cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A process-convolution approach to modelling temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean

This paper develops a process-convolution approach for space-time modelling. With this approach, a dependent process is constructed by convolving a simple, perhaps independent, process. Since the convolution kernel may evolve over space and time, this approach lends itself to specifying models with non-stationary dependence structure. The model is motivated by an application from oceanography: estimation of the mean temperature field in the North Atlantic Ocean as a function of spatial location and time. The large amount of this data poses some difficulties; hence computational considerations weigh heavily in some modelling aspects. A Bayesian approach is taken here which relies on Markov chain Monte Carlo for exploring the posterior distribution.
Women as Labor Force Participants: Effects of Family and Organizational Structure

Once the very structure of work itself can be questioned, we can address the issue of how to make work more family-friendly and thus build a structure for life courses that allows more people to balance their home and work lives.
Anaerobic degradation of lysine. V. Some properties of the cobamide coenzyme-dependent beta-lysine mutase of Clostridium sticklandii.

Abstract β-Lysine mutase, a cobamide coenzyme-dependent enzyme system from Clostridium sticklandii that converts β-lysine (3,6-diaminohexanoate) to 3,5-diaminohexanoate, has been fractionated into two protein components. One of these, an acidic, orange protein, contains a tightly bound cobamide, and the other, less acidic, appears to be a sulfhydryl protein. The partially purified enzyme system requires as cofactors a cobamide coenzyme, ATP, a mercaptan, FAD, pyruvate, Mg2+, and a monovalent cation such as K+ or Rb+. The reaction is reversible.
Reward Systems: Human

Rewards are positive stimuli that influence behavior. Both primary (e.g., food) and secondary (e.g., money) rewards modulate simple behaviors, (e.g., eating) and more complex social interactions (e.g., trusting someone). The potential rewarding properties of a stimulus and its effect on decision-making are processed in the human brain by a reward circuit consisting primarily of the prefrontal cortex, striatum and dopaminergic modulation. These regions are involved in processing the representation of reward values, learning which stimuli or action predict reward, and constantly updating such representations to reflect changes in the current environment in order to maximize reward.
A Call for Institutional Reform of the Office of Legal Counsel

The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) is extraordinarily powerful, standing as the legal arbiter of what the executive branch can and cannot do. Yet during the administration of George W. Bush, the office sanctioned legally unsound policies. This Essay explains what went wrong in the Office of Legal Counsel during the Bush Administration and suggests institutional reform to prevent such problems in the future. I begin by showing how OLC’s conduct violated widely held norms within the legal community. Though many observers have focused on OLC’s actions authorizing torture, this Essay contends that the office’s role permitting warrantless wiretapping within the United States was a unique violation of lawyerly values. The Essay then analyzes the source of the problems within OLC. I argue that the structure of OLC has lent itself to being particularly political. To remedy the situation, OLC should be restructured to attract a corps of less partisan attorneys who remain at the office for a longer period of time.
New light on the theorem of perron

We prove that the principal eigenvector of a positive matrix represents the relative dominance of its rows or ranking of alternatives in a decision represented by the rows of a pairwise comparison matrix.
Current Problems in 21 cm Line Studies of the Large-Scale Structure of the Galaxy

A number of current problems in 21 cm line studies of the Galaxy as a whole are discussed. Because of the difficulties involved with straightforward mapping, it is important to isolate integrated and other properties of the hydrogen profiles, the interpretation of which does not require accurate distance determinations. In addition, methods of analysis are necessary which either account for or exploit the sensitivity of hydrogen profiles to velocity irregularities and to geometrical configurations. The model-fitting approach to the interpretation of the hydrogen profiles is useful in this respect. Extragalactic hydrogen studies which show the relative ordering of the various components of spiral structure can inspire research in our own Galaxy. Such investigations are necessary for an understanding of the forces governing the spiral structure. It seems that the neutral hydrogen is primarily a tracer of locations where the overall distribution of stars is producing a gravitational sink. Other spiral tracers, in particular the molecules, are better considered as tracers of regions where the gas has been compressed, perhaps (at least on a large scale) by the shock front predicted by the density-wave theory.
Step-wise tunable microbolometer long-wavelength infrared filter

This paper covers the design, fabrication, and testing of a step-wise tunable long-wavelength infrared filter. The design uses a modified type of microbolometer to filter infrared light in the 7-10 micrometer wavelength range. Fabrication of the device is accomplished using standard microelectronic and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques. Germanium and zinc sulfide are used as optical layers for good reflectivity in the desired infrared range. Testing of the device shows that it filters light in three absorption bands in the specified wavelength range. The tuning of the device is found to be step-wise in response to electrostatic actuation using voltages up to 100 volts.
Interaction of external and double-diffusive convection in linearly salt-stratified systems

A series of experiments has been performed for a linearly salt-stratified system heated from below. The experiments were intended to investigate the relative influence of external and double-diffusive convection on (i) entrainment of salt-stratified fluid into adjacent layers of convecting fluid, and (ii) formation of multiple mixed layers within stable, salt-stratified fluid layers. External convection effects were altered by placing a horizontal grid in the convecting fluid layer. An assortment of flow visualization techniques revealed that external convection can strongly influence entrainment of salt-stratified fluid and multiple mixed layer formation. However, the techniques could not resolve the possible significance of the double-diffusive entrainment mechanism.
In vivo brain phosphocreatine and ATP regulation in mice fed a creatine analog.

