cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infections of Prosthetic Heart Valves

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) occurs in 1 to 9.4% of valve recipients. The PVE studies that were reviewed often lacked comprehensive follow-up information on operated patients and thus may have failed to account for infections that were not treated at the reporting institution. Calderwood et al. found 116 patients with PVE in 2,608 patients that survived valve replacement surgery done from January 1975 through December 1982. Actuarial estimates of cumulative risks in this study were 3.1% at 12 months and 5.7% at 60 months. The increasing incidence of PVE on bioprosthetic valves with time elapsed after the initial postoperative year, combined with the leaflet localization of those late onset infections, suggests that anatomic changes in bioprosthetic valve leaflets over time may increase the susceptibility of these valves to endocarditis. Suspecting that the pathogenesis of some infections would relate to nosocomial events, particularly those occurring during or shortly after surgery, Block et al. coined the term “early PVE” for patients with onset of infection within 60 days of surgery. Cefamandole was more effective than cefazolin in preventing wound infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus, in cardiac surgery patients. In one randomized double-blind trial, patients undergoing cardiac or major vascular surgery who received vancomycin experienced fewer surgical wound infections than did those who received cefazolin or cefamandole. However, in this study there was no significant difference in surgical wound infection rates between recipients of the various prophylactic antibiotic regimens when one considered patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Recruitment in Social Networking Sites: A Theoretical Model of Jobseekers' Intentions

We propose a risk-benefit model for studying jobseekers’ behavioral intentions to apply for a job in the context of social networking sites (SNSs). Our model integrates classic technology adoption/utilization theories with salient factors such as privacy concerns that have increased in significance with the growing use of SNSs as a recruitment source. We hypothesize that jobseekers’ outcome expectancy (degree of optimism with respect to finding a job) and perceived usefulness of SNSs are both impacted by the availability of information about social connections to potential employers and by perceptions of justice in the job candidate selection process. Further, perceived usefulness of SNSs is influenced by outcome expectancy. This model also suggests that perceived risks (in terms of uncertainty and possible adverse consequences) are affected by online information privacy concerns. Finally, outcome expectancy, perceived usefulness of SNSs and perceived risks directly predict intentions to use SNSs to apply for a job.
Separation of toxin and hemagglutinin from crystalline toxin of Clostridium botulinum type A by anion exchange chromatography and determination of their dimensions by gel filtration.

Abstract Crystalline preparations of Clostridium botulinum type A toxin were fractionated on DEAE-cellulose columns with Tris-HCl buffers at pH 8.0. The isolated toxic fraction was free of hemagglutinating activity and contained 5 times the specific activity of the crystalline toxin. The second fraction was a powerful hemagglutinin but was only feebly toxic; it emerged from the column as one or more peaks, under different elution conditions. By rechromatography and immunological tests, the toxicity of the second fraction was shown to be due to contamination with traces of the toxic fraction. By several criteria, the toxic and hemagglutinating components appeared to be at least two different proteins. Most of the information obtainable from the ultracentrifugal analysis of these substances was also obtained by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column and with much smaller protein concentrations. At physiological pH, the toxic fraction had a molecular weight of 150,000 and a Stokes radius of 48 A; these dimensions were in agreement with those established in vivo by other investigators. The hemagglutinin appeared to exist in three forms of aggregation with molecular weights of 290,000, 500,000, and 900,000.
Govzines on the Web : A preachment

Revues gouvernementales des differents etats des USA, revues federales, revues de l'ONU. Examen d'environ 16 revues. Evolution des revues de la forme papier vers les diverses formes electroniques: CDROM, Internet...Problemes lies a l'archivage des informations
Hormonal protection from cyclophosphamide-induced inactivation of rat stem spermatogonia

Studies of protection of testicular function from cyclophosphamide with hormonal pretreatment have been limited by the lack of a convenient model for cyclophosphamide-induced inactivation of stem spermatogonia. In the rat, the mortality from cyclophosphamide had prevented the administration of sufficient dosages to produce detectible damage to stem spermatogonia. To overcome this problem, we used bone marrow transplantation and sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (Mesna) treatment to raise the lethal dose for 50% of the animals (LD50) for cyclophosphamide from 275 to > 400 mg/kg body weight. In addition we used irradiation, 2 weeks prior to injection of cyclophosphamide, to greatly enhance the measured toxicity of cyclophosphamide towards stem spermatogonia. Whereas sperm counts at 9 weeks after a 300 mg/kg cyclophosphamide dose were reduced by only a factor of 1.6 without prior irradiation, they were reduced by a factor of 60 when 2.5 Gy of irradiation had been given. Dramatic protection against this toxicity was produced by hormone treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (Nal-Glu) and an antiandrogen (flutamide) following the radiation but prior to cyclophosphamide. This hormone treatment did not modify the stem cell toxicity of the radiation and it therefore must be protecting stem cells against cyclophosphamide-induced damage. Because GnRH antagonist-antiandrogen treatment can protect stem spermatogonial survival and/or function in the rat from cyclophosphamide-induced damage, if the same principles are applicable in human, hormonal pretreatment should be useful for preventing the prolonged azoospermia caused by chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide-containing protocols.
Multipolar Excitations in Small Metallic Spheres

