cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are We All Looking at the Same Mule? Racial Socialization Factors Leading to Generational Trends in Belief in Linked Fate

Millennial blacks are said to exhibit lower levels of belief in linked fate because they are growing up and interacting in integrated environments that may not necessarily promote group identity. My research question is “Are there generational differences in the overall socialization to the black community that could influence how each generation believes in linked fate?” I am interested in in analyzing the components of linked fate as it relates to the potential generational differences in racial socialization among the Black population. I expect to see generational differences in racial socialization amongst the Black population because the environments afforded to Blacks have changed from primarily segregated to integrated settings where racial identity may not be the primary concept being promoted. These generational differences in racial socialization will have an influence on generational differences in belief in linked fate. By conducting a meta-analysis of 2004 National Politics Survey and several surveys from the American National Election Studies, I demonstrate a connection between the generational differences in racial socialization and varying levels of belief in linked fate amongst across generations while proposing larger political implications for such differences, such as the shift away from supporting race-based policies.
Enhancing resilience of interdependent traffic-electric power system

Abstract Characterizing the interdependencies among highly interconnected critical infrastructure systems with adequate details is critical in devising cost-effective resilience improvement strategies. This study presents a bi-level, stochastic, and simulation-based decision-making framework for prioritizing mitigation and repair resources to maximize the expected resilience improvement of an interdependent traffic-electric power system under budgetary constraints. The upper level seeks to find the optimal resource allocation plan to maximize the expected attainable functionality gain. The lower level characterizes the functionalities of the traffic and electric power systems considering three types of interdependencies based on network flow analysis methods. The dynamic traffic assignment algorithm, rather than the static traffic assignment algorithm, is used in order to capture more realistic traffic dynamics in the congested urban roadway networks. Uncertainties in disruptions, traffic demands, and costs of mitigation and repair actions are also considered in the problem formulation. The problem is solved by the binary particle swarm optimization algorithm initialized with the knapsack-based heuristic, and the priority indices of disrupted components for mitigation and repair are then established based on the solutions. The proposed decision model is demonstrated using a portion of the traffic-electric power system in Galveston, Texas.
P174 Improving Dietary Behaviors of Hispanic Children with a Family-Based Obesity Prevention Program: “Abriendo Caminos”

Background Childhood obesity disproportionately affects Hispanic children in the U.S. Family-based obesity prevention efforts show promise in improving health behaviors. Obesity interventions for Hispanic immigrant families can have success in positively influencing dietary behaviors if they use cultural-tailoring in the development of the intervention. Objective To evaluate the effect of a culturally-tailored, obesity prevention intervention on Hispanic children's dietary behaviors. Study Design, Settings, Participants The Abriendo Caminos: Clearing the Path to Hispanic Health study (AC2) is a multi-state, randomized-controlled trial. Mexican and Puerto Rican families in Fresno, California and Central Illinois attended a six-week workshop on nutrition, family routines, and physical activity. Each workshop lasted two hours. Families (n = 116) with at least one child between 6 and 18 years old are included in this study. Measurable Outcome/Analysis An analysis of baseline and six-weeks post-intervention child diet outcomes was conducted. Mothers reported their child's frequency of consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), 100% fruit juice, fruit, vegetables, French fries, sweets, and salty snacks. Generalized estimating equations models adjusted for child age, gender, and site were used to evaluate intervention effects. Results The children in this study had a high prevalence of obesity (30.1%) compared to the national prevalence of Hispanic children (25.8%). Children in the intervention decreased frequency of consumption of SSB (P = .01), 100% fruit juice (P = .009), and sweets (P = .02). Children in the control group decreased the frequency of consumption of sweets (P = .05). There were no changes in fruit and vegetable consumption in either groups. Conclusion Family-based programs can improve Hispanic children's diet by decreasing high sugar foods consumption. Understanding how these changes influence other dietary behaviors such as beverage choice will be important. Future efforts should aim to increase intake of fruits and vegetables by considering family's barriers and access to healthy foods. Funding USDA-NIFA.
Utilization of Augmented Renal Clearance in Trauma Intensive Care Scoring System to Improve Vancomycin Dosing in Trauma Patients at Risk for Augmented Renal Clearance

Background: The Augmented Renal Clearance in Trauma Intensive Care (ARCTIC) scoring system is a validated system to predict augmented renal clearance in trauma patients. This study examined the abi...
GRAPH-BASED REGULARIZATION FOR REGRESSION PROBLEMS WITH HIGHLY-CORRELATED DESIGNS

