cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bad Medicine: A Guide to the Real Costs and Consequences of The New Health Care Law

For better or worse, President Obama's health care reform bill is now law. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act represents the most significant transformation of the American health care system since Medicare and Medicaid. It will fundamentally change nearly every aspect of health care, from insurance to the final delivery of care.The length and complexity of the legislation, combined with a debate that often generated more heat than light, has led to massive confusion about the law's likely impact. But, it is now possible to analyze what is and is not in it, what it likely will and will not do. In particular, we now know that:*While the new law will increase the number of Americans with insurance coverage, it falls significantly short of universal coverage. By 2019, roughly 21 million Americans will still be uninsured.*The legislation will cost far more than advertised, more than $2.7 trillion over 10 years of full implementation, and will add $352 billion to the national debt over that period.*Most American workers and businesses will see little or no change in their skyrocketing insurance costs, while millions of others, including younger and healthier workers and those who buy insurance on their own through the non-group market will actually see their premiums go up faster as a result of this legislation.*The new law will increase taxes by more than $669 billion between now and 2019, and the burdens it places on business will significantly reduce economic growth and employment.*While the law contains few direct provisions for rationing care, it nonetheless sets the stage for government rationing and interference with how doctors practice medicine.*Millions of Americans who are happy with their current health insurance will not be able to keep it.In short, the more we learn about what is in this new law, the more it looks like bad news for American taxpayers, businesses, health-care providers, and patients.
Rat pancreatic lipase and two related proteins : enzymatic properties and mRNA expression during development

We report the cDNA sequences of rat colipase, rat pancreatic lipase (rPL), and a rat pancreatic lipase-related protein (rPLRP). Comparison to the human PLRP cDNA suggests that the isolated clone encodes rPLRP-2. Both cDNA and a third cDNA encoding rPLRP-1 are secreted from Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus. rPL and rPLRP-2 hydrolyze triolein, 8.0 and 4.4 mumol.min-1.microgram-1, respectively. They are inhibited by bile salts, and activity is restored by (pro)colipase. PLRP-1 has barely detectable activity against triolein, even with (pro)colipase present. The pattern of mRNA expression during development in the rat reveals that all mRNA are low in the fetal rat pancreas. Both PLRP mRNA rise just before birth to a maximum 12 h after birth. They fall to low levels in the adult. In contrast, the PL mRNA is low at birth and rises rapidly during the suckling-weanling transition. In conclusion, the rat has at least three genes encoding different lipases, and these related genes have separate regulatory controls.
Effect of chlordecone on pH and temperature dependent substrate activation kinetics of rat brain synaptosomal ATPases.

Abstract Chlordecone, a polycyclic chlorinated insecticide known as Kepone, inhibited the activities of (Na − -K − )ATPase and Mg 2− -ATPase in rat brain synaptosomes. Altered pH and specific activity curves for both enzymes demonstrated significant inhibition by chlordecone in buffered acidic, neutral and alkaline pH ranges. Noncompetitive inhibition with respect to activation by ATP in the case of (Na + -K + )ATPase was indicated by altered V max values with no significant change in K m values at any pH studied, except at pH 9.5. Mg 2− -ATPase was inhibited uncompetitively as evidenced by altered V max and K m values. The activities of both ATPases were decreased in the presence of chlordecone at higher temperatures. Activation energy ( ΔE ) values were found to be decreased significantly in the presence of chlordecone at 37°. Arrhenius plots of both ATPases preincubated with chlordecone were found to be nonlinear. In the presence of chlordecone, V max was decreased without significant change in K m values for (Na + -K − )ATPase at all temperatures, suggesting a noncompetitive type of inhibition. In the case of Mg 2+ -ATPase, similar noncompetitive type inhibition was obtained at 27° but not at 32 and 37°. The kinetic data in general suggest that the chlordecone inhibited (Na − -K − )ATPase noncompetitively and Mg 2+ -ATPase uncompetitively at all pHs and temperatures studied. The present data suggest that inhibition of (Na − -K + )ATPase and Mg 2+ -ATPase, the two membrane-bound enzymes in synaptosomes, by chlordecone is temperature dependent and pH independent.
Higher order Transitions in Double Nuclear Resonance Experiments in Solids

Attention is called to some higher order nuclear spin transitions whose existence has been recently demonstrated in double resonance experiments in cesium halides. (W.D.M.)
Non-science majors gain valuable insight studying clinical trials literature: an evidence-based medicine library assignment

When faced with a diagnosis, it is empowering to be able to assess the evidence of treatment effectiveness and safety. To teach this skill to non-science majors, we assigned the “Responsible Patien...
Slow O-demethylation of methyl triclosan to triclosan, which is rapidly glucuronidated and sulfonated in channel catfish liver and intestine