The polarizability αl(ω) appropriate to a small metallic sphere is obtained within the semiclassical infinite barrier model, where l is the multipole order. An excitation diagram in the l,ω plane based on the structure of this function is proposed. It represents the spherical analog of the excitation structure of an infinite medium in the k, ω plane.
An analysis of near misses identified by anesthesia providers in the intensive care unit

Learning from adverse events and near misses may reduce the incidence of preventable errors. Current literature on adverse events and near misses in the ICU focuses on errors reported by nurses and intensivists. ICU near misses identified by anesthesia providers may reveal critical events, causal mechanisms and system weaknesses not identified by other providers, and may differ in character and causality from near misses in other anesthesia locations. We analyzed events reported to our anesthesia near miss reporting system from 2009 to 2011. We compared causative mechanisms of ICU near misses with near misses in other anesthesia locations. A total of 1,811 near misses were reported, of which 22 (1.2 %) originated in the ICU. Five causal mechanisms explained over half of ICU near misses. Compared to near misses from other locations, near misses from the ICU were more likely to occur while on call (45 % vs. 19 %, p = 0.001), and were more likely to be associated with airway management (50 % vs. 12 %, p < 0.001). ICU near misses were less likely to be associated with equipment issues (23 % vs. 48 %, p = 0.02). A limited number of causal mechanisms explained the majority of ICU near misses, providing targets for quality improvement. Errors associated with airway management in the ICU may be underappreciated. Specialist consultants can identify systems weaknesses not identified by critical care providers, and should be engaged in the ICU patient safety movement.
Carcinoembryonic antigen from human malignant melanoma cells. I. Production and shedding characteristics

Two major findings are reported in the present studies: (a) Long-term cultivation, followed by cloning, of a human malignant melanoma HMMC-ShA cell line gave melanotic and amelanotic cell variants. During in vitro proliferation, the melanotic melanoma (HMMC-ShAE+) cells released carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and an inhibitor of phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte stimulation. Gel filtration patterns of CEA on Sephadex-G200 varied from one culture condition to another. Glycosylation-deficient CEA obtained from cells harvested from media supplemented with non-toxic levels of tunicamycin showed lower molecular weight and delayed filtration through Sephadex-G200. (b) Human melanotic melanoma (HMMC-ShAE+) differed from amelanotic melanoma (HMMC-ShA-) and glycosylation-deficient cells in the amount of CEA and in the suppression of lymphocyte response activity which they shed into the medium and as well as in oncogenicity in athymic nu/nu BALB/c mice.
Mapping genes on an integrated sorghum genetic and physical map using cDNA selection technology

Sorghum is an important target of plant genomics. This cereal has unusual tolerance to adverse environments, a small genome (750 Mbp) relative to most other grasses, a diverse germplasm, and utility for comparative genomics with rice, maize and other grasses. In this study, a modified cDNA selection protocol was developed to aid the discovery and mapping of genes across an integrated genetic and physical map of the sorghum genome. BAC DNA from the sorghum genome map was isolated and covalently bound in arrayed tubes for efficient liquid handling. Amplifiable cDNA sequence tags were isolated by hybridization to individual sorghum BACs, cloned and sequenced. Analysis of a fully sequenced sorghum BAC indicated that about 80% of known or predicted genes were detected in the sequence tags, including multiple tags from different regions of individual genes. Data from cDNA selection using the fully sequenced BAC indicate that the occurrence of mislocated cDNA tags is very low. Analysis of 35 BACs (5.25 Mb) from sorghum linkage group B revealed (and therefore mapped) two sorghum genes and 58 sorghum ESTs. Additionally, 31 cDNA tags that had significant homologies to genes from other species were also isolated. The modified cDNA selection procedure described here will be useful for genome-wide gene discovery and EST mapping in sorghum, and for comparative genomics of sorghum, rice, maize and other grasses.
A comparison of algorithms for sound localization

In this paper, we compare the performance of four algorithms for sound localization: one-bit correlation, one-bit correlation derivative, and two methods inspired from biology, namely, gradient flow and sterausis. We employ real-data recorded from four microphones to compare the localization performance.
Moose ( Alces alces ) hunters subsidize the scavenger community in Alaska

