cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Category-specific coupon proneness: The impact of individual characteristics and category-specific variables

Abstract In seeking to enhance the effectiveness of coupon promotions, researchers have long sought to identify “coupon prone” consumers. Previous measures of coupon proneness have not examined differences in coupon usage across product categories and have ignored the confounding effect of coupon attractiveness. An Item Response Theory (IRT)-based framework overcomes these limitations and yields category-specific estimates of propensity to redeem coupons that are independent of coupon attractiveness. The authors utilize an IRT-based model to estimate consumers’ category-specific propensities to redeem coupons for two product and two service categories, and investigate how coupon proneness varies across consumers and across categories as a function of individual characteristics and category-specific variables. The authors find that category-specific measures of propensity to redeem coupons achieve an average accuracy of 89 percent in predicting redemption intentions. Propensity to redeem coupons is also found to be related to category-specific brand loyalty and perceived coupon availability, as well as to individual characteristics such as general coupon proneness, value consciousness and price consciousness. These findings highlight the importance of studying coupon proneness at the category level and suggest that the IRT-based approach has considerable promise as a methodology for studying coupon usage. Using the approach proposed in this study, marketers can forecast the impact coupons are likely to have in their particular category, rather than relying on general coupon proneness measures to predict coupon redemption rates at the category level. The study's findings can also be used to identify categories and consumer segments where coupon promotions are likely to have a larger impact, and have important implications for managers planning joint couponing strategies.
Effect of surface adsorption and non-stoichiometry on the workfunction of ZnO surfaces: A first principles study

ZnO has been actively studied for potential usage as a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) for a variety of applications including organic light emitting diodes and solar cells. In these applications, fine-tuning the workfunction of ZnO is critical for controlling interfacial barriers and improving the charge injection (or outcoupling) efficiencies. We have performed plane wave periodic density functional theory calculations to investigate the effect of different surface absorbents and surface defects (including surface non-stoichiometry) on the workfunction of ZnO. The aim was to understand the underlying mechanism of workfunction changes, in order to engineer specific workfunction modifications. Accurate calculations of workfunctions of polar surfaces were achieved by introducing balancing pseudo charges on one side of the surface to remove the dipolar effect. It was found that increasing the surface coverage of hydrocarbons (-CH3) decreased the workfunction, while adsorption of highly electronegative-F and -CF3 groups and increases in surface O/Zn ratio increased the workfunction of ZnO. The increase of workfunction was found to be directly correlated to the enhancement variation of surface dipole moment due to adsorptions or other surface modifications. Introducing surface absorbents that increase surface dipole moment can be an effective way to increase workfunction in ZnO TCOs.
Relativistic resonances: Their masses, widths, lifetimes, superposition, and causal evolution

Whether one starts from the analytic S-matrix definition or the requirement of gauge-parameter independence in renormalization theory, a relativistic resonance is given by a pole at a complex value ${s}_{R}$ of the energy squared $s$. The complex number ${s}_{R}$ does not define the mass and the width separately, and the pole definition alone is also not sufficient to describe the interference of two or more Breit-Wigner resonances as observed in experiments. To achieve this and obtain a unified theory of relativistic resonances and decay, we invoke the decaying particle aspect of a resonance and associate to each pole a space of relativistic Gamow kets. The Gamow kets transform irreducibly under causal Poincar\'e transformations and have an exponential time evolution. Therefore one can choose of the many possible width parameters, the width ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{R}$ of the relativistic resonance such that the lifetime $\ensuremath{\tau}=\ensuremath{\hbar}/{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{R}$. This leads to the parametrization ${s}_{R}=({M}_{R}\ensuremath{-}i{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{R}/2{)}^{2}$ and uniquely defines these $({M}_{R},{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{R})$ as the mass and width parameters for a resonance. Further it leads to the following new results: Two poles in the same partial wave are given by the sum of two Breit-Wigner amplitudes and by a superposition of two Gamow vectors with each Gamow vector corresponding to one Breit-Wigner amplitude. In addition to the sum of Breit-Wigner amplitudes, the scattering amplitude contains a background amplitude representing direct production of the final state (contact terms). This contact amplitude is associated to a background vector representing the nonexponential energy continuum; omitting it gives the two interfering exponentials of the Weisskopf-Wigner methods. To accomplish all this required a minor modification in the foundation of quantum theory, which led to a quantum theory that contains the time asymmetry of causality.
Employment-Based Health Insurance and the Effectiveness of Intrafirm Competition between Insurance Providers

This paper examines the effects of competition between insurers for the patronage of a firm’s employees. Since for employment-based health insurance the employee choice of health insurance plans is often limited, the availability of competing plans in the market does not necessarily reflect competition within the firm. We utilize data from the 1987 National Medical Expenditures Survey (NMES) to examine the effect of intrafirm competition in the employment-based health insurance market. Using switching regression models, we explore the process that sets premiums and the process that sets the net premium/medical cost margins. We find that greater choice results in higher margins and lower premiums. We also find significantly negative health maintenance organization choice effects on both premiums and margins.
Conformation states of the neuronal porosome complex

