cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural and induced variation in tissue culture

This literature review suggests a novel approach to intra-clonal plant improvement which will utilize both the natural and induced variation associated with clonally propagated plants through various in vitro and in vivo procedures. Many plants obtained in this manner will be of single-cell origin and, hence, of pure mutant type avoiding the traditional chimerism phenomena of mutation breeding studies.
The in vivo effect of mirex on soluble hepatic enzymes in the rat

Abstract Adult male and female rats fed dietary mirex in concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm for 4 weeks exhibited significant decreases in liver levels of lactic dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase as compared to control levels. Enzyme losses were cytoplasmic and decreased in magnitude with increased time of exposure and dietary mirex concentrations. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase levels were increased above control levels during the first week of mirex exposure while hepatic sorbitol dehydrogenase levels were concomitantly decreased below the control levels. Hepatic glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels were significantly decreased during the first week for all dietary mirex concentrations as were the other enzymes at the 40 and 50 ppm mirex concentrations. The magnitude of the enzyme decreases in female rat tissue was consistently lower than enzyme decreases in the male rat tissue fed equivalent dietary mirex dosages. Liver weights for male rats increased significantly at all dietary mirex levels during week one. However, only animals receiving the 40 and 50 ppm dietary mirex levels showed significant liver weight increases at the end of week 4. Female rat liver weights were increased at the 30 and 40 ppm mirex dietary levels after 4 weeks. No significant differences in body weights were observed for any dietary level of mirex. Mirex hepatic residues appeared to be equal for both sexes. No gross histological alterations were observed following treatment.
Similarity to Symmetric Matrices over Finite Fields

It has been known for some time that every polynomial with coefficients from a finite field is the minimum polynomial of a symmetric matrix with entries from the same field. What have remained unknown, however, are the possible sizes for the symmetric matrices with a specified minimum polynomial and, in particular, the least possible size. In this paper we answer these questions using only the prime factorization of the given polynomial. Closely related is the question of whether or not a given matrix over a finite field is similar to a symmetric matrix over that field. Although partial results on that question have been published before, this paper contains a complete characterization.
Weighted pseudo almost periodic functions and applications

Abstract This Note introduces a new class of functions called weighted pseudo almost periodic functions, which generalize in a natural fashion the classical pseudo almost periodic functions due to C. Zhang. Properties of those weighted pseudo almost periodic functions are discussed including a composition result of weighted pseudo almost periodic functions, which plays a crucial role for the solvability of some weighted pseudo almost periodic semilinear differential and partial differential equations. To cite this article: T. Diagana, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 343 (2006).
Abstinence from drugs of abuse in community-based members of Narcotics Anonymous.

Objective:Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an abstinence-based fellowship with more than 58,000 groups worldwide. There has, however, been little research reported on its members. This study was designed to clarify the nature of the participants in NA who are primarily abstinent, long-term members.Method:A protocol was implemented to survey members at 10 NA group meetings in three different states, through the cooperation of the NA World Service Office. A 51-item self-administered questionnaire, addressing key aspects of substance use and recovery, was anonymously completed by 396 respondents.Results:Respondents were 71.5% male; the mean age was 38.1 years; 68.2% were White; and the principal drug problems comprised cocaine (28.5%), heroin (27.5%), other opiates (13.4%), methamphetamine (12.9%), alcohol (8.6%), marijuana (6.6%), and other stimulants (2.5%). Eighty-seven percent had prior treatment for a substance use disorder. On average respondents had first encountered NA at age 26.9, they had been abstinent...
Differentiating Worry and Rumination: Evidence from Heart Rate Variability During Spontaneous Regulation

Worry is the defining feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and rumination is a central process in depression. GAD and depression are highly comorbid, and worry and rumination reflect similar perseverative cognitive processes. Prior studies have largely assessed these emotion regulation strategies at the trait level, which has resulted in a limited understanding of their phasic characteristics, including associated physiological processes. We addressed this limitation by examining the relationship between spontaneous state-level worry and rumination and heart rate variability (HRV)—a physiological measure of emotion regulation—in response to emotion-eliciting film clips. We found differential associations between worry and rumination in relation to HRV, such that, worry was more consistently associated with HRV across emotional contexts than rumination was. Findings highlight functional distinctions between worry and rumination that have implications for understanding their associations with mood and anxiety disorders and, more broadly, for theories of emotion regulation and psychopathology.
Soft X-Ray Spectroscopy of Ferrous Silicates

