cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determinants of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine in pregnant women (IPTp-SP) in Mali, a household survey

In malaria endemic regions, intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is recommended for all pregnant women during prenatal consultation, from the fourth month of pregnancy up to the time of delivery. The Government of Mali is aiming for universal coverage of IPTp-SP. However, coverage is still low, estimated to be 18% for completion of three doses (IPTp-SP3). The objective of this study was to identify the factors that influence IPTp-SP adherence in the Health District of Selingue, Mali. This was a cross-sectional survey with 30 clusters, proportional to village size, with two stages of sampling. Data were collected electronically with Magpi software during face-to-face interviews/surveys. The data were analysed with SPSS version 20. A descriptive analysis and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. An equity analysis examined the effect of distance from health care facility on completion of three or more antenatal visits (ANC3 +) and three or more doses of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp-SP3 +). Of the 1,021 women surveyed, 87.8% (n = 896) attended at least one ANC visit. Of these, 86.3% (n = 773) received at least one dose of IPTp-SP. Compliance with three or more doses of IPTp-SP was 63.7%. The determinants statistically related to ANC3 + were the early initiation of ANC (OR = 3.22 [1.22, 10.78]), and the presence of a community health centre (CHC) in the village (OR = 9.69 [1.09, 86.21]). The ability to read (OR = 1.60 [1.01, 2.55]), the early initiation of ANC (OR = 1.46 [1.06, 2.00], knowledge of the utility of the drug (OR = 2.38 [1.24, 4.57]), and knowledge of the recommended dose of the drug (OR = 6.11 [3.98, 9.39]) were related to completion of three or more treatments (IPTp-SP3 +). The early initiation of ANC was a positive determinant of the completeness of both ANC3 + and IPTp-SP3 + . This study shows that a successful implementation of the IPTp strategy can be achieved by improving access to prenatal care at community health facilities, and strengthening patient-provider communication to ensure adequate knowledge on dosing of IPTp-SP and the benefits to mother and child.
Complementarity and Decoherence

This paper explores the relationship between complementarity and decoherence. The main thesis is that complementarity, properly understood, is key to making clear physical sense out of the idea, central to decoherence, that, when a microsystem is entangled with a large number of environmental degrees of freedom, Schrodinger dynamics applied to that composite system drives the whole into a pure state that is observationally indistinguishable from a mixture over eigenstates. The challenge is to understand what kind of mixture that is. Complementarity provides the answer in the form of what I term “context-dependent mixtures”.
Experience in data acquisition and reduction for a biaxial mechanical testing program

The inadequacy of uniaxial mechanical testing data as a basis for predicting multiaxial deformation and fracture is well known. For optimal biaxial tests, computer control of simultaneous variation of loadings using hydraulic power under closed loop servocontrol is essential. Computer assistance in real time data reduction from a biaxial mechanical test is economical. Physical features of computer hardware, software, and a hydraulic biaxial system are described along with sample results illustrating cross effects in fatigue and yield surface calculations. Significance of the graphical output based on thin tube specimens of 1-in. (2.54-cm) nominal diameter, schedule 80, commercial grade polyvinyl chloride pipes, and the limitations of the present system are discussed.
Variability and relationships among 12-hour IVDMD, starch, oil, protein, and physical characteristics of 16 sorghum conversion lines

A factor frequently identified as a key to understanding sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench feed value to ruminant animals is rate of starch digestion. Recent research in corn (Zea mays L.) has established a strong ability to predict rumen starch degradation from grain physical and chemical parameters. It was therefore important to determine whether similar relationships could be established in sorghum. The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) range of variation for12-hour in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), chemical, and physical grain quality parameters among 16sorghum conversion lines; and 2) to establish the strength of the relationships of these characters. Entries were grown at Ithaca, Nebraska in 1991 and 1992 in a randomized complete block with four replications. Line effects were significant for 12-hour IVMVD, crude protein, oil, starch, individual seed weight, and hardness. The only traits significantly correlated with 12-hour IVDMD were crude protein and hardness, with r≤–0.32 for testa and non-testa-containing lines. Stepwise regression similarly revealed poor predictive ability for any of the traits on12-hour IVDMD. Unlike corn, prediction of digestibility from simply measured physical parameters was not possible in this set of16 sorghum lines. However, the lack of strong relationships provides opportunity to select lines with unique combinations of traits for individual targeted needs or markets.
Structure of Protein and Peptide Hormones

Protein and peptide hormones are produced by several glands in the vertebrates. These glands include the anterior pituitary, the pancreas, and, in some mammals, the placenta. There are also peptide hormones of neurosecretory origin that are secreted by the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary gland (see Chapters 2, 4, and 13). Finally, some of the chemicals that transmit information between neurons—the neurotransmitters—are derivatives of simple amino acids, the fundamental components of proteins.
Pitfalls in the serial assessment of cardiac functional status: How a reduction in “ordinary” activity may reduce the apparent degree of cardiac compromise and give a misleading impression of improvement☆

