cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Whose guns are stolen? The epidemiology of Gun theft victims

Gun theft is an important source of guns used by criminals. Yet no empirical work has focused on the characteristics of gun owners that distinguish those who have had their guns stolen from those who have not. In this study, we examine the demographics and behavioral characteristics of gun owners who report having had a gun stolen. Data come from a nationally representative probability-based online survey conducted in April 2015, with a linked follow-up survey in November 2015 that asked gun owners about any theft of their guns in the past 5 years. Of 1,604 gun-owning respondents, 2.4% (95% CI 1.6,3.6) reported that one or more guns had been stolen, with a mean number of guns stolen per theft of 1.5 (95% CI 1.0,2.0]. Risk factors for having a gun stolen were owning 6 or more guns, owning guns for protection, carrying a gun in the past month, storing guns unsafely, and living in the South region of the United States. The South accounts for 37% of US households, 43% of gun owners, and two-thirds of all gun thefts. We estimate that there are approximately 250,000 gun theft incidents per year, with about 380,000 guns stolen. We find that certain types of gun owners-who own many guns, who carry guns, and who do not store guns safely-are at higher risk to have their guns stolen. Tracing data show that states in the South are exporters of crime guns used in other states. Our survey results find that the majority of guns stolen in the US come from the South.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Say-Barber-Biesecker-Young-Simpson Syndrome

Say-Barber-Biesecker-Young-Simpson syndrome (SBBYSS), also known as Ohdo syndrome SBBYS type, is a rare genetic disorder characterised by dysmorphic facial features and severe intellectual disability, as well as cardiac, dental and hearing abnormalities. There has been little psychiatric or psychological description of children with SBBYSS, although previous reports noted repetitive self-injurious behaviours, sensitivity to light and noise and severe deficits in communication. In this report, a 4-year-old male with SBBYSS is described with a focus on psychiatric and psychological assessment, including formal testing for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results of multiple behavioural assessment scales are reported. Testing revealed characteristic ASD features, and the patient met criteria for ASD diagnosis in the context of SBBYSS. His behaviours improved with Applied Behavioural Analysis therapy and communication skills training. This is the first documented case of ASD reported alongside SBBYSS. These results suggest ASD may be a clinical feature of SBBYSS.
The Kinks: A Thoroughly English Phenomenon

A person who takes on what Carey Fleiner has taken on—to analyze elements of national character in a rock band—is to risk pushback from readers on the lookout for essentialism, a myth that with the...
Ablative Radiotherapy as a Noninvasive Alternative to Catheter Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias

Stereotactic radioablation is a commonly utilized technology to noninvasively treat solid tumors with precision and efficacy. Using a robotic arm mounted delivery system, multiple low-dose ionizing radiation beams are delivered from multiple angles, concentrating ablative energy at the target tissue. Recently, this technology has been evaluated for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. This review will present the basic underlying principles, proof-of-principle studies, and clinical experience with stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation. Most recently, stereotactic radioablation has been used to safely and effectively treat a limited number of patients with malignant arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia (VT) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Treatment protocols, outcomes, ongoing studies, and future directions will be discussed. Stereotactic radioablation is a well-established technology that has been shown to be a safe and effective therapy for patients with drug-refractory cardiac arrhythmias, including VT and AF. Further clinical evaluation to define safety and efficacy in larger populations of patients is needed.
Are International Capital Movement and International Labor Migration Substitutes under National Externality

This paper examines the relationship between international capital movement (ICM) and international labor movement (ILM). Considering two economies that have identical technologies and factor endowment ratios but different sizes, this paper investigates whether ICM and ILM between the countries, when free trade in goods is allowed, are substitutes both in the price sense and in the quantity sense. Cases in which they are substitutes and those in which they are complements are described.
Predictive ability of perioperative atrial fibrillation risk indices in cardiac surgery patients: a retrospective cohort study

The Multicenter Study of Perioperative Ischemia (McSPI) AFRisk index predicts postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery, but requires pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. Other more abbreviated risk indices exist, but there is no consensus on which risk index is optimal. We compared the discriminatory capacity of the McSPI AFRisk index with three indices containing only preoperative data (the CHA2DS2Vasc score, POAF score, and Kolek clinical risk prediction model), hypothesizing that the McSPI AFRisk index would have superior predictive capacity. We retrospectively evaluated 783 patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. The predictive capacity of each index was assessed by comparing receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, scaled Brier scores, net reclassification indices, and the integrated discrimination indices. The incidence of POAF was 32.6%. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve were 0.77, 0.58, 0.66, and 0.66 for the McSPI AFRisk index, CHA2DS2Vasc score, POAF score, and Kolek clinical risk prediction model, respectively. The McSPI AFRIsk index had the highest AUC (P < 0.0001). The scaled Brier scores for the McSPI AFRisk index, CHA2DS2Vasc score, POAF score, and Kolek clinical risk prediction model were 0.23, 0.02, 0.08, and 0.07, respectively. Both net reclassification indices and integrated discrimination indices showed that the McSPI AFRisk index more appropriately identified patients at high risk of POAF. The McSPI AFRisk index showed superior ability to predict POAF after cardiac surgery compared with three other indices. When clinicians and investigators wish to measure the risk of POAF after cardiac surgery, they should consider using the McSPI AFRisk index.
The Future Landscape of ISMS Standards

