cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drivers of variation in 90-day episode payments after mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke

Background Although mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke from a large vessel occlusion is now the standard of care, little is known about cost variations in stroke patients following thrombectomy and factors that influence these variations. Methods We evaluated claims data for 2016 to 2018 for thrombectomy-performing hospitals within Michigan through a registry that includes detailed episode payment information for both Medicare and privately insured patients. We aimed to analyze price-standardized and risk-adjusted 90-day episode payments in patients who underwent thrombectomy. Hospitals were grouped into three payment terciles for comparison. Statistical analysis was carried out using unpaired t-test, Chi-square, and ANOVA tests. Results 1076 thrombectomy cases treated at 16 centers were analyzed. The average 90-day episode payment by hospital ranged from $53 046 to $81,767, with a mean of $65 357. A $20 467 difference (35.1%) existed between the high and low payment hospital terciles (P Conclusions There is a wide variation in 90-day episode payments for patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy across centers. The main drivers of payment variation are related to differences in post-discharge care and readmissions.
Quasi-experimental evaluation of text-based crisis patterns in youth following Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas, 2018.

Abstract Importance Crisis text lines have proven to be an effective and low-cost means for delivering texting-based mental health support to youth. Yet there has been limited research examining the use of these services in capturing the psychological impact on youth affected by a weather-related disaster. Objective This ecologic study examined changes in help-seeking behavior for adolescents and young adults in North and South Carolina, USA, before and after Hurricane Florence (2018). Design and main outcomes A retrospective, interrupted time-series design was used to examine pre- and post-hurricane changes in crisis text volume among youth help seekers in the Carolinas for the following outcomes: (1) text for any reason; (2) stress & anxiety; (3) depression; and (4) suicidal thoughts. Results Results showed an immediate and sustained increase in crisis texts for stress/anxiety and suicidal thoughts in the six weeks following Florence. Overall, an immediate 15% increase in crisis texts for anxiety/stress (SE = 0.05, p = .005) and a 17% increase in suicidal thoughts (SE = 0.07, p = .02) occurred during the week of the storm. Text volume for anxiety/stress increased 17% (SE = 0.08, p = .005) and 23% for suicidal ideation (SE = 0.08, p = .01) in the 6-week post-hurricane period. Finally, forecast models revealed observed text volume for all mental health outcomes was higher than expected in the 6 weeks post-Florence. Conclusions and relevance A low-cost, crisis texting platform provided 24/7 mental health support available to young people in the Carolinas impacted by Hurricane Florence. These findings highlight a new application for text-based crisis support services to address the mental health consequences in youth following a weather-related disaster, as well as the potential for these types of crisis platforms to measure situational awareness in impacted communities.
Body, Boundaries and Sindoor Feminism in India

In Hinduism, sindoor is a symbol of a married woman’s chastity, love and fidelity towards her husband. This potent mark inscribed on the forehead and in the parting of a woman’s hair serves as a re...
Interdisciplinary Human Factors Curricula for Individualized, Independent Study:

Education and career development of new generations of human factors professionals has rightly been a central concern the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society for many decades. There have been peri...
Poisson process modelling of spike occurrence in single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry time scans for very dilute nanoparticle dispersions

Abstract The time scan measured when a dispersion of nanoparticles is analyzed by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) is typically made of many intense short-lived spikes. On the basis of theoretical arguments backed by experimental data and statistical tests, I show that, in the very dilute limit, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the spikes present in a time scan and the points of discontinuity of the outcome of a homogeneous Poisson process. This relationship underlies the random nature of the sp-ICP-MS time scan. Furthermore, I establish that the stochastic processes describing the nanoparticle arrivals in the plasma and the time sequence of spikes in the time scan are fully identical, thus helping to place on firmer grounds a frequently made hypothesis regarding the Poissonian character of the sp-ICP-MS time scan.
Remote Patient Monitoring Identifies the Need for Triage in Patients with Acute COVID-19 Infection.

Background: Telehealth was frequently used in the provision of care and remote patient monitoring (RPM) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Precision Recovery Program (PRP) remotely monitored and sup...
The Woman Who Testified: The Pentecostalization of Psychiatry in Yaoundé, Republic of Cameroon.

