cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence‐Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Disorders

This chapter provides an overview of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for use with children and adolescents. The history of identifying evidence-based practices for youth is reviewed briefly, followed by a summary of what is currently known and what remains to be examined regarding EBPs for youth. The chapter ends with a discussion of several topics relevant to EBPs in youth that need further research, including factors that influence whether clinicians use EBPs and methods of transporting EBPs into clinical practice. Keywords: dissemination; treatment use; treatment barriers; consumer preference research
The effect of altering the ambient salinity of the freshwater teleost Xiphophorus maculatus on the histophysiology of its prolactin cells. III. Initiation of synthetic activity after exposure to one-third sea water for 6 months.

Newborn sibling platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus, were placed into one-third sea water (/sup 1///sub 3/ SW) and controls were retained in fresh water (FW). At 6 months of age, groups of fish were transferred from /sup 1///sub 3/ SW to FW for 2,3,4 and 7days. Light microscopic, cytometric, and autoradiographic analyses of the pituitary glands provided evidence of low synthetic activity in the prolactin cells of fish kept in /sup 1///sub 3/ SW for 6 months, and an increase in this activity by 2 days afetr fish were returned to FW. The similarity of these results to those previously obtained when platyfish were returned to FW from 30 days in /sup 1///sub 3/ SW suggests that the time required for the restoration of synthetic activity in their prolactin cells is not a function of the time spent in the saline medium.
Investigating IS Student Retention Factors

Student retention represents a continuous challenge that institutions attempt to address (Braxton, Bray, and Berger, 2000). In addition, the business community faces the problem of finding the talented workforce to fill the growing amount of open IT positions. In order to attract students to IT field, it is important to examine students’ motivation in choosing a major and their retention intention. In this study we surveyed literature on student retention and consult faculty’s view on IS enrollment issues. We contribute to the literature in the following ways: 1) develop IS student retention factors, 2) discuss the implication of IS student retention factors, 3) serve as a tool to assess IS students retention rate.
Performance analysis of wireless sensor networks for wind turbine monitoring systems

Maintenance and monitoring of large wind turbines is difficult using manual process as turbines are installed in the wind farm located far from monitoring centers. Wireless sensor networks are used to automate the monitoring process for wind turbines. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of wireless sensor network for monitoring wind turbines. We consider different parameters such as total power used in sensing and reporting the data, sampling rate, channel bandwidth, number of channels and number of active sensors in a given channel while evaluating the performance of the sensor network that is used in wind turbine monitoring. To corroborate our analysis, we present numerical results obtained from simulations.
Anisotropic Bimetallic/Oxide Nanomaterials for The Life Sciences

Anisotropic bimetallic/oxide nanoparticles have shown significant potential in a variety of applications in the life sciences. Chemical and dimensional control can be achieved in the nanoparticles by incorporating multiple metallic segments. Functional biomolecules can be attached to the nanoparticles that correspond to the surface chemistry of the metallic segment. The high aspect ratio of the particles yields a large surface area for functionalization. These functionalized nanoparticles have applications that include imaging, protein and glucose sensing, gene regulation and delivery, and vaccinations. Keywords: multifunctional nanorods; functionalization; imaging; gene delivery; vaccines
THE IMPACT OF ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION ON HYSTERECTOMY RATES IN WOMEN WITH BENIGN UTERINE CONDITIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Objective: To assess the impact of endometrial ablation on the utilization of hysterectomy in U.S. women with benign uterine conditions. Methods: Data are from the State Inpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Databases of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project for six states, 1990–97. Women who underwent hysterectomy (ICD-9-CM codes 68.3, 68.4, 68.5, 68.51, 68.59, 68.9) and endometrial ablation (68.23, 69.29) and had benign uterine conditions (ICD-9-CM code 218.0 and CCS groupings 47, 171, 173, 175, 176, 215) were extracted. Comparative rates, length of stay, total charges, age, payer, hospital, and teaching status of the hospital are reported. Results: The rates of hysterectomy decreased in three states: Colorado (37% decrease; 33 per 10,000 women in 1990 to 21 per 10,000 in 1997), Maryland (18% decrease; 17/10,000 in 1990 to 14/10,000 in 1997), and New Jersey (11% decrease; 9/10,000 to 8/10,000); were static in two states (Connecticut and New York) and increased in one state, Wisconsin (11% increase; 19/10,000 in 1994 to 21/10,000 in 1997). The rates for endometrial ablation increased in all states. The ratio of hysterectomy rates to endometrial ablation rates fell in each state across the 7 years. In two states (New York and New Jersey) the rate of endometrial ablation was equivalent to the rate of hysterectomies by 1997. The total combined rate for hysterectomy and endometrial ablation for women with benign uterine conditions for each state increased by more than 10%, with the exception of Maryland, which had an increase of only 5%, and Colorado, which had a decline of 23%. Conclusions: In the six states studied, the diffusion of endometrial ablation has had a varying impact on hysterectomy rates among women with benign uterine conditions. However, endometrial ablation is used as an additive medical technology rather than a substitute.
Str+ve-Subset: The Str+ve-based Subset Prover

