cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis: response to therapy.

Abstract Objective: Bacterial vaginosis causes symptomatic vaginal discharge and has been associated with preterm birth and with the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus. Half of all women with bacterial vaginosis are free of symptoms, and treatment of these women is controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of poor symptom recognition in this group of women. Study Design: Seventy-five women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic who had asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis were entered into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing metronidazole gel with placebo. Subjects' perceptions about changes in vaginal discharge and odor were determined, and treatment and placebo groups were compared by means of standard statistical analysis. Results: When subjects were stratified by treatment group, there were no differences in their retrospective assessments of vaginal discharge and odor. A subset of women who had normalization of clinical parameters or of Gram stain scores did admit retrospectively to improvement; however, the difference between this group and the group without normalization was not statistically significant. Twenty-one percent of treated women subsequently had vaginal candidiasis. Conclusions: A greater percentage of women with resolution of bacterial vaginosis did retrospectively notice improvement in vaginal discharge and odor in comparison with those women without resolution; however, this was not statistically significant. These findings do not support routine treatment of women with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:1434-9.)
Structural elucidation of hydrated CuOH + complexes using IR action spectroscopy and theoretical modeling

Abstract Complexes of CuOH + (H 2 O) n where n = 2–9 are examined using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy (IRPD) with frequencies between ~2700 and 3900 cm −1 . Structural characterization is achieved through comparison between experimental and theoretical spectra. Geometry optimizations and frequency calculations are performed on a myriad of possible low-energy structures at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level. Subsequent single- point energy calculations are performed at the B3LYP, B3P86, M06, and MP2(full) levels of theory using a 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis set to obtain relative free energies. The IRPD spectra of all complexes where n ≥ 3 are consistent with structures having a coordination number (CN) of 4 although broad features in the CuOH + (H 2 O) 5 and CuOH + (H 2 O) 6 spectra accommodate structures having both CN = 4 and CN = 5. For CuOH + (H 2 O) 7 , spectral bands in the free-OH region narrow, revealing fine structure that confirms the presence of both CN = 4 and CN = 5 isomers. Conformational assignments are made on the basis of asymmetric stretching frequencies of free-OH water molecules specific to each CN. Relative intensities of these bands are generally in good agreement with relative energies predicted by MP2(full) and not those of the other levels. MP2(full) and M06 single-point energies for the 4 and 5-coordinate isomers are typically within 5 kJ/mol of each other suggesting possible equilibration between the two if isomerization barriers are low.
Assessing genotypic softness in single wheat kernels using starch granule-associated friabilin as a biochemical marker

The end-use quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is determined in large part by the texture of the grain (soft or hard). Endosperm texture is currently determined by several empirical methods. These methods are limited because the use bulk grain lots, as opposed to individual kernels; assess phenotypic, as opposed to genotypic hardness; require a quantity of grain greater than that generally available in the early generations of wheat breeding programs, and are destructive. Recent approaches that use single kernels address the problems associated with bulk grain lots, but suffer the other limitations of providing only the phenotype and being destructive. An objective method for determining the texture genotype of single kernels of wheat was developed using starch granule-associated friabilin, a family of closely related 15 kDa proteins, as a biochemical marker. The occurrence of friabilin on water-washed wheat starch granules is apparently unaffected by the environment and is perfectly correlated (no exceptions) with grain softness. The technique presented here can detect friabilin on as little as 0.2 mg of starch and provides a 250-fold improvement in friabilin detection compared to previous methods. The method is capable of correctly assessing the genotype of F1 heterozygotes from hard x soft and soft x hard crosses. Further, the method uses only a portion of the endosperm from the kernel and therefore accommodates embryo propagation and high molecular weight glutenin subunit characterization. This single kernel method also facilitates the genetic characterization of mixed, bulk grain lots.
Existence of Stable Spatially Periodic Steady States in Coupled Reaction-Diffusion Equations

A new approach to the study of steady states with periodic pattern in coupled reaction-diffusion systems (RD-systems) is presented. The discussion is focused on a given constant steady state with diffusion coefficients as bifurcation parameters. We apply the theorems of reversible systems to the steady-state system of RD-systems, an idea recently used by Kazarinoff and Yan in the study of a chemical model. Here we generalize this idea to a class of RD-systems. As a result, an existence criterion is derived for coupled equations of the form u"t = d"1u"x"x - @?"1(u,v,k),v"t= d"2v"x"x - @?"2(u,v,k),x @? [0,2L], k @? R^m, u"x(0) = v"x(0) = u"x,(2L) = v"x(2L) = 0.The temporal stability of these bifurcating periodic steady states is also analyzed. According to a discussion by Segel and Jackson, a stability condition is obtained. The spatial structure of the bifurcating periodic steady states is approximated by the spatial structure of the solutions of the linearized system. This approximation reveals some characteristic features of the solutions and explains the essential pattern of the periodic steady states in each system. To illustrate the applications and provide a comparison with previous works, we apply our results to six models which have been studied by others. Predicted by the existence criterion and stability condition, numerical approximations of spatially periodic steady states are obtained in these models. Their spatial structures are analyzed according to our characterization, which are also compared to and verified by numerical results.
Public Administration Productivity: An Assessment of Faculty in PA Programs

