cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics, Biodistribution and Contrast Enhanced MR Blood Pool Imaging of Gd-DTPA Cystine Copolymers and Gd-DTPA Cystine Diethyl Ester Copolymers in a Rat Model

To investigate plasma pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of biodegradable polydisulfide Gd(III) complexes, Gd-DTPA cystine copolymers (GDCP) and Gd-DTPA cystine diethyl ester copolymers (GDCEP) and their efficacy as blood pool MRI contrast agents in comparison with a nondegradable macromolecular agent, Gd-DTPA 1,6-hexanediamine copolymers (GDHC). The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of GDCP and GDCEP with molecular weight of 35 KDa were investigated in Sprague‐Dawley rats after intravenous administration at a dose of 0.1 mmol Gd/kg. GDHC with the same molecular weight was used as a control. The Gd content in the plasma and various tissues and organs were determined by the ICP-OES. Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by using a two-compartment model. The contrast enhanced blood pool MR imaging of the agents was evaluated in Sprague‐Dawley rats on a Siemens Trio 3T MR scanner. The biodegradable macromolecular agents, GDCP and GDCEP, had faster blood pool clearance than the nondegradable GDHC. The long-term Gd(III) tissue retention of the biodegradable polydisulfide agents was substantially lower than the nondegradable macromolecular agent. Both GDCP and GDCEP resulted in significant blood pool enhancement for the first 2 min post-injection and more rapid disappearance of the enhancement over time than GDHC. The negatively charged GDCP had prolonged enhancement duration as compared to GDCEP. The structure and biodegradability of the macromolecular contrast agents significantly affected their pharmacokinetics and blood pool contrast enhancement. Both GDCP and GDCEP provided effective contrast enhancement for MR imaging of the blood pool. The accumulation of toxic Gd(III) ions in the body was greatly reduced with GDCP and GDCEP as compared to the nondegradable control.
Glycolytic Activity in Extracts of Young Rat Skin

Abstract 1. 1. Data have been presented which indicate the presence of most of the glycolytic enzymes in the skin of the young rat. 2. 2. A cell-free extract of this tissue will stoichiometrically convert fructose diphosphate to equimolar quantities of phosphoglyceric acid and phosphoglycerol in the presence of fluoride and trace quantities of diphosphopyridine nucleotide and inorganic phosphate under anaerobic conditions. Phosphoglycerol is formed from dihydroxyactone phosphate by a “diphosphopyridine nucleotide”-requiring glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. If P 32 -labeled inorganic phosphate is used, 60% of the total radioactivity is incorporated equally into phosphoglyceric acid and phosphoglycerol. This incorporation is inhibited by iodoactate.
‘Diffuse anxiety’: the role of economic insecurity in predicting fear of crime

Past research on fear of crime has focused on variables from the victimization/vulnerability, neighborhood disadvantage, and community control models. Recent theoretical work on fear of crime also suggests the importance of ‘diffuse anxieties’ in elevating personal fear of crime and creating a ‘culture of fear’ in American society. Diffuse anxieties include concern about the economy, big government, welfare, union-led inflation and affirmative action. To date, few studies have empirically tested the relationship between diffuse anxiety and fear of crime. This exploratory study, conducted during the recent economic recession in the USA, tests the role of economic insecurity in predicting crime fear, while controlling for measures of crime vulnerability, neighborhood disorder and community control. Results indicate that economic insecurity is an important predictor of fear of crime and the implications of this finding are discussed.
Affective self-report during the intracarotid sodium amobarbital test: group differences.

Emotional reactions are sometimes observed during the intracarotid sodium amobarbital test. For instance, euphoric/indifference reactions can be seen during right hemisphere inactivation and catastrophic reactions may accompany left hemisphere inactivation. Less dramatic changes can also be detected in affective self-report during left and right hemisphere amobarbital tests, with more negative affect reported during left hemisphere inactivation and either neutral or mildly positive affective states reported during right hemisphere inactivation. The current study not only replicated this effect, but in addition, found significant group differences. The first group (right way) showed a pattern of affective self-report during left and right amobarbital tests entirely consistent with prior findings, while a second group (wrong way) showed results that behaved in a diametrically opposite fashion. A third group (no change) showed little, if any, difference in affective self-report during left and right amobarbital tests. The major factor distinguishing the wrong way group from the other two appeared to be an asymmetrical distribution of left and right temporal lobe lesions in the former group. In contrast, the factor differentiating the right way group from the no change group appeared to be the relative degree of left hemisphere inactivation during the left hemisphere amobarbital test. The results are discussed not only in terms of their impact on theories of cerebral lateralization for emotion, but also in terms of methodological issues in this field. (JINS, 2000, 6, 659–667.)
On Integer Solutions to Linear Equations

A magic square is an n × n matrix with non-negative integer entries, such that the sum of the entries in each row and column is the same. We study the enumeration and P-recursivity of these in the case in which the sum along each row and column is fixed, with the size n of the matrix as the variable. A method is developed that nicely proves some known results about the case when the row and column sum is 2, and we prove new results for the case when the sum is 3.
Emotional reaction to fragile X premutation carrier tests among infertile women.

