cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Delivery Complications and Postpartum Hospital Use in California.

Abstract Introduction Research on maternal birth outcomes rarely includes postpartum complications with longitudinally linked patient data. We analyze characteristics associated with delivery complications and postpartum hospital use. Methods This population-based cohort study is based on administrative data from California. International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes were used to categorize the incidence of severe maternal morbidity and other route-specific delivery complications as well as preexisting and pregnancy-related conditions and principal diagnoses for postpartum hospital visits. Postpartum hospital use is a composite outcome defined as emergency department visit or hospital readmission within 90 days of birth admission discharge. Multivariable modified Poisson regression analyses were used to estimate the association of patient-level and hospital-level characteristics with the likelihood of postpartum hospital use. Results In 2017, 457,498 birth admissions occurred in California-licensed hospitals, of which 348,828 index births with linked data were analyzed. Among linked births, 34,825 (10.0%) had an inpatient admission (4,206 [1.2%]) or an emergency department visit (30,371 [9.2%]) within 90 days of birth admission discharge. Birth complications included a 1.7% severe maternal morbidity rate, 7.9% rate of vaginal birth complications, 10.0% rate of cesarean birth complications, and 2.9% frequency of long lengths of stay, all of which were significantly associated with postpartum hospital use. Other significant risk factors for postpartum hospital use were preexisting and pregnancy-related conditions, undergoing cesarean birth, being younger than 18 years old, being non-Hispanic Black, living in a high poverty ZIP code, and having Medicaid. Conclusion One in 10 birthing persons had a hospital visit within 90 days postpartum. Improving postpartum care is an urgent public health priority.
Parallelization of a two-dimensional time-area watershed routing

Abstract Grid-based spatially distributed hydrological modeling has become feasible with advances in watershed routing schemes, remote sensing technology, and computing resources. However, the need for long-running times on a substantial set of computational resources prevents a spatially detailed modeling program from being widely used, particularly in fine-resolution large-scale studies. Parallelizing computational tasks successfully mitigate this difficulty. We propose a novel way to improve the simulation efficiency of direct runoff transport processes by grouping watershed areas based on a time-area routing scheme. The proposed parallelization method was applied to simulating the runoff routing processes of two watersheds in different sizes and landscapes. The method substantially improved the computational efficiency of the time-area routing simulation with common computing resources. The efficiency of the parallelization was not limited by the hierarchical relationship between upstream and downstream catchments along the flow paths, which could be possible with the Lagrangian tracking of the time-area routing method.
Athletic Administrators' Reporting of Emergency Preparedness Regarding Policies and Procedures in Iowa Secondary Schools.

Context Secondary schools that offer school-sponsored athletic events should follow best-practice guidelines to provide policies that promote student health and safety. Objective To assess emergency preparedness from the perspective of athletic administrators (AAs) in Iowa secondary schools. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Online survey. Patients or other participants Ninety-eight AAs from Iowa completed the survey (age = 45.33 ± 10.22 years, years as an AA = 9.37 ± 8.14, years in current role = 7.72 ± 7.09). Main outcome measures(s) The 6-section survey contained with questions about access to athletic trainers (ATs), emergency action plans (EAPs), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillators (AEDs), concussions, heat illness, and other general policies. Descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies) were reported. Relative risk was calculated to compare schools with and those without access to ATs (P Results Most respondents (76.5%, n = 75/98) reported their school had access to a licensed AT. The majority had a written EAP (83.3%, n = 70/84), but fewer than half (39.2%, n = 31/79) reviewed it annually and fewer than 10% (n = 6/85) reported practicing it each year. All respondents (100%, N = 78/78) stated they had an AED on campus. All respondents (N = 77/77) indicated that they were familiar with the Iowa High School Athletic Association's (IHSAA's) concussion policy and had a concussion guideline in place. Many respondents (95.9%, n = 71/74) described being familiar with the IHSAA's heat illness policy, but more than half (62.1%, n = 41/66) noted they did not have a heat illness policy in place at their school. Conclusions Most respondents indicated their school had access to ATs, followed the state-mandated concussion guidelines, and had an AED. Although participants reported having written EAPs in place, levels of annual EAP review and practice were low. These results suggest that schools would benefit from educational opportunities to improve safety policies.
STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF ELECTRONIC BILAYER LIQUIDS

Electronic bilayers exhibit a rich pattern of behavior, both on the static and on the dynamic level. While at high is the Wigner–Seitz radius within a layer, with n being the surface density) values the bilayer is expected to crystallize (according to and at very low values the RPA description is largely sufficient, the most interesting behavior occurs at domain, where the system is in the liquid state. This is the domain we focus on in this paper.
The Role of Rooting Characteristics in the Supply of Water to Plants