Energy gaps and electrical conductivities in the ferrous silicates, Fe2SiO4 and FeSiO3, depend primarily on Fe-O bonding and may be studied by ultraviolet and soft X-ray spectroscopy. We have measured FeLII–III X-ray band spectra under conditions of “minimal” (I4, at 4.0 keV) and “high” (I10, at 10.0 keV) self absorption to determine 3d orbital energy levels, to delineate d states in the valence band, and to construct band gap models. Absorption spectra, I4/I10, were computed to determine vacant orbital levels in the gap. A difference function (I4–I10) has been proposed to identify X-radiation at photon energies above the measured LIII absorption edge, including high-energy, double-vacancy satellites and radiative transitions involving the anti-parallel (spin-down) d 6 electron in the ground state. The proposed band gap model for Fe2SiO4 is consistent with that of Nitsan and Shankland (1976), including an intrinsic transition of 6.5 eV and an energy gap of 7.8 eV. The 3d orbital energy level electronic structures are in general agreement with levels computed by Tossell et al. (1974) for [FeO6]10− in FeO using an SCF Xα cluster MO method. A high-energy, double-vacancy satellite was found at ∼710.7 eV, and is presumed to originate from an LIIIMII,III initial state. The intensity of these satellites for the ferrous silicates and other iron compounds, and corresponding Fe LII/LIII intensity ratios are correlated with differences in band gap magnitudes and gap structure. Fe LII/LIII intensity ratios are not well correlated with iron oxidation state.
Correlation of lung vibration and airflow

Airflow into a mechanically ventilated patient is easily measured in the inspiratory limb of the ventilator. Regional airflow inside the lungs, up to this point, is a black box. Vibration response imaging (VRI) is a novel technology that measures vibration energy from the lungs to create a real-time structural and functional image of regional vibration during respiration. Sophisticated surface skin sensors are placed on the subject's back to record, analyze and display vibrations noninvasively. Our goal was to assess the correlation of vibration measured at the chest wall with airflow into the lungs.
Intestinal graft-versus-host disease.

A 17-month-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia status 61 days post cord blood transplant presented with vomiting, diarrhea and feeding intolerance. Fluoroscopic examination with barium demonstrates diffuse narrowing of the small bowel lumen referred to as toothpasteor ribbon-like (Fig. 1) and consistent with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Despite improvement of intestinal GVHD with immunosuppressive therapy, the boy developed respiratory failure and infection and died 4 months later. GVHD typically affects the skin, intestine and liver because of alloreactive donor T cells [1]. The diagnosis is typically made based on clinical findings. Radiological studies are not specific, but bowel wall thickening can be observed because of edema [2]. Steroids are the first-line therapy.
IVth International Conference on AIDS

participants. Interspersed throughout the program were shorter communications on more specific topics. These included presentations by Souzy Dracopoulou of Greece on the value of animal and human life, Nusret Fisek of Turkey on medical responsibility toward the individual and society, and M.A.M. Abul Fadl of Egypt, who addressed Islamic approaches. The conference proceedings are expected to be published. In May, Hastings Center director Daniel Callahan traveled to Venice
A theoretical analysis of backtracking in the graph coloring problem

Abstract The graph coloring problem is: Given a positive integer K and a graph G. Can the vertices of G be properly colored in K colors? The problem is NP-complete. The average behavior of the simplest backtrack algorithm for this problem is studied. Average run time over all graphs is known to be bounded. Average run time over all graphs with n vertices and q edges behaves like exp ( Cn 2 q ) . It is shown that similar results hold for all higher moments of the run time distribution. For all graphs and for graphs where lim n 2 q exists, the run time has a limiting disibution as n → ∞.
Incorporating normative social influence into a diffusion model

Summary.-This research examined a diffusion model that included normative social influence. Findings were based on responses of 137 undergraduate business school students who served as subjects and examined the product, athletic shoes, and indicate that normative social influence may be included in the diffusion model by using Newton's Method to provide 3 good fit with the data. The diffusion process (4, 5) may be described as df(t) / dt = [x + bf(t)] [I - f(t)] where f(t) is the cumulative proportion of adopters at time t. The parameters x and b may be interpreted as the coefficients of innovation and imitation, respectively (2). Setting the initial value condition at f(0) = 0 and integrating the above differential equation yields: f(t) = (1- e-") / (1 + ae-") where a = b/x and 0 = (x + 6). The literature (4) suggests that, when b has been analyzed, exploration has been, in the main, in terms of some form of informational social influence. However, Deutsch and Gerard (4) have distinguished two types of social influence: one, informational social influence which is "influence to accept information obtained from another as evidence about realityH and two, normative social influence which refers to the influence to conform to the expectations of a significant other person or group. Interpreting b as normative social influence, this note reports the results of a study in which the actual cumulative fraction of planned adoptions was compared to the predicted cumulative fraction of planned adoptions. The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not the inclusion of normative social influence in the aforementioned diffusion model using Newton's Method would produce a good fit between the actual and the predicted data. The predicted fraction of adopters was obtained from the f(t) formula and the accuracy of the estimate was tested using R2. The implication of this study is that, if normative social influence can be successfully linked to the diffusion model, it would provide the researchers with additional insight into the behavioral dimensions of the diffusion process. Questionnaires were given to 139 students at a northeastern university. After examining the questionnaires, two were deleted from further consideration due to outlying answers. The analysis involved 137 questionnaires. The subjects were undergraduate students (approximately equally divided between
Modeling anisotropic fluids within the framework of bodies with multiple natural configurations