In many temperate ecosystems animal carcasses resultant from wildlife harvest can provide a high-quality food source for myriad facultative scavengers. We investigated scavenger use of human-provisioned ungulate carrion from a fall moose (Alces alces) hunt during 2010 and 2011 on the Gustavus Forelands, Alaska, USA. Using data from remote cameras, we (1) identified the scavenger species that used these resources and (2) evaluated their spatial and temporal responses to this seasonal resource event by indexing their activity patterns and relative order of arrival at carrion sites. We also quantified the length of time carrion persisted and estimated the amount of moose biomass provisioned to vertebrate scavengers by human hunters. Our results indicated that 11 vertebrate species (five birds and six mammals) scavenged moose carrion. We found that the common raven was the only species documented at all carrion sites and the most abundant species at moose carrion sites. As a species group, corvids [black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia), common raven (Corvus corax); 0.1 ± 2.3 days] were the first to arrive at human-provisioned moose carrion sites, whereas ursids [brown bear (Ursus arctos), black bear (U. americanus); 1.3 ± 1.0 days] arrived after corvids but sooner than expected and canids [gray wolf (Canis lupus), coyote (C. latrans); 3.9 ± 3.0] arrived later than expected compared to our null model. On average, carrion persisted >20 days and hunters provided scavengers with a minimum of 2720 kg (82.7 kg/km2) and 1815 kg (64.8 kg/km2) of moose carrion during 2010 and 2011, respectively. Understanding how scavengers, particularly large carnivores, interact with human-provisioned moose carrion at the rural–wildland interface is essential for mitigating potential human–wildlife conflicts associated with humans subsidizing predators with a high-quality food resource.
Spillovers and the Locational Effects of Public Infrastructure

This paper examines the possibility of negative output spillovers frompublic infrastructure. A model of productive public capital shows that when input factors aremobile, public infrastructure investments in one location can draw production away from otherlocations. In a linear production-function framework, this effect would be manifested as anegative output spillover from public capital. Using data for California counties from 1969through 1988, such negative spillover effects are shown to exist in the case ofstreet-and-highway capital. The data show that changes in county output are positivelyassociated with changes in street-and-highway capital within the same county, but outputchanges are negatively associated with changes in street-and-highway capital in other counties.
40 Gbit/s optical receiver module with high conversion gain and sensitivity

An optical receiver for 40 Gbit/s communication systems with 8274 V/W conversion gain and 950 mVp–p limiting differential output is reported. A back-to-back sensitivity of −9.4 dBm at a bit error rate of 10−12 was observed for a 231−1 pseudorandom binary sequence. The receiver incorporates an InP based pin diode, a transimpedance amplifier and a limiting amplifier. This is the largest conversion gain with high sensitivity reported for 40 Gbit/s receivers without optical amplification.
Low velocity impact of combination Kevlar/carbon fiber sandwich composites

Impact, compression after impact, and tensile stiffness properties of carbon fiber and Kevlar combination sandwich composites were investigated in this study. The different samples consisted of impact-side facesheets having different combinations of carbon fiber/Kevlar and carbon fiber/hybrid. The bottom facesheets remained entirely carbon fiber to maintain the high overall flexural stiffness of the sandwich composite. The focus of this research was to determine if any improvement in impact properties existed as a result of replacing the impact-side facesheet layers of carbon fiber with Kevlar or hybrid. Impact tests were conducted on different sample types to obtain information about absorbed energy and maximum impact force. Also, compression after impact tests were conducted to determine the reduction in compressive strength when comparing impacted to non-impacted samples. The elastic moduli of carbon fiber, Kevlar, and hybrid were determined from tensile testing. This data was used to characterize the reduction in stiffness from replacing carbon fiber layers with the Kevlar or hybrid layers. The experimental data in its entirety helps define the benefits and disadvantages of replacing carbon fiber layers with Kevlar or hybrid.
High efficiency long wavelength VCSEL on InP grown by MOCVD

High efficiency continuous-wave operation of 1.53 /spl mu/m vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) with buried tunnel junction grown by metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) has been demonstrated. Devices show a high differential quantum efficiency of 46% and a singlemode power of 1 mW. Minimum threshold current and voltage are 0.45 mA and 1.3 V at room temperature, respectively for devices of 5 /spl mu/m diameter.
The Nonlinear Evolution of Swirling Jets

We investigate the mechanisms of vorticity concentration, reorientation and stretching in a swirling jet, whose dynamics is dominated by the competition of a Kelvin-Helmholtz-type vortex sheet instability and a centrifugal Rayleigh instability. To this end, we employ an inviscid Lagrangian vortex filament technique. It is found that the axial jet velocity profile breaks the symmetry of the pure swirling flow. Conversely, the swirl is seen to modify the case dominated by a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in that it results in the formation of counterrotating vortex rings. A pinch-off mechanism is observed which leads to a dramatic decrease in the local jet diameter. Furthermore, the vortex ring circulation is seen to be time dependent.
An Effective Algorithm for the Noncentral Chi-Squared Distribution Function

Abstract A simple recursive algorithm is provided for evaluating the noncentral chi-squared distribution function. This algorithm basically reduces the problem to that of evaluating a single central chi-squared distribution function. The algorithm is summarized in a step-by-step form, and a good algorithm for evaluating the central chi-squared distribution function is also given in a step-by-step form.
Transport Processes in Low-melting Fused Salts