Mitochondrial and cytosolic creatine kinase (CK) isozymes are active in cells with high and variable ATP metabolic rates. beta-Guanidinopropionic acid (GPA), a competitive inhibitor of creatine transport, was used to study the hypothesis that the creatine-CK-phosphocreatine (PCr) system is important in regulating brain ATP metabolism. The CK-catalyzed reaction rate and reactant concentrations were measured in vivo with 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy during energy deficit (hypoxia) or high-energy turnover (seizures) states in urethane-anesthetized mice fed GPA, creatine, or standard chow (controls). Brain phosphagen (i.e., cellular energy reserves) or PCr plus phosphorylated GPA (GPAP) concentrations were equal. The phosphagen-to-NTP ratio was lower than in controls. In vivo CK reaction rate decreased fourfold, whereas ex vivo CK activity that was biochemically measured was doubled. During seizures, CK-catalyzed fluxes increased only in GPA-fed mice. Phosphagen increased in GPA-fed mice, whereas PCr decreased in controls. Survival was higher and brain phosphagen and ATP losses were less for hypoxic GPA-fed mice than for controls. In contrast to mice fed GPA, hypoxic survival and CK reactant concentrations during hypoxia and seizures were the same in creatine-fed mice and controls. Thus GPA, GPAP, or adaptive changes in ATP metabolism stabilize brain ATP and enhance survival during hypoxia in mice.
Effects of prepayment regulations on termination of subprime mortgages

Abstract Because of their higher interest rates, subprime mortgages are subject to substantial prepayment risk as borrowers who succeed in improving their creditworthiness systematically prepay leaving those with higher credit risk in the mortgage pool. Lenders anticipated this problem and attached substantial prepayment penalties to subprime mortgages. Some state governments responded with regulations that banned prepayment penalties. This created a natural experiment in which the effects of prepayment penalties on the supply and performance of endorsed mortgages can be evaluated. Ho and Pennington Cross (2008) have demonstrated that these regulations reduced the supply of mortgage credit. In this paper, the effect of prepayment penalty restrictions on the performance of endorsed subprime mortgages is tested. Theory predicts that the restrictions should raise prepayment and lower default. The empirical results strongly confirm the first prediction while the effects on default have the correct sign but lack significance.
ALVEOLAR-ARTERIAL O2 AND CO2 DIFFERENCES AND THEIR RELATION TO LUNG VOLUME IN THE NEWBORN

Twenty-six premature and five full-term infants, ranging in birth weight from 860 to 4,040 gm and in age from 3 hours to 98 days, were the subjects of this study. Measurements of thoracic gas volume and determination of alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and arterial-alveolar carbon dioxide gradient were performed. All infants showed a decrease in thoracic gas volume in the first days of life. The initial high thoracic gas volume is thought to be due to trapped gas. The ability to trap gas was demonstrated in a number of infants. In the full-term infant the decrease in thoracic gas volume is associated with improvement in lung function. In the premature infants the decrease in lung volume is associated with a persistently elevated alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and in an inequality of perfusion and ventilation, as evidenced by the large arterial-alveolar carbon dioxide gradient. In a small group of infants increase in functional residual capacity produced by negative pressure around the chest resulted in a decrease in the carbon dioxide and oxygen gradients, indicating that the infant9s lung volume is less than optimum. These observations characterize in physiological terms some of the respiratory difficulties in small premature infants.
Experimental validation of imposed safety regions for neural controlled human patient self-feeding using the modular prosthetic limb

This paper presents the experimental validation of software-based safety features implemented during the control of a prosthetic limb in self-feeding tasks with a human patient. To ensure safe operation during patient controlled movements of the limb, velocity-based virtual fixtures are constructed with respect to the patient's location and orientation relative to the limb. These imposed virtual fixtures or safety zones modulate the allowable movement direction and speed of the limb to ensure patient safety during commanded limb trajectories directed toward the patient's body or environmental obstacles. In this implementation, the Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) will be controlled by a quadriplegic patient using implanted intracortical electrodes. These virtual fixtures leverage existing sensors internal to the MPL and operate in conjunction with the existing limb control. Validation of the virtual fixtures was conducted by executing a recorded set of limb control inputs while collecting both direct feedback from the limb sensors and ground truth measurements of the limb configuration using a Vicon tracking system. Analysis of the collected data indicates that the system performed within the limitations prescribed by the imposed virtual fixtures. This successful implementation and validation enabled the approved clinical use of the MPL system for a neural controlled self-feeding task.
Validation of the isotropic fractionator: comparison with unbiased stereology and DNA extraction for quantification of glial cells.