Because the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification system categorizes patients based on a subjective impression of the degree of functional compromise, a reduction in exercise might make a patient seem improved because the new lower level of ordinary activity produced fewer symptoms. To test this hypothesis, we studied three different sets of patients and compared their NYHA classes to their functional classes as determined by a new Specific Activity Scale (SAS) that is based on the metabolic equivalents of oxygen consumption required for activities the patient actually performs. Among ambulatory patients referred for exercise tests, the NYHA class was higher (i.e. indicated the patient was more limited) in 28% of patients and the SAS class was higher in 14% (p < 0.001). Among patients interviewed at or near the time of catheterization for chest pain, the NYHA was higher in 20%, and the SAS class was higher in 20% (p = NS). In both medically and surgically treated patients interviewed 1–3 yr after cardiac catheterization, the NYHA class was higher in only 4%, whereas the SAS class was higher in 28% (p < 0.001). The SAS class was significantly more likely to be higher in patients who were not working full time and in patients who described their present activity level as sedentary or light. When the NYHA and SAS systems disagreed as to whether a patient was improved, SAS was significantly more likely to correlate with the patient's self-assessment. These findings suggest that some patients restrict their activity as their cardiac disease progresses; the resultant change in the definition of ordinary activity may reduce the apparent degree of cardiac compromise and thus give a false impression of improvement by NYHA criteria.
Assignments to use next week: tutorial presentation

Most faculty at small colleges spend much of their time just getting ready to be able to teach the courses that their college offers. The thought of coming up with interesting or new assignments can cause even the seasoned teacher many moments of apprehension, if not terror! Assignments to Use Next Week is intended to give faculty a collection of tried and true assignments for different times and different courses that can be used without much adaptation.
The fluffy Gene of Neurospora crassa Encodes a Gal4p-Type C6 Zinc Cluster Protein Required for Conidial Development

Neurospora crassa fluffy (fl) mutants are unable to produce macroconidia. We cloned the fl gene to determine its role in regulating conidiation. A cosmid clone containing fl was identified by complementation. The sequence of fl revealed that it encodes a Gal4p-type C6 zinc cluster protein with greatest similarity to the N. crassa NIT4 protein that regulates genes required for nitrate utilization. Analysis of several fl mutant alleles demonstrated that null mutants are blocked in the budding phase of development required to produce conidiophores. fl mRNA is transiently induced just prior to the developmental commitment to budding growth. This timing of fl expression is consistent with a role for FL protein in activation of the previously characterized conidiation-specific (con) genes, con-6 and con-10. These data suggest that FL acts as a developmentally regulated transcription factor required for conidiophore morphogenesis.
Genetic Algorithms for the Design of Composite Panels

Genetic algorithms (GA’s) are powerful tools for the design of laminated composite structures and can easily handle the discrete nature of the stacking sequence design problem. The paper discusses new strategies and operators for laminate design problems and demonstrates their application to the stacking sequence design of unstiffened and stiffened composite panels under combined in-plane loads. Initial population seeding and the application of a binary tree for storage and retrieval of analyzed designs lead to substantial reduction in the number of reanalyses needed during optimization. The power of the GA based design procedure is illustrated by comparing the discrete designs with those obtained using continuous optimization methods like sequential linearization. Not only are better designs obtained, but the GA approach easily generates multiple and near optimal design alternatives.
Rapid shutdown experiments with one and two gas jets on Alcator C-Mod

Massive gas injection rapid shutdown experiments have been conducted on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak using two toroidally separated gas injectors, in order to investigate the effect of multiple gas injection locations on the toroidal asymmetry in the radiated power. Toroidal radiation asymmetry is diagnosed by an array of six single-channel photodiodes mounted on the vessel wall. The presence of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) activity is diagnosed using an array of magnetic pickup (Mirnov) coils, mounted on stalks on the vessel wall. Scans were conducted of the relative timing between the two jets, of the 95th percentile safety factor, and of the plasma elongation. It is observed that firing the two gas jets so that the injected impurities arrive at the plasma at nearly the same time produced an increase in the toroidal radiation asymmetry. In addition, the radiation asymmetry in the thermal quench phase correlates with the growth rate of low toroidal mode number MHD modes, indicating that these mode(s) are playing a role in setting the radiation asymmetry.
Neglectful mothers, their mothers, and partners: The significance of mutual aid☆

