cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential t* measurements via instantaneous frequency matching: observations of lower mantle shear attenuation heterogeneity beneath western Central America

SUMMARY We infer shear attenuation in the lower mantle by using the method of instantaneous frequency matching to calculate differential t* between core-reflected ScS and direct S (δt*ScS-S). The instantaneous frequency at the envelope peak of a seismic phase is related to the average Fourier spectral frequency of that phase. To estimate δt*ScS-S for a given trace, we first calculate the instantaneous frequency at the envelope peak of S and ScS. The trace is then attenuated through convolution with a suite of t* operators until the instantaneous frequency at the envelope peak of the seismic phase with the initially larger instantaneous frequency matches the value of the smaller instantaneous frequency from the initial calculation. The differential t* operator required to accomplish the match is then δt*ScS-S. We also calculate δt*ScS-S from the slope of the spectral ratio of windowed ScS and S. Both the spectral ratio and instantaneous frequency methods produce consistent results for high signal-to-noise ratio synthetic waveforms with S and ScS well separated in time, and where there are no other interfering phases. The instantaneous frequency method gives more stable results for low signal-to-noise ratio waveforms, and where S and/or ScS are affected by other interfering seismic phases. The instantaneous frequency matching method is applied to broadband data from South American earthquakes recorded in California that sample the lower mantle beneath Central America and the Cocos plate. δt*ScS-S ranges from approximately –4 to 2 s, but are predominately negative, suggesting S is more attenuated than ScS for these data. We estimate the possibly contaminating effects of 3-D velocity heterogeneity on δt*ScS-S through analysis of synthetic seismograms computed for a cross-section through a tomographically derived model of global shear wave heterogeneity, using an axisymmetric finite difference algorithm. Synthetics for path geometries of our data predict a δt*ScS-S of ∼0.2 s. We investigate the effect of seismic anisotropy by comparing δt*ScS-S before and after a subset of the data were corrected using splitting parameters obtained by linearizing the particle motion of the S and ScS phases. The rms error of the residuals between the corrected and uncorrected δt*ScS-S is ∼0.2 s. Neither of these efforts, however, match the large negative observed δt*ScS-S values, suggesting the mid-mantle beneath western Central America is in fact much more attenuating than the lowermost mantle below it, or S may be broadened by out-of-plane propagation effects, involving the remains of the Farallon plate containing stronger velocity heterogeneity than is imaged by seismic tomography.
Section Review Oncologic, Endocrine & Metabolic: Gene therapy for cancer therapeutics

This review highlights current strategies and significant developments being employed in gene therapy for neoplastic diseases. Three main approaches, mutation compensation, molecular chemotherapy and genetic immunopotentiation, have been undertaken. Mutation compensation relies on strategies to ablate activated oncogenes at the level of DNA (triplex), messenger RNA (antisense or ribozyme) or protein (intracellular single chain antibodies), and augment tumour suppressor gene expression. Molecular chemotherapy uses the delivery of a toxin gene to tumour cells for eradication. This can be accomplished by either transductional targeting, whereby the toxin is specifically delivered to the tumour, or by transcriptional targeting, whereby tumour-specific transcriptional activators are employed selectively to ‘turn on’ the toxin gene exclusively within the tumour. Genetic immunopotentiation refers to treatment based on the induction of a specific immune response against tumour-associated antigens (TAAs). The main...
The control of stoichiometry in epitaxial semiconductor structures: interfacial chemistry—property relations

Summary A workshop on the control of stoichiometry in epitaxial semiconductor structures was held on 12–26 August, 1995 at Vesser in Germany1. The secluded location of the workshop in the forest of Thuringia and its informal style stimulated extensive private discussions among the participants and promoted new contacts between young scientists from Eastern and Western Europe and the USA. Topics addressed by the presentations were interactions of precursors to heteroepitaxy and doping with the substrate surface, the control of interfacial properties under the conditions of heteroexpitaxy for selected materials systems, methods of characterization of interfaces and native point defects in semiconductor heterostructures and an in-depth evaluation of the present status of the control and the characterization of the point defect chemistry for one specific semiconductor (ZnGeP2), including studies of both heterostructures and bulk single crystals. The selected examples of presentations and comments given here represent individual choices—made by the author—to highlight major points of the discussions.
ORNL_SAS: software for calculation of small-angle scattering intensities of proteins and protein complexes

The program ORNL_SAS calculates solution small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering intensity profiles from a wide variety of structures, including atomic-resolution models of proteins and protein complexes, low-resolution models defined in any manner, or combinations of both. ORNL_SAS is capable of simultaneously generating multiple intensity profiles, such as a contrast-variation series, and evaluating the quality of the fit of the model profiles to experimental data in a single run of the program. The capabilities of the widely applicable approach make it possible to use ORNL_SAS as the intensity calculation engine of model-building applications for small-angle scattering data.
A research note on supportive and defensive communication: An empirical study of three verbal interpersonal communication variables

