cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Economic Well-Being and Fertility in France: Nuits, 1744–1792

This study investigates the relationship between income and fertility in NuitsSaint-Georges, a small Burgundian town. Nuits offers a rich location to study fertility because of its broad range of occupations, income, and literacy. I constructed a data set that linked fertility through 1792 for couples married between 1744 and 1779 with fiscal records tracking the families' tax payments. Controlling for occupation and literacy, my principle findings were that wealthier families had more births, changes in fertility were positively correlated with increases in income over the life cycle, and marital fertility in Nuits steadily declined over the latter eighteenth century. T he historical demography literature of Old Regime France is rich. Scholars have shown that marital fertility declined in France well before it did in other western European societies. However, little is known about how income and wealth affected French fertility. This article examines the link between income, education, and fertility for an economically diverse, modest-sized town in northern Burgundy, Nuits-Saint-Georges (Nuits). I created a data set of couples married in Nuits between 1744 and 1779 and tracked the couples' births through 1792. I then linked the demographic data to tax records, thereby producing observations on fertility and household income. My most important finding is that fertility was positively correlated with income. Further, changes in fertility were positively correlated with increases in income. And finally, marital fertility in Nuits steadily declined over the latter eighteenth century, well before many historical demographers date the decline of fertility in France.'
Synthesis of acetylcholine and γ-aminobutyric acid by dissociated cerebral cortical cells in vitro

Biosynthesis of acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid was investigated in primary cultures derived from embryonic rat cerebral cortex. The cortical cultures contained a mixture of neurons and non-neuronal cells. Cortical neurons were viable for at least 2 months in vitro. The cultures accumulated [3H]choline from the medium and synthesized acetylcholine. Choline uptake was significantly reduced by hemicholinium-3 and acetylcholine synthesis by intact cultures was partially inhibited by naphthylvinylpyridine. In lysed cultures, greater than 90% of acetylcholine synthesizing activity was inhibited by naphthylvinylpyridine. Acetylcholine synthesis and storage by intact cells increased as the concentration of choline increased and approached saturation near 50 microM choline. Also, the synthesis and storage of gamma-aminobutyric acid from [3H]glutamate increased as the concentration of glutamic acid increased and began to saturate near 25 microM glutamate. The rates of synthesis of acetylcholine from 5 microM choline and of gamma-aminobutyric acid from 50 microM glutamate were linear for at least 30 min. The synthesis and accumulation of acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid from their respective precursors showed a similar dependence on culture age; they increased constantly during the first 3 weeks in culture, thereafter they declined. Mixed cultures of cortical cells and either skeletal muscle or various other non-neuronal cells exhibited a 40-100% enhancement in both acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid synthesis. Autoradiographic methods showed that a subpopulation of neurons in the cortical cultures accumulated gamma-aminobutyric acid from the medium.
Resistance in Triticale to the Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), has become a serious threat to wheat, Triticum spp., production in the western United States. The use of resistant wheat cultivars as a management strategy for this pest is highly desirable. Thus, several collections of wheat and related species have been tested to locate sources of resistance. The USDA-ARS National Triticale Collection, consisting of 731 lines, was one of the collections tested. Initial mass screening tests were done in greenhouse flats in environmental chambers. Seven triticale, xTriticosecale Wittmack, lines with varying degrees of resistance were identified. Four lines from Russia (PI 386148, PI 386149, PI 386150, and PI 386156) and one line from California (CI 82) were the most resistant in the screening tests. Additional tests were done with all seven lines to determine the mechanisms of resistance. Antibiosis appeared to be the most discernible mechanism of resistance, with significantly lower reproduction occurring on the triticales than on ‘TAM W-101’ wheat, Triticum aestivum L., or ‘Snoopy’ rye, Secale cereale L. Greater levels of resistance in the triticales over ‘TAM W-101’ were observed also in antixenosis and tolerance tests. The Russian triticales have been incorporated into the wheat breeding program for development of germplasm resistant to D. noxia .
Childhood Death Attributable to Trauma: Is There a Difference Between Accidental and Abusive Fatal Injuries?

Abstract Background Trauma is a leading cause of death among children worldwide. Detailed knowledge of the epidemiology of childhood fatal injuries is necessary for preventing injuries. Objective To determine clinical differences between children who were treated in an emergency department for accidental or abusive injuries. Methods A retrospective review of all deceased patients who were treated in two urban pediatric emergency departments between 1998 and 2010 was performed. Patients were categorized into two groups, accidental and abusive, for comparison. Results A total of 1498 patients died during the study period, with 124 deaths being attributable to injury for a rate of 9.5 injury-related deaths per year. Most fatal injuries were accidental. Children with abusive fatal injuries were younger and more likely to have been seen for an injury in a clinic or emergency department within 2 months of their death. Eighty-two percent of abusive fatal injuries had documented subdural hematomas, whereas only 7.2% of accidental fatal injuries had a subdural hematoma documented. Nearly 50% of abusive fatal injuries had retinal hemorrhages reported, although no child with an accidental fatal injury had this type of injury documented. Conclusion Younger children, especially those previously seen in an emergency department or clinic for injury, are more likely to sustain an abusive fatal injury. Sentinel physical findings associated with abusive fatal injuries include subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages, and the presence of these findings should prompt an investigation into the circumstances of injury.
Childhood sexual abuse, stressful life events and risk for major depression in women.

