cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum progesterone and estradiol-17β levels in premature and term labor

Abstract A total of 30 to 50 per cent of premature labors occur without identifiable predisposing conditions. To evaluate the hormonal status of these pregnancies, serum progesterone (P) and estradiol (E 2 ) were measured by radioimmunoassay singly in 60 premature labor patients and serially in 19 normal pregnancies. Premature labor patients as a group have significantly lower P and E 2 levels than controls. Pregnancies complicated by idiopathic premature labor (IPL) (p 2 occurs immediately prior to normal term labor. Conclusions are that (1) premature labor patients have significantly lower P and E 2 levels than controls, (2) the degree of P depression varies according to the type of premature labor, and (3) IPL is characterized by premature labor with no identifiable predisposing factors.
Network Models of Tasks

Processes executed in performing a task can often be represented in a network. Each process requires time and has a probability of producing correct output. When networks are used in scheduling, process durations and organization are known. The network is used to calculate the task completion time. A psychologist has the inverse problem. The time to complete the task is observed. The problem is to infer the organization of the mental processes and their durations. A similar inverse problem arises if accuracy is observed. These inverse problems can be solved by manipulating experimental factors that selectively influence processes.
Immunosuppression in lung transplantation

Lung transplantation can be a life-saving procedure for those with end-stage lung diseases. Unfortunately, long term graft and patient survival are limited by both acute and chronic allograft rejection, with a median survival of just over 6 years. Immunosuppressive regimens are employed to reduce the rate of rejection, and while protocols vary from center to center, conventional maintenance therapy consists of triple drug therapy with a calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine or tacrolimus), antiproliferative agents [azathioprine (AZA), mycophenolate, sirolimus (srl), everolimus (evl)], and corticosteroids (CS). Roughly 50% of lung transplant centers also utilize induction therapy, with polyclonal antibody preparations [equine or rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG)], interleukin 2 receptor antagonists (IL2RAs) (daclizumab or basiliximab), or alemtuzumab. This review summarizes these agents and the data surrounding their use in lung transplantation, as well as additional common and novel therapies in lung transplantation. Despite the progression of the management of lung transplant recipients, they continue to be at high risk of treatment-related complications, and poor graft and patient survival. Randomized clinical trials are needed to allow for the development of better agents, regimens and techniques to address above mentioned issues and reduce morbidity and mortality among lung transplant recipients.
Research-Based Monitoring, Prediction, and Analysis Tools of the Spacecraft Charging Environment for Spacecraft Users

The Space Weather Research Center ( http://swrc. gsfc.nasa.gov ) at NASA Goddard, part of the Community Coordinated Modeling Center ( http://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov ), is committed to providing research-based forecasts and notifications to address NASA’s space weather needs, in addition to its critical role in space weather education. It provides a host of services including spacecraft anomaly resolution, historical impact analysis, real-time monitoring and forecasting, tailored space weather alerts and products, and weekly summaries and reports. In this paper, we focus on how (near) real-time data (both in space and on ground), in combination with modeling capabilities and an innovative dissemination system called the integrated Space Weather Analysis system ( http://iswa.gsfc.nasa.gov ), enable monitoring, analyzing, and predicting the spacecraft charging environment for spacecraft users. Relevant tools and resources are discussed.
New tricks in quantum control

Summary form only given. We have demonstrated, for the first time, feedback quantum control for a molecular system. Only a few molecules are understood well enough that the optimal light pulses can be theoretically predicted in advance. Therefore, for most samples, we need to "hold a conversation" with the molecules in order to discover what they need in order to best reach the goal we have set for them. We have built a computer-controlled "arbitrary lightfield generator" and used it to carry out two types of feedback experiments on molecules in room temperature liquid solution. We have experimentally carried out and theoretically analyzed, both analytically and numerically, quantum control involving multiple interactions with light of different colors within the same light pulse.
A General Synthetic Method for the Preparation of Conjugated Dienes from Olefins Using Bromomethanesulfonyl Bromide: 1,2-Dimethylenecyclohexane

A general synthetic method for the preparation of conjugated dienes from olefins using bromomethanesulfonyl bromide: 1,2-dimethylenecyclohexane intermediate: bromomethanesulfonyl bromide intermediate: 1-bromo-1-methyl-2-(bromomethylsulfonyl)cyclohexane (54.0 g, 0.16 mol) in tert-butyl alcohol–tetrahydrofuran (9 : 1, 100 mL) product: 1,2-dimethylenecyclohexane product: C3H7CHCHCHCH2 product: C5H11CHCHCHCH2 product: (E)-C3H7CHCHC(C4H9)CH2 product: (E)-C4H9CHCHC(CH3)CH2 product: (E)-C4H9CHCHC(CH3)CH2 + CH2CHC(C5H11)CH2 product: PhCHCHCHCH2 product: PhOCHCHCHCH2 product: HO(CH2)8CHCHCHCH2 product: (CH3)3SiCHCHCHCH2 product: CH2CH(CH2)5CHCHCHCH2 product: CH2CHCHCH(CH2)4CHCHCHCH2 product: (CH3)2Si(CHCHCHCH2)2 Keywords: addition, to CC; elimination, dehydrohalogenation; halogenation, bromination; oxidation, miscellaneous; photochemical reactions; rearrangements; tert-butyl alcohol; tetrahydrofuran; circulating bath, pump; photochemical apparatus
Foreword: The Sinophone as history and the Sinophone as theory

