cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symmetric and asymmetric nonlinear causalities between oil prices and the U.S. economic sectors

This study investigates the causal dynamics of the U.S. sector price changes and oil price changes using the symmetric nonlinear and asymmetric nonlinear causality tests. We find a unidirectional causality from each sector to the oil market using the Granger and MWald linear causality tests. However, the symmetric nonlinear and asymmetric nonlinear causality for negative price changes tests yield unidirectional causality from the oil to the sector price changes which sharply contrast the evidence using the linear models. We find bidirectional causality using the asymmetric nonlinear test for positive price changes, suggesting temporal, dual and nonlinear information flow during bull markets. Our results from the nonlinear and asymmetric causality tests remain robust after accounting for structural breaks. The empirical findings unravel nonlinear interactions between sector price and oil price changes as well as the importance of signs of changes in the interacting variables, implying oil returns may need to be priced when forecasting sector returns.
Investigating Power Laws in Hurricane Damages

Recent research indicates that the energy generated by hurricanes follows a power law distribution. We hypothesize that economic damages caused by hurricanes also follow a power law distribution. Using yearly hurricane damage data from 1900-2005 we show that the distribution of yearly damages due to hurricanes in the US may follow either a power law or lognormal distribution. Furthermore, if the distribution of damages follows a power law, then for the best-fit distribution, the tail of the distribution is so ‘fat’ that the variance of damages, conditional on being in the tail, is potentially unbounded.
Textures in Superfluid 3He

Superfluid 3He is a new phase of liquid 3He at extremely low temperatures (below 3 mK). It consists of two distinct phases; 3He-A and 3He-B (although the third phase 3He-A1 appears in the presence of magnetic fields). The phase diagram is shown in Fig.l. Superfluid 3He arises from the pair condensation of 3He-atoms just like the superconductivity in metals is due to the electronic pair condensation. However, unlike the case of a superconductor, the pairing takes place in the spin triplet P wave state. This indicates that the condensate is characterized by a nine-component complexorder parameter Aμi (μ, i = 1,2,3) where μ and i are spin and orbital indices. This large degree of freedom associated with the order parameter implies high degeneracy in the ground state of superfluid 3He in the absence of external perturbation. In particular superfluid 3He possesses three distinct classes of Goldstone bosons; zero sound, spin wave and orbital wave. Furthermore, superfluid 3He exhibits rich phenomena associated with textures like liquid crystals.
Low-Temperature Methane Partial Oxidation to Syngas with Modular Nanocrystal Catalysts

The low-temperature conversion of methane into value-added products is an appealing goal due to the abundance of methane in the form of natural gas. Industrially, methane is used to produce synthes...
Exploring new and existing PrEP modalities among female sex workers and women who inject drugs in a U.S. city

ABSTRACTTo address a shortage in research on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) amongst women at high risk of HIV acquisition, this study explored the attitudes and preferences of female sex workers (...
Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Features of Hepatocellular Cytoplasmic Globules in Venous Outflow Impairment

Objectives To examine the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of hepatocellular cytoplasmic globules in venous outflow impairment (VOI). Methods Sixty-four liver core biopsies were screened. Patients with α-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency were excluded. All biopsies were stained with H&E, Masson trichrome, periodic acid-Schiff with diastase digestion (PAS-D), phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH), complement protein 4d (C4d) immunostain, and AAT immunostain. Electron microscopy was also performed. Results Hepatocellular globules were identified in 8% of in-house cases. Causes of VOI included heart failure and Budd-Chiari syndrome. The hepatocellular cytoplasmic globules showed size variability, random distribution, and positivity for PAS-D, PTAH, and AAT. C4d was inconsistently positive. Electron microscopy showed that the globules were lysosome-bound inclusions containing microfibrillar material and fibrinogen. Conclusions PAS-D-positive hepatocellular globules occur in VOI. They cross-react with AAT but have different appearance, localization, and ultrastructural composition from globules in AAT deficiency.
Preoperative prediction of unresectability in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Abstract Objective Diffuse chest wall invasion (DCWI) is a common finding in patients undergoing intended resection for malignant pleural mesothelioma. We sought to determine the incidence and preoperative predictors of this finding, and to test our anecdotal impression that contraction of the ipsilateral hemithorax is associated with DCWI. Methods This was a single-institution retrospective study of 170 patients undergoing intended macroscopic complete resection for malignant pleural mesothelioma from 2014-2018. A novel metric of thoracic cage volume was calculated by preoperative chest computed tomography. Univariable analyses were performed to determine associations of preoperative variables with DCWI. Results Macroscopic complete resection was achieved by pleurectomy/decortication in 104 patients (61%) and by extrapleural pneumonectomy in 39 patients (23%). Unresectable disease was discovered at thoracotomy in 27 (16%) of patients; 24 (14%) by DCWI and 3 (2%) by intrathoracic organ invasion. In univariable analysis, decreased ipsilateral thoracic cage volume demonstrated the strongest association with unresectability by DCWI (P = .009) with >5% decrease in thoracic cage volume representing the optimal cutoff (P = .014; area under the curve, 0.67). Other preoperative variables associated with DCWI included preoperative chest pain requiring opioids (P = .028), prior pleurodesis (P = .036), decreased forced vital capacity (P = .023), decreased ipsilateral lung perfusion by ventilation/perfusion lung scan (P = .007), and magnetic resonance imaging findings of chest wall invasion (P = .035). Conclusions Preoperative identification of DCWI will avoid unnecessary thoracotomy and accelerate initiation of nonsurgical therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Our data suggest that contraction of thoracic cage volume has merit in predicting malignant pleural mesothelioma unresectability and should be validated in prospective studies.
Menger curvatures and $$\varvec{C^{1,\alpha }}$$C1,α rectifiability of measures