Abstract This is a follow up of a paper on a thermodynamic framework for rate type models [J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 88 (2000) 207] published in this journal. The previous paper used the notion that certain materials have multiple natural configurations and that their response can be characterized as a class of elastic responses from an evolving set of natural configurations, and used this framework to model the behavior of a class of visoelastic fluids that are isotropic with regard to their viscous as well as their elastic response. Here, we extend the framework to the modeling of anisotropic fluids . Anisotropic fluids are invariably modeled within the framework of director theories, and such theories require boundary conditions for the directors for the resolution of boundary value problems. Here, we present an approach to the modeling of anisotropic fluids, which is not a director theory; no balance laws for directors are posited nor is there a notion of a director body force, director (or cosserat) stress or director kinetic energy. Thus, the present approach does not require specifying any additional boundary conditions other than that usually specified for viscous fluids, even for flows that involve spatially inhomogeneous fields. Moreover, the framework is based on sound thermodynamical footing, the evolution of the natural configurations being determined by the rate of dissipation of the material. To delineate the efficacy of the theory, we solve a problem associated with a shearing flow of the fluid in which we discuss the tumbling and alignment of certain vectors that represent the axes of anisotropy of the fluid and which may be associated with rod-like structures in the fluid.
Perturbation analysis of the “Shrinking core”

Abstract An improved perturbation analysis for the shrinking-core model describing diffusion and reaction for combustion of a spherical “particle” is developed. The analysis employs several transformations to recast the problem to a form suited to perturbation solution using regular expansions for concentration and core boundary in terms of a small parameter. Results are compared with highly accurate numerical solutions using finite elements and shown to be a slight improvement over an earlier approximate perturbation result. This improved analysis and the finite-element solution are new and show that the earlier results appear adequate for a representative problem.
Immunohistochemical Study of Osteopontin Expression During Distraction Osteogenesis in the Rat

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a limb-lengthening procedure that combines mechanical tension stress with fracture healing to provide a unique opportunity for detailed histological examination of bone formation. Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional matricellular protein believed to play a key role in wound healing and cellular response to mechanical stress. We studied the expression of OPN during DO using standard immunohistochemical (IHC) staining techniques. In addition, we compared the expression of OPN to proliferation (PCNA-positive cells) in the DO gap. After 14 days of distraction in the rat, these stains revealed variations in OPN expression and its relationship to proliferation according to the cell type, tissue type, and mode of ossification examined. Fibroblast-like cells within the central fibrous area exhibited intermittent low levels of OPN, but no relationship was observed between OPN and proliferation. In areas of transchondral ossification, OPN expression was very high in the morphologically intermediate oval cells. During intramembranous ossification, osteoblasts appeared to exhibit a bimodal expression of OPN. Specifically, proliferating pre-osteoblasts expressed osteopontin, but OPN was not detected in the post-proliferative pre-osteoblasts/osteoblasts that border the new bone columns. Finally, intracellular OPN was detected in virtually all of the mature osteoblasts/osteocytes within the new bone columns, while detection of OPN in the matrix of the developing bone columns may increase with the maturity of the new bone. These results imply that the expression of OPN during DO may be more similar to that seen during embryogenesis than would be expected from other studies. Furthermore, the biphasic expression of OPN during intramembranous ossification may exemplify the protein's multi-functional role. Early expression may facilitate pre-osteoblastic proliferation and migration, while the latter downregulation may be necessary for hydroxyapatite crystal formation.
Complex role of space in the crossing of fitness valleys by asexual populations

The evolution of complex traits requires the accumulation of multiple mutations, which can be disadvantageous, neutral or advantageous relative to the wild-type. We study two spatial (two-dimensional) models of fitness valley crossing (the constant-population Moran process and the non-constant-population contact process), varying the number of loci involved and the degree of mixing. We find that spatial interactions accelerate the crossing of fitness valleys in the Moran process in the context of neutral and disadvantageous intermediate mutants because of the formation of mutant islands that increase the lifespan of mutant lineages. By contrast, in the contact process, spatial structure can accelerate or delay the emergence of the complex trait, and there can even be an optimal degree of mixing that maximizes the rate of evolution. For advantageous intermediate mutants, spatial interactions always delay the evolution of complex traits, in both the Moran and contact processes. The role of the mutant islands here is the opposite: instead of protecting, they constrict the growth of mutants. We conclude that the laws of population growth can be crucial for the effect of spatial interactions on the rate of evolution, and we relate the two processes explored here to different biological situations.
Getting out of Greasewood.