Background The “isotropic fractionator” (IF) is a novel cell counting technique that homogenizes fixed tissue, recovers cell nuclei in solution, and samples and quantifies nuclei by extrapolation. Studies using this technique indicate that the ratio of glia to neurons in the human brain is approximately 1:1 rather than the 10:1 or 50:1 ratio previously assumed. Although some results obtained with the IF have been similar to those obtained by stereology, the IF has never been calibrated or validated. It is conceivable that only a fraction of glial cell nuclei are recovered intact or recognized after the homogenization step.
Time-dependent Monte Carlo simulations of radical densities and distributions on the diamond {001} (2 × 1): H surface

Abstract Time-dependent Monte Carlo simulations are performed to determine the steady state distribution and density of C radicals on the diamond {001} (2 × 1): H surface. The required reaction rates and probabilities of the individual events are either explicitly calculated via molecular dynamics simulations or taken directly from experiments. Each simulation time step is equivalent to a real time step in which all particles are simultaneously allowed to move, albeit probabilistically. The calculations show the presence of two chemically distinct surface bonding environments. In addition to structurally isolated radical sites we also find strained and reactive π bonds (diradicals) on the surface.
Prevention of DNA Photodamage by Vitamin E Compounds and Sunscreens: Roles of Ultraviolet Absorbance and Cellular Uptake

Topical application of alpha-tocopherol (alphaTH), the most prominent naturally occurring form of vitamin E, inhibits ultraviolet (UV) B-induced photocarcinogenesis and DNA photodamage in C3H mice in vivo. In this study, we compared alphaTH with other vitamin E compounds and with three commercial sunscreen compounds for their ability to inhibit DNA photodamage in C3H mouse skin in vivo. When applied in a 5% dispersion in a neutral cream vehicle, alpha-tocopherol (alphaTH), gamma-tocopherol (gammaTH), and delta-tocopherol (deltaTH) each produced a statistically significant inhibition of thymine dimer formation, whereas alpha-tocopherol acetate (alphaTAc) and alpha-tocopherol methyl ether (alphaTOMe) did not. Application of 5% dispersions of the commercial sunscreen agent octylmethoxycinnamate also inhibited dimer formation, whereas ethylhexyl salicylate and oxybenzone did not, despite their considerably greater UVB absorbances than alphaTH. To test the hypothesis that cellular uptake and distribution are necessary for optimal photoprotection by tocopherols, photoprotection was studied in mouse 308 keratinocyte cells in vitro. Preincubation of 308 cells with 1 microM alphaTH for at least 2 h before exposure to 2.5 J/m2/s UVB for 10 min significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated thymine dimer formation. Pre-incubation with 1 microM gammaTH, deltaTH, alphaTAc, or alphaTOMe for 2 h did not inhibit thymine dimer formation significantly. Uptake of alphaTH was measured after incubation with 1 microM [2H3]alphaTH (d3-alphaTH) and resulted in a time-dependent increase in alphaTH levels. Use of d3-alphaTH allowed separate, simultaneous measurement of added d3-alphaTH and unlabeled endogenous alphaTH by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Accumulation of 167 +/- 62 pmol d3-alphaTH/mg protein was measured within 1 h in whole-cell fractions. d3-AlphaTH in the nuclear fraction reached levels of 15 +/- 4 pmol d3-alphaTH/mg protein at 2 h. Accumulation of alphaTH in the whole cell and nuclei corresponded temporally with significant protection against DNA photodamage. The kinetics of accumulation of the three tocopherols in whole cells and in nuclei were similar. Although only alphaTH conferred significant protection compared with irradiated controls at 2 h, the differences between individual tocopherols were not statistically significant. This work suggests that incorporation of tocopherol compounds into sunscreen products confers protection against procarcinogenic DNA photodamage and that cellular uptake and distribution of tocopherol compounds is necessary for their optimal photoprotection.
A rapid microfluidic synthesis of [18F]fluoroarenes from nitroarenes.

Abstract Microfluidic radiofluorodenitrations have been successfully performed using a commercially available microfluidic synthesis system. Reactions of nitroarenes with para-substituted electron withdrawing groups provide incorporation yields ranging from 43 to 97%. Ortho- and meta-substituted nitroarenes provided incorporation yields up to 35%. The reactions were conducted using dry, no-carrier-added [18F]-fluoride and K2CO3/K222 dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulfoxide with total synthesis times of less than five min. The methodology developed in these studies can be applied to the synthesis of a variety of fluorine-18 labeled radiotracers and radiolabeled prosthetic groups from nitroarene precursors.
Contextual Support and Predictive Inferences: What do Readers Generate and Keep Available for Use?

