cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Trends in Body Mass Index for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Obesity is a modifiable, independent risk factor for adverse long-term outcomes in children and adults. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obese status in a cohort of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) as well as to assess longitudinal trends over a 20-year period. The study group consisted of patients 18 years of age and older followed at our adult CHD clinic. Body mass index (BMI) data were collected from our index period, consisting of patient encounters from 2009 to 2012 (Period 2), as well as during 2000–2003 (Period 1) and 2017–2020 (Period 3) when available. The study cohort was subdivided into three groups per published guidelines: simple, moderate, and greater CHD complexity. The prevalence of obesity and overweight status was compared among the different groups as well as with published data (NHANES). Our cohort in Period 2 consisted of 261 subjects. The median age (25–75% interquartile range) for Period 2 was 27.6 (21.1–35.9) years and BMI was 25.2 (21.7–30.0) kg/m2 with 8.0% underweight, 40.0% with normal weight, 27.0% overweight, and 25% obese. 95 patients had follow-up data from each time period, with 96% of patients having moderate or greater complexity of CHD. The combined percentage of overweight and obese patients for the moderate and greater complex CHD groups increased from 42 and 37% in period 1 to 60% and 65% in period 3, respectively. The percentage of obese patients with moderate and greater CHD complexity increased by 250% and 55%, respectively, from Period 1 to 3. Our study cohort had a high prevalence of overweight and obese weight status. Given adults with CHD have high baseline cardiovascular morbidity, the presence of obesity can increase their risk for poor outcomes, highlighting the need for prevention of this modifiable risk factor.
Which Came First? Contribution Dynamics in Online Production Communities

While considerable research investigates collaboration in online production communities, particularly how and why people join these communities, little research considers the dynamics of the collaborative behavior. This paper explores one such dynamic, the relationship between viewing and contributing. Building on established theories of community involvement, this paper argues that a recursive relationship exists, resulting in a mutually reinforcing cycle where more contributors lead to more viewers and, in turn, more viewers lead to more contributors. We also analyze the effect of time and anonymity within this dynamic relationship. This paper offers guidance for research into online production communities that builds on the large behavioral data these communities generate.
Necrotizing enterocolitis in a mouse model leads to widespread renal inflammation, acute kidney injury, and disruption of renal tight junction proteins.

Necrotizing enterocolitis in a mouse model leads to widespread renal inflammation, acute kidney injury, and disruption of renal tight junction proteins
Information Modeling Aspects of Software Development

The distinction between the modeling of information and the modeling of data in the creation of automated systems has historically been important because the development tools available to programmers have been wedded to machine oriented data types and processes. However, advances in software engineering, particularly the move toward data abstraction in software design, allow activities reasonably described as information modeling to be performed in the software creation process. An examination of the evolution of programming languages and development of general programming paradigms, including object-oriented design and implementation, suggests that while data modeling will necessarily continue to be a programmer‘s concern, more and more of the programming process itself is coming to be characterized by information modeling activities.
The WTO Committee on Trade in Financial Services: The Exercise of Public Authority within an Informational Forum

The Committee on Trade in Financial Services (hereinafter, Committee or CTFS) is a committee subsidiary to the Council for Trade in Services (CTS), which itself reports to the General Council of the WTO. Shortly after the WTO Agreement entered into force, the CTS established the Committee in its Decision on Institutional Arrangements for the General Agreement on Trade in Services (Institutional Decision). The Committee acts primarily as a forum for dissemination of regulatory information specific to the often opaque financial services sector. This permits a meeting of national finance ministers and experts, as opposed to (mere) trade negotiators and representatives, who may not be in a position to understand the unique nature of national financial regulation. Fundamentally, a state’s finance sector underlies all other sectors of international trade, since any transaction for goods or services requires compensation, usually monetary, thereby making the financial sector function as a sort of central nervous system for global trade. The financial services sector, therefore, is peculiar among WTO trade sectors. Indeed, the regulatory constellation for financial services within WTO law is unique: it includes two annexes to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and two Protocols to GATS, negotiations extended well beyond the Uruguay Round and the Marrakesh Agreement’s entry into force, and there is a sui generis set of heightened commitments called the Understanding on Commitments in Financial Services. The Committee also acts as a monitoring body, overseeing both the implementation of legal commitments under the relevant Protocols and the specific progress of China under the Protocol on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China.
The Pediatrician as a Role Model in the Career Choice of Medical Students

The results of the recent residency matching program revealed a decline in the number of US medical school graduates applying for positions in pediatric training programs. In 1987, 1366 graduating seniors, 10% of the graduating class, applied for 2009 PL 1 positions. In 1989, 1256, 9.3% of those graduating, applied for 2068 positions. Sixty-eight percent of PL 1 positions were filled by graduates of US medical schools in 1987, and an additional 14% (284) by foreign medical graduates.
Anthocyanins and related compounds—VI : Flavylium salt—phloroglucinol condensation products