Abstract Those who work to prevent the conditions that lead to child neglect need to know which supportive resources parents lack and why. The goals of this paper are to: (a) determine if mothers who neglect their children exchange (i.e., give and receive) fewer resources with two network members: their mothers and partners; and (b) identify a set of relationship characteristics that create barriers to the receipt of resources. Sixty-nine neglectful mothers were compared to a demographically comparable sample of 138 mothers. The results support the conclusion that neglectful mothers exchange fewer resources with both their partners and mothers, but the deficit varied depending on the network member and the type of support. Several additional relationship characteristics differentiated neglectful mothers from comparison mothers. Neglectful mothers were more likely to state their mothers had fewer positive attributes (e.g., was not warm and caring), their relationship was less positive, and they were less interested in receiving resources from their mothers. Partners of neglectful and comparison mothers did not differ on any of these characteristics. Instead, neglectful mothers and their partners knew each other for less time, were less likely to be living with each other, and saw each other less frequently.
Early labeling of bilirubin from glycine and δ-aminolevulinic acid in bile fistula dogs, with special reference to stimulated versus suppressed erythropoiesis

Abstract Incorporation of glycine-2-C 14 into Hb proto and bile bilirubin was studied at short intervals in 2 bile fistula dogs during successive periods of inhibited and then stimulated erythropoiesis (plethora and bleeding in 1 dog and undefined illness and bleeding in another), and in a third dog with bile renal fistula but without disturbed erythropoiesis. Results support the concept of a nonerythropoietic component as a partial source of early-labeled bilirubin. Thus, during the period of inhibited erythropoiesis relatively larger amounts of bilirubin-C 14 were excreted during the first 48 hours. The total amount of this labeling was appreciably greater than that expected from the relatively low labeling of total circulating hemoglobinproto during this period compared to the postbleeding period. The per cent incorporation of glycine-C 14 in total circulating Hb proto during the postbleeding and plethoric periods, respectively, were 5.8 and 0.48 (ratio of 12.1), while the corresponding values for the total 6 day bile bilirubin-C 14 were 0.22 and 0.04 (ratio of 5.5). In an otherwise normal bile fistula dog given ALA-C 14 , 20 per cent of the C 14 administered was recovered as bile bilirubin-C 14 during the following 6 days, with 94 per cent of this amount appearing during the first 2 days. Peak activity at 3–4 hours was 22 × 10 6 dpm/mg./mc. dose. Only 0.26 per cent of the dose was incorporated in circulating Hb proto in contrast to 3.0 per cent in the normal dog given glycine-C 14 . In a second dog studied for only 24 hours, 19.5 per cent of the administered dose of ALA-C 14 was excreted as bile bilirubin-C 14 .
The Escherichia coli O157:H7 bovine rumen fluid proteome reflects adaptive bacterial responses

Background: To obtain insights into Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) survival mechanisms in the bovine rumen, we defined the growth characteristics and proteome of O157 cultured in rumen fluid (RF; pH 6.0-7.2 and low volatile fatty acid content) obtained from rumen-fistulated cattle fed low protein content “maintenance diet” under diverse in vitro conditions. Results: Bottom-up proteomics (LC-MS/MS) of whole cell-lysates of O157 cultured under anaerobic conditions in filter-sterilized RF (fRF; devoid of normal ruminal microbiota) and nutrient-depleted and filtered RF (dRF) resulted in an anaerobic O157 fRF-and dRF-proteome comprising 35 proteins functionally associated with cell structure, motility, transport, metabolism and regulation, but interestingly, not with O157 virulence. Shotgun proteomics-based analysis using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation used to further study differential protein expression in unfiltered RF (uRF; RF containing normal rumen microbial flora) complemented these results. Conclusions: Our results indicate that in the rumen, the first anatomical compartment encountered by this human pathogen within the cattle gastrointestinal tract (GIT), O157 initiates a program of specific gene expression that enables it to adapt to the in vivo environment, and successfully transit to its colonization sites in the bovine GIT. Further experiments in vitro using uRF from animals fed different diets and with additional O157 strains, and in vivo using rumen-fistulated cattle will provide a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive mechanisms involved, and help direct evolution of novel modalities for blocking O157 infection of cattle.
A priori mesh quality metric error analysis applied to a high-order finite element method

Characterization of computational mesh's quality prior to performing a numerical simulation is an important step in insuring that the result is valid. A highly distorted mesh can result in significant errors. It is therefore desirable to predict solution accuracy on a given mesh. The HiFi/SEL high-order finite element code is used to study the effects of various mesh distortions on solution quality of known analytic problems for spatial discretizations with different order of finite elements. The measured global error norms are compared to several mesh quality metrics by independently varying both the degree of the distortions and the order of the finite elements. It is found that the spatial spectral convergence rates are preserved for all considered distortion types, while the total error increases with the degree of distortion. For each distortion type, correlations between the measured solution error and the different mesh metrics are quantified, identifying the most appropriate overall mesh metric. The results show promise for future a priori computational mesh quality determination and improvement.
A Control Theoretic Framework for the Analysis and Design of Biological Networks

Control theory has been instrumental for the development of a number of engineering systems, including aerospace and transportation systems, robotics and intelligent machines, manufacturing chains, electrical, power, and information networks. In the past decade, the ability of engineering biomolecular networks has become a reality in the rising field of synthetic biology. Biomolecular networks are composed of repression and activation interactions among genes, proteins, and small signaling molecules, and have the potential of implementing arbitrarily complex functions. While modular analysis and design is a promising approach to engineer complex networks, it is still subject of debate whether a modular approach is viable in biomolecular systems. The dynamics of these networks are highly nonlinear and therefore addressing this question requires the use of tools from nonlinear control theory. Here, we review some of the techniques that we have been developing in order to analyze and design biomolecular networks modularly.
Inhibition of human placental mixed-function oxidations with carbon monoxide: reversal with monochromatic light.