This study investigates whether readers can generate predictive inferences that remain available to guide comprehension after a number of intervening sentences. The nature of the inference (detailed versus general) was also examined. In four experiments, participants read stories that suggested an inference. Reading time was measured to target sentences that later mentioned the inference. In Experiment 1, reading times were equivalent among inference and explicit versions. In Experiment 2, however, reading times to inference versions were slower than either explicit or general versions, suggesting that the participants only generated general state change outcomes. Experiment 3 supports this conclusion because changing the target sentences to include mention of general outcomes did not change the data pattern. Experiment 4 weakened the causal support for the inferences and found that generation of the outcome was disrupted. The results suggest that readers do not routinely generate predictive inferences th...
A uniform method for analytically modeling mulit-target acquisition with independent networked imaging sensors

The problem solved in this paper is easily stated: for a scenario with 𝑛 networked and moving imaging sensors, 𝑚 moving targets and 𝑘 independent observers searching imagery produced by the 𝑛 moving sensors, analytically model system target acquisition probability for each target as a function of time. Information input into the model is the time dependence of 𝘗 ∞ and 𝜏, two parameters that describe observer-sensor-atmosphere-range-target properties of the target acquisition system for the case where neither the sensor nor target is moving. The parameter 𝘗 ∞ can be calculated by the NV-IPM model and 𝜏 is estimated empirically from 𝘗 ∞ . In this model 𝑛, 𝑚 and 𝑘 are integers and 𝑘 can be less than, equal to or greater than 𝑛. Increasing 𝑛 and 𝑘 results in a substantial increase in target acquisition probabilities. Because the sensors are networked, a target is said to be detected the moment the first of the 𝑘 observers declares the target. The model applies to time-limited or time-unlimited search, and applies to any imaging sensors operating in any wavelength band provided each sensor can be described by 𝘗 ∞ and 𝜏 parameters.
Developmental regulation of sterol carrier protein 2 in chicken intestine and liver at time of hatching

Sterol Carrier Protein 2, a protein thought to be involved in various aspects of intracellular sterol transport and metabolism, was studied in the small intestine and liver of chickens near hatching. In the intestine, a sudden shift in molecular mass, from 12 kDa to 64 kDa was noted by Western blotting on the day of hatching. Immediately post-hatching, the molecular mass returned to 12 kDa but the protein was several fold more abundant than prior to hatching. In the liver, several molecular mass forms were present at all ages examined but total shift to the 64 kDa form was not seen. Following hatching, however, the 12 kDa form became more abundant. Regardless of age of bird or molecular mass, the protein was found mainly in peroxisomes.
A modified single-strand annealing model best explains the joining of DNA double-strand breaks in mammalian cells and cell extracts

The joining of DNA double-strand breaks in vivo is frequently accompanied by the loss of a few nucleotides at the junction between the interacting partners. In vitro systems mimic this loss and, on detailed analysis, have suggested two models for the mechanism of end-joining. One invokes the use of extensive homologous side-by-side alignment of the partners prior to joining, while the other proposes the use of small regions of homology located at or near the terminus of the interacting molecules. to discriminate between these two models, assays were conducted both in vitro and in vivo with specially designed substrates. In vitro, molecules with limited terminal homology were capable of joining, but analysis of the junctions suggested that the mechanism employed the limited homology available. In vivo, the substrates with no extensive homology end-joined with equal efficiency to those with extensive homology in two different topological arrangements. Taken together, these results suggest that extensive homology is not a prerequisite for efficient end-joining, but that small homologies close to the terminus are used preferentially, as predicted by the modified single-strand annealing model.
Isozyme expression in bighead carp, silver carp and their reciprocal hybrids

Abstract Samples of the Auburn University populations of bighead carp ( Aristichthys nobilis ), silver carp ( Hypothalmichthys molitrix ) and their reciprocal hybrids were surveyed for isozyme varibility at 23 loci. Allelic variation in loci encoding for alcohol dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase (NAD-dependent) and superoxide dismutase was found to differentiate the two species. Reciprocal hybrids could not be distinguished electrophoretically. Isozyme banding patterns indicate these hybrids were diploid. These hybrids were fertile, and they produced large numbers of F 2 progeny. The bighead carp population had 4% of its loci polymorphic, whereas the silver carp were polymorphic at 17% of their loci. The bighead carp evaluated in this study as well as those in previously reported studies of cultured carp, have a degree of homozygosity that is probably related to the hatchery procedures for propagating these species.
Copper mixed metal oxide catalysts in the hydrogenolysis of 5-methylfurfuryl alcohol

Abstract The hydrogenolysis of 5-methylfurfuryl alcohol to 2,5-dimethylfuran was investigated over CuCrO 2 ·CuO, CuFe 2 O 4 ·CuO, and CuMn 2 O 4 ·CuO catalysts. The synthesized catalytic materials were extensively characterized. The Cu 0 surface area of the catalysts varied from 0.3 to 20.4 m 2 /g. CuCrO 2 ·CuO demonstrated higher activity relative to surface Cu 0 than any of the other synthesized materials and had the same activity as a commercially available copper chromite catalyst. The Cu–Fe catalysts showed lower activities with coinciding lower selectivities when compared to the Cu–Cr catalysts. This behavior of the Cu–Fe catalyst may have been caused by the presence of Fe 0 . The CuMn 2 O 4 ·CuO catalysts gave a similar selectivity to the Cu–Cr catalysts, but showed a dramatically lower activity than either the Cu–Cr or Cu–Fe catalysts with respect to Cu 0 surface area. While the CuCrO 2 ·CuO, CuCr 2 O 4 ·CuO, and most active CuFe 2 O 4 ·CuO catalyst all exhibited very comparable activity relative to Cu 0 surface concentrations, the other catalysts became markedly less active.
Proposed roles for DNA methylation in Alu transcriptional repression and mutational inactivation