Abstract 8-Methoxy-4′-hydroxy-3-methylflavylium chloride and phloroglucinol rapidly react in aqueous media at pH 4–7 to form 8-methoxy-4′-hydroxy-3-methylflav-2-ene (VIa) and colourless, crystalline C23 and C40 condensation products. On the basis of chemical and NMR spectral data structures XIIa and XIVa have been assigned to these condensation products. 8,4′-Dimethoxy-3-methyl-, 4′-hydroxy-3-methyl- and 4′-hydroxyflavylium chlorides react with phloroglucinol to form structurally similar compounds.
Overcoming obstacles: the effect of obstacles on locomotor performance and behaviour

Sprinting and jumping ability are key performance measures that have been widely studied in vertebrates. The vast majority of these studies, however, use methodologies that lack an ecological context by failing to consider the complex habitats in which many animals live. Because successfully navigating obstacles within complex habitats is critical for predator escape, running, climbing, and/or jumping performance are each likely to be exposed to selection. In the present study, we quantify how behavioural strategies and locomotor performance change with increasing obstacle height. Obstacle size had a significant influence on behaviour (e.g. obstacle crossing strategy, intermittent locomotion) and performance (e.g. sprint speed, jump distance). Jump frequency and distance increased with obstacle size, suggesting that it likely evolved because it is more efficient (i.e. it reduces the time and distance required to reach a target position). Jump angle, jump velocity, and approach velocity accounted for 58% of the variation in jump distance on the large obstacle, and 33% on the small obstacle. Although these variables have been shown to significantly influence jump distance in static jumps, they do not appear to be influential in running (dynamic) jumps onto a small obstacle. Because selection operates in simple and complex habitats, future studies should consider quantifying additional measures such as jumping or climbing with respect to the evolution of locomotion performance. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, ••, ••–••.
Comparison of PET/CT post-reconstruction algorithms

2135 Objectives The critical function of translating detected ionizing radiation emitted from patients into the formation of a representative map of physiological function is carried out by post-reconstruction algorithms. Accuracy of this rendering is paramount for both early detection and staging of lesions in the human body. The purpose of this study is to compare the image quality of a Hanning filtered-back-projection (FBP) to a Butterworth FBP algorithm. Three measurements were used to judge quality; Target Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR), Background SNR and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR). Three fusion levels were evaluated. Methods A NEMA IEC Body Phantom was acquired using a PET/CT scanner. The phantom consists of 6 sphere inserts with diameters of 10 mm, 13 mm, 17 mm, 22 mm, 28 mm, and 37 mm. Each sphere was filled with 18FDG and Ultravist 300 CT contrast using a 10:1 ratio. The acquisition was obtained at a typical clinical level using a 10:1 sphere-to-background ratio. The emission data was alternately reconstructed with Butterworth FBP and then with Hanning FBP. Utilizing manufacturer software, regions of interest were drawn for each sphere as well as their corresponding backgrounds. Mean and standard deviation information was recorded for each algorithm at the following levels of fusion: 100% CT, 50% CT/ 50% PET, and 100% PET. Target SNR, Background SNR and CNR were then calculated for each level. Results At each fusion level, the Hanning FBP demonstrated superior Target SNR, Background SNR and CNR over the Butterworth FBP. Data from the 10 mm sphere was omitted due to lack of registration at each level of fusion for both Hanning FBP and Butterworth FBP. Conclusions Hanning FBP provides a more realistic representation of lesion size than Butterworth FBP while minimizing the level of noise. Implementation of this post-reconstruction algorithm would improve the diagnosis and staging of lesions in the human body
Modern digital control for a small iterative analog computer: The APE II digital module

The APE II computer system is a small solid-state iterative differential analyser designed for laboratory instruction and is capable of both repetitive and real-time operation. This paper describes the APE II digital module, which includes a master clock for generating reset and sampling pulses, random and pseudo-random noise generators, digital counters and free patchable digital logic. This module, when used with the APE II analog module or similar small analog computers, permits a very wide variety of hybrid simulation and statistical experiments.
QuickUML: a beginner's UML tool

In order to teach objects and classes effectively with an "object-first" approach, some basic knowledge of UML is required. In this paper, we describe a beginners UML tool that was created to assist in teaching introductory level, object-oriented programming courses - without overwhelming students with the complete UML syntax.
Noteworthy Collections: VIRGINIA