This article examines the relative frequency of contributions made by faculty members in public administration programs to the professional public administration journals. With the call for a leaner and more productive government sector (e.g., universities), the profession needs to know which programs are producing most of the cutting-edge knowledge, the research strengths of these programs, and where they publish. More specifically, the analysis draws on evidence from articles found in highly ranked journals to reflect on relative productivity using four categories of measures: which schools (a) publish the greatest number of articles in the journals, (b) publish the greatest number of single-authored equivalent articles in the journals, (c) publish the greatest number of articles in the "best" journals, and (d) publish the greatest number of single-authored equivalent articles in the best journals. Together, the findings offer a comprehensive view of public administration faculty productivity in central...
Congenital chromosome breakage clusters within Giemsa-light bands and identifies sites of chromatin instability.

Analysis of the distribution of published chromosome breaks in cells with constitutional chromosome aberrations showed a nonrandom distribution of breaks among chromosomes and chromosome regions. A si
Student attrition. A challenge for allied health education programs.

The Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) attrition data, collected annually by the American Medical Association (AMA), are nationally representative and constitute the largest source of information on attrition and retention in allied health education. These data provide a cornerstone for education and manpower planning. Consistent with previous years, men who were enrolled in CAHEA-accredited allied health education programs for the 1989-1990 academic year were significantly more likely to be lost to attrition than were women. When compared with all other categories of race and ethnic origin, black students not of Hispanic origin showed a significantly higher attrition rate (25.4%), while students designated as Asian or Pacific Islander showed a significantly lower rate (13%). Congruent with attrition data documented in the literature, CAHEA attrition data show wide variances across 26 allied health occupations and within the three disciplinary groupings that comprise approximately 75% of all CAHEA-accredited programs. Attrition rates measured by the type of sponsoring institution range from 7.1% (academic health centers and medical schools) to 24.3% (vocational and technical schools). Programs sponsored by for-profit institutions and federal government-owned institutions report substantially higher attrition rates, 25.1% and 21.1%, respectively. (JAMA. 1991;266:963-967)
Machining-induced surface texture effects on the flexural properties of a graphite/epoxy laminate

Abstract The effects of surface texture induced by secondary processing on the flexural properties of a graphite/epoxy laminate were evaluated. Test specimens were machined by three methods including the abrasive waterjet, circular diamond saw and shaper planer mounted with polycrystalline diamond tool inserts. Machined surface topography was evaluated by surface profilometry as well as scanning electron microscopy. Flexural strength and modulus were obtained from fourpoint flexure loading to failure and Weibull statistics were used to evaluate characteristic strength and modulus. Although the textures of the machined surface representative of each process were different, no difference in bulk strength of the graphite/epoxy laminate was noted under bending loads.
A scattering chamber for use with cooled large area lithium-compensated silicon radiation detectors

Abstract A scattering chamber designed to be used with large area, lithium-compensated silicon radiation detectors has been constructed. The chamber has provision for cooling a circular array of detectors to 77°K to achieve shorter charge collection time and better energy resolution than could be obtained with room temperature operation. The apparatus was designed to be used with the NBS 180-MeV synchrotron in photoproton experiments in the 2–35 MeV proton energy interval.
Health Perceptions among Older Urban American Indians

There is a dearth of empirically based accounts dealing with health from the perspective of older American Indians. Some have even referred to these individuals as a "forgotten population." The purpose of the present investigation was to explore the phenomenon of health among urbanized members of this vulnerable population. More specifically, the study focused on how these individuals perceived their health and how they managed their health problems. Using the grounded theory method, discoveries indicated that these older adults constructed their ideas of health by observing signs of illness, incorporating the ideas of others, and evaluating getting around. Moreover, their health ideas often reflected a biomedical perspective. The data analysis also revealed factors in the historical and contemporary context that had salient consequences for these individuals' health beliefs and practices. Research implications include future studies of the complex factors that have consequences for health beliefs and practices, as well as a critical examination of the underlying social conditions that relate to health among these older American Indians.
The spherically symmetric droplet burning characteristics of Jet-A and biofuels derived from camelina and tallow