Lower Greasewood lies at the base of Toyei Mesa, 23 miles southwest of Ganado, Arizona. In 1972, the paved road ended at the Greasewood Chapter House and Trading Post, beyond which were the trailer...
Flow sensors in newspaper production

Abstract The paper evaluates potential savings in a newspaper production operation achieved by reducing errors in flow sensor counts at stackers, where newspaper bundles are made for distribution to customers. The reduction in count errors is achieved by installing extra flow sensors at various transfer points in the production flow network and using their counts along with using the deducible information from flow conservation equations. As the product flows in the production network, more diversity within the product line is introduced due to variations in inserts. Stop rules for a product inflowing into multiple reservoirs are developed which would minimize expected over production. More precise projections for product completion times are generated, which allow timely corrective actions. State sensors are installed, which give real time information about state of each equipment as to whether it is in an operational or failed mode. Knowledge of the state of the system provides ability to promptly generate, on a real time basis, alternative system configuration substituting redundant operational units for the failed units.
Relative effectiveness of diethylstilbestrol and estradiol benzoate in inducing female behavior patterns of ovariectomized ring doves (Streptopelia risoria)

Abstract Diethylstilbestrol, the synthetic substance having estrogenic properties, is as effective as the natural estrogen, estradiol benzoate, in stimulating oviduct growth, but is relatively ineffective by comparison with estradiol benzoate in inducing female sexual behavior.
In situ transmission electron microscope studies of palladium on MgO

Abstract Palladium particles were grown from the vapor phase inside a controlled-vacuum specimen chamber of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) on freshly prepared and flat MgO substrate surfaces. Annealing and various effects of gas exposure of the particulate Pd deposits were studied in situ by high-resolution TEM and electron diffraction. Even at substrate temperatures of 300 °K (room temperature), the deposits were perfectly epitaxial. A lattice expansion of 2–4% was noted; the highest values of expansion (compared to the bulk Pd lattice parameter) were found for the smallest particles (1–1.5 nm size range). Long-time RT exposure of Pd MgO in a vacuum of 10−8 mbar (major residual gas components were water and nitrogen) yielded negligible particle mobility and coalescence. However, exposure to laboratory air or oxygen at RT greatly enhanced the particle mobility and coalescence and also resulted in flattening of the deposit particles. Electronbeam irradiation further enhanced this effect. Exposure to laboratory air for several tens of hours led to strong coalescence with a tendency of minimization of the particle surface areas by promoting three-dimensional Pd particle habit formation. The results, therefore, indicate that small deposited metal particles may undergo appreciable changes when they are exposed to air at RT, such as is common practice in ex situ TEM investigations of particulate deposits.
Improvement of process control using wafer geometry for enhanced manufacturability of advanced semiconductor devices

Aggressive advancements in semiconductor technology have resulted in integrated chip (IC) manufacturing capability at sub-20nm half-pitch nodes. With this, lithography overlay error budgets are becoming increasingly stringent. The delay in EUV lithography readiness for high volume manufacturing (HVM) and the need for multiple-patterning lithography with 193i technology has further amplified the overlay issue. Thus there exists a need for technologies that can improve overlay errors in HVM. The traditional method for reducing overlay errors predominantly focused on improving lithography scanner printability performance. However, processes outside of the lithography sector known as processinduced overlay errors can contribute significantly to the total overlay at the current requirements. Monitoring and characterizing process-induced overlay has become critical for advanced node patterning. Recently a relatively new technique for overlay control that uses high-resolution wafer geometry measurements has gained significance. In this work we present the implementation of this technique in an IC fabrication environment to monitor wafer geometry changes induced across several points in the process flow, of multiple product layers with critical overlay performance requirement. Several production wafer lots were measured and analyzed on a patterned wafer geometry tool. Changes induced in wafer geometry as a result of wafer processing were related to down-stream overlay error contribution using the analytical in-plane distortion (IPD) calculation model. Through this segmentation, process steps that are major contributors to down-stream overlay were identified. Subsequent process optimization was then isolated to those process steps where maximum benefit might be realized. Root-cause for the within-wafer, wafer-to-wafer, tool-to-tool, and station-to-station variations observed were further investigated using local shape curvature changes – which is directly related to stresses induced by wafer processing. In multiple instances it was possible to adjust process parameters such as gas flow rate, machine power, etc., and reduce non-uniform stresses in the wafer. Estimates of process-induced overlay errors were also used to perform feedforward overlay corrections for 3D-NAND production wafers. Results from the studies performed in an advanced semiconductor fabrication line are reported in this paper.
Water, Environment, Energy, and Population Growth: Implications for Water Sustainability under Climate Change