Trillium nivale Riddell (TRILLIACEAE)— Rockingham County: Approximately 4.0 km N of Keezletown, off of Mountain Valley Road, at the end of Walnut Hill Drive on forested hillside; 38u26.6509N, 078u46.3179W; elevation ca. 526 m; 30 March 2008. Conley K. McMullen 891 (photo) (JMUH). Significance. This is the first collection of T. nivale (snow trillium) from Rockingham County, and the second report for Virginia. An earlier collection was made near Forks of Waters in Highland County by Charles E. Stevens on 17 April 1983 [Charles E. Stevens 18455 (VPI)]. The specific location listed by Stevens is ‘‘wooded, limestone bluff of South Branch Potomac River ca. 0.15 mi S of where West Virginia line crosses river.’’ Stevens lists the elevation as 2330 ft. Trillium nivale is also found in Pendleton County, West Virginia, which borders both Rockingham and Highland Counties. Although considered rare in West Virginia, it is also listed for the counties of Cabell, Grant, Preston, Randolph, and Tucker (Harmon et al. 2006). The Cabell County record was likely planted and has not been observed since the mid-1970s (Paul J. Harmon pers. comm.). Other states reporting T. nivale include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin (Case 2002). This species is found primarily at the southern edge of Pleistocene glaciation, and tends to prefer areas devoid of humus, leaf litter, and other plants (Case 2002). *email address: mcmullck@jmu.edu Received May 8, 2008; Accepted July 18, 2008.
Estrogen, but not testosterone, attenuates methamphetamine-evoked dopamine output from superfused striatal tissue of female and male mice

The gonadal steroid hormone, estrogen, has the capacity to function as a neuroprotectant against methamphetamine (MA)-induced neurotoxicity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system within female, but not male, mice. In an attempt to understand some of the bases for this effect of estrogen, the incipient effects of MA upon evoked dopamine output from superfused striatal tissue fragments of gonadectomized female and gonadectomized as well as intact male mice were evaluated under conditions where estrogen (or testosterone) was present in the medium. The amount of dopamine evoked by MA was significantly reduced when estrogen was co-infused with MA. This attenuation was obtained with striatal tissue fragments of gonadectomized female and gonadectomized and intact male mice. In contrast to estrogen, co-infusion of testosterone failed to produce an overall statistically significant change in MA-evoked dopamine output within superfused striatal tissue fragments of gonadectomized female and male mice. In this way, the gonadal steroid hormones, estrogen and testosterone, exert differential modulatory effects upon MA-evoked dopamine output from superfused striatal tissue fragments. However, similar effects to these gonadal steroid hormones were observed between gonadectomized female and gonadectomized or intact male mice. These data reveal an absence of a sexual dimorphism in striatal responsiveness with regard to estrogen's ability to alter MA-evoked DA output. Accordingly, the sexually dimorphic capacity for estrogen to function as a neuroprotectant may involve a composite of actions upon the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system involving events/sites other than the initial stimulation of dopamine output.
A Six-Year Predictive Test of Adolescent Family Relationship Quality and Effortful Control Pathways to Emerging Adult Social and Emotional Health

This longitudinal study examined how a multimethod (youth report, parent report, direct observation) assessment of family relationship quality (cohesion and conflict) in adolescence (age 16-17) predicted growth and maintenance of effortful control across ages 17, 22, and 23 years old, and, ultimately, subjective well-being, emotional distress, and aggressive behavior in emerging adulthood (23). A diverse sample of 792 youth at age 17 and their families, and youth at ages 22 and 23, were studied to examine family cohesion and conflict and the growth and maintenance of effortful control as predictors of emerging adult social and emotional health. Results indicated that family cohesion and conflict during late adolescence and mean-level effortful control at age 22 each served as unique pathways to emerging adult adjustment. These findings underscore the importance of family functioning during adolescence and the maintenance of effortful control into emerging adulthood for understanding adjustment during the emerging adulthood period.
EXAFS Study of the Inner Shell Structure in Copper(II) Complexes with Humic Substances

The structure of humic substances (HS) and their complexes with metal cations is a matter of ongoing debate. In this paper, the structure of Cu2+−HS complexes was studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). This method is highly sensitive to the local structure around the target (e.g., Cu2+ or other cations). The CuO6 octahedron was used to model the inner complexation shell of the Cu2+−HS complexes. The quality of the fit of the EXAFS data was tested using model systems (copper(II)−aqua and −salicylate complexes). On the basis of the dissimilarity of the EXAFS spectra for the Cu2+−tetrahydrofurantetracarboxylic acid complex from those of the Cu2+−HS complexes, it is concluded that complexation sites of HS are not likely to contain carboxylic groups attached to a furan ring. The Cu−O distances in all Cu2+−HS complexes were shorter than those in aqua or salicylate complexes. The contraction of the Cu−O distance was especially prominent for the axial direction, and the distorti...
Pet attachment and dissociation

This study replicated the co-existence of dissociation and pet attachment in 113 female veterinary technician students based on a bivariate correlation analysis and chi-square analysis of their responses to the 28-question Dissociative Experiences Scale and an eight-question "pet" attachment questionnaire.The study replicated the positive correlation between pet attachment and dissociation first reported by Brown & Katcher (1997). Also replicated was the finding that significantly more with the highest pet attachment had clinical levels of dissociation than did those with lower attachment. Results compared to a meta-analytic study found their level of dissociation to be higher than participants in non-animalrelated categories.This study suggests that dissociation may characterize one subset of people highly attached to pets and discusses implications for companion animal research and individuals in animal-related careers.
Clarification of the limit of detection in chromatography

Current problems with the limit of detection (LOD) concept in chromatography are reviewed. They include the confusion of the LOD with other separate, distinct concepts in trace analysis such as the minimum detectability (MD); the use of arbitrary, unjustified models for the calculation of the LOD; the use of concentration units instead of units of amount; and the failure to account for differences in chromatographic conditions when comparing LODS. Solutions to these LOD problems are discussed. Two models are proposed for calculating the chromatographic LOD. A new concept, the standardized chromatographic LOD, is introduced to account for differences in chromatographic bandwidths of experimentally measured LODs. The standardized chromatographic LOD is shown to be a more reliable parameter than the conventional (non-standardized) chromatographic LOD.
Thyroid function in Pekin ducklings as a consequence of erosion of ingested lead shot.