This article takes a case study approach to the predominance of Pentecostalism, a Christian movement emphasizing conversion and testimony to divine grace, among patients at Sommeil Psychiatric Hospital in Yaounde, Republic of Cameroon. I argue that certain patients' desire to serve as temoignage (French) or "testimony" (English) to life before and after Sommeil-to the efficacy of biomedical psychiatry-indicates a pattern in which patients drew on their Pentecostal affiliation to navigate psychiatric treatment. Grounded in 24 months of fieldwork with patients and families and hospital staff, I contend that patient experiences of treatment imperfectly paralleled prior and ongoing experiences of Pentecostalism, including cultivation of the desire to convert and testify. Taking this cultivation of desire as a form of subject-making, I conceptualize the entanglement of religious and therapeutic subjectivities at Sommeil as a patient-driven "Pentecostalization" of psychiatry, which offers patients plural possibilities and timeframes of health.
Fully-Nonlinear Computation of Water Surface Impact of Axisymmetric Bodies

We consider the problem of water surface impact by an axisymmetric object vertically dropping toward the calm water surface from the air. Fully nonlinear simulations, based on a high-order boundary-element method with the mixed Eulerian-Laragian approach, are employed to investigate this nonlinear fluid-object interaction problem. The focus is on the understanding of the impact phenomenon at relatively low Froude number (with Fr≡ V/(gL)1/2 = O(1), where V is the entry velocity of the body, g the gravitational acceleration, and Lthe characteristic length of the body). In particular, our objectives are to quantify the range of validity of existing asymptotic theories (using the high Froude number assumption, Fr » 1), to understand the gravity effect upon the impact process, and to develop an effective approximate model for the prediction of impact pressure and loads on the body at low Froude number. This study is of direct relevance to reliable and accurate prediction of hydrodynamic loads associated with ship slamming and extreme surface wave impact on marine structures.
A generalized recoverability theorem: The case of multi-stage production

Abstract This paper investigates the feasibility of recovering intermediate production functions from observable market data. Specifically, n-factor multi-stage production processes are considered. It is proven that the total differential equation for production technology, estimated from basic factor input data, can always be reduced to a canonical form that is a function of intermediate products.
Security policy refinement and enforcement for the design of multi-level secure systems

The successful design and implementation of secure systems must include security concerns from the beginning. A component that processes data at multiple security levels is critical and must go through additional evaluation to ensure the processing is secure. It is common practice to isolate and separate the processing of data at different levels into different components. In this paper we present policy-based architectural refinement techniques for the design of multi-level secure (MLS) systems. In addition, a policy refinement language is proposed to specify the rules of refinement patterns, and the hierarchy of the refinement patterns is presented. We discuss which security policies must be satisfied through the refinement process, including when separation works and when it does not. The process oriented approach will lead to verified engineering techniques for the design of MLS systems, which should greatly reduce the cost of certification of those systems.
Turing test considered harmful

Passing the Turing Test is not a sensible goal for Artificial Intelligence. Adherence to Turing's vision from 1950 is now actively harmful to our field. We review problems with Turing's idea, and suggest that, ironically, the very cognitive science that he tried to create must reject his research goal.
A 130 nm flash+logic+analog modular technology

A 130 nm Flash+logic+analog technology has been developed specifically for the wireless communications market where low power and high-density highly integrated solutions are required to deliver new capabilities to the mobile handset business. The integration of non-volatile flash memory and digital logic is cost effectively achieved without compromise to either the flash memory density or the digital logic performance. This technology forms the silicon backbone of Intel's Personal Internet Client Architecture. A modular platform approach makes process modules available to the designer who can choose the level of integration required for any specific product.
Building Entrepreneurial Teamwork Competencies In Collaborative Learning Via Peer Assessments

Entrepreneurship courses commonly use various kinds of group work, cooperative learning, study circles and study teams. A major challenge of this pedagogy is the unbiased grading of group members based on the accountability of individual performances. This paper provides an approach to using student peer assessment to provide feedback on individual performances within an entrepreneurial team project so that grades may be assigned in an equitable manner within entrepreneurship education.
Archaeology under Dictatorship

Archaeology under Dictatorship. Michael L. Galaty and Charles Watkinson, eds. New York: Kluwer/Plenum, 2004. 218 pp.
Northwest District Association News

(1944). Northwest District Association News. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 326-327.
THE ETHICS OF ECSTASY: Georges Bataille and Amy Hollywood on Mysticism, Morality, and Violence

Georges Bataille agrees with numerous Christian mystics that there is ethical and religious value in meditating upon, and having ecstatic episodes in response to, imagery of violent death. For Christians, the crucified Christ is the focus of contemplative efforts. Bataille employs photographic imagery of a more-recent victim of torture and execution. In this essay, while engaging with Amy Hollywood's interpretation of Bataille in Sensible Ecstasy, I show that, unlike the Christian mystics who influence him, Bataille strives to divorce himself from any moral authority external to the ecstatic episode itself. I argue that in his attempt to remove external authority he abandons the only resources that could possibly protect his mystical contemplation from engendering sadistic attitudes.
Protocol organs: modularity should reflect function, not timing

The paper proposes a functional architecture for protocol systems, as opposed to the conventional temporally layered one. Each block of information to be communicated is operated on by several organs, e.g. for routing, integrity and flow control. The architecture retains a skeleton protocol stack to determine the sequence of these operations. However, unlike conventional stacks, the operators themselves are separate from the layers of the stack. This functional architecture eliminates several shortcomings that plague layered systems. The architecture provides a path along which current systems can evolve to provide the performance and economy that will be required in the future.
In Vitro Hemodynamic Evaluation of Five 6 Fr and 8 Fr Arterial Cannulae in Simulated Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Bypass Circuits.