Female fragile X premutation carriers are at ∼10-fold increased risk of premature ovarian failure (follicle stimulating hormone >40 mIU/mL, amenorrhea, age <40). A milder degree of premature ovarian aging (diminished ovarian reserve, where follicle stimulating hormone levels are typically 10–20 mIU/mL) results in infertility. Approximately 10% of fertility clinic patients have this diagnosis. A cohort of 20 women diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve provided a blood specimen (confidential results), and completed structured questionnaires that assessed emotional reactions to potentially being a premutation carrier (pretest questionnaire, n = 20) and the posttest known carrier status (3 month follow-up questionnaire, n = 18 non-carriers). Responses were measured using 9-point scales, and analyzed with Fisher exact and Wilcoxon exact tests. While most participants did not view fragile X premutations as a serious medical condition, perceptions of seriousness were positively correlated with anger and regret about not knowing sooner of the potential association of these premutations with infertility. Overall, when women (pretest) imagined themselves as carriers, their self-esteem and Health Orientation Scale responses were unchanged with the exception of feeling more afraid (p = 0.004). Despite strongly wishing for negative test results, they were glad to know there might be a medical explanation for their infertility.
Use of the perturbation technique to measure nutrient uptake rates of natural phytoplankton populations

During the JOINT-I cruise of the Coastal Upwelling Ecosystems Analysis (CUEA) program off northwest Africa, nutrient uptake rates were measured by the disappearance of ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, silicate, and phosphate during perturbation experiments with natural phytoplankton populations. For these experiments the phytoplankton was concentrated approximately 10-fold, using a reverse flow filter system. The efficiency of the concentration varied between 30 and 70%. However, as uptake rates were calculated per unit particulate matter, the absolute efficiency of the concentrating system is not critical. Cell counts indicated that there were no relative changes in species composition during the concentration process. In all experiments nitrogen was the first nutrient that became limiting as the phytoplankton used up the ambient nutrient supply. The estimates of Vmax for nitrate and silicate uptake from the perturbation experiments were in the range of 0.017 to 0.041 h−1 and agreed well with those measured by isotopic uptake of 15N and 30Si, indicating no alterations in the metabolism of the cells during the concentration. The perturbation technique has the advantage of also permitting the examination of nutrient interactions. For these apparently nitrogen-limited populations, suppression of silicate and phosphate uptake rates occurred and nitrate uptake was favored during the early stages of the experiments. In some experiments nitrite was released in the dark and continued in the light until nitrate reached a low value (~2μg-atoms l−1) and then the nitrite was also taken up by the phytoplankton.
Microscopic studies of static and dynamic contact angles

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to test macroscopic theories for static and dynamic contact angles. Young's equation is verified by comparing observed static contact angles to angles calculated from the independently measured surface tensions between phases. Laplace's relation between the interfacial curvature and pressure is also checked. Both equations agree with simulation results within statistical errors. Hydrodynamic theories of dynamic contact angles are less well defined because they produce diverging stresses at the contact line between the solid and fluid interfaces if the usual no-slip boundary condition is assumed. Our simulations show that slip occurs within about two molecular diameters of the contact line, and that local hydrodynamics breaks down in the slip region. The slip results from large tangential stresses along the solid wall. A surprising result is that changes in the boundary condition for single-fluid flow at molecular scales produce dramatic changes in the dynamic contac...
Range image statistics can explain the anomalous perception of length

A long-standing puzzle in visual perception is that the apparent extent of a spatial interval (e.g., the distance between two points or the length of a line) does not simply accord with the length of the stimulus but varies as a function of orientation in the retinal image. Here, we show that this anomaly can be explained by the statistical relationship between the length of retinal projections and the length of their real-world sources. Using a laser range scanner, we acquired a database of natural images that included the three-dimensional location of every point in the scenes. An analysis of these range images showed that the average length of a physical interval in three-dimensional space changes systematically as a function of the orientation of the corresponding interval in the projected image, the variation being in good agreement with perceived length. This evidence implies that the perception of visual space is determined by the probability distribution of the possible real-world sources of retinal images.
Optimism and College Retention: Mediation by Motivation, Performance, and Adjustment