Abstract This study compares liquid fuel combustion characteristics of biofuels derived from camelina (POSF6152) and tallow (POSF6308) with a US domestic aviation fuel (Jet-A, POSF4658) using the spherically symmetric (one-dimensional) droplet flame configuration as the basis of comparison. A blend of camelina biofuel and Jet-A is also examined. The initial droplet diameters were fixed at 0.57 ± 0.03 mm. The biofuels studied have been considered as replacement fuels for conventional jet fuels. Results show that the evolutions of droplet, flame, and soot shell diameters for Jet-A and the bio-fuels are very similar regardless of intrinsic compositional differences among the individual fuels. Sooting behaviors were noted to be different with Jet-A forming significantly thicker soot clouds, most likely due to its higher aromatic content compared to biofuels. The broad similarities shown in this study were consistent with results reported in the literature for performance of the same fuel systems in actual turbine and flight tests where the fuel blends examined were noted to yield essentially indistinguishable differences in overall performance. The results suggest value to the spherical droplet flame configuration to assess performance of real fuels burning under far more complex transport conditions.
Evaluation of Pleistocene groundwater flow through fractured tuffs using a U-series disequilibrium approach, Pahute Mesa, Nevada, USA

Abstract Groundwater flow through fractured felsic tuffs and lavas at the Nevada National Security Site represents the most likely mechanism for transport of radionuclides away from underground nuclear tests at Pahute Mesa. To help evaluate fracture flow and matrix–water exchange, we have determined U-series isotopic compositions on more than 40 drill core samples from 5 boreholes that represent discrete fracture surfaces, breccia zones, and interiors of unfractured core. The U-series approach relies on the disruption of radioactive secular equilibrium between isotopes in the uranium-series decay chain due to preferential mobilization of 234 U relative to 238 U, and U relative to Th. Samples from discrete fractures were obtained by milling fracture surfaces containing thin secondary mineral coatings of clays, silica, Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides, and zeolite. Intact core interiors and breccia fragments were sampled in bulk. In addition, profiles of rock matrix extending 15 to 44 mm away from several fractures that show evidence of recent flow were analyzed to investigate the extent of fracture/matrix water exchange. Samples of rock matrix have 234 U/ 238 U and 230 Th/ 238 U activity ratios (AR) closest to radioactive secular equilibrium indicating only small amounts of groundwater penetrated unfractured matrix. Greater U mobility was observed in welded-tuff matrix with elevated porosity and in zeolitized bedded tuff. Samples of brecciated core were also in secular equilibrium implying a lack of long-range hydraulic connectivity in these cases. Samples of discrete fracture surfaces typically, but not always, were in radioactive disequilibrium. Many fractures had isotopic compositions plotting near the 230 Th- 234 U 1:1 line indicating a steady-state balance between U input and removal along with radioactive decay. Numerical simulations of U-series isotope evolution indicate that 0.5 to 1 million years are required to reach steady-state compositions. Once attained, disequilibrium 234 U/ 238 U and 230 Th/ 238 U AR values can be maintained indefinitely as long as hydrological and geochemical processes remain stable. Therefore, many Pahute Mesa fractures represent stable hydrologic pathways over million-year timescales. A smaller number of samples have non-steady-state compositions indicating transient conditions in the last several hundred thousand years. In these cases, U mobility is dominated by overall gains rather than losses of U.
The use of an automated interactive voice response system to manage medication identification calls to a poison center

Introduction. In 2007, medication identification requests (MIRs) accounted for 26.2% of all calls to U.S. poison centers. MIRs are documented with minimal information, but they still require an inordinate amount of work by specialists in poison information (SPI). An analysis was undertaken to identify options to reduce the impact of MIRs on both human and financial resources. Methods. All MIRs (2003–2007) to a certified regional poison information center were analyzed to determine call patterns and staffing. The data were used to justify an efficient and cost-effective solution. Results. MIRs represented 42.3% of the 2007 call volume. Optimal staffing would require hiring an additional four full-time equivalent SPI. An interactive voice response (IVR) system was developed to respond to the MIRs. Discussion. The IVR was used to develop the Medication Identification System® that allowed the diversion of up to 50% of the MIRs, enhancing surge capacity and allowing specialists to address the more emergent poi...
The Effect of the Black Death on English Higher Education

The effect of plague on fourteenth-century education is not a neglected topic.* While there may be no recent thesis on the relationship similar to the provocative but controversial work by Millard Meiss on the effect of the Black Death on Florentine and Sienese art,' many scholars have noted a decline or at least a period of quiescence at various medieval universities in the decades immediately after 1348, a change often attributed to the Black Death. The only general work devoted to this important subject remains Anna Campbell's The Black Death and Men of Learning, which surveys most of the information available a half century ago.2 Since then, some work has bee;n done on the relation of plague to elementary and secondary education,3 but despite the appearance of additional quantitative evidence on medieval universities, little that is new has appeared on the relation of plague and higher education either in England or on the Continent. The lack of any useful or extensive quantitative data in the earlier part of this century led to widely differing opinions and a tendency to base conclusions on subjective or vague contemporary statements that at best gave an impressionistic assessment of the situation. In the absence of other types of evidence, Campbell placed considerable emphasis on statements by contemporary scholars, or similar pronouncements culled from foundation charters of universities and colleges established between 1350 and 1380, bemoaning the contemporary decline in education, either numerically or qualitatively, and sometimes both. Notwithstanding the fact that many of these statements have a formulaic ring, especially those in foundation charters, and the fact that the supposed decline was as frequently blamed on warfare, the mendicants, the monks, or some other cause as on plague and population decline, Campbell felt that most of this material was evidence for the. severity of the Black Death on education. Even where Campbell used statistical data, such
Discharges of produced waters from oil and gas extraction via wastewater treatment plants are sources of disinfection by-products to receiving streams.