Str+ve [7], a prover for inequalities, employs a highly restrictive and successful strategy for implementing the transitivity property of < and the interpolation axiom of the reals. In str+ve, transitivity is carried out by chaining and interpolation by variable elimination. Since the subset relation is also transitive, a slightly altered version of chaining can carry out that property for subset as well. But interpolation does not hold for the subset relation. Nonetheless, we can apply a version of variable elimination.
Japanese biotechnology: Government, corporations, and technology transfer

In the newly emerging field of biotechnology, Japan so far is generally considered to be lagging somewhat behind the US. Through the judicious application of industrial policy to encourage the growth of the industry, however, Japan is rapidly gaining on the US lead. Joint ventures between large Japanese Companies specializing in areas such as chemicals and food and new American biotechnology companies play a key role in the technology-transfer process. This paper analyzes the dynamics and potential of Japanese efforts in biotechnology. Certain structural features of the Japanese economy, such as extensive corporate financial resources, traditional fermentation expertise, and, in particular, government policy to encourage high-technology research and development. serve to increase Japanese competitiveness in the field.
Potential increases in natural disturbance rates could offset forest management impacts on ecosystem carbon stocks

Forested ecosystems contain the majority of the world’s terrestrial carbon, and forest management has implications for regional and global carbon cycling. Carbon stored in forests changes with stand age and is affected by natural disturbance and timber harvesting. We examined how harvesting and disturbance interact to influence forest carbon stocks over the Superior National Forest, in northern Minnesota. Forest inventory data from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis program were used to characterize current forest age structure and quantify the relationship between age and carbon stocks for eight forest types. Using these findings, we simulated the impact of alternative management scenarios and natural disturbance rates on forest-wide terrestrial carbon stocks over a 100-year horizon. Under low natural mortality, forest-wide total ecosystem carbon stocks increased when 0% or 40% of planned harvests were implemented; however, the majority of forest-wide carbon stocks decreased with greater harvest levels and elevated disturbance rates. Our results suggest that natural disturbance has the potential to exert stronger influence on forest carbon stocks than timber harvesting activities and that maintaining carbon stocks over the long-term may prove difficult if disturbance frequency increases in response to climate change. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Investigation of cold fusion in heavy water

An investigation of cold fusion of deuterium was performed by electrolyzing heavy water in a cell containing a palladium cathode while monitoring levels of tritium and neutron-capture gamma rays. No activity was detected that would indicate a sustained fusion reaction had taken place. Activities that were observed can be attributed to electrolytic enrichment and a normal cosmic-ray induced background.
Frequency comb generation using femtosecond pulses and cross-phase modulation in optical fiber at arbitrary center frequencies

A technique is presented for generating optical frequency combs centered at arbitrary wavelengths by use of cross-phase modulation (XPM) between a femtosecond pulse train and a cw laser beam by copropagating these signals through an optical fiber. We report results from use of this method to place a 90-MHz frequency comb on an iodine-stabilized Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm and on a frequency-doubled Nd:YVO(4) laser at 532 nm. XPM is verified to be the comb-generating process, and the width of the frequency comb is measured and compared with theory. The spacing of the frequency comb is compared with the femtosecond source, and a frequency measurement with this comb is demonstrated.
Correlation of performance and properties of Cermet cutting tools: a mathematical model

SUMMARY Cermet cutting tool materials are a relatively recent entry in the growing list of commercial tool inserts but, because of their proven good performance in a wide range of applications, are increasing their market acceptability. This paper reports a series of turning tests using three different brands of commercially available Cermets to machine two different steel materials. The experiment was statistically designed to evaluate the effects on the tool life, as measured by the flank wear and its time rate change, of the following factors: a) cutting conditions: speed, feed, time and volume of metal removed, (b) work material properties represented by its unit horsepower, and (c) tool material properties: hardness, rupture strength, grain size, specific weight and thermal conductivity. A multiple classification analysis of variance was performed and extended to regression analysis where the dependency of the flank wear and its time rate of change on the selected variables was established. The study...
Pathogenesis of the B variant of encephalomyocarditis virus

Variants of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) are immunologically indistinguishable by hyperimmune serum, but, with the exception of EMCV-B, each produces a different disease syndrome and infects the central nervous system in mice infected via the intraperitoneal route of inoculation. The B variant is benign in that it does not produce any overt signs of infection at doses as high as 106 pfu per animal. The present study was carried out to determine if EMCV-B was pathogenic when administered via the intracranial route and, if so, to delineate the area(s) of the brain infected. The results show that, when given i.c., EMCV-B is similar to other variants of EMCV in that it infects and replicates in the brain, causing encephalitis, neuronal necrosis in Ammon's horn of the hippocampus, and clinical signs of infection. The data indicate that receptor sites for EMCV-B are present on brain cells and suggest that its benign nature when given by the intraperitoneal route reflects an inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Solution nuclear magnetic resonance structure of a protein disulfide oxidoreductase from Methanococcus jannaschii

