cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Myth of “The Tangle of Pathology”: Resilience Strategies Employed by Middle-Class African American Families

ABSTRACT This pilot study identifies resilience strategies and child-rearing practices employed by African American parents to promote the development of children along achievement-oriented trajectories as they socialize their children to become successful adults. The subsequent parenting practices, as shaped by two ancillaries of racial socialization-social class and gender expectations, were also explored. In-depth interviews with two middle-class African American families resulted in findings categorized into nine themes, including the achievement of personal goals, the importance of education, events that reinforce positive self-images, the importance of family and family activities, responsibility and respect, religion, protection of children, and racial and gender-specific socialization. The study suggests traditional child-rearing practices and parenting strategies employed by African American families appear to be influenced more by racial culture than social class.
Simultaneous elution of heavy metals and organic compounds from soil by cyclodextrin

A major factor complicating the cleanup of many sites is the co-occurrence of organic compounds and heavy metals, so-called mixed wastes. We investigated the ability of cyclodextrin to simultaneously remove heavy metals and low-polarity organic compounds from contaminated soil. The results of the experiments showed that cyclodextrin could greatly enhance the simultaneous desorption and elution of the model organic compound (phenanthrene) and the model heavy metal (cadmium) from the three soils examined. The soils consisted of a sandy aquifer material containing minimal organic carbon and clay, a soil with a relatively high clay content (10.2%), and a soil with a relatively high organic carbon content (1.4%). Elution of phenanthrene that was in contact with soil for 38 days exhibited greater tailing than the unaged phenanthrene when water was the flushing solution, indicating greater resistance to desorption and removal. Conversely, the elution curves for the aged and unaged phenanthrene were essentially i...
Tracking Controller for Output Feedback Linear Time Delay Systems

Some preliminary results are presented on a tracking controller design for observable vector feedback linear time delay systems. The design is carried out in two steps. The first is to find the output feedback controller which stabilizes the given system and also satisfies the transient requirements. This is accomplished by finding a control which minimizes a cost function for a particular initial condition. Then a feedforward controller is derived for tracking a polynomial reference input. An example is given to illustrate the proposed controller.
Apheresis treatment of recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after kidney transplantation: Re-analysis of published case-reports and case-series

A systematic re-analysis of published cases was performed to better define the role of plasmapheresis in the treatment recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after renal transplantation. Forty-four cases were identified, of which 32 responded to apheresis. The median number of treatments to response was 9. There was no difference between responders and nonresponders in the total number of treatments performed. The presence of sclerosis on biopsy predicted treatment failure. Relapse after first successful treatment was reported in 10 cases. The median number of treatments received was less and the time from diagnosis to first treatment was greater for patients who relapsed than for patients in whom relapse was not reported, but the differences were not statistically significant. On the basis of this analysis, we recommend early treatment after diagnosis with a regimen of three daily plasmapheresis treatments followed by 6 treatments on an every other day basis.
The Opie compiler from row-major source to Morton-ordered matrices

The Opie Project aims to develop a compiler to transform C codes written for row-major matrix representation into equivalent codes for Morton-order matrix representation, and to apply its techniques to other languages. Accepting a possible reduction in performance we seek to compile a library of usable code to support future development of new algorithms better suited to Morton-ordered matrices.This paper reports the formalism behind the OPIE compiler for C, its status: now compiling several standard Level-2 and Level-3 linear algebra operations, and a demonstration of a breakthrough reflected in a huge reduction of L1, L2, TLB misses. Overall performance improves on the Intel Xeon architecture.
Vascular Anastomoses in Growing Vessels: The Use of Absorbable Sutures

Abstract Primary end-to-end infrarenal aortic anastomoses were performed in 36 piglets using two synthetic absorbable suture materials: polydioxanone and coated polyglactin. Animals were killed at 1, 4, and 11 weeks and 6 months following operation. Each aorta was removed, burst-tested to 300 mm Hg, radiographed, and examined histologically. All anastomoses were patent, and no burst-test failures occurred. Stenosis occurred in 14 of 17 animals at 1 and 4 weeks, respectively. One of 5 animals exhibited stenosis at 11 weeks, and none of the 14 animals had stenosis 6 months postoperatively. Histological examination revealed fibrosis replacing areas of disrupted elastica at 6 months in both suture groups. This study suggests that absorbable suture material, in particular polydioxanone, because of its excellent handling characteristics and prolonged tensile strength retention, will be useful for the repair of vascular and cardiac anomalies where growth of the suture line is required.
Potentiation of morphine analgesia in rats given a single exposure to restraint stress immobilization