Porosomes are the universal secretory machinery of the cell plasma membrane, where membrane-bound secretory vesicles transiently dock and fuse to expel intravesicular contents to the environment during cell secretion. In neurons, 12to 17-nm cup-shaped lipoprotein structures possessing a central plug are present at the presynaptic membrane, where 40–50 nm in diameter synaptic vesicles transiently dock and fuse to release neurotransmitters. The neuronal porosome complex has been isolated, its composition determined and it has been both structurally and functionally reconstituted in artificial lipid membranes. Earlier studies using AFM (atomic force microscopy), EM (electron microscopy), electron density and 3D contour mapping provide the structure and assembly of proteins within the neuronal porosome complex at the nanoscale level. A set of eight protein units lining the neuronal porosome cup is present, each connected via spoke-like elements to a central plug, hypothesized for the rapid opening and closing of the structure to the outside. In the present study, ultrahigh-resolution imaging of the presynaptic membrane of isolated synaptosome preparations demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of neuronal porosomes in both their open and close conformations. The results suggests that the central plug is retracted into the porosome cup in its open conformation and pushed outward to seal the porosome opening, supporting the hypothesis that it operates as the opening–closing device of the complex.
1117 DECREASED SENSITIVITY OF SERUM PARATHYROID HORMONE (PTH) TO HYPERCALCEMIA IN NEWBORNS

The supression of neonatal PTH by calcium has not been studied. Theoretically, decreased neonatal parathyroid glandular response to hypocalcemia may be associated with decreased PTH response to hypercalcemia. In 29 “exchange” transfusions (ET) with citrated blood in 25 neonates, we studied the supressibility of PTH from Ca bolus at the 100ml mark of ET. Infants had birth wt (mean±SD) 1732±656g, gestation 32± 4wks, postnatal age 5.2±3.8d and 5 min Apgar 6.8±2.6. There was a significant rise of serum PTH (ΔPTH1) in response to decrease in ionized Ca of 1.4mg/dl during the first 100ml ET. At the 100ml mark of ET after Ca 9mg bolus, ionized Ca rose by 2.6mg/dl. Serum PTH (normal adults <180μl-Eq/ml) dropped from 218±16 SE to 184±16, 167± 13 and 169±11 at 1,2 and 3 min postCa respectively (paired t, p< .01). The nadir of PTH occured at 1 min in 20/29 occasions. Δ2 PTH (postCa change of PTH from 0-min to nadir) was correlated with Δ1-PTH, change of PTH in response to hypocalcemia (Spearman r=.47, p<.02). Lesser response of Δ2-PTH occured with lower pre-exchange serum Ca (r=0.59, p<.01) and Mg (r=0.63, p< .01); no correlation of Δ2PTH was obtained with postnatal age, gestational age and Apgars. Thus, infants with low serum Ca and Mg have lower PTH responsivity to hypercalcemia; infants with low PTH response to hypocalcemia also have low response to hypercalcemia; we speculate that the parathyroids of infants with hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia are less responsive to changes in calcium.
An examination of the association between DRD4 and DRD2 polymorphisms and personality traits

Abstract To date, evidence supporting a positive association between the 7-repeat allele of the D4 dopamine receptor (DRD4) exon III 48 bp polymorphism and Novelty Seeking (NS) has been mixed, with some studies confirming and others refuting the association. A positive association between NS and the minor Taq 1 A allele (A1) of the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) has also been reported. In the present study, we sought to replicate the associations between the DRD4 and DRD2 polymorphisms and various personality traits, as measured by the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 137 families ( n =348) assessed as part of the ongoing Minnesota Twin Family Study. The data were analyzed at both the individual-level, to maximize comparability with previous studies, and at the family-level, to control for population stratification. The DRD4 and DRD2 polymorphisms were not associated with MPQ measures related to NS, results that may cast doubt on the generalizability of previous positive findings.
Chronic ethanol exposure stimulates endothelial cell nitric oxide production through PI-3 kinase-and hsp90-dependent mechanisms.

: Background: Chronic ethanol (EtOH) ingestion increases the incidence of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a severe form of acute lung injury characterized by endothelial and epithelial barrier dysfunction. The regulated production of nitric oxide (NO) by the endothelium plays a central role in normal vascular function, and alterations in NO production have been implicated in barrier dysfunction. Although previous reports examined the impact of acute EtOH stimulation on endothelial NO production, this study extends those observations to clarify mechanisms of chronic EtOH-mediated alterations in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and NO production. Methods: Porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) were treated with EtOH (0.04–0.16%, w/v) for 72 hr in sealed chambers to prevent evaporation. NO release and eNOS expression were determined to examine the effect of chronic EtOH stimulation on endothelial NO metabolism. Results: While there was no change in the extent of phosphorylated eNOS at ser1177, chronic EtOH stimulation caused dose-dependent increases in NO production and increased eNOS expression, effects that were attenuated by the transcriptional inhibitor, alpha-amanitin (AA), and wortmannin, a specific phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3 K) inhibitor. EtOH stimulation also increased eNOS interaction with heat shock protein (hsp90), a molecular chaperone known to enhance eNOS activity. Geldanamycin, an hsp90 inhibitor, attenuated chronic EtOH-mediated increases in NO production. Conclusions: These results indicate that chronic EtOH exposure increases endothelial NO production by increasing eNOS protein levels through PI3 K-dependent up regulation of eNOS gene transcription and by increasing interactions between eNOS and hsp90. These findings clarify mechanisms by which chronic EtOH stimulation modulates vascular endothelial function and suggest new targets for investigation and intervention in EtOH-induced alterations in susceptibility to lung injury.
The P-matrix problem is co-NP-complete