THE experimental results of measurements of the viscosity and electrical conductance of molten salts have been expressed by many authors in the forms: in which Eη and EΛ are known as the activation energies for viscous flow and for equivalent conductance, respectively. The data frequently can be fitted with reasonable accuracy to equations of this type in which the pre-exponential factors (Aη, AΛ) and the activation energies are independent of temperature in the temperature-range of the measurements, although there are exceptions.
Progesterone Binding by Normal and Abnormal Human Endometrium

Abstract Cytosols from 75 normal, 36 abnormal, and 5 decidual human endometrial tissue specimens were assayed for the presence of a high affinity, progesterone-specific binding protein. Thirty of the normal and 15 of the abnormal samples were found to contain a binder which would form a high-affinity complex with progesterone but not with cortisol, 17β-estradiol, testosterone, or 5α-androstane-3,-17-dione. Incubation of cytosol with trypsin or incubation for 2 hours at 37 C abolished [3H]progesterone binding by these preparations, indicating the protein nature and heat-lability of the binder. The average equilibrium constant of dissociation, Kd, of the progesterone-binder complex was 4.0 × 10−10M in each phase of the menstrual cycle. The concentration of the binder varied over the cycle, however, with a significant peak at mid-cycle (P = .02). The average saturation values in femtomoles (fmoles)/mg protein ranged from 21 in the early proliferative phase to 64 in the late proliferative samples, dropping to...
Wavelength division multiplexing and transmission of analog signals over fiber

We present results from the multiplexing and transmission of amplitude modulated, frequency modulated, and video analog signals over fiber. The optical carrier's wavelengths for these signals were centered in the 1545-1560nm telecommunication wavelength regimes. A direct modulation format was used for the AM signals whereas external modulation formats were used for the FM and video signals. Standard telecommunication WDM components were used for multiplexing and demultiplexing of the signals. The study presents a comparison of the original electrical signal and the transmitted signals. In particular we indicated intermodulation effects, and signal-to-noise ratio as a function of wavelength separation of the optical carriers and transmission distance respectively. The practical application of this research will help stimulate the growing trend to add fiber optic cable to the "Last Mile". The Last Mile, a reference to the connection between the residential customer and the Central Office is currently dominated by three independent technologies Copper Wire, Wireless and Coaxial cable. These methods of transmitting Analog signals dictate the speed and the amount of information that can be delivered to the residential customer. The preferred transmission media used to connect computers, the primary source of digital signals, either locally or over long distances is through Fiber Optic Cable. If Fiber Optic Cable could replace the existing last mile, this would elevate the present bandwidth issues. The addition of yet another cable into the home for a single application is prohibitively expensive. Therefore the need to combine all existing signals both digital and analog into any additional transmission media on the Last Mile is essential.
Problems of Reservoir Management

Abstract The reservoir construction program during the last few years in Oklahoma has effected a tremendous increase in fishing opportunities. The answers to many fishery management problems arising out of the reservoir construction have been answered through cooperative endeavor of Federal agencies, state agencies, and schools of higher learning. Artificial reservoirs are so prolific in fish production that overpopulation is the main problem. Much more efficient commercial fish and sport fish harvest programs are needed, however, public resistance is at present the principal impediment to better management.
Spin diffusion in anisotropic Heisenberg chains: S≥1/2

Abstract In this paper, we investigate spin diffusion in Heisenberg chains with uniaxial nearest-neighbor interactions. The approach followed is based on an analysis of the infinite-temperature longitudinal spin density and spin current correlation functions. For S =1/2, exact results are presented for the time-dependent correlation functions in the XY limit. Away from this limit, the second and fourth moments of the Fourier transform of the spin density correlation function provide information about spin dynamics for arbitrary values of the spin. The moments are used in an assessment of the accuracy of the Gaussian approximation for the spin diffusion constant for S =1/2. The general behavior of the Gaussian approximation when S >1/2 is discussed, and numerical results for the spin diffusion constant are presented for S =1/2, 1, 3/2, 2 and in the classical limit. A moment-based criterion for the boundary in reciprocal space between diffusive and non-diffusive dynamics that applies to arbitrary values of the spin is presented.
Bioimaging: The only way is up

An efficient scheme that realizes broad tunability of photon upconversion in core–shell nanoparticles may lead to applications in biosensing, security labelling and more.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder after neonatal surgery: review of the pathophysiology and risk factors:

There are many factors that influence the long-term neurological outcomes in children following cardiac surgery. Because there is also complex interaction between these many factors, it is difficult to assess which are primary and modifiable and which can be used to make improvements in outcomes. As survival after complex neonatal heart surgery has increased, the number of children with long-term neurological deficits is becoming more evident and this affects quality of life for children and their families. One area of long-term assessment is the incidence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The incidence rate for ADHD following pediatric cardiac surgery is significantly higher than the normal rate for children of the same age. Because this is a measureable long-term outcome, it can be used to evaluate methods for cerebral protection during surgery as well as the timing of surgical procedures to maximize cerebral oxygen levels. This paper will review the pathophysiological basis for ADHD in this population, based on the similarities between neonatal cardiac surgical patients and pre-term infants. Both populations have an increased risk for ADHD and the etiology and pathological changes in pre-term infants have been widely investigated over the past 25 years. The rate of ADHD in this population is a window into the effects of these pathological changes on long-term outcomes. Reducing the incidence of ADHD in the future in this population should be a primary goal in developing and assessing new cerebral protective strategies during cardiac surgery.
193-nm EAPSM inspection comparison: commercial versus alternative absorber material

Current commercially available 193nm Embedded Attenuated Phase Shift Mask (EAPSM) blanks are MoSiON-based. In order to obtain the appropriate optical properties of 6% transmission and 180-degree phase shift at 193nm wavelength, these films are built very thin and subsequently have very high transmission at longer wavelengths. Current inspection tools use 364nm as the inspection wavelength; therefore the high transmission of the commercial blanks (>50% at 365nm) causes sensitivity problems in current high-end inspection tools. This problem is only fixed by costly upgrades to the current inspection tools, resulting in much higher mask costs. Photronics, Inc. has developed an alternative film stack that obtains the appropriate optical properties at 193nm (6%T and 180-degree phase shift). This film stack has a relatively low transmission (<15%) at the inspection tool wavelength in comparison to the commercial blanks enabling improved inspection performance with the current tool set. This paper outlines the development of new 193nm EAPSM blanks, the processing of these masks, and the resulting inspection performance in comparison to the commercial EAPSM blanks.
An Apprenticeship Model to Recruit and Prepare Minority Students to Enter Special Education Doctoral Programs.

Despite the large number of minority students in special education in the public schools, there is a critical shortage of minority faculty in special education teacher training and research. This shortage exists, in part, because many minority students do not perceive themselves as potential college professors, nor do they have a clear concept of the culture of academe or the requirements for acquiring a faculty position and attaining tenure and promotion. Equally important, minority students express a need for mentoring and financial support to enable them to pursue doctorates in special education. We describe a research-based apprenticeship model to prepare minority students to enter doctoral programs with the goal of becoming faculty members in institutions of higher education. Specific recommendations and rationale are presented for recruitment and training.
Effects of divalent cations, seawater, and formation brine on positively charged polyethylenimine/dextran sulfate/chromium(III) polyelectrolyte complexes and partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide/chromium(III) gelation

Polyacrylamide crosslinked with Cr(III) is a common blocking agent that is injected into oil reservoirs to shut off the water flow to features such as fractures and high-permeability rock to improve the volumetric sweep efficiency during water flooding. This technique is limited to situations where enough gelant can be injected to fill the high-permeability zones before gelation occurs. Cr(III) may be encapsulated with a high entrapment efficiency in self-assembling polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles with effective diameters of about 100–200 nm and formed by the mixture of polyethylenimine and dextran sulfate in nonstoichiometric amounts. The electrostatic interaction between the polyelectrolytes and the Cr(III) is reversible, but diffusion out of the nanoparticles is retarded, and this results in a delay in gelation from minutes or hours to several days in deionized water. Produced and injection waters often contain salts at concentrations comparable to seawater. The effects of these salts were investigated, and we found that the delay in gelation was further extended to as much as 35 days at 40°C and 35 h at 80°C in the presence of divalent ions at seawater concentrations, either alone or in a field brine or seawater; this greatly increases their potential utility. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Optimality conditions and constraint qualifications in Banach space

In this paper, necessary optimality conditions for nonlinear programs in Banach spaces and constraint qualifications for their applicability are considered. A new optimality condition is introduced, and a constraint qualification ensuring the validity of this condition is given. When the domain space is a reflexive space, it is shown that the qualification is the weakest possible. If a certain convexity assumption is made, then this optimality condition is shown to reduce to the well-known extension of the Kuhn-Tucker conditions to Banach spaces. In this case, the constraint qualification is weaker than those previously given.
Radiation‐induced polymerization at high pressure of n‐tetradecafluoroheptene‐1; 1,1,2‐trifluorovinyl phenyl ether; and 1,2,3,4,5‐pentafluorophenyl 1,1,2‐trifluorovinyl ether

The radiation-induced polymerization of n-tetradecafluoroheptene-1 was investigated at pressures of 8100, 11,900 and 17,100 atmospheres and temperatures between 90 and 267°C. The data are interpreted in terms of a free radical mechanism and the polymer has a low ceiling temperature. As temperature is increased, the depropagation step becomes important and reduces the rate of polymerization. Under some conditions transfer seems to be a significant part of the mechanism. Several radiation-induced polymerizations at high pressure were carried out with 1,1,2-trifluorovinylphenyl ether as well as one with 1,2,3,4,5-pentafluorophenyl 1,1,2-trifluorovinyl ether. The results suggest that transfer limits the molecular weight of the polymers.
Domestic violence and symptoms of gynecologic morbidity among women in north India