Background. In animals, early trauma can produce long-lasting changes in sensitivity to the pathogenic effects of stress. To explore whether similar processes occur in humans, we examine whether childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in women alters sensitivity in adulthood to the depressogenic effects of stressful life events (SLEs).Method. A history of CSA was obtained from a population-based sample of 1404 female adult twins. Cox Proportional hazard models were used to predict onsets of episodes of DSM-III-R major depression (MD) in the past year from previously assessed levels of neuroticism (N), CSA and past-year SLEs scored on long-term contextual threat.Results. In the best-fit model, onset of MD was predicted by CSA, SLEs and N. Individuals with CSA (and especially with severe CSA) had both an overall increased risk for MD and a substantially increased sensitivity to the depressogenic effects of SLEs. A ‘dose–response’ relationship between severity of CSA and sensitivity to SLEs was clearer in those with low to average levels of N than in those with high levels of N.Conclusion. As documented with physiological responses to a standardized laboratory stressor, CSA increases stress sensitivity in women in a more naturalistic setting. Both genetic and early environmental risk factors can produce long-term increase in the sensitivity of individuals to depressogenic life experiences.
Are there really no evolutionarily stable strategies in the iterated prisoner's dilemma?

The evolutionary form of the iterated prisoner's dilemma (IPD) is a repeated game where players strategically choose whether to cooperate with or exploit opponents and reproduce in proportion to game success. It has been widely used to study the evolution of cooperation among selfish agents. In the past 15 years, researchers proved over a series of papers that there is no evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) in the IPD when players maintain long-term relationships. This makes it difficult to make predictions about what strategies can actually persist as prevalent in a population over time. Here, we show that this no ESS finding may be a mathematical technicality, relying on implausible players who are “too perfect” in that their probability of cooperating on any move is arbitrarily close to either 0 or 1. Specifically, in the no ESS proof, all strategies were allowed, meaning that after a strategy X experiences any history H, X cooperates with an unrestricted probability p (X, H) where 0⩽p (X, H)⩽1. Here, we restrict strategies to the set S in which X is a member of X if after any H, X cooperates with a restricted probability p (X, H) where e⩽p (X,H )⩽1−e and 0<e<12. The variables e and 1−e may be thought of as the biological limits to how perfect (pure) a strategy can be. In S, we first prove that an ESS must be a Nash equilibrium and boundary strategy of S where a boundary strategy has allowable probabilities of cooperating of e or 1−e after any history. We then prove that X is an ESS in S if and only if X is a Nash equilibrium in the set consisting of only S's boundary strategies. Thus, in searching for ESSs in S, we only need to consider what happens when boundary strategies interact with one another. This greatly simplifies the search for ESSs. Using these results, we finally show that when e is sufficiently small, exactly three one-move memory ESSs exist inS : • Pavlov- which generally cooperates (i.e. cooperates with maximum probability 1−) after both players either simultaneously cooperated or simultaneously defected; otherwise, Pavlov- generally defects (i.e. cooperates with minimum probability ). • Grudge- which generally cooperates after both players simultaneously cooperated; otherwise, Grudge- generally defects. • ALLD- which generally defects after all histories .
Adsorption of 1-propanol on the Si(100) surface

The adsorption of 1-propanol on the Si(100)-(2×1) surface is studied from first principles by use of a slab approach. It is shown that the 1-propanol molecule initially interacts with the Si surface through formation of a dative bond. Subsequently the physisorbed 1-propanol molecule reacts with the surface by cleavage of either the OC or the OH bond. Although the OC bond cleavage is thermodynamically stable, the OH bond cleavage turns out to be kinetically favored. The Si(100)-(1×2) surface undergoes further reconstruction as a result of the adsorption of the organic species. The dependence of the binding energies and energy barriers on the coverage has been studied systematically. Good agreement is found with available experimental data. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
When the Walls Came Tumbling Down: The Development of Cooperative Service and Resource Sharing in Libraries: 1876–2002

SUMMARY This article will look at the historical development of cooperative service and resource sharing in libraries. Interlibrary Loan, union catalogs, library consortia, and electronic reference, have all impacted library work in the past century. The dissolving of walls is one of the main themes of library history in the 20th century. The developments of these years has clearly put the ability to use both human and institutional resources at the heart of contemporary library service. In looking at how this came to be, this article will examine developments in societal infrastructure and technology that made cooperative schemes both possible and economical. This article will also discuss how these developments have forced libraries to consider cooperative ways to respond to their primary service function. Lastly, conclusions will be drawn about how the emerging cooperative environment is changing the educational role of the librarian.
Ion-beam surface treatment: a new capability for rapid melt and resolidification of surfaces