Abstract Rats exposed to restraint stress and injected with morphine show significantly greater increases in tail-flick latency compared to unstressed rats. However, it is not necessary for rats to be restrained at the time of testing to elicit a potentiated analgesic response to morphine. We reported recently that analgesia induced by 4.0 mg/kg morphine was significantly potentiated in rats that had been restrained for only 1 h at 24 h prior to testing. One purpose of the present study was to extend this observation by determining the ability of a single exposure to restraint stress to potentiate dose-dependently morphine (0.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mg/kg)-induced analgesia in the tail-flick test. A second purpose was to assess the generality of the phenomenon by determining whether prior restraint would potentiate the analgesic effect of morphine in another common analgesic assay, the hot-plate test. Dose- and time-course (20–120 min) curves for morphine were generated in rats exposed to one of two treatments: no restraint stress (NS) and a single exposure to 1 h of restraint (RS). Rats subjected to 1 h of restraint and tested 24 h later displayed significant time- and dose-dependent potentiation (1.3–2.0-fold) of morphine-induced analgesia compared to unstressed rats in both the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. These results demonstrate that a single period of restraint is sufficient to active to the mechanisms responsible for potentiation of morphine-induced analgesia and that the degree to which stress modifies morphine's analgesia can be demonstrated using both the tail-flick and hot-plate assays.
Temporoparietal fascial flap for reconstruction of open wounds in patients previously treated for head and neck cancer

Summary Wound-healing problems with subsequent plate exposure are frequent in patients who have undergone reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer. Management of these wounds is difficult. The objective of this report is to present two head and neck cancer patients with chronic facial wounds and plate exposure after radiation therapy. A temporoparietal fascial flap was used to manage the wound in both cases. From January 2009 to January 2013, there were 37 patients with head and neck cancer who required reconstruction of composite mandibular defects in Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Plate exposure developed in 10 patients, and in two patients the chronic facial wound was treated with a temporoparietal fascial flap. Both the flaps survived, and at 6 months of follow-up the wounds were healed with minimal donor site morbidity. Neither patient experienced alopecia or injury to the facial nerve. The temporoparietal fascial flap is thin, pliable, and well vascularized with a long pedicle, and provides resistant coverage to the recipient site from infection. The temporoparietal fascial flap may be an alternative choice for the reconstruction of head and neck open wounds.
Segmental venous drainage of the canine pancreas

Abstract The head and uncinate process of the canine pancreas are drained by the pancreaticoduodenal vein, and the body and tail of the pancreas are drained via the splenic vein. Occlusion of one venous pathway does not increase the venous return of the other. Radiographic and dye studies of the two venous systems revealed no evidence of a cross-communication. Both venous pathways must be measured if the total venous drainage of the pancreas is under investigation.
THE HIGH-LEVEL EXPRESSION IN ESCHERICHIA COLI OF THE MEMBRANE-BOUND FORM OF HUMAN AND RAT CYTOCHROME B5 AND STUDIES ON THEIR MECHANISM OF FUNCTION

A T7 expression system is described for the high-level production in Escherichia coli of the membrane-bound form of human and rat cytochrome b5. The cDNAs of b5 have been engineered to contain a coding sequence for a four-member histidine domain at the amino-terminus of the recombinant protein permitting the use of a nickel-chelate affinity column for rapid purification of the detergent-solubilized hemoprotein. Results are presented demonstrating the ability of the purified recombinant b5 proteins to stimulate the rate of oxidation of 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone to dehydroepiandrosterone, catalyzed by bovine P450 17A, and to stimulate the 6 beta-hydroxylation of testosterone, catalyzed by human P450 3A4. These P450-catalyzed reactions have been used to compare the properties of different forms of b5. Purified b5 can serve as a "coupling protein" as illustrated by its inhibition of NADPH oxidation, catalyzed by a fusion protein containing the heme domain of P450 3A4 linked to rat NADPH-P450 reductase, and the associated inhibition of hydrogen peroxide formation. Kinetic studies show the formation of a complex of the flavoprotein, NADPH-P450 reductase, with b5 for the rapid transfer of electrons from NADPH.
Value analysis of minimally invasive spine surgery

Abstract The purpose of this article is to acquaint readers with the current methodology and evidence on outcome assessment and economic value for minimally invasive spinal surgical procedures. This article will review the standardized outcome measures, calculations of direct and indirect costs, quality-adjusted life years, and economic comparisons of spinal surgical procedures. The available literature suggests that minimally invasive spine surgery is cost effective; however, further research is needed to better assess the longer-term outcomes and cost–utility benefits of minimally invasive spinal interventions in comparison to open surgical approaches.
Towards Shallow Semantics: The OntoNotes Project

Summary form only given. Many natural language processing (NLP) applications could benefit from a richer model of text meaning than the bag-of-words and n-gram models that currently predominate. Despite theoretical interest since the 1960s, however, no large-scale model exists; in fact, it is not even clear what such a model should minimally include. However, the introduction of large-scale public resources such as the Penn TreeBank and WordNet have generated a great deal of progress in the NLP community, and so it seems increasingly important to create some kind of meaning-oriented model and build a corresponding corpus that is large enough to support adequate machine learning. This talk argues for the necessity of (even shallow) semantics-based NLP, describes the contents and operation of the OntoNotes project, and in so doing introduces and explains the general issues facing annotation projects. Our hope is that other people not only try to use the OntoNotes corpus in their own work, but also create their own annotations on the same material, so that more layers of shallow semantics can be included into OntoNotes.
On the feasibility of implementing a large relational data base with optimal performance on a minicomputer