Sparse models for high-dimensional linear regression and machine learning have received substantial attention over the past two decades. Much of the current literature assumes that covariates are only mildly correlated, however, in modern applications ranging from functional MRI to genome-wide association studies, covariates are highly correlated. We consider a high-dimensional regression setting in which a graph governs both correlations among the covariates and the similarity among regression coefficients. This graph is used to define a graph total variation regularizer that promotes similar weights for highly correlated features. Our proposed graph-based regularization yields mean-squared error guarantees for a broad range of covariance graph structures by imposing additional structure on the parameter which encourages alignment with the covariance graph.
Experiments and Molecular Simulations to Study the Role of Coadsorption of Oil in Corrosion Inhibitor Films in Improving Corrosion Mitigation

While both field experience and laboratory experiments have shown that the efficiency of adsorbed corrosion inhibitor films improves upon exposure of the aqueous solution to a hydrocarbon phase, a ...
Computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging in high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy planning: The impact on patient-reported health-related quality of life

Abstract Purpose High-dose-rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy uses volumetric imaging for treatment planning. Our institution transitioned from computed tomography (CT)-based planning to MRI-based planning with the hypothesis that improved visualization could reduce treatment-related toxicity. This study aimed to compare the patient-reported health-related quality of life (hrQOL) and physician-graded toxicity outcomes of CT-based and MRI-based HDR prostate brachytherapy. Methods From 2016 to 2019, 122 patients with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer were treated with HDR brachytherapy as monotherapy. Patients underwent CT only or CT and MRI imaging for treatment planning and were grouped per treatment planning imaging modality. Patient-reported hrQOL in the genitourinary (GU), gastrointestinal (GI), and sexual domains was assessed using International Prostate Symptom Score and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite Short Form-26 questionnaires. Baseline characteristics, changes in hrQOL scores, and physician-graded toxicities were compared between groups. Results The median follow-up was 18 months. Patient-reported GU, GI, and sexual scores worsened after treatment but returned toward baseline over time. The CT cohort had a lower baseline mean International Prostate Symptom Score (5.8 vs. 7.8, p = 0.03). The other patient-reported GU and GI scores did not differ between groups. Overall, sexual scores were similar between the CT and MRI cohorts (p = 0.08) but favored the MRI cohort at later follow-up with a smaller decrease in Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite Short Form-26 sexual score from baseline at 18 months (4.9 vs. 19.8, p = 0.05). Maximum physician-graded GU, GI, and sexual toxicity rates of grade ≥2 were 68%, 3%, and 53%, respectively, with no difference between the cohorts (p = 0.31). Conclusion Our study shows that CT- and MRI-based HDR brachytherapy results in similar rates of GU and GI toxicity. MRI-based planning may result in improved erectile function recovery compared with CT-based planning.
Epidural Steroid Injections: Are They Still Useful?

Epidural injection with corticosteroids is a common treatment option for patients with lower back pain and sciatica. Over the past several decades, the technique and indications for epidural injections have changed substantially. A variety of anesthetics as well as a number of glucocorticoids have been used. The caudal approach, which was originally described, has largely been replaced by interlaminar and transforaminal injections that are typically performed with fluoroscopic guidance.
MR1 overexpression correlates with poor clinical prognosis in glioma patients.

Background Glioblastoma is the most common adult primary brain tumor with near-universal fatality. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are important mediators of CD8 activation and can be downregulated by cancer cells to escape immune surveillance. MR1 is a nonclassical MHC-I-like molecule responsible for the activation of a subset of T cells. Although high levels of MR1 expression should enhance cancer cell recognition, various tumors demonstrate MR1 overexpression with unknown implications. Here, we study the role of MR1 in glioma. Methods Using multi-omics data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we studied MR1 expression patterns and its impact on survival for various solid tumors. In glioma specifically, we validated MR1 expression by histology, elucidate transcriptomic profiles of MR1 high versus low gliomas. To understand MR1 expression, we analyzed the methylation status of the MR1 gene and MR1 gene-related transcription factor (TF) expression. Results MR1 is overexpressed in all grades of glioma and many other solid cancers. However, only in glioma, MR1 overexpression correlated with poor overall survival and demonstrated global dysregulation of many immune-related genes in an MR1-dependent manner. MR1 overexpression correlated with decreased MR1 gene methylation and upregulation of predicted MR1 promoter binding TFs, implying MR1 gene methylation might regulate MR1 expression in glioma. Conclusions Our in silico analysis shows that MR1 expression is a predictor of clinical outcome in glioma patients and is potentially regulated at the epigenetic level, resulting in immune-related genes dysregulation. These findings need to be validated using independent in vitro and in vivo functional studies.
Portrait of a Prospector: Edward Schieffelin’s Own Story: Edited by R. BRUCE CRAIG. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2017. xiii, 115 pp., b/w portrait, map, illustrations, chronology, notes, glossary, bibliography and index. $21.95 (PB). ISBN 978-0-8061-5773-3.