Although there is increasing recognition of the global scope of domestic violence and the potential reproductive health consequences of violence little is known about the relationship between physical and sexual domestic violence and gynecologic morbidity in developing country settings. A sample of 3642 couples from northern India was created by matching husbands and wives who responded to the mens and womens surveys of the 1995--1996 PERFORM System of Indicators Survey. The association between mens reports of physical and sexual violence they had perpetrated against their wives and wives reports of gynecologic symptoms was analyzed in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Overall 37% of men said they had committed one or more acts of physical or sexual violence against their wives in the past 12 months with 12% reporting physical violence only 17% sexual violence only and 9% both physical and sexual violence. Thirty-four percent of women reported at least one symptom of gynecologic morbidity. Compared with women whose husbands reported no violence those who had experienced both physical and sexual violence and those who had experienced sexual violence only had elevated odds of reporting gynecologic symptoms (odds ratios 1.7 and 1.4 respectively). Plausible mechanisms through which domestic violence may influence gynecologic morbidity include physical trauma psychological stress or transmission of STIs. Reproductive health. (authors)
THE IMPACT OF EXPANDING METROPOLITAN COMMUNITIES UPON THE CENTRAL PLACE HIERARCHY

T HIS study, part of a continuing program of central place research,1 points out differences in the population:function ratios of central places located on either side of the daily commuting range of metropolitan centers. A single case is studied from two viewpoints: (a) the varying structure of the central place system lying athwart the commuting range of a metropolis; (b) the process of differentiation of this structure as the commuting range of the metropolis shifts outwards and previously independent central places are drawn within the web of intra-metropolitan relations. Findings lead to a re-examination of concepts of metropolitan dominance.
The North Atlantic Oscillation: Climatic Significance and Environmental Impact

A new AGU book, The North Atlantic Oscillation: Climatic Significance and Environmental Impact, edited by James W. Hurrell, Yochanan Kushnir, Geir Ottersen, and Martin Visbeck, investigates the current theories, models, and observations of the NAO and assesses future directions for research. The book is the first on this important phenomenon, the most prominent and recurring weather pattern over the Northern Hemisphere. In this issue, Eos talks with lead editor, James Hurrell. Hurrell is deputy section head of the Climate Analysis Section of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, where he has contributed to the International Panel on Climate Change assessments, and works with the international research program on climate variability and predictability.
IQGAP1-mediated Stimulation of Transcriptional Co-activation by β-Catenin Is Modulated by Calmodulin

β-Catenin, an oncoprotein integral to cell-cell adhesion and proliferative signaling, is increased in several malignancies. The recently discovered calmodulin-binding protein IQGAP1 binds stoichiometrically to β-catenin and regulates the association of β-catenin with the cell-cell adhesion complex. In the present work, we investigated the role of IQGAP1 on the transcriptional co-activator function of β-catenin, and whether calmodulin modulated the functional interaction between IQGAP1 and β-catenin. In vitro competition assays revealed that both Ca2+/calmodulin and apo-calmodulin, when pre-bound to IQGAP1, prevented binding of β-catenin to IQGAP1, and partially displaced β-catenin pre-bound to IQGAP1 when added subsequently. Conversely, β-catenin partially displaced apo-calmodulin, but not Ca2+/calmodulin, from IQGAP1. Overexpression of IQGAP1 in SW480 colon carcinoma cells enhanced β-catenin-mediated transcriptional co-activation by 1.72-fold, and this stimulation was significantly attenuated upon antagonism of calmodulin using the cell-permeable antagonist CGS9343B. Moreover, an IQGAP1 mutant that does not bind calmodulin was unable to stimulate β-catenin transcriptional function. Results of pulse-chase analyses suggested that IQGAP1 slowed the turnover of soluble, but not total, β-catenin. Immunocytochemistry revealed that IQGAP1 overexpression increased the amount of β-catenin located in the nucleus, whereas incubation of cells with CGS9343B blocked this accumulation. Together, our results imply that IQGAP1 enhances the function of β-catenin in the nucleus and that calmodulin regulates this stimulation.
Multi-Tier Exploration: An Architecture for Dramatically Increasing Mission ROI