article i nfo Fluidsco-producedwithoil and gas production (producedwaters) are oftenbrinesthatcontainelevatedconcen- trations of bromide. Bromide is an important precursor of several toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) and the treatment of produced water may lead to more brominated DBPs. To determine if wastewater treatment plants that accept produced waters discharge greater amounts of brominated DBPs, water samples were collected in Pennsylvania from four sites along a large river including an upstream site, a site below a publicly owned waste- water treatment plant (POTW) outfall (does not accept produced water), a site below an oil and gas commercial wastewatertreatment plant(CWT)outfall,anddownstreamofthe POTWandCWT.Of29 DBPsanalyzed,the site at the POTW outfall had the highest number detected (six) ranging in concentration from 0.01 to 0.09 μ gL �1
Individual differences in children's developing theory of mind and implications for metacognition

Abstract For readers interested in metacognition broadly, this review article introduces some of the recent research and theory concerning children's developing understanding of mental states, focusing particularly on attempts to understand individual differences in development. We contend that the conceptual developments investigated by “theory of mind” researchers constitute a foundation for later metacognition. We examine studies that have focused on individual differences in children's developing understanding of mental states, particularly those investigating its antecedents in early social interactions. Implications from theory-of-mind research for an understanding of metacognition are articulated.
Effect of initial texture on texture evolution in cold-rolled AA 5182 aluminium alloy

AA 5182 aluminium alloy with a strong cube texture was cold rolled to different reductions along the following directions: firstly, the original rolling direction; secondly, at angles of 22.5 and 45° to the original rolling direction. The evolution of texture in the cold-rolled samples with different initial textures was then investigated by X-ray diffraction. The texture evolution was quantified by mathematical formulae of texture volume fractions and rolling true strain. The results show that initial texture has a strong influence on the evolution of rolling texture. AA 5182 aluminium alloy with an initial rotated-cube (r-cube) (45° normal direction r-cube) texture exhibits the fastest rate of formation of the β fibre. The rate of formation of the β fibre decreases as the initial texture changes from the r-cube texture to the cube texture. The relationship between the rate of formation of the β fibre (k β value in the mathematical formula for the volume fraction of the β fibre) and the initial texture (...
Oligonucleotide Sequence Analyses Indicate that Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Large Defective Interfering Virus Particle RNA Is Made by Internal Deletion: Evidence for Similar Transcription Polyadenylation Signals for the Synthesis of All Vesicular Stomatitis Virus mRNA Species

Abstract RNase T1 oligonucleotide fingerprint analyses of three vesicular stomatitis virus Indiana serotype small defective interfering (DI) particle RNA species indicate that they only have oligonucleotides derived from the 5′ region of the viral genome. These studies also indicate that these three DI RNAs have partial L gene sequences as well as two 5′ viral oligonucleotides (59 and 70) that are not transcribed into L (or other) mRNA species (J. P. Clewley and D. H. L. Bishop, J. Virol. 30:116-123, 1979). Analyses of the large DI RNA (LT DI) reveal a different origin. The LT DI RNA has oligonucleotides derived from both the 3′ end of the genome (including all the large oligonucleotides identified for N, NS, M, and G genes), in addition to at least one of the 5′-proximal L gene oligonucleotides (47), as well as all seven oligonucleotides (3, 38, 42, 43, 44B, 59, and 70) that are not protected from nuclease digestion after the formation of mRNA-viral RNA duplexes (Clewley and Bishop). It appears therefore that the genesis of LT RNA involves a deletion of internal L gene sequences from the viral RNA. Oligonucleotide sequence analyses have been undertaken on several of the vesicular stomatitis viral RNA oligonucleotides, including all seven (3, 38, 42, 43, 44B, 59, and 70) that are not transcribed into mRNA. The analyses confirm that oligonucleotides 59 [3′...GAACACCAAAAAUAAAAAAUA(G)...5′] and 70 [3′...GACCAAAACACCA(G)...5′] are at the 5′-end region of the viral genome. Oligonucleotide 38 [3′...GAAAUUCAUACUUUUUU(U)(G)...5′] may represent the termination signal for L mRNA synthesis (R. A. Lazzarini, personal communication). Oligonucleotide 43 [3′...GUAUACUUUUUUU(G)...5′] corresponds to the sequence shown to be the N gene mRNA polyadenylation signal (D. J. McGeoch, Cell 17:673-681, 1979). The other three oligonucleotides share a common feature with oligonucleotides 43 and 38, viz., a stretch of 6 or 7 U residues preceded by an AUAC sequence. Thus the sequence of oligonucleotide 3 is 3′...GAAUUAAUAUAAAAUUAAAAAUUAAAAAUACUUUUUU(U)(G)...5′, whereas that of oligonucleotide 42 is 3′...GAUACUUUUUUUCAU(U)(G)...5′, and that of oligonucleotide 44B is 3′...G(U)AUACUUUUUU(G)...5′. These sequence analyses suggest a common polyadenylation signal for the synthesis of all vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA species, i.e., the sequence (3′)...AUACUUUUUU(U)...(5′).
Design of Radiation Tolerant Nanostructured Metallic Multilayers