(2012). Foreword: The Sinophone as history and the Sinophone as theory. Journal of Chinese Cinemas: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 5-8.
Coxsackieviruses and diabetes

Two recent reports provide further evidence for a link between coxsackieviruses and the onset of IDDM, although a careful examination suggests it is still too early to conclude a definitive role.
Touching in Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Nurseries

Observations were made in infant, toddler and preschool nurseries to establish baseline touching between children and their peers and teachers. Teachers were then asked to try to touch the children more frequently, and follow‐up observations were then conducted. Positive touch (including holding, hugging, kissing, hand‐holding, and caregiving) increased following this request to the teachers. Boys were touched in a positive way more frequently than girls, and progressively less positive touch was noted across ages from the infant to toddler to preschool nurseries. Carrying and caregiving in the nurseries were correlated with time spent holding by parents during end‐of‐day reunions. Teacher ratings of touch behavior were related to actual behavior, i.e. how often the teacher thought she touched the child was correlated with how often the child was actually touched, and how much the child liked being touched correlated with how much the child was touched during reunion with the parents.
SLEEP PATTERNS AND PREVALENCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR OUTCOMES- ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY DATABASE 2007-08

Sleep patterns have been associated with various disease processes. The effect of sleep patterns on prevalence of cardiovascular outcomes has not been well studied. We retrospectively studied the association of sleep duration and prevalence of congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction (
Linear stability of source-type similarity solutions of the thin film equation

Abstract We study the stability of compactly-supported source-type self-similar solutions of the generalized thin film equation h t = −( h n h xxx ) x . Using linear stability analysis, applied to the problem in similarity variables, we show that the source-type solutions are stable. These results are related to the underlying symmetries of the PDE. For the special case of n = 1, analytical results are obtained for the spectrum, and the eigenfunctions are given in terms of classical orthogonal polynomials.
Sodium ingestion in oxytocin knockout mice

Under certain circumstances, central oxytocin (OT) pathways inhibit dietary intake of NaCl in rats and mice. C57BL/6 OT knockout (OT KO) mice were reported to consume greater amounts of saline solution than wild type (WT) cohorts when both were water deprived overnight. In this study, we determined that OT KO and WT mice of C57BL/6 strain demonstrate an equivalent taste aversion for continuously available 0.2 M, 0.3 M or 0.5 M NaCl. The aversion was proportional to the concentration of NaCl, similar to what has been reported in rats. Furthermore, OT KO and WT animals ingested the same daily amounts of a low, 0.01%, regular, 1.0%, and a high, 8.0%, NaCl diet that was provided ad libitum as a single choice. While consuming these diets, mice were given the choice to drink water or saline (0.5 M NaCl). As the amount of NaCl in the diet increased, mice of both genotypes significantly decreased the consumption of saline solution to an equal degree. Additionally, in an experimental model of sustained dehydration previously developed in rats, 0.5 M NaCl was the only available drinking fluid. Like rats subjected to this paradigm, OT KO and WT mice decreased food intake, decreased body weight and increased fluid ingestion with no genotypic differences. These findings suggest that oxytocinergic neuronal pathways cannot be the only regulator of ad libitum intake of NaCl in drinking solutions or diet. It appears that OT pathways may be more critical in controlling NaCl intake over brief intervals when an animal is quickly compensating for a dehydrating stimulus.
Assessment of Risk Factors Among Infants at Increased Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). † 573

Assessment of Risk Factors Among Infants at Increased Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). † 573
Probing Microstructure of Acetonitrile-Water Mixtures by Using Two-Dimensional Infrared Correlation Spectroscopy

Acetonitrile−water mixtures are a unique model system for implementing a new family of coherent two-dimensional (2D) vibrational spectroscopy−doubly vibrationally enhanced (DOVE) four wave mixing (FWM) spectroscopy for structure analysis of hydrogen-bonded systems. These mixtures often have a heterogeneous microstructure that consists of acetonitrile (CH3CN) or water clusters. There are two types of CH3CN environments in mixtures-free CH3CN species and hydrogen-bonded CH3CN species. To design new DOVE−FWM experiments and interpret DOVE−FWM spectra, it is crucial to have a complete structure information regarding this model system. In this work, we have used a highly sensitive spectroscopic method, 2D infrared (IR) correlation spectroscopy for probing structure information of the mixtures (a 50:50 mol % CH3CN−H2O solution, a 50:50 mol % CH3CN−D2O solution and a 38:62 mol % CH3CN−D2O solution) under temperature perturbation. In addition to two cross-peaks at 2253 and 2259 cm-1, corresponding to the C⋮N stre...
Moving bits from 3G to metro-scale WiFi for vehicular network access: An integrated transport layer solution

