cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wage risk and the Lee, Liaw, and Rahman model

Abstract In an article in this journal, Lee, Liaw, and Rahman assumed systematic price uncertainty and a generalized Cobb-Douglas technology to show that β is negatively related to firm market power and capital intensity. They also showed that market power mitigates the negative effect of capital intensity. This paper demonstrates that these results stem from assuming that price uncertainty is the only source of systematic risk. With wage uncertainty introduced, all the relationships derived by the authors may reverse direction. Furthermore, restriction to a Cobb-Douglas technology is unnecessary because the relationships apply to any homothetic transform of a homogeneous function.
Modeling of Grabens Extending above Evaporites in Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Abstract Grabens in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, began extending above a layer of evaporites when the Colorado River cut through the overburden. Two-dimensional finite element models simulate the effects of geometry and rock properties on graben configuration and spacing. Only those models having a progressively increasing slope or no slope mimicked the natural upslope graben propagation. Typical rock properties produced the most realistic fault patterns: an initial friction angle of 31°, a cohesion of 1 MPa, and strain weakening comprising cohesion loss and decrease of friction angle to 26°. A tensile stress limit narrowed the grabens and reproduced the vertical upper portion of the natural faults. The viscous salt resisted overburden spreading and controlled its rate. Modeled grabens spread at typical rates of 1–2 mm a −1 for a salt viscosity of 1×10 18 Pa s, and the entire system strained at rates from 6.0×10 −14 s −1 to 0.5×10 14 s −1 . The faults bounding a graben formed nearly simultaneously at the top surface and propagated downward. Salt rose beneath the grabens as reactive diapirs. Overburden adjacent to the canyon flexed as salt was expelled and formed an arching horst and graben. A corresponding horst has been found in the field. The model results scale to larger dimensions, except for the steep upper part of the faults. Reduced dimensions create vertical or no faults.
Achieving a Preservation Environment with Data Logging Technology and Microclimates

With digital monitoring devices easy to use, inexpensive, and accurate, even the smallest library can afford to identify and address environmental problems using a microclimate approach. This article describes the capability of data loggers and related software, and provides guidance for their selection and use. It further explains how to interpret the data to arrive at affordable solutions for the most pressing environmental problems by treating a library building not as a monolith but as a number of microclimates. By using this approach, libraries can effect modest and inexpensive environmental changes leading to significant improvement in the preservation of library collections as well as potential health problems for staff and users.
Resolution of brain troponin complex.

Affinity chromatography was used to partially purify the troponin complex from crude regulatory proteins obtained from bovine brain cortex. Three components were obtained from this partially purified troponin complex by treatment with 6 M-urea and 1 mM-EGTA followed by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex-A50. The effects of the three components on skeletal muscle actin activated MgATPase activity of muscle myosin (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3.) suggested that they were analogous to that of the skeletal muscle troponins I, C, and T. The apparent molecular weights of the brain troponin subunits (I, C, and T) were 18, 700, 14, 000 and 36, 400, respectively. The molecular weights of the former two proteins were less than those reported for the analogous skeletal muscle troponins. Thus, brain actomyosin complex may be regulated in a manner similar to that of striated muscle actomyosin.
Zinc Metallo-β-Lactamase from Bacteroides fragilis: A Quantum Chemical Study on Model Systems of the Active Site

Quantum chemical optimizations of the small model systems ([Zn(NH3)3(H2O)]2+, [Zn(NH3)3(OH)]+, [Zn(NH3)(SH) (HCOO)(OH)]-1(H2O) and [Zn(NH3)(SH)(HCOO)(H2O)] (H2O)) were performed at different levels...
Teacher Credentials and Student Achievement: Longitudinal Analysis with Student Fixed Effects.

Abstract We use a rich administrative dataset from North Carolina to explore questions related to the relationship between teacher characteristics and credentials on the one hand and student achievement on the other. Though the basic questions underlying this research are not new—and, indeed, have been explored in many papers over the years within the rubric of the “education production function”—the availability of data on all teachers and students in North Carolina over a 10-year period allows us to explore them in more detail than has been possible in previous studies. We conclude that a teacher's experience, test scores and regular licensure all have positive effects on student achievement, with larger effects for math than for reading. Taken together the various teacher credentials exhibit quite large effects on math achievement, whether compared to the effects of changes in class size or to the socio-economic characteristics of students.
Using habitat to quantify ecological effects of restoration and water management alternatives