Abstract The present investigation was designed to further examine the functions of cytochrome(s) P-450 (P-450 hpm ) present in the endoplasmic reticulum of the human placental syncitium. The antagonistic effects of androstenedione and 19-norandrostenedione with regard to respective inhibition and facilitation of the binding of carbon monoxide to the cytochrome(s) were exploited in the examination of functionality. The presence of various concentrations of 19-norandrostenedione in reaction vessels permitted carbon monoxide to inhibit the conversion of androstenedione to estrone in a concentration-dependent fashion. Optimal light-reversal of the inhibition was achieved at a wavelength of 450 nm. Optimal reversal of inhibition of placental microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase by carbon monoxide likewise was achieved with light at a wavelength of 450 nm, thus providing definitive evidence for a role for P-450 hpm in placental aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH). However, neither androstenedione nor 19-norandrostenedione affected the capacity of carbon monoxide to inhibit placental AHH. The results provided evidence for the hypothesis that at least two species of cytochrome P-450 are present in human placental endoplasmic reticulum. One species, not detectable with light spectroscopy in these experiments, appeared to function in the biotransformation of foreign hydrocarbons. The major physiologic role of the spectrally visible species appeared to be in the biosynthesis of estrogens from endogenous C-19 steroids.
Application of an extremum principle to the variational determination of the generalized oscillator strengths of helium

Variational principles have been used extensively for estimating some given functional $F(\ensuremath{\varphi}, {\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{\ifmmode\dagger\else\textdagger\fi{}})$ where the functions $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ and ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{\ifmmode\dagger\else\textdagger\fi{}}$ are well defined by a set of differential equations and boundary conditions but cannot be determined exactly. The variational principle for the estimation of a matrix element of an arbitrary Hermitian operator $W$ involves not only the trial wave functions ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{t}$ but also trial auxiliary Lagrange functions ${L}_{t}$; the ${L}_{t}$ depend on the ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{t}$ and on $W$. To determine the parameters in the ${L}_{t}$ efficiently, a functional $M({L}_{\mathrm{tt}})$ is constructed which is an extremum for ${L}_{\mathrm{tt}}={L}_{t}$. The technique was recently used successfully in the variational estimation of two diagonal matrix elements. We here use this technique for the variational estimation of an off-diagonal matrix element, the generalized oscillator strengths of helium for the transition between the ground state and the excited $2^{1}P$ state. Two ${L}_{t}'\mathrm{s}$ must be determined. Our results on helium indicate that variational estimates are a significant improvement over the first-order estimates. The results are also compared with those obtained nonvariationally using more elaborate ground-and excited-state wave functions; the comparison represents a check on the method. It is not yet clear which of the two approaches is more efficient.
The Association of Podocin R229Q Polymorphism With Increased Albuminuria or Reduced Estimated GFR in a Large Population-Based Sample of US Adults

Background Rare mutations in nephrosis 2 (NPHS2), encoding podocin, are found in patients with familial and sporadic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerular sclerosis. The objective of this study is to assess the contribution of the commonly reported functional podocin polymorphism R229Q to kidney disease in the population at large and replicate a prior study of an association of R229Q and albuminuria in the general population. Study Design Large sample of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, a population-based prospective study. Setting & Participants 4,424 white and 3,746 black middle-aged adults. Predictor Genotype at the R229Q polymorphism in podocin. Outcomes Urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as measures of kidney damage/dysfunction. Measurements Crude and multivariable adjusted linear and logistic regression models. Results R229Q allele frequencies were 3.7% in 4,424 white and 0.6% in 3,746 black individuals. No significant association of R229Q with increased ACR or decreased eGFR was observed (adjusted odds ratio of ACR ≥ 30 mg/g in RQ/QQ versus RR carriers, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.76 to 1.84; adjusted odds ratio of eGFR Limitations Single measurement of ACR, subsample of all ARIC participants. Conclusion No significant association of the relatively rare R229Q variant and ACR or eGFR was found in either white or black individuals. The phenotypic effect of a variant as R229Q would have to be of great magnitude to meaningfully contribute to the risk of kidney disease on a population level. The importance of such variants in the general population, as well as replication studies, can be evaluated best in large community-based studies that allow for accounting of established disease risk factors.
Nano-faceting of fcc(1 1 0) surfaces controlled by adsorbates and atom deposition or removal