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses both axial and radial resistances to water flow from midway between roots located deep within soil to the xylem at the land surface. The chapter discusses idealized patterns for cotton, a taprooted dicotyledonous plant, and maize, a fibrous-rooted monocotyledonous plant. Water uptake by cotton plants grown in a rhizotron compartment was modeled. In the analysis it was assumed (1) that the radial resistance to water flow from the midpoint between roots to lumen of the xylem was a function only of volumetric water content of the soil layer—that is, the radial resistance-water content relations did not vary with root age or with soil depth and (2) that axial resistance was negligible. The total quantity of water available at any one time for withdrawal by a plant increases with available soil water content and with volume of soil occupied by its roots. Plant species differ greatly in the shape and size of their root systems and in their water extraction patterns. The characteristic rooting pattern of each species is genetically controlled but environmentally modified.
NEGATIVE COUPLING INSTABILITY AND GRANDUNIFIED BARYOGENESIS

I review my recent work with Brian Greene and Thomas Roos. First I discuss the effect of a negative cross-coupling on the inflaton decay in two scalar field theories. Our main finding is a new effect, the negative coupling instability, which leads to explosive particle production and very fast inflaton decay. Then I discuss the consequences of this instability for grandunified baryogenesis models. The novel aspect of this review is an intuitive explanation of the negative coupling instability, using field trajectories in the configuration space.
Trends in Mental Health Care among Children and Adolescents

METHODS We analyzed the 1996–1998, 2003–2005, and 2010–2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, which were nationally representative surveys of U.S. households, for trends in outpatient use of mental health services by persons 6 to 17 years of age; 53,622 persons were included in the analysis. Mental health impairment was measured with the use of the Columbia Impairment Scale (range, 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating more severe impairment); we classified youths with scores of 16 or higher as having more severe impairment and those with scores of less than 16 as having less severe impairment. RESULTS The percentage of youths receiving any outpatient mental health service increased from 9.2% in 1996–1998 to 13.3% in 2010–2012 (odds ratio, 1.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.35 to 1.72). The proportionate increase in the use of mental health services among youths with more severe impairment (from 26.2% to 43.9%) was larger than that among youths with less severe or no impairment (from 6.7% to 9.6%). However, the absolute increase in annual service use was larger among youths with less severe or no impairment (from 2.74 million to 4.19 million) than among those with more severe impairment (from 1.56 million to 2.28 million). Significant overall increases occurred in the use of psychotherapy (from 4.2% to 6.0%) and psychotropic medications (from 5.5% to 8.9%), including stimulants and related medications (from 4.0% to 6.6%), antidepressants (from 1.5% to 2.6%), and antipsychotic drugs (from 0.2% to 1.2%). CONCLUSIONS Outpatient mental health treatment and psychotropic-medication use in children and adolescents increased in the United States between 1996–1998 and 2010–2012. Although youths with less severe or no impairment accounted for most of the absolute increase in service use, youths with more severe impairment had the greatest relative increase in use, yet fewer than half accessed services in 2010–2012. (Funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.)
Low and lowered cholesterol and total mortality.

The paper by Strandberg et al. ([1][1]) in this issue of the Journal confirms that in relatively young, healthy men from higher socioeconomic strata, a (naturally) low total cholesterol (TC) is associated with increased longevity ([2][2]); on average, such men will have lower levels of low-density
Things Merely Are: Philosophy in the Poetry of Wallace Stevens

Advice to the reader 1. Or so we say - twenty propositions 2. Poetry, philosophy and life as it is 3. Sudden rightnesses 4. Wallace Stevens' intimidating thesis 5. The two-fold task of poetry 6. The thing itself and its seasons 7. Conclusion 8. Afterword : Calm - on Terrence Malick Bibliography Thanks
Cellular Interactions in the Regulation of Development in Annelids and Molluscs

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an evaluation of the regulatory mechanisms, which form the basis for the development of the spiralian organism, its organs and organ systems, its tissues and cells, and its molecular specificity. The significance of the larval form lies in its adaptability to the environment and its role in evolution. The form of the larva can be understood by analysis of the organs present and through comparison of the presumptive areas. The theory of variable gene activity is being subjected to a critical analysis in spiralians, as in other organisms. This theory expresses the concept that a portion of the cell's genome functions at any particular time and that the active portion differs between different cell types. The activation of specific genes is a result of the cytoplasmic niche in which a particular nucleus finds itself. That niche quality is because of molecular configurations established in oogenesis and through the interactions of cells and tissues in the developing embryo. Fertilization, which forms the basis for embryogenesis and the establishment of diploidy, is one of the major cellular interactions and plays a significant role in the reorganization of the cytoplasm of the egg and the initiation of metabolic changes.
Assessment of hepatic steatosis by transplant surgeon and expert pathologist: A prospective, double‐blind evaluation of 201 donor livers