Methylation at CpG dinucleotides to produce 5 methyl cytosine (5me-C) has been proposed to regulate the transcriptional expression of human Alu repeats. Similarly, methylation has been proposed to indirectly favor the transpositional activity of young Alu repeats by transcriptionally inactivating older Alu's through the very rapid transition of 5me-C to T. Both hypotheses are examined here by RNA polymerase III (Pol III) in vitro transcription of Alu templates using HeLa cell extracts. A limiting factor represses the template activity of methylated Alu repeats. Competition by methylated prokaryotic vector DNA's relieves repression, showing that the factor is not sequence specific. This competitor has no effect on the activity of unmethylated templates showing that the repressor is highly specific toward methylated DNA. While methylation of a single pair of CpG dinucleotides in the A box of the Poll III promoter is sufficient to cause repression, methylation elsewhere within the template also causes repression. The repressor causing these effects on the Pol III directed transcription of Alu repeats is thought to be a previously reported, repressor for Pol II directed templates. Young Alu repeats are transcriptionally more active templates than a representative older Alu subfamily member. Also, younger Alu's form stable transcriptional complexes faster, potentially giving them an additional advantage. The mutation of three CpG's to CpA's within and near the A box drastically decreases both the template activity and rate of stable complex formation by a young Alu member. The sensitivity of Alu template activity to CpG transitions within the A box partially explains the selective transpositional advantage enjoyed by young Alu members.
Sociology's Self-Imposed Moral Dilemma.

A dilemma confronts sociologists in the review and publication of their works. On the one hand, sociologists are expected to be open and fair in the review process; on the other hand, because we rely on a peer review process, and because peers are apt to know the work of one another, this will impede the practice of making “open and fair” judgments. The article points out that peer review is especially apt to impede new and critical thinking. Other implications are also discussed.
Flood Control Policy in China: The Policy Consequences of Natural Disasters

This study of flood control policy before and after the Chinese floods of 1980–2 reveals the interactive effects of bureaucratic politics, the goals and careers of national leaders, and natural disasters in a communist regime. Policy is shown to be more reactive and influenced by longstanding bureaucratic rivalries than most previous research has found.
Practical considerations in angiotensin II antibody production

Abstract When cost considerations are paramount, one immunization with angiotensin II-rabbit serum albumin immunogen into multiple sites in rabbits suffices to produce high-titer antisera which are clinically useful for radioimmunoassays. Although sustained antibody responses may occur after one or two immunizations with an angiotensin II-poly- l -lysine immunogen, titers are impractically low for clinical work.
Review of the Results of WT1 Peptide Vaccination Strategies for Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia from Nine Different Studies

We performed a systematic review of data from seven clinical trials of WT1 peptide vaccination in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and/or acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML), published between 2004 and 2012. A total of fifty-one patients were eligible for analysis. Vaccination with WT1 peptides proved safe and feasible in patients with MDS/AML, in studies from different institutions. Additionally, clinical responses and clinical benefit were observed, with some patients achieving and maintaining remission long term (more than 8 years). A significant correlation between induction of WT1 specific T cells and normalization/reduction of WT1 mRNA levels and progression free survival was noted in a number of studies. However larger studies are warranted to confirm these results. Interestingly, the majority of trials reported the presence of WT1 specific T cells with limited or absent functionality prior to vaccination, which increased in frequency and function after vaccination. In conclusion, WT1 peptide vaccination strategies were safe in this heterogeneous group of patient with MDS/AML. Larger and more homogeneous studies or randomized clinical trials are needed to quantify the contribution of WT1 peptide vaccines to clinical responses and long term survival.
Very Low Birth Weight Births At Non-NICU Hospitals: The Role of Sociodemographic, Perinatal, and Geographic Factors