The concepts of supportive and defensive affective states are ubiquitous in the field of interpersonal communication, but rarely have any specific verbal causes of these states been examined. This study investigates the effect on supportiveness and defensiveness of three verbal variables: (1) provisional versus certainty verbs, (2) positive versus negative feedback content, and (3) ownership of statements by the use of “I‐You” pronoun constructions. The study found that provisional verbs are seen as more supportive in negative statements and certainty verbs more supportive in positive statements, positive feedback produces more supportiveness than negative, and literal “I‐You” pronoun constructions are seen as mare supportive in both positive and negative statements. No difference was seen in subjects on the basis of gender.
On the trade-off between speed and resiliency of Flash worms and similar malcodes

We formulate and investigate the problem of finding a fast and resilient propagation topology and propagation schedule for Flash worms and similar malcodes. Resiliency means a very large proportion of infectable targets are still infected no matter which fraction of targets are not infectable. There is an intrinsic tradeoff between speed and resiliency, since resiliency requires transmission redundancy which slows down the malcode. To investigate this problem formally, we need an analytical model. We first show that, under a moderately general analytical model, the problem of optimizing propagation time is NP-hard. This fact justifies the need for a simpler model, which we present next. In this simplified model, we present an optimal propagation topology and schedule, which is then shown by simulation to be even faster than the Flash worm. Moreover, our worm is faster even when the source has much less bandwidth capacity. We also show that for every preemptive schedule there exists a non-preemptive schedule which is just as effective. This fact greatly simplifies the optimization problem. In terms of the aforementioned tradeoff, we give a propagation topology based on extractor graphs which can reduce the infection time linearly while keeping the expected number of infected nodes exponentially close to optimal.
A critical analysis of interstellar Zn and Cr as galactic abundance benchmarks for quasar absorbers

We present interstellar gas-phase abundances of zinc and chromium in the Milky Way for comparison with the abundances of these elements in damped Ly-alpha systems at redshifts near z approximately 2. We make use of both IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer) and GHRS (Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph) archival information in deriving the Milky Way values and find that the average difference in (Zn/H) and (Cr/Zn) between the Milky Way and damped Ly-alpha systems at large N(H1) is about 0.9 dex. The Zn/H values we find for the Milky Way are approximately -0.2 to -0.7 dex below solar and are due in large part to depletion of Zn onto dust grains. The amount of this gas-phase depletion is variable and depends upon the H1 column density and molecular fraction of the gas. Milky Way sight lines having low molecular fractions have values of (Zn/H) within approximately 0.2 dex of the solar value. Combined with larger values of (Cr/Zn) found for the damped Ly-alpha systems, this result confirms that measures of (Zn/H) should accurately reflect the lower gas-phase abundances of Zn found in these systems.
Identification of a small-molecule binding site at the dimer interface of the HIV integrase catalytic domain

Integration of the reverse-transcribed HIV cDNA into the host DNA is a required step in viral replication. The virus-encoded integrase protein catalyzes the initial DNA breaking and joining reactions that mediate cDNA integration. Here, the identification by X-ray crystallography of a small-molecule binding site on the integrase catalytic domain is reported. The small-molecule family studied consists of a core of arsenic or phosphorus surrounded by four aromatic groups. Two arsenic derivatives were visualized bound to integrase. In each case, two molecules bound at symmetry-related sites on the catalytic domain dimer interface. The first compound studied, tetraphenyl arsonium, did not inhibit integrase. However, a synthetic compound substituting a catechol for one of the phenyl rings, dihydroxyphenyltriphenylarsonium, bound to the same site and did inhibit the enzyme. Changes in the vicinity of the catalytic site were seen with the inhibitory compound only, potentially explaining its mechanism of action. Further substituting phosphonium for arsonium yielded a compound with an IC50 in the low micromolar range. These findings may be useful in designing new inhibitors of integrase, which is at present the only one of the three HIV enzymes for which clinically useful inhibitors are not available.
Influence of SST Forcing on Stochastic Characteristics of Simulated Precipitation and Drought

Abstract Recent studies demonstrate that ocean–atmosphere forcing by persistent sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies is a primary driver of seasonal-to-interannual hydroclimatic variability, including drought events. Other studies, however, conclude that although SST anomalies influence the timing of drought events, their duration and magnitude over continental regions is largely governed by land–atmosphere feedbacks. Here the authors evaluate the direct influence of SST anomalies on the stochastic characteristics of precipitation and drought in two ensembles of AGCM simulations forced with observed (interannually varying) monthly SST and their climatological annual cycle, respectively. Results demonstrate that ocean–atmosphere forcing contributes to the magnitude and persistence of simulated seasonal precipitation anomalies throughout the tropics but over few mid- and high-latitude regions. Significant autocorrelation of simulated seasonal anomalies over oceans is directly forced by persistent SST ano...
Data base system for AI applications