We investigate a transport layer protocol design that integrates 3G and WiFi networks, specifically targeting vehicular mobility. The goal is to move load from the expensive 3G network to the less expensive WiFi network without hurting the user experience. As the test platform we choose a nationwide 3G network and a commercially operated metro-scale WiFi network. We exploit the often complementary characteristics of these networks for a hybrid design at the transport layer. To this end, we modify the stock Linux SCTP implementation to support ‘striping’ across multiple interfaces and the ability to handle frequent path failures and recovery in a seamless fashion. Instead of simply striping data over two network connections, we develop a utility and cost-based formulation that decides the right amount of load that can be put on the 3G network to maximize the user's benefit. We develop and experiment with a transport level scheduler to do this. We call the new SCTP design as oSCTP, meaning ‘SCTP to be used for offloading.’ We demonstrate the effectiveness of oSCTP and show that it is able to deliver superior network throughput and user experience, while significantly reducing the load on the 3G network.
Characterization of protein stabilized foam formed in a continuous shear mixing apparatus

Abstract A continuous shearing apparatus was employed to make sodium caseinate stabilized foams which was characterized by bubble size, apparent viscosity, foam volume fraction and liquid holdup profile. The bubble size of the foam was smaller for higher rotational speed of the rotor, lower ionic strength, pH away from pI, higher xanthan gum concentration and room temperature and did not vary significantly with air–liquid ratio. Bubble size at different gum concentrations correlated well with dimensionless Weber number. The foam volume fraction was higher at higher values of rotational speed, air–liquid ratio, xanthan gum concentrations and at pH 7 and 9. The evolution of liquid holdup profile indicated faster syneresis at higher ionic strength, higher temperature and lower air–liquid ratio. Collapse of the foam caused by syneresis was more pronounced at higher ionic strengths and higher temperature. The foam produced at pH 6 was drier with liquid holdup less than 0.26. The foam exhibited shear thinning behavior with the apparent viscosity of foam increasing initially with time as a result of syneresis followed by a decrease at longer times due to coarsening of bubble size. The presence of emulsion droplets decreased foam stability.
Effect of composite resin bond agent on microleakage and bond strength

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the bonding agents supplied with three composite resins in improving the sealing ability of the materials to tooth structure and the bond of the resins to enamel. When the enamel was not etched prior to insertion of the resin, the use of the bonding agents did not improve marginal seal. Little or no marginal leakage was detected when the restorations were placed by means of the acid etch technique, either with or without use of the respective bonding agents. A slight improvement in the bond of the resins to unetched enamel was secured by use of the bonding agents; however, this advantage was lost when the specimens were thermal cycled. Acid etching of the enamel significantly improved the bond of the strength of all three resins, both when the specimens were thermal-cycled and when stored at a constant temperature. Only one of the commercial bond agents enhanced the bond of its respective composite resin to etched enamel subjected to cycling.
One world one dream? Twenty-first century Japanese perspectives on hosting the Olympic Games

Much literature has touted the merits of the Olympic Games as a transformative or modernizing event, particularly on developing nations like Japan and Mexico in the 1960s and Korea in the 1980s. On...
Inner‐city concentrated poverty and neighborhood distress: 1970 to 1990

Abstract Tract‐level data from the 1970, 1980, and 1990 censuses of population are used to identify poverty neighborhoods, extreme poverty neighborhoods, distressed neighborhoods, and severely distressed neighborhoods within the nation's 100 largest central cities. Changes in demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of these neighborhoods are documented, including racial/ethnic composition; poverty population concentration; school dropout rates; and rates of joblessness, single‐parent households, and welfare receipt. Results show that despite some encouraging individual city turnarounds in the Northeast (especially in New York, Newark, and Philadelphia), urban poverty concentration and neighborhood distress worsened nationwide between 1980 and 1990. The greatest deterioration occurred in midwestern cities, particularly in Detroit. Southern cities, whose neighborhoods and cities typically improved during the 1970s, slipped during the 1980s; conditions in western cities also deteriorated. Blacks fared ...
Association Between Cognition and Function in Patients With Parkinson Disease With and Without Dementia