This paper refl ects on the future landscape of ISMS standards by off ering some views of how this family of standards will be able to deal with what lies ahead in terms of the challenges of developing market innovations and technologies and what additions to this family might need to be developed over the next 5–10 years.
Treatment of hypocalcemia in hungry bone syndrome: A case report

Abstract Introduction Hungry bone syndrome (HBS) is rapid, intense and prolonged hypocalcemia that follows parathyroidectomy. The focus of this paper is HBS in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) due to end stage renal disease (ESRD). Various risk factors are correlated with developing HBS post-parathyroidectomy due to SHPT which include: old age (>60 years); the preoperative level of parathyroid hormone (PTH); increased osteoclasts; and evidence of bone disease before surgery. Presentation of case A 25-year-old woman, who underwent parathyroidectomy of all four parathyroid glands due to SHPT caused by ESRD. Her calcium deficit was prolonged, as expected in patients who undergo parathyroidectomy, however her calcium levels remained low despite unprecedented supplementation of elemental calcium and calcitriol. Discussion Unfortunately, there is not enough data-based evidence to help prevent or minimize severe complications of hypocalcemia prior to parathyroidectomy. The main goal of treatment is replenishing the calcium deficiency through supplementation with calcium salts, high doses of active metabolites of vitamin D, and electrolytes. Conclusion The ultimate goal of reviewing and analyzing this particular case is to obtain a better understanding for the treatment of Hungry bone syndrome. Although, there are very few cases as severe as this patient, hopefully this case study will result in greater insight and lead to improvement in the overall treatment of hypocalcemia.
Incident-to Billing for Pharmacists

The inclusion of pharmacists on care teams has been shown to improve clinical and economic health outcomes. However, a significant barrier to the widespread incorporation of pharmacists into care t...
Chest wall stabilization with rib plating after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Rib fractures are common injuries sustained after chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for cardiac arrest (1). Chest wall instability secondary to these fractures can complicate management, especially in an already physiologically fragile patient. It is well known that rib fractures can significantly impair respiratory mechanics, alter cardiopulmonary physiology, and hinder mechanical ventilation weaning strategies (2). Chest wall instability can negatively impact the overall clinical outcomes and rehabilitation trajectories of patients with rib fractures after CPR.
IL-6 Blockade in Cytokine Storm Syndromes

Interleukin-6 is well known pro-inflammatory cytokine that is elevated in cytokine storm syndromes, such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The interaction of IL-6 with its receptor complex can happen in several forms, making effectively blocking this cytokine’s effects clinically challenging. Fortunately, an effective clinical agent targeting the IL-6 receptor has been developed and approved for use in humans. This agent, tocilizumab, has now been used to safely and effectively treat secondary HLH syndromes including those from immune activating cancer therapies such as blinatumomab and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Other methods of investigation in effective IL-6 blockade are underway.
Heparin Forms Macromolecular Complexes with Protamine and Lysozyme.

Abstract Abstract 1316 Poster Board I-340 The immune response in Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is directed to and initiated by large multimolecular complexes of Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) and heparin. We, and others, have previously shown that PF4 and heparin multimolecular assembly occurs through colloidal interactions, wherein heparin, a negatively charged polymeric compound, facilitates macromolecular assembly by binding and neutralizing PF4's positive charge (Suvarna, Blood 2007). In these same studies, we also demonstrated that changes in the molar ratios of the two reactants result in PF4/heparin (PF4:H) complexes with markedly altered biophysical properties and immunogenicity. Because PF4:H electrostatic interactions are non-specific, we hypothesized that other positively charged proteins would exhibit similar colloidal interactions with heparin. To test this hypothesis, we selected two positively charged proteins (protamine and lysozyme) and studied heparin-dependent complex formation by spectrophotometry (A280nm), and zeta potential (Zeta Sizer, Malvern, UK). Protamine sulfate (250, 125, 62.5, 31.2, 15.6 and 7.8 mcg/mL; Mw 5.1kDa) and lysozyme (1000, 500, 250 and 125 mcg/mL; Mw 14.3kDa) were mixed with various heparin concentrations (0-160 U/mL; activity 140U/mg; Mw 12kDa) and biophysical properties characterized by both instruments. Both protamine and lysozyme showed heparin-dependent complex formation, with peak particle formation occurring over a range of heparin concentrations (2-25 U/mL ) for both compounds. For protamine, particle formation was maximal at protamine:heparin (Pr:H) molar ratios of ∼2.5-3:1, whereas lysozyme formed peak particles at lysozyme;heparin (Ly:H) molar ratios of ∼5:1 (See figure ). As with PF4:H complexes, size of complexes was dependent on mass amounts of protamine or lysozyme, with particle size increasing or decreasing in proportion to the amounts of protamine or lysozyme available for complex formation. These findings indicate that heparin is capable of forming macromolecular complexes with other proteins through charge dependent interactions. Additional in vitro and in vivo studies are underway to determine if Pr:H or Lys:H complexes exhibit cross-reactivity with PF4/heparin antibodies and if complex formation is associated with immunological consequences. Download : Download high-res image (121KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Does Locke Have an Akrasia Problem