The solution structure of the protein disulfide oxidoreductase Mj0307 in the reduced form has been solved by nuclear magnetic resonance. The secondary and tertiary structure of this protein from the archaebacterium Methanococcus jannaschii is similar to the structures that have been solved for the glutaredoxin proteins from Escherichia coli, although Mj0307 also shows features that are characteristic of thioredoxin proteins. Some aspects of Mj0307's unique behavior can be explained by comparing structure-based sequence alignments with mesophilic bacterial and eukaryotic glutaredoxin and thioredoxin proteins. It is proposed that Mj0307, and similar archaebacterial proteins, may be most closely related to the mesophilic bacterial NrdH proteins. Together these proteins may form a unique subgroup within the family of protein disulfide oxidoreductases.
Chronic Effect of Low pH on Fathead Minnow Survival, Growth and Reproduction

Abstract Fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas Rafinesque) were continuously exposed to reduced pH levels of 4.5, 5.2, 5.9, 6.6 and 7.5 (control) during a 13-month, one-generation test. Survival was not affected, even at the lowest pH tested. Fish behavior was abnormal, and fish were deformed at pH 4.5 and 5.2. Egg production and egg hatchability were reduced at pH 5.9 and lower, and all eggs were abnormal. A pH of 6.6 was marginal for vital life functions, but safe for continuous exposure. Free carbon dioxide, liberated by the addition of sulfuric acid to reduce the pH, may have had an unknown effect. The fish did not become acclimated to low pH levels.
Regularization parameter selection methods for ill-posed Poisson maximum likelihood estimation

In image processing applications, image intensity is often measured via the counting of incident photons emitted by the object of interest. In such cases, image data noise is accurately modeled by a Poisson distribution. This motivates the use of Poisson maximum likelihood estimation for image reconstruction. However, when the underlying model equation is ill-posed, regularization is needed. Regularized Poisson likelihood estimation has been studied extensively by the authors, though a problem of high importance remains: the choice of the regularization parameter. We will present three statistically motivated methods for choosing the regularization parameter, and numerical examples will be presented to illustrate their effectiveness.
Role Identity in a Devalued Occupation: The Case of Female Exotic Dancers

Abstract Until the present study identity theory has not been employed in the study of socially deprecated roles. In an effort to fill this lacuna, this paper examines the degree to which occupants of the role of “exotic dancer” regard their identification with the role as salient and authentic and the extent to which these constructs are associated with perceived and actual role behavior. Hypotheses addressing these theoretical questions are examined with data from a sample of forty-one female exotic dancers. The data show that feelings of authenticity for the role identity of exotic dancer were not related to time spent in the role but the salience of this role identity was moderately related to time spent in the role. These results are discussed both in the context of identity theory and some of the characteristics of the role itself. Suggestions are offered for future research using identity theory in the study of socially devalued roles.
Effect of menstrual cycle variation in female sex hormones on cellular immunity and regulation

Ovarian steroid hormones reduce cell-mediated immunity (CMI), perhaps by increasing regulatory T cells. We examined the relationship of estrogen and progesterone plasma concentrations during the menstrual cycle with circulating regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and with varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-specific lymphocyte proliferation (VZV-LPA). Twenty healthy and 20 HIV-infected women were tested at 1-4, 10-14, and 20-24days of the menstrual cycle. HIV-infected women experienced significant increases in the frequency of peripheral blood CD4+IL10+ and CD8+FoxP3+ Treg cells from the early and late follicular phases to the luteal phase of their cycles. Healthy women experienced significant increases only in CD4+IL10+ Treg cells. The increase in CD4+IL10+ Treg cells between the late follicular and the luteal phases of HIV-infected and uninfected women significantly correlated with the corresponding increases in progesterone plasma concentrations. VZV-LPA results decreased from the early and late follicular phases to the luteal phase in both groups. The decrease in VZV-LPA results significantly correlated with the increase in CD4+IL10+ Treg cells underscoring the potential immunosuppressive effect of the progesterone-stimulated Treg cells. In conclusion, the increase in progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle was associated with higher Treg frequencies and lower CMI.
Apparatus for measuring wear of dental restorative materials

Abstract A pin and disc wear apparatus developed for application to dental restorative materials is described. Fully automatic wear generation and data acquisition were conducted on three specimens simultaneously. At arbitrarily selected intervals during wear generation, a series of track depth measurements on the specimen discs was made around the wear track using linear variable-differential transformers. A discussion of probable error sources and estimates of experimental uncertainties are included.
Effects of physical aging on dynamic mechanical and transient properties of polyetheretherketone