AbstractForum papers are thought-provoking opinion pieces or essays founded in fact, sometimes containing speculation, on a civil engineering topic of general interest and relevance to the readership of the journal. The views expressed in this Forum article do not necessarily reflect the views of ASCE or the Editorial Board of the journal.
Die Untersuchung von Fehlerquellen in integrierten Gleichspannungsverstärkern

In dieser Arbeit wird zunachst die prinzipielle Wirkungsweise beschrieben, die im wesentlichen nicht vom Entwicklungsstand abhangt. Anschliesend wird gezeigt, wie die Schaltungstechnik zur Beseitigung bestimmter Storeinflusse angewendet werden kann. Der folgende Teil der Arbeit befast sich mit technologischen Moglichkeiten zur Beeinflussung der einzelnen Bauteile. Den Schlus bildet eine Beschreibung der Technik der geheizten Grundplatte und ihre Brauchbarkeit.
Climate science: Decadal predictions in demand

Decision makers are in need of decadal climate forecasts, for example, to help plan infrastructure investments. When — or whether — climate modellers will be able to deliver is not yet clear.
Variations in death anxiety related to college students' sex, major field of study, and certain personality traits.

208 undergraduate and graduate students completed the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule and a scale designed to measure death anxiety. Females and persons high in the trait of succorance had higher death anxiety, while males and persons high in endurance, aggression, and exhibition indicated less death anxiety. Students majoring in social work tended to have higher death anxiety, and students in the College of Business had significantly lower fear of death.
A physico-chemical study of fetal calf sera used as tissue culture nutrient correlated with biological tests for toxicity☆

Abstract 1. 1. Several physical and chemical measurements were made on a total of 96 fetal calf serum FCS samples, 84 of which were obtained under highly-standardized collection and processing procedures at cooperating slaughter houses in Omaha, Nebraska, and in St. Paul, Minnesota. Other FCS samples, and four non-FCS samples, were measured either as controls or for comparison. 2. 2. Biological tests were carried out using individual FCS samples as a part of the culture medium with MDBK, HeLa, and primary dog kidney cells. 3. 3. Toxicity was demonstrated in two control FCS samples known to be toxic, and one of the commercial FCS samples. Limited biological efficacy was observed in three of the FCS samples obtained from cooperating slaughter houses. All other FCS samples allowed cellular attachment and growth to take place in biological tests. 4. 4. The chemical parameters that correlated with toxicity in FCS included a high total protein content, an abnormality in the protein electrophoretic pattern, low acid soluble phosphorus content, and a high phospholipid and total cholesterol content. 5. 5. Total protein showed an increase in FCS with increasing age of the fetus regardless of breed or geographical location of the sampling. 6. 6. Other physical and chemical parameters that were measured included specific gravity, refractive index, pH, A G ratios Na+, Cl−, Ca2+, Ca P ratios, glucose, hemoglobin, urea nitrogen, and total lipid content. These measurements were within expected normal values for FCS and did not correlate with biological tests.
Automated identification of filaments in cryoelectron microscopy images.

Abstract Since the foundation for the three-dimensional image reconstruction of helical objects from electron micrographs was laid more than 30 years ago, there have been sustained developments in specimen preparation, data acquisition, image analysis, and interpretation of results. However, the boxing of filaments in large numbers of images—one of the critical steps toward the reconstruction at high resolution—is still constrained by manual processing even though interactive interfaces have been built to aid the tedious and sometimes inaccurate boxing process. This article describes an accurate approach for automated detection of filamentous structures in low-contrast images acquired in defocus pairs using cryoelectron microscopy. The performance of the approach has been evaluated across various magnifications and at a series of defocus values using tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) preserved in vitreous ice as a test specimen. By integrating the proposed approach into our automated data acquisition and reconstruction system, we are now able to generate a three-dimensional map of TMV to approximately 10-A resolution within 24 h of inserting the specimen grid into the microscope.
Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of malignant melanoma

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is very successful in the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Examining 100% of the margin using MMS improves cure rates. This method has obvious appeal in treating melanoma. Evaluating the lateral margins of melanomas using frozen tissue sections is complicated. Some studies have shown that basic frozen sections can be accurate in margin evaluation, but others have shown that they are unreliable. The use of immunostains on frozen sections is one method that may make the analysis of frozen sections more accurate. Other modifications, including the use of rush paraffin sections in lieu of frozen sections, "slow Mohs," have also been reported. Although the role of MMS in the treatment of melanoma has been controversial, multiple reports using all of the above-mentioned methods have shown great success. Mohs micrographic surgery has a role in the management of melanoma, especially for lesions with poorly defined margins or for those located in areas where tissue conservation is critical.
On the substrate specificity of bovine liver dihydrofolate reductase: new unconjugated dihydropterin substrates.