Although higher education has been linked to better income, longer life expectancy, and better health, about 25–45% of incoming college freshmen never graduate. The current study examined whether optimistic expectancies are associated with college retention. Participants (N = 2,189) were given surveys when entering college, and academic records were attained after freshman year completion. Dispositional and academic optimism were associated with less chance of dropping out of college, as well as better motivation and adjustment. Academic optimism was also associated with higher grade point average (GPA). Structural equation models revealed that dispositional optimism predicted retention through motivation and adjustment, which in turn predicted retention. Academic optimism, on the other hand, predicted retention through its effect on GPA, motivation, and adjustment.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Neonatal Pertussis: A Comparative Study

We describe the features and outcomes of neonatal pertussis and compare these with neonates with non-pertussis acute respiratory illness from July 2000 through December 2007. Patients with pertussis had a more severe course of disease as evidenced by the clinical presentation, length of hospitalization, and oxygen requirement. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion so that appropriate supportive care can be initiated promptly.
Comparative biochemistry of penguin egg- white proteins—I. ovomucoids: Composition and inhibitory activities for trypsin, α-chymotrypsin and subtilisin

1. 1. The physical, chemical and inhibitory properties of ovomucoids from six species of penguins were compared with one another and with certain properties of other proteinase inhibitors. The six ovomucoids had very similar compositions, physical properties and capacities to inhibit different proteolytic enzymes. 2. 2. Many of the inhibitors were capable of inhibiting bovine trypsin, bovine α-chymotrypsin or subtilisin. The sites for inhibiting trypsin were independent from the sites for inhibiting α-chymotrypsin or subtilisin, while the sites for these latter two enzymes were similar or overlapping. 3. 3. The ovomucoids of the penguins were the only inhibitors which strongly inhibited subtilisin and weakly inhibited α-chymotrypsin. With casein as a substrate, the approximate Kdiss of the EI complexes of penguin ovomucoid with subtitilisin, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin were 1·5 × 10−9 M, 8 × 10−8 M and 3 × 10−6 M, respectively. With benzoyl-l-tyrosine ethyl ester as substrate, subtilisin quantitatively displaced α-chymotrypsin from penguin ovomucoid. 4. 4. Incubation of either subtilisin or α-chymotrypsin with penguin or turkey ovomucoid in acidic solutions appeared to hydrolyze the peptide bonds of similar sequences of leucine-glycine, indicating similar binding sites on the two ovomucoids for the two enzymes.
Energetics and the resistive tearing mode: effects of Joule heating and radiation

Hydromagnetic theory is used to investigate the influence of Joule heating and temperature–dependent radiation on the linear development of the incompressible, resistive tearing instability in both force‐free and neutral‐sheet magnetic fields in a slab geometry. A temperature‐dependent resistivity couples the energetics and the dynamics of the instability. Analytical expressions are derived for the growth rates utilizing, in separate analyses, the constant‐Ψ and the long‐wavelength (nonconstant‐Ψ) approximations. The solutions indicate the occurrence of several modes in addition to the usual tearing mode. A number of the modes have relatively slow, complex growth rates. However, at large values of the magnetic Reynolds number S (S≳107, the actual value depending on the relevant parametric values), there are at least two modes with purely exponential growth (real, positive growth rates) when the radiative loss decreases with increasing temperature. One is the resistive tearing mode, and the other is a more rapidly growing mode with a growth rate resembling that of a thermal instability. If the radiation is neglected, the Joule heating alone also results in two modes with real, positive growth at large S. One mode is again the tearing mode, but, in this case, the second mode is a more slowly growing Joule‐heating mode. Another point of departure from previous theoretical results is that, below a particular value of S (S≲106, the value once again being determined by the parameters), all the modes are generally stabilized.
Comparison of treatment regimens for ocular infections: Community vs academic practice

Treatment regimens used for infectious ocular diseases by community-based and academic ophthalmologists were compared. A mail survey asked about antimicrobial choices for serious keratitis, conjunctivitis, and blepharitis; presurgical and postsurgical prophylaxis; use of antibiotics and steroids for treatment of acute adenovirus conjunctivitis; and use of chloramphenicol. Responses were returned by 177 community-based and 84 academic ophthalmologists. Community ophthalmologists generally paralleled academic ophthalmologists in their treatment choices.
Structural and Motional Investigations of Polyglutamine-Containing Amyloid Fibrils by Magic-Angle-Spinning Solid-State NMR

