cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Higher-level systematics of rodents (Mammalia, Rodentia): Evidence from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene

Phylogenetic relationships among major rodent superfamilies traditionally have been difficult to establish because of the apparent high level of convergence and parallelism seen among morphological characters and/or rapid differentiation of rodent groups in the Paleocene/Eocene. Nucleotide sequence data from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene were used to clarify phylogenetic relationships among the major groups of rodents as defined by Brandt (1855) and Tullberg (1899). Based on the approximately 800 bp analyzed for the 12S rRNA gene in 59 mammalian species, including 25 of the 32 extant rodent families, the major rodent groups that could be defined as monophyletic clades were the Hystricognathi, the Muroidea, and the Geomyoidea. In addition, support for superfamilial sister-group relationships was found for Aplodontoidea with Sciuroidea and Dipodoidea with Muroidea.
Tornadogenesis with and without a Dynamic Pipe Effect

Abstract A dynamic pipe effect (DPE) has been used previously to explain the descent from aloft of tornadic vortex signatures (TVSs), and presumably embryonic tornadoes, prior to the near-ground spinup of the tornado. But for many tornadoes the TVS appears to form simultaneously over a depth spanning the lowest few kilometers. A numerical model is used to determine the conditions under which a tornado is or is not preceded by a DPE. The model governs two-dimensional, axisymmetric, forced convection inside a closed, impermeable cylinder that rotates at a constant rate. Motion relative to the tank is initiated by a time-independent buoyancy field that is varied in a suite of experiments. The need for a DPE in vortex development in the model is shown to depend on trajectories of high-angular-momentum air, driven at least initially by this buoyancy field. Indeed, when buoyancy is confined primarily to midlevels, convergence at the foot of the vertical axis is weak initially, parcels with high angular momentum...
Network-based problem detection for distributed systems

We introduce a network-based problem detection framework for distributed systems, which includes a data-mining method for discovering dynamic dependencies among distributed services from transaction data collected from network, and a novel problem detection method based on the discovered dependencies. From observed containments of transaction execution time periods, we estimate the probabilities of accidental and non-accidental containments, and build a competitive model for discovering direct dependencies by using a model estimation method based on the online EM algorithm. Utilizing the discovered dependency information, we also propose a hierarchical problem detection framework, where microscopic dependency information is incorporated with a macroscopic anomaly metric that monitors the behavior of the system as a whole. This feature is made possible by employing a network-based design which provides overall information of the system without any impact on the performance.
Carbon nanotube purified ink-based printed thin film transistors: Novel approach in controlling the electrical performance

In this paper we present a comprehensive study of the solution-based printed carbon nanotube purified-ink devices while introducing a new idea of controlling the electronic performance of these devices. One of the most important concerns in nanoelectronics is whether the nanotube-based devices will ever enter the reality world of circuit designs? What are the fundamental and critical issues to be resolved? Which parameters affect the device performance most? A comprehensive study of the relationship between mobility, on/off ratio, and nanotube network density is presented for the first time in detail. This study reveals a clear road map towards experimental control over the performance of solution-based nanotube thin film transistors for a wide range of state-of-the-art applications.
LED Technologies for Optocouplers: Fundamental Issues and Hardness Assurance

Radiation damage is examined for several different LED technologies used in optocouplers, including those with wavelengths near 700 nm that are used in radiation-tolerant devices, and have not been widely studied. Forward diode characteristics and reverse recovery time measurements are examined as potential parameters for hardness assurance.
Adrenergic component of renin release induced by vasodilating antihypertensive drugs in the rat.

The capacity of the vasodilating drugs, minoxidil and hydralazine, for inducing renin release was characterized in rats according to chronology and dose response. Propranolol inhibition of this renin release was also characterized and related to serum levels of propranolol. Minoxidil and hydralazine (1.0 mg/kg) induced sevenfold elevations of serum renin activity. Treatment with propranolol, resulting in plasma propranolol concentrations as low as 50 ng/ml, impaired vasodilatory drug-induced renin release. The propranolol inhibition suggests a beta-adrenergic component to this type of renin release and the potential for a clinically efficacious drug interaction.
Promoter-targeted phage display selections with preassembled synthetic zinc finger libraries for endogenous gene regulation.