Abstract The substrate specificity of dihydrofolate reductase from cells of different origin has been thought to be quite narrow, and unconjugated dihydropterins such as 6-methyldihydropterin are known to be very poor substrates. We have reinvestigated the substrate specificity of several dihydropterins and, in addition, have observed that in a new series of unconjugated dihydropterins of the general structure 6-CH 2 O(CH 2 ) n CH 3 several compounds are excellent substrates for the bovine liver enzyme, but none of them bind as well as dihydrofolate. The substrate activity (apparent V max ) of these compounds increases from 17 to 110% that of the natural substrate, dihydrofolate, as n is increased from 0 to 3. In contrast, these unconjugated dihydropterins are very poor substrates for the Escherichia coli enzyme.
A pseudolikelihood method for analyzing interval censored data

SUMMARY We introduce a method based on a pseudolikelihood ratio for estimating the distribution function of the survival time in a mixed-case interval censoring model. In a mixed-case model, an individual is observed a random number of times, and at each time it is recorded whether an event has happened or not. One seeks to estimate the distribution of time to event. We use a Poisson process as the basis of a likelihood function to construct a pseudolikelihood ratio statistic for testing the value of the distribution function at a fixed point, and show that this converges under the null hypothesis to a known limit distribution, that can be expressed as a functional of different convex minorants of a two-sided Brownian motion process with parabolic drift. Construction of confidence sets then proceeds by standard inversion. The computation of the confidence sets is simple, requiring the use of the pool-adjacent-violators algorithm or a standard isotonic regression algorithm. We also illustrate the superiority of the proposed method over competitors based on resampling techniques or on the limit distribution of the maximum pseudolikelihood estimator, through simulation studies, and illustrate the different methods on a dataset involving time to HIV seroconversion in a group of haemophiliacs.
Time-Resolved Fluence Studies and Delayed Ionization of the Niobium-Carbon Cluster System

The effect of laser fluence on the process of delayed ionization in niobium-carbon clusters is studied over the range of 1.25 × 10 4 to 9.175 × 10 4 W/cm 2 (3.7 mJ/pulse to 0.5 mJ/pulsej with a 308-nm XeCl Excimer laser. Delayed ionization has been observed in some cluster systems where the ionization energy of the cluster is lower than its binding energy. This characteristic allows the cluster to act as its own heat bath in which the ionization energy can be stored in the vibrational modes. Through multiphoton excitation via a nanosecond-pulsed laser, an electron is ejected on the microsecond timescale. Fluence studies were performed in order to measure the degree of multiphoton ionization that occurs during delayed ionization. A new data analysis technique, referred to as a "time-resolved fluence study", is presented which demonstrates the ability of clusters differing in size to store various amounts of vibrational energy.
Dimensions of lesbian sexual experience.

Sixty-five female homosexuals, ranging in age from 18 to 55, completed a research questionnaire exploring their sexual relationships. Twenty-eight percent of the sample had become aware of their homosexual orientation between ages 6 and 10. First homosexual fantasies occurred between the ages of 11 and 15 for another 42%. More than two-thirds engaged in their first homosexual contact before the age of 20. These initial homosexual contacts were not exploitative. Rather, the respondents had been willing, cooperative partners. At the time of initial experience, there were as many who were seducers as there were those who were seduced. Forty percent achieved orgasm at the time of their first homosexual experience. Physical experience with another female preceded their entry into the homosexual community by several years. Nearly nine out of ten dated males during their homosexual careers, and more than half the respondents had had sexual experience with a male. A large number of female sexual partners was not the pattern of the respondents; four out of five had had physical intimacies with fewer than eight women.
Surface modification of lignosulfonates for reinforcement of styrene–butadiene rubber compounds

In this study, surface modification of lignosulfonates (LSs) was investigated for potential reinforcement of styrene–butadiene rubber compounds. Lignins are naturally occurring amorphous, highly branched polymers consisting of aromatic and aliphatic segments with polar functional groups such as hydroxyl, methoxy, carbonyl, and carboxyl. The polarity and hydrophilic nature render lignin incompatible with nonpolar rubber materials. In this study, cyclohexylamine (CA) modification of LS was evaluated for enhancement of compatibility with rubber via proton transfer and hydrogen bonding interactions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data confirm attachment of CA onto the surface of LS. The cure and scorch times of rubber compounds were shortened, and the crosslink density enhanced with an increase of the amount of CA in modified LS. The tensile strength at break increased by almost 45%; the 100% modulus and elongation at break also showed significant improvements. The values of storage modulus and loss tangent increased by 13% and 18%, respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40123.
Bureaucratic Capital and Chou Hsüeh-hsi in Late Ch'ing China

Bureaucratic capital—that is, capital accumulated through public office, or state revenue diverted by individual officials for capital investment— has had a long history in China since early Han times. This paper is concerned with the development of bureaucratic capital for ‘modern’ industry during the last forty years of the Ch'ing dynasty.
American idolatry: celebrity, commodity and reality television, by Christopher E. Bell, Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2010, 232 pp., US$35.00, 9780786448241

If you have ever found yourself drawn to reality TV's celebrity-in-the-making shows such as American Idol (and apparently upwards of 30% of the US viewing public has), Christopher E. Bell's new boo...
Developmental differences in mental rotation.