A less general model of Codd's relational model is proposed, for which queries and updates are maximally efficient. The differences in access method from Codd's are minor enough so that almost all the compactness of expression and quality of data independence remains.The first new mechanism is an "algebra" of dependencies superimposed on the set of relations. These dependencies, called "subsumptions", permit the data base designer to impose a structure on the set of relations, thereby joining them together into a shape reflecting the overall organization of the data.The second new mechanism is a new format in which fields are ordered, and lexical ordering of key values is enforced. It is shown that this format, used in conjunction with certain specific kinds of subsumptions, gives rise to a query sequence that is natural, linear, and intuitively related to access efficiency.Finally, an alternative notion of "Normal form" is proposed for which the overhead for maintaining the form is truly minimal, and a set of efficient basic operations is proposed.
Computing and visualizing the impact of change with Java PathFinder extensions

Change impact analysis techniques estimate the potential effects of changes made to software. Directed Incremental Symbolic Execution (DiSE) is a Java PathFinder extension that computes the impact of changes on program execution behaviors. The results of DiSE are a set of impacted path conditions that can be efficiently processed by a subsequent client analysis. Path conditions, however, may not be intuitive for software developers without the context of the source code. In this paper we present a framework for visualizing the results of DiSE. The visualization includes annotated source code and control ow graphs indicating program statements that are changed and statements that may be impacted by the changes. A simulation mode enables users to also observe the impact of changes on symbolic execution of the program, by showing the changes to the path conditions as the user steps through the sequences of statements executed.
The cost-effectiveness of HIV prevention targeting: how much more bang for the buck?

BACKGROUND: Although the targeting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention to high-risk populations has been widely discussed, its benefits have not been quantified. METHODS: This analysis of cost-effectiveness combines an HIV epidemic model, target population scenarios, and data on the cost and impact of prevention. RESULTS: The number of HIV infections averted in 5 years with $1 million in annual prevention spending ranges from 164 in high-risk populations to 0.4 in very-low-risk populations. Fortyfold to two-hundredfold differences in prevention costs could equalize HIV infections averted. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting appears to provide substantial benefit and should be considered in allocation decisions about prevention.
Treatment of suppurative arthritis by percutaneous catheter drainage

Percutaneous catheter drainage to treat suppurative arthritis was performed in five joints in five patients. Joints drained included the hip in two cases and one case each of a hip joint prosthesis, an ankle joint, and a glenohumeral joint. Organisms isolated from the joints included Staphylococcus aureus in one hip joint and the hip prosthesis, and Haemophilus influenzae in the ankle joint. Specific organisms were not isolated in the other hip joint or in the shoulder joint. Systemic antibiotic therapy was used in all five patients, and in two patients gentamicin was instilled through the catheters. Joint infection was managed successfully with catheter drainage and antibiotics in three patients. In all three cases, the range of motion was restored and the patients became free of pain after catheter drainage. These three patients remained asymptomatic at follow-up ranging from 3 weeks to 9 months. In two patients, percutaneous drainage failed. In one patient, the catheter positions could not be maintaine...
Electron beam lithography time dependent dose correction for reticle CD uniformity enhancement

This paper includes an empirical determination of the relative CD error as a function of in-vacuum post exposure delay (PED). The effects of local pattern density and the impact of reticle proximity effect correction on the in-vacuum PED CD bias error are also considered. Results of dose compensation to improve CD uniformity on both artifact and production reticles are reviewed. The results show that by applying an exposure time dependent dose correction, the CD bias dependency upon in-vacuum PED is effectively compensated. In addition, the results show that dose compensation is effective at correcting for the in-vacuum PED dependency of local pattern density proximity errors. Finally, the paper concludes with a brief discussion of the relationship between existing reticle CD correction techniques for errors including electron beam fogging, etch loading, stable reticle process spatial CD non-uniformities and the new time dependent dose correction.
Summer research training programme in health care disparities.

synchronously in a shell. The scholars also completed a team management-style profile and, in the second session, received personalised feedback about their preferred approaches to work and work-related interactions. Based on this information, the scholars selected accountability partners, who help them plan and achieve career goals. The third session was devoted to identifying these goals and writing action plans to accomplish them. This process includes identifying individuals who should be recruited into one s boat’ to help one reach goals. Evaluation of results During the final session, scholars identified the programme’s strengths and weaknesses. Scholars were engaged by the actual rowing and its use as metaphor. They found learning about their personal management styles, preferences and techniques valuable for interacting with people with opposite styles. The scholars desired opportunities to bring members of their departmental work teams into sessions, and to create exercises ⁄ language tailored specifically for health professions educators. Despite initial resistance to viewing their cohort as their team of reference, several reported that they planned to remain in contact with their accountability partners. Further, the group committed to working together past graduation to mount a faculty development workshop for clinician educators. A revised OARS Programme will galvanise future cohorts and graduated scholars into a force for educational innovation and change.
The GroEL/GroES cis cavity as a passive anti-aggregation device.