An accurate clinical assessment of hepatic steatosis before transplantation is critical for successful outcomes after liver transplantation, especially if a pathologist is not available at the time of procurement. This prospective study investigated the surgeon's accuracy in predicting hepatic steatosis and organ quality in 201 adult donor livers. A steatosis assessment by a blinded expert pathologist served as the reference gold standard. The surgeon's steatosis estimate correlated more strongly with large-droplet macrovesicular steatosis [ld-MaS; nonparametric Spearman correlation coefficient (rS) = 0.504] versus small-droplet macrovesicular steatosis (sd-MaS; rS = 0.398). True microvesicular steatosis was present in only 2 donors (1%). Liver texture criteria (yellowness, absence of scratch marks, and round edges) were mainly associated with ld-MaS (variance = 0.619) and were less associated with sd-MaS (variance = 0.264). The prediction of ≥30% ld-MaS versus <30% ld-MaS was excellent when liver texture criteria were used (accuracy = 86.2%), but it was less accurate when the surgeon's direct estimation of the steatosis percentage was used (accuracy = 75.5%). The surgeon's quality grading correlated with the degree of ld-MaS and the surgeon's steatosis estimate as well as the incidence of poor initial function and primary nonfunction. In conclusion, the precise estimation of steatosis remains challenging even in experienced hands. Liver texture characteristics are more helpful in identifying macrosteatotic organs than the surgeon's actual perception of steatosis. These findings are especially important when histological assessment is not available at the donor's hospital. Liver Transpl 19:437–449, 2013. © 2013 AASLD.
Treatment biases in traumatic neurosurgical care: a retrospective study of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2009.

OBJECT This study was designed to assess the relationship between insurance status and likelihood of receiving a neurosurgical procedure following admission for either extraaxial intracranial hemorrhage or spinal vertebral fracture. METHODS A retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS; 1998–2009) was performed. Cases of traumatic extraaxial intracranial hematoma and spinal vertebral fracture were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes. Within this cohort, those patients receiving a craniotomy or spinal fusion and/or decompression in the context of an admission for traumatic brain or spine injury, respectively, were identified using the appropriate ICD-9 procedure codes. RESULTS A total of 190,412 patients with extraaxial intracranial hematoma were identified between 1998 and 2009. Within this cohort, 37,434 patients (19.7%) received a craniotomy. A total of 477,110 patients with spinal vertebral fracture were identified. Of the...
Evidence of long and discontinuous juvenile periods in Trillium catesbaei under contrasting levels of herbivory

We investigated the influence of chronic herbivory by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) on the age structure and morphology of Trillium catesbaei Elliott. At sites with ...
6,6‐Dimethyl‐5,7‐dioxaspiro[2.5]octane‐4,8‐dione

[5617-70-9] C8H10O4 (MW 170.18) InChI = 1S/C8H10O4/c1-7(2)11-5(9)8(3-4-8)6(10)12-7/h3-4H2,1-2H3 InChIKey = AXJVPXNVESYGDT-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent for electrophilic four-carbon homologation by homo-Michael reactions and for preparation of five- and six-membered heterocycles) Physical Data: mp 58–60 °C;1 for MS and NMR spectral data, see Maquestiau and Helferty.2 Solubility: sol ether, THF, DME, DMF; insol H2O. Preparative Method: the preparation of this compound has been described (eq 1).1 (1) Handling, Storage, and Precautions: use in a fume hood.
Identifying Block Structure in the Pacific Northwest, USA

We have identified block structure in the Pacific Northwest (west of 116°W between 38°N and 49°N) by clustering GPS stations so that the same Euler vector approximates the velocity of each station in a cluster. Given the total number k of clusters desired, the clustering procedure finds the best assignment of stations to clusters. Clustering is calculated for k= 2 to 14. In geographic space, cluster boundaries that remain relatively stable as k is increased are tentatively identified as block boundaries. That identification is reinforced if the cluster boundary coincides with a geologic feature. Boundaries identified in northern California and Nevada are the Central Nevada Seismic Belt, the west side of the Northern Walker Lane Belt, and the Bartlett Springs Fault. Three blocks cover all of Oregon and Washington. The principal block boundary there extends west-northwest along the Brothers Fault Zone, then north and northwest along the eastern boundary of Siletzia, the accreted oceanic basement of the forearc. East of this boundary is the Intermountain block, its eastern boundary undefined. A cluster boundary at Cape Blanco subdivides the forearc along the faulted southern margin of Siletzia. South of Cape Blanco the Klamath Mountains-Basin and Range block extends east to the Central Nevada Seismic Belt and south to the Sierra Nevada-Great Valley block. The Siletzia block north of Cape Blanco coincides almost exactly with the accreted Siletz terrane. The cluster boundary in the eastern Olympic Peninsula may mark permanent shortening of Siletzia against the Intermountain block.
[Comment on “Looking at gender distribution among AGU Fellows”] An open letter to Ellen Druffel

I would like to congratulate you on your excellent study of the gender distribution of AGU Fellows [Eos, Sept. 13, 1994]. However, I must take issue with your interpretation of some of the data. First of all you concentrate on the inequity in the awarding of AGU Fellowships. I, on the other hand, look at Figure 3 with amazement that, considering the obstacles in women's careers, the ratios are as good as they are. If you added only one 80-year-old woman, two 70-year-old women, two 60-year-olds and four 50-year-olds, the curves would look almost identical. Surely, it would be possible this year to elect 9 women to Fellowship out of the 30 Fellows to be elected. This change seems possible especially in sections like GP and Hydrology that clearly have a surplus of good female candidates, since none have been elected for some time. I think that the deficit can quickly be eliminated with just a modicum of attention to identifying the previously overlooked candidates and securing nominations for them. The following is some advice on the process, based on my nomination of two female candidate Fellows, one of whom was successful and one of whom thus far has not been successful.
Palliative care of the infant with lethal anomalies

