cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic sensitivity of isolates from nosocomial and community-acquired urinary tract infections.

Abstract This report presents the results of antibiotic sensitivity testing of 1,534 urinary tract isolates obtained from hospitalized patients during a twelve-month period. In vitro sensitivities demonstrated that gentamicin was the most effective antibiotic, followed by chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid. Fifty-nine to 61 per cent of the isolates were sensitive to colistin, kanamycin, cephalosporin, and nitrofurantoin. Fewer than half were sensitive to ampicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Bacterial isolates from women with urinary tract infection were significantly more sensitive than those from men. In addition, isolates from community-acquired infections were more sensitive than those of nosocomial origin. This difference in sensitivity suggests the presence of a more antibiotic-resistant hospital flora for the major types of organism.
Feedback control for multi-modal optimization using genetic algorithms

Many optimization problems are multi-modal. In certain cases, we are interested in finding multiple locally optimal solutions rather than just a single optimum as is computed by traditional genetic algorithms (GAs). Several niching techniques have been developed that seek to find multiple such local optima. These techniques, which include sharing and crowding, are clearly powerful and useful. But they do not explicitly let the user control the number of local optima being computed, which we believe to be an important capability. In this paper, we develop a method that provides, as an input parameter to niching, the desired number of local optima. Our method integrates techniques from feedback control, includes a sensor based on clustering, and utilizes a scaling parameter in Generalized Crowding to control the number of niches being explored. The resulting Feedback Control GA (FCGA) is tested in several experiments and found to perform well compared to previous approaches. Overall, the integration of feedback control and Generalized Crowding is shown to effectively guide the search for multiple local optima in a more controlled fashion. We believe this novel capability has the potential to impact future applications as well as other evolutionary algorithms.
Variation in discourse: Midwestern narrative style

ENORMOUS PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE in the description of the sounds, words, and grammar of varieties of American English during the past seventyfive years, and especially during the last quarter century. Both in the older tradition of dialect geography and in the newer paradigm of variation studies pioneered by Labov, research on variation in phonology, morphology, and syntax has been relatively unified in focus and in methodology, and its results-though much work still remains to be done-have been relatively clear and cumulative. The same cannot be said, however, of research on variation in American speech at the level of discourse. While there has been some interest in discourse-level variation, different researchers have pursued this interest by examining different sorts of variables, with a variety of differing research methodologies based on differing views about what constitutes the relevant level of analysis. It is not my purpose in this paper to propose a unified paradigm for the study of discourse variation. I will simply point out that there is one sort of discourse variation-regional variation-which has not so far been systematically studied, and sketch a description of some of the characteristics of one discourse genre in one region of the United States. I will show how one feature of Midwestern storytelling style, namely the use of highly specific detail, is tied in several ways to local norms for interaction and for the interpretation of talk. The paper is organized as follows. First, I provide a brief overview of previous research on discourse-level variation in American speech. I then discuss my general research question: Is there regional variation in discourse, and, if so, what might be the parameters of such variation? I next turn to an analysis of spontaneous personal-experience narratives told by one group of Midwesterners, focusing on their use of details. After summarizing relevant research on personal-experience narrative, I will show how the characteristically highly detailed, realistic style of these Midwestern narratives is tied to regional folk perceptions about language and language use.
Seismic Velocities and Attenuation from Borehole Measurements near the Parkfield Prediction Zone, Central California

Abstract Shear (S)‐ and compressional (P)‐ wave velocities were measured to a depth of 195 m in a borehole near the San Andreas fault where a recurrence of a moderate Parkfield earthquake is predicted. S‐wave velocities determined from orthogonal directions of the S‐wave source show velocity differences of approximately 20 percent. An average shear‐wave Q of 4 was determined in relatively unconsolidated sands and gravels of the Paso Robles Formation in the depth interval 57.5‐102.5 m.
Developing Experience, Networks, and Capacities: Leadership as Practiced in Feminist Human Rights Activism

This essay draws on insights from research into human rights activism to propose a feminist human rights account of leadership that could be applied to political science. I advance the view that the practice of leadership is one of building networks and strengthening the capacity of others to advocate for themselves and their communities. In this view, leadership leverages the political and strategic capacities made possible by relative positions of privilege and so transforms the networks, capacities, and privileges of others. Mentoring is an integral part of this activist approach to leadership. In this view, leadership and mentoring are about developing the networks that make transformation possible; they are collective and political. For illustration, I begin with insights about the importance of networks learned through a personal experience in Bangladesh and juxtapose that experience with the experience of Bangladeshi labor rights organizers before providing a more general account of two key aspects of this leadership: building networks and strengthening capacity in others.
Acoustical standards calibration at the physics division of the National Research Council of Canada

This paper describes some recent research and development in acoustical standards calibration at NRC. Topics included are instrumentation and apparatus for precise reciprocity, and comparison methods of calibration of condenser microphones. Also, a two‐microphone cavity technique for the overall calibration of sound level meters is discussed together with various methods of verification of acoustical calibrators.
Biological degradation and composition of inedible sweetpotato biomass