The antibacterial personal care product triclosan is discharged in municipal waste, and converted in part by bacteria in sewage sludge and soil to its more lipid-soluble methyl ether, methyl triclosan. Triclosan and methyl triclosan have been detected in water, sediment, fish and invertebrates near sewage treatment facilities. Understanding the biotransformation of methyl triclosan and triclosan in a model food fish, the channel catfish, will be of value in assessing the likelihood that these compounds will bioaccumulate in exposed fish, and therefore potentially pass up the food chain. We hypothesize that cytochrome P450 will catalyze the O-demethylation of methyl triclosan to yield triclosan, which is likely to undergo glucuronidation or sulfonation of the phenolic hydroxyl group. Conversion of methyl triclosan to triclosan was measured by LC/MS/MS following aerobic incubation of varying concentrations of methyl triclosan with NADPH and hepatic and intestinal microsomes from untreated, 3-methylcholanthrene-treated (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or PCB-126-treated (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) channel catfish (n=4 per treatment group). The K(m) values for methyl triclosan were similar for untreated, 3-methylcholanthrene-treated and PCB-126-treated catfish liver microsomes, ranging from 80 to 250 μM. V(max) values for O-demethylation ranged from 30 to 150 pmol/min/mg protein, with no significant differences between controls, PCB-126-treated or 3-methylcholanthrene-treated fish, suggesting that methyl triclosan O-demethylation was not a CYP1-catalyzed reaction. Methyl triclosan O-demethylation activities in intestinal microsomes were similar to or lower than those found with liver microsomes. The calculated rate of O-demethylation of methyl triclosan in catfish liver at 1 μM, a concentration reported in exposed fish, and 21°C, an early summer water temperature, is 0.10 pmol/min/mg protein. This slow rate of metabolism suggests that upon continued exposure, methyl triclosan may bioaccumulate in the channel catfish. Triclosan itself, however, was readily glucuronidated by hepatic and intestinal microsomes and sulfonated by hepatic and intestinal cytosol. Triclosan glucuronidation followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics when rates were measured across a concentration range of 5-1000 μM, whereas triclosan sulfonation exhibited substrate inhibition at concentrations above 10-20 μM in both intestinal and hepatic cytosol. Based on the enzyme kinetic constants measured in hepatic and intestinal fractions at 21°C, triclosan at 1 μM could be glucuronidated at rates of 23 and 3.2 pmol/min/mg protein respectively in liver and intestine, and sulfonated at rates of 277 (liver) and 938 (intestine) pmol/min/mg protein. These rates are much higher than the rates of demethylation of methyl triclosan, and suggest that triclosan would be rapidly cleared and unlikely to bioaccumulate in catfish tissues.
Determination of physiological rhythms of unrestrained animals by radio telemetry.

THE results of 24-hr, rhythm measurements are frequently influenced by perturbations due to the presence of an observer and the measuring equipment. These perturbations can be minimized if the desired physiological data are obtained by radio telemetry1,2. The transmitter carried by the animal should be characterized by small size, long battery life, and sufficient range for unrestrained movements. Several transmitters with these design goals were constructed successfully and used to relay temperature and heart-rate information to a distant observer.
Effects of preservation methods of muscle tissue from upper-trophic level reef fishes on stable isotope values (δ13C and δ15N)

Research that uses stable isotope analysis often involves a delay between sample collection in the field and laboratory processing, therefore requiring preservation to prevent or reduce tissue degradation and associated isotopic compositions. Although there is a growing literature describing the effects of various preservation techniques, the results are often contextual, unpredictable and vary among taxa, suggesting the need to treat each species individually. We conducted a controlled experiment to test the effects of four preservation methods of muscle tissue from four species of upper trophic-level reef fish collected from the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Red Grouper Epinephelus morio, Gag Mycteroperca microlepis, Scamp Mycteroperca phenax, and Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus). We used a paired design to measure the effects on isotopic values for carbon and nitrogen after storage using ice, 95% ethanol, and sodium chloride (table salt), against that in a liquid nitrogen control. Mean offsets for both δ (13)C and δ (15)N values from controls were lowest for samples preserved on ice, intermediate for those preserved with salt, and highest with ethanol. Within species, both salt and ethanol significantly enriched the δ (15)N values in nearly all comparisons. Ethanol also had strong effects on the δ (13)C values in all three groupers. Conversely, for samples preserved on ice, we did not detect a significant offset in either isotopic ratio for any of the focal species. Previous studies have addressed preservation-induced offsets in isotope values using a mass balance correction that accounts for changes in the isotope value to that in the C/N ratio. We tested the application of standard mass balance corrections for isotope values that were significantly affected by the preservation methods and found generally poor agreement between corrected and control values. The poor performance by the correction may have been due to preferential loss of lighter isotopes and corresponding low levels of mass loss with a substantial change in the isotope value of the sample. Regardless of mechanism, it was evident that accounting for offsets caused by different preservation methods was not possible using the standard correction. Caution is warranted when interpreting the results from specimens stored in either ethanol or salt, especially when using those from multiple preservation techniques. We suggest the use of ice as the preferred preservation technique for muscle tissue when conducting stable isotope analysis as it is widely available, inexpensive, easy to transport and did not impart a significant offset in measured isotopic values. Our results provide additional evidence that preservation effects on stable isotope analysis can be highly contextual, thus requiring their effects to be measured and understood for each species and isotopic ratio of interest before addressing research questions.
Some applications of conditional events and random sets for image estimation and system modeling