Recently Rohn and Poljak proved that for interval matrices with rank-one radius matrices testing singularity is NP-complete. This paper will show that given any matrix family belonging to the class of matrix polytopes with hypercube domains and rank-one perturbation matrices, a class which contains the interval matrices, testing singularity reduces to testing whether a certain matrix is not a P-matrix. It follows from this result that the problem of testing whether a given matrix is a P-matrix is co-NP-complete.
A simple large-volume cell suitable for multiparameter measurements in the Aminco-Chance spectrophotometer.

In order to better understand cellular and subcellular phenomena it is desirable to observe multiple parameters such as pH, various ion movements, optical density at various wavelengths, and kinetics of oxygen consumption. Instrumentation for the measurement of these kinds of parameters has been carefully described by Pressman (11, who used a rectangular cuvet with a plastic covrr fitted with an oxygen electrode, a I(+ electrode and a pH electrode. Fluorescence and light scattering measurements are made with the appropriate light sources and photomultipliers situated at the sides of the cuvet and after proper amplification the signals from these sensors are recorded simultaneously. In this communication we would like to describe a simple cuvet suitable for multiparameter measurements adapted for use with the spectrophotometer designed by Chance (2) and commercially available from the American Instrument Co. as a dual-wavelength split-beam spectrophotometer. Figure 1 shows the essential features of the cell, including the measurements which are critical for the positioning of the cell in the spectrophotometer. Since the cell is patterned after the Bl-65103 cuvet carrier, it fits without modification into the spect’rophotometer just as one would position the cell carriers which come as standard equipment with the instrument. This also ensures that t’he light beam will strike the cuvet properly. The entire cell was made from cast methyl methacrylate except the optical surfaces, viz., t’he two sides of the stirring chamber and one end which is used for fluorescence or light scattering measurements.
13C magnetic resonance investigation of mercury (II) binding to nucleosides and thiolated nucleosides in dimethyl sulfoxide.

Abstract Natural abundance, proton-decoupled 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy is shown to be a useful technique for identifying the mercury(II) binding sites on nucleosides and especially thiolated nucleosides. Measurements made on dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 solutions, 0.5 M in nucleoside and 0.15 M in mercury, reveal that both CH3 HgCl and HgCl2 bind principally to the sulfur atoms of s6 Guo and s8 Guo. The 13C NMR spectra of the unthiolated nucleosides in the presence of excess (4 : 1) mercury reveal that HgCl2 binds to N-3 of cytidine, to more than one site on adenosine and guanosine, but not strongly to uridine. Excess HgCl2 shifts the thiocarbonyl carbon atoms in s6 Guo and s8 Guo approx. 16 ppm upfield compared to the free nucleosides, and there is evidence for additional coordination to N-7 of s6 Guo. Binding to the ribose hydroxyl groups is clearly ruled out. At least in these instances, 13C NMR proves to be useful for assigning the mercury(II) binding sites, complementing the results of proton magnetic resonance studies. Proton NMR data for the binding of CH3 HgCl and HgCl2 to s6 Guo and s8 Guo are also presented.
On Existence of Hard Limits in Autocatalytic Networks and Their Fundamental Tradeoffs

Abstract In this paper, we derive sufficient and necessary conditions for existence of hard limits in interconnected networks of autocatalytic pathways. The existing hard limits are characterized as a lower bound on a performance measure (L2-norm of an output signal). We show that underlying digraph of the network plays an important role in emergence of such hard limits.
Attenuation of Systemic and Cerebrovascular Nitrite (NO2-) and Nitrate(NO3-) Levels With High Dose Morphine Sulfate (MS) Infusion in Newborn Piglets 354