Abstract The Ecosystem Functions Model (HEC-EFM) is designed to help study teams determine ecosystem responses to changes in the flow regime of a river or connected wetland. HEC-EFM analyses involve: 1) statistical analyses of relationships between hydrology and ecology, 2) hydraulic modeling, and 3) use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Through this process, study teams define existing ecologic conditions, highlight promising restoration sites, and assess alternatives according to predicted ecosystem changes. HEC-EFM has many strengths, most notably it 1) is capable of testing change for many ecological relationships and management scenarios, 2) links ecology with established hydrologic, hydraulic, and GIS tools, and 3) can be applied quickly, inexpensively, and can incorporate expert knowledge. This paper introduces HEC-EFM and describes its use for statistical analyses and habitat mapping. Two examples are provided: Provision of Sacramento splittail minnow spawning habitat, San Joaquin River, California, USA, and cottonwood seedling establishment, Bill Williams River, Arizona, USA.
Positivity and symmetry of nonnegative solutions of semilinear elliptic equations on planar domains

Abstract We consider the Dirichlet problem for the semilinear equation Δ u + f ( u ) = 0 on a bounded domain Ω ⊂ R N . We assume that Ω is convex in a direction e and symmetric about the hyperplane H = { x ∈ R N : x ⋅ e = 0 } . It is known that if N ⩾ 2 and Ω is of class C 2 , then any nonzero nonnegative solution is necessarily strictly positive and, consequently, it is reflectionally symmetric about H and decreasing in the direction e on the set { x ∈ Ω : x ⋅ e > 0 } . In this paper, we prove the same result for a large class of nonsmooth planar domains. In particular, the result is valid if any of the following additional conditions on Ω holds: (i) Ω is convex (not necessarily symmetric) in the direction perpendicular to e, (ii) Ω is strictly convex in the direction e, (iii) Ω is piecewise- C 1 , 1 .
Some Elegant Derivations Employing Generalized Functions

This note presents three derivations utilizing generalized function theory. These derivations are much more straightforward than are those employing conventional techniques which illustrate the power of generalized function theory.
Residual Vibration Reduction With Commanded Motion Optimization

Residual vibrations affect machines at the end of commanded motion and represent an amplification factor for the work cycle. Furthermore, in repetitive cyclic movements, residual vibrations can lead to an important degeneration of the executed motion, due to a summation effect of undesired dynamic phenomena. For these reasons, the problem of residual vibrations is widely studied in literature and it is faced with different techniques. A first type of approach consists in the production of a structural device realized with proper mechanical solutions devoted to avoid the sources of vibrations. The second approach consists in introducing passive/active physical elements able to attenuate vibrations, by passively consuming their mechanical power or by actively counteracting them with external mechanical power. A third approach is the smart definition of the motion profile of each machine movable part to minimize the vibrational effects. The proposed work is addressed in this direction, with an optimization approach based on the Fourier transformation of the motion profile. More precisely, the natural frequencies of the system are evaluated through experimental tests, the designed motion profile is transformed with a Fourier analysis, a band around the natural frequencies of the system is suppressed from the motion profile spectrum, an antitransformation is implemented to obtain a temporal function, and, finally, a proper optimization is implemented to respect desired kinematical constraints. Experimental results confirmed a significant improvement, in terms of residual vibrations, with respect to the state of the art of motion profiles specifically designed for residual vibrations reduction.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Infectious ideas: US political responses to the AIDS crisis

Infectious ideas: US political responses to the AIDS crisis, by Jennifer Brier, Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina Press, 2009, 289 pp., US$36.95 (cloth), ISBN 978-0-8078-3314-8 Jennifer...
Effects of DC cable routing in immunity testing

The main objective of the International Electro technical Commission (IEC) immunity series testing is to establish a common and reproducible basis for evaluating the performance of electrical and electronic equipment when subjected to electromagnetic disturbances. Even though IEC immunity standards do mention about power cables, they primarily refer to the alternating current (AC) cable. There is no defined routing specified for the direct current (DC) cable. For typical electrical and electronic products which are powered through an external power adapter, the length of the DC cable may range somewhere between 1.5 and 2 meters. Repeatability and reproducibility are a challenge if this length of DC cable is not routed consistently. This paper highlights the importance of consistent cable routing when performing immunity series of testing. This paper also addresses how the performance of the product varies with different cable routing configurations. The immunity series considered for this paper encompasses electrical fast transient (EFT) test, conducted radio frequency (RF) field test, and radiated RF field test.
A class of generalised 9-j symbols for Sp(2n)

The symbolic method of Kramers (1930) is used to obtain an expression for a 9-j symbol in terms of multiple products of spinor invariants. This technique is generalised from the unitary (compact) symplectic group Sp(2) to Sp(2n), and a generating function is found for a class of multiplicity-free 9-( sigma ) symbols, where ( sigma ) denotes an irreducible representation of Sp(2n) of the form ( sigma 1 sigma 2 . . sigma n) for which sigma i=0 (i>1). Schwinger's generating function for a 9-j symbol is recovered by setting n=1. A specialisation to 6-( sigma ) symbols is made by setting one of the nine irreducible representations equal to the scalar (00. . .0), and the method is checked by working out a sample 6-( sigma ) symbol previously obtained by an aufbau approach.
Discrimination of isogenic wheat by InSb focal plane array chemical imaging