Abstract Regulation of endogenous gene expression has been achieved using synthetic zinc finger proteins fused to activation or repression domains, zinc finger transcription factors (TF ZF s). Two key aspects of selective gene regulation using TF ZF s are the accessibility of a zinc finger protein to its target DNA sequence and the interaction of the fused activation or repression domain with endogenous proteins. Previous work has shown that predicting a biologically active binding site at which a TF ZF can control gene expression is not always straightforward. Here, we used a library of preassembled three-finger zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) displayed on filamentous phage, and selected for ZFPs that bound along a 1.4 kb promoter fragment of the human ErbB-2 gene. Following affinity selection by phage display, 13 ZFPs were isolated and sequenced. Transcription factors were prepared by fusion of the zinc finger proteins with a VP64 activation domain or a KRAB repression domain and the transcriptional control imposed by these TF ZF s was evaluated using luciferase reporter assays. Endogenous gene regulation activity was studied following retroviral delivery into A431 cells. Additional ZFP characterization included DNase I footprinting to evaluate the integrity of each predicted protein:DNA interaction. The most promising TF ZF s able to both up-regulate and down-regulate ErbB-2 expression were extended to six-finger proteins. The increased affinity and refined specificity demonstrated by the six-finger proteins provided reliable transcriptional control. As a result of studies with the six-finger proteins, the specific region of the promoter most accessible to transcriptional control by VP64-ZFP and KRAB-ZFP fusion proteins was elucidated and confirmed by DNase I footprinting, flow cytometric analysis and immunofluorescence. The ZFP phage display library strategy disclosed here, coupled with the growing availability of genome sequencing information, provides a route to identifying gene-regulating TF ZF s without the prerequisite of well-defined promoter elements.
Excimer laser photochemistry of lithographic systems

Etude du comportement lichographique et chimique en fonction de l'intensite l'irradiation avec un laser excimere, de photoresists: un photoresist positif naphtoquinone diazide/novolaque et 2 photoresists negatifs: une diazido phenylsulfone dans une novolaque et la resist modele p-azido nitrobenzene/novolaque
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS OF NGC 6240: A CASE STUDY OF AN ULTRALUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXY WITH OBSCURED ACTIVITY

We present results from a Hubble Space Telescope (HST) study of the morphology and kinematics of NGC 6240. This merging galaxy with a double nucleus is one of the nearest and best-studied ultraluminous infrared galaxies. HST resolves both nuclei into separate components. The distance between the northern and southern optical/near-infrared components is greater than that observed in radio and X-ray studies, arguing that even in K band we may not be seeing all the way through the dust to the true nuclei. The ionized gas does not display rotation around either of the nuclei, or equilibrium motion in general. There is a strong velocity gradient between the nuclei, similar to what is seen in CO data. There is no such gradient in our stellar kinematics. The velocity dispersion of the gas is larger than expected for a cold disk. We also map and model the emission-line velocity field at an off-nuclear position where a steep velocity gradient was previously detected in ground-based data. Overall, the data indicate that line-of-sight projection effects, dust absorption, nonequilibrium merger dynamics, and the possible influence of a wind may be playing an important role in the observed kinematics. Chandra observations of hard X-rays have shown that both of the nuclei contain an active galactic nucleus (AGN). The HST data show no clear sign of the two AGNs: neither continuum nor narrowband imaging shows evidence for unresolved components in the nuclei, and there are no increased emission line widths or rapid rotation near the nuclei. This underscores the importance of X-ray data for identifying AGNs in highly dust-enshrouded environments.
The Association between Three Different Measures of Health Status and Satisfaction among Patients with Diabetes

Studies suggest that health status influences patient satisfaction, but little work has examined the influence of different measures of health status on satisfaction. The authors examined whether the association between health status and satisfaction varied for different measures of health status among 2000 diabetic patients receiving care across 25 Veterans Affairs facilities. Health status was measured using (1) the diabetes-related components of the Total Illness Burden Index (DM TIBI), a measure of diabetes severity and comorbidities; (2) the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Physical Function Index (PFI10); and (3) the SF-36 general health perceptions question (SF-1). Satisfaction was measured both by a 5-item scale on satisfaction with patient-provider communication and by a single item on overall diabetes care satisfaction. In adjusted models, worse health on all three health status measures correlated with lower satisfaction, but the DM TIBI explained more of the variation in satisfaction than either the PFI10 or SF-1. Moreover, when the DM TIBI was added to the model containing PFI10, PFI10 was no longer significantly associated with satisfaction. In this diabetes population, health status appears to have a substantial impact on patient satisfaction, and this effect is considerably greater for diabetes severity than for physical functioning.
Variability in oceanic dissolved iron is dominated by the colloidal fraction

Abstract Oceanic surface and deep iron distribution and size fractionation were investigated on three cruises in the sub-tropical and tropical Atlantic Ocean. Detailed profiles and transects were collected and analyzed for “dissolved” Fe (DFe, 0.4 μm filtered) and “soluble” Fe (SFe, 0.02 μm filtered). The difference between DFe and SFe is inferred to be the “colloidal” fraction of Fe (CFe). SFe concentration distributions and profiles showed little variability in the Atlantic Ocean with slightly lower concentrations of SFe in the upper ocean than the relatively uniform concentrations observed in deep-water (≈0.3 to 0.4 nmol/kg). In contrast, variability in the Atlantic DFe was dominated by variability in CFe. DFe and CFe followed dust deposition trends, and observed surface maxima in DFe profiles were always due to maxima in the CFe fraction. Where dust deposition and surface DFe were low (i.e., the South Atlantic), the CFe fraction of DFe was low and frequently negligible in surface waters. Below the surface maxima in CFe and DFe, CFe always decreased to negligible levels at 30–80 m, remained low or negligible throughout the pycnocline, and increased with depth below the pycnocline. At a site located on the edge of the equatorial system (10°N), high DFe and CFe concentrations were associated with an oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) at depths of 130 to 1100 m. Deep-water DFe and CFe concentrations varied between water masses depending on the source, age, and path of the water masses. DFe in NADW decreased by 30% from the North Atlantic to the South Atlantic site with most of the decrease due to loss of CFe. At the South Atlantic site, NADW had higher DFe and a higher fraction of CFe than the Antarctic water masses.
Terrorism, Moral Conceptions, and Moral Innocence