More than 20 human diseases are associated with amyloid fibril formation, one of which is Huntington's Disease (HD). HD, which poses a risk for ∼200,000 Americans, is a neurodegenerative disease that degrades cognitive and motor functions and is one of ten disorders to feature polyglutamine (polyQ) domain expansion. The self-aggregation of expanded polyQ segments in the huntingtin protein (htt) leads to fibril formation. Flanking regions of the polyQ domain affect the kinetics of this aggregation. As protein aggregation appears to correlate to disease onset, we aim to understand the structure of the mature fibrils, a critical step toward resolving structural changes along the fibril formation pathway.Fibrils of site-specific isotopically labeled peptides mimicking polyQ-containing N-terminal fragments of the htt protein were studied by magic-angle-spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR (ssNMR). We probed the conformation of both the polyQ amyloid core and its flanking regions by multidimensional MAS ssNMR, finding an a-helical conformation for residues in the very N-terminus (httNT), which is known to initiate the aggregation process. Structural models of the aggregation pathway and fibril were assessed based on structural data, relaxation times, and order parameters from MAS ssNMR measurements. Fibrils featuring mutations in the linker region connecting the httNT helix to the amyloid core were also investigated. Earlier animal studies have shown these mutations to reduce toxicity, and EM shows significant changes in fibril morphology. The site-specific effects of these and other mutations, on both the httNT and the polyQ core, were explored through structural and dynamics measurements. The characterization of the mutants, which mimic post-translational Ser phosphorylation, suggests biophysical connections between the stability and molecular structure of species along the aggregation pathway and the observed changes in toxicity.
A kernel regression based resolution enhancement technique for low resolution video

Super-resolution enhancement is the technique of increasing spatial resolution of an image from the image itself or from several noisy images of the same scene but with additional information such as motion. This paper presents a kernel regression approach to reconstruct a high resolution image from several low resolution video frames. In many applications including cell phone and webcam the imaging sensors capture low resolution images due to low cost sensors or physical limitation of the hardware. So, the proposed resolution enhancement technique could be used as an inexpensive software alternative. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated with several grayscale and color video streams and found successful when compared to other state of the art techniques.
Src tyrosine kinase regulates CYP17 expression and androstenedione secretion in theca-enriched mouse ovarian cells.

Src tyrosine kinase belongs to a non-receptor tyrosine kinase family and has been shown to be involved in G protein-coupled receptor desensitization and internalization. Stimulation of ovarian thecal cells with luteinizing hormone (LH) activates adenylyl cyclase via a G protein-coupled LH receptor leading to an increase in cAMP. Subsequently, cAMP activates protein kinase A (PKA) that increases steroidogenesis. In order to evaluate the role of Src in thecal cell steroidogenesis, a pharmacological approach was utilized by treating a population of mouse ovarian theca-enriched cells (TEC) in vitro with two Src inhibitors, geldanamycin (GA) and herbimycin A (HA). Treatment of TEC with either GA or HA increased basal androstenedione secretion without alteration of cAMP. In the presence of forskolin, GA and HA treatment further increased androstenedione secretion. RT-PCR analysis of RNA from cells treated with GA for 8, 24, and 48 h revealed that GA increased cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/lyase(CYP17) mRNA at 48 h. CYP17 promoter activity also increased after treatment of cells with GA and after co-transfection with a Src dominant negative plasmid. Inhibition of PKA using H89 blocked the effect GA and HA on androstenedione secretion. These results indicate that the pharmacological inhibitors of Src, GA and HA, tested in vitro increased thecal CYP17 promoter activity, CYP17 mRNA, and androstenedione secretion. In addition, GA and HA induced thecal androstenedione secretion may be cAMP independent but possibly requires PKA.
Community-Based Destination Governance in a Developing Economy: The Jamaican Experience

Utilizing a destination governance and social capital conceptual framework, the research examines opinions concerning goals and outcomes in regards to the Jamaican Ministry of Tourism's Ten-Year Master Plan to enhance tourism and increase shared governance. In addition to secondary sources of information, researchers use primary data obtained through an email survey sent to 540 Jamaican managers and executives, 18.3% of whom (n = 99) completed the survey. Study findings may be deemed contrary to destination governance theory and best practices. However, upon closer examination, they are wholly consistent with theory and models that examine governance issues in developing nations. Arguably, Jamaica tourism may not be ready to fully embrace a network-based model of destination governance, but instead is in the process of evolving toward that model. The findings should be useful for the Jamaican and other developing nation's tourism industries. Further, it should spark discussion regarding governance differe...
Transcriptional regulation of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene by the Sp family of transcription factors