The emerging capability to produce high average power (5 - 250 kW) pulsed ion beams at 0.2 - 2 MeV energies is enabling us to develop a new, commercial-scale thermal surface treatment technology called Ion Beam Surface Treatment (IBEST). This new technique uses high energy, pulsed ( 9 - 10 10 K/sec) cause rapid resolidification, resulting in the production of non-equilibrium microstructures (nano-crystalline and metastable phases) that have significantly improved corrosion, wear, and hardness properties. We have conducted IBEST feasibility experiments with results confirming surface hardening, nanocrystalline grain formation, metal surface polishing, controlled melt of ceramic surfaces, and surface cleaning.
Bis(benzyldi-2-pyridylamine)-η′2,-η2-(s-trans-isoprene) dicopper(I) bistrifluoromethanesulfonate. A stable CuI-diene complex

Abstract Addition of benzyldi-2-pyridylamine and isoprene to a solution of [CU(O3SCF3)]2·C6H6 in THF yields Cu2[(C6H5CH2)N-(C5H4N)2]2(μ-C5H8)(O3SCF3)2, the title complex. This complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with a = 11.721(4) A, b = 14.099(4) A, c = 14.179(4) A, α = 80.01(2), β = 78.17(2)°, γ = 71.80(2)°, V= 2063.6 A3, and Z = 2. The structure, which contains disordered triflate ligands, converged to an R = 0.086 and Rw = 0.132 for 2887 reflections of I⪢ 3σ,(Io). It exhibits the isoprene ligand in the s-trans configuration chelating η2 to both CuI atoms.
Victims arrested for domestic violence: unintended consequences of arrest policies

Domestic violence is a major social problem. In the United States, the failure of communities and police departments to intervene resulted in a push to implement pro- and mandatory arrest policies for domestic violence. These policies have led to an unexpected increase in the number of victim arrests. Competing explanations have been offered. This paper describes the development of a system dynamics model of victim arrests. Results of model structure analysis suggest that these policies may have created or strengthened a crossover mechanism that shifts the risk of arrests in domestic violence cases from aggressors to victims. Model analysis also demonstrates how the changing role of cooperation between advocates and police can help explain the trends in victim arrests. Implications for research and policy are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A necessary condition for Calderón-Zygmund singular integral operators

Calderon-Zygmund singular integral operators have been extensively studied for almost half a century. This paper provides a context for and proof of the following result: If a Calderon-Zygmund convolution singular integral operator is bounded on the Hardy space H1 (Rn), then the homogeneous of degree zero kernel is in the Hardy space H1(Sn−1) on the sphere.
Observation of local-interfacial optical phonons at buried interfaces using time-resolved second-harmonic generation

We have used an all-optical technique to observe optical phonons localized at a buried interface. The technique is based on coherent excitation of the interfacial vibrational mode by femtosecond laser irradiation and detection of the free-induction decay of the coherent oscillation by time-resolved second-harmonic generation. For native oxide-covered GaAs ~100!, we observe a single-optical phonon mode at 8.4860.04 THz localized to a few monolayers on the semiconductor side of the interface. The assignment is based on changes in the phonon spectrum as a function of pump-laser intensity and during in situ oxidation. The mode frequency shifts from 8.48 to 8.29 THz due to coupling with holes driven to the interface by the depletion field. @S0163-1829~99!00619-0# Despite the importance of understanding and controlling the structure and electronic properties of interfaces between dense media ~buried interfaces!, few experimental probes are sensitive to the local properties of the few monolayers of atoms arranged differently at the interface than they are arranged in the bulk. Vibrational ~phonon! spectroscopy provides an important microscopic probe of structure, bonding, and dynamics. Coherent studies of surface acoustic-wave velocities have been reported, 1 however, optical phonons in the range 3‐10 THz are more sensitive to local ~atomic-scale! geometry because these modes involve counter-propagating atomic motion analogous to vibrational modes in molecules. Optical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared ~IR! spectroscopy, free-electron laser-based IR spectroscopy, and visible-IR sum-frequency generation and Raman spectroscopy have been developed and demonstrated for adsorbate molecules at vacuum and gas/solid interfaces. In principle, extension to buried interfaces is straightforward if at least one side of the interface is optically transparent. However, IR phonon or plasmon absorption in the surrounding bulk media prevents all but Raman from being generally applicable to buried interfaces. Raman spectroscopy is used to measure high-frequency vibrational modes of adsorbate molecules at liquid/solid interfaces and bulklike phonon features at buried interfaces. Despite the almost routine application of Raman, only one case of monolayer-scale local phonons at buried interfaces has been reported: spontaneous Raman 2 and resonance Raman spectroscopy of Sb monolayers on GaAs. 3 Helium atom scattering and high-resolution electron-energyloss spectroscopy ~HREELS! in the impact regime have submonolayer sensitivity to surface adsorbates. In the longrange dipole interaction regime, HREELS has been used to
Predicting Graduation: The Role of Mathematics/Science Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy in the mathematics/science domain is conceptualized as partially determining whether science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students would persist toward reaching im...
Effect of impurities on magnetic properties of Y(Co5−xCux) and Y2(Co7−xNix)