Since September 11, a new conception of terrorism has soared to prominence among philosophers and politicians. It holds that terrorism is gravely and distinctively wrong because it directly targets persons who are not responsible for, or morally innocent of, the terrorists’ grievance. Moreover, it holds that those properties capture and explain the conventional moral judgment that terrorism is almost always wrong. On this against-moral-innocents conception, to which I henceforth refer as “the AMI,” genuine terrorism cannot target people who are morally responsible for the alleged terrorists’ grievance: For an act to count as an instance of terrorism, it must target those who are not responsible for, or are morally innocent of, the grievance. Consider, for example, Hezbollah’s 1983 truck bombing of the U.S. and French barracks in Beirut. According to the AMI conception, whether the bombing counts as terrorism depends on whether the soldiers killed were responsible for Hezbollah’s grievance: If they were responsible, it cannot be terrorism; only if they were innocent could the act count as terrorism. Pari passu, if uprisen slaves captured a town and then, as a warning, massacred those civilian slave-owners who had vigorously and publicly supported slavery, that would not count as an act of terrorism, for the victims were deeply morally complicit in the slaves’ grievance.
Marked Increase in Cases of Coccidioidomycosis in California: 1991, 1992, and 1993

Coccidioidomycosis is endemic in California. In an 11-year period from the beginning of 1980 to the end of 1990, an average of approximately 400-500 cases per year were reported to the California State Department of Health Services (CSDHS). In 1990, 441 cases were reported. However, a striking increase in the number of cases was noted in 1991, 1992, and 1993, particularly in the southern San Joaquin Valley counties of Kern and Tulare. In 1992, striking increases were noted in other counties as well. In California there were 1,200 and 4,541 new cases in 1991 and 1992, respectively, that were reported to the CSDHS. The usual rate (5%-7%) of metapulmonary dissemination was noted in these outbreaks, and cases resembling acute adult respiratory distress syndrome that had been noted infrequently in previous outbreaks were conspicuous among the 1991 and 1992 cases. Factors thought to contribute to the extraordinary increases in coccidioidomycosis were a drought of 5 to 6 years' duration; abundant rain in March 1991 and February-March 1992; construction of new buildings; and arrival of new, susceptible individuals to the areas of endemicity.
Vinyl Triphenylphosphonium Bromide

Vinyl triphenylphosphonium bromide solvent: 1 lb. of reagent grade phenol product: vinyl triphenylphosphonium bromide Keywords: elimination, miscellaneous; phenol, corrosive; vinyltriphenylphosphonium bromide, nose irritant
Geochemical Controls on Carbonate Shell Taphonomy in Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Shelf and Slope Sediments

Abstract We examine the linkage between the sediment geochemical milieu and the process of carbonate degradation over a wide range of continental shelf and slope sediments using molluscan shells deployed for 13 years by the Shelf and Slope Experimental Taphonomy Initiative (SSETI). Geochemical characterization of the environment of preservation included the breadth of the pore-water carbonate undersaturation window, a depth-integrated carbonate dissolution index, the depth of minimum pore-water saturation, diffusive fluxes of oxygen and calcium, average sulfate and chloride concentration in the upper 5 cm, and the carbonate and organic carbon fractions in the same sedimentary horizon. Taphonomic indices included the maximum degree of dissolution; average dissolution; the incidences of chalkiness, pitting, deep dissolution, and a soft shell surface; the maximum degree of discoloration; the incidences of fading, gray-to-black discoloration, brown discoloration, and orange discoloration; the presence of pyri...
Effects of endocrine‐active chemicals on the development of sex characteristics of Daphnia magna