Abstract Young Pekin ducklings received three or six lead shot which were dropped down the throat of each bird. Lead shot recovered from the gizzards of the ducklings at necropsy were smaller and more irregular in shape than when initially introduced at the start of the investigation. Although the rate of erosion was similar in both groups receiving lead shot, the total amount of lead eroded was greater in the birds receiving the greater number of shot. Thyroid weight and 24-hr thyroidal uptake of 125 I were increased while serum protein-bound 125 I was reduced. Chromatographic analyses of thyroid hydrolysates revealed a depression in iodothyronine labeling.
Gaussian Measure of Sections of convex bodies

Abstract In this paper we study properties of sections of convex bodies with respect to the Gaussian measure. We develop a formula connecting the Minkowski functional of a convex symmetric body K with the Gaussian measure of its sections. Using this formula we solve an analog of the Busemann–Petty problem for Gaussian measures.
Korean Speakers' Acquisition of the English Ditransitive Construction: The Role of Verb Prototype, Input Distribution, and Frequency

Recent studies in usage-based linguistics have found that construction learning is more effective when input is skewed toward a prototypical exemplar of the construction, thereby reflecting the frequency distribution in natural language. This study investigates the extent to which a prototypical ditransitive verb with high frequency ( give) facilitates the acquisition of the English ditransitive construction in Korean children learning English in a community in which exposure to English is rare outside of the formal classroom setting. Six classes were randomly assigned to either a skewed frequency group, where the input was skewed toward give, or a balanced frequency group, where the input was evenly distributed among the training ditransitive verbs. This experiment found little evidence for the facilitative effects of skewed input on construction learning. Instead, the results suggest that construction learning in this situation is superior with a more balanced set of verbs rather than a focus on a single prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
From coarse-grained components to DVE applications: a service- and component-based framework

Distributed Virtual Environments (DVEs) are distributed, simulated virtual worlds where users gather and interact within a shared space. Web-based DVE applications are attracting more and more attention. However, building DVE applications requires a significant effort, even with the modern development tools. In this paper we propose a component-based and a service-based framework for constructing DVE applications from coarse-grained components. This component-based and service-oriented architecture provides a great flexibility for building complex DVE applications. Based on the developed terminology and profile, the framework provides a high level description language for specifying user interaction tasks. The DVE developers can concentrate on the application design rather than worrying about the programming details. The framework also provides a runtime platform for coarse-grained components integration and a shared scene graph for coordinating the presentation for individual users.
Does Witnessing Intimate Partner Violence Contribute to Toddlers' Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors?

This research examines the relationship between witnessing of intimate partner violence (IPV) and externalizing and internalizing behaviors using birth to age 3 data from a longitudinal study (N = 187). We hypothesized that for infants and toddlers, direct witnessing of IPV, compared to living in a household where IPV occurred, would be more disruptive of behavior because it affects the child's emotional security within the family. Findings supported our hypothesis. Children who witnessed IPV displayed more externalizing behaviors at ages 2 and 3 as compared to children who did not witness IPV or whose mothers were not victims. Findings highlight the importance of assessing whether infants and toddlers witness IPV, as this has implications for infant behavior as well as maternal parenting.
Structural Distortions in Six-Coordinate Adducts of Niobium(V) and Tantalum(V)

The mixed chloro−aryloxide compounds [M(OC6H3Pri2-2,6)2Cl3]2 (M = Nb (1a), Ta (1b); both structurally characterized) and [M(OC6H3Pri2-2,6)3Cl2] (M = Nb (2a), Ta (2b)) react with pyridine (py) and PMe2Ph to produce a series of adducts cis-mer-[MCl3(OC6H3Pri2-2,6)2(L)] (M, L: Nb, py (3a); Ta, py (3b); Nb, PMe2Ph (4a); Ta, PMe2Ph (4b)) and trans-mer-[MCl2(OC6H3Pri2-2,6)3(L)] (M, L: Nb, py (5); Nb, PMe2Ph (6a); Ta, PMe2Ph (6b)). The assigned geometric arrangement of ligands is based upon 1H NMR studies and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of 3a, 3b, 4, 6a, and 6b. The salt complex [HPMe2Ph]+[mer-NbCl3(OC6H3Pri2-2,6)3]- (7) has also been isolated and structurally characterized. The structural parameters for the neutral adducts are compared with those of previously reported hydrido aryloxides of tantalum. A small but consistent distortion away from octahedral geometry involving the bending of mutually trans anionic ligands toward the neutral donor group is observed. Theoretical analysis at several le...
Concurrent fixture design for automated manufacturing process planning