In this study, we have localized an enhancer element in the 5′-flanking region of the HGF gene promoter and have identified its functional transcriptional factors. Through transient transfection of NIH3T3 fibroblast cells and gel mobility shift assays, the functional binding site was localized to a short region (−318 to −303 bp from the transcription start site) which has a CTCCC sequence. This motif is also conserved in the human HGF promoter and acts as a binding site for the Sp family of transcription factors. In the presence of NIH3T3 nuclear protein extracts, this enhancer region formed specific DNA-protein complexes which were totally abrogated by excess amounts of consensus Sp1 oligonucleotide. In gel mobility supershift assays, anti-Sp1 and anti-Sp3 antibodies specifically recognized these complexes as was evident by their slower migration. Site-specific mutation of this binding motif resulted in total loss of Sp1 and Sp3 binding and a concomitant loss of enhancer function within the context of the HGF promoter. Furthermore, in transient cotransfection assays, overexpression of Sp1 and/or Sp3 stimulated HGF promoter activity independently and additively through binding to the Sp1 binding site in the HGF gene promoter region. DNaseI hypersensitive analysis of freshly isolated nuclei from NIH3T3 cells revealed that five hypersensitive sites (HSS) are present within the 2 kb region immediately upstream of the HGF promoter. One of these sites was mapped to position −0.3 kb from the transcription start site. These data show that both Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors upregulate HGF promoter activity by binding to the Sp1 binding site at position −318 to −303 bp in the HGF gene promoter.
Study on Evacuating Process of Vacuum Glazing

Vacuum glazing is a very choice in building energy efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to study on evacuating process of vacuum glazing. Based on fundamental pumping equation of vacuum technique and simplified the existing pumping system for vacuum glazing, a mathematical model, which is described evacuating process of vacuum glazing, is established. An exact mathematical solution is obtained by solving the model. According to the solution, an example from a practical evacuating system is solved and analyzed, and two conclusions are summed up as follows: First, the evacuating time needed for vacuum glazing is mainly depended on the flow conductance at vacuum glazing’s bleeding point; Secondly, the ultimate pressure of vacuum chamber should two orders of magnitude lower than the required pressure in the vacuum glazing. Above model, solution and conclusions have a certain guiding significance in the actual production of vacuum glazing.
Anomalous Isosteric Enthalpy of Adsorption of Methane on Zeolite-Templated Carbon

A thermodynamic study of the enthalpy of adsorption of methane on high surface area carbonaceous materials was carried out from 238 to 526 K. The absolute quantity of adsorbed methane as a function of equilibrium pressure was determined by fitting isotherms to a generalized Langmuir-type equation. Adsorption of methane on zeolite-templated carbon, an extremely high surface area material with a periodic arrangement of narrow micropores, shows an increase in isosteric enthalpy with methane occupancy; i.e., binding energies are greater as adsorption quantity increases. The heat of adsorption rises from 14 to 15 kJ/mol at near-ambient temperature and then falls to lower values at very high loading (above a relative site occupancy of 0.7), indicating that methane/methane interactions within the adsorption layer become significant. The effect seems to be enhanced by a narrow pore-size distribution centered at 1.2 nm, approximately the width of two monolayers of methane, and reversible methane delivery increases by up to 20% over MSC-30 at temperatures and pressures near ambient.
Using Quantized Feedback to Cancel Interference in Multiple Access Channels

When two users transmit signals to a common receiver, one can design precoders to cancel the interference for each user if each user knows all the channel information perfectly. Also the diversity for each user is full. However, in practice, perfect channel information is not available. In this paper, we design precoders for two users with two transmit antennas and one receiver with two receive antennas using quantized feedback. We propose to construct a codebook using Grassmannian line packing. By choosing precoders from the codebook properly, our proposed scheme can cancel the interference and achieve full diversity for each user. Simulation results confirm our analytical proof.
Computerization of specimen data from the Edward Lee Greene Herbarium (ND-G) at Notre Dame

Computerization of the Edward Lee Greene Herbarium at Notre Dame is described. Reasons for the justification of such a project and the steps involved in data accumulation and data processing are presented. Results are or will be available in two forms: 1) formal publications containing summary information, including information on the more than 4400 taxa that Greene named; and 2) a computerized data bank that today can provide answers to questions from individual systematists about the 65,000 specimens. Problems in automation are discussed, as are the relation of this project to similar ones. Finally, an invitation is extended to readers to query the data bank without cost.
Assessing dynamics, spatial scale, and uncertainty in task-related brain network analyses.