Many challenges are presented by biological degradation in a bioregenerative Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) as envisioned by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In the studies conducted with biodegradative microorganism indigenous to sweetpotato fields, it was determined that a particle size of 75 microns and incubation temperature of 30 degrees C were optimal for degradation. The composition of the inedible biomass and characterization of plant nutrient solution indicated the presence of potential energy sources to drive microbial transformations of plant waste. Selected indigenous soil isolates with ligno-cellulolytic or sulfate-reducing ability were utilized in biological studies and demonstrated diversity in ability to reduce sulfate in solution and to utilize alternative carbon sources: a lignin analog--4-hydroxy, 3-methoxy cinnamic acid, cellulose, arabinose, glucose, sucrose, mannitol, galactose, ascorbic acid.
Precipitation Strengthening of a Mg-Al-Ca–Based AXJ530 Die-cast Alloy

Precipitation of the Al2Ca phase in the α-Mg phase of the Mg-Al-Ca–based AXJ530 die-cast alloy and the effect of precipitation hardening on the creep resistance were studied. Precipitation of the Al2Ca phase is suppressed in the die-casting process due to its high cooling rate, but precipitation was observed during subsequent isothermal heat treatments above 448 K. The precipitate has a disk-shaped morphology parallel to the basal plane of the α-Mg matrix phase and increases hardness by aging in the temperature range of 448 to 573 K. The creep resistance of the die-cast material at 448 K was improved by a factor of 1.5 ∼ 2, by a peak-age heat treatment at 523 K for 1 hour. Improvement in strength is limited by the low volume fraction of the precipitates; however, the precipitates are effective obstacles against dislocations gliding on nonbasal planes during creep deformation.
From the Editor in Chief: What's Your PageRank?

When is advertising good, and when is it bribery. This installment of All Systems Go explores both the good and the bad in online advertising practices.
Nanoconfined surfactant templated electrodeposition to porous hierarchical nanowires and nanotubes

Porous metal (Pd and Co) and semiconductor (ZnO) nanowires, porous metal (Pt and Ni) nanotubes, and unique multiple Pt nanowires are prepared from a novel nanoconfined surfactant templated electrodeposition approach. More specifically, the overall diameter of nanowires or nanotubes is defined by the pore channels of membranes. Surfactant assembled structure nanoconfined within the pores of membranes is used to generate the porosity and to control the texture of the nanowires or nanotubes. As compared to solid nanowires and nanotubes, the porous nanowires and nanotubes exhibit unique properties. For example, porous cobalt nanowires show higher coercivity.
Effect of Weight Loss on Urinary Incontinence in Overweight and Obese Women: Results at 12 and 18 Months

Purpose: Initial weight loss improves urinary incontinence in overweight and obese women. In this study we examined the longer term effects of a weight loss intervention on urinary incontinence.Materials and Methods: Overweight and obese women (mean ± SD age 53 ± 10 years) with 10 or more urinary incontinence episodes weekly were randomized to an 18-month behavioral weight loss intervention (226) or control group (112). Outcome measures were collected at 12 and 18 months.Results: At baseline women had a mean body mass index of 36 ± 6 kg/m2 and reported a mean of 24 ± 18 incontinence episodes weekly. Of the patients 86% completed 18-month measurements. The percent weight loss in the intervention group averaged 8.0%, 7.5% and 5.5% at 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively, vs approximately 1.5% in the control group (all values p <0.001). Compared with controls at 12 months the intervention group reported a greater percent reduction in weekly stress urinary incontinence episodes (65% vs 47%, p <0.001), and a grea...
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Antibody to HBsAg: Prevalence in Homosexual and Heterosexual Men

The prevalence rates of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HB s Ag) and antibody to HB s Ag (anti-HB s ) were 5.6% and 34% in 144 homosexual men in Seattle. Prevalence rates were only 0.9% and 3.6% in 111 heterosexual male venereal disease clinic patients with nongonococcal urethritis, and also 0.9% and 3.6% in 111 healthy men undergoing routine physical examinations. Thus, previous exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) was estimated to be 8.8 times greater for homosexual men than for heterosexual men. Four of four HB s Ag positive sera from homosexual men were subtyped as "ad," whereas subtype "ay" is preponderant in intravenous drug abusers. Future public health measures to control HBV infection should address the prevention of sexually transmitted HBV infection among homosexual men. ( JAMA 238:2625-2626, 1977)
Effect of altered thyroid states on liver and kidney uptake of 109Cd in rats