Starting in the second edition of the Essay, Locke becomes interested in the phenomenon of akrasia, or weakness of will. As he conceives it, akrasia occurs when we will something contrary to what we acknowledge to be our greater good. This commitment represents an important shift from the first edition of the Essay, where Locke argues that the will is always determined by a judgement of our greater good. But traces of the first-edition view are present even in the second edition, so much so that it is unclear whether Locke is entitled to an explanation of akrasia at all. In this essay, we propose a new interpretation of Locke’s account of akrasia, one that mediates between his seemingly conflicting commitments. We believe that this interpretation represents an improvement over past interpretations, which make Locke’s conception of akrasia too weak to do the work he intends for it. Moreover, getting Locke’s account of akrasia right allows us to gain clarity on his view of the will, a subtle and ultimately quite plausible part of his moral psychology.
Tunneling between two-dimensional electron systems in a high magnetic field: Role of interlayer interactions

Author(s): Klironomos, Filippos | Abstract: We calculate the tunneling current for a bilayer quantum Hall system in the interlayer incoherent regime. In order to capture the strong correlation effects we model the layers as two Wigner crystals coupled through interlayer Coulomb interactions, treated in the continuum limit. By generalizing previous work by Johansson and Kinaret (JK), we are able to study the effect of the low energy out-of-phase magnetophonon modes on the electron "shake-up" which occurs during a tunneling event. We find the tunneling current peak value to scale with the magnetic field as found by JK; however, we find a different scaling of the peak value with the interlayer separation, which agrees with the measurements by Eisenstein et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 1419 (1995)].
Binding affinity determination of therapeutic antibodies to membrane protein targets: Kinetic Exclusion Assay using cellular membranes for anti-CD20 antibody.

Abstract Antibody-based therapeutics targeting membrane proteins have evolved as a major modality for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. There are numerous challenges, ranging from desired epitope expression to reliable binding/functional assays which are associated with developing antibodies for this target class. Specifically, having a robust methodology for characterizing antibody interaction with a membrane protein target is essential for providing guidance on dosing, potency and thus expected efficacy. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) has been commonly used to characterize antibodies binding to membrane protein targets. FACS provides information about the antibody-receptor complex (antibody bound to cells) and the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant ( K D ′ ) is elucidated by fitting the antibody-receptor binding isotherm as a function of total antibody concentration to a nonlinear regression model. Conversely, Kinetic Exclusion Assay (KinExA) has been used to measure solution-based equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of antibodies. Here, KD is determined by measuring the free antibody concentration at equilibrium in a series of solutions in which the antibody is at constant concentration and the receptor (either in the membrane or the cell) is titrated. We measured the binding affinity of the anti-CD20 antibody, Rituximab, using both FACS and KinExA. There was ~25-fold difference in the binding affinity measured by these two techniques. We have explored this discrepancy through additional experiments around the mathematical framework involved in the analysis of these two different binding assays. Finally, our study concluded that KinExA enables accurate measurement of the KD for strong protein-protein interactions (sub-nanomolar values) compared to FACS.
Reservoir geology of the Berea Sandstone (uppermost Devonian), eastern Kentucky

Berea reservoirs in eastern Kentucky are developed in tight siltstone and sandstone. Precision horizontal drilling provides access to thin ( 0.1 md, porosity is generally >10%. Cement in Berea samples includes quartz overgrowths, ferroan dolomite, siderite, pyrite, and kaolinite. In addition, these rocks were subject to varying degrees of intergranular compaction, quartz overgrowths, and secondary porosity formation (grain dissolution). In thin section, three pore types were encountered: (1) primary intergranular pores, (2) secondary moldic pores, and (3) microporosity. Intergranular porosity is most common. Mercury capillary injection tests show that moderate-permeability (0.02–0.2 md) Berea has pore size distributions of 1 to less than 0.1 μm, but mostly from 0.5 to 0.6 μm, which are commonly found in gas reservoirs. Higher-permeability samples (1.2–2.0 md) have pore-throat diameter distributions of 2 to >0.1 μm. The highest pore volumes (near 3.25%) have pore diameters of 1–2 μm, which is more characteristic of oil-producing reservoirs.
Lambek pregroups are Frobenius spiders in preorders.

"Spider" is a nickname of *special Frobenius algebras*, a fundamental structure from mathematics, physics, and computer science. *Pregroups* are a fundamental structure from linguistics. Pregroups and spiders have been used together in natural language processing: one for syntax, the other for semantics. It turns out that pregroups themselves can be characterized as pointed spiders in the category of preordered relations, where they naturally arise from grammars. The other way around preordered spider algebras in general can be characterized as unions of pregroups. This extends the characterization of relational spider algebras as disjoint unions of groups. The compositional framework that emerged with the results suggests new ways to understand and apply the basis structures in machine learning and data analysis.
Amplifying the reactivity of BODIPY photoremovable protecting groups.

Conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs or Pdots) are used to sensitize the photorelease reaction of a BODIPY photoremovable protecting group. Sensitization yields effective values of eλΦpr – the product of the extinction coefficient at the irradiation wavelength and the photorelease quantum yield – that are more than 60-fold greater than those measured upon direct excitation.
Spinal cord stimulation in a patient with spinal epidural lipomatosis.

Background and Objective. Spinal cord stimulation is the most commonly used implantable neurostimulation modality for management of pain syndromes. For treatment of lower extremity pain, the spinal cord stimulator lead is typically placed in the thoracic epidural space, at the T10–T12 levels. Typically, satisfactory stimulation can be obtained relatively easily. Anatomical variability in the epidural space, such as epidural scarring, has been reported to prevent successful implantation of spinal cord stimulators. Spinal epidural lipomatosis describes an abnormal overgrowth of adipose tissue in the extradural space. Cases have documented spinal epidural lipomatosis complicating intrathecal baclofen pump implantation or causing repeated failure of epidural analgesia. However, so far, there is no published literature describing how spinal epidural lipomatosis affects spinal cord stimulation. Case Report. We report a case of spinal cord stimulation in a patient with spinal epidural lipomatosis. Very high impedance was encountered during the trial spinal cord stimulator lead placement. Satisfactory stimulation was only obtained after repeated repositioning of the spinal cord stimulator trial lead. Post-procedure thoracic spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed marked thoracic epidural lipomatosis. At the level where satisfactory stimulation was obtained, the thickness of the epidural fat was within normal limits. The patient eventually underwent placement of a laminotomy lead with good coverage and pain relief. Conclusion. Spinal epidural lipomatosis significantly increases the impedance in the epidural space, making effective neurostimulation very difficult to obtain. Physicians should consider the possibility of spinal epidural lipomatosis when very high impedances are encountered during lead placement.
PROTOPLAST MEMBRANE OF STREPTOCOCCUS FAECALIS

Shockman, Gerald D. (Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa.), Joseph J. Kolb, Bohdan Bakay, Margaret J. Conover, and Gerrit Toennies. Protoplast membrane of Streptococcus faecalis. J. Bacteriol. 85:168-176. 1963.-The membrane fraction of Streptococcus faecalis (ATCC 9790) was isolated and purified, by a variety of procedures, from cultures that were grown under closely controlled conditions of physiological age and nutrition. The most satisfactory method required the use of lysozyme-to-cell ratios below 0.01 and the intermediate formation of protoplasts in osmotically protective media. Amino acid analyses of three of the membrane preparations indicated a characteristic and constant, but not unusual, pattern; 42% of the membranes from threonine-depleted and 49 to 55% of the membranes from log-phase cultures were accounted for as protein. Significant quantities of d-alanine or d-aspartic acid were not detected, indicating the absence of contaminating cell-wall substance. Essentially, all of the nitrogen was accounted for as amino acids. The lipid content of membranes from stationary-phase threonine-depleted (36%) and valine-depleted (40%) cultures was significantly higher than the corresponding fraction of exponential-phase cultures (28%). The phosphorus content of the membrane lipid was relatively constant (2.8 to 3.0%), and the nitrogen content was extremely low (0.12 to 0.26%). Thus, changes in the composition of the membrane fraction occurred during the transition of log-phase cells into threonine- or valine-depleted cells.
The Role of World War II in the Rise of Women's Employment

The 1940s were a turning point in married women's labor-force participation, leading many to credit World War II with spurring economic and social change. This paper uses two retrospective surveys from 1944 and 1951 to show that half of all married women employed in 1950 were working in 1940, and more than half of the decade's new entrants joined after the war. Of all wartime entrants, the majority exited after 1944 but before 1950. The war had several significant indirect impacts on women's employment, but its direct influence appears to have been more modest. Copyright 1991 by American Economic Association.
A Case Study Approach to Nursing Home Placement: Smooth and Difficult Cases and Implications for Nursing

Nursing home placement is one of the most challenging aspects of the caregiving journey. A case study approach was used to understand the experiences of caregivers during the first few months following nursing home placement. Two caregivers were selected from a larger qualitative descriptive study because their experiences exemplified smooth and difficult transitions for both themselves and their older family member. The caregivers were interviewed shortly after placement and 3 months post-placement. Four major contextual issues were identified that indicated the similarities and differences between the two cases, including (a) the caregiver's relationship with the older adult during the home caregiving time and post nursing home placement, (b) the circumstances surrounding placement, (c) support systems, and (d) continued involvement in care post-placement. Nursing home staff who understand these issues and address concerns through family-centered care can ease the transition and promote successful collaborations between staff and families.
Ectopic pregnancy rates with day 3 versus day 5 embryo transfer: a retrospective analysis