We further develop the relationship between $$\beta $$-numbers and discrete curvatures to provide a new proof that under weak density assumptions, finiteness of the pointwise discrete curvature $${\text {curv}}^{\alpha }_{\mu ;2}(x,r)$$ at $$\mu $$-a.e. $$x \in \mathbb {R}^{m}$$ implies that $$\mu $$ is $$C^{1,\alpha }$$n-rectifiable.
Correlates of Intimate Partner Homicide in the Rural United States: Findings From a National Sample of Rural Counties, 2009–2016:

Intimate partner homicide (IPH) in the U.S. rural context has increased in recent years while other types of homicide have decreased. This suggests that some rural structural characteristics make I...
Modeling and Simulation

The descriptor form of Lagrangian DAEs and the semiexplicit form of Hamiltonian DAEs are featured prominently in this book for two reasons. First, in these forms equations of motion are obtained from work, energy, and constraint expressions in a systematic manner. Second, recent advances in numerically integrating DAEs makes more practicable than ever their use in modeling and simulation.
Galectin-1 inhibits PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells through the inactivation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Childhood asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) induced airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) proliferation and migration are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a glycan-binding protein that has been found to be involved in the progression of asthma. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the role of Gal-1 in regulating the phenotype switching of ASMCs, which is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of asthma. Our results showed that Gal-1 was markedly down-regulated in the samples from asthma patients. In vitro study also proved that Gal-1 expression was decreased in PDGF-BB-stimulated ASMCs. In addition, Gal-1 overexpression significantly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs proliferation and migration, while Gal-1 knockdown exhibits opposite effects of Gal-1 overexpression. The PDGF-BB-caused reductions in expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), specific muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC), and calponin were elevated by Gal-1 overexpression, but were deteriorated by Gal-1 knockdown in ASMCs. Furthermore, overexpression of Gal-1 inhibited PDGF-BB-stimulated PI3K/Akt activation in ASMCs. Notably, treatment with IGF-1, an activator of PI3K, reversed the effects of Gal-1 on ASMCs proliferation, migration, and phenotype switching. In conclusion, these findings showed that Gal-1 exerted inhibitory effects on PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation, migration, and phenotype switching of ASMCs via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, Gal-1 might be a promising target for the treatment of asthma.
Factors motivating the timing of COVID-19 shelter in place orders by U.S. Governors

This article is an effort to isolate and estimate the impact of political party control of state government on the length of time it took U.S. states to issue shelter-in-place orders (SIPOs) in an ...
Chapter 12 - Health Insurance and the Labor Market*

A distinctive feature of the health insurance market in the US is the restriction of group insurance availability to the workplace. This has a number of important implications for the functioning of the labor market, through mobility from job-to-job or in and out of the labor force, wage determination, and hiring decisions. This paper reviews the large literature that has emerged in recent years to assess the impact of health insurance on the labor market. I begin with an overview of the institutional details relevant to assessing the interaction of health insurance and the labor market. I then present a theoretical overview of the effects of health insurance on mobility and wage/employment determination. I critically review the empirical literature on these topics, focusing in particular on the methodological issues that have been raised, and highlighting the unanswered questions which can be the focus of future work in this area.
The Effect of ABO Immune Complexes on Endothelial Cell Integrity As Measured By Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) and Confocal Microscopy