The brain is a complex network of interconnected elements, whose interactions evolve dynamically in time to cooperatively perform specific functions. A common technique to probe these interactions involves multi-sensor recordings of brain activity during a repeated task. Many techniques exist to characterize the resulting task-related activity, including establishing functional networks, which represent the statistical associations between brain areas. Although functional network inference is commonly employed to analyze neural time series data, techniques to assess the uncertainty—both in the functional network edges and the corresponding aggregate measures of network topology—are lacking. To address this, we describe a statistically principled approach for computing uncertainty in functional networks and aggregate network measures in task-related data. The approach is based on a resampling procedure that utilizes the trial structure common in experimental recordings. We show in simulations that this approach successfully identifies functional networks and associated measures of confidence emergent during a task in a variety of scenarios, including dynamically evolving networks. In addition, we describe a principled technique for establishing functional networks based on predetermined regions of interest using canonical correlation. Doing so provides additional robustness to the functional network inference. Finally, we illustrate the use of these methods on example invasive brain voltage recordings collected during an overt speech task. The general strategy described here—appropriate for static and dynamic network inference and different statistical measures of coupling—permits the evaluation of confidence in network measures in a variety of settings common to neuroscience.
Using active management of labor and vaginal birth after previous cesarean delivery to lower cesarean delivery rates: A 10-year experience ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Objective: Our objective was to analyze the statistics on cesarean delivery rates and the factors that have led to a reduction in these rates. Study Design: A retrospective analysis was done of delivery statistics from a 10-year period, January 1, 1989, to December 31, 1998. We investigated the changes made in the methods of delivery during the study period. The data were divided into 1-year periods and analyzed by χ 2 tables. Results: The overall cesarean delivery rate decreased from 16.59% to 10.92%; the primary cesarean delivery rate decreased from 9.22% to 7.11% and the repeated cesarean delivery rate from 7.37% to 3.81%. All these decreases were statistically significant. An increase in the rate of active management of labor by increasing oxytocin use and encouraging a trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery was also statistically significant. No changes in the outcome were observed in terms of neonatal morbidity and mortality rates. Conclusion: We found that our working plan for management of labor and delivery yielded and maintained a successful decline in the cesarean delivery rates without any negative effect on neonatal or maternal mortality rates. This low rate was maintained for a 10-year period. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:1535-43.)
Progress and Prospects in Magnetic Data Storage

Magnetic recording has been the dominant data storage technology for many years, and presently delivers higher bit density at lower cost than magneto-optic data storage. The trend of ever-increasing bit density for magnetic recording is now, however, encountering some fundamental physical barriers. We examine here these barriers and conclude that a change in magnetic recording paradigm, probably including the use of patterned media, will be required to carry magnetic data storage to and beyond 100 Gbit/ in2.
Nonstatistical behavior of reactive scattering in the 18O+ 32O2 isotope exchange reaction

The recombination of oxygen atoms with oxygen molecules to form ozone exhibits several strange chemical characteristics, including unusually large differences in formation rate coefficients when different isotopes of oxygen participate. Purely statistical chemical reaction rate theories cannot describe these isotope effects, suggesting that reaction dynamics must play an important role. We investigated the dynamics of the 18O + 32O2 → O3* → 16O + 34O2 isotope exchange reaction (which proceeds on the same potential energy surface as ozone formation) using crossed atomic and molecular beams at a collision energy of 7.3 kcal mol-1, providing the first direct experimental evidence that the dissociation of excited ozone exhibits significant nonstatistical behavior. These results are compared with quantum statistical and quasi-classical trajectory calculations in order to gain insight into the potential energy surface and the dynamics of ozone formation.
Effects of neutral ionophores on membrane electrical characteristics of NG108-15 cells.

Abstract The effects of several K+-selective neutral ionophores on membrane electrical characteristics of differentiated NG108-15 (neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid) cells were examined. Specifically, alterations in membrane resting potential (Vm), input resistance (Rin) and electrically-induced action potential generation were determined upon bath application of enniatin (0.1–10 μg/ml), nonactin (0.1–10 μM) and valinomycin (0.1–10 μM). Although some cells exhibited a slight hyperpolarization and/or reduced Rin, i.e. membrane electrical correlates of enhanced K+ loss, neither Vm nor Rin were significantly altered by any of the ionophores. However, valinomycin and especially nonactin affected action potentials induced by electrical stimulation. This was apparent in the ablation of action potentials in some cells and in the occurrence of degenerative changes in action potential shape in others. The simultaneous administration of the neutral ionophores and the protonophore CCCP or the superfusion of enniatin, nonactin or valinomycin in high (50 mM) glucose-containing physiological solution did not yield more extensive alterations in Vm or Rin. These data suggest that the neutral ionophores are unable to materially enhance K+ flux above the relatively high resting level in NG108-15 cells. Thus, alterations in action potentials appear to be unrelated to K+ transport activity.
Islet-enriched gene expression and glucose-induced insulin secretion in human and mouse islets

Aims/hypothesis Our understanding of the transcription factors that control the development and function of rodent islet beta cells is advancing rapidly, yet less is known of the role they play in similar processes in human islets.
Top Quark Mass and Bottom Quark Decay

The possibility of a long B-meson lifetime is explored, in which case the weak mixing angles θ_2 and θ_3 are quite small. This allows the derivation of a lower bound on the top-quark mass as a function of the B-meson lifetime, by comparison of the short-distance prediction for the CP-nonconservation parameter e with its experimental value. The bound is significant for τ_B>4×10^(-13) s.
Alcohol expectancies in childhood: change with the onset of drinking and ability to predict adolescent drunkenness and binge drinking.