In computer-aided manufacturing process planning, the determination of fixtures is often completed after a process plan is generated. This strategy does not consider the manufacturing dependency between the process planning and the fixture design, which in fact needs to be thoroughly assessed before any conclusion regarding the optimality of a plan or the quality of a proposed fixture can be made. In this paper, a concurrent approach is presented in which the fixture design and machine planning are combined in an automated search process that starts with simply a CAD model. First, a rule-based algorithm is used to define all feasible manufacturing operations for the given CAD model. Then, a hierarchical search technique is developed to discern which operations are best in terms of manufacturing time, cost, and fixture quality. The fixture quality is a quantitative measure derived based on a collection of fixture design guidelines from manufacturing experiences and engineering handbooks and is intended to give a consistent and complete assessment of a fixture design. Cases studies and discussion are provided to showcase distinct characteristics of our algorithm. A real implementation of one suggested plan is also presented in order to validate the effectiveness and practicality of our approach.
Natural convection between concentric spheres in a slightly-thermally stratified medium

Abstract In the present paper, analytical solutions are obtained using perturbation expansion in powers of Grashof number for steady, axisymmetric flow of a viscous fluid contained between two concentric spheres. A uniform gravity field acts vertically downward. The outer sphere is assumed to be maintained at a variable temperature such that conditions for vertical stratification are satisfied. Analysis is presented for two cases: when a constant-heat-flux condition on the inner sphere surface is imposed or when its surface temperature is kept constant. Streamlines, isotherms and velocity components are shown graphically in an axial plane for each case. For the case of isothermal inner sphere, a dimensionless stratification parameter S governs the flow. Solutions for S = 0 correspond to the unstratified case. When S tends to infinity, the flow pattern has both vertical and horizontal symmetry. But when the inner sphere surface is kept at constant heat flux, the flow and temperature fields are governed by another dimensionless parameter Q . The case Q = 0 corresponds to thermally insulated inner sphere. For this case, flow is similar to that occurring when S tends to infinity, but the directions of the streamlines are reversed.
Thermal spikes and activated processes

Abstract In the thermal spike model of the interaction of energetic radiation with matter, it is assumed that energy is deposited instantaneously in a very small region, producing a localized increase of temperature which spreads and dissipates according to the laws of classical heat conduction in a continuum. If an activated process (e.g. the migration of atoms, evaporation of atoms from a surface, etc.) is energized by the spike, the number of elementary steps caused by one spike can be expressed as an integral over space and time of the exponential of − Q/T(r, t), where Q is the activation energy for the process and T(r, t), is the spike temperature at position r and time t. In the past quantitative results have been obtained from this model only with the aid of further approximations and the assumption that thermal conductivity and heat capacity are independent of temperature. In this paper it is shown that, with zero starting temperature, the model can be evaluated rigorously for two kinds of spikes,...
Evaluation of Thermal Comfort and Energy Demands in University Classrooms

The impetus of this study was to evaluate the current HVAC related energy demands of select classroom at The University of Texas at Tyler at present thermal set points and compare the current energy demands with energy demands based on operating the system at the preferred temperature range of occupants. To determine the preferred temperature range of the students at The University of Texas at Tyler, a subjective assessment was performed by questionnaire survey in a selected classroom along with objective measurements of thermal comfort parameters (air velocity, operative temperature and relative humidity). The questionnaire survey included questions about thermal sensation, perception, acceptability, and relevant demographic and clothing data. Using the Fanger’s thermal comfort model, the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Percentage People Dissatisfied (PPD) was calculated from the objective measurements. Regression analysis performed on the survey data provided the range of neutral, preferred and acceptable temperatures in the classroom. The key contributions of this study were: 1) successful implementation of the on field methodology to access thermal comfort in the hot and humid climate of Tyler, Texas, 2) evaluation of the thermal comfort level of the students and faculty at The University of Texas at Tyler, 3) data acquisition of neutral and preferred temperature ranges which can be used as a reference for HVAC design engineers, and 4) comparison of the relationship between thermal comfort level and energy consumption.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The Influence of Older Adolescents on Younger Adolescents: Do Grade-Level Arrangements Make a Difference in Behaviors, Attitudes, and Experiences?:

In considering the issue of different grade-level arrangements for early adolescents, many scholars have chosen to look only at the degree of similarity of developmental characteristics between dif...
Hydrogen Bond Dynamics in Water and Ultrafast Infrared Spectroscopy

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to examine two key aspects of recent ultrafast infrared experiments on liquid water dynamics. It is found that the relation between the OH stretch frequency and the length of the hydrogen bond in which the OH is involved, currently assumed to be one-to-one, is instead characterized by considerable dispersion and that the time scale currently interpreted in terms of a stochastic modulation by the surrounding solvent of a highly frictionally damped hydrogen bond system is shown to be governed by hydrogen bond-breaking and -making dynamics, whereas the motion of an intact hydrogen-bonded complex is underdamped in character.
The perception of size in a distorted room.