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often have cognitive deficits from the time of diagnosis. Except in patients with dementia, the impact of cognitive symptoms on daily function is not well documented. This study had two objectives: (1) to determine the functional significance of cognitive deficits in nondemented patients with PD and (2) to assess the sensitivity of two measures of global cognitive abilities to identify individuals with impaired ADL function. One hundred eleven subjects with PD and a range of cognitive abilities were included. Of these, 20 were diagnosed with PDD. All subjects were assessed with the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale to two (DRS-2) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). ADL function was reported by an informant using the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS-ADL). The ability of the DRS-2 and MMSE to capture the impact of cognitive impairment on ADL function was assessed in the entire cohort and in subsets of nondemented individuals. After adjustment for covariates, cognition as measured by the DRS-2 was strongly related to ADL function in the entire cohort (partial correlation coefficient = 0.55, P < 0.001). The association remained strong when only nondemented subjects were included (r = 0.42, P < 0.001). The DRS-2 was significantly more accurate than the MMSE, particularly for detecting milder degrees of ADL impairment (ROC area = 0.87 vs. 0.75, P = 0.0008). Cognition is associated with impairment in ADL function, even in nondemented patients with PD. However, sensitive cognitive assessment measures may be needed to identify these functionally relevant impairments.
Establishing Standard Source Energy and Emission Factors for Energy Use in Buildings

Energy use in buildings is most commonly analyzed by using the energy measured at the site. Some analysts also calculate the source energy and emissions from the site energy. Source energy use and emission profiles offer better indicators of the environmental impact of buildings and allow other metrics for comparison of performance. However, there are no standard factors for calculating the source energy and emissions from the site energy. The energy and emission factors used are derived from different data using different methods resulting in wide variations, which makes comparisons difficult. In addition, these factors do not include the full life cycle of the fuels and energies, but only the combustion and transmission portions of the life cycle. The recently available U.S. Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Database provides LCI data for energy, transportation, and common materials. The LCI data for fuels include all the energy and emissions associated with the extraction, transportation, and processing of the fuels. This paper describes how the LCI data, along with other emissions data and energy consumption data from the Energy Information Administration, were used to generate source energy and emission factors specifically for energy use in buildings. The factors are provided on national, interconnect, and state levels. This effort was part of the U.S. Department of Energy Performance Metrics Project, which worked to establish standard procedures and performance metrics for energy performance of buildings.Copyright © 2007 by Midwest Research Institute
The characterization of the pathway of maltose utilization by Escherichia coli III. A description of the concentrating mechanism

Abstract Maltose has been shown to be concentrated in E. coli via inducible system, termed permease, analogous to that described for galactosides 3 . The activity of the permease is temperature dependent, there being an 80-fold difference in rates between 0° and 37°. Furthermore, the uptake is blocked by sodium azide, indicating the dependence of activity on an energy generating system. The internally accumulated carbohydrate is largely maltose but other compounds are detectable. Although the internal carbohydrate cannot be removed from the cell by washing, it exchanges readily with externally added maltose. Mutants of E. coli which are selected because they are resistant to bacteriophage λ are also found to be maltose-negative because they lack permease. This finding suggests a relationship between virus receptor sites and the maltose entry system.
Growth Inducing Conflict Resolution Strategies as a Means of Reducing the Impact of Discordant Outness on Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract This Internet based survey of 81 partnered gays and lesbians examined the impact that discordant levels of outness had on relationship satisfaction. The anecdotal evidence presented in popular literature supports the notion that discordant levels of outness will lead to relationship failure. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if there were other factors, primarily utilization of specific conflict resolution styles, which make discordance a manageable phenomenon in gay and lesbian relationships. Multiple regression analysis yielded a significant model, with utilization of positive conflict resolution strategies and discordance in personal heterosexual domains positively contributing, and discordance in impersonal heterosexual domains, impersonal homosexual domains, and personal homosexual domains negatively contributing to relationship satisfaction.
A case-control study of anterior cruciate ligament volume, tibial plateau slopes and intercondylar notch dimensions in ACL-injured knees

The role played by anatomic factors in ACL injury remains elusive. In this study, objective methods were used to characterize ACL volume, tibial slopes, and notch geometry from ACL-injured and matched control subjects. The study tested four hypotheses: 1) the medial tibial plateau slope is steeper posteriorly in the injured group compared to the non-injured group, 2) the lateral tibial plateau slope is steeper posteriorly in the injured group compared to the non-injured group, 3) the femoral intercondylar notch dimensions are smaller in the injured group compared to the non-injured group and 4) the ACL volume, tibial plateau slopes and intercondylar notch dimensions are all independent of each other. Fifty-four subjects were divided into two groups, those who had suffered a non-contact ACL injury and those who still had two healthy ACLs, matched to the injured subjects by gender, age, height and weight. The lateral tibial plateaus in the uninjured contralateral knees of the injured subjects had a significantly steeper posterior slope (1.8° vs. −0.3°), a factor that potentially contributed to the ACL injury in the opposite knee. The intercondylar notch dimensions were found to be smaller in the injured subjects, potentially putting the ACL at risk of impingement, and intercondylar notch volume was correlated to ACL volume (r=0.58). Discriminant analysis showed that the notch width at the inlet was the best single predictor of ACL injury.
ENZYMIC DEGRADATION AND MICRODETERMINATION OF GLYCOGEN.

