cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resilience of Communities in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria: Community-Based Preparedness and Communication Strategies.

Objective This study aimed to examine factors that may have contributed to community disaster resilience following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Methods In April 2018, qualitative interviews (n = 22) were conducted with stakeholders in 7 Puerto Rican municipalities (9% of total). Transcripts were deductively and inductively coded and analyzed to identify salient topics and themes, then examined according to strategic themes from the Federal Emergency Management Association's (FEMA) Whole Community Approach. Results Municipal preparedness efforts were coordinated, community-based, leveraged community assets, and prioritized vulnerable populations. Strategies included (1) multi-sectoral coordination and strategic personnel allocation; (2) neighborhood leader designation as support contacts; (3) leveraging of community leader expertise and social networks to protect vulnerable residents; (4) Censuses of at-risk groups, health professionals, and first responders; and (5) outreach for risk communication and locally tailored protective measures. In the context of collapsed telecommunications, communities implemented post-disaster strategies to facilitate communication with the Puerto Rican Government, between local first responders, and to keep residents informed, including the use of: (1) police radios; (2) vehicles with loudspeakers; (3) direct interpersonal communication; and (4) solar-powered Internet radio stations. Conclusions Adaptive capacities and actions of Puerto Rican communities exemplify the importance of local solutions in disasters. Expanded research is recommended to better understand contributors to disaster resilience.
Factors associated with early receipt of COVID-19 vaccination and adherence to second dose in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

Background We aimed to determine factors independently associated with early COVID-19 vaccination and adherence to two-dose regimens. Methods Among persons receiving care in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system (n = 5,766,638), we identified those who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination through the VA, during the first ~3months following emergency use authorization, from December 11, 2020 to March 9, 2021 (n = 1,569,099, or 27.2%, including 880,200 (56.1%) Moderna, 676,279 (43.1%) Pfizer-BioNTech and 12,620 (0.8%) Janssen vaccines). Results Follow-up for receipt of vaccination began on December 11, 2020. After adjustment for baseline characteristics ascertained as of December 11, 2020, factors significantly associated with vaccination included older age, higher comorbidity burden, higher body mass index category, Black (vs. White) race (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.19, 95% CI 1.19-1.20), Hispanic (vs. non-Hispanic) ethnicity (AHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.11-1.13), urban (vs. rural) residence (AHR 1.31, 95% CI 1.31-1.31), and geographical region, while AI/AN race (vs. White), was associated with lower vaccination rate (AHR 0.85, 95% CI 0.84-0.87). Among persons who received both doses of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, 95.3% received the second dose within ±4 days of the recommended date. Among persons who received the first vaccine dose, only 3.2% did not receive the second dose within 42 days for Pfizer versus 4.0% for Moderna (p Conclusions We identified sociodemographic and clinical factors that may be used to target vaccination efforts and to further improve adherence to second vaccine dosing.
The Use of a Waist-Type Flotation Device as an Adjunct in Teaching Beginning Swimming Skills

Abstract Thirty male college students were tested and equated in regard to their swimming ability. On the basis of a swimming test for distance, they were divided into two groups for the purpose of comparing the relative effectiveness of the use of a waist-type flotation device in learning to swim. After two aquatic orientation sessions for both groups, they were taught to swim. No additional outside practice was permitted during the course of the experiment. At the end of each session, each student in each group was tested by an outside scorer to determine the distance he could swim. Those in the experimental group were tested with the flotation device removed. Improvement was noted in each group, but the group using the waist-type flotation device was able to swim further at the conclusion of the experiment.
The Structure of Solids and Liquids

This chapter deals with the structure of solids and liquids. Many solids are crystalline, with molecular units arranged in a regular three-dimensional lattice. The principle types of solid lattices are discussed. There are two principal theories for the vibrations of lattices of atoms, the Einstein and the Debye theories. In the Einstein model, each atom is assumed to vibrate independently of the other atoms, with all atoms vibrating with the same frequency. In the Debye model, the lattice is assumed to vibrate with the same distribution of frequencies as would a structureless solid. The electronic structure of solids is discussed through the band theory, in which the electrons are assumed to occupy delocalized orbitals that comprise bands of energy levels. The differences between conductors, semiconductors, and insulators are explained by in terms of the band theory. The structure of liquids is more difficult to discuss than is the structure of solids, since the liquids are more disordered than solids, but not completely disordered as are gases. Some elementary comments on the structure of liquids are presented, including the definition of the radial distribution function, which gives the probability of finding another molecule at a given distance from a molecule. Moreover, the chapter discusses the kinetics of the formation of condensation polymers.
Photoluminescence evolution in GaAs/AlGaAs core/shell nanowires grown by MOCVD: Effects of core growth temperature and substrate orientation