Recent advances in conditional event algebra and random set modeling hold the promise of enabling a systematic and consistent approach to information fusion in the context of statistical signal processing. In this paper we consider three potential applications of this approach: (1) iterated image estimation; (2) prior models for medical image reconstruction; and (3) knowledge-aided modeling of complex systems.
Resistant Hypertension in Office Practice: A Clinical Approach

AbstractResistant hypertension is defined as blood pressure uncontrolled to guideline levels despite the use of ≥ 3 antihypertensive medications. When evaluating patients with resistant hypertension, it is important to consider issues such as blood pressure measurement technique, lifestyle, other comorbid conditions and medications, and the white coat effect. To this point, potential contributing factors include obstructive sleep apnea, excess alcohol intake, and use of blood pressure-elevating medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sympathomimetics, certain anorexic agents, and oral contraceptives. Secondary causes of hypertension are common in patients with resistant hypertension and appropriate screening tests should be performed as suggested by signs, symptoms, and laboratory abnormalities. In this regard, there is increasing evidence that hyperaldosteronism is common in the resistant hypertensive patient group. Pharmacologic therapy in patients with resistant hypertension is cente...
Effect of inhibitors of protein synthesis on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos.

Summary The responses of two-cell and eight-cell mouse embryos to four specific metabolic inhibitors were determined, as a means of studying nucleic acid and protein syntheses in preimplantation embryos. The embryos were grown in vitro, in various concentrations of mitomycin C, actinomycin D puromycin, or fluorophenylalanine, for two or three days, and dose-response lines were determined for each inhibitor at both stages. Actinomycin D, which blocks RNA synthesis, was able to block development of embryos in very low concentrations, indicating that the synthesis of some RNA, probably of the messenger or transfer type, is required for the normal progression of cleavage divisions. Blocking protein synthesis with puromycin also interfered with the cleavage process, suggesting that some protein involved with the mitotic apparatus must be synthesized at an early stage. Some differences were noted between the responses of two-cell and eight-cell embryos, which indicate that changes in metabolic processes, possibly involving the rate of turnover of protein, are occurring during these early developmental stages.
Low Affinity Interactions of GDPβS and Ribose- or Phosphoryl-substituted GTP Analogues with the Heterotrimeric G Protein, Transducin

We have examined the effects of three commonly used classes of guanine nucleotide analogues on the retinal G protein, transducin (Gt), and found them to be quite different from those that might be expected from results with other GTP-binding proteins. The most surprising results were with guanosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPβS); rather than inhibiting activation of Gt, GDPβS addition activated Gt as a result of a trace contaminant. Even when the contaminant levels were reduced 5-fold by chromatography, its effects dominated those of GDPβS, which binds Gt at least 1500-fold more weakly than guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS). The affinity of Gt for GDP was found to be at least 300-fold weaker than for GTPγS, while the affinities of GTP and GTPγS were similar. Ribose-modified GTP analogues, including 2′(3′)-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl) GTP (mantGTP), 2′(3′)-O-[(2-aminoethyl)carbamyl] GTP (edGTP), and adducts of fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate and rhodamine B-isothiocyanate with edGTP, interacted extremely weakly, if at all, with the GTP binding site of the α subunit of Gt. They were neither effective activators of Gt nor effective inhibitors of activation by GTP or GTPγS. A γ-phosphoryl-modified analogue, an adduct of GTPγS and (5-(2(iodoacetyl)aminoethyl)amino)naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (dnsGTP), also activated Gt weakly, if at all, and did not inhibit its activation. The exclusion of these analogues points to the highly restrictive and specific nature of the GTP binding site of Gt, in contrast to those of numerous other GTP-binding proteins which are potently activated or inhibited by these analogues.
Utility of the PET/CT in vulvar cancer management ☆