Blastocyst transfer may theoretically decrease the incidence of ectopic pregnancy following IVF-ET in view of the decreased uterine contractility reported on day 5. The purpose of our study is to specifically compare the tubal pregnancy rates between day 3 and day 5 transfers. A retrospective analysis of all clinical pregnancies conceived in our IVF program since 1998 was performed. The ectopic pregnancy rates were compared for day 3 and day 5 transfers. There were 623 clinical pregnancies resulting from day 3 transfers of which 22 were ectopic (3.5%). In day 5 transfers, there were 13 ectopic pregnancies out of 333 clinical pregnancies (3.9%). The difference between these rates is not statistically significant (P = 0.8). Our data suggests that the ectopic pregnancy rate is not reduced following blastocyst transfer compared to day 3 transfer. While there may be several benefits to extended culture in IVF, the decision to offer blastocyst transfer should be made independently from the issue of ectopic pregnancy risk.
The automatic generation of translation software for graphic objects

The authors discuss their effort to extend their translation architecture for textual, tabular, and mathematical material to include graphic objects. They begin with a brief overview of their testbed, the Chameleon Project. They analyze the feasibility of automatically generating translators in the graphics domain. They use an intermediate-form model for translation and establish criteria for the representation of the intermediate and variant forms if automatic generation is to be possible. >
Making your collections work for you: collection evaluation myths & realities

AbstractTen myths surrounding evaluation of library collections are debunked and the realities explored, especially those that can subvert the success of strategic planning for the collections. To make collections work pay off for a library and its users, librarians need to gain profound knowledge of their collections and know how they are used. Fundamental to success in these endeavors is evaluating the collections on a regular basis and using the results to build better collections for the future. Establishing what “good” is in objective terms and ways of measurlng them is discussed. Using the results to gain friends and influence people toward the library is described. Readers are urged to do all they can to turn this potential into reality.
Autothermal Reforming of Gasoline for Fuel Cell Applications: A Transient Reactor Model

A mathematical model for an autothermal reforming (ATR) fuel processor has been developed to study the transient response of the reactor for gasoline reforming. The model was developed with experimental data from temperature profiles along the reactor and product composition (CO2, CO, and H2 formation). Model versus experiment results were compared for three cases: partial oxidation, ATR using steam injection, and ATR using liquid water spray. In addition to analysis capabilities, the developed model is intended to help in the design of a feedback controller aimed at improving the dynamic response time of the system.
Biochemical analysis of caudate nucleus biopsy samples from parkinsonian patients

Biochemical analyses of caudate nucleus biopsy samples from patients with Parkinson's disease undergoing autologous adrenal transplantation were performed. Activity of the dopamine biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, and concentrations of dopamine and its priMarchy metabolite homovanillic acid were significantly greater than anticipated on the basis of previously published postmortem values. These data suggest that postmortem changes in various biochemical parameters of dopamine function are more rapid than has been generally appreciated. Further analysis of striatal biopsy samples may reveal predictive relationships between striatal indices of dopamine function and therapeutic response to adrenal transplantation.
Behavior of toluene added to sludge-amended soils

Toluene is a priority pollutant that can be introduced to soils in a variety of wastes, including some municipal sludges. Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the behavior of toluene in two soils in the presence and absence of municipal sludge. Sludge additions increased toluene adsorption in two soils because of increased organic C content. The source of organic C (soil or sludge) and soil clay content also influenced toluene adsorption. Toluene adsorption-desorption was reversible in one soil, but slightly hysteretic in the other soil. An air-flow incubation system was used to evaluate toluene volatilization and degradation. The primary fate of surface-applied toluene in both soils was volatilization. Toluene volatilization rates were independent of sludge treatments. Toluene degradation was negligible in all treatments because of rapid volatilization losses. Despite increased toluene adsorption in the presence of sludge and reduced volatilization in saturated soils, gaseous transfer dominated all soils and treatments so that no toluene remained after 10 d.
Are Young Adult Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Slipping Through the Healthcare Cracks

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder often diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood. In adolescence, the many similarities between normal features of puberty and symptoms of PCOS make it challenging to confirm the diagnosis. Even among adult women, the changing definitions of PCOS may lead to inaccurate diagnoses. Women may present with a variety of symptoms to different healthcare providers and may be treated only for the presenting symptoms without evaluation of the syndrome and its associated morbidities. Timely evaluations, accurate diagnosis, appropriate interventions, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams can be valuable because women with PCOS have an increased risk for obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, infertility, endometrial cancer, and anxiety and mood disorders. Appropriate transition of care for the adolescent from pediatric to adult healthcare providers should include education of the patient and her parents regard...
The Dynamical Problem for a Rigid Body in Special Relativity

The dynamical problem for a continuous body constrained to undergo only plane BORN motions is solved in special relativity.
Richard Kirwan's Phlogiston Theory: Its Success and Fate