Abstract We explore the growth temperature dependence of GaAs/AlGaAs core/shell nanowires (NW) grown by metal–organic chemical-vapor deposition (MOCVD) on (1 0 0) and (1 1 1)B GaAs substrates. In-situ calibration of the growth temperature allows for a systematic variation with unprecedented resolution. Characterization by photoluminescence (PL) indicates that, at low growth temperatures, nanowires grown on (1 1 1)B substrates incorporate higher density of defects than wires on (1 0 0). On either substrate, nanowire core growth temperatures above 450 °C result in rising defect luminescence in the PL spectra concomitant with the increased epitaxial growth on the nanowire sidewalls at these higher temperatures. This work presents a systematic study of nanowire growth conditions that reveals the correlation between the growth temperature of the GaAs core, the chosen substrate surface orientation, and the resulting optical properties of GaAs/AlGaAs nanowires.
Microdevices for high resolution measurement

We summarize two on-going projects: suspended microchannel resonator for biomolecular detection and scanning probe microscopy with inherent disturbance suppression. The microfabricated devices with optical readout are used for high resolution measurement
Soluble guanylyl cyclases in invertebrates: Targets for NO and O2

Abstract The major cellular targets for NO are soluble guanylyl cyclases (sGCs), which are activated upon binding NO and catalyse the synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP). Invertebrates and possibly vertebrates have two families of sGCs: conventional NO-sensitive sGCs, and atypical sGCs that are insensitive to NO. Recent evidence suggests that the atypical sGCs act as oxygen sensors, mediating behavioral responses to oxygen content in the environment. Here we review the biochemical properties of both families of sGCs and recent evidence supporting the model that atypical sGCs can act as molecular oxygen sensors.
Shining the Bright Light on Police Interrogation in America

This article reviews Richard A. Leo’s book 'Police Interrogation and American Justice.' Prior to entering legal academia, Leo served as an associate professor of psychology and criminology, and performed groundbreaking empirical research into how police interrogators obtain confessions and how their interrogation techniques affect suspects. His body of work shines the bright light on police interrogation in American today. Leo depicts the values and structure of interrogation in a way that few, outside of the actual subjects/victims of interrogation, fully understand. Although I do not agree with all of his conclusions and proposed reforms, his work convincingly raises a point that we must heed: If we are to ensure the integrity and fairness of confessions in this country, we must adopt universal videotaping requirements across all jurisdictions, and develop new reliability tests to screen out false confessions.
Selecting killers: the line between life and death

How do T cells that are specific for pancreatic islet cell antigens cause diabetes? A recent paper in Nature provides evidence from NOD mice that the killer T cells responsible increase their avidity as the disease progresses—removing the high avidity clones prevents disease.
Quantification of known components of the Escherichia coli TonB energy transduction system: TonB, ExbB, ExbD and FepA

The TonB-dependent energy transduction system couples cytoplasmic membrane proton motive force to active transport of iron-siderophore complexes across the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria. In Escherichia coli, the primary players known in this process to date are: FepA, the TonB-gated transporter for the siderophore enterochelin; TonB, the energy-transducing protein; and two cytoplasmic membrane proteins with less defined roles, ExbB and ExbD. In this study, we report the per cell numbers of TonB, ExbB, ExbD and FepA for cells grown under iron-replete and iron-limited conditions. Under iron-replete conditions, TonB and FepA were present at 335 +/- 78 and 504 +/- 165 copies per cell respectively. ExbB and ExbD, despite being encoded from the same operon, were not equimolar, being present at 2463 +/- 522 and 741 +/- 105 copies respectively. The ratio of these proteins was calculated at one TonB:two ExbD:seven ExbB under all four growth conditions tested. In contrast, the TonB:FepA ratio varied with iron status and according to the method used for iron limitation. Differences in the method of iron limitation also resulted in significant differences in cell size, skewing the per cell copy numbers for all proteins.
Unesterified fatty acids inhibit the binding of low density lipoproteins to the human fibroblast low density lipoprotein receptor.

Abstract Micromolar concentrations of oleate were found to inhibit reversibly the binding of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to the human fibroblast LDL receptor. The decrease in LDL binding caused a parallel reduction of both 125I-LDL uptake and degradation at 37 degrees C. At 4 degrees C, oleate was also found to displace 125I-LDL already bound to the LDL receptor. The effect of oleate was rapid, reaching 70-80% of maximum displacement with 5-10 min of incubation, and was closely correlated to oleate-albumin molar ratios. Partition analysis of unesterified fatty acids between cells and LDL showed that the inhibitory effect of oleate resulted mainly from an interaction of unesterified fatty acids with the cell surface rather than with the LDL particles. Using different unesterified fatty acids and fatty acid analogs, we found that the inhibitory effect was modulated by both the length and the conformation of the monomeric carbon chain and was directly dependent on the presence of a negative charge on the carboxylic group. At 4 degrees C, the inhibitory effect of oleate never exceeded half of maximum binding capacity. This limitation was associated with the ability of oleate to interact only with part of the population of LDL receptors which spontaneously recycles in the absence of ligand, as demonstrated by the fact that oleate did not induce any reduction of LDL binding after cell treatment with monensin in the absence of LDL. Our results indicate that unesterified fatty acids could participate in the control of LDL catabolism in vivo by direct modulation of the ability of LDL receptor to bind LDL.
Increasing obesity and comorbidity in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty in the U.S.: A 13-year study of time trends

