number of growth factors fail to restore normal morphology that was completely restored by a combination of fibronectin and dihydrotestosterone. We have not developed a practicable serumfree system for LNCaP. (Steroids 57:269–275, 1992)
Molecular Dynamics Modeling of Chloride Binding to the Surfaces of Calcium Hydroxide, Hydrated Calcium Aluminate, and Calcium Silicate Phases

Molecular dynamics computer simulations are performed to study the structure and dynamical behavior of chloride and associated cations at the interfaces between aqueous solutions and portlandite (C...
Alanine and Aspartate Formation During Growth on Valine-C14 by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Sokatch, J. R. (University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City). Alanine and aspartate formation during growth on valine-C14 by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J. Bacteriol. 92:72–75. 1966.—Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown with dl-valine-4,4′-C14 synthesized alanine labeled mainly in carbons 1 and 3, indicating that the isopropyl carbons of valine were the precursors of pyruvate for alanine formation by a pathway which did not involve randomization of isotope. Alanine from cells grown on valine-1-C14 contained isotope only in the carboxyl carbon, suggesting another route to pyruvate from valine by carbon dioxide fixation. Oxidation of valine to propionyl-coenzyme A (CoA), as it occurs in animal tissues, followed by the oxidation of propionyl-CoA to acrylyl-CoA, lactyl-CoA, and pyruvate, would account for the isotope data. Cells grown on valine oxidized valine, isobutyrate, and propionate immediately, whereas cells grown on acetate did not oxidize valine or isobutyrate and required an induction period before propionate was oxidized. P. aeruginosa grown with propionate-1-C14 or propionate-2-C14 formed alanine-1-C14 and alanine-2-C14, respectively, which agrees with the contention that at least part of the propionate is oxidized via the acrylate pathway. Aspartate formed from valine-1-C14 was labeled only in the carboxyl carbons, whereas that formed from valine-4,4′-C14 was labeled in all four carbons, but most heavily in carbons 1 and 3. These data suggest that the main route for the formation of the carbon skeleton of aspartate was by a C3 plus C1 condensation, with the C3 unit derived from the isopropyl carbons of valine and the C1 unit probably from carbon dioxide.
Enhancement of Oncolytic Properties of Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus Through Antagonism of Cellular Innate Immune Responses

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been previously shown to possess oncolytic activity, causing specific lysis of cancerous but not normal cells. Here we show that despite these findings, the oncolytic efficiency of naturally occurring NDV strains can still be relatively low, as many tumors exhibit strong innate immune responses that suppress viral replication and spread. To overcome this problem, we generated a recombinant fusogenic NDV expressing influenza NS1 protein, a protein exhibiting interferon (IFN)-antagonist and antiapoptotic functions in human and mouse cells. Interestingly, the resultant virus was dramatically enhanced in its ability to form syncytia, lyse a variety of human and mouse tumor cell lines, and suppressed the induction of the cellular IFN responses. Using the aggressive syngeneic murine melanoma model, we show that the NDV-NS1 virus is more effective than virus not expressing NS1 in clearing the established footpad tumors and results in higher overall long-term animal survival. In addition, mice treated with NDV-NS1 exhibited no signs of toxicity to the virus and developed tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. These findings demonstrate that modulation of innate immune responses by NDV results in enhancement of its oncolytic properties and warrant further investigation of this strategy in design of oncolytic NDV vectors against human tumors.
Being grateful is beyond good manners: Gratitude and motivation to contribute to society among early adolescents

Gratitude, a positive response to receiving a benefit, may contribute more to youth than just momentary happiness. It may ignite in youth a motivation for “upstream generativity” whereby its experience contributes to a desire to give back to their neighborhood, community, and world. We tested this notion by longitudinally examining early adolescents’ gratitude and their social integration, or motivation to use their strengths to help others and feel connected to others at a macro level. Middle school students (N = 700) completed measures of gratitude, prosocial behavior, life satisfaction, and social integration at baseline (T1), 3-months (T2), and 6-months (T3) later. Using bootstrapping to examine multiple mediators, controlling for demographics and social integration at T1, we found that gratitude at T1 predicted social integration at T3 and that prosocial behavior and life satisfaction at T2 mediated the relation. Further mediational analyses showed that gratitude and social integration serially enhanced each other. This prospective evidence aligns well with the interpretation that gratitude may help to initiate upward spirals toward greater emotional and social well-being. Implications are discussed in terms of gratitude’s role in positive youth development.
Assessment of perceptual functioning in schizophrenia.

Most tests which purport to distinguish performance of schizophrenics from that of other patient groups contain large elements of motor behavior. This is particularly so in perceptual tests where motility is a highly significant source of variance. Simple tests of psychomotility are indeed highly sensitive to intra-organismic variations. These tests, such as reaction time, tapping speed and dexterity, are stable and reliable and seem to be relatively independent of intellectual level (above a certain minimum), socioeconomic status, and race. Their ease of administration, relative refractoriness to practice and to motivational variables recommend them for use in determining clinical status and especially for monitoring the effects of psychopharmacologic agents. This paper discusses a rationale for the importance of using measures of motility in assessing schizophrenic and other psychopathology. The presumed importance of motility lies in its critical role in the organization and control of many psychological processes including perception. Its role in monitoring effective and adaptive response to stimulus inputs, to executive intentions, and its central importance in regulation through feedback are emphasized. The involvement of the musculature in schizophrenia is underscored with reference to some significant research findings.
Magnetic susceptibility of percolating clusters

Abstract The diamagnetic susceptibility of a superconducting percolating cluster is related to the fraction of superconducting links in connected loops and the effective area of these loops in the cluster. The susceptibility is evaluated for a simple two-dimensional fractal model of a cluster. The average susceptibility is predicted not to diverge at the percolation point.
Computer identification of musical instruments using pattern recognition with cepstral coefficients as features.

Cepstral coefficients based on a constant Q transform have been calculated for 28 short (1–2 s) oboe sounds and 52 short saxophone sounds. These were used as features in a pattern analysis to determine for each of these sounds comprising the test set whether it belongs to the oboe or to the sax class. The training set consisted of longer sounds of 1 min or more for each of the instruments. A k-means algorithm was used to calculate clusters for the training data, and Gaussian probability density functions were formed from the mean and variance of each of the clusters. Each member of the test set was then analyzed to determine the probability that it belonged to each of the two classes; and a Bayes decision rule was invoked to assign it to one of the classes. Results have been extremely good and are compared to a human perception experiment identifying a subset of these same sounds.
Competition and Consolidation in the Farm Credit System

The organizational structure of the lending industry has experienced important changes in terms of consolidation, function, and redefinition of the types of services provided borrowers. The Farm Credit System (FCS) is subject to these same forces, and there are conflicting visions of the best way to organize the system for the future. The result of these conflicts is that different parts of the FCS are experimenting with alternative lending strategies and organizational structures. In addition, the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 opened the potential for competition among parts of the FCS. As a result, an entity that once had a single systemwide philosophy and a standard approach to doing business must reinvent itself. My argument in this paper is that these changes are providing an experimental environment that may ultimately result in the FCS better serving farmers' credit needs.
Superiors' Conflict Management Strategies and Subordinate Outcomes:

This article summarizes the extant research investigating the relationships between managers' conflict management strategies and subordinate outcomes and reports the results of a study investigatin...