“Gold fever” infected thousands of men who flocked to western North America during the 19th century, searching for the elusive glitter that would make them rich. It certainly energized Edward Schie...
Growth, development, and histology of the calcar in the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus (Vespertilionidae)

Relative growth and development of the calcar of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, are described. In addition, histological analyses are performed to determine the microstructure of the calcar. Results indicate that the calcar of this species is composed of hyaline cartilage that first appears prenatally and is the last cartilage condensation of the skeleton to form. The calcar is of adult proportions at about the time of first volancy. During juvenile development, the calcar becomes infused with calcium salts that are distributed throughout its core, from its proximal articulation with the calcaneal tuberosity to approximately one half its terminal length. The composite structure of the calcar of both hyaline cartilage and calcified cartilage provides strong yet pliable support for the uropatagium.
What about ethics? [engineering education]

Ethics in technical writing is a neglected field, perhaps because of the seemingly objective content. This paper explores ethical considerations regarding three language concerns: euphemism; obfuscation; and intentional ambiguity. Examples include short letters and memos that lend themselves to in-depth examination.
Cross-layer design for military networks

This paper discusses the issue of cross-layer design for military networks, highlighting some of the promising results in the area of cross-layer design and performance benefits of such approaches, and the need for cross-layer design techniques in the realization of end-to-end (E2E) quality-of-service (QoS). Cross-layer design is a rapidly growing research area that is considered a very promising approach for realizing effective wireless internetworking. There is a growing consensus within the network research community that effective communications across wireless networks requires non-traditional network design approaches. This is particularly true in providing QoS in support of multimedia applications or in supporting energy-constrained sensor networks. This has led to the rise in the interest of cross-layer design. This paper first discusses the issues associated with QoS, across both wired and wireless networks. The paper then provides an overview of cross-layer design and a summary' of several of the cross-layer techniques that exist within the commercial and network research domains. Lastly, this paper discusses the application of these approaches to military networks and identifies key technical issues that require further research and development before these techniques to be a more viable option for the military network design community
Experiments on Electron-Impact Excitation and Ionization of Ions

The challenge of understanding the characteristics and behavior of the so-called fourth state of matter, the ionized plasma, requires quantitative information on both the structure and collisional properties of ions. The simple glow-discharge tube, the laboratory ion source, the controlled-thermonuclear fusion plasma, the ionosphere, the solar corona — they all share one common attribute — their microscopic and macroscopic properties are controlled to a large degree by inelastic collisions between electrons and ions. The delicate balance produced by the continual interchange of kinetic, radiative and potential energy determines the signature by which such a plasma communicates with its surroundings, namely the light it produces. For even the simplest of plasmas, the interpretation of the spectrum of radiation which is emitted requires detailed knowledge of both the electronic structure of the ionic species present, and of the collision processes by which these ions reach and leave the excited ionic states from which the radiation occurs. At higher particle densities, the transport of radiation within the plasma must also be taken into consideration.
Determination of renal blood flow by single injection of hippuran-I 131 in man. A comparison with the standard clearance technique.

Abstract Renal blood flow was measured in 9 apparently normal patients by determination of the clearance of Hippuran I 131 by both the single-injection technique and the standard clearance method. The values gave an average deviation of 5.7 per cent between these two methods. The extraction ratio of Hippuran I 131 was consistently between 0.66 and 0.78, averaging 0.74. It appears that the single-injection technique is an accurate and practical measure of renal blood flow in normal human beings. However, further evaluation as to its efficacy in disease states is necessary.
Satirical Art in Ngugi wa Thiong'o's novel Devil on the Cross

On their fight to changing their societies, many African intellectuals have been committed to the denounciation of what they considered to be the major barriers that prevented their societies from moving forward. In fact, many African people believed that chasing the white man from power in the colonies and replace by their own country-fellows on key state's positions would certainly change the socio-economical and political situations of Black folk . Unfortunately, after implementing their strategy, the Africans would simply be disillusioned to notice that the situation got even worse in some countries, as a new ruling class involved in evil practices like snobbery, corruption, megalomania and women's disintegration took control of the destiny of their countries. Thus, based on the framework suggested by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, the Kenyan writer, in his novel Devil on the Cross , I have tried to scrutinize some burning issues which truly help understand the why and the how African new ruling class behaved and still behave foolishly in their daily life when they are given key responsabilities in their countries. These issues are of paramount importance to the development of Africa.
Algorithmic trading, the Flash Crash, and coordinated circuit breakers

Abstract Exchange officials and policymakers are interested in whether high frequency trading causes excessive price fluctuations and whether to impose circuit breakers in financial markets to combat such fluctuations. We review the literature on these topics and draw some conclusions on the likely impact of circuit breakers on financial markets.
High-temperature and high-power terahertz quantum-cascade lasers