Abstract Doping of the magnetic materials SmCo 5 and Sm 2 Co 7 with Cu or Ni enhances the magnetic properties by aligning otherwise independent domains. However, this doping with non-magnetic elements also decreases the magnetic moments of the Co atoms, which we have studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Since localized Sm f-orbitals are very difficult to study within DFT calculations, we have studied Y(Co 5− x Cu x ), Y(Co 5− x Fe x ), and Y 2 (Co 7− x Ni x ). While the total magnetic moments appear to follow the virtual crystal approximation (VCA) for the Ni and Cu doping, the localized moments on the Co atoms reduce much slower than expected from the VCA before suddenly dropping to zero at a critical concentration. The magnetic moments of Y(Co 5− x Cu x ) have been studied as a function of unit cell volume and c / a ratio which show sudden decreases in both the total and localized moments. In contrast, the magnetic moments of Y(Co 5− x Fe x ) increase with doping, but the magnetic anisotropy energy decreases, which is not useful technologically.
Seismological constraints on the mechanism of deep earthquakes: temperature dependence of deep earthquake source properties

Abstract Seismological observations are of vital importance for understanding the mechanism of deep earthquakes. Most of the seismological observables for earthquakes deeper than 300 km are similar to shallow earthquakes. Deep earthquakes clearly represent shear failure on a planar surface as shown by their double couple mechanisms. Deep earthquake aftershock sequences show temporal decay rates and magnitude–frequency relations (b-values) that are similar to shallow earthquakes, with the aftershocks occurring preferentially along the mainshock fault planes. In addition, deep earthquake rupture velocities are similar to those of shallow earthquakes. However, there are also some observations that are clearly distinctive relative to shallow earthquakes. Stress drops of deep earthquakes show a large variation but are larger, on average, than shallow earthquakes. Different deep seismic zones show very different b-values, in contrast to shallow earthquakes, which show similar b-values worldwide. In addition, deep earthquakes show fewer aftershocks than shallow earthquakes. A variety of observations suggest that deep earthquakes are highly sensitive to the temperature of the slab. Both deep earthquake b-values and the rate of deep earthquake aftershock occurrence are inversely correlated with the temperature of the deep slabs, suggesting that these factors are temperature-controlled to an extent much greater than with shallow earthquakes. Large deep earthquakes in warm slabs show slower rupture velocities, larger stress drops, and lower seismic efficiencies than similar earthquakes in cold slabs. The width of deep seismic zones is also probably temperature controlled, but deep earthquake rupture can propagate outside the normal limits of Benioff zone seismicity. Simple thermal models for the Tonga slab near the 1994 deep earthquake suggest that the temperature at the rupture termination point was at least 200°C warmer than the temperature that limits smaller earthquakes in the slab. These observations can be used to evaluate physical models for deep earthquakes, including brittle slip along fluid-weakened faults, transformational faulting, and thermal (and perhaps melt lubricated) shear instabilities. It is difficult to explain the large fault widths of some deep earthquakes using a fluid weakening model, since hydrated materials are expected in only a narrow depth zone at the top of the slab, and the fault planes do not have the expected orientations for reactivated faults. The lateral extent of the largest deep earthquakes cast doubt on the transformational faulting model, in which events should be confined within a narrow metastable wedge. Seismological studies have also failed to find evidence for the existence of metastable olivine in slabs. The temperature dependence of deep earthquakes argues in favor of a temperature-activated phenomenon, such as thermal shear instabilities and perhaps fault zone melting.
Justification as the appearance of knowledge

Adequate epistemic justification is best conceived as the appearance, over time, of knowledge to the subject. ‘Appearance’ is intended literally, not as a synonym for belief. It is argued through consideration of examples that this account gets the extension of ‘adequately justified belief’ at least roughly correct. A more theoretical reason is then offered to regard justification as the appearance of knowledge: If we have a knowledge norm for assertion, we do our best to comply with this norm when we express as assertions only beliefs that appear to us to be knowledge. If we are doing our best, there is little point in further sanctions. So a norm of knowledge for assertion would lead to a secondary norm of justified belief as the appearance of knowledge, marking a point at which our assertions may be corrected but should not be blamed.
Incorporation of demand response resources in resource investment analysis