PURPOSE: The purposeof this study was to assess the extent of variation in the percentage of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants born at perinatal Level 1 hospitals (no Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [NICU]) across California’s nine geographic Perinatal regions. The role of sociodemographic, perinatal, and geographic factors was also assessed. METHODS: Multivariate analysis of California birth certificate files between 1989 and 1993, for 24,094 live-born infants weighing between 500 and 1499 gm, was conducted to identify factors associated with delivery at a Level 1 hospital. Analyses specific for race and ethnicity were also conducted for Hispanic, African American, and white cohorts. RESULTS: In the 5-year study period, 1989 through 1993, 10.5% (24,094) of all live-born VLBW infants were delivered in Level 1 hospitals. Significant variation across regions was evident, ranging from a regional low of 3.1% to a high of 24.3%. After controlling for multiple factors, the odds of delivering at a Level 1 hospital were decreased for African Americans and South East Asians and increased in Hispanic women as compared with white non-Hispanic women. For all women, less then adequate prenatal care, living in a 50% to 75% urban zip code, and living greater then 25 miles from the nearest NICU significantly increased the odds of VLBW delivery at a Level 1 hospital. For Hispanics, teen pregnancy and having two or more prior infant deaths increased the odds, whereas Medi-Cal as the payer source for delivery and two or more pregnancy complications decreased the odds of a Level 1 VLBW delivery. After taking these factors into account, when compared with Los Angeles, the odds of inappropriate delivery site ranged from 0.37 to 2.75 across California’s nine geographic perinatal regions. Of this variation,78% could be accounted for by the percentage of total births that delivered at a region’s Level 1 hospitals. CONCLUSION: The overall state average of 10.5% deliveries of VLBW at Level 1 hospitals, although close to the 10% national objective for the year 2000, did not indicate the wide variation seen across California’s nine geographic regions. Risk-adjusted regional differences in the likelihood of inappropriate delivery site for the high-risk VLBW infants suggest that reaching the Healthy People 2000 objective will require further strengthening of California’s perinatal regional networks, especially in those regions where a high percentage of total births deliver at Level 1 hospitals.
Resistance of the guinea pig to pyrrolizidine alkaloid intoxication.

Abstract Severe hepatotoxicity following intoxication with pyrrolizidine alkaloids has been observed in most domestic and laboratory animals. The guinea pig has been an unexplained exception to this generalization. Administration of monocrotaline, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid contained in the seed and vegetation of Crotalaria spectabilis , produced no clinical or pathologic alterations in guinea pigs. The in vitro microsomal ability to convert monocrotaline to its N-oxide derivative was present to the same degree in rats and guinea pigs, but the level of dehydrogenation activity in the rat was considerably greater than in the guinea pig. The ability to produce monocrotaline pyrroles in vivo was also much greater in rats than guinea pigs. However, when the pyrrolic metabolites were administered by iv injection into the mesenteric blood supply, both species developed marked hepatic necrosis. Therefore, monocrotaline N-oxides are not converted to toxic metabolites and are not toxic per se. Monocrotaline pyrroles appear to be the only metabolites yet determined which are responsible for the lesions produced by monocrotaline intoxication. The fact that N-oxidase activity, but not dehydrogenase activity, is present in guinea pig hepatic microsomes supports the contention that N-oxides and pyrroles are formed by separate enzymatic pathways during pyrrolizidine poisoning.
RBS analysis of Si diffusion in photoresist during silylation

Abstract The diffusion of Si in thin films of photoresist during silylation was investigated using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and the chemical reaction was studied by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). Initially, Si diffuses very rapidly, then it slows down as the silylation time increases. Almost all the Si needed to form a stable cross-linked matrix is achieved within 5 min of silylation. With reactive ion etching (RIE) the etch rate of the silylated photoresist depends on the silylation time and whether the sample is blown dry, air-dried or rinsed immediately after the silylation process. A long silylation time results in the formation of a thin layer of SiO2 on the resist, which increases the RIE resistance.
A Study of the System Li-P-Se

Abstract Compound formation in the system Li-P-Se is investigated by differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction, 7 Li, 77 Se, and 31 P magic-angle spinning NMR, and high-temperature 31 P static NMR. No glasses can be formed by melt-quenching techniques. The two new crystalline phases found possess stoichiometries Li 4 P 2 Se 6 and Li 7 PSe 6 and are not isostructural with their known sulfide analogs. Li 4 P 2 Se 6 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, a = 11.239(5) A, b = 11.811(5) A, c = 13.528(5) A, V = 1796 A 3 , d (calc) = 4.151 g · cm -3 ( Z = 8). It contains dimeric [P 2 Se 6 ] 4- units, the two P atoms of which are structurally inequivalent. Li 7 PSe 6 is indexed in the cubic system, a = 20.73 A, and has two crystallographically inequivalent [PSe 4 ] 3- groups. In addition, the two types of selenium atoms, belonging to PSe 3- 4 and Se 2- units, respectively, are distinguished by a large chemical shift difference. The thermal behavior of Li 7 PSe 6 is investigated by multiple DSC studies and in situ high-temperature NMR, suggesting that this phase is metastable at room temperature.
Carbon nanotube inner phase chemistry: the Cl- exchange SN2 reaction.