Abstract Objective To describe the clinical impact of PET/CT in the management of patients with vulvar cancer. Material and methods Retrospective analysis of 13 PET/CT studies with 18 F-FDG (6 staging and 7 suspected recurrence) corresponding to 10 patients diagnosed with vulvar cancer by biopsy, with a mean age of 64.5 years. The preoperative PET/CT study was analyzed qualitatively according to the lesion region. Surgical excision was carried out, covering all the suspected areas according to the PET/CT study. This was compared with the histopathologic analysis. Results Abnormal vulvar PET/CT uptake was found in 9 out of the 13 studies and invasion of adjacent structures in 5 of them (urethra, perianal, vagina). The inguinal–femoral lymph nodes were considered as affected in 3 studies and one pelvic lymph node was also affected. Four of the studies had extralymphatic involvement: 3 in lung and 1 in ischiorectal fossa. The PET/CT showed a 100% sensitivity for the detection of the vulvar lesion in squamous cell carcinomas and 60% in non-squamous cell ones. There was a false positive result for local invasion due to urine contamination. One of the studies with lung metastases was related to a synchronous breast tumor. All the pathological lymph node levels detected in the PET/CT study were confirmed in the histopathology study. No new lesions were identified by surgery. PET/CT changed the therapeutic management in 8/13 studies (61.5%). Conclusions PET/CT is postulated as a useful imaging test for the management of vulvar cancer, mainly in the identification of nodal metastases. It may affect both surgical planning and clinical management. Larger series are needed to confirm our findings.
Thelohania tabani sp. n., a Microsporidian from larvae of the black horse fly, Tabanus atratus fabricius

Abstract A new species of Microsporidia, Thelohania tabani sp. n., is described from the black horse fly, Tabanus atratus Fabricius. This is the first report of a microsporidian from any Tabanidae. Some observations on pathology and transmission of the pathogen are also reported.
Can a guest liver bring the gift of a gene to disarm a hostile host

We have established a system of efficient gene transfer to liver grafts using adenovirus vectors. The purpose of this study was to examine variables affecting gene transfer to rat liver grafts during cold preservation. Our results demonstrate that gene transfer efficiency was directly correlated with the ratio of vector to hepatic cells (multiplicity of infection [MOI]) and the length of exposure to the vector. At MOls of 101 and 501, the hepatic cell transduction rate was 25-30% and 10%, respectively. However, higher MOI was associated with significant mortality. Prolonging the cold preservation/exposure time resulted in an increased transduction rate (50% at MOI of 10:1). Similar gene transfer efficiencies were observed when the vector was diluted in lactated Ringer's or University of Wisconsin solution. Recombinant protein production was evident within 12 hr after reperfusion, and increased to a peak level within 48 hr. These results suggest a predictable pattern of gene transfer and expression after ex vivo transduction of liver grafts with adenovirus vectors. These data are es sential in directing desirable levels of recombinant protein within the transplanted organ.
Possible new autosomal recessive syndrome of partial agenesis of the corpus callosum, pontine hypoplasia, focal white matter changes, hypotonia, mental retardation, and minor anomalies

We describe a brother and sister with severe developmental delay, hypotonia, partial agenesis of the corpus callosum, pontine hypoplasia, focal white matter degenerative abnormalities, macrocrania, frontal bossing, deep-set eyes, and hypertelorism. The brother also had Duane syndrome type II and an ectopic right ureter. The coexistence of these multiple physical and brain abnormalities in a brother and sister suggests a new autosomal recessive syndrome with a slowly progressive course.
Bioinformatics databases and applications: a challenging landscape

The biological science studies the phenomenon of life and encompasses an enormous variety of information. After the sequencing of the entire human genome, the field of genomics and proteomics has indeed come into limelight. The objective of Genomics is to undertake a systematic investigation of genomes while Proteomics deals with the quantitative measurement of protein expression. Data management of such highly variable complex biological phenomena now poses a challenge for database technology and includes data that ranges from research articles to complex metabolic pathways. Research advances in computational biology, molecular biology, genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics have now become critically dependent on what information such databases contain. It is not possible with the available technology of web links to get a complete and uniform picture of where science stands today on any one of these organisms unless a scientist spends many hours using search engines with some associated frustration. Metadata management, data interpretation, data integration, uniform interface creation, and visualization pose challenges with major opportunities for database research.In this talk, the speaker will review a number of essential biological concepts required to understand this complex field. We will then survey the proliferation of genomic and proteomic databases around the world and describe the unique characteristics of biological data that make their management difficult. We highlight the pressing issues for further development of these databases and related applications where database research and development may contribute substantially.We will give illustrations from our ongoing work in the area of development of a mitochondrial genome database, text mining of Medline to discover functional relationships among genes, classification of literature to extract epidemiologically relevant articles, and integration of protein, microarray and protein data for ovarian cancer patients. There is a shift in emphasis from data accumulation to data analysis, interpretation and understanding in biological, studies that is likely to expand. Further database research will go a long way to contribute to many public and private efforts in the broadly defined field of bioinformatics.
Efficient referral thresholds in autorefraction-based preschool screening.