Background Few, if any data are available are available regarding the time-trends in characteristics of patients who have undergone primary THA. Our objective was to examine the time-trends in key demographic and clinical characteristics of patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).
Surviving internet catastrophes

In this paper, we propose a new approach for designing distributed systems to survive Internet catastrophes called informed replication, and demonstrate this approach with the design and evaluation of a cooperative backup system called the Phoenix Recovery Service. Informed replication uses a model of correlated failures to exploit software diversity. The key observation that makes our approach both feasible and practical is that Internet catastrophes result from shared vulnerabilities. By replicating a system service on hosts that do not have the same vulnerabilities, an Internet pathogen that exploits a vulnerability is unlikely to cause all replicas to fail. To characterize software diversity in an Internet setting, we measure the software diversity of host operating systems and network services in a large organization. We then use insights from our measurement study to develop and evaluate heuristics for computing replica sets that have a number of attractive features. Our heuristics provide excellent reliability guarantees, result in low degree of replication, limit the storage burden on each host in the system, and lend themselves to a fully distributed implementation. We then present the design and prototype implementation of Phoenix, and evaluate it on the PlanetLab testbed.
What We Think We Know vs. What We Need to Know About Orchid Pollination and Conservation: Cypripedium L. as a Model Lineage

While Darwin (1862, 1877) showed that reproductive success in orchid populations depended on adaptive floral morphology coupled with pollinator visitation a more recent review of the literature (Tremblay et al., 2005) confirmed that many out-breeding species are pollinator-limited because most orchid species showing low fecundity also lack rewards. The absence of rewards depresses both pollinator fidelity and the frequency of pollinator visits to an orchid population even though orchid flowers that lack rewards retain the same interlocking floral structures for precise pollinia removal and deposition found in related species that offer rewards. Using the genus, Cypripedium, as a model lineage of non-rewarding flowers this study also shows that the correlation between low fruit set in a Cypripedium sp. and its specific pollinator(s) is insufficient to predict specific frequencies of low fecundity. Annual rates of fruit set often vary broadly between populations of the same species and within the same population over several seasons. We speculate that fruit-set rates also decline when orchid demography and additional biotic and abiotic factors interrupt rates of pollinator activity (pre-zygotic) and fertilization/fruit maturation (post-zygotic). We suggest that that traditional field studies on pollination ecology and breeding systems be combined with data sets recording genetic variation and orchid flower demography in relation to seasonal variation in climate. We also propose that the same information be collected in regard to genetic variation, demography and phenology of populations of known orchid pollinators and co-blooming angiosperm species native to orchid habitats.
Origins of the "nucleation" free energy in the hybridization thermodynamics of short duplex DNA.

Thermodynamic parameters ΔHcal, ΔScal, and ΔGcal of the melting transitions for 19 short DNA/DNA duplexes ranging in length from 6 to 35 base pairs were systematically evaluated by differential sca...
Acceleration of a liquid drop suddenly exposed to a high-speed airstream

Abstract In this communication we propose a correlation for the drag coefficient on a liquid drop suddenly exposed to a high-speed airstream. The correlation is a bi-power law in the Ohnesorge and Weber numbers. The correlation predicts the acceleration of the drop in terms of known quantities.
BOUND WATER IN PLANT SAP AND SOME EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND NUTRITION THEREON.

Most plants developing under very favorable conditions for growth are tender and exhibit little resistance to frost damage. Certain plants, however, are capable of developing the capacity to resist freezing and are then said to be hardened. While exposure to low temperature is the principal natural and artificial agency producing such an effect, apparently any condition unfavorable to growth may contribute to some degree of hardening (5,19,31,32). The work of Rosa (31) and Hooker (16) indicated that the hardiness of plants was associated with an increase of hydrophilic colloids. Newton and Gortner (29) proposed a cryoscopic method for the measurement of such colloids, believing they reflected the amount of water bound by the tissue in such manner as to protect the plant from frost damage. A vast amount of data has accumulated in support of this general view; namely, that colloidal material in the plant may retain water in the liquid state at temperatures well below the normal freezing point and thus protect the plant. The implication here is that hardiness is related to bio-colloids by virtue of their water-retaining capacity and that the water thus retained is held so firmly to colloidal surfaces that it is unavailable for purposes of solution or for ice formation. Such water has been designated as "bound," The assumption of a correlation between bound water and hardiness in plants elevates the subject to an important position in plant physiology. Since the variation in the response of plants to low temperature is a decisive factor in plant distribution and agricultural practices, the r?le that bound water may play in the temperature effect is a subject of considerable interest. The principle involved in the determination of bound water by the cryoscopic or other comparable methods is based upon the thermodynamic properties of the solution comprising the sap. It is a well known fact that any solute has a definite effect upon the freezing point depression, vapor pressure lowering, or osmotic value of pure water ; and the numerical values of these three colligative properties are interrelated through the applicability of the gas laws to solutions. Few, if any, solutes yield the theoretical values implied by the gas laws but non-electrolytes approach the ideal value. In certain instances, notably in the sap of hardened plants, the freezing point depression has been found to be greater than expected. To account for this
Kinetics of drug metabolism by hepatic microsomes