We summarize recent results in the development of terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) based on resonant-phonon active region designs. First, we describe attempts to improve high-temperature operation of terahertz QCLs by the use of double-phonon depopulation in order to prevent thermal backfilling of the lower radiative state. While the best of the three tested devices displayed a threshold current density of J th =170 A/cm 2 at 5 K and lased up to 138 K in pulsed mode, no temperature advantage was observed compared to single-phonon designs. Also, we describe high power operation of two different THz QCLs that emit up to 248 mW (pulsed) and 135 mW (continuous-wave) at 4.3-4.5 THz, and 75 mW (pulsed) at 4.8-5.0 THz.
Influence of equi-biaxial residual stress on unloading behaviour of nanoindentation

Abstract Finite element simulations have been used to investigate the influence of equi-biaxial residual stress on the unloading behaviour of nanoindentation on elastic–plastic strain-hardening materials. It is found that the real contact area and the elastic recovery of indentation can be correlated to the existing residual stress and that there is a linear relationship between the A c / A g or h e / h max ratio and the σ r / σ y ratio. The slope of the A c / A g vs. σ r / σ y curve is only dependent on the strain-hardening behaviour of materials but independent of the E / σ y ratio; while the slope of the h e / h max vs. σ r / σ y curve is only dependent on the E / σ y ratio but independent of the strain-hardening behaviour of materials. The existence of residual stress has a slight effect on the hardness measured by nanoindentation while it has no effect on the measured elastic modulus.
RuH3[P(C6H5)3]3− as a ligand in complexes withM(CO)3 Fragments (M = Cr, Mo, W)

The reactions of RuH3[P(C6H5)3]3− with Cr(CO)3(CH3CN)3, Mo(CO)3 (diglyme), or W(CO)3(C3H2CN)3 resulted in the formation of the appropriate [(H5C6)3P]3Ru(μ-H)3M(CO)3− complexes, which have been characterized analytically, spectroscopically, and in one case (M = Cr) by an X-ray diffraction study of the K [N(C2H4OC2H4OCH3)3]+ salt. This complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group Pl witha = 13.666(6),b= 13.7901(7),c = 18.147(8) A,a = 93.23(3)°, β = 94.07(4)° γ = 90.43(4)°, andV = 3405.6 A3 for Z = 2. Final discrepancy indices ofR = 0.048 and Ru = 0.056 were obtained. The hydride ligands, all of which could be located and their positional coordinates refined, completed local pseudo-octahedral coordination about both the ruthenium and thechromium centers. The Ru-H bonds are significantly shorter than the Cr-H ones, 1.65(4) vs. 1.92(4) A, and the Ru-Cr bond distance is 2.5474(9) A.
The challenge of care for the poor child. The research agenda.

The Society for Pediatric Research is a diverse group of scientists bonded by the common interest in research dealing with problems of children. Many of the society's members have very strong feelings regarding the social and political problems of health care for the poor and, in particular, health care for poor children. Nevertheless, it is not in the usual scope of our organization to comment as a group on these problems or even to claim particular expertise in this area. Indeed, other segments of the pediatric community have been asked to address these issues, and their efforts can be found in this issue. As a research-oriented organization, the Society for Pediatric Research can make cogent comments and suggestions concerning the role of investigation in this problem area. In this regard, one must view research in its broadest sense; that is, research on the molecular level at one end to research
Integrating etiological models of social anxiety and depression in youth: Evidence for a cumulative interpersonal risk model.

Models of social anxiety and depression in youth have been developed separately, and they contain similar etiological influences. Given the high comorbidity of social anxiety and depression, we examine whether the posited etiological constructs are a correlate of, or a risk factor for, social anxiety and/or depression at the symptom level and the diagnostic level. We find core risk factors of temperament, genetics, and parent psychopathology (i.e., depression and anxiety) are neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of social anxiety and/or depression. Instead, aspects of children’s relationships with parents and/or peers either mediates (i.e., explains) or moderates (i.e., interacts with) these core risks being related to social anxiety and/or depression. We then examine various parent- and peer-related constructs contained in the separate models of social anxiety and depression (i.e., parent–child attachment, parenting, social skill deficits, peer acceptance and rejection, peer victimization, friendships, and loneliness). Throughout our review, we report evidence for a Cumulative Interpersonal Risk model that incorporates both core risk factors and specific interpersonal risk factors. Most studies fail to consider comorbidity, thus little is known about the specificity of these various constructs to depression and/or social anxiety. However, we identify shared, differential, and cumulative risks, correlates, consequences, and protective factors. We then put forth demonstrated pathways for the development of depression, social anxiety, and their comorbidity. Implications for understanding comorbidity are highlighted throughout, as are theoretical and research directions for developing and refining models of social anxiety, depression, and their comorbidity. Prevention and treatment implications are also noted.
Visceral Pain: Spinal Afferents, Enteric Mast Cells, Enteric Nervous System and Stress

This review aims to examine current basic and clinical concepts, the results of which are expanding our understanding of visceral hypersensitivity and functional abdominal pain of intestinal origin in relation to the enteric nervous system (ENS), spinal sensory neurons and enteric mast cells. Advances in this sphere are translating to improved insight into chronic functional abdominal and pelvic pain syndromes in general.
Molecular force field and structure of hydrogen sulfide: recent microwave results