Size perception illusion compared for extraneous objects in windows of Ames monocular distorted and rectangular rooms
Alpha-fetoprotein and prognosis in acute liver failure

Serum concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), variably elevated during liver injury, have been suggested to be of prognostic importance in acute liver failure (ALF), higher values being associated with improved outcome. Using a nephelometric assay, we measured AFP in sera obtained on admission from 206 patients prospectively enrolled in the US ALF Study, and on day 3 in 162 of these patients. The AFP ratio was defined as the day 3 AFP concentration divided by that observed on day 1. Median (range) admission serum AFP in all patients was 8.1 (1-1,811) ng/mL and increased to 17.6 (1.1-1,162) ng/mL on day 3 (P or=1 was observed in 70 of 98 (71%) survivors, whereas a ratio <1 was observed in 51 of 64 (80%) nonsurvivors. In conclusion, AFP values change dynamically during ALF. In this large prospective study, higher absolute values of AFP did not predict a favorable outcome, but a rising level of AFP over the first 3 hospital days frequently indicated survival.
Payment for ecosystem services, sustained behavioural change, and adaptive management: peasant perspectives in the Colombian Andes

Payment for ecosystem services (PES) has been widely promoted as an effective and efficient model for conservation; however, few studies have empirically examined how the market-based approach interacts with farmer's decision-making processes and their abilities to sustain new conservation practices. This paper examines the sustainability of a PES silvopastoral programme in Colombia from peasant farmers’ perspectives. Programme participants were asked questions regarding their perceived ability to continue with the silvopastoral practices, the influence of the economic benefits and contracts on behavioural change, and the programme's impacts on self-determination, innovation and social learning; factors considered critical for sustained resource management. While the participants expressed a need for the PES programme practices, less than half stated that they would continue with the silvopastoral measures and only 13% understood that part of their contractual commitment was to conserve forests. Ten per cent of the participants considered themselves the principal decision-maker in the farm-level changes and only one participant had altered the prescribed practices, despite a common perception that some techniques were not suitable for the region. The results suggest a need to re-examine the degree to which the PES model in fact encourages adaptive management practices and sustained land-use behaviours in peasant communities.
Screening Is Only Part of the Answer to Breast Cancer

A recently published update of the Canadian National Breast Screening Study found that annual screening mammography did not reduce breast cancer deaths. The authors of this commentary discuss those...
Encoding variability and retention

The effects of encoding variability on retention were examined in three experiments. In Experiments 1 and 2, target words embedded in sentencees were presented three times, either in the same sentence or in different sentences. Encoding variability failed to increased either free or cued recall of the targets, nor did it reduce long term forgetting. In Experiment 3, phrases consisting of a class name and modifier were presented three times, with or without imagery instructions. The modifiers either remained the same or changed. Modifier variability had no overall effect on either immediate or delayed retrieval of the class names. Recall of modifiers was lower after variable than after constant encoding. It was concluded that an increase in the number of retrieval routes is not a sufficient condition of improved recall.
INTERACTION OF VACCINIA VIRUS AND CELLS IN PRIMARY AND CONTINUOUS CULTURE.

VACCINIA virus has a wide host-range, both as regards cell type and animal species. The purpose of the present communication is to describe some differences in the reaction of cells in primary and continuous culture to infection with a vaccine strain of the virus.
Investigation of thiol-ene and thiol-ene–methacrylate based resins as dental restorative materials

Abstract Objectives The objective of this work was to evaluate thiol-norbornene and thiol-ene–methacrylate systems as the resin phase of dental restorative materials and demonstrate their superior performance as compared to dimethacrylate materials. Methods Polymerization kinetics and overall functional group conversions were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Flexural strength and modulus were determined with a 3-point flexural test. Polymerization-induced shrinkage stress was measured with a tensometer. Results Thiol-ene polymer systems were demonstrated to exhibit advantageous properties for dental restorative materials in regards to rapid curing kinetics, high conversion, and low shrinkage and stress. However, both the thiol-norbornene and thiol-allyl ether systems studied here exhibit significant reductions in flexural strength and modulus relative to BisGMA/TEGDMA. By utilizing the thiol-ene component as the reactive diluent in dimethacrylate systems, high flexural modulus and strength are achieved while dramatically reducing the polymerization shrinkage stress. The methacrylate–thiol-allyl ether and methacrylate–thiol-norbornene systems both exhibited equivalent flexural modulus (2.1 ± 0.1 GPa) and slightly reduced flexural strength (95 ± 1 and 101 ± 3 MPa, respectively) relative to BisGMA/TEGDMA (flexural modulus; 2.2 + 0.1 GPa and flexural strength; 112 ± 3 MPa). Both the methacrylate–thiol-allyl ether and methacrylate–thiol-norbornene systems exhibited dramatic reductions in shrinkage stress (1.1 ± 0.1 and 1.1 ± 0.2 MPa, respectively) relative to BisGMA/TEGDMA (2.6 ± 0.2 MPa). Significance The improved polymerization kinetics and overall functional group conversion, coupled with reductions in shrinkage stress while maintaining equivalent flexural modulus, result in a superior overall dental restorative material as compared to traditional bulk dimethacrylate resins.
Self-Assembled Electrooptic Superlattices. A Theoretical Study of Multilayer Formation and Response Using Donor−Acceptor, Hydrogen-Bond Building Blocks