The effects of physical aging on dynamic mechanical and transient stress-relaxation properties of a high performance thermoplastic, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), are reported in this study. The aging effects are shown to be physical effects (and not chemical degradation) by establishing thermoreversibility of the aging process. The unique aspect of the present study is the simultaneous investigation of both dynamic and transient properties in the same mode of loading, namely, in shear. The influence of continuous dynamic deformation on the aging process is also reported. The results for the aging rate, obtained from dynamic and transient testing under shear load, agree with one another and verify the equivalence of dynamic and transient viscoelastic properties. However, these results differ significantly from the aging rate results reported in an earlier study for tensile loading. A possible explanation for the difference has been proposed in terms of the volume change that accompanies tensile creep deformation.
The distribution of3He anomalies in the deep Atlantic

Abstract The 3 He/ 4 He results of the Atlantic GEOSECS program are interpreted in terms of a simple mixing model which allows the contribution of the 3 He-rich southern component of deep water to be separated from that of the 3 He-poor northern component. The anomalies from the mixing line connecting these components reveal a 3 He-rich zone over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge 16° south of the equator and one against the North American continental margin off New Jersey at about the same elevation. The origin of the latter feature remains a mystery.
Instantaneous formation of Synroc-B phases at ambient pressure

The titanate based nuclear waste immobilization medium, Synroc-B, has been synthesized at atmospheric pressure from freeze dried nitrate precursors. Complete formation of the phase assemblage (CaTiO{sub 3}, CaZrTi{sub 2}O{sub 7}, and BaAl{sub 2}Ti{sub 5}O{sub 14}) occurred upon calcination of the nitrate precursor after only 10 minutes at 1,100 C. This improvement in the preparation conditions may lead to practical application of the material in the safe disposal of high level nuclear waste and the immobilization of other strategic nuclear materials.
Systems, Boundaries, and Information Flow

In the attempts to make the study of administration more scientific, one promising technique is the systems analysis approach.1 This has its roots deeply planted in the physical and biological scie...
A porous flow model for the geometrical form of volcanoes - Critical comments

A critical evaluation is presented of the assumptions on which the mathematical model for the geometrical form of a volcano arising from the flow of magma in a porous medium of Lacey et al. (1981) is based. The lack of evidence for an equipotential surface or its equivalent in volcanoes prior to eruption is pointed out, and the preference of volcanic eruptions for low ground is attributed to the local stress field produced by topographic loading rather than a rising magma table. Other difficulties with the model involve the neglect of the surface flow of lava under gravity away from the vent, and the use of the Dupuit approximation for unconfined flow and the assumption of essentially horizontal magma flow. Comparisons of model predictions with the shapes of actual volcanoes reveal the model not to fit lava shield volcanoes, for which the cone represents the solidification of small lava flows, and to provide a poor fit to composite central volcanoes.
Chapter 16: Determining the role of allergy in sinonasal disease

The contributing role of specific IgE sensitization in the pathophysiology of sinonasal diseases including rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and nasal polyps is explored. Although it is estimated that sensitization to environmental allergens is present in 75% of patients with rhinitis, the role of allergy in CRS and nasal polyps is less certain. However, when atopy is present in the setting of nasal polyps, it is associated with worse quality of life and a higher incidence of asthma. Several theories have been put forth whereby inhalant aeroallergen exposure could drive the inflammatory response that occurs both in the nose and in the sinuses. Tools available to determine the presence of allergic sensitization include skin tests for immediate hypersensitivity, in vitro testing for allergen-specific IgE, and nasal allergen provocation testing. Whether by skin testing or in vitro testing, the identification of specific IgE requires clinical correlation with the history and physical exam.
Holmium : Yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser cystolithotripsy of large bladder calculi

Abstract Objectives Patients with large bladder calculi (4 cm or larger) have traditionally been managed with open cystolithotomy. Endoscopic management with cystolitholapaxy or electrohydraulic lithotripsy risks complications. In an effort to spare patients the morbidity of open cystolithotomy, the results of holmium:yttriumaluminum-garnet (YAG) laser cystolithotripsy for bladder calculi 4 cm or larger were reviewed. Methods Consecutive patients with bladder calculi of 4 cm or larger were managed with holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy. Laser energy was delivered using either the 365-μm end-firing fiber or the 550-μm sidefiring fiber. Results Fourteen consecutive patients were managed with holmiumrYAG cystolithotripsy. All patients were rendered stone free, regardless of stone composition or size. Median anesthesia time was 57 minutes. Twelve of 14 patients were discharged by the first postoperative day. The procedure times normalized for stone size (mean ± standard deviation) for the end-firing versus the side-firing fibers were 13 ± 6 min/cm versus 6 ± 1 min/cm, respectively; P = 0.04. Conclusions Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy of large bladder calculi is effective, technically facile, and safe. The 550-μm side-firing fiber may be better suited for large bladder calculi compared with the 365-μm end-firing fiber. Holmium:YAG cystolithotripsy may obviate open cystolithotomy in selected patients.
Synaptic targeting of rabphilin-3A, a synaptic vesicle Ca2+/phospholipid-binding protein, depends on rab3A/3C