Abstract Recently, microwave studies of the rotational spectra of hydrogen sulfide and its various isotopic species have been reported. These studies provide accurate rotational constants and, among others, the quartic distortion constants, which depend on the quadratic part of the vibrational potential function. These data are collected and the molecular force field and structure of hydrogen sulfide are considered in light of these recent microwave data. The infrared and microwave data are combined within the theoretical framework of the small oscillations model and the results compare favorably with the true harmonic force field. The IR & MW valence bond force constants of H2S are (md A−1): fr = 3.988, fθ = 0.399, frr = −0.017, frθ = 0.057. The results further confirm the usefulness of rotation-vibration data in the determination of force constants, and show that even with large anharmonicity effects a very representative force field can be obtained by combining ground state infrared and microwave data. Various molecular structures have been evaluated, and the average structures in the ground vibrational state for H2S and D2S are found to be: S-H = 1.3518 A HSH = 92.13° S-D = 1.3474 A DSD = 92.11° A one-dimensional approximation to the anharmonicity effects is applied to determine the equilibrium structure of H2S from the average structure data. The result is as follows: re = 1.3362 A and θe = 92.06° This bond distance is some 0.0006 A larger than that obtained by applying the vibrational corrections measured in the infrared region [4].
Flow field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of chemical mechanical polishing slurries

Abstract Alumina- and silica-based chemical mechanical polishing slurries were analyzed to demonstrate the feasibility of field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (FFF-ICP-MS). After FFF separation 27 Al and 29 Si were measured by ICP-MS to obtain size distributions, mean particle size, number average-, mass average-, Z average- diameters, minimum and maximum particle sizes, dominant particle size, and particle size ranges (breadth of size distribution, and polydispersity) characteristics. Five commercial alumina and 13 silica slurry samples were characterized. Broad distributions were detected and two polydispersity calculations were compared. Most silica samples and one alumina sample show monomodal normal distributions. Asymmetric distributions were observed for a few silica and most alumina slurries. The degree of deviation from normal distribution was assessed. Mean particle sizes of alumina slurries varied between 150 and 350 nm with the maximum detected particle of less than 680 nm. Silica slurries exhibited maximum particle sizes of less than approximately 400 nm with the mean particle sizes ranging from 110 to 220 nm. Trace metals (Fe, Ti and Zr) coeluted with Al, Si; whereas, Pb appeared to be present as colloidal fractions.
A critical review of permeabilized cell systems for studying mammalian DNA repair

Permeabilized cell systems have proven valuable for studies of the enzymology of mammalian DNA repair and this review will summarize and contrast the different systems used to this end. Results from permeable cell studies will be reviewed which pertain to 3 questions of DNA repair: the role(s) of ATP, DNA polymerase enzymology, and the isolation of repair factors by in vitro correction of repair-defective cells.
Comparison of polyethylene glycols as fusogens for producing lymphocyte-myeloma hybrids

Abstract In order to improve the yield of hybridomas for monoclonal antibody production, 8 different sources and molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG) were compared as fusing agents. Sp2/0 myeloma cells were fused with murine splenic lymphocytes immunized with sheep red blood cells. The Kodak 1450 PEG produced the maximum number of hybridomas. The optimal technique consisted of slowly adding 1 ml of freshly prepared fusogen (5 g Kodak 1450 PEG, 0.5 ml dimethylsulfoxide, and 5 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.0) to the cells over a 1 min period, incubating the mixture at 37°C for 90 s, then gradually diluting the mixture in 50 ml of Hanks' buffered salt solution. After 10 min, the cells are centrifuged, resuspended in selective medium with feeder macrophages and cultured. This procedure routinely produces between 600–3,000 hybridomas per fusion.
A Novel Approach for Transcription Factor Analysis Using SELEX with High-Throughput Sequencing (TFAST)

Background In previous work, we designed a modified aptamer-free SELEX-seq protocol (afSELEX-seq) for the discovery of transcription factor binding sites. Here, we present original software, TFAST, designed to analyze afSELEX-seq data, validated against our previously generated afSELEX-seq dataset and a model dataset. TFAST is designed with a simple graphical interface (Java) so that it can be installed and executed without extensive expertise in bioinformatics. TFAST completes analysis within minutes on most personal computers.
A Theoretical structure and correlating equation for the motion of single bubbles

Abstract Dimensional, asymptotic and speculative analysis is used to identify the many regimes of motion of a single bubble. This structure, together with existing analytical solutions for individual regimes, is used to formulate a single correlating equation for the entire gamut of behavior. The only significant empiricism in the expression is that which characterizes the sharpness of the transitions between regimes. Prior correlations have not incorporated all of this theoretical structure, and are thereby necessarily in error functionally.
Relationship between Morphometry of Excavated Floodplain Ponds along the Mississippi River and Their Use as Fish Nurseries