Abstract (1 1 0) surfaces of most fcc metals are only marginally stable against faceting into (1 1 1) orientations. Trace concentrations of adsorbates (surfactants) that prefer (1 1 1) over (1 1 0) facets can tip the balance and favor faceting of all or part of the (1 1 0) surface. The growth of such facets is impeded by island and vacancy-island nucleation barriers. However, during atom deposition or etching these barriers are reduced. Growth or removal conditions and facet stabilizing surfactant concentrations control the evolving faceted nano-patterns. Recent observations of hut-shaped nanocrystals formation on Al(1 1 0) are consistent with this model.
Longitudinal strain in Friedreich Ataxia: a potential marker for early left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder resulting from deficiency of frataxin, characterized by cardiac hypertrophy associated with heart failure and sudden cardiac death. However, the relationship between remodeling and novel measures of cardiac function such as strain, and the time-dependent changes in these measures are poorly defined. Methods and Results: We compared echocardiographic parameters of cardiac size, hypertrophy, and function in 50 FRDA patients with 50 normal controls and quantified the following measures of cardiac remodeling and function: left ventricular (LV) volumes, mass, relative wall thickness (RWT), ejection fraction (EF), and myocardial strain. Linear regression analysis was used to identify significant differences in echocardiographic parameters in FRDA compared with normal subjects. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, and body surface area, significant differences were observed between parameters of remodeling (LV mass, RWT, and volumes) and function in FRDA patients compared with controls. In particular, longitudinal strain was significantly decreased in FRDA patients compared with controls (12.4% vs. 16.0%, P < 0.001), despite similar and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Over 3 years of follow-up, there was no change in strain, LV size, LV mass, or LVEF among FRDA patients. Conclusion: Longitudinal strain is reduced in FRDA despite normal LVEF, indicative of subclinical cardiac dysfunction. Given late declines in LVEF in FRDA, longitudinal strain may provide an earlier index of myocardial dysfunction in FRDA. (Echocardiography 2014;31:50–57)
Which way did s(he) go?: Following a trail of footprints should help

Abstract Utilization of a footprint trail for locating a hidden person may indicate the extension of semiotics to the spatial domain of search. We sought to determine whether young children implemented footprint tracking, and found that at 3-years they successfully tracked footprints on only 3% of trials, at 4-years on 9% of trials, and at 5-years on 41% of trials. Examination of search procedures revealed a set of strategies and biases that prevailed prior to successful footprint tracking, and that may compete with the adoption of a strategy based on treating footprints as symbols of a traveler's movements.
Some effects of finite spatial resolution on skin friction measurements in turbulent boundary layers

The effects of finite spatial resolution often cause serious errors in measurements in turbulent boundary layers, with particularly large effects for measurements of fluctuating skin friction and velocities within the sublayer. However, classical analyses of finite spatial resolution effects have generally not accounted for the substantial inhomogeneity and anisotropy of near-wall turbulence. The present study has made use of results from recent computational simulations of wall-bounded turbulent flows to examine spatial resolution effects for measurements made at a wall using both single-sensor probes and those employing two sensing volumes in a V shape. Results are presented to show the effects of finite spatial resolution on a variety of quantitites deduced from the skin friction field.
Magnetic characterization of orthorhombic LiMnO2 and electrochemically transformed spinel LixMnO2 (x<1)

Abstract Orthorhombic LiMnO2 exhibits complex magnetic behavior. In addition to short- and long-range antiferromagnetic ordering, we observed spin-glass behavior in the reported temperature regime of long-range antiferromagnetic ordering. Lithium extraction from LiMnO2 further complicates its magnetic behavior. A broad maximum of susceptibility at ≈360 K, characteristic of well-ordered LiMnO2, disappears upon electrochemical delithiation to Li0.39MnO2, indicating that two-dimensional ordering on the folded triangular Mn lattice in LiMnO2 is destroyed as the cation sublattice begins to transform to a spinel. Spin-glass behavior is, however, observed in Li0.39MnO2 as well. Compared to conventionally prepared spinel LiMn2O4, a lower degree of frustration is deduced, which is attributed to incomplete spinel ordering in the early stages of the cycling-induced transformation. In addition, the fraction of Mn ions occupying tetrahedral sites during the spinel transformation has been quantitatively determined for the first time, using magnetic susceptibility data. The results, surprisingly, support the existence of low-spin Mn ions on tetrahedral sites in the electrochemically transformed spinel.
Elliptic systems of partial differential equations and the finite element method

Abstract An existence and uniqueness theorem is established for finite element solutions of elliptic systems of partial differential equations. To establish this result, an extension of Garding's inequality is obtained which is valid for functions that do not necessarily vanish on the boundary of the region. To accomplish this extension, a stronger ellipticity condition, called very strong ellipticity, is defined with various necessary and sufficient conditions given.
Nonequilibrium effects of anisotropic compression applied to vortex lattices in bose-einstein condensates.