Density functional calculations have been carried out to investigate the nature of the inner phase of a (6,6) carbon nanotube, using the Cl- exchange SN2 reaction as an indicator. Inside the carbon nanotube the classical barrier height increases by 6.6 kcal/mol due to the nanotube polarizability. This suggests that the inner phase environment can be considered a form of solid solvation, offering the possibility of obtaining altered guest properties and reactivity through dielectric stabilization.
A comparison of the development of Puccinia graminis tritici in resistant and susceptible wheat based on glucosamine content

Abstract Procedures based on ligand exchange chromatography of complexes of Zn2+ with amino sugars are described for the determination of glucosamine in 6 n -HCl hydrolyzates of samples equivalent to a single wheat leaf. Leaves incubated in a dew chamber for 14–15 h after inoculation with Puccinia graminis tritici showed an increase of about 6 nmol of glucosamine per leaf resulting from development of germ tubes on the leaf surface. No additional increase was observed in either compatible or incompatible hosts through the third day (68–72 h) after the deposition of inoculum. Just prior to symptom development and sporulation, the fungus appeared to have a more rapid rate of growth in compatible hosts as indicated by significant increments in glucosamine. Smaller but definite increases in glucosamine also were observed in incompatible hosts at this time, suggesting persistent growth of the pathogen. The results are discussed in connection with literature reports of the histological events during development of stem rust fungi in compatible and incompatible hosts.
Water inputs across a tropical montane landscape in Veracruz, Mexico: synergistic effects of land cover, rain and fog seasonality, and interannual precipitation variability

Land-cover change can alter the spatiotemporal distribution of water inputs to mountain ecosystems, an important control on land-surface and land-atmosphere hydrologic fluxes. In eastern Mexico, we examined the influence of three widespread land-cover types, montane cloud forest, coffee agroforestry, and cleared areas, on total and net water inputs to soil. Stand structural characteristics, as well as rain, fog, stemflow, and throughfall (water that falls through the canopy) water fluxes were measured across 11 sites during wet and dry seasons from 2005 to 2008. Land-cover type had a significant effect on annual and seasonal net throughfall (NTF 0 = fog water deposition). Forest canopies retained and/or lost to evaporation (i.e. NTF < 0) five- to 11-fold more water than coffee agroforests. Moreover, stemflow was fourfold higher under coffee shade than forest trees. Precipitation seasonality and phenological patterns determined the magnitude of these land-cover differences, as well as their implications for the hydrologic cycle. Significant negative relationships were found between NTF and tree leaf area index (R 2 = 0.38, P < 0.002), NTF and stand basal area (R 2 = 0.664, P < 0.002), and stemflow and epiphyte loading (R 2 = 0.414, P < 0.001). These findings indicate that leaf and epiphyte surface area reductions associated with forest conversion decrease canopy water retention/evaporation, thereby increasing throughfall and stemflow inputs to soil. Interannual precipitation variability also altered patterns of water redistribution across this landscape. Storms and hurricanes resulted in little difference in forest-coffee wet season NTF, while El Nino Southern Oscillation was associated with a twofold increase in dry season rain and fog throughfall water deposition. In montane headwater regions, changes in water delivery to canopies and soils may affect infiltration, runoff, and evapotranspiration, with implications for provisioning (e.g. water supply) and regulating (e.g. flood mitigation) ecosystem services.
Effects of alprazolam and diazepam on the daytime sleepiness of non-anxious subjects.

Eighteen non-anxious volunteers underwent sleep recordings and daytime tests of sleepiness, performance, and mood while receiving, either alprazolam 0.5 mg b.i.d. or diazepam 5 mg b.i.d. for 7 consecutive days. Recordings and tests were done before treatment and on the 1st and 7th days of treatment. Nocturnal sleep changes were similar for both groups; there were no statistically significant changes in mood. However, levels of daytime sleepiness differed. Alprazolam subjects showed more daytime sedation than diazepam subjects on treatment day 1, but showed a significant decrease in Day 1-7 daytime sedation. Although diazepam subjects were less sedated at the onset, they showed no tolerance to this effect; thus by treatment day 7, the two groups did not differ in levels of daytime sleepiness. Results suggested that tolerance to alprazolam's sedative effects (which develops during the 1st week of treatment) may be separable from tolerance to its antianxiety effects (which develops after at least 4 weeks). As daytime sedation is common and potentially dangerous with most anxiolytics, selective tolerance to this side effect is highly desirable.
Assessment of cancer education seminars for Appalachian populations.

Cancer education seminars for Appalachian populations were conducted to: (1) increase knowledge of existing cancer disparities, (2) disseminate findings from Appalachian community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects, and (3) foster CBPR capacity building among community members by promoting social networking. Evaluation of the seminars was completed by: (1) using pre–post-surveys to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes at three regional and one national seminar and (2) measuring a change in the social network patterns of participants at a national seminar by analyzing the names of individuals known at the beginning and at the end of the seminar by each participant. Among participants, there was a significant increase in knowledge of Appalachian cancer disparities at two seminars [national, t(145) = 3.41, p = 0.001; Pennsylvania, t(189) = 3.00, p = 0.003] and a change in attitudes about Appalachia at one seminar [Ohio t(193) = −2.80, p = 0.006]. Social network analysis, operationally defined for this study as familiarity with individuals attending the conference, showed participation in the national seminar fostered capacity building for future CBPR by the development of new network ties. Findings indicate that short-term outcomes of the seminars were accomplished. Future educational seminars should consider using social network analysis as a new evaluation methodology.
Subsurface overheating of targets in laser deposition of superconducting films