Standard reproductive assays with daphnids involve parthenogenetically reproducing females and exclude the assessment of effects on sexual reproduction. The goals of this study were to characterize sexual differentiation of male and female daphnids (Daphnia magna) and to evaluate whether exposure to putative endocrine-disrupting chemicals may perturb the development of sex characteristics. Anatomical sex differences that developed during maturation in males included elongated first antennae and morphologic alterations in the head capsule and carapace edge. Reproductive maturation in females was associated with the development of a brood chamber and abdominal process. Alterations in the growth rates of the first antennae of males and the abdominal process of females were used to evaluate the effects of chemical exposure on the development of these sex characteristics during maturation. Exposure of female daphnids to the nonsteroidal vertebrate estrogen diethylstilbesterol and the insect juvenile hormone analog methoprene at concentrations as low as 3.0 and 0.080 μM, respectively, stimulated development of the abdominal process Exposure of males to the steroidal vertebrate androgen androstenedione (≥6.0 μM) stimulated development of the first antennae. These results demonstrate that the development of secondary sex characteristics in daphnids can be altered by chemical exposure.
Overview of the ATR power supplies

The AGS to RHIC transfer line (ATR) transports a variety of beams from the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS) which gets its input from the Booster Synchrotron. In turn, the Booster receives input beams from either a tandem Van de Graaff (heavy ions) or a linac (protons). The AGS extracts beam bunches, up to a rate of 30 Hertz, to the ATR which feeds the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) starting with the sextant test in January of 1997. The ATR is made up of the upgraded U line and the new W, X and Y lines. A test in 1995 transported beam to the end of the W line. During normal operation, a pulsed switching magnet at the end of the W line will bend the beam into the X line or the Y line so that the two storage rings in RHIC are filled with counterrotating beams. The ATR line is comprised of 80 power supplies (PS's), 17 of which are upgraded AGS PS's. The remaining 63 PS's were newly purchased. These PS's range from bipolar 600 watt linear type trim magnet PS's to 1 Megawatt, thyristor, dipole PS's. Results of the commissioning runs will be presented, as well as descriptions of regulation, filtering, and analog and digital controls.
A bayesian approach for the categorization of radiology reports

Rationale and Objective We sought to develop a Bayesian-filter that could distinguish positive radiology computed tomography (CT) reports of appendicitis from negative reports with no appendicitis. Materials and Methods Standard unstructured electronic text radiology reports containing the key word appendicitis were obtained using a Java-based text search engine from a hospital General Electric PACS system. A total of 500 randomly selected reports from multiple radiologists were then manually categorized and merged into two separate text files: 250 positive reports and 250 negative findings of appendicitis. The two text files were then processed by the freely available UNIX-based software dbacl 1.9, a digramic Bayesian classifier for text recognition, on a Linux based Pentium 4 system. The software was then trained on the two separate merged text files categories of positive and negative appendicitis. The ability of the Bayesian filter to discriminate between reports of negative and positive appendicitis images was then tested on 100 randomly selected reports of appendicitis: 50 positive cases and 50 negative cases. Results The training time for the Bayesian filter was approximately 2 seconds. The Bayesian filter subsequently was able to categorize 50 of 50 positive reports of appendicitis and 50 of 50 reports of negative appendicitis, in less than 10 seconds. Conclusion A Bayesian-filter system can be used to quickly categorize radiology report findings and automatically determine after training, with a high degree of accuracy, whether the reports have text findings of a specific diagnosis. The Bayesian filter can potentially be applied to any type of radiologic report finding and any relevant category.
Sexual orientation and prevalence of body dissatisfaction and eating disordered behaviors: a population-based study of adolescents.

Objective The hypothesis that homosexual orientation would be associated with higher rates of body dissatisfaction, dieting, and eating disordered behaviors in males, but lower rates in females, relative to those of heterosexual orientation, was examined. Methods: A population-based sample of 36,320 students in Grades 7 through 12 completed a health behavior survey that included questions on sexual orientation, body satisfaction, and weight control behaviors. A subset of heterosexual males (N = 212) and females (N = 182) were selected for comparison with the adolescents who self-identified as homosexual (N = 81 males and N = 38 females) or bisexual (N = 131 males and N = 144 females). Results: Homosexual males were more likely to report a poor body image (27.8% vs. 12.0%), frequent dieting (8.9% vs. 5.5%), binge eating (25.0% vs. 10.6%), or purging behaviors (e.g., vomiting: 11.7% vs. 4.4%) compared with heterosexual males. Homosexual females were more likely than heterosexual females to report a positive body image (42.1% vs. 20.5%). However, they were not less likely to report frequent dieting (20.8% vs. 23.7%), binge eating (25.0% vs. 31.8%), or purging behaviors (e.g. vomiting: 19.4% vs. 12.1%). Discussion: These results support the hypothesis that homosexual orientation is associated with greater body dissatisfaction and problem eating behaviors in males, but less body dissatisfaction in females. The possible role of sociocultural influences or gender identification on these relationships is discussed. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Visualizing bagged decision trees

We present a visual tablet for exploring the nature of a bagged decision tree (Breiman [1996]). Aggregating classifiers over bootstrap datasets (bagging) can result in greatly improved prediction accuracy. Bagging is motivated as a variance reduction technique, but it is considered a black box with respect to interpretation. Current research seeking to explain why bagging works has focused on different bias/variance decompositions of prediction error. We show that bagging's complexity can be better understood by a simple graphical technique that allows visualizing the bagged decision boundary in low-dimensional situations. We then show that bagging can be heuristically motivated as a method to enhance local adaptivity of the boundary. Some simulated examples are presented to illustrate the technique.
The Pathogenesis and Natural History of Type 1 Diabetes