We review He ion induced radiation damage in several metallic multilayer systems, including Cu/V, Cu/Mo, Fe/W, and Al/Nb up to a peak dose of several displacements per atom (dpa). Size dependent radiation damage is observed in all systems. Nanolayer composites can store a very high concentration of He. Layer interfaces promote the recombination of opposite type of point defects and hence reduce the accumulative defect density, swelling, and lattice distortion. Interfaces also alleviate radiation hardening substantially. The chemical stability of interfaces is an important issue when considering the design of radiation tolerant nanolayer composites. Immiscible and certain miscible systems possess superior stability against He ion irradiation. Challenge and future directions are briefly discussed.
Large haptic topographic maps: marsview and the proxy graph algorithm

In this paper we develop an interactive 3D browser for large topographic maps using a visual display augmented by a haptic, or force feedback, display. The extreme size of our data files (over 100 million triangles) requires us to develop the "proxy graph algorithm", a new haptic contact model. The proxy graph algorithm approximates proven virtual proxy methods but enhances the performance significantly by restricting the proxy location to the edges and vertices of the object. The resulting algorithm requires less computation and reduces the average number of collision detection operations per triangle that the proxy crosses during each haptic update cycle. We also develop a collision detection algorithm optimized for our heightfield dataset.Our "MarsView" software enables hands-on interactive display of visual and geologic data with polygon counts in excess of 100 million triangles using a standard PC computer and a commercial haptic interface. MarsView's haptic user interface allows the user to physically interact with the surface as they pan it around and zoom in on details. The hybrid system renders complex scenes at full visual and haptic rates resulting in a more immersive user experience than a visual display alone.
Minimal distance lexicographic codes over an infinite alphabet

The author investigates the properties of minimal distance lexicographic codes, or lexicode, over the ordered infinite alphabet N=(0,1,2...). The author presents a method for computing the basis of such a code. It is shown that any lexicographic code S with minimal distance d has a unique basis where each basis vector is a one followed by a string of zeros, followed by d-1 nonzero digits a/sub ij/. Furthermore, the matrix A=(a/sub ij/) has no singular minors over the nim-field. The dual code when S has finite length is also computed. The author develops a systematic approach to determine which words belong to these lexicodes. >
Correlations between Perfusion MR Imaging Cerebral Blood Volume, Microvessel Quantification, and Clinical Outcome Using Stereotactic Analysis in Recurrent High-Grade Glioma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Quantifying MVA rather than MVD provides better correlation with survival in HGG. This is attributed to a specific “glomeruloid” vascular pattern, which is better characterized by vessel area than number. Despite its prognostic value, MVA quantification is laborious and clinically impractical. The DSC-MR imaging measure of rCBV offers the advantages of speed and convenience to overcome these limitations; however, clinical use of this technique depends on establishing accurate correlations between rCBV, MVA, and MVD, particularly in the setting of heterogeneous vascular size inherent to human HGG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained preoperative 3T DSC-MR imaging in patients with HGG before stereotactic surgery. We histologically quantified MVA, MVD, and vascular size heterogeneity from CD34-stained 10-μm sections of stereotactic biopsies, and we coregistered biopsy locations with localized rCBV measurements. We statistically correlated rCBV, MVA, and MVD under conditions of high and low vascular-size heterogeneity and among tumor grades. We correlated all parameters with OS by using Cox regression. RESULTS: We analyzed 38 biopsies from 24 subjects. rCBV correlated strongly with MVA (r = 0.83, P CONCLUSIONS: rCBV provides a reliable estimation of tumor MVA as a biomarker of glioma outcome. rCBV poorly estimates MVD in the presence of vessel size heterogeneity inherent to human HGG.
Studies of the Metabolizable Energy of Grain and Grain Products for Chickens

Abstract PREVIOUS work reported from this laboratory compared metabolizable and productive (net) energy determinations with chicks and showed that metabolizable energy is the better measure (Hill and Anderson, 1958). The purpose of this paper is to report determinations of metabolizable energy values for a variety of grains and grain products for chickens based on the use of glucose as the reference substance. Only limited data on directly determined metabolizable energy values are available for poultry, and are contained in reports by Mitchell and Haines (1927), Fraps et al. (1940), Olsson (1950), Hainan (1951) and Carpenter and Clegg (1956). Metabolizable energy values have been computed from digestibility data for many feeding materials by Axelsson and Eriksson (1951) and Titus (1955). Digestibility determinations with avian species are subject to limitations of the methods used for chemical or physical preparation of fecal and urinary constituents during analysis, or the difficulties of using surgically altered …
A Substituent Change Exerts a Large Dimensionality and Water Tetramer Morphology Difference in Luminescent Cadmium Succinate Coordination Polymers Containing 3-Pyridylnicotinamide†