AbstractFirst proposed in the early 1780s, Richard Kirwan's phlogiston theory was the most successful enunciation of the English pneumatic approach to phlogiston. Phlogiston was identified with a material substance, inflammable air. In this paper, I explore the nature of Kirwan's theory, its success in the mid-1780s, the unprecedented collective attack on Kirwan's Essay on Phlogiston by Lavoisier and his colleagues, and Kinvan's ultimate abandonment of phlogistic explanation.
The microdebonding testing system: A method of quantifying adhesion in real composites

Abstract This paper describes a test method which measures the in-situ fiber/matrix interfacial shear strength of fibrous composites. A detailed description of the microdebonding testing system, together with a bond strength analysis by a boundary element method computer model, are presented. Comparative results from several other methods are also discussed. Two examples in which the microdebonding method exhibits distinctive advantages are also included.
Nonlinear Diffraction Tomography Applied to Cross-Borehole Data

This paper introduces a method to formulate and numerically solve the nonlinear diffraction tomography problem for crosshole seismic applications. By combining a numerical technique to solve the forward scattering problem and Tikhonov regulariza tion methods to constrain the ill-posedness of the inverse problem in the crosshole geometry, we can reconstruct the acoustic velocity in the subsurface without some of the approximations which hamper linear diffraction tomography. With this method it is not necessary to assume weak scattering, nor do the sources and receivers need to lie at equally spaced intervals along straight lines. These abilities make the technique much more flexible than conventional diffraction tomography. We first formulate the nonlinear inverse problem using Tikhonov regularization methods and solve it computationally using a conjugate gradient method. Then we examine the moment method which numerically solves the forward problem. These techniques are used to reconstruct a disk model using synthetic data taken in the crosshole geometry. We also show the effects of reconstructing the disk model after adding noise to the data. We have begun to invert data from other synthetic techniques (such aa finite difference) as well as data taken in a laboratory ultrasonic modelling tank.
Cancer Immunotherapy-Reply

Drs Plotkin and Rosen are critical of our discussion of BCG vaccine (235:646, 1976) mainly because of its tone of enthusiasm. In our opinion, that is exactly the way a promising new modality of therapy should be brought to the attention of the broad medical community. In our article, we cited the positive studies either completed or in progress, which are the foundation of our enthusiasm. We also pointed out several uncertainties and summarized our cautious optimism (as clearly recognized by Drs Plotkin and Rosen in the last paragraph of their letter). New treatments do not become widely used without both enthusiasm and optimism based on scientific observation. Another point of the letter is that it is both "misleading" and "precipitous" to encourage the use of a treatment modality that is "extraordinarily complex" with expectations that are unduly optimistic at this time. We do not agree. First, we
Thermal stability of amorphous thin films: Ti3Si1O8 vs. TiO2 and mictamict compounds

Abstract We have synthesized amorphous Ti3Si1O8 films 220 nm thick by rf sputtering of a Ti3Si target with a mixed argon–oxygen gas. The composition and structure of the films, as-deposited and upon thermal annealing in vacuum, was monitored by 2 MeV 4He2+ backscattering spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. We contrast these results against those obtained for TiO2 films 100 and 300 nm thick obtained by the same deposition process from a titanium target. The results confirm earlier reports that show that the incorporation of SiO2 in a TiO2 film raises the crystallization temperature. We point out that Ti–Si–O films share this phenomenon with other ternary films. They form a particular class of materials, the mictamict compounds, of which Ti–Si–O films are but one member.
Data entry, future tense

When one contrasts the keypunch with some of the devices being marketed today, the Virginia Slims commercial comes to mind. Indeed, we've "come a long way." The products now available are sophisticated and diverse elaborations of the basic data entry device. And yet, they constitute only new responses to a basic requirement for computer technology. Computers do not yet talk as men do and the data entry industry has evolved from the need to translate human-sensible information into machine-sensible data. Up to now the accent has been on making the man conform.
Properties of large area ErBa2Cu3O7−x thin films deposited by ionized cluster beams

ErBa2Cu3O(7-x) films have been produced by simultaneous deposition of Er, Ba, and Cu from three ionized cluster beam (ICB) sources at acceleration voltages of 0.3 to 0.5 kV. Combining ozone oxidation with ICB deposition at 650 C eliminated any need of post annealing processing. The substrates were rotated at 10 rotations per minute during the deposition which took place at a rate of about 3 to 4 nm. Films with areas up to 70 mm in diameter have been made by ICB deposition. These films, 100 nm thick, were deposited on SrTiO3 (100) substrates at 650 C in a mixture of six percent O3 in O2 at a total pressure of 4 x 10(exp -4) Torr. They had T(sub c) ranging from 84.3 K to 86.8 K over a 70 mm diameter and J(sub c) above 10(exp 6) A/sq cm at 77 K. X ray diffraction measurements of the three samples showed preferential c-axis orientation normal to the substrate surface. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the three samples also show some texture dependence on sample position. For the three samples, there is a correlation between SEM texture, full width at half-maximum of rocking curves and J(sub c) versus temperature curves.
Market power, EU integration and privatization: The case of Romania