It is highly desirable to increase the science-return, as a function of cost, of planetary science missions. While innovative hardware miniaturization techniques are poised to reduce mass and volume requirements (and thus launch costs), this is not a complete solution. A new control paradigm is presented, which seeks to maximize mission science- return via eliminating wasted control delays and allowing concurrent performance of mission objectives by multiple craft. Unlike approaches which have relied on extensive teleoperation or controller-supplied low-level tasking, the proposed approach is based on planetary craft having significant autonomy. This local decision-making seeks to maximize performance of the high-level objectives supplied by controllers. 2,3 , is poised to provide a dramatic increase in science benefit as a function of cost. The Multi-Tier Autonomous Mission Architecture (MAMA) approach provides this substantial benefit by increasing craft utilization through autonomy, deferring most investigation decisions to be made on-planet, and committing resources to a possible target site iteratively. The Multi-Tier Autonomous Mission Architecture proposes a level of autonomy never before demonstrated in a space mission. Under this approach, high-level mission objectives and a general target are provided to onboard mission management software. This software determines, based on initial sensing, what areas have the highest relevance to attaining the specified goals (e.g., finding evidence of a given phenomena). Aerial and, subsequently, ground craft are launched into this region to perform more detailed investigation. Each progressive tier of commitment is made only if analysis of progressively more detailed data continues to support the area being the preferred candidate for mission goal attainment. This highly autonomous approach virtually eliminates time wasted waiting for controller instructions and maximizes the value of the communications link by transmitting predominately data (as opposed to pictures for operator situational awareness, and similar) back to Earth. A description of the Multi-Tier Autonomous Mission Architecture and its technical implementation are presented herein. Three mission plans based on the MAMA architecture, a Mars mission, a near Earth object mission and an Earth-science test/demonstration mission, are also presented. The performance of the Multi-Tier Autonomous Mission Architecture, as compared to traditional mission approaches, can be considered in the context of these prospective missions.
Autoregulation of soybean nodulation: Delayed inoculation increases nodule number

The influence of seedling age at the time of inoculation on the regulation of nodule number in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) was examined in cv. Williams 82 and its hypernodulating mutant NOD1-3. Nodulation was evaluated on plants grown in plastic growth pouches or in vermiculite in 50- or 500-ml glass containers in growth chamber studies. Seeds or seedlings were inoculated once with Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA 110 (10 8 cells seedling −1 ) between 0 and 15 days after sowing at 3- or 5-day intervals and were grown for 21 days after inoculation. Nodule number plant −1 was similar across inoculation times in plants grown in growth pouches, but was significantly greater when inoculation was delayed and plants were grown in vermiculite in 500-ml containers. Plant culture in vermiculite in 50- or 500-ml containers confirmed the suppressive effect of restricted space for root growth on nodulation. Inoculation with 10 5 or 10 9 USDA 110 cells revealed that nodulation was inhibited by a high inoculum dose. There was a large increase in nodule number plant −1 when plants were transferred from a restricted rooting environment (growth pouch culture) to a nonrestricted rooting environment (2-1 hydroponic pots). Autoregulation was also examined in split-root assemblies of plants in 500-ml containers of vermiculite. Controls involved concurrent inoculation of both root halves at 0, 4 or 8 days after transplant. Treatments involved time-separated inoculations of root halves with the primary and secondary inoculations being separated by 4 days. Plants were harvested at 21 days after inoculation. Williams 82 exhibited autoregulation of nodule number on the root half receiving delayed inoculation, regardless of plant age at the time of primary inoculation. Total nodule number plant −1 invariably increased with later inoculation times. In contrast, NOD1-3 exhibited little, if any, autoregulation of nodule number. It was concluded that although Williams 82 exhibits autoregulation of nodule number and NOD1-3 does not, there was no finite limit to nodule number in either line since any delay in inoculation resulted information of a greater nodule number on both lines if root growth was not restricted. Nodule number in Williams 82 and NOD1-3 appears to be a function of infection sites (root size) at the time of inoculation and of subsequent plant growth
Isolation and characterization of the cytosolic and mitochondrial superoxide dismutases of maize.

Abstract The cytosolic and mitochondrial forms of Superoxide dismutase have been purified to homogeneity from an inbred line of maize. The cytosolic isozymes SOD-2 and SOD-4 are dimers with a molecular weight of 31,000–33,000, composed of apparently equal subunits, and are remarkably similar with respect to their ultraviolet absorption spectra, antigenic specificity, and sensitivity to cyanide, azide, hydrogen peroxide, and diethyldithiocarbamate. These and other data suggest that both isozymes belong to the family of copper and zinc-containing Superoxide dismutases. The mitochondrial isozyme, SOD-3, is unlike the cytosolic isozymes in every parameter studied and appears to be similar to the mitochondrial manganese-containing Superoxide dismutases purified from other eukaryotic organisms. It is a tetramer with a molecular weight of approximately 90,000, composed of apparently equal subunits, and is insensitive to both 1 m m cyanide and hydrogen peroxide.
Extinction and Scattering Cross Sections by Magnetically Lossy Particles in the Rayleigh-Scattering Limit