Hydrothermal reaction of cadmium nitrate and the conformationally flexible dipyridine 3-pyridylnicotinamide (3-pna) with a substituted succinic acid derivative afforded a pair of crystalline coordination polymers, whose dimensionality depends critically on the number of 2-position methyl groups on the acid precursor. The two new crystalline extended metal-organic solids were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. {[Cd(msuc)(3-pna)]·2H2O}n (1) (msuc = 2-methylsuccinate) manifests [Cd(msuc)]n layer motifs that contain {Cd2(OCO)2} dimeric units, linked into a non-interpenetrated 3D 6-connected pcu network by tethering anti-conformation 3-pna ligands. {[Cd2(dmsuc)2(3-pna)2]·1.5H2O}n (2) (dmsuc = 2,2-dimethylsuccinate) shows 1D [Cd(dmsuc)]n ribbons containing {Cd2O2} dimeric units. In turn these are connected into 2D [Cd2(dmsuc)2(3-pna)2]n layer motifs via anti-conformation 3-pna linkers; the layers are decorated by pendant monodentate 3-pna ligands. The subtle steric variance alters the supramolecular environment for co-crystallized water molecule tetramers, with a discrete chain seen in 1 and a cyclic ring in 2. Thermal and luminescent properties of these two new materials are also presented.
Culture and Science/Technology: Rethinking Knowledge, Power, Materiality, and Nature

Sociologists of science and technology mostly have not engaged directly with the sociology of culture, and most sociologists of culture have been slow to extract the implications for their own work of studies of scientific authority and technological production. In this article, the author analyzes how sociologists of science and technology in fact have performed cultural analyses. The author argues that recent moves to extend studies of science and technology “outward” beyond formal scientific settings have created new possibilities for interchange with the sociology of culture, particularly around studies of material culture, classification, cultural cartography, scientific citizenship, epistemic cultures, and civic epistemologies. The author concludes that the sociology of science and technology holds important lessons for sociologists of culture because of its focus on a key source of cultural authority, its attention to material objects, and its commitment to rethinking divides between the instrument...
Synoptic Control of Mesoscale Precipitating Systems in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract This research examines whether an adequate representation of flow features on the synoptic scale allows for the skillful inference of mesoscale precipitating systems. The focus is on the specific problem of landfalling systems on the west coast of the United States for a variety of synoptic types that lead to significant rainfall. The methodology emphasizes rigorous hypothesis testing within a controlled hindcast setting to quantify the significance of the results. The role of lateral boundary conditions is explicitly accounted for by the study. The hypotheses that (a) uncertainty in the large-scale analysis and (b) upstream buffer size have no impact on the skill of precipitation simulations are each rejected at a high level of confidence, with the results showing that mean precipitation skill is higher where low analysis uncertainty exists and for small nested grids. This indicates that an important connection exists between the quality of the synoptic information and predictability at the meso...
Verbal Behavior Analysis: A Program of Research in the Induction and Expansion of Complex Verbal Behavior

Both applied and conceptual experiments based on Skinner’s theory of verbal behavior have led to significant benefits for: (a) persons with language disorders and delays, (b) students who need to bridge the achievement gap, (c) professionals who work with students, and (d) individuals who wish to design functional curricula and pedagogy to meet international educational standards. In our efforts to develop schools that provided an evidence-based education that was comprehensive in scope, we needed to address complex curricular goals that could be addressed scientifically only by drawing on Skinner’s theory. This need then led to the conduct of over 40 experiments on Skinner’s theory leading to procedures that filled many of the gaps needed to provide a total educational experience based entirely on scientifically derived procedures and curricula. We discuss the individual and cumulative findings of this research program (from dissertations, published papers, and papers in the publication process) including procedures for individuals for whom existing procedures were not effective. Procedures were identified for: (a) inducing speech and communicative functions for persons with autism and developmental disabilities, (b) replacing faulty speech with effective communication, (c) teaching self-editing and self-management repertoires for functionally effective writing, and (d) teaching complex problem solving repertoires to professionals such that stronger treatment and educational outcomes resulted for a variety of learners. Finally, we describe how these findings and recent research in multiple exemplar instructional histories suggest procedures for teaching generative forms and functions of verbal behavior building on Skinner’s work and the role of multiple exemplar instructional histories.
Acquired angioedema: Observations on the mechanism of action of autoantibodies directed against C1 esterase inhibitor