We have studied the dynamics of large vortex lattices in a dilute-gas Bose-Einstein condensate. While undisturbed lattices have a regular hexagonal structure, large-amplitude quadrupolar shape oscillations of the condensate are shown to induce a wealth of nonequilibrium lattice dynamics. When exciting an $m=\ensuremath{-}2$ mode, we observe shifting of lattice planes, changes of lattice structure, and sheetlike structures in which individual vortices appear to have merged. Excitation of an $m=+2$ mode dissolves the regular lattice, leading to randomly arranged but still strictly parallel vortex lines.
Comparison of films processed in automatic and manual processors

Abstract The study compared the quality of Kodak RP X-Omat, Kodak Blue Brand, and Kodak periapical films processed in manual tank, Auveloper, P-10, All-Pro, Philips 810, and RP X-Omat processors. Film quality was evaluated in terms of film fog, image contrast, and resolution. For Kodak RP X-Omat and periapical films, automatic processors produced less film fog and were more consistent in fog production than manual tank processor. The difference in fog production between automatic and manual processors was not clinically significant; indeed, it was visually undetectable. The difference disappeared when Kodak Blue Brand film was used. For Kodak RPX-Omat and Kodak Blue Brand films, at high film densities, the RP X-Omat processor produced films of the highest image contrast. For periapical films, the manual processor produced the highest image contrast. Image contrast at low densities was nearly the same for all processors. For each type of film, resolution was nearly the same for all processors.
Variables differentiating singly and multiply victimized youth: results from the National Survey of Adolescents and implications for secondary prevention.

The authors examined variables differentiating singly and multiply victimized youth with a national household probability sample of 4,023 adolescents. Youth endorsing one episode (i.e., one incident or series of repeat incidents) of sexual or physical assault were classified as singly victimized (n = 435). Multiply victimized youth were those who endorsed multiple discrete episodes of sexual or physical assault and both sexual and physical assault (n = 396). For boys, heightened risk of multiple victimization was associated with family alcohol problems, Native American race, and earlier age at assault onset. For girls, increased multiple victimization risk was associated with family alcohol problems, older current age, and several characteristics of the initial assault episode--earlier age at onset, acquaintance perpetrator, chronicity, perceived life threat, and injury. Findings imply that secondary prevention programs may be strengthened by broadening risk-reduction strategies to address a greater range of victimization experiences. Additional implications for secondary prevention are discussed.
Open+closed string field theory from gauge fields

Abstract We study open and closed string interactions in the type IIB plane wave background using open+closed string field theory. We reproduce all string amplitudes from the dual N =2 Sp ( N ) gauge theory by computing matrix elements of the dilatation operator. A direct diagrammatic correspondence is found between string theory and gauge theory Feynman diagrams. The prefactor and Neumann matrices of open+closed string field theory are separately realized in terms of gauge theory quantities.
Mutations of the p53 gene in male breast cancer

Background. Cancer of the male breast (MBC) is rare, accounting for less than 1% of cancer in males and representing less than 1% of all breast cancers. Reports of abnormalities in the expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53 in MBC have been few. Methods. To assess the expression and mutations of the p53 gene, 35 patients with 36 MBC (one patient with bilateral breast carcinoma) were examined using immunohistochemical methods, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. Results. Thirty-one of the 36 carcinomas were studied by immunohistochemistry and by the PCR-based approach. Five patients were studied by immunohistochemistry only. Twelve patients (41.4%) of the 29 studied by molecular analysis presented an altered pattern in the single strand conformation polymorphism gel and point mutations were confirmed in all by direct DNA sequencing. Thirty-six tumors were studied by immunohistochemistry and 2 (5.5%) patients showed overexpression of the p53 protein. There were no statistically significant differences in p53 status with respect to : age, stage, estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, tumor type. Patients with normal p53 showed a predisposition, although not statistically significant, for a longer disease free survival (5.6 years versus 4.2 years) and overall survival (5.9 years versus 4.8 years) than did patients with genetically altered p53. Conclusions. The incidence of male patients detected with p53 mutations (41.4%) in this series is concordant with the incidence of p53 mutations in female breast cancer, supporting the idea that cancer of the male breast is similar to the female counterpart. Cancer 1995 ;75 : 2233-8.
Concentrated flow paths in riparian buffer zones of southern Illinois

Riparian buffers in agricultural landscapes should be designed to trap pollutants in overland flow by slowing, filtering, and infiltrating surface runoff entering the buffer via sheet flow. However, observational evidence suggests that concentrated flow is prevalent from agricultural fields. Over time sediment can accumulate in riparian buffers forming berms that restrict sheet flow; these berms ultimately back up surface runoff, resulting in an eventual breakthrough that concentrates overland flow. This study examines the occurrence of concentrated flow paths (CFPs) in riparian buffers at both the field and watershed scale. At the field scale, intensive topographic surveys were conducted at ten field sites in southern Illinois. To assess the prevalence of CFPs at the watershed scale, three watersheds in southern Illinois were selected for walking stream surveys along randomly selected 1,000 m reaches. CFPs were identified in all topographic surveys and all walking stream surveys. Among field sites, concentrated flow accounted for 82.5–100% of the drainage leaving the agricultural fields. Sediment berm accumulation was identified at all field sites and was positively correlated with CFP size. At the watershed scale, CFPs were more abundant in agricultural areas compared to forested land. Results from this study indicate that concentrated flow was prevalent across all study sites at both the field and watershed scale. Thus, surface water quality may suffer in areas with poorly functioning buffers, and managers must consider the occurrence of CFPs when designing and maintaining riparian buffers to protect stream water quality.
Unique Changes in Mitochondrial Genomes Associated with Reversions of S-Type Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Maizemar