Abstract rab3A, a low molecular weight GTP-binding protein of synaptic vesicles with a putative function in synaptic vesicle docking, interacts in a GTP-dependent manner with rabphilin-3A, a peripheral membrane protein that binds Call and phospholipids. We now show that rabphilin-3A is an evolutionarily conserved synaptic vesicle protein that is attached to synaptic vesicle membranes via its N terminus and exhibits a heterogeneous distribution among synapses. In rab3A-deficient mice, rabphilin-3A is decreased in synapses belonging to neurons that primarily express rab3A and accumulates in the perikarya of these neurons. In contrast, neurons expressing significant levels of rab3C still contain normal levels of rabphilin-3A in a synaptic pattern, and rabphilin-3A binds rab3C in vitro. These results suggest that analogous to the membrane recruitment of raf by ras, rab3A and rab3C may function in recruiting .rabphilin-3A to the synaptic vesicle membrane in a GTP-dependent manner.
Corruption, Machine Politics, and Political Change

The study of political influence in the West has for the most part focused on the process by which interest groups affect the content of legislation; hence, the input process has occupied the center of attention.Students of politics in the new states of Africa and Asia who have adopted this perspective, however, have been struck by the relative weakness both of interest structures to organize demands and of institutionalized channels through which such demands, once organized, might be communicated to decisionmakers. The open clash of organized interests is often conspicuously absent during the formulation of legislation in these nations. To conclude from this, however, that the public has little or no effect on the eventual “output” of government would be completely unwarranted. Between the passage of legislation and its actual implementation lies an entirely different political arena that, in spite of its informality and particularism, has a great effect on the execution of policy.Much of the expression of political interests in the new states has been disregarded because Western scholars, accustomed to their own politics, have been looking in the wrong place. A large portion of individual demands, and even group demands, in developing nations reach the political system, not before laws are passed, but rather at the enforcement stage.
Changes in mitogen responsiveness lymphocyte subsets after traumatic injury: relation to development of sepsis.

Abstract Head injury and multiple trauma patients were evaluated for mitogen responsiveness and lymphocyte subset frequencies within the first few days after injury. The profile obtained was compared to the patient's clinical course to see if there was a relation between early immune abnormalities and the subsequent development of unanticipated sepsis. Lymphocytes from multiple trauma patients were generally hyporesponsive to in vitro stimulation with a suboptimal dose of the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). In contrast, the response of head injured patients was comparable to that of the control group. There was a significant decrease in the relative number of multiple trauma patient's T4 (29.3 vs 48.6%) and T11 (48.9 vs 74.7%) positive populations ( P
A NA + K-ACTIVATED MGATPASE IN RABBIT KIDNEY MITOCHONDRIA.

Abstract A concealed Na+K-activated MgATPase has been uncovered in rabbit kidney mitochondria. The Na+K-activated component but not the Mg component is inhibited by G-strophanthin. The enzyme apparently resides in the membrane structure of mitochondrion.
Direct Solution Synthesis, Reaction Pathway Studies, and Structural Characterization of Crystalline Ni3B Nanoparticles

Crystalline Ni3B with a fused porous nanoparticle network has been synthesized directly in solution using a modified polyol method. KBH4 serves both as a reducing agent for Ni2+ and as a boron source, while tetraethylene glycol serves as a solvent capable of achieving reaction temperatures that can crystallize Ni3B. The reaction pathway was studied using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction, and a nucleation−aggregation−smoothing mechanism is proposed. Amorphous Ni−B alloy nanoparticles form first and then aggregate into larger networks, which crystallize and smooth to form porous crystalline Ni3B nanoparticle networks. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction indicates that the lattice constants for nanocrystalline Ni3B are shifted relative to single-crystal Ni3B, likely because of some carbon incorporation based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data. Magnetic measurements suggest the formation of a small amount of nanocrystalline Ni, which provides fur...
The impact of growth curve changes in assessing premature infant growth

To assess the impact of using the recently published WHO growth standard, based on healthy, breastfed infants in multiple countries that excluded prematurely born infants, versus the Infant Health Development Program (IHDP) growth reference constructed from premature infants, on the interpretation of the growth of premature infants after hospital discharge. A retrospective cohort was constructed of infants born at gestational age ⩽35 weeks who initially presented for care at one of the 32 outpatient sites between 2006 and 2008 (N=2297). Kappa statistics measured overall agreement and agreement in ever classifying infants <5th percentile or ⩾ 95th percentile for age between the WHO and IHDP. Logistic regression models identified factors associated with growth curve disagreement in classifying infants at the extremes of growth. The WHO and IHDP growth curves showed moderate agreement for all measurements (κ=0.40–0.52). When the curves disagreed on whether an infant was <5th percentile for weight (8.3% of cohort) or length (13.6% of cohort), the WHO curve classified the infant in this category over 90% of the time. For head circumference, the IHDP curve classified more infants below the 5th percentile. Gestational age <30 weeks was associated with growth curve disagreement for weight and length <5th percentile. Choice of growth curve affects the assessment of growth and the classification of underweight status. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine which assessment identifies the greatest number of premature infants at risk for long-term growth issues.
Collective excitations in x-ray spectra of metals