Abstract Hypothyroid and hyperthyroid states were induced in rats by drug treatment with propylthiouracil and thyroxine, respectively. The thyroid states were verified by measuring serum thyroxine using a commercial competitive protein-binding technique. A single 109Cd ip injection was then given to three groups: hypo-, eu-, and hyperthyroid. The uptake of 109Cd in liver and kidneys was measured at times ranging from 1 to 120 hr. On a per gram basis, 109Cd uptake in livers and kidneys of hypothyroid rats was significantly greater than that of eu- and hyperthyroid rats, even though there was a dwarfing effect in the hypothyroid group. The transfer of 109Cd from the liver to the kidneys was not affected by the altered thyroid states.
Facial Expression Recognition and Social Competence among African American Elementary School Children: An Examination of Ethnic Differences

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential for cross-ethnic miscommunication of facial expressions. The ability of elementary school children to identify emotion in African American and European American facial expressions and how this ability relates to social competence was examined. African American (n = 37) and European American (n = 37) children were administered African American and European American faces. Sociometric ratings also were obtained. The ability to read faces differing in ethnicity did not differ by children’s ethnicity. However, ability to read facial expressions of one’s own ethnic group, but not the other, was significantly related to social competence.
Risk Judgments and Intention Measures After Reading About Prescription Drug Side Effects in the Format of a Patient Package Insert

Under a new Food and Drug Administration's proposal, consumers could receive an information leaflet, called a patient package insert or PPI, with most prescription drugs. This study examines the effects of providing side effect information on people's perceptions of risk and intentions to take a hypothetical drug. In a between-subjects experiment, using nine groups of subjects receiving different side effect information, the study found that subjects were sensitive to large differences in the number of side effects, their degrees of seriousness, as well as their frequency of occurrence; however, subjects could not discriminate small differences. Several implications of the study are important to researchers and designers of consumer information programs that are concerned with risk assessment.
Dietary Effects on Cognition and Pilots' Flight Performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diet on cognition and flight performance of 45 pilots. Based on a theory of self-care, this clinical study used a repeated-measure, counterbalanced crossover design. Pilots were randomly rotated through 4-day high-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat, and control diets. Cognitive flight performance was evaluated using a GAT-2 full-motion flight simulator. The Sternberg short-term memory test and Vandenberg's mental rotation test were used to validate cognitive flight test results. Pilots consuming a high-protein diet had significantly poorer (p < .05) overall flight performance scores than pilots consuming high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets.
A Photothrombotic ‘Ring’ Model of Rat Stroke-in-Evolution Displaying Putative Penumbral Inversion

Background and Purpose To facilitate reproducible and rigorous study of a tissue zone at risk of encroaching ischemic damage, we propose a new model in which the potentially compromised tissue lies within rather than perifocal to an ischemic locus. The perimeter of the “zone at risk” is defined by a photothrombotically produced cortical lesion in the shape of a toroid (or “ring”). Methods The exposed crania of erythrosin B–injected rats were irradiated with a 514.5-nm laser beam, configured as a 5-mm-diameter ring, to yield a ring-shaped lesion caused by photochemically induced platelet occlusion of cortical vasculature. Developing perfusion deficits in the interior region were revealed by carbon black infusion. Tissue damage and infarct volumes were assessed by light and electron microscopy, and blood-brain barrier integrity was assessed with Evans blue dye and horseradish peroxidase as tracers. Results For rats injected with 17 mg/kg erythrosin B and irradiated for 2 minutes with a ring beam intensity of 0.92 W/cm2 (beam power of 65 mW), carbon black infusion at times up to 4 hours demonstrated a shallow cortical ring lesion encircling a fully patent zone at risk, which by 24 hours evinced an essentially complete perfusion deficit. At times up to 24 hours, the ring lesion was penetrated at the pial surface by distal branches of the middle cerebral and anterior cerebral arteries. Stereotaxically based histopathological assessment showed that by 24 hours the lesion spanned the cortical thickness. Lesion volume increased from 14.5±8.0 mm3 (mean±SD) (n=8) to 46.2±15.6 mm3 (n=8) between 4 and 24 hours after irradiation ( P <.01), but the anteroposterior lesion diameter did not change significantly between 4 hours (6.00±1.03 mm; n=9) and 24 hours (6.75±1.15 mm; n=9). Conclusions The present model of slowly developing but inevitable cortical tissue death in a sequestered area should facilitate more precise observations of the evolution of tissue metabolic responses, from the impending onset of ischemia to the threshold of irreversible damage. This system may prove efficient for evaluating treatments intended to salvage a penumbral region.
The discrepancy between private and public selves: public self-consciousness and its correlates.