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview that summarizes much in the way of our current state of knowledge regarding the pathogenesis and natural history of type 1 diabetes in humans. This information is presented to the reader as a series of seminal historical discoveries that, when advanced through research, transformed our understanding of the roles for the immune system, genes, and environment in the formation of this disease. In addition, where longitudinal investigations of these three facets occurred, their roles within the development of type 1 diabetes, from birth to symptomatic onset and beyond, are discussed, including their most controversial elements. Having an understanding of this disorder's pathogenesis and natural history is key for attempts seeking to understand the issues of what causes type 1 diabetes, as well as to develop a means to prevent and cure the disorder.
Outdoor Temperature, Climate Control, and Criminal Assault The Spatial and Temporal Ecology of Violence

Based on the negative affect escape (NAE) model of heat and aggression, it was hypothesized that relationships between temperature and aggravated assaultswould be moderated by access to air conditi...
A STEADY STATE AXISYMMETRIC PENETRATION PROBLEM FOR RIGID/PERFECTLY PLASTIC MATERIALS

Abstract The axisymmetric deformations of an eroding long cylindrical rod made of a rigid/perfectly plastic material penetrating at a uniform rate into a thick rigid/perfectly plastic target are studied by the finite element method. It is assumed that the deformations appear steady to an observer situated at the stagnation point and moving with it, and that the contact between the target and the penetrator at the common interface is smooth. It is found that the resisting force experienced by the penetrator, the shape of the target/penetrator interface, and the distribution of normal tractions on it depend rather strongly upon the square of the penetration speed and also upon the ratio of the mass density of the penetrator to that of the target. In an attempt to help establish desirable testing regimes for practical problems we have also computed time histories of the hydrostatic pressure, second invariant of the strain-rate tensor and the spin for four typical penetrator and two typical target particles.
Comment on "A revealed preference approach to valuing non-market recreational fishing losses from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill" and its "Corrigendum" by Alvarez et al.

This Comment identifies and discusses several methodological errors in the application of choice modeling that appear in an article and Corrigendum by Alvarez et al. published in this journal. The purpose is to clarify the correct methods as an aid to future researchers.
Holter triage ambulatory ECG analysis. Accuracy and time efficiency.

Triage ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) analysis permits relatively unskilled office workers to submit 24-hour ambulatory ECG Holter tapes to an automatic instrument (model 563, Del Mar Avionics, Irvine, CA) for interpretation. The instrument system "triages" what it is capable of automatically interpreting and rejects those tapes (with high ventricular arrhythmia density) requiring thorough analysis. Nevertheless, a trained cardiovascular technician ultimately edits what is accepted for analysis. This study examined the clinical validity of one manufacturer's triage instrumentation with regard to accuracy and time efficiency for interpreting ventricular arrhythmia. A database of 50 Holter tapes stratified for frequency of ventricular ectopic beats (VEBs) was examined by triage, conventional, and full-disclosure hand-count Holter analysis. Half of the tapes were found to be automatically analyzable by the triage method. Comparison of the VEB accuracy of triage versus conventional analysis using the full-disclosure hand count as the standard showed that triage analysis overall appeared as accurate as conventional Holter analysis but had limitations in detecting ventricular tachycardia (VT) runs. Overall sensitivity, positive predictive accuracy, and false positive rate for the triage ambulatory ECG analysis were 96, 99, and 0.9%, respectively, for isolated VEBs, 92, 93, and 7%, respectively, for ventricular couplets, and 48, 93, and 7%, respectively, for VT. Error in VT detection by triage analysis occurred on a single tape. Of the remaining 11 tapes containing VT runs, accuracy was significantly increased, with a sensitivity of 86%, positive predictive accuracy of 90%, and false positive rate of 10%. Stopwatch-recorded time efficiency was carefully logged during both triage and conventional ambulatory ECG analysis and divided into five time phases: secretarial, machine, analysis, editing, and total time. Triage analysis was significantly (P < .05) more time efficient for the machine, analysis, and total time phases and required significantly more time in the editing phases. The triage analysis was limited by the inability of the automatic methodology to detect a specific VT waveform contained on one tape. This result which caused substantial loss of sensitivity for VT, emphasizes the necessity for careful quality control and editing of all automatic Holter analysis methods.
Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt: Contacting the Gods