Abstract The GroEL/GroES chaperonin folding chamber is an encapsulated space of ∼65 A diameter with a hydrophilic wall, inside of which many cellular proteins reach the native state. The question of whether the cavity wall actively directs folding reactions or is playing a passive role has been open. We review past and recent observations and conclude that the chamber functions as a passive “Anfinsen cage” that prevents folding monomers from multimolecular aggregation.
The new chain gang: Corrections in the next century

This article examines the operations and excesses of the correctional chain gang as a group of prisoners working outside a penal facility under armed correctional supervision and wearing chains or other restraining devices to prevent escape. We detail the operations and excesses of earlier chain gangs, identifying variables that contributed to the contemporary phase that emerged in 1995. Predicated on vengeance, retributive justice, and punitiveness, the chain gang represents yet another devolving standard of human decency in correctional policies. Future scenarios are explored.
Teaching an abbreviated impression technique for complete dentures in an undergraduate dental curriculum

Abstract Statement of problem. Traditional methods for teaching complete denture fabrication are time-consuming, difficult to master, and not used by many general practitioners. Purpose. This study compared the efficacy of traditional denture fabrication techniques with a more abbreviated method in a dental school setting. Material and methods. A retrospective record review of 80 completely edentulous patients treated by predoctoral dental students was completed. Forty patients were treated with traditional denture techniques; the other 40 patients were treated with an abbreviated method. The data abstracted included the number of visits to completion and the number of postinsertion visits and relines required within the first 3 months after delivery. A Wilcoxon rank sum test was performed to determine statistical significance between the groups with regard to number of visits for fabrication and postinsertion adjustments. A test for a difference in proportions by using the normal approximation to the binomial distribution was performed for statistical analysis of the incidence of relines. Results. The abbreviated denture technique resulted in a statistically significant difference in the number of visits for fabrication ( P P P =.39) in the number of relines between the 2 groups. Conclusion. Teaching the abbreviated complete denture technique in an undergraduate dental clinic decreased the number of appointments necessary to complete denture therapy without increasing the number of adjustments or reline procedures. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;85:121-5.)
Genetic studies on theH-3 region of mice and implications for polymorphism of histocompatibility loci

Evidence has been obtained for recombination betweenH-3 and the closely linkedIr-2 locus, which controls the antibody response toEa-1 antigens. The data suggest thatIr-2 maps close toH-3, betweenH-3 andH-13. The YBR strain has been found to possess anH-3 allele not previously reported. A comparison has been made between the degree of polymorphism of histocompatibility loci and that which involves electrophoretically detectable protein variants.
Rapid estimation of kinetic parameters for thermal decomposition of penicillins by modulated thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract Modulated thermogravimetic analysis (MTGA) is evaluated for the rapid estimation of thermal stability using several penicillin antibiotics as model compounds. The MTGA technique utilizes an oscillatory temperature program to obtain Arrhenius kinetic parameters through a mass loss during thermal degradation. To evaluate the reliability of this technique, activation energies (Ea), log pre-exponential factor (log Z), and log first order rate constants (log k) obtained by MTGA for the thermal decomposition of ampicillin anhydrous, ampicillin trihydrate, ampicillin sodium salt, and penicillin G potassium salt are compared to existing literature values. The log k values estimated by MTGA agreed well with literature values when the weight loss observed by MTGA was shown to be due to the first decomposition step of the compound. The Ea and log Z values determined by MTGA did not consistently agree with literature values as these parameters increased with decreasing heating rate (β). The increase in Ea and log Z values with decreasing β seemed to offset each other to some extent to yield a relatively consistent log k estimate regardless of β.
Relations among menopausal symptoms, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms in midlife.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the relations among hot flashes, other menopausal symptoms, sleep quality and depressive symptoms in midlife women. Methods A large population-based cross-sectional study of 639 women (ages 45–54 years) consisting of a questionnaire including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale, demographics, health behaviors, menstrual history, and menopausal symptoms. Results After controlling for menopausal status, physical activity level, smoking status and current self-reported health status elevated CES-D score is associated with frequent nocturnal hot flashes, frequent trouble sleeping, experiencing hot flashes, nausea, headaches, weakness, visual problems, vaginal discharge, irritability, muscle stiffness, and incontinence. Conclusions The present study found significant links between depressive symptoms and several menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, sleep disturbance, irritability, muscle stiffness, and incontinence after controlling for covariates. These findings suggest that a potential mechanism in which bothersome menopausal symptoms may influence depressed mood during the midlife is through sleep disturbance.
Perchlorate exposure from infant formula and comparisons with the perchlorate reference dose