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity has been shown to increase in brain during MS withdrawal. We examined the effect of high dose MS infusion on nitric oxide (NO) end products (NO2-+NO3-) in the systemic and cerebrovascular circulation, as well as in brain tissue. Six newborn piglets received a loading dose of 100 μg/kg MS over 5 minutes, followed by a continuous i.v. infusion of 100 μg/kg/hr for 4 hours. Six control newborn piglets received equivalent volumes of D5W. Systemic arterial and sagittal sinus vein blood samples were drawn at 0, 30 minutes post-bolus, 1, 2, 3, & 4 hrs during infusion, and at 1 & 2 hrs post infusion, for determination of total NO2-+NO3- levels by the Greiss method. At the end of the experiment, the brain was removed and regional (cortex, thalamus, brain stem, cerebellum, periventricular area and choroid plexus) NO2-+NO3- levels were assessed in brain tissue homogenates (nmol/mg protein). Systemic and cerebrovascular NO2-+NO3- levels did not change in the control group over the experimental time. In contrast, systemic NO2-+NO3- levels decreased at 2 hrs during infusion (6.5±1.0 μM, p<0.01), and at 1 hr(6.4±2.0 μM, p<0.01) and 2 hrs (8.3±0.8 μM,p<0.01) post-infusion versus baseline (14.4±1.2 μM). Similarly, cerebrovascular NO2-+NO3- levels decreased significantly at 30 minutes post-bolus (9.6±0.4 μM,p<0.05), and at 2 hrs (8.2±0.8 μM, p<0.01) and 3 hrs (8.4±1.5 μM, p<0.01) during infusion versus baseline (12.8±0.4 μM). No differences in regional brain NO end products were detected between control and MS-treated animals. These data indicate that high dose MS infusion results in decreased NO production in the systemic and cerebrovascular circulation, but not in brain tissue. This response may be due to the direct effect of MS on vascular endothelial cells.
Angular averaged profiling of the radial electric field in compensated FTICR Cells.

A recent publication from this laboratory reported a theoretical analysis comparing approaches for creating harmonic ICR cells. We considered two examples of static segmented cells—namely, a seven segment cell developed in this laboratory and one described by Rempel et al., along with a recently described dynamically harmonized cell by Boldin and Nikolaev. This conceptual design for a dynamically harmonized cell has now been reduced to practice and first experimental results obtained with this cell were recently reported in this journal; this publication reported details of cell construction and described its performance in a 7 tesla Fourier transform mass spectrometer. We describe the extension of theoretical analysis creating harmonic ICR cells to include angular-averaged radial electric field calculations and a discussion of the influence of trapping plates.
Self-esteem, need gratification, and work satisfaction: A test of competing explanations from consistency theory and self-enhancement theory

Abstract A sample of 112 administrators provided self-report data used to test two hypotheses derived from Korman's consistency model of work behavior. As predicted, those with high self-esteem experienced significantly greater need gratification than did those with low self-esteem, and self-esteem also significantly positively moderated the relationship between n gratification and work satisfaction. Need gratification was assessed for only those needs that were most salient for each person, thus eliminating a rival interpretation of the findings derived from the self-enhancement model of self-esteem. The moderating effect of self-esteem on the n gratification-work satisfaction relationship was limited to those experiencing low levels of n gratification, indicating a possible “boundary condition” of consistency theory. A problem with the use of moderator variables in behavioral science was also discussed.
Suprabulbar modulation of reflex swallowing.

Abstract In anesthetized cats, reflex deglutition elicited by electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve was facilitated by concurrent stimulation of points along a classical projection extending from the orbital gyrus to the pons, as well as by activation of diencephalic and midbrain ventral tegmental sites outside this corticobulbar trajectory. Extensive damage to the corticifugal projection had no effect on facilitation induced by diencephalic and mesencephalic stimulation, whereas reflex facilitation was either diminished or abolished by chronic diencephalic lesions which encroached upon the medial and rostral components of the ventral amygdalo-hypothalamic projection system. Supportive evidence suggests that facilitation of swallowing may also involve ventromedial tegmental dopamine neuron projections to the basal forebrain.
Computational Identification of Diverse Mechanisms Underlying Transcription Factor-DNA Occupancy

ChIP-based genome-wide assays of transcription factor (TF) occupancy have emerged as a powerful, high-throughput method to understand transcriptional regulation, especially on a global scale. This has led to great interest in the underlying biochemical mechanisms that direct TF-DNA binding, with the ultimate goal of computationally predicting a TF's occupancy profile in any cellular condition. In this study, we examined the influence of various potential determinants of TF-DNA binding on a much larger scale than previously undertaken. We used a thermodynamics-based model of TF-DNA binding, called “STAP,” to analyze 45 TF-ChIP data sets from Drosophila embryonic development. We built a cross-validation framework that compares a baseline model, based on the ChIP'ed (“primary”) TF's motif, to more complex models where binding by secondary TFs is hypothesized to influence the primary TF's occupancy. Candidates interacting TFs were chosen based on RNA-SEQ expression data from the time point of the ChIP experiment. We found widespread evidence of both cooperative and antagonistic effects by secondary TFs, and explicitly quantified these effects. We were able to identify multiple classes of interactions, including (1) long-range interactions between primary and secondary motifs (separated by ≤150 bp), suggestive of indirect effects such as chromatin remodeling, (2) short-range interactions with specific inter-site spacing biases, suggestive of direct physical interactions, and (3) overlapping binding sites suggesting competitive binding. Furthermore, by factoring out the previously reported strong correlation between TF occupancy and DNA accessibility, we were able to categorize the effects into those that are likely to be mediated by the secondary TF's effect on local accessibility and those that utilize accessibility-independent mechanisms. Finally, we conducted in vitro pull-down assays to test model-based predictions of short-range cooperative interactions, and found that seven of the eight TF pairs tested physically interact and that some of these interactions mediate cooperative binding to DNA.
On asymptotic properties of supervised learning

Summary form only given, as follows. Certain asymptotic properties of supervised learning algorithms are developed. It is noted that there is a strong resemblance between the supervised learning and adaptive filtering problems. Almost sure convergence is established. The usual IID assumption on the data is weakened. The limiting distribution of a normalized sequence is obtained. In fact, a functional central limit theorem is derived. Such asymptotic normality is then utilized to design a practical stopping rule, which is based on the construction of ellipsoidal confidence regions. To ensure the boundedness of the iterates in the learning algorithms, several truncation or projection methods are described and the convergence is discussed. >
Possible role of citrate in the control of epinephrine-stimulated glycogenolysis in rat heart.