(1984). The Discrepancy Between Private and Public Selves: Public Self-Consciousness and Its Correlates. Journal of Personality Assessment: Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 549-555.
Micro-colinearity between rice, Brachypodium, and Triticum monococcum at the wheat domestication locus Q

Brachypodium, a wild temperate grass with a small genome, was recently proposed as a new model organism for the large-genome grasses. In this study, we evaluated gene content and microcolinearity between diploid wheat (Triticum monococcum), Brachypodium sylvaticum, and rice at a local genomic region harboring the major wheat domestication gene Q. Gene density was much lower in T. monococcum (one per 41 kb) because of gene duplication and an abundance of transposable elements within intergenic regions as compared to B. sylvaticum (one per 14 kb) and rice (one per 10 kb). For the Q gene region, microcolinearity was more conserved between wheat and rice than between wheat and Brachypodium because B. sylvaticum contained two genes apparently not present within the orthologous regions of T. monococcum and rice. However, phylogenetic analysis of Q and leukotriene A-4 hydrolase-like gene orthologs, which were colinear among the three species, showed that Brachypodium is more closely related to wheat than rice, which agrees with previous studies. We conclude that Brachypodium will be a useful tool for gene discovery, comparative genomics, and the study of evolutionary relationships among the grasses but will not preclude the need to conduct large-scale genomics experiments in the Triticeae.
Plasma emission due to isotropic fast electrons, and types I, II, and V solar radio bursts

The theory of plasma emission is developed under the assumption that the Langmuir waves are generated by an isotropic distribution of fast electrons. Emission from inverse power-law distributions tend to favor emission at the second harmonic with brightness temperatures up to about 108 K at 100 MHz. The concept of a gap (in velocity space) distribution is developed. Very bright plasma emission can result from a gap distribution. For brightness temperatures between 109 K and 1011 K for the second harmonic the fundamental has a brightness temperature between 108 K and 109 K. For higher brightness temperatures the fundamental is amplified and can be very much brighter than the second harmonic. The maximum brightness temperatures for the fundamental and second harmonic at 100 MHz are about 1016 K and 1013 K respectively. Mechanisms by which a gap distribution might be formed are discussed and two effective mechanisms are identified.
Reactions of cycloproparenes with metal carbenes.

Benzocyclopropene and cyclopropa[b]naphthalene react with dichloro-bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)methylideneruthenium, incorporating the metallacarbene to form unstable 3-ruthenacyclopentenes, which decompose to give o-xylylenes that can be trapped as Diels−Alder adducts by dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. In contrast, bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)methylidenetitanium forms moderately stable 2- and 3-titanacyclopentene complexes.
A unique charge-coupled device/xenon arc lamp based imaging system for the accurate detection and quantitation of multicolour fluorescence

In recent years the use of fluorescent dyes in biological applications has dramatically increased. The continual improvement in the capabilities of these fluorescent dyes demands increasingly sensitive detection systems that provide accurate quantitation over a wide linear dynamic range. In the field of proteomics, the detection, quantitation and identification of very low abundance proteins are of extreme importance in understanding cellular processes. Therefore, the instrumentation used to acquire an image of such samples, for spot picking and identification by mass spectrometry, must be sensitive enough to be able, not only, to maximise the sensitivity and dynamic range of the staining dyes but, as importantly, adapt to the ever changing portfolio of fluorescent dyes as they become available. Just as the available fluorescent probes are improving and evolving so are the users application requirements. Therefore, the instrumentation chosen must be flexible to address and adapt to those changing needs. As a result, a highly competitive market for the supply and production of such dyes and the instrumentation for their detection and quantitation have emerged. The instrumentation currently available is based on either laser/photomultiplier tube (PMT) scanning or lamp/charge-coupled device (CCD) based mechanisms. This review briefly discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both System types for fluorescence imaging, gives a technical overview of CCD technology and describes in detail a unique xenon/are lamp CCD based instrument, from PerkinElmer Life Sciences. The Wallac-1442 ARTHUR is unique in its ability to scan both large areas at high resolution and give accurate selectable excitation over the whole of the UV/visible range. It operates by filtering both the excitation and emission wavelengths, providing optimal and accurate measurement and quantitation of virtually any available dye and allows excellent spectral resolution between different fluorophores. This flexibility and excitation accuracy is key to multicolour applications and future adaptation of the instrument to address the application requirements and newly emerging dyes.
Hierarchical mobility database overflow control

In a 3G cellular network, the gateway location registers (GLRs), the visitor location registers (VLRs) and the home location registers (HLRs) form a three-level mobility database structure. An HLR database is used to record mobile users' permanent subscription information. A VLR database is used to temporarily hold the subscription information of the roaming users who visit the service area of the VLR. A GLR is deployed at the edge of a visited network handling the location management of a roaming subscriber in a visited network without involving the HLR, and holding users' temporary subscription information when the mobile user is within the service area of the GLR. When users leave the GLR/VLR service area, the corresponding records in the GLR/VLR are deleted. Owing to mobility, a GLR/VLR database may overflow at some time periods when the number of visitors significantly increases in the GLR/VLR area. If the GLR/VLR is full, the registration procedure fails and the system cannot deliver services to incoming users under the existing cellular technology. This issue is called GLR/VLRoverflow. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical database overflow control mechanism in 3G cellular networks to effectively eliminate the GLR/VLR overflow problem, and incoming users can continuously use the service with insignificant extra overhead. An analytic model is proposed to investigate the performance of the hierarchical database overflow control scheme. Our study not only shows that the probability of VLR overflow is very small but also shows that among the VLR overflow cases, there is a very small probability of GLR overflow. In other words, the overhead in terms of causing both local and remote/international signaling traffic by exercising our approach is very small. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Persistent Nature of Secondary Diurnal Modes of Precipitation over Oceanic and Continental Regimes