Perchlorate exposure may be higher in infants compared with older persons, due to diet (infant formula) and body weight versus intake considerations. Our primary objective was to quantitatively assess perchlorate concentrations in commercially available powdered infant formulas (PIFs). Secondary objectives were: (1) to estimate exposure in infants under different dosing scenarios and compare them with the perchlorate reference dose (RfD); (2) estimate the perchlorate concentration in water used for preparing PIFs that would result in a dose exceeding the RfD; and (3) estimate iodine intakes from PIFs. We quantified perchlorate levels in three samples (different lot numbers) of reconstituted PIF (using perchlorate-free water) from commercial brands of PIF in each of the following categories: bovine milk-based with lactose, soy-based, bovine milk-based but lactose-free, and elemental (typically consisting of synthetic amino acids). Exposure modeling was conducted to determine whether the RfD might be exceeded in 48 dosing scenarios that were dependent on age, centile energy intake per unit of body weight, body weight percentile, and PIF perchlorate concentration. We obtained three different samples in each of the five brands of bovine- and soy-based PIF, three different samples in each of the three brands of lactose-free PIF, and three different samples in two brands of elemental PIF. The results were as follows: bovine milk-based with lactose (1.72 microg/l, range: 0.68-5.05); soy-based (0.21 microg/l, range: 0.10-0.44); lactose-free (0.27 microg/l, range: 0.03-0.93); and elemental (0.18 microg/l, range: 0.08-0.4). Bovine milk-based PIFs with lactose had a significantly higher concentration of perchlorate (P<0.05) compared with all. Perchlorate was a contaminant of all commercially available PIFs tested. Bovine milk-based PIFs with lactose had a significantly higher perchlorate concentration perchlorate than soy, lactose-free, and elemental PIFs. The perchlorate RfD may be exceeded when certain bovine milk-based PIFs are ingested and/or when PIFs are reconstituted with perchlorate-contaminated water.
Sensitivity of the segmental renal arterioles to angiotensin II in the aging rat.

Abstract With advancing age the old rat kidney becomes tonically vasoconstricted by endogenous angiotensin II (ANGII) (C. Baylis. Am. J. Kid. Dis., 22 (1993) 842). The present study was designed to investigate the sensitivity of the cortical glomerular microvasculature of the old rat kidney (19–22 months of age) to exogenous ANGII, using the in vivo micropuncture technique. In the baseline state, glomerular blood pressure ( P GC ) in old male rats was higher compared to young rats (4–5 months of age). During exogenous ANGII infusion (40 ng/kg/min), a significant rise in arterial blood pressure and renal vasoconstriction occurred in both young and old rats. In young rats, the ANGII induced fall in renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular plasma flow ( Q A ) was accompanied by a rise in P GC and thus the glomerular hydrostatic pressure gradient, with little change in K f . Therefore, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and single nephron GFR (SNGFR) were unchanged by ANGII infusion in young rats. In old rats, RPF and Q A fell, a rise occurred in P GC and also a fall was seen in the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient ( K f ), thus GFR and SNGFR fell significantly. The magnitude of the pressor and renal vasoconstriction response to ANGII were not affected by age; of interest, ANGII increased preglomerular and efferent arteriolar resistance ( R A , R E ) and P GC by similar amounts in young and old rats. SNGFR was reduced in old rats, due to the marked ANGII-induced decline in K f . Neither absolute nor fractional proximal reabsorption were affected by ANGII infusion in either young or old rats. By 19–22 months of age, old rats had much more injured glomeruli than young rats. These data demonstrate that the afferent and efferent arterioles had similar sensitivity to exogenous pressor dose of ANGII in both young and old rats, but K f was more sensitive to ANGII in old rats leading to a significant fall in SNGFR.
A similarity model of evaporating liquid spray jets in concurrent gas–solid flows

Abstract A simple analytical model of spray jet evaporation in gas–solid suspension flows has been developed, which is based on the extension of similarity correlation from two-phase jets to three-phase jets. Effects of particle concentration, ambient temperature, and solids thermal capacity on the jet structure are illustrated. It is found that the evaporation length can be significantly shortened by the increase of particle concentration while the jet boundaries are expanded. Similar reductions in the jet evaporation region can also be attained by elevating the ambient temperature or by using higher thermal capacity solids. Comparison of jet evaporation lengths from the model predictions and previously reported experiment results suggests that the proposed similarity approach is reasonable.
A composite tubular assembly for reverse osmosis desalination