Possible Role of Citrate in the Control of Epinephrine Stimulated Glycogenolysis in Rat Heart
An adaptive continuation-multigrid method for the balanced vortex model☆

Obtaining solutions of the Eliassen balanced vortex model requires solving an invertibility relation, which is a nonlinear elliptic problem of the Monge-Ampere type. Multigrid techniques for this problem are investigated. An adaptive algorithm which combines the full multigrid method with continuation in a parameter related to the strength of the forcing is developed. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of this algorithm.
Disrupting mycorrhizal mutualisms: a potential mechanism by which exotic tamarisk outcompetes native cottonwoods

The disruption of mutualisms between plants and mycorrhizal fungi is a potentially powerful mechanism by which invasives can negatively impact native species, yet our understanding of this mechanism's role in exotic species invasion is still in its infancy. Here, we provide several lines of evidence indicating that invasive tamarisk (Tamarix sp.) negatively affects native cottonwoods (Populus fremontii) by disrupting their associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi. At a field site in the early stages of tamarisk invasion, cottonwoods with tamarisk neighbors had reduced EM colonization and altered EM fungal community composition relative to cottonwoods with native neighbors, leading to reductions in EM propagule abundance in the soil beneath tamarisk. Similarly, AM colonization of cottonwoods was reduced with a tamarisk neighbor, but there were no significant changes in AM fungal spore communities or propagule abundance. Root colonization by nonmycorrhizal fungi, including potential pathogens, was higher in cottonwoods with tamarisk neighbors. A greenhouse experiment in which AM and EM inoculation and plant neighbor were manipulated in a fully factorial design showed that cottonwoods benefited from mycorrhizas, especially EM, in terms of shoot biomass when grown with a conspecific, but shoot biomass was similar to that of nonmycorrhizal controls when cottonwoods were grown with a tamarisk neighbor. These results are partially explained by a reduction in EM but not AM colonization of cottonwoods by a tamarisk neighbor. Tamarisk neighbors negatively affected cottonwood specific leaf area, but not chlorophyll content, in the field. To pinpoint a mechanism for these changes, we measured soil chemistry in the field and the growth response of an EM fungus (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) to salt-amended media in the laboratory. Tamarisk increased both NO3− concentrations and electrical conductivity 2.5-fold beneath neighboring cottonwoods in the field. Salt-amended media did not affect the growth of H. crustuliniforme. Our findings demonstrate that a nonnative species, even in the early stages of invasion, can negatively affect a native species by disrupting its mycorrhizal symbioses. Some of these changes in mycorrhizal fungal communities may remain as legacy effects of invasives, even after their removal, and should be considered in management and restoration efforts.
Level of postoperative analgesia is a critical factor in regulation of myometrial contractility after laparotomy in the pregnant baboon: Implications for human fetal surgery

Abstract Objectives: We used 2 dosage levels of postoperative opioid administration to determine whether the degree of postoperative analgesia after laparotomy during the last third of baboon pregnancy alters maternal pituitary-adrenal function, androgen secretion, and placental estrogen production. We also determined the relationship of estrogen production to surgery-induced increase in myometrial contraction activity. Study Design: After laparotomy under halothane general anesthesia at 0.75 gestation, 10 pregnant baboons were administered intra-arterially either a normal dose or a double dose of the opioid analgesic buprenorphine for 48 hours. Maternal plasma samples for steroid hormone and oxytocin analyses were obtained at circadian time 1000 hours and at circadian time 1800 hours, 4 hours before and 4 hours after the lights went off, respectively. Myometrial electromyographic contraction activity was quantified for the 6 hours from circadian time 1100 hours to circadian time 1700 hours. Results: Maternal plasma cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations were lower in the dark period (at circadian time 1800 hours) than during daylight (at circadian time 1000 hours) in the double-dose group but not the normal dose group. In contrast, maternal plasma estradiol level was higher at circadian time 1800 hours than at circadian time 1000 hours in the normal dose group but not in the double-dose group. Maternal plasma estrogen level was higher during the hours of darkness in the normal dose group than in the double-dose group. Furthermore the number of myometrial contractions around the onset of darkness was greater in the normal dose group than in the double-dose group. Conclusions: The double dose of analgesia results in lower maternal nighttime plasma estradiol concentrations and significantly less nocturnal contraction activity. These observations further confirm an association between increased maternal plasma estrogen concentrations and increased myometrial contractility in the nonhuman primate. In addition, they suggest that adjustment of the level of postoperative analgesia may be of importance in preventing premature labor after chuman intrauterine fetal surgery. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:1196-201.)
Phonon Spectroscopy of Germanium-Silicon Tunnel Heterojunctions