Purpose To determine economically efficient referral criteria for a preschool vision-screening program using autorefraction. Design Retrospective economic evaluation of a screening protocol. Methods Preschoolers in 2 cities received preschool-based Retinomax screening with a standard referral protocol and as-needed comprehensive eye examinations in 2012–2013. Positive predictive values and referral criteria that minimized cost per case detected were derived using data from San Francisco. These modeled referral criteria were then retrospectively tested for cost-effectiveness against other common criteria in Oakland with sensitivity analysis. Cases were defined by American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) criteria for amblyopia risk factors. The perspective was a third-party payer. Costs were obtained from a regional insurance provider. Results In San Francisco, 3974 children were screened, 631 referred, and 412 examined. Forty-eight percent of referrals, 301 children, met more than 1 of the referral criteria. Positive predictive values ranged from 7% for myopia to 56% for astigmatism. In Oakland, 2359 children were screened and 269 were examined. When applying the modeled referral criteria derived from San Francisco to the population of Oakland, the cost per case detected was $258. When compared in Oakland, the original referral criteria and criteria based on Vision in Preschoolers study cost, respectively, $424 and $371 per additional case detected. The modeled referral criteria had a lower cost per case detected across sensitivity analysis. Conclusions More stringent referral criteria may reduce the cost per case detected in vision screening and allow more at-risk children to be detected with the same financial resources.
The origins of social institutions

How do individual agents enact the institutions that govern collective behavior in a social situation? How do individuals come to share self-enforcing expectations about collective behavior, so tha...
No Straight Line: Wrinkling Binaries in Literacy and Technology Research.

This article challenges some accepted binaries in literacy and technology research in order to explore the complex, multifaceted nature of literacy practices using a hypertextual multimedia study environment (MSE). Binary distinctions like literacy/illiteracy or online/offline are 'wrinkled' or complicated by introducing findings from an ethnographic study of the MSE in a graduate history of communication course.
Yield enhancement and manufacturing throughput of redundant memories to repairability/unrepairability detection

In this article, yield enhancement and manufacturing throughput of large repairable memories are analyzed. These objectives are met by repairability/unrepairability detection. Initially two new techniques for detection of memory chips with redundancy are presented. Initially, a heuristic, yet efficient approach is proposed. This first approach is based on finding a very good approximation to the minimum covering set. An algorithm, which executes in quadratic time with respect to the largest dimension of the memory, is presented. This algorithm is executed off-line, that is, when the memory has been fully diagnosed. New conditions for detection are presented and fully analyzed. These are based on a more accurate estimation of the regions of repairability and unrepairability. Hence, this results in a reduction of the uncertainty region, where the status of a memory cannot be established without executing a fully exhaustive search algorithm. The second approach to repairability/unrepairability detection is based on a more complex covering relationship, namely the generalized leading element. A model for manufacturing throughput of large repairable memories is presented.
The Effects of Methoxychlor on Riffle Invertebrate Populations and Communities

Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the chronic effects of a toxicant on interacting stream invertebrate populations. The study involved the continuous dosing of a small stream at 0.2 μg/liter methoxychlor for over one year. Invertebrate populations were monitored by artificial substrate and bottom sample collections of riffle invertebrates. Most invertebrate populations experienced some reduction due to the stream dosing. Some taxa (baetids and plecopterans) were affected as reflected by population reductions in dosed areas. Many taxa (hydropsychids, simulids, and aeschnids) were temporarily affected, experiencing initial population reductions in dosed areas but then recovering to control levels. Other taxa (chironomids and elmids) were not affected by the pesticide dosing. The riffle invertebrate community colonizing artificial substrates experienced a temporary decrease in diversity through both reduced richness and evenness. Diversity was not decreased in bottom sample collections. In general, ...
Postpartum hemorrhage resulting from uterine artery pseudoaneurysm

This article presents a rarely reported cause of late postpartum hemorrhage in a 33-year-old woman. A uterine artery pseudoaneurysm with arteriovenous fistula was identified that required uterine artery embolization.
Computational Analysis of Gravitational Effects in Low-Density Gas Jets

This study deals with the computational analysis of buoyancy-induced instability in the nearfield of an isothermal helium jet injected into quiescent ambient air environment. Laminar, axisymmetric, unsteady flow conditions were considered for the analysis. The transport equations of helium mass fraction coupled with the conservation equations of mixture mass and momentum were solved using a staggered grid finite volume method. The jet Richardson numbers of 1.5 and 0.018 were considered to encompass both buoyant and inertial jet flow regimes. Buoyancy effects were isolated by initiating computations in Earth gravity and subsequently, reducing gravity to simulate the microgravity conditions. Computed results concur with experimental observations that the periodic flow oscillations observed in Earth gravity subside in microgravity.
A repeating secondary source of infrasound from the Wells, Nevada, earthquake sequence