Abstract Background: ABO non-identical transfusions have been associated with increased risk of hemolytic transfusion reactions. We previously reported that the ABO immune complexes (ABO-IC) formed in vitro as a result of ABO non-identical exposure affect platelet function, red blood cell integrity, and clot kinetics (Vox Sang. 2016;110:219-26). We developed an in vitro model as a means to investigate the interaction between ABO-IC and endothelial cells (EC). Methods: The ABO-IC were prepared by combining equal volumes of concentrated O plasma (high titers of anti-A and anti-B) with A plasma (high concentration of A antigens). Anti-A titers were measured before and after mixing to confirm the presence of ABO-IC. ABO-known human pulmonary vessel EC were then seeded onto gold microarray plates to prepare for electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). The trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TER) was recorded for 48 hours after the addition of media, PBS, thrombin, O, A, B, and/or AB plasmas added 1:1 with media, as well as various concentrations of ABO-IC. Statistics were performed using the chi-square test to compare TER values at various timepoints to baseline. Human pulmonary EC were cultured on glass-bottomed petri dishes for confocal microscopy. The cells were stained with fluorescent green calcein AM dye and assessed for viability at 100x magnification at baseline and again 15 minutes following the addition of ABO-IC. Results: Substantial decreases in TER were observed over the course of 2 hours in O and A EC when treated with non-identical plasma, and sustained over 10 hours (p Discussion: The exposure of ABO-IC to human pulmonary vessel EC revealed significantly decreased monolayer integrity via ECIS and confocal microscopy. The decreases seen in the TER of EC incubated with non-identical plasma and ABO-IC indicate the potential for capillary leak as a possible reaction to ABO non-identical transfusion. We have shown that the substantial decrease in TER when exposed to plasma is ABO type-dependent, and that the damage caused to the cells happens within a few hours and is irreversible over 48 hours. The confocal images reveal a significant change in the morphology of the EC membrane within 15 minutes of exposure to ABO-IC. These preliminary data suggest that anti-A and ABO-IC may significantly affect EC viability and function. This in vitro model provides potential novel mechanisms for the detrimental effects of ABO non-identical transfusion on EC. Further investigation of biomarkers for cell viability and integrity in response to exposure to ABO-IC is underway. Download : Download high-res image (306KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Impacts of noise and structure on quantum information encoded in a quantum memory

As larger, higher-quality quantum devices are built and demonstrated in quantum information applications, such as quantum computation and quantum communication, the need for high-quality quantum memories to store quantum states becomes ever more pressing. Future quantum devices likely will use a variety of physical hardware, some being used primarily for processing of quantum information and others for storage. Here we study the correlation of the structure of quantum information with physical noise models of various possible quantum memory implementations. Through numerical simulation of different noise models and approximate analytical formulas applied to a variety of interesting quantum states, we provide comparisons between quantum hardware with different structure, including both qubit- and qudit-based quantum memories. Our findings point to simple, experimentally relevant formulas for the relative lifetimes of quantum information in different quantum memories and have relevance to the design of hybrid quantum devices.
Selection Effects in Constitutional Law

he literature on constitutional design focuses on the incentives that shape the behavior of government officials and other constitutional actors. Incentive-based accounts justify elections as a means of constraining officials to promote the public welfare, or at least the welfare of the median voter, justify the separation of powers as a means of making “ambition . . . counteract ambition,” justify negative liberties, such as free speech and free association, as necessary correctives to the incentives of incumbent officials to suppress political opposition, and so forth. T
Losers, Villains, and Violence: Political Attacks, Incivility, and Support for Political Violence

Political violence, while rare, continues to be a concern. Yet scholars have only recently begun testing the effects language might have on support for violence. This project examines whether different types of verbal political attacks—those related to personal- and public-level incivility—affect support for violence through perceptions of impoliteness and attributions of out-group malevolence. Two experiments conducted in the United States test the effects of political attacks in two contexts: Twitter and issue speeches. Across both studies, both types of attacks prompted perceptions of impoliteness and attributions of malevolence. In the speech context, both types of political attacks decreased support for violence through impoliteness perceptions, and personal-level incivility increased identification with violent likeminded protesters through malevolence attributions. Optimistically, attacks may make social norms salient to individuals, decreasing their support for other social norm violations, like violence. Less optimistically, attacks may increase identification with groups fighting back against the verbal attacker.
Analysis on the Effect of COVID-19 on Metro Seattle Residential Property Value

This research offers a view on how COVID-19 is affecting residential property value of Metro Seattle area. Data on residential property transactions in specific counties are collected. The research also documents the change of mortgage rates and number of work-from-home employee as well as gross domestic product change due to the COVID-19. The findings imply that for King County, which is usually considered as urban Seattle area, property values increases sharply during the pandemic as the mortgage rates change caused by COVID-19.
The protoplast of the eukaryotic cell

Perspective The eukaryotic cell is composed, with a few exceptions, of both a living protoplast, the site of cellular metabolism, and an enclosing cellulosic wall of one or more layers (Fig. 3.1). While not alive as a structural unit, the wall is commonly traversed by living components, plasmodesmata , which connect adjacent protoplasts and, thus facilitate communication between, and the integration of, cells within a tissue. All plant cells possess a protoplast during development, and in many it persists throughout the life of the plant. Some cells, however, do not achieve their ultimate functional state until the protoplast dies as, for example, a specialized water-conducting cell such as a vessel member. The protoplasts of all plant cells are basically similar, but may differ in relation to the function of the mature cells. For example, the protoplast of a parenchyma cell in the outer cortex or in a leaf will contain many chloroplasts since a major function of these cells is photosynthesis. In contrast, a cell of the pith (a storage region) in the center of the stem may lack chloroplasts but will contain unpigmented plastids in which starch is synthesized (amyloplasts). The protoplast of an immature vessel member, however, destined to die, may contain no plastids at all, or plastids of a highly modified type.
Transportation, Land Use, and the Sources of Hyper-Localism