The objective of this study was to evaluate five small-bore arterial cannulae (6Fr and 8Fr) in terms of pressure drop and hemodynamic performance in simulated neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits. The experimental circuits consisted of a Jostra HL-20 roller pump, a Terumo Capiox Baby FX05 oxygenator with integrated arterial filter, an arterial and a venous tubing (1/4, 3/16, or 1/8 in × 150 cm), and an arterial cannula (Medtronic Bio-Medicus 6Fr and 8Fr, Maquet 6Fr and 8Fr, or RMI Edwards 8Fr). The circuit was primed using lactated Ringer's solution and heparinized packed human red blood cells (hematocrit 30%). Trials were conducted at different flow rates (6Fr: 200-400 mL/min; 8Fr: 200-600 mL/min) and temperatures (35 and 28°C). Flow and pressure data were collected using a custom-based data acquisition system. Higher circuit pressure, circuit pressure drop, and hemodynamic energy loss across the circuit were recorded when using small-bore arterial cannula and small inner diameter arterial tubing in a neonatal CPB circuit. The maximum preoxygenator pressures reached 449.7 ± 1.0 mm Hg (Maquet 6Fr at 400 mL/min), and 395.7 ± 0.4 mm Hg (DLP 8Fr at 600 mL/min) when using 1/8 in ID arterial tubing at 28°C. Hypothermia further increased circuit pressure drop and hemodynamic energy loss. Compared with the others, the RMI 8Fr arterial cannula had significantly lower pressure drop and energy loss. Maquet 6Fr arterial cannula had a greater pressure drop than the DLP 6Fr. A small-bore arterial cannula and arterial tubing created high circuit pressure drop and hemodynamic energy loss. Appropriate arterial cannula and arterial tubing should be considered to match the expected flow rate. Larger cannula and tubing are recommended for neonatal CPB. Low-resistance neonatal arterial cannulae need to be developed.
Robust Control of Markov Decision Processes with Uncertain Transition Matrices

Optimal solutions to Markov decision problems may be very sensitive with respect to the state transition probabilities. In many practical problems, the estimation of these probabilities is far from accurate. Hence, estimation errors are limiting factors in applying Markov decision processes to real-world problems. We consider a robust control problem for a finite-state, finite-action Markov decision process, where uncertainty on the transition matrices is described in terms of possibly nonconvex sets. We show that perfect duality holds for this problem, and that as a consequence, it can be solved with a variant of the classical dynamic programming algorithm, the "robust dynamic programming" algorithm. We show that a particular choice of the uncertainty sets, involving likelihood regions or entropy bounds, leads to both a statistically accurate representation of uncertainty, and a complexity of the robust recursion that is almost the same as that of the classical recursion. Hence, robustness can be added at practically no extra computing cost. We derive similar results for other uncertainty sets, including one with a finite number of possible values for the transition matrices. We describe in a practical path planning example the benefits of using a robust strategy instead of the classical optimal strategy; even if the uncertainty level is only crudely guessed, the robust strategy yields a much better worst-case expected travel time.
Effects of small random uncertainties on non-linear systems studied by the generalized cell mapping method

Abstract The effects of small random uncertainties on certain non-linear systems under parametric and external excitation are studied by carrying out global analyses using the generalized cell mapping (GCM) method. The solutions to some fundamental problems in non-linear systems such as bifurcations, steady state solutions, limiting probability distribution of steady state solutions, domains of attraction and basin boundaries are obtained. It is found that system uncertainties increase the unpredictability of the system, and blur the geometrical structure of solutions of the deterministic system by making more multipledomicile cells near the boundaries of domains of attraction, and producing larger persistent groups representing stable steady solutions of the system. Furthermore, the noise fluctuations of the system induce early transition to chaos for a system undergoing a sequence of period doubling bifurcations to chaos, and destabilize first the solution with “weaker protection” for a system having multiple stable steady state solutions. This result is of importance to the reliability design of mechanical and structural systems that have multiple stable steady state solutions and are expected to endure uncertainties.
An inexpensive apparatus facilitating the storage of oxygen sensitive compounds.