[1] The Wells, Nevada, earthquake of February 21, 2008, generated a complex seismo-acoustic wavefield. Epicentral infrasound was recorded at 5 seismo-acoustic arrays in Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. In addition to epicentral infrasound, the earthquake triggered a secondary source of infrasound at the BGU array in Utah, which was also triggered by subsequent aftershocks. By applying simple constraints on the propagation of seismic and infrasound waves, we show that the secondary source is an isolated peak (‘Floating Island’) that appears to efficiently generate infrasound through the interaction with seismic surface waves. This hypothesized source location is broadly consistent with crosswind directions extracted from the Ground-to-Space (G2S) atmospheric model (for the appropriate time and source/receiver locations), although modeling the propagation of infrasound predicts this source location to be within the so-called ‘zone-of-silence’. In contrast to epicentral infrasound, secondary infrasound associated with the Wells, Nevada, earthquake sequence appears to be local to each array (i.e., not observed at multiple arrays). Secondary infrasonic arrivals observed at BGU are much higher in amplitude than epicentral arrivals, highlighting the importance of being able to clearly identify and separate epicentral and secondary arrivals for infrasonic event discrimination.
Production of synthetic methanol from air and water using controlled thermonuclear reactor power—II. Capital investment and production costs

Abstract Energy requirement and process development of methanol production from air and water using controlled thermonuclear fusion power was discussed in part I of this paper. This second part of the paper presents an economic analysis of the nine alternate processes presented for obtaining carbon dioxide recovery from the atmosphere or the sea for methanol production. It is found that the most economical process of obtaining carbon dioxide is by stripping from sea water. The process of absorption/stripping by dilute potassium carbonate solution is found to be the most economical for the extraction of carbon dioxide from air at atmospheric pressure. The total energy required for methanol synthesis from these sources of carbon dioxide is 3.90 kWh(e)/lb methanol of which 90% is used for generation of hydrogen. The process which consumes the greatest amount of energy is the absorption/stripping of air by water at high pressure and amounts to 13.2 kWh(e)/lb methanol. With nuclear fusion power plants of 1000 to 9000 MW(e), it is found that the cost of methanol using the extraction of carbon dioxide from air with dilute potassium carbonate solution is estimated to be in the range between $1.73 and $2.90/MMB.t.u. (energy equivalent—1974 cost) for plant capacities of 21400 to 193000 bbl/day methanol. This methanol cost is competitive with gasoline in the range of 19 ∼ 33 ¢/gallon. For the process of stripping of carbon dioxide from sea water, the cost is found to lie in the range of $1.65 to $2.71/MMB.t.u. (energy equivalent) for plant capacities of 21700 to 195000 bbl/day methanol which is competitive with gasoline in the range of 18 ∼ 30 ¢/gallon. Projection of methanol demand in the year 2020 is presented based on both its conventional use as chemicals and as a liquid fuel substituting for oil and gas.
Death visualization: A teaching and learning device

Abstract Imagining one's own death, we are told, is literally impossible for several cogent reasons. The event has never happened. We cannot have heard about death from anyone who has experienced it. At the time of death we are without a “mind”. If, right now, we use our minds to picture death, we are using an entity that will not be available later on. The logic and common sense of the assertion that death cannot be imagined seems rather secure.
Experimental Observation of a Heavy Particle $J$

We report the observation of a heavy particle $J$, with mass $m=3.1$ GeV and width approximately zero. The observation was made from the reaction $p+\mathrm{Be}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{e}^{+}+{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}+x$ by measuring the ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ mass spectrum with a precise pair spectrometer at the Brookhaven National Laboratory's 30-GeV alternating-gradient synchrotron.
Gestural communication in deaf children: noneffect of parental input on language development

Young deaf children who were unable to acquire oral language naturally and who had not been exposed to a conventional manual language were found to use spontaneously a gesture system that has some of the structural characteristics of early child language. The structural aspects of this gesture system appeared to be neither modeled for the child by the gestures of an adult nor shaped by the responses of an adult. These findings suggest that the child may contribute to structural aspects of the system.
Molecular zippers - Designing a supramolecular system

Abstract We report here the first phase in the rational design of a versatile hydrogen-bonded supramolecular `zipper', by creating a molecular `tool box'. These are novel structures that are predicted to undergo self-assembled and to form stable `zippers', which should be amendable to molecular manipulations that change the physical properties of the supramolecule, while preserving the three-dimensional structure. We emphasize design rationale, including examples, and also demonstrate the importance of using highly accurate computational methods in molecular design.
Calculated lattice relaxation in Pu-Ga alloys