The use of demand-side resources, in general, and demand response resources (DRRs), in particular, has increased over the last few years with rising fuel prices and growing environmental concerns. Integration of demand response resources in the competitive electricity markets impacts resource investment decisions on the supply- as well as the demand-side. There is a need to understand and assess the impacts of DRRs on resource investment strategies. We propose an analytical framework which may be deployed for the assessment of supply- and demand-side resource investment strategies. The salient features of the framework is the explicit representation of the interdependence between the operation of electricity markets and power system, and the resource investment decisions, as well as incorporation of DRRs in the models used in the framework. We design the framework so as to account for the uncertainty associated with the load and the available capacity of the resources. Efficient computational schemes are used for evaluating the uncertain market outcomes. We illustrate the application of the framework through representative simulation results.
Partial Anomalous Left Pulmonary Artery along with Aortic Coarctation in an Infant with Kabuki Syndrome

We report an antenatally diagnosed fetal coarctation delivered prematurely and confirmed to have coarctation as well as additional nonobstructing anomalous left pulmonary artery branch (aLPA) from right pulmonary artery (RPA) and significant dysmorphic features. The baby underwent an uncomplicated arch repair, but had numerous multisystem and growth related issues prompting a diagnosis of Kabuki syndrome (KS) at 1 year of age. While coarctation and hypoplastic left heart syndrome are observed in this syndrome, this is the second reported case of aLPA in KS and the first with the forme fruste of left-sided obstruction as well as aLPA in this group of patients.
Automatic generation of assembly instructions using STEP

An automatic method for generating assembly instructions using CAD files is presented. Algorithms for extracting geometrical information of objects stored in a non-proprietary format, ISO-10303, STEP-CAD data file are explained. The developed algorithms form an important link between design and manufacturing. In our previous work, (Mok et al., 2000, 1999, Wu and Kim, 1994, and Kim and Wu, 1990) we designed a hierarchical assembly model that allows designers to evaluate products for manufacturing cost using a structured assembly coding system (SACS). Each SACS code represents a sequence of assembling/disassembling operations for mating two parts. The developed algorithms in this paper generate the required SACS codes based on the geometrical and topological information extracted from the STEP files of a product in a CAD environment. Based on the generated SACS codes, the proper assembly operations can then be derived for assembling the designed product. An example of assembly with simple parts is presented to verify the method.
Systems approach to identify environmental exposures contributing to organ-specific carcinogenesis.

Abstract Background The most effective way to reduce cancer burden is Q2 prevention which is dependent on identifying individuals at risk for a particular cancer and counseling them to avoid exposure to causative agents. Other than a few well characterized environmental agents linked to specific cancers, linkage between any particular environmental exposure and a specific type of cancer is mostly unknown. Thus, we propose a systems approach to analyze publicly available large datasets to identify candidate agents that play a role in organ-specific carcinogenesis. Methods Publicly available datasets for mRNA and miRNA expression in ovarian cancer were queried to define the differentially expressed genes that are also targets of differentially expressed miRNAs. These target genes were then used to query the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database to identify interacting chemicals and also were analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to identify pathways. Results The interacting chemicals interact with genes in known pathways in ovarian carcinogenesis and support the hypothesis that these chemicals are likely etiologic agents in ovarian carcinogenesis. Conclusion A systems approach may prove useful to identify specific etiologic agents to better develop personalized preventive medicine strategies for those most at risk.
ActiveSync, TCP/IP and 802.11b wireless vulnerabilities of WinCE-based PDAs

Researching the vulnerabilities and security concerns of WinCE-based personal digital assistants (PDAs) in an 802.11 wireless environment resulted in identifying CAN-2001-{0158 to 0163}. The full understanding and demonstration of vulnerabilities would have required reverse engineering ActiveSync, which was beyond the scope of this research. Moreover, the WinCE IP stack demonstrated instabilities under a number of attacks, one of which produced symptoms in hardware. The inaccessibility of the 802.11b standard documentation was a source of delays in the research; however, we created three proof-of-concept applications to defeat 802.11b security. One collects valid MAC addresses on the network, which defeats MAC-address-based restrictions. Another builds a code book using known-plaintext attacks, and the third decrypts 802.11b traffic on-the-fly using the code book.
Preliminary investigation of power flow and performance phenomena in a multimegawatt coaxial plasma thruster

Preliminary experimental and theoretical research that was directed toward the study of quasi-steady-state power flow in a large, unoptimized, multimegawatt coaxial plasma thruster is summarized. Large coaxial thruster operation is discussed, and the experimental results are evaluated and interpreted with a view to the development of efficient, steady-state, megawatt-class magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters. >
Septicemia, access and cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients: the USRDS Wave 2 study.