Abstract This paper investigates the effects on pricing behavior of firms in a transition economy resulting from integration into the European Union’s Common Market and changes in ownership. We use a semiparametric model with a rich panel of manufacturing firms in Romania from 1995 to 2003 to estimate firm-level markups. We find that markups are higher in more concentrated industries and less exposed to foreign competition. Trade integration appears to generally increase competitive pressure on markups. Industries exposed to more international competition experience a larger change in markups following integration into the European Union’s Common Market. However, as the initial impact of tariff reduction fades away, higher markups become an important element in firms’ pricing strategies. We also find that foreign firms and private domestic firms charge significantly higher markups on average than state-owned enterprizes.
Creating greener homes with IP-based wireless AC energy monitors

A home where every major appliance can be monitored for energy consumption and individually controlled wirelessly has long been a dream of gadgeteers and the green-conscious alike. Research has shown that real-time, per-appliance electricity usage feedback can induce behavior changes that lead to 10% to 20% reduction in usage [2].We present ACME: an IP-based wireless device that provides real time energy usage measurement and control for AC devices. This device fills the gap between inexpensive watt-meters and expensive networked enterprise energy monitors. We show that ACME provides accurate measurement of active, reactive, and apparent energy from milli-amps to tens of amps. We also demonstrate its ability to remotely switch the connected appliance.In this demo, we will present a complete home monitoring system that integrates a set of ACMEs with an 802.15.4-to-802.11 router and a web server. Energy measurements will be pushed directly into a database by the ACMEs via UDP and retrieved by the web server continuously or on-demand to generate real-time graphs.
Vibration and local instability of thermally stressed plates

The vibration and buckling of a double wedge square cantilever plate has been investigated. It is shown that the free vibration modes, which occur at Delta T ref = 0, transition into the buckled modes which occur at Delta T ref = Delta T ref-cr for the respective mode. Delta T ref-cr for a particular mode is defined as the magnitude of thermal load at which the frequency of the particular mode vanishes. The analysis yields the same number of buckling eigenvalues and buckling modes as there are vibration eigenvalues and vibration modes. Gradual application of the load in the analysis permits the change in each vibration frequency of interest and its associated mode to be followed up to the load at which the frequency of the mode becomes zero. This constitutes the limit of linear theory. As the load is increased, the thin edges of the plate begin to deform during vibration. This local deformation, which begins in the vibration mode, is shown to transition into the phenomena of local edge buckling at Delta T ref-cr for the mode.
NEW LIST OF RECOMMENDED ACCELERATOR CALIBRATION ENERGIES

Abstract A new analysis of precision, absolute nuclear reaction energy measurements has been made and recommended values (weighted means) are given for 13 proton-induced resonances and thresholds.
MO-D-108-06: Off-Axis Ratio Based Correction for the Determination of TMR for Flattening-Filter Free (FFF) Mode Beams

Purpose: Due to the nature of the beam fluence of the flattening‐filter free (FFF) mode from Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator, the tissue‐maximum ratio (TMR) conversion formalism from percent‐depth dose (PDD) may not be appropriate at large field sizes and large depths. The purpose of this work was to establish an analytical correction formalism which accounts for the differences in FFF‐mode beam profiles that corrects for small differences in TMR between the calculations and measurements. Methods: Two FFF‐mode beams (6‐MV and 10‐MV) were investigated using Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator. Initially, the analytical correction formalism starts out with the TMR conversion equation which is the product of the PDD, inverse square, and phantom scatter ratio. A ratio of two off‐axis ratios (OARs) at the surface and depth of interest is determined for a given field size. This OAR ratio is multiplied with the phantom scatter term in the TMR conversion equation to account for small differences in TMR values at large field sizes (>= 15 × 15 cm2) and depths (>= 15 cm). Results: For 10‐MV FFF‐mode, the difference between the measured and the standard TMR formalism ranged from ‐ 3.2% to ‐ 0.9% (mean = ‐ 1.8% and 1‐standard deviation = 0.7%) for field sizes >= 15 × 15 cm2 and >= 15 cm depth. When the proposed correction formalism was applied to the TMR conversion formalism, the difference between the measured and the corrected TMRs for field sizes >= 15 × 15 cm2 and >= 15 cm depth ranged from −0.7% to −0.2% (mean = −0.4% and 1‐standard deviation = 0.1%). Similar relationships were observed for 6‐MV FFF‐mode. Conclusion: The analytical correction formalism which accounts for the differences in the FFF‐mode beam profiles has been shown to correct for the small differences in TMR that were observed without the correction.
Comparison of the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) expressed genes for 5-aminolevulinate synthase with those in other vertebrates

The cDNA and inferred amino acid sequences were determined for beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) erythroid (E) and housekeeping (H) forms of 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALS), and they were compared with known sequences for five other vertebrates with particular attention to regulatory features. The cDNAs for whale ALS-E and -H encode, respectively, proteins of 582 and 640 amino acids. Sequence alignments suggest that the whale ALS-H, like those for rat and chicken, has an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence of 56 amino acids. There is a high degree of amino acid conservation between the beluga whale proteins and those of other vertebrates, including regulatory elements and functional residues that have been defined in other ALSs. Both whale proteins contain three heme regulatory motifs suggesting that mitochondrial uptake may be regulated by heme. The ALS-E mRNA contains an iron responsive element in its 5'-untranslated region indicating that its expression may be post-transcriptionally regulated by cellular iron. This extensive structural similarity and the presence of the same regulatory elements found in other ALSs indicate that regulation of ALS in beluga whale is similar to that in other vertebrates.
Action of chloretone on reduced cozymaze oxidation by cytochrome c.