Abstract The design, construction, and use of an inexpensive apparatus which facilitates the storage of oxygen sensitive compounds in serum bottles is described.
The effects of amiloride on electrolyte transport and acid-base balance in the larval salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum

The responses of net and unidirectional fluxes of Na+ and acid-base balance to the drug amiloride were assessed during normocapnia and hypercapnia in larval salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum. Isotope flux measurements demonstrated that 10-4 M amiloride in the external medium inhibits Na+ influx during normocapnia and reverses the usual increase in influx of this ion during hypercapnia, causing a significant decrease instead. Measurements of blood-gas/acid-base balance conditions of artcrially cannulated salamanders demonstrated a significant metabolic acidosis in amiloridetreated animals that did not occur in untreated animals over the same period. the same concentration of amiloride also blocked the normal compensatory increase in [HCO - 3 ] that follows a respiratory acidosis produced by a hypercapnic environment.
Interaction between the T4 helicase-loading protein (gp59) and the DNA polymerase (gp43): a locking mechanism to delay replication during replisome assembly.

The T4 helicase-loading protein (gp59) has been proposed to coordinate leading- and lagging-strand DNA synthesis by blocking leading-strand synthesis during the primosome assembly. In this work, we unambiguously demonstrate through a series of biochemical and biophysical experiments, including single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, that the inhibition of leading-strand holoenzyme progression by gp59 is the result of a complex formed between gp59 and leading-strand polymerase (gp43) on DNA that is instrumental in preventing premature replication during the assembly of the T4 replisome. We find that both the polymerization and 3‘ → 5‘ exonuclease activities of gp43 are totally inhibited within this complex. Chemical cross-linking of the complex followed by tryptic digestion and peptide identification through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization−time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry identified Cys169 of gp43 and Cys215 of gp59 as residues in a region of a protein−protein contact. With the ava...
Fluxoid quantization in the resonating-valence-bond model.

Fluxoid quantization in the resonanting-valence-bond model is investigated. It is shown that the explicit solution of the one-dimensional model is periodic with period $\frac{h}{2e}$ in the fluxoid, but that in the zero-temperature limit there are two families of states corresponding to odd and even multiples of $\frac{h}{2e}$. It is shown that for a general lattice, not necessarily bipartite, a topological constraint leads to the conclusion that $\frac{h}{2e}$ is the unit of fluxoid.
Methyl Ketones in Evaporated Milk

Summary Acetone, pentanone-2, and heptanone-2 were identified as the principal volatile carbonyl compounds in low-temperature, reduced-pressure distillates from commercial evaporated milk. Of these, only heptanone-2 is considered to be of possible flavor significance. Quantitative studies with simplified milk systems and six commercial brands of evaporated milk indicated that the C 5 and C 7 ketones are generated by action of heat on the fat phase. Acetone was detected in unheated milk, but heating enhanced its content. The findings do not preclude the presence of a larger homologous series of methyl ketones in the product. The conditions of distillation (45° C., 25mm. Hg pressure for 4 hr.) did not appear to volatilize the main caramel flavor components of evaporated milk to any great extent.
Publishing in Innovative Higher Education

This issue of Innovative Higher Education marks the beginning of our 30th year of publication and an expansion of the journal from four to five issues annually. William A. McCallum and Theresa Perenich launched the journal in 1976. I am the fifth editor, following my longtime colleague and friend, Ronald D. Simpson, who served from 1989– 2002. It was my good fortune that Kay Gillespie agreed to continue as the associate editor when I joined the journal in 2002. The authors and articles benefit greatly from her expertise in content and editorial matters. The addition of a fifth issue is the most recent of several important changes in the journal. In 2002, with the beginning of volume 28, the journal received a face lift with a newly designed cover. With this change, I would like to return to the basics and answer some of the questions that we receive through e-mail and by phone. Below, I have listed the most frequently asked questions, and I provide short answers.
Solution conformation and amyloid-like fibril formation of a polar peptide derived from a beta-hairpin in the OspA single-layer beta-sheet.

A 23-residue peptide termed BH9–10 was designed based on a β-hairpin segment of the single-layer β-sheet region of Borrelia OspA protein. The peptide contains a large number of charged amino acid residues, and it does not follow the amphipathic pattern that is commonly found in natural β-sheets. In aqueous solution, the peptide was highly soluble and flexible, with a propensity to form a non-native β-turn. Trifluoroethanol (TFE) stabilized a native-like β-turn in BH9–10. TFE also decreased the level of solubility of the peptide, resulting in peptide precipitation. The precipitation process accompanied a conformational conversion to a β-sheet structure, as judged with circular dichroism spectroscopy. The precipitate was found to be fibrils similar to those associated with human amyloid diseases. The fibrillization kinetics depended on peptide and TFE concentrations, and had a nucleation step followed by an assembly step. The fibrillization was reversible, and the dissociation reaction involved two phases. TFE appears to induce the fibrils by stabilizing a β-sheet conformation of the peptide that optimally satisfies hydrogen bonding and electrostatic complementarity. This TFE-induced fibrillization is quite unusual, because most amyloidogenic peptides form fibrils in aqueous solution and TFE disrupts these fibrils. Nevertheless, the BH9–10 fibrils have similar structure to other fibrils, supporting the emerging idea that polypeptides possess an intrinsic ability to form amyloid-like fibrils. The high level of solubility of BH9–10, the ability to precisely control fibril formation and dissociation, and the high-resolution structure of the same sequence in the β-hairpin conformation in the OspA protein provide a tractable experimental system for studying the fibril formation mechanism.
Capitation and fee-for-service dental benefit plans: economic incentives, utilization, and service-mix