The energies of the optical and acoustical phonons in germanium-silicon tunnel heterojunctions have been measured by observing the structure in the current-voltage characteristics at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K caused by the emission of such phonons. The phonon spectra are not characteristic of either germanium or silicon alone, and show that the units are not merely a germanium contact to a silicon homojunction or vice versa. Strain and interface effects give rise to a large number of weak background lines. Unusual resistance anomalies have been observed near $V=0$.
Pancreatic Cancer and Thromboembolism in the Ambulatory Community

Pancreatic exocrine adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies associated with thromboembolism. The authors summarize the two abstracts (#368 and #273) presented at the 2012 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium which were focused on pancreatic thrombosis in ambulatory patients. In addition, they discuss the risk of thrombosis associated with malignancy, chemotherapy, and erythropoietin stimulating agents and the management and implications thereof.
Combined discrete subaortic stenosis and ventricular septal defect in infants and children

Eight patients, aged 1 to 8 years, with discrete subaortic stenosis (DSS) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) were studied by 2-dimensional (2-D) and M-mode echocardiography. Initial cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography showed VSD and other associated cardiac lesions, including coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus. None had evidence of DSS. Six patients underwent surgical repair of the associated lesions, but none required closure of the VSD. Ultimately, 6 patients had spontaneous closure of VSD, and 2 had a residual small VSD. Subsequent serial echocardiography showed evidence of subaortic membrane, prompting repeat cardiac catheterization, which confirmed moderate to severe peak systolic pressure gradients between the left ventricle and ascending aorta. Surgical resection of the membrane was performed in 5 patients. Thus, in patients with small or spontaneously closed VSDs, DSS may develop. Evaluation of the left ventricular outflow tract area is recommended in patients with small or closed VSD in whom a significant heart murmur or electrocardiographic abnormality remains.
The Lived Experience of Feeling Disappointed A Parse Research Method Study

The purpose of this study was to enhance understanding of the lived experience of feeling disappointed. The research question was: What is the structure of the lived experience of feeling disappointed? Parse’s phenomenological-used to answer the research question. Participants included 7 women and 2 men ranging in age from 46 to 80 years of age. The major finding of this study is: feeling disappointed is disheartening discontent with diminishing aspirations, as diverse affiliations surface in prevailing with struggle. New knowledge emerging from the study is presented along with recommendations for future research and implications for nursing practice.
Performance Measurement and Product Costing in the AMT Environment: A Literature Review

U.S. manufacturers are making significant changes in the way they do business. Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) enables firms to become more competitive in the international marketplace. However, many firms have found that their management accounting systems are woefully out of date. Such systems should be designed to provide relevant information concerning product costs, process control and performance evaluation. Obsolete management accounting systems (MAS), however, are not able to capture the realities of operating in an AMT environment. As a result, managers are faced with either dealing with irrelevant information for product costing and performance evaluation or developing new management accounting systems that provide relevant information.
Rash and Neurological Symptoms

t r p f n a t c t r. Jenny McCormick: Today’s case is that of a 38ear-old woman who presented to the Emergency Deartment (ED) with complaints of bruising and transient pisodes of numbness, tingling, and speech disturbance. en days before arrival in the ED, the patient noticed arge bruises on her thighs and arms, as well as several red dots” on her lower legs. Over the next few days, she oticed new bruising after minimal trauma. Three days efore arrival, she noticed a tingling sensation in the ight 4th and 5th fingers that resolved in 10–15 min. The ollowing morning, the patient noticed a similar numb nd tingling feeling in her left arm and left leg, which esolved within half an hour. The day before presentaion, she noted trouble controlling her saliva, and then eveloped numbness in her right leg with weakness such hat the leg was dragging. This again resolved within half n hour. Later that evening, she suddenly felt that she ould not speak or communicate, and symptoms again esolved within 30 min. She decided to seek medical ttention. At the time of her presentation to the ED, the atient’s symptoms had completely resolved. Is there any urther information you would like to know about the nitial presentation? Dr. David Peak: Did the patient have any systemic omplaints to go along with the neurological symptoms, r any history of increased bleeding? Dr. McCormick: The patient denied any lighteadedness, dizziness, seizures, headaches, or visual sympoms. There was no abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,
A comparison of spectral smoothing methods for segment concatenation based speech synthesis