Abstract Techniques are described for fabricating a composite tubular assembly for reverse osmosis desalination. The methods previously found desirable at the University of California, Los Angeles, for producing flat sheet cellulose acetate membranes were incorporated into the fabrication of tubular assemblies, but with modifications required of the tubular geometry. The techniques developed involve the following features: 1. The casting solution is a 25:30:45 mixture by weight, of cellulose acetate: formamide: acetone. Casting is accomplished at room temperature. 2. The membrane tube is batch-cast between a stationary casting bob and a casting tube descending vertically into ice water to gel the nascent membrane tube. 3. The membrane tube is wrapped with several layers of a porous material such as Nylon parchment, after which it is pulled into a standard copper support tube having periodic perforations and flared ends. 4. The ends of the membrane tube are plasticized chemically, and expanded hydraulically to conform with the flared support tube. The end seal is facilitated by interposing a rubber gasket between the flared membrane surface and the standard screwed connector utilized. 5. The assembly is heated with hot water to a temperature commensurate with the desalination service. Heating, as well as subsequent cooling, is accomplished at a pressure greater than the yield pressure of the membrane tube, to assure that the tube will thus be permanently expanded against its supporting structure and hence subjected only to compressive stresses upon initial application of the high pressures typical of desalination operation. Assemblies fabricated in this manner have been found to give performances as good and as reproducible as those obtained from flat sheets. Performance data were largely obtained from various tubes in a pilot plant producing fresh water for the city of Coalinga, California, since June 17, 1965.
Development and characterization of 12 microsatellite markers from the deep-sea hydrothermal vent siboglinid Riftia pachyptila.

Abstract Ecological processes at deep-sea hydrothermal vents on fast-spreading mid-ocean ridges are punctuated by frequent physical disturbance, often accompanied by a high occurrence of population turnover. To persist through local extinction events, sessile invertebrate species living in these geologically and chemically dynamic habitats depend on larval dispersal. We characterized 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci from one such species, the siboglinid tubeworm Riftia pachyptila. All loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expectations without linkage (mean H(E) = 0.9405, mean N(A) = 20.25). These microsatellites are being employed in the investigation of spatial and temporal population genetic structure in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Diarrhea among young children in an industrialized country.

Acute diarrheal disease among children younger than 5 remains a major cause of Al.morbidity and mortality worldwide. An Expert Committee of the World Health Organization recently estimated that diarrhea causes 18% of the 11 million deaths among children younger than the age of 5 years in the world, nearly tied with pneumonia (19%) as the leading cause of death.1 Severe infectious diarrhea in children occurs most frequently under circumstances of poor environmental sanitation and hygiene, inadequate water supplies, and poverty. This is not to say that the problem occurs only in developing countries. Childhood diarrhea in industrialized countries is prevalent (at least 1 to 3 episodes per child per year) and has large economic costs. In developed countries, childhood diarrhea has been linked with daycare attendance, lack of breast-feeding, contact with symptomatic persons in the home or elsewhere, and exposure to contaminated food and water. However, there are few comprehensive studies of the epidemiology and microbiology of diarrheal disease in industrialized countries. Such data could be a valuable contribution to the development of public health prevention programs. In this issue, researchers from Denmark report the results of a case-control study of diarrheal disease among children younger than 5 years of age.2 Among the risk factors in this well-off population were contact with symptomatic persons (particularly in daycare centers), contact with a dog with diarrhea, hospitalization, consumption of formula milk (which was likely a surrogate for the absence of breast-feeding), socioeconomic status, and foreign travel. Bacterial diarrhea was specifically associated with foreign travel in the past 7 days, hospitalization in the past 2 weeks, and lower socioeconomic status. Diarrhea of viral etiology was associated with contact with ill persons in the past 2 weeks, hospitalization in the past 2 weeks, or a diagnosis of asthma. The authors conclude that bacterial diarrhea is primarily acquired by food or water, whereas viral diarrhea is primarily spread by direct contact with ill persons. In another report from this study, Rotavirus infection was the most important single cause of diarrhea for those who acquired their infection within Denmark, whereas Salmonella, Escherichia coli organisms (ETEC, EPEC, EAggEC), and Cryptosporidium were associated with diarrhea acquired during foreign travel.3 The present analysis2 focuses on the subset of children with diarrhea severe enough to visit a physician and have a culture sent to a laboratory. This emphasis provides direct guidance for public health programs needed to reduce childhood diarrhea in a developed country. A particular target should be daycare. There has been a dramatic increase in the use of daycare in recent decades in the United States and Western Europe, necessitated by the increased employment of women and the rise in single-parent households. Reliance on daycare has substantially increased the incidence of childhood diarrhea and respiratory
Histories, Logics and Politics: An Interview with Mark Bevir

Although he has written extensively on a broad array of topics, Mark Bevir is most famous for his influential and controversial book The Logic of the History of Ideas (Cambridge University Press, 1999). In a wide-ranging interview, Bevir responds to a number of criticisms and mischaracterizations of the book, clarifies his aims in writing it, and identifies his relationship of his postfoundationalism to both analytical and continental philosophy. Additionally, Bevir articulates a hitherto unexpected ethical dimension to the work, suggesting that it seeks to provide for a philosophy of the human sciences that incorporates those capacities for agency and reasoning that make us fully human and are thus deserving of respect. As such, he connects the book to the broader web of moral and political beliefs that underpin his work as a whole.
Coupled-channels study of projectile and target excitation in the scattering of 6Li from 12C and 16O