Abstract The metabolism of drugs by hepatic microsomes is thought to proceed through a coupled reaction involving NADPH oxidase and one or more ‘hydroxylases’ of limited specificity. If this concept is correct, it can be predicted that numerous drugs would inhibit competitively the metabolism of another drug employed as a substrate for the microsomal system. This proved to be the case. The N-demethylation of ethylmorphine was competitively inhibited by hexobarbital, chlorpromazine, zoxazolamine, phenylbutazone, and acetanilide; and ethylmorphine, and chlorpromazine were mutually inhibitory, each retarding the metabolism of the other. All these drugs are known to be oxidized by microsomal enzymes. Barbital and acetazoleamide, drugs which are not metabolized, failed to act as inhibitors. Evidence is presented to show that certain of the observed inhibitions may be explained on a basis of interaction of alternative substrates. Kinetic data were obtained on both phenobarbital-induced and noninduced microsomal systems. The close similarity of the Michaelis and inhibitor constants seen in the two systems, coupled with the increased maximal velocity values observed for the oxidation of a given drug after induction, argue strongly that a quantitative rather than a qualitative change is involved in the inductive process.
Resonant Optical Interactions with Molecules Confined in Photonic Band-Gap Fibers

We investigate resonant nonlinear optical interactions and demonstrate induced transparency in acetylene molecules in a hollow-core photonic-band-gap fiber at $1.5\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$. The induced spectral transmission window is used to demonstrate slow-light effects, and we show that the observed broadening of the spectral features is due to collisions of the molecules with the inner walls of the fiber core. Our results illustrate that such fibers can be used to facilitate strong coherent light-matter interactions even when the optical response of the individual molecules is weak.
A 4 $\mu{\rm W}/{\rm Ch}$ Analog Front-End Module With Moderate Inversion and Power-Scalable Sampling Operation for 3-D Neural Microsystems

We report an analog front-end prototype designed in 0.25 μm CMOS process for hybrid integration into 3-D neural recording microsystems. For scaling towards massive parallel neural recording, the prototype has investigated some critical circuit challenges in power, area, interface, and modularity. We achieved extremely low power consumption of 4 μW/channel, optimized energy efficiency using moderate inversion in low-noise amplifiers (K of 5.98 ×108 or NEF of 2.9), and minimized asynchronous interface (only 2 per 16 channels) for command and data capturing. We also implemented adaptable operations including programmable-gain amplification, power-scalable sampling (up to 50 kS/s/channel), wide configuration range (9-bit) for programmable gain and bandwidth, and 5-bit site selection capability (selecting 16 out of 128 sites). The implemented front-end module has achieved a reduction in noise-energy-area product by a factor of 5-25 times as compared to the state-of-the-art analog front-end approaches reported to date.
Effects of atomic decay and dephasing on the formation of adiabatons in a Λ-configuration medium

The formation of the adiabatons solutions in a Λ-configuration atomic medium are numerically investigated in the presence of nonzero inter-level dephasing and inhomogeneous broadening. We show that stringent limits on the values of these widths are necessary for the formation of adiabatons. Details of the dynamics of the two pulses propagation are illustrated and compared for the different values of the parameters.
“Solid Knowledge” and Contradictions in Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss

ABSTRACT This essay argues that Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss shows us a radical postcolonial subjectivity in which flexibility, assimilation, and multiculturalism are preferable to maintaining difference. The characters who cling to “solid knowledge” come to bad ends, while those more comfortable with cultural contradictions tend to fare better.
Genetic homeostasis and behavior: analysis, data, and theory.

Genetic homeostasis has generally been defined by behavior geneticsts as the reduced variability of the F1 hybrid of two inbred strains. Alternative definitions and statistical analyses of homeostasis are given, emphasizing the distinction between genetic homeostasis and developmental homeostasis. A survey of recent behavioral data provides considerable evidence of homeostasis. Since homeostasis should be present in traits subjected either to directional or to stabilizing selection, the presence or absence of homeostasis, when considered together with heterosis, may provide important information on the evolutionary significance of many behaviors.
Third-generation GPS: A low-maintenance, high-reliability future GPS system

This paper introduces the principles of the third-generation Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system, which is now in the early development phase. The new system has substantial advantages, including the elimination of the Doppler correction and signal tracking circuitry in the receivers. The benefits will be a significantly reduced receiver size and low-maintenance requirements for the satellites. Another objective of the paper is to present a closed-form solution for the GPS geolocation equations that does not depend on range data. Such a solution did not exist previously in the literature. Simulations that characterize the User Equivalent Range Errors in the new system are given. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of temporal aggregation in models to estimate trends in sulfate deposition