Waxy wheat lines differ from their non-waxy wild-type counterparts in their function, end use, and their amylopectin and amylose contents. In certain uses, including breadmaking, blending of some waxy (low amylose) wheat flour with that of normal (wild) wheat has been used to advantage. This fact has brought about interest in developing new lines that incorporate desirable traits from both genetic sources. Such prospects are the motivation for this analytical work. Chemical imaging is a convenient way to objectively discriminant between normal wild parent and triple null waxy and potentially to recognize the contribution of the gene of one parent incorporated into a new cultivar. Wavelength-dependent images of kernel cross-sections highlight either of the pure types. PLS and select PCA factor images also provide discrimination. Single null cross products are not discriminated. Spectra from individual endosperm pixels are selected from images to examine details of the chemical microstructure.
The Development of a Turbine Wheel Design Criterion Based Upon Fracture Mechanics

The development of a design criterion based upon fracture mechanics is described in detail. Specifically treated are crack tip plastic zone corrections, proximity effects on a crack adjacent to a free surface, buried and surface cracks, subcritical crack growth, and the effects of a biaxial stress state. Also included is the application of the criterion in predicting several rotor failures.
Interleaved acquisition for cross scatter avoidance in dual cone-beam CT

Purpose: Cone-beam x-rayimaging with flat panel detectors is used for target localization in image guided radiation therapy. This imaging includes cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT) and planar imaging. Use of two orthogonal x-raysystems could reduce imaging time for CBCT, provide simultaneous orthogonal views in planar imaging, facilitate dual-energy methods, and be useful in alleviating cone-beam artifacts by providing two axially offset focal-spot trajectories. However, the potential advantages of a second cone-beam system come at the cost of cross scatter, i.e., scatter of photons originating from one tube into the noncorresponding detector. Herein, cross scatter is characterized for dual cone-beam imaging, and a method for avoiding cross scatter is proposed and evaluated. Methods: A prototype dual-source CBCTsystem has been developed that models the geometry of a gantry-mounted kV imaging device used in radiation therapy. Cross scatter was characterized from 70 to 145 kVp in projections and reconstructed images using this system and three cylindrical phantoms (15, 20, and 30 cm) with a common Catphan core. A novel strategy for avoiding cross scatter in dual CBCT was developed that utilized interleaved data acquisition on each imaging chain. Interleaving, while maintaining similar angular sampling, can be achieved by either doubling the data acquisition rate or, as presented herein, halving the rotation speed. Results: The ratio of cross scatter to the total detected signal was found to be as high as 0.59 in a 30 cm diameter phantom. The measured scatter-to-primary ratio in some cases exceeded 4. In the 30 cm phantom, reconstructed contrast was reduced across all ROIs by an average of 48.7% when cross scatter was present. These cross-scatter degradations were almost entirely avoided by the method of interleaved exposures. Conclusions: Cross scatter is substantial in dual cone-beam imaging, but its effects can be largely removed by interleaved acquisition, which can be achieved at the same angular sampling rate either by doubling the data acquisition rate or halving the rotation speed.
Changes in perception of Middle East counseling students

Counseling practicum students coming from the Middle East were evaluated on changed perceptions using the Semantic Differential. It was found that there were positive differences in pretest and posttests scores on the three concepts used in the study-self as counselor, ideal counselor and peers as counselors. The evaluative factor of the Semantic Differential proved to be more relevant for this sample than either the potency or activity factor.
Looking Forward to Adolescence: Mothers' and Fathers' Expectations for Affective and Behavioral Change

One hundred five parents were surveyed about their expectations for what their relationship with their sixth-grade child would be like when their child becomes an adolescent. Parents rated a series of items concerning how much they felt they could influence their child's behaviors and interests currently and when their child becomes an adolescent. Parents also rated their child's level of pubertal development on several items, as well as the quality of their current relationship with their child Findings suggest that mothers and fathers do not differ in their expectations for how their sons or daughters will change as they move into adolescence. Nevertheless, the relation between the gender of the child and parental expectations, taking the child's pubertal status into account, is mediated by current parent-child relationships in predicting parental expectations for change during adolescence. These findings are discussed in terms of the impact current parent-child relationships can have on future relation...
Electromagnetic momentum and radiation pressure derived from the Fresnel relations

Using the Fresnel relations as axioms, we derive a generalized electromagnetic momentum for a piecewise homogeneous medium and a different generalized momentum for a medium with a spatially varying refractive index in the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) limit. Both generalized momenta depend linearly on the field, but the refractive index appears to different powers due to the difference in translational symmetry. For the case of the slowly varying index, it is demonstrated that there is negligible transfer of momentum from the electromagnetic field to the material. Such a transfer occurs at the interface between the vacuum and a homogeneous material allowing us to derive the radiation pressure from the Fresnel reflection formula. The Lorentz volume force is shown to be nil.
Cusp and butterfly catastrophe modeling of two opponent process models: Drug addiction and work performance