Aims Weexaminedtherelationshipbetweenalcoholexpectanciesinchildhoodandonsetof drinking,bingedrinking and drunkenness in adolescence and the influence of drinking onset on expectancy development. Design A prospec- tive, longitudinal study of children assessed for alcohol expectancies and drinking at four time-points between ages 6 and 17 years.Setting Community study of families at high risk for alcoholism conducted in a four-county area in the Midwestern United States. Participants The study involved 614 children; 460 were children of alcoholics and 70% were male. Measurements Expectancies about alcohol effects were measured using the Beverage Opinion Question- naire and child's drinking by the Drinking and Drug History—Youth Form. Findings Partial factor invariance was found for expectancy factors from ages 6 to 17 years. Survival analysis showed that social/relaxation expectancies in childhood predicted time to onset of binge drinking and first time drunk (Wald χ 2 , 1 d.f. = 3.8, P = 0.05 and 5.0, P < 0.05, respectively).The reciprocal effect was also present; when adolescents began drinking, there was an increase in social/relaxation expectancy and a concomitant increase in slope of the expectancy changes lasting throughout adolescence. Conclusions A reciprocal relationship exists between childhood alcohol expectancies and the develop- ment of alcohol involvement. Higher expectancies for positive effects predict earlier onset of problem drinking. Onset of use, in turn, predicts an increase in rate of development of positive expectancies.
The use of multiple purging methods as an indicator of eating disorder severity.

Objective: Previous studies indicate a distinction between those who use one versus multiple methods of purging, but these studies have not controlled for differences in purging frequency. The current study examined whether purging frequency or the use of multiple purging (MP) methods provides more information about eating disorder severity. Method: Existing data were reanalyzed to examine associations between facets of purging and psychological measures among women with bulimia nervosa, purging disorder, and controls. Analyses compared the use of MP methods and purging frequency as indicators of eating pathology. Results: MP methods demonstrated associations with greater eating disorder severity; purging frequency was associated with increased binge frequency and general psychopathology. Conclusion: The presence of MP methods provides more information about eating disorder severity than purging frequency, which seems to be a marker of related psychopathology. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007
Support for the hypothesis of anguimorph ancestry for the suborder Serpentes from phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences

Snakes represent one of the most ubiquitous and successful groups of terrestrial vertebrates; however, many aspects of their evolutionary relationships remain uncertain. Previous research, which utilized morphological and immunological data, has not resolved the origin of snakes or clearly delineated the relationships between snakes and other lizards. A DNA sequence data set from the mitochondrial ND4 gene and the histidine, serine, and leucine tRNAs has been generated for use in the examination of these relationships. Parsimony analyses employing multiple outgroups resolve snakes within the lizard clade. Varanus is the sister group to the snakes in 81% of bootstrap replications using Bos as the outgroup specified, 85% using Trachemys, 57% using Alligator, and 80% using all three outgroups. The primitive, fossorial snake genera Leptotyphlops and Typhlops are basal to the other snakes and provide tentative molecular evidence in support of a fossorial or subfossorial origin of limblessness for the suborder Serpentes.
The Immunity Provisions in the Kansas Tort Claims Act : The First Twenty-Five Years

Twenty five years ago the Kansas legislature enacted the Kansas Tort Claims Act (KTCA). Prior to the KTCA, Kansas recognized the common law doctrine of sovereign immunity that rendered the state and its subdivisions immune from liability for harms caused by tortious conduct of its employees unless it first consented to being sued. But as state and local governments grew in size and range of activities, the number of citizens injured by tortious acts of government also grew. Moreoever, with an increase in the number of injuries caused by an activity of the government further and further removed from core governmental functions, the perceived unfairness of denying a remedy to injured citizens grew.
(The End of) Communism as a Generational History: Some Thoughts on Czechoslovakia and Poland

This article explores communism – including its pre-history and aftermath – as a generational history. The structure is diachronic and largely biographical. Attention is paid to the roles of milieu, the Second World War, generational cleavages and a Hegelian sense of time. Nineteen sixty-eight is a turning point, the moment when Marxism as belief was decoupled from communism as practice. The arrival of Soviet tanks in Prague meant a certain kind of end of European Marxism. It also meant the coming of age of a new generation: those born in the post-war years who were to play a large role in the opposition. The anti-communist opposition was organically connected to Marxism itself: the generation(s) of dissidents active in the 1970s and 1980s should be understood as a further chapter in the generational history of communism. Nineteen eight-nine was another moment of sharp generational rupture. The new post-communist generation, Havel's great hope, possessed the virtue of openness. Openness, however, proved a double-edged sword: as eastern Europe opened to the West, it also opened a Pandora's box. Perhaps today the most poignant generational question brought about by 1989 is not who has the right to claim authorship of the revolution, but rather who was old enough to be held responsible for the choices they made under the communist regime. There remains a division between those who have to account for their actions, and those who do not, between those who proved themselves opportunists, or cowards or heroes – and those who have clean hands by virtue of not having been tested.
Antihypertensive drug therapy with captopril in children and adolescents.