There are many scenarios in both speech synthesis and coding in which adjacent time-frames of speech are spectrally discontinuous. This paper addresses the topic of improving concatenative speech synthesis with a limited database by proposing methods to smooth, adjust, or interpolate the spectral transitions between speech segments. The objective is to produce natural-sounding speech via segment concatenation when formants and other spectral features do not align properly. We consider several methods for adjusting the spectra at the boundaries between waveform segments. Techniques examined include optimal coupling, waveform interpolation (WI), linear predictive parameter interpolation, and psychoacoustic closure. Several of these algorithms have been previously developed for either coding or synthesis, while others are enhanced. We also consider the connection between speech science and articulation in determining the type of smoothing appropriate for given phoneme-phoneme transitions. Moreover, this work incorporates the use of a recently-proposed auditory-neural based distance measure (ANBM), which employs a computational model of the auditory system to assess perceived spectral discontinuities. We demonstrate how actual ANBM scores can be used to help determine the need for smoothing. In addition, formal evaluation of four smoothing methods, using the ANBM and extensive listener tests, reveals that smoothing can distinctly improve the quality of speech but when applied inappropriately can also degrade the quality. It is shown that after proper spectral smoothing, or spectral interpolation, the final synthesized speech sounds more natural and has a more continuous spectral structure.
Learning attack strategies from intrusion alerts

Understanding strategies of attacks is crucial for security applications such as computer and network forensics, intrusion response, and prevention of future attacks. This paper presents techniques to automatically learn attack strategies from correlated intrusion alerts. Central to these techniques is a model that represents an attack strategy as a graph of attacks with constraints on the attack attributes and the temporal order among these attacks. To learn the intrusion strategy is then to extract such a graph from a sequences of intrusion alerts. To further facilitate the analysis of attack strategies, which is essential to many security applications such as computer and network forensics, this paper presents techniques to measure the similarity between attack strategies. The basic idea is to reduces the similarity measurement of attack strategies into error-tolerant graph/subgraph isomorphism problem, and measures the similarity between attack strategies in terms of the cost to transform one strategy into another. Finally, this paper presents some experimental results, which demonstrate the potential of the proposed techniques.
Creep in Cellulose Acetate Filaments

The elongation of a series of single cellulose acetate filaments stressed for a period of 29 days with a constant load has been measured at relative humidity values ranging from 0 to 100% in nominal steps of 10%. The creep (elongation under constant stress) continues indefinitely but at a rapidly decreasing rate in all the fibres. The rate of creep is found to decrease with the total time of stressing with certain superimposed discontinuities which scem to indicate transitions frorn one manner of shear slip to another. The amount of creep at the end of any arbitrarily fixed time increases slowly between 0 and about 60% relative humidity, but above 60% the increase is very rapid. Rupture seems to be governed by a limiting elongation (maximum strain).
The ultraviolet photodissociation dynamics of pyrrole

Photofragment translational spectroscopy was used to study the photodissociation of pyrmle at 193 and 248 nm under collisionfree conditions. Five prhnary dissociation channels were observed at 193 nm. Two channels resulted from cleavage of the N-H bond to yield H + pyrrolyl radical with one channel following internal conversion (IC) to the ground state ( = 21%) and the other originating from electronically excited pyrrole ( = 30%). Two dissociation channels involved elimination of HCN following IC. One channel producing HCN + vinylmethylene ( = 25%) following ring opening and hydrogen migration and the other proceeding via a bridged 3H-pyrrole intermediate to form HCN + cyclopropene ( = 24%). The last channel at 193 mn involved IC to the ground state followed by ring opening and N-C bond cleavage to form NH + CHCCHCH, ( < 1%). At 248 nm three dissociation channels were observed, all of which involved the elimination of atomic hydrogen. Analogous to the results at 193 nm, two of these channels resulted from cleavage of the N-H bond with one channel following IC ( ~42%) and the other dissociating from an excited electronic state ( = 47%). The third dissociation channel at 248 nm involved the cleavage of one of the two C-H bonds in electronically excited pyrrole ( = 11%). Translational energy distributions were determined for all observed dissociation channels. From consideration of the maximum translational energy of the photofragments D,,(N-H) = 88 f 2 kcal/mol, I&,( C-H) = 112.5 f 1 kcal/mol and A&(pyrrolyl radical) = 62 f 2 kcal/mol were determined.
Duality between failure detection and radar/optical maneuver detection

The two distinct technical specialty areas of failure detection in stochastic dynamical systems and the detection and tracking of target maneuvers by radar or optics are identified as two separate disciplines that have achieved results by using modeling techniques. These techniques can be cross-applied to the other specialty area, which is revealed to have in common the same underlying mathematical formulation of the even detection problem. >
A failed demonstration of sun sign astrology1

Abstract A 2013 paper by Adel, Hossain, and Johnson presented findings that seem to support a tenet of astrology: the relationship between birth sign and celebrity. However, their finding was simply an artifact of assigning an arbitrary starting point to the zodiac signs and, consequently, the data do not support the validity of astrology.
La seducción sexual infantil: revolución y repercusiones de la teoría de Freud

There is no question about the negative effects of child sexual abuse. Freud's seduction theory asserts that psychoneuroses in adults are caused by reactivation of forgotten recollections of gross sexual abuse (involving the genitals) that had taken place prior to the age of 8 to 10 years. His contribution consisted in the discovery of specific events, prior to puberty, which were indispensable to the formation of psychoneuroses. If an adult patient recalled an infantile sexual experience, Freud assumed the interference of a pervert: a child was sexually innocent unless it had been traumatized. But Freud's technique of clinical exploration had not attained adequate reliability and was not immune to prejudices. Freud himself dropped his mechanical, static theory that presupposed a single type of accidentally occurring trauma prior to puberty, allowing him to develop his new drive and fantasy theory.
A Tribute to the Second Sigma