The design and implementation of a high level, "algol-family" AI language incorporating a flexible data base facility is under way at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Called Telos, the language is Pascal-based and is first being implemented on a multiprocessor Univac 1110 with Pascal also being used as the implementation language. The philosophy of Pascal, to provide a minimal set of features conducive to good program structure, has been carried over into the Telos extensions as much as possible.
A ramp-heated plate method for measuring heat and water vapour transport in seats

In this paper, an experimental ramp method is presented which was used to quantify the capability of an automotive seat to move heat and moisture away from its surface. The method involved placing an indenter on a seat cushion for a fixed time period. Average heat and mass transfer rates were measured to compare seats. In addition, an effective effusivity was defined and measured to quantify the seat's thermal property.The ramp method was used to compare the difference in dry ventilated and dry non—ventilated seats. An increase of 82 per cent in heat transfer was observed. The ventilated and non—ventilated seat effusivities were 440 W s1/2/m2 K and 292 W s1/2/m2 K respectively. In comparing wet ventilated with wet non—ventilated seats, an increase of 60–94 per cent in mass transfer was observed. Also, the method was used to compare the difference in positive—pressure and negative—pressure ventilation systems. The positive—pressure system demonstrated an increase over the negative—pressure system in dry he...
Compact, low cost CMOS integrated SPR biosensor system

In this report, we propose a low cost, single chip, point of care CMOS integrated localized surface Plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor system. This system is composed of three unique functional layers in which two layers are integrated on to a single chip using conventional CMOS fabrication process to cut down the cost and improve the system sensitivity. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations of nanohole array for before and after binding of antigen-antibody pairs gave a 10% change in the CMOS image sensor (CIS) response.
Synthesis and kinetics of biodiesel formation via calcium methoxide base catalyzed transesterification reaction in the absence and presence of ultrasound

Abstract The transesterification of soybean oil using calcium methoxide as solid base catalyst and the process parameters affecting the yield of biodiesel such as the catalyst concentration, methanol/oil molar ratio and the reaction temperature were investigated in detail. The results showed that the yield of biodiesel in excess of 90% was achieved within 90 min using 1% catalyst loading, 9:1 methanol/oil molar ratio and 65 °C reaction temperature. In addition, the effects of catalyst storage time on its activity for transesterification reaction and ultrasound at 20 kHz and 611 kHz frequencies on the yield of biodiesel were also evaluated. TGA–DSC and BET studies showed that the catalyst has good thermal stability and high surface area, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanism of this heterogeneously catalyzed transesterification system with and without ultrasonication was demonstrated to be a two-step reaction in which mass-transfer controlled regime is accompanied by kinetically controlled regime with both regimes following pseudo first order reaction kinetics.
Effect of stress during aging on the precipitation of θ′ in Al-4 Wt pct Cu

Experiments have been made on Al-4 wt pct Cu single crystals to determine the influence of stress, applied during aging, on precipitation. Without stress, θ platelets precipitate on all (100) planes. Transmission electron microscopy showed a marked effect of aging stress on the microstructure. A compressive stress of approximately 48 MPa (∼ 7,000 psi) parallel to [001] favored precipitation on (010) and (100) and inhibited precipitation on (001). When a tensile stress of similar magnitude was applied parallel to [001], precipitation was favored on (001) and inhibited on (010) and (100).
EVIDENCE FOR THE STRESS-THERMAL RULE IN AN ELASTOMER SUBJECTED TO SIMPLE ELONGATION

Anisotropic thermal diffusivity is examined in a cross-linked silicone elastomer deformed in simple elongation. Thermal diffusivity both parallel and perpendicular to the stretch direction is measured using an optical technique called forced Rayleigh scattering. The thermal diffusivity is found to increase linearly with stretch ratio to a value 10% larger than the equilibrium value for a stretch ratio of two. Measurements of the birefringence and tensile stress were used to evaluate the stress-optic rule, which was found to be valid. The difference between measured thermal diffusivities parallel and perpendicular to the stretch direction and tensile stress data were used to show the thermal conductivity and stress tensors are linearly related. These data appear to be the first direct evaluation of the stress-thermal rule in a deformed polymeric material.
A NEW LOOK AT BUDGETING FROM THE STANDPOINT OF LINEAR PROGRAMMING

This paper will take a new look at budgeting. It will be argued that with the development of linear programming, budgeting can be seen to have several disadvantages as a research tool. The development of linear programming as an aid to farm management research will then be examined. This examination will lead to the development of a slight refinement of conventional budgeting methods. This refinement may reasonably be termed parametric budgeting.
Judgement post-stratification with imprecise rankings.