This research investigates the effect of temporal aggregation in regression models used to measure long-term trends in the wet deposition of sulfate. I propose a set of generalized linear models that utilize precipitation and meteorological data collected on a variety of time scales. Specifically, I examine models that fit daily-level precipitation chemistry to daily-level meteorological covariates, weekly-level precipitation chemistry to weekly-level covariates, and weekly-level precipitation chemistry to daily-level covariates using historical data collected at daily monitoring sites, with artificial aggregation to create weekly-level data. Empirical results show that there can be small differences among the estimates of long-term trend in sulfate deposition under the three aggregation schemes, as well as a loss of precision with aggregation. Using a jackknifing procedure to obtain estimates of the standard errors of the differences in parameter estimates, I conclude that there is no significant difference in the estimation of long-term trends using weekly-level data. The estimates of the long-term trend using weekly data do, however, have consistently larger standard errors.
Dynamics of Acetylcholine Receptor-Channel Gating: Pre-M1 of the Epsilon Subunit

Neuromuscular acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) mediate fast chemical synaptic transmission. Neurotransmitters bind to two sites in the α subunit extracellular domain (ECD) and trigger an isomerization that opens/closes the pore in the transmembrane domain (TMD). The TMD/ECD interface is a complex and important domain that links ‘binding’ and ‘gating’. We have examined one component of this interface, the pre-M1 region (linker connecting β10-strand of the ECD to M1 of the TMD) in both α and non-α subunits. We recorded single-channel currents (mouse α2βδe; HEK cells, −100mV, cell-attached) and estimated gating rate constants and rate-equilibrium relationships for AChRs having a mutation at the pre-M1 linker of the e subunit. This region is a stretch of five amino acids (217-221) that contains three positively charged residues (eR217, eR218, eK219). eR218 is homologous to αR209 and is conserved among other AChR subunits. AChRs were activated by 20mM choline or 0.5mM acetylcholine. So far we have measured the gating rate constants of e subunit mutants at positions R217, R218, and K219. R217D and N decreased the diliganded equilibrium isomerization constant (E2) by only 1.5-fold. R218A and N decreased E2 by 184-fold and 235-fold, respectively. K219A, D and N increased E2 by <6-fold. So far, out of the three scanned positions, R217 and K219 show moderate energy changes (∼1 kcal/mol) and R218 shows a larger energy sensitivity (∼3.2 kcal/mol). In all cases, both the forward and backward rate constants changed with the mutation, with the larger effect being on the forward rate constant. The results indicate that e pre-M1 changes energy (‘moves’) during gating isomerization. More experiments should reveal more precisely both the energy sensitivity of each position and the relative timing of the side chain motions within the AChR isomerization. Supported by NIH (NS-23513, NS-064969).
T.P.51 Metformin reduces weight and BMI in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients on long term glucocorticoid therapy

Abstract Obesity is a significant problem in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) due to glucocorticoid (GC) therapy and motor decline. Excessive weight gain can further impair mobility, increase risk for diabetes and cardiopulmonary disease, and affect quality of life. Metformin improves weight and insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 diabetes. To determine if metformin reduces weight and BMI in DMD patients on long term GC who have excessive weight gain and insulin resistance. This was a retrospective case series of DMD boys on daily GC therapy who were treated with metformin for excessive weight gain and insulin resistance. Primary outcomes were rate of weight gain and BMI pre and post starting metformin. Weight and BMI measurements were collected 1 year prior, at initiation of metformin, and 6 and 12 months post. Generalized linear models for the vector of weight and BMI measurements over time were fit using generalized estimating equations. Forty-five DMD patients (mean age 12.7 ± 3.1 y) were studied. Patients had insulin resistance by glucose tolerance testing. Mean rate (±SE) of weight gain decreased from 7.5 ± 1.0 pre to −0.2 ± 1.7 kg/y ( p N = 29), rate of weight gain decreased from 8.3 ± 1.5 pre to −0.6 ± 2.5 kg/y post ( p N = 16), rate of weight gain decreased from 6.1 ± 0.7 pre to 1.0 ± 1.3 kg/y post ( p 2 /y post ( p
Controlling prison population size