This Essay identifies the convergence of big-city land use and transportation politics on a shared form—marked by hyper-local control and the privileging of the most vocal opponents to change—despite remarkably different legal regimes. While land use law mandates that cities provide notice to the neighbors, hearings for them to speak at, and veto opportunities for local city council members, transportation law does none of these things. Yet there are still public meetings, the neighbors still turn out in opposition, and city council members still exercise an effective veto over projects in their districts. Based on this convergence, this Essay sounds a note of caution about recent arguments that legal reforms to land use procedure can improve land use outcomes. Hyperlocalism has deep roots, located outside the legal regimes governing land use’s public participation and decision-making processes. Legal procedural reform alone can only do so much, absent a more thoroughgoing political transformation of the land use process.
Endothelin-converting enzyme 1 promotes re-sensitization of neurokinin 1 receptor-dependent neurogenic inflammation.

Background and purpose: The metalloendopeptidase endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1) is prominently expressed in the endothelium where it converts big endothelin to endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictor peptide. Although ECE-1 is found in endosomes in endothelial cells, the role of endosomal ECE-1 is unclear. ECE-1 degrades the pro-inflammatory neuropeptide substance P (SP) in endosomes to promote recycling and re-sensitization of its neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor. We investigated whether ECE-1 regulates NK1 receptor re-sensitization and the pro-inflammatory effects of SP in the endothelium. Experimental approach: We examined ECE-1 expression, SP trafficking and NK1 receptor re-sensitization in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), and investigated re-sensitization of SP-induced plasma extravasation in rats. Key results: HMEC-1 expressed all four ECE-1 isoforms (a-d), and fluorescent SP trafficked to early endosomes containing ECE-1b/d. The ECE-1 inhibitor SM-19712 prevented re-sensitization of SP-induced Ca2+ signals in HMEC-1 cells. Immunoreactive ECE-1 and NK1 receptors co-localized in microvascular endothelial cells in the rat. SP-induced extravasation of Evans blue in the urinary bladder, skin and ears of the rat desensitized when the interval between two SP injections was 10 min, and re-sensitized after 480 min. SM-19712 inhibited this re-sensitization. Conclusions and implications: By degrading endocytosed SP, ECE-1 promotes the recycling and re-sensitization of NK1 receptors in endothelial cells, and thereby induces re-sensitization of the pro-inflammatory effects of SP. Thus, ECE-1 inhibitors may ameliorate the pro-inflammatory actions of SP.
Expression of Pax2 and patterning of the chick inner ear

Early regionalized gene expression patterns within the otocyst appear to correlate with and contribute to development of mature otic structures. In the chick, the transcription factor Pax2 becomes restricted to the dorsal and entire medial side of the otocyst by stage 16/17. The dorsal region of the otocyst forms the endolymphatic duct and sac (ED/ES), and the cochlear duct is derived from the ventromedial region. In the mouse, however, Pax2 expression is reported only in the ventromedial and not the dorsal otocyst. In Pax2 null mice, the cochlea is missing or truncated, but vestibular structures differentiate normally. Here we demonstrate that in the chick, the emerging ED/ES express high levels of Pax2 even when the position of the emerging ED is altered with respect to its environment, either by 180° otocyst rotations about the anterior/posterior axis or transplantation of the otocyst into the hindbrain cavity. However, the Pax2 expression pattern is plastic in the rest of the otic epithelium after 180° rotation of the otocyst. Pax2 is upregulated on the medial side (formerly lateral), and downregulated on the lateral side (formerly medial and expressing Pax2) indicating that Pax2 expression is influenced by the environment. Although Pax2 is upregulated in the epithelium after 180° rotations in the region that should form the cochlear duct, cochlear ducts are truncated or absent, and the ED/ES emerge in a new ventrolateral position. Ablation of the hindbrain at the placode or early otic pit stage alters the timing of regionalized Pax2 expression in the otocyst. The resulting otocysts and ears are generally smaller, vestibular structures are abnormal, ED/ES are missing but cochlear ducts are of normal length. The hindbrain and dorsal periotic mesenchyme provide unique trophic and patterning information to the dorsal otocyst. Our results demonstrate that the ED is the earliest structure patterned in the inner ear and that the hindbrain is important for its specification. We also show that, although normal Pax2 expression is required for cochlear duct development, it is downstream of ventral otocyst patterning events.
A study of the reticulum and of luteinization in granulosa and theca cell tumors of the ovary