This investigation seeks a better understanding of the assorted mechanisms controlling the global distribution of precipitation diurnal variability based on the use of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) microwave radiometer and radar data. The horizontal distributions of precipitation's diurnal cycle are derived from eight years of TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) measurements involving three TRMM standard rain rate retrieval algorithms -- the resultant distributions analyzed at various spatiotemporal scales. The results reveal the prominent and expected late-evening to early-morning (LE-EM) precipitation maxima over oceans and the counterpart prominent and expected mid- to late-afternoon (MLA) maxima over continents. Moreover, and not generally recognized, the results reveal a widespread distribution of secondary maxima occurring over both oceans and continents -- maxima which generally mirror their counterpart regime's behavior. That is, many ocean regions exhibit clearcut secondary MLA precipitation maxima while many continental regions exhibit just as evident secondary LE-EM maxima. This investigation is the first comprehensive study of these globally prevalent secondary maxima and their widespread nature, a type of study only made possible when the analysis procedure is applied to a high-quality global-scale precipitation dataset. The characteristics of the secondary maxima are mapped and described on global grids using an innovative clock-face format, while a current study to be published at a later date provides physically-based explanations of the seasonal-regional distributions of the secondary maxima. In addition to an "explicit" maxima identification scheme, a "Fourier decomposition" maxima identification scheme is used to examine the amplitude and phase properties of the primary and secondary maxima -- as well as tertiary and quaternary maxima. Accordingly, the advantages, ambiguities, and pitfalls resulting from use of Fourier harmonic analysis are explained.
The Relationship Between Clinical Factors and Gastrointestinal Dysmotility in Diabetes Mellitus

Motility of the stomach and upper intestine was studied in 84 consecutive diabetic patients referred to the Mayo Clinic for evaluation of functional symptoms (nausea, vomiting, or epigastric pain in the absence of structural or mucosal abnormalities). Manometric abnormalities were found in 81 of 84 patients who successfully completed a 3-hour fast and 2-hour postprandial motility evaluation. Antral hypomotility was found in 9 patients, small intestinal dysmotility in 11, and gastric and small-intestinal dysmotilities in 61. The most common abnormalities were the absence of a fed motility pattern after ingestion of the meal and the presence of abnormal intestinal bursts during the fasting period. Clinical factors such as type and duration of diabetes, fasting serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, daily dose of insulin therapy, presence of autonomic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and vascular disease were not significantly associated with the severity of gastrointestinal dysmotility. However, there was a significant association between the number of extraintestinal diabetic complications and the severity of gastrointestinal dysmotility (p < 0.05). We conclude that clinical factors, by and large, are not helpful in predicting the severity of gastrointestinal dysmotility among symptomatic diabetic patients.
Responses of thymidine labeling of nuclei in gray matter and nerve following sciatic transection.

The effect of sectioning the sciatic nerve on rates of cell proliferation was studied in rats, using autoradiographic demonstration of the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into the nuclei. Preparation of the spinal cord with the nervesin toto permitted a bilateral survey of the number of labeled cells in the cord, ganglia, and nerves. Proliferation of glia cells occurred in the cord within 24 to 48 hours after sectioning the nerve, with a maximum by the 3rd day, and was confined sharply to the affected segments. The increase in labeled capsule cells in spinal ganglia was only a fraction of that in the cord, with a maximum by the 4th day. Nearly equal increases in the number of labeled cells occurred initially in both stumps of the nerve, but increase after the fourth day continued only in the proximal stump. Cell labeling in Wallerian degeneration started markedly later than that in the stumps, that is, by the 4th day, and reached levels equal to those in the distal stump by the 6th day. There was a slow and lasting increase in the number of mast cells in the distal nerve, but not in the stumps. These data indicate individual and characteristic patterns of cell proliferation for each of the affected regions, suggesting the existence of multiple control mechanisms of cell proliferation.
Delayed diagnosis of ureteral injury after gunshot wound to abdomen.