Abstract 1. 1. A procedure for the purification of amylo-1,6-glucosidase of rabbit muscle is described. 2. 2. Crystalline phosphorylase b and the amylo-1,6-glucosidase preparation can be used for the structural analysis of glycogen samples and for a specific enzymic microdetermination of glycogen in intestinal smooth muscle (taenia coli of the guinea pig), a tissue containing low concentrations of this polysaccharide.
Temporal vs. structural determinants of primacy in strategies of serial learning

The present study was designed to test hypotheses dervied from theories which account for the serial-position curve of rote learning in terms of S's strategy in organizing the task for learning. The approach was to investigate S's basis of selecting anchor points for learning lists in continuous presentation. Two hypotheses were tested: (a) Ss organize their learning about the first and last temporal items when no structural cues within the series are provided, and (b) a structurally isolated item within the series, regardless of its temporal position, is selected by S to be learned first. Both hypotheses were verified. These results indicate that temporal primacy, or any other basis for differentiating items of a serial list, is only important insofar as it affects the S's cognition of which items constitute beginning and end of the series. Typically S's strategy is to learn the cognitively first item of the series first.
The pathophysiology, clinical impact, and management of nasal congestion in allergic rhinitis

Abstract Background: Nasal congestion is a cardinal symptom of allergic rhinitis (AR). It is difficult to treat and is associated with decreased quality of life. Objective: This article reviews the clinical features of nasal congestion, its complex pathophysiology in the context of AR, its clinical impact, and the strengths and weaknesses of available treatments. Methods: Primary studies and reviews in the peerreviewed, English-language literature were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966–2008) and the Cochrane Library (1996–2008) using the terms nasal congestion, allergic rhinitis, pathophysiology, quality of life, and burden . Additional references were obtained by searching the reference lists of the identified articles. Abstracts from the 2006 and 2007 meetings of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology were also searched. Pertinent articles were included in the review if they were recently published and patient-focused, and if their authors were recognized leaders in the field. Results: A survey of 2355 patients with AR or their guardians found that almost half of respondents rated nasal congestion the most bothersome symptom; in a survey of 2500 adults with AR, 78% rated nasal congestion either extremely or moderately bothersome. Histamine and leukotrienes are major mediators of the allergic inflammation associated with nasal congestion, as indicated by reductions in nasal cross-sectional area in response to histamine challenge ( P P Conclusion: There is a need for therapies that are well tolerated and effective in relieving nasal congestion in AR.
Memory retention test performance in mice: improvement by chronic oral cholinergic drug treatment.

Abstract Mice consumed solutions containing 0, 0.025, 0.050 or 0.075 mg/ml of arecoline hydrobromide (ARE) one week prior to training (T-maze, footshock, active avoidance) and a total of two weeks prior to testing memory retention. The mean daily doses of ARE were estimated to be 0, 157, 302, or 500 μg per mouse, respectively. An inverted-U dose-response curve was obtained; the best retention test performance was by the group receiving 0.050 mg/ml of ARE. Measures of activity and weight taken over the experiment indicated no significant differences between ARE groups and the control group; thus no apparent toxicity. Separate groups of mice consumed 0 or 0.050 mg/ml of ARE for one week, then were trained to a criterion of 5 avoidances in 6 training trials. There were no significant differences in trials to first avoidance response or to criterion. Thus the enhanced retention test performance of the 0.050 mg/ml ARE group reflected improved memory processing rather than better learning.
Observations from the DNSSEC Deployment

DNS security extensions have been developed to add cryptographic protection to the Internet name resolution service. In this paper we report the results from our monitoring effort with early DNSSEC deployment trials and the. lessons learned.
Radiation-enhanced recrystallization in copper alloys

Two high-strength copper alloys, cold-worked-and-aged AMZIRC (Cu-Zr) and AMAX-MZC (Cu-Cr-Zr-Mg), were irradiated with 14-MeV Cu ions to a damage level of 10 dpa at temperatures of 100 to 500/sup 0/C. Cross-section examination of the irradiated foils using electron microscopy revealed signs of irradiation-enhanced recrystallization for irradiation temperatures above 300/sup 0/C. The recrystallization temperature for both alloys is about 450/sup 0/C during thermal annealing for a time similar to the ion-irradiation time -1.5 h. A simplified analysis of the results suggests that the accelerated recrystallization kinetics is due to radiation-enhanced diffusion (RED). This process may restrict the maximum operating temperature of fusion reactor components that incorporate these types of alloys to temperatures as low as 200/sup 0/C.
Using DNA mechanics to predict in vitro nucleosome positions and formation energies.