Abstract We sampled ichthyoplankton, zooplankton, and juvenile fish during May, August, and November 1988 from 15 excavated floodplain ponds along the Mississippi River. In May, densities of larval shad Dorosoma spp. ranged from 1.1 to 87.8/m3 and densities of larval sunfish Lepomis spp. ranged from 0.3 to 19.3/m3 among ponds. Ponds with long (>1,800 m), sinuous shorelines, high volumes (>55,000 m3 ), and variable depth had high ichthyoplankton densities (>50/m3); smaller, low-volume ponds frequently had low ichthyoplankton densities (<10/m3). Ponds that sustained high densities of larval sunfish during May had high numbers of young-ofthe-year sunfish in August and November, which suggests that ponds with high ichthyoplankton densities ultimately contributed more fish to river populations. Pond morphometry probably did not affect food availability, because zooplankton densities were not correlated with ichthyoplankton densities and larval threadfin shad D. petenense grew faster in ponds with high shad den...
Effects of soil acidification on growth and nutrition of white oak seedlings

Abstract Nine surface soil acidification treatments were tested to determine which were effective in preventing the development of chlorosis in white oak seedlings. The treatments were applied with and without subsurface sulfuric acid to white oak seedlings purposely planted in calcareous soil. Nutrient imbalances as compared to healthy seedlings consisted of low foliar nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and copper for uniformly chlorotic seedlings. Interveinally chlorotic seedlings exhibited low nitrogen and iron and high potassium. Miracid, Hi‐Acid, and ammonium sulfate surface treatments were highly effective in preventing chlorosis provided that subsurface treatment was omitted. Except when applied with H2SO4, A12SO4, and granular sulfur surface treatments, subsurface H2SO4 had an adverse effect on treatment success.
MOF@MOF: microporous core–shell architectures

Mixing two different linkers with the same topology has been applied to make metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) either in one batch or sequentially to generate coordination copolymers with either a randomly mixed or a core-shell composition of linkers.
Improved determination of the heavy-quark potential in lattice QCD.

A new iterative procedure in fitting data is proposed which can properly correct small nonlinear effects. Applying this procedure to fit the Polyakov loop correlation functions previously obtained in lattice QCD simulations, we are able to eliminate the finite-size boundary effects and obtain the quark potential functions themselves, instead of just parameters for the potentials. The quality of the fits is improved significantly. The potential functions obtained at {beta}=6.0--6.2 scale in fine detail, providing important further support of the scaling. The improved estimates of the string tension satisfy the asymptotic scaling within 97%. In comparison with experiments, the obtained value {radical}{sigma} /{Lambda}{sub {ital L}}=79{plus minus}3 indicates {Lambda}{sub MS}=449{plus minus}17 MeV, where MS denotes the minimal subtraction scheme. The coupling constant {alpha}=0.43{plus minus}0.03 agrees very well with experiments, and is also in excellent agreement with the theoretical value {pi}/8=0.39, assuming that the long-distance behavior of QCD can be effectively described by the Neveu-Schwarz string theory.
Mechanical and electrical run-out removal on a precision rotor-vibration research spindle

Experimental determination of both steady-state and dynamic performance of a journal bearing requires the use of a high precision spindle with a vanishingly small range of run-out. This was achieved by first eliminating the mechanical run-out of the spindle by grinding the journal specimen while rotating in place. Once the mechanical run-out was removed, the electrical run-out sensed by the displacement proximity-probe-transducers was also removed. Using this procedure the mechanical and electrical run-outs of a research spindle were reduced to less than 0.2 micron (10 μin.), which is better than the resolution of the data acquisition system, 1 micron (50 μin.).
Sex hormones and aortic wall remodeling in an arteriovenous fistula.

Background: An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creates high blood flow through the artery and fistula. With this high flow, there is flow-induced remodeling and an increase in diameter, but no intimal hyperplasia. Estrogen has been shown to modify vascular remodeling, decreasing intimal hyperplasia after endothelial injury. Objective: These experiments tested the hypothesis that estrogen administration would decrease wall thickness in an AVE model. Because estrogen may decrease wall thickness, we also tested the hypothesis that testosterone would increase wall thickness. Methods: A fistula was created between the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava in Sprague-Dawley rats to generate high blood flow conditions in the aorta. Four groups of female animals were examined: sham, control with AVE ovariectomized (OVX) with AVE and OVX plus testosterone with AVE Four groups of male animals were also examined: sham, control with AVE castrated with AVE and castrated plus estrogen with AVE Five weeks after creation of the AVF, the aortas were collected and fixed; wall thickness was measured both proximal and distal to the AVE Results: Ovariectomy resulted in a significant decrease in estrogen levels (P < 0.01). Testosterone administration tended to increase testosterone levels in the OVX females, but values did not approach levels observed in the control males. No difference was noted in the proximal wall thickness between the control and the OVX animals. The OVX females receiving testosterone exhibited a significant increase in both proximal and distal wall thickness compared with control females (P < 0.001). In the male animals, there was no significant change in aortic wall thickness in the castrated rats compared with the controls. Estrogen administration in the castrated males resulted in a significant decrease in wall thickness in the proximal and distal aorta (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These studies suggest that, in a model of vascular remodeling, estrogen administration decreases wall thickness, and testosterone administration increases wall thickness.
Emery-Kivelson Line and Universality of Wilson Ratio of Spin Anisotropic Kondo Model.