SUMMARY. Judgement post-stratification, which is based on ideas similar to those in ranked set sampling, relies on the ability of a ranker to forecast the ranks of potential observations on a set of units. In practice, the authors sometimes find it difficult to assign these ranks. This note shows how one can borrow techniques from the literature on finite population sampling to allow a probabilistic ranking of the units in a set, thus facilitating use of these sampling plans and improving estimation. The same techniques provide one approach to estimation using a judgement post-stratified sample with multiple rankers. The technique is illustrated on allometric data relating brain weight to body weight in different species of mammals, and on a study of student performance in graduate school.
Analysis of the products of thermal decomposition of an aromatic polyamide fabric

The thermal degradation of an aromatic polyamide was studied under conditions of pyrolysis and oxidative degradation at 550°C and of flaming combustion. Techniques described elsewhere were used to determine the volatile compounds quantitatively by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The condensible material and the solid residue were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and MS, and in pyrolysis experiments 28 compounds were identified (CO, CO2, H2O, and C6H5CN were the primary products). Collectively, these compounds accounted for 79% of the sample weight loss. The remaining 21% was a condensible material that contained at least 17 compounds; the two major components were 1,3-dicyanobenzene and 3-cyanobenzoic acid. Most of the nitrogen content of the polymer remained as involatile residue. This study was sufficiently detailed to obtain a mass balance between the composition of the original polymer and the sum of the observed pyrolysis products. The major products observed in pyrolysis experiments supported a mechanism that involved the cleavage of an aromatic-NH bond and the loss of H2O to form aromatic nitriles. Hydrolysis of the amide linkage, followed by decarboxylation of the product acid, accounted for the high concentrations of CO2 observed. Oxidative degradation at 450°C yielded ten identifiable compounds and an additional 19 volatile compounds were formed at 550°C. The condensible fraction, which contained at least 20 compounds, was similar in composition to the fraction collected from the pyrolysis experiments. The sum of the carbon content from the two major volatile products of oxidative degradation (CO and CO2) and from the solid residue quantitatively accounted for the carbon content in the original sample. Flaming combustion studies revealed a markedly different product distribution than was observed under nonflaming conditions, especially in regard to the higher-molecular-weight species.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Children: Impact of the Underlying Disease

Glucocorticoids inhibit osteoblasts through multiple mechanisms, which results in significant reductions in bone formation. The growing skeleton may be especially vulnerable to adverse glucocorticoid effects on bone formation, which could possibly compromise trabecular and cortical bone accretion. Although decreased bone mineral density has been described in various pediatric disorders that require glucocorticoids, and a population-based study reported increased fracture risk in children who require >4 courses of glucocorticoids, some of the detrimental bone effects attributed to glucocorticoids may be caused by the underlying inflammatory disease. For example, inflammatory cytokines that are elevated in chronic disease, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, suppress bone formation and promote bone resorption through mechanisms similar to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Summarized in this review are changes in bone density and dimensions during growth, the effects of glucocorticoids and cytokines on bone cells, the potential confounding effects of the underlying inflammatory-disease process, and the challenges in interpreting dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry results in children with altered growth and development in the setting of glucocorticoid therapy. Two recent studies of children treated with chronic glucocorticoids highlight the differences in the effect of underlying disease, as well as the importance of associated alterations in growth and development.
TRACON: interference-aware scheduling for data-intensive applications in virtualized environments

Large-scale data centers leverage virtualization technology to achieve excellent resource utilization, scalability, and high availability. Ideally, the performance of an application running inside a virtual machine (VM) shall be independent of co-located applications and VMs that share the physical machine. However, adverse interference effects exist and are especially severe for data-intensive applications in such vir-tualized environments. In this work, we present TRACON, a novel Task and Resource Allocation CONtrol framework that mitigates the interference effects from concurrent data-intensive applications and greatly improves the overall system performance. TRACON utilizes modeling and control techniques from statistical machine learning and consists of three major components: the interference prediction model that infers application performance from resource consumption observed from different VMs, the interference-aware scheduler that is designed to utilize the model for effective resource management, and the task and resource monitor that collects application characteristics at the runtime for model adaption. We simulate TRACON with a wide variety of data-intensive applications including bioinformatics, data mining, video processing, email and web servers, etc. The evaluation results show that TRACON can achieve up to 50% improvement on application runtime, and up to 80% on I/O throughput for data-intensive applications in virtu-alized data centers.
Influence of surgical strategies on outcome after the Norwood procedure