IT has long been known that anaesthetics, including barbiturates and chloretone, suppress brain respiration in vitro1–3, the suppression occurring at concentrations causing narcosis when brain respiration is stimulated by increasing the potassium ion concentration of the medium in which the brain tissue is incubated4. Michaelis and Quastel5 concluded that anaesthetics, as represented by chloretone, suppress in the respiratory chain the activity of a flavoprotein forming a link between reduced cozymase (DPNH) and cytochrome oxidase. It was later shown6, in accordance with this conclusion, that ‘Amytal’ suppresses the oxidation, by brain mitochondria, of DPNH and its oxidative phosphorylations. In view of the increasing use of ‘Amytal’ as a tool in the investigation of respiratory systems, we have carried out experiments to observe whether chloretone is effective in the suppression of DPNH oxidation by cytochrome c in a tissue homogenate or mitochondrial system. Chloretone offers a definite advantage over sodium amytal in not being ionized in solution and hence in not interfering with electrolyte equilibria.
Complementary action of restriction enzymes endo R-DpnI and Endo R-DpnII on bacteriophage f1 DNA.

Abstract Bacteriophage f1 duplex DNA was isolated from Escherichia coli strains containing different DNA methylases and assayed for its sensitivity to endonucleolytic cleavage by the enzymes endo R · DpnI and endo R · DpnII. The former enzyme is specific for methylated DNA, the latter for unmethylated DNA (Lacks & Greenberg, 1975). The E. coli dam methylase was found to be responsible for making f1 resistant to endo R · DpnII and sensitive to endo R · DpnI. Endo R · DpnI cleaved f 1 DNA from dam+ cells at four sites. Additional methylation by enzymes other than the dam methylase gave no further cleavage. Endo R · DpnII cleaved f1 DNA from dam− cells also at four sites to give restriction fragments identical to those obtained with endo R · DpnI cleavage. Thus, the two enzymes are complementary in that they recognize and cleave within the same DNA sequence, one if the DNA is methylated, the other if it is unmethylated. DNA duplexes containing one methylated strand (dam +) and one unmethylated strand (dam−) were prepared in vitro. These methylated hybrids were refractory to endonucleolytic cleavage by both endo R · DpnI and endo R · DpnII. Neither enzyme, therefore, appears to make even a single strand break at a methylated/unmethylated hybrid site.
Desviacion Y Perversión En 'El Veneno Del Arte” De Carmen De Burgos

(1997). Desviacion Y Perversion En 'El Veneno Del Arte” De Carmen De Burgos. Symposium: A Quarterly Journal in Modern Literatures: Vol. 51, No. 3, pp. 172-185.
Context-dependent Function of Regulatory Elements and a Switch in Chromatin Occupancy between GATA3 and GATA2 Regulate Gata2 Transcription during Trophoblast Differentiation

GATA transcription factors are important regulators of tissue-specific gene expression during development. GATA2 and GATA3 have been implicated in the regulation of trophoblast-specific genes. However, the regulatory mechanisms of GATA2 expression in trophoblast cells are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that Gata2 is transcriptionally induced during trophoblast giant cell-specific differentiation. Transcriptional induction is associated with displacement of GATA3-dependent nucleoprotein complexes by GATA2-dependent nucleoprotein complexes at two regulatory regions, the –3.9- and +9.5-kb regions, of the mouse Gata2 locus. Analyses with reporter genes showed that, in trophoblast cells, –3.9- and +9.5-kb regions function as transcriptional enhancers in GATA motif independent and dependent fashions, respectively. We also found that knockdown of GATA3 by RNA interference induces GATA2 in undifferentiated trophoblast cells. Interestingly, three other known GATA motif-dependent Gata2 regulatory elements, the –1.8-, –2.8-, and –77-kb regions, which are important to regulate Gata2 in hematopoietic cells are not occupied by GATA factors in trophoblast cells. These elements do not show any enhancer activity and also possess inaccessible chromatin structure in trophoblast cells indicating a context-dependent function. Our results indicate that GATA3 directly represses Gata2 in undifferentiated trophoblast cells, and a switch in chromatin occupancy between GATA3 and GATA2 (GATA3/GATA2 switch) induces transcription during trophoblast differentiation. We predict that this GATA3/GATA2 switch is an important mechanism for the transcriptional regulation of other trophoblast-specific genes.