A 16-year-old boy was hemodynamically stable after sustaining a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Physical examination revealed left suprapubic entry and gluteal exit wounds. At laparotomy, the left external iliac vein was repaired and a diverting colostomy was performed because of extensive sigmoid injury. There were no signs of ureteral injury. Postoperatively, the patient developed fevers and mild azotemia. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) (Fig 1A) showed copious ascites that enhanced on delayed images (Fig 1B). A CT cystogram was normal. CT urography (Fig 1C) demonstrated left ureteral laceration. A retrograde double J-stent was placed cystoscopically before definitive repair. Injury to the ureter occurs in less than 2%-3% of all gunshot wounds to the abdomen. 1 The diagnosis is
Between the Wizard and the Deep Blue Sea: Notes on Homeless Youth Advocacy and Community Coalition Building

This article features a series of short self-reflective narrative vignettes about the experiences that led me to build and ultimately lead a coalition of homeless youth advocates who began the challenging work of calling attention to the plight of homeless teenagers in a mid-size industrial Pacific Northwest city concerned primarily with providing for and controlling its chronic adult homeless population. In the essay I draw from personal memory, social policy history and data from a participatory action research project to shed light on both the institutional politics of homeless youth policy and the varied possibilities of sustained grassroots community advocacy.
Taste receptor polymorphisms in the Old Order Amish: Associations with obesity and related traits

Nutritional intake contributes to the development of human disease mainly by influencing the development of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Orosensory variation strongly affects ingestive behavior and nutrient intake, while genetic variation in taste receptors (TRs) strongly affects taste sensitivity and food preference. Moreover, the expression of TRs in the gastrointestinal tract suggests that they may be involved in the nutrient-dependent regulation of metabolism. Therefore, we hypothesized that genetic variation in TRs may impact the development of obesity-related disease. To investigate these possibilities, we genotyped >60 haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 2 kB of all TAS1R and TAS2R genes in DNA samples from the Amish Family Diabetes Study. We identified candidate SNPs from the dbSNP and HapMap databases, and prioritized those with a minor allele frequency of ⩾0.2 in the CEU cohort (Utah residents with ancestry from northern and western Europe). We then evaluated the effects of genotype on 39 obesity-related traits (with adjustments for age, sex, and BMI). Several SNPs were significantly associated with obesity-related traits, including diabetes, glucose and insulin levels during oral glucose-tolerance tests, weight, and eating behaviors. We conclude that common variation in taste receptor genes may influence food preference, metabolism and/or risk factors associated with obesity. Support: NIDCD, NHLBI, NIDDK, UMSOM.
Special values of Abelian L-functions at s=0

Abstract In [H.M. Stark, L-functions at s = 1 . IV. First derivatives at s = 0 , Adv. Math. 35 (3) (1980) 197–235], Stark formulated his far-reaching refined conjecture on the first derivative of abelian (imprimitive) L-functions of order of vanishing r = 1 at s = 0 . In [Karl Rubin, A Stark conjecture “over Z” for abelian L-functions with multiple zeros, Ann. Inst. Fourier (Grenoble) 46 (1) (1996) 33–62], Rubin extended Stark's refined conjecture to describe the rth derivative of abelian (imprimitive) L-functions of order of vanishing r at s = 0 , for arbitrary values r. However, in both Stark's and Rubin's setups, the order of vanishing is imposed upon the imprimitive L-functions in question somewhat artificially, by requiring that the Euler factors corresponding to r distinct completely split primes have been removed from the Euler product expressions of these L-functions. In this paper, we formulate and provide evidence in support of a conjecture in the spirit of and extending the Rubin–Stark conjectures to the most general (abelian) setting: arbitrary order of vanishing abelian imprimitive L-functions, regardless of their type of imprimitivity. The second author's conversations with Harold Stark and David Dummit (especially regarding the order of vanishing 1 setting) were instrumental in formulating this generalization.
Genetic determination of guarding and undertaking in honey-bee colonies

Darwin1 considered the dramatic differences in morphology and behaviour among sterile workers, the basis of colony division of labour in the social insects, to be a greater challenge to his theory of natural selection than the occurrence of worker sterility itself. Darwin's model for the evolution of these worker traits required: (1) heritable variation among workers within colonies; (2) variation in reproductive success among colonies due to different distributions of worker traits; and (3) changes in the distribution of worker traits within colonies due to colony-level selection. The role of genetics in this evolutionary process, unknown to Darwin, has still received little attention2,3. Calderone and Page4 recently demonstrated differences in the pollen-collecting behaviour of honey bees from two artificially selected strains5 co-fostered in wild-type colonies to be a consequence of genotypic differences between workers. These differences were caused by an artificial selection process analogous to that proposed by Darwin. Their study established a foundation for understanding genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of division of labour but did not demonstrate a genetic basis for division of labour between related members of colonies, the essential element of the darwinian model. Here we report previously undescribed genetic differences in task specialization between related members of Apis mellifera colonies. These results, which support the first requirement of the darwinian model for the evolution of colony organisation, suggest that the genetic structure of an insect society plays a fundamental, and previously unrecognized, role in the division of labour.
The 35-D X-ray profile of HER X-1