Objective The study objective was to identify how the evolution of surgical strategies influenced the outcome after the Norwood procedure. Methods From 1992 to 2004, 367 patients underwent the Norwood procedure (median age, 4 days). Three surgical strategies were identified on the basis of arch reconstruction and source of pulmonary blood flow. The arch was refashioned without extra material in group A (n = 148). The arch was reconstructed with a pulmonary artery homograft patch in groups B (n = 145) and C (n = 74). Pulmonary blood flow was supplied by a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in groups A and B. Pulmonary blood flow was supplied by a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in group C. Early mortality, actuarial survival, and freedom from arch reintervention or pulmonary artery patch augmentation were analyzed. Results Early mortality was 28% (n = 102). Actuarial survival was 62% ± 3% at 6 months. Early mortality was lower in group C (15%) than group A (31%) or group B (31%; P P P =.71). One hundred patients (27%) required subsequent pulmonary artery patch augmentation. Freedom from patch augmentation was 61% ± 3% at 1 year, and was lower in group C (3% ± 3%) than group A (80% ± 4%) or group B (72% ± 5%; P Conclusions Survival after the Norwood procedure improved after the introduction of a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit, but a greater proportion of patients required subsequent pulmonary artery patch augmentation. The type of arch reconstruction did not affect the incidence of arch reintervention.
Radioimmunoassays of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine (mescaline) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl-isopropylamine(DOM)☆

Abstract Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) and N -succinylmescaline were coupled to human serum albumin with carbodiimide. DOM (2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenylisopropylamine) was linked to human serum albumin by reaction with glutaraldehyde. These conjugates were used for immunization of rabbits. Derivatives of mescaline [ N -(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenethyl)-4-hydroxyphenylacetamide] and of DOM [ N -(2′,5′-dimethoxy-4′-methylphenylisopropyl)-4-hydroxyphenylacetamide], which could be iodinated to high specific activity, were synthesized. The antibodies bound specifically to these iodinated compounds. In competition experiments with a mescaline antiserum, 6 pmoles of mescaline inhibited 50%; with a DOM antiserum, 50% inhibition was observed with 118 pmoles of DOM. Thus, 100 pg of mescaline and 2 ng of DOM can be detected. The specificity of both antibodies is such that structurally related molecules, such as p -methoxy-phenethylamine or 3-methoxytyramine, are several orders of magnitude less effective as inhibitors than the parent molecules. With the use of antimescaline, it was determined that mescaline administered intravenously to rabbits disappeared rapidly from the circulation. The acid was identified as the major metabolite in the serum and urine of these animals.
CLIOMETRICS AND THE COLLEGES: The Campus Condition, 1880 to 1910

The use of statistics and ratios of institutional performance has become integral to the study of organizations in higher education. Unfortunately, analyses have been limited becausehegis data and other comprehensive statistical bases have been compiled only for recent years. This study advances the notion of cliometrics—historical statistics — as a strategy for joining the study of the past and present condition of colleges and universities. To illustrate the applications of cliometrics, case studies of enrollment, retention, and attrition for the period 1880 to 1910 at Amherst, Harvard, Transylvania, Kentucky, and The College of William and Mary were summarized. The residual finding is that careful analysis of each institution's retention profiles prompts researchers to rethink the conventional wisdom about going to college as a cohesive, four-year experience a century ago.
Insights to repository performance through study of a nuclear test site

Underground nuclear test sites offer an unprecedented opportunity to evaluate processes relevant to high-level waste repository performance in the absence of engineered barriers. Radionuclide migration programs at the Nevada Test Site represent a twenty-five year systematic investigation of the diverse radiologic source terms residual from weapons testing and the evolution of the hydrologic source term which comprises those radionuclides dissolved in or otherwise available for transport by groundwater. The Nevada Test Site shares actinide source terms, correlative geology, an identical tectonic setting, similar climate, and a thick unsaturated zone with the adjacent potential Yucca Mountain high-level waste repository and provides a natural laboratory to assess long-term radionuclide transport in the near field. Analog studies may ultimately help validate predictions of radionuclide transport from the potential Yucca Mountain repository.
Constraining decaying dark matter

Abstract We revisited the decaying dark matter (DDM) model, in which one collisionless particle decays early into two collisionless particles, that are potentially dark matter particles today. The effect of DDM will be manifested in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and structure formation. With a systematic modification of CMB calculation tool camb , we can numerically calculate this effect, and compare it to observations. Further Markov Chain Monte Carlo cosmomc runnings update the constraints in that model: the free streaming length λ FS ≲ 0.5 Mpc for nonrelativistic decay, and ( M DDM keV Y ) 2 T d yr ≲ 5 × 10 − 5 for relativistic decay.
Temporal integration at 6 kHz as a function of masker bandwidth