Since exact scattering solutions for particles of arbitrary shape are absent, we take advantage of the two cases involving particles of specific shape, for which solutions are known, and derive formulas for the electric and magnetic dipole contributions to the extinction and scattering cross sections by electric and magnetic lossy particles in the Rayleigh-scattering limit. The formulas involve a dimensionless shape factor β which reduces to 12 for the case of a sphere and zero for the case of an infinite cylinder. Thus, we conclude that for any intermediate particle with a long axis of symmetry, 0≤β≤12. The results further indicate that for very thin needle-shaped particles the magnetic-dipole contributions are negligible. This conclusion is to be expected since, with the magnetic vector vibrating parallel to the needle axis, the induced currents are azimuthal (rather than axial as in the corresponding electric case). The characteristic length associated with these currents, i.e., the circumference, is small compared to the wavelength so that the contribution of these currents to the scattered field is small.
Real-time decomposition and recognition of acoustical patterns with an analog neural computer

A prototype programmable analog neural computer has been assembled from over 100 custom VLSI modules containing neurons, synapses, routing switches, and programmable synaptic time constants. The modules are directly interconnected and arbitrary network configurations can be programmed. Connection symmetry and modular construction allow expansion of the network to any size. The network runs in real time analog mode, but connection architecture as well as neuron and synapse parameters are controlled by a digital host. Network performance is monitored by the host through an A/D interface and used in the implementation of learning algorithms. The machine is intended for real time, real world computations. In its current configuration maximal speed is equivalent to that of a digital machine capable of 1011 FLOPS. The programmable synaptic time constants permit the real time computation of temporal patterns as they occur in speech and other acoustic signals. Several applications involving the dynamic decomposition and recognition of acoustical patterns including speech signals (phonemes) are described. The decomposition network is loosely based on the primary auditory system of higher vertebrates. It extracts and represents by the activity in different neuron arrays the following pattern primitives: frequency, bandwidth, amplitude, amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation frequency, frequency modulation, frequency modulation frequency, duration, sequence. The frequency tuned units are the first stage and form the input space for subsequent stages that extract the other primitives, e.g., bandwidth, amplitude modulation, etc., for different frequency bands. Acoustic input generates highly specific, relatively sparse distributed activity in this feature space, which is decoded and recognized by units trained by specific input patterns such as phonemes or diphones or active sonar patterns. Through simple feedback connections in conjunction with synaptic time constants the neurons can be transformed into spiking units resembling biological neurons and networks of such units can be used in simulations of small biological neural assemblies. A larger machine, with much higher component count, speed and density as well as higher resolution of synaptic weights and time constants is currently under development. Some specific design issues for the construction of larger machines including selection of optimal component parameters, high density interconnect methods, and control software are discussed.
Catalytic pyrolysis of miscanthus × giganteus in a spouted bed reactor.

Abstract A conical spouted bed reactor was designed and tested for fast catalytic pyrolysis of miscanthus × giganteus over Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) catalyst, in the temperature range of 400–600 °C and catalyst to biomass ratios 1:1–5:1. The effect of operating conditions on the lumped product distribution, bio-oil selectivity and gas composition was investigated. In particular, it was shown that higher temperature favors the production of gas and bio-oil aromatics and results in lower solid and liquid yields. Higher catalyst to biomass ratios increased the gas yield, at the expense of liquid and solid products, while enhancing aromatic selectivity. The separate catalytic effects of ZSM-5 catalyst and its Al2O3 support were studied. The support contributes to increased coke/char formation, due to the uncontrolled spatial distribution and activity of its alumina sites. The presence of ZSM-5 zeolite in the catalyst enhanced the production of aromatics due to its proper pore size distribution and activity.
Concurrent processing streams in monkey visual cortex

Abstract The concept of multiple processing streams has emerged as a major theme in many studies of the primate visual system. However, the perception of basic attributes such as color, form, depth, and movement cannot be mapped onto different neuronal pathways as a set of simple, one-to-one relationships. Rather, we suggest that many aspects of perception involve significant overlap across a number of paths and cortical areas. Anatomical divergences and convergences that have been reported among processing streams may be related to the multiplicity of strategies for deriving perceptual attributes from the low-level cues provided by retinal images.
Micromachined dissolved oxygen sensor based on solid polymer electrolyte

Abstract A silicon microprobe to measure dissolved oxygen levels is described. The sensors are prepared by overlaying platinum thin film electrodes with a solid state proton conductive matrix (PCM) coating. The platinum thin film electrodes are fabricated on silicon substrates by standard photolithographic techniques while the PCM coating is achieved by drop-casting methods. The size and materials of the device make it potentially suitable for medical implantation. The devices are tested in deionized water (DI water), phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and bovine blood serum (BBS). Through linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), single devices are shown to have decent performances in terms of long term stability, reliability, hysteresis, linearity, and sensitivity. Variations among different devices are characterized and correlated. The simplicity and cost effectiveness of the fabrication and packaging procedures and the decent in vitro performances of these devices make them good candidates as miniaturized, disposable, and implantable dissolved oxygen sensors for biological and biomedical use.