Abstract 1. 1. In the Graafian follicle and corpus luteum, as well as in tumors containing theca and granulosa cells, the relationship of the reticulum furnishes a means of identifying the two types of cells. The theca cells are always individually surrounded by this connective tissue element, whereas granulosa cells and lutein cells are enclosed not at all, or as groups of cells. 2. 2. Granulosa and theca cell tumors are not only closely related, but in all probability, most human granulosa cell tumors contain varying proportions of both types of cells. 3. 3. These tumors undergo luteinization in the same manner as does the Graafian follicle. The cause of luteinization is not known, excepting that it is found in the older tumors of the mouse's ovary and may be therefore an expression of age or maturity. 4. 4. The phospholipid content of the tumors is low per unit of weight, as compared with that of the corpus luteum. This may, in part, be due to the greater connective tissue content and areas of degeneration. 5. 5. The life cycle of the granulosa cells, together with the fact that the tumor composed of them contains foci which differ widely in degrees of maturity, explains some of the clinical phenomena observed in patients harboring this type of growth. 6. 6. Luteinization of granulosa cell tumors in small or moderate degree is common. Seventeen instances reported in the literature have been found where the major portion of the tumor had undergone lipoid change. Complete luteinization is rare and is usually found in small tumors. 7. 7. If allowed to mature, one of three different terminations is thought to be the end of the life cycle of granulosa cell tumors: (a) luteinization followed by lipoid degeneration; (b) ischemic necrosis; and (c) collagenous degeneration followed by fibrosis. In tumors composed chiefly of theca elements, collagenous degeneration and fibrosis are the usual sequelae to the luteinization phase.
Minimum Vertex Degree Threshold for C43-tiling*

We prove that the vertex degree threshold for tiling C43 the 3-uniform hypergraph with four vertices and two triples in a 3-uniform hypergraph on n∈4N vertices is n-12-34n2+38n+c, where c=1 if n∈8N and c=-12 otherwise. This result is best possible, and is one of the first results on vertex degree conditions for hypergraph tiling.
Visualizing overlap and rank differences among web‐wide search engines: Some free tools and services

Purpose – To compare the performance of different search engines, highlighting the overlap and rank differences.Design/methodology/approach – Presents results of an overlap test search series among traditional CD‐ROM indexing/abstracting databases since the mid‐1980s, web databases, and authors' own polysearch engine, and reviews Google Scholar.Findings – Finds that overlap is minimal among web‐wide search engines which crawl and index the mostly unstructured open web; and that overlap among Google Scholar and the native search engines is far less than the ideal 100 per cent in the optimal context of crawling and indexing highly‐structured and metadata‐rich collections.Originality/value – Reinforces the existing view that for comprehensive searches one must search more than one database. Highlights and recommends several very good search engine sites.
Semantic annotation of unstructured and ungrammatical text

There are vast amounts of free text on the internet that are neither grammatical nor formally structured, such as item descriptions on Ebay or internet classifieds like Craig's list. These sources of data, called "posts," are full of useful information for agents scouring the Semantic Web, but they lack the semantic annotation to make them searchable. Annotating these posts is difficult since the text generally exhibits little formal grammar and the structure of the posts varies. However, by leveraging collections of known entities and their common attributes, called "reference sets," we can annotate these posts despite their lack of grammar and structure. To use this reference data, we align a post to a member of the reference set, and then exploit this matched member during information extraction. We compare this extraction approach to more traditional information extraction methods that rely on structural and grammatical characteristics, and we show that our approach outperforms traditional methods on this type of data.
Single-cell chromatin accessibility reveals principles of regulatory variation

Cell-to-cell variation is a universal feature of life that affects a wide range of biological phenomena, from developmental plasticity to tumour heterogeneity. Although recent advances have improved our ability to document cellular phenotypic variation, the fundamental mechanisms that generate variability from identical DNA sequences remain elusive. Here we reveal the landscape and principles of mammalian DNA regulatory variation by developing a robust method for mapping the accessible genome of individual cells by assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) integrated into a programmable microfluidics platform. Single-cell ATAC-seq (scATAC-seq) maps from hundreds of single cells in aggregate closely resemble accessibility profiles from tens of millions of cells and provide insights into cell-to-cell variation. Accessibility variance is systematically associated with specific trans-factors and cis-elements, and we discover combinations of trans-factors associated with either induction or suppression of cell-to-cell variability. We further identify sets of trans-factors associated with cell-type-specific accessibility variance across eight cell types. Targeted perturbations of cell cycle or transcription factor signalling evoke stimulus-specific changes in this observed variability. The pattern of accessibility variation in cis across the genome recapitulates chromosome compartments de novo, linking single-cell accessibility variation to three-dimensional genome organization. Single-cell analysis of DNA accessibility provides new insight into cellular variation of the 'regulome'.
Transition to divorce: a life-course approach to women's marital duration and dissolution

This study integrates social exchange theory and the literature on stressful life events into a life-course approach to women's marital duration. We hypothesize that circumstances facilitating a su...
Observing Atoms at Work by Controlling Beam–Sample Interactions

Functional behavior can be initiated and captured in series of images with previously unknown details using a successful effort to effectively control beam-sample interactions in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The approach uses tunable electron dose rates that can be chosen to be as low as attoamperes per square-Angstrom to delay sample degradation to an unexplored end. Dose rates can be systematically increased to stimulate and observe dynamic object responses. Observations can be made in real time with deep sub-Angstrom resolution and single-atom sensitivity, even if radiation-sensitive matter is probed and either pressure or temperature is raised in the electron microscope.
Racial and ethnic disparities in disease activity and function among persons with rheumatoid arthritis from university-affiliated clinics.