The Egyptians had an intensely personal relationship with their gods whom they constantly approached with prayer, offerings, and requests for assistance. The deities were beneficent, sympathetic, and often responsive to the pleas of their devotees. The diverse ways in which they could appeal to the gods reflected people's confidence that the gods were accessible and could be trusted to assist them in matters of concern both large and small. Gods were revered, but they were also seen in practical terms as patient problem solvers and mediators who could be counted on for help as long as they were revered, maintained by offerings, and shown proper respect though prayer and veneration. A remarkable feature of their contact with the gods was the confidence and boldness with which the Egyptians approached their deities, a reflection of the intimacy between humans and gods. The texts show that the people were motivated to contact a deity by their desire for help with a range of personal issues, from the major – infertility, illness, grief – to the relatively minor – complaints about a neighbor or the theft of small items. The gods were always there for the petitioners, and they were a constant comfort to their flock. The gods were rarely consulted on philosophical issues – practicality was the motivation for communication. In keeping with this practicality, prayers were often offered with a brisk, businesslike directness.
Alteration of electrophoretic mobility of hemoglobin in bloodstains.

Phenotyping of hemoglobin variants from whole blood and dried bloodstains is an important procedure for the forensic scientist. Although electrophoretic techniques for hemoglobin phenotyping have been described [1–5], there has been to our knowledge no published report of alterations in the electrophoretic mobility of hemoglobin in dried bloodstains. In the present study, observations were made on changes after electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes in the mobility of hemoglobin from bloodstains 1 to 28 days old. A procedure has been worked out to prevent these changes which may cause errors in the phenotyping of hemoglobin variants.
Thermal effects on birefringence of tendon with aging.

SummaryThe effects of thermal changes on the organization of connective tissue of rat tail tendon was studied by polarization microscopy. Loss of birefringence in the temperature range 48–60° occurs most rapidly in young animals (1–3.5 months). After 3.5 months the trend continues but is less significant. The thermal effect could be due to rupture of low energy bonds in the collagen or collagen-ground substance aggregate. The method may be valuable for the study of changes of state of connective tissues in physiologic and pathologic conditions.
Radiative decay of neutron resonances in 73 Ge(n,γ) 74 Ge

$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays following neutron capture in natural germanium have been studied up to ${E}_{n}\ensuremath{\approx}500$ eV with the fast chopper at the Brookhaven high flux beam reactor. Up to this energy only resonances in $^{73}\mathrm{Ge}$ contribute. From the high-energy $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays observed, levels in $^{74}\mathrm{Ge}$ are identified to an excitation energy of about 3 MeV. From the low-energy $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays depopulating the $^{74}\mathrm{Ge}$ levels, spin assignments for several $^{73}\mathrm{Ge}$ resonances are made; namely 102 eV, ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={4}^{+}$; 204 eV, ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={5}^{+}$; and 224 eV, ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={4}^{+}$. The results of the resonance capture experiments are compared to previous "average-resonance" and thermal-capture work, and in general are found to be in good agreement. Average radiative strengths for $M1$ and $E2$ transitions are calculated and compared to model estimates.
The Development of Diversified and Conglomerate Firms in the United States, 1920–1970

A study of the development of fifty large, diversified American corporations in recent decades reveals some of the paths business has followed since the innovation of the multidivisional firm half a century ago.
Abstract B8: Predictors of BRCA1/2 genetic testing in a population of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients

B8 Genetic testing for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) can influence surgical decisions for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The goal of this study was to examine predictors of BRCA1/2 testing in a population of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, prior to definitive surgery. In this prospective trial participants were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive Rapid Genetic Counseling (RGC) or Usual Care (UC) following a baseline telephone interview. Those randomized to RGC were asked to complete genetic counseling as quickly as possible with the option of pursuing BRCA1/2 testing. Participants in the UC group were not formally referred for genetic counseling but could self-refer. Eligibility criteria included women diagnosed with breast cancer Of the 126 women that have been randomized to the RGC group, 60 (47.6%) underwent BRCA1/2 testing. In bivariate analyses, predictors of BRCA1/2 testing included higher a priori risk of BRCA1/2 mutation calculated by BRCAPRO score, number of first degree relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer, age less than 45 years, marital status, Jewish ethnicity, greater genetic testing knowledge, stronger preference for bilateral mastectomy, higher perceived risk of a second breast cancer, and higher perceived risk of a breast cancer recurrence. Participants who did not receive a specific surgical recommendation were more likely to undergo genetic testing as were participants who discussed genetic counseling with their physicians. Finally, women who were particularly concerned about the effect of surgery on body image were more likely to pursue genetic testing. To identify independent predictors of pre-surgical genetic testing, we entered all variables with significant bivariate associations to genetic testing into a backward logistic regression. The final logistic model included the following five variables: BRCAPRO score (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.02, 1.12), marital status (OR=3.71, 95% CI=1.19, 11.54), perceived risk of breast cancer recurrence (OR=1.03, 95% CI=1.00-1.06), lack of surgical recommendation (OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.00-1.35), discussion of genetic counseling with a physician (OR=9.70, 95% CI=3.11, 30.24) and concerns regarding body image (OR=3.20, 95% CI=1.17, 8.74). The two variables most strongly related to genetic testing were BRCAPRO score (p=.003) and discussion of genetic counseling with a physician (p Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B8.
Ionic liquids as green solvents and electrolytes for robust chemical sensor development.

Ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit complex behavior. Their simultaneous dual nature as solvents and electrolytes supports the existence of structurally tunable cations and anions, which could provide the basis of a novel sensing technology. However, the elucidation of the physiochemical properties of ILs and their connections with the interaction and redox mechanisms of the target analytes requires concerted data acquired from techniques including spectroscopic investigations, thermodynamic and solvation models, and molecular simulations. Our laboratory is using these techniques for the rational design and selection of ILs and their composites that could serve as the recognition elements in various sensing platforms. ILs show equal utility in both piezoelectric and electrochemical formats through functionalized ionics that provide orthogonal chemo- and regioselectivity.In this Account, we summarize recent developments in and applications of task-specific ILs and their surface immobilization on solid supports. Su...
Optimal Sensor Placement for Fault Diagnosis Using Magnitude Ratio

Major performance losses occur in process industries due to failures that are not identified at the incipient stage. Early detection of such faults is also critical for the safety of the equipment, operating personnel, and other resources. When a fault occurs in a system, it can propagate and affect several process variables. Variables that need to be measured in order to detect and diagnose the faults have to be identified and chosen economically. An algorithmic approach for identifying the optimal number, type, and location of the sensors for fault detection and diagnosis is useful, particularly for large-scale, chemical process plants. In this work, previous algorithms for sensor placement that use signed directed graph (SDG) models for the process are enhanced to include magnitude ratio (MR) information to identify more promising sensor locations. Further, we also study the combination of fault evolution sequences (FES) already introduced in the literature and the MR information for effective fault di...
Status quo of drinking and influence factors analysis among middle school students in Shunyi district of Beijing

Objective To investigate the status quo of drinking and influence factors among middle school students and provide scientific evidences for making relevant policy and taking intervention measures of drinking control.Methods Multistage cluster random sampling was adopted to choose 1828 middle school students for questionnaire survey.Database was created with Epidata3.1 and statistical analysis was performed with SPSS16.0.Through chi-square test,the report rates of drinking behavior among middle school students were analyzed basing on different genders and grades.In addition,logistic regression analysis was also performed in analysis.Results The attempting drinking rate,now drinking rate,heavy drinking rate and alcoholism rate among middle school students were 61.4%,25.9%,7.4% and 10.9% respectively.The report rate of senior middle school students was higher than that of junior middle school students,the rate of male students was higher than that of female students,and both of the differences mentioned above had statistical significance.The drinking risk of senior middle school students was 2.13 times as high as that of junior middle school students,the risk of ordinary middle schools was 1.60 times as high as that of key middle schools,and the risk of male students was 1.88 times as high as that of female students.Conclusion The status quo of drinking among middle school students in Shunyi district is consistent with the results of Beijing2012 adolescent health related risk behavior investigation.For drinking control,more attention should be paid on middle school students with the characteristics including senior middle school stage,male,ordinary middle school and lower grades.
Preparation of PTF-sensitized TiO_2 hollow microspheres and visible-light catalytic properties

Using polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) microspheres as template,the TiO2 hollow microspheres(h-TiO2)were prepared by hydrothermal method.The 9-phenyl-2,3,7-trihydroxy-6-fluorone(PTF) used as sensitizer,the h-TiO2 hollow microspheres were dye-sensitized by using immersion method,and a novel dye-sensitized TiO2 hollow microspheres(PTF-h-TiO2) was successfully synthesized.The morphology and structures of samples were characterized by the SEM,XRD,FT-IR and UV-Vis DRS.The effects of the parameters such as hydrothermal time and temperature,addition amount of template and calcination temperature on the photocatalytic activity of samples were investigated respectively.The optimum synthesis condition of the h-TiO2 preparation was obtained to be the 5% addition amount of template,hydrothermal time of 6 h,hydrothermal temperature of 120 ℃.The photocatalytic activities of h-TiO2 and PTF-h-TiO2 microspheres were also evaluated by degradation of methylene blue(MB) and chloramphenicol(CAP) under UV visiblelight.The results showed that the h-TiO2 hollow microspheres possessed UV-visible photocatalytic activity,and the PTFh-TiO2 hollow microspheres exhibited excellent visible-light catalytic activity.The degradation rate of as-prepared PTF-hTiO2 was quit high,up to about 98.1% in 50 min for 10 mg / L MB solution,and about 86.9% in 120 min for 20 mg /L CAP solution under Xe lamp irradiation( 400 nm).
Survey of a Pyrogenic Transfusion Response Outbreak Caused by Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Injection