In eukaryotic genomes, nucleosomes function to compact DNA and to regulate access to it both by simple physical occlusion and by providing the substrate for numerous covalent epigenetic tags. While competition with other DNA-binding factors and action of chromatin remodeling enzymes significantly affect nucleosome formation in vivo, nucleosome positions in vitro are determined by steric exclusion and sequence alone. We have developed a biophysical model, DNABEND, for the sequence dependence of DNA bending energies, and validated it against a collection of in vitro free energies of nucleosome formation and a set of in vitro nucleosome positions mapped at high resolution. We have also made a first ab initio prediction of nucleosomal DNA geometries, and checked its accuracy against the nucleosome crystal structure. We have used DNABEND to design both strong and weak histone- binding sequences, and measured the corresponding free energies of nucleosome formation. We find that DNABEND can successfully predict in vitro nucleosome positions and free energies, providing a physical explanation for the intrinsic sequence dependence of histone–DNA interactions.
Chromium-doped semi-insulating InP grown by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy

Abstract Growth of chromium-doped, semi-insulating InP by metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy is described. Both hexacarbonyl chromium and bis-benzene chromium are shown to be efficient Cr precursors. The purity, structural and electrical properties of the layers are described. A compensating deep donor concentration of up to 3 × 10 16 cm −3 is reported with resistivity as high as 3 × 10 8 Ω cm. It is further shown that when Cr-doped InP is employed as a current blocking layer in buried heterostructure lasers, improved performance may be obtained compared with similar iron containing structures.
Water Uptake, Protein Solubility, and Protein Changes of Cod Mince Stored on Ice as Affected by Polyphosphates

Water uptake ability (WUA) and protein solubility of cod mince were higher with sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) than with sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) or untreated controls during ice storage. WUA increased significantly with SHMP concentration up to 0.7% SHMP but above that WUA decreased, although protein solubility continued to increase. The SDS-PAGE results showed that extraction of a specific amount of water-soluble protein, perhaps including some myosin heavy chain (MHC, 200 kd), correlated with high WUA. However, excess extraction of MHC may cause destruction of the structural matrix of the insoluble protein network, preventing it from holding water.
Grain size dependence on layer thickness in composition modulated thin films

Abstract The grain size dependence on layer thickness in composition modulated metallic thin films is examined through the use of electron microscopy. The Cu-NiFe strained layered superlattice shows both maximum enhancement of the biaxial elastic modulus and minimum grain size for the same range of component layer thicknesses (composition wavelengths).
Corona-Loss Characteristics of EHV Transmission Lines Based on Project EHV Research

Since 1960 the corona-loss characteristics of a variety of extra-high-voltage (EHV) transmission-line configurations have been under study at Project EHV [1], [2]. This paper presents results from the analysis of corona losses measured under all weather conditions experienced during 2?years of observation of single or bundled conductors at 500 or 700 kV. In addition, corona characteristics are presented for switching-surge transients and severe steady-state overvoltages. The purpose of this paper is: 1) to summarize some of the statistical aspects of fair-and foul-weather corona-loss observations for the configurations studied, and 2) in terms of electrical and meteorological parameters, to describe an equation for corona loss on EHV lines that is in a form directly applicable by transmission engineers to EHV-line design.
A randomized controlled trial of two different types of web-based instructional methods: One with case-based scenarios and one without

Background: Computer-based learning (CBL) is an effective form of medical education. Educators have developed recommendations for instructional design but there is only minimal research that evaluates these recommendations.Aim: To evaluate the effect of case-based questions contained in computer modules on learning efficacy.Methods: The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial in 124 medical students of two CBL PowerPoint modules-based on Medicare. The modules were identical except one contained 11 case-based scenarios followed by multiple choice questions. The primary outcome measurement was a previously validated, 11-item knowledge test taken at the end of the module and at the end of the academic year to test retention.Results: The students who studied the module with case-based questions answered one more item correctly in the first test (8.9 vs. 10.00 correct answers, p = 0.001). This difference had disappeared by the time of the second test (4.2 vs. 4.7, p = 0.095).Conclusions: This study sho...
Prostaglandin E1 and E2 in bovine semen: quantification by gas chromatography.

Prostaglandins PGE1 and PGE2 extracted from bovine semen, purified via silicic column chromatography were quantified by gas chromatography as their methoxime methyl ester trimethylsilyl ether derivatives. The PGE2 and PGE2 concentrations of 19 bovine semen samples ranged from 395 +/- 225 and 487 +/- 407 ng/ml, respectively. A constant 1:1 ratio between PGE1 and PGE2 was observed. There was not relationship between PGE and sperm motility, but high sperm counts were generally associated with decreased PGE levels. The direct precursors of PGE1 and PGE2, i.e. 20:3n6 and 20:4n6, occurred in low concentrations compared to other related unsaturated fatty acids, i.e. 18:2n6 and 22:5n6 of the n-6 family.
Testing for state and local government job queues