Thresholds were measured for a 6-kHz sinusoidal signal presented within a 500-ms masker. The masker was either a bandpass Gaussian noise of varying bandwidth, or a sinusoid of the same frequency as the signal. The spectrum level of the noise masker was kept constant at 20 dB SPL, and the level of the sinusoidal masker was 40 dB SPL. Thresholds for signal durations between 2 and 300 ms were measured for masker bandwidths ranging from 60 to 12 000 Hz. The masker was spectrally centered around 6 kHz. For masker bandwidths less than 600 Hz, the slope of the temporal integration function decreased with decreasing masker bandwidth. The results are not consistent with current models of temporal integration or temporal resolution. It is suggested that the results at narrow bandwidths can be understood in terms of changes in the power spectrum of the stimulus envelope or modulation spectrum. According to this view, the onset and offset ramps of the signal introduce detectable high-frequency components into the modulation spectrum, which provide a salient cue in narrowband maskers. For broadband maskers, these high-frequency components are masked by the inherent rapid fluctuations in the masker envelope. Additionally, for signal durations between 7 and 80 ms, signal thresholds decreased by up to 5 dB as the masker bandwidth increased from 1200 to 12 000 Hz. The mechanisms underlying this effect are not yet fully understood.
Identifying the Confounders of Marginalization and Mortality in Mexico, 2003–2007

Confounders alter any predicted outcome by modifying the relationship between cause and consequence. Confounders can appear in different proportions inside a population and their effect might not be the same for different geographic regions. This paper focuses on establishing the impact of the marginalization index and confounders like migration and percentage of indigenous population on a municipality’s mortality rate. Data come from the 2003–2007 Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Geografia death records and the 2005 Marginalization Index from the Consejo Nacional de Poblacion. WLS regressions of age-adjusted mortality rates on the index as a whole and on seven of its nine components are calculated to measure the impact of these confounders. Overall, results were mixed for municipalities with a higher level of marginalization. Percentage of indigenous population is the most consistent confounder throughout the analysis. The results show the difficulty of quantifying confounders accurately but open the door for further refinement.
Sphingobacterium sp. strain PM2-P1-29 harbours a functional tet(X) gene encoding for the degradation of tetracycline.

Aims: The tet(X) gene has previously been found in obligate anaerobic Bacteroides spp., which is curious because tet(X) encodes for a NADP-dependent monooxygenase that requires oxygen to degrade tetracycline. In this study, we characterized a tetracycline resistant, aerobic, Gram-negative Sphingobacterium sp. strain PM2-P1-29 that harbours a tet(X) gene. Methods and Results: Sphingobacterium sp. PM2-P1-29 demonstrated the ability to transform tetracycline compared with killed controls. The presence of the tet(X) gene was verified by PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis. Additional nucleotide sequence analysis of regions flanking the tet(X) gene revealed a mobilizable transposon-like element (Tn6031) that shared organizational features and genes with the previously described Bacteroides conjugative transposon CTnDOT. A circular transposition intermediate of the tet(X) region, characteristic of mobilizable transposons, was detected. However, we could not demonstrate the conjugal transfer of the tet(X) gene using three different recipient strains and numerous experimental conditions. Conclusions: This study suggests that Sphingobacterium sp. PM2-P1-29 or a related bacterium may be an ancestral source of the tet(X) gene. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study demonstrates the importance of environmental bacteria and lateral gene transfer in the dissemination and proliferation of antibiotic resistance among bacteria.
Infrared Spectrum of Stannous Oxide (SnO)

Abstract A tunable diode laser has been used to measure the infrared spectrum of stannous oxide (SnO) in the gas phase between 830 and 868 cm −1 . Measurements of the v = 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, and 4-3 transitions have been made at temperatures ranging from 930 to 1150°C. Over 175 infrared transitions of the nine most abundant SnO isotopic species have been combined with microwave measurements reported by others in a single least-squares analysis of the data to yield a set of eight Dunham coefficients for the X 1 Σ + state of SnO. The data have also been fit by a nonlinear least-squares procedure to obtain B e , ω e , and the first five Dunham potential constants. The band center for the vibrational transition of 120 Sn 16 O is found at ν 0 ( v = 1−0) = 814.70249 ± 0.00027 cm −1 .
Esterification of Fatty Acids in Greases to Fatty Acid Methyl Esters with Highly Active Diphenylamine Salts

Diphenylamine sulfate (DPAS) and diphenylamine hydrochloride (DPACl) salts were found to be highly active catalysts for esterification and substantial transesterification of inexpensive greases to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). In the presence of catalytic amounts of DPAS or DPACl and excess methanol, the free fatty acids as well as the acylglycerols in waste greases were converted to FAME at 125 °C within 1 h. Although the DPAS and DPACl catalysts were found to have similar catalytic activities to their parent liquid acids (i.e., sulfuric and hydrochloric acids) the diphenylammonium salts are much easier to work with than concentrated liquid acids.
Human epidermal transamidase.