Abstract A reaction time paradigm was used to investigate developmental differences in ability to rotate and compare imaginal representations. Third grade, fifth grade, and college students (ages 9, 11, and 20 years, respectively) were required to determine whether a letter of the alphabet was presented in its backward or normal position. Letters were presented at 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, or 300° orientations from upright. Subjects were given no advance information about a test letter, or they were given identity and orientation information. In the no information condition, reaction time increased for all age groups as a function of the departure in orientation of the test letter from an upright position. In the advance information condition, reaction time remained uniform across orientation for only the college subjects. The developmental implications of these findings are discussed.
A Biological Substrate for Somatoform Disorders: Importance of Pathophysiology

Somatoform disorders are troubling to both patients and physicians. The diagnosis regrettably relies on the presence of subjective distress in the absence of objective findings. As a result, there is always the possibility that a diagnosis will be "missed." There is a clear underlying physiology of distress, which implies that there is a two-way street--both psychosomatic and somatopsychic in terms of production and experience of somatoform symptoms. Studies on communication pathways from the immune system to the brain provide exciting new information on the pathophysiology of inflammation-associated symptoms.
Some Coolness Concerning Global Warming

The greenhouse effect hypothesis is discussed. The effects of increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere on global temperature changes are analyzed. The problems with models currently used to predict climatic changes are examined.
Integration of the barotropic vorticity equation on a spherical geodesic grid

A quasi-homogeneous net of points over a sphere for numerical integration is defined. The grid consists of almost equal-area, equilateral spherical triangles covering the sphere. Finite difference approximations for a nondivergent, barotropic model expressed in terms of a streamfunction are proposed for an arbitrary triangular grid. These differences are applied to the spherical geodesic grid. The model is integrated for 12-day periods using analytic initial conditions of wave number six and four. The numerical solution with these special initial conditions follows the analytic solution quite closely, the only difference being a small phase error. Small truncation errors are noticeable in the square of the streamfunction averaged over latitude bands. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1968.tb00406.x
Parvalbumin and calbindin are differentially distributed within primary and secondary subregions of the mouse auditory forebrain.

The calcium binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin are thought to differentially regulate physiological functions and often show complementary distributions in the CNS. Our goal was to determine parvalbumin and calbindin distributions in the different subdivisions of mouse auditory thalamus and auditory cortex. Following fixation, FVB mouse brains (postnatal days 38-80) were sectioned along coronal and horizontal planes, then processed for parvalbumin and calbindin immunohistochemistry (antibodies: parvalbumin pa-235, calbindin-d-28k cl-300). Strong complementary differences in calcium binding protein distributions were found in mouse auditory thalamus. The ventral division of the medial geniculate, which is the principal relay to primary auditory cortex, exhibited dense parvalbumin but weak calbindin immunoreactivity. In contrast, most of the 'secondary' auditory thalamic regions surrounding the ventral division showed strong calbindin and lighter parvalbumin levels. Thus, the mouse auditory thalamus is composed of a parvalbumin positive 'core' surrounded by a calbindin positive 'shell'. Parvalbumin immunoreactivity was also more prominent in the primary auditory cortex than in the secondary belt auditory cortex. Calbindin immunoreactivity in auditory cortex was less clearly divided along primary/secondary lines, especially in supragranular layers. However, within infragranular layers, there was heavier staining in belt areas than in primary auditory cortex. In auditory thalamus, parvalbumin labeling was largely confined to the neuropil, whereas calbindin labeling involved somata and neuropil. In auditory cortex, somata and neuropil were positive for both proteins.In summary, the calcium binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin were found to be differentially distributed within the primary and non-primary regions of mouse auditory forebrain. These differences in protein distribution may contribute to the distinct types of physiological responses that occur in the primary vs. non-primary areas.
Heritability of level of response and association with recent drinking history in nonalcohol-dependent drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Level of response (LR) to alcohol has been shown to be associated with the risk of developing alcohol dependence and can be measured using the self-rating of the effects of alcohol (SRE) questionnaire. This study examined the heritability of the SRE-measured LR and the relationship between LR and recent alcohol drinking history (RDH) in a predominantly African American nonalcohol-dependent population. METHODS: This was a sibling study of 101 social drinkers aged 21 to 35 years recruited from the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Participants were administered the SRE to assess LR and the timeline followback (TLFB) to assess RDH. The indices of SRE used were total SRE score (SRTT), early drinking SRE score (SRED), regular drinking SRE score (SRRD), and heavy drinking SRE score (SRHD). Pearson's product-moment correlation and linear regression were used to analyze SRE indices and RDH variables (quantity and drinks per drinking occasion). Heritability analysis was conducted using Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines (SOLAR) software with SRE indices as traits of interest. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between SRE and RDH measures. Drinks per drinking day, maximum drinks, and quantity of drinks were significantly associated with SRTT, SRHD, and SRRD (all p Language: en
Determination of the threshold-energy surface for copper using in-situ electrical-resistivity measurements in the high-voltage electron microscope