Bivariate probit estimates with partial observability identify the factors influencing the worker’s decision to seek a state or local government job and the factors influencing the government’s decision to hire particular workers. The estimates routinely confirm the presence of a local job queue but confirm the presence of a state job queue only when the role of unionization is explicitly recognized. Our results suggest that the net benefits from local and state government employment are greater than those from private sector employment. The estimates also indicate that local governments disproportionately hire racial minorities relative to the local governments’ pool of applicants but indicate no such relationship for state governments.
Vibrational Raman scattering temperature measurements

Abstract Experimental data and analyses are presented for the determination of gas temperature by measurements of vibrational Raman scattering intensity ratios of Stokes Q -branch fundamental bands. The method is demonstrated for two thermal equilibrium experiments: (1) CO 2 (a gas well-suited for use in multi-component mixtures near ambient temperatures) in a test cell, and (2) N 2 (a gas well-suited for use at elevated temperatures) in a flame. This method of temperature measurement is of particular value for non-thermal equilibrium conditions, for which vibrational excitation temperatures can be assigned to each pair of vibrational level corresponding to observable Raman bands.
Automated segmentation and quantification of liver and spleen from CT images using normalized probabilistic atlases and enhancement estimation

Purpose: To investigate the potential of the normalized probabilistic atlases and computer-aided medical image analysis to automatically segment and quantify livers and spleens for extracting imaging biomarkers (volume and height). Methods: A clinical tool was developed to segment livers and spleen from 257 abdominal contrast-enhanced CT studies. There were 51 normal livers, 44 normal spleens, 128 splenomegaly, 59 hepatomegaly, and 23 partial hepatectomy cases. 20 more contrast-enhanced CT scans from a public site with manual segmentations of mainly pathological livers were used to test the method. Data were acquired on a variety of scanners from different manufacturers and at varying resolution. Probabilistic atlases of livers and spleens were created using manually segmented data from ten noncontrast CT scans (five male and five female). The organ locations were modeled in the physical space and normalized to the position of an anatomical landmark, the xiphoid. The construction and exploitation of liver and spleen atlases enabled the automated quantifications of liver∕spleen volumes and heights (midhepatic liver height and cephalocaudal spleen height) from abdominal CT data. The quantification was improved incrementally by a geodesic active contour, patient specific contrast-enhancement characteristics passed to an adaptive convolution, and correction for shape and location errors. Results: The livers and spleens were robustly segmented from normal and pathological cases. For the liver, the Dice∕Tanimoto volume overlaps were 96.2%∕92.7%, the volume∕height errors were 2.2%∕2.8%, the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) was 2.3 mm, and the average surface distance (ASD) was 1.2 mm. The spleen quantification led to 95.2%∕91% Dice∕Tanimoto overlaps, 3.3%∕1.7% volume∕height errors, 1.1 mm RMSE, and 0.7 ASD. The correlations (R2) with clinical∕manual height measurements were 0.97 and 0.93 for the spleen and liver, respectively (p 0.2) was found comparing interobserver and automatic-manual volume∕height errors for liver and spleen. Conclusions: The algorithm is robust to segmenting normal and enlarged spleens and livers, and in the presence of tumors and large morphological changes due to partial hepatectomy. Imaging biomarkers of the liver and spleen from automated computer-assisted tools have the potential to assist the diagnosis of abdominal disorders from routine analysis of clinical data and guide clinical management.
The structure of teenage employment: Social background and the jobs held by high school seniors

Although it is widely assumed that work careers begin after the completion of schooling, most enrolled high school students are also workers. Teenage workers are heavily concentrated in the low wage service sector, but they are also found as supplemental part-time workers in many occupations, including clerical, retail sales, and blue collar employment. Gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic origins are important determinants of the types of jobs that teenage students hold. Students from advantaged socioeconomic origins and students with above average grades are more likely to work in “good jobs,” defined by lower hours of work per week and higher status.
Potential climate warming effects on ice covers of small lakes in the contiguous U.S.

Abstract To simulate effects of projected climate change on ice covers of small lakes in the northern contiguous U.S., a process-based simulation model is applied. This winter ice/snow cover model is associated with a deterministic, one-dimensional year-round water temperature model. The lake parameters required as model input are surface area, maximum depth, and Secchi depth as a measure of radiation attenuation. The model is driven by daily weather data. Weather records from 209 stations in the contiguous U.S. for the period 1961–1979 were used to represent past climate conditions. The projected climate changes due to a doubling of atmospheric CO2 were obtained from the output of the Canadian Climate Center Global Circulation Model. To illustrate the effect of projected climate change we present herein winter ice cover characteristics simulated, respectively, with inputs of past climate conditions (1961–1979), with inputs of a projected 2×CO2 climate scenario as well as differences of those values. The dependence of ice cover characteristics on latitude and lake characteristics has been quantified by making simulations for 27 lake types at 209 locations across the contiguous U.S. It was found that the 2×CO2 climate scenario is projected to delay ice formation on lakes by as much as 40 days and melt ice by up to 67 days earlier. Maximum ice thicknesses are projected to be reduced by up to 0.44 m (Sault Ste. Marie, MI), and the ice cover periods will be shorter by up to 89 days (Rock Springs, WY). The largest changes are projected to occur east of Idaho from the Canadian border down to the states of Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa and the northern parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These changes would reduce fish winterkill in most shallow lakes of the northern states of the contiguous U.S. but may endanger snowmobiles and ice fishermen.
Time Use in Instrumental Rehearsals: A Comparison of Experienced, Novice, and Student Teachers:

Sixty instrumental music rehearsals were videotaped to measure the use of rehearsal time by three groups of teachers. Rehearsals were equally divided among those conducted by experienced teachers, novice teachers, and student teachers at the middle and high school levels. Dependent variables included preparation time, initial teacher talk, time in warm-up, time during each musical selection, breaks, final teacher talk, and dismissal. Variables were measured in real time and converted to percentages of class period. The primary variables for teaching activities were time spent in verbal instruction, nonverbal modeling, verbal discipline (disapproval-social), and performance. Findings include: student teachers talked most and allowed students to play least; experienced teachers provided the most break time, divided rehearsal time more equally between a warm-up and two musical selections, spent more than half the period on performance, used the most nonverbal modeling got the ensembles on-task the quickest, ...
Trabecular bone score (TBS) in postmenopausal African American women

Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a newly developed parameter that can be derived from DXA scans of the spine and may reflect bone quality. This study provides TBS values in healthy postmenopausal women of African descent. African American women have a lower risk for osteoporotic fractures as a result of higher bone density and better bone quality. We examined TBS in postmenopausal African American women since there are no previous reports in this population. This was a study of healthy African American volunteers using baseline values prior to their participation in two vitamin D intervention studies conducted at an ambulatory research center of an academic health center. The study population consisted of 518 healthy postmenopausal African American women with a mean age of 66 years and a BMI of 30.1. Mean TBS (L1 to L4) was 1.300(.100 SD). Significant negative correlations were found between TBS and age and BMI. None of the biochemical variables were significantly correlated with TBS whereas the various bone density sites were correlated with TBS. TBS values for African American women are higher than those reported in the literature for white women and are inversely related to age and BMI.
Embedded LO synthesis method in harmonic rejection mixers

A method for effective synthesis of multiple downconversion local oscillator (LO) frequencies within a harmonic rejection mixer (HRM) is presented that employs principles similar to direct digital frequency synthesis. The proposed method reduces the tuning range required of the downconversion oscillator in broadband applications. A passive HRM that implements the proposed LO synthesis method and is robust to both gain and phase mismatch is designed in 130 nm CMOS and covers the 48–860 MHz band with a master clock frequency of 0.77–1.72 GHz. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, while considering device mismatches over a 3σ spread, harmonic rejection better than 63 dB is observed for all selectable LO frequencies.
Biomechanical comparison of internal fixation techniques for the treatment of unstable basicervical femoral neck fractures.

Objectives:The optimal method of internal fixation of basicervical femoral neck fractures is controversial. This area represents a transition zone between the intracapsular femoral neck fracture, usually fixed with multiple cancellous screws, and the extracapsular intertrochanteric fracture, fixed w
Characteristics of estrogen binding in uterine cytosol during the perinatal period in the rat.

Abstract The binding characteristics of the estrogen, diethylstilbestrol (DES), were compared at different ages of postnatal development (days 5, 11 and 21) and were related to the binding of [ 3 H]-estradiol-17β ([ 3 H]-E 2 ) at day 21. The dissociation constants and sedimentation properties for [ 3 H]-DES were similar for all ages studied. The range of dissociation constants was 1–3 × 10 −10 M, similar to that for [ 3 H]-E 2 at day 21 (2 × 10 −10 M). Gradient analysis of [ 3 H]-DES binding showed the typical salt-induced shift that occurs with [ 3 H]-E 2 binding at day 21. The concentration of high affinity [ 3 H]-DES binding sites increased from day 5 to day 11; the concentration on day 21 was similar to that on day 11. The number of binding sites for [ 3 H]-DES on day 21 was only half that for [ 3 H]-E 2 on the same day indicating a potential difference in the way these two compounds interact with the binding site(s). The effectiveness of competitors is identical for [ 3 H]-DES and [ 3 H]-E 2 on day 21 and indicates a high degree of estrogen specificity. At younger ages, distinct shifts in competitor effectiveness occur. These shifts, and the difference in binding site concentration at day 21, may be due to the contribution to estrogen binding by alpha-fetoprotein.
The fluidity of barbarian identity: the ethnogenesis of Alemanni and Suebi, AD 200–500

This article argues against the romantic notion that barbarian peoples organized themselves around internal identities which persisted essentially unchanged over centuries. The Alemanni comprised an amalgam of constituent groups whose identities and behaviour fluctuated according to situation and context. This loose association of groups was transformed into a more cohesively organized gentile configuration during the migration period, when Alemannic and Suebic elements formed a common Alemannic identity.