The possible presence of ϵ-(γ-glutamyl)lysine covalent bonds in human epidermal proteins prompted a study of transamidase activity in human hair-free epidermis. Callus contains an enzyme which catalyzes the incorporation of radioactive putrescine into α-casein. The enzyme is active without prior treatment with exogenous proteolytic enzymes. The putrescine incorporation is calcium dependent and inhibited by iodoacetamide. The enzyme was partially purified (50-fold over starting material), and has an apparent molecular weight between 50,000 daltons and 55,000 daltons by agarose 0.5m gel filtration. The apparent molecular weight is unaltered by chromatography in the presence of 11 mm CaCl 2 , a condition known to dissociate plasma transglutaminase (Factor XIII) into its ultimate subunits. The enzyme is active over a wide pH range up to pH 10.4. The K m for putrescine varies by 1-fold over the pH range 6.0 to 10.2, although enzyme activity increases at least 20-fold over the same pH range. The human epidermal transamidase is similar to the guinea-pig hair follicle transglutaminase and cow snout transamidase in its ability to cross-link fibrin.
Localization and electron-electron interaction effects in thin Au-Pd films and wires.

We have conducted extensive measurements of the low-temperature magnetoresistance of thin Au-Pd films and very-small-diameter Au-Pd wires. These results have been used to determine the importance of localization and electron-electron interaction effects in these systems. The magnetoresistance in the small magnetic fields employed in this work (l10 kG) appears to be due predominantly to localization. However, both localization and interactions contribute to the variation of the resistance with temperature in zero field, with interactions generally being dominant. From the measurements as a function of magnetic field, we have determined the inelastic scattering time, ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{i}$, the magnetic impurity scattering time, ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{s}$, and have placed an upper limit on the spin-orbit scattering time, ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{so}}$. We find that ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{s}$ is essentially the same for the films and wires, as expected since this is predicted to be a material (i.e., bulk) property which should be independent of dimensionality. The upper limits on ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{so}}$ in one and two dimensions are also consistent. In contrast ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{i}$ depends on the dimensionality of the sample, and has distinctly different temperature dependences in the two cases. In the films it appears to be due to electron-electron scattering in the presence of disorder in the two-dimensional limit, while in the wires it is due to the one-dimensional version of this scattering mechanism.
Reduced gravity boiling and condensing experiments simulated with the COBRA/TRAC computer code

A series of reduced-gravity two-phase flow experiments has been conducted with a boiler/condenser apparatus in the NASA KC-135 aircraft in order to obtain basic thermal-hydraulic data applicable to analytical design tools. Several test points from the KC-135 tests were selected for simulation by means of the COBRA/TRAC two-fluid, three-field thermal-hydraulic computer code; the points were chosen for a 25-90 percent void-fraction range. The possible causes for the lack of agreement noted between simulations and experiments are explored, with attention to the physical characteristics of two-phase flow in one-G and near-zero-G conditions.
Avoiding Misinterpretations of Piaget and Vygotsky: Mathematical Teaching without Learning, Learning without Teaching, or Helpful Learning-Path Teaching?.

Abstract This article provides an overview of some perspectives about special issues in classroom mathematical teaching and learning that have stemmed from the huge explosion of research in children's mathematical thinking stimulated by Piaget. It concentrates on issues that are particularly important for less-advanced learners and for those who might be having special difficulties in learning mathematics. A major goal of the article is to develop a framework for understanding what effective mathematics teaching and learning is, because doing so is so important for struggling students and for research about them. Piaget's research had a fundamental influence on the on-going tension between understanding and fluency in the classroom, supporting efforts toward increasing understanding. But in some countries, misinterpretations of Piaget led to practices that are counterproductive for children, especially struggling learners. Such misinterpretations are identified and a more balanced approach that also draws on Vygotsky is described—a learning-path developmentally-appropriate learning/teaching approach.
Structure and Morphology of Poly(isobenzofuran) Films Grown by Hot-Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition

We describe hot-filament chemical vapor deposition of poly(isobenzofuran) (PIBF) films and characterize their chemical structure and surface morphology. The precursor monomer, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxynaphthalene, is pyrolyzed by flowing it over an array of hot filaments held at three different temperatures (680, 738, and 800 °C). The produced intermediate, isobenzofuran (IBF), is deposited onto a silicon substrate as thin films of PIBF. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the films prepared at 800 °C possess a chemical structure and a composition different from those prepared at lower filament temperatures (680 and 738 °C). Increasing filament temperature also leads to the formation of defect domains in the polymer films. By atomic force microscopy, we observe a decrease in surface roughness and in the average size of polymer grains in PIBF domains as the filament temperature is increased. Defect domains exhibit a rougher surface as well as larger...
Acute toxicity of mercury and selenium to Crassostrea gigas embryos and Cancer magister larvae