These pages are graced by David Wallace's presidential address. He delivered it to the members of the American Association for Public Opinion Research and their guests at the Fourteenth Annual Conference on May 16, 1959, in the Sagamore Hotel at Bolton Landing, Lake George, New York. The Proceedings of the Conference over which he presided appear elsewhere in this issue. David Wallace served as President of the American Association for Public Opinion Research during the 1958-1959 term. He is currendy interrupting his research career for a year of study at Columbia University and lecturing at the New School of Social Research. He was formerly on the staff of the M-E-L Division of the Ford Motor Company.
ON RECURSIVENESS AND RELATED TOPICS IN LINEAR SYSTEMS: A SUMMARY

A summary of the results on the decomposition of matrix formal power series, obtained in ANTOULAS [1986], is presented. Consider the finite or infinite sequence of data points (e.g., measurements) $$S{\kern 1pt} = {\kern 1pt} ({A_1},{A_2},...,{A_N},...)$$ where A t are p×m (constant) matrices, with real or complex entries. A fundamental problem is to reconstruct, or model, the mechanism that generates the given data S.
Coherence and Dephasing

This chapter launches a more advanced discussion of the dynamics of systems comprised of many molecules with multiple quantum states and complex intermolecular interactions. We introduce the density matrix of an ensemble and show how the stochastic Liouville equation and the Redfield relaxation matrix describe its time dependence, and we examine mechanisms and effects of dephasing by static inhomogeneity and dynamic interactions with the surroundings. We relate these notions to the rates of absorption and stimulated emission during continuous illumination, and show how they can account for the remarkable “quantum Zeno” effect. We consider several different spectral-density functions and increasingly general relaxation functions, and discuss how these affect absorption and emission lineshapes. As a final illustration of effects of electronic coherence, we consider the anomalous fluorescence anisotropy of systems with several excited states.
Mobility Disadvantage and Livelihood Opportunities of Marginalized Widowed Women in Rural Uganda

The adverse effect of mobility restrictions on the livelihood of economically marginalized women in rural Africa is considerable. This study investigates the space–time paths of twenty-seven widowe...
Analysis of Particulate and Gaseous Emissions Data from In-Use Diesel Passenger Cars

Analyse chimique des gaz d'echappement, test Ames de mutagenicite des particules. Importance de la maniere de conduire et du kilometrage sur le taux des polluants
Cerebral blood flow does not change following sodium nitroprusside infusion during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) associated with decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) produced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) infusion were measured by intra-aortic injection of 133Xe in 17 patients during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In each patient, CBF was determined at baseline and then again following SNP-induced reduction of MAP. Two groups were studied. In Group I (n = 9), PaCO2 was maintained near 42 mm Hg uncorrected for nasopharyngeal temperature (NPT). In Group II (n = 8), PaCO2 was maintained near 60 mm Hg, uncorrected for NPT. Nasopharyngeal temperature, MAP, pump oxygenator flow, PaO2, and hematocrit were maintained within a narrow range in each patient during both studies. Since the baseline CBF determinations were conducted at the higher MAP in all subjects, we corrected post-SNP CBF data for the spontaneous decline that occurs over time during CPB. In Group I, a reduction in MAP from 76 +/- 9 mm Hg (mean +/- SD) to 50 +/- 6 mm Hg was associated with a reduction in CBF from 17 +/- 5 to 13 +/- 3 ml.100 g.min-1 (P less than 0.01), a decrease that became statistically insignificant once the time correction factor had been applied (16 +/- 4 ml.100 g-1.min-1). In Group II, MAP declined from 75 +/- 5 mm Hg to 54 +/- 5 mm Hg, and CBF declined from 25 +/- 10 to 17 +/- 7 ml.100 g.min-1 (P less than 0.01), but, again, after time correction, the CBF decline was statistically insignificant (22 +/- 8 ml.100 g-1.min-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Modeling Studies on Lean NOx Reduction by a Sequence of LNT–SCR Bricks

Several experimental studies have been conducted to determine the NOx reduction by a series of LNT (lean NOx trap) and SCR (selective catalytic reduction) catalytic bricks. An important goal is to minimize the required precious metal loading in the LNT while keeping the NOx emission below a specified level. We present a mathematical model of this system using hydrogen as the reductant. Simulations are used to determine the influence of the architecture of the LNT–SCR bricks, nonuniform precious metal loading in the LNT bricks, and the cycle time at temperatures in the range of 200–350 °C. The simulations lead to the following observations: (a) Low temperature reduction is the limiting step in the optimization of precious group metal (PGM) loading in LNT. (b) The NOx conversion increases as the number of the sequential bricks (with total length fixed) increase and reaches an asymptotic limit. From a practical point of view, there is little incentive in using more than two sequential pairs. (c) Nonuniform p...