New analytical and numerical results are presented for the many-body theory of x-ray spectra of metals. A method is presented whereby the previous edge theory is extended to the entire spectrum. It is shown that collective excitations do influence the entire spectrum, and not just the edge. Numerical results are presented for Li, Na, Mg, and Al, and compared to experiment. This theory is able to explain the ${L}_{2,3}$ absorption-edge shape, and the entire emission spectrum of lithium.
APICAL DOMINANCE: THE EFFECTS OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON THE GAMETOPHYTE OF ANEMIA PHYLLITIDIS

Gametophytes of the fern, Anemia phyllitidis (L.) Sw. were aseptically cultured until nearly mature, then collected and surgically divided into meristematic and nonmeristematic halves. Indoleacetic acid, benzyladenine, abscisic acid, and the auxin inhibitor, triiodobenzoic acid, were employed to elucidate the role of growth regulators during regeneration of adventitious gametophytes. Explants possessing actively growing meristems failed to produce adventitious thalli regardless of treatment. Untreated nonmeristematic halves initiated numerous filamentous outgrowths within two weeks of excision. These outgrowths eventually developed into the cordate prothalli typical of this species. Nontoxic levels of IAA (10-4 g/l and 10-5 g/l) promoted early regeneration by basal explants. TIBA, at 10-5 M, completely suppressed regeneration. Benzyladenine, at 10-2 g/l, exerted its most striking effect by greatly increasing the number of adventitious outgrowths formed by treated basal explants. ABA at all concentrations delayed regeneration and reduced the number of basal halves that displayed renewed mitotic activity. This evidence suggests that auxin acts as an essential promoter of regeneration, and that the maintenance of endogenous hormonal interactions is necessary to preserve the form of an intact gametophyte. ALBAUM (1938a) demonstrated the phenomenon of apical dominance in ferns by surgically dividing the gametophyte of Pteris longifolia into a terminal half containing the meristematic notch and a basal nonmeristematic half. The former continued to add new cells as in an intact gametophyte, while in nonmeristematic explants cell divisions were initiated leading to the formation of numerous adventitious gametophytes, each possessing a central meristem, and later, antheridia and archegonia. This observation points to the fact that the meristematic notch mediates apical dominance and is vital for normal growth and development of the gametophyte. Albaum (1938b) proposed that auxin, pro
Rates of convergence for the sup-norm risk in image models under sequential designs

Abstract Let G be that portion of the unit square which lies below the graph of a smooth function. Assume that observations of the indicator function of G are available at any points X1,…,Xn in the plane. If each consecutive point Xi can be chosen sequentially, on the basis of all the preceding data, then how accurately can the smooth function be estimated in sup-norm? Using the boundary fragment model, this question translates into a question about the large sample performance of the minimax risks under sup-norm loss. The asymptotic rates of these risks are found. The results are extended to additive noise models and multidimensional images.
Hydration of β″-alumina

Abstract The results of infrared measurements on hydrated Na β″-alumina indicate that water molecules occupy mid-oxygen and vacant Na+ ion sites in the conduction layers. At H2O contents of about 0.2 molecules per formula unit, the ration of the number of molecules on the mid-oxygen and vacant sites at 25°C is close to the ratio of the numbers of the sites in the unit cell. Possible orientations of H2O at these sites are suggested on the basis of the polarization characteristics of the OH stretching vibrations and electrostatic potential energy calculations. The diffusion coefficients of H2O in Na β″-alumina were determined from infrared absorbance profiles measured at 70, 45, and 25°C. At 25°CD = 5×10−10 cm2/sec. Hydrogen (as protons and/or as a hydrogen-containing species) diffuses into β″-alumina simultaneously with Pb2+ ions during ion exchange in PbCl2 and is bound as OH- in the conduction layers. The hydrogen content is reduced on partial re-exchange in NaNO3.
Biological properties of Norwalk agent of acute infectious nonbacterial gastroenteritis.