The binding energies, electronic structures, and electrooptic responses of three donor−π-system−acceptor (triazine−vinylbenzylidene−barbituric acid) chromophores that display substantial molecular hyperpolarizabilities and are capable of forming hydrogen-bonded, self-assembled multilayers are investigated using DFT (geometry) and semiempirical (electronic structure) methods. The geometries of the monomers, head-to-tail dimers, and head-to-tail trimers are computed, as well as the linear optical properties and hyperpolarizabilities. Although all three monomers are found to be planar, self-assembly removes monomer planarity and the resulting complexes are slightly twisted. It is found that the combination of dipole moment alignment and short distances between the monomers results in the hyperpolarizabilities of the trimers being substantially greater than three times those of the corresponding monomers, evidencing a synergistic effect that enhances the electrooptic response.
Equilibrium existence for zero-sum games and spatial models of elections

Abstract A theorem on existence of mixed strategy equilibria in discontinuous zero-sum games is proved and applied to three models of elections. First, the existence theorem yields a mixed strategy equilibrium in the multidimensional spatial model of elections with three voters. A nine-voter example shows that a key condition of the existence theorem is violated for general finite numbers of voters and illustrates an obstacle to a general result. Second, the theorem provides a simple and self-contained proof of Kramer's existence result for the multidimensional model with a continuum of voters [Kramer, G., 1978. Existence of electoral equilibrium. In: Ordeshook, P. (Ed.), Game Theory and Political Science. NYU Press, New York]. Third, existence follows for a class of multidimensional probabilistic voting models with discontinuous probability-of-winning functions.
Internal Wave Dispersion Calculated Using the Thomson-Haskell Method

Abstract The dispersion and amplitude characteristics of internal wave motion are determined by a matrix method which lends itself readily to computer analysis. A layered density structure may be chosen to fit actual oceanic conditions. The method is shown to have good agreement with a simple analytical solution. Dispersion and amplitude characteristics have been determined for two typical oceanic sites, one in the Arctic Ocean and one in the Atlantic.
Group Work with Single Fathers.

Abstract This article describes the reasons for the rapid increase in the number of single father households in the United States, the major concerns of single fathers, and the need for counseling services. The article explores the rationale behind choosing group counseling as the preferred method of treatment and concludes with a discussion and illustration of the specific components of a psychoeducational group approach.
Peptidase activity in the inner membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract The location of peptidase activity within the cell envelope structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been studied. Inner and outer membrane fractions were separated on the basis of buoyant density using two consecutive sucrose step gradients and identified on the basis of known components. The inner membrane was shown to contain peptidase activity while the outer membrane contained none. These data support the hypothesis that P. aeruginosa transports intact peptides.
Endogenous Retinoids in the Early Avian Embryo

Vitamin A is required to rescue the vitamin A-deficient quail embryo from early death, but the endogenous presence of bioactive retinoids has not been documented in these embryos. The analysis of 2000 pooled stage 5-8 normal quail embryos described here provides for the first time direct evidence for the presence of endogenous all-trans-retinoic acid (5 nM) and 3,4-didehydroretinoic acid (4 nM), signaling molecules known to be potent ligands for nuclear retinoic acid receptors. The demonstration of all-trans-retinal (80 nM), all-trans-retinol (100 nM), 3,4-didehydroretinol (200 nM), and retinyl esters (100 nM) suggests the capability of the early avian embryo to generate in situ the vitamin A-bioactive molecules required for development. Analysis of 2100 pooled stage 5-8 quail embryos from vitamin A-deficient eggs revealed no vitamin A-like molecules, supporting the evidence that links vitamin A deficiency in these embryos to abnormalities and early death.
Mobile social group sizes and scaling ratio

Social data mining has become an emerging area of research in information and communication technology fields. The scope of social data mining has expanded significantly in the recent years with the advance of telecommunication technologies and the rapidly increasing accessibility of computing resources and mobile devices. People increasingly engage in and rely on phone communications for both personal and business purposes. Hence, mobile phones become an indispensable part of life for many people. In this article, we perform social data mining on mobile social networking by presenting a simple but efficient method to define social closeness and social grouping, which are then used to identify social sizes and scaling ratio of close to “8”. We conclude that social mobile network is a subset of the face-to-face social network, and both groupings are not necessary the same, hence the scaling ratios are distinct. Mobile social data mining.
On the log-concavity of sequences arising from integer bases