The number of people in prison is rising in many countries. In absolute terms, the United States is the extreme case: the incarceration rate per 100,000 population for persons confined in federal and state prisons grew by 333 per cent from 93 in 1972 to 403 on Iune 30, 1995. Those numbers omit local jail populations which raise the 1995 rate to approximately 654 per 100,000. In relative terms, however, since the late 1980s prison population growth in many countries has approximated that in the United States. In the Netherlands, where the total incarceration rate for sentenced and non-sentenced prisoners increased from less than 30 per 100,000 population in 1983 to more than 60 per 100,000 in 1995, prison cell capacity tripled from 3,789 in 1980 to 10,059 in 1994 (Tak, 1994). In England and Wales, the total prison population grew by 25 per cent from early 1993 to 1996, even though the Crirninal]usticeAct 1991 was expected to reduce the use of imprisonment (Bean, 1991; Ashworth, 1995}. In Italy and Portugal, likewise, total incarceration rates increased almost by half from 1991 to 1993 (Kuhn, 1996a, figures 3, 7). In France, the total incarceration rate grew by fifty per cent between 1983 and 1995 (Kuhn, 1996a, figure 4). There is no value-free or scientific way to determine optimal levels of prison use in any country. Imprisonment patterns change over time in individual countries and vary widely between countries. No single or several factors, including changes in crime or conviction rates, in the age composition of the population, or in economic trends or employment rates, explain differences over time or across national boundaries. Nor is it obvious how to compare the 'punitiveness' of countries' punishment policies. Claims about comparative punitiveness are often made on the basis of rankings of incarceration rates per I00,000 population. It has long been observed that other measures might be used perhaps prison admissions per year per 100,000 (Kommer, 1994) that would substantially change various countries' rankings. Sweden, for example, which ranks low in incarceration rate scales, ranks high in prison admission rates. Similarly, rankings might be
A comparison of treatment with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or distal splenorenal shunt in the management of variceal bleeding prior to liver transplantation

Recurrent variceal bleeding in liver transplant candidates with end-stage liver disease can complicate or even prohibit a subsequent transplant procedure (OLT). Endoscopic sclerotherapy and medical therapy are considered as first-line management with surgical shunts reserved for refractory situations. Surgical shunts can be associated with a high mortality in this population and may complicate subsequent OLT. The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been recommended in these patients as a bridge to OLT. This is a new modality that has not been compared with previously established therapies such as the distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS). In this study we report our experience with 35 liver transplant recipients who had a previous TIPS (18 patients) or DSRS (17 patients) for variceal bleeding. The TIPS group had a significantly larger proportion of critically ill and Child-Pugh C patients. Mean operating time was more prolonged in the DSRS group (P = 0.014) but transfusion requirements were similar. Intraoperative portal vein blood flow measurements averaged 2132 +/- 725 ml/min in the TIPS group compared with 1120 +/- 351 ml/min in the DSRS group (P < 0.001). Arterial flows were similar. Mean ICU and hospital stays were similar. There were 3 hospital mortalities in the DSRS group and none in the TIPS group (P = 0.1). We conclude that TIPS is a valuable tool in the management of recurrent variceal bleeding prior to liver transplantation. Intraoperative hemodynamic measurements suggest a theoretical advantage with TIPS. In a group of patients with advanced liver disease we report an outcome that is similar to patients treated with DSRS prior to liver transplantation. The role of TIPS in the treatment of nontransplant candidates remains to be clarified.
An Equation Analyzer package for the manipulation of mathematical expressions—I

Abstract Symbolic equation manipulation is finding incresed application in many fields of chemical engineering analysis. A new system is described which merges some of the best features of previous symbolic manipulation systems.
Riemann-Roch for Singular Varieties

The basic tool for a general Riemann-Roch theorem is MacPherson’s graph construction, applied to a complex E. of vector bundles on a scheme Y, exact off a closed subset X. This produces a localized Chern character1 ch x y (E.) which lives in the bivariant group \( A{\left( {X \to Y} \right)_\mathbb{Q}} \) For each class α∈A * Y, this gives a class $$ ch_X^Y\left( {E.} \right) \cap \alpha \in {A_ * }{X_\mathbb{Q}} $$ whose image in \( {A_ * }{Y_\mathbb{Q}} \) is \( {\sum {\left( { - 1} \right)} ^i}ch\left( {{E_i}} \right) \cap \alpha \) The properties needed for Riemann-Roch, in particular the invariance under rational deformation, follow from the bivariant nature of ch x y E.
Analytical and preparative electrophoresis in a nonuniform electric field

A nonuniform electric field is proposed as the basis for the batch and continuous electrophoretic separation of biomolecules. A theoretical analysis shows the advantages of these techniques over conventional separation processes that use a uniform electric field. The mathematical modeling of such processes and its implications for the experimental design of a nonuniform field separator are presented.
A divided word-line structure in the static RAM and its application to a 64K full CMOS RAM