Abstract Coupled-channels calculations are presented tor elastic and inelastic 6Li + 12C scattering at Ec.m. = 16 MeV and 20 MeV, and for 6Li + 16O at 18.7 MeV. Excitation of states within 6Li, 12C and 16O are treated with rotational, rotation-vibration and vibrational models only. The 3+ 6Li and 2+ 12C states are strongly coupled to the elastic scattering and reduce the strengths of both the real and imaginary potentials. The 3− 16O state reduces only the strength of the imaginary potential. All other states are weakly coupled and have little effect on each other or the potential. The data are reasonably well described, with there being some preference for the 3− state in 12C to be K = 0. Excitation of the 02+ state in 12C requires a combination of β-vibration and monopole breathing-mode form factors. The deformation lengths found are in poor agreement with those deduced from electron or proton scattering.
Relaxation of shear and normal stress components in step-strain experiments

The relaxation of torque and axial thrust following a rapidly imposed step in shear strain ( 0 < γ ⩽ 3.33) was measured for several undiluted polymers and polymer solutions using the cone-and-plate geometry in a Rheometrics mechanical spectrometer. Instrumental response times were favorable for calculating both the shear stress σ(γ, t) and the first normal stress difference N1(γ,t) from torque and thrust data on two of the solutions. Those results confirm the relationship N1(γ,t) = γσ(γ, t). Apparent departures from this relationship appear if σ(γ,t) and N1(σ, t are calculated from torque and thrust data when the instrumental response criteria are not met.
Experimental observation of photonic bandgaps in hyperuniform disordered material

We report the first experimental demonstration of photonic bandgaps (PBGs) in 2D hyperuniform disordered materials and show that is possible to obtain isotropic, disordered, photonic materials of arbitrary size with complete PBGs.
The fourfold way of the genetic code.

We describe a compact representation of the genetic code that factorizes the table in quartets. It represents a "least grammar" for the genetic language. It is justified by the Klein-4 group structure of RNA bases and codon doublets. The matrix of the outer product between the column-vector of bases and the corresponding row-vector V(T)=(C G U A), considered as signal vectors, has a block structure consisting of the four cosets of the KxK group of base transformations acting on doublet AA. This matrix, translated into weak/strong (W/S) and purine/pyrimidine (R/Y) nucleotide classes, leads to a code table with mixed and unmixed families in separate regions. A basic difference between them is the non-commuting (R/Y) doublets: AC/CA, GU/UG. We describe the degeneracy in the canonical code and the systematic changes in deviant codes in terms of the divisors of 24, employing modulo multiplication groups. We illustrate binary sub-codes characterizing mutations in the quartets. We introduce a decision-tree to predict the mode of tRNA recognition corresponding to each codon, and compare our result with related findings by Jestin and Soule [Jestin, J.-L., Soule, C., 2007. Symmetries by base substitutions in the genetic code predict 2' or 3' aminoacylation of tRNAs. J. Theor. Biol. 247, 391-394], and the rearrangements of the table by Delarue [Delarue, M., 2007. An asymmetric underlying rule in the assignment of codons: possible clue to a quick early evolution of the genetic code via successive binary choices. RNA 13, 161-169] and Rodin and Rodin [Rodin, S.N., Rodin, A.S., 2008. On the origin of the genetic code: signatures of its primordial complementarity in tRNAs and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Heredity 100, 341-355], respectively.
Hepatic SH2B1 and SH2B2 Regulate Liver Lipid Metabolism and VLDL Secretion in Mice

SH2B1 is an SH2 and PH domain-containing adaptor protein. Genetic deletion of SH2B1 results in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver diseases in mice. Mutations in SH2B1 are linked to obesity in humans. SH2B1 in the brain controls energy balance and body weight at least in part by enhancing leptin sensitivity in the hypothalamus. SH2B1 in peripheral tissues also regulates glucose and lipid metabolism, presumably by enhancing insulin sensitivity in peripheral metabolically-active tissues. However, the function of SH2B1 in individual peripheral tissues is unknown. Here we generated and metabolically characterized hepatocyte-specific SH2B1 knockout (HKO) mice. Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, glucose tolerance, and insulin tolerance were similar between HKO, albumin-Cre, and SH2B1(f/f) mice fed either a normal chow diet or a high fat diet (HFD). Adult-onset deletion of SH2B1 in the liver either alone or in combination with whole body SH2B2 knockout also did not exacerbate HFD-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Adult-onset, but not embryonic, deletion of SH2B1 in the liver attenuated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. In agreement, adult-onset deletion of hepatic SH2B1 decreased the expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2) and increased the expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). Furthermore, deletion of liver SH2B1 in SH2B2 null mice attenuated very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion. These data indicate that hepatic SH2B1 is not required for the maintenance of normal insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism; however, it regulates liver triacylglycerol synthesis, lipolysis, and VLDL secretion.
Continuously tunable 1.16 μs optical delay of 100 Gbit/s DQPSK and 50 Gbit/s DPSK signals using wavelength conversion and chromatic dispersion