Hellman-Feynman forces on atoms surrounding the gallium site in a Pu{sub 31}Ga supercell are calculated with the full-potential LMTO method in the local density approximation. These forces are minimized by adjusting atomic positions using an iterative Broyden scheme. At equilibrium the nearest-neighbor shell of plutonium atoms relaxes inward by 1.04% of the initial theoretical bond length (2.86 {angstrom}). A similar calculation on a Pu{sub 32} supercell shows no relaxation.
A Suggestion for Fitting Ground-motion Attenuation near an Extended Earthquake Source

Peak accelerations recorded near the causative faults of recent large earthquakes have been smaller than expected from published attenuation relations (Somerville, 2000; Anderson et al., 2000). This discrepancy provides a motivation to find new empirical fits of peak ground motion to functional forms that account for the extended nature of the source at locations near the fault (Ohno et al., 1993; Ambraseys and Srbulov, 1998). It has long been proposed (Housner, 1965; Brune, 1970; Hanks and Johnson, 1976) that peak acceleration and short-period velocity spectral response approach constant values at near-fault locations due to the finite-source effect and that the value may be independent of magnitude (for larger magnitudes). Joyner and Boore (1981) introduced a functional form for attenuation of peak ground motion in which the dependencies on distance and magnitude are separable. They account for the finite extent of the source by measuring distance from the closest point of the surface-projection of the fault. Their formulation is appropriate if only a single point on the fault contributes to the peak motion at any observation point. In this note I take the point of view that a considerable portion of the rupture surface contributes to peak ground motion at a distant point. Peak motion is larger for larger magnitudes, in this view, because larger areas of the fault contribute. The dependence found on magnitude at distant points will not apply at near points, where a smaller fault area contributes to the peak motion. Boore, Joyner, and Fumal (1997) (BJF97) continue to assume that magnitude and distance dependence are separable, and they show (Boore et al., 1994) that their data are consistent with that assumption. In contrast to BJF97, attenuation relations of Abrahamson and Silva (1997), Campbell (1997), and Sadigh et al. (1997) are not separable but …
Dermatologic signs in toxic shock syndrome—clues to diagnosis

A diffuse scarlatiniform erythroderma, bulbar conjunctival hyperemia, and striking palmar edema were impressive findings in two patients who developed toxic shock syndrome (TSS). In addition to the rash which is always seen, the latter two features have been observed in high frequency in this condition and when present are useful aids in the diagnosis of this disease.
A Self-Configured Key Establishment Scheme for Large-Scale Sensor Networks

Symmetric key agreement is significant to security provisioning in sensor networks with resource limitations. A number of pairwise key pre-distribution protocols have been proposed, but the performance is often constrained by the unavailability of topology information before deployment and the limited storage budget within sensors. This paper proposes SBK, a self-configured scheme for bootstrapping keys in large-scale sensor networks. SBK is topology-adaptive, which requires no preloaded keying information but lets sensors compute shared keys with their neighbors after deployment. By removing the randomness inherent to key predistribution schemes, SBK achieves high connectivity (can be 100%) with small storage overhead. An improved scheme, iSBK, is also proposed to speed up the bootstrapping procedure. To the best of our knowledge, SBK and iSBK are the only pure in-situ key establishment protocols that simultaneously achieve good performance in scalability, connectivity, storage overhead, and resilience
Father by law: effects of joint legal custody on nonresident fathers' involvement with children.

Family membership and household composition do not always coincide. Joint legal custody after divorce formalizes the relationship between fathers and children who live apart. Policymakers hope that explicit acknowledgment of nonresident fathers’ rights and responsibilities will increase their involvement with their children. I use prospective data from the National Survey of Families and Households to examine the association between joint legal custody and two aspects of nonresident fathers’ contributions to their children—the frequency of visits between fathers and children and child-support payments. The analysis examines approximately 160 families in which parents divorced between interviews conducted for Wave 1 (1987–1988) and Wave 2 (1992–1994) of the survey. I investigate the effects of joint legal custody holding constant physical custody or placement by restricting the analysis to children who live with their mothers most of the year. Controlling for socioeconomic status and the quality of family relationships before separation, fathers with joint legal custody see their children more frequently and have more overnight visits than do other fathers. The positive effect of joint legal custody on frequency of visits persists once unobserved differences among families are taken into account. Although fathers with joint legal custody pay more child support than those without joint legal custody, this difference lacks statistical significance when other family characteristics are taken into account. These findings support the view that joint legal custody may encourage some aspects of paternal involvement after divorce.
Backflow and margin-parallel shear within an ancient subduction complex

Lineated and foliated tectonites of the Teslin suture zone, Yukon, represent the deep-seated part of a west-dipping subduction complex that formed seaward of western North America in Permian-Triassic time. The tectonites were progressively underplated onto the hanging wall plate during B-type subduction. With continued subduction and underplating, the boundary between the hanging wall and subduction channel migrated oceanward, resulting in "growth" of the hanging-wail plate at depth. These tectonites preserve a progressive record of backflow, dextral margin-parallel shear, and downflow within the subduction channel. Early Jurassic A-type subduction of the leading edge of western North America resulted in eastward overthrusting of the tectonites as a coherent block onto North American strata. These tectonites provide empirical evidence that backflow, margin-parallel displacement, and downflow can all occur within the deeper parts of subduction zones.
Norms and inequalities for condition numbers, III*

Abstract The main results provide comparisons between condition numbers (based on unitarily invariant norms) of (i) positive definite (Hermitian) matrices A, B and of A + B , (ii) a positive definite matrix and its principal submatrix, and (iii) a matrix and an augmented form of the matrix.
The aglomerular nephron of antarctic teleosts: a light and electron microscopic study.