Yuval and Anderson{close_quote}s scaling analysis and Affleck and Ludwig{close_quote}s conformal field theory approach are applied to the {ital k} channel {ital spin} {ital anisotropic} Kondo model. Detailed comparisons with available Emery-Kivelson{close_quote}s (EK) Abelian bosonization approaches are made. The EK line is a natural property of the {ital k} channel Kondo model, although it can be mapped to free fermions only when {ital k}=1 or 2. The Wilson ratio is universal if {ital k}=1 or 2, but {ital not} universal if {ital k}{approx_gt}2. The leading low temperature correction to the electron resistivity is {ital not} affected by the spin anisotropy for {ital any} {ital k}. A new universal ratio for {ital k}{approx_gt}2 is compared with experiments. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Wave Propagation Across Partially Infill Fracture.

Natural fractures are often filled with debris. This debris originates from many different mechanisms: organic and/or inorganic chemical reactions (such as mineralization), sediment transport, formation of the fracture, mechanical weathering or combinations of these processes. In many cases, the presence of debris forms a sub-porosity within the fracture void space. In this study, we investigate how the existence of a subporosity affects seismic wave propagation and consequently our ability to probe changes in the fractures properties caused by the formation or alteration of a sub-porosity. Laboratory experiments were performed to examine acoustic wave scattering from packing of spherical beads used to create a sub-porosity within a synthetic fracture. The sub-porosity in the fracture was created by using spherical beads with a range of diameters from 500 μm to 7.79 mm. Compressional waves were transmitted across the fracture using contact piezoelectric transducer. The analysis was performed for a fixed aperture with different sub-porosity created by single and multiple layers. Interpretation of the acoustic response depends critically on understanding the length scales associated with the layers (bead diameter, layer thickness), the aperture of the fracture and seismic length scales (wavelengths, field of view). The detection of multiple layers of debris within a fracture is possible by understanding wave interference, dispersion and the reflections in the waveform.
Sheet resistance control of thin Cr-SiO films

Abstract Film resistors made by flash evaporation of Cr-SiO powder have long suffered from the lack of compositional control associated with large sheet resistance variations after annealing. These problems are avoided by flash evaporating presintered Cr-SiO pellets. This technique ensures a supply of source material of constant composition and completeness of evaporation. Pellets ranging from pure Cr to Cr-50 mole % SiO yielded films of the same composition as the starting material. Consequently, film stabilization by a standard annealing process can be employed with a sheet resistance reproducibility of ±3% in the best-controlled interval from 10 to 30 mole % SiO. These compositions yield sheet resistances up to 300 Ω/square. Values up to about 3 kΩ/sq. are obtained from higher SiO concentrations with ±10% scattering limits.
A proposed phylogeny of the flagellated protostelids.

The flagellated members of the group of mycetozoans known as protostelids have been recognized for some time to be members of a monophyletic group which also includes the myxomycetes. This inference was based primarily upon comparisons of the flagellar apparatus of the amoeboflagellate state. However, more detailed comparisons based on the whole life history and comparisons with an outgroup were necessary to have information sufficient to determine the interrelationships within the group. Recent studies of the other states of the life history of protostelids have provided a wealth of additional morphological and developmental characters such that an in depth phylogenetic analysis is possible. The results show that the group can be resolved into two major clades, one of which contains the myxomycetes and the myxomycete-like protostelid genera, Protosporangium, Clastostelium, and Ceratiomyxa, and another which contains the protostelid genera Planoprotostelium, Cavostelium, and Ceratiomyxella. As the myxomycetes appear to be part of the ingroup, and not a sister group to the protostelids, L.S. Olive's subclass Protostelia must be considered paraphyletic.
Temporal Trends and Factors Associated With Pulmonary Artery Catheterization in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Study objective: To examine changes over time in the utilization of and factors associated with pulmonary artery (PA) catheterization in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Design: Nonconcurrent prospective study carried out in 16 teaching and community hospitals in Worcester, Mass, in seven time periods between 1975 and 1990. A total of 5,480 patients hospitalized with validated AMI comprised the study sample. Results: Use of PA catheterization increased from 1975 to 1984 with a consistent decline thereafter in all patients with AMI studied. Among the 2,441 patients with complicated AMI, use of PA catheterization increased from 1975 through 1988 with a decline in use in 1990. For the combined study periods, 14.7 percent of all patients with AMI studied and 25.4 percent of those with complicated AMI underwent PA catheterization. After adjusting for other potentially confounding factors through use of a logistic regression analysis, younger patients, those with a history of angina, those with Q-wave AMI, those who died, and those patients developing congestive heart failure or cardiogenic shock during the acute hospitalization were significantly more likely to undergo PA catheterization than respective comparison groups among all patients with AMI studied. Younger age, occurrence of Q-wave AMI, and having died during the short-term hospitalization were associated with receipt of PA catheterization in patients with complicated AMI. Conclusions: The results of this multihospital, community-based study provide insight into changes over time in the use of PA catheterization and patient-related factors associated with receipt of PA catheterization in the setting of AMI.
DETECTION OF A SECOND WIDESPREAD STRAIN OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS

The prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) type B, which was previously found mainly in equatorial Africa, was investigated with the polymerase chain reaction in a population of healthy adults in Memphis, Tennessee. EBV was detected in the throat washings of 34 (22%) of 157 randomly selected donors, 14 (41%) of whom had type B virus and 17 (50%) type A; 3 donors (9%) had both strains. 18 additional adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection and 6 severely immunocompromised children were also investigated. Results indicated that type B EBV is widespread in nature and may be reactivated by immunodeficiency.
Religious Transmission Versus Religious Formation: Preadolescent-Parent Interaction

Religiousness on the part of youth can result from transmission across generations and it can stem from a nurturant parent-child relationship. Interaction could occur between these variables. These relationships were tested using data from 2724 adolescents in grades 4-8 in intact families in southern Minnesota. The dependent measure involves five items measuring religious attendance, belief, and devotional practice. Both parental religiousness and support were significant predictors of preadolescent religiousness, with the former the better predictor. There was no significant interaction between these two predictors, and this finding is discussed in the context of a culture supportive of religion. Females were more religious than males. Paternal and maternal measures were similar in their abilities to predict religiosity, although a significant interaction existed between sex of preadolescent and material religiousness, with sons scoring especially low on religion when their mothers also scored low.
Comparison of-nitro versus-amino 4, 4′-substituents of disulfonic stilbenes as chloride channel blockers

We showed previously that the disulfonic stilbene DNDS (4,4'-dinitrostilben-2,2'-disulfonic acid) was a potent blocker of outwardly rectifying chloride channels (ORCC). The studies reported here were designed to quantify the relationship between electron withdrawal by the 4,4'-substituents and blocker potency. Specifically we compared the blocking effects and molecular properties of the symmetrically substituted 4,4'-diaminostilben-2, 2'-disulfonic acid (DADS) and the hemi-substituted 4-amino, 4'-nitrostilben-2,2'-disulfonic acid (ANDS) with those of DNDS. Blockade was studied using outwardly rectifying colonic chloride channels incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. DADS was 430-fold and ANDS 44-fold less potent than DNDS as blockers of ORCC. Amplitude distribution analysis revealed that all three disulfonic stilbenes act as open channel blockers. Furthermore, this kinetic analysis indicated that the lower potency of DADS and ANDS was due to an increase in off rate. These results support the conclusion that the 4,4'-substituents make an important contribution to blockade by stabilizing the channel-blocker complex. Isopotential electron contour maps illustrated the dramatic shift in charge at the 4,4'-poles of the disulfonic stilbene molecule from electronegative in DNDS to electropositive in DADS as well as the bipolar contour of ANDS. Thus, the greater potency of DNDS results from the symmetric electronegative regions at the 4,4'-poles of the molecule. We hypothesize that the channel protein has two corresponding electropositive areas at the blocker binding site.
Worlds to die for

We last had an "open problems" column eighteen months ago [Hem94]. It contained seven problems. Of the seven, one has since been resolved (at least insofar as one can resolve the problem without outright collapsing complexity classes) in an exciting FOCS paper by Cai and Sivakumar ([CS95], see also [Ogi95b,CNS95]), and for another I received a proof via email unfortunately followed quickly by another email retracting the proof. Overall score:Mysteries of Complexity Theory: 6.Theoretical Computer Scientists:1.If you go to Atlantic City, you know which side to bet on! But be of good cheer. This issue's column contains a new list of open problems (though some favorites from the old list have stowed away here too). And to stack the deck in favor of theoretical computer scientists, the problems are posed quite obliquely. Rather than asking you to prove "X," many of the problems (e.g., Problems 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7) just ask you to show that "In some oracle world, X." Sound easy? Dig in! And if your attempt to find a world where X holds becomes too frustrating, don't hesitate to go for the real glory --- by proving that X fails in the real world (and every relativized world)!