Septicemia, access and cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients: The USRDS Wave 2 Study. Background Microinflammation is linked to cardiovascular disease, and is highly prevalent in dialysis patients. It is logical to postulate that septicemia, a common macroinflammatory occurrence in dialysis patients, contributes to their large burden of cardiovascular disease. Methods The Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Wave 2 was a randomly selected prospective cohort of incident dialysis patients. Admission claims data were used to define and calculate rates of septicemia or bacteremia and cardiovascular events in those with Medicare as the primary payer. Utilizing Cox proportional hazard models we determined the association between baseline access and the development of bacteremia or sepsis, and also the association between bacteremia or sepsis episodes and subsequent cardiovascular events. Results The 2358 (59%) patients with Medicare as primary payer were older and more likely to have heart failure than those with other payers, but had similar comorbidity-adjusted mortality hazards. Rates of first septicemia, bacteremia, or either condition, were 7.0, 5.9 and 10.4 events per 100-patient years, respectively. Cox regression identified initial dialysis access as the main antecedent of septicemia or bacteremia. Hazards ratios for hemodialysis with permanent catheters, temporary catheters, and grafts were 1.95 (95% CI 1.47-2.57), 1.76 (95% CI 1.29-2.41), and 1.05 (95% CI 0.82-1.35), respectively, while that for peritoneal dialysis was 0.96 (95% CI 0.75-1.23) (reference arteriovenous fistula). After adjustment for baseline factors, septicemia or bacteremia, as a time-dependent covariate, was associated with subsequent death [hazards ratio (HR) 2.33, 95% CI 1.38-2.28], myocardial infarction (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.38-2.28), heart failure (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.39-1.95), peripheral vascular disease (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.34-2.0), and stroke (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.27-3.28). Conclusion Septicemia appears to be an important, potentially preventable, cardiovascular risk factor in dialysis patients.
Productivity Issues in High-Level Design: Are Tools Solving the Real Problems?

This paper analyzes the impact that a high-level design methodology can have in the total design cycle. The main question being raised here is how much high-level design tools really help. For example, one can use a high-level tool to perform scheduling or generate a pipelined implementation of a for loop; and that may save a week in design time. But that alone does not decrease the months of simulation time that still must be performed in large designs. This paper discusses these issues and presents possible approaches for making high-level design tools more effective in the total design cycle.
The role of chemokines in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Introduction Chemokines and their receptors are important mediators of inflammation. Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute paralysis worldwide. Despite current treatments, outcomes are suboptimal. Specific chemokine receptor antagonists have the potential to be efficacious against pathogenic leukocyte trafficking in GBS.
Risk Factors for Implantable Defibrillator Lead Fracture in a Recalled and a Nonrecalled Lead

Risk Factors for ICD Lead Fracture. Introduction: The Medtronic Sprint Fidelis® implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead was “recalled” in October 2007 after 268,000 implants worldwide due to increased failure risk. Manufacturer suggested monitoring has not been shown effective at preventing adverse events. Only limited data exist regarding clinical predictors of Fidelis® lead fracture. We sought to identify risk factors for Fidelis® fracture to guide clinical monitoring and compare its performance with a control lead. Methods: Fractured lead cases were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, implant technique, radiographic appearance and clinical presentation was analyzed. Lead survival was compared using Kaplan-Meir curves. Results: Study patients (n = 1314) experienced 18 Fidelis® and 6 Quattro™ lead fractures. Patients with failed Fidelis® leads were younger than those with surviving leads (49.5 vs 64.6 years, P = 0.0066). Fidelis® lead fractures often occurred around the time of physical activity. No other measured demographic or technique related factors were associated with lead fracture. Fidelis® leads had significantly decreased survival compared with Quattro™ leads (89.3 vs 98.9% at 30 months). Patients less than 50 years old had significantly decreased lead survival compared with those older than 50 in both Fidelis® (79.6% vs 96.5% at 24 months) and Quattro™ (93.4 vs 99.8%, P < 0.001 at 24 months) leads. Conclusions: Patients under age 50, with either Fidelis® or Quattro™ ICD leads, are at increased risk of lead fracture compared with patients over 50, particularly around the time of intense physical activity. Aggressive monitoring and advisory programming appears warranted in patients with Fidelis® leads as well as especially in younger patients. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 671-677, June 2010)
Mediaeval Academy Excavations at Cluny