Although many families of infants with prenatally diagnosed lethal anomalies may receive counseling by clinicians with perinatal, neonatal, or genetic expertise and deliver their babies in a tertiary care center, pediatricians may be called on to support and care for these infants. Their involvement may begin prenatally, at the time of delivery, in the newborn nursery, or upon discharge home from a NICU. The goal of this article is to help the general pediatrician gain some comfort in knowing which cases might be considered and provide some tools and ideas for counseling a family from any point of involvement.
Model Predictive Neural Control of TCP Flow in AQM Network

Many research papers have been published on RED (random early detection) and variants of RED. Recently many articles have been presented on modeling a transmission control protocol (TCP) flow in an active queue management (AQM) of a bottlenecked network link (Dong Lin and R. Morris, 1997), (V. Misra, et al., 2000), (C. Hollot, et al., 2001). Classical control theories have also been applied to achieve or improve stability of the network flow (C. Hollot, et al., 2001). In this paper we present a neural network (NN) model predictive control (MPC) of TCP flows. We show the robust adaptive behavior of the MPC optimal controller under modeling errors and system dynamic changes. We also show the superior transient and steady state behavior as well as general stability of MPC as compared to the classical PI controller
Transient increase in vimentin in axonal cytoskeletons during differentiation in NB2a/d1 cells

Abstract The localization of vimentin (Vm) within the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton was characterized during differentiation of mouse NB2a/dl neuroblastoma cells. Vm staining increased within neurites during the first day of differentiation, and then rapidly declined in both perikarya and neurites. By contrast, immunoreactivity against extensively phosporylated forms of the high molecular weight neurofilament subunit (NF-H) was absent until the third day after differentiation. Immunoblot anayses confirmed that these alterations reflected specific changes in Vm and NF-H steady-state levels. Metabolic labeling demonstrated a decrease in the rate of VM synthesis by the third day of differentiation. We conclude that changes in incorporation of intermediate filament species into the axonal cytoskeleton reflect distinct stages in neurite outgrowth and maturation; i.e., the Vm filament system may participate in initial stages of neuritogenesis during which outgrowth is most rapid, while NFPs may subsequently function in the establishment of a stabilized axonal cytoskeleton.
Mixed-mode EMI noise in three-phase DC-fed PWM motor drive system

High density filter design for electromagnetic interference (EMI) noises is essential for the variable speed motor drive system in modern transportation applications. As often being one of the major causes of bulky and heavy filter designs, the mixed-mode (MM) noise phenomenon in the three-phase motor drive system is discussed in this paper. The generation schemes of the MM noises on both DC and AC sides of the system are analyzed. According to the three-phase voltage vector modulation, the MM noises at different switching conditions are compared and summarized. Based on experimental results from a specified prototype system, the existence of the MM noises and its impact on EMI filter design is verified. Investigations show that the implementation of both CM filter and balancing X-capacitors can help attenuate the MM noises effectively.
Asynchronous DNA replication between 15q11.2q12 homologs: cytogenetic evidence for maternal imprinting and delayed replication

DNA replication kinetics of Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome region of 15q11.2q12 was studied without synchronization in five human amniotic cell and five skin fibroblast strains with a marker 15 chromosome, i.e., 15p+ or der(15), as cytological marker to distinguish between the two homologs. BrdU-33258 Hoechst-Giemsa techniques were used to analyze and compare the late replication patterns in the 15q11.2q12 region between the homologs. Asynchronous replication between the homologs was observed in both amniocytes and fibroblasts. From cells of a marker 15 of known parental origin, the paternal 15q11.2q12 replicated earlier than that of the maternal 15 in 92%–95% of asynchronous metaphases. The remaining 5%–8% of asynchronous metaphases displayed maternal early/paternal late replication. This mosaic pattern of replication in the 15q11.2q12 region may be due to methylation mosaicism of genomic imprinting or a relative lack of self-control of replication. These results provide cytogenetic evidence of maternal imprinting and delayed replication in the 15q11.2q12 region.
The effect of the shape function on small-angle scattering analysis by the maximum entropy method

Analysis of small-angle scattering data to obtain a particle-size distribution is dependent upon the shape function used to model the scattering. From a maximum-entropy analysis of small-angle scattering data, the effect of shape-function selection on the obtained size distribution is demonstrated using three different shape functions to describe the same scattering data from each of two alloys. The alloys have been revealed by electron microscopy to contain a distribution of randomly oriented and mainly noninteracting irregular ellipsoidal precipitates. A comparison is made between the different forms of the shape function. The effect of an incident-wavelength distribution is also shown. The importance of testing appropriate shape functions and validating these against other microstructural studies is discussed.
Why Does o-Fluorine Substitution Raise the Barrier to Ring Expansion of Phenylnitrene?