Substantial X-ray emission as reported by Ariel 5 from Her X-l midway through the extended low-state portion of its 35-day cycle is examined. A similar feature during another cycle measured from UHURU satellite is also examined. It is proposed that this feature should occur regularly, consistent with some models for the mass accretion disc which have been reported in the literature. The results of the analysis of 500 days of Ariel-5 All-Sky Monitor data are reported which support the view that the feature occurs regularly in the 35-day cycle.
Electronic Band Structure of TiC, TiN, and TiO

The band structure of metallic face-centered cubic TiC, TiN, and TiO has been obtained by the augmented-plane-wave (APW) method at the equivalent of 256 points in the Brillouin zone and for an energy range appropriate to cover the nonmetal $2s$ and $2p$ and the titanium $3d$ and $4s$ states. A density of states, the Fermi energy, and contours of constant energy were obtained for the three compounds. A charge distribution in the APW scheme was derived from the equivalent of 32 points in the zone, and the admixture of the bands was analyzed. The results are consistent with the available experimental data.
CHANGE IN DORMANCY STATUS OF FRASERA CAROLINIENSIS SEEDS DURING OVERWINTERING ON PARENT PLANT

Seeds of the monocarpic perennial Frasera caroliniensis ripen in late summer, and most of them are dispersed in late autumn and winter. However, some viable seeds may remain undispersed for more than a year. Embryos are underdeveloped (ca. 1.1-1.3 mm long) at seed maturity and do not grow while seeds remain on plants in the field. Dormancy in freshlymatured seeds was broken by 12 to 14 weeks of cold stratification at 5 C, during which the embryos elongated. On the other hand, seeds collected in January and March required a period of warm stratification followed by a period of cold stratification to germinate. Seeds collected in September and sown in a nonheated greenhouse germinated to 83% the first spring after maturation, whereas those collected and sown in January and March did not germinate until the second spring. Thus, seeds that remained on plants in the field until winter entered a deepened state of dormancy, and a warm (summer) followed by a cold (winter) stratification period was required to overcome it.
Rounding of first order transitions in low-dimensional quantum systems with quenched disorder.

We prove that the addition of an arbitrarily small random perturbation to a quantum spin system rounds a first-order phase transition in the conjugate order parameter in $d\ensuremath{\le}2$ dimensions, or for cases involving the breaking of a continuous symmetry in $d\ensuremath{\le}4$. This establishes rigorously for quantum systems the existence of the Imry-Ma phenomenon which for classical systems was proven by Aizenman and Wehr.
A Fracture Probability Integral for HFIR Accident Analysis

The state of the reactor vessel steel embrittlement as a result of neutron irradiation is reflected by its increase in ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) in fracture toughness versus temperature curve. Higher DBTT implies a decrease in fracture toughness and an increase in the chance of vessel fracture in brittle fracture mode. The extent of degradation that the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) vessel has experienced is characterized by its probability of fracture that is defined as a probability count of the number of critical cracks in the reactor vessel based on a distribution of possible cracks. In this paper, the fracture probabilities under the accident pressure conditions against possible HFIR operating life are calculated for the safety analysis of the reactor vessel. Conventional methods of fracture probability calculation such as that adopted by the NRC-sponsored PRAISE CODE and the FAVOR CODE developed in this Laboratory are based on Monte Carlo simulation. Heavy computations are required. The present calculations are based on a new method of fracture probability calculation that was developed by applying direct probability integration [1]. This method offers simple and expedient procedure to obtain numerical values of fracture probability yet retains all possible features that a Monte Carlo simulation can possibly accomplish.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Can We Turn a Toxin Into a Tonic? Toward 21st-Century Television Alchemy

When pediatricians think about environmental exposures during childhood, they might think of lead, pesticides, or dust mites. But truthfully, the greatest environmental exposure for most children is television (TV): they spend more time watching it than they do in any other wakeful activity, and it has significant effects on their health and well-being.1 Many of us routinely ask about lead, pesticide, or dust-mite exposure in selected patients, but we rarely ask about TV exposure.2,3 Perhaps this is because although we recognize the enormous presence that TV has in American childhood, we are not sure to which type of environmental exposure it is best likened. Is it like lead, a proven neurotoxin?4,5 Is it like alar, the presence of which on apples in the 1980s caused widespread panic but ultimately proved to be harmless?6 Or, is it like fluoride, which when added to our water supply has demonstratively improved the oral health of children?7 The reality is that TV can be likened to all 3, which has hampered a coherent national dialogue on the topic.8 For too long we have viewed TV monolithically and asked: “Is it good or bad?” Whether TV is good or bad … Address correspondence to Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH, Child Health Institute, 6200 NE 74th St, Suite 210, Seattle, WA 98115-8160. E-mail: dachris{at}u.washington.edu
The Cartan map on categories of graded modules