This article concerns a cross-level formal identity between systems at the level of the organism and the level of an organization. It discusses catastrophe modeling for a class of theories, opponent process models, particularly two that have been proposed for drug addiction and the job satisfaction-performance relationship. The resulting models are then expanded to butterfly catastrophes; results converge with models proposed from other vantage points. While job satisfaction and drug addiction appear to have little to do with each other, the mathematical modeling common to them offers a systemic link between an individual and a foreign chemical substance, and an individual within a job in an organization.
Stabilization and H ∞ control of symmetric systems: an explicit solution

Abstract In this paper we address the H ∞ control analysis, the output feedback stabilization, and the output feedback H ∞ control synthesis problems for state-space symmetric systems. Using a particular solution of the Bounded Real Lemma for an open-loop symmetric system we obtain an explicit expression to compute the H ∞ norm of the system. For the output feedback stabilization problem we obtain an explicit parametrization of all asymptotically stabilizing control gains of state-space symmetric systems. For the H ∞ control synthesis problem we derive an explicit expression for the optimally achievable closed-loop H ∞ norm and the optimal control gains. Extension to robust and positive real control of such systems are also examined. These results are obtained from the linear matrix inequality formulations of the stabilization and the H ∞ control synthesis problems using simple matrix algebraic tools.
Reproductive Biology of the Female Blue King Crab Paralithodes Platypus Near the Pribilof Islands, Alaska

ABSTRACT Female blue king crabs, Paralithodes platypus, from the Pribilof Islands, were sampled during each of four seasons to determine whether they spawn each year, as do red king crabs, P. camtschatica, or every other year, as reported for Asian blue king crabs. Based on seasonal changes in two indices of ovarian development (standardized ovary weight and mean oocyte diameter) we found the period between successive spawnings to be two years and the period of embryonic development to be 14-15 months. The fecundity of blue king crabs increases with size according to: E = 241,629-2,632,606 e–0.0280L, where E is fecundity and L is carapace length in mm. Mean length and width of new external eggs are 1.2 mm and 1.0 mm.
Computational analysis of pitch-width effects on the secondary flows of turbine blades

The results of this study provide useful information for evaluation of the secondary flow effects due to the pitch-width ratio influence for the future new turbine blade designs. A three-dimensional computational code using a novel time-marching method was employed for solving time-averaged flows within a turbine blade row. A concept of incorporating dissipation terms into the time derivative terms was proposed to allow the code to have the capability of handling both incompressible and compressible flows. The code was validated by comparing the computational results with experiments in a turbine stator blade passage. The influences of secondary flow in a turbine blade row due to different pitch-width ratios were investigated. Detailed secondary flows as well as loss profiles in different root pitch-width ratio are presented and discussed. This study enhances the knowledge of secondary flows features and benefits the future turbine design.
Immunodeficiency associated with exomphalos-macroglossia-gigantism syndrome

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease was observed with the exomphalosmacroglossia-gigantism(EMG) syndrome in a female infant who died of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and intractable diarrhea. Two male siblings of this patient who died in infancy probably had similar immunodeficiency disease but no overt manifestations of the EMG syndrome. This report considers possible etiologic and pathogenetic relationships between the EMG syndrome and the immunodeficiency disorder.
Experimental Production of Totally Anaemic Newts

ADMINISTRATION of phenylhydrazine to birds and mammals causes severe haemolytic anaemia almost simultaneously accompanied by a compensatory erythropoietic response in the bone marrow. Although this procedure has often been used to obtain large samples of immature erythroid cells, no comparison has been made between the erythropoietic response stimulated by phenylhydrazine treatment and normal red blood cell (RBC) formation. Our intention was to make the comparison in the newt, Triturus viridescens, but although phenylhydrazine produced haemolysis and severe anaemia shortly after injection, there was no immediate erythropoietic response. Instead all erythrocytes were rapidly destroyed. The complete lack of erythrocytes persisted for approximately 2 weeks before any signs of RBC formation were observed. During this time, anaemic animals survived without great difficulty.
Computer-assisted warehouse personnel scheduling

A decision support system is developed for personnel scheduling in a multiple warehouse environment. The system incorporates current manpower level, historical data of workers used, empirical load distributions, and performance standards to generate manpower requirements for a specified planning horizon. The software has been developed to be easily adaptable to varying situational details, therefore is widely applicable in different warehouse settings. The system offers personnel managers a valuable tool for evaluating alternative schedules and making intelligent decisions regarding personnel scheduling in warehouses.
Airborne Doppler lidar measurements

This paper describes recent measurements using coherent Doppler lidars operating at a wavelength of 10.6 microns aboard the NASA Ames Convair 990. The purpose of the measurements was to obtain data on the atmospheric wind fields and the distribution of the backscatter coefficient at 10.6 microns. A decription of the instruments is provided detailing the modifications incorporated following the 1981 test flights of the systems. The measurement program is outlined, and preliminary results are discussed.
Current-density-functional theory of the two-dimensional Wigner crystal in a strong magnetic field.