In an attempt to understand the dramatic difference in reactivity between phenylnitrene (1a) and pentafluorophenylnitrene (1b), the ring expansion reactions of several fluorinated arylnitrenes have been studied computationally at the CASPT2N/cc-pVDZ//CASSCF(8,8)/6-31G* + ZPE level of theory. The nitrenes considered include 2,6-difluorophenylnitrene (1c), 3,5-difluorophenylnitrene (1d), 4-fluorophenylnitrene (1e), and 2-fluorophenylnitrene (1f). In all cases ring expansion of the open-shell singlet nitrenes (1) to the ketenimines (3) was calculated to occur via the same two-step mechanism as that predicted for the parent system (1a), with the first stepcyclization to the azirines (2)being rate-determining. The calculated barrier of 13.4 kcal/mol for cyclization of 1c is 3.5−4.5 kcal/mol higher than the corresponding barriers for nitrenes 1e and 1f, and for 1a. For nitrene 1f, the calculated barrier of 13.0 kcal/mol for cyclization toward fluorine is 3 kcal/mol higher than the barrier for cyclization away f...
Partnership in U.K. Biobank: A Third Way for Genomic Property?

A property analysis of the U.K. Biobank reveals a new imagination of the genomic biobank as a national commonpool resource. U.K. Biobank's treatment of property and governance exhibit both strengths and weaknesses that may be instructive to genome project planners around the world.
Chemical ionization and electron impact mass spectra of thiosulfinates, thiosulfonates and sulfinyl sulfones†

The chemical ionization and electron impact mass spectra of some thiosulfinates, thiosulfonates and sulfinyl sulfones have been studied. The electron impact mass spectra of four of the six thiosulfonates show molecular ions of less than 1%. Inconclusive evidence was obtained for sulfenyl sulfinate type intermediates in the electron impact spectra of thiosulfonates. The electron impact spectra of thiosulfonates were similar to those of thiosulfonates. The chemical ionization (isobutane) mass spectra of thiosulfinates and thiosulfonates generally show protonated molecular ions [MH]+ as base peaks and [MH+1]+ and [MH+2]+ peaks.
UV-laser conditioning for reduction of 351-nm damage initiation in fused silica

This paper describes the effect of 355-nm laser conditioning on the concentration of UV-laser-induced surface damage sites on large-aperture fused silica optics. We will show the effect of various 355-nm laser conditioning methodologies on the reduction of surface-damage initiation in fused silica samples that have varying qualities of polishing. With the best, generally available fused silica optic, we have demonstrated that 355-nm laser conditioning can achieve up to 10x reduction in surface damage initiation concentration in the fluence range of 10-14 J/cm 2 (355- nm at 3 ns).
Supramolecular assembly of nanometer-sized heterobimetallic 3d–4f complexes formed with benzimidazole based N,O-donor ligands

Abstract Five heterobimetallic Cu–Ln complexes of general formula [CuLn(HL)2(NO3)3(MeCN)2] · 2Et 2O (Ln = Eu 1, Tb 2, Er 3, Yb 4 and Nd 5) were prepared with a new multidentate benzimidazole ligand based on 4-bromo-2-[2-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-benzoimidazol-1-ylmethyl]-6-methoxy-phenol (H2L1) or its bis-methoxy substituted analog (H2L3). In the solid state the structures of 1–4 exhibit supramolecular 3D-networks which are formed by the linking of C–H⋯O and C–H⋯π interactions. Compound 5 does not exhibit an extended supramolecular network.
Illicit drug use by persons with disabilities: Insights from the national household survey on drug abuse

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the association of drug use with disability in a representative sample of the US household population. METHODS: The use of illicit drugs and alcohol reported by respondents in the 1991 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse who identified themselves as "disabled, unable to work" was compared with respondents without disabilities. RESULTS: Among younger adults (18-24 years), persons with disabilities were more likely than those without disabilities to report that they had used heroin (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 6.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35, 35.1) or crack cocaine (OR = 6.38; 95% CI = 1.05, 38.6). Among older adults (35 years and older), persons with disabilities were more likely to report the use of sedatives (OR = 2.46; 95% CI = 1.21, 4.94) or tranquilizers (OR = 2.18: 95% CI = 1.08; 4.42) not medically prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that use of illicit drugs is a potentially serious problem among persons with disabilities and requires both research and clinical attention.
Uptake and processing of 125I-labelled transferrin and 59Fe-labelled transferrin by isolated human trophoblast cells