Abstract Complete serial sections demonstrated that ten species of Antarctic teleost fishes representing two families had aglomerular kidneys. The aglomerular nephron of such kidneys consists of two distinct regions: (1) a highly contorted principal segment and (2) a system of collecting tubules and ducts. Throughout the principal segment the cells are characterized by densely packed microvilli and a single cilium projecting into the lumen. Within the cytoplasm, lysosomes are rarely encountered, as would be expected if there is little or no reabsorption of protein from the urine. At the base of these cells, the plasma membrane is prominently infolded in close association with abundant mitochondria. The overall fine structure of the principal segment cells is consistent with their probable function in the secretion of ions into the formative urine. Between the principal segment and the collecting tubule is a very short transitional zone characterized by transitional mucus cells and multiciliated cells. The collecting tubule and duct system is lined entirely by mucus cells. In comparison with principal segment cells, the mucus cells have a well-developed Golgi complex and abundant secretory granules in the apical cytoplasm; these granules presumably contain the non-sulfated acid mucopolysaccharide demonstrable by light microscopic histochemistry
Measurement of rheumatoid factor isotypes in the clinical laboratory.

In this study we assessed the clinical utility of measuring all major rheumatoid factor (RF) isotypes (IgG, IgA, and IgM) in the diagnostic immunology laboratory using an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). An improved method for IgG-RF was tested which employed a commercially available monoclonal anti-human IgG Fd antibody and did not require pepsin digestion of samples. We detected elevated levels of all three RF isotypes in a population of hospitalized rheumatoid arthritis patients (n=109). We demonstrated a significant association between IgM and IgA RF which occurred in 36% of our subjects, while less than 6% had IgM + IgG RF or IgG + IgA RF. A comparison of the IgM ELISA with the Rheuruaton revealed a statistically significant correlation (r=0.65, p=0.0001). In addition, the two methodologies were equivalent in sensitivity (ELISA: 76%, Rheumaton: 78%). However, the ELISA procedure was more time consuming, costly, and required greater technical expertise. The following clinical and laboratory findings...
Segmentation of Salient Regions in Outdoor Scenes Using Imagery and 3-D Data

This paper describes a segmentation method for extracting salient regions in outdoor scenes using both 3-D laser scans and imagery information. Our approach is a bottom- up attentive process without any high-level priors, models, or learning. As a mid-level vision task, it is not only robust against noise and outliers but it also provides valuable information for other high-level tasks in the form of optimal segments and their ranked saliency. In this paper, we propose a new saliency definition for 3-D point clouds and we incorporate it with saliency features from color information.
Problems of early field experience students of teaching

Abstract Field experiences provide a time for professional growth and for practicing pedagogical skills. This research investigates two questions related to pre-student teaching field experiences: First, what problems do preservice teachers confront during field placements? Second, what underlying constructs can be inferred from the problem statements of field experience students? Data were collected from 272 early field experience students in a midwestern state. Using factor analysis, the researchers identified and described seven factors that characterize pre-student teacher problems during early field experiences.
Self-Monitoring of Attention Versus Self-Monitoring of Performance: Examining the Differential Effects Among Students with Emotional Disturbance Engaged in Independent Math Practice

Although students with emotional disturbance are commonly known for their social behavior deficits, they often have academic deficits as well. Unfortunately, most of the intervention research and many of the practices used with this population focus upon their social behavior deficits and fail to recognize the need to improve their academic skills. Therefore, there is a need for identifying research-based interventions that focus on ameliorating social and academic deficits often exhibited by students with emotional disturbance. The purpose of this study was to examine the differential effects of self-monitoring of attention versus self-monitoring of performance on the academic and social behaviors of three minority students identified as having emotional disturbance while independently engaged in practicing mathematical calculations. The findings suggest that students with emotional disturbance may perform better socially and academically during math practice while self-monitoring their academic performance. Social validity data also suggest that students rated self-monitoring of academic performance more favorably than self-monitoring of attention. In addition, all target students in this study exhibited levels of on-task behavior more similar to their peers while self-monitoring academic performance compared to self-monitoring attentive behavior.