We demonstrate a variable optical delay element that uses tunable wavelength conversion and phase conjugation in highly nonlinear fiber and uses chromatic dispersion in dispersion-compensating fiber. A continuous delay of up to 1.16mus, equaling a >110,000 time-delay bit-rate product for 100 Gbit/s non-return-to-zero differential quadrature phase-shift-keying (NRZ-DQSPK) and >55,000 for 50 Gbit/s NRZ differential phase-shift-keying (NRZ-DPSK) modulation formats, is demonstrated. Bit error rates <10(-9) are demonstrated for each waveform at various delay settings.
Socio-political implications of lowland Maya burials: methodology and tentative hypotheses.

(1970). Socio‐political implications of lowland Maya burials: Methodology and tentative hypotheses. World Archaeology: Vol. 1, Analysis, pp. 359-374.
Early posttransplant inflammation promotes the development of alloimmunity and chronic human lung allograft rejection.

Background. Chronic human lung allograft rejection, represented by bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), is the single most important factor that limits the long-term survival following lung transplantation (LT). However, the pathogenesis of BOS remains unclear. We hypothesized that the early posttransplant inflammation would promote the development of donor anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alloimmunity and predispose to BOS. Methods. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, Eotaxin, IP-10, MIG,MCP-1, MIP-1α,MIP-1β, RANTES, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interferon (IFN)-a, IFN-γ, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-1Rα, and IL-2R were serially analyzed in 31 BOS+ and matched 31 BOS- patients using quantitative multiplex bead immunoassays. Donor-specific HLA class II cellular immunity was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) by testing recipient peripheral blood mononuclear cells against mismatched donor HLA-DR peptides. Anti-HLA class II antibodies were monitored using flow panel reactive antibodies. Results. There was early posttransplant elevation in basal serum levels of proinflammatory chemokines IP-10 and MCP-1 and Thl-cytoldnes IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12, and IL-15 in BOS+ patients, compared to BOS- and normal subjects. In addition, a threefold decline in IL-10 levels was found during BOS development. BOS+ patients revealed increased development of HLA class II alloantibodies and Th1-predominant donor-specific cellular immunity with high frequency of IFN-γ and low IL-5 producing T-cells. Conclusion. Early posttransplant elevation of proinflammatory mediators is associated with alloimmunity and chronic human lung allograft rejection.
YouTube on Masculinity and the Founding Fathers: Constitutionalism 2.0

While it may be tempting to dismiss the broad humor and downright inaccuracies of politically oriented YouTube videos such as Brad Neely’s animated short on George Washington, this article argues i...
The real exchange rate and macroeconomic performance in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Pooled time-series and cross-section data for 33 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) confirm the negative relationship between the real exchange rate (RER) misalignment and economic performance (economic growth, imports, exports, saving and investment). Macroeconomic instability also slows growth and other indicators of performance. Higher levels of misalignment are accompanied by higher levels of macroeconomic instability. Both lower levels of RER misalignment and instability lead to better economic performance. The Edwards model of RER determination performs well for the region. Black market premia tend to show a greater degree of misalignment in RER than alternative measures.
Using gross migration data compiled from the social security sample file.

A study by Donald Pursell (1972), which examines migration data compiled from the one-percent sample file of the Social Security Administration, is discussed in this paper. An important feature of the data which is neglected by Pursell is pointed out, and the Pursell results are compared with findings obtained using somewhat different treatments of the social security data. The Pursell conclusion that out-migration is negatively related to employment growth is supported by the alternative tests.
ANTRODOODENAL MOTOR COORDINATION IN PRETERM AND TERM INFANTS

We measured fasting antral motility and its relationship to duodenal motility in human infants, a phenomenon not previously studied. Using a previously validated pneumohydraulic manometric system (Ped. Res. 20:234A 1986), we recorded fasting antral and duodenal motility in seven preterm (30.9±1.4 wk) and two term (40.5±4.9 wk) infants. A three-hour segment was analyzed for: 1) presence of antral pressure waves (APW); 2) frequency (rate/min), amplitude (mm of Hg), and total number/hr; and 3) antroduodenal motor coordination. Motility index = log e (number of contractions X amplitude) +1. RESULTS: In preterm infants, the antral pressure waves occurred in clusters which did not coordinate with duodenal motility. In term infants, half of the antral motility was organized and coordinated. Characteristics of the clusters are shown (mean ± SEM): CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that antral pressure waves are present in premature infants but are not coordinated with duodenal motility; however, antral pressure waves are partially coordinated with duodenal activity by term and are associated with increasing duration and amplitutde.