The main result of the paper establishes the strong log-concavity of certain sequences arising from representation of positive integers with respect to some integer basis. More precisely, given an integer basis B=(bi)i≥0, for instance bi:=bi with b ≥ 2, and a positive integer m, let ft be the number of integers between 0 and m having exactly l nonzero digits in their B-representation. It is shown that (fl)l≥0 is log-concave and some estimates for the peaks of these sequences are given. This theorem is indeed an inequality for elementary symmetric polynomials. It can be specialized to give the log-concavity of sequences of sums of special numbers, such as binomial coefficients, Stirling numbers of the first kind or their q-analogs. These sequences (fl)l≥0 can also be seen as f-vectors of compressed subsets in direct (poset) product of stars, where the compression is relative to the reverse-lexicographic order.
Patterns of aneuploidy in stage IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma revealed by comparative genomic hybridization and spectral karyotyping

We report the use of spectral karyotyping (SKY) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to describe the numerous genomic imbalances characteristic of stage IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). SKY and CGH were performed on 10 cell lines established from nephrectomy specimens, and CGH on uncultured material from five of the primary renal tumors. The mutational status of VHL (3p25) and MET (7q31), genes implicated in renal carcinogenesis, were determined for each case. Each case showed marked aneuploidy, with an average number of copy alterations of 14.6 (+/-2.7) in the primary tumors and 19.3 (+/-4.6) in the cell lines. Both whole-chromosome and chromosome-segment imbalances were noted by CGH: consistent losses or gains included +5q23-->ter (100%), -3p14-->ter (80%), and +7 (70%). All VHL mutations and 83% of the genomic imbalances found in the primary tumors were also found in the cell lines derived from them. SKY showed many complex structural rearrangements that were undetected by conventional banding analysis in these solid tumors. All cases with VHL inactivation had 3p loss and 5q gain related primarily to unbalanced translocations between 3p and 5q. In contrast, gains of chromosome 7 resulted primarily from whole-chromosome gains and were not associated with mutations of MET. SKY and CGH demonstrated that genomic imbalances in advanced RCC were the result of either segregation errors [i.e., whole chromosomal gains and losses (7.8/case)] or chromosomal rearrangements (10.7/case), of which the majority were unbalanced translocations.
Observations on wolbachiae in mosquitoes.

Abstract A slightly modified Giemsa smear procedure consistently demonstrated Wolbachia pipientis in Culex pipiens and the Wolbachia species of infected members of the Aedes scutellaris group. Aposymbiosis was induced in Aedes polynesiensis by treatment with 0.017 mg/ml tetracycline hydrochloride or by rearing larvae at temperatures of 32–33°C for 5–7 days. Aposymbiotic females were incompatible with infected males but the reciprocal cross was fertile. By light and electron microscopy wolbachiae were found in ovaries of Aedes albopictus, A. cooki, A. Niuafo'ou sp., A. polynesiensis from American Samoa and Tahiti, A. riversi, A. Tafahi sp., and A. upolensis. Wolbachiae were not detected in A. alcasidi, A. oceanicus, A. triseriatus, Culex peus, two laboratory colonies of C. pipiens, Culiseta incidens, Toxorhynchites amboinensis, or T. brevipalpis. Wolbachiae were found also in the ovarian follicular epithelium of A. albopictus. This is the first record of mosquito wolbachiae in nongerminal gonadal tissue.
Improving aesthetic outcomes after alloplastic chin augmentation

A novel approach to increase chin projection with alloplastic material is presented. Key aspects of the technique include the consideration of anthropometric normal values in preoperative assessment and planning, a submental approach with wide subperiosteal exposure of the area to be augmented, the use of two-piece porous polyethylene implants for augmentation, and screw fixation of the implant to the mandible. Screw fixation improves the predictability and precision of reconstruction by preventing implant displacement, by obliterating gaps between the implant and the facial skeleton, and by facilitating final implant contouring. In a series of 46 patients (24 primary and 22 secondary) operated on over a 6-year period, this approach allowed anatomically correct, stable chin contours to be created. Iatrogenic problems with macrogenia, mentalis dysfunction, and soft-tissue distortion resulting from implant migration and capsular contracture have been avoided. There have been no infections. Two patients who had had multiple previous chin operations requested revisional surgery to refine contour.
The Complementary Effects of Market Orientation and Entrepreneurial Orientation on Profitability in Small Businesses

Market orientation (MO) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) are correlated, but distinct constructs. MO reflects the degree to which firms' strategic market planning is driven by customer and comp...
Altitude properties and characterizations of inner product spaces

New characterizations of real inner product spaces (euclidean spaces) among metric spaces are obtained from familiar formulas expressing the altitude (height) of a triangle as a function of the lengths of its sides. Other properties related to the altitude of a triangle are also shown to result in characterizations of euclidean spaces, or euclidean and hyperbolic spaces.