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in plants is usually associated with the expression of specific chimeric regions within rearranged mitochondrial genomes. Maize CMS-S plants express high amounts of a 1.6-kb mitochondrial RNA during microspore maturation, which is associated with the observed pollen abortion. This transcript carries two chimeric open reading frames, orf355 and orf77, both unique to CMS-S. CMS-S mitochondria also contain free linear DNA plasmids bearing terminal inverted repeats (TIRs). These TIRs recombine with TIR-homologous sequences that precede orf355/orf77 within the main mitochondrial genome to produce linear ends. Transcription of the 1.6-kb RNA is initiated from a promoter within the TIRs only when they are at linear ends. Reversions of CMS-S to fertility occur in certain nuclear backgrounds and are usually associated with loss of the S plasmids and/or the sterility-associated region. We describe an unusual set of independently recovered revertants from a single maternal lineage that retain both the S plasmids and an intact orf355/orf77 region but which do not produce the 1.6-kb RNA. A 7.3-kb inversion resulting from illegitmate recombination between 14-bp microrepeats has separated the genomic TIR sequences from the CMS-associated region. Although RNAs containing orf355/orf77 can still be detected in the revertants, they are not highly expressed during pollen development and they are no longer initiated from the TIR promoter at a protein-stabilized linear end. They appear instead to be co-transcribed with cytochrome oxidase subunit 2. The 7.3-kb inversion was not detected in CMS-S or in other fertile revertants. Therefore, this inversion appears to be a de novo mutation that has continued to sort out within a single maternal lineage, giving rise to fertile progeny in successive generations.
Self-Control and Impulsiveness in Adult Human Females: Effects of Food Preferences

Abstract Two experiments explored the effects of food preferences on humans’ choice in a self-control paradigm. Reinforcers consisted of programmed periods of access time to drinking juice during the experimental session. Experiment 1 used 14 adult women and Experiment 2 used 9 adult women. In Experiment 1, the women demonstrated significantly less sensitivity to reinforcer amount relative to sensitivity to reinforcer delay (a measure of self-control) when they reported a higher preference for the juice received as the less delayed, smaller reinforcer than for the juice received as the more delayed, larger reinforcer. Conversely in Experiment 2, the women demonstrated significantly more sensitivity to reinforcer amount relative to sensitivity to reinforcer delay when they reported a higher preference for the juice received as the more delayed, larger reinforcer than for the juice received as the less delayed, smaller reinforcer. Together, the results show that participants’ food preferences can influence self-control for food reinforcers.
Cervical dural puncture and lumbar extradural blood patch.

The authors report the successful treatment of post-dural puncture headache, consequent to a cervical durai puncture, with a lumbar extradural blood patch. The increase in intracranial pressure generated by the injection of autologous blood in the extradural space seems to be the likely mechanism for the prompt relief of post-dural puncture headache. We conclude that extradural injection of autologous blood at the same level of the durai puncture may not be necessary.
Quantum and variational Monte Carlo interaction potentials for Li2 (X 1Σ+g)

Optimized trial functions are used in quantum Monte Carlo and variational Monte Carlo calculations of the Li 2 (Xn 1 S + g ) potential curve. The trial functions used are a product of a Slater determinant of molecular orbitals multiplied by correlation functions of electronmnuclear and electronmelectron separation. The parameters of the determinant and correlation functions are optimized simultaneously by reducing the deviations of the local energyn E L n( E L n P m1 T H P T , where P T ndenotes a trial function) over a fixed sample. At the equilibrium separation, the variational Monte Carlo and quantum Monte Carlo methods recover 68% and 98% of the correlation energy, respectively. At other points on the curves, these methods yield similar accuracies.
AC/DC coupling effects on CW and pulse transmission modes in Doppler radar physiological monitoring system

Direct-conversion CW microwave Doppler radar can be used to wirelessly detect cardiopulmonary activity. One of the limitations of homodyne CW Doppler radar systems for physiological monitoring is large DC offset in baseband outputs. The common method to avoid the DC offset is AC coupling. While AC coupling removes the DC offset efficiently, it introduces large settling time and signal distortion in baseband. In this paper we explore the use of direction conversion pulsed Doppler radar to overcome this issue. Performance of CWand pulse radar is compared using mechanical target movement which simulates respiratory motion. The results demonstrate while AC coupling distorts CW radar output, it has a negligible effect on pulse radar output.
Multi-layer spike-in spike-out representation of Hippocampus circuitry