This paper describes a divided word-line (DWL) structure which solves inherent problems encountered in VLSI static RAMs. The key feature is to divide the word-line and to select it hierarchically with little area penalty using conventional process technology. In the application of the DWL structure, an 8K /spl times/ 8 full CMOS RAM has been developed with 2-/spl mu/m double polysilicon technology. The RAM has a typical access time of 60 ns. An operating current of 20 mA was obtained with a simple static design. The six-transistor cell configuration achieved a low standby current of less than 10 nA. For further improvement in speed, the second poly-Si layer was replaced with a polycide (poly-Si + MoSi/SUB 2/) layer, thus providing a 50-ns address access time.
Intratree Dispersal of the Citrus Red Mite, Panonychus citri (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Intratree movement of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor), was studied by releasing genetically marked albino mites, a strain known to occur only in our laboratory cultures. In preliminary laboratory tests the unidirectional rate of dispersal for adult females of the albino and normal red strains on lemon shoots was the same. In field tests multidirectional dispersal of the mites in orange trees was determined by collecting leaf samples at various distances from the points of release. Adult females comprised 79% of all motile forms recovered; deutonymphs, protonymphs, adult males, and larvae were recovered in the order listed. Predominant movement of adult females was upward rather than horizontal or downward from the point of release. Maximum known dispersals were 2 ft in 6 hr, 4 ft in 1 day, 5 ft in 2 days, 6 ft in 4 days, and 8 ft in 18 days. The bulk of recovered mites, 78%, was taken the first 7 days after release. Longest interval from release to recovery was 25 days. Temperature appeared to influence dispersal, which was 2–3 times greater near 70°F than near 50°F. Mites inoculated with a noninclusion virus dispersed as well as virus-free mites. Introduction of laboratory-inoculated mites was judged an efficient method of carrying the disease to native populations.
Comprehensive identification of glycated peptides and their glycation motifs in plasma and erythrocytes of control and diabetic subjects.

Non-enzymatic glycation of proteins sets the stage for formation of advanced glycation end-products and development of chronic complications of diabetes. In this report, we extended our previous methods on proteomics analysis of glycated proteins to comprehensively identify glycated proteins in control and diabetic human plasma and erythrocytes. Using immunodepletion, enrichment, and fractionation strategies, we identified 7749 unique glycated peptides, corresponding to 3742 unique glycated proteins. Semi-quantitative comparisons showed that glycation levels of a number of proteins were significantly increased in diabetes and that erythrocyte proteins were more extensively glycated than plasma proteins. A glycation motif analysis revealed that some amino acids were favored more than others in the protein primary structures in the vicinity of the glycation sites in both sample types. The glycated peptides and corresponding proteins reported here provide a foundation for potential identification of novel markers for diabetes, hyperglycemia, and diabetic complications in future studies.
The supertristeroids: large, chiral, molecular bowls prepared by trimerization of pentacyclic steroidal ketones.

Robinson annulation of coprostanone (1) at the 2,3- and 3,4-positions gave two pentacyclic enones (7 and 10) that contain A/B-cis-fused ring junctions. Reduction of these enones gave the pentacyclic steroidal ketones 2α,3β- (8) and 2α,3α-(3‘-oxocyclohexano)-5β-cholestane (9) and 4α,3β- (11) and 4α,3α-(3‘-oxocyclohexano)-5β-cholestane (12). The structures of compounds 8, 9, and 11 were unambiguously established by X-ray analysis. TiCl4-promoted trimerization of compounds 8 and 11 gave the “supertristeroids” 4 and 5, respectively: large (C93) chiral, hydrocarbon clefts with C3-symmetric pockets approximately 12 A in diameter.
Molecular Mechanics of Filamin's Rod Domain

Rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton is integral to cell shape and function. Actin-binding proteins, e.g., filamin, can naturally contribute to the mechanics and function of the actin cytoskeleton. The molecular mechanical bases for filamin's function in actin cytoskeletal reorganization are examined here using molecular dynamics simulations. Simulations are performed by applying forces ranging from 25 pN to 125 pN for 2.5 ns to the rod domain of filamin. Applying small loads (∼25 pN) to filamin's rod domain supplies sufficient energy to alter the conformation of the N-terminal regions of the rod. These forces break local hydrogen bond coordination often enough to allow side chains to find new coordination partners, in turn leading to drastic changes in the conformation of filamin, for example, increasing the hydrophobic character of the N-terminal rod region and, alternatively, activating the C-terminal region to become increasingly stiff. These changes in conformation can lead to changes in the affinity of filamin for its binding partners. Therefore, filamin can function to transduce mechanical signals as well as preserve topology of the actin cytoskeleton throughout the rod domain.
A curious binomial identity

Abstract In this communication we shall prove a curious identity of sums of powers of the partial sum of binomial coefficients.
THE ROLE OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA IN BONE RESORPTION OF CHOLESTEATOMA

Abstract Recent investigations have indicated that cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) play a potential role in the bone resorption associated with inflammatory diseases. In this immunoperoxidase study. TNF-α was localized in mononuclear cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts adjacent to bone resorption areas in both human and experimental middle ear cholesteatomas. In vitro, TNF-α stimulated monocytes to form multinucleated cells that demonstrate tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity, a marker enzyme for osteoclasts. These multinucleated osteoclast-like cells induce resorption of devitalized bone. The extent of bone resorption was increased by the co-cultures of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the presence of TNF-α, suggesting that cell to cell interaction plays a significant role in bone resorption. Moreover, TNF-α was capable of stimulating macrophages to produce acid phosphatase and collagenase, and osteoblasts to produce prostaglandin E2 and collagenase. These chemical mediators have been known to lead to bone resorption. Our findings suggest that TNF-α may play an important clinical role in the destructive process of cholesteatoma.
Peripheral and central effects of repeated social defeat stress: Monocyte trafficking, microglial activation, and anxiety