We describe a mechanism of action of autoantibodies reactive with the C1 esterase inhibitor (C1EI) molecule found in three patients with acquired angioedema without associated diseases. All of these patients have a circulating C1EI of lower molecular weight than that of normal control subjects. When native C1EI was added to patient, but not control, plasmas, it was cleaved to a lower molecular weight fragment under conditions that allowed contact system activation. In a partially purified system, patient immunoglobulin preparations impaired stable complex formation between plasmin and C1EI and exaggerated the cleavage of the latter to a lower molecular weight fragment. We propose that the autoantibody does not interfere with the cleavage of the bait sequence of the inhibitor but reduces the availability of the reactive center of the molecule in a way that interferes with the irreversible inhibition of target enzymes. In this way unregulated activation of the kinin and complement pathways occurs, leading to disease manifestations via as yet uncharacterized mediators.
Quadratically converging iterative schemes for nonlinear Volterra integral equations and an application

A generalized quasilinear technique is employed to derive iterative schemes for nonlinear Volterra integral equations under various monotonicity and convexity (concavity) conditions on the kernels. The iterates in the schemes are linear, and converge monotonically, uniformly and quadratically to the unique solution. An application to a boundary-layer theory problem and examples illustrating the results are presented.
POSTOPERATIVE ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF UNCOMPLICATED ENTEROTOMY OR ENTERECTOMY SITES IN DOGS

The ultrasonographic findings in 20 dogs with 25 healing enterotomy and enterectomy sites resulting from the removal of foreign material or correction of intussusceptions are presented. In this prospective study, dogs had preoperative abdominal ultrasound examinations followed by sequential sonographic examinations on the first, third, sixth, and 10th days postenterotomy or enterectomy with an additional sonographic examination after 20 days postoperatively. Documented sonographic features included length and maximal intestinal wall thickness of the enterotomy or enterectomy sites, echogenicity of omental/mesenteric fat, amount of free gas and abdominal effusion, and gastrointestinal motility. Sonographically, 57% of enterotomies and 100% of enterectomies were visualized. Pneumoperitoneum, hyperechoic omental/mesenteric fat, and abdominal effusion did not appreciably hamper evaluation of the intestinal surgical site. Absent wall layering at the surgical site was noted in 96% of dogs at day 1 postoperatively. At the final sonographic examination, wall layering remained altered to absent in 100% of dogs and normal thickness was noted in only 20% of dogs. The median maximal wall thickness was 7 and 8 mm for enterotomies and enterectomies respectively, which occurred between days 1 and 3 and days 3 and 6 postoperatively. Effusion and increased echogenicity of omental/mesenteric fat localized to the surgical site were noted in 42% and 60% of dogs respectively at day 1 postoperatively, with resolution noted between days 3 and 10 postoperatively in 92% and 80% of dogs. Generalized abdominal effusion and pneumoperitoneum were seen in 100% of dogs immediately postoperatively and resolved in 80% by day 10.
Supporting the Posts in Development Discourse: Under‐development, Over‐development, Post‐development

This article seeks to introduce scholars outside of development studies to post-development thought, and to restate its relevance and value to those working within the development field. It begins with an overview of post-development thought and its critique of the post-World War Two development project. Following this, specific critiques levelled at post-development thought and various responses to these are considered. In the last section, the possibility or desirability of raising the living standards of Third World people to a level comparable to those of the First World through economically based development strategies is questioned. The article concludes by drawing attention to First World overdevelopment and the continued value of post-development thinking in unsettling the development trajectory for either the First or Third World.
Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction in comparison with other diagnostic methods for the detection of Chlamydia psittaci

Various diagnostic methods exist for the detection of Chlamydia psittaci. In the current study, the test performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared with other testing methods used in the diagnosis of C. psittaci. Tissue and fecal specimens (n = 119) of avian and mammalian origin were tested by PCR and one or more of the following methods: cell culture, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and direct fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibody staining. Several gold standards, based on results of testing methods other than PCR, were used to calculate the following test performance characteristics of PCR: sensitivity and specificity, with their 95% confidence intervals; kappa statistics, a measure of intertest agreement; and lambda statistics, a chance-corrected estimate of the sensitivity and specificity. Overall, the test performance characteristics of PCR were low compared with the other testing methods. Possible reasons for the poor test performance of PCR in the current study include destruction of the organisms during storage, interference with the PCR by other reagents, or technical errors.
Upper mantle structure beneath the Galápagos Archipelago from surface wave tomography