THE project of excavation at Cluny sponsored by the Mediaeval Academy of America was completed at the Munich time, and all of the data were brought to America. Field operations occurred in 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, and 1938, and were far more extensive than was at first anticipated. Detailed preliminary publication was started in SPECULUM, iii (1938),p. 401, and continued in volume iv, p. 3, p. 168; p. 291, p. 443; volume v, p. 77, p. 278; volume vi, p. 3; volume vii, p. 23, p. 336; but the piecemeal character of the excavation and the fragmentary character of the finds made inexpedient the further publication on such an elaborate scale. The true value of the work will appear only when the widely ramified collateral studies and the intricate work of graphic restoration of the buildings at Cluny have been brought to fruition. Then it will be seen what a vital place the great abbey had in the architecture of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth centuries. Meanwhile two books have appeared on Cluny. That which was published by A. and J. Talobre (La Construction de l'Abbaye de Cluny, Macon: Renaudier, 1936) prints some of our material which was used lacking a proper understanding with us. The Mediaeval Academy's mission has an obvious interest in forestalling the publication of gratuitous or erroneous hypotheses, and has stood ready to help and advise workers concerned with the Cluny problem. If the Messieurs Talobre had been more frank, it would be unnecessary to correct several basic errors in their book. Their book contains interesting material, but it must be used with great caution. The plan here presented as Figure 1 represents the abbey as it stood about 900 years ago. This plan is solidly based on a thirteen-year study of the extant remains, the Farfa Consuetudinary text (ca. 1042) and other eleventh-century Customs, the 'Denombrement' of 1623, the Prevost engraving of ca. 1670, the abbey plan of ca. 1700, and various related material. Comparison with the Talobre plan and perspective will show discrepancies too numerous to mention. The first church of the monastery, Cluny i (927) is wrongly located on the Talobre plan, and Cluny ii (ca. 955-981) comes off very badly. The sanctuary of this building is described as vouite in 1623, and the nave, where the excavations revealed strong spur buttresses, is described as arcuata in 1063; but the Messieurs Talobre insist that Cluny ii was unvaulted. There was in fact a general movement to vault Burgundian churches after the destructive Hungarian foray of 953. The case of the St Philibert of Tournus is well known. Still unpublished is the discovery of Miss Elizabeth Sunderland, who has shown that the Cluniac church of ca 940 at Charlieu was vaulted over during the period in question, with the use of certain features which are found also at Cluny ii. The well-known Prevost engraving of ca. 1670 shows portions of the superstructure of Cluny ii, but the
Two Cornell realisms: moral and scientific

Richard Boyd and Nicholas Sturgeon develop distinctive naturalistic arguments for scientific realism and moral realism. Each defends a realist position by an inference to the best explanation. In this paper, I suggest that these arguments for realism should be reformulated, with the law of likelihood replacing inference to the best explanation. The resulting arguments for realism do not work.
Area Deprivation and Widening Inequalities in US Mortality, 1969–1998

Objectives. This study examined age-, sex-, and race-specific gradients in US mortality by area deprivation between 1969 and 1998. Methods. A census-based area deprivation index was linked to county mortality data. Results. Area deprivation gradients in US mortality increased substantially during 1969 through 1998. The gradients were steepest for men and women aged 25 to 44 years and those younger than 25 years, with higher mortality rates observed in more deprived areas. Although area gradients were less pronounced for women in each age group, they rose sharply for women aged 25 to 44 and 45 to 64 years. Conclusions. Areal inequalities in mortality widened because of slower mortality declines in more deprived areas. Future research needs to examine population-level social, behavioral, and medical care factors that may account for the increasing gradient.
Morphological and molecular differentiation of the Anagrus epos species complex (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), egg parasitoids of leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in North America.

The Anagrus epos Girault species complex of the fairyfly wasp genus Anagrus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), egg parasitoids of Erasmoneura spp., Erythroneura spp., and other leafhoppers, is reviewed using both morphological and molecular methods. A new species, A. vulneratus Triapitsyn sp. n., is described and illustrated from specimens reared from eggs of the leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on grapevines from Colorado, USA. Discussed and corrected are the earlier published host and distribution records of A. epos, which is rediagnosed, and also of A. daanei Triapitsyn. Nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data provides a genetic signature for A. epos and within the remainder of the species complex identifies A. tretiakovae Triapitsyn as being the most divergent member, confirms A. vulneratus as a separate entity, and reveals the closer similarity of specimens from Sonora, Mexico, to A. vulneratus rather than A. epos. Sequences from individuals identified as A. daanei were somewhat heterogeneous and revealed the existence of two distinct rDNA families — one represented by A. daanei from the Pacific Northwest and one by specimens from Colorado. Both gene families were represented by specimens from California, USA, and this finding is discussed in relation to recent use of “A. epos” from Colorado as a biological control agent in California.
Follow-up of late preterm infants: why, what and who?