Today, HMOs are commonplace. The newest addition is the dental capitation benefit plan developed and marketed to target both dentists and patients. This article contrasts the traditional fee-for-service to the newer capitation dental benefit plan. Insurance carriers, corporations, and labor groups are actively developing and marketing dental capitation benefit plans. Incentives to both dentists and patients in these plans differ from those in the traditional fee-for-service system used with conventional benefit plans. This paper describes the likely effects of these incentive differences on utilization and service-mix patterns in both systems. Data for a large (approximately 10,000), homogenous group of subscribers are presented and discussed. Faced with a dual option, at no cost to the employee, 60% of the subscribers chose the fee-for-service plan, and 40% chose the capitation plan. Observed differences in the utilization and mix of services between the two plans cannot be explained solely in terms of dentists’ responses. Employee response to altered economic incentives appears to be strong.
Receptors on pulmonary endothelial cells.

Endothelial cells, situated at the interface of blood and the tissues, are ideally positioned to receive circulating and tissue-derived stimuli and equally to affect underlying cell types of the vascular wall. Endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells show a close morphologic association via myoendothelial junctions and also interact via soluble mediators. We have begun to investigate the stimulus-secretion coupling using agonists that elicit the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors and have particularly focused on the role of Ca2+. In addition, we have examined the effects of endothelium-derived constrictor substances from both large and small pulmonary vessels. On account of the intimate association between microvessels and the airway wall, we have also examined the effects of endothelium-derived constrictors on tracheal smooth muscle and have shown that conditioned media from pulmonary artery and from pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells constrict both coronary artery rings and tracheal...
Spin-lattice relaxation of 77Se in some organoselenium compounds

Abstract Spin-lattice relaxation times of 77Se have been determined in a few organoselenium compounds. It was found that the nuclear Overhauser effect is small, that the spin-rotation relaxation mechanism is important in small molecules, and that Cr(acac)3 is useful for reducing the sometimes long 77Se relaxation times.
NIOBIUM(V)-TIRON COORDINATION COMPOUNDS

Abstract Niobium pentoxide, freshly precipitated, will react with an alkaline solution of tiron to produce a water-soluble, yellow colored complex. By means of spectrophotometric measurements, it was established that a 1:1 and then a 1:2 niobium to tiron ratio exists as the tiron concentration was increased from 2 × 10 −3 to 8 × 10 −3 M , with the niobium kept constant at 4.1 × 10 −4 M . The formation constants for these species at a pH of 8.2 were determined to be 228 and 96 respectively. A solid ammonium salt of uncertain composition of the niobium-tiron complex was isolated.
Effects of Uniaxial Stress on the Electrical Resistivity and the Gunn Effect in n -Type GaAs

Electrical resistivity and Gunn-effect threshold measurements as a function of uniaxial stress were made on horizontal boat-grown GaAs and liquid epitaxial GaAs. The electron concentration of the boat-grown material exhibited an exponential change with both temperature and stress. The exponential behavior is characteristic of a semiconductor in which the electrical properties are dominated by deep trap levels. The electron concentration of the epitaxial GaAs remained nearly constant with both temperature and stress. For $〈100〉$ stresses greater than 9 kbar, the resistivity increased rapidly and the current oscillations at high electric fields were quenched. However, the resistivity and current oscillations remained nearly constant when large $〈111〉$ stresses were applied. Thus, the $〈100〉$ or ${X}_{1}$ valleys are the important valleys for electron transfer at high electric fields. The deformation potentials obtained for the ${X}_{1}$ valleys are ${{\ensuremath{\Xi}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{1}=16.8$ eV/(unit strain), ${{\ensuremath{\Xi}}_{d}}^{1}=\ensuremath{-}5.1$ eV/(unit strain), and, for the $〈000〉$ or ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{1}$ valley, ${{\ensuremath{\Xi}}_{d}}^{0}=7.8$ eV/(unit strain).
The media and the pursuit of militarism in Japan: Newspaper editorials in the aftermath of 9/11

Following the attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, Japan passed laws that resulted in the dispatch of its Self-Defense Force to support military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. This marked a major break from Japan's previous pacifist stance, which, as stated in Article 9 of the national constitution, did not allow for participation in war. This article examines editorials from four leading Japanese newspapers, Yomiuri, Asahi, Mainichi, and Sankei, to explore a connection between language usage in the media and Japan's move towards militarism. More specifically, the analysis shows that the editorials employed a series of linguistic devices, including metaphors, a grammar of urgency, and the term ‘challenge’ to construct a strong sense of pressure on Japan to participate in the US-led military response, thereby leaving the Japanese public with little course to consider alternatives to military involvement.
On the use of anion exchange chromatography for the characterization of water soluble organic carbon