One of the frontier research of neuroscience focuses on replacing the damaged human Hippocampus regions with a prosthetic device replicating Hippocampus neural functionality. Since neural cognition in general and memory formation in particular are the result of neural processing in multiple layers of neural circuitries, it is crucial to develop neural models mimicking the same topology principals. This paper presents a two later spike-in-spike-out model of the Hippocampus neural circuitry with the emphasis on providing a methodology for tuning parameters of the model for DG→CA1 spike-in-spike-out transformation. Volterra series expansion with Laguerre basis functions represents layers of the circuit, in which network layers are communication by spikes. Utilizing the input-output recordings of the Hippocampus, the novel model predicts spike timing of the CA1 neurons. The simulation result justifies that neurobiological recording of DG→CA1 can be successfully generated by utilizing the methodology of this paper.
Plasma Polymerized Primers for Rubber to Metal Bonding: Characterization of the Interphase

Plasma polymerized acetylene films contained mono- and di-substituted acetylene groups, aromatic groups, and carbonyl groups which resulted from reaction of residual free radicals with oxygen when the films were exposed to the atmosphere. There was some evidence for formation of acetylides in the interphase between the films and the substrates. Reactions occurring in the interphase between the plasma polymerized films and natural rubber were simulated using a model rubber compound consisting of a mixture of squalene, zinc oxide, carbon black, sulfur, stearic acid, diaryl-p-diphenyleneamine, and N,N-dicyclohexylbenzothiazole sulfenamide (DCBS). Zinc oxide and cobalt naphthenate reacted with stearic acid to form zinc and cobalt stearates. The stearates reacted with the benzothiazole sulfonamide moiety of DCBS and with sulfur to form zinc and cobalt accelerator complexes and perthiomercaptides. The complexes and perthiomercaptides reacted with squalene and the plasma polymer to form pendant groups which eventually disproportionated to form crosslinks between squalene and the primer. Migration of double bonds during reaction of the model rubber compound with the films resulted in formation of conjugated double bonds in squalene.
Intelligent communication filtering for limited bandwidth environments

We advocate a new architecture for distributed systems supporting mobility. In this architecture an intermediary is interposed between client and server. Its purpose is to filter or delay all but the most essential data that would travel over the slow link to the mobile host, as instructed by the client. The goal of our work is to provide a general framework to ease the installation and management of application specific filtering mechanisms.
The Test of Sensory Functions in Infants: Test–Retest Reliability for Infants With Developmental Delays

Objective The Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI) is one tool that occupational therapists use to identify sensory processing disorders among infants. However, data on the reliability of TSFI scores with infants with developmental delays are lacking. Method Test-retest reliabilities for TSFI total test and subtest scores were determined with a sample of 26 infants with developmental delays. All infants were between 10 months and 18 months of age. The test-retest interval ranged from 5 days to 10 days. Magnitudes of difference between test and retest scores and percentages of agreement among the TSFI classification categories (i.e., normal, at-risk, deficient) also were determined to examine relationships between test scores. Results Reliability for the total test score was borderline, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of .78. Reliability coefficients for the five subtests ranged from .54 to .74. Percentage of agreement for the total test classification categories between test and retest was adequate (81%). Percentages of agreement for subtest classification categories were low, ranging from 58% to 68%. Conclusion TSFI scores should be interpreted cautiously and used only in conjunction with findings from additional developmental assessments and clinical observations for infants with developmental delays.
Discussion, Conclusions, and Speculations

The data presented in Chapter 4 revealed a number of patterns regarding practice type, model type, and speech type. In the first part of this chapter, I shall summarize these findings. In terms of overall absolute frequency, exact reproductions were the most frequent type of practice, followed by breakdowns, buildups, substitutions, and completions (from most to least frequent). Practice was more frequent in social-context speech than in crib speech in terms of absolute frequency. However, practice comprised a larger proportion of the children’s speech in the crib-speech samples than in the social-context-speech samples. Thus, although there were more instances of practice in social-context speech than in crib speech, a child-produced utterance was more likely to take the form of linguistic practice in crib speech than in social-context speech. Crib speech, then, seemed to be a context in which children were quite likely to engage in linguistic practice.
Hydrodynamics of fluidization in a semicircular bed with a jet

A hydrodynamic model of fluidization was developed that computes void fractions, pressure and solid and gas velocities in cylindrical fluidized beds. Cmputed time-averaged gas velocity distributions of a jet compared well with Westinghouse experimental data without the use of any fitted parameters. The main empirical input was a drag correlation from the literature.
Perspectives on Dyslexia Commentary on Educational Concerns

This commentary responds to Bashir and Scavuzzo's assertion that dyslexia should be viewed as a chronic, pervasive condition. The limitations of viewing dyslexia in such a light are identified, and alternate perceptions are proposed. Implications and impact of instructional curricula on reading achievement are discussed.