Objective Health outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have improved significantly over the past 2 decades. However, research suggests that disparities exist by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, with certain vulnerable populations remaining understudied. Our objective was to assess disparities in disease activity and function by race/ethnicity and explore the impact of language and immigrant status at clinics serving diverse populations. Methods We examined a cross-sectional study of 498 adults with confirmed RA at 2 rheumatology clinics: a university hospital clinic and a public county hospital clinic. Outcomes included the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and its components, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), a measure of function. We estimated multivariable linear regression models including interaction terms for race/ethnicity and clinic site. Results After adjusting for age, sex, education, disease duration, rheumatoid factor status, and medication use, clinically meaningful and statistically significant differences in DAS28 and HAQ scores were seen by race/ethnicity, language, and immigrant status. Lower disease activity and better function was observed among whites compared to nonwhites at the university hospital. This same pattern was observed for disease activity by language (English compared to non-English) and immigrant status (US-born compared to immigrant) at the university clinic. No significant differences in outcomes were found at the county clinic. Conclusion The relationship between social determinants and RA disease activity varied significantly across clinic setting with pronounced variation at the university, but not at the county clinic. These disparities may be a result of events that preceded access to subspecialty care, poor adherence, or health care delivery system differences.
Synthesis of Some Alkyl and Aminoalkyl Esters of Azobenzenedisulfonic Acid

Two homologous series of dialkyl esters ranging from dimethyl to dibutyl of p - and m -azobenzenedisulfonic acid were synthesized for the first time. In addition, the hydrochloride salts of bis-diethylaminoethyl ester of p -azobenzene-4:4′-disulfonic acid and bis-2-di- n -butylaminoethyl ester of m -azobenzene-3:3′-disulfonic acid are reported.
Quality of heart failure management: a comparison of care between a comprehensive heart failure program and a general cardiology practice.

This study evaluates adherence to guidelines by heart failure clinicians (HFCs) vs general cardiologists (GCs) for use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), biventricular pacing devices (cardiac resynchronization therapy; CRT), and use of medications for heart failure (HF). The authors reviewed 563 patients with HF and an ejection fraction ≤35% for adherence to the 2005 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association HF guidelines for the use of ICDs, CRT, and medications. There were 324 HFC and 239 GC patients. CRT guidelines were appropriately followed in 86% of HFC and 81% of GC patients ( P=NS). For primary arrhythmia prevention, an ICD was implanted in 107 (42%) HFC and 50 (25%) GC patients ( P<.004). Guidelines were appropriately followed in 77% of HFC and 74% of GC patients ( P=NS). For medications, dose intensity of diuretics, β-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was significantly greater in HFC than GC patients. Guideline-recommended β-blockers were more frequently utilized by HFCs (97%) than GCs (82%). In conclusion, HFCs and GCs appropriately follow guidelines in the majority of cases, but HFCs use appropriate medications at higher dose intensity. Congest Heart Fail. 2010;16:65–70. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reactive extrusion of glycerylated starch and starch-polyester graft copolymers

Abstract Maleated thermoplastic starch (MTPS) was prepared through in situ reactive modification of thermoplastic starch (TPS) with maleic anhydride (MA) as esterification agent and glycerol as a plasticizer. Melt-blends of 60 wt.% poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with 40 wt.% of TPS or MTPS were then prepared by reactive extrusion to produce PBAT/TPS and PBAT/MTPS, respectively. Soxhlet extraction in acetone was then used to extract any un-grafted glycerol from these blend systems. Analysis of the acetone extracted product was performed using GC, FTIR and TGA. The residues from the soxhlet extractions were analyzed by FTIR and TGA. GC analysis showed that the acetone extraction was a very effective technique to extract free glycerol from the system. Furthermore, the combination of TGA and the gravimetric results after extraction was an effective method to determine the amount of glycerol grafted on the starch backbone. We observed that introducing 2 wt.% of MA to the system significantly increased glycerol grafting onto the starch backbone. Evidence for grafting of PBAT onto the maleated and glycerylated thermoplastic starch was obtained from dichloromethane (DCM) soxhlet extraction on the PBAT/TPS and PBAT/MTPS resins. The DCM soxhlet extracted fraction and the residue remaining in the thimble were analyzed by FTIR and TGA. The presence of MA on the starch backbone was shown to enhance the extent of grafting of PBAT to the starch backbone. Further acetone extraction of the PBAT/MTPS resin blend indicated that the grafting was obtained through transesterification reactions between the grafted glycerol on the starch backbone and PBAT polymeric chains. Finally, stained blends analyzed by TEM analysis supports our analytical analyses and indicated higher grafting yield in the PBAT/MTPS blend compared with the PBAT/TPS blend.
An algorithm for RLS identification parameters that vary quickly with time

An alternative to the standard recursive least-squares (RLS) algorithm for fixed-order systems with exponential data weighting is presented. The approach uses Givens orthogonal transformations to update the Cholesky factor of the information matrix without ever needing to form it. The resulting algorithm gives higher-precision control and is less sensitive to ill-conditioning when compared to other reported approaches. It is demonstrated by an example that ill-conditioned problems with parameters that vary quickly can be modified to stabilize erratic parameter fluctuations. >
How Many Classes in the Pearson Chi-Square Test?