The possible modification of mercury toxicity by selenium in embryos of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas and the larvae of the crab Cancer magister was investigated. Mercury concentration eliciting abnormal development in 50% of the oyster embryos (EC50) was 5.7 μg l-1 (48 h) and mortality in 50% of the crab larvae (LC50) occurred with 6.6 μg l-1 (96 h). The 48 h EC50 for selenium was greater than 10,000 μg l-1 for oyster embryos and the 96 h LC50 for crab zoeae was 1040 μg l-1. The response from each species, when exposed to both toxicants, revealed, that a high level of selenium (≥5,000 μg l-1) increased mercury toxicity. Moderate selenium concentrations (10 to 1,000 μg l-1) tended to decrease mercury toxicity, although no statistical verification could be made. The order of administration of toxicants had no effect on the response of Crassostrea gigas embryos. Early developmental stages (≤8 h) of C. gigas embryos were most sensitive to dissolved Hg; toxicant administration 24 h after fertilization resulted in no apparent abnormalities in development.
Coyotes, Migration Duration, and Remittances

The migration of Mexican immigrants to the U.S. is one of the largest bilateral migration flows in the world and remittances from these immigrants represent a crucial source of income for Mexican households. As the United States tightens controls on illegal migration, this may impact both migration durations and remittances. Tighter borders increase crossing costs, often because migrants need to pay smugglers (coyotes). Using data from the Mexican Migration Project, we find that higher crossing costs increase the probability of remitting, the remittance rate and the duration of stay as undocumented workers pay off the crossing debt. If immigrants did not incur these crossing debts then more of their earnings could be spent in the United States or by their households in Mexico on productive activities and durations in the U.S. might be lessened at the margin. This suggests some potential gain to both the U.S. and Mexican economies through expanding guest worker programs and consequently reducing the hiring of coyotes.
Thermal conductivity of sea water

Abstract Measurements of the thermal conductivity of natural sea water as a function of temperature, pressure, and salinity show: (1) very little dependence on salinity; (2) variation with pressure of between 6 and 7%/kbar; and (3) variation with temperature of about 0·3%/°C. A table of values and formulae suitable for computation are presented.
Multifactorial comparison of disk displacement with and without reduction to normals according to temporomandibular joint hard tissue anatomic relationships.

Abstract Statement of Problem. There is disagreement about the predictive value of temporomandibular joint tomographic anatomy in the diagnosis of internal derangements. Purpose. This study aimed to identify multifactorial temporomandibular hard tissue relationships that differentiate disk displacement with reduction and disk displacement without reduction from normals. Material and Methods. Temporomandibular joint tomograms from females diagnosed with unilateral disk displacement with (n=84) or without (n=78) reduction were compared to 42 asymptomatic normal joints with the use of 14 linear and angular measurements and 8 ratios. A validated classification tree model was tested for accuracy with sensitivity, specificity, goodness of fit, and the amount of log likelihood accounted for. The tree model was compared with a multiple logistic regression model and univariate testing. Results. The disk displacement with reduction tree model consisted of 3 disease and 2 normal pathways with interactions between fossa width to depth ratio, condyle position, and linear posterior joint space. This class was characterized by either a much wider- and shallower-than-average fossa shape and/or by a moderately posterior condyle position when the fossa shape was average to deeper and/or narrower. The logistic regression and univariate models also suggested wider and/or shallower fossae, as well as longer eminence length. The disk displacement without reduction tree model consisted of 2 disease pathways and 1 normal pathway. Interactions characterized this class by either a posterior to very posterior condyle position or by a much deeper than average fossa depth when the condyle position was concentric to anterior. The logistic regression model emphasized greater fossa depth and width versus normals. The tree models conservatively predicted the disease classes: Rescaled Cox and Snell R 2 37.0%, sensitivity 70.2%, and specificity 90.5% for disk displacement with reduction; R 2 28.8%, sensitivity 66.7%, and specificity 85.7% for disk displacement without reduction. Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, hard tissue relationships revealed by central tomogram sections were able to model notable differences between disk displacement with reduction and disk displacement without reduction versus asymptomatic normals when temporomandibular joints were examined as a multifactorial system typified by interactions of fossa width to depth proportions and condyle position. While substantial, the hard tissue predicted only part of the biology. The model could be broadened by additional factors and interactions. (J Prosthet Dent 2002;87:298-310.)
Improved switching rules in control procedures using variable sampling intervals

Some properties of control procedures with variable sampling intervals (VSI) have been investigated in recent years by Amin, Renolds et al, and others. Such procedures have been shown to be more efficient when compared to the corresponding fixed sampling interval (FSI) charts with respect to the Average Time to Signal (ATS) when the Average Run Length (ARL) values for both types of procedures are held equal. Frequent switching between the different sampling intervals can be a complicating factor in the application of control charts with variable sampling intervals (VSI). This problem is being addressed in this article, and improved switching rules are presented and evaluated for Shewhart, CUSUM, and EWMA control procedures. The proposed rules considerably reduce the average number of switches between the sampling intervals and also improve the ATS properties of the control procedures when compared to the conventional variable sampling interval procedures
Association between Mucoid Pseudomonas Infection and Bronchiectasis in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Although studies have linked, mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa to deteriorating pulmonary function and early mortality, to our knowledge, this is the first observation that irreversible lung structural damage is specifically associated with mucoid P aeruginosa.