The ground-state energy of a two-dimensional Wigner crystal of electrons in the lowest Landau level is calculated from current-density functional theory in the projected local-density approximation. From the behavior of the energy as a function of filling factor, an estimate \ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\sim}0.25 is given for the upper filling factor at which the solid-liquid transition occurs. This value is in fairly good agreement with recent experiments.
Transient Thermoelastic Stress Fields in a Half-Space

Computing the thermoelastic stress field of a material subjected to frictional heating is essential for component failure prevention and life prediction. However the analysis for three-dimensional thermoelastic stress field for tribological problems is not well developed. Furthermore, the pressure distribution due to rough surface contact is irregular; hence the frictional heating can hardly be described by an analytical expression. This paper presents a novel set of frequency-domain expressions (frequency response functions) of the thermoelastic stress field of a uniformly moving three-dimensional elastic half-space subjected to arbitrary transient frictional heating, where the velocity of the half-space, its magnitude and direction, can be an arbitrary function of time. General formulas are expressed in the form of time integrals, and important expressions for constant velocities are given for the transient-instantaneous, transient-continuous, and steady-state cases. The thermoelastic stress field inside a translating half-space with constant velocities are illustrated and discussed by using the discrete convolution and fast Fourier transform method when a parabolic type or an irregularly distributed heat source is applied.
Bird population and habitat surveys in urban areas

Abstract Breeding bird populations in six habitats in Columbia, MD, were studied to develop procedures suitable for measuring bird use of residential areas and to identify habitat characteristics that define the distribution of various common bird species. A procedure to measure bird use based on 4-min transect counts on plots measuring 91 m X 91 m proved better than point counts. Transect counts reduced many of the problems associated with counting birds in urban areas, such as varying noise and visibility. Eighty percent of observations were recorded in the first 4 min. Habitat measurement procedures were examined also. It was found that a subsample of woody tree and shrub crown volumes made on 0.2 ha was highly correlated with similar measures made on 0.8-ha plots.
Predicted band-gap pressure coefficients of all diamond and zinc-blende semiconductors: Chemical trends

We have studied systematically the chemical trends of the band-gap pressure coefficients of all group IV, III-V, and II-VI semiconductors using first-principles band-structure method. We have also calculated the individual ``absolute'' deformation potentials of the valence-band maximum (VBM) and conduction-band minimum (CBM). We find that (1) the volume deformation potentials of the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{6c}$ CBM are usually large and always negative, while (2) the volume deformation potentials of the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{8v}$ VBM state are usually small and negative for compounds containing occupied valence d state but positive for compounds without occupied valence d orbitals. Regarding the chemical trends of the band-gap pressure coefficients, we find that (3) ${a}_{p}^{\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ decreases as the ionicity increases (e.g., from $\mathrm{G}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{e}\mathrm{GaA}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{s}\mathrm{ZnSe}),$ (4) ${a}_{p}^{\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ increases significantly as anion atomic number increases (e.g., from $\mathrm{Ga}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{N}\mathrm{Ga}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{P}\mathrm{GaA}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{s}\mathrm{GaSb}),$ (5) ${a}_{p}^{\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ decreases slightly as cation atomic number increases (e.g., from $\mathrm{AlA}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{s}\mathrm{GaA}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{s}\mathrm{InAs}),$ (6) the variation of ${a}_{p}^{\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}L}$ are relatively small and follow similar trends as ${a}_{p}^{\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Gamma}},$ and (7) the magnitude of ${a}_{p}^{\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}X}$ are small and usually negative, but are sometimes slightly positive for compounds containing first-row elements. Our calculated chemical trends are explained in terms of the energy levels of the atomic valence orbitals and coupling between these orbital. In light of the above, we suggest that ``empirical rule'' of the pressure coefficients should be modified.
Social moms and health: a multi-platform analysis of mommy communities

The explosion of online social media has increased people's ability to share content and link with others, thus allowing diverse communities to emerge naturally as a product of interaction among participants. Mothers have certainly not been foreign to this development. Many have embraced the new technology to share experiences, thoughts, current events, reactions, and tips with their peers. Recognizing the role of mothers as decision-makers in their families, especially in the context of health, we focus our attention on "mommy-communities" in Twitter and the blogosphere. We consider what health topics are discussed by mothers in these communities, identify and compare implicit affinities to explicit links, and highlight differences and similarities across the two social media platforms.
Observational Evidence for Predictions of Tropical Cyclone Propagation Relative to Environmental Steering

Abstract Theories of vortex motion due to the variations of the Coriolis parameter and environmental vorticity are compared to observations of tropical cyclone motion relative to computed “steering flows” using previously published composite data. The composite results are manipulated to obtain a vector quantity for the difference between tropical cyclone motion and steering, and this vector difference is termed “propagation.” The properties of these propagation vectors within various composite data stratifications provide tentative support for nonlinear numerical results such as: (i) the general magnitude and direction of the β-induced propagation; (ii) the dependence of such propagation on the outer-wind strength of the tropical cyclone; and (iii) the dependence of such propagation on the direction of the environmental vorticity gradient. Ambiguities in the composite data are discussed with respect to linear and nonlinear theories of tropical cyclone propagation, and several new composite data stratific...
Smoking and suicidality in subjects with major depressive disorder: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).