SummaryAcute infectious nonbacterial gastroenteritis was induced in adult volunteers through three serial passages by oral administration of bacteria-free stool filtrates. This suggested that a replicating agent of subbacterial size was responsible for the observed disease. The biophysical properties of the agent, as assayed in volunteers, were consistent with those of a small virus, most closely related to the parvovirus group among known animal viruses. The agent appeared to have a diameter less than 66 nm and likely less than 36 nm. It appeared to lack a lipid containing envelope and was acid stable. It was stable to heating at 60° for 30 min. The agent appeared to be relatively host specific for man and conferred at least short-term immunity. Because of the high frequency of disease induced in unselected volunteers, widespread natural immunity to this agent may be absent or perhaps incomplete. Preliminary evidence suggested that the Norwalk agent replicated in an in vitro system, human fetal intestina...
Treatment of pancreatic duct disruption in children by an endoscopically placed stent

Abstract Background: Injuries to the pancreas from blunt abdominal trauma in children are rare. Most are minor and are best treated conservatively. The mainstay for treatment of major ductal injuries has been prompt surgical resection. Diagnostic imaging modalities are the key to the accurate classification of these injuries and planning appropriate treatment. Computed tomography (CT) scan has been the major imaging modality in blunt abdominal trauma for children, but has shortcomings in the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal injury. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been shown recently to be superior in diagnostic accuracy. The therapeutic placement of stents in the trauma setting has not been described in children. Methods: Two children sustained major ductal injuries from blunt abdominal trauma that were suspected, but not conclusively noted, on initial CT scan. Both underwent ERCP within hours of injury. In case 1, a stent was threaded through the disruption into the distal duct. In case 2, a similar injury, the stent could only be placed through the ampulla, thereby reducing ductal pressure. In both cases, clinical improvement was rapid with complete resolution of clinical and chemical pancreatitis, resumption of a normal diet, and discharge from the hospital. The stents were removed at 10 and 12 days postinjury, and both children have remained well. Follow-up ERCP and CT scans show complete healing of the ducts and no evidence of pseudocyst formation 1 year post injury. Conclusions: Acute ERCP should be the imaging modality of choice in suspected major pancreatic ductal injury. Successful treatment by placement of an intrapancreatic ductal stent may be possible at the same time. Surgical resection or reconstruction can then be reserved for cases in which stenting is impossible or fails. J Pediatr Surg 36:345-348. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Unconjugated estrogens in the perinatal period.

Extract: High levels of unconjugated estrone ((E1) 3-hydroxyestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-17-one) and estradiol ((E2) estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17β-diol) were found at term in maternal venous, umbilical vein, and umbilical artery plasma. For estrone the respective values in nanograms per milliliter ±SD were 12.8 ± 5.9, 25.1 ± 6.5, and 13.2 ± 7.7. For estradiol the respective values were 17.3 ± 9.2, 8.1 ± 4.0, and 5.1 ± 3.2. For estrone, levels for umbilical vein were higher than those in the paired maternal and umbilical artery; estradiol was higher in maternal vein than in the paired umbilical vessels. Absence of the fetal adrenals was associated with low levels of estrone and estradiol for maternal and umbilical vessels, whereas, in anencephaly, only the maternal levels were markedly diminished. An initially rapid, and then a slower decline in both estrogens was found in normal infants during the first 72 hr of life.
Filamentary Tracks Formed in Transparent Optical Glass by Laser Beam Self-Focusing. I. Experimental Investigation

The permanent damage in optical glass investigated here is characterized by filamentary tracks of fine fractures. These tracks are a few micrometers in diameter, straight to within 0.7 \ensuremath{\mu}m, up to 9 cm long, and collinear with the incident laser beam. There may also be damage stars (regions of fracture gross compared with the track diameter). These damage stars are usually near the upstream ends of the tracks. Track formation is characterized by a flash of side-scattered white light from the track, laser light side-scattered from the damage stars, a marked increase in the exit divergence angle of the laser beam, and a weak back-scattered pulse of laser light. The back-scattered pulse preserves the polarization of the incident beam, is of shorter duration than the incident laser pulse, and has a frequency shift corresponding to Brillouin scattering from a free compressional sound wave in the glass. Track formation is accompanied by a detectable cylindrical sound wave. The track formation threshold is repeatable at different locations in the glass sample. Both the power threshold and the energy-density threshold are rapidly varying functions of the incident beam radius at focus. The threshold power is as low as 10 kW for a ruby-laser beam sharply focused in dense flint glass, and more than 2 MW for an unfocused beam in fused silica.
On intra-class correlation coefficient estimation

Consider the problem of estimating the intra-class correlation coefficient of a symmetric normal distribution. In a recent article (Pal and Lim (1999)) it has been shown that the three popular estimators, namely—the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), the method of moments estimator (MME) and the unique minimum variance unbiased estimator (UMVUE), are second order admissible under the squared error loss function. In this paper we study the performance of the above mentioned estimators in terms of Pitman Nearness Criterion (PNC) as well as Stochastic Domination Criterion (SDC). We then apply the aforementioned estimators to two real life data sets with moderate to large sample sizes, and bootstrap bias as well as mean squared errors are computed to compare the estimators. In terms of overall performance the MME seems most appealing among the three estimators considered here and this is the main contribution of our paper.
Evolution is no help.