Objective:To investigate the source of an outbreak of pyrogenic transfusion response happened in the transfusion room of the Out-Patient Department in Guangzhou Childrenns Hospital, possibly caused by Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Injection (DSPI) with the batch number of 910820. Method: Epidemiological technique was applied to deduce the etiological factor of the transfusion response. Results: During that period of time, pyrogenic transfusion response occurred in 55 children in the Hospital transfusion room where DSPI with the batch number of 910820 were administered into all of them while no case of transfusion response was found in all others who were injected drugs except that batch of DSPI there and then. When the DSPI were replaced no further new case of the response appeared in the following 11 days thereafter. Conclusion: DSPI the dosage form of 2 mg/(l mL·Amp) with the batch number of 910820 was the real source of the outbreak of the pyrogenic transfusion response, in which endotoxin pollution might be the possible cause. Simultaneously administered steroid hormone is unable to abrogate the pyrogenic reaction.
Cost Per Service Differentials in Local Health Departments

An emerging issue in health care is the relative efficiency with which local health departments provide their services. The problem is complicated by the fact that many factors may contribute to variations in efficiency. We have developed a framework for analyzing such variations across departments, using cost per service (CPS) as the measure of efficiency. The approach is illustrated with data from all 82 county or district health departments in North Carolina. CPS levels can be differentially affected by selected uncontrollable characteristics of the serviced population. Thus, when used to evaluate departmental performance, or to determine reimbursement rates, the CPS must be adjusted for relevant exogenous factors. Our method of cluster analysis accounts “naturally” for these factors, thereby allowing for development of policy decisions more responsive to actual health department circumstances.
High- p T γ -Hadron and π 0 -Hadron Correlations in √ s NN = 200 GeV Au+Au Collisions in PHENIX

This poster presents the PHENIX results on high-p Tγ-hadron and π0-hadron correlations and shows the modification of away side jet shape by the medium. By comparing their jet shapes and yields, we see some evidence of the direct γ contribution to correlation functions.
Decompressive hemicraniectomy for poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with associated intracerebral hemorrhage: clinical outcome and quality of life assessment.

Objective Decompressive hemicraniectomy has been proposed as a potential treatment strategy in patients with poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage presenting with focal intracerebral hemorrhage causing significant mass effect. Although hemicraniectomy improves overall survival rates, the long-term quality of life (QoL) for survivors in this patient population has not been reported. Methods Using adjudicated outcome assessments, we compare long-term clinical outcomes and QoL between a group of patients with poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage receiving decompressive hemicraniectomy (n=12) and a control group of similar patients managed more conservatively (n=10). Results Patients receiving decompressive hemicraniectomy experienced a statistically insignificant decrease in short-term mortality compared with controls (25 versus 42%); however, long-term QoL in hemicraniectomy survivors was generally poor. Furthermore, hemicraniectomy patients did not experience an increase in mean quality-adjusted life years over control patients (2.31 versus 2.22 yr). Conclusion Decompressive hemicraniectomy prolongs short-term survival in patients with poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage with associated intracerebral hemorrhage; however, this trend is not statistically significant, and the overall QoL experienced by survivors is poor. Decompressive hemicraniectomy may be indicated if performed early in a select subset of patients. On the basis of our preliminary data, large prospective studies to investigate this issue further may not be warranted.
Van der Waals area and volume—Inorganic compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the results of the van der Waals area and volume for inorganic compounds in tabular format. The tabulation is arranged by alphabetical order such as Ag, Al, Ar, and Zr to provide ease of use in quickly locating the data by using the chemical formula. The compound name and chemical abstracts registry number (CAS No) are also provided in columns. Values for the van der Waals area and volume are given in the adjacent columns. In preparing the tabulation, a literature search is conducted to identify data source publications. Both experimental values for the property under consideration and parameter values for estimation of the property are included in the source publications. The publications are screened, and copies of appropriate data are made. These data are keyed into the computer to provide a database of values for compounds. Upon completion of data collection, estimation of values for the remaining compounds is performed. The compilations of Daubert and Danner and Yaws are used extensively. The van der Waals area and volume involve the surface area and volume of an atom and may be ascertained from bond distances, contact distances, and shapes of atoms and methods of calculation are described by Bondi.
CHAPTER 18 – Cytokines and Prostaglandins in the Aging Skeleton

Bone resorption and formation are complicated and highly regulated cellular processes. The circuitry of this regulation is not completely understood, but it is clear that one important aspect of this control is mediated by cytokines. Cytokines play an important role in the regulation of both osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and function. With aging, bone mass is lost and this loss is associated with a significant increase in fractures and associated morbidity and mortality. Although complicated by specific pathologies like tumors and metabolic bone disease, age-related bone loss can be accounted for by at least two general mechanisms. First, the number of osteoblasts and their ability to make new bone appear to decrease with age, resulting in less new bone tissue. Second, the number of osteoclasts and their activity increase, resulting in accelerated bone loss. These two related mechanisms work in concert to weaken the skeleton. This chapter examines how cytokines regulate these two functions in the aging skeleton. Furthermore, it provides a summary of the effects of prostaglandins on bone cells and the regulation of endogenous prostaglandin production in bone.