Late preterm infants (LPI) represent a growing population with own peculiar vulnerabilities; only recently attention has been focused on the impact of late preterm birth on child health, in order to define short and long-term outcomes [1,2]. LPI are physiologically and metabolically immature; they are at higher risk than term infants of developing medical complications, resulting in greater rate of mortality and morbidity not only in the neonatal period, but also during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and through adulthood [2,3]. Increasing evidence shows the association between late-preterm birth and various long-term medical and behavioral morbidities, including cerebral palsy, attention problems and antisocial behavior, as well as lower IQ, impaired cognitive and academic performance at school age. Fetal brain undergoes a dramatic growth and maturation during last four weeks of gestation, and this is probably the most important reason of LPI worse neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to full-term infants [3-5]. Physical development is an other important outcome for LPI; in addition to intrauterine growth restriction, LPI may be susceptible to feeding difficulty resulting in poor weight gain and underweight. Since failure to thrive in early infancy may be also associated with adverse cognitive and developmental outcomes, close monitoring of LPI growth pattern is needed [6]. Moreover, late-preterm birth has a negative effect also on maturation of the lungs, interrupting evolution from alveolar saccules to mature alveoli. LPI have been shown to develop early respiratory morbidities more frequently than infants born at term. However, the risk for long-term respiratory problems, such as asthma, has not yet been established in this group of patients [3,7]. Therefore LPI need a multidisciplinary, personalized and effective follow–up care that begins at birth and continues, with varying degrees of surveillance and reflecting individual needs, throughout the lifespan. Pediatricians must play a crucial role by ensuring that appropriate screening and assessments are completed, referrals are made and continuity of care is coordinated. They have to be aware of the major problems that LPI may encounter, providing anticipatory guidance when needed. Pediatricians together with parents, child development specialists, and education professionals need to know the possible school underachievement and behavioral problems so that prompt referrals to early intervention services are made [8,9]. Up to now, standardized short and long term followup schedule for LPI has not been developed yet; therefore, further research should focus on systematic evaluation of outcomes of LPI, in order to optimize follow-up monitoring of this population of children.
Learning planning operators in real-world, partially observable environments

We are interested in the development of activities in situated, embodied agents such as mobile robots. Central to our theory of development is means-ends analysis planning, and as such, we must rely on operator models that can express the effects of a robot's action in a dynamic, partially-observable environment. This paper presents a two-step process which employs clustering and decision tree induction to perform unsupervised learning of operator models from simple interactions between an agent and its environment. We report our findings with an implementation of this system on a Pioneer-1 mobile robot.
The effect of cleaning procedures on surface charging of various substrates

Contact electrification occurs when two dissimilar materials are brought into contact, Each surface is left positively or negatively charged depending on the relative difference between surface state electron density in each material. A technique is described which measures the current generated when two solid surfaces are abruptly brought into contact and the current that results when they are subsequently separated. The theory of metal-insulator contacts forms the basis for this unique measurement. The technique allows measurement of surface charging of a variety of substrates after immersion in solvents used in routine semiconductor wafer cleaning and deionized water (DI) rinsing. Quantitative results are used to describe the effect of cleaning on generation of surface charge. Advantages of this technique are its simplicity and the fact that the measurement requires much less time than conventional charge measurement techniques, All the substrates in this study were significantly charged by immersion in deionized water. Charging due to immersion in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was significantly lower than charging due to immersion in deionized water. Surface charging after immersion in other solvents could be reduced or eliminated by making isopropyl alcohol the final rinsing agent. >
Development and reliability of the ankle instability instrument

Context: Functional ankle instability has been defined in a variety of ways. Factors that are frequently used in this definition include a history of a severe ankle sprain, a history of multiple ankle sprains, and a recurrent feeling of instability or “giving way.” With all the variations in defining functional ankle instability, it becomes increasingly important to develop a more consistent framework for assessing this instability. Objective: To develop a new ankle instability assessment tool, the Ankle Instability Instrument, and evaluate the reliability of this instrument. Design: Test-retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) for each item, each factor, and the total score between test days 1 and 2. Cronbach alpha was calculated to estimate internal consistency of the 12 items. Setting: Classrooms, offices, athletic fields, and private residences. Patients or Other Participants: College students (29 males, 72 females, age = 20.7 ± 2.7 years), including 73 (72%) with and 28 (28%) without a history of ankle injury. Main Outcome Measure(s): Subjects were asked to complete the Ankle Instability Instrument on 2 occasions approximately 1 week apart. Results: An exploratory factor analysis of the Instrument produced 3 factors and reduced it from 21 to 12 items. The factors accounted for 32.3%, 10.7%, and 7.0% of the variance, respectively. Together, these factors accounted for 50.0% of the variance in the responses to the Instrument. Test-retest reliability ranged from .70 (SEM = 0.28) to .98 (SEM = 0.06) for the individual items and .95 (SEM = 1.85) for the Instrument overall. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was .92 for factor 1 (severity of initial ankle sprain), .87 for factor 2 (history of ankle instability), .81 for factor 3 (instability during activities of daily life), and .89 for the Instrument overall. Conclusions: The creation of the Ankle Instability Instrument is a first step in recognizing a more objective way of identifying patients suffering from functional ankle instability. The high reliability we found shows that self-reporting of ankle symptoms is a feasible, appropriate way to obtain information on the presence of instability symptoms. Additionally, through this preliminary study, we found 3 factors that represent unique and important components of functional ankle instability. Clinicians and researchers can, therefore, use these 12 items, either alone or in combination with other information, to determine if functional ankle instability is present.