(1) We present a Rayleigh wave tomographic study of the upper mantle beneath the Galapagos Archipelago. We analyze waves in 12 separate frequency bands (8-50 mHz) sensitive to shear wave velocity (VS) structure in the upper 150 km. Average phase velocities are up to 2 and 8% lower than for 0- to 4-My-old and 4- to 20-My-old Pacific seafloor, respectively. Laterally averaged VS is 0.05-0.2 km/s lower between 75- and 150-km depth than for normal Pacific mantle of comparable age, corresponding to an excess temperature of 30 to 150C and � 0.5% melt. A continuous low-velocity volume that tilts in a northerly direction as it shoals extends from the bottom of our model to the base of a high-velocity lid, which is located at depths varying from 40 to 70 km. We interpret this low-velocity volume as an upwelling thermal plume that flattens against the base of the high-velocity lid. The high-velocity lid is � 30 km thicker than estimated lithospheric thickness beneath the southwestern archipelago, above the main region of plume upwelling. We attribute the thicker-than-normal high-velocity lid to residuum from hot spot melting. The thickness of the lid appears to control the final depth of melting and the variability of basalt composition in the archipelago. At depths less than 100-120 km, plume material spreads in directions both toward and against eastward plate motion, indicating that plume buoyancy forces dominate over plate drag forces and suggesting a relatively high plume buoyancy flux (B � 2000 kg/s).
Microwave processing of two‐phase systems: Composites and plymer blends

The objective of the current paper was to extend the relationships between complex polymer structures and microwave absorptivity that were formulated in the first three papers of this series (1–3). The microwave processing of composite and polymeric blends via a cylindrical resonance wave cavity and a rectangular standing wave applicator is described. These polymeric materials were irradiated in a low power (< 100W) electric field at 2.45 GHz. Graphite-epoxy laminates were processed in both standing and traveling wave applicators. Rapid heating and curing were achieved in both cases. An observation of significance was that, with proper tuning of the traveling wave device (the precursor of a protable repair tool), it proved to be highly effective in processing. Additionally, a compatible blend of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) was heated in and applicator and the rates of temperature rise were demonstrated to depend upon morphology.
Comparative nesting success of sympatric Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks

Abstract Despite the fact that Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks are closely related and nest in similar habitats, the two species have inverse population trends. To evaluate the hypothesis that the difference in trends could be related to differences in reproduction, we compared nesting success of sympatric Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks in parkland habitat near Erickson, Manitoba. Data supported a model that allowed nest survival to differ by species more strongly than a model that did not. Daily survival rate of Lesser Scaup nests (0.941) was lower than that of Ring-necked Ducks (0.969). All Ring-necked Ducks nested over water, but only 57% of Lesser Scaup nested over water. Further, we found some evidence that nest survival was better over water than in upland locations. If our observed pattern of differential nesting success between species holds across broader areas, it may explain why Ring-necked Ducks are increasing across North America while Lesser Scaup populations are declining.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF A CONTACT ZONE IN THE NEOTOMA FUSCIPES SPECIES COMPLEX

Abstract Neotoma fuscipes, the dusky-footed wood rat, is a morphologically diverse taxon with recognized intraspecific subdivisions that are based on both quantitative and qualitative morphology. Although there is substantial morphological variation within this taxon, intergradation among the various forms has been observed by previous workers. A recent survey of mitochondrial DNA revealed a high degree of molecular divergence within the taxon. Here, morphological, mitochondrial sequence, and nuclear microsatellite data are examined in a contact zone between 2 reciprocally monophyletic mitochondrial clades. On the basis of concordance of qualitative cranial, glans penes, and molecular characters, the 2 units appear to be genetically isolated from one another, leading to the elevation of N. macrotis to a species separate from N. fuscipes.
The Effective Drag Coefficient for Evaluating Wind Stress over the Oceans

Abstract Computations of the surface wind stress and pseudostress over the global oceans have been made using surface winds from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts for 7 years. The drag coefficient is a function of wind speed and atmospheric stability, and the air density is computed for each observation. Assuming a constant density, the effective drag coefficient required to convert the pseudostress into a stress has been computed for each month of the year using several methods. Because the drag coefficient varies from day-to-day and with the seasons, the effective drag coefficient cannot be uniquely defined and is a useful concept if only the very gross characteristics of the field are of interest and errors of the order of 10% are tolerable. Even then, the spatial and seasonal variations in CD must be taken into amount, and occasionally the wind stress may be greatly in error.
Non-invasive cardiac imaging for evaluation of cardiotoxicity in cancer patients - early detection and follow-up

Cardiotoxicity is an increasingly important clinical entity that occurs as a result of untoward, and incompletely understood, effects on cardiac function. It is primarily caused by the anthracycline agents (doxorubicin, daunorubicin) but has also been observed with monoclonal antibody agents such as trastuzumab and small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The most feared net result of these agents is left ventricular (LV) dysfunction resulting in symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF). Other manifestations can include arrhythmias, pericardial constriction, valvulopathy and hypertension. Standard cardiac imaging techniques have largely focused on LV ejection fraction (LVEF) quantifi cation. Contemporary cardiac imaging technologies now exist that are capable of evaluating for and detecting earlier stages of cardiotoxicity, including those which occur prior to changes in LVEF. Therapeutic algorithms have been devised to tailor chemotherapeutic regimens based on these results and have resulted in a dramatically reduced incidence of overt CHF.