Abstract Background Detailed characteristics of depressive smokers and its association with suicidality were still less investigated. The aim of this study was to delineate characteristics of smokers with major depressive disorder (MDD) and examine the relationship between these characteristics and suicidality using an epidemiologic database, the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Methods A total of 5695 subjects with MDD, defined by the DSM-IV criteria, were included in our analysis. Current smokers, former smokers, and lifetime nonsmokers were compared in terms of demographic, clinical characteristics, and functional level. Suicidality, evaluated by history of suicide ideation and attempts while in a low mood was evaluated and compared among the groups. Results Current smokers with MDD showed a greater number of DSM-IV symptoms while in acute episodes, a higher rate of alcohol and drug-use disorders, and poorer functional levels than nonsmokers. Previous smokers displayed intermediate characteristics between current smokers and nonsmokers. The logistic regression analysis revealed that both current and former smoking status predicted the risk of having a history of attempted suicide (current smokers: odds ratio 1.62, 95% C.I. 1.42–1.86; former smokers: odds ratio 1.37, 95% C.I. 1.13–1.66) after adjusting for demographic data, a history of subthreshold hypomania, and a lifetime axis II/anxiety/alcohol use/substance-use disorder. Limitations Retrospective, cross-sectional evaluation; suicidality assessed only in the most severe depressive episode. Conclusions The present study corroborates that smokers with MDD showed distinct clinical characteristics, and cigarette smoking can predict attempted suicide in a community representative sample of people with MDD.
Surfactant replacement therapy in utero for prevention of hyaline membrane disease in the preterm baboon

Objective: A previous study of intraamniotic administration of surfactant in preterm rabbit fetuses demonstrated that exogenous surfactant can be taken up into the lungs from amniotic fluid in quantities sufficient to alter pulmonary mechanical properties. On the basis of these findings we chose to test the hypothesis that intraamniotic administration of surfactant to the preterm baboon 24 hours before delivery will prevent the development of clinical and pathological aspects of hyaline membrane disease. Study Design: Characteristics of hyaline membrane disease in the preterm baboon model include atelectasis, the formation of hyaline membranes in the airways and distal air saccules, overexpansion of distal airways, and disruption of airways by barotrauma associated with neonatal intensive care practices. Nine preterm baboons were treated with either saline solution ( n = 4) or surfactant ( n = 5) by intraamniotic injection on 136 to 137 days' gestation. One day later fetuses were delivered by cesarean section and maintained for 24 hours with standard neonatal intensive care techniques. Results: All neonates completed the protocol, and surfactant-treated animals had better clinical courses as documented by Pa O2 /P AO2 ( p IO2 ( p CO2 ( p p p Conclusion: Therefore a single treatment with surfactant in utero significantly improved the clinical course but did not completely prevent hyaline membrane disease in an established animal model.
What Are the Effects of Welfare Sanction Policies? Or, Using Propensity Scores as a Subgroup Indicator to Learn More From Social Experiments:

This article uses propensity scores to identify subgroups of individuals most likely to experience a reduction in cash benefits because of sanctions in some of the programs that make up the National Evaluation of Welfare-to-Work Strategies. It extends program evaluation methodology by using propensity scoring to identify the subgroups of sanctioned and nonsanctioned welfare recipients. Specifically, the propensity score is used to identify the sample subset most likely to experience program sanction. In this application, the propensity score helps deal with an omitted variable problem, that of not knowing what the sanction status is in the control group (because they were not subject to the policies being tested). Findings reveal that being high sanction risk induces greater work levels and therefore higher earnings, but it also results in receiving less cash assistance so that sanctioned recipients have roughly the same net incomes as nonsanctioned ones.
Energy-efficient multithreading for a hierarchical heterogeneous multicore through locality-cognizant thread generation

Energy costs have become increasingly problematic for high performance processors, but the rising number of cores on-chip offers promising opportunities for energy reduction. Further, emerging architectures such as heterogeneous multicores present new opportunities for improved energy efficiency. While previous work has presented novel memory architectures, multithreading techniques, and data mapping strategies for reducing energy, consideration to thread generation mechanisms that take into account data locality for this purpose has been limited. This study presents methodologies for the joint partitioning of data and threads to parallelize sequential codes across an innovative heterogeneous multicore processor called the Passive/Active Multicore (PAM) for reducing energy consumption from on-chip data transport and cache access components while also improving execution time. Experimental results show that the design with automatic thread partitioning offered reductions in energy-delay product (EDP) of up to 48%.
Thyroid and Parathyroid

hyroid and parathyroid diseases combine the focuses of endocrinology and oncology, as one must consider both the hormonal function effects of the tumor and its treatment and the management of the malignancy, or potential malignancy. This chapter addresses the malignant forms of thyroid and parathyroid diseases and their epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.
Purification and Characterization of a Soluble and a Particulate Glutamate Dehydrogenase from Rat Brain