[1] An increasingly popular anion exchange chromatography method [Decesari et al., 2000] was used to separate organic matter in fog samples and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) extracted from aerosol samples according to acidity. Analysis of both fog and aerosol WSOC samples showed results similar to previous studies, with peaks typically identified as corresponding to neutral/basic compounds, mono- and dicarboxylic acids and polyacids. In one example this approach was shown to classify a total of 82% of the WSOC into these three chromatographic fractions. Challenges to the classification scheme were made by injection of single compound solutions. Compounds were chosen to be representative of compounds observed in atmospheric samples. In many cases test compounds eluted in fractions other than expected based on classifying compound structure according to the three classes outlined above. The impact of classification errors is impossible to quantify without understanding the complete organic speciation of a sample, but is serious enough that researchers relying on this method to provide a suitable model for organic aerosol composition should interpret results with caution. The most severe problems are likely for fog samples, due to a prevalence of low molecular weight carboxylic acid and carbonyl compounds which exhibit greater tendency to be misclassified.
Viral RNA-dependent DNA Polymerase: RNA-dependent DNA Polymerase in Virions of RNA Tumour Viruses

Two independent groups of investigators have found evidence of an enzyme in virions of RNA tumour viruses which synthesizes DNA from an RNA template. This discovery, if upheld, will have important implications not only for carcinogenesis by RNA viruses but also for the general understanding of genetic transcription: apparently the classical process of information transfer from DNA to RNA can be inverted.
Protein Content of Infant Formula—How Much and from What Age?

It is generally agreed that the protein concentration of human milk adequately fulfills the amino acid requirements during early infancy. This level of protein is considered as the absolute minimum which can be recommended for infant formulas. Since proteins from other sources than human milk have a different amino acid composition and have been believed to be digested to a somewhat lower extent than human milk proteins, it has been common practice to use a higher protein level in formulas than in human milk. During the last decade, most infant formulas have had a protein concentration of 15–18 g/1, which can be compared to the protein level of 12 g/1 in human milk during early lactation and 9–10 g/1 in later lactation (>2–3 months). Whether a protein concentration of 15 g/1 in formulas is an “optimal” level of protein, i.e. adequate for the amino acid requirement of infants (including some safety margin) while not associated with any negative consequences caused by potentially excessive levels of some amino acids and metabolites, has recently been a subject of discussion.
Adsorption of phenothiazine derivatives by solid adsorbents.

In simple aqueous media, the extent of adsorption of various phenothiazine derivatives by kaolin, talc, and activated charcoal is significant. Adsorption by talc and kaolin is dependent upon pH of the medium, while adsorption by activated charcoal is less affected by pH. Adsorption of promazine hydrochloride by all three adsorbents is sensitive to the electrolyte concentration of the medium. A variety of evidence suggests that adsorption of the phenothiazine derivatives by activated charcoal is a result of physical forces related to the tendency of the solute to accumulate at the air-water interface. Adsorption of these compounds by talc and kaolin occurs through more complex mechanisms which cannot be completely elucidated from knowledge obtained in this experiment. The effects of pH and electrolyte concentration may be important to the previously observed action of adsorbents in modifying absorption of promazine from the gastrointestinal tract.
Auditory-motor formant tracking: a study of speech imitation.

Auditory-motor formant tracking, or the vocal reproduction of formant patterns, is one aspect of speech imitation skill. The study reported here assessed the ability of four adult speakers to imita...
Underdosing of Midazolam in Emergency Endotracheal Intubation

Objectives: To determine whether midazolam, when used as an induction agent for emergency department (ED) rapid-sequence intubation (RSI), is used in adequate and recommended induction doses (0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg), and to compare the accuracy of the dosing of midazolam for ED RSI with the accuracy of dosing of other agents. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic query of a prospectively collected database of ED intubations using the National Emergency Airway Registry data, gathered in 11 participating EDs over a 16-month period. A data form completed at the time of emergency department intubation (EDI) enabled analysis of patients’ ages, weights, and indications for EDI, as well as the techniques and drugs used to facilitate EDI. Data were analyzed to determine whether midazolam is used in recommended doses during RSI. Patients intubated with midazolam alone were compared with patients who received other induction agents for RSI. Results: Of 1,288 patients entered in the study, 1,023 (79%) underwent RSI. Of the 888 RSI patients with an age recorded, midazolam was
Short-Term Climatic Variability in the Volume Budget of the Western Tropical North Pacific Ocean during 1979 82