Trophoblast cells isolated from term human placenta and maintained as an adherent culture express surface receptors for transferrin as indicated by quantitative binding studies using 125I-labelled transferrin. The Kd was 5.3 x 10(-9) M. About 36 per cent of the total cell receptor population was found at the cell surface, the remainder being intracellular. Both 125I-labelled and 59Fe-labelled transferrin were internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis with similar rates. Pulse-chase experiments showed that 125I-labelled transferrin was recycled and released back to the medium, whereas 59Fe accumulated intracellularly and was released slowly. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography revealed that 59Fe was accumulated by cells largely in the form of ferritin. A small intracellular pool of low molecular weight 59Fe was also detected. In the presence of monensin, the transfer of 59Fe to ferritin was greatly reduced. The nature and amount of 59Fe released from cells could be modulated by the incubation conditions. In the absence of chelating agents and iron salts, released 59Fe was found to be associated with a low molecular weight fraction as well as with transferrin and ferritin. The low molecular weight 59Fe readily formed a complex with added chelators such as apotransferrin, DTPA or desferrioxamine. The release of 59Fe could be increased by repeatedly changing the medium during the course of the incubation. 59Fe release from trophoblast cells exceeded the release of lactate dehydrogenase and also exceeded the release of 59Fe from 3T3 fibroblasts, suggesting a cell-specific process.
Cerebral White Matter Changes (Leukoaraiosis), Stroke, and Gait Disturbance

OBJECTIVES: Leukoaraiosis, a radiological change of cerebral white matter thought to be caused by ischemia, is associated with gait disturbance. However, because of concomitant stroke and cerebral atrophy, the clinical relevance of leukoaraiosis is uncertain. We, therefore, sought to determine if leukoaraiosis is a predictor of gait disturbance after accounting for cerebral atrophy and stroke in patients with a high prevalence of cerebrovascular disease. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Neurology service (inpatient and outpatient) of a Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of 130 patients, 127 men and three women. MEASUREMENTS: The findings of a gait scale were correlated to vascular risk factors, neurological examination as quantified by the NIH stroke scale and supplemental motor scale, and to brain CT findings. Brain CT scans were rated for leukoaraiosis, cerebral infarction, and cerebral atrophy. RESULTS: Gait disturbance was more frequent and more severe in subjects with leukoaraiosis, of whom 31% had mild and 49% moderate/severe gait disturbance compared with 27% with mild and 12% with moderate/severe gait disturbance in subjects without leukoaraiosis (P < .001). Leukoaraiosis, cerebral atrophy, a history of multiple strokes, and weakness and ataxia of the legs were independent predictors of gait disturbance. The proportion and severity of leukoaraiosis increased with increasing gait disturbance in subgroups without leg deficit (P < .001) and without multiple strokes (P < .001), but no association with leukoaraiosis was shown in patients with leg deficit or a history of multiple strokes (P = .037 and P = .186, respectively). Gait disturbance was more severe when both leukoaraiosis and cerebral atrophy were present (P = .019). CONCLUSION: In our Veteran population, leukoaraiosis is an independent predictor of gait disturbance after accounting for stroke and cerebral atrophy. Although leukoaraiosis is a form of cerebrovascular disease, it appears to be most closely associated to gait disturbance in the absence of symptomatic stroke or leg deficit. J Am Geriatr Soc 45:1434–1438, 1997.
INTRINSIC LOCALIZED MODES IN DRIVEN ANHARMONIC LATTICES WITH REALISTIC POTENTIALS

Abstract It is shown that one-dimensional periodic lattices with realistic anharmonic interaction potentials can exhibit highly localized response to a spatially extended harmonic driving force. There is a wide variety of these driven intrinsic localized modes, and they display interesting new features. We also report a different type of inhomogeneous mode, characterized by a localized region of amplitude depletion in an otherwise extended lattice mode and frequencies above the harmonic phonon band.
Kids, TV Viewing, and Aggressive Behavior

Nearly two decades before the appearance of J. G. Johnson et al. 's impressive study of television viewing and aggressive behavior (“Television viewing and aggressive behavior during adolescence and adulthood,” Reports, 29 March, p. [2468][1]), L. Joy et al. published an even more persuasive
Continuous infusion of tumor necrosis factor: mechanisms of toxicity in the rat.

This study was designed to assess the toxicity of continuous infusion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the rat model. The effect of TNF on cell membranes was assessed by diffusion of radiolabeled inulin (RI). The effect of concomitant administration of the cytoprotectant prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was also assessed. Eighty rats were anesthetized and two osmotic pumps were implanted in the peritoneal cavity of each rat. One pump contained either TNF (0.1 mg/kg/day) or vehicle and the other either PGE1 (0.1 mcg/kg/min) or vehicle. Four groups resulted: vehicle alone, PGE1 alone, TNF alone, and TNF + PGE1. After 5 days, half of each group received intravenous RI and organ/blood radioactivity ratios were compared at sacrifice 7 min later. Remaining animals had serum drawn for CBC and electrolyte determination. Organ weights were determined in all animals. The effects of TNF and PGE1 were assessed by two-way ANOVA. Mortality in animals infused with TNF was 20%. One animal in the control group died. TNF infusion increased lung weight by 38% (697 ± 49 vs 937 ± 77 mg; P < 0.05). Liver weight was also increased in animals infused with TNF (6.7 ± 0.2 vs 7.0 ± 0.3 g; P < 0.05). TNF infusion increased blood urea nitrogen and decreased serum bicarbonate compared to controls. TNF had no effect on RI diffusion. PGE1 did not alter the response to TNF. Conclusions: Continuous infusion of TNF does not affect membrane permeability as assessed by inulin diffusion. PGE1 does not cytoprotect against the toxicity of TNF. Evidence of direct hepatic toxicity suggests that regional therapy via the hepatic artery or portal vein is contraindicated.
Subnasal morphological variation in fossil hominids: a reassessment based on new observations and recent developmental findings.