Abstract The asymptotic non-null distribution is obtained for the modified form of the Pearson chi-square statistic studied by Dahiya and Gurland [3]. By utilizing this result the power is obtained for specific alternative distributions in testing for normality. This enables recommendations to be made as to the number of class intervals to be employed in applying the aforementioned modification of the Pearson chi-square test of normality.
Correlation of Choroidal Subretinal Neovascularization With Fluorescein Angiography

The presence and distribution of laser-induced experimental subretinal neovascularization were studied by serial reconstruction and correlated with the amount of fluorescein leakage during angiography. All laser lesions that demonstrated leakage and pooling of fluorescein (leaky lesions) contained subretinal vessels with an overlying fluid-filled space. The subretinal vessels extended beyond the area of demonstrated leakage, while the fluid-filled space overlying the subretinal vessels correlated closely with the demonstrated area of leakage. All leaky lesions gradually stopped leaking fluorescein, that is, involuted. The disappearance of leakage was not accompanied by a reduction in the number of subretinal vessels but rather with the disappearance of the overlying fluid. Further, 80% of the lesions that never leaked fluorescein (nonleaky lesions) also contained subretinal vessels but no overlying fluid. Our findings indicate that subretinal vessels can be detected by fluorescein angiography only if they lie beneath a fluid-filled space.
An investigation of the mechanisms that control intermediate temperature creep of Ni3Al

Abstract In this study, constant stress creep tests were combined with detailed transmission electron microscopy in order to characterize and explain the intermediate temperature creep properties of Ni 3 Al. It was observed that octahedral glide, the mechanism associated with the anomalous yielding behavior of this alloy, is exhausted during primary creep. Primary creep does not lead to steady state creep but is instead followed by inverse creep. TEM observations indicate that the Kear-Wilsdorf locks that are formed during primary creep do lead to the exhaustion of octahedral glide, but that given sufficient time and temperature these cross-slipped segments are able to bow out and glide on the cube cross-slip plane. This dislocation generation, and subsequent glide, on the (010) plane is the basis for the observation of inverse creep in this alloy. Dislocation motion on the cube plane is a thermally activated process and as such is able to explain the strong temperature dependence that was observed for the intermediate temperature creep strength of Ni 3 Al.
Asian Indians as a Minority in the United States. The Effect of Education, Occupations and Gender on Income

Are Asian Indians another “model minority” to the American mainstream? Multivariate analysis reveals Asian Indian income is a reflection of an unusual concentration of recent immigrants in professi...
Superconductivity in Y1−yNayBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract Homogenous materials with YBa2Cu3Ox type structures are obtained by partial substitution according to Y1−yNayBa2Cu3Ox up to y ∼ 0.6. Structural transformations as a function of annealing temperature (under air) are similar to the ones of the unsubstituted material (y = 0). They encompass a change with increasing annealing temperature, from an orthorhombic modification with b = c 3 (O bc phase ) to an orthorhombic modification with a ≠ b ≠ c 3 (O a,b,c phase ) . Partly Na substituted materials with the Obc structure have largely unchanged superconducting transition temperatures, Ts, and a similar dependence of Ts on annealing temperature compared to the parent compound. There obtains a roughly constant Ts in the Obc phase and a strong decrease of Ts after annealing at higher T. The structural order-disorder transformations can occur at different x depending on the annealing temperature.
Advanced photon source low-energy undulator test line

The injector system of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) consists of a linac capable of producing 450-MeV positrons or > 650-MeV electrons, a positron accumulator ring (PAR), and a booster synchrotron designed to accelerate particles to 7 GeV. There are long periods of time when these machines are not required for filling the main storage ring and instead can be used for synchrotron radiation research. We describe here an extension of the linac beam transport called the Low-Energy Undulator Test Line (LEUTL). The LEUTL will have a twofold purpose. The first is to fully characterize innovative, future generation undulators, some of which may prove difficult or impossible to measure by traditional techniques. These might include small-gap and superconducting undulators, very long undulators, undulators with designed-in internal focusing, and helical undulators. This technique also holds the promise of extending the magnetic measurement sensitivity beyond that presently attainable. This line will provide the capability to directly test undulators before their possible insertion into operating storage rings. A second use for the test line will be to investigate the generation of coherent radiation at wavelengths down to a few tens of nanometers.
Use of indicator items to monitor marine debris on a New Jersey beach from 1991 to 1996