Captopril was administered to three groups of hypertensive children and adolescents: 1) patients with renal disease; 2) neonates with umbilical artery related hypertension; and 3) post-renal transplant patients. In older children with renal disease, increasing the captopril dose above 0.5 mg/kg did not improve the antihypertensive response. A maximal drug concentrations occurred one hour after dosing, and captopril concentration returned to predose levels by eight hours. Neonates responded to significantly lower doses of captopril (0.01–0.5 mg/kg) and the duration of response to higher doses appeared to be longer than that observed in older children. In post-renal transplant patients, blood pressure decreased after captopril in 94% of subjects, but in 62% a concomitant increase in serum creatinine was observed (correlation [r]=0.55, p<.02). This increase could not be correlated with renal biopsy histopathology. Thus, captopril has proven to be an effective antihypertensive agent in children over a broad a...
Overseas Screening for Tuberculosis in Immigrants and Refugees to the United States: Current Status

The number of reported cases of tuberculosis (TB) in foreign-born persons in the United States during 1995 was 8,042, 36% of the national total. The overseas screening of immigrants and refugee visa applicants, which relies on a chest radiograph and smear microscopy, is designed to identify future U.S. residents who have active TB or who are at high risk for TB. In this commentary, we summarize current policies and review retrospective evaluations of the screening system currently in place. The system appears to detect most persons who have active TB at the time of screening. However, active TB is actually diagnosed in < 15% of persons who are identified by screening as having suspected TB and who are evaluated in the United States. To improve the system, more sensitive and specific techniques as well as improved means of data transmission to state and local health departments are needed.
Phylogenetic Analysis: How Old are the Parts of Your Body?

According to the National Academy of Sciences, biology students in the USA are not being adequately prepared for successful futures. Of paramount concern is a lack of sufficient training in quantitative and computational skills, which are needed to compete effectively for an array of educational and occupational opportunities. In this paper, we introduce a classroom exercise that invites students to solve a simple biological problem and illustrates the need for a computer-assisted strategy to arrive at a solution. The exercise invites students to consider the question “How old are the parts of your body?” Some features of the human body are more ancient than others. For example, our bodies have both hair and backbones, but backbones arose much earlier in evolutionary history. Our exercise relies upon MEGA 4.0, a free, visually appealing, and intuitive computer program that allows students to gather DNA or protein sequences from electronic databases, then use them to infer phylogenetic trees. Student-inferred phylogenies are used to explore the relative order in which diverse aspects of the human form evolved. In the process, students are trained to use powerful features of MEGA and encouraged through group discussion to consider additional applications of the technology they have learned. Our lesson plan includes a brief video, a web site with essential terminology and links for further exploration, a hands-on experience using MEGA, and a follow-up discussion.
Real-time volume manipulation

In this paper, we describe a set of algorithms and an implementation (called VolEdit), for interactively manipulating 3D volumetric objects (datasets). The system utilizes skeletons, which allows users/animators to interactively and intuitively specify the location and type of deformation desired. The skeleton is extracted automatically from the volumetric model and indexes the appropriate part of the volume that needs to be transformed by defining piecewise bounds of the volume. The deformed volume is then reconstructed and rendered using commodity graphics cards. The system performs in real-time with near-interactive speeds. The VolEdit system is demonstrated with two volumes, the Visible Human Dataset and a colon MRI dataset.
Approximate analysis of discrete-time tandem queueing networks with customer loss

The departure process of an IBP/Geo/1/K queue by an interrupted Bernoulli process (IBP) is approximated. Several different approximation models are considered, and their accuracy is examined through extensive validation tests. These models are used in a simple decomposition algorithm to analyze a tandem configuration of finite capacity queues with customer loss. Validation tests show that the decomposition algorithm has good accuracy. >
Influence of motivated reasoning on saving and spending decisions

Abstract The decision to save enhances well-being in the long-term but it conflicts with the desire to spend money to gain immediate gratification. In this research, we examine the influence of having single versus multiple accounts on individuals’ savings and spending decisions. We find that individuals save more with a single account than with multiple liquid accounts. Utilizing work on motivated reasoning and fuzzy-trace theory, we suggest that multiple accounts engender fuzzy gist representations, making it easier for people to generate justifications to support their desired spending decisions. However, a single account reduces the latitude for distortion and hinders generation of justifications to support desirable spending decisions. Across four studies that provide participants with the opportunity to earn, spend, and save money, we demonstrate the proposed effect and test the underlying process.