Quantitative and qualitative assessments of subnasal morphology in fossil hominids yield distinct patterns which have been used both to sort robust from nonrobust australopithecine taxa and to distinguish individual species. Recently, new developmental models have been applied to hominoid subnasal morphological variation. These studies require that certain features of the fossil hominid subnasal region, in particular the topography of the nasal cavity entrance and details of vomeral morphology, be reevaluated. This study does so for the robust and nonrobust australopithecines, early Homo (H. habilis/H. rudolfensis), and African H. erectus. Results reaffirm an overall similarity of the nonrobust Australopithecus subnasal morphological pattern with that of the chimpanzee. They further indicate that a vomeral insertion above the nasal surface of the premaxilla should be added to the list of traits characteristic of the robust australopithecine subnasal morphological pattern. Finally, reassessment of subnasal morphology in the early Homo and H. erectus samples from Africa suggest that these two taxa share a similar subnasal morphological pattern. This pattern consists of a smooth nasal cavity entrance, a horizontal nasal sill whose anterior edge is demarcated by a strong nasal crest, and a well-developed horizontal spine at the posterior edge of the nasal sill. Although none of the African fossil Homo specimens preserve a vomer, indirect evidence suggests that it would have inserted above the nasal sill.
From Global Warming to Sustainable Transport 1989–2006

ABSTRACT Beginning with a review of a 1990 article on the impact of global warming on the transportation infrastructure, this article summarizes the changes in our knowledge of climate change and its impact on transport over the past sixteen years. Although most of the basic scientific knowledge has not changed there has been an increase in our understanding of the potential impacts. It is noted that this field of study has evolved from the pure concern for global warming into a general concern for sustainable transportation and the other factors that make transport non-sustainable: local air quality problems, injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle incidents, petroleum resource depletion and congestion, as well as concerns over what can be done about the various negative externalities of transportation today. It is the field of sustainable transport broadly defined that now dominates nearly all research in transport.
Soviet theories of economic demography: a survey.

Abstract Soviet theories of economic demography are surveyed. The Urlanis-Strumilin model of fertility and labor-force participation strongly parallels the utility-maximization models of household decision making developed in the West. Family size is selected on the basis of the costs and benefits of higher-order children. Labor-force participation is based upon a comparison of market wages and implicit wages in home production.
Phonon-Assisted Deep Level Luminescence in Heavily Mg-Doped InGaN

Deep level luminescence in In0.07Ga0.93N:Mg was examined. A strong photoluminescence (PL) band at 2.45 eV was observed with a well-resolved fine structure that was attributed to phonon-assisted donor-acceptor pair (DAP) recombination. Analysis of the fine structure reveals a large Huang-Rhys parameter of 6.5 for this DAP band, indicating strong localization of carriers at DAP centers. From the phonon replicas, the longitudinal-optical (LO) phonon energy was determined to be 105 meV. The large, measured phonon energy was attributed to the large compressive strain caused by compositional fluctuations in the films.
Leucine kinetics and fuel utilization during a brief fast in human pregnancy

Abstract To examine proteolysis, protein and leucine oxidation, and fuel utilization during a brief fast (∼17 hours) in human pregnancy, we determined leucine kinetics, urea nitrogen excretion, and respiratory quotient (RQ) in 11 pregnant subjects during the second half of gestation, and in 11 normal nonpregnant controls. The total rate of appearance (Ra) of leucine was similar in the pregnant and control groups (pregnant 4.99 ± 0.60 v control 5.25 ± 1.60 mmol/h [mean ± SD]). However, leucine Ra per kilogram was significantly lower in pregnant subjects (pregnant 68 ± 7 v control 82 ± 13 μ mol/kg/h, P v control 5.58 ± 1.6 mg/kg/h, P P = .01), resulting in higher calculated carbohydrate oxidation rates during fasting in pregnancy. These data suggest that total rates of proteolysis (reflected by leucine flux) are similar in pregnant and nonpregnant subjects after an overnight fast. When normalized to body weight, proteolysis is lower in pregnant subjects. Urea excretion rates are also lower in pregnancy. These findings support the hypothesis that there is a pregnancy-induced adaptation to conserve maternal protein stores during a brief fast. The higher rate of carbohydrate oxidation during fasting in pregnancy may be a reflection of the fetal-placental unit's use of glucose as its predominant oxidative substrate.
Gel‐permeation chromatography. IX. Instrumental design and computer interfacing of a GPC molecular weight detector system

The detailed design and computer interfacing of a GPC molecular weight detector based on a real time viscometer are described. The working drawings presented will permit one to fabricate and duplicate the viscometer and the complete GPC molecular weight detector system. The uses and advantages of a laboratory automation system in analyzing GPC results are also described.
Spin-lasers: From threshold reduction to large-signal analysis