Abstract There is no way to infer from the inevitability of biological evolution that there is inevitability behind historical events. There are no trends in evolution other than an ongoing, unchanging evolutionary tendency to do nothing and, if anything does occur, to do something in the smallest possible steps. Likely evolutionary futures are highly restricted by the properties of the evolutionary present and this conservatism of the evolutionary process; evolution occurs only in response to perturbation and has no momentum of its own. Man and at least his nearest primate relatives have a biological need for self‐images. Their self‐images are a powerful factor in determining their actions. The capacity to have self‐images broadens the scope of possible evolutionary futures resulting from social, historical or environmental perturbation. Nonetheless, man is not yet immune to evolutionary biological change. Human decisions mold the evolutionary process, but human decision‐makers cannot rely on evolutionar...
Anaerobic Glycolysis in Bovine Dental Pulp

Anaerobic glycolysis in bovine dental pulp was measured manometrically by the bicarbonate method. It is most prominent in dentinogenically active pulp. Although reasonably high initial activity seems possible. the rate of glycolysis declines rapidly under anaerobic conditions. Substrate concentration directly influences the speed of deterioration of the glycolytic rate. It is suggested that continued glycolysis is dependent on aerobic metabolism.
Tribological performance of some alternative bearing materials for artificial joints

In current artificial joints consisting of metal or ceramic and polyethylene (ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, UHMWPE) bearing surfaces, the wear debris of polyethylene is the main cause for shortening implant's life. In order to enhance the durability of human artificial joints, alternative bearing surfaces may be needed. In the present study, the tribological performance of several candidate implant materials, including the diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin film coating on stainless steel were investigated. A pin-on-flat contact configuration in reciprocating sliding was used for preliminary materials evaluation and friction and wear testing. Test pairs were lubricated with bovine blood serum. The DLC coating sliding against uncoated stainless steel showed the lowest friction coefficient and very little, if any, wear. Wear mechanisms in tests of ceramics and steel pairs were primarily abrasive.
Static and dynamic analysis of real-time systems

A study was performed on various real-time formal specification techniques. Based on this study a procedure was developed for static and dynamic analysis for real-time programs. This procedure is based on the real-time logic (RTL), Presburger arithmetic, and deterministic timing tools. The major idea is to use Presburger arithmetic as a way for analyzing and reasoning about the time properties of the specification. The main output of this analysis is what we refer to as specification upper and lower bounds (Spec U/L Bounds) for different actions in the program. These Spec U/L Bounds are then compared with the U/L bounds produced by deterministic timing tools, a step which can be viewed as specification-based testing). Also the Spec U/L bounds do not deal with the entire program but rather the parts of the program that may lead to violations of the program specification during implementation. This gives the advantage of testing the U/L bounds of some specific paths of the program, which in turn helps when dealing with the deterministic timing tools (one major disadvantage of the deterministic timing tool is dealing with many paths in the program which leads to a very loose U/L bounds). In short, this specification-based testing overcomes some problems one may face when dealing with deterministic timing tools for testing the timing properties of a given program.
Model filled polymers. IX. Synthesis of uniformly crosslinked polystyrene microbeads

Monodisperse sized crosslinked polystyrene (PS) beads prepared by reaction of styrene (S) and divinylbenzene (DVB), in batch emulsion copolymerization in the absence of emulsifiers, are not uniformly crosslinked, because DVB is more reactive than S. For copolymerization of 1 to 10 mol % DVB and S, within each crosslinked PS microbead, the crosslink density varies by a factor exceeding two and decreases with increased conversion. A semicontinuous copolymerization, involving incremental additions of DVB, produces uniformly crosslinked PS beads. For both copolymerization techniques, Tg correlates well with crosslink density and PS beads are spherical and monodisperse in size. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Techniques for Measuring Blood Flow in Splanchnic Tissues of Cattle

A useful approach of the study of nutrient absorption and metabolism is in vivo measurement of blood flow across portal-drained viscera and liver, and flux of bloodborne metabolites, successful application of the approach requires correct placement of chronic catheters in appropriate blood vessels. Additionally, catheters must stay patent long enough to allow the animal to recover from surgery and to complete an experimental protocol. This paper describes surgical techniques to install chronic catheters in mesenteric veins, the hepatic portal vein, and an hepatic vein of cattle. Techniques for access to arterial blood are described also. Materials, equipment, and supplies required for surgery, blood sampling, and blood flow determination are described. Commercial sources of supplies are suggested. Blood flow is measured by downstream dilution of para-aminohippurate, which is infused into a mesenteric vein. Examples of blood flow data for three types of cattle are provided.
High-temperature chemical stability of low thermal conductivity ZrO2–GdO1.5 thermal-barrier ceramics in contact with α-Al2O3

Abstract Model experiments were performed to elucidate the thermal stability of xZrO2 · (1−x)GdO1.5 in contact with α-Al2O3, in powder forms. To avoid detrimental reactions, it is recommended that the GdO1.5 content in actual thermal barrier coatings not exceed x=0.15, a composition with one of the lowest thermal conductivities of ceramics in the ZrO2–GdO1.5 system.