This paper presents a technique based on elementary K-theory. It relies on the fact that K, for a category of graded modules can be viewed as a Z [T, T-l] module for some variable T. In this context, we will deduce a great deal of information from an explicit computation of the coordinates of the matrix of the Cartan homomorphism. In Section 1, we begin by recalling some definitions and results that we will use throughout this paper. From these, we then describe our basic machinery. Section 2 will provide some applications of this machine. We note in particular the following uses. Nakayama [ 131 proposed that if A is a finite-dimensional algebra of infinite dominant dimension, then A is self-injective. Auslander and Reiten [4] noticed that the following stronger statement would imply the truth of Nakayama’s conjecture. Given a finite-dimensional algebra A with minimal injective resolution 0 + A + E, + E, -+ se-, every indecomposable injective module is isomorphic to a summand of some Ei. Here, we prove this Generalized Nakayama Conjecture for graded algebras. Another application of this technique shows that the determinant of the Cartan map is one for graded algebras of finite global dimension. This in turn is used to show that if B is any algebra (not necessarily graded) with only finitely many nonisomorphic indecomposable modules M, 1.. M, then the matrix whose ijth coordinate is dim Hom,(Mi, Mj) has determinant one. Finally, we give an application to the rationality of power series. Let F be a field and let A be a finite-dimensional F-algebra. We will assume everywhere that A is basic, that is, for every simple A-module S, End,(S) = F. This assumption is primarily to simplify notation and the arguments given could be modified to handle algebras that are not basic. We will use the notation mod A for the category of finitely generated left A modules. Let g be a full subcategory of mod,4 and let X(55?) be the free 390 0021.8693/83 $3.00
Response of Stratified Flow in the Lee of the Olympic Mountains

Abstract The behavior of stratified air flowing around an isolated mountain is dependent on an internal Froude number (F), which indicates the relative importance of upstream velocity and vertical stratification. Three cases of the flow in the lee of the Olympic Mountains in the State of Washington are studied where the measured F was in the range 1.0–1.4 but apparently dominated by stable stratification. This study combined measurements of spatial variation of low-level winds and other parameters from a NOAA P-3 research aircraft with a dense network of surface stations including eight meteorological buoys and six upper-air stations. Results from these cases show the presence of an area of light winds in the lee of the Olympic Mountains. The characteristics of the flow are shown to be similar to laboratory results for low Froude number flow around an isolated obstacle where the flow is confined to quasi-horizontal planes. These cases are contrasted with a situation which led to the formation of a mesosca...
Competing processes for poly(aryl ether‐ketone) synthesis, 3. Polymerization reactions of 1,3‐bis(4‐chlorobenzoyl)benzene and 1,3‐bis(4‐fluorobenzoyl)benzene in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone

The effects of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) as solvent on the polymerizaton reactions of 1,3-bis(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzene (1,3-CBB) and 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene (1,3-FBB) with 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol-A) were examined. The failure of these reactions to produce high molecular weight polymers in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate is due to dehalogenation of 1,3-CBB via substitution radical-nucleophilic unimolecular (S RN 1) processes. On the other hand, 1,3-FBB undergoes nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions (S N AR) with the carbonate anion at elevated temperatures. However, it is possible to synthesize high molecular weight polymers from 1,3-FBB and bisphenol-A in NMP either by first forming the bisphenoxide with stoichiometric amounts of aqueous sodium hydroxide or in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate at a lower reaction temperature.
The central role of metadata in a science data literacy course

Science research is increasingly computer and network enabled and referred to as e-science. The change has had an impact on the information environment in which scientists across disciplines operate to conduct their research. This paper reports on an NSF-funded project at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies (2007–2009) that examined this changing environment and directed specific attention to digital data management practices. A local faculty survey of data management practices and attitudes was conducted, as was a scan of related courses at peer institutions. Knowledge about data management in e-science was used to design a new course addressing data-related literacy for science students and teach them skills for managing data created as part of the scientific research process. Throughout the project, metadata proved to have a central role in how scientists operate in the e-science information environment and to be a key component of data literacy in the e-science environment.
A Gauss–Kuzmin-type problem for a family of continued fraction expansions

In this paper we study in detail a family of continued fraction expansions of any number in the unit closed interval [0,1] whose digits are differences of consecutive non-positive integer powers of an integer m⩾2. For the transformation which generates this expansion and its invariant measure, the Perron–Frobenius operator is given and studied. For this expansion, we apply the method of random systems with complete connections by Iosifescu and obtained the solution of its Gauss–Kuzmin type problem.
Synthesis and Characterization of Particle-reinforced Ni/Al2O3 Nanocomposites

Nanocomposite Ni/Al2O3 films were electrodeposited from a suspension of Al2O3 nanoparticles in aqueous nickel sulfamate solution. The volume fraction of particles incorporated increased with electrode rotation rate and decreased with deposition current density. The composition, microstructure, hardness, and magnetic properties of these nanocomposite films were characterized. The mechanical strengthening due to particle dispersion in the films was interpreted by considering an Orowan dislocation bowing mechanism. The coercivity of the films increased with increasing particle concentration in the film. The saturation magnetization showed a weak dependence on particle concentration.