The development and exacerbation of depression and anxiety are associated with exposure to repeated psychosocial stress. Stress is known to affect the bidirectional communication between the nervous and immune systems leading to elevated levels of stress mediators including glucocorticoids (GCs) and catecholamines and increased trafficking of proinflammatory immune cells. Animal models, like the repeated social defeat (RSD) paradigm, were developed to explore this connection between stress and affective disorders. RSD induces activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, increases bone marrow production and egress of primed, GC-insensitive monocytes, and stimulates the trafficking of these cells to tissues including the spleen, lung, and brain. Recently, the observation that these monocytes have the ability to traffic to the brain perivascular spaces and parenchyma have provided mechanisms by which these peripheral cells may contribute to the prolonged anxiety-like behavior associated with RSD. The data that have been amassed from the RSD paradigm and others recapitulate many of the behavioral and immunological phenotypes associated with human anxiety disorders and may serve to elucidate potential avenues of treatment for these disorders. Here, we will discuss novel and key data that will present an overview of the neuroendocrine, immunological and behavioral responses to social stressors.
Rotational excitation and interference effects in atom-rotor collisions

Abstract Cross sections for rotational excitation are calculated classically for collisions of H with CO and of He with HCN. The H+CO cross sections are in good agreement with quantum results but the He+HCN results are not. The failure of the classical method, when applied to He+HCN, is attributed to the neglect of interference effects arising from near symmetry properties of the potential. Two modified classical trajectory methods which partially correct for near symmetry effects are discussed.
Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase.

Abstract Cholesterol transport in circulation and its removal from tissues depends on the activity of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). LCAT is a soluble enzyme that converts cholesterol and phosphatidylcholines (lecithins) to cholesteryl esters and lyso-phosphatidylcholines on the surface of high-density lipoproteins. This review presents key background information and recent research advances on the structure of human LCAT, its reactions and substrates, and the expression of the LCAT gene. While the three-dimensional structure of LCAT is not yet known, a partial model now exists that facilitates the study of structure–function relationships of the native enzyme, and of natural and engineered mutants. The LCAT reaction on lipoproteins consists of several steps, starting with enzyme binding to the lipoprotein/lipid surface, followed by activation of LCAT by apolipoproteins, binding of lipid substrates and the catalytic steps giving rise to the lipid products. Quantitative data are presented on the kinetic and equilibrium constants of some of the LCAT reaction steps. Finally, overexpression of the human LCAT gene in mice and rabbits has been used to examine the physiologic role of LCAT in vivo and its protective effect against diet induced atherosclerosis.
Effect of osmolality on the hydraulic permeability coefficient of red cells.

The osmotic water permeability coefficient, Lp, for human and dog red cells has been measured as a function of medium osmolality, and found to depend on the osmolality of the bathing medium. In the case of human red cells Lp falls from 1.87 x 10-11 cm3/dyne sec at 199 mOSM to 0.76 x 10-11 cm3/dyne sec at 516 mOSM. A similar decrease was observed for dog red cells. Moreover, Lp was independent of the direction of water movement and the nature of the solute used to provide the osmotic pressure gradient; it depended only on the final osmolality of the medium. Furthermore, Lp was not affected by pH in the range of 6 to 8 nor by the presence of drugs such as valinomycin (1 x 10-6 M) and tetrodotoxin (3.2 x 10-6 M). The instantaneous nature of the response to changes in external osmolality suggests that the hydraulic conductivity of the membrane is controlled by a thin layer at the outer face of the membrane.
The effect of low-viscosity cement on mantle morphology and femoral stem micromotion: a cadaver model with simulated blood flow.

Background Limited data exist on the performance of low-viscosity cement in clinically realistic cadaver models.Methods Paired stem/cement/femur constructs were generated with low-viscosity and sta...
Calculation of Standard Binding Free Energies: Aromatic Molecules in the T4 Lysozyme L99A Mutant.

Calculations of the binding free energy of various nonpolar aromatic ligands with the L99A mutant of T4 lysozyme using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation are presented. To ensure better convergence, biasing potentials are used to restrain the ligand orientation and center-of-mass movement relative to the binding site when the ligand is decoupled from its environment in the binding pocket. The bias introduced by the restraint potentials is removed once the ligand fully interacts with the rest of the system and the calculated binding free energy is independent of the applied restraints. To decrease the computational cost, the simulations are generated with a reduced system in which protein and water atoms within a 15 A-radius sphere around the ligand are included explicitly, while the rest of the system is treated with the generalized solvent boundary potential (GSBP). For all the ligands, the precision of the calculated free energy is less than 0.5 kcal/mol. For small nonpolar ligands such as benzene, tolu...