Abstract Anomalous 14°C isotherm depth and anomalous geostrophic volume transport above the 14°C isotherm depth are calculated in the tropical Pacific for each bimonth of the four year period 1979 to 1982, based on 15 000 temperature/depth observations made by volunteer observing ships. The first two eigenfunctions (EOFs) of the anomalous 14°C isotherm depth, the anomalous zonal geostrophic volume transport, and the anomalous meridional Ekman volume transport explain 44%, 32% and 47% of their variances, respectively. Most of the variability explained by the first EOF is associated with the 1982–83 ENSO event. The EOFs indicate that a loss of anomalous volume above the 14°C isotherm in the western tropical North Pacific is correlated with an increase in anomalous volume in the eastern equatorial Pacific. There is a simultaneous intensification of anomalous eastward geostrophic currents across the width of the equatorial Pacific; however, from 150°E to 140°W there is also a simultaneous intensification of a...
On the validity of classical estimates of the dynamical Coulomb barrier in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract Several recent classical estimates of the effective Coulomb barrier height in heavy-ion collisions have approximated the dynamic deformations of the nuclei as entirely classical (non-quantized) surface oscillations, weakly coupled to the ion trajectories. An examination of the validity of this approximation shows it to be quite reliable when the surface oscillations are small and harmonic.
The direct determination of the vacancy concentration and P-T phase diagram of HG 0.8 Zn 0.2 Te by dynamic mass-loss measurements

A modified mass-loss measurement technique is employed, for the first time, for the direct, in-situ determination of the metal vacancy formation in (Hg0.8Zn0.2)1-yTey,(s). The metal vacancy concentrations are determined between 350 and 650° C for four different compositions(y) within the homogeneity region and range from 1.7 to 6.6 × 1019 cm-3. The enthalpy of formation of a singly-ionized metal vacancy is derived to be between 0.32 and 0.72 eV depending upon the deviation from stoichiometry (compositiony). Com-pared to the recent data on HgTe(s), these experimental results show a slight but sig-nificant increase in the enthalpy of vacancy formation from HgTe to Hg0.8Zn0.2Te. These data provide the first, direct experimental evidence, in terms of vacancy formation en-ergy, supporting theoretical predictions of the bond strengthening effect of Zn for the latter alloy system. Based on the simultaneously determined equilibrium Hg partial pressures within the homogeneity range, the vacancy concentration-partial pressure iso-therms are constructed. The Hg partial pressures are also measured along the three-phase boundaries of the solid solutions, and these are in close agreement with published data obtained by optical absorption measurements. A considerable part of the P-T phase diagram is, thus, established in this work.
Lens development. V. Histological analysis of the mechanism of lens reconstitution from implants of lens epithelium.

A piece of five-day embryonic lens epithelium was implanted in place of the right lens in each of 89 five-day-old chick embryos. The steps in the reconstitution of whole lenses from these grafts were identified by histologic analysis. Immediately following the implantation of the lens epithelium large numbers of cells came out of the anticapsular surface. Many of these died. Some of the survivors adhered in groups to the anticapsular surface of the implant. The cut edges of the implant became reflected so that the capsular surface was bent convexly. The reflected epithelium joined the groups of cells adhering to the anticapsular surface of the implant to form a flattened vesicle. The Golgi apparatuses of these cells lay at the anticapsular poles. The basal (capsular) poles of the cells always came to lie outermost regardless of the initial orientation of the implant. In time the vesicle filled the orifice of the eye cup and the reconstituted lens vesicle became invested externally by a continuous sheet of lens capsule. The cells in the wall of the vesicle that lay toward the vitreous body elongated to form lens fibers. A lens equatorial zone appeared facing the edge of the eye cup regardless of the orientation that had been given the implant initially. Thus, all of the reconstituted lenses were properly oriented in the eye.
It Looks Green: Effects of Green Visuals in Advertising on Chinese Consumers’ Brand Perception

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of green visuals in advertising on Chinese consumers’ green brand associations and advertising responses. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was run with verbal and visual environmental information as between-group variables and product involvement as a within-group variable. In general, the use of green visuals led to more positive advertising responses and more favorable perception of the brand's environmental effort. If no green visual was available, the use of verbal environmental claims could generate more positive green brand associations. In addition, the impact of green visuals was stronger for low-involvement products, compared to high-involvement products, in terms of green brand associations.
Effects of film thickness on the yielding behavior of polycrystalline gold films

A Membrane Deflection Experiment was used to test the mechanical response of freestanding thin film gold specimens. We present stress-strain curves obtained on films 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 μm thick. Elastic modulus was consistently measured in the range of 53-55 GPa. Several size effects on the mecha nical properties were observed including yield stress variations with membrane width and film thickness. It was observed that thickness plays a key role in deformation behavior with a major transition in the material inelastic response occurring between a thickness of 0.5 and 1.0 μm. The size effects here reported are the first of their kind in the sense that the measurements were performed under a macroscopically homogeneous axial deformation, i.e., in the absence of macroscopic deformation gradients.
Photoemission into water adsorbed on metals: Probing dissociative electron transfer using theory