The US National Marine Debris Monitoring Program is using indicator items from beach surveys to identify whether amounts of marine debris are changing over time. Indicator items were selected through expert opinion and assumed to reflect the trend of all debris. We used monthly data from a 1991–1996 study of debris on a New Jersey beach to determine if indicator and non-indicator items showed similar trends. Total indicator debris levels did not change; this was true regardless of probable source. Non-indicator debris increased about 40% annually. Plastic non-indicator items increased regardless of whether items were whole items, cigarette filters, or pieces. Of the whole items, almost 50% were plastic lids, cups, and utensils, and about 25% were drug-related paraphernalia, tobacco-related products, plastic stirrers, pull rings, and fireworks. When indicator items are used in a monitoring programme to reflect total debris patterns, concordance of trends in indicator and non-indicator debris should be checked.
Chemoattraction ofBiomphalaria glabrata (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) to lipid standards and lipophilic factors in leaf lettuce and Tetramin

Chemoattraction of individualBiomphalaria glabrata snails for lipid standards and lipophilic fractions of leaf lettuce and Tetramin were studied in a Petri dish bioassay. Snails were more significantly attracted to a whole Tetramin lipophilic fraction than that of leaf lettuce. Thin-layer chromatography showed that major neutral lipid fractions in Tetramin were triacylglycerols, free fatty acids, and free sterols, and in leaf lettuce were free fatty acids and a mixed free sterol-chlorophyll fraction. Snails were significantly attracted to both the free fatty acid and free sterol fractions from Tetramin, but only to the free fatty acid fraction from leaf lettuce. Snails were significantly attracted to a mixed lipid standard containing equal amounts of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, oleic acid, triolein, and cholesteryl oleate. Of four individual neutral lipid standards tested, i.e., cholesterol, oleic acid, triolein, and cholesteryl oleate, snails were only attracted to cholesteryl oleate.
Biochemical Characterization of γ-75 k Secalins of Rye I. Amino Acid Sequences

ABSTRACT The prolamin fraction of the rye cultivar Danko was reduced with dithioerythritol and separated by reversed-phase HPLC on C18 silica gel. Two major γ-75k secalins, P1 and P2, were collected, purified by rechromatography, derivatized with 4-vinylpyridine, and digested in parallel with α-chymotrypsin, thermolysin, and trypsin. The different enzymatic hydrolyzates were preparatively separated by two-step reversed-phase HPLC on C18 silica gel, and the resulting peptides were characterized by sequence analysis and, in parts, by mass spectrometry. By means of overlapping peptides and by comparison with a known DNA sequence of a γ-75k secalin (gSec2A) derived from a wheat translocation line (2RS. 2BL), 84% of the P1 sequence and 35% of the P2 sequence could be assigned. Heterogeneity at several sequence positions demonstrated that both protein preparations were not pure and contained at least two or three components. The sequence of the C-terminal domain of P1 was almost completely determined except for...
Ultrafiltration coefficient of isolated glomeruli of rats aged 4 days to maturation

Ultrafiltration coefficient of isolated glomeruli of rats aged 4 days to maturation. In the developing rat, RBF and GFR increase in parallel. We have calculated filtration coefficient (K f ) and hydraulic conductivity (Lp) of the glomerular capillary using glomeruli isolated from Munich-Wistar rats aged 4 days to adult. Lp derived as the quotient of K f and total basement membrane area (Lp S ) may represent a minimum estimate, while the quotient of K f and the peripheral basement membrane area (Lp P ) may more accurately represent the value that is operative in vivo. Rats in Group 1 (age 4 to 9 days) had an average glomerular diameter of 87 ± 3 µm, K f of 1.7 ± 0.3 nl/min · mm Hg and Lp S and Lp P , 1.9 ± 0.2 and 4.4 ± 0.6 µl/min · mm Hg · cm 2 , respectively. Glomerular diameter and K f were not significantly increased in rats of Group 2 (22 to 36 days), but Lp S and Lp P diminished to 1.5 ± 0.1 and 2.6 ± 0.2 µl/min · mm Hg · cm 2 because of an increase in basement membrane surface density. In older rats of Groups 3 (69 to 84 days) and 4 (about 120 days, wt 205 ± 4 g), glomerular diameter and K f increased progressively. K f and diameter were greater in deep than in superficial glomeruli of Group 4. In superficial glomeruli of Group 4, Lp S averaged 1.1 ± 0.1 and Lp P 2.0 ± 0.1 µl/min · mm Hg · cm 2 , and were significantly lower than the values for Group 2 but not different from those of deep glomeruli of Group 4. Relative erythrocyte ejection increased with increasing glomerular diameter, indicating decreasing capillary resistance. Our observations are consistent with the previous reports that renal perfusion, K f , and filtration rate increase in parallel, but do not support the hypothesis that glomerular capillary hydraulic conductivity increases as the filtration barrier matures.