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was determined in high-speed fractions (100,000 g for 60 min) obtained from whole rat brain homogenates after removal of a low-speed pellet (480 g for 10 min). Approximately 60% of the high-speed GDH activity was particulate (associated with membrane) and the remaining was soluble (probably of mitochondrial matrix origin). Most of the particulate GDH activity resisted extraction by several commonly used detergents, high concentration of salt, and sonication; however, it was largely extractable with the cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in hypotonic buffer solution. The two GDH activities were purified using a combination of hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange, and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Throughout these purification steps the two activities showed similar behavior. Kinetic studies indicated similar Km values for the two GDH fractions for the substrates alpha-ketoglutarate, ammonia, and glutamate; however, there were small but significant differences in Km values for NADH and NADPH. Although the allosteric stimulation by ADP and L-leucine and inhibition by diethylstilbestrol was comparable, the two GDH components differed significantly in their susceptibility to GTP inhibition in the presence of 1 mM ADP, with apparent Ki values of 18.5 and 9.0 microM GTP for the soluble and particulate fractions, respectively. The Hill plot coefficient, binding constant, and cooperativity index for the GTP inhibition were also significantly different, indicating that the two GDH activities differ in their allosteric sites. In addition, enzyme activities of the two purified proteins exhibited a significant difference in thermal stability when inactivated at 45 degrees C and pH 7.4 in 50 mM phosphate buffer.
Auditory forward and backward masking interaction.

Recent research on forward masking and backward masking has led us to the hypothesis that combined forward and backward masking may involve at least two different types of interaction patterns. The previously documented interaction results in masking are greater than predicted by the simple summation of masking effects obtained with each masker alone (Lynn & Small, 1977; Patterson, 1971; Wilson & Carhart, 1971). Another possible type of interaction is based upon the finding that backward masking, but not forward masking, can be reduced by cues providing timing information (Puleo & Pastore, 1980). A forward masker appears to involve minimum temporal uncertainty (Pastore & Freda, 1980) and, therefore, should be able to act as such a source of timing information to reduce the contribution of a later occurring backward masker. Both types of interaction patterns were found, with the specific forward and backward masker parameters determining which pattern is observed.
ROLE OF THROUGH-SPACE 2p–3d OVERLAP EFFECTS IN LITHIUM-ION CATALYZED WITTIG REACTIONS

Abstract The reactions of benzylidene-bis-(o-methoxyphenyl)methylphosphorane(17) with either banzaldehyde or trimethylacetaldehyde in the presence of lithium ion in tetrahydrofuran solution give hi...
Charge-state dependence of fluorine K x rays in F-Ne collisions

The $K$ x-ray-production cross sections for fluorine are measured as a function of charge state for 15-MeV ${\mathrm{F}}^{q+}+\mathrm{Ne}$ collisions. The measurements are differential in energy of the $K$ x rays with sufficient resolution to identify the final-state configurations of the fluorine ions following the collision. The final states are identified with the processes of single $K$-shell to $L$-shell excitation, single $K$-shell - multiple $L$-shell ionization, and single $L$-shell electron capture.
Surface response of an electron gas confined by a parabolic barrier

Abstract The parameters that characterize the surface screening response of an electron gas can be exactly found if the electron gas in a jellium model is confined by a barrier whose unscreened form is parabolic, as occurs when the electron gas is embedded in an excess of positive, uniform background charge, forming a wide parabolic quantum well. We obtain for the linear response d ⊥ − d ∥ = 0 and at the second harmonic a = −2, independent of driving frequency and bulk density.
Formation of cholic acid via 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholestan-26-oic acid in the dog

Abstract The proposed cholic precursor, 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-5β-[ 3 H]cholestan-26-oic acid, and [ 14 C]cholesterol were infused intravenously at a constant rate into two dogs for 25 days. If the only route of cholic acid synthesis is via trihydroxycholestanoic acid, the specific activities of trihydroxy[ 3 H]cholestanoic acid and [ 3 H]cholic acid will be equal after an isotopic steady-state is achieved. The specific activities of [ 14 C]deoxycholic acid (formed from [ 14 ]cholic acid) isolated in the stool of these two dogs were equal the last four days of the infusion indicating that labeled deoxycholic acid (and presumably labeled cholic acid) was in an isotopic steady-state. However, the specific activities of trihydroxy [ 3 H]cholestanoic acid were 3.3 and 5.7 times greater than the specific activities of [ 3 H]cholic acid, respectively. These data suggest that either an alternate route of cholic acid synthesis exists exclusive of trihydroxycholestanoic acid or that an isotopic steady state of trihydroxycholestanoic acid cannot be reached during an infusion of labeled trihydroxycholestanoic acid.
Optical manipulation of rod-shaped bacteria and adhesive cellular clusters with novel “tug-of-war” optical tweezers