Abstract The possibility of internal explosion in the laser ablation of superconductor targets is investigated by calculating the temperature profile inside the target. The equation of heat conduction is employed and the temperature dependence of all characteristic parameters is determined empirically. It is found that, in general, a local overheated spot appears as long as the intensity of incident laser pulses is sufficiently high. Conditions to avoid such overheating are discussed.
EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE LINEAR PROGRAMMING MODELS TO SOLVE THE TWO-GROUP DISCRIMINANT PROBLEM

The two-group discriminant problem has applications in many areas, for example, differentiating between good credit risks and poor ones, between promising new firms and those likely to fail, or between patients with strong prospects for recovery and those highly at risk. To expand our tools for dealing with such problems, we propose a class of nonpara-metric discriminant procedures based on linear programming (LP). Although these procedures have attracted considerable attention recently, only a limited number of computational studies have examined the relative merits of alternative formulations. In this paper we provide a detailed study of three contrasting formulations for the two-group problem. The experimental design provides a variety of test conditions involving both normal and nonnormal populations. Our results establish the LP model which seeks to minimize the sum of deviations beyond the two-group boundary as a promising alternative to more conventional linear discriminant techniques.
Variation in life history characteristics and morphology of sockeye salmon in the Kvichak River system, Bristol Bay, Alaska

Abstract Sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka spawn in many streams and along lake beaches of the Kvichak River system in Alaska, but fry from the distinct spawning areas reside in a common nursery habitat, Iliamna Lake. In addition, Kvichak River subpopulations have similar dates of adult entry into fresh water, similar migration distances, and similar spawning dates. These similarities in rearing environments and migratory timing enabled us to test the hypothesis that differences in spawning and incubation habitat alone can promote differentiation in traits associated with reproductive success. River-spawning sockeye salmon tended to be larger at age and older than those spawning along island beaches. Females from rivers were more fecund but had smaller eggs than the beach-spawning females. Males from beaches were deeper-bodied and (in one comparison) had relatively longer lower jaws than males from rivers. The tendency of river-spawning females to mature later than beach spawners may be related to a highe...
Coordination and security: How mobile communications affect insurgency

Recent work has shown that the introduction of mobile communications can substantially alter the course of conflict. In Afghanistan and India targeting mobile communications is a central part of the insurgent campaigns. The opposite was true in Iraq. There insurgents instead threatened providers who did not do enough to maintain mobile phone networks. These differences likely arise from two competing effects of mobile communications: they make it easier for antigovernment actors to coordinate collective action, thereby increasing violence, and for pro-government civilians to collaborate with security forces allowing them to more effectively suppress rebels, thereby decreasing violence. To study these competing effects we analyze a formal model of insurgent action in which changes in the communications environment alter both (i) the ability of rebels to impose costs on civilians who cooperate with the government and (ii) the information flow to government forces seeking to suppress rebellion with military ...
Some experiments on the stability of circular, rubber bars under end thrust

Abstract Some experiments concerning stability of thick, circular, rubber bars subject to compressive end loads are described, and the data is compared with various analytical solutions that are based upon general theories of elastic stability. The experiments indicate existence of a critical transition slenderness ratio that separates the familiar Euler mode of buckling from certain forms of radially symmetric instability. Theoretical estimates obtained by Beatty [1] are found to be in remarkably good qualitative agreement with the data. It is demonstrated that agreement with analyses of Fosdick and Shield [2], Read [3] and the well-known classical formulae for Euler collapse also is quite good, even for relatively short bars—but only for critical compression ratios greater than the transition slenderness ratio. For radially symmetric buckling, it is shown that the result of Wilkes [4] fails of agreement with experimental observations.
RETROPERITONEOSCOPIC SURGERY IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED CARBON DIOXIDE ABSORPTION

ABSTRACTPurpose: Previous studies have suggested that retroperitoneal laparoscopy is associated with greater carbon dioxide absorption and related postoperative morbidity, such as subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax. We prospectively compared the effects of carbon dioxide absorption during transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal and adrenal surgery at our institution.Materials and Methods: Data were collected prospectively on 51 patients who underwent laparoscopic renal (26) or adrenal (25) surgery via the transperitoneal (18) or retroperitoneal (33) approach from September 1997 to February 1998.Results: There was no significant difference in carbon dioxide elimination in patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopy compared to retroperitoneoscopy at any interval. Subcutaneous emphysema occurred in 12.5% of the transperitoneal and 45% of the retroperitoneal group (p = 0.09). Patients with subcutaneous emphysema had greater carbon dioxide elimination during the first 2.5 hours of i...
The symmetry of rotating fluid bodies

Consider an incompressible fluid body (in outer space) rotating about an axis with a given angular velocity ω, and which is in equilibrium relative to the potential energy of its own gravitational field and the surface energy due to surface tension. We show that such a body possesses a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the axis of rotation such that any line parallel to the axis and meeting the body cuts it in a line segment whose center lies on the plane of symmetry. This extends an earlier result of L. Lichtenstein [4].