Lasers in which spin-polarized carriers are injected provide paths to different practical room temperature spintronic devices, not limited to magnetoresistive effects. Unlike the conventional understanding of spintronic devices, an optimal performance of such spin-lasers can arise for finite, not infinite, spin relaxation time. By considering spin-relaxation times of both electrons and holes, we elucidate advantages of spin-lasers over their conventional (spin-unpolarized) counterparts. In addition to the steady-state threshold reduction, spin-lasers can improve transient operation leading to shorter turn-on delay times, reduced ringing of emitted light, and an enhanced bandwidth.
Can melanoma patients predict quality of life impact of a melanoma stage different from their own?1

We evaluated melanoma patients’ ability to predict quality of life (QOL) impact of alternate hypothetical melanoma stages after given prognostic and treatment information of that stage. QOL impact was evaluated by calculating utilities, which measure people’s preferences for health states and range from 0 to 1; zero represents a state equivalent to death and 1 represents perfect health in the patient’s mind. We measured utility with a computer-based time trade-off technique, which determines the amount of time patients would trade in order to live a shorter life without melanoma. The ratio of the shorter life duration to the average life expectancy represents that health state’s utility. We defined 6 different melanoma health states based on stage (I, II, and III) and time from diagnosis, new ( one year ago) or old ( one year ago). Subjects were interviewed for three health states: a hypothetical state of paralysis for practice, their own melanoma health state, and an alternate hypothetical melanoma health state, newly diagnosed. For each melanoma health state, subjects were shown a brief presentation of prognosis, treatment, and other patients’ reactions in that health state. One-way ANOVA and post hoc comparisons were used to analyze mean utilities. We recruited 317 consecutive melanoma patients from our database and melanoma clinics. A total of 64 patients (mean age 51.5 years, 50% male, and 100% Caucasian) have participated, as following: 51 old Stage I, 4 new Stage I, 2 old Stage II, 4 old Stage III, and 3 new Stage III. We do not have data for new Stage II patients. No statistically significant differences between real and hypothetical utilities were found for a new diagnosis of Stage I or III. The mean utility ( standard deviation) for real new Stage I was 0.94 ( 0.04); whereas hypothetical new Stage I utilities for patients with real health states of old Stage II, old Stage III, and new Stage III were 0.96 ( 0.05), 0.96 ( 0.05), and 0.91 ( 0.03), respectively. The mean utility for real new Stage III was 0.57 ( 0.26). Hypothetical new Stage III utilities for patients with real states of old and new Stage I were 0.49 ( 0.31) and 0.46 ( 0.23), respectively. Although the number of subjects in this preliminary study is small, these results suggest that hypothetical utilities are similar to the real utilities for melanoma patients, indicating that they may be able to realistically imagine alternate melanoma stages.
Technique for remotely measuring surface pressure from a satellite using a multicolor laser ranging system

The optical path length from a satellite to the earth's surface is strongly dependent on the atmospheric pressure along the propagation path. Surface pressure can be measured by using a multicolor laser ranging system to observe the change with wavelength in the optical path length from the satellite to a ground target. The equations which relate surface pressure to the differential path lengths are derived and the accuracy of the pressure measurement is evaluated in terms of the ranging system parameters. The results indicate that pressure accuracies of a few millibars appear feasible.
Associations Between ADHD and Psychoactive Substance use Disorders: Findings from a Longitudinal Study of High-Risk Siblings of ADHD Children

This article investigates the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUD) in siblings of ADHD and normal-control probands and addresses issues of psychiatric comorbidity and gender Using DSM-III-R structured diagnostic interviews and blind raters, the authors conducted a 4–year follow-up of siblings. ADHD and male gender predicted higher rates and an earlier onset of PSUD after adjusting for high-risk status, other psychiatric disorders, and age. Risk was particularly high if the siblings bad ADHD plus conduct disorder This study's findings confirms the authors' prior report highlighting the importance of drug and alcohol prevention and cessation programs aimed at ADHD youth and their siblings, particularly those with comorbid conduct disorder. (Am J Addict 1997; 6:318–329)
Radiation effects on strengths of boron-epoxy composites in various environments

Abstract Light weight, high strength boron-epoxy composites were irradiated in a nuclear reactor and then mechanically tested for strength. These boron-epoxy laminates, made by reinforcing an epoxy matrix with 15 plies of unidirectional boron filaments, were irradiated and tested under three different combinations of temperature which could occur in a nuclear-powered spacecraft using a cryogenic propellant. Specimens of group 1 were irradiated in air or water at ambient temperatures below 80 °C and were tested at room temperature, as were specimens of group 2 which were irradiated in liquid hydrogen at −253 °C. Specimens of group 3 were irradiated and tested in liquid nitrogen at −196 °C without an intermediate warmup. Mechanical strengths of all specimen groups were degraded primarily by thermal neutrons. For equivalent thermal-neutron fluences, flexural strengths in the longitudinal direction (parallel to boron filaments) were best for specimens of group 1, next best for those of group 2, and poorest for those of group 3. This order of degradation seems to be dictated by the more radiation-sensitive interlaminar shear strength, which measures epoxy-to-filament bonding. The order of damage above was reversed for transverse flexural strengths.