We design a new type of “tug-of-war” optical tweezers with lateral pulling forces and demonstrate full control of rod-shaped and asymmetric bacteria, including breaking up adhesive cellular clusters inhabiting aqueous media.
O311 Pathogenesis of non-AIDS morbidities in HIV disease and implications for management

As the ability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to suppress virus in a durable and safe manner improves, the inability of HAART to fully restore a normal immune system may emerge as the primary limitation of therapy. Among individuals who initiate HAART at a CD4 cell count <200 and who exhibit a potent and durable virologic response, only 50% are able to achieve normal peripheral CD4+ T cell within the first 10 years of therapy. The inability to restore CD4+ T cell numbers is predicted and perhaps caused by persistent T cell activation on therapy, which in turn may be due to residual HIV replication, persistent microbial translocation, poorly controlled coinfections and/or other mechanisms. Although long-term treated patients with suppressed virus are at low risk for AIDS-related complications, they remain at high risk for significant non-AIDS morbidity, particularly premature cardiovascular disease. Many of these non-AIDS complications are known to be associated with and perhaps caused by chronic inflammation. These data suggest that persistent inflammation during HAART will emerge as primary factor limiting the long-term effectiveness of therapy. from Ninth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection Glasgow, UK. 9–13 November 2008
Evaluation of ethnicity, gender, and OATP‐C genotypes as determinants of pravastatin disposition

Pravastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin), widely used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Previous studies have revealed that drug transporters are critical to the cellular uptake and elimination of pravastatin. The rate-limiting step in the hepatic clearance of pravastatin appears to be cellular uptake, mediated by organic anion transporting polypeptide C (OATP-C; SLC21A6), a liver-specific uptake transporter with broad substrate specificities. Accordingly, pravastatin may be a useful in vivo probe of OATP-C activity in humans. We have conducted a clinical study of pravastatin pharmacokinetics in a population of healthy Caucasian and African-American volunteers after single dose (40 mg) administration of pravastatin. Preliminary (n=27) results show no significant differences in the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) from 0 to 3 hr between Caucasian and African-American subjects (103.9 vs 106.4 ng*hr/ml). However, AUC values suggest gender-dependent differences in pravastatin pharmacokinetics may exist. In addition, several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified by this laboratory to be important to OATP-C function are being assessed for potential genotype:phenotype correlations. (see Table 1) Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P66–P66; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.248 Table 1. Ethnicity Caucasian African-Am Gender Female (n=9) Male (n=11) Female (n=6) Male (n=1) avg SD avg SD avg SD avg SD AUC 0–3h (ng*hr/ml) 116.8 44.1 93.5 31.1 100.0 44.1 124.5 —
Experiential effects on acquisition and reversal of discrimination tasks by albino rats with septal lesions

Abstract Two experiments investigated the effect of septal lesions in rats on the repeated reversals of a simultaneous brightness discrimination task. In the first experiment, rats underwent surgery subsequent to acquiring a brightness discrimination, but prior to receiving three reversals of the same task. In the second experiment, rats learned the brightness discrimination postoperatively, were given four subsequent reversals on that problem, and then acquired a spatial discrimination followed by four reversals in a T-maze. In both experiments, rats with septal lesions exhibited increased perseverative tendencies on the reversal of the brightness discrimination but by the third reversal, lesioned animals performed comparably to control rats. Despite prior acquisition and reversal training on a brightness discrimination, performance of rats with septal lesions was inferior to that of controls on the spatial discrimination. Nonetheless both groups exhibited experiential effects. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of prior experience with the discriminanda and the response measure utilized.
Spike Train Timing-Dependent Associative Modification of Hippocampal CA3 Recurrent Synapses by Mossy Fibers

In the CA3 region of the hippocampus, extensive recurrent associational/commissural (A/C) connections made by pyramidal cells may function as a network for associative memory storage and recall. We here report that long-term potentiation (LTP) at the A/C synapses can be induced by association of brief spike trains in mossy fibers (MFs) from the dentate gyrus and A/C fibers. This LTP not only required substantial overlap between spike trains in MFs and A/C fibers, but also depended on the temporal order of these spike trains in a manner not predicted by the well-known rule of spike timing-dependent plasticity and requiring activation of type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors. Importantly, spike trains in a putative single MF input provided effective postsynaptic activity for the induction of LTP at A/C synapses. Thus, the timing of spike trains in individual MFs may code information that is crucial for the associative modification of CA3 recurrent synapses.