A detailed study of the anisotropy of the threshold energy for Frenkel-pair production in copper was carried out experimentally, using in-situ electrical-resistivity measurements in the high-voltage electron microscope. These electrical-resistivity measurements, which are sensitive to small changes in point-defect concentration, were used to determine the damage or defect production rate. Damage-rate measurements in copper single crystals were carried out for approx.40 incident electron-beam directions and six electron energies from 0.4 to 1.1 MeV. The total cross section for Frenkel-pair production is proportional to the measured damage rate and can be theoretically calculated if the form of the threshold-energy surface is known. Trial threshold-energy surfaces were systematically altered until a ''best fit'' of the calculated to the measured total cross sections for Frenkel-pair production was obtained. The average threshold energy of this surface is 28.5 eV. The minimum threshold energy is 18 +- 2 eV and is located near . A ring of very high threshold energy (>50 eV) surrounds the direction. A damage function for single-defect production was derived from this surface and was applied to defect-production calculations at higher recoil energies. This function rises rather sharply from a value of zero at 17 eV to 0.8 at 42more » eV. It has the value of 0.5 at 24.5 eV. Above 30 eV the slope of the curve begins to decrease, reflecting the presence of the high-energy regions of the threshold-energy surface. Both topographical and quantitative comparisons of the present surface with those in the literature were presented. Based on a chi/sup 2/ goodness-of-fit test, the present surface was found to predict the experimentally observed total cross sections for Frenkel-pair production significantly better than the other available surfaces. Also, the goodness of fit varied substantially less with energy and direction for the present surface.« less
Postoperative analgesia with parenteral opioids: does continuous delivery utilizing a transdermal opioid preparation affect analgesic efficacy or patient safety?

Abstract Study Objectives: To compare, in patients who underwent major orthopedic surgical procedures, the efficacy of intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine combined with continuous administration of two doses of fentanyl or placebo via transdermal therapeutic system with fentanyl (TTSF) patches. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Setting: University teaching hospital. Patients: 62 patients aged 18 to 65 years, presenting for elective orthopedic surgery and general anesthesia. Interventions: Patients were randomized to one of three groups: group 1 received two placebo patches; group 2 received a 20 cm 2 active patch delivering 50 μg/hr of fentanyl and a 30 cm 2 placebo patch; group 3 received a 30 cm 2 active patch delivering 75 μg/hr of fentanyl and a 20 cm 2 placebo patch. All patches were placed approximately two hours prior to induction of general anesthesia. General anesthesia was induced with thiopental, intubation facilitated by the use of vecuronium or pancuronium, and anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in an oxygen/nitrous oxide mixture (O2N2O). Following surgery, IV morphine was provided using IV PCA with 1.5 mg of morphine with a 6-minute lockout and a 4-hour maximum dosage of 30 mg. Measurements and Main Results: The time and dosage of morphine administered was recorded. Vital signs, pain intensity at rest, level of sedation, and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) were measured at intervals throughout the 72-hour study period and at 6 and 12 hours following patch removal. The presence of side effects was noted. Visual analog pain scores throughout the 72 hours of the study were not significantly different among groups. Patients receiving active TTSF required less IV PCA morphine at all time intervals. However, total opioid consumption was comparable among groups. The incidence of side effects was similar in all groups. Conclusions: There is no significant advantage to the routine use of continuous transdermal opioid delivery in patients receiving TV PCA after major orthopedic surgery.
Symbolic Speeches in the U.S. Senate and Their Representational Implications

We document multiple forms of symbolic behavior by members of the U.S. Senate and then offer systematic tests intended to account for variations in such behavior. Our measures of symbolic behavior are developed from floor speeches in the Senate, and we demonstrate, first, that the major types of speeches match particular home style activities and other commonly recognized behaviors of legislators. Our empirical tests provide evidence that the frequency with which senators give particular kinds of speeches is predictable by theoretically grounded expectations about their representational, positional, and strategic interests. Our results provide support for the prospect of systematic analysis of symbolic behavior and representation and for developing integrated theory that takes account of symbolic and policy representation simultaneously.