The photoinduced dissociation of water adsorbed on a silver nanoparticle is explored using theory to probe reaction pathways that produce hydrogen. Ab initio configuration theory is used to describe the systems. A formulation that allows excited electronic states embedded in a near continuum of lower energy states to be calculated accurately is described. Electron attachment of a photoemitted electron to adsorbed water can lead to the formation of H2 at a very low energy barrier with oxygen remaining on the Ag surface. A large energy barrier to form H2 plus adsorbed O is found for the ground state. The excited state has a much smaller barrier to OH stretch; however, to dissociate, the system must cross over from the excited state to the ground state potential energy surface. The cross over point is near the transition state for a ground state process. A characteristic feature of the excited state potential curve is an increase in energy in the early stages of OH stretch as the charge transfer state evolves from a state with considerable Rydberg character to one that has a typical OH antibonding molecular orbital. Another pathway releases a H atom leaving OH on the surface. Effects due to doping of a Ag nanoparticle with a K electron donor atom are compared with those caused by a Fermi level shift due to an applied potential. Results are also reported for electron transfer to a solvated lithium ion, Li(H2O), near the surface of a silver particle. A steering mechanism is found that involves the interaction of a hydridic hydrogen formed after electron transfer with an acidic hydrogen of a second solvated water molecule. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Solution of the fundamental problem of transient acoustic propagation in a borehole with the hybrid method

The fundamental acoustic logging problem of a pulsed point source surrounded by both vertical and horizontal boundaries is solved with the hybrid method. The hybrid method yields the complete synthetic waveform including the head wave and the normal mode arrivals. The essence of the hybrid method consists in converting the head wave branch‐cut contribution into discrete modes which, together with the normal modes, form a complete basis for the solution in each region. Boundary conditions at the horizontal bed boundary then couple the modes between different regions and enable the solution to be expressed in terms of reflection and transmission matrices of modes. Numerical results are illustrated as a function of the formation parameters. Transmission coefficients of head waves are calculated. The advantages of the hybrid method are also discussed.
The effect of chronic alcohol feeding on lipid peroxidation in microsomes: Lack of relationship to hydroxyl radical generation

Abstract Chronic alcohol feeding causes microsomal induction including increased generation of hydroxyl radicals. Ethanol induced liver injury may be mediated by lipid peroxidation for which hydroxyl radicals have been proposed as major mediators. Ethanol promotes lipid peroxidation when given acutely but also may serve as a hydroxyl radical scavenger. Therefore, we studied the acute and chronic effects of alcohol on microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical generation. Chronic alcohol feeding in rats increased microsomal generation of hydroxyl radicals but lipid peroxidation of endogenous lipid was inversely related to hydroxyl radical generation. Ethanol (50mM) had a slight inhibitory effect on hydroxyl radical production in perxidizing microsomes, no effect on endogenous lipid peroxidation and enhanced the lysis of RBCs added as targets of peroxidation. Enhanced microsomal generation of hydroxyl radicals following chronic alcohol feeding is not an important mediator of lipid peroxidation.
A strong limit theorem for the oscillation modulus of the uniform empirical quantile process

Abstract Stute (1982) and Mason, Shorack and Wellner (1983) have recently completed a thorough study of the limiting behavior of the oscillation of the uniform empirical process. In this paper, the corresponding oscillation behavior of the uniform empirical quantile process is investigated. It is shown to be closely related to the limiting behavior of the maximum k -spacing of n independent Uniform (0, 1) random variables, where k can possibly be a function of n . Results of this type are directly applicable to the study of the strong consistency properties of various types of density estimators.
A potentiometric titration of four halogens using a mixed titrant

Abstract A new application of potentiometric titration used a mixed titrant and permits the quantitative analysis of a mixture of the first four halides to be carried out simultaneously on a single sample. Thorium nitrate and silver nitrate were used together as selective precipitation agents which makes possible the analysis of various halide mixtures including fluoride. A method for the analysis of the relatively stable polyhalogen compounds, based on their decomposition by quantitative sodium fusion, and subsequent determination of the resulting halides mixtures by potentiometric titration is presented.
Capturing SDS-treated biotinylated protein and peptide by avidin functional affinity electrophoresis with or without SDS in the gel running buffer

Avidin functional affinity electrophoresis (AFAEP) is a new method of affinity electrophoresis. In this technique, bifunctional linker glutaraldehyde is added to the polyacrylamide gel solution to embed avidin within the gel matrix by interaction with the amino/amide groups. Samples are heated with triglycine sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sample buffer to ensure that biotinylated proteins biotinylated peptides are negatively charged and migrate electrophoretically toward the cathode through the avidin zone regardless of their pI values. The AFAEP method allows the capture and concentration of biotinylated proteins or biotinylated peptides irrespective of the use of SDS in both the sample buffer and the gel running buffer.